Than vs Then | Difference & Examples

Than can be both a conjunction or preposition used to compare or contrast two or more elements in a sentence (e.g., Jasmine earned the promotion because she is a more productive salesperson than James).

Then has several functions and meanings, but it’s most commonly used as an adverb referring to time (e.g., Usually, we take a poll then decide what movie to watch for our family night).

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Who vs That vs Which | Use & Examples

Use who when introducing a clause that describes or modifies people.

Clarissa, who has been my friend since first grade, got married last summer.

Use that when introducing a clause that describes or modifies objects or non-human things.

The most popular menu item is a chocolate chip cookie that is stuffed with an Oreo.

Use which when introducing a clause that describes or modifies objects.

My sunglasses, which I bought last week, were stolen

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Euphemisms | Meaning & Common Examples

Whether you notice it or not, euphemisms flood our everyday language. Like similes, they are a type of figure of speech. Euphemisms work by replacing topics that are considered offensive, embarrassing, or taboo with words that are more agreeable, pleasant, and acceptable.

Euphemisms could be single words or entire phrases. For example, some people tend to replace God with gosh because the former is a word that can have different connotations depending on who you ask. Or, instead of explicitly calling someone a liar, some people prefer to say he bent the truth. In other words, euphemisms neutralize language and words that can make people feel uncomfortable.

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Affect vs Effect | Difference & Examples

Most of the time, affect is used as a verb that means “to cause a change or make a difference to someone or something.” For example,“The large meal I had right before that game affected how I played.” Effect is mainly used as a noun that means “a result of an action or other cause.” For instance, “Going to sleep late had an effect on my performance the next day.”

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Secure vs Safe | Meaning & Usage

Often, safe and secure can be used interchangeably.

  • They asked me to keep the documents in a safe place
  • They asked me to keep the documents in a secure place

Safe can be an adjective or noun, whereas secure can be an adjective or verb. The only times they can’t be used interchangeably depends on the context of the sentence and the function of the word. For example, in the following sentence, safe cannot replace secure.

  • I needed to secure the luggage on top of the van
  • I needed to safe the luggage on top of the van

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