Saturday, August 31, 2013
Thursday, August 29, 2013
To go out on a limb
Common Expressions : To go out on a limb
When someone goes out on a limb from a tree, the limb could break and that person would fall to the ground.
We use The expression To go out on a limb to talk about someone who put himself in a dangerous situation.
Everyone went or will go out on a limb because this is life and sooner or later it will make you take a risk to help someone or to get something important to you.
We can also use it to talk about someone who does something which is very different (weird) to other people.
Let's see some examples :
- There's no such a thing as a treasure in that island, and I'm not going to go out on a limb with you guys.
- She went out on a limb and saved the day again.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Miss the boat
Talking picture
Examples
- I'm telling you, I'm not missing the boat on improving my English.
- I sent off my application at the last minute. I hope I didn't miss the boat.
- Sarah misses the boat when it comes to linguistics.
- You had a good opportunity to be her prom date, but now I guess youmissed the boat by waiting till the last minute to ask.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Make/ Let/ Allow
English Grammar : Make / Let / Allow
- We use Let and Allow to give someone permission to do something.
- We use Make to talk about obligation and to force someone to do something.
Make
Form :
Make + Object + Verb (Without To)
Examples :
Form :
Let + Object + Verb (Without To)
Examples :
Active form :
Allow + Object + to + Verb
Passive form :
Be + allowed + to + verb
Examples :
- We use Make to talk about obligation and to force someone to do something.
Make
Form :
Make + Object + Verb (Without To)
Examples :
- You should make him get a job.
- I know how to make you feel better.
- The new teacher never made us do homeworks.
Form :
Let + Object + Verb (Without To)
Examples :
- My mother wouldn't let me to go to the party.
- I know, you didn't do your best. You just let me wen everytime.
- They won't let their children make their own decisions.
Active form :
Allow + Object + to + Verb
Passive form :
Be + allowed + to + verb
Examples :
- They always allow me to hang out with my friends and stay out late.
- We are not allowed to go there.
- Are they allowed to wear costumes this Halloween ?
Monday, August 19, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Here are some expressions you can use to express preferences in English.
Read
- Who's your favourite singer?
- Do you prefer History or Geography?
- Which record do you like best?
- Would you rather go to Oxford or to Cambridge?
- Would you prefer to go outside or play a game with your cousins here?
- What I like best is their splendid mansion.
- He likes the striped tie better.
- I prefer living in town to living in the country.
- I'd prefer to tell her myself.
- I'd rather learn more formal sentences.
- I'd rather they gave me more time so I can do a good job.
- I'd rather they didn't meet so often.
- Rather than get old, I'd prefer to die now.
- I'd sooner do it now than next term.
- I must say classical music appeals to me more than pop music.
- He's more interested in sport than in school.
- My choice would be a red sportscar.
- I'm sure you'd enjoy football more than tennis.
- What I like better than anything else is playing golf.
- This hairstyle fits me better than anything else.
- 9 a.m. would suit me better.
- Do you prefer History or Geography?
- Which record do you like best?
- Would you rather go to Oxford or to Cambridge?
- Would you prefer to go outside or play a game with your cousins here?
- What I like best is their splendid mansion.
- He likes the striped tie better.
- I prefer living in town to living in the country.
- I'd prefer to tell her myself.
- I'd rather learn more formal sentences.
- I'd rather they gave me more time so I can do a good job.
- I'd rather they didn't meet so often.
- Rather than get old, I'd prefer to die now.
- I'd sooner do it now than next term.
- I must say classical music appeals to me more than pop music.
- He's more interested in sport than in school.
- My choice would be a red sportscar.
- I'm sure you'd enjoy football more than tennis.
- What I like better than anything else is playing golf.
- This hairstyle fits me better than anything else.
- 9 a.m. would suit me better.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Friday, August 16, 2013
English Idioms With Dog
English Idioms With Dog
sick as a dog - feeling very very sick
You look sick as a dog.
raining cats and dogs – heavy rain
It is raining cats and dogs out side, I hope the rain stops soon.
fight like cats and dogs – consistently fighting with each other
The kids fight like cats and dog all the time.
it's a dog life – a hard life
I work, learn and have to take care of the house, it's a dogs life.
every dog has its day – everyone gets lucky sometimes
Don't feel bad you lost the game, every dog has it's day.
work like a dog – works hard
The boys are working like dogs today.
teach old dog new tricks – teach someone old, something new
You can't teach an old dog a new trick.
barking dogs never bite – someone that makes a lot of noise but takes no action
They are just barking dogs that never bite don't worry about them.
all bark no bite - someone that makes a lot of noise but takes no action
The lady on at the end of the block is all bark no bite.
underdog – the one that is weaker or less chance of winning
I always want the underdog to win the Super Bowl.
top dog – boss or leader
Mary is the top dog of our team.
a doggy bag – a bag that you put leftover food usually from a restaurant
If you can't finish your food it's OK you can take home a doggie bag.
his bark is worse than his bite – someone sounds worse then they really are
Don't listen to that guy in the store his bark is worse then his bite.
let sleeping dogs lie – do not bring up a subject that might cause trouble
Don't talk to your sister about her house, let sleeping dogs lie.
in the doghouse – usually is used when a man upsets his wife
I came home late, and now I am in the doghouse.
see a man about a dog - to leave and not say where your going
Where is Jeff? He went to see a man about a dog.
barking up the wrong tree - arguing with the wrong person
That lady was barking up the wrong tree, I do not know anything about what she was talking about.
call off the dogs – it is commonly used when someone is being yelled at or attacked by more then one person
Hey, what did I do call off the dogs, and calm down.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Lack of knowledge
Lack of knowledge
- Sorry but I don't know.
- I really don't know how long it would take.
- He doesn't know anything about Eastern cultures.
- I have no idea at all.
- I haven't a clue!
- I'm afraid I haven't got the faintest idea.
- They haven't got the slightest idea of who it belongs to.
- I'm afraid I don't know much about drama.
- I don't know a great deal about classical music.
- She knows very little about life.
- Do you happen to know if she's back in Greece?
- Why should I know?
- How could I know how many copies they've sold?
- All I know is that it won't be easy.
- Who knows if he'll risk his life for his country?
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
Speaking English : If you don't understand
Speaking English : If you don't understand
We’ve all been there. Someone is using vocabulary you don’t know or talking in an accent you don’t understand. How do you solve such communication problems? We provide some tips.
In the globalized world of business, most of us have become used to speaking and listening to people from a wide range of linguistic backgrounds. Communicating with both native and non-native speakers can be difficult. Native speakers often speak faster and use idiomatic language that learners are unfamiliar with and they are often unaware of doing so. Look at this dialogue between Alan, a British-English speaker, and Beate, his German colleague:
As you can see, Beate has no idea what Alan is talking about. But, instead of stopping him and asking him to explain, she lets him go on and on. What could she have said? Here are some useful phrases:
Notice that these sentences contain softening language : “sorry”, “a bit”, “not quite”. This is a common method for stating unpleasant facts.
PROBLEMATIC ACCENTS
The situation is slightly different when the person you are having trouble understanding is a non-native speaker or talks with a regional accent. You may need a little time to get used to their pronunciation. In the meantime, here are some polite ways of asking for help:
If the problem continues, it may be necessary for you to take the blame for the communication problem:
And if all else fails, you can ask:
ASKING FOR CONFIRMATION
A good method to use when you are unsure whether you have understood something correctly or not is to ask for confirmation of your understanding:
In the globalized world of business, most of us have become used to speaking and listening to people from a wide range of linguistic backgrounds. Communicating with both native and non-native speakers can be difficult. Native speakers often speak faster and use idiomatic language that learners are unfamiliar with and they are often unaware of doing so. Look at this dialogue between Alan, a British-English speaker, and Beate, his German colleague:
PROBLEMATIC ACCENTS
The situation is slightly different when the person you are having trouble understanding is a non-native speaker or talks with a regional accent. You may need a little time to get used to their pronunciation. In the meantime, here are some polite ways of asking for help:
A good method to use when you are unsure whether you have understood something correctly or not is to ask for confirmation of your understanding:
Synonyms : Other way to say
Synonyms : Other way to say
Nice / Good / Bad / Sad / Happy
Laughed / Like / Said / Big / Little
Ran / Walked / Pretty / Looked / Scared
Sunday, August 11, 2013
From certainty to improbability
Read
- Definitely!
- Absolutely!
- I'm 100% certain.
- I'm positive on that point.
- I know for sure taht she's pregnant.
- She is sure she'll win this year.
- I am convinced it mustn't be taken seriously.
- It's quite certain that your dog has swallowed the key of my house.
- I'm quite sure he's going to call her tonight.
- I could swear that there will be another battle.
- It's undeniable that they know each other.
- There's no doubt in my mind.
- There can be no doubt.
- It's beyond all doubt that he witnessed the accident.
- I have no doubt about the answer.
- It's obvious that she will refuse our suggestion.
- I can assure you he gave me a green light to go ahead.
- He is bound to arrive last.
- The chances are that he'll eventually win the elections.
- There is a good chance that they will agree.
- The odds are that it will be over by September.
- It seems highly likely that she'll be appointed at the head of the firm.
- I bet you $100 he won't come this morning.
- I bet she'll apologize to everyone.
- I think she'll remember me.
- It seems to me that I know them.
- I guess he'll come, too.
- I expect she'll spend all her money in this shop.
- I suppose it will be published by next month.
- I believe such theories will develop in the East.
- I assume that he'll be identified sooner or later.
- There is reason to believe that they've met before.
- She must be his girl. Don't you see how they are close to each other?
- She must have been surprised!
- They must have made money with that!
- You can't have voted for that man!
- It's more than probable that he won't understand.
- It's probable that the situation will improve.
- They'll probably win the elections.
- It will probably not be long before he realizes his mistake.
- This is likely to lead to more inflation.
- The new emergency room is not likely to open in the end.
- I wouldn't be surprised if he changed his mind.
- It may be the only possibility.
- The newcomers may take over from them.
- It may not work out in the end.
- There may have been a genetic reason.
- The new legislation might prove successful.
- Perhaps the sea will be warm.
- Maybe it will be easier than the first time.
- There's some doubt in my mind.
- I doubt that they'll ever be able to raise so much money.
- It's doubtful whether it's true.
- I'm rather sceptical about their superiority.
- I'm highly dubious about the wisdom of their decision.
- I am not at all convinced that they'll be expelled.
- I wonder if they're married.
- I am not too sure that they will cooperate.
- I am not really sure that this material doesn't shrink.
- I'm not quite sure it will be a success.
- It isn't known for sure whether they're married.
- He isn't likely to follow your advice.
- It's highly improbable that they could win the war.
- It's very doubtful whether her book will be translated.
- There's but a small chance that he'll be admitted.
- It's hardly to be expected that such an experiment will be carried out.
- Absolutely!
- I'm 100% certain.
- I'm positive on that point.
- I know for sure taht she's pregnant.
- She is sure she'll win this year.
- I am convinced it mustn't be taken seriously.
- It's quite certain that your dog has swallowed the key of my house.
- I'm quite sure he's going to call her tonight.
- I could swear that there will be another battle.
- It's undeniable that they know each other.
- There's no doubt in my mind.
- There can be no doubt.
- It's beyond all doubt that he witnessed the accident.
- I have no doubt about the answer.
- It's obvious that she will refuse our suggestion.
- I can assure you he gave me a green light to go ahead.
- He is bound to arrive last.
- The chances are that he'll eventually win the elections.
- There is a good chance that they will agree.
- The odds are that it will be over by September.
- It seems highly likely that she'll be appointed at the head of the firm.
- I bet you $100 he won't come this morning.
- I bet she'll apologize to everyone.
- I think she'll remember me.
- It seems to me that I know them.
- I guess he'll come, too.
- I expect she'll spend all her money in this shop.
- I suppose it will be published by next month.
- I believe such theories will develop in the East.
- I assume that he'll be identified sooner or later.
- There is reason to believe that they've met before.
- She must be his girl. Don't you see how they are close to each other?
- She must have been surprised!
- They must have made money with that!
- You can't have voted for that man!
- It's more than probable that he won't understand.
- It's probable that the situation will improve.
- They'll probably win the elections.
- It will probably not be long before he realizes his mistake.
- This is likely to lead to more inflation.
- The new emergency room is not likely to open in the end.
- I wouldn't be surprised if he changed his mind.
- It may be the only possibility.
- The newcomers may take over from them.
- It may not work out in the end.
- There may have been a genetic reason.
- The new legislation might prove successful.
- Perhaps the sea will be warm.
- Maybe it will be easier than the first time.
- There's some doubt in my mind.
- I doubt that they'll ever be able to raise so much money.
- It's doubtful whether it's true.
- I'm rather sceptical about their superiority.
- I'm highly dubious about the wisdom of their decision.
- I am not at all convinced that they'll be expelled.
- I wonder if they're married.
- I am not too sure that they will cooperate.
- I am not really sure that this material doesn't shrink.
- I'm not quite sure it will be a success.
- It isn't known for sure whether they're married.
- He isn't likely to follow your advice.
- It's highly improbable that they could win the war.
- It's very doubtful whether her book will be translated.
- There's but a small chance that he'll be admitted.
- It's hardly to be expected that such an experiment will be carried out.
Information
Read
- Asking for information
- Who owns this firm?
- Who were you talking to?
- What is it for?
- What is that film about?
- What is your uncle Richard waiting for?
- What is that car like?
- What time does the train leave the station?
- I'm a little surprised, where have they decided to meet?
- When are you going to Kingston upon Hull?
- Why don't you leave them alone?
- Whose coat is this?
- Which option have they chosen?
- How did your mother-in-law react?
- How old is his daughter?
- How far are we from Bordeaux?
- How often do you meet your father?
- How much is that romper suit?
- How long did your girlfriend work for this company?
- How long have you been living in this dirty pleace?
- How deep is that well?
- How high are The Rocky Mountains?
- How long is The Nile River?
- How many children has he got?
- Do you know where she's gone?
- Did your fiancé like the movie you have chosen for him?
- Is it yours?
- Are you dreaming?
- Has he got a job?
- Have you ever seen that play?
- Had he already finished his studies?
- Have they been married for a long time?
- Were they dancing?
- Are you going to buy a yacht?
- Will it shrink?
- Would you be happy if you had one?
- Would she have understood the joke?
- Can I take this brochure as a souvenir?
- May I ask you a question?
- Must I leave, too?
- I'm afraid I have many things to do today, need I stay?
- Can you tell me how often they hold their assemblies?
- Could you give me his son's address?
- Is it true that the prices have changed?
- Do you happen to know what this word means?
- I've been looking for her for a while, have you got an idea of where she's hiding?
- I'd like to know who runs the organization?
- It would be interesting to know where the money comes from.
- I wonder whether it still exists.
- Don't you think he's going a bit too far?
- Would you mind if I asked you a question?
- That's a question I'd like to ask you.
- The question I'd like to ask you is whether he can do it or not.
- Who were you talking to?
- What is it for?
- What is that film about?
- What is your uncle Richard waiting for?
- What is that car like?
- What time does the train leave the station?
- I'm a little surprised, where have they decided to meet?
- When are you going to Kingston upon Hull?
- Why don't you leave them alone?
- Whose coat is this?
- Which option have they chosen?
- How did your mother-in-law react?
- How old is his daughter?
- How far are we from Bordeaux?
- How often do you meet your father?
- How much is that romper suit?
- How long did your girlfriend work for this company?
- How long have you been living in this dirty pleace?
- How deep is that well?
- How high are The Rocky Mountains?
- How long is The Nile River?
- How many children has he got?
- Do you know where she's gone?
- Did your fiancé like the movie you have chosen for him?
- Is it yours?
- Are you dreaming?
- Has he got a job?
- Have you ever seen that play?
- Had he already finished his studies?
- Have they been married for a long time?
- Were they dancing?
- Are you going to buy a yacht?
- Will it shrink?
- Would you be happy if you had one?
- Would she have understood the joke?
- Can I take this brochure as a souvenir?
- May I ask you a question?
- Must I leave, too?
- I'm afraid I have many things to do today, need I stay?
- Can you tell me how often they hold their assemblies?
- Could you give me his son's address?
- Is it true that the prices have changed?
- Do you happen to know what this word means?
- I've been looking for her for a while, have you got an idea of where she's hiding?
- I'd like to know who runs the organization?
- It would be interesting to know where the money comes from.
- I wonder whether it still exists.
- Don't you think he's going a bit too far?
- Would you mind if I asked you a question?
- That's a question I'd like to ask you.
- The question I'd like to ask you is whether he can do it or not.
- Giving information
- Ok, go ahead!
- Yes of course.
- Yes, he is.
- That would be your ex-colleague Matt.
- You can take the plane from Malaga.
- Never mind, you just go straight on, and it will be on the second left turn next to pharmacy.
- Yes, I have.
- No, I haven't seen this movie before.
- I guess the play stars at 10 pm.
- I've been living here for three years.
- Yes of course.
- Yes, he is.
- That would be your ex-colleague Matt.
- You can take the plane from Malaga.
- Never mind, you just go straight on, and it will be on the second left turn next to pharmacy.
- Yes, I have.
- No, I haven't seen this movie before.
- I guess the play stars at 10 pm.
- I've been living here for three years.
Homonyms
Homonyms
Homonyms are words that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings.
Let's see some examples :
Let's see some examples :
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