The suffixes in the following list are extremely common suffixes but some have fairly specialized meanings. The suffixes “-ish,” “-en,” and “-less” derive from Old or Middle English. The rest derive from…
Language Notes
right away vs. right now
Both of these expressions mean “immediately,“ but “right away” means “without delay” and tends to be used in situations where there is fear or worry, in situations where there is really not…
few vs. a few / little vs. a little
The difference between “few” and “a few” Both “few” and “a few” indicate a small number of something. However, use of the little word “a” before the word “few” makes a very…
fewer vs. less
“Fewer” is traditionally used when comparing quantities of individually countable things or people—as for example, when we say “There are fewer shops downtown nowadays,” or “I eat fewer salads in the winter,”…
Judging the quantity of quantities
The actual amounts referred to by expressions of quantity can be vague and hard to pin down. Below is a chart of quantity expressions listed in a divided continuum from completely negative…