Quick Answer Compliment means to say something nice about someone — it is about praise. Complement means something that goes well with something else — it makes something complete. Remember: compliIment = I say something nice. CompleEment = complEte. Compliment and Complement — See the Difference These two words sound almost the same. But they…
Quick Answer Averse means a person does not want something — it is a feeling. Adverse means something is bad or harmful — it describes a situation. “She is averse to flying.” (She does not want to fly.) “The team faced adverse weather.” (The weather was bad.) Averse and Adverse — What Is the Difference?…
Quick Answer Affect is a verb — it means “to change” or “to influence.” Effect is a noun — it means “the result.” Example: The rain affected the game. The effect was a wet field. Affect and Effect — See the Difference Look at these two sentences: Did you see the pattern? When we talk…
Quick Answer Wasn’t is short for “was not.” Use it with I, he, she, it. Weren’t is short for “were not.” Use it with you, we, they. Example: “She wasn’t home” but “They weren’t home.” Wasn’t and Weren’t — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Can you see which subjects go with wasn’t and…
Quick Answer Use a comma before “but” when it joins two full sentences. Do not use a comma when “but” only joins two words or short phrases. For example: “She was tired, but she kept working.” Comma Before “But” — See the Pattern Look at these sentences. Some have a comma before “but” and some…
Quick Answer Use a before words that start with a consonant sound (like a cat). Use an before words that start with a vowel sound (like an apple). Listen to the sound, not the letter. A or An — See the Difference Look at these sentences. The key words are in blue: Did you see…
Quick Answer Use a comma before “and” when it joins two full sentences. If “and” only joins two words, you do not need a comma. For example: “She cooked dinner, and he washed the dishes.” When Do You Need a Comma Before “And”? Look at these sentences. Some have a comma before “and” and some…
Quick Answer A comma (,) is a small pause in a sentence. Use it to separate items in a list, join two full sentences with a word like and, but, or so, or after a starting word like However. For example: “I was tired, so I went to bed.” Five Ways to Use a Comma…
Quick Answer The word tongs has no singular form. You cannot say “a tong.” Say “a pair of tongs” for one and “pairs of tongs” for more than one. Tongs — Always Plural, No Singular Form Look at these sentences. Pay attention to the words in blue: Did you see the pattern? We always say…
Quick Answer The singular of means is also means. The word never changes — it looks the same for one and for many. Look at the verb to know which one it is. ✓ A bus is a means of travel. (one)✓ Buses and trains are means of travel. (many) Means and Means — See…
