Leamon M. from New Orleans asks, “Can I use a plural and a singular together to express an understanding?” Here Thomas explores subject verb agreement, pronoun antecedent agreement, and using the singular and plural together.
Jason J. from Cape Town, South Africa asks, “What is the difference between there, their, and they’re? It’s a bit confusing.” Here are three ways to remember the difference forever.
Liam from Meridian, Idaho, asks, “What part of speech is a number in a sentence?” Here Thomas explores how numbers sometimes serve as adjectives or determiners, and sometimes serve as nouns. It all depends on the context of the sentence.
To close out this month’s Ask Cozy Grammar session, Thomas reads a poem about gratitude from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar and her book “Moothurai.”
Wondering when to use anyone vs any one? Here, with the help of a madrona tree and some deer, Thomas explains the difference between anyone and any one.
Awais from Pakistan writes, “The word ‘I’ is singular, but we use ‘have’ with it and not ‘has.’ Why is this?” Here’s a simple way to distinguish between singular and plural subjects, and first person, second person, and third person.
Wondering when to use allude vs elude? Here, in the middle of a snowstorm, Thomas explains the difference between allude, elude, and also the more unusual word illude.
Wondering when to use awhile vs a while? Here, in the middle of a snowstorm, Thomas explains the difference between awhile, as an adverb, and a while, as a noun phrase.
Jorge R. from Sacramento asks, “What is the difference between avocation and vocation?” Here’s a simple way to remember that an avocation is a hobby, while a vocation is a calling.
Dave P. from Evanston, Illinois. asks, “Are amend and emend synonyms?” Here’s a handy trick from Thomas about how to remember amend vs emend.
Lucretia D. from Milwaukee asks, “What is the difference between all ready and already?” Here’s a handy way to remember the difference!
Georgia N from Albuquerque asks, “What are ergative verbs?” As Thomas explains, ergative or ambitransitive verbs are verbs that can be used both transitively and intransitively.
In a recent Ask Cozy Grammar session, Thomas answered a question about filming at the Harry Potter Studio outside London for the Basic Cozy Essay Course.
Hakkim A. asks, “What is a simple way keep from getting adopt and adapt confused?” Here Thomas explores adopt vs adapt vs adept, with three simple ways to remember the difference.
Liam W. asks, “How do you tell the difference between a gerund and a verb?” Here’s simple and clear answer from Thomas.
Konica M. from Mumbai asks, “What is the Difference between the Simple Past Tense and the Past Perfect Tense?” Here’s how to use the simple past and the past perfect or pluperfect tense.