📔over your head
📋Meaning
If something you hear or read is over your head, or goes over your head, you don't understand it because the language or the ideas are too advanced for you.
🤔For example ⬇️
🗣I tried listening to a show on the radio about modern physics, but most of it was over my head and I gave up after about ten minutes.
🗣Jerry told a really funny joke about the economics of the cheese industry, and it went right over Tom's head. He didn't even smile.
✏️Note
For another idiom with similar wording, but a very different meaning, see the listing for "go over your head".
📋Meaning
If something you hear or read is over your head, or goes over your head, you don't understand it because the language or the ideas are too advanced for you.
🤔For example ⬇️
🗣I tried listening to a show on the radio about modern physics, but most of it was over my head and I gave up after about ten minutes.
🗣Jerry told a really funny joke about the economics of the cheese industry, and it went right over Tom's head. He didn't even smile.
✏️Note
For another idiom with similar wording, but a very different meaning, see the listing for "go over your head".
📔leave no stone unturned
📋Meaning
If you leave no stone unturned, you look everywhere in order to find something, or try everything in order to achieve something.
🤔For example ⬇️
🗣Ari has left no stone unturned in her search for a job in television, but so far she hasn't had any luck.
🗣The leaders of the countries involved in the dispute claim they've left no stone unturned in their quest for a peaceful solution.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📋Meaning
If you leave no stone unturned, you look everywhere in order to find something, or try everything in order to achieve something.
🤔For example ⬇️
🗣Ari has left no stone unturned in her search for a job in television, but so far she hasn't had any luck.
🗣The leaders of the countries involved in the dispute claim they've left no stone unturned in their quest for a peaceful solution.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📒read into
📖Meaning
to believe you've found more meaning in what someone says or does than others have found
🤓For example ⤵️
💬read sth into sth You're reading too much into what he said. I don't think he meant to insult you.
💬be read into sth A lot can be read into what someone says, but it doesn't mean that it's all true.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
📖Meaning
to believe you've found more meaning in what someone says or does than others have found
🤓For example ⤵️
💬read sth into sth You're reading too much into what he said. I don't think he meant to insult you.
💬be read into sth A lot can be read into what someone says, but it doesn't mean that it's all true.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Interesting facts about English language🔎
Do you know these facts⁉️
1️⃣. English actually originates from what is now called north west Germany and the Netherlands.
2️⃣. The phrase “long time no see” is believed to be a literal translation of a Native American or Chinese phrase as it is not grammatically correct.
3️⃣. About 4,000 words are added to the dictionary each year.
4️⃣. 1/4 of the world’s population speaks at least some English.
5️⃣. Month, orange, silver, and purple do not rhyme with any other word.
Do you know these facts⁉️
1️⃣. English actually originates from what is now called north west Germany and the Netherlands.
2️⃣. The phrase “long time no see” is believed to be a literal translation of a Native American or Chinese phrase as it is not grammatically correct.
3️⃣. About 4,000 words are added to the dictionary each year.
4️⃣. 1/4 of the world’s population speaks at least some English.
5️⃣. Month, orange, silver, and purple do not rhyme with any other word.
Some common english #phrases:
💬to turn to (something)
Ⓜ️ to begin talking about something else; to begin to focus on something else; to change the subject of conversation to another topic.
❇️ After they discussed the weather and what they had done over the weekend, they turned to the projects they needed to do in the next week.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬to give it to (one) straight
Ⓜ️to tell someone the full truth very directly, without delaying it or hiding anything.
❇️ What are you trying to say? Just give it to me straight. Are you breaking up with me?
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬speaking of (something)
Ⓜ️a phrase used to show that one wants to add information that is somehow related to a particular topic that was just mentioned.
❇️Maggie was talking about the way she disliked the color of her office, when Ahmed said, “Speaking of offices, we’ve decided to look for a new office building.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬off the record
Ⓜ️ a phrase used to let other people know that information is secret and shouldn’t be shared with others, or at least not while using the speaker’s name.
❇️ The politician agreed to have an interview with the reporter, but only if everything he said would be off the record.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬by the way
Ⓜ️ a phrase used when someone wants to say something that is only slightly related to the current discussion and isn’t the main focus.
❇️ The class was discussing recent developments in energy efficiency, when one student said, “By the way, did anyone read the articles in today’s newspaper about the tax credits for buying electric cars?”
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬to hand (someone) (something)
Ⓜ️ to give something to someone.
❇️Could you please hand me that pencil? Thanks.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬in line for
Ⓜ️ ready for something to happen; waiting to be next; waiting to receive something.
❇️ Many geologists think California is next in line for a major earthquake.
💬to turn to (something)
Ⓜ️ to begin talking about something else; to begin to focus on something else; to change the subject of conversation to another topic.
❇️ After they discussed the weather and what they had done over the weekend, they turned to the projects they needed to do in the next week.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬to give it to (one) straight
Ⓜ️to tell someone the full truth very directly, without delaying it or hiding anything.
❇️ What are you trying to say? Just give it to me straight. Are you breaking up with me?
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬speaking of (something)
Ⓜ️a phrase used to show that one wants to add information that is somehow related to a particular topic that was just mentioned.
❇️Maggie was talking about the way she disliked the color of her office, when Ahmed said, “Speaking of offices, we’ve decided to look for a new office building.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬off the record
Ⓜ️ a phrase used to let other people know that information is secret and shouldn’t be shared with others, or at least not while using the speaker’s name.
❇️ The politician agreed to have an interview with the reporter, but only if everything he said would be off the record.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬by the way
Ⓜ️ a phrase used when someone wants to say something that is only slightly related to the current discussion and isn’t the main focus.
❇️ The class was discussing recent developments in energy efficiency, when one student said, “By the way, did anyone read the articles in today’s newspaper about the tax credits for buying electric cars?”
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬to hand (someone) (something)
Ⓜ️ to give something to someone.
❇️Could you please hand me that pencil? Thanks.
••———•●🔴⚪️🔵●•———••
💬in line for
Ⓜ️ ready for something to happen; waiting to be next; waiting to receive something.
❇️ Many geologists think California is next in line for a major earthquake.
The differences between “for”, “since” and “ago”:
When to use them correctly?🤔
🔹We use “for” and “since” to say how long, but there is a little difference between them🔹
🔺We use for + a period of time
🔴For three Days
🔴For two years
🔹We use since + the start of the period
🔵Since Monday
🔵Since 9 o'clock
So, what does “ago” mean and when should I use it?
⚪️”Ago” means before now.
⚠️We use it with the past.
▫️-when did you go out?
-Ten minutes ago. (= ten minutes before now)
▫️-I started my new job three weeks ago.(= three weeks before now)
❗️Here compare ago and for to learn more:
⭕️ -When did you arrive in New York?
- I arrived in New York 2 days ago.
⭕️ - How long has she been in New York?
- She has been in New York for 2 days.
When to use them correctly?🤔
🔹We use “for” and “since” to say how long, but there is a little difference between them🔹
🔺We use for + a period of time
🔴For three Days
🔴For two years
🔹We use since + the start of the period
🔵Since Monday
🔵Since 9 o'clock
So, what does “ago” mean and when should I use it?
⚪️”Ago” means before now.
⚠️We use it with the past.
▫️-when did you go out?
-Ten minutes ago. (= ten minutes before now)
▫️-I started my new job three weeks ago.(= three weeks before now)
❗️Here compare ago and for to learn more:
⭕️ -When did you arrive in New York?
- I arrived in New York 2 days ago.
⭕️ - How long has she been in New York?
- She has been in New York for 2 days.
💡“English idioms”💡
1️⃣A little bird told me: something that you say in order to let someone know that you are not going to tell them who gave you the information being discussed. (Like in Spanish)
2️⃣A pain in the neck: someone or something that is very annoying.
3️⃣A piece of cake: something very easy.
4️⃣To lay off: to stop using or doing something.
5️⃣Pigs can fly: there is no chance of that ever happening.
6️⃣Dead tired: Totally exhausted or fatigued.
7️⃣Call it a day: to quit work and go home; to say that a day's work has been completed.
8️⃣In charge of: Having control over or responsibility for.
9️⃣In the way: to be close to doing something.
🔟Be my guest: Help yourself.; After you. (A polite way of indicating that someone else should go first, help himself or herself to something, or take the last one of something.)
1️⃣A little bird told me: something that you say in order to let someone know that you are not going to tell them who gave you the information being discussed. (Like in Spanish)
2️⃣A pain in the neck: someone or something that is very annoying.
3️⃣A piece of cake: something very easy.
4️⃣To lay off: to stop using or doing something.
5️⃣Pigs can fly: there is no chance of that ever happening.
6️⃣Dead tired: Totally exhausted or fatigued.
7️⃣Call it a day: to quit work and go home; to say that a day's work has been completed.
8️⃣In charge of: Having control over or responsibility for.
9️⃣In the way: to be close to doing something.
🔟Be my guest: Help yourself.; After you. (A polite way of indicating that someone else should go first, help himself or herself to something, or take the last one of something.)
⚜ Grammar Lesson ⚜
🔊 Contractions 🔊
📝I’m => I am
📝I’ve => I have
📝I’ll => I will
📝I’d => I would / I had
📝he’s => he is
📝he’ll => he will
📝he’d => he would / he had
📝it’s => it is
📝it’ll => it will
📝you’re => you are
📝you’ve => you have
📝you’ll => you will
📝you’d => you would / you had
📝she’s => she is
📝she’ll => she will
📝she’d => she would
📝we’re => we are
📝we’ve => we have
📝we’ll => we will
📝we’d => we would
📝they’re => they are
📝they’ve => they have
📝they’ll => they will
📝they’d => they would / they had
🆔 @AmEnglish
📝can’t => cannot
📝couldn’t => could not
📝didn’t => did not
📝doesn’t => does not
📝don’t => do not
📝hasn’t => has not
📝haven’t => have not
📝hadn’t => had not
📝mustn’t => must not
📝shouldn’t => should not
📝wasn’t => was not
📝weren’t => were not
📝won’t => will not
📝here’s => here is
📝there’s => there is
📝that’s => that is
📝what’s => what is
📝where’s => where is
📝when’s => when is
📝who’s => who is
📝who’d => who would
🔊 Contractions 🔊
📝I’m => I am
📝I’ve => I have
📝I’ll => I will
📝I’d => I would / I had
📝he’s => he is
📝he’ll => he will
📝he’d => he would / he had
📝it’s => it is
📝it’ll => it will
📝you’re => you are
📝you’ve => you have
📝you’ll => you will
📝you’d => you would / you had
📝she’s => she is
📝she’ll => she will
📝she’d => she would
📝we’re => we are
📝we’ve => we have
📝we’ll => we will
📝we’d => we would
📝they’re => they are
📝they’ve => they have
📝they’ll => they will
📝they’d => they would / they had
🆔 @AmEnglish
📝can’t => cannot
📝couldn’t => could not
📝didn’t => did not
📝doesn’t => does not
📝don’t => do not
📝hasn’t => has not
📝haven’t => have not
📝hadn’t => had not
📝mustn’t => must not
📝shouldn’t => should not
📝wasn’t => was not
📝weren’t => were not
📝won’t => will not
📝here’s => here is
📝there’s => there is
📝that’s => that is
📝what’s => what is
📝where’s => where is
📝when’s => when is
📝who’s => who is
📝who’d => who would
Commonly Confused Words💡
🔊 Quiet, Quit, and Quite 🔊
🔆Definitions;
🔵 As a noun, quiet means silent (as in "the quiet of a summer evening").
🔴 As an adjective, quiet means calm or still (as in "a quiet place to write").
⚫️ As a verb, quiet means to make or become quiet (as in, "He tried to quiet the crowd").
⚫️ The verb quit means to free or to leave (as in "I plan to quit my job").
⚪️ The adverb quite means entirely, positively, or to a considerable extent (as in "The test was quite difficult").
🔔 Examples 🔔
💭 My mother was quite tired and needed a quiet place to take a nap.
💭 She asked the boys to quit playing games.
🔊 Quiet, Quit, and Quite 🔊
🔆Definitions;
🔵 As a noun, quiet means silent (as in "the quiet of a summer evening").
🔴 As an adjective, quiet means calm or still (as in "a quiet place to write").
⚫️ As a verb, quiet means to make or become quiet (as in, "He tried to quiet the crowd").
⚫️ The verb quit means to free or to leave (as in "I plan to quit my job").
⚪️ The adverb quite means entirely, positively, or to a considerable extent (as in "The test was quite difficult").
🔔 Examples 🔔
💭 My mother was quite tired and needed a quiet place to take a nap.
💭 She asked the boys to quit playing games.
⚜Common Collocations with “GO“⚜
✓GO
🏡 I go home
🛒 I go shopping
🤯 I go crazy
✓GO TO
💼 I go to work
🌎 I go to France
🛏 I go to bed
✓GO ON
✈️ I go on holiday
🚗 I go on a ride
🚃 I go on a train
✓GO TO THE
🥳 I go to the party
📚 I go to the library
🎬 I go to the show
✓GO
🏡 I go home
🛒 I go shopping
🤯 I go crazy
✓GO TO
💼 I go to work
🌎 I go to France
🛏 I go to bed
✓GO ON
✈️ I go on holiday
🚗 I go on a ride
🚃 I go on a train
✓GO TO THE
🥳 I go to the party
📚 I go to the library
🎬 I go to the show
⚜ Grammar Lesson ⚜
🔊 Could Vs Would 🔊
Could and would have many uses which makes them confusing for many beginning writers and English language learners.
🔻 Could is a verb with many senses
Could is the past tense of Can, in this sense, Could refers to some ability that someone had in the past
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 In high school, I could dunk a basketball.
👉 In other instances, could is a modal verb which is used for some conditional present and future tenses of can.
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 You could have gone to the park with your friends if you had finished your homework on time.
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
🔺 Would is also a verb with many senses. Would is the past tense of Will, which denotes both ability and certainty.
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 In high school, I would do my homework on the bus. Would is also a modal verb used to denote possibility.
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 If I were to take a vocation, it would be somewhere warm and tropical.
🔘 Could and would are related, but they mean different things. Could expresses possibility, while would expresses certainty and intent.
===========================
🔊 Could Vs Would 🔊
Could and would have many uses which makes them confusing for many beginning writers and English language learners.
🔻 Could is a verb with many senses
Could is the past tense of Can, in this sense, Could refers to some ability that someone had in the past
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 In high school, I could dunk a basketball.
👉 In other instances, could is a modal verb which is used for some conditional present and future tenses of can.
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 You could have gone to the park with your friends if you had finished your homework on time.
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
🔺 Would is also a verb with many senses. Would is the past tense of Will, which denotes both ability and certainty.
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 In high school, I would do my homework on the bus. Would is also a modal verb used to denote possibility.
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 If I were to take a vocation, it would be somewhere warm and tropical.
🔘 Could and would are related, but they mean different things. Could expresses possibility, while would expresses certainty and intent.
===========================
⚜ Grammar Lesson ⚜
🔊 Must vs Have to 🔊
☑️ The Differences between "must" and "have to" :
🔴 Must: It expresses an obligation. The source of this obligation is internal (coming from oneself).
🔘 I must climb Mount Everest.
👆🏼 In this example “must” expresses the obligation to climb Mount Everest that comes from an internal source (no one external to me is forcing me to do it).
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
🔴 Have to: It expresses an obligation. The source of this obligation is external (coming from your boss, the law, an authority).
🔘 My mother says that I have to make my bed.
👆🏼In this example “have to” expresses an obligation coming from an external source (my mother).
===========================
🔊 Must vs Have to 🔊
☑️ The Differences between "must" and "have to" :
🔴 Must: It expresses an obligation. The source of this obligation is internal (coming from oneself).
🔘 I must climb Mount Everest.
👆🏼 In this example “must” expresses the obligation to climb Mount Everest that comes from an internal source (no one external to me is forcing me to do it).
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
🔴 Have to: It expresses an obligation. The source of this obligation is external (coming from your boss, the law, an authority).
🔘 My mother says that I have to make my bed.
👆🏼In this example “have to” expresses an obligation coming from an external source (my mother).
===========================
⚜ Grammar Lesson ⚜
🔊 Prepositions 🔊
A preposition is a word governing, and usually coming in front of, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element.
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 She left before breakfast.
💭 What did you come for ?
🔺 A preposition is followed by a "noun".
Subject ➕ verb ➕ preposition ➕ "noun"
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 The book is on the table.
💭 He lives in Ethiopia.
🔺 A preposition cannot be followed by a verb.
👉 If we want to follow a preposition by a verb, we must use the "ing" form which is really a gerund or verb in noun form.
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 She isn't used to working.
💭 I ate before coming.
===========================
🔊 Prepositions 🔊
A preposition is a word governing, and usually coming in front of, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element.
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 She left before breakfast.
💭 What did you come for ?
🔺 A preposition is followed by a "noun".
Subject ➕ verb ➕ preposition ➕ "noun"
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 The book is on the table.
💭 He lives in Ethiopia.
🔺 A preposition cannot be followed by a verb.
👉 If we want to follow a preposition by a verb, we must use the "ing" form which is really a gerund or verb in noun form.
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 She isn't used to working.
💭 I ate before coming.
===========================
Conditional sentences 🔊
Conditional Type 1⃣
☑️Keyword: Real
Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real or possible situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met. It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled. We don't know for sure whether the condition actually will be fulfilled or not, but the conditions seems rather realistic – so we think it is likely to happen.
♦️ FORM ♦️
🔺If ➕ Simple Present ➕ , ➕ Simple Future
🔺Simple Future ➕ If ➕ Simple Present
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 If I have enough time, I'll read the magazine.
💭 I'll tell her if I see her.
===========================
Conditional Type 1⃣
☑️Keyword: Real
Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real or possible situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met. It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled. We don't know for sure whether the condition actually will be fulfilled or not, but the conditions seems rather realistic – so we think it is likely to happen.
♦️ FORM ♦️
🔺If ➕ Simple Present ➕ , ➕ Simple Future
🔺Simple Future ➕ If ➕ Simple Present
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 If I have enough time, I'll read the magazine.
💭 I'll tell her if I see her.
===========================
🔊 Conditional Sentences 🔊
Conditional Type 2⃣
☑️Keyword: Unreal
Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal impossible or improbable situations.
🔸 This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation. It is very unlikely that the condition will be fulfilled. Generally, Conditional Sentences Type 2 refer to an action in the present that could happen if the present situation were different.
🔴 In conditional type 2, we usually use "were" instead of "was" even if the pronoun is I, he, she or it. "were" here is a subjunctive form.
👉 NOTE "was" is also a possible form.
♦️ FORM ♦️
🔺If ➕ Simple Past ➕ , ➕ Would ➕ Base Verb
🔺Would ➕ Base Verb ➕ If ➕ Simple Past
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 If I were a millionaire, I would buy a mansion.
💭 I would bring her back to life if I knew necromancy.
===========================
Conditional Type 2⃣
☑️Keyword: Unreal
Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal impossible or improbable situations.
🔸 This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation. It is very unlikely that the condition will be fulfilled. Generally, Conditional Sentences Type 2 refer to an action in the present that could happen if the present situation were different.
🔴 In conditional type 2, we usually use "were" instead of "was" even if the pronoun is I, he, she or it. "were" here is a subjunctive form.
👉 NOTE "was" is also a possible form.
♦️ FORM ♦️
🔺If ➕ Simple Past ➕ , ➕ Would ➕ Base Verb
🔺Would ➕ Base Verb ➕ If ➕ Simple Past
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 If I were a millionaire, I would buy a mansion.
💭 I would bring her back to life if I knew necromancy.
===========================
🔊 Conditional Sentences 🔊
Conditional Type 3⃣
☑️Keyword: Impossible
Conditional Sentences Type 3 refer to situations in the past. They express hypothetical results to past given situations. These situations can never be real, because they refer to things in the past that cannot be changed.
♦️ FORM ♦️
🔺If ➕ Past Perfect ➕ , ➕ Would ➕ Have ➕ Past Participle
🔺Would ➕ Have ➕ Past Participle ➕ If ➕ Past Perfect
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 If he had been careful, he wouldn't have had that terrible accident.
💭 She wouldn't have gone to her brother's house if he had been honest with her.
===========================
Conditional Type 3⃣
☑️Keyword: Impossible
Conditional Sentences Type 3 refer to situations in the past. They express hypothetical results to past given situations. These situations can never be real, because they refer to things in the past that cannot be changed.
♦️ FORM ♦️
🔺If ➕ Past Perfect ➕ , ➕ Would ➕ Have ➕ Past Participle
🔺Would ➕ Have ➕ Past Participle ➕ If ➕ Past Perfect
🔔 Example 🔔
💭 If he had been careful, he wouldn't have had that terrible accident.
💭 She wouldn't have gone to her brother's house if he had been honest with her.
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⚜ Grammar Lesson ⚜
🔉 State verbs and Action verbs 🔉
A state means something staying the same.
The flat is clean.
The farmer owns the land.
❗️State verbs cannot usually be continuous. Not: The farmer is owning the land ❌
An action means something happening.
I'm cleaning the flat.
The farmer is buying the land.
❗️Action verbs can be simple or continuous.
1) He put / He was putting everything away.
2) I think / I'm thinking etc.
🆔 @AmEnglish
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
Sometimes we can use a verb either for a state or for an action.
🌸 States (simple tenses) 🌸
I "think" you're right (= believe).
We "have" three cars (= own).
🌸 Actions (simple or continuous) 🌸
I'm "thinking" about the problem.
We're "having" lunch (eating).
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
These examples with the verb "Be" are about how people behave:
Permanent Quality:
Claire "is" a very sociable person.
That man "is" an idiot.
Temporary Quality:
Andrew "is being" very sociable today.
You "are being" an idiot this morning.
❗️We use am/are/is being only to talk about behavior, not about other things.
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
👉 Sometimes we can use either the simple or the continuous with no difference in meaning.
You look well. Or You're looking well.
We feel a bit sad. Or We're feeling a bit sad.
===========================
🔉 State verbs and Action verbs 🔉
A state means something staying the same.
The flat is clean.
The farmer owns the land.
❗️State verbs cannot usually be continuous. Not: The farmer is owning the land ❌
An action means something happening.
I'm cleaning the flat.
The farmer is buying the land.
❗️Action verbs can be simple or continuous.
1) He put / He was putting everything away.
2) I think / I'm thinking etc.
🆔 @AmEnglish
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
Sometimes we can use a verb either for a state or for an action.
🌸 States (simple tenses) 🌸
I "think" you're right (= believe).
We "have" three cars (= own).
🌸 Actions (simple or continuous) 🌸
I'm "thinking" about the problem.
We're "having" lunch (eating).
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
These examples with the verb "Be" are about how people behave:
Permanent Quality:
Claire "is" a very sociable person.
That man "is" an idiot.
Temporary Quality:
Andrew "is being" very sociable today.
You "are being" an idiot this morning.
❗️We use am/are/is being only to talk about behavior, not about other things.
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
👉 Sometimes we can use either the simple or the continuous with no difference in meaning.
You look well. Or You're looking well.
We feel a bit sad. Or We're feeling a bit sad.
===========================
⚜ Grammar Lesson ⚜
🔉 Appositives 🔉
An appositive is a noun or a noun phrase placed next to another word to define or modify it.
🔔 Example 🔔
In the phrase "my friend Hannah," the noun "Hannah" is an appositive, which gives us more information about "my friend".
🆔 @AmEnglish
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive
We have two types of Appositives. Restrictive and non-restrictive.
🌸 Non-Restrictive 🌸
Non-restrictive appositives are the ones that are NOT necessary for the meaning of the sentence to be completed.
🔔 Example 🔔
"Dora, the head surgeon, has called us to meet her."
In this sentence, "the head surgeon" does not narrow down the first element "Dora", rather it provides more information about it. Non-restrictive appositives are put in between commas.
🌸 Restrictive Appositives 🌸
In a restrictive appositive, the second element limits or clarifies a word in some crucial way. For example, in the sentence "My friend Shane has brought the books." The name "Shane" tells us which friend the writer is talking about; Thus restricting the first element. Restrictive appositives don't need to be set off with a pair of commas.
🆔 @AmEnglish
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
☀️ EXAMPLES ☀️
👉 Canada, one of the coldest countries in the world, is very beautiful.
☑️ Non-restrictive, because without "one of the coldest countries in the world", the sentence still would be complete.
👉 The band Three Days Grace will be performing tonight.
☑️ Restrictive, because we didn't know which band would be performing until the Appositive Three Days Grace came in.
==========================
🔉 Appositives 🔉
An appositive is a noun or a noun phrase placed next to another word to define or modify it.
🔔 Example 🔔
In the phrase "my friend Hannah," the noun "Hannah" is an appositive, which gives us more information about "my friend".
🆔 @AmEnglish
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
Restrictive vs. Non-Restrictive
We have two types of Appositives. Restrictive and non-restrictive.
🌸 Non-Restrictive 🌸
Non-restrictive appositives are the ones that are NOT necessary for the meaning of the sentence to be completed.
🔔 Example 🔔
"Dora, the head surgeon, has called us to meet her."
In this sentence, "the head surgeon" does not narrow down the first element "Dora", rather it provides more information about it. Non-restrictive appositives are put in between commas.
🌸 Restrictive Appositives 🌸
In a restrictive appositive, the second element limits or clarifies a word in some crucial way. For example, in the sentence "My friend Shane has brought the books." The name "Shane" tells us which friend the writer is talking about; Thus restricting the first element. Restrictive appositives don't need to be set off with a pair of commas.
🆔 @AmEnglish
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
☀️ EXAMPLES ☀️
👉 Canada, one of the coldest countries in the world, is very beautiful.
☑️ Non-restrictive, because without "one of the coldest countries in the world", the sentence still would be complete.
👉 The band Three Days Grace will be performing tonight.
☑️ Restrictive, because we didn't know which band would be performing until the Appositive Three Days Grace came in.
==========================
🔷 1. ‘The best of both worlds’ – means you can enjoy two different opportunities at the same time.
“By working part-time and looking after her kids two days a week she managed to get the best of both worlds.”
🔷 2. ‘Speak of the devil’ – this means that the person you’re just talking about actually appears at that moment.
“Hi Tom, speak of the devil, I was just telling Sara about your new car.”
🔷 3. ‘See eye to eye’ – this means agreeing with someone.
“They finally saw eye to eye on the business deal.”
🔷 4. ‘Once in a blue moon’ – an event that happens infrequently.
“I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.”
🔷 5. ‘When pigs fly’ – something that will never happen.
“When pigs fly she’ll tidy up her room.”
🔷 6. ‘To cost an arm and a leg’– something is very expensive.
“Fuel these days costs and arm and a leg.”
🔷 7. ‘A piece of cake’– something is very easy.
“The English test was a piece of cake.”
🔷 8. ‘Let the cat out of the bag’ – to accidentally reveal a secret.
“I let the cat out of the bag about their wedding plans.”
🔷 9. ‘To feel under the weather’ – to not feel well.
“I’m really feeling under the weather today; I have a terrible cold.”
🔷 10. ‘To kill two birds with one stone’ – to solve two problems at once.
“By taking my dad on holiday, I killed two birds with one stone. I got to go away but also spend time with him.”
🔷 11. ‘To cut corners’ – to do something badly or cheaply.
“They really cut corners when they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking.”
🔷 12. ‘To add insult to injury’ – to make a situation worse.
“To add insult to injury the car drove off without stopping after knocking me off my bike.”
🔷 13. ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ – to not judge someone or something based solely on appearance.
“I thought this no-brand bread would be horrible; turns out you can’t judge a book by its cover.”
🔷 14. ‘Break a leg’ – means ‘good luck’ (often said to actors before they go on stage).
“Break a leg Sam, I’m sure your performance will be great.”
🔷 15. ‘To hit the nail on the head’ – to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
“He hit the nail on the head when he said this company needs more HR support.”
“By working part-time and looking after her kids two days a week she managed to get the best of both worlds.”
🔷 2. ‘Speak of the devil’ – this means that the person you’re just talking about actually appears at that moment.
“Hi Tom, speak of the devil, I was just telling Sara about your new car.”
🔷 3. ‘See eye to eye’ – this means agreeing with someone.
“They finally saw eye to eye on the business deal.”
🔷 4. ‘Once in a blue moon’ – an event that happens infrequently.
“I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.”
🔷 5. ‘When pigs fly’ – something that will never happen.
“When pigs fly she’ll tidy up her room.”
🔷 6. ‘To cost an arm and a leg’– something is very expensive.
“Fuel these days costs and arm and a leg.”
🔷 7. ‘A piece of cake’– something is very easy.
“The English test was a piece of cake.”
🔷 8. ‘Let the cat out of the bag’ – to accidentally reveal a secret.
“I let the cat out of the bag about their wedding plans.”
🔷 9. ‘To feel under the weather’ – to not feel well.
“I’m really feeling under the weather today; I have a terrible cold.”
🔷 10. ‘To kill two birds with one stone’ – to solve two problems at once.
“By taking my dad on holiday, I killed two birds with one stone. I got to go away but also spend time with him.”
🔷 11. ‘To cut corners’ – to do something badly or cheaply.
“They really cut corners when they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking.”
🔷 12. ‘To add insult to injury’ – to make a situation worse.
“To add insult to injury the car drove off without stopping after knocking me off my bike.”
🔷 13. ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ – to not judge someone or something based solely on appearance.
“I thought this no-brand bread would be horrible; turns out you can’t judge a book by its cover.”
🔷 14. ‘Break a leg’ – means ‘good luck’ (often said to actors before they go on stage).
“Break a leg Sam, I’m sure your performance will be great.”
🔷 15. ‘To hit the nail on the head’ – to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
“He hit the nail on the head when he said this company needs more HR support.”
⚜ Grammar Lesson ⚜
🔉 Wish 🔉
'I wish to' can mean the same as 'I want to' but it is much, much more formal and less common.
🔔 Example 🔔
➕ I wish to see the manager.
➖ I wish to make a complaint.
🆔 @AmEnglish
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
You can also use 'wish' with a noun to 'offer good wishes'.
➕ I wish you a merry Christmas.
👉 Hence that when you want to offer good wishes using a verb, you must use 'hope' and not 'wish'.
🔔 Example 🔔
➕I wish you the best of luck.
✔️ noun
➖I hope you have the best of luck.
✔️verb
However, the main use of 'wish' is to say that we would like things to be different from what they are, that we have regrets about the present situation.
➕I wish I were with you then.
➖He wishes he could fly.
🆔 @AmEnglish
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
🔅 Notice that the verb tense which follows 'I wish' is 'more in the past' than the tense corresponding to its meaning.
🔔 Example 🔔
➕I never get invited to parties. I wish I got invited more.
➖I'm too emotional. I wish I were more logical.
👉 In the case of 'will' ,where 'will' means 'show willingness' we use 'would'.
🔔 Example 🔔
➕He won't help me.I wish he would help me.
➖You've eaten too much.I wish you would stop.
🔉 Wish 🔉
'I wish to' can mean the same as 'I want to' but it is much, much more formal and less common.
🔔 Example 🔔
➕ I wish to see the manager.
➖ I wish to make a complaint.
🆔 @AmEnglish
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
You can also use 'wish' with a noun to 'offer good wishes'.
➕ I wish you a merry Christmas.
👉 Hence that when you want to offer good wishes using a verb, you must use 'hope' and not 'wish'.
🔔 Example 🔔
➕I wish you the best of luck.
✔️ noun
➖I hope you have the best of luck.
✔️verb
However, the main use of 'wish' is to say that we would like things to be different from what they are, that we have regrets about the present situation.
➕I wish I were with you then.
➖He wishes he could fly.
🆔 @AmEnglish
〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰
🔅 Notice that the verb tense which follows 'I wish' is 'more in the past' than the tense corresponding to its meaning.
🔔 Example 🔔
➕I never get invited to parties. I wish I got invited more.
➖I'm too emotional. I wish I were more logical.
👉 In the case of 'will' ,where 'will' means 'show willingness' we use 'would'.
🔔 Example 🔔
➕He won't help me.I wish he would help me.
➖You've eaten too much.I wish you would stop.