Easy ways to improve your English

WHEN speaking to a small group of people, we tend to stick to the same subjects and use the same vocabulary. As such, it can sometimes be difficult to improve our language skills.

So, how do you get out of this rut? With the help of these tips, you should be able to improve.

To expand your vocabulary, learn synonyms

One of the joys of English is that there are lots of synonyms – words that appear to mean the same but are slightly different in meaning.

For example, “big” is a good general word, but there is also “enormous”, which is “extra big”, and “gigantic”, which is really, really big.

When you have a good grasp of the differences, you can convey subtleties better. This is vital for good communication.

To broaden your vocabulary, make a list of three synonyms and understand how they are different. Then use them at least once a day. You may have to exercise some inventiveness here, but it is part of the game.

To improve fluency, use common expressions

In English, you might say, “He’s so tight, he squeaks when he walks”, referring to someone who is a cheapskate or money-grubber. For this, it helps to get hold of an idioms dictionary.

Make a list of several things that go together such as expressions that comment on someone’s character. For example, a person can be “a go-getter”, meaning someone who is very goal driven, and has “the gift of the gab”, meaning that he or she is a persuasive speaker.

Then look around and apply these phrases in as many conversations as you can until it starts to feel natural.