Welcome to the blog Speaking English. We are providing for you some tips and tricks that will help you to improve your English.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

[Tip] Used to/ Be used to/ Get used to



* Use "used to" to talk about something that was true or happened regularly in the past but no longer happens.

* Use "be used to"
to say that something is normal, not unusual.

* Use
"to get used to" to talk about the process of something becoming normal for us.


Examples:

I used to drive to work but now I take the bus.

I'm used to your bad temper. I've known you for 5 years.

You'll get used to living on your own.


*
See more here: http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-lesson-used-to.php


Quiz-
Used to, get used to & be used to: http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/326.html

[Idiom] Drop a bombshell


To suddenly announce shocking or startling news which will greatly change a situation.

e.g. " You should've told us what'd been in your mind all that time before dropping
a bombshell like that"

Thursday, April 22, 2010

[Tip] At last vs. At least.



* Use at last when you mean "after a considerable length of time; finally."

* Use at least when you mean "according to the lowest possible assessment; not less than. If nothing else "


Examples:



At least knock before you barge in like that.

At lsat they are here.

I waited at least an hour.



Quiz-
Confusing words: http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/skillswise/mod_quizzes/words/spelling/recognising/confusingwords/quizengine?quiz=simplequiz2;templateStyle=simplequiz;pagerType=pages;pagerData=1

Not only & Both

[Idiom] If it ain't broke don't fix it!


You shouldn't change a system or method that it's already working well.

e.g." I don't see why we should change anything. Everyone's happy with our exam system, and as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

[Tip] Study / Learn



*
We study in order to learn. Therefore, use "Studying" to talk about the process, while "learning" is to talk about the outcome.


Examples:


I'm studying English every day, but I don't think I'm learning anything.

You always learn a lot about different cultures when you travel
.

What's the best way to learn more and study less
?


Quiz-
Confusing Words - 1: http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_confusing1.htm

[Idiom] Monkey business


Silliness; dishonest tricks; deceitful behaviour.

e.g. "
Enough with the monkey business. This is serious!

"This looks too good to be true
. There must be some monkey business going on!"

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

[Tip] Simple present for future events



* Use the simple present tense when talking about fixed facts that will happen in the future.


Examples:



The show starts at 8 O'clock.

I have an English class at 2:30 P.M.

Try to be on time tomorrow. The school bus arrives at 9:00 A.M.



*
See more here: http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/Tenses16.cfm

Therefore

[Idiom] build bridges



To help increase understanding between different (opposing) people or groups.

e.g.
" Student Exchange Programs is one way to build bridges between different cultures."

Monday, April 19, 2010

[Tip] Indirect Questions



* Omit "do, does
or did" in the indirect question.


Examples:


Direct question:
What do you do?
Indirect question:
Can you tell me what you do?

Direct question:
Where did they live before?
Indirect question:
Don't you wanna know where they lived before?

Direct question:
Why doesn't he wanna go home?
Indirect question:
Do you know why he doesn't wanna go home?


* See more about Indirect Questions here: http://www.eslbase.com/grammar/indirect-questions

Quiz-Indirect Questions Quiz: http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_indirect.htm

[Idiom] Reach for the moon


To be very ambitious and try to achieve your goals no matter how difficult and hard that is.

e.g." If you want success, you have to reach for the moon."

Sunday, April 18, 2010

[Tip] It's time


* Use [ It's time+ the past simple of the verb] to talk about an action which should have taken place before the moment of speaking.

Examples:

It's time you started learning English.

It's time you looked for another job.
It's time they came back.


Quiz -
Simple Past Tense: http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_past_quiz.htm

[Idiom] More than meets the eye


Said about something (someone) more interesting or complicated than it appears.

e.g. "He says he was asleep when they broke into his house, but I'm sure there's more to it than meets the eye"

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