Nine Surprising Facts About the English Language

  If you read and listen to our Everyday Grammar program each week, you know it has detailed explanations of grammar, sentence structure and language usage. The show provides a lot of information for English learners. Some of you may worry about how you are going to use it all. But you need not worry too much. Today I'll give some reasons you why. I will share nine facts about English that show how strange and wonderful the language can be and may ease some of your doubts. 1. Let me start with this: English is not the official language of the United States. The country, in fact, does not have an official language. While some states have named English, the US central government has made no such declaration. English is, however, the most common language spoken nationwide. Spanish is the second, with more than 40 million speakers. The United States is a nation of immigrants, with a large percentage of citizens for whom English is a second language. 2. Here is another fact: Of the ten most widely spoken languages, English is the only one that does not have a guiding institution to set language standards. That means that while experts like to dictate language rules, they do not have any official or decisive power. So what we know and teach as “official” is really just what we are taught in school and continue to use in everyday situations. There has been debate for centuries over whether a guiding institution is needed for English. But many argue it is not, and that English should remain a “democratic” language.   3. The lack of such an organization is likely one reason that nearly 4,000 new words are added each year to the Oxford English Dictionary, or OED. Such fast growth is also largely the result of technology, which has led to several new words and new uses for old ones. Social media, too, is quickly spreading new words through the general public, which then leads to the words appearing in dictionaries. 4. In addition, many of the words added to the OED in recent years are portmanteaus. A portmanteau is a word made from shortening and combining two other words. A few examples are: "brunch," which combines the words "breakfast" and "lunch"; "motel," which combines the words "motor" and "hotel"; and "carjack," from the words "car" and "hijack." 5. Speaking of dictionaries, the word “set” has the most definitions of any English word, with well over 400 in the OED. The word “run” is a close second, with nearly 400 in the same dictionary. But the growth of machines and technology is causing “run” to grow much faster than “set.” One can run a computer program, for example. Buses also run on roads and trains run on railroad tracks. 6. This next one may shock you: The shortest possible grammatically correct complete sentence in the English language is a word made of just two letters: Go! It is a command, which is a sentence that asks or tells people to do something. In a command, the subject (you) is not spoken or written. Instead, it is simply understood. 7. Our next fact is also a fun little way to test your listening skills. Listen to the following sentence and think about what is unusual or special about it: He believed Caesar could see people seizing the seas. This sentence has seven words with the vowel sound /i:/. There are seven ways in English to spell the /i:/ sound – yes, seven! You will hear more about the oddities of English spelling in a minute. 8. But first, I offer you the opposite idea: one spelling that makes many sounds. The letter combination o-u-g-h can be said several ways. Listen to some examples: /ʌf/ as in enough /aʊ/ as in drought /uː/ as in through /oʊ/ as in although and though /ɑː/ as in bought and thought /ɒ:f/ as in cough and /ʌp/ as in hiccough The word “hiccough” is more commonly spelled h-i-c-c-u-p but both spellings are acceptable. 9. You may be wondering how English spelling got to be so…odd. There are many reasons, some of them historical. One involves William Caxton, an English writer and businessman. Caxton brought the printing press to England in 1476 to produce and sell books. The English language was changing quickly during this time and there was no general agreement on its rules. Caxton tried to establish a standard spelling system, but there were other problems. One mistake he made was to employ workers from what is now Belgium to help with his printing business. The workers’ command of English was weak.   As more printing houses opened in England, each had its own spelling. During that period, typesetters were also paid by each line, so they often spelled words longer on purpose. As you can imagine, keeping a standard system was impossible. Centuries later, in 1828, an American named Noah Webster published an official dictionary of American English whose spellings we still use today. So, now that you’ve learned some surprising – and even funny – things about English, you may find the language less frightening. And hopefully, you will keep a sense of humor as you continue to work at it! I’m Alice Bryant. Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   grammar – n. the set of rules that explain how words are used in a language institution – n. an established organization dictionary – n. a book that lists words in alphabetical order and contains their meanings, forms and pronunciations vowel – n. a letter – such as a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y – in English that represents a sound spell – n. to say, write, or print the letters of word oddity – n. the quality or state of being strange or unusual hiccough – n. a sound in your throat that sometimes happens after you have eaten or drunk too much or too quickly printing press – n. a machine that prints books, magazines, newspapers and other documents in large numbers typesetter – n. a person who arranges words on paper for the purpose of printing them

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All About - British English #10 - Top Five Things You Need to Know About British Pop Culture

Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! You have just arrived in Britain and you have already noticed there is something very different about the English people. Everywhere you look, people appear to be dressed differently…and what is that noise?! Is that…music? Well, maybe you just have jetlag and things will feel better once you get to your [...]

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Why are unicorns back in fashion?

Neil and Rob talk about these mythical creatures and teach you some vocabulary.

source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0725xgd

English Grammar Made Easy #49 - Either vs Neither

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To have a soft spot

How do you feel if you really like something or someone? This phrase might help you.

source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p071yx9s

Extensive Reading in English for Intermediate Learners #9 - Bike Safety

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English Vocab Builder #158 - Entertainment

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Video News #23 - Free English Gifts of the Month - March 2019

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Ask Alisha: Your English Questions Answered #63 - Methods to Improve English Speaking Skills

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Lesson 25: Watch Out!

Summary Anna learns about a new game, "Catch Americana." She walks around the memorials to U.S. Presidents and learns fun facts by playing the game. Speaking In this video, you can practice saying the new words and learn how to make recommendations using "should." Pronunciation This video teaches about past tense contractions, like "didn't." ​ Conversation Anna: Hello from Washington, DC! This city has many monuments and memorials. Anna: Today I am visiting the ones built in memory of our Presidents: Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt. Anna: I want to learn more about them. Anna: Hey! Watch out! Dan: Sorry! I didn't see you. Anna: You were not looking. You should be more careful. Dan: I know I should be more careful. But this game is really fun. Anna: What kind of game? Dan: You have to find things that aren't really there. Anna: How can you find things that aren’t really there? Dan: They're in your phone. See? Anna: I see. It’s like a scavenger hunt. Dan: That’s right! Anna: I don’t have time for games. I want to learn about U.S. presidents. Dan: Then you should play this game! When you find an American symbol, you win points and a Fun Fact about a U.S. President. Anna: I have time for this game! Dan: Here are the symbols that I caught: the Statue of Liberty for 20 points, Uncle Sam for 40 points and the American flag for 60 points. Anna: What symbol are you looking for now? Dan: I am looking for the bald eagle. That is 100 points! It should be near the Washington Monument. Anna: This game is awesome. Dan: You ought to buy the app right now. It’s called “Catch Americana.” Anna: Got it. Catch Americana. Anna: Thanks! Good luck! Dan: Good luck to you too! Anna: This is the Jefferson Memorial. I know that Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence! Now, where is that symbol? Anna: Here it is! My first one. It’s an American flag! I won 60 points! Anna: An American flag works well for Thomas Jefferson*. I see lots of American flags on Independence Day! Anna: Where is my Jefferson Fun Fact? Voice: In his lifetime, Thomas Jefferson wrote about 19,000 letters! Anna: I did not know that. Where is the next symbol? *See an explanation of this sentence in the Learning Strategy section. Writing In this lesson, Anna learns about a new video game. What games do you like to play? Write to us to tell us about the video games or other games you like. Send us an email or write in the Comments section. Use the Activity Sheet to play a game that helps you practice talking about games, sports, and leisure activities. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Make Associations. When we think of connections between things we are making associations.  In this lesson, Anna connects the picture of an American flag in her mind with President Thomas Jefferson. She sees the flag in the game and says, "I know that Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence! Now, where is that symbol?" "Here it is! My first one. It’s an American flag! I won 60 points! An American flag works well for Thomas Jefferson. I see lots of American flags on Independence Day!" Anna is making associations between the flags and President Thomas Jefferson. What associations do you make when learning new things in English? Is there something in this lesson that you can associate with the new words? Maybe the association will help you remember them. 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 Check your understanding and practice your listening skills with this quiz. ______________________________________________________________ New Words Americana - n. things produced in the U.S. and thought to be typical of the U.S. or its culture bald eagle - n. a very large bird of North America that has a white head and white tail feathers build / built - v. to make (something) by putting together parts or materials be careful! - an instruction to take care in a particular situation catch/caught - v. to capture and not allow (a person, animal, or fish) to escape Declaration of Independence - n. the statement adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776. It said that the thirteen American colonies would not accept British rule find / found - v. to get or discover something or someone that you are looking for flag - n. a piece of cloth with a special design that is used as a symbol of a nation or group Independence Day - n. July 4 celebrated as a legal holiday in the U.S. in honor of the day when the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 memory - n. the power or process of remembering what has been learned in memory of or in someone's memory - made or done to honor someone who has died ought to - modal verb. used to say or suggest that something is the proper, reasonable, or best thing to do. It has the same meaning as should and is used in the same ways, but it is less common and somewhat more formal. point - n. a unit that is used to score a game or contest scavenger hunt - n. a game in which players try to find specified items within a particular period of time should - v. used to say or suggest that something is the proper, reasonable, or best thing to do Statue of Liberty - n. A large sculpture given to the United States from the people of France. It is a symbol of freedom and democracy. symbol - n. an action, object, event, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality Uncle Sam - n. A common symbol of the government of the United States. Watch out! - phrasal verb. to be aware of something dangerous American Presidents (Part One) ​Thomas Jefferson - America’s 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson signed the Declaration of Independence on America’s birthday - the 4th of July. (The symbol for President Jefferson in the Catch Americana game is an American flag.) ​______________________________________________________________ Free Materials   Word Book 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 talking about games, sports, and leisure 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:  Modals: should; ought to ​Topics: Warnings: Be careful, Watch out; Recommending products, giving advice Learning Strategy: Cooperate Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: past tense contractions ;  Making recommendations using ‘should’ Are you teaching with Let's Learn English? Send us a photo of your class and we'll put it on our Facebook page.  ______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. What do you think the game in this lesson? Do you play a game like this? 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.  

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English Grammar Made Easy #46 - Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous

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English Vocab Builder #69 - Veterans Day in the United States

Learn English with EnglishClass101.com! Our English vocabulary lists are listener favorites, and now we’ve made them even better! In each lesson, you’ll hear the English words and phrases from the English vocabulary lists. Join us for English Vocab Builder! In this lesson, you’ll learn words and phrases for US Veterans Day. Click here to make your [...]

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What Is the 'Zero Article'?

  Wow, I sure do love cats! I suppose I didn’t know how much until my social media service informed me I had “liked” eight pictures of cats this week. Maybe I should get a cat – or stay off of social media. If you listened closely, you may have noticed that I did not use an article in my first two sentences about cats, but I did in my third. There, I used the article “a.” On our program today, I will tell you why and share some simple rules for when not to use articles. As you may know, English articles refer to the words “a” “an” and “the.” Even some English learners with years of training have trouble with these little words – and for good reason! The rules differ from language to language, making it tricky to know when to use them. But, don’t worry! The good news is that some kinds of nouns do not require articles in speech or writing. This idea is often called the “zero article.” The term “zero article” itself is not very important. It is just a way of saying no article is used. There are many kinds of nouns that are not preceded by articles in English. Other nouns get no article only in some kinds of statements, such as generalizations. Plural and noncount nouns  in generalizations To begin, we do not use articles before plural nouns and noncount nouns when making generalizations. A generalization is a broad statement or an idea that can be applied to a whole group of people or things. As you may know, a plural noun is the form of a word that relates to more than one person or thing, like apples, dogs, telephones and children. Let’s listen to an example of a generalization with plural nouns: Dogs are much more playful than cats. This is a very broad statement applied to two groups of animals, so we do not use articles. We do however use articles with plural nouns in specific statements. Here is an example for comparison:        The dogs at the doggy park are very playful. The speaker is talking of specific dogs – the ones at the doggy park. So the article “the” is used before the plural noun “dogs.” Now, let’s move on to noncount nouns. You may remember from an earlier program that a noncount noun is a noun that we usually do not count. So it does not appear in plural form. Noncount nouns include materials (like gold), substances (like water and fire), abstract things (like music and justice) and some other things. Generalizations with noncount nouns are not preceded by articles. Let’s hear an example:        I like listening to music while I exercise. The person is not speaking of specific music. They are saying they enjoy the general act of listening to music as they exercise. For comparison, here’s a specific statement: The music at the show last night was too loud. The person is speaking of specific music – the music at the show last night. So the article “the” appears before the noncount noun “music.” Proper nouns The zero article also applies to other kinds of nouns. For instance, we normally do not put an article in front of a proper noun – a word or group of words that name a specific person, place or thing. Proper nouns are easy to identify because they begin with capital letters, like the month of August, 7th Street, Mexico City, Alice, English and Voice of America. Have a listen: Alice teaches English at Voice of America. Note that none of the proper nouns has an article before it. Articles however must remain in place if they are part of the full name of something, like the newspaper The New York Times, musical group A Tribe Called Quest and country The Netherlands. Here’s an example: My favorite musical group in high school was A Tribe Called Quest. Transport phrases Now, on to transport phrases. No article is used with some phrases that relate to transportation, such as: “by car,” “by train,” “by bus,” “by air” and “on foot." Take this example: The group traveled from Tangier to Casablanca by train. Time phrases In addition, we do not use articles with some time words and phrases, such as “at night,” “at midnight,” “tomorrow,” “today” and “yesterday.” Articles also are not used for general time phrases beginning with the word “last,” such as “last night,” “last week,” and “last year,” as in this example:        Last week, I took a painting class for the first time. Common institutions Next, no article is used for some phrases that relate to well-known institutions or places, such as “at home,” “at work,” “at school, “in class,” “in college” and “in jail." Take this example: Sorry, I can’t talk right now. I’m at work. I’ll call you later. However, in American English, there are a few exceptions, such as “at the hospital.” And, lastly, we do not use articles in relation to the general role of most common places, as with the word “class” in this sentence:        When does class begin in DC public schools? And now, back to my cat obsession. I’ll tell you later if I decide to get a cat or just stop “liking” so many pictures online. I’m Alice Bryant.   Alice Bryant wrote this story for Everyday Grammar. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Practice   Now, you try it! Practice using the zero article (no article). Choose any three or more sentences to write. Write one generalization using a plural noun. It could be about kinds of: animals, cars, mobile phones, computers, jobs, people or something else. Be sure that the noun subject is plural. (Ex: Children love ice cream.)   Write one generalization using any noncount noun. Some noncount nouns include: materials and substances (such as wood, gold, water and fire); foods (such as milk, rice, sugar and meat); abstract ideas (such as happiness, advice, time and information); subjects (such as biology, history and economics); and activities (such as dancing, swimming and studying).  3. Write a statement or question using one to three proper nouns.  4. Use one of the following phrases in a statement or question: “by car,” “by train,” “by bus,” “by air” or “on foot.” 5. Use one of the following phrases in a statement or question: “at night,” “at midnight,” “tomorrow,” “today,” “yesterday,” “last night” “last week” “last month” or “last year.” 6. Use one of the following phrases in a statement or question: “at home,” “at work,” “at school,” “in class,” “in college” or “in school.” ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   article – n. a word that is used with a noun to show whether or not the noun refers to a specific person or thing refer to – v. to have a direct connection or relationship to something specific – adj. precise or exact abstract – adj. relating to general ideas or qualities rather than specific people, objects, or actions phrase – n. a group of two or more words that express a single idea but do not usually form a complete sentence institution – n. an established organization obsession – n. a state in which someone thinks about someone or something constantly or frequently

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Are food allergies more common now?

Neil and Rob discuss the topic and teach you new vocabulary.

source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p071ky87

Comparing Places- Comparatives Random Pelmanism Card Game

New Entry: 'Comparing Places- Comparatives Random Pelmanism Card Game' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.

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To make a song and dance (about something)

If things don't go your way, how can singing and dancing help?

source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0716skv

How to teach British and American English

New Entry: 'How to teach British and American English' has just been added to the Articles area of UsingEnglish.com.

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Know Your Verbs #21 - Verb: “Watch”

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News #249 - Top 7 Ways to Perfect Your English: Speaking, Reading & More

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Ask Alisha: Your English Questions Answered #62 - How to Use ITS vs IT’S - Basic English Grammar

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Lesson 24: Yesterday Was Amazing!

Summary Anna discovers a festival - the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall. What does she learn there about Basque culture? Speaking Learn to pronounce the new words for this lesson. You also learn about the words people use in English when they cannot remember a word, or they do not know a word.  Pronunciation Use this video to learn about three ways to pronounce the past tense ending of regular verbs. Conversation   Anna:  Yesterday was the most amazing day. I want to tell my friend back home about it. So, I am writing her a letter! Anna:  Dear Penelope, Life in Washington, D.C. is interesting. I see something new every day -- like yesterday. Yesterday started like a usual work day. Anna:  I said, "Yesterday started like a usual work day." Anna's voice: I was at work. And I wanted a break. So, I walked and walked … and walked. Then, I saw something! It was a festival -- a big festival! Anna: It is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Anna's voice: Yes. It was the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Every year the festival shows different cultures. This year one of the cultures was the Basque culture. There was dancing and food and games!” Anna: I am dancing a traditional Basque dance. Anna's voice: At the festival, I danced a traditional Basque dance! Anna: They are cooking traditional Basque food. Anna's voice: They cooked a lot of traditional Basque food. Anna: They are playing a game. It’s a kind of handball. What do they call it? They call it pilota! Anna's voice: They played a game with their hands and a small ball. It’s a kind of handball. But this game is called pilota. Anna: This is beautiful! This is traditional Basque art. Anna: They are making a traditional Basque ship. This festival is a lot of fun! Anna's voice: The whole day was a lot of fun! Anna:  Who said that? I want to write my friends and tell them about my day! Anna:  … So, I wanted to tell you about my day! Please, my friend, come visit Washington, D.C. soon. There is a lot to do! Until next time … Anna. Writing Tell about a party or festival in your town.  Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice using the past tense 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 Substitute. When we are speaking a second language, we often do not know a word. That is the time we can substitute a phrase or another word, and continue speaking. In the video, you can hear Anna telling about the game. She does not remember the name at first. They are playing a game. It’s a kind of handball. What do they call it? They call it pilota! Anna uses a phrase, "It's a kind of handball," to tell about the game. She is substituting that phrase for the Basque name. Then she remembers the name, pilota. How about you? Do you sometimes substitute a word or phrase for an English word you do not know? Write to tell us how you use this strategy in an email or in the Comments section. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more on how to teach this strategy. Quiz ​Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz. This week's quiz also tests your learning strategy knowledge. ______________________________________________________________ New Words was - v. past tense of the verb "be" in first or third person (I was; he/she/it was) Basque Country _- n. region of Spain culture - n.  the beliefs, customs, or arts of a particular society festival - n. an organized series of performances handball - n. a game for two or four players who use their hands to hit a ball against a wall interesting - adj. attracting your attention and making you want to learn more about something or to be involved in something  said - v. past tense of the verb "say" traditional - adj. following the tradition of a certain group or culture Past tense verbs start - started want - wanted walk - walked dance - danced play - played call - called ______________________________________________________________ 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 the past tense. 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: Regular past tense verbs Topics: Festivals and cultural traditions Learning Strategy: Substitute Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Voiced and voiceless past tense pronunciations; Substituting one word for another ______________________________________________________________ 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.

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Under, Below, Beneath and Underneath

  The middle of February is winter here in Washington, DC. I walked outside this morning and the temperature was below freezing! And I made the mistake of wearing light clothing. So I went back in the house and put on a sweater under my coat. The words “under” and “below” are close in meaning. They are also similar to the words “beneath” and “underneath.” All of them can act as prepositions or adverbs. I will have more on that shortly. So, if all four words are similar, how do we know which word to use? In our program today, we will answer that. First, I have some good news: The word “under” is the most widely used of the four words and can often replace the others. If you are ever unsure which one to use, choose “under.” A lower place: under, below, beneath, underneath Now let’s begin. The words “under,” “below,” “beneath” and “underneath” can all mean “in a lower place or position and sometimes covered by something else.” “Under” is the most used of the three in everyday speech when talking about a lower physical position, like this: We sat under the stars and listened to the night sounds. Keeping the boxes under the bed helps to save space. “Beneath” differs here only in that it is more formal and less common in spoken English. But, you could use it for those two examples. “Underneath” is often used to say that something is under and covered by something else, so you could use it for the boxes example. You could also use “below,” but we normally use this word for things of a similar grouping. Listen to the examples: I hung the new family photo below the old one. Please carefully read and sign the below document. In the first example, the photos are on the same wall; in the second, the document is part of an email or group of papers. Three of the words – “under” “below” and “beneath” – can also be used when identifying someone of a lower rank or with less power than someone else. Here is an example: In the U.S. army, a lieutenant is below a captain.  Covered by: under, beneath, underneath The words “under” “beneath” and “underneath” can also more specifically mean “covered or hidden by something.” This can refer to something physically covered by another thing. Or, it can refer to hidden personal qualities. Listen to someone use the first meaning: I’m wearing a black sweater underneath this coat. Note that the word “underneath” is a preposition. It has an indirect object: this coat. And, now the second: Her personality seems cold but she’s really warm underneath. Note that the word “underneath” comes at the end of the sentence – the most common placement when our four words today act as adverbs. Not worthy of: below, beneath Next, “below” and “beneath” can refer to people or things that are unworthy in some way or of a lower social ranking. Here is how someone might use the words: He refuses to take a job that he sees as beneath him. Some people think she married below her family. This meaning is negative, however. So exercise care when using it.  Lower in number: under, below Another meaning for “under” and “below” relates to measurement. It means “lower than in age, number or level.” The word “under” is common in reference to age: It is unlawful to buy cigarettes if you are under 21 years of age. In this example, the word “under” is a preposition. It has an indirect object: 21 years of age. Now here it is again but serving an adverb: It is unlawful to buy cigarettes if you are 21 years of age or under. Now, onto measurements. We usually use “below” when discussing such things as height and temperature. Have a listen: Temperatures in the Midwest fell below zero last week. A large part of New Orleans is at or below sea level. More about ‘under’ I want to quickly tell you two more meanings of the word “under” since it’s such a common word with a lot of meanings. It can mean “guided by or managed by,” as in this: The restaurant will be under new management starting in March. It can also mean “in a condition or state,” as in this: The shopping center is under construction until next year. Used as a prefix “Under” can also be used as a prefix – a group of letters added at the beginning of a word to change its meaning. As such, it can mean “below” or “less than an expected or correct amount” and can be an adjective or a verb. Listen to the first sentence, which uses an adjective, and the second, which uses a verb: I cannot permit you to enter this club. You’re underage. Oh no! They undercooked the chicken. I can’t eat it now. ‘Under’ expressions And, lastly, “under” is also used in common English expressions, such as: under the weather under pressure under the law under arrest and under your breath There are many and you don’t need to memorize them. But keep in mind that expressions often cannot be understood from the meanings of their separate words. And now, be sure to do the practice below. I’m Alice Bryant.   Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Practice   Choose the best answer for each sentence. Some sentences have more than one possible answer. Write your answers in the comments section. I do not want to engage in small disagreements. Such behavior is _______ me.   In school systems, teachers are _______administrators.   A cat ran _______ the car this morning and has been hiding there for hours.   The temperatures in summer here usually do not fall _______ 85 degrees Fahrenheit.   I have a good friend who lives ________ me in my apartment building.   This game is suited for children ages 10 and _________.   The university’s English program is ________ new supervision. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sweater – n. a warm usually knitted piece of clothing for the upper part of your body formal – adj. suitable for serious or official speech and writing rank – n. a position in a society, organization or group refer to –​ v. to have a direct connection or relationship to something indirect object –​ n. a noun phrase referring to someone or something that is affected by the action of a verb negative – adj. expressing dislike or disapproval construction – n. the act or process of building something club – n. a business that provides entertainment, such as music or a show, and that usually serves food and alcohol practice – v. the activity of doing something again and again in order to become better at it

source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/under-below-beneath-and-underneath/4785334.html

Under, Below, Beneath and Underneath

  The middle of February is winter here in Washington, DC. I walked outside this morning and the temperature was below freezing! And I made the mistake of wearing light clothing. So I went back in the house and put on a sweater under my coat. The words “under” and “below” are close in meaning. They are also similar to the words “beneath” and “underneath.” All of them can act as prepositions or adverbs. I will have more on that shortly. So, if all four words are similar, how do we know which word to use? In our program today, we will answer that. First, I have some good news: The word “under” is the most widely used of the four words and can often replace the others. If you are ever unsure which one to use, choose “under.” A lower place: under, below, beneath, underneath Now let’s begin. The words “under,” “below,” “beneath” and “underneath” can all mean “in a lower place or position and sometimes covered by something else.” “Under” is the most used of the three in everyday speech when talking about a lower physical position, like this: We sat under the stars and listened to the night sounds. Keeping the boxes under the bed helps to save space. “Beneath” differs here only in that it is more formal and less common in spoken English. But, you could use it for those two examples. “Underneath” is often used to say that something is under and covered by something else, so you could use it for the boxes example. You could also use “below,” but we normally use this word for things of a similar grouping. Listen to the examples: I hung the new family photo below the old one. Please carefully read and sign the below document. In the first example, the photos are on the same wall; in the second, the document is part of an email or group of papers. Three of the words – “under” “below” and “beneath” – can also be used when identifying someone of a lower rank or with less power than someone else. Here is an example: In the U.S. army, a captain is below a lieutenant.  Covered by: under, beneath, underneath The words “under” “beneath” and “underneath” can also more specifically mean “covered or hidden by something.” This can refer to something physically covered by another thing. Or, it can refer to hidden personal qualities. Listen to someone use the first meaning: I’m wearing a black sweater underneath this coat. Note that the word “underneath” is a preposition. It has an indirect object: this coat. And, now the second: Her personality seems cold but she’s really warm underneath. Note that the word “underneath” comes at the end of the sentence – the most common placement when our four words today act as adverbs. Not worthy of: below, beneath Next, “below” and “beneath” can refer to people or things that are unworthy in some way or of a lower social ranking. Here is how someone might use the words: He refuses to take a job that he sees as beneath him. Some people think she married below her family. This meaning is negative, however. So exercise care when using it.  Lower in number: under, below Another meaning for “under” and “below” relates to measurement. It means “lower than in age, number or level.” The word “under” is common in reference to age: It is unlawful to buy cigarettes if you are under 21 years of age. In this example, the word “under” is a preposition. It has an indirect object: 21 years of age. Now here it is again but serving an adverb: It is unlawful to buy cigarettes if you are 21 years of age or under. Now, onto measurements. We usually use “below” when discussing such things as height and temperature. Have a listen: Temperatures in the Midwest fell below zero last week. A large part of New Orleans is at or below sea level. More about ‘under’ I want to quickly tell you two more meanings of the word “under” since it’s such a common word with a lot of meanings. It can mean “guided by or managed by,” as in this: The restaurant will be under new management starting in March. It can also mean “in a condition or state,” as in this: The shopping center is under construction until next year. Used as a prefix “Under” can also be used as a prefix – a group of letters added at the beginning of a word to change its meaning. As such, it can mean “below” or “less than an expected or correct amount” and can be an adjective or a verb. Listen to the first sentence, which uses an adjective, and the second, which uses a verb: I cannot permit you to enter this club. You’re underage. Oh no! They undercooked the chicken. I can’t eat it now. ‘Under’ expressions And, lastly, “under” is also used in common English expressions, such as: under the weather under pressure under the law under arrest and under your breath There are many and you don’t need to memorize them. But keep in mind that expressions often cannot be understood from the meanings of their separate words. And now, be sure to do the practice below. I’m Alice Bryant.   Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Practice   Choose the best answer for each sentence. Some sentences have more than one possible answer. Write your answers in the comments section. I do not want to engage in small disagreements. Such behavior is _______ me.   In school systems, teachers are _______administrators.   A cat ran _______ the car this morning and has been hiding there for hours.   The temperatures in summer here usually do not fall _______ 85 degrees Fahrenheit.   I have a good friend who lives ________ me in my apartment building.   This game is suited for children ages 10 and _________.   The university’s English program is ________ new supervision. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sweater – n. a warm usually knitted piece of clothing for the upper part of your body formal – adj. suitable for serious or official speech and writing rank – n. a position in a society, organization or group refer to –​ v. to have a direct connection or relationship to something indirect object –​ n. a noun phrase referring to someone or something that is affected by the action of a verb negative – adj. expressing dislike or disapproval construction – n. the act or process of building something club – n. a business that provides entertainment, such as music or a show, and that usually serves food and alcohol practice – v. the activity of doing something again and again in order to become better at it

source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/under-below-beneath-and-underneath/4785334.html

How effective are dating apps?

Apparently, only 5% of people who've used dating apps, actually go on the date. Why?

source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p070w8kc

Advanced Audio Blog S4 #14 - Top 10 Holidays in the United Kingdom - Halloween

Learn British English with EnglishClass101.com! Ever wondered what the best-known holidays and festivals in the UK are, and why they’re so well loved? Then these 10 audio blogs in this British English series are for you! With this series, you’ll learn all about the 10 most famous holidays and festivals from UK. In this audio blog, [...]

source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/advanced-audio-blog-s4-14-top-10-holidays-in-the-united-kingdom-halloween/

Ask Alisha: Your English Questions Answered #61 - How to Talk About Something - a Very Recent Action in English

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source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/ask-alisha-your-english-questions-answered-61-how-to-talk-about-something-a-very-recent-action-in-english/

TINA

New Entry: 'TINA' 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=27315

Positive and Negative Language for Reviews

New Entry: 'Positive and Negative Language for Reviews' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.

source https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/lesson-plans/view-positive-and-negative-language-for-reviews/

Tekker

New Entry: 'Tekker' 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=27314

TIC

New Entry: 'TIC' 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=27313

How to teach British and American times, dates and numbers

New Entry: 'How to teach British and American times, dates and numbers' has just been added to the Articles area of UsingEnglish.com.

source https://www.usingenglish.com/articles/how-to-teach-british-american-times-dates-numbers.html

Giant killer

Here's a phrase to describe the success of a small team.

source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p070mlnv

Extensive Reading in English for Intermediate Learners #8 - How to Interview

Lesson Audio Download MP3 Dialog Download MP3

source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/extensive-reading-in-english-for-intermediate-learners-8-how-to-interview/

Mare's nest

New Entry: 'Mare's nest' has just been added to the Idioms area of UsingEnglish.com.

source https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/mare%27s+nest.html

Sleep out

New Entry: 'Sleep out' has just been added to the Phrasal Verbs area of UsingEnglish.com.

source https://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/sleep.html#Sleep-out

Abilities of Animals Can/ Can’t Games

New Entry: 'Abilities of Animals Can/ Can’t Games' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.

source https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/lesson-plans/view-abilities-of-animals-can-cant-games/

Lesson 23: What Do You Want?

Summary Anna and her boss go on a trip around the world. That is, they eat foods from around the world. What will they find? Speaking In this video, you can practice saying the new words and learn about counting when you give someone change. Pronunciation In this video, you can learn about three informal English expressions: outta, yep, and whaddaya. Conversation   Anna: Washington, D.C. has great food from all over the world. Anna: Today I’m having lunch with my boss. Ms. Weaver says we’re going on a trip around the world. But she knows I only have an hour for lunch! Silly woman. Jonathan:  Hi, Anna! Anna: Hi Jonathan! Hey, we are meeting Ms. Weaver for lunch at noon, aren’t we? Jonathan:  Yes. Anna: What time is it now? Jonathan:  11:50. Anna: 11:50! We have to go!   Anna: So, where is this world food restaurant? Caty: We’re not eating at a restaurant. Anna: Where are we eating? Caty: We are eating at ... food trucks! Anna: Food trucks … awesome! What’s a food truck? Caty: These are food trucks! Anna: Wow!   Jonathan:  Whoa! Caty: Okay, Jonathan, you will buy the first dish. Here is $10. Surprise us! Jonathan:  Okay, I’ll be back in 15 minutes. Anna: What country do I want to visit? Caty: Anna, you pick the second country. Here is $10. Anna: I want chicken. Caty: The food truck, over there, has great chicken. Anna: Awesome! Caty: After you buy your food, meet me here. Jonathan:  Excuse me, I’ll have the shrimp. Jonathan:  Oh, you’re out of shrimp. Okay, I’ll have the beef then. Anna: Hello. I want the chicken dish. Truck worker: We're out of chicken. Anna: You're out of chicken. Worker: Yep. Anna: I’ll try another food truck. Thanks! Worker: You're welcome. Jonathan:  Okay, here is your change. The dish is $7. So, here is  1, 2, 3 dollars back from your 10. Caty: Great. Jonathan:  Where’s Anna? Is she dancing by that food truck? Caty: Yes. Yes, she is. Anna: Ms. Weaver, here is your change. The dish costs $5. So - $5   back. Caty: Thanks, Anna. But where is the food? Anna: I’m eating it. The Peruvian chicken is delicious! Try some! (Caty and Jonathan shake their heads “no”) Caty: Well, we still have $8! What do you want now? Anna: We can buy dessert!    Caty: I’ll buy dessert. Anna: In Washington, D.C., you can travel around the world … with food trucks! And it does not cost a lot. Anna: Until next time!   Writing Anna and her co-workers are going out for lunch together. What do you usually have for lunch on a weekday? Describe it and send us a photo if you can! Send us an email or write in the Comments section. Use the Activity Sheet to practice writing and talking about money and change. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Respond. In many everyday situations, we have to respond to what we hear. Speaking English as a second language might make it hard for you to respond quickly. The strategy respond is part of listening actively. After listening to what the other person says, you respond on the same topic.  In the video, Jonathan listens to the food truck worker. She says they are out of shrimp. Jonathan responds. First, he repeats the sentence, "Oh, you're out of shrimp." That shows he understands. Second, he asks for a different dish. "I'll have the beef, then." When you talk with someone in English, how do you usually respond? 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. Listen to the short video, then choose the best answer.​ ​______________________________________________________________ New Words   after - adv. following in time or at a later time beef- n. meat from a cow or the meat of the cow used as food chicken  n. a bird that is raised by people for its eggs and meat or the meat of the chicken used as food cost - v. to have (an amount of money) as a price delicious - adj. very pleasant to taste dessert - n.sweet food eaten after the main part of a meal dish - n. food that is prepared in a particular way hour - n. one of the 24 equal parts of a day; 60 minutes minute - n. a unit of time equal to 60 seconds; one 60th of an hour noon - n. the middle of the day;12 o'clock in the daytime only - adv. no more than pick - v. to choose or select (someone or something) from a group shrimp - n. small shellfish that has a long body and legs and that is eaten as food trip -n. a journey to a place truck n. a very large, heavy vehicle that is used to move large or numerous objects ​_____________________________________________________________ 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 learn how to talk about prices, American coins and money. 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: Using want to express desires Topics: Asking the time; Counting back change; Time and Punctuality Learning Strategy: Respond Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Counting change, Reduced form of "out of;" Reduced form, "whaddaya;" Informal agreement using "yep." ______________________________________________________________ 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-23-what-do-you-want/3413753.html

English Vocab Builder #157 - Job Search

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source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/english-vocab-builder-157-job-search/

How to teach British and American vocabulary

New Entry: 'How to teach British and American vocabulary' has just been added to the Articles area of UsingEnglish.com.

source https://www.usingenglish.com/articles/how-to-teach-british-american-vocabulary.html

What Is the Word Order of Adjectives?

  Hi, everyone. How’s your day going? This morning, the Metro was loud, hot and crowded…again. And the train driver kept stopping and starting so I lost my footing and bumped into someone. Ugh. I need a different way to get to work! But what? Oh, I know: I’ll buy a new folding bike! Oh wait – or is it a folding new bike? No, that doesn’t sound right. New folding bike is right. I just used two adjectives to describe the bike: new and folding. But why couldn’t I change the order? The answer is that they are cumulative adjectives. And, in today’s program, I’m going to tell you about them. Cumulative adjectives When we use more than one adjective to describe a noun, the adjectives are either cumulative or coordinative. Cumulative adjectives are adjectives that must appear in a special order to express the meaning that we want to express. For example, if I told a native English speaker I was buying a folding new bike, they might not understand me. You’ll note that I also used three adjectives to describe the Metro: loud, hot and crowded. But those adjectives are coordinative. They do not follow a special order. And they have different punctuation rules. The order of cumulative adjectives is as follows: quantity, opinion, size, age, color, shape, origin, material and purpose.  Quantity Let’s talk about the first one – quantity. These adjectives answer the question “How much?” or “How many?” They can refer to specific numbers, like two or 31, or to more general amounts, like “whole” “half” “a lot” or “several.” Let’s hear an example: I’m about to order two large pizzas. Which toppings do you like? The adjective “two” comes before the adjective “large” and they both describe the noun “pizza.” If the person had said, “I’m about to order large two pizzas,” the listeners would have probably been confused. That’s strong evidence that these are cumulative adjectives. Opinion Next in word order comes opinion adjectives, which express how we feel about something. Descriptive words like “tasty” “strong” “ugly” “costly” “stubborn” and “happy” are examples of our opinions. For instance:        I ordered two tasty large pizzas for the game. The three adjectives -- two, large and tasty -- all work as a group to build meaning onto one another rather than act as individual descriptions of the noun “pizza.” Size OK, now onto size. This includes any number of descriptive size words, such as “large” “big” and “little.” In our pizza example, the size (large) follows the established order. Here it is again. Listen for the word “large” after the other adjectives.        I ordered two tasty large pizzas for the game. Age OK, next is age. This can refer to specific age adjectives, such as 16-year-old, or such words as “young” “old” “middle-aged” and so on. One thing to note is that, in English, it is possible but not common for more than three adjectives to describe one noun in speech or writing. In addition, not all native speakers or English experts put age after opinion. With that in mind, consider this example: The big old ugly pick-up truck puttered along the road.  That is how I – along with many American English speakers – would say it. Notice that I put the word “old” before the opinion “ugly.” But, based on the traditional order, it would go like this:        The ugly big old pick-up truck puttered along the road. Shape Next up, we have shape. This includes words like “long” “short” and “round” or words for specific shapes, like square. Here’s how you might use it: The ugly big old wide pick-up truck puttered along the road. That's a lot of adjectives for one noun -- a rarity but not impossible. Color And now we come to color. We normally use color adjectives to describe objects and animals: The ugly big old wide red pick-up truck puttered along the road. Does this sound like too many descriptive words? That’s because it probably is. Origin Alright, let’s talk about the next group: origin, ethnicity and religion. Words like Persian or Christian fall in this group. But, instead of putting several adjectives before one noun, let’s hear what a real person might say: We found a beautiful 200-year-old blue Persian rug. Material OK, then there’s material. Material adjectives are usually nouns that act as adjectives when used to describe other nouns -- like metal, paper and silk. We’ll build on the rug example, like this: We found a beautiful 200-year-old blue Persian silk rug. As you can hear, five adjectives do not sound very appealing! But technically speaking, it is both correct and acceptable. Purpose Finally, we have purpose. Remember back when I described the bike I hoped to buy? I used the word “folding” to describe a very specific kind of bike. For purpose adjectives, we usually also use a noun as an adjective. “Folding” is a gerund – a kind of noun ending in -ing. So, let’s suppose I got my wish. I might say this: My pretty new electric folding bike is so much fun! I’m very happy with it.  By now, you might be wondering: How do we know if an adjective is cumulative or not? Visit our website to see how to do the cumulative adjective test. I’m Alice Bryant.   Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.   ______________________________________________________________ Test it out   There are two tests you can use to identify whether an adjective is cumulative or coordinative. Test 1: The “and” test For the first test, try putting the word “and” between the adjectives. Using the word “and” suggests the adjectives have equal importance. This would make them coordinative, not cumulative. Let’s try it with “new folding bike.” Does “new and folding bike” have the same meaning as “new folding bike”? Not so much. So, we know they are cumulative, not coordinative. Test 2: Change the order For the second test, change the order of the adjectives and decide whether the meaning changes. For example, “Folding new bike” does change the meaning. So we must keep the original order and these are cumulative adjectives. Punctuation We also punctuate cumulative and coordinative adjectives differently. We do not put commas between cumulative adjectives nor do we put “and” between them, as in today’s many examples. We do put commas between coordinative adjectives and we can use the word “and,” as in “loud, hot and crowded Metro.” ______________________________________________________________ Practice   Now, test yourself! Read the sentences below and decide whether the darkened words are cumulative or coordinative adjectives. Write your answers in the comments section. The dealer carries a large collection of vintage sports cars. Your big loud radio kept the neighbors awake last night.  The huge white dog refused to take his medicine. Do you know who put this ugly broken computer here? I took a short restful break before continuing to study. They made me a sweet lemony cake for my birthday. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   bump – v. to hit something, such as part of your body, against an object or person in a sudden way punctuation – n. the marks, such as periods and commas, in a piece of writing that make its meaning clear stubborn – adj. refusing to change your ideas or to stop doing something putter – v. to make small popping sounds while moving slowly origin – n. the point or place where something begins or is created rug – n. a piece of thick, heavy material that is used to cover usually a section of a floor silk – n. a smooth, soft, and shiny cloth that is made from thread produced by silkworms vintage – adj. describing something that is not new but is valued because of its good condition and attractive design

source https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/what-is-the-word-order-of-adjectives-/4775294.html

What's the appeal of high-heeled shoes?

Neil and Rob talk about these uncomfortable but very glamorous shoes.

source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0706kyy

Absolute Beginner American English for Every Day #104 - 15 Ways to Complain in English

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source https://www.englishclass101.com/lesson/absolute-beginner-american-english-for-every-day-104-15-ways-to-complain-in-english/

A shock to the system

A sudden and unpleasant change can come as a shock. Learn a phrase to describe this.

source http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0700hrd

Giving and Receiving Compliments

  In the country of Japan, being told that your face is small is very high praise for a woman. In Russia, if someone tells you that you look like a cucumber, it means that you look healthy and fresh. And if someone calls you an old pot in Cameroon, it means you are a wonderful cook. All of these are examples of compliments – words of praise. And, as you can see, there are differences among places and cultures about what is believed to be complimentary. But most people agree that giving a compliment is a nice thing to do. In today’s program, we’ll show you some common language Americans use to give compliments. Appearance Let’s break the discussion into three sections: appearance, abilities and possessions.  We will begin with appearance. This includes the way a person looks, the clothes they wear and their hairstyle. You may have already used some of these common language structures for praising someone’s appearance. Others may be new. For example: You are / look + adjective ...as in “You are beautiful” and “You look great today!”   A closely related structure simply adds a noun …as in “You are a beautiful person" In fact, this structure is also common for praising someone’s abilities, as I will return to shortly. Other common structures for complimenting appearance are: I like / love + noun …as in “I love that bag!” and “I really like your hair.”   And: What a + adjective + noun …as in “What a fun tie!” and “What a pretty dress!”   ​Listen to a short exchange: Ooh, what a fun tie! Where did you get it? Oh, thank you! I got it at a shop on 14th Street. Abilities We can also compliment someone’s character, abilities or efforts. Here’s a structure you heard earlier: You are + adjective + noun …as in ”You are such a hard worker” and “You really are an amazing cook!” Note that I added the words “such” and “really.”  These adverbs and others, like “very” and “so,” can add strength to compliments. Next is: You can really + verb …as in “Wow, you can really sing!”   You are great at + noun / gerund …as in “You’re great at bringing people together” and “You’re great at math.”   And: You make a / an + adjective + noun …as in “You make a fine leader” and “You make a very loving partner.” Listen to a short exchange: I’m meeting so many interesting people. Sam, you’re great at bringing people together. That’s a nice thing to say. Thanks! And I’m glad you’re here. ​Possessions Americans also compliment people on their possessions, such as a person’s home (or things inside the home), car, bike, electronics or countless other possessions. We might offer the compliment in any of these ways: Nice + noun …as in “Nice bike!” and “Nice phone!”   I love / like your + noun …as in “I like your dining set” and “I love this painting.”   Or: What a + adjective + noun …as in “What a beautiful home” or “What a beautiful home you have.” Listen to a short exchange: What a beautiful home you have! How long have you lived here? Oh, thank you! For about three years now. Receiving compliments Some people may feel uneasy receiving attention and may deny the compliment in some way. But many receive them easily. A simple “Thank you” with a smile is a gracious way to answer a compliment. You can also compliment in return by saying, “That’s very kind of you” “How nice of you” or “What a nice thing to say.”  Be sincere Depending on the social customs where you live, some compliments may be not be received as such. And sometimes, they shouldn’t be. People can make backhanded, inappropriate or insincere comments that they try to pass as compliments. A “backhanded compliment” is one that may be meant or understood as an insult. Someone might say, for instance, “You look great. Wow, I didn’t recognize you!” This can suggest that the compliment-giver thinks the person rarely looks great. Other compliments are considered unacceptable. For example, in the U.S., it is often inappropriate to comment on physical appearance in the workplace. This is especially true when a man comments on a woman’s appearance. But it is acceptable for people to compliment each other at work about work. Another kind of praise is flattery – excessive compliments that are often given in self-interest. An example is praising your supervisor or professor in hopes of gaining better pay or grades. It might work on some people but insincerity can be hard to hide. So it's always best to follow the first rule of giving compliments: Always be sincere! I’m Alice Bryant.   Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Practice 1 - Did you know that World Compliment Day is March 1, 2019? We celebrate by giving compliments to friends, coworkers, family and others.  Who are some people you would like to give compliments to? Here’s my contribution: You are such a good listener! And your English is impressive. 2 - What are some compliments you have received about your appearance, abilities and/or possessions? 3 - In American culture, if someone uses the expression, “You look like a million bucks,” it is a very high compliment on physical appearance. It means you look amazing. (“Bucks” is an informal word for dollars.) What are some common expressions that are compliments in your culture? ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story cucumber – n. a long vegetable with dark green skin that is often used in salads or for making pickles pot – n. a deep, round container that is used for cooking tie – n. a long piece of cloth that is worn by men around the neck and that is tied in front with a knot at the top character – n. the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves gerund – n. an English noun formed from a verb by adding -ing gracious – adj. very polite in a way that shows respect insincere – adj. not having or showing true feelings that are expressed in an honest way insult – n. to do or say something that is offensive to someone grade – n. a number or letter that indicates how a student performed in a class or on a test

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Giving and Receiving Compliments

  In the country of Japan, being told that your face is small is very high praise for a woman. In Russia, if someone tells you that you look like a cucumber, it means that you look healthy and fresh. And if someone calls you an old pot in Cameroon, it means you are a wonderful cook. All of these are examples of compliments – words of praise. And, as you can see, there are differences among places and cultures about what is believed to be complimentary. But most people agree that giving a compliment is a nice thing to do. In today’s program, we’ll show you some common language Americans use to give compliments. Appearance Let’s break the discussion into three sections: appearance, abilities and possessions.  We will begin with appearance. This includes the way a person looks, the clothes they wear and their hairstyle. You may have already used some of these common language structures for praising someone’s appearance. Others may be new. For example: You are / look + adjective ...as in “You are beautiful” and “You look great today!”   A closely related structure simply adds a noun …as in “You are a beautiful person" In fact, this structure is also common for praising someone’s abilities, as I will return to shortly. Other common structures for complimenting appearance are: I like / love + noun …as in “I love that bag!” and “I really like your hair.”   And: What a + adjective + noun …as in “What a fun tie!” and “What a pretty dress!”   ​Listen to a short exchange: Ooh, what a fun tie! Where did you get it? Oh, thank you! I got it at a shop on 14th Street. Abilities We can also compliment someone’s character, abilities or efforts. Here’s a structure you heard earlier: You are + adjective + noun …as in ”You are such a hard worker” and “You really are an amazing cook!” Note that I added the words “such” and “really.”  These adverbs and others, like “very” and “so,” can add strength to compliments. Next is: You can really + verb …as in “Wow, you can really sing!”   You are great at + noun / gerund …as in “You’re great at bringing people together” and “You’re great at math.”   And: You make a / an + adjective + noun …as in “You make a fine leader” and “You make a very loving partner.” Listen to a short exchange: I’m meeting so many interesting people. Sam, you’re great at bringing people together. That’s a nice thing to say. Thanks! And I’m glad you’re here. ​Possessions Americans also compliment people on their possessions, such as a person’s home (or things inside the home), car, bike, electronics or countless other possessions. We might offer the compliment in any of these ways: Nice + noun …as in “Nice bike!” and “Nice phone!”   I love / like your + noun …as in “I like your dining set” and “I love this painting.”   Or: What a + adjective + noun …as in “What a beautiful home” or “What a beautiful home you have.” Listen to a short exchange: What a beautiful home you have! How long have you lived here? Oh, thank you! For about three years now. Receiving compliments Some people may feel uneasy receiving attention and may deny the compliment in some way. But many receive them easily. A simple “Thank you” with a smile is a gracious way to answer a compliment. You can also compliment in return by saying, “That’s very kind of you” “How nice of you” or “What a nice thing to say.”  Be sincere Depending on the social customs where you live, some compliments may be not be received as such. And sometimes, they shouldn’t be. People can make backhanded, inappropriate or insincere comments that they try to pass as compliments. A “backhanded compliment” is one that may be meant or understood as an insult. Someone might say, for instance, “You look great. Wow, I didn’t recognize you!” This can suggest that the compliment-giver thinks the person rarely looks great. Other compliments are considered unacceptable. For example, in the U.S., it is often inappropriate to comment on physical appearance in the workplace. This is especially true when a man comments on a woman’s appearance. But it is acceptable for people to compliment each other at work about work. Another kind of praise is flattery – excessive compliments that are often given in self-interest. An example is praising your supervisor or professor in hopes of gaining better pay or grades. It might work on some people but insincerity can be hard to hide. So it's always best to follow the first rule of giving compliments: Always be sincere! I’m Alice Bryant.   Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Practice 1 - Did you know that World Compliment Day is March 1, 2019? We celebrate by giving compliments to friends, coworkers, family and others. What are some compliments you have received in recent years? Who are some people you would like to give compliments to? Here’s my contribution: You are such a good listener! And your English is impressive. 2 - In American culture, if someone uses the expression, “You look like a million bucks,” it is a very high compliment on physical appearance. It means you look amazing. (“Bucks” is an informal word for dollars.) What are some common expressions that are compliments in your culture? ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story cucumber – n. a long vegetable with dark green skin that is often used in salads or for making pickles pot – n. a deep, round container that is used for cooking tie – n. a long piece of cloth that is worn by men around the neck and that is tied in front with a knot at the top character – n. the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves gerund – n. an English noun formed from a verb by adding -ing gracious – adj. very polite in a way that shows respect insincere – adj. not having or showing true feelings that are expressed in an honest way insult – n. to do or say something that is offensive to someone grade – n. a number or letter that indicates how a student performed in a class or on a test

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We use "a lot of" in...

New Entry: 'We use "a lot of" in...' has just been added to the Language Polls area of UsingEnglish.com.

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Prefixes with Opposite Meanings- Jigsaw Games

New Entry: 'Prefixes with Opposite Meanings- Jigsaw Games' has just been added to the Lesson Plans area of UsingEnglish.com.

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News #248 - Are You an Active or Passive English Learner? Learning Strategies Inside.

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Lesson 22: Next Summer...

Summary Anna and her producer, Amelia, are planning the new children's show. Anna has lots of ideas for the show. Will Amelia like them and work well with Anna?   Speaking Learn to pronounce the new words for this lesson and how to talk about your favorite season and vacation activities.  Pronunciation Use this video to learn how to do shadowing, or repeating soon after you hear a native speaker. Conversation   Anna: Washington, D.C. has four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn or fall. My favorite season is summer because of summer vacation!Hey, that will be a great subject for my new work assignment -- the children’s show. I can teach what families in the U.S. do during summer vacation.Today, I’m planning the show with Amelia. This is the first time we are working together. I hope we can work well together. Hi, Amelia! Amelia: Hi, Anna! So, what are we going to talk about on the first show? Anna: I want to talk about summer vacation. Amelia: That will be fun! Are you going on vacation this summer? Anna: No. This summer I am too busy. Amelia: That’s too bad.  Anna: It’s okay. I can go on vacation next summer. This show will be a lot of fun too! Amelia: So, Anna, what’s the plan for the show? Anna: First, we’re going to introduce the subject. Then we can show pictures and video. Amelia: We can show tons of video! Anna: Right! We can interview children and have guests, too. Amelia: Kids can ask us questions. Anna: Great idea! Finally, we can read the questions and tell them where to learn more. Amelia: Okay, let’s try it! Anna: Let’s do it! Anna: Hi there! And welcome to … Amelia, we don’t have a name for the show. Amelia: We’ll think of a name later. For now, we'll call it “The Show.” Anna: Great. Hi there! And welcome to “The Show.” Anna: Today we are going to take you on a summer vacation! You will see popular things to do on vacation! Anna: One is camping. When you go camping, you cook, sleep and play outdoors! Amelia: When I go camping, Anna, I like to go hiking and fishing. Anna: Me, too. Those are fun things to do when you go camping! Anna: These people are hiking. Amelia: Okay, let’s talk about the next vacation. Anna: Another popular summer vacation is going to an amusement park. At an amusement park, you go on rides and eat lots of fun food! Amelia: I love cotton candy … ! Anna & Amelia: and rollercoasters! Amelia: This show is going to be a lot of fun. Anna: I know! Anna: This is riding a rollercoaster! Amelia: Whoooo! What is the last vacation? Anna: One of the most popular vacations is … going to the beach! Anna & Amelia: I love the beach! Anna: When I see that blue ocean, I want to leave Washington, D.C. immediately and go to the beach! Anna: Maybe next summer. Amelia: But right now, it’s time to work! Anna: Right. Until next time ...   Writing What is your favorite season? What do you like to do when you go on a vacation? Tell us about the next vacation you plan to go on. Write to us by email or 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 Plan. When we learn a new language, planning helps us to continue to learn well. In the video, you can see Amelia and Anna planning for the new children's show. Notice how they talk about a list of the things they will do. "First, we’re going to introduce the subject. Then we can show pictures and video. ... We can interview children and have guests too. Great idea! Finally, we can read the questions and tell them where to learn more." How do you plan when using or learning 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.   Quiz Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz. ______________________________________________________________ New Words amusement park - n. a place that has many games and rides (such as roller coasters and merry-go-rounds) for entertainment beach - n. an area covered with sand or small rocks that is next to an ocean or lake camping - n. the activity of sleeping outdoors in a tent usually for enjoyment cotton candy - n. candy made from sugar that is boiled, spun into a soft material using a special machine, and then wound around a stick fishing - n. the sport or business of catching fish guest - n. a usually well-known person who is invited to appear or perform on a program hike - n. to walk a long distance especially for pleasure or exercise immediately - adv. without any delay introduce - v. to speak briefly to an audience about something that is about to begin kid - n. a young person outdoors - adv. outside a building or not inside a building plan n. - a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something plan - v. to think about and arrange the parts or details of (something) before it happens or is made right - adv. in a direct course or manner right now = immediately rollercoaster - n. a ride at an  amusement park which is like a small, open train with tracks that are high off    the ground and that have sharp curves and steep hills season - n. one of the four periods into which the year is commonly divided subject - n. the person or thing that is being discussed or described swimming - n. the sport or activity of moving through water by moving your arms and legs vacation - n. a period of time that a person spends away from home, school, or business usually in order to relax or travel The Four Seasons: spring - n. the season when plants and trees begin to grow summer - n. the warmest season of the year autumn - n. the third season of the year, when crops and fruits are gathered and leaves fall winter - n. the coldest season of the year ______________________________________________________________ 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 talking about what you do in different seasons. 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: Talking about a sequence of events using going to to talk about future events Topics: Vacations; Seasons Learning Strategy: Planning Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Talking about plans; vacation activities; shadowing and summarizing ______________________________________________________________ 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.

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Monthly Review Video #5 - English February 2019 Review - 7 Tested, Timeless Ways to Learn

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Ask Alisha: Your English Questions Answered #60 - Oh My God! Bless You…How to Use Popular English Expressions

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Absolute Beginner American English for Every Day #139 - 10 Phrasal Verbs for Sports and Exercise

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Absolute Beginner American English for Every Day #134 - 10 Ways to Stop Translating in Your Head

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Absolute Beginner American English for Every Day #133 - 10 Phrases for Gossip

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Absolute Beginner American English for Every Day #96 - 10 Phrases to Use When Driving

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Know Your Verbs #19 - Verb: “Walk”

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Know Your Verbs #20 - Verb: “Lead”

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Ask Alisha: Your English Questions Answered #58 - Why English Pronunciation is Difficult?

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Ask Alisha: Your English Questions Answered #59 - Hacks to Improve Your English Grammar!

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