BEFORE WE DIVE IN
In the last month or so I have been reminded of a quote:
English is the most physical of all languages
It was from this interview below:
The quote has come to mind various times recently.
When my father in law is speaking about his new shoes and can’t find the words in English, I offer…
“Stretch out”.
“Yes, exactly - stretch out”
When I am asked how the food is doing.
“Bubbling away.” I say.
“There is hair on your shirt”, I am told.
“Brush it off.” I ask.
“Did you sleep?” I am asked.
“I nodded off”, I answer.
As Jorge Luis Borges says, in English, “you can do almost anything with verbs and prepositions.”
The result is that and there are simply things in Spanish that can’t be said.
I am not sure I would describe it as “a far finer language.”
That said, phrasal verbs give English a remarkable richness.
There’s no reason to fear them.
Add a preposition to a verb. See what you cook up
This week’s three tips:
SOMETHING TO AVOID 🫣
🤦🏻♀️ “A more finer language”
This is a classic double comparative.
You can’t say “a more finer language” because finer already means more fine.
✅ “A much finer language”
Use “-er” at the end of the adjective OR “more” before — never both.
When you want to intensify it (mucho más) say much + comparative.
This is much better
This is much more challenging
This is a much better method to learn English
SOMETHING TO SOUND CONFIDENT 🧐
👔 Business expressions
“To iron out”
To resolve small problems or disagreements until everything runs smoothly.
Think planchar. Just as an iron removes wrinkles from a shirt, to iron out removes the “wrinkles” from a project, plan, or negotiation.
We need to iron out a few details before we launch the project.
SOMETHING TO WATCH 📺
OUR INTENSIVE COURSE THIS SUMMER
SPEED SPRINTTM🏃♂️
Running from 29th of June 31st of July
Click below to find out more 👇
NEXT STEPS ➡️
Keep learning,
Jack & Krystallo
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