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Easy English: Direct and Indirect Objects

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs In English, verbs can be followed by two different kinds of objects, depending on the type of verb we are using. These are either direct objects or indirect objects. Transitive verbs are able to take a direct object, whereas intransitive verbs cannot. Here are some examples of both (the direct objects Read More

Easy English: Time Clauses

We use time clauses in English to express that an action or event is based on a certain period of time. Most often, these clauses are introduced by conjunctions such as “before,” “after,” “until,” “while,” “when,” or “whenever.” We can also use phrases such as “the minute,” “the moment,” or “as soon as” to serve Read More

The Chinese Idiom Dictionary: Vol. 1

A Resource for Learning Chengyu The Chinese Idiom Dictionary by Mei Li and Maki Hayasaka is a massive collection of traditional chengyu, carefully organized for easy reference. Each idiom is provided in its traditional form, with both Pinyin and English translations accompanying them. In addition, every expression has a detailed note of its traditional source Read More

Proverbs & Idioms

Bite Your Tongue by Alex Shepard Over 9 400 slang words and phrases from English varieties around the world! Bite Your Tongue is a comprehensive collection of English slang from around the world, with helpful regional differences and usage notes. From the latest lingo on social media and gaming platforms like Twitch, to indecipherable text Read More

Tricky English Phrases: Mistakes to Avoid

Every language is difficult to master, even for its native speakers. When it comes to English, the situation is no different. In fact, there are plenty of tricky English phrases that cause trouble for everyone, regardless of whether they’re new to learning the language or if they’ve been speaking it their entire lives. Fortunately, most Read More

Common English Mistakes: Tricky Phrases

English has a wide range of phrases and idioms that pop up frequently in day-to-day conversations. Yet many of these expressions are responsible for some very common English mistakes in both their written and spoken forms. This is usually because of tricky homophones that cause trouble for the writer or speaker (homophones are words that Read More