Monday, July 28, 2014
Friday, July 25, 2014
'In the way' or 'on the way?
When you’re going somewhere, you’re ‘on the way’.
I’m on my way to the beach.
Something that is ‘in the way’ impedes your progress…
Don’t leave things in the passage where they’re in the way.
…or obscures your view.
I can’t see the stage because his hat is in the way.
Don’t leave things in the passage where they’re in the way.
…or obscures your view.
I can’t see the stage because his hat is in the way.
14 Important Proverbs
1. A bad excuse is better than none:
Always give an excuse, even if it's a poor one.
Always give an excuse, even if it's a poor one.
2. A bad penny always turns up:
An unwanted or disreputable person constantly comes back.
3. A bad tree does not yield good apples:
A bad parent does not raise good children.
4. A bad workman blames his tools:
Blaming the tools for bad workmanship is an excuse for lack of
skill.
5. A barking dog seldom bites:
Someone who constantly makes threats rarely carries them out.
6. A bird in hand is worth two in a bush:
It is better to keep what you have rather than to risk losing it by searching for something better.
7. A black plum is as sweet as a white:
People should not be judged by their appearance.
8. A book holds a house of gold:
There is a wealth of knowledge in books.
9. A broken friendship may be soldered but will never be sound:
Friendships can be rebuilt after a dispute but will never be as strong as before.
10. A burden of one's own choice is not felt:
Something difficult seems easier when it is done voluntarily.
11. A burnt child dreads the fire:
A bad experience will make people stay away from certain things.
12. A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor.
A person shows their competence or ability when difficulties arise.
13. A cat has nine lives:
1) Cats can survive many accidents because they land on their feet without injury.
2) Nine lives = 3 years to play, 3 years to stray, 3 years to stay.
14. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link:
The strength of a group depends on each individual member.
[Courtesy: General English]
An unwanted or disreputable person constantly comes back.
3. A bad tree does not yield good apples:
A bad parent does not raise good children.
4. A bad workman blames his tools:
Blaming the tools for bad workmanship is an excuse for lack of
skill.
5. A barking dog seldom bites:
Someone who constantly makes threats rarely carries them out.
6. A bird in hand is worth two in a bush:
It is better to keep what you have rather than to risk losing it by searching for something better.
7. A black plum is as sweet as a white:
People should not be judged by their appearance.
8. A book holds a house of gold:
There is a wealth of knowledge in books.
9. A broken friendship may be soldered but will never be sound:
Friendships can be rebuilt after a dispute but will never be as strong as before.
10. A burden of one's own choice is not felt:
Something difficult seems easier when it is done voluntarily.
11. A burnt child dreads the fire:
A bad experience will make people stay away from certain things.
12. A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor.
A person shows their competence or ability when difficulties arise.
13. A cat has nine lives:
1) Cats can survive many accidents because they land on their feet without injury.
2) Nine lives = 3 years to play, 3 years to stray, 3 years to stay.
14. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link:
The strength of a group depends on each individual member.
[Courtesy: General English]
Phrasal Verb: 'come across' - its uses
If you ‘come across’ something, you find it by chance.
You can come across some good buys in junk shops.
It can mean that it gives the impression.
She comes across as a kind person.
And it also means clearly communicated.
The anti-war message of the film comes across strongly.
[Courtesy: Learn English]
She comes across as a kind person.
And it also means clearly communicated.
The anti-war message of the film comes across strongly.
[Courtesy: Learn English]
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Man Booker prize: Howard Jacobson, David Mitchell and Ali Smith among 13 names on longlist
Howard Jacobson, David Mitchell and Ali Smith are among the British heavyweight writers who will compete for the Man Booker prize in its first incarnation as a global literary award, it was announced on Wednesday, along with David Nicholls, writer of the bestsellers Starter for Ten and One Day.
Thirteen novels were named on the longlist for the prize, which for more than 40 years has rewarded only Commonwealth and Irish writers. The rules changed last year, sparking fears that it would quickly be dominated by Americans.
In the event, judges chose four Americans: Joshua Ferris, Siri Hustvedt, Karen Joy Fowler and Richard Powers. An almost American, Joseph O'Neill, who is an Irish-born US resident, was also named one of what is known as the Man Booker "dozen".
This year's chair of judges, the philosopher AC Grayling, said it had been a vintage year.
"They are very ambitious books and some of them tackle big issues of the day," he said. "There's a lot of perceptiveness and wisdom in these books, some of them are quite moving and all of them are very difficult to put down once you get into them – a feature of just how richly textured they are and what great stories they tell." ......
They will now get the list down to six, announced in September, with the £50,000 winner named at a formal black-tie dinner.
The Booker longlist in full
Joshua Ferris (US) – To Rise Again at a Decent HourRichard Flanagan (Australia) – The Narrow Road to the Deep North
Karen Joy Fowler (US) – We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
Siri Hustvedt (US) – The Blazing World
Howard Jacobson (Britain) – J
Paul Kingsnorth (Britain) – The Wake
David Mitchell (Britain) – The Bone Clocks
Neel Mukherjee (Britain) – The Lives of Others
David Nicholls (Britain) – Us
Joseph O'Neill (Ireland) – The Dog
Richard Powers (US) – Orfeo
Ali Smith (Britain) – How to Be Both
Niall Williams (Ireland) – History of the Rain
[Courtesy: www.theguardian.com / Story link: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jul/23/man-booker-prize-2014-longlist-revealed-us-writers]
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