Verbs: actions, states, and sentence patterns
A verb can name an action or event. It can also describe a state, while a helper builds the main verb form.
Everyday listening
Start with short recordings, then work through longer phrases. Listen once for the situation and again for the words.
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Very and very much: understand the difference
Use very before most adjectives and adverbs. Use very much after the main verb to say that you strongly like, want, miss, or enjoy something; it can also come before comparatives and some past participles.
Wait vs weight: hear and use the right word
Wait means to stay until something happens. Weight means how heavy a person or thing is. In Please wait by the door, wait is an action. In The parcel has a weight of two kilograms, weight is a thing you can measure.
Wh questions: ask for precise information
Put the question word first. In many present and past questions, follow it with do, does, or did, then the subject and the base verb: Where does the bus stop? When did you arrive? With be, put be after the question word: Why are you late?
Wh-questions: question words and word order
Choose the question word for the answer you need. Then use question word + be + subject, or question word + do, does, or did + subject + base verb.
Where, were, or wear: choose by meaning
Use where for a place, were for a past form of be, and wear for clothing.
Yes no questions: form and intonation
Put an auxiliary before the subject. Move be, have, or a modal verb to the front. With an ordinary present or past verb, use do, does, or did. A short answer repeats the auxiliary: "Does Amir live nearby?" "Yes, he does."
Your or you're: possession and the short form of you are
Use your before a noun or noun phrase for something that belongs to, relates to, or is associated with you. Use you're only when the full form you are makes sense in the sentence.
Your, you're, or yours: what is the difference?
Use your with a noun, such as your phone. Use you're only when you can say you are. Use yours when you do not need to repeat the noun, as in The phone is yours.
A dime a dozen: meaning and use in English
Use a dime a dozen to say that there are many things like it and they are easy to find: 'Cheap phone cases are a dime a dozen near the station.' It does not mean that each item costs ten cents. The phrase is informal and can suggest that the thing has little distinction in that context.
A person of few words: meaning and use in English
Use a person of few words for someone who does not speak much or tends to give short answers. You can say, 'Mina is a person of few words, but she listens closely.' The traditional phrase a man of few words is used for a man; use a woman of few words for a woman, or a person of few words when you want a gender-inclusive description.
A shot in the dark: meaning and use in English
A shot in the dark is a guess with little evidence or information behind it. Use the idiom for an uncertain attempt, not for a fact that has been checked.