Monday, 6 October 2025
gruesome
tune out
Friday, 3 October 2025
annoy
Tense Table
Tense Table
Tense Table
Verbs can change forms based on tense, which indicates the time of the action. We use a tense table as a reference to understand these variations.
Examples
Infinitive: Abide
Past Tense: Abided
Past Participle: Abided
Infinitive: Arise
Past Tense: Arose
Past Participle: Arisen
Infinitive: Begin
Past Tense: Began
Past Participle: Begun
Infinitive: Catch
Past Tense: Caught
Past Participle: Caught
Infinitive: Fight
Past Tense: Fought
Past Participle: Fight
Explanation of Tenses
Infinitive: The base form of the verb (e.g. "abide"). It often expresses a general action without a specified time.
Past Tense: Indicates that the action occurred in the past (e.g. "abided"). This form is used for completed actions.
Past Participle: Used in perfect tenses and passive voice (e.g. "abided"). It often appears with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "was."
Additional Examples
Infinitive: Go
Past Tense: Went
Past Participle: Gone
Infinitive: See
Past Tense: Saw
Past Participle: Seen
Understanding these forms helps in constructing sentences correctly across different tenses. Use this table as a quick reference to enhance your writing skills!
https://jeffreywckin.github.io/011-Tense-Table.html
in good shape
in good shape
= being physically fit, healthy, or in a good condition
After six months of training, Susan is now in good shape for the half-marathon.
This second-hand car is in good shape and only needs a minor tune-up for maintenance.
After a healthy diet and regular exercise, John feels he is in good shape for the summer.
The team is in good shape heading into the playoffs, with all players healthy and motivated.
Some synonyms and antonyms for "in good shape":
Synonyms:
Fit
Healthy
In good condition
Robust
Sound
Strong
Antonyms:
Out of shape
Unfit
Unhealthy
Damaged
Weak
Poor condition
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS
Thursday, 2 October 2025
speak of the devil
king of the hill
Wednesday, 1 October 2025
have an axe to grind
have an axe to grind
= to have a personal motive or agenda that influences someone's opinions or actions
When Peter criticizes the new pension policy, I believe he has an axe to grind because he stands to benefit from the old policies.
Many voters think that the senator has an axe to grind when he criticizes the new tax reforms, as he has significant investments in companies that benefit from the old laws.
After losing the championship, the coach expressed his frustrations about the referees, suggesting he has an axe to grind given their previous decisions.
The journalist's relentless coverage of the scandal makes me think he has an axe to grind against the organization involved.
Some synonyms and antonyms for the phrase "have an axe to grind":
Synonyms:
Have a hidden agenda
Have a personal stake
Have a vested interest
Have a bone to pick
Antonyms:
Be objective
Be neutral
Be unbiased
Be disinterested
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS
Tuesday, 30 September 2025
hapless
hapless
= someone who is both unlucky and often experiences unfortunate circumstances
Susan felt hapless after missing her flight due to a series of unexpected delays.
The hapless traveler found herself stranded at the airport overnight because of a canceled flight.
The hapless family faced a series of misfortunes, from a leaking roof to a broken car.
After losing his wallet for the third time this month, he began to see himself as a hapless victim of bad luck.
Some synonyms and antonyms for "hapless":
Synonyms:
Unfortunate
Unlucky
Ill-fated
Antonyms:
Fortunate
Lucky
Blessed
Favored
Successful
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS
Monday, 29 September 2025
droll
hypothesis
Friday, 26 September 2025
agile
Verbs
Verbs
A verb is a word that describes an action, state, or occurrence. Verbs are essential in sentences as they convey what the subject is doing or what is happening.
Examples of Verbs in Action
Teacher: How do monkeys move?
Student: They swing.
The word "swing" describes the action of monkeys moving through trees.
Teacher: How do people move?
Student: They walk.
The word "walk" describes the common action of people moving on foot.
Teacher: How do birds move?
Student: They fly.
The word "fly" describes the action of birds moving through the air.
Teacher: How do kangaroos move?
Student: They hop.
The word "hop" describes the unique way kangaroos move by jumping.
Teacher: How do horses move?
Student: They gallop.
The word "gallop" describes the fast, rhythmic way horses run.
Importance of Verbs
Verbs are not only important for describing actions but also for conveying time through tenses.
For example:
Present Tense: "I run every day."
Past Tense: "I ran yesterday."
Future Tense: "I will run tomorrow."
Types of Verbs
Action Verbs: Describe physical or mental actions (e.g., run, think).
Linking Verbs: Connect the subject to a subject complement (e.g., is, appear).
Auxiliary Verbs: Help the main verb express tense or mood (e.g., have, will).
Conclusion
Understanding verbs is crucial for effective communication. They help us express actions and connect ideas, making our sentences more dynamic and engaging.
have a good nose for something
have a good nose for something
= to be naturally good at finding and recognizing opportunities, trends, or important details
Mark has a good nose for business; he can identify numerous lucrative investment opportunities before anyone else.
Sarah has a good nose for fashion; she can spot upcoming trends long before they hit the mainstream.
James has a good nose for investing; he consistently chooses stocks that outperform the market.
Some synonyms and antonyms for the phrase "have a good nose for something":
Synonyms
Have an eye for
Be intuitive about
Be savvy in
Antonyms
Lack insight into
Be clueless about
Miss opportunities
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS
Thursday, 25 September 2025
swear
hit the sack
Wednesday, 24 September 2025
downpour
downpour
= a heavy rainfall that occurs in a short period of time
We had to stop here during our hike because the downpour was so heavy that we could not continue.
Due to the heavy downpour, the outdoor concert was postponed until next week, much to the disappointment of the fans.
The downpour caused several delays at the airport, with flights being grounded until the weather improved.
The soccer match was halted due to the downpour, as the field became too muddy for safe play.
Synonyms for "Downpour":
Rainstorm
Torrential rain
Heavy rain
Pouring rain
Antonyms for "Downpour":
Drought
Dry spell
Clear skies
Sunshine
Light rain
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS
Tuesday, 23 September 2025
perfect storm
perfect storm
= a rare and extreme situation where a combination of factors leads to a disastrous outcome
The hurricane coincided with a high tide and heavy rainfall, resulting in a perfect storm that devastated the coastal town.
With her job loss and health issues, she found herself in a perfect storm of challenges.
After the breakup, job stress, and the loss of a family member, she found herself in a perfect storm of emotional turmoil.
Some synonyms and antonyms for "perfect storm":
Synonyms:
Crisis
Disastrous combination
Perfectly timed disaster
Catastrophic event
Antonyms:
Calm situation
Favorable conditions
Smooth sailing
Stability
Optimistic scenario
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS
Monday, 22 September 2025
swing for the fences
hightail it out of somewhere
a sitting duck
a sitting duck
= someone or something that is vulnerable or defenseless
Without their weapons, the soldiers are just sitting ducks for the enemy.
When I forgot to take the key out of the door, I felt like a sitting duck for burglars.
Without proper security measures, the store was a sitting duck for thieves.
The unprotected computer system was a sitting duck for hackers.
With no backup plan in place, the team was a sitting duck when the project hit a snag.
Some synonyms and antonyms for "sitting duck":
Synonyms:
Vulnerable
Defenseless
Easy target
Prey
Antonyms:
Protected
Secure
Defended
Safe
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS
Friday, 19 September 2025
agile
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms and Antonyms
Understanding synonyms and antonyms is essential for enhancing vocabulary and improving language skills.
Synonyms
Definition: When two words have the same or similar meanings, they are called synonyms. Using synonyms can help avoid repetition in writing and make it more engaging.
Examples of Synonyms:
The synonym of the word 'Fast' is 'Quick'.
Example in a sentence: She runs quickly to catch the bus.
The synonym of the word 'Difficult' is 'Hard'.
Example in a sentence: The exam was hard, but I managed to pass.
The synonym of the word 'Begin' is 'Start'.
Example in a sentence: Let’s start the meeting now.
The synonym of the word 'Big' is 'Large'.
Example in a sentence: They have a large garden in their backyard.
The synonym of the word 'Happy' is 'Cheerful'.
Example in a sentence: She has a cheerful demeanor that brightens the room.
Antonyms
Definition: When two words have opposite meanings, they are called antonyms. Knowing antonyms can help express contrasting ideas clearly.
Examples of Antonyms:
The antonym of the word 'Bottom' is 'Top'.
Example in a sentence: The top shelf is out of reach.
The antonym of the word 'Bright' is 'Dark'.
Example in a sentence: The room was dark after the lights went out.
The antonym of the word 'Noisy' is 'Quiet'.
Example in a sentence: The library is a quiet place to study.
The antonym of the word 'High' is 'Low'.
Example in a sentence: He prefers low music volumes when working.
The antonym of the word 'Happy' is 'Sad'.
Example in a sentence: She felt sad after hearing the news.
Importance of Synonyms and Antonyms
Using synonyms and antonyms enriches your language skills by:
Enhancing Vocabulary: It allows for the use of varied expressions.
Improving Writing: It helps avoid redundancy, making writing more engaging.
Clarifying Meaning: Antonyms can clarify concepts by highlighting differences.
By incorporating synonyms and antonyms into your vocabulary, you can communicate more effectively and express your thoughts more precisely.
https://jeffreywckin.github.io/009-Synonyms-and-Antonyms.html
at lightning speed
at lightning speed
= to do something very quickly
Susan practiced sprinting at lightning speed, preparing for the road race next week.
The delivery service promises to get your package to you at lightning speed.
During the presentation, he answered questions at lightning speed, impressing the audience with his knowledge.
The computer processes data at lightning speed, making it ideal for complex calculations.
Some synonyms for "at lightning speed":
In a flash
In the blink of an eye
At a rapid pace
In no time
Swiftly
Quickly
In an instant
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS
Thursday, 18 September 2025
on everyone’s lips
hang in there
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
ahead of time
ahead of time
= to do something in advance
Susan submitted her assignment ahead of time, which greatly impressed her professor.
Mark booked his flight ahead of time to get the best deals on tickets.
Mark bought his holiday gifts ahead of time so he wouldn't have to deal with the last-minute rush.
They purchased their movie tickets ahead of time to guarantee good seats.
Some synonyms for "ahead of time":
In advance
Beforehand
Early
Ahead
In preparation
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS
Tuesday, 16 September 2025
all in good time
all in good time
= something will happen when the appropriate moment arrives
I know you are eager to travel around the world, but you need to save your money first. All in good time.
I understand you want a promotion immediately, but you need to demonstrate your skills first. All in good time.
I know you want to have kids soon, but let’s enjoy our time together as a couple first. All in good time.
I know you're eager to lose weight quickly, but sustainable change takes time. All in good time.
I know you want to make new friends instantly, but building relationships takes effort. All in good time.
Some synonyms and alternative phrases for "all in good time":
At the right moment
When the time is right
Eventually
In time
At the appropriate time
When the opportunity arises
Gradually
At the right hour
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS
Monday, 15 September 2025
a cold fish
a cold fish
= a person who is unemotional or unfriendly
Although Peter is a talented boss, his employees feel he is a bit of a cold fish because of his lack of empathy.
The manager’s cold fish attitude during team meetings left employees feeling undervalued and unmotivated.
Though he’s a brilliant scientist, his reputation as a cold fish has made it difficult for him to collaborate with others.
Many people describe him as a cold fish, but those who know him well understand that he just struggles to express his feelings.
Some synonyms for "cold fish":
Unemotional
Distant
Detached
Indifferent
#English #Vocabulary #EnglishLearning #Grammar #英単語 #英語学習 #TOEIC #IELTS