Learn English Grammar and Vocabulary
English Vocabulary
Phrasal verbs with back
Jan 31st
The adverb back means to or at the rear. The policeman held the mob back. She sat back in the chair. Back somebody up: support He had to give up because there was no one to back him up. Back down: give up a claim etc. Back out ( of a promise or undertaking): escape [...]
Phrasal verbs with away
Jan 30th
Away = to or at a distance. The sea is two miles away. Keep the oil away from the water. Take these clothes away. (= remove them) Away can mean ‘continuously’ or ‘vigorously’. The children are working away at their lessons. Away can also indicate loss or disapperance. The milk has all boiled away. The [...]
Phrasal verbs with ask
Jan 29th
Ask = seek an answer to a question Ask for = ask somebody to give something. I asked his name. He asked for help. Ask for the menu. Ask after: make inquiry about the health etc., of somebody. I asked after her ailing father when we met.(= I inquired about her ailing father’s welfare when [...]
Idioms and phrasal verbs with arm
Jan 28th
Arm means one of the two upper limbs, from the shoulder to the hand. The plural arms means weapons. In arms: having weapons; ready to fight Bear arms: serve in the army. We all should be ready to bear arms and protect the frontiers of our country. Armed with patience etc: When you are armed [...]
Difference between when and if
Jan 27th
When referring to the future when shows certainty that something will happen. If is used when a person is unsure whether it will happen or not. Compare: I will see you in June when I come to Chicago. (I am certain that I will be in Chicago in June.) I will see you in June [...]
Can and be able to
Nov 20th
Be able to often has the same meaning as can. Some people are able to stand on their head. OR Some people can stand on their head. Be unable to can mean the same as can’t. I am unable to understand his motive. OR I can’t understand his motive. Differences Can is preferred in expressions [...]
Difference between would and used to
Nov 19th
Would is used as the past tense of will to talk about past habits and typical characteristics. The old woman would sit in the corner talking to herself for hours. When we were kids we would go fishing on Sundays. Used to is also used to talk about a constant or frequent practice in the [...]
Worth and worth while
Nov 16th
Worth can be followed by a noun phrase which indicates the value of something. That piano is worth eighty pounds. Their pizzas are worth the money. It was worth the trouble In questions about the value of something either what or how much can be used. What is that piano worth? OR How much is [...]
Phrasal verbs with bring
Nov 16th
Bring up something: cause something to be considered. Bring forward: cause something to be considered She brought up an interesting proposal. Bring down: cause something (e.g. prices) to be lower The government has failed to bring the prices down. Bring off: succeed in an attempt Bring on: help to produce Bring out: cause to appear [...]
Breath Idioms
Nov 15th
Catch one’s breath: stop taking in breath for a moment (from excitement etc.) Her beauty caught my breath. Under one’s breath: in a whisper Lose one’s breath: have difficulty in taking in breath Waste one’s breath: talk without result Breathless: keeping one’s breath back from excitement etc. The match was watched with breathless attention. Don’t [...]