One, another, other, and others
Use one for a singular noun already understood, another for one more or a different singular item, other before a noun, and others without a noun. First decide whether the noun is singular, plural, or omitted.
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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Online English tutoring: prepare questions and use feedback well
Before an online English lesson, choose one goal, bring short examples of language you want to use, and write two or three questions. During the session, ask the tutor to show the correction in a full sentence. Afterwards, practise the same point with a small task.
Opinion paragraphs: state and support a view
State your view in one clear sentence, then support it with a reason and a relevant example or explanation. End by returning to the same view.
Order of adjectives: describe nouns naturally in English
Before a noun, put a general opinion first, then details such as size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, and purpose. For example, say a lovely small old French table, not a French old small lovely table.
Ought to and must: understand the difference
Use ought to for advice and likely expectations. Use must for a strong obligation, an essential need, or a conclusion that seems certain.
Passive voice: basic form and purpose
For a basic passive sentence, choose the tense of be and add the past participle: The meal is prepared in the kitchen. The meal was prepared yesterday. Put the agent after by only when it adds useful information.
Past continuous: uses, form, and examples
Use was or were plus an -ing verb for an action that was in progress in the past. It can show what was happening at a particular time, provide background for another event, or link two actions that continued at the same time.
Past perfect tense: show which past action happened first
Use the past perfect for the earlier of two past actions: had + past participle. Put the later action in the simple past. For example, By the time we reached the station, the train had left.
Past perfect: form, meaning, and examples
Use had plus a past participle for the earlier of two past actions or for something complete before a past time. Use the simple past for the later event when that is the clearest choice.
Percent and percentage: understand the difference
Use percent after a number: 40 percent, 40%, or a 40 percent discount. Use percentage for a proportion or rate: a small percentage of customers, the percentage of students who passed, or a percentage increase.
Personal or personnel: what is the difference?
Use personal for something connected with one person. Use personnel for the employees or staff of an organization.
Phrasal verbs with call: meanings and examples
Useful phrasal verbs with call include call back (phone again), call off (cancel), call on (ask someone to speak), call for (need or ask for), call out (say loudly), and call in (ask someone to come and help).