Reporting verbs are verbs which are used to tell someone what another person said. They are used in reported speech. Say and tell are the most common reporting verbs. However, there are other reporting verbs that we can use instead of say an tell to communicate our ideas more clearly. Example: He said that heContinue reading “Reporting Verbs”
Tag Archives: english fluency
How to describe photos and pictures
for the B1 Cambridge test (PET) In some English exams you have to speak or write about photos or pictures. Here is a list of useful vocabulary and expressions for describing pictures or photos for oral/written exams. What is there in the picture?(people, things, animals, places, etc) In the picture I can see …There isContinue reading “How to describe photos and pictures”
Past modal verbs
Modal verbs or modals are special words that give extra meaning to verbs. They go before the main verb. Examples of modal verbs: can, will, should, must, may, might, have to, used to, etc. Some past modals are used to express advisability, certainty, possibility/ impossibility in the past. Practice time Do you want to tryContinue reading “Past modal verbs”
used to/ get used to/ be used to
1 We use used to/ didn’t use to + base form to talk about past habits or repeated actions or situations that have changed. Example: When I was a child I used to play video games every day = When I was a child I would play video games every day. 2 We use getContinue reading “used to/ get used to/ be used to”
How to express wishes
This mini lesson includes a review of verb wish. Verb wish is used to express our desire for something different from how it is now. Wish expresses a desire that is impossible or almost impossible to happen. Grammar Practice Level of difficulty: Wishes about present situations Put the words in the correct order Wishes aboutContinue reading “How to express wishes”
The Position of Adverbs
Adverbs are words that describe an action (e.g. She speaks slowly) or modify adjectives (e.g. This car is incredibly expensive) or other adverbs (e.g. He works very hard). They can be one word (e.g. often) or a phrase (every now and then). Common types of adverbs: Adverbs of manner describe how somebody does something. TheyContinue reading “The Position of Adverbs”
Articles (part 2)
In a previous post we discussed the basic differences between the indefinite articles (a/an) and the definite article (the). As you can see in the Introduction to articles some of the patterns for the usage of articles in English are easy to remember. However, the use of articles in English is very complex. Using articlesContinue reading “Articles (part 2)”
Articles (Part 1)
Articles are tiny words that go before nouns. There are 3 common articles in English: a, an and the. A and an are indefinite articles. It means that we use them to talk about things in general = one of many. The is a definite article. It means that we use it to talk aboutContinue reading “Articles (Part 1)”
What to write in a Christmas Card
Let’s write some Christmas cards! Writing Christmas cards is a tradition in many many English speaking countries. The tradition of sending Christmas cards started in the mid 1800’s in the UK when a British artist created a greeting card for Sir Henry Cole to send forth to his family and friends. Sir Henry Cole thoughtContinue reading “What to write in a Christmas Card”
Christmas idioms
Christmas came earlier this year Meaning: When someone gets an unexpected surprise. Example: John got a promotion last week. Indeed, Christmas has come earlier for him this year. Good things come in small packages Meaning: Used to say that people or things do not have to be large to be good Example: A: I’m upsetContinue reading “Christmas idioms”
Teacher Julieta 