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Tag Archives: tips
Language Tip 5 (2014-15)
The frequent confusing of “depressing” and “depressive” is depressing and it will soon turn us into depressives. In plain English: “depressing” is the (oft-used) adjective, “depressive” the (seldom-used) noun. If you want to say you’re feeling a little down or … Continue reading
Language Tip 4 (2014-15)
Once upon a time, one of us had a job teaching sugar-charged Mexican kids English. “Maestro” was the charming term they used (as in, “Maestro, Pedro won’t stop hitting me!”). Slovenians have their own difficulties with “teacher” or “professor,” so … Continue reading
Language Tip 3 (2014-15)
Do not mix up “motive” and “motif.” In English, a “motive” is what compels you to commit a crime. A “motif” is a recurring idea or image in a work of literature (or a thrice-heard theme in music). Because “motif” … Continue reading
Language Tip 2 (2014-15)
E-mails are both difficult and easy to write. You know why they are easy to write, but why are they difficult? That’s a topic for an MA thesis (“Bad E-Mails: When Technology Meets Old Epistolary Conventions”). When writing emails in … Continue reading
Language Tip 1 (2014-15)
Here’s the first of a series of language tips (prepared by Jason Blake and Monika Kavalir): Especially in formal writing, avoid using “way” as a synonym for “very.” Consider this example: “This is because the alloy has a distinct appearance … Continue reading
102 English Tips: Another Quick Guide to Avoiding ‘Slovenglish’
Spoštovani člani in članice društva SDAŠ, na portalu issuu.com si lahko ogledate novo knjigo “102 English Tips: Another Quick Guide to Avoiding ‘Slovenglish‘” (Jason Blake in Andrej Stopar, 2014). Knjiga je nastala na podlagi jezikovnih nasvetov, ki ste jih lahko … Continue reading
Language/Writing Tip 37
Avoid using the same conjunctions again and again. “But” and “as” are two main culprits here. Showing contrast: “The academic year is almost over, BUT that doesn’t mean I have stopped already. Some students are tempted to stop, BUT I … Continue reading
Language/Writing Tip 36
The semi-colon is a wonderful half-break in a sentence; a fine way of not-quite stopping the flow of words. And that sentence is simply wrong. There is no call for a break before the fragment “a fine way…” It is … Continue reading
Language/Writing Tip 35
As is often the case, this is one you all know: “Only after I arrived at the store I remembered that my wallet was still at home.” No. You need an inversion. When you start a sentence with “Only after…,” … Continue reading
Language/Writing Tip 34
This week a few presentation tips. Adapt them according to the class and subject matter: – Your first sentence does not have to be “This presentation is about…” Think of movies that start with action scenes before the opening credits … Continue reading