Learn English with STORM Network

16/07/2014

When people say the ‘jury is out’ or the ‘jury is still out’ on something, they mean that a decision hasn’t been made or the answer to an issue isn’t yet known.
The jury is still out on whether the World Cup will benefit all Brazilians.

A jury is a group of members of the public who listen to cases in law courts and decide if people are innocent or guilty. When they are ‘out’, they have left the courtroom to discuss the case and make their decision.

16/07/2014

ago, since, for

You use ‘ago’ to say how much time before now something happened. You are counting back from today.
This whale lived millions of years ago.

You use ‘since’ to refer to the starting point of time that has passed.
I have been waiting for the train since seven o’clock.

You use ‘for’ to say how long something lasts.
You can stay underwater for about forty minutes when scuba diving.

16/07/2014

‘out of the blue’

Something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly.

Out of the blue I got an email telling me that an old friend had died.

16/07/2014

tear or tear? (listen or read)

A ‘tear’ is a drop of fluid from the eye
She shed a tear when her cat died.

‘Tear’ is a verb meaning to rip.
Don't tear the book.

‘Tear’ is also used as a noun.
There’s a tear in your pants.

16/07/2014

Facts about watch, look and see

We 'watch' things that move, for example a rugby game, a TV show and a film in a cinema. 'Tonight, i will watch a film".

We tend to 'look' at things that aren't so much in motion like a beach, or a photograph, a sculpture and the stars in the sky. "Don't look up, it's raining'.

And,

to 'see' is to be aware of the things that are visual, around you. 'I can see rain clouds today".

16/07/2014

like and looks like (watch or read)

You use the verb ‘like’ to talk about what you prefer and enjoy.
They like to ride horses in the bush.

He likes seafood.

‘Look like’ is used to ask about someone’s appearance.
What does he look like?
He’s got a beard and wears glasses.

‘Looks like’ means resembles.
She looks like her mother.

And you can say ‘it looks like rain’ if it is about to rain.

‘Like’ is also used to ask about someone’s character.
What’s he like?
He’s friendly and enthusiastic.

13/01/2014

To have a frog in your throat is not to be able to speak properly because you have a blocked throat.
Excuse me (cough), I've got a frog in my throat.

13/01/2014

in the way or on the way?

When you’re going somewhere, you’re ‘on the way’.
I’m on my way to the beach.

Something that is ‘in the way’ impedes your progress…
Don’t leave things in the passage where they’re in the way.

…or obscures your view.
I can’t see the stage because his hat is in the way.

13/01/2014

take up

start an activity
I've decided to take up swimming.

occupies; uses
The computer takes up too much space on the desk.

accept
I'm going to take up that job offer.

restart something that has been interrupted
I'll take up the story from where I left it last night.

remove from a surface
We took up the carpets and then polished the floorboards.

shorten a dress or pair of trousers
This dress needs to be taken up.

13/01/2014

10/08/2013

break up

Something that is broken up is divided into smaller pieces.
The sea ice is breaking up.

end a relationship
She wants to break up with him.

Something that comes to an end for a holiday or the end of the day breaks up.
School will break up early today.

using colour to make something look more interesting
You need a lighter colour to break up all that black.

makes things less boring
I need to take a walk sometimes to break up the monotony of sitting at the desk all day.

10/08/2013

maybe, perhaps

Maybe and perhaps mean the same thing – that something is possible but not certain.

Maybe I will go fishing this weekend.

Perhaps is used in more formal English.

Perhaps you would like to sit down?