Phrasal verbs are extremely common in English (and other Germanic languages) – especially in less formal settings. Simply put, a phrasal verb is a verb phrase (Continue for full phrasal verb list)– it includes a verb (e.g. “call”) along with one or more “particles,” usually prepositions or adverbs (e.g....
Read MoreYou’ve probably heard the saying that “English is not a language, it’s three languages wearing a trench coat pretending to be one.” And it’s true – English is a bizarre mix of Germanic syntax, French vocabulary, and Latin loanwords. This mix gives English one of the largest vocabularies in...
Read MoreBefore we get to our 60 metaphor examples, a metaphor is a figure of speech and a form of figurative language in which one thing is said to be another thing, which it cannot be. A metaphor, while figurative, makes use of the idea of imagery, telling the reader...
Read MoreIf you’ve ever written a text to the tune of It’s such a happy day! or That outfit seems a little desperate, doesn’t it? then you’ve used personification. Quite simply, personification is a literary device that attributes human traits to non-human animals and objects. You personify them. You write a...
Read MoreWhether you are a language arts teacher or not, limericks are a great way to get your students thinking creatively and offer an engaging brain break. Because limericks follow a strict structure, they are usually easy to remember, learn, and recite. These funny, little poems are a centuries-old form...
Read MoreFamous College Dropouts – Here you are, preparing for college, writing a million personal essays, taking the SAT, trying to be your best self. Why? Just so some college can accept you and you can pay tens of thousands of dollars for them to tell you that you need...
Read MoreThis article will provide a scene-by-scene summary of Beowulf. If you’re like me, you probably have only the vaguest memory of studying Beowulf in high school. You might remember your teacher telling you that it’s one of the oldest works of literature in English. Or maybe you remember something...
Read MoreGoing undefeated in college football is an incredibly challenging feat, especially in the modern era. Teams must win 13, 14, or even 15 consecutive games, consistently performing at a high level despite injuries, challenging opponents, and inclement weather. Yet, remarkably, nearly every year there’s an undefeated team. It might...
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