Grammar and Usage

The Great “-Esque” Escapade: How To Use This Suffix Properly You’ve probably seen the suffix -esque used before, but do you understand how it works so that you can feel confident in making use of it yourself?  The ability to use appropriate grammar, including suffixes,… continue reading

The correct spelling is “nerve-racking.” The phrase describes something that makes you very nervous and uneasy. “Nerve-wracking” has become an accepted variant, although some language purists may take issue with this alternative. There are a lot of expressions involving the nerves (and the brain), which… continue reading

English grammar can cause anyone frustration, as it is rife with exceptions to rules and alternate usages of words and phrases. This is what makes the language difficult for non-native speakers and native-speakers alike. One phrase which is regularly misused is “as of yet”, which is… continue reading

About seven hundred years ago, the word affinity meant “relation by marriage.” By extension, the correct use of affinity concerns mutuality. But that sense of mutual interest is often missing in contemporary uses of affinity, such as these:  “He’s always had an affinity for growing tomatoes.” “They have an affinity… continue reading

Since and Because are both causal conjunctions. Conjunctions are used in sentences to link two phrases, clauses, or words. Causal conjunctions explain why someone does something. Since is used in two main ways. The first is to talk about time. The second is to give… continue reading

Here is a common grammar question: “When do you use hyphens with numbers? For example, is it correct to say 3 feet or 3-feet? And would you write 2 hours or 2-hours?” Here is the rule to learn: You need a hyphen between two or… continue reading

There is a lot of debate between whether it is correct to use none is, or none are. When you understand these phrases, then you can use them correctly. There is one main issue that causes a lot of confusion: None Can Be Both Singular and Plural If none is… continue reading

The word Former  refers to something that is first in the order of two or more items or things. The word Latter refers to something that is either second in a group of two things or the last in a group of many. Some usage guides dictate… continue reading

First and firstly are both ordinal adverbs, or ordering adverbs, that English writers or speakers use to itemize related points (e.g., first…second…third… or firstly…secondly…thirdly…). Because first, second, and third work quite well as both adjectives and adverbs, some people find that adding -ly is redundant… continue reading