What does the phrase "tread lightly" mean?
The phrase "tread lightly" is an idiom.
It means: to be careful with your actions or words to avoid causing offense to somebody.
Examples
We use the phrase "tread lightly" to indicate that one should be careful what they say or do next.
Example 1:
Your boss is in a terrible mood and has been shouting at everyone for taking too much time off of work. You need to ask for the day off tomorrow, so your coworker tells you to "tread lightly" when asking for permission.
Example 2:
Your friend has had her heart broken, so you decide to 'tread lightly' when asking her about her plans for Valentine's Day.
Example 3:
Your daughter has had a bad day at school, so you tell your partner to "tread lightly" when speaking to her.
In summary...
The idiom "tread lightly" means to speak, behave, or proceed carefully, to avoid causing offense or upsetting anybody.
What does "discreetly" mean?
The word "discreetly" is an adverb (it describes an action).
It means: to do something very carefully or secretively, to avoid embarrassment or attention
Examples
"She corrected his mistake discreetly"
Meaning: She corrected his mistake in a way that would not embarrass him.
"I applied for another job discreetly"
Meaning: I applied for another job secretly, to not attract attention to the fact that I am leaving my current job.
"He coughed discreetly"
Meaning: He coughed in a way that was not noticeable or obtrusive.
In summary...
The word "discreetly" is used to describe an action that is done carefully or secretively, to not attract attention or cause embarrassment.
TONITE or TONIGHT? 🌃
Tonite is the informal spelling Tonight.
Tonight means the night of the present day.
EXAMPLES:
I am going to play video games tonight.
Can you meet me tonite?
Tonite's another meaning:
So, don't be confused!
Tonite also have also have another meaning!
It is an explosive used in quarrying 💣
Awhile vs. A while
By: Teacher Sierra from AmazingTalker
Today, I will teach you the difference between awhile and a while.
What is the difference between awhile and a while?
Answer
Awhile is an adverb, and it describes for a period of time.
A while is a noun, and it describes a period of time.
Even though both of these are describing a period of time, how to know which one to use in a sentence? Let’s read more!
"A while" will follow words such as "after" or "for”. You will also use “a while” when you see “once in…”.
When you are describing a period of time as an adverb, you will use “awhile”. Awhile will follow a verb.
Let’s look at some examples!
Examples
Example 1
After a while, I became very tired from running.
Explanation: Do you see the word “after”? That lets us know to use a while because this is following the word "after".
Example 2
After dinner sat awhile, the food started becoming a little cold.
Explanation: The reason you don’t use “a while” here because we have the verb “sat”. Remember, “awhile” follows a verb.
Example 3
I rested awhile.
Explanation: Awhile follows the verb “rested”.
Example 4
I rested for a while.
Explanation: Do you see the word “for”? That lets us know to use a while because this is following the word "for".
Example 5
Let’s wait awhile longer.
Explanation: Awhile follows the verb “wait”.
Example 6
I waited for you for a while.
Explanation: Do you see the word “for”? That lets us know to use a while because this is following the word "for".
Example 7
I meet Vanessa every once in a while.
Explanation: “Once in” lets us know to use a while.
Review
"A while" will follow words such as "after" or "for”. You will also use “a while” when you see “once in…”.
When you are describing a period of time as an adverb, you will use “awhile”. Awhile also follows a verb.
Awhile can be described as modifying a verb, but to make it easy for you to remember, just remember that you will see “awhile” following a verb.
Practice Time
Can you think of some sentences to use awhile vs. a while?
When to use "thus".
"Thus" is an adverb that can be used as a connective word.
What does "thus" mean?
"Thus" is simply the result of something.
Synonyms for "thus".
A result of
Therefore
Consequently
Examples of "thus" in sentences.
She didn't do her job properly, thus she was fired.
It was raining very hard, thus their home was flooded.
The family sold their mansion, thus had enough money to travel around the world.
The adverb genuinely describes something done in a way that's real and true.
When you say something genuinely, you're honest. If you're genuinely worried about your friend getting hurt on her motorcycle, you'll beg her to wear a helmet. One theory about the origin of genuinely is that it comes from the Latin word for "knee," genu, referencing a custom of a father acknowledging his paternity by holding his baby on his knee.
Where did the word genuinely originate from?
From Latin genuinus (“innate, native, natural”), from gignere, from Old Latin genere (“to beget, produce”); see genus.
How to use genuinely in a sentence
''I genuinely did not know what to do.''
He seemed genuinely offended that she might have thought he’d stolen her notebook, but he still seemed friendly.
I watch her walk all slumped over and sad, and I guess she is genuinely sad.
If your friend is genuinely thrilled about your plan to backpack across China next summer, she means it.
Quarterly can be used as an adjective, or occasionally as an adverb or a noun.
Adjective
"Quarterly, something that happens 4 times a year, usually every 3 months"
"I want you to present the quarterly report to the client at the meeting"
This word can also be used to refer to a publication that is published 4 times a year, or even to the sections of a family crest/shield.
"Vicariously" is a word that describes a large concept in a simple way.
"Vicariously" is an adverb that typically describes how someone is living, feeling, or experiencing an event. The person does not actually live or experience the event, but imagines that they are experiencing it.
A classic example of living "vicariously".
Look online for a video of the parents of a gymnastic superstar. Watch a video of the parents attending an event in which their child is participating. Notice how when their child does a dangerous move, they lean forward, and even move their bodies in their seat. Watch when their child makes an error, they make a scared face. When their child gets hurt, they wince, as if they are hurt. When their child succeeds and wins a medal, they look so happy, as if they themselves have won the medal! This is vicariously living through the failure or success of their gymnast child.
Example sentences of "vicariously".
I cannot take a holiday this year, so I am living vicariously through the pictures that my sister is sending me while away on her holiday trip.
While dieting, I lived vicariously by watching the cooking channel's dessert special.
As I watched the amazing soccer game, I lived vicariously through the soccer star's success. I felt so happy!
Using the adverb "vicariously" will help you to explain a complicated concept in one simple word!
Learning the meaning of words like "vicariously" will increase your communication abilities. Words like this help you to communicate a lengthy concept in a concise way.
The difference between the adjective and the adverb.
Indefinite vs. indefinitely
For an unspecified or unlimited amount of time
Something can be described using the adjective 'indefinite' if the length of time is unknown or unclear; 'an indefinite number of years' (a lot of years but we don't know how many or it's not important).
Similarly, the adverb 'indefinitely' is using to describe a verb, something we are doing but emphasises the time period is unknown. For example, waiting, drinking, talking, studying....
It could go on forever, we don't know.
'Hurry up !! I'm not waiting for you indefinitely.'
'I won't wait for you indefinitely! I'm leaving in ten minutes.
'The peace talks can not go on indefinitely.'
'The movie release date has been delayed indefinitely.'
When to use 'indefinitely'
When you want to show the time will be long but it is unspecified, not precise and vague.