Common English Q&A | Speak New York

Introduction

English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and for a good reason. It is the official language of 54 countries, and more than 1.5 billion people speak it worldwide. Whether you’re a native speaker or just learning English as a second language, there are always going to be common questions that come up. In this blog, we’ll be answering some of the most common questions about English to help you improve your understanding of the language.

What is the difference between “affect” and “effect”?
- “Affect” is a verb that means to influence or change something. “Effect” is a noun that refers to the result of a change or influence. For example: “The new policy will affect the company’s profits” and “The effect of the new policy on the company’s profits was significant.”
When do you use “who” and “whom”?
- “Who” is used as the subject of a sentence, and “whom” is used as the object. For example: “Who is coming to the party?” and “Whom did you invite?”
What is the difference between “there,” “their,” and “they’re”?
- This is the most common question. “There” is used to refer to a place, “their” is a possessive pronoun that refers to something belonging to a group, and “they’re” is a contraction of “they are.” For example: “There is a park near my house,” “Their car is parked in the driveway,” and “They’re going to the park.”
What is the difference between “lay” and “lie”?
- “Lay” is a transitive verb, which means it requires an object, and it means to put something down. “Lie” is an intransitive verb, which means it does not require an object, and it means to recline or be in a horizontal position. For example: “I am going to lay the book on the table” and “I am going to lie down on the couch.”
When do you use “whoever” and “whomever”?
- “Whoever” is used as the subject of a sentence, and “whomever” is used as the object. For example: “Whoever finishes first will win the prize” and “Give the prize to whoever finishes first.”
What is the difference between “few” and “a few”?
- This is also the most common question.”Few” means a small number or hardly any, while “a few” means a small number but more than none. For example: “Few people showed up to the party” and “A few people showed up to the party.”
When do you use “less” and “fewer”?
- “Less” is used with uncountable nouns, and “fewer” is used with countable nouns. For example: “I have less water than you do” and “I have fewer apples than you do.”
What is the difference between “its” and “it’s”?

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- “Its” is a possessive pronoun that refers to something belonging to “it,” while “it’s” is a contraction of “it is” or “it has.” For example: “The dog wagged its tail” and “It’s been a long day.”
When do you use “a” and “an”?
- “A” is used before words that begin with a consonant sound, and “an” is used before words that begin with a vowel sound. For example: “A dog” and “An apple.”
What is the difference between “who” and “whom”?
- “Who” is used as the subject of a sentence, and “whom” is used as the object. For example:
- “Who is going to the store?” and “Whom did you give the package to?”
When do you use “may” and “might”?
- “May” is used to express possibility or permission in the present or future tense, while “might” is used to express possibility in the past tense or to express a more tentative possibility in the present or future tense. For example: “I may go to the store later” and “I might have gone to the store if I had more time.”
What is the difference between “further” and “farther”?
- “Further” refers to a greater degree or extent, while “farther” refers to a greater physical distance. For example: “I need to study further to pass the exam” and “The store is farther away than I thought.”
When do you use “who” and “that”?
- “Who” is used to refer to people, while “that” is used to refer to things or animals. For example: “The man who helped me was very kind” and “The book that I am reading is very interesting.”
What is the difference between “good” and “well”?
- “Good” is an adjective that describes a noun or pronoun, while “well” is an adverb that describes a verb, adjective, or other adverbs. For example: “She is a good singer” and “She sings well.”
When do you use “lie” and “lay” in the past tense?
- The past tense of “lie” is “lay,” and the past tense of “lay” is “laid.” For example: “Yesterday, I lay in bed all morning” and “Yesterday, I laid the book on the table.”

Conclusion

English can be a complex language with many rules and exceptions, but by understanding some of the most common questions and answers, you can improve your communication skills and confidence in using the language. Whether you are a native speaker or a non-native speaker, these tips can help you navigate some of the trickier aspects of English grammar and vocabulary. Keep practicing and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

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