By Brendan Chambers, David Silin, and Kevin Gimpel of QuillBot Research
Continue reading: Compressing Large Language Generation Models with Sequence-Level Knowledge Distillation
We at QuillBot are so excited to announce our newest tool: a citation generator! We heard you when you asked for more productivity-enhancing tools━and we have even more in the works as we speak. You can test the citation generator for yourself here: https://quillbot.com/citation-generator. We can’t wait to hear what you think! Read on for more info on the newest tool within the QuillBot platform.
Continue reading: Announcing QuillBot’s New Citation Generator
Content marketing is the star performer in today’s world when it comes to gaining traffic, engaging audiences, and converting them. In fact, 78% of CMOs believe custom content is the future of marketing.
Today, we’ll be going over useful content writing tools that fall into one of four categories:
In 2024, content writing will continue to be a pillar of digital marketing, and it will be crucial to have the proper tools to produce high-quality content. With a reputable SEO SaaS agency, it will be much easier to create engaging, and informative writing to increase organic traffic and improve search rankings. To keep your content writing process and efforts in line with your goals, we’ve compiled a list of the 13 best content writing tools to help you write better and fine-tune your creative process.
Continue reading: 13 Best Content Writing Tools for Writing Confidently in 2024
Job hunting is a tough business. You spend hours each week finding relevant opportunities, retyping your entire résumé even after you’ve uploaded it (ugh!), and then, on top of all that, most hiring managers want you to write a cover letter.
You might think cover letters are archaic and jump at the chance to apply where you don’t need one, but today we will challenge you to change your perspective and appreciate the opportunity to submit a cover letter. (A successful cover letter might just win you the job, by the way.)
Okay, now you think we’re crazy. But, think about it, why would anyone want to write a cover letter anyway? It’s because your résumé conveys your accomplishments, qualifications, and personality in a very finite way, while a professional cover letter gives you the chance to make new connections between your experiences and how they make you the best person for the open position.
It also allows you to highlight your best career moments, show off your communication skills, and demonstrate your personality in a way that (hopefully) makes people want to work with you━or at the very least, interview you.
Continue reading: The 9 Essential Elements of a Cover Letter + Templates, Examples, and Tips
It has been over two years since we first announced the release of QuillBot’s Grammar Checker. Since then, millions of people worldwide have used it to elevate their writing while also simplifying their workflow.
Our free Grammar Checker uses AI to automatically check text for any grammatical, punctuation, or spelling errors, highlighting them and allowing users to fix them individually or all at once with the click of a button.
Along with our Paraphraser and Summarizer, the Grammar Checker lets you to write without limits by helping you improve your fluency, clarity, and tone.
QuillBot is an all-in-one AI-powered writing assistant that works wherever you write. Check out our Chrome extension, macOS app, iPhone app, and Android app.
Continue reading: Announcing QuillBot’s New Grammar Checker
In 2024, Sunday, June 16th marks an important day for many families around the world: Father’s Day. As we prepare to celebrate the fathers and father-like figures in our lives, we may wonder about what kind of gift to give our dads this year.
The answer is poetry. The gift of words is the greatest present anyone could receive because it conveys feelings of love, gratitude, nostalgia, and more in one of the most personal ways possible. A poem coming from the heart is a keepsake that will live on forever, something to be framed and cherished. Don’t be intimidated by the idea, either. We’re going to show you some examples of poems for dad, while also laying out the poem-writing process step-by-step, in case you’d like to write your own, so your Father’s Day poem will be one he’ll never forget.
Continue reading: Father’s Day Poetry: Poems for Dad + How to Write Your Own
A copywriter writes the text that is used in advertisements. These ads can come in the form of billboards, magazine spaces, emails, social media posts, and a wide variety of other mediums.
The copywriter’s job is to connect with the target audience and persuade them to buy the product or service the advertisement is promoting. In order to do this, the copywriter must understand the wants and needs of the target market, and how they best respond to ads.
If you’ve ever wanted a copywriting career, you’re in luck. We’re about to walk you through what it takes to enter into and find success in the copywriting world. Read on!
Continue reading: How to Become a Copywriter
Litotes is a phrase that expresses an idea by negating its opposite. Examples include the common expressions “not half bad” to mean “good” and “not hard” to mean “easy.” Litotes is often used in everyday conversations and literature. It serves various purposes, such as conveying modesty, softening criticism, expressing irony, or subtly emphasizing a point.
I don’t dislike it.
She is not the sharpest tool in the shed.
It’s not a Matisse.
Continue reading: What Is Litotes? | Definition & Examples
Inductive reasoning involves making broad generalizations based on specific observations.
Induction is used in various academic and professional settings, as well as informal everyday conversations and tasks. This type of reasoning is especially relevant to problems involving pattern recognition, prediction, and decision-making.
Generalization: Therefore, all swans everywhere are probably white.
This inference might seem reasonable based on the available evidence. However, the sample of swans at the local park is too small to merit such a broad conclusion. Studying a geographically diverse sample would show that there are non-white swans, including the black swans of Australia.
Inductive reasoning often relies on the assumption that observed cases (e.g., white swans in a local park) are representative of all cases (e.g., all swans everywhere). This assumption is a common source of errors, or logical fallacies, in inductive reasoning.
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Continue reading: What Is Inductive Reasoning? | Definition & Examples
A possessive adjective (also called a possessive determiner) is a word that is used to modify a noun to indicate ownership. In English, there are eight possessive adjectives: “my,” “your,” “her,” “his,” “its,” “our,” “their,” and “whose.”
I told Madeline and Pilar to bring their kayak.
This plant is about to die. Its leaves are drooping.
Continue reading: Possessive Adjectives | Examples & Definition
Personification is the attribution of human qualities to nonhuman entities, such as animals, objects, or even abstract concepts. This technique is used to create more vivid and engaging descriptions, set the mood, or convey emotions.
That piece of cake is calling my name. (That piece of cake looks delicious. I want to eat it.)
The flowers were begging for water. (The flowers needed water.)
The train sighed as it came to a halt. (The train braked as it came to a halt.)
Personification can be found in various forms of literature, including poetry, prose, and drama, as well as everyday language.
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Continue reading: What Is Personification? | Definition & Examples
Under the weather is an idiom that means “feeling sick or unwell.” It’s often used to explain that someone is ill without having to go into details.
For instance, when someone can’t make it to work because of health issues, they may be more comfortable saying they’re “under the weather” instead of saying that they have a severe cough.
Lauren is under the weather, so I’ll send her the meeting notes afterward.
I feel under the weather today, so I can’t make it to practice.
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Continue reading: Under the Weather | Meaning & Examples
Satire is the use of humor, exaggeration, irony, or other similar techniques to criticize people, institutions, or society as a whole. The purpose of satire is to expose human flaws, often with the intent to inspire change.
Satire can be found in various forms of artistic expression, including literature, film, and television shows.
Continue reading: What Is Satire? | Definition, Examples & Meaning
Abductive reasoning involves observing a phenomenon and inferring the most likely explanation or cause.
This type of analysis is commonly used in both research and everyday problem-solving to generate plausible interpretations for specific incidents that involve uncertainty.
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Continue reading: What Is Abductive Reasoning? | Definition & Examples
Analogical reasoning involves identifying similarities between different situations or concepts to make inferences or solve problems. It is sometimes classified as a subcategory of inductive reasoning.
Using analogical reasoning, we can draw upon existing knowledge and patterns to understand new or unfamiliar situations, applying solutions or insights from one context to another.
This argument exemplifies analogical reasoning because it involves observing one similarity between two distinct scenarios (i.e., two very different forms of speech that can both result in physical harm) and arguing for another similarity (i.e., that both should be banned).
Analogy-based reasoning plays an important role in problem-solving, decision-making, and creative thinking.
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Continue reading: What Is Analogical Reasoning? | Definition & Examples
A compound predicate is made up of two or more verbs that share the same subject and are joined by a conjunction (e.g., “We walked and talked”).
Compound predicates include any of the verbs’ objects and modifiers. The verbs or verb phrases are joined using the coordinating conjunctions “and,” “or,” “nor,” “but,” or “yet” or a correlative conjunction (e.g., “either … or“).
We can go to the movies or watch the football game at home.
Jayden cooked dinner, washed the dishes, and swept the floor.
We neither ate nor drank for twelve hours.
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Continue reading: Compound Predicate | Examples & Definition
MLA in-text citations should include the author’s last name and page number in parentheses immediately after the cited material.
For sources with two authors, the citation should include both authors’ names connected with “and.”
For sources with three or more authors, include the first author’s name followed by “et al.” to indicate that the other authors’ names are omitted.
The key for MLA citations is that the in-text citation must correspond with the relevant entry on your Works Cited page.
| Number of authors | Examples |
|---|---|
| One author | (Kinsley 46). |
| Two authors | (Kinsley and Eong 79–81) |
| Three or more authors | (Kinsley et al. 92, 95) |
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Continue reading: MLA In-Text Citations | Format & Examples
Literary devices are the techniques and strategies authors use to enrich their writing and take it beyond the literal meaning of words. They serve various purposes and can operate at the sentence level or even permeate an entire literary work. Common literary devices include metaphors, similes, and irony.
All our requests for a budget increase have been met with deafening silence. [oxymoron]
The fire crackled and hissed. [onomatopoeia]
Continue reading: Literary Devices | List & Examples
I before e except after c is one of English’s most popular mnemonic spelling rules. However, while it applies to certain words, such as “receive,” “deceive,” and “conceit,” it disregards a whole range of others, including “science,” “glacier,” and “neighbor.”
There are more English words that include “ie” rather than “ei” (even after “c”). Thus, strictly adhering to the “i before e except after c” rule may cause more spelling mistakes than not.
| I before e except after c examples | I before e except after c exceptions |
|---|---|
| Ceiling | Ancient |
| Deceit | Deficiency |
| Receipt | Proficient |
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Continue reading: I before E except after C | Examples & Exceptions
A determiner is a word that precedes a noun and gives information about possession (e.g., “my bike”), quantity (e.g., “two thieves”), or specificity (e.g., “that book”). Determiners therefore indicate details about the noun.
Vittoria lost her phone.
I found a stray kitten.
Continue reading: What Is a Determiner? | Definition, Types & Examples
English has four primary demonstrative adjectives: “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” Demonstrative adjectives give information about the location of a noun or pronoun.
The choice of demonstrative adjective depends on the number (singular or plural) and the relative distance (near or far) of the noun being modified.
| Near (proximal) | Far (distal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | This shirt is too small. | That shirt looks like it would fit me. |
| Plural | These plants are thriving. | Those plants, in the shade, are dying. |
Continue reading: Demonstrative Adjectives | Examples, Definition & List
Premises are the key points made in support of an argument’s conclusion. They play a crucial role in all forms of reasoning.
Premise: 4 is divisible by 2.
Conclusion: Therefore, 4 is an even number.
“Premise” can also refer to the background situation that sets up a story or joke. This more colloquial use of the term is common in discussions of literature and the performing arts.
Continue reading: What Is a Premise? | Definition & Examples
The subjunctive mood is one of three verb moods in English, along with the indicative mood and imperative mood. The subjunctive mood is used for hypothetical situations or to express desires, wishes, suggestions, obligations, or demands.
There are two verb forms when using the subjunctive: present subjunctive and past subjunctive. Present subjunctive verbs use the base form of the verb (e.g., “do”), whereas verbs in the past subjunctive use the simple past tense form of the verb (e.g., “knew”).
I request that you save your questions for the end.
He looked as if he wanted to cry.
If Julio were here, he would be annoyed.
Continue reading: Subjunctive Mood | Examples & Definition
An object of a preposition (or prepositional object) is the noun or pronoun that follows a preposition (e.g., “on the table”). Every prepositional phrase must include an object in order to be complete.
Are you coming with me?
After school, I went swimming.
Continue reading: Object of a Preposition | Examples & Definition
Black-and-white thinking is the tendency to categorize people, situations, and ideas in extreme, absolute terms, such as “good vs. evil,” leaving no room for nuance or neutrality.
“If you want to place any limits on speech, then you don’t support freedom of speech at all.”
“This book is terrible because the author portrays the villain in a sympathetic light.”
“If a painting isn’t both realistic and aesthetically pleasing, it’s not art.”
In reasoning and argumentation, engaging in black-and-white thinking makes people vulnerable to certain logical fallacies. In creative writing and other artistic forms, black-and-white thinking can limit creativity and depth, reducing the complexity of characters, plots, and themes.
Continue reading: What Is Black-and-White Thinking? | Examples & Meaning
Adjective order in English follows certain rules. When there is more than one adjective preceding a noun or pronoun, the adjectives follow a specific pattern according to their category.
Adjectives are divided into a variety of categories depending on what aspects of the noun they describe. Using the correct adjective order is an important part of composing sentences that flow well and read naturally.
Brianna wore a large heart-shaped diamond ring to the dinner.
That is my favorite red velvet dress.
The thieves broke the glass using a short steel pipe.
Continue reading: Order of Adjectives in English | Rules & Examples
To quote something is to state it exactly as it was originally presented, using the exact words from the original source and quotation marks (in written text). Therefore, a quote is a copy of a piece of text.
To quote something correctly, you must:
You must properly cite everything you quote or paraphrase in order to avoid accidental plagiarism.
Continue reading: How to Cite a Quote | APA, MLA, & Chicago Styles
Spill the beans is an English idiom that means “prematurely reveal confidential information.” If you accidentally inform your friend about her upcoming surprise birthday party, then you have spilled the beans.
Thomas got Clara to spill the beans, and he found out where they were going for their anniversary trip.
It took a while, but I got my brother to spill the beans about the gifts I got for Christmas.
Continue reading: Spill the Beans | Meaning, Origin & Examples
Polysyndeton is the repeated use of conjunctions like “and”, “or,” and “but” in close succession, particularly where these are not necessary. This is to create emphasis, rhythm, and a feeling of urgency in a text.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Polysyndeton is used in various forms of writing, including novels, poems, and song lyrics.
Continue reading: What Is Polysyndeton? | Definition & Examples
Asyndeton is the deliberate omission or absence of words like “and,” “but,” and “or” from a series of clauses or sentences. This has various effects such as speeding up the rhythm, changing the tone, and adding emphasis.
Our administration has provided the economically challenged with jobs, with opportunities, with self-respect.
We went for a walk. We had some ice cream. We fed the ducks. We came back.
Watch, absorb, understand.
We can encounter asyndeton in various forms of writing, including plays, poems, speeches, and everyday language.
Continue reading: What Is Asyndeton? | Examples & Definition
A parenthetical citation is a type of in-text citation enclosed in parentheses that includes information about a source, such as the author’s name, publication date, and page number(s). Parenthetical citations come at the end of the sentence or clause that cites the source material.
Many citation styles use parenthetical citations, including APA, MLA, and Chicago style formats. Each in-text citation will correspond to an entry in the reference list, Works Cited page, or bibliography.
QuillBot’s free Citation Generator can automatically create in-text citations in many different styles for you. Additionally, our online Plagiarism Checker can detect accidental plagiarism.
Continue reading: Parenthetical Citation | APA, MLA & Chicago Styles
To Whom It May Concern is a formal opening for an email or letter that is addressed to someone whose name is unknown or to a nonspecific recipient, such as a department or group of people.
While “To Whom It May Concern” is still in use, it is somewhat dated and impersonal, and there are generally better options to start an email depending on who your recipient is. This greeting might imply that you are sending a mass email or that you didn’t take the time to find the name of the person you want to reach.
If you cannot find the name of the person you’re addressing or you have a nonspecific audience, it is still generally better to use a job title or department name to personalize the opening of your message.
Dear Professor Ghibli, …
Dear Customer Service Team, …
Continue reading: To Whom It May Concern | Meaning & Alternatives
Regards is an expression used to close an email or other types of correspondence. It shows respect to the recipient and wishes them well. Regards should be followed by a comma and your name on a separate line.
Regards can be used as part of a number of phrases to sign off in an email. Other versions of this expression can be used for more formal or less formal situations.
I am reaching out in relation to your request for papers on criminal law. I have several potential submissions that may meet your criteria.
Please let me know at your earliest convenience which specific topics you are interested in.
Regards,
Ella Mori
Continue reading: Regards | Meaning, Examples & Alternatives
Break a leg is an expression that means “good luck.” It’s commonly said to actors, dancers, and other performers before their act because of superstitious beliefs that saying “good luck” is unlucky.
Don’t worry. You’ve practiced your lines plenty of times. Now, go out there and break a leg!
This is what we’ve been preparing for together. Break a leg, everyone!
Continue reading: Break a Leg | Meaning, Origin & Examples
Looking forward to hearing from you is often used to end an email or other correspondence. This expression is a friendly way of emphasizing that you expect the reader to reply.
“Looking forward to hearing from you” is a common expression that is neutral in terms of formality, so it is perfectly acceptable to use. However, since it is used so frequently, you may want to change it slightly if you are worried the reader may simply skim over it.
The following alternatives give you options to adapt the expression to the type of response you are looking for.
Continue reading: Alternatives to Looking Forward to Hearing From You
Altogether is an adverb that means “completely” or “in all,” whereas all together is a two-word phrase that means “as a group.”
These words are homophones, meaning they are pronounced the same but have different meanings, which is why they’re often used incorrectly.
| Examples: Altogether in a sentence | Examples: All together in a sentence |
|---|---|
| After remodeling, we got rid of the furniture altogether. | The students gathered all together in the gym for their annual pep rally. |
| Altogether, we had a great time at the fundraising event. | Our family sang the happy birthday song all together at the end of the dinner party. |
| We resolved the time-sensitive issues altogether before moving on to the next task. | Let’s take a group photo with the faculty and staff all together. |
Continue reading: Altogether vs All Together | Definition & Spelling
Juvenalian satire is a form of satire that criticizes contemporary individuals and institutions with severity and contempt. The main goal of this literary genre is to make the audience feel angry and frustrated with the current state of the world and thereby inspire social reform.
Juvenalian satire can be found in literature, film, and animated television series.
Continue reading: What Is Juvenalian Satire? | Definition & Examples
Modus ponens is a type of conditional syllogism that takes the following form:
Arguments that correctly apply this form are valid, meaning that the conclusion follows logically from the premises.
The reasoning expressed in modus ponens and other formal arguments is especially crucial in contexts such as philosophical debates, legal reasoning, scientific research, mathematical proofs, computer science, and natural language processing.
Continue reading: What Is Modus Ponens? | Definition & Examples
Horatian satire is a form of satire that playfully criticizes human behavior through gentle and lighthearted humor. The main purpose of this literary device is to provide entertainment to its audience while also offering them useful insights into their own shortcomings.
Horatian satire can be found in literature, movies, cartoons, and television shows.
Continue reading: What Is Horatian Satire? | Definition & Examples
Modus tollens is a valid form of deductive argument also known as denying the consequent.
Used in formal logic, modus tollens is a type of hypothetical syllogism that involves an if–then statement followed by a negation of the “then” statement (i.e., the consequent). It is typically expressed as follows:
Modus tollens is used to demonstrate that a hypothesis is false when a necessary condition is not met.
Continue reading: What Is Modus Tollens? | Definition & Examples
Circumlocution is the use of more words than necessary to express an idea. Instead of saying something directly in a single word or phrase, we often choose a roundabout way of referring to it. Depending on the context of use, circumlocution can be evasive and confusing or a helpful communication strategy.
We can encounter circumlocution in various communication settings, including literature, bureaucratic language, or when we want to be polite.
Continue reading: What Is Circumlocution? | Definition & Examples
A syllogism is an argument that consists of two premises and a conclusion. Syllogisms express deductive reasoning, forming specific conclusions from general principles.
The main purpose of a syllogism is to prove a conclusion with logical certainty.
Syllogisms are typically found in academic and professional domains, such as formal logic and mathematics. We often use syllogistic reasoning to make decisions in everyday life even if we don’t often express these thoughts verbally.
Continue reading: What Is a Syllogism? | Definition & Examples
Dear Sir or Madam is a common greeting in emails or letters to people whose names you don’t know. Although this expression is still used, it is preferable to use other greetings as this phrase is rather impersonal and dated.
Ideally, communications should directly address the recipient by name. If you are unable to find this information, you can instead use the name of the group or department or the person’s job title. If you are not writing to one specific individual, you can use “To Whom It May Concern.”
Dear Head of Research, …
Dear Foundation President, …
Continue reading: Dear Sir or Madam | Alternatives & When to Use
Deductive reasoning involves forming a specific conclusion from general premises.
A deductive argument typically starts with a broad principle, applies it to a particular situation or example, and leads to an inevitable conclusion.
This classic example of deductive reasoning begins with a broad principle and then applies that principle to a particular person. The premises lead inevitably to the conclusion, which makes a more specific claim than the premises.
Deduction is the mode of reasoning used in formal logic, which has applications in mathematics, logic, science, and law. In everyday decision-making and thought processes, deductive reasoning often falls into the category of “common sense” thinking.
Continue reading: What Is Deductive Reasoning? | Definition & Examples
I hope this email finds you well is often used to start an email in a friendly but formal, polite way.
This expression is suitable for professional communication but may come across as a bit stiff in communication with people you are already familiar with. Additionally, because it is used so often, it might come across as cliché or inauthentic.
To avoid this, you can use alternative email openings to break the ice without sounding too formulaic.
Continue reading: I Hope This Email Finds You Well | Meaning & Alternatives
Hope you’re doing well (or hope you are doing well) is an expression that is often used at the start of emails or other correspondence. It demonstrates interest in the recipient’s well-being before diving into the body of the message.
This is a friendly, natural expression, and it is perfectly acceptable to use in both formal and informal contexts, including professional communication.
I hope you’re doing well.
I’ve got the reports you requested ready and will send everything to the client this afternoon.
Kind regards,
Paolo
That said, because the expression is used so often, it may seem insincere. Varying the expression or using alternatives can help you to avoid this and keep a fresh and engaging tone, particularly when you are writing to the same person.
Continue reading: Alternatives to Hope You’re Doing Well
Enquire and inquire are verbs that mean “ask for information.” In American English, “inquire” is more popular. In British English—although both words are used, with “inquire” being slightly more common—“enquire” is sometimes reserved for general matters and “inquire” for more formal investigations.
| Examples: Enquire in a sentence | Examples: Inquire in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I enquired about which restaurants were the best in town. | Stephan called the company to inquire about the job opening. |
| Could you enquire about the cost of the tickets for tonight’s game? | The lawyers inquired about their whereabouts. |
| I always enquire about the possibility of upgrading my flights. | We stopped at the information booth to inquire about the festival’s schedule. |
Continue reading: Enquire vs Inquire | Difference, Definitions & Examples
Emails are a foundational aspect of professional life, so knowing how to appropriately start an email and end it are skills worth mastering. Emails should end with a closing line, a sign-off, and an email signature.
Using the right final words will leave a good impression and help to build rapport. There are numerous options for how to close your emails, and the expressions you use should be matched to the context and the relationship you have with the recipient.
Continue reading: How to End an Email | 10 Closing Lines & Sign-Offs
Just checking in is a common expression used to start an email or other correspondence. It is often used to follow up on a message sent before or to request an update on an ongoing activity. It is intended to be friendly but still alert the recipient that you anticipate a response.
However, this expression is overused and may come across as passive-aggressive, so it is better avoided. When contacting someone to follow up on a previously discussed topic or project, you should avoid a pushy or insincere tone.
The following alternatives encourage a response without seeming to place pressure on the recipient.
Continue reading: Just Checking In | 5 Better Alternatives
The term interrogative is used to refer to words that help form questions (e.g., “who,” “what,” “when”). It is also used to describe sentences that ask questions, whether they use an interrogative word (e.g., “Who is that?”) or not (e.g., “Are you tired?”).
Which dog are you going to adopt?
What is the best way to go home?
Continue reading: What Is an Interrogative? | Definition & Examples
Whoever and whomever mean “whichever person.” “Whoever” is a subject pronoun, like “he” and “she,” that is used for the performer of an action (e.g., “whoever threw that”). “Whomever” is an object pronoun, like “him” and “her,” that is used for the receiver of an action (e.g., “give that to whomever”).
| Examples: Whoever in a sentence | Examples: Whomever in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Whoever answers the question first gets ten extra points. | I will send a letter to whomever I get assigned as my pen pal. |
| I’m going to the concert with whoever
wants to go with me. |
The grant will be given to whomever the selection panel picks. |
| Whoever spots the first rare bird wins a special badge. | Extend an invitation to whomever you think might be interested in attending. |
Continue reading: Whoever vs Whomever | Difference & Examples
Ms., Mrs., and Miss are titles used to designate women in formal contexts, such as at the start of an email or when meeting someone for the first time.
Traditionally, the correct term to use is based on the woman’s age and marital status. Today, the first consideration should be the individual’s own preference for how she should be addressed.
| Ms. in sentence | Mrs. in a sentence | Miss in a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Ms. Hernandez was elected president last week. | Mr. and Mrs. Eberhardt were married 56 years ago. | Miss Parker will be joining us in class today. |
| Ask Ms. Salaamat which drink she prefers, please. | Mrs. Byers is always running late. | Miss, could you tell me the time, please? |
Continue reading: Ms vs Mrs vs Miss | Differences & Pronunciation
Emails are a key communication tool in academic as well as professional contexts. Starting emails with an appropriate greeting and opening line is crucial to setting the right tone and making a good impression on the recipient.
There are a variety of greetings and openings that you can use. Consider the relationship you have with the recipient to ensure that you choose appropriate options for the context.
Continue reading: How to Start an Email | 10 Greetings & Opening Lines
QuillBot offers several tools that help simplify the writing process, including a grammar checker, paraphrasing tool, citation generator, and many more.
Below, we’ll go over all its advanced writing tools by explaining what they are and how they work to help you decide if QuillBot is right for you, whether you’re a student, professional, or simply someone who loves to write.
Continue reading: QuillBot Review | Paraphrase, Check Grammar & More
Hypothetical syllogisms are arguments in formal logic that deduce conclusions from conditional (if–then) statements.
This is an example of a hypothetical syllogism that includes a conditional (if–then) statement in each premise. The conclusion follows from the premises with logical certainty.
Syllogisms are typically found in contexts such as formal logic, but syllogistic reasoning is also applied in fields like science and mathematics.
Continue reading: Hypothetical Syllogism | Definition & Examples
A disjunctive syllogism is an argument with two premises and a conclusion that describes an either–or relationship. The conclusion is derived through a process of elimination when one of the two options is negated.
This argument fits the structure of a disjunctive syllogism because it presents a choice between two options (hexagon or octagon), negates one (hexagon), and concludes by affirming the other (octagon).
Disjunctive syllogisms are typically used in formal logic, but mathematics, computer programming, and other disciplines often use the same pattern of reasoning expressed in different ways.
Continue reading: Disjunctive Syllogism | Definition & Examples
Concave describes something as curved inward, like the inner surface of a bowl (i.e., the part that holds the food). Convex describes something as curved outward, like the outer surface of a bowl (i.e., the part that touches the surface of a table).
The valleys of the Grand Canyon can be described as “concave,” whereas the Rocky Mountains can be described as “convex.”
Although “concave” and “convex” can be used to describe the appearance of various things, these words are most commonly associated with lenses, mirrors, and reflections.
| Concave examples | Convex examples |
| An hourglass | An American football |
| The opening of a megaphone | An egg |
| The inner surface of a spoon | The outer surface of a helmet |
Continue reading: Concave vs Convex | Meaning & Examples
E-mail and email both mean “electronic mail.” Both are acceptable, but “email” has become the more popular variant. However, some style guides and publications still prefer “e-mail.” When deciding which one to use, follow any applicable guidelines and remain consistent throughout your writing.
They said they would contact me via e-mail/email.
I will e-mail/email you once I get the results.
Continue reading: E-mail or Email | Definition & Correct Spelling
Enquiry and inquiry both refer to the request for information about something. “Inquiry” is the preferred spelling in American English, while both spelling variants are used in British English, with “inquiry” being more common, especially in formal contexts.
| Examples: Enquiry in a sentence | Examples: Inquiry in a sentence |
| Johanna received an enquiry about the availability of the room. | The guest made an inquiry via email about the possibility for a late checkout. |
| We were told to direct our enquiry to the customer relations department. | I had an inquiry about the reservation process. |
| Her enquiry encouraged us to review our policy. | Lulu launched an inquiry to determine if the allegations were true. |
Continue reading: Enquiry vs Inquiry | Definition, Difference & Examples
APA is one of the most commonly used citation styles for texts in the social sciences, and it requires specific formatting of your paper and all in-text citations. APA Style in-text citations include the author name and publication year in parentheses (Name, Year).
In-text citations are necessary any time you quote, paraphrase, or summarize another author’s work in your text. The information in the in-text citation must correspond with the relevant entry on your APA reference page.
Continue reading: APA In-Text Citations | Format & Examples
Everyday does not mean the same as every day. They are often confused because they contain the same words, which are pronounced in the same way but stressed differently.
| Examples: Everyday in a sentence | Examples: Every day in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The archaeologists discovered many everyday items. | Musicians have to practice every day. |
| Mobile phones have become an important part of our everyday lives. | The course was boring because every day we did the same thing. |
When pronouncing everyday, the stress is on the first syllable: ev-ry-day.
There is stress on both words in the phrase every day: ev-ry day.
Continue reading: Everyday vs Every Day | Difference & Examples
Everyone does not mean the same as every one. They are often confused because they contain the same words, which are pronounced in the same way but stressed differently.
| Examples: Everyone in a sentence | Examples: Every one in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Everyone has to take language courses in their freshman year.
Did everyone attend the meeting? |
Every one of her books has been a bestseller.
The presents were great; she loved every one of them. |
The stress falls on the first syllable when pronouncing the word everyone: ev-ry-one (i.e., “one” is not stressed).
But because every one is two separate words, there is some stress on both words: ev-ry one.
Continue reading: Everyone vs Every One | Difference & Examples
Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that are used to show the relationship between two words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., “both rain and snow”).
Correlative conjunctions join two grammatically equal parts of a sentence (i.e., two words, phrases, or clauses).
You can either go to the store with me or stay home.
Neither snow nor rain will ruin our fun.
Sophie is not only a great student but also a star athlete.
Continue reading: Correlative Conjunctions | Examples, List & Definition
In light of means “because” or “in relation to.” The phrase is used to explain a change or state of something due to new information or circumstances. For example, if someone plans a trip to the beach but it starts raining, they may say, “In light of unexpected weather, we’ve changed our plans.”
We changed our plans in light of Tim’s recent promotion.
In light of the merger, all employees must undergo training.
Carol had to leave early in light of her husband’s discovery of a raccoon in the attic.
Continue reading: In Light Of | Meaning & Synonyms
A coordinating conjunction is a type of conjunction used to connect two words, phrases or clauses that are grammatically equal. There are seven coordinating conjunctions in the English language. You can remember these using the mnemonic FANBOYS: “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” and “so.”
These words can have other functions, but “and,” “but,” and “or” are mainly used as coordinating conjunctions.
Coordinating conjunctions indicate the relationship between the elements they connect, such as addition (“and”), contrast (“but”), choice (“or”), and result (“so”).
Knowing about coordinating conjunctions helps us to use commas correctly.
The film was good but very long.
Do you want still or sparkling water?
Continue reading: Coordinating Conjunctions | Examples, Meaning & List
Academic research involves drawing on existing knowledge from different types of sources.
Primary sources give first-hand evidence and raw data in the form of, for example, statistics, original documents (e.g., the Declaration of Independence), or speeches. Primary research is research that you conduct yourself to collect novel data.
Secondary sources offer the interpretations, summaries, or commentary of other researchers on primary source materials. Examples of secondary sources include reviews, textbooks, and journal articles.
To provide support for your argument, it is helpful to use both primary and secondary resources.
Continue reading: Primary vs Secondary Sources | Examples & Definitions
Information literacy covers a range of skills related to finding sources, evaluating their credibility, and using them in appropriate ways. Among other competencies, information literacy includes:
Continue reading: Information Literacy | Examples & Definition
Credible sources are unbiased and evidence-based materials that have reliable authors. Credible sources are key to strong academic writing.
Given the abundance of sources you can encounter, knowing how to differentiate between what is credible and what isn’t is a fundamental information literacy skill. Using credible sources means that your arguments are based on accurate, reliable information.
Continue reading: What Are Credible Sources? | Definition & Examples
Rags to riches is an idiom that means “from financially poor to wealthy.” Someone who wins the lottery or hits the jackpot at a casino can be described as having gone from rags to riches. The phrase “rags-to-riches” can also be used as an adjective (e.g., “a rags-to-riches story”).
She is well-known because she went from rags to riches seemingly overnight.
Nathaniel loves to watch movies with a rags-to-riches storyline.
Continue reading: Rags to Riches | Meaning & Examples
The correct spelling of vacuum includes one “c,” two “u’s,” and ends with an “m.” That means “vacume,” “vaccum,” and “vaccuum” are incorrect spellings. As a noun, “vacuum” refers to a space devoid of matter or a device used for cleaning. As a verb, it refers to the act of using this device.
I’m going to the store to buy a new vacuum cleaner.
My mom asked me to vacuum the house before the guests arrive.
Continue reading: How Do You Spell Vacuum? | Definition & Uses
Attain and obtain are verbs that relate to getting something. However, “attain” is more similar to “achieve” and typically refers to intangible things (e.g., “attained her goal”), whereas “obtain” also requires effort but usually pertains to tangible objects (e.g., “obtained a report”).
| Examples: Attain in a sentence | Examples: Obtain in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I will attain as many positive reviews as I can. | I always obtain all the tools and materials we need in a timely manner. |
| Soon, Naz will attain her life-long goal of climbing Mt. Everest. | Luisa will obtain the keys needed to enter the building. |
| The business attained an immaculate reputation because of their superb customer service. | After several calls, we obtained all the documents we needed to finalize the sale of the house. |
In some contexts, either word can be used, particularly when what is being acquired necessitates effort and can be perceived as either tangible or intangible. For example, in the sentence “Lucian attained/obtained the first place trophy,” both words are appropriate and depend on whether the focus of the sentence is the (intangible) goal of winning first place or the (tangible) first-place trophy.
Continue reading: Attain vs Obtain | Definition & Examples
Can and could both convey ability and possibility. “Can” expresses that something is known to be true or highly likely to happen (e.g., “Scorching hot coffee can burn you”), while “could” refers to something that is less certain but still possible (e.g., “I could probably make the team”).
“Can” and “could” are also used when asking for something or seeking permission. When used for these purposes, “could” is considered more formal and courteous (e.g., “Could you hand that to me, please?”). Additionally, “could” is often used to provide suggestions (e.g., “You could come in later in the morning if you’re too tired”).
| Examples: Can in a sentence | Examples: Could in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Clothes can get damaged in the dryer if the temperature is too high. | You could probably make it on time if you take North Avenue to avoid the traffic. |
| I love books and can read up to five of them every month. | It was only after she left that I learned she could have fixed my laptop for me. |
| My grandma is arriving from France today, so can I go home early to greet her? | Could you edit the last paragraph and make it more memorable? |
Continue reading: Can vs Could | Difference, Definitions & Examples
Tertiary sources compile the information contained in primary and secondary sources without adding novel interpretations or ideas. Examples of tertiary sources, also known as reference works, include:
Tertiary sources gather information from many different types of sources. They can include lists, summaries, and indexes of primary sources, which present novel ideas or provide direct evidence and secondary sources, which offer interpretations or analyses of primary sources.
Tertiary sources are a valuable resource during the research process as they can provide background information and indicate where to look for primary and secondary sources. They can highlight key terms you should know as well as researchers whose work is especially pertinent to your topic.
That said, tertiary sources are generally not suitable for direct reference in academic writing.
Continue reading: What Is a Tertiary Source? | Definition & Examples
Signal phrases are used to indicate the original source of a quote or idea. Along with in-text citations, signal phrases are an important step to letting the reader know which ideas are your own and which information is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized from another source.
Continue reading: Signal Phrases | Examples & Definition
A sentence fragment is a piece of writing that looks like a sentence but is technically a grammatical mistake. This is normally because it is missing a subject or a verb.
Sentence fragments can usually be spotted quite easily because they do not express a single thought. They always lack a piece of information that is key to understanding the meaning.
Continue reading: What Is a Sentence Fragment? | Examples & Definition
There are numerous types of plagiarism to watch out for, ranging from incorrectly paraphrasing someone else’s words to copying an entire essay.
The five most common types of plagiarism are:
With the exception of global plagiarism, these different types of plagiarism often happen accidentally due to mistakes with quoting, paraphrasing, and citing sources. Quillbot’s Plagiarism Checker tool can help mitigate the possibility of accidental plagiarism.
Universities often use AI detectors to scan work for originality.
Continue reading: The 5 Types of Plagiarism | Examples & Definitions
The whole nine yards is an American English idiom that means “everything,” “all the way,” or “the full extent of something.” This idiom is used to convey that someone is doing all they can or that something is providing everything possible in a given situation.
For example, if you’re planning a birthday party and did as much as you could to include everything from clowns to balloons to a bounce house and more, you may say, “I went the whole nine yards to make sure this party was the best.”
Luke wanted the whole nine yards when he renovated his home, so he made sure to buy the nicest furniture and the most innovative gadgets.
Even though we lost the first game, we ended up going the whole nine yards and winning the championship.
I went the whole nine yards when I decided to become a chef, learning everything from food science to the art of presentation.
Continue reading: The Whole Nine Yards | Meaning & Origin
In academic writing, it is vital that you rely on credible sources to build on and reinforce your argument. The CRAAP test is a tool you can use to test a source’s credibility to ensure that the information you use is reliable.
Using the CRAAP test, which was developed in 2004 by librarians at California State University, is an information literacy skill that will serve you well as an academic writer and researcher.
The CRAAP test can be applied to evaluate a range of sources.
Continue reading: What Is the CRAAP Test? | Examples & Definition
Both principle and principal have the same pronunciation but their meanings are different.
| Examples: Principal in a sentence | Examples: Principle in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The school principal was very popular with both students and faculty. | As a matter of principle, Jenny never used the self-service checkout. |
| The report’s principal conclusions were later questioned by critics. | The scientific principle of conservation of mass states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. |
Continue reading: Principal vs Principle | Definition & Examples
Anytime and any time are pronounced in the same way but used to express different grammatical meanings.
| Examples: Anytime in a sentence | Examples: Any time in a sentence |
|---|---|
| We can meet anytime on monday.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch anytime. Anytime I want to do my washing, someone is using the machine. |
I don’t have any time to help you this week.
The pipe could burst at any time. You can use the library at any time. |
Continue reading: Anytime vs Any Time | Meaning & Examples
A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause in order to link it to an independent clause.
Subordinating conjunctions express a variety of meanings, and they often comprise more than one word.
| Meaning | Subordinating conjunction examples |
|---|---|
| Condition | I’ll do the report for you as long as you help me with the proposal. |
| Time | He only suggested it after I mentioned it at the meeting. |
| Purpose | Put your keys in your bag now so that you don’t forget them. |
| Place | We can meet wherever it is most convenient for you. |
| Contrast | Despite the fact that I reminded her twice, she still forgot my book. |
Subordinating conjunctions are also sometimes called subordinate conjunctions or subordinators.
Continue reading: Subordinating Conjunctions | Examples & List
Plagiarism occurs when you use another person’s words, ideas, or information without correctly citing the source. Plagiarism can sometimes be intentional, but usually it is accidental, resulting from incorrect citation practices or forgetfulness.
Academic writing involves using others’ work to support your claims or provide background information. Any time you refer to another author’s work, you must cite the source.
Strategies to avoid plagiarism include:
Plagiarism, whether accidental or otherwise, can have serious consequences. As such, it is vital to be careful with how you cite borrowed material in your text.
Continue reading: How to Avoid Plagiarism | Tips & Examples
When you are researching a topic, you will need to consult and use various types of sources. The most common source types in scholarly writing include:
As your writing process develops, you will probably adapt the types of sources you use. An initial stage of researching definitions and overviews might lead you to a website or encyclopedia. As your research goes deeper you will access books and journals (scholarly sources).
Continue reading: Types of Sources | Tips & Examples
Copacetic is a slightly old-fashioned informal adjective meaning “very satisfactory,” “just fine,” and “alright.”
It is found more often in American English than British English. It is usually considered too informal for academic writing.
Despite the minor hiccup, the event went smoothly overall, so it was still copacetic.
I wasn’t sure about the plan at first, but after hearing the details, it all seemed copacetic.
Continue reading: Copacetic | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Reductio ad absurdum is the strategy of disproving a claim by demonstrating its logical contradictions. This involves assuming the claim is true to show that it leads to contradictions and cannot actually be true.
Reductio ad absurdum: “If the truth cannot be known, then it cannot be known whether the statement ‘the truth cannot be known’ is true.”
Reductio ad absurdum is used in philosophy, mathematics, law, and other disciplines where logical consistency is important.
Continue reading: Reductio Ad Absurdum | Definition & Examples
An adjective phrase is a group of words that acts as an adjective in a sentence to give more information about a noun or pronoun.
The large, loud, and angry crowd protested for hours.
She is smarter than her brother.
Continue reading: What Is an Adjective Phrase? | Examples & Definition
Identifying good sources will improve the quality of your research. Systematically evaluating the sources you’re thinking about using will help you to:
When evaluating sources, it’s important to keep your research question clearly in mind and practice critical thinking.
Continue reading: Evaluating Sources | Approaches & Examples
Brick-and-mortar (sometimes written “brick and mortar”) describes a business or operation that serves customers and clients in a physical, fixed store rather than an online store or temporary shop (e.g., “I prefer going to brick-and-mortar stores because the customer service is better”).
Brick-and-mortar shops allow customers to buy goods and services in person. Examples of brick-and-mortar businesses include grocery stores, gyms, and banks.
Quincy likes buying his clothes in brick-and-mortar shops so he can try on the outfits before he buys them.
Brick-and-mortar businesses are making a comeback because people prefer to be able to buy things instantly instead of ordering online and then waiting weeks for delivery.
Continue reading: Brick and Mortar | Meaning & Examples
Each other is the correct spelling (e.g., “They love each other very much”). Eachother (with no space) is incorrect and should be avoided in your writing.
Continue reading: *Eachother or Each Other | Which Is Correct?
When the word however is used to mean “but”, it is functioning as a conjunctive adverb.
To decide how to use commas with however when it is used like this, you need to think about its position in the sentence or clause.
| Start of sentence/clause | Inflation is relatively high. However, other economic signs are positive. |
| Inflation is relatively high; however, other economic signs are positive. | |
| Middle of sentence/clause | Inflation is relatively high. Other economic signs, however, are positive. |
| End of sentence/clause | Inflation is relatively high. Other economic signs are positive, however. |
Continue reading: Comma Before or After However | Explanation & Examples
Payed and paid sound exactly the same, but their spellings and meanings are different.
| Examples: Payed in a sentence | Examples: Paid in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The sailboat had to be payed to cure the leaks.
As the water level dropped in the lock, Andy gradually payed out the rope on the boat. |
Gurvinder paid the bill for everybody.
The sergeant paid with her life for her bravery. |
Continue reading: Payed vs Paid | Difference, Definition & Examples
Crayfish and crawfish are different names for the same animal—freshwater crustaceans that resemble and are related to lobsters.
The term used depends on the region: “crawfish” is more common in the southeastern United States, while “crayfish” is preferred in the north and northeast. Some other areas, like North Carolina and Oregon, use a third term: crawdads.
I work for a company that catches crayfish/crawfish/crawdads and sells them to restaurants.
In my science quiz, I got one question wrong because I confused lobsters with crayfish/crawfish/crawdads.
Continue reading: Crayfish vs Crawfish | What’s the Difference?
Lose and loose have different pronunciations and usually act as different parts of speech.
| Examples: Lose in a sentence | Examples: Loose in a sentence |
|---|---|
| If you lose your passport, it will take several weeks to replace it. | I nearly fell off my bike because the seat was loose. |
| A true fan will support their team even if they lose. | It was more a loose relationship than a formal partnership. |
Continue reading: Loose vs Lose | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Boolean operators are the words and symbols used to narrow or expand a search on a database. Examples of Boolean operators include “AND,” “OR,” and “NOT.” A Boolean search is therefore a search that uses Boolean operators.
Boolean operators are used together with keywords to form a Boolean string that makes your search more precise. This enables the database to identify the most pertinent sources.
Continue reading: Boolean Operators | Examples, Definition & List
Duly noted is a commonly used phrase that means “understood and taken into account.” The phrase is made up using the adverb “duly” (i.e., “in the correct manner”) and the verb “noted” (i.e., “acknowledged”).
Its most common use is in professional or formal contexts. When used more informally, it is often meant ironically as a way of disregarding the opinion expressed.
The principal was wearied by the complaints, but nonetheless she duly noted them in the file.
Thank you for your comments; we have duly noted them.
Continue reading: Duly Noted | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Towards and toward are both prepositions that can be used interchangeably. They both mean “in the direction of” (the most common meaning), as well as “in contribution to” and “in relation to.” Which one you use will largely depend on whether you use British English or American English.
The hikers made their way slowly toward/towards the clearing.
The money raised goes toward/towards the roof repairs.
It’s important to realize the benefits of a positive approach toward/towards your studies.
Also be aware that style guides might have specific requirements, with both APA and Chicago preferring toward without the “s.”
In some cases, you can use “to” as an alternative for towards/toward (e.g., “He was heading to the exit”).
Continue reading: Toward or Towards | Usage, Differences & Definition
Mea culpa comes from the Latin for “my fault,” or “through my fault.” It is an interjection (i.e., a word or phrase that expresses a feeling) but can also be used as a noun meaning an admission of guilt (e.g., “The senator issued a mea culpa via the press office”).
Mea culpa has a long history in English dating back at least to Chaucer (14th century) and originates in a prayer of confession in the Roman Catholic Church. It is now used in a much more general sense to indicate that you accept being at fault for something.
The letter was nothing but a three-page mea culpa from the assistant.
The doctor’s short mea culpa on the website did little to calm the patients’ anger.
Because mea culpa has been used in English for so long (like “ad hoc,” “in vitro,” and “de facto”), it does not need to be italicized in the way more recent loanwords from other languages do.
Continue reading: What Does Mea Culpa Mean? | Definition & Examples
Action research is a research method that combines investigation and intervention to solve a problem. Because of its interactive nature, action research is commonly used in the social sciences, particularly in educational contexts.
Educators frequently use this method as a means of structured inquiry, emphasizing reflective practice and combining theoretical knowledge and practical application.
The term “action research” was first introduced in 1944 by Kurt Lewin, a renowned MIT professor. Due to its cyclical nature, action research is also referred to as the action cycle, action model, or cycle of inquiry.
Continue reading: What Is Action Research? | Examples & Definition
In simple random sampling, every member of the population has an equal probability of being chosen for the sample.
This probability sampling method is the easiest to execute because it requires minimal prior knowledge about the population and it involves only one random selection.
The use of randomization ensures that the sample is representative of the population, with a reduced risk of biases such as sampling bias and selection bias. Additionally, the sample’s internal and external validity are likely to be high.
The researcher obtains a list of all 10,000 students. They use a random number generator to select a random sample of 500 students from the list. The random number generator assigns a unique number to each student in the list and then selects 500 numbers at random.
Every student has an equal chance of ending up in the sample.
Continue reading: What Is Simple Random Sampling? | Example & Definition
Stratified sampling is a probability sampling method where researchers divide a population into homogeneous subpopulations (strata) based on specific characteristics, such as gender, age, or socioeconomic status. Every member of the population should be in precisely one stratum.
Another sample is then drawn for each stratum using a different random sampling method (e.g., cluster sampling). This way, researchers can estimate statistics (e.g., averages) for each subpopulation.
Stratified sampling is used when the characteristics of a population vary and researchers need to make sure that the sample is representative of the entire population. This sampling method ensures high external validity and generalizability and minimizes the risk of some research biases.
To ensure all groups are represented, the university decides to use stratified sampling based on academic level and department. They use a disproportionate sample to ensure the sample size of each subgroup is large enough to draw statistical conclusions.
Continue reading: What Is Stratified Sampling? | Examples & Definition
Cluster sampling is a probability sampling method where researchers divide a population into smaller groups called clusters. They then form a sample by randomly selecting clusters.
Cluster sampling is commonly used to study large populations, especially those with a wide geographic distribution. Researchers use existing groups or units (such as schools or towns) as their clusters.
Continue reading: What Is Cluster Sampling? | Examples & Definition
An experimental design is a systematic plan for conducting an experiment that aims to test a hypothesis or answer a research question.
It involves manipulating one or more independent variables (IVs) and measuring their effect on one or more dependent variables (DVs) while controlling for other variables that could influence the outcome.
The goal of an experimental design is to isolate the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable while controlling for other variables that could influence the outcome. By doing so, researchers can:
Your sample needs to be representative to draw valid conclusions from your data. If it’s unethical, hard, or even impossible to randomly assign participants to a control or treatment group, it’s best to use an observational design instead.
Continue reading: Experimental Design | Types, Definition & Examples
Nominal data is a type of qualitative data that is characterized by its categorical nature. It is often used to describe characteristics or attributes of individuals, objects, or events, and it is typically represented as a label or category.
Nominal labels or categories don’t have an inherent rank or numerical value, which means you can’t logically order them. Researchers often use this type of data in conjunction with other types of quantitative data to provide a more complete understanding of a research question or problem.
The data for each of these variables can be categorized with labels, but there’s no inherent order to them. For instance, the labels for gender could be ranked in any random order.
Continue reading: What Is Nominal Data? | Examples & Definition
Ordinal data is categorized into ranks, with each category having a natural order. However, the spacing between these categories is not clearly uniform or quantifiable.
For instance, consider the variable “college degree,” which can be categorized into the following levels:
While there is a clear hierarchical structure to these categories, we can’t claim that the difference between “associate degree” and “bachelor’s degree” is the exact same as the difference between “master’s degree” and “doctoral degree.” This lack of precise measurement makes this scale ordinal in nature.
Continue reading: What Is Ordinal Data? | Examples & Definition
For all intents and purposes is a phrase which means “in effect” or “practically speaking.” It is used to indicate that the practical outcome of something is the same as something else.
Even though it had done 1,000 miles, it was, for all intents and purposes, a new car.
With the exams finished, the semester was, for all intents and purposes, over.
Continue reading: For All Intents and Purposes | Meaning & Examples
Albeit is a conjunction with a meaning similar to “although” or “even though.” It comes from the three words “all,” “be,” and “it,” but it is always written as one word.
Albeit introduces a subordinate or dependent clause that qualifies (i.e., tells us more about) the information contained in the main clause.
The hike was challenging, albeit rewarding.
There have been some technical difficulties, albeit minor ones, during the launch.
We abided by the rules, albeit with a few creative interpretations.
Continue reading: What Does Albeit Mean? | Meaning & Examples
There are several ways to say “nice to meet you” in Spanish, including:
Mucho gusto (pronounced “moo-cho goose-toe” is the simplest way to say “nice to meet you” in Spanish because it’s suitable for formal and informal settings, and the phrase works regardless of who’s speaking and who is being spoken to (e.g., “Mucho gusto, Juan. Mi nombre es Alexandra”).
Because Spanish is a gendered language, many other “nice to meet you” phrases must be modified depending on the speaker and audience. For example, “encantado de conocerlo” works only when a man is communicating with another man. If he were meeting a woman, he would have to say, “encantado de conocerla.” Additionally, some phrases are considered more formal than others.
Continue reading: Nice To Meet You in Spanish | 5 Phrases & Examples
There are several situations where you might think about writing a follow-up email. Or you might hate the idea, but your head tells you it’s the right thing to do. This is most likely when:
It can be an unnerving experience, and there is always the risk that you will be seen as pushy. Being pushy, of course, is not going to get you the result you want.
By considering the following guidelines for each component of the email, you can make your follow-up email more effective.
Continue reading: How to Write a Follow-Up Email | Tips & Examples
Loaded questions are designed to make someone concede an unproven point. They are considered a form of logical fallacy because they undermine honest discussion.
Examples of loaded questions are common in media, politics, and everyday conversations.
Continue reading: What Is a Loaded Question? | Meaning & Examples
Ambiguity occurs when an expression or idea is unclear or open to multiple interpretations. Unintentional ambiguity can be confusing and can lead to misunderstandings.
This could mean someone’s cat was fed or someone was fed cat food.
Continue reading: What Is Ambiguity? | Definition & Examples
Mutually exclusive is a phrase that describes two things as incompatible. Any scenarios described as “mutually exclusive” cannot happen simultaneously. For example, a student’s goals to pass an exam and not take the exam at all are mutually exclusive because both cannot occur at the same time.
We discovered that the proposals are mutually exclusive; we can only implement one of them, not both.
I learned the hard way that going to sleep late and waking up early are mutually exclusive habits because I couldn’t do both for a prolonged period of time.
Continue reading: Mutually Exclusive | Meaning, Definition & Examples
The general rule is to use “fewer” with plural, countable nouns (e.g., “fewer water bottles”) and “less” with uncountable nouns (e.g., “less water”). However, there are some exceptions, such as when referring to certain quantities (e.g., “There is less than one mile remaining on our drive”).
| Examples: Using fewer in a sentence | Examples: Using less in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I learned fewer practical tips compared to the first class I went to. | There’s less ice in the blue cooler, so put the drinks in the red one instead. |
| Martin had fewer objections than the previous contractor. | Tomissa spends less time on social media now that she’s studying for the final exam. |
| We experienced fewer issues once we established dedicated teams. | The project took less effort than we initially imagined. |
Continue reading: Fewer vs Less | Difference & Examples
Liar is the correct spelling when referring to someone who is deceitful or untruthful (e.g., “Geez, you’re such a liar!”). More often than not, lier is an incorrect spelling of this word. Although technically a real, albeit rare, word, “lier” refers to someone or something in a horizontal position (e.g., “He’s lying down, so he’s technically a lier”).
“Lier” and “liar” are both derived from the verb “lie.” However, “lier” is associated with the meaning “to be or put oneself in a reclined position on a surface,” while “liar” is associated with the meaning “to make a dishonest statement.”
We didn’t trust him because he was a known liar.
I was called a liar after I mistakenly said there was no more cake when there was.
He said that the last thing he wants to be known as is a liar.
Continue reading: Lier or liar | Meaning, Correct Spelling & Examples
Critical thinking is sometimes called “thinking about thinking” because it is a skill that helps you analyze information effectively. It is this ability that helps you to make a sound judgment about the information you encounter.
Thinking critically involves understanding your own preconceptions and biases. Being aware of your attitudes helps you to be consistent in your standards when evaluating sources.
Continue reading: Critical Thinking | Definition & Examples
Face validity is a type of validity that refers to the extent to which a research instrument, such as a survey, questionnaire, or test, appears to measure what it is supposed to measure.
In other words, face validity is concerned with whether the instrument looks like it is measuring what it claims to measure.
You have thought of two methods of recording weight:
Both methods have a very different level of face validity:
Face validity is typically evaluated by experts in the field, such as researchers or academics who have knowledge about the topic being studied. They review the instrument and assess whether it appears to measure the concepts or variables it claims to measure.
Continue reading: What Is Face Validity? | Definition & Example
Accidently is a common misspelling of “accidentally,” which means “unintentionally.”
Although “accidently” has been used for centuries and can sometimes still be found in published works, it is recommended to use “accidentally,” as the former is now typically viewed as an error. The QuillBot grammar check tool can help you catch this and other errors.
Less common: I accidently bought the wrong brand and now I have to make a return.
Continue reading: *Accidently | Correct Spelling, Meaning & Use
Ride is an irregular verb, so its simple past form and past participle form are different from each other.
| Examples: Rode in a sentence | Examples: Ride in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Mo and Valentina rode the subway to school every day. | I have never ridden such a beautiful bike before. |
| The jockey rode the horse with great skill. | Jan had ridden the scooter illegally on the sidewalk. |
Continue reading: Past Tense of Ride | Definition & Example Sentences
There are several ways to say I love you in Spanish.
“Te quiero” (pronounced “teh-kyeh-rro”) is the simplest way to say “I love you” in Spanish. Although it’s more casual than other phrases, it can be used when talking to friends, family, or a romantic partner (e.g., “Te quiero mucho, hermano”).
Additionally, “te quiero” works whether it is being used by a man or a woman. Because Spanish is a gendered language, some of the phrases listed above have to be modified depending on the context (similar to the many ways of saying “nice to meet you” in Spanish).
For example, “estoy enamorado de ti” means “I’m in love with you,” but the phrase can only be used by a man. If a woman were using it, she would have to say, “estoy enamorada de ti.”
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you write “I love you” in Spanish perfectly by helping you avoid spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes.
However, the gender inclusive use of “e” in place of “o” or “a” is not officially recognized and might lead to mixed reactions, as some people believe that the language should maintain the traditional spelling and grammar conventions that make it unique.
Continue reading: I Love You in Spanish | 7 Phrases & Examples
Internal validity refers to the extent to which a research study’s design and methods minimize the likelihood of alternative explanations for the observed effect between variables.
In other words, internal validity addresses the question: “Is the observed effect or relationship likely due to the independent variable (the variable being manipulated) and not due to other factors?”
A high level of internal validity means that the study’s conclusions are likely to be reliable. It’s one of the most important types of validity in research.
The participants’ cognitive function is assessed using a standardized test at the beginning and end of the 3-month period.
However, during the 3-month period, the participants are also encouraged to eat a healthy diet as part of their overall health and wellness. The researcher doesn’t control for this extraneous variable, so it’s possible that any changes in cognitive function are due to the diet rather than the exercise program. The study has low internal validity
Continue reading: What Is Internal Validity? | Definition, Example & Threats
Systematic sampling, also known as systematic random sampling, is a probability sampling technique that involves selecting every nth element from the population, where n is the predetermined sampling interval.
The sampling method provides you with a representative sample of a population as long as the order of the population is random or near-random (e.g., alphabetically ordered). The data collected from this sample can be used to draw conclusions about your entire research population.
To conduct the survey, the university decides to use systematic sampling. They start by creating a list of all the students in the course, numbered from 1 to 500.
To select the sample, they decide to use a sampling interval of 10. This means they will select every 10th student from the list until they’ve reached their desired sample size.
Continue reading: What Is Systematic Sampling? | Definition & Examples
A proverb is a short popular saying that expresses a perceived truth based on common sense or practical experience. Proverbs are short and memorable and are commonly used in daily life to give advice or express a general truth about life.
When announcing the company reorganization, the CEO reminded everyone that you can’t make an omelet without breaking some eggs.
Tom blamed the oven for burning the turkey on Thanksgiving, but as they say, a bad workman blames his tools.
Continue reading: What Is a Proverb? | Definition & Examples
Presumptuous means “overly forward or excessively bold.” It is an adjective used to refer to someone who appears to be rude or arrogant because of their entitled or overfamiliar behavior. If someone is considered “likely to presume” or “characterized by presumption,” they can be described as presumptuous.
He felt a pang of irritation at her presumptuous question about his personal life.
It was presumptuous of the new intern to try to correct the CEO’s presentation.
He felt a twinge of guilt for his presumptuous behavior at the job interview.
Continue reading: Presumptuous | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Indubitably means “certainly” or “without question.”
It is an adverb with the same root as the adjective “indubitable.”
“Indubitably” is not commonly used in modern English and is perceived as being very formal. In speech, it can be used as an interjection if someone is being facetious or putting on airs.
The opposite of “indubitably” is “dubitably,” which is very rarely used in modern English.
The artist’s work is indubitably groundbreaking.
The consequences will indubitably be felt for years to come.
It is indubitably the case that many questions have been left hanging in the air.
Continue reading: Indubitably | Meaning, Definition & Examples
To create an APA website citation, you’ll need the following information: author, publication date, title of the page, website name, and the URL.
In cases where there is no author, you can list the title of the article first. Retrieval dates are only needed for pages that will likely be updated frequently.
When you cite the electronic version of a print publication (e.g., a magazine, newspaper, or dictionary), you add the URL to the end of the typical print reference format.
| APA format | Last Name, Initials. (Year, Month Day). Article title. Website Name. URL. |
| APA reference entry | Suni, E, & Rosen, D. (2024, March 4). Mastering sleep hygiene: Your path to quality sleep. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene |
| APA in-text citation | (Suni & Rosen, 2024) |
QuillBot’s free APA Citation Generator can automatically generate APA Style citations for you, and our free Plagiarism Checker can help ensure your writing is free of accidental plagiarism.
Continue reading: APA Website Citations | Format & Examples
When introducing yourself in an email, you need to choose an appropriate:
These will depend on the purpose of the email and whether you know the name of the person who will read it.
Introductory emails also use a lot of fixed phrases (e.g., “looking forward to hearing from you”), which mainly come at the start and end of the correspondence.
Continue reading: How to Introduce Yourself in an Email | With Examples
You might see the phrase per our conversation in an email, letter, or note, and you might not know exactly what it means. You might also see the variation “as per our conversation,” which has the same meaning.
“Per” is a preposition, and here it means “according to” (e.g., “according to our conversation last week”), but it can also mean “as we agreed” or “just to clarify.” In American English, it is commonly used in newspapers to mean “according to” (e.g., “per a source familiar with the meeting”).
Per our conversation can be a useful way to remind someone about or clarify an agreement. It is worth bearing in mind that the phrase is quite formal and will look out of place in more informal settings.
It is useful to have a range of different ways of communicating the meaning of per our conversation in situations where that exact phrase would be out of place. Below are some suggestions for you to use.
Continue reading: Per Our Conversation | Meaning & Alternatives
Whilst and while both mean “at the same time” (e.g., “I ate while he slept”) or “in contrast to something else” (e.g., “I like hotdogs, while he prefers burgers”).
However, “while” can also be used as a noun to refer to a period of time (e.g., “a short while”). In this case, the words cannot be used interchangeably.
“Whilst” is more common in British English than in American English, but “while” is the more popular variant in both dialects.
She likes going to the mall, whilst/while I prefer online shopping.
Whist/while I was reading on the bench, my dog was napping by my feet.
Continue reading: Whilst vs While | Meaning & Examples
Although they are pronounced in the same way, there, their and they’re have different meanings.
| Examples: There in a sentence | Examples: Their in a sentence | Examples: They’re in a sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Is there any paper in the printer?
The book is over there. |
Did they all remember their passports?
Their coffee is the best in town. |
They’re all such talented musicians.
They’re from all over the world. |
Continue reading: There, Their, They’re | Difference, Meaning & Examples
APA Style has specific guidelines for the format of the reference page, which is where you list all the sources you’ve cited in your paper. The guidelines here are for the most recent edition, the 7th edition, of the APA Publication Manual.
Your reference page should begin on a new page immediately after the main text, and the references should be listed in alphabetical order.
QuillBot’s free Citation Generator can help you order your references automatically. Additionally, our free Plagiarism Checker can help you avoid accidental plagiarism.
Continue reading: APA Reference Page | Example & Format
The adjective facetious means “humorous in an inappropriate way or at an inappropriate time.” It is often used to criticize someone or something (e.g., to say that a person is treating a serious issue in an unserious way).
It is also used less critically to mean “funny and not serious.”
You don’t really mean that, do you? You’re just being facetious, right?
I love to read her newspaper columns; they’re just so wonderfully facetious.
Continue reading: Facetious | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Unconscious biases are instantaneous stereotyped judgments about people that escape our awareness. These biases often conflict with our consciously held values and beliefs.
Unconscious biases can be especially harmful in contexts where power is imbalanced, including business, academic, medical, and legal contexts.
Continue reading: What Is Unconscious Bias? | Definition & Examples
An elegy is a somber poem or song, typically one that mourns the loss of someone who has died. Its purpose is to express feelings such as grief and sorrow, pay tribute to the dead, and offer consolation.
Continue reading: What Is an Elegy? | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Whisky and whiskey are umbrella terms that include several types of grain spirits. However, “whisky” is typically used when referring to grain spirits that were produced in Scotland, Japan, or Canada, whereas “whiskey” is the preferred spelling for grain spirits made in the United States or Ireland.
I plan on touring a whisky distillery when I go to Japan next year.
I don’t drink anymore, but when I did, Scottish whisky was my go-to drink.
Continue reading: Whisky vs Whiskey | Correct Spelling & Difference
A compound subject is more than one noun or pronoun joined by a conjunction that functions as the subject of a sentence or clause (e.g., “my sister and I”).
Like all subjects, a compound subject either performs the action described by the verb in the predicate (e.g., “Sarah and Alana walk”) or is described by the predicate (e.g., “Trevor and Cara are tall”).
The nouns or pronouns in a compound subject are joined using the coordinating conjunctions “and,” “or,” or “nor” or a correlative conjunction (e.g., “either … or“).
The irises, pansies, and violets are all in bloom.
Pizza or pasta sounds good for dinner.
Neither Caden nor his brother is coming.
Continue reading: Compound Subject | Examples & Definition
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is separated from what it is intended to modify in a sentence. Misplaced modifiers can create ambiguity or change the meaning of the sentence.
In the example above, the modifier “dressed in costumes” modifies the noun “the streets.” This implies that the streets are wearing costumes rather than the children.
To fix this mistake, the modifier needs to be moved next to the words it modifies: “the children.”
The children, dressed in costumes, ran through the streets.
Continue reading: What Is a Misplaced Modifier? | Definition & Examples
A research proposal is a short piece of academic writing that outlines the research a graduate student intends to carry out. It starts by explaining why the research will be helpful or necessary, then describes the steps of the potential research and how the research project would add further knowledge to the field of study. A student submits this as part of the application process for a graduate degree program.
If you’re thinking of pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree, you may need to learn more about how to write a research proposal that will get you into your desired program.
QuillBot is here to help—first, let’s look at why you might write a research proposal. Then we’ll cover the parts it should include, how long it should be, and the tools that can help you write a great one.
Continue reading: How to Write a Research Proposal | A Guide for Students
Genuflect is a verb meaning “to bend your knee” (e.g., as an act of worship inside a Christian church).
It is also used figuratively to mean “pleasing someone in a way that shows a lack of respect for yourself.”
You’re going to have to genuflect before him if you want him to agree.
She is a genius who refuses to genuflect at the altar of convention.
Genuflect is split into three syllables with the stress on the first syllable: [jen-yoo-flekt]. The first two syllables are pronounced in the same way as in the word “genuine.”
Continue reading: Genuflect | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Despite and in spite of are synonyms. They both function as prepositions that mean “regardless of.”
You can use them to say that an improbable thing actually happened or that a surprising thing is really true.
Despite/in spite of what you may have heard elsewhere, we can confirm that we are going ahead with this project.
Continue reading: Despite vs In Spite of | Difference, Meaning, Examples
Take it with a grain of salt is an English idiom that means “view or consider something with skepticism.” When someone uses this expression, they are suggesting that the information provided may not be entirely credible and therefore should be received with reservation.
The article provides plenty of financial tips, but make sure to take it with a grain of salt since it wasn’t written by experts.
The forecast claims it won’t rain. Take it with a grain of salt, though, because we’ve had unpredictable weather all week.
Continue reading: Take It With a Grain of Salt | Meaning & Examples
The adverb undoubtedly means “definitely” or “without doubt.” It can be used to modify a whole sentence as well as a verb, adjective or another adverb.
You can use “undoubtedly” as part of a short response to a question or statement.
It is a less formal synonym of the word “indubitably.”
The “b” sound in undoubtedly is silent (i.e., you do not pronounce it).
The growth in online shopping will undoubtedly continue.
Yes, undoubtedly so.
Continue reading: Undoubtedly | Meaning, Definition & Examples
To touch base means to briefly communicate with a person or a group of people such as a team of employees in order to stay in contact with them or check something.
It is an informal idiom that comes from the sport of baseball. It is often used in work and business contexts but is not generally used in formal or academic writing.
Have you got a minute to talk? I just wanted to touch base before the meeting later.
Let’s touch base about the arrangements again later in the week.
Continue reading: Touch Base | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Amphiboly refers to ambiguity in language that arises from unclear grammar, allowing a phrase or sentence to be interpreted in multiple ways.
The amphiboly fallacy is a relatively rare logical fallacy in which a statement’s ambiguous grammatical structure leads to misinterpretations and misleading conclusions.
Continue reading: What Is Amphiboly? | Definition & Examples
Nonrestrictive clauses are a type of adjective clause (or relative clause) that gives nonessential, extra information about a noun or noun phrase. Nonrestrictive clauses begin with a relative pronoun (e.g., “which,” “who,” “whom,” or “whose”) and are set off from the sentence by commas.
Nonrestrictive clauses (also called nonessential clauses) can be removed from a sentence without changing its meaning.
My brother, who is two years younger than me, is graduating from high school.
Our next-door neighbors, whose yard is always overgrown, are out of town.
Amal’s nephew, whom he babysits frequently, is coming over today.
Continue reading: Nonrestrictive Clause | Sentences & Examples
The motte and bailey fallacy involves equating a controversial claim with one that is easy to defend and strategically shifting between these two positions in a misleading way.
This strategy is considered dishonest because the speaker strategically confuses the audience about their true position.
In this example of a motte and bailey fallacy, the extreme position (the bailey) advocates for sweeping changes to address climate change, while the moderate position (the motte) emphasizes more achievable and less controversial goals. This allows a person to shield a controversial stance from criticism and avoid defending it directly.
Motte and bailey fallacies are often found in political, academic, and philosophical debates, among other contexts.
Continue reading: What Is the Motte and Bailey Fallacy? | Definition & Examples
Restrictive clauses are a type of relative clause (or adjective clause) that gives essential, identifying information about a noun or pronoun. Restrictive clauses typically begin with the relative pronouns “that,” “who,” “whom,” or “whose.”
Restrictive clauses (also called essential clauses) cannot be removed from a sentence without changing its meaning or making the meaning unclear.
The woman who is leading the meeting is my boss.
The person whose wallet this is must be looking for it.
I can’t find the man whom I gave my coat to.
Continue reading: Restrictive Clauses | Examples & Definition
A simple sentence is a single independent clause with a subject and predicate. Simple sentences convey a complete thought, but they do not contain any dependent clauses (also known as subordinate clauses).
Mice love snacks.
He left.
Continue reading: Simple Sentence | Definition & Examples
A false dichotomy occurs when someone falsely frames an issue as having only two options even though more possibilities exist.
This oversimplification can lead people to overlook valid alternatives, believing they must choose between the two extreme options.
This is an example of a false dichotomy because it oversimplifies a complex scenario and claims there are only two possible stances. In reality, it is possible to have a more nuanced position or support neither option.
Continue reading: What Is a False Dichotomy? | Definition & Examples
A euphemism is an expression that is used in place of words or phrases that may be considered embarrassing or unpleasant. For example, “kick the bucket” is a euphemism for “die.”
Euphemisms are used to discuss taboo topics in a more careful and less abrasive way, whether it be to appeal to an audience or adhere to personal beliefs. Many people who don’t like to use profanity use euphemisms instead (e.g., “heck”).
Dang it, that was close! [Damn it]
Could I interest you in an adult beverage? [Alcoholic drink]
Continue reading: Euphemism | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Prepositions are words that demonstrate a relationship between two parts of a phrase or sentence. They are often used to give information about:
They can also be used to express more abstract relationships (e.g., “We talked about the new project”).
According to Lena, the show won’t be finished until midnight.
Let’s put that item on the agenda for next week.
Continue reading: Prepositions | List, Examples & Definition
The false equivalence fallacy involves treating multiple situations or viewpoints as equivalent despite their significant differences.
This logical fallacy sometimes results from faulty reasoning, but it is often used deliberately to lead an audience to a desired conclusion.
In this example of a false equivalence fallacy, the reporter treats a peaceful protest and a violent sports-related riot as if they were essentially equal. This commentary gives the misleading impression that the protest is as dangerous as the riot despite its lack of violent intentions or actions.
The false equivalence fallacy can occur in contexts such as politics, media reports, and casual debates when significantly different events or circumstances are treated as if they were essentially the same.
Continue reading: False Equivalence Fallacy | Definition & Examples
Lets and let’s are both derived from the verb “let,” which can be used to mean “allow or permit” or to introduce a request or suggestion. While “lets” is the third-person singular form of this verb (e.g., “I hope she lets you go”), “let’s” is a contraction that stands for “let us” (e.g., “Let’s go to the park”).
Many people get these words confused because they are homophones, meaning they have the same pronunciation but different meanings.
| Examples: Lets in a sentence | Examples: Let’s in a sentence |
|---|---|
| My dad lets me play video games once I’m done with my chores. | Let’s hope that we can get out of class early. |
| She lets her younger sister help her garden because she knows it soothes her. | Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. |
| Suzie lets Daniel leave early on Thursdays so he can visit his grandmother. | I could be wrong, so let’s double-check the results before publishing them. |
Continue reading: Lets vs Let’s | Difference, Definitions & Examples
An adjective clause (also called a relative clause) is a group of words with a subject and a verb that is used as an adjective in a sentence to give more information about a noun or pronoun.
Adjective clauses are a type of dependent clause (or subordinate clause), which means they cannot stand on their own as a sentence and must be connected to an independent clause (or main clause).
Julie, who is my mom’s best friend, is coming to the wedding.
I am almost finished with this book, which I borrowed from Mauricio.
Continue reading: Adjective Clause | Examples & Definition
The idiom cut to the chase means “speak about something without wasting time or including unimportant details.”
“Cut to the chase” originated in the 1920s, when silent film editors would splice in a chase scene after a slower scene in order to keep the audience’s attention. Hence, the expression is used to refer to the act of skipping to the most important or exciting part of a conversation.
Cut to the chase already; you’re wasting my time.
Lisa skipped the small talk and cut right to the chase.
Continue reading: Cut to the Chase | Meaning & Origin
A gerund phrase is a group of words that begins with a gerund (the “-ing” form of a verb that acts as a noun) and includes any of its objects and modifiers (e.g., “walking to school”). Gerund phrases act as nouns in sentences.
My biggest priority is learning how to code.
Do you like cooking new recipes?
Continue reading: Gerund Phrase | Examples & Definition
The conjunction fallacy is the mistaken assumption that multiple events or conditions are more likely to occur together than they are to occur separately.
This reasoning demonstrates the conjunction fallacy because it incorrectly assumes that the likelihood of having both the flu and pneumonia is greater than the likelihood of having the flu alone. In reality, given that the patient has symptoms that are associated with both illnesses, it’s statistically more likely that a patient has the common flu, but not also pneumonia.
This error in reasoning can affect decision-making processes in contexts such as financial planning, medical diagnostics, and legal reasoning, among others.
Continue reading: What Is Conjunction Fallacy? | Definition & Examples
The burden of proof fallacy involves failing to support one’s own assertion and challenging others to disprove it.
Although the person making a claim is responsible for providing evidence for that claim, people often commit the burden of proof fallacy by passing that responsibility on to the opposition.
This statement is an example of the burden of proof fallacy because it asserts a conclusion without offering evidence, instead placing the onus on skeptics to disprove the claim.
The burden of proof fallacy is often associated with law, but it can be found in many other contexts as well, including politics, media, and online debates.
Continue reading: What Is the Burden of Proof Fallacy? | Definition & Examples
Denotation is the literal or objective meaning of a word, devoid of any subjective feelings or associations. It is the most basic definition that everyone can agree upon regardless of their personal experiences or background.
Denotation provides a concrete and objective understanding of words, which in turn allows us to communicate with each other effectively.
Continue reading: What Is Denotation? | Definition & Examples
Once in a blue moon is an idiom that means “not very often” or “rarely.” It’s used to express that something doesn’t occur regularly. For example, if someone lives far away from the coast, it’s possible that they only go to the beach “once in a blue moon,” meaning they hardly, if ever, go.
I play the lottery once in a blue moon to try my luck.
My grandma, who prefers to stay at home, agrees to go on vacation with me once in a blue moon.
Continue reading: Once in a Blue Moon | Meaning, Examples & Origin
An understatement presents something as less important, less serious, or smaller than it really is. When we understate something we intentionally downplay it to create various effects such as humor, irony, and emphasis.
Like overstatements, understatements can be used in different contexts including literature, diplomacy, and everyday conversations.
Continue reading: Understatement | Definition, Examples & Meaning
An adverbial clause is a clause—a group of words with a subject and a verb—that acts as an adverb in a sentence to modify the main clause.
Adverbial clauses are a type of dependent clause (i.e., they can’t stand on their own as a sentence). They typically answer questions such as “when” (e.g., “before I study”), “where” (e.g., “where she used to live”), “how” (e.g., “as you have always done”), and “why” (e.g., “so that we can go swimming”) about the main clause.
Because the gym was closed, they exercised at home.
May can run as fast as Tina can.
Continue reading: What Is an Adverbial Clause? | Definition & Examples
Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives of equal importance that describe the same noun or pronoun. Coordinate adjectives are separated by either commas or the word “and.”
Giuditta and Carlos have had a long, challenging, and odd relationship.
The stray dog was asleep in an old and weathered cardboard box.
Continue reading: Coordinate Adjectives | Examples & Definition
An overstatement is an exaggeration that makes something seem more important or serious than it really is. We often use overstatements when we explain or describe something and want to amplify the effect of our words.
Overstatements are used in various contexts, such as politics, advertising, and everyday conversation. However, we must be cautious of them as they can be misleading due to their exaggerated nature.
Continue reading: Overstatement | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Presume and assume both mean “see something as true”; however, “presume” implies reasoning and likelihood, whereas “assume” suggests that there is no evidence.
For example, imagine you’re at work and a report goes missing. Without any proof, you might assume that the new intern took it to learn more about company affairs. However, if the intern is later overheard discussing the report’s details, it would be reasonable to presume that they took the missing report, although there is still no direct evidence. This scenario highlights that the subtle distinction between “presume” and “assume” depends on the available information.
When it comes to believing that something is true, the difference between “presume” and “assume” lies in the confidence and probability, or lack thereof.
| Examples: Presume in a sentence | Examples: Assume in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I presume you’ll be joining us for dinner tonight. | Let’s not assume the worst without knowing all the details. |
| Since the lights are on, I presume someone is home. | I assume the mail comes at the same time every day, but I don’t know for sure. |
| Based on the applause, one might presume the performance was a success. | He assumed she wouldn’t mind if he borrowed her laptop, but he was mistaken. |
Continue reading: Presume vs Assume | Difference & Examples
A malaphor is the unintentional combination of two idioms or clichés. This usually results in a unique, humorous statement that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
You hit the nail on the nose. (“Hit the nail on the head” + “On the nose”)
Don’t burn your bridge at both ends. (“Don’t burn bridges” + “Burn the candle at both ends”)
Some malaphors have been repeated so many times that they’ve become as popular as the original idioms they are derived from (e.g., “She’s walking a thin line”).
Continue reading: What Is a Malaphor? | Definition & Examples
The naturalistic fallacy is the mistake of assuming that whatever is deemed natural is also morally good. An argument that commits this logical fallacy argues that the way things are is the way things should be without providing a logical rationale.
Naturalistic fallacies always involve claims about ethics or morality.
”The statement exemplifies the naturalistic fallacy by using natural human competitiveness as a moral justification for selfishness. The argument is weak because it doesn’t provide any logical rationale for equating natural behavior with morally good behavior.
The naturalistic fallacy is often found in discussions of what is morally “good,” in domains such as policymaking, philosophy, and religion.
Continue reading: What Is the Naturalistic Fallacy? | Definition & Examples
Hyperbole is the use of exaggerated language that is not meant to be taken literally. This is usually done to emphasize a point or add humor to a situation. We encounter hyperboles in various contexts, including literature, advertising, and everyday conversations.
It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop a mile away.
He was as tall as a skyscraper.
There’s enough food in the cupboard to feed an entire army.
Continue reading: What Is Hyperbole? | Definition & Examples
The fallacy of division is the error of assuming that what’s true of a whole must also be true of any given part.
This logical fallacy can occur in arguments that appear logical but don’t hold up to close scrutiny.
This reasoning exemplifies the fallacy of division because it assumes that the success of Google’s product offerings on the whole means that each of its individual products will be successful. In reality, Google has created products that have failed and been discontinued, such as the social network G+ and the augmented reality headset Google Glass.
The fallacy of division can be found in discussions across many domains, such as business, science, and history.
Continue reading: What Is the Fallacy of Division? | Definition & Examples
A root word is the most basic part of a word and does not have any affixes (i.e., prefixes or suffixes) attached. A root word is the fundamental unit of a word and forms the basis for a word family, or all the words that can be created using the root word.
A root word can be built on using prefixes (e.g., “pre-”, “de-,” “anti-”) and suffixes (e.g., “-able”/“-ible,” “-tion,” “-ly”). Adding prefixes or suffixes to root words creates new words.
For example, the word “proportionate” is made up of these components:
| pro | portion | ate |
|---|---|---|
| prefix | root word | suffix |
A root word like “portion” is the basis of a word family that includes many other words, such as “improportion,” “disproportional,” and “proportionality.” Word families contain words that share similar spelling as well as meaning.
Continue reading: Root Words | Definition, List & Examples
The appeal to nature fallacy occurs when an argument assumes that whatever is deemed natural is inherently superior to whatever is considered unnatural. The claim that an idea or practice is natural is used as a replacement for a logical, evidence-based argument.
Arguments that commit this fallacy typically claim that something is safe, healthy, practical, or morally good solely because it is natural.
This claim exemplifies the appeal to nature fallacy because it relies entirely on the fact that herbal supplements are “natural” to argue their safety. The argument fails to consider the importance of scientific evidence. In reality, some herbal supplements can have detrimental effects, and in many countries they aren’t required to be tested for safety like pharmaceuticals are.
The appeal to nature fallacy can be found in debates about food, lifestyle, health, and environmental policy among other subjects.
Continue reading: Appeal to Nature Fallacy | Definition & Examples
“Et al.” is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “et alia,” meaning “and others.” It’s commonly used in academic writing when citing a source with multiple authors.
Past studies have supported the relationship between sugar consumption and cavities (Tsoklat et al., 2024).
How “et al.” is used depends on the style guide you are following. Three of the most common style guides, MLA, APA, and Chicago, each have slightly different rules regarding how to use “et al.”
Continue reading: Et Al. | Meaning & Use in MLA, APA & Chicago
The cherry picking fallacy occurs when an argument highlights evidence that supports its conclusion while ignoring significant evidence to the contrary.
Presenting facts in this selective manner can distort the overall picture and yield misleading conclusions.
The cherry picking fallacy is particularly problematic in fields that require objective analysis, such as media reporting, scientific research, policymaking, and legal proceedings.
Continue reading: What Is Cherry Picking Fallacy? | Definition & Examples
An adverb phrase (or adverbial phrase) is two or more words that function as an adverb in a sentence by modifying a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or an entire clause.
Adverbial phrases, like all adverbs, often explain when (e.g., “in two weeks”), where (e.g., “across from the library”), why (e.g., “to save money”), or how (e.g., “very carefully”).
After the movie, let’s go out to eat.
Put that book on the top shelf.
Continue reading: What Is an Adverbial Phrase? | Definition & Examples
An analogy is a comparison between two things that are typically considered unlike for the purpose of explanation or clarification. By emphasizing how two distinct entities or ideas are similar in some ways, analogies help us to comprehend unfamiliar concepts or ideas by drawing parallels with familiar ones.
Analogies are commonly used in literature, everyday language, and problem-solving.
Continue reading: What Is an Analogy? | Definition, Meaning & Examples
“Ibid.” is a term used in academic writing to cite a source that has already been cited in the text. It’s used to direct the reader to the previous footnote or endnote, where the full citation can be found.
“Ibid.” is the abbreviated form of “ibidem,” a Latin term meaning “in the same place.”
Continue reading: What Does Ibid. Mean? | Definition & Uses
The appeal to pity fallacy occurs when an argument relies solely on soliciting sympathy in a situation that requires rational analysis. Instead of focusing on evidence and reasoning, an argument that commits this fallacy tries to sway opinions by eliciting pity or guilt.
The fallacy is also known by the more formal name argumentum ad misericordiam, meaning “argument from compassion” in Latin. Fallacious appeals to pity are easy to find in many contexts, such as advertising, politics, law, and fundraising.
Continue reading: What Is Appeal to Pity Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
Connotation is the suggested or implied meaning of a word beyond its literal definition. This additional meaning varies depending on a person’s individual experiences and cultural context. Connotation plays a crucial role in how we interpret language, as it adds layers of meaning beyond the explicit definitions of words.
Continue reading: What Is Connotation? | Definition, Meaning & Examples
The hasty generalization fallacy involves forming far-reaching conclusions without sufficient evidence.
Such conclusions often lead to misleading or inaccurate representations of reality, as they are based on an incomplete understanding of the data.
This argument commits the hasty generalization fallacy by extrapolating the outcomes of a few cases to critique all early release policies and neglecting to analyze broader statistics that might show overall positive impacts or different outcomes.
Hasty generalizations are often called overgeneralization fallacies or faulty generalization fallacies.
Continue reading: Hasty Generalization Fallacy | Examples & Definition
Figurative language is the use of words to convey meaning beyond their usual or literal understanding. Its primary purpose is to create an effect, generate humor, or exaggerate a point. Overall, we encounter figurative language in a wide range of contexts, from artistic expression to everyday conversations.
The cat was purring with contentment on my lap.
His requests for a raise have been met with deafening silence.
My niece is a little angel.
Continue reading: What Is Figurative Language? | Definition & Examples
The correct spelling is always separate, not seperate.
“Separate” is a word that can function as a verb or an adjective. As a verb, its primary definition is “to divide into different parts or groups.” When used as an adjective, it describes something that is distinct or a unit by itself.
| Examples: Separate as a verb | Examples: Separate as an adjective |
|---|---|
| I need to separate the donations based on where they’re getting shipped to. | These toys must go into separate compartments. |
| Let’s separate the students by age group. | We will take separate cars to avoid being cramped. |
| We separated the room by placing a curtain down the middle. | We had to buy a separate piece of furniture to complete the look. |
Continue reading: *Seperate or Separate | Correct Spelling & Definition
Play it by ear is an idiom that means “do something without planning it out beforehand.”
The first recorded use of the phrase was in John Playford’s 1658 handbook A Brief Introduction to the Skill of Musick: “To learn to play by rote or ear without book.” This idea of playing music by listening to it instead of reading it off a sheet is where the idiom comes from.
To play music by ear requires the musician to feel the music and play according to how the song develops; to play something by ear in the idiomatic sense is to act on something according to how a given situation plays out.
We’re playing it by ear because the weather looks bad.
My teacher didn’t have a plan, so she played it by ear.
Continue reading: Play It by Ear | Meaning & Example Sentences
Verbal irony is a figure of speech in which the literal meaning of what someone says is different to the actual meaning.
Verbal irony is intentional and can be used to create humor or to make a point. Because verbal irony allows us to communicate ideas or emotions indirectly, it adds depth and nuance to our communication.
Verbal irony is common in literature and in everyday conversations, but it should be avoided in academic writing or professional communication.
Continue reading: What Is Verbal Irony? | Definition, Types & Examples
An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that receives the direct object. The indirect object often answers the question “for whom?” or “to whom?”
An indirect object is always accompanied by a direct object, which receives the action of a verb and answers the question “what?” or “whom?”
Did you loan Janae your car?
I fed the dog his supper already.
Continue reading: Indirect Object | Examples & Pronouns
If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a million times: writing a paper is hard. Students dread it, and understandably so. How do you come up with your topic, and how do you find ways to support your argument? There’s no easy answer.
So, feeling like you have an impossible task, you procrastinate until the last minute, when you desperately try to whip something up that makes marginal sense. We’ve all been there.
At Quillbot, our goal is to give you the tools you need to become an effective writer. As we develop these products, we want to give you some writing strategies that can help you write better today.
Continue reading: 8 Writing Strategies to Write More Effectively
The appeal to ignorance fallacy occurs when a claim is considered true or false based solely on the absence of definitive proof of the contrary.
This logical fallacy is an attempt to sidestep the burden of proof by suggesting that the absence of preexisting counter-evidence is sufficient to prove the speaker’s claim.
This reasoning is an example of the appeal to ignorance fallacy because it wrongly suggests that the prosecution’s failure to definitively prove guilt implies the defendant’s innocence. In reality, the absence of irrefutable evidence can result in an acquittal, but it does not prove with certainty that the accused did not commit the crime.
Appeals to ignorance can be found in a variety of contexts, including law, marketing, and politics. This faulty line of reasoning can also be seen in discussions of paranormal activity and conspiracy theories.
Continue reading: Appeal to Ignorance Fallacy | Definition & Examples
A possessive pronoun is a type of pronoun that is used to demonstrate ownership of something. In English, there are seven possessive pronouns: “mine,” “ours,” “yours,” “his,” “hers,” “theirs,” and “whose.”
Possessive pronouns are very similar to possessive determiners, but there are differences between the two:
| Possessive pronouns | Possessive determiners |
|---|---|
| That coat is not mine. | My coat has silver buttons. |
| I think these seats are ours. | Our seats are in the back. |
| Is this car yours? | Your car is very nice. |
| That stuff is his. | His stuff is all over the living room. |
| That cat of hers is always causing problems. | Her cat is so aggressive. |
| – | This building is very large; its elevator holds fifty people. |
| Theirs is the best pizza in the city. | Their pizza has a cornmeal crust. |
| Whose is this? | Talia, whose laptop was stolen yesterday, is filing a police report. |
Continue reading: Possessive Pronouns | Examples & List
The appeal to tradition fallacy involves arguing that something is right solely because it has been accepted or practiced for a long time.
Tradition is treated as sufficient proof of an idea or behavior’s merit without evidence or analytical reasoning.
Regardless of whether St. John’s Wort has therapeutic value in treating depression, this argument commits the appeal to tradition fallacy because it expresses certainty without any discussion of objective evidence. The error lies in treating tradition alone as adequate proof of the treatment’s efficacy.
The appeal to tradition fallacy often occurs in debates about cultural practices, religious beliefs, legal and political decisions, and medical treatments.
Continue reading: Appeal to Tradition Fallacy | Definition & Examples
The ad populum fallacy, also known as the appeal to popularity, is the mistake of arguing that a claim is true based solely on the fact that many people believe it. This fallacy appeals to innate biases that encourage us to conform to others’ opinions and behaviors.
This example of ad populum reasoning underscores how popularity alone can lead to the acceptance of a claim without sufficient evidence.
Ad populum arguments are often used to distract from a lack of substantial evidence for a claim. Examples can be found in many domains, including discussions of health, politics, and investment strategies.
Continue reading: What Is Ad Populum Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
Equivocation fallacies occur when an argument’s persuasiveness depends on the confusing use of a word that has multiple meanings. When a word is used in different ways in the same argument, and no clear distinction is made, the argument can become misleading.
This argument commits the equivocation fallacy by conflating two meanings of being “free.” Initially the word “freedom” is used to refer to the idea of having civil liberties and not being controlled or dominated by anyone. However, the word “free” is later used in the sense of being relieved of something negative.
People may commit the equivocation fallacy intentionally, in persuasive contexts, or as a result of faulty reasoning.
Continue reading: What Is Equivocation Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
A base word is the smallest part of a word that has meaning and can be used on its own. Base words can be expanded by adding affixes (i.e., prefixes and suffixes) to the beginning and/or end of the word, but they are also complete words that can stand alone.
For example, “misguided” can be broken down into three parts:
| prefix | base word | suffix |
|---|---|---|
| mis | guide | ed |
“Guide” is the base word. It can be used on its own in a sentence and still make sense, and it cannot be broken down further into smaller parts. “Mis,” meaning “wrong,” modifies the base word “guide.” Finally, the “ed” ending is an inflection that indicates that the word is being used in the past tense or as an adjective.
Continue reading: What Are Base Words? | Examples & Definition
Among and amongst are different spellings of the same word. Both are prepositions that mean “surrounded by or included within a group of people or things.”
It is more common to hear “amongst” in British English than in American English. However, “among” is the more popular variant in both dialects. Deciding which word to use is a matter of style and formality. Although “amongst” is often considered the more formal of the two, it can seem out of place when used in American English, whether in writing or conversation.
| Examples: Among in a sentence | Examples: Amongst in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I found a rare flower hidden among the bushes. | Amongst the numerous proposals, only one innovative idea stood out to us. |
| She spotted a bird nestled among the branches. | During the excavation, a rare artifact was found buried amongst the rubble. |
| He found a beautiful antique book among all the garbage. | He found a piece of Renaissance art hidden amongst the lesser-known works. |
Continue reading: Among vs Amongst | Definition & Examples
A neologism is a newly coined word or expression or a new meaning for an existing word. Neologisms are created to describe new concepts or phenomena and are often driven by changes in culture, society, and technology. Although they have yet to be established in mainstream language, some neologisms gain traction over time and become more widely accepted.
Continue reading: What Is Neologism? | Definition & Examples
A possessive noun is the noun form that is used to show ownership. It indicates the person or thing that possesses something and typically immediately precedes another noun indicating what is possessed (e.g., “Annie’s house”).
To form a possessive singular noun, an apostrophe and the letter “s” are added to the basic form of the noun (e.g., “the dog” becomes “the dog’s bone”). For plural nouns, typically only an apostrophe is added (e.g., “the dogs” becomes “the dogs’ toys”).
Ownership is not always literal in the context of possessive nouns. For example, “Caleb’s dad” does not mean that Caleb owns his dad. In this case, the possessive just indicates a relationship.
The bag’s strap is missing.
My friends’ apartments are all very small.
Continue reading: Possessive Nouns | Examples & Plural Forms
The genetic fallacy involves judging a claim based on its origins rather than the evidence and reasoning presented. Instead of evaluating an idea based on its merits and flaws, an argument that commits the genetic fallacy simply casts aspersions on its source.
This stance exemplifies the genetic fallacy by rejecting scientific evidence of black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) based solely on the fact that the seed was used medicinally in ancient times.
Genetic fallacies can result from poor reasoning or a disingenuous attempt to discredit an opposing position.
Continue reading: What Is the Genetic Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
When it comes to the verb that means “approaching death,” the correct spelling is “dying,” not “dieing.”
“Dieing” is a common incorrect spelling and should not be used.
Continue reading: *Dieing or Dying | Correct Spelling & Use
An independent clause (also known as a main clause) is a group of words with a main subject and verb. Independent clauses are complete thoughts and full sentences that can stand by themselves.
Independent clauses can occur on their own or be combined with a variety of dependent clauses to express more complex ideas.
The party lasted all night.
It will rain tomorrow.
Continue reading: Independent Clause | Definition, Examples & Use
The rhetorical triangle is a tool for organizing the three elements of rhetoric according to Aristotle. These elements, known as ethos, pathos, and logos, are often depicted as a triangle with logos at the top and ethos and pathos at the bottom corners.
The purpose of the triangle is to remind writers and speakers that a well-developed argument typically balances all three elements.
Continue reading: What Is the Rhetorical Triangle? | Definition & Examples
“I could care less” is a variant of the expression “I couldn’t care less,” which means “I’m not concerned or interested in someone or something.”
Many argue that “I could care less” is grammatically and logically incorrect because the statement conveys that one does care a bit, but it’s possible to care even less.
Despite its literal meaning, “I could care less” has been in use for a long time, and most people would understand it to indicate a lack of interest in something.
She said she could care less about how the game ended because she had fun either way.
I could care less about what the reviews say; I thought it was a great book.
Continue reading: I Could Care Less | Meaning & Use
The no true Scotsman fallacy occurs when an argument defines a category in one way but later refines that definition, specifically for the purpose of excluding counterexamples. This tactic is used in response to evidence that directly contradicts a broad generalization.
No true Scotsman arguments allow the speaker to dismiss any evidence that conflicts with their views without honestly confronting new or conflicting information.
Person B: I’m vegan, and I like eating imitation meat because it allows me to enjoy my favorite foods without harming animals.
Person A: Then you’re not a true vegan. A real vegan wouldn’t even want to remember the taste of meat.
Continue reading: No True Scotsman Fallacy | Examples & Definition
A mixed metaphor is a figure of speech that combines two different metaphors in a nonsensical, oftentimes comedic, way.
The original meanings of the two metaphors are usually lost once they are combined into a mixed metaphor. Mixed metaphors can be created either by accident—by a writer who has confused their metaphors—or on purpose in order to create humor.
Let’s get our ducks on the same page.
We’ll cross that bridge when we burn it.
Continue reading: What Is a Mixed Metaphor? | Definition & Examples
A false dilemma fallacy occurs when an argument falsely suggests that there are only two possibilities. False dilemmas manipulate the audience into making a choice by oversimplifying the situation.
This fallacy is often used in persuasive rhetoric to make one option seem much more appealing than the other.
False dilemma fallacies are common in contexts such as politics and marketing when an audience is being pressured to make a decision.
Continue reading: What Is False Dilemma Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
Non sequitur fallacies, also known as formal fallacies, occur when a deductive argument has a flawed structure. In arguments that commit non sequitur fallacies, the premises don’t logically imply the conclusion, rendering the argument invalid.
Premise: Some writers are journalists.
Conclusion: Therefore, some poets have journalism degrees.
This example illustrates a type of non sequitur fallacy. The truth of the conclusion, that some poets have journalism degrees, can’t be inferred from the premises. The argument thus fails to meet the standards of deductive reasoning, in which the truth of the premises should necessitate the truth of the conclusion.
All formal fallacies can be considered non sequitur fallacies. However, the term is especially useful for formal fallacies that don’t fall into another named category.
Continue reading: What Is Non Sequitur Fallacy? | Examples & Definitions
The fallacy of composition is the assumption that what’s true for individual parts of something must also be true for the whole. In reality, the whole typically has distinct characteristics.
Arguments that commit this logical fallacy often result from poor reasoning rather than a deliberate attempt to mislead.
Continue reading: What Is Fallacy of Composition? | Examples & Definition
The difference between “sale” and “sell” is that “sale” only functions as a noun, whereas “sell” can be used as both a noun and a verb.
“Sale” primarily refers to the event of trading goods and services for money (e.g., “All my art work is for sale”).
“Sell,” on the other hand, conveys the action of exchanging goods and services for monetary payment (e.g., “I will sell you this bike”). “Sell” can also be used as a noun to refer to the act of selling something, but this is less common (e.g., “That’s a hard sell”).
| Examples: Sale in a sentence | Examples: Sell in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Everything in this store is for sale. | Our goal was to sell all the chocolate bars. |
| I was told the dresser was not for sale. | I sell my crafts online. |
| We found a buyer at the antique sale. | This bakery sells the best pastries in town. |
Continue reading: Sale vs Sell | Difference, Meaning & Examples
A false cause fallacy occurs when an argument assumes a causal relationship without sufficient evidence. The term represents a category of errors related to unmerited assumptions about cause and effect.
False cause fallacies can lead to misguided beliefs, decisions, and actions, so it’s important to know how to identify and analyze fallacies of causation.
Continue reading: False Cause Fallacy | Examples & Definition
Verbosity is the quality of being excessively wordy in writing or speech. Verbose sentences can always be made shorter and simpler.
A concise version of this sentence would be, “I’m late because I got a flat tire.”
“Verbosity” comes from the Latin word verbosus, which means wordy.
Continue reading: What Is Verbosity? | Definition & Examples
“Has” and “have” are different forms of the verb “have,” which is primarily used to indicate ownership.
| Examples: Has in a sentence | Examples: Have in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Dave has | Kids have a colorful imagination. |
| It has very cool features. | We have many years of experience. |
| She has a new motorcycle. | You have a beautiful smile. |
| He has an elegant suit. | They have the biggest house on the block. |
Continue reading: Has vs Have | Difference, Meanings & Examples
A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a verb. The direct object often answers the question “what?” or “whom?”
For example, in the sentence “Cass writes novels,” the direct object is “novels.” It answers the question “What does Cass write?”
Bring the newspaper to me.
Where did you put it?
Continue reading: What Is a Direct Object? | Definition & Examples
The correct phrase is all of a sudden, which means “quickly,” “unexpectedly,” or “at once” (e.g., “All of a sudden, the dog jumped all over me”). “All of the sudden” is an increasingly common error, although there is no grammatical rule that explains why “a sudden” is preferred over “the sudden.”
Continue reading: All of a Sudden or *All of the Sudden | Which is Correct?
Ethos is a persuasive technique in which individuals rely on their credibility or character to sway others. When someone comes across as trustworthy, we are receptive to their message. Due to this, speakers and writers strive to impress upon us that they have authority on the subject matter and sincerity and, therefore, are worth listening to.
You may come across ethos in various contexts where persuasion and argumentation are involved, including politics, advertising, and legal proceedings.
Continue reading: What Is Ethos? | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Logos is an appeal to an audience’s sense of logic and rationality and usually involves objective facts and figures. With the use of solid evidence, the speaker or writer can support their argument and persuade their audience or readers.
“Logos” is a term mostly used in persuasive speaking and writing, including political speeches, marketing, and legal arguments.
Continue reading: What Is Logos? | Definition, Meaning & Examples
The base rate fallacy is the tendency to focus on case-specific information and ignore comprehensive data or other background information.
This logical fallacy often takes place in the context of making probability-based decisions, but it can also affect decisions that don’t directly involve statistical data.
In this example, the rarity of the disease (represented by the base rate of 1 in 300,000) means that a false positive is more likely than an actual case of the disease. The doctor overlooked how rarely the disease occurs in the overall population, thus committing the base rate fallacy.
Continue reading: What Is Base Rate Fallacy? | Definition & Examples
The difference between your and you’re is that “your” is a possessive adjective that indicates ownership (e.g., “Those are your tickets”), whereas “you’re” is a contraction for “you are” (e.g., “You’re going to love this”).
“Your” and “you’re” cause a lot of confusion because they’re homophones, meaning they sound the same but have different definitions (and, in this case, different spellings).
| Examples: Your in a sentence | Examples: You’re in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Your package is on the way. | You’re going to love the present I got for you. |
| I will drop off your coffee on the way to work. | He told me you’re going to Bali next month on your honeymoon. |
| Your dress looks fantastic! | You’re not going to believe what just happened. |
Continue reading: Your vs You’re | Difference & Definitions
“Lead” (which rhymes with “seed”) is a verb that means “guide or direct” (e.g., “I will lead you to the classroom”). “Led” (which rhymes with “bed”) is the past tense and past participle form of “lead” (e.g., “I led her to the classroom”).
As a noun, “lead” has various definitions. It can refer to an example or precedent, leadership, or the distance someone or something has ahead of someone or something else. When used in this manner, “lead” also rhymes with “seed.”
“Lead” can also refer to a soft, gray metal. In this case, “lead” rhymes with “said.”
| Examples: Led in a sentence | Examples: Lead in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I led him to the boat we’d be using. | He told me he’ll lead me to the store. |
| Carla led David to the examination room. | My coach told me to increase my lead. |
| My sister led me to my surprise party. | I bought lead for my mechanical pencils. |
Continue reading: Led vs Lead | Definitions & Example Sentences
The present progressive (also referred to as the present continuous) is a verb tense that is used when describing a temporary action that is currently happening. It can also be used when describing future plans (e.g., “She is starting a new job tomorrow”).
The present progressive uses a conjugated form of the auxiliary verb “be” along with the present participle (“-ing” form) of the main verb (e.g., “He is reading”).
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I am going | I am not going | Am I going? |
| You are going | You aren’t going | Are you going? |
| He/she/it is going | He/she/it isn’t going | Is he/she/it going? |
| We are going | We aren’t going | Are we going? |
| You are going | You aren’t going | Are you going? |
| They are going | They aren’t going | Are they going? |
Continue reading: Present Progressive Tense | Examples & Use
The present perfect tense of a verb is used to discuss a past action or event that has effects in the present. It is used to refer to actions that started in the past and are continuing in the present, actions that have recently ended, or changes that have happened over time.
The present perfect uses a form of the auxiliary verb “have” and the past participle of the main verb (e.g., “You have grown”). The third person singular (e.g., “he,” “she,” and “it”) uses “has”; all other subjects use “have.”
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I have traveled | I haven’t traveled | Have I traveled? |
| You have traveled | You haven’t traveled | Have you traveled? |
| He/she/it has traveled | He/she/it hasn’t traveled | Has he/she/it traveled? |
| We have traveled | We haven’t traveled | Have we traveled? |
| You (plural) have traveled | You haven’t traveled | Have you traveled? |
| They have traveled | They haven’t traveled | Have they traveled? |
Continue reading: Present Perfect Tense | Examples & Use
One of the more stressful aspects of university is essay writing. I remember being anxious about writing them, I remember my friends being anxious about them, and I still hear complaints about it occasionally from my extended family or friends.
In university, I studied humanities, and essay writing was very common in my classes. So it was eye-opening when I went to graduate school and became the person responsible for grading essays. I got to read the output of everyone in a class and grade each essay accordingly.
When you’re dealing with anything in large numbers, whether it’s customers, data, etc, you quickly notice patterns and common themes.
For essay grading, I quickly noticed that there were a select few things that really influenced how well that student wrote, and thus, how high of a grade they earned. Some of these things were obvious, while others were surprising to me. Not all were related to writing skills, and can easily be improved upon with a bit of work.
If you’re in university and you want to know what your professor or TA is looking for when grading an essay (especially one written for the humanities), read on. We’re going to explore the topic of essay writing and how to write a good essay.
This seems obvious, but you would be surprised at the amount of essays I received where the student had gone completely off topic. Usually this is because people investigate something tangential or barely related to the point they’re trying to make.
Make sure the things you discuss or include in your essay help your argument respond to the prompt. The most notable example of this I remember was an essay I read that did an excellent job of discussing the everyday lives of people in villages in Vietnam. However, the requirements were to write an investigation into the impact of the Vietnam war on Vietnamese citizens, which the essay didn’t do. I had to fail what was otherwise a great essay because it didn’t meet a basic requirement.
Related to that point, if you’re writing an essay where you have some degree of freedom in choosing the topic, the professor will expect you to choose something compelling that demonstrates you used some degree of thought.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t choose what appears to be a simple question to answer. For example, compare these two arguments based on the topic “Why did the Russian Revolution succeed?”:
One of these arguments is better structured and more compelling than the other because it offers a specific, plausible explanation. The second one is vague and is making a fallacious argument: just because someone believes they are correct doesn’t mean they will win.
Both were based on a simple prompt. Only one, however, appears to have actual effort put into it: the first example.
Yes, write the thesis statement before you outline. You can’t outline if you don’t have a clear argument that coincides with your essay topic.
In order to create a thesis statement, you need to pick a side, so to speak. The thesis is used to introduce your argument to your audience so they know what they’ll find in the body of your essay; you’ll need to mention the points you’ll be running through throughout the paper.
For example, let’s say your topic is “Dogs vs Cats.”
Your thesis statement could be “Dogs are better than cats because they are playful, they like to go on walks, and they will show their owners affection.”
It has a stance in the argument (“Dogs are better than cats”) and runs through the points of why dogs are better than cats, which will be expanded on further down the essay (“they are playful,” “they like to go on walks,” “they will show their owners affection”).
The thesis statement is one of the most important parts of any essay, so be sure to spend adequate time on this step in order for your paper to be as strong as it can be.
Without some semblance of an outline, your paper is going to be either too long or too short, rambling, and in-cohesive. Although it’s not the most exciting part of the essay writing process, outlining is a very important step.
You have to know where you’re going with an idea in order to properly explain it. And if you’re not sure where you’re going with an idea, outlining can help you figure it out.
Here’s a really helpful outline format that I like to use when writing an essay:
If this is too much too quick, try just writing down a list of things you might like to discuss about your topic. Are there any similarities between them? Try to find a common thread between all of these things, and then take a look again at that outline format.
Using a Paraphraser can help. By changing the language you’re using, new ways to think about your topic might come up. With these new angles, you’ll be able to think about your topic more in-depth and in ways you never considered before.
Here’s where you take everything you’ve written in the outline, and expand it all. If you’ve outlined well, all you should need to do is add some details and transitions to make each one of the body paragraphs full.
As you’re writing each one of the body paragraphs, it’s a good idea to run them through a Summarizer. If the summarization tool gives you a summary that reflects your topic sentence, you know you’ve done a good job writing the paragraph.
If you get a summary that is different than your topic sentence, you know that you didn’t do a great job of detailing that point and need to put in some more work in that area.
Check out our Guide to Essay Writing if you’re looking for help on how to write a body paragraph. It’s pretty comprehensive and pretty great, if I do say so myself.
The conclusion paragraph is so misunderstood.
The final paragraph in your essay should be recapping all you’ve talked about in the preceding parts of the essay. This is not the time to bring up new topics, mention another slant or way of looking at the argument, or to further argue your point.
This is the time to reiterate your points. Your second-to-last sentence should be your reworded thesis statement and your very last sentence should be a memorable line to cement your argument in your audience’s heads.
So many people try to bring up new ideas in their final paragraph, but if you want to write a really strong college essay, don’t. Stick to concluding and you’ll be golden.
The last thing you want to be when writing an essay for university is sloppy. It’s so easy to make sure that your essay is well formatted and easy to read, yet a lot of students skip the steps they need to take in order to get their writing into tip top shape.
You want your essay writing to be the best it can be? Then you need to cycle through the entire essay writing process, not just the actual drafting stage.
Step #1 would be to run your essay through a Grammar Checker. There is no quicker way to lose points on a paper than to have grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Ensuring that all of that is correct will ensure you the baseline number of points at the very least.
Another important step is to make sure all of your sources are properly cited (and if you’re missing a citation, pop on over to our Citation Generator to get that sorted out real quick). A Plagiarism Checker will be able to catch duplicate content, so you’ll know when something hasn’t been properly cited.
After all this, your final draft will be ready to go.
Essay writing is hard, and writing a good academic essay is even harder. However, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to boost your scores, as we’ve outlined above. If you’re able to keep those things in mind as you’re writing, then you’re putting yourself in a very good position to get a high mark.
Stay focused and happy essay writing!
Continue reading: How to Succeed at Writing in University
Enjambment is when a sentence or phrase spans over more than one line of poetry. Because of this, a thought or idea carries on from one line to the next without a pause or punctuation mark at the end of the line.
Enjambment can affect the rhythm and pace of a poem.
Enjambment can be found in different types of poems, including haikus, sonnets, and free verse.
Continue reading: What Is Enjambment? | Definition & Examples
Relative pronouns are pronouns that are used to introduce a relative clause, a group of words that gives more information about a noun or noun phrase. The primary English relative pronouns are “that,” “which,” “who,” and “whom.”
There are two types of relative clauses (also known as adjective clauses):
The relative clause follows the noun or noun phrase it modifies (called the antecedent).
| Pronoun | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|
| That |
|
The house that is closest to the river flooded. |
| Which |
|
My house, which is near the river, almost flooded last year. |
| Who |
|
The woman who gave the toast is the bride’s sister.
Luna, who is the bride’s sister, gave the toast. |
| Whom |
|
The woman whom I gave the ring to is the bride’s sister.
Luna, whom I gave the ring to, is the bride’s sister. |
Continue reading: Relative Pronouns | Examples, List & Definition
The indicative mood is a verb form used to state facts or opinions or ask questions.
In English, there are three grammatical moods. The indicative mood is used far more frequently than the other two moods: the imperative and subjunctive.
Colin will go to the store on Tuesday.
I think skiing is too dangerous for children.
Are penguins a type of bird?
Continue reading: Indicative Mood | Examples, Definition & Use
An appeal to emotion fallacy occurs when an argument circumvents logic by attempting to manipulate an audience’s feelings.
Fallacious appeals to emotion can be remarkably compelling, so they play a significant role in persuasive communication, ranging from everyday advertisements to political propaganda. They can target various feelings, both positive and negative.
The appeal to emotion in this case targets voters’ hopes for a better life. By focusing on pleasant imagery, the politician bypasses critical evaluation of their specific plan and its feasibility.
The appeal to emotion fallacy is also known by the Latin name argumentum ad passiones, as well as emotional appeal and appeal to feeling.
Continue reading: Appeal to Emotion Fallacy | Examples & Definition
English has four demonstrative pronouns: “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” Demonstrative pronouns draw attention to a thing or person that is clear from context or that has already been mentioned.
The choice of demonstrative pronoun depends on the number (singular or plural) and the relative distance (near or far) of the thing being referenced.
| Near (proximal) | Far (distal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | This is my favorite shirt. | Look at that! I think it might be an eagle. |
| Plural | These are so good. Would you like to try one? | Put those in the laundry room. I’ll wash them tomorrow. |
Continue reading: Demonstrative Pronouns | Examples, Definition & List
The ecological fallacy is the error of inferring individuals’ behaviors or traits from group-level data. This logical fallacy, specific to statistical analysis, involves applying aggregate data collected for a group to specific members and failing to account for variation within the group.
In this example of the ecological fallacy, the investor overlooks the possibility of income disparity in the nation and assumes that all citizens have high purchasing power. In reality, wealth may be concentrated among a small, elite group.
The ecological fallacy is typically found in fields that use data to understand complex systems, whether they are social, economic, political, or environmental.
Continue reading: What Is Ecological Fallacy? | Definition & Examples
An either-or fallacy simplifies complex issues by presenting two choices and disregarding other possibilities. This fallacy is often used deliberately in politics, marketing, or everyday conversations as a rhetorical technique to push an audience toward a specific action or viewpoint.
Arguments that commit the either-or fallacy don’t necessarily include the words “either” or “or,” but they essentially frame an issue in an overly simplistic way by presenting only two possibilities.
The either-or fallacy, alternatively called false dilemma, false dichotomy, or false binary, leads to oversimplified conclusions that are often misleading and promote a closed-minded outlook.
Continue reading: What Is the Either-Or Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
The idiom pound of flesh refers to an unreasonable demand or payment that could cause the person paying great distress. “Pound of flesh” is one of many terms coined by William Shakespeare.
In the Shakespearean play The Merchant of Venice, a debt collector named Shylock demands a pound of flesh from a merchant in retribution for his cruelty. He explains, “A pound of flesh, which I demand from him, / Is dearly bought; ‘tis mine and I will have it.”
My older brother has taken a pound of flesh from me over the years, threatening to break my stuff if I didn’t do what he wanted.
I gave a pound of flesh to the bank when I was hit with another overdraft fee.
Continue reading: Pound of Flesh | Meaning & Example Sentences
The post hoc fallacy is a common error in reasoning in which one event is assumed to have caused another based solely on the timing of events.
Its name is derived from the Latin phrase post hoc ergo propter hoc, meaning “after this, therefore because of this.” Arguments that commit this logical fallacy ignore every variable except the order of events, often leading to erroneous conclusions.
Post hoc errors highlight the importance of rigorous analysis. Understanding the post hoc fallacy is essential to making evidence-based decisions and policies in domains such as science, business, and politics. Recognizing this fallacy helps in distinguishing between mere correlations and actual causation, a distinction critical in research and strategic planning.
Continue reading: What Is Post Hoc Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
The idiom rule of thumb refers to a tried-and-true way of doing something based on experience and not theory. A “rule of thumb” is a guideline or helpful hint on how to do something.
“Rule of thumb” originated in the 1600s, as the width of a thumb was used as a rough measurement in many trades, particularly textiles. Because using your thumb was an easy way of measuring, the “rule of thumb” grew into a way of saying that’s how something is done.
As a rule of thumb, we usually meet on Wednesdays.
On my first day of school, someone told me that carrying all your textbooks is the rule of thumb.
Continue reading: What Is the Rule of Thumb? | Meaning & Origin
Foreshadowing provides hints, clues, or indications about what happens later in a story. By preparing readers for future developments, foreshadowing creates anticipation and suspense. This makes it an effective technique used in most types of storytelling, including novels, plays, and movies.
In these lines from Romeo and Juliet (Act 2, Scene 2), Romeo declares that he would rather die at the hands of Julia’s family, the Capulets, than live without her. These words foreshadow the events leading to their deaths: they take their lives due to their families’ feud.
Continue reading: What Is Foreshadowing? | Definition & Examples
The tu quoque fallacy occurs when someone responds to criticism by accusing the other party of inconsistency or hypocrisy. This tactic diverts attention from the original issue to an opponent’s supposed failure to follow their own principles.
Tu quoque is a form of ad hominem fallacy, meaning that it shifts focus away from the argument to the person presenting it.
Continue reading: Tu Quoque Fallacy | Examples & Definition
“Converse” is most frequently used as a verb that means “engage in conversation” (e.g., “Let’s converse about this later on”).
“Conversate” is a nonstandard word that also means “have a conversation,” but because it doesn’t follow standard English conventions, it should be avoided in professional and academic settings.
Formal context:
Continue reading: Conversate vs Converse | Meaning & Examples
The idiom hook, line, and sinker is used to describe the way a person believes or goes along with something without any reservation. In another word, the meaning of “hook, line, and sinker” is “completely.”
“Hook, line, and sinker” is in reference to fishing. A fish usually swallows just the hook with the bait, but if, for some reason, it swallows the hook, the fishing line, and the sinker, it has not only taken the bait but everything else as well. As such, when someone has fallen for something “hook, line, and sinker,” they have completely believed it.
The boy scouts fell hook, line, and sinker for the campfire stories.
I feel so dumb for believing the scam caller hook, line, and sinker.
Continue reading: Hook, Line, and Sinker | Meaning & Origin
An in-text citation appears in a written text and gives credit to a source’s original author. They usually include information within a set of parentheses, like the author’s name, the publication date of the source, and the page number the quote is from.
Every source you reference should be cited correctly. Our Citation Generator can help you cite sources, and our online Plagiarism Checker can detect accidental plagiarism.
Continue reading: A Guide to In-Text Citation | APA & MLA Examples
Pathos is an emotional appeal employed to elicit a specific emotional response from an audience. This usually involves feelings of pity, sympathy, or sorrow. The intention is to make an audience feel the way the author or speaker wants them to feel.
“Pathos” is a term mostly used in persuasive speaking and writing, but we also encounter it in literature, film, and advertising.
Continue reading: What Is Pathos? | Definition, Meaning & Examples
A logical fallacy is a common type of error that undermines the validity or soundness of an argument. Logical fallacies include both structural errors (i.e., formal fallacies) and errors of content or context (i.e., informal fallacies).
Although logical fallacies are often based on flawed reasoning, some are also used deliberately to mislead and manipulate.
This argument exemplifies a type of logical fallacy known as an appeal to authority. The speaker avoids responding to ethical concerns about AI in law enforcement by changing the subject to an expert’s endorsement.
The ability to recognize logical fallacies is essential to developing strong critical thinking and media literacy skills. This knowledge can help us avoid both committing logical fallacies and being misled by them.
Continue reading: Logical Fallacies | Definition, Types, List & Examples
Every student is looking for essay hacks, and we’ve got the best ones to share (and that’s not even us being cocky. It’s just the truth.). If your essay needs a pick-me-up or some serious revamping, please look no further.
QuillBot’s free, cutting-edge tools are game changers when it comes to making essay writing painless. From jumpstarting your writing momentum, to busting writer’s block, to finding a simpler research workflow, these essay writing hacks will save your grade and your time.
We totally get it: research papers, academic papers, entire essays, and each thesis statement you have to craft seems like an unreachable goal when you’re staring at the blank page.
So it’s a good thing our website has all the professional tools and essay hacks to help.
Continue reading: Essay Writing Hacks
“Inter” is a prefix meaning “between,” whereas “intra” is a prefix that means “within.”
For example, the word “international” means “relating to or occurring between multiple nations.” On the other hand, “intranational” means “occurring within a single nation.”
The country’s new policies focused on intranational developments.
The congressional hearing addressed both international trade agreements and intranational economic policies.
Continue reading: Inter vs Intra | Meaning & Difference
Do you want to be a better writer? If so, you’re in luck! There are a number of writing tips that can help you improve your skills. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best writing tips that you can use to improve your writing.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who loves to write, we hope you’ll find something here to help you improve your writing skills.
Following these writing tips can help you to become a better writer.
Continue reading: 14 Best Writing Tips to Improve Your Writing Skills
A dependent clause is a type of clause—a group of words that contains a subject and a verb—that cannot stand on its own as a sentence. Dependent clauses are also known as subordinate clauses.
A dependent clause must always be connected to an independent clause (also known as a main clause) to form a complete sentence.
If it rains, we will move inside.
I want the scarf that Yuki made.
Continue reading: Dependent Clause | Examples & Definition
What is the QuillBot Summarizer?
Answer: G, All of the above!
That’s right: the QuillBot Summarizer can do it all.
Continue reading: TL;DR? QuillBot’s AI Summarizer to the Rescue!
A summary is a concise breakdown of the main points from a text, usually written as a paragraph.
Summaries are used to save readers’ time, to help with comprehension, or to give a preview of an idea or larger project.
Formulating summaries is an important skill to hone for a variety of reasons, from being able to pick out only the most essential information from a written work to being able to quickly give a short overview of a speech or movie.
Continue reading: What is a Summary? | Examples & Length
Grammar. Have you thought about it lately? Whether or not your job requires extensive writing or content creation, taking the time to make sure your written communication is free of grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes is always worth it.
Don’t believe me?
When was the last time you got a text or Slack message from a colleague where you weren’t sure about the tone or meaning? How sentences are structured, coupled with punctuation, can go a long way in avoiding misunderstandings and making your message clear.
Prioritizing your grammar will help you master communication, which will, in many cases, make you an instant VIP among your colleagues. It’s not enough any more to simply rely on the built-in checkers within, for instance, MS Word or Google Docs━those tools may flag some of the more glaring mistakes in your writing, but they certainly won’t help with issues like word misuse, redundancies, and some of the more nuanced rules of grammar.
There are many free tools out there right now, but since you’re here with us, why not try out QuillBot’s Grammar Checker? We’ve taught our AI models all of the rules for grammar, punctuation, and spelling, so with one pass, you will be alerted to any flaws in your writing. The grammar checker will then give you options to fix the issues, and in polishing your work, you will also learn what types of mistakes you make over and over, helping you become a better writer, faster!
If you’re still not convinced of how inattention to flawless grammar can hamper you in your career, you can read on as we break down the most common issues that can be avoided with a little more focused intention.
Continue reading: The Importance of Grammar in Your Career
Grammar is one of the most frustrating (and thus, most feared) aspects of writing. It can feel arcane, unclear, and just a pain in the neck. There are even areas where there’s no clear agreement━ask a writer if they use a serial comma and you’re sure to spark a heated debate!
A large reason why grammar has this reputation is because of the litany of rules, and because there are a lot of easy grammar mistakes that can make or break how well something reads.
In the course of my own writing, and reviewing that of others, I’ve run into a lot of various blunders, minor grammar errors, or unclear decisions. But I’ve found that if you are able to avoid a few very common grammar mistakes, it really cuts down on the amount of errors that you have to fix in your work.
So, without further ado, here are ten very common mistakes that you should keep your eyes open for when writing.
Continue reading: 10 Common Grammar Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
The idiom fortune favors the bold means that being brave and taking risks can make you successful.
This phrase comes from the Latin audentes Fortuna Iuvat, which exists in a few forms. This phrase implies that your fate is not predetermined; rather, you have the opportunity to make your life great through the actions you take.
Fortune favors the bold, so I’m going after my dreams.
Whenever I would get nervous, my grandma would tell me,
“Fortune favors the bold.”
Continue reading: Fortune Favors the Bold | Meaning & Origin
A dangling participle occurs when an introductory participial phrase is followed by a different noun than the one it describes. The correct noun could be misplaced or missing from the sentence.
Continue reading: What Is a Dangling Participle? | Examples & Definition
The sunk cost fallacy is the error of persisting with a bad decision because of the misconception that changing course would invalidate previous time, money, or effort invested.
As an informal logical fallacy, the sunk cost fallacy is a type of flawed argument. As a cognitive bias, the sunk cost fallacy is a faulty decision-making process.
Reasoning that is based on the sunk cost fallacy fails to take into account that past investments of time, money, or effort are irretrievable (i.e., they are “sunk costs”). Persisting in an undesirable course of action can lead to further wasted resources, as well as missed opportunities.
Continue reading: What Is the Sunk Cost Fallacy? | Definition & Examples
The slippery slope fallacy is the error of unjustifiably claiming that a decision will yield an extreme result. As an informal fallacy, the slippery slope fallacy renders an argument unsound.
Slippery slope fallacies can result from poor reasoning but are sometimes used deliberately as a persuasive tactic.
Continue reading: What Is Slippery Slope Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark that is used to connect words (or parts of words) that function together in a sentence or phrase (e.g., “old-fashioned,” “10-year-old,” “break-in”).
Hyphens are often used in compound adjectives, compound nouns, number phrases, and words with prefixes. There are many rules that govern their use, and it’s not always easy to know which words require a hyphen. QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help you ensure you’re using hyphens correctly.
Most seven-year-olds are in second grade.
Call my office on Monday to schedule a follow-up.
She has been teaching since the mid-1990s.
Continue reading: What Is a Hyphen (-)? | Meaning & When to Use
“Worse” is a comparative adjective that describes something as “of poorer quality or condition.” It is used to explain that something has a lower quality when compared to something else.
“Worst” is a superlative adjective that describes something as “of the poorest quality or condition.” It indicates that something is of the lowest quality when compared to something else.
| Examples: Worse in a sentence | Examples: Worst in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The movie was bad, but the sequel was worse. | That was the worst ice cream I’ve ever tasted. |
| The tea was bitter, and the coffee was even worse. | She said stubbing her toe was the worst pain she’s ever felt. |
| Yes, the rain was brutal, but the cold weather was worse. | I encountered the worst interpretation of the book while in class. |
Continue reading: Worse vs Worst | Meaning & Examples
The imperative mood is a verb form used to give commands, instructions, or advice.
In English, there are three grammatical moods: indicative mood, imperative mood, and subjunctive mood.
In imperative sentences, a second-person subject (i.e., “you”) is typically implied but not directly stated.
Eat your dinner.
Don’t go in there!
Continue reading: What Is the Imperative Mood? | Definition & Examples
The world is saturated with readable content. With the advent of the internet came millions of blogs, posts, and online articles to compete for our attention in addition to the millions of novels, non-fiction books, essays, and journals that have been around for forever.
Although there are countless texts out there, spanning cultures, languages, and centuries, there are actually only four types of writing styles.
Pop quiz: what are the four types of writing styles? What even is a writing style? How do you know what writing style to use and when to use each one?
Well, the pop quiz just turned into a guided lesson. Let’s have a closer look at each of the four styles and go through some examples. We’ll take a deep dive into the definitions and appropriate use cases of each, and maybe have some fun along the way.
You’re on a long journey. Up ahead: a bridge. As you get closer, a troll scrambles out from beneath the rotted wooden planks. He points a gnarled finger at you and screeches, “Before you cross, I do implore: list the writing styles four!”
The odds of this happening are low, but you never know. Just in case you ever find yourself in this situation, here is the answer, laid out.
The four types of writing styles are narrative, persuasive, descriptive, and expository. Each of these styles has a particular purpose, so it’s important to match up your topic and goals with the correct style in order to properly convey your message.
Continue reading: Writing Styles: Narrative, Persuasive, Descriptive, and Expository Writing
A conditional sentence describes a hypothetical situation and its potential consequence.
Conditional sentences always include both a dependent clause (also known as a subordinate clause) and an independent clause (also known as a main clause).
The dependent clause expresses a condition (e.g., “If I drink coffee”), and the independent clause describes the result of the condition (e.g., “I will be awake all night”).
In English, there are four primary types of conditionals, corresponding to different levels of possibility or likelihood.
TypeFunctionExample
| Zero conditional | Expresses a general truth | If you press this button, the car unlocks. |
| First conditional | Expresses a likely future consequence | If you take some medicine, you will feel better. |
| Second conditional | Expresses an unrealistic or unlikely future consequence | If I won the lottery, I would buy a mansion. |
| Third conditional | Expresses an unreal past situation and its result | If you had listened to me, you would not have missed your train. |
Continue reading: Conditional Sentences | Types, Use & Examples
The straw man fallacy is the error of misrepresenting an opposing argument to make it easier to refute. The straw man version of the argument typically bears some resemblance to the opponent’s actual position, but it is oversimplified or distorted in a way that makes it sound somewhat ridiculous, impractical, or unethical.
Straw man fallacies can be committed unintentionally, but they are often used deliberately to create a false sense of victory or to malign an opponent.
Straw man arguments can be found in controversial discussions on a wide range of topics, in contexts ranging from formal political debates to social media arguments.
Continue reading: What Is Straw Man Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
An allusion is an indirect reference to a person, event, or literary work that the audience is expected to recognize and understand. Allusions provide a shortcut to more complex ideas. Because of this, they are often used in literature, poetry, and everyday conversations.
He is such a Scrooge with the project budget and gives a hard time to his colleagues. (a stingy character from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol)
Chocolate is my Achilles’ heel. (weakness)
The recent election was a Waterloo for the incumbent governor. (a decisive defeat)
Continue reading: What Is an Allusion? | Definition & Examples
Don’t roll your eyes. Writing a paragraph━or, paragraphing, as it is apparently called━isn’t as simple as it may seem. Sure, there’s a beginning, a middle, and an end; that’s easy. But we’re going to get down to the nitty gritty: we’re talking paragraph sentences, transitions, and types (oh, my!).
Continue reading: Paragraphing: The Art of Paragraph Writing
A past participle is a form of a verb that can be used in three ways: as an adjective, to form the passive voice, or to form perfect verb tenses. All verbs have both present participle and past participle forms.
For regular verbs, the past participle is formed by adding “-ed” to the end of the verb (e.g., “spell” becomes “spelled”).
For irregular verbs, the past participle can be formed in various ways, often using the endings “-en,” “-n,” “-ne,” and “-t” (e.g., “write” becomes “written,” and “lose” becomes “lost”).
The test had begun when Sarah arrived.
My train was delayed by an electrical problem.
Continue reading: Past Participle | Examples & Use in Tenses
If you’ve got interests and slightly more personality than a doorknob, you can write a blog. This may seem intimidating, and you may be thinking “no way, man.” But you can, and we’re here to show you how.
Writing a blog post is probably one of the most effective ways to communicate in the modern world. And nowadays, it seems like everyone is writing blog posts about everything. This really begs the question: Can it be that hard to figure out how to write a blog?
The truth is…yes. It’s no lie that there are hundreds of millions of blog sites out there, and even more actual posts that are clogging up the search engines. But that doesn’t mean they’re all being read.
In fact, such a high volume of blogs means that the blog writing world is competitive. If you really want to develop an audience, you need to know how to write a good blog post. After all, anyone can write words, but few people can write something worth reading.
If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry. We’ll be going over each step of the blog writing process, right here, right now, so that you’ll have a solid idea of how to start writing some quality blog posts.
Continue reading: How to Write a Blog Post
Circular reasoning is an informal logical fallacy that assumes the truth of a conclusion without providing independent evidence or valid reasoning.
Journalist: Why should voters who disagree with his foreign policy support him?
Politician: Voters must support the party’s candidate based on electability.
In everyday discourse, circular statements aren’t inherently fallacious. They are commonly used to emphasize ideas or convey cultural norms (e.g., “Justice is important because we all deserve equal rights”). Circular statements can also be used to define or clarify concepts (e.g., “This shape is a rectangle because it has four 90-degree angles”).
Circular reasoning is fallacious specifically when used in argumentation. Fallacies of circular reasoning are often used either as a result of cognitive biases or as a rhetorical tactic to mask a lack of evidence.
Continue reading: Circular Reasoning Fallacy | Definition & Examples
A row consists of people, things, or information placed in a straight line, side by side. A column consists of elements arranged one on top of the other.
In other words, the difference between a row and a column is that a row is horizontal, whereas a column is vertical.
An effective way to distinguish between a row and a column is to remember this rhyme: “row means left to right, column means height.”
| Examples: Row in a sentence | Examples: Column in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The books were aligned in a row from left to right. | The plates were stacked one on top of the other, forming a neat column. |
| We were seated in the first row. | My baby brother knocked down the column of folded clothes. |
| The kids were standing in a row for their class photo. | It took me hours to stack the coins into neat and organized columns. |
Continue reading: Row vs Column | Difference & Definitions
There isn’t one absolute definition of a verb phrase. A common definition is that a verb phrase can consist of just the main verb or the main verb plus any modal verbs or auxiliary verbs.
Kanoko had been climbing Mount Everest for hours.
Kanoko will climb Mount Everest.
Continue reading: What Is a Verb Phrase? | Examples & Definition
The ad hominem fallacy is the error of unfairly criticizing a person to distract from the argument at hand. In addition to being the name of a logical fallacy, the term “ad hominem,” Latin for “against the person,” can also be used to describe a general insult.
Personal criticism doesn’t always constitute a logical fallacy. An ad hominem is fallacious if the criticism leveled against an individual is irrelevant and serves only to distract from the main topic.
Speaker 2: You’re just virtue signaling. If you care so much about humanity, why haven’t you ever mentioned the Rohingya refugee crisis?
As an informal fallacy, an ad hominem fallacy makes an argument unsound. Ad hominem attacks are often used deliberately to manipulate, sidetrack, and provoke. An ad hominem may also be used without manipulative intent, resulting from an emotional outburst or faulty reasoning.
Continue reading: What Is Ad Hominem Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
“To” is a preposition that is typically used to indicate movement towards something (e.g., “She drove to the store”). It’s also frequently used as a function word that indicates that the following verb is an infinitive (e.g., “My niece loves to dance”).
“Too” is an adverb that means “also” or “very” (e.g., “That’s too much candy for us”). It describes something as being excessive, additional, or more than enough.
| Examples: To in a sentence | Examples: Too in a sentence |
|---|---|
| We should go to the party. | They were too scared to go inside the haunted mansion. |
| Eddy wanted to play the video game. | Lauren ate too much and had a stomach ache. |
Continue reading: To vs Too | Difference, Definition & Examples
In English, an infinitive is a verb form that is the same as the base or dictionary form. A full infinitive (aka to-infinitive) is preceded by “to” (e.g., “to study,” “to run”), while a bare infinitive is not (e.g., “study,” “run”).
A split infinitive occurs when another word separates “to” from the verb in a full infinitive.
Birth rates are expected to gradually decline.
The cat seems to really want some roast chicken.
Continue reading: Split Infinitives | Examples & Definition
The correct plural form of the noun “calf” is “calves.”
This is the case whether you’re using “calves” to refer to the offspring of a domestic cow or the muscles behind your lower legs.
After a difficult exercise session, my calves were sore.
Today, I learned that baby whales and elephants are also called calves.
Continue reading: Calfs or Calves | What’s the Correct Plural Form?
A prepositional phrase consists of a preposition (e.g., “in,” “with,” “of”), an object, and any modifiers. It usually provides more information about a thing or an action. For example, prepositional phrases can tell us when, how, or where something is done, or they can clarify which person or thing is being talked about.
I saw a mouse and jumped on the table.
The dress with the gold stars is my favorite.
Continue reading: Prepositional Phrase | Examples, Definition & Uses
Begging the question is a fallacy of circular reasoning in which at least one premise assumes the truth of the argument’s conclusion. This informal logical fallacy renders an argument unsound.
Begging the question is often a result of faulty reasoning rather than an attempt at manipulation.
In this example, the premise (the advanced technology must have come from the future) assumes the truth of what the argument sets out to prove (that the government is conducting time travel research). Both the premise and the conclusion assume the debatable idea that time travel is possible.
Continue reading: Begging the Question Fallacy | Examples & Definition
So you don’t want to plagiarize someone else’s work…great choice. It is both hauntingly unethical and a drag if you get caught, so sticking to citing your sources is for the best, any way you slice it. There are a lot of ways to go about doing this, so we’d better jump in right away.
Continue reading: How to Cite Sources – APA, MLA, and Chicago
The idiom salt of the earth refers to a person or group of people who are honest, hardworking, and reliable.
“Salt of the earth” originates from the Bible, specifically the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus tells the people, “You are the salt of the earth,” referring to the high value placed on salt. It used to be quite valuable, as it was used to preserve food; by comparing the people to salt, he was calling them indispensable and trustworthy.
My grandpa is the salt of the earth; he built his house with his bare hands and volunteers at soup kitchens.
Growing up in the mountains, I’ve been surrounded by people who are the salt of the earth.
Continue reading: Salt of the Earth | Meaning & Example Sentences
What do you write in a Mother’s Day letter? We’ll help you get it right with our ideas, quotes, tips, and tools for crafting the perfect note to Mom.
Ah, Mother’s Day—a day you want to celebrate your amazing mom, especially after the craziness of the past year.
But what do you get her?
Whether you’re a broke student or have a great job, odds are you find choosing a gift for Mom a challenge.
Sometimes, the most meaningful gifts cost nothing but your time and effort and mean more to her than expensive presents. So, this year, why not pour your heart and soul into writing the perfect note to your mom?
If you’re unsure about where to start, we’ve got ideas, quotes, tips, and tools to get your creative juices flowing, for writers and non-writers alike.
Continue reading: Mother’s Day Letter 2024: Ideas, Tips, and Examples
Better late than never is an idiom that means that doing something late is better than not doing it at all. It is a fairly straightforward expression and is typically used in informal contexts, such as casual conversation.
“Better late than never” is a direct translation of the Latin phrase potiusque sero quam nunquam. The first recorded use in English is a line from Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, which can be translated into modern English as “For better than never is late; never to succeed would be too long a period.”
I forgot to say it last week, but better late than never: Happy birthday!
You’re only getting your driver’s license now? Better late than never, I guess.
Continue reading: Better Late Than Never | Meaning & Uses
When it comes to grammar checkers, we know you have a lot of options.
There are so many free and paid tools out there, but don’t be fooled━not all of them are created equally.
Instead of throwing shade and naming names, let’s just dive right into what makes QuillBot’s Grammar Checker great, plus how it stacks up against some of the other options available. From there, you can decide whether you think it’s truly the best of the best…
But━spoiler alert!━we made it for our users and for ourselves, and we made it AWESOME.
It’s the Grammar Checker to rule all grammar checkers, so they say (they being us, and maybe you, too).
And here’s why.
Continue reading: QuillBot’s Grammar Checker: The Best of the Best
Piece of cake is an idiom that means that something is easy to do.
The origin of “piece of cake” is well-debated, but the prevailing theory is that the idiom is derived from the term “cakewalk” (e.g., “That test was a cakewalk”). A cakewalk was a dance performed by enslaved people in the mid-nineteenth century that mocked the mannered dances of white slave owners. The winner of the cakewalk would be given a piece of cake as a prize, hence the term “piece of cake.”
Another theory posits that the phrase entered the lexicon in the 1930s after it appeared in Ogden Nash’s Primrose Path.
The homework for Spanish class was a piece of cake.
I’m really good at drawing, so winning that contest was a piece of cake for me.
Continue reading: Piece of Cake | Meaning & Example Sentences
Paronomasia is a type of play on words. It involves the use of words that are similar in sound or appearance but different in meaning, like “blue” and “blew.”
Because of the possible interpretations, paronomasia creates ambiguous, funny, or thought-provoking sentences. Due to this, we often encounter it in comedy, theatrical plays, and news headlines.
“Bake” or “baked” is a slang term for drug intoxication, and “baking” sounds like “breaking,” an allusion to Breaking Bad, a popular TV series about the illegal drug trade. “High” has a double meaning: it means feeling euphoric due to drugs or something being great in quantity.
Continue reading: What Is Paronomasia? | Definition & Examples
The idiom diamond in the rough refers to something or someone that is unrefined but ultimately good at its core. “Diamond in the rough” is a phrase that entered the lexicon in the 1600s.
An uncut diamond, or diamond in the rough, is much more dull and misshapen than a regular diamond. While it may look unappealing, its value is high; thus, if something is described as “a diamond in the rough,” it is something that appears ordinary but holds great worth.
The book was a diamond in the rough; though the writing was mediocre, the story was great.
My house has a great foundation but plain decor, making it a real diamond in the rough.
Continue reading: Diamond in the Rough | Meaning & Uses
Juxtaposition is placing two objects, images, or ideas side by side to create a certain effect or make a point. The fact that two things are placed together highlights their differences and similarities, creating contrast. Juxtaposition is common in literature, visual arts, and public speaking.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
Continue reading: What Is Juxtaposition? | Definition & Examples
The idiom devil’s advocate refers to a person who argues against the popular opinion of a group to foster discussion. This person doesn’t have to believe in what they are arguing; rather, they will argue for the purpose of presenting a new point of view.
The term was first used in the 1500s, when the church would appoint someone to argue against a canonization candidate. The “advocatus diaboli,” or devil’s advocate, would try to find holes in stories about a candidate’s character and their supposed miracles. This would allow the church to have a well-rounded view of the candidate during the decision-making process.
Paul is annoying because he’s always playing devil’s advocate.
The devil’s advocate in me wants to argue against everything you’re saying.
Continue reading: Devil’s Advocate | Meaning, Definition & Examples
“Weather” refers to the state of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. Words like “rainy,” “dry,” “cold,” and “hot” are often used to describe the weather (e.g., “I checked the weather app and saw that it’ll be rainy later”).
“Whether” indicates a choice or expresses doubt (e.g., “I wonder whether she’ll eat at home or go out to a restaurant”).
| Examples: Weather in a sentence | Examples: Whether in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I asked her to check the weather before we went on a hike. | She wanted to know whether I bought the gift or made it. |
| I’m going to the beach, regardless of what the weather is like. | He said he’d pass the exam whether he studied or not. |
Continue reading: Weather vs Whether | Definition & Example Sentences
The appeal to authority fallacy occurs when conclusions are deemed true solely because of expert endorsements, regardless of the experts’ actual knowledge of the subject. Citing authorities can lend a perception of credibility to an argument even in the absence of clear reasoning or evidence.
Appeals to authority are often made in the context of academic subjects, health decisions, political choices, and product advertisements.
Continue reading: Appeal to Authority Fallacy | Examples & Definition
Although “possum” and “opossum” are often used interchangeably, they’re actually two distinct animals.
Possums are marsupials that are native to Australia and the nearby islands of New Guinea and Sulawesi. On the other hand, opossums—which are also marsupials—can be found throughout the Americas.
Possums and opossums differ in several ways, in addition to their geographic distribution.
| Possums | Opossums |
|---|---|
| Belong to the order diprotodontia | Belong to the order didelphimorphia |
| Can weigh from half an ounce to twenty pounds (varies by species) | Can weigh from two to fourteen pounds (varies by species) |
| Often have bushy tails, but this varies | Have bare tails |
| Rounded features | Pointed features with coarse hair |
Continue reading: Possum vs Opossum | What’s the Difference?
A compound adjective is an adjective that is formed from multiple words. Compound adjectives are typically joined by hyphens when they precede the noun they modify (e.g., “two-year-old child”). But, in some cases, compound adjectives aren’t hyphenated.
The sound of high-pitched laughter echoed through the room.
The green-eyed cat sat by the warm, cozy fire.
Continue reading: What Is a Compound Adjective? | Examples & Uses
LMAO means “laughing my ass off.” It’s a slang abbreviation that shows you think something is incredibly funny.
Teens and other people have been talking about laughing their asses off for some three-quarters of a century—one of the most well-known uses of the phrase appears in Catcher in the Rye, a popular 1951 novel by J.D. Salinger (“It ends up with everybody at this long dinner table laughing their asses off because the great Dane comes in with a bunch of puppies,” Holden describes, speaking of a movie he dislikes).
Let’s look at how the phrase was abbreviated as LMAO and how you can use it.
Continue reading: What Does LMAO Mean? | Laughing My Ass Off
Conjunctive adverbs (e.g., “however,” “therefore”) are adverbs that act in a similar way to conjunctions, linking the ideas in two sentences or statements together. Rather than modifying a single word, they modify the whole clause to express contrast, cause and effect, comparison, and other connections between two sentences or phrases.
It was too late to go to the party. Besides, he didn’t have anything to wear.
Franz went on a diet. As a result, he built some muscle.
Continue reading: What Is a Conjunctive Adverb? | Examples & List
Have you ever wondered how your favorite school subject might have shaped your career if you had chosen differently? Imagine the possibilities! QuillBot wanted to find out which subjects U.S. students favor and how those preferred subjects tie into their career choices. To do so, we polled 1,933 U.S. working professionals.
Key findings
English was the country’s top school subject, with 44% of Americans listing the class in their top three favorites. Science and history followed English as the nation’s favorite subjects, with 38% and 35% of Americans listing these as their most enjoyed school subjects, respectively. Psychology was ranked as the fourth most popular subject with 31% of Americans listing it among their favorite subjects.
Languages and geography were the nation’s least favorite subjects, only 11% of Americans ranked languages among their favorite subjects.
Over half of respondents said that English was also one of their strongest subjects at school, which was by far the most in the entire study. Mathematics followed with nearly four in 10 respondents stating that it was one of their strongest subjects.
Economics was the subject that the fewest number of people ranked amongst their strongest, and this was closely followed by geography and languages.
State Breakdown: Does Our Geography Shape Our Career Choices?
When looking at things on a more localized level, most states favored and performed well in English. However, science was the favorite subject in the following states:
Arizonans not only preferred science, but they said this was the subject they performed the best in, too. Art and history were the most popular subjects in Colorado, and history was the most popular subject in Florida as well. Elsewhere, Massachusetts was the only state to favor psychology.
How Our Favorite School Subjects Shape Our Career Choices
When looking at trends between favorite/best subjects and careers, the data found that 7% of Americans who enjoyed English now work in the education and training sector, meanwhile, a further 5% of English lovers now work in retail.
While the trend of enjoying English class and working in education was strong in most states, it was the strongest in Missouri. Almost one in five (17%) of Missourians who ranked English among their favorite subjects ended up with a career in I education and training.
Almost one in 10 (8%) respondents who enjoyed English went on to work in either information technology or medicine.
When looking at which subjects people performed well in, the results were similar.
Of those who said English was one of their strong subjects, 8% now work in education & training, while 15% of those who excelled in English went on to form a career in either medicine, information technology or retail.
Your favorite school subjects can potentially shape your career path in more ways than you can imagine. Whether you were drawn to the art of communication through English, the mysteries of science, or the lessons of history, your educational journey has left a lasting impact. Don’t hesitate to explore your interests and consider how they can be applied in your current or future career.
Ready to take your writing to the next level? Try QuillBot today and experience the magic of AI-powered writing assistance. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a content creator, QuillBot is your trusted partner in crafting flawless and engaging content. Join our community and see the difference for yourself!
Methodology
We surveyed 1,933 working individuals across the U.S. in September 2023 about how their favorite school subjects impacted their careers. We also broke the data down by state to establish geographical differences and impacts. Survey participants were 48% male, 50% female, and 2% non-binary.
Continue reading: Do Our Favorite School Subjects Have an Impact on Our Careers?
Blended learning—also called “hybrid learning”—is an instructional approach that blends digital or online materials and communications with traditional face-to-face classroom methods.
Blended learning is used in education, professional development, and corporate training.
Continue reading: What Is Blended Learning? | Definition & Examples
Technology is evolving at an unprecedented rate. Our daily lives are being transformed in every aspect: communication is constant, cars can steer themselves, and even grocery shopping can be done online.
However, integrating technology in the classroom has been relatively slow. Despite evidence that digital learning tools can benefit every student, regardless of their learning style, many teachers are hesitant to incorporate educational technology into their teaching.
Continue reading: Revolutionizing Education: The Role of Technology in Modern Classrooms
In English, an infinitive is a verb form that is the same as the base or dictionary form. It’s often preceded by “to” (e.g., “to study,” “to run”).
Infinitives have many uses, including acting as an object or a subject instead of the main verb.
We need to talk.
Continue reading: What Is an Infinitive? | Definition, Examples & Uses
AI tools provide tailored support to all types of learners. Because personalized learning experiences need to be different for everyone, no one way of teaching will be sufficient for every student. For example, those with visual or hearing impairments have different needs in the classroom than those without.
Artificial intelligence creates individualized learning paths for students, allowing them to explore and blossom at their own pace while getting their specific learning needs met.
Continue reading: AI in the Classroom: Revolutionizing Education with Intelligent Technologies
Digital literacy is the ability to effectively and critically find, evaluate, and communicate information in digital contexts. It is a blend of technological and cognitive abilities.
Continue reading: What is Digital Literacy? | Meaning & Examples
Here’s the short answer: ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot that simulates human conversation, answers questions, and generates text. QuillBot can help you polish the information from ChatGPT.
We’ll get into the long(er), more detailed answer below.
Continue reading: QuillBot and ChatGPT: The Perfect Partnership for Writing Assistance
Self-plagiarism, or auto-plagiarism, means reusing ideas or specific wording from your own previously submitted or published work.
Yes, you can plagiarize yourself just as you can plagiarize someone else’s work. And even if you cite yourself, heavy reuse can still be plagiarism.
This form of plagiarism can overlap with other types of plagiarism. For instance, you might copy something you’ve written before into your work, intending to go back later, rephrase it, and add a citation and a couple of new points. But maybe you forget, making it accidental plagiarism as well as self-plagiarism.
Or you could paste in a couple of paragraphs from your previous work on the same subject, and just change some of your word choices to make it a little different. If you don’t provide a citation, this would be classified as paraphrasing plagiarism as well as self-plagiarism.
Self-plagiarism occurs when you duplicate your work. Consider a few examples:
Continue reading: What Is Self-Plagiarism, and How Can You Avoid It?
Cue the dreadful piano music: we’re talking essay writing. That means how-tos, types, and structure…the horror of it all is almost too much to bear.
Except it’s not, because we’re going to explain everything about writing an essay in painstaking detail. You’ll never freak over having to write an essay again, what with all the instructions and tips we’re about to set you up with.
Take a breath. All will be revealed in 3…2…1…
Continue reading: QuillBot’s Guide to Essay Writing
When it comes to writing a cover letter for your dream job, know that this is your moment to shine!
Your cover letter is where you knit together elements like your personality, qualifications, work experience, and accomplishments to demonstrate a few key points:
Where your résumé is very direct and dry, the cover letter is where you add your personal flair, painting yourself as their absolute wish-list candidate, like in this cover letter example here:
If you’re looking to upskill your cover letter game, or even reorient your relationship to writing them, check out our previous post on The 9 Essential Elements of a Cover Letter + Templates, Examples, and Tips, where we go in-depth on what goes where (+ why) within a cover letter. Each of the formatting and content elements are discussed in detail, too.
If you’ve already short-listed a few of your dream job opportunities but haven’t reviewed the ins and outs of what makes for a good cover letter in a while, consider opening that post in a new tab to reference as you start your next one.
Let’s find out exactly how to write a cover letter.
Continue reading: How to Write a Cover Letter for Your Dream Job in 2024
Demeanor is how you present yourself to others, including your actions but also your tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. In British English, the correct spelling is “demeanour.”
As a noun, demeanor is neutral; depending on context, it has a positive or negative connotation. If someone has a friendly demeanor, for instance, it means that they smile and nod as you talk to them or that they maintain eye contact. In contrast, a person of unfriendly demeanor will probably act in a cold and disinterested way, paying little attention to what you are saying.
We were greeted by a small woman of cheerful demeanor.
He has a shy demeanor and blushes when he has to give a presentation.
Continue reading: Demeanor | Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
IDK is an abbreviation for the simple sentence “I don’t know.”
IDK is informal and is commonly used when communicating online or via text message.
We’re supposed to go to the theater this weekend, but IDK if I feel like it.
IDK if you should come to the party, y’all seem under the weather.
Continue reading: What Does IDK Mean? | I don’t know
A dissertation is a paper explaining the individual research that a student has conducted to earn a degree. It usually consists of several sections or chapters and follows the rules of formal academic writing. The degree candidate chooses the research topic.
In the United States, a graduate student writes a dissertation to earn a doctorate degree. For instance, they may write a PhD dissertation to earn that degree after they have already completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree. There are some exceptions, though. One is that the paper a medical student must write in the US to earn an MD degree is often called a thesis.
However, this dissertation definition doesn’t apply in many other countries. For example, European universities typically call the document a dissertation if the candidate is working toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree but call it a thesis for a doctoral degree.
In short, a thesis and a dissertation are basically the same—long papers written to earn a degree. But the two words tend to be used in certain ways depending on the country or the academic field. Read on for some answers to basic questions about dissertation meaning and parts.
Continue reading: What Is a Dissertation? Meaning, Types, and Tips
The Oxford comma appears just before and or or in a sentence that lists three or more items.
We can buy two pies, one cake, or eight donuts.
The sentence above shows an Oxford comma example: it’s the comma after cake. This punctuation mark is also called the Harvard comma or the serial comma, which makes sense because it separates items in a series.
Continue reading: What Is the Oxford Comma, and When Should You Use It?
A research question is a question that establishes what you aim to learn by conducting your research. It asks for information that is missing or the solution to a problem, which many papers describe in a problem statement.
The purpose of a research question is to give your research proposal or paper a sharp focus. It helps both you and your readers stay locked onto the knowledge you’re trying to gain or the problem you’re trying to solve. In a sense, writing a research question is like setting a goal and posting it prominently on your wall.
Continue reading: How to Write a Research Question
AFK is an abbreviation for “away from keys” or “away from keyboard.”
Sometimes you need a quick and easy way to let someone know you have to go. When you type “AFK,” it lets whomever you’re talking to know that you’re away from your phone or computer for some length of time and probably won’t answer right away.
I’ll be afk until later today.
I’m going AFK, I have a meeting with my advisor.
Continue reading: AFK Meaning and Use Cases
Subjective is an adjective that describes something as being based on individual perspectives and experiences (e.g., “That movie is too long in my opinion”). Objective means that something is based on verifiable data or evidence (e.g., “That movie is 180 minutes long”).
The difference between subjective and objective writing is that the former is based on personal viewpoints, whereas the latter is based on observable facts.
| Subjective examples | Objective examples |
|---|---|
| I don’t like the icing on the cake. | That cake has cream cheese icing. |
| Dogs are so much better than cats. | Dogs are the most popular pets in the world. |
| Tacos are tastier than pasta. | Tacos are a Mexican dish, whereas pasta is Italian. |
Continue reading: Subjective vs Objective | Definition & Examples
Play on words is the clever manipulation of language based on the sound and meanings of words. It is a form of verbal wit intended to amuse or surprise an audience. Due to this, we often encounter it in literature, advertising, and everyday conversations.
“Talking of axes,” said the Duchess, “chop off her head!”
Continue reading: Play on Words | Examples, Meaning & Definition
An infinitive phrase is formed when an infinitive is followed by modifiers (e.g., adverbs) or complements (e.g., direct objects). Infinitive phrases can be used in the same ways as infinitives: as nouns, adverbs, and adjectives.
I asked him to lend me a pencil.
Continue reading: What Is an Infinitive Phrase? | Definition & Examples
Gerunds are words ending in “-ing” that function as nouns (e.g., “dancing” in the sentence “She loves dancing”). A gerund looks identical to the present participle form of a verb but has a different grammatical function.
In the example “She loves dancing,” “dancing” refers to a general activity, not a specific occurrence of the activity. Gerunds typically function in this way, denoting a category of action rather than a particular instance.
Unlike most other nouns, gerunds can take direct objects (e.g., “Jack loves playing football”) and can be modified by adverbials (e.g., “Running competitively is exciting”).
I’m not in the habit of watching the news.
Organizing is fun using Mari Kondo’s method.
Continue reading: What Is a Gerund? | Definition & Examples
The red herring fallacy is a form of argumentation that relies on distraction. Red herring arguments present irrelevant information that diverts attention from the main topic of discussion.
Although red herring fallacies may result from faulty reasoning, they are often used purposely, with the intent of confusing or distracting the audience.
In this example, the candidate being questioned commits a red herring fallacy. Even if the accusations against her opponent are true, they’re irrelevant to the allegations against her. The accusations against the opposing party are likely to provoke anger and effectively change the topic of conversation so that many listeners will forget the original topic.
Continue reading: What Is a Red Herring Fallacy? | Examples & Definition
A class act is a person who acts with class and elegance or someone who holds prestige. “Class act” is a noun representing a person held in high regard and is mostly used in informal contexts. The term entered the lexicon in the 1970s.
In the 17th century, the word “class” was first used to refer to status and wealth levels. Since then, it has been used to represent those with good moral character (e.g., “The founder of the charity was a high-class individual).
I knew she was a class act when she paid everyone’s tab.
Don is a class act because he is kind and respectful.
Continue reading: What Does Class Act Mean? │ Definition & Examples
A paraprosdokian is a sentence or statement with an unexpected and often humorous ending. The surprising twist makes us think and reinterpret the entire phrase.
Paraprosdokians are often used in satire and comedy because they keep the audience engaged and entertained.
Continue reading: Paraprosdokian | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Complete sentences usually have a subject and a predicate. The predicate contains the verb and tells us what the subject is doing or what it is.
A predicate adjective describes the subject within the predicate and is used with linking verbs. Linking verbs, such as “be,” indicate conditions or states of being rather than actions.
Lucia seems very efficient and reliable.
Spicy food is delicious.
Continue reading: What Is a Predicate Adjective? | Examples & Definition
“Bestest” is an adjective meaning “very best.” Although it’s technically a word, it is considered nonstandard and should therefore be avoided in professional and academic contexts.
However, it’s acceptable to use the word “bestest” in informal settings, such as when you want to affectionately emphasize that someone is your most cherished friend.
My dog is the bestest companion for long walks.
That was the bestest movie I’ve ever seen.
Continue reading: Is Bestest a Word? | Meaning & Example Sentences
Put a comma before “and” when it’s used to connect two independent clauses. An independent clause contains both a subject and a verb and can function as a standalone sentence.
However, no comma should be used when “and” connects two verbs with the same subject. In the following example, the subject, Peter, performs both actions (working and sleeping).
Continue reading: Comma Before or After And | Correct Use & Examples
Appositives are nouns or noun phrases that provide information about another noun or noun phrase that precedes them (e.g., “Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, is a hero of mine”).
The noun or noun phrase described by an appositive is called the antecedent. The relationship between an antecedent and its appositive is called apposition.
The appositive typically follows the antecedent and is set apart from the rest of the sentence by commas. If the appositive provides information that is essential to understanding the sentence, however, commas should not be used (e.g., “My friend Devon is in med school”).
The Austrian Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, the capital of modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I consider the Russian novelist Dostoyevsky to be one of the greatest writers of all time.
Continue reading: What Is an Appositive? | Examples, Definition & Use
A paradox is a statement or situation that seems absurd initially but can be true or make sense upon further reflection. Because a paradox invites deeper contemplation, it can be used to challenge conventional thinking.
Paradoxes are often used in literature, philosophy, and logic.
Continue reading: What Is a Paradox? | Definition & Examples
Cognitive bias describes the way we tend to act irrationally because our ability to process information objectively is limited. It isn’t inherently bad, but it can affect how we perceive things.
It can also cloud our judgment about people or situations and how risky a set of circumstances might be.
As a result, the older employee might be offered fewer opportunities for training, development, or career advancement. This might cause the worker to suffer from age-related workplace discrimination.
No one is immune to cognitive bias, so academics and researchers have to be aware of its possible effect on their research. Otherwise, cognitive bias might undermine their work.
Continue reading: What Is Cognitive Bias? | Definition, Examples & Types
Symbolism involves using a word or object to represent something beyond its literal meaning. For example, a light bulb is an electric device that can also stand for sudden insight or innovation.
We encounter symbolism in various aspects of life, including literature, art, and everyday experiences.
Continue reading: What Is Symbolism? | Definition & Examples
A participial phrase is a group of words containing a participle. It serves as an adjective to modify a noun.
When you add words around the participle to form a phrase, you’ve got a participial phrase. Participial phrases can be formed using both past participles (e.g., “forgotten”) and present participles (e.g., “wondering”).
Folding the laundry, Paul found a stain on his shirt.
Swimming in the ocean, my niece got bitten by a fish.
When a participial phrase comes at the beginning of a sentence, it is called an introductory participial phrase because it introduces the main clause.
Continue reading: What Is a Participial Phrase? │ Definition & Examples
There are several ways to say how are you in Spanish, including:
Cómo estás (pronounced “ko-mo-ehs-taas”) is the simplest and one of the most common ways to say “how are you” in Spanish. Although it is considered more casual than other options, “cómo estás” is widely acceptable in both formal and informal settings (e.g., “Hola, mucho gusto. Soy Dra. López. ¿Cómo estás?”).
Continue reading: How Are You in Spanish | 7 Phrases & Examples
A cliché is an overused and unoriginal expression. For example, when having to decide between two unfavorable options, it’s common to say “caught between a rock and a hard place.”
The word cliché functions as a noun (e.g., “I removed all the clichés from my writing”). While some dictionaries recognize it as an adjective (e.g., “The movie had a cliché storyline”), others list clichéd as the adjective form (e.g., “He had a clichéd perspective”).
Blood is thicker than water.
Continue reading: What Is a Cliché? | Definition & Examples
Hamlet: Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
Ophelia: No, my lord!
Hamlet: I mean, my head upon your lap?
Ophelia: Ay, my lord.
Here, Hamlet’s first line can be interpreted as either “shall I rest my head on your knee?” or “shall we sleep together?” When she refuses, he assures her he only meant the former, not the latter.
Double entendres are often used to communicate hidden meaning and inject humor in everyday conversation, movies, TV shows, and literature.
Continue reading: Double Entendre | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Sibilance is the repetition of “s” sounds in a series of neighboring words, such as “silent whispers in the shadows.” This deliberate repetition creates a hissing sound that contributes to the musicality and mood of a text. Sibilance is used in poetry, prose, and song lyrics.
Her sister fell off the seesaw and into the sand.
Snails hide their slimy bodies in their shells.
Sam felt refreshed thanks to the ocean breeze.
Continue reading: What Is Sibilance? | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in two or more nearby words, such as “dumb luck” or “squeaky wheel.” Assonance helps to create a sense of flow between words that can make phrases catchy and easy to remember. Because of this, we often find it in poetry, prose, and song lyrics.
This phrase from the musical My Fair Lady is used as a speech exercise to help the protagonist “improve” her accent.
Continue reading: What Is Assonance? | Definition & Examples
Rhyme in literature is using words with identical or similar final sounds, like “cat” and “hat.” Typically, that happens at the end of a line of text, but it can also occur in the middle.
In these first lines of William Shakespeare’s famous “Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” rhyme occurs at the end of the line.
Because rhyme adds a musical quality to a text, it also makes it more memorable and pleasant to the ear. Due to this, rhyme is a common device in poetry and songwriting.
Continue reading: What Is Rhyme? | Definition & Examples
Modal verbs (aka modal auxiliary verbs) are used alongside the main verb to provide additional context regarding possibility, intention, permission, or obligation.
For example, “will” is a modal verb that indicates a person’s intention to do something or that something is certain or expected to happen. It’s used to form the future tenses (e.g., “we will be there soon”).
You must look both ways when crossing the road.
Amir might bring some snacks.
Continue reading: What Is a Modal Verb? | Definition & Examples
“Superlative” means embodying a quality to the greatest extent. A superlative adjective denotes the highest or lowest degree of a given attribute (e.g., “fastest,” “least trusted”) in a comparison of three or more things.
Most superlative adjectives are formed either by adding the suffix “-est” (e.g., “youngest”) or by adding “most” (e.g., “most famous”) or “least” (e.g., “least popular”) before the base adjective. The specific form depends primarily on the number of syllables in the base adjective.
She chose the costliest dress from the collection.
This is the most exquisite bird I’ve ever seen.
Continue reading: What Is a Superlative Adjective? | Definition & Examples
An anachronism is a person, thing, or event that is placed in a historical time where it does not belong. For example, a knight wearing a wristwatch in a movie set in the medieval era would be an anachronism. Αnachronisms can happen by mistake or be used intentionally to convey a message or add humor to a story.
Anachronisms can be found in books, paintings, movies, and other creative works.
Continue reading: What Is Anachronism? | Definition & Examples
An oxymoron is when two words with opposing meanings are used alongside one another (e.g., “organized mess” or “cool passion”).
This combination of contradictory terms may seem absurd at first, but usually results in a concise expression that conveys a new complex meaning. Due to this, we encounter oxymorons in various contexts, such as literature, everyday language, and advertising.
Continue reading: What Is an Oxymoron? | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in a series of words, such as “pitter-patter” or “cheeky monkey.” Consonance lends a musical quality to a piece of writing and can be used to create a specific mood or atmosphere.
Hickory, dickory, dock,
The mouse ran up the clock;
The clock struck one,
And down he run,
Hickory, dickory, dock.
Consonance can enhance the impact of language in different contexts such as poetry, prose, and advertising.
Continue reading: What Is Consonance? | Definition & Examples
A comparative adjective indicates a higher or lower degree of a specific attribute (e.g., “faster,” “less trusted”) in a comparison of two people, things, or groups.
Most comparative adjectives are created either by adding the suffix “-er” (e.g., “younger”) or by adding “more” (e.g., “more famous”) or “less” (e.g., “less popular”) before the adjective. The form each comparative adjective takes is determined in part by the number of syllables in the original adjective.
The blue dress is prettier than the green one.
This phone is more expensive than the previous model.
Continue reading: What Is a Comparative Adjective? | Definition & Examples
A palindrome is a word, number, or phrase that reads the same backward and forward, such as “civic” or “2002.” Palindromes can appear in names, places, and even unintentionally in everyday language. They are also used in word games and puzzles.
“I was just beginning to yawn with nerves thinking he was trying to make a fool of me when I knew his tattarrattat at the door.”
“Tattarrattat” is also an example of onomatopoeia.
Palindromes add a playful element to language by encouraging creativity and wordplay.
Continue reading: What Is a Palindrome? | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Participles are formed from verbs and can serve as adjectives and indicate tense. The primary types of participles are past and present.
Avi hinted that she might not stay long.
I heard James practicing his violin.
Sharon gazed out the window at a stunning sunset.
The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help ensure you use past and present participles correctly.
Continue reading: What Is a Participle? | Definition, Types & Examples
Put a comma before “or” when it’s used to connect two independent clauses. A clause is independent if it contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
However, when “or” connects two verbs with one subject, it should not be preceded by a comma.
These rules also apply to using commas with the coordinating conjunctions “and” and “but.”
Continue reading: Comma Before Or | Correct Use & Examples
A portmanteau is a word created by combining two other words. Usually, the spellings and meanings of two words are blended into a new one, like “brunch” (breakfast + lunch) or “motel” (motor + hotel). Portmanteau words help us describe new phenomena or concepts.
This year we opted for a weekend of glamping. [glamorous + camping]
Sporks allow you to scoop and stab with a single utensil. [spoon + fork]
Portmanteaus are commonly used in everyday language, social media, advertising, and literary works.
Continue reading: What Does Portmanteau Mean? | Definition & Examples
FYI is an initialism meaning “for your information.” While “for your information” is a prepositional phrase, FYI is most often used as either an interjection or a noun.
FYI, the restaurant we were talking about is closed on Mondays.
I sent you an FYI about the new project guidelines.
Continue reading: FYI Meaning | Use & Examples
E.g. stands for exempli gratia, “for example,” while i.e. stands for id est, “that is.”
Continue reading: What’s the Difference between e.g. and i.e.?
LMK is an abbreviation for “Let me know.”
The letters in LMK may be capitalized or lowercased, but the meaning is always the same in texting and chatting. When a person says “LMK,” they’re usually asking for information that they don’t expect to get immediately but that will probably be available soon.
To understand how to use LMK, see the explanations and examples below.
Continue reading: What Does LMK Mean? | Let Me Know
IKR stands for “I know, right?” and shows strong agreement.
It is a casual initialism often used in texting and chat to show someone you agree with what they’ve said.
So why not just say “I know” (IK)? In writing, where tone can be hard to discern, “I know” can come across as if the person didn’t need to say what they said because you already know it. This might seem rude if they were venting or looking for empathy rather than just sharing information. Adding “right?” to the end is literally asking if they agree, a question that is unnecessary but shows you care about the other person’s perspective.
IKR is for casual use only, so there are no rules about using punctuation with it or capitalizing it. Although the phrase it stands for is correctly written with a question mark, it’s fine to write IKR without a question mark.
Continue reading: What Does IKR Mean? | Meaning & Use
The relative pronoun “which” is used to introduce a relative or adjectival clause.
You should put a comma before “which” when it’s used to introduce a nonrestrictive clause—a clause that provides information that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence.
She wore a beautiful necklace, which was a gift from her grandmother.
You don’t need a comma before “which” when it’s used to introduce a restrictive clause—a clause that provides essential information, without which the sentence wouldn’t make sense or would mean something else.
The book which I’m reading is a bestseller.
Continue reading: Comma Before Which | Correct Use & Examples
Beck and call is the correct spelling of the phrase that’s part of the expression “to be at someone’s beck and call,” which means “to be ready to follow someone’s commands.”
Beckon call is a common misspelling of the phrase and should be avoided.
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
The noun beck is related to the verb beckon, but they have different meanings and can’t be used as synonyms. Beck is typically only used as part of the expression beck and call.
Continue reading: Is It Beck and Call or *Beckon Call?
The halo effect describes the psychological phenomenon of allowing an overall initial impression of something, based on a single desirable characteristic, to positively influence future decisions we make about it, even though this characteristic is not relevant to these decisions.
The halo effect can influence choices we make about people, products and brands.
Henri is always very enthusiastic about his work, whereas Lidia has a more reserved character.
Maria gives Henri a better appraisal than Lidia, even though they are both performing at the same level.
The positive “halo” around Henri, formed on the basis of a single, very noticeable positive trait, has unconsciously influenced Maria’s decision making and clouded her judgment.
The halo effect can lead to decision-making errors as it impairs our critical thinking. We need to be aware of it in situations such as job interviews and when making important purchases.
Continue reading: What Is the Halo Effect? | Definition & Examples
A pun is a literary device that relies on wordplay to make audience members or readers laugh. Puns are typically based on words that sound similar but have different meanings (homonyms), such as “too tired” and “two-tired.”
I used to be a banker, but I lost interest.
I wondered why the ball was getting bigger. Then it hit me!
Puns are a staple of comedy, but you may also encounter them in literary works, like theatrical plays, novels, and poems.
Continue reading: What Is a Pun? | Definition, Types & Examples
A noun clause is a type of dependent clause that functions as a noun. As a dependent clause, it contains a subject and verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Noun clauses typically begin with relative pronouns (e.g., “which,” “that,” “who”) or subordinating conjunctions (e.g., “if,” “whether”).
Whichever cake you choose will be a hit.
The fact that she is talented is undeniable.
I hope whoever finds my phone will return it.
Continue reading: What Is a Noun Clause? | Definition & Examples
The present participle form of a verb can be used in two ways: as an adjective or as part of a progressive verb tense.
Every present participle ends in “-ing” (this includes both regular verbs and irregular verbs).
Being a bit naughty, the children snuck into the movie theater.
We would love to attend, but we’re competing in a race that day.
I’ve been having vivid dreams lately.
Continue reading: What Is a Present Participle? | Definition & Examples
In most contexts, it’s not necessary to put a comma before “too.”
When a comma is optional, you can add one to place more emphasis on “too.”
You should put commas before and after “too” when it comes between a verb and its object (i.e., a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun that is affected by the action of a verb).
When “too” is used at the start of a sentence, it should also be followed by a comma (however, we advise against using “too” in this way).
Similar guidelines also apply to using a comma before which, a comma before “as well as,” and a comma before or after “however.”
Continue reading: Comma Before Too | Correct Use & Examples
We use the simple present tense for verbs when we want to describe regularly occurring actions, states that don’t change, general truths, and scheduled events.
Usually, the simple present tense is the same as the verb’s base (aka infinitive) form (e.g., “call”). For sentences using the third person singular (e.g., “he,” “she,” and “it”), add “-s” to the end of the verb (e.g., “I run,” “she runs”).
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I dance | I don’t dance | Do I dance? |
| You dance (singular) | You don’t dance (singular) | Do you dance? (singular) |
| He/she/it dances | He/she/it doesn’t dance | Does he/she/it dance? |
| We dance | We don’t dance | Do we dance? |
| You dance (plural) | You don’t dance (plural) | Do you dance? (plural) |
| They dance | They don’t dance | Do they dance? |
Continue reading: What Is Simple Present Tense? | Examples, Use & Exercises
All you fantastic (and soon-to-be fantastic) writers out there know you need the best writing tools if you want to create writing that’s fluent, error-free, and original. So you’ve been asking: Which is better, QuillBot or Grammarly?
In this article, we break it down for you. Read on to learn about the key features of these two tools, how they compare, their price points, and who should use them.
Continue reading: QuillBot vs. Grammarly
Into and in to are pronounced the same, but they have different grammatical uses.
| Examples: Into in a sentence | Examples: In to in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Sorry, I’m not into men! | The criminal was turned in to the police by his own mom! |
| Luke quickly ran into the bathroom before the meeting. | I was just checking in to see how you’re doing. |
| The artist put a lot of thought into each brushstroke of the masterpiece. | Do you all want to chip in to buy a gift for Samuel? |
Continue reading: Into vs In To | Examples, Definition & Differences
The past perfect tense is used for verbs describing past actions that took place before another past action or up to a certain point in the past.
To form the past perfect tense, use “had” with the past participle of the main verb (e.g., “Mai had finished her homework”).
You don’t need to change the form of past perfect verbs for different subjects (e.g., “I had gone,” “they had gone”).
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I had talked | I hadn’t talked | Had I talked? |
| You had talked (singular) | You hadn’t talked (singular) | Had you talked? (singular) |
| He/she/it had talked | He/she/it hadn’t talked | Had he/she/it talked? |
| We had talked | We hadn’t talked | Had we talked? |
| You had talked (plural) | You hadn’t talked (plural) | Had you talked? (plural) |
| They had talked | They hadn’t talked | Had they talked? |
Continue reading: Past Perfect Tense | Examples & Exercises
At your earliest convenience is a phrase commonly used at the end of a professional email to request someone to do something as soon as reasonably possible.
The phrase is typically considered professional and polite, but it’s not specific and might cause confusion or miscommunication. In some cases, it’s better to use one of our three alternatives to end an email to make sure the other person understands the level of urgency.
…
Please answer at your earliest convenience.
Yours truly,
George Leonards
It’s important that your professional emails don’t contain spelling and grammar mistakes. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Continue reading: At Your Earliest Convenience | Meaning, Synonyms & Examples
Linking verbs (aka copular verbs) link the subject of a sentence to a subject complement, which indicates the condition, state of being, or identity of the subject.
A linking verb describes or redefines the subject, while an action verb describes something the subject does or has done to it (e.g., “throw,” “dance,” “swim”).
The frog became a prince.
You seem upset.
Continue reading: What Is a Linking Verb? | List, Definition & Examples
Forty (40) is a cardinal number that can be grammatically classified as an adjective, noun, pronoun, or determiner. A cardinal number is used to indicate quantity.
Forty is sometimes misspelled as “fourty”—probably because 4 is spelled as “four”—but “fourty” is not a real word. This is also true when “forty” is used as part of a larger number, such as “forty-two” or “two-hundred-forty.” QuillBot’s grammar check tool will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Is It Forty or *Fourty? | Which Is Correct?
Hers is a third-person singular feminine possessive pronoun. It’s sometimes written as “her’s”—with an apostrophe—but this spelling is incorrect.
Possession is typically indicated by adding ’s to a word, but possessive pronouns are an exception to this rule. This means that “her’s” is always incorrect.
This is also true for other possessive pronouns, such as ours and theirs. The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Is It Hers or *Her’s? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Sense is a noun that means “awareness,” “good judgment,” “particular meaning,” or “vague impression,” or a verb that means “to feel.” It’s also used to refer to the five sensory faculties (smell, touch, taste, hearing, and sight).
“Sence” is a common misspelling and should be avoided. Words with a similar pronunciation are sometimes spelled with a “c” (e.g., “pence”), but others are spelled with an “s” (e.g., dense). Sense belongs to the latter category.
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: *Sence or Sense? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Yours truly is commonly used as a sign-off before your name to end an email or letter. You typically use it when you’re writing to someone you haven’t communicated with before.
Yours truly consists of the possessive pronoun yours and the adverb truly (which is often misspelled “truely”) and is followed by a comma. It’s used in a similar way to Sincerely yours. However, “Sincerely yours” is traditionally used for people you have communicated with before. Nowadays, this distinction is no longer as strict.
When using “Yours truly” and other formal sign-offs, you should always capitalize the first letter of the first word. You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to check for this and other spelling and grammar mistakes.
I am writing to inform you about …
Yours truly,
Alice Brown
Continue reading: Yours Truly | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Auxiliary verbs (aka helping verbs) are verbs used alongside the main verb to change its tense, mood, or voice.
For example, in “the book was written,” “written” is the main verb and “was” is an auxiliary verb helping to form the passive voice, indicating that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action.
Auxiliary verbs also help to form tenses, including the perfect tenses (e.g., “I have eaten already”), and the progressive tenses (e.g., “they are coming”).
He has lived here for a long time.
They were laughing loudly.
Continue reading: What Is an Auxiliary Verb? | Examples, Definition & List
The noun label describes a piece of material that identifies the object it’s attached to. It can also be used as a verb to describe the act of affixing a label to an object or assigning a label to a person to put them in a specific category.
“Lable” is a common misspelling and should be avoided. The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Label is the standard spelling in both US and UK English, but other verb forms are different for US and UK English (e.g., labeled vs labelled).
Continue reading: Is It *Lable or Label? | Spelling, Meaning & Examples
Gist is a noun that typically means “most important idea” or “essence,” but it can also be used to refer to the grounds of a legal action. It’s almost always preceded by the definite article “the” (and can’t be used with the indefinite article “a”).
Jist is a misspelling of the word gist and should not be used. The QuillBot Grammar Checker catches and automatically corrects common mistakes like this.
Continue reading: Is It *Jist or Gist? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Whoa is an interjection used to express shock or surprise. It was traditionally used to command a horse or person to stop or slow down. Like other interjections, whoa should be avoided in professional communication and academic writing.
The use of the variant spelling woah is more common in UK English than US English, but in both cases, it’s not considered standard. Many dictionaries and other language authorities do not accept this spelling at all.
Continue reading: Is It Whoa or *Woah? | Meaning, Examples & Spelling
A lab report is a detailed explanation of experimental research done in a laboratory. Students, researchers, and other scientists often create lab reports to share their findings in fields such as chemistry, biology, and engineering.
Do you need to write a lab report? Keep reading to learn about the parts it should include and how to make sure it gives a complete account of your research.
Continue reading: How to Write a Lab Report—Basic Parts and Steps
With regular verbs, we form the simple past and past participle by adding “-ed” (or “-d” if the verb already ends in “e”).
Irregular verbs do not follow the regular rule of adding “-ed” or “-d” to form the simple past or the past participle forms.
My cat has caught a mouse.
We sang happy birthday, and then he blew out the candles and cut the cake.
Most English verbs are regular verbs, which we change to the simple past and past participle forms by adding “-ed” (or “-d” if the verb already ends in “e”). They sometimes change spelling in other ways, such as “try” becoming “tried.”
Although most verbs are regular, there are hundreds of irregular verbs that do not follow the regular rule of adding “-ed” or “-d” to form the simple past or the past participle forms. They can change in a variety of ways or not change at all.
I will choose a movie.
I chose a movie.
I have chosen a movie.
I will cut the cake.
I cut the cake an hour ago.
I have cut the cake already.
The past participle form of a verb has a few uses:
Regular verbs are always the same in both the simple past and past participle forms, while the past and past participle forms of irregular verbs can be (but aren’t always) different.
I will do as you ask.
I did as you asked.
I have done as you asked.
I will send the message.
I sent the message.
I have sent the message.
Some verbs have both a regular and an irregular form (e.g., “burn” can become “burned” or “burnt”). Generally, the regular form is more common in American English and the irregular form is more common in British English. Some other examples include “spelled” or “spelt,” “dreamed” or “dreamt,” and “learned” or “learnt.”
Irregular verbs can change in similar ways (e.g., “keep” becomes “kept,” and “sleep” becomes “slept”), but there are no easy patterns or formulas that will help you learn every conjugation. The only way to learn them is through repetition, practice, and familiarity.
Below is a list of some common irregular verbs in their base, past, and past participle forms. We also have a more comprehensive irregular verbs list available for you to download.
| Base form | Simple past | Past participle |
|---|---|---|
| be (is, am, are) | was/were | been |
| begin | began | begun |
| buy | bought | bought |
| catch | caught | caught |
| come | came | come |
| do | did | done |
| drink | drank | drunk |
| eat | ate | eaten |
| feel | felt | felt |
| fly | flew | flown |
| get | got | got |
| give | gave | given |
| go | went | gone |
| grow | grew | grown |
| have | had | had |
| hear | heard | heard |
| make | made | made |
| pay | paid | paid |
| run | ran | run |
| say | said | said |
| see | saw | seen |
| sing | sang | sung |
| speak | spoke | spoken |
| stand | stood | stood |
| take | took | taken |
| write | wrote | written |
Test your understanding of irregular verbs with these exercise questions.
Continue reading: What Is an Irregular Verb? | List, Examples & Definition
A lot is a phrase meaning “often,” “very much,” or “a large number/amount.” People often combine the two words into “alot,” but this spelling is not listed in the dictionary and should not be used. Always write the phrase as two words.
Allot (with a double “l”) is an unrelated verb that means “distribute” or “assign.” Make sure not to confuse it with “a lot.” The QuillBot grammar check tool will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
| Examples: A lot in a sentence | Examples: Allot in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I learn a lot of new words by reading. | The organization will allot funds to each department based on their needs. |
| Jennifer certainly talks a lot! | The pandemic has led the government to allot more resources to public health. |
Continue reading: *Alot or A Lot (or Allot) | Which Is Correct?
With regular verbs, we form the simple past and past participle forms by adding “-ed” to the end of the word (or “-d” if the verb already ends in “e”). Regular verbs can sometimes change their spelling in other ways (e.g., “try” becomes “tried”).
I will cook dinner.
I have cooked dinner every night this week.
Continue reading: What Is a Regular Verb? | List, Examples & Definition
Intransitive verbs are verbs that don’t take a direct object (a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that receives the action of a verb). For example, “exist” is an intransitive verb, as it’s not possible to “exist” something.
In contrast, a transitive verb is one that does require a direct object. A sentence that uses the verb “examined,” for instance, would not make sense without specifying who or what receives the action of the verb (e.g., “Mary examined the manuscript”). Depending on the context in which they’re used, some verbs can function as either transitive or intransitive verbs.
Madeline sneezes often.
Renate is jogging along the path.
Continue reading: What Is an Intransitive Verb? | Examples, Definition & Quiz
Stative verbs (sometimes called state verbs) describe a state, condition, or perception. The state can be physical, mental, or emotional (e.g., “be,” “believe,” “love”).
In contrast, action verbs (aka dynamic verbs) describe an action carried out by or on the subject (e.g., “eat,” “throw,” “run”).
Continue reading: Stative Verbs | List, Examples & Definition
Concrete nouns name people, places, and things that we can perceive with our five senses.
Not limited to solid or tangible objects that you could theoretically touch, concrete nouns can also name anything that can be heard (e.g., “symphony”), seen (e.g., “sunlight”), tasted (e.g., “sourness”), or felt without being touched (e.g., “heat”). Words such as “spaceship,” “Mariana Trench,” “amoeba,” and “Jeffrey” are all concrete nouns.
In contrast, abstract nouns describe mental constructs. These include feelings, frameworks, and concepts that cannot be directly perceived, such as “fascination,” “sleepiness,” “Pareto principle,” and “motif.”
My cat thinks my keyboard is a bed.
Pietr enjoyed the sun but also loved the rain.
Continue reading: What Is a Concrete Noun? | Examples, Definition & Quiz
The past progressive tense (aka the past continuous) is a past tense verb form used for actions that were ongoing in the past.
To form the past progressive, follow the subject with the simple past tense of the auxiliary verb “be” (i.e., “was/were”) and the present participle (the -ing form) of the main verb (e.g., “she was running,” “they were running”).
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I was walking | I wasn’t walking | Was I walking? |
| You were walking (singular) | You weren’t walking (singular) | Were you walking? (singular) |
| He/she/it was walking | He/she/it wasn’t walking | Was he/she/it walking? |
| We were walking | We weren’t walking | Were we walking? |
| You were walking (plural) | You weren’t walking (plural) | Were you walking? (plural) |
| They were walking | They weren’t walking | Were they walking? |
Continue reading: Past Progressive Tense | Uses, Examples & Exercises
The past tense is a verb tense used to discuss past actions, occurrences, or states of being.
The past tense has four forms:
| Past simple | Past progressive | Past perfect | Past perfect progressive |
|---|---|---|---|
| I walked | I was walking | I had walked | I had been walking |
| You walked | You were walking | You had walked | You had been walking |
| He/she/it walked | He/she/it was walking | He/she/it had walked | He/she/it had been walking |
| We walked | We were walking | We had walked | We had been walking |
| You (plural) walked | You were walking | You had walked | You had been walking |
| They walked | They were walking | They had walked | They had been walking |
Continue reading: The Past Tense | Verb Forms, Examples & Exercises
Transitive verbs are verbs that require a direct object to complete their meaning. The direct object (which can be a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase) receives the action of the verb.
For example, the sentence “The builder constructed a new house” would not make sense without the direct object, “a new house.”
Intransitive verbs, in contrast, do not require a direct object to complete their meaning. They express a complete action without an object. For example, the verb “sleep” makes sense without an object (e.g., “The children slept”).
Ambitransitive verbs are verbs that can be used with or without a direct object, depending on the context (e.g., “sing,” “read,” “eat”).
The medics administer life-saving treatments.
The chef carefully lifted the plate.
Continue reading: What Is a Transitive Verb? | Examples, Definition & Quiz
Honor and honour are two ways of spelling the same noun, which means “great respect” or “privilege.” It can also be used as a verb to mean “keep an agreement” or “regard with great respect.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Meghan decided to honor/honour her grandfather’s legacy by continuing his philanthropic work.
The organization plans to honor/honour its employees with a special recognition ceremony.
Continue reading: Is It Honor or Honour? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Humor and humour are two ways of spelling the noun meaning “the characteristic of being amusing” or “mood.” The word can also be used as a verb to mean “indulge.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
After a good night’s sleep, her humor/humour improved drastically.
The principal decided to humor/humour the student’s imaginative story even though it was quite far-fetched.
Continue reading: Is It Humor or Humour? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
The first few lines of any story, article, or essay determine if your intended audience will continue to read it or if they’ll skip it altogether. That’s why it’s crucial to write a strong hook that instantly engages your readers.
Just think about the books you had to put back at the store because the blurb didn’t intrigue you. But it’s not limited to just books: there have been dozens of articles, academic writings, and essays that you’ve probably skipped over because you already deemed them not worthy based on the first couple of sentences.
In this article, we’ll discuss different types of hooks and provide some expert advice on how to write one that will capture any reader’s attention. By the end of this, you’ll have a greater understanding of the creation of a perfect hook no matter what type of content you’re writing.
Continue reading: How To Write a Hook That Captures Every Reader’s Attention
Theirs is a third-person plural possessive pronoun. It’s also used as a gender-neutral singular possessive pronoun. It’s sometimes written as “their’s”—with an apostrophe—but this spelling is incorrect.
Possession is typically indicated by adding ’s to a word, but possessive pronouns are an exception to this rule. This means that “their’s” is always incorrect. This is also true for other possessive pronouns, such as ours and theirs. The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Is It Theirs or *Their’s? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Truly is the correct spelling of the adverb used to mean “absolutely,” “properly,” or “in a truthful manner.” The related adjective is “true.”
People sometimes write “truely” instead, but this is the wrong spelling and doesn’t appear in the dictionary. The QuillBot Grammar Checker will always catch pesky mistakes like this.
Adding “-ly” to the end of an adjective is the standard way of forming an adverb. When the adjective ends with “-ue,” though, the “e” is usually dropped for the adverb form, as is the case with “true/truly” and “due/duly.”
Continue reading: *Truely or Truly | Spelling, Meaning & Examples
Situational irony occurs when the actual outcome of a situation is starkly different from what was expected, creating a surprising twist.
Ironically, Dorothy and her friends discover that the Wizard is an ordinary man, and they have always possessed the traits and abilities they were seeking.
Situational irony can amplify effects such as humor, tragedy, and satire. It’s an important plot device in many genres of literature, film, and TV.
Continue reading: What Is Situational Irony? | Definition & Examples
Action verbs are also known as dynamic verbs, and they describe an action performed by (or on) the subject (e.g., “jump,” “sing,” “buy”).
Stative verbs, on the other hand, describe the state, condition, or perception of the subject (e.g., “believe,” “know,” “feel”).
My mother writes books.
A bird flew into my window.
He is jumping for joy.
Continue reading: What Are Action Verbs? | Definition, Examples & List
Onomatopoeia is creating or using words that imitate the sound of the thing they describe. This can involve animal calls (“meow” for a cat vocalization), machine noises (“vroom” for an engine sound), or descriptions of actions (“pow” for a blow).
Onomatopoeia is usually an uncountable noun, but onomatopoeic words are sometimes called onomatopoeias.
The old door creaked open.
The sound of the horse’s neigh echoed through the night.
The heavy book landed on the table with a thud.
Onomatopoeia is common in everyday conversations, advertising slogans, and literature.
Continue reading: What Is Onomatopoeia? | Definition & Examples
The word “while” can be used in a couple of different ways. Whether you should put a comma before “while” depends on how you’re using the word.
You should put a comma before “while” when you’re using it to link two parts of a sentence, with the same meaning as “whereas” or “although.”
You shouldn’t put a comma before “while” when you’re using it to mean “when” or “during the time that.”
Similar rules also apply to using commas with the subordinating conjunctions “as well as” and “because.”
Continue reading: Comma Before While | Correct Use, Examples & Worksheet
“Alright” and “all right” are two spellings of the same word, which means “okay” or “good enough,” depending on the context. It can be used as an adjective, adverb, or interjection.
I hope she’s feeling all right after getting injured during the hike.
Allright (with double “l” and no space”) is a common misspelling of the word and is never considered correct.
Continue reading: Alright vs All Right | Meaning, Difference & Examples
A metaphor is way to describe something or someone by saying that it is (or sometimes isn’t) something else, as in the examples below.
Paul is my rock when I need someone to support me.
This is a figurative (nonliteral) use of language. A metaphorical statement isn’t literally true, but it’s used to state or imply something true about the thing or person described.
Metaphor can be categorized as a literary device, figure of speech, or rhetorical device. It is encountered in everyday speech, in literature, and in all kinds of writing. QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you explore creative writing devices like metaphors!
Continue reading: What Is a Metaphor? | Definition, Examples & Types
“Use to” and “used to” are related phrases that share a meaning. However, they are not used in the same way.
These phrases are often confused because the final “d” in “used” and the “t” in “to” seem to blend together in pronunciation, causing them to sound like homonyms. However, it’s important to use them correctly, especially in academic writing or professional communication.
| Examples: Used to in a sentence | Examples: Use to in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Terrance has three dogs, so he’s used to training them. | Didn’t you use to play the piano? |
| I used to babysit during college. | She didn’t use to eat vegetables, but now she loves them. |
| Roman used to cycle to work before he got a car. | Did they use to live in that old farmhouse? |
Continue reading: Is It Use To or Used To? | Difference & Examples
“Awhile” and “a while” are homonyms (words that are pronounced the same), but they have slightly different meanings and different grammatical roles.
Although “awhile” and “a while” are often used interchangeably in informal writing, most style guides distinguish between them.
| Examples: Awhile in a sentence | Examples: A while in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Let’s sit and rest awhile before continuing our hike. | It’s been a while since I last spoke to Kevin. |
| She decided to stay in bed and read awhile. | I’m looking for a job because I’ll graduate in a while. |
| He practiced awhile before the game. | The project will take a while to complete due to its complexity. |
Continue reading: Awhile vs A While | Examples, Definitions & Difference
Spelt and spelled are two ways of spelling the past tense of the verb “spell,” which means “forming words with the letters in the correct order.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Abdullah spelt/spelled “synecdoche” with ease during the spelling bee competition.
Kimberley accidentally spelt/spelled the author’s name wrong in her essay.
Continue reading: Is It Spelt or Spelled? | Spelling, Difference & Examples
Learnt and learned are two ways of spelling the past tense of the verb “learn,” which means “to gain skill or knowledge.”
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Continue reading: Is It Learnt or Learned? | Spelling, Difference & Examples
We use the simple past tense form of a verb to talk about actions and events that were completed in the past (e.g., “I walked to work yesterday”).
For regular verbs, we usually form the simple past tense by adding “-ed” to the base form of the verb (e.g., “jump” becomes “jumped”). Irregular verbs form the simple past tense in a number of ways (e.g., “go” becomes “went”).
Almost all simple past tense verbs use the same form no matter the subject (e.g., “I called/she called/we called”).
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I talked | I didn’t talk | Did I talk? |
| You talked (singular) | You didn’t talk (singular) | Did you talk? (singular) |
| He/she/it talked | He/she/it didn’t talk | Did he/she/it talk? |
| We talked | We didn’t talk | Did we talk? |
| You talked (plural) | You didn’t talk (plural) | Did you talk? (plural) |
| They talked | They didn’t talk | Did they talk? |
Continue reading: What Is Simple Past Tense? | Examples & Exercises
Labelled and labeled both are correct spellings of the past tense of the verb “label,” which means “attach a label to something” or “categorize something or someone.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use:
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
I was labelled/labeled a rebel as a teenager.
Leron labelled/labeled every book on the shelf in one afternoon.
Continue reading: Is It Labelled or Labeled? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
You need a comma before the conjunction “so” when it could be replaced with “therefore” (i.e., “for that reason”).
I was tired. Therefore, I went to bed.
Tom left early so that he could arrive at the office on time.
When “so” is used as an adverb, pronoun, or other part of speech, commas are generally not needed (e.g., “I hope so,” “he stayed a week or so,” “there’s still so much to do”).
Continue reading: Comma Before or After So | Correct Use & Examples
Modelling and modeling are both correct spellings of the present participle and gerund of the verb “model,” meaning “create a representation of something,” “shape something (like clay),” or “display something by wearing it.”
The spelling depends on whether you use British English or American English.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
The difference in spelling is also true for similar verbs, such as labelling or labeling and travelling or traveling.
Continue reading: Modelling vs Modeling | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
A and an are two forms of the indefinite article that’s used before a noun.
When you’re trying to determine whether to use “a” or “an,” you should pay attention to the sound the noun starts with, not its spelling. For example, “hour” is spelled with a consonant at the beginning, but it is pronounced like the word “our.” This means that it starts with a vowel sound and requires the indefinite article “an.”
| Examples: A in a sentence | Examples: An in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I ate a banana before going on a walk. | It’s an honor to meet you. |
| He is a student at Harvard. | I want to bake an apple pie for my birthday. |
| I would like to speak to a union representative. | I am happy I brought an umbrella on our walk. |
Continue reading: When to Use A vs An | Rules, Difference & Examples
Gray and grey are two ways of spelling the same word, used to describe the shade between black and white. It’s used as an adjective to describe something of that color, as a noun to refer to the color itself, or as a verb to describe the act of becoming that color.
The spelling depends on whether you use British English or American English:
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
In some cases, the spelling of gray or grey is fixed, no matter the version of English. This is true for proper nouns such as the tea blend Earl Grey (never “Earl Gray”) and for the name of the dog breed the greyhound (never “grayhound”).
Continue reading: Is It Gray or Grey (Color)? | Spelling & Examples
“Affective” and “effective” are two adjectives that are frequently confused because of their related meanings and similar pronunciation. However, they’re used in different ways:
These words are closely related to the adverbs “effectively” (meaning “in a successful way”) and “affectively” (meaning “with emotion”). However, “affectively” is not commonly used.
| Examples: Affective in a sentence | Examples: Effective in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Affective neuroscience focuses on how the brain processes emotions. | You’re banned from the building, effective immediately. |
| The movie’s affective portrayal of love and loss moved the audience in the theater. | The new medication was deemed effective for the treatment of aphasia. |
| The speech was affectively neutral. | They effectively trained the new employee. |
Continue reading: Affective vs Effective | Examples & Difference
The Pygmalion effect describes how high expectations of someone tend to lead to better performance, while lower expectations have the opposite effect.
The Pygmalion effect was originally identified by psychologists Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson in classroom settings. But it is also applied to studies in business, sport, and management.
Sean, on the other hand, is given more basic tasks, and the teacher doesn’t give them the attention they need when they struggle with these tasks. As a result, Adil makes significant improvement, while Sean’s improvement is much less marked.
The teacher’s high expectations affected the way they worked with each student, which had a knock-on effect on the progress they made.
The Pygmalion effect is also called the Rosenthal effect after one of the researchers in the original study.
Continue reading: What Is the Pygmalion Effect? | Meaning & Examples
Burnt and burned are two ways of spelling the past tense of the verb “burn,” which means “to damage something with fire or heat” or “to undergo combustion.” It’s also used as an adjective to describe something that’s damaged by fire or heat.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
I don’t like this burned/burnt food!
I got burned/burnt so hard at my birthday roast.
Although burned and burnt are used interchangeably in the adjective sense of the word, some fixed combinations are spelled only one way (e.g., the food “burnt cream” and the color “burnt sienna”).
Continue reading: Is It Burnt or Burned? | Spelling, Difference & Examples
Fulfil and fulfill are two ways of spelling the same verb, which means “achieve something” or “carry out a duty as required.”
The spelling depends on whether you use British English or American English.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Lee’s dream was to fulfil/fulfill his lifelong ambition of becoming a principal.
A teacher’s aide must fulfil/fulfill a number of classroom-related duties.
Continue reading: Is It Fulfil or Fulfill? | Spelling, Difference & Examples
Dreamed and dreamt are two ways of spelling the past tense of the verb “dream,” which means “to experience sensations, images, and thoughts during sleep.”
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Larissa often dreamed/dreamt of traveling to new destinations and meeting people.
As a young writer, Pritha dreamed/dreamt of seeing her book on the bestseller list.
Continue reading: Is It Dreamed or Dreamt? | Spelling, Difference & Examples
All complete sentences have a subject and a predicate. The predicate is the part of the sentence that contains the verb and tells us about the subject, such as what it’s doing or what it is.
A predicate nominative (also called a predicate noun) is a noun or pronoun that identifies, describes, or redefines the subject within the predicate.
Predicate nominatives always follow linking verbs. Unlike action verbs, linking verbs (e.g., “be,” “become,” or “seem”) indicate conditions or states of being.
Her dream became reality.
The bird with the largest wingspan is the wandering albatross.
Continue reading: Predicate Nominatives | Definition & Examples
Its and it’s are homonyms (words that are pronounced the same), but they have different meanings.
| Examples: Its in a sentence | Examples: It’s in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The cat cleaned its paws meticulously after dinner. | It’s a beautiful day to go for a walk in the park. |
| The organization is known for its innovative products. | It’s been a long day, and I’m looking forward to relaxing. |
| The library has expanded its collection of rare books. | The painting is considered a masterpiece, and it’s easy to see why. |
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: When to Use Its vs It’s | Examples & Worksheet
Breathe and breath are related words that look similar but have different grammatical uses.
You can distinguish between these words by remembering that many verbs in English end in “e” when there’s a related noun (e.g., “teethe”/“teeth”).
| Examples: Breathe in a sentence | Examples: Breath in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Calm down! Breathe in and breathe out. | Make sure to hold your breath when you dive into the pool. |
| The doctor sent her straight to hospital after hearing her labored breathing. | My breath smelled minty fresh because of the chewing gum. |
| You made me laugh so hard that I couldn’t breathe. | After running for five miles, I had to catch my breath. |
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Breathe vs Breath | Meaning, Difference & Examples
Flier and flyer are two versions of the same noun that refers to a leaflet or to a person or thing that flies. They are often used interchangeably, but there is a common distinction:
However, different style guides give different opinions on the matter. If you’re not following a specific style guide, use “flyer” for a leaflet and “flyer” or “flier” for someone or something that flies.
| Examples: Flier in a sentence | Examples: Flyer in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Rogan saves frequent flier miles because of his business trips. | The flyer advertised a neighborhood block party this weekend. |
| The superhero soared through the sky like a fearless flier. | She handed out flyers promoting her art exhibition at the local gallery. |
| The dragonfly is an agile flier. | A colorful flyer announced the upcoming school fundraiser. |
Continue reading: Flier vs Flyer | Definition, Difference & Examples
Former is used to refer to the first item mentioned in a list of two or more things, and latter is used to refer to the last item in a list. This way, repetition can be avoided.
| Examples: Former in a sentence | Examples: Latter in a sentence |
| I could choose between a free bag or belt, but I chose the former. | Samsung and Apple are both nice brands, but the latter is much more popular. |
| My former girlfriend is now competing on The Voice! | We will focus on paid marketing in the latter half of the year. |
You can remember the difference between “former” and “latter” by looking at the letters they start with. “Former” and “first” both start with “f,” and “latter” and “last” both start with “l.”
Continue reading: Former vs Latter | Meaning, Examples & Usage
Realise and realize are two ways of spelling the same verb, which means “become aware of” or “make (something) happen.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
After two months, Logan started to realise/realize how much he loved his girlfriend.
Debbie went to Scotland to realise/realize her dream of petting a Highland cow.
Continue reading: Is It Realise or Realize? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Offence and offense are two ways of spelling the same noun, which refers to a sports tactic aiming to score on the opponent, a breach of rule or illegal act, or a state of resentment due to a perceived insult.
The spelling depends on the type of English you use:
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Committing a criminal offence/offense can result in various penalties.
Despite his good intentions, I took offence/offense to his comment.
Continue reading: Offence vs Offense | Definition, Spelling & Examples
Smelled and smelt are two ways of spelling the past tense of the verb “smell,” which means “to produce an odor” or “to detect something’s scent.” The spelling depends on the variant of English you use.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
The burned food smelled/smelt so bad!
The dog smelled/smelt something interesting and ran off into the woods.
Continue reading: Is It Smelled or Smelt? | Spelling, Difference & Examples
Kneeled and knelt are two ways of spelling the past tense and past participle of the verb “kneel,” which means “to place one or both knees on the ground.” People often kneel to respect or worship an entity, which makes it similar to genuflecting.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Elif kneeled/knelt before the king.
I kneeled/knelt before the altar to worship God.
Continue reading: Is It Kneeled or Knelt? | Spelling, Difference & Examples
Travelling and traveling are both correct spellings of the present participle and gerund of the verb “travel,” which means “go from one place to another.”
The spelling depends on whether you use British English or American English.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Travelling/traveling solo allows for personal growth and self-discovery.
Paige documented her adventures in a travel blog wile she was travelling/traveling.
The difference in spelling is also true for similar verbs, such as labelling or labeling and modelling or modeling.
Continue reading: Travelling or Traveling | Correct Spelling & Examples
Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in two or more nearby words, such as “gentle giant” or “paper plane.” Alliteration gives an air of musicality to our words and makes them more memorable.
Alliteration is often found in poetry and prose, as well as in brand names and products.
Continue reading: What Is Alliteration? | Definition, Meaning & Examples
Defence and defense are two ways of spelling the same noun, which is used to refer to the legal plea of someone on trial for a crime, to a sports tactic used to prevent the other team from scoring, and to the act of protecting something.
The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
I was rooting for the defence/defense to stop the opponent from scoring.
Lorelei came to her friend’s defence/defense when he was accused of shoplifting.
Continue reading: Defence vs Defense | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
A malapropism occurs when a word is accidentally replaced with a similar-sounding word (e.g., “prosperous” and “preposterous”).
This often results in a nonsensical or humorous statement. In literature and comedy, writers sometimes deliberately use malapropisms to inject humor or add color into their work.
She hurried to the doctor to get the anecdote (antidote).
My new winter jacket has really good installation (insulation).
Malapropisms do not only occur in fiction. They also occur in everyday speech.
Continue reading: What Is a Malapropism? | Definition & Examples
Judgment and judgement are two ways of spelling the same noun, which means “opinion,” “the act of forming an opinion,” or “the ability to form an opinion.”
The spelling depends on whether you use British English or American English.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
I don’t want to make a hasty judgment/judgement of someone’s parenting style.
We would have expected better judgment/judgement from you, Latifa.
Continue reading: Is It Judgment or Judgement? | Spelling & Examples
Advice is a noun that refers to guidance, both formal and informal. Advise is the verb that refers to the act of giving guidance.
The words are often considered homonyms, but “advice” is pronounced with an “s” sound at the end, and “advise” is pronounced with a “z” sound.
The related noun adviser or advisor refers to the person who gives you guidance.
| Examples: Advice in a sentence | Examples: Advise in a sentence |
|---|---|
| My teacher’s advice is that I should more thoroughly check my work for errors. | Can you advise me on the best way to prepare for the interview? |
| I’d like your advice on what I should wear on my first date. | The doctor advised me to take the medication twice a day. |
| My grandmother’s advice on cooking has always been to season generously! | Why are you advising him to spend more money on clothes? |
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix your spelling and grammar mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Advice vs Advise | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Favour and favor are two ways of spelling the noun used to refer to an act of kindness or to mean “approval.” It can also be used as a verb to mean “prefer.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
My manager seems to favour/favor innovative projects that impact the organization.
The politician promised to work in the public’s favour/favor.
Continue reading: Is It Favour or Favor? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Aid and aide are homophones (i.e., they are pronounced the same but do not mean the same thing).
| Examples: Aid in a sentence | Examples: Aide in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The humanitarian organization provided aid to the disaster-stricken community. | The president’s trusted aide was by his side during meetings. |
| She volunteered to aid the elderly residents with their daily tasks. | The teacher’s aide assisted with classroom tasks. |
| The Red Cross dispatched volunteers to offer aid in the aftermath of the earthquake. | The research team included an experienced lab aide to assist with experiments. |
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix your spelling and grammar mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Aid vs Aide | Meaning, Difference & Examples
Labor and labour are two ways of spelling the same noun, which refers to (physical) work or the process of giving birth. It can also be used as a verb meaning “make a great effort” or “endlessly discuss something.” The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. A QuillBot grammar check can help you with this.
Maddie knew she was in labor/labour when the contractions began to speed up.
Cleo and I labored/laboured to fix the broken wall.
Stop laboring/labouring the point! You’re driving me crazy!
Labor or labour is often preceded by an adjective (e.g., “manual labor/labour,” “hard labor/labour”).
Continue reading: Is It Labor or Labour? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
An extended metaphor is a literary device in which a metaphor continues for several lines or paragraphs. Just like a simple metaphor, it makes a comparison between two things or ideas. However, it is not limited to one sentence.
In these lines from Meditation XVII, John Donne uses an extended metaphor: he compares individual people to islands and society or humanity to a continent. By doing so, he conveys the idea that no one exists in isolation and that we are all interconnected because we are part of mankind.
Extended metaphors are common in poetry, but they are also used in prose.
Continue reading: What Is an Extended Metaphor? | Definition & Examples
Practise and practice are two spellings of the same verb meaning “engage in something professionally” or “train by repetition.” The spelling depends on whether you’re using American or British English.
Practice is also used as a noun meaning “training” or “the application of a method.” It can also be used to refer to the business of a lawyer or doctor. The noun is always spelled with a “c.”
A QuillBot grammar check can help you use either American or British English consistently.
I’m sure you’ll learn how to crochet. You just have to practise/practice.
I’ll see you tomorrow at baseball practice
Leonard spends 50 hours a week at his doctor’s practice in Boston.
Continue reading: Is It Practise or Practice? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
There should be no comma before “because” when it’s used to introduce a reason that is essential to the meaning of the sentence.
For example, the point of the sentence below is to explain why the project failed.
When a comma is added before “because,” the reason is no longer emphasized. Instead, the sentence focuses on the fact the project failed; the reason it failed is less important.
Continue reading: Comma Before Because | Correct Use & Examples
Favourite and favorite are two ways of spelling the noun or adjective meaning “most preferred.” It can also be used as a verb to mean “mark something as the most preferred” (e.g., on social media). The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
“Do you like chocolate ice cream?” “Yes, it’s my absolute favourite/favorite!
I favourited/favorited this picture so I’d be able to find it again in the future.
Continue reading: Favourite vs Favorite | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Color and colour are two ways of spelling the same noun, meaning “shade” or “hue.” It can also be used as a verb to mean “change something’s color” (e.g., by painting). The spelling depends on the version of English you use.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
I love your ginger hair! Did you color/colour it?
The children eagerly sat down to color/colour in the doctor’s practice.
The plural noun form is colors or colours.
Continue reading: Is It Color or Colour? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Sincerely yours is commonly used as a sign-off before your name to end an email or letter. You typically use it when you’re writing to someone you already know to some extent.
Sincerely yours consists of the adverb sincerely (which means “genuinely”) and the possessive pronoun yours. The sign-off should always be followed by a comma. It’s used in a similar way to Yours truly, although that’s traditionally used for people you haven’t communicated with before. Nowadays, this distinction is no longer as strict.
I am writing to ask you about …
Sincerely yours,
Mercedes Akafi
Whether you have or haven’t communicated with someone before, it’s important that your emails don’t contain spelling and grammar mistakes. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Continue reading: Sincerely Yours | Meaning, Definition & Examples
Behaviour and behavior are different spellings of the noun used to refer to the way someone or something behaves or acts. The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Logan’s erratic behaviour/behavior raised concerns among his friends and family.
The study of consumer behaviour/behavior is vital for product development.
Behavior or behaviour is often preceded by an attributive noun (e.g., “animal behavior/behaviour”) or an adjective (e.g., “good behavior/behaviour”).
Continue reading: Behaviour or Behavior | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Counsel and council are homonyms (words that are pronounced the same), but they mean different things.
| Examples: Council in a sentence | Examples: Counsel in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The city council gathered to discuss the new zoning regulations. | I sought legal counsel to help me navigate through my divorce proceedings. |
| The council members voted unanimously in favor of the proposed budget. | The defendant’s counsel presented a compelling case in court. |
| I contacted the neighborhood council to address the issue of stray animals in our area. | He offered wise counsel to his friend who was struggling with a difficult career choice. |
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix your spelling and grammar mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Council vs Counsel | Definition, Difference & Examples
Organisation and organization are two ways of spelling the same noun, which refers to a business, the act of organizing, or a systematic arrangement. The spelling depends on the type of English you use.
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
The organisation/organization provides aid to those affected by natural disasters.
As a manager, she oversaw the organisation/organization of the office.
The noun is often preceded by an adjective (e.g., “nonprofit organization/organisation”). The plural noun form is “organisations” or “organizations.”
Continue reading: Organisation vs Organization | Spelling & Examples
Anymore and any more are homonyms (i.e., they are pronounced the same but have different meanings).
However, this distinction is only typical for US English. In UK English, anymore is usually considered wrong in all contexts, and any more is used as both an adverb and determiner.
| Examples: Anymore in a sentence | Examples: Any more in a sentence |
|---|---|
| Duncan doesn’t smoke anymore, and he’s never felt healthier. | Do you have any more questions before we finish this job interview? |
| Unfortunately, I don’t have time for that hobby anymore. | I can’t take any more criticism right now; I’m having a bad day. |
| Josephine used to love him, but she doesn’t anymore. | You can’t have any more candy before dinner! |
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix your spelling and grammar mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Anymore vs Any More | Definition, Difference & Examples
The prepositional phrase “such as” is used to clarify the phrase it modifies or to introduce examples.
| “Such as” introducing nonessential examples (comma) | “Such as” introducing essential identifying information (no comma) |
|---|---|
| Many European languages, such as Italian and French, are descended from Latin. | Resources such as libraries and online databases are essential to student learning. |
| The shop sells a number of useful tools, such as hammers, shovels, and rakes. | Jonah enjoys activities such as hiking and swimming. |
You can also use the QuillBot Grammar Checker to ensure your punctuation is correct.
Continue reading: Comma Before Such As | Correct Use & Examples
Advisor and adviser are two accepted spelling variants of the same noun. They have the same meaning (someone who gives advice about a subject) and are pronounced the same.
The academic advisor helped the students select their courses.
The legal adviser reviewed the contract carefully.
She sought the counsel of an adviser before making a major career decision.
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix your spelling and grammar mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Advisor vs Adviser | Meaning, Difference & Examples
The adverbial phrase every time is used to mean “without exception” or “whenever.” It can also be used alone as an interjection, usually expressing frustration with some repeated problem.
It should always be written as two words with a space in between. Writing everytime is a common mistake that should be avoided. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can fix errors like this automatically.
Continue reading: Every Time or *Everytime | One Word or Two?
Among and between are sometimes used as synonyms, but they don’t mean the same thing.
| Examples: Among in a sentence | Examples: Between in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I found the book I was looking for among the many books on the shelf. | The cat squeezed between the narrow gap in the fence. |
| There’s no honor among thieves. | A compromise was reached between the two parties. |
| The secret agent moved stealthily among the crowd. | Between breakfast and lunch, I like to have a light snack. |
Continue reading: Among vs Between | Examples, Difference & Meaning
Simile is a rhetorical device that makes a comparison between two things and/or people using the comparison words “as,” “than,” or “like.”
The comparison made in a simile is not a literal one between like things but a figurative one between unlike things. For example, “John is as tall as me” is not a simile—just a literal comparison—but “John is as tall as a mountain” is a simile and shouldn’t be taken literally.
The crisp, white snow sparkled like diamonds.
I’m happier than the morning sun.
Similes are often used in prose or poetry. Do you want to find your creative voice? Try QuillBot’s Paraphraser!
Continue reading: What Is a Simile? | Definition, Examples & Uses
Nowadays is an adverb that means “at this time.” It’s often used to make a comparison with a past time.
Now a days (with spaces) is a common misspelling of the word nowadays. It’s never correct and should always be avoided, similar to other misspellings like “now days,” “now-a-days,” “nowaday,” and “nowdays.”
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: *Now a Days or Nowadays? | Meaning & Spelling
A comma splice is a grammatical error that occurs when two independent clauses are incorrectly joined using a comma. A clause is independent if it contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
You can correct a comma splice in the following ways:
| Examples: Comma splice | Examples: Comma splice correction |
|---|---|
| Eva is fast, Ken is faster. | Eva is fast, but Ken is faster. |
| You’re a talented musician, you should be proud. | You’re a talented musician. You should be proud. |
| I work from home, I don’t work from the office. | I work from home; I don’t work from the office. |
You can check for this and other mistakes using the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
Continue reading: Comma Splice | Examples, Definition & Rules
Ours is a first-person plural possessive pronoun. It’s sometimes written as “our’s”—with an apostrophe—but this spelling is incorrect.
Possession is typically indicated by adding ’s to a word, but possessive pronouns are an exception to this rule. This means that “our’s” is always incorrect. This is also true for other possessive pronouns, such as hers and theirs. A QuillBot grammar check will fix this and other common mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Is It Ours or *Our’s? | Meaning, Spelling & Examples
Irregardless is often used instead of the adverb regardless to mean “despite everything.” It’s typically used as a transition word at the beginning of a sentence to change the topic.
Many dictionaries and other language authorities consider irregardless a nonstandard word, so you should avoid it in academic writing or professional communication.
Formal writing
Not accepted: Irregardless, the organization remains committed to its environmental goals.
Accepted: Regardless, the organization remains committed to its environmental goals.
Continue reading: Irregardless vs Regardless | Meaning, Definition & Examples
In rhetoric, a trope is a word or phrase that implies something different to its ordinary meaning. Instead of its literal meaning, a trope generates a figurative meaning. This is usually done to add flair to written or spoken language.
In this quote from All’s Well that Ends Well, Shakespeare does not literally mean that life is a web. Instead, he uses a trope called a metaphor to suggest that life resembles a web: it is complicated and the good and the bad are entangled.
Tropes are common in literature, but also in everyday speech, advertising, and politics. If you want to explore creative writing, use QuillBot to quickly and easily paraphrase online.
Continue reading: What Is a Trope? | Definition & Examples
Metonymy is a figure of speech in which a word is replaced with another word closely associated with the original concept, such as “love” with “heart.”
Metonymy is used to create vivid imagery, add layers of meaning to a text, and convey ideas in a concise way. It’s commonly used in literature, newspaper headlines, and everyday speech.
The White House declined to comment.
Tom’s favorite dish is mac and cheese.
They had a Monet hanging on their wall, and they didn’t know.
The use of metonymy is common in literature and in everyday conversations, but it should be avoided in academic writing or professional communication.
Continue reading: What Is Metonymy? | Definition & Examples
Theatre and theater are two spellings of the noun used to refer to the art of theatrical production or the building where theatrical performances take place. The spelling depends on whether you’re using American or British English.
It’s important to choose one type of English and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
The theatre/theater is hosting a series of classical film screenings this month.
Studying the art of theatre/theater allows you to explore the history of storytelling.
Continue reading: Theatre vs Theater | Definition, Spelling & Examples
Put a comma before but when it’s used to connect two independent clauses (i.e., two clauses that each contain a subject and a verb).
Put a comma after but only when it is followed by an interrupter (i.e., a parenthetical expression that qualifies the statement or indicates mood or tone).
These rules also apply to using commas with the coordinating conjunctions “and” and “or.”
Continue reading: Comma Before or After But | Correct Use & Examples
Irony is a rhetorical device in which the apparent meaning of a situation or statement is not the same as the underlying meaning. Irony involves a contrast between appearance or expectation and reality.
Irony is often used in literature, but you may also encounter it in everyday conversations, movies, or song lyrics. It’s best to avoid irony in academic writing or professional communication to prevent miscommunications.
Do you want to explore creative writing? QuillBot’s Paraphraser can help you find your voice.
Continue reading: What Is Irony? | Definition, Examples & Types
The preposition despite means “regardless of,” “even though,” or “notwithstanding.”
Despite and in spite of are also synonymous, but it’s important to remember that despite of is incorrect; the “of” is only needed in the other phrasing. A QuillBot grammar check can help you easily catch errors like “despite of.”
Continue reading: *Despite Of | Definition, Correct Use & Examples
Accept and except are two words that are typically pronounced identically ( ), but they have different meanings.
You can remember that “except” means “excluding” with the mnemonic “they both start with ‘ex.’”
| Examples: Accept in a sentence | Examples: Except in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I’m happy to accept the job offer. | I like all fruits except bananas. |
| Sandra did not accept John’s apology. | I would have gone to the park, except it started raining heavily. |
| Our company accepts and embraces diversity in the workplace. | He excepted his dad’s watch from the list of things to be sold at the auction. |
The QuillBot Grammar Checker will fix your spelling and grammar mistakes automatically.
Continue reading: Accept vs Except | Meaning, Examples & Worksheet
Synecdoche is a figure of speech that uses a part of something to refer to the whole (e.g., using the word “wheels” to refer to a car). Sometimes, synecdoche involves using the whole to refer to a part (e.g., referring to the Brazilian football team as “Brazil”).
Synecdoche is an effective literary device for creating memorable images and avoiding repetition. Because of this, it is commonly used in poetry, literature, and everyday speech.
Do you want to explore creative writing? Try QuillBot’s Paraphraser to find your voice.
Would you like paper or plastic? [types of grocery bag]
Can I buy you a glass? [a drink]
They have boots on the ground for a serious mission. [soldiers]
Continue reading: What Is Synecdoche? | Definition & Examples
Grawlix is a term for the use of an unpronounceable string of punctuation in place of a curse word or other taboo term. It can also be called “obscenicon” (a portmanteau of “obscenity” and “emoticon”) or “symbol swearing.”
Comic strips often use grawlix to show that a character is saying or thinking something “unprintable”—often to express frustration or surprise. It can also be used on social media to hide profanity. An instance of grawlix can appear alone or as part of a sentence.
“@$%&#!”
Use QuillBot’s paraphrasing tool to find your creative voice!
Continue reading: Grawlix | Meaning, Definition, Examples & Use
Cancelled and canceled are both correct spellings of the past tense of the verb “to cancel,” which means “revoke,” “annul,” or “neutralize.” The spelling depends on the variant of English you use:
Nowadays, it’s also possible to say “someone is cancelled/canceled” when celebrities and influencers lose their support after a scandal. This use is informal and should be avoided in academic writing.
The seasonal variations in revenue cancelled/canceled each other out.
Do you know that influencer who got cancelled/canceled after shouting at her kid?
The difference in spelling is also true for similar verbs, such as labelled or labeled, levelled or leveled, and travelled or traveled.
It’s important to choose one spelling and use it consistently. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you with this.
Continue reading: Is It Cancelled or Canceled? | Spelling & Examples
A collective noun is a type of noun used to refer to a group or collective of animals, people, or things. Collective nouns are treated as grammatically singular, even though they refer to a group.
Collective nouns include both common nouns (such as “family”) and proper nouns, like “Apple” or “QuillBot.”
Our team is working diligently to complete the project ahead of schedule.
The jury delivered a unanimous verdict in the courtroom.
Continue reading: What Is a Collective Noun? | Examples & Definition
“Affect” and “effect” are related words that sound the same (homophones) but have different grammatical roles.
| Difference | Rule |
|---|---|
| The sudden change in weather affected my outdoor plans for the weekend. | The new tax policy will take effect at the beginning of the fiscal year. |
| The medicine may affect your ability to concentrate. | The director used special effects to create stunning visuals in the movie. |
| Climate change can severely affect the ecosystems of fragile environments like coral reefs. | The music’s soothing effect helped her relax and fall asleep. |
Sometimes, “effect” is used as a verb and “affect” is used as a noun, but this is much less common than the usage described above.
Continue reading: Affect vs Effect | Examples, Definition & Quiz
Numerous writers struggle to tell the difference between apart and a part because they sound alike—they’re homophones. However, they’re nearly opposites, and you can learn to use them correctly by reading this post.
Continue reading: Apart vs. a Part: What’s the Difference?
The use of artificial intelligence in education has sparked polarizing opinions and an ongoing debate between those who champion the use of this technology and those who are afraid of it being misused.
However, there are a lot of benefits of AI in education. When applied properly, artificial intelligence does not replace critical thinking; it’s a powerful tool that can enhance ideas and push students to think deeper and apply their knowledge to real-wolrld scenarios.
AI systems are being used to close the gap between different levels of learners. There are tools to help students write (hi, that’s us!), do math, work on reading comprehension, and learn languages.
Everyone deserves personalized education, and AI is helping us get there.
Continue reading: The Application of AI in the Education Industry
Further and farther are both correct words to show “greater distance.” For example, “further from home” and “farther from home” are equally correct. When they refer to distance, “farther” and “further” can be adverbs or adjectives.
“Further” has additional meanings that don’t apply to “farther”:
| Definition | Correct word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| At a greater distance | Further or farther | To train for the triathlon, Alana rode her bike a little further each day.
Joaquin’s apartment is farther from campus than Dan’s apartment. |
| More | Further | After further research, Conner found that exercise improves mental health. |
| Additionally | Further | Kansas City has the world’s first women’s professional soccer stadium. Further, its NFL team won the Super Bowl. |
| To advance | Further | The book will further awareness about cybersecurity. |
Continue reading: Further vs Farther｜Difference, Meaning & Examples
Lay means to “position someone or something horizontally or flatly, either in a resting position or to serve as a layer that covers another surface.” Lie means “to be or put oneself in a horizontal, reclined position on a surface.”
The difference between these two commonly confused words is that “lay” is a verb that is done to someone or something else (e.g., “I asked him to lay the cloth down on the table), whereas “lie” describes an action or state of being one does themselves (e.g., “My dog likes to lie in the sun”).
| Examples: Lay in a sentence | Examples: Lie in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I will lay my baby sister down in her crib and then go downstairs to help clean. | I will go and lie in bed early tonight since I am not feeling well. |
| The dog sitter likes to lay newspapers on the floor as a precautionary measure. | Belle’s favorite pastime is to go to the beach and lie on the sand. |
| Do you mind if I lay this down on the table before we begin? | Thomas likes to lie under the stars and name the constellations. |
Continue reading: Lay vs Lie | Definitions & Difference
Prewriting is the first stage of the writing process, and using effective prewriting strategies will set you up for success from start to finish.
Continue reading: Prewriting Strategies: How to Get Started on Your Writing
Whose or who’s, which should you use? Since these two words look and sound similar but have different meanings, care is key. You don’t want to confuse your readers or look uneducated by making a basic error.
Whose shows that something belongs to someone, while who’s means “who is.”
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker provides a dependable way to double-check your work, but it’s still smart to learn the how and when of using who’s and whose. Read on to do just that.
Continue reading: Whose vs. Who’s: Meaning and How to Use Them
Who functions as the subject of a sentence or clause, but whom functions as an object.
| Sentence or clause with who/whom | Recast |
|---|---|
| Who was responsible? | She was responsible. |
| With whom does the responsibility lie? | The responsibility lies with her. |
| The question is who is responsible for the crime. | …he is responsible for the crime. |
| The question of to whom we can apportion the blame remains unanswered. | We can apportion the blame to him. |
| The suspects, who were already known to the authorities, were arrested yesterday. | …they were already known to the authorities… |
| The suspects, whom the authorities have been monitoring, were arrested yesterday. | …the authorities have been monitoring them… |
Whom has a very formal stylistic effect, which you may want to avoid. In informal contexts such as everyday conversations and emails, we normally use who as both a subject and an object pronoun.
Continue reading: Who vs Whom | Difference, Use & Examples
Disinterested means you have nothing to gain, but uninterested means you just don’t care.
The difference between the prefixes in these words is relatively subtle, so it might seem like you could use them interchangeably. However, these words are commonly confused and cannot be used in place of one another.
Continue reading: Disinterested vs Uninterested: Examples & Meaning
“Then” and “than” are commonly confused words because they sound and look similar. But their meanings are quite different.
| Then in a sentence | Than in a sentence |
|---|---|
| The Beatles released “Hey Jude” in 1968, and it was a huge hit back then. | Lake George is much cleaner than Lake Michigan. |
| If you have a deadline tomorrow, then you shouldn’t go to the party tonight. | The Barbie Movie was more interesting to me than Mean Girls. |
Continue reading: Then vs Than | Difference, Meaning & Examples
Emigrate means to “leave one’s country of residence to move to another,” whereas immigrate means to “enter a country intending to live there.”
The difference between these two words lies in context and perspective; if the focus is the departure point, use “emigrate.” But if it’s the arrival point, use “immigrate.”
Although the words sound similar, there’s a slight difference in their pronunciation. “Emigrate” is pronounced like “EH-muh-grayt,” where the initial “em” sounds similar to that of “ember.” On the other hand, “immigrate” is pronounced “IH-muh-grayt,” where the initial “im” sounds similar to that of “import.”
| Examples: Emigrate in a sentence | Examples: Immigrate in a sentence |
|---|---|
| My father emigrated from Cuba to the United States. | She plans to immigrate to Amsterdam after obtaining her PhD. |
| They emigrated from Ireland in the 1990s in search of better opportunities. | We decided to immigrate to Dubai to raise our family. |
| To escape social and political unrest, many citizens chose to emigrate. | My mother immigrated to the United States from Panama. |
Continue reading: Emigrate vs Immigrate | Difference & Definitions
What QuillBot does vs. how QuillBot works are two very different things.
Let’s keep it simple: QuillBot is an online writing platform with a bunch of tools aimed at elevating and perfecting your writing.
QuillBot paraphrases, summarizes, checks for grammar and plagiarism, translates, outlines, creates citations, and sets you up for success in school, work, and your personal life.
QuillBot also offers an advanced AI detector to identify AI-generated content in writing.
Essentially, QuillBot helps to write without limits.
Continue reading: How Does QuillBot Work?
A resume is your gateway to securing your dream job. It contains all the information a person needs for you to get hired, so it is only natural for you to want to perfect your resume. It is important to present yourself in the most professional way possible and in the best possible light. Hence, you need to make sure to avoid common resume mistakes pertaining to formatting, clarity, language, and content.
No one has the “perfect” resume; from entry-level candidates to consummate professionals, you will always find areas for improvement, but what’s important is that you clearly demonstrate what you are good at and avoid the basic resume mistakes that can cost you a fortune!
Did you know it takes only about six to seven seconds for a recruiter to shortlist your resume, so there is very little room for error as it is the first point of contact with your prospective employer.
Here is a list of some common mistakes to avoid while making your resume.
Continue reading: 5 Common Resume Mistakes and How To Avoid Them