Ryan Fisher, Author at BusinessWritingBlog

A blue background with the words whenever or when ever

Grammar and Usage

Should You Say “Whenever” Or “When Ever?”

Compound words can be tricky for English speakers because they utilize pre-existing words. However, they also have special rules that apply to them. This goes for “whenever,” which is a commonly used conjunction that can introduce clauses into a sentence. In short, “whenever” usually acts as a… continue reading

Two Toned Background of Red and Blue with the Words Purposely vs. Purposefully

Grammar and Usage

Purposely vs. Purposefully: Difference And Examples

Some words in English seem like they may be related or have the same meaning when, in fact, they are entirely different. This is the case for “purposely” and “purposefully,” which English writers commonly confuse. What Does “Purposely” Mean? “Purposely” is an adverb that means “done deliberately.” It… continue reading

A SILHOUETTE of a father and a son with the caption - Like Father Like Son

Expressions and Phrases

What Does “Like Father, Like Son” Mean?

What Is The Meaning Of “Like Father, Like Son?” Idioms are something that we often run into during our daily lives. They can be conversational, unique, and most of all, expressive. One great example is “like father, like son,” which seems simple, however, it causes a… continue reading

A sitting bear with the caption - come to bear

Expressions and Phrases

What Does “Come To Bear” Mean?

English idioms can be hard to grasp, especially if English is your second language. One common idiom which can often confuse people is the saying “it comes to bear.” So what does this idiom mean? And when can you utilize it in your daily life? In… continue reading

Should You Use “Fared” Or “Faired?”

Is it faired or fared? Here is another pair of pesky homophones that often leave writers scratching their heads. It’s fair to say that some fare better than others! Here is a quick rule of thumb: Most of the time, “fared” is the correct choice. Let’s have… continue reading

A chalk board with the words "Practice or Practise"

Spelling

Are “Practice” And “Practise” The Same Thing?

While reading a document, you may see words like “practice” and “practise” thrown around interchangeably. You may have wondered if “practise” is even a word or if both words mean the same thing. This isn’t the only example, however, as many words end in “-ise” and “-ice” which can confuse English learners. … continue reading

A clip art drawing of a worried man in a tie with the words "A cause for concern"

Expressions and Phrases

“A Cause For Concern” Vs. “Gives One Pause”

It feels like more and more writers are beginning to lump in idioms with each other. While this can simplify the idiom’s meaning, it can really take away from the power of the saying. For example, many writers lump “a cause for concern” and “gives one… continue reading

An aerial view of a suburban town with the words ariel or aerial

Vocabulary

What Do “Aerial” And “Areal” Mean?

Homophones are one of the most difficult aspects of the English language. Although words may sound similar, they may have vastly different meanings. One common homophone pair is “aerial” and “areal,” which are often mixed up by many English readers and writers. As a general tip, “areal” refers to… continue reading

A two-tone background with the words Certificated and Certified

Vocabulary

What Do “Certified” And “Certificated” Mean?

There are many cases in English where it may seem like multiple forms of the same word, or a family of words means the same thing. Unfortunately, not all groups of similar words will have a similar meaning and can lead writers to make errors.… continue reading

Two green arrows pointing in the opposite directions with the words proof and prove

Vocabulary

What Are The Differences Between “Proof” And “Prove?”

Is it “proof” or “prove?” English often seems to be the mixing pot of languages. In many cases, English words can have shared origins or similarities that we may not even know. This is true for the words “proof” and “prove.” Interestingly, these words share the same… continue reading

Author Archives: Ryan Fisher