The words as and so have many different uses in English, but today we’ll look at one in which they work together to create comparisons: the as…so too sentence pattern: As Louis aged, so too did the manner in which he was depicted. In such constructions, as means like. and is used to compare similar things—not really stand-alone things (nouns), […]
Silence is Golden – Meaning and Examples
The saying silence is golden is a philosophical comment that simply means “silence is very valuable.” (Gold being an enduring symbol of high value.) This phrase can be understood in several different ways. It can be used to talk about literal silence—no noise, no talking. In this case, we feel that “silence is golden” because it […]
“On One Hand” “On the One Hand” and “On the Other Hand” – What’s the Difference?
These phrases are all used to introduce contradictory alternatives, using the following pattern(s): On (the) one hand, X, (but) on the other hand Y. This makes sense as people have two hands, which are opposite in shape. And we use our hands to present or give things. We can uses these phrases to offer choices: Person […]
Prescriptive Grammar vs Descriptive Grammar – A Detailed Explanation with Examples
In simple terms, prescriptive grammar is the way society tells us to speak a language. As the phrase implies, you can think of it as a grammar prescription, a prescription being a list of things you should do—like the prescription for medicine that a doctor prescribes for you. Descriptive grammar, in contrast, simply describes the way […]
In a Nutshell: Here’s How to Crack the Meaning and Usage of This English Idiom
The phrase in a nutshell means “in brief” or “to summarize;” this phrase normally comes before an explanation or a definition: In a nutshell, physics is the study of matter and energy. Tell me about your idea, in a nutshell. In a nutshell, evolution is about adaptation. Nutshells are small but contain everything a nut needs […]
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