Do You Mind!?!

You probably know that “mind” in English refers to your thinking, what you do with your brain.

But did you know there were several other uses of “mind”?

Watch this lesson to find out how to use “mind” and “Do you mind?” in English.

And for still more uses of “mind,” check out our Daily English 492 – Importing and Exporting Goods  and Cultural English 238.

~Jeff

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What Will I Learn in My Free Lesson?

Here is just a small part of what you’re going to learn in this free lesson:

  • What “take a rain check” means and how to use it in a conversation . . .
  • The difference between a “recluse” and a “busybody” . . .
  • Why “to fend OFF” means something from “to fend FOR” . . .
  • What it means to “take a rain check,” “keep to yourself,” and “to appoint (someone)” . . .
  • What a social secretary is . . .
  • The best way to use “to sort out” and “to turn down” . . .
  • How to use phrasal verbs like “to settle in” and “to settle down” (they’re not the same!) . . .
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How to Avoid Being Cheesy and Tacky

Cheesy” and “tacky” are two things you definitely do not want to be.

Learn what these common adjectives mean in English, and how you should use them.

For more on how to use “cheesy,” see our Cultural English 454, and to learn about “tacky,” see our Daily English 497 – Shopping for Bedding.

~Jeff

P.S. Like this English lesson? Get a FREE sample lesson (no money needed) – SIGN UP BELOW!

Just fill out the form below and we’ll send a FREE lesson to try!

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What Will I Learn in My Free Lesson?

Here is just a small part of what you’re going to learn in this free lesson:

  • What “take a rain check” means and how to use it in a conversation . . .
  • The difference between a “recluse” and a “busybody” . . .
  • Why “to fend OFF” means something from “to fend FOR” . . .
  • What it means to “take a rain check,” “keep to yourself,” and “to appoint (someone)” . . .
  • What a social secretary is . . .
  • The best way to use “to sort out” and “to turn down” . . .
  • How to use phrasal verbs like “to settle in” and “to settle down” (they’re not the same!) . . .
Posted in Language & Terms | Comments Off on How to Avoid Being Cheesy and Tacky

How to Use “I’m Good” versus “I’m Fine”

A common way to start a conversation is with a question such as “How are you doing?” or “How are things going?”

Learn how to respond to these questions using “I’m fine” versus “I’m good” in this video lesson.

And to find out even more about these expressions, take a look at Cultural English 53 and Daily English 97 – Checking into a Hotel.

~Jeff

P.S. Like this English lesson? Get a FREE sample lesson (no money needed) – SIGN UP BELOW!

Just fill out the form below and we’ll send a FREE lesson to try!

We hate spam, too! We will never sell, rent, or give your information to anyone – ever!

What Will I Learn in My Free Lesson?

Here is just a small part of what you’re going to learn in this free lesson:

  • What “take a rain check” means and how to use it in a conversation . . .
  • The difference between a “recluse” and a “busybody” . . .
  • Why “to fend OFF” means something from “to fend FOR” . . .
  • What it means to “take a rain check,” “keep to yourself,” and “to appoint (someone)” . . .
  • What a social secretary is . . .
  • The best way to use “to sort out” and “to turn down” . . .
  • How to use phrasal verbs like “to settle in” and “to settle down” (they’re not the same!) . . .
Posted in Language & Terms | Comments Off on How to Use “I’m Good” versus “I’m Fine”

7 Ways of Saying “No” in English

Sometimes you have to say “no” to someone, but how do you do it without always saying “no”?

Find out how and when to use these 7 common ways of saying “no” in English:

  1. No, thanks
  2. No, but thanks for asking.
  3. I’m good
  4. Uh-uh
  5. Nope
  6. No way!
  7. Not in a million years

Learn more about using some of these phrases in Daily English 689 – Listening to a Political Speech and Daily English 967 – Feeling Embarrassed.

~Jeff

P.S. Like this English lesson? Get a FREE sample lesson (no money needed) – SIGN UP BELOW!

Just fill out the form below and we’ll send a FREE lesson to try!

We hate spam, too! We will never sell, rent, or give your information to anyone – ever!

What Will I Learn in My Free Lesson?

Here is just a small part of what you’re going to learn in this free lesson:

  • What “take a rain check” means and how to use it in a conversation . . .
  • The difference between a “recluse” and a “busybody” . . .
  • Why “to fend OFF” means something from “to fend FOR” . . .
  • What it means to “take a rain check,” “keep to yourself,” and “to appoint (someone)” . . .
  • What a social secretary is . . .
  • The best way to use “to sort out” and “to turn down” . . .
  • How to use phrasal verbs like “to settle in” and “to settle down” (they’re not the same!) . . .
Posted in Language & Terms | Comments Off on 7 Ways of Saying “No” in English

Put Some Latin into Your English

English uses several Latin expressions in both daily conversation and written communication.

These expressions are more common that you might think!

Here are a few you should definitely know:

  • ad hoc
  • post hoc
  • post hoc, ergo propter hoc
  • per se

For more on Latin expressions in English see our Cultural English #217.

~Jeff

P.S. Like this English lesson? Get a FREE sample lesson (no money needed) – SIGN UP BELOW!

Just fill out the form below and we’ll send a FREE lesson to try!

We hate spam, too! We will never sell, rent, or give your information to anyone – ever!

What Will I Learn in My Free Lesson?

Here is just a small part of what you’re going to learn in this free lesson:

  • What “take a rain check” means and how to use it in a conversation . . .
  • The difference between a “recluse” and a “busybody” . . .
  • Why “to fend OFF” means something from “to fend FOR” . . .
  • What it means to “take a rain check,” “keep to yourself,” and “to appoint (someone)” . . .
  • What a social secretary is . . .
  • The best way to use “to sort out” and “to turn down” . . .
  • How to use phrasal verbs like “to settle in” and “to settle down” (they’re not the same!) . . .
Posted in Language & Terms | Comments Off on Put Some Latin into Your English

How to Sound More American

What are some things you should do – and NOT do – to sound more like a native speaker of American English?

Here are some “tips” to help you in this video.

And to really sound like an American, become a member of Unlimited English, where you can listen to more than 1,800 lessons on hundreds of different topics in daily and cultural English.

~Jeff

P.S. Like this English lesson? Get a FREE sample lesson (no money needed) – SIGN UP BELOW!

Just fill out the form below and we’ll send a FREE lesson to try!

We hate spam, too! We will never sell, rent, or give your information to anyone – ever!

What Will I Learn in My Free Lesson?

Here is just a small part of what you’re going to learn in this free lesson:

  • What “take a rain check” means and how to use it in a conversation . . .
  • The difference between a “recluse” and a “busybody” . . .
  • Why “to fend OFF” means something from “to fend FOR” . . .
  • What it means to “take a rain check,” “keep to yourself,” and “to appoint (someone)” . . .
  • What a social secretary is . . .
  • The best way to use “to sort out” and “to turn down” . . .
  • How to use phrasal verbs like “to settle in” and “to settle down” (they’re not the same!) . . .

 

Posted in How to Learn English | Comments Off on How to Sound More American

How to Curse in English in a Nice Way

To curse means to swear, to use a “bad’ word or expression, especially when you’re angry.

At ESLPod.com, we don’t think it is a good idea for you to curse in English.

But you CAN express your strong emotions and feelings by using “nicer” words.

In this video, learn how and when to use these expressions *instead* of swear words:
-frack/frick/flip (for the “F word”)
-shoot
-darn
-heck
-gosh

Check our our Unlimited English Membership, with more than 1,800 daily and cultural English lessons on every imaginable topic!

~Jeff

P.S. Like this English lesson? Get a FREE sample lesson (no money needed) – SIGN UP BELOW!

Just fill out the form below and we’ll send a FREE lesson to try!

We hate spam, too! We will never sell, rent, or give your information to anyone – ever!

What Will I Learn in My Free Lesson?

Here is just a small part of what you’re going to learn in this free lesson:

  • What “take a rain check” means and how to use it in a conversation . . .
  • The difference between a “recluse” and a “busybody” . . .
  • Why “to fend OFF” means something from “to fend FOR” . . .
  • What it means to “take a rain check,” “keep to yourself,” and “to appoint (someone)” . . .
  • What a social secretary is . . .
  • The best way to use “to sort out” and “to turn down” . . .
  • How to use phrasal verbs like “to settle in” and “to settle down” (they’re not the same!) . . .

 

Posted in Language & Terms | Comments Off on How to Curse in English in a Nice Way

4 Ways to Say “Yes”

Everyone knows what “yes” is in English, but did you know there are different ways of saying “yes” without actually saying “yes”?

Watch this video to find out how to use:
-Uh-huh
-Absolutely!
-By all means
-Agreed

Check out our 1800+ daily and cultural English lessons that are part of our Unlimited English Membership.

~Jeff

P.S. Like this English lesson? Get a FREE sample lesson (no money needed) – SIGN UP BELOW!

Just fill out the form below and we’ll send a FREE lesson to try!

We hate spam, too! We will never sell, rent, or give your information to anyone – ever!

What Will I Learn in My Free Lesson?

Here is just a small part of what you’re going to learn in this free lesson:

  • What “take a rain check” means and how to use it in a conversation . . .
  • The difference between a “recluse” and a “busybody” . . .
  • Why “to fend OFF” means something from “to fend FOR” . . .
  • What it means to “take a rain check,” “keep to yourself,” and “to appoint (someone)” . . .
  • What a social secretary is . . .
  • The best way to use “to sort out” and “to turn down” . . .
  • How to use phrasal verbs like “to settle in” and “to settle down” (they’re not the same!) . . .

 

Posted in Language & Terms | Comments Off on 4 Ways to Say “Yes”

Don’t Make This Mistake When Speaking English

It’s important to know the meaning of idioms and slang expressions in English. But should you actually use them when you speak and write?

In this video, I give you three reasons why sometimes *not* using idioms will actually make you sound more like a native speaker. These reasons include:
-Getting the wording wrong
-Getting the meaning wrong
-Getting the context wrong

~Jeff

P.S. Like this English lesson? Get a FREE sample lesson (no money needed) – SIGN UP BELOW!

Just fill out the form below and we’ll send a FREE lesson to try!

We hate spam, too! We will never sell, rent, or give your information to anyone – ever!

What Will I Learn in My Free Lesson?

Here is just a small part of what you’re going to learn in this free lesson:

  • What “take a rain check” means and how to use it in a conversation . . .
  • The difference between a “recluse” and a “busybody” . . .
  • Why “to fend OFF” means something from “to fend FOR” . . .
  • What it means to “take a rain check,” “keep to yourself,” and “to appoint (someone)” . . .
  • What a social secretary is . . .
  • The best way to use “to sort out” and “to turn down” . . .
  • How to use phrasal verbs like “to settle in” and “to settle down” (they’re not the same!) . . .

 

Posted in Language & Terms | Comments Off on Don’t Make This Mistake When Speaking English

More Common Abbreviations from the HQ of ESLPod

There are dozens of abbreviations used in English. Learn about some additional common ones here, including:

  • TBA
  • HQ
  • IPO

And check out our Unlimited English Membership for even more great English lessons!

~Jeff

P.S. Like this English lesson? Get a FREE sample lesson (no money needed) – SIGN UP BELOW!

Just fill out the form below and we’ll send a FREE lesson to try!

We hate spam, too! We will never sell, rent, or give your information to anyone – ever!

What Will I Learn in My Free Lesson?

Here is just a small part of what you’re going to learn in this free lesson:

  • What “take a rain check” means and how to use it in a conversation . . .
  • The difference between a “recluse” and a “busybody” . . .
  • Why “to fend OFF” means something from “to fend FOR” . . .
  • What it means to “take a rain check,” “keep to yourself,” and “to appoint (someone)” . . .
  • What a social secretary is . . .
  • The best way to use “to sort out” and “to turn down” . . .
  • How to use phrasal verbs like “to settle in” and “to settle down” (they’re not the same!) . . .
Posted in Language & Terms | Comments Off on More Common Abbreviations from the HQ of ESLPod