What is the Difference between Anyone and Any One?
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.
Tag: Confusing Words
What is the Difference between Allude and Elude?
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.
What is the Difference between Awhile and A While?
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.
What is the Difference between Avocation and Vocation?
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.
Are Amend and Emend Synonyms?
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.
What is the Difference between All Ready and Already?
Lucretia D. from Milwaukee asks, “What is the difference between all ready and already?” Here’s a handy way to remember the difference!
Adopt Vs Adapt Vs Adept
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.
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.
Difference Between Ability and Capacity (and also Capability!)
Jonathon C. asks, “What is the difference between ability and capacity?” Here Thomas gives an answer that explores ABILITY, CAPACITY, also also another frequently confused word, CAPABILITY.
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.
What is the difference between there, their, and they’re?
Thomas gives a simple way to remember the difference between there, their, and they’re. THERE has to do with WHERE. THEIR is a possessive pronoun like OUR and YOUR. THEY’RE always expands into THEY ARE. Remember this and you’ll always remember the difference.
What is the difference between then and than?
Juanita B. from Vancouver, BC, asks, “What is the different between then and than?” The secret is to remember that THEN has to do with TIME and THAN has to COMPARISON. If you remember the E in TIME and the A in COMPARISON, you’ll never confuse THEN and THAN again.
Favorite Writing Advice for Students?
The Willow Grove Homeschool Groups asks, “Favorite Writing Advice for Students?” Here’s some heartfelt advice from Thomas.
What are active voice and passive voice?
Sophia R. asks, “What are active voice and passive voice?” Here’s a simple and clear explanation from Thomas.
How do we use the word “however”?
Jonathon C. asks, “How to we use the word however?” As Thomas explains, there are some simple rules to make sure your sentences are clear.
When do we use affect and when do we use effect?
Mahalia W. asks, “When do we use affect and when do we use effect?” Here Thomas gives a simple but powerful mnemonic device. You’ll never forget the difference between the two words again.