The word “tergiversate” means to make conflicting statements. It is a verb that can also mean to change one’s loyalties. The ...
“The word ‘doomscrolling’ is a gerund. Gerunds are verbs ending in ‘-ing’, but they act as nouns in a sentence. They can ...
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More subject-verb agreement quandaries

Although English-language verbs generally don’t inflect or change in form to agree with the subject in number, they do so in the present tense, third-person singular. In English grammar, in this ...
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How causative and factitive verbs work

Look at how the main verb “have” works as a causative in the following sentence: “I’ll have Jennifer call you tonight.” What, the learner may well ask, does “having Jennifer call” mean? A crude ...
The word “redolent” means strongly reminiscent or suggesting. It is an adjective that can also describe a strong fragrance or ...
Some sentences reproach without a single accusatory word. “The captain was sober today” impugns by implication. The officer who logs this superfluous statement damns the captain further with the ...
The word “excoriate” means to censure or criticize severely. It is a verb, and the term can also mean to damage or remove ...
The word “insouciant” means to show a casual lack of concern or indifference. It is an adjective that also means to be carefree, lighthearted or relaxed. The word “insouciant” is pronounced ...