English for work and meetings
Practice expressions used to talk about work, projects and other people. Try each recording before opening the explanation.
Showing 1–18 of 89 lessons
-
Phrasal Verbs with Cut: Pick the Right Particle
Phrasal verbs with cut express distinct actions depending on the attached particle. Cut down on means reducing consumption or habits. Cut back on describes lowering budgets, work hours, or service frequencies. Cut off refers to breaking a connection, halting a supply, or blocking access. Cut out means removing a piece physically, eliminating a habit completely, or losing an electronic signal. Cut in indicates entering a conversation or a moving line ahead of others.
-
Stationery or Stationary: How to Choose
Stationery is an uncountable noun that names materials used for writing, printing, and office work. It covers paper, envelopes, pens, and notepads. Stationary is an adjective that describes something that remains fixed in one place, stopped, or motionless. A car can be stationary in traffic, whereas an office keeps a closet filled with stationery.
-
Vocabulary exercises: use words in context
A word takes its practical meaning from the surrounding situation. A verb like arrange can indicate organizing a meeting with a colleague, reserving transportation, or setting up equipment. By noticing who is speaking and what outcome they need, you can select the right word without relying on direct translation.
-
See or watch: Choose the right verb
See describes the physical ability of your eyes to register an image. It happens automatically whenever light enters your eyes, requiring no sustained effort. It is also used for visiting professionals and meeting friends. Watch describes deliberate, concentrated viewing over time, especially when tracking objects or people that move, change, or perform.
-
Emphatic pronouns: clear rules and uses
An emphatic pronoun highlights that a specific person completed an action personally. For example, saying that the manager herself called the supplier shows that the manager took personal responsibility rather than delegating the phone call to an assistant.
-
Adjectives of Quantity: How to Choose
Quantity words, often called quantifiers or quantitative adjectives, answer the questions 'How many?' or 'How much?' They specify numerical amounts or overall volume without always naming an exact number. Plural countable nouns join with words like many, few, and several. Uncountable nouns join with words like much, little, and a bit of. Flexible words like some, any, and enough work across both categories. Adding the indefinite article creates a distinct shift in attitude: a few and a little highlight availability, whereas few and little emphasize a disappointing absence.
-
Membership
Open every lesson free for 7 days
- 555 lessons with dictation and listening tests
- Three accents: British, American and Australian
- New lessons every day, and your progress is saved
No card needed. Then from $7.50 a month if you want to keep going.
Start free trial -
Job interview essay: write clear work examples
A job interview essay is a concise written response submitted during a hiring process to evaluate your communication style, decision making, and relevant professional experience. Rather than reciting a timeline of job duties, the essay highlights a specific instance where your actions demonstrated a required competency.
-
Interrogative Pronouns: Ask Clear Questions
An interrogative pronoun stands in place of the unknown noun you are asking about. Words like who, whom, whose, what, and which do the work of a whole noun phrase so your listener understands exactly what information to provide.
-
Action Verbs: Choose What Happens
An action verb names a physical movement, an event, or a mental process involving a subject. Physical action verbs like construct, lift, and pour describe visible activities. Mental action verbs like calculate, remember, and evaluate express internal cognitive efforts. In every case, the action verb assigns dynamic work to the subject.
-
Present Perfect Continuous: Form and Everyday Use
The present perfect continuous frames an activity as an ongoing process stretching across time toward the present. Saying that a team has been repairing a roof means the work started earlier and remains in progress. Alternatively, the action may have stopped moments ago, but its physical evidence remains fresh. In both situations, the speaker cares about the activity itself rather than a completed total.
-
Pretentious meaning: How to use it
Pretentious describes a person, tone, environment, or creative work that attempts to appear more cultured, intelligent, or significant than it really is. The speaker uses the word critically to point out that the display lacks real substance.
-
Job interview English: Clear answers and pauses
An interview is a professional conversation to decide whether your skills fit a job. Clear communication does not require continuous speaking without breaks. Interviewers expect natural pauses while you organize thoughts. A strong answer gives the direct fact first, adds one relevant example from your work or volunteer experience, and stops when the point is made. If you make a small language slip, you can quickly correct the word and keep going.
-
Subordinating conjunctions: connect your ideas clearly
A subordinating conjunction creates a relationship of dependence. One part of your sentence carries the primary information, while the joined clause adds necessary context such as cause, timing, or contrast. For instance, knowing that a meeting was canceled is helpful, but adding why it was canceled gives the listener the complete picture.
-
Dichotomy Meaning: Two Opposing Sides
A dichotomy is a division of one subject into two sharply contrasting or contradictory parts. When someone creates or identifies a dichotomy, they present two concepts as mutually exclusive opposites, such as work and leisure, or theory and practice.
-
Job Interview Answers: Structure Clear Responses
A structured response consists of three simple steps: a direct answer to the prompt, a short real-life example, and the practical result of your action. This structure keeps your ideas organized and prevents long, confusing stories.
-
Resume experience lines: write clear bullet points
A resume experience line is an incomplete sentence that acts as a concise work record. It leaves out the subject pronoun because your name already appears at the top of the page. The initial verb tells the reader what action you took, while the following words give the context.
-
Practice English speaking: Five daily exercises
A speaking activity is an intentional spoken drill with an explicit goal and time limit. Instead of attempting an open-ended conversation with no clear direction, you assign yourself a narrow communicative job. That job might involve explaining why an order arrived late, requesting a meeting change, or contrasting two commuter routes. The defined boundary frees mental energy so you can concentrate on correct verbs, connectors, and audible pronunciation.
-
Learn English faster: a daily study plan
A realistic practice routine links your study time directly to situations you face in daily life. Instead of reviewing random vocabulary lists, you practice phrases for work updates, doctor visits, or quick neighborhood conversations so the words stay ready.
Not ready for a trial? Get a free lesson every day
One short dictation in your inbox each day for 7 days. Practise where you are, no account needed.
Can’t find the phrase or situation you need?
Lesson requests come with membership.
See membership