Countable and uncountable nouns
Nouns can be either countable or uncountable. Countable nouns can be: preceded by a (a dog), both singular and plural (dog, dogs) counted (one dog, two dogs, three dogs, thirty dogs). Examples: programme case...
Helping English language learners
Nouns can be either countable or uncountable. Countable nouns can be: preceded by a (a dog), both singular and plural (dog, dogs) counted (one dog, two dogs, three dogs, thirty dogs). Examples: programme case...
The possessive (or “genitive”) case of regular singular nouns is formed by adding –‘s (an apostrophe followed by an s). Examples: Jim’s (as in Jim’s foot) Mum’s (as in Mum’s car) horse’s (as in...
“Well-heeled” is an idiom that is used to describe someone who has plenty of money. It probably originates from the idea that only someone with enough money could afford to have their shoes repaired...
Some people get very angry when they hear or read the word “literally” used in a way that they think is wrong. So, let’s try to understand what it means and how it should...
The idiom “to earn your keep” means to work in return for food and somewhere to live. It comes from the times when workers, usually on farms, were often given food and accommodation instead...
“Jubilee” is another word for “anniversary”. “Anniversary” can be used when celebrating something that happened one, two, three, four years ago and so on, but “jubilee” is normally only used when celebrating something that...
When someone gets cold feet, they become too frightened to do something that they had planned to do. Examples: He was going to enter the London marathon but got cold feet. She got cold...
“Cheesed off” is an idiom and phrasal verb. If I say that I’m cheesed off, I mean that I’m annoyed, disappointed or bored – or maybe all three! Some examples: I’m cheesed off with...
When there are two or more adjectives in front of a noun they are placed in a particular order. Most native English speakers wouldn’t be able to tell you this order but they would...
“To care for” and “to care about” are both prepositional verbs. The meanings are similar but slightly different. If I say I care for someone, I might mean that: I have feelings towards them....