Vocabulary

A: Hey! Have you ever seen the cartoon, The Simpsons?

B: Duh! Everyone has seen The Simpsons!

A: What does Homer Simpson say when he makes a mistake?

B: He says "d'oh"!

D'oh is an example of an interjection. Homer says d'oh when he makes a mistake or something does not happen in the way he had planned.

This joke is based on the double meaning of spotted.

Dalmatians are white dogs with black spots. The Dalmatian dog in the cartoon has black spots on his body. When something has spots on it, we can say it is spotted: he is a spotted dog.

"The man painting the wall has spots of paint on his clothes."

These two expressions are very similar, they both basically mean if something happens. The main difference in use is grammatical.

The meaning of these two sentences is the same.

She took an umbrella, just in case it rains.
She took an umbrella in case of rain.

In both cases, she took an umbrella because it may rain later.

Adverbs of manner are used to tell us the way or how something is done.

An adverb can be added to a verb to modify its meaning.

"She plays piano." - An adverb of manner can be added to the verb (play) to modify its meaning and give us more information on how she plays piano.

"She plays piano beautifully."

"She plays piano softly."

Once in a blue moon

When something happens once in a blue moon, it very rarely happens.

"Since my daughter was born, I only go out with my friends once in a blue moon."

"My brother is so good at chess I only beat him once in a blue moon."

(Living) on another planet

When you say that someone is living on another planet, you are saying either they do not notice what is happening around them or they are not realistic.

Read this article about an event that happens most years in England. Pay particular attention to the words in orange.

Students studying at our Bristol English school have something very special to do this June that's happening less than one hour away.

Some people go abroad because they love shopping and want to do it in a new place. From haggling in local markets to maxing out your credit card in designer boutiques, there are plenty of options.

Take a look at this conversation between a customer and a shop assistant. Can you guess which words are needed to complete the conversation?

Conversation: In the shop

Shop Assistant: Can I _1_ you?

Roses are plants that have large beautiful flowers. They are popular with gardeners and are traditionally given by romantics on Valentine's Day!

Here are three common idioms that use this plant.

No bed of roses

When a situation is no bed of roses, it is difficult or unpleasant.

"Having to share a bedroom with his younger brother was no bed of roses."

"She soon found out that working as a flight attendant was not always a bed of roses."

You don't have to be a football fan to try today's lesson. Read this short David Beckham biography and decide which words have been taken out. Most of the missing words are prepositions.

David Beckham is _1_ English footballer who currently plays in France _2_ Paris Saint-Germain.

It's becoming more and more common for students to learn Business English to improve their career opportunities both at home and abroad in English speaking countries.

A 2012 survey of non-native English speakers found that although 92% recognised that English communication was important for success in their work, only 7% felt they had the necessary English level they need.