Stress and Thought Groups in American English Archives • Page 3 of 7 • English with Kim

Three Simple Ways to Sound More Polite and Tactful in American English

Have you ever been told that you’re too direct, too demanding, or too aggressive when you’re speaking English, especially at work? Just like kids, when we first learn a language, we focus on communicating clearly in the most straightforward way possible: I’m hungry. I want some pizza. Where is the train station? I’m looking for the ATM. This language is simple, precise, direct. As your language skills continue to evolve, you’re able to add more … Read the article and watch the video lesson

How to Use Go +Ing (the Gerund) to Describe Fun Activities

Let’s go back to basics and review a somewhat unusual grammar structure that trips up even fluent non-native speakers. I’m talking about the verb go + ing, also called go + gerund or go + verb + ing. If you’ve been listening to native speakers, you’ve probably heard them say something like: I’m going running after work. I went shopping last night. Let’s go dancing this weekend. Many people find this grammar structure tricky because … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Beyond You’re Welcome: More Ways to Respond to Thanks in American English

You’ve probably noticed that we Americans tend to say “thank you” a lot. Whether we’re saying thanks for something small, showing appreciation for someone’s support, or expressing gratitude for a huge favor, you want to find a way to acknowledge our feelings. Let’s talk about how. Learn how to respond to “thank you” in American English. Saying “You’re Welcome” with Natural Stress and Intonation Here in the United States, we often respond to “thanks” with … Read the article and watch the video lesson

How to Breathe When Speaking English | Get Started with Breathing, Pausing, and Thought Groups

When was the last time you thought about your breathing when speaking English? After all, breathing is an automatic process, right? When you run out of air, you breathe again. We usually don’t pay that much attention to our breathing unless we have a cold, or we’re feeling short of breath, maybe we’re nervous, or doing a sport or other activity like singing that requires breath support. That’s why I’m here to remind you that … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Find Your Voice in American English: Vocal Exercises for Non-Native Speakers (Pitch & Resonance)

Let me ask you something. How do you feel about the sound of your voice when you’re speaking English? If you’re like most people, you probably have some concerns about your voice. Maybe you feel like your pitch is too high or too low. Maybe you have trouble changing your pitch or you feel like your voice sounds a little monotone. Maybe you think your voice sounds too nasally or too high in your head, … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Contrast: Sound More Natural and Interesting in American English 🎶

Over the past few months, I’ve been hearing from a lot of non-native speakers who are concerned that they sound monotonous, robotic, bored, or even annoyed when they’re speaking English. They’ve been working on their accent, but they feel like something is missing. When you’re trying to improve how you sound in English, you’ll find a lot of tips out there. (You can find quite a few of them right here!) But if you really … Read the article and watch the video lesson