Grammar – Modal Verb: Would = Used to September 14, 2010 by Melanie In a previous grammar lesson, you learned how to use used to to talk about things you did in the past but you don’t do now. In the listening lesson “53 Years Together!”, I talked about things my parents did when they […]
Author: Melanie
English Grammar: How to Use “Would” to Talk about the Past
English Grammar: How to Use “Would” to Talk about the Past September 14, 2010 by Melanie In a previous grammar lesson, you learned how to use used to to talk about things you did in the past but you don’t do now. In the listening lesson “53 Years Together!”, I talked about things my parents […]
English Vocabulary: Idioms with “Crazy”
English Vocabulary: Idioms with “Crazy” September 12, 2010 by Melanie You’re crazy! 1. mentally ill The old definition of crazy was someone who had a serious mental illness and was not sane. Nowadays it is considered offensive to call someone who has a mental illness ‘crazy.’ At the same, if you want to insult someone […]
English Vocabulary: Idioms with “Crazy”
English Vocabulary: Idioms with “Crazy” September 12, 2010 by Melanie You’re crazy! 1. mentally ill The old definition of crazy was someone who had a serious mental illness and was not sane. Nowadays it is considered offensive to call someone who has a mental illness ‘crazy.’ At the same, if you want to insult someone […]
Vocabulary – What is an ‘ex’?
Vocabulary – What is an ‘ex’? September 11, 2010 by Melanie (Photo by an untrained eye) Ex- is a prefix that is used before a noun. It means ‘former’: ex-president (he was the president, but now he is not) ex-policeman (former policeman) ex-member ex-prisoner Ex can also be used as a noun by […]
Practice the English ‘th’ vs. /t/ and /d/ Sounds! (video)
Pronunciation – Practice the ‘th’ vs. /t/ and /d/ Sounds! (video) September 11, 2010 by Melanie 3 Comments Share WhatsApp Tweet +1 Do you say /t/ and /d/ instead of ‘th’? This is a common pronunciation mistake! This pronunciation practice lesson will help you practice hearing & making the ‘th’ sounds. (In the listening lesson […]
Practice the English ‘th’ vs. /s/ and /z/ Sounds! (video)
Pronunciation – Practice the ‘th’ vs. /s/ & /z/ Sounds! (video) September 11, 2010 by Melanie 8 Comments Share WhatsApp Tweet +1 Do you say /s/ and /z/ instead of ‘th’? This is a common pronunciation mistake! This pronunciation practice lesson below will help you practice hearing & making the ‘th’ sounds. (In the listening […]
English Vocabulary: “Not So Much!”
English Vocabulary: “Not So Much!” September 4, 2010 by Melanie Not so much is a great expression! It started out as slang amongst young adults, but I notice it more and more in mainstream newspapers and magazines, for example in this editorial from one of Canada’s major newspapers: National Post editorial board: Michaelle Jean is […]
Expressions with ‘Wash’ and ‘Laundry’!
Expressions with ‘Wash’ and ‘Laundry’! August 27, 2010 by Melanie 1 Comment air your dirty laundry (in public) = talk about private problems in public = the ‘dirty laundry’ is things that should otherwise be kept private, such as family secrets, scandals, or problems with your spouse/partner or children = often if it doesn’t embarrass […]
August 2010
Archives for August 2010 Expressions with ‘Wash’ and ‘Laundry’! August 27, 2010 by Melanie 1 Comment air your dirty laundry (in public) = talk about private problems in public = the ‘dirty laundry’ is things that should otherwise be kept private, such as family secrets, scandals, or problems with your spouse/partner or children = often […]