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AAE Q140: 'will'
2008-04-09 23:47:00
HiI would like to ask you when i can use 'will' like a modal verb..in which specific situations?Hi,These are the functions of 'will', as a modal verb: Instant decisions: 'I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk.'Offer: 'I'll do that for you if you like.'Promise: 'I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday.'Certain prediction: 'Profits will increase next year.'Hope this helpsMatt

AAE Q139: 'speak to' vs 'speak with'
2008-04-08 12:56:00
hi,can u tell me what is a difference between - 'speak to' someone and 'speak with' someone.Thank you.Hi,In most uses these combinations are interchangeable: "I spoke to [with] her for only a few minutes". In some cases, however, there may be slight differences: 'Speak to' sounds a bit more one-sided, perhaps, than 'speak with', which suggests more give and take (more of a two-way conversation).Thanksm

AAE Q138: 'hire, rent, lease'
2008-04-08 12:37:00
Hello, I would ask you if you could explain me differences between words: hire, rent and lease. Thank youHi,Both 'to rent' and 'to hire' can mean to pay money to borrow sth for a short time: to hire a car / room / video. Rent , in this meaning is used most in American English, and hire in British English.'To hire' can also mean to give sb a job: "She was hired three years ago" or to employ sb for a short time to do a particular job: to hire a lawyer.'To rent' and 'to lease' also mean to regularly pay money to sb so that you can use sth that they own, such as a house, some land, a machine.Matt
More About: Hire , Lease

AAE Q137: 'tut-tut'
2008-04-08 12:32:00
Hi! I'd like to ask you when is the interjection 'tut-tut' used? ThanksHi,This interjection is used when we which to express disapproval, annoyance or impatience.M

AAE Q136: 'cold turkey'
2008-04-03 15:59:00
Hi Matt. What does mean expression"cold turkey" thanxHi,"Cold turkey" is a slang expression describing the actions of a person who gives up a addiction or habit all at once.For example:"I am going to give up smoking; I am going cold turkey from tomorrow""My bad shoulder forced me to quit playing tennis cold turkey."This term may have come from the earlier expression talk turkey (for blunt speaking). At first used strictly for abrupt withdrawal from drugs or alcohol, it soon was transferred to quitting any habit or activity.Matt
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AAE Q135: 'food'
2008-03-19 20:27:00
Hello, I´d like to ask you what difference is between chop and cutlet ? and between salami and sausage?thanks for answers:) P.Hi,A chop is:an individual cut or portion of meat (mutton, lamb, veal, or pork) and usually contains a rib.A cutlet is: 1. A thin slice of meat, usually veal or lamb, cut from the leg or ribs.2. A patty of chopped meat or fish, usually coated with bread crumbs and fried; a flat croquette.A sausage is:minced pork, beef, or other meats, often combined, together with various added ingredients and seasonings, usually stuffed into a prepared intestine or other casing and often made in links.Salami is:Any of various highly spiced and salted sausages, made from beef or a mixture of pork and beef.Hope this helpsM
More About: Food

AAE Q134: 'meet' vs 'meet with'
2008-03-17 20:45:00
HiWhat is the difference between 'I will meet you' and 'I will meet with you'? ThanksHiI will meet youThere is a difference: I will meet you or I'll meet you, could mean all kinds of things. It could mean that we're going to have a meeting, and we're going to do some work together; but it could simply mean that's where we're going to see each other, and we're going to go and do something else afterwards.I will meet with you'I will meet with you' does imply a number of things: it implies that it's quite formal; it implies that it's very professional reasons and it implies that somehow, we're going to collaborate on something ...and that it will go on for quite a long time.Hope this helpsM
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Phrase of the Day 187: 'speak of the devil'
2008-03-17 20:35:00
"Speak of the Devil "definition: this is used as a reference to someone who appears unexpectedly while being talked about.example:John- "Bill is qitting his job!"Simon - "Really...why?"John - "Well some one told me that ..."Bill enters the roomJohn - "Well speak of the devil!"
More About: The Devil

Phrase of the Day 186: 'scot free'
2008-03-17 20:29:00
"Scot free"definition: to escape pursuers or avoid payment/prison sentence.example: "That man who murdered his wife got off scot free! Can you believe it?"origin: The term is a contraction of 'scot and lot'. Scot was the tax and lot, or allotment, was the share given to the poor. Scot as a term for tax has been used since then to mean many different types of tax. Whatever the tax, the phrase 'scot free' just refers to not paying one's taxes.No one likes paying tax and people have been getting off scot free since at least the 16th century
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AAE Q133: 'able' vs 'capable' +
2008-03-10 19:49:00
Hi, I have some questions about differences between: 1) 'be able to' and 'be capable of'Able is followed by an infinitive. If someone is able to do something, they can do it and it is not unusual or surprising if they do it: 'The doctor said that after a few years I'd be able to get out of bed'. 'Will you be able to play on Saturday?'Capable is followed by the preposition of and a gerund/participle. If someone is capable of (doing) something, they do not usually do it, but it is possible for them to do it if they want to: 'I'm sure he's quite capable of getting here on time, but he can't be bothered'. 'The power station is capable of generating enough electricity for the whole region' 2) 'remainder' and 'rest' - What should be used in maths: 5/3=1 remainder or rest 2?In Maths it should be 'remainder' 3) dish and bowl - I have soup in a dish or in a bowl ?dish: a flat shallow container for cooking food in or serving it from: a glass dish: an ovenproof dish ; ...

Phrase of the Day 185: 'a rip off'
2008-03-07 01:55:00
"a rip off"definition: A product or service that is overpriced or of poor quality; something, such as a film or story, that is clearly imitative of or based on something else.example: 'A bought a second-hand car for 1000 pounds...but it broke down and the mechanic told me it needs a new engine...; what a rip off!!!'

AAE Q132: 'another' and 'other'
2008-03-03 19:57:00
Hi,What is the difference between 'other' and 'another'?THi,Please click here to see my previous post on the subject.Matt

AAE Q131: 'cool'
2008-03-03 19:52:00
Hi,What does 'cool' mean?Hi,Cool has many meanings:1. fairly cold: somewhat cold, usually pleasantly so2. staying calm: staying calm or not showing emotions, especially nervousness or fear3. fashionable: fashionable and sophisticated ( informal ): looking cool4. unfriendly: unfriendly or unenthusiastic: They gave us a somewhat cool reception.5. emphasizing sum of money: used to emphasize how large a sum of money is ( slang ):a cool $3.2 million6. excellent: used to indicate approval or admiration ( slang ): a cool idea7. OK: used to indicate agreement or acceptance ( slang ): That's cool, no problem.8. seeming cold: giving an impression of coldness: a cool mint green9. keeping temperature low: made of fabric that keeps the body at a pleasant temperature when it is hotm

AAE Q130: 'think of' vs 'think about''
2008-03-03 19:41:00
Hello, Is there any difference between these two sentences: 'What do you think of him?' and 'What do you think about him?‘ Thank you for your help.JirinaHi,In general, when you "think of something" you come up with an original idea but when you "think about something" you are remembering or considering aspects of a thing.Therefore 'What do you think of him?' would be a question that you ask someone who has met 'him' for the first time (e.g. a first impression), whereas 'What do you think about him?‘ is asking for a more detailed and considered response.M

AAE Q129: 'regulatory body'
2008-03-03 19:25:00
Hello Sir,Would you tell me the meaning of "REGULATORY BODIES".What is the meaning of "BODIES"?ThankyouHi,A body can be defined as: "a group of individuals organized for some purpose".Therefore a regulatory body is an organisation whose job it is to regulate the industries within a country.For example: "The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is the regulatory body that provides consumer protection in franchise operations."Hope this helpsM
More About: Body , Regulatory

Binge Drinking
2008-02-24 20:09:00
Britain’s Office for National Statistics has reported a sharp and alarming rise in the number of people dying from alcohol abuse. Binge drinking has become part of British culture and is now a serious social issue - people are literally drinking themselves to death. The figures are of near epidemic proportions. Alcohol-related fatalities among British adults doubled from 4,144 in 1991 to 8,758 in 2006. The steepest increase was the 132 percent rise in deaths among men in the 35 to 54 age bracket. They are suffering from liver failure and stomach cancers at a younger age than ever before. The figures for women in the same age group also show a dramatic rise of over 100 percent. These disturbing figures seem to be a legacy of people partying and drinking heavily in their twenties and early thirties.Professor Ian Gilmore, a leading British doctor, said: "Liver disease is often symptom-less until it becomes very serious, and so people often have no warning that they are destroying the...
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Phrase of the Day 184: 'Hold your horses!'
2008-02-24 19:34:00
"Hold your horses!"definition: The phrase is typically used when someone is rushing in to something and it means be patient and wait.example: "Hold your horses, boss, I'm working as fast as I can!"
More About: Horses

AAE Q128: a few questions
2008-02-24 18:57:00
Hi Mr Ford! I have got a few questions, please could you help me with them.. Is it possible to say 'I used to play tennis for two years'? or is the time expression a blunder? Strange, some textbooks do not mention it at all, some say it is ok, some say it is incorrect!!Hi Katka. It is not possible with the time expression. The best way would be to say "I used to play tennis; I played for two years."My second question is about using the expression ´how to´.. Which of the following sentences is correct and which is incorrect:This is the way to do it.This is the way how to do it. This is how to do it.(I am aware of this being a common Czech problem, but I am not sure..)There is no problem with any of the expressions. Personally I feel that the first and third are better. And my last question: Is it possible to say- 'I got married recently'? or 'D. Brown recently published a new book called.....'?I know that with recently should be used present perfect as in I have had a terri...
More About: Questions

Phrase of the Day 183: 'like the clappers'
2008-02-18 20:45:00
"to go like the clappers"definition: to go very fast; in a vigorous manner.example: "That horse will surely win the race; it is going like the clappers"

Valentine's Day
2008-02-11 19:59:00
Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14. It is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's cards, or offering candy. It is very common to present flowers on Valentine's Day. The holiday is named after two among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The mid-nineteenth century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the United States to follow. The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are s...

Phrase of the Day 182: 'Right up your street'
2008-02-11 16:46:00
"Right up your street"definition: If something is ideal for you, it is right up your street.example: "Come to the concert tonight...it's a rock band.. it'll be right up your street"
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AAE Q127: 'love u xxx'
2008-02-11 16:18:00
Hi"love u xxx" What does it actually means in british culture or smsing culture?Mohammed RaufHi,An "x" in smses, emails and letters signifies a "kiss", and "u" is used instead of "you". Therefore the sms reads: 'I love you, kiss, kiss, kiss'.MattP.S. Love is also sometimes written informally "luv"

AAE Q126: "in school" vs "at school"
2008-02-11 16:04:00
Hi,I would like to ask you when to use "at school" and when "in school". How it differs?ThanksJanaHi,In most cases, we talk about people being "at" school when we're interested in their where they are now:a: "Where is John at the moment?"b: "He is at school"We use "in" school to refer to the situation or activity:"His son is only 5, but he's in school already," Hope this helpsM
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AAE Q125: border vs frontier
2008-02-07 09:54:00
Hi,Can you explain me the difference betwen border and frontier ?Thank you a lotMartinHi MartinA border is boundary line established by a state, or a region, to define its spatial extent, but a frontir is the part of a country which lies on the limit of the settled area. Frontier differs from a border because the term frontier indicates outward expansion into an area previously unsettled by a particular state. Some frontiers have occurred where two nations advance from different directions, leading to boundary disputes. A settlement frontier marks the furthest advance of settlement within a state while the political frontier is where the limit of the state coincides with the limit of settlement.Hope this helps

AAE Q124: "couple"
2008-02-07 09:48:00
HiDoes "couple" (married people) agree with the plural or singular verb?ThanksHi,When used to refer to two people who function socially as a unit, as in a married couple, the word couple may take either a singular or a plural verb, depending on whether the members are considered individually or collectively: The couple were married last week. Only one couple was left on the dance floor.When a pronoun follows, they and their are more common than it and its: The couple decided to spend their (less commonly its) vacation in Florida. Using a singular verb and a plural pronoun, as in The couple wants their children to go to college, is widely considered to be incorrect. Care should be taken that the verb and pronoun agree in number: The couple want their children to go to college.M
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AAE Q123: forest or wood
2008-02-04 09:47:00
Hi Matt, Would you mind explaining the difference between wood and forest?Cheers JoeHi,A forest is much larger and has a denser canopy of leaves; in a forest the branches and foliage of separate trees often meet or interlock. A wood is smaller and more light gets into it (perhaps it is a forest in its teenager years). Apart from this, generally both terms are used interchangeably.Hope this helpsM
More About: Wood , Forest

Phrase of the Day 181: 'to do your nut'
2008-02-01 01:07:00
"to do your nut"definition: to be extremely angry, upset or worried.example: 'If you stay out too late your mum'll do her nut.'

Phrase of the Day 180: 'bad egg'
2008-01-28 20:28:00
"bad egg"definition: A troublemaker; someone who has a bad attitude and causes trouble.example:1) Emily is a real bad egg -- she's always starting fights and causing trouble.2) We have to get rid of the bad eggs in the accounting department.origin: In this phrase, 'egg' means 'person' or 'individual'. This is probably because the human head looks a lot like an egg. A bad egg, then, is a simply a bad person. There is a similar phrase to describe a good person - a 'good egg'.

The January Sales (BBC)
2008-01-28 20:25:00
For shopaholics, the post-Christmas period means only one thing - sales! Across the country, prices are slashed on clothing, electronics, home furnishings and more, but London is the place for serious shopping, and you can certainly pick up some amazing bargains. The sales start on Boxing Day - 26th December, and continue for the month of January , but the keenest bargain hunters get there early to be first through the doors. In Oxford Street queues formed outside shops ahead of pre-dawn openings for the start of their sales. At Brent Cross, in north London, more than 1,000 people were queuing at 3.30am for the 'Next' clothing store's sale which began at 4am. Some hardy individuals even camped outside the shops to be first in the line. Consumers who hit the shops were rewarded with discounts of as much as 80% as department stores joined the sales frenzy. ...
More About: Sales , January sales

AAE 122: 'learning phrasal verbs'
2008-01-28 20:09:00
Hi Matt, I would like to ask you some information about phrasal verbs. I know that it is necessary to know them but there are so many phrasal verbs.Can you advise me how to learn them (by heart or in the sentences).Thank you very much for your answer.HanaHi Hana,Here's my advice: don't learn phrasal verbs, learn vocabulary. The worst thing you can do is try to study phrasal verbs separately from other words. There's no point. Just learn what you need to say. If you want to say what time you left your bed in the morning, you need to know the phrasal verb 'get up': "I got up at 7 o'clock this morning". One excellent way to improve your vocabulary is through reading – lots and lots of reading. In fact, reading has been shown in studies to be 10 times more effective than traditional vocabulary teaching. and 10 times faster than any other typical approach to increasing your vocabulary (flash cards, computer programs..etc).Hope this helpsM
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