SHOPPING EXPRESSIONS

Here are some common expressions & vocabulary you can use when going shopping.

WOULD YOU MIND...?

An expression to request an action, followed by the verb in the '-ING' form.

DESCRIBING THINGS IN PICTURES

Link to vocabulary of PLACES.

BEING POLITE

Sometimes when speaking, British people don't like to be very direct, so they use different ways to sound more polite. In red what would sound more informal, in green how to sound more polite.

EXPRESSING DATES IN ENGLISH.

Here's how to say a date in English.

EMAILING

Some notes on writing emails. How to express different functions:

- Opening

- Salutes and greetings.

- Attaching files.

- Making and replying enquiries.

- Informing.

- Requesting.

- Making and confirming or changing arrangements.

- Complaining.

- Replying.

- Giving news.

- Apologizing.

- Closing.

For more on emails, click to go to a previous post HERE.

GIVING OPINIONS, AGREEING & DISAGREEING (2)

Some typical expressions to use when giving opinion and when you agree or disagree with some opinion.
Previous posts on the same topics here on this blog:
- FIRST, EXPRESSING AN OPINION...

- ...AFTER COMES AGREEING OR DISAGREEING

DIFFERENT WAYS TO SAY "NO"

Here's a compilation of ways to say "NO" tactfully, that is to disagree.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO SAY "YES"

Today several ways of agreeing and saying "YES"

MODAL VERBS: EXPRESSING PERMISSION

Above, modal verbs used to ask for permission. Below possible ways to give it.

MODAL VERB: MAY/MIGHT

MODAL VERB: CAN vs COULD

These charts show the different concepts behind modal verb CAN/COULD, and distinguishes the confusing uses between them. Concept: Ability, Possibility, Permission and Request. Uses: Present/Past, Poltiness/Informal

MODAL VERB CONCEPTS

About to start checking on modal verbs and their uses and concepts, from today on there are going to be a series of posts devoted to the topic: MODAL VERBS.

Remember the basics:

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS:

1-Each verb has its different concept meaning or function. (Look at the chart above)

2- These verbs aren't conjugated. 
No "-S" in the third person singular present.  He can swim. (Not: *He cans swim)
They lack some verb forms, which are covered by semimodals of a similar meaning.
  He had to leave. (Not *He musted leave. Must doesn't have a simple past form)
  He will be able to do it. (Not *He will can do it. Can doesn't have a future form)
[Semi-modal verbs that are used instead of the modal are:
HAVE TO for MUST (obligation)
BE ABLE TO for CAN (ability)
BE ALLOWED TO for CAN, MAY (permission)]

3- They work as auxiliary verbs in the NEGATIVE and QUESTIONS.
  Can I open the window? No, you can't open the window, it's cold.

4-  These verbs are always followed by INFINITIVE WITHOUT TO.
  He can swim. (Not * He can to swim)
Except OUGHT TO.  You ought to go to the doctor's.

5- PERFECT MODALS: past modal verb+HAVE+Past Participle refer to the past.
She hasn't arrived yet. She might have missed the bus.
You failed the exam. You should have studied more.

All the posts about modal verbs with the tag Modal Verbs.

STRUCTURES TO DESCRIBE SOMEONE IN ENGLISH

These two charts show structures and specific vocabulary to describe people in English. For more on descriptive vocabulary for people, go to a previous post HERE.

ALL ABOUT VALENTINE'S DAY

It's that day once again... Some say it's romantic and cheesy... Others that it's only a commercial invention...

But it's here, and it's celebrated.

We've devoted many posts to it throughout the years, you can link to all of them HERE.

Another link to HOW TO FLIRT IN ENGLISH.

But if you really want to know everything about it, click to The Telegraph's article below:

Valentine's Day: Stay in or go out? A guide to the day itself and how to celebrate it

Below we also include some charts with idioms/expressions with the word of the day: HEART:

And different ways to say you're in love:

And whatever, enjoy!

AGREEING: SO, TOO / EITHER, NEITHER

These is the structure you use in English when you want to agree with what another person says:

SO+auxiliary verb+Subject or repeat the same using TOO at the end.

Similarly to Question Tags.

SORRY vs EXCUSE ME vs PARDON

Trying to clarify in this post different expressions used to apologize with some examples:

Excuse me and pardon me are polite expressions that you use when you do something that could be slightly embarrassing or rude.

You usually use sorry to apologize after you have done something wrong.

According to Macmillan Dictionary,excuse me is used fo:

1. politely getting someone's attention
2. showing you are sorry for interrupting someone
3. asking someone to move so that you can get past them
4. politely telling someone you are leaving

Sorry is used for : 

1. emphasizing how bad,stupid,or embarrassing something is
2. feeling sadness or sympathy because something bad has happened to them
3. disappointed about a situation,and wishing you could change it

1. We usually say excuse me before we interrupt or disturb somebody;
we say sorry after we disturb or trouble somebody.

Compare:

• Excuse me, could I get past?… Oh, sorry, did I step on your foot?
• Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the station?

I beg your pardon is a more formal way of saying sorry.

• I beg your pardon. I’m afraid I didn’t realize this was your

2. If we do not hear or understand what people say, we usually say Sorry?What? (informal) or (I beg your) pardon?
Americans also say Pardon me?

• “Mike’s on the phone.” ” Sorry?” I said “Mike’s on the phone”
• “See you tomorrow”. “What?” I said “See you tomorrow”.
• “You’re going deaf”.” I beg your pardon?”

HOW ARE YOU?

The typical obvious question you can be asked at any time:

HOW ARE YOU?

Can be answered in many ways depending on how you really feel. On the infographic above you can see the possibilities.

EXPRESSING PREFERENCE

Showing how to express preferences in English.