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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

Modal Verbs – Shall/Should, May/Might, Need/Must/Have to

2023-01-31T15:34:06+01:00

If you couldn't get enough of our blog on English modal verbs last week, here's another one for you! Modal verbs are a necessary and important point of any language, so we thought that it would be a point worth (good use of time, important to) focusing on. Below you can find further modal verbs, such as shall, should, ought to, must, have to, need to, will, and would. If you're learning English, chances are that you'll use these verbs quite frequently. They usually work a little differently than normal verbs, so they're worth noting! You can find our first [...]

Modal Verbs – Shall/Should, May/Might, Need/Must/Have to2023-01-31T15:34:06+01:00

English Modal Verbs – Can/Could (To be Able to) & May/Might

2023-01-31T15:32:49+01:00

English modal verbs can be one of the more difficult aspects of learning a language because they're not normal verbs, and every language uses modal verbs slightly differently- sometimes. Modal verbs are a type of auxiliary (or helping) verb that are used to talk about ability, possibility, permission, and obligation. This week we will introduce can/could/(be able to) and may/might. Next week we will talk about shall/should, will/would, and must/have to/need to. If you want to practice your English modal verbs, look no further than the following explanations! You may find you are able to improve quite quickly. Can, Could, Be [...]

English Modal Verbs – Can/Could (To be Able to) & May/Might2023-01-31T15:32:49+01:00

Do in English- Easy English Blog

2023-01-31T15:30:55+01:00

Many of my students have asked about the word do in English- not the verb “to do,” but the auxiliary word do. As a non-native speaker, this tiny word can be confusing because (almost) no other language has do like English does. When do you use do in English? How should you use do in English? Bespeaking is here to answer your questions with this month's Easy English blog about when to use do in English. There are very clear ways to use this word, so read on for more information! Or check out this article from the Economist for something a little more challenging: Ask Johnson: What’s the “do” [...]

Do in English- Easy English Blog2023-01-31T15:30:55+01:00

Words of Possibility – Possibility Synonyms

2023-01-31T15:27:21+01:00

Do you meet your friends when you have the opportunity (chanc3)? Or did you run into someone by chance (without planning)? There are so many words and phrases in English that have to do with chances and opportunities that we figured we would single out a few (identify, discuss a few individually) words of possibility this week. If you want to expand your vocabulary with words of possibility, then read on! Opportunity According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of opportunity is: a favorable juncture of circumstances; a good chance for advancement or progress. A phrase you may hear often in English is "if [...]

Words of Possibility – Possibility Synonyms2023-01-31T15:27:21+01:00

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

Give Directions in English – Easy English Blog

2023-01-31T15:16:26+01:00

Are you in a new city and a little lost (don’t know where you are)? Why not use English to get around (move in the city, find your way)? You can ask or give directions in English! English can be very useful in a foreign (new, unfamiliar) city. If you don't speak the local language, use English. It is the lingua franca, after all. Chances are high (you have a good possibility/chance) you can find someone who speaks English to help you. Here are some of the best ways to ask for or give directions in English. How do you [...]

Give Directions in English – Easy English Blog2023-01-31T15:16:26+01:00

Making an Appointment in English

2023-01-31T15:13:50+01:00

Making an appointment in English can feel stressful if you’re not a native speaker, especially over the phone, or if you aren’t used to the lingo (jargon, slang, vocabulary) people use. Confirming an appointment can also be tricky if you aren’t familiar with the common phrases people say. We’ve tried to brainstorm as many phrases as humanly possible (as many as a person can do!), and asked all our appointment-making friends what they say to bring you a pretty good list of possibilities. This week we’ll explain some handy phrases to use when making an appointment in English besides the tried and true (traditional), “Do you have any [...]

Making an Appointment in English2023-01-31T15:13:50+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

Degrees of Politeness in English

2023-01-29T19:10:41+01:00

One of the first things children are taught is how to be polite. It's a very important thing to know, especially the different degrees of politeness! In fact, when I was younger, I went to what is called a "cotillion school," which is essentially a Southern school for manners and etiquette. There I learned how to sit properly (correctly) at the dinner table, which fork to start with when eating, how to introduce people to each other to invite (promote, encourage, help start) conversation, and how to dance the waltz. Though often associated with attending fancy dinners, Cotillion classes taught [...]

Degrees of Politeness in English2023-01-29T19:10:41+01:00
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