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Vocabulary

Tuesday with Tolstoy’s fables (and similes)

Average: 3.9 (18 votes)

The English language has more than its fair share of descriptive and enjoyable similes. They come in all shapes and sizes!

You might know that in a simile, two things are directly compared to one another because they share a common feature. The word as or like is used to link the two words:

Already, still, yet

Average: 3.7 (54 votes)

We use still to show that something continues up to the time referred to. It is used in the past present or future. Still is placed in front of the main verb:

Even though he was a teenager he still loved playing outside.

They are still living in the old farmhouse.
We will still be at work when you arrive.

Position of adverbs

Average: 3.8 (23 votes)

Richard is an actor. This is what he said about his profession:

Spotlight on... breakfast!

Average: 4.4 (18 votes)

Some of us can’t live without the first meal of the day, others would much rather do without it. Then there are others who believe skipping it can contribute to weight gain!

It’s Monday, 22nd April. It’s Earth Day!

Average: 4 (19 votes)

It’s the 22nd day of April. It’s Earth Day!

Earth Day was born in 1969 at a UNESCO Conference in San Francisco. It is celebrated in more than 192 countries every year.

Events are held to show support for the protection of our natural environment, as well as inspire awareness and appreciation. 

In honour of this important day, here is a set of words and phrases related to the environment and the problems it is facing:

Time for some fashion vocabulary!

Average: 3.5 (49 votes)

We've put together a small set of common words, phrases and expressions which we think will come in handy for those who follow fashion…
For those of you who aren’t that interested, we still hope this will help you have a conversation about the subject. You never know enough vocabulary, right?

Three-word 'As' Expressions

Average: 4.5 (24 votes)

You will find the following phrases useful while speaking English, as well as writing in English.

See what we did there? That was the first example of the idiomatic expression as well as.

We have chosen four different phrases for you. Each one is easy to remember and comes with two examples:

As well as

Meaning:  in addition to something or someone else; also

Examples:

Irregular Adjectives in Comparatives

Average: 3.3 (122 votes)

Regular Adjectives

Most adjectives follow one of these rules when making comparatives.

One syllable words add er:

New becomes newer

Two or more syllable words add more first:

Intelligent becomes more intelligent

Words that end in y become ier:

pretty become prettier

Words that end in er add er:

Clever becomes cleverer

Modal Verbs

Average: 3.5 (36 votes)

Modal verbs are often difficult to learn because they can be used in a variety of situations. They are used with other verbs to express ability, obligation, possibility, and permission.

Let's take a look at some uses.

Can

Can is used with ability ("I can speak English") and possibility ("I can come too").

Spelling quiz

Average: 4 (23 votes)

Being able to spell well in English will improve your reading and writing fluency. It will also help with vocabulary and comprehension.

Spelling is especially important for the written section of IELTS, TOEFL and ESOL English exams. You will lose marks for poor spelling; it will also make it harder for you to get your point across.

Do you agree? How important is being able to spell English words to you?