Lesson 221--Not up to scratch, Not up to par

Maybe this food isn't up to par.
 

English is full of phrases to say you're not good enough, or it's not good enough.  One of my favourites is "not up to scratch or not up to par."  (These are both golf related idioms)

examples

How is the chef's cooking?

It really isn't up to scratch/par.

I want to hire him, but his French isn't up to scratch/par and that is an important part of the job.

If you're skills aren't up to scratch/par, maybe you should take a course.

Lesson 220--Can't Seem To....

She can't seem to stay awake.

Sometimes we are just not able to do something, even though we put in some effort.  While we can express this kind of thing with can't, it is a little softer if we use the phrase "can't seem to".  Take a look at the following examples, and see what I mean.

He can't be on time.

He is never on time.

He can't seem to be on time.

Of these, the last one is a little bit less critical sounding.

Here are some other examples

Tsewang can't catch the early bus.

Tsewang never catches the early bus.
Tsewang can't seem to catch the early bus.

** Sorry Tsewang, but you are the perfect example. (if only I had a picture of you at the bus stop)

Lesson 219--Understanding Words with Multiple Meanings

funky (cool)

English can be hard language to learn.  One problem is that words sometimes take on two different and sometimes contradictory meanings.  For today's lesson, I would like to introduce two of them to you.  The important thing is to look at the context.

Funky

Funky can mean trendy but unusual, abnormal but still cool in a way.  It can also mean smelling bad.

examples

funky (bad smell)

She's got on some funky clothes. (good)

This meat smells funky. (bad)

That is one funky design. (good)

There is something funky in the refrigerator. (bad)

Sick

Sick can mean cool and radical, and it can also mean unhealthy and ill.

examples

That is one sick looking car. (cool)

She looks sick. (unhealthy...the meaning of cool doesn't usually refer to people)

The design of the new MacBook Air is sick, seriously sick! (cool)

After lunch I felt so sick. (unhealthy)

Lesson 218--Rusty and Out of Practice

Two fantastic phrases to use when describing your performance when you haven't done something in a while are rusty and out of practice.  I haven't played tennis since last summer, so I will be using both of these phrases when I finally play a game.

Note, rusty is also the brown oxidation on metal when you leave it outside--hopefully you can see the connection between the two uses.

examples.

My Japanese is rusty.  I haven't spoken in a long time.

My Japanese is not good these days.  I guess I am out of practice.

Since I got a computer, my handwriting skills have become rusty.

I am just a little rusty.  A bit more practice and I will be better.

• What are you out of practice in?  What are you rusty at (note the preposition when using an object)?  Please post your answers in the comment section.

Lesson 217 --In Shape and how to get there and stay there

This is an awesome picture.

 

 

English uses the verb "be", "stay" and "get" to make some subtle, but important distinctions.  In today's lesson we are going to use the idea of "in shape".

be in shape = be fit

get in shape = work hard, hoping to be fit, or becoming fit

stay in shape = maintain your fitness level.

 

John is in shape.  John is in better shape than Adam.  Adam is in horrible shape.

Pamela is going to the gym 6 times a week.  She wants to get in shape for the summer.

Manuel has taken up jogging to stay in shape.

Lesson 216--settle down

The first thing the teacher will do is ask them to settle down.

The phrase settle down has two meanings.

settle down = be quiet, be calm

After a few minutes the crowd settled down.

The boys were too excited and found it hard to settle down.

settle down = decided to give up wandering, give up constantly moving

After living in a lot of different cities, Grace decided to settle down in Toronto.

Every tells Paul he should settle down and have a family.

Sean vows never to settle down.  He is rebel.

Lesson 215--Work Out and Workout

The phrase "work out" has more than one meaning.  Both of them are useful, and both of them are worth learning.

She's working out

work out = exercise

Brian worked out for three hours yesterday.

Martha works out every day before work.

It can be used as a noun (workout)

Amanda's workout wasn't so hard.

Preparing for the triathlon was a very hard workout.

Can you work this one out?

work out = figure out/solve

Matthew couldn't work out the solution to the problem.

Tracy and Peter were fighting, but everyone knew they would work things out.

There is no noun in this usage.

Lesson 214--two phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs are very important.  The more of them you know, the more you will understand your favourite television show.  For today's lesson, I have a couple of useful ones for you.  Sorry that I don't have any pictures on this lesson, but I am exhausted and am going to bed as soon as this post is ready.

Turn into = become

examples

My job turned into a career.

Daniel's girlfriend turned into a monster.

Maria's home life was turning into a nightmare before she got help.

A good idea can turn into a great business.

Turn a mistake into an opportunity.

Show around = guide, give a tour

examples

The real estate agent showed the couple around the house.

If you visit, I will show you around the city.

I don't need anyone showing me around, I can find everything by myself.

The guide's job is to show guests around the museum.

Good Luck on the Speaking Exam

They look happy

Good luck on the speaking tests everyone.  I know you will all do well.
Just remember:

1. You have practiced.
2. You know what to say.
3. You and your partner work well together.
4. Your best is good enough.
5. I am confident, so you should be too.
6. There are no bad pictures.
7. Even if you hate the pictures, keep talking.
8. Fourteen minutes is not a long time.

a familiar picture

Before the test:

• speak English in the lounge to each other
• laugh and relax

Lesson 213--Useful Expressions that Use Follow

 

 

 

English has many interesting expressions.  I like to group them into things that have the same meaning or things that use the same words.  I hope both ways help you learn and remember them.  For today's lesson, I would like to tell you about English expressions that you the word follow.

 

• follow your heart:  do something that will make you happy, even if it is not logical or the correct thing to do.
• follow your dream:  do something that will make you happy and is part of your dream.
• follow your head:  do something logical after careful consideration.  Do not be emotional.
• follow my lead:  act like me, do the same things I do, agree with what I am saying even if it is not true.
• follow through: don't stop until it is completed.



Good Luck on the Exam

I just wanted to post a quick link to my students who will be taking an exam tomorrow.

ü      You are ready.

ü      You've practiced all parts of the exam.

ü      You know your stuff.

ü      You can do it.

ü      You know everything you need to know.

ü      You're smart.

ü      You are prepared.

ü      Manage your time.

ü      Answer all the questions.

ü      Your best is good enough.

ü      I believe in you.

Lesson 212--Cost and Price

 

I have noticed that my students struggle with the difference in using price and cost.  I have listed correct and incorrect sentences to help you.

Correct:  What is the cost of that car?

Incorrect:  How much is the cost?

Correct:  How much does the car cost?

Incorrect:  How much is the price?

Correct:  What is the price?

Incorrect: The cost is expensive.

Correct:  The price is high.

Correct:  The cost is high.

Correct:  The car is expensive.

Collocations

high/low price

high/low cost

Lesson 211--Goodbye words

My second FCE class of the year is finishing today, and I thought it appropriate to teach you some goodbye vocabulary and expressions.

 

 

farewell party:  My students often use the phrase "goodbye party".  This is not wrong, but I think the more correct phrase is farewell party. 

It's not over till the fat lady sings:  This expression is used in movies when things look very dark for the heroes.  Often this is said in sports movies to inspire the team to make a big comeback.

The end is near:  This can be a very negative phrase.  Whoever says this is obviously not very optimistic.  They are basically predicting that everything will finish soon and that there is almost nothing you can do to stop it from happening.

It's all over except for the tears:  This is often used to mean that everything is done, except that the sad feeling will linger for a while.  In sports this is when there is absolutely no time for a  comeback. 

The finishing touches:  The last minute things that must be done before something is completed.  In cooking this could be the addition of the final ingredient.  In art, this can be the final polishing or framing, or printing.

Lesson 210--Comparatives using the

 

One of my favourite things to teach is comparison phrases.  My students have come up with some great sentences since I have been teaching.  Of all the ways to make comparisons, my favourite uses the and the.

Examples.

The harder you study, the more you will learn.

The more I eat, the fatter I become.

These comparison sentences show a good relationship between two activities.  The adjectives follow the same rules as a comparison using than (words that take er, still take er, words that take more, still take more).

Some common phrases include;

The bigger the better.

A challenge for you.  Please complete these sentences and put them in the reply column of this blog (you can post it anonymously).

 Challenge Quiz

1. The more I sleep, __________________
2. The more hansome the guy/the more beautiful the girl ____________
3. The later I go to bed, _____________________
4. The more money I save, __________________
5. The less money I have, ___________________
6. The smaller the book, ____________________
7. The more expensive the restaurant, _______________

Lesson 209--Sometime vs Some Time

 

 

some time means quite a bit of time.

examples:        It will take some time to fix your car.

                        Sana spent some time with Rachel.

sometime means some unclear, indefinite time in the future.

examples:        I will see him sometime next week.

                        We will eat dinner sometime later.