One-Point English Lesson: Using “One of” with Superlatives

The Empire State Building is one of the tallest buildings in New York City

We use the superlative form when we talk about the biggest, or the most important thing or person among a group of things or people, like this:

  • The Empire State Building is the tallest building in New York City.
  • Jack is the best baseball player in our school.
  • Tokyo is the biggest city in Japan.

When you want to mention that the thing or person is a member of a group containing the biggest, or the most important things or people, you can use one of. We use one of + adjective + plural noun, and we use this combination with a singular verb, like this:

  • The Empire State Building is one of the tallest buildings in the world.
  • Jack is one of the best baseball players in our city.
  • One of the biggest cities in Asia is Tokyo.

Do you live in one of the biggest cities in your country, or one of the smallest? Leave a message here and let me know!



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One-Point English Lesson: Different, Similar, The Same

He has the same dog as her!

When we compare things or people, we can use different, similar, and the same. Let’s have a look at these three today. All three are used as adjectives.

Different means not the same. We use different + noun:

  • New York and San Francisco are different cities.
  • Jack and Jenny have different ideas about decorating the living room.
  • We have different classes on Tuesdays.

We also use different + from:

  • New York is different from San Francisco.
  • Jack’s ideas about decorating the living room are different from Jenny’s.
  • My classes on Tuesdays are different from yours.

Similar means almost identical or very close to the same. We use similar + noun:

  • A taco and a burrito are similar foods.
  • Jack and Jenny have similar ideas about painting the house.
  • Biology and Chemistry majors often take similar classes.

We also use similar + to:

  • A taco is similar to a burrito.
  • Jack’s ideas about painting the house are similar to Jenny’s.
  • Biology majors’ required classes are similar to Chemistry major’s classes.

The same means identical. Because the same is a unique and specific relationship, we use the same, so the structure is the same + noun:

  • Norma Jean and Marilyn Monroe are the same people.
  • Jack and Jenny have the same ideas about painting the house.
  • Biology and Chemistry majors often take many of the same classes.

We also use the same as:

  • Tom’s house is the same as mine.
  • Jack’s ideas about painting the house are the same as Jenny’s.
  • Biology majors’ required classes are the same as Chemistry major’s classes.

We also use the same noun as:

  • Tom’s house is the same size as mine.
  • You have the same pen as I have.
  • Biology majors’ take the same classes as Chemistry major’s do.

Have you studied the same lesson as this in your school this week? Leave a comment here and let me know.



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English Lesson: Early or Fast or Quickly

Happy went to bed early and fell asleep quickly!

Have a look at these two sentences. Can you find the difference between early and fast?

  • The train was early.
  • The train was fast.

When you want to talk about time, use early. Early refers to clock time, and means not late. It has the nuance of “before the scheduled or appointed time.”

  • I was early for work today and the boss was happy.
  • The bus arrived a few minutes early, so I had time to buy the newspaper.
  • The party starts at 6:00, but if you want to come early to help set up, I don’t mind!

When you want to talk about speed, use the fast. Fast refers to the speed something travels at and can be used as an adverb or an adjective. You can also use quickly, which is an adverb.

  • Jack is a fast driver, so sometimes driving with him makes me nervous.
  • Jack drives quickly, so sometimes driving with him makes me nervous.
  • New Yorkers tend to walk fast.
  • New Yorkers tend to walk at a fast pace.
  • New Yorkers tend to walk quickly.

Do you usually arrive at work or school early? Do you walk fast? Are you a fast learner?

How about studying English with Michael or Jackie? We are available for private English lessons in New York, and online via Skype. Also, check out Michael’s newest book & audio podcasts, 109 Phrasal Verbs

One-Point English Lesson: Men Vs Male, Women Vs Female

Happy is a female.

When we talk about gender in English we can use either nouns (men & women) or adjectives (male & female). Let’s have a look at how to use these words.

The words man and woman are singular nouns, and men and women are the plural forms of the nouns.

  • The man talking to Joe is his boss.
  • There are several men wearing baseball caps on the train.
  • I met a woman who works at the zoo.
  • The women sitting in the café are speaking Portuguese.

The words men and women can also be used in compound nouns. We usually use these words to describe things, not people. Here is are just a few examples:

  • Men’s room Not, male’s room.
  • Men’s suits, men’s shoes, men’s hats Not, male’s suits.
  • Men’s singles, men’s doubles Not, male’s singles.
  • Women’s room Not, female’s room.
  • Women’s dresses, women’s shoes, women’s hats Not, female’s suites.
  • Women’s singles, women’s doubles Not, female’s singles.

The words male and female are adjectives. We use these words to describe people & animals, not things:

  • There are more and more female CEOs and politicians these days.
  • Do male flight attendants earn the same as female flight attendants?
  • My dog Happy is a female, and my sister’s cat is a male.