2020-12-25 Grammar and Christmas
Many Americans experience surprise (or disappointment) when they wake up on Christmas Day. They might be surprised or disappointed by a family member’s actions. They might be happy or unhappy…
2020-12-18 Adjective Clauses That Describe Times
Imagine you want to talk about the time something happened. Perhaps you want to describe the time you did something important, the night something happened or the day something took…
2020-12-11 Differences Between American, British Grammar
Many of you have the goal of learning American English. After all, you are listening to or reading a lesson from the Voice of America. But you will still probably…
2020-12-04 Adjective Clauses That Describe Places
Imagine you are watching a movie in English. Perhaps it is a musical, such as Mary Poppins Returns. Well maybe all those thingsThat you love soAre waiting in the placeWhere…
2020-11-27 If and Whether, Part 2
Today, we continue our discussion about “if” and “whether.” Both words are conjunctions that can sometimes be used in place of each other. The word “whether” shows that there are…
2020-11-20 If and Whether, Part 1
Have you ever been unsure about when to use “if” and when to use “whether”? If so, you are not alone. There is a reason these words can be tricky:…
2020-11-13 Phrasal Verbs and Elections
You may have heard or read news stories about the recent elections in the United States. The voting ended last Tuesday, November 3. That night and in the days that…
2020-11-06 Past Ability: Could, Was Able To, Managed To
Imagine that you are interviewing for a job you really want. Most of the questions are in your native language, but the job will require you to use some English.…
2020-10-30 Indefinite Pronouns in Negative Sentences
Imagine you are listening to music in English. Perhaps you hear a few words from “Something,” performed by The Beatles. Something in the way she moves Attracts me like no…
2020-10-23 Taking Adjectives to the Extreme
A friend of mine had a very small wedding last weekend. Only close family attended in person. Everyone else, myself included, watched the ceremony in real time on YouTube. My…
2020-10-16 There Is Something Strange about Indefinite Pronouns
Today on Everyday Grammar, our subject is indefinite pronouns. The pronouns we will consider today end with words such as “thing,” “body,” and “one.” Think about words such as nothing,…
2020-10-09 Finding Participles in News Headlines
I was reading The New York Times newspaper this morning and came across a headline that read “Laughter May Be Effective Medicine for These Trying Times.” A news headline is…
2021-02-28 ‘One-Trick Pony’ Has Limits
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. On today’s program, we talk about an animal idiom. What do you think it means to be a one-trick pony?…
2021-02-21 Freeze!
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. In many places around the world, wintertime brings snow, ice, and really cold temperatures. Some places can even experience a…
2021-02-14 ‘Carrying a Torch for Someone’ Can Hurt A Lot
And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. February 14 is Valentine’s Day in the United States! For many people, it is a romantic day. It’s the day…