Question words #how

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Today´s topic is the world question "how" :) :) 

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You can use "how" either to describe the method of doing something or talk about quantity, age, distance etc. 

Let´s see some examples?

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How much - refers to the amount of things or a price (uncountable nouns)

How much time do you have to finish the test?

How many - refers to the number of people, things (countable nouns)

How many people live in this city?

How often - refers to how many times something happens in a particular period of time

How often do you visit your grandmother?

How far - refers to how great a distance is

How far is the bus stop from here?

How old - refers to the age of someone or something

How old are you?

How fast - refers to the ability to move quickly

How fast is your internet connection?

How well - refers to a good, proper, or positive way

How well do you know The Beatles?

Do you want to practice it? Click here :) 


sources:
Macmillan Dictionary
Merriam- Webster
WoodWard English

Prepositions #2

As I said and posted here (on May, 27th), prepositions are not something easy to study (at least for me, hehe). Thus, I do like whenever I come across something that improves my knowledge in that area. 

Let's go to review them!! :)

Let's face this challenge?

gear, giraffe, onion, oak, gang, rat, got, tan, afire, again, ago, fork, age, aka, at, ate, fit, fat, fair, freak, goat, king, go, gone, no, not, fog, going, ear, font, fear, tine, are, affair, far, fake tin, fin, ton, frog, freak, tear, fine, air, ant, net, garage. 

Cell phone etiquette!!

When we study a second language, it´s also important to keep in mind that you may come across distinct behaviors. 

After all, we all have several ways to face and treat similar situations. 

A good example? 

Did you know that there are various cell phone etiquettes around the world? Let´s see which are the good manners when it comes to speaking on the phone in different places. 

Click on the picture to make it bigger (and know the source) :)

Other ways to say ...

Who has been here before knows that I always try to improve my conversation skills by using different ways to say the same thing. Although it´s not easy. I tend to use those words and sentences that I´m used to saying. Thus, practicing is fundamental. ;)

Here it comes one more chart to inspire you to use other ways to say ... 

source: Sharing Materials

Indirect questions

We've learned that when we want to make a question in English, we do that by changing the word order or by using the auxiliary "do", right? They are sentences such as: Are you happy? / Is he from Russia?/ Why did you move to Brazil?/ How much does this car cost?

However, one day, I came across an intriguing situation: I wanted to ask something by using the introductory phrase "do you know...". I had no idea how I should say the next question, though. I mean if I was supposed to use either any auxiliary verb or change the word order.

Surprisingly, I've discovered that it´s neither one thing nor the other :) :). 

Actually, it works as in an affirmative sentence. 

Better than keeping talking about this is to check the infographic bellow.

click on the image to make it bigger ;)

If you want to go any further, try these websites.

There are more explanations and exercises. 

http://www.e-grammar.org/indirect-question/

http://www.espressoenglish.net/direct-and-indirect-questions-in-english/

http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.inqu.p.htm

http://a4esl.org/q/h/vm/indirectques.html

Twitterversary

I just got this message from Twitter:

Happy Twitterversary! You just turned 6. Let everyone know that it's your Twitterversary.   Tweet!

Email settings  |  Opt-out  |  Help Twitter, Inc. 1355 Market Street, Suite 900 San Francisco, CA 94103

I'm glad to know that, for the last 6 years, I´ve been using Twitter as an important tool to get news and, especially, learning English. On Twitter I follow CNN, Time Magazine, Discover America, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and many others (as such: actors, comedians, singers, artists, journalists). The good thing is: it enables me to read short 140-character text messages in English. This is absolutely fantastic. Without realizing, I practice my reading skills, every single day. :) 

Give it a try. It really works!! ;) 

Do you like decoration?

I have already talked about Pottery Barn here on my blog. Besides the website, they also have a pleasant youtube channel, where you can practice your listening skills :). They've been posting videos on decoration, this week. If you enjoy this subject, I´m sure you go in for it. :) 

Also, speaking of house things, I came across this curious article. 

Could you live in a tiny house like this?

This is a real  house-on-wheels. 

"The house is equipped with electricity, and has a small RV-style hot water heater for the sink and shower. It is heated by a mini gas fireplace in the living room and an electric wall heater."

If you want to see more pictures and the story of this lovely house, clique here!!

Merriam-Webster Dictionary - TipTuesday#4

When it comes to a nice dictionary, I usually use the Macmillan Dictionary and it´s fabulous. It´s complete and reliable. 

Last week (better late than never, hehe) I discovered another one tool: Merriam-Webster. As well as Macmillan, there is a lot of information beyond the definitions, as such: videos, quizzes, games. I highly recommend it. :)  

Coffee or Tea?

Which do you prefer?

I don't go without a good cup of coffee,

but some tea is always welcomed. :) :) 

source: You Beauty

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Hit-and-miss

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I really enjoyed it when I discovered this adjective. And I tell you why: I have a kind of love-hate relationship with some products in general, like creams, shampoos, makeup etc. It turns out I love determined brand. However, for some reason that I don´t know how to explain, it seems the item doesn´t work anymore. Over time, miraculously, it comes back to work and I feel satisfied again. Crazy, isn´t? But it happens to me and now I use "hit-and-miss" to describe this situation.  :) :)

According to The Free Dictionary: "if something is hit and miss, you cannot be certain of its quality because it is sometimes good and sometimes bad".

Go further and check it out:

Macmillan Dictionary: "not planned or done in an organized way".

Dictionary.com: "sometimes successful or rewarding and sometimes not."

Improving vocabulary - avoiding the word "very"

That's something that I need to overcome: refining my vocabulary!

How to say Happy Birthday

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Some days ago (on July, 3rd) I celebrated my birthday and it reminded me of talking about different ways to say "Happy Birthday". When I want to wish good things to my friends using my native language, I try to be creative. When it comes to English,  I also want to have new ideas. However, it´s tough.  So, I've discovered this website. There are a lot of different birthday messages. But, as I like being creative, how come I use some predetermined phrases? Well, they serve as a starting. I mean... from that, I can adapt some words and have my own way to wish all the best to my friends. ;)

I hope you enjoy it. 

Reminding/Remembering sentences

Remembering

Trying to remember

I don´t remember.

I vaguely remember.

Not off the top of my head.

Not that I remember.

Remembering

Let me see…

Oh, that´s right! / Now I remember!

How could I forget?

It´s on the tip of my tongue.

Well, now that you mention it …

Reminding

Do you remember?

Don´t you remember?

Remembering things

That reminds me (of) …

Every time I… I think of …

That brings back a lot of memories.

I´ll never forget the time …

You remind me of a friend of mine…

That reminds me! (I have to…)

    

    source: "How to Say Anything in Portuguese - Ron MARTINEZ