Pronunciation: Past Tense Regular Verbs -ed

Kitchen Tools

Still, Yet and Already

A Few vs Few / A Little vs Little

I (subject pronoun) vs Me (object pronoun)

Silent Letters

Silent letters are letters that you can't hear when you say the word, but that are there when you write the word.

-Silent letters can distinguish between homophones, e.g. in/inn; be/bee; lent/leant. This is an aid to readers already familiar with both words.
-Silent letters may give an insight into the meaning or origin of a word, e.g. vineyard suggests vines more than the phonetic 'vinyard' would.
-Silent letters help to show long vowels e.g. rid/ride
-Silent letters help to show 'hard' consonants e.g. guest/gest
-They can help to connect different forms of the same word e.g. resign/resignation.

taken from:

http://languagelearningbase.com/88832/silent-letters-examples-and-spelling-rules

Meet vs Get Together

The difference between Meet and Get Together

It’s Friday night and you have plans to have a drink with your friends.
So what expression do we use in English to explain that you will join with your friends at the bar at 10pm?

A. I will meet my friends at the bar.
B. I will get together with my friends at the bar.
C. I will meet up with my friends at the bar.
Correct answer: we use all three!

However there is a difference between sentence A and the other two (B and C).

Meet is normally used to say the place or the time you will get together with another person (or people).
Let’s meet at the library.
Let’s meet at 5 o’clock.

The other two (get together with and meet up with) both mean the same thing and expresses that you will spend some time with your friends in person.

Will you call your friends? No
Will you chat with your friends online? No
You will get together with your friends.
Many times, English learners say that they meet their friends on Friday night, which sounds like they are meeting (or knowing them) for the first time. (Not possible, you already know them otherwise they wouldn’t be your friends)

When you meet someone, it is usually for the first time.
That is why we say “Nice to meet you” the first time you are presented to someone.

You can meet a person for the first time OR
You can meet a person at a place
You can meet a person at a specific time

What they want to say is that they meet up with / get together with their friends.

Look at the response to this question: What do you normally do on the weekend?
I meet my family (incorrect – you already know them)
I get together with my family (correct – you plan to spend some time with them)

To meet = to reunite in a specific place (at a specific time)
I can’t leave work early, so I’ll just meet you at the bar.
To meet = to be introduced to someone for the first time.
Jack doesn’t want us to meet his girlfriend, so we don’t know if she’s real or imaginary.

To meet up = to make plans to be with someone in person
Can we meet up tomorrow to go over the new contract?

To get together = to make plans to be with someone and to spend time with them
I haven’t seen you for months! Let’s get together for coffee.
Olivia and Paul get together with their children every Thanksgiving.

There is also a noun form of To get together:

Get-together = (noun) a small informal meeting or social gathering
Let’s have a get-together at my place tonight.

taken from:
http://www.woodwardenglish.com/meet-get-together-difference/

Prepositions in Expressions of Time

Time phrases are words that show the verb tense we need to use

Note: We say at night when we are talking about all of the night:
Example: He sleeps during the day and works at night.

But we say in the night when we are talking about a short time during the night:
Example: He woke up twice in the night.

taken from:

http://languagelearningbase.com/88672/prepositions-in-expression-of-time-in-at-on-ago

Difference Between TO and FOR

To

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward, or the direction of something, used to indicate relationship, used to indicate a limit or an ending point

For

Used to indicate the use of something, used to mean because of, used to indicate time or duration.

taken from:

http://languagelearningbase.com/87694/to-vs-for-a-very-simple-explanation

Prepositions after Adjectives

Here is a list of some commonly used adjectives and the prepositions that are normally used with them.

taken from:
http://languagelearningbase.com/82944/prepositions-after-adjectives

When Not to Use an Article

Cooking Vocabulary

10 Ice Breaker Questions

Whether you want to start a conversation with a new guy or girl, or you want to get a meeting off to a great start, a good ice breaker can help you make a memorable first impression. It can turn that first encounter with someone new into something wonderful—maybe even a lasting friendship or valuable partnership.

To help you out with ideas for starting a conversation, here are ten of the most effective ice breakers you can use in different scenarios to get a conversation off and running.

“How Are You Doing Today?”
A genuine hello accompanied by a heartwarming, three second smile is one of the most basic, highly effective ice breakers there is.

“Nice Earrings!”
This comment represents a classic technique that is quite effective for starting a conversation. Regardless of whom you are talking to, saying something genuinely nice about their outfit, accessories, or even mood will usually be received well.

“Does This Shop Always Have Such Long Lines?”
Simply commenting on an unpleasant or uncomfortable situation that you both experience in your immediate surroundings is another effective strategy for starting a conversation.

“Chicago Really Is the Windy City!”
Yes. Talk about the weather. It may sound clichéd, but it works wonders in real life. People talk about the weather all the time—it’s a topic everyone has an opinion on.

“Oh, Did You Hear About…”
Kick-start a conversation with a description of an interesting, entertaining and/or funny story. Get right in to your story description and then allow the other person to make a remark or share an opinion of the story.

“What Kind of Drink is That?"
People love eating and drinking. If the person you want to start a conversation with has a nice-looking drink or a delicious-looking burger,

“That’s a Lovely Name; Are You Named After Someone?”
This works especially well in a workplace setting, business meeting, or conference where people are wearing name tags. If he or she has an interesting name, walk up to them and say something like,

“Hello, Do You Work Here?”
This also works well at a workplace or business setting where people are wearing name tags. Even if you know the answer, ask whether he or she works there anyway. If you know some people who work at his or her company or retail store, mention them.

“People Call Me David, but You Can Call Me TONIGHT.”
Okay, telling a joke is easier said than done. Jokes can be tricky, but they’re some of the best conversations starters to throw at someone new. They help the other person see a witty, fun side of your personality.

“Excuse Me, I Just Thought I Should Come Over and Talk to You.”
Sometimes the best and most fun ice breaker is honesty. Walk up to him or her and just be honest. Tell him or her that you want to talk. Point out how awkward and funny the situation actually is for both of you and that you are trying to make the best of it. Honesty really can be the best policy.

taken from: http://lifehacker.com/break-the-ice-in-any-situation-with-these-10-conversati-632855127

Small Talk

What is small talk?
Small talk is more of a casual form of conversation that allows people to "breaks the ice" or can be used if there is an awkward silence between 2 people or more people.
Small talk is usually not important.

Examples of small talk for weather, weekend, family, sports, films, people

Using the weather for small talk
Kind of chilly this morning, isn’t it?
What a beautiful morning.
A bit windy, but beautiful.
It’s never that hot at this time of the year.
It’s been raining for weeks.
Is this never going to end?

Using weekend for small talk (for acquaintances and colleagues)
How did you spend the weekend?
Did you do anything special?
How was your weekend?

Using family for small talk (for acquaintances and colleagues)
Robert: How’s Jane doing? I haven’t seen her for ages.
Linda: Oh, she’s fine. She just got a job with the government.
Robert: That’s great news. We should get together one of these days. Sarah would love to see you both, too.
Linda: Sure. That’d be great. …
More examples
How are the kids?
Give my regards to your husband.
Why don’t you come over for dinner one of these days?

Using sports for small talk
David: Did you see the game last night?
Jason: No, I missed it. Was it a good game?

Using films for small talk (for acquaintances and colleagues)
Sarah: Have you seen the Hangover 3? We went to see it last night.
Jane: How was it?
Sarah: Jason thought it was hilarious, but I was a bit disappointed.
More examples
You should definitely go for it. You must see that!

Using people for small talk (for acquaintances and colleagues)

Have you heard? Kitty is getting married.
Don’t tell anyone, but apparently David is going to be promoted. 1

1. quoted from: http://www.easypacelearning.com/all-lessons/learning-english-level-1/1101-small-talk-english-conversation-lesson

Ellen Degeneres on Small Talk

How To Make Small Talk

Small Talk

Simple Present vs. Present Progressive

What's the difference between the Present Simple / Present Progressive (or Continuous) and how to use them.
We use the present simple tense when we want to talk about fixed habits or routines – things that don’t change.

We use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening at the present moment, but will soon finish.

Compare these two statements:
(present simple) I play tennis.
(present continuous/ progressive) I am playing tennis.

(present simple) ‘I play tennis’ tells us that playing tennis is something the speaker always does. It is part of a routine or habit. We can call this a permanent situation.

(present continuous/ progressive) ‘I am playing tennis’ tells us that the speaker is playing tennis right now. Soon the game will be over. We call this a temporary situation.

With the present simple we say:

I play tennis
You play tennis
We play tennis
They play tennis
He/she/ it plays tennis.

With the present continuous we say:

I am playing tennis
You are playing tennis
We are playing tennis
He/she/it is playing tennis

Frequency Adverbs we use with the Present Simple
With the present simple we use these frequency adverbs:
(Notice that the adverb comes before the main verb in the sentence.)

Always: ‘I always read before I go to bed.’
Often: ‘Her sister often comes shopping with us.’
Frequently:‘Michael frequently visits his family.’
Sometimes:‘You sometimes go to the gym, don’t you?’
Occasionally:‘It occasionally rains in summer.’
Seldom:‘They seldom ask for help.’
Rarely: ‘He rarely goes out without his backpack.’
Hardly ever:‘I hardly ever eat pizza.’
Never: ‘Japanese people never wear shoes inside.’

Time Expressions we use with the Present Continuous:
With the present continuous we use these time expressions:
(Notice that the time expression can come at the start or at the end of the sentence.)

At the moment: ‘I’m watching TV, at the moment.’
These days: ‘Paul’s living in Cardiff, these days.’
Now: ‘What are you doing, now?’
Nowadays: ‘I think you are smoking too much, nowadays.’

Human Anatomy

Brandy - Have You Ever (1998)

Listen to this song by Brandy and practice the Present Perfect tense by completing the lyrics below using the past participle of the verbs in parenthesis.




"Have You Ever?"

[Chorus]
Have you ever _______(love) somebody so much
It makes you cry
Have you ever _______(need) something so bad
You can't sleep at night
Have you ever ______(try) to find the words
But they don't come out right
Have you ever, have you ever?

Have you ever ______(be) in love
Been in love so bad
You'd do anything to make them understand
Have you ever _______(have)someone steal your heart away
You'd give anything to make them feel the same
Have you ever ________(search) for words to get you in their heart
But you don't know what to say
And you don't know where to start
[Chorus]

Have you ever _______ (find) the one
You've _______(dream) of all of your life
You'd do just about anything to look into their eyes
Have you finally _______(find) the one you've given your heart to
Only to find that one won't give their heart to you
Have you ever _______(closed) your eyes and
Dreamed that they were there
And all you can do is wait for the day when they will care
[Chorus]

What do I gotta do to get you in my arms baby
What do I gotta say to get to your heart
To make you understand how I need you next to me
Gotta get you in my world
'Cuz baby I can't sleep
[Chorus]