I understand that when trying to describe a person who has a resemblance to another, the common term is spitting image. As in: Person A is a spitting image of Person B. Here’s my issue, I’ve recently heard some people saying splitting image as opposed to spitting image and upon thinking about it, splitting image … Read more
I really struggle with these two. I never seem to be able to remember when to use the right one. All my english teachers so far told me the difference but still I’m not able to remember the difference. Does anyone have a trick how to remember when to use the right one? Answer “Beside” … Read more
I tend to write, “say whatever they want”, but I’m always tempted to write “say what ever they want”. Is it acceptable to split the word in this context? Answer No it is not acceptable to split the word in your context: say whatever they want Here, whatever is a relative pronoun and it is … Read more
When I learned the word busybody the first time, I was in 5th grade. It appeared in a story I had to learn for class. I figured it meant someone who was very busy, and didn’t bother to look it up. When the teacher asked us if I had looked it up as I was … Read more
While studying one word substitution I came across these two words, what I understood till now is like this: Emigrant: One who leaves his own country to reside to another. Immigrant: A person who comes to one country from another to settle. For example: “A Swedish woman decides to emigrate to America. To herself, and … Read more
What is the difference between raise and rise? When and how should I use each one? Answer “Raise” when used as a verb is transitive: it requires that you have a direct object, a noun of some kind that you are applying the verb to. For example, “I must raise an objection“—”an objection” is the … Read more
When is it appropriate to use assure vs. ensure vs. insure? Answer Assure: promise, as in I assure you the car is safe to drive. Ensure: confirm, as in Ensure that you have plenty of gas in the tank before going on a long trip. Insure: protect with an insurance policy, as in Insure the … Read more
How do I know when to use lay and when to use lie, and what are the different forms of each verb? I’m always getting them confused. Answer The verb lay is transitive. You lay something on the table. The verb lie is intransitive. You lie on the table when you are operated upon. The … Read more
