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Results 41 to 50 of 110 (page 5 of 11)
consist in, consist of
The expression consist in introduces a definition. Memory consists in a present imagination of past incidents. Consist of means to be made up of. The meal consisted of fish, fries and coleslaw.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,609
compare to, compare with
The verb compare can be followed by the prepositions to or with. Compare to is used to express a likeness between two things. The economy can be compared to a sluggish old horse. Compare with means to put two things side by side to determine the differences and similarities. Compare with usually entails a more formal analysis. Before you decide on where to go for your vacation, it may be relevant to compare Paris with Madrid.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,487
beside, besides
Beside is a preposition normally meaning “by the side of.” The Girl Guides camped beside the lake. Besides is an adverb meaning “moreover” or a preposition meaning “in addition to.” Mary inherited the family farm because she was the eldest child. Besides, she was the only one who had attended Ontario Agricultural College. I must get another job besides this one to make ends meet.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,437
report for, report on/upon, report to
The verb report may be followed by the prepositions for, on (or upon) and to. Report for work or for duty means to show up at a job at the required time. She was disappointed to learn that she was expected to report for work at 7:00 a.m. The officer was unable to report for duty because of his injury. Report can be followed by on or upon when it means to give a report about something. Supervisors report on their employees’ performance every year. The preposition to is used after the verb report to introduce the name of a superior who has authority to give directions and review work. During this assignment, you will report to Art Donaldson.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,412
tend to, tend towards
The verb tend may be followed by the preposition to or towards. Tend to, followed by an infinitive, means “to be likely to, to be inclined to”: Nurses tend to get to know the patients better than the doctors do. Susan is inclined to be brusque when her opinions are questioned. Tend towards is followed by a noun and means “to have a tendency towards”: Alan tends towards exaggeration in describing his adventures.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,381
upward, upwards, upwards of
Upward can be an adjective or an adverb, while upwards is always an adverb. The upward force of the water was so strong that the kayak appeared to skim the surface. Hikers in the Rockies find that the trees are shorter as they climb upward (or upwards). The phrase upwards of is an informal expression meaning “at least” or “more than.” Informal: The Department will invest upwards of $6 billion over the next 10 years. Standard: The Department will invest at least $6 billion over the next 10 years.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,357
grasp of, have a grasp of
The phrase have a grasp of describes someone’s level of understanding; thus, one has a poor, good or better grasp – or no grasp – of a given subject or situation. Tony has a good grasp of mathematics, a fact that makes his course in statistics much easier. The project manager has a better grasp than I do of the time needed to complete the project. Does Trudy have any grasp of the gravity of her financial situation?Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,343
if and when, when and if
Either if or when alone is usually enough, but the phrases if and when and when and if are sometimes used to emphasize the uncertainty of a future event. If (If and when) you do reach the mountaintop, be sure to take pictures. Lifeguards are trained to act quickly when and if emergencies occur. When and if they reached the New World, the captives were sold as slaves. (= When they reached the New World, and if they survived the journey …)Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,341
put in place, put into place
Either in or into can be used after the verb put in the expression put in place or put into place. A new protocol was put in (or into) place to protect the conference guests.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,314
ingratiate
The verb ingratiate is always used reflexively, with pronouns such as myself, himself or themselves. Ingratiate is generally followed by the preposition with. Did you think I was trying to ingratiate myself with my in-laws by buying them an expensive present? Lorne ingratiated himself with the CEO by letting her win every squash game.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,309