Language Tips

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...

"Do" vs. "Make": What's the Difference? [Updated]

You are probably used to using both “do” and “make” very often, but you may not know how many different...

5 English Words That Come From China

English words come from a lot of different languages, such as Greek, Latin and French. Today, let’s learn about five...

5 Ways to Use “Make It” Like a Native English Speaker

Here, Shreya apologizes for not being able to go to Peter’s party. But why does she use “make it” instead...

5 Ways That Violet is Different from Purple

Have you ever seen someone use the word "violet" and wondered what makes it different from purple? Today, let's learn...