Learn to speak English

Formal names and short forms

2011-04-19T02:38:00.000-07:00

Some formal names and their diminutive or short forms (informal names)

Andrew - Andy

Alan - Al

Alexander - Al

Alexander - Alec

Alexander - Alex

Alexander - Sandy

Alfred - Al

Alfred - Fred

Benjamin - Ben

Benjamin - Benny

Caroline - Carol

Catherine - Cath

Catherine - Cathy

Christopher - Chris

David - Dave

David - Davy

Daniel - Dan

Daniel - Danny

Diana - Di

Edward - Ed

Edward - Eddy

Elizabeth - Eliza

Elizabeth - Liz

Elizabeth - Beth

Frederick - Fred

Frederick - Freddy

Geoffrey - Geoff

Harold - Harry

James - Jim

James - Jimmy

Jennifer - Jenny

Jennifer - Jennie

Kenneth - Ken

Kenneth - Kenny

Michael - Mike

Michael - Mick

Michael - Mickey

Nicholas - Nick

Nicholas - Nicky

Pamela - Pam

Patricia - Pat

Patrick - Pat

Peter - Pete

Richard - Dick

Richard - Ricky

Robert - Bob

Robert - Bert

Samantha - Sam

Samuel - Sam

Susan - Sue

Susan - Susie

Terrence - Terry

Timothy - Tim

Victoria - Vicky

Victor - Vic

William - Bill

Difference between protect and prevent

2011-04-19T01:49:00.000-07:00

Protect means to keep someone or something safe from bad things.

It means to take care of.

It means to guard from harm.

Prevent means to stop something from happening.

It also means to keep from happening or continuing.

You should wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from sunlight.

Wearing sunglasses can help prevent eye problems.

I want a sunscreen that protects me from getting darker.

I want to use sunscreen to prevent direct sunrays falling on me.

It is very difficult to prevent earthquake from happening.

Take safety measures to protect you from earthquakes.

Thanks, but no thanks

2011-02-19T23:44:00.001-08:00

It means an offer is appreciated but declined.

The word ‘thanks’ appreciates an offer and at the same time the phrase ‘no thanks’ declines the offer.

Let us imagine a situation like this.

· John offers sweets to Mary.

· Mary appreciates the offer but doesn’t want to accept the sweets.

· She wants to convey rejection.

In this case, she will express the denial as, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Some words with silent letters

2011-02-17T21:14:00.000-08:00

Letters in brackets here are not pronounced.

· Asp(i)rin

· Bou(gh)t

· Bus(i)ness

· cau(gh)t

· Choc(o)late

· Clim(b)

· com(b)

· Comf(or)table

· dau(gh)ter

· Diff(e)rent

· dum(b)

· Ev(e)ning

· Ev(e)ry

· Han(d)kerchief

· hei(gh)t

· hi(gh)

· (h)onest

· (h)onour

· (h)our

· Int(e)resting

· li(gh)t

· Marri(a)ge

· Med(i)cine

· mi(gh)t

· nei(gh)bour

· Om(e)lette

· ou(gh)t

· Rest(au)rant

· ri(gh)t

· san(d)wich

· Sev(e)ral

· si(gh)t

· strai(gh)t

· Temp(e)rature

· thou(gh)t

· throu(gh)

· ti(gh)t

· Us(u)ally

· Veg(e)table

· W(h)at

· w(h)en

· w(h)ip

· w(h)y

· We(d)nesday

· wei(gh)

Language police

2011-02-17T01:46:00.000-08:00

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The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : Language police

Strategies for learning a foreign language

2011-02-17T01:33:00.000-08:00

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The Hindu : Education : Strategies for learning a foreign language

Learning centres for foreign languages

2011-02-17T01:31:00.000-08:00

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The Hindu : Education : Learning centres for foreign languages

What's wrong with correct English?

2011-02-17T01:28:00.000-08:00

Click here

The Hindu : Arts / Books : What's wrong with correct English?

The Hindu : Education : Does bridge course bridge the divide?

2011-02-17T01:20:00.000-08:00

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The Hindu : Education : Does bridge course bridge the divide?

A rhyme about nine parts of speech

2011-01-24T03:30:00.000-08:00

Three little words you often see

Are articles - a, an, and the.

A noun's the name of anything

As school or garden, hoop or swing.

Adjectives describe the 'kind of noun'

As great, small, pretty, white or brown.

Instead of nouns, the pronouns stand -

Her head, his face, your arm, my hand.

Verbs tell of something to be done -

To read, count, sing, to laugh or run.

How things are done the adverbs tell,

As slowly, quickly, ill or well.

Conjunctions join the words together,

As men and women, wind or weather.

The preposition stands before

A noun, as in or through a door.

The interjection shows surprise,

As Oh! How pretty! Oh! How wise!

The whole are called nine parts of speech,

Which reading, writing, speaking teach.

An old rhyme on "The Parts of Speech"

2011-01-24T02:48:00.000-08:00

Every name is called a noun,

As field and fountain, street and town.

In place of noun the pronoun stands,

As he and she can clap their hands.

The adjective describes a thing,

As magic wand and bridal ring.

The verb means action, something done --

To read, to write, to jump, to run.

How things are done, the adverbs tell,

As quickly, slowly, badly, well.

The preposition shows relation,

As in the street, or at the station.

Conjunctions join, in many ways,

Sentences, words, or phrase and phrase.

The interjection cries out, "Hark!

I need an exclamation mark!"

Through poetry, we learn how each

Of these make up the Parts of Speech.

Quotations about Speaking

2011-01-18T06:59:00.001-08:00

To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered. ~John Ruskin

By swallowing evil words unsaid, no one has ever harmed his stomach. ~Winston Churchill

The trouble with talking too fast is you may say something you haven't thought of yet. ~Ann Landers

To speak and to speak well are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks. ~Ben Jonson

If you wouldn't write it and sign it, don't say it. ~Earl Wilson

Two monologues do not make a dialogue. ~Jeff Daly

Of those who say nothing, few are silent. ~Thomas Neiel

The older I grow the more I listen to people who don't talk much. ~Germain G. Glien

Let a fool hold his tongue and he will pass for a sage. ~Pubilius Syrus

Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presence of a witness. ~Margaret Millar

Not the fastest horse can catch a word spoken in anger. ~Chinese Proverb

There is no such thing as conversation. It is an illusion. There are intersecting monologues, that is all. ~Rebecca West (Cicily Maxwell Andrews), "The Harsh Voice," There Is No Conversation, 1935

The kindest word in all the world is the unkind word, unsaid. ~Author Unknown

Talking is like playing on the harp; there is as much in laying the hands on the strings to stop their vibration as in twanging them to bring out their music. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

People have to talk about something just to keep their voice boxes in working order so they'll have good voice boxes in case there's ever anything really meaningful to say. ~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Cat's Cradle

Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne. ~Quentin Crisp

Well-timed silence hath more eloquence than speech. ~Martin Farquhar Tupper, "Of Discretion," Proverbial Philosophy

The true genius shudders at incompleteness - and usually prefers silence to saying something which is not everything it should be. ~Edgar Allan Poe

Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud. ~Hermann Hesse

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. ~Dorothy Nevill

The easiest way to save face is to keep the lower half shut. ~Author Unknown

Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if he kept his mouth shut. ~Author Unknown

Among my most prized possessions are words that I have never spoken. ~Orson Rega Card

Be careful of your thoughts; they may become words at any moment. ~Ira Gassen

Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute. ~Josh Billings

Foolishness always results when the tongue outraces the brain. ~Author Unknown

The words you choose to say something are just as important as the decision to speak. ~Author Unknown

Among provocatives, the next best thing to good preaching is bad preaching. I have even more thoughts during or enduring it than at other times. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

An inability to stay quiet is one of the conspicuous failings of mankind. ~Walter Bagehot

It is better to keep one's mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and resolve all doubt. ~Abraham Lincoln

I am annoyed by individuals who are embarrassed by pauses in a conversation. To me, every conversational pause refreshes. ~George Sanders

Isn't it surprising how many things, if not said immediately, seem not worth saying ten minutes from now? ~Arnot L. Sheppard, Jr.

It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood. ~Karl Popper, Unended Quest

Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. ~Ambrose Bierce

Drawing on my find command of language, I said nothing. ~Robert Charles Benchley

Don't tell your friends about your indigestions: "How are you!" is a greeting, not a question. ~Arthur Guiterman, A Poet's Proverbs

Once a word has been allowed to escape, it cannot be recalled. ~Horace

Don't speak unless you can improve on the silence. ~Spanish Proverb

One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say. ~Will Durant

If writers wrote as carelessly as some people talk, then adhasdh asdglaseuyt[bn[ pasdlgkhasdfasdf. ~Lemony Snicket

Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving evidence of the fact. ~George Eliot, Impressions of Theophrastus Such, 1879

Calvin: Sometimes when I'm talking, my words can't keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we think faster than we speak.
Hobbes: Probably so we can think twice.
~Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes

One way to prevent conversation from being boring is to say the wrong thing. ~Frank Sheed

Talk to people about themselves and they will listen for hours. ~Benjamin Disraeli

Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument an exchange of ignorance. ~Robert Quillen

Coolidge was known for his terse speech and reticence. A woman bet her friend that she could get Coolidge to speak to her, which was something he was reluctant to do. She went up to him and said: "Hello, Mr. President, I bet my friend that I could get you to say three words to me." "You lose," Coolidge replied dryly, and walked away. ~Author Unknown

The difference between a smart man and a wise man is that a smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows whether or not to say it. ~Frank M. Garafola

I just wish my mouth had a backspace key. ~Author Unknown

No man would listen to you talk if he didn't know it was his turn next. ~E.W. Howe
Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use. ~Wendell Johnson

He's a wonderful talker, who has the art of telling you nothing in a great harangue. ~Jean Baptiste Molière, Le Misanthrope

The trouble with her is that she lacks the power of conversation but not the power of speech. ~George Bernard Shaw

If you keep your mouth shut you will never put your foot in it. ~Austin O'Malley

If everybody thought before they spoke, the silence would be deafening. ~George Barzan

Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand. ~Author Unknown

Man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them. ~Adlai Stevenson

The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't being said. ~Author Unknown

In the course of my life, I have often had to eat my words, and I must confess that I have always found it a wholesome diet. ~Winston Churchill

The best way to keep one's word is not to give it. ~Napoleon I, Maxims

Keep your words soft and tender because tomorrow you may have to eat them. ~Author Unknown

Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference. ~Author unknown, attributed to Mark Twain

When you're arguing with a fool, make sure he isn't doing the same thing. ~Author Unknown

Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. ~Ernest Hemingway

Antecedent and Anaphor

2010-11-19T03:20:00.000-08:00

An antecedent is a linguistic expression which provides the interpretation for a second expression (anaphor) which has little meaning of its own.

An antecedent is usually a noun phrase.

An antecedent usually comes before its anaphor.

· If you see Ram, give him your shirt. (Antecedent – Ram; anaphor – him)

· He went to his shop. (Antecedent – he; anaphor – his)

· Ravi injured himself playing Volleyball. (Antecedent – Ravi; anaphor – himself)

An antecedent occasionally follows its anaphor.

An anaphor that precedes its antecedent is sometimes called a cataphor.

· If you see him, give Ram your shirt.

Antecedent and its anaphor can be in different sentences.

· Palaniappan is my brother. He is a merchant. (Antecedent – Palaniappan; anaphor – he)

An antecedent can be a verb phrase, an adjective phrase or a prepositional phrase.

· My father asked me to open the door and I did it. (The antecedent ‘open the door’ is the verb phrase)

· John thought Devi was in hospital, but he didn’t find her there. (The antecedent ‘in hospital’ is the prepositional phrase)

Antecedent can be a complete sentence.

· Sita: Arun is teaching English.

· Ragu: Who told you that?

The anaphor ‘that’ refers to the complete sentence ‘Arun is teaching English’.

Acrostics

2010-11-08T07:34:00.000-08:00

An acrostic is a poem written where the first letter of each line put together spells a word. The poem also tells something about the word thus made out.

An example:

In the grass or underground

Now and then they fly around

Slugs and worms and butterflies.

Each has its own shape and size.

Caterpillar, gnats, a bee

Take them all away from me!

English the funniest language

2010-11-08T07:07:00.000-08:00

We will begin with BOX and the plural is BOXES.

But the plural OX should be OXEN and not OXES.

Then one fowl is GOOSE but two are GEESE.

Yet the plural of MOUSE should never be MEESE.

You may find a lone MOUSE or a whole set of MICE.

But the plural of HOUSE is HOUSES not HICE.

If plural of MAN be always MEN

Why shouldn’t the plural for PAN be PEN?

If I speak of a FOOT and then you show me your FEET.

And I give a BOOT, would a pair be called BEET?

If one is TOOTH and a whole set are TEETH,

Why shouldn’t the plural of BOOTH be BEETH?

The one may be THAT and three may be THOSE.

Yet HAT in the plural would never be HOSE.

And the plural CAT is CATS not COSE.

We speak of BROTHER and also BRETHEREN.

But though we say MOTHER we never say MOTHEREN.

Then the masculine pronouns are HE, HIS and HIM

But imagine the feminine SHE, SHIS and SHIM!!

So English, I fancy, you will agree

Is the

FUNNIEST LANGUAGE you ever did see!

- Leo Angela Rupert

Telephone Language and Phrases

2010-11-08T06:41:00.000-08:00

Answering the phone

· Good morning/afternoon/evening, Geetha Stores, Rani speaking.

· Who's calling, please?

Introducing yourself

· This is Ram speaking.

· Hello, this is Murugan from PR Transports.

Asking for someone

· Could I speak to Dr. Raju, please?

· I'd like to speak to Dr. Raju, please.

· Could you put me through to Dr. Raju, please?

Explaining

· I'm afraid Dr. Raju isn't in at the moment.

· I'm sorry; he's in a meeting at the moment.

· I'm afraid he's on another line at the moment.

Putting someone on hold

· Just a moment, please.

· Could you hold the line, please?

· Hold the line, please.

Problems

· I'm sorry, I don't understand. Could you repeat that, please?

· I'm sorry; I can't hear you very well. Could you speak up a little, please?

· I'm afraid you've got the wrong number.

· I've tried to get through several times but it's always engaged.

· Could you spell that, please?

Putting someone through

· One moment, please. I'll see if Dr. Raju is available.

· I'll put you through.

· I'll connect you.

· I'm connecting you now.

Taking a message

· Can I take a message?

· Would you like to leave a message?

· Can I give him/her a message?

· I'll tell Dr. Raju that you called.

· I'll ask him/her to call you as soon as possible.

· Could you please leave your number? I shall ask him to get back to you.

Opposite Proverbs / Proverb Opposites / Contrary Proverbs / Antonym Proverbs

2010-10-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. X A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. X Out of sight, out of mind.
A good beginning makes a good ending. X It's not over till it's over.
All good things come to those who wait. X Time and tide wait for no man.
A miss is as good as a mile. X Half a loaf is better than no bread.
An old fox is not easily shared. X There's no fool like an old fool.
Ask no questions and hear no lies. X Ask and you shall receive.
Better safe than sorry. X Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Birds of a feather flock together. X Opposites attract.
Blood is thicker than water. X Many kinfolk, few friends.
Clothes make the man. X Never judge a book by its cover.
Dig the well before you are thirsty. X Don't cross the bridge till you come to it.
Do it well, or not at all. X Half a loaf is better than none.
Do not build castles in the air. X Dreaming is the birth of achievement.
Don’t change horses in midstream. X Variety is the spice of life.
Don’t cross the bridge till you come to it. X Forewarned is forearmed.
Doubt is the beginning, not the end, of wisdom. X Faith will move mountains.
Face is the index of mind. X Do not judge the book by its cover.
Good things come in small packages. X The bigger the better
Great starts make great finishes. X It ain't over until it's over.
He who hesitates is lost X Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
He who hesitates is lost. X Look before you leap.
Hold fast to the words of your ancestors. X Wise men make proverbs and fools repeat them.
If at first you don’t succeed, try again. X Don’t beat a dead horse.
If you lie down with dogs, you’ll get up with fleas. X If you can’t beat’em join’em.
Look before you leap. X Strike while the iron is hot.
Practice makes perfect. X All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
Seeing is believing. X Eyes and ears may be deceiving.
Silence is golden. X The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Slow and steady wins the race .X Time waits for no man.
Speech is silver, silence is gold. X Only the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
The best things in life are free. X There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
The pen is mightier than the sword. X Actions speak louder than words.
There's safety in numbers. X Too many cooks spoil the broth.
The best things come in small packages. X The bigger, the better.
Too many cooks spoil the broth. X Many hands make light work.
There’s safety in numbers. X Better be alone than in bad company.
Too many cooks spoil the broth. X Two heads are better than one.
Truth alone triumphs. X The honest prisoner was whipped.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. X One man's meat is another man's poison.
Wise men think alike. X Fools seldom differ.
You never know what can be done until you try to do it. X Look before you leap.
You're never too old to learn. X You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Some nouns related to family

2010-10-25T07:22:00.000-07:00

Exercise (Workout):

This may be considered as a basic level simple test for you.

Write down the equivalent names or meanings of the following terms in your own language.

You can also inform others by making comments.

· Aunt

· Boyfriend

· Bride

· Bridegroom

· Brother

· Brother-in-law

· Child

· Children

· Cousin

· Dad

· Daughter

· Daughter-in-law

· Father

· Father-in-law

· Fiancé

· Fiancée

· Girlfriend

· Godchild

· Goddaughter

· Godfather

· Godmother

· Godson

· Grandchild

· Granddad

· Granddaughter

· Grandfather

· Grandma

· Grandmother

· Grandpa

· Grandson

· Granny

· Groom

· Husband

· Mom

· Mother

· Mother-in-law

· Mum

· Mummy

· Nephew

· Niece

· Parent

· Parents

· Parents-in-law

· Sister

· Sister-in-law

· Son

· Son-in-law

· Spouse

· Uncle

· Wife

Differences between EFL and ESL, ESOL and TESOL, TOEFL and GRE, etc

2010-10-24T01:46:00.000-07:00

· EFL: English as a Foreign Language (A teacher who teaches English to speakers of other languages in a non-English speaking country teaches EFL)

· ESL: English as a Second Language (An English teacher from an English speaking country teaches ESL at an English speaking country)

· ESOL: English for Speakers of Other Languages

· TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

· TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language

· TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language

· ELL: The English language learner

· TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language

· ETS: Educational Testing Services

· GRE: Graduate Record Examination

English proverbs explained

2010-10-24T01:03:00.000-07:00

Proverbs and their meanings

A bad workman always blames his tools - A careless or unskilled worker blames bad work on his tools rather than himself.

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush - Something that one already has is better than going after something seemingly more worthwhile that one may not be able to get.

A burnt child dreads fire - A bad experience or a horrifying incident may scar one's attitude or thinking for a lifetime.

A chicken and egg question-A mysterious question which can't be answered

A constant guest is never welcome-We are apt to grow to dislike friends who visit us too often

A contented mind is a perpetual feast-Contentment of mind is the cause of lasting happiness.

A fool and his money are soon parted-A person who spends his money foolishly will soon be penniless

A friend in need is a friend indeed - A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend.

A good name is sooner lost than won-It takes a long time to build up a good reputation which can be easily destroyed by misconduct.

A great talker is a great liar -A smooth and persuasive talker may be a good liar.

A house divided against itself cannot stand-Discord breaks up families.

A hungry man is an angry man - A person who does not get what he wants or needs is a frustrated person and will be easily provoked to rage.

A job worth doing is a job worth doing well-When you do something you should do it as well as you can.

A leopard cannot change its spots - A person's nature cannot change.

A light purse makes a heavy heart-We cannot be cheerful when we have financial problems.

A man is as old as he feels - A person's age is immaterial - it is only when he thinks and feels that he is ageing that he actually becomes old.

A miss is as good as a mile - Something that one already has is better than something that one may not be able to get

A new broom sweeps clean - A person newly appointed is always eager and enthusiastic in his work.

A nod is as good as a wink-A hint or suggestion can be accepted and acted upon without further elaboration.

A penny saved is a penny gained - By being thrifty one will be able to save up.

A rolling stone gathers no moss - A person who never settles in one place or who often changes his job will not succeed in life; one who is always changing his mind will never get anything done.

A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet-It is not what a thing is called that matters, but what it is.

A stitch in time saves nine- By taking immediate action we can prevent a fault, damage or trouble from getting worse

A straw will show which way the wind blows- A small incident can reveal an important event

A thing of beauty is a joy forever- It means that though something beautiful may not last, the happy memory of it will live forever.

A trouble shared is a trouble halved - Your troubles seem half as great when you discuss them with someone else

A watched pot never boils - If you watch or wait for something to get done or to happen it seems to take forever

Absence makes the heart grow fonder -One usually desires another more when he or she is far away.

Actions speak louder than words - Children usually learn more from the examples set by their elders than from what they are told; a person's character is judged by the thing she does and not by what he says; actions give evidence or proof of.

All that glitters is not gold - Do not be deceived by things or offers that appear to be attractive.

All's fish that comes the net-When something comes our way we should consider how it might be useful or benefit us.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away-It means that apples are so nutritious they keep you in the peak of health.

An exception to the rule-Something does not conform to or agree with a rule

An idle brain is the devil's workshop - One who has nothing to do will be tempted to do many mischievous acts.

An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit - It is better to be careful and discrete than to be clever.

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure-It is even better to be cautious and prevent a misfortune or an accident from happening.

Any time means no time - When an event is not decided on or planned earlier it will never take place.

As you make your bed so must you lie on it -You must accept the consequences of your act

As you sow, so you shall reap - One will either enjoy or suffer the consequences of his earlier actions or inactions.

Barking dogs seldom bite - Those who make loud threats seldom carry them out.

Be on the safe side-To take special precautions to avoid making a mistake

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder-What is beautiful to one person may not be beautiful to others.

Beggars can't be choosers-Someone in need should be grateful for what is given to him -- even if it's not what he wants or expects

Better late than never -To do something that is right, profitable, or good a little late is still better than not doing it at all.

Between a rock and a hard place - To be in a difficult situation from which there seems to be no escape

Between the devil and the deep sea - To choose between two equally bad alternatives in a serious dilemma.

Birds of a feather flock together -People of the same sort of character or belief always go together.

Bite off more than one can chew - To try to do something one is unable to do or incapable of doing.

Blood is thicker than water - Family ties are stronger than any other.

Burn the candle at both ends-Those who are always busy and seem to get little rest

Buy a pig in a poke-Buy something without examining it for faults or checking to see if they are really getting what they believe they have purchased

Call a spade a spade -If you say that someone calls a spade a spade, you mean that they speak frankly and directly, often about embarrassing or unpleasant subjects; an informal expression.

Catch as catch can-To do anything or use any means to achieve an aim or reach a goal.

Catch not at the shadow and lose the substance-We should not waste time on trivial aspects of a matter and neglect the essential matter itself.

Charity begins at home - A person's first obligation should be to help the member of his own family before he can begin thinking of talking about helping others.

Children should be seen and not heard-To stop a child from asking questions, talking, or making unnecessary noise.

Christmas comes but once each year-An excuse to indulge in food and drink and spend money during the Christmas season.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness - To be clean and tidy is just as important as being spiritually good and religious.

Cross the stream where it is shallowest-Don't make things difficult for yourself; always find the simplest means of achieving your objective.

Cry over spilled milk-It's pointless to get upset or feel regret about a loss or mistake that can't be undone

Curiosity killed the cat-To warn people not to show too much interest in affairs that don't concern them.

Cut off your nose to spite your face-When people are dissatisfied or angry, they sometimes react by doing foolish things that prove harmful to themselves.

Cut your coat according to your cloth - Live within your income; don't be too ambitious in your plans

Dead men tell no lies - (often used as an argument for killing someone whose knowledge of a secret may cause one loss or get into serious trouble.)

Discretion is the better part of valor - If you say discretion is the better part of valor, you mean that avoiding a dangerous or unpleasant situation is sometimes the most sensible thing to do.

Do not cross a bridge till you come to it-Do not worry about something before it has happened

Do not have too many irons in the fire-If we attempt to do too much at once, we shall not do anything properly

Do not ride the high horse-Do not be arrogant

Do unto others as you would others do unto you-Treat others as you would like them to treat you.

Dog eat dog- In competitive situations where each person has his own interests at heart, it is usually the strong and the determined who succeed.

Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. - Do not make plans based on something that has not happened.

Don't judge a book by its cover - Do not be deceived by appearances.

Don't make a mountain out of a molehill - Do not make a big fuss or issue over something minor or small

Don't put all your eggs in one basket - One should not risk everything he has in a single venture.

Eat to live, but do not live to eat - Man was created for a divine purpose and he has a destiny with his Creator - he was not born just to enjoy food.

Empty vessels make the most noise - Those people who have a little knowledge usually talk the most and make the greatest fuss.

Even Homer sometimes nods-Even the best of us are liable to make mistakes.

Every cloud has a silver lining - If you say that every cloud has a silver lining, you mean that every sad or unpleasant situation has a positive side to it. If you talk about silver lining you are talking about something positive that comes out of a sad or unpleasant situation.

Every dog has its day -Everyone will get a period of success or satisfaction during his lifetime.

Every flow must have its ebb- Life has its ups and downs, neither good fortune nor ill fortune lasts forever.

Every oak must be an acorn- Everything has to have a small beginning.

Every one can find fault, few can do better - It is easier to find fault in other people's actions or methods than to do it properly or correctly.

Experience is the best teacher - The best way to learn a job is to do it.

Faint heart never won fair lady - To succeed in life one must have the courage to pursue what he wants.

Fair exchange is no robbery - A contract is fair as long as both the parties understand and agree to the conditions willingly; after a deal is closed neither side can turn around and say that he was unfairly treated.

Fire is a good servant but a bad master - Fire, like any other manmade tool or device, will serve man well only when it is controlled and used wisely.

First come, first served - The first in line will be attended to first.

Fling/throw mud at someone-To say evil or bad things about someone and in doing so, to damage his or her reputation.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread - Foolish people tend to act too hastily and do things that wise people would avoid.

Forgive and forget- Excusing or pardoning someone for doing something

Fortune knocks once at every man's door - Everyone gets at least one good opportunity in his lifetime; everyone has the opportunity to be successful in life.

Give someone enough rope and he will hang himself-If we allow someone to continue in his bad ways he'll eventually bring about his own downfall or ruin.

Give the devil his due - Be just and fair-minded, even to the one who does not deserve much or who is unfriendly or unfair; we should punish a person according to his wrongdoings.

Go from the sublime to the ridiculous - Move from one situation which is wonderful or perfect to another which is absurd or awful

God helps those who help themselves - God only helps those people who work hard and make an honest effort.

Great haste makes great waste - If one does things hastily he will make a lot of mistakes - he will need to spend a lot of time correcting those mistakes later.

Great minds think alike - Wise people will normally think and behave alike in certain situations.

Great talkers are little doers - Those people who talk a lot and are always teaching others usually do not do much work.

Grin and bear it- To put up with discomfort or a bad situation without complaining.

Habit is second nature - An act done repeatedly and often enough will sooner or later become a habit or second nature.

Half a loaf is better than none - It's better to have or receive less than one desire than to have or receive nothing at all.

Have an old head on young shoulders - Youngsters who possess qualities of wisdom one would only expect to find in experienced older people.

Have eyes in the back of one's head - An ability to know what is happening not within the scope of one's vision.

He laughs best who laughs last - A person who does his best is the one who will get the greatest satisfaction in the end.

He who pays the piper calls the tune-The person who pays for something has the right to do as he wants.

Hide your light under a bushel-Concealing your talents, skills or abilities

History tends to repeat itself-What has happened once is liable to happen again.

Hitch one's wagon to a star-To Move forward in a way to improve your chances of achieving success.

Home is where the heart is-No matter where you are, 'home' is where you feel most comfortable and content.

Honesty is the best policy - Being honest is believed to be the best route to take.

If it's not one thing it's another - The troubles seem to go on and on without end.

If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch-Those without knowledge should not try to teach the ignorant.

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride- If we could get all the things we wanted just by making a wish, everyone would have all he ever wanted.

If you can't lick them, join them-If you cannot defeat an opponent or get him to change his ideas, plans or way of doing things, the best thing is to change your ideas, plans, etc.

In for a penny, in for a pound-If we decide to do something, we should commit ourselves to it boldly and completely.

It is useless to flog a dead horse-It is no use spending your time and energy on an activity or belief that is already widely rejected or outdated.

It never rains but it pours-Events, especially misfortunes, always come together and not one at a time.

It takes all sorts to make a world - You should not expect everyone to think and act as you do.

It takes two to make a quarrel - Both parties in a quarrel should share the blame or take responsibility for it; no one can start a quarrel all by himself.

It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good - A bad or evil occurrence.

It's never too late to mend - It is never too late to correct one's mistakes or faults.

It's no use crying over spilt milk - It is pointless to feel remorseful over a thing lost that can never be found or a mistake done that can never be corrected or rectified.

Jack of all trades and master of none - Is a person who can do almost anything, but he rarely excels in any of them.

Jump from the frying pan into the fire - To go from a bad position to a worse one.

Keep the wolf from the door- To avoid hunger and poverty

Kindle not a fire you cannot put out-Do not start something you cannot control or resolve

Laugh and the world laughs with you- When someone is in a happy, cheerful mood, people like being with him.

Least said, soonest forgotten- The less we say about it the sooner the incident will be forgotten.

Let bygones by bygones - One should consider forgiving one's and forget all the bad deeds done by others.

Let not the pot call the kettle black - A person who has a fault should not point out the same fault in another; do not criticize another person as you may have the same weakness.

Let sleeping dogs lie - One should preferably avoid discussing issues that are likely to create trouble.

Life is just a bowl of cherries-Life is full of happiness and pleasure

Like a bull in a china shop-A clumsy or tactless person

Like father, like son, like mother, like daughter - (used to describe a child's behavior when he or she acts like the father or mother )

Lock the stable door after the horse has bolted-Once a mistake has been made or an error committed, it's too late to take precautions to prevent it from happening.

Look at the bright side - Be optimistic

Look before you leap - Avoid acting hastily, without considering the possible consequences.

Losers weepers, finders keepers-If someone loses something, he weeps -- but if someone finds it, he keeps it.

Love me, love my dog-If we want a person's friendship we must accept him totally, faults and all.

Make hay while the sun shines - Seize opportunities

Many hands make light work-Many people sharing a job or tasks make easier work of it.

Money is the root of all evil - Crimes and wickedness are associated with money.

Necessity is the mother of invention - When a person is in great need of something, he will find a way of getting it.

Never do things by halves - One should not do an incomplete or imperfect job - certain tasks must not be left half done; they must be done away with immediately.

No news is good news - When there is no news, it is likely that everything is all right.

Once bitten twice shy - If a person has been tricked once he will more be careful and alert the next time.

One man's meat is another man's poison - No two persons are alike - every one has his own preferences, likes and dislikes.

One swallow doesn't make a summer - One success doesn't guarantee complete success

Opportunity only knocks once-Seize an opportunity when it occurs for it may never happen again.

Out of sight, out of mind - You will soon forget friends you do not meet or keep in contact with.

Possession is nine points of the law-In disputes over property ownership, the person in possession of something is sometimes said to have nine-tenths a chance of winning it in a legal argument

Practice makes perfect - It is believed that if one practices a certain skill often, he will excel in it

Prevention is better than cure - It is better to be careful beforehand than to try to solve a problem after it has arisen.

Promises are like pie crust-Most promises cannot be kept

Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them-If you are rich and successful, you will attract many friends, but if you should suffer hardship or have misfortune (adversity), your friends will quickly depart.

Put a quart into a pint pot- Doing something that's impossible

Robbing Peter to pay Paul - (this is quoted when one takes another loan to pay off an earlier loan ) taking from one to give another.

Rome was not built in a day - Any great plan or big dream cannot be achieved overnight or easily.

Someone's bark is worse than his bite-People sometimes bark but in time we learn they're not always as frightening as they seem.

Spare the rod and spoil the child - A child who is not punished and showed the error of his ways will become unruly.

Speech is silver, silence is golden - Talk may be beneficial, but sometimes acquiescence may be the best option to take.

Still waters run deep - One who is usually silent and goes about his business quietly may be a very wise person.

Strike while the iron is hot - Seize a good opportunity as quickly as possible.

Teach an old dog new tricks - It is impossible to change someone's ways or habits, especially if he is old and resists change

That's where the shoe pinches- That's the source or cause of a problem or an annoyance

The best fish swim near the bottom-The best things are hard to come by

The blind leading the blind-A person helping or advising someone knows as little about the subject as the person who is being advised.

The buck stops here-It means final decision or total responsibility for an action

The darkest hour is that before dawn-Even when things seem at their very worst, they may shortly improve.

The devil finds work for idle hands- Unless one keeps busy doing useful or constructive things he could be tempted into mischief or evil.

The devil has the best tunes-To do something unworthy because it gives you pleasure

The last straw that broke the camel's back - The final thing that, when added to a bad or unpleasant situation, causes failure or ruin.

The longest day must have an end -All difficult jobs or situations also have an end.

The mountain labors and brings forth a mouse-To work hard and long on a project that turns out to be pretty useless.

The pen is mightier than the sword-The written word is more to be feared than physical violence

The rain falls on the just and the unjust alike-No matter how good or bad a person, he must still face the everyday problems that confront us all.

The sins of the fathers will be visited upon the children- People will be punished for the wrongs committed by their parents, forefathers, or those who have preceded them.

The sky is the limit - There is no upper limit to something

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak- To do something unworthy just because it gives you the pleasure

The thin end of the wedge - That something can appear to be small and of no particular importance - yet it can turn out to be the beginning of a major problem.

The truth will out-Truth about something will eventually be discovered or made known

The way to a man's heart is through his stomach-Most men love to eat so feed your husband well and he will always love you.

There are none so blind as those that will not see- People, who never admit they might be wrong, refuse to listen to the opinions or ideas of anyone

There are none so deaf as those who will not hear- People sometimes hear only what they want to hear

There are two sides to every question - There are always two ways of looking at something

There is no place like home-Even a simple home is the best place in the world for the people who live in it.

There's more than one way to skin a cat-There is more than one way of getting a job done

There's no smoke without fire - Rumors do not spread unless there is some element of truth in them.

Time and tide wait for no one - Time is precious, once it is past no one can go back and claim it thus everyone should be mindful of how his time is spent.

Time heals old wounds- The passing of time helps us to forget things that have caused us pain or made us unhappy.

To err is human, to forgive divine - It is only normal for man to make mistakes and do wrong, but for one to forgive another for his wrong is indeed great and gracious act.

To put the cart before the horse - To do something in an incorrect order

Too many cooks spoil the broth - Too many people doing the same thing at the same time will not be successful

Truth is stranger than fiction - Real life can be more incredible than anything which can be imagined

Turn up like a bad penny- Something or someone disliked just won't go away

Two heads are better than one - It is always better to get the view of another than to rely entirely on one's own judgment.

Two wrongs do not make a right- If a person does something to harm or offend us, that's wrong. If we do something to harm them back, that's wrong too.

Two's company, three's a crowd - It is always fun while there are only two people whereas the third person is an unwelcome intrusion.

Uneasy is the head that wears the crown- Notable or important people are often concerned about losing their positions.

Variety is the spice of life- Life becomes very monotonous without some break or change in the daily routine.

Waste not, want not-If we're careful and waste nothing we'll never go without things we need.

We never miss the water till the well runs dry -You only realize the importance of something when it is gone

Wear out one's welcome-One is no longer welcome, usually because he has become a nuisance

What's done can't be undone - In life there are some things once done or decisions once made cannot be changed; malicious words once uttered or harmful actions once done cannot be taken back.

When in Rome do as the Romans do - When one is in a new place, country or situation he must adapt himself to the new manners and customs.

When poverty comes in the door, love flies out the window- As soon as a happily married couple begins having financial problems and the bills pile up their love will disappear.

When the cat is away the mice will play - When law enforcers are not present, certain public members will take the opportunity to break the law

Where there's a will there's a way - When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of doing it.

Who keeps company with wolves, will learn to howl- If we associate with bad companions we, too, will become bad

Worship the ground somebody walks on - Very much in love with somebody

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink-We can help, show or encourage someone to do something but we can't make him do what he is unwilling or unable to do

You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear-You cannot change a person's real character

You can't have your cake and eat it - You must choose between two things as it is impossible to have both at the same time

You pays your money and you takes your chances-A humorous way of saying that we sometimes must trust in luck when buying something.

Correct usage of good and well

2010-10-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

“Good” and "well"

“Good” is an adjective.

“Well” is an adverb. Sometimes it is used as an adjective to mean "healthy".

“Good” is used to describe noun or pronoun.

“Well” is used to describe verb, adjective or other adverb.

Arumugham is a good volleyball player. (Correct)

Arumugham is a well volleyball player (incorrect)

Suresh plays the violin well. (Correct)

Suresh plays the violin good. (Incorrect)

Goethe speaks good English, but she doesn't speak French very well. (Correct)

Geetha speaks well English, but she doesn't speak French very good. (Incorrect)

Samyukta did well on the examination. (Correct)

Samyukta did good on the examination. (Incorrect)

The music last week wasn't good. (Correct)

If the food tastes good, all will eat it. (Correct)

His idea sounds good. (Correct)

She is well. (This refers to physical state, health) (Correct)

She is good (This refers to character or emotional state) (Correct)

The new suitcase looks good. (This refers to appearance) (Correct)

Correct usage of "I" and "me"

2010-10-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

Difference between "I" and "me"

"I" and "me" are pronouns.

We use "I" or "me" to refer to ourselves.

Use "I" when it is the subject of the verb.

Use "me" when it is the object of the verb or follow a preposition (before me, below me, above me, in front of me, with me, etc).

"I" is always written in capital letter whether it comes in the beginning of a sentence or not.

Ram and I are going to the market. (Correct)

Ram and me are going to the market (Incorrect)

Leela, Geetha and I are relatives (Correct)

Leela, Geetha and me are relatives. (Incorrect)

You and I are friends (Correct)

You and me are friends. (Incorrect)

I am going to see a film. (Correct)

Me is/am going to see a film. (Incorrect)

The easiest way to understand is to remove the other noun / nouns from the sentence and see if it still makes sense.

Action verbs to speak good English

2010-09-29T03:11:00.000-07:00

Some action verbs are listed below. They can be used effectively whiles peaking English. They can also be used in various resumes to clearly indicate your skills and experiences.

Accelerated
Accomplished
Accounted For
Achieved
Acquired
Acted
Activated
Adapted
Added
Addressed
Adjusted
Administered
Adopted
Advertised
Advised
Aided
Aligned
Alphabetized
Analyzed
Anticipated
Applied
Appointed
Appraised
Approved
Arbitrated
Arranged
Ascertained
Assembled
Assessed
Assisted
Assumed
Assured
Attained
Attended
Audited
Authored
Authorized
Awarded
Began
Bolstered
Boosted
Bought
Briefed
Brought
Budgeted
Built
Calculated
Calibrated
Catalogued
Caught
Caused
Chaired
Changed
Charted
Checked
Chopped
Chose
Classified
Cleared Up
Closed
Coached
Collected
Combined
Communicated
Compared
Compiled
Completed
Computed
Conceived
Conceptualized
Conciliated
Concluded
Conditioned
Conducted
Confronted
Conserved
Consolidated
Constructed
Consulted
Continued
Contracted
Controlled
Convinced
Coordinated
Copied
Corrected
Counseled
Counted
Crafted
Created
Critiqued
Dealt
Debated
Deferred
Defined
Delegated
Delivered
Demonstrated
Designed
Detailed
Detected
Determined
Developed
Devised
Diagnosed
Did
Digested
Diminished
Directed
Discovered
Dispensed
Displayed
Disproved
Dissected
Distributed
Diverted
Drafted
Dramatized
Drew
Drew Up
Dropped
Drove
Earned
Edited
Educated
Effected
Elected
Electrified
Eliminated
Employed
Encouraged
Enforced
Enjoyed
Enlarged
Enlisted
Ensured
Entered
Entertained
Established
Estimated
Evaluated
Examined
Executed
Exercised
Exhibited
Expanded
Expedited
Experienced
Explained
Explored
Expressed
Extracted
Fabricated
Facilitated
Familiarized
Figured
Filed
Filtered
Financed
Fixed
Forecast
Foresaw
Formulated
Forwarded
Fostered
Found
Founded
Gained
Gathered
Gave
Generated
Governed
Grabbed
Graded
Greeted
Grossed
Guided
Handled
Hastened
Headed
Heightened
Helped
Highlighted
Hiked
Hired
Housed
Hunted
Identified
Illustrated
Imagined
Implemented
Improved
Improvised
Included
Incorporated
Increased
Indexed
Indicated
Indoctrinated
Influenced
Informed
Initiated
Innovated
Inspected
Inspired
Installed
Instituted
Instructed
Instrumented
Insured
Integrated
Interpreted
Intervened
Interviewed
Introduced
Invented
Inventoried
Investigated
Joined
Judged
Kept
Labored
Launched
Lectured
Led
Licensed
Located
Looked
Made
Maintained
Managed
Mapped
Marketed
Mastered
Maximized
Measured
Mediated
Mentored
Met
Moderated
Modified
Monitored
Motivated
Moved
Named
Navigator
Negotiated
Netted
Observed
Obtained
Opened
Operated
Ordered
Organized
Originated
Overcame
Oversaw
Paid
Painted
Participated
Perceived
Perfected
Performed
Persuaded
Photographed
Piloted
Pioneered
Placed
Planned
Played
Policed
Predicted
Prepared
Prescribed
Presented
Preserved
Presided
Prevailed
Printed
Processed
Produced
Profited
Programmed
Prohibited
Projected
Promoted
Proofed
Proposed
Protected
Proved
Provided
Publicized
Purchased
Qualified
Quoted
Raised
Ran
Rated
Realized
Reasoned
Received
Recognized
Recommended
Reconciled
Recorded
Recruited
Reduced
Referred
Rehabilitated
Reinforced
Related
Rendered
Renovated
Reorganized
Repaired
Replaced
Reported
Represented
Rescued
Researched
Resolved
Responded
Restored
Resulted In
Retrieved
Returned
Revamped
Revealed
Reviewed
Revised
Rewrote
Routed
Saved
Scheduled
Scouted
Screened
Scrutinized
Selected
Served
Serviced
Set
Set Up
Sewed
Shaped
Shipped
Shored Up
Showed
Sifted
Simplified
Sketched
Smoothed
Sold
Solved
Sorted
Sought
Sparked
Spearheaded
Specified
Spoke
Started
Stated
Stimulated
Stopped
Straightened
Streamlined
Strengthened
Stripped
Structured
Studied
Submitted
Suggested
Summarized
Supervised
Supplied
Supported
Surmounted
Surveyed
Synthesized
Systemized
Tabulated
Talked
Targeted
Taught
Tended
Tested
Tightened
Timed
Took
Took Over
Totaled
Toured
Tracked
Trained
Transcribed
Transferred
Transformed
Translated
Transmitted
Traveled
Treated
Tutored
Typed
Uncovered
Unearthed
Unfurled
Unified
Updated
Vitalized
Welcomed
Won
Worked
Wrote

Characters in text messages and their meanings

2010-09-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

Some characters used in text messages using SMS and their meanings

& - and

:-" whistling

:") blushing

:-(*) you make me sick

:-) smiling

:-)) very happy

:-* kiss

:-@ screaming

:’-) tears of laughter

:-0 shocked

:-P stick tongue out

;-) wink

<:3 )~ mouse

0 - nothing

2 - two, to, too

2DAY - today

A - a / an

A3 - anyplace, anytime, anywhere

ASAP - as soon as possible

B - be

B4 - before

B4N - Bye for now

BAU - business as usual

BC - because

BF - boyfriend

BK - back

BRB - I'll be right back.

BRO - brother

BT - but

BTW - by the way

C - see

CUL - see you later

CWOT - complete waste of time

D8 - date

DNR - dinner

EZ - easy

F8 - fate

FTF - face to face

FYI - for your information

GF - girlfriend

GMTA - great minds think alike

GR8 - great

HAND - have a nice day

HOLS - holidays

HRU - how are you

HV - have

I - I, it

ICBW - it could be worse

IDTS - I don't think so

IMHO - in my humble opinion

Its - it is

IYKWIM - if you know what I mean

JK - just kidding

KDS - kids

KOTC - kiss on the cheek

L8 - late

L8R - later

LOL - laughing out loud

LSKOL - long slow kiss on the lips

LTNS - long time no see

Luv U - I love you.

Luv U2 - I love you too.

M8 - mate

MON - the middle of nowhere

MTE - my thoughts exactly

MU - I miss you.

MUSM - I miss you so much.

NE1 - anyone

NP - no problem

O:-) saintly

OIC - oh, I see

PC&QT - peace and quiet

PCM - please call me

PLS - please

PS - parents

QT - cutie

R - are

ROTFL - rolling on the floor laughing

RUOK - are you ok?

SIS - sister

SMMR - summer

THNQ - thank you

U - you

U4E - you forever

UROK - you are okay

WR - were

WUCIWUG - what you see is what you get

WYSIWYG - what you see is what you get

x-( you are mad

XLNT - excellent

Symbols of Animals

2010-09-20T01:09:00.000-07:00

Ant -frugality and prevision
Ape -uncleanness
Ass – stupidity
Bat -blindness
Bear -ill-temper, uncouthness
Bee -industry
Beetle - blindness
Bull -strength, straight-forwardness
Bulldog -pertinacity
Butterfly -sportiveness, living in pleasure
Cat -deceit
Calf-cowardice
Cicada-poetry
Cock-vigilance, overbearing insolence
Crow- longevity
Crocodile-hypocrisy
Dog-fidelity, dirty habits
Dove-innocence, harmlessness
Duck-deceit
Eagle-majesty, inspiration
Elephant-sagacity
Fly-feebleness, insignificance
Fox-cunning, artifice
Goat - lasciviousness
Goose-conceit, folly
Gull-gullibility
Grasshopper-old age
Hare- timidity
Hawk-rapacity, penetration
Hen-maternal care
Horse-speed, grace
Jay-senseless chatter
Kitten-playfulness
Lamb-innocence, sacrifice
Lark-cheerfulness
Lion-noble courage
Lynx-suspicious vigilance
Magpie-garrulity
Mole- blindness, obstinacy
Monkey-tricks
Mule-obstinacy
Nightingale-forlornness
Ostrich-stupidity
Ox-patience, strength
Owl-wisdom
Parrot-mocking verbosity
Peacock-pride
Pigeon-cowardice
Pig-obstinacy, dirtiness
Puppy-empty-headed conceit
Rabbit-fecundity
Raven-ill luck
Serpent-wisdom
Sheep-silliness, timidity
Swan- grace
Swine-filthiness, greed
Tiger- ferocity
Tortoise-chastity
Vulture-rapine
Wolf-cruelty, savage ferocity, and rapine
Worm-cringing