No vs. None
We use no immediately before a singular or plural noun. No man is mortal. They have no food and will starve. We have got no plans for the summer. Before a determiner (e.g. the,...
Author: Manjusha Nambiar
Neither/Nor
Neither means not one nor the other of two. It is followed by a singular noun and verb. Neither shirt looks good on you. Neither statement is true. Neither of Before a determiner (articles,...
Negative Forms
When there is more than one auxiliary verb, we make negative forms by putting not after the first auxiliary verb. They have not been invited. She has not come. I cannot come. When be...
Using Near
Near is a conjunction. The station is quite near; it is only two minutes’ walk. The summer holidays are drawing near. He lives near by. Near as a preposition Near can be used with...
Must In Questions And Negatives
Must can be used in questions to ask about what the hearer thinks is necessary. Must I clean all the windows? (= Do you think that I should clean all the windows?) Must we...
Much, Many, More, Most
Much means a lot of. It is used with singular nouns. There isn’t much food in the house. I don&3146;t have much free time. You always give me too much trouble. Before a pronoun,...
Misplace vs. Displace
These words are often confused but they have different meanings. To misplace things is to put them in the wrong place. Of course, it is not easy to find misplaced objects. My grandmother always...
Do You Mind vs. Would You Mind
The structures would you mind/do you mind can be used in questions to ask people if they would be troubled by something. Do you mind my smoking? Would you mind shutting the door? After...
May/Might … But
This structure means the same as although. He may be an intelligent person, but he doesn’t know how to behave. (= Although he is an intelligent person, he doesn’t know how to behave.) It...
Maybe vs. May Be
Maybe and may be are often confused. Maybe means the same as perhaps. Both maybe and perhaps are used to suggest that you are not certain about something. Maybe you are right. OR Perhaps...