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Coma or comma: spelling, meaning, and pronunciation
A coma is a state in which a person is unconscious and cannot be woken. A comma is the writing mark used to separate items or parts of a sentence.
Open lessonCome phrasal verbs: meanings and examples
The verb come usually suggests movement towards a place. Add a short word, though, and come across can mean find by chance while come up can mean happen or be mentioned.
Open lessonCommas in English: separate ideas without overusing them
A comma is a small mark, but one comma can help a reader see the parts of a sentence. The useful question is not where you would pause. It is what the words are doing.
Open lessonCommas: separate ideas without overusing them
A comma can make a long sentence easier to read, but it cannot repair every pause you hear. Compare these sentences: After lunch, we reviewed the proposal. We reviewed the proposal after lunch. Both are clear because the comma follows an opening part, not an arbitrary pause.
Open lessonCommon English idioms: meaning and safe use
Your colleague says, ‘I am under the weather today.’ There is no weather problem. The phrase means that the colleague feels unwell.
Open lessonCommon abbreviations: meanings, pronunciation, and use
A shortened form of a word or phrase that helps people write and speak quickly.
Open lessonComparative and superlative adverbs
Two colleagues can work carefully, but one may work more carefully than the other. In a larger group, one person may work the most carefully. Comparative and superlative adverbs let you describe that difference.
Open lessonComplex sentences: clauses and logical links
The office was quiet because everyone had gone home. The first part gives the main message. The second part explains the reason.
Open lessonCompound adjectives: build clear English descriptions
A report can be well written, and it can also be a well-written report. The second form puts two words together to describe the noun.
Open lessonCompound nouns: spelling, stress, and use
A bus stop, a toothbrush, and a sister-in-law all name one thing or person, even though each has more than one part. Their spelling and pronunciation do not follow one simple pattern, so a dictionary is a useful final check.
Open lessonCompound sentences: join ideas clearly
Your message can say two useful things at once: The train was late, so I called the office. Each part is complete, and so shows the result.
Open lessonConjunctions exercise 2: show reason, contrast, and result
Two true ideas can have very different relationships. A conjunction tells the reader whether the second idea gives a reason, creates a contrast, or shows what happened next.
Open lessonConversation repair strategies
You are arranging a meeting, but the other person speaks quickly. You do not need to pretend that you understood. A short phrase such as "Sorry, could you say that again?" gives you a clear way to continue.
Open lessonCoordinating conjunctions: join equal ideas
The train was delayed, so I called my manager. So joins two complete ideas and shows the result. A different conjunction would change the relationship between them.
Open lessonCouch potato: meaning, tone, and use in English
After spending a rainy Saturday on the sofa watching a whole series, Noor laughs and says, 'I have been a couch potato today.' She means that she has spent a lot of time sitting and watching entertainment. The phrase is a joke about her own day, not a description of food.
Open lessonCould, would, or should: ability, polite choices, and advice
One small word changes the message. I could carry the box describes a possibility or ability. I would carry the box if I had time gives a conditional choice. You should carry the box safely gives advice.
Open lessonCould, would, or should: choose the meaning
Could can show possibility or ability, would can show an imagined result, and should can give advice. These verbs also have other uses.
Open lessonCover letters in English: show how your experience fits the role
A cover letter does not need to tell your whole life story. It should help a reader see why you chose this role and which parts of your experience are useful for it.
Open lessonCry over spilt milk: meaning and use in English
Asha misses the last train after reading the timetable incorrectly. Her friend says, 'There is no use crying over spilt milk. Let us find a place to stay.' The friend is not talking about a drink. The point is that the missed train cannot be changed, so they need a next step.
Open lessonDark horse: meaning, use, and possible origin
Before the final, most people expected Leo or Priya to win. Then Hana gave a strong performance and won the competition. A reporter called Hana a dark horse. The reporter meant that few people had expected her success, not that she was an animal.
Open lessonDescriptive writing: choose specific English details
A description becomes easier to picture when it gives the reader a few precise details. You do not need to list everything you can see. Choose the details that show what matters in the scene.
Open lessonDesert or dessert: spell and use two different words
The waiter brings dessert after a meal. A desert may be many miles from the nearest restaurant. One extra s changes the word completely.
Open lessonDeterminers: choose words before nouns
Imagine that several coats are on a chair. A coat means any suitable coat. My coat tells the listener whose coat to find. Those coats points to a particular group. The words before coat change the message.
Open lessonDirect and reported speech: report what someone said
At the reception desk, Ravi says, "I will call you tomorrow." The next day, you can pass on the message: Ravi said that he would call me the next day.
Open lessonWhat you will find here
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