Search results for “p”

Do you know the definition of the word acronym? Even if you couldn’t explain it the way a dictionary would, you probably know many acronyms and use them every day. In today’s post, we will review the definition and usage of acronyms so you can add them to your grammar toolbox. What Exactly Is an …

Have you come across the word synonym and not been sure what it means? Or do you have somewhat of an idea of the definition but nothing specific enough to provide an example? If so, this post can help. So let’s get right to it: What is a synonym? The Meaning of Synonym A synonym …

Bare and bear are two commonly confused words. They sound the same and their spellings differ only by transposed letters, but they have different definitions so it's easy to use one when you might mean the other. Today we'll look at the distinctions between bare and bear and how you can use the words correctly. …

The classic letter opening To Whom It May Concern was once incredibly common and popular. You might be seeing it used less often these days, which might lead you to wonder when the salutation is proper to include in a letter or email. We will address that topic and more in this discussion. The Concern …

Than and then look and sound alike, and both are used in casual conversation all the time. Because of their similarity, they can sometimes be tricky to keep straight, especially in writing. In today's post we'll review the differences between than and then so you know how to use both correctly within your communications. The …

A common debate in English grammar can concern whether commas need to be used before conjunctions such as and, or, and but. These debates may stem from the fact that different people have been taught different guidelines about this punctuation. Style guides often differ about it as well. Today's post will help to clear things …

Suppose you wake with the strange sensation that you have just been in a desert made of brown sugar in a room where it was raining toasted marshmallows. Was all that sugar something you had dreamed, or had you dreamt of something sweet? If you're someone who focuses on improving your mastery of American English …

Do you ever have a hard time separating the one-word already from the phrase all ready? These words sound the same when spoken aloud unless you conscientiously emphasize the pause between them. Given that, it's easy to see why people might confuse them. In today's post we'll look at the differences so you can use …

Every English verb has an infinitive, which is the base form of the verb before it is conjugated. It consists of the word to and the present form of the verb (the infinitive stem): e.g., to run, to sing, to write, to follow. Although an infinitive is the base of a verb, it does not …

A subordinating conjunction is a word or a phrase that begins and therefore introduces a dependent (subordinate) clause. The subordinate conjunction marks how the dependent clause will modify the independent clause with information such as manner, place, time, contrast, cause, or a condition. Some common subordinating conjunctions include: after except that that although if though …