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Marie in a driftwood tree, with the test "Present Tense"

The Gift of the Present Tense

This month we wanted to talk about the hidden gift of the present tense and make a special announcement about our new PDF workbooks. Take a peek at her lesson on the present tense, then I’ll explain what I mean by the hidden gift of the present tense.

"prettIEST"

Gratitude and Grammar

What could be more surprising and helpful than talking about grammar and gratitude? We tend to think of grammar as dry and even lifeless, but properly taught, grammar can be an extraordinary and powerful tool for increasing awareness, unleashing creativity, and fostering true success. Take a peek at this month’s free videos to learn more!

The Power of Pronouns

Despite their humble appearance, pronouns are one of a writer’s most useful tools and can even unleash great comedy. To show you what I mean—and to prepare you for a fun activity with language—take a peek at this month’s free excerpts. Just so you know, you may find yourself laughing!

a secret about adjectives

A Secret About Adjectives

As the year draws to a close, we wanted to offer two video excerpts on adjectives. How to describe the delights of the season vividly and memorably? That’s what both of our videos address. We also have a creative writing exercise and a holiday gift to share. Read on to learn more!

Marie Rackham looking up the stairs in her cozy beach cottage.

What Are Adverbs?

This month we wanted to offer two video excerpts on adverbs and a writing activity. The topic of adverbs can sometimes seem confusing, but as Marie points out, adverbs are simply words that describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. And of these uses, the most important by far is describing verbs. You can see it in the word itself: ad-VERB!

Thomas sitting before the fire, with the words "a very short sentence, just a main subject and main predicate, can be very effective"

Subjects, Predicates & Spooky Tales

As the leaves start to turn our thoughts often turn to the coziness of a fire and the warmth of our homes. It’s a great time for getting back to basics. This month we wanted to share how getting back to grammatical basics and understanding main subjects and main predicates can help us in our storytelling.

Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma, standing on Eagle Rock, ready to talk about co-ordinate conjunctions

What Are Conjunctions?

This month we wanted to share a video excerpt from Marie about conjunctions, as well as a companion video from Thomas about clauses. Both videos are set on Marie’s favorite Eagle Rock and give a sense for how the sea and the natural world around Marie’s Cozy Beach Cottage form an important part of Marie’s lessons.

Marie on the beach in front of her cozy beach cottage, ready to talk about auxiliary verbs.

How Auxiliary or Helping Verbs Help

This month we wanted to share two video excerpts about auxiliary or helping verbs, and a special announcement about Complimentary Family Sub-Accounts. Although the term might seem intimidating, as Marie points out, auxiliary verbs are simply helping verbs. They help other verbs to do their job.

Thomas on the stairs of Marie's cozy beach cottage, speaking about the art of using comparisons

What are the Three Degrees of Comparison?

This month we wanted to share two video excerpts from The Basic Cozy Grammar Course on the three degrees of comparison and make two special announcements about several new features that make Cozy Grammar easier to use, even more interactive, and even more affordable. Read on to learn more!

What makes some writing more interesting than other writing?

What Makes Writing Interesting

One of the reasons Marie wanted to make The Basic Cozy Grammar Course was to show how grammar—the technique of speaking and writing—can enhance creativity. We wanted to start the New Year by sharing an excerpt from The Basic Cozy Grammar Course in which Marie shows how knowledge of grammar can help make our sentences more interesting.