A run-on sentence is two or more independent clauses incorrectly presented in a single sentence. They are considered bad because they can be distracting to readers and prevent the writer from clearly communicating information. So what is an “independent clause”? In grammar, a clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a … Continue Reading

It’s very difficult to choose one because I tasted so many delicious foods that I’ll never forget… Do you remember this delicious dish I posted a year ago with spring vegetables of the garden (carrots, onions, green peas (or gourmet peas), turnips) and tender lamb, without forgetting the delicious sauce? It was called “Easter Recipe” … Continue Reading

Yes, this post is about beer, so here is a health warning: Alcohol is bad for your health. A little alcohol is a little bad for your health, a lot of alcohol is very bad for your health. Now let’s talk beer… ;-) Beer is one of the oldest and most widely consumed alcoholic drinks … Continue Reading

Think of Japan in the spring, and the image that comes to mind is likely the country’s famous cherry blossoms, also known as “sakura” — white and pink flowers, blooming across cities and mountains, their petals covering the ground. But this year, cherry blossom season has come and gone in the blink of an eye, … Continue Reading

Amazon workers have voted to decide whether they want to be represented by a labor union or not. The results are not expected until later this week but if they say yes, it will become Amazon’s first US union. Amazon argues its wages and benefits are industry-beating and has gone into battle to persuade workers … Continue Reading

Since the husband-wife relationship is so controversial and interesting at the same time, I have an idea for a topic: What makes you pick “A” person as a wife or husband and not “Another” one? In other words, what is behind our reasoning when we are choosing the other half?

In the Question Time series, we discuss your language-related questions and problems. Talking about the way one of her comments was corrected, Blandine asked: But what about “helicopter crash”? I wanted to write it but I thought that helicopter is a noun and not an adjective.

Here is a talking point: What is one of the funniest sketches or film or series scenes you have ever seen?

What you see below is a poorly written text with quite a few mistakes: You don’t seem happy of your birthday present. Don’t you like it? What?! You wanted diamond necklace?! Who do you think am I? Bill Gates? No! I never said I will buy you jewellery! Stop to have such unrealistic expectations. You … Continue Reading

In the Reading Club series, we read books together, enjoy them, and learn from them. This is the central page for The Spy Who Came in From The Cold. The Spy Who Came In from the Cold is a 1963 Cold War spy novel by the British author John le Carré. It depicts Alec Leamas, … Continue Reading

Doctors in New York have performed the world’s first successful face and double hand transplant. A car crash in 2018 left Mr DiMeo with third-degree burns over 80% of his body. His fingertips were amputated and he lost his lips and eyelids. He says the operation has given him a “second chance at life”…

Here are some interesting reads (and videos to watch): I just knew something was wrong The engine of a Boeing jet failed after take-off, dropping debris over a residential area near Denver, Colorado. Watch a video filmed by a passenger on the BBC.

In the Confusables series, we talk about English words and expressions that are easily confused with one another because of similarities in spelling, pronunciation, and/or meaning. This is a question I am commonly asked by my students. Even if there seems to be quite a bit of variation in usage, I think understanding the difference … Continue Reading