Remote Work
Listen to Course
0:00
0:00
EN: The phrasal verb 'settle into' means to become comfortable in a new place or situation. It is often used in the present continuous tense ('are you settling') to describe an ongoing process of adjustment.
It took me a few months to settle into my new job.
EN: The Past Simple tense ('heard', 'moved') is used to describe completed actions that happened at a specific time in the past, such as 'last month'.
I heard the news yesterday.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, asking how someone is 'settling in' is a common and polite way to show interest in their well-being after a major life change like moving or starting a new job.
EN: The Present Continuous Tense (am/is/are + verb-ing) is used here to describe an action that is currently in progress at the time of speaking.
I am still looking for my keys.
EN: The conjunction 'but' is used to connect two independent clauses that show a contrast or an unexpected result.
The weather was cold, but we enjoyed the hike.
EN: In Western culture, 'Thanks for asking' is a common polite response when someone inquires about your well-being or a major life event like moving, showing appreciation for their interest.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have + past participle) is used here with 'managed to' to indicate a completed action in the past that has relevance to the present, often used with 'yet' in questions.
Have you finished your report yet?
EN: The phrasal verb 'set up' means to arrange, organize, or prepare something for use, such as equipment or a workspace.
It took me two hours to set up the new computer.
EN: In Western work culture, 'setting up a home office' is a significant milestone for remote workers, emphasizing the importance of a dedicated workspace for productivity and mental separation from home life.
EN: Present Perfect Continuous (have/has + been + V-ing): Used to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present, often emphasizing the duration or ongoing nature of the activity.
I have been reading this book for three hours.
EN: Non-restrictive Relative Clause: The word 'which' introduces extra information about the preceding clause ('working from my kitchen table'). It is separated by a comma and provides a comment on the entire situation.
He missed the train, which made him late for the meeting.
EN: In Western remote work culture, 'working from the kitchen table' is a common idiom or situation describing a temporary, often uncomfortable, home office setup before one has a dedicated workspace.
EN: The verb 'recommend' is followed by a gerund (verb-ing) when suggesting an action. Using 'would' (I'd) softens the tone, making the advice sound more polite and professional.
I'd recommend taking a short break every hour.
EN: The verb 'invest' is typically followed by the preposition 'in' to indicate the object of the investment, whether it's financial or for personal benefit.
You should invest in a high-quality mattress for better sleep.
EN: In modern remote work culture, 'ergonomics' is a significant focus. Investing in high-quality home office equipment is seen as a way to prevent long-term health issues and burnout, reflecting a shift toward prioritizing employee well-being in professional discussions.
EN: The Present Perfect Continuous tense (have/has + been + V-ing) is used here to describe an action or intention that started in the past and has continued up to the present moment.
I've been meaning to call you all week.
EN: The phrase 'meaning to do something' expresses an intention or a plan that hasn't been carried out yet.
She has been meaning to clean the garage for months.
EN: In professional or semi-formal English, asking for 'specific recommendations' shows that you value the other person's expertise and are serious about taking action, rather than just making polite small talk.
EN: The sentence uses the Past Simple ('bought') for a specific finished time ('last year') and the Present Perfect ('has transformed') to show the ongoing result or impact on the present.
I lost my keys yesterday, and it has caused me a lot of trouble today.
EN: The adverb 'completely' is used as an intensifier before the main verb to emphasize the degree of change.
The new software has completely simplified our workflow.
EN: The mention of a 'standing desk' reflects a significant trend in modern remote work culture, where ergonomic setups are prioritized to combat the health risks of prolonged sitting.
EN: The word 'though' is often used as an adverb at the end of a sentence in spoken English to mean 'however' or 'nevertheless', adding a contrast to the previous statement.
The food was expensive; it was delicious, though.
EN: The modal verb 'can' is used here to express a general possibility or a characteristic of something, rather than ability.
Winters in this region can be extremely cold.
EN: The term 'Zoom meetings' has become a generic trademark for video conferencing during the remote work era. 'Zoom fatigue' is a recognized cultural phenomenon referring to the exhaustion associated with constant video calls.
EN: The phrase 'used to' followed by a base verb describes a past habit or state that no longer exists or is no longer true.
I used to live in London before I moved to New York.
EN: The compound adjective 'back-to-back' describes events happening one after another without any break in between.
We have back-to-back meetings all morning.
EN: In modern corporate culture, 'back-to-back' meetings are a common complaint, reflecting a high-pressure work environment where employees have no time for breaks between tasks.
EN: The modal structure 'must have + past participle' is used to express a strong logical deduction or certainty about a past event.
She must have forgotten about the meeting because she didn't show up.
EN: The verb 'manage to' followed by an infinitive means to succeed in doing something difficult or requiring effort.
We managed to finish the project just before the deadline.
EN: In professional English contexts, acknowledging someone's struggle with words like 'draining' shows empathy, which is a key part of building rapport in workplace conversations.
EN: The phrasal verb 'block off' means to reserve a period of time or a physical space so that it cannot be used for other purposes. It is often used in professional contexts regarding scheduling.
I need to block off two hours this afternoon to finish the report.
EN: The conjunction 'so that' is used to express purpose or result. It explains why the action in the first clause was performed. In informal speech, 'that' is often omitted.
She left work early so that she could avoid the rush hour traffic.
EN: In modern remote work culture, 'focus time' or 'deep work' is a highly valued concept. It refers to periods where employees intentionally disconnect from communication tools like Slack or Zoom to concentrate on complex tasks without interruption.
EN: The verb 'find' is often followed by a 'that' clause (a noun clause) to express an observation, opinion, or discovery about a situation.
I find that taking a short walk helps me think more clearly.
EN: Adverbs of frequency or manner, like 'constantly', are typically placed between the subject and the main verb to emphasize the repetitive nature of the action.
The neighbors' dog constantly barks at night.
EN: In modern remote work culture, 'Slack' has become synonymous with workplace communication. Mentioning 'Slack notifications' specifically highlights a common struggle with digital distractions in professional environments.
EN: The modal verb 'should' is used to give advice or recommendations. It is followed by the base form of the verb (bare infinitive) without 'to'.
You should update your software to ensure better security.
EN: A relative clause starting with 'that' is used here as an adjective to define or provide essential information about the preceding noun ('channels').
I prefer apps that have a simple user interface.
EN: In modern remote work culture, 'notification fatigue' is a common issue. Suggesting someone to 'mute channels' or 'customize settings' is a standard piece of advice for maintaining focus and digital well-being in professional environments like Slack or Microsoft Teams.
EN: The verb 'struggle' is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) to indicate difficulty in performing a specific action.
She struggles to wake up early on Monday mornings.
EN: The phrase 'stay on track' is an idiomatic expression meaning to continue as planned or expected, without being distracted.
We need a project manager to help us stay on track.
EN: In modern remote work culture, 'staying on track' is a common concern as employees transition from supervised office spaces to self-managed home environments. It reflects the value placed on self-discipline and productivity in Western professional settings.
EN: Gerund as Subject: The word 'Having' acts as a noun (gerund) to form the subject of the sentence. It describes an action or state as a concept.
Staying hydrated is important for your health.
EN: Reduced Adverbial Clause: 'When you're working' is a subordinate clause indicating time. In English, 'when' is often followed by the present continuous to describe a general circumstance or ongoing situation.
Be careful when you are driving in the rain.
EN: In Western professional culture, 'in my experience' is a common way to offer advice politely. It frames the suggestion as a personal observation rather than an absolute rule, which helps maintain a collaborative tone.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have + past participle) is used here to describe a realization or discovery that started in the past and remains true or relevant in the present.
I've noticed that the coffee shop is much busier on Mondays.
EN: The phrase 'tend to' is used to describe a regular habit or a tendency to behave in a particular way.
People tend to eat more when they are stressed.
EN: In the context of remote work, 'procrastination' is a common topic of discussion. Many professionals use 'body doubling' (working in the presence of others) as a productivity strategy, which is why Alex mentions the lack of physical presence as a challenge.
EN: The verb 'suggest' is followed by a gerund (V-ing) when the speaker is proposing an action they might be involved in or recommending a general strategy.
I'd suggest taking a short break every hour.
EN: The phrasal verb 'break something into' means to divide a whole into several smaller parts or categories.
We need to break the project into manageable phases.
EN: In Western professional culture, especially in remote work settings, 'breaking down tasks' is a highly valued productivity technique often associated with Agile methodologies or time management coaching.
EN: The phrase 'instead of' is a prepositional phrase used to suggest a substitution or alternative, followed by a noun or a gerund (verb+ing).
I decided to walk instead of taking the bus.
EN: The modal verb 'should' is used here to ask for confirmation or advice regarding a logical course of action.
Should I call him back now or wait until tomorrow?
EN: In modern corporate and remote work culture, 'milestones' is a common buzzword used to describe breaking down a large project into manageable phases to avoid procrastination and maintain momentum.
EN: Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle): Used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present, or has relevance to the present moment. In this sentence, 'has worked' indicates the success of the approach over a period of time up to now.
This new software has improved our efficiency significantly.
EN: The idiom 'work wonders': This expression means to be extremely effective or to have a very beneficial effect on something or someone.
A little bit of rest can work wonders for your mental health.
EN: In modern professional contexts, 'remote work' has become a standard term. Using idioms like 'work wonders' is common in business storytelling to emphasize the success of a strategy or tool without sounding overly formal.
EN: The verb 'appreciate' is a transitive verb used to express gratitude for something specific. Unlike 'thank', which is usually followed by a person (e.g., 'I thank you'), 'appreciate' is followed by the thing or action being valued.
I really appreciate your help with the project.
EN: The phrase 'work-life balance' functions as a compound noun. In English, we often use hyphens to link words that function together as a single concept or adjective before a noun.
Many companies are now prioritizing work-life balance for their employees.
EN: In Western professional culture, 'work-life balance' is a highly valued concept. It is common and socially acceptable to ask colleagues or mentors for advice on how to separate professional responsibilities from personal time to avoid burnout.
EN: The Present Simple tense is used here to describe a habitual action or a personal routine that occurs regularly.
I drink a cup of coffee every morning before work.
EN: The adverb 'sharp' is used after a time expression to emphasize that something happens exactly at that time, without any delay.
The meeting starts at nine o'clock sharp.
EN: In modern remote work culture, 'Slack' has become a metonym for work communication. Setting a 'hard stop' at a specific time (like 6 PM) is a common strategy to prevent burnout and maintain work-life balance.
EN: The Present Perfect Continuous tense (have/has + been + V-ing) is used to describe an action that started in the past and has continued up to the present moment, often emphasizing the duration or a recent habit.
I have been practicing the piano for three hours.
EN: The phrase 'be guilty of' usually means having committed a crime, but in daily conversation, it is often used idiomatically to admit to a bad habit or something one shouldn't do.
I'm guilty of hitting the snooze button too many times.
EN: In modern Western work culture, especially with the rise of remote work, 'boundaries' and 'work-life balance' are highly discussed topics. Admitting to being 'guilty' of overworking is a common way to build rapport and show vulnerability in professional yet friendly conversations.
EN: The First Conditional (If + present simple, will + base verb) is used to express a likely future consequence of a specific action.
If you don't take a break, you will feel exhausted tomorrow.
EN: Imperative Mood: Starting a sentence with a base verb (Set, Protect) is used to give direct advice, commands, or instructions.
Turn off your phone and focus on your work.
EN: In modern Western workplace culture, 'burnout' and 'work-life balance' are significant topics. Setting 'boundaries' is highly encouraged to maintain mental health, especially in remote work settings where home and office lines are blurred.
EN: The Future Simple tense (will + base verb) is used here to express a spontaneous decision or a firm intention made at the moment of speaking.
I'll call you back as soon as I finish this report.
EN: The present participle 'beginning' is used as a participle phrase to indicate the starting point in time for an action.
The new policy will take effect beginning next Monday.
EN: In professional or semi-formal English, using 'absolutely' or 'definitely' shows active listening and strong agreement, which helps build rapport in a workplace context.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To become familiar with a new way of life, place, or job.
Happening one after another, without a break.
To reserve a period of time so that it cannot be used for anything else.
To continue to work or develop as planned.
To become extremely tired or sick by working too hard for a long time.
The physical arrangement of furniture, hardware, and equipment in a workspace.
Specific chat rooms or discussion areas within a professional communication platform like Slack.
Significant stages or specific goals that mark progress within a larger project.
A self-imposed limit or rule to separate professional responsibilities from personal life.