This Is How Confusing Life Would Be Without Proper Punctuation
Punctuation can save lives, relationships, and money.
What Is the Longest Word in English? Hint: It’s 189,819 Letters Long
Move over, "antidisestablishmentarianism." The longest word in English will leave you speechless.
15 Fascinating Facts About Dictionaries That Will Make You Want to Pick One Up
From dropped words to fake definitions, learn fun facts, hearsay, and scandal about our most useful language resource, and the...
Here’s How Words Get Added to the Dictionary
Just look it up—or look here to check out the dish on dictionaries that logophiles will love! (Logophile means word...
These 17 “Modern” Words Are Much Older Than You Thought
From "politically correct" to "smash hit," these terms have actually been in our language for quite some time.
15 Common Pairs of Words That Everyone Confuses
Next time you're pondering whether to use "who's" or "whose," we've got you covered.
This Is the Real Difference Between “Less” and “Fewer”
They're similar, but they're not interchangeable—here's a simple rule to help you remember when to use them.
This Is Why “W” Is Pronounced Double U and Not Double V
You know the song, you know the letter, but do you know why "w" looks like double-v? Or why it's...
54 Words Even Smart People Mispronounce
If you pronounce these words differently, don’t worry—many people do. But here’s how they were originally meant to be pronounced...
The Real Reason Some English Words Have Silent Letters
There are legitimate explanations for why words like pterodactyl and tsunami exist.
11 Irregular Plural Words That Sound Completely Wrong—But Aren’t
We all know irregular plurals like "geese" and "mice." But have you ever heard of "beeves" or "sphinges"? Laugh yourself...
24 Everyday Idioms You’re Getting Wrong
The cat's out of the bag—idioms can be tricky, even for native English speakers.
Sneaked vs. Snuck: Which Is Correct?
What's the one thing that's more sneaky than a teenager, loophole, and a surprise fine combined? The difference between sneaked...
Who vs. Whom: Here’s When to Use Each Word
You've always wondered, so we're setting the record straight.
Free Reign vs. Free Rein: Which Should You Use?
Does this expression imply that someone with the freedom to do whatever they want is a ruler or a horse...
Passed vs Past: What’s the Difference?
Leave this common word mix-up in your past!
All of a Sudden vs. All of the Sudden: Which Is Correct?
You've been using the phrase "all of a sudden" with confidence. Now "all of the sudden," it's not so clear...
Farther vs. Further: What’s the Difference?
How far would you go to figure out the difference between further and farther? Look no further—we've got your answer.
33 Middle School Vocabulary Words Adults Still Get Wrong
Think you have a strong vocabulary? See how many of these common 8th grade reading words you can recognize when...
This Is Exactly How Many Words You Need to Know to Speak a Language
In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that many.
Systemic vs. Systematic: What’s the Difference?
Here's the difference between these two words that are often used interchangeably even though they have different meanings.
12 Grammatical Errors Even Smart People Make
You may think you’re a stickler for all things grammar-related, but don’t be surprised if you realize you’re guilty of...
11 Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary in Just One Day
The average American has a vocabulary in the thousands. Try these tricks to make sure yours stacks up.
Can You Pass This High School English Quiz?
We've been saving up these words, from the Princeton Review's Word Smart: Genius Edition test-prep guide, for our most confident...
What Does .com Stand for?
This sequence of four characters probably appears at the top of your computer screen several times a day. But do...
This Is the Real Difference Between “Due to” and “Because Of”
If you think you can use "because of" and "due to" interchangeably, watch out: The grammar nerds are coming for...
The Most Misspelled Word in Every State
If you can spell this one word, you’re probably smarter than a majority of the people who live in your...
Affect vs. Effect: What’s the Difference?
That one little letter makes a big difference.
15 Amusing Stories Behind Common Expressions
English has some hilarious expressions—and their origin stories are funny, too! Find out where "last-ditch effort," "under the weather," and...
