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Other ways to say “How are you?” and how to respond
Go Beyond “How are you?”
When learning English, many students fall back on the same exchange:
A: How are you?
B: Fine, thank you. And you?
That’s correct, but it can sound a bit repetitive — and native speakers often use other expressions in everyday conversation. Here are some great alternatives you can try.
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5 Reporting Verbs that you need to know for B2-First
Mastering reporting verbs is essential for the B2 First (FCE) exam, These verbs help you report what someone said in a more sophisticated way than just using “said” or “told.”
Here are five key reporting verbs you should know—complete with grammar structures and examples. Continue reading “5 Reporting Verbs that you need to know for B2-First”
Adverbs: High and highly
Both “high” and “highly” have this in common: they are adverbs.
So, how are they different?
When is the word “local” a false friend for Spanish speakers?
The word “local” can be a false friend for Spanish speakers in the following context:
Example: “Es un local amplio y luminoso”
In this context, “local” in Spanish doesn’t mean “local” in English. It refers to a space or premises, usually a commercial space.
- “The premises are bright and spacious.”
- “It’s a spacious, well-lit space.”
We could also translate the word “local” as “venue” if we are referring to a place where a performance will be held.
Example: “Van a tocar en un local cerca del hotel.”
- “They’re going to play at a venue near the hotel.”
So, what are the meanings of “local” in English?
The word “local” in English has several meanings depending on context.
Relating to a particular area or neighbourhood
- “The local bakery is just around the corner.”
A person who lives in a particular area
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“The locals are very friendly.”
A nearby pub (especially in UK English)
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“Let’s grab a drink at our local.” → short for “local pub”
Conclusion: What “local” does not mean in English
It doesn’t mean a physical space or business premises, as in “un local comercial”. For that, we’d say:
-
commercial space
-
premises
- venue (for events/music)
Thanks for reading!
Continue reading “When is the word “local” a false friend for Spanish speakers?”
Punctuation: ellipsis or suspension marks
This is a post written to help students better understand the function of the ellipsis, also called suspension marks (…).
The ellipsis has two primary uses:
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Common mistakes in B2 writing (2)
This post, like Common Mistakes in B2 Writing (1), is based on examples from students’ writing tasks – in this case, reviews. These are areas that frequently create confusion. Whether you’ve made these mistakes or not, the goal is to raise awareness so they can be avoided in the future.