Learning English

Giving encouragement

To encourage someone to go somewhere more quickly or to do something more quickly, use Hurry up! or, more informally, Get a move on! Hurry up! We’ve got to be there in ten minutes! Hurry up, Mario! When you’ve finished your work, you can go out to play. Get a… Read More

Describing people and things

To give a general descriptions of something, use It’s … It’s gold with three diamonds. It’s a ladies’ watch. It’s a green suitcase with wheels. Use It’s made of … to say what material or substance something is. It’s made of leather. It’s quite a small bag, and it’s made… Read More

Warnings!

To tell someone that they are in danger, shout Look out! Look out! There’s a car coming! Look out! It’s falling! To suggest that someone pays attention to something, use Watch out… Watch out, they’re behind you! Road signs urging motorists to watch out for hedgehogs are set to be unveiled. To… Read More

Congratulating someone

To show that you are pleased that something good has happened to someone, use Congratulations! If you want to congratulate someone with regard to something particular, use the preposition ‘on’. You passed your exam? Congratulations! Congratulations on your new job! Congratulations on the birth of your baby son! Congrats is… Read More

Saying please and thank you

When asking for something from someone, use please. Two kilos of oranges, please. Could you give these to Anders, please? Please could I borrow this chair? To say that you would like something that someone has offered you, use Yes, please. ‘Would you like some more coffee?’ ‘Yes, please.’ ‘Can… Read More

Expressing surprise

A simple way to show that you are surprised by what someone has said is to use Really? ‘Zareb is leaving?’ ‘Really? Why?’ ‘I don’t think it’s a very good school.’ ‘Really? I was very impressed by it.’ ‘I’m terrible at maths.’ ‘Really? I can’t believe that!’ A stronger way… Read More

Expressing sympathy

The most common way to show that you are sad for someone when something bad has happened is to use I’m (so) sorry. or I’m sorry to hear … Diana told me about your brother’s accident. I’m so sorry. I heard that Charlie had lost his job, Sara. I’m sorry. Read More

Talking about your health

After saying hello to someone, especially someone we know, we usually ask about their health, by saying How are you? You can also ask about someone else’s health in the same way. Hello, Jan. How are you? It’s great to see you, Anna. How are you? Hi, Emma, how is… Read More