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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

Also, Too, and Either – Easy English Blog

2023-01-31T15:39:39+01:00

Learning the smaller points of English can be tricky (hard)- especially when it comes to words like also, too, and either. These three words may seem to say the same thing, but they're all a little different. Here you can find some explanations (definitions, reasons), as well as some practice sentences for you to try on your own (by yourself)! Also, Too, and Either- a summary Negative idea + agree = either Positive idea + agree (end of sentence)= too Positive idea + agree (middle of sentence) = also Either Either is used in negative sentences, and adds an agreeing [...]

Also, Too, and Either – Easy English Blog2023-01-31T15:39:39+01:00

How to Use a Blog to Learn English

2023-01-31T15:38:52+01:00

Have you ever thought about how to use a blog to learn English? We've been bringing the Bespeaking blog to you every week for the past (almost) two years, and it has been our absolute pleasure (happiness) to do so. We are so thankful for every click, comment, and share! Maybe you haven’t thought about it, or you’re a bit unsure as (using as and since to mean because) to how you could put the Bespeaking blog to good use. How exactly does one use a blog to learn English? Don't you need to have a teacher to do that? [...]

How to Use a Blog to Learn English2023-01-31T15:38:52+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
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