EngVid- English Lessons by James

English Grammar - Word Endings - What are suffixes? http://www.engvid.com/ Do you always know which words are verbs, nouns, adjectives, or adverbs? If not, this grammar lesson on suffixes, or word endings, will help you. I'll also teach you the 3 most useful word endings that will make learning English much easier. Take a quiz on this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/engilsh-grammar-suffixes/

Teacher favorites. What should we do now? Hi. James, from EngVid. Looking for classroom stuff because you know we have so much here for you. But before I forget, I can't do my job without my favorite pal in the world, Mr. E. And this lesson today, actually, guys, it's sort of a lesson that we did before, and it's a second part. I didn't say it was a second part, but it is. You'll go back -- if you go to EngVid, you can see the lesson on prefixes, which funny enough, is the beginning of the word, and this is the end of the word, which are called "suffixes".

Let's start from the beginning. What are suffixes? Let's go to the board. A suffix: "suf" means -- this part of the word here actually means "under". It means "under" or "lower". Why? When we did prefixes, prefixes meant "before", which meant you put two, three, or five letters in front of a word. And that actually changed the meaning of the word if you remember. If we did "do" and "redo", they're not the same meaning. "Do" -- one time, "redo" means "start again".

When we do suffixes, a suffix goes on the end of the word. And I'm going to try to explain to you by going here first. Grammar suffixes. You've seen these before. S, ED, and ING. When we have S -- you know if you see a pronoun ending in S, like -- sorry. A verb, I should say. "She is", "he goes" -- you know by seeing the S on the end of that verb that that verb is taking on a third person singular. In other words, it's talking about a person we don't know, right? And it's a singular person. So that's the grammar suffix, one letter added on. When you see ED on the end of the word, you know that that means this verb is in the past. "I watch TV all the time." "I watched television last night." "I stopped my car in front of the house." This is something that happened in the past, not now. When we have the third ending you're familiar with, ING, they're used for gerunds. And you know the gerund has three uses: It's either a present participle -- working, talking, singing; an adjective -- a climbing tree or a swimming pool; or just a noun -- cooking. Yeah, I know. All end in ING, but they have three different functions.

Well, these are examples of suffixes -- letters at the end of the word that change the class or the verb function, you might say, or the grammar function. But it doesn't actually change the meaning of the word. "Swim", "swimming" -- similar. Okay?
Now, how do I explain this? Well, when we do this, we do the same thing here, which is grammar, specifically, but now, we can change the word class. What I mean is going from -- this is just changing a verb. We're actually going to change the class from, maybe, a noun to an adjective or an adverb, okay? With me so far? It's easy. We're going to add a few letters at the end of the word, and it will change what type of word it is. Is it a noun? Is it a verb? Is it an adverb? Is it an adjective? That's it. And by doing these -- adding some of these, that's how we do it in English. Excuse me. So let's take a look.

These are the top three that you'll find in English. On the last video, at the end of the video, I told you, like, we don't use these for 95 percent, so I'll fix this now. These are the most common, and what I mean by "common" is "most useful for you." There are many other suffixes. But these are most useful for you to kind of figure out or understand words that you'll see because this will tell you what's, basically, the meaning. So I'm going to help you with what the meaning is and how it changes it. So you can look at words and kind of go, "Okay, this must be a noun because I see this ending. Or this must be an adjective." Sound cool? Let's go to the board.

Mr. E, help me with the class. It's a joke. See, you're the class now and "word class". Anyway. The first one we're going to look at is MENT, m-e-n-t. "Government", "improvement", all right? When we add MENT to the end of a word, it's used to make nouns. So what you'll see is this added to a word becomes a noun. And what does it mean? Well, it means an action or process. Okay? So we talk about government, you think, "Okay, now, it's the people, like the president -- President Obama, President Reagan, Prime Minister Harper." Yeah, I like him. Anyway. Sorry. It's a process. So we talk about government is helping the people. That's what they do when they govern. When we put MENT in, we talk about the institution or the group of people that help the People. Cool? So "governing" the verb means to help the People; "government" is the group of people or institution of people that help the People. That's one example.
Learn English - Travel Vocabulary http://www.engvid.com/ Learn important, basic words you will need when you travel. Knowing a little English vocabulary can help a lot when you are travelling. Whever you are going in the world, you can almost always find someone who speaks some English. I'll teach you how a "tourist attraction" is different from a "tourist trap". What about "sight seeing"? Do you know what an "itinerary" is? Do you have your travel documents? Get ready for your English to take flight! http://www.engvid.com/travel-vocabulary/

Hi. James, from EngVid. I was just about to plan my vacation. I'm going to take a long flight to Europe. I'm trying to remember luggage and baggage things, you know? It's kind of hard to do. But this is a lesson for you if you've been working a lot, you need some time off. Now, there's a video I would like you to go check out. That's on time off. It goes with this one. You might want to go away somewhere and not just stay home, right? So this video is for you. This is basic vocabulary on vacation. When you leave and maybe you go to an English speaking country and you want to practice your English, this stuff will be good for you to enjoy your time there, also to make it easy for you when you arrive. Are you ready? Let's go to the board.

Mr. E, Mr. E! It's a mystery where he is. It's no mystery. And you thought I forgot. Mr. E has been on vacation with me, and he's enjoying this particular attraction. So let's go to the board.

Now, if you're going to go on vacation, one of the first things you will have to do if you're leaving your country is you're going to need some travel documents. What are those? Documents. A "document" is a paper or something with information that tells you something is okay or outlines it for you. For example, your passport is a document given by the government with your picture on it that says you are a citizen of this country, and you are legal. You are a good person. Okay? Now, when you're leaving for a flight, or you want to go to another country, you're going to need travel documents first. Trust me; show up at the airport and go, "I leave now. I go to Canada." They will go, "And the car is that way. Go home, crazy man. Okay?" So we need travel documents. So what are "travel documents"? Well, "travel documents" would be your passport, government identification, usually needed at most places the travel. Inside of a country, not necessary for most places. But leaving the country, you have to have it. Okay? So if you're in the European Union, no problem. If you're in Canada and the United States, you don't need one. But as soon as you leave these countries, you need a passport.

What's another thing you need? Well, you need what's called a "boarding pass". If you play soccer, you kick the ball; the other guy, he catches it; you "pass" right? The ball goes from one player to another. A "boarding pass" is what allows you to go from one country to another country. You show the person on the airplane this piece of paper with your passport, and they say, "You know what? You can come on the plane and fly, like the pass." Kick, catch, other country. Cool? All right. So these are your travel documents. You need those.

Now, I should have started with you need to make a plan because you want to go visit some place. You want to go on vacation, right? And if you want to go on vacation, well, going to have to -- I said "vacation". A "vacation" is a holiday, another word for saying "time off from work". All right? So you want to go on vacation. Sometimes, we say, "We're going to vacation in Italy." Or "on my vacation, I want to visit Italy." Or "I'm taking a holiday in Italy." Okay? So all these words, when people say, "Well, what are you doing on your time off?" You might go, "I'm going on vacation." Then they know you're leaving. If you just say, "I'm taking time off from work", you could be home cleaning. But no. You're saying, "I'm going on vacation." They're going to go, "Where are you going to visit? Italy, perhaps? Sicily? Is it going to be a good holiday?" And you go, "Yes. I earned my time." "Earned" means to work for something. "I earned my time off. I'm going on vacation."
How to use your dictionary to build your vocabulary http://www.engvid.com/ Improve your vocabulary and really understand what you learn by simply using a paper dictionary. You will learn how to pronounce words, what their function is, how to modify them, and much more. You don't need me to spell it out for you... start improving your English vocabulary now! Watch the lesson, then take the quiz here: http://www.engvid.com/dictionary-vocabulary/
Improve your social skills with Bar English!!! http://www.engvid.com/ Do you want to know "what's on tap" and save money while in your local bar? Then take this lesson and find out why! You'll also learn the meanings of "it's on me", "last call", "cut off", and other expressions you can use in a bar. Test your beer IQ with the quiz, too: http://www.engvid.com/bar-english/

TRANSCRIPT

Hi. James from EngVid. I've had a little to drink. Hold on. Sorry. James from EngVid. I had a little to drink with my friend Mr. E. Today we're going to do "bar talk", and why it's very important. You know what you're getting. So let me tell you a little story, okay?

I was sober when I started this video, and then, well, Mr. E invited me out to a bar. He said, "It's on me." I'm not a rich man, but I'm a smart man, so I said, "Sure, I'll go with you." So, you know, we go to the bar, and he said, "You know what? It's cheaper to get a pitcher than it is to buy a glass of beer." And I went, "That's great." So he goes up to the bartender, and he says, "Bartender -- barkeep, he said, what's on tap? What's on tap?" "Well", the bartender said, "Well, what can I get you? Bud? Blue? Ex? Amsterdam Light? Whatever." Mr. E -- pardon me. So Mr. E said, "Sure, but I've got my own drink, and it's my own creation. It's two parts beer, one part vodka, one part you don't need to know." Okay, so it doesn't matter. He brings this back. I'm sitting at the table. I drink it. After two seconds, I'm moving around like this about to fall because this drink was really potent, terribly potent. You can see the worm goes here. I got intoxicated in about five seconds. The police had to be called. And you know what? The bartender said, "Hey, dude, you're cut off, and take the worm with you." Long story.

Now, this is "bar talk". Because in Canada and many places across the world, we use a lot of the words I've given you, all this vocabulary, to explain or express things. And today, I'm going to let you into our secret world, so you can socialize and improve your English.

So let's go back to the beginning. What did I say? I said I was "sober". Well, if you don't have any alcohol whatsoever, which is this, okay? You don't have any of this, you're going to be "sober" -- no alcohol. I have no alcohol in my body. Now, here's the good thing: When you go to a bar, you want somebody to say to you, "It's on me". What that means is they are paying. Now, if you say these magical words, "it's on me", you're paying. Please take this from your vocabulary. Otherwise, they're always going to go, "Who's paying?" "It's on him." "Great. He's paying." Okay? So "sober" is the first word -- no alcohol. So when you're driving, you should be sober, really. "It's on me" -- somebody's paying money, right? Whoever says that, they're the one who's going to pay.

Now, here is a "mug". It's not a word I put in for your little quiz at the end. Don't forget you have a quiz. But there's a mug or a jug of -- a mug of beer. A pitcher is bigger. It's like a big thing. So it has two, three or four glasses of beer. Because it has so much in one container, it's called a pitcher, and it's cheaper. So you can go to a bar in Canada and go, "I want a pitcher of beer", and they'll give it to you, and it will be cheaper than buying bottles. Remember the bottle I showed you? Right? It would be two, three, four of these. Save money. Drink more.

"On tap": This is a -- well, it's because it's different. "On tap" means it's not from a bottle; it comes from, like, a "tap" -- in your house, where you wash your dishes. It comes from a keg. And a keg looks like this. I'm a really horrible drawer, so forgive me, okay? Forgive me, for I am about to sin in many ways. A keg looks like something like that, and it's on tap. So the beer comes out of that. Yeah, I know. Listen, this is an expensive special effects department we have here, okay? Imagine this, and your mug goes here. There's your pitcher, and they put the beer in there. So it comes from a keg. So if you say, "What's on tap?" -- at every bar, in Germany, and other places as well, in Japan, they have these taps, and they pour the beer. You've seen them do that. They pour the beer from there -- not a bottle, which is more expensive. So you go, "What's on tap, man? Give me some good Canadian stuff."

Next, the bartender will probably say -- if you're not talking about beer, which is the first part, but you want other alcoholic drinks, he or she might say, "What can I get you?" You think "get" is "go somewhere", and they're meaning, "Yes, I'm going to leave talking to you, go behind, arrange or make a drink for you, and bring it back." And they usually say, "What can I get you?" Yeah, you're slowing it down now, saying, "What did he say?" "What can I get you?" "What can I get you?" That is, "May I help you? May I serve you?" Cool?
5 conversation phrasal verbs you need to know http://www.engvid.com/ These 5 phrasal verbs are used every day by native speakers to help them "catch up" with friends and "work out" problems at home and work. Study this video and you won't ever feel cut off in a conversation. Take a quiz on this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/5-conversation-phrasal-verbs/

TRANSCRIPT

Okay, James. Product placement right about now. Apple Computers, take one. Hi. James from EngVid. Yeah. We're getting sponsored by Apple. "Sponsored" means someone is paying you to do something. No, it's not the case. And just so you know, this is the cheap version that's old. One of you guys made a guess last time I held it up. You're like, "It's the Apple 5 with retinal scan!" I don't even know what that is, so don't ask me. Okay? So -- but Mr. E and I, we get to work on my computer, and we're going to tell a story. Mr. E, ready? Okay. So "Mr. E helped to blank blank my new computer. It's not new. It something something well, and we finished early. However, it something something Mr. E had forgotten to pay his electric bill, so the power was something something -- wow, a lot of 'something somethings'. We sat in the -- excuse me. We sat in the dark" -- stop. The end. This is a stupid story. I'm going to try and do a better story. Mr. E, help me, okay?

Now, Mr. E -- first of all, I should tell you what this is about. I'm giving you five phrasal verbs that are commonly used in conversation that will help you have, you know, a more interesting conversation, but not just that. Because these are used commonly in conversation, you can understand what people are saying because I'm going to try and teach you not just one --no sirree Bob! We're having a sale today. James's sale -- you're going to get two for the price of one meaning, so you can understand this story, but when you're done, you can go back and actually build your own stories or usages, okay? So let's go to the beginning.

"Mr. E helped me to something at my new computer." Well laptops are different. You just put it in a room. In the old days and even now, some people buy big computers, and they have speakers and they have the box and, you know, the big screen. And you have to put it somewhere. Well, when you put it somewhere, you know, you want to arrange or build a system. We call that a "set up". You set it up. It means to put it or arrange it in a way you can use it. You "set up" a business, right? It's a system, you know. You know you buy; you sell -- it's a system. So setting something up is to arrange it or organize it or build a thing that you can use. That's one definition, "set up". What's the second one?" To place somebody in an awkward situation". Interesting. Sometimes you're watching the movies -- I'm sure you watch many of them -- someone will say, "He set me up that so-and-so." Well, what it means is they knew something about the person; they pretended they didn't know; then, they got other people to come around to expose or get the truth out. That's called a "setup". The police "set up" criminals all the time, right? They pretend to buy drugs. They pretend, but they don't actually want to buy them. The criminal sells them, and then they catch them. And they say, "It was a setup from the beginning", and the police go, "Yeah, and you fell for it." When you "fall" for something, you believe it's true even though it's not, okay? So "set up" here means two things: to arrange a system; that's one thing, and that's what we did with my computer system. It's not an awkward situation. We've arranged and built a system, right? So let's set up. Let's go back. Mr. E helped me to set up my new computer. That means we put it on a table, got the speakers, plugged it in, made it work. Cool, right?

Next, "It w___ o___ well and we finished early." "W___ o___ well" -- what could that be? W-o, w-o. Well, look. See this other arrow comes down here. What does that mean? Well, it means fix a problem -- or couples fix a relationship -- and come to a successful end. Well, what we're talking about is work because when you have a problem you must work, right? To come to a successful end means you must do some work first to come to the end. Running a race; making dinner; fixing a problem. Fixing a problem requires work. Couples have to work on a relationship. And we also have this "this worked out". And if you're like Arnold Schwarzenegger, you have big muscles because you work out. That's my best Arnold impersonation. Okay, so Arnold works out, but that's different. So we also say -- and I should've put it here -- "go to gym", right? Because a lot of times I hear foreign students say, "Teacher, we go exercising now." And I always go, "[laugh] You go exercise. Right." North Americans, English speakers, they "work out". That's what we do when we go to the gym. It is exercising, but that's our word. Be here we say, "It worked out well".
Basic English vocabulary for restaurants http://www.engvid.com/ Eating in a restaurant can be a fun thing to do with friends, but if you are just learning English all the new words can be confusing. Watch and learn what an "appetizer" is and how to change your "order", and before you know it you will be "fine dining" with the best of them. Take the quiz for this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/basic-english-vocabulary-restaurants/

TRANSCRIPT

Party of two, your table is ready, party of two. Okay, and these are your drinks, sir. There you go. Enjoy your meal. Bon appétit!

Hi. James, from EngVid. When I'm not making videos, I need to make money, and this lesson, actually, is about restaurants. I used to be a waiter when I was younger, so I've been in many a restaurant, and I know it might be difficult for you when you -- I mean, you're coming to a new country. I'll slow it down for you because this is basic. You're coming to a new country, and you want to enjoy something. You want to have a meal out of your house. You know -- meal, dinner, or lunch or breakfast. And you go to the restaurant and then somebody walks up to you with, "party of", "table of", "And what would you like for appetizers?" "Would you like an app?" "Would you like this?" "Well, how about your main?" "What about this?" No! Please, don't. So let's slow it down. Let's make it basic, so when you enter a restaurant, you can right away know what they're talking about. Now, there're other things -- you know, we don't have everything in here. There are two other videos on restaurants that you can go watch on EngVid, but this is basic. But even if you think, "Oh, I know all this stuff. I'm very good", you might learn a thing or two. Okay? So come watch.

So let's start off first. The worm has a drink. One of the first things they're going to come up to you depending -- and see, I don't know if you know this. There's "fine dining", "casual dining", and "fast food". First thing you should know, so where are you going? "Fast food" is like McDonald's, Taco Bell -- [coughs] that's not food -- Taco Bell, Subway -- most of this won't apply, okay? But some of these words, like -- well, we'll get there -- will apply, and I'll let you know. "Casual dining" is like Chili's or Montana's. I mean these are restaurants in the United States and Canada, so don't worry, but it's all similar. It means you can wear something like I'm wearing: jeans -- there you go. I'm getting old. Can't lift that leg up -- or a T-shirt, and it's okay. No one's going to complain, okay? And you can sit down. Not like McDonald's. You can sit down with a knife and fork, and you can eat your dinner. Or -- then you have "fine dining". "Fine dining" is when the people wear what we call "penguin suits". They have a tie and a shirt, and they walk up, and they serve on tables. Okay? But you need a reservation, and it's mucho dinero mis amigos, mucho, mucho dinero. For the rest of you, it's lots of money. "Fine dining" -- "fine" means "expensive", and you usually require a reservation to get a table. So let's just go with casual, because casual is where most can go. Even if you're in a foreign country and there are people who serve tourists, they're going to go mostly to casual, not necessarily fine dining, so I'm sticking with casual, all right?

So casual -- McDonald's we know you just walk in. And here's something -- and McDonald people you can thank me. Next time you go, don't watch them and say, "Give me Big Mac. Give me French fries. And that I want." Try to say, "may I" or "can I have". People who work in the service industry -- which is what the restaurant industry is, where they serve you -- they want a little politeness, so try "can I have" and "may I have". You'll be surprised at how much better they serve you or treat you. Now let's go to the board with the worm, who is providing drinks. One of the first things you come in and you come to a restaurant, they might say to you, "party of" or "table for". And you're going to say, "What?" Well, "party of" -- I know you're not like, "Fiesta time, baby! Yeah, we're going to party, going to be drinking" -- no. What they mean is you are a group of people, and how many are in the group. So "party of two" or "party of four" means there are two -- you can say, "There are two in my party" or four. "There are two of us", or "there are four of us", or ten, okay? Then it's a "partay". It's not a "party"; it's a "partay". Now, "table of" means the same thing, or "table for", "table for". And they mean, for -- I did a video where I talked about "for" means "receive". Go look at it. "For" means "to receive", so "table for four people", so "table for four", "table for five" -- this is four. How many people? That's easy. And that's when they're sitting in the front. That's the first thing they will ask you.

Then they will bring you to your table. And they're going to give you something called a "menu".
3 tricks for learning English - prepositions, vocabulary, structure http://www.engvid.com/ Watch this lesson and learn 3 tricks to make learning English vocabulary, prepositions, and syntax easy, fun, and effective. Well, stop reading and start watching... let's get to the lesson RIGHT NOW! http://www.engvid.com/3-tricks-for-learning-english/

TRANSCRIPT

Hi. James from www.engvid.com. I'd normally be reading, but I'm putting my finishing touches on. Our expensive prop department -- "props" are things you use in movies to demonstrate things, or a "prop" might be a marker or a pen or a car, right? Our prop department is so poor I had to draw a hat on a box, but it will help demonstrate the 3 tricks to learn English. Now, there are three little tricks that you can do -- and even better, you can do with a friend -- to learn English. So you can actually have partner practice. We haven't really discussed this much here, but why not? I mean probably, you may not go to an English school, so you don't have anyone but your friend who is probably watching with you right now. So here are three quick little tricks you can do, and the beauty of these are - they're going to help you with, No.1, vocab -- vocabulary. Okay? No.2, we're going to work on prepositions. And No. 3, we'll work on structure of English. How's that? You paid nothing, and you're getting lots. And the best thing is they'll all be fun -- fun. Cough, there.

All right. First thing we're going to talk about is a hat trick. In hockey, a "hat trick" is three things: You score three goals. One, two, and three, just like in English football or European football. Three goals is a hat trick. Don't know why they call it that, but that's what they call it. Our hat trick is called a "hat pull", "hat pull". What's a "hat pull"? Well, you learn your vocabulary, and there's lots and lots of vocabulary. Every day something new. Even when I said things like "hat trick" in this very lesson, there are probably three vocabulary words that you hadn't heard before, that you had to go, "What does he mean?", and I taught you them. But wouldn't it be cool if you had a fun trick to play? A lot of people play flash cards, you know, they get a card. They put the meaning of the word. They turn it over and try and remember. This is a variation that a friend taught me. It's quite fun. What you do is, take your hat, okay? Learn five, ten, words -- 20 even. When you learn them or think you know them, put them in the hat. And you and a friend can then put your hand in the hat and take out the word, and then say something like "philosophy". And the other person has to say, "It's this word. It means this." If they get it right, then they can put their hand in, take out another vocabulary word, and go, "What's this word?" And you can keep playing to help master vocabulary. Cool, right? You're having fun, you're challenging each other. Collect cards. See who wins the game. Or if you're doing it by yourself, just pull it out, turn it over, and try and think of what is the word that's in your hand. It helps to "jog your memory", which is an idiom that means to help you remember or reminds you of the meaning of words. You can play it with one friend, two friends, three friends. That's kind of cool, right? You can even do it in a classroom. Suggest it for your teacher. Go, "Hey, can we play the hat game?" "The hat game? Son, you're too young to play the hat game." You go, "No, Pops, it's a good game." Just get a hat and some paper or tissue paper. Hee hee hee. Sorry. Moving on.

Next one: I got the hat pull, and you'll see it goes to this one. This is really long: "random sentence generator". And it seems like it's really, really hard. I mean, this one we worked on vocabulary, right? Building your vocabulary, remembering our vocabulary. The second trick, the "random sentence generator" -- I just had to say it twice because it sounds so nice. Well, random sentence. You can use this game to go to this game to make it more complicated or -- and "complicated" means "difficult" -- you can just simply play it by itself. Take a word -- random. Okay, there's a word, "random". Now, "generate" means "to create or make". Make a sentence like that -- random. "He randomly created a sentence from nothing." Right? Yeah, I just took this word and I just made it. I could say, "develop": "In order to develop your mind you have to read many books." I'm going really quickly because I want you to understand that when you do it randomly, it has to be quick. You can't say "blah, blah, blah" very slowly. The whole thing is: speed. This will help you with English structure because if you say it incorrectly, you or your friend will actually notice it and try and correct it. What's the structure? Why can't you put "random" here or there? Is it a verb? Is it an adjective? What is its purpose in a sentence when you're making the sentence?
Learn English - What are prefixes? http://www.engvid.com/ Do you know what a prefix is or a morpheme is? In this English class, you will be introduced to six basic prefixes: ad-, syn-, sub-, ob-, in-, and com-. You will learn what they mean and how they change words. Take a quiz on this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/learn-english-prefixes/

TRANSCRIPT

What am I going to do today? Yeah, I have no -- hi. James from EngVid. You know what? I'm not too sure what to do, so why don't we do something basic? It's not going to really be basic, but I'll tell you what I want to do. I'm going to help you learn how to spell or use prefixes in English. What do I mean by that? The first thing I want to teach you is what is a prefix and the six basic prefixes we start with. That should help you along with your spelling and your reading. Let's go to the board.

Hey, what's up? So what is a prefix? That's the first thing we should look at. Well, "prefix", in itself, has a word, and it's "pre". And funny, it means "before". I've done a couple lessons on this before -- a vocabulary pyramid, so please go check them out -- where I take some of these, and I make a bigger lesson on. So if you're okay with this and you want more, go there, and then do the quiz when you're done. Cool. Anyway, so prefix goes before a word. There are, basically, six basic ones. There are many. There are hundreds, actually. But the ones I'm going to introduce today, you're going to see many, many, many times. And when I'm done, I'm going to give you a little surprise up there. Something that I think will be interesting and surprising. So let's get started, shall we? Let's move towards the board.

So the first one I want to do means "to" and "toward". You've seen it before, and it does change. What I should introduce also is that -- the fact that a prefix is what we call a "morpheme". A "morpheme" -- because "morph" means "to change" and "pheme" -- it's the smallest unit of English, like, you know, the number one. It's the smallest unit you can have that has a meaning. And that's what, basically, prefixes are. They're small units, but they have a very distinct -- which means a certain or one -- meaning that's special, okay? So these are morphemes, and I'm going to do the first one. The first one is "to" and "toward". What would it be? Well, it means, in this case -- if I put it here, it means "next to", and if I put it here, it means "give to". You've seen it before, and I'm going to put it up here: "ad". Well, think about it: One plus one, you move the numbers together, and you get two. Move them together -- two. That's when we "add" things. Well, funny, that's what it also means as a morpheme. When we put it here, and we put "adjoin": It means "together" or "next to". When you say, "I have -- my bathroom adjoins the living room", it is "next to". They're "toward" or "to"; together. What is this one? Well, you already know I'm going to put "ad" here, right? So let's just add it. I keep saying that, "ad", "add", right? Go towards the next thing. "Administer". When you "administer" something -- your doctor does this. You go; he administers a drug or an injection. It means to give to you. And there's the "to" part. Or "We will administer punishment if you do not do the quiz properly at EngVid." All right? We'll "give" you punishment -- "administer". All right? So let's go to the next one. I love saying "right". It's just correct.

"With" and together". Some of these look familiar. I know "unity" and "promise". Unity and Ivo -- that's the -- no. That's "Ebony and Ivory". "Ebony". Anyway. Let's go here. But it means "with" and "together". So what could this possibly be? I don't know. How about "com"? "Com" means "with" or "together". And when we put it here -- I made a small joke about "unity", "Ebony", and "Ivory" because I said "living together in perfect harmony" if you see that song. "Unity": They live as one. And then it's "community" -- living as one. One group of people together as one. Now, what about "compromise"? "Compromise" -- have you ever heard that word before? I hope not, or you need a new English teacher. It's "compromise". This changes when you put the "com" in front. I don't make the rules. I'm just here to administer them. You like that? I like it, too. Okay. So when you make a "compromise", you promise together. It means two people want different things, but you say, "Look. You can't have everything, and I can't have everything, so why don't we promise to give each other a little bit of this, a little bit of that?" So we meet halfway. We come together and halfway, right? With a promise, we come and compromise -- halfway, meet each other. "Co" -- you might even say "copromise". So you promise, I promise, we'll make a compromise. You work; I work; we'll get better. Okay, so "co" -- copromise. Don't say "copromise". Please don't. Compromise.
Learn English - What do you do for fun? http://www.engvid.com/ Use this basic English lesson to improve your conversation skills by talking about the things you like to do every day for fun. Learn what spare time, downtime, hobbies, and interests are. I'll also teach you how to explain your passions to others. http://www.engvid.com/learn-english-what-do-you-do-for-fun/

TRANSCRIPT

Hi. James from EngVid. Just looking at my work. I don't know when I'm going to get any more downtime. I mean, I haven't had spare time or time off in so long. I haven't done any of my interests or hobbies and -- you know what I mean, right? You don't? Oh, that's today's lesson. We're going to talk to you about conversation skills and how you can improve them while talking about your downtime, hobbies, and time off. You know? Oh, you don't know? Let's do it, then. Let's go to the board. Well, let's start off with what is a "hobby".

Well, a "hobby" is something -- and you can think of the word "habit". I think most of you know "habit" is something you do regularly. Well, a "hobby" starts with a "h", and it means "something you do regularly". But in this case, it's something that's fun, you do it regularly, and you don't get paid for it. That's what we usually call your "hobby". So you might even spend money and time to do it, but you get a lot of fun from it, and you do it regularly. Now, another word for "hobby" is "interest". And the funny thing about "interest" is that I could say to you, "What are your hobbies?" Or I could say to you "What are your interests?" And it's almost the same. And we use them -- English speakers -- almost interchangeably, which means we can just change them, and it doesn't really matter. But there's a slight difference. Remember "hobby" and "habit" go together -- you do regularly? Well, "interest" means "I like it". Like, I'm interested in the theatre, but I don't go all the time, maybe once every two years. But my hobby is collecting comic books, which means I actually -- every week -- buy the comic books. Like, I have it, and I get enjoyment from both. So remember, you can use the words, but one is more specific, all right? So you could say -- you know, you could say, "I'm interested in reading." -- I don't have time to do it, but I like the idea of it. versus "My hobby is reading.", which is -- that's what I do when I don't have anything to do. All right?

So let's go over here. What kind of hobbies or interests can a person have? Well, one of them is collecting. Now, what does "collecting" mean? It means "to bring together a group of things", all right? But in this case, "collecting" is very specific. Personally, I collect comic books. And I dare you to go back and watch how many videos I've done wearing a Batman T-shirt, and you'll know I'm a real collector, okay? I love Batman. But let's just say I bought Batman No. 1. Now, if I'm a collector, I'll also buy Batman No. 2 and Batman No. 3 and so on and so on. I'll continue to buy. And I will keep them. I'm not going to sell them. I'm not trying to make money, and I'm going to enjoy them as a collector. I will go back after reading them and read them again. Just like when you collect -- we say comics; you can collect books. You can also collect art and music. You guys know -- you collect music. You collect Duran Duran -- right? -- that great group. "Girls on Film" -- oh, I'm old. No, that new guy, Justin Timberlake, yeah? "Mirror" -- yeah. I can't sing that song. But you know what I mean. You can collect music. You can collect art -- Van Gogh, Picasso -- music, again -- Beethoven, Bach, Brahms. Collect and enjoy, right? For yourself or your friends.

What else can you do? Well, you can also play. And in this case, we're talking about playing sports. I enjoy playing sports. I enjoy playing golf. No, I don't. But sports. You can enjoy playing cards or games. So sports: "I enjoy playing soccer." I'm saying "i-n-g", "I enjoy playing soccer." or "I enjoy playing volleyball at the beach." Right? Cards: "I enjoy playing poker, solitaire" -- "Nobody loves me" because "solitaire" means to be by yourself. Or I enjoy playing poker. Five-card stud, because I'm a stud, baby. Okay. Now -- or games. Now, when I enjoy playing games, right, I can do "gaming". It's a little different. Games can be board games like chess or checkers or Monopoly, and "gaming" -- which we changed to "I enjoy gaming", so you would just say "gaming" instead of "playing", right? "Gaming" -- everybody knows it's electronic, okay? Good.

Now, "travelling" -- but I'll explain because it seems obvious. "Travelling" means anything outside of your city. If you go to the library in your city, you're not travelling, boys and girls. You're just going to the library. But if you have a big country -- like, I'm in Canada. We like travelling to other parts of Canada because it's like going to Europe. But you can travel in North America. You can travel in Europe.
"OUT" Phrasal Verbs - Business English http://www.engvid.com/ Are you studying English to do better in business? I would like to point out that the following business English phrasal verbs will help tp bail you out in meetings, and can help you figure out how to make it to the top in your career. Watch this lesson now... before your colleagues figure out your secret weapon: EngVid (and Mr. E.)!!! Take the quiz here: http://www.engvid.com/out-phrasal-verbs/

TRANSCRIPT

"Going out with my baby. Going out to -- " Hi. James from www.engvid.com. Excuse me for a second. Don't mean to make you wait, but I've just got to put down Mr. E because he knows something you don't know about. And what he knows is it's story time. See? He's relaxing, in repose, relaxing. Why? We're going to do some business phrasal verbs, okay? And these business phrasal verbs -- I should explain quickly what a phrasal verb is. It's a two to three-word verb, okay? In which the particle modifies the verb. I prefer to teach particles because usually you know what the verb means. You just want to know how the particle changes it. Right? Cool. So in this case, it's for business because these phrases or phrasal verbs are often used in business. And I want to tell you a story. James is going to tell you a story today. Why a story? I'll tell you the story. I will explain the phrasal verbs, and then you can check after if you understood.

One time, a long time ago -- say, year 2000 -- in a country called America -- and for some people who are complaining about me saying "America", "America" is what we call the United States of America because we live in Canada. British people also call it "America". Foreign people, you have a different way of calling our country, so it wouldn't be common for you to know this. So I can also say, in "the United States of America" they decided -- or actually, they figured out how to make more money and do less work, which they thought was brilliant. So they decided to contract out all of the work from their country to foreign countries. When they contracted out all of this work, some of the other American people that still lived there thought that they had really -- they had sold them out. They thought the companies were sellouts and had sold them out. The companies just wanted to sell out all of their products -- sell out of all of their products and wanted to do it as cheaply as possible. Now, because of that, what little workers remained had to work extra, extra hard, and they got burned out. It was really, really terrible, but the companies still wanted to make money -- wanted to roll out new products. Eventually, in the year 2008, all of these companies, including the banks, needed bailouts. And that's when,
boys and girls, we paid for all of their decisions that they figured out.

Now, some of you are going, "What the heck is this guy talking about?" So the first thing I want to do is go over what does "out" mean. Because, I mean, I know you know "contract" or "figure" or "sell", "burn", but maybe you don't know how they are modified by "out". And this is a business -- business phrasal verbs, so let's go to the board, okay? When we look at "out", you can see the arrow is moving. There's a room or something, a building, and the arrow is moving up this way. So the first one we look at is "outward movement". "Ward" means "direction". So it means "direction out", okay? The second means "not being inside". Duh! (In Canada, "duh" means "stupid". So you don't go "duh" because then I'll think you're stupid.) Anyway. Sorry. "You're stupid." -- correct way of doing it. So it means "not being outside". So if you move outside, then you're not inside. Kind of seems obvious, right? It also means "excluding" because anything that's not in the room is not part of the room. So it's "excluded", "not part of", yeah? "Completing": Well, when you close the door, the room is completed, and there's no access to it, "completing". And "doing thoroughly". Okay, you got me. I don't know why "doing thoroughly". It just means "completing". "Doing thoroughly" is similar to "completing". It means "going through the job completely, in all ways". So when you do something "thoroughly", you do it properly, or you do a complete job. They seem similar. Don't worry. I'll explain.

First, let's talk about "contract out". What does that mean? Well, a "contract" -- you'll notice I have a contract up here. It's a document between two or more parties, saying they will work together, "con" meaning "with", and "tract" means to "pull together". Well, when we contracted -- sorry, companies contract work. What it means is to give a job to somebody outside of your company. So it means people in your company don't get the work; you give it to someone else, okay? So in some instances, some companies decided to make other countries make the product, and they would just sell the product. So jobs were lost because it was "contracted out" -- given to another company...
Basic shopping vocabulary in English http://www.engvid.com/ Use English to shop and save money. When you finish this basic English vocabulary lesson, you will be able to shop with confidence and get what you want when you are in a store! Avoid getting ripped off. Make sure you get a warranty, and a receipt!
http://www.engvid.com/basic-shopping-vocabulary/

TRANSCRIPT:
[Singing] "Got to buy some dinner tonight." Hi. James from EngVid. So what are we doing? We're going to talk about shopping today. As you can see, I have to go shopping because our budget -- we usually have a big magazine, and I'm down to this poor little piece of paper. But my dinner is on, so why don't we go to the board.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, something we have to do wherever you go. You do it in your own country. We do it here. What I'm going to teach you is the vocabulary for basic shopping. So there -- we have two other videos on engVid that talk about shopping and specific things. You can go and watch those as well. I recommend you do. But for now, just so you can go into a store anywhere that they speak English and get what you want, when you need it, the way you want it, we're going to do this lesson right now.

So the first thing you want to do is -- well, you want to know if it's on sale. "Sale" means "cheaper price". So that's what we mean, "is it on sale?" The first thing you can ask, like, "Do you have anything on sale?" For instance: Club Savings. All these foods are on sale. Regular price 20, now 17. I'm saving money. So "sale" really means -- s-a for "save". You're saving money because you're going to pay less than the actual, original price.

Which leads me to the next word: "price" and "cost". For some of you guys you're like, "We know these things." But it's actually using it properly or effectively. You can say, "How much does it cost?" which is different than "price". They're similar -- not same. "Cost" means "what do I have to give you". "Price" is what -- what the actual money is. So you can say, "How much does this cost me?" Maybe two hours. And I'm using it differently than price. So similar -- not same. So what is the "price"; what is the "cost". And they will tell you how much money you have to give them, okay? Cool.

That comes with the word "pay". When you have a price or cost and you give them money, you must "pay". I work in an English school, and people have to "pay". That means, "Give the money." But you can give not just money, but different things in different forms. So one of the things we can do is, we can use our credit cards. Everybody -- not everyone. A lot of people have it if you're over 18 -- piece of plastic that you give, and they say, "This is worth this much money, and you can use your card to pay with it." Okay? Visa, American Express, MasterCard -- these are credit cards.
Debit. In North America, we're in love with our debit cards. It's a card that you get from your bank that has direct access to your account. So not like a credit card where the bank is lending you some money or letting you take some money for now, and you pay it back. That's the "credit card". Debit is right in your account, so if you have $500, they literally -- oh, sorry, "literally" means "really", "in reality", or "actually" -- take the money out of your account. So you can use either debit or credit to pay.

And my favourite, favourite of everyone's -- I don't have any: cash. Cash. Money. The old fashion way of doing things, right? Give them the money -- transaction done. "Transaction" is when you do business. You "transact" because one thing goes to another. You get product; they get money. It's a "transaction", okay?

Taxes. Every country has them. In some countries, like England -- where they speak the Queen's English -- taxes are included. So if it says $15, it's $15. But folks, I live in Canada. And what you see is not what you get. $15 becomes $16.50. $100 becomes $115. $1,000 is -- $1,150. That's right. Our taxes are not included. So when you come to America or Canada, be careful because you might actually have to pay taxes. You see this, "Incl.": "taxes included". It will be taxes -- it's good. It means price -- what you pay. Most of the times, you won't see anything, and it means "add more money". "Taxes" are what the government gets -- okay. Understand this. It's what the government gets for you buying something because they want their money, too. Anyway.
Work out your English! http://www.engvid.com/ This lesson will pump you up! Learn how to use exercise tricks to build up a strong body of English. If you have ever tried to work out and improve your body, you can apply the same principles to learning English! http://www.engvid.com/work-out-your-english/
"OFF" Phrasal Verbs - Business English http://www.engvid.com/ Learn these common business English phrasal verbs with "OFF" that will help you understand business and financial discussions in English. These phrasal verbs might even save you some money! I'll teach you the meaning of phrasal verbs like: lay off, rip off, write off, take off, and more. Take a quiz on this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/off-phrasal-verbs-business-english/
Speaking English - DEAL expressions - "big deal", "deal with it"... http://www.engvid.com/ What's the "BIG DEAL" about this lesson? Well, if you want to be a "big deal", watch this English lesson and find out when 'deal' is used to talk about importance or a problem. I'll teach you eight different ways to use "DEAL"! Press play right now and say "DEAL ME IN, JAMES!" And don't forget to take the quiz: http://www.engvid.com/speaking-english-deal-expressions/
Vocabulary: ONLY, JUST, BARELY, MERELY http://www.engvid.com/ This lesson is the ONLY lesson of its kind! I will do more than JUST teach you English vocabulary. You MERELY need five minutes and will BARELY have to do any work to understand how to use these new words. All you have to do is take the quiz here: http://www.engvid.com/vocabulary-only-just-barely-merely/

TRANSCRIPT:
If only I were a -- oh, hi. Sorry, I was just looking at a picture. I'll put that away. If you've been to Toronto and you know Now magazine, and you know the back of Now magazine -- I'm a bad, bad putty cat. Anyway, this lesson is about "only" and "just". I'm going to give you two more words that we also use, but specifically "only" and "just". Why? Because in English, these two words are used interchangeably. "Interchange" means "to change things", like you take this one, you take that one: Change them in different places.

All right. Between. Because they have similar meanings, it's interchangeable. It doesn't matter that much. This lesson is for -- in case you were bothered by that -- it's our special guy -- it's like the Oscars here -- Allan from the Philippines wrote to us on Facebook, and I wrote it on my Chapters receipt. Anyway, Allan wanted to know what is the difference, and when do you use them. So why don't we go to the board and take a look.

Ah, Mr. E is here before me. I like making things rhyme. And Mr. E is saying, "James merely has to do 1 lesson and he barely got it on the board. If only I were the teacher". Now, if you read this, there seems to be a limitation or a limit to something. Right. "Merely" means, like, just a small amount. "Barely": also small. And "only": seemingly small. What's the difference? Let's go to the board.
"Just": "I'm just a gigolo, everywhere I go". David Lee, I'm stealing your stuff. Don't sue me. Okay. When we say "just", we use usually -- in English, it means "exactly", "just". "Just five people". "Just to the city", exactly. I'm lying a little bit. We also have "just", and it can be used a little bit like "not that much". Right. "It's just two of us coming for dinner." Not many of us. Exactly two, and it's not a lot. So you have to listen to the context. Okay. When you hear "just", people are saying "exactly", and in some ways they're saying, "and it's not a lot of stuff". Okay. "It's just two dollars". Well how much is it exactly? Well it's two dollars. We don't need to say "just". We say it to say, "it's not that much, relax". It's a tooney. All right. Go to Tim Hortons. Get your tooney, which is two dollars. "It's just two dollars" -- not that much, and an exact amount.

There's another use for "just", okay? And it doesn't follow what the other words we're going to do, but you should hear it or know what it means because it's used a lot for law: "just". It's short for "justice". If something is not fair or not right, not correct, we'll say it is "not just" -- older English. You'll hear it in law, but you won't really hear people say it on the street. "It is not just. I did not get milk with my cookies!" You know, but in a court case they'll go, "We need to be more just in our society", or in university. So you'll see here: "it's not a just decision" -- it's not fair! It's not right, it's not morally right. Morals, you know, like lying and stealing and cheating. "He should go back to court." You hear it in court, okay?

I know you see "merely", but it will be merely a moment before we come back. We have to go here. First the big guys, then the little guys. I said we'd start with "just", now we're going to go to "only". Okay? "Only" has an adverb usage, and it means "limited to". "Only": "Limited to a certain extent". And our example here: "There are only 100 tigers alive." It's limited, right? Adjective use, adjective. "One of a kind". "Only one of a kind", right? "He is an only child". It describes the child. How -- what kind of child? He's an "only" child, like a "big child", a "small child", an "only child". Another use for it: a conjunction. Okay. It's common. You may not see it as such because we use "and" a lot, but we use it because we have this meaning of "limited to" -- I'm going really fast, so I'll slow down so that not only I can understand myself, okay? "Limited to" plus "one of a kind". In this case, it's not just "and", it's an exception, "except that". So we're saying the idea may be similar, but there is a difference. So it's really useful when you're using your English: a conjunction that gives you an exception. Nice, huh? And you thought it was "just" little English we were doing or "only" English. In this case, I would say, she's like my girlfriend, only better. You know, because, like, she's a girlfriend, and she's better, right? "Except that". So that's how we use "only" and "just", okay? Those are the big guns, you know. Those are the ones we use a lot.
Vocabulary - REMEMBER, RECALL, REMIND http://www.engvid.com/ 'Remember', 'recall', and 'remind' are three words in English that are very similar, so a lot of students mix them up. But each one of these words has a specific meaning. Watch and study this vocabulary lesson so that you won't forget where each one of these words should be used. Take a quiz on this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/vocabulary-remember-recall-remind/
Phrasal verbs - OFF - make off, get off, pull off... http://www.engvid.com/ It's time to get off your ass, and pull off some advanced English learning! Learn a whole lot of new phrasal verbs, all using 'off'. Don't wait. Watch this lesson now... before someone makes off with it! http://www.engvid.com/phrasal-verbs-off/
Alright or All right? http://www.engvid.com/ Is it "all right" to use "alright" when you are writing? If the answer is yes, when is it "alright"? Watch this lesson and you will always know the right answer!!! Afterwards, if you're all right with it, take the quiz: http://www.engvid.com/alright-all-right/
Pronunciation Tricks - The Magic E http://www.engvid.com/ Is it "fat" or is it "fate"? If you want to know the correct pronunciation, watch this lesson, and learn how "the magic E" in English can tell us how to pronounce other sounds in a word! It sounds complicated, but it's actually really easy once you learn the trick. Watch the lesson, then test your knowledge with the quiz: http://www.engvid.com/pronunciation-tricks-the-magic-e/
A WHILE or AWHILE? http://www.engvid.com/ "A while" or "awhile"? These words sound almost exactly the same, but one is a noun, and one is an adverb. In this lesson for advanced students, I'll teach you when to use each. Even native speakers get this wrong, so it might take a while, but if you watch the lesson and do the quiz, you will get it. http://www.engvid.com/a-while-or-awhile/
Learn English - 4 ways to understand what you hear http://www.engvid.com/ Learn how to understand almost everything you hear right now in 4 easy steps! If you are an advanced English student, and you already know grammar and can understand what you read, but have trouble understanding when people speak in movies and in real life, watch this lesson to find out HOW to listen and UNDERSTAND! http://www.engvid.com/4-listening-comprehension-tips/
"I seen it" and other stupid mistakes http://www.engvid.com/ I'm sure "you seen" it before, but that doesn't make it right. This lesson will help you understand and correct three very common grammar mistakes that even many native English speakers make every day. Test your understanding of this lesson with the quiz: http://www.engvid.com/i-seen-it-and-other-stupid-mistakes/
Too or So? http://www.engvid.com/ Do you make "too" many mistakes or "so" many mistakes when speaking or writing in English? Watch this important grammar lesson and don't make any mistakes (with too and so) again! And don't forget to take the quiz: www.engvid.com/too-or-so/
English Vocabulary Pyramid - VENT - adventure, convenient, eventually... http://www.engvid.com/ Learning English can be really conVENIent, and I want you to study this lesson so that eVENTually you will master English vocabulary... and have a great adVENTure at the same time! VENTure to take the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/vocabulary-pyramid-vent/
Assume or Presume? http://www.engvid.com/ Many times students "presume" that their bad grammar in English is correct because they base it on false "assumptions". If you never want to be so "presumptuous", WATCH THIS VOCABULARY LESSON! Then TAKE THE QUIZ: http://www.engvid.com/assume-or-presume/
Reading skills that work - for tests and in class http://www.engvid.com/ Do you run out of time when reading in class? Have trouble remembering or understanding what you read? Then put down that book and press play to learn how to improve your reading speed and comprehension today. http://www.engvid.com/reading-skills-that-work/
How to talk about sports in English http://www.engvid.com/ Do you like sports? Do you know the difference between playing "Call of Duty" and training in sports? With just a little study and practice you'll be able to play with the pros...or at least talk about it. http://www.engvid.com/sports-vocabulary/
James's 100th Birthday Party!!! http://www.engvid.com/ If you want to have fun while learning some advanced English vocabulary, hear a bad English accent, help celebrate my 100th lesson, and are curious about the origin of Mr. E... watch this video NOW! http://www.engvid.com/james-100/
Speaking English - Clean yourself!!! http://www.engvid.com/ Would you like to brush up on your English and wash away mistakes? Watch this lesson on the vocabulary we use in English to talk about cleaning ourselves! You'll learn when to use verbs like wash, wipe, brush, clean, floss, and more. Wipe away any doubts about this topic with the lesson and free quiz: http://www.engvid.com/speaking-english-clean-yourself/
Master English with these 5 questions! http://www.engvid.com/ Is English hard to learn? Answer these 5 questions to make studying English easier, clearer, and more fun. This free, ten-minute talk will save you hundreds of hours of studying! http://www.engvid.com/master-english-5-questions/
AGO & FROM NOW - Talking about time in English http://www.engvid.com/ When most students start learning English, they find it very hard to talk about time. This lesson will teach you how to use "ago" and "from now", so you can correctly speak about the past and the future. http://www.engvid.com/ago-from-now/
What are the senses in English? http://www.engvid.com/ What are senses? Sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. In English, there is a lot of literal vocabulary related to the senses, but you'll also find that there are many expressions and idioms using the senses. In this lesson, I'll teach you all of that. You'll see! You can also take a quiz on this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/senses-in-english/
Adjective endings - ING or ED? http://www.engvid.com/ Learn why some adjectives in English end in -ING and others in -ED. You will understand when we use each of these endings, as well as the correct grammar and structure for each. I think you'll find this lesson very interestING. Take the quiz here: http://www.engvid.com/adjective-endings-ing-ed/
7 Common School Expressions in English http://www.engvid.com/ Learn 7 very common terms and expressions about school and studying. You'll learn what terms like bookworm and teacher's pet mean, as well as how to use expressions such as play hooky, flunk out, and more! You can also take a quiz on this lesson at http://www.engvid.com/7-common-school-expressions-in-English/
3 common conversation mistakes http://www.engvid.com/ One of the best ways to improve your conversation skills in English is to avoid mistakes that lead to confusion. This lesson will explain three common conversation mistakes and teach you how you can avoid making them. http://www.engvid.com/3-common-conversation-mistakes/
Slang in English (vocabulary) - BLOW http://www.engvid.com/ Don't BLOW your opportunity to learn from this slang lesson. You will learn the slang and "normal" meanings of the important English word 'blow'. A lot of English lessons blow but this is not one of them! http://www.engvid.com/slang-blow/
3 ways to use adverbs http://www.engvid.com/ Understanding HOW TO USE ADVERBS will make you a better speaker and writer in English. Adverbs make simple and boring sentences interesting and nuanced. This lesson will teach you what adverbs are, when they are used, and how to use them to communicate more intelligently. http://www.engvid.com/3-ways-to-use-adverbs/
3 rules for improving your English immediately http://www.engvid.com I am going to teach you to improve your English by following three simple rules. Follow my "3Us" to start becoming more fluent in English today. http://www.engvid.com/3-rules-for-improving-your-english-immediately/
5 common mistakes in spoken English http://www.engvid.com Other or another? Make or do? Fun or funny? In this lesson, I'm going to teach you how to avoid FIVE very common mistakes in spoken English. I'll go over five confusing pairs of words, and tell you when each word should be used. Take ten minutes to watch this class and improve your spoken English immediately. Then take the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/5-common-spoken-english-mistakes/ !
Slang in English - SUCK http://www.engvid.com Grammar videos suck, but slang lessons are great! Learn how to use the common word 'SUCK' in English with this short class. Don't be a sucker and visit other English websites -- watch this lesson NOW! I promise it doesn't suck. (And don't forget to take the quiz: http://www.engvid.com/slang-in-english-suck/ )
The Top 3 English words you need to know - MAKE http://www.engvid.com I'm going to MAKE you a fluent English speaker! The word 'make' has at least 30 meanings in English, but in this lesson you will learn HOW the word works, and how you can use it effectively. http://www.engvid.com/top-3-english-words-make/
How to MASTER your vocabulary http://www.engvid.com I am going to show you how to master your vocabulary using four simple steps. This is an important class for anyone learning a language. Learn how to never forget words again. And remember to take the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/how-to-master-your-vocabulary/ !
Slang in English - SCREW http://www.engvid.com "You really SCREWED this up!" To sound like a native speaker, you have to use the language of a native speaker. This lesson is designed to help you learn everyday slang you can start using right now. I'll teach you eight different ways we use the word "screw" informally in English. Then test yourself with a quiz at http://www.engvid.com/english-slang-screw/ .
The Top 3 English words you need to know - GET http://www.engvid.com "Get" is one of the top 3 words you must learn if you want to master English. "Get" has over 30 meanings in English, and in this grammar lesson you will learn how the word can work in different ways. What are you waiting for? Watch the lesson, then take the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/top-english-words-get/ .
Could have, would have, should have - modals of lost opportunity http://www.engvid.com You had your chance... but you lost it. Now you have the chance to learn how to talk about lost opportunity in English! Master the usage of the modals could, should, and would. Learn how native speakers use these three modals to talk about what they could have, would have, or should have done -- but didn't! Then take the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/could-would-should-modals/ .
Need to, have to, must - modals of necessity http://www.engvid.com/ An important grammar lesson on the proper use of need to, have to, and must in English. Learn how to use these modals of necessity like native English speakers. I'll teach you when, how, and why to use them in this lesson. Then take a quiz at http://www.engvid.com/modals-of-necessity/ .
Master Modals with the SEAM Method, Part 3 -- Preference & Opinion http://www.engvid.com Learn how to master the meaning and usage of modals. This grammar lesson will teach you how to state your preferences as well as give your opinion, using "would", "would rather", "would like to", and more. Then take the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/master-modals-seam-3/ !
How to Use Auxiliary Verbs in Conversations http://www.engvid.com This lesson will teach you some easy ways to use auxiliary verbs like a native speaker. Improve your conversation skills by learning how to express polite interest and answer questions quickly! Then take the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/auxiliary-verbs-in-conversations/
Slang in English - BREAK http://www.engvid.com Do you need a break from long, unproductive studying? Learn some slang and everyday spoken English that uses the very common word 'break' in this short, fun lesson. Then take the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/slang-in-english-break/ .
English Grammar: Modifying Comparatives - a lot, far more, much, a little, slightly http://www.engvid.com Learn how to modify comparatives to be more accurate and make your English more interesting and descriptive. This grammar lesson will help you to write and speak in a more precise manner. Guess what? In English, when you communicate precisely, you sound smarter!

Test yourself with the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/english-grammar-modifying-comparatives/
The Top 3 English words you need to know - HAVE http://www.engvid.com There are three words in English you must know to master the language. Do you know which ones they are? In this lesson you will be taught the first: HAVE. We use this word in basic sentence structure, but it has other uses, too. Do you know its basic meaning? Do you know the five ways that HAVE is commonly used? Watch this lesson now and find out! Then test your understanding with the quiz: http://www.engvid.com/top-english-words-have/
Master Modals with the SEAM method part 2 - Questions http://www.engvid.com Learn how to master the meaning and usage of modals. This grammar lesson will teach you how to ask for help and get permission, using the modals "may", "could", "can", and "would". Test your knowledge with the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/master-modals-seam-2/
How to pronounce TH, S, F sounds in English http://www.engvid.com English is confusing! So many letters can be pronounced in different ways! In this free English pronunciation lesson, I teach you how to pronounce different versions of TH, S, and F. All three of these can actually be pronounced differently! Watch this lesson to immediately improve your English speaking. Then test your understanding with the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/pronounce-th-s-f/ .
6 phrases in English using IT'S http://www.engvid.com/ In this free English class, you'll learn six new idioms and phrases. Don't be shy! Watch it now. It's on the house!

Test your understanding with the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/its-idioms/
How to maximize your English learning http://www.engvid.com Learn English faster and better with these five simple rules. Test your understanding with the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/maximize-english-learning/
Polite English - Why do we use "would"? http://www.engvid.com Would you like to learn why it is polite to use "would" in English? In this lesson for advanced students, you will see how using the past tense of will in a question shows respect for the person you are speaking to.

Test your understanding with the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/polite-english-would/
How NOT to Learn English - Studying English at Home http://www.engvid.com I am going to teach you the WORST ways to learn English at home! Watch this class to learn exactly what you should not do when trying to learn a language by yourself. Learn important study skills and techniques that will help you remember what you learn. Then test your understanding with the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/how-not-to-learn-english-at-home/
Advanced English Vocabulary - racist, sexist, biased, ignorant, prejudice http://www.engvid.com Learn English vocabulary to talk about people who are prejudiced. I explain the following words: generalization, preference, bias, correlation, prejudice, sexist, racist, fallible, ignorant. Then, test your understanding with the quiz: http://www.engvid.com/prejudice-vocabulary/
English Vocabulary - Negative Characteristics - arrogant, vain, snob... http://www.engvid.com Learn English vocabulary in this advanced lesson that will help you express the negative characteristics that people have. Is that man at the shop a snob, or is he conceited? Is your sister vain or is she arrogant? Then test your understanding with the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/negative-characteristics-vocab/
Master Modals with the SEAM method - may, might, could, etc. http://www.engvid.com Learn how to master the meaning and usage of modals. This grammar lesson will teach you how to express possibility, prohibition, ability, necessity, and more with the appropriate modals.
English Grammar - How to learn tenses - ALL tenses!! http://www.engvid.com The most effective way to learn English grammar! In this lesson for all levels, I teach you a way to learn all tenses in English without getting complicated. A simple, clear way to learn each tense. You can use this method for other topics, too!
How to Write an Effective Essay: The Introduction http://www.engvid.com Learn the method for writing the perfect essay introduction. A good introduction makes writing an essay easy and reading it fun. AND YOU'LL GET A BETTER GRADE, TOO! Afterwards, test yourself with the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/effective-essay-introduction/#quiz.
How NOT to Learn English, part 2 http://www.engvid.com The best way to master English is through preparation. It's what you do before the class and after it that can make learning not only quick and effective, but fun. In this lesson, I give tips on improving your study skills in classrooms. I will put up another lesson focusing on those of you are studying English at home. If you missed it, you can also watch the first lesson in this series: http://www.engvid.com/how-not-to-learn-english/ After watching, test your knowledge with the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/how-not-to-learn-english-2/#quiz.
English Grammar - Adverb Suffixes: -ly, -wards, -wise http://www.engvid.com/ Learn all about the most common adverb suffixes in English in this free advanced grammar lesson. You'll learn about '-ly', '-wards', and '-wise'. I teach what the meaning of each of these endings for words is, and how to use the suffixes properly. After the lesson, take the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/adverb-suffixes/#quiz.
How do modals work? http://www.engvid.com/how-do-modals-work/ This English grammar class shows how the future tense of 'will' can teach you everything you need in order to understand modals.
English Idioms - HAIR http://www.engvid.com/ In this English lesson, I go over several idioms that have to do with hair! Make sure you learn them all.
How to use NO & NOT in English http://www.engvid.com/ In this English grammar lesson, I give you some clear rules you can follow on when to use 'no', and when to use 'not'. After the class, take the free quiz at http://www.engvid.com/how-to-use-no-not-in-english/ Oh, one note: in the lesson, I suggest not using these words in the same sentence. To be clear, they should usually not be used together in the same *clause*.
English Grammar - SOME & ANY http://www.engvid.com/ What's the difference between SOMEONE and ANYONE? Take this grammar lesson and find out, then test your understanding with the free quiz at http://www.engvid.com/basic-grammar-this-that-these-those/
English Vocabulary Pyramid - JECT - eject, object, reject, subject, and more! http://www.engvid.com/ In this lesson I use the vocabulary pyramid lesson to show you different words are built from the root 'JECT' -- words like eject, object, subject, interject, deject, subjected, and more. After you've watched the lesson, take the free quiz at http://www.engvid.com/english-vocabulary-pyramid-ject/
How NOT to Learn English http://www.engvid.com/ What are the four major mistakes that students make when they try to learn English? Take this lesson and make sure you aren't making these errors, than take the free quiz at http://www.engvid.com/how-not-to-learn-english/
Speaking English - Talking about Directions http://www.engvid.com/ Have you ever had a hard time explaining where you are from? Don't understand directions you are given in English? Take this English vocabulary class and start moving in the right direction, then take the free quiz at http://www.engvid.com/talking-about-directions/
English Idioms - BOOT http://www.engvid.com/ This class will teach idioms that use the word 'boot' to talk about basic training, being very scared, and getting fired. What are you waiting for? Lace up your boots and start watching, then take the free quiz at http://www.engvid.com/english-idioms-boot-boot-up-boot-camp-give-the-boot-and-more/
English Vocabulary - Winter Clothing http://www.engvid.com/ It's wintertime! Learn the vocabulary for the many items of winter clothing worn in cold countries during the winter. Take a free quiz to test your understanding of the lesson at http://www.engvid.com/english-vocabulary-winter-clothing/
English Grammar - How to ask questions http://www.engvid.com/ Do you have trouble being understood when you ask for information or help in English? Take this lesson and get what you need the first time you ask for it! http://www.engvid.com/english-grammar-how-to-ask/
2 Quick Ways to Improve your English http://www.engvid.com/ In this lesson, you will learn two easy ways to understand, be understood, and to get the information you need when you're in your English classes. Take a free quiz on this lesson to make sure you've understood it fully: http://www.engvid.com/improve-your-english-for-example-same/
English Vocabulary & Idioms - NOISE http://www.engvid.com/ Just when we were about to start recording a boring grammar lesson, some VERY LOUD construction work started on the street outside our window. So I decided to do this vocabulary lesson for you instead, to teach you some of the ways we can talk about LOUD NOISE in English. Test your understanding of the lesson by taking the free quiz at http://www.engvid.com/english-vocabulary-idioms-talking-about-noise/
Learn English - Talking about crime http://www.engvid.com/ In this English lesson, I teach you how to talk about CRIME. You'll need to know these words and idioms to understand a lot of TV shows and movies, but they might be very important to you in real life too.
English Vocabulary - TRACT words - contract, subtract, abstract, and more! http://www.engvid.com/ In this English vocabulary lesson, I use my "pyramid method" to teach you words that are built from the root "tract" -- subtract, attract, detract, and more!
How to improve your English conversation skills How to start conversations with native speakers and improve your ability to speak English fluently. http://www.engvid.com/
Modals in English - MUST http://www.engvid.com/ In this advanced English grammar lesson, you will learn how and when to use the modal "must". Take the free quiz on this lesson at http://www.engvid.com/modals-must/
English Grammar - "All" & "Every" - What's the difference? http://www.engvid.com/ Do you want to know how to use 'all' and 'every' correctly all of the time? Every time? Find out the exact meaning and usage of these words in this advanced English grammar lesson, then take the quiz at http://www.engvid.com/english-grammar-all-every-difference to test your understanding.
English Vocabulary - VERT words - pervert, convert, invert, and more! http://www.engvid.com/ In this English vocabulary lesson, I use my "pyramid method" to teach you words that are built from the root "vert" -- convert, covert, invert, subvert, PERVERT, and more! Take the quiz on this lesson to test your understand, at http://www.engvid.com/english-vocabulary-pyramid-vert/
English Vocabulary - MUSE words - amusing, bemused, etc. http://www.engvid.com/ In this new series of English vocabulary "pyramids", I teach different vocabulary related to one base word. In this lesson, I use the base "muse".
How to Summarize http://www.engvid.com/ I've told students in previous lessons that they should summarize what they read. In this English lesson, I explain how to do that summary. Follow my simple system and learn better and more efficiently.
Idioms in English - FOOT http://www.engVid.com/ Five idioms uisng the word 'FOOT' in English. Take my quiz on this lesson to test your understanding at http://www.engvid.com/english-idioms-foot/
6 English idioms with the word 'mouth' http://www.engVid.com/ My English lessons are longer than other teachers' lessons. Why? Because I am a motormouth. Learn what that means, along with five other idioms and phrases in English that use the word 'mouth'. If you want to badmouth me, come leave a comment on my site: http://www.engVid.com/
Learn English - How to Listen and Understand http://www.engVid.com/ Improve your ability to understand English when people are speaking. By following these simple suggestions, you will be able to understand native speakers and English movies and TV shows. Take the free quiz at http://www.engvid.com/learn-english-listen-understand/ to see if you have understood the lesson.
English Vocabulary - Talking about Looks - Beautiful,Sexy, Hot, Not my type, Unattractive, and more! http://www.engVid.com/ In this English lesson, I talk about beautiful people and ugly people. Actually, I tell you how you can use more than just "beauitful" and "ugly" to talk about these kinds of of people.
English Grammar - All about phrasal verbs! http://www.engVid.com/ If you want to "keep up" with other English students, you need to master phrasal verbs. In this lesson, I explain how phrasal verbs work, using "keep up" as my main example.
Confused Words in English - By, Bye, Buy, Bi http://www.engVid.com/ By the time you finish watching this free English lesson, you'll know the difference between buy, by, bye, and bi. Confused? Watch and learn, then, my friends. Okay? Bye.
Speaking English - Expressions involving food http://www.engVid.com/ I like to eat, and I like food. In this English lesson, I go over some common expressions in English that have to do with food.
Speaking English - How to talk about the weather http://www.engVid.com/ It's freezing here! What about over there where you are? If the only words you know to speak about the weather in English are "hot", "cold", and "raining", then watch my lesson and learn a whole lot more!
Numbers in English Writing http://www.engVid.com/ If you know the rule of 10, then you know I just made a mistake. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then watch this lesson, fool!
Understand English with action suffixes http://www.engVid.com/ Improve your ability to understand English by learning about noun suffixes. In this English lesson, I teach you about -ism, -dom, -age and -tion -- how these suffixes work and what they mean.
Phrasal Verbs - 'shut' If you don't know the difference between "shut down" and "shut off", you need to watch this lesson. You might even learn what a shut out is!!
English Grammar - Present Perfect Simple & Continuous http://www.engVid.com/ This free ESL lesson introduces the present perfect tense and its uses.
How to Write an Effective Essay http://www.engVid.com/ In this lesson, I give you a simple method for writing a good, effective essay in English. If you don't know where to start when you are given a writing assignment, start here and learn how to do it right!
Idioms & Phrasal Verbs - "on" http://www.engVid.com/ If you have ever wanted an easy way to learn phrasal verbs or idioms with the preposition "on", this lesson is for you. Learn how the preposition is influenced by verbs and how it changes a verb's meaning.
English Grammar - Modals of Advisability In English, modals are used to express possibility, permission, and also advice. In this lesson we will learn which modals show advisability and how to use them. Check out http://www.engVid.com/ for more of my English lessons!
English Grammar - Past Simple & Present Perfect http:/www.engVid.com/ In this lesson, I explain what the simple past and present perfect are used for, and more importantly, when to use them properly.
English Vocabulary - Love, Dating, and Relationships James loves you! You love James! You love learning English with James! Right? Maybe, but in English we use more words than just 'love' to talk about relationships... in this English lesson, I teach you some of those words and phrases.
Idioms in English - "Money" "Money makes the world go 'round" -- it's true. That's why I've recorded a lesson for you on idioms and sayings that involve MONEY. http://www.engVid.com/
English Grammar - PASSIVE Learn how to use the passive voice in English. This is the lesson everyone's been asking for, so here it is! You can request more lessons at my website, http://www.engVid.com/
Phrases and Clauses - What's the Difference? In English, clauses and phrases are used regularly, and this lesson will help you quickly master them to better understand the language. You can see my lessons on individual phrases and phrasal verbs at http://www.engVid.com/
Phrasal Verbs - "turn" http://www.engVid.com/ If you don't know what "turn around" or "turn down" mean then you need this lesson... watch it now!
Idioms in English - "Hand" http://www.engVid.com/ Give yourself a hand by learning some common idioms in English that use the word 'hand'!
English Vocabulary - Roots - "port" http://www.engVid.com/ Improve your English vocabulary by learning special "root" or "base" forms that let you understand many different words! In this lesson, I explain the root "port".
English Grammar - "I used to" & "I'm used to" This lesson outlines the difference between "used to" and "I'm used to". http://www.engvid.com/
Pronunciation - Improve your pronunciation of English nouns Pronunciation of English nouns is easier once you master the 'er' and 'th' sounds.
Cultural Differences - An Introduction A lot of students focus on learning the rules of English grammar, but you also need to learn the differences between your culture and that of English-speaking countries. In this lesson, I go over some simple differences.
Pronunciation - 3 Mistakes part 3 ('th') http://www.engVid.com/ This lesson is the final part of a three-part series designed to give students more natural-sounding English pronunciation, by correcting three common mistakes. This lesson focuses on understanding the th" sound. Check out part 1 of this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/english-pronunciation-s/

and part 2 is here:
http://www.engvid.com/english-pronunciation-t-d/
More English Slang with Christian Bale, Batman! http://www.engVid.com/ Not for children or those offended by foul language. Some English teachers use Obama's speeches to teach the language. I choose instead to use the words of Christian Bale to teach you some of the very best English slang! 100% real life.
Learn English Slang with Christian Bale (BATMAN!) http://www.engVid.com/ Let Christian Bale teach you English! Learn the gentle art of sarcasm! Learn how to strongly tell someone you are disappointed! You'll also learn how a professional gives an insult. Be easily understood when you let someone know they are doing a bad job... and so much more! This lesson is not for those with heart problems or young children. Enjoy!
Apostrophe + S, after S (English Spelling) This lesson will help clear up the confusion when using 's' for singular pronouns ending in 's' or with the 'z' sound. There was some confusion about this topic on the earlier pronunciation lesson I did.
Pronunciation - 3 Mistakes part 2 ('t' & 'd') http://www.engVid.com/ This lesson is the second of a three-part series designed to give students more natural sounding English pronunciation, by correcting three common mistakes. This lesson focuses on understanding the T and D sounds.
Phrasal Verbs in English - PULL There are a lot of funny phrasal verbs in English that use the word 'pull'. In this lesson, I go over some of them.
Pronunciation - 3 Mistakes part 1 ('s') http://www.engVid.com/ This lesson is the first in a three-part series designed to give students more natural-sounding English pronunciation, by correcting three common mistakes. This lesson focuses on the correct usage of the 'S' sound.
Idioms in English: 'Bird' http://www.engVid.com/ There are a lot of idioms in English that use the word 'bird'. That's pretty strange, right? Well, some of these idioms are my favourites in English, and in this lesson, I'll teach them to you.
English Grammar: Conditional & Imaginary - IF, WILL, WOULD, WERE http://www.engVid.com/ Do you know how to properly use the words IF, WILL, WOULD, and WERE in English? Most of my students just treat all of these words the same way, and don't use them properly... until they take my class. Now that class is made available to you. If you watch it, you will learn.
Learn English More Effectively http://www.engVid.com/ This lesson is a little bit different. I'll tell you how you can get the most from your English classes by studying more effectively.
Phrasal Verbs in English - 'Up' http://www.engVid.com/ In this English lesson, I explain what phrasal verbs are, and give some examples of phrasal verbs with the word 'up'.
Speaking English - Say, Tell, Hear, Listen - How to use them correctly http://www.engVid.com/ I hear a lot of students making mistakes with these four simple words: 'say', 'tell', 'hear', and 'listen'. In this lesson, I explain how to use them correctly.
Using 'must' & 'have to' in English http://www.engVid.com/ What's the difference between 'must' and 'have to'? In this short English lesson, I explain.
Idioms in English - 'Hold' http://www.engVid.com/ There are many idioms and expressions in English that make use of the word 'hold'. In this lesson, I explain several of them.
English Grammar - Articles - How to use A, AN, THE http://www.engVid.com/ This English lesson teaches you how to use 'a', 'an', and 'the' correctly. Many English students make mistakes with these simple words (articles), so make sure you learn how to use them correctly.
Reading Comprehension in English http://www.engvid.com/ Instructions on how to understand what you read in English. We call this Reading Comprehension.
Speaking English - Saying Hello and Goodbye, formally and informally http://www.engVid.com/ In this English lesson, I go over some of the ways in which real native speakers of English say hello and goodbye.
Fix Your Bad English http://www.engvid.com/ Read this: After watching this video you will make less mistakes, learn farther and be the best between all your friends in English. The lesson will have a great affect on you. If you think these statements are correct, PRESS PLAY NOW and learn to fix six common mistakes in English. http://www.engvid.com/6-ways-to-fix-your-bad-english/

TRANSCRIPT

Hi. James, from EngVid. Today's video is on, well, "The Book of Bad English". There are mistakes that native speakers make that ESL people pick up -- and "ESL" is "English as a Second Language". People learning English, they pick up because native speakers don't even know they're making this mistake. So I want to teach you six common ones that come regularly or happen regularly in conversation. And I want you to learn them and make your English perfect. Let's go to the board.
Now, let's start with No. 1, one of my favorite ones: "amount" and "number". "Amount" is, sort of, like, "how much". A "number" is, you know, "thing". When we look at "amount", you can think of you can't count it, all right? A lot of times, when we say "amount" -- like, "I have a large amount of water in my house" -- you can't count water. But you can count a number, so: "The number of people who come to the city is in the thousands", so you can count them. Here's an example. Tell me if this is right or wrong. "The amount of students who are late is growing every day" or "the number of students who are late is growing every day." You should say "number" because you can count students. You can't count amount. That rhymes. Maybe that'll help, right? You can't count amount. You can't count amount. So when we want to talk about a number of something or a body of something, "amount" is for things you cannot count, and "number" is for things you can count. English people make this mistake a lot.
Next: "among" and "between". When I used to teach "among" and "between", I would say, "'Among' is 'with'. So there're five chairs, and you're 'with' another. And 'between' is you're in the middle." That's it. Because I was so smart. And then I found out it's just this: two. More than two. That's it. Nothing special. When you talk about "between", except -- and this is a major exception -- when you're talking about differences. Differences you have to use "between". But generally speaking, "among" is more than two. "I was sitting among my friends at the bar." You can know there're probably four or five, not two. But "let's keep this between you and me"? A lot of times, Canadians say, "Let's keep this among us." And it's like, "Among who?" "The rest of those guys, you know. The Americans. They don't need to know this." Okay. So "between us" -- usually two, right? It could be two groups. "There was a fight between this country and that country." Right? Because it's two groups. But "among" is for more than two, cool? All right. So "among" -- more than two; "between" -- two.
What about "bring" and "take"? This is something that a lot of students make a mistake on. So you say, "Bring this to me" or "take this to him." It's very easy. "Bring" is "to the speaker", okay? And "take" is "away from the speaker". Now, if you're born in England, that's easy because they always talk about "I want takeaway." Takeaway. Because they take the food away from the restaurant, right? So one of my favorite sayings that we say in England -- not England -- that we say here is, like -- watch every space movie: "Take me to your leader." You'll never see a space movie, unless it's made by me -- and it would say, "Bring me to your leader." We don't do that. You say, "Take them to the leader" because you're taking them away from this spot where the speaker is to a new location or spot. So "take" and "bring" are easy because it's "bring -- come towards". Here's a mistake -- not Canadians -- English speakers make that you should be aware of. They'll say something like, "Don't forget to bring your bag with you" instead of, "Don't forget to take your bag." Do you know what the difference is? Well, you're leaving, right? So you need to take it away. Remember I said "away from"? Take the bag away from you. When you say, "Bring the bag with you", the speaker's speaking, you're still moving away from the speaker, right? So you've got to use this. But Canadians and Americans and Brits say it a lot. They'll say, "Bring it with you." No. "Take" it with you. You know the difference now because you're smart. And you're studying from The Book of Bad English. Good for you. There's a worm in that book. Watch it.
Okay. "Fewer" or "less". I'm going to make a statement, and think which one is correct. "'Fewer' than a million people have watched the videos on EngVid. 'Less' than a million people have watched the videos on EngVid." Which one would be correct? Yeah. If you said "less than", no. "Less" is similar to "amount". You say "fewer" for things you can count.
3 Quick Grammar Fixes http://www.engvid.com/ Have you ever said "say" when you should have said "tell"? Do you make mistakes when you use "no" and "not"? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you need to watch this grammar lesson. If you said "not" then press play right away! http://www.engvid.com/3-quick-grammar-fixes/

TRANSCRIPT

"Robin, come in." "Robin here." Hi. James, from EngVid. Sorry. Reading "Batman: Black and White". I almost wanted to say "Blackman: Black and White", but I didn't. Hi. So what am I doing today besides joking with you? Look, I want to teach a lesson today -- and already, the naysayers -- the "naysayers" are the people who say "no" before you finish. So you teachers out there that watch these lessons, I know you'll go, "Oh, well this rule isn't right because --." This isn't about that. I'm telling you now there are lessons on the video -- and actually on EngVid -- that go into greater detail and explain very well what I'm about to teach. This lesson is very specific. It's a quick way and a short way for you to remember some grammar problems which are very common among many students.
If you teach English, you know exactly what I mean. If you're a student, you know what I mean. And if you're somebody who is studying English on your own, when people look at you strangely, and then they explain to you, you know what I mean.
So this is JamesESL's 80 percent rules. Three quick rules for grammar. And the 80 percent -- who could possibility forget the best guy in the world? Because he's going to be our percent sign today. Mr. E! Okay. Mr. E is the percent sign. So it's our 80 percent rules.
What do I mean by that? There are many exceptions to everything I'm going to tell you. I'm saying this up front so you don't get confused later on. But you will be correct 80 percent of the time without thinking if you master these rules. And the exceptions -- go to the other lessons on the site, and there's a lesson for each one of these. I'm telling you. I did this because it's easier for you to read, write, and do well when you know these rules, okay?
So let's start with No. 1. Very often, students say, "I say him." And I go, "What?" "I say him, 'I go home, now.'" I go, "What?" "I say him." You can't "say" him. Remember: "Say" by itself means "single". S equals "single", right? "Single" means "one". "I say all the time." "He said to me." Right? Say and said, past form of "say". It's for "one". One person is speaking. So when you just say "say" by itself, think "single". And you'll notice I've got S and S. But then you say, "James, I want to say -- I want to say two people or more. I say him all the time." Okay. Okay. I'll help you. This is the James 80 percent rule. Say "to" him. "What?" Say "to" him. "To" indicates a subject and an object -- a person is speaking to another person. "What did you say to him?" "Oh!" See? Right? You add the magic "to", and now, you can talk to more than one person and address it. "What did he say to him?" Got it? But if you say something, "I say", "he says", "they said" -- single "say". If you want to add an object or a person you're referring to, then we say "say to". And the "to" gives you the idea of two or more. You like that? I got more.
Okay. I don't even like saying "to". It's so five-letterish. Why don't we just stick with four letters? "Tell". Think T in "tell" means "two". You know how you say "say to", two words? You can combine that and just say "tell". "I told" -- tell and told. So we'll put "told" here because it's the same thing, really. Past tense, just like "said" is here, right? "I told him." Right? Subject and object. "What did he tell you?" Subject and object. T stands for "two". So whenever you see "say" or "tell", if you have "say" and "to" -- "to" means "two", right? You like that? And "tell" -- T means "two". You keep getting this T thing, and you know it's "two" -- an object and a subject is speaking to an object. Quick and easy. Dirty, clean -- I don't care. It's yours. All right? You like that? I got more. See this sleeve? Are you looking up the sleeve? Boom.
Back to the board. Okay. No. 2: third person singular. "Hablar -- hablar en español." You know, when you say "you", you use S. "Hablas", "tienes" -- that's all the Spanish I know. You watched my other video where I say "bro"? See? I told you to look for ten. Here's one video where you've got "bro", okay? Try and find nine more. Anyway. So you think third person, like "work". Well, "it" means "one". "He" means "one". "She" means "one". S stands for "single". We're going to go back up here again. S stands for "single". I told you, it's James' 80 percent rule. One word rules them all. Or as my friends who like The Hobbit say, "And one ring shall control them all ...
LEARN ENGLISH AT HOME: How to choose a textbook http://www.engvid.com/ When you have the right textbook, you will find that learning English doesn't have to be hard or boring. If you are studying English on your own, I'll show you how to choose the right textbook -- what to look for, and what to avoid. These are the two English textbooks I mention at the end of the video: http://www.engvid.com/out/amz_basicgrammar http://www.engvid.com/out/amz_azar Take a quiz on this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/how-to-choose-a-textbook/

I need a book on how to be a gentleman. I need to know my -- hi. James, from EngVid. This book is called "How to Be a Gentleman", by John Bridges. It's sort of like a textbook. And what is a textbook? A textbook is a book designed to teach you something with exercises that will bring you from one place to another. So when you're finished doing the textbook, you should learn a skill. Unlike a book that you read for enjoyment, which is fun -- you enjoy; you put away -- a textbook is usually used in schools to teach skills. And through exercises and tests, you master it. This is sort of like a textbook, but it's a little bit fun.

My job today is to do something we haven't done before. You come to EngVid to learn English, which is true, and this is great. But you could also buy books outside. I'm sure some of you have bought books outside. When I teach, some of my students, before they go back to their countries, they say, "Teacher, I need a book to help me with my grammar or my English." One of my colleagues at EngVid has done a lesson. You should check it out. It's about books you should read. But this one is specific. This is on textbooks, the books that teachers may use in schools or you can buy by yourself, which will help you increase on your IELTS, on your TOEFL, or on your grammar or vocabulary. And these are books designed for people who are learning English as a second language, okay? And that's what this lesson is today. "How to pick a good textbook." So see, gentlemen? How to pick a good textbook, a textbook that would help you.

I can give you ten books that I think are good textbooks. But I am not you, and I'm not your teacher -- well, I am. I know. I'm sorry. I like you, too. Okay, we love each other. But I mean, I'm not there to help you. If I were sitting with you, talking to you, I'd say, "You know what? This book isn't good for you. This book is good for you." And because I wanna help you -- see, I said "wanna". See that's a grammar thing. Because I want to help you, I'm going to give you something that you can use to find a textbook for yourself. There are probably many books in your country, and you don't know which is a good one. I don't want you to waste your money, and I want you to learn. Okay? So let's go to "How to Pick a Good Textbook".

I found there were approximately ten points that you should have when you're going to buy a textbook. They can be very expensive and very helpful, okay? If you pick the wrong one, though, it's not a good use of your money, and it will take time -- valuable time from your learning.

The first thing you should look at is when was the book made? If the book is old -- it is 20 years old; it's not a good book because they probably don't talk about computers or laptops or email and addressing any of that. And you're going to be looking at books where you're saying, "Well, golly gee, sir, I think the rain on the plain in Spain is mainly..." -- it's out-of-date. We call something "out-of-date". If the book is over ten years old -- probably not good to use, right? Probably want to say away. Get a more up-to-date book, one with more modern examples that will talk about technologies you're using today. Okay?

The next one is what do you need? I don't know how many students come to me and say they want to listen -- get better hearing skills. And then they tell me how they're watching the news. And they're level two or three. And I'm like, "Stop immediately!" You shouldn't be watching the news until you have 80 percent of the language. It's just too much for you. What do you need it for? "Well, Teacher, I want to watch my TV program." Well, watch your TV program. "What do you need" is what you work on. If you need IELTS or TOEFL, don't use a basic grammar book. You should be high enough that you can use the books that you're testing for. What do you need? Do you need it for work? Then you need technical books, books that work specifically with technical language or formal language. Are you going on vacation? Then, you need a book with pictures and drawings and fun stuff. Heck, heck, you can even watch TV programs for children. What do you need? So in a textbook, look at what do you need, and the textbook addresses -- when we say "address", it's working towards what you need, not what you think your friend has or someone would tell you.
Confusing Sex & Gender Words in English - girlfriend, guys, partner... http://www.engvid.com/ Do you know when you can call a group of girls "guys", or when your "girlfriend" is just a friend and not your lover? Do English speakers give you confused looks when you talk about your partner? Well, watch this English vocabulary lesson, and be confused no more. Understand what REAL English speakers mean when they say someone is their partner, brother, girlfriend, and more. Test your understanding of these words with the quiz at: http://www.engvid.com/confusing-gender-words-in-english/

TRANSCRIPT:
No entiendo nada. Hey. James, from EngVid, speaking Spanish. Si? I'm looking at a French book, but you guys understand. It's good for a teacher to learn different languages because as they get better, they understand how to teach you, right? Right, guys? Come to think of it, there's a word I was thinking about. I've been asked by many a student, "When we say, 'guys', can we use it for everybody or is it just for men or" -- because they get confused because in North America, we use the word "guys". And when we do, we use it for groups of people that could be male and female. Now, in our language, you don't have, really, gender. There's no "el" as in -- excuse me for a second. You know, in Spanish, you've got the "el", or the "le" in French and the "la" -- we don't have any of that. No. Not at all. So most people assume there's no gender, but I have a secret. In English, we do have gender. Come on. We're going to go to the board. We're going to work it out, all right?

So what do I mean by "gender words"? Well, there will be no cue like this. And this is what makes it confused, and that's why this is "confused words in English". Because they're confused gender words -- words that can be used by only one sex, and only one sex uses them in this way. And if you say it a different way, you will confuse us. Okay? So why don't we start off with, well, No. 1. See? Confused. Two is over here; one is over here. The lesson has begun. Mr. E secretly is watching me teach this lesson. This is the female symbol and the male symbol because these are gender words. "Gender" means "sex", and we mean "boy", "girl", "men", "women". Your "gender" is your "sex". When you fill out forms in English, it will say "male", "female" -- that's gender. Okay? Are you male, man, female, woman? So now we're there, why don't we go and take a look.

"Guys", I started with "guys". You'll notice that "guys" has -- well, we got two guys and a girl. We can also have mini guys, Mini Mes. Okay? A group of men can be called "guys". A group with even one woman can still be called "guys". And a group with all women could be called "guys". But you cannot call a group of men "girls". If you go, "Hey girls! Hey girls!" They're all gay. I'm sorry if anyone says, you know, "Whoa!" But it's -- "girls" would be gay, you know. Or we use it as an insult to guys, "Look at the girls over there." Because we're saying, "They're not He-Men like us. So they're a bunch of girls!" Right? "Quit crying, you girls!" So when we use "girls" as a reference to guys, it's an insult either in, "You're not a man" or we're saying they may be of a different sexual orientation. You like those big words? I do, too. Okay. So that's one thing to think about.

So you're going to think, "Okay, so I can use 'guys' all the time." Well, you're right. But there is one difference. You don't use "guys" with older, mature women because it's almost insulting because they're going to say, "We're ladies. We're women, not guys. We're not little girls." Right? Even older businessmen like being referred to as "guys" because it's that sports, macho, manly thing. Right? "Look at the guys." "Let's go, guys." But if it's an older woman or a group of older women, please say, "ladies". All right? Or "women" -- do not call them "guys" unless they have moustaches, and they're really old. Anyway. That's different.

So "guys" you understand that one. That's one of the confusing words. So simply, to make it simple so you understand exactly what I want, "guys" can be used for any group with a female in or a completely -- a complete group of females, okay, and males. For males, it can be used for young males to older males, no problem. Our exception is with older females; you must actually call them "ladies" or "women".
Learn English: 3 easy ways to get better at speaking English There are easy ways to learn English, and here are 3 methods NOT taught in language schools or textbooks. These methods are fun, fast, and easy to learn! You will learn how to make studying English easier, and learn how to spend less time studying. Take this lesson and learn the secrets to getting better in English right now.

"The Prosperity Plan." It's empty. Why? Well, hi. James, from EngVid. I have a book, and it says "Prosperity Plan". I know you're here to learn English. This is a book full of secrets on how to make millions of dollars. Empty. That's because when people tell you there's a secret, there's not really a secret; there's a method behind something, and you may not know it, so to you it's a secret, but you know, just like that book, there are no secrets. The only one is hard work. Let's look at the three methods I have for you today in order to learn English, okay? Call them the "Secrets you need to know" because most people don't know them because the funny thing is, although they're not secret -- I said it again -- they're not methods that are usually taught in ESL books.
The Kaizen Method, the Process Method, and the Writing Method are actually books I read on something completely different. But what I found was they were very, very handy for learning English. Personally, I'm trying to learn Spanish, and when I apply these different methods, I found my learning going faster and faster, and I actually enjoyed it. So I called them "secret" for you because I'm quite sure that your teachers haven't sat down and gone, "Today, we're going to learn the Kaizen Method of English. Then, we'll do the Process Method, and then we'll do the Writing Method." No. Because they're actually three different books, all right? So I'm just going to give you a part of each book, and if I come across to the end, I'll give you another lesson on it, all right? But these are three things I liked out of these books.
All right. Let's start from the first one, the Process Method. I know -- and it's in red, and I start here why? Most of the times people are learning a language, they want to -- and this is what the Process Method is about. People start with "product", "product". What is a "product"? A "product" is something you can touch or hold. This marker is a product. But this isn't how the marker started. I'm sorry. Okay, the marker started a little differently. I mean, that's an alcohol base that I'm sniffing. When I go [inhales], there's liquid in here. This is plastic -- came from oil. So why I'm telling you all these things -- you're going, "Why are you telling me?" Well, things start in a certain way, but they end up like this. In fact, you can think of the Process Method versus product as being a tree and being a seed. And a seed, you know, little thing, you put it in the ground, and it grows into a tree. Well, when you have a seed, the seed has no idea that it's going to be a tree and a big tree -- how long it will take. But humans are funny. They want to start a language, and they think right away, "I'm going to learn English." And then, they sit down; they open the book; they open the book; "I'm going to learn English. I'm learning English. I'm learning English." And then they get upset one hour later. "I don't know any English. I don't speak English." Well, it's like being a human. You start as a baby, you grow to an adult. When we talk about the Process Method, what you want to do is don't think about you want to speak English. Yes, I know. That's why you're watching this video and why you're studying. Think more about what you're doing while you're studying English. And this is called the "process". Go into the step. Concentrate on what you're doing. You'll find a couple of things happen: Sometimes you'll say English is hard or it's boring. If you do this method, you'll actually stop finding it hard or boring, and you'll enjoy it because you'll be working on something specific, mastering that, and then you're going to start noticing that the final product -- English -- is coming to you. And it will come faster than you think. Why? Well, if you're thinking, "I don't understand this English", you're focusing, really, on you don't understand English or you don't know English. You're not focusing on what you're doing. If you take a breath [inhales] and go [exhales], "Okay. I'm just watching this video of this crazy guy who speaks very quickly in English, and just now, he told me to take a breath. Oh, okay. I understand." And you're ahead. That's the Process Method. Take time to actually go back -- when you're thinking about it's hard; it's difficult or boring -- and say to yourself, "What am I doing now?" And then look at that. Each time you do that, you get further in the process and you will end up with a product before you know it. Okay? Sounds simple, but try it. You can even do this on a date. That's another story.
What does the word 'SURE' really mean in English? http://www.engvid.com/ Are you sure? Did you know that "sure" can mean different things? You can use this word to express agreement OR disbelief. Watch this vocabulary lesson now to learn how! Then take the quiz on www.engvid.com to make sure you understand the lesson. http://www.engvid.com/english-vocabulary-sure/

TRANSCRIPT

Hi. James, from EngVid. How are you doing? Are you sure you're good? You don't sound good. Well, let's take a look at the word "sure". What does "sure" mean?

When we look at the word "sure" in English, it basically means "assured". It's a small word for "I believe", right? So are you sure about something? You believe something. But I wanted to give you a different lesson, not the dictionary lesson. I want to give you a lesson based on -- it's not the slang use, but the colloquial use, which means the common people use for the word "sure". And there are basically four different types of "sure". They sound similar, but you can count on me, I'm sure they're different. All right? So let's go to the board.

Mr. E is at a fair or a carnival. And in the West, when we go to a carnival, it's -- you know, like a fair. There are clowns and games you can play. This is called a "strongman" game. When you hit it, a little thing moves up, and it tells you how strong you are, right? So you can go from zero percent all the way to 100. And 100 would make you like a Superman or superhero, right? And zero, well, it means you're kind of weak -- not very good.

So what we're doing here is we're going to show you how sure your sures are. I'm sure that's right. All right? Let's go to the board.

Now, let's start with the basic one. No. 1 sure. I know you're going, " 'Sure' means you're certain" But when we generally use it, we say "sure" as in, "Yeah. No problem". So I might say to you, "Do you want a coffee?" And you go, "Sure". You don't have to say "yes"; you can say "sure". Yes. It has the idea of "I'm certain", but it means more like this, "Yes. Yes I want one". All right?

What's the next one? It's this crazy one where it's like I have a problem because I can't speak properly because you say, "Sure, sure". And you go, "Why 'sure, sure'?". "Sure" means "yes". This is a little bit different than the yes -- simple yes. It means maybe I'm busy writing, and you ask me some questions, and I go, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Sure, sure". It basically means, "Yeah, go ahead". And not just "yes", but "go and do everything. Complete it. Don't bother me anymore. I'm busy. I've already said yes. And I'm saying yes. Now, you have the go ahead -- two words -- to complete it. You don't have to ask me anymore. Sure, sure. That's it. We're done. Finish it. Don't come back and keep asking me questions on it". All right? So you might get "Sure. That's a good idea". Like, "Sure, sure. Finish it". Okay? That's two.

Now, what about No. 3? "I'm sure". You should learn "I'm sure" for a reason. "I'm sure" means, well, No. 1, "I'm 100 percent certain on something". So you go, "Is this the correct way to Toronto?" You go, "I'm sure. I'm sure it is". It means "I believe 100 percent it's correct". There's another reason for using "sure", and it works like this. When somebody doesn't believe you're correct on something, and they say, "Are you sure about that?" You say, "I'm sure". "Sure" isn't enough because you're just saying "yes". Remember? I know in the dictionary it means "to know" or "to have knowledge or belief". But you need to actually make it stronger and refer with, "I'm sure this is correct", which means there is no doubt, or there is no question in my mind about what I'm saying. All right? So we've taken this word, and we've made it stronger -- given permission. Right? We've made it very strong.

But what about this one? If you watch enough television -- and I'm sure you do. I said "sure" again. I believe, right? I'm sure you do. I really believe you do. You'll hear this one, "Sure. She's the prettiest pig in all of Canada". Right? And what does that mean? Well, this is the word "sarcastic". When somebody is being sarcastic, it means they're not really -- they don't really believe what they're saying, or they're making fun of something. By saying something positive, they're actually making fun of it. So in this case, they're saying, "Sure". And it means the opposite of, "I'm sure" "I don't believe" Right? "Sure, you work for the queen of England. I don't believe you". "Well, I'm sure you do. You have the credentials". It means, "I do believe you". Okay. Anyway.
Animal idioms and expressions in English http://www.engvid.com/ Watch this lesson to learn some easy English idioms that are related to animals. These common phrases can help you sound like a native speaker, and to understand English shows and movies. If you're done pigging out, and are tired of all the monkey business, join me and Mr. E! You will learn idiomatic expressions, and I promise, no one will rat on you!
http://www.engvid.com/animal-idioms-expressions/

TRANSCRIPT

Okay. Hi. James, from EngVid. I've just been shocked. And it's bringing out my animal nature. Today's video is on expressions -- some people say "idioms" -- but expressions using animals. Now, in English, you will find there are a lot of expressions and animals, and people never really think about it. In fact, I think in your own language, the same thing happens. You have expressions with animals, and you use them every day. What I want to do today is give you about six of them from different animals, and I want you to get the understanding because this will help you when we do other ones later or for ones you already know.

Animals are usually used to show human behavior. Huh? Well, yeah. When we say, like, "crazy like a fox", we mean really smart and intelligent, stealthlike. Not stealthlike, but you know, clever. "Clever" means to have good skill. So we're talking about human characteristics or things that human have. And we're showing animals that depict -- and "depict" is another way for saying "show" -- show how or in the best way to illustrate to other people. I must be a visual person because I like these visual words. Okay. But they show that in the best way for people to look at the animal and understand instantly. And that's one of the best reasons for using these kinds of idioms because what you really mean, people understand, even if you don't use it perfectly. I mean, like, "Smells like a rat". I said that today, and I meant "smell a rat", and that's one of them you're going to learn today. Because as soon as you know, you know, "Oh, that must be bad." Even though I didn't say it correctly, we'll get it better than some other idioms you might try to use to express yourself. So if you keep in mind that animals are used to show human behavior, then, you'll basically understand why we use animal idioms, and it will be easier for you to remember. Okay? You like that? Yeah. Because you're crazy like a fox. Okay.

Where should we start? What the? Whoa. Okay. Apology time. Sorry. The EngVid art department is not here. Usually these would be drawn much better, but our monkey looks like something on LSD. Okay? The rat looks like it has rabies, which is a disease. And the pig looks like it's been going on, like -- I don't know. I don't want to say somebody's diet because somebody will get angry because it means the pig looks fat. Like it's been on the -- okay, whatever. Whoever's diet, okay? But let's get to the board and talk about the animal expressions, okay? I did two for each. And when you think about them, remember what I said. Animals show human characteristics or actions or behavior, okay? And this will help you remember.

Well, I like this one, "Monkey see, monkey do." No. 1. What does that mean? It means to copy. If you watch monkeys or apes [makes monkey sounds], you know, Tarzan's ape, they copy humans all the time, and we love them, right? You see them walking and talking and trying to act like us. And because of that, we use the idiom, "Monkey see, monkey do", to talk about a person who is copying you or copying someone else, especially babies and children. If you take up a cigarette and smoke, if you look down, a baby will pick up a pen or a pencil and pretend to smoke. And the mother might say, "Monkey see, monkey do." Okay? In a way, it's an insult. Remember this. Because monkeys are considered lesser humans -- well, less than humans. So if someone says "monkey see, monkey do", they're not really giving you a compliment.
How to be an effective speaker: BE SPECIFIC! http://www.engvid.com/ Is your opinion "never" taken seriously? Do people "always" question what you say? This lesson is for you! I will teach you how to eliminate the five words that stop you from being an effective speaker. Learn what to say instead, so that you can be just as confident as a native English speaker. Take a quiz on this lesson here: http://www.engvid.com/effective-speaking-be-specific/

TRANSCRIPT

Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for the worm. I'm changing a very, very famous quote by a very good speaker, and his name was John F. Kennedy. Great American president -- or a good American president. There's another one by a British man named Winston Churchill from World War II, "Never, never, never, never give up." All right? So why am I bringing these up to you? Because to become an effective speaker, you need to know what to do. But sometimes, you need to know what not to do. And in this particular lesson, I'm going to help you become a much more effective speaker in English. To not make the mistakes that many native speakers make because it's their language, and they don't think about it, I don't want you to make these mistakes to start with. So let's go to the board shall we?

Mr. E is talking to a cat, Mr. Kitty. Meow. Okay. Why is there a cat? And if you look clearly or carefully, you'll notice there's one, two, three, four, five legs. Well, when I went to school years ago, I was in a philosophy class. And one of the professors said, "When writing a good essay or writing a paper or speaking, you should beware of the five-legged cat." "Beware" means "watch out for". Now, in your own language, you might do this, and many people in English do this a lot. Notice I said "many", not "all". And that's one of the key things. They use words like "every, all, none, never, and always." I'm sure you've heard English people use them, and you're thinking, "What's wrong? There's nothing wrong with them." Well, there isn't, as long as they have a reference. So if you say, for instance, "All of the people in this room", that's okay. But if you say, "All people think", we have a problem because you're generalizing. And that's what we're talking about. How to avoid generalization, all right? Or exaggeration. There's a fancy English word for this, and it's called "hyperbole", and it means to use words in a way to evoke, which means to get a strong emotional reaction. So a lot of people use these words because they want to get something from you. They want to prove a point strongly. Or they want you to get really energetic about it. Good point, "you always leave the toilet up." "Always? Always? Every single time in my whole life you've seen the toilet up? Always?" Clearly, it's not true. But when you say "always", you don't have to look at specific, you can just generalize. Generalization can be helpful. But when you really want people to understand, it actually takes away from what you're trying to do. So let's go to the board and take a look at it.

How can we get around this generalization problem that happens many times when people speak? Well, there are better words to use. Now, if you don't know what these words are, that's part of the problem. Okay. So let's take a look at the first two words, one and two, "always" and "never".

What people don't realize because where I'm from, most of us aren't taught grammar; we learn it. And we use it. And we're pretty good at using it, but we don't actually understand exactly where they come from. So if you've got English friends, this is a good lesson for you to turn on for them, too.

"Always" and "never". There's a term for this. "Always" and "never" belong to what I call, "The Seven Sisters." These are called "adverbs of frequency", okay? Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens or how much you repeat something in a period of time. I can actually put another word for this one, "often", here, see? "Often". Okay. So adverbs of frequency tell you once a week, five times a day, six times a year. That's how many times I repeat something in a period of time.

"Always" and "never", if you notice, are part of the adverbs of frequency. There's nothing wrong with them except they give you nothing -- they say these are absolutes, always, forever, now, and in the future. And this isn't how the world works. If it was, we'd all be perfect. And I don't know about you, but I'm not very perfect. Okay.
How to talk about DEATH in English http://www.engvid.com/ Death is a part of life, but do you have the vocabulary you need to talk about it? In this lesson, I teach you everything you need to know to talk about death and dying, so that you can express yourself fully when you have to. You'll also learn some culturally accepted phrases which are used in many English speaking countries. Whether you are going to a funeral, or speaking to a friend who has lost someone, dealing with death can be unpleasant. Let's make sure that your English isn't the worst part of it! http://www.engvid.com/how-to-talk-about-death-in-english/

TRANSCRIPT

[Sings] That's like the funeral march from Star Wars. If you know Darth Vader, "Luke, I am your father." And I am James, from EngVid. And I'm going to talk about, well, not a happy subject, but a subject we should talk about nonetheless. "Nonetheless" means "anyway", right? So what are we talking about? Death. In this case, it's Mr. D has died. Long live Mr. E. You may not have met Mr. D. He's from an unsuccessful website that was started and died. That's why he's gone. The king is dead. Long live the king. Mr. E is here. Right, E? Props.

Okay. So let's talk about death. And I may be smiling too much and laughing too much, but you know what? Around the world, there are different ways to talk about or deal with death. And we're going to talk about a couple of different ways. But I'm going to give you the basic Western way of looking at death, okay?

Now, number one, this person is dead -- well, this worm is dead. One of the things we say when someone dies -- we say this: pass away. If someone has "passed away", they've died. We don't always want to go, "Did he die? Is he dead yet?" You know? It kind of seems as little bit like, "Back up. Slow down." So we say they "pass away" like a gentle breeze. They fly away. Their soul goes, right? So if you say, "Johnny, Mr. D passed away last week", it means he died. So listen for Canadians when they say that, or Americans or British people. Did they "pass away". Or they might also say it this way. They might say "gone". "When did they go? Are they gone?" You're like, "No. Still dead." Sorry. That's bad. Okay. Enough "levity", which is fun or making light of something, okay?

So let's talk about death. So if someone's gone or passed away, one of the things we like to say is "R.I.P.", R.I.P. Some people rip one, but that's not what I'm talking about. "R.I.P." as in "rest in peace". You usually say that when you give your condolences. "Condolences." All these words. "Condolences." What is a "condolence"? A "condolence" is when you say, "I'm sorry about your loss." Usually for death. "I'm sorry your father has died. I'm sorry your mother has died. I'm sorry." It's a big sorry, condolence. "Do you have any condolences? Or I'd like to give my condolences. "All right?

So they've died. They're resting in peace. Hopefully, they were good, right? Rest in peace, because they look so happy. Right? And you give your condolences. Guess what? You're not done. Unlike a wedding -- because funerals are like reverse weddings except the person gets to live through it. You've got to go to the funeral, right? Usually, before the funeral -- or part of the funeral -- is the viewing. Notice we have these people watching a picture? Well, this is when you go and see the person in their casket. See? Mr. D is in a casket. That's the thing we put them in after they die. They die; we put them in a casket. And then, you can go to a viewing. The "viewing" is you walk by -- yes. Believe it. There's a dead body -- okay. Look. Picture this. There's a dead body in the room. There are people dressed in shirts and ties like this. They walk by, and they look at the dead person. And they say things like, "I'm sorry you're dead. It was nice knowing you. Rest in peace. See you later, Chuckles." Or, "You're next." Right? So you view. You take a look at the dead body, okay?

Another word to say besides that is -- because some people say -- oops. Sorry. I want to say "coffin". C-o-f-f-i-n, "coffin". A "coffin". So a "casket", "coffin". Another way of saying what this is, okay? They say, "Look at the coffin", or you buy the casket -- you buy the casket. When you put the body in it, it become a "coffin". That's the difference. You say, "How much is the casket?" Coffin. Rest in peace, dude. Okay.

So not everybody goes through this process. And we'll get to that after. But you go for the viewing. You look at the person in their coffin. All right? Now, what are you going to do with this thing? Well, you're going to have to put it in the ground. And that's what we call the "burial". We bury it. We put it. You go there. They pick up the earth. They put the coffin in the ground, and they bury it. Okay? That's what we basically call the "basic funeral". Notice these people don't look happy because there's no fun in a funeral, Son. Yeah. Okay. Moving on. Bad joke, bad joke. Okay.
Mind Maps - How to learn vocabulary quickly, easily, and permanently Do you want to remember your new English vocabulary? Would you like to remember not only what words mean but how to use them and NEVER forget them? Well, here is the method used by some of the greatest minds in history, like Einstein and Galileo. Watch the class and become an English vocabulary champion!
http://www.engvid.com/mind-maps-how-to-learn-vocabulary/

TRANSCRIPT

Okay, so take the bus here, then, the train. Get a ticket -- hi. James, from EngVid. Ever tried finding a place or going to a new country, looking at the subway or transportation maps to get from one place to another? If you look at those things, they're called maps, right? It will tell you what the city looks like, where you can get a bus at what time. But basically, it tells you what something looks like, and it gives you a picture of it. And it may not be an exact picture, but it's generally a picture you can work with. One you can go, "Okay, I'm here, and I want to get here, and that's how I'll do it." Maps are very effective and very efficient, right? Now, "effective" means they get the job done, and "efficient", they do it in a quick way. Why am I talking about maps? In many of the videos I do, you'll see what I call mind maps. I may not have called them mind maps, but that's what they are. A "mind map" is a device or a tool that we use to help us understand something and memorize it. I primarily -- and "primarily" means "mostly" -- use it for vocabulary, but you could use it for grammar; you could use it for learning an entire topic in a foreign language, and in this case, it's English. What I want to do today is explain what it is. For those students who have a problem thinking it's different or confusing, I want to break it down or break it into smaller parts so you can see it, understand it, and then use it yourself in studying English. You like that? Let's go to the board.

I'm looking for Mr. E. And here he is. You are here. He's here on a map, but I don't know where, and I want to get to there. So I'm going to use this to help me figure out where he is. And we're going to use mind maps now to learn how to work with our English.

The first thing you have to understand about a mind map is -- think about getting engaged. [Sings] I know. That's the theme from Star Wars, the Death Star. That's how I look at marriage. Sorry, ladies. I'm just joking. But "engage" means to bring things together. When we use mind maps, we use them to take all these thoughts we have in our heads which can be very confusing, and we want to organize them and make it a nice way to follow like a highway, right? A road you drive through. We're going to organize so you know exactly where to drive and it's nice and smooth.

So the mind map helps you because it takes you -- it takes what's in your head, and it shows you, "This is what I know. This is what I understand. And I'm going to put it on a paper so I can put it out there and know what's inside my head." And once it's outside of my head, I can start moving it. Because sometimes, when information is in your head, it's confusing. It just moves all around. And we want to make it nice and straight and easy to look at. A mind map helps with that, with organization.

In a second I'm going to explain -- because this is a simple mind map -- but I'm actually using a mind map to explain my maps. Woo! Woo! Okay. So we want to -- it helps us think through, but it also helps us engage. Because it's my information, I'm putting it down, I'm engaged, which means I'm part of the process, like "engagement", "part of". And I'm working through it, okay? So you take it out of your head, put it down, and you're engaged. This also helps with memory. And you're going to see me keep mentioning memory again and again. Because part of what I promised is you will learn the language -- the new vocabulary when you use this -- you can learn language and remember it permanently. Well, this is the first part of helping with that memory -- getting it out of your head, on paper, helps you with repetition. Looking at what you know because if you know it, it's in your memory already.
Learn English - Basic rules to improve your spelling http://www.engvid.com/ Do you make spelling mistakes? Spelling in English CAN be easy. You just have to know the rules. In today's lesson, I will show you two basic rules about doubling consonants when changing words. You'll also learn how to say these words correctly. Practice these rules with me on our whiteboard, and then take our quiz to make sure you understand. http://www.engvid.com/basic-rules-to-improve-your-spelling/

TRANSCRIPT

To be or not to be? [Laughs] Spelling bee. In North America, we have this competition called "spelling bee". It's where children take words -- adults give children words, long words, and the children have to spell them correctly. Now, if you're from Saudi Arabia or Japan or Korea or other countries, right now, you're going, "Oh, my God, no!" Because you have to do this in English, and your alphabet is not ours. Latin speakers tend to go, "Oh, we'll do very well", and you're bad as well. And you want a secret? I'm bad at spelling. So just share it between you and the other hundred thousand people watching this, okay? So I'm bad at spelling. You're bad at spelling. But I have to teach the rules at school, and I do. I actually do. And if you ask me something, I'll tell you the rule. But you might catch me spelling it incorrectly. So this lesson is for you and for me. And I call it Spelling 101.

English is not a phonetic language. It makes it very difficult to learn how to spell. So I'm going to give you English or Spelling 101, which are two little rules that will help you spell when dealing with English vowels. "The long and the short of it", I like the call this lesson. It's a joke in there. The long and the short. Whatever. Okay. Let's go to the board.

Are you hoping -- and "hope" is when you pray. You know? You say, "Please let me win the lottery. Really. I want to win the lottery. Please let me win the lottery. Please let that beautiful girl think I'm nice. Please let me pass the test. I hope. I hope. I hope. I wish. I pray." Or are you "hopping"? Are you hopping, like boink, boink, boink? Like a little bunny rabbit. Are you hopping? You notice one has a P, and one has two Ps. Some of you would have written this because you'd say, "Well it's more than 'hope'. It's long, right?" Because "hop" looks like this, h-o-p. "Hope" looks like this. And anybody from a natural language would probably say, "Well, E -- this must be the correct one." I would think so. It's the longer word. But not in English, no. We don't work like that. The shorter word gets it, and the longer word gets this. When I was I kid, I was always told: Short words, you double it. That's what it was. Okay. It made sense. But there's something a little more to it, and today, I'm going to make it easy for you.

Now, there's a lesson that has been done called "The Magic E". Go check that out. That will help you -- you know, it's a longer lesson that gives you more examples. But just to give you an idea of long versus short, okay? The magic E states this: If you have -- let's look over here. "Wipe", for instance. This is an I, a long vowel sound. There's a consonant and then, an E. If the E is on the end of a word, you have a consonant and then, a long vowel sound. Okay? The E actually causes it to be "wipe", not "wip". Right? So here's how we change it. Because we know this E helps to modify this, we have to drop the E. Okay? Because it's actually silent. You think "wipe", so it looks like this. That's what it looks like. "Wipe", not "why-ppe". Sorry, people from Brazil. No "why-ppe". No "why-ppe" here. Okay? That's part of the problem. Nobody tells you this stuff. But I do. Okay. So it's not "why-ppe" or "ray-tte" or "ho-ppe", just "hope", "rate", and "wipe".

Now, the magic E helps us because we see this, and we know it's a long vowel sound. Yay! But when we're adding is it like, "wipes" or "wiping", "rate" or "rated", hoped or hoping, we have to drop that E. We're told, "Drop the E." It's silent. It's not doing anything, anyway. It's like your unemployed brother in your basement. He's not doing anything. Get rid of him. So "wipe" becomes "wiped" or "wiping". Drop the extra E. Not "wipeed". All right? "Rate" becomes "rated". Oops. Sorry. It becomes "rated". Just add the ED. Or "hoping", in the case up there, it becomes "hoping". We get rid of the extra E. We know it's the long vowel because there's only one consonant. Right? One consonant. One consonant. So we know this must be "wiped", "rated", "hoping". It could even be "hoped". "I hoped you would come." Okay? Don't double the consonant. Don't add two E's. It's just single, single. Easy? Easy. The magic E. Now, we know how it creates a sound. And now, we know how to change it. That's the long of it. The long vowel. You like that?
Learn English: 7 FACE Expressions http://www.engvid.com/ Trying to improve your English? 'Let's face it', you are a busy person with a 'nose for value', trying to 'make headway' learning English. That's why you study with engVid! Did you understand the three face expressions that were just used? Press play to learn what these idioms and several more mean. Once you learn them all, test yourself with the quiz! http://www.engvid.com/7-face-expressions-in-english/ While you're at it, check out our Facebook page: http://facebok.com/learn.english.free/

TRANSCRIPT

[Speaks Russian] Hi. James, from engVid. I'm not Russian. I'm just practicing it. I was thinking of traveling. Maybe Ecuador. Perhaps Russia. Beautiful ladies there. And when I thought about it -- I mean, let's face it. Nobody wants to be stuck in one place, right? For your whole life. You're an international person trying to learn an international language, which is English. And you know -- hey, you know what? Let's do idioms on the face. I said, "Let's face it." I'm going to talk to Mr. E, and we'll get the lesson started. Okay? Idioms of the face, face, face, face. Take that, Madonna. All right.

So what have we got, E? All right. Well, we talked about "let's face it", but we'll come back to that in case you're wondering what that is. Let's start with No. 1. And where's No. 1? The nose. Le nez. The nose. What about the nose? Well, the nose, you bring in air. You bring things to yourself. The stuff of life, right? So if you know something which is good, which is air -- I find air to be very, very good. In fact, necessary, you might say. I want this -- you're going to have a "nose for value". Why? Oxygen is necessary for life, or you die. When we say someone has a "nose for value", it means they know what the good stuff is. They know what is good, and they know what is valuable. So if you have a "nose for value", you know a good deal, a good bargain, or you know something good when you see it. Right? All right.

And here's the other thing. Remember? I said breathing. By the way, you like this? I look good today, yeah? Anyway. Back to work. "Pay through the nose". Oxygen is the stuff of life. If you don't breathe, you die. So sometimes, we talk about "paying through the nose" when something is too expensive. You pay too much for it. Yes, oxygen is important, but I also need my blood and my heart and my brain. So we say "to pay through the nose" is to pay too much for something or pay very -- you know, pay a lot of money for something. You don't really want to "pay through the nose". That's an expensive way to pay. Okay? So we did nose.

What's the next one we're going to do? He is a man of little brain. That's a brain, in case you don't know what that is. Or the brain is the physical part. That's the thing they can put their head in and take out of you. But we usually say, "I think in my mind. My mind. My mind is where my ideas come from." Okay? So when we say something like this, "a lot on her mind", it means you're thinking a lot about things. "I have a lot on mind." I'm going to give you a free idiom. Free. Okay? This one is "a lot on my plate", which is "a lot to do". But shhh! That's another one. So "a lot on my mind" means I have a lot of thoughts going on in my head. Okay? So -- and it's not quite the face or the head, but look. It's inside your head. Your face is here. Your brain is here. So if you have "a lot on your mind", it means you have a lot to think about. All right? You've got to make dinner; you've got to study at EngVid -- I mean you're a very busy person. And I'm impressed by you. All right. Next.

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