Grammar Tips

What’s the meaning of GET?

GET has got a lot of meanings. Here are some of them:

His attitude really gets me. (annoy)

How much does she get a week? (earn)

I must get my hair cut.  (have)

We all get old eventually. (become)

Will you get the meal ready? (prepare)

It’s time to get going. (start)

When did you get there? (arrive)

It may be hard to get to see him. (manage)

It’s upstairs, can you get it for me? (fetch)

Did you get my letter? (receive)

He got someone else to do the work. (persuade)

Did she get an A in the exam? (obtain)

He didn’t get the joke. (understand)

I’m trying to get a new car. (attain)

Today's Special

Today's idiom: I'm pulling your leg!


pull someone's leg


Meaning: play a joke on someone; tease someone.

Translation: fazer uma brincadeira com alguém; mexer com alguém.

In context: Is it true that he won the lottery or are you just pulling my leg?

Songs

ADELE      «     SOMEONE LIKE YOU

I heard that you're settled down
That you found a girl and you're married now
I heard that your dreams came true
Guess she gave you things, I didn't give to you

Old friend
Why are you so shyIt ain't like you to hold back
Or hide from the light

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it
I hoped you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me, it isn't over yet

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you, too
Don't forget me, I beg, I remember you said
Sometimes it lasts in love
But sometimes it hurts instead
Sometimes it lasts in love
But sometimes it hurts instead, yeah

You'd know how the time flies
Only yesterday was the time of our lives
We were born and raised in a summery haze
Bound by the surprise of our glory days

(…)

Nothing compares, no worries or cares
Regrets and mistakes they're memories made
Who would have known how bitter-sweet this would taste

GLOSSARY:

Ÿ to be settled down – begin living a stable, orderly life; also marry

Ÿ It ain't like you (It isn’t like you) – this is not something you usually do

Ÿ to hold back – control; prevent from moving

Ÿ turn up uninvited – show up suddenly, without any invitation or previous notice

Ÿ out of the blue – all of a sudden; unexpectedly

Ÿ it isn't over – it hasn’t finished yet; this is not the end

Ÿ never mind – don’t worry; forget it

Ÿ (it) was the time of our lives – the best and happiest time in our lives

Business English

Business Correspondence

1.a. Opening (formal):

Dear     Sir
             Madam
             Mr. Smith
             Ms. Miller
             Professor White
             Dr. Green

1.b. Opening (for close business contact):

Dear     Peter


2. Reference:

With reference to...        your last email
Further to...


3. Apologies:

We apologize for...                the wrong product.
We are sorry for...
We are sorry that...               we have shipped the wrong product.


4. Reason for writing:

We are writing to...          inform you that...
We would like to...           ask you...
                                      confirm...
                                         request...

5. Making requests:

Could you possibly...?                                  send an attached file
We would appreciate it if you could...
We would be grateful if you could...


6. Thanking:

Thank you for...                      the immediate reply.
We appreciate that...              you replied immediately.


7. Agreeing to requests:

We would be...          pleased to...             send you some samples.
                                 delighted to...


8. Giving bad news:

I am afraid that...                              we cannot help you.
We regret to inform that...
Unfortunately...


9. Enclosing documents:

We are enclosing / attaching...                                the reports requested.
We have pleasure in enclosing / attaching...


10. Reference to future contact:

We look forward to...                    your reply.
                                                     meeting you at the conference.


11. Finishing:

Please let us know if...                     you need any help from us.
Please contact us again if ...            you have any further question.


12. Closing (Attention! Check Opening):

Opening (formal):                  Closing:

Dear Sir / Madam +              Yours faithfully,
receiver’s family name          Yours sincerely,

Opening (for close business contact):             Closing:

receiver’s family name                                        Best wishes,

Grammar Tips

DO x MAKE

There are no fixed rules about do and make. However, these tips might help you:

Ÿ you DO an action ð do the shopping; do sport.
Ÿ use DO when the activity is an end in itself ð do a job ; do some gardening.

Ÿ you MAKE something which was not there before ð make a fire; make a noise.
Ÿ use MAKE when there is an end product ð make a complaint ; make a profit.

DO		MAKE
badly	sailing	an agreement	a loss
(one’s) best	shopping	an apology	love
business	sightseeing	an appointment	a mistake
cooking	sport	an arrangement	money
an exam	traveling	an attempt	a noise
an exercise	washing-up	a complaint	an offer
a favor	well	a decision	a phone call
gardening	work	an effort	a photocopy
good		an excuse	a profit
harm		a fortune	progress
homework		friends	a success
housework		fun of	a suggestion
a job		a good/bad impression	a trip
photocopying		a journey	war

Today's Special

Today's idiom: He has an edge on Peter.

have an edge  (have the edge)

Meaning: have some advantage over someone or something.

Translation: ter certa vantagem sobre alguém ou alguma coisa.

Note: have an edge can be used alone or followed by preposition on.

In context: Mark's products are good, but I think Beth will close the deal with the company because her products have an edge.

Welcome!

Este blog é dedicado a todos os meu queridos alunos e foi criado a partir das experiências que tive em sala de aula nestes últimos 26 anos lecionando para adultos, com base em suas frequentes dúvidas e questionamentos. O objetivo principal é o de que possamos todos compartilhar conhecimento, dicas e experiências no processo de aprendizagem da língua inglesa, mas também - e por que não? - que possamos discutir assuntos diversos relacionados com o universo da linguagem, do idioma inglês e do português, da cultura anglo-saxâ e da brasileira, e das questões humanas em geral. Espero que ele sirva como uma ferramenta útil e também como uma forma agradável de estudo e de contato com a língua inglesa.

Welcome and enjoy it!

Teacher Cristina Siqueira