Author Archives: Audrey Horwitz

What are Pronouns? Firstly, pronouns are nouns, but they comprise a particular subcategory. Pronouns’ function is to take the place of other nouns. Here is an illustration. If you were writing an essay about Henry V, you would not want to say his full name… continue reading

The term “linking verb” refers to a verb that connects the subject of a sentence to information about the subject. Linking verbs do not relay an action but instead link the subject and the other statement details. Perhaps the most common linking verb is to… continue reading

Most of us know the rule about putting “a” before words that start with consonants and “an” in front of words that start with vowels but as it turns out, it’s actually more complicated than that. For example, here’s a question from a student: I’m… continue reading

Writers confront many potential issues when they start writing out a thought. It can feel deceptively easy to begin a sentence, but many variables can complicate things. One of the most persistent complications is starting a line of thought with a conjunction, like but, so,… continue reading

One frequent error that writers make involves homophones, or different words that sound the same when spoken. Anyone who has ever had to choose the correct option between poor, pour, and pore can surely relate. Another homophone quandary involves the words callous and callus. History… continue reading

Sometimes apart vs. a part can be confusing, especially to non-native speakers of English. Let’s break this down.  Apart is more commonly used as an adverb. It indicates a separation between things. A part on the other hand means “a section of a whole,” or in a theatre setting,… continue reading

What is Etc. (Et Cetera)? A Latin phrase, Et cetera combines the words Et, which means “and,” and Cetera, which means “the rest.” The abbreviation of et cetera is etc.  You can use etc. when you present a list that you will not complete. It tells the reader that the list has other items, in addition… continue reading