One of the best ways to learn is by making mistakes. That’s why when I teach English, I always make notes of sentences that sound off. Then, I get my clients to correct them. Try this excercise : If you can fix these mistakes yourself, you are off to a good start! MISTAKES 1. This made me to change my mind 2. This color represents the peace 3. The Milos Zeman is a bad president 4. European Union will give away money to countries 5. …So, she every week, would go to a new job 6. In real it is not like this 7. I said she that we will be late 8. I must doing this in the summer, so I haven’t any time then. 9. She must to discuss with him about it. 10. Then sun comes and you feel great 11 Because of this pressure of time, it is hard 12. Do you go next week to Dresden? CORRECTIONS 1. This made me change my mind 2. This color represents peace 3. Milos Zeman is a bad president 4. The European Union will give subsidies to countries 5. …So, she would go to a new job every week 6. In reality it is not like this 7. I told her that we will be late 8. I had to do this in the summer, so I didn’t have any time then. 9. She has to discuss it with him. 10. Then it is sunny and you
Phrases and slang to express how intoxicated you are – or the American English they don’t teach you in schoolget booze (alcohol) – let’s get booze and go to mine?be tipsy – I’m somewhat tipsy, but I can still go for more rounds!be intoxicated (bit formal) – that man is highly intoxicated, lets cross the street.be stoned – that was a good j , she’s stoned out of her mind!be high – I can’t believe that grass got me so high! I’m high as a kite!be lit – I’m lit and feeling good!be wrecked – I’m completely wrecked, I’m taking an Uber home!be hammered – those two over there are completely hammered, they can’t even walk straight!be tanked – She’s tanked!be plastered – same as wrecked, hammered.be bombed – plastered, plus the other two.be sloshed – same as above.be piss ass drunk – same same.be annihilated -same, same – but even more hardcore.be a lightweight – he can’t handle his alcohol, he’s such a lightweight, man.be fucked up / be shitfaced – I’m so shitfaced I can’t put my socks on!be hungover / have a hangover – I can’t open my eyes, I have such a hangover / I’m so hungoverbe sober – I’m sober, I can drive no problem! * never trust that statement 😉 Practice this topic with me, an American instructor, for a one hour session online. Get in touch or purchase directly here
A portmanteau is a word that is created from a combination of 2 words; the beginning of the first word and the ending of the second word. These are such juicy, fun words and they are EVERYWHERE if you just pay attention. Knowing such phrases will make you a better English speaker ! Common portmanteau blending words include: BRUNCH : breakfast + lunch. This phrase was created by the writer of Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll. CZENGLISH : Czech + English. This is how Czechs speak English . Other similar examples include: Chinglish, Spanglish, etc… BREXIT: Britain + exit AFFLUENZA : affluent + influenza. A belief that a person’s wealthy status causes lack of motivation and empathy And now onto my favorite 5 portmanteau words ! Practice this topic with me, an American instructor, for a one hour session online. Get in touch or purchase directly here
ZERO CONDITIONAL : facts, general rules + normal processes: routines If / when + present simple, then present simple If / when I miss a meeting, my boss gets angry When I create the quarterly budget, it always takes a long time When I wake up late, I don´t have breakfast. When I finish a call, I take a coffee break. FIRST CONDITIONAL : a future (one time) high probability situation and what will happen: prediction If / When + present simple , then + will (modal) + present simple * There is a difference between “if” and “when.” When we use if, the first clause (sentence) might happen. When we use when, the first clause is planned or expected to happen and we are just waiting for it. If I miss the meeting , my boss will kill me. ( 50% probability→ prediction ) When we meet, I’ll buy you a beer. (planned event → prediction) When I visit my mom, I will give her a cake. If I visit my mom this weekend, I will tell her about it. SECOND CONDITIONAL: what could be now , but it’s a low probability of happening : prediction If + past simple , would (past modal) + present simple If I lived in America, I would make more money If I had a dog , I would walk much more often. If I found nice land to buy, I would move out of Prague. *All of these situations in the first clause