The author Mark Forsth also has a blog: http://blog.inkyfool.com/
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll through the Hidden Connections of the English Language
Ever wondered where some English words come from? A recently released book The Etymologicon: A Circular Stroll through the Hidden Connections of the English Language by Mark Forsyth delves into the labyrinth of the English language, with some funny stories relating to its development. We will be posting some of the more interesting snippets in the coming weeks.
The author Mark Forsth also has a blog: http://blog.inkyfool.com/
The author Mark Forsth also has a blog: http://blog.inkyfool.com/
Inauguration of El Centro de Ingles, Calle Mayor, Caravaca
Thank you to all our friends and students who attended the inauguration of our new centre, on the calle Mayor, last Saturday. Our new centre has 3 classrooms and a audio visual room to enhance your learning experience.With your support we hope to go from strength to strength providing all your English needs in Caravaca. Classes, exam preparation, conversation groups, bilingual excursions, business English and lots more will be on offer.
More than just an academy - your one stop shop for English in Caravaca de la Cruz!!
More than just an academy - your one stop shop for English in Caravaca de la Cruz!!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Must / Have to
We can use 'must' to show that we are certain something is true. We are making a logical deduction based upon some clear evidence or reason.
* There's no heating on. You must be freezing.
* You must be worried that she is so late coming home.
* I can't remember what I did with it. I must be getting old.
* It must be nice to live in Florida.
We also use 'must' to express a strong obligation. When we use 'must' this usually means that some personal circumstance makes the obligation necessary (and the speaker almost certainly agrees with the obligation.)
* I must go to bed earlier.
* They must do something about it.
* You must come and see us some time.
* I must say, I don't think you were very nice to him.
We can also use 'have to' to express a strong obligation. When we use 'have to' this usually means that some external circumstance makes the obligation necessary.
* I have to arrive at work at 9 sharp. My boss is very strict.
* We have to give him our answer today or lose out on the contract.
* You have to pass your exams or the university will not accept you.
* I have to send a report to Head Office every week.
In British English, we often use 'have got to' to mean the same as 'have to'.
* I've got to take this book back to the library or I'll get a fine.
* We've got to finish now as somebody else needs this room.
We can also use ' will have to' to talk about strong obligations. Like 'must' this usually means that that some personal circumstance makes the obligation necessary. (Remember that 'will' is often used to show 'willingness'.)
* I'll have to speak to him.
* We'll have to have lunch and catch up on all the gossip.
* They'll have to do something about it.
* I'll have to get back to you on that.
As you can see, the differences between the present forms are sometimes very small and very subtle. However, there is a huge difference in the negative forms.
We use 'mustn't' to express strong obligations NOT to do something.
* We mustn't talk about it. It's confidential.
* I mustn't eat chocolate. It's bad for me.
* You mustn't phone me at work. We aren't allowed personal calls.
* They mustn't see us talking or they'll suspect something.
We use 'don't have to' (or 'haven't got to' in British English) to state that there is NO obligation or necessity.
* We don't have to get there on time. The boss is away today.
* I don't have to listen to this. I'm leaving.
* You don't have to come if you don't want to.
* He doesn't have to sign anything if he doesn't want to at this stage.
* I haven't got to go. Only if I want to.
* There's no heating on. You must be freezing.
* You must be worried that she is so late coming home.
* I can't remember what I did with it. I must be getting old.
* It must be nice to live in Florida.
We also use 'must' to express a strong obligation. When we use 'must' this usually means that some personal circumstance makes the obligation necessary (and the speaker almost certainly agrees with the obligation.)
* I must go to bed earlier.
* They must do something about it.
* You must come and see us some time.
* I must say, I don't think you were very nice to him.
We can also use 'have to' to express a strong obligation. When we use 'have to' this usually means that some external circumstance makes the obligation necessary.
* I have to arrive at work at 9 sharp. My boss is very strict.
* We have to give him our answer today or lose out on the contract.
* You have to pass your exams or the university will not accept you.
* I have to send a report to Head Office every week.
In British English, we often use 'have got to' to mean the same as 'have to'.
* I've got to take this book back to the library or I'll get a fine.
* We've got to finish now as somebody else needs this room.
We can also use ' will have to' to talk about strong obligations. Like 'must' this usually means that that some personal circumstance makes the obligation necessary. (Remember that 'will' is often used to show 'willingness'.)
* I'll have to speak to him.
* We'll have to have lunch and catch up on all the gossip.
* They'll have to do something about it.
* I'll have to get back to you on that.
As you can see, the differences between the present forms are sometimes very small and very subtle. However, there is a huge difference in the negative forms.
We use 'mustn't' to express strong obligations NOT to do something.
* We mustn't talk about it. It's confidential.
* I mustn't eat chocolate. It's bad for me.
* You mustn't phone me at work. We aren't allowed personal calls.
* They mustn't see us talking or they'll suspect something.
We use 'don't have to' (or 'haven't got to' in British English) to state that there is NO obligation or necessity.
* We don't have to get there on time. The boss is away today.
* I don't have to listen to this. I'm leaving.
* You don't have to come if you don't want to.
* He doesn't have to sign anything if he doesn't want to at this stage.
* I haven't got to go. Only if I want to.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Suggestions
Suggestions:
The following English phrases and expressions are all used to make suggestions and give advice to people.
Making suggestions:
- Let’s revise our lessons.
- What about going to the cinema tonight?
- How about playing cards?
- Why don't we do our homework?
- Couldn't we invite your grandmother to our party?
- Shall we have a walk along the river?
- What would you say to a cup of coffee?
- Don't you think it is a good idea to watch TV?
- Does it matter if we use your car?
Accepting suggestions:
- Ok. Yes, let's.
- Yes, I'd like to.
- Yes, I'd love to.
- What a good idea!
- Why not?
- Yes, with pleasure.
- Yes, I feel like taking a walk.
- That sounds like a good idea.
Refusing suggestions:
- No, let's not.
- No, I'd rather not.
- I don't feel like it.
- I dislike going for a walk.
- What an awful / bad idea!
Things to remember about suggestions:
1.The verb "suggest" can be followed by either:
2."That" is optional:
- should + verb = I suggest (that) we should go to the theatre.
- a verb (in the subjunctive form)= I suggest (that) we go to the theatre.
- "I suggest that we should go to the theatre."
- "I suggest we should go to the theatre."
Dialogue:
Two friends talking about where to go this evening:
| Alice: | You know Alan, why don't we go to the cinema to watch Titanic? |
| Alan: | No, let's not. We've seen the film many times before. What about going to the library? We have to finish our school project! |
| Alice: | That sounds like a good idea. But when we finish let's go to the cafè. |
| Alan: | Yes, I'd love to. |
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Summer Madness.....
Hope you all had a great summer!! We ended our summer with a tour of the Balearic Islands to see the ultimate British band Madness.
So back to work and school now, remember we are here for all your English learning needs in Caravaca de la Cruz.
So back to work and school now, remember we are here for all your English learning needs in Caravaca de la Cruz.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The Guardian - New Europe - Spain
This past week there has been some excellent articles in the UK newspaper The Guardian. The series is called New Europe and this past week it has been all about Spain. To support the series there is lots of articles and podcasts on their website. This is a great opportunity to practice your reading and listening skills. Great podcasts with both British and Spanish people speaking English. You can tell us about what you think of the series/articles/podcasts here on our blog or on our Facebook page.
What are you waiting for?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Weekend Speak
Click on the link to see the dates and info. regarding our new venture Weekend Speak. A new exciting way to practice speaking in English.
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