Language In Use

hear it, speak it,
understand it & use it

This site aims to help students learn about - and teachers teach - the English language.
See The Site Map for a full list of pages and themes.
There are tasks to help work through the material, expert advice and strategies for identifying unknown texts..

VISIT THESE NEW AND UPDATED PAGES Examples of teenage jargon Avoiding the Question - equivocation What to call Islamic State Politician Disguises the Truth Informality - like informal ... Apostrophes So Sorry ... Apology in discourse Sexist Language (updated) Why Are Languages Different? The Right Impression? Written errors Cheryl Cole - A Geordie misunderstood in the US Hollow Point - the death of Charles de Menezes Names of Fighting Vehicles The Guided Interview English As She Is Spoke Football Managers' Tenses Computer Metaphors Describing Pain - stings About Tongue Twisters All Right? The Phatic Function Wine Blurbs

These pages are written by Duncan Grey.
Materials or suggestions? Want something on English you can't find here? write to Duncan.

Students wanting to acknowledge reference to this site should use Harvard notation as follows:
GREY, D S., 2021. Language In Use [online]. Cambridge, UK. Available from: http://www.putlearningfirst.com/language/... [Accessed day, month, 2021]

Extracts from this site have been used not only in classrooms worldwide but also by English examination boards, ESL textbooks in Greece, Quebec and Nunavut, Canada.

"I would just like to thank you for all your hard work on ‘putlearningfirst.com’. Your pages have helped me get back to grips with the English language. I love the simple and direct explanations and would recommend them to anyone." Gabby

"We love your articles.  As a former ESL teacher, I know it will be a great generator of ideas." Patrick

"I just love what you write. ... Let's start a movement to get rid of people who can't use apostrophes right! Love it! " Marla, San Francisco

I think, in your website, I have just discovered a goldmine!
Liz L, TESOL teacher, Australia

Your website is fantastic!  I now feel like I could teach A level language!
Alison, UK

Thanks for 'put learning first' which I've used a few times for useful non-sexist terms in the editing work I do for the UN. Keep up the (very) good work!
AC