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How are you? I hope you're well!

Funny title, huh? What do I mean by English is two languages? 

Well, actually, I think you already know. For sure, you have come across this already!

Let's test ;)

Have you heard any of the following phrases or something similar:

• Don't know (NOT I don't know)
• It's hot today, isn't it?
• I'm gonna see it later.
• Whatcah doin'? (NOT What are you doing?)

See what I mean? (that's another example)
What I am talking about here is the difference between spoken English and written English. And why English really is like two difference languages. But why is this important?

It is important because usually when people learn English, they learn to how to speak written English. This is not bad but also not totally helpful.

Generally, what people find when they speak with an English native is that the native uses language and phrases that they don't know. And that's where this email will help.

I will show you some key differences between spoken and written English:

• We often drop words at the beginning of sentences. For example: "I don't know" becomes "Don't know".
• We ask questions differently. For example, "Do you agree it's hot today?" becomes "It's hot today, isn't it?"
• We eat some sounds. For example, "I am going to see it" becomes "I'm gonna see it" or "What are you doing?" becomes "Whacha doin'?". 

Word of warning: Never use spoken English when you write something. It is considered totally too informal. Also, you should never contract words when you write. Contractions are only for spoken English.
 
These are not all the examples of spoken English but they are the most common. If you would like an even more examples and explanations, simply respond to this email :)

​This is from my free monthly email. Join here: http://www.learn-englishonline.net/newsletter.html

This is from my free monthly email. Join here: http://www.learn-englishonline.net/newsletter.html

This month's newsletter is a simple one. A lot of people have been asking me lately how to sound more native in English. And that's exactly what this email will try to do.

Of course, pronunciation is important to sound like a native but it is also important to use native sounding phrases. I won't cover pronunciation in this email but we will look at some very cool phrases. I have picked phrases for every day conversation. Hopefully, some of them will be useful for you.

I have written the meanings and given an example for context as well. Let's see them: 

• Ring a bell: is familiar to you but you can’t remember where you heard it. For example: A: Do you know April O’Neil? B: Hmm. Maybe. That name rings a bell.

• On the tip of my tongue: used to say you are almost able to remember something, but you can’t. For example: His name was on the tip of my tongue… but I couldn’t remember it.

• -ish: More or less. For example: Let’s meet around 4ish.

• Give it a shot: give it a try. For example: If you think you can make the team, then give it a shot.

• The more, the merrier:  used to say that the more people there are, the better it will be. For example: A: Can I invite my brother? B: Sure. The more the merrier.

• Time flies: time passes quickly. For example: Time flies when you’re having fun.

• From scratch: from nothing (without any already-prepared materials).For example: My aunt made the cake from scratch.

• Bear in mind: not forget; remember. For example:The professor told his students to bear in mind that they only have 50 minutes to complete the test.

• A piece of cake:  very easy. For example: The exam was a piece of cake.

• Cost an arm and leg: very expensive. For example: Diamond rings cost an arm and a leg.

• Let off steam: to release anger and frustration. For example: He plays tennis when he wants to let off steam. 

• Set your heart on something: to be firmly resolved to do something.For example: Eric has his heart set on participating in the Olympics.

• A breath of fresh air: somebody or something new that adds life and energy to a situation. For example: The new employee, Gail, is a breath of fresh air in the office.

• On the dot: to be punctual. For example: We arrived to the party on the dot.

• Out Of The Blue: unscheduled; without previous warning.  For example: One day, out of the blue, I received a letter from my former schoolmate.

 
Now, your job is to start using them when you speak ;) If there is any other topic you would like covered in these emails, please tell me. 

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