Phrasal Verbs: Go

Time for a look at phrasal verbs with ↑.

Idioms & Phrasal Verbs - What's The Difference?

We're back with more phrasal verbs, but, this time, we're adding idioms to the mix😆!

Phrasal Verbs: Put

 I'm not putting you on when I tell you that learning phrasal verbs is essential for ESL learners. Today's post will focus on phrasal verbs using "put".

ESL Games: Talking Boards

Today's post is about one of my favourite ESL activities: talking board games.

A Brief Look At Idioms

Idioms are tough because they are from English pop culture, history, and folklore. It's hard to really get their meaning by just looking at them. The best way to get the meaning is to look at the situations they are used in, and the "image" they put in your mind.

Really, A Bit, Absolutely: How To Use Modifiers

Mmm...This fried chicken is so good! It's absolutely delicious!

Today's post is on modifiers: words we use to add make adjectives and verbs sound stronger or weaker

For example, for the young woman above, the fried chicken isn't just delicious - it's more than delicious (for her). Using "absolutely" makes the adjective stronger.

"have gone" vs "have been": What's The Difference?

A short, simple graphic explaining the difference between "have gone" and "have been" by FingerTips English. 

 

Please continue for a grammar review and a short exercise.

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.

Business English: Small Talk With Business Visitors

In September we discussed "the art of conversation" in social situations. Today, we will look at small talk in international business. 

Using a second language at work can be stressful, but, remember the first rule: 

relax

Business people who travel abroad know that their hosts will be using a second language. So, focus more on making your guest and/or comfortable, and having a short but  lively conversation before "getting down to business".

Even if you are not the person the business visitor is meeting that day, you can create a good impression of your company if you  help the guest get to the meeting place and make them feel relaxed. 

A & An: Review

"A" or "An"?

I thought this would be a good time to review "a" and "an" (indefinite articles which were covered here in October).  

First, we use a/an in the following situations:

In writing when we introduce something for the first time. (I was looking for a post office near my hotel in Paris. The clerk said, "Try the post office around the corner on Rue Belleville). 

When we're writing/talking about something in general, unspecified. (I'm looking for a coffee shopm Chen needs a new blazer for the party, There's a large river near here,  etc). 

We don't use a/an for countries, cities, famous/well-known places, people's names, plurals, etc.

(x) I went to a Spain last year. 

(correct) I went to Spain. 

A: Which Starbucks did you go to?

B: Oh, you know, a Starbucks on the corner of 6th Street and Columbia Avenue. (x)

      Oh, you know, the Starbucks on the corner of 6th Street and Columbia Avenue.(correct)

"a" and "an" have the same meaning but:

We use "an" for words that start with vowels (a,e,i,o,u) or have vowel sounds .

Example:  an eraser, an hour (vowel sound)

We "a" for words that start with consonants (b,c,d,f,g,h,j,k, etc)

Also, watch out for compound nouns: a bus stop, an Irish coffee, etc. The first letter of the first word tells whether to use "a" or "an". 

Phrasal Verbs: Review #1

JLB Language Services' second post was all about phrasal verbs. That was more than two months ago, so let's do a brief review.