Passive Verbs & Explaining Processes

Today we're going to look at passive verbs, (or passive voice) for example:

Coffee is grown in countries like Ethiopia and Brazil. 

Why not use, "Countries like Ethiopia and Brazil grow coffee"? 

Answer: coffee is the main topic. So, "coffee" the first word in the sentences even though (grammatically) it is the object of a sentence.

Please read on to learn how about the function and grammar of passive verbs.

Storytelling: Past Continuous vs Past Simple

 Today's post will show you the basic grammar commonly used for telling stories. Storytelling skills are very useful even in business situations where you may have to write reports or explain actions.

Let's look at the two-panel comic below.

Match the correct sentence to the first two panels of the comic.


1/ Yan read a book when the phone rang.

 
2/ Yan was reading a book when the phone rang.

 Click on "read more" to see the answer.

Going To/Present Continuous & Will: What's The Difference

The young man clearly needs help. What do you say in this situation?

a) I'm going to give you a hand with those boxes.

b) I'll give you a hand with those boxes.

c) I'm giving you a hand with those boxes.

The correct answer is....

Giving Instructions: Sequencing, Imperatives, and Phrasal Verbs

Today's post is all about giving people instructions: teaching them how to do or use things. We'll also be looking at  phrasal verbs (again).

Your Routine: Adverbs of Frequency

I never have business lunches. In my job. I'm always on my way to work at lunchtime. I sometimes have coffee with my students though, usually on a Saturday after the lesson.


To talk about our routines and schedules we  often use adverbs of frequency. Study the graphics below.

 We use these words and expressions to talk about how many times we do something in a day, a year, etc, or in our daily lives.

Business English: Explaining Your Business Culture

Are you going to do business overseas? International business is challenging because you have to know the culture of the country (and company) you are going to visit. You should also be familiar with the culture and customs of any overseas visitors to your office.

In today's post, we're going to look at language to explain rules, customs, and guidelines to people from other countries using modal verbs of obligation 

 must, mustn't (must not)

can't (cannot)

 have/has to
need to

ought to/ought not to

should/shouldn't (should not)

can

don't/doesn't have to (do not/does not)

                                 don't/doesn't need to (do not/does not)


 Let's look at an example of how to use these words.

Business English: Negotiation Language

Today's post is all about the language of negotiation. We'll go over the English expressions and grammar for agreeing/disagreeing, making a proposal/counter-proposal, and presenting options.