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If elephants could write down their memories, they'd use their trunks. The Trunk is a collection of articles with advice on learning languages plus guidance on how to improve speaking and writing in English.

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Speak well, feel well, work well

Better English pronunciation makes for an easier life in English.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning AdviceSpeaking in English

Are you making these common English pronunciation mistakes?

If native speakers don’t understand you the first time you say something, it could be because you’re making one of these common mistakes.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsSpeaking in EnglishNews

How to fix what keeps tripping you up in English

If you could solve one issue you’re always uncertain about when using English, what would it be?

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

Is your English as fit as a fiddle?

We use idioms every day to express common beliefs.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsHealthcare EnglishLanguage Learning Advice

Conquer conundrums with classic catchphrases

When you watch movies or listen to songs in English, are there famous lines or favourite quotes that stick in your mind?

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

Pesky Points Part 5

Still hesitating whenever these popular pesky points pop up:

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

Remember this punctuation trick

The trend to using less and less punctuation doesn’t mean you don’t need any at all.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsWriting in English

Don’t be fooled by ‘in’

These three pairs of words look like they should be opposites, but are they?

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Category: Common English ConfusionsHealthcare English

Is it ‘common’ or ‘mutual’?

People often hesitate when they have to decide between these two words.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsHealthcare EnglishLanguage Learning Advice

What’s the purpose – ‘for’ or ‘to’?

A common confusion is when to use ‘for’ to describe purpose and when to use ‘to’.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsHealthcare EnglishLanguage Learning Advice

Pesky Points Part 4

Recycling doesn’t just benefit the environment.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

Don’t be afraid of ‘me’ (Part 3)

I like chocolate.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

See, look or watch?

All three involve our sense of sight, but there are differences.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsHealthcare EnglishLanguage Learning Advice

Safe vs secure

Sometimes, ‘safe’ and ‘secure’ are interchangeable, but not always.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsHealthcare English

Pesky Points Part 3

Have you been using this power tool to its potential to advance your English skills?

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

How to clear up common confusions with catchphrases

Doing fun stuff like watching TV shows, reading books and listening to podcasts are valuable ways to beef up your English.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

Should your patient lay or lie?

With their similar sounds and meanings, ‘lay’ and ‘lie’ are easy to confuse.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsHealthcare EnglishLanguage Learning Advice

Don’t be afraid of ‘me’ (Part 2)

‘Myself’ isn’t a substitute for ‘me’.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

Don’t be afraid of ‘me’ (Part 1)

Sometimes you have to proceed with caution when copying native speakers.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

3 quick fixes

I hear and read these slips of the tongue all the time.

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Category: Common English ConfusionsLanguage Learning Advice

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