learning english

Countable and uncountable nouns

Countable nouns are the words for things that we can count. They have singular and plural forms. They can have a or an in front of them. If they are singular, they must have a word like a, an, the or his in front of them. She ate an… Read More

Months of the year

To say which month of the year something happens or happened in, use in … My birthday is in August. We’ll probably go away on holiday in May. I visited some friends in Rome in September. To make it clear which January or February, etc. you are talking about,… Read More

Days of the week

To say what day of the week it is, use It’s … ‘What day is it today?’ ‘It’s Thursday.’ It’s Wednesday today, isn’t it? When saying which day something happens or will happen, use on … I’m going to Dublin on Sunday. It’s my birthday on Tuesday. I don’t… Read More

Going shopping

When you go shopping, the simplest way to ask for something is to use I’d like … or Could I have … ? I’d like two kilos of potatoes, please. Could I have a carrier bag, please? You can also say what you are looking for by using I’m looking… Read More

Making sure you’ve understood

If you do not understand what someone has said, use I don’t understand. Sorry, I don’t understand. I didn’t understand what you said. Please could you repeat that? I didn’t understand. You can also express any uncertainty about what someone has said by using I’m not sure … Sorry, I’m… Read More

Saying goodbye

In most circumstances, you can use Goodbye when you leave a person or a place, such as a shop or bank, etc. If it’s nighttime, you can use Good night. Goodbye, Helen! Thanks for coming. Thanks for all your help. Goodbye. Good night. See you in the morning. Goodbye is… Read More

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