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Tips, insights, and updates about English learning
Participle Clauses: Write Beautiful Sentences Using V-ing and p.p. Endings
Want to combine two sentences into a more concise English sentence? Participle clauses are the answer. Learn to simplify clauses using V-ing (active) and p.p. (passive), and with the quick tip of asking "Am I the doer of the action?", you can handle any sentence with ease. Correct and incorrect examples and test methods included.
uni-, bi-, tri-, multi-: Learn 10 Words at Once with Number Prefixes (Word Decomposition Series)
English has a group of prefixes that "know how to count": uni- means one, bi- means two, tri- means three, and multi- means many. Remember these little switches, and words like bicycle, triangle, and multimedia will easily unlock in clusters. This article will help you memorize 10 words from the number prefix family in groups, and even includes tips so you'll never confuse bi- and semi- again.
Same Word, Different Meaning Just by Shifting the Stress: 10 Pairs of Noun-Verb Stress Contrasts
REcord and reCORD are spelled exactly the same, but they have different meanings. There is a handy rule in two-syllable English words: nouns are stressed on the first syllable, and verbs on the second. Learn to "determine the part of speech first, then decide the stress" to master 10 common pairs all at once, ensuring you can both understand them and say them correctly.
Non-Restrictive Relative Clauses: How a Single Comma Changes the Meaning
Whether or not you include a comma in the same sentence can completely change its meaning. This article uses everyday examples to help you understand non-restrictive relative clauses: when to add a comma for additional information, why you cannot use that, and which clauses will cause issues if removed. By comparing them side-by-side with restrictive clauses, you'll master the key to telling them apart once and for all.
un-, in-, im-, dis-: 4 Negative Prefixes to Master Antonyms in One Go (Word Breakdown Series)
Learn just one negative prefix, and you can instantly add a whole list of antonyms to your vocabulary. This article will help you understand how to use and spell un-, in- (including im-, il-, ir-), and dis-, plus give you a paired-memorization method so you can learn two at a time, like happy→unhappy and possible→impossible.
have to, must, should: Telling the Three English 'Must/Should' Words Apart Once and For All
Because have to, must, and should are all translated as 'must/should' in Chinese, they are very easy to mix up. This article uses a simple trick to help you tell them apart: use have to for external rules, must when you personally feel it's necessary, and should to give advice. We will also clear up a major pitfall for Chinese speakers regarding mustn't and don't have to.
may or might? Understand Speculation and Permission Once and for All
may and might look very similar, and their meanings often overlap, leaving many learners stuck. This article uses the two dimensions of 'level of probability' and 'formality/politeness' to help you build your language intuition, complete with ready-to-use tips and authentic example sentences.
can / could / can't: Your First Modal Verbs—Easily Talk About Ability, Permission, and Requests
can, could, and can't are probably the very first modal verbs you learned. This article uses a simple three-way decision trick—"ability, permission, or polite request"—to help you understand which one to use at a glance, while avoiding the two most common mistakes made by Chinese speakers: cans and can to.
Using Dictation to Practice Common Words: You Don't Truly "Know" Them Until You Reach 80% Accuracy
You understand common words at a glance, but when it comes to writing them down, you often miss letters or misspell them—listening comprehension and spelling are two different things. This article teaches you how to use dictation to practice them separately, and introduces a scientific standard to determine if you've actually mastered them: an 80% accuracy rate, practiced at least 3 times, is what counts as true mastery.