Today we're talking about a noun that we can use to talk about the first few lines in an email, or maybe the first couple of minutes of a conversation, where we say things like, "how are you doing?" or "I hope you had a great new year?" This is the word pleasantries. I hope you find it useful!

Don't forget that I'm a full time business English coach and tutor right here on iTalki, so if you have a strong work ethic around improving your English then feel free to book some of my time and let's get to work. I look forward to meeting you soon!


DAILY Business English VOCABULARY builder

I hope you had a great week!

Did you know that we can use 'Not + a Superlative' to convey the opposite. In this episode, we discuss this commonly used expression in English.

Listen to the episode and analyse the following examples:
That's not the most efficient way to do it.
That's not the most original idea.
That's not the worst movie I've ever seen.

Don't forget to make your own examples and post them in the Comments Section to grasp this concept fully.

All Things English

Confusing Structures in the English Language - Superlatives

Did you like the film? Was it good?
-- Umm, it wasn't bad. 
Why do you always have to do that? Can't you just say good or bad?
-- Indeed I cannot. 

In this episode, we will take a look at the difference between 'it was good' and 'it wasn't bad.' And how we can use it in daily speech to Express a Nuance.

Confusing Structures in the English Language - Using Opposites

Leonard: I couldn't agree more!
Alisha: Wait, you don't agree with me?
L: No, I said, I couldn't agree more. That means I completely agree with you.
A: What? Then why did you say you couldn't agree with me!

I think we can all relate with Alisha. There are so many indirect ways of saying something so simple and direct. We use such structures to add nuance to our meaning!

But it 'can' be confusing for a language learner.

In this series on the Confusing Structures in the English Language, we will discuss these very structures so that the next time Leonard says 'he couldn't agree more,' or 'he couldn't care less' or some such phrase, you'd know exactly what he is saying. 

Confusing Structures in the English Language - Introduction

Can you always be a Productive Language Learner? More importantly, Should you?

It is important to be a Lazy Learner as well and it is important to mix things up when practicing any skill.

Effective Listening: A Game Plan for Listening

Do you watch videos in your Target Language? 
If yes, then let me ask you another question. Are you sure you are doing it in the most productive way possible?

In this episode, I outline a way in which you can Watch videos and at the same time get the most out of your Listening Exercises.