Topic sentences: give a paragraph a clear point
Write one sentence that states the paragraph's main point. Then add details that explain or support that point, without moving to a new subject.
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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Turn-taking in English conversations
Wait for a natural pause, then use a short phrase that matches your purpose. Say "Can I add something?" to join in, "Just one more point" to hold your turn briefly, and "What do you think?" to pass the turn to someone else.
Types of collocations: common word partnerships
There are several common types of collocations. Start by noticing the job of each word: make a decision is a verb plus noun pattern, while heavy rain is an adjective plus noun pattern.
Under the weather: meaning and use in English
Under the weather means feeling slightly ill or unwell. Use it when you want to describe your condition in an informal, general way.
Unless: state an exception or condition
Use unless to mean if not when one condition changes a result. Say, Unless the road is closed, we will take the usual route. The usual route is the plan, and a road closure is the exception.
Used to and be used to: talk about the past and familiarity
Use used to + a base verb for a past habit or state. Use be used to + a noun or an -ing form for something that feels familiar.
Useful English words beginning with O
Use the context to choose the O word. An obstacle is a problem in the way, observe means watch carefully, obtain means get, and an outcome is a result.
Useful English words beginning with U
Use useful for something that helps, unusual for something not common, urgent for something needing quick attention, update for new information or the act of giving it, understand for knowing the meaning, and unless for an exception to a condition.
Verb and preposition combinations
Treat the verb and preposition as one phrase: depend on, listen to, think about, apply for, and apologize for. After the preposition, use a noun phrase, a pronoun, or an -ing form when you name an activity.
Verb collocations
Learn common combinations as complete phrases, such as make a decision, take a break, and pay attention. Do not choose a verb only because it has a similar meaning in your first language.
Veteran: meaning in service, work, and sports
A veteran is a person who has served in the armed forces, or a person with a lot of experience in a job, activity, or sport.
Vocabulary exercises: notice, choose, and reuse useful words
When you meet a new word, read the whole sentence first. Check its job in the sentence, notice a common word partner, and reuse it in a different but believable situation.