to a specific length of time. It is often used in expressions such as 'over a period',
'during a period' and 'a period of time'. We'll observe the patient's weight for a period of three
months. 'Period' can also be used to talk about a time in a person's life or in history. When using
period in this way, this time is often defined by certain conditions or characteristics. The word
'period' usually has an adjective before it. I went through a difficult period when I returned to
the UK. In school, we can use period to refer to a part of a day when a specific subject is taught.
I have maths in the second period on Tuesday. Finally, 'period' in American English refers
to the punctuation mark which shows the end of a sentence. In British English, we refer to this as
a full stop. Is that a period or a comma? Hello, I'm Sam from BBC Learning English and today we're
going to look at the difference between 'all' and 'everybody' or 'everyone' when talking
about people. In both cases, we are talking about a group of people and the meaning is simple - they
both mean 100% of the group. But how we use them in a sentence is slightly different. Let's look
at these examples: I invited some friends to a party this weekend. They all came. Everybody
came. So, in the first example, we have the subject plus all plus the main verb - it's not
correct to say all came without using the subject 'they' before 'all', but if you want to make the
sentence shorter, you can use 'everybody' or 'everyone' as the subject of the sentence.
So, everybody plus main verb. So, I hope you all understand and everybody will do the quiz now. Hi
everyone! 'Late' is a very useful word - find out why on this English in a Minute. The most common
meaning of 'late' is after the correct time. It can go before a noun as an adjective. I had
a late breakfast so I took the late train. Or it can modify a verb as an adverb. I arrived late
to class because the train came late. And don't forget you can be late for something. I'm going
to be late for my own wedding. 'Late' can also mean near the end of a period of time. We didn't
go to the bed until late at night. We often talk about periods in history this way. The internet
was invented in the late 20th century. You can also combine 'late' with 'of' to mean 'recently'.
I've been using the internet a lot of late. Finally, 'late' can be used to refer to a person
who has died, usually recently. Look at the time - I've got to go I'm late, not dead. Are
'speak' and 'talk' different? Often it doesn't matter, but there are some differences. 'Speak'
can refer to the action itself. I speak Spanish really well and I speak Russian badly. 'Speak'
can refer to something more formal than talk. As a teacher, I spoke to my students in lessons and
then I talked to my friends afterwards. 'Talk' suggests that it's a conversation. My friends
always listened to me not all my students did. There are also some expressions where we use
one word rather than the other like 'speak out' or 'talk rubbish'. The difference is very small
and often it doesn't matter which one you use but remember teachers and politicians speak to you,
friends and family talk to you, and you should speak out if you think someone's talking rubbish.
Hello, I'm Sam, and in this lesson we are going to look at the differences between 'at', 'in' and
'on' for location. 'At' can be used to talk about a single specific location. I'm at work or I'm at
the BBC right now. 'On' is used in relation to a surface. I'm sitting on a chair. And 'in' is used
to talk about a three-dimensional space usually with four walls - it's similar to inside. I'm in
a room. So to help you remember these rules try to think of a concert. I'm at the front. The band is
on the stage, and my friends are in the crowd. And where are you right now? Welcome back to English
In A Minute, I'm James and today we're going to talk about a word with lots of different uses:
'can'. I can play the guitar. This is the first way that we can use 'can' to talk about ability,
for example: I can speak Spanish but I can't fly. Let's look at another use of 'can':
Can I open the window, Elly? No, you can't! It's too cold. Oh OK. In this example, 'can' is used
to ask for or give permission to do something. Can I go for lunch, Elly? Yes, of course you can,
James. Oh, thank you. Learning a language can be difficult. In this final example, 'can' is used
to talk about possibility. Elly, take a jacket. It can get cold at night. OK, thanks James. This
means that sometimes it is cold but sometimes it isn't. So, there we have it. 'Can' can be used for
ability, permission and possibility. Now you can use 'can' too - see you next time. Hi everyone,
Tom here for BBC Learning English. Today I'm going to show you how to use the future continuous. We
use the future continuous to describe actions in progress at a future point in time. For example,
in the next scene, I will be wearing a jumper. We make the future continuous using 'will', 'be' and verb
-ing. Note that we can use any subject pronoun and the structure won't change. For example:
these are my hands. The subject pronoun is 'they'. In the next scene they will be holding a melon.
So now you will be thinking about how to use the new grammar - why not give it a try. Hello
everyone, I'm Sam from BBC Learning English. Today we're looking at different ways to use the word
'actually'. We use it to talk about what is true, like the word 'really'. Are bats actually blind?
We use it to correct or contradict. Are you from London, Sam? Actually,
no. I'm from Oxford. We use it to emphasise that something is different or surprising.
I love fish but I actually don't like prawns. We use it to admit or confess to something.
Did you eat the last chocolate, Sam? Actually, yes. I did. And we use it to add information. I'm a
teacher and so are both my parents, actually. So, it's actually quite a useful word. Hi,
I'm Phil from BBC Learning English. Today, I'm going to tell you how you
can talk about your dreams. For example: if I were rich, I'd go on lots of holidays.
What you need to use is the word 'would'. Just remember that when we are speaking, it often
becomes 'd'. Don't forget that we don't put the 'would' near the 'if' - we use a past tense there.
So, for another example: if I were rich, I'd buy a really fast car. Now add a comment down below!
What would you do if you were rich or famous or a film star? Hey everyone, this is Kee from
BBC Learning English. Today I'm going to tell you about active and passive sentences. Now in
an active sentence, the subject carries out the action of the verb, so in the sentence: I clean
my room every day - which isn't true - the subject 'I' carries out the action of the verb 'clean'.
However, in the passive sentence the object 'my room' becomes the subject and it receives
the action of the verb. To do that, we add 'be' verb plus past participle structure. So, we have 'my
room is cleaned by me every day'. So, the subject receives the action of the verb. And we're done.