Stubborn meaning: use, tone, and helpful alternatives
Stubborn means unwilling to change an opinion, plan, or action, even when other people try to persuade you.
Everyday listening
Start with short recordings, then work through longer phrases. Listen once for the situation and again for the words.
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Subject and object questions: understand the difference
In a subject question, the question word is the subject, so do not use do, does, or did with an ordinary verb. In an object question, the question word is the object. Use the usual question order: question word, auxiliary verb, subject, and main verb.
Subject verb agreement: make subjects and verbs match
Find the main subject, decide whether it is singular or plural, and choose the verb form that matches it. Ignore extra nouns in phrases that describe the subject.
Subordinating conjunctions: show relationships between ideas
Choose a subordinating conjunction that shows the relationship between your ideas, then join a dependent clause to a main clause. Use a comma when the dependent clause comes first: Because the roads were icy, we stayed at home. Usually do not use a comma when the main clause comes first: We stayed at home because the roads were icy.
Such and such a: use these forms correctly
Use such a or such an before an adjective plus a singular countable noun. Use such before plural nouns and uncountable nouns. Use so before an adjective or adverb when there is no following noun.
Suggestions and advice: should, could, and why not
Use should plus a base verb for advice: ‘You should save the receipt.’ Use could plus a base verb for a possible option: ‘You could ask the shop for help.’ Use why not plus a base verb or how about plus an -ing form to suggest an idea.
Suit or suite: clothing, fit, and connected rooms
Use suit for matching clothes or for something that fits or is suitable. Use suite for connected rooms or a related group of things.
Suppose or supposed: which form fits?
Use suppose as a verb when you mean think, assume, or suggest an idea. Use supposed after be when something is expected or intended. In be supposed to, use a base verb after to.
Synonyms exercise: choose the closest meaning in context
Choose a synonym by reading the whole sentence. Pick the word that keeps the same idea and fits the grammar and tone; do not choose a word only because it appears in a word list beside the target.
Synonyms quiz: test meaning with short English contexts
For a synonyms quiz, choose the word that gives the closest meaning in the whole sentence. Check the topic, the level of strength, and whether the word sounds right in that type of English.
Synonyms: choose a similar word that fits the sentence
A synonym is a word or phrase with a close meaning. Compare the meaning in the full sentence before you choose one.
Tag questions: check information in natural conversation
Use the statement's auxiliary verb and a matching pronoun in the tag. A positive statement usually takes a negative tag, and a negative statement usually takes a positive tag.