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'Still better', 'Better still' & 'Better yet'
source: Learn English with Let's Talk 2013年12月16日
Test : http://www.learnex.in/difference-betw...
# still better: used when something was better before and continues to be better.
--John is not as good as he used to be in playing chess, but still better than William.
--The pasta is dry, but it's still better than the one we had at the party last night.
# better still: used when someone makes a good suggestion, but you have an even better one
--You can send them your resume or better still, try contacting the manager directly.
# better yet: used to offer a better suggestion to replace a bad idea
--If I am late I will call you and inform, better yet why don't you take responsibility and leave earlier next time.
9 TURN Phrasal Verbs: turn on, turn off, turn over, turn around, turn ou...
source: English Lessons with Adam 2014年01月17日
http://www.engvid.com
quiz: http://www.engvid.com/turn-phrasal-ve...
--turn on / turn-on
--turn off /turnoff (no hyphen)
--turn up
--turn down
--turn over
--turnover
--turn around
--turn in
# Click this line for more grammar videos on phrasal verbs
--turn on / turn-on
--turn off /turnoff (no hyphen)
--turn up
--turn down
--turn over
--turnover
--turn around
--turn in
# Click this line for more grammar videos on phrasal verbs
Lose, Loose, Lost & Loss
source: Learn English with Let's Talk
--(v.) lose, lost, lost
--loss (n.)
--loose (adj.)
1. After a month's diet, his jeans became too loose for him .
2. His pet dog is on a loose. (break free)
Talking about Fitness
source: Learn English with Let's Talk 2014年01月07日
--get fit / get in shape:
e.g., I have gained too much of weight and I want to get fit (or I want to get in shape).
--workout: an exercise routine
--warm up & cool down: A warm up is a period of light exercise to get the body ready for a good workout whereas the the cool down period involves reducing the intensity of your exercise by gradually slowing down.
--gym: Gym is slang for the word gymnasium and gymnastic services. It includes weight training to develop and strengthen the muscles and cardiovascular training which is also called cardio. It is vigorous exercise to strengthen the heart and burn calories.
--Gym Equipments:
Treadmill which is used for running on the spot,
Stationary Bike which is basically a cycling machine, dumb bells etc.
--gym trainer / fitness trainer
--dieting: It is eating less or more healthy food. To be calorie conscious to become fit and slim.
--brisk walking: To walk a little fast to increase the heart rate
--jogging: It is an activity of running at a steady and gentle pace
--Yoga,
--kick boxing: A form of martial art which combines boxing with kicking with bare feet. It has elements of karate.
--aerobics: It's a form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic stretching and strengthening training and is performed to music.
--pilates : A system of exercise that promotes strengthening and toning of the body using a specialized equipment.
How to use the verb 'Suggest' correctly?
source: Learn English with Let's Talk - Free English Lessons
http://www.letstalkpodcast.com
# suggest an idea, not the person that you're making your suggestion to
--(X) I suggest you to apply for a job there.
--(O) I suggest applying for a job there.
--(O) I suggest (that) you apply for a job there.
# don't use "to" after suggest
--(X) I suggest to apply for a job there.
# the word "recommend" works exactly the same way!
# relevant grammar videos: modals: making suggestions and giving advice
Expressing Opinion (Advanced English Conversation)
source: onlineenglishclasses
www.edufire.com/learnenglish
# 1 common phrases to use when expressing an opinion or idea
I think ...
In my opinion, ...
I'd like to ...
I'd prefer ...
The way I see it ...
As far as I'm concerned, ...
If it were up to me, ...
I suppose ...
I suspect that ...
It is fairly certain that ...
I'm convinced that ...
I honestly feel that ...
I strongly believe that ...
Without a doubt, ...
# 2 common phrases to use when disagreeing
I don't think that ...
Don't you think it would be better ...
I don't agree, but I'd prefer ...
Shouldn't we consider ...
But what about ...
I'm afraid I don't agree ...
Frankly, I doubt if ...
Let's face it. The truth of the matter is ...
The problem with your point of view is that ...
# 3 common phrases for giving reasons and offering explanations
To start with ...
The reason why ...
That's why ...
For this reason ...
That's the reason why ...
Many people think ...
Considering ...
Allowing for the fact that ...
When you consider that ...
How to talk about prices
source: EnglishLessons4U - Learn English with Ronnie 2014年01月13日
http://www.engvid.com/
quiz:h ttp://www.engvid.com/prices-vocabulary/
--saving money
--saving money
--getting a bargain or a deal
--"It is ten seventy-five." (You do not need to go through "ten dollars and seventy-five cents." )
--"That's eighty-seven thirty-five plus tax."
--"That's eighty-seven thirty-five plus tax."
Cooking Vocabulary - chop, grill, saute, boil, slice...
source: English Lessons with Adam 2014年01月02日
http://www.engvid.com
quiz: http://www.engvid.com/cooking-vocabul...
--What's cooking?
1. What are you making, what dish are you making?
2. What's happening? How are things? How are you?
--a "recipe" for a nice dish
--culinary (about cooking, about food)
--a chef and a cook (A chef is a person who studied cooking, went to school and studied, has worked in many restaurants, and has practiced for a long time in his art, his cooking skills. This person probably has a diploma and is usually the boss of a kitchen in a restaurant somewhere. "A cook" is a person who is just starting to cook or somebody who just makes food at home. Anybody can be a cook. )
--to saute: too cook lightly in a skillet or in a pan
--to boil: For example, you put something in a pot full of water. You put the heat very, very high.
--to simmer: meaning lower heat, small bubbles moving slowly. For example, when you're making a nice soup or a stew, first you get everything boiling, and then you reduce the heat and let it simmer for like an hour; get all the flavours to blend together really nicely.
--to broil (with an oven): If you want to cook something very quickly and get the top very crispy, you broil. "Broil" means heat from the top, so the heat is going like this on to the food.
--to roast (with an oven): meaning that the heat is coming from the bottom and the sides, so it cooks the inside and takes a little bit longer.
--to grill: For example, when you're barbequing, you are grilling. You have the lines of the grill, you put your steak on it, then you flip it, etcetera. That's grilling, usually with fire, coals, lines.
Talking about appearances
source: Learn English with Let's Talk 2014年01月16日
# Hair
Curly: Having irregular curves or waves in the grain.
Straight: Having absolute vertical hair.
Blonde: Hair with golden color or of any light shade of pale yellowish brown.
Wavy: Hair having curls, curves or undulations.
# Skin
Healthy: Someone is possessing goodskin.
Pale: Skin with Whitish in complexion or of a low intensity of color; light.
Tanned: To make skin brown by exposure to sun.
Spotty: Skin having spots.
Olive: A yellowish green of low to medium lightness and low to moderate saturation color of skin.
Dark: Skin tending towards black in comparison with other shades.
Fair: Skin with light complexion.
# Body
Skinny: Someone who is very thin.
Overweight: Weighing more than normal, necessary, or allowed, especially having more body weight than is considered normal or healthy for one's age or build.
Stocky: Body that is solidly built; sturdy.
Broad: Someone who is wide in extent from side to side.
Lean: Someone who is thin but muscular.
Muscular: Having well-developed muscles.
# Face
Pretty: Face that is pleasing or attractive in a graceful or delicate way.
Ugly: Face that is displeasing to the eye; unsightly.
Plain: Face that is average or ordinary
Pale: Losing the charm on the face (due to illness)
Narrow: A face that is small or of limited width.
Oval: An egg-shaped or elliptical face.
Confusing verb pairs- 'Borrow' and 'Lend'
source: Learn English with Let's Talk 2013年12月13日
http://www.letstalkpodcast.com
http://www.learnex.in
http://www.letstalk.co.in
#1
--Mary lent $1500 to John . Mary lent John $1500.
--Bill borrowed $150 from Anne.
#2
--Michelle often lends his car to Victor.
--Michelle often lends Victor her car.
--Victor often borrows Michelle's car.
#3
--May I borrow your book?
--Of course. I'll be happy to lend it to you.
--Of course. I'll be happy to lend you my book.
Difference between ' Small ' & ' Little '
source: Learn English with Let's Talk 2013年09月12日
http://www.letstalkpodcast.com
http://www.letstalk.co.in
http://www.learnex.in
# 'Small' is used
1. to talk about 'height' or 'size'
--John is small for his age. (He isn't tall enough for his age.)
--The box is small. (it is describing its size).
2. with nouns :
--I have a small amount of wine.
(always use 'amount' for 'uncountable nouns')
--A small number of people came to work.
(always use 'number' with 'countable nouns')
3. in Comparative and Superlative forms :
--Mary is smaller than John. ('smaller' is the comparative form)
--Mary is the smallest girl in the class. ('smallest' is the superlative form)
# 'Little' is
1. similar to young:
--Maria is a little girl. (It describes her of being 'young.')
2. used with 'uncountable nouns':
--I have a little wine every night.
--I had a little trouble with my car.
In the above two example, 'wine' and 'trouble' are uncountable nouns. 'Little' is used only with 'uncountable nouns' when you want to say 'not enough'.
3. used to talk about the Degree of Adjective: There are no 'comparative' and 'superlative' forms of 'little'.
--She is a little fat.
--John is a little tired.
In the above two examples, 'fat' and 'tired' are adjectives (describing words), 'little' is used to modify the adjectives so as to imply 'not too much'.
1. similar to young:
--Maria is a little girl. (It describes her of being 'young.')
2. used with 'uncountable nouns':
--I have a little wine every night.
--I had a little trouble with my car.
In the above two example, 'wine' and 'trouble' are uncountable nouns. 'Little' is used only with 'uncountable nouns' when you want to say 'not enough'.
3. used to talk about the Degree of Adjective: There are no 'comparative' and 'superlative' forms of 'little'.
--She is a little fat.
--John is a little tired.
In the above two examples, 'fat' and 'tired' are adjectives (describing words), 'little' is used to modify the adjectives so as to imply 'not too much'.
Reminding People
source: Twominute English 2013年11月11日
http://facebook.com/twominenglish
http://twominenglish.com
https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...
#1 What About the Books?
John: Hey honey, aren’t you forgetting something? Didn’t I ask you to return these books to the library?
Carrie: Oops! I am really sorry, dear. I forgot to take them with me.
John: Do me a favor, don’t forget them tomorrow. They are already overdue.
Carrie: Don’t worry. I’ll return them tomorrow.
#2 The Card Needs to Be Sent.
Carrie: John! You haven’t sent that greeting card yet!
John: Oh, my! I totally forgot to send it.
Carrie: John, it’ll be awful if this card reaches them after the anniversary!
John: Oh, come on, Carrie! You forget things too. I’ll mail it tomorrow.
Carrie: You’d better not forget it again!
#3 How Could You Forget It?
Carrie: Honey. I don’t think our relationship is working.
John: What? What are you saying? We’ve been married for 6 years!
Carrie: I know, and you forgot our anniversary. It’s today.
John: Today’s our anniversary? Oh my God! I can’t believe I forgot it. Will you forgive me please?
Carrie: I can’t believe you forgot our marriage anniversary.
John : I can’t believe it either. Please, forgive me sweetheart.
#4 I Hope You Haven’t Forgotten...
Stacy: Did you do it?
Mark: Do what?
Stacy: I hope you haven’t forgotten to call the plumber!
Mark: No, no. I’m calling him right now.
Stacy: That means you forgot it, right?
Mark: Yeah, kind of. But thanks for reminding me!
Stacy: I knew you would forget, that’s why I called.
#5 Reminding a Lot of People.
Mike: May I remind you guys that someone has to take the trashcan out?
Paul: Err..You’d already said that! Thanks for reminding us again!
Mike: One more reminder. Whoever uses the plates, please wash them after you eat.
Sean: We’ll make sure of that! Thanks again!
Mike: No problem.
#6 Reminding Someone About a Party.
Peter: Hey, Jack. What’s up?
Jack: I was just watching a movie.
Peter: Okay, cool! I’d like to remind you about the party tomorrow, at my place at 7!
Jack: Oh, yeah! I remember.
Peter: And Jack, don’t forget, you’re the guy who’s got to bring the beer.
Jack: Alright. I know that if I forget the beer, everybody’s going to wish me dead.
Motivating an Employee - Business/Office English
source: Twominute English 2013年11月07日http://facebook.com/twominenglish
http://twominenglish.com
# 1 Discussing Past Performance.
Keith: Hello, Ms. Taylor. Good afternoon.
Liana: Good afternoon, Keith. Please be seated.
Keith: You wanted to talk about the project?
Liana: Yes! Your work on the project was pretty good. I think you performed very well!
Keith: Thank you!
Liana : I do have a few suggestions for you.
Keith : Did I make any mistakes?
Liana : No, there are no mistakes, but some of the presentations need to be more detailed.
Keith : Oh. I’ll take care of that.
Liana: Keep up the good work, Keith.
Keith: I’ll keep doing my best!
# 2 Praising an Employee.
Peter: Good morning, Ms. Taylor.
Liana: Good morning, Peter. Great work on that report!
Peter: Oh, really? Thank you!
Liana: Yes, the clients were very impressed.
Peter: I’m glad to hear it.
Liana: I hope you can do the same with the new assignment too.
Peter: Of course. You can count I will!
# 3 Encouraging to Perform Better.
Gerald: Hello, Ron. Come and have a seat.
Ron: Thank you, Mr. Smith. You wanted to see me?
Gerald: I wanted to talk about your performance this week.
Ron: Yes, I know there were a lot of mistakes.
Gerald: Well, you’re right, but you’ve done such good work in the past. I think you were a bit off this week. Do take care for the next one, will you?
Ron: Sure, Mr. Smith. I can do better.
Gerald: I am sure you can do better!
Ron: Thank you!
# 4 Finding Flaws or Mistakes.
Terry: Mark, the pictures you sent me for the river project. They weren’t so well shot.
Mark: You think so? What needs to be different?
Terry: Mark! You’re the professional. Why are the angles so common and uninspiring? Do you remember the field shoot you did last month? It was so much better!
Mark: I get it. Actually the riverside was too crowded for a good shoot.
Terry: I don’t know about that, Mark. You could’ve selected a different time for the shoot. You gotta redo it.
Mark: Right! I get the point. I will bring in some fresh pictures by Monday.
# 5 Reporting Performance.
Gerald: Hello, Caroline. Please have a seat. You wanted to see me, right?
Caroline: Yes, Mr. Smith. I’ve made the pitch to the client, and now we’re waiting for the order.
Gerald: Waiting? I thought you’d bring the order along with you, Caroline.
Caroline: Well, not this time. These guys are not easy to negotiate with.
Gerald: I am surprised! You’ve always closed deals early. This one’s the odd one out.
Caroline: I know, Sir. Everyone has a bad day.
Gerald: I’m not worried. I am sure you will clinch it.
Terry: Mark, the pictures you sent me for the river project. They weren’t so well shot.
Mark: You think so? What needs to be different?
Terry: Mark! You’re the professional. Why are the angles so common and uninspiring? Do you remember the field shoot you did last month? It was so much better!
Mark: I get it. Actually the riverside was too crowded for a good shoot.
Terry: I don’t know about that, Mark. You could’ve selected a different time for the shoot. You gotta redo it.
Mark: Right! I get the point. I will bring in some fresh pictures by Monday.
# 5 Reporting Performance.
Gerald: Hello, Caroline. Please have a seat. You wanted to see me, right?
Caroline: Yes, Mr. Smith. I’ve made the pitch to the client, and now we’re waiting for the order.
Gerald: Waiting? I thought you’d bring the order along with you, Caroline.
Caroline: Well, not this time. These guys are not easy to negotiate with.
Gerald: I am surprised! You’ve always closed deals early. This one’s the odd one out.
Caroline: I know, Sir. Everyone has a bad day.
Gerald: I’m not worried. I am sure you will clinch it.
WHILE or MEANWHILE?
source: Learn English with Emma 2014年01月23日
http://www.engvid.com/
quiz: http://www.engvid.com/while-meanwhile/
Than or Then - Easily Confused Words
source: Twominute English 2013年11月20日
'Than' and 'then' are words that sound the same, but have very different functions. 'Than' is used when we compare things, and 'then' is used to express a sequence of events; in other words, to show what comes next. In this video, you will learn how to use these words correctly. Listen to the conversations carefully and understand how the vocabulary is used. Practice at the end to build your fluency and comprehension.
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At The Principal's Office
source: Twominute English 2013年12月30日
http://facebook.com/twominenglish
0:17 May I come in, Sir?
0:19 Yes. Come in Ms Figgins. Have a seat.
0:22 Thank you.
0:24 You’ve received an award in the inter-school poetry competition. Congratulations!
0:30 Thank you Principal Schuster.
0:32 There’s a cash prize and a trophy for you.
0:35 Thank you so much!
0:38 I wanna give you the prize in front of your class. I’ll come to your class sometime today.
0:43 Okay, Sir.
0:45 Alright then. Keep up the good work, Ms Figgins.
0:48 Thanks, Sir. I will.
0:56 Come in Mr. Drake.
0:57 Good morning ma’am.
0:59 This note here says that you were caught throwing chalk pieces at a classmate.
1:05 I’m sorry ma’am… Actually the entire class was doing it. The teacher walked in and saw just me.
1:10 That’s no excuse Mr Drake. You know that this kind of behavior is not tolerated in this institution.
1:17 I am sorry Mrs. Dursley. It won’t happen again.
1:20 It’d better not… But just to help you strengthen your resolve,
1:23 I would like you to stay back for an hour after school in the detention room for this entire week.
1:29 For the entire week? But it’s only Monday today.
1:33 Right Mr Drake. Just to help you remember. Now you are dismissed, please go back to your class.
1:46 May I come in, Sir?
1:47 Yes sure. What can I do for you?
1:49 Sir, may I get a scholarship form for scholarship you announced yesterday?
1:56 We haven’t received them from the office yet. Check back after 3 days.
2:00 But my folks are going to Vancouver in 2 days and I have to go with them.
2:05 In that case try getting them from the education board office.
2:08 Alright, I will try that.
2:17 May I come in, Sir?
2:18 Yes. Come in. What can I do for you?
2:20 Sir, I want to get admission in this school.
2:24 Okay, what’s your name?
2:25 My name is John Richardson.
2:28 Why do you want get admission here?
2:30 My dad’s been transferred to this town, and my house is right near this school.
2:34 What does your father do?
2:35 He’s a police officer.
2:37 Which school were you in earlier?
2:40 DeWitt High School.
2:42 Alright, which grade do you want the admission for?
2:45 I am in Junior school.
2:48 Okay. Get the form from the front-office and submit it along with the documents required. The school get in touch.
3:06 Between two or more schools. It’s often used to refer to competitions or events that involve multiple schools.
3:20 When you’re asked to stay at the school after school hours as a punishment, it’s called detention.
3:32 It’s the room where the students who have been given detention are made to sit in.
3:43 Scholarship is a special allowance or financial assistance given to bright
3:48 or deserving students to help them continue their education.
3:58 The reception desk where the visitors interact with a school or office.
4:08 The 11th grade in American high schools. This is the year before the graduation or the senior year.
Talking about Jobs and Occupations
source: Learn English with Let's Talk 2013年12月20日
http://www.letstalkpodcast.com
# How to ask someone what they do for a living?
--So John, what do you do for a living?
--What is your occupation?
--What do you do to make a living?
Throw caution to the wind - English Vocabulary Lesson # 107
source: Learn English with Let's Talk 2013年12月18日
http://www.letstalkpodcast.com
http://www.letstalk.co.in
http://www.learnex.in
At some point of time in your life, you may have taken a bold step without considering its consequences.
The idiom 'throw caution to the wind' actually means taking a great risk without worrying about negative or unfavorable results.
When you are not cautious and act carelessly, you throw caution to the wind.
It means you stop caring about the possible dangers and start taking risks.
If you throw something to the wind, it means you are not being cautious and you are letting the wind blow it away and out of your reach. So you take a bold decision and are not scared of the outcome.
In the idiom 'throw caution to the wind' , 'throw' is a verb in the present form, 'threw' and 'thrown' are verbs in the past and past participle forms respectively.
For example, If you want to start a new business, you invest a lot of money and overlook any potential disaster, it means you are taking a big risk that could cost you a fortune in case of failure. So you are throwing caution to the wind.
.
Example 01 : Despite expecting unfavorable weather, the fisherman threw caution to the wind and went fishing.
Example 02 : After working the entire night, John threw caution to the wind by sleeping through his lecture.
Example 03 : Sally threw caution to the wind by opting for the Botox treatment even after knowing about its harmful effects.
Example 04 : After the stock market crashed, Peter regretted throwing caution to the wind by investing a huge amount in it.
Example 05 : Drug dealers continuously throw caution to the wind by being involved in an illegal practice.
Example 06 : At the interview, James was confident even though he threw caution to the wind when he faked his qualifications.
Example 07 : Anthony didn't want to throw caution to the wind by going to work when he was very unwell.
Example 08 : Kevin threw caution to the wind by flirting with his colleague even though he was married.
Example 09 : Lisa is so addicted to alcohol, that she throws caution to the wind by drinking even while driving.
Example 10 : Michael is known for throwing caution to the wind for performing daring stunts.
When was the last time you threw caution to the wind? Was it worth it?
Dubious - English Vocabulary Lesson # 112
source: Learn English with Let's Talk 2014年01月14日
http://www.letstalkpodcast.com
http://www.learnex.in
http://www.letstalk.co.in
The word 'dubious' is an adjective as it describes someone or something of being doubtful or uncertain, 'dubiously' is an adverb. 'Dubiousness' is a noun that means doubtfulness.
Example 01 : After being fired from his job, Michael sat dubiously, wondering about getting a new job during the recession period.
Example 02 :The dubiousness of the lease contract for their new house got the couple very worried.
Example 03 : On being questioned by the police regarding the murder case, Marc answered so dubiously that it increased the police's suspicion.
Example 04 : On being dubious about his patient's eye condition, the Opthalmologist conducted some tests to clear all the doubts.
Example 05 : While taking his Science exam, Martin was very dubious about clearing it as he hadn't prepared enough for it.
Exam 06 : The tourist wasn't dubious while climbing the canopy bridge.
Example 07 : At the meeting, the accountant tried to justify her dubious accounting practices.
Example 08 : Ken had to blow the breath test as the cop was dubious about his alcohol level.
Example 09 : At the bakery, the baker showed the sandwiches to the customer as he was dubious about its freshness.
Example 10 : The pharmacist was dubious and reluctant to hand over the medicine without a prescription.
What have you been dubious about, and why?
making suggestions
source: learnamericanenglish
# related grammar videos on modals: making suggestions and giving advice