How to use the word 'NO' in English - All levels

"NO"

When do we use the word 'no'? Well, not as often as you would think!

For a start it isn't considered polite in English to say 'No' as an answer to a question... you will usually hear locals say.. "Not really" or "I don't think so" or "I'd rather not"or "No thank you."

'No' can be used to compare  "The weather is no better today than it was yesterday."

'Any" or 'No' different
"This place is no different from any other place I've lived... why is it so expensive?"

'No good' or 'No use'
"The film was no good" "This computer is no use. Its so slow!"

Other examples with 'No'

No doubt; "I have no doubt in my mind... you will pass your exams."

No longer; "I no longer feel the need to go out as often as I used to."

No matter who; "No matter who knocks on the door... do not let them in!"

No more;  "No more sweets for you young man! Your teeth will rot!"

No need for; "There is no need for all this fuss, I'll be fine once I've had a good night's sleep."

No problem; "I'll sort it out for you... No problem!"

iFriendly will be touring New Zealand and Australia for the entire month of January 2015.

English Christmas Food - B2+

Christmas day is just around the corner... 

If you would like to prepare an English dish for this special occasion, look no further!

Here are some of my favourite Christmas recipes;

Jamie Oliver is my favourite chef, I love this man! He has single handily changed British cooking, not just in your own kitchen but also our school food has been revamped as a result, swapping unhealthy cheap food, for good wholesome food at a low cost.

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/turkey-recipes/the-best-turkey-in-the-world/

Gordon Ramsey, he's a dude... a little hot tempered, but he's a cool guy and surprisingly short too!
I saw him once, walking down the street in Brighton.
Feast your eyes on his cooking tips for Christmas day... The Pumpkin Soup looks scrumptious!

http://brandonmotzlm.hubpages.com/hub/gordon-ramsay-ultimate-christmas-recipes

Desserts;

Mince pies... 'Sorry? Did you say mince? But isn't that meat from a cow?' Nope, mince pies are sweet and delicious!  I hope I will be able to find them in New Zealand, cause there aren't any in this town!

Take a look at this video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDA60XAW7yo

Coming up next... Christmas Vocabulary!

How to make the perfect Risotto!

B1 + level - Intermediate

How to make a perfect Risotto... For two.

I have it on good authority, that I make a pretty good Risotto!

Before you start prepare a litre of chicken stock with boiling water, this is to add little by little to the risotto as you cook it.

First I pour in a glug of olive oil into the pan, with some finely chopped garlic approximately 3 cloves of garlic.

Then I add a cup of rice, coat the rice in olive oil and stir well to make sure all the rice has been coated. Then I add half a glass of cheap white wine and stir well until wine has almost evaporated.

Start adding the stock bit by bit, whilst constantly stirring on a high heat.

When you have used up all the stock, and the rice is 'al dente'. (this is when the rice is not quite done).

Take the risotto off the hob. Season with salt and black pepper.

Take a packet of grated cheese, preferably with a mix of 4 cheeses and add as much as you like to the risotto and stir.

Then add some Gorgonzola, and stir in. Don't let it melt completely, this way you will be able to taste the Gorgonzola cheese.

Dish out and add a dollop of mushroom pate and grate a generous amount of Parmesan cheese on top and serve.

A nice glass of chilled white wine would go nicely with this dish. I recommend a glass of Ruedo ( Spanish white wine).

Bon appetite!

What are your favourite recipes?
Why don't you try to describe a recipe in English?

Vocabulary - The relevant definition of words in the text.

stock; (noun) liquid made by cooking bones, meat, fish or vegetables slowly in water.

glug; (noun) an amount of liquid poured from a bottle.

chop; (verb) cut (something) into pieces with repeated sharp blows of an axe or knife.

coat; (verb) (cooking definition) to cover with a 'coating' can be wet or dry.

evaporate; (verb) turn from liquid to vapour

melt; (melt) make or become liquified by heating.

dollop; (noun) a large shapeless mass of something, especially soft food.

For English classes on Skype, email Lisa: lis.j.grant@gmail.com.  Skype name: friendlyteacher14