Call Us Today! +49 (0)176 7730 0337|info@bespeaking.com

Tricky Adjectives and Adverbs

2023-01-31T15:21:48+01:00

Adjectives and adverbs are necessary when learning to speak English, as we use them all the time to describe things and actions. However, there are some tricky adjectives and adverbs that can easily be confused. If you're just starting out, don't worry. We've got you covered (are here to help). Here's a quick explanation of the difference between adjectives and adverbs, which is great to know if you're learning English! Additionally, we'll cover the difference between some of the tricky adjectives and adverbs. What are Adjectives and Adverbs? Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns, and can be used before nouns or after linking verbs. For example, if [...]

Tricky Adjectives and Adverbs2023-01-31T15:21:48+01:00

When to Use Which and That in English

2023-01-29T19:14:09+01:00

Many students (and native English speakers!) may not know exactly when to use which and that in English. The difference between the two words can seem too negligible to really matter- and a lot of grammar books will tell you that there is no difference. So why not use them both interchangeably, right? Wrong. Believe it or not, there really is a method to the madness (reason why). There is a very specific reason to use which and that in English, and it all depends on the information you want to provide. The Difference Between Which and That in English One of our favorite grammar blogs, Grammar Girl, describes it like this: [...]

When to Use Which and That in English2023-01-29T19:14:09+01:00

This, That, These, and Those- Easy English Blog

2023-01-29T19:08:30+01:00

One of the questions I get the most from students is the difference between this, that, these, and those. If you're learning English, they can be tricky. These words are very common in English, so it's important to know the difference. This week we'll be explaining the differences, so you can speak with confidence (security, sureness)! What are This, That, These, and Those? This, that, these, and those are demonstrative-we use them to "point to" people and things. This and that are singular, and these and those are plural. Have you ever heard someone say, "Can you hand me that [...]

This, That, These, and Those- Easy English Blog2023-01-29T19:08:30+01:00

Prepositional Phrase- Used with Nouns and Verbs

2023-01-29T19:04:06+01:00

Prepositional collocations (words that go together), a.k.a. prepositional phrase, are extremely common in English. So common, in fact, that it is absolutely essential (key, necessary, important) to learn them if you want to become fluent in English. Unfortunately (not luckily, sadly), prepositions can be tricky to learn, and sometimes a prepositional phrase has absolutely no logic to how it is formed at all. Much like gendered articles in German, French, or Spanish, you just have to memorize them- there is no rule! What exactly is a prepositional phrase? A prepositional phrase is a group of words that lacks a verb [...]

Prepositional Phrase- Used with Nouns and Verbs2023-01-29T19:04:06+01:00

Commonly Mispronounced Words in English

2023-01-29T19:02:27+01:00

Believe it or not, native English speakers are fans of using these commonly mispronounced (say out loud but incorrectly) words more often than you'd think. Whether it is due to the evolution of the language itself, or maybe just laziness on the part of the speaker, the pronunciation of these words is generally heard differently than it should be. Do you speak English better than a native? If you pronounce these words properly (correctly), you just may! Jewelry Commonly mispronounced word: [JEWL-ree] Correct pronunciation: [JEW-el-ree] Jewelry is what we wear to adorn ourselves, whether with bracelets, earrings, necklaces, or rings. [...]

Commonly Mispronounced Words in English2023-01-29T19:02:27+01:00

Using As and Since to Mean Because

2023-01-29T19:00:04+01:00

One of the wonderful things about English is that it offers us multiple ways to express (say) something- like using as and since to mean because. This may not seem so advantageous (beneficial, good), however, if you're not a native English speaker! As a writer, I find the flexibility of English quite nice because it gives me lots of room to play in the language, and challenges me to express my thoughts in different ways. Synonyms aren’t just for adjectives. Using the words as and since to mean because are great options to shake things up (change, alter things) a bit, depending [...]

Using As and Since to Mean Because2023-01-29T19:00:04+01:00

Hard and Soft C and G Sound in English

2023-01-29T18:58:02+01:00

The hard and soft C and G sound in English can be tricky for non-native speakers, since they both have two types of pronunciations, and both come from the same position in the mouth. Languages like German, for example, where there is only a hard G sound, can mean making the soft sound particularly difficult. For example, I know my friend Tilghman has had his name pronounced like "Tilkman" by many German speakers because of the G in the middle. If you have difficulty pronouncing these two sounds, or even just figuring out when the sound should be hard or [...]

Hard and Soft C and G Sound in English2023-01-29T18:58:02+01:00

Pronouncing the Th Sound in English

2023-01-29T18:54:24+01:00

English is known for being a difficult language to learn, and possibly one of the most difficult things as a non-native speaker is the th sound. This can be a particularly difficult sound for Germans to make (especially if it's at the beginning of a word), as the th sound doesn't exist in German. For example, the th sound is sometimes pronounced like a "d," so "that" becomes "dat," "there" becomes "der," and "those" becomes "doz." This week we'll be focusing on the th sound so that you have a better understanding of how it works and so that you [...]

Pronouncing the Th Sound in English2023-01-29T18:54:24+01:00

Simple English Sentences- Easy English Blog

2023-01-29T18:44:01+01:00

Learning a new language can start at home. If you are learning English, you can teach your children as well. There are some easy English sentences you can teach your kids. Use them every day, and see how they (and you) improve (get better)! My dad spoke a few phrases of German to me when I was little. It inspired (motivated) a life-long love of languages. You never know the impact (effect, work) it could have on your children. "Did you sleep well?" (ˈdɪd ˈjuː ˈsliːp ˈwɛl?) You can say this first thing in the morning. Even if your kid [...]

Simple English Sentences- Easy English Blog2023-01-29T18:44:01+01:00

English Oxymorons: 5 Common Contradictions

2023-01-29T18:33:28+01:00

What do the phrases "legal murder," "jumbo shrimp," and "same difference" have in common? They're all examples of the rhetorical device known oxymorons, and we are going to explain five of the most common English oxymorons. An oxymoron is made up of two or more words that either are, or seem to be, opposite from one another. The word oxymoron is, itself, an oxymoron, as well! It comes from the Greek word oxy, which means sharp, and the word moron, which means dull. So if you hear the term oxymoron, we're not insulting you! We might just be talking about [...]

English Oxymorons: 5 Common Contradictions2023-01-29T18:33:28+01:00

Order of Adjectives in English

2023-01-29T18:23:13+01:00

Sometimes English has some weird rules. One of these we may not notice is the order of adjectives. Native speakers definitely don’t notice this order because they're so used to hearing adjectives in a certain way, many don’t even know there is an order at all! When you are describing a noun, if the adjectives you use aren't in this order, it will sound strange. With a little practice, this order of adjectives will be easy and feel natural. Read on- it may surprise you to see such a precise list- with no exceptions! Whoo hoo!!! Order of Adjectives The [...]

Order of Adjectives in English2023-01-29T18:23:13+01:00

i.e. and e.g.- What is the Difference?

2023-01-29T18:19:38+01:00

Abbreviations (like i.e. and e.g.) are nothing new. Even though a lot of young people (and many of their parents, too!) use "text speak," technically, people have been using abbreviations since time immemorial (a time soooo far back that no one can remember). Some very, very old abbreviations are so popular that they are still in use today, and i.e. and e.g. are two examples of these. I.e. and e.g. come from Latin, and are often used incorrectly and interchangeably. While their meanings are similar, they're not the same. Never fear, the Bespeaking team is here to clear things up! [...]

i.e. and e.g.- What is the Difference?2023-01-29T18:19:38+01:00
Go to Top