EnglishNotes

‘thankful’ or ‘grateful’?

Grateful is the normal word for people’s reactions to kindness, favours etc. Example: I’m very grateful for all your help. Thankful is used especially for feelings of relief at having avoided a danger or at having come through an unpleasant experience. Example: I’m thankful that we got home before the storm started.

A ‘lone wolf’ terrorist

A ‘lone wolf’ is one who prefers to act, live, or work alone. A ‘lone wolf terrorist’ is an individual who adopts extremist ideology and chooses to act accordingly, but does so alone, not as a part of a particular group or not under group command or with group assistance. Here is a link to … Continue reading →

What’s your ‘party piece’?

IT’S PARTY TIME! party piece š(a song/speech/joke/trick that somebody always does to entertain people, especially at parties) His common party piece was mimicry of politicians and celebrities. party pooper (a person who does not want to take part in an enjoyable activity and spoils the fun for other people) We had a costume party but … Continue reading →

‘used to’ or ‘use to’?

‘Vaping’

Talk and Speak: collocations

Jumping on the bandwagon

Do you like ‘dusky’ shades? or ‘vibrant’ ones?

How to greet someone you have not seen for a long time

Hi! I haven’t seen you in a long time! How have you been? Heyyy! I haven’t seen you in ages! How are you doing? Hi! I haven’t seen you in years! Where have you been? Hi Sam. Long time, hanh? Good to see you. Hi! I don’t see you much around here anymore. Where have … Continue reading →

‘Half past seven’ or ‘7:30 a.m.’? Expressing time

Rule: Spell out the time of day in text even with half and quarter hours. Example: It was almost half past six when she got the first call from the press. Rule: With o’clock, the number is always spelled out. Example: The show begins at seven o’clock in the evening. Rule: Use numerals to express … Continue reading →