Wednesday, October 27, 2010

House and Home

Play ground: A space for kids to play outside

Courtyard: A lawn with fountains and benches outside a building where people can sit

trash chute: A system for trash disposal

deadbolt lock: A kind of lock that is fastened from inside and does not have a key

fence: a wooden or metal railing that separates a house from the street

drive way: the path leading to garage

Screen door: a perepheral door in a house, usually to close the garage

shutters: wooden panels installed in front of the window to prevent wind

Storm door: a mesh door attached to the frnt door to prevent wind and dust

hedge: a structure made of plants that separates the house from the street

the pool was drained so that it doesnt capsize

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Food and eating habits

  • I dont care for broccoli. (I dont like it)
  • Coffee doesnt agree with me. (It makes me feel sick)
  • I am avoiding sugar.
  • I am crazy about seafood
  • I cant stand seafood
  • I am a big meat eater
  • I am a chocolate addict
  • I am a pizza lover
  • I am not crazy about meat
  • I dont care for bananas
  • I am not much of a pizza eater

  • Help yourself. (Dont be formal. Take what you like)
  • I'll pass on the chicken. (declining an offer)

  • Care for: Liking someone or something
  • Care for: Look after
  • Care about: being concerned about something or someone

Monday, September 6, 2010

beauty salon

I have a 1o’clock appointment for a haircut with suzy

I dont have an appointment but my hair is a mess. Is there any possibility for this afternoon?

Is Dora available for a cut some time this afternoon?

-       - I have a 7pm appointmnent for a ahaircut. But I need a mani too.  Would it be possible?
-       - If you come a bit earlier  we could do that
-      -  How much earlier?
-       - 6 pm.

How long will I have to wait?

Would it be possible that I have a haircut this afternoon?

Bad driving habits

·      Speeding
·      Tailgating
·      Honking your horn unnecessarily
·      Cutting off other drivers (suddenly changing lane and cutting off the driver on the other lane)
·      Not signaling
·      Weaving through traffic (continuously changing lanes and weaving through lanes)



WWe can climb to the top of the mountain today.

-       -we had an accident.
-      - I’m sorry. Was  anyone hurt?
-       -No we are ok.
-       -Was there much damage to the car?
-       -Yes, we need to change the headlights 

Monday, July 12, 2010

Cars

-Start the car

- start the engine

- turn on the radio

- turn on the lights

- turn on my computer

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Dates: Format

North America: Month/day/year

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Adjectives for describing movies

Romantic
Unforgettable
Funny/hilarious
Weird
Boring
Silly/ridiculous
Violent
Scary/frightening

Genre:
documentary
horror
comedy
musical

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Adjectives to describe people

Daredevil: a person who limes to do dangerous things (Dare: challenge to do st dangerous)
Go getter:   a person who really wants to succeed
Fence sitter:  a person who prefers to sit and wait rather than try new things

Appointments

Being late:
I am stuck in traffic
I got stuck in traffic
I am runni g late
I am working late

I missed the bus
I coulndt get a taxi
I couldnt find a paring spaces


-I'm sorry that I'm late. Have you been here long?
-

Thursday, June 17, 2010

idioms

Get off on the wrong foot: make a bad start
He  got off on the wrong foot when he asked for a high salary in the interview.


What’s up with that?= can you explain that?

I may take you up on your offer to visit: We may accept your invitation.

Scratch that from the record: Forget what I said

Hit the nail on the head.


This is not gonna cut it: This is not a good enough efort

Thursday, June 10, 2010

tipping

round off the fare.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

purchasing stuff

- This is a lot more than what I want to pay.

- I think you got a pretty good price.

- i bought this bag for 20$.
- It looks much more expensive than that.

- I bargained for a lower price.

- did you bargain?

travel: transportation and hotel

- How long do you have to wait for the next flight?
- What countries were you traveling in?
- What time do you arrive? (Formal)
- What time do you get in? (Informal)
- What time are you arriving in Dubai?
- The flight arrives in Chicago at 9am.
- What time are you arriving?
- I got bumped from my flight becasue it was overbooked.

- Are you going to reserve rooms for everyone?

Direct flight: A flight that has stops before the final desination

US:

  • One way
  • Round trip
UK
  • single
  • return

-Is it your first time in Japan?
-Well, I have been to Tokyp before, but this is my first time to Osaka.
-(I have been here once)


- Hi. I am checking in. The name is gholi. (My name is gholi) (The reservation is under the name gholi)
- a single room for three nights?
-That's right (native speaker use this instead of "yes").




- Hi. I want to mke a reservation for Dec 1.
- Will you be needing a single or a double?
- As single.


- I need a reservation for a double on the tenth.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

negative adjectives

pretty bad
terrible
awful

declining help / invitation

Help:
That's ok. I'm fine.

Invitation:
-What would you rather see? A comedy or drama?
-Actually, I'd rather not go out tonight.

I think I'll pass = I dont want to go

Friday, May 14, 2010

adjectives to describe clothes

tight
loose
light
heavy
conservative
modest
liberal
wild
caual
formal
informal
comfortable
practical
long
short

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Shopping

- What departments are having sales this week?

-Where do you usually shop?
- I usually shop at the Bay
-I usually shop online at www.

- How much is that sweater?
-55$
-Do you have it in medium? (DO you have it in a smaller size?)(Do u have it in size 36?)(Do u have it in black?)
-Here you go.
-Thanks. Would you be nice (kind) enough to gift wrap it for me? (Could you ift wrap them for me please?)


-look at that shirt with birds pictures on it. Dont you like it?
- Well, that is a little too wild for my taste.

- Do you think you could giftwrap this shirt for me?


- Where would I find toothpaste?

Sports and activities

-play tennis
-play basketball
-play golf
- play soccer

-go bike riding
-go swimming
-go walking
-go running

- do aerobics

Monday, May 10, 2010

Daily routine

Sleep:
- How much sleep do you need?
- How many hours of sleep do you get?
- How much sleep is enough for you?

Exercise:
- I spend 30 minutes at the tracks every morning.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

interesting verbs & phrases

pig out on...: eat a lot of junk food (pig out on pizza)

It is my treat / It is on me.

Frequency adverbs

Always
almost always
usually/often
sometimes
hardly ever
never

agreeing on time, place, or activity

Great!
Perfecet.
See you then.
I'd love to go.
Sure.
Sounds good.
Sounds great.
That would be great.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

At the restaurant

-Are you ready to order? Or do you need some more time?
-I'm ready. I'll start with Salad and then I'll have the chicken pizza. What does that come with?
-soup or a salad.
-what kind of soup is there?
-noodle soup.
-I think I'll have the salad

I'm in t mood for seafood.

-what would you like?
-I'd like the seafood salad. What deos that come with?


- What do you feel like eating tonight?
- what do you want for your main course?
-waht would you like for an appetizer?
-how about a dessert? What are you in th emood for?

- excuse me. We are ready to order.

- We'll take the check (bill), please.


-What are you in the mood for?
-something fast. I dont have much time.

ways of cooking

fried: cooked in hot oil
grilled: cooked on a hot surface
roasted: cooked in a hot dry oven

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

describing a problem

use "won't" to describe a problem when something is not working.

The computer wont turn on.
The toilet wont flush.


- Front desk
- This is Ms X in room xxx. I have a problem with the toilet. It wont flush.

The elevator is stuck

My cellphone isnt working.

The air conditioning is turned off and it wont turn on.

Monday, April 19, 2010

negative descriptions

pretty bad
terrible
awful

a piece of junk

positive adjectives

pretty good
great
terrific
awesome
amazing
incredible

dysfunctional machinery

It is a lemon: used to refer to a piece of machinery or a car that does not work properly. It is a good brand r it is new but it breaks down all the time

It is a piece of junk: not workig properly. It is old or very inexpensive.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

like

I like music. (I enjoy music)
I am like my sister. (I am simmilar to her is some way)

I feel like watching a movie. (I want to watch a movie)

She looks like me.


How else are you alike?

How are you different?

Thursday, April 15, 2010

the

use with proper names of

  • theatre
  • gallery
  • museum
dont use with proper names of 
  • park
  • shop
  • store

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

introducing people

- Mike, I'd like you to meet Karen.

-Mike, let me introduce you to Karen.

- Nice to meet you.
- you look fami;iar, I think we have met before.
- really? when?
- last year at the conference.

interpreter/translator

interpreter: changes spoken words from one language into another
translator: changes speech or writing into a different language.

hometown

The town or city where a person was born and lived or a city where the person lives now.

What is your hometown?

Monday, April 12, 2010

say/spell

-How do you say your name?
-How do you spell our name?

Friday, April 9, 2010

Work

- What's your typical week like?
- I work weekdays. I work late every night.
I do the chores on Saturday.

- I work Monday through Friday.

places and propositions

I went to school AT UBC.
I went to UBC.

I want to exercise IN the park.

I grew up IN toronto.
I went to school IN Vancouver.

ON weekdays, I wake up AT 8am.
On the weekend, I sleep late.
ON weekends, I sleep late.

I leave NEAR my school. (not a proposition)

What floor is our classroom on?

Who is sitting in the front of the classroom?

Who is sittin gin the back of the classroom?

Thursday, April 8, 2010

leisure activities, vacation, weekend

travel
painting a picture
going camping
going fishing
relaxing
going running
going to the beach
hanging out with friends
sleeping late
doing nothing

-What are your plans for vacation?
- I'm going to ....

-What are you doing this weekednd?
-If it deosnt rain, I will go waliking.

- How about a movie?
- No way. I am too tired.

- Let's go running in the park.
-Let's not. Let's just relax.

What do you like to do in your free time?

- Do u want to see a horror movie?
- Well, that's not for me. I'm not really a horror movie fan.
- What about a thriller?
- Now that's more my style.


I am in the mood for a ballet performance (movie, play, concert, talk, art exhibit)

I am really into dance.


We will go sightseeing
We will do some sightseeing

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Good & bad news

-I have some great news.
-- Congratualtions
--I'm so happy for you
--I'm so happy to hear that
--best wishes

- I have soem bad news
-- I'm sorry
-- Oh no. I'm sorry
-- I'm so sorry to hear that
-- That's too bad. I'm sorry

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

requesting help

- Could you.... please?
- Would you.... please?
- Can you.... please?
- Will you.... please?

- Could you do me a favor?
- Could you please hand me my book?
- CAn I please sit next to you?

- Could you plese turn off the tv? it is too noisy.

rejecting an invitation

- I am too busy.
- I have other plans
- It is too late
- I dont feel well

Monday, April 5, 2010

too vs. very

Too has a negative meaning
This shirt is to expensive. I cant buy it.

This painting is very beautiful.

-Lets go to the movies.
-Sorry, I am too busy.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

injuries

- He burned his hand
- He hurt his back
- he cut his finger
- He fell down

- ...., what happened?
- Oh, this? It is nothing. I burned my arm.
- Are u ok?
- yeah. I'm fine now

- How are you?
- Not so good. I hurt my shoulder yesterday.
-That's too bad
-thanks.

-what's wrong?
- I have a backache. I feel terrible.
-I'm sorry. I hope you feel better.
(-poor thing)
-go lie down on a couch


- I feel awful.
-What's wrong?
- I have an earache.
-you should take something. or you shuld go to the doctor
-good idea
--I hope u feel better soon

Saturday, April 3, 2010

looks and appearance

-What does she look like?

- what color are your eyes?

phone and address

What is your phone number?
What is your address?

- X Theatre. How can I help you?
- I am calling about today's play.
(- I am calling for information about today's play)

-- X Theatre. Can I help you?
--Yes please. I am calling about....

family

formal: I dont have any brothers and sisters
informal:  I have no brothers and sisters

formal: I dont have any children
informal: I have no children

small talk

- What are you up to? (in different tenses)
used to ask what the person is doing.

- Sure (informal way to say yes)


-What did you think of the movie?
-Not much. It was too weird.


- how mcuh do I owe you?
-Nothing. It is my treat.
-Ok. But next coffee is on me.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

food/restaurant

-I ordered vegie pizza.
- Sounds great. I think I'd like the same thing.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

How many/much

How many days are in a week?

Are there any bananas on the shelf? (countable noun)
Is there any sugar in the cupboard? (uncountable noun)

How many people are in the photo?

Monday, March 29, 2010

small talk

- What are you doing this weekend?
-- I'm not sure
-- I'm not doing anything special.
--Nothing much.
- Do you want to get together on Saturday?
-Do you wanna go to a movie?
- Yes. If the weather is good.
- When do you want to meet?

on the phone

- should I call you back later?
- yes thanks.


-I'd like to speak to John Smith. She is a guest (this a a hotel phone call)
or: May I speak with
or: Can I speak with
or: Can I speak to


- Can I speak with ghazi please?
- You bet (one moment please (formal)). Who shall I say is calling?
- freddo
- I'm sorry. She tepped out. Can I take a message? Or woudl you like to call back later?
- yes......I'd like her to call me back
- I'll see that se gets your message. (you got it (inf))

present participle: Spelling

  • Consonant + e
    • drop e and add ing (take....taking)
  • one vowel + one consonant
    • double the consonant and add ing (sit....sitting)
  • two vowels + one consonant
    • add ing (rain....raining)
  • two consonants
    • add ing (fetch...fetching)
  • Exceptions:
    • do not double 
      • w,y,x

Saturday, March 27, 2010

chores & vacation

- Who does the chores in your family?
- We all do.

- I go on vacation twice a year.

- What is your typical week like?

- What do you do on the weekend?
- Do you go to the movies on a weekday?

- How do you go to school?
- By bus.
- I take a bus.


- Do you go on vacation every year?
- Where do you like to go on vacation?
- What was your favorite vacation?


- during the day I walked the streets and visited tourist sites.

-How was your weekend?
-It was busy.

- How was your vacation?
-Relaxing.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Monday, March 22, 2010

places and propositions

IN or AT
  • the mall
  • the central park
  • the bus station 
ON: used with the names of  streets and specific physical locations
  • ....street
  • the left
  • the corner (could also be at the corner) 
  • floor 
  • Fisherman's Wharf is located ON the SF Bay
  • Ghirardelli Chocolate is right ON Ghirardelli Square
  • on the beach (we ate dinner on the beach)
AT: Used for buildings and addresses
  • 25 Bay St.
  • school
  • work 
  • home (I work at home. I work at the hospital) 
  • the thatre
  • the film festival
IN: used with the names of  the citities, countries, continents, and other large locations
  • apartment (she lives in an apartemnt)
  • office (I work in an office) 
  • I am in school today.
  • mexico
  • the park
  • the neighborhood
  • in Oska
  • classroom

Were you home last night?
Were you at the party last night?

    Sunday, March 21, 2010

    day & time

    What time does the class start?
    The class starts at ....

    You are early.
    You are late.
    You are on time.

    Dont be late.

    What time is the concert?
    What time is the movie?
    It is at 8:30.

    What date is the basketball game?
    It is on May 2.


    There is a speech at noon.
    Lets meet at 2pm.

    AT is used for TIME.
    - Saturday AT 6pm
    - 6pm ON Saturday

    p T38

    What day is the speech?
    It is ON Monday.

    Informal: January 15th (ordinal number)
    Formal:  January 15 (cardinal number) (represents quanitity)

    What day is today?
    What day was yesterday?
    What year is it now?
    What year was it two years ago?


    IN: used with period of time
    • the afternoon
    • the morning
    • the evening
    • January
    • 1950s
    ON: use with names of the days and dates
    • Monday
    • the weekend
    • a weekday
    • March 12th 
    AT: used with specific momemt in timr
    • 4 pm
    • noon
    • midnight
    • night 
    • sunrise
    • sunset

    function and content words

    Content words: provide important information or message in a sentence. Can be nouns, verbs, or adjective. They can be stressed

    Function words: pronouns, propositions, or articles. Are not usually stressed.

    (page 36)

    Monday, March 15, 2010

    Direction

    * point of departure
    ** destination

    - Across the street
    -----------**-----------------
    ------------*------------------

    -Around the corner
    -- Turn left at the corner
    -- Turn left
    -- (go three blocks and turn left)

    -----**-----
                    |
                    |
                    |
                    *
                    |

    - Down the street
    -- go straight
    -- (go three blocks)

                   **
                    |    |
                    |    |
                    |    |
                    *   |
                    |    |

    - On the left
                  **

                    |    |
                    |    |

                    |    |

                    *   |

                    |    |

    - On the right
                         **
                    |    |
                    |    |

                    |    |

                    *   |

                    |    |

    - Next to

    -------**---*-----


    -Asking for direction:
    -- Where is ....?
    -- How do I get to....?
    -- Is there a train to....?
    -- Is there a ... near here?

    -on the corner of X and Y

    ------**
             |
             |
             |


    -- It is ....

    -Do you live nearby?


    -Where is the Blah theatre?
    -It is right around the corner.
    - it is on Y street.

    I am not from around here.

    Where are you from?

    I am from the U.S.

    - In possessive sentences with more than one proper noun, the last proper noun gets the "'s".
    -- Sarah and Hanna's car

    -is he from around here?

    - I am here for a job interview.

    Friday, March 12, 2010

    phone and address

    What is your phone number?
    What is your address?

    Wednesday, March 10, 2010

    Greetings

    In most occasions say "Hi" and address the person with first name.

    - Nice to meet you, X.
    -Nice to meet you, too.

    -It is noce to meet you
    - you too.

    -Nice to meet you
    -Glad to meet you
    -It is a pleasure  to meet you
    -------------------

    - I am Philip. Please call me Phil

    -------------------
    -How are you?
    -How's everyhitn?
    -How's it going?
    -How are things going?
    -How are you?
    -How are things?
    -What are you up to?
    -What have you been up to?
    -What are you up to tomorrow?
    - fine.
    - I'm fine.
    - Not bad
    - Great.
    -So-so
    --------------------
    Note: In the US, "How are you" is used as "Hi". In response just say "I'm fine".  If the person asked more question provide longer answers.

    ----
    Good evening is a greeting and means "Hello". "Good night" means bye.

    ----
    -See you tomorrow.
    - Ok. See you.

    ----
    - I havent seen you in a long time
    - long time no see

    - no wonder (it is understandable, I'm not surprized, so that's why)

    ----
    -What's up Jody?
    -Not much. Just reading the paper.

    ---
    How is it going?
    Pretty good, thanks.

    ------
    -bye.
    -goodbye.
    -take care.
    take it easy.
    -see u later