Let’s discuss the famous phrase “‘Tis the season:” ‘Tis is just shorthand for “it is,” originating in the mid-16th century. The abbreviation gradually fell out of favor after the 18th century. The expression “T’is the Season” gained popularity after appearing in the song “Deck the… continue reading
So, When Do I Need a Comma Before “So”?
“So” is commonly used as an adverb, conjunction, interjection, and even a pronoun. A comma is required before “so” only when it functions as a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions join two independent clauses to create a compound sentence. Do I Need a Comma Before “So?”… continue reading
Infer Vs. Imply: The Secrets to Understanding Their Usage
Let’s have a close look at infer vs. imply. Is there a difference, and how do we use them? Here is the short answer: When you infer, you are using context clues to make an educated guess about the meaning of something. On the other… continue reading
Are World War II and Other Historical Events Capitalized?
Is World War, either I or II, capitalized? What about other historical events? Let’s find out. First, here is the quick answer: Historical events such as World War II will be capitalized as proper nouns, as they are specific names rather than general references. These… continue reading
What Does “First Come, First Serve” Mean?
“First come, first serve” means that whoever arrives earliest, regardless of station, will receive a specific service, such as purchasing goods or benefits. This expression implies a limited quantity of goods available, so some may miss out if they do not arrive early enough.… continue reading
Someday or Some Day. Which One Should You Use?
The English language is full of pitfalls. Compound words can be especially tricky, as they act as a singular word yet have the characteristics of two separate words. For instance, “some day” and “someday” are often used interchangeably, even though they have different meanings, and belong… continue reading
What Does “as Thick as Thieves” Mean?
You’ve likely heard people described “as thick as thieves.” It’s an idiom (a phrase with a meaning the words don’t tell you). While this isn’t necessarily a negative saying, it can bring some negative meanings, so it is important to know when it truly applies… continue reading
What Does “Throw My Hat in the Ring” Mean?
When it comes to a challenge, you may have heard someone say they are going to “throw their hat into the ring.” There has to be more to this casual phrase you heard on a Monday or Tuesday night, right? Or, are people talking about tossing… continue reading
Cavalry vs Calvary: Which is the Correct Term?
Let’s have a look at a confusing pair of words: cavalry vs. calvary. First the quick answer: Cavalry refers to horseback mounted troops Calvary describes the place surrounding Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was famously crucified Now let’s look under the hood. You may have seen… continue reading
Drier vs Dryer: What’s the Difference?
As with most words pronounced the same, “drier” and “dryer” are two homophones that cause much confusion for English writers. A “homophone” is a term that refers to words that have the same pronunciation yet different spellings. These words are especially tricky to use in English writing,… continue reading