Posted in: videosSaturday, April 3, 2010
[Idiom] Beyond one's wildest dreams
When you get something more than you expected, you say "beyond my wildest dreams", because it's better than what you imagined or hoped for.
e.g. "He received fame and money beyond his wildest dream"
Posted in: Idioms[ A tip] Interested or Interesting?
* Use the "-ed" form of the adjective to describe how people are affected by something ( or someone ), and use the "-ing" form of the adjective to describe how something (or someone) is affecting people.
Examples:
This blog is very interesting.
I'm interested in learning English
Quiz- Interesting & Interested, etc: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/345.html
Posted in: Tip of the day[Idiom] At all costs
If you make up your mind to obtain or achieve something at all costs, it means you will do whatever it takes to make it happen.
e.g. " He was determined at all costs to win the contest"
Posted in: Idioms
Friday, April 2, 2010
[ Tip ] Short answers
*Use "Be", "Do", or "Have" when answering yes/no questions,
Example Sentences
Is she leaving now?
Did he come last week? - Yes, he did.
Have you lived here long? - No, I haven't.
Note: "Be", "Do" and "Have" are auxiliary verbs, they are irregular verbs and can be used as main verbs. The verbs 'to be' and 'to have' are the most commonly used auxiliary verbs and work alongside the main verbs in any statement.
Modal verbs are also auxiliary verbs, but will be treated separately. Here they are: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, and would, they differ from the others in that they can never function as a main verb. ( See more about auxiliary verbs: http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/verbaux.htm)
Quiz of the Day - short answers: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/325.html
Posted in: Tip of the day[ Tip ] "Already" and "Yet"
*Use "already" in positive sentences to express something done recently.
*Use "yet" in questions and negative forms.
Example Sentences
Have you finished that report yet?
He's already talked with Bob.
Quiz of the Day - Already or Yet: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/10.html
Posted in: Tip of the day"Bare your heart (or soul) to someone"
If you bare your heart or soul to someone, you reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings to them.
e.g. "John couldn't keep things to himself any longer. He decided to bare his soul to his best friend."
Posted in: Idioms"Backseat driver"
A backseat driver is a passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice to the driver.
e.g."I can't stand backseat drivers like my mother-in-law!"
Posted in: Idioms"All ears"
To say that you are all ears means that you are listening very attentively.
e.g. "Of course I want to know - I'm all ears!"
Posted in: Idioms"Add fuel to the flames"
If you add fuel to the flames, you say something that makes a difficult situation worse.
e.g. "He forgot their wedding anniversary, and his apologies only added fuel to the flames."
Posted in: Idioms"Grin from ear to ear"
If somebody is grinning from ear to ear, they look very satisfied and happy.
e.g. "When we saw Paul grinning from ear to ear, we knew he had passed
the exam."
Posted in: Idioms"Down in the dumps"
Someone who is down in the dumps is depressed or feeling gloomy.
e.g. "Alex has been down in the dumps since he failed his exam."
Posted in: Idioms"Like a dog with two tails "
If somebody is like a dog with two tails, they are extremely happy.
e.g. "When Paul won the first prize, he was like a dog with two tails."
Posted in: Idioms"make one's bed and lie in it"
Suffer the consequences of one's actions.
e.g. "It's unfortunate that it turned out badly, but Sara made her bed and now she must lie in it."
Posted in: Idioms"Movers and shakers"
The term movers and shakers refers to people in power who take an active part in making things happen.
e.g. "Movers and shakers are assembling in Brussels for the summit."
Posted in: Idioms"Spitting image"
If one person is the spitting image of another, they look exactly like each other.
e.g. "Sarah is the spitting image of her mother."
Posted in: Idioms"Worlds apart"
When two people are very different, they are said to be worlds apart.
e.g. "As regards our political opinions, we're worlds apart."
"A laughing stock"
This expression refers to a person who everyone laughs at because they do something stupid or ridiculous.
e.g. "If you wear that to school you'll be the laughing stock of the class!"
Posted in: Idioms"Keep up appearances"
A person who keeps up appearances maintains an outward show of prosperity or well-being in order to hide their difficulties from others.
e.g. "He continued to keep up appearances even when business was bad."
Posted in: Idioms"Face like a wet weekend"
If someone has a face like a wet weekend, they are wearing a sad expression and look miserable.
e.g. "What's wrong with Pete? He's got a face like a wet weekend."
Posted in: Idioms"Down to earth"
Someone who is down to earth is not a dreamer but a realistic and
practical person who has sensible reactions and expectations.
e.g. "Don't ask Suzy for help. She's fun, but not very down to earth."
Posted in: Idioms"Down at heel"
A person who is down-at-heel is someone whose appearance is untidy
or neglected because of lack of money.
e.g. "The down-at-heel student I first met became a successful writer."
Posted in: Idioms"Not cut out for something"
If you are not cut out for something, you are not the sort of person to succeed or be happy in a particular activity.
e.g."I started studying medicine but I quickly realized I wasn't cut out for it."
Posted in: Idioms"A couch potato"
If you refer to someone as a couch potato, you criticize them for
spending a lot of time sitting and watching television.
e.g. "Don't be such a couch potato. There are better ways of spending
your time than in front of the TV."
Posted in: Idioms"A chip off the old block"
If you refer to a person as a chip off the old block, you mean that
they resemble one of their parents in appearance, character or behaviour.
e.g. "James is a chip off the old block - he reacts exactly the same way as
his father."
Posted in: Idioms"The hand that rocks the cradle"
To have great power and influence.
e.g. " .....That´s why you are the hand that rocks the cradle"! Posted in: Idioms"as cool as a cucumber"
extremely calm; imperturbable.
e.g. "After the run today, I´m as cool as a cucumber." Posted in: Idioms"That's music to my ears"
If you say that something is music to your ears, it meas, it is exactly what you had wanted to hear.
e.g. " Your statement is music to my ears."
Posted in: Idioms"a piece of cake"
you say that something is a piece of cake, you mean that it is extremely easy.
e.g. "The test was a peace of cake."
Posted in: Idioms"Brand Spanking New"
"Blow off some steam"
To enjoy oneself by relaxing normal formalities.
e.g. " He is a true workaholic who has misguided priorities, when he wants to blow off some steam he comes to work on Saturday wearing blue jeans."
Posted in: Idioms"At each other's throats"
Fighting or arguing heavily.
e.g. "They were at each other's throats. The arguments never stopped."
Posted in: IdiomsLook Like
* Use "look like" to ask for a physical description.
Example Sentences
What does your brother look like?
He looks like me.
Quiz of the Day - vocabulary: http://a4esl.org/q/h/al-groupnouns-lb.html
Posted in: Tip of the dayAsk
* The verb "ask" plus an object is constructed "S + ask + person being asked + infinitive with to".
Example Sentences
She asked him to repeat the question.
My friend asked me to come early to the meeting.
Quiz of the Day - Renting a House: http://esl.about.com/library/listening/blhouse.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayThe Basics of "At"
* Use "at" with times of the day and places in a city.
Example Sentences
I'll meet you at three o'clock.
Let's meet at the bank.
Quiz of the Day - Prepositions + Nouns - Quiz: http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_prep6.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayGood and Bad
* The comparative form for "good" is "better". The superlative form is "the best". The comparative form for "bad" is "worse". THe superlative form is "the worst".
Example Sentences
She is the worst tennis player on the team.
He's better at math than Jack, but worse at geography.
Quiz of the Day - COMPARATIVES: http://www.english-zone.com/spelling/comp5.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayInterested In
* The correct usage of showing interest is a passive infinitive "to be interested in".
Example Sentences
They are interested in geography.
Was he interested in coming to the presentation?
Quiz of the Day - Homophone Quizzes: http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_homophone1.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayShould or Shouldn't
*Use "should" or "shouldn't" as a modal verb to give advice.
Example Sentences
He should get a check up soon. He doesn't look too well.
His mother told him he shouldn't worry about the test.
Quiz of the Day - Modal: http://www.esl-classroom.com/grammar/modals2.html
Posted in: Tip of the dayIndirect Questions
* Indirect questions require the question phrase be put into regular statement order. Direct questions are inverted. Indirect questions begin with phrases such as "Do you know if..., Would you mind if..., Do you think that..."
Example Sentences
Would you mind if I sat down?
Do you think that he is going to attend the conference?
Quiz of the Day - Indirect questions: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/312.html
Posted in: Tip of the dayAs ... As
* Use "as ... as" to express comparative equality. Do not use the comparative form of the adjective (i.e. hotter, more difficult, etc.)
Example Sentences
This test is as difficult as the test last week.
London is as expensive as Tokyo.
Quiz of the Day - Idiom Quiz - Clothing: http://esl.about.com/od/advancedvocabulary/a/q_idiommatch3.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayUnless
* Use "unless" to mean "if not" in the first conditional.
Example Sentences
Unless you come, we won't be able to make a decision.
She will give up unless she has some success soon.
Quiz of the Day - Interview with a Dancer: http://esl.about.com/library/listening/bllis_interview.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayQuestion Tags
* Question tags are formed by the auxiliary verb in the opposite sense of the main statement (here negative because the principle phrase is positive) followed by the subject.
Example Sentences
You're leaving town soon, aren't you?
She hasn't seen him in a long time, has she?
Quiz of the Day - Question tags: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/233.html
Posted in: Tip of the dayWould Like vs. Do You Like
* Use the form "Would you like to ..." when inviting someone to do something specific. Use the form "Do you like to ..." when asking a general question.
Example Sentences
Would you like to come over this weekend?
Do you like playing golf?
Quiz of the Day - English Article Usage Quiz: http://esl.about.com/od/grammarintermediate/a/a_articleq1.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayPresent Perfect with "For"
* Use the present perfect with the time expression "for" to express a period of time up to the present moment.
Example Sentences
She's played tennis for ten years.
I've known him for many years.
Quiz of the Day - Simple Past VS. Present Perfect - Lesson + Exercise : http://www.english-zone.com/verbs/prsperf4.html
Posted in: Tip of the dayConditional: Present simple for both clauses
* Use the simple present in the if clause with the simple present in the result clause to expresses an established or predictable fact, or it expresses a general truth, expresses a habitual situation or a habitual activity, or gives a command.
Example Sentences
If it gets cold enough, water becomes ice.
If I don't do my homework, I learn nothing.
If Marie doesn't eat dinner, she gets hungry at midnight.
If someone calls, take a message please.
Quiz of the Day - Prepositions of Time: http://esl.about.com/library/beginner/bl_bgtimepreps1.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayFirst Conditional
*In the first conditional, use the simple present in the if clause and the future with will in the result clause.
Example Sentences
If you finish that book, we'll get you a new one.
She'll move to Oregon if she gets a new job.
Quiz of the Day - First conditional: http://www.better-english.com/grammar/firstconditional1.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayThe Verb "to Mind"
* The verb "mind" is followed by the gerund - ing - form of the verb.
Example Sentences
He doesn't mind working late.
Would you mind giving me a hand?
Quiz of the Day - The Queen Bee: http://esl.about.com/od/intermediatereading/a/rc_grimm5.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayHis
*The possessive pronoun form of he is "his" - both when followed by a noun and by itself - It is his book. The book is his.
Example Sentences
I think that's his car.
That house over there is his.
Quiz of the Day - Does she like her job?: http://esl.about.com/library/listening/bllis_joblikes2.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayHave to
* Use "have to" for everyday obligation and responsibilities.
Example Sentences
Jack has to get up at seven every morning.
Students have to complete all assigned homework on time.
Quiz of the Day - Past Simple or Present Perfect?: http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_pastorperfect1.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayAmong or Between
*Use the preposition "among" to mean "in the middle of many" and "between" to mean "in the middle of two".
Example Sentences
Our house in among many big houses.
That's our house between the school and the playground.
Quiz of the Day - Intermediate Practice Test : http://esl.about.com/library/weekly/aa021499.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayShall
*Use "shall" with "we" when asking for suggestions for a group.
Example Sentences
Where shall we go tonight?
When shall we meet?
Quiz of the Day - How many peoples?!: http://esl.about.com/library/beginner/blmuchmanyquiz.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayPast Passive
The passive voice simple past is formed: Passive Subject + to be (conjugated) + participle
Example Sentences
One thousand units were produced last month.
The application form was completed and submitted to the administration.
Quiz of the Day - Passive Voice and Modals: http://a4esl.org/q/h/9704/ck-michigan1.html
Posted in: Tip of the dayVerb of Purpose
* When using a verb of purpose - I do something to do another thing. - use "to + verb".
Example Sentences
She bought the computer to get more work done at home.
Hans visited the branch to speak with the manager.
Quiz of the Day - Adverb Usage Quiz: http://esl.about.com/od/grammarquizzesandtests/a/q_adverbs.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayIf he were ...
*Use "were" in the second conditional if clause for all subjects.
Example Sentences
If he were the boss, we'd all have more to do.
I would change my position if I were you.
Quiz of the Day - A Manager's Desk : http://esl.about.com/library/beginner/bl_beginner_read_manager.htm
Posted in: Tip of the day"Any" and "Some"
* We usually use "any" in the question form except when offering or requesting something which is present - in this case we use "some"
Example Sentences
Does she have any time this afternoon?
Would you like something to drink?
Quiz of the Day - Some or Any: http://a4esl.org/q/h/0001/jb-someany.html
Posted in: Tip of the dayExpressing Age
Tip of the day:
We use the verb "to be" to express age in English. There are two possibilities: He is eight. OR He is eight years old.
Not: "He has eight years old." is not correct.
Example Sentences
Tom is twenty-two.
My brother is thirty-six years old.
Quiz of the Day - Adjective Order Quiz: http://esl.about.com/od/grammarstructures/a/adjective_order_2.htm
The Use of Well
* "Well" is the adverb form of the adjective "good"
Example Sentences
He plays golf very well.
She speaks German well.
Quiz of the Day - Countable Uncountable Mistakes Quiz: http://esl.about.com/library/beginner/blmuchmanyquiz.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayDecisions of the Moment
(1)*We use the future with "will" for spontaneous reactions. In other words, decisions that we make at that moment.
(2)*We use the future with "be going to" for decisions that have been made before that moment.
Example Sentences
(1)
I'm hungry. - I'll make you a sandwich.
It's raining. - I'll get an umbrella.
(2)
I can't meet you after school because I'm going to study with my friends.
Maybe you will find her there, she said she was going to attend the meeting.
Quiz of the Day - will & going to: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/339.html
Posted in: Tip of the dayFuture Time Clauses
*In a future time clause use the present simple - the construction is the same as for the first conditional.
Example Sentences:
We'll begin the meeting as soon as she arrives.
She'll finish after she receives the notes.
Quiz of the Day -Time clauses: future tense examples: http://www.english-test.net/esl/learn/english/grammar/ii142/
Posted in: Tip of the day"Let", "Make", and "Help"
(1)*With the verbs "let, make and help" we use the following structure:
S + let, make or help + object + verb ( without "to" )
(2)*For other verbs that take this structure we use:
S + verb + object + verb ( with "to" )
Example Sentences
(1)
She let him stay out late.
What did your father make you do?
(2)
He likes to help people.
What do you want to do?
Quiz of the Day - Superlative Forms: http://esl.about.com/library/beginner/bl_bgsuperlative.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayAsking about Experience
*Use the present perfect to inquire about life experiences.
Example Sentences
Have you ever seen a play by Shakespeare?
Has she ever visited France?
Quiz of the Day - Present perfect: http://www.better-english.com/grammar/presentperfect1.htm
Posted in: Tip of the dayPast Continuous for Interrupted Actions
*Use the past continuous to express an interrupted action in the past.
Example Sentences
She was talking on the phone when he arrived.
What was she doing when you asked her the question?
Quiz of the Day - Simple Past or Past Continuous - A Dialog: http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/pastpastcont.html
Posted in: Tip of the dayUsing verbs as Nouns
* Use the gerund form of the verb (verb+ing) when we use the verb as a noun.
Example Sentences
Playing golf is my favorite pastime.
She said that driving was very difficult for her.
Gerund: http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/gerund.htm Posted in: Tip of the day
