What If…? The If Clauses in English Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 18, 2018
From early childhood we dream of possibilities. We ask ourselves, and others, questions which begin with words like, “If only…” or “What if…”, each time considering a future with uncertainty, curiosity, and wonder. Every time we do this, we are employing what’s known in English as a conditional clause. A conditional clause is a type…
48 Hours in Singapore (Part Two) Posted by sasha on Jan 16, 2018
With just 48 hours in Singapore, it’s best to spend your first day taking in the sights downtown. You can see the Merlion statue, visit the Gardens by the Bay, and explore Chinatown. For day two, it’s time for a few parks, museums, and more interesting neighborhoods. Check out the highlights of Day Two in…
How to Insult Someone in English Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 11, 2018
We have a saying in English, “Don’t get mad, get even.” It means that if someone has upset you, or wronged you in any way, you shouldn’t get angry with them. Instead, you should do something that will make them even more upset at you. We have a word for that, too: one-upmanship. It is…
American Holidays for 2018 Posted by sasha on Jan 8, 2018
Holidays are a special time when people get time off of work to be with loved ones. There are some holidays that are celebrated all over the world, while others are specific to a country or even a city. These important days can teach us a lot about the history and culture of a country…
Consider the Semicolon Posted by Gary Locke on Jan 4, 2018
It sits on our keyboards next to the L, below the colon, and beside the apostrophe and quotation marks. Neither a comma nor a period, the semicolon is a tool for connecting thoughts, erasing confusion, and adding style to any piece of writing. I’ve never understood the confusion over how to use a semicolon, yet…
Top 10 English Blogs of 2017 Posted by Gary Locke on Dec 28, 2017
2017 was a busy year for us at the English Language Blog. We covered a wide range of topics from studies of literary figures like Agatha Christie and Henry David Thoreau to the vocabulary of spies and how to properly write about time. Still, what we always like to know is what you wanted…
48 Hours in Singapore (Part One) Posted by sasha on Dec 27, 2017
Did you know that one of the official languages in Singapore is actually English? This small city-state in Southeast Asia is a fascinating place to visit, and you don’t even need to worry about language barriers if you speak English! We’re going to show you what to do with 48 hours in Singapore. In Part…