Idiom for the Day
……all thumbs...……
Please never give an important task to someone who is all thumbs. Think about it. If you had all thumbs and no fingers, you would have great difficulty doing anything with your hands. People who are all thumbs probably perform badly doing anything that requires manual dexterity.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – awkward, clumsy, maladroit
Examples: The awkward carpenter could not close the drawers he had built.
The clumsy consumer dumped all the tomatoes on the floor of the grocery store.
Don’t let that guy inside. He is often maladroit, and he might ruin the new décor.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Especially for English as a Second Language Students
Idiom for the Day
……knee jerk reaction...……
A knee jerk reaction is a quick and immediate response. Usually, a knee jerk reaction is dangerous because the action is started without much thought. In some circumstances, a knee jerk reaction can be helpful.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – brave, courageous, foolhardy
Examples: The brave paramedics rescued people from the waters of the tsunami.
Courageous firefighters extinguish fires daily.
Only a foolhardy person would try to take a gun from a madman.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
……knee jerk reaction...……
A knee jerk reaction is a quick and immediate response. Usually, a knee jerk reaction is dangerous because the action is started without much thought. In some circumstances, a knee jerk reaction can be helpful.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – brave, courageous, foolhardy
Examples: The brave paramedics rescued people from the waters of the tsunami.
Courageous firefighters extinguish fires daily.
Only a foolhardy person would try to take a gun from a madman.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
More Practice to Learn English Properly
Practice the pairs and sentences below. Do a review practice of the words and sentences from yesterday.
tail-tool
tail-tell
tile-tool
tool-tell
Tell him the tool is taken.
The tail was hit with the tool.
The vet tells the truth about the tails.
The tile is underneath the tail.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
tail-tool
tail-tell
tile-tool
tool-tell
Tell him the tool is taken.
The tail was hit with the tool.
The vet tells the truth about the tails.
The tile is underneath the tail.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Learn English Properly by Reading Stories
Try to read the following passage and write a short summary.
She was one of those pretty and charming girls born, as though fate had blundered over her, into a family of artisans. She had no marriage portion, no expectations, no means of getting known, understood, loved, and wedded by a man of wealth and distinction; and she let herself be married off to a little clerk in the Ministry of Education.
Her tastes were simple because she had never been able to afford any other, but she was as unhappy as though she had married beneath her; for women have no caste or class, their beauty, grace, and charm serving them for birth or family. Their natural delicacy, their instinctive elegance, their nimbleness of wit, are their only mark of rank, and put the slum girl on a level with the highest lady in the land.
She suffered endlessly, feeling herself born for every delicacy and luxury. She suffered from the poorness of her house, from its mean walls, worn chairs, and ugly curtains. All these things, of which other women of her class would not even have been aware, tormented and insulted her. The sight of the little Breton girl who came to do the work in her little house aroused heart-broken regrets and hopeless dreams in her mind. She im- agined silent antechambers, heavy with Oriental tapestries, lit by torches in lofty bronze sockets, with two tall footmen in knee-breeches sleeping in large arm-chairs, overcome by the heavy warmth of the stove. She imagined vast saloons hung with antique silks, exquisite pieces of furniture support- ing priceless ornaments, and small, charming, perfumed rooms, created just for little parties of intimate friends, men who were famous and sought after, whose homage roused every other woman's envious longings.
When she sat down for dinner at the round table covered with a three- days-old cloth, opposite her husband, who took the cover off the soup tureen, exclaimed delightedly: "Aha! Scotch broth! There's nothing bet- ter," she imagined delicate meals, gleaming silver, tapestries peopling the walls with folk of a past age and strange birds in faery forests; she imagined delicate food served in marvellous dishes, murmured gallantries, listened
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
She was one of those pretty and charming girls born, as though fate had blundered over her, into a family of artisans. She had no marriage portion, no expectations, no means of getting known, understood, loved, and wedded by a man of wealth and distinction; and she let herself be married off to a little clerk in the Ministry of Education.
Her tastes were simple because she had never been able to afford any other, but she was as unhappy as though she had married beneath her; for women have no caste or class, their beauty, grace, and charm serving them for birth or family. Their natural delicacy, their instinctive elegance, their nimbleness of wit, are their only mark of rank, and put the slum girl on a level with the highest lady in the land.
She suffered endlessly, feeling herself born for every delicacy and luxury. She suffered from the poorness of her house, from its mean walls, worn chairs, and ugly curtains. All these things, of which other women of her class would not even have been aware, tormented and insulted her. The sight of the little Breton girl who came to do the work in her little house aroused heart-broken regrets and hopeless dreams in her mind. She im- agined silent antechambers, heavy with Oriental tapestries, lit by torches in lofty bronze sockets, with two tall footmen in knee-breeches sleeping in large arm-chairs, overcome by the heavy warmth of the stove. She imagined vast saloons hung with antique silks, exquisite pieces of furniture support- ing priceless ornaments, and small, charming, perfumed rooms, created just for little parties of intimate friends, men who were famous and sought after, whose homage roused every other woman's envious longings.
When she sat down for dinner at the round table covered with a three- days-old cloth, opposite her husband, who took the cover off the soup tureen, exclaimed delightedly: "Aha! Scotch broth! There's nothing bet- ter," she imagined delicate meals, gleaming silver, tapestries peopling the walls with folk of a past age and strange birds in faery forests; she imagined delicate food served in marvellous dishes, murmured gallantries, listened
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Learn English Properly
Idiom for the Day
……you can’t take it with you...……
When you die, you can’t take anything with you so it is better to enjoy life every day as much as possible.
Uncle Joe never enjoyed life, and when he died, he had millions of dollars in the bank. Too bad, but you can’t take it with you.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – crazy, inane, foolish
Examples: Albert goes crazy every time he collects his paycheck and spends every penny.
When the professor made an inane remark, the class was shocked.
The drunken driver made a foolish move because he was intoxicated.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
……you can’t take it with you...……
When you die, you can’t take anything with you so it is better to enjoy life every day as much as possible.
Uncle Joe never enjoyed life, and when he died, he had millions of dollars in the bank. Too bad, but you can’t take it with you.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – crazy, inane, foolish
Examples: Albert goes crazy every time he collects his paycheck and spends every penny.
When the professor made an inane remark, the class was shocked.
The drunken driver made a foolish move because he was intoxicated.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Learn English Properly With Minimal Pairs for Pronunciation Practice
Learn English Properly With Minimal Pairs for Pronunciation Practice
Some group members have requested pronunciation practice, and I would like to offer some exercises for all to practice. Below are some minimal pairs – these are carefully chosen pairs that sound almost the same. These pairs have one or more sounds that are exactly the same and one sound that is totally different. Practice saying these ten or fifteen times until you feel that you have mastered the different sounds. Following the minimal pairs there are sentences using the words. Practice those the same way.
coat-coot
coat-cot
The coat is on the cot.
The coot ha a coat.
The coat and the coot are on the cot.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Some group members have requested pronunciation practice, and I would like to offer some exercises for all to practice. Below are some minimal pairs – these are carefully chosen pairs that sound almost the same. These pairs have one or more sounds that are exactly the same and one sound that is totally different. Practice saying these ten or fifteen times until you feel that you have mastered the different sounds. Following the minimal pairs there are sentences using the words. Practice those the same way.
coat-coot
coat-cot
The coat is on the cot.
The coot ha a coat.
The coat and the coot are on the cot.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Don't Learn English from a Loose Cannon
Idiom for the Day
……loose cannon...……
Stay away from people who could be described as a loose cannon. These people can be dangerous and unpredictable.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – strong, mighty, powerful,
Examples: A strong man pulled the victims out of the fire.
A mighty wind tore tall trees up by the roots.
The powerful politician convinced the others to vote with her.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
……loose cannon...……
Stay away from people who could be described as a loose cannon. These people can be dangerous and unpredictable.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – strong, mighty, powerful,
Examples: A strong man pulled the victims out of the fire.
A mighty wind tore tall trees up by the roots.
The powerful politician convinced the others to vote with her.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Learn English By Making Corrections
Here are the correct answers from yesterday. See if you got them all correct.
1. I visited my grandmother on August 15, 2008.
2. I have visited my friends since last year.
3. I flew to Chicago this morning.
4. My partner has flown to Chicago for fifteen years.
5. I got an A on my test last Saturday.
6. I have gotten great grades recently. (or)
I have got great grades yesterday.
7. The teachers met last Tuesday.
8. The student council has met since school started.
9. Some children ate their lunch at noon yesterday.
10. Mr. Jones has eaten hamburgers since he was very young.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
1. I visited my grandmother on August 15, 2008.
2. I have visited my friends since last year.
3. I flew to Chicago this morning.
4. My partner has flown to Chicago for fifteen years.
5. I got an A on my test last Saturday.
6. I have gotten great grades recently. (or)
I have got great grades yesterday.
7. The teachers met last Tuesday.
8. The student council has met since school started.
9. Some children ate their lunch at noon yesterday.
10. Mr. Jones has eaten hamburgers since he was very young.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
Learn English to Read the Lemon Law
Idiom for the Day
……buy a lemon...……
If you buy a lemon, you will not drive very far. A lemon is a car that breaks down. In the United States, there is a “lemon law” that provides for replacement of a lemon under certain conditions.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – ordinary, prosaic, common
Examples: The human resource department viewed many ordinary resumes daily.
The speaker was usually eloquent so everyone was disappointed by his prosaic address.
Confusing homonyms is a common mistake for student writers.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
……buy a lemon...……
If you buy a lemon, you will not drive very far. A lemon is a car that breaks down. In the United States, there is a “lemon law” that provides for replacement of a lemon under certain conditions.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – ordinary, prosaic, common
Examples: The human resource department viewed many ordinary resumes daily.
The speaker was usually eloquent so everyone was disappointed by his prosaic address.
Confusing homonyms is a common mistake for student writers.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Today, we will look more closely at the use of the present perfect tense. Don’t worry – we’ll get back to sentence combining.
The present perfect tense is used to express an action that took place at an indefinite time in the past.
The neighbors recently sold their house.
Notice that recently shows a past time but nothing definite.
Compare this to a sentence that requires the use of the past simple tense.
The neighbors sold their house last Tuesday.
The present perfect is also used to express an action that started in the past and continues into the present and the future.
My sisters have driven for fifteen years.
They started in the past and they are still driving.
Try these practice sentences. Rewrite each sentence using the verb in parentheses properly.
1. I (visit) my on August 15, 2008.
2. I (visit) my friends since last year.
3. I (fly) to Chicago this morning.
4. My partner (fly) to Chicago for fifteen years.
5. I (got) an A on my test last Saturday.
6. I (got) great grades recently.
7. The teachers (meet) last Tuesday.
8. The student council (meet) since school started.
9. Some children (eat) their lunch at noon yesterday.
10. Mr. Jones (eat) hamburgers since he was very young.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
The present perfect tense is used to express an action that took place at an indefinite time in the past.
The neighbors recently sold their house.
Notice that recently shows a past time but nothing definite.
Compare this to a sentence that requires the use of the past simple tense.
The neighbors sold their house last Tuesday.
The present perfect is also used to express an action that started in the past and continues into the present and the future.
My sisters have driven for fifteen years.
They started in the past and they are still driving.
Try these practice sentences. Rewrite each sentence using the verb in parentheses properly.
1. I (visit) my on August 15, 2008.
2. I (visit) my friends since last year.
3. I (fly) to Chicago this morning.
4. My partner (fly) to Chicago for fifteen years.
5. I (got) an A on my test last Saturday.
6. I (got) great grades recently.
7. The teachers (meet) last Tuesday.
8. The student council (meet) since school started.
9. Some children (eat) their lunch at noon yesterday.
10. Mr. Jones (eat) hamburgers since he was very young.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Even Southpaws Need to Learn English Properly
Idiom for the Day
……a southpaw...……
A southpaw is left handed. This term is used especially in baseball where southpaws are often valuable assets against powerful right handed batters.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – decorate, adorn, embellish
Examples: The entire family met to decorate the Christmas tree.
The bride will adorn the room with lilies for her wedding.
The candidate embellished his plan with many promises.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
……a southpaw...……
A southpaw is left handed. This term is used especially in baseball where southpaws are often valuable assets against powerful right handed batters.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – decorate, adorn, embellish
Examples: The entire family met to decorate the Christmas tree.
The bride will adorn the room with lilies for her wedding.
The candidate embellished his plan with many promises.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Monday, September 22, 2008
Learn English to Avoid a Slap on the Wrist
Idiom for the Day
……slap on the wrist...……
A slap on the wrist is a very mild punishment. Criminals would be very happy to get a slap on the wrist instead of several years in jail. A businessman would be happy to get a slap on the wrist after making a serious error that cost his company a significant sum of money.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – cheerful, vivacious, lively
Examples: Jessica is the most popular girl in school because she is vivacious and friendly.
The socialites in town invite my sister to their parties because she is cheerful.
The businessman made a lively presentation that attracted many clients.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
……slap on the wrist...……
A slap on the wrist is a very mild punishment. Criminals would be very happy to get a slap on the wrist instead of several years in jail. A businessman would be happy to get a slap on the wrist after making a serious error that cost his company a significant sum of money.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – cheerful, vivacious, lively
Examples: Jessica is the most popular girl in school because she is vivacious and friendly.
The socialites in town invite my sister to their parties because she is cheerful.
The businessman made a lively presentation that attracted many clients.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Learn English Without Commotion
Idiom for the Day
……tie the knot...……
When you tie the knot, you get married.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – commotion, brouhaha, pandemonium
Examples: There was commotion in the terminal when weather caused delays.
Pandemonium filled the hall when the successful candidate entered.
When the pitcher hit the batter, a brouhaha erupted on the pitcher’s mound.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
……tie the knot...……
When you tie the knot, you get married.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – commotion, brouhaha, pandemonium
Examples: There was commotion in the terminal when weather caused delays.
Pandemonium filled the hall when the successful candidate entered.
When the pitcher hit the batter, a brouhaha erupted on the pitcher’s mound.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Learn English Writing and Grammar
Greetings to All Group Members,
As a dunce who only speaks one language, I am in awe of the members who can write even their name in a second language. Actually at one time, I could write my name in Arabic, but that’s about the measure of my second language skills. Writing any language well is not a piece of cake, but the ability to write in a second language is a true sign of dedication and intelligence. I have two groups that I have started in order to provide language instruction. I would like to dedicate one of my groups, the “Learn English Properly Group”, to grammar and structure, and the “Language Communicator Group” to writing.
Student editorial or critique groups are one activity that I have found effective in a real classroom. I would like to turn the “Language Communicator Group” into a rustic, virtual classroom by using online editorial groups. The theory – if you have to proofread the work of others, you proofread your own work more effectively. Many people can correct their own mistakes if they proofread.
I would like to add reading and listening comprehension exercises to the groups soon. I think we will start soon with a discussion of one of my favorite poems. If anyone would like to take advantage of these activities, please let me know and I will send you an invitation to join one or both of these groups.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
As a dunce who only speaks one language, I am in awe of the members who can write even their name in a second language. Actually at one time, I could write my name in Arabic, but that’s about the measure of my second language skills. Writing any language well is not a piece of cake, but the ability to write in a second language is a true sign of dedication and intelligence. I have two groups that I have started in order to provide language instruction. I would like to dedicate one of my groups, the “Learn English Properly Group”, to grammar and structure, and the “Language Communicator Group” to writing.
Student editorial or critique groups are one activity that I have found effective in a real classroom. I would like to turn the “Language Communicator Group” into a rustic, virtual classroom by using online editorial groups. The theory – if you have to proofread the work of others, you proofread your own work more effectively. Many people can correct their own mistakes if they proofread.
I would like to add reading and listening comprehension exercises to the groups soon. I think we will start soon with a discussion of one of my favorite poems. If anyone would like to take advantage of these activities, please let me know and I will send you an invitation to join one or both of these groups.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Learn English Because the Ball Is in Your Court
Idiom for the Day
……the ball is in your court...……
If the ball is in your court, it is time to take action or make a decision. It is your turn to do something.
Example: My partner told me that she had been making all the decisions about the business, but now the ball was in my court because she was going on vacation.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – unclear, vague, evasive
Examples: The written directions were unclear so many people failed the test.
On the way to their home, we got lost because their directions were vague.
While playing hide and seek, Fiona took evasive action so no one could find her.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
……the ball is in your court...……
If the ball is in your court, it is time to take action or make a decision. It is your turn to do something.
Example: My partner told me that she had been making all the decisions about the business, but now the ball was in my court because she was going on vacation.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – unclear, vague, evasive
Examples: The written directions were unclear so many people failed the test.
On the way to their home, we got lost because their directions were vague.
While playing hide and seek, Fiona took evasive action so no one could find her.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Friday, September 19, 2008
Learn English By Combining Ideas
Some excellent practice yesterday! I believe that the sentence combining was most helpful. Let’s take some time to look at some specific tools useful for sentence combining and some of the rules involved.
Some great combining words should be familiar to all – and, but, nor, or, for, yet
These are combining words that should have equal on either side. If you have the name of one person before these words you should have the name of one person on the other side.
John became the President.
Janie became the President.
John and Janie became the President.
If you are joining two complete sentences, then you should have a complete sentence on one side and a complete sentence on the other side.
Janie became President.
John became Vice-President.
Janie became President, and John became Vice-President.
Janie was sworn in as President on January 20, 2010.
John became Vice-President on January 20, 2008.
Janie became President on January 20, 2010, but John became Vice-President on January 20, 2010.
Try combining the following pairs of sentences with the word in parentheses.
1. (and)
The trainer at the animal park fed the snakes.
The zookeeper washed the elephants.
2. (and)
The reporter arrived at the scene of the crime minutes after it happened.
The police rescued the man from a terrible robber.
3. (for)
The teacher was annoyed with the principal.
The principal cancelled the special lunch.
4. (yet)
The scientist is famous.
We don’t know much about the life of the scientist.
5. (for)
The doctor must prescribe the medicine.
The patient must recover.
6. (or)
The weather will get better.
The baseball game will be cancelled.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Some great combining words should be familiar to all – and, but, nor, or, for, yet
These are combining words that should have equal on either side. If you have the name of one person before these words you should have the name of one person on the other side.
John became the President.
Janie became the President.
John and Janie became the President.
If you are joining two complete sentences, then you should have a complete sentence on one side and a complete sentence on the other side.
Janie became President.
John became Vice-President.
Janie became President, and John became Vice-President.
Janie was sworn in as President on January 20, 2010.
John became Vice-President on January 20, 2008.
Janie became President on January 20, 2010, but John became Vice-President on January 20, 2010.
Try combining the following pairs of sentences with the word in parentheses.
1. (and)
The trainer at the animal park fed the snakes.
The zookeeper washed the elephants.
2. (and)
The reporter arrived at the scene of the crime minutes after it happened.
The police rescued the man from a terrible robber.
3. (for)
The teacher was annoyed with the principal.
The principal cancelled the special lunch.
4. (yet)
The scientist is famous.
We don’t know much about the life of the scientist.
5. (for)
The doctor must prescribe the medicine.
The patient must recover.
6. (or)
The weather will get better.
The baseball game will be cancelled.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Learn English and Save a Penny
Idiom for the Day
……a penny saved is a penny earned..……
A penny saved is a penny earned should keep everyone away from the shops and the malls. If you don’t spend money, it becomes a savings. Watch what you spend and you might be a millionaire one day.
Examples: His mother always told him a penny saved is a penny earned. He was careful about everything he purchased from a very young age and now he is wealthy.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – pollute, contaminate, soil
Examples: The swimmers did not know that others had polluted the water.
The cook did not wash his hands so he contaminated the food.
Messy people will soil a room quickly.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
……a penny saved is a penny earned..……
A penny saved is a penny earned should keep everyone away from the shops and the malls. If you don’t spend money, it becomes a savings. Watch what you spend and you might be a millionaire one day.
Examples: His mother always told him a penny saved is a penny earned. He was careful about everything he purchased from a very young age and now he is wealthy.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – pollute, contaminate, soil
Examples: The swimmers did not know that others had polluted the water.
The cook did not wash his hands so he contaminated the food.
Messy people will soil a room quickly.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Learn English By Combining Sentences
First things first. This is the title of a famous book from a business guru. I would like to have you do a bit of practice before I give you new information. Sentence combining is a great way to improve your writing skills, and I was just working with a student toward this goal. I decided that this would be good practice for everyone. This is how it works.
John Anderson is a student.
John Anderson is an American.
John Anderson loves to ski.
John Anderson loves to eat.
John Anderson loves to talk.
John Anderson, an American, loves to ski, eat and talk.
Now you try it. Believe me it is great practice.
Susie Smith is a doctor.
Susie Smith comes from Argentina.
Susie Smith studies every night.
Susie Smith studies at the library.
(Hint: There’s more than one way to do this.)
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
John Anderson is a student.
John Anderson is an American.
John Anderson loves to ski.
John Anderson loves to eat.
John Anderson loves to talk.
John Anderson, an American, loves to ski, eat and talk.
Now you try it. Believe me it is great practice.
Susie Smith is a doctor.
Susie Smith comes from Argentina.
Susie Smith studies every night.
Susie Smith studies at the library.
(Hint: There’s more than one way to do this.)
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
Learn English in a New York Minute
Idiom for the Day
………New York minute…………
New York is a fast paced city and events move very quickly. If something happens in a New York minute, then it happens very fast.
Examples: The bankers signed the deal in a New York minute.
The baseball player hit a home run and ran around the bases in a New York minute.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – annoy, irritate, provoke
Examples: The noise on the airplane annoyed the passengers.
The students will irritate the teacher if they don’t do their homework.
The bully tried to provoke the children on the playground.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
………New York minute…………
New York is a fast paced city and events move very quickly. If something happens in a New York minute, then it happens very fast.
Examples: The bankers signed the deal in a New York minute.
The baseball player hit a home run and ran around the bases in a New York minute.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – annoy, irritate, provoke
Examples: The noise on the airplane annoyed the passengers.
The students will irritate the teacher if they don’t do their homework.
The bully tried to provoke the children on the playground.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Learn English Properly and Forever
……flash in the pan..……
A flash in the pan is someone or something that seems to be on the way to great success but fizzles before achieving greatness. A flash in the pan looks great on first view, but a flash in the pan usually disappoints many people.
His invention looked brilliant, but after great sales the first day, the buyers disappeared.
My sister made the Olympic team but lost every race at the games. Her success was a flash in the pan and a disappointment to the whole family.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – permanent, eternal, endless
Examples: His mother was livid when she saw the permanent tattoo on her son.
That family seems to be involved in an eternal quarrel.
Her endless chatter annoyed her classmates and the teacher.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
A flash in the pan is someone or something that seems to be on the way to great success but fizzles before achieving greatness. A flash in the pan looks great on first view, but a flash in the pan usually disappoints many people.
His invention looked brilliant, but after great sales the first day, the buyers disappeared.
My sister made the Olympic team but lost every race at the games. Her success was a flash in the pan and a disappointment to the whole family.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – permanent, eternal, endless
Examples: His mother was livid when she saw the permanent tattoo on her son.
That family seems to be involved in an eternal quarrel.
Her endless chatter annoyed her classmates and the teacher.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Learn English By Proofreading
Just another reminder that tenses are about time. When you write using tenses, you are trying to communicate a timeframe to those listening to your words. Those people receive that message and act upon it or at least note the timeframe. You could miss out on an important opportunity by not communicating the time accurately. The verb tells about time and other words support that message.
I meet you tomorrow.
With this sentence I am communicating a confusing message.
The word meet indicates a regular action. The word tomorrow indicates a time in the future. I should say one of the following two sentences.
I meet you every Monday.
I will meet you next Monday.
Okay, let’s try another paragraph for corrections. See if you can rewrite the entire paragraph correctly using the tenses we have studied so far.
Last Sunday, I drive to Santa Maria which was a beautiful town near the Pacific Ocean. I go there ten years ago with my parents, and I will want to visit this town again. My mother grows up in Santa Maria. Right now, I write to you about the trip because I believed you should go there for the weekend. The air was fresh and clean in the town. My friend Peter will go with me and we have great hamburgers at a charming restaurant that will be built there in 1970.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
I meet you tomorrow.
With this sentence I am communicating a confusing message.
The word meet indicates a regular action. The word tomorrow indicates a time in the future. I should say one of the following two sentences.
I meet you every Monday.
I will meet you next Monday.
Okay, let’s try another paragraph for corrections. See if you can rewrite the entire paragraph correctly using the tenses we have studied so far.
Last Sunday, I drive to Santa Maria which was a beautiful town near the Pacific Ocean. I go there ten years ago with my parents, and I will want to visit this town again. My mother grows up in Santa Maria. Right now, I write to you about the trip because I believed you should go there for the weekend. The air was fresh and clean in the town. My friend Peter will go with me and we have great hamburgers at a charming restaurant that will be built there in 1970.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
Learn English Through Review
Hope everyone found this exercise useful. Let me go through and make some points about the clues provided. Then, if anyone has questions, please send them along.
The writer or speaker is talking about events happening which require the use of the present continuous tense (am, is are + verb + ing form of the verb. Other events take place before this moment which require the past simple tense ( verb + ed or irregular past tense). There are other verbs that require the present simple for a regular action or habitual action (verb + s or es). I have marked all of the tenses that we have reviewed. There are some other issues to discuss in this paragraph, but those can wait for now.
Here’s the rewrite:
Last Sunday, I drove (past simple tense because of last Sunday) to Santa Maria which is (present simple because this does not change) a beautiful town near the Pacific Ocean. I went (past simple because of ten years ago) there ten years ago with my parents, and I wanted (past simple) to visit this town again. My mother grew (past simple – my mother has finished growing) up in Santa Maria. Right now, I am writing (present continuous because of right now) to you about the trip because I believe you should go there for the weekend. The air is (present simple – the air is always the same) fresh and clean in the town. My friend Peter went (past simple – Last Sunday) with me and we had (past simple – Last Sunday) great hamburgers at a charming restaurant that was (past simple – finished in 1970) built there in 1970.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
The writer or speaker is talking about events happening which require the use of the present continuous tense (am, is are + verb + ing form of the verb. Other events take place before this moment which require the past simple tense ( verb + ed or irregular past tense). There are other verbs that require the present simple for a regular action or habitual action (verb + s or es). I have marked all of the tenses that we have reviewed. There are some other issues to discuss in this paragraph, but those can wait for now.
Here’s the rewrite:
Last Sunday, I drove (past simple tense because of last Sunday) to Santa Maria which is (present simple because this does not change) a beautiful town near the Pacific Ocean. I went (past simple because of ten years ago) there ten years ago with my parents, and I wanted (past simple) to visit this town again. My mother grew (past simple – my mother has finished growing) up in Santa Maria. Right now, I am writing (present continuous because of right now) to you about the trip because I believe you should go there for the weekend. The air is (present simple – the air is always the same) fresh and clean in the town. My friend Peter went (past simple – Last Sunday) with me and we had (past simple – Last Sunday) great hamburgers at a charming restaurant that was (past simple – finished in 1970) built there in 1970.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Learn English Daily Rather Than Once in a Blue Moon
Idiom for the Day
.....….blue moon……
A blue moon rarely occurs so this idiom is used to describe something that does not happen very often.
Example: The children clean their rooms once in a blue moon.
I study conscientiously so I fail a test only once in a blue moon.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – erase, delete, obliterate,
Examples: The students will erase the blackboard after the lesson.
Peter deleted his work on the computer accidentally.
The city workers tried to obliterate the graffiti from the station.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
.....….blue moon……
A blue moon rarely occurs so this idiom is used to describe something that does not happen very often.
Example: The children clean their rooms once in a blue moon.
I study conscientiously so I fail a test only once in a blue moon.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – erase, delete, obliterate,
Examples: The students will erase the blackboard after the lesson.
Peter deleted his work on the computer accidentally.
The city workers tried to obliterate the graffiti from the station.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
Learn English in Time
Just another reminder that tenses are about time. When you write using tenses, you are trying to communicate a timeframe to those listening to your words. Those people receive that message and act upon it or at least note the timeframe. You could miss out on an important opportunity by not communicating the time accurately. The verb tells about time and other words support that message.
I meet you tomorrow.
With this sentence I am communicating a confusing message.
The word meet indicates a regular action. The word tomorrow indicates a time in the future. I should say one of the following two sentences.
I meet you every Monday.
I will meet you next Monday.
Okay, let’s try another paragraph for corrections. See if you can rewrite the entire paragraph correctly using the tenses we have studied so far.
Last Sunday, I drive to Santa Maria which was a beautiful town near the Pacific Ocean. I go there ten years ago with my parents, and I will want to visit this town again. My mother grows up in Santa Maria. Right now, I write to you about the trip because I believed you should go there for the weekend. The air was fresh and clean in the town. My friend Peter will go with me and we have great hamburgers at a charming restaurant that will be built there in 1970.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
I meet you tomorrow.
With this sentence I am communicating a confusing message.
The word meet indicates a regular action. The word tomorrow indicates a time in the future. I should say one of the following two sentences.
I meet you every Monday.
I will meet you next Monday.
Okay, let’s try another paragraph for corrections. See if you can rewrite the entire paragraph correctly using the tenses we have studied so far.
Last Sunday, I drive to Santa Maria which was a beautiful town near the Pacific Ocean. I go there ten years ago with my parents, and I will want to visit this town again. My mother grows up in Santa Maria. Right now, I write to you about the trip because I believed you should go there for the weekend. The air was fresh and clean in the town. My friend Peter will go with me and we have great hamburgers at a charming restaurant that will be built there in 1970.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Monday, September 15, 2008
Learn English Today and Take a Raincheck Just in Case
Idiom for the Day
……..a raincheck……
If you get a raincheck, you pass up an offer or delay an activity but reserve the right to accept the offer or attend the activity at a later time. Car washes and sports events often provide a raincheck in case it actually rains. A car wash will be useless if it rains right after so many car washes offer a raincheck to customers in case of rain. Sports events and other activities might cancel when it rains so customers get a rain check to attend the event at a later date when the weather is good.
Example: The concert was cancelled because of rain, but all of the customers got a raincheck.
The clouds were gathering so the owners of the car wash provided all of the customers with a raincheck to come back for another car wash later.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – smart, sensible, intelligent
Examples: The banker is smart so many people invest in his bank.
The policeman is sensible and helped all of the people who got into trouble.
An intelligent nurse takes good care of her patients.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
……..a raincheck……
If you get a raincheck, you pass up an offer or delay an activity but reserve the right to accept the offer or attend the activity at a later time. Car washes and sports events often provide a raincheck in case it actually rains. A car wash will be useless if it rains right after so many car washes offer a raincheck to customers in case of rain. Sports events and other activities might cancel when it rains so customers get a rain check to attend the event at a later date when the weather is good.
Example: The concert was cancelled because of rain, but all of the customers got a raincheck.
The clouds were gathering so the owners of the car wash provided all of the customers with a raincheck to come back for another car wash later.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms for the day – smart, sensible, intelligent
Examples: The banker is smart so many people invest in his bank.
The policeman is sensible and helped all of the people who got into trouble.
An intelligent nurse takes good care of her patients.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Learn English By Proofreading Your Work
Everybody had a look at the paragraph presented for correction. I hope everyone tried to make the corrections. Below is the paragraph as it was presented. Below that is the same paragraph with the corrections. Compare the two and make sure that you understand why the corrections were made.
Later today, I attend the high school graduation of my sister. She
will finish her course in high school last week. She will be a good
student while she will be in high school so I think she is good
student in college. My sister is a great students because she
usually reading books to learn more. She never forget her homework
because she wanted to be perfect. While I write this to you, my
sister visited with my mother who will guide her when she start
school in first grade.
Later today, I will attend the high school graduation of my sister. She finished her course in high school last week. She was a good student while she was in high school so I think she will be a good student in college. My sister is a great student because she usually reads books to learn more. She never forgets her homework because she wants to be perfect. While I am writing this to you, my sister is visiting with my mother who guided her when she started school in first grade.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Later today, I attend the high school graduation of my sister. She
will finish her course in high school last week. She will be a good
student while she will be in high school so I think she is good
student in college. My sister is a great students because she
usually reading books to learn more. She never forget her homework
because she wanted to be perfect. While I write this to you, my
sister visited with my mother who will guide her when she start
school in first grade.
Later today, I will attend the high school graduation of my sister. She finished her course in high school last week. She was a good student while she was in high school so I think she will be a good student in college. My sister is a great student because she usually reads books to learn more. She never forgets her homework because she wants to be perfect. While I am writing this to you, my sister is visiting with my mother who guided her when she started school in first grade.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Learn English by Noting These Clues
A Special Note ………………
I hope that you have looked carefully at the last paragraph and started to work on it. Now, I want to remind you of some of the clues that you should have noticed.
Later today – clue that this will happen after I speak or write = past simple tense
Last week – clue that this is a completed action = past simple tense
Usually – a regular action = present simple tense
Never – a regular action = present simple tense
While – happens as I write or speak = present continuous tense
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
I hope that you have looked carefully at the last paragraph and started to work on it. Now, I want to remind you of some of the clues that you should have noticed.
Later today – clue that this will happen after I speak or write = past simple tense
Last week – clue that this is a completed action = past simple tense
Usually – a regular action = present simple tense
Never – a regular action = present simple tense
While – happens as I write or speak = present continuous tense
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Learn English With No Holds Barred
Idiom for the Day
.....….no holds barred……
This idiom has its roots in the world of wrestling, but it is used by people who have no wrestling experience. In a wrestling match, there are rules that keep the match clean and fair. Some holds are barred by the rules. When you use the phrase, you mean that there are no rules applied. Ask someone to give you a critique with no holds barred and you expect them to be completely honest with you.
Example: Please tell me exactly what you think of my website – no holds barred.
The businessman did whatever he could to succeed. He believed that you had to compete with no holds barred to beat the competition.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – valuable, precious, priceless
Examples: The students learned many valuable lessons from their teacher.
Diamonds are precious stones so many people buy them for investments.
Thieves stole the priceless painting from the museum.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
.....….no holds barred……
This idiom has its roots in the world of wrestling, but it is used by people who have no wrestling experience. In a wrestling match, there are rules that keep the match clean and fair. Some holds are barred by the rules. When you use the phrase, you mean that there are no rules applied. Ask someone to give you a critique with no holds barred and you expect them to be completely honest with you.
Example: Please tell me exactly what you think of my website – no holds barred.
The businessman did whatever he could to succeed. He believed that you had to compete with no holds barred to beat the competition.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – valuable, precious, priceless
Examples: The students learned many valuable lessons from their teacher.
Diamonds are precious stones so many people buy them for investments.
Thieves stole the priceless painting from the museum.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Learn English Through Practice
The best way to learn English is through practice. Anyone who would like some extra practice should rewrite the following and make the appropriate corrections.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
yesterday i go to the local mall and buy many clothes i go to that mall many times before but this time i spent too much money when i had gone home my Mother told me that i should go to the mall so i could do my homework
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
yesterday i go to the local mall and buy many clothes i go to that mall many times before but this time i spent too much money when i had gone home my Mother told me that i should go to the mall so i could do my homework
Learn English and the Past Simple Tense
I hope everyone understood all of the examples and quiz questions that were provided over the last few days. As I said before, I could give you books of rules on the tenses and their use. You can find these books and study them on your own. I could also cut and paste many rules on each tense from other sources. I personally do not believe in learning all of these rules until you perfect the basics.
Languages are meant to be useful tools for communicating. My most successful students who now make millions of dollars and travel all over the world would not be able to tell you all the rules. The best writers and speakers that I know do not know all these rules. However, they understand the language well enough to succeed. They speak the language well. They read and write eloquently and beautifully. They use the rules naturally because they have practiced writing. They have spent many hours listening to and reading the language. They were able to learn English properly without learning many rules.
Now, let’s look at another tense.
The past simple tense is usually used for actions that happened and was complete before now – before you wrote about the action or spoke about the action.
Usually the past simple is formed by adding “ed” to the verb.
talked, walked, listened, traveled, checked
However, there are many irregular past forms.
ate, drove, spoke, ran, wrote
Examples: The actor walked to the theater this morning.
I drove my friend to school yesterday.
My grandfather graduated from college thirty years ago.
Mary ate her lunch ten minutes ago.
Remember, the action should be completed in the past if you use the past simple tense.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com
Languages are meant to be useful tools for communicating. My most successful students who now make millions of dollars and travel all over the world would not be able to tell you all the rules. The best writers and speakers that I know do not know all these rules. However, they understand the language well enough to succeed. They speak the language well. They read and write eloquently and beautifully. They use the rules naturally because they have practiced writing. They have spent many hours listening to and reading the language. They were able to learn English properly without learning many rules.
Now, let’s look at another tense.
The past simple tense is usually used for actions that happened and was complete before now – before you wrote about the action or spoke about the action.
Usually the past simple is formed by adding “ed” to the verb.
talked, walked, listened, traveled, checked
However, there are many irregular past forms.
ate, drove, spoke, ran, wrote
Examples: The actor walked to the theater this morning.
I drove my friend to school yesterday.
My grandfather graduated from college thirty years ago.
Mary ate her lunch ten minutes ago.
Remember, the action should be completed in the past if you use the past simple tense.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com
Learn English So No One Will Pull Your Leg
Idiom for the Day
A note: There are thousands of idioms. Understanding and using idioms is the last step to becoming as fluent as a native speaker for most students. People could spend years in an English speaking country and never hear all of the idioms that I have presented so far. The very best way to learn idioms is through practical experience – reading English language books and speaking with people in English. Try to read as many books in English as possible and listen to the free flow of the language whenever possible.
.....…pull one’s leg……
If someone is pulling your leg, they are cheating or tricking you. Usually if someone is pulling your leg, they don’t mean to hurt you. It is in fun or as a joke.
Example: I didn’t realize he was pulling my leg, when he asked for a charitable donation. He was collecting for himself.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – cheat, trick, dupe
Examples: If you cheat on the test, you might fail the course.
The robbers will trick the police in order to escape.
The con artists dupe people out of their money every day.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
A note: There are thousands of idioms. Understanding and using idioms is the last step to becoming as fluent as a native speaker for most students. People could spend years in an English speaking country and never hear all of the idioms that I have presented so far. The very best way to learn idioms is through practical experience – reading English language books and speaking with people in English. Try to read as many books in English as possible and listen to the free flow of the language whenever possible.
.....…pull one’s leg……
If someone is pulling your leg, they are cheating or tricking you. Usually if someone is pulling your leg, they don’t mean to hurt you. It is in fun or as a joke.
Example: I didn’t realize he was pulling my leg, when he asked for a charitable donation. He was collecting for himself.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – cheat, trick, dupe
Examples: If you cheat on the test, you might fail the course.
The robbers will trick the police in order to escape.
The con artists dupe people out of their money every day.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Friday, September 12, 2008
Learn Tenses to Learn English
Hopefully everyone tried to correct the sentences provided yesterday. Below are the sentences written correctly. Check to see if you were correct.
1. I go to New York every January. Every January means a regular actions
2. I read a book now. I am reading a book now. Now shows that the action is taking place while I’m speaking or writing.
3. I am playing chess with my brother who always wins. Correct
(This one isn’t really clear enough for this exercise, but it did not need any changes.)
4. John never forgets because he has a good mind.
Words are a key to the tense that should be used. Remember with the present simple tense you have to make some changes when combining the verb with he, she and it or other words that are single and third person.
I drive every day.
He drives every day. She drives every day. It drives every day. My mother drives every day. The policeman drives every day.
They drive every day.
You drive every day.
We drive every day.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
1. I go to New York every January. Every January means a regular actions
2. I read a book now. I am reading a book now. Now shows that the action is taking place while I’m speaking or writing.
3. I am playing chess with my brother who always wins. Correct
(This one isn’t really clear enough for this exercise, but it did not need any changes.)
4. John never forgets because he has a good mind.
Words are a key to the tense that should be used. Remember with the present simple tense you have to make some changes when combining the verb with he, she and it or other words that are single and third person.
I drive every day.
He drives every day. She drives every day. It drives every day. My mother drives every day. The policeman drives every day.
They drive every day.
You drive every day.
We drive every day.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Learn English and Start with the Present Tense
There are thick books written about the tenses used in the English language. I could have you read all of these books, but I am trying to just provide the basics at first. Later, you can add to the basic knowledge and maybe one day, you can even become an English professor.
Okay, time to compare two different tenses. The present continuous is used for an action that takes place as you write or speak.
I am writing this while my father is driving the car.
The present continuous is used for a regular action. It could take place every second, every week, every ten years. etc.
My friend rides her horse every week.
My sister goes to the grocery store every day.
My teachers always gives us homework.
Susie usually forgets her lunch.
Every year, the dentist checks my teeth.
Think about these sentences. Which ones are right and which ones are wrong?
I am going to New York every January.
I read a book now.
I am playing chess with my brother who always wins.
John never is forgetting because he has a good mind.
Correct the ones that are wrong and send them to me if you would like.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Okay, time to compare two different tenses. The present continuous is used for an action that takes place as you write or speak.
I am writing this while my father is driving the car.
The present continuous is used for a regular action. It could take place every second, every week, every ten years. etc.
My friend rides her horse every week.
My sister goes to the grocery store every day.
My teachers always gives us homework.
Susie usually forgets her lunch.
Every year, the dentist checks my teeth.
Think about these sentences. Which ones are right and which ones are wrong?
I am going to New York every January.
I read a book now.
I am playing chess with my brother who always wins.
John never is forgetting because he has a good mind.
Correct the ones that are wrong and send them to me if you would like.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Learn English One Day at a Time
Idiom for the Day
.....….blessing in disguise……
A blessing in disguise is something that turns out to be very good even though at first it did not look like something positive.
Example: I didn’t like his unsolicited advice, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I got a good job when I followed his advice.
My mother-in-law showed up at the doorstep, and I was annoyed at her visit. Although she annoys me, her visit was a blessing in disguise because she helped me clean up after a water pipe burst in the basement.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – succeed, prosper, thrive
Examples: Study well and you will succeed in school.
My cousin will prosper because he is a great football player.
Smart people usually thrive in any business.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
.....….blessing in disguise……
A blessing in disguise is something that turns out to be very good even though at first it did not look like something positive.
Example: I didn’t like his unsolicited advice, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I got a good job when I followed his advice.
My mother-in-law showed up at the doorstep, and I was annoyed at her visit. Although she annoys me, her visit was a blessing in disguise because she helped me clean up after a water pipe burst in the basement.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – succeed, prosper, thrive
Examples: Study well and you will succeed in school.
My cousin will prosper because he is a great football player.
Smart people usually thrive in any business.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tenses Go By The Clock
Let’s look a little closer at the present continuous tense from yesterday. If you ask most native speakers about the present continuous tense or how to form it, they will probably just have a blank stare because they will not know what you are talking about. Most native speakers do not learn about the use of this tense because they learn it naturally from minutes after their birth when they hear their first words. Native speakers have to study other grammar points, but they usually use the tenses quite naturally.
Now – look at the calendar, look at your watch and look around you. All of the things that are going on as I write will be written in the present continuous tense.
My sister is watching television while I’m writing this lesson.
My brother is driving to the store while I’m writing this lesson.
The birds are singing on the patio while I am writing this lesson.
The teacher is working at the school down the street right now.
Keep it simple. Remember – if another action is taking place while you are speaking or writing, write about that action using the present continuous tense.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Now – look at the calendar, look at your watch and look around you. All of the things that are going on as I write will be written in the present continuous tense.
My sister is watching television while I’m writing this lesson.
My brother is driving to the store while I’m writing this lesson.
The birds are singing on the patio while I am writing this lesson.
The teacher is working at the school down the street right now.
Keep it simple. Remember – if another action is taking place while you are speaking or writing, write about that action using the present continuous tense.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Patience Is a Virtue So Hold Your Horses
.....….hold your horses……
Exercise patience or hold your horses. This expression means that you might be rushing into something and you might make a mistake.
Example: If you don’t hold your horses, you might get hurt.
My father made a big mistake because he rushed into a deal too quickly. My mother should have told him to hold his horses, but she was out shopping.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – hurt, harm, tarnish, damage
Examples: You will hurt yourself if you drive carelessly.
My grandmother damaged the car in an accident.
The football player will harm his arm if he throws too much.
He tarnished his reputation when he was arrested.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Exercise patience or hold your horses. This expression means that you might be rushing into something and you might make a mistake.
Example: If you don’t hold your horses, you might get hurt.
My father made a big mistake because he rushed into a deal too quickly. My mother should have told him to hold his horses, but she was out shopping.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – hurt, harm, tarnish, damage
Examples: You will hurt yourself if you drive carelessly.
My grandmother damaged the car in an accident.
The football player will harm his arm if he throws too much.
He tarnished his reputation when he was arrested.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Using the Present Continuous Tense
Yesterday, we looked at the forms of verbs. Today we will look at how one of those forms is used to show when an action is happening. Tenses are about communicating time.
The present participle is formed by using “ing”. Examples: talking, jumping, listening
The present continuous tense is form by combining this “ing” form with a form of the verb BE.
am walking, is listening, are learning, etc.
The present continuous tense is used to show that the action is taking place at the EXACT SAME TIME that the speaker or writer is speaking or writing.
If you are talking about another action that happens as you are talking, use the present continuous tense.
Examples: I am watching him as he is running to the store.
I am writing a letter, but my sister is playing music to disturb me.
Remember this and we will see how this is different than another tense tomorrow.
The present participle is formed by using “ing”. Examples: talking, jumping, listening
The present continuous tense is form by combining this “ing” form with a form of the verb BE.
am walking, is listening, are learning, etc.
The present continuous tense is used to show that the action is taking place at the EXACT SAME TIME that the speaker or writer is speaking or writing.
If you are talking about another action that happens as you are talking, use the present continuous tense.
Examples: I am watching him as he is running to the store.
I am writing a letter, but my sister is playing music to disturb me.
Remember this and we will see how this is different than another tense tomorrow.
A Dime a Dozen
Idiom for the Day
.....….a dime a dozen……
A dime is one tenth of a dollar – a very small amount of money. When you say that something is a dime a dozen, you mean that it is very cheap or common.
Example: Those books are a dime a dozen. You can buy more interesting books at another store.
There are many people who want to act like experts, but many of these people do not know anything about the subject. Sometimes experts are a dime a dozen.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – complain, gripe, whine
Examples: The students often complain about too much work.
The shoppers usually gripe about high prices.
The basketball player always whines about the referees.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
.....….a dime a dozen……
A dime is one tenth of a dollar – a very small amount of money. When you say that something is a dime a dozen, you mean that it is very cheap or common.
Example: Those books are a dime a dozen. You can buy more interesting books at another store.
There are many people who want to act like experts, but many of these people do not know anything about the subject. Sometimes experts are a dime a dozen.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – complain, gripe, whine
Examples: The students often complain about too much work.
The shoppers usually gripe about high prices.
The basketball player always whines about the referees.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Monday, September 8, 2008
Let’s skip around a bit and then we can go back to study some of the patterns from the past. There are several tenses in the language but as noted before most verbs only have four forms. The forms are the “ing” form, the present form, the past form and the past participle form.
Examples: running, run, ran, run
talking, talk, talked, talked
Now, you might say, “Hey, you have only put three different forms not four. Many times the past form and the past participle are the same. Sometimes these two forms are different.
Examples: driving, drive, drove, driven
eating, eat, ate, eaten
The past form is most often formed by adding “ed”. The past participle is most often formed by adding “ed” or “en”. Then there are verbs that are irregular.
Sometimes the changes or additions are very small but these small changes could make a great difference in the meaning of the sentence.
These tenses are used to demonstrate the time that the action took place.
I am running now.
I ran yesterday.
Think about these facts and we will do more tomorrow on tenses.
Idiom for the Day
.....under the weather….
This idiom has nothing to do with the atmosphere outside. If you are under the weather, you are ill or feeling sick.
Example: Peter did not go to school because he was under the weather.
I didn’t do well on my examination because I was under the weather.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – depressing, gloomy, bleak
Examples: Jonathan is negative and a day out with him can be depressing.
The sky was gloomy so the beach was empty.
Bankers have made a bleak forecast about the economy.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Examples: running, run, ran, run
talking, talk, talked, talked
Now, you might say, “Hey, you have only put three different forms not four. Many times the past form and the past participle are the same. Sometimes these two forms are different.
Examples: driving, drive, drove, driven
eating, eat, ate, eaten
The past form is most often formed by adding “ed”. The past participle is most often formed by adding “ed” or “en”. Then there are verbs that are irregular.
Sometimes the changes or additions are very small but these small changes could make a great difference in the meaning of the sentence.
These tenses are used to demonstrate the time that the action took place.
I am running now.
I ran yesterday.
Think about these facts and we will do more tomorrow on tenses.
Idiom for the Day
.....under the weather….
This idiom has nothing to do with the atmosphere outside. If you are under the weather, you are ill or feeling sick.
Example: Peter did not go to school because he was under the weather.
I didn’t do well on my examination because I was under the weather.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – depressing, gloomy, bleak
Examples: Jonathan is negative and a day out with him can be depressing.
The sky was gloomy so the beach was empty.
Bankers have made a bleak forecast about the economy.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Saturday, September 6, 2008
In the last lessons, the sentences focused on action verbs. There are other sentences that do not have action yet these are complete sentences. The verb be is in a category of it’s own because it has eight different forms. All other English verbs have four forms. Only the verb be has eight forms. These forms are: be, is, am, are, was, were, been, being
This is a verb but it is not an action verb by itself. Look at the examples of sentences using this often used but unusual verb.
I will be there soon.
I am here now.
He is here now.
They are here now.
My mother was here yesterday.
My parents were here yesterday.
My friends have been here since Tuesday.
An example of another verb with the usual four forms.
I drive every day.
I will drive tomorrow.
I drove yesterday.
I have driven for hours.
I am driving now.
I was driving when the truck hit me.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
This is a verb but it is not an action verb by itself. Look at the examples of sentences using this often used but unusual verb.
I will be there soon.
I am here now.
He is here now.
They are here now.
My mother was here yesterday.
My parents were here yesterday.
My friends have been here since Tuesday.
An example of another verb with the usual four forms.
I drive every day.
I will drive tomorrow.
I drove yesterday.
I have driven for hours.
I am driving now.
I was driving when the truck hit me.
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Learn English Today and Everyday
Idiom for the day
.....an arm and a leg….
This is another way of saying that something is very expensive or costly.
Example: That outfit is beautiful, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.
He made a simple mistake, but it will cost an arm and a leg.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – love, adore, cherish
Examples: My mother loves my father because he is a good man.
I adore my teacher because her lessons are always helpful.
My mother cherishes each child in our family.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
.....an arm and a leg….
This is another way of saying that something is very expensive or costly.
Example: That outfit is beautiful, but it will cost you an arm and a leg.
He made a simple mistake, but it will cost an arm and a leg.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – love, adore, cherish
Examples: My mother loves my father because he is a good man.
I adore my teacher because her lessons are always helpful.
My mother cherishes each child in our family.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Friday, September 5, 2008
Learn English Patterns and More
Today let’s look at another very common pattern in the English language. This pattern is one that will later help you understand “voice” – the active versus the passive voice. Save that for later. The last pattern had one object but this pattern has two objects – the direct object and the indirect object. Look at the sentences and you will see that indirect object receives the direct object.
Person + action + indirect object + direct object
The nurse gave the patient medicine.
Teachers give students their grades.
The mailman gave me the letter.
That’s the simple story. Check out some longer sentences using the same patterns.
Person + action + indirect object + direct object (and) person + action + indirect object + direct object
The nurse gave the patient medicine and she gave the doctor the report.
(After) person + action + indirect object + direct object, person + action + indirect object + direct object
After the teacher gave the students grades, the parents gave the students a reward.
Idiom for the day
.....bite your tongue….
You should bite your tongue if you are going to say something that is harmful or stupid. You might want to say something but it is not a good idea so you bite your tongue.
Example: I wanted to tell her that her outfit looked terrible but I bit my tongue.
Even if you think he should discipline his child, you probably should bite
your tongue because most people don’t like criticism.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – old, ancient, antique, antediluvian
(A special note – antediluvian basically means “before the flood” which is from an ancient religious story of the flood that covered civilization thousands of years ago. In other words, this means very, very old.)
Examples: The old teacher makes lots of mistakes.
The ancient ruins were uncovered by archaeologists.
The antique chair was worth millions of dollars.
The man looked so old he seemed to be antediluvian.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Person + action + indirect object + direct object
The nurse gave the patient medicine.
Teachers give students their grades.
The mailman gave me the letter.
That’s the simple story. Check out some longer sentences using the same patterns.
Person + action + indirect object + direct object (and) person + action + indirect object + direct object
The nurse gave the patient medicine and she gave the doctor the report.
(After) person + action + indirect object + direct object, person + action + indirect object + direct object
After the teacher gave the students grades, the parents gave the students a reward.
Idiom for the day
.....bite your tongue….
You should bite your tongue if you are going to say something that is harmful or stupid. You might want to say something but it is not a good idea so you bite your tongue.
Example: I wanted to tell her that her outfit looked terrible but I bit my tongue.
Even if you think he should discipline his child, you probably should bite
your tongue because most people don’t like criticism.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – old, ancient, antique, antediluvian
(A special note – antediluvian basically means “before the flood” which is from an ancient religious story of the flood that covered civilization thousands of years ago. In other words, this means very, very old.)
Examples: The old teacher makes lots of mistakes.
The ancient ruins were uncovered by archaeologists.
The antique chair was worth millions of dollars.
The man looked so old he seemed to be antediluvian.
Regards,
Barbara92106
www.languagecommunicator.com
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A Pattern to Consider
Today, let’s look at another pattern that is very common in the English language. This adds to the pattern that we looked at yesterday. The story is the same. The pattern is used over and over every day by those speaking English. The words that fill in the pattern change dramatically at times from one speaker to another and in different situations. In the last pattern, there was a person and an action. Simple at first and then more complex.
person + action
man + walked
children + played
Now let’s look at another pattern.
person + action + object
The basketball player throws the ball.
The doctor examined the patient.
The waitress brought their dinner.
That’s the simple pattern. As your skills increase, you can write more complicated sentences but remember the simple patterns.
Person + action + object (and) person + action + object
The basketball player throws the ball, and his teammates often catch it.
(After) person + action + object (and) persons + action + object
After the waitress brought their dinner, the customers ate it.
I hope that this is helpful to you. There will be more tomorrow. If you have any topics that you would like covered, please let me know.
Idiom for the day
.....a baker’s dozen….
A dozen has twelve pieces, but a baker’s dozen has thirteen.
Example: If you buy a baker’s dozen, you will get a bargain.
A baker’s dozen has more pieces than a regular dozen.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – smart, intelligent, brainy,
Examples: The teacher gave the smart students more difficult work.
Susan is the most intelligent student in the class.
The boy at the computer is brainy so he understands computer programming.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
person + action
man + walked
children + played
Now let’s look at another pattern.
person + action + object
The basketball player throws the ball.
The doctor examined the patient.
The waitress brought their dinner.
That’s the simple pattern. As your skills increase, you can write more complicated sentences but remember the simple patterns.
Person + action + object (and) person + action + object
The basketball player throws the ball, and his teammates often catch it.
(After) person + action + object (and) persons + action + object
After the waitress brought their dinner, the customers ate it.
I hope that this is helpful to you. There will be more tomorrow. If you have any topics that you would like covered, please let me know.
Idiom for the day
.....a baker’s dozen….
A dozen has twelve pieces, but a baker’s dozen has thirteen.
Example: If you buy a baker’s dozen, you will get a bargain.
A baker’s dozen has more pieces than a regular dozen.
Synonyms for the Day
Some new synonyms – smart, intelligent, brainy,
Examples: The teacher gave the smart students more difficult work.
Susan is the most intelligent student in the class.
The boy at the computer is brainy so he understands computer programming.
Regards,
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Learn English with a New Synonym Every Day
English is sometimes confusing because the language has many synonyms. These are words that are similar or identical in meaning. Students might think that they have mastered the language, but then they encounter a new word. Take the word big, for example. Then think of all of the words that are similar or identical in meaning. Look at the following list of words that are similar in meaning to the word big.
big, huge, large, gigantic, enormous, gargantuan, massive, colossal, oversized, hefty, whopping, spacious
The word little is the opposite of big but this word also has many synonyms. Look at the list of words that are similar in meaning.
little, small, tiny, petite, slight, minute, trivial, insignificant, petty
This is something to think about when learning English.
Barbara9210
www.languagecommunicator.com
big, huge, large, gigantic, enormous, gargantuan, massive, colossal, oversized, hefty, whopping, spacious
The word little is the opposite of big but this word also has many synonyms. Look at the list of words that are similar in meaning.
little, small, tiny, petite, slight, minute, trivial, insignificant, petty
This is something to think about when learning English.
Barbara9210
www.languagecommunicator.com
The English language has millions of words, confusing idioms and some spelling rules that are often broken. However, the sentences of the English language are not so numerous. Learning the patterns of the language that are used most often can help understanding and using the language. Please look at the following.
The man walked.
The teacher drove her car.
The boy hit the ball.
The girl gives her teacher her homework.
These show four patterns that are used often in the language. Let’s try using the first pattern and see how many sentences use the same pattern.
The man walked.
The children played.
Doctors think.
Boys run.
These sentences have a person or people doing an action. Simple.
Now look at how these same patterns can change.
The man walked.
The children walked
The doctors walked
The boys walked.
Remember use the patterns and start simply to speak clearly and write well. As you learn the language, you can use the same patterns to write more sophisticated sentences.
Although the boys run, they don’t always go in the right direction.
The children walked, but they didn’t go to school.
The doctors think about the cure before they give medicine.
Start simple and then go more complex.
Barbara92106@yahoo.com
www.languagecommunicator.com
The man walked.
The teacher drove her car.
The boy hit the ball.
The girl gives her teacher her homework.
These show four patterns that are used often in the language. Let’s try using the first pattern and see how many sentences use the same pattern.
The man walked.
The children played.
Doctors think.
Boys run.
These sentences have a person or people doing an action. Simple.
Now look at how these same patterns can change.
The man walked.
The children walked
The doctors walked
The boys walked.
Remember use the patterns and start simply to speak clearly and write well. As you learn the language, you can use the same patterns to write more sophisticated sentences.
Although the boys run, they don’t always go in the right direction.
The children walked, but they didn’t go to school.
The doctors think about the cure before they give medicine.
Start simple and then go more complex.
Barbara92106@yahoo.com
www.languagecommunicator.com
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
English is sometimes confusing because the language has many synonyms. These are words that are similar or identical in meaning. Students might think that they have mastered the language, but then they encounter a new word. Take the word big, for example. Then think of all of the words that are similar or identical in meaning.
Look at the following list of words that are similar in meaning to the word big.
big, huge, large, gigantic, enormous, gargantuan, massive, colossal, oversized, hefty, whopping, spacious
The word little is the opposite of big but this word also has many synonyms. Look at the list of words that are similar in meaning.
little, small, tiny, petite, slight, minute, trivial, insignificant, petty
This is something to think about when learning English.
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
Look at the following list of words that are similar in meaning to the word big.
big, huge, large, gigantic, enormous, gargantuan, massive, colossal, oversized, hefty, whopping, spacious
The word little is the opposite of big but this word also has many synonyms. Look at the list of words that are similar in meaning.
little, small, tiny, petite, slight, minute, trivial, insignificant, petty
This is something to think about when learning English.
Barbara92106
http://www.languagecommunicator.com/
Monday, September 1, 2008
Many people have learned a second language, but they have all learned the second language in a different way. Some learned at home because their parents taught them when they were very little. Other people have bought lessons on tape to learn the language. If you want to learn a language, study the people who have learned a second language. One gentleman learned French as I child and then learned many different languages including Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Greek and English.
This is a true story about his learning style. He learned three new words a day. No more, no less. He thought about those three new words throughout the day and then reviewed them the next day when he learned three new words. After a year, he knew more than six hundred words of the new language. He chose the words carefully so the words would be helpful when he spoke with others in his new language.
Try this system and a great new website for learning English.
www.languagecommunicator.com
Try this method! It works!
Barbara92106
This is a true story about his learning style. He learned three new words a day. No more, no less. He thought about those three new words throughout the day and then reviewed them the next day when he learned three new words. After a year, he knew more than six hundred words of the new language. He chose the words carefully so the words would be helpful when he spoke with others in his new language.
Try this system and a great new website for learning English.
www.languagecommunicator.com
Try this method! It works!
Barbara92106
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