Archive for 'English Language'
Us or We? Posted by Gary Locke on Apr 15, 2021
Welcome to another example of why English may be the most infuriating language in the world. Two of the most commonly used words in English are the pronouns Us and We. They are both first-person plural pronouns which mean a group of two or more people. Yet, they are very commonly misused even by highly…
English Phrases from Baseball Posted by Gary Locke on Mar 31, 2021
I probably spend too much time referencing baseball in this blog. After all, this is a page devoted to helping you learn and understand the English language. However, American English is filled with words and phrases which come directly from baseball. It has been called the national pastime for a reason. Even if you know…
Talking about travel problems in English Posted by carol on Mar 31, 2021
Hi there, dear readers! Traveling is always a source of joy for most people, but things do not always go as we expect and this can ruin our whole vacation experience. Your suitcase may get lost, your flight might be canceled or the layover can be too long for a short trip. Some of the…
English Idioms for the Spring Posted by Gary Locke on Mar 25, 2021
Spring has sprung, as we say in English. We have been saying for weeks that spring is just around the corner. And now the astronomical spring, also known as the Vernal equinox, when the sun crossed the celestial equator going north. For those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, this was the Autumnal equinox, and…
Literally and Figuratively Posted by Gary Locke on Mar 18, 2021
If there is one word in the English language that literally enrages people, it is the word literally. This adverb is literally defined as something which is accurate, exact, and precise. To be literal is to be without exaggeration or hyperbole. And yet, in English, you will often hear literally used in a figurative manner…
Talking About Death in English Posted by Gary Locke on Mar 11, 2021
People don’t want to talk about death. It’s a difficult thing to discuss, but there are times when we must. It’s especially hard for those who find themselves in a conversation that is not in their native language. No one wants to say the wrong thing in even the simplest situation. There is nothing simple…
The Incomplete Sentence Posted by Gary Locke on Feb 18, 2021
An incomplete sentence, or sentence fragment, is an incomplete thought. There is some vital piece of information missing. Usually, what’s missing is either a verb or a noun. This is elementary English and should be easy to identify. We know an incomplete sentence when we see one. Or, do we? When does a sentence fragment…