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

"The First Free Standardized English Tests Online" EFSET English test A game changer for IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and other leading English language tests In 2014, EF Education First started offering its EF Standard English Test (EF SET) for free. It was the world's first free standardized online English proficiency test. Every year, millions of people all over the world take English language tests and enroll in English programs. They do this to show they are good at English. This might be needed for university, studying abroad, moving up in their jobs, or for moving to another country. No Expensive Test Fees! Right now, the big English tests (IELTS, TOEFL. PTE, etc.) that people know about can cost about $300, and you have to take them at specific places and times. Often, people have to go to a different city or even a different country to take these tests. EFSET is a game changer and will impact heavily the two billion or so English language learners worldwi

English Speaking | Lifestyle Vocabulary A person's lifestyle (the way they live) typically shows their attitudes, values or view of the world. Most people refer to 'lifestyle' when they talk about eating habits and daily activities. Many people are encouraged to have a 'healthy lifestyle'. A healthy lifestyle means eating well, exercising and not developing bad habits such as smoking. Governments and other groups spend a lot of money on promoting a healthy lifestyle. Lots of factors may influence lifestyle: religion, culture, where you were born, your parents, what you like or dislike, things you are interested in, your health and the food you eat. If parents lead a healthy lifestyle, it is more likely that their children will also have healthy lifestyles. Your social environment can affect your lifestyle. Low income families are more likely to have unhealthy lifestyles, sometimes caused by stress and depression related to poverty. The place and condi

English Vocabulary Quiz: Town and Country Vocabulary This quiz is suitable for testing English vocabulary for IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, FCE and other international English proficiency exams. Instructions Read through the text and choose the correct vocabulary option by clicking on the button at the left of the word you think is correct. When you finish, click on the 'get score' button to see your score and also see the correct answers in the box below. Good luck! QUIZ For almost eight years now I have lived in Alpha City, a metropolis , cosmopolitan , large , with over 20 million people living there. Like many other large cities, Alpha City is a melting pot , metropolis cosmopolitan city, where people from many different places around the world come to live and work together. While I have been here I have enjoyed the inner-city urban rural lifestyle and taken advantage of the excellent amenities atmoshpere nightlife , ranging from superb

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

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,

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

English Grammar | how to use passive verbs Many people have been died because of this disease. [incorrect] Many people have died because of this disease. [correct] This data took from 1982 and 1992. [incorrect] This data was taken from 1982 and 1992. [correct] With active verbs we usually use the following order: subject + verb + object . We use the passive when we want to put the object of the verb first: object + verb . Compare: The teacher told the students to close their books. = active (subject + verb + object) The students were told to close their books. = passive (object + verb) We use the passive: • when we want to make the object the focus of the sentence: The books were sold for a small profit at the school. (the focus is on the books, not the person selling them) Note that the verb (were) agrees with the object (the books). • when the context tells us who carried out the action: A law was introduced to help protect people in this situation. (we k

My brother is good at sport but he is very bad at English. (correct) My brother is good in sport but he is very bad in English. (incorrect) The percentage in women attending university is increasing. (incorrect) The percentage of women attending university is increasing. (correct) Some adjectives are always followed by a specific preposition. At . We say you are bad at , good at or surprised at something: I was surprised at the number of people who came. About and with . We say you are angry about or pleased about something but angry with or pleased with a person: I am pleased about your new job. I was really angry with John. After disappointed we use about or with ; after worried we only use about : She was pretty disappointed with / about her exam results. I am worried about John. They are worried about the test. Some nouns are always followed by a specific preposition. In . We say decrease in, drop in , fall in , increase in , rise in : The

English Grammar | verb use: stop / try / forget / remember People should stop spending their money on the latest fashions. [correct] People should stop to spend their money on the latest fashions. [incorrect] The government tried stopping this plan but was not successful. [incorrect] The government tried to stop this plan but was not successful. [corrcet] Some verbs have a different meaning when they are followed by - ing or to + infinitive , Stop + -ing = to stop an activity. Stop + to + infinitive = to stop a previously mentioned activity in order to do something else. Compare: The boys stopped playing . The boys were playing and they stopped to watch a large truck go past. (= they stopped playing in order to watch the truck) Try + -ing = to attempt to solve a problem by doing something. Try + to + infinitive = to attempt and fail to do something. Compare: I tried turning the tap but the water still poured out. (I managed to turn the tap) I tried to turn

Gerund or infinitive after verbs My school does not allow us taking holidays during term. [incorrect] My school does not allow us to take holidays daring term. [correct] Our teacher suggested me to buy a good dictionary. [incorrect] Our teacher suggested I buy a good dictionary. [correct] Some verbs are followed by - ing if there is no object and by to + infinitive if there is a direct object - advise , allow , forbid , permit : The teacher allowed talking as long as it was in English. (no direct object) The teacher allowed us to talk as long as it was in English. ( us is the direct object) Make is followed by the infinitive without to : My boss made me wear a horrible uniform. (not made me to wear ) Note that the direct object must come between the verb and the infinitive: She allowed her dog to sit in the front of her car. (not She allowed to sit her dog ) In the passive, these verbs are followed by to + infinitive : be advised , be allowed , be for

Verbs after adjectives and prepositions Young children often feel shy to talk to adults. (incorrect) Young children often feel shy talking to adults. (correct) It is easy to understand why. (correct) It is easy understanding why. (incorrect) With feel + adjective we use the -ing form of the verb: New students do not always feel comfortable speaking English to other people. After be + adjective , too + adjective and adjective + enough , we use to + infinitive : I was happy to see her when she arrived. (not I was happy seeing her ) The lecture was easy enough to understand . (not enough easy or easy understanding ) After all prepositions ( about , by , from , for , in , of , without , etc.) we use the - ing form of the verb; we cannot use a clause (subject + verb): They celebrated their anniversary by organising a big party. Thank you for helping me so much with my studies. He opened the door without thinking about what would happen next. (not without he

I just managed to avoid hitting the car in front of me. (correct) I just managed to avoid to hit the car in front of me. (incorrect) I want telling you a little about myself. (incorrect) I want to tell you a little about myself. (correct) We use to + infinitive after the following verbs: ask , afford , decide , deserve , help , hope , learn , offer , prepare , promise , refuse , seem , want , would like : Summer seems to arrive later and later these days. Nowadays most people would like to have more money. Learn how is also followed by to + infinitive : I want to learn how to drive before I go to university. After some verbs, we use - ing : avoid , carry on , consider , deny , enjoy , finish , give up , imagine , involve , keep , like , mind , practise , recommend , resist , suggest : I really enjoy watching movies at the cinema. (not enjoy to watch ) Look forward to is also followed by - ing : I look forward to hearing your reply. (not look forward to

How to use auxiliary verbs correctly in English Why they think this? [incorrect] Why do they think this? [correct] I not agree with this idea. [incorrect I do not agree with this idea. [correct] Do , be and have are called auxiliary verbs . This means that they help to change the main verb. Do is used with the infinitive to make negatives or questions: I don't agree. (not I not agree ) Do you agree? (not Are you agree? ) Do can be used with other question words: Why do you agree? (not Why you agree? ) Be is used with -ing verb forms to make the continuous tenses: I am studying English in Cambridge. (not I studying English ) Have is used with the past participle of the verb to make the perfect tenses: I have been here for three months. (not I am been here or I been here ) The auxiliary verb must agree with the subject of the verb: Does your mother drink tea? (not Do your mother drink tea? ) We make questions and negatives without do if anothe