Do you know which preposition to use when you talk about Christmas? 

In this lesson, you will learn the difference between at Christmas, on Christmas Day, for Christmas and over Christmas. 
​
​
at Christmas 
We say at Christmas when something happens during the Christmas holiday period. (= just before and after December 25th)

Examples: 

• The whole family gets together at Christmas. 
• People usually visit their families at Christmas. 
• I much prefer to be with my family at Christmas rather than at work. 

on Christmas Day 
We say on Christmas Day when something happens on December 25th. 

Examples: 

• There are lots of things people can do on Christmas day apart from sitting under the tree and opening presents. 
• A large number of employees are expected to be at work on Christmas Day. 

for Christmas 

Examples: 

• Are you in the city for Christmas? 
• Are you going home for Christmas? 
• I'm not going home for Christmas this year. 
• My husband and I prefer to go overseas for Christmas and New Year. 
• I got a lot of presents for Christmas when I was a child. (= You get a present for Christmas.) 
• I'm sorry I didn't make it home for Christmas. 

VOCABULARY: 

• make it (phrase) - If you make it somewhere, you succeed in getting there, especially in time to do something. 

over Christmas 

Examples: 

• I'll be in Thailand over Christmas. I much prefer hot weather to low temperatures and snow. 
• Eggnog is a popular drink over Christmas. It's made from milk, cream, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg and alcohol. In the past, it was a wintertime drink for British aristocracy because only the wealthy could afford the ingredients. 

​

Other lessons: 
English for Describing Festivals: New Year 
English Lesson: 5 Types of Lifestyle 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Travel opinions 
English Conversation: Travel experience 
English Conversation: Travelling in Europe and Asia 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends!

In this lesson, you will learn common phrases used in informal situations. They will help you sound more natural in English conversations. 

Read the examples to learn how you can use them in your everyday life.


I bet (that) 
You can use it when you are sure about something. 

Examples: 

• You're doing a wonderful job. I bet it's not always easy. 
• I bet the bus will be late. 

​
I owe you 
You can use this phrase to thank someone for something they have done for you. It is also a way of saying that you will do something for them in the future. 

Examples: 

• I owe you a treat. Can I treat you to coffee? 
• Thanks for your help. I owe you a favour. 
• Thanks for helping me out, John. I owe you one! 

up for something 
You can use this phrase to show that you are ready and willing to do something. 

Examples: 

• 'Do you wanna go grab some lunch?' - 'Sure, I'm up for it.' 
• Are you up for going to the cinema tomorrow evening? 
• (in a hospital) I know it’s after visiting hours, but are you up for some company? – Yes, come in. 

Note: You can also use the phrase in questions to ask other people if they would like to do something with you or to go to a place with you. 


off the table 
We use 'off the table' to talk about offers or proposals that are no longer considered or available. 

Examples: 

• (in a publishing company) Children's books are off the table. (= not going to publish them) 
• This offer will be off the table next month. (= it won't be available) 
• Don't wait too long to accept the job offer -- it might be off the table before you know it. 
• (football) His contract expires at the end of the season and the next one is off the table. 

go off the rails 
1. To start behaving in an inappropriate or socially unacceptable manner. 

Examples: 

• ​At 16, she suddenly went off the rails and started skipping school. (skip school = pretending to go to school but actually taking part in activities) 
• He was a promising student but he went off the rails after his parents got divorced. 
• My son started going off the rails in his late teens. (teens = the period of your life when you are between 13 and 19 years old.) [early/late teens] 

2. To no longer work as planned or intended. 

Examples: 

• If this goes off the rails, my dad's whole business could go under. (= become bankrupt) 

​
Note: OPPOSITE: back on the rails (behaving or functioning in a normal way) 

Examples: 

• If we succeed in raising money, the project will be back on the rails. 

learn (something) the hard way 
When you learn how to do something by trying and making a lot of mistakes. 

Examples: 

• Living abroad can be tough and lonely. I had to learn that the hard way. 
• I thought he was going to propose to me and then he broke my heart. I learned the hard way.  
• Being a parent is definitely challenging, but you never really know what it means until you learn about it the hard way. 

(just) for the record 
You can use this phrase when you give a piece of information that you want people to know. 
You make something clear and known publicly. 

Examples: 

• For the record, I'm doing this for the kids. 
• Just for the record, soft drinks are bad for your teeth. 

Note: It can be used to add something that isn't related to the conversation, but needs to be said. 

Synonyms: Let me make myself clear. | Let's get things straight. 


be big on something 
It is used to say that you are very interested in something, or like something a lot. 

Examples: 

• To be honest, I'm not very big on classical music. 
• I'm big on history. I really like reading historical books and learning more about ancient cities and civilizations. 

​
Other lessons: 
English Conversation: Saying Goodbye 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 
Spoken English: How to Agree and Show Interest 
English Lesson: 10 Ways to Say that Something is Bad 
English Lesson: 10 Ways to Say that Something is Good 
​Travel Tips: How to Ask for Information and Make Recommendations 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! 

In this lesson, you will learn common phrases used in informal situations. They will help you sound more natural in English conversations. 

Read the examples to learn how you can use them in your everyday life. 


speaking of 
You can use this phrase to introduce something you are going to say that is related to what someone else has already mentioned. 

Examples: ​

• Speaking of Jane, where is she? 
• And speaking of gifts, I have one for you. 
• Speaking of holidays, we're planning to spend New Year in Sydney. 

not bother | not bother yourself 
When you tell someone that they do not need to do something for you. 

​Examples: 

• 'I'll get you a drink.' -- 'No, please don't bother.' 
• 'Are you sure you can do this by yourself?' -- 'Sure, I can manage. Don't bother yourself.' 
• 'Why didn't you ask me? I would come with you.' -- 'I didn't want to bother you.' 

off the top of one's head 
When you say something from memory or without much thinking or consideration. 

Examples: 

• 'That's a great idea!' -- 'Right off the top of my head.' 
• 'How many did we sell last month?' -- 'Off  the top of my head, I think around 50, but I'll check the figures again and let you know.' 
• 'How much does the ticket cost?' -- 'I don't know off the top of my head, but I can look it up online.' 

fall into place 
When events or details that you did not understand before fall into place, they suddenly make sense and become easy to understand. 

Examples: 

• Once they decided how to complete the project, things fell into place. 
• Party planners are coming tomorrow -- everything is falling into place. 
• Keep your options open and you'll see that everything will fall into place. 
• I was really jealous at first, but once I discovered that she was just a friend, everything fell into place. 

keep an eye on (something/someone) 
To look after something or someone or to watch carefully 

Examples: 

• Can you keep an eye on my bag while I'm buying some food for the trip? 
• Can you keep an eye on my cat for two days? I'll be away this weekend. 
• Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on the baby while you go to the store. 

​

make (the) time 
To have some time when you are not busy in order to do something you think you should do 

Examples: 

• I'm busy now, but I'll try to make time to do it tomorrow. 
• I'm looking for a new job. I need to make time to work on my résumé this weekend. 
• His work keeps him so busy that he can't even make time for the kids. He should definitely re-evaluate his priorities. 

Other lessons: 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 
Spoken English: How to Agree and Show Interest 
​Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking and Everyday English 

English collocation lessons: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Making Decisions 
English Lesson: Collocations for Describing a Conversation 

English conversation lessons: 
English Conversation: Saying Goodbye 
English Conversation: Socialising with people and working in coffee shops 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! 

Get access to 97+ Part 2 topics given between January and November 2019. Click here. 

In this lesson, we are going to focus on questions you might be asked in Part 3 of the IELTS speaking test. These are 'opinion' and 'ideas' questions which focus on: 

• job positions that require us to concentrate 
• ways to concentrate on work 
• what employers can do to boost concentration in the workplace 

Read our answers below and take notes of the new vocabulary. 


What kind of job positions require us to concentrate? 

There are certain jobs which require more focus and attention to detail. I can think of occupations that include dealing with numbers. For instance, being an accountant can be quite challenging because the job has a lot to do with analysing data and financial transactions. Another example could be any job where employees handle all types of data. I suppose working in a bank or being a statistician or data analyst. People with such jobs need to be able to collect and analyse significant amounts of information with great accuracy. 

​Note: This is an 'ideas' type of question. This question tests your ability to discuss ideas in depth.
Jobs that require us to concentrate: jobs to do with numbers (for example: data analyst, financial analyst, accountant, statistician, etc.). Think of two or three ideas on the topic and explain them in a logical way. 


VOCABULARY 

• attention to detail (phrase) - care that all the small features of something are correct 
• a large amount | a great amount | a huge amount | a considerable amount | a significant amount (collocations) 

What are some ways to concentrate on work? 

There are several ways that employees can do this. To start with, they can tidy their desk, so that they only have the things they need while everything else is put away. This helps in staying focused on work and limits any distractions. Another thing they could do is to make a daily “to-do” list and put it where they can always see it, for example beside their computer. Employees could also organise their emails and prioritise their tasks by doing all challenging tasks during the first hour when they’re most productive. I think that all these things together would certainly help anyone to concentrate on work only.

Note: This is an ‘ideas’ type of question. It tests your ability to give ideas in depth.
Ways to concentrate on work: make a daily “to-do” list, tidy your desk, organise your emails, prioritise the tasks, put all files related to each project or task in one folder, etc. Think of two or three ideas on the topic and explain them in a logical way. 


VOCABULARY 

• put something <-> away (phrasal verb) - to put something in the place where it is kept because you have finished using it 
• help (somebody) in doing something - I need contacts that could help in finding a job. 

What can employers do to boost concentration in the workplace? 

There are several ways of boosting concentration at work. One of these is the freedom to design your work day. What I mean is letting people decide when to work, so that they can find the most productive time for them to complete their tasks. Another thing employers could do is providing areas where workers can take breaks and recharge. For example, outdoor seating and sunlit areas can give you an energy boost to return to work. There could also be amenities like a gym and healthy snacks to help employees feel re-energised. I guess, all these things could increase productivity and focus at work.  

Note: This is an ‘ideas’ type of question. It tests your ability to give ideas in depth.
How to boost concentration in the workplace: small rooms, quiet zones, the freedom to design your work day, the freedom to decorate your work area, areas to take breaks and recharge, etc. 
​

VOCABULARY 

• increase productivity | raise productivity (collocations) 

IELTS Speaking Part 2: 
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a city you have visited 
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a website you like to visit a lot 
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe a friend you have known for a long time 
IELTS Speaking Part 2: Describe an area of your country that is well known for its natural beauty 

IELTS Speaking Part 3: 
IELTS Speaking Test: Means of Transport 
IELTS Speaking Test: Home and Living in the City 
IELTS Speaking Test: Arriving Early and Being Patient 
IELTS Speaking Test: Places That Tourists Visit and Being a Tourist 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends!

Get access to 97+ Part 2 topics given between January and November 2019. Click here. 

In this lesson, we are going to focus on questions you might be asked in Part 3 of the IELTS speaking test. These are 'opinion' and 'ideas' questions which focus on: 

• having your own home or renting it 
• problems caused by the increased urban population 
• why some people prefer living far away from cities 

Read our answers below and take notes of the new vocabulary. 


Do you think it is better to own or rent your home? 

In my opinion, it is better for people to own their home because of the benefits it provides. For example, when you have your own place, you have the freedom to decorate it the way you like it, whereas when you rent an apartment, you might be limited by the landlord and their requirements. Some landlords, for instance, do not allow their tenants to keep a pet. Another advantage of owning your home is that, in general, you don't have a monthly expense for it, apart from paying your bills, whereas if you rent it, you always need to put aside money for the rent. One main disadvantage of renting a place might be that the landlord could put up the rent any time and this might force people to look for another place to live in. 

Note: This is an 'opinion' type of question. Consider both options and discuss the benefits of owning a house or an apartment. Then, discuss the disadvantages of renting it. Don't forget to give examples to support your statement. 
​

VOCABULARY 

• provide benefits (collocation) 
• keep a pet (collocation) - have one in your home 
• put something <-> aside (phrasal verb) - to save something 
• increase/raise/put up the rent (collocations) 

​

What problems are caused by large numbers of people living together in cities? 

I can think of three main problems caused by the rapid influx of people in major world cities. One is that densely populated cities cannot provide enough living spaces to all citizens. Governments and urban planners across the globe are facing the same challenges in terms of creating sustainable, human spaces which can house millions of people. Another problem is road transportation and traffic congestion in large and growing cities around the world. Nowadays commuters spend an enormous amount of time stuck in traffic as more and more people prefer the convenience of their private vehicles to public transport. And last but not least, social instability. While moving to a city offers more opportunities to individuals, the high cost of living and competition may trap a lot of them in poverty. 

Note: This is an 'ideas' type of question. This question tests your ability to discuss ideas in depth. 

​
VOCABULARY 

• influx of people - the arrival of large numbers of people 
• densely/highly populated cities (= with a lot of people) 
• living space (collocation) - areas such as rooms, for living in 

Why do some people want to live as far away from cities as possible? 

I believe the main reason why some people move to the suburbs of the city or the countryside is because they are looking for a place to raise their children. Most people in major cities tend to live in small apartments and they do not have an outside space like a yard, for example. Besides that, housing in the city is much more expensive than in the suburbs. Another reason would be the higher cost of living in major cities. For example, living expenses such as rent and utilities tend to be higher in the city than in the surrounding suburbs. And finally, I think that there's also a third reason, which is the noise level. People living in cities get a lot of traffic noise, which can be really annoying. 

Note: This is an 'ideas' type of question. This question tests your ability to discuss ideas in depth. 


VOCABULARY 

• the suburbs of a city (phrase) 
• raise a child (American English) | bring up a child (British English) 
• a big city | a large city | a major city (collocations) 
• living expenses | household expenses (collocations) - money that you spend on basic things such as rent, food, and electricity 
• traffic noise (collocation) 

Tips: 
​Do not try to memorise answers. Instead, try to increase your vocabulary and learn phrases that can help you express yourself better in English. Play with words and make nouns from adjectives and vice versa. 


IELTS Speaking Part 3: 
IELTS Speaking Test: Means of Transport 
IELTS Speaking Test: Arriving Early and Being Patient 
IELTS Speaking Test: Places That Tourists Visit and Being a Tourist 

Other IELTS related lessons: 
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Areas to Cities 
IELTS: Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet 
Discourse Markers for IELTS Speaking and Everyday English 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends!
​

Get access to 97+ Part 2 topics given between January and November 2019. Click here. 

In this lesson, you are going to read a Part 2 topic and a sample answer to give you an idea how to organise your talk on this specific subject. 

Spend 1 minute to plan so that you stay on the subject while talking. 


Describe a city you have visited. (Heading) 

You should say: 

• where the city is (Point 1) 
• why you went there (Point 2) 
• what you did there (Point 3) 

and explain how you felt about this city. (Point 4) 


Tips: 

• Make brief notes about the heading “a city I have visited” and each of the 4 points. 
• Just write a few words to help you remember what to say on each point. 
• Your notes will help you organise your ideas and prepare your mind for speaking. 
• Speak for roughly 30 seconds on each of the 4 points you have made notes about. 
• You need to keep an eye contact with the examiner while speaking, and only occasionally look at your notes. 

Notes: 

A city I have visited

Where: 

• Xiamen - a coastal city 
• Southeast China 

Why: 

• popular tourist destination 
  
  

What we did: 

• Gulangyu Island - walking around 
• the Piano Museum 

How I felt: 

• impressed (building) 

I'm going to talk about a city I have visited, called Xiamen. It's located on the southeast coast of China and it's considered to be one of the cleanest cities in the country. It's also known for its mild climate and a relatively small population. I went there last year with a few of my friends. 
​
The main reason why we chose Xiamen is because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. The city has plenty of tourist attractions such as islands, temples, and parks.

We first headed to Gulangyu Island, which is only about a 5-minute ferry ride away from the shore. 
We did a complete walk-around the island. Although, it isn't that big, you can easily get lost on the hills and alleys it has. Walking around the island is actually free of charge and anyone can go there. 

On a side note, though, you have to pay an entrance fee to visit some of the historic buildings on the island. We did visit the Piano Museum, which exhibits a large number of ancient pianos that have been collected from European countries as well as the USA. The island itself is known as the piano island. 

Another place we visited was Sunlight Rock Temple, which is near the Piano Museum. It is a Buddhist temple in Xiamen. 

The backside of the island is well-known for its beaches. However, in China, they don't sunbathe like they do in the west. It's an incredibly peaceful island unlike the city where there are a lot of tourists walking around, taking photos. There are no cars and no motorbikes allowed on the island, so it's very quiet. 

I think we made a good decision going there. The only thing I didn't quite enjoy was the hot and humid weather, but there was nothing I could do about it. 


VOCABULARY 

• on the coast (preposition) = on the land near the sea 
• a large/small population (collocation) 
• a tourist destination (collocation) - Italy is a popular tourist destination in Europe. 
• a tourist attraction (collocation) - something interesting for tourists to see or do 
• a ferry ride | a ferry trip (collocations) - It's a 15-minute ferry ride to the island. 
• free of charge (phrase) = with no cost - Delivery is free of charge. 
• pay an entrance fee (collocation) - You have to pay a fee to visit the museum. 
• a large number | a huge number | a considerable number (collocations) 
• on the island (preposition) 
• make a decision (collocation) 

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics and Sample Answers: 
Describe your perfect holiday | A beach holiday 
Describe one of your possessions you couldn't live without | iPhone 6 Plus 
Describe an area of your country that is well known for its natural beauty | Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park in China 
Describe a website you like to visit a lot | YouTube 

IELTS Speaking Test Part 3 Questions and Answers (+ Vocabulary): 
IELTS Speaking Test: Means of Transport 
IELTS Speaking Test: Arriving Early and Being Patient 
IELTS Speaking Test: Places That Tourists Visit and Being a Tourist 
​​

Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! 

Get access to 97+ Part 2 topics given between January and November 2019. Click here. 

In this lesson, you are going to read a Part 2 topic and a sample answer to give you an idea how to organise your talk on this specific subject. 

Spend 1 minute to plan so that you stay on the subject while talking. 


Describe a friend you have known for a long time. (Heading) 

You should say: 

• how long you have known them (Point 1) 
• how you met them (Point 2) 
• what kind of person they are (Point 3) 

and say what you like doing together. (Point 4) 


Tips: 

• Make brief notes about the heading “a friend” and each of the 4 points. 
• Just write a few words to help you remember what to say on each point. 
• Your notes will help you organise your ideas and prepare your mind for speaking. 
• Speak for roughly 30 seconds on each of the 4 points you have made notes about. 
• You need to keep an eye contact with the examiner while speaking, and only occasionally look at your notes. 

Notes: 

A friend 

How long: 

• 15 years 

How we met: 

• at high school 

Personality: 

• cold and distant 

What we do together: 

• chat over a coffee 
• meet during the holidays 

​

I’d like to describe someone I used to study with. Her name is Irene. We first met at high school and that was the start of a long friendship. I met her 15 years ago after I had moved to a new school. It was a completely different environment for me and I knew no one, so I really wanted to socialise and make new friends. 

What I noticed about her was that she wasn’t interested in starting a friendship with any of our classmates. She was cold and distant, and would spend time on her own. She caught my attention from the very beginning and I was eager to learn more about her. I would actually describe myself as a friendly, easy-going person. 

In the beginning, I initiated conversations with her and our friendship started to grow slowly. I think she was friends with me and a few other people in our class. I sat next to her in most classes and we were inseparable. 

Our relationship developed into a firm friendship and we spent time together at school and hanging out after classes. We would normally chat over a coffee and see each other during the holidays. 

I guess we were on the same wavelength. Sadly, we kind of lost touch after school because we majored in different subjects and met other people, but for me she is still special. Overall, we spent our teenage years together. 

​
VOCABULARY 

• the start/end of a friendship (phrase) 
• make friends (collocation) - make someone your friend 
• interested in something | interested in doing something 
• start a friendship (collocation) 
• a friendship starts (collocation) - (Example: Our friendship started after we met at school.) 
• a friendship develops (collocation) - (Example: Friendships usually develop based on shared interests.) 
• a firm friendship (= strong and not likely to change) 
• be on the same wavelength (informal) - to have the same opinions and feelings as someone else 
• lose touch with someone (phrase) - to no longer communicate with someone 

Other IELTS related lessons: 
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Areas to Cities 
IELTS: Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet 
Social Media Addiction: Causes, Effects and Possible Solutions 

IELTS Speaking Part 2 Topics and Sample Answers: 
Describe your perfect holiday 
Describe a website you like to visit a lot 
Describe one of your possessions you couldn't live without 
Describe an area of your country that is well known for its natural beauty 

IELTS Speaking Test Part 3 Questions and Answers (+ Vocabulary): 
IELTS Speaking Test: Means of Transport 
IELTS Speaking Test: Arriving Early and Being Patient 
IELTS Speaking Test: Places That Tourists Visit and Being a Tourist 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! 

In this lesson, we will focus on collocations connected with getting the information and advice you need to make a decision as well as thinking before making any decisions. 

These collocations can be used in informal situations.

Always think about your audience and the situation you are in when using collocations. 


GETTING INFORMATION OR ADVICE TO MAKE A DECISION 

seek advice (= try to get some advice) 

• If you plan to travel to Seoul, you'd better seek advice from someone who knows the city. 
• If you feel unwell, you should definitely seek medical advice. 
• Why don't you seek advice from an accountant? 

carry out research (into/on) | do research (into/on) 

• You need to carry out some research before travelling abroad. 
• The research was carried out by professors at Tokyo University. 
• They're doing some research on the way children learn vocabulary. 

pick someone's brain(s) (= to ask someone for ideas; to ask someone's advice) 

• If you know someone who has been there before, buy them a coffee and pick their brains. 
• Here's her phone number. Why don't you call her and pick her brains? 
• Do you mind if I pick your brains? I really need some fresh ideas. 
• I just started learning Korean and I'd love to pick your brain for any tips you might have. 

​

helpful hints 

• This website contains helpful hints on how to remember vocabulary. 
• I've got a book with lots of helpful hints on living in the UK - you can borrow it if you like. 

THINKING BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION 

something crosses your mind (= when an idea suddenly comes into your thoughts) 

• It crossed my mind that she might be lying about what had happened. 
• I never sent an email back even though it crossed my mind a hundred times. 
• What was the first thing that crossed your mind when you won the competition? 
• It never crossed my mind that he might be married. (= I never thought about that.) 

have a brainwave (= you suddenly have a clever idea) 

• I had a brainwave last night about how we can sell the car. 
• After many hours of searching, I had a sudden brainwave. 

toy with an idea (= thinking about doing something, but not very seriously) 

• We're toying with the idea of going to Japan next year. (= haven't decided yet) 
• I've been toying with the idea of living abroad. (= consider and think about an idea) 

think long and hard (= consider something very carefully before making a decision) 

• I thought long and hard about what universities to apply to -- it wasn't a rash decision. 
• I got a job offer yesterday but I thought long and hard about taking it. 

English collocation lessons: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Leisure 
English Lesson: Collocations for Success 
English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings 
English Lesson: Collocations for Rural Life 
English Lesson: Collocations for Urban Life 
English Lesson: Collocations for Saving Money 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! 

In this lesson, we will focus on collocations that are used to describe conversations. 

How can you describe a conversation you have had or heard? Well, there are many collocations that can help you do that, so let's look at the most common ones. 
​

exchange greetings (= say hello to each other) 

• I'm not very close to my neighbours but we exchange greetings when we see each other. 
• I saw her briefly and we exchanged greetings but we didn't have a proper conversation.  

drop a hint (= give a hint; when you say something in an indirect way) 

• 'So, what shall we get her?' -- 'Actually, that wouldn't be so difficult. I talked to her yesterday and she was dropping quite a few hints about what she'd like for her birthday.' 
• It's always a good idea to drop a hint about your birthday, so none of your friends forget. 
• My mum dropped several hints about me getting a job right after graduation. 
• My co-worker dropped a hint that she was going to leave the company. 

a snatch of conversation (= when you hear a short part of a conversation) 

• I heard a few snatches of conversation on the bus that made me think of my school years. 
• I heard snatches of conversation from the table next to us where the woman was talking about her travel experience in Spain. ​

make small talk 

Examples: 

• I'm not very good at making small talk. 
• I've noticed that a lot of people make small talk about the weather. 
• 'What did you talk about?' -- 'Oh, nothing interesting. I just made small talk about the weather and my new job.' 

a quick chat | a brief chat 

• I met Alex at the gym on Saturday. We had a quick chat - he said to say hi to you. 
• Do you have time for a brief chat about the meeting? 

a little chat 

• Are you still mad at him? Why don't you call him and have a little chat? 
• Can you come to my office in an hour? I'd like to have a little chat with you. 

a cosy chat (British English) | a cozy chat (American English)
(= a relaxed, private conversation) 

• She was quite upset so I made some coffee and we had a cosy chat. 
• Come and join us for lunch and a cosy chat. 

​a quiet chat (= when you don't want to be interrupted by other people) 

• Let's have a quiet chat over lunch. 
• That's my favourite coffee shop to meet friends for a quiet chat. 

go into detail(s) (about/on) (= give a lot of details about a situation) 

• He didn't go into great detail about the meeting. 
• I don't think your essay goes into detail about the problems caused by air pollution. 
• They said they'd had a great holiday but they didn't go into details. 
• 'Did I tell you I had started a new course?' -- 'Actually, you mentioned it briefly but you didn't go into details.' 

a long discussion (about/on) | a lengthy discussion (about/on) 

• After a long discussion, we finally made a decision. 
• We had a very long discussion about our future plans. 
• After a lengthy discussion with her parents, she decided not to move out. 

​English collocation lessons: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Success 
English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings 
English Lesson: Collocations for Rural Life 
English Lesson: Collocations for Urban Life 
Collocations and Expressions for Childhood 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! 

In this lesson, you will learn useful collocations to talk about saving money. Using collocations will help you improve your spoken English and you will sound more natural in conversations or speaking exams. 

Apart from the collocation 'save money', what other interesting ways can you use to express the same meaning? Let's look at the examples below. 


a tight budget (= enough money for what you want to buy, usually a small amount of money) 

• Most university students have to live within a tight budget. 
• Those living on a tight budget can come up with different ways to save money. Packing your lunch for school or work is a good example how you can reduce your daily expenses. Eating in and watching movies at home is another way to bring down the cost of entertainment. 

​
VOCABULARY 

• come up with (phrasal verb) - to think of something such as an idea or a plan 
• a good example (collocation) 
• bring down the cost | reduce the cost | cut the cost (collocations) 

a limited budget 

• Many people spend most of their income on household expenses, and have a limited budget.
• If you are on a limited budget, you can always do your shopping at the end of the day when supermarkets reduce their prices. 

VOCABULARY 

• living expenses | household expenses (collocations) - money that you spend on basic things such as rent, food, and electricity 
• reduce prices (collocation) 

a budget for something 

• We only have a small budget for furniture. 
• The company's budget for advertising has been reduced by 10%. 

VOCABULARY 

• reduce a budget OPP. increase a budget (collocations) 

keep within a budget | stay within a budget (= spend only the money that is available) 
​

• I'm keen on travelling a lot and I tend to book my trips in advance and keep within my budget. 
• I always keep track of my expenses and try to stay within budget. 

NOTE: You can also say 'stay within my budget' or 'stay within the budget' depending on what you are talking about.  

VOCABULARY 

• to be keen on something | to be keen on doing something (phrase) - when you are interested in something, especially an activity that you do often (Example: I'm keen on swimming.) 
• book a trip (collocation) 
• keep track (phrase) - to have all the information that you need about something 

on a budget (= with only a small amount of money) 

• You can still travel abroad even on a small budget. 
• When we moved into our new flat, it wasn't fully furnished, but we managed to decorate the living room and the bedroom on a really small budget. 

English collocation lessons: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Success 
English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings 
English Lesson: Collocations for Rural Life 
English Lesson: Collocations for Urban Life 
Business English: Collocations with Business 

Other lessons: 
Business English: Phrasal Verbs for Work 
​Business English: How to Talk about Money 
Story Time: Running out of petrol on the highway 
English Conversation: Buying sunscreen products at a store 
English Conversation: Socialising with people and working in coffee shops 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! 

In this lesson, we will focus on things people do in their spare time, such as having some hobbies, shopping and sleeping. The best way to sound more natural and concise in English is by using collocations. 
​

COLLOCATIONS FOR HOBBIES 

take up a hobby (= start going it) 

• If you feel stressed, you can take up a hobby to keep yourself busy with something interesting. 
• Taking up a hobby is a great way to fill up your free time with something meaningful. This could be anything from learning a new language to cooking or gardening. 

pursue your hobbies (formal) (= do them) 

• When I graduated from high school, I had more time to pursue my hobbies. 
• When I was doing a 9-to-5 job, I never had any time to pursue my hobbies, especially during the week. 

take up a sport (= start doing it)  

• I really need to take up a sport to get fit. 
• In my opinion, taking up a sport can have a positive impact on people's well-being. (= general health and happiness) 

 ​
develop a passion for something | have a passion for something 

• While at school, I developed a passion for dancing. 
• I think many people have a passion for music. They can actually turn their hobby into a career. 

go for a stroll | go for a walk (= to walk somewhere for pleasure) 

• I often go for a stroll in the park. 
• On Sunday. I go for a walk in the park near my flat. 

COLLOCATIONS FOR SHOPPING 

go to the shops (= go shopping) 

• I have to go to the shops in town this weekend. 
• I normally go to the shops twice a week and I tend to stick to my shopping list so that I don't spend more than I have planned. 

do the shopping | do some shopping 

• On weekends, I usually do the shopping and play tennis with friends. 
• I do my grocery shopping online. (= food shopping) 

weekly shopping | monthly shopping 

• I do my weekly shopping on a Friday. (= every Friday) 
• I go to the supermarket only once a month. I normally make a list of what I already have and what needs to be purchased. The best way to do my monthly shopping is by planning ahead. 

online shopping 

• One of the main advantages of online shopping is that it saves people time and energy because they don't have to go to physical stores. 
• Online food shopping is convenient for many reasons. One of them, for example, is that you get the best prices and you can browse offers at your leisure. Another advantage of ordering food online is that you can avoid crowds and queuing at the checkout to pay. 

COLLOCATIONS FOR SLEEPING 

sleep late (= wake up late) 

• At weekends, I usually try to relax and sleep late. 
• As far as I'm concerned, sleeping late is considered to be unhealthy. I prefer to get up early because I feel physically active, I can focus my mind on work, and I'm productive throughout the day. 

catch up on some sleep (phrase) (= sleep after not having enough sleep) 

• I normally catch up on some sleep at the weekend since my schedule is quite busy during the week. [You can use 'since' to give the reason for something.] 
• I usually study hard and catch up on some sleep after my exams are finished. 

a good night's sleep (phrase) (= when you sleep well)  

• My weekdays are always very busy and I tend to get up quite early in the morning. I can only get a good night's sleep at the weekend. 
• I've noticed that I'm most productive after a good night's sleep. 

​
English collocation lessons: 
English Lesson: Collocations for Feelings 
English Lesson: Collocations for Success 
English Lesson: Collocations for Rural Life 
English Lesson: Collocations for Urban Life 
Collocations and Expressions for Childhood 

Other lessons: 
English Lesson: 5 Types of Lifestyle 
English Lesson: Describing a Friend 
English Conversation: Saying Goodbye 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 
Spoken English: How to Agree and Show Interest 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! 

In this lesson, we are going to focus on eight phrasal verbs and some collocations you can use to talk about work. 


WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN A JOB? 

New technologies change the way we work. Employers want to know that you can pick up new tasks and that you don't get frustrated when something goes wrong. You need sufficient knowledge and background suitable for the job you do. You should know how much work you can take on and how much time you need to complete a task. 

Teamwork is one of the main requirements when applying for a job. In other words, are you able to work effectively with others? You need to be able to collaborate with your colleagues and support each other. You and your team need to remember that you all work towards a common goal, which means you should be able to split up the work. 

​Employees also need to be able to work independently and resolve any problems as they come up. Problem-solving is an essential skill in the workplace, and this can make a significant difference in your career. The issues you face at work can be simple or more complex. So, being able to come up with solutions is key. While robots can take over more repetitive tasks, people still have to deal with real problems and their causes. 

Regardless of what your job is, you can always pick up new skills. It might take a while to figure out whether you actually enjoy your current job or not. You can experience multiple work environments and learn a lot of practical skills that will help you in the future when thinking about a career change. 

​
VOCABULARY
​

• pick something ↔ up (phrasal verb) - to get information or learn a skill without much effort 
• complete a task | finish a task (collocations) 
• take something ↔ on (phrasal verb) - to accept a job, task, or responsibility; to employ 
• in other words (phrase) - used when saying the same thing in a different way or explaining it 
• work towards a goal (collocation) 
• a common goal (collocation) 
• split something ↔ up (phrasal verb) - to divide something into two or more parts 
• solve a problem | resolve a problem (collocations) also fix a problem (informal) 
• come up (phrasal verb) - to happen unexpectedly; to become available (of a job) 
• come up with something (phrasal verb) - to think of an idea, a plan or a solution 
• take something ↔ over (phrasal verb) - to gain control of a company or have responsibility 
• deal with something (phrasal verb) - to take action to solve a problem, carry out a task 
• figure something ↔ out (phrasal verb) - to find the answer to something; to solve something 
• work environment | working environment (collocations) 
• a career change (collocation) 

READING COMPREHENSION TEST 


Complete the sentences with a phrasal verb from the list below. Use the correct form of the verb. Match each sentence with the appropriate phrasal verb. 

come up, come up with (x2), deal with, figure out, pick up (x2), split up (x2), take on (x2), take over 


       come up - to happen unexpectedly; to become available (of a job) ______________ 
       come up with something - to think of an idea, a plan or a solution ______________ 
       deal with something - to take action to solve a problem, carry out a task ______________ 
       figure something ↔ out - to find the answer to something; to solve sth ______________ 
       pick something ↔ up - to get information, learn a skill without much effort ______________ 
       split something ↔ up - to divide something into two or more parts ______________ 
       take something ↔ on - to accept a job, task, or responsibility; to employ ______________ 
       take something ↔ over - to gain control of a company or have responsibility ______________ 

1. You can ______________ ideas from other creative people. 
2. Is this the best idea you can ______________ ? 
3. I can't ______________ any more work at the moment. 
4. If you want to ______________ new skills, you can take some specialized courses. 
5. When ______________ difficult customers, it is important to give them your full attention. Avoid interrupting them, and remember to show empathy. 
6. You might get requests from other departments to help them by ______________ extra tasks outside of your traditional role. You should better set clear expectations so that you can focus on your actual priorities at work. 
7. The manager suggested ______________ the project into phases. 
8. After analyzing the data, the analyst was able to ______________ the cause of the problem. 
9. When we have a large project, we ______________ into teams to get more done. 
10. During the last meeting, our team ______________ a new idea to increase sales. 
11. I had to turn down that job offer because a better opportunity ______________ . 
12. I ______________ the job after he left. 

MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST 


Each question provides four options, but only one is correct. Choose the correct phrasal verb that best completes each sentence. 


PHRASAL VERBS FOR WORK QUIZ 

1. By observing experienced colleagues, interns can ______ new skills that will benefit their career growth. 
A. take on 
B. pick up 
C. split up 
D. figure out 

2. Due to his tight schedule, Sebastian knew that he couldn't ______ any additional responsibilities at work. 
A. pick up 
B. come up with 
C. take on 
D. split up 

3. After the former project manager resigned, Charlotte was appointed to ______ his duties. 
A. deal with 
B. pick up 
C. figure out 
D. take over 

4. Our creative team has ______ some fresh ideas for our next product launch. 
A. picked up 
B. come up with 
C. split up 
D. taken over 

5. The project manager decided to __________ the workload among the team for better efficiency. 
A. take on 
B. pick up 
C. split up 
D. take over 

6. A sudden opportunity to work abroad ______, and she decided to take it. 
A. came up 
B. came up with 
C. took on 
D. took over 

7. This is the first time our company has ______ such a large project across multiple departments. 
A. taken over 
B. picked up 
C. figured out 
D. taken on 

8. After reviewing the sales analysis report, we ______ the main reason for the decline in revenue. 
A. took on 
B. split up 
C. figured out 
D. took over 

9. If a customer has a complaint, the best approach is to ______ it promptly. 
A. deal with 
B. come up with 
C. take over 
D. take on 

10. In order to meet the growing demand, the company has to ______ more staff. 
A. pick up 
B. take on 
C. take over 
D. come up with 

11. To successfully manage a team, you must be able to ______ tasks effectively. 
A. split up 
B. take over 
C. pick up 
D. figure out 

12. The company was losing money when we ______ it ______ . 
A. took ... over 
B. picked ... up 
C. took ... on 
D. split ... up 

13. After the acquisition, the new executive director is expected to ______ the acquired company's operations. 
A. pick up 
B. take on 
C. come up with 
D. take over 

14. When you encounter a challenging task in your job, it is crucial to ______ it in a calm and focused manner. 
A. take on 
B. come up with 
C. take over 
D. deal with 

15. To address the client's concerns, we must ______ a practical solution that satisfies all parties. 
A. pick up 
B. deal with 
C. come up with 
D. take over 



Download the PDFs with and without key. 


​
Answers 


Reading Comprehension Test 

come up - to happen unexpectedly; to become available (of a job)    (11) 
come up with something - to think of an idea, a plan or a solution    (2, 10) 
deal with something - to take action to solve a problem, carry out a task    (5) 
figure something ↔ out - to find the answer to something; to solve sth    (8) 
pick something ↔ up - to get information, learn a skill without much effort    (1, 4) 
split something ↔ up - to divide something into two or more parts    (7, 9) 
take something ↔ on - to accept a job, task, or responsibility; to employ    (3, 6) 
take something ↔ over - to gain control of a company or have responsibility    (12) 


1. pick up 
2. come up with 
3. take on 
4. pick up 
5. dealing with 
6. taking on 
7. splitting up 
8. figure out 
9. split up 
10. came up with 
11. came up 
12. took over 


Multiple-choice Test 

Phrasal Verbs for Work Quiz 

1. B pick up 
2. C take on 
3. D take over 
4. B come up with 
5. C split up 
6. A came up 
7. D taken on 
8. C figured out 
9. A deal with 
10. B take on 
11. A split up 
12. A took ... over 
13. D take over 
14. D deal with 
15. C come up with 

​

Other Business English lessons: 
Collocations with Job (Part 1) 
​Collocations with Job (Part 2) 
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills 
Business English: Working in an office 
Business English: Prepositions with WORK 
Business English: How to Talk about Money 
Business English: Collocations with Business 
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 


​

In this lesson, we are going to focus on collocations to talk about having your own business. 

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT GOING INTO BUSINESS? 

Let's consider some major aspects of starting a business and what it takes to run it. 
​
One of the reasons why some people decide to go into business for themselves is because they want to have a job that fits into their lifestyle. They can have a more flexible schedule without having to worry about their working hours or sick leave.

Before thinking of setting up a business, you need to brainstorm a good business idea. Remember that you also need to be passionate about it, so that you can stay motivated in the long term. There are different kinds of businesses, so those who want to start a business need to figure out their area of expertise and skills they have.

During the early stages of your business, you will have to work long hours to set everything up as well as learn new skills in order to build and grow your business. Whether it is a product or a service that you want to offer, you need to consider all the different ways to finance your business. In the beginning, it makes more sense to start your business on the side and keep your full-time job, so that you have a source of income to rely on. 

If you want to do business, you need to be aware that this involves considerable risks. Of course, some businesses are riskier than others and there are different factors you should definitely take into account such as money and labour. 

Be optimistic and think about the money you will need to run your business. Often times you will spend more than you can actually make, especially early on. Even though you may have a good idea, bear in mind that there are no guarantees in business. You need to have a point of view about the future. It is also important to keep in mind that in a recession smaller firms often go out of business. 

Running your own business requires hard work and patience. You have to start getting sales and revenue in order to stay in business. 

​
VOCABULARY 

• go into business (collocation) - start working in business 
• start a business | set up a business (collocations) 
• figure something <-> out (phrasal verb) - to think about a problem or situation until you find the answer
• set something <-> up (phrasal verb) - (SYN: establish) - to start a company 
• have a business | own a business (collocations)
• build a business | develop a business (collocations) 
• grow a business (collocation) - make it larger 
• finance a business (SYN: fund) - to provide money for it 
• a source of income (phrase) 
• do business (collocation) 
• considerable risk(s) (collocation) - fairly large 
• take something into account - to consider facts or details when making a decision 
• bear in mind that | keep in mind that 
• go out of business (collocation) - stop doing business because of financial problems 
• run a business (collocation) - manage it 
• stay in business (collocation) - continue operating and not go bankrupt 

Other Business English lessons: 
Collocations with Job (Part 1) 
Collocations with Job (Part 2) 
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills 
Business English: Working in an office 
Business English: Prepositions with WORK 
Business English: How to Talk about Money 
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 

​
Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! 
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below this lesson. 

In this lesson, we are going to focus on the difference between earnings, income, salary, wage(s), pay and allowance. 


EARNINGS [plural noun] = net income

You can use the word 'earnings' to talk about the total amount of money you earn from any job that you do. The amount of money is usually different each month or year. 

Examples: 

• Her net earnings last year were $16,800. (= after tax has been paid) 
• Apple reported earnings of $53.3 billion in the third quarter of 2018. 
• Apple's earnings per share are now $2.34. (EPS = net income / average outstanding common shares) 
• According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the average weekly earnings for men in November 2017 were $1,753.50, and $1,429.80 for women. 
• The average weekly earnings of 16- to 19-year-olds in the U.S. in 2016 were around $400. 

​
INCOME 

This is the money you receive regularly for doing your job or from a business or investments. 

Examples: 

• What's your weekly/monthly/annual income? 
• My parents' annual income is over $30,000. 
• People living in rural areas rely on farming for income. 
• These families have no source of income when the harvest is over. (source of income = way of earning money) 
• You can always take on extra work to increase your income. (to take something on = to decide to do something) 
• The company's net income for the third quarter of 2018 was $11.52 billion compared to $8.72 billion a year ago. 

SALARY 

This is the money that you receive regularly for doing your job. It's usually paid to you every month. 
We use the word 'salary' when we talk about professional jobs such as managers, teachers, doctors, etc. 

Examples: 

• I get a basic salary and other benefits on top. 
• My dad earns a good salary as a software developer. 
• I joined the company in 2016 on a salary of €58,000 a year. (be on a salary) 
• Employee salaries are paid directly into their bank account. 
• The starting salary for an architect in the U.S. is around $50,000. (= the salary someone gets when they start a job) 
• The average salary for a Team Leader in the UK is around £24,000 per year.  

WAGES [often plural] (also WAGE) 

The money that someone is paid every week by their employer. We often use this word when we talk about working in a shop or factory. 

Examples: 

• Some companies pay lower wages to female workers. (pay a wage) 
• Workers in the UK paid per task or piece of work they do should be paid at least the minimum wage for every hour worked. (= It's the lowest amount of money that an employer can pay someone according to the law.) 
• Many states in the U.S. have different minimum wages. 

​

PAY [noun] 

You can use this word to refer to the money you receive for doing your job. 

Examples: 

• Some people work extremely hard and get no pay. (get/receive pay) 
• Even though I work long hours, the pay is pretty good. 
• The average pay for a Travel Agent is around $36,000 a year. 
• The hourly pay for baristas at Starbucks is $9, and $12 for shift supervisors. 
• When you start working for a company, you are entitled to sick pay. This is a basic right you have as an employee. (= pay that you get when you are ill and cannot work) 
• Employees in the UK are entitled to redundancy pay if they've been working for their current employer for 2 years or more. (= pay when there is no longer a job for you) 
• Women in the UK and Ireland get some of the worst maternity pay in Europe. (= pay while a woman takes time off to have a baby)
• All the employees are out on strike because they have been working without pay for the last month. 

​
​
ALLOWANCE 

This word is used to talk about money that someone receives regularly for a special reason without having to work to earn it. 

Examples: 

• Many companies provide clothing allowances to their employees. 
• Employers should provide their employees with a uniform allowance to purchase the uniform, so that they don't have to pay for it. 
• Many companies offer 24/7 services and employees sometimes have to work overtime. They get an overtime allowance for working long hours. 

Exercise 

Complete the sentences with earnings, income, salary, wages, pay and allowance. 

1. The hourly .................... went up by $2.  
2. His pension is his only source of ....................  
3. The company announced its quarterly .................... at the end of July.  
4. "What's the ....................?" "About $12 an hour."  
5. His annual .................... are over $100,000. 
6. The tax is taken from your monthly .................... 
7. Retail and fast food chains in the U.S. tend to pay the lowest ...................  
8. The amount of tax you have to pay depends on your ................... 
9. My average weekly ................... are around $600. 
10. She has to use her car in her new job but she gets a good mileage ...................... 

Answers: 
1. pay; 2. income; 3. earnings; 4. pay; 5. earnings (the verb form is 'are'); 6. salary; 7. wages; 8. income;
9. earnings (the verb form is 'are'); allowance; 

​

Other Business English lessons: 
Collocations with Job (Part 1) 
Collocations with Job (Part 2) 
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills 
Business English: Working in an office 
Business English: Prepositions with WORK 
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 


Please LIKE and SHARE with friends! 
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below this lesson. 

In this lesson, we will focus on six essential prepositions commonly paired with the verb "work". 

You'll discover the subtle differences between them and learn how to use them effectively in various contexts. 

Don't forget to do the exercises at the end to check your knowledge and practice further. 

​
AS

Formula: work as + occupation or role 
Questions: What do you do? | What do you work? | What is your job? 

Examples: 

• I work as a sales assistant. 
• James works as a software engineer for a tech startup. 
• He works as a research analyst at a global investment bank. 
• She works as a legal consultant, providing expert advice on corporate regulations. 

Note: When introducing yourself professionally, you can certainly use expressions like "I'm a photographer" or "I'm an architect." 


IN 

Formula: work in + place of work or area (industry, field, department, sector, environment) 
Questions: Which industry do you work in? | Which department do you work in? 

Examples: 

• She works part-time in a library. 
• My mother has always worked in education. 
• Most of my friends work in customer service. 
• I worked in a Chinese restaurant a few years ago. 
• I prefer working in a multicultural environment. 
• I work in the sales department of a small software company. 
• He has been working in the renewable energy sector since 2010. 

Note: Use "work in" with words like "school," "bank," "hospital," "hotel," "factory," and "shop" to describe the industry or type of place where someone works. It is more commonly used to refer to the environment or sector rather than the specific physical location. For specific locations, "work at" is often more appropriate, as in "work at a school" or "work at a bank." 

Remember: Don't use "work in" with the name of a company or organization. 


FOR 

Formula: work for + person, company or organization 
Question: Who do you work for? | How long have you been working for this company? 

Examples: 

• I work for a small Danish company. 
• He works for an IT company. 
• I worked for Microsoft for five years and then moved to another company. 
• I've been working for a state-owned company in Beijing. 

AT 

Formula: work at + a particular place or organization 
Questions: Which ... do you work at? (e.g. company, restaurant, office, branch, etc.) 

Examples: 

• I worked at Microsoft for five years and then moved to another company. 
• I've been working at the Ministry of Education since last year. 
• I'm working at the bookstore in my area this summer. 
• He's working at his desk. 

Note: Use "work at" when referring to employment at a well-known company or organization, particularly when the listener or reader is already familiar with the entity. It emphasizes the specific place of work, such as "work at Google" or "work at the local library." 


ON 

Formula: work on + project or task 
Question: What are you currently working on? 

Example: 

• Our team has been working on this project for two years. 
• I often go on business trips and work on projects in the company's offices overseas. 
• Many employees become unmotivated when they work on repetitive tasks. 
• I'm working on financial budgets at the moment. 
• I work on car design. 

​

WITH 

Formula: work with + someone  
Questions: Do you like working with ...? | What do you like about working with ...? 


Examples: 

• I work with both local colleagues and foreign ones, who are mostly from Denmark. 
• In my job, I work closely with the design team to create attractive designs for our partners. 
• Some people love the idea of working with children but don't have the skills or personality for it. 

​


READING COMPREHENSION TEST 


Complete the sentences with the prepositions as, in, for, at, on and with. 

​Sometimes more than one is possible. 

Match each sentence with the appropriate preposition used with the verb "work" and its specific function. 


       As: Describing an occupation or role. ______________ 
       In: Indicating a place or area (industry, field, department, environment). ______________ 
       For: Specifying the person, company, or organization you are employed by. ______________ 
       At: Referring to a specific place or organization (company, location). ______________ 
       On: Describing a project or task you are engaged in. ______________ 
       With: Highlighting collaboration or teamwork. ______________ 

1. Kevin works ______ the finance department of a Japanese company. 
2. I currently work ______ an independent contractor ______ a US tech company. 
3. Olivia has been working ______ the finance industry for over a decade. 
4. I work ______ the creative director to plan marketing campaigns and brand collaborations. 
5. I'm an illustrator and I work ______ a children's publishing company. 
6. Claire works ______ a photographer ______ a family-owned studio in Melbourne. 
7. Oliver works ______ an audio engineer ______ the concert hall. 
8. I have been working ______ a research project ______ a multinational company for the past three months. 
9. My best friend and I work ______ the same company. 
10. I spent the evening working ______ my office. 
11. After graduating from university, my sister started working ______ advertising. 
12. I'm currently working ______ the monthly sales report. 
13. Mia works closely ______ the research and development department to create new skincare products. 
14. The HR Director works ______ the head office in Vancouver, Canada. 
15. Sarah works ______ international clients to expand the company's market reach and establish long-term partnerships. 

MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST 


Choose the correct preposition to complete each sentence about jobs and industries. 

Each question provides four options, but only one is correct. Select the answer that best completes the sentence based on the typical use of prepositions with the verb "work". 


PREPOSITIONS WITH "WORK" QUIZ 

1. Sebastian has been working ______ the marketing department since January. 
A. at 
B. on 
C. for 
D. in 

2. Noah works ______ a consultant, advising businesses on sustainability practices. 
A. in 
B. at 
C. as 
D. on 

3. During the summer, Hannah works part-time ______ the local amusement park. 
A. at 
B. in 
C. on 
D. for 

4. Our team is working ______ a new advertising campaign for the upcoming product launch. 
A. at 
B. on 
C. for 
D. with 

5. Christopher is working ______ a new app that aims to simplify personal finance management. 
A. at 
B. in 
C. on 
D. for 

6. Our company works ______ several high-profile clients in the fashion industry. 
A. as 
B. at 
C. on 
D. with 

7. Catherine works ______ a project manager, coordinating tasks and priorities across multiple teams. 
A. in 
B. as 
C. on 
D. at 

8. They have been working ______ the financial services sector for over fifteen years. 
A. for 
B. on 
C. in 
D. at 

9. Louis works ______ a well-established financial services company in Switzerland. 
A. for 
B. in 
C. at 
D. on 

10. Our startup is currently working in close partnership ______ local businesses. 
A. at 
B. in 
C. with 
D. for 



Download the PDFs with and without key. 


​
Answers 


Reading Comprehension Test 

As: Describing an occupation or role.    (2, 6, 7) 
In: Indicating a place or area (industry, field, department, environment).    (1, 3, 6, 10, 11) 
For: Specifying the person, company, or organization you are employed by.    (2, 5, 8, 9) 
At: Referring to a specific place or organization (company, location).    (7, 14) 
On: Describing a project or task you are engaged in.    (8, 12) 
With: Highlighting collaboration or teamwork.    (4, 13, 15) 


1. in 
2. as, for 
3. in 
4. with 
5. for 
6. as, in 
7. as, at 
8. on, for 
9. for 
10. in 
11. in 
12. on 
13. with 
14. at 
15. with 


Multiple-choice Test 

Prepositions with "WORK" Quiz 

1. D in 
2. C as 
3. A at 
4. B on 
5. C on 
6. D with 
7. B as 
8. C in 
9. A for 
10. C with 

​

Other Business English lessons: 
Collocations with Job (Part 1) 
Collocations with Job (Part 2) 
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills 
Business English: Working in an office 
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities 
​