Common grammar/syntax errors can cause confusion in email and in verbal communication in English. This confusion is multiplied when global teams are communicating across time zones. One international manager noted that an error in email typically requires 3 email follow-ups. Working with the interactive software program, Writing in English*, helps nonnative writers eliminate common grammar/syntax mistakes and build the skills to communicate more concisely and effectively in English.

The following paragraph was written by a professional from another country working in the U.S. It has some grammar/syntax errors. The unedited version is #1. In the second sample, the grammar/syntax errors have been identified. In the third sample, those errors have been corrected. There is a step number next to each correction in the third sample that correlates with the steps in the Writing in English program.

#1 Original

#2 Errors Identified red= mistakes, ^= missing word

#3 Corrected

Steps from Writing in English

Step 7- Use the correct verb tense

Step 8- Use modal auxilaries correctly

Step 10 – Use active and passive appropriately

Step 11- Use gerunds or infinitives after verbs that require them

Step 15 –Use prepositions correctly

Step 16- Use the correct word form

Step 19- Use the correct article

Step 22- Use the appropriate word to connect clauses

Step 24- Use parallel structure

*Writing in English is co-branded by ETSÒ(Educational Testing Service), makers of TOEFL and TOEIC.

An idiom is a group of words with a special meaning of its own that is not clear from the meanings of the individual words. Idioms are used extensively in conversations, email, presentations, newspapers, magazines, and films. If you don’t understand the idiom, you can feel left out of the conversation or presentation since the idiom is often the “point” of the sentence.

All languages have idiomatic expressions; however, idioms are used very frequently in American culture, especially American business culture. You can learn idioms over time after immersion in a culture, but it can really speed things up to have a systematic approach. Once you become more aware of idiomatic expressions, you will notice them more easily in conversations and newspapers like the Wall Street Journal, which is an excellent source for idioms.

Our approach to teaching idioms also helps improve listening comprehension and pronunciation in English. We present the idioms in the context of a story or dialog. This helps you to hear the idioms in a more natural setting. Audio tracks for each page include four different native speaker models. Then we have a page devoted to each idiom. This page presents the definition and examples of how the idiom can be used in a sentence. We also show how the concepts we teach in the Pronunciation In English program apply to idioms. The pronunciation notes demonstrate how stress, intonation, focus words, reduction and linking apply to each idiom. Idioms in English reinforces all of the concepts presented in the pronunciation program in a new context.

Every idioms page is followed by a scored dictation practice and a focus word exercise, both of which help build listening comprehension. At the end of every chapter is another scored dictation exercise. Once you learn all the idioms, you can check your knowledge with the final exam at the end of the program. It is a lot of fun to spot idioms you’ve learned in everyday conversations, in the newspapers, and in movies. Learning about idioms in English will help you become more fluent in the language as it used every day by native speakers.

Definition:

Act agressively and ruthlessly to achieve a goal

Examples:

Their lawyers decided to play hardball, so they may delay payment until we sign this new contract.

I don’t like it when he plays hardball in the negotiations; it makes it difficult for us to come to an agreement.

Source:

Using idioms in conversation demonstrates mastery of a foreign language. Idioms in English shows you how to use stress to pronounce an idiom in a sentence like a native speaker.

Definition:

The current value is less than the original value

Examples:

That stock is underwater now, so he can’t sell it or he’ll lose lots of money on his original investment.

An underwater option would be worthless if it expired today.

Source:

Using idioms in conversation demonstrates mastery of a foreign language. Idioms in English shows you how to use stress to pronounce an idiom in a sentence like a native speaker.

Definition: Go beyond what is usual or standard; innovate

Examples:

That company is always trying to push the envelope and create something better.

Test pilots are trained to push the evelope and exceed the current speed records.

Source:

Using idioms in conversation demonstrates mastery of a foreign language. Idioms in English shows you how to use stress to pronounce an idiom in a sentence like a native speaker.

Kathy L. Hans has taught English as a Foreign Language/English as a Second Language for over twenty years. She has trained teachers throughout California for the State Department of Education and authored “Teaching Pronunciation in Context,” a training text with videotape for teachers.

This podcast describes the difference between phrasal verbs and compound nouns. Listen to this podcast after listening to the separate phrasal verbs and compound nouns podcasts linked below in previous posts.

Phrasal verbs versus compound nouns podcast

Three interactive software programs authored by Kathy L. Hans are Pronunciation In English, Idioms in English and Writing in English.

Another idioms podcast by Kathy L. Hans of AmEnglish.com:

Listeners will learn how to pronounce and use the following idioms:

• Lay it on the line
• Back out

Idioms podcast: “Lay it on the line” and “Back out”

These examples are taken from the program Idioms in English authored by Kathy L. Hans

Learn about the stress patterns in phrasal verbs to improve your pronunciation.

Phrasal verbs podcast

More information on Pronunciation In English is available from AmEnglish.com