Posts tagged vocabulary

English Vocabulary Lesson: Using Look

English Vocabulary Lesson: Using Look

Mar 6th

Posted by Michael in Happy English!

4 comments

There are a lot of expressions in English that use look, including many idioms. Let’s take look at some of these today!

How to use look

In general we look at physical things or objects that don’t move. In such cases, you need to use look + at. For example:

  • I was looking at some old photos.
  • Look at that beautiful flower.
  • She looked at me with love in her eyes.

When we look at non-physical places & things, we use look without at. Some examples of non-physical places and things are: there, over there, outside, up, down, around, etc. For example:

  • I looked outside and realized it was raining.
  • You should look both ways before crossing the street.
  • I looked around the station, but I couldn’t find you.

We also use look followed by an adjective, like this:

  • You look tired today, are you ok?
  • This shop looks interesting, let’s go in.
  • The cake looks delicious. I’ll have a piece.

Next, you can use look like to mean resemble:

  • That cloud looks like an alligator.
  • People say I look like Mr. Bean, but I don’t think so.
  • Joe’s son looks just like Joe.

**Careful! Use look + adjective, but not look like + adjective:

  • He looks nice. Not, “He looks like nice.”

Here are some common phrasal verbs that use look:

  • Jen’s mom looks after the children when she goes to work. Look after means take care of.
  • When I look back on my youth I feel happy. Look back on means reflect on.
  • I looked for my keys all morning, but I couldn’t find them. Look for means search for.
  • Everyone is looking forward to the party. Look forward to means to happily anticipate something.
  • The police were looking into the bank robbery. Look into means investigate
  • Johnny looks up to his father. Look up to means admire

Well, I just looked at my clock and realized I have to go. I look forward to seeing you here again!

Hi Everyone!

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There are 11 podcasts, almost 1 hour of audio lessons.

Here is a sample of the audio:


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When you upload the podcast to your iPhone, iPod, or iPad, touch the screen to see the text of all of the lessons:

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For a limited time, still just $5 for both the book and all 11 podcasts (almost 1 hour of my lessons).
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.
  • ALMOST 1 HOUR of my audio lessons in 11 Podcasts explaining the meaning and giving examples of each phrasal verb!

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English Lesson: Basic Business English Vocabulary

English Vocabulary Lesson: Basic Business English

Mar 4th

Posted by Michael in Happy English!

No comments

ABC Company was launched in 1999. At the time, it was a small firm, serving just local clientele.  But business started booming, and ABC grew into an international powerhouse. ABC didn’t need to worry about the bottom line, because sales were strong and careful management kept overheads at a reasonable level. The results were amazing. Quarter after quarter, the profit grew and the company spent many years in the black.

Here is the key vocabulary and the definition in Basic English as the words are used here. Some of these words may have slightly different meanings in other situations.

  • to launch (verb) means to start doing business
  • firm (noun) means company or business
  • clientele (noun) means the customers of the business
  • boom (verb) to increase strongly
  • powerhouse (noun) means a powerful, well known company
  • bottom line (noun) means the final line on the financial report of the company. The bottom line shows the amount of the profit or loss of the business
  • overhead (noun) is an expense of the company such as rent or payroll
  • profit (noun) is sales minus expenses. If the company receives more money that it pays out, it makes a profit. If the company receives less money that it pays out, it makes a loss.
  • in the black (noun) means the company has made a profit. If the company has made a loss, we say it is “in the red”

Thanks for studying today. I hope you find this vocabulary useful!

Hi Everyone!

I’m so excited to let you know that the Audio Program (Podcasts) is now available!
There are 11 podcasts, almost 1 hour of audio lessons.

Here is a sample of the audio:


Download the sample here
When you upload the podcast to your iPhone, iPod, or iPad, touch the screen to see the text of all of the lessons:

Tap the screeen of your iPod or iPad and see the lesson!

For a limited time, still just $5 for both the book and all 11 podcasts (almost 1 hour of my lessons).
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.
  • ALMOST 1 HOUR of my audio lessons in 11 Podcasts explaining the meaning and giving examples of each phrasal verb!

Now, just $5 for the book and audio! Limited time offer

 

Click here for a FREE 15 page sample

 

Would you like to buy the complete 116 page book with all 109 Phrasal Verbs AND the 11 Audio Podcasts?

Click here to buy the book and 11 Audio Podcasts for just $5!


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

English Lesson & Quiz: Shopping Vocabulary

Jan 30th

Posted by Michael in Happy English!

6 comments

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

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