Speaking english fluently

- What is Fluency?
- Rule Number One: Get Out There and SPEAK!
- Get Used to Pressure
- Speed Reading
- Using Songs
- Learn Language in Chunks

You can learn:

- What English fluency means and what different skills you need to work on to
improve your English fluency.
- The one most important thing you can do to speak English more fluently.
- How to deal with pressure, nervousness and shyness when speaking English.
- How to use reading aloud to improve the speed and fluency of your spoken
English.
- How to use songs to improve your spoken fluency in English.
- A simple but effective vocabulary-learning technique that will make it easier to
speak and respond fluently and naturally.

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 CONVERSATIONS TIPS

Nothing helps your speaking more than practising with others. (If you don’t
live in an English-speaking country. In a controlled environment (i.e. a classroom)
speaking English with others is relatively easy, as you’re probably practising
particular expressions or vocabulary.
But in the outside world, conversations can be a lot more unpredictable and
things can go wrong in conversations. Maybe you don’t understand the other
person – or maybe they don’t understand you. Maybe you’re talking about a
difficult subject with technical vocabulary, or maybe the other person uses a lot of
slang or English idioms that you don’t understand. Here are some tips and
strategies for when there are communication problems.

You don’t know the word

Sometimes we forget the right word, or we realise as we’re speaking that we don’t
know the word we need. We can also forget the word if we are under pressure, such
as in an exam. But the important thing is to keep going – don’t let the conversation
stop! If you don’t know the word, try to say it in another way. Define it, give an
example, or give a synonym.

For example, if you can’t remember the word “mug” you can try these:

A. Definition

“It’s something you can drink coffee from.”

“You can use it to drink coffee from.”

“It’s used for coffee.”

B. Examples, explanations and descriptions

“It’s made of china. You use it for drinking coffee.”

“It’s bigger than a cup.”

C. Synonym

“It’s like a cup, but bigger.”

“It’s similar to… (a cup).”

“It’s a kind of … (cup).”

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The other person doesn’t understand you

You’ll probably guess that this has happened from the blank look on
the other person’s face. Ask a question such as

“Do you know what I mean?” or “Sorry, have I lost you?”

Or use a rephrasing phrase, such as “Let me say that again”, or “Let me put
that another way.”

You run out of things to say

A conversation should be two-way. If you find that you are talking all the
time, or if you don’t have anything else left to say, get the other person to
contribute by asking a question.

You can try a short question like:

“We tried out the new Chinese restaurant last night.”

“Did you?”

Or you can ask a more direct question, such as:

“What do you think?” or “what’s your opinion?”

You don’t know how to end the conversation

Some conversations should be short. For example, asking someone for

directions, giving directions, asking for information in a shop are all situations
where the conversation comes to a natural end. In these situations, a simple
“Thank you” (where the typical response is “You’re welcome” or “Not at all”) shows
both people that the conversation is over.

But in other situations, you might just be chatting, with no particular

purpose. End the conversation with a phrase like “I’d better get going” or “I think
that’s my bus / train” (if you’re waiting for public transport, say) to end the
conversation naturally.

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 Better English Speaking Skills

Improving your English speaking skills will help you communicate more
easily and effectively. But how do you become a more confident English speaker?

Practise where you can, when you can.

Any practice is good – whether you speak to someone who is a native English
speaker or not.

It’s important to build your confidence.

If possible, use simple English sentence structure that you know is correct,
so that you can concentrate on getting your message across.

Try to experiment with the English you know.

Use words and phrases you know in new situations. Native English speakers
are more likely to correct you if you use the wrong word than if you use the
wrong grammar. Experimenting with vocabulary is a really good way of getting
feedback.

Try to respond to what people say to you.

You can often get clues to what people think by looking at their body language.
Respond to them in a natural way.

Try NOT to translate into and from your own language.

This takes too much time and will make you more hesitant.

If you forget a word,

Do what native English speakers do all the time, and say things that ‘fill’ the
conversation. This is better than keeping completely silent. Try using um, or er, if
you forget the word.

Don’t speak too fast!

It’s important to use a natural rhythm when speaking English, but if you
speak too fast it will be difficult for people to understand you.

Try to relax

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  when you speak – you’ll find your mouth does most of the pronunciation
work for you. When you speak English at normal speed, you’ll discover that many
of the pronunciation skills, such as linking between words, will happen
automatically.

Remember, when speaking English…

Try to become less hesitant and more confident. Don’t be shy to speak – the more
you do it, the more confident you’ll become.

Remember to be polite – use “please” and “thank you” if you ask someone to do
something for you.

Being friendly in English

Having good social skills is important if you want to make a good impression
on the people you meet. Here’s some advice on what is considered polite or impolite
in English-speaking cultures.

1. Please, thank you, excuse me and I’m sorry

These polite expressions are used a lot in spoken English, and not using
them can make you appear rude. As politeness is considered perhaps the most
important quality in relationships, make sure you use them! Don’t worry if you
think you use them too frequently: the worst that people will think of you is that
you are sweet and charming:))

Please = use whenever you want someone to do something for you, or if you want
something from another person
Can you tell me where the post office is, please?
Can you pass me that newspaper please?

Never use imperative forms unless you are giving someone directions. So although
you can say to someone “Take the 130 bus to Croydon and get off at Asda
supermarket”, you can’t say to someone “Pass me that newspaper”.

Thank you = use whenever someone does something for you, or gives you
something.
Excuse me = use when you want to introduce a request to someone, or if you want
to get past someone
Excuse me, can you tell me where the post office is, please?
Excuse me, is this the right platform for the London train?

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I’m sorry = use any time that you inconvenience someone, tread on someone’s toes
in a crowded train, or if someone asks you something that you can’t do.
I’m sorry, but I don’t understand. Is the post office on the left or the right?

Is Mr Jones in the office?

I’m sorry, he’s out this morning.

2. Ask permission before doing something that may inconvenience others

Do you mind if I open the window?
Can I take this chair?

3. Avoid controversial topics when you meet someone new

Some topics of conversation can lead to arguments, so unless you know
someone well, it’s best to avoid them. These topics are politics, religion and
financial information such as how much money you earn. If you are in doubt about
what to talk about, let the other person take the lead, and respond to them. This
leads on to the next point:

4. Keep the conversation going

If someone asks you a question, respond to it. Avoid one-word answers, and
try to say at least a few words. Then you can return the question.

For example, if someone says “Terrible weather, isn’t it”, avoid just saying “yes”.
Instead you can say “Yes, I wish it would stop raining” or “Yes, it wasn’t like this
last summer, was it?”

Some cultural tips

– in Britain, queuing is considered polite. If you “jump the queue” (go to the front,
rather than stand behind the last person in the queue) or push the people in front
of you, you will make yourself very unpopular!

– don’t stand too close to people. Stand at least an arm’s length away if you can.
On crowded public transport this isn’t possible, but people rarely talk to each other
in these situations.

– keep eye contact when you talk

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 10 ways to improve your English speaking today

Speaking English doesn’t have to be stressful!. But here are ten extra tips to
help you increase your confidence and speak more naturally.

Take it step by step

Learn a few important phrases at first, and learn how to pronounce them
well. When you’re confident with these, you can choose a few more to practise.
Start with simple phrases first, then go on to more complicated ones.

For example, learn key phrases for saying hello and greeting someone:
“Hi! How are you?”
“Fine thanks. And you?”

Or a simple phrase to ask directions:

“Excuse me! I’m looking for … (London Road)”

Or a simple phrase to order food in a restaurant:

“I’d like the … (fish and chips) please.”

Don’t say too much

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 You don’t need to speak a lot to express yourself. In many situations, such
as travelling around, shopping, phoning, etc, you don’t have the time to have a long
conversation. Concentrate on communicating the essential part of your message
until you start feeling more confident.

Practice makes perfect!

This is probably the most important tip. The more you practise, the better
you get – and the more confident you will become. When you practise important
phrases, they become natural and easy for you. If you aren’t in an English-
speaking country, you can go to conversation clubs, or go online via a Google+
hangout, for example. (The Speak English! ebook has a list of places where you can
chat for free online.)

Keep it simple

You don’t need complicated grammar or sentence structure. If your

sentences are short and grammatically simple, you are less likely to make mistakes
or confuse the person you’re talking to.

Sentence structure tip!

Remember the SVOMPT word order rule:

Subject
Verb
Object
Manner (How)
Place
Time
For example:
I (subject) like (verb) walking (object) fast (manner) in the forest (place) in
winter (time).
Remember: not every sentence has all six components, and you can omit
manner, place and time and still have correct sentence structure.

Use every way you can to communicate

When you need to communicate a message, you will find the way to do it!
For example, you can use gestures to help you explain to another person. If you are
in a train and feel hot, you could say “Can I open the…” and gesture towards the
window if you can’t remember the word for “window”.

Listen and watch

A great way to improve your confidence is to watch other people speak

English. What phrases do they use? What gestures do they use? How do they
respond to each other? Perhaps they use special phrases or particular intonation.
Observing how other people communicate is a great way to extend your own
“library” of useful phrases for different situations. If you don’t live in an English-
speaking country, check out film and TV, or trailers on YouTube, for example.

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Record yourself

Use your phone to record yourself speaking phrases or words. When you
listen back to yourself, how do you sound? Don’t be too critical about your accent –
it doesn’t matter if you sound like a non-native speaker. But it’s important to speak
clearly. Recording yourself helps you become more aware of how you speak
English, and you’ll begin to understand which English sounds are most difficult for
you. Then, with a little practice, you can soon get better at saying these difficult
sounds.

Don’t speak too fast

If you’re nervous or embarrassed, you might speak too fast – or too quietly.
It’s normal to feel worried, especially in new situations. But concentrate on those
few phrases and try to speak at normal speed and volume. When you see the other
person responding naturally to you, you’ll know that what you say is good English!

Don’t give up

Some days it’s easier to speak English than other days. Sometimes you can
find the words and phrases you need without any problems, but other times
everything is really difficult. Some days you never seem to make mistakes – and
then the next day it’s all wrong! But don’t worry. This is completely normal! The
important thing is to understand that tomorrow is a different day. Keep practising
and you will improve your speaking. Don’t worry too much about making mistakes,
either. They help you improve your English.

Accept help from other people

Native speakers will rarely correct your grammar, but they’ll probably correct
your vocabulary and pronunciation. You can even ask, “Sorry, what do you call this
in English?” and people are usually very happy to help you.

How to Start a Conversation in English

It’s essential to practise your speaking to improve your fluency, but how do
you start a conversation in English – especially if you’re talking with native
speakers?

There are two main problems that English learners have when they want to
take part in conversations. Firstly, native English speakers can talk too fast, which
means it’s difficult to understand them.

Secondly, it’s difficult to find the right moment to join the conversation. By
the time you remember the right word or phrase to contribute to the conversation,
people have moved on to other things.

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How to start a conversation in English

There are three things you can do:

1. Get people to wait for you

Use phrases that get people’s attention and which make them wait for you.
For example:
“Well I think…” (And then pause.)
These short phrases also give you time to think about how you’re going to finish
your sentence!

2. Interrupt politely
Often you can wait for a natural pause in the conversation to jump in with what
you want to say. But if there isn’t a space in the conversation, you can say
something like:
“Yes, you’re right, and…”
It’s a good idea to interrupt a person by saying that you’re agreeing with
them. We generally like people who agree with us, so the interruption doesn’t seem
negative or hostile.

3. Rewind the conversation

Because native English conversations move fast, you sometimes need to find a way
to go back to a previous topic so that you can make your contribution. This
happens particularly if you only remember the right word or expression after the
conversation moves on. It might seem strange to start a conversation by going
back, but in fact native speakers do this all the time! Say something like:
“Going back to what we were saying about…”

Compound Nouns

Compound nouns are words made of two or more words together. They can
be written as two separate words, two hyphenated words, or as one word. For
example:

seat belt (noun + noun)

dry-clean (noun + verb)
whiteboard (adjective + noun)

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But which of the two words do you stress?

The general rule with stress is that information words (nouns, verbs, adjectives,
etc) are stressed in a sentence, while grammatical words (articles, prepositions,
auxiliaries, etc) are unstressed.

With compound nouns, you need to stress both of the words, though the stress is
slightly stronger on the first word

Words to Use Instead of "Very"

Very angry —>  Very quiet —> H ery dear —> Cherishe

Furious ushed d
Very beautiful — Very rich —> W Very deep —> Profoun
> Gorgeous ealthy d
Very big —> Mas Very expensive  Very empty —> Desola
sive —> Costly te
Very boring —>  Very dirty —> Fi Very excited —> Thrill
Dull lthy ed
Very noisy —> D Very tall —> To Very fancy —> Lavish
eafening wering Very fat —> Obese
Very poor —> De Very easy —> Ef Very friendly —> Amia
stitute fortless ble
Very cheap —>  Very wet —> So Very glad —> Overjoye
Stingy aked d
Very clean —> S Very slow —> Sl Very great —> Terrific
potless uggish Very heavy —> Leaden
Very short —> B Very good —> E Very hungry —> Starv
rief xcellent ing
Very difficult —>  Very stupid —>  Very hurt —> Battered
Arduous Idiotic Very large —> Huge
Very dry —> Ari Very happy —>  Very lazy —> Indolent
d Ecstatic Very long —> Extensiv
Very quick —> R Very exciting —>  e
apid Exhilarating Very loose —> Slack
Very bad —> Aw Very warm —>  Very accurate —> Exa
ful Hot ct
Very smart —> I Very weak —> F Very afraid —> Fearfu
ntelligent rail l
Very sad —> So Very little —> Ti Very clever —> Intellig
rrowful ny ent
Very upset —> D Very bright —>  Very cute —> Adorable
istraught Luminous Very dull —> Tedious
Very cold —> Fr Very busy —> S Very eager —> Keen
eezing wamped Very evil —> Wicked
Very strong —>  Very careful —>  Very fast —> Quick
Forceful Cautious
Very huge —> C Very clear —> O
olossal bvious
Very calm —> S Very colorful —> 
erene Vibrant

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 Very ugly —> Hi Very confused —
deous > Perplexed
Very small —> P Very fierce —> Ferocio
etite us
Very funny —> 
Hilarious
Very creative —> 
Innovative
Very crowded —
> Bustling

Collocation: Definition & Examples

Collocation definition:
A collocation is two or more words that often go together. Some
collocation examples are “pay attention”, “fast food”, “make an effort”, and
“powerful engine”.
Collocations make it easier to avoid overused or ambiguous words like
“very”, “nice”, or “beautiful”, by using a pair of words that fits the context better
and has a more precise meaning. Using collocations will help your English sound
naturally like a native speaker.

Collocation Examples
Examples of collocations with take, get, do, make, go…

 He had intended to take a holiday in New York.

 He wanted to see if he could get a job with us.
 I might take a lesson from you.
 My goals were to go back to school and get a degree.
 I’ll take a look at the website and let you know what I think. 
 He was beginning to get angry.
 Couldn’t you do a favour and leave me alone?
 She should make a right choice.
 Could you do a report for me?
 We are to make a contract for a supply of raw silk with the company.
 I like to do homework.
 We need to make a deal for this project.
 The company is about to go bankrupt.

Examples of different types of collocations made from combinations of

verb, noun, adjective,…

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Adverb + Adjective: Fully aware, Happily married, Highly controversial, Highly
effective, Highly probable, Highly profitable…
Adverb + Adverb: Only just, Pretty well, Quite a lot, Quite enough, Quite often, Right
away…
Adverb + Verb: Badly damage, Deeply rooted (in), Never knew, Quite agree
Adjective + Noun: Internal injury, Internal organ, Irreparable damage, Joint
account, Just cause, Key issue, Key role…
Adjective + Preposition: Comfortable with, Concerned with, Nasty of, Nervous of,
Nice of, Furious about, Guilty about…
Noun + Noun: Core values, Corporate finance, Cottage industry, Creation science,
Credit bureau, Credit union…
Verb + Noun: Go on a date, Go on a picnic, Go on foot, Have a fight, Have a fit,
Have a game, Keep quiet, Keep records…
Verb + Preposition: Allow for, Apologize for, Ask for, Object to, Pray to, Prefer to …
Verb + Adverb: Go far, Go first, Go upstairs, Guess correctly, Hit hard, Judge
harshly, Know well…
Noun + Preposition: Date with, Dealings with, Difficulty with, Debate on,
Information on, Hold on…
Examples of collocations with prepositions at, in , on, to, with ….

- She has lost her belief in God.

- There was no change in the patient’s condition overnight.
- I need some lessons in how to set up a website.
- I congratulate you on your new job!
- I insist on Peter’s studying every day for two hours.
- Can we rely on this old car to get us there?
- I feel very proud to be a part of the team.
- People are scared to use the buses late at night.
- It’s nice to know you.
- You are blessed with many talents.
- Don’t be careless with your ATM card.
- The fall in retail sales is directly connected with the decline in employment.

Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are used more frequently in everyday speech than in formal
writing/ speaking. They are used often in everyday conversation by native speakers
of English.

Phrasal
Verbs Meaning Example

Break Down Stop functioning My car broke down

Bring up Mention a topic She brought up that matter again

Back down withdraw a position We never back down

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Beat up punch and kick I got beat up

Blow up Explode They tried to blow up the station

Bump into Meet by accident I bump into my wife at the park

Call off Cancel They call off that meeting

I was cleaning and I came across my

Come across find by chance journal

Clean out Clean I was cleaning out the closet

Carry on Continue Sorry , carry on talking!

Drop out Leave school They dropped out of college

Drop by Visit  We just dropped by her house

Find out discovered I found out that she was pregnant

Get out Leave You need to get out of here

Give something for

Give away free They are giving away tickets

End up The end result I ended up in another school

Get by survive I have some money to get by

Get over get well Dave has got over the flu

Get along being good friends We get along really well

Get away Escape I got away with murder

Get rid of Eliminate I need to get rid of her

Go over Review I went over the material

Grow up Get older You are 21, Grow up

Give up Stop trying They just gave up

Go out Have a date Do you want to go out with me?

Hang out Spend time I am hanging out with my friends

Hurry up Do something fast We are late, hurry up

Make out Kiss They were making out outside the office

Made up Invent a story She made that up to save herself

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 Mess up to spoil You are messing things up

Show up Arrive Alex didn’t show up

Pass out Lose consciousness She passed out in front of me

Piss off to  be angry I am really pissed off

Put off Postpone We put off the meetin until Friday

Put up with let happen I won’t put up with my sisters 

Put on Get dressed I put on a sweater

Put out Extinguish The firefighters put out the fire

Run into Meet I ran into my teacher last week

Run out to use all of it We are running out of gas

Take off Remove clothing I took off my jacket 

Turn Down Lower volume Please turn it down

Turn down Reject He was turned down twice

Work out Exercise I am working out right now

Watch out Be aware You better watch out

Work out find a solution We will work something out

Wake up Finish sleeping I woke up at 9

English Phrases

What are common phrases for speaking English?

There are many phrases that are used in the English language over and over
again. As someone who is learning the language, you should take some time to
learn some of these phrases so that you can be a more accomplished English
speaker. In fact, as you learn the language, hearing these phrases is inevitable as
you will hear several times in normal conversations.

The Importance of Learning Common Phrases

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 There are many reasons to learn common English phrases, and here are
some of them. Learning common phrases makes different kinds of communication
easy

When you master some common English phrases, you will be in a position to
discuss various topics more easily. In all kinds of communications, phrases are
commonly used. Many of the phrases are also necessary for all sorts of situations.
Even as you go to various places around the world where various English dialects
are spoken, you can use these phrases to communicate with people in a clearer
manner.

It will make learning English easier

Many people would have an easier time learning English if they learned
various phrases and sayings. Besides, learning some of these phrases is very fun,
and you can start to use them almost immediately, which will only add to your
mastery of this language.

Improved job opportunities

The world is getting global by the day, and English is the most preferred
language of communication in the world. Therefore, if you can speak proper
English, you will have better chances of success in your career. Studies have
shown that having a better mastery of English is important in career progression,
with high-level managers in global corporations usually picked based on their
ability to communicate properly in English.

Learning English phrases will make you educated

As you learn English phrases you will also learn a lot of things about the
language, the culture, and the world in general. Therefore, this kind of learning will
greatly enhance your learning and make you better educated on many general
issues. For instance, learning common phrases about Shakespeare can help you
learn more about the renowned English playwright and the English culture of the
day.
You can understand most of the information in the world
A lot of the information in the world is in English, and you can understand it
best when you know common English phrases, which are regularly used in all
kinds of communications. English is the official language in over 50 countries, and
it is pretty well-known in many other countries. English is a global language, and
learning it and its common phrases is always going to open doors for you in the
world.

Common Phrases in English

Common phrases to ask how someone is:

 What’s up?
 What’s new?
 What have you been up to lately?
 How’s it going?
 How are things?
 How’s life?
Common phrases to say how you are:
 I’m fine, thanks. How about you?
 Pretty good.

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  Same as always
 Not so great.
 Could be better
 cant complain
Common phrases to say thank you:
 I really appreciate it.
 I’m really grateful
 That’s so kind of you.
 I owe you one. (this means you want/need to do a favor for the other person
in the future)
Common phrases to respond to thank you:
 No problem.
 No worries
 Don’t mention it.
 My pleasure.
 Anytime.
Common phrases to end a conversation politely:
 It was nice chatting with you.
 Anyway, I should get going.
 Common phrases to ask for information:
 Do you have any idea…?
 Would you happen to know…? (when you’re not sure if the other person has
the information.)
 I don’t suppose you (would) know…? (when you’re not sure if the other
person has the information.)
Common phrases to say I don’t know:
 I have no idea/clue.
 I can’t help you there.
 (informal) Beats me.
 I’m not really sure.
 I’ve been wondering that, too.
Common phrases for not having an opinion:
 I’ve never given it much thought.
 I don’t have strong feelings either way.
 It doesn’t make any difference to me.
 I have no opinion on the matter.
Common phrases for agreeing:
 Exactly.
 Absolutely.
 That’s so true.
 That’s for sure.
 I agree 100%
 I couldn’t agree with you more.
 (informal) Tell me about it! / You’re telling me!
 (informal) I’ll say!
 I suppose so. (use this phrase for weak agreement – you agree, but
reluctantly)
Common phrases for disagreeing:
 I’m not so sure about that.
 That’s not how I see it.
 Not necessarily
Common phrases to respond to great news:

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 That’s great!
How wonderful!
Awesome!
Common phrases to respond to bad news:
 Oh no…
 That’s terrible.
 Poor you. (Use this to respond to bad situations that are not too serious)
 I’m so sorry to hear that.
Common phrases to invite someone somewhere:
 Are you free… [Saturday night?]
 Are you doing anything… [Saturday night?]
 . (informal) Do you wanna… [see a movie?]
 (formal)Would you like to… [join me for dinner?]
Common phrases for food:
 I’m starving! (= I’m very hungry)
 Let’s grab a bite to eat.
 How about eating out tonight? (eat out = eat at a restaurant)
 I’ll have… (use this phrase for ordering in a restaurant)
Common phrases for price:
 It cost a fortune.
 It cost an arm and a leg.
 That’s a rip-off. (= overpriced; far more expensive than it should be)
 That’s a bit pricey.
 That’s quite reasonable. (= it’s a good price)
 That’s a good deal. (= a good value for the amount of money)
 It was a real bargain.
 It was dirt cheap. (= extremely inexpensive)
Common phrases for weather:
 It’s a little chilly.
 It’s freezing. (= extremely cold)
 Make sure to bundle up. (bundle up = put on warm clothes for protection
against the cold)
Common phrases for hot weather:
 It’s absolutely boiling! (boiling = extremely hot)
 it scorching hot outside
Common phrases for being tired:
 I’m exhausted.
 I’m dead tired.
 I’m beat
 I can hardly keep my eyes open
 I’m gonna hit the sack. (hit the sack = go to bed)

SYNONYMS FOR WORDS COMMONLY USED

Amazing Incredible, Fantastic, Fabulous, Astonishing, Extraordinary
Answer Respond
Awful Terrible, Abominable, Dreadful
Bad Evil, Spoiled, Imperfect, Infamous, Dismal
Beautiful Gorgeous, Ravishing, Dazzling, Exquisite, Stunning
Begin Initiate, Commence, Inaugurate
Big Huge, Enormous, Gigantic, Humongous, Substantial, Mammoth
Break Rupture, Fracture, Shatter
Calm Serene, Peace, Tranquil

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Come Approach, Arrive
Cool Chilly, Frosty, Icy
Cut Chop, Slash, Slit
Dangerous Hazardous, Risky, Precarious
Decide Determine, Settle
Definite Certain, Positive, Obvious
Delicious Savoury, Titbit, Delectable
Describe Portray, Characterise
Destroy Demolish, Slay, Ruin, Raze
Difference Disagreement, Inequity, Dissimilarity
Dull Boring, Uninteresting, Monotonous, Humdrum, Dreary
End Terminate, Conclude, Cessation
Explain Elaborate, Interpret
Fall Drop, Descend, Topple
Famous Well-known, Renowned, Eminent, Illustrious
Fast Quick, Rapid, Hasty, Snappy
Fat Stout, Corpulent, Chubby, Bulky
Funny Amusing, Humorous, Droll
Get Acquire, Obtain, Secure, Procure, Gather
Good Excellent, Fine, Wonderful, Superior, Gracious, Superb, Splendid,
Genuine, Sterling, Top-notch,
Great Worthy, Distinguished, Grand, Considerable, Mighty
Happy Pleased, Delighted, Elated, Joyful, Ecstatic, Jubilant, Jaunty
Hate Despise, Loathe, Abhor, Abominate
Have Possess, Own, Acquire,
Help Aid, Assist, Support, Encourage, Relieve
Hide Conceal, Cover, Mask, Veil
Idea Thought, Concept, Notion
Important Necessary, Vital, Critical, Indispensable, Valuable, Essential, Famous,
Notable
Interesting Fascinating, Engaging, Spirited, Intriguing, Gripping, Enthralling,
Captivating
Little Tiny, Diminutive, Exiguous, Dinky, Cramped
Look Gaze, Glance, Peek, Glimpse, Stare, Leer
Love Like, Admire, Fancy, Care for, Adore
Make Create, Originate, Invent, Construct, Manufacture, Produce, Compose
Move Plod, Creep, Crawl, Drag, Toddle, shuffle, Trot, Lumber, Meander
Neat Orderly, Tidy, Trim, Natty, Smart, Elegant
New Unique, Modern, Current, Recent
Old Feeble, Ancient, Aged, Veteran, Mature, Primitive, Stale
Place Draw, Map, Diagram, Procedure, Method, Blueprint
Show Display, Exhibit, Indicate, Reveal, Demonstrate
Tell Disclose, Reveal, Expose, Narrate, Inform, Divulge
Use Employ, Utilise, Exhaust, Spend
Wrong Incorrect, Inaccurate, Mistaken, Erroneous, Improper, Unsuitable

Linking Words
Linking words help you to connect ideas and sentences when you speak or
write English. We can use linking words to give examples, add information,
summarise, sequence information, give a reason or result, or to contrast ideas.
although some of these words have already been mentioned as sentence

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 connectors, they can also be used to develop coherence within a paragraph, that is
linking one idea / argument to another.

Sequence Result Emphasis

 First / firstly,  So  Undoubtedly

second / secondly, third 
/ thirdly etc
 Next, last, finally
 In addition,
moreover
 Further /
furthermore
 Another
 Also
 In conclusion
 To summarise
Addition
As a result  Indeed
 As a  Obviously
consequence (of)  Generally
 Therefore  Admittedly
 Thus  In fact
 Consequently  Particularly /
 Hence in particular
 Due to  Especially
 Clearly
 Importantly
Reason Example

 And  For  For example

 In addition /
additionally / an
additional
 Furthermore
 Also
 Too
 As well as
Contrast
 Because  For instance
 Since  That is (ie)
 As  Such as
 Because of  Including
 Namely
Comparison  

 However  Similarly
 Nevertheless  Likewise
 Nonetheless  Also
 Still  Like
 Although / even  Just as
though  Just like
 Though  Similar to
 But  Same as
 Yet  Compare
 Despite / in spite of  compare(d) to /
 In contrast (to) / in with
comparison  Not only...but
 While also
 Whereas
 On the other hand  

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 On the contrary

Similes in Everyday Language

Similes are used in literature to make writing more vivid and powerful. In
everyday speech, they can be used to convey meaning quickly and effectively, as
many commonly used expressions or idioms are similes.
For example, when someone says "He is as busy as a bee," it means he is
working hard, as bees are known to be extremely busy. If someone says "I am as
snug as a bug in a rug," they mean that they feel very comfortable and cozy or are
tucked up tight in bed.
Some other well-known similes you will often hear are:
 As cute as a kitten
 As happy as a clam
 As light as a feather
 As blind as a bat
 As bold as brass
 As bright as a button
 As shiny as a new pin
 As cold as ice
 As common as dirt
 As cool as a cucumber
 As hard as nails
 As hot as hell
 As innocent as a lamb
 As tall as a giraffe
 As tough as nails
 As white as a ghost
 As sweet as sugar
 As black as coal
As with a lot of figurative language, when talking to someone from another
region or someone not speaking in their native language they might not get the
meaning of many similes.

Similes Add Depth to Writing

Similes can make our language more descriptive and enjoyable. Writers,
poets, and songwriters make use of similes often to add depth and emphasize what
they are trying to convey to the reader or listener. Similes can be funny, serious,
mean, or creative.
Following are some more examples of similes regularly used in writing:
 You were as brave as a lion.
 They fought like cats and dogs.
 He is as funny as a barrel of monkeys.
 This house is as clean as a whistle.
 He is as strong as an ox.
 Your explanation is as clear as mud.
 Watching the show was like watching grass grow.
 That is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel.
 This contract is as solid as the ground we stand on.

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 That guy is as nutty as a fruitcake.
 Don't just sit there like a bump on a log.
 Well, that went over like a lead balloon.
 They are as different as night and day.
 She is as thin as a rake.
 Last night, I slept like a log.
 This dress is perfect because it fits like a glove.
 They wore jeans, which made me stand out like a sore thumb.
 My love for you is as deep as the ocean.
 I am so thirsty that my throat is as dry as a bone.
Similes in Classic Literature
Examples of similes can be seen in classic literature, such as in the poem "A Red,
Red Rose" by Robert Burns:
"O my Luve is like a red, red rose That's newly sprung in June; O my Luve is like
the melodyThat's sweetly played in tune."
Another example of a simile can be found in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. When
Romeo talks to Mercutio before the Capulets' party, he makes the following
comparison about love:
"Is love a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like
thorn."

Similes in Song Lyrics

Similes can often be found in song lyrics, as they let you convey deeper meaning
with fewer words. For example:
 My heart is like an open highway. - "It's My Life," Bon Jovi
 It's been a hard days night, and I've been working like a dog. - "A Hard Day's
Night," The Beatles
 And it seems to me you lived your life, Like a candle in the wind. - "Candle in
the Wind," Elton John
 You're as cold as ice. - "Cold As Ice," Foreigner
 Steady as a preacher, Free as a weed - "American Honey," Lady Antebellum
Similes in Slogans
You'll even find that similes have been used in popular ads and company slogans
over the years, such as:
 Chevrolet: Built Like A Rock
 Doritos: Tastes Like Awesome Feels
 State Farm: Like A Good Neighbor
 Almond Joy / Mounds: Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't.
 Honda: The Honda's ride is as smooth as a gazelle in the Sahara. Its comfort
is like a hug from Nana.

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Phonemic Chart

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 BASIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DO AND MAKE
 Use DO for actions, obligations, and repetitive tasks.
 Use MAKE for creating or producing something, and for actions you choose
to do.
 DO generally refers to the action itself, and MAKE usually refers to the
result. For example, if you “make breakfast,” the result is an omelet! If you “make a
suggestion,” you have created a recommendation.

COMMON ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS WITH DO

HOUSEWORK

 do the housework
After I got home from the office, I was too tired to do the housework.
 do the laundry
I really need to do the laundry – I don’t have any clean clothes left!
 do the dishes
I’ll make dinner if you do the dishes afterwards.
(you can also say “wash the dishes”)
 do the shopping
I went to the bank, did some shopping, and mailed a package at the post office.
EXCEPTION: make the bed = putting blankets, sheets, and pillows in the correct
place so that the bed looks nice and not messy.

WORK / STUDY
 do work
I can’t go out this weekend – I have to do some work on an extra project.
 do homework
You can’t watch any TV until you’ve done your homework.
 do business
We do business with clients in fifteen countries.

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 do a good/great/terrible job
She did a good job organizing the party.
(in this expression, “job” doesn’t necessarily refer to work. It simply means the
person did something well)
 do a report
I’m doing a report on the history of American foreign policy.
(you can also say “writing a report”)
 do a course
We’re doing a course at the local university.
(you can also say “taking a course”)

TAKING CARE OF YOUR BODY

 do exercise
I do at least half an hour of exercise every day.
 do your hair (= style your hair)
I’ll be ready to go in 15 minutes – I just need to do my hair.
 do your nails (= paint your nails)
Can you open this envelope for me? I just did my nails and they’re still wet.

GENERAL GOOD OR BAD ACTIONS

 do anything / something / everything / nothing
Are you doing anything special for your birthday?
You can’t do everything by yourself – let me help you.
 do well
I think I did pretty well in the interview.
 do badly
Everyone did badly on the test – the highest grade was 68.
 do good
The non-profit organization has done a lot of good in the community.
 do the right thing
When I found someone’s wallet on the sidewalk, I turned it in to the police because
I wanted to do the right thing.
 do your best
Don’t worry about getting everything perfect – just do your best.

COMMON ENGLISH COLLOCATIONS WITH MAKE

FOOD
 make breakfast/lunch/dinner
I’m making dinner – it’ll be ready in about ten minutes.
 make a sandwich
Could you make me a turkey sandwich?
 make a salad
I made a salad for the family picnic.
 make a cup of tea
Would you like me to make you a cup of tea?
 make a reservation
I’ve made a reservation for 7:30 at our favorite restaurant.

MONEY
 make money
I enjoy my job, but I don’t make very much money.
 make a profit
The new company made a profit within its first year.

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 make a fortune
He made a fortune after his book hit #1 on the bestseller list.
 make $_______
I made $250 selling my old CDs on the internet.

RELATIONSHIPS
 make friends
It’s hard to make friends when you move to a big city.
 make love (= have sex)
The newlyweds made love on the beach during their honeymoon.
 make a pass at (= flirt with someone)
My best friend’s brother made a pass at me – he asked if I was single and tried to
get my phone number.
 make fun of someone (= tease / mock someone)
The other kids made fun of Jimmy when he got glasses, calling him “four eyes.”
 make up (= resolve a problem in a relationship)
Karen and Jennifer made up after the big fight they had last week.

COMMUNICATION
 make a phone call
Please excuse me – I need to make a phone call.
 make a joke
He made a joke, but it wasn’t very funny and no one laughed.
 make a point
Dana made some good points during the meeting; I think we should consider her
ideas.
 make a bet
I made a bet with Peter to see who could do more push-ups.
 make a complaint
We made a complaint with our internet provider about their terrible service, but we
still haven’t heard back from them.
 make a confession
I need to make a confession: I was the one who ate the last piece of cake.
 make a speech
The company president made a speech about ethics in the workplace.
 make a suggestion
Can I make a suggestion? I think you should cut your hair shorter – it’d look great
on you!
 make a prediction
It’s difficult to make any predictions about the future of the economy.
 make an excuse
When I asked him if he’d finished the work, he started making excuses about how
he was too busy.
 make a promise
I made a promise to help her whenever she needs it.
(you can also say, “I promised to help her whenever she needs it.”)
 make a fuss (= demonstrate annoyance)
Stop making a fuss – he’s only late a couple minutes. I’m sure he’ll be here soon.
 make an observation
I’d like to make an observation about our business plan – it’s not set in stone, so
we can be flexible.
 make a comment
The teacher made a few critical comments on my essay.
EXCEPTION: Don’t say “make a question.” The correct phrase is “ask a question.”

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 PLANS & PROGRESS
 make plans
We’re making plans to travel to Australia next year.
 make a decision/choice
I’ve made my decision – I’m going to go to New York University, not Boston
University.
 make a mistake
You made a few mistakes in your calculations – the correct total is $5430, not
$4530.
 make progress
My students are making good progress. Their spoken English is improving a lot.
 make an attempt / effort (= try)
I’m making an effort to stop smoking this year.
 make up your mind (= decide)
Should I buy a desktop or a laptop computer? I can’t make up my mind.
 make a discovery
Scientists have made an important discovery in the area of genetics.
 make a list
I’m making a list of everything we need for the wedding: invitations, decorations, a
cake, a band, the dress…
 make sure (= confirm)
Can you make sure we have enough copies of the report for everybody at the
meeting?
 make a difference
Getting eight hours of sleep makes a big difference in my day. I have more energy!
 make an exception
Normally the teacher doesn’t accept late homework, but she made an exception for
me because my backpack was stolen with my homework inside it.

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