Spring Break
Each week I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
It is spring break season in the U.S., and that means a lot of concerts, alcohol, and teeny bikini’s as college students around the country ascend on beach towns to party. Florida is the most popular spring break destination, and millions are expected to crowd the beaches in Panama City, Daytona, and Miami throughout the month of March.
Vocabulary
Language Level – B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Investigation (n)
- Investment (n)
- Issue (v)
- Joy (n)
- Judgement (n)
- Junior (adj)
- Justice (n)
- Justify (v)
- Labor (n)
- Landscape (n)
Practice this vocabulary with Quizlet.
Reading Tip
Language Level – B1
Tip: Practice reading about festivities you enjoy in English.
Some cities are enforcing new rules this year due to the recent out-of-control spring break parties, which have resulted in stampedes, shootings, and other problems. Read more about it in this article: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/south-florida-cracks-down-on-spring-break-fort-lauderdale-and-miami-beach-enforce-rules/ar-AA1A4XUl?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Grammar Tip
Language Level – B1
Infinitive or Gerund?
Infinitives are verbs that begin with “to” such as:
- to read
- to buy
- to walk
- to eat
Gerunds are verbs that end with “ing” like this:
- reading
- buying
- walking
- eating
BUT – they are identified as a Gerund (ing) or Infinitive (to) when they FUNCTION as a noun.
This is one of the most difficult grammar lessons because there are many different rules. So we will break down the rules one at a time over the next few weeks.
Tip: Microlearning, or learning things in smaller pieces, is very helpful for retention (remembering the material permanently).
Last week: Gerunds and infinitives as the subject of a sentence.
This week: Gerunds or Infinitives after certain verbs.
Some verbs will ONLY be followed by a gerund.
Other verbs will ONLY be followed by an infinitive.
Unfortunately, there is no easy rule to help you learn which is which and there are A LOT of them. You just have to learn them through repetition. Here is a chart with some of the most common ones.
Let’s practice!
Place the correct gerund or infinitive in the blank for each sentence below:
Example: He decided _________ for office
Answer: He decided to run for office. (Decide, from the chart above, must be followed by an infinitive.)
- She detested _________________ children on the beach.
- We agreed _____________ on Friday afternoon.
- I practice ___________ English at the library.
- I love _________________ pancakes for breakfast.
- Can you imagine ________________ the lottery?
- Don’t forget ____________ a tip!
- We must continue ____________ every day.
- I avoid ___________________ before bed.
Pronunciation Tip
Language Level – All levels
Below are some commonly mispronounced words in American English, along with a phonetic pronunciation. Even native speakers get these wrong sometimes.
If you don’t know the definition, this is also a good way to expand your vocabulary. If the phonetic clue is difficult to understand, click on the speaker to hear the word pronounced. Here is a link to a dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/
- GIF (jif)
- Epitome (eh-PIT-oh-mee)
- Chaos (KAY-os)
- Meme (meem)
- Synonymous (si-NON-uh-muhs)
- Gist (jist)
- Metabolism (muh-TAB-uh-liz-uhm)
- Panacea (pan-uh-SEE-uh)
- Bury (BARE-ee)
- Açai (ah-sah-EE)
Weekly Challenge
Language Level – C1
Test your listening skills with this fast-paced listening test for American English:
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