💪🏻 Can, could and be able to are all used to describe ability but there are important differences that you should be aware of.
a) Can is preferred if we are talking about a general ability:
b) Be able to is normally used to refer to ability in the future:
c) In positive sentences, could and be able to are used to talk about general ability in the past.
(generally)
However, if we are talking about the ability to do something on one particular occasion in the past, we use be able to. Many upper-intermediate and advanced level students get this rule wrong and use could. For example, this is incorrect:
(X)
This should be:
(particular occasion)
#grammar
@worldspeaksenglish
a) Can is preferred if we are talking about a general ability:
Can you speak French?
I can play the piano quite well.
b) Be able to is normally used to refer to ability in the future:
I won’t be able to start university until next year.
Do you think you’ll be able to get a job when you leave college?
c) In positive sentences, could and be able to are used to talk about general ability in the past.
I could/was able to swim really well when I was younger.
(generally)
However, if we are talking about the ability to do something on one particular occasion in the past, we use be able to. Many upper-intermediate and advanced level students get this rule wrong and use could. For example, this is incorrect:
The course was hard but I could pass the exam.
(X)
This should be:
The course was hard but I was able to pass the exam.
(particular occasion)
#grammar
@worldspeaksenglish
📓 New Idiom
IN ANY CASE
you use “in any case” when you want to say that a fact or situation remains the same whatever happens or has happened. It is not informal, so can be used in academic and business language.
💬 The flight may be delayed, but we have to check in at the usual time in any case.
💬 I’ll give you a lift to the city, if you want. I’m going there today in any case.
#idiom
@worldspeaksenglish
IN ANY CASE
you use “in any case” when you want to say that a fact or situation remains the same whatever happens or has happened. It is not informal, so can be used in academic and business language.
💬 The flight may be delayed, but we have to check in at the usual time in any case.
💬 I’ll give you a lift to the city, if you want. I’m going there today in any case.
#idiom
@worldspeaksenglish
🍓 I'd like to have a few strawberries, but I have too little money left...
What's the difference between "few" and "little"? And where to add "a"?
FEW - is used with countable nouns.
LITTLE - is used with uncountable nouns.
Without the article “a,” both these words emphasize a small number of something, usually meaning not enough. Adding the article means there is some quantity of an object.
🔖 For example:
We have a little butter in the fridge, you can make one cake.
We have little butter in the fridge, I won't be able to make even one cake.
I have a few cherries on my plate, please come and take some.
Sorry, I can't share cherries with you, I have too few.
#grammar
@worldspeaksenglish
What's the difference between "few" and "little"? And where to add "a"?
FEW - is used with countable nouns.
LITTLE - is used with uncountable nouns.
Without the article “a,” both these words emphasize a small number of something, usually meaning not enough. Adding the article means there is some quantity of an object.
🔖 For example:
We have a little butter in the fridge, you can make one cake.
We have little butter in the fridge, I won't be able to make even one cake.
I have a few cherries on my plate, please come and take some.
Sorry, I can't share cherries with you, I have too few.
#grammar
@worldspeaksenglish
🍰 Would you like a piece of cake or a can of coke? – Meh, neither.
Do you know how neither is different from either? Let's review!
Do you know how neither is different from either? Let's review!
This media is not supported in your browser
VIEW IN TELEGRAM
📺 Video lesson "Online Advertising"
Watch this captivative and informative video about Internet advertising. It touches upon the advantages for sellers of placing ads online and threats we (as users) are subject of.
Don't forget to turn on the subtitles, pause the video whenever you hear a new word and write it down with translation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmRcoJZRXEY
Watch this captivative and informative video about Internet advertising. It touches upon the advantages for sellers of placing ads online and threats we (as users) are subject of.
Don't forget to turn on the subtitles, pause the video whenever you hear a new word and write it down with translation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmRcoJZRXEY
YouTube
Online Advertising: Crash Course Media Literacy #7
You're being watched. That sounded more sinister than I intended, but online, it's true. Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Netflix... the list goes on and on. They're watching what you do, what you shop for, what you watch... all of it. And have you actually read…
📚 Reading practice for today is a brilliant magazine for everyone who learns English. Download it below!
👀 Phrasal verbs with look.
Look is a very useful verb, which is quite simple by itself, but can be paired with many prepositions.
- to investigate.
The police have looked into the possible causes of the accident.
- to search for something (in a dictionary or Internet).
If you don't know the meaning of the word - look it up!
- to read quickly.
Could you please briefly look through my essay?
- to visit.
I think I'll look in on my parents on Sunday.
- to observe.
I just looked on as he made the barbecue.
- to turn around.
I looked away when the doctor gave me an injection.
- to recollect.
When I look back, I can see where we made a mistake.
- to respect smb.
I've always looked up to my dad.
- to be cautious.
Look out! The driver must be drunk!
- to foresee.
Look ahead and estimate the risks.
- to wait impationetly.
I'm really looking forward to visiting this concert!
- to search.
I've been looking for my hat for 3 days now.
- to care about smb.
I like to look after my sisters.
#phrasal_verbs #grammar
@worldspeaksenglish
Look is a very useful verb, which is quite simple by itself, but can be paired with many prepositions.
Look into
- to investigate.
The police have looked into the possible causes of the accident.
Look up
- to search for something (in a dictionary or Internet).
If you don't know the meaning of the word - look it up!
Look over/through
- to read quickly.
Could you please briefly look through my essay?
Look in on
- to visit.
I think I'll look in on my parents on Sunday.
Look on
- to observe.
I just looked on as he made the barbecue.
Look away
- to turn around.
I looked away when the doctor gave me an injection.
Look back
- to recollect.
When I look back, I can see where we made a mistake.
Look up to
- to respect smb.
I've always looked up to my dad.
Look out
- to be cautious.
Look out! The driver must be drunk!
Look ahead
- to foresee.
Look ahead and estimate the risks.
Look forward to
- to wait impationetly.
I'm really looking forward to visiting this concert!
Look for
- to search.
I've been looking for my hat for 3 days now.
Look after
- to care about smb.
I like to look after my sisters.
#phrasal_verbs #grammar
@worldspeaksenglish
📓 New Idiom
(TO) PUT UP WITH
to endure without complaint
💬 I don’t know how Len puts up with his mean boss every day.
💬 Oh well, at least I won’t have to put up with your nonsense anymore!
Synonyms: to endure, to bear with, to live with, to tolerate, to roll with the punches.
#idiom
@worldspeaksenglish
(TO) PUT UP WITH
to endure without complaint
💬 I don’t know how Len puts up with his mean boss every day.
💬 Oh well, at least I won’t have to put up with your nonsense anymore!
Synonyms: to endure, to bear with, to live with, to tolerate, to roll with the punches.
#idiom
@worldspeaksenglish
👋🏻 Want to kiss goodbye someone who annoys you? Check these options:
- Bye, Felicia
- Adieu
- Show's over
...
Find our more in the article below ⬇️
http://telegra.ph/The-Best-Worst-Ways-to-Say-Goodbye-04-16
#reading
@worldspeaksenglish
- Bye, Felicia
- Adieu
- Show's over
...
Find our more in the article below ⬇️
http://telegra.ph/The-Best-Worst-Ways-to-Say-Goodbye-04-16
#reading
@worldspeaksenglish
Telegraph
The Best (Worst) Ways to Say Goodbye
1. Bye, Felicia This internet-famous farewell comes from the 1995 film Friday. In the scene, the two main characters flippantly dismiss another character, named Felisha, whom they consider irritating and unimportant. It’s shorthand for “You’re not worth the…
🎉 Today me and my team have been awarded the 3rd place at the national business case championship. This is a contest with 3 stages where teams are given 3 different real business problems and need to solve them in the best way possible.
We took the 3rd place out of 750 teams 🎉🙈
3 weeks of work, lots of business insights and new connections with cool people.
This is just a reminder that everything is achievable. Set goals, work hard and you will conquer the world 💪
We took the 3rd place out of 750 teams 🎉🙈
3 weeks of work, lots of business insights and new connections with cool people.
This is just a reminder that everything is achievable. Set goals, work hard and you will conquer the world 💪
📚 One of my favourite books, that helped me a great deal when I was preparing for IELTS – "IELTS Trainer".
It is perfect for people who have not been familiar with the test structure before. It guides the reader accross all sections, comprehensively describing their main features.
Download it above 🔼
It is perfect for people who have not been familiar with the test structure before. It guides the reader accross all sections, comprehensively describing their main features.
Download it above 🔼
📥 I now have a subscription list!
Leave your email on this page and receive all the free materials for English, inspiration and motivation for learning directly in your inbox!
https://bit.ly/2I1fxv5
@worldspeaksenglish
Leave your email on this page and receive all the free materials for English, inspiration and motivation for learning directly in your inbox!
https://bit.ly/2I1fxv5
@worldspeaksenglish
📰 Reading practice!
Today I have a very cool article for you with a podcast that I enjoyed listening in the morning while doing yoga. It is essential to work on your listening skill alongside with reading, so I suggest you to pay some attention to this one, especially since it's about emoji 😉
https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/person-lotus-position/
#reading
@worldspeaksenglish
Today I have a very cool article for you with a podcast that I enjoyed listening in the morning while doing yoga. It is essential to work on your listening skill alongside with reading, so I suggest you to pay some attention to this one, especially since it's about emoji 😉
https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/person-lotus-position/
#reading
@worldspeaksenglish
99% Invisible
Person in Lotus Position
Tech analysts estimate that over six billion emojis are sent each day. Emojis, which started off as a collection of low-resolution pixelated images from Japan, have become a well-established and graphically sophisticated part of everyday global communication.…
💃🏻 There are verbs in English that require a special form after them - either an infinitive, or a gerund. This is the continuation of the post 1.
Let's look at the verbs, that require GERUND:
He completed renovating the house.
She considered moving to New York.
He continued talking.
He delayed doing his taxes.
He denied committing the crime.
She despises waking up early.
We discussed working at the company.
She dislikes working after 5 PM.
I don't mind helping you.
He encourages eating healthy foods.
We enjoy hiking.
#grammar
@worldspeaksenglish
Let's look at the verbs, that require GERUND:
Complete
He completed renovating the house.
Consider
She considered moving to New York.
Continue
He continued talking.
Delay
He delayed doing his taxes.
Deny
He denied committing the crime.
Despise
She despises waking up early.
Discuss
We discussed working at the company.
Dislike
She dislikes working after 5 PM.
Don't mind
I don't mind helping you.
Encourage
He encourages eating healthy foods.
Enjoy
We enjoy hiking.
#grammar
@worldspeaksenglish
📓 New Idiom
TO FILL SMB IN ON SMTH
(informal) to inform somebody or tell someone about something.
💬 Can you fill me in on what's going on around here?
💬 I thought he will fill me in on the situation, but I was left unaware.
#idiom
@worldspeaksenglish
TO FILL SMB IN ON SMTH
(informal) to inform somebody or tell someone about something.
💬 Can you fill me in on what's going on around here?
💬 I thought he will fill me in on the situation, but I was left unaware.
#idiom
@worldspeaksenglish