English is a very interesting language, and as you learn it, you will learn about its various marvels every day! The most amazing aspect of English is that you can convey one single message in many ways and make it sound amusing with the usage of idioms!

What are idioms?

It is an expression that does not have a literal meaning, rather it is figurative phrase. There are amusing stories behind each idiom and how it came to be coined. However, amusing story or not, idioms are fun to learn and equally amazing to use, provided you use them in the right context.

For someone new to idioms, it is natural to wonder about the whole fuss around idioms. The reason why idioms are so appreciated is because you can sound satirical, funny, serious, mysterious, and well-read by using them. In addition, using the right idiom at the right time speaks a lot about your command over the English language.

So now that you know what idioms are, you cannot help but be hooked to our series on various idioms, their meaning and their usage. In this first part of the series, let us start with a few idioms that are more commonplace than their peers are.

• Curiosity killed the cat: Chances are you have heard this idiom. And you must have heard when you were in one of your over-inquisitive modes, for that it is when this idiom is used. Curiosity killed the cat translates to 'over inquisitiveness can land you in dangerous/ harmful situations'. While being wary and inquisitive is a good trait, it is best practiced in moderation.



• Act like an ape: What do you call an extremely naughty child, the one who bangs with the furniture because he has been running wild, the one who drops food all over the floor and the one who screams at the top of his voice the moment you try to reprimand him? Naughty is too light a word for such a brat! This is when the idiom 'act like an ape' applies well. The idiom implies to a person who behaves badly and is difficult to control.



• A chip on your shoulder: Are you still worrying about your not so good score in the school-level exams? Are you still nursing a broken heart? Then, in that case, you have a chip on your shoulder, which means that you are still upset over something that happened in the past.

• A slap on the wrist: If you think that your teacher is biased, then there is no surer way of proving it than when the teacher leaves her favorite student with nothing more than a 'slap on the wrist'. This idiom translates to 'giving a mild or an insignificant punishment'. Can you think of other situations where you can use this idiom?

An English speaking course from eAgeTutor will not only improve your spoken English but also train you on the flawless usage of idioms. If you wish to improve English effectively, then it is prudent for you to enroll with one of the online spoken English classes.

Students from various backgrounds and walks of life come to us to learn fluent English speaking. The blog today deals with one of the most common questions that aspiring English learners ask our tutors. How to avoid common grammar mistakes? So, here we have a compiled a list of some common grammar errors that most of us commit, unconsciously. Let's have a look at them.

1. Who or whom 

We have discussed this topic at length in our previous blog (http://english.eagetutor.com/english/1-spoken-english/552-who-or-whom-learn-the-right-usage-with-examples.html). Who and whom both are pronouns but 'who' is a subjective pronoun and 'whom' is an objective case. The same goes for 'whoever' and 'whomever'. The difference is that whom is the objective form of who. A simple chart will help you understand when to use what.

From whom/who did you get my number?

I got it from him, therefore, going by the above formula, whom is the right option.

2. Your or you're 

This is one of the most common grammatical errors that can be avoided. All one takes to be correct with it is a calm mind. Your is a possessive pronoun while you're is a contraction of you are. Your car is parked in the basement and you're parking the car in the basement. In spoken English, it may not sound incorrect but one has to be cautious when it comes to writing. Your is not a substitute to You're.

3. Its or it's

Do you get confused between the two? Don't worry, here's how to use them in the correct form. Its is a possessive pronoun, it means, more or less, of it or belonging to it. It's on the other hand is a contraction of it is. Having said this, here's a simple way you can decide which to use when.

Its/it's my pen.

Now replace, it's with it is or it has, if the sentence is complete then 'it's' is the right.

It is my pen. Therefore, 'it's' is the right answer.

Now, let us look at another example.

This flower is known for its/it's long lasting fragrance.

Now, can you replace it's with it is or it has. A definite NO.

Therefore, 'its' is the right choice.

Hope, the concept is clear.

4. Their, there or they're

More than 60% of people get confused between the use of their, there and they're.

"They're riding their bikes over there"

Observe this sentence closely. When you read this sentence, all the three would sound the same. However, there is a difference in their meanings. Here's how our English language institute helps students to understand the difference.

They're stands for they are – it's a contraction.

There is a possessive adjective.

There refers to a place or location.

Here is an exercise for you, choose the right option:



We shall look at more such common grammatical errors in our next blog; stay tuned for our next English tutorial.