“The language of the university is English.” These words were spoken by a senior professor in my department. I had just begun my MA and was at an orientation for teaching assistants. The graduate student leading the session had described the university’s multicultural, international community. He encouraged us to take international students’ difficulties with English…
All posts in IELTS
“Should have” vs. “should of”
Have you ever found yourself typing “should of” instead of “should have”? The mistake is an easy one to make if you don’t pay attention. The trouble is that “f” and “v” are corresponding letters. We make their sounds in almost exactly the same way. The only difference, in linguistic terms, is that one is…
Can “they, their, or them” ever be singular?
March 24, 2017 was a breakthrough day for writers: The Associated Press style guide allowed — for the very first time — that forms of “they” might sometimes be used to stand for singular nouns. It was by no means a full-blown endorsement. But it opened the door to a usage that has appeared in…
“Make do…not due”
Avoid stepping in major English grammar do-do (or is it due-due???). Keep reading to learn more. The following sentences have all appeared in recent newspaper articles: “While traditional biopsies require billions of tumour cells be carved or drawn out of patients, this new technology can make due with several thousand.” “While La La Land had a record…
“Fewer” or “Less”?
People may have corrected you from time to time on your use of “fewer” or “less” in English sentences. So what’s the difference? The issue is a matter of count nouns vs. non-count nouns. Use “fewer” when you are speaking about things that can be counted and are in the plural. These are nouns like…
Why do we study English, anyway?
“Miss L,” a student began, looking up at me from her desk to where I, as a novice teacher stood at the front of the room and asked me one of those crucial questions that throws a lesson plan out the window; she asked: “Why do we study English, anyway?” Whether you teach English literature…
“Than me” vs. “Than I”
Perhaps this usage issue is a losing battle, but it’s worth taking one last stand! Did you know that when a speaker says someone is “taller than me” or “smarter than him,” the speaker is using incorrect expressions? The statements should be “taller than I” or “smarter than he” – short forms for “taller than…
“Affect” vs. “Effect”
You’re not alone if you sometimes have trouble differentiating between the English words “affect” and “effect.” The distinction can be tricky, even though on the surface the difference between the two words is simple. “Affect” is almost always a verb meaning “to influence” or “to change.” Having a cold might affect your performance on a…
Who vs. Whom
Do you ever use “whom” when you’re speaking? Do you try to use it when you’re writing in English? Or do you just ignore it altogether. If so, you’re not alone! The difference between “who” and “whom” is identical to the difference between “she” and “her.” “She” and “who” are used for the subjects…
The Split Infinitive
It was in 1966 that William Shatner as Captain Kirk first declared that the mission of the Starship Enterprise was “to boldly go” where no man had gone before. And when he said it, you could practically hear the collective gasp of persnickety grammarians the world over. The trouble was that the mission statement violates…