Would the Real Multi-Clause Sentence Please Stand up!
If you are a Spanish student of Professional English and you want to learn Multi-Clause sentences you are almost certainly being cheated. Nearly all text books and student resources will tell you that this is a multi-clause sentence: “The ship’s maiden voyage had to be postponed as the forecast was so bad.” Or this: “Although […]
Misleading Avalon: Deceptive Language
Most British expats, who use facebook or YouTube will be familiar with the ubiquitous and rather annoying funeral adverts that dominate our news feed. They usually start: “If you used to live in the UK you may be eligible for a pre-paid funeral plan.” Or you may have thrown the remote control at the TV […]
Changes in the Spanish Language limits Spanish Careers
The Spanish people are finding it hard to compete in the international job market but it’s not their fault. Since the 1930s the Spanish culture and, inevitably the language, has discarded formality for the concept of egalitarianism: the idea of not “creating distance between speakers.” Maria Irene Moyna, an Hispanic Linguistics Professor in Texas, says, […]
Confusing Words: Who or Whom
Who Who is a word that replaces the subject pronoun (he/she/we/they). Therefore, use who when you don’t know the identity or gender of the subject of the sentence – the person performing the action of the verb. As an example: ‘Who punched Fred in the face?’ ‘Who (subject pronoun) punched (verb) Fred (object) in the […]
Crimes against English: Contractions
When I mention contractions, I am not referring to ladies in childbirth nor my hubby whose muscles contract at the mere thought of pulling out his wallet at the mention of a new designer handbag. I am talking, of course, about two words that are combined and certain letters omitted. We put an apostrophe where […]
Confusing Words: Affect or Effect
Affect Affect is a verb meaning ‘influence or cause someone or something to change’. To do something that produces an effect or change in something or in someone’s situation: Our governments continue to affect how we live. The economy has been severely affected by the constant lockdowns. Effect Effect is a noun that means ‘change […]
Crimes against English: Your vs. You’re
There are two little words that are so often brutalised in written English that they sometimes look like characters out of Eastenders. I am considering issuing a warrant for the arrest of anyone caught abusing the words your and you’re. Aide-mémoire Why is it wrong to confuse these two words when they sound the same? […]
Crimes against English: Should of vs. Should have
The Crime Lots of things annoy me about written English and this heinous crime is probably the most irritating of them all. In fact, it bothers me so much that I feel compelled to hit things whenever I see it. Regional Accents In some regional accents, I totally understand that ‘should’ve’ may sound very much […]