When you want to give people some important information, you make announcement: ‘Following the announcement of their marriage, they were pursued by crowds of journalists.’ An advertisement is an item…
Before a word beginning with h, use a if the h is pronounced: ‘a house’, ‘a half’, ‘a horrible day’. Use an if the h is silent: ‘an hour’, ‘an…
Ample = (more than) enough; plenty (of): ‘The boot contains ample room for two large suitcases.’ ‘Just one spoonful should be ample.’ ‘He was given ample opportunity to express his…
In British English alternate and alternative have different meanings. Alternate = (1) happening in turn, first one then other: ‘alternate periods of sun and rain.’ (2) every second (day, week,…
Alone = without other people around you: ‘I’ve thought about getting married, but I prefer living alone.’ lonely = sad because you are alone and feel that nobody loves you…
Before the singular form of a countable noun we usually use whole or entire: ‘We spent whole the lesson singing songs.’ ‘The entire document will have to be rewritten.’ Note…
Aid is mainly used as a noun: ‘Many countries survive on foreign aid from richer neighbors.’ ‘It is government policy to provide aid to the homeless or the unemployed.’ As…
After is used instead of afterwards only informal styles, usually in phrases such as ‘soon after’, ‘not long after’ or ‘just after’. Careful users generally prefer afterwards, especially at the…