Every email you send is a point of customer contact. The emails you send deserve the same attention and professionalism you give to an expensive brochure. Remember, you are presenting yourself and your business every time you send an email. Every email offers clients another opportunity to judge your competence and professionalism.
Points to remember:
1. Begin with a meaningful subject line: Always identify the purpose of the email in the subject line. If your outgoing message has a missing or ambiguous subject line, you risk having your email deleted.
2. Avoid Run-on replies
3. Always include a salutation: Even if you've sent multiple emails in a row, don't neglect to insert a "Dear John:" salutation. Your politeness won't go unnoticed.
4. Keep lines short: Keep line length to approximately 40 characters. Short lines are easier to read and the recipient will appreciate the white space.
5. Keep paragraphs short and well spaced: Limit the number of sentences in each paragraph. Hit enter twice at the end of each paragraph to force more white space between each paragraph.
6. Chunk you message: With multiple topics, use subheads to identify different topics; insert bold formatting where appropriate.
7. Provide a table of contents: If your email covers several topics, copy and paste the subheads within it to the top of your email thus creating an easy-to-read description of your email contents. The topics your email will cover will be seen the instant it gets opened.
8. Use your spell checker: Spelling errors are very noticeable in email messages. Always spell-check before you press send.
9. End your email at your signature: Always insert a personal closing, i.e. "Warmly" or "Best Wishes", even, "Sincerely". Avoid inserting anything after your email signature as it probably will get ignored.
Email is as much a presentation tool as a letter, phone call or face-to-face meeting. Treat it with respect and you will be taken seriously.
Cindy Saxman Spivack, Founder and President of Business Coaching Gym, Inc. and Commercial Real Estate Success, teaches Commercial Real Estate Professionals 7 Key Strategies for building an enormously successful commercial real estate business in 12 months or less. For free how-to-articles and powerful lead generation and time management tips go to Cindy's website at http://www.commercialREsuccess.com or email her at cindy@businesscoachinggym.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_Saxman_Spivack
Sunday, August 30, 2009
The month named August 2009
and its over now.
I received an SMS from my friend stating coming 7th August at 12:34 PM 56 seconds, the date and time will be like 12:34:56 7-8-9 (07 Aug 2009) ... a full house... and this will never come again in your life ... I found this SMS to be very funny, COME ON!! not only this time and that particular second... every passing sec (or even milli seconds) are unique and will never come again, so why bother on the label we have put on it. In different calendars we'll call it differently.
This month I worked a bit on this blog and put on some good topics, I am happy. I also used content from expert authors to nourish this blog and to give it more complete sense. Next month, I promise doubling the whole effort. My plans right now is to take the count up to 100 posts at end of September. In the middle of this month we put this blog on public domain (earlier it was private for few months). I can see now at least few visits from out side world on the blog.
I received an SMS from my friend stating coming 7th August at 12:34 PM 56 seconds, the date and time will be like 12:34:56 7-8-9 (07 Aug 2009) ... a full house... and this will never come again in your life ... I found this SMS to be very funny, COME ON!! not only this time and that particular second... every passing sec (or even milli seconds) are unique and will never come again, so why bother on the label we have put on it. In different calendars we'll call it differently.
This month I worked a bit on this blog and put on some good topics, I am happy. I also used content from expert authors to nourish this blog and to give it more complete sense. Next month, I promise doubling the whole effort. My plans right now is to take the count up to 100 posts at end of September. In the middle of this month we put this blog on public domain (earlier it was private for few months). I can see now at least few visits from out side world on the blog.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Happy Birthday Michael Jackson
I learned that today it is birthday of KING OF POP. MJ is no longer with us, but his music will rule our heart.
I was in office and while opening home page of Google, i saw too boots in Google icon, hey ! what is this, I said and checked the link, Oh ! Its MJ's B-Day. I surfed few pages about Michael and also tried to submit a tribute on michaeljackson.com (although, it didn't work for some reason). I sat down and just my thoughts went over all the non sense I have heard about him, his life, his death ... I was sad ... We have lost a great musician, a great person and a real legend. We will always miss him.
I am not a die hard fan of MJ, but still I admire him like half of the world does. I am going to listen some of his good numbers today. Starting with BEAT IT !! JUST BEAT IT !!
I was in office and while opening home page of Google, i saw too boots in Google icon, hey ! what is this, I said and checked the link, Oh ! Its MJ's B-Day. I surfed few pages about Michael and also tried to submit a tribute on michaeljackson.com (although, it didn't work for some reason). I sat down and just my thoughts went over all the non sense I have heard about him, his life, his death ... I was sad ... We have lost a great musician, a great person and a real legend. We will always miss him.
I am not a die hard fan of MJ, but still I admire him like half of the world does. I am going to listen some of his good numbers today. Starting with BEAT IT !! JUST BEAT IT !!
The English Myth BY Siddarth Baliga
Good English language skills seem to be a pre-requisite everywhere. And why should it not be? English is after all an international language (and the only one) understood across continents. Even non-English speaking countries have realized the importance of English for faster integration with the global economy. We find thousands of English coaching institutes, mushrooming in every nook and corner, promising impeccable English language skills in a jiffy. All major management entrance examinations test the candidates' ability in various applications of the English language.
People claim to have excellent English language abilities in their resumes. But they fumble when asked to draft a simple business letter. Even top managers, drawing huge pay packets, in leading business conglomerates write shabby English. So where exactly are people going wrong in their approach to better abilities in English?
The English Myth
1. English can be improved in 30 days: Learning is an ongoing process. There is nothing called 100% perfection. However, reaching a certain level of proficiency does take years. Books and coaching classes offering "guarantees" are just filling their coffers.
2. Learn a word list of 3000 words by heart and English is mastered! Learning 3000 words by rote may not be of much use unless you know how to place them in your everyday usage. For example: "Kill" can be used both as a noun as well as a verb.
3. English improves by speaking daily: Unless you improve/correct your fundamentals, you will be repeating the same mistakes daily. Speaking daily may only build your confidence and nothing more.
4. If vocabulary is strong, grammar comes automatically: If you know to change gears in a car, does it imply that you will automatically learn to use the steering wheel? Wrong. Similarly, building one's vocabulary and learning grammar require a complemented approach.
5. Vocabulary is more important than grammar: In a car, is the brake more important than the clutch? A grammatically correct statement requires knowledge of both vocabulary and grammar.
6. Spoken & Written English is different: Although, there are various schools of thought on this issue, English in both forms should be same. However, while speaking there is some amount of flexibility considering the redundancy of punctuation?
7. Using powerful words indicates fluency in English language: Using the right words at the right time is more important rather than using powerful words. Moreover, using strong words in an incorrectly framed sentence does more harm than good. Also, as a principle it is imperative that message is understood by the receiver.
8. Vocabulary should be learnt before grammar: Do you learn to use the accelerator pedal first and then the brakes? Both need to be learnt simultaneously. Similarly, vocabulary and grammar go hand in hand.
9. English is not our national/official language: According to Section 3 of the Official Languages Act 1963 (amended 1967); blanket permission unlimited in point of time has been granted for the use of English.
10. Intra Office Communication by emails etc need not be well drafted: This reason is rooted from childhood days, where children assure their parents good results in the final examination while failing in all class tests. Good writing must become a habit rather than an exception. Use of SMS lingo must be strictly avoided.
11. Perfect English is for Fiction Writers and not for Corporate Employees: As the old adage goes, "The pen is mightier than the sword", a well drafted business letter/report/resume can get your points across more easily as compared to the inferior ones. A well crafted resume may be picked up vis-à-vis a shabby resume (even though the latter may be better qualified).
It is essential to understand that there is a definite structure to master this language. Also, mastery does not come in 30 days (as some books claim).
The Coaching Class Myth
Ever seen the study material provided by most of the English coaching classes? You will find vocabulary lists, lists of plurals, lists of genders, lists of noun/adjective/adverb forms, some introduction to basic grammar followed by loads of exercises.
Their modus operandi is fairly simple. Put a few fancy words into people's mouths and make money. This is nothing but cosmetic English.
Basic Anatomy of English Grammar is the heart of any language, with the vocabulary built around it. The set of rules used to place the appropriate words in a grammatically correct statement is termed syntax. Grammar can be classified into two types: Prescriptive Grammar and Descriptive Grammar. Prescriptive grammar provides rules for correct usage whereas Descriptive grammar describes how a language is actually used.
Words are divided into different classes based on the role that they perform. Broadly, words are divided into 8 parts of speech: namely noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, conjunction and interjection.
The parts of speech concept is supposed to be the backbone of grammar. The usage varies depending on time, gender, quantity, quality, mood and circumstance. The above only gives an introduction to English language and achieving perfection requires study in detail.
Placing words at the right place in a sentence gives a logical meaning to any sentence. Moreover, the correct grammatical form of the word should be used in the appropriate place in the sentence. For example: "I shall drive to Pune tomorrow" uses the word 'drive' in the verb form whereas the sentence "Let us go for a long drive" uses it in the noun form. Using the right spelling at the right place is also essential. The spelling per se may be right but the usage in that particular statement may be incorrect.
Some people mistake English with smooth talk, usage of accents and slang words. English is not about using international accents or slang words. Also, scoring 85% in a descriptive English language paper does not signify a great intellectual ability in English. The ability to comprehend, interpret and explain goes beyond the scope of any rote learning activity!!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Siddarth_Baliga
People claim to have excellent English language abilities in their resumes. But they fumble when asked to draft a simple business letter. Even top managers, drawing huge pay packets, in leading business conglomerates write shabby English. So where exactly are people going wrong in their approach to better abilities in English?
The English Myth
1. English can be improved in 30 days: Learning is an ongoing process. There is nothing called 100% perfection. However, reaching a certain level of proficiency does take years. Books and coaching classes offering "guarantees" are just filling their coffers.
2. Learn a word list of 3000 words by heart and English is mastered! Learning 3000 words by rote may not be of much use unless you know how to place them in your everyday usage. For example: "Kill" can be used both as a noun as well as a verb.
3. English improves by speaking daily: Unless you improve/correct your fundamentals, you will be repeating the same mistakes daily. Speaking daily may only build your confidence and nothing more.
4. If vocabulary is strong, grammar comes automatically: If you know to change gears in a car, does it imply that you will automatically learn to use the steering wheel? Wrong. Similarly, building one's vocabulary and learning grammar require a complemented approach.
5. Vocabulary is more important than grammar: In a car, is the brake more important than the clutch? A grammatically correct statement requires knowledge of both vocabulary and grammar.
6. Spoken & Written English is different: Although, there are various schools of thought on this issue, English in both forms should be same. However, while speaking there is some amount of flexibility considering the redundancy of punctuation?
7. Using powerful words indicates fluency in English language: Using the right words at the right time is more important rather than using powerful words. Moreover, using strong words in an incorrectly framed sentence does more harm than good. Also, as a principle it is imperative that message is understood by the receiver.
8. Vocabulary should be learnt before grammar: Do you learn to use the accelerator pedal first and then the brakes? Both need to be learnt simultaneously. Similarly, vocabulary and grammar go hand in hand.
9. English is not our national/official language: According to Section 3 of the Official Languages Act 1963 (amended 1967); blanket permission unlimited in point of time has been granted for the use of English.
10. Intra Office Communication by emails etc need not be well drafted: This reason is rooted from childhood days, where children assure their parents good results in the final examination while failing in all class tests. Good writing must become a habit rather than an exception. Use of SMS lingo must be strictly avoided.
11. Perfect English is for Fiction Writers and not for Corporate Employees: As the old adage goes, "The pen is mightier than the sword", a well drafted business letter/report/resume can get your points across more easily as compared to the inferior ones. A well crafted resume may be picked up vis-à-vis a shabby resume (even though the latter may be better qualified).
It is essential to understand that there is a definite structure to master this language. Also, mastery does not come in 30 days (as some books claim).
The Coaching Class Myth
Ever seen the study material provided by most of the English coaching classes? You will find vocabulary lists, lists of plurals, lists of genders, lists of noun/adjective/adverb forms, some introduction to basic grammar followed by loads of exercises.
Their modus operandi is fairly simple. Put a few fancy words into people's mouths and make money. This is nothing but cosmetic English.
Basic Anatomy of English Grammar is the heart of any language, with the vocabulary built around it. The set of rules used to place the appropriate words in a grammatically correct statement is termed syntax. Grammar can be classified into two types: Prescriptive Grammar and Descriptive Grammar. Prescriptive grammar provides rules for correct usage whereas Descriptive grammar describes how a language is actually used.
Words are divided into different classes based on the role that they perform. Broadly, words are divided into 8 parts of speech: namely noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjective, preposition, conjunction and interjection.
The parts of speech concept is supposed to be the backbone of grammar. The usage varies depending on time, gender, quantity, quality, mood and circumstance. The above only gives an introduction to English language and achieving perfection requires study in detail.
Placing words at the right place in a sentence gives a logical meaning to any sentence. Moreover, the correct grammatical form of the word should be used in the appropriate place in the sentence. For example: "I shall drive to Pune tomorrow" uses the word 'drive' in the verb form whereas the sentence "Let us go for a long drive" uses it in the noun form. Using the right spelling at the right place is also essential. The spelling per se may be right but the usage in that particular statement may be incorrect.
Some people mistake English with smooth talk, usage of accents and slang words. English is not about using international accents or slang words. Also, scoring 85% in a descriptive English language paper does not signify a great intellectual ability in English. The ability to comprehend, interpret and explain goes beyond the scope of any rote learning activity!!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Siddarth_Baliga
American and British English - Differences In Usage BY Manjusha Nambiar
American and British English are very similar. There are, however, a few differences of grammar, vocabulary and usage. The following guide is meant to point out the principal differences between American and British English.
Differences in usage
Abbreviations
We usually write abbreviations without full stops in modern British English. Full stops (US ‘periods’) are normal in American English.
Mr (US Mr.) = Mister
Dr (US Dr.) = Doctor
Ltd (US Ltd.) = Limited (company)
Kg (US kg.) = kilogram
All and all of
Before a noun with a determiner (e.g. the, this, my), all and all of are both possible in British English. American English usually has all of.
She has eaten all (of) the cake. (GB)
She has eaten all of the cake. (US)
All (of) my friends like riding. (GB)
All of my friends like riding. (US)
Expressions with prepositions and particles
Different from/than (US)
Different from/to (GB)
Check something (out) (US)
Check something (GB)
Do something over/again (US)
Do something again (GB)
Live on X street (US)
Live in X street (GB)
On a team (US)
In a team (GB)
Monday through/to Friday (US)
Monday to Friday (GB)
Informal use of like
In an informal style, like is often used instead of as if/though, especially in American English. This is not considered correct in a formal style.
It seems like it is going to rain. He sat there smiling like it was his birthday.
On
In American English, it is common to leave out on before the days of the week.
I am seeing her Sunday morning. (US)
British people say at the weekend; Americans say on the weekend.
What did you do at the weekend? (GB)
What did you do on the weekend? (US)
In and for
In American English, in can be used, like for, to talk about periods up to the present. (British English only for).
I haven’t seen her in years. (US)
Both and both of
Before a noun with a determiner (e.g. the, this, my), both and both of are both possible in British English. In American English, both of is usual.
Both (of) my parents like riding. (GB)
Both of my parents like riding. (US)
In after negatives and superlatives
After negatives and superlatives, in can be used to talk about duration. This is especially common in American English.
I haven’t seen him for/in months.
It was the worst storm for/in ten years.
In British English, in is not normally used with this meaning.
I haven’t seen him for months. (GB)
Shan’t
In British English, I shan’t is sometimes used in refusals. This is very unusual in American English.
I don’t care what you say, I won’t/ shan’t do it. (GB)
I don’t care what you say, I won’t do it. (US)
Shall
Questions with shall I/we are used (especially in British English) to ask for instructions or decisions, to offer services and to make suggestions. This is not common in American English.
Shall I open the window? Shall we go out for a meal?
Will
We often use will in threats and promises. Shall is also possible in British English, especially after I and we. In American English, shall is not used in threats and promises.
I will/shall give you a teddy bear for your birthday. (GB)
I will give you a teddy bear for your birthday. (US)
Have (got) + infinitive
Have (got) + infinitive can be used, like must, to express certainty. This is mainly an American English structure, but it is now becoming more common in British English.
I don’t believe you. You have (got) to be joking. (= You must be joking.)
Would and should
After I and we, should can be used in British English with the same meaning as would.
If we had a map we would/should be able to get out of here. (GB)
If we had a map we would we able to get out of here. (US)
Conditional would is sometimes used in both clauses of an if-sentence. This is common in spoken American English.
It would be better if they would tell everybody in advance.
A complete guide to the differences between American and British English can be found at http://www.perfectyourenglish.com/writing/english-writing.htm
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manjusha_Nambiar
Differences in usage
Abbreviations
We usually write abbreviations without full stops in modern British English. Full stops (US ‘periods’) are normal in American English.
Mr (US Mr.) = Mister
Dr (US Dr.) = Doctor
Ltd (US Ltd.) = Limited (company)
Kg (US kg.) = kilogram
All and all of
Before a noun with a determiner (e.g. the, this, my), all and all of are both possible in British English. American English usually has all of.
She has eaten all (of) the cake. (GB)
She has eaten all of the cake. (US)
All (of) my friends like riding. (GB)
All of my friends like riding. (US)
Expressions with prepositions and particles
Different from/than (US)
Different from/to (GB)
Check something (out) (US)
Check something (GB)
Do something over/again (US)
Do something again (GB)
Live on X street (US)
Live in X street (GB)
On a team (US)
In a team (GB)
Monday through/to Friday (US)
Monday to Friday (GB)
Informal use of like
In an informal style, like is often used instead of as if/though, especially in American English. This is not considered correct in a formal style.
It seems like it is going to rain. He sat there smiling like it was his birthday.
On
In American English, it is common to leave out on before the days of the week.
I am seeing her Sunday morning. (US)
British people say at the weekend; Americans say on the weekend.
What did you do at the weekend? (GB)
What did you do on the weekend? (US)
In and for
In American English, in can be used, like for, to talk about periods up to the present. (British English only for).
I haven’t seen her in years. (US)
Both and both of
Before a noun with a determiner (e.g. the, this, my), both and both of are both possible in British English. In American English, both of is usual.
Both (of) my parents like riding. (GB)
Both of my parents like riding. (US)
In after negatives and superlatives
After negatives and superlatives, in can be used to talk about duration. This is especially common in American English.
I haven’t seen him for/in months.
It was the worst storm for/in ten years.
In British English, in is not normally used with this meaning.
I haven’t seen him for months. (GB)
Shan’t
In British English, I shan’t is sometimes used in refusals. This is very unusual in American English.
I don’t care what you say, I won’t/ shan’t do it. (GB)
I don’t care what you say, I won’t do it. (US)
Shall
Questions with shall I/we are used (especially in British English) to ask for instructions or decisions, to offer services and to make suggestions. This is not common in American English.
Shall I open the window? Shall we go out for a meal?
Will
We often use will in threats and promises. Shall is also possible in British English, especially after I and we. In American English, shall is not used in threats and promises.
I will/shall give you a teddy bear for your birthday. (GB)
I will give you a teddy bear for your birthday. (US)
Have (got) + infinitive
Have (got) + infinitive can be used, like must, to express certainty. This is mainly an American English structure, but it is now becoming more common in British English.
I don’t believe you. You have (got) to be joking. (= You must be joking.)
Would and should
After I and we, should can be used in British English with the same meaning as would.
If we had a map we would/should be able to get out of here. (GB)
If we had a map we would we able to get out of here. (US)
Conditional would is sometimes used in both clauses of an if-sentence. This is common in spoken American English.
It would be better if they would tell everybody in advance.
A complete guide to the differences between American and British English can be found at http://www.perfectyourenglish.com/writing/english-writing.htm
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manjusha_Nambiar
American and British English: Differences in Grammar By Manjusha Nambiar
These two varieties of English are very similar that most American and British speakers can understand each other without great difficulty. There are, however, a few differences of grammar, vocabulary and spelling. The following guide is meant to point out the principal differences between American English (AE) and British English (BE).
Differences in Grammar
Use of the Present Perfect
The British use the present perfect to talk about a past action which has an effect on the present moment. In American English both simple past and present perfect are possible in such situations.
I have lost my pen. Can you borrow me yours? (BE)
I lost my pen. OR I have lost my pen. (AE)
He has gone home. (BE)
He went home. OR He has gone home. (AE)
Other differences include the use of already, just and yet. The British use the present perfect with these adverbs of indefinite time. In American English simple past and present perfect are both possible.
He has just gone home. (BE)
He just went home. OR He has just gone home. (AE)
I have already seen this movie. (BE)
I have already seen this movie. OR I already saw this movie. (AE)
She hasn't come yet. (BE)
She hasn't come yet. OR She didn't come yet. (AE)
Possession
The British normally use have got to show possession. In American English have (in the structure do you have) and have got are both possible.
Have you got a car? (BE)
Do you have a car? OR Have you got a car? (AE)
Use of the verb Get
In British English the past participle of get is got. In American English the past participle of get is gotten, except when have got means have.
He has got a prize. (BE)
He has gotten a prize. (AE)
I have got two sisters. (BE)
I have got two sisters. (=I have two sisters.)(AE)
Will/Shall
In British English it is fairly common to use shall with the first person to talk about the future. Americans rarely use shall.
I shall/will never forget this favour. (BE)
I will never forget this favour. (AE)
In offers the British use shall. Americans use should.
Shall I help you with the homework? (BE)
Should I help you with the homework? (AE)
Need In British English needn't and don't need to are both possible. Americans normally use don't need to.
You needn't reserve seats. OR You don't need to reserve seats. (BE)
You don't need to reserve seats. (AE)
Use of the Subjunctive
In American English it is particularly common to use subjunctive after words like essential, vital, important, suggest, insist, demand, recommend, ask, advice etc. (Subjunctive is a special kind of present tense which has no -s in the third person singular. It is commonly used in that clauses after words which express the idea that something is important or desirable.) In British English the subjunctive is formal and unusual. British people normally use should + Infinitive or ordinary present and past tenses.
It is essential that every child get an opportunity to learn. (AE)
It is essential that every child gets an opportunity to learn. (BE)
It is important that he be told. (AE)
It is important that he should be told. (BE)
She suggested that I see a doctor. (AE)
She suggested that I should see a doctor. (BE)
She insisted that I go with her. (AE)
She insisted that I should go with her. (BE)
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns like jury, team, family, government etc., can take both singular and plural verbs in British English. In American English they normally take a singular verb.
The committee meets/meet tomorrow. (BE)
The committee meets tomorrow. (AE)
The team is/are going to lose. (BE)
The team is going to lose. (AE)
Auxiliary verb + do
In British English it is common to use do as a substitute verb after an auxiliary verb. Americans do not normally use do after an auxiliary verb.
May I have a look at your papers?
You may (do) (BE)
You may. (AE)
'Have you finished your homework?'
'I have (done).' (BE)
'I have.' (AE)
As if/ like
In American English it is common to use like instead of as if/ as though. This is not correct in British English.
He talks as if he knew everything. (BE)
He talks like/as if he knew everything. (AE)
In American English it is also common to use were instead of was in unreal comparisons.
He talks as if he was rich. (BE)
He talks as if he were rich. (AE)
The indefinite pronoun One
Americans normally use he/she, him/her, his/her to refer back to one. In British English one is used throughout the sentence.
One must love one's country. (BE)
One must love his/her country. (AE)
Mid position adverbs
In American English mid position adverbs are placed before auxiliary verbs and other verbs. In British English they are placed after auxiliary verbs and before other verbs.
He has probably arrived now. (BE)
He probably has arrived now. (AE)
I am seldom late for work. (BE)
I seldom am late for work. (AE)
The author is an English language instructor based in Mumbai. Visit her website http://www.perfectyourenglish.com for more lessons on English grammar and practical English usage.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manjusha_Nambiar
Differences in Grammar
Use of the Present Perfect
The British use the present perfect to talk about a past action which has an effect on the present moment. In American English both simple past and present perfect are possible in such situations.
I have lost my pen. Can you borrow me yours? (BE)
I lost my pen. OR I have lost my pen. (AE)
He has gone home. (BE)
He went home. OR He has gone home. (AE)
Other differences include the use of already, just and yet. The British use the present perfect with these adverbs of indefinite time. In American English simple past and present perfect are both possible.
He has just gone home. (BE)
He just went home. OR He has just gone home. (AE)
I have already seen this movie. (BE)
I have already seen this movie. OR I already saw this movie. (AE)
She hasn't come yet. (BE)
She hasn't come yet. OR She didn't come yet. (AE)
Possession
The British normally use have got to show possession. In American English have (in the structure do you have) and have got are both possible.
Have you got a car? (BE)
Do you have a car? OR Have you got a car? (AE)
Use of the verb Get
In British English the past participle of get is got. In American English the past participle of get is gotten, except when have got means have.
He has got a prize. (BE)
He has gotten a prize. (AE)
I have got two sisters. (BE)
I have got two sisters. (=I have two sisters.)(AE)
Will/Shall
In British English it is fairly common to use shall with the first person to talk about the future. Americans rarely use shall.
I shall/will never forget this favour. (BE)
I will never forget this favour. (AE)
In offers the British use shall. Americans use should.
Shall I help you with the homework? (BE)
Should I help you with the homework? (AE)
Need In British English needn't and don't need to are both possible. Americans normally use don't need to.
You needn't reserve seats. OR You don't need to reserve seats. (BE)
You don't need to reserve seats. (AE)
Use of the Subjunctive
In American English it is particularly common to use subjunctive after words like essential, vital, important, suggest, insist, demand, recommend, ask, advice etc. (Subjunctive is a special kind of present tense which has no -s in the third person singular. It is commonly used in that clauses after words which express the idea that something is important or desirable.) In British English the subjunctive is formal and unusual. British people normally use should + Infinitive or ordinary present and past tenses.
It is essential that every child get an opportunity to learn. (AE)
It is essential that every child gets an opportunity to learn. (BE)
It is important that he be told. (AE)
It is important that he should be told. (BE)
She suggested that I see a doctor. (AE)
She suggested that I should see a doctor. (BE)
She insisted that I go with her. (AE)
She insisted that I should go with her. (BE)
Collective Nouns
Collective nouns like jury, team, family, government etc., can take both singular and plural verbs in British English. In American English they normally take a singular verb.
The committee meets/meet tomorrow. (BE)
The committee meets tomorrow. (AE)
The team is/are going to lose. (BE)
The team is going to lose. (AE)
Auxiliary verb + do
In British English it is common to use do as a substitute verb after an auxiliary verb. Americans do not normally use do after an auxiliary verb.
May I have a look at your papers?
You may (do) (BE)
You may. (AE)
'Have you finished your homework?'
'I have (done).' (BE)
'I have.' (AE)
As if/ like
In American English it is common to use like instead of as if/ as though. This is not correct in British English.
He talks as if he knew everything. (BE)
He talks like/as if he knew everything. (AE)
In American English it is also common to use were instead of was in unreal comparisons.
He talks as if he was rich. (BE)
He talks as if he were rich. (AE)
The indefinite pronoun One
Americans normally use he/she, him/her, his/her to refer back to one. In British English one is used throughout the sentence.
One must love one's country. (BE)
One must love his/her country. (AE)
Mid position adverbs
In American English mid position adverbs are placed before auxiliary verbs and other verbs. In British English they are placed after auxiliary verbs and before other verbs.
He has probably arrived now. (BE)
He probably has arrived now. (AE)
I am seldom late for work. (BE)
I seldom am late for work. (AE)
The author is an English language instructor based in Mumbai. Visit her website http://www.perfectyourenglish.com for more lessons on English grammar and practical English usage.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manjusha_Nambiar
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Ancient Egypt - Ka and the Soul - By Steve Coe
To the ancient Egyptians, the Ka was a concept of the animating life force within us all. It was conceived as a second image of the individual or in effect a spirit double. The Ka was a unique entity totally associated with the individual, coming into creation with the person's birth and remained bound to him or to her, even after death. It was not quite the same concept as the personal soul, which they identified separately and called the Ba. The Ba was actually the true essence of the spirit, and defined the person as a specific individual or entity with a place in the cosmos for all eternity. The ceremony of the opening of the mouth, conducted by the priests, either on the mummified corpse or on a statue representation of the dead person, was aimed to restore physical abilities in death and to release the attachment of the soul (Ba) to the body. This allowed the Ba to be united with the Ka in the afterlife, creating an entity known as an Akh. The union of Ba and Ka is symbolized by the looped cross - the Ankh, symbol of eternal life.
We often think of these ancient people as a nation fixated on death and morbidly terrified of its corrupting effect. A fear, manifest by a ghoulish fascination with embalmed corpses. Nothing could be more untrue! They were actually a people fixated on life. In all their works they really show how much they loved life and it is very clear that as a race, they celebrated it with a passion. In fact they did not even believe in a concept of death in the way we think of it. The end of their physical life was but a passing moment in an everlasting rush towards eternity.
This joyful celebration of life was brought home to me, when I came across a near life-sized wood carving of a man and his wife in a quiet corner of a European museum. They had been carved out of a single log and were slightly the worst for wear, but for some reason, these two tranquil figures moved me greatly, when I first saw them in the Louvre, over 30 years ago. Taken as individual statues, they were not great works of art; they looked timeworn and vulnerable, yet seen as a couple they seemed to hold an immense inner strength - a fierce bond that had somehow managed to safeguard the essence of their timeless union throughout all the long ages of their shared existence. It was as though they could endure anything that time could offer, just so long as they were left each to the other.
Who had found them and brought them from the warm sands that protected them to this cold and gloomy museum? Why had they been so disturbed. Like misty dreams, the busy years, in their never-ending passage had left these sleeping lovers untouched and unchanged as they rested, long forgotten in their secret hiding place below the sun-baked sands of their ancient homeland. They waited unseen and un-noticed as the desert land witnessed the rush of Alexander's spearmen, felt the tramp, tramp of Caesar's marching legions and shook in trembling awe at the thunder of Bonaparte's crashing cannonades. Powerful conquerors, beautiful queens, saints, scholars and many, many lesser men had come and gone - yet these two lovers still remained serene and secure, arms intertwined, always together - waiting for what?
It was with a growing sense of wonder that I began to understand just how old these two ancient figures actually were. They had been standing quietly thus - arm in arm, eternally watching the flows of time, while all the great religions of the world had had their birthing and entire civilizations had taken their turn to rise up and fall around them. Indeed, these small carvings had already been immensely old when ancient Greece was but a land of rustic shepherds and mighty Rome was only a dusty village straddling an unimportant river crossing. Their long watch had already stretched, not over centuries, but over whole millennia, before the great teachers, Abraham, Christ, Buddha and Mohammed each took their turn to preach love and understanding to generations of unhearing fools. Fools, blinded by distorted certainties, crippled in spirit who were ever eager to rush out to change the world, armed and justified by their garbled misread gospels and their fierce willingness to spill their brother's blood.
The museum was full of the greatest works of man, but neither the wealth and power of the kings, pharaohs and emperors on display, nor the exquisite beauty of the magnificent art treasures adorning the walls, impressed me ever so much as this very ordinary couple, who had left nothing but themselves. Their fundamental humanity, decency, and the love that they had once shared for each other was still so very apparent. Back then in Paris, I was young and also in love for the first time myself. My world was bright and wonderful and I thought it would last forever. However for those of us, who still walk this earth, life goes on, and time gradually takes its insidious toll on our bodies, our affections and the commitments that go with them. We get over our losses; eventually even the most poignant memories are just excess baggage to be put aside. For us, time indeed passes and never lightly. But then one day, opening a book on ancient Egypt, I was delighted to discover a recent photograph of these two old friends of my youth. There they were - just as I remembered them! Half a lifetime had passed for me and I was now a different person, "something lost and something gained, by living every day" - but for them nothing at all had changed.
How brief life is! The experiences of all those long years, since my joyful days in Paris, were but the blinking of an eye compared to the immense passage of time, since that distant Egyptian day, when the statues were taken west of the Nile to be prepared by the priests for the "opening of the mouth" ceremony. The ritual that would guarantee that the "ka", or life force, of each of the lovers would live forever in the statues and that they would be bonded to their chosen one for all of eternity.
Old feelings came flooding back to me and that was why I wrote my poem. My poem, Ka, can be found at http://ankhpatch.blogspot.com/2007/08/ka.html. I was once a builder of bridges, waterways and roads, but now like to call myself a writer. I am African, for my writing is usually about this vast ancient land of warm winds and far horizons that was once birth mother to us all. She is always untamed, always unpredictable and is forever softly whispering her hidden secrets into the wind that chases the racing storm clouds over her mighty hills. If you listen to the sound of the rain, you may hear the singing of these thousands of untold stories. They are just waiting to be set free. I grew to manhood in green forests, north of the Zambezi, but now gaze out over the waters of the restless southern ocean. Not far from my writing desk, the waves beat tirelessly against the fairest cape in all the world. My website is - http://www.how-to-publish-a-book.comCome visit,Steve
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Coe
We often think of these ancient people as a nation fixated on death and morbidly terrified of its corrupting effect. A fear, manifest by a ghoulish fascination with embalmed corpses. Nothing could be more untrue! They were actually a people fixated on life. In all their works they really show how much they loved life and it is very clear that as a race, they celebrated it with a passion. In fact they did not even believe in a concept of death in the way we think of it. The end of their physical life was but a passing moment in an everlasting rush towards eternity.
This joyful celebration of life was brought home to me, when I came across a near life-sized wood carving of a man and his wife in a quiet corner of a European museum. They had been carved out of a single log and were slightly the worst for wear, but for some reason, these two tranquil figures moved me greatly, when I first saw them in the Louvre, over 30 years ago. Taken as individual statues, they were not great works of art; they looked timeworn and vulnerable, yet seen as a couple they seemed to hold an immense inner strength - a fierce bond that had somehow managed to safeguard the essence of their timeless union throughout all the long ages of their shared existence. It was as though they could endure anything that time could offer, just so long as they were left each to the other.
Who had found them and brought them from the warm sands that protected them to this cold and gloomy museum? Why had they been so disturbed. Like misty dreams, the busy years, in their never-ending passage had left these sleeping lovers untouched and unchanged as they rested, long forgotten in their secret hiding place below the sun-baked sands of their ancient homeland. They waited unseen and un-noticed as the desert land witnessed the rush of Alexander's spearmen, felt the tramp, tramp of Caesar's marching legions and shook in trembling awe at the thunder of Bonaparte's crashing cannonades. Powerful conquerors, beautiful queens, saints, scholars and many, many lesser men had come and gone - yet these two lovers still remained serene and secure, arms intertwined, always together - waiting for what?
It was with a growing sense of wonder that I began to understand just how old these two ancient figures actually were. They had been standing quietly thus - arm in arm, eternally watching the flows of time, while all the great religions of the world had had their birthing and entire civilizations had taken their turn to rise up and fall around them. Indeed, these small carvings had already been immensely old when ancient Greece was but a land of rustic shepherds and mighty Rome was only a dusty village straddling an unimportant river crossing. Their long watch had already stretched, not over centuries, but over whole millennia, before the great teachers, Abraham, Christ, Buddha and Mohammed each took their turn to preach love and understanding to generations of unhearing fools. Fools, blinded by distorted certainties, crippled in spirit who were ever eager to rush out to change the world, armed and justified by their garbled misread gospels and their fierce willingness to spill their brother's blood.
The museum was full of the greatest works of man, but neither the wealth and power of the kings, pharaohs and emperors on display, nor the exquisite beauty of the magnificent art treasures adorning the walls, impressed me ever so much as this very ordinary couple, who had left nothing but themselves. Their fundamental humanity, decency, and the love that they had once shared for each other was still so very apparent. Back then in Paris, I was young and also in love for the first time myself. My world was bright and wonderful and I thought it would last forever. However for those of us, who still walk this earth, life goes on, and time gradually takes its insidious toll on our bodies, our affections and the commitments that go with them. We get over our losses; eventually even the most poignant memories are just excess baggage to be put aside. For us, time indeed passes and never lightly. But then one day, opening a book on ancient Egypt, I was delighted to discover a recent photograph of these two old friends of my youth. There they were - just as I remembered them! Half a lifetime had passed for me and I was now a different person, "something lost and something gained, by living every day" - but for them nothing at all had changed.
How brief life is! The experiences of all those long years, since my joyful days in Paris, were but the blinking of an eye compared to the immense passage of time, since that distant Egyptian day, when the statues were taken west of the Nile to be prepared by the priests for the "opening of the mouth" ceremony. The ritual that would guarantee that the "ka", or life force, of each of the lovers would live forever in the statues and that they would be bonded to their chosen one for all of eternity.
Old feelings came flooding back to me and that was why I wrote my poem. My poem, Ka, can be found at http://ankhpatch.blogspot.com/2007/08/ka.html. I was once a builder of bridges, waterways and roads, but now like to call myself a writer. I am African, for my writing is usually about this vast ancient land of warm winds and far horizons that was once birth mother to us all. She is always untamed, always unpredictable and is forever softly whispering her hidden secrets into the wind that chases the racing storm clouds over her mighty hills. If you listen to the sound of the rain, you may hear the singing of these thousands of untold stories. They are just waiting to be set free. I grew to manhood in green forests, north of the Zambezi, but now gaze out over the waters of the restless southern ocean. Not far from my writing desk, the waves beat tirelessly against the fairest cape in all the world. My website is - http://www.how-to-publish-a-book.comCome visit,Steve
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Coe
Friday, August 21, 2009
Translate in Hindi
If you are looking for a genuine dictionary for quick look-up and translation in Hindi visit - http://www.howjsay.com.
You can use if you want any one of the below three features -
1. To get the pronunciation of any english word
2. Translate in any language (whole list is there, we are interested in Hindi)
3. Quick meaning of the word, with less descriptions
This is very useful and yet very fast tool. Please try it and see yourself.
You can use if you want any one of the below three features -
1. To get the pronunciation of any english word
2. Translate in any language (whole list is there, we are interested in Hindi)
3. Quick meaning of the word, with less descriptions
This is very useful and yet very fast tool. Please try it and see yourself.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Word history helps in memorization
Consider a situation - you have a new word to memorize, which you feel hard to do, try to get the word history or the break-down of it. You will see its very helpful. Similarly, if you know the break-down or history of the word, you can use it more appropriately. You can put it in the best possible and perfect position.
Lets take an example and see how it works.
Exaggerate (-ted) : To represent as greater than is actually the case; overstate
Now see the break-down : Latin exaggerāre, exaggerāt-, to heap up, magnify : ex-, intensive pref.; see ex– + aggerāre, to pile up (from agger, pile, from aggerere, to bring to : ad-, ad- + gerere, to bring).]
So we now know its piling up something, that is enough to get the best meaning of this word. This method will also help in introducing new words to you. Better understanding of the word history and its break-down will not only help in memorizing it but also to know your language better.
Lets take an example and see how it works.
Exaggerate (-ted) : To represent as greater than is actually the case; overstate
Now see the break-down : Latin exaggerāre, exaggerāt-, to heap up, magnify : ex-, intensive pref.; see ex– + aggerāre, to pile up (from agger, pile, from aggerere, to bring to : ad-, ad- + gerere, to bring).]
So we now know its piling up something, that is enough to get the best meaning of this word. This method will also help in introducing new words to you. Better understanding of the word history and its break-down will not only help in memorizing it but also to know your language better.
(with) Pinch of salt
Its an English adaptation of a Latin phrase. This can be used as an idiom, which means - not taking anything literally, or taking anything with skepticism (doubtfully, questions in mind attitude). The phrase history suggests that if you take anything (especially poison) with pinch (or grain) of salt, the affect of poison will be less severe.
This phrase can be beautifully used in a sentence where we want to doubt the some (not whole) of some one's saying or story. It means, we can accept part but not whole of some one's version of story.
"Don't be disappointed, take John's comments with grain of salt"
"Her story of illness seems exaggerated, I always take them with a pinch of salt"
Further reading : http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/take-with-a-grain-of-salt.html
This phrase can be beautifully used in a sentence where we want to doubt the some (not whole) of some one's saying or story. It means, we can accept part but not whole of some one's version of story.
"Don't be disappointed, take John's comments with grain of salt"
"Her story of illness seems exaggerated, I always take them with a pinch of salt"
Further reading : http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/take-with-a-grain-of-salt.html
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Common Idioms : Hand picked List 1
Idioms makes your sentences look smarter and shorter. If you cleverly use idioms in your sentences, you can save a lot of energy by saying less and meaning a lot. I am providing a list of some hand picked idioms, i have selected them from http://www.goenglish.com/Idioms.asp, please do visit this site.
A Blessing In Disguise
"My car broke down again, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise; I've been wasting too much time driving around anyway."
A Slap On The Wrist
"He should be in jail for what he did, but he got off with just a slap on the wrist."
A Taste Of Your Own Medicine
"It looks like she got a taste of her own medicine."
Against The Clock
"We worked against the clock all day to get this report done by 5PM."
All Greek
"Did you understand what he just said?" Reply: "Nope. It was all Greek to me."
All In The Same Boat
"We can't fight against each other; we need to work together. We're all in the same boat!"
An Arm And A Leg
"Be careful with that watch; it cost me an arm and a leg."
As High As A Kite
"The ball got stuck up there on the roof. It's as high as a kite."
Bend Over Backwards
"We bent over backwards to help him, and he never even thanked us!"
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
"I thought I could finish this report within one month, but it looks like I have bitten off more than I can chew."
Burning The Midnight Oil
"Our son has been working hard preparing for his final exams!" Answer: "Yes, he's been up each night burning the midnight oil."
Come Hell Or High Water
"Will you be at the family reunion next year?" Answer: "Yes- we'll be there, come hell or high water!"
Drastic Times Call For Drastic Measures
"Sales have been slow and we had to let go three of our employees; drastic times call for drastic measures."
Dry Spell
"Sam is a great salesman, though lately he's been having a bit of a dry spell."
Get Over It
"I was very sick yesterday, but I got over it quickly."
Great Minds Think Alike
"I have decided that this summer I am going to learn how to scuba dive." Answer: "Me too! I have already paid for the course. Great minds think alike!"
Haste Makes Waste
"You should always take your time when doing your taxes and check your numbers very carefully; haste makes waste."
Have No Idea
"I can't find my keys. I have no idea where I put them."
Icing On The Cake
"I've been accepted by the university, and they've offered me a position on the basketball team!" Answer: "That's wonderful! Icing on the cake."
Idle Hands Are The Devil's Tools
"It makes me nervous to see those kids outside just standing around; idle hands are the devils tools!"
In The Heat Of The Moment
"Sorry about what I said; I got caught up in the heat of the moment."
Keep An Eye On Him
"I have to run to the bathroom. Can you keep an eye on my suitcase while I am gone?"
Lend Me Your Ear
"Friends, Romans, countrymen; lend me your ear."
Let The Cat Out Of The Bag
"Bob didn't tell anyone that he was sick, but his wife let the cat out of the bag."
Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You
"We have been your best customers for years. How could you suddenly treat us so rudely? You should never bite the hand that feeds you."
Nose Out Of Joint
"We were only joking; don't get your nose out of joint."
Not A Chance
"Do you think you will be able to finish your report by five o'clock today?" Answer: "Not a chance. I'll be busy in meetings all day."
Out Of The Blue
"Why did she do that?" Answer: "I have no idea. It was completely out of the blue."
Out Of The Frying Pan And Into The Fire
"I didn't like that job because I was working too hard. Yet in this new job I work even harder!" Answer: "Out of the frying pan and into the fire."
Out On The Town
"Do you want to join us tonight? We're going out on the town."
Penny-Wise, Pound-Foolish
"We've worked so hard to save money that if we took a vacation now it would be penny-wise, pound-foolish."
Practice What You Preach
"Good managers always lead by example and practice what they preach."
Put Your Best Foot Forward
"I want you to get out on that field and put your best foot forward!"
Rome Was Not Built In One Day
"It is taking me a long time to write this computer program." Answer: "Rome was not built in one day."
Rub Salt In An Old Wound
"Oh please, let's not rub salt in old wounds!"
Sink Or Swim
"When we interview new teachers, we just put them in with the students and see how they do. It's sink or swim."
Six Of One, A Half-Dozen Of The Other
Example: "I say she's a stewardess. She says she's a flight attendant. It's six of one, a half-dozen of the other."
Start From Scratch
"How are you going to build your business?" Answer: "Just like everyone else does: starting from scratch."
The Pros And Cons
"I've considered the pros and cons and I've decided: it is going to be expensive, but I still want to go to college."
The Sky Is The Limit
"After I graduate from business school, the sky's the limit!"
To Err Is Human, To Forgive Divine
"I will never forgive my mother for what she has done!" Answer: "Don't be angry at her. To err is human, to forgive divine."
Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right
"That boy pushed me yesterday and I am going to get him back today!" Answer: "No you are not! Two wrongs do not make a right."
Up For Grabs
"Quick- that table is up for grabs; let's get it before someone else does."
The red colored are my favorite.
A Blessing In Disguise
"My car broke down again, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise; I've been wasting too much time driving around anyway."
A Slap On The Wrist
"He should be in jail for what he did, but he got off with just a slap on the wrist."
A Taste Of Your Own Medicine
"It looks like she got a taste of her own medicine."
Against The Clock
"We worked against the clock all day to get this report done by 5PM."
All Greek
"Did you understand what he just said?" Reply: "Nope. It was all Greek to me."
All In The Same Boat
"We can't fight against each other; we need to work together. We're all in the same boat!"
An Arm And A Leg
"Be careful with that watch; it cost me an arm and a leg."
As High As A Kite
"The ball got stuck up there on the roof. It's as high as a kite."
Bend Over Backwards
"We bent over backwards to help him, and he never even thanked us!"
Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
"I thought I could finish this report within one month, but it looks like I have bitten off more than I can chew."
Burning The Midnight Oil
"Our son has been working hard preparing for his final exams!" Answer: "Yes, he's been up each night burning the midnight oil."
Come Hell Or High Water
"Will you be at the family reunion next year?" Answer: "Yes- we'll be there, come hell or high water!"
Drastic Times Call For Drastic Measures
"Sales have been slow and we had to let go three of our employees; drastic times call for drastic measures."
Dry Spell
"Sam is a great salesman, though lately he's been having a bit of a dry spell."
Get Over It
"I was very sick yesterday, but I got over it quickly."
Great Minds Think Alike
"I have decided that this summer I am going to learn how to scuba dive." Answer: "Me too! I have already paid for the course. Great minds think alike!"
Haste Makes Waste
"You should always take your time when doing your taxes and check your numbers very carefully; haste makes waste."
Have No Idea
"I can't find my keys. I have no idea where I put them."
Icing On The Cake
"I've been accepted by the university, and they've offered me a position on the basketball team!" Answer: "That's wonderful! Icing on the cake."
Idle Hands Are The Devil's Tools
"It makes me nervous to see those kids outside just standing around; idle hands are the devils tools!"
In The Heat Of The Moment
"Sorry about what I said; I got caught up in the heat of the moment."
Keep An Eye On Him
"I have to run to the bathroom. Can you keep an eye on my suitcase while I am gone?"
Lend Me Your Ear
"Friends, Romans, countrymen; lend me your ear."
Let The Cat Out Of The Bag
"Bob didn't tell anyone that he was sick, but his wife let the cat out of the bag."
Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You
"We have been your best customers for years. How could you suddenly treat us so rudely? You should never bite the hand that feeds you."
Nose Out Of Joint
"We were only joking; don't get your nose out of joint."
Not A Chance
"Do you think you will be able to finish your report by five o'clock today?" Answer: "Not a chance. I'll be busy in meetings all day."
Out Of The Blue
"Why did she do that?" Answer: "I have no idea. It was completely out of the blue."
Out Of The Frying Pan And Into The Fire
"I didn't like that job because I was working too hard. Yet in this new job I work even harder!" Answer: "Out of the frying pan and into the fire."
Out On The Town
"Do you want to join us tonight? We're going out on the town."
Penny-Wise, Pound-Foolish
"We've worked so hard to save money that if we took a vacation now it would be penny-wise, pound-foolish."
Practice What You Preach
"Good managers always lead by example and practice what they preach."
Put Your Best Foot Forward
"I want you to get out on that field and put your best foot forward!"
Rome Was Not Built In One Day
"It is taking me a long time to write this computer program." Answer: "Rome was not built in one day."
Rub Salt In An Old Wound
"Oh please, let's not rub salt in old wounds!"
Sink Or Swim
"When we interview new teachers, we just put them in with the students and see how they do. It's sink or swim."
Six Of One, A Half-Dozen Of The Other
Example: "I say she's a stewardess. She says she's a flight attendant. It's six of one, a half-dozen of the other."
Start From Scratch
"How are you going to build your business?" Answer: "Just like everyone else does: starting from scratch."
The Pros And Cons
"I've considered the pros and cons and I've decided: it is going to be expensive, but I still want to go to college."
The Sky Is The Limit
"After I graduate from business school, the sky's the limit!"
To Err Is Human, To Forgive Divine
"I will never forgive my mother for what she has done!" Answer: "Don't be angry at her. To err is human, to forgive divine."
Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right
"That boy pushed me yesterday and I am going to get him back today!" Answer: "No you are not! Two wrongs do not make a right."
Up For Grabs
"Quick- that table is up for grabs; let's get it before someone else does."
The red colored are my favorite.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Moral Story : Fear
Fear
There was a lion who feared nothing except the crowing of cocks. A chill would go down his spine whenever he heard a cock crowing.
One day he confessed his fear to the elephant, who was greatly amused.
“How can the crowing of a cock hurt you?” he asked the lion.
“Think about it!”
Just then a mosquito began circling the elephant’s head, frightening him out of his wits.
“If it gets into my ear I’m doomed!” he shrieked, flailing at the insect with his trunk.
Now it was the lion’s turn to feel amused.
Moral: If we could see our fears as others see them we would realise that most of our fears make no sense!
Source - http://dimdima.com/khazana/stories/showstory.asp?q_cat=Moral+Stories
There was a lion who feared nothing except the crowing of cocks. A chill would go down his spine whenever he heard a cock crowing.
One day he confessed his fear to the elephant, who was greatly amused.
“How can the crowing of a cock hurt you?” he asked the lion.
“Think about it!”
Just then a mosquito began circling the elephant’s head, frightening him out of his wits.
“If it gets into my ear I’m doomed!” he shrieked, flailing at the insect with his trunk.
Now it was the lion’s turn to feel amused.
Moral: If we could see our fears as others see them we would realise that most of our fears make no sense!
Source - http://dimdima.com/khazana/stories/showstory.asp?q_cat=Moral+Stories
Salty Sayings
If you are really curious of getting pinch and punch in sayings, please refer Mark Twain, the american writer, critics and a fan of real life science fiction. Actually, Mark Twain invested whatever he earned in developing sometimes useful and mostly useless science machines.
His sayings are one of the most quoted ones, all of them will make you laugh and think afterward. Lets have some ->
His sayings are one of the most quoted ones, all of them will make you laugh and think afterward. Lets have some ->
- When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it happened or not.
- If you have nothing to say, say nothing.
- I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
- We all live in the protection of certain cowardices which we call our principles.
- Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
- Both marriage and death ought to be welcome: the one promises happiness, doubtless the other assures it.
- Advertisements contain the only truths to be relied on in a newspaper.
- Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.
- The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not.
- The holy passion of Friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole lifetime, if not asked to lend money.
- What a good thing Adam had. When he said a good thing he knew nobody had said it before.
Read them and then decide which one you like.
Word research for the day : Imperative
Imperative : Expressing a command or plea; peremptory
"Come here" - come is imperative in this sentence. This word is derived from emperor (who commands). Now we look for peremptory, which means "putting an end to all contradiction, arguments". Now since we can see this word to be used for commanding, a sense of hurry is obtained underneath - so we can sense the command to be urgent, now further looking at urgent we can smell - this command to be exigent (Requiring immediate action or remedy, Requiring much effort or expense; demanding). If we dig further, exigent will lead us back to imperative.
Now further discussing and linking exigent which also means demanding, we will get clamant (Demanding attention; pressing) and insistent (Demanding attention or a response; insistent hunger). These words can be used to make more accurate selection while writing. Here insistent takes us to persistent (Insistently repetitive or continuous: a persistent ringing of the telephone.) we have seen persistent used by M$ error (if problem persists, please contact ... blah blah blah) Now we can smell some negative sense in all these words, we can simplify (or make it more complex) it to stubborn (Unreasonably, often perversely unyielding; bullheaded) and dogged (Stubbornly persevering; tenacious) - these can be used for unyielding (Not bending; inflexible) persistence. As we have dogged in the list we can further check one more synonym of this that is - bullheaded (Foolishly or irrationally stubborn; headstrong).
So, lets summarize this all, we started with imperative which is a command having a dictatorial nature, this command is peremptory and urgent. Urgent leads us to words like clamant and insistent. Insistent is persistent. Finally we concluded some of the strong words like stubborn, dogged and bullheaded.
Please double click on any word to get the instant meaning from free dictionary website.
Thanks for your patience in reading this article. We'll meet soon.
"Come here" - come is imperative in this sentence. This word is derived from emperor (who commands). Now we look for peremptory, which means "putting an end to all contradiction, arguments". Now since we can see this word to be used for commanding, a sense of hurry is obtained underneath - so we can sense the command to be urgent, now further looking at urgent we can smell - this command to be exigent (Requiring immediate action or remedy, Requiring much effort or expense; demanding). If we dig further, exigent will lead us back to imperative.
Now further discussing and linking exigent which also means demanding, we will get clamant (Demanding attention; pressing) and insistent (Demanding attention or a response; insistent hunger). These words can be used to make more accurate selection while writing. Here insistent takes us to persistent (Insistently repetitive or continuous: a persistent ringing of the telephone.) we have seen persistent used by M$ error (if problem persists, please contact ... blah blah blah) Now we can smell some negative sense in all these words, we can simplify (or make it more complex) it to stubborn (Unreasonably, often perversely unyielding; bullheaded) and dogged (Stubbornly persevering; tenacious) - these can be used for unyielding (Not bending; inflexible) persistence. As we have dogged in the list we can further check one more synonym of this that is - bullheaded (Foolishly or irrationally stubborn; headstrong).
So, lets summarize this all, we started with imperative which is a command having a dictatorial nature, this command is peremptory and urgent. Urgent leads us to words like clamant and insistent. Insistent is persistent. Finally we concluded some of the strong words like stubborn, dogged and bullheaded.
Please double click on any word to get the instant meaning from free dictionary website.
Thanks for your patience in reading this article. We'll meet soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
