Shany Maor English

Calling all Bookworms! 📚

If good books, good talk and good company are for you, join us!

I have a few spots left in my current Book Club groups (for adults), and may even be opening a new one, according to popular demand 🙂

So if you are interested, like or comment on this post, or fill out the form in the link below, and I will reach out with details. 🌻
https://forms.gle/PfyRHxL8q2ymXc2u5

English Tip of the Week!
The Singular Form ... A How-To: 💪

The singular form is used to discuss single nouns. What could be simpler? What is there to talk about? 🤔 Well, a lot.

Of course, we leave off the -s that we would add if we were discussing a noun in the plural (multiple) form. So, "employee" instead of "employees". Done?

Not quite 🤚 It is NOT ENOUGH to simply remove the -s. You must also add either the word A or THE before the singular noun. (Unless we are discussing a proper noun, meaning, a name.) THE is used when discussing a SPECIFIC noun. For example, "THE new neighbor is friendly" or "THE solution is effective."

However, even when discussing a non-specific noun, you must include the word A before it. For example, "I wonder when A new neighbor will move in" or "We must think of A solution."

Still not done 🙃 If the noun begins with a vowel (a,e,i,o,u), the A becomes AN. So, "I received AN email" or "We need AN inovative solution."

And the grand finale 👏 ... the letter H. Sometimes H is pronounced as /h/, a hard sound that is audible (heard), as in "huge." But sometimes H is silent, as in "honest." When it's silent, the H is like a vowel, requiring AN instead of A before it. "He is AN honest man" as opposed to "What A huge house."

Hope that clears up all aspects of the singular!

As always, please be in touch for professional English coaching and instruction 🌻

English Tip of the Week! 💪
C and G ... Which sounds do they make and when?

The letter C sometimes sounds like a K and sometimes like an S.

"G" can sound like "/g/" or like a J.

What's the rule? 🤔 Simple.

The letter C ALWAYS sounds like a K ... unless it is followed by the letters E, I or Y. In those cases, it sounds like an S. So, in the words "cat" or "computer" the C sounds like a K, but in "circle" or "cellular" it sounds like an S.

Likewise, the letter G is ALWAYS pronounced "/g/" as in "good" or "graduate," unless it is followed by an E, I or Y. Then it sounds like a J, as in "gentle" or "gym".

So keep that in mind when spelling or pronouncing words that include C or G.

For more English coaching, or help with your professional English, please be in touch! 🌻

Either, Or, Neither, Nor: A Tale of Two Options

Unsure about when to use "either" and when to use "neither"? How about "nor"? What a weird word. 🤔

So, to clarify: "Either" is used when we are discussing TWO options ... and it is paired with the word "or". For example, "There are a couple of restaurants around here. We can have EITHER pizza OR sushi."

The word "either" can also be used to respond to a discussion about two options, in which case there's no need to repeat them. "Do you want pizza or sushi?" "I'm fine with either."

What about "neither" and "nor" then? They have the same function as "either" and "or," but they are used to NEGATE only. "I like NEITHER pizza NOR sushi." Or, "Do you want pizza or sushi?" "Actually, neither. Maybe a burger instead?"

Be in touch for professional English coaching and instruction! Sessions available online and in person. 🌻

English Tip of the Week: 👏

When discussing RESEARCH in English, remember that "research" can be used as a verb ("I will research the subject") or as a noun ("I have done research.")

As a noun, "research" is used for the singular AND plural (one or many). So never say or write, "researches" 🤭 Only "research." It's like the word fish ... one fish, many fish 🐠

If you are referring to one specific bit of research, say "a piece of research." And if you're referring to more, say "a lot of research" or "a great deal of research."

And for more professional English coaching and instruction, please be in touch! 🌻

Presenting in English? Making a speech? You'll probably need these phrases 👇 Make sure you're using them correctly.

- When discussing something necessary: "In order to ..." (not "in order for").

- When noting similarities: "In comparison" or "For comparison ..." (not "in comparing" or "for comparing").

- At the end: "In conclusion ..." (not "for conclusion").

Good luck! 🌻

And as always, please be in touch for English coaching and instruction. Sessions available online and in person.

English Tip of the Day:

Remember that in English, we've got "he," "she" ... and "IT" 🤔

"It" is generally used to refer to objects or other subjects that are non-gendered.

For example:
"I work at an international company. IT is very large."
"What a beautiful dress! IT looks great on you."

Avoid using "he" or "she" for objects. People will still understand you, but these are the details that separate those who "know how to speak English" from "English speakers" 💪

For English coaching and instruction, be in touch! Online and in person. 🌻

English Tip of the Week!

Synonyms are your friends. (Synonyms = different words with the same meaning.) Use them! 🙂

People often use the same word over and over when presenting, pitching, in professional writing, or in their CV. Not good 🙄 You want to stand out by using language that is interesting and diverse.

One example of a word that's over-repeated in business English contexts is DEVELOP. Use it once, then use synonyms, such as ESTABLISH, CULTIVATE, CREATE or BUILD UP.

This way, your business language will be more engaging 💪

For English coaching and instruction that will help you get ahead, please be in touch 🌻

[email protected]