AM and PM stand for “ante meridiem” (before midday) and “post meridiem” (after midday). In parts of the world with a 12-hour time system, people use “a.m.” or “p.m.” to clarify which hour they’re referring to. For example, 6:30 a.m. is morning, and 6:30 p.m. is evening.
The following tips and examples will help you understand when to use a.m. and p.m. and how to format these abbreviations correctly. In most cases, you should write “a.m.” and “p.m.” with periods. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you do just that.
AM and PM examplesI made a dinner reservation for 6 p.m.
The baby shower is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
There will be an intermission from 7:30 to 8 p.m.
NoteIn parts of the world with a 24-hour time system, people don’t write or say “a.m.” or “p.m.” The hours of each day are numbered 00:00 (for midnight) to 23:00 (for 11:00 p.m.). Midnight is also sometimes referred to as “24:00.”
TBHmeans “to be honest.” It’s an abbreviation for text messages, social media comments, and online chats. Synonyms for TBH include “frankly,” “to tell you the truth,” and “in all honesty.” TBH usually goes at the beginning or end of a candid statement.
TBH examplesTBH, you’re one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met.
TBH, I’d rather stay home and relax instead of going to the party.
I’m not a fan of bubble tea, TBH.
TipIf “TBH” begins a sentence, place a comma after it (just like you would if you were spelling out “to be honest”) because it’s technically an introductory phrase. If “TBH” goes at the end of a sentence, the comma goes before it.
Installing the QuillBot app is a great way to ensure your text messages and social media posts are free of error.
The verb “set” is part of many phrasal verbs, which include “set aside,” “set forth,” and “set up.” The phrasal verbs with “set” have different meanings than “set” by itself, which means “to put something in a specific position or place.” For example, “set about” means “to start doing something.”
Phrasal verbs with “set” fall into three main categories, which determine how you can use them in sentences:
Transitive and inseparable phrasal verbs like “set about” have direct objects, but they can’t go between “set” and the particle (e.g., “about”).
Transitive and separable phrasal verbs like “set aside” have direct objects that can go between “set” and the particle or after the particle. If the direct object is a pronoun, it always goes after “set” (e.g., “set them aside for later”).
There are also idiomatic phrases with “set” that are similar to phrasal verbs (e.g., “set the bar high” and “set foot in”).
The definitions and examples below show how to use the most common idiomatic phrases and phrasal verbs with “set.” And the QuillBot Grammar Checker will help you use phrasal verbs correctly in your writing.
Phrasal verbs with set examples James and Huck set forth in a small raft on the Mississippi River.
After planning an itinerary, Kara set about making the hotel reservations.
The newlyweds set money aside for a honeymoon in Greece.
NoteYou can use the phrasal verbs with “set” in different tenses, but “set’ is an irregular verb, so it doesn’t follow the normal rules for past tense. The past participle and the past tense of “set” are both “set.” (e.g., “They have set up a chocolate fountain”).
The present participle for “set” is “setting” (e.g., “We’re setting out charcuterie for the guests tomorrow”).
Phrasal verbs with take are common in everyday, informal conversations. They include “take after,” “take in,” “take to,” and at least a dozen more. You can conjugate all of the phrasal verbs with “take” into different verb tenses (e.g., “took on” or “has taken in”), and they fall into three categories:
Transitive and inseparable phrasal verbs act on direct objects that can’t go between “take” and the particle (e.g., “to”).
Transitive and separable phrasal verbs have direct objects that can go between the verb and the particle. If the direct object is a pronoun, it always goes after “take” (e.g., “take me on”).
The definitions and examples below show how to use a variety of phrasal verbs with “take” as well as idiomatic phrases like “take care” and “take part in.”
Phrasal verbs with take examplesThe gardening blog took off after influencers began sharing the articles.
Graham takes after his father’s musical talent and kindness.
Abed’s pillow fort was so amazing that he never wanted to take it apart.
We tookin the beautiful scenery before packing up the tent.
Take care to water the tomatoes while we’re gone.
TipWhen you’re using a separable phrasal verb with “take,” you don’t always have to put the direct object between “take” and the particle. In fact, if your direct object is a lengthy noun phrase (e.g., “the beautiful scenery”), it’s better to put it after the phrasal verb.
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you use separable phrasal verbs correctly in your writing.
A compound word includes two (and sometimes three) words that function as a single word with a specific meaning. There are three types of compound words in English:
Open (e.g., “line dancing” and “soap opera”)
Hyphenated (e.g., “mind-blowing” and “double-check”)
Closed (e.g., “sunglasses” and “wildflower”)
Compound words are some of the most fun and interesting words in the English language. But how do you remember when to use spaces, hyphens, or one word?
The lists and examples below show the correct format for 150+ compound words. To continue practicing compound words, follow the links at the end of this article to print or download QuillBot’s free compound words worksheet and compound words list.
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can also show you how to format compound words in virtually any piece of writing.
Compound words examplesThe jigsaw puzzle has 1000 pieces and a close-up picture of a hummingbird.
The guests at the sleepover devoured all of the popcorn, hot dogs, and ice cream.
The main character in Overboardfaces a major setback after a shipwreck.
NoteMany of the newest words in major dictionaries are compound words (e.g., “street corn,” “jam band,” and “freestyle”). As language evolves, dictionaries add new words at least once a year. For example, when words like “gift card” became more common, they became official words in dictionaries.
The English language has a wide variety of phrasal verbs with get, including “get away,” “get over,” “get through,” and “get together.” Phrasal verbs with “get” can be tricky because some of them have multiple meanings, and there are special rules to follow, depending on whether each phrasal verb is intransitive, transitive and inseparable, or transitive and separable.
Always acts upon a direct object that cannot separate the verb and the particle
The parking rules on campus are very strict, and there’s no way to get around them.
Transitive, separable
Always acts upon a direct object, which can go between the verb and particle or after (unless the direct object is a pronoun, which always goes between)
The speaker got her point across very effectively.
The tips and examples below show how to use the most common phrasal verbs with “get.”
When you’re writing with phrasal verbs, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors.
Published on
May 20, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
September 7, 2025
One of the most important aspects of effective writing is using different types of sentences. Sentence variety keeps readers engaged and helps you communicate your ideas precisely.
In English writing, eight types of sentences are possible. There are four types of sentences by structure (simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex) and four types of sentences by function (declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory).
Whether you’re working on essays, cover letters, or personal correspondence, the tips and examples below will help you use all eight of these sentence types effectively and correctly. No matter what types of sentences you’re using, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors.
NoteEach sentence has one of the four possible structures and one of the four possible functions. For example, a simple sentence can be declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory. An imperative sentence can be simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.
Contractions are words in English grammar that are usually shortened versions of two-word pairs (e.g., “could’ve” for “could have”). Each contraction has an apostrophe (‘) to indicate where one or more letters have been omitted (e.g., “h” and “a” in “could’ve”).
Contractions in writing save space and create an informal, conversational tone. For some academic writing assignments (e.g., essays and dissertations), they’re too informal (depending on the guidelines you’re following). In workplace writing, they’re usually perfectly acceptable.
Contractions examplesAndrew couldn’t find his blue rain jacket anywhere. (could not)
Sarah’s working a night shift, and Devin’s staying home. (Sarah is and Devin is)
The musician who’s headlining the festival won a Grammy. (who is)
I wish we would’ve visited the aquarium when we were in Monterey. (would have)
TipMistakes like missing apostrophes are common with contractions, but QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you get them right. It will instantly show you which contractions are incorrect and how you can fix them.
SYS means “see you soon.” It’s a text abbreviation that people use in messaging threads when they’re planning to see each other in the near future. People sometimes write “SYS” at the end of a conversation about their plans together for later that day.
SYS exampleGrace: Hey, Sis! Any chance I can ride with you to the show tonight?
Nicole: Of course! Can we pick you up at 7:30?
Grace: That’s perfect. SYS!
TipUse capital letters for text abbreviations like “SYS,” “LMAO” or “LMK.” The all caps formatting will make your text messages reader friendly. Without all caps, the initialism might look like a spelling error.
To ensure your messages are error free, why not install the QuillBot app?
SMH means “shaking my head.” It’s a text abbreviation that people use in online chats and text messages to show disapproval or frustration. You can add “SMH” to a piece of mildly frustrating information that you’re sharing, or you can use “SMH” as a reaction to a moderately difficult situation.
SMH exampleCoworker 1: I just read that I-70 is going to be closed again next week. SMH.
Coworker 2: Oh no! Hopefully, they’ll finish the construction soon.
TipOnly use “SMH” with people with whom you have a close personal rapport. “SMH” might come across as too negative if you use it with a supervisor or someone you don’t know well.
It’s also important to use correct grammar and spelling errors when you’re writing instant messages. To ensure your messages are error free, why not install the QuillBot app?
