I’m feeling much better now, but I’ve been feeling under the weather the past few days. It started on Sunday when my nose started to run, and I thought it was just the dry, cold air irritating my sinuses. Actually, I’m probably partly to blame because, while it could have been the weather that caused… Read more »
I’ve been working a lot lately, so this long weekend is very special. It’s my time to rest, reflect, and be thankful. First, I wanted to sleep in, which I did. Then my girlfriend and I went out for a walk, a very long one–longer than we had planned. We came back worn out and… Read more »
1. Who do you root for when the Yankees play the Mets?2. They go to at least one football game once a year to root for the home team.3. He tends to root for the underdog if his team’s not playing.4. Please tell Tim we’re rooting for him; we hear he’s having a tough time with… Read more »
We say we’re crazy about something when we like it a lot. We can also be crazy about a person. Conversely, when we say we’re not crazy about something, it means we don’t like it. 1. They’re crazy about their new teacher. They think he’s amazing.2. He’s not too crazy about his new schedule. He… Read more »
The word savvy can be a noun or an adjective when it means practical know-how. 1. He has a lot of business savvy, which is why he always has an easy time getting clients. (n)2. Are you computer savvy? I’m having problems with mine; maybe you can help me. (adj)3. Maria is quite savvy when it comes… Read more »
1. He’s well-versed in Russian architecture; he’s been interested in it since he took a class in college.2. She has a great interest in renewable energy and is particularly versed in wind power.3. Tom reads about different cultures all the time, but I hear he is especially versed in Asian cultures and traditions.4. They told… Read more »
Writing your thoughts down in a notebook or on your computer is such a useful exercise that everyone should be doing it. Besides, it’s not that difficult, and you can do it on your own. In fact, for serious language learners and especially if you’re in the intermediate or advanced levels, it should be a… Read more »
If you’re a student or have ever been one, you know that textbooks can pile up quickly and can easily end up in huge disorganized stacks that require time to sort through and tidy up. If you’ve been studying English for awhile, for example, chances are you’ve acquired a small library of ESL textbooks. Several of… Read more »
A good idiom is worth teaching again, so here are a few more examples of an idiom we’ve taught here before. We first taught this two years ago, on Nov. 9, 2009. 1. I’ve got to hand it to Sue; she knows how to find good deals when she’s out shopping.2. Jim finished the project… Read more »
Here are some examples of how to use DESPITE and IN SPITE OF. . 1. They continued to work despite their exhaustion. 2. He supported the President’s policy in spite of strong opposition. 3. Despite being told not to take a taxi, he did. 4. In spite of the constant rattling of the trains outside… Read more »
