UNTIL, BY, or BY THE TIME? What’s the difference?

Published on by AnnaLeave a comment

UNTIL._BY,_BY_THE_TIME

A video made by EngVid about this topic (for intermediate students):

If you think you master this topic try to fill in the gaps in these sentences:

qUIZ_8-05Tomorrow the answers will be available on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Free-English-materials/887420337968020 . (Album Quizzes’ answers)

“To hamper” – What does it mean?

Published on by AnnaLeave a comment

To_hamperOther examples from the web:

  • Fog hampered the rescue effort.
  • The dancers’ movements were hampered by their elaborate costumes.
  • Unlike Mrs Andreasen, I do not think that this transparency will hamper the finance industry’s competitiveness.
  • There are really too many obstacles hampering citizens wishing to study, work or go and shop in another Member State.

Words from the example sentences you may not know:

RESCUE = the act of rescuing; to free or deliver from confinement, violence, danger, or evil.
ELABORATE = made or done with great care or with much detail.

“Can’t carry a tune” – English idiom

Published on by AnnaLeave a comment

Can't_carry_a_tune

can't_carry_a_tune_-_Fun_with_idioms

Image source

Variations of this idiom with the same meaning:

can’t carry a tune in a bucket;

can’t carry a tune in a bushel basket;

can’t carry a tune in a paper sack.

Examples from the web:

  • Mark: “Sing with us!”
    John: “Sorry. You wouldn’t want me to. I can’t carry a tune.”
  • I invited Sarah to join the choir but she refused, she told me she can’t carry a tune in a bucket.

A short article I found while surfing the web: “Can’t Carry a Tune? Work Out Your Vocal Muscles”. by Lena Groeger
This is the link (I opened it with Lingro, in this way if you click on a term that you don’t know, you can read the definition in English): http://lingro.com/translate/http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/physically-out-of-tune/
In short, the article is about physical reasons of bad singing.

“Bloke” – British slang

Published on by AnnaLeave a comment

bloke

Other examples from the web:

  • You blame that bloke for your situation.
  • You look like the bloke from Stranger Danger posters.
  • Who’s that bloke with the funny sunglasses sitting on the plush lounge next to Susan?
  • He’s a funny bloke.
  • I was told you had more imagination than other blokes in the big firms.

Terms you may not know:

– TO BLAME = to hold responsible; to find fault with.
– PLUSH = expensive and luxurious.
– LOUNGE = waiting room; casual bar (hotel).
– FIRM = a partnership or association for carrying on a business.

“Groundbreaking” – What does it mean?

Published on by AnnaLeave a comment

Groundbreaking

Other examples from the web:

  • We all commended the new US vision on reaching a framework agreement as groundbreaking and forward-looking.
  • The transformation of this elementary teacher, as a result of this groundbreaking work, has occurred at both the personal and transformative levels.
  • The decisions taken at the Spring European Council for an integrated energy and climate protection policy are groundbreaking.

Words from the example sentences you may not know:

FORWARD-LOOKING = planning for the future; progressive; modern.

TO OCCUR = to happen; to take place.

TO INTEGRATE =  to combine to form/create something; unify.

We all commended the new US vision on reaching a framework agreement as groundbreaking and forward-looking.