Showing thanks is an integral part of who we are as human beings. In fact, a study by Harvard found that people who often express their gratitude tend to be happier than those who just focus on the negative aspects of their lives. They tend to feel more optimistic and to have a better feeling …
English
Slang can be completely incomprehensible, even if the expression is written in plain English. That’s sort of the beauty of it actually. You need someone to clue you in. Today we will clue you in on the slang expression “Say less.” Let’s dive right in. [toc] What does “say less” mean? ‘Say less’ …
An ESL student once asked a native English speaker the correct way for seeking advice or suggestion. The student asked, “Am I supposed to say ‘What do you suggest I do?’ or ‘What do you suggest me to do?’” The native speaker responded, “Well, I think both questions seem to mean the same, but the …
The phrase “in a timely manner” conjures up images of a bygone era when time seemed to move more slowly. It has its origins in the emergence of bureaucracy, and has been replaced by terms more commonly used these days in project management. In the 21st century, we would more likely speak of delivering, ‘to …
Now and then, you’ll find yourself at a disadvantage. Despite your best efforts, your rival or opponent might have a leg up on you. Losing can feel hopeless and frustrating, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t reverse your fortune and take control of the situation. When people are sure of their victory, they may …
In certain situations, you may be required to refer to somebody by an honorific or some respectful form of address. In Japan, you may call an older coworker or classmate “Senpai.” If you work at a grocery store, then it’s polite to refer to a male customer as “Sir.” In a similar vein, it’s polite …
An important medical research organization is holding a conference, and they’re inviting doctors, researchers, and other medical professionals from all around the world. There will be people from China, Brazil, Russia, Norway, and many other countries at this event. However, many of these medical professionals don’t speak the same language. Norwegian and Chinese are a …
You can’t always be right. It’s easy to assume that you know the answer, but when you find out that you were wrong, you must be sure to handle it gracefully. After all, everybody is wrong once in a while. While some people try to act like they’re right no matter what, those people are …
“After all the starts and stops, we keep coming back to these two hearts.” Peter Cetera and Cher’s wedding song instantly played in my head upon seeing this topic. A comma doesn’t really fit after “after all” in the song’s hook, but a comma seems necessary in “after all, he’s your dad.” Why is this …