Martha Ryan ⁽⁷⁸⁾

The English language words Around and Surround are similar, but not the same. I explain the difference here, using British English examples. Surround means an uninterrupted circle of something around something else. "The forest surrounds the hotel." If the centre is a person, this could…

The English language phrases To Remind Politely and Gentle Reminder are used quite frequently between adults. Here is how they are different, using British English examples. A Gentle Reminder is a way to give information to people who should already know what is being said,…

The English language adjectives Obedient and Assertive are similar in meaning, but there are differences as I shall explain, using British English examples. Obedient derives from the verb obey. It means doing what someone else (normally someone in power, like a teacher or parent) tells…

The English language words Connection, Relation and Relationship have similar meanings, but they are different, as I shall explain, using British English examples. Connection is a noun (connect is the verb) and means the fact of two or more things being together - physically or…

The English language words Stupid, Silly and Dumb have related meanings, but they are all different, as I shall explain, based on common British English usage. Stupid means of low intelligence. "The bank robber was stupid to remove his mask in the building." "This test…