Language Lovers

What are grammar patterns?

Grammar patterns are ways of describing how words are used in English. A grammar pattern tells us what phrases or clauses are used with a given adjective, noun, or verb. For example the adjective afraid can be used with a that-clause (He was afraid that…) or… Read More

Five Top Tips for Learning a Language

To celebrate Love Audio Week we’ve got some top tips from bestselling author and language expert Paul Noble. With summer holidays approaching these steps will make learning a language that much easier. 1. Study (at least a little) every day! Learning a language is like building a fire –… Read More

The spotlight’s on climate change, all write?

Whether it’s naked protesters (don’t look, mum!), or children skipping school to become environmental activists, it’s hard to ignore the widespread attention that climate change has been grabbing recently. Being such a ‘hot topic’, climate change often features in English language writing exams, and students studying science,… Read More

Climate change explained

Climate can change naturally, but over the last century human activities have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases absorb and re-emit some of the heat radiation given off by the Earth’s surface and hence warm the lower atmosphere. The most important greenhouse gas is… Read More

The vocabulary of living green

Our changing climate is a topic that is at the forefront of our minds. This year, the focus of World Environment Day on 5th June is on the global crisis that is air pollution. To be part of the conversation about the issues and possible solutions, Collins English… Read More

Eat more plants!

We’re here to show you how you can eat delightful meals that are both easy to cook and incredibly satisfying, all using just plants. Let us introduce you to a new way of thinking about food; one that we’ve developed and perfected together over the last three years, and that… Read More

Sosage and tofurkey anyone?

Veganity, seitan, aquafaba. You’ll be relieved to learn that we are not adding a whole new range of vocabulary to the modern dating lexicon. We’re talking about food, glorious food – vegan food to be exact. What does it mean to be a vegan? A… Read More

V is for…

The words we use are a reflection of the times we live in. Historically, a lot of English words and phrases reflected the traditional occupations of farming, sailing, and soldiering. However, as the world became industrialized, words relating to ploughs, sails, and suits of armour have tended to fall out… Read More

The vocabulary of eating green

With millions of people in the UK following a vegetarian diet, and increasing numbers turning vegan, the option to cut out animal products is gaining momentum. On the back of that, the vocabulary used to describe all things plant is also rapidly expanding. To celebrate #NationalVegetarianWeek,… Read More