English Grammar | Using a comma with discourse markers To summarize, it's clear that renewable energy sources are vital for future sustainability. [correct] To summarize it's clear that renewable energy sources are vital for future sustainability. [incorrect] Considering for instance, the adoption of electric vehicles. [incorrect] Considering, for instance, the adoption of electric vehicles. [correct] Discourse markers Discourse markers are words or phrases that help connect ideas in a text. They are usually set apart from the rest of the text with commas. Typically , a comma follows a phrase or adverb that introduces a sentence. Furthermore , many individuals experience discrimination in their workplace. Conversely , the rate of unemployment has decreased. In conclusion , it's necessary for local councils to evaluate the expenses associated with recycling programs. Regrettably , all the tickets were sold out. Likewise , animals that live o

Test your knowledge of English phrasal verbs with this quick quiz. English Phrasal Verbs Quiz 2 1. The referee called the match __________ after the pitch inspection. over out off 2. Don't worry! John said he would __________ for the night. put up me put up put me up 3. The estate agent showed us __________ the house. around in over 4. I can't hear it. Could you turn it __________ please. in over up 5. Early this morning two robbers __________ the bank at gunpoint. gave up held up made up 6. After the long journey, he __________ on the couch exhausted. sat up sat down sat in 7. The manager had to __________ the new policy to the team. roll out roll up roll in 8. She likes to __________ in the library to focus on her studies. hang out hang up hang in

This phrasal verb quiz is suitable for English learners preparing for Cambridge FCE and more advanced exams, IELTS, TOEFL and PTE exams. Test your phrasal verb knowledge by selecting the correct phrasal verb option to complete each sentence. When you have finished you can check your score and see the correct phrasal verb for each sentence. English Phrasal Verbs Quiz 1 1. I thought you said you were going to cut __________ your smoking. up with down on on with 2. I'm really looking __________ to our vacation this summer. after in forward 3. Do you think my son __________ after me? stands gets takes 4. John really has to face __________ the reality of the situation. up to up with on with 5. Do you think I can join __________ your game? with in at 6. She just can't seem to break __________ her old habits. up away from down on 7. Y

Describing Statistics in English | Describing Data, Tables, Graphs, Information Let's delve into some essential prepositions used when describing statistics, complete with examples and explanations for each: Prepositions to describe statistics On : This preposition is used when referring to specific dates or days. Example: "On December 1st, the company saw a 20% increase in sales." Here, 'on' is used to indicate the specific day when the increase occurred. In : This is used with months, years, seasons, and periods of time. Example: "In 2020, e-commerce sales skyrocketed." Here, 'in' is used to specify the year when the increase in e-commerce sales happened. At : This is used with particular points of time, including clock times. Example: "At the end of the financial year, profits were up by 10%." Here, 'at' indicates the exact point in time when the profits were calculated. From...to/through : T

Home   >    English Grammar   >   How do you describe trends & graphs using prepositions? Describing trends and graphs with prepositions Discover how to describe trends in graphs using prepositions correctly! Examples There has been an increase in the number of people aged over thirty. [ ✓ ] There has been an increase of the number of people aged over thirty. [ ✗ ] Between 1990 and 2000, there was a drop 15%. [ ✗ ] Between 1990 and 2000, there was a drop of 15%. [ ✓ ] We can express a specific trend or change using a noun + in + a noun phrase describing what has changed: a(n) plunge / dip / reduction / plummet / surge / hike / drop, etc. in something Describing Trends in Graphs Examples There has been a significant plunge in the stock market . The data reveals a noteworthy dip in customer satisfaction . When we talk about a change , growth , improvement, trend, variation, or any similar co

English Phrasal Verbs Quiz [3] Boost your phrasal verb skills with this ultimate quiz! Can you choose the right phrasal verb to complete each sentence? Check your score and discover the correct answers at the end! 1. Look, the sun's coming out. I think it's __________ . clearing off clearing up clearing out 2. So, who do you think they're going to __________ of the team? look out try out leave out 3. Each month Sandra puts $100 __________ for university. in aside up 4. There's so much paperwork to __________ . It's going to take hours! fill in put aside leave out 5. Don't worry! James and Lydia are constantly __________ out. falling getting leaving 6. The car broke ________ on the way to the conference. in down up 7. The teacher asked the students to turn their papers ________

Complex Sentences Are you tired of writing simple, bland sentences? Do you want to take your writing to the next level by mastering complex sentence structures? If so, read on! In this blog post, we will teach you how to make complex sentences in your writing. By following our tips and techniques, you will be able to create more interesting and engaging sentences that will impress! How to write a complex sentence structure using a clause Here is an example sentence related to a typical writing topic – traffic congestion. Building wider roads can solve traffic congestion because it allows traffic to move more easily. Sentence analysis There are two main parts to this simple sentence: the problem (traffic congestion) and the solution (building wider roads). Why is writing complex sentences an important skill? For example, in the IELTS Writing Test, if you want to score band 6 then you need to “use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms” and if you want to

Essay Writing Help Essay writing in English Fill in the blanks essay Here is a typical essay responding to a statement given, where you are required to give your views and opinion on a subject. Fill each blank space with a single word to comeplete this sample essay about protecting animals. The words are all related to the recent grammar posts: Which relative pronoun should I use? How do I choose between and, but, or? Auxiliary verbs You can check your answers at the end of the essay. Essay question Many people think that we spend too much money on the protection of animals and other species which are endangered and that it would be better if we spent more money on looking after people who need help on our planet instead. What is your opinion on this statement? Essay Answer Whether you love animals 1. _____ hate them, they play an important role in our ecosystem. Losing even a tiny insect species could have a very large impac

English Grammar | More ways of comparing We use less / the least to mean the opposite of more / the most You might imagine that the General Training IELTS test would be less difficult to pass. The morning I sat my exam was probably the least enjoyable time I've ever head. We can add emphasis with words like even , far , a great deal , a little , a lot , much + comparative: A reading comprehension test requires much greater concentration than simply reading a book. In formal English with words like slightly , considerably , significantly + comparative: The number of exam candidates in 2013 is significantly higher than that for the year 2012. The number of women sitting Academic IELTS to enter into higher education is only slightly lower than the number of men. We cannot use very with comparatives (not the number of women was very lower ). We can say two things are the same or similar with as + adjective / adverb + as : My exam preparation course i

Present Simple Here are some typical uses and examples showing how we form the present simple tense in English grammar. Present Simple for permanent or long-lasting situations The IELTS exam has four different sections. Over 1.5 million people take the IELTS exam every year. IELTS is administered by the British Council, IDP Australia and Cambridge University. Present Simple for regular habits and daily routines IELTS exams are usually on Saturdays, in the morning. She studies for her IELTS exam every evening after work. When are the IELTS test results available? Present Simple for facts You need IELTS to study at a University in the UK. What does 'Band 9' mean in IELTS? There isn't any extra time to transfer answers at the end of the IELTS Reading exam. Present Simple for feelings I hate having to prepare for IELTS. She loves learning new expressions she can use in her IELTS writing. Why are you worried? I don't want to fail my IELTS exam! Present Sim

Communication or Communications? We need better communications between parents and teachers. [incorrect] We need better communication between parents and teachers. [correct] Communication is an uncountable noun and refers to the act of talking to people: The job requires excellent communication skills . Email is now our main means of communication . [not mean of communication ] Communications [plural] refers to all the methods of sending information, for example by telephone, email, post, instant messenger: The company produces cellular phones and other communications equipment . More Grammar Tips

English grammar mistakes | using nouns: appearance, outlook, looks Public art can have a considerable effect on the outlook of public spaces. [incorrect] Public art can have a considerable effect on the appearance of public spaces. [correct] The appearance of something is the way it looks and a person's appearance is the way the person looks [their face, body, hair etc.] and the way they dress: Artificial ingredients are sometimes added to enhance the taste or appearance of food . Many young women spend a lot of time on their appearance . [not their appearances ] A person's looks refers to how attractive they are - their face, etc. but not their clothes: She had gone grey and lost her looks . [= she was not as attractive as before]. A person's outlook is the way they think about their life and the future: The accident completely changed her outlook on life. She enjoys each day more now . How to use English modal verbs English Grammar

English grammar common mistakes | using time words The effects will only be seen over a long duration . [incorrect] The effects will only be seen over a long period of time. [correct] Managers are expected to work for a long time . [incorrect] Manageres are expected to work long hours . [correct] We use hours to talk about the time during the day or week when something usually happens, especially the time when someone works or when something is open: working hours , office hours , opening hours Most nannies work long hours for low pay . [=they work many hours a day] We use period or period of time to talk about a particular length of time: Sales rose by 20% over a six month period / over a period of six months . Sportsmen can earn a lot of money, but only for a relatively short period of time . We use duration in formal writing to talk about how long something lasts: Make sure that your visa is valid for the duration of your stay . The timing of some

English grammar | confusing nouns Changes to the exam format could have a serious influence on candidates. [incorrect] Changes to the exam format could have a serious effect on candidates. [correct] It is difficult to assess the impact of the disaster on tourism. It is difficult to assess the extent of the disaster on tourism. An influence is something which causes people to think or behave in a different way: We need to learn more about the influence of violent computer games on young people . Our experiences have a huge influence on our personality . An effect is what happens to someone or something as a result of something else: Research has shown the harmful effects of stress on mothers and unborn babies . The new resort has had a beneficial effect on local businesses . [not effect to ] * Remember, effect is a noun. The verb form is affect: Homes on the west coast were seriously affected by the hurricane . An impact is a powerful effect of something,

As a tourist, you should show respect for local behaviour . [incorrect] As a tourist, you should show respect for local customs . [correct] They encourage the practice of teachers reading aloud to young children. [correct] They encourage the habit of teachers reading aloud to young children. [incorrect] A habit is something a person does regularly in a particular way as part of their everyday life, often without thinking about it: After a while, seperating rubbish for recycling just becomes a habit . People's habits have changed. Families no longer eat meals together . A custom is something people in a particular country or of a particular religious or ethnic group do because it has been part of their culture or way of life for many years: He studied Maori culture and customs . The custom of decorat ing a tree at Christmas goes back hundreds of years . A practice is a method of doing something which is usually used, especially in a particular country,

English Grammar | Verb Collocations They have made a lot of progress in improving working conditions. [correct] They have achieved a lot of progress in improving working conditions. [incorrect] Poor diet in childhood can have a long-term effect on health. [correct] Poor diet in childhood can leave a long-term effect on health. [incorrect] There are many common verb + noun combinations [colocations] in English: make progress : I think the team have made progress this season . make an impression : It is important to make a good first impression . make a difference : We believe we can make a difference to children's lives . make someone | something happy, comfortable, effective etc.: She made her mother very happy with her gift . They put a cushion on the chair to make it more comfortable . With a few changes they made the process much more efficient . have an effect : This incident will have a negative effect on tourism . have time : Retired

Of course, there are some students being more willing to study than others. [incorrect] Of course, there are some students who are more willing to study than others. [correct] In the West, we are used to having clean water which comes out of the tap. [correct] In the West, we are used to have clean water which comes out of the tap. [incorrect] The verbs be and have are not usually used in continuous forms [ being and having] when they are a main verb with their basic meaning - be = to exist , have = to possess : These people are among the the most disadvantaged in society . [not are being ] They have a loving family to look after them . [not are having ] They are sometimes used as main verb with a different meaning in a continuous form to emphasise a temporary state or action: She's having a shower at the moment . [= showering ] We're having a great time here in New York . [= enjoying our visit] My boss is being awkward about giving me time o

English Grammar | how to describe the number of / amount of something The internet is becoming accessible to a growing amount of people. [incorrect] The internet is becoming accessible to a growing number of people. [correct] The table shows the number of people who visited the gallery each day. [correct] The table shows number of people who visited the gallery each day. [incorrect] We use number of before a plural countable noun: The chart shows the number of hours students spend on assignments. The table shows the number of passengers who use the airline every month. The information shows the number of people who have more than one child. The graph shows how the number of schools in the area has grown in recent years. The table shows the number of times per day the website was accessed. We use amount of before an uncountable noun: If we look at the amount of energy consumed each month. The amount of food purchased per family has increased in the last 10 years.

English Grammar | how to use verbs to describe statistics The birth rate has reduced over the past ten years. [incorrect] The birth rate has dropped over the past ten years. [correct] The graph shows a rise in the number of accidents involving cyclists. [correct] The graph represents a rise in the number of accidents involving cyclists. [incorrect] Common verbs used to describe graphs, charts and diagrams include: The chart/graph shows levels of post-school education in four countries. The diagram illustrates/represents the structure of the political system. The chart/graph compares average working hours in the USA and Europe. We can see from the chart/graph that the number of visitors peaks in August. Common verbs to describe figures and statistics include: The statistics/figures suggest that people in rural areas are healthier. The figure will increase further, reaching 6 million in 2020. Demand rose by 48% in just 2 years. [not raised by 48%] Time spe

English Grammar common mistakes | adjectives Tourism can be very benefit to poorer areas. [incorrect] Tourism can be very beneficia l to poorer areas. [correct] In my job, you need the confidence to address large groups of people. [correct] In my job, you need the confident to address large groups of people. [incorrect] Sometimes it is easy to confuse a noun with its adjective. Look at the following list of commonly confused nouns and adjectives: Noun danger age development difference education happiness health maturity nature noise responsibility significance silence sport truth value youth Adjective dangerous aged developed different educational happy healthy mature natural noisy responsible significant silent sports true valuable young Note that invaluable means very valuable ! Men and women can only be used as nouns: More men than women work here . Male and female are used as adjectives: The number offemale employee