Found 126 articles starting with B:

bachelor - correct spelling

bachelor noun
Example: He is the world’s most eligible bachelor....

Back to Our Robin Cook Examples

So why are the examples at the beginning of this chapter incorrect?Here are the examples from the best-selling Toxin: 1. Kelly regarded Tracy in an attempt to interpret her comment. Kelly couldn’t qui...

Backup and Back up? What’s the Difference?

We all use the word Backup. Or is it Back Up? ...

bad, badly

Bad ordinarily acts as an adjective, badly as an adverb
. Bad normally describes how things a...

Badge vs. Badger

A small sign with a picture, name, or message on it that you pin to your clothes.A mammal with a gray body and a black and white head that lives in a burrow and comes out at night to eat.To keep asking someon...

Baffle vs. Puzzle

Introduction Language is a dynamic and nuanced tool for communication. Among the myriad of words that convey similar meanings, "baffle" and "puzzle" often find themselves at the center of confusion due to their overlapping definitions. Ho...

Bag vs. Baggage

A usually flexible container for carrying things.Travelers’ suitcases, bags, and trunks....

Bagel vs. Doughnut

Origins and Cultural Significance: Bagels, with their origins tracing back to Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, hold a deep cultural significance. They symbolize tradition, Jewish identity, and are often associated with New York City's bu...

Baggy vs. Bagpipes

Hanging in loose folds, as in baggy shorts.A musical instrument....

Bait vs. Bate: Do You Know the Difference?

You know the expression, “…with bated/baited breath…” What do you think? Is it spelled "bai...

Baking Powder vs. Baking Soda

A white powder used in baking to make dough or batter rise.A white powder used to make dough rise or to make an upset stomach....

balance - correct spelling

balance noun and verb
Example: The balance in the account was more than enough. noun
Example:...

Bald vs. Bold

The English language is rich and diverse, often presenting words that sound similar but have fundamentally different meanings. Two such words are bald and bold. At first glance, these words may seem to share a pho...

Bale vs. Bail

Bale vs. Bail: Navigating Homophones in Language Homophones, words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings, can sometimes cause confusion. "Bale" and "bail" are examples of such homophones. This article aims to clari...

Ball vs. Bawl

The English language is rich and diverse, with many words that sound similar but have completely different meanings. "Ball" and "bawl" are two such words that are often confused due to their similar pronunciation,...

balloon - correct spelling

balloon noun and verb
Example: The little girl lost her balloon. noun
Example: The f...

Balmy vs. Barmy

Barmy and balmy sound exactly alike, and with the exception of one word (r in barmy and l in balmy) their spellings are very much similar too. The meanings of both the words however...

banal - vocabulary

banal - adjective
Drearily commonplace, hackneyed, trite, lacking in originality. If you killed off Lizzie McGuire's entire family and sent her to live with an evil stepmother and two...

barbecue - correct spelling

barbecue noun and verb
Sometimes spelled barbeque.Example: We enjoyed the North Carolina barbecue. ...

Barbeque vs. Barbecue

People love "barbecue time", as they usually associate it with a free day spent with friends, chatting and feeling good outdoors. But taking a closer look at its name, this word started to create confusion within the last years.You might have...

Barber vs. Hairdresser

Introduction The terms 'barber' and 'hairdresser' are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, leading to some confusion regarding their specific meanings and roles within the hair care industry. While both professions involve...

Bare vs. Bear

The English language is full of homophones, words that sound the same but have different meanings. "Bare" and "bear" are two such words that are often confused due to their similar pronunciation, but they have dis...

bargain - correct spelling

bargain noun and verb
Example: We found a bargain at the yard sale. noun
Example: Yo...

Base vs. Baseball

Introduction English is a language renowned for its intricate vocabulary, occasionally causing confusion due to words that sound similar but have distinct meanings. 'Base' and 'baseball' are two such words that are occasionally interchang...

Base vs. Bass

Even though they are correctly pronounced differently, the fact that “base” and “bass” have quite similar spellings often determines some English users to pronounce them almost identically and, consequently, to confound them and use them one instead ...

basic - correct spelling

basic adjective and noun (basics)Example: Sugar is the basic ingredient. adjective...

basically - correct spelling

basically adverb
Grammar.com's section on the Parts of Speech discusses the demise of -ly adverbs. Click here for that dis...

Basket vs. Basketball

'Basket' 'Basket' is a noun that refers to a container or receptacle made of various materials, such as woven wicker, plastic, or metal, designed for holding, carrying, or storing items. Baskets come in various shapes and sizes, and their...

Bath vs. Bathe

'Bath''Bath' is primarily used as a noun and refers to the act of immersing oneself or someone else in water for the purpose of cleaning, relaxation, or personal hygiene. It can also refer to the container or room where this activity take...

Bathe vs. Bath

Bathe vs. Bath: Navigating Linguistic Waters Within the realm of personal hygiene and relaxation, the terms "bathe" and "bath" are often used interchangeably, but they carry distinct meanings and applications. This article aims to clarify...

Bathing Suit vs. Bathrobe

'Bathing Suit' 'Bathing suit' is a compound noun that describes a type of clothing specifically designed for activities involving water, such as swimming or sunbathing. It is also commonly referred to as a 'swimsuit' or 'swimming costume....

Bathroom vs. Rest Room

The English language is rich with words that often carry nuanced meanings, and two such words that often lead to confusion are "bathroom" and "rest room." Though they are often used interchangeably, they have dist...

Batter vs. Battery

The Word 'Batter' The word 'batter' is a versatile term that can function as both a noun and a verb, with different meanings in each context. As a Noun: 1. In culinary contexts, 'batter' refers to a mixture used in coo...

Be vs. Bee

The English language is a rich tapestry of words, each with its own unique meaning and purpose. Among these words, "be" and "bee" stand out as homophones, causing confusion due to their similar pronunciation. Howe...

Beach vs. Beech

'Beach''Beach' is a noun and refers to a shore or a stretch of land along the edge of an ocean, sea, lake, or river. It is typically covered with sand, pebbles, or other natural materials and is a popular destination for swimming, sunbath...

Beach vs. Coast

The terms 'beach' and 'coast' are frequently used in discussions about geographical features, particularly in relation to bodies of water. Although these words are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, they possess distinct meanings t...

Beam vs. Bean

'Beam' The word 'beam' primarily functions as a noun and a verb, each with its own set of meanings: 1. Noun - A Long, Horizontal Support As a noun, 'beam' refers to a long, sturdy piece of timber or meta...

Bear vs. Bare

They may be pronounced just the same, but “bear” and “bare” can definitely not be confused in an expression. They represent completely different things and should never be misspelled.Both words have double functions, both working as verbs and...

Bearing vs. Baring

Understanding the English language involves recognizing nuances in words that may sound similar but have distinct meanings. Two such words are bearing and baring. Despite their phonetic similarities, these terms d...

beautiful - correct spelling

beautiful adjective
Example: We enjoyed the beautiful sunset....

Beautiful vs. Adorable

The English language is rich with nuances that enable speakers to express a wide range of emotions and observations. Two adjectives that often appear in conversations about aesthetics, feelings, or impressions are 'beautiful' and 'adorable'. While...

because - correct spelling

because subordinating conjunction
Note: Forget your teacher’s rule about not starting a sentence with Because. Emily Dickinson’s poem Death begins: “Because I...

because, as, since, for

See as, because, since, for
....

become - correct spelling

become verb
Example: He will become annoyed with his situation rather quickly....

Bedpost vs. Bed Post

The terms 'Bedpost' and 'Bed Post' may seem similar at first glance, as they both refer to components of a bed. However, the subtle differences in their usage, meaning, and context warrant a deeper exploration. Th...

before - correct spelling

before preposition, subordinating conjunction, and adverb
Example: He fell asleep bef...

beggar - correct spelling

beggar noun and verb
Example: He gave a dollar to the beggar. noun
Example: The war ...

beginning - correct spelling

beginning noun, adjective, and verb (present participle of the verb begin)Example: In the ...

Behavior vs. Behaviour

Behavior/Behaviour is one of many words that are spelled differently in American English and UK English. It is part of a pattern that extends across the majority of words with the same ending, such as color/colour, harbor/harbour...

being - correct spelling

being noun and verb (present participle of the verb to be
)Example: The movie character was a rather exotic ...

belie - vocabulary

belie - verb
To misrepresent, to show to be false; to refute, disprove, gainsay. Often used to show an action directly contrary to the true situation, as in His shaking hands belied his calm smile and...

belief - correct spelling

belief noun
Example: This is my belief....

believable - correct spelling

believable adjective
Not believeable.Example: The plot, at least, was believable....

believe - correct spelling

believe verb
Example: He wants to believe in her....

Bellow vs. Below

How often do you find yourself wondering whether you should spell "below" or "bellow" while writing something? If you have seen this word spelled in both forms, chances are you got confused and you are not sure anymore about which one is correct....

bemoan - vocabulary

bemoan - verb
To lament; to express grief or distress over; to regard with disapproval or regret. Back in May, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton publicly admonished young folks for thinking of w...

beneficial - correct spelling

beneficial adjective
Example: The health food provides many beneficial effects....

benefit - correct spelling

benefit noun and verb
Example: This benefit attracted the new recruits. noun
Example...

benefited - correct spelling

benefited verb (past tense and past participle of the verb benefit)Also spelled benefitted.Example: The slush fun...

Benefitted vs. Benefited

The basic rule when building the past-tense form of a regular verb is to add "-ed". A special rule, anyway, is used when we're talking about a monosyllabic verb that ends in this pattern: consonant-vowel-consonant. In this specific case, doubling the...

Berry vs. Bury

People feel that the English language is tricky and confusing, but it doesn't necessarily need to be. There are many words in the English dictionary that have the same pronunciation but different spellings. We refer to them as homophones. They’re t...

beset - vocabulary

beset - verb
To attack on all sides, to assail, to harass, as in beset by financial difficulties; to surround or hem in, as in the little town beset on all sides with housing developments...

Beside vs. Besides

Beside Beside is a preposition of place. It means ‘next to’. The word has originated from the old English adverb ‘be sidan’ ...

besides, beside

As prepositions, these two are commonly interchanged, but their meanings do differ, according to traditionalists.Besides means “other than” or “in addition to” while ...

between - correct spelling

between preposition
Note: When you use a personal pronoun with between, you must use the objective case
.Grammar...

Biannual vs. Biennial

Biannual and biennial are treated as if they are interchangeable or they mean the same. Some people who know the difference but still get confuse about wh...

bicycle - correct spelling

bicycle noun
Example: The little girl loved her new bicycle....

Bid vs. Bide

Bid Firstly, let us explore the word "bid." As a verb, "bid" typically refers to making an offer, especially in an auction or competitive situation. It implies an act of suggesting a price for an item or a service. Example usag...

bight - correct spelling

bight noun (a loop in a rope, or a curve in a coastline)Not bite
.Note: When you use your teeth, you ...

bilateral - vocabulary

bilateral - adjective
Pertaining to two sides, parties, or factions, as in a bilateral treaty. In law, a bilateral contract binds two parties to reciprocal duties. R...

Bind vs. Bound vs. Bounded

Bind – to bind is to fasten objects together tightly. For example, glue is a binding material that binds paper with another surface, water binds the flour, a common...

Binging vs. Bingeing

Gerund – or present participle – forms of verbs can easily become confusing while adding the suffix “-ing”. Some word structures require to drop the last vowel before adding the suffix, whereas others don’t. This dilemma also occurs for the verb “...

biscuit - correct spelling

biscuit noun
Example: My grandmother made the world’s best biscuit....

bite - correct spelling

bite verb and noun
Not bight
.Example: A child might bite th...

Black vs. African American

Introduction The terms 'Black' and 'African American' are often used interchangeably in everyday conversations. However, they carry distinct meanings and connotations that are crucial for understanding identity, culture, and history. This...

blaspheme - vocabulary

blaspheme - verb
To speak irreverently of God or sacred things or beliefs; to speak evil of someone or something. Used as either a transitive verb (with ...

Blatant vs. Flagrant

Blatant vs. Flagrant: Navigating Expressions of Obviousness When describing actions or situations that are conspicuously obvious and often objectionable, the terms "blatant" and "flagrant" come into play. This article aims to clarify the ...

Blockquote Test Page

Only Blockquote Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and sc...

Blond vs. Blonde: A Linguistic Exploration

In the realm of English language, subtle nuances often distinguish between seemingly similar terms, and one such case is the distinction between "blond" and "blonde." While both words essentially denote a fair-haired individual, their usage and co...

board - correct spelling

board noun and verb
Example: Send the report to the board of directors. noun
Example: ...

Board vs. Bored

Homophones (literally "same sound") are usually defined as words that share the same pronunciation, regardless of how they are spelled. The words board, bored sound the same ...

boorish - vocabulary

boorish - adjective
Like a boor, insensitive, crude; without good manners, as in His boorish behavior offended everyone at the party. Today’s New York Times features...

bored - correct spelling

bored adjective and verb (past tense and past participle of the verb bore)Example: She is ...

Born in vs. Born at

In English, prepositions such as "at" and "in" are used to convey different types of information about time and place. When referring to a person's birthplace, "born at" and "born in" are two common expressions used to convey information about the sp...

Born vs. Borne

An African-born ...

borrow - correct spelling

borrow verb
Example: Do you want to borrow some money?...

Bosphorus vs. Bosporus

Both Bosporus and Bosphorus are acceptable spellings for the narrow, natural strait and internationally significant waterway located in northwestern Turkey....

bottle - correct spelling

bottle noun, verb, and phrasal verb (bottle up)Example: Give the baby her bottle. ...

bottom - correct spelling

bottom noun, verb, and adjective
Example: We’ve reached the bottom of the list. noun...

bough - correct spelling

bough noun
Example: The bird sat in the bough of the tree....

bought - correct spelling

bought verb (past tense and past participle of the verb buy)Grammar.com’s section on Problem Words discusses bought and brought. ...

boundaries - correct spelling

boundariesnoun (plural of the noun boundary)Example: The land seemed to have no boundaries....

boundary - correct spelling

boundary noun
Example: The line of trees formed the boundary of the property....

Braces

Punctuation is the basic element of English grammar and without it a sentence is not only incomplete but als...

Brackets

...

brake - correct spelling

brake noun and verb
Example: She hit the brake to avoid the collision. noun
Example: ...

Brake vs. Break

English language is filled with difficult and puzzling type of words. One of the type of words is homophones that are pronounced the same way but mean and spell differently. The words we are discussing today are one of the common pairs of homophones;...

Brake vs. Break

A device to slow down or stop a vehicle.To slow down or stop by using a brake.To damage something so that it's in pieces or no longer works.A rest from working or studying.To stop, as in...

breadth - correct spelling

breadthnoun
Example: Her breadth of knowledge impressed us....

breath - correct spelling

breathnoun
Note: The verb form is breathe
.Grammar.com’s section on Problem Words discusses breath and b...

Breath vs. Breathe

Language is a powerful tool that allows us to express a myriad of thoughts, emotions, and actions. In the realm of English, subtle distinctions between words can drastically alter the meaning of a sentence. Two such words, often confused due to th...

Breath vs. Breathe

The air that you take into your lungs and breathe out again.If you are out of breath, you have difficulty breathing.When you say something under your breath, you say it very quietly.To take air in ...

breath, breathe

Breathe (pronounced with a long “e”) is a verb, and breath (short “e”) is a noun
.Example: He tried to tak...

breathe - correct spelling

breatheverb
Not breath (which is the noun form).Grammar.com’s section on Problem Words discusses breath an...

brilliant - correct spelling

brilliantadjective
Example: Einstein was a brilliant scientist....

Bring vs. Take

Introduction The English language is rich with nuances and subtle differences, particularly when it comes to verbs that express movement or transfer. Among these, the verbs "bring" and "take" often cause confusion for learners and even n...

bring, take

Note: You’ll find an in-depth discussion in the Common Grammatical Mistakes section of Grammar.com. Click here for the beginning of that discussion....

British Approach to Group Nouns

As an interesting aside, the British always use plural verbs with collective nouns. On May 15, 2001, I was watching a BBC-produced documentary about a blues musician who made a comeback. Describing the musician’s band, the narrator said: ...

Broach vs. Brooch

She sat on the c...

broccoli - correct spelling

broccolinoun
Not brocolli.Example: Apparently, the president likes broccoli and cabbage....

Brooch vs. Broach

If you look up “brooch” and “broach” on google translate, you’ll most probably get the same result, as if they would mean the same. It’s not the first error of this kind that appears this way, and this is a good reason why you should first check your...

brought - correct spelling

broughtverb (past tense and past participle of the verb bring)Note: For a discussion of the differences between bring...

brought, bought

Brought is the past tense and past participle of bring, and bought is the past tense an...

Browsing vs. Surfing

Introduction The terms browsing and surfing are often used interchangeably in the context of the internet. However, they carry distinct connotations and nuances that reflect different approaches to explor...

Build Your Vocabulary

In this section, we have provided short discussions of 406 words. In each, we define the word and then provide an example of its use by top writers in literature or the media.This list will especially help young people studying for college-en...

building - correct spelling

buildingnoun and verb (present participle of the verb build)Example: The building...

bulletin - correct spelling

bulletin noun
Example: The head of the department issued a new bulletin....

bureau - correct spelling

bureaunoun (capitalize when naming a specific agency, as in "Federal Bureau of Investigation")Example: The police officer was investigated by the ...

burial - correct spelling

burialnoun
Example: The first biblical account of a burial is that of Sarah....

buried - correct spelling

buriedverb (past tense and past participle of the verb bury)Example: The general was ...

bury - correct spelling

buryverb
Example: “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.”Example: Don’t ...

Bus vs. Buss

Bus vs. Buss"Bus" is one of the first English words people learn, in the "means of transport" chapter, from the...

bushes - correct spelling

bushesnoun (plural of the noun bush), verb (present tense, third-person singular of the verb bush), and ...

business - correct spelling

businessnoun
Example: Frankly, it’s none of your business.Example: He started a successful ...

but

Don’t hesitate to start a sentence with But. It’s a coordinating conjunction, and great writers have been starting sentences with conjunctions for hun...

byte - correct spelling

bytenoun
Note: Werner Buchholz coined this term in 1956 when he participated in the early design of the IBM Stretch computer. It mutated from the word bite to avoid any confusion w...

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    Quiz

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    Identify the sentence with correct use of the past perfect tense:
    A We were going to the party after we had eaten.
    B I had saw that movie last night.
    C She had already finished her work before he arrived.
    D They has left when we arrived.

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