Practice expressions used to talk about work, projects and other people. Try each recording before opening the explanation.
Use begin or start for the first part of an action or event. Start is more common in everyday speech. Use begin when a more formal tone fits. Use start, not begin, for a machine, a vehicle, a journey, or some other special meanings of start.
Use both for the two together, either for one of two possible choices, and neither when neither member of the pair fits the statement.
Use break the ice when an action helps strangers or a quiet group begin talking: The host asked a simple question to break the ice. It is usually used for the start of an interaction. If you need to state the action plainly, say introduce yourself, ask a question, or begin the conversation.
For clear Business English, state the purpose first, give the detail the other person needs, then make the request or next action easy to identify. Use polite direct language and check an agreement when a task has several parts.
Start by naming the purpose of the communication. Then give a true detail about your experience, question, task, or next action. Use polite questions for requests and keep your message focused on the role or work being discussed.
Treat a colour idiom as a whole expression. Out of the blue means unexpectedly, green with envy means very jealous, red tape means unnecessary official procedures, and black and white means clear and definite. Check the relationship between the speaker, listener, and situation before choosing one.
An idiom is a fixed phrase with a meaning that you cannot always work out by translating each word separately.
Use a comparative adverb for two actions: Maya answered more politely than I did. Use a superlative adverb for three or more: Maya answered the most politely in the group. Choose -er and -est for some short forms, and more or most for many -ly adverbs.
Start with a complete main clause, then add a subordinate clause when you need to show how two ideas connect. Use because for a reason, when for a time, if for a condition, and although for a contrast. If the subordinate clause comes first, put a comma before the main clause.
A compound sentence joins two complete clauses with a coordinating conjunction. Choose and to add an idea, but for a contrast, or for a choice, and so for a result. When these words join two complete clauses, use a comma before the conjunction.
When something is unclear, say what you need: ask for repetition, name the detail you want to check, or restate the meaning in your own words. Keep the phrase short and polite.
Use a coordinating conjunction to join equal ideas. Choose and for addition, but or yet for contrast, or for a choice, and so for a result.