Grammar 101: insider tips and tricks to instantly improve your writing (part 1)

Hannah Lawrence
woman uses highlighter on book
Reading time: 4 minutes

I've always been fascinated by language and writing: as a child, I wrote newsletters for my classmates and books about my imaginary friends' adventures. That love of words eventually led me into a career as a writer, editor and proofreader. Over my career, I've checked thousands of reports, articles and blogs – and I see the same grammatical mistakes time and time again.

In this blog series, I'll share my favourite tips and tricks to help you remember those tricky grammar rules; whether you're writing for work, to learn or just for fun, these posts will help you improve your English and write with more confidence. Here are the top three grammar rules that people ask me to explain:

1) "Which" or "that"?

2) "Less" or "fewer"?

3)"Me" or "I"?

Grammar 101
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ɫèAV can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

"Which" or "that"?

We use "that" to introduce a phrase that is essential for fully understanding a sentence. For example, if a colleague asks you to "Join me in the meeting room that has a red door", then this tells us that there is more than one meeting room, but only one has a red door. Without this piece of information, you won't know where to meet your colleague. Phrases like this that hold essential information are called "restrictive clauses".

In comparison, “which” introduces additional information that isn’t essential for understanding the sentence’s meaning. At a different office, if your colleague asks you to "Join me in the meeting room, which has a red door", then this tells us that there is only one meeting room and it happens to have a red door. You don't need to know the colour of the door to understand where to meet. These are called "non-restrictive clauses" and are separated with commas, unlike restrictive clauses.

Also compare:
"Simon brought his dog that has three legs." (This tells us that Simon has more than one dog and only one of those dogs has three legs.)

"Jada brought her dog, which has three legs." (This tells us that Jada only has one dog. The dog also happens to have three legs.)

"Less" or "fewer"?

"Fewer" is for items that you can count: it means "not as many".

"Less" is for mass concepts: it means "not as much".

For example: "I'm trying to have less sugar in my diet. As part of this, I'm going to have fewer spoons of sugar in my coffee."

Another example: "I had less time to work this week, so I did fewer hours on the assignment."

"Time" is uncountable but "hours" are countable.

"Me" or "I"?

Should you say “Jane, Carlos and I went to the movies?” or “Jane, Carlos and me went to the movies?”

Use "I" when you're doing something – when you are the "subject" of the sentence.

Use "me" when something is being done to you – when you are the "object" of the sentence.

So, "I" is correct here. Here's the easiest way to know which one to use: remove the other people from the sentence and see if it still makes sense.

Incorrect: “Me went to the movies.”

Correct: “I went to the movies.”

Therefore, it's correct to say: “Jane, Carlos and I went to the movies.”

That's when you're the subject of the sentence, now compare it to a case when you're the object.

Incorrect: "Jane invited I to the movies."

Correct: "Jane invited me to the movies."

Bonus tip: remember to always put other people first. So, in our first example, it is always "Jane, Carlos and I", rather than "I, Jane and Carlos".

Grammar can be tricky, but it gets easier with practice – and a few insider secrets. Look out for the next post in this series, where we’ll explore more common grammar mistakes and how to avoid them.

Read our blog posts "11 fascinating facts about English"and "Commonly misspelled English words".

More blogs from ɫèAV

  • A parent and their child laying on the floor drawing together on a large peice of paper

    Raising bilingual kids: Sharing your family language at home

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    A shared language is central to many families, and this can carry extra meaning when your children are growing up in a country that speaks a different language. It's not just about words; it's about culture, identity and connection. If you'd like to teach your kids the language that holds a special place in your heart, here are some tips to get you started.

  • A student writingon a paper with other students doing the same in the background

    More commonly misspelled English words

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Spelling can often feel like navigating a maze. But fear not, for you are not alone in this quest. Whether you're a fluent speaker or learning English as a second language, the challenge of spelling is universal.

    Yet, just as heroes rise to conquer their foes, you too can triumph over misspelled words. With dedication and the right tools, you'll soon find yourself spelling with confidence and ease. Carrying on from our previous post, 'The most commonly misspelled words in English', let's explore more commonly misspelled words and empower ourselves with the knowledge to spell them correctly.

  • Two friends outside laughing together

    Exploring unusual and funny English sayings

    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    It's April Fool's Day today and we’re diving into the lighter side of the English language. English is full of quirky sayings and odd words that can leave you scratching your head or laughing out loud. So enjoy this collection of funny English sayings and words that are sure to bring a smile to your face and probably make you question whether this is an April Fool’s Day joke.

    1. Bob’s your uncle

    Let’s start with a classic British saying: “Bob’s your uncle.” This phrase is used to indicate that something will be simple or straightforward. For example, “Just add water, and Bob’s your uncle”. But who is Bob, and why is he your uncle? The origins are unclear, but it’s a fun way to say, “And there you have it”.

    2. The bee’s knees

    When something is the “bee’s knees,” it means it’s excellent or of high quality. But why the knees of a bee? This saying likely originated in the 1920s as part of a trend of using animal anatomy in slang. Other similar phrases include “the cat’s pajamas” and “the snake’s hips”.

    3. More holes than Swiss cheese

    If something has “more holes than Swiss cheese,” it means it’s full of flaws or problems. This saying is self-explanatory if you’ve ever seen a slice of Swiss cheese. It’s a humorous way to point out that something isn’t quite up to par.

    4. Bamboozle

    To “bamboozle” someone means to trick or confuse them. This word itself sounds like a bit of a trick, doesn’t it? It’s believed to have originated in the 17th century, and it’s a perfect word to use on April Fool's Day when you’re pulling pranks on your friends.

    5. Fuddy-duddy

    A “fuddy-duddy” is someone who is old-fashioned or fussy. This term is often used affectionately to describe someone who is a bit behind the times. It’s a funny-sounding word that’s sure to bring a smile to your face.

    6. Gobbledygook

    “Gobbledygook” refers to language that is meaningless or hard to understand, often used to describe overly complex jargon. It was coined during World War II by a Texas congressman who compared confusing bureaucratic language to the sound of a turkey’s gobble. It’s a perfect word for describing those moments when someone is talking but you have no idea what they’re saying.

    7. Mad as a hatter

    If someone is “mad as a hatter,” they’re completely crazy. This saying dates back to the 19th century when hat makers (hatters) often suffered from mercury poisoning due to the chemicals used in hat production, leading to erratic behavior. It’s a whimsical way to describe someone who’s a bit off their rocker.

    8. Raining cats and dogs

    When it’s “raining cats and dogs”, it’s raining very heavily. The origins of this saying are unclear, but it’s a vivid and amusing way to describe a downpour. Just imagine cats and dogs falling from the sky!

    9. Lollygag

    To “lollygag” means to dawdle or waste time. It’s a playful word that perfectly captures the essence of goofing off. So, if you find yourself procrastinating today, just tell everyone you’re lollygagging.

    10. The whole shebang

    “The whole shebang” means everything or the entire thing. The origins of “shebang” are uncertain, but it’s a fun and quirky way to refer to the entirety of something. Whether you’re talking about a project, a meal or a party, this phrase adds a bit of flair.

    11. Cat got your tongue?

    When someone is unusually quiet or at a loss for words, you might ask “Cat got your tongue?” This odd saying dates back to the 19th century and is a humorous way to prompt someone to speak up.

    12. As cool as a cucumber

    If someone is “as cool as a cucumber,” they’re very calm and composed, even in stressful situations. This saying is amusing because it compares a person’s demeanor to a vegetable known for its refreshing coolness. It’s a fun way to compliment someone’s ability to stay unruffled.

    How many unusual English sayings do you know?

    English is a wonderfully weird language, full of sayings and words that can leave us amused and bewildered. On this April Fool's Day, we hope you’ve enjoyed this lighthearted look at some of the funniest expressions English has to offer. So go ahead, sprinkle these sayings into your conversations, and share a laugh with your friends. After all, laughter is the best medicine, and today is the perfect day to embrace the humor in our language.