Archive by Author
“Use” versus “Usage” Posted by Gabriele on Jun 11, 2012
The words “use” and “usage” are often used in the same way by many English speakers (both native speakers and ESL learners). The meanings of these two words do overlap sometimes, but they are not true synonyms. The word “use” has many more meanings and applications than the word “usage.” Some people use the word…
Positive and Negative Responses to Yes/No Questions Posted by Gabriele on Jun 10, 2012
Here is a short video about different ways to respond positively and negatively to yes/no questions in English. Enjoy!
How To Be Perfect Posted by Gabriele on Jun 8, 2012
Today we are going to look at the lines of an English poem and discuss ‘perfection.’ The lines of this poem come from the poet Ron Padgett. Mr. Padgett is a modern American poet born in the state of Oklahoma in 1942. He has been publishing volumes of poetry since the 1960’s and has published…
Tips For Job Seekers Posted by Gabriele on Jun 7, 2012
If you are applying for a job in the United States it is important for you to know a little about what customarily happens at a job interview as well as some of the cultural norms related to job interviews in the United States. First of all, before you even go to a job interview…
Thinking about buying a car? Posted by Gabriele on Jun 5, 2012
The United States has a very strong ‘driving culture‘. Many American spend a great deal of time in their cars, commuting, traveling, and just running errands. So owning a car is a very common occurrence. Because owning a car is so common, buying is also very common. Before buying a car though, a person…
Healthy Food, Healthy Body Posted by Gabriele on Jun 4, 2012
Staying healthy is important to people all around the world, but it has become increasingly essential to many American’s in the last few years as health issues related to being overweight and obese are more common. There are a lot of different ways to approach a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and eating healthy. Although gyms…
Is it time to rent or buy? Posted by Gabriele on Jun 3, 2012
Renting a first apartment and buying a first home are important milestones in many American’s lives. There are many factors that a person has to think about before moving out on ones own, but the first big question often is: should I rent or buy? Buying a home is a big investment and not…