A Reference for Connecting Words Part 1

In this lesson and the ones that follow, we’re going to provide a series of charts for connecting words that you can print out for easy reference. Connecting words join ideas and express the relationship between those ideas. English connecting words are divided into two broad categories based on the type of relation they express.…

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Native Speaker Mistakes in Advertising

For this native English speaker mistakes lesson, we’re going to look at two errors I have seen on advertising and signage at businesses around the English Island campus in Atlanta. To be clear, our purpose is not to shame businesses that have such errors in their signs. Rather, we want to show that even prominently-displayed…

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Writing Numbers (Part Two)

This week, we’re going to conclude over lessons on writing numbers by looking at the kinds of numbers that are normally written as numerals. Keep in mind that these rules might differ from the rules used in your workplace, especially if you work in a scientific or technical field. Always consult your company’s style guide…

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Writing Numbers (Part One)

In this lesson and the lesson that follows, we’re going to cover when you should write out numbers as words (twenty) and when you should write numbers as numerals (20). Keep in mind that these rules might differ from the rules used in your workplace, especially if you work in a scientific or technical field.…

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Abbreviations (Part Three)

English punctuation and capitalization rules for abbreviations vary widely because those rules frequently change. Moreover, American and British English differ in the use of periods with names and titles of people. Therefore, you should think of the “rules” for abbreviations as guidelines, not absolutes. Always make sure that the abbreviations you use are consistent with…

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Abbreviations (Part One)

In this week’s lesson, we’re going to begin examining abbreviations. English punctuation and capitalization rules for abbreviations vary widely because those rules frequently change. Moreover, American and British English differ in the use of periods with names and titles of people. As a general rule, you should avoid abbreviations in formal writing unless you are…

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Abbreviations (Part Two)

English punctuation and capitalization rules for abbreviations vary widely because those rules frequently change. Moreover, American and British English differ in the use of periods with names and titles of people. Therefore, you should think of the “rules” for abbreviations as guidelines, not absolutes. Always make sure that the abbreviations you use are consistent with…

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Time Clauses

A time clause is a dependent clause that begins with a “time word” (when, after, as soon as, etc.). Time clauses follow their own special rules for tense combinations. Therefore, the correct verb tense in a time clause may be different from what you expect.   Future Time Clauses A future time clause uses the…

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The Order of Adjectives

Native speakers of any language intuitively adopt many grammar rules without even realizing those rules exist. One such rule is the order of adjectives. Most native English speakers do not realize that sometimes you must put adjectives in a certain order, and other times you can choose your own adjective order. In English, there are…

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Even More English Contronyms

This week we’re going to examine another five commonly-used English contronyms: words with two contradictory meanings. A contronym, sometimes called an auto-antonym or “Janus word” (after the two-faced Greek god), is essentially its own opposite. Accordingly, the meaning that a contronym conveys is entirely context-dependent. If you need more help with contronyms or any other…

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