English Essentials Blog

The words WHILE and DURING are used in a very similar way. Below is a Podcast taken from the English Essentials Community Membership that explains how to use the words.

Here are some notes you can use while listening…

While = YOU do 2 actions
During = You do 1 action, something else does another action

STRUCTURES >>
NOTE: Action 1 is longer than action 2

Structure #1)
WHILE (action 1), I did (action 2)

Structure #2)
I did (action 2) WHILE I did (action 1)

Structure #3)
Action 2 DURING action 1

If we use “I” for the first action and not “I” for the second action, we use DURING.

If we use “someone/something” (action 2) WHILE “I” was (action 1)

Examples:

1. While I was drinking, I received a phone call
2. I received a phone call while I was drinking
3. I received a phone call during the party
4. I received a phone call while at the restaurant
5. I received a phone call during the restaurant party
6. While I was sleepwalking I hit my head
7. I hit my head while I was sleepwalking

Today I would like to discuss the topic of “Grammar” because of all the questions I get asked, the majority of them relate to improving and understanding English grammar.

Back in February 2008, I (Rohan Cox) went to Japan and hosted a couple of English workshops.

One of the topics discussed was “How to improve your English grammar”.

Below is that video (taken from the English Essentials Community Membership) for you to watch and learn from.

How many responses do you have if someone asks “How are you?”

Most people only know one response… the common response is grammar and text books… which is “fine thank you, and you?”

But are you really always fine?

Of course not right… so if you always reply with this answer, then you almost sound like a computer or robot.

Sometimes you feel good, sometimes just ok and other times not so good.
So the three main answers are “good”, “not too bad” and “not so good”

Of course there are many other responses if you want to answer accurately. 

Below is a list you can use to accurately describe how you feel when someone asks you “How are you?”

The list is in order from best feeling to worst feeling.

• never been better, couldn’t be better
• outstanding
• fantastic
• excellent, wonderful
• great
• good
• pretty good
• good
• not too bad
• not so bad
• fine, so so
• not bad, same old same old, could be better/worse
• a little tired
• not good
• not so good, under the weather
• bad
• terrible

I thought we would start with a simple but important lesson.  When and how to use “so” and “such”.

You may already know this, but at least 50% of English Essentials students make the simple mistake!

So lets have a look to make sure we will master this skill.

The general rule is…

We use “so” when there is only one word after it
We use “such” when there is more than one word after it (usually 3 words)

Examples:

Today is so hot

Today is such a hot day

Your computer was so expensive

Your computer was such an expensive one

She is so beautiful

She is such a beautiful lady

He is so handsome
He is such a handsome guy

We are all so smart
We are all such smart people

The wind is so strong

It is such strong wind

That meal was so delicious

That was such a delicious meal

This rule for “so” and “such” is only a general rule.  It does not work for all situations and descriptions but it works with most, so by using this as a general rule, you will find that you will be correct most of the time, and therefore improve your English immediately.

The exceptions to the rule can be learned from experience.

Hello,

This blog is designed to help you master all areas of your English.

You will…

1. Master English grammar
2. Increase your vocabulary to a native level
3. Speak with perfect pronunciation
4. Have native level listening comprehension
5. Speak fluently, confidently and effectively

and much more.

We are going to discuss various topics and also analyze all areas of the English language to help you achieve your English goals.

English Essentials has been teaching English since 2002 and therefore we have enough knowledge and experience to teach and share everything you need to master English!

The next blog post will be very soon, so look out for it.

Don’t forget to leave your comments J