Friday 18 October 2013

Know your English 18/10/2013

Idiom of the day: A man of one’s word

Meaning: If you say he is a man of his word, he is a trustworthy man.

For example: My boss is a man of his word and so, I can safely trust him.

Phrasal verb of the day: Look after

Meaning: Look after means take care

For example: The child is looked after by its mother.


Proverb of the day: A greased mouth cannot say "No"

Meaning: One who has taken bribes cannot refuse any request of his patron.

Illustration :
The commander led his men. They laid siege to the fort. They kept watch, round the clock. None could get away from the fort.
"The defenders need food and water. They may have some food and water in stock. But that won't last long. The fort will fall soon," said the commander to his close associates.
The siege continued. Even after a month, there was no sign of panic on the part of the defenders. The commander however remained cool. "Victory will be ours," he said confidently.
That night, he rode away, to the neighbouring town. He reached a house, set on the outskirts of the town. He knocked. Someone asked, "Who is there?" The Commander introduced himself. The door opened. "Come in," said the host, not showing much enthusiasm on seeing the guest.
"You don't seem to be happy to see me," the commander stared at the host.
"You know the reason. I was once an official at the fort. I have retired. I have settled down here, far from the fort. If the news that I have met you, reaches the defenders, will be a dead man," he sounded scared.

"Well, I won't stay even a minute more than is necessary. I have helped you with funds several times when you were working at the fort. I never asked you for any favor. Now I want it. Tell I me, is there a secret tunnel to the fort?" the commander waited for an answer.
"I ... Well ..." the host stammered.
"Tell me. Or I will send to your master the documents to prove that you have taken bribe from me. That will be the end of you."
The host reluctantly gave the information. The commander rode away, telling himself, "A greased mouth can never say NO." Next day, after dusk, he led a few soldiers to the mouth of the tunnel. He directed them to sneak in and take the men who were at the main gate. The men at the gate were taken by surprise. The drawbridge came down. The attacking army swarmed in. Soon the fort fell.
Conclusion: A man who sells himself is a slave forever.

 

Common errors in English

Sentence: 

  • There are twenty candidates for lecturership (in correct)

  • There are twenty candidates for lectureship (correct)

Explanation: Lecturership is wrong; lectureship is correct
We often confused and commit mistakes in the use of certain nouns.

 

English blues

            What is the difference between ‘aside from’ and ‘apart from’?

In meaning, there is no difference; the two can be used interchangeably in most contexts. Both expressions can be used to mean ‘except for’ and ‘as well as’. ‘Aside from’ is much more frequent in American English.
For example: aside/apart from a few stray dogs howling, the street was strangely quiet.  


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