Virgin unveils its future cross-Channel train as it gears up to take on Eurostar
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EN: The present perfect tense ('has shown') is formed with 'have/has + past participle'. In news reporting, it introduces recent events that have current relevance without specifying an exact past time.
The company has announced its new environmental policy.
EN: Non-defining relative clauses are introduced by a comma followed by 'which'. They provide extra, non-essential information about the preceding noun phrase ('its future cross-Channel train').
He bought a new laptop, which he intends to use for university.
EN: In British English, 'cross-Channel' refers to travel across the English Channel between the UK and continental Europe. Since 1994, passenger train service through the Channel Tunnel has been operated solely by Eurostar, making Virgin's announcement a significant competitive shift.
EN: The conjunction 'that' introduces a noun clause acting as the direct object of the verb 'means'. Inside the clause, a complete sentence ('Eurostar will face...') describes what the expansion implies.
The report indicates that company revenue will increase next year.
EN: The phrase 'for the first time since + past event/clause' is used to indicate an event happening now or in the future that has not happened since a specific starting point in the past.
He visited his hometown for the first time since he graduated.
EN: The Channel Tunnel, connecting the UK and France beneath the English Channel, opened in 1994. Since then, Eurostar has maintained a near-monopoly on high-speed passenger rail services through the tunnel.
EN: The present perfect tense ('has ordered') is formed using 'have/has + past participle'. In news reporting, it introduces recent events that have relevance or consequences in the present.
The airline has purchased five new aircraft to expand its international routes.
EN: The preposition 'through' expresses the means, method, or agency by which an action is achieved or a goal is reached (meaning 'by means of').
They managed to boost sales through innovative marketing campaigns.
EN: Alstom is a prominent French multinational rail manufacturer, famous for manufacturing high-speed trains such as the TGV and Eurostar's e320 fleet. Virgin's decision to order from Alstom signals strong industrial backing to challenge Eurostar's long-standing monopoly in cross-Channel passenger rail.
EN: The passive phrase 'be based on' means to use something as the foundation, source, or starting point for something else.
The movie is based on a true story.
EN: Parallel structure in noun lists: When listing multiple nouns or noun modifiers joined by 'and', they should share the same grammatical form (here: 'airline, cruise and hotel businesses').
She has experience in marketing, finance and human resources.
EN: The Virgin Group, founded by Richard Branson, is well known for applying a cohesive lifestyle branding and customer-centric design across vastly different industries, from aviation (Virgin Atlantic) to hospitality (Virgin Hotels) and luxury travel (Virgin Voyages).
EN: The future passive voice ('will be + past participle') is used to describe an action that will be performed on the subject in the future by an external agent.
The new library will be opened by the mayor next month.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'on board' acts as an adverbial or adjectival modifier meaning 'on or inside a train, ship, or aircraft'. Here, it post-modifies 'social spaces'.
Passengers can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi on board.
EN: Virgin Atlantic's airport lounges, famously called 'Clubhouses', are widely recognized in the UK and international aviation for their stylish, hotel-bar-like social environments. Virgin intends to bring this brand identity into rail travel to differentiate its cross-Channel trains from standard train carriages.
EN: Apposition (Noun in Apposition): A noun phrase placed next to another noun to rename or explain it, often set off by commas. Here, 'the chief executive of Virgin Group' clarifies the identity of 'Josh Bayliss'.
Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, announced the new device.
EN: Post-positive Modifiers with Indefinite Pronouns: When an adjective modifies an indefinite pronoun ending in -thing, -body, or -one (such as 'something', 'anyone'), the adjective must be placed AFTER the pronoun.
We need to find someone capable of solving this issue.
EN: In news reporting, 'chief executive' (or CEO) is often introduced as an appositive immediately following a person's name to establish their authority and credibility on the subject.
EN: The verb 'believes' is followed by a noun clause introduced by the conjunction 'that', which functions as the direct object expressing what someone thinks or expects.
She believes that the project will succeed next year.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'by train' expresses the means of transportation. Note that when using 'by' with modes of transport (e.g., by bus, by plane, by train), no article (a/the) is used.
Many commuters prefer to travel to work by train.
EN: In British English, people commonly refer to travel between the UK and mainland Europe as travelling 'between the UK and Europe' (or 'the Continent'), reflecting the geographical and psychological distinction felt by island residents.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
The act of growing or enlarging a commercial operation into new markets or services.
Using something as a foundation, source, or model.
The highest-ranking person in a company or organization, responsible for making major decisions.
Traveling across or situated across the English Channel (between the UK and continental Europe).