English dictation exercises

Ambiguous Meaning: Clarify Two Different Readings

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Amicable meaning: use and combinations

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Among or amongst: which word fits?

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Arbitrary: Meaning and Everyday Use

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Articles with Illness Names: Choose the Right Form

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Articles with lakes: choose the right form

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Assume or Presume: Which Word Fits?

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

At first glance

At first glance introduces how something appears when first seen before a closer look reveals new facts.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Attitude Adverbs: A Practical Guide

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Backlog

You answer five old emails, but twelve more are still waiting. What do you call the work that has built up behind you?

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Bend the rules

Bend the rules means to relax or ignore a rule in a particular situation. The speaker presents the exception as small, but others may see it as unfair.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Beyond the pale: meaning and use

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Bone of contention: naming a disagreement

5-second sample
American, British, Australian

Born or Borne: Choosing the Right Form

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Breathing down my neck

Breathe down someone's neck means to watch someone closely in a stressful way, or to approach quickly as an urgent deadline.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Burn phrasal verbs: clear everyday usage

Compare burn down, burn out, burn through, burn off, and burn up. Learn how each phrase changes the meaning of burn.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Burn the candle at both ends: meaning and use

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

By the book

Following set rules, laws, or standard steps strictly without taking shortcuts.

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Capitalism Meaning: Talking About Economic Systems

7-second sample
American, British, Australian

Capricious Meaning: Unpredictable Changes

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Caveat Meaning: One Condition to Remember

3-second sample
American, British, Australian

Colon and Semicolon: When to Use Each

7-second sample
American, British, Australian

Come out of your shell

Come out of your shell means to become less shy and more willing to talk with other people.

4-second sample
American, British, Australian

Compound Conjunctions: How to Link Ideas

5-second sample
American, British, Australian