Adverbs can go walk-about in sentences We often have difficulty deciding where to put adverbs as many of them can appear in different places depending on what emphasis we want. I came across this example in a grammar guide of how adverbs can go walkabout. Originally, the book must have been bought in the shop. The […]
When to use the active and passive voice in your writing The active voice is more direct and vigorous than the passive. With the active voice, you learn ‘who’ or ‘what’ is responsible for the action at the beginning of the sentence. In other words, when the subject acts, the verb is active. She wrote […]
The bike, which is on the footpath, needs fixing. The bike that is on the footpath needs fixing. The difference between which and that When which and that are used to introduce clauses, we’re talking about restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, sometimes called defining and non-defining clauses. Take a look at these two sentences. The bike, which […]
You need to understand about subjects and objects to distinguish between who and whom. The subject performs the action of the verb and the object is the receiver. For example: I like grammar. (I = subject, like = verb, grammar = object) She misses him. (She = subject, misses = verb, him = object) who Use who when the person […]
One or more Reader’s question: Do you use singular or plural with one or more? For example: One or more of the impacted funds is/are available on the investment menus. Answer: I would choose the plural, but grammar experts don’t agree on this one. Writing about one in, one out of, and one of these, […]
Than I or than me? She’s taller than me. She’s taller than I. Reader’s question: Which is correct? He is younger than me. He is younger than I. Answer: ‘I’ is more correct in formal English, but ‘me’ is acceptable in informal English and is increasingly used in formal English too. ‘I’ is more ‘correct’ because you’re […]
I used to walk on the beach. I was used to seeing black swans on the lake. Reader’s question: What is the rule for distinguishing between ‘used to do’ and ‘be used to’? Answer: ‘Used to do’ means something that you did in the past, possibly on a regular basis, and no longer do. […]
Correlative conjunctions work in pairs Reader’s question: Do you need but or but also in a sentence that starts with Not only (e.g. Not only does she excel at swimming, she dances superbly.)? Answer: Yes, you need but also, because not only … but also are correlative conjunctions that work in pairs. Correlative conjunctions link balanced words, […]
Within the present tense, we express greater subtlety of meaning by using simple, perfect or continuous tense forms. Simple present The simple present is used for: General truths — Broccoli is good for you. Recurring actions — I walk every day. Future events — The bus departs at 9pm. Events that are taking place now […]
‘I’ll meet you at the airport’ or ‘I’ll meet you in the airport’? Reader’s question: Could you please teach me a simple method to remember how and when to use the words in and at appropriately? For example, which of the following sentences are correct? I live in/at England Garden. I am in/at the airport. I am waiting […]