Learn English: 2013-01-20

Definition:

A phrasal verb consists of a verb and a preposition or adverb that modifies or changes the meaning; 'give up' is a phrasal verb that means 'stop doing' something, which is very different from 'give'. The word or words that modify a verb in this manner can also go under the name particle.

Verb	Meaning	Example
ask someone out	invite on a date	Brian asked Judy out to dinner and a movie.
ask around	ask many people the same question	I asked around but nobody has seen my wallet.
add up to something	equal	Your purchases add up to $205.32.
back something up	reverse	You'll have to back up your car so that I can get out.
back someone up	support	My wife backed me up over my decision to quit my job.
blow up	explode	The racing car blew up after it crashed into the fence.
blow something up	add air	We have to blow 50 balloons up for the party.
break down	stop functioning (vehicle, machine)	Our car broke down at the side of the highway in the snowstorm.
break down	get upset	The woman broke down when the police told her that her son had died.
break something down	divide into smaller parts	Our teacher broke the final project down into three separate parts.
break in	force entry to a building	Somebody broke in last night and stole our stereo.
break into something	enter forcibly	The firemen had to break into the room to rescue the children.
break something in	wear something a few times so that it doesn't look/feel new	I need to break these shoes in before we run next week.
break in	interrupt	The TV station broke in to report the news of the president's death.
break up	end a relationship	My boyfriend and I broke up before I moved to America.
break up	start laughing (informal)	The kids just broke up as soon as the clown started talking.
break out	escape	The prisoners broke out of jail when the guards weren't looking.
break out in something	develop a skin condition	I broke out in a rash after our camping trip.
bring someone down	make unhappy	This sad music is bringing me down.
bring someone up	raise a child	My grandparents brought me up after my parents died.
bring something up	start talking about a subject	My mother walks out of the room when my father brings up sports.
bring something up	vomit	He drank so much that he brought his dinner up in the toilet.
call around	phone many different places/people	We called around but we weren't able to find the car part we needed.
call someone back	return a phone call	I called the company back but the offices were closed for the weekend.
call something off	cancel	Jason called the wedding off because he wasn't in love with his fiancé.
call on someone	ask for an answer or opinion	The professor called on me for question 1.
call on someone	visit someone	We called on you last night but you weren't home.
call someone up	phone	Give me your phone number and I will call you up when we are in town.
calm down	relax after being angry	You are still mad. You need to calm down before you drive the car.
not care for someone/something	not like (formal)	I don't care for his behaviour.
catch up	get to the same point as someone else	You'll have to run faster than that if you want to catch up with Marty.
check in	arrive and register at a hotel or airport	We will get the hotel keys when we check in.
check out	leave a hotel	You have to check out of the hotel before 11:00 AM.
check someone/something out	look at carefully, investigate	The company checks out all new employees.
check out someone/something	look at (informal)	Check out the crazy hair on that guy!
cheer up	become happier	She cheered up when she heard the good news.
cheer someone up	make happier	I brought you some flowers to cheer you up.
chip in	help	If everyone chips in we can get the kitchen painted by noon.
clean something up	tidy, clean	Please clean up your bedroom before you go outside.
come across something	find unexpectedly	I came across these old photos when I was tidying the closet.
come apart	separate	The top and bottom come apart if you pull hard enough.
come down with something	become sick	My nephew came down with chicken pox this weekend.
come forward	volunteer for a task or to give evidence	The woman came forward with her husband's finger prints.
come from somewhere	originate in	The art of origami comes from Asia.
count on someone/something	rely on	I am counting on you to make dinner while I am out.
cross something out	draw a line through	Please cross out your old address and write your new one.
cut back on something	consume less	My doctor wants me to cut back on sweets and fatty foods.
cut something down	make something fall to the ground	We had to cut the old tree in our yard down after the storm.
cut in	interrupt	Your father cut in while I was dancing with your uncle.
cut in	pull in too closely in front of another vehicle	The bus driver got angry when that car cut in.
cut in	start operating (of an engine or electrical device)	The air conditioner cuts in when the temperature gets to 22°C.
cut something off	remove with something sharp	The doctors cut off his leg because it was severely injured.
cut something off	stop providing	The phone company cut off our phone because we didn't pay the bill.
cut someone off	take out of a will	My grandparents cut my father off when he remarried.
cut something out	remove part of something (usually with scissors and paper)	I cut this ad out of the newspaper.
do someone/something over	beat up, ransack (Br.E., informal)	He's lucky to be alive. His shop was done over by a street gang.
do something over	do again (N.Amer.)	My teacher wants me to do my essay over because she doesn't like my topic.
do away with something	discard	It's time to do away with all of these old tax records.
do something up	fasten, close	Do your coat up before you go outside. It's snowing!
dress up	wear nice clothing	It's a fancy restaurant so we have to dress up.
drop back	move back in a position/group	Andrea dropped back to third place when she fell off her bike.
drop in/by/over	come without an appointment	I might drop in/by/over for tea sometime this week.
drop someone/something off	take someone/something somewhere and leave them/it there	I have to drop my sister off at work before I come over.
drop out	quit a class, school etc	I dropped out of Science because it was too difficult.
eat out	eat at a restaurant	I don't feel like cooking tonight. Let's eat out.
end up	eventually reach/do/decide	We ended up renting a movie instead of going to the theatre.
fall apart	break into pieces	My new dress fell apart in the washing machine.
fall down	fall to the ground	The picture that you hung up last night fell down this morning.
fall out	separate from an interior	The money must have fallen out of my pocket.
fall out	(of hair, teeth) become loose and unattached	His hair started to fall out when he was only 35.
figure something out	understand, find the answer	I need to figure out how to fit the piano and the bookshelf in this room.
fill something in	to write information in blanks (Br.E.)	Please fill in the form with your name, address, and phone number.
fill something out	to write information in blanks (N.Amer.)	The form must be filled out in capital letters.
fill something up	fill to the top	I always fill the water jug up when it is empty.
find out	discover	We don't know where he lives. How can we find out?
find something out	discover	We tried to keep the time of the party a secret, but Samantha found it out.
get something across/over	communicate, make understandable	I tried to get my point across/over to the judge but she wouldn't listen.
get along/on	like each other	I was surprised how well my new girlfriend and my sister got along/on.
get around	have mobility	My grandfather can get around fine in his new wheelchair.
get away	go on a vacation	We worked so hard this year that we had to get away for a week.
get away with something	do without being noticed or punished	Jason always gets away with cheating in his maths tests.
get back	return	We got back from our vacation last week.
get something back	receive something you had before	Liz finally got her Science notes back from my room-mate.
get back at someone	retaliate, take revenge	My sister got back at me for stealing her shoes. She stole my favourite hat.
get back into something	become interested in something again	I finally got back into my novel and finished it.
get on something	step onto a vehicle	We're going to freeze out here if you don't let us get on the bus.
get over something	recover from an illness, loss, difficulty	I just got over the flu and now my sister has it.
get over something	overcome a problem	The company will have to close if it can't get over the new regulations.
get round to something	finally find time to do (N.Amer.: get around to something)	I don't know when I am going to get round to writing the thank you cards.
get together	meet (usually for social reasons)	Let's get together for a BBQ this weekend.
get up	get out of bed	I got up early today to study for my exam.
get up	stand	You should get up and give the elderly man your seat.
give someone away	reveal hidden information about someone	His wife gave him away to the police.
give someone away	take the bride to the altar	My father gave me away at my wedding.
give something away	ruin a secret	My little sister gave the surprise party away by accident.
give something away	give something to someone for free	The library was giving away old books on Friday.
give something back	return a borrowed item	I have to give these skates back to Franz before his hockey game.
give in	reluctantly stop fighting or arguing	My boyfriend didn't want to go to the ballet, but he finally gave in.
give something out	give to many people (usually at no cost)	They were giving out free perfume samples at the department store.
give something up	quit a habit	I am giving up smoking as of January 1st.
give up	stop trying	My maths homework was too difficult so I gave up.
go after someone	follow someone	My brother tried to go after the thief in his car.
go after something	try to achieve something	I went after my dream and now I am a published writer.
go against someone	compete, oppose	We are going against the best soccer team in the city tonight.
go ahead	start, proceed	Please go ahead and eat before the food gets cold.
go back	return to a place	I have to go back home and get my lunch.
go out	leave home to go on a social event	We're going out for dinner tonight.
go out with someone	date	Jesse has been going out with Luke since they met last winter.
go over something	review	Please go over your answers before you submit your test.
go over	visit someone nearby	I haven't seen Tina for a long time. I think I'll go over for an hour or two.
go without something	suffer lack or deprivation	When I was young, we went without winter boots.
grow apart	stop being friends over time	My best friend and I grew apart after she changed schools.
grow back	regrow	My roses grew back this summer.
grow up	become an adult	When Jack grows up he wants to be a fireman.
grow out of something	get too big for	Elizabeth needs a new pair of shoes because she has grown out of her old ones.
grow into something	grow big enough to fit	This bike is too big for him now, but he should grow into it by next year.
hand something down	give something used to someone else	I handed my old comic books down to my little cousin.
hand something in	submit	I have to hand in my essay by Friday.
hand something out	to distribute to a group of people	We will hand out the invitations at the door.
hand something over	give (usually unwillingly)	The police asked the man to hand over his wallet and his weapons.
hang in	stay positive (N.Amer., informal)	Hang in there. I'm sure you'll find a job very soon.
hang on	wait a short time (informal)	Hang on while I grab my coat and shoes!
hang out	spend time relaxing (informal)	Instead of going to the party we are just going to hang out at my place.
hang up	end a phone call	He didn't say goodbye before he hung up.
hold someone/something back	prevent from doing/going	I had to hold my dog back because there was a cat in the park.
hold something back	hide an emotion	Jamie held back his tears at his grandfather's funeral.
hold on	wait a short time	Please hold on while I transfer you to the Sales Department.
hold onto someone/something	hold firmly using your hands or arms	Hold onto your hat because it's very windy outside.
hold someone/somethingup	rob	A man in a black mask held the bank up this morning.
keep on doing something	continue doing	Keep on stirring until the liquid comes to a boil.
keep something from someone	not tell	We kept our relationship from our parents for two years.
keep someone/something out	stop from entering	Try to keep the wet dog out of the living room.
keep something up	continue at the same rate	If you keep those results up you will get into a great college.
let someone down	fail to support or help, disappoint	I need you to be on time. Don't let me down this time.
let someone in	allow to enter	Can you let the cat in before you go to school?
look after someone/something	take care of	I have to look after my sick grandmother.
look down on someone	think less of, consider inferior	Ever since we stole that chocolate bar your dad has looked down on me.
look for someone/something	try to find	I'm looking for a red dress for the wedding.
look forward to something	be excited about the future	I'm looking forward to the Christmas break.
look into something	investigate	We are going to look into the price of snowboards today.
look out	be careful, vigilant, and take notice	Look out! That car's going to hit you!
look out for someone/something	be especially vigilant for	Don't forget to look out for snakes on the hiking trail.
look something over	check, examine	Can you look over my essay for spelling mistakes?
look something up	search and find information in a reference book or database	We can look her phone number up on the Internet.
look up to someone	have a lot of respect for	My little sister has always looked up to me.
make something up	invent, lie about something	Josie made up a story about why we were late.
make up	forgive each other	We were angry last night, but we made up at breakfast.
make someone up	apply cosmetics to	My sisters made me up for my graduation party.
mix something up	confuse two or more things	I mixed up the twins' names again!
pass away	die	His uncle passed away last night after a long illness.
pass out	faint	It was so hot in the church that an elderly lady passed out.
pass something out	give the same thing to many people	The professor passed the textbooks out before class.
pass something up	decline (usually something good)	I passed up the job because I am afraid of change.
pay someone back	return owed money	Thanks for buying my ticket. I'll pay you back on Friday.
pay for something	be punished for doing something bad	That bully will pay for being mean to my little brother.
pick something out	choose	I picked out three sweaters for you to try on.
point someone/something out	indicate with your finger	I'll point my boyfriend out when he runs by.
put something down	put what you are holding on a surface or floor	You can put the groceries down on the kitchen counter.
put someone down	insult, make someone feel stupid	The students put the substitute teacher down because his pants were too short.
put something off	postpone	We are putting off our trip until January because of the hurricane.
put something out	extinguish	The neighbours put the fire out before the firemen arrived.
put something together	assemble	I have to put the crib together before the baby arrives.
put up with someone/something	tolerate	I don't think I can put up with three small children in the car.
put something on	put clothing/accessories on your body	Don't forget to put on your new earrings for the party.
run into someone/something	meet unexpectedly	I ran into an old school-friend at the mall.
run over someone/something	drive a vehicle over a person or thing	I accidentally ran over your bicycle in the driveway.
run over/through something	rehearse, review	Let's run over/through these lines one more time before the show.
run away	leave unexpectedly, escape	The child ran away from home and has been missing for three days.
run out	have none left	We ran out of shampoo so I had to wash my hair with soap.
send something back	return (usually by mail)	My letter got sent back to me because I used the wrong stamp.
set something up	arrange, organize	Our boss set a meeting up with the president of the company.
set someone up	trick, trap	The police set up the car thief by using a hidden camera.
shop around	compare prices	I want to shop around a little before I decide on these boots.
show off	act extra special for people watching (usually boastfully)	He always shows off on his skateboard
sleep over	stay somewhere for the night (informal)	You should sleep over tonight if the weather is too bad to drive home.
sort something out	organize, resolve a problem	We need to sort the bills out before the first of the month.
stick to something	continue doing something, limit yourself to one particular thing	You will lose weight if you stick to the diet.
switch something off	stop the energy flow, turn off	The light's too bright. Could you switch it off.
switch something on	start the energy flow, turn on	We heard the news as soon as we switched on the car radio.
take after someone	resemble a family member	I take after my mother. We are both impatient.
take something apart	purposely break into pieces	He took the car brakes apart and found the problem.
take something back	return an item	I have to take our new TV back because it doesn't work.
take off	start to fly	My plane takes off in five minutes.
take something off	remove something (usually clothing)	Take off your socks and shoes and come in the lake!
take something out	remove from a place or thing	Can you take the garbage out to the street for me?
take someone out	pay for someone to go somewhere with you	My grandparents took us out for dinner and a movie.
tear something up	rip into pieces	I tore up my ex-boyfriend's letters and gave them back to him.
think back	remember (often + to, sometimes + on)	When I think back on my youth, I wish I had studied harder.
think something over	consider	I'll have to think this job offer over before I make my final decision.
throw something away	dispose of	We threw our old furniture away when we won the lottery.
turn something down	decrease the volume or strength (heat, light etc)	Please turn the TV down while the guests are here.
turn something down	refuse	I turned the job down because I don't want to move.
turn something off	stop the energy flow, switch off	Your mother wants you to turn the TV off and come for dinner.
turn something on	start the energy, switch on	It's too dark in here. Let's turn some lights on.
turn something up	increase the volume or strength (heat, light etc)	Can you turn the music up? This is my favourite song.
turn up	appear suddenly	Our cat turned up after we put posters up all over the neighbourhood.
try something on	sample clothing	I'm going to try these jeans on, but I don't think they will fit.
try something out	test	I am going to try this new brand of detergent out.
use something up	finish the supply	The kids used all of the toothpaste up so we need to buy some more.
wake up	stop sleeping	We have to wake up early for work on Monday.
warm someone/something up	increase the temperature	You can warm your feet up in front of the fireplace.
warm up	prepare body for exercise	I always warm up by doing sit-ups before I go for a run.
wear off	fade away	Most of my make-up wore off before I got to the party.
work out	exercise	I work out at the gym three times a week.
work out	be successful	Our plan worked out fine.
work something out	make a calculation	We have to work out the total cost before we buy the house.

Br.E.: British English; N.Amer.: North American

Future Progressive

Future progressive tense is used to indicate action which will be taking place at some time in the future.
For example,

I will be singing at Symphony Hall next month.
We’ll be leaving next Monday.
When you arrive, I’ll be cooking dinner.

The future progressive tense is formed by adding will be to the –ing form of the main verb.

She will be coming around the mountain in a few minutes.
She’ll be riding a white horse into town.

The future progressive tense is not as common as other tenses, and it can some-times be replaced by simple future, present progressive or even simple present.

I’ll be leaving in a few minutes.
I’ll leave in a few minutes.
I’m going to leave in a few minutes.
I’m leaving in a few minutes.
I leave in a few minutes.

Future Perfect

The future perfect tense is not commonly used in English. It indicates that an action will be completed in the future (usually before some other action or event).

I will finish my Russian course in June. In July, I will begin studying Chinese.
By the time I begin studying Chinese, I will have finished my Russian course.
When I finish this race, I will have run a total of five miles.
Before they leave for Miami, they will have visited Houston and New Orleans.

The important thing to remember is the time of completion. (Beginning time may vary.)

I started studying last year. I will have passed my exams when I graduate next June.
I am studying right now. I will have passed my exams when I graduate next June.
I will start studying next month. I will have passed my exams when I graduate next June.

GRAMMAR: Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Tense can be used in three situations:

1. To indicate something that has happened at an indefinite time in the past.

I have seen that movie already.
She has left for California.
They have not eaten their dinner yet.

2. To indicate something which started in the
past and continues until now.

I have lived in New York for nine years.
We have been here since Friday.
He has played football since he was a child.

3. To indicate something which occurred recently.

I have been sick lately.
She hasn’t slept much recently.

OBSERVATIONS When speaking about a specific time, use past tense.

A: I have seen that movie already.	(Non-specific time)
B: Oh really? When did you see it?
A: I saw it last week with Bob.	(Specific time)

Some words should not be used in situation 2 (above)

I have met John for five years.	(INCORRECT)
I have known John for five years.	(CORRECT)
I met John five years ago.	(CORRECT)
I have met John already.	(CORRECT)

Sometimes, but not always, present perfect continuous can be used instead of present perfect.

I have lived there for ten years.	(Okay)
I have been living there for ten years.	(Okay)
I have exercised a lot recently.	(Okay)
I have been exercising a lot recently.	(Okay)
I have seen that movie ten times.	(Okay)
I have been seeing that movie ten times.	(NOT Okay)

Future Simple

**In English the Future Time is expressed in a number of ways. The most common are with will and be going to. See examples from the following sentences.**

I will finish my homework in an hour.
I’m going to finish my homework in an hour.

With be going to, make sure the verb be agrees with its subject. I’m going to eat a whole watermelon.

She’s going to eat a whole watermelon.
Actually, we’re going to eat a whole watermelon together.

In speech, the words going to are often pronounced “ gonna .”
Don’t forget the be verb.

A: What are you gonna do this weekend?
B: I’m gonna stay home and clean my carpet.
NOT: I gonna stay…( gonna (USA) = going to (UK) )
NOT: I’m gonna to stay…

What’s the difference between will and be going to?
Both can be used interchangeably in some cases. (Predictions and guesses)

My prints will be here tomorrow.
My prints are going to be here tomorrow.

Be going to is preferable for strong intentions or for describing the inevitable.

I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.
There’s no way they can score 21 points in 2 minutes. We’re going to win!

Will is the preferable form for making offers or expressing pop decisions.

A: Who will help me finish this chocolate cake?
B: I will.
A: I have two tickets left for the front row.
B: I’ll take them.

Sometimes future time can be expressed with either the present or present progressive tense. In such cases, time words must be expressed or clearly implied.

I fly to Beijing tomorrow.
I’m flying to Beijing tomorrow.
Sorry I can’t attend the picnic on Saturday. I’m flying to Beijing.

Affirmative	Negative	Interrogative
	Contracted Form

I was playing	I was not playing	I wasn't playing	Was I playing?
You were playing	You were not playing	You weren't playing	Were you playing?
He/she/was playing	He/she/it was not playing	He/she/it wasn't playing	Was he/she/it playing?
We were playing	We were not playing	We weren't playing	Were we playiing?
You were playing	You were not playing	You weren't playing	Were you playing?
They were playing	They were not playing	They weren't playing	Were they playing?

We use the simple past to talk about events, action or situations which happened in the past and are now finished. We always have to say (or imply) when the action happened, so we often use time reference like yesterday, ago, last summer...

We use the past:

-- to describe action which happend in the recent or distant past:

Sam phoned a moment ago .(Not "Sam has phoned")

The Goths invaded Rome in A.D.410. (Not"The Goths had invaded")

-- to describe paast habit: I smoked forty cigarettes a day till i gave up.

If we don't use time reference ( a moment ago , when Iwas young, etc .) we imply them:

I saw Fred in town . ( i.e. when i was there this morning)

I never met my grabdfather. ( i.e. perhaps he died i was born)

OBSERVATION: in the simple past there are regular verbs which are end by ed , and the irregular verbs which have not a rule .

Simple Past Timeline

Regular Verb (to work) Statements +	Regular Verb (to work) Statements -	Questions	Short answer +	Short answer -
I worked.	I didn't work.	Did I work?	Yes, I did.	No, I didn't.
He worked.	He didn't work.	Did he work?	Yes, he did.	No, he didn't.
She worked.	She didn't work.	Did she work?	Yes, she did.	No, she didn't.
It worked.	It didn't work.	Did it work?	Yes, it did.	No, it didn't.
You worked.	You didn't work.	Did you work?	Yes you did.	No, you didn't.
We worked.	We didn't work.	Did we work?	Yes we did.	No, we didn't.
They worked.	They didn't work.	Did they work?	Yes they did.	No, they didn't.

GRAMMAR: PRESTNT CONTINUOUS

PRESTNT CONTINUOUS

Uses of the present progressive(continuous) tense: I am working/He is working

There are four basic uses of the present progressive tense. We use it for :

1/ Actions progress at the moment of speaking: He is working at the moment.

2/ Temporary situations/actions, not necessarily in progress at the moment of speaking:

My dauther is studying English at Durham University.

3/ Planned actions ( + future adverbial reference): we're spending next winter in Australia.

4/ Repeated actins with adverbs like always, forever:She is always helping people.

Examples:

I am playing tennis at the moment. She is playing tennis at the moment .

I'm not playing Golf. He's not playing Golf .

Do you driving to work tomorrow ? . Does he driving to work tomorrow?.

Statements +	Statements -	Questions	Short answer +	Short answer -
I'm working.	I'm not working.	Am I working?	Yes, I am.	No, I'm not.
He's working.	He isn't working.	Is he working?	Yes, he is.	No, he isn't.
She's working.	She isn't working.	Is she working?	Yes, she is.	No, she isn't.
It's working.	It isn't working.	Is it working?	Yes, it is.	No, it isn't.
You're working.	You aren'tt working.	Are you working?	Yes you are.	No, you aren't.
We're working.	We aren't working.	Are we working?	Yes we are.	No, we aren't.
They're working.	They aren't working.	Are they working?	Yes they are.	No, they aren't.

Present Continuous Timeline

Grammar: SIMPLE PRESENT

SIMPLE PRESENT

Uses of the simple present tense: 'I play / He plays'

there are seven basic uses of the simple present tense:

1/Permanent truths: Summer follow spring. Gases expand when heated.
2/ The presebt period ( ' this is the situation at present'): My sister works ina bank.
3/ Habitual actions: i get up at7. I sometimes stay up till midnight.
4/ Future reference(for time table,etc.): the concert begins at 7:30 next friday evening.
5/ Observations and declarations: i hope so. it stays here that... . i love you . i hate him.
6/ Instructions: first, you weigh the ingredients.
7/ Commentaries: Becker serves to Lendl.

EXAMPLES:
i play tennis every day . She plays tennis every day .
i don't play Golf . He doesn't play Golf.
Do you drive to work? . does he drive to work

To have	Short form	Other Verbs (to work)
I have	I've	I work
he has	he's	He works
she has	she's	She works
it has	it's	It works
you have	you've	you work
we have	we've	we work
they have	they've	they work

idioms : Definition and some examples

An idiom : is a rendition of a combination of words that have a figurative meaning. The figurative meaning is comprehended in regard to a common use of the expression that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made. Idioms are numerous and they occur frequently in all languages. There are estimated to be at least 25,000 idiomatic expressions in the English language.

a bit of fluff,

(Also a bit of skirt.) A sexually attractive woman.

I saw him yesterday with a bit of fluff.

a breath of fresh air,

said about a new, fresh, and imaginative approach, a change that feels good.

The president says that the country needs a breath of fresh air.

a clean bill of health,

said when you examine someone or something and state that they are healthy, in good condition, or legal.

1. The president was given a clean bill of health by his doctors. 2. The company received a clean bill of health because it fulfilled all the safety requirements.

a dime's worth,

an insignificant amount

At best, he'll make a dime's worth of difference with his interference in the affair.

a fool and his money are soon parted,

this means that stupid people spend money without thinking about it enough.

John likes his extravagant lifestyle - but then a fool and his money are soon parted.

get in someone's hair,

Annoy someone.

I know that the children get in your hair, but you should try not to let it upset you so much.

get into deep water,

to be in trouble.

He got into deep water when he joined that gang.

get off the track,

To start talking about a different topic, instead of talking about the real one.

Instead of discussing the real reasons for their conflicts, they are getting of the track.

old wives' tale,

a wrong traditional theory or belief, often about health.

The idea of drinking alcohol to relieve you from flu is an old wives' tale.

on the face of it,

on the surface.

On the face of it, she seems innocent. But when the police investigated her case, they discovered that she was guilty.

on the same wavelength,

thinking in the same pattern or in agreement.

They've done a good job because they were on the same wavelength.

out of the blue,

something which is totally unexpected.

She sent him a letter, out of the blue, telling him that she was in love with another guy.

over my dead body,

If you say something will happen over your dead body, you mean that you will not allow it to happen.

He says he will become our boss. Over my dead body!

over my dead body,

Under no circumstances; absolutely not.

He wants to get all the money for himself. Well, it will be over my dead body!

yellow journalism,

Journalism which is sensationalistic and of questionable accuracy and taste.

This paper is practising yellow journalism with its reports on sex scandals.

yoke around someone's neck,

a burden.

They decided to buy the car on credit. This became a yoke around their neck.

you can't please everyone,

making everyone happy is impossible no matter what you do.

When the boss chose Mary as the chief executive of the project, everybody complained. But you can't please everyone!

you got me there,

I can't answer your question.

I don't kow what to say. You got me there!

in a dead heat,

said when two or more competitors finish a race or a competition at exactly the same time or with exactly the same result.

The two horses finished the race in a dead heat.

in a split second,

in just very short time.

Every thing was calm. But just in a split second a storm hit the whole region causing a lot of victims.

in bad shape,

In bad physical condition.

Bill is in bad shape. He needs to exercise regularly and go on a diet.

in God's name,

(also in the name of God, in the name of heaven,in God's name, in heaven's name) used to add emphasis.

What in God's name did you do to that poor girl?

in the air,

said about something that is happening or about to happen.

Everybody in the company know that change is in the air.

in the bag,

Certain or extremely likely to occur; assured about the success of somoething.

Don't worry about the final exam. It's in the bag.

in the best of health,

very healthy.

He's in the best health because he exercises regularly and doesn't eat junk food.

in the blink of an eye,

very quickly.

He disappeared in the blink of an eye.

in the family way,

(also in a family way) pregnant.

I've heard that Leila is in the family way. Is that true?

in the money,

very rich

He's in the money. He's extremely rich.

in the pink ,

healthy.

He has been in the pink since he decided to go on a diet and exercise regularly.

in the wake of,

following, as a result of.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn resigns his position as head of the International Monetary Fund in the wake of sexual assault charges.

in the zone,

focused

He's doing a good job. He's in the zone!

in tune (with somebody/something),

said when you have a good understanding of someone or something.

He was in tune with new technologies.

in two shakes of a lamb's tail,

In a very short time.

He did the job in two shakes of a lamb's tail.

into a jam,

(also in a jam) in a difficult situation.

He found himself in a jam when he was caught cheating.

it beats me,

used to suggest that you don't understand something.

It beats me how she passed the exam.

It has someone's name on it,

said about somthing that belongs to someone or meant for someone.

This piece of cake has my name on it.

It's about time,

Used to express impatience at the eventual occurrence of something that shoul have occured a log time ago.

It's about time that women should be considered equal to men in this country.

some advice to learn english

my dear reader now i am going to show you the top tips for learn english easily :

1: Watch a film on your national language, try to remember every dialog. If it`s necessary watch it for the second time and then download an English version. The main thing is to be attentive! This is the best way to learn everyday phrases.

2: Find lyrics of your favorite songs in the internet, Translate them using dictionary and then sing aloud in spite of having ear. Work on your pronounce.

3: Turn on TV, find an English channel, take pen and a paper and try to write down the information given in the creeping line. It will be difficult for the first time but finally you`ll do that! Helps to write quickly and correctly. Pay attention to your spelling! Then translate written information using dictionary.

4: this is the important step for learn english which is ; you`ll have to learn grammar and read books with or without the help of teacher.

5: Finally, I think the best way of learning English is to talk with the English, of course systematically. This will give fantastic result in a short time.

6: Online chat. The closest thing to speaking for people who don't have the chance to speak English is online chat, as you have to think and respond quickly, and the language is short and informal just like speech.

And the most important thing or step is english idioms because the most of english people use them , and if you didn't learn them you will face a big problem ,so you have to learn them , but don't worry i will be here to teach you some of them.

Learn English Grammar Easily And Effectively

Being articulate in English involves knowing the right grammar in each sentence you speak or write about. English grammar, for some, is challenging to learn. Yet, with the right knowledge of tips to apply, it can be a simple thing to accomplish. Below are some ways you can use if you want to successfully and easily learn English grammar.

Reading A Lot
Reading will actually help because a lot of input is necessary in learning new languages. In reading, you have new words to learn without the need to think about them. Through reading appropriate materials, you are also able to learn the correct grammar in English language. When you read, you add bits and pieces to your knowledge that may help you speak English as if it were your usual language. You can search online for recommendations of books you can read. Choose books that are not too difficult, whereby, you will need a dictionary just to read and understand them.

Listen More
Aside from books and other materials, audio resources will also be ideal tools you can use. Just like reading, listening will likewise expose you to more English words and sentences. Through listening, you give your brain a much easier time to absorb knowledge. What you can do is to pick books that come with audio CDs with them. This way, you will not only read words, but also hear the correct enunciation of each word of the written material.

There are also English songs that you can enjoyably listen. You can search online for song lyrics and melody. Also, there are other available listening exercises on the web that you may use to improve your grammar skills.

Improve Your Vocabulary
Make it a good habit to learn one or several new words a day. You can settle with a regular dictionary or you may also search online for free resources to use. At times, it may be difficult to remember new words; thus, you can implement some useful methods to make memorization easier. You can make your own flashcards. Write down the new words you want to learn on pieces of cardboards or paper. When you have free time, browse through these flashcards to review your new words. A better option is to record the words in MP3, tape or CD.

Practice Making Sentences
With the new words you have just memorized, it is not enough that you only have them in mind. Make better use of your newly learned words by practicing on writing sentences using these words. You can even come up with crazy sentences to make memorization easier.

Aside from using your vocabulary additions, another way of practicing proper English grammar is by trying to relay your messages (to whomever you are speaking to) in English. No matter what you are doing, even if you are performing household tasks alone, you can practice speaking in English. Like when you are preparing a dish, recite in English what steps you will be performing during the cooking process.

Confident Grammar E-course will improve your English grammar, both written and oral. Ginger Software is another recommended tool you can use for learning English effectively.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roberta_Barrow

Learn English

English is the world's preeminent language of politics and trade. Many thousands of international students visit Ireland every year to enroll in top quality English language schools, which offer a wide range of internationally recognised qualifications to suit every academic, personal or professional need.

Ireland has one of the youngest populations in Europe and an impressive tradition of learning, and has become an important destination for international students looking to improve their English language skills. The combination of a regulated high-quality education system, stable economy, beautiful landscape and vibrant cultural scene, means that almost 100,000 international students each year come to Ireland to take English language classes.

There are many course options: from absolute beginners' programmes to classes designed to improve the English language skills of those who already posses a good level of proficiency. Specialised English courses are also available that teach the specific vocabulary of particular professions such as Healthcare and Business. Courses are available for young and old learners, and through group or one-to-one formats.

International students generally learn English for two reasons: on the one hand to gain admittance to a university or college programme at an Irish or other English speaking institution; and on the other, to develop English language skills that will improve career prospects.

Many students come to Ireland and enrol in an English language course prior to an undergraduate or postgraduate programme whilst other students join the Irish school system at Leaving Certificate level, with the aim of entering university afterwards. Irish universities have stringent admission requirements for international students. Candidates must be able to demonstrate in advance that they have the necessary proficiency in English to play a full part in their college programme. Requirements and accepted English language qualifications can vary a good deal from one course to another, so it is highly recommended you contacting the International Office or Admissions Office of the institution in question for further information.

Irish English language schools offer preparation programmes for the major international English language examinations such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Test of English for International Communication (TOIEC), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the Cambridge ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) examinations; and for two awards recently developed in Ireland: the Test of Interactive English (TIE) and the English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP).

Schools will usually register the student with the examining body automatically, but individual candidates can also apply to take an exam independently.

These qualifications all relate to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Valid all over Europe, the CEFR provides a basis for the mutual recognition of language competence, thus facilitating educational and occupational mobility. It is increasingly used in the reform of national curricula and by international consortia for the comparison of language certificates.

Guide to English Language Certification
An important aim of ACELS (see the Certification section) is to develop English language exams in an Irish context, and the TIE and ETAPP examinations are a result of this remit.

TIE is designed for learners of every level of ability to improve their English, and is unique in that the student decides the exam content. Students are required to carry out three tasks in preparation: a short project on a subject of interest to you; read a book of your choice that is suitable to your level of ability; and follow a news story in the media. TIE involves written and spoken tests.

ETAPP was created in 2007 for international students seeking to apply for a course in an Irish third level institution, or those looking to work in a professional role in Ireland. ETAPP is similar in content and objective to long-established international examinations such as IELTS and TOEFL, and comprises four separate tests of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

IELTS covers all four language skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking, and is accepted by more than 6,000 universities, immigration authorities, and professional bodies around the world, including all higher education institutions in Ireland. The IELTS seeks to test English as it is used in real life, using methods such as speaking modules that are carried out face-to-face with an examiner, and the use of different national and regional accents in testing. In 2008 over one million people took IELTS worldwide. The test is provided up to four times in a month in over 125 countries, and results are made available just 13 calendar days after the test.

TOEFL was first introduced in 1964 and is accepted by institutions in 130 countries worldwide. Almost 20 million students have taken the test, which is available in IBT (Internet-based Test) and PBT (Paper-based Test) formats. The TOEFL tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.

TOEIC measures the ability of workers to use English in business, commerce and industry. The qualification is also recognised by colleges and governments around the world. Around three million - mainly in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan - take the test every year. The TOEIC is a paper-based, multiple-choice exam that utilises audio, visual and written materials.

University of Cambridge ESOL Certificates are internationally recognised exams that are suitable for anyone seeking to improve their English, apply to a college course, find a good job, or simply travel abroad.

Learners can choose from a selection of Cambridge exams that certify English level proficiency at different levels of ability. Around 1.75 million learners in more than 150 countries take Cambridge ESOL examinations each year.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Branigan

Learn English

Intrnational Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

Phrasal verbs : definition and some of them

Definition:

A phrasal verb consists of a verb and a preposition or adverb that modifies or changes the meaning; 'give up' is a phrasal verb that means 'stop doing' something, which is very different from 'give'. The word or words that modify a verb in this manner can also go under the name particle.

PHRASAL VERBS

GRAMMAR: Future Progressive

Future Progressive

GRAMMAR:Future Perfect

Future Perfect

GRAMMAR: Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Tense can be used in three situations:

GRAMMAR: Future Simple

Future Simple

**In English the Future Time is expressed in a number of ways. The most common are with will and be going to. See examples from the following sentences.**

GRAMMAR: PAST CONTINUOUS

GRAMMAR: SIMPLE PAST

Simple Past Timeline

GRAMMAR: PRESTNT CONTINUOUS

Present Continuous Timeline

Grammar: SIMPLE PRESENT

idioms : Definition and some examples

some advice to learn english

Learn English Grammar Easily And Effectively

Learn English