4. I'm + (verb)

I'm' is a contraction of the words 'I am.'
By adding a verb to 'I'm' this lets you express an action or occurrence about yourself.

Here are some examples:
"I'm eating lunch."
"I'm brushing my teeth."
"I'm scared."
"I'm driving to work."
"I'm crying."
"I'm typing an email."
"I'm cooking dinner."
"I'm combing my hair."
"I'm hanging a picture."
"I am texting."
"I am dancing."
"I am interested in the job."
"I am exercising."
"I am sad."
"I am learning."

#English_Speaking_Basics
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@grammarpage

#smart_foreign 😎

5. I'm getting

When combining the words 'I am' and 'getting' you are telling someone 'you' are gaining possession, being affected by or have plans to seek out and obtain a particular thing.

Here are some examples:
"I'm getting better."
"I'm getting ready for bed."
"I'm getting a toothache."
"I'm getting a cold."
"I'm getting married."
"I'm getting tired."
"I'm getting good at reading."
"I'm getting a new car."
"I'm getting a job."
"I'm getting a puppy."

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@grammarpage

#smart_foreign 😎

6. I'm trying + (verb)

'I am trying' informs someone that you are attempting to accomplish something using bodily, mental, or spiritual strength.
By adding a verb to 'I'm trying' you are pointing out exactly what it is you are attempting to do.

Here are some examples:
"I'm trying to get a job."
"I'm trying to call my family."
"I'm trying to enjoy my dinner."
"I'm trying to educate myself."
"I'm trying to explain myself."
"I'm trying new food."
"I'm trying to eat healthy."
"I'm trying to understand."

You may also hear the word 'trying' used to express a way someone is feeling. In this manner, it expresses strain or distress.

Here are some examples:
"Learning new things can be trying on you."
"That marathon was very trying on me."


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#smart_foreign 😎

7. I'm gonna + (verb)

The word 'gonna' is incorrect grammatically. The equivalent in proper grammar would be 'going to.'

When using the word 'gonna' you are telling someone what you are planning to do at that moment or in the near future.

Here are some examples:
"I'm gonna have some coffee."
"I'm gonna go to work."
"I'm gonna eat some cake."
"I'm gonna send out my resume."
"I'm gonna run a marathon."
"I'm gonna ask her out for dinner."
"I'm gonna stop smoking."
"I'm gonna help my friends."
"I'm gonna take swim lessons."
"I'm gonna read a book."


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#smart_foreign 😎

8. I have + (noun)

By using the words 'I have' you are informing someone of something you have possession of or have acquired.

Here are some examples:
"I have a cat."
"I have a nice car."
"I have a house."
"I have a computer."
"I have a headache."

You may hear the words 'cannot' and 'won't' used with 'I have.'
By adding these you can express what you will not put up with or allow.

Here are some examples:
"I cannot have that behavior in my house."
"I cannot have you over tonight."
"I won't have anything to do with that."
"I won't have it any other way."


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#smart_foreign 😎

❣smart_quotes

"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” -Bill Cosby

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10. I used to + (verb)

Used to 'expresses something that was done in the past, and is not usually done now.

Here are some examples:
"I used to develop websites."
"I used to jog every day."
"I used to paint."
"I used to smoke."
"I used to work from home."
"I used to live in California."
"I used to go to the beach every day."
"I used to sing in a choir."
"I used to like vegetables."
"I used to start work at 6 o'clock."

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@grammarpage

#smart_foreign 😎

Silence
  by: Saadi (c. 1213-1291)

translated by Samuel Robinson
From the Gulistan

To the ignorant man nothing is better than silence,
And were he aware of this he would no longer be ignorant.
When you are not possessed of perfection or excellence,
It is better that you keep your tongue within your mouth.
The tongue bringeth disgrace upon men.
The nut without a kernel is light in weight.
The beast will not learn of thee how to speak;
Learn thou of the beast how to be silent.
Whoever reflecteth not before he answereth,
Will probably utter inappropriate words.
Either adorn thy speech with the intelligence of a man,
Or sit in silence like a dumb animal.


@grammarpage
#smart_poems

#smart_foreign😎

@grammarpage
#smart_foreign 😎

Hey there,*
Do you want to learn how to speak English well?

Are you also looking for a shortcut to English fluency?
We don’t have tricks that will give you perfect English in five minutes a day, but we do have solid tips that will help you learn how to speak English more fluently, in less time.
Here are some tips that will help you speak English better than ever.

How to Speak English Well: 16 Simple Tips to Fluency

1. Accept That English Is a Weird Language
Sometimes you can find patterns in English grammar, but other times English doesn’t make sense at all. 
For example, why are “read”(reed) and “read” (red) the same word, but pronounced differently depending on whether you’re speaking in the past or present tense? 
Or why is “mice” the plural of “mouse,” but “houses” is the plural of “house”?
Unfortunately, there are just as many exceptions as there are rules in English. 
It’s easy to get stuck on learning how to speak English properly, if you try to find a reason for everything.  
Sometimes English is weird, so instead the best thing to do is just memorize the strange exceptions and move on.

2. Dive into the Deep End
Studying English for an hour once a week isn’t enough to make any real progress. 
The best way to quickly improve your English is to spend at least a few minutes practicing every day.
Set everything around you to be in English as much as possible (computer, smartphone and so on) and every time you study, challenge yourself to listen to, read and even say things in English that you think might be too difficult for you. 
If you want to speak English fluently, you need to make it an important part of your everyday life.

3. Stop Being a Student
The right attitude can make the difference between failure and success. 
Stop thinking of yourself as someone who is learning English, and start thinking of yourself as someone who speaks English. 
It’s a small change, but it will make you feel more confident and help you to use the English you already know more effectively.
This also means you need to start thinking in English. 
If you want to say the word “apple” in English, for example, right now you probably think of the word in your native language first, and then try to think of the correct word in English. 
Instead, try imagining a picture of an apple, and then just think the English word “apple.” 
Real fluency happens when you stop mentally translating conversations.

4. Remember the Answer Is in the Question
Listen carefully when someone asks you a question in English and you’ll answer perfectly every time. English questions are like mirrors:

Does he…..?                       Yes, he does.
Can she….?                        Yes, she can.
Is it….?                                Yes, it is.

If someone asks you a question and you’re not sure how to answer, start by thinking about the words used in the question. 
The person has already said most of the words you need to make your answer. 
Instead of just memorizing English grammar, start to look for patterns like this one. 
There are a lot of simple ways to “cheat” and make it easier to remember the right words.

5. Get More out of Listening
When most students listen to a native English speaker, they focus on understanding what all the words mean. 
This is definitely important, but there is a lot more you can learn from listening. Try listening not just to what the words mean, but to how the person says them. 

😘
Try to remember these details the next time you speak and your English will begin to sound more natural.

Easier said than done, right? 
When you listen to native English speakers, it can be hard to understand every single word that is spoken. 
They might use many words you don’t know, talk too fast or have a strong accent.

*letter from fluentu.com
for smart_foreign

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❣Smart_Wisdom


Socrates’ Triple Filter Test: Truth, Goodness and Usefulness

There’s a common knowledge story kicked around about “The Triple Filters Test.” Sometimes it involves Socrates and other times it involves an Arab scholar, but the truth of the story is the same. Here it is:

In ancient Greece (469 – 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.

One day the great greek philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, “Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?”

“Wait a moment,” Socrates replied. “Before you tell me, I’d like you to pass a little test. It’s called the Test of Three.”
"Test of Three?”
“That’s correct,” Socrates continued. “Before you talk to me about my student let’s take a moment to test what you’re going to say. The first test is the Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”

“No,” the man replied, “actually I just heard about it.”

“All right,” said Socrates. “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now let’s try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?”

“No, on the contrary…”

“So,” Socrates continued, “you want to tell me something bad about him even though you’re not certain it’s true?”

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, “You may still pass though because there is a third test – the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?”

“No, not really…”

“Well,” concluded Socrates, “if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?”

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more. (themindsjournal.com)

#smart_foreign 😎
@grammarpage

self-improvement program

6. Work out your brain.
Sudoku, puzzles, riddles, board games, video games, card games, and similar activities increase neuroplasticity. This encompasses a wide variety of of  changes in neural pathways and synapses that is basically the ability of the brain to reorganize itself. When nerve cells respond in new ways, that   increases neuroplasticity, which allows us more ability to see  things from different points-of-view and understand the cause and effect of behaviors and emotions. We become aware of new patterns and our cognitive abilities are  improved.

Considering that neuroplasticity is involved in impairments such as tinnitus, an increased amount can help prevent certain conditions. For instance, people with high neurplasticity are less prone to anxiety and depression while learning faster and memorizing more.

7. Meditate.
In 1992 the Dalai Lama invited  scientist Richard Davidson to study his brain waves during meditation  to find out whether he could generate specific brain waves on command. Turns out that when the Dalai Lama and other monks were told to meditate and focus on compassion, their brain waves showed that they were in a deeply compassionate state of mind. The full research results were published in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” in 2004 and then in the Wall Street Journal, where it received an enormous amount of attention.

Meditation became interesting to ambitious people because the study implied that we can control our own brain waves and feel whatever we want to feel whenever we want to. This means we can feel more powerful right before a negotiation, more confident when asking for a raise and more convincing during a sales call.

The general idea is that the brain can develop further and you can do it on purpose. Different activities stimulate different areas of your brain, so you can work on becoming unbeatable at your strengths as well as improving your weaknesses. Focusing self-improvement on the brain is a good idea for anyone who feels they are at their professional peak (or maybe just have stopped getting better), ambitious professionals and of course entrepreneurs who are looking to maximize their potential.

#smart_foreign 😎

15 Classy Words to Use to Sound like a Lady ...

Words hold a lot of power, whether you realize it or not. Don't you find yourself respecting people more when they have a more expansive, eloquent vocabulary? That's because we value words and the ability to make our language sound beautiful. If you need some new vocabulary to add to your vault, here are some classy words that'll make you sound like a lady:

1. Piquant
The next time you eat a delicious meal, don't call it "yummy." Call it "piquant." It means the same thing, but it sounds way fancier, so you'll appear more intelligent.

2. Indubitably
Indubitably can be used to replace "certainly" or "definitely." It's something that you can say when you're positive about something, like how the gas prices will indubitably rise again this year.

3. Ergo
Ergo simply means "therefore." If you wanted to explain how well you're doing in school, you could say, "I study every single day, ergo, I get great grades."

4. Alas
Alas is "an expression of grief, pity, or concern." That means that you should only use it when something isn't going your way. You can say, "I love The Walking Dead. Alas, I forgot to tape the newest episode."

5. Veritably
This word is "used as an intensifier." Don't be confused by that definition, because it's basically just a synonym for indubitably, so you can use it in the same way.

6. Cherish
Cherish, of course, means "to hold something dear." So instead of telling your friends that you enjoy spending time with them, tell them that you cherish your evenings together.

7. Loathe
Loathe means "to feel intense dislike or disgust for." So the next time you see your arch nemesis, don't claim that you hate them. Say that you loathe them. It has a better ring to it.

8. Yearn
Yearning means "to have an intense feeling of longing for something." When you spend a week apart from your boyfriend, tell him that you're yearning to kiss his lips. How romantic!

9. Parry
This word means "to answer (a question or accusation) evasively." It'll be harder to use this one in daily conversations, but you'll find use for it sooner or later.

10. Becoming
Becoming means "flattering to a person's appearance." The next time your best friend takes you out to a party, tell her that she's wearing a becoming dress.

11. Eloquent
Eloquent means "fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing." It's a trait that's incredibly important to have. It'll help you get ahead in your career.

12. Fancy
Fancy means "to feel a desire or liking for." Instead of telling your crush that you like him, tell him that you fancy him.

13. Lilt
This means "a pleasant, gentle accent." When you love the sound of someone's voice, you can compliment them on their lilt. It'll be a compliment that they've never heard before.

14. Hence
Hence means "for this reason." This is an easy one! It's a synonym for "ergo" and "therefore," so you already know how to use it.

15. Fetching
Fetching simply means "attractive." It's just a more unique way of saying it, because the word isn't thrown around all that often.

It's important to expand your vocabulary so that you can come across as intelligent, fancy, or eloquent as you wish. What's your favorite word that makes you sound classy?

@grammarpage

#smart_foreign 😎

😂SF (Smile! It's Free)😂

Me: "Lilbro., why is your girl so quiet?"
Lilbro: "I bought her a special lipstick..."
Me: "Woooww!!! You're a great boyfriend..., but what kind of lipstick?"
Lilbro: "Glue Stick" 🏃‍♀

#smart_foreign 😎

Challenged to speak english? Take on Rachel's English Academy Challenge. First please follow this channel Rachel's English Learn and watch. Then take the chalenge!

Or you can update every day at this address: https://rachelsenglish.com/105-english-vocabulary-words-day-1/


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⚜️English House⚜️

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims all over the world. Observing Ramadan is one of the five 'pillars' of Islam. During Ramadan, all Muslims over the age of about 12, with some exceptions, are expected to fast between dawn and sunset.

When does it take place?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the phases of the moon. This means the dates of Ramadan change each year. The month starts when the new crescent moon is first visible in the night sky. Fasting ends with the arrival of the next lunar month, which starts with the first glimpse of the new crescent moon.

How do people fast?
During Ramadan, the day starts early so that people can eat a pre-fast meal before dawn. This meal, called Suhoor, is important as it will keep them going through the day. During daylight hours, fasting Muslims cannot eat food or drink water or any other drinks. In late spring or early summer, this is particularly difficult as the day can be very long. People who live in polar regions, where daylight can last 22 hours or more, can choose to follow the dawn and sunset times in Mecca or a nearby country where the sky is dark at night.

Are all Muslims expected to fast?
Not all Muslims are expected to fast. Children under the age of 12, people who are travelling, elderly people, pregnant women and others where it may affect their health are exempt. Those who can't fast for any reason can offer to feed poor people for each day they miss during Ramadan.
What happens at sunset?

People can eat and drink again once the sun has set. The traditional way to break the fast is by eating dates and drinking a glass of water. Then, the evening meal, Iftar, is a social event that can go on for hours. It is common for people to eat together in large groups of family and friends. Special foods are prepared and shared, and desserts are particularly popular. Muslims often include charity in Iftar as well, sharing Iftar with members of the community who cannot buy or make their own food. Across the Muslim world, mosques and aid organisations set up tents and tables for the public in poorer communities to eat free Iftar meals every night of Ramadan.
Why do people fast?

Muslims fast during Ramadan to bring them closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of people who are less fortunate than themselves. Fasting is an exercise in self-control. As well as not eating, drinking or smoking, Muslims try to avoid bad actions, like talking about people behind their backs or using bad language. Ramadan is a time for people to work on being more patient, more tolerant and more mindful of the people around them. It is a moment to reflect and work on being better people.

Many Muslims also donate money to charities during the month, and a lot of Islamic charities organise food packs for people in poorer countries or refugee camps. Giving donations to charity, known as Zakat, is particularly important during the holy month, and so is prayer, meditation and reading the Qur'an.
How is the end of Ramadan celebrated?

Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the month of fasting. There are many Eid traditions, mainly centred around family, food, generosity and festivities. On Eid ul-Fitr, Muslims wake up early and dress in their finest clothes to attend the Eid prayers. After prayers, they wish each other a happy Eid ('Eid Mubarak' in Arabic) before spending the rest of the day with their extended families, enjoying good food and sharing gifts with children and loved ones.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/general-english/magazine/ramadan

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