A number of words in English are used metaphorically – with a meaning that is not exactly the same as their literal meaning. Usually they apply a quality of one word to another word. For example, when we say that something is lightning fast, we are using the quality of lightning (which is almost instantaneous) to describe something that is extremely fast. Another example is the root of the problem – the literal meaning of the word “root” is the part of a plant or tree that is under the soil. The...
Jan 27, 2016•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today's lesson will teach you the difference between: talk to talk with talk about talk over talk through talk into talk out of There are plenty of example sentences to make everything clear... so you'll never have this doubt again :-) Click here for the lesson text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/talk-to-or-talk-with/...
Jan 20, 2016•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast #1 – Forgetting to use “it” when the sentence needs a subject “I just bought a new computer. Was on sale.” Every sentence in English needs a subject. In the second sentence, we need to say “It was on sale” – the word “it” functions as the subject, referring to the new computer. Learn the other mistakes here : http://www.espressoenglish.net/3-very-common-mistakes-with-the-english-word-it/...
Jan 13, 2016•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast A lot of students ask me about phrases and idioms they've heard in conversations and TV shows. In today's lesson, I'm going to share the answers with you, explaining each expression with a few examples. Click here for the lesson text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/learn-english-idioms-answers-to-your-questions-about-idiomatic-expressions...
Jan 06, 2016•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hello! How have you been? Today's lesson will be the answer to one question I'm constantly being asked... When exactly can you use be, being, and been? If you've ever had doubts about these verbs, listen to today's lesson and it'll all become clear :-) Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/confusing-words-be-being-or-been...
Dec 23, 2015•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast For this lesson, I decided to do something a bit different. I took some snippets (small pieces) of conversations that I've heard in the past week, which have interesting informal expressions - and I'll be using them to teach you today. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-informal-english-expressions-in-conversation...
Dec 16, 2015•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast You already know what the words "stand" and "sit" mean... but do you know these expressions? - won't stand for something - standoffish - not sit well with someone - sit idly by In today's lesson, I'll teach you all these idioms and more. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/16-english-expressions-with-the-words-stand-and-sit...
Dec 09, 2015•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you ever get mixed up when trying to use the words either and neither? Today I'm going to teach you exactly how to use these words in English, with lots of examples! Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/difference-between-either-and-neither-in-english...
Dec 02, 2015•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast There are 3 different ways to pronounce the -ED ending in English: 1) -ED is pronounced like ED (with an extra syllable) 2) -ED is pronounced like T (NO extra syllable) 3) -ED is pronounced like D (NO extra syllable) You'll learn and practice them in today's lesson! Click here for the lesson text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/how-to-pronounce-ed-in-english-verbs/...
Nov 25, 2015•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let’s begin our study of collocations by learning some common expressions about the family. Your parents and siblings (brothers and sisters) are your immediate family – and your extended family includes all your relatives – uncles, cousins, great-aunts, etc. You can use a family tree to diagram the relationships among your family members. A person who is related to you by a long series of connections can be called a distant relative. Click here for the lesson text - http://www.espressoenglish.ne...
Nov 18, 2015•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast These slang words are common in spoken American English, but you probably won’t find them in English textbooks. Why not? Well, some of them are slightly offensive and others are just extremely informal. But they are part of the English language, so here are examples and definitions to help you understand! Click here for the lesson text - http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-slang-expressions-your-english-textbook-wont-teach-you/...
Nov 11, 2015•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast #1 - get out of hand (v.) = To get out of control. My uncle’s drinking problem got out of hand, and eventually he became an alcoholic. #2 - experience something first-hand (v.) = To experience something yourself. I didn’t realize how hard it was to be a parent until I experienced it first-hand. Click here to learn 16 more expressions! http://www.espressoenglish.net/18-idiomatic-expressions-with-hand/...
Nov 04, 2015•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast One of the biggest challenges when learning to speak English is simply knowing how to start your sentences. And if you think too much about it, there will be awkward pauses... or the conversation will just move on without you! That's why it's good to learn "sentence starters" - easy phrases that native speakers use frequently. In today's lesson, you'll learn 36 sentence starters that you can use in everyday spoken English. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/english-se...
Oct 28, 2015•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast A lot of students get mixed up when it comes to using short answers of agreement, like "So do I" and "Neither do I." In today's lesson, I'll teach you exactly how to use these phrases - both the simple way, and the more complex way in all the verb tenses. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/so-neither-too-how-to-agree-in-english/...
Oct 21, 2015•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you know what it means to steal the show or ask for a show of hands? What's the difference between the expressions show someone the door and show someone TO the door? You'll learn all these idioms and more in today's lesson about 10 English idioms with the word SHOW! Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-english-idioms-with-the-word-show/...
Oct 14, 2015•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast Learn the differences between... - take over / overtake - come over / overcome - look over / overlook - think over / overthink - do over / overdo Click here for the episode text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/10-confusing-english-words-with-over/...
Oct 07, 2015•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you work in an English-speaking environment, you might hear these common phrasal verbs used in business situations! draw up get ahead burn out not measure up zero in on lay off pencil in close down run by/past sign off on Click here for the lesson text....
Sep 30, 2015•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast ahead of one’s time = having ideas or attitudes that are too advanced for the culture/society at the moment My grandmother was ahead of her time – she opened her own company in an era when there were few women in the business world. Learn 19 more phrases in today's lesson! Click here for the lesson text...
Sep 23, 2015•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Heteronyms in English are two words with the same spelling, but different pronunciations and different meanings. Two common examples are the words CLOSE and LIVE. close (adj.) with an “s” sound = near, not far My house is close to the bus station. close (v.) with a “z” sound = shut, opposite of open Please close the door when you leave. live (v.) with the same “i” as in “sit” = reside I live in an apartment in the city center. live (adj.) with the same “i” as in “I” (me) = happening at that mome...
Sep 16, 2015•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast The English word "goal" has a meaning both within and outside sports. In today's lesson, you'll learn 20 common English collocations (combinations of words) with the word GOAL. Click here for the lesson text...
Sep 09, 2015•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast "Go" is one of the most common verbs in the English language, and it is also used in plenty of idiomatic expressions in English. You'll learn 10 of them in today's lesson. Click here for the lesson text...
Sep 02, 2015•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast You can break a habit, break a promise, or break someone's heart... and how is it possible that "break a leg" is a good thing to say to somebody? Find out in today's episode, where I'll teach you 20 English collocations and expressions with the word BREAK. Click here for the lesson text...
Aug 26, 2015•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast The same verb can be used with various prepositions to create phrasal verbs with different meanings... and some phrasal verbs have more than one meaning, too. Today you'll learn 12 phrasal verbs that all use the word "run." Click here for the lesson text...
Aug 19, 2015•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's lesson, you'll learn 12 phrases that can be used to talk about movies. I'll explain all the vocabulary along the way! Click here for the lesson text...
Aug 12, 2015•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Do you have some doubts about when exactly to use the words I, me, my, mine, and myself? Don't worry, I'll help you understand them perfectly in today's lesson! Click here for the lesson text...
Aug 05, 2015•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's lesson, you're going to learn 15 useful English phrases for the doctor's office. There are 7 phrases a doctor might say, and 8 phrases a patient might say. Make sure to read the phrase descriptions for explanations of the vocabulary! Click here for the lesson text...
Jul 29, 2015•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the northern hemisphere, summer is starting - and the weather will be hot. It has inspired me to teach you 15 English words and expressions with "hot." - hotbed, hotshot, and hot spot - full of hot air - a hot-button issue - have the hots for someone ...and more! Click here for the lesson text...
Jul 22, 2015•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you don’t live in an English-speaking country, it can be hard to make progress because you don’t have many opportunities to use English in your regular daily life. What can you do if you’re not surrounded by English? I have some good news: There ARE ways you can make English a regular part of your life, even if you don’t live in an English-speaking country! Here are my top 6 ways to make English part of your everyday life. They don’t require a lot of time, just a few simple changes. Click her...
Jul 15, 2015•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you've spoken with native English speakers, you know that we use a lot of informal phrases. For example, we might say... - "What's up?" instead of "Hello." - "I'll get in touch" instead of "I'll contact you." - "Gotta run!" instead of "I need to leave." Today I'll teach you 10 common informal expressions that you might not be familiar with. See if you can guess what each phrase means before reading the definition! Click here for the lesson text...
Jul 08, 2015•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast As you know, English words are pronounced differently from the way they are written. This can lead to pronunciation mistakes. Here are some of the most commonly mispronounced words in English, and how to say them correctly. Click here for the lesson text: http://www.espressoenglish.net/commonly-mispronounced-words-in-english/
Jul 01, 2015•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
