Helping Verbs in English: List & Examples
What are helping verbs? Helping verbs, also called “auxiliary verbs,” are verbs that don’t have a specific definition by themselves, but instead “help” the main verb of the sentence. …
Feeling + Feelings Collocations
1000 Collocations E-Book Advanced Vocab & Collocations Course A student asked me when we use the word feeling (singular) vs. feelings (plural), like in the sentence “I can certainly …
Reported Speech: Rules, Examples, Exceptions
👉 Quiz 1 / Quiz 2 Advanced Grammar Course What is reported speech? “Reported speech” is when we talk about what somebody else said – for example: Direct Speech: …
When do we use ANYMORE vs. ANY MORE?
600+ Confusing Words E-Book Our final student question this month is when to use anymore (one word) vs. any more (two words). Anymore (one word) refers to time and …
Which is correct – A historic event or AN historic event?
Take your grammar to the next level! Today’s question is whether to say a historic event or an historic event? We use a or an depending on the first …
Which is correct – IN school or AT school?
Take your grammar to the next level! Which is correct – in school or at school? We actually use both, for slightly different situations. At school means the person …
Difference between SEE a movie and WATCH a movie?
600+ Confusing Words E-Book A student asks: “Is there a difference between see a movie and watch a movie?” Yes, there’s a tiny one! If I say “Let’s see …
Everybody IS or everybody ARE?
Take your grammar to the next level! Do we say “everybody is happy” or “everybody are happy”? Even though “everybody” means multiple people, it takes a singular verb – …
When to use HAVEN’T vs. DON’T HAVE?
Take your grammar to the next level! When should we use “haven’t” and when should we use “don’t have”? When “have” is the MAIN verb, the negative is don’t …
Do we get ON a bus or get IN a bus?
English speaking courses Today’s question is very interesting – do we get on a bus or get in a bus? The answer is “on”! We get on or get …
What does AIN’T mean, and when do we use it?
English speaking courses What does the word “ain’t” mean, and when do we use it? Ain’t is an extremely informal (some people would say incorrect) word for isn’t, am …
“Have a good look” or “Be good-looking”?
600+ Confusing Words E-Book A student asked about the difference between “have a good look” and “be good-looking” – are they the same? Nope! Let me explain. To have/get/take …
Speak with or Speak to?
English speaking courses Today’s question – do we “speak with” someone or “speak to” someone? If you’re having a conversation, there’s no difference; you can use either one: “I …
Any difference between “should” and “supposed to”?
600+ Confusing Words E-Book A student asked if there’s any difference between should and supposed to. “Should” is used more for general advice, and “supposed to” is used more …
Which is right – FACE problems or FACE WITH problems?
English speaking courses Today’s question is: “Do we face problems or face with problems?” In this case the verb “face” means to encounter or confront. When the sentence is …
Do we CALL someone or CALL TO someone on the phone?
Improve your spoken English A student asks, “do we call someone or call to someone on the telephone?” When using the phone, we call someone. For example: I called …
IN a long time or FOR a long time?
Take your grammar to the next level! Which is right – in a long time or for a long time? Both can be used in different cases. We typically …
What’s the rule for verb + infinitive or verb + ING form?
Take your grammar to the next level! A student asks, “Is there a rule for choosing the infinitive or the ING form – I like reading or I like …
What’s the difference between the ground floor and the first floor?
600+ Confusing Words E-Book What’s the difference between the ground floor and the first floor? Excellent question! In American English, the first floor is the one that’s the same …
Why can’t we say “go to home” in English?
Take your grammar to the next level! Today’s question is “why can’t we say “I’m going to home” – why is it wrong?” The correct way is “I’m going …