Bite-sized English

Today we continue our discussion on the passive voice using the present tenses. We form the simple with am/is/are + past participle and we form the continuous with am/is/are + being + past participle. Send your practice sentences to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com.

Matt begins his week talking about the passive voice with one of the more important tenses of the passive: past simple. We use it to describe some of the major achievements in human history all the way to minor happenings in day to day life. Please direct all questions and homework to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com or @bitesizedengpod.

Matt summarises some of the complicated history between France and England, and how that has impacted the English language in very dramatic ways. He also covers a few French words and phrases that we use in day to day English: -touche -bon voyage -mousse -carte blanche -entree -cul-de-sac Be sure to submit your questions to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com or on Twitter @bitesizedengpod!

Matt talks about some important tips we can focus on when we are writing persuasive essays, especially for tests or in a classroom setting. He does introduce a few new words/phrases: anecdotal, infrastructure, stay on topic, rack your brain. Direct questions and comments to bitesizedenglish@gmail or on Twitter @bitesizedengpod.

Matt covers some of the trickier uncountable nouns that caused some confusion for submitted answers. He talks about words like news, meats, paper, money (and currencies), and grass. If there are any more nouns you are not sure of, please do send your questions to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com.

Today Matt covers the main quantifiers we use in English with countable and uncountable nouns. We practice some of them with examples, and highlight some of the related quantifiers that are interchangable or similar but slightly different. Send your assignment to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com and Matt will be happy to help!

Matt talks us through countable and uncountable nouns. He covers some important basic points like general rules, basic quantifiers, and some key irregularities. Check in tomorrow for more detail on quantifiers. Send your assignment to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com or Tweet at Matt @bitesizedengpod!

Matt talks about the various words we use when talking about the habit of smoking. Vocabulary: cigarettes, tobacco, cigars, pipe, smoking, butts, second-hand smoke, inhale, addicted to, quit, cold turkey, wean off

Matt practices some basic greetings we use in English rather than the boring standard: "hello." Please do email bitesizedenglish@gmail.com for any questions or comments!

Matt reviews some of the highlights of this week's material. Be sure to check out the podcasts from the last week to practice the material we covered. Comments and questions to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com!

We celebrate the national day of Ireland by talking about the origins, celebrations, and meaning of Saint Patrick's Day! Vocabulary: -Catholic saint -shamrock -diaspora -Ireland/Irish

Matt covers the different feelings of fear, from the mild to the extreme. He explains how different words like startling and spooky are used. Vocabulary: spooky and eerie scary and terrifying startling / startled nervous Phrases: scared the crap out of me scared stiff butterflies in my stomach/tummy Please do send an email to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Matt covers how we express our anger! He covers some important synonyms and some practice on how we can sound angry. Vocabulary: -mad, angry, furious -Short temper (noun) and short tempered (adj) -enraged -blood boiling -hot blooded Phrases we say when we are angry: -Oh come on! For Pete's sake! You gotta be kidding me! You must be joking!

Matt is joined by a guest, Thomas, to talk about the feeling of disappointment. They practice "disappointed in" and the following phrases: Let down Bummer Fall short

Matt talks about the two main ways we use the word "sad." It can be used as a feeling of unhappiness, but also as an insult for a situation or person that is unaccomplished or pathetic. Examples: -I am sad to hear that you are leaving. -She looked sad when I told her the news. -Does that make you feel sad? -That was a sad showing from the local sports team. -A: Did you see that guy fail? B: Yeah, that was pretty sad.

We start the week of emotions with one of the best ones: joy and happiness. Matt covers the verbs we use with the adjective happy, and reminds us how to use emotional nouns like joy. Phrases from today: -happy as a clam -happy hour -happy camper (commonly "not a happy camper") For questions or comments, do be scared to send an email to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com. Matt will be HAPPY to help you.

Matt covers the basics of the Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous tenses. The example sentences are below: -I have seen that movie before. -She has written eight books. -You haven't cooked dinner for months. -Have you seen my watch?? -I have been living here for three years. OR I have been living here since 2015. -Frank hasn't been eating much these days. -Has Sam been watching The Price is Right all day? -Have you been watching TV all day!? Remember to comment if you have any questions or send an email to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com!

We have a shorter episode today, covering some ways we use these three vocabulary words in phrases and practical spoken English. To focus on: half an hour, quarter of an hour, two and a half hours (NOT 2.5 hours) 24 hours describing a store, 24/7 describing something constant. "Give me a minute/second/half a minute/18 seconds" - I need more time "There are only so many hours in a day" - I don't have time to do everything. Please send an email to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com for any questions or comments about the podcast!

Today's phrases: "It's time to +verb" "The time has come" "On time" "I don't have the time" "Time's Up" "Good times" "You got me at a bad time" "It's a matter of time" "Time flies" "I am pressed for time" "It's about time" Be sure to post your questions or comments to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com!

Matt goes over the main three prepositions we use with time, and also covers three less used (but still very important) prepositions. We use in with: months, years, centuries, periods of time, times of the day We use on with: days of the week, days+parts of the day, dates, special days We use at with: clock times Be sure to comment or send an email to bitesizedenglish@gmail.com!