Everyday English (Elementary)

Lesson Notes January 6, 2026 (Elementary)

Words & Phrases

• I went to the beauty salon and got a little trim.

• What’s the longest your hair has ever been? (This asks about the maximum length at any time in your life.)

• How long have you had long hair? (This asks about a period of time from the past until now.)

• There are no trains to The Cotswolds, so I had to drive. (NOT ‘I should drive’; we use ‘should’ when giving advice or recommendations) For example:

• I’m going to Shinjuku, where should I have lunch? (Asking for advice)

• You should eat in Takashimaya, there are many restaurants. (Giving recommendation)

• While we were driving the sun was in our (faces / eyes). (This means the sun was directly facing you)

• The sun was behind Mt Fuji, so it was black. (This means that Mt Fuji was blocking the sun)

• Mt Fuji was backlit by the sun, so it was black in the photo. (‘Backlit’ is more formal and technical)

• It started snowing, but his car had snow tires, so we were OK.

• What did you do for New Year’s? (We don’t say ‘new year’s days’)

• These examples are more common

• I cooked a lot of food for the New Year’s holidays.

• Over the New Year’s break I watched a lot of TV.

• The nihonshu was (easy to drink / smooth).

• The whisky was (hard to drink / harsh).

• When do you take down your Christmas tree?

• First I took the Christmas lights off the tree.

• On January 7th, we take down New Year’s decorations.

• I took the New Year's wreath off of the gate.

• I took the painting down to clean the glass.

• I took the painting off the wall to clean the glass.

Appropriate Language

What are the simple differences between "take off" and "take down”?

• Take down

• This means to remove something from a place or position.

• We often use it for posters, signs, decorations, or information.

• General rule: use take down when you are removing something that was put up to be displayed or kept there for a while.

• Take off

• This means something leaves the ground or is removed.

• We use it for planes when they leave the ground.

• We also use it when removing clothes, or an item from a surface

• General rule: use take off when you are focusing on the physical action of removing something from a surface or object.

Examples

• When do you take down your Christmas tree?

• First I took the Christmas lights off the tree.

• On January 7th, we take down New Year’s decorations.

• I took the New Year's wreath off the gate.

• I took the painting down to clean the glass.

• I took the painting off the wall to clean the glass.