A useful skill in English is to be able to tell a story or an anecdote. Anecdotes are short stories about something that happened to you or to someone you know.How to startTraditional stories often start with the phrase "Once upon a time". However, if you are going to tell your story after someone else has already spoken, you can say something like:That reminds me!Funny you should say that. Did I ever tell you about…Hearing your story reminds me of when…Something similar happened to me….How to tell your storyFirst of all, your story should be quite short. Try to keep it grammatically simple as well, so that it is easy to follow.Make it easy for the listener to understand by using sequencing and linking words:Sequencing wordsThese words show the chronological sequence of events.First of all, I (packed my suitcase)Secondly, I …. (made sure I had all my documents)Previously (before that) ….. I changed some money.Then… I (called a taxi for the airport)Later (on)… (when we were stuck in traffic, I realised…)But before al that… (I had double checked my reservation)Finally… (I arrived at the wrong check-in desk at the wrong airport for a flight that didn't go until the next day)Linking wordsUse these words to link your ideas for the listener. Linking words can be used to show reason, result, contrasting information, additional information, and to summarise.I booked a flight because….As a result, I was late…Although I had a reservation, I hadn't checked the airport name.I made sure I had an up-to-date passport and I also took along my driving licence.In short, I had made a complete mess of the holiday.TensesWe can use a variety of tenses to tell stories and anecdotes. Jokes are often in the present tense:A man walks into a bar and orders a beer.We also use the present tense to give a dramatic narrative effect:The year is 1066. In medieval England people are worried that the king, Harold, is not strong enough to fight off a Norman invasion.However, we generally use past forms to talk about past events. If you tell your story in chronological order, you can use the past simple:I double checked my reservation. I packed my suitcase, and then I called a taxi.Use the past continuous to describe activities in progress at the time of your story, or to describe the background.The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. We were driving along the motorway quite steadily until we suddenly saw in front of us the warning lights to slow down. We were heading towards a huge tailback.Sometimes, you might want to avoid telling your story as one chronological event after the other. You can use the past perfect (simple and continuous) to add more interest to your story by talking about events that happened before the events in your story:I double checked my reservation, which I had made three days previously.I wanted to visit some friends who had been living in France for the last five years.VocabularyTry to use a wide range of words to make your story more interesting. Remember that you can "exaggerate" when you tell a story, so instead of using words like "nice" or "bad", experiment with more interesting words, such as "beautiful", "fabulous", "wonderful", "horrible", "awful" or "terrible".Finally – remember that you are telling a story – not giving a lecture. Look at the people listening, and try to "involve" them in the story or anecdote. Keep eye contact, use the right intonation and try to make your face expressive. You might also want to try practising a few anecdotes in the mirror before "going live". Have fun!
Read more…
The following English words and expressions are all used to make suggestions and give advice to people.should"You should try to practise English.""You shouldn't translate too much."Why don't you"Why don't you join an English club?"ought to"You ought to read more."If I were you, I'd…"If I were you, I'd watch more television."*All these expressions are followed by a verb, without to. For example: "He should visit the Eiffel Tower." (Not "he should to visit the Eiffel Tower.")suggest and recommendEither use a verb + ing"I suggest visiting the Eiffel Tower." (We should all go.)OR use that + a verb without to"I suggest that you visit the Eiffel Tower." (I'm not going.)OR use a noun"I recommend the lasagne." (It's a very good dish to choose in this restaurant.)advise"I advise you to buy a good dictionary."adviceAdvice is an uncountable noun. This means that we can't say an advice. Instead, we say some advice or a piece of advice."Let me give you some advice.""She gave me a very useful piece of advice: to buy a good dictionary."Speaking tipMany people don't like getting advice if they haven't asked for it! To avoid giving the wrong impression, you can try some of these expressions:"You could always…""Have you considered…""Perhaps we could…""Do you think it's a good idea to…"
Read more…
In English conversations, people often say that they agree or disagree with each other. There are many ways of agreeing or disagreeing and the one you use depends on how strongly you agree or disagree. Here's a list of some common expressions.Agreeing in English"I think you're right.""I agree with you."Strong agreement"I couldn't agree with you more.""You're absolutely right.""I agree entirely.""I totally agree."Partly agreeing"I agree with you up to a point, but…""That's quite true, but…""I agree with you in principle, but…"Disagreeing"I'm not sure I agree with you.""(I'm afraid) I don't agree.""(I'm afraid) I disagree.""(I'm afraid) I can't agree with you.""(I'm afraid) I don't share your opinion."NoteWhen you disagree with someone in English, you can often sound more polite by using a phrase such as "I'm afraid…"Disagreeing strongly"I don't agree at all.""I totally disagree.""I couldn't agree with you less."
Read more…
How can you ask someone to do something for you in English without sounding rude? Here are some of the ways that you can give orders and instructions.1. Use the imperative formWe use the imperative form to give orders, warnings and advice:Be quiet!Take care!Listen to me carefully!Because it can sound rude to give direct orders (especially if you are talking to an adult), we "soften" the imperative form with "let's" or "please":Let's go now.Please listen to what I'm saying.2. Use a modal verb to turn the order into a requestWe use modals to change the mood of a sentence. For example, "You should help her" is more polite than "Help her!"Other modal verbs you can use to make requests are:Could: Could you make me some tea?Can: Can you come here please?Will: Will you shut the door please?Would: Would you wait here until the doctor is ready for you?3. Use an introductory phrase to soften the orderInstead of using an imperative, you can use a phrase instead. Here are some common ways of phrasing an order, in order of the most indirect to the most direct:Would you mind possibly… (+ ing) (Most indirect)Would you mind possibly moving your car? It's parked right in front of mine.I was hoping you could … (+ infinitive without to)I was hoping you could spare me a few minutes this morning.Do you think you could … (+ infinitive without to)Do you think you could do this photocopying for me?If you have a couple of minutes spare…If you have a couple of minutes spare, the office needs tidying up.I'd like you to…I'd like you to file this correspondence for me.I want you to…I want you to finish this by tomorrow.4. Use sequencing wordsYou can use sequencing words to make instructions clear.Firstly, make sure the appliance is disconnected.Secondly, open the back with a screwdriver.Then, carefully pull out the two black cables….:www.english-at-home.comRead more…
