Language Tips

From GPS to Scuba: Military Abbreviations in Everyday English

Did you know that the word "Jeep" originally comes from military vehicles? It is thought to have come from "GP,"...

Adjectives That Can Describe Both Taste and Personality

You may be surprised to learn that the same words can be used to talk about both food and people....

Collocations: Word Pairs for Natural English

Quick food? Do a test? Wrong and right? Do any of those sound strange to you? If they do, then...

What Does it Mean to "Soften" Your Language?

Different cultures have different ideas about being direct in speech and actions. However, no matter where in the world you...

What to Do When it Feels Like Your English Isn't Improving

Do you know the word "plateau"? It's a noun that means "an area of high and flat land." Basically, after...

Japanese-English Words That Would Confuse Native English Speakers

The Japanese language has borrowed words from a variety of languages, including many from English. In some ways, this gives...

"Besides" and "Except": What's the Difference?

"Except" and "besides" are a pair of English words that can be easy for learners to confuse. At first, they...

The Newest Words in the English Language

Dictionaries are always being updated with new terms because modern languages are always changing. Especially in the age of social...

How to Avoid Answering Sensitive Questions

Has anyone ever asked you a question you didn't want to answer? Maybe the question was too personal or you...