Received Pronunciation: Hörübungen

Back up

A colleague backs you up, research backs up a claim, and software backs up a file. What changes when the object changes?

Beside or besides: position and addition

Beside, Besides, or Except: Choose the Right Word

Blow away

A performance blows the audience away while a gust blows the programmes away. Emotion and wind create different meanings with the same form.

Booking a hotel room

A guest books three nights and asks for one room feature. Which services are included, and when does free cancellation end?

Bored or boring: Talk about your class

Bother

Noise can bother you, a thought can bother you, and you may not bother to reply. The first two affect feelings; the last describes effort.

Brake or break: Choose the Right Spelling

Break up

A couple breaks up, a meeting breaks up, and a phone call starts breaking up. Only one involves a romantic relationship.

Breathe when public speaking: Pause before each point

Bring about

A small decision can produce a large result. Bring about connects the cause to the change that follows.

Bring up

You can bring up a difficult topic, bring up a child, or bring up a file on a screen. Context tells you which action is happening.

Bump into

If you bump into an old friend, you meet unexpectedly. If you bump into a table, the surprise may hurt a little more.

Burn out

A worker, a campfire and a motor can all burn out, but each one reaches a different kind of end.

Business English phrases: clear workplace communication

Call off

You can call off a match before it starts, call off a search already in progress, or call a threatening dog off.

Can or may: Ability and permission

Cancelling a subscription

The customer cancels renewal today but keeps access until the thirtieth. Does that mean another monthly payment is due?

Catch up

Fall behind on a walk, at work or in a friendship, and catch up helps you close the gap in three different ways.

Changed appointment time

A caller mentions Thursday, Monday morning and Monday afternoon. Only one is the new appointment. Can you track the change?

Changed museum tour

The planned first gallery is closed, so the tour changes order and finishes in a different place. Which locations remain part of the route?

Changing a plan

A friend cannot meet at the agreed time. Can you hear why the plan changes, identify the new time, and notice how the request stays polite?

Changing a restaurant booking

The booking begins with four people at seven. By the end, both the number and time have changed, but the seating request has not.

Check English sentences: Eight clear steps