Subodh Bhattarai (English & Communication Notes - BBA/BBS/BBBS/BHM/BIM/BMS/MBA/MBS & +2)

  IDIOMS & PHRASAL VERBS ●       An  idiom  has a meaning you can't figure out from the individual words. Knowing the words “ hot ” and “ potato ” won't help you understand the idiom “ hot potato ” if you've never heard of it before. ●       A  phrasal verb  is a verb made up of a ( base) verb  and one or more  particles , which together  create a new meaning . ○       For example, the verb " pick " and the particle " up " combine to form the phrasal verb " pick up ," which means " to lift or take up ." ●       An idiom  is a phrase or expression that has a  figurative meaning  different from the  literal meaning  of the individual words. ○       For example, the idiom " kick the bucket " means  to die . Both are used in spoken and written English, but idioms are often more specific to a par...

INDIRECT QUESTION ●       An indirect question can be more formal and polite than a direct question. ●       Whether we use direct and indirect questions depends on the situation, who we are talking to and what we are talking about. We tend to use direct questions with people we know well, in more informal situations and/or when the topic is not ‘sensitive’. Indirect questions are often used when talking to someone we don’t know well, in formal / professional situations, and / or where the topic might be ‘sensitive’. ●       Compare the following direct and indirect questions: ○       When can we discuss this problem?  –  Direct question  which in some cases is not very polite; e.g. when asking your boss to discuss a payment problem. ○       Would it be possible to discuss this problem soon?  –  Indirect question  which is considered ...