Category Archives: IELTS

5 Weak Words to Avoid & What to Use Instead

Posted on July 25, 2022 by mhardy3222

Weak words are commonly used in everyday English speech. Perhaps we are a little lazy. Perhaps we know that we convey meaning using our tone of voice. No doubt, you have similar common words in your language which are used … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | 1 Comment

A Song with First Conditional, Imperatives, and Collocations

Posted on April 10, 2022 by mhardy3222

Dua Lipa sings a song, Don’t Start Now, in which she tells an ex boyfriend very clearly that their relationship is finished and she is not interested in seeing him again. Her life is so much better without him. Her … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Songs, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Improve your English with a British Council approved tutor

Posted on February 5, 2022 by mhardy3222

Hello students!As you know, I’m taking a break from teaching English (while I complete my e-book). Meanwhile, I have found the perfect online option for you! The best advice I can give to all my English students is to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Children, Elementary (Level 2), IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Speaking & Pronunciation, TOEFL, TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Leave a comment

Season’s Greetings to you all!

Posted on December 18, 2021 by mhardy3222

Greetings Dear English Learners! It’s that time of year again when some of us celebrate  Christmas and, or, welcome Santa, and some of us just want to welcome in the New Year and leave 2021 far behind! Whatever you decide … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Elementary (Level 2), IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Songs, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Videos | 5 Comments

English Grammar Quiz

Posted on November 9, 2021 by mhardy3222

Hello English Students! The end of the year is fast approaching  and I wonder how you have all managed with your English studies. Are you happy with your progress? Perhaps it’s time to test your grammar skills? I am more … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), TOEFL, TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

English Words that are often Confused #1

Posted on October 23, 2021 by mhardy3222

I have written two posts on Spelling Mistakes that Ruin your Writing. They are a small number of mistakes which are easily fixed as soon as you understand the grammar. Don’t worry! The grammar is basic and easily understood. Today, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Vocabulary | Tagged | 1 Comment

A Song with Second Conditional & Present Tenses

Posted on July 19, 2021 by mhardy3222

We often use the Second Conditional to talk about how we would like things to change (our life, other people, the world). Sometimes, we are not satisfied with a current situation and imagine how it could/would improve, if … ‘If … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Songs, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Videos | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Defining Relative Clauses: #6

Posted on April 3, 2021 by mhardy3222

For Grammar Rules about Defining Relative Clauses see my post  September 22, 2013.                                                                                                                         RIHANNA  sings a song with Eminem called ‘Monster’. There are  Defining Relative Clauses in the chorus. Have a look: Chorus 1. I’m friends with the monster that’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Relative Clauses, Songs, TOEFL, TOEIC | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

What is a Comma Splice?! 📝

Posted on November 11, 2020 by mhardy3222

Originally posted on English with Rachel :
Comma splices -what are they ? They sound like a good thing (the name reminds me of a delicious ice-cream🍦I loved as a kid) but they aren’t .They are punctuation mistakes often made by…

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | Leave a comment

How to Describe an Experience … in 4 Easy Steps

Posted on October 18, 2020 by mhardy3222

How would you describe an experience? How would you start? Which experience would you like to recount: a new job, a meal at a restaurant, a party you went to? Imagine that you want to describe a recent holiday; where … Continue reading →

Posted in IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | Tagged | Leave a comment