Phone calls can be difficult because you can’t see the other person. But they’re also difficult because we often use phrasal verbs in English phone calls. Here are ten common phrasal verbs which will help you understand the other person – and sound more natural – when you’re on the phone. Put someone through This… Read More
We don’t just use “never” to mean “at no time”. There are many more native English phrases with “never” which you can use to sound more natural when you speak English. Here are ten to get you started. Learning tip: choose one that you like and start using it in conversation. When you’ve mastered one,… Read More
Do you feel blocked when you speak English? Are you worried about making a mistake? Often, if you start thinking about all the possible things that go wrong, you don’t say anything. After all, nobody wants to make a mistake. But there are two things that will help you feel more confident when you speak.… Read More
Slang expressions are difficult to learn – and they can also go out of fashion quickly. But these British English slang expressions for saying “no” to a request are common – and you’ll probably hear them often in conversations. Even if you don’t use them, they’re important to understand. Like lots of slang, the pronunciation… Read More
Imagine the situation. You’re at a concert and the fans are waiting for the singer to come onto the stage. When the singer finally arrives on stage, how do the fans react? Or you want to describe an older man who’s gradually losing his hair, or someone whose hair is no longer black or brown…… Read More
What do British English speakers really say when they greet people they don’t know? Here are some common ways we talk and greet each other. (They’re so common I heard them all in the space of an hour in my local town!) Warning – You probably won’t find these in any text book! Darling “Sorry… Read More
It’s difficult to make a comment about a past action or situation in English, as often you need to use complex grammar. By the time you remember the structure and the rule, and then think about your reply, the conversation has moved on. But there is an easier way. Here are some “fixed phrases” that… Read More
English speakers aren’t always direct. For example, we don’t just say what we want and hope that people will agree. Instead, we often use an introductory phrase to get people to agree with an idea or feeling first – before asking for what we want. In this post, I’ve got two native-speaker phrases for you… Read More
Have you ever said this? “My accent is too strong.” Or this? “I’m embarrassed when I speak because I sound … (Spanish / Italian, etc.)” If you’re worried about your accent, there are a few things you can do to reduce it and improve your English pronunciation. Choose, listen and analyse Choose the accent you… Read More
English has a range of swear words. Some are unlikely to offend other people, while others are much stronger and more likely to upset people. If you spend any time at all in an English-speaking country, or if you watch English films, etc; you’re going to hear swear words. In this blog post, I’ve got… Read More