Activity
Mon
Wed
Fri
Sun
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
What is this?
Less
More

Owned by Matthew

The English Lab

16 members • Free

Clear methods. Less frustration. Better results. Exam prep made simple — by The Exam Coach.

Memberships

The Skoolyard 🧃

220 members • Free

Men's Inner Circle

22 members • Free

Something Good

34 members • Free

UNDETERRED Entrepreneurs

600 members • Free

Skool Money Models

11.5k members • Free

Teacherpreneurs

319 members • Free

Skoolers

179.2k members • Free

Fix Your Funk

290 members • Free

69 contributions to The English Lab
🟣 The English Lab | Part 3 Tip – Word Formation
Here is a quick reminder for Word Formation. The grammar around the gap tells you exactly what the new word should become. Do not look at the base word first. Look at the sentence. Example: She gave a very ___ answer. (CONFIDENCE) The word goes before a noun, so you need an adjective. confident, not confidence or confidently. This is the key to Part 3. You change the word to match the sentence, not the other way around. 👉 Comment one base word that always confuses you in Word Formation. I will help you transform it.
0 likes • 4d
Common Traps Cambridge Uses These mistakes show up again and again: 1. Using a noun when the sentence needs an adjective. She was full of excite. ❌ She was full of excitement. ✔️ 2. Using an adjective when the sentence needs an adverb. He spoke very polite. ❌ He spoke very politely. ✔️ 3. Adding the wrong prefix or suffix because it “looks right." possible → unpossible ❌ possible → impossible ✔️ These traps are designed to test your instinct for structure, not spelling. 👉 Comment one base word that always confuses you in Word Formation. I will help you transform it.
🟣 The English Lab | Part 2 Practice – Open Cloze
Let’s get today’s training in. Complete the sentence with ONE missing word. I have not spoken to her ___ we finished school. 👉 Comment your answer below. I will post the correct one and the explanation later today. Exam Coaching This type of question checks if you know time linkers that connect a past event to the present. The missing word must fit the grammar and meaning of the whole sentence. Ask yourself: - Does the action start in the past and continue now? - Which connector links those two points in time naturally? One small word makes the whole structure work. Pro tip If a sentence describes something that began in the past and continues today, think present perfect and the linkers that go with it.
1 like • 10d
🟣 The English Lab | Part 2 – Answer Yesterday’s sentence: I have not spoken to her ___ we finished school. ✅ Correct answer: since Why “since”? This sentence describes: - an action that started in the past, - and continues up to now. That structure requires present perfect plus the linker since. “Since” connects a past point in time (“we finished school”) to the present moment. Examples: - I have lived here since 2019. - She has worked here since she graduated. - They have known each other since childhood. Why the others are wrong ❌ for → used with a duration (for years, for months). ❌ after → breaks the present perfect meaning. ❌ when → would require past simple, not present perfect. Only since fits the grammar and the timeline. 👉 Write your own sentence using “since” in the comments. I will check a few and show you how to make them more natural.
0 likes • 9d
I am certain you don't know what I need but thanks for coming.
💬 The English Lab | Quick Community Poll
Let’s keep things simple today. What do you want more practice on right now? 1. Part 1 Vocabulary 2. Part 2 Grammar Gaps 3. Part 3 Word Formation 4. Part 4 Transformations Comment the number. I will use your answers to shape the next posts. Quick Warm-Up Choose the correct option: The teacher refused to explain it again ___ the students asked politely. A) although B) because C) unless D) despite Drop your guess below. I will share the answer later today. Pro tip When you are unsure about linking words, read the sentence out loud. The logic becomes clearer when you hear it, not when you stare at it.
2
0
💬 The English Lab | Monday Kickoff
Let’s start the week with something simple and useful. Today’s focus is clarity. When you know exactly what you are improving, you learn faster and with less stress. Question:What part of English are you working on this week? Choose one: Vocabulary Grammar Listening Speaking Writing Comment your choice. I want to match this week’s posts to what you actually need. Quick Warm-Up: Choose the correct option: She managed to finish the task ___ time. A) on B) by C) in D) at Drop your answer in the comments.I will post the correct one later today. Pro tip: Start your week with one small win. Even answering this question counts. It trains your instinct and keeps you moving.
💬 The English Lab | Monday Kickoff
1 like • 11d
@Ross Gilman It's one of the hardest ones to teach imo.
0 likes • 10d
And for the answer to the quiz. A) on On time = the opposite of late. in time = within a window of time, not exactly the point of being late. Keep working out there!
🟣 The English Lab | Friday Grammar Challenge (Part 4)
Let’s end the week with a strong Part 4 transformation.Short, sharp, and a perfect warm-up for exam thinking. Rewrite the sentence using the key word in CAPITALS. It must use between two and five words. “I have not seen her in years.” (FOR) 👉 Comment your answer below. I will post the correct version tomorrow. Exam Coaching This question tests a key Part 4 skill:turning a time expression into present perfect with “for.” Ask yourself: - Does the action start in the past and continue now? - Does the verb need to change tense? - Where does “for” fit naturally in the sentence? Most students make this too complicated. Keep it simple.The meaning must stay exactly the same. Hint: The structure is “I have…” plus a negative idea expressed with “for.” Pro tip Do not jump straight to the answer.Say the sentence out loud and feel where “for” naturally fits.If it sounds like something you would actually say in English, it is probably correct. 👉 Drop your answer in the comments.I will post the correct version and the breakdown tomorrow.
2
0
1-10 of 69
Matthew Zana
3
1point to level up
@matthew-zana-3823
I am Matt, father of five and teacher of English to most.

Active 2h ago
Joined Aug 20, 2025