Published on
October 29, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
August 23, 2023.
Blond and blonde are two forms of the same word. They’re pronounced the same but can have slightly different meanings, depending on how they are used.
Blond is a noun traditionally used to refer to a man with golden or pale yellow hair. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something (typically a man’s hair) as “golden” or “pale yellow.”
Blonde is a noun traditionally used to refer to a woman with golden or pale yellow hair. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something (typically a woman’s hair) as “golden” or “pale yellow.”
Examples: Blond in a sentence
Examples: Blonde in a sentence
Jake gets sunburned easily because he is a blond.
My mother is a natural blonde, but she dyes her hair.
When Andreas was a child, he had blond hair.
Christine wants to get blonde highlights.
Patrick has dark hair but blond eyebrows.
The girl who called for you had blonde hair.
NoteThis article describes the words as they are traditionally used, but different style guides offer contradictory advice on this issue. Some advise against the use of gendered language, while others retain the traditional spelling distinction. In popular usage, the words are often used interchangeably.
Published on
October 25, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 13, 2023.
Implication is a noun that refers to the act of implying (i.e., suggesting something without explicitly stating it) and to something that is implied or suggested. It’s also used to refer to the act of implicating (i.e., proving someone’s involvement in a crime) and to the state of being implicated.
Implications is often used in academic writing to refer to the possible impact and influence of a study or to what conclusions can be drawn from a particular result.
Examples: Implication in a sentenceThe lecturer made the implication that science was subjective.
The implications of this study for further research are discussed in the final chapter.
I resent the implication that my comment was facetious!
Clare’s implication in the crime was based on circumstantial evidence.
Published on
October 20, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
November 16, 2022.
An adverbial phrase is a group of words that acts like an adverb—i.e., it modifies a verb, adjective, adverb, or even a whole clause.
Like adverbs, adverbial phrases can be used to describe how (e.g., “with sadness”), where (e.g., “behind the bookshelf”), when (e.g., “in the morning”), and why (e.g., “to buy groceries”).
Adverbial clauses are similar to adverbial phrases. However, unlike adverbial phrases, adverbial clauses always have a subject and verb (e.g., “when you visit”).
Examples: Adverbial phrases and adverbial clauses in a sentenceJamil has a meeting at noon.
Samantha went to her friend’s house to watch a film.
Before we begin, I would like to make an announcement.
Published on
October 20, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
February 7, 2023.
An adverb is a word that can modify or describe a verb, adjective, another adverb, or entire sentence. Adverbs can be used to show manner (how something happens), degree (to what extent), place (where), and time (when).
Adverbs are usually formed by adding -ly to the end of an adjective (e.g., “quick” becomes “quickly”), although there are also other adverbs that don’t have this ending. There are also adverbial phrases, series of words that play the grammatical role of adverbs.
Examples: Adverbs in a sentenceAli walked quickly.
Published on
October 12, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
April 18, 2023.
Alike is an adjective meaning “similar” and an adverb meaning “in a similar way.” The meaning of the word can vary in degree depending on the context—from saying two things are exactly the same to saying that they merely have something in common.
Examples: “Alike” in a sentenceThe two political opponents are actually alike in their views.
The twins seem to always dress alike.
The father and son are somewhat alike, but the father is more patient.
Published on
October 7, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
June 26, 2023.
Who and whom are both pronouns used to refer to people, but they have different grammatical functions.
Who is a pronoun that functions as the subject of a sentence or clause (i.e., the person performing the action).
Whom is a pronoun that functions as the object of a verb or preposition (i.e., the person that is acted upon).
Who and whom are used to refer to people and sometimes animals.
Examples: Who in a sentence
Examples: Whom in a sentence
Who is at the door?
To whom should I speak?
Who knows the answer?
With whom do you want to work?
Jamil, who just started last week, is already excelling at his new job.
Fia, whom I have known for years, is getting married next week.
NoteWhom is considered very formal and is often replaced with who in informal contexts. For example, “To whom should I speak?” would more typically be phrased “Who should I speak to?”
Published on
September 29, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
November 16, 2022.
An interjection is a word or phrase used to express a feeling or to request or demand something. While interjections are a part of speech, they are not grammatically connected to other parts of a sentence.
Interjections are common in everyday speech and informal writing. While some interjections such as “well” and “indeed” are acceptable in formal conversation, it’s best to avoid interjections in formal or academic writing.
Examples: Interjections in a sentenceWow! That bird is huge.
Published on
September 28, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
September 25, 2023.
Burned and burnt are two different spellings of the past tense of the verb “burn,” used to refer to the act of undergoing combustion and the act of injuring someone or damaging something by heat or fire.
The spelling tends to vary based on whether you’re using UK or US English:
In UK English, both “burned” and “burnt” are commonly used for both the verb and adjective sense of the word.
In US English, “burned” is standard as a verb, but both “burned” and “burnt” can be used as adjectives.
Examples: “Burned” and “burnt” in a sentenceShawna burnt/burned her hand on the stove.
Gina forgot to turn the oven off, so the chicken was burnt/burned.
The fire burnt/burnedall night and kept the room warm.
Luckily, I remembered to blow out the candles; otherwise, the house might have burnt/burned down.
NoteVerbs that form their past tense in some way other than by adding the suffix “-ed” are called irregular verbs. “Burn” can be either regular or irregular, with the irregular form more commonly used in UK English. This is also true of “learnt/learned” and “dreamt/dreamed.”
Published on
September 28, 2022
by
Eoghan Ryan.
Revised on
March 14, 2023.
Theatre and theater are two different spellings of the noun used to refer to the building in which theatrical performances are carried out and to the art or profession of theatrical production. The spelling varies based on whether you’re writing UK or US English.
InUK English, “theatre” is standard.
In US English, “theater” is more common.
Examples: Theatre and theater in a sentenceThe local theatre/theaterhas received national funding.
Whenever I visit London, I go to the theatre/theater.
Eva has always wanted to work in the theatre/theater.
I’m not a fan of the theatre/theater. I prefer watching movies.
NoteSometimes a distinction is made between theater (meaning a building) and theatre (meaning the art or business of theatrical production). However, this distinction is not commonly accepted and does not reflect actual usage.
