Saturday, December 31, 2011
New Beginnings
"Let's let bygones be bygones." ~ This means we have had problems in the past, but we should forget them. We can continue our old relationship and express good will towards each other again.
"Let's put the past behind us." ~ This has the same meaning. We can't change past actions, but we shouldn't be burdened by those mistakes. Instead, let's focus on the future and try to do better.
"It's water under the bridge." ~ This means you made a mistake with me. Perhaps, you said or did something wrong, but I'm willing to forget about it and continue our old relationship.
"Let's make a fresh start." ~ This means all of our former history is forgotten. We should forget all of the actions that passed between us. We should meet each other as new people, get to know each other again, and maybe grow from the experience.
Friday, December 30, 2011
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
Grammar Point #1: Still
In this case, still means he has been looking for something for a long time. By now, he would have expected to find it, but, alas, he hasn't.
Example: #1) I have been looking for a job for a year, but I still haven't found one.
#2) I looked all over the house for my glasses, but I still haven't found them.
Grammar Point #2: haven't found (Present Perfect)
The present perfect tense is used for actions that have/haven't been achieved. Within the song, finding what he's looking for has yet to happen. However, he hasn't given up looking.
Example: #1) Aha! I have found what I'm looking for.
#2) I have seen this movie.
#3) I have been to hell and back.
Grammar Point #3: What (Relative Clause)
In short, a relative clause is used to describe something according an action acted upon it. Confused? Me, too. In the U2 song, Bono is looking for something and means to indicate that he hasn't found it. Since we don't know what the thing is (e.g. his insulin shots), we can only refer to it by the action.
Example: #1) I heard what you said about me.
#2) I like what you wrote in the letter.
#3) I don't care what you think about me.
#4) Don't look at what I left in the toilet.
Grammar Point #4: Looking for (Present progressive / phrasal verbs)
In this song, the singer is presently looking for something. And when he finds it, we can assume he'll stop. At that point, he will say, "I found what I have been looking for." There are more phrasal verbs we more commonly hear in the present progressive tense.
Example: #1) What you are looking for? I'm looking for my pet squirrel.
#2) What are you thinking about? I'm thinking about my missing squirrel.
#3) What are you talking about? We're talking about husbandry.
#4) What are you waiting for? I'm waiting for spring, so I can go swimming again.
#5) What exactly are you asking for? I'm asking for money to pay off the mafia.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Doubt
Self-doubt is when a person doesn't wholly believe in the correctness of their decisions and actions. Example: Since his divorce, David has been afraid to make any decisions. He is filled with self-doubt and over-analyzes everything. It's difficult to talk to him and I'm convinced he will die a lonely old man. I hope his ex-wife is happy with her new husband because it turned David into a self-doubting, unapproachable and unpleasant person, who can never love again.
"I doubt it" is a response to an assertion or question you don't believe is likely. Example: #1) "I heard that David stopped drinking." "I doubt it." #2) "Do you think true love is possible within or lifetime?" "I doubt it."
Doubtful is used to describe a situation that doesn't look hopeful. Example: #1) My kids want to go to Dizneyland this summer, but it's doubtful that I can afford it. #2) My kids want to go to university, but it's doubtful that they can get good enough grades. #3) My daughter wants to marry someday, but it's doubtful any man would be interested in her.
Dubious is used to describe a situation that may be different than it appears on the surface. It is a term to express suspicion. Example: #1) The carpenter told me he was an expert, but the quality of his work is dubious. #2) The man told me he didn't know the killer, but his claims are dubious.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Advanced Vocabulary: Recede and Flourish
Examples:
#1) The enemy army has lost many troops and they are receding.
#2) He's getting older and his hairline is receding.
#3) The treatment seems to be working because the cancer is receding.
Flourish is a synonym of "to thrive" or "to prosper." It's used when something is responding well and growing within its environment.
Examples:
#1) The vegetables in the garden are flourishing this year.
#2) The child is flourishing within his new classes. He has made many friends and is getting good grades.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Like/alike
Looks (like) fun can be used for enjoyable activities. Example: #1) Riding that donkey looks like fun. I want to try. #2) The swings look like fun. It's my turn.
Look alike is used when two things are physically similar. Example: #1) My brother and I look alike. #2) That woman and her dog look alike. #3) Tangerines and mandarin oranges look alike.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Off Idioms
Off the mark means incorrect or inaccurate. Example: #1) We projected the quarterly profits, but the real results were completely different. We were totally off the mark. #2) The quarterback threw a pass, but it was way off the mark.
Off the charts means there is an unprecedented result, for better or worse. Example: #1) The bands record sales were amazing. They were off the charts. #2) The student athlete is physically incredible. His on-field performance is off the charts.
Off the cuff means unplanned, and usually refers to remarks that were better unsaid. Example: His statement was offensive, but it was clearly off the cuff. If he apologizes, we should forgive him.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Characteristics
Pushy people force questions or opinions on you relentlessly. Example: He's so pushy. He won't stop talking about his point of view until everyone agrees with him.
Evasive people hide information to protect themselves or others. Example: My boyfriend gets evasive when I ask him about his past girlfriends.
Overbearing people will often give you orders because of their own sense of superiority. Example: My older brother is overbearing, always giving me orders even though we're both adults.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Animals as Verbs
to weasel out of something - This expression means avoiding a situation that requires unwanted effort from you, possibly by deceptive means. Example: He weaseled out of doing any work by pretending he had other things to do.
to badger someone - This means aggressively annoying someone. It's often used in the courtroom. Example: #1) The lawyer badgered the witness. #2) Stop badgering me! I'm working as quickly as I can.
to chicken out - This means to run away from a situation or act out of fear. Example: #1) He was going to ask the girl for a date, but he chickened out. #2) We dared him to dive off the cliff, but he chickened out.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Very Much, Very Many
It can also be used to express the intensity of an adverb. Example: #1) I did very badly on the exam. #2) He did very well during the interview. #3) She swam very quickly during the race.
Many is used to express a large amount for countable nouns. Example: #1) I have many books in my library. #2) There are many suicides on the bridge every year.
Much is used to express a large amount for uncountable nouns, but it is usually done in the negative. Example: #1) We don't have much money in the bank. #2) There isn't much wine left in the bottle.
Very can be used in combination with many and much. It is usually done for negative statements. Example: #1) He doesn't have very many friends. #2) There aren't very many job opportunities for a man my age. #3) She doesn't talk to her children very much. #4) He doesn't eat very much.
Once exception would include: He loves her very much.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
"Of" Metaphors
If someone is made of money, they simply have a lot of money. However, you will usually use it to express the opposite because someone is asking you for too much money. Example: I bought you a new bike last week and now you want a new Playstation. Do you think I'm made of money? (Alternates: I'm not made of money. What, am I made of money?)
If someone has the voice of an angel, they are a very good singer. Example: My son was in a boys' choir. He had the voice of an angel until he became a teenager.
If someone has nerves of steel, they are courageous and can endure difficult situations easily. Example: He got lost in the forest for days, but he never panicked and got out of the forest safely. He must have nerves of steel.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Running
Things that run: a car (engine), a river, a nose.
Examples: #1) The car was running fine yesterday. I don't know why it isn't running today.
#2) The engine doesn't run well in cold weather.
#3) A river runs through the middle of the city.
#4) The river was running rapidly after the storm.
#5) My nose is running because of my allergies.
Runny (adj.) can be used only for noses.
Example: My nose is runny. Maybe I'm getting sick.
To run away can be literal and metaphorical. It can also be used to discuss leaving your home against your parents wishes.
Examples: #1) I ran away from the attacking tiger.
#2) He always runs away from his responsibilities.
#3) She ran away when she was 13, and the family hasn't seen her since.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Expressions for Close
Examples: #1) She is my closest friend. I can tell her anything.
#2) We have been friends for a few years, but we aren't really close.
#3) He and I are close friends, and we know we can depend on one another.
You may also use close to describe your relationship with your family members. In this case, it refers to how often you speak to them and your emotional intimacy with them.
Example: #1) Are you close with your family?
#2) I'm close to my mother, but I'm not very close to my brothers.
A close call is a situation where you narrowly avoid danger.
Example: #1) The bus stopped within inches of hitting me. That was a close call.
#2) I was on a date with my girlfriend and I saw my wife walk past the restaurant window. Luckily, she didn't see me. That was a close call.
#3) I was an hour late to work, but my boss was late, too. That was a close call.
A similar expression is too close to call, which means the result of a competition is so close that we don't yet know the final outcome.
Example: #1) We had to check the photo because the horse race was too close to call.
#2) We checked 90% of the votes, but the result of the election is still too close to call.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Sebject-Related Vocabulary: Environment, Weather, Library, Bank
This is collection of sentences that make use of subject-related vocabulary. The vocabulary is advanced, but also practical, so you may use them without hesitation.
Environment
I turn off the lights when I’m not using them to conserve energy.
It’s important to use energy efficient lights/cars/appliances.
When I recycle, I have to sort the trash into plastic, paper and glass.
In order to reduce waste, I take reusable cups to the café, instead of using disposable ones.
Weather
Korea has a moderate climate during spring and fall, which means it’s never too hot or cold.
During the monsoon season, I get really depressed and prefer to stay indoors.
Korea has four distinct seasons, so we get every type of weather during the year.
Libraries
When I go to the library, I need to fill in an application to get a library card.
I take the library books to the front desk and the librarian checks them out for me.
She scans my library card and gives me a receipt with a due date.
I search the computer catalog for the book I want and find the book on the shelves.
Banks
Most people go to the bank to deposit or withdraw money.
If someone needs extra money they go there to apply for a loan.
When you go to the bank, you need to take a number and wait for the bank teller.
Monday, January 24, 2011
A Story About Fire
but I forgot to blow out the candle. (to blow out a candle/flame)
The candle tipped over and started a fire. (to start a fire)
The flames spread very quickly. (flames/fire spread)
Luckily, I put out the fire before it burned down my house. (to put out a fire)
Since then, I have kept a fire extinguisher in my house.
Fire prevention has become a priority for me.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Swearing and Slang
Example: f*ck, sh*t, son of a b*tch, and so on.
When using these words, many English learners incorrectly refer to it as slang. It is not slang. Slang is an informal idiom. For example, if I say "No sweat", it means "No problem. I can do it." And a "couch potato" is someone who watches a lot of TV.
If you use one of the aggressive or offensive words above it is called swearing or cursing. Swearing is the most common term, so it's best to use that. You may also use the adjective and say, swear words, curse words, or even bad words and dirty words.
Examples: #1) He swore at his boss and he got fired. #2) I said a swear word to my mother and she hit me. #3) My little sister said a bad word, and she got in trouble.
There are also a few ways to refer to someone who swears a lot. Examples:
#1) He has a foul mouth. He is foul-mouthed.
#2) My girlfriend has a dirty mouth.
#3) The little boy had a potty mouth.
#4) My roommate has a filthy mouth.
#5) My mother swears like a sailor.