English Idioms3

Thanks Gérard for these expressions. I would like to add "it's high time" grammar rule which I find interesting
http://www.grammaring.com/its-high-time

 


IT'S (HIGH) TIME

• unreal situations
  

it's (high) time + past subjunctive
It's (high) time + past subjunctive expresses that something should be done and that it is already a bit late:

to bed. You'll have to get up early tomorrow.It's high time I bought a new pair of jeans.It's about time this road was completed. They've been working on it for months. a écrit:It's time you went

When we say that the right time has arrived for something and we are still in time, we can use the following patterns:

to bed.It's time to say goodbye.It's time for breakfast. a écrit:It's time (for you) to go

    

gerardM a écrit:

Difference between BRITISH and AMERICAN ENGLISH

FLUENTLAND.COM

Thanks Gérard for reminding us of these differences. I find it very difficult to know which language to use. Is it  American English ?  Is it British English ?. I have spent hours on end studying British English and with the advent of the internet and the word wide web a lot of articles are written in American English and i get all mixed up.

MurielB a écrit:...  which language to use. Is it  American English ?  Is it British English ?. I have spent hours on end studying British English and with the advent of the internet and the word wide web a lot of articles are written in American English and i get all mixed up.

Yes Muriel, it's difficult.
In my opinion, we have to avoid to mix both varieties and make a choice.
However, the problem is for many people. British oldies get angry when they hear British youngsters adopting American expressions due to films, songs: young Brits don't speak a "pure" language.

Gérard with your influence I definitely Americanise my British English. When my daughter from Lyon speaks in English she sounds American. I should speak to her in English over the phone. Every morning I sing British nursery rhymes to her little girl because I don't know any American nursery rhymes.