Grammar Tip

Participial Adjectives Some participles (like ‘interested’ or ‘interesting’) can be used as adjectives. We usually use the past participle (ending in -ed) to talk about how someone feels: Examples: 1. She’s interested in history (NOT: She’s really interesting in history). — Она интересуется историей. 2. He was amused to hear his little son singing in…

to foresee (v.)

Today’s Word of the Day is: “to foresee” (v.) Transcription: [fɔː(r)ˈsiː] Russian Translation: предвидеть, знать заранее Definition: to see or know something that will happen in the future Example: 1. I don’t foresee any difficulties so long as we keep within budget. 2. It is difficult to foresee with certainty what type of questions might…

Education Quotes That Inspire a Love of Learning

Get inspired with these wise quotes about the power of education 1. Once you learn to read you will be forever free (Frederick Douglass). Douglass was one of America’s greatest writers and thinkers, despite the fact he was born into slavery, a system that forbade (запрещала) reading. His classic treatise (труд, исследование) on freedom, “Narrative of the…

Business Communication Skills Tip

Business Etiquette in International Countries Globalization has increased the amount of international business dealing, and with this has come a greater need for business managers to understand the business etiquette in foreign countries. Deals can be lost by people who are unaware of (не в курсе) a foreign associate‘s (коллега, партнер) culture, customs or etiquette.…

Grammar Tip

Tag Questions (Part 2) Tag questions (or question tags) turn a statement into a question. Usually if the main clause is positive, the question tag is negative.  Examples: 1. She dances very well, doesn’t she? 2. You are tired, aren’t you? — Она очень хорошо танцует, не правда ли? Вы ведь очень устали, верно?  In…

to build on (ph.v.)

Today’s Word of the Day is: “to build on” (phrasal verb) Transcription: [ˈbɪld ‘ɒn] Russian Translation: брать что-л. за основу, развивать далее Definition: to use a success or achievement as a base from which to achieve more success Example: 1. We must build on our reputation to expand the business. 2. A good relationship is…

Moscow Planetarium

If you are interested in space, you’ve got to see it The long and expensive renovation of the historic Moscow planetarium has yielded stunning results (дала потрясающие результаты). At the interactive museum children and adults can learn about space, telescopes, satellites (спутники), gravity (гравитация) and other miracles of science by getting involved in hands-on exhibits…

Business Communication Skills Tip

What Are the Positive Effects of Using Technology to Communicate? Advantage: Communication Log Technology has made it easy to keep extended communication logs (журнал отслеживания сообщений). Emails and texts are easily tracked to confirm what was discussed in previous correspondence. Even phone conversations can be recorded and logged in digital formats through customer retention management…

Grammar Tip

Tag Questions Tag questions (or question tags) turn a statement into a question. They are often used for checking information that we think we know is true (but we need a confirmation). Example: It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it? — Сегодня прекрасный день, правда?   We also use tag questions to ask for help or to…

Concern (n.)

Today’s Word of the Day is: “concern” (n.) Transcription: [kənˈsɜːn] Russian Translation: обеспокоенность чем-л.; вопрос, который необходимо решить Definition: a worried or nervous feeling about something, or something that makes you feel worried Example:  Many people have voiced concern over the proposed changes in the law. Synonyms: worry, anxiety, preoccupation