In the sentence "He expects to promote next year," the error is in the verb "promote." The intended meaning is that he expects to be promoted (to receive a promotion), but "promote" here is incorrectly used as an active verb, which implies that he would be promoting someone else. However, he is the one who is expected to receive the promotion, so the passive form "to be promoted" should be used:

• "He expects to be promoted next year."

Many English learners confuse verbs that imply receiving an action (passive meaning) with those that imply doing an action (active meaning). This often occurs with verbs that describe actions being done to a person, such as "promote," "appoint," "select," or "invite." These verbs typically require the passive voice when the subject is receiving the action or when an action that is done to the subject rather than by the subject.

How to Make the Passive Voice 
The passive voice is commonly structured as follows:

• Subject + be + past participle of the verb 
• Example: Lyra was given the "Novel of the Year" award.

Then what is "to be" + past participle? 
This is called the passive infinitive, and it is commonly used to express expectations, desires, and obligations.

• Subject + expects/desires/etc. + "to be" + past participle
• Example: Lyra expects to be given the "Novel of the Year" Award.

More Examples of This Common Error with Passive Verbs:

1. Incorrect: She hopes to appoint as team leader.

• Correct: She hopes to be appointed as team leader.

2. Incorrect: They want to select for the project.

• Correct: They want to be selected for the project.

3. Incorrect: I invited to the ceremony last year.

• Correct: I was invited to the ceremony last year.

4. Incorrect: He hopes to recognize for his achievements.

• Correct: He hopes to be recognized for his achievements.

5. Incorrect: Edith assigned to a new role.

• Correct: Edith was assigned to a new role.

6. Incorrect: The report needs to finish by Friday.

• Correct: The report needs to be finished by Friday.

​
In each corrected sentence, the passive form is used to show that the subject is receiving the action, not performing it. Using the passive form makes the sentences both grammatically correct and clearer in meaning.

Grammar Exercise. Correct the errors in the following sentences.
1. The author wants to remember as sharp and quick-witted. 
2. The recommendations need to submit next month. 
3. The sculpture stolen by an unknown guest last night.
4. Those trees brought down by the strong hurricane a few weeks ago.
5. Amy expects to praise for doing a great job. 

_________________
Answers (jumbled)
3. The sculpture was stolen by an unknown guest last night.
5. Amy expects to be praised for doing a great job.
2. The recommendations need to be submitted next month.
4. Those trees were brought down by the strong hurricane a few weeks ago.
1. The author wants to be remembered as sharp and quick-witted. 

Question: What is the error in the sentence, "This flash drive is contain the files you need"?

The error in "This flash drive is contain the files you need" is the incorrect addition of an extra "be" verb, specifically "is," which is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this sentence structure.

​Many English learners mistakenly add an extra "be" verb (like "is") when forming sentences, especially when using verbs like "contain," "consist," "include," and "belong," which are commonly misinterpreted as needing auxiliary verbs.

In English, verbs stand alone in the simple present tense without needing an auxiliary verb as long as the sentence is not negative and is not a question. The verb "contain" is one of these verbs. When we say "This flash drive contains the files you need," the verb "contains" is in the simple present form, which already expresses the intended meaning without needing an extra "be" verb.

Adding "is" in front of "contain" mistakenly forms a structure that would typically only be correct in the present continuous tense (e.g., "is containing"), but "contain" is rarely used in the continuous form, as it describes a state rather than an ongoing action.

The correct sentence then is:

• "This flash drive contains the files you need."

Common Verbs That Often Lead to This Error
Here are a few more examples of state or stative verbs that learners sometimes incorrectly pair with "be":
Belong – Incorrect: "This book is belong to me."  • Correct: "This book belongs to me."

Consist – Incorrect: "The team is consist of experts." • Correct: "The team consists of experts."

Include – Incorrect: "The report is include the findings." • Correct: "The report includes the findings."

Own – Incorrect: "She is own a car." • Correct: "She owns a car."

Have – Incorrect: "He is have two dogs." • Correct: "He has two dogs."

The main takeaway for English learners is to avoid adding an extra "be" verb with verbs that already describe a complete state or condition in the simple present form.

Exercise -- Find and correct the error in the following sentences:
1. Don is prefer the blue shelves to the black ones. 
2. This tool is measure the humidity inside this room. 
3. They are recognize the seriousness of this situation. 
4. My dog is always know the sound of my voice. 
5. I am remember the names of everyone in my class. 

____________________________________
Answers (jumbled):
3. They recognize the seriousness of this situation.
1. Don prefers the blue shelves to the black ones. 
4. My dog always knows the sound of my voice.
2. This tool measures the humidity inside this room. 
 5. I remember the names of everyone in my class. 

What Are Rejoinders?
Rejoinders are quick responses or replies to somebody's statement or question in a conversation. They help to keep the conversation flowing, to show interest, give a reaction, or to provide clarification. Rejoinders can be brief comments, questions, or even expressions of surprise or agreement. They are crucial for  showing that you are listening actively.

Here's a list of commonly used rejoinders:
1. Expressing interest:

• "Really?"
• "That's interesting."
• "Tell me more about that."

2. Showing agreement:

• "Exactly."
• "I couldn't agree more."
• "Absolutely."
• "I know what you mean."

3. Expressing surprise:

• "No way!"
• "You're kidding!"
• "You don't say!"
• "I can't believe it!"
• "Unbelievable!"

4. Seeking clarification:

• "What do you mean by that?"
• "Could you explain that further?"
• "I'm not sure I understand."

5. Encouraging someone to elaborate:

• "And then what happened?"
• "How did that make you feel?"
• "What did you do next?"

6. Providing feedback:

• "That's a good point."
• "I see what you're saying."
• "That makes sense."

7. Expressing doubt:

• "Are you sure about that?"
• "I find that hard to believe."
• "Do you really think so?"

8. Offering a different perspective:

• "I see it differently."
• "Have you considered...?"
• "What about...?"

9. Expressing sympathy:

• "I'm (really) sorry to hear that."
• "That must have been tough."
• "I understand how you feel."

10. Confirming what you understood:

• "So, what you're saying is that..."
• "If I understand correctly..."
• "In other words, you're saying..."

Here’s how they can be used in a dialogue:
Sally: "I went to the new restaurant downtown last night."
James: "Really? How was it?"
Sally: "The food was amazing, but it was a bit expensive."
James: "I see. What did you order?"
Sally: "I had the steak, and my friend had the pasta."
James: "Sounds delicious. Would you go there again?"
Sally: Only if I'm in the mood for steak, but otherwise, I'd look for somewhere more affordable.
James: Yeah, I know what you mean. 

As an English learner,  you can use these expressions to  show interest, be more interactive, and respond naturally in English. If you want to see more real-life examples of these expressions, try listening to popular podcasts or talk shows and actively notice when either the host or the guests use rejoinders. If you hear new ones that are not on this list, note them down in your own list or share them in the comments so that others can learn, too. 

Nervousness is a common feeling that everyone experiences at some point, whether it’s before a big presentation, a job interview, or a major life event. There are various expressions in English to describe this state of mind, each used in certain contexts. Let's explore some common phrases that people use to express nervousness. 

1. To be a nervous wreck - This idiom means to be extremely anxious or worried, often to the point of being visibly upset or unable to function normally.

• Example: She was a nervous wreck before her driving test, alternating between reviewing the drivers' manual and pacing around the room.

2. To have butterflies in one's stomach - This phrase describes the fluttery feeling in the stomach that often accompanies nervousness or anxiety.

• Example: He had butterflies in his stomach before going on stage to perform.

3. To be on edge - Being on edge means feeling tense, anxious, or irritable, often because someone is anticipating that something bad may happen.

• Example: Everyone in the office was on edge as they waited for the results of the big project.

4. To have or get (the) jitters - Having the jitters or getting the jitters refers to feeling nervous, often in a way that makes one feel physically shaky.

• Example: She had the jitters before going on camera to give her speech.

5. To be a bundle of nerves/to suffer from nerves - These two expressions describe being very nervous, usually in a way that makes someone feel tense and restless. Take note that the word 'nerves' in this context refers to worry or anxiety.

• Example: He was a bundle of nerves waiting for the doctor to call with the test results.

6. To lose one's nerve - If someone loses their nerve, they panic and become too afraid to do something that they were about to do. 'Nerve' in this expression would mean courage or confidence = to lose one's courage. 

• Example:  He was going to ask her to the dance, but when he finally got near her, he lost his nerve.

7. To sweat bullets - This idiom means to be extremely nervous or anxious, often causing physical symptoms like sweating, especially having large beads of sweat on your face and skin.

• Example: He was sweating bullets while waiting to hear if he got the promotion.

8. To have one’s heart in one’s mouth - This phrase describes the sensation of extreme nervousness or fear, where it feels like your heart is pounding in your throat.

• Example: She had her heart in her mouth as she opened the acceptance letter from the university.

9. To be a 'Nervous Nellie' - A Nervous Nellie is someone who is excessively worried or anxious about things, often more than is necessary.

• "Example: Don’t be such a Nervous Nellie; everything will be fine.

10. To get cold feet - This expression is used when someone feels nervous and frightened, often just before doing something that he or she had planned to do. It is similar to the previous expression "to lose one's nerve."  

• Example: At first he was excited at the thought of skydiving, but when he was on the plane and looking down at how far the earth was, he got cold feet. 

How about the opposite?
Of course a discussion about nervousness wouldn't be complete without phrases to talk about the opposite which is staying calm and collected. Here are some expressions for that:

1. To calm or steady one's nerves - This means to make someone feel calmer or less nervous.

• Example: She took a few deep breaths to steady her nerves before taking her seat to face the interview panel. 

2. To keep or hold one's nerve/s - This phrase describes remaining calm and composed in a difficult situation.

• Example: Many people were surprised that he held his nerve despite answering challenging  questions from reporters. 

3. To get ahold of oneself - This expression emphasizes  getting control of ones' emotions after a big shock or after being upset.

• Example: He was so angry that he walked out, but then he took a deep breath to get ahold of himself.

Whether you are a nervous wreck or just have a few butterflies in your stomach, it would be to your advantage to try to calm down and get ahold of your emotions. Try out these phrases when describing the intensity and nature of your anxiety to others. Practicing these expressions will express your emotions more vividly and surely goes beyond just saying "I'm nervous." 

Hedging refers to the use of certain words or phrases to make statements less direct or less forceful. It is about softening language to imply uncertainty, politeness, or caution. By using hedges, speakers can express themselves in a way that is less likely to sound too blunt or aggressive, and invites others to join in the discussion.

Here are some common ways of hedging in sentences:

1. Using modal verbs of possibility such as can, could, may, and might

• "It might be better to look for another solution. (versus "It's better to look for another solution.")
• "Customers might look at this the wrong way." (versus "Customers will look at this the wrong way.")

2. Using qualifiers - Qualifiers are words that either limit or intensify the meaning of other words. Using qualifiers allows you to express the degree of certainty in your ideas, from being 100% certain to being undecided. Qualifiers that limit or decrease intensity include slightly, somewhat, a bit, a little, just a little, kind of, sort of, rather, relatively, moderately, marginally, barely, etc. On the other hand, qualifiers that enhance or intensify meaning include very, really, a lot, a great deal, too, extreme/extremely, total/totally, complete/completely, exceptional/exceptionally, significant/significantly, etc. 

Qualifiers are used both formally (Early results suggest that....) or  informally ​(I kinda  believe more in X...) and in the case of hedging, it is the qualifiers that limit meaning that are particularly useful. 

• "Their data is somewhat incomplete." vs. "Their is data is really incomplete."
• "This plan is rather complicated." vs.  "This plan is too complicated."

3. Using adverbs - A lot of the qualifiers mentioned above are already adverbs but here are other examples of specifically using adverbs to add subtlety your sentences. 

• "Perhaps signing up for a gym membership would help you to workout more."
• "They will likely choose a supplier based on what perks  are included.
• Apparently, the email was sent to the wrong person. 

4. Phrases

• "It seems like a good idea to review the plan and make revisions."
• "As far as I know, the CEO has made up his mind. 

Why Hedging Makes Your English Better

1. It can make you sound more polite. Using hedges can make your language less direct and therefore more polite. This is especially important in English, where direct statements can sometimes come across as rude or too strong. By using hedging, you can avoid making statements that sound absolute, which can sometimes lead to disagreements or misunderstandings. For example, saying "I think we might need to reconsider our approach" is more polite than "We should change our approach."

2. It helps you to practice diplomacy. Diplomacy simply means dealing with people without offending or upsetting them. Hedging helps especially in situations where you need to give feedback or disagree without offending the other person. Instead of saying, "Your idea won't work..." you can say, "I'm not sure if this idea will work because..." or "This idea might not work because..."

3. It helps to express uncertainty without losing your authority. When you are not entirely sure about something, hedging allows you to express your uncertainty and still sound professional. This is useful in academic and work contexts wherein people have to be careful about the accuracy or information that they put out because it could seriously affect their credibility and reputation. For example, "Current research suggests that there might be a correlation..." shows caution and acknowledges the possibility of other interpretations. 
​
4. It allows for flexibility in expressing opinions. Hedging allows you to state your opinions without appearing rigid or intolerant of others' viewpoints. This is helpful in discussions and debates where flexibility is valued. Saying, "It seems that this solution is more effective..." still leaves room for others to say what they think and to contribute other ideas that may be contrary.

Hedging is an essential aspect of effective communication in English. It helps you to be polite, diplomatic, and cautious, making your statements sound more considerate and thoughtful. By learning to use hedges both in your everyday conversations and in formal discussions, you can improve your ability to express uncertainty, give feedback gently, and engage in discussions more effectively.

"Congratulations" is a word used to express joy, pride, or approval when someone achieves something significant or reaches a milestone. The Cambridge Dictionary defines "congratulations" as "an expression communicating to someone how pleased you are about his or her success or happiness."

Note: The plural "Congratulations" with an -s is used 99% of the time--unless you're writing or saying a phrase like "a note of congratulation"--because, as one author said, why be stingy with just one 'congratulation'? 

Understandably, because there are many occasions and causes for people to find success or happiness, English learners tend to get confused about when they can say "Congratulations!" For example, I sometimes see comments on YouTube videos around the likes of "Great video! Congratulations!" Someone once sent me a greeting on Teacher's Day with the message of "Happy Teacher's Day! Congratulations!"

While I sincerely appreciated the message, and also recognize that people who leave "congratulations"  in YouTube comments are sincerely sending well-wishes, I've realized that learners have mistakenly understood "Congratulations" as an all-around remark to express admiration or satisfaction, which is not really the proper use of this word. 

Let's then look at when it is appropriate to say "Congratulations" as well as when it NOT proper to do so. 

Appropriate Occasions to Say "Congratulations"

1. Academic Achievements:

• Graduations: Whether it’s high school, college, or a PhD, completing an academic program is a significant achievement.
• Passing exams: Someone who passed an important exam or certification certainly deserves recognition for their effort and hard work.
• Awards and honors: When someone receives an academic award, scholarship, or honor, send them your congratulations.

2. Professional Milestones:

• Job promotions: Advancing in one’s career through a promotion is a moment of pride.
• New job: Securing a new job, especially in a competitive field, is a good occasion to compliment and congratulate someone. 
• Successful projects: Completing a major project or achieving significant work-related goals merits celebration. 

3. Personal Achievements:

• Marriage and engagements: Traditional etiquette says that we offer congratulations to a man and best wishes to a lady whether it's their engagement or their wedding, but more recent attitudes seem to show that it's all right and acceptable to use the word 'congratulations' to greet the newly-engaged or newlywed couple.  Of course,  you might always have that friend or relative who would point out the distinction, but you could always settle the debate by saying what matters is that you are extending good will and happiness for the couple. 
• Birth of a child: When parents welcome a new family member, or especially when they become parents for the first time, it is customary to reach out to them or send them a card with messages like, "Congratulations on the birth of your little one!" or "Warm wishes to you on the arrival of your new baby!"
• Personal goals: Completing a marathon, writing a book, or perhaps getting to the summit of Mt. Everest or, of course, some other mountain, are examples of personal goal achievements that merit congratulations. 

4. Awards and Competitions:

• Sports victories: When a person or team wins a game, match, or tournament, whether big or small, they can be congratulated. It doesn't have to be a major national or international game--it could be as small as a bowling tournament on your annual Sports Day at work . Offering congratulations is just a way to celebrate sportsmanship and the unique pleasure that we get from play. 
• Artistic achievements: We also extend our congratulations to those who receive awards for artistic endeavors such as music, art, or theater. This may also include staging a show successfully such as an exhibition or recital. 
• Competitions: Besides sports, there are all manners of competitions  from baking contests to spelling bees and world records. If you know someone who has won at a competition like those mentioned, send them your congratulations. 

When NOT to Say "Congratulations"

1. Don't use "congratulations" as an all-around happy greeting.

• From the list above, you hopefully now have a clearer idea of when to give congratulations to someone. In other words, we don't really say "congratulations" to someone whose YouTube video was something we really liked, UNLESS the video was all about celebrating a milestone such as reaching the 100,000 to one million+ subscriber count that all creators aspire to do. We reserve our congratulations for important milestones and achievements.
• If an author, filmmaker, or some other content creator has produced something that you think is worthy  of compliments, you could instead say something like, "Well done!" or "Good job!" or "Excellent work!" 
• We don't give congratulations for birthdays and holidays such as Teacher's Day, New Year, or Christmas. For these occasions, it is safe to stick to the usual greetings such as "Happy Birthday" or "Happy Teacher's Day."

2. Don't use "congratulations" in sensitive situations such as:

• Divorces or breakups: Unless the person has obviously expressed that they view it as a positive change, it’s better to offer support rather than congratulations.
• Personal decisions: Some personal decisions, such as choosing not to have children or changing careers, might not always be seen as achievements by the individual. Respect their perspective and emotions by simply expressing understanding. 
• Legal outcomes: Winning a legal battle, especially in painful cases involving relationships or severe controversy, can be quite sensitive. Approach with care and consider the emotions involved.
• ​Financial inheritance: Receiving a large inheritance due to the death of a family member or other sensitive financial gains might not always be celebrated.

Anything involving manners and etiquette requires sensitivity and even more so when dealing with different cultures and speaking in another language. Hopefully, this article was helpful in at least sorting out when it is proper to say "congratulations." Please feel free to leave a comment if you have questions.

Because we all get sick or suffer from some sort of emotional or physical adversity no matter our status in life, talking about hope and recovery is something we frequently do. There will also be lots of moments when we need to comfort friends and loved ones who are experiencing some setbacks.  Here’s a look at some common idioms around the topic of hope, being positive or about things getting better.
​
1. Things are looking up
When someone says "things are looking up," they mean that the situation is improving. This idiom is often used after a period of difficulty, suggesting that better times are on the horizon.
Example: "After a tough year, things are finally looking up for the company."

2. To have come a long way
If you say that someone has come a long way, it means that they have made a lot of progress compared to when they first started. It could also mean that they have become really successful. 
Example: "From her beginnings just selling cookies to neighbors from her small kitchen, to now operating five bakeries in different cities, she has indeed come a long way."

3. To be back on one's feet
A person who gets back on their feet becomes healthy again after an illness or injury, especially if they are able to walk again or just physically able to move around. This expression can also be used to talk about recoveries in general, such as that of the economy or an industry.  
Example: "Grandma can't wait to get back on her feet and tending to her vegetable garden after a bout with pneumonia."

4. To turn the corner
"To turn the corner" means to pass a critical point in a process and begin to improve. It suggests that the worst is over and things will get better.
Example: "After the surgery, she’s finally turning the corner and starting to feel better."

5. To be on the mend
This idiom is more often used when talking about health but it can be applied to any situation that is improving after a setback. It implies a gradual process of recovery.
Example: "He’s been on the mend since the accident and hopes to be back at work soon."

6. To get one's groove back
This means to start to be happy, confident, or moving forward again after a difficult period. 
Example: "I am slowly getting my groove back and starting again after having to close my business last year."

7. To look on the bright side
Encouraging someone to "look on the bright side" means advising them to focus on the positive aspects of a situation rather than the negatives.
Example: "I know the vacation was canceled, but look on the bright side: we can save money for a bigger trip next year."

8.  To see the light at the end of the tunnel
This idiom suggests that a difficult or unpleasant situation is nearing an end, and that some improvement is expected to happen soon. It's like seeing a distant light after being in a dark tunnel, providing hope that the hard times will soon be over.
Example: "After months of recovery and therapy, she finally sees the light at the end of the tunnel."

9. ​"Hang in there"
To "hang in there" means to remain persistent despite difficult circumstances. This expression is said by itself as a form of encouragement to tell someone not to give up. 
Example: "The first few weeks on the job will be challenging but hang in there, keep learning how things are done, and you'll soon get more confident."
​
10. On the up and up
When something is "on the up and up," it means it is steadily improving or becoming more successful. It’s often used in the context of business or personal progress.
Example: "Tourism is on the up and up, helping local restaurants and hotels to recover from the pandemic."

11. ​A silver lining
A "silver lining" refers to a positive aspect of a bad situation. This idiom encourages people to find something good even when experiencing something difficult.
Example: "Losing the job was hard, but the silver lining is that he now has time to pursue his passion."

These idioms can add color to our language and also serve as reminders to stay hopeful and positive. Whether we’re facing personal challenges or professional setbacks, these expressions help us voice out the belief that better days are ahead. So the next time you find yourself or someone else in need of a little optimism, try out these idioms and share some positivity. 

Money is a central aspect of daily life, and naturally, there are as many idioms around it as there are sayings and jokes, although it's hard to tell if Oscar Wilde was joking or being wry (humorously sarcastic) when he said the words above. Anyhow, money idioms provide colorful and vivid ways to talk about financial situations, spending habits, and economic principles.

Here’s a look at some common idioms related to money and their meanings:

1. To break the bank
Meaning: To spend more money than one can afford.
Example: "We can go out for dinner, but let's not go anywhere that will break the bank."

2. To burn a hole in your pocket
Meaning: When someone is very eager to spend money.
Example: "That bonus is burning a hole in his pocket; he’s already planning to buy a new car."

3. A cash cow
Meaning: A business or product that generates a steady, reliable stream of income.
Example: "The new smartphone model has become the company’s cash cow."

4. To pay through the nose
Meaning: To pay a lot of money for something.
Example: "They paid through the nose for their new apartment in the city center."

5. Old money
Meaning: People whose families have been rich for a long time; people who have inherited wealth
Example: "They paid through the nose for their new apartment in the city center."

6. To pay top dollar
Meaning: To pay a lot of money, especially the highest possible price, for something
Example: "In a recession, it gets harder to find customers who are willing to pay top dollar for this kind of personalized product."

7. To foot the bill
Meaning: To pay for something, usually something expensive.
Example: "He generously offered to foot the bill for the entire dinner."
​
8. (To build) a nest egg
Meaning: Savings that are set aside for future use, especially for retirement.
Example: "She’s been building up a nest egg for years so she can afford to take a break and think about what's next in her career."

9. To throw money down the drain 
Meaning: To waste money or spend it carelessly
Example: "Buying expensive clothes that you never wear is throwing money down the drain."

10. To throw money around
Meaning: To spend money, especially in an obvious and careless way, on things that are not necessary
Example: "Companies can no longer throw money around and spend lavishly on high-profile company gatherings just for publicity.

11. To throw money at something
Meaning: To try to solve a problem by spending a lot of money on it but without really doing more thoughtful and practical things to improve it
Example: "Because this problem is caused by many flaws in the system, we can't expect to solve it just by throwing money at it."

12. To cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Example: "Their much publicized wedding ceremony cost an arm and a leg."

13. To bring home the bacon
Meaning: To earn money to support a family; to achieve success
Examples: "Being the only athlete from his country to compete in this sport, he felt so much pressure to bring home the bacon."
"Both parents need to work hard to bring home the bacon in today's economy."

14. To go Dutch
Meaning: To go somewhere as a group but with each person paying for his or her own meal, ticket, etc.
Example: "People resisted the idea of going to the sushi restaurant until I suggested that we just go Dutch, after which mostly everyone agreed."

15. ​To have deep pockets
Meaning: To have a lot of money or to be really wealthy
Example: "I heard they travel abroad as much as five to six times a year. They must have deep pockets."

16. To make ends meet
Meaning: To have just enough money to pay for the things that you need.
Example: "We struggled to make ends meet when we lived in the city center and had to pay expensive rent."

 Try to make your own sentences using these idioms but remember that idioms are fixed expressions so we cannot usually alter them in terms of word order or with synonyms. It's worth noting as well, that idioms are used sparingly--you're not expected to use an idiom in every sentence because that would really make you sound strange. 

To sum up, using these expressions can not only enhance your fluency but will also boost your comprehension of the language, making your communication more engaging.

Phrasal verbs are special phrases made by combining a verb (the action word) with one or more little words called particles. These particles can be prepositions or adverbs, like "up," "down," "in," or "out." When we put them together, we get new meanings that aren't always easy to guess.

Phrasal verbs are very common in spoken English wherein we often use shorter, more casual expressions to express ideas more efficiently, which is crucial in fast-paced conversations. Below are some of the phrasal verbs that are frequently used whenever we are talking about how we relate to other people.

1. Get along (with someone) - To have a good relationship or rapport (pronounced as /ra-pawr/) with someone.

• My neighbor and I really get along well. We have similar interests and enjoy each other's company.
• Do you get along well with your colleagues?

2. Make up (with someone) - To reconcile or resolve a conflict with someone.

• After their big argument, they finally made up with each other and apologized for their harsh words.

3. Break up (with someone) - To end a romantic relationship with someone.

• They decided to break up after realizing their differences in priorities will always get in the way.

4. Fall for (someone) - To develop strong romantic feelings for someone.

• She fell for him when she saw him speak so eloquently at the conference.

1. "To Run Circles Around Someone"

When someone is said to "run circles around someone," it means that they show a remarkable level of skill, competence, or ability in comparison to another person. This idiom underscores the superiority or dominance of one individual over another in a specific skill or activity. It is often used to highlight the vast difference in capability between the two parties.

Examples:

• In the debate competition, Jannah ran circles around her opponent with her sharp arguments and extensive knowledge of the topic.
• On the basketball court, Michael Jordan could run circles around his competitors with his unmatched agility and shooting precision.

2. "To Run Around in Circles"

Conversely, "to run around in circles" describes a situation where people or activities appear to be busy but lack purpose, direction, or progress. It conveys a sense of aimlessness, confusion, or inefficiency. When individuals or groups are said to be running around in circles, they may be doing or talking about the same thing without achieving meaningful results.

Examples:

• The project team has been running around in circles for weeks, discussing the same issues without making any decisions.
• During the emergency, the staff seemed to be running around in circles, unsure of what steps to take to address the situation.

Phrasal verbs are phrases consisting of a verb and another element such as an adverb or a preposition, or both, and has a meaning that differs from the meaning of its separate parts. 
Phrasal verbs are very commonly used in spoken language and presents a challenge for many non-native speakers, especially since many phrasal verbs use the same verb but only change the particle (the preposition or adverb) and then mean something totally different.  Additionally, phrasal verbs, just like normal words, can have more than one meaning.
 
Here is a list of common phrasal verbs used in the workplace as well as related phrasal verbs that can be confused with them:

1. to take on (something) or to take (something) on 
Meaning: 
a. to accept a job or responsibility, especially one that is challenging or difficult
Examples: 

• Because many people are down with the flu, the remaining workers have to take on more than their usual workload. 
• "Leaders in every field deliberately apply their talents and energies where they can achieve their greatest return on the amount of energy that they invest They refuse to take on jobs or work in areas where they cannot perform at exceptional levels." (Brian Tracy, The Power of Self-Confidence)
• "I share their expertise with you as you take on the challenge of helping your child with word problems specifi -
  cally, and with mathematics in general." (Judy Willis, MD, How Your Child Learns Best)

​
b. to fight or compete against someone or something

• It's hard for small companies to take on multinational corporations which seem to have limitless resources in comparison.
• Apple is already taking on established car manufacturers like Tesla and Toyota with the rumored development of their "Apple Car."

2. to look into (something)
Meaning: to examine or carefully consider the facts about a situation, problem or idea

• ​The engineering department is already looking into the cause of these glitches.
• Due to low sales, the company is now looking into the possibility of discontinuing this product.
• Last year, she looked into hiring a personal assistant and an accountant to help her run the business full-time. It was the best decision she'd ever made to help with her work-life balance. 

3. to turn (someone/something) down
Meaning: to reject or say no to someone; to refuse someone's offer or request

• ​I had to turn down my client's lunch invitation just to make it on time for this meeting.
• She was offered this supervisory position but she turned it down for lack of confidence in managing a team. 

4. to get ahead
Meaning: to be successful in the work that you do, or in society in general; to make progress, especially more than others have done

• Because Jane put in more hours talking to prospects, she soon got ahead of the other trainees in her company.
• He's always been very competitive. Even when he was in school, his objective had always been to get ahead and to get the best grades that he possibly could.

5. to step down
Meaning: to give up a job or position; to resign from a position, usually in order to let someone else take their place

• After profits plummeted, the CEO stepped down and apologized to the stockholders. 
• When the video showing her verbally abusing staff became viral, she stepped down from her position as ambassador.

6. gear to/towards;
to gear (something) to/towards/for somebody or something;
to be geared towards (passive verb)
Meaning: 
- to design or organize something so that it is suitable for a specific purpose, situation, or group; 
- designed in order to achieve a particular purpose

• These campaigns are geared towards attracting new and younger users to the platform. 
• The company specializes in equipment geared for beginners so they offer more affordable prices. 

7. to squeeze (somebody/something) in
Meaning: to manage to do something even when you are very busy or don't have enough time; 

• I know we only have ten minutes left, but could we squeeze in one last question from the audience?
• Her schedule is full, but I suppose she could squeeze you in if she's able to have a quick lunch. 

8. to cut something back / to cut back (on) something
Meaning: to reduce something;  to spend less, use less, or do less,  of something

• The recession has caused many companies to cut back on hiring new employees.
• In order to keep everyone on the payroll, I'm afraid we have to cut back on everyone's working hours as well as on paid-leave benefits. 

9. to wrap up something / to wrap something up
Meaning: ​
- to complete something successfully;
- to settle the final details of a job or an agreement in a satisfactory way;
- to conclude or bring something to an end;

• They wrapped up the week-long workshop with an exhibit of the projects done by the participants.
• This contract signing wraps up the months of negotiations between the two companies. 

10. to sell off something/to sell something off
Meaning: 
- ​to sell something cheaply in order to get rid of them or because you need the money
- to get rid of remaining or unsold items by selling them at especially low prices
- to sell all or part of an industry or company

• After restructuring, the company sold off its perfume business in order to just focus on its more profitable clothing line.
• I heard that the store will be selling off  designs from last season. 

When we're asked to give an adjective, we may likely go for words like beautiful, good, bad, or happy. However, adjectives ending in -ing and -ed are just as commonly used in everyday language and they are often a source of confusion among English learners.

For example, we have the pair interesting versus interested, or disappointing versus disappointed, and a very commonly confused pair, bored and boring. Sometimes you might hear somebody say, “I’m boring” but what they actually mean is “I’m bored”. He or she is feeling bored. 

So first, let’s understand the difference between -ing adjectives and -ed adjectives.

• Adjectives ending in –ing such as tiring, amazing, and shocking, are used to talk about the characteristic or quality of a thing, situation or even a person. So if you say “I’m boring” then you are describing yourself as a boring person.
• On the other hand, adjectives ending in –ed such as tired, amazed, and shocked, are used to describe our feelings and emotions, meaning we use –ed adjectives to describe how we feel about a situation, event, person, or thing. So if you say “I’m bored,” for example, with a longer sentence, “I’m bored with this book,” then you mean that you think the book is not interesting to read.

Let’s compare these two side by side before we have more examples:





Let’s have more examples for –ing adjectives:

1. The five-hour hike was really tiring. In this sentence, we are describing the characteristic of an activity, which is hiking, so we will use an –ing adjective.
2. The baby foxes at the animal reservation were cute and amazing. Here, amazing describes the characteristics of the baby foxes.

On the other hand, below are a couple of examples for adjectives ending in –ed. 

1. The fast pace of the hike made most of the participants really tired. The adjective tired is describing how the participants feel.
2. The children were amazed at the sight of the cute baby foxes.  The adjective amazed is describing how the children felt when they saw the baby foxes.

 
Now let’s try to take a look at two sentences with errors regarding adjectives ending in –ing  or –ed.

1. I'm interesting to know how you accomplished that.

• In this sentence, “interesting” is describing how the speaker feels so the correct adjective should be “interested”: I’m interested to know how you accomplished that.”

2. The children feel boring with doing the same activities every day.

• In this sentence, we are describing how the children feel, so the correct adjective should be “bored” instead of “boring”: “The children feel bored with doing the same activities every day.” 

Now that we’ve talked about when to use –ing and –ed adjectives correctly, let’s have more exercises! I will explain the answers to the first two items in this exercise, but you’ll have to answer the rest. Then you can check your answers at the end of this article.

1. The professor was [ annoyed/annoying ] with the students who did not follow her safety instructions.

• What is the adjective describing? Is it the characteristic of the professor, or is it about how the professor felt? It is about how the professor felt towards the students who did not follow safety instructions, so the correct answer is [annoyed]: The professor was [annoyed] with the students who did not follow her safety instructions.

2. My grades were really [ disappointed/disappointing ] last semester so I vowed to work harder this term.

• What is the adjective describing? It’s describing [my grades], not my feelings, so the correct answer is [disappointing]. My grades were really disappointing last semester. 

3. The sudden increase in the number of infections is [ worried/worrying ].
4. She got [ worried/worrying ] when the team did not call her for a few days.
5. Jessie is just not [ interested/interesting] in sci-fi movies. She prefers romantic comedies.
6. It was my first time to experience such a strong earthquake. It was [ terrified/terrifying ].
7. We were all [ surprised/surprising ] when she said she was quitting her job.
8. I had high expectations for this movie and I was not [disappointed/disappointing ].
9. The test was quite difficult. It’s [ amazed/amazing ] that I passed at all.
10. The plot twists in the story are quite [ confused/confusing ].
11. That horror movie shows a lot of [ frightened/ frightening ] scenes.
12. After checking the quality of the products, I was quite [ satisfied/ satisfying ] with them.
13. It’s my first time to travel abroad so I’m really [ excited/exciting ].
14. My friend likes to try exotic and weird foods that some might find [ disgusted/disgusting ].
15. On my second week just staying at home, I started to get [bored/boring].
16. I liked the video but the soundtrack was a bit [ irritated/irritating ].
17. His habit of being late to meetings is really [ annoyed/annoying ].
18. I just had a very [ satisfied/satisfying ] meal at the restaurant you recommended.
19. I think this color combination is very [ pleased/pleasing ] to the eye.
20. She gave incomplete instructions so now I’m a little [ confused/confusing ].
 
That’s the end of our drills on adjectives ending with –ing and –ed. I really hope you found these exercises useful. As you may know, when it comes to correct grammar, you have to train your ear to listen for the correct patterns and word usage so you may want to do the drills a couple of times until you get all the answers correctly. 

Answers:
3. worrying
4. worried
5. interested
6. terrifying
7. surprised
8. disappointed
9. amazing
10. confusing
11. frightening
12. satisfied
13. excited
14. disgusting
15. bored
16. irritating
17. annoying
18. satisfying
19. pleasing
20. confused

Today, let us have some sentence correction practice with the following seven sentences: 

1. I've been listening his music for five years.
2. I'm always listening the 80s and 90s music.
3. I've just started to listen Post Malone.
4. He came Marty's house from the future to warn him about something. 
5. There are no masks to export other countries.
6. It's my first time to go a concert.
7. I did not reply her message yet. 

What is the common error among all of them? You would be right if you said that they are missing the preposition 'to'.

Let's have the first one:

1. I've been listening his music for five years.

• Correct: I've been listening to his music for five years.

When it comes to the verb [listen], we use 'to' after it when stating an  object. 

• We listen to someone or something. 
• We listen to music. 
• We listen to a speech.

How about you practice using 'listen to...' by answering the following questions:

• What kind of music do you like listening to? How about the kind of music you DO NOT like listening to?
• What kind of topics or lectures do you like listening to? How about the kind of topics you DO NOT like listening to

The second sentence is still about the verb 'listen':
2. I'm always listening 70s and 80s music.

• Correct: I'm always listening to 70s and 80s music. 

To hammer home this point, let's have one more sentence, still using the word 'listen':
3. I've just started listening Post Malone.

• Correct: I've just started listening to Post Malone. 

The fourth sentence is about a movie that is familiar to many: 
4. He came Marty's house from the future to warn him about something. 

• Correct: He came to Marty's house from the future to warn him about something. 

Regarding the verb come, we use a lot of different prepositions with it (for example: come upon, come with, come by, come for, come across, you get the idea), but we would say 'come to' a place when we mean to arrive at that place or to reach that particular place. 

Let's have a few  examples from the book, 'The Hobbit':

At the beginning of the book, the dwarf Gloin says: "In fact, if it had not been for the sign on the door, I should have been sure we had come to the wrong house."

Bilbo answers: "I am quite sure you have come to the wrong house."

Besides that conversation, here is another sentence from the book that uses 'come to':
"The dwarves then noticed that they had come to the edge of a ring where elf-fires had been." 
(On a side note, and in case you are curious, 'dwarfs' was the standard plural form of the word dwarf. It was J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of the book the Hobbit, who popularized the plural form 'dwarves'.)

Let's move on to the fifth sentence:
​5. There are no masks to export other countries.

• Correct: There are no masks to export to other countries.

Note that a company or a country will export products to another country.
For example: 

• The Philippines exports bananas and mangoes to other countries. 
• Italy exports machinery and metal products, as well as clothing, and luxury goods to different countries around the world.

How about you try using 'export to' by answering the question:

• "What does your country export to other countries?

Please feel free to write your sentences in the comment section.

The next sentence shows a very common mistake that it deserves a video of its own:
6. It's my first time to go a concert.

• Correct: It's my first time to go to a concert.

When talking about a specific place or event, we use the preposition 'to' after verbs of movement such as 'go'. 
As mentioned at the beginning, we also use 'to' to state a destination.  
Examples:  
We go to a shopping mall. 
Someone goes to a wedding. 
People will go to the beach.

To practice this pattern, how about answering this question:

• Where do you like to go when you want to relax?

Example answers would be:

• I go to a park near my house.
• I go to my favorite bar after work.
• I go to this lovely cake shop near my office. 

Keep practicing the structure 'go to a specific place'. 

We have reached our 7th and last sentence for today which is this one:
7. I have not replied her message yet. 

• Correct: I have not replied to her message yet.

We reply or respond to a message, a letter, an email and so on. 
We reply to somebody  or something. This means that we are giving a spoken or written answer.

For example: 
Do you reply or respond to emails as soon as you read them?
I sometimes don't because I tend to think too much. How about you? 

Anyway, we also reply or respond to questions, comments, compliments, and criticisms. Practice by answering the following questions: 

• How do you reply to criticisms? 
• How do you reply to compliments?

All right, that's the end of our sentence correction for today. 
Kindly note that 'to' is not the only preposition that we use with these verbs. There are lots of other prepositions used with these same verbs that would definitely change their meaning. We just have to practice a lot to remember which prepositions are used with which verbs. However, below is a short list of common verbs that are used with 'to'. 

 There are more verbs followed by to than what you can see in this list but these are some of the most common ones. We have seen some of these verbs in the sentence corrections above. Let's briefly run through this list and have simple examples for each one. 

Common verbs followed by the preposition to: 

Go to - I go to the gym every weekend. 
Come to  - Will you come to my birthday party?
Drive to - Let me drive you to the airport.
Journey to - The journey to the Arctic was not easy. 
Point to - He pointed to a house across the street.
Turn to - The lady turned to the man on her right. 
Give to - Please give this letter to his assistant.
Offer to - The manager offered the job to someone who deserved it.
Send to - I will send these flowers to my mother. 
Adapt to - The new employee has adapted to the system quickly.
Add to - Do you have anything to add to my proposal?
Belong to - This jacket belongs to the man who just left.
Consent to - The patients have to consent to this procedure first.
Devote to - He devotes his weekends to gardening. 
Happen to - What happened to your car? 
Lead to - This situation often leads to bad customer experiences.
Listen to - I tried talking to him but he won't listen to me. 
Explain to - The mayor explained the new rules to his staff.
Object to - He objected to being called a traitor. 
React to - Everyone reacted to the news with shock.
Refer to - Please refer to page 90 on your manual. 
Reply to - Please reply to this email on or before Friday.
Respond to - How do you want me to respond to their invitation?
Speak to - May I please speak to the manager?
Talk to - I wanted to talk to the staff before the party.
Say to - She always knows what to say to guests to make them comfortable.
Apologize to - You should apologize to that lady.
Agree to - I did not agree to that plan at all. 
Write to - I was told to write to the manager about this complaint.  

I hope these examples have given you some practice material in terms of using the preposition 'to' when it's needed. Repetition is, of course, key to getting grammar structures right.
I will be posting more videos of sentence corrections showing common errors among EFL learners.  If you find these tips useful, please subscribe and hit the notification bell so that you'll get notified if I have a new upload.
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Which sentence is correct between these two:

• a. Could you tell me your advise?
• b. Could you tell me your advice?

If your answer was b, you got it right! So what's the difference?
Advice /ədˈvɑɪs/ or /ad-vahys/ is a noun that means a recommendation or suggestion about what to do or how to handle a situation. Advice is something that we get from friends, bosses, or lawyers.
Advise /ədˈvɑɪz/ or /ad-vahyz​/ is a verb that means 'to offer an opinion or suggestion' or in other words, to give advice to someone. Advise is something that we do. 

Note that they also sound a little differently. Advice is pronounced with an /s/ sound, as in “ice,” while the verb advise is pronounced  with a /z/ sound like the “-ize” in "size". 

Regarding their different forms:
Advice is uncountable so we would never say 'advices'. We can, however, say pieces of advice. 
Advise, on the other hand, is a regular verb with the usual past, present and future tenses: advised, advise, will advise.

Let's have some examples and common expressions:
1. People run away from her at parties because she's always giving unsolicited advice.  Unsolicited advice refers to advise that is being given without being asked, and is therefore usually unwanted. 
2. I usually avoid telling people that I'm a lawyer because people always try to ask for free legal advice. 
3. His manager advised him to accept the terms being offered in the contract. 
4. Please advise your students to upload requirements through the official website. 
5. That's dangerous. I wouldn't advise you to do that. 

Exercises: Advice or advise?
1. She took the trip against her doctor's __________________. 
2. The team manager should ________________ his team members about the appropriate steps to be taken.
3. I will ask Prof. Norton to ____________ us on how to proceed.
4. I could always count on him for good _____________________.
5. Experts _____________ that hours spent by kids in front of a screen should be limited.