Search results for “p”

Some writers and speakers of American English may have a basic understanding of what a phrase is but may not always be able to define one or identify it in a sentence. In today's post, we'll further explore and explain what a phrase is. How Do You Define a Phrase? A phrase is a sequence …

English uses the concept of tense to communicate an action's place in time. For example, in the sentence James threw the ball to first base, the infinitive verb “to throw” is written in the past tense to let us know that this action occurred in the past as opposed to the present or the future. …

You might vaguely recall learning about compound sentences at some point earlier in your education. There's also a chance a refresher may help, because review and practice are good for remembering grammatical guidelines. In this post we'll revisit what a compound sentence is and how it is formed. How Do We Create a Compound Sentence? …

Let's say you need to stand and deliver a speech tonight. Will you be behind the podium, lectern, or pulpit? Most of us have heard these words, and we generally understand they relate to public speaking. However, some of us might be uncertain about the distinctions among a podium, a lectern, and a pulpit. We'll …

The words imply and infer are related. They are also often used as synonyms or incorrectly swapped to mean the other thing. Today we'll help clear confusion concerning these two words. The Difference Between Imply and Infer To imply something means to suggest it indirectly. It's a way of giving information that allows another person …

Many of us may have at some point wondered whether we should use data as a singular or plural word. The right answer can be evasive. How to treat data can influence our writing and sentence structure in different ways. Let's review this word more closely to reach a conclusion we can work with. Is …

A personal pronoun is a word that replaces a noun. It stands in for a particular person or thing after that person or thing (the antecedent) has been identified. We use personal pronouns to avoid redundancy that can become distracting. Redundant: Sheila goes to the library every other Saturday. Sheila returns old books and checks …

Which word do you use if you’re playing a game with more than one small, numbered cube that you have to roll? Today we’ll look at the word dice, along with some related thoughts. The Plural of Dice: Are We Using Correct English? To begin with, asking “What is the plural of dice?” is a …

Editors and style guides alike may differ concerning the usage of lets and let's. Do we need to include an apostrophe or not? In today's discussion, we will answer that question. We'll also give you an explanation you can remember at the same time you enhance your grammar. So let's jump in… Why You See …

Have you ever wondered whether envelop or envelope is the right spelling? If so, then today's grammar article should offer some guidance. Both envelop and envelope are their own words with slightly different spellings and separate (but related) meanings. We'll discuss the difference so you can use each word properly in your writing and speaking. …