Blog for ESL by Stephen Lau
Learning a language is not easy, let alone mastering it, especially a second language. This blog provides information and tools not only to learn but also to master the English language.
Thursday, March 28, 2024
The Use of Italics
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
The TAO in Everything
The TAO has thrived and survived thousands of years for a good reason: what was applicable in the past is still applicable in the present; what was true in the past is still true today. Another testament to this universal truth is that "Tao Te Ching"-- the only book written by Lao Tzu -- is one of the most translated books in world literature -- probably only after the Bible.
The TAO is easy to understand but most controversial. The explanation is that there is no absolute truth about human wisdom, which is all about self-intuition and self-enlightenment. That is to say, your mind is uniquely yours, and your thinking is your own thinking.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Learning and Mastering English
Sit tight: wait patiently
e.g. You'd better shoot off before the storm comes.
e.g. The President's speech went down with the Spanish community.
e.g. "How is she doing?" "Very much alive and kicking."
Exhausting / Exhaustive
Exhausting means making one very tired; exhaustive means very thorough, covering a lot.
e.g. To remove all the books from this room is exhausting work.
e.g. This is an exhaustive inquiry, covering every aspect of what happened.
Baleful / Baneful
e.g. I don't like your friend, especially the baleful looks on his eyes.
e.g. It's going to rain; let's go indoors.
HEAD
Monday, March 25, 2024
Prepositional Words and Phrases
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Use of Subjunctive Mood
Saturday, March 23, 2024
Difficult But Common Words
Incognito: hidden or unknown with the purpose of intentionally changing appearance.
WORDS AND PHRASES FREQUENTLY CONFUSED AND MISUSED
Friday, March 22, 2024
Correct Choice of Words
Stephen Lau
Thursday, March 21, 2024
YOU CORRECT THE INCORRECT