by Phil Williams | Aug 19, 2025 | General English
Hello from ELB! It has been a little while, so I want to address my increasingly irregular updates. It’s with great regret that over these past few months I’ve been unable to continue my monthly new articles, which I’d otherwise managed without fail for 12 years....				
							
 by Phil Williams | Mar 11, 2025 | General English
In English, we can indicate quoted text with either single quotes, ‘–’ or double quotes, “–”. Typically it is expected that you use one style or the other, but they can also be combined. This can lead to some confusion as to exactly when you should use double or...				
							
 by Phil Williams | Oct 8, 2024 | Exercises, General English, Grammar, Vocabulary
It’s October, which means it’s time for another Halloween-themed article! This year, I’ve gone with a tenses/reading exercise again; you can enjoy this just for the reading practice, to see some Halloween English in use, or you can test yourself on the most...				
							
 by Phil Williams | Jul 16, 2024 | Definitions, General English, Teaching English
As I mentioned in my last article on the difference between objective and subjective, I’d like to share some thoughts on when language rules should be strictly followed and when they may be flexible. This is essentially the difference between objective (provably true)...				
							
 by Phil Williams | May 16, 2023 | Definitions, General English, Vocabulary, Words, Writing skills
“For ever after” is a phrase I found curious recently, as it highlights some interesting points about how English works as a flexible, evolving language. The phrase can be written in two different ways, changing the meanings of the words, with no real agreement on the...				
							
 by Phil Williams | Apr 27, 2023 | General English, Teaching English
Today, I’m delighted to host a guest article from fellow ELT teacher, Charlotte Parsons, who is generously delving into a specific approach to lesson planning and teaching. Charlotte and I taught together at English First in Brighton many years ago, so I know she has...