Auxiliary verbs
“Auxiliary” is an adjective meaning “helping” or “supporting”. So, an auxiliary verb is one that helps or supports other verbs. We use auxiliary verbs to help other verbs form the various tenses, moods, and...
Graham's Grammar Posts
“Crave” or “crave for”?
Is it better to use “crave” or “crave for”? We would normally say “I crave an apple pie”, and not “I crave for an apple pie”. One definition of the verb “to crave” is...
Thingamajig, whatchamacallit and hoojamaflip
We might use “thingamajig”, “whatchamacallit” or “hoojamaflip” when we don’t know – or have forgotten what something is called: Or even: To pronounce these words, try breaking them down into separate parts: There are...
Moonlighting
We use “moonlighting” when someone has another job as well as their main employment. Perhaps they do their main work during daytime on weekdays and do their second job in the evenings or at...
Sailing close to the wind
When we say that someone is sailing close to the wind, we mean that they are doing something that could go wrong. Perhaps it is someone you work with who is doing something that...
Hello
Hello to all you wonderful English language learners. I’m sorry that everything has been quiet recently on grahamsgrammar.com. There have been some technical issues but, with help from the great team at Bluehost, they...
The difference between decrease and reduce
The difference between decrease and reduce. In some cases, “decrease” and “reduce” are synonyms. We use both words when we are talking about something getting smaller in some way. So, we can say: Both...
White elephant
“White elephant” is a common idiom or metaphor. You might hear someone describe something as a “bit of a white elephant” or say something like: “I have a white elephant on my hands”. If...
CHRISTMAS SYMBOLS IN THE UK
There are many Christmas symbols. In the UK, these include: Graham’s Grammar wishes you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Successful New Year This is the last in a...
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
People in the UK give Christmas presents to their friends, family, and sometimes work colleagues. They wrap the presents in festive paper and, at home, sometimes place them under the Christmas tree. Families usually...