The verb “comprise” means “to be made up of, consist of, or include.” We can say that the nation of Canada comprises ten provinces and three territories. Or we can say that…
About This Word: clean coal
Welcome to About This Word, where Wordsmyth showcases commentary about relevant words in the news and media our users and staff find interesting. Today’s word: “clean coal,” written by Wordsmyth science writer…
Grammar and Usage: “attain” vs. “obtain”
“Obtain” and “attain” have similar pronunciations and meanings, but they do not generally overlap in usage. “Attain” has more the idea of achieving a goal or reaching a level or degree. “Obtain”…
Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs
The terms “transitive” and “intransitive” refer to how verbs operate in a sentence. When we call a verb’s particular meaning “transitive,” we mean that the verb is always followed by a specifically…
About This Word: “essential”
Welcome to About This Word, where Wordsmyth showcases commentary about relevant words in the news and media our users and staff find interesting. Today’s word: “essential.”