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Unit 2: English In A Minute
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Session 47

In English, we often use words in pairs – let Sam teach you four useful ones that you can use to sound more natural when speaking English!

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

4 English word pairs

Let Sam teach you four useful word pairs that you can use to sound more natural when speaking in this English In A Minute.

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Sam

Now and again, not very often, but from time to time, I think about ending my relationship with him.

Most relationships are about give and take, right? There needs to be a balance and I accept that every relationship has its ups and downs.

Things can't always be perfect, but I am getting sick and tired of him not doing anything apart from eat, sleep and play.

Don't worry, I'm talking about my dog Bo and I would never end my relationship with him, but did you notice the word pairs I used?

These are common combinations of words that appear together and always in that order and they're useful to notice because they can help you sound really fluent when speaking and writing in English.

You probably know a few already: black and white, salt and pepper.

Can you think of any more?

 

4 English word pairs

In English, there are some common combinations of words that often appear together. For example: Give and take. These expressions are always used in a specific order, so you wouldn't say 'take and give'.

Some examples are:

give and take

now and again/then

ups and downs

sick and tired 

black and white

salt and pepper

They're useful to learn because they can help you sound really fluent when speaking and writing in English.

  • Could you pass me the salt and pepper please.
  • Life sometimes has its ups and downs.

 

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