What are you wearing today?

                                                    Naturally Speaking

DOES IT FIT?

It's too big.	It's too small.
It's too loose.	It's too tight.
It's too long.	It's too short.

                         

                                                  Dialogue

It's Saturday and Mrs Smith has gone shopping with her friend Lucy for a new dress in the sales:-

Mrs Smith:	Well Lucy, what do you think?
Lucy:	Mmm, it's nice, but I think you need a slightly bigger size. The top is gaping.
Mrs Smith:	I think this is the only one. I'd better ask an assistant. Excuse me? Do you have this in a size 14?
Shop assistant:	I'm afraid everything in the sale is out on display.
Mrs Smith:	Oh dear, it's just a bit too tight.
Shop assistant:	I think we have a size 14 in red.
Mrs Smith:	Oh no. Red's just not my colour.
Shop assistant:	It's not bright red, it's a nice dark red. Here it is. Why don't you try it on? There's a changing room free over there.
Later...
Mrs Smith:	It fits like a glove. What do you think Lucy?
Lucy:	It looks really nice. I guess red suits you after all.

Conditional sentences III

1. Use

It is impossible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

2. Form

if clause	main clause
Past Perfect	would + have + past participle
	could + have + past participle
	might + have + past participle

3. Examples

if clause	main clause
If I had studied,	I would have passed the exams.
If I had studied,	I could have passed the exams.
If I had studied,	I might have passed the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

if clause	main clause
If I had studied,	I would have passed the exams.

main clause	if clause
I would have passed the exams	if I had studied.

Conditional sentences II

Conditional sentences – type II

1. Use

It is theoretically possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

2. Form

if clause	main clause
Simple Past	would + infinitive
	could + infinitive
	might + infinitive

3. Examples

if clause	main clause
If I studied,	I would pass the exams.
If I studied,	I could pass the exams.
If I studied,	I might pass the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

if clause	main clause
If I studied,	I would pass the exams.

main clause	if clause
I would pass the exams	if I studied.

Conditional sentences I

1. Use

It is possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

2. Form

if clause	main clause
Simple Present	will-future
	infinitive
	Modal + infinitive

3. Examples

if clause	main clause
If I study,	I will pass the exams.
If you see John tonight,	tell him to e-mail me.
If Ben gets up early,	he can catch the bus.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

if clause	main clause
If I study,	I will pass the exams.

main clause	if clause
I will pass the exams	if I study.

Tips to learn English X

 Here are the last 10 things, from a series of 100, you can do to improve your English (in no order).

91. The easiest one - Sleep! You’ll learn more after a good night of sleep. You’ll be able to concentrate more.

92. Take an English course abroad where English is spoken.

93. If you study abroad, mix with people from other countries not only people from your own country. It’s not a good idea for you to live in a shared house with people from your own country. Enjoy a more cultural experience by spending time with other nationalities.

94. Have you thought about getting a job or doing an internship abroad?

95. Get yourself a qualified teacher. Who wants to learn wrong things?

96. Nobody can learn all of the English language. No need to worry about trying. A useful shortcut to learning is that in English we have lots of words that have the same pronunciation, but a different spelling and meaning. For example, ‘come here’ has the same pronunciation as, ‘I can hear the birds’. You might find it easier to build vocabulary by knowing the different meanings.

97. Once you have a basic level of English explore the different ways you can say the same thing. This makes your English more interesting to the listener and it shouldn’t be too difficult for you because you already know the basics. For example, how many ways can we say, ‘Goodbye' in English?

98. When you are on your English course, be prepared for your class. Do your homework as soon as possible and hand it in on time. Review your notes and your last lesson a few minutes before the class. Doing this will refresh your memory and you'll be warmed up for lesson.

99. Don't get distracted in class. Focus on the lesson, don't stare out of the window. Don't be late, arrive a few minutes before the start of the lesson. Don't sit next to people who won't speak to you in English. Switch off your phone. Be organized, remember to take your textbook, notebook and pen.

100.             Find a comfortable, peaceful place for quiet study. You need somewhere where you can focus 100%.

Tips to learn English IX

 Here are more 10 things, from a series of 100, you can do to improve your English (in no order).

81. Make sure that your English matches the occasion. It’s OK to use slang with friends but not in a business meeting. Decide in which situation it’s appropriate to use the words and phrases you have learned.

82. Textbook English is often different from the way we casually speak. To learn casual ‘slang’ watch movies.

83. Idioms can be difficult to memorize, but they are great fun to use and they’ll make your English more colourful.

84. When talking we usually link words together so that two words can sound like one. Simply put, we link words ending with a consonant sound to words beginning with a vowel sound (consonant > vowel). We link words ending with a vowel sound to words beginning with a vowel sound (vowel > vowel). Practice these to improve your listening and pronunciation.

85. Make use of the internet. It’s full of resources to help you learn.

86. Think about your strong and weak points. Write down which areas you want to improve on and work on improving them. Of course, don’t ignore your strong points. Congratulate yourself on how well you’ve done!

87. Unlearn your mistakes. You probably make the same grammar mistakes over and over again. Use English tests results as a study tool. Go over your mistakes and choose one or two that you want to focus on. Use your favourite grammar book to check rules.

88. Use the correct article (a/an, the). Be aware that there is more to this rule than a/an= non specific, the=specific. For example: A university (not an university because it begins with a consonant sound). An hour (not a hour because the ‘h’ is often silent).

89. For fluency, try image training. Before you go to that restaurant think through what the waiter is likely to say to you. Think of what phrases you are going to use.

90. Much communication comes through body language and gesture. These can be different between cultures and countries. For example, the two-fingered "V" for victory symbol is fine palms-out. If you make it with you palm facing toward you, you'll offend a British person. It means…well, you ask a British person and find out for yourself!

Tips to learn English VIII

 Here are more 10 things, from a series of 100, you can do to improve your English (in no order).

71. t’s not enough to only learn English words. You can teach a parrot English words but that doesn’t mean it can speak English! You still need

to have an understanding of grammar.

72. Verb tenses are used by English speakers to talk about the timing of actions. You might not have the same expressions in your own language. It’s important that you know these tenses and when to use them.

73. English has many irregular verbs. You should drill yourself on them.

74. Keep it up! If you take a break from speaking English, you will find that your level decreases and all your hard work has been wasted.

75. Don’t be put off by a bad test score. Sometimes students have the ability to pass an English test, but can’t communicate well with English speakers. If you can speak freely in English, you should be proud of yourself.

76. Remember that as long as you have tried your hardest, you have succeeded!

77. Learn English with a friend. You’ll have someone you can practice with and you can motivate each other to study.

78. Remember, the way we write English is not the same as how it’s pronounced. For example, ‘Ough’ has over 6 pronunciations. Familiarize yourself the Phonetic Alphabet. It will help you correctly pronounce words in the dictionary.

79. Get used to the ‘schwa’ sound [ə] - an unstressed and toneless neutral vowel sound. ‘Schwa’ is the most common vowel sound in English. For example, the 'a' in about and the 'u' in supply.

80. Keep in mind that it takes longer to improve when our level is high. Usually the fastest progress is made when we are beginners. Don’t think that you’re suddenly not learning anymore, it’s just a less noticeable progress.