On Twitter (now called "X") I write daily lessons for English Learners on the topics below. I also post the tweets here for visitors of my website.
Valuable Vocab
Good Grammar
Discover the Difference
Crucial Corrections
Proper Pronunciation
Functional Phrases
Essential Expressions
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
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Discover the Difference - February 20th
Should have (done) = to blame someone for a mistake directly
Could have (done) = to mention a mistake more indirectly
I didn’t know about the party…
you should have told me (more direct)
you could have told me (more indirect)
Good Grammar - February 19th
“Not” makes gerunds (doing), infinitives (to do) and past participles (done) negative:
I am NOT working
NOT buying it was a mistake
I’m proud of NOT needing help
I decided NOT to do it
I took notes in order NOT to forget
I have NOT gone
Valuable Vocab - February 18th
Words to say there’s more than 1 factor:
In addition to (factor)
On top of
Aside from
Apart from
Other than
Beyond
Besides
My job has many good points…
on top of working from home
aside from the annual bonus
beyond the high salary
Functional Phrases - February 18th
Say “by far” with a superlative adjective (ex. fastest) if the difference between the 1st & 2nd rank is big:
The blue whale is the biggest creature on Earth by far.
The iPhone is Apple’s most popular product by far.
Essential Expressions - February 17th
Responding to someone who gives you useful information:
Thank you for notifying me
Thank you for letting me know
Thank you for making me aware of this
Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Phrasal Verbs - February 16th
“Run into (someone)” and “Bump into (someone)” mean that you unexpectedly see someone you know
I ran into Bob at the post office.
I bumped into my ex-girlfriend on the street.
Discover the Difference - February 16th
According to = a source of info
According to Wikipedia, Obama is 62 years old
In accordance with = to follow rules
An election is held every 4 years, in accordance with the constitution
Accordingly = appropriately
It’s cold outside so dress accordingly
Crucial Corrections - February 15th
As + Adjective + As✔️
Comparative Adjective + Than✔️
A dog is not big than a bear❌
A dog is not big as a bear❌
A dog is not as big than a bear❌
A dog is not AS BIG AS a bear✔️
A dog is not BIGGER THAN a bear✔️
Crucial Corrections - February 13th
Use the verb “suit” to describe something that’s right for someone, not “match” or “fit”:
Find a job that matches/fits you❌
Find a job that suits you✔️
Life in the city matches/fits me❌
Life in the city suits me✔️
Good Grammar - February 13th
Use “much”, “far” or “way” with a comparative adjective when the difference between two things is big (“way” is more informal)
Russia is far bigger than Korea.
Driving is much faster than walking.
A Ford is way cheaper than a Ferrari.
Discover the Difference - February 12th
Let = permission
Make = force
Help = assistance
Get = persuasion
I let him leave (you may go)
I made him leave (you must go)
I helped him leave (I can go with you)
I got him TO leave (I suggest going)
Note: the verb “get” uses infinitive “to leave”
Essential Expressions- February 11th
Introduce information coming next in a document with: “following + noun” or “noun + below”
Please note the following changes:
Please note the changes below:
The job requires the following skills:
The job requires the skills below:
Phrasal Verbs - February 10th
Get over (sth) = overcoming an emotionally difficult situation and moving on with your life.
She broke my heart but I got over it.
Get through (sth) = enduring a difficult situation until it ends
Thankfully we got through the Covid pandemic.
Good Grammar - February 10th
Use “for” with a person/thing to say who or what performs an infinitive verb action (ex “FOR ME to do”)
I waited FOR HER to call
There are many things FOR US to do
I bought a book FOR MY SON to read
It’s easy FOR OWLS to see at night
Idioms - February 9th
To cut someone some slack = to not criticize someone strongly for a problem
There’s always a long lineup at the supermarket but I cut the employees some slack. They work as fast as they can.
I know I’m late but cut me some slack! I drove 5 hours to get here.
Valuable Vocab - February 9th
Adverbs of frequency from most frequent (top) to least (bottom):
Always/Invariably/All the time
Often/Frequently/Regularly/A lot
Occasionally/Periodically/Once in a while/From time to time/Now and then
Rarely/Seldom/Hardly ever
Never/At no time
Idioms - February 9th
Updating someone with information they missed:
To fill someone in
To bring someone up to speed
To bring someone into the loop
To give someone the lowdown
I was on vacation for two weeks. What did I miss? Can you bring me up to speed?
I couldn't attend the meeting yesterday. Can you fill me in? What was discussed?
Crucial Corrections - February 8th
The word “understanding” can mean “empathy”, but “comprehension” means cognitive ability, not empathy.
Thank you for your understanding✔️ (your empathy)
Thank you for your comprehension❌
Functional Phrases - February 8th
“In the meantime” describes a time period when you’re waiting for something to happen.
The bus will arrive in an hour. In the meantime, let’s get a coffee.
My home renovations will be done next week. In the meantime, I’m staying with my parents.
Discover the Difference - February 8th
Last year/month/week = finished = past simple
Over the past year/month/week = includes now = present perfect
Last month I WAS sick (the previous month only, not now)
Over the past month I’VE BEEN sick (30 days ago until now, still sick)
Essential Expressions - February 7th
Responding to someone’s good news:
How wonderful!
That’s great news!
I’m so happy for you!
You must be thrilled/delighted!
I’m glad/happy/delighted/thrilled to hear that!
Good Grammar - February 7th
Use “by + ing” to describe a method for doing something. It answers the question “how do you do it?”
I learn English…BY TAKING classes.
I lost weight…BY GOING to the gym.
I relax…BY LISTENING to music.
Valuable Vocab - February 7th
Words to emphasize the truth:
Actually
In fact
As a matter of fact
The truth is
In reality
People think I’m in my 20’s. As a matter of fact, I’m in my 40’s.
It looks easy but in reality, it’s very hard to do.
Idioms - February 6th
To be on the right track with something = to be making progress with something
I’m on the right track with my English. I’m improving quickly.
We’re on the right track with our budgeting. We’re saving money.
(the wrong track = no progress)
Crucial Corrections - February 6th
When a plural noun becomes an adjective to describe another noun after it, you must remove the “s”:
a 5-stars hotel❌
a 5-star hotel✔️
a 10-dollar bill✔️
a 6-year-old child✔️
a 7-hour flight✔️
a 4-bedroom house✔️
a 2-person job✔️
Valuable Vocab - February 5th
Verbs about helping a behaviour grow and develop:
We want to…
FOSTER a positive environment
CULTIVATE good relationships
PROMOTE teamwork
ENCOURAGE communication
STIMULATE creativity
DEVELOP trust
FACILITATE risk-taking
Crucial Corrections - February 5th
We hired 5 new employers.❌
We hired 5 new employees.✔️
(Employer = a company, not a worker)
Phrasal Verbs - February 5th
To contact someone later about something:
To follow up (with someone)
She has questions for me. I’ll follow up with her tomorrow to answer them.
To get back to (someone)
I don’t have the info yet. I’ll get back to you when I have it.
Functional Phrases - February 4th
Before saying something surprising you can say “believe it or not”:
Believe it or not, this bridge was built in 1810.
Believe it or not, he invited his ex-girlfriend to his wedding.
Believe it or not, she’s won the lottery twice.
Good Grammar - February 3rd
If you reverse the order of nouns so the real noun is 1st and the describing noun is 2nd, put a preposition in the middle.
a golf fan
a fan OF golf
dog food
food FOR dogs
a sales seminar
a seminar ON sales
Discover the Difference - February 3rd
If there are 2 nouns for 1 thing, the 2nd noun is the actual object
a soap dish (object = a dish…for soap)
dish soap (obj. = soap)
a vegetable garden (obj. = a garden)
a garden vegetable (obj. = a vegetable)
Essential Expressions - February 2nd
Politely saying that something (an idea, a design, etc.) isn’t good enough:
In all honesty/To be honest/Honestly…
...it could be better
...it’s not great
...I think there’s room for improvement
...it needs a few adjustments
...it’s not quite there yet
Good Grammar - February 2nd
In reported speech, past simple tense should be reported in past perfect:
“I saw it” =
He said he saw it❌
He said he HAD SEEN it✔️
Past continuous becomes past perfect continuous:
“I was waiting” =
He said he was waiting❌
He said he HAD BEEN waiting✔️
Phrasal Verbs - February 1st
4 meanings of “Go on”:
Sorry for the interruption. Please GO ON (please continue)
What’s GOING ON? (what's happening?)
The meeting WENT ON for hours (it lasted for hours - duration)
He WENT ON a trip to Italy (he experienced a trip)
Proper Pronunciation - February 1st
Words English learners say incorrectly with correct pronunciation in quotation marks " ":
Stomach “stum-ik”
Bear “bay-ur”
Women “whi-men”
Athlete “ath-leet”
Purchase “pur-chiss”
Succeed “suck-seed”
Tongue “tung”
Hierarchy “hi-ar-kee”
Functional Phrases - January 31st
“I would” is softer than “you should” to give advice to someone. It means “if I were you, I would…”
I wouldn’t buy it (if I were you)
I would call her and apologize
I’d take a taxi instead of the bus
Discover the Difference - January 31st
How + adjective
What + adjective + noun
What + noun
How interesting!
What an interesting story!
What a story!
How exciting!
What an exciting opportunity!
What an opportunity!
Valuable Vocab - January 30th
Sequencers to introduce points in a structured order:
First of all/Firstly/First off/To begin with…
Secondly/Thirdly/Next/Next up/Another point to add…
Finally/Lastly/Last but not least/To end with/As a final point…
Discover the Difference - January 30th
Because + clause
Because of/Due to + noun or -ing verb
I bought it because it was cheap
I bought it because of the price (n)
I failed because I missed classes
I failed due to missing classes (ing)
Idioms - January 30th
“A long shot” is something with a low chance of success
I bought a lottery ticket. It’s a long shot but the prize is $50 million!
I applied for a job at Google. It’s a long shot but maybe they’ll hire me.
Finding a cure was a long shot but they did it.
Valuable Vocab - January 29th
Words that mean to contact someone successfully:
I finally reached him
I finally got hold of him
I finally touched base with him
I finally got in touch with him
I finally got through to him
I finally made contact with him
Crucial Corrections - January 29th
It’s incorrect to use question form twice in the same question:
DO YOU know what IS IT?❌
DO YOU know what it is?✔️
CAN HE tell us how CAN WE do it?❌
CAN HE tell us how we can do it?✔️
DID SHE say why DID SHE leave?❌
DID SHE say why she left?✔️
Valuable Vocab - January 29th
Words that mean “very important”:
crucial
critical
vital
essential
imperative
paramount
Trust is essential for a good marriage
Sleep is paramount for a healthy life
It’s vital to save some money
Human rights are critical in democracy
Good Grammar - January 28th
Starting with a…
Base form verb (do) = instruction to listener
Gerund (doing) = subject of clause
Infinitive (to do) = purpose of main clause
LEARN English (instruction)
LEARNING English is fun (subject)
TO LEARN English, I take classes (purpose of classes)
Phrasal Verbs - January 27th
“Put on” is to start wearing something on your body and “take off” is to stop wearing it.
I put on/took off my…
shirt
pants
hat
shoes
jacket
gloves
scarf
jewelry
glasses
mask
helmet
Note: you also put on makeup, perfume, lotion, cream & sunscreen.
Valuable Vocab - January 27th
Phrases related to body language towards others (sb = somebody):
Shake hands with sb
Hug sb
Pat sb on the back
Wave to sb
Bow to sb
Smile at sb
Wink at sb
Stare at sb
Point at sb
Make/Maintain eye contact with sb
Functional Phrases - January 27th
Use “just in case” to describe an action to reduce risk
It likely won’t rain but I have an umbrella just in case
It’s a short trip but I got travel insurance just in case
Traffic should be good but I’ll leave early just in case
Essential Expressions - January 26th
Resolving a problem for a customer:
I sincerely apologize for the mistake
I’d be happy to look after that for you
Please bear with me while I…
Thank you for your patience
I’ll notify you as soon as it’s resolved
Idioms - January 26th
“an uphill battle” - a difficult task to complete
Quitting smoking is an uphill battle.
Taking my cat to the vet will be an uphill battle. He hates it.
It was an uphill battle to start my company but I did it.
Good Grammar - January 26th
Prepositions always connect with verbs in the “-ing” form:
I’m tired of waiting
I’m interested in skiing
I’m good at writing
We talked about investing
She improved by practicing
He was fired as a result of lying
Crucial Corrections- January 26th
You can’t use “never” if a sentence already has a negative word. Use “ever” instead:
I won’t never do it❌
I won’t ever do it✔️
I will never do it✔️
She hasn’t never seen it❌
She hasn’t ever seen it✔️
She has never seen it✔️
Proper Pronunciation - January 25th
Different syllable stress for verb vs. adjective/noun:
It is PERfect (adj)
I will perFECT it (v)
I have a REcord of it (n)
I can reCORD it (v)
There was a CONflict (n)
The styles conFLICT (v)
They made PROgress (n)
Technology will proGRESS (v)
Discover the Difference - January 25th
Your “career” is your working life:
I finished my career (I’m retired now).
My career was in IT.
Your “degree” is your topic of study at university:
I finished my degree (I graduated).
My degree is in IT.
Essential Expressions - January 25th
When you don’t hear what was said:
Formal:
Pardon?
I beg your pardon?
Excuse me?
Sorry I didn’t catch/get/hear that
Sorry I missed that
Could you repeat that?
Informal:
What’s that?
Come again?
Say that again?
Huh?
Crucial Corrections - January 25th
Use “have” with these nouns, not “take”:
Have + coffee/tea/beer/wine/water/a drink
Have + breakfast/lunch/dinner
Have + a meal/a snack
Do you want to take some coffee?❌
Do you want to have some coffee✔️
I didn’t take lunch❌
I didn’t have lunch✔️
Good Grammar - January 25th
Verbs that use a person as an object and then infinitive verb (to do):
want/would like
inspire/motivate
convince/persuade/get
encourage
ask
urge
warn
need
force
ex. I urged HER to wait
ex. I warned THEM not to go
ex. She inspired ME to do it
Know the Difference - January 24th
“We did it!” = we succeeded at a task
Nobody thought we’d win but we did it
“We made it” = we arrived successfully
I thought we’d be late for the bus but we made it
Proper Pronunciation - January 24th
Similar spelling, different pronunciation:
thorough (detailed) “thur-o”
through (via) “threw”
though (however) “tho”
tough (strong) “tuff”
thought (think) “thawt”
taught (teach) “tawt”
Idioms - January 23rd
“It rings a bell” means that something sounds familiar to you but you’re not exactly sure what it is.
Do you know the movie “Grease”?
“It rings a bell” (the name sounds familiar but I’m not exactly sure)
“It doesn’t ring a bell” (I’m not familiar with it)
Valuable Vocab - January 23rd
body part + ed = adjective
ex. He has blue eyes = He's a blue-eyed boy
He/She is...
brown/curly/short/long-haired
right/left-handed
narrow/open-minded
far/near-sighted
fair/brown/dark-skinned
broad-shouldered
deep-voiced
kind-hearted
Valuable Vocab - January 22nd
Use “lead to”, “result in”, “bring about” or “give rise to” to introduce a result:
Covid led to an economic crisis
The storm resulted in floods
The protests brought about changes
The internet gave rise to e-commerce
Discover the Difference - January 22nd
“Should” introduces the speaker’s suggestion
You should paint it red (suggestion)
“Could” presents an option neutrally (not a suggestion)
You could paint it red, blue or green (options, but not suggestions)
Essential Expressions - January 21st
Politely reject an invitation:
I wish I could but…
I would love to join you but…
That sounds like fun but…
I’m afraid I can’t because…
Thank you for the invitation but unfortunately…
Functional Phrases - January 21st
Use “shall we” to softly propose doing something together
Shall we go? (propose leaving)
Shall we get some dessert? (propose ordering dessert)
Shall we take a seat? (propose sitting down)
Phrasal Verbs - January 20th
To think (an option) over = to evaluate an option before deciding
Thanks for the offer. I’ll think it over.
To think (a situation) through = to think about all parts of a situation carefully
I was wrong to quit my job. I didn’t think it through.
Crucial Corrections - January 20th
The verb “tell” needs a person (me, him, us, etc.) as an object
We told our idea❌
We told THEM our idea✔️
I’ll tell what he told❌
I’ll tell YOU what he told ME✔️
Good Grammar - January 19th
These verbs connect to the gerund form of another verb. Gerund = doing, getting, going, etc.
Admit doing
Avoid eating
Consider buying
Delay going
Discuss taking
Enjoy watching
Finish speaking
Imagine having
Involve/Include making
Practice writing
Recommend/Suggest bringing
Discover the Difference - January 18th
Nothing = zero things (negative)
Anything = one thing but not specific about which one (positive)
Nothing can change (change is NOT possible for a, b, or c)
Anything can change (change is possible for a, b, or c)
Functional Phrases - January 18th
Say “on second thought” to change your mind:
Let’s take the bus. On second thought, the subway is better.
I’ll use my credit card. On second thought, I’ll pay in cash.
I’ll text her. On second thought, I’ll call.
Crucial Corrections - January 17th
If you are curious or want to get some information about something:
I have a doubt❌
I have a question✔️
“I have doubts” is what we say when we lack confidence or trust in something
Valuable Vocab - January 17th
Verbs “unfold”, “develop”, “evolve” “transpire” & “play out” describe how events happen (often used with a “how” clause as the object):
I wonder how the election will unfold
I’m happy with how the event transpired
Nobody knows how the war will play out
Idioms - January 16th
To rain on someone’s parade: to say a negative point during a positive moment for another person
Congrats on graduating! I don’t want to rain on your parade but now you need to find a job
I just want to enjoy this moment. Don’t rain on my parade!
I think I rained on my friend's parade when she told me about her plans for her new business and I told her that starting a new business will be stressful.
Essential Expressions - January 16th
How to disagree politely:
I’m afraid I disagree
I respectfully disagree
I don’t quite see it that way
I have a different perspective on it
Well, I would argue that…
I see what you mean, but…
I understand how you feel, but…
Valuable Vocab - January 15th
Use “virtually”, “practically”, “effectively” or “pretty much” when something is not perfectly true but very close to being true.
My neighbors are virtually my family (not exactly family but very close)
Hockey is effectively soccer on ice (not exactly soccer on ice but very close)
Coke is pretty much sugar water (not exactly sugar water but very close)
Discover the Difference - January 15th
Use “that” after a noun
Use “what” without a noun
I heard…what he said
I heard…EVERTHING that he said
I found…what I was looking for
I found…THE KEYS that I was looking for
I know…what she did
I know…THE MISTAKE that she made
Good Grammar - January 14th
These verbs connect to the infinitive form of another verb. Infinitive = to do, to get, to go, etc.
Agree to go
Afford to buy
Decide to do
Deserve to get
Expect to see
Fail to finish
Get to join
Hesitate to say
Intend to change
Offer to help
Manage to improve
Struggle to learn
Tend to make
Proper Pronunciation - January 13th
Words English learners say incorrectly, with correct pronunciation in quotation marks " ":
Island “eye-land”
Queue “q”
Yacht “yawt”
Police “pu-lees”
Nervous “ner-viss”
Colleague “call-leeg”
Jewelry “jool-ree”
Chef “shef”
Surface “sur-fis”
Suit “soot”
Functional Phrases - January 13th
Say “above all” with the most important point:
Good public speakers are confident and prepared, but above all, they have passion
If you’re sick, you need medicine and water, but above all, you need rest
Above all, marriage requires trust
Idioms - January 13th
“To put something on the back burner” = to decide to focus on some plans later in the future rather than focusing on them now
We had to put our trip on the back burner because of Covid.
I want to start my own business but I’ve put it on the back burner until I have more free time.
We are hoping to buy a house someday but we put it on the back burner because we have to save more money first.
Crucial Corrections - January 12th
When saying a fact that came from someone else, use the verb “heard”, not “listened”:
I've never been there, but I listened that Lisbon is a beautiful city❌
I've never been there, but I heard that Lisbon is a beautiful city✔️
Valuable Vocab - January 12th
Adjective + “en” = Verb = To make something more adjective
ex. “STRAIGHTen” = to make something straighter
She straightened her hair (she made her hair straighter)
Verbs:
LIGHTen
SOFTen
HARDen
THICKen
SWEETen
TIGHTen
LOOSEn
FLATten
WIDEn
WEAKen
SHARPen
CHEAPen
Phrasal Verbs - January 11th
“To come through” is to do something important when others depend on you
I needed a ride to the airport. My dad came through and drove me.
“To follow through” is to do what you said you would do
My boss promised me a bonus and she followed through
Essential Expressions - January 10th
Politely end a conversation by saying:
Well, I should get going. It was nice talking to you!
I’m afraid I have to run but it was great seeing you again.
I’ll let you get back to what you were doing. Enjoy the rest of your day.
Crucial Corrections - January 9th
To sound professional in business, when you are experiencing a problem, DON’T say:
I’m scared/afraid/worried/nervous about it.❌
Instead, you SHOULD say:
I’m concerned about it.✔️
Discover the Difference - January 9th
“Want to do” is something you prefer
“Be willing to do” is something you will do if necessary
I’m willing to wait for the next bus (I don’t want to wait but I will if necessary)
I’m willing to work on weekends (I will if necessary)
Valuable Vocab - January 8th
Use these verbs with a percentage to describe a proportion of one thing (men) to an overall total (customers):
Men represent 72% of customers
Men comprise 72%
Men constitute 72%
Men total 72%
Men make up 72%
Men account for 72%
Men amount to 72%
Proper Pronunciation - January 7th
Words English learners say incorrectly with correct pronunciation in quotation marks " "
Debt “det”
Cupboard “cu-burd”
Whistle “wiss-ul”
Muscle “muss-ul”
Engine “en-jin”
Recipe “re-si-pee”
Wednesday “wenz-day”
Comfortable “come-ter-bull”
Discover the Difference - January 6th
Say “me too” if you agree with a person’s statement in POSITIVE form:
I LIKE sushi
Me too!
Say “me neither” if you agree with a person’s statement in NEGATIVE form:
I DON’T like sushi
Me neither!
Phrasal Verbs - January 5th
To stick around = to stay in your current location
To head out = to leave
I’d love to stick around but I have to head out.
He didn’t stick around very long. He had other plans.
Are you heading out now?
Essential Expressions - January 4th
When someone’s family member or friend dies:
My sincere condolences
My thoughts are with you
I’m truly sorry for your loss
Sending you lots of love
Please accept my deepest sympathy
Functional Phrases - January 3rd
Use the phrase “at least” to mention a positive point in a negative situation:
I feel sick today. At least I have medicine.
The traffic is bad. At least I can listen to the radio.
I can’t sleep. At least I don’t have to get up early.
Valuable Vocabulary - January 3rd
Words to say something is confusing or hard to understand:
His sudden change in behavior is very…
baffling
perplexing
puzzling
mysterious
mystifying
bewildering
Know the Difference - January 2nd
Few = not many (a very low quantity)
I knew few (not many) people at the party
A Few = some (a moderate quantity)
I knew a few (some) people at the party
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