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Everyday English

Short tips on grammar, vocabulary and expressions you can use the same day.

21 episodes

Obligation and permission: must, have to, and canHere is a useful English distinction for everyday life: permission, obligation, prohibition, and choice. Use can when you ask for or give permission. For example, “Can I leave early today?” asks whether it is allowed. October 14, 20261:24

By and until for deadlinesHere’s a useful English difference: use “by” for a deadline, and “until” for something that continues over time. “By” means no later than a particular moment. October 14, 20261:23

Suggestions and advice with should, could, and why don’t youWhen you want to give advice, use “should” or “shouldn’t.” For example, “You should get some rest,” or “You shouldn’t answer work messages so late.” These forms say what you think is a good or bad idea. October 14, 20261:21

Polite requests with could, would, and mayToday’s quick English reminder is about polite requests: asking someone to do something, or asking for permission. Use “Could you...?” or “Would you...?” when you want another person to do something. October 14, 20261:19

Make and do for common actionsHere’s a useful English pair that often causes trouble: do and make. As a general guide, use do for an activity, a piece of work, or a task. October 14, 20261:14

Across versus through for movementToday’s useful difference is between “across” and “through” when we talk about movement. Use “across” when someone moves from one side to the other over or on a surface, or across an area with clear sides or limits. October 14, 20261:27

Over versus along for movementHere’s a useful English difference: over and along can both describe movement, but they focus on different ideas. Use over when something moves above or across an obstacle or surface. October 14, 20261:26

Present perfect and past simpleHere’s a useful way to choose between two English tenses. October 13, 20261:01

Sorry: apologizing or expressing sympathyThe words “I’m sorry” can do two different jobs. They can be an apology, or they can show sympathy. The situation tells us which one is meant. October 13, 20261:28

At for clock times and certain time expressionsHere’s a useful way to choose a small word for time. October 13, 20261:18

Frequency adverbs at the beginning or end of a clauseLet’s look at where words like “often” and “never” go in a sentence. These are frequency adverbs: they tell us how often something happens. They usually sit in the middle of a clause. October 12, 20261:20

Frequency adverbs before the main verb and after auxiliariesWords like “often,” “never,” and “usually” tell us how frequently something happens. Their place depends on the verb. With one main verb, put the frequency word before it. October 11, 20261:10

Use much and many in questions, negatives, and affirmativesI’m Emma, and today we’re looking at how to use much and many in everyday sentences. Use much with an uncountable noun, something we don’t count as separate items. Use many with plural countable nouns. October 11, 20261:24

For and since: duration versus starting pointUse “for” before an amount of time—a duration. October 10, 20261:23

Stating opinions with “I think” and “in my view”Today, let’s look at two easy ways to state an opinion in English. You can say, “I think,” followed by a full idea. The word “that” is optional. October 9, 20261:18

Choose much or many by noun typeUse “much” with a singular uncountable noun: something we don’t usually count as separate items. For example, “How much water do you drink?” Water is uncountable here. October 9, 20261:19

Frequency adverbs with the verb beHere’s a small word-order tip that can help everyday English sound more natural. Words like “always,” “usually,” and “never” tell us how often something happens. October 8, 20261:15

On for days and datesLet’s look at a small word that helps us talk about time: “on.” We usually use “on” with a day of the week, a date, or a special day. October 8, 20261:38

Some and any in questionsToday, let’s look at “some” and “any” in questions. Here’s the useful rule: use “any” when your question is neutral or open. You don’t know what the answer will be, and you’re simply asking. October 6, 20261:26

Question-tag form and positive/negative polarityHere’s a quick English capsule for Slow English FM. Today, we’re looking at question tags—short questions added to the end of a sentence. For a confirmation question, use the opposite polarity. October 5, 20261:24

Question tags for expected confirmation and intonationToday’s quick English tip is about question tags. October 5, 20261:28

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