Practising English

Practise of Present Perfect Continuous, still, yet, already and for and since.

You will hear two short sentences describing an action that started in the past and is still happening now. Last week, we practised the use of "for" and "since" with present perfect simple. However, when we use action verbs like "to move", "to work", "to study", we often prefer present perfect continuos....

Here are some help pages from my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/present-perfect-continuous.htm

Present perfect: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-162.htm

Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

Today's grammar practice for learners of B2 English is about the passive causative e.g. "I had my house painted", and "I got my hair cut".

We'll also look at the passive structure, "It is said that..."

Here is a help page from my website:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/passive-voice.htm

Another podcast of mine on the pasive:
https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-40.htm

Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

This is a B2 story with B2 vocabulary. Here is what we'll study:

You can read the full transcript of the story at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-332.htm

1) Have something sorted

2) Try something out

3) Let somebody down

4) Get on with something

5) Pop out

6) Talk somebody out of something

7) Dash in/out/off/over to

Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

This is the first of my weekly B1 grammar practice podcasts. Today, you can practise present perfect simple and the use of "for" and "since" and the structure "the most beautiful cathedral they've ever visited".

See help at my website on this: https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/present-perfect.htm#for_since

Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

This is the first in my series of weekly B2 grammar practice sessions. Ten minutes of listening and repeating B2-level grammar structures so that you perfect your B2 grammar in spoken British English. Today it's about the use of the passive voice and changing from active to passive.

Help on the passive at my website on the passive: https://www.practisingenglish.com/english-grammar/passive-voice.htm

Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

Today, for my B1 recording of chapter 19 of Treasure Island, there are three comprehension questions. Read these before you start listening:

    1. Why did Doctor Livesey give Long John Silver the map?

    2. What had happened to the treasure?

    3. Why did Dr Livesey and the others decide not to report Long John Silver to the police? 

Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

These are the B2 words and phrases I'll be explaining today:

You can see the transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-330.htm

1) From time to time

Definition: Sometimes, but not regularly or very often.

Example 1: When revising for my history exam, I take a short break from time to time to rest my eyes.

Example 2: From time to time, the professor gives us a small quiz to check we understand the topic.

2) denied

Definition: Said that something was not true, or refused to admit to doing something.

Example 1: He strongly denied that he had copied the answers during the final maths exam.

Example 2: The student denied cheating, even though the teacher found notes hidden in his desk.

3) embarrassment

Definition: A feeling of being nervous, ashamed, or uncomfortable, especially in front of other people.

Example 1: To save himself the embarrassment of failing the course, he studied in the library every evening.

Example 2: She felt a lot of embarrassment when her mind went completely blank during the oral examination.

4) casually

Definition: In a relaxed and informal way, without seeming to worry or care too much.

Example 1: Instead of making careful notes, he just casually read the textbook the night before the big test.

Example 2: She casually looked through her flashcards while waiting outside the hall for the exam to begin.

5) confidently

Definition: In a way that shows you are sure of your own abilities and certain that you will do well.

Example 1: After weeks of hard revision, she walked confidently into the university exam room.

Example 2: He confidently answered the essay question because he knew the subject perfectly.

6) mumbling

Definition: Speaking very quietly and not clearly, making it difficult for other people to hear or understand you.

Example 1: While trying to memorise the chemical formulas, she walked around her bedroom mumbling the words to herself.

Example 2: The nervous student stood at the front of the class, mumbling his presentation instead of speaking clearly.

7) looked as if

Definition: Seemed or appeared to be true, based on the situation or on what you could see.

Example 1: He looked as if he had not slept for days because he was up all night studying for his degree.

Example 2: When I first read the paper, it looked as if the test was going to be impossible, but it actually got easier.

Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

These are the B1 phrases we'll be studying today:

You can find the transcript here: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-329.htm

1. Refuse

Definition: To say that you will not do or accept something.

Examples:

Some people refuse to recycle because they think it takes too much time.

If we refuse to change our bad habits, there will be more plastic in the sea.
  

2. Throw away

Definition: To put something in the rubbish bin because you do not need it any more.

Examples:

My neighbour throws away all his paper with the normal rubbish instead of recycling it.

We should not throw away glass bottles when we can easily use them again.
  

3. Waste

Definition: To use too much of something, or to use it in a bad way.

Examples:

It is a terrible waste when people buy too much food and then put it in the bin.

We waste a lot of energy when we make new plastic instead of recycling old plastic.
  

4. Blame

Definition: To say that someone or something is responsible for a bad situation.

Examples:

We cannot only blame big companies for the rubbish problem; we must also recycle at home.

People often blame the government when the streets are dirty, but everyone needs to help.
  

5. Encouraged

Definition: Given hope, confidence, or support to do something good.

Examples:

I felt encouraged when I saw children learning how to recycle at school.

More people recycle when they are encouraged by their friends and family.
  

6. Apart from

Definition: Except for, or not including.

Examples:

Apart from plastic, it is also very important to recycle metal and paper.

Everyone in my family recycles, apart from my little brother who always forgets.
  

7. Reminds me of

Definition: Makes me remember someone or something.

Examples:

Seeing rubbish on the beautiful beach reminds me of how important it is to recycle.

The smell of the dirty streets reminds me of the damage we are doing to nature.

Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

Here are the B2 phrases we'll be talking about today:

See transcript at: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-328.htm

1. stand up for

Definition: To defend or support someone or an idea when other people are against them.

She always stands up for her younger brother when other kids are mean to him.

You should stand up for your rights at work.

2. in favour of

Definition: To support or agree with a plan, idea, or person.

Most people voted in favour of the new company rule.

Are you in favour of building a new hospital in our town?

3. glance at

Definition: To look very quickly at someone or something.

He glanced at his watch to check the time.

She glanced at the menu and quickly ordered her food.

4. posh

Definition: Very expensive, fashionable, or typical of people from a high social class.

They stayed at a very posh hotel in the centre of London.

She speaks with a posh accent, so she sounds like she comes from a rich family.

5. spoke up

Definition: The past tense of speak up. It means you gave your opinion about something, especially when you thought something was wrong.

During the meeting, she spoke up and said she had too much work.

No one else said anything, but he finally spoke up about the problem.

6. bear in mind

Definition: To remember an important fact when you are making a decision or thinking about something.

Bear in mind that the traffic will be bad at five o'clock.

When planning your holiday, bear in mind that flights are more expensive in summer.

7. keep somebody in mind

Definition: To remember someone because they might be good for a job or opportunity in the future.

I will keep you in mind if a job opens at our company.

Please keep me in mind if you need help with your next project.

Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...

Here are the phrases we will study in this B1 story:

To see the full transcript with the B1 words: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-327.htm

hand something over

definition: To give something to someone, usually by putting it in their hand.

    1. The police officer asked me for my passport, so I handed it over.

    2. She handed over the keys to the new owner.

    3. Please hand the documents over to the person at the desk.

step forward/backwards/inside etc.

definition: To move one or more steps in a particular direction.

    1. The teacher asked me to step forward so she could see me better.

    2. He stepped backwards when the dog came towards him.

    3. She opened the door and stepped inside.

make a complete mess of

definition: To do something very badly and cause many problems.

    1. I made a complete mess of the birthday cake, so we had to buy one.

    2. He made a complete mess of his first driving test.

    3. I was so nervous that I made a complete mess of my speech.

look somebody in the eye

definition: To look directly at someone’s eyes when you are talking to them.

    1. She looked me in the eye and told me the truth.

    2. He couldn't look his father in the eye after he broke the window.

    3. When you speak to people, try to look them in the eye.

give somebody your promise

definition: To promise someone that you will definitely do something.

    1. I gave my mother my promise that I would be home by ten.

    2. He gave me his promise that he would never tell anyone.

    3. She gave her parents her promise that she would study harder.

say a good word for somebody

definition: To say something positive about someone, especially to help them get a job or another opportunity.

    1. My manager said a good word for me when I applied for the new job.

    2. Could you say a good word for me to your boss?

    3. She said a good word for her friend, and he got an interview.

be in a great hurry

definition: To need to do something very quickly because you do not have much time.

    1. I was in a great hurry this morning, so I forgot my phone.

    2. Don't be in such a great hurry; we have plenty of time.

    3. He was in a great hurry to catch the last train.

Contact Mike Bilbrough with a question or enquiry about advertising on Practising English Podcasts: https://www.practisingenglish.com/contact.htm

My NEW book: "B1 English Vocabulary Builder - 22 Short Stories for Learning the Words and Phrases Students Need to Pass the B1 Exam" is now available! This book gives the learner enough vocabulary to pass any B1 exam (special help for Cambridge exams).
To read more about my book, click here (you can access it from any Amazon platform):
https://amzn.to/46AVFe9

Learners studying towards B2 level will be interested in my B1 to B2 reader: The Tudor Conspiracy (includes audio version) https://amzn.to/4gPsj0i

For very young learners (from 8-10), I recommend my picture reader book for children learning A1 to A2 English. It comes with a fully dramatised audio version: https://amzn.to/46TCWvv

Oxford Bookworm Graded Readers: Read stories at your level to improve your English. I recommend Oxford Bookworms as the best series of books for learners: https://amzn.to/4r7YVHg

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, free grammar help and exercises and other English learning ...