Browse public grammar questions, answers, and accepted solutions.
I'm editing some instructions for a computer program, and I keep getting stuck on which word to use: 'letter', 'character', or 'symbol'. For example, should I …
I'm proofreading a friend's essay, and I'm not sure about using 'classic', 'classical', or 'traditional' in different contexts. For example, she wrote: "Beetho…
I recently heard someone say, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" when talking about investing money. I kind of get the feeling it means not to risk everyt…
I'm editing a report for school and I'm getting really confused about apostrophes with plural nouns, especially ones that already end in 's.' For example, I'm …
I often get mixed up between when I should say something is 'fun' and when I should say it's 'funny.' For example, I recently told a friend, 'That game was rea…
I'm writing some emails at work and keep getting stuck on whether to use 'mean', 'intend', or 'refer to' when I'm explaining things. For example, when I want t…
I'm struggling to figure out when I should use 'avoid', 'prevent', or 'stop' in English. For example, I wrote these two sentences in an email: 'We must avoid d…
I'm having trouble figuring out when I should use the words 'spell', 'pronounce', and 'say' in English. For example, if someone asks me my name and they don't …
I'm writing a business report for my class, and I keep getting mixed up between 'economic' and 'economical.' For example, should I write 'The new policy will h…
Hi everyone, I was texting with a friend about a job promotion I got, and then another friend made a negative comment that brought my excitement down. I wanted…
I'm working on an email to my classmates and I'm a bit confused about commas in lists. For example, should I write: "We need to bring cups, plates, napkins, an…
I'm writing an essay about my childhood, and I'm not sure if I should use 'house' or 'home' in my sentences. For example, should I say, 'I have many memories f…
I'm working on an essay and keep getting mixed up between using 'matter', 'count', and 'be important'. For example, should I write, 'Your effort really matters…
I had a situation at my job where I needed to tell my coworker that our boss gave us permission to leave early. I wasn't sure which word to use: should I say, …
I’m writing instructions for my English class assignments, but I’m not sure which phrases to use. Sometimes I want students to read a passage to themselves, an…
I'm writing an essay about famous landmarks in my city, and I'm a bit confused about when to use 'historic' versus 'historical.' For example, should I say, 'Th…
I'm proofreading an email for work and keep second guessing myself about commas before 'and' and 'but.' For example, I wrote: 'We finished the project on time …
I'm writing a blog post about my recent vacation, but I'm getting stuck on when to use 'trip', 'travel', or 'journey.' For example, should I say 'My trip to It…
I'm writing an email to a friend about a dress I bought, and I'm unsure which word to use. Should I say, "This dress fits me well," "This dress suits me well,"…
I'm writing about chores I did last weekend and got stuck on which sentence sounds correct: 'I had my car washed' or 'I washed my car myself.' I get a little c…