Language Learners

Spanish words of the week: manto or manta?

Here we go: a chance to put to bed the differences between another pair of similar-looking but differently used Spanish nouns. This time it’s the turn of manto (masculine) and manta (feminine). Read More

French word of the week: coin

This series of weekly blogs takes a closer look at words from our French dictionaries. The word we're focusing on this week is the French noun 'coin'. Read More

What’s the difference between their, there and they’re?

Their, there and they’re are homophones that are often confused by learners and native speakers of English alike. Here is a short guide to help understand the difference between them. their Their is a possessive determiner. You use their to show that something belongs or relates to a thing, place, animal, or child. Read More

Spanish words of the week: fosa or foso?

Today we’re digging into the commonest meanings of another pair of potentially confusable Spanish nouns. These are fosa (feminine) and foso (masculine). The two words have rather similar meanings in that they both refer to pit- or trench-like spaces. However, the feminine… Read More

French word of the week: dessous

This series of weekly blogs takes a closer look at words from our French dictionaries. The word we're focusing on this week is the French word 'dessous'. Read More

What’s the difference between your and you’re?

Your and you’re are homophones that are often confused by learners and native speakers of English alike. Here is a short guide to help understand the difference between them. your Your is a possessive determiner. You use your to show that something belongs or relates to the person or people that you are… Read More

Spanish words of the week: tramo or trama?

So which potentially confusable Spanish nouns are we disentangling this week? Let’s see where we get to with tramo (masculine) and trama (feminine). Read More

French word of the week: devoir

This series of weekly blogs takes a closer look at words from our French dictionaries. The word we're focusing on this week is the French verb 'devoir'. Read More

Using semicolons

The semicolon is used to mark a break between two main clauses when there is a balance or a contrast between the clauses. Compare: The engine roared into life. The propellers began to turn. The plane taxied down the runway ready for takeoff. with: The engine roared into life; the propellers… Read More