Lessons

Latest from John Wilson

Grammar

Prepositions of place: in, on, at (and the ones that trip you up)

Confused by "in the car" but "on the bus"? Master prepositions of place in, on, at with one simple point-vs-surface-vs-space rule, plus…

Grammar

Adjective order: why it is “a big red car”, not “a red big car”

Why native speakers say "a big red car", never "a red big car". The exact adjective order plus the comma test that…

Vocabulary

Collocations: why it is “strong coffee”, not “powerful coffee”

Why is it "strong coffee" not "powerful coffee"? A friendly guide to English collocations, the word pairings that make you sound natural.

Grammar

Talking about the future: will, going to, or present continuous?

Will, going to, or present continuous? The trick is when you decided. Master English future forms with clear rules, real examples, and…

Speaking

English for phone and video calls: what to actually say

Real English phrases for work phone and video calls: openings, asking someone to repeat, polite interrupts, mute mishaps, screen sharing and clean…

Pronunciation

20 English words you’re probably mispronouncing (and how to fix them)

Twenty English words you're probably mispronouncing, from comfortable to colonel, with the common slip and the accepted fix in plain, simple respelling.

Grammar

Modal verbs: the small words that quietly change your meaning

Modal verbs like can, could, must and should quietly shift your meaning. Learn the tone, obligation and politeness traps even advanced speakers…

Speaking

Agreeing and disagreeing politely in English

Learn natural English phrases to agree warmly and disagree without offence, plus how the register shifts between meetings and friends.

Writing

Apostrophes, commas and semicolons: the punctuation that trips people up

A practical guide to the three punctuation marks that cause the most trouble: apostrophes, commas and semicolons, with clear rules and examples.

Pronunciation

Silent letters in English: the letters you don’t pronounce

A grouped guide to silent letters in English - silent K, B, L, W, H, T, G and P - with clear…