This lesson post completes the yesterday’s, so please make sure to read it before this one. The last principle or rule for distinguishing how to use ‘shall’ vs. ‘will’ in English: … đ #5 When describing a future action or decision in a non-interrogative context, should you use ‘shall’ or ‘will’? The best way to […]
Lesson #150 (Part 2): When Should You Use ‘Shall’ Vs. ‘Will’? Read More »
đ ‘I beg, Catherine, you will always wrap yourself up very warm about the throat, when you come from the rooms at night; and I wish you would try to keep some account of the money you spend; I will give you this little book on purpose.’ – Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey (1817) Have you
Lesson #150 (Part 1): When Should You Use ‘Shall’ Vs. ‘Will’? Read More »
As mentioned in the first part of this Mini-Lesson (see previous post), âmustâ is a modal verb expression commonly observed in written English. We looked earlier at usages of âmustâ in sentences where the action is taking place in the present or future tense â âmustâ followed by an infinitive such as âmust yieldâ or
English language learners are susceptible to certain common mistakes, even when they have reached an advanced level. To be honest, native English speakers also occasionally make these same errors. I hope to address some of these common issues this week. Beginning today with our Mini-Lesson Monday, consisting of two lesson posts, we will explore the
Do you ever wonder, when you are writing a series of items, whether or not you are using commas in the correct manner? In the past, I also used to be unsure about this serial comma, also known as the âOxford commaâ because of its widespread use by the Oxford University Press. Today I will
Lesson #129: The Oxford Or Serial Comma (And When It Should Be Used) Read More »
Over the last few days I have been listening to several podcasts and YouTube videos while doing housework. Almost all of these are hosted by English speakers from the U.S.A., and I noticed how many expressions are used in conversational American English that arenât typically employed in the U.K. or Ireland. Many English language learners
Lesson #124: Some Ways British English Expressions Can Differ From American Expressions Read More »
In the previous post, we began looking at a passage by Jane Austen (continued below) to consider how she created distinctive voices for different characters: đ ‘Marianne was astonished to find how much the imagination of her mother and herself had outstripped the truth. “And you really are not engaged to him!” said she. “Yet
Lesson #123: Discovering a Writing Style or Voice That Reflects Personality (Part 2) Read More »
One of the most rewarding stages in language learning is when you begin to have your own STYLE or VOICE in the language you have been studying. As a proofreader of various texts, I must exercise caution when correcting a text so that I do not end up changing the writer’s style, but rather know
Lesson #123: Discovering a Writing Style or Voice That Reflects Personality (Part 1) Read More »
After admiring these acer tree leaves today, I was reminded of a memorable conversation among the Dashwood sisters in Jane Austenâs Sense and Sensibility (1811): âDear, dear Norland,â said Elinor, âprobably looks much as it always does at this time of the year. The woods and walks [are] thickly covered with dead leaves.â âOh,â cried Marianne, âwith
ADVANCED LEVEL For this post, I will focus on the second half of the long sentence found in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Chapter 9: đ ââŠand towards one of these hills did Marianne and Margaret one memorable morning direct their steps, attracted by the partial sunshine of a showery sky, and unable longer to
ADVANCED LEVEL When you live in the countryside, you have a tendency to pay attention to the weather. Your mood and plans for the day can be affected by it. Today, my morning walk was put on hold (suspended) because of the sporadic (sudden, unpredictable) showers. A passage in Jane Austen’s first published novel, Sense
ADVANCED LEVEL While walking in our garden this morning, these russet leaves reminded me of another Jane Austen classic, Persuasion (1818). Have you read it or seen a movie version of it? Anne Elliot, the main character, is both attentive to others and sensitive to the beauty of nature. In this symbolic passage, she walks
Lesson #105: Reflections on nature (and literature) in Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’ Read More »