English 808 - 英語のブログ

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Common Mistakes - Safety (安全) and Safe (安全な)

Japanese has 2 main adjective types - い形容詞 and な形容詞。

I think that this makes it easy to confuse English words that end

with a y (which makes an いい sound)

Here is a common example:

Can you see the mistake?

Healthy is an adjective, so it is correct on this sign. But...

Safety is a noun!(名詞) The adjective is safe. The sign should say Healthy and Safe.

Some English adjectives do end with y so they make an いい sound:

funny and happy 例えば

But some do not!

cool, smart and weak 例えば

When you use English... be safe!!!

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿
マンツーマン英会話レッスン

吉祥寺、渋谷、新宿

無料トライアル

レッスン！

ご連絡お待ちしております！

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Often confused English words (間違えやすい) famous/popular

有名で人気がある語は、時々混乱します

The words famous and popular are sometimes confused by many of my students. These 2 words can often describe the same thing or person...

Tokyo is a famous city, it is known all over the world. Tokyo is also a popular place to buy new fashion and electronics.

BUT

...they do not mean the same thing. Both are adjectives (形容詞) and although they are similar, they are used differently. Look at these definitions with examples:

famous (有名な) = known about by many people

～ a famous hotel (有名なホテル)

～ the most famous lake in Italy

"One day, I'll be rich and famous."～ famous for something "J.K. Rowling became internationally famous for her Harry Potter novels."～ famous as something "Ron Howard is more famous as a director than as an actor."

popular (人気) = liked or enjoyed by a large number of people～ a popular singer (人気の歌手)

"This is one of our most popular designs."

"Skiing has become very popular recently."～ popular (with somebody)

"The highway budget cuts will not be popular with people who drive to work."

"I'm not very popular with my wife right now. I forgot her birthday!"

Try this example:

"Tokyo Disneyland is a famous family theme park, but Tokyo Disney Sea is more popular with couples and adults. Probably because you can drink beer there!"

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿
マンツーマン英会話レッスン

吉祥寺、渋谷、新宿

無料トライアル

レッスン！

ご連絡お待ちしております！

Monday, September 14, 2015

plane VS plain この二つの単語の違いが分かりますか？

Confusing words

この二つの単語の違いが分かりますか？

plane is a short way to say airplane - 飛行機

plain has several meanings. One meaning is not complicated; simple

The interior of the church was plain and simple.

plain yogurt (= without sugar or fruit)

a plain dress - 地味な服.

plain cake プレーンケーキ.

Can you see the mistake here?

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Unhealthy Breakfast - 英語のリスニング練習

Unhealthy Breakfast

New words from the story:

bachelor - a man who has never been married

cholesterol - コレステロール

Jack is a bachelor. He works in
downtown Chicago as a shoe salesman.
Every morning on his way to work, Jack
stops at a donut shop and buys a chocolate
donut and a cup of coffee. Jack likes this
morning routine because it is quick and easy.
He doesn’t have to cook breakfast or wash
the dishes.
Last time Jack went to the doctor for
a check-up his doctor told him that he had
high cholesterol. The doctor told Jack to
stop eating foods that are high in fat.

Donuts are fried in a lot of fat.

Click to download the worksheet!

Story and worksheet from http://www.elcivics.com/esl/lessons.html

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Wednesday, September 9, 2015

We use BY to show HOW we do something

In English we sometimes use the word "BY" to show how we do something.

"Can I pay by credit card?"
(カードで支払えますか。)

"I came here by train today."
(私は今日はここまで電車で来ました。)

"These things are all made by hand."
(この品は皆手細工だ。)

(*We also use the adjective handmade to mean 'made by hand')
These chocolates are handmade.