Author: Liz Walter

Liz Walter is a freelance lexicographer and writer, living in Cambridge, UK. She worked for many years on Cambridge University Press's range of ELT dictionaries and now works with Kate Woodford on dictionaries and other books about the English language. Her other interests include politics, growing vegetables and family holidays in her camper van. She tweets at @LizJWalter
a drinking glass lying on its side on a wooden floor with milk spilling from it

It is what it is: the language of acceptance

On By Liz WalterIn Idioms, the English language30 Comments

Listen to the author reading this blog post:

a drinking glass lying on its side on a wooden floor with milk spilling from it
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by Liz Walter

I’ve been struck recently by the huge popularity of the phrase it is what it is. According to the New York Times, it first appeared in 1949, but it is only in this century that it has really caught on. Like many phrases that find sudden popularity, it is a neat way of expressing a concept that many of us have experienced: that a difficult situation which can’t be changed must be accepted:

My application was late and I can’t apply again until next year. Still, it is what it is. Continue reading “It is what it is: the language of acceptance” →

close-up of a hand drawing five yellow stars with a yellow highlighter pen

Conflicting, positive or strongly held? Using the word ‘opinion’

On By Liz WalterIn the English language15 Comments
close-up of a hand drawing five yellow stars with a yellow highlighter pen
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by Liz Walter

You will probably already know several ways to express your opinions in English. This post is about something different: the words we use with the noun opinion – in other words, its collocations. Continue reading “Conflicting, positive or strongly held? Using the word ‘opinion’” →

a young woman looking thoughtful as she writes an essay - she has a notebook and laptop in front of her

Whereas, despite and nevertheless: ways to link ideas (1)

On By Liz WalterIn the English language10 Comments
a young woman looking thoughtful as she writes an essay - she has a notebook and laptop in front of her
insta_photos/iStock/Getty Images Plus

by Liz Walter

When we speak and write, it is important to show the link between different statements. For example, do we want to add information, contrast two ideas, or show that one thing is the reason for another? Of course it is possible to use very simple linking words such as and, but and so, but it is useful to have a wider range of linking words, particularly for formal or academic writing. Continue reading “Whereas, despite and nevertheless: ways to link ideas (1)” →

a woman lies on the floor and caresses two small dogs that are sleeping on a circular cushion

Caressing, patting and elbowing: verbs for touching and hitting (1)

On By Liz WalterIn the English language, Vocabulary13 Comments
a woman lies on the floor and caresses two small dogs that are sleeping on a circular cushion
Kohei Hara/DigitalVision/GettyImages

by Liz Walter

There are an incredible number of verbs that express the concept of touching or hitting someone or something, and they can have very different connotations, from caressing (touching in a very gentle and loving way) right through to punching (hitting someone or something very hard with a closed hand): Continue reading “Caressing, patting and elbowing: verbs for touching and hitting (1)” →