Funny Story from across the World

As reported in Sunday Times 26 April 2009:

‘Not such a cunning plan… A young couple came up with an ingenious plan to outsmart police officers who warned them not to drive home drunk.  They walked to a taxi rank, then phoned to report armed, masked men on the forecourt of a nearby petrol station.  As police cars raced past the couple jumped into their car and prepared to set off.  And that’s when the plan went wrong.

“An officer took a detour on a hunch and located them” said the police in North Shore City, New Zealand.  The couple denied making the call, but the police communications centre redialled the number that had called it.  As the couple were interviewed, the woman’s phone rang.  A 22-year-old woman has been charged with attempted drink driving.’

ingenious: to be clever at inventing
to outsmart: to be cleverer than
forecourt: the part of a filling-station where petrol is supplied
to take a detour: to go off an intended route
to charge someone with: to be accused of a crime
to attempt: to try to

Amusing Quote:

“I’m not just involved in tennis but committed. Do you know the difference between involvement and commitment? Think of ham and eggs. The chicken is involved. The pig is committed.”  Martina Navratilova

to be involved: to participate, share the experience of
to be committed: to be entrusted to do something

English Corner: Three Grammar Rules You Can (And Should) Break

Grammar rules exist so that we don’t sound like complete idiots when we write. Most of them have a good reason for being around; after all, clarity in communication is a good thing. A virtue, even.

However, that’s not to say that all grammar rules are written in stone. In fact, some of them seem to be the work of rabid grammarians, who gleefully enforce confusing syntax and awkward construction in the name of “proper English.”

To read what 3 rules you should break go to: Grammar Rules

by Michelle Pierce reproduced by permission from Aqua Vita Creative

Video: British Comedy In the Loop

A new British comedy has just come out: In the Loop and it is already being dubbed: ‘The British Film of the Year’.  It is a political drama, set in America, with James Gandolfini from the Sopranos.  It is set during that nervous period that would eventually result in the military invasion of Iraq.  A difficult subject but one that provides some hilarious, dark and comic moments.

See the trailer here: You Tube

For more Advanced Learners try this review in The Daily Telegraph

For more English classes like this one, go to Answer English FREE Class

For English courses abroad go to Answer English

Advance Warning: Answer English will be shut on Monday 04 May because of the Bank Holiday.
If you have an emergency of some sort please call James on: +44 7946 534 814.

This means that we will not have English practice on Monday 04 May in the evening.

Enjoy the Bank Holiday!

Are you afraid to make mistakes when you speak to a native speaker?

Are you coming to London in the summer?

Then our special offer is for you!  It is only running for three more weeks!
If you book 2 weeks General English & Conversation at London – British Museum and Residence – Dinwiddy House – you will save £80!  You will pay only £870 instead of the £950 were you to book direct with the school.

So take the chance improve your Conversation skills, lose your fear of making mistakes and enjoy your independence whilst living in Residence – Dinwiddy House – during the summer in London.

This offer is for all our students who are coming between 12/07/2009 and 23/08/2009!

Contact us now for more information!

Three Grammar Rules You Can (And Should) Break, by Michelle Pierce reproduced by permission from Aqua Vita creative

Grammar rules exist so that we don’t sound like complete idiots when we write. Most of them have a good reason for being around; after all, clarity in communication is a good thing. A virtue, even.

However, that’s not to say that all grammar rules are written in stone. In fact, some of them seem to be the work of rabid grammarians, who gleefully enforce confusing syntax and awkward construction in the name of “proper English.”

To heck with that, I say. Here are three grammar rules that were made to be broken.

1. Ending a sentence with a preposition

I have no idea where this rule came from. What I do know is that many people, in an effort to keep from ticking off the Grammar Police, start twisting their sentences around so as not to end them with prepositions.

Unfortunately, more often than not, the new syntax is terribly awkward and painful to read. Take the first sentence of this section, for example. “From where this rule came” sounds like something Yoda would say, not me. A big part of blogging is showing your personality through words. How can you do that when you’re twisting your phrases to suit some archaic rule?

In the interest of clarity and readability, it’s quite all right to end a sentence with a preposition.

2. Beginning a sentence with “and” or “but”

Somebody, somewhere, once decided that you shouldn’t begin sentences with conjunctions. Maybe it was an overzealous teacher who thought her students were doing it too much. My guess is that it was frustrated mothers who got sick and tired of hearing their children start every single sentence with “But Mo-om!”

The rule even got screen time in the movie Finding Forrester, when Sean Connery and Rob Brown have an entire conversation about it (and deliberately start their sentences with the offending words in order to make their points).

Regardless of how it began, you don’t have to stick with it. It’s perfectly all right to start your sentences with “and” or “but.” It’s a great way to grab attention and emphasize a point. But, as in all things, take it in moderation.

3. Splitting infinitives

How often have you heard that you’re not allowed to let another word come between “to” and its verb? Some people hold that construction with the same reverence as is typically given to marriage: that which the writer hath wrought together, let no man tear asunder.

Except that it’s really not that big of a deal. Come on: “to go boldly where no man has gone before” just doesn’t have the same ring to it as “to boldly go.” If it sounds better to split the infinitive, then take an axe to it!

Don’t cling to the ancient rules just because your high school English teacher told you to. Be a rebel and break free of these nonsensical shackles!

About the Author: Michelle Pierce is the editor-in-chief (and word ninja) for Aqua Vita Creative, and she is very picky about spelling, grammar, and punctuation. She would like to remind the entire Internet that there is no “a” in “definitely.”

Are you not confident enough to speak English?

We have the best solution for you!

The General English & Conversation course at London – British Museum and the highly trained and motivated teachers will help you to advance your English.  After doing this course you will feel much more confident and comfortable to speak English due to the discussions on current topics in the lessons.

In the morning you will have General English to improve your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.  You will also have an extra hour Conversation in the afternoon which will help you to lose the fear to make mistakes.  Combine this course with living in the Residence - Dinwiddy House - to enjoy your independence during your stay in the summer in London.

We have a special offer at the moment for our students who are coming between 12/07/2009 and 23/08/2009!

Book 2 weeks General English & Conversation and Residence - Dinwiddy House - and you will save £80 by booking with Answer English.  You will pay only £870 instead of the £950 were you to book direct with the school.

Contact us today to get more information!

Offer ends: 15 May 2009

Consider yourself a wine buff?  Interested in learning more about the grape?  Or just a booze hound needing an excuse for another drink?  ZRSDP are organising a wine tasting evening with a difference.  Coming as an individual or bringing a team you will have the chance to take part in the ZRSDP Wine Challenge complete with quiz and blind tastings.  You will learn more about wines from the New and Old Worlds and sample at least 6 different wines over the course of the evening.  All the profits from the night will go towards ZRSDP’s classroom building project in Rural Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Rural Schools Development Programme is a registered charity, number: 1085718

Event details:

When: Saturday 23 May 2009
Time: 7:30pm
Where: St. Mary’s Hall, Putney Bridge
Tickets: £25.00 per ticket
Teams: 5 - 6 people

For more information and to reserve you ticket, please contact James: james@answerenglish.com or call 020 7402 8651.

If you don’t wish to come but want to support ZRSDP, you can donate at: ZRSDP Just giving or contact James Easen: James.Easen@morganstanley.com

If you are interested in an accommodation in London you have the chance to choose a studio, shared flat or a room from this list: Flatshare listing.

Are you looking for a great value course in London?

Then this package of 2 weeks General English & Conversation and Residence - Dinwiddy House is perfect for you.  You can save £80 by booking with Answer English.  You will pay only £870 instead of the £950 were you to book direct with the school.

General English & Conversation is the most popular course at London - British Museum.  In the General English & Conversation class you are encouraged to not write anything down and to concentrate on communication.  After doing this course you will be much more confident to speak English and you will have lost your fear to make mistakes.

Dinwiddy House is in Zone 1 and is very well situated both for getting to school and for visiting the shops, bars, restaurants and museums in the centre. Within 5 minutes walk you are at King’s Cross with 6 Underground Lines and many Bus Routes to get around the Capital.  So it is a great choice to live there during your study period at London – British Museum and you will have your independence there.

This offer is only available for students who are coming between 12/07/2009 and 23/08/2009.

To take up this fantastic offer all you need to do is book your course and accommodation and pay at least a £100 deposit between 20/04/2009 and 15/05/2009.

So take the chance and Contact us today!

Offer ends: 15 May 2009

On Tuesday 21 April from 13:00 to 17:00 is the Free Cone Day and you will be served with free ice cream.

This is a great possibility to try the delicious flavours of the ice cream like the new Fairtrade Chocolate Macadamia or any other of the 16 flavours.  In appreciation of your free ice cream, feel free to donate to your scoop shop’s chosen charity!

Have a look at Ben & Jerry`s, visit one of the scoop shops and enjoy the ice cream!

Great news for our busy students!

Due to the overwhelming demand for Evening English courses London – British Museum has announced new start dates!

English for Work: Tuesday 05/05/2009

IELTS Exam preparation: Tuesday 05/05/2009

General English/Cambridge Exam preparation: Thursday 07/05/2009

Time: 18:30 to 21:00
Number of weeks: 12
Course fees: £200

The best way to improve your English besides work!

So take the chance and Contact us today!