Test your understanding of commonly-confused words that we have covered in previous lessons with this short quiz. Pick the choice in parentheses that best completes the sentence. Answers can be found at the end of the quiz. If you find yourself routinely confusing these kinds of tricky words, contact the English Island in Atlanta. Our…

Comparatives and superlatives belong to a special class of adjective used to compare two or more nouns. Whether you need to use a comparative or a superlative depends on the number of nouns that you are comparing. Comparatives Comparatives are used to compare two nouns. They usually end in –er or –re. Common comparatives include…

Than and then are two of the most commonly-confused words in the English language. These words are nearly identical in spelling and pronunciation. In casual speech, the difference in pronunciation by native English speakers can range from slight to nonexistent.  This can, in turn, bleed over into writing, with native speakers using than and then…

This week we’re going to demystify another ten commonly-used English idioms. You can find previously covered English idioms lessons by clicking on the following links: English Idioms Lesson 1 English Idioms Lesson 2 An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is different from the dictionary definitions of the words that comprise it. Idioms pose a special challenge…

Articles, Colons, Semi-colons, Adjectives, and Adverbs If you need to refresh your memory before you take this quiz, here are the lessons: Definite and Indefinite Articles Colons vs. Semi-colons Adjectives vs. Adverbs Pick the choice in parentheses that best completes the sentence. Answers and explanations can be found at the end of the quiz. (The…

This week, we’re going to discuss the correct usage of colons [:] and semi-colons [;]. Despite their similarity in name and appearance, these punctuation marks cannot be used interchangeably. Each has its own unique role in the English language. Semi-Colon Uses Semi-colons are primarily used to join two independent clauses. Using a semi-colon is an…

In this English lesson, we’re going to discuss the difference between adjectives and adverbs. In English, adjectives and adverbs have distinct uses. You can’t use an adjective in an adverbial role or an adverb in an adjectival role. Nevertheless, native English speakers often confuse the two, especially in casual speech. What Adjectives Can Do Adjectives…

In this lesson we’re going to look at two more common grammar errors that native English speakers routinely commit. These are the sorts of mistakes that native speakers hear growing up and end up unconsciously repeating. Learn to identify these errors, and make an effort to avoid incorporating them into your own speech and writing.…

Unlike other languages, English has only one definite and one indefinite article. The, the English definite article, is used to refer to specific nouns. A/an, the indefinite article, modifies non-specific nouns. The The is used to indicate a specific or particular member of a group. For example, if you and your friends plan to see…

Long, complex English sentences are difficult to read. Multiple such sentences can make a paragraph difficult to follow. Because English provides so many different structures for creating sentences, it can be easy for a sentence to “get away” from you. If you find yourself constructing very long sentences on a regular basis, you should look…