Then and than are among the 100 most frequently used words in the English language. The fact that they’re so common means that they’re also commonly misused! Do you say, I will call you no later than 7 pm or then 7 pm? Would you say the company needs a good accountant more than (or then) ever? Some examples are trickier than others, but you can learn to distinguish …
Where and were are similar-looking words and they often appear alongside each other in questions like Where were you this morning? But they are very different words with very different functions and meanings In this article, we’ll define where and were, explain the different ways that they are used, provide examples of how they are typically used in sentences, and even cover the also similar-looking …
It’s OK. Really, it is OK if you can confuse it’s (with an apostrophe between the t and s), and its (without any apostrophe at all). Mixing up it’s and its is an extremely common mistake. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between its and it’s, provide tips about how to remember the difference, and even cover some related questions. When to use its or …
In the context of religious and spiritual belief—or non-belief—there are two terms that often cause confusion: atheist and agnostic. But these terms do not mean the same thing. Read on to learn the distinction. agnostic vs. atheist There is a key distinction between these terms. An atheist doesn’t believe in the existence of a god or divine being. The word atheist originates with the Greek atheos, which is …
Meteors, meteorites, meteoroids, asteroids, comets … that’s a lot of terms (and space objects) flying around! Not to mention shooting stars and meteor showers. Are they all the same thing? Even though some of them may appear pretty similar to us, the answer is no, they’re not the same thing—especially not to the scientists who study them and who use different terms for specific reasons (more …
English is full of confusingly similar words, including ones that can be used right next to each other in a sentence. Among the most common mistakes when writing—especially when writing something quickly like an email or text—is using you’re and your incorrectly. In this article, we’ll help you remember which one to use every time so that when it comes to choosing your or you’re, …
Information has real-life consequences. It can be a literal life-saver—when it’s true. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true. Untrue information can cause great harm. Like a virus, wrong information can spread, causing what’s been called an infodemic. Now more than ever, we are experiencing the spread of two forms of wrong information: misinformation and disinformation. These two words, so often used interchangeably, are merely one …
If you’ve ever followed a tasty soup recipe, you probably reached a step where it asked to use a certain broth or a stock. Even if you are a soup specialist, you may have wondered if it is OK to use broth when a recipe calls for stock or vice versa. In this article, we will break down the technical differences between stock and broth. …
Is there a difference between onto and on to? Does the space change the meaning? And when should one be used instead of the other? In this article, we will explain the difference between onto and on to, explore when and how they are typically used, and provide example sentences that show them in use. The single word onto is most commonly used as a …
Is there a difference between into and in to? Does the space change the meaning? And when should one be used instead of the other? In this article, we’ll go into detail about the difference between into and in to, explain when and how each is used, and provide examples of how they typically appear in sentences. The single word into is a preposition that’s …
Peal and peel are pronounced exactly the same and look very similar, but their meanings are quite different. In this article, join us as we peel back the layers of difference between peal and peel, show how to use the forms pealing and peeling, and provide examples of how these words are used in sentences. Peal and peel are homophones: they sound the same but …
Whoever you are, you’re not alone in being confused about when you should use whoever and whomever. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between whomever and whoever, cover when and how to use each one, and provide example sentences showing exactly how each one is used. If you haven’t yet, read our guide to who vs. whom first. It provides the foundation for the …