Idiomatic expressions play multiple roles in a language. Some become proverbs, passing on hard-earned wisdom to younger generations. After all, knowing is half the battle, and fortune favors the brave. Other expressions can play multiple roles. On the one hand, they can still have something worthwhile to teach the listener. But, they can also be …
Marcel Iseli
Is putting a comma before “hence” always necessary? If so, how do we know whether the sentence structure requires it or not? And, is the comma decision even dependent on the structure of the sentence? Or can the writer also freely decide it? If these questions have been sitting at the back of your head, …
When you have to complete a task, it’s extremely important to follow instructions. Otherwise, you may make a mistake, and that could affect your academics, professional relationships, and so on. Still, it’s easy to read the rules and miss an important aspect. The caveats are just as relevant as every other aspect of any set …
It seems like some people can get away with anything. Most people, however, are much less lucky. We all know that one person who just never has to face the consequences of their actions. They can do anything without drawing any unwanted attention. Nonetheless, at some point, the majority of those people tend to reap …
Do you want a new house? Well, it’s not just going to build itself. Several important steps go into realizing such an ambition. You need to figure out your needs, develop a budget, draw up a blueprint, source supplies, call the right tradespeople, and so on. This simply won’t be possible without consistent effort and …
Sometimes things don’t work out, no matter how hard you try. One way to talk about that is to use the expression “to no avail,” but there are other options, too. Let’s explore all the varied ways to express inevitable failure in English. What is the meaning of “to no avail”? The expression “to …
A non-native English speaker asks a coworker, who is a native speaker, whether it should be “suggest to go” or “suggest going.” The coworker responds, “The two expressions seem to be correct, but I think ‘suggest going’ is a better phrase.” Both ended up scratching their heads and started googling for some grammatical explanations. So, …
With the hustle and bustle of modern life, we may go days, months, or even years without seeing our friends or beloved family members. This is unfortunate, but it can’t always be helped. At the end of the day, work and other obligations must come before most social relationships. Similarly, it’s also very common to …
It’s good to feel welcome. Whether you’ve met someone for the first time or reunited with an old friend, a comforting feeling comes from the knowledge that they want to see you again. As human beings, we all crave acceptance, and it feels nice when we can finally get it. There are many ways to …