Published on
June 11, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
Etcmeans “and so forth” or “and others of the same kind.” This abbreviation for et cetera goes at the end of a list (e.g., “unicorns, dragons, fairies, etc.”). The word “etc.” saves the time and space of listing everything that’s in the same category. Like other Latin abbreviations, “etc.” has lowercase letters. It also ends in a period.
Although “etc.” can be a time saver, it works best in certain types of writing, and there are special guidelines to consider. The following tips and examples show how to properly use etc. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can also help you use “etc.” correctly.
How to use etc. in a sentence example The buffet included a wide variety of desserts (cupcakes, cookies, brownies, etc.).
Vince does all of the housework (vacuuming, laundry, etc.), and Nedra does the cooking.
Drew lives in Crested Butte and loves winter sports: skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, etc.
Published on
June 11, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
NBD is a texting and social media abbreviation for the idiom “no big deal,” which literally means that a situation is not important or problematic. “NBD” is a common reply to a message about a minor problem. On social media, people use “NBD” for sarcasm when they post about a personal accomplishment that actually is a big deal.
NBD examples Daughter: I’m so sorry, but we’re running late. Can we change the dinner reservation to 6:30 p.m.?
Mom: Sure! Consider it done! NBD whatsoever. [The response literally means that the problem is easily fixable and the daughter shouldn’t worry about it.]
Social media post: NBD, but I just signed a contract to publish my dissertation. Stay tuned for more details! [Publishing a dissertation actually is a big deal, so “NBD” is being used for sarcasm.]
TipCapitalization is helpful when you’re texting with initialisms like “NBD,” “SYS,” or LMK. Without all caps, the abbreviation “nbd” might look like a spelling error.
To ensure your messages are free of error and easy to understand, why not install the QuillBot app?
Published on
June 6, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
December 30, 2025
The verb “make” is part of several phrasal verbs and a wide range of idiomatic phrases. Phrasal verbs with “make” include “make for,” “make up,” and “make out.” Idioms with “make” (which work in a similar way) include “make do” and “make believe.”
You can use the idioms and phrasal verbs with “make” in any verb tense. “Make” is an irregular verb, and the past participle and simple past tense are both “made.”
Phrasal verbs with “make” also fall into three categories:
Transitive and separable phrasal verbs like “make into” always have direct objects that can go after “make” or after the particle (e.g., “into”). If the direct object is a pronoun, it always goes after “make.”
Transitive and inseparable phrasal verbs like “make of” have direct objects, but they can’t go between “make” and the particle (e.g., “of”). Most phrasal verbs with “make” work this way.
Intransitivephrasal verbs don’t have direct objects. For example, when “make up” means “end a disagreement,” it’s intransitive.
The definitions and examples below illustrate how to use idioms and phrasal verbs with “make” in sentences. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can also help you use them correctly in your writing.
Phrasal verbs with make examplesStudents who miss a quiz have three days to make it up.
What do the teachers make of the school’s smartphone policy?
After a silly disagreement, the two sisters made up.
Published on
June 3, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
December 30, 2025
The English language includes many phrasal verbs with come, such as “come about,” “come by,” “come over,” “come through,” and “come up with.” The verb “come” means “to arrive,” but phrasal verbs with “come” usually have figurative rather than literal meanings. For example, “come about” means “to happen.”
Phrasal verbs with “come” can be intransitive or transitive:
Transitive phrasal verbs like “come before” have direct objects. Although some transitive phrasal verbs are separable, phrasal verbs with “come” are usually inseparable, which means the direct object can’t go between the verb and the particle.
There are also a variety of idiomatic phrases with “come,” such as “come alive” and “come in handy”.
The definitions and examples below show how to use the most common idiomatic phrases and phrasal verbs with “come.”
Phrasal verbs with come examplesThe prairie dresses that were popular in the 1970s came back in style this year.
The feral cat usually comes around in the evenings.
Most of the world’s chocolate comes from West Africa.
You should write a first draft before you come up with a title.
The new raincoat will come inhandy during our trip to Edinburgh.
Published on
June 3, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
AM and PM stand for “ante meridiem” (before midday) and “post meridiem” (after midday). In parts of the world with a 12-hour time system, people use “a.m.” or “p.m.” to clarify which hour they’re referring to. For example, 6:30 a.m. is morning, and 6:30 p.m. is evening.
The following tips and examples will help you understand when to use a.m. and p.m. and how to format these abbreviations correctly. In most cases, you should write “a.m.” and “p.m.” with periods. The QuillBot Grammar Checker can help you do just that.
AM and PM examplesI made a dinner reservation for 6 p.m.
The baby shower is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
There will be an intermission from 7:30 to 8 p.m.
NoteIn parts of the world with a 24-hour time system, people don’t write or say “a.m.” or “p.m.” The hours of each day are numbered 00:00 (for midnight) to 23:00 (for 11:00 p.m.). Midnight is also sometimes referred to as “24:00.”
Published on
June 1, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 11, 2025
TBHmeans “to be honest.” It’s an abbreviation for text messages, social media comments, and online chats. Synonyms for TBH include “frankly,” “to tell you the truth,” and “in all honesty.” TBH usually goes at the beginning or end of a candid statement.
TBH examplesTBH, you’re one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met.
TBH, I’d rather stay home and relax instead of going to the party.
I’m not a fan of bubble tea, TBH.
TipIf “TBH” begins a sentence, place a comma after it (just like you would if you were spelling out “to be honest”) because it’s technically an introductory phrase. If “TBH” goes at the end of a sentence, the comma goes before it.
Installing the QuillBot app is a great way to ensure your text messages and social media posts are free of error.
Published on
June 1, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
December 30, 2025
The verb “set” is part of many phrasal verbs, which include “set aside,” “set forth,” and “set up.” The phrasal verbs with “set” have different meanings than “set” by itself, which means “to put something in a specific position or place.” For example, “set about” means “to start doing something.”
Phrasal verbs with “set” fall into three main categories, which determine how you can use them in sentences:
Transitive and inseparable phrasal verbs like “set about” have direct objects, but they can’t go between “set” and the particle (e.g., “about”).
Transitive and separable phrasal verbs like “set aside” have direct objects that can go between “set” and the particle or after the particle. If the direct object is a pronoun, it always goes after “set” (e.g., “set them aside for later”).
There are also idiomatic phrases with “set” that are similar to phrasal verbs (e.g., “set the bar high” and “set foot in”).
The definitions and examples below show how to use the most common idiomatic phrases and phrasal verbs with “set.” And the QuillBot Grammar Checker will help you use phrasal verbs correctly in your writing.
Phrasal verbs with set examples James and Huck set forth in a small raft on the Mississippi River.
After planning an itinerary, Kara set about making the hotel reservations.
The newlyweds set money aside for a honeymoon in Greece.
NoteYou can use the phrasal verbs with “set” in different tenses, but “set’ is an irregular verb, so it doesn’t follow the normal rules for past tense. The past participle and the past tense of “set” are both “set.” (e.g., “They have set up a chocolate fountain”).
The present participle for “set” is “setting” (e.g., “We’re setting out charcuterie for the guests tomorrow”).
Published on
June 1, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
December 30, 2025
Phrasal verbs with take are common in everyday, informal conversations. They include “take after,” “take in,” “take to,” and at least a dozen more. You can conjugate all of the phrasal verbs with “take” into different verb tenses (e.g., “took on” or “has taken in”), and they fall into three categories:
Transitive and inseparable phrasal verbs act on direct objects that can’t go between “take” and the particle (e.g., “to”).
Transitive and separable phrasal verbs have direct objects that can go between the verb and the particle. If the direct object is a pronoun, it always goes after “take” (e.g., “take me on”).
The definitions and examples below show how to use a variety of phrasal verbs with “take” as well as idiomatic phrases like “take care” and “take part in.”
Phrasal verbs with take examplesThe gardening blog took off after influencers began sharing the articles.
Graham takes after his father’s musical talent and kindness.
Abed’s pillow fort was so amazing that he never wanted to take it apart.
We tookin the beautiful scenery before packing up the tent.
Take care to water the tomatoes while we’re gone.
TipWhen you’re using a separable phrasal verb with “take,” you don’t always have to put the direct object between “take” and the particle. In fact, if your direct object is a lengthy noun phrase (e.g., “the beautiful scenery”), it’s better to put it after the phrasal verb.
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you use separable phrasal verbs correctly in your writing.
Published on
May 26, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
November 27, 2025
A compound word includes two (and sometimes three) words that function as a single word with a specific meaning. There are three types of compound words in English:
Open (e.g., “line dancing” and “soap opera”)
Hyphenated (e.g., “mind-blowing” and “double-check”)
Closed (e.g., “sunglasses” and “wildflower”)
Compound words are some of the most fun and interesting words in the English language. But how do you remember when to use spaces, hyphens, or one word?
The lists and examples below show the correct format for 150+ compound words. To continue practicing compound words, follow the links at the end of this article to print or download QuillBot’s free compound words worksheet and compound words list.
QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can also show you how to format compound words in virtually any piece of writing.
Compound words examplesThe jigsaw puzzle has 1000 pieces and a close-up picture of a hummingbird.
The guests at the sleepover devoured all of the popcorn, hot dogs, and ice cream.
The main character in Overboardfaces a major setback after a shipwreck.
NoteMany of the newest words in major dictionaries are compound words (e.g., “street corn,” “jam band,” and “freestyle”). As language evolves, dictionaries add new words at least once a year. For example, when words like “gift card” became more common, they became official words in dictionaries.
Published on
May 20, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed.
Revised on
December 30, 2025
The English language has a wide variety of phrasal verbs with get, including “get away,” “get over,” “get through,” and “get together.” Phrasal verbs with “get” can be tricky because some of them have multiple meanings, and there are special rules to follow, depending on whether each phrasal verb is intransitive, transitive and inseparable, or transitive and separable.
Always acts upon a direct object that cannot separate the verb and the particle
The parking rules on campus are very strict, and there’s no way to get around them.
Transitive, separable
Always acts upon a direct object, which can go between the verb and particle or after (unless the direct object is a pronoun, which always goes between)
The speaker got her point across very effectively.
The tips and examples below show how to use the most common phrasal verbs with “get.”
When you’re writing with phrasal verbs, QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you avoid errors.
