School related vocab (Intermediate)

It's close to the beginning of a new school year again! So I'm going to teach you some words about school:

If someone is a know-it-all, they know everything! For example, Hermione Granger in Harry Potter would be called a know-it-all at school. And usually a know-it-all will show off (exhibit they know something really well) about their knowledge!

A Mock exam is a practice exam, so it's not the really exam. You usually get a past paper (an exam paper from the last year or before) when you sit (do) a mock exam. Curing exam times, it is always nice if someone comes through for you, which means they support you through the difficulties.

Remember to proofread (read again) your essay when you finish, and make sure you have put across (express) your idea clearly.

To know something backwards to forwards means you have learned something really well.

To have learned something off by heart means you have memorised it.

Robbie Elden

Found this websites with loads of idiom tests: http://a4esl.org/q/h/idioms.html

Can, Be able to (Intermediate)

The difference between Can and Be able to?
Can and Be able to both express an ability or possibility

Can (past tense: could) is only used in the present tense or the past tense; Be able to can be used for all tenses. This is because "can" and "could" are modal auxiliary verbs; therefore they can only be used in the present or past tense.

Note that could does not represent the past, it can show a general ability to do something: He could swim (It means he can swim now, not in the past!)
"Could" is used in a similar way to "may" to show courtesy: Could I have a cup of coffee? Sure, you can!
"Could" can also be used to show uncertainty: He couldn't do that bad in the exam.

"Be able to" can be used in the past tense "was/were able to" to show successfully accomplished something: He was able to phone him in the end = He managed to phone him in the end.

Can/Could have no infinitive form, so you can use "to be able to" instead.

In the negative, wasn't/weren't or couldn't are both correct.

Robbie Elden

If only, only if (Advanced)

What is the difference between if only and only if?

If only is used to used to express a wish with reference to present or future time. Examples: If only I were clever (Notice the subjunctive "were" used here). If only there would be more comments on this blog( Meaning it would be nice to have more comments from readers!)

If only can also be used to express a wish that past events had been different. Examples: If only I had been at the doctor's earlier. If only he had studied harder, he wouldn't have to drop out of school (an expression meaning he left school).

Only if, when used at the beginning of a sentence, making the verb in the following clause precede its subject. Examples: Only if his mother has given permission is Tom allowed to go the town centre. Only if she can listen to the radio beforehand, does her do homework.

However, most people wouldn't put "only if" in the beginning of a sentence whilst speaking, as it can be a bit awkward. The plain way of using "only if" would be: She does her homework only if she can listen to the radio beforehand, or, she only does her homework if she can listen to the radio beforehand (separating "only" and "if" but retaining the meaning)

Robbie Elden

Feel free to e-mail me with your questions! robintheelf@hotmail.com

Suffix - cur, cour (Advanced)

In my opinion, it is easier to learn vocabs together in a group. In English, you can do this by group words based on their suffix, prefix or meaning. The suffix cur/cour mean run or happening, it comes from the Latin word for run: cur. English word derived from it includes:

Current(n.)-movement of (sth) in a particular direction
Concur(v.)-to agree with someone or have the same opinion as someone else
Concurrent(n.)-happening or existing at the same time
Incur(v.)-to experience (sth) as a result of your actions; to pay for (sth)
Incursion(n.)-a sudden attack on or entry into a place
Recur(v.)-to happen many times or to happen again
Recurrent(adj.)-reoccurring
Cursory(adj.)-quick and probably not detailed
Intercourse(n.)-conversation and social activity between people
Recourse(n.)-using something or someone as a way of obtaining help

Robbie Elden

Song- Master of the House (Advanced)

I love musicals! And I would to share some of my favourite musicals with you, they are usually funny. Some of the English is quite colloquial (informal), and can be out-dated, therefore hard to understand. This clip is from the famous musical "Les Miserable"(The poor ones) adopted from Victor Hugo's book on the period of the French Revolution. The song here is about the "master of the house" who is not very genuine to his customers.


THENARDIER
Welcome, M'sieur (short for Monsieur; Sir)
Sit yourself down
And meet the best
Innkeeper in town
As for the rest,
All of 'em (them) crooks
(A person who earns by dishonest methods)
Rooking(cheat money from) their guests
And cooking the books (Idiom: to falsify
financial records, here in order to steal money).
Seldom(rarely) do you see
Honest men like me
A gent (gentlemen) of good intent
Who's content to be

Master of the house
Doling out (giving out) the charm
Ready with a handshake
And an open palm
Tells a saucy(rude but funny) tale
Makes a little stir(creates excitement)
Customers appreciate a bon-viveur
(French:good living, especially good food)
Glad to do a friend a favour
Doesn't cost me to be nice
But nothing gets you nothing
Everything has got a little price!

Master of the house
Keeper of the zoo
Ready to relieve(help) 'em
Of a sou(money) or two
Watering the wine
Making up(reducing) the weight
Pickin' up their knick-knacks
(a small decorative object)
When they can't see straight(clear)
Everybody loves a landlord
Everybody's bosom(close) friend
I do whatever pleases
Jesus! Won't I bleed(take lots of money from)
'em in the end!

THENARDIER & CHORUS
Master of the house
Quick to catch yer(your) eye
Never wants a passerby
To pass him by
Servant to the poor
Butler(head servant) to the great
Comforter, philosopher,
And lifelong mate!
Everybody's boon(close) companion
Everybody's chaperone
(someone who takes care of people)

Additional Information
I like this song because it is really humorous! If you want all of the lyrics, click here: you will have to pull down the page a bit.

Robbie Elden