Language Navigator

Language Navigator allows you to search by keyword or by theme to quickly find answers to questions about language or writing in English and French. To learn more about this search engine, consult the section entitled About Language Navigator.

New to Language Navigator? Learn how to search for content in Language Navigator.

Search by keyword

Search fields

Search by theme

Search by theme to quickly access all of the Portal’s language resources related to a specific theme.

About Language Navigator

Language Navigator simultaneously searches all of the writing tools, quizzes and blog posts on the Language Portal of Canada. It gives you access to everything you need to write well in English and French: articles on language difficulties, linguistic recommendations, conjugation tables, translation suggestions and much more.

To translate a term or to find answers to terminology questions in a specialized field, please consult TERMIUM Plus®.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results 1 to 10 of 102 (page 1 of 11)

signed at, signed in

A writing tip explaining how to use the prepositions at and in with the participle signed.
Both signed at and signed in are correct. However, in legal documents such as contracts, conventions and agreements, the traditional expression signed at is more common. The Treaty of Paris was signed in Paris on February 10, 1763. International Convention Against the Taking of Hostages. Signed at New York on 18 December 1979. The prepositions in and at both indicate place or location. However, in emphasizes the idea of being inside or within boundaries, while at expresses exact position, such as a point on a map.
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 23,382

benefit by, benefit from

A writing tip on the difference between benefit by and benefit from.
The expression benefit from means to receive an advantage because of the action or existence of something. Aspiring athletes benefit greatly not only from participating in regional competitive events, but also from watching world-class athletes in the Olympics. The people of Ontario and Quebec benefit economically from the abundance of hydroelectricity. Benefit by has a more limited use and refers strictly to an advantage received as the result of a given action. Newfoundlanders still debate whether they benefited by joining Confederation in 1949. Note: For the simple past and the present participle of the verb benefit, the recommended spelling is benefited and benefiting.
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 17,957

responsibility of, responsibility for

An article on the prepositions to be used after the noun responsibility.
The noun responsibility can be followed by the prepositions for and of. The oil company was forced to assume responsibility for the spill. Note that when of is used after the noun responsibility, the definite article must be used before the noun. The governor general has the responsibility of appointing the members of the King’s Privy Council for Canada.
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 12,141

reconcile to, reconcile with

An article on the prepositions to be used with the verb reconcile.
The verb reconcile can be followed by the preposition to or with. The expression reconcile to means to cause (a person) to accept something difficult or disagreeable. His courage and faith reconciled him to possible death on the battlefield. The lackadaisical student was reconciled to failure. The expression reconcile with means to restore harmonious or friendly relations with another person. Sarah reconciled with her husband after a one-year separation.
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 11,168

research in, research into

An article on the preposition to be used after the noun research.
The noun research is followed by the preposition in when the object of the preposition is a field of research. The research in the field is extensive. The professor was renowned for her research in biology. The noun research is followed by the preposition into when the object of the preposition is an issue. Scientists are conducting research into global warming.
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 9,733

correspond to, correspond with

An article on the prepositions to be used with the verb correspond.
The verb correspond can be used with the prepositions to or with. Correspond to and correspond with both mean to have close similarity or to almost match. The French amitié corresponds to our English word friendship. The position of the arrow on the screen corresponds with your movement of the mouse. Correspond with also means to exchange letters. She corresponded regularly with her former boyfriend.
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 9,266

graduate from, graduate in

A writing tip on using the verb graduate and the phrasal verbs graduate from and graduate in.
The familiar phrases “to graduate high school” and “to graduate university” are not recommended; the correct verb phrase is “graduate from.” Yasser graduated from high school (not graduated high school) in Regina. Moreover, one graduates in a subject or discipline. Phyllis graduated from McGill in music, while her twin graduated in medicine. An educational institution graduates those who have studied there. Canadian universities graduate over ten thousand engineers each year.
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 7,072

defend against, defend from

An article on the prepositions to be used with the verb defend.
The verb defend can be used with either the preposition against or the preposition from. The soldiers defended the villagers against attack. He only wanted to defend his family from harm.
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 4,954

satisfaction in, satisfaction of

An article on the prepositions to be used after the noun satisfaction.
The expression find or take satisfaction is followed by the preposition in. The teacher took great satisfaction in her work. The expression have the satisfaction is followed by the preposition of. Once the bridge was complete, the engineers had the satisfaction of seeing the results of their hard work.
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 4,686

in the circumstances, under the circumstances

An article on the correct prepositions to be used with the noun circumstances.
The noun circumstances can be used with either the preposition in or the preposition under. In the circumstances, it is vital to consult an expert. The rescuers had to move quickly but carefully, under the circumstances.
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 4,505