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Most Commonly Confused Words: Part 2

2023-03-01T16:16:26+01:00

English is full of things that can be confusing. There are words that sound the same (like wear and where), words that are spelled the same but have different meanings (like right and right?), and phrases that sound confusing (like jumbo shrimp). Here is our second list of the most commonly confused words in English that throw even native speakers for a loop. Check out our first list of commonly confused words, too! If you're a native speaker, use this blog as a quiz to see how well you know some of the most commonly confused words. If you're learning English, use our lists to enhance your vocabulary. No [...]

Most Commonly Confused Words: Part 22023-03-01T16:16:26+01:00

Root Word Cult: to Grow

2023-03-01T15:53:17+01:00

You may have heard the word cult in reference to extreme religious sects. I don't know about you, but I think a good documentary about a cult is fascinating! But did you know that the root word cult actually means "to grow"? If you think about the word cult when it comes to the religious meaning, they definitely grow out of a certain belief. If you take a look at the words that have the root word cult in them in English, you'll see that they all have something to do with things growing. Whether it's a culture that develops in a society, or viticulturists (people who grow grapes to be turned into wine), [...]

Root Word Cult: to Grow2023-03-01T15:53:17+01:00

A or An: The Rules and Exceptions

2023-03-01T15:49:24+01:00

A and an are what are called indefinite articles. Indefinite articles give us information about nouns. A and an tell us that there is only one of the nouns. For example: a book, or an apple. But how do you know which to pick? How do you know if you should use a or an? Are there exceptions to the rules? If you've always been curious, read on to find out! Indefinite Article: A You use the article a before singular countable nouns. It is also used before nouns that begin with a consonant (not a vowel – a,e,i,o,u) sound. [...]

A or An: The Rules and Exceptions2023-03-01T15:49:24+01:00

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

2023-03-01T15:46:58+01:00

If you're looking to deepen (improve, strengthen) your knowledge of English, it might be time to get into (understand, explore) some of the finer points of the language. That's why this week we’ve decided to take a look at transitive and intransitive verbs. Transitive and intransitive verbs are the two kinds of verbs in English. Here's a look at these two types of verbs, as well as how to use them. Transitive verbs Transitive verbs are the most common kinds of verbs in English. They are action verbs that take a direct object, which is someone or something that receives [...]

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs2023-03-01T15:46:58+01:00

Each and Every: What’s the Difference? Easy English

2023-03-01T14:46:34+01:00

Each and every are used in a similar way, but they have slightly different meanings. This can be confusing when learning English. Sometimes even native speakers confuse them! Both each and every can refer to a singular object. Each refers to one particular object or person. Every refers to a group of objects or people all together. Here's how you can use each and every, and some examples. Each The word each refers to a single object or person. When you use each, you want to emphasize (focus on, stress, point out, make more important) the individual and not the group as a whole. For example: Each writer has different ideas. Each egg is checked for quality. I love each of my [...]

Each and Every: What’s the Difference? Easy English2023-03-01T14:46:34+01:00

Commonly Confused Words in English

2023-02-24T15:10:16+01:00

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: English is a tough (hard) language to learn. So if you've decided to take on the challenge of learning English, good for you! You deserve a pat on the back (to be congratulated). One of the most difficult things about learning English is all of the commonly confused words. This can even be tough for native speakers! If you're learning English, and even if you're a native speaker looking to freshen up your vocabulary, these commonly confused words are great to have down pat (learn perfectly, know well). Or try out these commonly [...]

Commonly Confused Words in English2023-02-24T15:10:16+01:00

Some and Any: What’s the Difference? Easy English Blog

2023-02-24T14:56:43+01:00

I always think the smallest words in a language are hardest to learn. Small words usually (often, a lot of time) have a lot of exceptions. They can also be very similar (the same)! So how do you know when to use them? How do you know when to use some and any? For example, what is the difference between, "We have some pineapples," and "We don't have any pineapples"? If you don’t know how to use some and any, or are not sure, read on to find out the answer! Some Some always means that you know “it” is [...]

Some and Any: What’s the Difference? Easy English Blog2023-02-24T14:56:43+01:00

Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns

2023-02-24T14:39:54+01:00

While English is a truly wonderful language with a lot to learn, there are some things that can be tricky for a non-native speaker....and even some of us natives, too!! One of these things is collective nouns. If you are going to talk about collective nouns (Easy English Blog), then you have to talk about the verb agreement with collective nouns. In case you missed it before, a collective noun is a noun that refers to a group of things (typically people). Army, school, team, and company are all collective nouns, as there is more than one person or thing [...]

Verb Agreement with Collective Nouns2023-02-24T14:39:54+01:00

Passive vs Active Voice in English

2023-02-24T14:32:57+01:00

Sometimes when I'm writing these blogs, Microsoft Word will underline a sentence in green, saying that it has been written in the passive voice, and that I should consider revising (changing, rewording) the sentence. This is because the passive voice is not as common (often found) in the English language because we tend to use the active voice more frequently. We were definitely told to do this in school!! So what exactly is the difference between the active and passive voice in English? Active voice Most sentences in English are in the active voice. The active voice is when the [...]

Passive vs Active Voice in English2023-02-24T14:32:57+01:00

Singular Plurals – English Nouns Always in Plural Form

2023-02-24T14:09:16+01:00

If you're a Bespeaking devotee (loyal fan), we're sure you saw our blog on collective nouns in English (or the Easy English Blog here). Collective nouns in English are nouns that are in the singular form, but refer to many things, like hair, information, or money, so you would think they are plural. However, as with many rules in English, you can be sure that there's an opposite to any word form or grammar point. There are simply some English nouns that are always in the plural form- singular plurals. Plurals may seem like the easiest aspect of learning a [...]

Singular Plurals – English Nouns Always in Plural Form2023-02-24T14:09:16+01:00

Talk about Future in English: will, going to, present continuous – Easy English Blog

2023-02-03T12:24:28+01:00

How do you talk about future plans in English- meaning things that you will do or have planned after now? Talking about the future is an important step in learning any language. There are a few easy ways to talk about future plans in English: using will, be going to and the present continuous tense. We talk in the future tense all the time because we like to speak about things coming soon. There are a few ways to do this. Do you know the difference? For example: Will you help me? What are you doing when you get home? [...]

Talk about Future in English: will, going to, present continuous – Easy English Blog2023-02-03T12:24:28+01:00

Double Trouble: Double Negatives in English

2023-02-03T12:20:18+01:00

Have you ever heard that two negatives make a positive? This is not only a concept in math class, but in English, too! This week, our blog is all about double negatives in English. Even though double negatives, for example: not never, don’t neither, may be standard in some regional dialects, they are incorrect in standard English. You may know this already from your English teachers, but they may not have told you exactly why. We hope to clear this up for you (make it clear to you). If you've ever used a double negative in the past, keep reading to [...]

Double Trouble: Double Negatives in English2023-02-03T12:20:18+01:00
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