Saturday, October 17, 2015

START or BEGIN? What's the difference between them?

Begin or startfrom English Grammar Today http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/begin-or-start
We can use the verbs begin and start to mean the same thing but begin is more formal than start. Begin is an irregular verb. Its past simple form is began and its -ed form is begun:
When did you begin learning English?
The meeting didn’t start until 9 pm.
We use start, but not begin:
1. to talk about machines:
    Press this button to start the printer. (Not: …to begin the printer)
    The lawnmower won’t start. (this means that it doesn’t work) (Not: The lawnmower won’t begin) 
2.  to talk about creating a new business: 
She started a new restaurant and it’s been going really well. (Not: She began a new restaurant …)
(“Begin or start ?” from English Grammar Today © Cambridge University Press. Need grammar practice? Try English Grammar Today with Workbook.)

Monday, October 12, 2015

Adverbs for emphasis: collocations of Adv+Adj

"Some adjectives are very often used with a particular adverb, and you need to learn these combinations. Here are a few useful ones:
  • highly likely / unlikely
For more information check the whole article: 
http://dictionaryblog.cambridge.org/2014/10/22/highly-delighted-bitterly-disappointed-ridiculously-cheap-adverbs-for-emphasis/

Ways of crying

Source --> https://clasejoseangel.wordpress.com/2015/05/21/words-related-to-cry/
Source--> http://berkaanonymous.blogspot.com.es/2011/06/types-of-crying.html

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Describing people and animals

http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/category/topics/descriptions

Friday, October 2, 2015

Progress test 3 CAE

Part 1. Multiple choice cloze

1. collocation: transmit + signal
VERB + SIGNAL  (series of radio waves, chemical messages, etc.)

  • carry, pass The nerves carry these signals to the brain. 
  • convert (sth into), scramble, unscramble The signal is scrambled into code before it is sent. 
  • emit, generate, send, transmit | 
  • detect, pick up, receive, respond to This equipment can detect very low frequency signals.
  • Source: Oxford collocation dictionary
diffuse

1
1. [INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] if a gas or liquid diffuses through a substance, or if it is diffused, it spreads through it 
Light gases diffuse through porous surfaces more rapidly than heavy gases.
2
2. [INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] if light diffuses, or if something diffuses it, it shines over  large area but not very brightly
3. [TRANSITIVE] FORMAL to spread something such as informationideas, or power among a large group of people