English Language Help ⁽²⁷⁾

The English language words Always and Forever have similar but different meanings, as I shall explain, using British English examples. Always means at all times, that is, it implies something is happening or is true no matter the time period you are talking about. "It…

The English language words Effect and Affect sound similar but have different meanings, as I shall explain, using British English examples. Effect is a noun meaning the change caused by something else. "Cause and effect" is a common phrase describing the fact that actions produce…

The two English language prepositions Between and Among are used in similar ways, but there are differences which I will explain. Both mean "surrounded by, in the midst of, in the group of" and similar phrases. Between is used to describe the relationship of one…

The English Language adverbs Specially and Especially are often confused, even by native English speakers. I will explain the difference using British English usage and examples. Especially means "particularly", "exceptionally" or "above all others". For example "I love flowers, especially pink ones" means that I…

The English language phrases "make up your mind" and "decide" (or "make a decision") have similar but subtly different meanings as I will describe using British English examples. To make up your mind means to form an opinion. When you make up your mind you…

The English Language words dreaded and scared are similar, but different, as I will show using British English examples. Someone is scared when they experience something scary. Scary things cause fear. This fear can be rational or irrational. An example of being scared irrationally is: "I…

The English language phrases Calm Down and Go Easy have related meanings, but they are different, as I shall explain, using British English examples. Calm Down (verb) is an instruction to the listener to reduce their level of emotion. It is often used towards children,…

The English language verbs Stir, Mingle, Intermingle, Mix and Blend have related meanings, but they are all different, as I shall explain, using British English examples. Stir (verb) means the action of using a tool to rotate liquid in a container. "Place the ingredients in…

The English Language phrase Damned By Faint Praise is an idiom still in use 300 years after it was first used, as I shall explain, with examples of its British English usage. Damned by faint praise means to be given such little praise that it…

The English Language nouns Queue and Row have related meanings, but they are different, as I shall explain, using British English examples. Queue (noun) means a line of people waiting for something, where the person at the head of the queue will be served next.