Tristen Bonacci

Abbreviating Continued: When to Use Cont. & Cont’d

A grammar guide to shortening “continued” in professional and casual writingTo be continued. To be cont. To be cont’d? Which one of these is the right way to shorten “continued” again? They’re actually both ...

The Best Ways to Speed Read & Become a Faster Reader

Easy tricks to increase your reading time and retain informationWhether you’re studying for your philosophy class or flipping through the morning newspaper, reading can seem like such a chore, especially because it can...

What “Goated” Means and How to Use It (With Examples)

Spice up your vocabulary with this fun slang termSo someone said “goated,” and you’re not quite sure what they meant? You might be surprised that the slang term “goated” has nothing to do with the animal. This ...

What Does "Dodge a Bullet" Mean?

You’re not a soldier, spy, or criminal, so why do people keep saying you “dodged a bullet”? Is it good or bad to “dodge a bullet”? It can be hard to figure out what this tricky English expression means, but we�...

Learn What It Means When Someone Says: "What Are You Into?"

Everything you need to know about the question: "What are you into?" “What are you into?” is a great question to start a conversation or get to know someone better. It's a good expression to learn, because English s...

How to

Introduce Evidence in an Essay

When well integrated into your argument, evidence helps prove that you've done your research and thought critically about your topic. But what's the best way to introduce evidence so it feels seamless and has the highest...

How to

Avoid Using Personal Language in Writing

Learning how to write without using personal language can be tough. It’s especially tricky to find alternatives to clauses such as “I think” or “I will argue,” but don't worry if you're stuck. There are lots of...

How to Use “Respectively” in Your Writing: A Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about using “respectively” in a sentenceSo, you’re doing some writing when the word “respectively” pops into your mind. Bravo! That’s one awesome word! But how do you use it and wh...

How to

Write a Good Answer to Exam Essay Questions

Answering essay questions on an exam can be difficult and stressful, which can make it hard to provide a good answer. However, you can improve your ability to answer essay questions by learning how to understand the ques...

Is There a Comma in "I Too"?

A complete grammar guide to using "I too" in a sentenceWe, too, have trouble with grammar from time to time—especially when it comes to comma placement and that tricky “too” (or is it “to”?). When you want to s...

How to

Use English Punctuation Correctly

With the dawn of the Internet, the birth of Internet slang, and the growing use of SMS, many of us are starting to forget the fundamental aspects of English punctuation. Would you like to write a great paper for one of y...

Has Completed, Had Completed, & Have Completed: Grammar Rules Explained

The English language is full of grammar rules that can take a little practice to learn. Take “has completed” or “had completed”—they’re very similar, but used in specific cases. We’ll guide you through when...

Is It "Clearer" or "More Clear"?

You’ve probably heard people say both “clearer” and “more clear”, but which is grammatically correct? When you hear both expressions so often, it can be hard to tell which to use if you don’t know the specifi...

What Does "In Queue" Mean?

You just heard someone say the phrase “in queue/in the queue,” but you aren’t completely sure what they meant. That’s totally valid! Depending on the context of the conversation and the nationality of the speaker...

What Does The Devil Is in the Details Mean? (Dissecting This Idiom)

A concise guide to the idiom "the devil is in the details" with explanations and examplesTempted to use the idiom "''the devil is in the details''," but want to make sure you get it just right? To help you play innocent ...

What Does "Go Get Em" Mean?

If someone tells you "go get em" they probably sounded pretty enthusiastic, but what were they actually saying? The English language is full of common phrases like this—they aren't straightforward, but they're frequent...

How to

Identify a Clause

Clauses and phrases are building blocks for longer sentences. As a first step, focus on learning the difference between them. Once you are ready, move on to identifying the different types of clauses. Understanding these...

What Does "Batting an Eye" Mean?

Someone's just said "without batting an eye," but you're not sure what they meant. It is an odd expression and it can mean a few different things, but don't worry. We'll go over everything you need to know about this un...

How to

Analyze Tone in Literature

In literature, tone refers to the author's attitude toward the subject, characters or events of a story. Understanding the tone of a literary work can help you become a better reader. You may also need to analyze the to...

How to

Be a Good Reader

Many people enjoy reading as a way to relax and enrich their minds. Reading is also an increasingly critical skill to learn and develop to be successful in school and in the professional world. By gathering the right rea...