Word Choice

Diamond in the rough is an idiom that refers to something of great value that, at first sight, appears to be unremarkable. In British English, it is more common to hear the idiom “rough diamond.” The idiom comes from the world of diamonds, where the stones, as they are found

The whole nine yards is an idiom that means “the fullest possible extent” of something. Perhaps no other English idiom is shrouded in more mystery as to its origins. So while we know what the idiom means figuratively, we don’t know what its literal meaning was. The whole nine

Rags to riches is an idiom describing someone’s change in fortunes from poverty to wealth. It is rarely used in a completely literal sense for someone who was actually living in rags but can describe a more general improvement in circumstances. When used as an adjective, the phrase uses

The idiom play it by ear dates back at least to the 17th century. It comes from the world of music and refers to playing an instrument not from sheet music or memory but responding to the situation. Instruments like the violin and cello have to be played by ear,

Rule of thumb is an idiom that describes a common-sense but approximate way of deciding on a course of action. Tradespeople will often know the span of their hands and the length of their thumbs and use them as a rough-and-ready way of measuring. So rule of thumb became a

Cut to the chase is an idiom that means “get to the point quickly.” There’s no definitive evidence for where the phrase comes from, but the generally accepted view is that it is from the early days of Hollywood, where it would indicate a script direction to cut to

The English idiom take it with a grain of salt means “treat information with a degree of skepticism and doubt.” It is a slightly muted way of saying that you do not find the source of the information to be trustworthy. Examples: Take it with a grain of salt My

Fortune favors the bold is an idiom that suggests that taking risks will pay off. It comes from a Latin phrase audentes fortuna iuvat that dates back millenia. It encourages the listener not to be fatalistic and instead to make audacious decisions. Examples: Fortune favors the bold in a sentence

Devil’s advocate is an idiom that refers to someone who argues a contrary view, either for the sake of argument or to help test out how rigorous a position is. For example, a team of lawyers might get one of their number to play devil’s advocate and attack

When something is a piece of cake, it is very easy to do. Piece of cake is an example of an idiom, (i.e., a phrase or group of words that has a meaning that isn’t immediately obvious from a literal reading of the words). Nobody really knows where

Table of contents * Good morning in English * Is it goodmorning or good morning? * Other ways to say good morning Good morning in English Good morning is an English expression used when greeting someone first thing in the morning. It’s light and casual but appropriate to use in virtually all

Whether you’re writing a story and want to perfect the characters within it or simply wish to expand your vocabulary, this blog post helps with both as it explores the meanings of “protagonist” and “antagonist” and provides examples of each.

Matters of good versus evil and right versus wrong can weigh heavily on one. But have you ever wondered if these concepts revolve around “ethics” or “morals?” Surprisingly, these terms aren’t always interchangeable. This post will delve into the difference between “ethics” and “morals.”

Although “precede” and “proceed” aren’t homophones, they often lead to confusion due to their similar spellings and pronunciations. If you’re one of the many who grapple with these terms, our clear explanations and examples will help you learn how to use them correctly.

Want to wish someone a happy birthday but are looking for a more heartfelt way? You’re in luck! Here, you’ll find eleven fun, friendly, and creative ways to say “happy birthday.”

Ever sweated so much that it looked like you had just gone for a swim? Or have you been so cold that your face hurt from being outside? Well, we can’t change the temperature, but we’ll use explanations and examples to clear up the storm of confusion surrounding “weather” and “climate.”

Have you ever wondered what the phrase “concerted effort” means or if it can apply to solo endeavors? Below, we’ll unravel the definition of this expression and explore its correct usage.

Are you wondering if you’re an “introvert” or an “extrovert,” or if it’s possible to be both? By clearly explaining what these terms mean, this post will help you get a better understanding of your personality, whether you’re shy, outgoing, or somewhere in between.

Is it “I could care less” or “I couldn’t care less”? When making a point with this phrase, the last thing you want to do is misuse it. Doing so can convey the opposite sentiment you’re trying to express, which can be embarrassing and counterproductive! We’ll clarify which is correct.

There are many phrases you can use to express understanding—you don’t have to depend solely on “I understand.” We’ll help enhance your vocabulary by teaching you eleven casual and formal ways to convey comprehension.

Whether for a graduation, wedding, promotion, or any other special occasion, surely there are different ways to say “congratulations,” right? Yes! Below, you’ll find fifteen fun, friendly, and unique congratulatory words and phrases.

Are you tired of using “best wishes” to end an email? Or perhaps you’re congratulating someone, and “best wishes” seems impersonal. Those are valid concerns that we’re here to help with. We’ll elaborate on what this phrase means and provide alternative expressions you can use instead.

Can “prior” and “previous” be used interchangeably? Let’s take a step back to dissect these two words by analyzing their definitions and reviewing example sentences so that you can understand the differences between them.

“Hispanic” and “Latino” are often used interchangeably, but do they mean the same thing? Answering this question is quite complicated. Below, we’ll clarify the difference between “Hispanic” and “Latino” so you can learn when to use these terms.

You might be surprised to learn that there’s a difference between “fiancé” and “fiancée”—not in pronunciation, but in meaning. We’ll show you how to use these words correctly by reviewing their definitions and providing example sentences.

You’d think that “continuous” and “continual” could be used interchangeably, but the fact is, they can’t. Before you exit this page in rage, know there’s an easy trick to help you remember the difference between these two words. We’ll show you what it is.

Are you tired of puzzling over whether the correct phrase is “takes precedence” or “takes precedent”? We’ll clear up the confusion by thoroughly reviewing the definitions of “precedence” and “precedent” and providing example sentences that’ll teach you how to use these words correctly.

“Exasperate” and “exacerbate” are two words people often use incorrectly because of their similar spelling and pronunciation. We’ll teach you what both of them mean so that you can use them correctly from here on out!

Are you looking for a way to fast-track your English vocabulary skills? If so, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of fifteen advanced yet easy-to-use words that’ll help you speak like an eloquent English expert.

We get it—asking for help can be daunting for some. But because it’s almost certain that there will come a time when you need assistance, you should know how to request it. In this blog post, we’ll dive into some useful tips and phrases that’ll make asking for help a total breeze.

If you’re here, chances are you’re tired of using repetitive expressions at work. We’re here to help you by providing seven alternative phrases you can use instead of “thank you for your understanding.”

There’s a lot of confusion surrounding “nevertheless” and “nonetheless.” This blog post gets to the bottom of whether these words are synonyms and will teach you how to use them correctly.

Are you looking for another way to say “no worries” professionally? Below, we’ll go over what this phrase means and provide seven synonyms that are more suitable for business emails.

“Keep me in the loop” is a frequently used phrase, but there are others that are more suitable for professional use. Below, we’ll review nine synonyms with example sentences to show you how to use them.

Are you afraid of coming off too harshly by using the acronym “ASAP” in your emails? That’s a valid concern. But don’t worry; below, we’ll go over nine synonyms you can use instead.

“Circle back” is an expression often used in the business world. If you aren’t sure what it means, you’re not alone. This post will teach you its definition, how to use it, and alternative phrases you can utilize in its place.

Professional communication can get quite repetitive because people tend to overuse the same phrases and expressions. We’ll help you strengthen your business fluency by providing a list of ten other ways to say, "Thank you for your time."

Learning English idioms and expressions can help you sound like a native speaker. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of ten of them to help you get through the summer.

Disagreeing with someone can be quite nerve-racking because you want to express yourself, but you also don’t want to come off as rude. We’ll teach you how to respectfully disagree by providing nine synonyms for “I disagree.”

If you write numerous emails, you may find yourself using the phrase “please let me know if you have any questions” quite often. Below, we’ll give you nine alternatives to this common phrase and share a secret on how to write flawless emails every single time.

Do you feel bad when you don’t understand English idioms? Don’t worry, we can help you feel better by explaining the meaning of “under the weather” and giving you some examples.

If you’re looking for other words you can use in place of “confusing,” you’ve come to the right place. We compiled a list of synonyms plus example sentences to help expand your English vocabulary and improve your fluency.

Learning English can be tricky, especially when you’re dealing with homophones like “discrete” and “discreet.” We’ll provide clear explanations and examples to help you learn what these words mean so that you can use them correctly in your writing.

A pillar of good writing is to avoid repeating the same words and phrases throughout your text. So, if you’re looking for another way to say “in order to,” we have you covered with this helpful list of synonyms and example sentences.

Not sure what’s the difference between “beside” and “besides”? We use elaborate explanations and useful examples to help you understand what these two commonly confused words mean, so you can use them confidently in your writing.

Take your vocabulary to the next level with these fluent expressions that are synonymous with “I agree.” We’ll give you formal and casual alternatives with examples, so you can better understand how to use them.

The word “creator” can have multiple definitions, meaning it has several synonyms, too. Below you’ll find a list of synonyms for “creator,” depending on how you’re using it.

Perhaps you’ve come across “the former” and “the latter” in a sentence, but you’re not sure what they mean. We’re here to clear everything up with helpful explanations and examples so that you can learn how to use these phrases correctly.

Tired of getting tongue-tied when you don’t know the answer? Say goodbye to awkward encounters! Our detailed guide will teach you to articulate yourself clearly and effectively as we explore “I don’t know” synonyms that are suitable for formal or casual settings.

Are you looking to expand your vocabulary and improve your English fluency? We’ve got you covered with seven synonyms you can use in place of the verb phrase “look forward to.”

Not sure what “subjective” and “objective” mean? Not a problem! Here you’ll find elaborate explanations and side-by-side examples that illustrate the difference between “subjectivity” and “objectivity.”

English is full of expressions that can sound nonsensical if you don’t know what they mean. “Break a leg” is one of them. Below, we’ll go over what this idiom means and show you how to use it correctly.

Don’t lose your mind trying to understand the difference between “lose” and “loss.” We’re going to teach you what these words mean and how to use them in a sentence correctly.

“In addition” is a common phrase often used in essays, reports, and other texts that require formal language. Below, we’ll give you synonyms you can use in its place, including casual alternatives.

It’s no wonder people often get “formally” and “formerly” mixed up—not only do they sound the same, but they’re spelled similarly, too. We’ll go over what these words mean and show you how to always use them correctly.

Do you miss someone? Perhaps a partner or a friend, but you don’t know how to tell them? We’ve got you covered with a list of 15 different ways to say “I miss you” that include both romantic and friendly synonyms.

Looking for another way to say “I think”? Look no further! Here are 15 other ways to say “I think” (with examples).

Both are correct, depending on the context and whether they’re being used as a verb or a noun. We’ll go over their definitions and provide synonyms for “hangout” and “hang out.”

The truth behind “comprised of” may surprise you. We’ll go over which phrase you should use when it comes to “comprised of” and “comprises.”

Do you know when to use “inspired with” or “inspired by”? We’ll tell you below, and also go over “inspired by” meaning and synonyms.

Saying “I’m sorry” can be hard. This list of synonyms can help you learn how to apologize sincerely in any situation.

“In a nutshell” is a commonly used idiom that can be found in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Let’s dive into its meaning and go over formal and casual synonyms.

If you’re looking for synonyms for “to show,” we can help! We have five synonyms you can use in its place (plus example sentences that’ll show you how to use them).

Are you looking for a synonym for “to be honest”? We can help. Below, we’ll go over what “to be honest” means and give you nine alternatives you can use instead.

“Nice to meet you” is quite the common English phrase. If you’re looking for other ways to express this sentiment, we can help! Here you’ll find “nice to meet you” synonyms.

Whether you want to express your love to a romantic partner, a friend, or a family member, below you’ll find nine other ways to say I love you without saying I love you.

“Therefor” and “therefore” are spelled similarly and pronounced identically, but have different definitions. Continue reading if you want to learn more about these two homophones.

“According to” is a useful phrase, but be careful not to overuse it in your writing. Below, you’ll find 11 other ways to say “according to.”

Understandably, many people get confused when using the words “use” or “usage.” Below, we’ll explore the differences between these two words.

Conciseness plays a major role in clear and effective writing. That’s why you should avoid using redundant phrases like “add an additional.” We’ll show you what you can write instead.

You probably find yourself saying “have a good day” a lot throughout the day. If you’re seeking alternatives, we have seven.

“Bring” and “take” can sometimes be used interchangeably without causing much confusion. Other times, the use of one or the other alters the meaning of a sentence. We’ll explain what these words mean and how to use them correctly.

If you’re looking for another way to say “I just wanted to follow up,” you’ve come to the right place. Here you’ll find seven effective alternatives.

It’s the season to spread love and cheer, but sometimes the expression “happy holidays” just isn’t warm enough. If you’re looking for messages that will truly bring smiles to your loved ones, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll help you sprinkle a bit more magic to your holiday greetings.

“Connote” and “denote” don’t mean the same thing. We’ll go over their definitions and provide example sentences.

“Immigrate,” “emigrate,” and “migrate” are not synonyms. We’ll go over their distinctions and provide examples.

Whether you mean it or not, “per my last email” is a phrase that can come off as rude and passive-aggressive. Below, we’ll give you friendly and formal alternatives you can use in its place.

You're not alone in your confusion of “either” vs. “neither.” We’ll explain the difference between these two words and show you how to use them correctly.

“Goodbyes” don’t have to always be so heavy. They can be casual, fun, and friendly too! Below you’ll find 13 synonyms for “goodbye.”

Do “aloud” and “out loud” mean the same thing? We’ll go over their definitions and provide example sentences.

There are clearer and more direct ways to say “please advise.” We’ll go over eleven formal and casual alternatives and provide examples.

If you’re looking for another way to say “touch base,” you’ve come to the right place. Below you’ll find nine alternatives and example sentences.

Cite,” “site,” and “sight” are homophones, leading to confusion and incorrect use. We’ll teach you what these words mean and how to always use them properly.

Looking for a phrase to use in place of “to whom it may concern”? You’ve come to the right place. We’ll give you five formal alternatives.

Many people get confused with the words “imply” and “infer” and end up using them incorrectly. We’ll go over what they mean and provide example sentences.

These two words both have the “respect” at their core, but mean different things. We’ll explore their differences and show you how to use these words correctly.

Whether you’re speaking or writing, it’s always a good idea to vary your vocabulary. Below, we’ll go over eleven other ways to say “in my opinion.”

There are some instances when “each” and “every” can be used interchangeably and other times when they cannot. This blog will teach you how to use these words properly.

“Awhile” and “a while” can be tricky for some, as the only difference in their spelling is a space. We’ll elaborate on further differences between these two words.

Want to keep the greeting brief, or do you want to initiate a full conversation? This blog post will go over ten different ways to ask “how are you?”

Is it “passed” or “past”? Learn to properly use common phrases like “passed away,” “walked past,” “past week,” and more.

Improving your English fluency starts with learning how to say the most common phrases in multiple ways. Let’s start with “hello.”

“Between” and “among” are two commonly confused words. And rightly so. Below, we’ll go over when to use these words.

Elevate your writing by adding these ten synonyms of “said” to your vocabulary. They can be more accurate and help you avoid repetitiveness throughout your text.

Knowing how to write an apology email is important. Below, you’ll find five better alternatives to the overused phrase “sorry for the inconvenience.”

There are instances where “further” and “farther” can be interchanged, and other instances where they can’t. We’ll elaborate below.

Are you seeking alternatives to the phrase “sorry to bother you”? We have five options you can use instead.

“I hope this email finds you well” is an email cliché you should avoid using. Instead, you can use any of the five alternatives listed below.

“Because” is a common conjunction that can be found often throughout various types of texts. If you’re seeking alternatives to help you avoid repetitiveness, continue reading.

Is it “dived” or “dove”? We’ll go over the past tense and past participle of the verb “to dive,” and other compound verbs like “skydive” and “nosedive.”

“Rise” and “raise” are two words that are commonly confused. We’ll go over what these words mean, their spellings, and how to use them correctly.

Are you struggling to use “weather” and “whether” correctly? Don’t worry! These homophones are tricky for many, but we’ll teach you how to remember the difference with an easy visual cue.

Using “many” and “much” is a problem area for native speakers and English language learners alike. We’ll explain what type of nouns these words are paired with.

If you’re here, you’re probably wondering if there’s a difference between “though” and “although.” Most of the time, they can be used interchangeably. Learn more about “though” and “although” below.

If you want to switch it up and use an alternative to “good luck,” you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to give you seven formal and casual synonyms for “good luck.”

“Quite” and “quite” are two words that are often used incorrectly. Below, we’ll explain what these words mean and give you a trick that’ll help you remember when to use “quiet” instead of “quite.”

Understanding “lay” vs. “lie” in the present tense is fairly simple. We’ll explain that, as well as how to conjugate these two words in more challenging tenses.

If you’re here, you’re probably looking for more polite ways of saying “I want.” We’ll go over five other ways to say “I want” and provide examples.

We’ll explore the origins of “evoke” and “invoke” and help you remember the difference with explanations and examples.

Some people believe that saying “I don’t care” is rude. To avoid accidentally offending someone, you can try using these five alternatives instead.

“For example” is a phrase you might often use in your writing. Below, we’ll share nine formal and informal alternatives that you can use instead.

“Safe” and “secure” are closely related. Most of the time, they can be used as synonyms, depending on their function in a sentence.

We’ll review the definitions of “buy,” “by,” and “bye” and show you a foolproof way to always use these words correctly.

Did you know that the phrases “at the end” and “in the end” aren’t synonymous? We’ll review their distinctions below.

It’s best to avoid the phrase “nice to e-meet you.” We’ll give you five alternatives you could use instead to sound more professional.

Looking for another way to say “you’re welcome”? We’ve got you covered with 15 synonyms (and examples) that work in either professional, casual, or heartfelt settings.

Although all have to do with sight, there’s a difference between “see,” “look,” and “watch.”

Are you wondering what is the past tense and past participle of “go”? We can help.

All right is always accepted, whereas alright is controversial. Learn more about these two words below.

Is it “altogether” or “all together”? These words have distinct meanings and serve different functions in a sentence. Learn more below.

“Conscience” and “conscious” both relate to the mind, but what about “conscientious”? This blog post will teach you the difference between these three commonly confused words.

There are many words that seem to mean the same thing but don’t, like “aspire” and “inspire.” We’ll teach you what these two words mean and how to always use them correctly.

“Sent,” “cent,” and “scent” have identical pronunciations but different definitions. We’ll explain what they are and show you how to always use these words correctly.

“Compliment” and “complement” are homophones, which is why many people use these words incorrectly. We’ll go over what these words mean and when to use them.

Are you wondering if you should use “orient” or “orientate”? We’ll discuss what these words mean, and if there’s one you should use over the other.

“Tale” is a noun, whereas “tail” can be both a noun and a verb. We explain the difference of this homophone pair.

We’ll go over the homophones “to,” “too,” and “two,” provide example sentences and show you a foolproof way to make sure you always use these words correctly.

These three words are often used interchangeably, but each word has a distinct definition and better serves certain scenarios over the other two.

Many people confuse “attain” and “obtain” because they both end in “—tain,” and have similar meanings. However, these two words are not synonyms. We’ll go over their distinctions.

The phrase “in conclusion” is often overused. We’ll go over synonyms for “in conclusion” (five formal and five casual) and provide examples showing how to use them.

“Elicit” and “illicit” are homophones, meaning they are pronounced the same but have different definitions. We’ll teach you what these words mean and how to use them correctly.

“Sympathy” and “empathy” have two different meanings. We’ll go over what each word means and provide examples.

“Alot” is not a word. We’ll discuss the correct spelling of this word (a lot), and go over another word that many people also commonly get confused with: “allot.”

Did you know that “envy” and “jealousy” actually have two distinct meanings? We’ll explore the differences.

“Everyday” and “every day” are not interchangeable. We’ll explain the difference between these two words and teach you how to use them correctly.

Whether you want to sound formal or casual, we’re going to give you eleven alternatives to the phrase “I’m looking forward to hearing from you.”

Want to add some more warmth to your “thank you”? Or perhaps you’re looking for more formal ways to express your gratitude. This blog post will help enhance your vocabulary and fluency by teaching you fifteen other ways to say “thank you.”

“Break” and “brake” are homophones, meaning that they’re pronounced the same, but have different definitions and spellings. We’ll teach you how to use these words correctly.

You’ve probably been told before that saying “I’m doing good” is incorrect. Is this true? We’ll explain the difference between “good” and “well.”

“Good” can function as an adjective, noun, and adverb. It has many definitions and synonyms.

We’ll teach you how to correctly use the words “affect” and “effect,” whether you’re using them as verbs or nouns.

“Than” and “then” sound similar, but they actually have different pronunciations, spellings, and meanings.

The word “help” can be used as a verb and as a noun.

“Happy” is an adjective that can describe many things.

Sometimes the word “important” isn’t sufficient. Here are a few other words you could use instead.

These five words cause a lot of confusion. And with good reason: They all include —ough but have distinct pronunciations.

The abbreviation for artificial intelligence should always be capitalized. But there’s another type of ai you might want to know about.

“Whether” and “if” are often used interchangeably. But in formal writing, they have a distinct use. We’ll tell you what they are.

January 26 is Australia Day. Here are some interesting facts and definitions of commonly used words and expressions from the land down under.

“Some time,” “sometime,” and “sometimes” are nearly identical. But they have a different meaning. Here’s what they are.

“Who’s” and “whose,” like many other homophones, are easy to mix up. Although they both relate to “who,” they have different uses.

Mixing up “it’s” and “its” can happen to anyone. We’ll teach you how to avoid this common mistake.

“You're” and “your” are easy to mix up. We’ll teach you the difference between these two words and when to use them.

All of these words sound identical: “peak”, “peek”, and “pique”. So, how can we tell these homophones apart to correctly use their distinct meanings?

You’re not alone in your confusion about “they’re,” “their,” and “there.” These words sound the same but have different meanings. We’ll show you an easy way to ensure you’re always using them correctly.

There once was a difference between “each other” and “one another.” But what’s the situation today—are they synonyms?

There’s “loose” and then there’s “lose.” Do you know the difference? Don’t lose sleep over it because we’re going to go over definitions, example sentences, phrases, and more.

The modal verb “shall” isn’t used too often these days. But what’s the alternative to the old-fashioned and typically British word?

You’ve probably come across the abbreviations “i.e.” and “e.g.”, but do you know what they stand for? We’ll go over what “i.e.” and “e.g.” mean and how to use them in a sentence.