familiar to, familiar with

Familiar to means known to. If someone or something is familiar to you, you recognize it well.

• His work is familiar to me.
• Her face is familiar to the crowd.
• This tune is familiar to most of the singers.
• The appearance of the Polar bear is familiar to all.
• The name of the school was not familiar to me.

Familiar with means having a fairly good knowledge of. If you are familiar with something, you know or understand it well.

• He is familiar with the countryside.
• Sam was familiar with those streets.
• Eva is quite familiar with Central Television; she worked there for 5 years.
• I'm familiar with various teaching software packages.
• I’m not familiar with the latest research in this field.

below, under

Below and under can both mean lower than and most of the times either can be used.

In general, under indicates contact. Prefer under when something is covered or hidden by what is over it, and when things are touching.

• Sarah put the letter under her pillow.
• The toy car crackled under his feet.
• What color shirt are you wearing under your sweater?
• The whole village is under water.

With below there is usually a space between the two surfaces. Prefer below when one thing is not directly under another.

• They live below us. (we live on third floor and they live on the second.)
• The mirror was placed below the window.
• The path runs below a long brick wall.
• The sun had already sunk below the horizon.

Below and under can mean junior in rank. 

He is under me implies that I am his immediate superior. Below may or may not imply the same meaning. 

Use below in measurements of temperature and height, and in cases where one thinks of a vertical scale.

• The temperature is 2 degrees below zero.
• Fully natural places below sea level require a dry climate.
• The plane flew below the clouds.
• Tom's strength is below average for a child his size.

Use under to mean less than or younger than.

• There were under fifty people at the conference.
• You cannot watch this film if you are under 18.

Beneath can sometimes be used instead of under, but prefer using it for abstract meanings.

• Captain would think it beneath him to tell a lie. (unworthy of him)
• She married beneath her. (into a lower social class)
• Her behavior is beneath contempt. (really disgraceful)

arrive in, arrive at

We arrive in a city or a country, at or in a village, at any other destination.

• The crew arrived in Spain. (Spain: country)
• The crew arrived in Madrid. (Madrid: city)
• I arrived at the hotel. 
• I arrived at the airport.
• The car arrived at the bridge. 
• I arrived at the crossroads.
• Sam arrived at the station just in time.
• When did you first arrive in Bangalore? (Bangalore: city)
• Her parents arrived in America in 1926. (America: country)
• Once you arrive in India, you will definitely have to see the Taj Mahal. (India: country)
• A delegation of senior French ministers will arrive in New Delhi today. (New Delhi: city)
• A young student newly arrived in England from New Zealand. (England: country)
• Migrating birds arrive at a village in Sivaganga District. 
• Chinese players arrive at Olympic Village in South Korea.
• Personally, I like to arrive at a theatre, at least 30 minutes before curtain time.

compare, contrast

Compare is used to point out likenesses, similarities and to examine two or more objects to find likenesses or differences.

Usage Note

Compare usually takes the preposition to when it refers to the activity of describing the resemblances between unlike things.

He compared her to a summer day.

It takes with when it refers to the act of examining two like things in order to discern their similarities or differences.

The police compared the forged signature with the original.

When compare is used to mean "to liken (one) with another," with is traditionally held to be the correct preposition. That little bauble is not to be compared with (not to) this enormous jewel. But to is frequently used in this context and is not incorrect.

Read more about compared to vs. compared with here.

Contrast always points out differences.

Usage Note 

The noun contrast may be followed by between, with, or to.

There is a sharp contrast between his earlier and later works.

In contrast with (or less frequently, to) his early works, the latter plays are dark and forbidding.

When contrast is used as a transitive verb, both with and to may follow, though with is more common.

Most scholars contrast the light comedies of his early career with (or to) the dark comedies that were written late in his life.

ability to, capable of

The word able suggests the skill or physical ability of an animate being. Ability means the power to do something, mental or physical (ability to run an asylum). Actual skill, either mental or physical; native or acquired.

Using the word able with an inanimate subject sounds strange. Try to use can instead.

Capability comes from capable + ability.
Capability to do a task is the potential to do it. Whether you are able to do the task at the moment or not, is different, but you have the capability or the potential to do it sometime.

Able is followed by an infinitive; capable is followed by of and the gerund.

• Sam had the ability to explain things clearly and concisely.
• Man's ability to talk makes him unlike any other animal.
• Your ability to heal makes you what we'd call a Natural, a human with extraordinary capabilities.
• The novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19 has an ability to cut through the heart muscle in a way that is seen in no other disease.
• A force ten wind is capable of blowing the roofs off houses.
• These new bullets are capable of inflicting massive injuries.
• Sarah wouldn't hurt anyone - she's simply not capable of it.
• We are all fully capable of managing that responsibility
• Currently, I will be able to take up only two classes, though I think I am capable of taking up upto 5 classes per day.

beside, besides

Use beside when you mean at the side of.

Come and sit beside me.

Use besides when you mean in addition to.

Besides doing the cooking I mowed the lawn.

very, too, and enough

Very intensifies the meaning of an adjective.

1. The exam was very difficult. (The exam was difficult, but you could pass it.)

2. The tea is very hot. (The tea is hot, but you can still drink it.)

Too signals a negative result.

1. The exam was too difficult. (no one could pass it.)

2. The tea is too hot to drink. (you can't drink it.)

Enough means sufficient/ sufficiently.

1. There wasn't enough time to finish the exam.

2. The tea is finally cool enough to drink.

Usage Note: disadvantage

disadvantaged
adjective

• (of people) not having the benefits, such as enough money and a healthy social situation, that others have, and therefore having less opportunity to be successful.
• lacking money or opportunities

1. Head Start is an educational program for disadvantaged preschool children.
2. The scheme received backing from millionaire philanthropist Peter Lampi, who has also been prominent in the bid to recruit disadvantaged children to university.
3. This non profit organization provides hair prosthesis to disadvantaged children age 18 and younger.
4. This distribution charity gives disadvantaged families donated vehicles.
5. Some of the local programs offer disadvantaged women funding options.

at a disadvantage
phrase

• in a situation in which you are less likely to succeed than others
• in an unfavorable position

1. The strength of the company puts competitors at a great disadvantage.
2. The team was at a disadvantage because their captain had been sent off.
3. She felt that being so young put her at a disadvantage for the executive position.
4. The new rules may put European farmers at a disadvantage .
5. His inability to speak English puts him at a disadvantage when he attends international conferences.

Agree with vs. Agree to

Agree with: To agree with a suggestion or a course of action is to regard it with approval. Also, facts may agree with (correspond to) each other.

• I completely agree with your recent editorial.
• I don't agree with what they're doing.
• His second statement agrees with the facts.
• I agreed with the approach Sarah adopted.
• Your data do not agree with our results.

Agree to: To agree to a suggestion or a course of action is to give consent.

• She had agreed to go and see a movie with him
• Club members have provisionally agreed to the changes.
• The company agreed to the settlement to avoid the expense of a lengthy legal case.
• He agreed to pay me for the drawings.
• All senators agree to a postponement.

Also visit: Agree to/ Agree with/ Agree on

Capitalization Rules: Quick tips 8

1. Capitalize the first word of a quotation

• “How do you know I'm mad?” said Alice. - correct
• “how do you know I'm mad?” said Alice. - incorrect

• Alice whispered to her cat,“ If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense." - correct
• Alice whispered to her cat,“ if I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense." - incorrect

2. Do not capitalize the first word of a partial quotation.

• It’s difficult to say it will work, Sam concurred, “but I haven’t heard any better ideas.” - correct
• It’s difficult to say it will work, Sam concurred, “But I haven’t heard any better ideas.” - incorrect

• He called me “the worst excuse for a student” he had ever seen. - correct
• He called me “The worst excuse for a student” he had ever seen. - incorrect

Capitalization Rules: Quick tips 7

1. Avoid capitalizing compass directions. 

• We drove east for 100 miles. - correct
• We drove East for 100 miles. - incorrect

2. Avoid capitalizing the seasons of the year.

• Sarah's coming over for a month next summer. - correct
• Sarah's coming over for a month next Summer. - incorrect

Capitalization Rules: Quick tips 6

Capitalize all proper nouns and proper adjectives (name of a specific person, place or thing).

There are many common categories of proper nouns. Two of them are stated below.

1. Public areas and bodies of water

• There is an incredible view of the Arabian Sea from Bekal Fort, Kerala.- correct
• There is an incredible view of the Arabian sea from Bekal Fort, Kerala. - incorrect

• Blue whales are found in all oceans except the Arctic Ocean. - correct
• Blue whales are found in all oceans except the Arctic ocean. - incorrect

2. Landmarks and geographical locations

• The "People of the Blue-Green Waters" live in Havasu Canyon in the middle of Grand Canyon. - correct
• The "People of the Blue-Green Waters" live in Havasu Canyon in the middle of grand canyon. - incorrect

• The Continental Divide Trail is approximately 800 miles in length in Montana and Idaho. - correct
• The continental divide Trail is approximately 800 miles in length in Montana and Idaho. - incorrect

Capitalization Rules: Quick tips 5

Capitalize all proper nouns and proper adjectives (name of a specific person, place or thing).

There are many common categories of proper nouns. Two of them are stated below.

1. Ethnic groups, races, languages, nationalities

• A white person of European descent is an example of a Caucasian. - correct
• A white person of European descent is an example of a caucasian. - incorrect

• What's the difference between Hispanic and Latino? - correct
• What's the difference between hispanic and latino? - incorrect

2. Works of art and literature

• The Julius Caesar play is set in Rome in 44 BCE. - correct
• The julius caesar play is set in Rome in 44 BCE. - incorrect

• Paulo Coelho (de Souza) is most famous for writing his novel The Alchemist. - correct
• Paulo Coelho (de Souza) is most famous for writing his novel The alchemist. - incorrect

Capitalization Rules: Quick tips 4

Capitalize all proper nouns and proper adjectives (name of a specific person, place or thing).

There are many common categories of proper nouns. Two of them are stated below.

1. Special events, calendar events

• The United Nations designated World Bee Day to raise awareness of the importance of bees. - correct
• The United Nations designated world bee day to raise awareness of the importance of bees.  - incorrect

• The venue for all Aero India Shows is located in Bangalore, India. - correct
• The venue for all aero india shows is located in Bangalore, India. - incorrect

2. Names of people and places

• Robert Frost was born in California in March of 1874. - correct
• Robert frost was born in california in March of 1874. - incorrect

• India's rising urban centers include Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Chennai. - correct
• India's rising urban centers include bangalore, ahmedabad and chennai. - incorrect

Capitalization Rules: Quick tips 3

Capitalize all proper nouns and proper adjectives (name of a specific person, place or thing).

There are many common categories of proper nouns. Two of them are stated below.

1. Holidays

• They had guests over Christmas. - correct
• They had guests over christmas. - incorrect

• The Holi festival commemorates the victory of good over evil. - correct
• The holi festival commemorates the victory of good over evil. - incorrect

2. Historical events, periods, documents

• The Civil War was a crucial event in the development of nineteenth-century Chicago. - correct
• The civil war was a crucial event in the development of nineteenth-century Chicago. - incorrect

• The major periods in world history includes broad global eras, such as the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age - correct
• The major periods in world history includes broad global eras, such as the stone age, the bronze age and the iron age. - incorrect

Capitalization Rules: Quick tips 2

Capitalize all proper nouns and proper adjectives (name of a specific person, place or thing).

There are many common categories of proper nouns. Two of them are stated below.

1. Days of the week

• We go to temple on Tuesdays. - correct
• We got to temple on tuesdays. - incorrect

• It's my birthday next Monday. - correct
• It's my birthday next monday. - incorrect

• She visited me last Sunday. - correct
• She visited me last sunday. - incorrect

2. Months of the year

• Sam is retiring next March. - correct
• Sam is retiring next march. - incorrect

• Sarah left on 29 February. - correct
• Sarah left on 29 february. - incorrect

• My daughter's birthday is in January. - correct
• My daughter's birthday is in january. - incorrect

Capitalization Rules: Quick tips 1

Capitalize the first word of a sentence

• The lockdown days have been as a testing time for everybody. - correct
• the lockdown days have been as a testing time for everybody. - incorrect

If the first word in a sentence is a number, write it as a word.

• Twenty patients were hospitalized. - correct
• 20 patients were hospitalized. - incorrect

What is a Sentence?

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.

• These are sentences.

1. The cat stole some food.
2. The dog is barking.

• These are not sentences.

1. The cat. (This group of words does not tell what the cat did.)
2. Stole some food. (This group of words does not tell who stole some food.)

Exercise

Identify the group of words that are sentences.

1. The woman had suddenly disappeared.
2. At the end of a long comedy series.
3. Forgot my name.
4. Tourists come to see the pyramids.
5. The winner was Sarah.