English Topics and Tips

Slang with FREE

freebie = something you are given without paying for it - usually by a business

Can you believe this shirt was a freebie? I wear it all the time.

The supermarket often gives out freebies so people can try new products.

free-for-all = an argument or activity where many people get involved

The discussion turned into a free-for-all. Everyone started yelling at each other.

Vocabulary lesson - broke v. broken

broke (simple past tense of break) = something separates into 2 or more pieces (usually because it drops or falls)

I broke my leg when I fell down the stairs.

The vase broke when Mark bumped into the table.

(to be) broke (adj) = have no money

Adam is broke. He lost everything when his business failed.

I’d love to go to Bardados with you, but I’m broke this month.

Grammar Lesson - the semicolon ;

A semicolon joins independent clauses that have a similar idea - without using a conjunction (and, but, or…)

Think of it as a mix of a strong comma, and weak full stop/period.

Examples:

Call me in the morning; I will know what I am doing then.

Micheal Schumachar has won the World Championship 7 times; no other race car driver has ever achieved that.

Phrasal verbs with HAND

Here are some common phrasal verbs with hand:

hand in = give something to someone

I have to hand in my essay before 5 pm today.

hand out = distribute something

Our manager handed out the report during the meeting.

We’re going to hand out discount coupons in the shopping mall.

hand over = give control of something to another person

Slang expressions for ‘get very upset or angry’

These are some ways to say that a person is very upset or angry about something:

nearly have a cow

James nearly had a cow when he saw the damage to the car.

have a hissy fit

Lisa had a hissy fit when I told her what you said.

blow your top

I know you are going to blow your top when I tell you this, but…

Grammar Lesson - Adverbs

Adverbs tell you how, when, or where an action is/was done. They modify the verb in the sentence.

Generally, an adverb ends in ly (slowly, aggressively, immediately, poorly), but not always (well, fast).

A good way to know if a word is an adverb is to make a question - the answer should be the word.

For example:

Emma speaks quickly when she is nervous. (how does she speak? quickly)

Grammar lesson - modal verb SHOULD

We use should to make recommendations or give advice.

We also use should to express obligation or something you expect.

Examples:

You should visit the CN Tower when you are in Toronto. (a suggestion)

You should stop smoking. (some advice)

She should visit her mother more often. (an obligation)

I should receive a bonus at work this quarter. (an expectation)

Phrasal verbs with WORK

Remember, a phrasal verb is a verb plus 1, 2, or 3 prepositions or adverb that creates a verb that is different  from the original one.

work out = do exercise

I worked out for 45 minutes at the gym.

If you want to lose weight, you need to eat less and work out more.

work out  = understand a situation or puzzle

Verb + preposition with WORK

work for = be employed by another person

I‘ve been working for Buzz Brothers for 6 years.

Who do you work for?

work on = create / build something

My team worked on the Powerpoint presentation for 2 days. I’m happy you liked it.

They have been working on that apartment building for 8 months. I hope the noise stops soon.

Grammar - present perfect tense

The present perfect is a very important tense that even advanced learners struggle to use properly.

It describes a non-specific (unclear) time before now. The exact time is not important.

You do not use this tense with specific time markers like yesterday, last Monday, this morning, in 1992, etc.

You do use this tense with unspecific expressions like ever, never, before, already, yet, etc.

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