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Tips, insights, and updates about English learning
Never Get Lost Abroad This Summer! 8 Essential English Patterns for Asking Directions and Transportation to Rescue Your Travel Chaos!
The scariest part of traveling abroad on your own during summer vacation is getting lost at a station or boarding the wrong train! Loopy has compiled 8 super practical English sentence patterns for asking directions and navigating transportation. From get lost to confirming departure times, you'll learn to ask for help using the most polite and authentic English, ensuring a smooth arrival at your destination!
there is / there are: The First Step to Saying "There is..." in English
If you want to say "there is a cup of coffee on the table" or "there are two people in the room" in English, the first step is there is / there are. This article teaches you how to choose between singular and plural, how to form negatives and questions, plus a handy tip to "look at the noun that follows," so even A1 learners can master it right away.
How to Use Tag Questions? Master …, isn't it? with One Flip Rule: 'Positive-Negative, Negative-Positive'
When you finish saying a sentence and want to add a quick "right?" at the end, English uses tag questions like …, isn't it?. This article will help you get a solid grasp using one simple flip rule: if the statement is positive, the tag is negative; if the statement is negative, the tag is positive. We'll also teach you how to choose the right auxiliary verb, along with intonation secrets—"rising pitch is for a real question, falling pitch is seeking agreement." After reading this, you'll feel confident naturally adding that little tag at the end.
Participle Clauses: Write Beautiful Sentences Using V-ing and p.p. Endings
Want to combine two sentences into a more concise English sentence? Participle clauses are the answer. Learn to simplify clauses using V-ing (active) and p.p. (passive), and with the quick tip of asking "Am I the doer of the action?", you can handle any sentence with ease. Correct and incorrect examples and test methods included.
Mastering Imperative Sentences: Give Commands, Invitations, and Reminders in One Sentence—Just Add please to Stay Polite
In English, telling someone to sit down, reminding them not to worry, or inviting a friend to go together all use the same type of sentence—the imperative sentence. Its structure is incredibly simple: just start directly with the base form of the verb. This article teaches you four ways to use them: giving commands with a base verb, using Don't for negatives, adding please to be polite, and making suggestions with Let's. Complete with correct vs. incorrect examples and handy takeaways to help you tell them apart.
How to Ask Questions in English? One Core Rule of "Swapping Subject and Auxiliary Verb" to Master Yes/No and Wh- Questions
While asking questions in Chinese only requires adding "嗎" at the end of a sentence, English requires flipping the word order entirely. This article uses one core rule, "swapping the subject and auxiliary verb," to help you master two types of questions: Yes/No questions (Do you…?／Are you…?) and Wh- questions (What do you…?). We also share a 3-second check method and the most common pitfalls for Chinese speakers, so you can start asking questions with confidence.
both…and, either…or, neither…nor: Master the Parallel Structure Rules of Paired Conjunctions Once and for All
The most common stumbling block with paired conjunctions is deciding whether the verb should be singular or plural. This article uses the parallelism principle, the proximity rule, and easy-to-remember test methods to help you easily master both…and, either…or, and neither…nor, and even learn the B2-level not only…but also along the way.
and, but, or, so: 4 Little Words to Connect Your Sentences More Smoothly
Want to combine two short sentences into one but often get stuck? and, but, or, and so are the most commonly used conjunctions in English. Once you learn them, you'll be able to speak longer, more natural sentences. This article uses everyday conversational examples to help you understand the seven FANBOYS siblings and comma rules.
quickly, carefully: Use adverbs to clearly explain "how things are done"
Want to say "she smiled happily" or "I put it down carefully" but get stuck on adverbs? This article uses the easiest-to-remember -ly rules and word order tips, plus irregular exceptions like good→well and fast→fast, to guide you in turning adjectives into adverbs of manner, naturally describing "how it's done". You can start using them immediately after reading, and even learners at an A2 level can easily master it.