Author: Louise

Posted on

As … as (2)

There are many expressions commonly used in English with the comparison form ‘as … as’.

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

 

As old as the hills.

If something is as old as the hills it is extremely old, dating from the remote past.  It also describes something of long standing.

E.g.  That story is as old as the hills.  I’ve heard it a hundred times.  I’m still not sure it’s true.

 

As cold as ice.

If you feel as cold as ice you are feeling extremely cold.

E.g.  After playing outside in the snow without wearing coats the children were as cold as ice.

 

It can also describe a person who is lacking emotion or empathy.

E.g.  After all the bad things that have happened to her recently you would have to be as cold as ice not to feel sorry for her.

 

As stubborn as a mule.

If someone is as stubborn as mule they are very sure of their opinion and are determined to do what they think is right.  They are unwilling to change their mind, opinion or attitude.

(This expression often shows disapproval.)

E.g.  She asked him several times to change the presentation to include more information for the client but he refused.  He’s as stubborn as a mule.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Irritate . . . not to be confused with the German word irritiert

The English word ‘irritate’ should not be confused with the German word ‘irritiert’.

In English if we talk about being irritated we mean we are feeling annoyed about something.

E.g.  She called the customer support line for help with her enquiry and was very irritated when she was placed in a queue for a long time.

E.g.  It’s his rudeness that really irritates me the most.

 

We can also use the word irritate when we are talking about a physical reaction in the body or on the skin.

E.g.  Her skin is very sensitive and easily irritated.  If she uses certain cosmetics, her skins goes red and itchy.

E.g.  High pollen levels really irritate his eyes.

 

The German word ‘irritiert’ can be most often translated as confused, puzzled or bemused.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

As … as (1)

There are many expressions commonly used in English with the comparison form ‘as … as’.

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

 

As fit as a fiddle.

If someone is as fit as a fiddle they are in an excellent state of health.

E.g.  Although my grandmother is over 90 she’s as fit as a fiddle.

 

As sly as a fox.

If someone is as sly as fox it means they are clever at getting what they want, often in an underhand or manipulative way.

E.g.  Be wary at the meeting. He’s an experienced salesman and as sly as a fox.  Don’t sign something you are not sure of!

 

As cool as a cucumber.

If someone is as cool as a cucumber they are not easily stressed by situations and can remain calm under pressure.

E.g.  He’s an excellent negotiator.  Even when the pressure is on to get a good deal he remains as cool as a cucumber throughout.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Typical German speaker mistakes in English (40)

I often hear these mistakes made by German speakers who are learning English.

They say:  What means . . . in English?

This is totally understandable to native speakers but it is incorrect.

Remember because this is a question (in the present tense) we need the words ‘do’ or ‘does’.

Correction:  What does . . . mean in English?

 

Alternatively we can say:  How do you say . . . in English?

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Make or do? (12)

Let’s be honest, sometimes English can be confusing.  Sometimes when learning English it is easy to mix up words or be unsure when to use them.

I often hear German speakers who are learning English make mistakes with the words ‘make’ and ‘do’.  Often (but not always) it is because the German word ‘machen’ is mistranslated.

There are many phrases and expressions that exist in English where there is no real rule to help you remember the difference between ‘make’ and ‘do’.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.  Hopefully they will make things clearer for you.

 

Do harm.

E.g.  She spilt some red wine on her white shirt and tried to clean it, but it did more harm than good.

 

Make a suggestion.

E.g.  Can I make a suggestion?  How about contacting the client to get more information before we decide how to proceed.

 

Make your mind up.

E.g.  Do you want the job in Cologne or the job in Bonn.  It’s decision time.  Make your mind up!

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Make or do? (11)

Let’s be honest, sometimes English can be confusing.  Sometimes when learning English it is easy to mix up words or be unsure when to use them.

I often hear German speakers who are learning English make mistakes with the words ‘make’ and ‘do’.  Often (but not always) it is because the German word ‘machen’ is mistranslated.

There are many phrases and expressions that exist in English where there is no real rule to help you remember the difference between ‘make’ and ‘do’.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.  Hopefully they will make things clearer for you.

 

Do your best.

E.g.  Don’t worry if you don’t get every question correct on the test.  Just do your best.

 

Make an offer.

E.g.  He made an offer on the house yesterday.  He should hear by the end of the week if the offer has been accepted.

 

Make plans.

E.g.  They are making plans to move to London by the end of the year.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Make or do? (10)

Let’s be honest, sometimes English can be confusing.  Sometimes when learning English it is easy to mix up words or be unsure when to use them.

I often hear German speakers who are learning English make mistakes with the words ‘make’ and ‘do’.  Often (but not always) it is because the German word ‘machen’ is mistranslated.

There are many phrases and expressions that exist in English where there is no real rule to help you remember the difference between ‘make’ and ‘do’.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.  Hopefully they will make things clearer for you.

 

Do the shopping.

E.g.  I’ll do the shopping after work.  We need milk, eggs, cheese and bread.

 

Make a reservation.

E.g.  I’ll call the restaurant this evening and make a reservation for Saturday evening.

 

Make trouble.

E.g.  A man in my department is always trying to make trouble.  He regularly tells the boss bad things about his colleagues.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Eventually . . . not to be confused with the German word eventuell

The English word ‘eventually’ should not be confused with the German word ‘eventuell’.

In English if we say something will happen eventually, we mean that it is certain to happen at some point in the future but that time in the future could be a long time away.

It does not express uncertainty or doubt.  In English if something will happen eventually, it is sure to happen.

E.g.  It will take some time but eventually we will find a solution to this problem.  ( = A solution will be found.  There is no doubt.)

E.g.  He eventually figured out how to work the machine.  ( = It took some time but he worked it out in the end.)

E.g.  We viewed over 20 prospective locations for our new office and eventually we found the perfect place by the river.  ( = It was a long process but at the end of it all we found what we wanted.)

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Typical German speaker mistakes in English (39)

I often hear these mistakes made by German speakers who are learning English.

They say:  Does anyone has an idea?

 

Remember:  He, she, it das ‘S’ muss mit!  The problem here though is that the letter ‘s’ appears too often in the sentence.

The letter ‘s’ is correct in the question word ‘does’ so we don’t need it again on the verb (have).

 

Correction:  Does anyone have an idea?

 

Further examples:

Does he live (not ‘lives’) in Bonn?

Does she work (not ‘works’) in your department?

Does the meeting usually start (not ‘starts’) late?

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

Posted on

Make or do? (9)

Let’s be honest, sometimes English can be confusing.  Sometimes when learning English it is easy to mix up words or be unsure when to use them.

I often hear German speakers who are learning English make mistakes with the words ‘make’ and ‘do’.  Often (but not always) it is because the German word ‘machen’ is mistranslated.

There are many phrases and expressions that exist in English where there is no real rule to help you remember the difference between ‘make’ and ‘do’.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.  Hopefully they will make things clearer for you.

 

Do an exam.

E.g.  She has to do several exams at the end of the school term.

 

Make certain.

E.g.  I think the train leaves at 10.30 but let’s make certain by checking online.  I don’t want to miss it!

 

Make a fortune.

E.g.  They made an absolute fortune when they sold their very successful company.  Now they don’t need to work.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise