Advanced English Practice

An essay suggesting solutions to a problem (problems) is a formal piece of writing. State the problem and its causes clearly; present your suggestions and the expected results/consequences these might have.

Same logic goes for business emails - if you follow a similar structure while presenting a business issue, its potential solutions and their consequences, your email will be easy to read and more likely to generate a positive response.

Crafting an effective CV or resume is crucial for making a strong impression. Using these phrases strategically in your CV or resume can help showcase your skills, experiences, and accomplishments effectively to potential employers.

We will cover more ground in the following weeks. Let me know in the comments below if you have any specific struggles when it comes to business writing.

Exploring possessive gerunds - these show ownership or possession of an action or activity. Check out these examples to get a grasp on how they work:

1️⃣ Sarah loves her brother's singing in the shower. 🎶🚿
2️⃣ We admired the team's outstanding playing during the championship. 🏆⚽
3️⃣ He couldn't resist his dog's begging for a treat. 🐾🍖

🔍 Spot the possessive form before the gerund? That's the key! If we don't use a possessive, it changes the meaning. The possessive means that the focus is on the activity, not the person.
If I say: "I object to Sally coming late", am I objecting to Sally or to the activity - coming late? Or if I say "We appreciate you coming here", am I appreciating you or the fact of your coming here?

If no possessives are used, it is referring to the person (the noun or pronoun) rather than the activity (the gerund).

So we need to use the possessive to ensure it's the activity that the verb is referring to:

I object to Sally's coming late.
I appreciate your coming here.

"Pensive" is an adjective used to describe a reflective and deep-in-thought demeanor. 🤔

📚 How to Use "Pensive" in Context:
🔹 "She sat by the window with a pensive expression, lost in her thoughts."
🔹 "His pensive gaze hinted at the contemplation going on in his mind."
🔹 "In moments of pensive silence, he often pondered the complexities of life."

💭 Let's Reflect:
Consider instances when you or someone you know displayed a pensive demeanor. These moments of introspection can offer valuable insights into our inner world. When do you find yourself feeling most pensive? 🌌

Are there any architects in our community? 🏠🌉🌇

Business English today: 9 commonly used polite ways of gracefully redirecting inquiries to the appropriate colleagues or teams in a professional manner. These phrases are versatile and can be customized to fit various business communication contexts.

Please be mindful of your organization's culture and etiquette when putting together a formal email - take cues from the leaders as to what level of formality is appropriate. And remember: a leader/owner can get away with a one-word response and a simple sign-off; an employee, on the other hand, most likely cannot. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.

We will cover more ground in the following weeks. Let me know in the comments below if you have any specific struggles when it comes to business writing.

This word pair often causes confusion. Can you help clarify the difference?
(see below for explanation)

Loose: Not tight or fixed in place.
Example: "Her dress is loose."

Lose: To no longer have something or to fail to win.
Example: "Don't lose your keys."

"Incessant" is an adjective used to describe something that continues without pause, interruption, or relenting. ⏳

📚 How to Use "Incessant" in Context:
🔹 "The incessant rain lasted for days, causing flooding in the area."
🔹 "His incessant chatter made it difficult to concentrate on my work."
🔹 "Despite the team's incessant efforts, they couldn't secure the victory."

💭 Let's Reflect:
Think about situations where you've encountered incessant occurrences. How do you cope with situations of incessant activity or noise? 🌧️

Have you ever encountered a contract clause that left you baffled? What did it say?

These verbs play crucial roles in defining the rights and obligations of parties within a contract and are essential for legal clarity.

Stay tuned for more posts on common legal terms and phrases as being able to read a contract in English is a necessary skill. 📚💪

Address mistakes professionally and respectfully in various business communication contexts.

Please be mindful of your organization's culture and etiquette when putting together a formal email - take cues from the leaders as to what level of formality is appropriate. And remember: a leader/owner can get away with a one-word response and a simple sign-off; an employee, on the other hand, most likely cannot. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.

We will cover more ground in the following weeks. Let me know in the comments below if you have any specific struggles when it comes to business writing.

Some more useful advanced vocabulary for banking&finance.

My banking & finance community: you're welcome to add useful phrases and expressions in the comments below. There's a twist, though: they should begin with a "g" 🏫✍️ - can you think of any?

These culinary terms describe different methods of cutting or breaking down food into smaller pieces or strips, each having its unique application in cooking various dishes.

"Incorrigible" is an adjective used to describe someone or something that is resistant to change or reform, often in a negative sense. 🔄

📚 How to Use "Incorrigible" in Context:
🔹 "His behavior was so incorrigible that even repeated interventions had no effect."
🔹 "Despite the consequences, she remained incorrigible in her reckless decisions."
🔹 "The cat had an incorrigible habit of knocking things off shelves."

💭 Let's Reflect:
Consider instances where you've encountered incorrigible behavior or habits. It reminds us that some traits are deeply ingrained. How do you respond when faced with incorrigible patterns of behavior? 🛑

Proverbs are like nuggets of wisdom passed down through generations. They're concise, meaningful, and often offer a fresh perspective on life.

🌟 Which of the proverbs applies to your life now?

Prepositions A to Z. Part XV. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition.

This word pair often causes confusion. Can you help clarify the difference?
(see below for explanation)

Principal: Typically refers to the head of a school or an initial amount of money before interest.
Example: "The school's principal is retiring."
Example: "The winners are paid from the interest without even touching the principal."

Principle: A fundamental truth, rule, or belief.
Example: "He adheres to high ethical principles."

Address mistakes professionally and respectfully in various business communication contexts.

Please be mindful of your organization's culture and etiquette when putting together a formal email - take cues from the leaders as to what level of formality is appropriate. And remember: a leader/owner can get away with a one-word response and a simple sign-off; an employee, on the other hand, most likely cannot. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.
We will cover more ground in the following weeks. Let me know in the comments below if you have any specific struggles when it comes to business writing.

Some more useful advanced vocabulary for banking&finance.

My banking & finance community: you're welcome to add useful phrases and expressions in the comments below. There's a twist, though: they should begin with an "f" 🏫✍️ - can you think of any?

"Indiscreet" is an adjective used to describe behavior or actions that lack prudence, caution, or consideration for the consequences. 🙊

📚 How to Use "Indiscreet" in Context:
🔹 "His indiscreet comments during the meeting led to misunderstandings."
🔹 "She regretted her indiscreet disclosure of sensitive information."
🔹 "Indiscreet behavior at the party left a negative impression on the guests."

💭 Let's Reflect:
Think about instances where you or others exhibited indiscreet behavior. This word highlights the importance of thoughtful actions. How do you ensure your choices are discreet and considerate? 🤐

This word pair often causes confusion. Can you help clarify the difference?
(see below for explanation)

Farther: Refers to physical distance.
Example: "The supermarket is farther down the road."

Further: Relates to additional progress or advancement.
Example: "We need to discuss this matter further."

Have you ever read a contract, a legal document, or even a simple terms and conditions page and found yourself lost in a sea of complex, hard-to-understand language? If so, you've encountered "legalese"!

What is "legalese"?

"Legalese" refers to the dense, complicated, and often confusing language commonly used in legal documents and contracts. It's a language filled with archaic phrases and terminology that can baffle even the most educated reader.

Why Does Legalese Exist? 📝

Lawyers often use legalese for precision and to cover all potential situations. However, this can make legal documents appear intimidating and inaccessible.

The Challenge of Legalese 🧩

Understanding legalese is a puzzle that requires deciphering the jargon, acronyms, and long sentences. It's like learning a new language, and it can be daunting. Contract clauses in particular can sometimes be complex, but breaking them down into plain English can help. Here are some potentially confusing contract clauses and their meanings in simple English.🌟

Stay tuned for more posts on common legal terms and phrases. Being able to read a contract in English is a necessary skill - you don't need to be a lawyer to understand your rights and obligations. 📚💪

Prepositions A to Z. Part XIV. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition.

Business English today: 9 commonly used polite ways of requesting alternative solutions/proposals, along with an example paragraph for each phrase. These phrases are versatile and can be customized to fit various business communication contexts.

Please be mindful of your organization's culture and etiquette when putting together a formal email - take cues from the leaders as to what level of formality is appropriate. And remember: a leader/owner can get away with a one-word response and a simple sign-off; an employee, on the other hand, most likely cannot. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.

We will cover more ground in the following weeks. Let me know in the comments below if you have any specific struggles when it comes to business writing.

Let's dive into some words that really amp things up: "enhance," "aggravate," "intensify," and "heighten." 🚀🔊

Enhance: When you enhance something, you're making it better, improving its quality, or taking it to the next level. Think of it as upgrading the experience. ✨📈

Aggravate: This word's got a bit of a twist. When something aggravates a situation, it's making it worse or more annoying. It's like adding fuel to the fire. 🔥😡

Intensify: To intensify is to crank up the volume, so to speak. It means making something stronger, more powerful, or more extreme. It's like adding a turbo boost! 🚀📢

Heighten: When you heighten something, you're taking it to new heights, elevating it, and making it even more significant. It's all about reaching the peak. 🏔️🚁

Remember, the words you choose can have a big impact on the message you're sending. So, whether you're looking to enhance, aggravate, intensify, or heighten a situation, choose your words wisely! 🗣️💯

Practice on stories.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Have you ever heard any of these words in a conversation? What was the context? Are there other confusing words you would like me to cover?

"Elated" is an adjective that describes an intense feeling of happiness, joy, and a sense of triumph. 🎉

📚 How to Use "Elated" in Context:
🔹 "She was elated when she received the news of her promotion."
🔹 "After winning the championship, the team was elated with their victory."
🔹 "His elated laughter echoed through the room as he shared his success story."

💭 Let's Reflect:
Think about moments when you've felt truly elated. These instances of sheer happiness remind us of life's remarkable highs. How do you celebrate your elated moments? 🌟

Some more useful advanced vocabulary for banking&finance.

My banking & finance community: you're welcome to add useful phrases and expressions in the comments below. There's a twist, though: they should begin with an "e" 🏫✍️ - can you think of any?

Who are you?

Business English today: 9 commonly used polite ways of saying "sorry", along with an example paragraph for each phrase. These phrases are versatile and can be customized to fit various business communication contexts.

Please be mindful of your organization's culture and etiquette when putting together a formal email - take cues from the leaders as to what level of formality is appropriate. And remember: a leader/owner can get away with a one-word response and a simple sign-off; an employee, on the other hand, most likely cannot. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.

We will cover more ground in the following weeks. Let me know in the comments below if you have any specific struggles when it comes to business writing.

Are there any agriculture professionals in our community? Have I missed anything?

You're welcome to add useful phrases and expressions in the comments below. There's a twist, though: they should begin with a "b" ✍️ - can you think of any?

Answer in caption (try posting yours before reading!).

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From Wiki: The sandwich generation is a group of middle-aged adults who care for both their aging parents and their own little children. It is not a specific generation or cohort, but a phenomenon that can affect anyone whose parents and children need support at the same time.

For example, currently, in the western societies, women often have children closer to the age of 30, when their own parents are around age 60 and therefore at much higher risk of needing support before the grandchildren have become adults.

Taking care of an elderly parent while caring for one's own children is a very time-consuming task. On average, adults in the Sandwich Generation are spending approximately $10,000 and 1,350 hours on their parents and children combined per year. Some of the adults living in this sandwiched generation face financial problems regularly, having to support three generations at one time: their parents, their immediate family (themselves and their spouse) and children.

Men usually support financially while women support emotionally and physically (they bathe, dress, toilet, clean the home, etc. while the men provide the money). Depression and anxiety are a huge risk factor for the Sandwich Generation, especially for women who are involved. On the contrary, men, and some women, are typically at risk for loss of career development. They might be at the peak of their career and have to take a step down and lose their opportunity to be able to help care for their aging parent or growing children.

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Nothing much to add to this. Hang on in there, fellow "sandwiches".