English lessons with Mel

14/06/2023

In a world where you can be anything, I'll be kind to you.... la la la . Enjoy this song.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaj08tCfsVw

15/11/2021

Merry or Happy Christmas? Or both?
Merry or Happy New Year - only one of them is correct !😊

08/11/2021

Are you ready to BRUSH UP your english? Let's get some UP TO DATE expressions in your english. POP IN by zoom or ZIP OVER in person and learn some UBER COOL language so you can understand "street english."

25/04/2021

Here’s a few expressions to talk about what you know.
• Not have the faintest idea (not know something): I don't have the faintest idea why she quit.
• Not have a clue (not know something): He doesn't have a clue about computers!
• Know something inside out (know very well): They know London inside out.
• Have a firm belief (believe strongly): She has a firm belief that exercise is bad for you.
• Be well versed in (know well): He is well versed in 19th century art.

Let's review! What word do we need?
1. We don't have the _________________________ idea where the house is.
2. She knows finance _________________________ out.
3. They don't have a _________________________ about cars.
4. They are _________________________ versed in the details of European law.
5. We have a firm _________________________ that this is the right thing to do.

19/12/2020

Over and above .... or .....Above and beyond

what's the difference?

She went over and above to ensure that all the guests were comfortable.
He went above and beyond to keep his job by doing extra things for his boss.

They are very similar in meaning.
Over and above -shows that some was done at a level which was more than was required.
Above and beyond - is old fashioned, but shows that something extra was done, not just your duty.

Try to use them in a sentence - with the verb GO.

She went...working long hours without pay.
He went....buying dog food for his boss' pet dog.

18/10/2020

Has something "put the kibosh " on your plans? Do you need to rearrange your plans because something has gone wrong? No-one knows the origin of the word KIBOSH,
The earliest citation is in Dickens.

One possible origin is Irish caip bháis, caipín báis "cap of death," sometimes said to be the black cap a judge would don when pronouncing a death sentence!

So I hope the rain doesn't put the kibosh on your sunday!

14/09/2020

Have you heard the expression 'have a lot on your plate'?

We use the expression 'have a lot on your plate' to mean 'have a lot of work or problems or things to do'. It usually means that you are too busy.

She has a job as a manager, two children and she studies in the evenings. She has a lot on her plate.

He only works a few hours a week. He really doesn't have a lot on his plate.
​

We can also use the forms 'have too much on your plate' and 'have enough on your plate'.

Put in the correct form of 'have a lot on your plate'.

1. She really _____ at the moment.

2. At that time, I _____. I had two jobs and I was studying.

3. I think you will _____ if you say yes to this new job.

4. We can't help you now because we _____. Maybe later?

5. Do you feel like you'll _____ if you say yes?

6. I can't do a part time degree. I already _____.

26/08/2020

Learn English with song lyrics. This song is about the importance of the “common,” or ordinary people we have in our lives. Real human relationships are less about things like superpowers and more about care and comfort.

1. “Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u6bWs-ZG0o

Focus on these lines - some words are difficult to pronounce
I’ve been reading books of old
The legends and the myths
The testaments they told
The moon and its eclipse
And Superman unrolls
A suit before he lifts
But I’m not the kind of person that it fits

Check out the official live performance of "Something Just Like This" by The Chainsmokers & Coldplay at the BRITs/ The Chainsmokers & Coldplay "Something Jus...

17/08/2020

Why do we say 'he usually drinks tea' ('usually' before the verb) but 'he is usually on time' ('usually' after the verb)?

12/08/2020

Here are a few expressions to talk about what you know.

Not have the faintest idea (not know something): I don't have the faintest idea why she went.
Not have a clue (not know something): He doesn't have a clue about English grammar!
Know something inside out (know very well): They know Harrogate inside out.
Have a firm belief (believe strongly): She has a firm belief that smoking is bad for you.
Be well versed in (know well): He is well versed in Ancient Greek.

I have a FREE mini worksheet available if you want to practice. just message me and I'll email it to you.

10/08/2020

Ask for or Ask about? -both are CORRECT but DIFFERENT
Ask someone for = try to get something

She asked him for a glass of wine.

Ask someone about = try to get information about

Ask someone about: She asked him about his family.