Questions and answers tagged #esl.
I’ve heard the phrase “can’t see the forest for the trees” a few times and I think I understand it, but I’m not totally sure when it’s appropriate to use. For …
I’ve heard people use the phrase “break the ice” when talking about meeting new people, but I’m not sure exactly what it means or if I’m using it correctly. Fo…
I'm writing an email to my English speaking colleague, and I want to say that her suggestion was exactly right for our project. I was thinking about using the …
I'm working on an essay for my English class, and I keep getting comments about how I organize my writing. Sometimes my teacher says I should turn a sentence i…
Yesterday at work, my manager told me I needed to 'bite the bullet' and finish a complicated report. I've never heard this phrase before and wasn't sure what s…
I'm editing my English essay and I keep getting confused about when something is a phrase or a clause. For example, in my draft I have sentences like, "Before …
Hi everyone, I'm writing a short story about a student who stays up late to finish their homework, and I came across the phrase "burn the midnight oil." I'm a …
Hi everyone, I’m revising my English essays and I keep getting feedback about my sentence structure. My teacher says I sometimes connect ideas in a way that’s …
Hi everyone! I'm watching a TV show where one of the characters says, "That apartment costs an arm and a leg!" I think I kind of understand, but I'm not sure e…
I'm reviewing some English grammar rules and keep getting confused between subject, object, and complement in sentences. For example, in the sentence "She is a…
Hi everyone! I recently heard someone say, "I eat dessert only once in a blue moon." I'm confused about what this phrase really means. For example, should I sa…
Hi everyone! Yesterday at work, my colleague said she was feeling 'under the weather' and couldn't join our meeting. I think she meant she was sick, but I'm no…
Today at work, one of my colleagues said, "Come on, spill the beans!" when we were talking about a surprise party. I was a bit confused, because I’ve never hea…
Hi everyone! Today at work, my manager told me, "the ball is in your court now," after we finished a meeting about a project. I have never heard this phrase be…
Hi everyone, I’m writing a sports article in English and I keep getting confused about whether to use singular or plural verbs with collective nouns. For examp…
Hi everyone, I recently overheard a coworker say, "Stop beating around the bush and just tell me!" I think I get the general idea, but I'm not totally sure how…
Yesterday, my coworker lost his job, but later he said it was 'a blessing in disguise' because he found a better opportunity soon after. I've never heard this …
I'm confused about whether the word 'police' in English is considered plural or singular. For example, should I say, "The police is here" or "The police are he…
Yesterday, my boss said, 'Let's call it a day' when we wrapped up a big project. It was the first time I'd heard this phrase. I want to make sure I use it corr…
Yesterday at my new job, my supervisor told me, 'We can't afford to cut corners on this project.' I understood that it was important, but I'm not sure what 'cu…