Amateur is the correct spelling & is derived from the French word meaning to love. In modern English, amateur is used to describe a person the performs an activity out of love or passion. There are many different types of amateurs including sports, enthusiasts, hobbyists, historians, chefs, and more. In this post, we’ll dive deeper […]
April 25, 2023 by Janet Phelps Grammar and spelling are essential for effective reading, writing, and communication. That said, many people wonder if spelling is a part of grammar. While both spelling and grammar are essential for good communication, they are each unique concepts you need to understand. In this article, we answer whether spelling […]
Apostrophes can be confusing for writers, but they are an important part of the English language. In this article, we will help you master how to use apostrophes correctly in your writing. We’ll cover the basics of apostrophes, as well as some of the more advanced rules for using them. Always using the right words? […]
Knowing when to use subject and object pronouns seems simple…but can be tricky for an inexperienced writer. Did “her and I go to the mall”? Or did “she and I go to the mall”? Most people get this simple grammar rule confused. Read on to learn how to use “her and I” or “she and […]
Although many people are unsure if a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable, they are very similar to this delicious red food. However, it is clear that people do NOT widely understand the correct plural form of tomato. Is it tomatos? Or, is it tomatoes? Lucky for you this post will directly answer that […]
Interjection and conjunction are two commonly confused words based on their phonetics. Settle this confusion in this article. Interjection and conjunction are two words you’re bound to hear often and two words people often confuse when learning about English grammar. The confusion typically stems from the fact that the two words sound somewhat similar. In […]
Prewriting is one of the most important, but often overlooked, steps in the writing process. Prewriting strategies help you organize your thoughts and plan your writing before you start writing. There are many different prewriting techniques. In this article, we’ll teach you everything there is to know about prewriting so can find a strategy that […]
“Top of the morning” is a phrase used as a greeting in the morning. This phrase originated in Ireland and is most commonly used by working-class phrase used as an alternative to “good morning”. In this post, we’ll cover the meaning of “top of the morning”, where it originated, how to respond, and common synonyms […]
“Up to” is the correct form, used to indicate a limit or maximum amount, or to describe a responsibility or choice within certain limits. “Upto” is not recognized as a standard word in English; it is likely a misspelling or typo. Do you know the difference between “upto” and “up to”? Most people don’t! This […]
August 4, 2023August 1, 2023 by Janet Phelps Christmases is the correct plural form of the word Christmas. Christmas is an international holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. When referring to more than one Christmas, use the spelling Christmases. Many new writers mistakenly use the spelling Christmas’s or Christmas’ in their writing. However, […]
The past tense of a verb indicates an action that happened in the past, for example, “walked” or “ate.” The past participle is a verb form used mainly in perfect tenses and passive voice, like “walked” (which can be the same as past tense), “eaten,” or “written.” Past participles typically end in -ed, -d, -t, […]
We’ve all heard it before, whether in a text message or in person. But what does “good to hear from you” actually mean? Most people use it when after catching up with an old friend. But when is it appropriate to use it? In this post, we’ll teach you everything there is to know about […]
When it comes to English grammar, there are more rules than you can count. But there are a few rules that are especially confusing. When it comes to using apostrophes, it can be tough to know when to place the apostrophe after the letter S. This article will help you understand how to use apostrophes […]
Knowing when & when not to use commas is one of the hardest parts of grammar. Using a comma incorrectly can completely change the meaning & flow of a sentence. This is especially true when it comes to using the phrase “as well as”. In this article, we’ll teach you how to use commas correctly […]
