THE FLATMATES

Language point:
Homophones
BBC Learning English – The Flatmates

The Flatmates - Language point – Homophones

You can see this language point online at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode08/languagepoint.shtml

A homophone is a word which is pronounced the same as another word but spelt
differently. For example, two (She has two sisters), too (Can I have a coffee too
please?) and to (I'm going to lunch).

Homophones from episode 8:

Hi and high
Hi, how are you?
At 12 o'clock the sun is high in the sky.

In and Inn
Come in and have a cup of tea.
'Inn' is an old-fashioned word for 'pub'.

Meet and Meat

Do you want to meet later for a drink?
She's a vegetarian so she doesn't eat fish or meat.

Our and Hour

This is our house.
He was waiting for you for over an hour.

New and Knew

I love your new dress!
I knew the answer as soon as she asked the question.

We and Wee
We (my husband and I) would love you to come and stay.
Scottish people say 'wee' for 'small' or 'little'.

Need and Knead

We're hungry so we need some food.
To make bread you have to knead the dough (mix the flour and water together).

So and Sew
It's raining so you need to use your umbrella.
Will you sew a button on this shirt for me please?

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BBC Learning English – The Flatmates

You and Ewe

You need to do more studying.
You can get wool from a ram (a male sheep) or a ewe (a female sheep).

Know and No
Do you know where the nearest Post Office is please?
No, I don't know where it is, sorry.

Not and Knot

2 + 2 is not five.
If you tie string in a knot, it's very difficult to untie it.

Allowed and Aloud

You're not allowed to smoke in this office.
When I was very young, my mum used to read aloud to me every night.

Vocabulary:
a landlord (n, male)/a landlady(n, female):
someone who owns a flat or house which s/he rents to other people

permission (n, uncountable):

to ask someone's permission means to ask someone to allow you to do something

adorable (adj, usually to refer to children or animals):

very cute, loveable

meat, potato and two veg (informal and short for):

meat, potato and two vegetables (a very traditional British meal)

Would you like to try an online quiz about this language point? Go to:
http://bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode08/quiz.shtml

Or you can download the quiz from:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode08/quiz.pdf

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THE FLATMATES
Language point:
Future forms

1
BBC Learning English – The Flatmates

The Flatmates - Language point – Future forms

You can see this language point online at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode09/languagepoint.shtml

We can use different forms to talk about future time in English, for example, will,
going to and shall.

We will look at other forms (present continuous, present simple and future
perfect) in another language point.

will + base verb

To make a prediction based on personal opinion
I think you'll love this film. It's got John Cusack in it.
She's convinced that the team won't win the cup.

Note: In spoken English will is usually shortened to 'll

To express a decision made at the moment of speaking

You go with Michal and I'll iron the shirts.
We've run out of sugar. I'll buy some later today.

To express future facts

Beijing will host the next Olympics.
The class will finish at 7:30 tonight.

In formal written style to express future events (often planned in detail)

This clinic will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday.
We are sorry there will be no deliveries of mail during next week's postal strike.

be + going to + base verb

To make a prediction based on present evidence
Look at those dark clouds, it's going to rain.
The traffic is terrible! We're going to be late.

To talk about plans already made

I'm going to see a film tonight (I've already bought my ticket).
I've been working hard all week so this weekend I'm not going to do anything at all!

shall + base verb

Used with 'we' or 'I' in formal situations or in writing
We shall be delighted to have you over for dinner.
I shall visit London from the 4th to the 7th of June.

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Would you like to try an online quiz about this language point? Go to:
http://bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode09/quiz.shtml

Or you can download the quiz from:

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode09/quiz.pdf