Possessive or Plural? As a learner of English, you have probably noticed that there are a number of different -s endings that can be added to a noun. Sometimes we add just -s (as in friends, neighbors, kittens), and sometimes we add –’s (as in friend’s, neighbor’s, kitten’s). And yet other times we add -s’ […]

It is said that April showers bring May flowers, so let’s practice some expressions with rain. it’s raining cats and dogs = it’s raining very heavily to be rained in = to have to do something inside instead of outside because of bad weather rain or shine = something is happening regardless of the situation […]

DO NOT HAVE TO ≠ MUST NOT Do not have to (or don’t have to) means that you do not need to do something, but you can. Must not (or mustn’t) means that you’re not allowed to do something. You cannot do it. Examples You don’t have to answer the bonus question. (You don’t need […]

Most of us know that in order to form the simple past or past participle form of a regular verb, we need to add the ending –ed or –d to the verb. That’s an easy rule to remember. (Well, certainly much easier than memorizing all those irregular verb forms!) The pronunciation of the –ed ending, […]

April 22 is Earth Day. And since it’s also Vocabulary Thursday, let’s practice some idioms with earth. Do you know more? Share them in comments.

Estimate The verb estimate means to roughly calculate the number or value of something.  For example, Let’s estimate how many marbles there are in the jar. The noun ‘estimate’ means a rough calculation of the number or value of something. For example: According to Luke’s estimate, the kitchen renovation is going to cost us about […]