Issue #115

English Tips for:

Business English Language Learners (B.E.L.L.)

Puerto Rico

Each week I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.

Puerto Rico is a self-governed unincorporated territory of the United States. What does that mean? It means that it has its own democratic system of government, and the citizens are US citizens, but they don't have a voting representation in the US federal government. The island was ceded to the US by Spain at the end of the Spanish–American War, as stipulated in the Treaty of Paris of 1898.

Vocabulary

Language Level - B2

We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.

A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.

Lung (n)
Maintain (v)
Majority (n)
Make (n)
Map (v)
Mass (n, adj)
Massive (adj)
Master (n, v)
Matching (adj)
Material (adj)

Study this set with this quizlet

Listening and Reading Tip

Language Level - B1

Listen to this NPR article that explains the complicated relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico. Read along to practice your reading and listening skills at the same time: https://www.npr.org/2019/09/23/763323794/the-complicated-relationship-between-puerto-rico-and-u-s-mainland

Grammar Tip

Language Level - B1

Infinitive or Gerund?

The last few weeks we have been reviewing Gerunds and Infinitives and how to use them.

Remember, both gerunds and infinitives are verbs that function as a noun (instead of a verb) in a sentence.

Gerunds end with -ing

Infinitives begin with to

There are lots of different "rules" when it comes to knowing whether you use a gerund or an infinitive, so the best approach is to break it down into smaller parts and keep practicing.

Watch this video that explains using the gerund or infinitive after FORGOT:

Let's Practice!

Put the verb into the correct form:

____________ important deadlines can lead to serious consequences at work.
She apologized for ______________ his birthday last week.
_____________ names is something that happens to everyone occasionally.
His constant __________ of the rules frustrated the entire team.
We laughed about his _____________ to bring the cake to the party.
She tried _________ the embarrassing moment, but it kept replaying in her mind.
I promised _________about the argument and move on.
They reminded him _______ the past and focus on the future.
He made a note ______________ his worries during the vacation.

Writing Tip

Language Level - B2

Use the vocabulary words to write out complete sentences to practice your new vocabulary. Challenge yourself by using the word in two different sentences.

Tip: Research has shown that we remember things better when we write them down by hand (typing/texting) doesn't count. Writing your sentences by hand will deepen your practice.