Effortless_English

2021-06-15 18:00:06 Leaps and bounds — #idiom #meaning

Meaning:
- progress very quickly
- grow or increase rapidly
- get better or improve in a short time

Origin:

This idiom, a way of saying that something or someone is improving or increasing at a startling rate, has been in use since Shakespeare’s time. There is often a hint of disbelief or surprise in the use of the phrase. Maybe the progress was unexpected in the timespan.

Leap and bound mean the same thing and are paired together as a way of adding emphasis.

Examples:

1) I planted some seedlings last month, and they have grown by leaps and bounds after all the recent rain.
2) My baby niece has grown in leaps and bounds since I last saw her.
3) The IT market is expected to grow with leaps and bounds in the upcoming years. Open / Comment

2021-06-15 12:00:20 ​​Compound words — #grammar

Closed compound words

Closed compound words look like one word. At one point, these words weren’t used together, but they’re now accepted as a “real word” in the English language. Closed compound words are usually made up of only two words. Here are some closed compound examples: notebook, Superman, waistcoat, bookstore, fireman.
The English language is always evolving, and when words become used more frequently, they are often eventually written as one word. When the Internet first began, for example, we talked about going on-line. Now that this is a daily experience for most of us, the spelling online has become commonly accepted.

Hyphenated compound words

There are a great many grammar rules regarding hyphens in compound words. One important rule of thumb to remember is that in most cases, a compound adjective is hyphenated if placed before the noun it modifies, but not if placed after the noun.
For example:
- a long-term solution
- an up-to-date user guide

But:

- This is not a good solution for the long term.
- This user guide is not up to date.

This is just one of many rules concerning hyphens in compound words and it is often necessary to consult the dictionary to determine whether these terms should be hyphenated or not. Open / Comment

2021-06-14 18:00:25 Negativity — #wordlist

1) Vice — an immoral or wicked personal characteristic; immoral or wicked behavior. Syn.: immorality, wrongdoing, wickedness
2) Appalling — causing shock or dismay; horrific. Syn.: awful, dreadful, atrocious, disgraceful
3) Belligerent — hostile and aggressive; a nation or person engaged in war or conflict, as recognized by international law. Syn.: antagonistic, pugnacious, bellicose.
4) Dreary — dull, bleak, and lifeless; depressing. Syn.: bland, insipid, drab
5) Dastardly — wicked and cruel. Someone who's dastardly is a scoundrel or a cowardly villain. Syn.: heinous, iniquitous, immoral. Open / Comment

2021-06-14 12:01:01 ​​Compound words — #grammar

When two words are used together to yield a new meaning, a compound is formed. Compound words can be written in three ways: as open compounds (spelled as two words, e.g., ice cream), closed compounds (joined to form a single word, e.g., doorknob), or hyphenated compounds (two words joined by a hyphen, e.g., long-term). Sometimes, more than two words can form a compound (e.g., mother-in-law).
The most common spelling quandary we face is whether to write compounds as separate words, one word, or hyphenated words.

Open compound words

An open compound word is created in cases when the modifying adjective is used with its noun to create a new noun. This isn’t quite the same as a noun with a modifying adjective. We just use a space between the adjective and the noun, so sometimes it can be hard to identify as a compound; however, if the two words are commonly used together, it’s considered to be a compound word: living room, full moon, real estate, dinner table,coffee mug.

When adverbs ending in -ly combine with another word, the resulting compound is always spelled as two separate words: largely irrelevant, newly formed.

To be continued... Open / Comment

2021-06-13 18:00:23 ​​Back to the wall/Back against the wall — #grammar #meaning

Meaning:

- to be in a difficult situation
- to have the odds against one’s self
- to have no way of being able to get away
- to have no space to escape
- to be caught by someone without having an easy escape route
- to be trapped in a situation

Origin:

The phrase originates from the American military heritage. Since the 1500’s having organized military units is a common phenomenon. To have the “back against the walls” meant that the unit was stranded or caught in a difficult situation where coming back alive was only a dim possibility. They would, in summary, be making their last stand with a choice of fight or flight. But the latter would mean a life of desolation from the society and loved ones so the soldiers chose to fight instead. This also reflected honour and the legacy of the phrase still continues which gives honour to the ones choosing to fight back.

Examples:

1) They have him with his back to the wall and now he has no more options but to pay back the debtors or go to jail for fraud.
2) When armed forces entered the building the militants had their backs to the wall. Open / Comment

2021-06-13 12:00:51 Article — #grammar

Omission of articles
Occasionally, articles are omitted altogether before certain nouns. In these cases, the article is implied but not actually present. This implied article is sometimes called a “zero article.” Often, the article is omitted before nouns that refer to abstract ideas. Look at the following examples:

1) Let’s go out for dinner tonight.
2) I studied French language in high school for four years.

Sports and academic subjects do not require articles. See the sentences below for reference:

1) I like to play baseball.
2) My sister was always good at math. Open / Comment