English has a lot of idiomatic expressions. How do I get started learning them? Are there verbs that I can study?
Yes. All verbs in English are not equal. The verbs to be, to get and to have are three of the most important verbs in English, Many of the most popular idiomatic expressions contain one of these three verbs. Do you understand the following expressions: to get paid, to get fat, to get out by the skin of one's teeth, to have a big head, to have the right stuff, to have what it takes, to be all that, to be in one's birthday suit, to be all ears, to be a heartbeat away? The following verbs would also be good to study: to take, to do, to make, to bring, to call, to cut, to come, to let, to tell and to say.
What are slang synonyms?
Before anything, let us define the word synonyms. There is no such thing as two words which mean EXACTLY the same thing or which are used EXACTLY in the same way. A house is not exactly a home, red is not always maroon and all women are not ladies. Taking the aforementioned into consideration, a synonym is a word which has the same or nearly the same meaning of another. We are now ready to talk about slang synonyms.
English has many different levels. Usually what is taught in the ESL or EFL classroom is the standard term or expression. Unfortunately, generally in casual conversation or in mass media very rarely is the standard form used. Much more frequently, it is the informal or slang synonym of that word which is used. Do you know what the standard term for the following slang terms: a rat, a mug, a creep or a bastard? What does it mean to be straight? Do you understand what someone has done if he has pimped his ride?
know that both the native language of the U.K. and the U.S. is English. Is there a difference between the two versions of the language? Is British English different from American English?
Yes! The difference between the two languages, although not so great that American and British English are two different languages, are significant. In almost every area of English, there are differences. The moment that one opens one's mouth, native speakers of English know whether they are speaking to someone from the U.K. or the U.S. . The British accent is significantly different than the American one *
Yes, pronunciation in English can seem a handful. An example could easily demonstrate this fact. Note the pronunciation of the vowel ‘a' in the following words: tape, papa, aether, affection, float, star. You can see that in each word the the vowel 'a' is pronounced differently. How do you know when a particular word is pronounced one way versus another? Also, how do you know which letter or diphthong to use? The sad truth is that many times you don't. That being the case, how do you learn to pronounce or write a language which has so many exceptions to the rules? That's simple. You must do as the native-speaker does. You must practice which, in return, helps you to memorize those words which do and which do not follow the rule.
Examples. You did not give any examples. Can you give some examples illustrating the difference?
The difference between American and British English start with the alphabet. In American English the last letter of the alphabet is Z (zee) where in British the last letter z is pronounced zed. Therefore, the common expression A to Z is said differently by someone who speak American versus British English. Americans say A to Z (zee) while persons who speak British English say A to Zed. In the area of grammar, there are differences. One example would be 'got'. In American English, the past perfect of 'got' is either 'got' or 'gotten'. British English does not contain the word 'gotten.' In American English, the simple past and the present perfect are many times used interchangeably. It is not in British English. In standard American English you can say either: 'I've just read the last chapter' or 'I just read the last chapter'. In standard British English, the only correct sentence is: 'I've just read the last chapter' .
In both American and British English, there are verbs which have two forms in the past participle; however, they are used differently in American versus British English. American English-speakers use much more frequently the regular form where the British English-speakers use the irregular form:
American English: spilled, burned, dreamed, spoiled, learned, smelled, leaned, spelled
British English: spilt, burnt, dreamt, spoilt, learnt, smelt, leant, spelt
In American English, you go to THE market, university or hospital; however, in British English, the THE is not used. In American English, one lives ON State Street while in British English, one lives IN State Street.
American English and British English speakers do not agree on what is, and is not, a collective noun. In British English, countries are plural (France have lost) while in American English, countries are singular (France has lost).
These are only a few of the differences. There are many more, especially in the area of vocabulary and spelling.
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