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- Speak Smarter: Use the “5-Finger Rule” to Choose the Right English Book!
Speak Smarter: Use the “5-Finger Rule” to Choose the Right English Book!
Find the perfect English book for your level using the simple “5-Finger Rule”—an easy way to boost your reading and vocabulary skills!
Hello, English enthusiasts!
Today’s newsletter is all about giving you fun and fresh ways to build your English skills.
We’ll uncover a small but tricky mistake, introduce a new word to add to your daily use, and tackle a quick grammar tip.
You’ll also find a quiz to test yourself, a helpful tool for practice, and a book recommendation to enjoy. Ready? Let’s get started!
“She told to me”
vs.
“She told me”
A common mistake is adding “to” after “told.” However, unlike verbs like “say” or “speak,” the verb “tell” doesn’t need a preposition when talking about who was told.
Incorrect: "She told to me about the event."
Correct: "She told me about the event."
Whenever you use “tell,” just follow it directly with the person—no “to” needed!
Use the “5-finger rule” for reading.
When picking an English book or article to read, try the “5-finger rule.” Open a page in the book, and for every word you don’t understand, raise a finger.
If you reach 5 fingers by the end of the page, the text may be too difficult for you right now.
Choose a book where you raise 2-3 fingers—enough to learn new words but not too hard to understand!
“Immerse”
Word | Meaning | In sentence |
|---|---|---|
Immerse (Verb) | To become deeply involved in an activity, often in a way that surrounds you completely. | He likes to immerse himself in English movies to improve his listening skills. |
“Immerse” is a great word to use when talking about focusing on something completely, like language practice or a hobby. It encourages deep concentration and full involvement in whatever you are doing!
“a few” vs. “few”
“A few” means some (a small number, but enough to be positive).
Example: "I have a few friends in this city." (I have some friends—it's positive.)
“Few” means not many (usually in a negative way).
Example: "I have few friends in this city." (I don’t have many friends—it's negative.)
The key is to remember that “a few” suggests a small but enough amount, while “few” means nearly none.
Which is correct?
A) There is a few milk left in the fridge.
B) There is a little milk left in the fridge.
The answer is at the bottom of the page.
The most common adjective in English -
Did you know that the word “good” is the most frequently used adjective in English?
Whether it's describing a day, a book, a person, or even a meal, “good” finds its way into conversations constantly.
It’s simple, versatile, and is used in both formal and informal situations to express something positive.
Daily News for Curious Minds
“I stopped watching the news, so sick of the bias. Was searching for an alternative that would just tell me WHAT happened, with NO editorializing. I found it. It’s called 1440. It assumes you are smart enough to form your own opinions.”
“Rewordify”
Try Rewordify, a free online tool that helps you understand complex texts by simplifying difficult words and sentences.
Just paste any text (from articles, books, or anything else), and Rewordify will replace difficult words with simpler synonyms.
This is a great way to read at your level, understand tricky passages, and learn new vocabulary without feeling overwhelmed!
“The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“The Little Prince” is a beautifully written book that is easy for English learners to understand while offering deep, meaningful lessons.
The story is about a young prince who travels from planet to planet, meeting interesting characters and learning about life.
The language is clear and poetic, making it an enjoyable read for both beginners and advanced learners who want to improve their reading skills.
“Practice makes permanent, not perfect.”
– Unknown
This quote reminds us that regular practice builds strong habits. It’s not about being perfect right away but creating lasting improvements over time.
So, practice your English every day—even if it's just a little—and watch yourself improve steadily!
You have to learn new words every day to improve. ❌
Not necessarily! While learning new vocabulary is important, it’s also crucial to practice using the words you already know.
It’s better to know 100 words well and use them confidently than to memorize 1,000 words that you never practice.
Focus on making the words you already know active by using them in speaking and writing.
Quiz answer
B) There is a little milk left in the fridge.
Explanation: Since “milk” is uncountable, you use “a little” instead of “a few.” Use “a few” for countable items (like "books" or "people") and “a little” for uncountable ones (like "milk" or "sugar").
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That’s all for today’s newsletter! Keep practicing, stay positive, and enjoy the process of learning English. Remember, every bit of progress adds up over time!
Until next time, happy learning!
Warm regards,
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