In English, there are two grammatical terms, that forms part of a sentence which may or may not be meaningful. These are phrase and clause, wherein the phrase implies a set of words, that acts as a single unit but does not have a subject and predicate. On the contrary, a clause is also a group of words, which contains a subject and a predicate. Now, let's have a look at the examples given below, to understand the difference between phrase and clause in a better way: She lives in Gujarat, … [Read more...]

The words assure and ensure often causes confusion to the native English speakers, as to where to use them. While we use the verb assure where we want to make a promise to someone regarding something, so as to help them overcome their anxiety or doubts. In the same way, we use the word ensure if we want to make sure that something will or will not take place in any case. Now, let's take a look at these examples to understand the terms better: He assured me that he will be there at the … [Read more...]

Prepositions are the words that are used in sentences to show location or the relationship between the noun or pronoun with the other element in the clause. English speakers usually face confusion in using prepositions like 'in' and 'on'. We use the word 'in' when we talk about a situation in which something is enclosed by something else. On the other hand, 'on' is used to talk about a situation when the object is placed above or outside something else. Now, let's take a look at these … [Read more...]

While we use 'who', when we want to talk about the subject of a sentence, we use 'whom' if we talk about the object of the verb. Who and Whom are the class of wh-word, that are commonly used to ask questions or introduce a clause in a sentence. The main object of using these two words in a sentence is to know about people or a person rather than things. Now, let's understand the difference between these two words with the help of an example: Who are you? and Whom are you talking … [Read more...]

The words your and you're is common in terms of their pronunciation but differ in their meaning and usage. While there are many of us, who use them interchangeably, due to lack of knowledge in this regard. We use your when we want to express belongingness of the other person to the conversation, to something. On the contrary, you're is a contraction, for the term 'you are', which is used informally in the sentences. Now, let's look at these examples to understand them better. You're … [Read more...]

Each and Every are the two quantifying determiners that can be used with singular nouns only. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. Each is used for referring to every individual unit in a set of two or more. On the contrary, we use every when we are talking pervasively, i.e. we are referring to all the items of the group collectively, which does not consist of an exception. Now, read this example to understand both of them clearly. Every side of the story is interesting, … [Read more...]

The words assume and presume are commonly used when we want to express something which we are believing of holding as correct or true before it actually takes place. However, there are some differences between assume and presume, as in, assume implies supposing something or taking it for granted, without having any proof or evidence against it. On the contrary, presume means to suppose or take for granted that something is valid, which have proper evidence. Let's look at the examples to … [Read more...]

Contraction is the mixing of two words into a single word with the help of an apostrophe (') such as the words 'it is' are combined with an apostrophe and contracted as 'it's'. 'It's' is often confused with 'its' as they are pronounced similar but they appear differently as the latter does not have an apostrophe. Moreover, they differ in their meanings too, as in 'its' represents ownership, whereas 'it's' is a short form of it is or it has. So, using them incorrectly in our sentences may … [Read more...]

When in a sentence we want to express something in the middle of two or more people, we either use between or among. Most of the English speakers often make a common mistake while using these two words, as they are not known about the basic rule. While between is used when there is something in the middle of two objects, among is used to mean something which is a part of a group. I divided the cold drink between the two kids, but not among others. She was among the dancer's group, who … [Read more...]

The words there and their are often used incorrectly because they are homophones, due to which they sound similar but have different spelling and meaning. While the word 'there' has a number of uses but it is commonly used to refer a place, or something which exists whereas we use 'their' to mean belongingness to a group of people. Now come let's understand the two, with the help of examples: There is a drawer in the almirah, where you can find all their stuff. Their teacher called me … [Read more...]