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Basic English Usage

Learn how words are naturally used, from articles and prepositions to expressions and slang.

Articles

Introduction - Why effort counts. Choose an by singing.

Pictures - Using type and familiarity to choose a or the.

Distinctions - Understanding few versus a few; ditto for little.

Comparisons - Proper idioms: is a better X and is the more X.

Ordering - Using the (or not) with words next and last.

Verbal Drills - Say it to learn it.

Prepositions

Diagram - A memorable depiction for understanding in, on, and at.

Phrases 1 - apart from X, ad odds, at the point of doing X, at times, beside the point, by means of X

Phrases 2 - except for X, for a while, for once, for the record, in common, in some/many ways

Phrases 3 - in fact, in perspective, in spite of X, in the course of X, in time, instead of X

Phrases 4 - of course, on the contrary, on the other hand, on time, out of date, prior to X

Verbal Drills - Say it to learn it.

Adjectives

Prepositions - In Adjective Phrases: about, for, of, to, with.

Phrases 1 - confused about X, prepared for X, capable of X, comparable to X, familiar with X

Phrases 2 - excited about X, qualified for X, independent of X, dedicated to X, okay with X

Phrases 3 - happy about X, ready for X, sure of X, open to X, pleased with X

Phrases 4 - upset about X, responsible for X, tired of X, similar to X, satisfied with X

Verbal Drills - Say it to learn it.

Nouns

Prepositions - In Noun Phrases: of, for, in, with.

Phrases 1 - awareness of X, cost of X, competition for X, decrease/increase in X, connection with X

Phrases 2 - distribution of X, habit of doing X, contract for X, growth in X, contact with X

Phrases 3 - head of X, knowledge of X, order for X, improvement in X, help with X

Phrases 4 - production of X, understanding of X, reason for X, interest in X, practice with X

Verbal Drills - Say it to learn it.

Verbs

Prepositions - In Verb Phrases: look at X, look for X, report on X, talk to X about Y, depend on X for Y.

Phrasal Verbs 1 - break down, fall through, hear someone out, shut something down, talk it over

Phrasal Verbs 2 - clear up, warm up, open something up, bring something up, look something up

Phrasal Verbs 3 - get along, get back, get by, get to X, get rid of X

Ph-Prep Verbs - come up with X, keep up with X, fill in for X, get along with X, get out of X

Verbal Drills - Say it to learn it.

Expressions

Expressions 1 - in the loop, touch base, touch on, in touch, out of touch, touch a nerve

Expressions 2 - big picture, in the picture, get the picture, in the same boat, rock the boat, miss the boat

Expressions 3 - come around, come across as X, come up short, out in the open, out from under X, out of it

Expressions 4 - play it by ear, play it safe, play ball, pull strings, pull it off, pull through

Expressions 5 - out on a limb, out of action, out of the question, see eye to eye, see daylight, see to it

Verbal Drills - Say it to learn it.

Slang

Slang 1 - angle, ditch, fishy, lame, milk, zap

Slang 2 - all ears, bad-mouth, eye opener, low-ball, no-brainer, you bet

Slang 3 - take off, zone out, on the level, up in the air, bent out of shape, wrap it up

Slang 4 - check out, jump ship, killer, my bad, piece of cake, roll with it

Slang 5 - keener, toonie, corker, damp squib, dodgy, fair go

Verbal Drills - Say it to learn it.

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