All Reference Material articles – Page 7
-
Article
Your English: Phrasal verbs: knock
Tim Bowen knocks us out with his explanation of this entertaining phrasal verb.
-
Article
Your English: Word grammar: quite
Tim Bowen provides some humorous examples of confusing quite with quiet .
-
Article
Your English: Collocations: cause
Tim Bowen causes a stir with collocates of the verb to cause .
-
Article
Your English: Idioms: a dog in the manger
Tim Bowen discusses the unusual idiom a dog in the manger .
-
Article
Your English: Phrasal verbs: kick
Tim Bowen considers the set of phrasal verbs formed when the verb to kick is combined with various particles.
-
Article
Your English: Idioms: raining cats and dogs
Tim Bowen considers alternatives to this entertaining idiom.
-
Article
Word of the week: Trivial
Have you ever been to a dinner party and tried to impress others with unimportant facts? Chances are that you engaged in some trivial conversation. Tim Bowen presents us with some trivia surrounding the origin of this Word of the week .
-
Article
Word of the week: Laconic
Tim Bowen delves into Greek history to explain the origin of this terse Word of the week.
-
Article
Word of the week: Burly
Ever encountered some burly bouncers on a rowdy night out or found yourself immersed in the hurly-burly of a busy market? Tim Bowen traces the origin of this stately Word of the week , all the way back to a lady's chamber...
-
Article
Word of the week: Amok
Have you ever had to deal with a classfull of students running amok ? Well, it's happened to all of us. Tim Bowen whips up a frenzy with this rather odd Word of the week .
-
Article
Word of the week: Glitz
Have you ever dreamed of joining the Hollywood elite and walking down the red carpet at the Oscars? Well, you may just have been swept up in the glitz and glamour of the occasion. Let Tim Bowen dazzle you with his explanation as to why this word has ...
-
Article
Word of the week: Bully
Those of you who have ever been the victim of bullying probably wouldn't describe the bully in question as 'a fine young chap'. It seems that the meaning of the word bully has changed a lot since its Germanic origins. Tim Bowen has really done his homework with ...
-
Article
Word of the week: –monger
You buy fish from a fish monger , so you buy iron from an iron monger, right? Well, not exactly! Tim Bowen spreads a few rumours with this political Word of the week .
-
Article
Word of the week: Vandal
Ever encountered an act of vandalism by a bearded barbarian? Unlikely perhaps, but you may have come across some modern instances of anti-social behaviour. Tim Bowen explains how this Word of the week has absolutely nothing to do with the Latin expression for facial hair.
-
Article
Word of the week: Dapper
Ever met a dapper little man or a vivacious lady? Tim Bowen takes a look at this gender-specific word of the week.
-
Article
Word of the week: Camp
Would you set up camp in a field or a forest? Perhaps you've found yourself wavering between opposing political camps whilst strolling through your University campus? Tim Bowen explains why there's more to this word than simply choosing where to pitch your tent.
-
Article
Word of the week: Flagrant
Do your students ever show a flagrant disregard for school rules? Perhaps you think that England were denied a blatant try in the rugby world cup? Tim Bowen looks at the fiery origins of this word of the week.
-
Article
Word of the week: Bargain
Ever bartered and bargained you way to a steal of the century? Or perhaps you ended up with a little more than you bargained for ? Tim Bowen drives a hard bargain with this competitively-priced word of the week.
-
Article
Word of the week: Freak
Ever encountered something unnatural or out of the ordinary? Well you may just have witnessed a freak show ! Let our resident language freak , Tim Bowen, freak you out with this Word of the week !