Gratitude is a large part of what makes us human. It’s something we’ve talked about before, but it’s also something that we will keep coming back to time and time again. After all, one of the first things we learn as children is how to say thank you. For instance, whenever someone would do something …
Vocabulary
English punctuation can be confusing. There are so many rules, and plenty of these rules are so nuanced that they really boil down to your own personal judgment. For instance, while the rules for some commas are clear cut, e.g. a comma should separate two independent clauses, other rules require figuring what is and isn’t …
If you’ve ever played any game of cards in your life, you know how important secrecy is. If you show your hand at the wrong time, you could end up losing the entire game. This is why you want to play your cards close to the chest. Oh… wait. I meant this is why you …
Poetry is one of the most sublime art forms imaginable. It combines the written word with music and has a unique ability to capture our imagination like no other medium. A love sonnet can raise our spirits and remind us of cherished times, while a soliloquy can let us into a character’s deepest and darkest …
Social media has revolutionized the way that we interact with each other. Before social media, if you wanted someone to see a picture of you, you had to see them in person, send a physical photograph via the postal service, or make an appearance on TV. The modern way is so much quicker. Now, all …
English has plenty of odd proverbs that you can use to describe just about everything. In this post, we’ll look at expressions used to describe differences between two people or things. What does the expression “(like) chalk and cheese” mean? The expression “chalk and cheese,” more fully written as “like chalk and cheese” or …
A recurring topic here on Linguablog is how different communities develop their own words, expressions, and even entire languages. And, these communities don’t have to populate a country. They can be a relatively small group of people meeting online to talk about gaming. After all, it’s the Twitch community that has given us words like …
Different subcultures enrich the language we speak every day. For instance, sports have given us countless phrases and expressions that we use daily, such as “knocked it out of the park,” “slam dunk,” “hail mary,” “take one for the team,” and “to get the ball rolling.” These phrases populate both our private and professional lives. …
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 …