How-To Guides about English Language & Culture

In this video from EnglishTeacherLive we learn some study tips on how to improve your English. 1.Don't be shy. Take every opportunity you can to learn English. 2.Learn phrases, not just single words. It's easier to remember and much more useful, plus you'll learn grammar at the same time. 3.Learn with your ears, not with your eyes. Put the emphasis on listening! 4.Repeat, repeat, repeat. This is so important because we learn only after repetition. Don't be afraid to repeat the same...

This is a video tutorial in the Language category where you are going to learn how to pronounce "y" in English. It is an accent reduction and English pronunciation video. This video will help English as Second Language speakers to pronounce the difficult sound "y" like in "university". What some of the people can do is to turn it in to "ya". What most of the people can do is the sound of "e" like in "me". You can practice "e". if you say "e" quickly, you can turn it in to "eya" sound. Practice...

This instructional video provides insight into the English language to teach people who are learning to speak English how to pronounce phrasal verbs. A phrasal verb is a verb + a particle, such as "drive up", "end up", and "drive back". The video shows viewers how these phrasal verbs are used in a sentence as well as what these phrases mean. In terms of pronunciation, there are three basic patterns which are discussed to show where the words are stressed in the context of a sentence which are...

In this video, we learn how to speak English: An introduction to phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs are also called two-part and three-part verbs. This is a verb and one or two other short words. Together as a phrase these have a special meaning. The other words are called particles, which come together with the verb to make a different definition. Particles can change the word "figure" to "figure out" and the word "look" to "look through". These particles at the end of the verb change how the word...

In this tutorial, we learn how to speak English: The glottal stop in place of the true T. When you are saying a word like "fountain" you are using a word that has a glottal stop. If you can say two common expressions "uh-oh" and "uh-uh", then you can make a glottal stop. You need to use your throat to make this sound, it's like holding your breath but using the back of your throat to do it. Try to break the word "fountain" into two different parts so you can hear the different in your voice and...

In this video, we learn how to speak English: Reported Speech/Reference Words. Reported speech is reporting another person's words or telling what someone else said. Indirect speech doesn't use the use the exact words that we use. Examples of reference words are: her, she, herself, him, and himself. Types of references can be pronouns or possessive adjectives. Listen to who the speaker is so you can change the reference words so that the statement is logical. Use this example as a reference: "I...

In this video, we learn how to use "It's + adjective + infinitive" in English. To form these sentences, you will use the pattern that is stated above. This is very common in the English language, and you can put whatever you want into the sentence as the infinitive. You can change this from "it's hard to do" to It's not hard to do" to "it's easy to do". You can also make something negative, by giving it the prefix "im", which would change "possible" to "impossible". You can also ad in "un" to...

In this tutorial, we learn how to speak English using the true "t" and the flap "t". You will notice as you say different words in English that have the letter "T" that it sounds differently depending on the word it is in. The words "batter" and "latter" have a different sound to them than "hearty" and "thirty". Look at two words with the letters in them and find which one has the flap T in it. Say these words out loud so you can better hear what the different in the pronunciation is. This...

In this video, we learn how to use the verb "be" in different tenses. This verb changes depending on the verb tense and subject in which it's used. In the present tense, "I am", "we are", "you are", etc can be used. In the past tense "I was", "you were", "he was", "we were", etc can be used. For future tense "I will be", "you will be", "he will be", "she will be", etc can be used. Depending on the tense you have, the verb "be" will change in all the sentences. Make sure to go over these and...

In this tutorial, we learn how to speak English using infinitives for questions. First, you need to be able to identify reported questions inside of a conversation. Infinitives include words like "to go", "to buy", "to find". They are formed by saying "to" + the verb. "Wh" infinitives are simply at the beginning of infinitives, like "where to go", "when to buy", and "how to find". Use infinitives to report questions that have modal verbs such as "should" and "can" depending on what the modal...

In this video, we learn how to use inseparable verb phrases. Inseparable verb phrases are verb phrases that can't be separated. An example of this includes: "Hiep's English wasn't very good because he dropped out of school early". In this sentence, "dropped out of" means to leave school early and cannot be separated from the rest of the sentence. Depending on the tense of the verb phrase, you will not be able to change just one word, you will have to change the entire sentence. After you find...

A video that is essentially a part of series of videos, that deal with teaching indirect speech basics to intermediate and above level English language learners. This video deals with teaching how wh words like how, what, when, where, why etc, in direct speech can be rewritten in indirect speech in grammatically correct manner. The first part of the video explains the basic rules and grammatical conventions to be followed while the second part of the video provides numerous direct speech...

In this video, we learn how to replace possessive nouns and adjectives with pronouns. Using pronouns to replace possessive nouns and adjectives is simple, an example includes: Joe's car is dirty, would change to, his car is dirty, or it is dirty. Another example of this is "Sara's shoes are outside" would be "her shoes are outside", or "they are outside". "The workers' lunches are in the refrigerator", would be "their lunches are in the refrigerator", or "they are in the refrigerator". Practice...

This video tutorial in the Language category will show you how to understand the sequence of tenses for English. This is useful when you want to change direct speech to indirect speech and also for understanding conditional sentences. When the sentence is originally in the present tense, it can be changed to past tense. For example Paul said, "I am hungry". You can change this to indirect speech either in the present tense or in the past tense. So, the sentence can be said as Paul says he is...

In this video, we learn how to speak English: reported speech with modals. Modal verbs include: must, should, and could. The expressions include: have to and supposed to. By reading the sentences, you will see which words can or cannot be changed. If the word changes the meaning of the sentence, you cannot use it with the sentence. In reported speech, you do not change perfect modals, which are word that are in their past forms. Modal verbs that do change include "can" being switched to...

In this video, we learn how to learn how "whether" is used while speaking English. The word "whether" is used when you are going to talk about different things, not the weather that is outside. If you can use the word "if" instead of "whether", you are using the word with the "th" instead of "ea". The "weather" is used when you are talking about what it's like outside. This includes if it's hot, cloudy, raining, snowing, and anything else. Any other time you are talking, the word "whether" can...

There, their and they're all sound the same. There is for location and information. Their is possessive adjective for they. They're is a contraction for they are. The bathroom is over there give the location of the bathroom. Their is used to show ownership. You can show possession through proper names or by use of the word their. Their house is over there shows the possessive "their" and location "there." They're=they are. They're over there. They're at their house. The words and the...

In this video, we learn how to express opportunity in English using "get to". "Get to" means opportunity, which is similar to "be able to". If you use this in the present tense, you can use either "gets to" or "is able to". It's an expression of opportunity, and it sounds like a good thing. Use this in several different sentences to show your student how this phrase can mean a number of different things. To make the negative in present tense you can use "don't" or "doesn't". Don't also means...

In this tutorial, we learn pronunciation tips to Speak English. To help someone learn this, use an analogy, imagery, and vivid explanation so they understand what you are talking about in full detail. Use your hands to make the motions, then relate words to your base words. You will need to repeat yourself a lot, and also draw pictures so it can help them visually understand. Don't use difficult words, just start by doing simple words that are easy to understand. Once the easy letters are...

In this Language video tutorial you will learn how to report another person's words. In other words how to restate what someone else said. This video focuses on two aspects. #1. What's the difference between quoted and reported speech? #2. When can we use say and tell? In quoted speech you quote the exact words spoken by a person within inverted commas or quotation marks. It is also called direct speech. Here is an example. Jennifer said, "I like birthdays." Whereas, reported speech does not...

This video tutorial is in the Language category which will show you how to describe problems in English. When describing problems in English, many people use the word trouble. When you frame a question, you can frame it in the present or the present continuous tense. For example; what do you have trouble with or what are you having trouble with? Similarly, when you answer the question you can use the present or the present continuous tense. Examples of this are; I have trouble with my car or I...

In this video, we practice describing solutions in English. For example, if the problem is that you have stomach problems, the solution is that you should go to the doctor. Should simply means a good idea or a recommendation. You could also say the solution is that you need to go to a doctor. For the next example, if your problem is that your car won't start, this means your car will not start. You could also say that your car does not start, which is a good way to describe the problem. For the...

It's time for another great grammar lesson with the Grammarian, Yossarian! In this tutorial, you'll actually be attempting to test your abilities and have to parse a sentence.

If you need help with creating a sentence diagram and need help with it for homework or just because, this tutorial is sure to help. In the video, you'll be finding out how to create a diagram for the nominal clause as the subject.

In this clip, an English teacher shows how to use gerunds in the passive voice. It's easier than you might think! It's so easy, in fact, that this free video English lesson can present a complete, detailed overview of passive voice gerunds in just over three minutes. For more information, and to get started improving your own English, take a look.

This video will show you how to pronounce the alphabet correctly in English. If you have trouble hearing the correct pronunciation, and telling the difference between "c" and "d" and "b", this video helps you out with clear enunciation of each letter. Watch this video to pronounce each English letter correctly.

Learning proper American English usage is a challenge, but fortunately this video is here to explain the usage of one common phrase to the non-native English learner. That phrase, one near and dear to the hearts of Americans, is "go shopping". This simple instructional video point out common mistakes that English learners make and shows how to use the phrase correctly in context.

Do you know what an idiom is? If you don't, this English lesson is sure to make you an expert on idiom usage.

In this video it is explained how to use the words "got" "got to" and "gotta'". "Got" is the past tense of the word " get". Sometimes Americans say "have got" in place of "have" or "got" in place of "have". For example there is a sentence "I've got my wallet". Some Americans say "I have my wallet" and some may say "I got my wallet". All of them are correct. "Gotta'" is used in place of "have got to". For example there is a sentence" I have got to go". Some Americans may say"I have to go" and...

This is a tutorial segment of Double comparatives of English Grammar. In this lesson, the instructor is explaining about how to express a cause and an effect in a easier way with examples. She says that it's the relationship where one thing makes a change on another or one factor say for example sunshine, produce a result in another by making us to feel happy. Comparative forms are used to express a cause and effect. Words like brighter, happier are examples for that. For example, in the...

The best way to win friends over in a foreign country is by breaking the ice and showing your enthusiasm with your best effort at their language. Practice your Gaelic for travel or just for fun with friends.

Accents are not only fun but attractive too, when done properly, at least. Work on your Irish accent, practicing the inflection and sound of consonants and vowels. Impress your friends with your new accent.

The future perfect tense describes a situation which is finished in the future. This video tells us how we can use future perfect tense easily. It gives us a deep insight through the grammatical aspect of future perfect tense. It shows us how to use the helping verb i.e "will" with the third form of verb to form a statement in future perfect tense. the basic formula for making a correct statement in future perfect tense is "subject + helping verb + past participle (v3). It's easy to remember...

For those who don't know, a gerund is a noun whose root word is formed from a verb. Anyone interested in brushing up on their grammar skills should view this video by Yossarian on how to diagram gerunds and gerund phrases. Yossarian uses various sentence examples to break down the subjects and verbs to find gerunds and gerund phrases. Learn how to break down the components of any sentence to find the gerund and gerund phrases by following this video tutorial.

In words like bottle and mitten, the "t" really isn't a "t" sound; it is more of a "d" sound or a very fast "t" sound. Practice the "t" sound with the words button, carton, brighten, tighten, fatten, eaten, rotten, matter, butter, flutter, water, bottle, settle, and metal. In American English, the "t" sound is very difficult to hear in some words. An example of this is the word butter, where the "t" sounds more like a "d." Remember, the way people speak English in the United States is different...

In this two part tutorial an English teacher shows some differences between the present tense and the present perfect tense. You will learn the basics, in how to ask a proper question. Watching this will allow you a little more understanding of the English language and how to use it.