English with Richard

Reporting Verbs in English

Common Reporting Verbs

say + (that)

Using the word “that” is optional after “say”:

  Bob said he was happy.

  Bob said that he was happy.

Avoid this common error: Bob said me that he was happy.

Difference between house and home

The word home simply means a place where you live (this could be a house, apartment, condo, tent, etc.) and where you feel an emotional connection to staying in that place.

The word house usually refers specifically to the building. A house is an independent building, different from an apartment which is one unit inside a shared building.

English collocations with home

adjectives + home

A broken home refers to a family in which there are serious problems that separate the family, such as divorce, abuse, or a parent being in prison.

Changing Education Paradigms

This RSA Animate was adapted from a talk given at the RSA by Sir Ken Robinson, world-renowned education and creativity expert and recipient of the RSA's Benjamin Franklin award. Check out our NEW RSA ANIMATE with Carol Dweck: http://bit.ly/1UujoAh

Describe your favourite season (sample)

Question: Describe your favourite season in your country. You should say:

·         when that season is

·         what the weather is like at that time of year

·         how that season is different from other seasons

·         and why it is your favourite season.

Answer: I love all the seasons but I think my favourite is Spring. As the UK is in the Northern hemisphere, Spring lasts from March to May. In early Spring, our weather can be anything from freezing cold to warm and sunny, but later in the season it gets consistently warmer.

The Ant and the Grasshopper

50 Popular English Idioms

1. CRUNCH TIME: the period of time just before a project has to be completed and everyone has to work hard: "I’m not getting enough sleep these days. It’s crunch time at work".

2. LET YOUR FREAK FLAG FLY: to let others see your uniqueness: "My colleagues were surprised at the Christmas party- I let my freak flag fly and showed them a break dance routine".

3. GET OUT OF HAND: when you lose control of things, they get out of hand: "The party got out of hand and the guests started to throw bottles at each other".