Confusing words: Less vs fewer
Use fewer with things you can count.Use less with things you measure, not count. If you mix these, it could be a question of style.… Read More »Confusing words: Less vs fewer
Writing tip: Grammar
That or which? UK or US usage?
The United Nations style allows both UK and US grammar usage. However, editors may have their own ideas about what is acceptable or not. Consistency… Read More »That or which? UK or US usage?
Confusing singular and plural nouns
Test yourself then check below. Which is correct? Sometimes both are. 4. Fish contains less than the cholesterol content / contents in beef and chicken.… Read More »Confusing singular and plural nouns
Giving alternatives: either/or; neither/nor. Which verb should I use — singular or plural?
Either is used to mean “one or the other”. Either is used with or. Neither is used to mean “not one nor the other”. Neither… Read More »Giving alternatives: either/or; neither/nor. Which verb should I use — singular or plural?
The “possessive” apostrophe
We normally use the possessive apostrophe for people and animals; but not for objects. Examples The president’s visit to DavosThe visit of the president… Read More »The “possessive” apostrophe
Countable and uncountable nouns
Here are some general rules about article usage with nouns in English. If a noun can be counted, it needs an article or a plural… Read More »Countable and uncountable nouns
Uses of “that”
Let’s look at the use of the word “that” in a New York Times article on artificial intelligence. What is the function of “that” in… Read More »Uses of “that”
Present simple tense used for effect in headlines and narration
If you look in a grammar book on uses of the present simple, you will usually find the following explanation: The simple present tense is… Read More »Present simple tense used for effect in headlines and narration
Oral vs written language
I am listening to the BBC breaking news programme and the broadcaster is describing an accident with “a large amount of police” arriving. But what… Read More »Oral vs written language
Confusing “past” tenses in English
Tenses are often used differently from one language to another, even among European languages (e.g. English, French, Portuguese). This is particularly true of present perfect… Read More »Confusing “past” tenses in English