Ernest Hemingway was a famous American writer. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. One of his most famous books, The Sun Also Rises, ends with the following words: "Yes," I said. "Isn't it pretty to think so?" Today, we are going to consider the grammar behind the sentence: "Isn't it pretty to think so." In this program, we will study how English speakers use shortened sentences. We will hear examples of other short sentences from films, books, and fictional conversations. But first, we will start with some definitions. Shortened clauses Clauses are groups of words that have a subject and a predicate. A predicate is a group of words that tells something about the subject. When a clause has a period at the end of it, it is a sentence. For example, in the sentence, "I love English grammar," the word "I" is the subject, and "love English grammar" is the predicate. Sometimes, sentences have many clauses. These clauses can begin with the word "that" or a word beginning with the letters “wh-”, such as why, what, where, or when.* For example, in the sentence "We hope that you enjoy learning English grammar," the words "that you enjoy learning English grammar" are a clause. The clause begins with the word "that" – it is an example of a that-clause. When speaking, Americans often shorten clauses that repeat what they have said earlier. In addition, they often shorten clauses that repeat what someone else has said. These short expressions usually occur after certain verbs. We will now explore these verbs and a few shortened clauses they often go with. #1 Know, remember, wonder Speakers often shorten “wh-” clauses, usually after they use the verbs wonder, know, or remember. When speakers shorten the “wh-” clauses, they usually only use the “wh-” word itself. They leave out the rest of the clause. Here is an example. Imagine two friends talking about a third person who apparently went missing the night before. Tom didn't come to the show last night! I wonder why? In the example, the second speaker used a shortened clause. Instead of saying "I wonder why Tom didn't come to the show last night?", the speaker said, "I wonder why?" This is an example of a shortened “wh-” clause after the verb "wonder." The speaker did not want to repeat all of the information discussed earlier. Such lengthy speech would create very long and slow conversations! Now, let’s consider a second example. In the 2004 film Crash, actor Sandra Bullock says the following line: I'm angry all the time, and I don't know why… Carol, I don't know why! Here, Bullock says "I don't know why" instead of "I don't know why I am angry all the time." She uses a shortened “wh-” clause after the verb "know." The two examples we gave you both had the word "why" in them: "I wonder why?" and "I don't know why?" These are two very common uses of a shortened “wh-” clause. Please remember that English speakers will also use other “wh-” words in shortened clauses. You might hear a person say "…he doesn't remember where," for example. #2 Guess, say, think, hope Now let's turn to a second group of clauses. They are called “that-clauses”. Speakers often shorten “that-clauses”, usually after they use verbs such as guess, say, think, and hope. The word "so" often takes the place of the “that-clause”. This sounds difficult, but we will give you examples to clarify the point! Here is one from the 1991 film The Man in the Moon. - "Maureen? Is it always gonna hurt this bad? Mama says it won't. I hope she's right." - "I hope so." Here, the second speaker says "I hope so" instead of the full sentence, "I hope that she is right." In other words, "so" takes the place of an entire that-clause. Now, let’s consider a second example. Remember the lines you heard at the beginning of this report? "Yes," I said. "Isn't it pretty to think so?" Just before those lines come in Ernest Hemingway's book, two characters, Jake and Brett, are talking about their unfulfilled love for each other. Brett says that she and Jake could have had such a good time together. Jake responds with the famous line: "Isn't it pretty to think so?" Jake could have said "Isn't it pretty to think that we could have had such a good time together?" Such a line would have been much less elegant than Hemingway's ending! What can you do? The next time you are reading a book in English or talking with an English speaker, try listening for examples of shortened clauses. Does the writer or speaker use one of the shortened clauses we talked about today? What verbs does the speaker use with the shortened clause? Try using examples of shortened clauses that you hear. Or try to use some of the examples we told you about. If you practice using shortened clauses, we think that you will make progress. No, we know so. I'm Ashley Thompson. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. *Other words that do not begin with wh-, such as "how," are also in this group. _____________________________________________________________ Words in the Story grammar – n. the study of groups of words and their uses in sentences conversation – n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people; the act of talking in an informal way occur – v. to appear or exist; to be found gonna – short for "going to" respond – v. to say something as an answer to a request character – n. a person in a theatrical production, book or movie elegant – adj. simple and clever practice – v. to do something again and again in order to become better at it
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-short-sentences/4142545.html
Thursday, 30 November 2017
Do you need to upgrade your phone?
What are the advantages or disadvantages of getting the latest model. Rob and Catherine talk about smartphones and teach you new vocabulary
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05pnrdj
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05pnrdj
Negative Prefixes- Word Formation Jigsaw
New Entry: 'Negative Prefixes- Word Formation Jigsaw' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/lesson-plans/view-negative-prefixes-word-formation-jigsaw/
Hospitality English for Hotels #11 - Dealing With Turnaways By the Guest
Learn English for the hospitality industry with EnglishClass101.com’s Hospitality English for Hotels series! No matter which part of the hotel you work in, it’s important to be able to communicate with your guests professionally and efficiently. With this series, you’ll learn how to do just that! In [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/hospitality-english-for-hotels-11-dealing-with-turnaways-by-the-guest/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/hospitality-english-for-hotels-11-dealing-with-turnaways-by-the-guest/
Tuesday, 28 November 2017
To blow the cobwebs away
No spiders involved. It's time to get lively and learn a new English phrase
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05pfn61
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05pfn61
Monday, 27 November 2017
Space cadet
New Entry: 'Space cadet' has just been added to the Slang area of UsingEnglish.com. This entry is only available in our members' area.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/members/idioms/view.php?show=Slang&entry_id=27239
Space out
New Entry: 'Space out' has just been added to the Phrasal Verbs area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/space+out.html
Sunday, 26 November 2017
Lesson 11: This Is My Neighborhood
Summary Anna has many things to do. She needs to go to the library, post office, bank, and store. Marsha helps her find these places in their neighborhood. Speaking In this video, learn to say the new words. Learn to thank someone for giving you help. You can also download the Activity Sheet and practice talking about the places in your neighborhood. Pronunciation In this video, you learn to show strong feelings by saying words slower and louder. Conversation Anna: Hello! DC is a city for walking. In our neighborhood, I can do all my errands. Marsha, before we get ice cream, I need to return three books to the library. Where is the library? Marsha: It is on this street on the corner. Anna: Awesome! Marsha: Let's go! Anna: Marsha, I can return the books here. Marsha: Anna, what are those in the books? Anna: Marsha, these are letters to my family and friends back home … four letters! Is there a post office near here? Marsha: Um, no. The post office is far from here. But there is a mailbox across from the store. Anna: Awesome! Let’s go! (At the mailbox) Anna: Marsha, now I need to buy stamps. Marsha: Do you have cash? Anna: No. Is there a bank near here? Marsha: There is a bank behind you. Anna: Thanks, Marsha. You know our neighborhood so well. Anna: Now I have cash. I can buy stamps. Marsha: That store sells stamps. Anna: Wait here. Anna: I have stamps. Marsha: Wow, you’re fast. Anna: Thank you, thank you letters, for sending my words… my love … to my family and friends - Marsha: Do you have more cash? Anna: I do! Marsh and Anna: Ice cream!! Anna: I love my new neighborhood! Everything is near our apartment! Even hair salons*, and ice cream! Anna: Until next time! *salon - n. a business that gives customers beauty treatments (such as haircuts) Writing Where do you do errands in your neighborhood? Write to us to tell us about three places you go in your neighborhood. Send us an email or write about them in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice with a friend. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Ask Questions. When we are learning a language, asking questions helps us practice and get new information. Here is an example. Tatiana is visiting her friend in New York. Her friend goes to work one day and gives Tatiana a map of the city. Tatiana wants to run in Central Park. She walks out of the apartment and sees a woman with two children. Tatiana thinks, "I need help with the map. I do not know where this apartment is on the map." She asks the woman, "Excuse me. Is Central Park near here?" The woman smiles and says, "Yes, walk to the bus station and turn left. It's not far away." Tatiana asks, "Thank you. Can you show me where we are on the map?" The woman shows Tatiana her friend's street on the map. "Have a nice day!" she says as she walks away. Tatiana is happy she can ask questions in English. She soon finds the park and has a great run. How do you ask questions to practice speaking English and learn in English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy. Listening Quiz Test your understanding by taking this listening quiz. Play the video, then choose the best answer. ______________________________________________________________ New Words bank - n. a business where people keep their money, borrow money, etc., or the building where such a business operates buy - v. to get (something) by paying money for it cash - n. money in the form of coins and bills corner - n. the place where two streets or roads meet errand - n. a short journey that you take to do or get something fast - adj. moving or able to move quickly get - v. to obtain (something) ice cream - n. a frozen food containing sweetened and flavored cream library - n. place where books, magazines, and other materials (such as videos and musical recordings) are available for people to use or borrow mailbox - n. a public box in which letters and packages are placed to be collected and sent out post office - n. a building where the mail for a local area is sent and received return - v. to bring, give, send, or take (something) to the place that it came from or the place where it should go sell - v. to exchange (something) for money send - v. to cause (a letter, an e-mail, a package, etc.) to go or to be carried from one place or person to another stamp - n. a small piece of paper that you buy and then stick to an envelope or package to pay the cost of mailing it store - n. a building or room where things are sold ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice a conversation about activities. For Teachers See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: Prepositions (across from, behind); Cardinal numbers indicating quantity; Singular/Plural introduction Topics: Describing neighborhoods; Asking for information Learning Strategy: Ask Questions Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Expressing gratitude, emphasis on words expressing feelings ______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-lesson-11-this-is-my-neighborhood/3293986.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-lesson-11-this-is-my-neighborhood/3293986.html
English Vocab Builder #124 - Technology
Lesson Audio Download MP3
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/english-vocab-builder-124-technology/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/english-vocab-builder-124-technology/
Guess the Place- Speculating Practice
New Entry: 'Guess the Place- Speculating Practice' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/lesson-plans/view-guess-the-place-speculating-practice/
Saturday, 25 November 2017
Thursday, 23 November 2017
Thanksgiving and English Verbs
Every year around the Thanksgiving holiday, a strange ceremony happens in Washington, DC. The president stands outside the White House, gives a brief speech and then officially pardons a turkey. A pardon is a declaration that someone will not be punished. In this ceremony, President Donald Trump Thanksgiving promises not to cook and eat a certain turkey, even though turkeys are the traditional Thanksgiving meal. You might be asking yourself, "What is the connection between turkeys, Thanksgiving and grammar?" In today's report, we explore what turkeys can teach you about English verbs. In particular, we will show you how Thanksgiving can teach you to use stative verbs. We will also show you the difference between stative and progressive verbs. What is a stative verb? The term stative verb refers to a verb that has a stative meaning. In other words, these verbs show or describe conditions or situations that do not do anything but exist. Verbs that commonly have a stative meaning include: verbs that show emotional states, such as love and dislike; verbs that describe sense perceptions, such as smell or taste; verbs that show existence, such as seem or look. In the present tense, a verb with a stative meaning is generally used in its simple form. "I love turkey," or "Americans like turkey" are two examples. Verbs that have stative meanings are generally not used in the progressive tense. So, you will probably not hear a native speaker say, "I am loving turkey," or "Americans are liking turkey." Thanksgiving and stative verbs Do not fear: we can use our Thanksgiving example to make the point clearer. Imagine you are at an American store. You hear a conversation between a customer and a store employee. The customer wants to buy a turkey that weighs 10 pounds, or 4.5 kilograms. Unlike the turkey from the pardoning ceremony, this turkey will have a sad fate: the dinner table. The conversation you hear might go like this: Customer: How much does that turkey weigh? Butcher: It weighs 10 pounds. Customer: How much does it cost? Butcher: It costs 20 dollars. In the dialogue, you can hear two examples of stative verbs: weigh and cost. The butcher said, "The turkey weighs 10 pounds,” and "The turkey costs 20 dollars." In both cases, the verbs have a stative meaning: The butcher is describing a condition or situation that simply exists – the weight and cost of the turkey. Now imagine you are eating Thanksgiving dinner with an American family. You might hear any one of the following sentences: "I love turkey!" "I dislike turkey." "The turkey smells wonderful!" "The food tastes great!" "The turkey seems undercooked." "The turkey looks awful." All these sentences include stative verbs. You might notice that the verbs are also in the simple present form. Why not use a progressive verb? So, why would an English speaker not say, "The turkey is seeming undercooked," or, "I am disliking turkey?" Susan Conrad and Douglas Biber are two English grammar experts. They say that, in general, English speakers use the progressive tense only when the subject of the verb actively controls the state or action. In addition, English speakers generally use the progressive only when the verb describes an action or state that happens over an extended period of time. So, you would not hear an English speaker say, "The turkey is seeming undercooked" because the subject of the verb, the turkey, does not control its state – being undercooked. For the same reason, you would not hear an English speaker say, "I am disliking turkey," because the verb's subject, I, probably does not have control over the action of disliking turkey. Now, some verbs can have stative and progressive meanings. Consider these examples: "The food tastes good." "President Trump is tasting the food." In the first sentence, the food does not control whether it is good or bad. As a result, the verb taste has a stative meaning because it simply describes the condition of the food. In the second sentence, "President Trump is tasting the food," the subject of the verb, President Trump, has control over his action. In addition, the action takes place over an extended period of time: Trump must think about tasting food, then raise the food to his mouth, then consider its quality. So, you could say that the verb "taste" in this example has a progressive meaning. What can you do? The next time you are reading or listening to the news, pay special attention to the verbs. Notice when the progressive form is used, and when the simple form is used. Then ask yourself why. Does the verb's subject control the action? Does the action occur over an extended period of time? Or does the verb simply describe a condition that exists? If you are still confused about whether you should use a simple or progressive verb in your own conversations, Conrad and Biber have one tip that might help you. They say that in conversations, English speakers use simple verbs around 120 times in every 1,000 words. Progressive verbs are much less common: they appear fewer than 20 times in every 1,000 words.* I'm Alice Bryant. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. * See Conrad, Susan and Biber, Douglas. Real Grammar: A Corpus-Based Approach to English. Pearson-Longman. 2009. Pgs. 4-6 _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story stative – adj. expressing a state, condition, or relation progressive – adj. of or relating to the progressive tense of a verb dislike – v. to not like (something or someone) undercooked – adj. not cooked enough
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/4130262.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/4130262.html
Why more of us are getting fitter together
Group exercise has become very popular in recent years. Rob and Catherine talk about going to the gym and why gym membership is becoming increasingly popular
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05nz3f0
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05nz3f0
Upper Intermediate #2 - English Internships for All!
Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! Summer is an exciting time to be in Washington, D.C. Scores of English-speaking students from all over the United States descend upon the city to work in internships. If you take a tour of the U.S. Capitol, you are likely to have an intern guiding you in English; if you ride [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/upper-intermediate-2-english-internships-for-all/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/upper-intermediate-2-english-internships-for-all/
Absolute Beginner American English for Every Day #32 - Top 10 Must-Know Vocabulary for the Restaurant
Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! In your home country, there are some phrases that are so common you use them or hear them every day. The same is true in USA too, so why not give your English an instant boost by learning them in this video lesson? With Alisha’s help, you’ll be sounding like a [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/absolute-beginner-american-english-for-every-day-32-top-10-mustknow-vocabulary-for-the-restaurant/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/absolute-beginner-american-english-for-every-day-32-top-10-mustknow-vocabulary-for-the-restaurant/
Wednesday, 22 November 2017
UGTR
New Entry: 'UGTR' has just been added to the Chatlish area of UsingEnglish.com. This entry is only available in our members' area.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/members/idioms/view.php?show=Chatlish&entry_id=27237
Kathy Burke
New Entry: 'Kathy Burke' has just been added to the Cockney Rhyming Slang area of UsingEnglish.com. This entry is only available in our members' area.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/members/idioms/view.php?show=Cockney&entry_id=27238
Rant and rave
New Entry: 'Rant and rave' has just been added to the Cockney Rhyming Slang area of UsingEnglish.com. This entry is only available in our members' area.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/members/idioms/view.php?show=Cockney&entry_id=27236
Colours- Make Me Say Yes- Personalised Speaking
New Entry: 'Colours- Make Me Say Yes- Personalised Speaking' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/lesson-plans/view-colours-make-me-say-yes-personalised-speaking/
Tuesday, 21 November 2017
Go screensaver
New Entry: 'Go screensaver' has just been added to the Slang area of UsingEnglish.com. This entry is only available in our members' area.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/members/idioms/view.php?show=Slang&entry_id=27235
____ is the weather like?
New Entry: '____ is the weather like?' has just been added to the Language Polls area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/poll/1193.html
The 250 most useful British abbreviations
New Entry: 'The 250 most useful British abbreviations' has just been added to the Articles area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/articles/250-most-useful-british-abbreviations.html
A knees-up
Want to go to a party? This phrase might help you get an invitation
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05nr1x4
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05nr1x4
Monday, 20 November 2017
James Bond Can Teach You About English Grammar
In the 1964 action film Goldfinger, actor Sean Connery plays the British secret agent James Bond. Bond, also called agent 007, is well-known for his drink of choice -- a martini. He always wants his martinis prepared just the right way. Let’s listen to a short exchange from the movie: Can I do something for you, Mr. Bond? Just a drink. A martini. Shaken, not stirred. Today, we will show you how this kind of exchange can teach you something about English grammar. Specifically, it shows you how English speakers use sentence fragments in everyday situations. We will also use fictional conversations to show two common ways in which English speakers use these fragments. But first, let's start with some definitions. Complete sentences and incomplete sentences Complete sentences are sentences that have both a subject and a predicate. A predicate tells something about the subject. For example, in the sentence "James Bond likes to order martinis," the subject is James Bond and the predicate is "likes to order martinis." In this case, the predicate gives us information about Bond. In writing, you should use complete sentences. However, in conversation, you can use partial or incomplete sentences. Incomplete sentences are not wrong. In other words, English speakers are not breaking rules when they use them. Instead, speakers leave out parts of sentences because the sentence's full meaning is clear from the setting or context. Today, we will explore two kinds of incomplete sentences: one group called "Minimal Responses," and another called "Short Answers." #1 Minimal responses Minimal responses* are simple words or expressions that speakers use to react to what somebody else has said. These are not complete sentences - they sometimes lack a subject, verb, or other important part of a sentence. Americans commonly use minimal responses for two purposes: showing approval and giving a polite or respectful answer. We will now look at examples of both types. Minimal responses can show approval Imagine you tell your friend that you received a great grade on a difficult test: I got an A on my test! Nice! Here, your friend uses the adjective "nice" as a way to express approval about your statement. The reason your friend does not use a full subject and predicate is because his or her answer is understood in the context of a conversation. Some other words and expressions that show approval are "good," "good job," "great," "nice," and "nice work." All of these terms have similar meanings. However, some are more forceful or less official-sounding than others. Think back to the example you just heard: I got an A on my test! Nice! A speaker could replace the word "nice" with almost any of the other terms we provided. They could say "good job" or "great job," for example. "Great job" is a stronger statement than "good job." Minimal responses can give a polite response Americans also limit their responses to make points in a respectful way during a conversation. Some of these are polite, yet informal. The most common examples include “no problem,” “no worries,” “sorry,” and “thanks.” Imagine someone has just given you directions. You want to thank them before going on your way. The exchange might sound like this: Thanks. No problem. The other person could respond in even more informal way by saying "no worries" instead of "no problem." In both cases, the speaker's response takes the place of a much longer sentence. For example, the speaker could have said, "I was happy to be able to help you out." "No problem" is a short, polite way to express this same idea. #2 Short answers: A second type of incomplete sentence is the short answer. In short answers, speakers leave out subjects, verbs, or predicates. In general, the missing words appeared earlier in the conversation. Speakers do not repeat these words because repetition would make the exchanges much longer. Let's consider an example. Imagine you are looking for the nearest bank. The person you ask might provide a short answer: Where is the nearest bank? Right over there. In the example, the speaker omits the subject and verb of the sentence. The speaker said, "Right over there" instead of the full sentence, "The nearest bank is right over there." If the speaker says "right over there," he or she means that the bank is very close to you – probably within eyesight. In many situations, speakers will point with their fingers to show the direction of the bank. Think back to the lines you heard earlier in this report: Can I do something for you, Mr. Bond? Just a drink: A martini. Shaken, not stirred. In the example, James Bond uses the same type of short answer: an answer that omits the subject and verb. Bond could have said, "I would like a drink: A martini. I want you to shake it, but please do not stir it." This way of speaking is much more detailed, a lot longer, and polite. It does not fit with James Bond's personality. He is not a very polite, talkative man. That said, you can still learn from how he uses language! What can you do? The next time you are watching a film or with an American, try listening for examples of incomplete sentences. When the speaker uses an incomplete sentence, ask yourself if they used it for one of the reasons we talked about today. Does the sentence leave out important words, such as a subject, verb, or predicate? If it does … no worries! I'm Jill Robbins. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. *Please see Conrad, Susan, and Biber, Douglas. Real Grammar: A Corpus-Based Approach. Pearson-Longman. 2009 pg. 145 _____________________________________________________________ Words in the Story stir – v. to mix by making circular movements grammar – n. the study of words and their uses in a sentence fragment – n. Grammar : a group of words that is written out as a sentence but that lacks a subject or verb fictional – adj. conversation – n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people :the act of talking in an informal way response – n. a reaction to something; something that is said or written in answer to something grade – n. a number or letter that shows how a student performed on a test or in class fit – v. to be suitable or appropriate for (someone or something)
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-james-bond-can-teach-you-about-grammar/4115080.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-james-bond-can-teach-you-about-grammar/4115080.html
American Business English for Beginners #11 - Asking for Information About American Office Procedures
Learn Business English with EnglishClass101.com! Whether you’ve just started working for an American company or started doing business with one, you’ll need some polished and professional English words and phrases to make a good impression. And that’s exactly where this new Business English series comes in! In this lesson, you’ll learn how to ask about office [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/american-business-english-for-beginners-11-asking-for-information-about-american-office-procedures/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/american-business-english-for-beginners-11-asking-for-information-about-american-office-procedures/
Sunday, 19 November 2017
Friday, 17 November 2017
Lesson 10: Come Over to My Place
Summary Ashley is visiting Anna. She calls to find out how to go to Anna's apartment. Ashley learns about Anna's neighborhood. Speaking In this video, learn to say the new words. Learn to give directions to a place. You can also download the Activity Sheet and practice giving directions to a friend. Pronunciation In this video, you learn what it means when Americans make their voice go up after a sentence. Conversation Anna: Hi! Today, my friend Ashley, is coming over. I am showing her my new apartment! Oh! That’s Ashley calling. Anna: Hi Ashley! Ashley: Hi Anna! I’m coming to your apartment. Where is your apartment? Anna: My apartment is near the Columbia Heights Metro. Ashley: It is near the Columbia Heights Metro? Anna: Yes. Exit the Metro and turn right. Then at the bus station turn left. Then walk straight ahead. Ashley: Okay. Exit Metro, turn right, turn left, then go straight ahead? Anna: Yes. My apartment is near a coffee shop. Ashley: Okay. See you soon! Anna: Hi, Ashley. Ashley: Anna, Which coffee shop? There are three coffee shops. Anna: Okay, my apartment is across from a big department store. Ashley: A big department store? Ah, I see it! Anna: Okay! Bye, Ashley. See you soon! Ashley: Okay. See you soon. Anna: Ashley! Ashley! Ashley! Over here! It’s Anna! It’s Anna! Hi! Anna: I love having my friends over. Come on! Ashley: Great! Writing How do you tell someone how to find your school? Or where you work? Try writing directions to a place near you. Send us an email or give us directions in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice with a friend. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Use Images. When we listen to directions, it helps to use an image in our mind or on a screen or paper to understand them better. Here is an example. Marcos wants to go to his friend Lucia's house. He asks her to give him directions. As he listens, he draws a map on a piece of paper. Lucia says, "Turn right at the supermarket." Marcos draws a box with an 'S' on his map. He draws an arrow (=>) to the right. When he is walking to Lucia's house, he thinks of the map. He remembers the supermarket and the arrow. He turns right and finds Lucia's house. How do you use images to understand and remember English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy. Listening Quiz Test your understanding by taking the listening quiz. ______________________________________________________________ New Words ahead - adv. to or toward the place where someone is going bus - n. a large vehicle that is used for carrying passengers especially along a particular route at particular times coffee shop - n. a small restaurant that serves coffee and other drinks as well as simple foods department store - n. a large store that has separate areas in which different kinds of products are sold exit - v. to go out of a place left - adj. located on the same side of your body as your heart adv. to or toward the left Metro - n. an underground railway system in some cities (also called subway) right - adj. located on the side of your body that is away from your heart station - n. place where buses, trains, etc., regularly stop so that passengers can get on and off straight - adv. in a straight or direct way then - adv. used to indicate what happened or happens next turn - v. to cause your body or a part of your body to face a different direction walk - v. to move with your legs at a speed that is slower than running ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice giving directions. For Teachers See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: Locating places; Imperatives; There is /There are Topics: Giving directions; Sequence of events with then Learning Strategy: Use Images Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Giving simple directions; Using rising intonation to check understanding ______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-lesson-10/3285228.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-lesson-10/3285228.html
Jog on
New Entry: 'Jog on' has just been added to the Phrasal Verbs area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/jog+on.html
Jog along
New Entry: 'Jog along' has just been added to the Phrasal Verbs area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/jog+along.html
Colours, Numbers and Classroom Objects- Pick & Draw
New Entry: 'Colours, Numbers and Classroom Objects- Pick & Draw' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/lesson-plans/view-colours-numbers-and-classroom-objects-pick-draw/
250 British acronyms
New Entry: '250 British acronyms' has just been added to the Articles area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/articles/250-british-acronyms.html
All About American English — Talk Show #24 - Things to Avoid Saying When Meeting Someone for the First Time
Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! English is a versatile language, and every speaker has their own favorite words and phrases. This new video lesson will help you boost your English vocab while you listen to our hosts Alisha and Michael chat about some English topics.In this lesson, [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-talk-show-24-things-to-avoid-saying-when-meeting-someone-for-the-first-time/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-talk-show-24-things-to-avoid-saying-when-meeting-someone-for-the-first-time/
All About American English — Talk Show #23 - Basic Rules to Improve your English Spelling
Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! English is a versatile language, and every speaker has their own favorite words and phrases. This new video lesson will help you boost your English vocab while you listen to our hosts Alisha and Michael chat about some English topics.In this lesson, [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-talk-show-23-basic-rules-to-improve-your-english-spelling/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-talk-show-23-basic-rules-to-improve-your-english-spelling/
Thursday, 16 November 2017
James Bond Can Teach You About English Grammar
In the 1964 action film Goldfinger, actor Sean Connery plays the British secret agent James Bond. Bond, also called agent 007, is well-known for his drink of choice -- a martini. He always wants his martinis prepared just the right way. Let’s listen to a short exchange from the movie: Can I do something for you, Mr. Bond? Just a drink. A martini. Shaken, not stirred. Today, we will show you how this kind of exchange can teach you something about English grammar. Specifically, it shows you how English speakers use sentence fragments in everyday situations. We will also use fictional conversations to show two common ways in which English speakers use these fragments. But first, let's start with some definitions. Complete sentences and incomplete sentences Complete sentences are sentences that have both a subject and a predicate. A predicate tells something about the subject. For example, in the sentence "James Bond likes to order martinis," the subject is James Bond and the predicate is "likes to order martinis." In this case, the predicate gives us information about Bond. In writing, you should use complete sentences. However, in conversation, you can use partial or incomplete sentences. Incomplete sentences are not wrong. In other words, English speakers are not breaking rules when they use them. Instead, speakers leave out parts of sentences because the sentence's full meaning is clear from the setting or context. Today, we will explore two kinds of incomplete sentences: one group called "Minimal Responses," and another called "Short Answers." #1 Minimal responses Minimal responses* are simple words or expressions that speakers use to react to what somebody else has said. These are not complete sentences - they sometimes lack a subject, verb, or other important part of a sentence. Americans commonly use minimal responses for two purposes: showing approval and giving a polite or respectful answer. We will now look at examples of both types. Minimal responses can show approval Imagine you tell your friend that you received a great grade on a difficult test: I got an A on my test! Nice! Here, your friend uses the adjective "nice" as a way to express approval about your statement. The reason your friend does not use a full subject and predicate is because his or her answer is understood in the context of a conversation. Some other words and expressions that show approval are "good," "good job," "great," "nice," and "nice work." All of these terms have similar meanings. However, some are more forceful or less official-sounding than others. Think back to the example you just heard: I got an A on my test! Nice! A speaker could replace the word "nice" with almost any of the other terms we provided. They could say "good job" or "great job," for example. "Great job" is a stronger statement than "good job." Minimal responses can give a polite response Americans also limit their responses to make points in a respectful way during a conversation. Some of these are polite, yet informal. The most common examples include “no problem,” “no worries,” “sorry,” and “thanks.” Imagine someone has just given you directions. You want to thank them before going on your way. The exchange might sound like this: Thanks. No problem. The other person could respond in even more informal way by saying "no worries" instead of "no problem." In both cases, the speaker's response takes the place of a much longer sentence. For example, the speaker could have said, "I was happy to be able to help you out." "No problem" is a short, polite way to express this same idea. #2 Short answers: A second type of incomplete sentence is the short answer. In short answers, speakers leave out subjects, verbs, or predicates. In general, the missing words appeared earlier in the conversation. Speakers do not repeat these words because repetition would make the exchanges much longer. Let's consider an example. Imagine you are looking for the nearest bank. The person you ask might provide a short answer: Where is the nearest bank? Right over there. In the example, the speaker omits the subject and verb of the sentence. The speaker said, "Right over there" instead of the full sentence, "The nearest bank is right over there." If the speaker says "right over there," he or she means that the bank is very close to you – probably within eyesight. In many situations, speakers will point with their fingers to show the direction of the bank. Think back to the lines you heard earlier in this report: Can I do something for you, Mr. Bond? Just a drink: A martini. Shaken, not stirred. In the example, James Bond uses the same type of short answer: an answer that omits the subject and verb. Bond could have said, "I would like a drink: A martini. I want you to shake it, but please do not stir it." This way of speaking is much more detailed, a lot longer, and polite. It does not fit with James Bond's personality. He is not a very polite, talkative man. That said, you can still learn from how he uses language! What can you do? The next time you are watching a film or with an America, try listening for examples of incomplete sentences. When the speaker uses an incomplete sentence, ask yourself if they used it for one of the reasons we talked about today. Does the sentence leave out important words, such as a subject, verb, or predicate? If it does … no worries! I'm Jill Robbins. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. *Please see Conrad, Susan, and Biber, Douglas. Real Grammar: A Corpus-Based Approach. Pearson-Longman. 2009 pg. 145 _____________________________________________________________ Words in the Story stir – v. to mix by making circular movements grammar – n. the study of words and their uses in a sentence fragment – n. Grammar : a group of words that is written out as a sentence but that lacks a subject or verb fictional – adj. conversation – n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people :the act of talking in an informal way response – n. a reaction to something; something that is said or written in answer to something grade – n. a number or letter that shows how a student performed on a test or in class fit – v. to be suitable or appropriate for (someone or something)
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-james-bond-can-teach-you-about-grammar/4115080.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-james-bond-can-teach-you-about-grammar/4115080.html
How do you like your coffee?
Has the internet replaced the lively debate and intellectual discussions that used to be their main feature in the past?
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05n7dnj
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05n7dnj
American English Words of the Week with Alisha for Intermediate Learners #22 - Cooking Terms
In this Intermediate lesson, you’ll learn about cooking terms in English. Visit us at EnglishClass101.com, where you will find English lesson notes and many more fantastic lessons and learning resources. Leave us a message while you are here! Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! How would you react if someone put you on the spot with a American [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/american-english-words-of-the-week-with-alisha-for-intermediate-learners-22-cooking-terms/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/american-english-words-of-the-week-with-alisha-for-intermediate-learners-22-cooking-terms/
Tuesday, 14 November 2017
All About American English — Talk Show #22 - How to Start a Conversation
Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! English is a versatile language, and every speaker has their own favorite words and phrases. This new video lesson will help you boost your English vocab while you listen to our hosts Alisha and Michael chat about some English topics.In this lesson, [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-talk-show-22-how-to-start-a-conversation/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-talk-show-22-how-to-start-a-conversation/
All About American English — Talk Show #21 - How to Improve your English with Music and Movies
Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! English is a versatile language, and every speaker has their own favorite words and phrases. This new video lesson will help you boost your English vocab while you listen to our hosts Alisha and Michael chat about some English topics. In this lesson, [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-talk-show-21-how-to-improve-your-english-with-music-and-movies/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-talk-show-21-how-to-improve-your-english-with-music-and-movies/
To put someone on the map
Need directions to learn a new English phrase? Here's one about a map and being famous
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05n0jg6
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05n0jg6
Monday, 13 November 2017
Can & Can’t- Coin Games
New Entry: 'Can & Can’t- Coin Games' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/lesson-plans/view-can-cant-coin-games/
A leap in the dark
New Entry: 'A leap in the dark' has just been added to the Idioms area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/a+leap+in+the+dark.html
Get your act together
New Entry: 'Get your act together' has just been added to the Idioms area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/get+your+act+together.html
Not on your life
New Entry: 'Not on your life' has just been added to the Idioms area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/not+on+your+life.html
How to teach country and nationality words
New Entry: 'How to teach country and nationality words' has just been added to the Articles area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/articles/how-to-teach-country-nationality-words.html
Sunday, 12 November 2017
English Vocab Builder #122 - Workplace
Lesson Audio Download MP3
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/english-vocab-builder-122-workplace/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/english-vocab-builder-122-workplace/
Saturday, 11 November 2017
Review of Lessons 6 - 9
Congratulations! You are learning English with VOA Learning English! Try the quiz and enjoy the video of our mistakes. For Fun - 'Bloopers' Sometimes we do not remember what to say. Or sometimes we are laughing about a funny event. Watch the video above to see these mistakes, or 'bloopers.' New Words from Blooper Video break - n. a period in which you stop activity or for a short time mistake - n. something that is not correct blooper - n. an embarrassing mistake usually made in public some - adj. of an untold amount or number Listening Quiz Take this quiz to review the lessons from 6 to 9. Lesson Review Here are the lessons and learning points. Write to us in the Comments section to let us know which you like best. Lesson 1: Welcome! (Meeting People) Verb BE + name in introductions BE + location Meeting people Personal information Learning the Alphabet Learning the Numbers 1-20 Pronouncing linked sounds Lesson 2: Hello! I'm Anna! (Introductions) BE + noun; BE + location Subject pronouns: I, you, he, she, we, they Welcoming & Leave-taking Spelling names aloud Contractions with the verb "be" Saying your address Lesson 3: I'm Here! (Apologizing and Phone Conversation) Numbers in Addresses & Phone numbers Place pronouns: here, there Calling someone on the phone Polite telephone expressions Lesson 4: What Is It? (Everyday Things) Greeting people To Have + Object To Not Have + Object To Be + Object Saying quickly "and" as "n" Lesson 5: Where Are You? (Rooms in a House) To Be + Location Asking about locations Listening for information about people’s locations Naming places and activities Lesson 6: Where Is the Gym? (Places in an Apartment) Places in an apartment Prepositions: next to, behind, across from Greetings between friends Asking questions about locations Naming places Lesson 7 - What Are You Doing? (Everyday Activities) Asking someone what they are doing Telling someone what you are doing Saying "what are" quickly Lesson 8: Are You Busy? (Schedules) Times of day: morning, evening, afternoon To Be + Short answers Telling what someone is doing Words to use when you don't know what to say: uh, um How to say "I'm sorry" Lesson 9: Is it cold? (Talking About Weather) Weather words & adjectives Fahrenheit & Celsius temperatures To Be + Short answers Yes/No question Agreeing and disagreeing What do you think? How are you using "Let's Learn English?" Is it helping you to learn English? Please write to us in the comments section or send us an email. Take the poll to let us know the most helpful part of each lesson. Thank you for coming to learn English with us!
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-level-1-review-lessons-6-9/4055676.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-level-1-review-lessons-6-9/4055676.html
Friday, 10 November 2017
Understanding Adverbs: Always
The film “Casablanca” is one of the most famous American movies of all time. At the end of the film, the actor Humphrey Bogart says a heartbreaking farewell to the woman he loves. Bergman: But what about us? Bogart: We'll always have Paris. Besides affecting one’s emotions, this movie scene can teach you a lot about English grammar. It can show you how English speakers use adverbs in a sentence. In our program today, we explore a single word: always. We will discover why Bogart said his famous line the way he did. Do not worry. Unlike the ending of “Casablanca,” we will not leave you in tears! Adverbs and Movability In other Everyday Grammar stories, we explored adverbs. Adverbs are words that change the meaning of a verb, adjective, or sentence. They are often used to show time, place, or a way of doing things. Adverbs are often movable. They can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Consider these examples: Occasionally I eat seafood. I occasionally eat seafood. I eat seafood occasionally. In this example, the adverb occasionally appears in three different places in the sentence. The placement of the adverb does not change the meaning. All three sentences have the same meaning. Most English speakers would not think it strange if you used any one of these sentences. Always is not as movable What about the adverb always? In general, the adverb always is not as movable as other kinds of adverbs – like the word occasionally. You will not often hear an English speaker use always at the beginning or the end of a sentence. Most often, you will hear always in the middle of the sentence, before the verb it is modifying. In some cases, you might hear it at the beginning of a sentence – when giving an order or command, for example.* Or you might hear it at the end of a sentence, but usually only in an artistic setting: a poetry reading or a musical performance, for example. But the central point is this: in speaking and in writing, always does not move its position as often as other adverbs. So, if you were to take our example sentence, "I eat seafood," and use the adverb always, you could say, "I always eat seafood." Always generally is found after “BE” verbs and auxiliary verbs, but before other verbs. You will find this structure in many popular films. Consider this famous line from “A Streetcar Named Desire:” "Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." A Streetcar Named Desire, 1951 In the example, always appears after the auxiliary verb, have, and just before the main verb, depended. This same idea is true of Bogart's famous line from “Casablanca,” "We'll always have Paris." "We'll" is a short way to say, "we will." Always appears after the auxiliary verb, will, and before the main verb, have. Emphasized always You might think that our story about the word always ends here, but it does not! English speakers can also change the meaning of always. When you hear or read the adverb always in its usual position, before the verb it is modifying. It generally has the meaning of habitually. However, sometimes you will hear English speakers emphasize the word always. In this case, the meaning of the sentence has changed. Think back to our example sentence: "I always eat seafood." This sentence means that you usually eat seafood – perhaps when you go to a restaurant. If the speaker says, "I ALWAYS eat seafood," with the emphasis on the word "always," then the speaker is expressing annoyance. Perhaps the speaker is angry that another person – a close friend, for example – did not remember they like to eat seafood when they go out to dinner. Here is another example: you hear a child say, "My father always works late on Thursdays." This sentence uses the adverb always to express a habitual or common action. However, if you hear the child say, "My dad ALWAYS works late on Thursdays," then you know that the child is unhappy with the father's work schedule. What can you do? So, now you know that if Bogart had used the emphasized always in the film Casablanca, the ending of the film would have been very different. The next time you are listening or speaking, try to pay attention to the placement of the word always. Then, try to identify if it is emphasized or not. This will help you understand the speaker's feelings. Remember: English does not always communicate meaning through grammar. Emphasis plays an important role in showing the meaning of a sentence. With practice, you, too, will be able to use always like a native speaker! I’m Pete Musto. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. *Always can begin imperative sentences. Here is an example: Always wear your seatbelt. _______________________________________________________________ Words in this Story farewell – n. an act of leaving adverb – n. a word that describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or a sentence and that is often used to show time, manner, place, or degree occasionally – adv. sometimes but not often emphasize – v. to place emphasis on (something) auxiliary verb – n. a verb (such as have, be, may, do, shall, will, can, or must) that is used with another verb to show the verb's tense, to form a question, etc. modify – v. to limit or describe the meaning of (a word or group of words) scene – n. a part of a play, movie, story, etc., in which a particular action or activity occurs
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar/3597426.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar/3597426.html
Understanding Adverbs: Always
The film “Casablanca” is one of the most famous American movies of all time. At the end of the film, the actor Humphrey Bogart says a heartbreaking farewell to the woman he loves. Bergman: But what about us? Bogart: We'll always have Paris. Besides affecting one’s emotions, this movie scene can teach you a lot about English grammar. It can show you how English speakers use adverbs in a sentence. In our program today, we explore a single word: always. We will discover why Bogart said his famous line the way he did. Do not worry. Unlike the ending of “Casablanca,” we will not leave you in tears! Adverbs and Movability In other Everyday Grammar stories, we explored adverbs. Adverbs are words that change the meaning of a verb, adjective, or sentence. They are often used to show time, place, or a way of doing things. Adverbs are often movable. They can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Consider these examples: Occasionally I eat seafood. I occasionally eat seafood. I eat seafood occasionally. In this example, the adverb occasionally appears in three different places in the sentence. The placement of the adverb does not change the meaning. All three sentences have the same meaning. Most English speakers would not think it strange if you used any one of these sentences. Always is not as movable What about the adverb always? In general, the adverb always is not as movable as other kinds of adverbs – like the word occasionally. You will not often hear an English speaker use always at the beginning or the end of a sentence. Most often, you will hear always in the middle of the sentence, before the verb it is modifying. In some cases, you might hear it at the beginning of a sentence – when giving an order or command, for example.* Or you might hear it at the end of a sentence, but usually only in an artistic setting: a poetry reading or a musical performance, for example. But the central point is this: in speaking and in writing, always does not move its position as often as other adverbs. So, if you were to take our example sentence, "I eat seafood," and use the adverb always, you could say, "I always eat seafood." Always generally is found after “BE” verbs and auxiliary verbs, but before other verbs. You will find this structure in many popular films. Consider this famous line from “A Streetcar Named Desire:” "Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." A Streetcar Named Desire, 1951 In the example, always appears after the auxiliary verb, have, and just before the main verb, depended. This same idea is true of Bogart's famous line from “Casablanca,” "We'll always have Paris." "We'll" is a short way to say, "we will." Always appears after the auxiliary verb, will, and before the main verb, have. Emphasized always You might think that our story about the word always ends here, but it does not! English speakers can also change the meaning of always. When you hear or read the adverb always in its usual position, before the verb it is modifying. It generally has the meaning of habitually. However, sometimes you will hear English speakers emphasize the word always. In this case, the meaning of the sentence has changed. Think back to our example sentence: "I always eat seafood." This sentence means that you usually eat seafood – perhaps when you go to a restaurant. If the speaker says, "I ALWAYS eat seafood," with the emphasis on the word "always," then the speaker is expressing annoyance. Perhaps the speaker is angry that another person – a close friend, for example – did not remember they like to eat seafood when they go out to dinner. Here is another example: you hear a child say, "My father always works late on Thursdays." This sentence uses the adverb always to express a habitual or common action. However, if you hear the child say, "My dad ALWAYS works late on Thursdays," then you know that the child is unhappy with the father's work schedule. What can you do? So, now you know that if Bogart had used the emphasized always in the film Casablanca, the ending of the film would have been very different. The next time you are listening or speaking, try to pay attention to the placement of the word always. Then, try to identify if it is emphasized or not. This will help you understand the speaker's feelings. Remember: English does not always communicate meaning through grammar. Emphasis plays an important role in showing the meaning of a sentence. With practice, you, too, will be able to use always like a native speaker! I’m Pete Musto. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. *Always can begin imperative sentences. Here is an example: Always wear your seatbelt. _______________________________________________________________ Words in this Story farewell – n. an act of leaving adverb – n. a word that describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or a sentence and that is often used to show time, manner, place, or degree occasionally – adv. sometimes but not often emphasize – v. to place emphasis on (something) auxiliary verb – n. a verb (such as have, be, may, do, shall, will, can, or must) that is used with another verb to show the verb's tense, to form a question, etc. modify – v. to limit or describe the meaning of (a word or group of words) scene – n. a part of a play, movie, story, etc., in which a particular action or activity occurs
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar/3597426.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar/3597426.html
Thursday, 9 November 2017
Understanding Adverbs: Always
The film “Casablanca” is one of the most famous American movies of all time. At the end of the film, the actor Humphrey Bogart says a heartbreaking farewell to the woman he loves. Bergman: But what about us? Bogart: We'll always have Paris. Besides affecting one’s emotions, this movie scene can teach you a lot about English grammar. It can show you how English speakers use adverbs in a sentence. In our program today, we explore a single word: always. We will discover why Bogart said his famous line the way he did. Do not worry. Unlike the ending of “Casablanca,” we will not leave you in tears! Adverbs and Movability In other Everyday Grammar stories, we explored adverbs. Adverbs are words that change the meaning of a verb, adjective, or sentence. They are often used to show time, place, or a way of doing things. Adverbs are often movable. They can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Consider these examples: Occasionally I eat seafood. I occasionally eat seafood. I eat seafood occasionally. In this example, the adverb occasionally appears in three different places in the sentence. The placement of the adverb does not change the meaning. All three sentences have the same meaning. Most English speakers would not think it strange if you used any one of these sentences. Always is not as movable What about the adverb always? In general, the adverb always is not as movable as other kinds of adverbs – like the word occasionally. You will not often hear an English speaker use always at the beginning or the end of a sentence. Most often, you will hear always in the middle of the sentence, before the verb it is modifying. In some cases, you might hear it at the beginning of a sentence – when giving an order or command, for example.* Or you might hear it at the end of a sentence, but usually only in an artistic setting: a poetry reading or a musical performance, for example. But the central point is this: in speaking and in writing, always does not move its position as often as other adverbs. So, if you were to take our example sentence, "I eat seafood," and use the adverb always, you could say, "I always eat seafood." Always generally is found after “BE” verbs and auxiliary verbs, but before other verbs. You will find this structure in many popular films. Consider this famous line from “A Streetcar Named Desire:” "Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." A Streetcar Named Desire, 1951 In the example, always appears after the auxiliary verb, have, and just before the main verb, depended. This same idea is true of Bogart's famous line from “Casablanca,” "We'll always have Paris." "We'll" is a short way to say, "we will." Always appears after the auxiliary verb, will, and before the main verb, have. Emphasized always You might think that our story about the word always ends here, but it does not! English speakers can also change the meaning of always. When you hear or read the adverb always in its usual position, before the verb it is modifying. It generally has the meaning of habitually. However, sometimes you will hear English speakers emphasize the word always. In this case, the meaning of the sentence has changed. Think back to our example sentence: "I always eat seafood." This sentence means that you usually eat seafood – perhaps when you go to a restaurant. If the speaker says, "I ALWAYS eat seafood," with the emphasis on the word "always," then the speaker is expressing annoyance. Perhaps the speaker is angry that another person – a close friend, for example – did not remember they like to eat seafood when they go out to dinner. Here is another example: you hear a child say, "My father always works late on Thursdays." This sentence uses the adverb always to express a habitual or common action. However, if you hear the child say, "My dad ALWAYS works late on Thursdays," then you know that the child is unhappy with the father's work schedule. What can you do? So, now you know that if Bogart had used the emphasized always in the film Casablanca, the ending of the film would have been very different. The next time you are listening or speaking, try to pay attention to the placement of the word always. Then, try to identify if it is emphasized or not. This will help you understand the speaker's feelings. Remember: English does not always communicate meaning through grammar. Emphasis plays an important role in showing the meaning of a sentence. With practice, you, too, will be able to use always like a native speaker! I’m Pete Musto. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. *Always can begin imperative sentences. Here is an example: Always wear your seatbelt. _______________________________________________________________ Words in this Story farewell – n. an act of leaving adverb – n. a word that describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or a sentence and that is often used to show time, manner, place, or degree occasionally – adv. sometimes but not often emphasize – v. to place emphasis on (something) auxiliary verb – n. a verb (such as have, be, may, do, shall, will, can, or must) that is used with another verb to show the verb's tense, to form a question, etc. modify – v. to limit or describe the meaning of (a word or group of words) scene – n. a part of a play, movie, story, etc., in which a particular action or activity occurs
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar/3597426.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar/3597426.html
How much is a zillion?
A million, a billion and a zillion - which of these is biggest and which one is not an exact number? Rob and Catherine talk about the language we use to describe numbers
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05mk73p
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05mk73p
All About American English with Alisha & Michael #22 - How to Start a Conversation
Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! English is a versatile language, and every speaker has their own favorite words and phrases. This new video lesson will help you boost your English vocab while you listen to our hosts Alisha and Michael chat about some English topics.In this lesson, [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-with-alisha-michael-22-how-to-start-a-conversation/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-with-alisha-michael-22-how-to-start-a-conversation/
All About American English with Alisha & Michael #21 - How to Improve your English with Music and Movies
Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! English is a versatile language, and every speaker has their own favorite words and phrases. This new video lesson will help you boost your English vocab while you listen to our hosts Alisha and Michael chat about some English topics. In this lesson, [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-with-alisha-michael-21-how-to-improve-your-english-with-music-and-movies/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/all-about-american-english-with-alisha-michael-21-how-to-improve-your-english-with-music-and-movies/
British English Survival Phrases 29 - Where Can I Get…in the UK?
Learn British English travel phrases with EnglishClass101.com! A little English can go such a long way! Whether you’re traveling, visiting, or sightseeing, EnglishClass101.com has all the essential travel phrases just for you! In this lesson we cover a high frequency English phrase that you’ll surely find useful on your trip, travels, or vacation to the [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/survival-phrases-s2-29-where-can-i-getin-the-uk/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/survival-phrases-s2-29-where-can-i-getin-the-uk/
Tuesday, 7 November 2017
Fake the snake
New Entry: 'Fake the snake' has just been added to the Slang area of UsingEnglish.com. This entry is only available in our members' area.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/members/idioms/view.php?show=Slang&entry_id=27232
ISWAC
New Entry: 'ISWAC' has just been added to the Chatlish area of UsingEnglish.com. This entry is only available in our members' area.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/members/idioms/view.php?show=Chatlish&entry_id=27229
Spanish onion
New Entry: 'Spanish onion' has just been added to the Cockney Rhyming Slang area of UsingEnglish.com. This entry is only available in our members' area.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/members/idioms/view.php?show=Cockney&entry_id=27231
Down in the dumps
Feeling unhappy? Here's a phrase to describe your mood but don't take it too literally!
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05m8x8v
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05m8x8v
Monday, 6 November 2017
Whose is this? & Whose are these?
New Entry: 'Whose is this? & Whose are these?' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/lesson-plans/view-whose-is-this-whose-are-these/
American Business English for Beginners #10 - Asking for Simple Business Information in English
Learn Business English with EnglishClass101.com! Whether you’ve just started working for an American company or started doing business with one, you’ll need some polished and professional English words and phrases to make a good impression. And that’s exactly where this new Business English series comes in! In this lesson, you’ll learn how to ask for a [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/american-business-english-for-beginners-10-asking-for-simple-business-information-in-english/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/american-business-english-for-beginners-10-asking-for-simple-business-information-in-english/
Sunday, 5 November 2017
Lesson 9: Is It Cold?
Summary Anna wants to know about the weather in Washington, D.C. She asks her phone. The phone tells her about the weather - but is the phone right? Speaking In this video, learn to say the new words. Learn to talk about weather and how to make your voice go up or down to show feelings with the word, "oh." You can also download the Activity Sheet and practice talking about weather with a friend. Pronunciation In this video, you learn how Americans say short answers with no break between the words. Conversation Anna: Oh, hi, everyone! Here in Washington, DC, the weather changes often. One day is cold and windy. But the next day is warm and sunny! So, every day I check the forecast. Hello, Phone? What is today’s temperature? Phone: Today it is 18 degrees ... Anna: Eighteen degrees! That is cold! Phone: … eighteen degrees Celsius. Anna: Oh, Celsius. That is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s warm. Phone: Yes, Anna. It is warm. Anna: Excuse me, Phone. Is it windy today? Phone: No, it is not windy today. Anna: Is it sunny today? Phone: Yes, Anna. It is sunny. Anna: Excuse me, Phone? Phone: Yes, Anna. Anna: Is it snowy today? Phone: No, Anna. It is not snowy. Anna: Thank you, Phone! Anna: Today the weather is warm and sunny -- great for seeing Washington, D.C. Anna: Phone! It is not warm and sunny! It is cold and windy and snowy! Phone: Anna, it is not cold, windy, or snowy. It is warm and sunny … in Mexico City, Mexico. Anna: Oh. I see. Mexico. Anna: Washington weather changes often. Remember to check the forecast -- the right forecast. Phone: Yes, Anna. Next time remember to check the right fore… Anna: Okay, thank you Phone. Goodbye, Phone. Anna: Until next time! Writing What is the weather where you are? You can see some examples in the Activity Sheet. Click on the image below to download it. Send us an email or write to us about your town's weather in the Comments section. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Look for Ways to Practice. We learn to speak by practicing often. Here is an example. Nina sits on the bus next to a friendly American woman. Looking for a way to practice English, Nina asks, "What is the weather in your city?" The woman tells her about her home town, Tampa, Florida. "It's very warm and sunny." Nina can now practice speaking English with the woman until her bus stop. How do you find ways to practice English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy. Listening Quiz Test your understanding by taking this listening quiz. Play the video, then choose the best answer. New Words Celsius - adj. relating to or having a scale for measuring temperature on which the boiling point of water is at 100 degrees and the freezing point of water is at 0 degrees change - v. to become different check -v. to get information by looking at something, asking about something, etc. cold - adj. having a very low temperature degree - n. a unit for measuring temperature Fahrenheit - adj. relating to or having a scale for measuring temperature on which the boiling point of water is at 212 degrees above zero and the freezing point is at 32 degrees above zero forecast - n. a statement about what you think is going to happen in the future phone - n. a device that is connected to a telephone system and that you use to listen or speak to someone who is somewhere else snowy - adj. having falling snow or covered with snow sunny - adj. having plenty of bright sunlight temperature - n. a measurement that indicates how hot or cold something is; a measurement in degrees showing the heat of something (such as air or water) warm - adj. somewhat hot; not cool or cold weather - n. the temperature and other outside conditions (such as rain, cloudiness, etc.) at a particular time and place windy - adj. having a lot of wind ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice a conversation about weather in different places. For Teachers See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: Short answers; Topics: Talk about weather; agree and disagree; use Fahrenheit or Celsius Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Intonation of 'oh;' reduced form of short affirmative answers
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-lesson-9-is-it-cold/3261789.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-lesson-9-is-it-cold/3261789.html
English Vocab Builder #121 - Fruit
Lesson Audio Download MP3
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/english-vocab-builder-121-fruit/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/english-vocab-builder-121-fruit/
Friday, 3 November 2017
Thursday, 2 November 2017
Verbs and Gerunds in Speech and Fiction Writing
The American rock group Journey released the song "Don't Stop Believin'" in 1981. This song, still popular in karaoke music bars, can help you learn about English grammar. Let's listen to some words from the song: Don't stop believing Hold on to that feeling Today, we are going to examine the grammar behind the song's famous words. Specifically, we will talk about verb + gerund structures. "Stop believing" is one example of this kind of structure. Gerunds and Infinitives Let us begin with a few definitions. A gerund is the form of a verb that ends with the letters “ing”. Such words act like a noun. For example, in the sentence "I love learning," the word "learning" is a gerund. An infinitive is the basic, or simplest form of the verb. Sometimes it has the word "to" in front of it. In the sentence "I like to read books," the words "to read" are an infinitive. Some verbs can be followed by an infinitive or a gerund. Knowing when to use an infinitive and when to use a gerund is difficult. The good news is this: only a few verbs commonly appear with gerunds. Verb + gerund structures are less common than verb + infinitive structures. When English speakers use verb + gerund structures, the verbs often come from one of three groups. The groups have meanings that suggest beginnings and ends, thoughts and memories, and sights and sounds. These three groups are common in everyday speech and fiction writing, but rare in school-related or academic writing. We will now look closer at each of the groups. #1 Begin, continue Here is our first meaning group: beginnings and ends. Gerunds often follow verbs that suggest a beginning or ending. The most common examples include the verbs begin, start, and stop. Famous works of American fiction have examples of this structure. The 1988 novel Tracks, written by Louise Erdrich, begins with the following words: "We started dying before the snow, and like the snow, we continued to fall." In the example, the gerund "dying" follows the verb "started" - a verb that suggests a beginning. The words from Journey's song show how speakers use verbs that suggest an ending: "Don't stop believing." Here, the gerund "believing" follows the verb "stop." Now, we will begin exploring our second meaning group. #2 Remember, think about, think of The second group is thoughts and memories. Gerunds often follow verbs that suggest that the mind is at work. The most common examples include the verbs remember, think about, and think of. Consider this example: "Do you remember playing at that park when we were young?" In the example, the gerund "playing" follows the verb "remember" – a verb that suggests the mind is working. Let's consider another example. Imagine you see a car that has been severely damaged. The owner might say: "Well, maybe I should think about buying a new car." Here, the gerund "buying" follows the verb structure "think about." Think about means to consider something. It suggests that a person will examine different possibilities and make a decision. Perhaps we should think about exploring one more meaning group… #3 Hear, see Our final meaning group is this: senses. Gerunds often follow verbs that suggest sights and sounds. Common examples include the structures see + a noun phrase + a gerund and hear + a noun phrase + a gerund. A noun phrase is a group of words that acts like a noun in a sentence. William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury gives you one example of these grammatical structures. "Through the fence, between the curling flower spaces, I could see them hitting." Here, the verb "see" is followed by a pronoun: the word “them”. The gerund, "hitting", comes after the pronoun. Here is another example. Imagine you are reading a crime novel and you see the following words: "He could see a large man waiting in the alley." Here, the noun phrase "a large man" comes between the verb "see" and the gerund "waiting." What can you do? The next time you are reading fiction in English or speaking to an American, try to find examples of verb + a gerund. Ask yourself why the speaker may have used the gerund instead of the infinitive. Does the verb relate to one of the groups we talked about today? Gerunds can be hard to master. It takes time to become skilled in their use. But the most important thing is that you do not stop trying to use them. I'm Jill Robbins. And I'm John Russell. John Russell wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story grammar – n. the set of rules that explain how words are used in a language karaoke bar – n. a place of business where a device plays the music of popular songs and people sing the words to the songs they choose specifically – adv. used to show the exact purpose or use of something curling – adj. twisted or formed into a round or curved shape novel – n. a written work, often long and complex, that deals human experiences fiction – n. stories about people and events that are not real
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-verbs-and-gerunds/4095619.html
source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-verbs-and-gerunds/4095619.html
Pedestrianisation - is it good for cities and towns?
There’s a fresh interest in keeping cars out of cities. Is it a good idea?
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05ltmpr
source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05ltmpr
Do You Want Questions Coin Game
New Entry: 'Do You Want Questions Coin Game' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.
source https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/lesson-plans/view-do-you-want-questions-coin-game/
American English Words of the Week with Alisha for Advanced Learners #5 - German Words in English
In this Advanced lesson, you’ll learn German Words in English. Visit us at EnglishClass101.com, where you will find English lesson notes and many more fantastic lessons and learning resources. Leave us a message while you are here!Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! How would you react if someone put you on the spot with an English question? [...]
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/american-english-words-of-the-week-with-alisha-for-advanced-learners-5-german-words-in-english/
source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/american-english-words-of-the-week-with-alisha-for-advanced-learners-5-german-words-in-english/
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