Archive for the ‘Words’ Category

The use of prefixes

January 30th, 2012 in Words

Some words are formed with the help of a prefix. A prefix is a syllable placed at the beginning of a word to qualify its meaning and form a new word. Most of the prefixes in English have been borrowed from Latin and Greek. A few are from old English. A list of the most important prefixes is given below.

Idioms with hard

January 11th, 2012 in Expressions, Words

As hard as nails

If something is as hard as nails, it is very strong. If somebody is as hard as nails, they tend not to feel sympathy or other positive emotions.

Phrasal verbs with down

November 29th, 2011 in Words

Phrasal verbs formed with down usually show a decrease in the value of something. Note that a phrasal verb can be separable or inseparable. The two parts of an inseparable phrasal verb always stays together.

Using means

November 1st, 2011 in Words

Both the singular and plural of means end in –s. ‘Means’ means method, process, way etc.

The railway is perhaps the most popular means of communication.

Alone and Lonely

October 11th, 2011 in Words

Alone can mean ‘without anyone else present’ or ‘without help’.

I sat alone. (Nobody else was present.)
I went alone.
I did the job alone.
The house stood alone on the hillside.

Grammar terms

September 1st, 2011 in Words

Headline language

The special variety of English used in writing newspaper headlines. In the following examples, the first form illustrates headline language and the second form ordinary English.

Strong verbs: common mistakes

August 8th, 2011 in Words

Bear

Bear has two past participle forms: born and borne. When referring to the birth of a child, born is used in the passive sense of ‘brought into this world’.