The can function as a definite article (which is a type of determiner) and as an adverb.
As the definite article, the is used to refer to a specific noun (e.g., “the horse”). As an adverb, the has a few different meanings, including “beyond all others” (e.g., “he likes his the best”).
The LanguageTool Grammar Checker can help you use the and other parts of speech correctly in your writing.
In the active voice, the subject of the sentence carries out the action (e.g., “I lent him a pencil”). In the passive voice, the subject receives the action (e.g., “A pencil was lent to him by me”).
Active and passive are grammatical voices that use certain verb forms to indicate whether the subject is performing or receiving the action.
For instance, in the examples above, the subject in the active voice sentence, “I,” performs the action “lent.” The passive voice example conveys the same message, but in a more complicated way—the pencil becomes the subject receiving the action of the verb.
Grammar authorities and style guides typically recommend using the active voice, as it is clearer and more straightforward. Sentences that use the passive voice can sound more clunky and long-winded. However, there are times when using the passive voice is more suitable, like when the person performing an action is unknown or unimportant.
LanguageTool’s Paraphrasing Tool can help you rewrite sentences to express your desired meaning.
The word and is a conjunction. More precisely, “and” is a coordinating conjunction, which is a part of speech that links two or more nouns, phrases, or clauses. For example, in the sentence “I have a bird and a fish,” “and” connects the two nouns.
LanguageTool’s Grammar Checker can help ensure you’re using and correctly in your writing.
Examples: And in a sentenceIn Costa Rica, I visited La Fortuna and San Jose.
We went to dinner, and then we went to watch a movie.
Freddy was hungry, and he wanted to try both the lasagna and the fettuccine Alfredo.
A possessive apostrophe shows ownership or possession. For example, in “Tom’s car,” the car belongs to Tom.
When a singular noun ends in “s,” both forms with ’s or just ’ are acceptable.
Example
Chris’s baby is getting baptized today.
Chris’ baby is getting baptized today.
There are additional rules to using the possessive apostrophe correctly.
Most of the time, we know which verb form belongs to which noun. But in some cases, the boundaries between plural and singular nouns are blurred.
Correct UseCollective nouns can be used with both verb forms:
Use singular for emphasizing the unity. You’re referring to one group.
My family is nice to strangers.
Use plural for emphasizing each member. You’re referring to several components at once.
My family are nice to strangers.
Usually, we know exactly when to use a verb in its singular form or in its plural form. This depends only on the number of the according noun (the subject of the sentence). Occasionally, there are contexts where it is okay to violate this so-called verb-subject-agreement. We will show you two exemplary cases.
