Are you someone who likes to do things by the book? Or are you more of a rebel, occasionally breaking the rules and doing things your own way? If you haven’t already guessed, doing something “by the book” is an English idiom that means doing it exactly as the rules or instructions tell you to.… Continue reading Do you do things “by the book”?
Category: Vocabulary
4 Seasons, 12 months
I’m from Montreal, Canada. We experience different weather throughout the year. Here I am on a warm summer day in August: And here I am on a cold winter day in January: The 4 seasons are: The 12 months of the year are: To practice the names of the months, please watch the video above.… Continue reading 4 Seasons, 12 months
The Difference between “Lose” and “Loose”
Some English words are tricky, especially when they sound alike but have different meanings and spellings. Two such words are “lose” and “loose.” Let’s break down their differences to help you use them correctly every time. “Lose” (pronounced “looz”) is a verb, meaning to be deprived of something or to fail to win. For example:… Continue reading The Difference between “Lose” and “Loose”
Stop Overusing “Nice”
Today, let’s look at the pitfall that many learners of English (as well as native English speakers) stumble upon— and that’s the overreliance on the word “nice.” Sometimes “nice” is the perfect word for what we mean to say. Often, however, beginners use it inappropriately, and people proficient in English overuse it, leading to bland,… Continue reading Stop Overusing “Nice”