BOX SET: English In A Minute 14 – TEN English lessons in 10 minutes!

Summary

This BBC Learning English video script delves into the nuances of English adverbs and adjectives, clarifying the distinctions between 'continuously' and 'continually', and the use of '-ed' and '-ing' endings to express feelings. It also covers the application of 'available', the temporal phrases 'last', 'for the last', and 'in the last', and the correct use of 'good' and 'well'. Additionally, it explores past abilities with 'could' and 'was able to', the multifaceted use of 'issue', and comparative constructions with 'as...as'. The script concludes with the differences between 'also', 'as well', and 'too', and the usage of 'for' and 'since' in temporal contexts, offering viewers a comprehensive guide to mastering these language subtleties.

Takeaways

• 📝 'Continuously' and 'Continually' are both adverbs but have distinct meanings; 'Continuously' indicates no stopping, while 'Continually' implies repeated actions over time.
• 🗣️ 'Bored' and 'boring' are used to describe feelings and reasons for those feelings, respectively, with -ed endings for feelings and -ing for the cause.
• 🛍️ 'Available' is an adjective used to describe things that can be obtained or people who are free to do something.
• ⏳ The phrases 'last', 'for the last', and 'in the last' are used to describe different aspects of time, with 'last' referring to a specific past period, 'for the last' indicating continuity up to now, and 'in the last' referring to a single occurrence within a period.
• 🍕 'Good' is an adjective that describes nouns, and 'well' is an adverb that describes verbs, except when 'well' is used as an adjective to describe health.
• 🏅 'Could' and 'was able to' are used to express past abilities, with 'could' for general abilities and 'was able to' for specific achievements, but 'could' is also used for specific sensory or thought-related events.
• 📰 'An issue' can refer to a significant topic, a problem, or an edition of a publication, and 'to issue' as a verb means to make something officially available.
• 📊 Comparatives can be formed using 'as...as' to indicate equality or similarity, with 'not as' to express inequality.
• 📝 'Also', 'as well', and 'too' are used to add information in a sentence, with 'also' typically placed around the verb and 'as well' or 'too' at the end, though 'as well' is more British English.
• ⏱️ 'For' and 'since' are used to express duration and starting points in time, respectively, with 'for' indicating how long something has lasted and 'since' indicating when it started.

Q & A

What is the difference between 'continuously' and 'continually'?

'Continuously' means something doesn't stop or end, such as speaking for 15 minutes without stopping. 'Continually' refers to a repeated action that happens over a period of time, starting and stopping repeatedly.

How does the use of '-ed' and '-ing' endings differ in describing feelings?

The '-ed' ending, such as in 'bored', describes the feeling of the subject, while the '-ing' ending, like in 'boring', describes the reason for that feeling.

What is the meaning of the word 'available' when used with things?

'Available' with things means that they can be obtained or purchased, indicating their accessibility during a certain time or place.

How is 'available' used when referring to people?

When used with people, 'available' means that someone is free to do something and there is nothing preventing them from doing it.

What is the distinction between 'last', 'for the last', and 'in the last' when discussing time?

'Last' refers to the most recent completed time period before now. 'For the last' indicates a continuous period up to now. 'In the last' refers to a specific event or occurrence within a certain time period leading up to now.

What does 'good' describe in the sentence 'I make very good pizza'?

'Good' in this sentence is an adjective describing the noun 'pizza', indicating the quality of the pizza made.

How is 'well' used in the context of the verb 'make' in the sentence 'I make pizza very well'?

'Well' in this context is an adverb describing the verb 'make', indicating the manner in which the pizza is made.

When can 'well' be used as an adjective?

'Well' can be used as an adjective to describe health, such as in the sentence 'I wasn't feeling very well yesterday'.

What is the difference between using 'could' and 'was able to' for past abilities?

'Could' is used for general abilities, while 'was able to' is typically used for specific achievements. However, 'could' can also be used for specific events related to senses or thought processes.

What are some main uses of the word 'issue'?

An 'issue' can be an important topic of discussion, a problem, or when used as a verb, 'to issue' can mean something is ready or available for official purposes. It can also refer to a specific edition of a newspaper or magazine.

How do you make comparatives using 'as' and 'as'?

You use 'as' with an adjective and another 'as' to indicate that two things are the same or equal in some quality, and you can use 'much' or 'many' between the two 'as's for emphasis.

What is the difference in usage between 'also', 'as well', and 'too'?

'Also' is used with the verb in the middle of the sentence or at the beginning for emphasis. 'As well' and 'too' are used at the end of the sentence, with 'as well' being more common in British English and 'too' in American English.

How do 'for' and 'since' differ in describing time?

'For' is used to describe the duration of an activity or situation, while 'since' is used to indicate when an activity or situation started.