How to Express Uncertainty in English (Everything You Need to Know)
Usually, when we say something in English, we’re making either a positive sentence: “My cat likes eating cake.” or a negative sentence: “My cat doesn’t like it when I play […]
Usually, when we say something in English, we’re making either a positive sentence: “My cat likes eating cake.” or a negative sentence: “My cat doesn’t like it when I play […]
We use reporting verbs to report what somebody said — to tell someone what another person said. Let’s look at an example: Barry: “My five-year-old son can definitely fix your […]
OK. We’re going to talk about negative adverbials in English. But first, let’s start with Madonna and a line from her song “Into the Groove.” So what’s happening here? “Only […]
You know what’s quite surprising? The fact that a lot of English learners, even high-level English learners, still get confused about the difference between “job” and “work.” I mean, “job” […]
Quick! Answer the question! What can you do with your eyes? Most people would probably answer that question by saying, “Duh. You look with them!” And that’s definitely true. But […]
There’s a lot of furniture vocabulary in English. I mean, furniture is a big part of our everyday lives, right? So let’s take a walk around your home and learn […]
Before COVID, I never thought I’d spend so much of my week looking at graphs. But now, we’re all obsessed with them. Watching the numbers go up and down, watching […]
Today, you have a choice: Do you want a quick overview of how to use articles (a, an, the) in English? Click here. Do you want some new and unusual […]
Do these sentences sound weird to you? “We did a lot of activities last weekend.” “I saw so many amazing artefacts at the museum.” “After I left the building, the […]
OK. Look at yourself! I guess you can probably name most of the parts of your body that you can see (and some of the ones you can’t see). But […]
We also have a podcast on Cooking Verbs in English if you’re prefer to listen instead of read. When we cook, we’re in ACTION MODE! Cooking is a very active […]
Speaking is amazing, don’t you think? Words and phrases come out of our mouths — they communicate meaning, and we humans understand each other (well, sometimes)! But there are countless […]
Yep! Clothes! Without them, we’d all be cold and naked and far less stylish. And we humans have come a long way since we started wearing random fur, leaves and […]
Although “whole” and “entire” are very common words, you’d be surprised by how many people still find them difficult to use. In fact, I recently got a message from a […]
“Like” and “as”: they seem like such simple little words: But, maybe because they’re so simple, these two words can cause a lot of confusion when you’re learning English. I […]
You know what I like most about language? It’s not that some words look the same forward as they do backwards — like “racecar.” Though that is pretty cool. It’s […]
You’re about to learn 71 body parts in English. Also check out 27 Words for Facial Expressions in English. The human body is an amazing thing. It grows and shrinks […]
Look around you. Go ahead – just look around you. What do you see? Can you describe everything you see (in English)? Whether you’re sitting outside on your terrace, in […]
OK, I know what you’re going to say. “Some and any? We did this at school! This is easy stuff.” That’s true. But what did they teach you at school? […]
You might feel that learning English is a process that never ends. And you’re right. You learn and learn and learn, and it never seems to finish. Like a bottomless […]
I get it – “used to” can be a little confusing. Is it “I used to do it?” “I used to doing it?” “I’m used to do it?” “I’m used […]
OK. It’s quarantine! Lockdown! Self-isolation! We’re all at home wishing we could start travelling again or go swimming or go to the pub … But we can’t. Instead, we need […]
It’s an uncertain and confusing time for us all. Will we be able to leave the house before the summer? What about cat food? Will we have enough? Coronavirus has […]
This week, I’m leaving you in the capable hands of Andrijana from Justlearn. Hope you enjoy this post on beating your fear of speaking English, and I’ll catch up with […]
We’re about to take a look at ergative verbs in English. You might also like How to Use “Get” in English. Let’s look at these weird sentences: “Some people in […]
You’re about to learn how to use “say” and “tell” in English. While you’re here, check out How to Use “Get” in English. “Say” and “tell” may have a lot […]
You’re about to learn 47 geographical features in English. You might also like Animals in English (Plus Animal Body Parts and Sounds). Sure — you know what a forest is, […]
Wow! Another year went by already? Whoosh! That was fast! 2019 was a bit of a bumpy year for a lot of people. But what lessons can we take from […]
Note: This post is mostly aimed at teachers of English. However, I think that if you’re a confident learner of English, you can easily enjoy this post and, most importantly, […]
You’re about to learn 20 new words for goodbye in English. Also check out 27 Different Ways to Say Thank You (And How to Reply). What’s wrong with this conversation? […]
You’re about to learn the names of 72 different rooms in a house in English. While you’re here, check out Household Vocabulary: 48 Useful Objects You Don’t Know in English. […]
You’re about to learn the names of 86 animals in English. Also check out Order of Adjectives in English: One Simple Hack. Sure — you know some animals names in […]
You’re about to learn 12 different ways to use “get” in English. Also check out 27 Different Ways to Say Thank You (And How to Reply). If you went up […]
You’re about to learn my simple hack for the order of adjectives in English. For more adjective goodness, check out 72 Appearance Adjectives You Need to Describe People in English. […]
You’re about to learn 63 phrases to talk about illness and sickness in English. Also check out 60 Negative Emotion Adjectives to Describe Negative Feelings. Here’s a strange thing about […]
In this lesson, you’re going to learn some words and phrases to talk about the weather in English. Also check out Different Ways to Ask and Tell the Time in […]
These 7 drawings are from my new book, 102 Little Drawings That Will Help You Remember English Rules Forever (Probably). Click here to get your copy. Some things in English […]
Let’s take a look at some ways of comparing English. While you’re here, check out Money Vocabulary: 42 Words to Talk About Money in English. OK. Let’s play that world-famous […]
Today you’re going to learn 15 other words for congratulations! Also check out 33 Ways to Say Yes in English. OK, so your best friend has just got a new […]
Today you’re going to find out the difference between relation and relationship. Also check out Family Vocabulary: Family Members in English. Quick! Answer these questions: Do we say “I’m in […]
You’re about to learn 33 different ways to say “yes” in English. Also check out How to Answer “How Are You?” + 9 Interesting Ways to Ask It. “Yes” is […]
You’re about to learn ALL the family relationship names in English. While you’re here, check out Relation vs Relationship: Do You Know the Difference? You already know some family relationship […]
2019 is here! And what better way to celebrate than by looking back on 2018 and checking out the 10 best Clark and Miller lessons? Top lesson #1 We all […]
Today, you’re going to learn how to use the causative verbs “let,” “have,” “get,” “make” and “force.” Also check out 11 Little Drawings That Will Help You Remember English Rules Forever. […]
You’re about to learn 34 extreme adjectives in English. For more adjectives, check out 72 Appearance Adjectives You Need to Describe People in English. Sometimes normal adjectives aren’t strong enough […]
You’re about to learn 27 words for facial expressions in English. You might also like 60 Negative Emotion Adjectives to Describe Negative Feelings. Facial expressions can tell us how other […]
Today, you’re going to learn 25 new advanced English phrases while you read about my experience in Cambridge. Also check out 3 Things That Surprised Me About British Culture (With […]
Today we’re going to look at some strange English sentences that are actually grammatically correct. You might also like Can I Improve My English Online? 7 Websites You Will Love. […]
Today, you’re going to increase your money vocabulary with 42 words and phrases about money. Also check out Maths Vocabulary in English: Do You Know the Basics? Like it or […]
Today, you’re going to learn 38 verbs of movement. Also check out Sound Words in English: Bang, Smash, Crash & 39 More. There are loads of verbs of movement in […]
Today, you’re going to learn the difference between 12 confusing words in English. Also check out 5 Common English Verbs You’re (Probably) Saying Wrong. There are lots of confusing words […]
You’re about to learn some useful phrasal verbs with ‘be.’ Also check out 5 Surprisingly Common Phrasal Verbs That Most Learners Don’t Know. Some of the most common phrasal verbs […]
Would you like this sound words list as a free PDF poster with pictures? Click here to get it. We hear different sounds all the time. But how do we […]
Today I’m going to show you 41 personality idioms to describe people’s character. For more idioms, check out Do You Know These 8 Very British Idioms? There are lots of different […]
You’re about to learn how to say email addresses and websites in English — the right way. While you’re here, also check out Different Ways to Ask and Tell the […]
You’re about to learn different ways to tell the time and how to ask for the time in English. You might also like Numbers in English: The Ultimate Guide. You […]
In this lesson, you’re going to learn 60 negative feelings in English. Also check out 8 Better Words for “Happy” Plus 33 More Positive Emotion Adjectives & Idioms. Talking about […]
You’re about to learn some vocabulary to talk about mathematics in English. Also check out Numbers in English: The Ultimate Guide. It’s a common situation. As an excellent speaker of […]
Do you ever get “laptop freeze”? No, I don’t mean when your laptop freezes, and you have to restart it or hit it to get it working again. I mean […]
This is part three of a series on football vocabulary in English. If you want more, check out How to Say Football Scores in English and 9 People in Football […]
This is part two of a series on football vocabulary in English. If you want more, check out How to Say Football Scores in English and Football Vocabulary: 23 Essential […]
In this lesson, you’re going to finally understand the past perfect in English FOREVER (probably). Want more tricky English grammar? Check out Mixed Conditionals in English Made Easy. It doesn’t […]
This is part one of a series on football vocabulary in English. If you want more, check out 9 People in Football (And What They Do) and Football Vocabulary: 23 […]
You’re about to learn 72 must-know appearance adjectives to describe how people look. For more adjectives, check out 59 Positive Personality Adjectives to Describe Your Favourite Friends. OK. Here’s a […]
Saying thank you can be difficult in English. It’s not the words. (I mean, “thank you” — there. That was easy.) It’s saying the right thing at the right time. […]
You’re about to learn some useful shapes and shape adjectives. For even more English vocabulary, check out Maths Vocabulary in English: Do You Know the Basics?. OK. Take a look […]
You’re about to learn how to use “keep” in English. Also check out 33 New Ways to Say Phrases That You Use Every Day in English. “Keep” is one of […]
For more useful phrases, check out 25 Phrases to Deal With Delicate Situations in English. Have you ever been in this situation: You’re speaking to someone, and you hear yourself […]
You’re about to learn 48 everyday words for things in the house. Also check out Kitchen Vocabulary: 48 Things in the Kitchen You Don’t Know in English. Quick! What’s this […]
Today, you’re going to learn 48 common kitchen objects in English. For more general household vocabulary, click here. Here’s an interesting little thing about learning a language: The small things […]
You’re about to find out if you’re using some common English verbs (insist, mention, suggest, reply and discuss) correctly. You might also like 3 Classic Mistakes That English Learners Make. […]
Would you like this lesson on binomials in English as a PDF? Click here to get it. “Black and white,” “rock n’ roll,” “salt and pepper.” You know these types […]
Here’s a question for you: What’s the most difficult thing about learning English? When I ask this question to English learners, the most common answer is: “Phrasal verbs! Why do […]
Are you an English teacher? You might also like Surprising English Teaching Facts I Learnt Last Week: Advice From 4 Experts. As you may have noticed, I’ve been away! Last […]
I’ve been away at a conference this week, but thankfully Trisha from Vagabond English has some great advice for you instead! I’ll be back next week with some weird and […]
Want more natural British English? Check out Can You Understand These 8 Natural British English Questions? Have you ever sat down with your parents and had a good chat about […]
Today you’re going to learn how to use “will” in 4 ways that you probably haven’t thought of before. Want to talk about the future? Click here. Go ahead — […]
You’re about to learn 42 Australian English words and phrases to make you sound like a real Aussie. As you may have noticed from last week’s post about Australian signs, […]
You’re about to find out how well you understand Australian English signs. Want more English quizzes? Check out The Big, Fat Clark and Miller English Quiz 2017. Back in August, […]
You’re about to learn how to understand the meaning of some phrasal verbs without looking them up! For more phrasal verbs, check out 25 Phrasal Verbs and Their “Normal” Equivalents. […]
“Meet,” “meet with” or “meet up with”? If you’re like most English learners, you’re probably getting these phrases mixed up. We use these phrases in slightly different ways, and we […]
You’re about to learn 3 ways to add emphasis in English. For more advanced English tips, check out Inversion with Negative Adverbials. Here’s a common situation for high-level English learners. […]
Today, I’m going to show you how to talk about (and how not to talk about) visiting people in English. While you’re here, check out the 17 best Clark and […]
Today, I’m going to show you the 17 best free English lessons from Clark and Miller in 2017. It’s the end of the year! And you survived it. Congratulations! When […]
This is the ultimate guide to saying (or reading out) numbers in English. Also check out Maths Vocabulary in English: Do You Know the Basics? Today, you’re going to learn […]
I showed you how to remember English rules with these 11 little drawings. Today, I’m going to show you how to remember English words forever (I hope!) using a special […]
Today, we’re going to get clear about the difference between ashamed or embarrassed. While you’re here, check out these 17 Free English Lessons: Best of Clark and Miller 2017. Should […]
You’re about to find out the 2 typical mistakes that English learners make with word order. Click here for 3 more classic mistakes that learners make. One of the most […]
For more common mistakes that English learners make, take a look at Are You Making These 4 Advanced English Mistakes? You know the expression “we learn from our mistakes,” right? […]
#1 Lost the plot #2 Throw a spanner in the works #3 Nice one! #4 Don’t mess me around #5 It does my head in Summary Here’s a question. Who […]
Want more British English? Have a look at 5 Common British English Phrases and Do You Know These 8 Very British Idioms? Why does it happen? It happens all the […]
Today I’d like to share something a little different with you. Last weekend I went to Vilnius, Lithuania, to go to the LAKMA international conference on English teaching. It was […]
Today I’m going to show you some more creative ways to ask and answer “How are you?” in English. You’ll also like 28 Phrases to Feel Comfortable in English Conversations. […]
Learning English can be great fun. But yes — it can also be annoying. Sometimes the rules don’t make any sense. Sometimes you learn a phrase, then discover that there’s […]
You’re going to learn 4 little changes you can make to your English right now to sound more natural. Also check out 2 Things You’re (Probably) Doing That Make You […]
Today, you’re going to learn 41 positive emotion adjectives and idioms to describe happy emotions. For more positive English words, check out 59 Positive Personality Adjectives! Do you ever find […]
This is the last of a 3-part series on advanced conditionals in English. Click here for part 1 (mixed conditionals). Click here for part 2 (inverted conditionals). You may have […]
Let’s take a look at inverted conditionals in English. For more advanced English, check out Are You Making These 4 Advanced English Mistakes? In this post, you’re going to learn […]
When we learn about conditional sentences in English, we usually learn the four basic types: Type 0 — “If it rains, the ground gets wet.” Type 1 — “If he […]
Today, you’re going to learn 25 phrasal verbs and their “normal” equivalents. For more English vocabulary, check out 59 Positive Personality Adjectives to Describe Your Favourite Friends. Here’s a piece of […]
Today, you’re going to learn 25 common euphemism phrases in English. While you’re here, check out 28 Phrases to Feel Comfortable in English Conversations. Euphemisms are words (or phrases) we […]
Today you’re going to hear 8 tricky questions that a British English speaker might ask you. Also check out 7 Things British English Speakers Say That Your Teacher Told You […]
Here’s a situation that I’m sure you’ve experienced. You’re having an awesome conversation with someone in English. It’s going well, and it seems that you can do that amazing thing […]
This blog post was so popular that I turned it into a book: 102 Little Drawings That Will Help You Remember English Rules FOREVER (Probably). It’s available as an eBook […]
Where are you from? What does your country specialise in? Some countries are really good at spicy foods. Some countries are excellent at public services, like hospitals and stuff. Maybe […]
It’s true — advanced English can be tough! You’ve learned all the grammar rules, and your vocab keeps on growing. But there’s still that feeling that you haven’t quite “nailed” […]
It’s amazing how much your own culture can amaze you. Have you ever felt that way? You’re away from your own town, county or country for a while, and then […]
Let me ask you a question: What are your plans for the summer (or if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, read “July/August”)? It’s a simple enough question, but I want […]
Today, you’re going to learn how to fix 2 unnatural mistakes you’re (probably) making in English. Also check out 4 Simple Changes to Make You Sound More Fluent in English. […]
You’re about to learn 8 British idioms. Also check out 5 Common British English Words. So you can express yourself beautifully in English (partly thanks to our big tenses review, […]
We all do it when we learn a language. I’ve done it, and I’m sure you’ve done it, too. You go through years of speaking English using a particular word, […]
For some more useful English adjectives, check out 59 Positive Personality Adjectives! So you’re cooking with your teenage daughter, and she’s helping you out with the salad. She needs to […]
Look at this sign. Is there something wrong with it? This is a derivative of “i’m lovin it” by Leonid Mamchenkov, used under CC BY. Think about it carefully. Because […]
Let me ask you a question: Who’s the person in your life who has always made you feel better when you were down? Maybe they’ve comforted you after something awful […]
Let’s take a good look at how the continuous tenses work. This lesson is about the present simple and present continuous. Click here for the perfect simple and continuous. Click […]
Let’s take a good look at how the continuous tenses work. This lesson is about the perfect simple and present continuous. Click here for the present simple and continuous. Click […]
Let’s take a good look at how the continuous tenses work. This lesson is about the past simple and past continuous. Click here for the perfect simple and continuous. Click […]
In this lesson, you’re going to learn 28 phrases to help you in English conversations. Also check out 4 Simple Changes to Make You Sound More Fluent in English. Conversations […]
Let me introduce you to my excellent and hard-working student, Pietro: Not long ago, he asked me what he should use to practice listening in English. So I thought about […]
This week, I’m leaving you in the capable hands of Christina from English with Christina. Hope you enjoy this post on small talk in English, and I’ll catch up with you […]
Have you ever walked away from an English lesson saying, “What?! How?! Why does this language have to be so complicated?!” If you’ve felt like this, you’ve either just walked […]
Check out this guy: Kind of fun, right? So why am I showing you a video of someone teaching English through rapping? Well, that’s Jason R. Levine, also known as […]
For more British English, have a look at these 8 Very British Idioms. Have you had the experience of leaving an English lesson feeling confident and able to speak English? […]
This crime vocabulary infographic is part 2 of a series on English crime vocabulary. You can find part 1 here. Do you know these 8 crimes, how to describe the […]
I’m going to ask you a question. I’m also going to guess your answer. I think that I’ll guess your answer correctly. Here’s the question: What do you find the […]
In this lesson, you’re going to learn 66 negative adjectives to describe people. Check out 59 Positive Personality Adjectives here. Sometimes we meet people we don’t like — “bad” people! Let’s […]
This is a guest post from Cara over at Leo Listening. Before I hand it over to Cara, a quick warning: there’s a lot of swearing in this post. If you […]
This is part 2 of a series of posts on “-ing” and “to,” a.k.a. gerund and infinitive. Click here for part 1. Back in December I introduced you to these lovely people. […]
Prefer to listen instead of read? Click here for the podcast episode on choosing the best books for English learners. Here are two questions: How many books have you started […]
In this lesson, you’re going to learn some words, phrases and idioms for “crazy.” Be sure to check out 66 Negative Personality Adjectives, too. When we call people“crazy,” what do […]
As I’ve probably said before, I love it when you ask me questions. If you ask questions, it means you’re going to learn more. Recently, I’ve been getting a lot […]
Would you prefer to read this post as a PDF? Click here. Also, check out the Ultimate Guide to Numbers in English. First, take a look at this image. It […]
This is part 2 of a series of posts on English proverbs. Click here for part 1. English proverbs are powerful things. They can express 100 words, so they’re efficient. […]
It’s the beginning of a new year! The new year is a time for looking forward and setting goals for the year, and also for looking back and reflecting on […]
2017 is about to start and I’d like to ask you a question: “How good will your English be at the end of 2017?” Think about it for a second. […]
This is part 1 of a series of posts on “-ing” and “to,” a.k.a. gerund and infinitive. Click here for part 2. So you know how to talk about the […]
Finally, a common point of confusion. The main differences “Problem” is the general word. “Issue” is more diplomatic and less negative. “Trouble” is uncountable. The details Problem “Problem” is […]
The main difference “Destiny” is usually positive and out of your control. “Fate” is usually negative and is less spiritual. The details Destiny Destiny is a big word. When […]
The main difference Look at these wonderful people doing odd (strange) things: Who’s saying “aim for”? Who’s saying “aim at”? “Aim for” is trying to get yourself somewhere. “Aim at” […]
“Fix,” “repair” and “mend” have very similar meanings, but there is a difference in how we use them and what we use them for. The main difference Take a look […]
One of my university professors once told me that it’s impossible to have two words in English with EXACTLY the same meaning. When that happens, one of the words dies […]
In this lesson, you’re going to learn 59 positive personality adjectives in English. Check out 66 Negative Personality Adjectives here. Let’s look at some positive words to describe people. There […]
In this lesson, you’re going to learn how to improve your English pronunciation. Also check out 4 Simple Changes to Make You Sound More Fluent in English. Recently, a lot […]
You’re about to learn 10 different ways to talk about the future in English. Also check out 17 Free English Lessons: Best of Clark and Miller 2017. There are two […]
Sometimes we get suggestions for the blog from our readers. Last week, Vladimir asked us to explain the difference between “it” and “this.” I have to admit that I’d never really thought […]
With over a million words, learning English can be a scary challenge. But there are ways to make learning new words easier and to cut the time it takes to […]
Here’s a fascinating infographic to increase your crime vocabulary in English and use English grammar naturally in conversation… with CRIME! This is the first part of our three-part crime vocabulary […]
Today, I’d like to talk about a special tense in English. A lot of people have problems learning it because it either doesn’t exist in other languages, or the rules are […]
I love answering questions from my students. In my experience, students who ask questions usually learn English faster. Sometimes I get strange, difficult and interesting questions from my students. Let’s […]
There are some English grammar points that can drive learners crazy. But the problem isn’t the grammar. Or the learner. You need to change the way you look at the “problem.” Here […]
English proverbs are powerful things. They can express 100 words, so they’re efficient. You can sound like an excellent English speaker when you use a proverb, so they’re impressive. And […]
When I was learning Turkish, I discovered a useful word. People use this word a lot and it fills the sentences perfectly. After I learned this word, I used it all the time. And […]
In my 12 years teaching English, I’ve noticed there are some grammar points that can drive learners crazy. But the problem isn’t the grammar. Or the learner. The problem is not […]
Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to talk to Jason R. Levine, AKA (also known as) Fluency MC. Jason is an English teacher and an expert in motivation and learning English […]
We all know there are some positive extra benefits of learning English, like better brain power and better job opportunities. But can we use our English learning to make us happier? […]
Is it “a” or “the”? … or nothing? This is something that every English learner has a problem with, even the most advanced students. Before you can use articles (“a,” […]
Daniel Welsch is a bestselling author, blogger, language trainer and social entrepreneur. He writes books in Spanish that have helped thousands of English learners from Spain and Latin America improve […]
You have a pile of English grammar books that you don’t read (and you feel bad about that!). You’ve tried taking traditional English classes, but they were too much effort […]
I get it. English can be very confusing sometimes, and the grammar rules can seem crazy and random. Sometimes they are. But a lot of the time, there’s a system […]
Are you confused about the first, second and third conditionals (‘if’ sentences) in English? What are they? How do they work? What’s the difference between them? Here’s a simple way to […]
In today’s post, we’ll show you how to learn English easily. We’ve all had that feeling when time and the world around us stop because we’re completely focused on what […]
An English teacher friend of mine advised her student, who wanted to improve his English pronunciation, to use this technique. Her student followed her advice very well, and it almost drove […]
Here’s something that a lot of my new students have a problem with. They feel OK speaking, but they have big problems understanding people, especially when they talk fast. They […]
Recently I was talking to a Turkish friend. Her English is excellent, and we can discuss philosophy or politics easily. Then I asked her for a paper towel. She looked […]
What if I told you there was something you could do to improve your vocabulary, grammar, listening, reading, writing, speaking AND confidence in English? Something that only takes a few […]
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