Idioms in English: To Put Something on Ice

Idioms in English

When you “put something on ice,” you pause it or delay doing it.
Example: Jason decided to put his math homework on ice so he could work on his English essay.

Image courtesy of dreamstime.com

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Interested in learning more idioms? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu

The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City.

ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree.

Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer.

Staten Island
Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation.

The campus
The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts.

Campus location
The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry.

ELI academic program

The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension.

ELI courses:

• Reading & Writing
• Grammar
• Communications (Conversation)
• TOEFL Workshop

What does 'Pardon my French' mean?

Idioms in English: 

What does 'Pardon my French' mean?

Idioms in English

What are idioms?

A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (e.g., rain cats and dogs, see the light ).

pardon my French

 idiom

Definition of pardon my French

informal + humorous

—used to apologize for using offensive languageEverything he said is bullshit. Pardon my French.

raveler: Explore other words from the year pardon my French first appeared

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pardon%20my%20French

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Interested in learning more idioms? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu
The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City.
Staten Island
Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation.
The campus
The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts.
Campus location
The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry.

• Reading & Writing

• Grammar

• Communications (Conversation)

• TOEFL Workshop

ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree.

Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer.

ELI academic program

The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension.

How to make Simple Sentences in English

Simple Sentences

How to Make Simple Sentences in English

What is a sentence?

A sentence is a group of words, which have three important characteristics:

1. A sentence must express a complete idea.
2. A sentence must also have a subject and a verb.
3. A sentence must have meaning.

What is a complete idea?
Simple sentences always express a complete idea.

- Example: Big New York City is a
This is a group of words, but is it expressing any meaning? No, therefore this is not a sentence.

Now let’s rearrange the same words and get a meaningful sentence.

- Example: New York is a big city
Now we get to know the size of New York from the sentence. And because it is convening a meaning – it is a sentence. A sentence will include the writer’s intent, understanding, perspective, or opinion about the subject.

What's a subject?

The subject is what the sentence is about.
• The sentence is always about the subject
• Sometimes the subject is singular – meaning one.
• And sometimes the subject is plural – meaning more than one.

Let’s look at these examples:
• Robert lives in New York City.

Robert is a singular subject.

• My neighbors moved to New York City.

“My Neighbors” is the subject, and this is a plural subject.

Sometimes we have a compound subject. This means two subjects or three subjects together.
Example: Madison Square Garden and The Empire State Building are in New York City.

In this sentence we have a compound subject, Madison Square Garden and The Empire State Building.

Another example of a compound subject :

The furniture and paintings will arrive at my New York City apartment tonight.

In this sentence the subject is a compound subject, the furniture and paintings.

What's a verb?

The verb is usually an action but sometimes it is just a state. The verb has a tense, which is the - time

meaning- of the verb.

- Example: The Twin Towers collapsed.

You can see here - collapsed - is in the past tense. This sentence is talking about the 9/11 terrorist attack which happened in the United States. Specifically, when two airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center, also called by local New Yorkers – the Twin Towers.

Let’s look at another sentence:

        - Example: Robert isn’t in New York.

In this sentence the verb - isn’t - is not an action, this is called a state. 

Now just like subjects, sometimes we have compound verbs – more than one verb.

        - Example: I went out and bought a New York Pizza.

“Went out and bought” are the two verbs in the sentence.

Another important characteristic of a sentence

The meaning of any sentence may be different, based on different expressions. Based on the different
meanings or thoughts, a sentence is divided into four types.

1. Declarative sentences
2. Interrogative sentences
3. Imperative sentences
4. Exclamatory sentences

Declarative sentences
These sentences tell information about anything, and the sentence ends in a period.

Example: Central Park is in the middle of Manhattan.

Here we are telling information about the location of Central Park.

Example: New York has 5 boroughs or parts: Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.

This is telling information about Manhattan, that is not expressed in the name. Staten Island is an island, but so is Manhattan. Both sentences end with a period. Declarative sentences just state facts.

Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences are used to ask a question. Interrogative sentences end in a question mark.

1. Who are you?
2. What did you do in Brooklyn?
3. When did you move to New York?
4. Where do you live?
5. Why did you come to New York to learn English?
6. How is life in New York?

Whenever you are asking a question, you are using an interrogative sentence, which ends in a question mark.

Imperative Sentences

An imperative Sentence gives a command or asks for a request. An imperative Sentence ends with a period or an exclamation point, depending on how forcefully you say any sentence.

Examples:

•  Put the key in the drawer.
•  Wait for me!
•  Please leave your bags by the door.
•  Sit down and be quiet!

Therefore, when we are giving a command or asking for any help or request, imperative sentences are used.

Exclamatory Sentences

When you are surprised, when you are happy, or when you are angry; you use exclamation to express your emotion. 

Example: That is a tall building!

Someone surprised when coming to New York City for the first time and seeing the Empire State Building).

Example: What a beautiful day in New York City!
Here, we are expressing our emotion of happiness after having a very nice day).

Example: He is a fantastic Governor!
Here, we are expressing our satisfaction with the Governor of New York State).

Therefore, exclamatory sentences are used in the case of strong emotions or feelings and use the exclamation point.
• Declarative sentences: information and ends with a period. ( . )
• Interrogative sentences: Questions and ends with a question mark. ( ? )
• Imperative sentences: Gives a command or asks for a request and ends with either an exclamation point or a period. ( ! ) or ( . )
• Exclamatory sentences: Expresses strong feeling or emotions and ends with an exclamation point. ( ! )

Summary:

English Language Institute
College of Staten Island
The City University of New York (CUNY)
elistudy@csi.cuny.edu
https://www.csi.cuny.edu/campus-life/student-services/center-global-engagement/english-language-institute

* Material prepared by ELI teacher, Mr. Robert Faison.

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Interested in learning more idioms? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu

The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City.

ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree.

Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer.

Staten Island
Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation.

The campus
The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts.

Campus location
The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry.

ELI academic program

The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension.

ELI courses:

• Reading & Writing
• Grammar
• Communications (Conversation)
• TOEFL Workshop

Idioms in English: Make a Long Story Short

Idioms in English

When you “make a long story short,” you tell explain or tell something briefly.

Example: While recounting her horrible date, Lucy told her friend, “To make a long story short, I’m never going out with him again!”

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Interested in learning more idioms? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu

The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City.

ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree.

Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer.

Staten Island
Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation.

The campus
The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts.

Campus location
The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry.

ELI academic program

The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension.

ELI courses:

• Reading & Writing
• Grammar
• Communications (Conversation)
• TOEFL Workshop

Idioms in English: What does 'Piece of cake' mean?

Idioms in English

What does 'Piece of cake' mean?

Idioms in English

Source: https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/piece%20of%20cake 

The saying "a piece of cake" means something that's simple to accomplish. If a school assignment is a piece of cake, it's so easy that you will barely have to think about it.

Other ways to say "it's a piece of cake" include no problem or it's a breeze. Something that's a piece of cake is as easy as eating a delicious piece of cake would be. The Americanism cakewalk, used to mean "something easy," came first, in the 1860's — piece of cake wasn't used until around 1936. Both cake and pie have a long history in the United States as metaphors for things that come easily.

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Interested in learning more idioms? Sign up in our English program: elistudy@csi.cuny.edu

The English Language Institute (ELI) offers an exciting and innovative academic program for students learning English as a second language. Our course of study is designed to challenge and engage students. Students are immersed in the language, culture, and the ethnicity of New York City.

ELI offers semester and summer terms of 18 and 22 hours of class per week. Students can also join the groups that have already started the semester or summer term and study as many weeks as possible. Students have courses such as reading and writing, grammar, conversation, and TOEFL test preparation workshops with a final TOEFL ITP test, which lets students apply for any CUNY school degree.

Students in our program are entitled to use all the facilities available on campus such as the pool, tennis, basketball, racquetball courts, and fitness center. Students can also attend any lectures or workshops they feel would enhance their own learning experience. We invite you to come and see our beautiful campus. Learn English while enjoying the rich culture New York City has to offer.

Staten Island
Staten Island is about four times the size of Manhattan and has a population of approximately 473,000. It is noted for its parks and recreational areas, in addition to several notable cultural sites. Manhattan and other "boroughs" of New York City are easily accessible by public transportation.

The campus
The College is set on a large campus with woodlands and open spaces in Staten Island. Its attractive facilities include technologically advanced laboratories, a Sports and Recreation Center and a Center for the Performing and Creative Arts.

Campus location
The College is twenty-five minutes by ferry from Manhattan. Our students have easy access to the rich cultural life of the City by way of a ferry shuttle ride located on the CSI campus. The ferry shuttle travels directly to the Staten Island ferry.

ELI academic program

The ELI offers intensive, comprehensive English language instruction and cultural orientation throughout the year. The program covers all aspects of spoken and written English, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are given at three levels of proficiency, from beginner to advanced. Course content includes the proper use of English structures, fluency and accuracy of expression with acceptable pronunciation, listening and reading comprehension, and writing for personal, academic, and professional purposes. Students communicate in English from the first lesson at the beginner level. At all levels they work on integrated skills, focusing on the active, knowledgeable use of the language, rather than mere passive comprehension.

ELI courses:

• Reading & Writing
• Grammar
• Communications (Conversation)
• TOEFL Workshop

Learning English in New York? 5 tips to study in New York

English in New York? Why? But more importantly, how

Five useful tips to study English abroad and enjoy the city meanwhile

Everyone knows the importance of learning English and the multiple outcomes speaking English brings. It is useful for studying and especially in the USA, almost necessary when working in an English-speaking country, and even when listening to music!

There are many tips for improving your English skills, but we will try to go deep in practical details to brighten those skills when studying English abroad and enjoy the city a little better. Here there are some common tips:

1. Exposure. As much as you watch, see, read, listen in English, you will have more chances to practice the language.
2. Read everything. Not only will the New York Times newspaper show you a good article to practice formal written English, but also listening to music with lyrics, translating slang to English from your language, and even reading the restaurant menu and supermarket ads will help us be prepared for any situation.
3. Sign up in English classes with cultural components. There are many English institutions that offer English classes, but you will be surprised if you register in English classes with cultural field trips, academic excursions, or business English courses with visits to companies.
4. English apps in your cell phone. Our cell phones are almost all the time used more as apps than as a telephone! So, why don't we download an app to practice English? Find one that it's not boring for you or that you may end up deleting from your phone.
5.  Social media. Add your favorite social media and pages to your accounts. Fan of Twitter or Instagram? Add a page so you can enjoy the photos and learn some words and phrases they may add to their posts. Can't live without Facebook? Join groups or follow pages where there are English grammar or vocabulary tips, or "Like" some pages where you can enjoy English in a fun way.

How can you do that in New York?

Learning English in a big city like New York may bring many challenges, so the tips shown above should be done with a little bit of fun, don't you think?

Certainly, exposition to the language will be all around the city. For example, studying English on a university campus will bring many opportunities since you will have the chance to attend conferences, participate in debates, meet friends during group homework, or even reading campus news. Let us know how many words you can remember and use after a little walk around your borough in New York. Go to Times Square and read all the billboards and you will have a good, free vocabulary class!

Find your own best way to learn a language. If you are a visual learner, pay attention to images on newspapers, magazines, or Facebook posts. This will help you, subconsciously, learn new expressions, words, and be more culturally aware.

Signing up in an English class is the most traditional way to learn the language. It helps us have a better, guided way to learn what we really need to learn. Dr. Stephen Ferst, Executive Director of the Center for Global Engagement of the CUNY College of Staten Island, invites everyone to register at the English Language Institute (ELI) at CSI so “you can take advantage of all the learning we have to offer at ELI, improve your English, and take advantage of everything that New York City has to offer, certainly the greatest city in the world”, he says.

Living and studying English in Staten Island will make your stay a little easier if you decide to study in New York, since you will not be overwhelmed with the huzzle and rush of Manhattan, and you will find out that Staten Island gives you a quiet environment but close to Manhattan in a 25-minute free ferry ride.

Our cell phones are a powerful tool to do everything. Take advantage of it. There are many apps that will help you practice the language with vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, or any skill you would like to improve. Pick a fun app to spend some minutes a day to practice English.

Social media is definitely the trendy way people are connected to the world. We are sure you are fan of one of them. Join a group in Facebook where you can learn English, enjoy a music app so you can spot some English words while listening to your favorite song, or share some Twitter posts. There are many Facebook pages from New York where you can enjoy the language and learn at the same time.

VIRTUAL LEARNING

During the pandemic, virtual classes have become more popular, so you can find out about online English classes as well. Remote learning and still enjoying New York through your English teachers could be a good option. You can see our online intensive English program as well.

We hope these tips can help you a little more to learn English in a more fun way, and if it is in New York, even better! As New York is the city that never sleeps, English is the language that will always be there for you 24/7.

English Language Institute (ELI)

Center for Global Engagement

CUNY College of Staten Island, New York

elistudy@csi.cuny.edu 

http://www.csi.cuny.edu/international/english_language_institute/