Modal Verbs To Ask For Permission We use may and can to ask for permission. May sounds more polite and official. Examples: May I smoke here? — No, but you may smoke outside. — Здесь можно курить? Нет, но можно на улице. Traditionally can expresses ability. But today, a lot of people use ‘can’ to…
Today’s Word of the Day is: “spontaneous” (adj.) Transcription: [spɒnˈteɪ.ni.əs] Russian Translation: спонтанный, незапланированный Definition: happening or done in a natural, often sudden way, without any planning Examples: 1. The audience broke into spontaneous applause. 2. His jokes seemed spontaneous, but were in fact carefully prepared beforehand. Synonyms: unarranged, sudden, impulsive
How To End A Conversation Your conversation doesn’t have to constantly flow. A short interlude of quiet in an otherwise lively discussion doesn’t mean that things have turned south (пошатнуться, ухудшиться). Don’t rush in to fill the silence. You’ll almost always regret what you say if you’re only saying it to prevent some silence. The…
Working freelance? Try a co-working in the open air The co-working is situated just a four minutes’ walk from Leninsky Prospekt Metro Station and features not only cozy working places with a nice view of Neskuchny Garden, but also extra areas for work and recreation: an alfresco (на открытом воздухе) veranda, a wooden amphitheatre and…
Today’s Word of the Day is: “attitude” (n.) Transcription: [ˈætɪˌtjuːd] Russian Translation: отношение Definition: someone’s opinions or feelings about something, especially as shown by their behaviour Examples: 1. It’s often very difficult to change people’s attitudes. 2. My relationship with my father played a major part in shaping my attitude towards men. Synonyms: opinion, position,…
Have To and Have Got To to Express Necessity and Advice Have to is often used in any context to express necessity. It can be used in all tense forms. Examples: 1. She has to study a lot in order to pass the exam. 2. She will have to study a lot in order to…
How To Initiate A Conversation With Strangers: Being Interested Makes You Interesting You don’t have to make people laugh or tell a great story to be considered interesting. Being a great conversationalist is about letting other people shine. Most people love to talk about themselves. In fact, Harvard’s psychology department discovered that talking about yourself…
An unconventional way to concentrate on your responsibilities Several times a week in New York City, a company called Caveday hosts $25 sessions for anyone to gather and get work done, distraction free. You will, of course, need to give up your phone to these “procrastination nannies” (те, кто опекает любителей откладывать) right as you…
Modals to Express Necessity Must, Have to and Need To ‘Must’, ‘have to’, and ‘need to’ in the positive or question form are used to speak about responsibilities, obligations and important actions. Examples: 1. I’m having some trouble understanding this. I must ask Peter a few questions. 2. She has to work with clients from…
Don’t let these worrisome thoughts rule your life. First: you can act despite your fear of flying and show it who’s the boss. Instead of fighting the feeling, accept it and go about your daily routine thinking and behaving as though you’ve overcome (победить, преодолеть) this phobia. Eventually (однажды, со временем) you’ll come closer to…