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Transitive and intransitive verbs
A sentence can feel unfinished for a simple reason: some verbs need something after them, while others already give a complete idea. Compare The courier delivered the parcel with The courier arrived. The parcel receives the action. Arrived does not need an object.
Open lessonTrauma meaning: physical injury, emotional harm, and careful use
After a minor delay, Priya says, "That meeting was traumatic." Her friend understands that she means it was unpleasant. In medical and personal contexts, however, trauma has a much stronger meaning. A more precise word can prevent confusion and show care.
Open lessonTypical of or typical on: choose the right preposition
Use typical of when you mean that something is a usual feature. Typical on is not the normal preposition for this meaning.
Open lessonUbiquitous: meaning and examples in English
At a busy airport, screens, charging points, and people checking their phones may seem to be everywhere. In that context, you can call smartphones ubiquitous.
Open lessonUbiquitous: meaning, use, and examples in English
You arrive at a large train station and see digital departure boards at every entrance, platform, and waiting area. You could describe the boards as ubiquitous in the station.
Open lessonUnreal past forms: polite distance and imagination
I wish I knew the answer. The verb knew looks past, but the speaker means that they do not know the answer now.
Open lessonVague: meaning and how to make a sentence clearer
Vague describes a statement that lacks clear details. It also describes a hazy memory or a dim physical shape.
Open lessonVain meaning: appearance, pride, and common expressions
Someone who checks every reflection before a meeting may care about looking presentable. If admiration becomes the main concern, vain may be the word you need.
Open lessonVerb complements: what can follow a verb?
I stopped the printer. I stopped to check the printer. I stopped checking the printer. The words after stopped tell the listener three different things.
Open lessonVerb particles: how small words change meaning
A light can go off, a meeting can be called off, and a friend can turn up unexpectedly. The short word after the verb may point to movement, completion, removal, or a meaning that you need to learn as a whole phrase.
Open lessonVulnerable: meaning and respectful use
A glass on the edge of a table, a town near a river in flood, and a person sharing painful news can all be vulnerable in different ways.
Open lessonWave or waive: movement, greetings, and giving up a right
At the station, you might wave to a friend through the window. At the ticket desk, a staff member might waive a fee. The words sound alike, but one describes movement and the other describes a decision.
Open lessonWho and whom: choose by the pronoun's job
Use who for the person doing the action. Use whom for the person receiving an action in formal English. In everyday speech and writing, who is common in both positions.
Open lessonWho or whom: everyday and formal English
Who is the subject form and is also common as an object in everyday English. Whom is the object form of who, used as the object of a verb or a preposition such as to or with. It is more formal.
Open lessonWhy English adjectives follow a typical order
A useful small wooden box feels easier to process than a wooden small useful box. Each word can describe the box, but English usually moves from a broad judgment toward details that identify the kind of object.
Open lessonWords ending in -holic: meaning and respectful use
My brother is a chocoholic, isn't he? The speaker uses an informal label for someone who seems very fond of chocolate. Before you use a word ending in -holic, consider both its meaning and its tone.
Open lessonZeal meaning: energetic commitment to a purpose
Some people enjoy a task. Others throw themselves into it with unusual energy. Zeal names that strong commitment.
Open lessonWhat you will find here
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