Learn English Blog

In Case vs. If

In case is used to talk about things which we do in order to be ready for possible future situations. I always take an umbrella in case it rains. (= because it might rain.)...

Feel vs. Sick

In British English, ill means unwell. Ill is most common in predicative position. She couldn’t come because she was ill. Before a noun, many British people prefer to use sick. She spent years looking...

If vs. Unless

The conjunctions if and unless introduce a condition – something which must happen first so that something else can happen. Unless means if not. Read the following sentences. Work hard. Otherwise you will not...

If I Were You

We often use the structure If I were you…  to give advice. If I were you, I would accept that job. If I was you … is also possible, but some people consider it...

However, Still, Yet, Though

We can express the same idea in several different ways. By learning some of these techniques, you can improve your writing skills significantly. Read the following sentence. Despite his illness, he agreed to be...

However vs. How Ever

However does not mean the same as how ever. The expression how ever is mainly used in questions. It shows ideas such as surprise or anger. The word ever is merely used for the...

How vs. What…like?

We use how to ask about things that change ’ for example, people’s health and moods. We use what — like? to ask about things that do not change – for example, people’s looks...

Home, At Home

At home means ‘in one’s own place’. No article is used before the expression. Is anybody at home? (NOT — at the home?) At is often dropped. Is anybody home? Home (without to) can...

Using They Instead Of He Or She

In English, he is traditionally used in cases where the sex of the person is not known, or in references that can apply to either men or women. If I ever find the person...