Intermediate lessons
Sharpen conversational instincts, eliminate direct translation traps, master phrasal verbs, and decode fast connected speech mechanics.
All Intermediate material
-ed endings: is it /t/, /d/, or /Ιͺd/?
The -ed ending has three sounds, not one. Learn the simple rule for when "worked" ends in /t/, "played" in /d/, and…
Conditionals: first, second, third β pick the right tense
Five conditional sentences with one tense wrong. Spot the right one in each. Tests your instinct on the three core conditionals.
Candid
Direct, honest, and unvarnished professional feedback delivered respectfully.
20 easily confused English words: affect vs effect, fewer vs less, and friends
Some word pairs look identical and mean opposite things. Lock the difference in once β and never lose marks on these again.
Direct and indirect questions: how to ask politely
Learn direct vs indirect questions in English: the word-order shift, dropping do/does/did, using if/whether, polite openers, and the mistakes to avoid.
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.
How to write email subject lines that get opened (and replied to)
Your subject line is half the email. A clear one gets a reply within hours. A vague one disappears into the inbox.
Catching contractions: the small sounds that trip listeners up
"I'd", "he's", "they've" β three letters can replace two whole words, and many learners miss them entirely. Here's how to hear them.
Business English buzzwords decoded: what they actually mean (and when to use them)
"Circle back". "Move the needle". "Touch base". Office English has a vocabulary all its own β here's what each phrase really means,…
British vs American English: spelling, words, and which one to pick
Colour or color? Lift or elevator? A clear guide to British vs American English spelling, vocabulary, and grammar, plus how to pick…