Hi,
@ at
a/c account
AGM annual general meeting
a.m. ante meridiem (before noon)
a/o account of (on behalf of)
AOB any other business
ASAP as soon as possible
ATM automated teller machine (cash dispenser)
attn for the attention of
approx. approximately
cc copy to
CEO chief executive officer
c/o care of (on letters: at the address of)
Co company
cm centimeter
COD cash on delivery
dept department
e.g. exempli gratia (for example)
EGM extraordinary general meeting
ETA estimated time of arrival
etc et caetera (and so on)
GDP gross domestic product
GNP gross national product
GMT Greenwich mean time (time in London)
i.e. id est (meaning: 'that is')
Inc incorporated
IOU I owe you
IPO initial public offer
Jr junior
K thousand
lb pound (weight)
£ pound (money)
Ltd limited company
mo. month
N/A not applicable
NB Nota Bene (it is important to note)
no. number
PA personal assistant
p.a. per annum (per year)
Plc public limited company
pls please
p.m. post meridiem (after noon)
p.p. per pro (used before signing in a person's absence)
PR public relations
p.s. post scriptum
pto please turn over
p.w. per week
qty quantity
R & D research and development
re with reference to
ROI return on investment
RSVP repondez s'il vous plait (please reply)
s.a.e. stamped addressed envelope
VAT value added tax
VIP very important person
Taken from: http://www.learn-english-today.com/business-english/abbreviations.html
Chin up!
quarta-feira, 27 de maio de 2009
terça-feira, 26 de maio de 2009
MARKETING-SALES Vocabulary
Hi,
Today we’ll deal with vocabulary - another article of this new series.
You’ll find below some expressions used in the Marketing and Sales area, taken and adapted from http://www.learn-english-today.com/business-english/marketing-sales-vocabulary.html. I hope they will help you.
MARKETING-SALES
Vocabulary
After-sales service: Service that continues after the sale of a product (maintenance, etc.)
Agent: Person or company that acts for another and provides a specified service.
B2B e-commerce: Business to business e-commerce: use of commercial networks, online product catalogues and other online resources to obtain better prices and reach new customers.
B2C e-commerce: Business to consumer e-commerce: online sale of goods and services directly to consumers.
Benchmarking: Comparing one's products to those of competitors in order to improve quality and performance.
Buyer: 1) Any person who makes a purchase. 2) A person employed to choose and buy stock for a company.
Cash refund offer: Offer to pay back part of the purchase price of a product to customers who send a "proof of purchase" to the manufacturer.
Chain store: Two or more shops or outlets that have the same owner and sell similar lines of merchandise.
Client: A person who buys services or advice from a lawyer, an accountant or other professional.
Close: Finalize a deal or sale.
Convenience store: Small shop located near a residential area that opens long hours, seven days a week.
Customer: A person who buys something from a shop or business.
Coupon: A certificate that gives customers a saving when they purchase
a specific product.
Deal: A business transaction.
Department store: A large shop or store that carries a wide variety of product lines.
Direct investment: Entering a foreign market by setting up assembly or manufacturing facilities in that country.
Discount: A reduction in price.
E-commerce: Buying and selling by electronic means, primarily on the Internet.
E-marketing: Promotion of products and services over the Internet.
Extranet: A network that connects a company with its suppliers and distributors.
Fair: Any event whose objective is to divulge or sell at least one product.
Follow-up: To maintain contact after the sale to ensure customer satisfaction.
Franchise: Association between a manufacturer or wholesaler (franchiser) and an independent business person (franchisee) who buys the right to own and operate a unit in the franchise system.
Guarantee: A promise that a product will be repaired or replaced if faulty.
Intranet: A network that connects people within a company to each other.
Joint Venture: 1) A way of entering a foreign market by joining with a foreign company to manufacture or market a product or service. 2) Any association between at least two companies which does not constitute a merger.
Market leader: The company with the largest market share in an industry.
Mark up: The percentage of the price of a product added to cost to reach a selling price.
Merger: A fusion of at least two companies into a new one, with a new name.
Opinion leader: Person within a reference who, because of competence, knowledge, or other characteristics, exerts influence on others.
Packaging: Designing and producing the container or wrapper for a product.
Product: Anything that can be offered on the market, usually for sale.
Product line: A group of products that are closely related.
Prospect: A potential customer.
Representative: A sales representative is a person who represents and sells for a company.
Retail: To sell in small quantities, as in a shop, directly to the consumers.
Shopping center: Group of shops or retail businesses developed and managed as a unit.
Take-over: A purchase of a company by another.
Telephone marketing: Using the telephone to sell directly to customers.
Trade fair: An exhibition at which companies in a specific industry can show or demonstrate their products.
Viral marketing: The Internet version of word-of-mouth marketing - email messages that customers pass on to friends.
Wholesale: To sell goods and services to those buying for resale (e.g. a shop) or for business use.
Chin up!
Today we’ll deal with vocabulary - another article of this new series.
You’ll find below some expressions used in the Marketing and Sales area, taken and adapted from http://www.learn-english-today.com/business-english/marketing-sales-vocabulary.html. I hope they will help you.
MARKETING-SALES
Vocabulary
After-sales service: Service that continues after the sale of a product (maintenance, etc.)
Agent: Person or company that acts for another and provides a specified service.
B2B e-commerce: Business to business e-commerce: use of commercial networks, online product catalogues and other online resources to obtain better prices and reach new customers.
B2C e-commerce: Business to consumer e-commerce: online sale of goods and services directly to consumers.
Benchmarking: Comparing one's products to those of competitors in order to improve quality and performance.
Buyer: 1) Any person who makes a purchase. 2) A person employed to choose and buy stock for a company.
Cash refund offer: Offer to pay back part of the purchase price of a product to customers who send a "proof of purchase" to the manufacturer.
Chain store: Two or more shops or outlets that have the same owner and sell similar lines of merchandise.
Client: A person who buys services or advice from a lawyer, an accountant or other professional.
Close: Finalize a deal or sale.
Convenience store: Small shop located near a residential area that opens long hours, seven days a week.
Customer: A person who buys something from a shop or business.
Coupon: A certificate that gives customers a saving when they purchase
a specific product.
Deal: A business transaction.
Department store: A large shop or store that carries a wide variety of product lines.
Direct investment: Entering a foreign market by setting up assembly or manufacturing facilities in that country.
Discount: A reduction in price.
E-commerce: Buying and selling by electronic means, primarily on the Internet.
E-marketing: Promotion of products and services over the Internet.
Extranet: A network that connects a company with its suppliers and distributors.
Fair: Any event whose objective is to divulge or sell at least one product.
Follow-up: To maintain contact after the sale to ensure customer satisfaction.
Franchise: Association between a manufacturer or wholesaler (franchiser) and an independent business person (franchisee) who buys the right to own and operate a unit in the franchise system.
Guarantee: A promise that a product will be repaired or replaced if faulty.
Intranet: A network that connects people within a company to each other.
Joint Venture: 1) A way of entering a foreign market by joining with a foreign company to manufacture or market a product or service. 2) Any association between at least two companies which does not constitute a merger.
Market leader: The company with the largest market share in an industry.
Mark up: The percentage of the price of a product added to cost to reach a selling price.
Merger: A fusion of at least two companies into a new one, with a new name.
Opinion leader: Person within a reference who, because of competence, knowledge, or other characteristics, exerts influence on others.
Packaging: Designing and producing the container or wrapper for a product.
Product: Anything that can be offered on the market, usually for sale.
Product line: A group of products that are closely related.
Prospect: A potential customer.
Representative: A sales representative is a person who represents and sells for a company.
Retail: To sell in small quantities, as in a shop, directly to the consumers.
Shopping center: Group of shops or retail businesses developed and managed as a unit.
Take-over: A purchase of a company by another.
Telephone marketing: Using the telephone to sell directly to customers.
Trade fair: An exhibition at which companies in a specific industry can show or demonstrate their products.
Viral marketing: The Internet version of word-of-mouth marketing - email messages that customers pass on to friends.
Wholesale: To sell goods and services to those buying for resale (e.g. a shop) or for business use.
Chin up!
segunda-feira, 25 de maio de 2009
Job Interviews in English
Today we’ll take about something more different: Interviews in English.
You’ll find below 30 of the most asked questions in job interviews and their variants. Select five and paste on a reply-mail to me, which I’ll gladly give you feedback of. (Don’t forget to copy the questions you select!) Send to eder.pereira@gmail.com
1 Tell me about yourself.
2 How would you describe yourself? (character/personality)
3 What are your strengths/weaknesses?
4 Are you married? Single? Do you have a partner?
5 What do you do in your free time?
What are your hobbies? / Do you have any hobbies?
6 Why are you interested in working for our company?
Why do you want to work for this company?
7 What type of position do you think you are suited for / would suit you?
8 How would you describe the position we have to offer?
9 What aspects of the position are you most / least interested in?
10 What would you like to find in this job that you didn't have in your previous job?
11 How do you think you could develop the position?
What would be your strategy to develop the position?
12 What have you got to offer us?
What could you contribute to our company?
13 Why do you want to leave your present job?
Why do you want to change jobs?
14 What were you responsible for?
What did your job involve?
15 What do you think you gained by working in your last job?
16 What do you think of your (last) boss?
17 What are your salary requirements?
How much would you hope to earn in this position?
How much do you think you should be offered for this position?
What salary would you expect (to be offered) for this position?
18 Have you received any offers of a job?
19 Why have you had to look for a job for so long?
Why have you been looking for a job for so long?
Why did it take you so long to find a new job?
20 How do you feel about your future in the profession?
21 Have you had any failures? / What failures have you had?
Have you had any negative experiences?
22 What sort of obstacles have you come across/encountered in your work?
23 If you had to recruit colleagues, what qualities would you look for?
24 Would you be willing to relocate/to move to another part of the country/
to work abroad?
Did you have to travel abroad in your last job?
25 Don't you think you have too much experience/you are over-qualified for this job?
26 How long do you think you would stay with us?
If we offered you the job, how long would you expect to stay with us? 27 Which do you prefer: to work alone or in a team?
Do you prefer working alone or with other people as part of a team?
28 Do you know how to manage a team?
Are you capable of leading a team?
Do you think you have the ability to be a team leader?
29 Why should I recruit you?
How could you persuade me to recruit you?
30 Do you have any comments to make, or questions to ask?
Chin up!
You’ll find below 30 of the most asked questions in job interviews and their variants. Select five and paste on a reply-mail to me, which I’ll gladly give you feedback of. (Don’t forget to copy the questions you select!) Send to eder.pereira@gmail.com
1 Tell me about yourself.
2 How would you describe yourself? (character/personality)
3 What are your strengths/weaknesses?
4 Are you married? Single? Do you have a partner?
5 What do you do in your free time?
What are your hobbies? / Do you have any hobbies?
6 Why are you interested in working for our company?
Why do you want to work for this company?
7 What type of position do you think you are suited for / would suit you?
8 How would you describe the position we have to offer?
9 What aspects of the position are you most / least interested in?
10 What would you like to find in this job that you didn't have in your previous job?
11 How do you think you could develop the position?
What would be your strategy to develop the position?
12 What have you got to offer us?
What could you contribute to our company?
13 Why do you want to leave your present job?
Why do you want to change jobs?
14 What were you responsible for?
What did your job involve?
15 What do you think you gained by working in your last job?
16 What do you think of your (last) boss?
17 What are your salary requirements?
How much would you hope to earn in this position?
How much do you think you should be offered for this position?
What salary would you expect (to be offered) for this position?
18 Have you received any offers of a job?
19 Why have you had to look for a job for so long?
Why have you been looking for a job for so long?
Why did it take you so long to find a new job?
20 How do you feel about your future in the profession?
21 Have you had any failures? / What failures have you had?
Have you had any negative experiences?
22 What sort of obstacles have you come across/encountered in your work?
23 If you had to recruit colleagues, what qualities would you look for?
24 Would you be willing to relocate/to move to another part of the country/
to work abroad?
Did you have to travel abroad in your last job?
25 Don't you think you have too much experience/you are over-qualified for this job?
26 How long do you think you would stay with us?
If we offered you the job, how long would you expect to stay with us? 27 Which do you prefer: to work alone or in a team?
Do you prefer working alone or with other people as part of a team?
28 Do you know how to manage a team?
Are you capable of leading a team?
Do you think you have the ability to be a team leader?
29 Why should I recruit you?
How could you persuade me to recruit you?
30 Do you have any comments to make, or questions to ask?
Chin up!
sexta-feira, 22 de maio de 2009
Describing yourself
Some adjectives you can use to describe yourself:
articulate (can express clearly; can speak very well), coherent, eloquent, fluent, focused, hesitant, inhibited (reserved), lucid, persuasive, rambling (untidy, disorganized), responsive (with a quick reaction), sensitive (can feel things quickly), sensible (with reasonable ideas), succinct (can express himself with few words), tongue-tied (incoherent; difficult to understand; speechless), considerate (takes into consideration what other people feel or have to say), creative, decisive, diplomatic, efficient, flexible, inspiring, interested, logical, organized, rational, responsible, dependable (that you can trust; trusty, trustworthy, honest, reliable), sociable, supportive (who gives support, helpful), hard-working (who works hard), hands-on (who does all jobs when necessary), slow, boring (not funny; dull), calm, funny, nervous, stupid, fast, leading (who is a leader), planning (who plans), clumsy (who has no dexterity; no control of the hands), perceptive, helpful, goofy (silly; ridiculous), resilient (can recover quickly), resistant, stoic (resistant to the changes of emotions).
articulate (can express clearly; can speak very well), coherent, eloquent, fluent, focused, hesitant, inhibited (reserved), lucid, persuasive, rambling (untidy, disorganized), responsive (with a quick reaction), sensitive (can feel things quickly), sensible (with reasonable ideas), succinct (can express himself with few words), tongue-tied (incoherent; difficult to understand; speechless), considerate (takes into consideration what other people feel or have to say), creative, decisive, diplomatic, efficient, flexible, inspiring, interested, logical, organized, rational, responsible, dependable (that you can trust; trusty, trustworthy, honest, reliable), sociable, supportive (who gives support, helpful), hard-working (who works hard), hands-on (who does all jobs when necessary), slow, boring (not funny; dull), calm, funny, nervous, stupid, fast, leading (who is a leader), planning (who plans), clumsy (who has no dexterity; no control of the hands), perceptive, helpful, goofy (silly; ridiculous), resilient (can recover quickly), resistant, stoic (resistant to the changes of emotions).
Selling your product
Hi,
This will help you when you need.
Some adjectives you can use to describe a product:
• It is made of: glass, plastic, metal, wood, leather, rubber (as the sole of your shoes).
• It is: square, rectangular, round, cylindrical, oval, conical.
• It is: green, blue, yellow, white, grey, red, multi-colored, dark, bright.
• It’s big, small, heavy, light (opposite of heavy), long, short, thick, thin.
• It is: expensive, cheap, a bargain (very cheap), a steal (like bargain).
• It is: important, cheesy (not serious), unimportant, useful.
• It smells: nice, bad, sweet, delicious, funny.
• It tastes: nice, bad, sweet, delicious, funny, sour (like vinegar).
• It is: fashion, old-fashion, cutting-edge (most modern at the moment), state-of-art (like cutting-edge).
Words and phrases that can help you sell your product:
• Tool; best tool; mechanism; apparatus; device.
• Implement; implementation.
• It’s conducive (gives all the conditions) to…; It aids (helps) in the development of…
• It facilitates; it revolutionizes; it changes; (you can use these in the future if you want to impress more).
• It’s unique; it’s special; it’s one and only.
• Its unique design is…; its state-of-the-art design is…; its tremendously impressive design is…
• Its impressive functionality will…; its state-of-the-art technology will…
• Not only will it revolutionize your…, but it will also give you a larger market share.
This will help you when you need.
Some adjectives you can use to describe a product:
• It is made of: glass, plastic, metal, wood, leather, rubber (as the sole of your shoes).
• It is: square, rectangular, round, cylindrical, oval, conical.
• It is: green, blue, yellow, white, grey, red, multi-colored, dark, bright.
• It’s big, small, heavy, light (opposite of heavy), long, short, thick, thin.
• It is: expensive, cheap, a bargain (very cheap), a steal (like bargain).
• It is: important, cheesy (not serious), unimportant, useful.
• It smells: nice, bad, sweet, delicious, funny.
• It tastes: nice, bad, sweet, delicious, funny, sour (like vinegar).
• It is: fashion, old-fashion, cutting-edge (most modern at the moment), state-of-art (like cutting-edge).
Words and phrases that can help you sell your product:
• Tool; best tool; mechanism; apparatus; device.
• Implement; implementation.
• It’s conducive (gives all the conditions) to…; It aids (helps) in the development of…
• It facilitates; it revolutionizes; it changes; (you can use these in the future if you want to impress more).
• It’s unique; it’s special; it’s one and only.
• Its unique design is…; its state-of-the-art design is…; its tremendously impressive design is…
• Its impressive functionality will…; its state-of-the-art technology will…
• Not only will it revolutionize your…, but it will also give you a larger market share.
Correlative Conjunctions II – A closer look on syntax.
As you read in a previous article, the correlative conjunctions, as the name suggests, establish a relation between two terms, may they be clauses, phrases or simply words. Below you’ll find them again in more details:
Both…and --- not only…but also.
Either…or ---- neither…nor --- whether…or --- if…or.
Below you will find the syntax for all the sets:
X + term1 + y + term 2.
Where X stands for the first element of the conjunction set and Y the second.
Both…and --- not only…but also.
Some examples follow:
1) Jessica is beautiful and intelligent.
2) Jessica is both beautiful and intelligent.
3) Jessica is not only beautiful but also intelligent.
Term 1 is: Jessica is beautiful.
Term 2 is: Jessica is intelligent.
Note that similar parts in both elements stay out of the syntax.
Jessica = Jessica; is = is.
Thus: Jessica is X beautiful Y intelligent.
Remember this: Similarities stay out of the syntax.
More examples:
Term 1 = Jessica has two little brothers.
Term 2 = Jessica takes care of them.
Syntax: Jessica X has two little brothers, Y takes care of them.
Thus:
Jessica both has two little brothers, and takes care of them.
Jessica not only has two little brothers, but also takes care of them.
Either…or
As mentioned above, this conjunction set establishes two options: you can have only one of them, not both.
The syntax is the same: X+term1+Y+term2
And remember this: Similarities stay out of the syntax.
Examples:
Term 1: go to the movies. Term 2: go to the park.
Thus: You can go to either the park or the movies.
* either to the park or to the movies is very common too.
** don’t separate the from the noun it determines.
Term 1: have breakfast. Term 2: read a book.
Thus: She can either have breakfast or read a book.
neither…nor
This conjunction set is simply the negative counterpart of either…or.
If the latter says you have two options, this one says you have two prohibitions or inabilities:
Term 1: I can’t dance Salsa. Term 2: I can’t cook Cuban food.
Thus: I can neither dance salsa nor cook Cuban food.
NB: since the set is negative, the verb stays in the affirmative mode.
whether…or --- if…or.
As for these sets, they’re synonyms and they establish conditions:
Examples:
I need to know if you want to stay or not.
Whether she likes me or not, I like her.
So, that’s it. Study these sets well and e-mail me if you need more help.
Practice Makes Perfect
Both…and --- not only…but also.
Either…or ---- neither…nor --- whether…or --- if…or.
Below you will find the syntax for all the sets:
X + term1 + y + term 2.
Where X stands for the first element of the conjunction set and Y the second.
Both…and --- not only…but also.
Some examples follow:
1) Jessica is beautiful and intelligent.
2) Jessica is both beautiful and intelligent.
3) Jessica is not only beautiful but also intelligent.
Term 1 is: Jessica is beautiful.
Term 2 is: Jessica is intelligent.
Note that similar parts in both elements stay out of the syntax.
Jessica = Jessica; is = is.
Thus: Jessica is X beautiful Y intelligent.
Remember this: Similarities stay out of the syntax.
More examples:
Term 1 = Jessica has two little brothers.
Term 2 = Jessica takes care of them.
Syntax: Jessica X has two little brothers, Y takes care of them.
Thus:
Jessica both has two little brothers, and takes care of them.
Jessica not only has two little brothers, but also takes care of them.
Either…or
As mentioned above, this conjunction set establishes two options: you can have only one of them, not both.
The syntax is the same: X+term1+Y+term2
And remember this: Similarities stay out of the syntax.
Examples:
Term 1: go to the movies. Term 2: go to the park.
Thus: You can go to either the park or the movies.
* either to the park or to the movies is very common too.
** don’t separate the from the noun it determines.
Term 1: have breakfast. Term 2: read a book.
Thus: She can either have breakfast or read a book.
neither…nor
This conjunction set is simply the negative counterpart of either…or.
If the latter says you have two options, this one says you have two prohibitions or inabilities:
Term 1: I can’t dance Salsa. Term 2: I can’t cook Cuban food.
Thus: I can neither dance salsa nor cook Cuban food.
NB: since the set is negative, the verb stays in the affirmative mode.
whether…or --- if…or.
As for these sets, they’re synonyms and they establish conditions:
Examples:
I need to know if you want to stay or not.
Whether she likes me or not, I like her.
So, that’s it. Study these sets well and e-mail me if you need more help.
Practice Makes Perfect
quinta-feira, 21 de maio de 2009
Suffixes II
Today we’ll talk about suffixes again. Just now, we’ll play closer attention to some details.
The –ly Suffix
You saw in the last article that the –ly suffix forms an adverb when attatched to a word. Ex.: Happy (adj) + -ly = Happily (adv).
The -ly suffix forms manner adverbs, that is, they tell you how things happen. Happily means ‘with happiness’.
You can also add –ly to a participle of a verb. Ex: Tiredly – She did the exercise tiredly (she was tired when she did it). Normally in this case, the adverb tells you how the subject did it or how he felt at the moment.
Here follows a list of words I suggest you study. You can quickly look them up in www.thefreedictionary.com. Great online dictionary and thesaurus.
The list:
Abashedly, ably, abnormally, absurdly, abusively, contrarily, continently, contortedly, cordially, costly, ghastly, girlishly, normally, quickly, rapidly.
Note that when a word finished with an L, we still attach the suffix to it nonetheless: natural +ly = naturally.
The –ish Suffix
This suffix bears a meaning of “similar” or “around” when added to a noun.
Ex: Stop being girlish! (girlish means “to behave in a way that resembles a very young and spoiled girl”);
Ex: We’ll meet there at eightish. (it means “around eight o’clock).
Here follows a list of words (some with examples) for you to study:
Seventyish – I like my seventyish shirt.
Boyish – boyish manners.
Doggish – your doggish style.
Teacherish, nursish, doctorish, dentistish, crazyish, Carla Brunish, Brad Pittish, etc.
Virtually any noun will take –ish.
Knowledge is Power.
The –ly Suffix
You saw in the last article that the –ly suffix forms an adverb when attatched to a word. Ex.: Happy (adj) + -ly = Happily (adv).
The -ly suffix forms manner adverbs, that is, they tell you how things happen. Happily means ‘with happiness’.
You can also add –ly to a participle of a verb. Ex: Tiredly – She did the exercise tiredly (she was tired when she did it). Normally in this case, the adverb tells you how the subject did it or how he felt at the moment.
Here follows a list of words I suggest you study. You can quickly look them up in www.thefreedictionary.com. Great online dictionary and thesaurus.
The list:
Abashedly, ably, abnormally, absurdly, abusively, contrarily, continently, contortedly, cordially, costly, ghastly, girlishly, normally, quickly, rapidly.
Note that when a word finished with an L, we still attach the suffix to it nonetheless: natural +ly = naturally.
The –ish Suffix
This suffix bears a meaning of “similar” or “around” when added to a noun.
Ex: Stop being girlish! (girlish means “to behave in a way that resembles a very young and spoiled girl”);
Ex: We’ll meet there at eightish. (it means “around eight o’clock).
Here follows a list of words (some with examples) for you to study:
Seventyish – I like my seventyish shirt.
Boyish – boyish manners.
Doggish – your doggish style.
Teacherish, nursish, doctorish, dentistish, crazyish, Carla Brunish, Brad Pittish, etc.
Virtually any noun will take –ish.
Knowledge is Power.
sexta-feira, 15 de maio de 2009
Prefixes I
Hi,
Today we’re going to talk about prefixes. The thing in which they differ from suffixes is the fact that most of what we have comes from Latin or Greek, in other words, they’re pretty much very similar to Portuguese. Because of this, let’s focus on the more, say, complicating ones.
For a good list of prefixes, check the websites below:
http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/prefixtext.htm
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/prefixes.htm
Take a look at these words: inflammable, impossible, infallible, irrelevant and invaluable. You could say: “All right, teacher, I get these words. “I” and all its combinations mean “no”, just like Portuguese”.
Clever, furthermore, that’s the attitude. Prefixes, as I said before, are very similar to their Portuguese counterparts due to the fact they all descend from Latin and Greek.
However, inflammable is different, isn’t it? It means “fire-catchable”. Something that doesn’t catch fire, like water, for instance, we call non-flammable. By the way, non is a prefix too. A very easy one, though.
In the same way, invaluable means something so important and so valuable that you can’t put a price on it – your family, for example. Something that has no value we call worthless – do you remember this suffix?
Anyway, don’t worry. We don’t have many false cognates. Most of the words, suffixes and prefixes which resemble their Portuguese counterparts are indeed synonymous.
Thus, impossible, irrelevant and infallible mean exactly what you think they do – “not”.
To cap it all, let me just say that we have two ways of adding prefixes: juxtaposition and hyphenation. Let me explain them:
1) Juxtaposition: It’s when you simply put them together: ab+normal = abnormal.
2) Hyphenation: It’s when a hyphen (-) makes the ligature of the prefix and the root: ex + wife = ex-wife.
Just like all the vocabulary lessons we had – and those we will have too, there’s no “rule” to know them all infallibly. What we have is a “strategy”: read, listen, talk and write English, in other words, use the language everyday and you’ll eventually feel very comfortable with all this.
Now that you were briefed, go check those two websites above. You’ll be surprised at the amount of similarities and, maybe, even think of studying Latin and Greek a little…
Knowledge is Power.
Today we’re going to talk about prefixes. The thing in which they differ from suffixes is the fact that most of what we have comes from Latin or Greek, in other words, they’re pretty much very similar to Portuguese. Because of this, let’s focus on the more, say, complicating ones.
For a good list of prefixes, check the websites below:
http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/prefixtext.htm
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/prefixes.htm
Take a look at these words: inflammable, impossible, infallible, irrelevant and invaluable. You could say: “All right, teacher, I get these words. “I” and all its combinations mean “no”, just like Portuguese”.
Clever, furthermore, that’s the attitude. Prefixes, as I said before, are very similar to their Portuguese counterparts due to the fact they all descend from Latin and Greek.
However, inflammable is different, isn’t it? It means “fire-catchable”. Something that doesn’t catch fire, like water, for instance, we call non-flammable. By the way, non is a prefix too. A very easy one, though.
In the same way, invaluable means something so important and so valuable that you can’t put a price on it – your family, for example. Something that has no value we call worthless – do you remember this suffix?
Anyway, don’t worry. We don’t have many false cognates. Most of the words, suffixes and prefixes which resemble their Portuguese counterparts are indeed synonymous.
Thus, impossible, irrelevant and infallible mean exactly what you think they do – “not”.
To cap it all, let me just say that we have two ways of adding prefixes: juxtaposition and hyphenation. Let me explain them:
1) Juxtaposition: It’s when you simply put them together: ab+normal = abnormal.
2) Hyphenation: It’s when a hyphen (-) makes the ligature of the prefix and the root: ex + wife = ex-wife.
Just like all the vocabulary lessons we had – and those we will have too, there’s no “rule” to know them all infallibly. What we have is a “strategy”: read, listen, talk and write English, in other words, use the language everyday and you’ll eventually feel very comfortable with all this.
Now that you were briefed, go check those two websites above. You’ll be surprised at the amount of similarities and, maybe, even think of studying Latin and Greek a little…
Knowledge is Power.
quinta-feira, 14 de maio de 2009
Suffixes I
Hi,
Today we’re going to study a little about suffixes. A little Morphology doesn’t hurt.
SUFFIXES
Suffixes are ‘parts’ that can be attached to words that greatly alter their syntactical function. Let’s see an example:
PLAY – this is the verb. Let’s call it ROOT.
-ER – this is the suffix for the agent, that is, the doer of a verb.
When we get both together we have PLAYER – the person who plays.
You can add this suffix to most verbs and you will get the same result:
DOER, FLIER, CRIER, FIGHTER, TEACHER, PREACHER, SKATER, SINGER, etc.
The exceptions we have are for reasons of eulogy and etymology:
LIAR, VENDOR, DEBTOR, RECTOR, etc.
Anyway, -OR and –AR are considered variations of –ER, the agent suffix.
You’ll find below a list with more suffixes and examples with them:
-ANT (-ENT) – another agent suffix. Ex: student, defiant, consultant, etc.
-EE – the passive suffix for some words with –ER. Ex: interviewee, trainee, etc.
-ESS – female version of the agent suffix -ER. Note that it does not apply to all the cases. Ex: actress, waitress, stewardess
-FUL – full of, having some or much. Ex: hopeful, useful
-IST – believer, professional, or adherent to a certain political view. Ex: dentist, communist, Baptist, capitalist, etc.
-LESS – lack of. Ex: homeless, useless, motionless, etc.
-LY – like, having the attributes of; in modern English, it primarily changes adjectives to adverbs; also changes some nouns to adjectives and some (past-tense) verbs to adverbs. Ex: quick (adj) > quickly (adv), state (n) > stately (adj), abashed (v) > abashedly (adv), etc.
-WARD(S) – direction. Ex: southwards, homewards, etc.
-WISE – direction. Ex: clockwise, schoolwise, homewise, etc.
You can check the webpage below for more suffixes:
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/reading/suffixes.html
Knowledge is Power.
Today we’re going to study a little about suffixes. A little Morphology doesn’t hurt.
SUFFIXES
Suffixes are ‘parts’ that can be attached to words that greatly alter their syntactical function. Let’s see an example:
PLAY – this is the verb. Let’s call it ROOT.
-ER – this is the suffix for the agent, that is, the doer of a verb.
When we get both together we have PLAYER – the person who plays.
You can add this suffix to most verbs and you will get the same result:
DOER, FLIER, CRIER, FIGHTER, TEACHER, PREACHER, SKATER, SINGER, etc.
The exceptions we have are for reasons of eulogy and etymology:
LIAR, VENDOR, DEBTOR, RECTOR, etc.
Anyway, -OR and –AR are considered variations of –ER, the agent suffix.
You’ll find below a list with more suffixes and examples with them:
-ANT (-ENT) – another agent suffix. Ex: student, defiant, consultant, etc.
-EE – the passive suffix for some words with –ER. Ex: interviewee, trainee, etc.
-ESS – female version of the agent suffix -ER. Note that it does not apply to all the cases. Ex: actress, waitress, stewardess
-FUL – full of, having some or much. Ex: hopeful, useful
-IST – believer, professional, or adherent to a certain political view. Ex: dentist, communist, Baptist, capitalist, etc.
-LESS – lack of. Ex: homeless, useless, motionless, etc.
-LY – like, having the attributes of; in modern English, it primarily changes adjectives to adverbs; also changes some nouns to adjectives and some (past-tense) verbs to adverbs. Ex: quick (adj) > quickly (adv), state (n) > stately (adj), abashed (v) > abashedly (adv), etc.
-WARD(S) – direction. Ex: southwards, homewards, etc.
-WISE – direction. Ex: clockwise, schoolwise, homewise, etc.
You can check the webpage below for more suffixes:
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/reading/suffixes.html
Knowledge is Power.
quarta-feira, 13 de maio de 2009
Expressions with GET
Hi,
Today we’ll see some expressions with GET taken from http://www.sk.com.br/sk-make.html and adapted by myself.
EXPRESSIONS WITH GET
Meaning to become
It’s getting dark.
We got tired yesterday.
I’m getting confused.
I’m getting accustomed/used to working hard.
Meaning to receive
She got a nice present for her birthday.
Teachers get about R$15 an hour in Brazil.
I hope to get better news tomorrow.
I got a postcard from Germany.
Meaning to obtain/buy
He’s going to get a job after college.
I got a promotion.
He got $800 for his old car.
You can get cheap things in Hong Kong.
I'm planning to get a new car soon.
Meaning to fetch/pick up
Go and get the newspaper.
Shall I get you a book from the library?
Stay here. I’ll get you some slippers.
Meaning to arrive at/reach
I got home late last night.
We got to the airport by taxi.
Can you get to the roof of the house?
Meaning to have (possession)
I haven’t got much time.
Have you got enough money?
Meaning to have to (obligation, same as need and must)
I’ve got to go now.
You’ve got to study harder.
Meaning to catch (illness, vehicle, thief)
I don’t want to get a cold.
I hope you get on a train before midnight.
The thief ran away but the police got him.
Meaning to prepare/make
I’ll get some coffee.
She’s getting dinner for her family.
Meaning to be (as passive auxiliary)
She got hit by a car.
The robber got killed by the police.
He got robbed last night.
Meaning to persuade/convince
He got his father to buy him a car.
I got him to help me.
Meaning to have something done, to order something
He got his car fixed.
I got my hair cut.
Meaning to understand
I got you.
Did you get the idea?
Don't get me wrong.
Other meanings and in combination with prepositions
Get across – a) [to transpass; to cross] We need to get across this field. b) [to communicate; to explain] I’ll get this message across.
Get along (with) – [to have a good relationship] I get along with my father very well.
Get away – [to escape] The criminal got away.
Get back – [retrieve] I need to get my stolen car back.
Get back from – [to return] When will you get back from Europe?
Get by – [to improvise to have a good performance when in a difficult situation] How do you get by with only R$ 500, 00 a month?
Get a chance – [to have an opportunity] I never got a chance with her!
Get a cramp – [when a muscle becomes stiff and hurts] I was swimming and suddenly I got a cramp in my left leg!
Get somebody down – [to depress somebody] Stop getting him down!
Get down to – [to concentrate] Let’s get down to work.
Get even – [to equalize by doing something good or bad as retribution] She robbed me of my boyfriend and now she’s got a new one. It’s the perfect time to get even.
Get a flat tire – [when one of your car tires has a puncture] I got a flat tire this morning.
Get a haircut – [to pay somebody to cut your hair] I want to get a haircut today.
Get ...ing! – [for the imperative] Get going now! i.e. Go!
Get in – [to enter] Get in the car.
Get into – [to enter or to get involved] You don’t want to get into this problem.
Get in touch (with) – [to communicate after an absence of it] Can you get in touch with Greg? It’s been a year I haven’t seen him.
Get in trouble – [to find problems of oneself] Don’t get into trouble in Paris.
Get laid – [to have a sexual intercourse] Are you getting laid tonight?
Get lost! – [go away]
Get married – Linda and James got married at a beautiful church.
Get something off – [to remove] Can you get this stain off my shirt?
Get off – [to leave a means of transportation] Mr. Driver, I need to get off this bus now!
Get on – [to enter a means of transportation] Let’s get on that bus.
Get on with someone – [to have a relationship with a person] How do you and your father get on?
Get out – [to leave] Get out of my car!
Get over – [to recover] Did you get over Linda? No, I still think of her every day.
Get ready – [to prepare oneself; to stay prompt] Get ready to rumble!
Get rid of – [to discard; to eliminate] Get rid of this tiresome job of yours!
Get there – [to arrive] What time did you get there?
Get through with something – [to finish something] Get through with your homework.
Get to someone – [to annoy/irritate somebody] Stop getting to me!
Get together (with) – [to rendezvous; to reunite] Let’s get together with Mike for a beer?
Get something under way – [to prepare something; to start working on something] I need to get these documents under way.
Get up – [to wake up]
Get upset – [to get nervous or sad] Don’t get upset.
Knowledge is Power.
Today we’ll see some expressions with GET taken from http://www.sk.com.br/sk-make.html and adapted by myself.
EXPRESSIONS WITH GET
Meaning to become
It’s getting dark.
We got tired yesterday.
I’m getting confused.
I’m getting accustomed/used to working hard.
Meaning to receive
She got a nice present for her birthday.
Teachers get about R$15 an hour in Brazil.
I hope to get better news tomorrow.
I got a postcard from Germany.
Meaning to obtain/buy
He’s going to get a job after college.
I got a promotion.
He got $800 for his old car.
You can get cheap things in Hong Kong.
I'm planning to get a new car soon.
Meaning to fetch/pick up
Go and get the newspaper.
Shall I get you a book from the library?
Stay here. I’ll get you some slippers.
Meaning to arrive at/reach
I got home late last night.
We got to the airport by taxi.
Can you get to the roof of the house?
Meaning to have (possession)
I haven’t got much time.
Have you got enough money?
Meaning to have to (obligation, same as need and must)
I’ve got to go now.
You’ve got to study harder.
Meaning to catch (illness, vehicle, thief)
I don’t want to get a cold.
I hope you get on a train before midnight.
The thief ran away but the police got him.
Meaning to prepare/make
I’ll get some coffee.
She’s getting dinner for her family.
Meaning to be (as passive auxiliary)
She got hit by a car.
The robber got killed by the police.
He got robbed last night.
Meaning to persuade/convince
He got his father to buy him a car.
I got him to help me.
Meaning to have something done, to order something
He got his car fixed.
I got my hair cut.
Meaning to understand
I got you.
Did you get the idea?
Don't get me wrong.
Other meanings and in combination with prepositions
Get across – a) [to transpass; to cross] We need to get across this field. b) [to communicate; to explain] I’ll get this message across.
Get along (with) – [to have a good relationship] I get along with my father very well.
Get away – [to escape] The criminal got away.
Get back – [retrieve] I need to get my stolen car back.
Get back from – [to return] When will you get back from Europe?
Get by – [to improvise to have a good performance when in a difficult situation] How do you get by with only R$ 500, 00 a month?
Get a chance – [to have an opportunity] I never got a chance with her!
Get a cramp – [when a muscle becomes stiff and hurts] I was swimming and suddenly I got a cramp in my left leg!
Get somebody down – [to depress somebody] Stop getting him down!
Get down to – [to concentrate] Let’s get down to work.
Get even – [to equalize by doing something good or bad as retribution] She robbed me of my boyfriend and now she’s got a new one. It’s the perfect time to get even.
Get a flat tire – [when one of your car tires has a puncture] I got a flat tire this morning.
Get a haircut – [to pay somebody to cut your hair] I want to get a haircut today.
Get ...ing! – [for the imperative] Get going now! i.e. Go!
Get in – [to enter] Get in the car.
Get into – [to enter or to get involved] You don’t want to get into this problem.
Get in touch (with) – [to communicate after an absence of it] Can you get in touch with Greg? It’s been a year I haven’t seen him.
Get in trouble – [to find problems of oneself] Don’t get into trouble in Paris.
Get laid – [to have a sexual intercourse] Are you getting laid tonight?
Get lost! – [go away]
Get married – Linda and James got married at a beautiful church.
Get something off – [to remove] Can you get this stain off my shirt?
Get off – [to leave a means of transportation] Mr. Driver, I need to get off this bus now!
Get on – [to enter a means of transportation] Let’s get on that bus.
Get on with someone – [to have a relationship with a person] How do you and your father get on?
Get out – [to leave] Get out of my car!
Get over – [to recover] Did you get over Linda? No, I still think of her every day.
Get ready – [to prepare oneself; to stay prompt] Get ready to rumble!
Get rid of – [to discard; to eliminate] Get rid of this tiresome job of yours!
Get there – [to arrive] What time did you get there?
Get through with something – [to finish something] Get through with your homework.
Get to someone – [to annoy/irritate somebody] Stop getting to me!
Get together (with) – [to rendezvous; to reunite] Let’s get together with Mike for a beer?
Get something under way – [to prepare something; to start working on something] I need to get these documents under way.
Get up – [to wake up]
Get upset – [to get nervous or sad] Don’t get upset.
Knowledge is Power.
terça-feira, 12 de maio de 2009
Expressions with TAKE
Hi,
Today we’ll see some expressions with TAKE taken from http://www.sk.com.br/sk-make.html and adapted by myself.
EXPRESSIONS WITH TAKE
• take advantage – She’s taking advantage on this situation. Wake up!
• take advice – Take my advice: stop now.
• take (something) apart – the mechanic took my whole car apart in hundreds of pieces.
• take back – Don’t worry, I’ll take it back to you.
• take the blame – I took the blame for the problem.
• take a break – You’re working too much. Take a break!
• take care – You need to take care of yourself.
• take a chance – We can be happy. Take a chance on me!
• take a course (lessons) – I’m taking a nice English course.
• take it easy – Relax. Take it easy.
• take effect – The medication has started taking effect.
• take an injection – I hate taking injections.
• take into consideration – Take your family into consideration before you do it.
• take it as ... – I too your joke as true.
• take it or leave it – 8 hours a day, 6days a week, lunch, 30-day paid vacation and R$ 2000,00 as salary. It’s take it or leave it.
• take a leak – I drank a lot of beer. I’ll go to the men’s room to take a leak.
• take lessons – She takes lessons from a great teacher.
• take liberties – Take you liberties!
• take a look (at, on) – Doctor, take a look on my arm.
• take medicine – Are you taking your medicine properly?
• take a nap – You’re tired! Take a little nap in your bedroom.
• take notes – Are you taking notes of this lesson?
• take off – She’s not here anymore. The plane just took off.
• take (something) off – Take of your shoes in a Japanese home.
• take the opportunity – Take the opportunity and be happy!
• take (somebody/something) out - I’ll take you out for dinner on Friday.
• take over – She took over the responsibility.
• take part – Do you want to take part in this lesson?
• take a piss – I drank a lot of beer. I need to go to the men’s room and take a piss.
• take it personal– Don’t take it personal. I didn’t want to offend anybody.
• take place – The English immersion lessons will take place in our office.
• take pride – Take pride in your family! They’re the best thing you have.
• take a poll – Ibope will take a poll to know how many classic cars we have in this city.
• take the responsibility – Take the responsibility for the things you do.
• take a rest – You’re tired. Take a rest.
• take a shower – You’re stinking! Take a shower!
• take steps – We need to take the steps to the party. The preparation will be long!
• take a taxi (bus, plane) – I need to take a taxi to the airport.
• take the temperature – Take his temperature, doctor.
• take a test – I will take a test tomorrow morning at school.
• It takes time – I takes time to learn another language.
• take one's time – I don’t want to take you time. It’s going to be quick.
• take a trip – I’ll take a trip to Bahia to relax a little.
• take up something – I’ll take up English lessons next semester.
• take a walk – Let’s take a walk in the park together.
• take your time – There is no hurry. Take your time.
Knowledge is Power.
Today we’ll see some expressions with TAKE taken from http://www.sk.com.br/sk-make.html and adapted by myself.
EXPRESSIONS WITH TAKE
• take advantage – She’s taking advantage on this situation. Wake up!
• take advice – Take my advice: stop now.
• take (something) apart – the mechanic took my whole car apart in hundreds of pieces.
• take back – Don’t worry, I’ll take it back to you.
• take the blame – I took the blame for the problem.
• take a break – You’re working too much. Take a break!
• take care – You need to take care of yourself.
• take a chance – We can be happy. Take a chance on me!
• take a course (lessons) – I’m taking a nice English course.
• take it easy – Relax. Take it easy.
• take effect – The medication has started taking effect.
• take an injection – I hate taking injections.
• take into consideration – Take your family into consideration before you do it.
• take it as ... – I too your joke as true.
• take it or leave it – 8 hours a day, 6days a week, lunch, 30-day paid vacation and R$ 2000,00 as salary. It’s take it or leave it.
• take a leak – I drank a lot of beer. I’ll go to the men’s room to take a leak.
• take lessons – She takes lessons from a great teacher.
• take liberties – Take you liberties!
• take a look (at, on) – Doctor, take a look on my arm.
• take medicine – Are you taking your medicine properly?
• take a nap – You’re tired! Take a little nap in your bedroom.
• take notes – Are you taking notes of this lesson?
• take off – She’s not here anymore. The plane just took off.
• take (something) off – Take of your shoes in a Japanese home.
• take the opportunity – Take the opportunity and be happy!
• take (somebody/something) out - I’ll take you out for dinner on Friday.
• take over – She took over the responsibility.
• take part – Do you want to take part in this lesson?
• take a piss – I drank a lot of beer. I need to go to the men’s room and take a piss.
• take it personal– Don’t take it personal. I didn’t want to offend anybody.
• take place – The English immersion lessons will take place in our office.
• take pride – Take pride in your family! They’re the best thing you have.
• take a poll – Ibope will take a poll to know how many classic cars we have in this city.
• take the responsibility – Take the responsibility for the things you do.
• take a rest – You’re tired. Take a rest.
• take a shower – You’re stinking! Take a shower!
• take steps – We need to take the steps to the party. The preparation will be long!
• take a taxi (bus, plane) – I need to take a taxi to the airport.
• take the temperature – Take his temperature, doctor.
• take a test – I will take a test tomorrow morning at school.
• It takes time – I takes time to learn another language.
• take one's time – I don’t want to take you time. It’s going to be quick.
• take a trip – I’ll take a trip to Bahia to relax a little.
• take up something – I’ll take up English lessons next semester.
• take a walk – Let’s take a walk in the park together.
• take your time – There is no hurry. Take your time.
Knowledge is Power.
segunda-feira, 11 de maio de 2009
Expressions with DO
Hi,
Today we’ll see some expressions with DO taken from
http://www.sk.com.br/sk-make.html and adapted by myself.
EXPRESSIONS WITH DO
• do the (my, your, ...) best (to) – I will do my best to finish this job.
• do business (with) – My company does business with NASA.
• do the cleaning (for) – Who does the cleaning for you?
• do damage/harm (to) – I didn’t do her any harm.
• do a deal (predominantly in the expression "it's a done deal") – The deal is closed; we made a deal.
• do some dictation – Students, we will do some dictation.
• do the dishes – Who will do the dished tonight?
• do drugs – Don’t do drugs!
• do your duty – I do my duties.
• do an exercise – Let’s do an exercise.
• do an experiment – Scientists do experiments.
• do a favor (for) – Do me a favor and close that door, please.
• do good – I do good to everybody.
• do a good/bad job – You did a good job!
• do your homework – Did you do your homework?
• do the housework – I do the housework all by myself.
• do the laundry – Who does your laundry?
• do an operation (on) – The doctor will do an operation on the patient.
• do (something) over again – Now I have to do it all over again!
• do overtime – I will do overtime today.
• do a poll – Let’s do a poll to see who the best band is.
• do a problem/a puzzle – I like doing puzzles from this magazine!
• do a project – She’s doing a great project at work.
• do research (on) – Do a research on the meaning of these words.
• do the right thing – You did the right thing.
• do the shopping – Let’s do some shopping!
• do someone – I do her every night! She’s great.
• do something – Excuse me, I need to do something now.
• do time in prison – He did a long time in prison.
• do a translation – Did you do the translation of the text?
• do well/badly (in) – He’s doing well in his new job.
• to be done – The work is done.
• to have nothing to do with ... – My friend does stupid things sometimes, but I have nothing to do with those things.
• to have your hair done – I need to go to the beauty parlor to have my hair done.
• that will do it – I only have R$10,00, but that will do it. It’s sufficient.
Knowledge is Power.
Today we’ll see some expressions with DO taken from
http://www.sk.com.br/sk-make.html and adapted by myself.
EXPRESSIONS WITH DO
• do the (my, your, ...) best (to) – I will do my best to finish this job.
• do business (with) – My company does business with NASA.
• do the cleaning (for) – Who does the cleaning for you?
• do damage/harm (to) – I didn’t do her any harm.
• do a deal (predominantly in the expression "it's a done deal") – The deal is closed; we made a deal.
• do some dictation – Students, we will do some dictation.
• do the dishes – Who will do the dished tonight?
• do drugs – Don’t do drugs!
• do your duty – I do my duties.
• do an exercise – Let’s do an exercise.
• do an experiment – Scientists do experiments.
• do a favor (for) – Do me a favor and close that door, please.
• do good – I do good to everybody.
• do a good/bad job – You did a good job!
• do your homework – Did you do your homework?
• do the housework – I do the housework all by myself.
• do the laundry – Who does your laundry?
• do an operation (on) – The doctor will do an operation on the patient.
• do (something) over again – Now I have to do it all over again!
• do overtime – I will do overtime today.
• do a poll – Let’s do a poll to see who the best band is.
• do a problem/a puzzle – I like doing puzzles from this magazine!
• do a project – She’s doing a great project at work.
• do research (on) – Do a research on the meaning of these words.
• do the right thing – You did the right thing.
• do the shopping – Let’s do some shopping!
• do someone – I do her every night! She’s great.
• do something – Excuse me, I need to do something now.
• do time in prison – He did a long time in prison.
• do a translation – Did you do the translation of the text?
• do well/badly (in) – He’s doing well in his new job.
• to be done – The work is done.
• to have nothing to do with ... – My friend does stupid things sometimes, but I have nothing to do with those things.
• to have your hair done – I need to go to the beauty parlor to have my hair done.
• that will do it – I only have R$10,00, but that will do it. It’s sufficient.
Knowledge is Power.
sexta-feira, 8 de maio de 2009
EXPRESSIONS WITH MAKE
Hi,
Today we’ll see some expressions with MAKE taken from
http://www.sk.com.br/sk-make.html and adapted by myself.
EXPRESSIONS WITH MAKE
• make an agreement – We need to make an agreement.
• make an announcement (to) – He will make an announcement.
• make an appointment (with) – I need to make an appointment with my doctor.
• make arrangements (for) – Let’s make the arrangements for the trip.
• make an attempt (to) – She made an attempt to learn.
• make the bed – Make your bed, son.
• make believe – Just make believe she likes you.
• make breakfast (dinner, a sandwich) – Can you make me breakfast?
• make a clean copy – Make a clean copy of the file, please.
• make it clear (to) – I made it clear I don’t need it.
• make a complaint (about) – I want to make a complaint about your service.
• make a date (with) – Can I make a date with your sister?
• make a deal (with) – I made a great deal with him.
• make a decision (about) – Make a decision about your future!
• make a (any, no) difference (to) – It makes no difference.
• make do with – Live simply. Make do with what you have.
• make a down payment – I made the down payment of my first car and I will pay de rest is 36 installments.
• make an effort (to) – Make an effort to learn.
• make an excuse (for) – I need to make an excuse for not calling her.
• make a face (at) – She made a face at my report.
• make a fool of someone – Don’t make a fool of yourself.
• make for – Sorry, I have to make for home now.
• make friends (with) – My girlfriend made friends with my whole family.
• make fun of – Don’t make fun of his difficulty!
• make a fuss (about, over something) – She made a fuss over my not going to her party.
• make a fuss (over someone) – She makes a fuss over her son. She likes him very much.
• make good – I promised and I made good. I am a man of my word.
• make a good/bad impression (on) – You’re making a bad impression, honey.
• make someone happy – I want to make you happy.
• make an investment – Make an investment in your life.
• make a list (of ) – Make a list of the things you have to do today.
• make a living – I work very much to make a living.
• make love (to) – They make love all the time.
• make mistakes (in) – You made many mistakes today.
• make money – I have to make money to buy my car.
• make the most of (something) – She made the most of her English lessons.
• make someone nervous – Don’t make me nervous.
• make noise – Stop making noise! I need to study.
• make an offer – They made an offer for my car.
• make out – Kissing is good, but don’t make out in the office!
• make a payment – I need to make a payment at the bank today.
• make a phone call (to) – Can I make a phone call to my sister?
• make plans – Make plans for the future!
• make a point – She made a point of not going to the party alone.
• make a point- The point you made is very interesting. I understand your opinion now.
• make a presentation – Julia, you’ll make a presentation of our product next week.
• make a profit – Can you make a profit with this product?
• make progress (in) – She’s making progress in the language!
• make a promise (to) – Make me a promise of not staying out until dark.
• make public – They made the wedding public. Everybody knows now.
• make a reservation (for) – I want to make a reservation for two.
• make a resolution – I made a resolution to stop smoking.
• make a scene – When she saw him with his ex-girlfriend, she made a scene in the middle of the street!
• make sense (to) – I don’t understand. This doesn’t make sense!
• make something of (oneself) – Make something of yourself! Study and work!
• make a speech (to) – The president made a speech today.
• make sure (about) – Make sure you can do this.
• make trouble – Don’t make trouble!
• make up – She made up an excuse for being late.
• make up your mind – A car or a trip… I need to make up my mind!
• make use of – Make use of the dictionary of you don’t understand something.
• make war – Why make war and not love?
• make way – Make way for the paramedics!
• make yourself at home – Come on in. Take off your coat. Make yourself at home.
Knowledge is Power.
Today we’ll see some expressions with MAKE taken from
http://www.sk.com.br/sk-make.html and adapted by myself.
EXPRESSIONS WITH MAKE
• make an agreement – We need to make an agreement.
• make an announcement (to) – He will make an announcement.
• make an appointment (with) – I need to make an appointment with my doctor.
• make arrangements (for) – Let’s make the arrangements for the trip.
• make an attempt (to) – She made an attempt to learn.
• make the bed – Make your bed, son.
• make believe – Just make believe she likes you.
• make breakfast (dinner, a sandwich) – Can you make me breakfast?
• make a clean copy – Make a clean copy of the file, please.
• make it clear (to) – I made it clear I don’t need it.
• make a complaint (about) – I want to make a complaint about your service.
• make a date (with) – Can I make a date with your sister?
• make a deal (with) – I made a great deal with him.
• make a decision (about) – Make a decision about your future!
• make a (any, no) difference (to) – It makes no difference.
• make do with – Live simply. Make do with what you have.
• make a down payment – I made the down payment of my first car and I will pay de rest is 36 installments.
• make an effort (to) – Make an effort to learn.
• make an excuse (for) – I need to make an excuse for not calling her.
• make a face (at) – She made a face at my report.
• make a fool of someone – Don’t make a fool of yourself.
• make for – Sorry, I have to make for home now.
• make friends (with) – My girlfriend made friends with my whole family.
• make fun of – Don’t make fun of his difficulty!
• make a fuss (about, over something) – She made a fuss over my not going to her party.
• make a fuss (over someone) – She makes a fuss over her son. She likes him very much.
• make good – I promised and I made good. I am a man of my word.
• make a good/bad impression (on) – You’re making a bad impression, honey.
• make someone happy – I want to make you happy.
• make an investment – Make an investment in your life.
• make a list (of ) – Make a list of the things you have to do today.
• make a living – I work very much to make a living.
• make love (to) – They make love all the time.
• make mistakes (in) – You made many mistakes today.
• make money – I have to make money to buy my car.
• make the most of (something) – She made the most of her English lessons.
• make someone nervous – Don’t make me nervous.
• make noise – Stop making noise! I need to study.
• make an offer – They made an offer for my car.
• make out – Kissing is good, but don’t make out in the office!
• make a payment – I need to make a payment at the bank today.
• make a phone call (to) – Can I make a phone call to my sister?
• make plans – Make plans for the future!
• make a point – She made a point of not going to the party alone.
• make a point- The point you made is very interesting. I understand your opinion now.
• make a presentation – Julia, you’ll make a presentation of our product next week.
• make a profit – Can you make a profit with this product?
• make progress (in) – She’s making progress in the language!
• make a promise (to) – Make me a promise of not staying out until dark.
• make public – They made the wedding public. Everybody knows now.
• make a reservation (for) – I want to make a reservation for two.
• make a resolution – I made a resolution to stop smoking.
• make a scene – When she saw him with his ex-girlfriend, she made a scene in the middle of the street!
• make sense (to) – I don’t understand. This doesn’t make sense!
• make something of (oneself) – Make something of yourself! Study and work!
• make a speech (to) – The president made a speech today.
• make sure (about) – Make sure you can do this.
• make trouble – Don’t make trouble!
• make up – She made up an excuse for being late.
• make up your mind – A car or a trip… I need to make up my mind!
• make use of – Make use of the dictionary of you don’t understand something.
• make war – Why make war and not love?
• make way – Make way for the paramedics!
• make yourself at home – Come on in. Take off your coat. Make yourself at home.
Knowledge is Power.
quinta-feira, 7 de maio de 2009
Pronunciation #2
Hi,
In this article we will take on the pronunciation of dental fricative consonants, which are the sound of TH in “think” and “this”.
Normally this pronunciation lesson drives some Brazilian students mad, which is perfectly understandable when we take into consideration the absence of an equivalent sound in Brazilian Portuguese.
However, as we saw in the last article, we need practice to master these new sounds, since they are 100% learnable.
Let us start with an analysis. We actually have TWO sounds for the TH. The first is what we call voiceless, which means the absence of a vibration in your throat. The second is voiced, which means the presence of a vibration. These two sounds are very similar to the sounds of the consonants S and Z. Do the test: pronounce a long S without any vowel – ssssssssssssss… Now do the same with Z – zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… You will see there is a vibration in your throat when you pronounce the Z. It is the same case with the two sounds for the TH.
The anatomy of the phonemes:
Both TH’s sounds are pronounced with the same articulation (position of the parts of the mouth) – and they are very simple: the tip of your tongue needs to be between and touching your jaw and upper teeth, in other words, bite it gently. Once you have the right articulation exhale some air: the result would be the voiceless sound of the TH. Then, still with the same articulation, blow more air and at the same time do that throat vibration you did in the Z exercise. The result is the voiced sound of the TH.
Repeat the words below until you are comfortable with your pronunciation. In case of any doubt, you can check any diciotnary. The symbols above will be there.
[voiced]
these that
them the
they those
[voiceless]
thong through
think thin
thought thick
The difference is very subtle in fast speech, but with practice you will eventually master these sounds.
Knowledge is Power.
In this article we will take on the pronunciation of dental fricative consonants, which are the sound of TH in “think” and “this”.
Normally this pronunciation lesson drives some Brazilian students mad, which is perfectly understandable when we take into consideration the absence of an equivalent sound in Brazilian Portuguese.
However, as we saw in the last article, we need practice to master these new sounds, since they are 100% learnable.
Let us start with an analysis. We actually have TWO sounds for the TH. The first is what we call voiceless, which means the absence of a vibration in your throat. The second is voiced, which means the presence of a vibration. These two sounds are very similar to the sounds of the consonants S and Z. Do the test: pronounce a long S without any vowel – ssssssssssssss… Now do the same with Z – zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… You will see there is a vibration in your throat when you pronounce the Z. It is the same case with the two sounds for the TH.
The anatomy of the phonemes:
Both TH’s sounds are pronounced with the same articulation (position of the parts of the mouth) – and they are very simple: the tip of your tongue needs to be between and touching your jaw and upper teeth, in other words, bite it gently. Once you have the right articulation exhale some air: the result would be the voiceless sound of the TH. Then, still with the same articulation, blow more air and at the same time do that throat vibration you did in the Z exercise. The result is the voiced sound of the TH.
Repeat the words below until you are comfortable with your pronunciation. In case of any doubt, you can check any diciotnary. The symbols above will be there.
[voiced]
these that
them the
they those
[voiceless]
thong through
think thin
thought thick
The difference is very subtle in fast speech, but with practice you will eventually master these sounds.
Knowledge is Power.
quarta-feira, 6 de maio de 2009
Pronunciation #1
Hi.
In this article we’ll see some tips on the pronunciation of the liquid consonants in English and how they differ from their Portuguese counterparts.
The liquid consonants in English are the [L] and the [R]. When the first is pronounced, the tip of the tongue touches the ceiling of mouth cavity (the palate). This happens even when the [L] is the last sound of a word. For example: ball is pronounced [BÓL]. Now, this demands our attention as Brazilians that we are. In our language, especially in São Paulo, we tend to pronounce the final [L] as a [W]. For example: natal we say [NATAW]. This characteristic of our pronunciation of Portuguese influences our pronunciation of English when we are learning it. Hence the majority of people saying [BÓW] and not [BÓL], with the tip of the tongue touching the palate.
The liquid [R] also brings some confusion to Brazilian learners of English. In our language the letter R has three sounds: rato, barata and bar. The [R] in English only has one sound: the R in bar [BAR]. The sound of R in rato is normally represented by the letter H. The R in barata is normally represented by the letters T, D, TT and DD.
Now that you know the differences of the English pronunciation of [L] and [R], it’s time to start educating your tongue through practice – the only way to master the pronunciation of another language.
Repeat the words below aloud until you’re satisfied with your pronunciation. In case you need a model to compare to, check the website www.thefreedictionary.com. Type the word that’s troubling you in the search bar, click SEARCH and then click on the American or British flag to hear the corresponding pronunciation of the word.
[R] [L]
car try land oil
mare rot doll ball
fair roar Foil all
dare rural coil foul
Knowledge is Power.
In this article we’ll see some tips on the pronunciation of the liquid consonants in English and how they differ from their Portuguese counterparts.
The liquid consonants in English are the [L] and the [R]. When the first is pronounced, the tip of the tongue touches the ceiling of mouth cavity (the palate). This happens even when the [L] is the last sound of a word. For example: ball is pronounced [BÓL]. Now, this demands our attention as Brazilians that we are. In our language, especially in São Paulo, we tend to pronounce the final [L] as a [W]. For example: natal we say [NATAW]. This characteristic of our pronunciation of Portuguese influences our pronunciation of English when we are learning it. Hence the majority of people saying [BÓW] and not [BÓL], with the tip of the tongue touching the palate.
The liquid [R] also brings some confusion to Brazilian learners of English. In our language the letter R has three sounds: rato, barata and bar. The [R] in English only has one sound: the R in bar [BAR]. The sound of R in rato is normally represented by the letter H. The R in barata is normally represented by the letters T, D, TT and DD.
Now that you know the differences of the English pronunciation of [L] and [R], it’s time to start educating your tongue through practice – the only way to master the pronunciation of another language.
Repeat the words below aloud until you’re satisfied with your pronunciation. In case you need a model to compare to, check the website www.thefreedictionary.com. Type the word that’s troubling you in the search bar, click SEARCH and then click on the American or British flag to hear the corresponding pronunciation of the word.
[R] [L]
car try land oil
mare rot doll ball
fair roar Foil all
dare rural coil foul
Knowledge is Power.
terça-feira, 5 de maio de 2009
Connectors
Hi,
Connectors are words or expressions we use, as the name suggests, to connect clauses. What you need to know is that they have nuances of meaning and play a major role in speech and text clearness and cohesion. You will find some below. Try to master them.
Of course / For sure / Definitely / Certainly / Without a doubt
Of course (less formal)
Of course, none of the work carried out by Amnesty could continue without money.
Her advice was of course extremely sensible.
Depressed people can of course make hasty and unwise decisions.
Public government arrangements will, of course, have to take into account the rights and interests of all people in the area.
Of course, if you can take mass transit or bike or walk to your job, you should do so.
Alluding to the aggressive, militaristic U.S. foreign policy, Putin noted correctly that, “it has nothing in common with democracy, of course.”
________________________________________
For sure (less formal)
It's going to be a difficult task for sure.
That'll for sure make you fat!
We're coming to visit you for sure this summer.
________________________________________
Definitely
Almost every person over 45, and definitely those who have ever smoked, should have a spirometry test.
I'm the kind of person who just can't wait to get on a train and not know where I'm going. I definitely want to live life to the fullest.
Going to another country you're not in your house, you're with people you've never met before, and I think it's definitely a good growing experience.
________________________________________
Certainly
Life almost certainly began in space, and specifically in the hearts of comets, rather than on Earth, a new study claims.
He will almost certainly announce that he is running for the U.S. Senate.
We certainly would not want to have the same kind of democracy as they have in Iraq, quite honestly.
Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.
________________________________________
Without a doubt (more formal)
Nuclear power is, without a doubt, the cleanest and the safest way of sustaining growth and protecting the environment at the same time.
Without a doubt, the Romans had achieved a sophisticated level of vine-growing, training the vines, much as today, in parallel rows, and ensuring proper spacing between each plant.
Without a doubt information technology has become the most rapidly developing area of industrial and business activity in the Western world.
The customer is, without a doubt, the most important element in our business.
It was something that shouldn't have happened and it's very regrettable, without a doubt , very regrettable.
I love this camera and would most definitely recommend it to all. It is worth the buy without a doubt!
Have fun!
Connectors are words or expressions we use, as the name suggests, to connect clauses. What you need to know is that they have nuances of meaning and play a major role in speech and text clearness and cohesion. You will find some below. Try to master them.
Of course / For sure / Definitely / Certainly / Without a doubt
Of course (less formal)
Of course, none of the work carried out by Amnesty could continue without money.
Her advice was of course extremely sensible.
Depressed people can of course make hasty and unwise decisions.
Public government arrangements will, of course, have to take into account the rights and interests of all people in the area.
Of course, if you can take mass transit or bike or walk to your job, you should do so.
Alluding to the aggressive, militaristic U.S. foreign policy, Putin noted correctly that, “it has nothing in common with democracy, of course.”
________________________________________
For sure (less formal)
It's going to be a difficult task for sure.
That'll for sure make you fat!
We're coming to visit you for sure this summer.
________________________________________
Definitely
Almost every person over 45, and definitely those who have ever smoked, should have a spirometry test.
I'm the kind of person who just can't wait to get on a train and not know where I'm going. I definitely want to live life to the fullest.
Going to another country you're not in your house, you're with people you've never met before, and I think it's definitely a good growing experience.
________________________________________
Certainly
Life almost certainly began in space, and specifically in the hearts of comets, rather than on Earth, a new study claims.
He will almost certainly announce that he is running for the U.S. Senate.
We certainly would not want to have the same kind of democracy as they have in Iraq, quite honestly.
Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.
________________________________________
Without a doubt (more formal)
Nuclear power is, without a doubt, the cleanest and the safest way of sustaining growth and protecting the environment at the same time.
Without a doubt, the Romans had achieved a sophisticated level of vine-growing, training the vines, much as today, in parallel rows, and ensuring proper spacing between each plant.
Without a doubt information technology has become the most rapidly developing area of industrial and business activity in the Western world.
The customer is, without a doubt, the most important element in our business.
It was something that shouldn't have happened and it's very regrettable, without a doubt , very regrettable.
I love this camera and would most definitely recommend it to all. It is worth the buy without a doubt!
Have fun!
History of English
Hi,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Vowel_Shift
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_English_language
This is the introductory article on pronunciation. It aims at shedding a little light in this so complicating issue by bringing to memory some important facts regarding the history of the language. I believe that, by understanding a little of what happened, you will be able to relate to it better – knowledge is power.
English is somewhat different when it comes to its birth. We cannot say it evolved from a specific language such as Latin, or that it suffered influence of another. In fact, it is a great mixture of languages at different stages of its evolution.
First we have the British Isles and their native inhabitants – many tribes that spoke many different languages. Then we have the Romans conquering the main island all the way up to Adrian’s Wall. Needless to say Latin began to catch on around there. Approaching the fall of the Roman Empire, the settlements began to grow defenseless until they reached the climax of waving goodbye to the Roman troops, which were called back to Rome to defend the Empire’s capital.
Without trained defensive forces, Roman Britain fell to the Germanic tribes of the north. Upon their conquering, the language again was heavily influenced by the variants of Proto-German, an ancient version of today’s German. A that time Old English and Proto-German were, obviously, similar. Hence the words bread – brot, beer – bier, etc.
In 1066 Normandy (today’s France) conquered England. As a result, the nobility and the military spoke French at first, then English. As the two languages influenced each other, with more changes occurring to English, the language of the people who lost, the tradition of regarding Latinized words as formal came about – it lasts to this day. Hence, cordial reception is formal and hearty welcome is non-formal.
What followed was the 100-year War, which brought the liberation of England. Nonetheless, the language would be marked forever.
Lastly, we have what linguists call The Great Vowel Shift. It was a natural linguistic process which happened in England from about 1200 to around 1600. It marks the transition from Middle to Modern English. What happened was that vowels whose sounds were similar to French, Italian, Latin and other “continental’ languages changed because of everyday use and other influences. For example, name was originally pronounced [na.me]. Today we say [neim]. Cut was pronounced [kut]. Today we say [kât]. Law was pronounced [lau]. Today we say [lóó]. As you can see, the Middle English pronunciation of these words resembles very much our Modern Portuguese pronunciation of the same vowels. Why? Portuguese is a “continental” language that evolved from Latin.
Basically, this is all I have to tell you for now. However, do not think this is all there is to learn about the evolution of English. This is only a small briefing.
If you are interested in this, you can get more information by checking the two links on the top of the article. A stroll into your neighborhood library would be a nice call too.
Knowledge is power.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Vowel_Shift
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_English_language
This is the introductory article on pronunciation. It aims at shedding a little light in this so complicating issue by bringing to memory some important facts regarding the history of the language. I believe that, by understanding a little of what happened, you will be able to relate to it better – knowledge is power.
English is somewhat different when it comes to its birth. We cannot say it evolved from a specific language such as Latin, or that it suffered influence of another. In fact, it is a great mixture of languages at different stages of its evolution.
First we have the British Isles and their native inhabitants – many tribes that spoke many different languages. Then we have the Romans conquering the main island all the way up to Adrian’s Wall. Needless to say Latin began to catch on around there. Approaching the fall of the Roman Empire, the settlements began to grow defenseless until they reached the climax of waving goodbye to the Roman troops, which were called back to Rome to defend the Empire’s capital.
Without trained defensive forces, Roman Britain fell to the Germanic tribes of the north. Upon their conquering, the language again was heavily influenced by the variants of Proto-German, an ancient version of today’s German. A that time Old English and Proto-German were, obviously, similar. Hence the words bread – brot, beer – bier, etc.
In 1066 Normandy (today’s France) conquered England. As a result, the nobility and the military spoke French at first, then English. As the two languages influenced each other, with more changes occurring to English, the language of the people who lost, the tradition of regarding Latinized words as formal came about – it lasts to this day. Hence, cordial reception is formal and hearty welcome is non-formal.
What followed was the 100-year War, which brought the liberation of England. Nonetheless, the language would be marked forever.
Lastly, we have what linguists call The Great Vowel Shift. It was a natural linguistic process which happened in England from about 1200 to around 1600. It marks the transition from Middle to Modern English. What happened was that vowels whose sounds were similar to French, Italian, Latin and other “continental’ languages changed because of everyday use and other influences. For example, name was originally pronounced [na.me]. Today we say [neim]. Cut was pronounced [kut]. Today we say [kât]. Law was pronounced [lau]. Today we say [lóó]. As you can see, the Middle English pronunciation of these words resembles very much our Modern Portuguese pronunciation of the same vowels. Why? Portuguese is a “continental” language that evolved from Latin.
Basically, this is all I have to tell you for now. However, do not think this is all there is to learn about the evolution of English. This is only a small briefing.
If you are interested in this, you can get more information by checking the two links on the top of the article. A stroll into your neighborhood library would be a nice call too.
Knowledge is power.
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