Q&A for How to Speak Proper English

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  • Question
    Why is it that I cannot express my thoughts as I have them?
    Community Answer
    Putting thoughts and feelings into words can be hard - especially if English is not your native language. It takes work, just like drawing a picture to express an idea takes some work. But the more you practice, the better you will get and the more naturally it will come.
  • Question
    Is "here is the good news" or "here are the good news" correct?
    Community Answer
    "Here is the good news" is correct because "news" is an uncountable noun. It's always treated as singular.
  • Question
    My problem is I am afraid, so when I try to speak English I get it wrong and then I become frustrated, so what can I do?
    Community Answer
    First of all, have confidence in yourself. And even if you commit mistakes, calm down, no one's going to get upset with you. For practice, stand in front of the mirror and speak to yourself, there's no pressure there. The more you do this, the more your language skills will improve, and the more confident you will become.
  • Question
    How can I improve my speaking so I sound native?
    wazaa
    Community Answer
    I would recommend listening to English podcasts or tapes to help with your use of proper English. If you want to speak a certain dialect/accent, study the accent and speak in it as much as possible. I am learning Spanish and I found this very useful.
  • Question
    What resources canI find at a library that will help improve my English?
    Community Answer
    Look for easy-to-read novels at the library to learn English and increase your vocabulary in a fun, entertaining way. You can also use magazines, newspapers and audio tapes to boost your comprehension on a variety of topics.
  • Question
    How can I increase my confidence in English and formulate my thoughts in English faster?
    Community Answer
    Use English as much as possible to boost your confidence and recall words faster. Read English newspapers and magazines, listen to English podcasts, watch the news in English and keep a journal in English to practice your skills and increase your vocabulary.
  • Question
    Is it proper to say: Why you didn't text me? Or why didn't you text me?
    Community Answer
    It's proper to say, "Why didn't you text me?" If it wasn't a question, you would say, "You didn't text me" rather than "You text didn't."
  • Question
    How do I say "My husband and I cooked Thanksgiving dinner together"?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    The way you've expressed it is just right.
  • Question
    Is saying "way before's" correct English?
    Community Answer
    No. You can say "way before", but not "way before's". For example, you might say, "that happened way before the internet got big". Of course, in more formal English, "way before" is actually frowned upon. You would instead use "long before".
  • Question
    How do I improve my English skills?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    There's no substitute for practice. Copy native speakers and writers.
  • Question
    How can I say this using correct grammar: "Thank you for considering me to be one of your online instructor my problem is the work schedule I am not available during weekends"?
    Community Answer
    Thank you for considering me to be one of your online instructor. I have a problem with the work schedule, however, as I am not able to work on the weekends.
  • Question
    How do I expand my vocabulary in English?
    Community Answer
    Read as much as you can, as widely as possible (newspapers, books, magazines, blogs, etc.). Keep a notebook for collecting vocabulary, in which you include the word in context (in the sentence you found it in) and its meaning. Practice using new words each day.
  • Question
    Is it right to say "I spoke to" or "I spoke with"?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Either is correct.
  • Question
    Which books can I buy to improve my English?
    Community Answer
    The best thing to do is to find books that are written for your age range and try to read through them. If you find them too difficult, gradually decrease the reading level until you're comfortable again and then work upwards from there.
  • Question
    Is it proper English to say "he is friends with me"?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it is correct.
  • Question
    Is it right to say, "she said she will be back" or "she says she will be back?"
    Community Answer
    It depends on the question. If the question is, "what did she say?" then the first answer is suitable. If the question is, "what does she say?" then your last answer is correct.
  • Question
    "What did you just said?" or "What did you said?" Which one is correct?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    "What did you say?" or "What did you just say?"
  • Question
    Is it "me neither" or "me either"?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    In informal speech one person might say, "I don't like onions," and another person might reply, "Me neither."
  • Question
    Is it correct to say "Good morning to you" when someone says good morning to me?
    Community Answer
    No, just say "Good morning."
  • Question
    Our teacher taught us that diction does not mean knowing the way I deliver, but instead it is the proper choice of words. Is that correct?
    Community Answer
    It can mean both of those things.
  • Question
    Why is it so hard for me to speak English in front of many people?
    Community Answer
    When you are in front of people speaking a new language, there will always be pressure to keep the conversation going at the speed of the other speakers. Native speakers of English will speak very fast sometimes and for those learning English, it has to be a struggle to speak in front of us because sometimes we are speaking back and forth very quickly. My advice is to first get your fluency and pronunciation down, then to worry about speed.
  • Question
    What should I do if people laugh at me when I try to speak English?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Just smile and keep trying. In consolation, you might try to imagine what they'd sound like if they tried to speak your native language.
  • Question
    Which is the correct way to say the following sentence, "some of us (are, is) speaking lies"?
    Community Answer
    "Some of us are" is correct. You are talking about a group of people. Other way around - "One of us is" - is correct because you're talking about one person out of a group.
  • Question
    Is it "they had come to the dinner" or "they had came to the dinner"?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    "...had come..."
  • Question
    What is the correct way? Is it St. Mary's Church or St. Mary Church?
    Community Answer
    Saint Mary's Church is the correct way.
  • Question
    When speaking to a group of people, can "you" be used as plural? "You all will make a difference" or "You will make a difference"?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, "you" can be used in the plural sense, or you can say "all of you," "each of you" or "every one of you."
  • Question
    Is "must I go out" or "most I go out" correct in English?
    Community Answer
    "Must I go out" is correct.
  • Question
    Is "sloan down" ever right when talking about someone slowing down?
    Community Answer
    No, if you are speaking about someone slowing down, you would say, "He has slowed down". Sometimes we native English speakers sound like we are saying "slown" or "sloan", but we mean to say "slowed down".
  • Question
    Is it OK to use synonyms every time when speaking English?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    It's entirely up to you whether to use a synonym. Your goal is to use words that mean exactly what you want to say.
  • Question
    Is "You said what?" or "You says what?" correct?
    Community Answer
    "You said what?" is correct, but a more common phrase would be "What did you say?"
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