This entry is part 4 of 6 in the series False Friends( False friends or false cognates are words that look the same in different languages, but which actually have different meanings.) Today’s false friends actually have some similarity, but you cannot use them as direct translations of one another. Both Advise and Avisar are verbs, and both […]
Archive | August, 2013
Lincoln’s Land
This entry is part 3 of 5 in the series Learning with LincolnLincoln likes to take time to survey his surroundings from time to time. First, he sniffs the air, then he sticks his snout through the hole in the railing. Sometimes he just barks at the world. This is always surprising, because Lincoln does […]
Email Endings – Formal
This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Business EnglishMost Business English uses more formal communication, typically between a company and a client or between an employee and an English-speaking boss. When you need to use more formal endings in your emails, you have a variety of options. It is good to use […]
Phrasal Verbs – Get Part III
This entry is part 5 of 12 in the series Phrasal Verbs(This is a series on Phrasal Verbs. There are hundreds of phrasal verbs and many of them have no relation to the words that form them. When you are learning a new phrasal verb, I recommend learning it as a completely new piece of vocabulary, instead […]
ESL Podcast Review – 6 Minute English
This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series ReviewsESL podcasts are a great way to practice English in your downtime. You can listen to them in the car, at the gym, on the subway or even during a quiet lunch. There are dozens of free podcasts for ESL, but there are also a […]
Improving English
This entry is part 1 of 13 in the series Improving EnglishThere are many tricky words in the English language – words that often change in meaning, depending on the situation or context. “Pretty” is one of these words. Many ESL or EFL speakers incorrectly use this word to emphasize an adjective, substituting the word […]
Email Endings – Informal
This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Business EnglishOne of my students recently asked me how to finish an email in an informal way. There are lots of email finishers that are appropriate in different situations. When I’m speaking informally, I use the following options, depending on the subject: Thanks See […]
Lincoln’s Bed
This entry is part 1 of 5 in the series Learning with Lincoln Lincoln is a total sleepy-head. He likes his own doggy bed, but he loves our big bed. Every morning, we open his gate and let him spend an hour curled up between us. Lincoln sleeps nearly 16 hours a day. The other 8 hours he naps. Sometimes […]
Phrasal Verbs – Get Part II
This entry is part 4 of 12 in the series Phrasal Verbs(This is a series on Phrasal Verbs. There are hundreds of phrasal verbs and many of them have no relation to the words that form them. When you are learning a new phrasal verb, I recommend learning it as a completely new piece of vocabulary, instead […]
Lincoln’s Hat
This entry is part 2 of 5 in the series Learning with LincolnFor those of you who haven’t met Lincoln, this is our French Bulldog. He isn’t a big fan of hats, but my mother-in-law decided he was cold and brought him this knitted hat. Lincoln doesn’t understand the concept of clothing, but he loves […]
