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English Comma: Some Basic Rules

2023-01-29T17:57:11+01:00

The rules for the English comma can seem confusing, difficult, and generally unpleasant for both native and non-native speakers. But it doesn't have to be! There are some basic English comma rules you can follow that makes the process a whole lot easier. Commas are one of the most common punctuation marks, so knowing how to use them is very important! The general rule I follow is this: The reader of your sentence should be able to understand it after reading it only one time. If the reader has to go back and re-read the sentence, then the sentence is [...]

English Comma: Some Basic Rules2023-01-29T17:57:11+01:00

Small vs Short vs Tiny

2022-09-29T22:46:53+01:00

Welcome to the Easy English Blog! Last month we focused on the words big vs large vs tall. This month we'll explain their opposites: small vs short vs tiny. Small, short, and tiny are adjectives just like big, large, and tall. Each of these words means "not large," but we're here to explain the difference so you know when to use each! Small Small describes something below average in size (either in how big something is or if it is important). For example: Size- He has a small car. (The car is not big.) She has a small salary. (She is not [...]

Small vs Short vs Tiny2022-09-29T22:46:53+01:00

Big vs Large vs Tall

2022-09-29T22:10:05+01:00

There are words in English that are similar but are used for different reasons and different situations. Some adjectives (words that describe a noun) are very close in meaning, but we use them at different times. This week we'll talk about the words big, large, and tall. They all mean a version of “not small”, but we're here to help explain the difference! Big and Large Big and large are words that are very close in meaning. However, we use them in different situations. Big and large both describe something that is above average in size (how big or small [...]

Big vs Large vs Tall2022-09-29T22:10:05+01:00

News Headlines in English: Vocab and Grammar Builder

2022-09-29T21:34:24+01:00

A good way to practice your growing English skills is to read news headlines and stories. That way you stay current (up-to-date) with goings on and you can always go back and look for the story in your native language if you can’t understand a certain detail. Even if you don't fully understand every word of the story, you can figure out the gist of (main idea) what happened while expanding (making larger) your English vocabulary. If this seems still challenging, why not start with just the news headlines! We're taking out the middleman this week and bringing the news [...]

News Headlines in English: Vocab and Grammar Builder2022-09-29T21:34:24+01:00

Collective Nouns: Easy English Blog

2022-09-29T21:28:12+01:00

Welcome back to the Easy English blog! Do you know what collective nouns are? A noun is a person, place, or thing, but you probably already know that! Collective nouns, on the other hand, refers to a group, even though the noun is singular, not plural! It's easy because you can refer to many things with one word, but it’s tricky (hard, difficult) because it looks like it is in a singular form without an “s” at the end. We say “a pack” or “an army”, two collective nouns that look like a singular noun (with no “s”) but that [...]

Collective Nouns: Easy English Blog2022-09-29T21:28:12+01:00

Proverb a Day-8 more common English proverbs

2022-09-29T21:13:06+01:00

We love doing sequel posts, especially when it's a sequel to a post you guys loved so much! This week, we pulled eight more common English proverbs, so that you can be speaking like a native in no time. Why not try learning one proverb a day? Just in the last week I’ve noticed how often I use them subconsciously (without thinking)! A proverb is a saying or idiom that usually has a life lesson or piece of wisdom (knowledge) attached to it. They are so ingrained (planted, deep) in our daily language that one hardly notices they are sayings! [...]

Proverb a Day-8 more common English proverbs2022-09-29T21:13:06+01:00

8 Common English Proverbs

2022-08-31T19:40:16+01:00

Learning a few English proverbs is a great way to improve your English skills. Much like idioms, a proverb is a wise (learned with age) saying about how to live your life, and a turn of phrase that people use in language frequently (often). One thing that's pretty interesting about English proverbs is that sometimes you'll hear people say only half of the proverb. This is because they're so common (used so often in daily language) that the other person will know exactly what you mean when you start to say them and can even finish the English proverb in [...]

8 Common English Proverbs2022-08-31T19:40:16+01:00

Its vs It’s and Possessives

2022-08-31T19:29:04+01:00

We're going back to basics this week with its vs it’s because it's always nice to review something, isn't it? Many native speakers confuse these, as well! Yes, it’s true that they are both pronounced the same, but if you are writing and you confuse its vs it's, it's usually noticed right away and can be embarrassing! How do you show that something is in the possessive (is owned by someone or something else) form? It's quite easy, but there are a few things that can be a little tricky. Don't worry, we have a thorough (detailed) review for you [...]

Its vs It’s and Possessives2022-08-31T19:29:04+01:00

9 Books to Improve Your English Vocabulary & Grammar

2022-08-31T19:20:47+01:00

Reading is an excellent way to improve your overall language skills. While books geared toward (aimed at) language learning are useful, the way you really become fluent is through practice and repetition. The best way to practice English (if you don't have a native English speaker around) is by reading books to improve English sentence structure, melody, and style! Don't be intimidated by reading a whole book in English. You can start with books for children and then when you feel more confident, try a more difficult book or a book you’ve already read in your own language. Don’t be embarrassed, [...]

9 Books to Improve Your English Vocabulary & Grammar2022-08-31T19:20:47+01:00

Root Word Err: To wander, to stray

2022-08-31T14:25:14+01:00

We all make mistakes. It's part of being human! But do you know which Latin word, which has become a major root word in English, usually references making mistakes? The original Latin meaning probably doesn't mean what you think! Ever heard of the root word err? This week on the Bespeaking blog we were inspired by one of my favorite podcasts, Word Root of the Day.  Therefore, we present to you the Latin word err and some words in English which derive (come) from it. If you are interested in this kind of thing, check out our blog from last [...]

Root Word Err: To wander, to stray2022-08-31T14:25:14+01:00

Present Continuous English Tense

2022-08-30T18:27:12+01:00

I remember when I was studying at Universität Potsdam one summer, I tried to make a sentence using the present continuous tense…in German. My German professor sighed, looked at me and said, "Erin, I told you yesterday. There is no present continuous tense in German." And there isn’t. So this may be a tricky grammar point for you if you're learning English and your native language also doesn’t have a present continuous tense. But don’t worry- we'll break it all down for you right here! Bonus: All examples of present continuous in this blog are underlined. After reading the explanations, try [...]

Present Continuous English Tense2022-08-30T18:27:12+01:00

Genders in English- Masculine, Feminine, Neutral, & Common

2022-08-30T17:43:12+01:00

Nouns do not have genders in English like they do in French or German. Our nouns are neither grammatically male, female, or neutral, nor so-determined based completely on the ending of the word. This is something that makes the concept of learning gendered languages (like French or German) particularly difficult for native English speakers. That doesn't, however, mean that English doesn't differentiate (show the difference) between the genders when it comes to talking about people, or that we don’t have genders at all! That said, you may be surprised to learn that there are actually four noun genders in English: [...]

Genders in English- Masculine, Feminine, Neutral, & Common2022-08-30T17:43:12+01:00
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