English Language Reference:Negotiations- The Language of Diplomacy.

In this blog we are looking at the language of diplomacy. When negotiating, diplomacy and polite language are  key tools in keeping the negotiation both, polite, and professional. Your choice of language can have a powerful effect on the outcome of a negotiation. For example, compare the following: We reject your offer.>I‘m afraid at this point … Read more

English Language Synonyms. Part 2.

So on the last post we looked at a few synonyms  of words beginning with the letter ‘a’. Part 2 of this post will give examples of words beginning with ‘b’ and their synonyms. basis / foundation / base / bedrock beat / batter / pound / pummel / lash / hammer beautiful / pretty / … Read more

English Language Synonyms. Part 1

This blog shows the differences between groups of words with similar meanings. The words in each group are given order of frequency_ from the most common to the least common. The word in bold shows you the entry in a dictionary where you can find the note. action / move / act / gesture / … Read more

English Language Reference Part 1: What’s it like?; nouns & quantity

What’s it like? This question asks about  the characteristics of people or things. You usually answer it with an adjective or adjective phrase. ” What’s London like?” “It’s big and exciting.” “What are the people in your village like?” “They’re very friendly”. Countable nouns These refer to things which can be counted. You use them … Read more

English Words with Multiple Applications Part 1 – ‘Up’

Polysemy comes from Neo-Latin polysemia, which comes from Greek polusemous [poly- (many) + sema (sign)] giving us a linguistic term, “having many meanings” or multiple meanings. We also have polyseme (singular) [puh LIS uh mee], and polysemes (plural) [puh LIS uh meez]. The words polysemy [puh LIS uh mee or PAWL i see” mee] and … Read more

Why English pronunciation is so difficult, or is it? Is it all just so contradictory??

1) The bandage was wound around the wound. 2) The farm was used to produce produce. 3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse. 4) We must polish the Polish furniture. 5) He could lead if he would get the lead out. 6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert … Read more