Holidays
Holidays In British English “holiday” is the word we use to mean a period of time when someone doesn’t have to go to work or school. The equivalent word in American English is “vacation”....
Graham's Grammar Posts
What’s the difference between “hope” and “wish”?
What’s the difference between “hope” and “wish”? “Hope” and “wish” might appear to mean the same thing. We use both words as verbs to talk about things we would like to happen or would...
To cut one’s teeth
To cut one’s teeth When we say that someone has cut their teeth on something we are using a metaphor to mean that they experienced or practised something at an early stage before becoming...
Plant crossing
If you are visiting the UK you might see a road sign saying something like “Caution: Heavy plant crossing”. I saw this one in Wales – the warning is in both Welsh and English....
Price or cost?
Price or cost? Starting with their use as nouns, here is a short definition of each word: Price – the amount of money we pay for something. Cost – the amount of money we...
Modal verbs
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs that help to describe such things as possibility and necessity. The most common modal verbs are: Here are some ways in which modal verbs are used: There are some...
Verb tenses in reported speech
Verb tenses in reported speech. When we talk about what someone says, we can use either “direct speech” or “indirect speech”. Nowadays most people talk about “reported speech” instead of “indirect speech”. In direct...
As different as chalk and cheese
As different as chalk and cheese is an English metaphor and idiom. We use it when two people – or two things – are so different from each other that they have nothing in...
Shopping precincts and retail parks
Shopping precincts and retail parks are types of shopping centres. In a previous post we discussed the difference between department stores and shopping malls. We said that there were other sorts of shopping centres....
Department stores and shopping malls
Department stores and shopping malls are places where we go shopping. A department store is usually a large shop where we can buy a wide variety of items such as clothing, luggage, make-up, lighting,...