Distinguishing between ser, estar, and haber is notoriously difficult for learners of Spanish, as most languages have only one word for the verb to be. This article will explain the main differences between the three verbs. 1. Ser or estar? “Ser” is used to describe characteristics that are deemed essential or permanent, whereas “estar” to[…]
Although basic rules exist for clean writing, not every situation calls for perfect grammar. Language used for advertising and entertainment, for example, leaves tons of room for creative license. When trying to get a reader’s attention, sentence fragments are great for adding emphasis and purposeful rule-breaking can make language interesting and edgy. When it comes to business[…]
Do you find the semicolon perplexing, or even scary? If so, this article will demystify this often misunderstood punctuation mark. Used correctly, semicolons can transform your writing from so-so to sophisticated. Examples of correct and incorrect usage are included. If you thought semicolons were just for winking, this article’s for you! […]
In spoken English, there is no difference at all between the pronunciation of “it’s” vs “its”. In written English, however, you are always faced with a decision between these two forms. Although the grammatical differences between the two forms are quite straightforward, learners of English and native speakers alike can sometimes make mistakes when using them.[…]
Qi (also often referred to as chi) is a concept borne out of ancient Chinese folk religions which later went on to play a major role in the philosophical and religious aspects of Daoism. Qi is translated variously as “breath”, “life force”, and “life energy”, but often left untranslated because no single word or term[…]
One of the most common errors in English is to confuse the words “affect” and “effect”. These words have two completely different meanings. One is a verb while the other is a noun. If you mix them up, you will only confuse whomever you’re writing to. The Difference Between Affect and Effect “Affect”, with an[…]
It’s not uncommon for people who are new to speaking English to have problems with homonyms (words that sound the same but are spelled differently). Even those who are native English speakers often have trouble choosing which word they want to be using in their writing. Unfortunately, misusing these words will quickly lead to your[…]
While one of the most common language mistakes that English speakers often make is confusing homonyms (words that soon the same but are spelled differently). It can be very confusing trying to discern between two very similar words that are slightly different. So is the case with “further and “farther.” So often confused that some people[…]
Because human language is constantly in flux, evolving and reshaping with the times, many words and phrases change meaning over time. The field of linguistics was born of a need to keep track of, categorize, and catalog all of these changing nuances of language. Many terms currently used in daily conversation actually have archaic definitions which[…]
Every writer makes grammatical errors, no matter how careful they are when writing. Rewriting, editing, and proofreading are all necessary steps to polishing any written work, but often writers can’t see their mistakes. They may not understand the grammar principle behind it or they are too close to the project and their eyes skip over[…]