2021-09-11 Can You Start a Sentence with ‘Because’?
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Achmad in Suriname. He asks: Question: Can you start a sentence with “because” or “and”? -Achmad, Suriname Answer: Hello…
2021-09-04 What Are ‘Clergymen’?
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Ichiro in Japan. He writes: Question: Dear VOA, Japanese people don’t understand Christian religious terms such as “religious leaders”…
2021-08-28 America’s People and American People
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Shohei from Japan. He says: Question: I would like to know the difference between “America’s” and “American.” For example,…
2021-08-21 True or Real?
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from an English learner in South Korea who recently began using our website. The reader says: Question: Dear VOA, I…
2021-08-14 Can You Use ‘Maybe’ and ‘Will’ Together?
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Arslan in Kashmir. He asks: Question: Is it correct to use “may” and “will” in a single sentence like…
2021-08-07 Remind or Remember?
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Joelson. He says: Question: Dear VOA, I am an English learner from Brazil. I want to know the difference…
2021-07-31 As, While or Meanwhile?
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Carmen in Mexico. She asks: Question: What are the differences between “as,” “while” and “meanwhile”? Thanks for your help.…
2021-07-17 Do You ‘Take Note’ or ‘Make Note’?
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Galmesa from Ethiopia: Question: Dear VOA, I have a question for you. At school I usually get asked the…
2021-07-10 ‘On the Corner’ or ‘at the Corner’?
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Jane in Taiwan(China) about two similar prepositions. Here is the question: Question: Dear VOA, I’m writing to ask a…
2021-07-03 Horse or Mule?
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Vincent in Kenya. He asks about the difference between two similar animals. Here is the question: Question: What is…
2021-06-26 What Is a Party?
Hello! Summer in the United States is a popular season to hold outdoor celebrations. Today, we answer a question from Egypt about the word “party.” Here’s the question: Question: This…
2021-06-19 Why Do We Say, ‘How Come?’
Hello! Welcome to Ask a Teacher. This week we answer a question from Shinji in Japan. Question Here’s the question: I think I once learned the expression “How come?” which…
2021-06-12 Finally, Eventually, Ultimately: What’s the Difference?
This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Thuy Duong Le, who writes: Question: What is the difference between finally, eventually and ultimately? Answer: Dear Thuy, Thank…
2021-06-05 The Difference between Will and Would
Question: Jahanzib Khan writes: What is the difference between will and would? How and when should we use these? Answer: Dear Jahanzib, Thank you for your question. It centers on…
2021-05-29 How to Use ‘Between’ and ‘Among’
Question: Akira writes, When I learned about prepositions in junior high school about 70 years ago, it was taught that “between” is used to describe two things and “among” is…