May 7, 2020
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The Difference Between So and Such (Explained By a REAL ESL teacher!)
So and Such – English Grammar To learn this English Grammar let’s look at the meaning of So and Such. At the bottom of this post, you can download a FREE 14-page PDF of this blog post. Study anytime, online, or offline. SO means very; extremely or to some high degree or level. “Patricia is so nice. I really like talking to her.” SUCH is used to show a high level of importance. “Patricia is…
Good Vs Well (Examples-Audio/Video-Quiz-PDF-Infographic)
The words good and well are often heard in natural English conversation, but they can be easy to confuse. My private English students often asked me about the difference between these two words. This post will answer the question with lots of real example sentences, audio and video, an interactive quiz, a free PDF download, and a fun infographic. Good Vs Well Good is an adjective so it will be…
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Do You Say These Phrases?
Do You Say These Phrases?
Our ears can play tricks on us. Remember when you (and I) thought duct tape was duck tape? (Who would ever tape a duck?)
Here are some more phrases you might be saying and writing incorrectly:
• Hear, hear! It’s not Here, here! You really are saying, “I hear you and agree with you.”
• Free rein, not free reign. No royalty involved. If you give someone free rein, it’s like giving a horse freedom…
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An Important Distinction
I was driving next to a truck on the infamous 405 freeway. The company installs audio and visual components and proudly displayed its name in various places on the truck: SIMPLISTIC SOLUTIONS. I was in no danger of driving off the freeway since my maximum speed at the time ranged from 5-10 mph. But I did swallow my gum.
Being the crank that I am, I sent the company an e-mail:
To Simplistic…
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Look-alikes and Sound-alikes
So many words look and sound similar but have different meanings. Here are a few:
FORTH means onward or forward: Brianna set forth from her apartment, not knowing what to expect from the blind date at Starbucks.
FOURTH has within it the number four, containing its meaning.
DESSERT. Yummy. Hard to resist. Mmmm. Strawberry shortcake.
DESERT as a noun means a sandy, dry area. As a verb,…
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Have You Heard?
So many words in English (and most likely in every language) are so close to other words, both in spelling and pronunciation. These similarities contribute to phrases that are close, but no cigars will be distributed:
• Statue of limitations You want the legal term statute.
• Pass mustard At the dinner table, fine. But the expression is to pass muster, meaning to pass inspection.
•Free reign
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Don't Shun the -sions
Don’t Shun the -sions
An optical illusion–I see movement and three dimensions. Perhaps I am deluded.
Here are a few words that look as if they might be related, but they have different meanings:
ILLUSION: 1) A false belief or idea. 2) Something that is perceived incorrectly, such as an optical illusion. For example, at times the moon appears to be enormous, but, in fact, it doesn’t change its size. For a multitude…
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