Article archive :: Language Clinic

Been and Being

31/12/2013 14:26

Some writers occasionally confuse the words being and been. Both been and being are both particles of the verb to be. As a rule, been always comes after the auxiliary or helping verbs has, have, and had. ‘Being’ on the other...

despite

22/12/2013 23:24

The word "despite" is pronounced as if it were 'disPAIT'. Note that the "e" is pronounced as "i" - just as in "did", not "e".

join together - a repetition

10/12/2013 22:08

To join means to bring certain things together; to bring in contact, connect, or bring or put together e.g. to join hands; to join pages with a staple. But, it is a common saying, most especially during a holy solemnisation that two people are being joined together! This, obviously, is...

Jewellery - not jewelries

10/12/2013 21:41

The word jewellery (BrE) or jewelry (AmE) refers to a collection of any ornaments for personal adornment, as necklaces or cuff links, including those of base metals, glass, plastic, or the like. Jewellery is a collective noun. Hence, it does not take a plural...

"land" as a verb (its usages)

02/12/2013 10:13

The word "land" is used as a verb in these ways: 1. intransitive verb arrive by plane: to arrive by aircraft We land at 8:43. 2. transitive and intransitive verb set down aircraft: to come down onto solid ground or water, or bring an aircraft down...

"yab" - Is it an English word?

08/11/2013 09:46

With the way people use the word "yab" these days, you might confusingly take it to be a verb (as an English word). The word "yab" originated from the Internet slang: YAB (You Are Banned). "Yab" is never used as a verb in English expressions. The appropriate word people who use "yab" intend is...

Free Gift

31/10/2013 08:26

A 'gift' is something that is given to somebody, usually to provide pleasure or to show gratitude. In that case, it is meant to be free. Marketers are fond of the expression free gift; but because any gift worthy of its name is free, the result of using the two words together is unnecessary...

Language Clinic on facebook

29/10/2013 13:55

Language Clinic started on facebook as a group. Check us out here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288378127889094 Let us know what your thoughts are about us in the comments and the poll. Thanks.

"off" is not a verb

29/10/2013 09:44

off is used as a preposition, adverb or adjective. Examples...

gala/sausage roll

08/10/2013 09:18

Sausage refers to casing stuffed with spicy meat: a tube of animal intestine or another tube-shaped casing stuffed with finely chopped pork or other meat Sausage roll is sausagemeat baked in pastry: a short length of sausagemeat wrapped in pastry and baked Examples of...

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