IDIOMS WITH "BY"

WORDS TO DESCRIBE JOBS AND WORK

This is an extension of the topic we've studied in unit 5. One of the sections in the unit was "describing jobs" so here are some more words for this purpose.

assistant: used as part of a title for someone whose job is to help someone who is in charge of doing something.

associate: someone who is in an associate position has a job at a level below the highest level.

casual (adjective): used about jobs that are not regular or permanent.

clerical (adjective): connected with the ordinary work that people do in offices.

collaborative: involving people or groups working together to produce something.

cooperative: done by people or organizations working together.

customer-facing (adjective): dealing directly with the customers of a business.

freelance (adjective): freelance work is done by a person who is not permanently employed by a particular company but who sells their services to more than one company.

FT (abbreviation): full-time.

full-time (adjective): done for the number of hours that people normally work in a complete week. Part-time work or study is done during just some of these hours.

hand in glove: if you work hand in glove with someone, you work very closely with them.

monotonous: a monotonous job is very boring because you have to keep repeating the same thing.

professional: relating to work that needs special skills and qualifications.

responsible: a responsible job or position is one in which you have to make importantdecisions or be in charge of a lot of people.

secretarial (adjective): relating to the work or skills of a secretary.

semi-skilled: a semi-skilled job needs some basic skills. Someone who does this kind of job is called a semi-skilled worker.

skilled: a skilled job needs someone who has ability and experience.

unpaid: unpaid work is work that you are not paid for.

unskilled: used about jobs that unskilled people do.

unsociable: an unsociable job is one in which you have to work at unusual times of the day so that you do not have much time to spend with your family or friends.

voluntary: voluntary work is done for no pay.

(adapted from Mcmillan Dictionary online)

EXPAND YOUR VOCABULARY

LA MITAD DE LOS ESPAÑOLES HABLA UN SEGUNDO IDIOMA

This is an article that appeared in La opinión de Murcia.

Read it here.

THE VERB "GET" AND ITS DIFFERENT MEANINGS/COMBINATIONS

Get is an irregular verb. Its three parts are get, got, got.

Get meaning ‘fetch’, ‘receive’, ‘obtain’ (see examples below). We commonly use get + object or get + indirect object + direct object when we mean, very generally, ‘fetch’ or ‘receive’ or ‘obtain’. 

- to obtain, buy, or earn something:

He went to the shop to get some milk.

I think she gets about £40,000 a year.
We stopped on the way to get some breakfast.
I managed to get all three suitcases for under $200.
How much did he get for his car? (= How much money did he sell it for?)
Where did you get your shoes from?
​

- to receive or be given something:

I got quite a surprise when I saw her with short hair.
When did you get the news about Sam?
I got a phone call from Phil last night.
What grade did he get for the exam?
I got the impression that they'd rather be alone.
What did you get for your birthday?
We don't get much snow (= it does not often snow) here.
I managed to get a glimpse of him (= see him for a moment) through the crowds.
If you get a moment (= have time available), could you help me fill in that form?
She gets such pleasure from her garden.
If you can get some time off work, we could finish the decorating.
I can never get her to myself (= be alone with her) because she's always surrounded by people.
​

- to go somewhere and bring back someone or something:

Let me go get my glasses.
Can I get you a drink?
​

- to take someone or something into your possession by force:

Have the police got the man who did it yet?
Your cat got a bird this morning!


- to reach or arrive at a particular place:

We hadn't even got as far as London when the car broke down.
What time does he normally get home (from work)?
If you get to the restaurant before us, just wait at the bar.
​

- to reach a particular stage, condition, or time:

You earn loads of money if you get to the top in that profession.
It got to Thursday and she still hadn't heard any news.
informal I'm getting to the stage now where I just want to give up.
get far/somewhere/anywhere
​

- to make progress or to improve:

She's taking flute lessons, but she really doesn't seem to be getting anywhere with it.
It's been hard settling in, but I feel like I'm getting somewhere at last.

​
- to become ill with a disease, virus, etc.:

I got food poisoning at that cheap little seafood restaurant.
Kids get all kinds of bugs at school.


- to become or start to be:

 We commonly use get + adjective to mean ‘become’ or to describe a change of state or situation.

He gets really upset if you mention his baldness.
Is your cold getting any better?
Your coffee's getting cold.
After a while you get used to all the noise.
You're getting to be such a big boy, aren't you!
How did you get to be a belly dancer?
​

- to start to go or move:

We'd better get moving or we'll be late.


- to cause something to happen, or cause someone or something to do something:

When we use get + object (o) + -ed form, we say that we cause something to happen or to be done. It is a less formal way of saying have something done.

She had to get the kids ready for school.
 I'm trying to get this article finished by Thursday.
We get our groceries delivered.
 Were you able to get the copy machine working?
 I can't get my computer to work!
​

- to persuade someone to do something:

Why don't you get Nicole to come to the party?
​

- to do something to something or someone without intending to or by accident:

He got his bag caught in the train doors as they were closing.
I always get the two youngest sisters' names confused.

​
- sometimes used instead of "be" to form the passive:

We form the standard passive with be + -ed form. We form the get passive with get + -ed form.

I got shouted at by some idiot for walking past his house.
They're getting married later this year.
This window got broken.
​

- to move to a different place or into a differentposition:

I hit my head as I was getting into the car.
Get out of here now or I'll call the police.
The bed is too wide - we'll never get it through the door.
Getting up the ladder was easy enough - it was coming down that was the problem.
He got down on his knees and asked me to marry him!


- to travel somewhere in a train, bus, or other vehicle:

Shall we get a taxi to the station?

​
- to deal with or answer a ringing phone, knock on the door, etc.:

Hey, Ty, someone's at the door - would you get it, please?

​
- to have the chance to do something:

I never get to see her now that she works somewhere else.

​
- to understand or hear something:

I didn't get what he said because the music was so loud.
I told that joke to Sophia, but she didn't get it.

​
- to prepare a meal:

I'll put the kids to bed while you're getting dinner ready.

​
- to pay for something:

Put your money away - I'll get these drinks.

​
- (informal) to confuse someone and make them completely unableto understand or explain:

Give him a technical question - that'll really get him!
you've got me there! informal
​

- something that you say when you do not know the answer to aquestion:

"How many ounces in a kilo?" "You've got me there."

​
- (informal) to annoy someone:

It really gets to me the way we're expected to actually laugh at his pathetic jokes!

​
- (informal) to make someone feel strongly emotional and often cry:
That part in the film when he finds out that his daughter is alive - that always gets me!

​
 - to hit someone, especially with a bullet or something thrown:
The bullet got her in the leg.

- Get describing negative events. We can use get + -ed form to describe things that happen to us, often things which are unfortunate and which we don’t want to happen. We call this pattern the get passive.

- Get or go? Get and go have similar meanings, when talking about travel or motion. When we use get, we emphasise arrival.

IDIOMS WITH GET

get away with murder
get him, her, you, etc.!
get it on
get it together
I/I've got this
you/you've got this

PHRASAL VERBS WITH GET

get sth across
get ahead
get along
get around
get around (somewhere)
get around sth
get around to sth
get at sb
get at sth
get away
get away with sth
get back
get sb back
get sth back
get back to sb
get back to sth
get behind
get by
get sb down
get sth down
get sth down (sb)
get down to sth
get in
get in/get into sth
get sth in
get sb in
get in on sth
get into sb
get into sth
get (sb) into sth
get off
get off (sth)
get sth off
get (sb) off
get (sb) off (sth)
get sth off (sth)
get off on sth
get off with sb
get on
get on (sth)
get on to/onto sth
get on with sth
get out
get (sb/sth) out
get out of sth
get sth out of sth
get sth out of sb
get over sth/sb
get sth over with
get round (somewhere)
get round sb
get round sth
get round to sth
get through
get through sth
get (sb) through sth
get (sth) through (to sb)
get to
get to sb
get together
get up
get (sb) up
get sth up
get yourself/sb up
get up to sth

INTERMEDIATE 2B VISITED THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

The students from group NI2B visited the school library yesterday. Alfonso Peña, an art teacher and student from NA1, explained that, apart from borrowing books, there are plenty of magazines and films to take home to watch and learn. All the students listened to Alfonso's explanations, got motivated and borrowed quite a few films. I'm sure their English will get better if they do this along the course.

NO MORE MISTAKES WITH MODALS

TRAVELLING AROUND IN BRITAIN

In today's class we've had Alfonso, an art teacher and a student from our school, who's told us about his last trip to Britain. It's been good advice on what to do if we want to move around and don't have a lot of money.

TEN SONGS TO IMPROVE YOUR PRONUNCIATION

Read this article from la Opinión de Murcia.

COLLOCATIONS

EXPRESS

express something 

Teachers have expressed concern about the changes.

His views have been expressed in numerous speeches.

to express fears/doubts/reservationsto express interest/regret/surpriseexpress how, what, etc… 

Words cannot express how pleased I am.

express yourself   Teenagers often have difficulty expressing themselves.

express yourself + adv./prep.    Perhaps I have not expressed myself very well.

SHAKE

shake hands (with somebody) (on something) 

Do people in Italy shake hands when they meet?

They shook hands on the deal (= to show that they had reached an agreement).

shake somebody’s hand    He shook my hand warmly.

shake somebody by the hand     Our host shook each of us warmly by the hand.

She shook her head in disbelief.

HOLD

hold somebody/something (+ adv./prep.) to carry something; 

to have somebody/something in your hand, arms, etc.    She was holding a large box.

I held the mouse by its tail.

The girl held her father's hand tightly.

He was holding the baby in his arms.

The winning captain held the trophy in the air.

We were holding hands (= holding each other's hands).

hold something      to have a meeting, competition, conversation, etc.     The meeting will be held in the community centre.

It's impossible to hold a conversation with all this noise.

The country is holding its first free elections for 20 years.

FIND

 to have a particular feeling or opinion about somethingfind something + adj. 

You may find your illness hard to accept.

You may find it hard to accept your illness.

I find it amazing that they're still together.

UNIT 2 VOCABULARY REVIEW-EXTENSION

EXHAUSTED  adjective  /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/
very tired

I'm exhausted! 

to feel completely/utterly exhausted

The exhausted climbers were rescued by helicopter.

PLEASED adjective  /pliːzd/
feeling happy about something

1 pleased (with somebody/something) 

She was very pleased with her exam results.

The boss should be pleased with you.pleased (that…)

 I'm really pleased that you're feeling better.

pleased (to hear, know, etc. something) I'm pleased to hear about your news.

You're coming? I'm so pleased.

He did not look too pleased when I told him.

2 pleased to do something happy or willing to do something

We are always pleased to be able to help.

I was pleased to hear you've been promoted.

Aren't you pleased to see me?(especially British English)

 Pleased to meet you (= said when you are introduced to somebody).

Thank you for your invitation, which I am very pleased to accept.

I am pleased to inform you that the book you ordered has arrived.

FURIOUS  adjective  /ˈfjʊəriəs/

very angry

furious (at something/somebody) She was absolutely furious at having been deceived.

furious (with somebody/yourself) He was furious with himself for letting things get so out of control.

furious (that…) I'm furious that I wasn't told about it.

STRESSED adjective  /strest/
too anxious and tired to be able to relax

He was feeling very stressed and tired.

FED UP   adjective   /ˌfed ˈʌp/

bored or unhappy, especially with a situation that has continued for too long

You look fed up. What's the matter?

fed up with somebody/something People are fed up with all these traffic jams.

In the end, I just got fed up with his constant complaining.

I wish he'd get a job. 

I'm fed up with it (= with the situation).

fed up with doing something I'm fed up with waiting for her.

I’m fed up to the back teeth(= very fed up) with hearing about your problems.

GUILTY  adjective  /ˈɡɪlti/

1 guilty (about something) 

feeling ashamed because you have done something that you know is wrong or have not done something that you should have done

I felt guilty about not visiting my parents more often.

John had a guilty look on his face.

I had a guilty conscience and could not sleep.

2 guilty (of something) 

having done something illegal; being responsible for something bad that has happened

The jury found the defendant not guilty of the offence.

He pleaded guilty to murder.

We've all been guilty of selfishness at some time in our lives.

WHAT OR WHICH? LEARN HOW TO CHOOSE

SOUND SMARTER AND AVOID MISTAKES

RADIO STATIONS IN LONDON

This is a link to all the Radio Stations in London. Hope you enjoy listening to English from the City.

PRINCE HARRY ON TEACHERS

"In addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, the very best teachers go beyond the pages of textbooks to teach young people about determination, aspiration, resilience and of course compassion," said Prince Harry.

You can read the article here.

WHAT KIND OF LEARNER ARE YOU?

LAS PROFESIONES MÁS DEMANDADAS EN 2017 REQUERIRÁN EL DOMINIO DEL INGLÉS

Los ingenieros, los profesionales de tecnologías de la información (IT) y los especialistas en Big Data serán los pefiles más demandados por el mercado laboral en 2017, según la previsión realizada por la empresa de trabajo temporal Randstad Professionals. En cuanto a las habilidades asociadas a los perfiles digitales, destacan la capacidad de adaptación, autonomía, movilidad laboral y dominio del inglés.

El informe, que analiza los perfiles de responsabilidad que buscan las compañías, las competencias más valoradas y los sectores que impulsarán la creación de empleo, concluye que la digitalización marca el paso de este nuevo año, por lo que el perfil profesional que buscan las empresas es "claramente tecnológico", con experiencia internacional, polivalencia, adaptación al cambio, visión estratégica, capacidad analítica y grandes dotes de negociación y gestión.

El sector de tecnologías de la información será uno de los más dinámicos en 2017, por eso los perfiles ligados con la digitalización estarán muy demandados durante el próximo año.

Por otro lado, la ciberseguridad será otro de los sectores que impulsarán la contratación de trabajadores altamente cualificados y seguirá siendo tendencia la inversión en Internet de las cosas, lo que conlleva que la demanda seguirá creciendo en el ámbito de las telecomunicaciones y la conectividad. Este auge se une a las plataformas de TV digitales, que siguen creciendo de manera exponencial. De hecho, Randstad Research prevé que la digitalización genere 1,25 millones de empleos en los próximos cinco años, con una alta demanda de desarrolladores y analistas Java y .Net, ingenieros de telecomunicaciones e informáticos.

(Artículo publicado en La Verdad de Murcia)