Everyday English (Elementary)

Topic: Talking about your neighbourhood

Lesson Notes August 20, 2024 (Elementary)

Words & Phrases

• The sunflowers were in blossom.

• The sunflowers were blossoming.

• The bicycle path was in the shade.

• The cut sunflowers can’t stand up with a big flower.

• In the evenings, I can hear the crickets (chirping / singing).

• You’re really good at (memorizing / remembering) dance routines.

• I have to move positions from right to left quickly.

• The guys I golfed with were really (funny / comical), and (cheerfully / jovial).

• They were good at driving, they weren’t good at putting.

• It was a very long and tiring day, but it was really fulfilling. (Fulfil; (adj) satisfied and happy)

• When do you (go to / leave for) Canada?

• How long are you staying there?

Appropriacy

• “Recently” can also be said in these ways;

• In the last few (days / weeks / months) …

• In the past few (days / weeks / months) …

• Lately …

• For the last little while …

Neighbourhood

Section 5

2. I am including some extra information that will be helpful later on in our studies.

There is a difference between “few/little” and “a few/a little.”

“Few” and “little” are rather negative; they mean “not many” or “not much.”

“A few” and “a little” are more positive; they mean “some.”

• We use “few” and “a few” with plural nouns.

• Few people in the neighbourhood attend the community meetings. (= not many people attend)

• A few people in the neighbourhood helped clean up the park. (= some people helped)

• We use “little” and “a little” with uncountable nouns.

• There is little interest in the neighbourhood for a new shopping centre. (= not much interest)

• There’s a little excitement in the neighbourhood about the upcoming festival. (= some excitement)