What are Ergative Verbs?
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.
Category: Verbs
How do you Tell the Difference between a Gerund and a Verb?
Liam W. asks, “How do you tell the difference between a gerund and a verb?” Here’s simple and clear answer from Thomas.
How to use the Simple Past Tense and Past Perfect Tense?
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.
The Hidden Power of Intransitive Verbs
Cozy Grammar recently offered a workshop for teachers on how to teach transitive and intransitive verbs in creative and playful ways. Hosted by Digi Phonics in India, this complete workshop explores the hidden power of intransitive verbs and answers questions from teachers.
What is the Difference between Accept and Except?
Juliana R. asks, “What is the difference between accept and except?” Here Thomas explores the difference between these commonly confused words, with clear examples of both accept and except and some handy memory tricks.
What is the Difference between Lay, Lie, and Laid?
One of the most common and confusing issues in English grammar is the difference between lay, lie, and laid. People can usually remember that there IS a difference, but most have trouble remembering what the difference is. Here Thomas shares a way to remember the difference between lay, lie, and laid for good.
How to Recognize Verbals: Gerunds, Infinitives, and Participles
Sri Kushal asks, “What is the difference between gerunds, infinitives, and participles?” Here is an answer from Thomas with three handy ways to distinguish these commonly confused verbals.
Singular vs Plural Verbs and Singular vs Plural Nouns
This question comes from Rosie C., writing from the UK. Rosie has asked a wonderful question about some of the exercises. In Lesson 9 of the Basic Cozy Grammar Course, we discuss the topic of singular versus plural verbs. What makes clings singular and cling plural? And what makes knocks singular and knock plural?
What is Verb Tense Consistency?
Lewis W. asks, “What does verb tense consistency mean?” Here’s a simple and direct answer from Thomas and Ask Cozy Grammar.
How Transitive Verbs are like Transit Systems
This month we wanted to take another look at the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs. Marie gives us a special memory trick that no one else that I know of has used. We also have an exciting announcement about some new features and an upcoming release. Take a peek at this month’s free videos!
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.
Plural Verbs and the Pronoun You
Two video excerpts from Marie about plural verbs, as well as a companion video about why we use the plural verb “are” with the pronoun “you,” even if there’s only one of you. Both videos give a sense not only of Marie’s way of clarifying the basics of grammar, but also of how Marie and Thomas take those points into other realms of life. Take a peek!
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.
Verbs of Action and a Writing Activity
This month we wanted to share two video excerpts about verbs from Lesson 7 of The Basic Cozy Grammar Course. In this first video excerpt, Marie introduces three things that verbs express—action, possession, and existence—and gives us four examples of verbs of action.
How to Remember Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Here’s a handy trick from Marie for remembering the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs. This tip also doubles as a quick and easy introduction to the topic, so it’s helpful even to people who aren’t sure what transitive and intransitive verbs are in the first place. Watch this month’s excerpt to learn more.