Stuck in a Learning Rut? Tips for Overcoming Language Plateaus

As you progress in your language learning journey, you might encounter plateaus – a time where your English skills seem to stagnate despite your efforts. These language plateaus can be frustrating, but they are often a natural part of the learning process. We’re exploring strategies for overcoming language plateaus at different proficiency levels. Whether you’re just starting out or striving for fluency, these tips will help you overcome plateaus and continue advancing in your English skills. Continue reading

Whose or Who’s? Possessives and Contractions

whose or who's? owlThe question is often asked: should it be whose or who’s? Whose and who’s are often confused, even by native English speakers. So what is the difference between ‘who’s and ‘whose’ and how do you know which to use?

The difference is simple: ‘whose’ is the word we use to ask who owns something, while who’s is simply a shortening of ‘who is’. Contracted forms of words are rarely used in formal writing but they are often used in speech. The words ‘whose’ and ‘who’s’ are homophones, which means they sound the same. This is why the confusion arises. Read on to explore more about the usage of these words. Continue reading

Who or Whom? How to Know Which to Use

Who or whom? Owl

What is the difference between ‘who’ and ‘whom’ – and how do you know which to use? This grammar question has stumped many native English speakers, so it is no surprise that non-native speakers find it difficult.

‘Whom’ is used to refer to the object of a preposition or verb. But how does this work with real life examples? Read on for an explanation of the grammar behind ‘who’ and ‘whom’. We’ll explore common misconceptions surrounding the ‘who or whom’ debate and provide useful example sentences showing when to use ‘who’ and ‘whom’ – and when it’s a personal choice. Continue reading

Study Reveals Growth Towards Informality in English Grammar

The Cambridge English Corpus recently collated 1 billion words of written English and 75 million words of spoken English. The language is more fruitful now than ever before, yet native English speakers have an increasingly poor use of grammar.

These are the findings of a recent linguistics study at the University of Nottingham. But does incorrect grammar indicate a lack of education or is it simply a move towards more informal usage and a natural development of the language? Continue reading