Although and but
The conjunctions although and but have the same meaning. Note that although and though are subordinating conjunctions; but is a coordinating conjunction. Clauses beginning with though and although have to be attached to another...
Author: Manjusha Nambiar
Can or be able to
Study the sentence given below. He will be able to solve this problem. We can express the same idea using can. He can solve this problem. ‘Will be able to’ is the simple future...
Combine using so…that…
The subordinating conjunction so…that… is used to indicate result. Study the example given below. He looked very ill. I felt sorry for him. We can combine these two sentences into one. He looked so...
I can’t stand her | English idioms
Smitha is upset with her roommate Aruna because she brings her friends over late night. She talks about these problems during a conversation with her friend Anita. Anita: So, how is your new roommate?...
Third conditional
Study the tenses in the third conditional sentence given below. If I had been younger, I would have cried. Third conditional sentences are used to talk about imaginary or hypothetical situations. In the third...
Too…to… and so…that…
Study the following sentence. I was too angry to speak. This means the same as: I was so angry that I could not speak. Rewrite the following sentences using so…that… 1. I was too...
Using ought to and should
The words ought to and should have the same meaning. Study the following sentence. What ought I to do? This means the same as? What should I do? Rewrite the following sentences using ‘ought...
Making negative commands
Study the following sentence. It is a command. Go there. We can convert this into a negative command by putting ‘don’t’ at the beginning. Don’t go there. More examples are given below. Go near...
Confident and confidant
These words are often confused. A confidant is a trusty companion, or intimate friend. You can confide your personal thoughts and feelings to your confidant. The feminine gender of this word is confidante. You...
Conscience and conscious
Conscience means moral sense, ethical feelings or one’s sense of right and wrong. His conscience wouldn’t let him steal. Note that conscience is spelled with science at the end. Conscience is a noun; conscious...