Best posts on Msaad from Aug 2009

Too many posts to handle?

If you missed out on a great post from last month, here are a quick digest of the top posts that you may want to check out:

  • Top tips for socializing in English
    Posted on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 in English – Comments: (0)
    Top tips for socializing in EnglishFeel like you need some time to relax? There is no better way to get rid of stress than by spending time with your friends. Here are some ways to get out and have fun with your buddies. Hang out at the mallWhen friends hang out, it means they are relaxing and having fun together.
  • English compliments to get you on anyone’s good side!
    Posted on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 in English – Comments: (0)
    English compliments to get you on anyone’s good side!In some cultures, flattery may not get you anywhere, but in English-speaking countries, you might find that a simple compliment will take you a long ways. It doesn’t take much, so keep on reading for a few easy and guaranteed ways to get on people’s good side.Finding the right compliment actually isn’t as difficult as it seems.
  • On the rocks? Top 10 English bartending terms
    Posted on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 in English – Comments: (0)
    On the rocks? Top 10 English bartending termsDo you know the difference between a Margarita and a Martini? What do you reply if the bartender asks, “On the rocks, sir?” Here are some expressions to help you order drinks in English!On the rocksThis means ‘with ice’, as in I’ll have a whisky on the rocks.Single or Double?This means the number of shots or measures of alcohol.
  • Top ten ways to say “Thank you” in an English email
    Posted on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 in English – Comments: (0)
    Top ten ways to say “Thank you” in an English emailWhether you’re writing to a client, to a manager or to a colleague, you can’t thank people enough in your emails. Everyone wants to feel appreciated, so thank your readers for what they have already done for you, and thank them for what you want them to do in the future!
  • Need a good laugh? Check out these 5 funny English sayings!
    Posted on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 in English – Comments: (0)
    Need a good laugh? Check out these 5 funny English sayings!Learning the grammar and vocabulary of English can be hard enough, but trying to understand English sayings can be impossible. Some are just hard to figure out and others don’t make any sense at all. Here are five funny English sayings that you can use every day. Just be careful to use them right!
  • The most commonly mispronounced English words
    Posted on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 in English – Comments: (0)
    The most commonly mispronounced English wordsEver get stuck on a word? You’re talking to a native English speaker, you say something, and the person just doesn’t understand? When they finally figure it out, they repeat the word back and you think, “But that’s exactly what I said!”English is known for some subtle pronunciation differences that can completely change a word’s meaning.
  • Why no one understands your English
    Posted on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 in English – Comments: (0)
    Why no one understands your EnglishYou might have memorized the entire English dictionary, but all that vocabulary is useless if no one understands you when you speak! If you’re frustrated because you know you’re using the correct word and sentence structure, but have to repeat a word three or four times before you’re understood, you’re not alone.A lot of people know English well, but they learn from non-native English-speaking teachers, they practice with non-native speakers, and they have never been to an English-speaking country.
  • Don’t hang up! Telephone English tips
    Posted on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 in English – Comments: (0)
    Don’t hang up! Telephone English tipsDo you know how to make and receive telephone calls in English? Talking on the phone is more difficult than speaking face-to-face, so improve your telephone tactics with these useful expressions.Who’s calling please?This is a polite way to ask the name of the caller.I’d like to speak to…Use this phrase to give the name of the person you want to speak to.
  • Too shy to speak English?
    Posted on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 in English – Comments: (0)
    Too shy to speak English?Cat got your tongue? Are you tongue-tied? If so, you’re probably just shy. These idioms refer to what happens when you want to speak but just can’t get your tongue around the words. Will you ever be able to speak confidently? Of course! Here are some techniques that’ll make it easier to overcome your shyness.Practice out loud.
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Top tips for socializing in English

Top tips for socializing in English

Feel like you need some time to relax? There is no better way to get rid of stress than by spending time with your friends. Here are some ways to get out and have fun with your buddies.

Hang out at the mall
When friends hang out, it means they are relaxing and having fun together. The mall (shopping center) is the perfect place to hang out and chat with your friends.

Catch some rays
Prefer the outdoors? Get outside and catch a few rays (enjoy the sunshine) at the beach. The beach or the park is the ideal place to enjoy the sun with people you know.

Enjoy a cup of joe
Cafes are the perfect place to talk with your mates over a cup of joe. No – you don’t need a friend called Joe! A cup of joe is just a cup of coffee.

Go window-shopping
This doesn’t mean that you are are shopping for windows! Window-shopping means looking ?perhaps through the shop windows – without buying anything.

Shoot some hoops
The next time somebody asks you to go to the park and shoot some hoops, don’t worry, they just want to have a game of basketball with you!

Chow down at a fast-food joint
Chow down simply means to eat. A fast-food joint is a great place to grab a pizza or a burger, and chill out (relax) with your crew (group of friends).

Paint the town red!
It’s the weekend. Time to party! Go out with your friends and paint the town red! Red symbolizes fun and excitement. Painting the town red means to have a fun-filled night out.

Caught a flick lately?
If your friends ask you to the cinema to catch a flick, they are just asking you to see a movie with them. You won’t really have to catch anything!

Keep it low-key
Planning a relaxing, quiet night at home with a small group of friends? Tell them you are having a low-key night. This is the opposite of going out and painting the town red.

Grab some munchies and hit the road
Get away on a car-trip with your friends. Don’t forget to grab some popcorn, candy, or other munchies (food, especially snacks)!

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The most commonly mispronounced English words

The most commonly mispronounced English words

Ever get stuck on a word? You’re talking to a native English speaker, you say something, and the person just doesn’t understand? When they finally figure it out, they repeat the word back and you think, “But that’s exactly what I said!”

English is known for some subtle pronunciation differences that can completely change a word’s meaning. Use this list of easily mispronounced words to avoid misunderstandings!

Limb / Limp: Watch out for the last letter on these! A limb is your arm, leg, or the main branch of a tree and the “b” is silent. You limp when you’ve hurt your leg or foot. The “p” is pronounced.

Said / Set: Be sure to clearly pronounce the “d” and “t”. Said is the past tense of the verb to say (to speak or utter). Set is a verb which can mean ‘to make ready’ or ‘put in a specified position’. E.g. I said I would set the table.

Zen / Then: Practice pronouncing “z” and “th” here. Zen is a form of meditation. Then is an adverb meaning ‘at that time’, ‘after that’, or ‘in that case’. E.g I went to a class about Zen, then I went home.

Loose / Lose: Pay close attention to the final “s” and “z” sounds. Loose ends with an soft “s” sound and means ‘not tight’. When you lose something you can’t find it. Emphasize the “z” in lose. E.g. My ring is loose, I’m afraid I’ll lose it.

Statue / Stature: Watch out for the endings! A statue is a large sculpture of a human or animal and sounds like “chew” at the end. Stature refers to someone’s height or their power and reputation. The end sounds more like “chur.” e.g. We honor historical figures of great stature with statues.

Quite / Quiet / Quit: These three words aren’t as difficult as they look! Just pay attention to the vowel sounds. Quite sounds like “kwite” and is often used to emphasize – it can mean ‘completely’, ‘really’, and ‘to a degree’ (I’m quite alone, I’m quite sure). Quiet (kwi-et) means ‘little noise’ – like a library. Quit (kwit) means ‘to cease’, ‘to give up’ or ‘to leave’. e.g. I quit playing loud music and now it’s quite quiet.

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