Vocabulary & Grammar

French and English have thousands of similar-looking words thanks to their shared history, but looks can be deceiving. Words like actuellement, librairie, or préservatif don’t mean what many learners think they do. In this article, we uncover 20 common English-French false friends, show their true meanings, and give examples so you can avoid making awkward mistakes.

Think you know what embarazada means? Or actual? Be careful — Spanish and English share many similar-looking words, but not all of them mean the same thing. These false friends can lead to confusion or even embarrassing mistakes. In this guide, we explore 20 of the most common Spanish-English false friends, explain their real meanings, and give examples to help you use them correctly.

In Old English, second-person pronouns were complex, with distinct forms for singular, plural, and even dual pronouns, plus separate cases. Over time, English simplified dramatically. Through the influence of Norse contact, the Norman Conquest, and broader trends of grammatical simplification, English lost these distinctions, and you became the universal second-person pronoun. This article explains the historical changes, social pressures, and linguistic shifts that led to the disappearance of forms like thou and ye, and why Modern English is so different from its relatives like French or German.

Idioms are everywhere in English, but their meanings aren’t always obvious. In this guide, we explore 30 of the most common idioms you’ll hear in everyday conversations, movies, and books. Each idiom comes with its meaning, example, and origin story to help you understand where it comes from and remember it more easily. Mastering these will make your English sound natural and fluent.

Phrasal verbs are everywhere in English, and mastering them is key to sounding natural and fluent. This guide covers 50 of the most essential phrasal verbs every learner must know, complete with clear meanings and examples to help you understand and use them confidently in everyday conversations.

Want to sound more natural in English? These 100 everyday phrases will help you speak like a native and understand conversations better. Each phrase comes with a short explanation, showing you exactly when and how to use it in real life. Perfect for learners who want to improve fluency and confidence.

Mastering a, an, and the can make your English sound more natural and fluent. This complete guide explains how articles work, when to use them, and when to leave them out. Learn the rules, common exceptions, and practical tips to start using articles like a native speaker.

Many English words look familiar but don’t mean what you think. These false friends can confuse learners and cause awkward mistakes. In this article, we explore 20 common examples, explain why they’re tricky, and show you how to use them correctly with clear examples.