What does "et al' mean? 🌟
When you need to cite a work with a lot of authors, you can use the word "et al." It's derived from Latin "et alia" which means "and others." If you want to help the reader locate the work, you can simply write the name of the first author and substitute the other people who worked on the piece with "et al". Such a format of in-text citations is suggested by most people. It can be seen in :
foot- and endnotes
parenthetical citations
narrative citations
bibliography
reference lists
For example ✨
According to Davies et al., winter aggregations of monarch butterflies is a remarkable example of dilution.
Predators usually choose prey with uncommon coloring in a group (Davies et al., 2012).
You don't have to add another period when you use "et al." at the end of a sentence.
Now you know how to give credit to a long list of authors without having to name and confuse them all. You can use "et al. ". Not only the text of your work, but also footnotes and endnotes. It also applies to reference lists formatted according to MLA and Chicago styles. "Et al.", like any other Latin abbreviation, has its meaning and proper usage. Unfamiliar language can affect your grades, so you should learn unfamiliar terms before including them in your sentences.
Keep on learning! 🤗
What does "samesies" mean?
"Samesies" is a slang term that is used to mean "the same" or "similar." It is often used to express agreement or solidarity with someone else. Here are three examples of how "samesies" might be used in English:
"I hate going to the dentist too. Samesies."
"I can't believe it's already December. Time flies, samesies."
"I love pizza with extra cheese. Samesies?"
Check out this GIF which is a great example of this term.
In conclusion, "samesies" is not a formal or technical term, but rather a colloquial expression that is commonly used in casual conversation.
What does wryd stand for?
WRYD is an acronym, abbreviation or slang term that stands for 'What are you doing?' It is mainly used for texting on social media and is used to ask what a person is currently doing.
Examples:
Person 1: Hey, wryd?
Person 2: Nothing
Person 1: wryd?
Person 2 Just chilling.
Conclusion:
In the modern era most communication is done over the various forms of social media. Many abbreviations are currently used in chats to save time and effort in typing long sentences, one of which is wryd, meaning what are you doing?
How can you tell Then vs. Than apart? What is the actual difference??
One thing is for sure, they share many of the same features and it may be difficult to distinguish one from the other. So, how can you tell them apart? If we look at identical twins, even they have unique characteristics in their physical appearance and personality. A lot of people make errors with the identical pair... then/than. If you get to know them better, you don't have to be one of those people who can't tell them apart. = )
When to use then
Then often functions as an adverb.
Dictionaries define then in lots of different ways: in that case, at the same time, at that time, next in order of place or time, soon afterward, in addition, or as a consequence.
Standing next to Dee is Jenny, then my roommate Jihye, then me.
Francisco told me, “If we are having fun together, then you should take lots of photographs.”
There were no digital cameras back then!
Sometimes, then is an adjective or a noun.
As an adjective, it means “being such, existing, or being at the time indicated.”
As a noun, it means “that time.”
My then-roommate Tom moved out and I've not seen him since then.
Then appears in some idioms too.
One means “on the other hand”:
John is funny, but then I laugh at everything.
Another idiom means “at that exact time and place, or at once”:
Lee asked me if I wanted to take a road trip, and I went home to pack my suitcase right then and there.
When to use than
Than is a conjunction used to introduce the second part of an unequal comparison. It also introduces the rejected choice in expressions of preference. Finally, than can mean “except” or “when.”
Sue is shorter than Anna.
She would rather not go than wear high heels.
Than can also function as a preposition.
As a preposition, than means “in relation to” or “by comparison with.” Here’s a (technically correct) construction of a sentence you may not have seen before:
Amy is a friend than whom there is none more caring.
Than appears in a lot of idioms.
Many of them, such as “more fun than a barrel of monkeys” or “more dead than alive,” feature comparisons.
You’ve probably heard some of the most popular ones.
1."easier said than done.”
“better late than never”
In conclusion... we know that they are spelled alike, except for the e in then and the a in than. However, telling them apart is not impossible! They have different characteristics, but how you define than is definitely not the same as how you define then! They have different “personalities” in that they function as different parts of speech.
Do you feel that you know them better now? = )
"Its" and "it's" maybe abit confusing as they are both pronounced identically and look very similar.
Its
'Its' is a possessive pronoun. This means it shows that something belongs to something. For example, the dog bites its tail.
It's
'It's" with the apostrophe means 'it is'/'it has'. The apostrophe indicates that two words have been joined. For example, it's (it is) a hot day today.
Activity: Choose the correct word
The cat likes (its/it's) food.
Its/It's been a wonderful day.
The bird lays (its/it's) eggs in a nest.
Answers:
its
It's (it has)
its
I hope this explanation helps :)
What does “AM” and “PM” stand for?
By: Teacher Sierra from AmazingTalker
Today, I will teach you what “AM” and “PM” mean.
AM and PM are abbreviations, and they are used to reference time.
AM means ante meridiem in Latin. This means before noon. PM means post meridiem in Latin. This means after midday(afternoon).
Examples
Example 1
It is 8 AM.
Example 2
Kathy should be in Washington, D.C. by 7 PM.
Example 3
The meeting will start at 1 PM.
Example 4
This bakery opens from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Example 5
The workshop will end at 6:30 PM.
You will also see AM and PM written like this:
am
pm
a.m.
p.m.
Examples
5 am
5 a.m.
7 pm
7 p.m.
Conclusion
You will use “AM” to refer to times from midnight until noon.
Example
12 a.m.-11:59 a.m.
You will use “PM” to refer to times from noon until midnight.
Example
12 p.m.-11:59 p.m.
Practice Time
Is it AM or PM?
Read the sentences and choose whether it is AM or PM.
1. Bob goes to school at 8:00 in the morning.
AM / PM
2. Kim eats dinner at 7:30.
AM / PM
3. This meeting is at 3 _____in the afternoon.
AM/ PM
What is the past tense of choose?
The past simple tense of choose is "chose".
How is the past simple tense of choose pronounced?
The past simple form of choose, is "chose". This rhymes with rose.
Pronounced: ch-OH-se
How do I use "chose" in a sentence?
The past tense form "chose", can be used in any sentence to denote a decision that has been made already.
Examples:
She chose to wear the blue dress for picture day.
They chose to go to the zoo for their class trip.
Chose is the past tense of Choose
When using the past simple tense, choose becomes chose.
This is not to be confused with chosen, which is the past participle which is used in Past Perfect tense (eg. She had chosen to go home before I arrived).
What does the idiom "not too shabby" mean?
It means something is fairly good or quite good. Whatever is being referred too wasn't at its best but it wasn't terrible either. It was somewhere in the middle. I use it as a form of surprise when I see something I wasn't expecting.
Example:
John came in 2nd in the race. That's not to shabby!
I'd say your drawing of a horse is not to shabby, if I do say so myself.
Not to shabby for a dinner with the minimum ingredients you had in your pantry.
In conclusion You can use this idiom if you want to compliment someone who tried their best at something but didn't quite show or do perfect work. You know they had worked hard.
Wywta is slang for "what you want to talk about." The term is taken from the question "What do you want to talk about?"
Online forums or messaging apps
The phrase is commonly used to initiate or continue a discussion on online forums like Twitter or Facebook or messaging apps like Messenger,Line or Telegram.
It's a great conversation starter for any subject!
Not only that, but it can be used when you're at a loss for words yet still want to keep the conversation going. When you are messaging a friend and you have no idea how friend friend is feeling, it is typical for you to simply ask, "wywta?" in order to avoid any embarrassment that may arise.
Get a positive response!
Consequently, when you want to convey your message of enthusiasm, gratitude, or excitement over a person or topic, utilize "wywta?" to make someone believe that you are approachable, relatable, and easy to talk with. This will increase the likelihood that they will respond positively to your message.
What is the origin and meaning of the phrase "top of the morning"?
Origin
Although this phrase was originally used in the British Isles during the Victorian Era, it is currently used by the Irish.
Meaning
The direct meaning of "Top of the morning to you" is "The best part of the morning to you".
This is used as a greeting to wish somebody a good morning.
When somebody says this to you, an appropriate response could be: "And the rest of the day to you".
This is used to wish the person a good day in response.
Examples
If you are walking past somebody (whether you know them personally or not), you may say "Top of the morning" as a polite way of saying "good morning". But remember, this phrase is not often used in European or American countries, and is a greeting mostly used in Irish countries.
In conclusion
The phrase "top of the morning" is a polite and cheerful greeting used to wish a person a good morning. It originated in the Victorian Era, and is commonly used by the Irish.
What does Kiddo mean?
Kiddo or Kiddos is a slang word for kids.
Kiddo (singular) or Kiddos (plural)
Is a slang word for kid or kids.
You will hear these words used among adults and teens. You will rarely hear a kid refer to another kid as a kiddo.
Examples:
I have two kiddos under the age of five.
How are you kiddos? Did they like the gift?
My kiddo is sick today. I need to take him to the doctor.
I'm going over to the Smith's house to babysit their kiddos.
It is best to use kiddo or kiddos in informal settings. It is casual language.
The difference between and apricot and a peach
apricots are smaller, have a orange like colour when ripe
The skin of the apricot is also smooth
The skin on a peach it furry
The stones in a peach are significantly larger than the one's in an apricot
They come from the same family of fruit but have different textures and taste's
The texture of a apricot and be slightly softer than that of a peach
"you got it" as a compliment or as a confirmation
What does "you got it" mean?
You can use "you got it" when congrats someone when they did something well.
Example 1: One of your friend have just solved a super hard math issue. Then you say: "you got it!"
this is the same with "you did it" or "you made it".
You can also use "you got it" to confirm that they understand an idea well.
Example 2: I am explain to you what "you got it" mean, and you understand it. Then I say: "you got it"
"you got it" and "I got it"
"Got it" means understood or achieved something
You can use different subject + got it to describe that they "got something". For example: we got it, I got it, etc.
The meaning of "I adore you" and when to use it
"I adore you" is a phrase that is used to express strong admiration or affection for someone. It is typically used as a way to tell someone that you love and care about them deeply.
You would use this phrase when you want to express your feelings of affection and admiration for someone, either in a romantic relationship or in a platonic friendship. It is a very strong and heartfelt way to express your feelings, so you would typically use it when you have strong feelings of love and admiration for the person you are speaking to.
Here are a few examples of sentences that use the phrase "I adore you":
"I adore you more than words can express. You are my everything."
"I adore you, and I am so grateful to have you in my life."
"Your kind heart, your beautiful smile, your intelligence... I adore everything about you."
The difference between afternoon and evening can sometimes be a bit confusing but more-or-less follows these rules. However, this explanation will discuss all times of day: Early Morning, Morning, Afternoon, Evening, and Night.
Times of Day
To make it clear here are all of them with, roughly, the times that define them. Notice that some times do overlap as this is not a perfect system.
Morning - 6:00am to 12:00pm
Early Morning = 6:00am to 9:00am
Mid Morning = 8:00am to 10:00am
Late Morning = 9am to 12:00pm
Afternoon - 12pm to 6:00pm
Early Afternoon = 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Mid Afternoon = 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Late Afternoon = 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Evening - 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Late Evening/Night - 9:00pm to 12:00am
Late Night - 12:00am to 6:00am
Pre-Dawn (before the sun comes up) = 3:00am to 6:00am
Overall
Times of day are relatively flexible as they overlap with each other. Nevertheless, the line between Afternoon and Evening are split at about 6:00pm, which is typically the time we eat dinner. .
What does "ihy" mean?
"ihy" have 2 meanings, one stands for "I hate you". This can be used for expressing that you really dislike someone. It can also mean "I hear you", you can use this to respond what someone has said.
Here are some examples:
A: Did you eat all the cookies?
B: Yes.
A: ihy (I hate you).
A: It's about to rain, you should park the car in the garage.
B: ihy (I hear you).
What does bittersweet mean?
Bittersweet is an adjective which denotes two things.
involving feelings of happiness and sadness simultaneously
A bittersweet experience is something that has happy moments and sad aspects.
Example:
My bittersweet childhood made me a strong person.
tasting sweet and bitter at once
A food that is bittersweet tastes sweet at first and bitter after.
Example:
I dislike coffee because of its bittersweet taste.
First come first serve is an English idiom
An Idiom is a recurrent sentence that we can use in multiple situations with the same meaning. It is a good way of showing that we know the language, and they are used frequently (but not exclusively) in oral language.
It means that no queue /waiting list is expected/allowed.
It can be used in a non regulated setting, where many people want to buy/achieve something and it will be bought /achieved following the order of arrival.
Examples
We didn't get the tickets' for Taylor Swift's concert as it was first come first serve. When we logged into the platform everything was sold out.
I went to the butcher's to get some minced meat but there was none of it left. First come first serve! Next week I will go earlier.
Introduction
"As above so below" is a phrase all of us have heard at least once in our life, but where does this come from? What makes this idiom so popular? What does it mean?
Religious ties
The expression "As above so below" is believed to have a tie with Hermeticism. The Christian religion have adopted large part of Hermetic principles.
Given the history, the phrase simply means that whatever you do in the physical world will reflect itself in the spiritual realm.
Astronomy
Astrologers take this expression to mean that the stars have effects on what happens in our everyday life. Weather you believe in Zodiac signs or not, this surely is interesting!
Spiritually
Some say the phrase "as above so below" means that the human body and all it's functions are barely a miniature version of our outside world. If one preforms good deeds this will be reflected when they are "below."
Conclusion
As above so below is often used to draw comparison between two things. Weather this is interpreted to relate to religions, tarot card readings or astrology, the only variants relate to what is considered "above" and "below."
SYNONYMS of BEAUTIFUL
The scenery is breathtaking!
Beautiful means very pleasant or possessing qualities that pleases the senses and mind aesthetically.
Some of its synonyms are:
attractive
stunning
gorgeous
angelic
elegant
pretty
good-looking
splendid
exquisite
breathtaking
magnificent
A beautiful person is very attractive.
(attractive, stunning, gorgeous, angelic, elegant, pretty, good-looking)
Example: My daughter is very beautiful. She is stunning!
Something that is beautiful is very pleasant to look at.
(stunning, splendid, exquisite)
Example: Look at that splendid dress!
(breathtaking, magnificent)
Example: The scenery is breathtaking!
Vocabulary Word of the Day: Frightening
By:Teacher Sierra from AmazingTalker
In today’s lesson, I will teach you the vocabulary “frightening”. What is frightening?
Answer
Frightening is an adjective. It means scared, scary, afraid, or terrified. I will show an example of someone being frightened.
Let's look at some sentences using the word "frightening".
Examples
Example 1
This is frightening!
Is this frightening?
Example 2
That horror movie was truly frightening!
Was that horror movie truly frightening?
Example 3
Is it that frightening?
Example 4
Something is frightening you.
Example 5
The cat is giving a frightening look!
Review
What does "frightening" mean? Frightening means afraid, scary, scared, or terrified. I have given some examples above on how to use "frightening" in a sentence. Now, it’s time to practice! Let’s make 5 sentences! I will write the word “frightening”, and then you make a sentence.
Example:
Frightening
Sentence: This is quite frightening!
Sentences
frightening
Sentence:
2. frightening
Sentence:
3. frightening
Sentence:
4. frightening
Sentence:
5. frightening
Sentence :
How was the practice? Did you do well?
I hope you enjoyed today’s lesson! Continue studying and happy learning!!!
Eww, cooties!!
You kissed Alicia, you are going to get cooties!
Having cooties has a string of different meanings, however at its core it refers to catching something in the form of disease from the opposite sex.
As children this is used the discourage boys mixing with girls and the other way around, however, as adults the cooties usually refers to a metaphor for STD's.
Everyday uses of the word cooties
Children
Ahhh, you touched Sara, you are going to get her cooties!
Eeewww, Michael kissed Amy, they are going to get cooties.
Sorry, we can't play with you, you got Amanda's cooties!
Adults
You went to that club, you should test yourself for cooties.
I got a cootie call from John , I need to go see the doctor.
Boy you are a breeding ground for cooties, get away from me!
Wear your mask or you might catch someone's cooties!
Role play is an excellent way to give example sentences!
Mom can use a stuffed animal. Mom can ask the stuffed animal a question. Using a fun voice, the stuffed animal can answer.
Children love to play!
Playing roles with toys helps children to learn in a fun way. When children are having fun, they are learning without even realizing it!
How can I do this?
Ask the stuffed animal: "What is your favorite color?"
The stuffed animal responds: "My favorite color is blue!"
Then mom can ask the child, using the stuffed animal's voice, "What is YOUR favorite color?" The child will like to talk to the stuffed animal!
Other examples:
What are you doing? -I am cleaning my room/reading a book/playing with my toys/helping mom in the kitchen.
What is your favorite food? -My favorite food is noodles/apples/bread.
Where is your toy? -My toy is on the table/by the chair/in my hand.
What class do you like at school? -I like science/math/writing class the best.
What sport do you like the best? -I like soccer/ping pong/basketball the best
Who is your best friend? -My best friend is _________.
It is important to make learning fun!
If mom is playing and having fun as she speaks English to her child, the child will have the same mentality. Learning is fun!