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Author Archives: barnabyharward
Pairing adverbs and adjectives
Have a look at this sentence: I have noticed that paragraphs 81 and 82 are virtually similar to paragraphs 5 and 6. “Virtually similar” is incorrect because “virtually” is a non-grading adverb and “similar” is a gradable adjective. “Very similar” … Continue reading
The difference between “currently” and “presently”
Many people – native English speakers included – are confused by the word “presently”. In UK English it has traditionally been a formal, literary word which means “in a short time”, “soon” or “before long” – in contrast to “currently”, … Continue reading
How to translate “termin” (time expression)
The Polish word “termin” can mean a period of time or a point in time. In English, the word “term” can also mean a period of time or a point in time. But “term” has very specific uses (relating to … Continue reading
The difference between “practice” and “practise”
In British English – like “licence/license” and “advice/advise” – “practice” is a NOUN and “practise” is a VERB: NOUN Safeguarding clients’ personal data should be standard practice in the company. He has been a lawyer for many years, but he … Continue reading
The difference between “licence” and “license”
“Licence” is the British English NOUN – The bar has received a licence to sell alcohol. “License” is the British English VERB – We are now licensed to sell alcohol. You can remember this because it is the same as … Continue reading
The difference between “prescribe” and “proscribe”
The verbs “prescribe” and “proscribe” are very close in spelling and pronunciation but almost opposites in meaning. Don’t get them confused! “Prescribe” means “stipulate” or “order”. Perhaps the most common usage is in the field of medicine – where a … Continue reading
How to translate “przedsiębiorca”
“Przedsiębiorca” is usually translated as “entrepreneur”. Although this is one of several possible translations, 99% of the time it is the wrong word. First of all, look at a Polish definition of “przedsiębiorca”: Zgodnie z definicją zawartą w art. 431 kodeksu … Continue reading
The difference between “commitment” and “commission” (and “committee” and “committal”)
The verb “commit” has numerous related noun forms: commitment, commission, committal and committee. Many people – native English speakers included – do not know all the differences between them. A criminal “commits a crime”. But we cannot talk about the … Continue reading
Common mistakes with the Present Perfect tense
The Present Perfect tense is made up of have/has and the past participle of a verb: He has eaten all the chocolates. I have included your amendments in the draft agreement. It is perhaps the most difficult of all verb … Continue reading
When to use “a” and when to use “an”
We say “an old man” but “a young child”. What is the rule for using “a” and “an”? The rule is that we use “a” before a consonant sound and “an” before a vowel sound. Note that it’s the sound … Continue reading
Common Mistakes in Business English 