Everyday English (Vocabulary Building)

Topic: Free Conversation

Lesson Notes September 29, 2026 (Vocabulary Building)

Words & Phrases

• After the earthquake there was an emergency alert about heavy rain. (= “alerts” are usually send out by cities and governments)

  • What time did that alert (come through / go off)?

  • One of my weather apps sends me emergency notifications way too often. (“notifications” are sent by apps)

  • We’ve had a record breaking 35 consecutive days of rain. There has been nearly triple the monthly average rain fall.

• We went to my mother's grave for her second-year memorial service. (“Memorial service” or just “memorial” is best, rather than “anniversary” is usually reserved for weddings or positive events)

• How long do fresh flower leis last? (This type of question always asks about duration or shelf life of an item)

  • Usually about one week, but they need to be kept in the fridge.

• My friend had heart surgery three weeks ago, so she didn’t join us. She didn’t want to be (a bother / an annoyance / trouble).

• What was your temperature?

  • How high was your fever?

• What were your symptoms?

  • I had body aches, chills, and a fever.

  • The doctor said my throat was a little red. (NOT “changed to red colour”)

• I took a four-day trip to Thailand. (NOT a four-days trip)

  • In everyday conversation, always just count the days you are spending somewhere, don’t worry about the nights (NOT four-days-three-nights trip)

Grammar

Which is better? “My niece's mother-in-law” or “My niece's husband's mother”

• “My niece’s mother-in-law” is best and most natural, it is clear and concise

  • Double possessives (niece’s husband’s) are awkward, and start to sound like a tongue twister

• My sister’s father-in-law (NOT my sister’s husband’s father)

• My daughter’s sister-in-law (NOT my daughter’s husband’s sister)

• My nephew’s brother-in-law (NOT my nephew’s wife’s brother)