What is SMALL TALK, gossip, socialize, chit-chat?
SMALL TALK = It is a conversation about unimportant things often between people who DO NOT KNOW EACH OTHER WELL. It is a starter for a serious conversation or discussion while engaged in on social occasions. In a way that fills up awkward silences and makes you both feel more comfortable and friendly with each other. We should find time for some small talk before any serious discussion. Our MD advised the new Managers to warm up the beginning of each office meeting with some…
Question Tags – Part 3
See previous parts – http://sunnyvarkeyk.com/question-tags-part-1/, http://sunnyvarkeyk.com/question-tags-part-2/ Note:- Imperative sentences ( i.e. request or command) are a class apart. If they are simple requests or commands, they usually take ‘will you?’, no matter whether it is positive or negative. Pass me the newspaper, will you? (P) Don’t be late for dinner, will you? (N) BUT if you give more urgency or a tone of personal entreaty, “won’t you” may be used. Don’t be hasty when you cross the road, won’t you? (N) Remember to lock the door, won’t…
Question Tags – Part 2
See Part – 1 for introductory contents – http://sunnyvarkeyk.com/question-tags-part-1/ Note:- A suggestion that uses ‘let us ‘ (let’s) uses ‘shall we?’ in the tag Let’s have a game of cricket, shall we? (P) Note:- Although ‘everybody’ and ‘everyone’ are singular, they are usually treated as plural for the purpose of tag and referred to by ‘they’. Everybody can’t come in first, can they? (N) Everyone cheered wildly, didn’t they? (P) Note:- ‘None of’ followed by a plural noun is treated as plural. None of the workmen…
Question Tags – Part 1
Question tags are phrases added at the end of a sentence to make it a QUESTION or ask for agreement from the hearer. The important aspect to be noted in tag formation is that a Positive statement takes a negative tag and a Negative statement takes a positive tag with a few exceptions. On this basis, analyze the following sentences. Let me make it clear that this is not an exhaustive list of tags and explanations are minimum due to practical constraints. Question Tags will…
Valuation Vs evaluation
Valuation = “an estimation of the worth of something, such as price, value etc.” When company ‘A’ takes over company ‘B’, proper valuation of the assets and liabilities of company ‘B’ should be done. It’s wise to get the valuation carried out by a professional valuer. The company was acquired at a high valuation. Evaluation = “making a JUDGEMENT or assessment of merit, significance of something or somebody” What’s your evaluation of his acting talent? The teacher had a poor evaluation about the student’s…
Brunch, Snack, High Tea
Brunch = late morning meal instead of breakfast and lunch, usually occurring around the hour of 11 a.m. ( i.e. the eater avoids breakfast and lunch, instead they combine breakfast and lunch which results in brunch) Note: History and etymology for brunch. Breakfast + Lunch = BRUNCH. (Etymology = Science of origin and history of words.) They always have brunch together on Sundays. Having a meal with friends at eleven o’ clock in the morning is an example of brunch. He had earlier got drunk…
Useful Idioms – part 1
Out of this world = extremely enjoyable or impressive. What a restaurant, the food was out of this world! The performance was out of this world! This bakery sells some out-of-this-world desserts. Like gold dust = something very difficult to get because a lot of people want it. Tickets for the concert are like gold dust. You can’t get those new trainers anywhere. They’re like gold dust. Leave a lot to be desired = be highly unsatisfactory. Apparently, her cooking leaves a lot to be…
Suppress vs. Oppress
Suppress = to end something by force; prevent from being known or seen The government suppressed the pro-democracy movements by lathi-charge and arrests. They could not suppress the rebellion by force. She suppressed her feelings for the sake of peace. He managed to suppress his irritation. Oppress = 1. rule people unjustly or cruelly For years people of Uganda were oppressed by the ruthless dictator Idi Ameen. Oppressive laws and rules. A cruel tendency to oppress racial minorities. Years of violence and oppression. Oppress =…
Desert vs. Dessert
desert = (noun) A desert is a barren area of landscape where little rain occurs and consequently living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. Arabian desert, Sahara desert, Thar desert etc. dessert = (noun) course of fruit etc. at the end of a meal. We had ice-cream for dessert. They had arranged a large choice of desserts at the wedding party. desert = ( verb) 1. go away from The streets were deserted on the day of harthal. desert= (verb ) 2. leave…
Inability vs. Disability?
Inability = lack of ability, incapacity He expressed his inability to accept such a revolutionary idea. I am sorry to inform you my inability to attend the meeting. He is very sad about his inability to help the orphanage. Basically, it was her inability to give the team the best available coaching. Connected usages – able (opposite) unable. I can’t help you! (The most blunt way of refusal of help) I cannot help you. (Moderate way) I am unable to help you (polite way) Disability…