Quick Answer A figure of speech uses words in a special way to create an effect. Hyperbole exaggerates, a pun plays with two meanings, a cliché is a phrase people have used too often, and a portmanteau joins two words into one (breakfast + lunch = brunch). Learn Them One by One Native speakers use…
Quick Answer Use a capital letter for the first word of a sentence, for the word I, and for names: people, places, days, months, holidays, languages and nationalities. Seasons, school subjects and ordinary family words stay small. ✓ On Monday, I visited Dad in Leeds. ✓ My dad loves spring and teaches maths. Seven Places…
Quick Answer British and American English spell some words differently. British English uses cancelled, flyer and blonde for a woman. American English often uses canceled, flier and blond. Choose one style and use it all the way through your writing. This website uses British English. Learn Them One by One Neither spelling is wrong; they…
Quick Answer Some words change meaning when you join them. Already means “before now”, but all ready means “completely prepared”. Everyday means “ordinary”, but every day means “each day”. ✓ I have already eaten. ✓ We are all ready to go. Learn Them One by One One small space can change what you mean. Take…
Quick Answer Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings, like to, too and two. To choose the right one, think about the meaning, not the sound. ✓ I want to come too. (to comes before a verb; too means “also”) Learn Them One by One Your ears cannot help…
Ecologist Elena waits beside a Somerset weir for the annual passage of silver eels. A lifetime of observation meets the unanswered questions surrounding their extraordinary journey.
Helen carries her father’s ashes on a night ferry across the Adriatic. Conversations during the crossing reveal parts of his life that remained beyond the stories he told at home.
New to the city, sound recordist Nadia begins mapping the noises around her flat. Following a violin’s evening practice draws her towards the neighbours she has yet to meet.
Nadia hears the same piano melody from the flat upstairs every evening. When the music stops for a week, she decides to meet the neighbour behind it.
Nadia travels alone by train to visit her brother. A green notebook left on a seat sends her looking for its owner in an unfamiliar city.
