What comes to mind when you read the verb ‘to dust’? If it is something along the lines of ‘I hate dusting the cupboards – it’s a thankless chore!’ I wholeheartedly agree with you. Or maybe you thought of ‘Dust the cake with powdered sugar before serving’? If you look […]
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Using the Present Perfect: Why Would You?
One thing that I always notice when reading British and American novels one after the other is the difference in their use of the Present Perfect tense. As any fellow English language teacher would be able to corroborate, teaching the Present Perfect is the bane of the English as a […]
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Using Clichés: Should You and When?
A widely debated point in writing both fiction and non-fiction is the use of clichés: phrases or expressions that are overused; so commonplace that they are boring and predictable. Let’s take a look at why it’s not advisable to use them, especially in writing: But does that mean you shouldn’t […]
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Weasel Words: What Are They? How Should You Use Them?
What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word ‘weasel’? Fast, sleek, always able to escape? Weasel words fit two of those three adjectives – their speakers use ambiguous words that make them sleek and able to escape responsibility for their statements. Who can you think […]
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