Latest from John Wilson
Gerunds vs infinitives: when to use -ing and when to use “to”
Stop guessing between -ing and "to" after verbs. Learn which verbs take gerunds, which take infinitives, and the ones that change meaning…
-ed endings: is it /t/, /d/, or /ɪd/?
The -ed ending has three sounds, not one. Learn the simple rule for when "worked" ends in /t/, "played" in /d/, and…
Sound fluent without speaking fast: the trick advanced learners get wrong
Most learners think fluency means speed. It doesn't. Native speakers sound fluent because of rhythm, fillers, and pauses — not because they…
Small talk in English: the phrases that actually work
Small talk feels pointless, but it's the gateway to every relationship at work, in social settings, and at coffee queues. Here's a…
“Since” vs “for”: the grammar trap that fools intermediate learners
Two tiny words that decide the tense of your whole sentence. Here's the rule — plus the present perfect partner that makes…
Present simple vs present continuous: the confusion fix
"I work" or "I am working"? Both feel like the present — but they describe two very different ideas. Here's how native…
In, on, at — prepositions of time without the guesswork
There's a pattern that decides 95% of time-preposition choices. Once you see it, you'll stop hesitating.
Polite vs direct English: when to soften and when to say it straight
English has elaborate ways of softening requests, criticisms, and refusals. Knowing when to use them — and when to drop them —…
The monthly English checkpoint: a 20-minute self-assessment
Most learners study English without measuring progress. Here's a 20-minute monthly routine that shows you exactly where you are — and where…
Mixed conditionals: when the rules bend (and when to use them)
First, second, third — easy. Then real life shows up, and you need a conditional that crosses time. Here's the pattern native…