Ellipsis

Ellipsis is when there is an omission of some words that are superfluous or that can be understood from the context.
e.g.
Where’s my pen? On the table!
How did you do in your test today? Passed.
Alice wasn't there for ballet class today and nor was Sally.
Jenny promised to bring the food for the picnic and I the drinks.

Correlative Conjunctions

These are conjunctions that are commonly used together:

• Not only ...  but also, e.g. Not only was he stupid but also arrogant.
• Neither ... nor, e.g. That is neither here nor there.
• Either ... or, e.g. They are either very gifted or very well trained.
• Both ... and, e.g. Peter was both excited and delighted.

Did you know ?

• That the word Nicotine is derived from the name of the French diplomat, Mr Jean Nicot, who introduced tobacco to France?
• That the concept of the Teddy bear came about after President Theodore Roosevelt spared the life of a young bear while hunting?
• That the guillotine was invented by Joseph Guillotin?
• The snack Sandwich was created by the Earl Of Sandwich?

The common thread in these tidbits is that they are EPONYMOUS- they are named after a person connected with them.

Egyptian words used in English

There are several words from Ancient Egyptian that are used in English:
1) Egypt: A corruption of Hikuptah, which itself is a corruption of Hwt-ka-Ptah. Now Ptah happens to be one of their gods.
2) Pharaoh: comes from a modification of the Hebrew word, paroh which is derived from the Egyptian Pra-a, meaning palace.
3) Gum: came from the Egyptian word qym.t.
4) Desert: comes from the word deshret,  which means barren.
5) Sphinx: derived from the word Sheshpankh. which means living image

Avoiding Chinglish

Wrong	Right
Henry has started the School yesterday.	Henry started school yesterday.
Edison discovered many machines	Edison invented many machines
Susan, can you borrow me your book?	Susan, can you lend me your book?
Karl never listens his parents.	Karl never listens to his parents.
My legs are painful.	My legs are paining.

Euphemisms 2

Phrase                 Meaning
catch a cold -      with a zip undone
campaign wife -  a mistress
Derbyshire neck - a goitre
fraternal assistance - an invasion

The difference between forego and forgo

Forego is something that happens before, e.g. It is a foregone conclusion that a patriarch will clash with a rebel.
Forgo is to sacrifice, e.g. I must forgo dessert to lose weight.