"Learnt" is the past tense of "learn" and is used as a verb.
For example, "She only learnt about the news yesterday."
As for "learned", it is used as an adjective to refer to someone who has much knowledge.
For example, "We consulted the learned professors."
I have seen people writing "Specially for you" but lately I have also read "Especially for you". Is the latter grammatically correct?
If something is bought only for someone for a specific purpose – you can label it “specially for you”.
“Especially” means “much more than usually or normally”.
For example, “He tried to appear especially cheerful for her sake.” The smiles were especially for her.
"You are to bring along your student pass to the camp."
"You are to take your student pass to the camp."
Do these two sentences have the same meaning? Can the words "bring" and "take" be used interchangeably?
The words "bring" and "take" do not have the same meaning.
"To bring" refers to a two-way process where the subject would be back at the original position/location.
"To take" refers to a one-way process where the subject would be left at the destination.
For example: If we were to "bring along the student pass", it means that we would have the pass back with us when we return to our original location.
However, if we were to "take our pass to the camp", the pass would actually be left at the camp (destination).
Considering words starting with the vowels (a, e, i, o, u) have “an” as a prefix, is it “a eunuch” or “an eunuch”? Any other exceptions?
It’s “a eunuch” because the word “eunuch” sounds like it begins with “y”.
Other examples: a eulogy, a unicorn.
We say “an honest man” because the “h” in “honest” is silent and the word sounds like it begins with an “o”.
Other examples: an honourable person, an honorarium
“Alternative route to
An “alternative” is something you can choose or have instead of something else. Therefore, “alternative route” is correct.
"Alternate" in American English is used to denote something that is different from the usual. So you may find "alternate" route being used in some writing.
I stay in a/an HDB apartment?
Generally, when we say it, it would be "an" because of the silent H.
However, when it is written, the abbreviation actually stands for Housing and Development Board apartment, hence, we can use "a" as well.
I would not want to be prescriptive for the written form and say it must only be "an" and not "a" because of the silent "H".
Also, note that it should be "I live in an HDB apartment." ‘Stay’ is temporary as in “I’m staying at the hotel at
Should I say “If I were a billionaire” or “If I was a billionaire” in instances like these when talking about unreal/hypothetical situations?
There are also instances when we say "If I am a billionaire..."
Which is preferred: was, were or am?
All are possible. But note how they are used as follows:
“If I were” is more formal than “If I was”. However, you can use them interchangeably.
We would use "was/were" with "if" when we are talking about unreal situations – to distance our language from reality.
The use of the “am/is/are" with "if" is possible only with reference to circumstances which are probable and likely to happen.
"Everyone wants to change the world but no one wants to change themselves."
Should it be "themselves" or "himself"?
It should be “himself” because “no one” is singular.
Should I say “in” a meeting or “at” a meeting? Should it be “report to” or “report at”?
I am in/at a meeting. Both are possible.
Please report to Mr Ang (person) at ten tonight (time).
Please report to Mr Ang at the club (place).
Dad and Mum went to pay for the bed so that we can get it early or earlier. Which is right – early or earlier?
When you use “earlier” you are referring to two periods of time:
I came early but John came earlier.
He graduated from university earlier than expected.
In the above example, it should be:
Dad and Mum went to pay for the bed so that we can get it early.
However, “earlier” is possible in this context:
Dad and Mum went to pay for the bed so that we can get it earlier than we had planned / than we expected.
Why do people say “I fell for you”? Isn’t it better to say, “I fell in love with you”?
To “fall for something or somebody” can give the idea of being deceived or tricked.
For example, I fell for her tricks.
Certainly, the good old traditional line “I fell in love with you” says it beautifully, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
Is it right to say, “I feel so pressurized?” Should it be pressured or pressurized?
“I feel so pressured” is correct. “Pressurized” refers to certain atmospheric pressure as in “The cabin must be pressurized to enable passengers and crew to breathe normally.”
But note how “pressurized” can also be used according to Times Common Errors in English:
American English: I have never pressured my children to study.
British English: I have never pressurised my children to study.
The use of “pressure” as a verb occurs mainly in American English. British English uses “ pressurize” as in to “exert pressure on”.
It is true that when you pressurize or pressurise someone to do something, you persuade or force them to do it, even though they do not want to.
I saw an advertisement which read: "A child’s growth is boundless. At XYZ Learning Centre, we are only too happy to help it expand forever." Is this right?
It is better to say, "At XYZ Learning Centre, we are only too happy to help your child grow."
Or we are very happy to help your child grow.
Expand is not a word I will use on a child.
Nor will I call my child "it".
Be careful with the words you use. Referring to a child as an "it" may be an oversight but it can also sound offensive to others.
Is it "Enquiry" or "Inquiry"? Are both words interchangeable?
In British English, used here in
An inquiry is an investigation conducted by an organisation, the police for example.
However, in American English, it is common that the word 'inquiry' is used for both instances.
I was travelling by bus one day when someone called me on the phone and asked where I was. Should I say, "I’m in a bus" or "I’m on a bus"?
I was travelling by bus one day when someone called me on the phone and asked where I was. Should I say, "I’m in a bus" or "I’m on a bus"?
You should say, "I’m on a bus."
Use the preposition "On" for transport that you have to step up to in order to board. This applies to trains, planes, bicycles and the MRT.
Use "In" for transport like cars and taxis. This is because you need to step down to get inside the vehicle.
I’ve received many emails from Singaporeans at work that say, "Please revert soonest possible." Is this right?
"Please revert soonest possible" is not Standard English. Try to avoid using it.
You can try a simple and effective statement like "I look forward to hearing from you soon" to end your emails.
The tone sounds friendly while clearly stating the need for the other party to reply to you.
Can the words "although" and "but" be used interchangeably?
"Although" and "but" can be used interchangeably as they both aim to connect two ideas inside the same sentence.
“But” can only be used in the middle of a sentence whereas "although" can be used either at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.
Here are some examples:
"She likes him but doesn't want to get married."
"Although they were hungry, they did not eat."
"They did not eat although they were hungry."
Is there any difference between "dateline" and "deadline"? Are these words interchangeable?
"Dateline" refers to a line in a newspaper article that gives the date and the place of origin.
"Deadline", however, refers to the date or time a task needs to be completed.
Given the different meanings, we should not use these words interchangeably.
Is there a difference between "further" and "farther"? How is each of these words used?
"Farther" is an adjective used to refer to a greater distance or a more distant place.
It is only used when we are speaking of real places and distances.
For example, "What is the farthest place that you have been to?
The adjective "further" is used to mean 'more', 'extra' or 'additional'.
For example, "Please write in to us for further information."
People use the alternative word "incentivise" when they mean "motivate". However, the word "incentivise" cannot be found in the dictionary. Is it correct to use this word?
There is no such word as "incentivise". It can only be used in its noun form "incentive".
For example, instead of "This will incentivise him to do better", we should rephrase it to "This will be an incentive for him to do better."
Is there any difference between these words - "learnt" and "learned"? When do we use each of them?
"Learnt" is the past tense of "learn" and is used as a verb.
For example, "She only learnt about the news yesterday."
As for "learned", it is used as an adjective to refer to someone who has much knowledge.
For example, "We consulted the learned professors."
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