03/10/2021
It's important to understand why you can't always translate directly from your own language into English. The translation of a word might have a different meaning in English (a 'false friend'), the word order can be different (English usually puts adjectives before a noun object for example), and some phrases are more 'idiomatic' in meaning or very specific to the context in English. If you want to improve your English skills and to avoid relying on translating from your language, try a course of one-to-one lessons with us where we can focus on the specific parts of English that you want to practice and improve.
We refer to stopping for a short time during any activity as a break (using the verbs have or take). A ‘pause’ in English is only used to indicate a very short stop of movement or speaking.
We check things to make sure they are correct or working properly. We control things (like a car) by making sure that they go in the direction that we want.
This is an example of the second conditional (if) form – a hypothetical situation in the future – If + past tense form (+ would + verb). We make someone something
The direct translation of bis is ‘until’ but when we want to indicate a deadline in English we use by. This indicates any time before the deadline is possible.
We always use the simple past tense when we talk about a completed action in a ‘finished’ period of time – as indicated by the phrase ‘last night’ here.
In English we say one place is near another place to indicate a short distance. An alternative phrase is close to.
We use the present perfect continuous/progressive form to show duration of an action that started in the past and continues into the present. We use for + LENGTH of time and since with the START time of the action (2016, July etc.)
The verb remember refers to a memory of something in the past. We only use us as a personal object pronoun, not a reflexive, for example: He will see us.
Must not in English indicates something ‘prohibited’ (not allowed). To show that you have a choice we use the negative of the semi-modal form have to (+ verb).
The adjective form here usual is modifying the verb ‘place’. We go + verb-ing to indicate the activity we want to do.
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There are always moments in life and in business where we don't see eye to eye with someone. But the problem is often finding the right language to say "you're wrong" without causing unnecessary offence. Expressing disagreement politely is essential for maintaining positive relationships, fostering effective communication, and upholding personal and professional boundaries. With this language toolbox we hope to provide some language that will help you to handle those difficult discord moments gracefully.