4 02, 2012

English Pronunciation Lesson: Difficult R & L Words

Hi Everyone. Check out my latest video lesson, “Difficult R & L Words”

This is a pronunciation lesson to practice these difficult English words that use R & L:

  • Delivery, Luckily, Probably, Really, Rarely, Regularly, Rural, & Seriously.

1 02, 2012

English Lesson & Quiz: Ever & Never

Have you ever seen anything like this?

Have you ever been to New York City? I have been to several different countries all over the world, but there is something about the atmosphere of the Big Apple that I just love. I have never seen a city that has such a variety of people and authentic cuisines as New York. Here, you can find a restaurant from just about every country or region in the world. We even have ethnic neighborhoods such as Little Brazil, Korea Town, Little Italy, and Chinatown. If you like to eat, you’ll love Manhattan!

We use ever, before, and never along with the present perfect to talk about “any time before now.” Do you know how to use these words? Have a look at today’s lesson and then take the quiz to check your understanding.

We use ever when we ask questions using the present perfect. The structure is have [someone] ever + PP VERB. We use ever, when we are asking someone about their experience at any time in the past before now:

  • Have you ever been to New York City?
  • Has Fred ever read that book?
  • Have you ever eaten at that restaurant?

When we answer this kind of question, we do not use ever in the answer. In addition, for a negative answer, we use never.

Kathy: Have you ever been to New York City?

Larry: Yes, I have been there many times. Not, “Yes, I have ever been there many times.”

 

Danny: Has Fred ever read that book?

Janet: No, he has never read it.

Generally, in a conversation, when someone asks us a question about our experience, for positive responses we answer with the present perfect and then provide more information:

Kathy: Have you ever been to New York City?

Larry: Yes, I have been there many times. In fact, I went there twice last year on business.

 

Danny: Has Fred ever eaten Turkish food?

Janet: Yes, he has. He eats it all the time. He loves it!

Can you remember the rules? Try to check yourself with this quiz:

Using Ever & Never

Congratulations - you have completed Using Ever & Never.

You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.

What's the result? Well, %%RATING%%


Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
___________ heard that song?
A
Have you ever
B
Have you never
C
Have ever you
Question 2
___________ seen that movie?
A
Has he never
B
Have he never
C
Has he ever
Question 3
___________ had so much fun in a long time?
A
Have I never
B
Have I ever
C
I have ever
Question 4
I heard that Eddie ___________ eaten frog legs before.
A
has ever
B
has
C
ever has
Question 5
I don’t think ___________ had so much fun in a long time.
A
have I ever
B
I have ever
C
ever I have
Question 6
I ___________ gone skiing in Colorado.
A
have never
B
have ever
C
never have
Question 7
No, ___________ seen that movie.
A
I have never have
B
have I never
C
I have never
Question 8
___________ gone skiing in Colorado?
A
Have you ever
B
Never have you
C
Have you never
Question 9
___________ eaten frog legs once before?
A
Does ever Eddie
B
Has Eddie ever
C
Has ever Eddie
Question 10
Sorry, I ___________ heard that song.
A
never have
B
have
C
have never
Question 10 Explanation: 
The correct sentence is "Sorry, I have never heard that song." We can't use "have" because we would not say "sorry" at the beginning of the sentence.
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  • The DEFINITION of each phrasal verb.
  • How to USE the phrasal verb.
  • The STRUCTURE showing the grammar pattern of the phrasal verb.
  • EXAMPLE sentences to see how the phrasal verb is used in context.
  • A PRACTICE question to give you the chance to use the phrasal verb.

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30 01, 2012

English Lesson & Quiz: Shopping Vocabulary

We use "For Sale" when we sell a house or a car

Macy’s was having a sale yesterday, so I went there after work. It seemed like almost everything was on sale. I found a nice sweater that I liked. It was on sale too. It is usually $125, but it was 50% off! I just had to have it! The clerk said that the sweater was final sale, so I cannot return. Final sale means the store won’t give refunds, and you can’t exchange or return what you buy, so you need to be careful!

Here are the key expressions and vocabulary for today’s lesson:

a sale / on sale / for sale / 50% off / clerk / staff / refund / return / exchange

Do you know how to use these words? Have a look at today’s lesson and then take the quiz to check your understanding.

  • Stores have a sale. A sale is a special event where items in the store have a cheaper price than usual. We use the structure [store] has a sale, like “Macy’s is having a sale today.”
  • Items in a store can be on sale. This means that some certain item has a cheaper price than usual. We use the structure [item] is on sale, like “All sweaters are on sale today.”
  • When something is for sale, it means you can buy it. The owner of the thing wants to sell it. We often see signs on cars and houses that are for sale. Since we generally use for sale on a sign, we  use the structure [Item] For Sale, like, “Car For Sale” or just “For Sale.” In a sentence you can say something like, “I saw a car for sale today.”
  • To talk about a discounted price, we often use a percentage off, like 50% off. The structure is [item] is OO% off like, “This sweater was 50% off today.”
  • The person who works in a store that sells clothes, make up, shoes, etc. is a sales clerk, or just clerk. A clerk can help you shop and also works at the register. Other stores, like supermarkets, grocery stores, etc. have cashiers. A cashier works at the register only, and doesn’t help you shop.
  • When you are not happy with what you bought you may want to return it. Return means bring back to the store. For example, I will return this sweater. It is too big.  
  • When you buy something, and realize it is the wrong color or size, you may want to exchange it. Exchange means change something for something else. The structure is exchange [A] for [B].
  • When you return something, the store will refund your money. Refund means give money back. For example, “I would like to return this sweater. Is it possible to get a refund?”

*So, the customer returns the items, and the store refunds the customer’s money. The customer’s action is return. The clerk’s action is refund.

Are you ready to check your knowledge? Try today’s quiz, and then happy shopping!

Shopping Vocabulary

Congratulations - you have completed the Shopping Vocabulary Quiz.

You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.

What's the result? Well, %%RATING%%


Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
The _________ at Macy’s was very nice and helpful. She found the jeans in my size for me.
A
cashier
B
staff
C
clerk
Question 1 Explanation: 
A "clerk" works in a store and helps you shop.
Question 2
Do you like my boots? They were _________ at Shoe World.
A
50% on sale
B
a sale
C
30% off
Question 2 Explanation: 
We use "OO% off" to show the amount of discount offered.
Question 3
I wish there were more _________ at this grocery store. The lines are so long.
A
cashiers
B
staffs
C
clerks
Question 3 Explanation: 
"Cashiers" work in a store at the register, they do not help you shop.
Question 4
Abercrombie is having _________ this week.
A
for sale
B
on sale
C
a sale
Question 4 Explanation: 
A store has "a sale"
Question 5
I will try to _________ this blue t-shirt for a green one. I hope they have one in my size.
A
refund
B
exchange
C
return
Question 5 Explanation: 
You "exchange" something for something else
Question 6
I put a _________ sign on my car last week, but nobody has called me yet.
A
on sale
B
a sale
C
for sale
Question 6 Explanation: 
We use "for sale" when we want to sell something.
Question 7
The clerk told me I need to have the receipt in order to get a _________.
A
return
B
refund
C
exchange
Question 7 Explanation: 
A store gives a "refund" and a customer can get a "refund."
Question 8
I tried to _________ this blue t-shirt but I lost the receipt and the clerk said no.
A
return
B
refund
C
exchange
Question 8 Explanation: 
A customer "returns" an item.
Question 9
Apple products, like the iPad, are never _________.
A
for sale
B
a sale
C
on sale
Question 9 Explanation: 
Good or items can be "on sale"
Question 10
If you want to join the _________ of Coffee Time, you need to be very outgoing and friendly.
A
staff
B
cashier
C
clerk
Question 10 Explanation: 
A "staff" is a group of workers.
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Including…

  • The DEFINITION of each phrasal verb.
  • How to USE the phrasal verb.
  • The STRUCTURE showing the grammar pattern of the phrasal verb.
  • EXAMPLE sentences to see how the phrasal verb is used in context.
  • A PRACTICE question to give you the chance to use the phrasal verb.

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27 01, 2012

English Lesson & Quiz: Using Too

This Thai curry was too spicy!

It’s pretty cold here in New York today. For me, it’s too cold. And it’s raining, which I guess is better than snow. Last winter there was too much snow, and too many snow storms. Because we had a cold winter last year, the snow melted too slowly. So far this winter it has only snowed once. I love the warmer weather, but spring is too far away. There is too much time between now and the warm days of spring in New York.

We use too to talk about situations where there is more (or sometimes less) of something than what we want or need. Do you know how to use this word? Have a look at the paragraph above and then check out today’s lesson.

We use too to show that there is more (or sometimes less) of something than what we want or need. If you use too, it shows that you are not satisfied about that situation, so too is often used when we complain. There are three patterns that you’ll need to memorize, so let’s look at these patterns and some examples:

Pattern #1. Use too + adjective. Too works like very – it makes the adjective’s meaning stronger. However, the nuance is that you are not satisfied and/or complaining about the situation. Let’s compare too and very:

  • It’s very cold today. This just means it is quite cold.
  • It’s too cold today.  This means it is quite cold and the speaker is not happy about that situation.

Here are some more examples:

  • I can’t go to the gym today because I’m too tired.
  • Emily wanted to go there, but she said it was too far.
  • I don’t like the color you used to paint the room. It’s too dark.

Pattern #2. In a similar way as Pattern #1, we use too + adverb:

  • The snow melted too slowly.
  • The new teacher speaks too quickly.
  • Traffic is moving too slowly this morning.

If you want to emphasize your feeling, you can use much + too + adjective & much + too + adverb” Here are some examples:

  • I can’t go to the gym today because I’m much too tired.
  • Emily wanted to go there, but she said it was much too far.
  • I don’t like the color you used to paint the room. It’s much too dark.
  • The snow melted much too slowly.
  • The new teacher speaks much too quickly.
  • Traffic is moving much too slowly this morning.

Pattern #3. Use too + many + countable noun & too + much + non-countable noun. Here are some examples:

  • There were too many snow storms.
  • Nicole said she has too many bills to pay this month.
  • Last winter there was too much snow.
  • There is too much time between now and the warm days of spring in New York.

Thanks for studying with me today. Can you remember the four patterns? Check yourself with this quiz:

 

Using Too

Congratulations - you have completed Using Too. You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%. What's the result? Well, %%RATING%%
Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
Jack said he is ______________ to leave the office now.
A
too much busy
B
much too busy
C
busy too much
Question 2
Those books are ______________ for her to carry.
A
heavy too much
B
too much heavy
C
much too heavy
Question 3
The questions on the quiz show go ______________.
A
too quickly
B
too quick
C
too much quickly
Question 4
There was ______________ this week. The street flooded twice.
A
too many rains
B
too much rain
C
too rain
Question 5
There are ______________ in the subways here.
A
too much delay
B
too much delays
C
too many delays
Question 6
She bought ______________. How can we eat them all?
A
many bananas.
B
too much bananas.
C
too many bananas
Question 6 Explanation: 
If you say "She bought many bananas" it would be strange to say "How can we eat them all?" in the next sentence.
Question 7
She was speaking ______________. It was hard to hear her.
A
too much quiet
B
much too quiet
C
much too quietly
Question 8
I heard her vacation was nice, but it was ______________.
A
much too expensive
B
too much expensive
C
expensive too much
Question 9
That guy on the train has his headphones on ______________.
A
too loudly
B
too much loudly
C
too loud
Question 10
The curry was tasty, but ______________ for me.
A
much too spicy
B
too many spicy
C
too much spicy
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NEW for 2012! 109 Phrasal Verbs – 116-page eBook
Including…

  • The DEFINITION of each phrasal verb.
  • How to USE the phrasal verb.
  • The STRUCTURE showing the grammar pattern of the phrasal verb.
  • EXAMPLE sentences to see how the phrasal verb is used in context.
  • A PRACTICE question to give you the chance to use the phrasal verb.

Just $5!
Would you like a FREE 15-page sample? Click here for more information.