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So far Crystal Fisher has created 498 blog entries.

Since and For: What’s the Difference?

2023-01-31T16:21:47+01:00

Something I notice Germans do a lot is mix up the proper use of since and for in English. Understandably so, because the usage of seit and für in German is almost the complete opposite as in English! Since and for are both used to describe things that started in the past, but there's a small difference between them. Take these two sentences, for example. I've been working for Bespeaking since 2016. I've been working for Bespeaking for two years. Can you tell the difference in meaning between the two? It's very subtle so don't worry if it's not clear- [...]

Since and For: What’s the Difference?2023-01-31T16:21:47+01:00

Infinitive Verbs in English: When and how to use them

2023-01-31T16:18:11+01:00

What do the sentences, "I need to go shopping," "You need to prepare for the test tomorrow," "He was glad to come home after a long day," and "The child will not eat his vegetables," all have in common? If you said they all use infinitive verbs, then you are correct! If not, don't worry. This blog is all about infinitive verbs and when to use them in English. What are infinitive verbs? First off, let's start by explaining what exactly an infinitive verb is. To put it quite simply, an infinitive verb is the base form of the verb. It's [...]

Infinitive Verbs in English: When and how to use them2023-01-31T16:18:11+01:00

Then and Than: Which is which?

2023-01-31T16:15:51+01:00

English is a great language, if you want to be confused! (We joke!) So many words are so similar, which can make it particularly difficult for non-native (and sometimes even native) speakers to learn. Take then and than, for instance. Then and than are two of the most commonly confused English words- even for native speakers!! I see this all the time, even in published articles from reliable (trustworthy, safe, generally correct) sources online. These two words can be confusing because they're only one letter apart (only one letter is different in them), and autocorrect won't pick up on them [...]

Then and Than: Which is which?2023-01-31T16:15:51+01:00

Non-Verbal Communication – Easy English Blog

2023-01-31T16:13:47+01:00

Learning a language is more than learning words. Sometimes you need to learn to speak body language, too. It is just as important to be able to read someone’s non-verbal communication (aka body language), as it is to speak the language. You can learn a lot from body language. People do not always say exactly what they mean, but their body says a lot. Here are some easy signs of non-verbal communication to keep an eye out for (to look for, watch for). Rolling Eyes Have you ever seen anyone roll their eyes (move their eyes in a circle)? Do [...]

Non-Verbal Communication – Easy English Blog2023-01-31T16:13:47+01:00

Collective Nouns in English- Singular or Plural?

2023-01-31T16:11:10+01:00

One thing I notice quite frequently, at least with my German-speaking friends and students, is how they use collective nouns when they're speaking English. Some things are only talked about in the plural, though they may look like they are singular. Check out our Easy English blog for some collective noun idioms. Collective nouns can be difficult for native speakers and English learners alike, so we thought we would turn our focus in this direction this week. For more information about collective nouns, as well as some examples, read on. What is a collective noun? As mentioned briefly (quickly) above, a collective noun is a noun that may be spelled like a [...]

Collective Nouns in English- Singular or Plural?2023-01-31T16:11:10+01:00

Present Perfect vs Past Simple Tense

2023-01-31T16:05:20+01:00

It's been a while since we've given you a grammar lesson on the Bespeaking blog (click here for Present vs Present Continuous) so we figured that there's no time like the present! Or, the present perfect vs past simple, you could say…now that’s punny! Two tenses that can be easily confused by people learning English are: present perfect tense vs past simple tense. You may think they mean the same thing, but the meanings are really different. Here's a good look at the differences between these two tenses, when you should use them, and an exercise to help you practice! Here we go! Here is [...]

Present Perfect vs Past Simple Tense2023-01-31T16:05:20+01:00

Names and Titles in English- How to Address Someone Properly

2023-01-31T16:01:28+01:00

One of my favorite things about German is how straightforward and clear names and titles are. Grown women are all called Frau (although I still can't get used to being called Frau Duffin), and men are called Herr. If you have earned a doctorate degree, you're quite simply Frau Doktor or Herr Doktor. Unfortunately, English is a little bit different, and currently, what is acceptable is currently in flux (changing, unclear). Languages and societies change, and with that, the way we address each other also changes. If you're going to be meeting someone soon, this blog on how to address (call, refer to) people using the right names and titles in English [...]

Names and Titles in English- How to Address Someone Properly2023-01-31T16:01:28+01:00

Negative Prefixes -make a noun, verb, adverb, & adjective negative – Easy English Blog

2023-01-31T15:59:37+01:00

We all know English can be tough. That's why we write the Easy English blog! If you need to learn English online, this is the perfect place for you. This week, we're looking at negative prefixes in English. A prefix is a few letters at the beginning of a word. It can change the meaning of the word. Negative prefixes make the meaning of the word negative or have the contrary meaning. Here are some tips to make words negative in English: Negative prefixes Here are all the negative prefixes in English: a-, dis-, il-, im-, in-, ir-, non-, un-. Each of these prefixes goes together with certain (special, individual) words. [...]

Negative Prefixes -make a noun, verb, adverb, & adjective negative – Easy English Blog2023-01-31T15:59:37+01:00

Janus Words-One Word, Two Opposite Meanings

2023-01-31T15:51:22+01:00

There are all sorts of grammar, idioms, and phrasal verbs to learn that are specific to English. This week we'll be focusing on a particularly (especially) interesting point in English called "Janus words," or words that are their own opposite. Janus words are named for Janus, the Roman two-faced god (January is also named for Janus), but are also known as contronyms, antagonyms, or auto-antonyms. Unfortunately there is no trick to help learn these Janus words, so you'll just have to learn them by heart (memorize) or figure them out in context. Here are some Janus words with both meanings and [...]

Janus Words-One Word, Two Opposite Meanings2023-01-31T15:51:22+01:00

10 Words That Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean

2023-01-31T15:50:12+01:00

Believe it or not, even native speakers make mistakes when it comes to English, like with these commonly mispronounced words, for example. We're only human, after all! There are some common words in English that are used improperly or are words that don't mean what you think they mean. Here are some of the best examples (and pronunciations!) of words that don't mean what we think they mean: Decimate What people think it means: to completely destroy something What it actually means: to reduce something by a tenth If you look at the word decimate, you can see deci, or [...]

10 Words That Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean2023-01-31T15:50:12+01:00

Make, Accept and Reject Offers in English

2023-01-31T15:45:36+01:00

Did you get the perfect job offer? Or do you not feel like going out with your friends tonight? Would you like to make plans for the weekend? We accept and reject offers all the time in day-to-day life, so it's important to know how to do it properly. This week we're looking at how to accept and reject offers so that you can say in English exactly what you mean, and be confident that you will be understood. Making Offers Are you trying to make plans with someone or want to help them in some way? Then you're looking [...]

Make, Accept and Reject Offers in English2023-01-31T15:45:36+01:00

5 Untranslatable German Words

2023-02-28T17:47:27+01:00

German is known for being a language with extremely long, but descriptive, words (Donau-Dampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän, anyone?). It’s true they may be hard to learn, but once you understand how all the words were combined (put together) to form one concept, it makes you wonder what the English word is. In some cases, there is no English version of these untranslatable German words. One of my favorite aspects (parts) of any language are the bits that are difficult, or impossible, to translate. I believe that these words are what truly give a language their flavor (color, character) and make them unique (special, [...]

5 Untranslatable German Words2023-02-28T17:47:27+01:00
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