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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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’.