2020-07-18 After and Afterward
This week, we received a question from Rose in Brazil. She asks, Question: I would like to know the difference between after and afterward and how I can use both…
2020-07-11 Hello, Teacher!
This week, we received a question from Agnaldo, a teacher in Brazil. He asks, Question: I’ve seen recently that we shouldn’t call a teacher “Teacher.” We should call him or…
2020-07-04 Scores, Marks, Points and Grades
This week, we received a question from Eric, a teacher in China. Question: I am at a loss about how to use the following words correctly: score, mark, point, and…
2020-06-27 Though, Throughout and Go Through
This week, we answer a question about three similar sounding terms. Our listener Suri writes: Question: Hi, I want to know the meaning of “through,” “throughout” and “go through.” Answer:…
2020-06-20 Kindly and Please
This week we received a question from Evewero in Nigeria. Question: “ What is the difference between “please” and “kindly.” Some … use the two words together, e.g. “please kindly…
2020-06-13 Loose and Lose
This week’s question comes from Vukeni of South Sudan. Vukeni writes: Question: What is the difference between “loose” and “lose”? This morning, I heard some people debating about it. Answer:…
2020-06-06 Not and No
This week we received a question from Candy in China. Candy writes, Question: I wonder what is the difference between “not” and “no”? Today when I do my homework, I…
2020-05-30 How Can I Sound American?
Today on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from Igor in Russia. He writes, Question: I’d like to speak with an American accent. Could you give me advice on…
2020-05-23 When Was Last Tuesday?
This week received a question about time expressions from Dara in Cambodia. He asks, Question: Do you use the phrase “last Tuesday?” If so, what does it mean? Does it…
2020-05-16 Pandemic and Epidemic
This week received the same question from two VOA fans. Here is the first question. Question: “What is the difference between “pandemic” and “epidemic?” They appear a lot in recent…
2020-05-09 Just and Only
This week we answer a question we received from Nurfidhea in Indonesia. Question: “What is the difference between “just” and “only?” How and when should I use them? Thank you”…
2020-05-02 How to Talk About Staying Safe
This week we answer a question from Terrence in Vietnam. He writes: Question: Which of the following forms is more correct in English usage? “Yes, we can go out but…
2020-04-25 Buy and Purchase
This week we answer a question from Julio in Peru. He writes: Question: I would like to know the difference between BUY and PURCHASE and when to use each of…
2020-04-18 Ask and Demand
This week we answer a question from Nangatoum, from Chad. Question: I would like to know the difference between “ask” and “demand” and when to use each of them. –…
2020-04-11 Very and Too
This week we answer a question from Rafael. He asks, Question: What’s the difference between too and very? Answer: Dear Rafael, Thanks for asking this question. These words often cause…