Lesson 234--Award Collocations

One of my blogs was given an award--this was from another blogger, so nothing tremendously exciting.  However, it got me thinking about award collocations.

 

be given an award

Graham was given an award for bravery.

be presented with an award

Melinda was presented with an award for her community service.

be awarded something (we can't say awarded an award)

Mellissa was awarded a plaque for her business leadership.

Dennis was awarded a full scholarship to university because of his good test scores.

 

Vocabulary

Here is some useful vocabulary in the same theme.  These are things you can be awarded.

 

a plaque

a medal

 

a trophy

a ribbon

Lesson 233--Using the Present Simple

 

 

The present simple (or simple present) is a useful tense.  We can use it to talk about routine things that happen usually, or with some regularity, or that are facts.

examples

He works at EC Toronto.

Jane lives in Toronto.

The sun rises in the east.

Margaret goes to the gym three times a week.

Another, perhaps more interesting use of the present perfect is when we use it to talk about the future.  Whenever we talk about a scheduled event (like an airplane departure time, or arrival time) we can use the simple present to talk about it.

examples

John's flight leaves at 9 pm.

The game starts at 7:15.

I have to wake up early because my train leaves early.

Lesson 232--decide

 

Decide has two important structures.

decide + infinitive

decide + on + noun/gerund

examples

They decided to go home early.

Paul decided to buy a PlayStation 4.

Marcia and Nelson have decided to get married.

Marcia and Nelson decided on the colour blue for the bathroom.

They decided on the date to get married.

My brother decided on getting his hair cut.

Some time phrases don't use these, but the prepositions depend on the words that follow, not the word decide.

examples

Patrick decided at the last minute.

I will decide in September.

Lesson 231--to coin a phrase

definition:  create a phrase or idiom/start a new saying or phrase or term

examples

Steppenwolf coined the phrase "heavy metal" in music.

Justin Bieber coined the phrase "bieberific".

 

Nobody knows who coined the phrase "mental health day." (see lesson 176)

 

One of my students coined the phrase "sucsexful"--which she explained mean successful at having sex.

Lesson 230--When You Can Pronounce "ed"

One interesting area of pronunciation for my students is the final /ed/ sound in words.  In many cases they pronounce this with an /ɪd/ when they should pronounce them with a /t/ or /d/ sound.  However, there are some words where we pronounce the final /ed/ with the /ɪd/.  Here are some examples:

 

1. naked               /dneɪkɪd/
2. crooked            /krʊkɪd/
3. beloved            /bɪlʌvɪd/
4. wicked             /wɪkɪd/
5. wretched         /retʃɪd/
6. ragged             /rægɪd/
7. legged             /legɪd/

 

Please use an online dictionary if you would like to hear the pronunciation.  I would do it myself, but I do not have any audio recording equipment or programs.

Lesson 229--Vocabulary Friday

Today's lesson if just a list of useful vocabulary.  I chose these words because I don't think you will find them anywhere else.  If you want me to do another list, just let me know the topic area.



 hinge



 

knob/dial

 

gauge/dial

 

 

 

latch

hook

 

 

handle

Lesson 228--Taking a Page from Someone's Playbook

 

This expression is used to indicate you are copying someone's behaviour or strategy.  It is a very useful idiom, and not too complicated.

examples

Taking a page from his sister's playbook, he told his mother and father two different stories about where he was going that night.

Taking a page from father's playbook, Maurice went to sleep before his wife could yell at him for being drunk.

Matthew took a page from his brother's playbook when he wanted to borrow the family car.  It worked exactly as it did for his brother.

Jennifer decided to take a page from her best friend's playbook when she wanted a new dress.  She started crying before she asked for the money to buy the dress.

Lesson 227--I call shotgun

I call shotgun

In life in North America, riding in the front passenger seat is seen as very desirable.  There is often a lot of competition for this.  Often you will see characters say the phrase, "I call shotgun," or "shotgun".  This means that they are declaring that they will sit in the front passenger seat.

This expression originated when people driving wagons needed someone to sit next to them with a shotgun for protection.  These days, no gun is required.

Check out this video.  I don't agree exactly with all the rules, but they make some good points.

 

 

Lesson 226--Finder's Keepers, Loser's Weepers.

 

 

 

I don't have any examples for you, but I thought you should know this phrase.  It is a short lesson, but I think it is a good one.

Honestly, this is more kid's language than language for adults.  However, you will hear this in movies and on TV.  Of course, you might actually be playing with kids and you will probably hear this too.

This means that, if you find it, it's yours.  Somebody lost it, and all they can do is cry.  Basically, this is something you say when you find something you know somebody is looking for.  It is your only justification for keeping it.

Lesson 225--to butt in/ cut in

 

Nobody is butting in.

In life we all have to line up sometimes.  It isn't fun, but it is a part of life.  It is extremely frustrating when someone butts in line, or cuts in line.  This can lead to arguing and sometimes fighting.

examples

I like this one.

Margo thought no one was looking when she cut in line.  The girl behind her noticed and pulled her hair very hard.

In the supermarket you have to take a number to wait your turn.  This is so no one can butt in line.

Lesson 224--Give Someone a Dose of Their Own Medecine



What happens when the ticket writer parks in the wrong place.

 

This is a good revenge idiom.  It is also used on television shows a lot.  Whenever people want to get revenge, or get back at someone, they will often use this phrase.  The idea is to treat someone the same way that they treat you.  This includes girlfriends whose boyfriends flirt with other girls.  The girl will then flirt with another boy to make him jealous.  This also includes towing the car that writes parking tickets.

examples

When Maria's boyfriend was flirting with another girl, she flirted with an older man to give her boyfriend a dose of his own medicine.

When everyone discovered that David was eating their food at the apartment, they decided to give him a dose of his own medicine.  So they ate all his food.

Mario's roommate kept taking his bicycle without asking, so he decided to give him a dose of his own medicine.  He took his car for a long ride downtown.

Lesson 223--take a look at

I wonder what he is taking a look at.

 

A useful idiom that you should know is take a look at something.  It has several related meanings, and all of them are useful.  I am sure you can use them in your personal life and your business life.  Remember context is very important for understanding the meaning of English words and phrases.

I will take a look at your report. (read it, edit it)

I will take a look at that program. (watch it)

I will take a look at your proposal. (consider it)

I went to the warehouse to take a look at the operation. (evaluate, inspect)

She took one look at my clothes and told me to change. (evaluate, judge, inspect)

Lesson 222--Ride vs. Drive Quiz

 

It is quiz time everyone, so let's see how much you know.  When you have done the quiz go and check your answers by clicking on the quiz answers link in the top right corner (and I will know if you don't... don't risk being wrong)

	ride	drive	other
a horse
a car
a bus
a motorcycle
a helicopter
a camel
a surfboard
a canoe
a bicycle
an elevator
a rollercoaster
a skateboard
a streetcar
a jet ski