Working dinners
Hi Yumi! Hello everyone!
Lucky you going to Korea for a holiday – that sounds great. Some friends of mine worked as teachers in Korea for a few months and it sounds like a very interesting country. Also my boss’ wife is Korean and she recently taught me how to make ‘Kim bap’ which is very similar to Japanese sushi rolls – mmmm scrumptious. Actually, I made some for lunch last night and had it today. It’s one of my favourite things to have because it’s quite easy and tastes so healthy, if ya know what I mean. I make the rolls with egg and vegetables in the middle though, not fish. Yum! Ooh that reminds me - I promised some of our readers that I would post a vegetarian recipe here one day. I haven't forgotten! I just have to decide on one first...
Okay, let’s have a quick look at the answers to the homework and then I’ll see if I can answer your questions Yumi… you got 100% correct! Fantastic. Some of our readers did too so that’s great. Here are the answers just to be sure:
1. I was very impressed **by OR with** him.
2. It looked very familiar **to** me.
3. I am quite familiar **with** his work.
4. It varies **from** country to country.
5. It varies **between** countries.
6. I think you should speak **to OR with** him about it.
Just a couple of notes: for number 1, we can use either ‘by’ or ‘with’ but it changes the meaning slightly. If we use ‘by’ it means that the person is impressive in their own right. However, if we use ‘with’ it can suggest that the speaker has had something to do with the action which makes them impressed. For example, if the speaker had helped him to prepare for a performance and then the performance goes very well, they might say ‘I was very impressed with him’ whereas if they had nothing to do with the performance they would be more likely to use ‘by’. This is a very small difference though…
For number 6 (Jillany asked about this one) both ‘to’ and ‘with’ are correct. The only difference is that ‘with’ is more often used in American English and ‘to’ is more often used in UK English.
By the way, on the subject of US and UK English, Sanja asked an interesting question. She wants to know whether it is okay to use American English when taking the TOEFL test. Now I don’t know that much about this test, but the advice I always give my students is that they should choose either American or UK English and stick to it. As long as you use one type consistently then you should be okay. For example, if you spell colour ‘color’ but ‘favourite’ with the ‘u’ then that’s not so great. Having said that I would try and check on the TOEFL website to see if they mention it anywhere – you don’t want to lose marks!
Okay, now lets have a look at your questions, Yumi. First of all the question about ‘distribute’ from one of your older posts. Here is the sentence you used it in:
Have you heard of 'Maid Cafe'? There are quite a few coffee shops and the girls who wear the maid clothes will serve you. She is distributing(*2) the ads of the 'Maid Cafe'.
The way you’ve used it is fine, although I would say that it’s a little bit formal considering the tone of the rest of your piece of writing. It’s probably better to use a phrasal verb here… can all of you tell me which phrasal verb you think would be best? That’s your first task for today!
Next, you asked me about the sentences ‘Now I'm done for this week!’ or I’m done believing you from the Beyonce song. You mentioned that perhaps it was passive. Actually it isn’t passive, but it is correct. In fact, ‘done’ is used as an adjective here. We can swap it with ‘finished’ (also an adjective) and it will still have the same meaning (you might need to add the preposition ‘with’ in the second sentence). I think this construction of ‘to be done with something’ is originally US English but it’s used fairly commonly all over these days.
Finally, you asked me for some suggestions for some formal phrases for the dinner you are going to host for the Americans. Well first of all I should tell you (as I’m sure you know) that Americans tend to be more informal than formal. However, everyone likes to be treated like a king so a bit of formality can’t be a bad idea! Here are some ideas for some useful phrases – I hope this is the kind of thing you were thinking of – let me know if it isn’t:
We’re very pleased to have you here with us in Japan.
Would you like me to explain the menu to you?
Is there anything (else) I can get you?
Can I offer you some…?
What do you think of the view? :-)
I hope you have enjoyed your stay here.
We look forward to working with you again
All right, lets have a look at your other question, about the use of ‘even’, in my next post – Kay has also asked me about this.
For now, here is the vocabulary from this blog and the definitions from the last one.
Later alligators,
Amy
Vocabulary definitions from the previous post…
Dreaded: (adj) used before something that makes you feel anxious or afraid – something you are not looking forward to
Residential: describing an area where people live, as opposed to ‘commercial’ which refers to an area where business takes place
Shady: how it is usually underneath trees, where the sun is partially blocked. Often cool.
Striking: unusual or interesting enough to be easily seen or noticed
Storey: a floor of a building – e.g. I live on the third storey
A flat: UK English for an apartment, a house on one floor of a building
To be keen on an idea: to like an idea, to think it is a good idea
Handy: useful
Fab: short for ‘fabulous’, meaning fantastic, very very good
…and today’s words and phrases
Whereas
To stick to something
Consistently
To swap
To tend to be
To be treated like a king
Comments
Hello Amy! Yummy! Kim bap sounds delicious :-). I like sushi, but I prefer onigiri. One of my friends has magic hands to prepare it. She´s our oficial onigiri cook. Oh... when will be the next party ;-)? By the way Amy, is 'hand out' the phrasal verb which is better to use in Yumy´s phrase? See you, Ana Paula.
Dear Amy, TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. This test score is necessary to admit in college in America. This is basic language test. As far as I know, one should follow American English for this test-spelling wise and pronunciation wise. Here is the meaning of the words. Whereas – (Conjunction) –compared with facts To stick to something- to continue doing something consistently –in the same way to swap –exchange (replaced) to tend to be -behave to be treated like a king-to treat extremely well.
Hi Amy, here is my today's task; Have you heard of 'Maid Cafe'? There are quite a few coffee shops and the girls who wear the maid clothes will serve you. She is distributing(*2) the ads of the 'Maid Cafe'.
Hello Amy, Here is my answer: 1. She is PROMOTING the ads of the 'Maid Cafe'. Thanks for help! Sanja 2.
Hi Amy, When I was in England 4 years ago, in Newcastle more precisely, I met lots of South koreans at school.They left a really nice impression on me.They are so warm , friendly and lively!I´m also fond of Japanese people but their food is even better! Here in Brazil Japanese food has become very popular, you can find them everywhere you go! They are nice cause you can eat a lot and still have the false impression that you had so little!! Nice for people who love deceiving themselves! I love their sort of sticky rice which is known here as "united we will win" "unidos venceremos".But I'm also fond of Indian food. I know how to prepare chicken curry and their different versions such as lamb and even shrimp one. Really scrumptious!Actually,I´m fond of all types of food. I´m a real eater, to compensate I exercise a lot!There is nothing I refuse! I have to thank the boarding school for that(one of the only praises they should receive, if not the only!). Well, as for the phrasal verb to replace the word distribute, the one I can think of at the moment is HAND OUT. Love, Monica PS As a good eater I don´t even refuse a vegetatian dish, so I´m looking forward to your recipe!
Hi, Amy. Could you tell me what 'having say that' means?
Hello!Amy I have been reading your blog and Yumi's blog from time to time even though I couldn't send my comments. I've been to Korea for 5weeks as Korea is my country and most of my famil live there.My son and me had all sort of Kim Bap a lot while we were staying there.You said it is scrumptious.I couldn't agree more with you. If you don't mind I would love to suggest another tasty food called BiBim Bap. Especially it is good for people who are vegeterians like you. Here is the recipe for it. 1. put some rice, and all kind of vegetables,sasame oil and Korean hot chilli paste in a bowl.mix them well and tuck in immediately with a egg soup.i am pretty sure your boss's wife would help you if you ask her for help.I am trying to change my bodyclock into English time at the moment and catch up on your lessons. Have a good day!!0x0x0x0x from my little son to your daughter!
Nice greetings to everyone! As I am only this week at work again(and my house PC doesn´t catch the net properly)I could go an read the post of August slowly now too.I thought I would not to comment because it was getting harder as a year passed by each month or two to feel as losing the new friend. But I have found it very warm when I could read again comments from `old´ people I got to know here. I just saw S. Keeler was asking after Federico from Peru. There are very many dangerous, unpleasant events, accidents on roads, planes and bad weather effects to hear some days listening to the news.It touche me, too, much more now especially when it happens on the areas where I was interested in the life of a blogger person. Each of them made some places dear to me visiting them on this virtual basis. Special thanks and greetings to Amy and lovely Yumi!
Even though I have gone through all your writings this is the first time I am writing to you. I make it point to write to you regularly. All of your writings are very informative one and get to learn so many things about English language. My answer to your question of less formal word for distribute is giving away. Could you tell me what is the fundamental difference between American and British English except for some spellings and words? Please point out my errors and correct me.
Hello Amy! Your description of making the scrumptious 'Kim bap' makes my mouth water (though lacking fish inside). You must be a good cook! I am also waiting for your vegetarian recipe. Amy, actually I don't get my head round very much the slight different meaning between 'by' and 'with' going with 'be impressed'. Never mind! it would step by step work to me. And it seems that you slipped your fingers writing 'Sanja wants to know whether it is okay to use American (but British) English when taking the TOEFL test'. Finally, for today's task I think it might be ok to use a sort of phrasal verb like 'to hand out' so the last sentence would be ' She is handing out the ads of the 'Maid Cafe''. See you next time. Best regards, Myen.
Hello again! I just want to correct my mistake. I wrote 'though lacking fish inside'. It should have been 'despite / in spite of lacking fish inside' because though needs to be followed with a clause whereas inspite needs a noun or phrase. I made a mistake though I had done lots of practice exercises on this point. I should use my loaf. Bye bye.
Dear Amy, Seeing your photo in the Gulmohar park where you display a big belly made me go back to those days when I got pregnant! I really loved expecting a baby and I felt really energetic. Lucky me, I didn´t know what it was like to feel sick!Never threw up really.On the contrary, I could experiment all exotic types of food! People even used to say that I looked more beautiful. How about you? How do you feel? I heard that in England there is a new trend going on: women wanting to have freebirth, they say they would rather have a more intimate momment with less people poking around (which is fair enough). How do you intend to have your second baby? I regret not having had normal labour but I was,in a way,pretty much influenced by my obstetrician, who fauvored cesarean. Here ,in Brazil,unfortunately, we still suffer an epidemic of cesarean, specially among the middle and upper class.Next life, if I´m granted a second chance which I hope I do, I´d rather have my babies at home with a midwife. How about you? Is your new baby going to be born in India? And how do you intend to bring him to the world? Love, Monica Love, Monica
Hi, Teacher Amy. Jo and you are two of the best teachers BBC Blogs has ever had in 2 years. As a way of practicing my English, I watch BBC World a lot. The other day I was watching Stephen Sackur's interview with the daughter of India's last viceroy (I don't remember her name). However, I found her speech quite difficult to understand ... I remark this in contrast to other interviewees (such as Gary Kasparov or Kaddaffi's son, to name a few), which I found pretty easy to understand to. Why is it? Why is it so difficult for me understanding some people, whereas it's easy to assimilate other people's speech? Is it just me or it's common ground with other English learners? What can I do to fix it?
Hi Amy!Do you have a preference over sweets or savoury foods? As for me, I have a savoury tooth .The park seems very beautiful.:):)Thanks for your explanation. All the best, Filippo
Hi Mrs. Amy, Good evening...Have you selected a name for your second baby? Maths teachers select a name before the birth of child regardless of baby's sex! Can u guess what it would be?(it is funny)(Ans: Let x be the name!!!!!)Being an Indian I'm happy to know that u like Delhi and Indian customs. I got a good opportunity to know about Delhi from your blog. Evenhough an Indian, I couldn't visit Delhi. I too a teacher in Mathematics and work in Dubai. Pls check my language and correct me. Thanks and regards.. Moham
Hi Amy and everybody I have a kind request. I'm trying to be better at writing ( in english of course ) but I really can't find any clue on how and when to use appropriate character. My question is; are any rules to apply, which make writing more effective. I hope that's not only me , which is checking words in dictionary so often. take care!
she is giving out/handing out the ads of the 'Maid cafe'
Hello Amy :-) Some years ago I tried to become a vegetarian but it turned out it was impossible: after three day af being vegetarian I started to become hungry, more and more hungry; a slice of ham drived me neary mad and eventually I had to resign. As for you question about 'distribute', I think that 'give out' is a little bit less formal than 'distribute'; 'hand out' is also possible.
Hi teacher Amy,could you please tell me what is different between American English and British English. If I write the letter to American people as British English used, the American people will underatand me or not. I trend to be confident with using British English because I learn English from British sources. So I love to use British English rather than American English. See you next time... The Internet cafe will close in a few minute!!! Bye for now...
actualy;it is very interesting topic.at first; i have no idea concerning the differences between the two varities butnow ;at least i know that the Americans tend to be more informal than formal. However, everyone likes to be treated like a king .thank you ;bye.
Thanks for all your contributions. This blog has now closed and can no longer accept new comments.
