This is the latest version of Chris’s list, updated on 23 September 2018:
Aug 27
Learn British English Grammar Free (video): can; could; to be able to (subtitles / captions)
Chris presents some ideas about different ways to use can, could and to be able to. Via YouTube
CAN = modal verb
I can do it or I can’t (cannot) do it
can’t use it in the past
can for permission: Can I go out? You can’t smoke here (instruction)
can for ability: I can speak three languages or I can’t speak three languages
can in the future: I can see you tomorrow
COULD = can in the past (modal verb)
I could come or I couldn’t (could not) come (past)
could for questions (more polite):
Could you do that outside, please?
could = can in the past: I could do that when I was younger
couldn’t for something you don’t want to do:
I couldn’t make fun of him (it is possible but I don’t want to)
TO BE ABLE TO is possible with the past and future – not a modal verb
able – ability (noun)
I’m able to see him now or I’m not able to see him now
use with future + will:
I will be able to come tomorrow
I won’t be able to come tomorrow
use to be able to in the past:
I was able to do that when I was younger
I used to be able to do that
‘can’ is more common than ‘be able to’ because it’s shorter and more useful
Aug 23
Video lesson: Learn British English Free: ‘bitch’ – rude (subtitles / captions)
Chris explains some meanings of the word ‘bitch’.
pronunciation: ‘bitch’ or ‘beach’
a bitch (noun)
– female dog
– a complaint
– slang for an unkind or unpleasant woman (rude)
to bitch (about someone)
bitchy (adjective)
Via YouTube.
Aug 05
Learn British English Free (video): ‘petrichor’ definition and pronunciation
Refreshing vocabulary lesson: ‘petrichor’ pronunciation: /ˈpɛtrɪkɔːr/
petrichor definition: the smell of rain on dry ground
example: ‘I love the smell of petrichor in the morning’
via YouTube
Jul 12
Learn British English Grammar Free (video): must; have to; must not; don’t have to; need not
Chris explains the difference between ‘must’, ‘have to’, ‘must not’, ‘don’t have to’ and ‘need not’ (needn’t). For Dani. Please click here for a visual grammar cline.
Must
Obligation: yes.
Do you do it? Yes.
‘You must go to all your classes’.
Have to
Obligation: yes.
Do you do it? Yes.
‘I have to go shopping’.
Must not
Obligation: yes.
Do you do it? No.
‘You must not smoke at school’.
Do not (don’t) have to
Obligation: no.
Do you do it? You choose.
‘You don’t have to come later’.
Need not (needn’t)
Obligation: no.
Do you do it? You choose.
‘You needn’t come later if you don’t want to’.
Notes
must = have to
don’t have to = needn’t = don’t need to
Jul 11
Learn English Grammar (visual): must; have to; must not; don’t have to; need not
Chris explains the difference between ‘must’, ‘have to’, ‘must not’, ‘don’t have to’ and ‘need not’ (needn’t). For Dani. See visual below.
Must
Obligation: yes.
Do you do it? Yes.
‘You must go to all your classes’.
Have to
Obligation: yes.
Do you do it? Yes.
‘I have to go shopping’.
Must not
Obligation: yes.
Do you do it? No.
‘You must not smoke at school’.
Do not (don’t) have to
Obligation: no.
Do you do it? You choose.
‘You don’t have to come later’.
Need not (needn’t)
Obligation: no.
Do you do it? You choose.
‘You needn’t come later if you don’t want to’.
Notes
must = have to
don’t have to = needn’t = don’t need to
Jul 08
World Cup Fever: what does ‘it’s coming home’ mean?
Chris explains why English people always write ‘it’s coming home’ during the World Cup.
Football song by the Lightning Seeds and Baddiel and Skinner in 1996.
Three Lions (it’s coming home) music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJqimlFcJsM
30 years of hurt = 1966 – 1996 (30 years) – 52 years now!
The three lions = the England football team
That tackle by Moore = Bobby Moore
When Lineker scored = Gary Lineker
Bobby belting the ball = Bobby Charlton
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