This time, we'll introduce 15 words and phrases all English students who want to be fluent should know. Learn them all and see how many you can use in your own English conversations.

English Idioms About Money

Money makes the world go 'round

This phrase is about the importance of money in our modern world. It's generally used with a negative nuance.

A

I'm so busy at work, but I can't afford to take a break.

B

You know what they say: Money makes the world go 'round.

Bring home the bacon

This expression refers to earning money in order to take care of a family or household.

Be careful: Although this idiom is common, "bacon" alone isn't normally used as a name for money.

Love and affection are important, but I also need someone who can bring home the bacon!

Breadwinner

A "breadwinner" is the person in a household who earns the majority of the money.

My partner is the main breadwinner while I'm working on launching my own small business. 

Nickel-and-dime

These two words for coins are used together as a verb. If you're being "nickel-and-dimed," you're being charged many small fees that add up to a large fee.

Many travelers are angry about airlines nickel-and-diming them with hidden charges and extra fees. 

Look/feel like a million bucks

A million dollars is a lot of money — although not quite as much as it used to be! Regardless, this term is used when someone looks or feels great.

Megan walked into the room looking like a million bucks.

My diet and exercise routine are really working; I feel like a million bucks!

Put money away for a rainy day

When talking about money, "a rainy day" refers to a financially difficult time that may happen in the future. Therefore, people often advise others to prepare by saving money now.

You should put a little of your money away for a rainy day.

Cash cow

Just like real cows produce milk, a "cash cow" produces money. Cash cows can be people, products or services that are very financially successful. 

The Star Wars and Marvel series have been cash cows for Disney, the company that owns them both.

Burn a hole in one's pocket

If money is "burning a hole in your pocket," it means you're very eager to spend it. 

I received my tax refund yesterday and it's burning a hole in my pocket. I'm going shopping!

Break the bank

Piggy banks are cute containers for coins that many children have as their first experience saving money.

These banks are likely the origin of "break the bank," which means spending a large amount of one's money. After all, breaking the piggy bank is the only way to get the money out!

That's too expensive. I want it, but I don't wanna break the bank to get it.

Money is the root of all evil

This expression refers to the bad things people do to get money. However, this is actually an incomplete quote from the Christian Bible. The full quote is: "For the love of money is the root of all evil." In other words, the desire to get money is what leads to bad things, not money itself.

"For the Love of Money" is also a classic song by the American soul group The O'Jays that's all about the bad influence money can have on people.

Money talks

Although money itself doesn't speak, it's definitely an effective way for people to communicate!

Use this short phrase to talk about the power of money to influence people and situations.

The restaurant seemed full when we arrived, but money talks; I gave the waiter $20 and he quickly got us a table by the window.

Put your money where your mouth is

We use this expression to provoke someone to match their words with actions. Sometimes these actions involve betting or investing money, but not always.

He's so confident he can beat me in a race, but he's too scared to put his money where his mouth is.

Tighten your belt

Someone who eats a lot may need to loosen their belt when their belly gets full. If they don't eat much, however, they'll probably need to tighten their belt when they lose weight.

Similarly, this idiom refers to reducing the amount of money you spend, usually because there isn't much of it.

Many people are tightening their belts due to worries about the economy.

This is used in the same way as the similar expression "tighten one's purse strings."

After years of needing to tighten our purse strings, we can finally afford to live a more comfortable lifestyle.

Make ends meet

If you're "making ends meet," you have enough money to live a basic lifestyle (i.e., pay for rent, food, bills, etc.), but little money for anything else.

With inflation increasing, more and more people are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

Money to burn

The opposite of making ends meet is having much more money than you need. We say people in this situation have "money to burn."

Many of the workers are struggling to make ends meet while their managers have money to burn.

Of course, burning money is a crime in the US, so this is only a figurative expression!

Wrap-up

Money can either be a fun or a serious topic to discuss; it all depends on the context and the people in the conversation. Prepare yourself for a variety of situations by learning these colorful expressions. 

And don't forget that you can practice using them in a friendly lesson with an Engoo tutor — without breaking the bank!

The post Money Talks! 15 English Idioms About Money appeared first on Engoo Blog.

This time, we'll look at euphemisms, softer words used instead of others that may be too direct or unpleasant. Euphemisms are common in many situations, but this article will focus on a few that are especially useful in business.

Common Business Euphemisms

Instead of "Long"...

For things like meetings and presentations, "long" often sounds negative. A good alternative is "thorough" or "in-depth."

Scott's speech was certainly thorough; he covered every detail.

The team submitted a very in-depth market analysis report.

(Be careful not to confuse "thorough" with "through" — they look similar, but their spelling, pronunciations and meanings are all different!)

Instead of "Hard"...

"Challenging" has a more positive nuance than adjectives like "hard" and "difficult" because it implies an opportunity to become better and eventually succeed.

My supervisor put me in charge of a really challenging task, but he's confident that I can handle it.

The exam was really challenging, but I was able to pass it with help from my tutor!

Instead of "Problem"...

To give an unfortunate situation a less negative feeling, try "issue," "setback" or "challenge" instead of "problem."

Our team is dealing with several issues on this project.

We have to postpone our delivery date due to unforeseen setbacks.

Challenges with our supply chain will affect our ability to deliver on time.

Instead of "Fire"...

Companies usually don't like to say directly that they've fired someone. Instead, "lay off" and "let go" are more commonly used.

Due to financial difficulties, we unfortunately had to lay off a small portion of our workforce.

Many company employees are worried they will be let go in the coming months.

Related article: "You're Fired!" Expressions for Joining and Leaving Companies

Instead of "Unemployed"...

Someone who has lost their job has become "unemployed." This word, however, can include negative nuances such as laziness or a lack of ambition, which may not actually be true. 

A more neutral way to express this is to say someone is "out of work."

He's been out of work for about four months.

An even more positive alternative is "between jobs." Here, the nuance is that even though someone lost their previous job, they're actively moving toward the next one.

I'm in between jobs right now, so I'm doing a lot of networking to find new opportunities.

Instead of "Fire"...

Terms like "fire," "lay off" and "let go" can refer to either individuals or groups. But there's another set of euphemisms that are often used when talking about changes that affect the whole company.

"Downsizing" is reducing the total number of workers, which is a nicer way of saying a significant amount of employees are being fired.

We'll be downsizing in order to be more competitive in the current market.

"Restructuring" is used in a similar way; it refers to fundamental changes that could result in workers moving to new roles or losing their jobs completely.

The leadership believes restructuring is necessary to improve the company's profitability.

Instead of "Quit"...

Of course, some workers leave a company or position because of their own choice. "Quit," however, sounds quite direct and harsh. A softer alternative is "resign."

After serving as a board member for many years, Johnson decided to resign in order to spend more time with his family.

Note that people can also be forced to resign, which is actually another way of saying they're being fired.

The leader was pressured to resign when the scandal became a big news story.

"Step down" has a similar meaning and is often used when someone leaves a job or position because of pressure from others.

The public called for the politician to step down due to his controversial remarks.

Instead of "Worried"...

When problems appear, people often avoid saying how serious they are, especially when making public statements.

In these situations, "concerned" is a common euphemism for "worried." "Concerned" implies that the problem is being taken seriously and that everyone is calmly working on a solution.

These unexpected developments are cause for concern.

Management is concerned about the lack of progress on this project.

Instead of "Pay"...

Money is a very sensitive topic for many people. Even though "pay" as a noun isn't a negative word, in business, it's often substituted for words like "salary" or "compensation."

It's the company's policy for employees to not discuss details of their salary with one another.

What kind of compensation can I expect if I accept this position with your organization?

The term "compensation package" includes things beyond money, such as benefits and other perks.

We're prepared to offer you a very generous compensation package.

Wrap-up

Euphemisms are present everywhere in English communication, but they're especially common in the business world.

Using these words effectively first requires you to understand the context in order to determine what's best for the situation. Observe carefully, then respond appropriately!

Want to practice with these words in a real conversation? Book a lesson with Engoo! A one-on-one Engoo lesson is only 25 minutes, and we have friendly instructors from around the world available 24 hours a day. Give it a try!

The post How to Say Negative Things Positively at Work appeared first on Engoo Blog.

To help you talk about these events in English, this article will introduce some of the major vocabulary and expressions related to labor strikes.

Vocabulary Related to Strikes

Union

One of the most important factors in a strike is a union. Unions are organizations that represent workers and help to protect and improve their working conditions and pay.

In order to join a union, members usually must pay a fee.

Picket line

Picket lines are groups of workers who line up outside of a business in order to announce their complaints and discourage others from entering.

Individual members of a picket line are called "pickets" or "picketers."

Angry workers formed a picket line in front of their office building.

Walkout

Walkouts occur when workers organize and suddenly leave their workplace as a group to protest something.

The company's management was surprised by the walkout, which left the office empty. 

Demand

The verb "demand" means "to strongly request something," but it can also be a noun that refers to something that someone is requesting.

When workers go on strike, they usually send a list of demands to their employers.

We will not return to work unless the management meets our demands!

Compromise

This is a very important word, not only for strikes, but for maintaining relationships of all kinds.

"Compromise" can be used as both a noun and a verb. The verb form means "to reach an agreement by mutually giving up some demands." In other words, one side gets some of what they want and so does the other — but neither side gets everything they want.

The workers made it clear that they would not compromise on certain demands.

As a noun, it means "an agreement in which two sides give up things they want in order to agree."

Two weeks after the walkout, the union and factory owners were able to come to a compromise.

Resolve

When compromises occur, it means both sides were able to resolve, or end, their disagreement. This word can be used for any kind of conflict, even between individual people.

If we sit down and have a discussion, I'm sure we can resolve this problem.

The noun form is "resolution."

We hope to reach a resolution that will please everyone.

Talks

"Talks" (plural) refers to discussions and negotiations. This term is also used in politics and other situations in which agreement between groups is important.

Workers and leaders of the company will begin talks early next week.

The leaders of the two nations are scheduled to have talks in the near future.

Safeguard

A "safeguard" is something that protects people from harm.

Hollywood writers want safeguards that stop movie studios from using AI to replace their jobs.

Other Expressions Related to Strikes

Here are some common expressions you're likely to hear or read related to the topic of labor strikes.

Standstill

When a large number of employees stop working, their company cannot operate as usual. In fact, sometimes all activity stops completely. In these situations, we use the expression "at a standstill," which means that nothing is moving.

The factory's manufacturing has been at a standstill since the strikes began.

Grind to a halt

This is another expression for work or activity that stops.

With the writers and actors on strike, work on the next season of the popular TV show has ground to a halt.

See eye to eye

We use this expression when two groups or individuals have agreed on something.

We don't see eye to eye with the management regarding employee salaries.

It took many days of negotiation for the two sides to see eye to eye.

Hash out a deal

"Hashing out a deal" is creating a contract or making a decision that both sides of a conflict agree to. This expression includes the nuance of requiring hard work to achieve.

We stayed up all night in discussions, but we were finally able to hash out a deal that will end the strike.

Wrap-up

Because of changes due to AI as well as rising prices around the world, many workers feel that it's more important than ever to fight for their rights as a group. The words and expressions we've covered in this article can help you to understand these stories when they appear in the news.

Be sure to also read our post on English for protests, as they share a lot in common with labor strikes.

The post Workers Unite! English Vocabulary for Labor Strikes appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Whether you've already gotten a job offer or are still doing interviews, check out these tips for negotiating your salary in English.

Tip #1. Don’t Be Too Direct

In English-speaking countries, money is a sensitive topic. So when you negotiate your salary, choose your words carefully. For example, instead of saying "pay" or "money," try less direct words. Here are some options:

• "Compensation": Compensation includes everything the company pays you, including money (salary, bonuses and commission, for example) as well as things like benefits and equity.
• "Pay scale" or "Salary range": These phrases ask for a range instead of an exact number.

But before talking about pay specifically, English speakers will usually say something positive first. For example, they might thank the interviewer or mention how interested they are in the job.

I appreciate the time you've taken to speak with me today. To make sure we're a good fit for each other, could you tell me a bit about compensation?

Thank you for the offer. I'm excited that your team wants me on board! However before accepting the offer, I'd like to address the pay scale.

You'll also hear people use the word "something" when they talk about money. This is a good way to be indirect.

I had something slightly higher in mind.

I was hoping for something in the range of X and Y.

Tip #2. Don’t Name a Number First

When an interviewer asks about your salary expectations, it's better not to say.

• If you name a number too low, you make it harder to ask for more later.
• If you name a number too high (before proving that you're worth it yet), the company may stop considering you.

So even if you know exactly how much you should be paid for a position, it's better to avoid naming a number first. Generally, English speakers do this by saying that they need more information about the role to know what a fair offer would be.

You can also ask the company what they expect to pay. All companies have a budget for the positions they're hiring. Knowing this budget will give you a better starting point for negotiations. Here are some ways to bring this up:

I think I need to know more about the role and the company to give you an accurate number. Can you give me an idea of the salary range you had in mind?

I'd be happy with a salary that reflects my experiences and qualifications. What can you share about the budget for this position?

Tip #3. Explain Why You Deserve More

Don't be afraid to ask for a higher salary.

It can be a good idea to ask for more money than you actually expect to get. Your boss may say no, but they may also consider something closer to the amount you suggest — or even offer exactly what you ask!

"How to Negotiate a Better Salary" | Engoo Daily News

However, avoid directly saying that an offer is "low," since this can sound rude in English. Instead:

1. Say that you had a higher salary in mind.
2. Explain why you're worth the extra pay.

Here are some reasons you can use to explain your request:

• You have a very specific skill set or background that the company needs.
• You have a lot more experience and expertise than the company originally asked for.
• The proposed salary is lower than the industry standard, your current pay or the salary that another company has offered you.

You may also want to tell the company that you understand why they made the offer (e.g., budgeting issues) and assure them that you want to be flexible. Here are some ways to do that:

I understand there are budget constraints, so I want to be flexible. However, since I have more than a decade of experience in corporate sales and a solid track record of managing client relationships, I'd like to explore whether a slightly higher salary of [number] would be possible.

Based on my research, similar positions in this area pay between [number] and [number]. Given my experience, I'd expect something on the higher side, though I'm open to discussing other forms of compensation.

Bonus: Practice With an Engoo Tutor

If you need help preparing for a job interview, try practicing with a professional English tutor. 

At Engoo, our tutors have worked in a variety of industries, from graphic design and music to accounting and finance. Many also have experience preparing students for job interviews, so take advantage of their expertise! Sign up here!

The post 3 Tips for Negotiating Your Salary in English [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.

This article will introduce some of the most common English expressions and vocabulary related to indirect communication. We've also included some example sentences to help you learn how they're used in real conversations.

Idioms About Subtlety 

Read the room

Meaning: understand the mood of the people in a space

Read the room to avoid making jokes at an inappropriate moment.

(Read) the writing on the wall

Meaning: understand that something is happening or will happen soon

The "writing on the wall" is information that hasn't been said clearly but is (or should be) obvious. This idiom is common in business situations.

The writing's on the wall; AI will revolutionize our industry and we need to be prepared for it.

Catch a vibe [informal]

Meaning: sense the feeling of a person or a space

I caught a really bad vibe from John just now. What's wrong with him?

She has a very positive vibe about her and is always pleasant to talk to.

"Vibe" can also refer to a unique environment that has been created through decoration, music, etc. This is generally used in a positive and casual way.

Last night's concert was such a vibe. Everyone had a great time.

Written all over (someone's) face

Meaning: emotions that are clear from a person's facial expressions

Even if someone doesn't speak, it can often be easy to understand how they feel by "reading" the look on their face.

You like her, don't you? It's written all over your face.

Beat around the bush

Meaning: avoid mentioning or acting on a certain topic directly

This idiom generally has a negative nuance because it's associated with wasting time.

We don't have time to beat around the bush. Let's discuss the problem so we can find a solution.

Related article: Idioms and Expressions Related to Trees

Read between the lines

Meaning: use context to understand something that hasn't been said

The space between the lines on a page is where nothing is written. But sometimes, things that aren't written are more important than the things that are!

The ability to read between the lines can be a powerful skill in negotiation.

Broach a topic

Meaning: carefully mention a sensitive subject or issue

Some topics require more care than others, so they must be mentioned, or "broached," at the right time and in the right way.

Jesse wasn't sure of how to broach the topic of Sam's illness.

Unwritten rules

Meaning: standard rules that aren't clearly written or spoken

When everyone has silently agreed that a certain way of doing things is correct — even when those ideas were never clearly explained — they're following "unwritten rules."

Jake broke one of the unwritten rules of the culture when he stuck his chopsticks upright in his bowl of rice.

Understood

Meaning: known and agreed upon

Similar to unwritten rules, something “understood” is accepted as correct even if no one says it directly.

It was understood that Kevin would be the leader of the project.

Related Vocabulary

The following adjectives are useful for describing actions or manners that aren't direct or obvious. Some are positive while others have a negative nuance.

Sneaky / Cunning [negative]

While "cunning" can be positive in some cases, "sneaky" always sounds negative.

That team has never been scared to use sneaky tactics to win.

The cunning salesman convinced his customers to buy expensive items they didn't need.

Understated [neutral-positive]

He usually has a calm and understated personality, but when he drinks, he’s like a totally different person!

Tactful [positive]

How can I tell him in a tactful way that his report needs to be improved?

Related article: What Does it Mean to "Soften" Your Language?

Wrap-up

Effective subtlety requires skill and understanding — but it's a very important part of communication, no matter if the context is formal or casual.

If you'd like to practice using these expressions — or any others — in a real conversation, book a private lesson with Engoo. Engoo tutors come from nations around the world and are ready to help you 24 hours a day. Give it a try!

The post English Expressions for Things That Aren't Said Directly appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Whether you’re talking with family, meeting a foreign client or taking an online English lesson, situations like these are never fun! Plus, you might be confused about what to say when your call reconnects.

This article will introduce 10 common words and phrases native English speakers use to talk about internet issues. The next time your internet service has a problem, you’ll know exactly what to say!

Common English Terms Related to Internet Problems

Connection (n.)

The easiest way to let people know you're having internet issues is to say you have a “bad (internet) connection.”

It looks like I’m having a bad connection today. Could you say that again, please?

Sorry, I think the connection is bad. Can you hear me?

You can also use more detailed adjectives, such as “unstable,” “awful” or “terrible.”

Unfortunately, my connection is terrible today.

Our connection seems to be unstable.

Reception (n.)

“Reception” is the noun form of “receive.” It's often used when talking about phone calls. For example, if you’re driving through a tunnel or riding the subway, you won’t be able to receive strong phone or internet signals and you’ll have “bad reception.”

Sorry, I’m in the countryside and there’s really bad reception here.

Another adjective that’s often used to talk about reception is “spotty.” This means there are certain “spots” (parts) that have good reception and others that don’t.

My train is going through an area with spotty reception, so we might have some connection issues.

Lag (v.)

The verb "lag" basically refers to something that doesn't move as quickly as it should. So when talking about the internet, “lagging” refers to the slow speed of a connection.

I think I’m lagging. Let me switch to a different Wi-Fi network.

Sorry, my computer lags a little whenever I start a call. Please bear with me.

You may also hear people say “laggy,” as in “My internet is laggy.”

Break up (phrasal v.)

The phrasal verb "break up" is often used to talk about couples or groups that separate ("I broke up with my girlfriend" or "The band broke up last year"). 

But we can also use it when someone is having internet issues. If you can only hear small pieces of what someone on a call is saying, you can say they are “breaking up.”

Could you say that again? You’re starting to break up.

I’m sorry, but I think you’re breaking up.

Related article: New to Phrasal Verbs? Start Here!

Choppy (adj.)

Similar to "break up," we use this adjective to describe internet problems such as a video that keeps freezing, for example.

Sorry, my internet is choppy, so things aren’t loading properly.

You sound kind of choppy. Is your internet OK?

Act up (phrasal v.)

“Acting up” is commonly used to describe children who are misbehaving. But the internet also "misbehaves" when it doesn't function properly or reliably, as in the following examples.

Sorry I took so long to join the call! I think my internet is acting up. 

If I suddenly disappear from the call, it's because my Wi-Fi is acting up.

Get disconnected (v.)

If your internet is acting up, you might suddenly be “disconnected” from the call. After you’re reconnected, you could say something like:

Sorry, I got disconnected for a second. Could you repeat what you just said? 

We keep getting disconnected. Let's try a different app.

Drop (v.)

Another way to say that you got disconnected is to say that your internet “dropped,” or suddenly stopped functioning.

Sorry, my internet keeps dropping. Let me move closer to the router.

You can also use “dropped” to describe a call that suddenly ended on its own, even when nobody hung up.

The call dropped in the middle of your question. What were you saying?

Cut off (phrasal v.)

Something that "cuts off" has stopped suddenly. For example, if someone interrupts you while you're talking, they “cut you off.”

Similarly, a bad internet connection can stop communication when we don't expect it, which is why we use the same phrase to describe it.

Sorry, what were you saying before you got cut off?

We seem to have been cut off.

Lose (v.)

You can “lose” people during calls. For example, if you’re in a group call and your friend Jane suddenly gets disconnected, you can say, “It looks like we lost Jane!”

We lost a few people just now. Let’s wait for them to rejoin the call.

Did we lose Mark? Oh, it looks like he’s back.

Wrap-up

Most modern communication happens through the internet, so when technical problems happen, it can be very frustrating! But even though connections won't be perfect every time, at least you now know what phrases to use if you're interrupted!

For more useful English related to the internet and computers, be sure to read From HTTP to SEO: What do Computer Abbreviations Mean?

The post How to Say “My Internet Isn’t Working!” in English [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Insisting might seem rude, but it depends on the situation. For example, when serving guests, insisting is a sign of hospitality. 

But in professional settings, when plans and prices are sensitive, it may be necessary to insist for the sake of the business.

So how can you insist politely? Here are seven expressions you can use to do just that.

Phrases for Making Demands Politely

I must insist

This is the simplest way to make a strong request. It's bold while still being polite. 

I must insist that you let us pay for dinner.

I must insist that we meet to discuss the project's status ASAP.

I can't budge

"Budge" is a verb meaning "to move slightly." It's used in a literal sense when talking about very heavy objects.

We tried pushing the big rock, but it wouldn't budge.

Used figuratively, being unable to budge means you cannot — or will not — change something, such as a price or other details of an agreement.

We'll need delivery by January 31. I'm afraid we can't budge on that date.

I talked to a representative, and he says they can't budge on the price.

As far as I can go

Use this phrase to politely express that you've reached your limit on something.

After discussing it with my supervisor, $30 per pound is as far as I can go.

We can offer a 10% discount, but that's as far as we can go.

I'm not prepared to __ more

Use this expression with verbs such as "pay" or "offer" to talk about the maximum you can do.

I'm sorry, but we aren't prepared to offer more than our original amount.

I'm not prepared to pay more unless you can guarantee faster delivery.

Non-negotiable

As you might have guessed, something non-negotiable cannot be negotiated. In other words, it must be part of the agreement without being changed.

We're flexible on the price, but delivery within three weeks is non-negotiable.

These points are non-negotiable.

Off the table

In negotiation, something "on the table" can be discussed and debated. Something "off the table," however, is not available or can't be negotiated.

Our offer will be off the table soon, so please make your decision quickly.

Not take no for an answer

This bold phrase means you're determined to make your negotiating partner agree to your requirements. 

Rather than saying this directly to clients or customers, people often use it among colleagues when discussing an important meeting or project.

We need to close this deal tonight, so don't take no for an answer.

It's also common in casual situations, such as when extending friendly invitations.

You have to join us for dinner tonight, and I'm afraid we won't take no for an answer.

Wrap-up

Flexibility is important in many areas of life. In business, however, there are times when accepting alternatives is impossible or simply too risky. Prepare for these situations by learning these polite ways to make demands. 

Remember that your words, facial expression and tone of voice all work together to create a polite, professional feeling, so be sure to use them all!

If you'd like some practice making demands politely, book a lesson with an Engoo tutor to prepare for your negotiations!

The post 7 English Expressions for Making Demands Politely appeared first on Engoo Blog.

Today, we'll introduce useful expressions for responding to three of the most popular interview questions in English.

#1 "Tell us a bit about yourself."

Many interviews start with this simple request. You can separate your response into three different parts. The first is talking about your present and past experiences.

• I've been an accountant for seven years.
• I work in marketing.
• I'm responsible for managing our company's finances.
• I'm in charge of a team of four people.
• Before this, I worked for a law firm.

Next, talk about how these experiences helped you gain new skills or knowledge that you can use in your next job.

• My experience as a nurse taught me how to work under pressure.
• Through this role, I learned the importance of time management.
• Working in a large law firm equipped me with knowledge of many different industries.

Finally, talk briefly about why you're applying for the position.

• I've grown in my current role, but I'd like to apply my experiences to a different industry.
• Your company caught my attention because of its excellent reputation.

Here's a sample response that uses these expressions:

I've been a marketing manager for three years. I'm responsible for our company's email campaigns, social media accounts and blogs. Before this, I worked in customer service at a bank and a hotel, where I was in charge of bookings and reservations.

My time in customer service and marketing taught me how important it is to properly manage relationships with customers. It also helped me realize how much I enjoy this aspect of business. So I started looking for other opportunities in this field and your company caught my attention because you focus specifically on solutions for customer relationship management.

#2 "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

While the previous section focuses a lot on your past, this question is the opposite. Here, you are being asked to talk about how you'd like to grow professionally — and how this growth might benefit the company.

Here are some expressions you can use to talk about professional growth.

• I'd love to further develop my graphic design skills.
• I'd like to increase my knowledge of the industry by attending conferences.
• I would take advantage of the company's internal training and mentoring programs.

Here are examples of expressions for talking about future hopes and goals.

• In five years, I will hopefully have become an expert in branding.
• I see myself working with some big clients.
• One of my goals is to become a certified public accountant.
• I’m excited by the prospect of working overseas.

If it applies to you, you might also mention that you're interested in leadership roles in the future.

• I'd like to take the lead in projects involving major clients.
• I'd love to have the opportunity to lead a team and learn some management skills.
• If I have the chance, I'd like to be considered for a management role.

As an entry level employee, I'm mainly interested in learning, so I definitely want to increase my knowledge of the industry and take advantage of the company's training programs to develop my project management skills.

Also, since my last company mainly served start-ups, I'm excited about the prospect of working with large corporate clients. In five years, I'll hopefully be taking the lead in a few big projects. I'd also love to be considered for a leadership position, if the opportunity arises.

#3 "What are your salary expectations?"

There's a budget for every role, so interviewers ask this question to make sure the company can afford you.

You can respond by giving a range. Keep in mind that in most English-speaking countries, salaries are discussed as a yearly amount.

• I'm expecting a salary in the range of $45,000 to $60,000.
• I'm looking to make around £30,000 to £35,000.

You may also want to briefly explain your reasons for this answer.

• With my experience/qualifications/certifications, I'd expect a salary of around $45,000 to $50,000.
• Based on my research/knowledge of the industry, positions like this pay in the range of £30,000 to £32,000.

Sometimes this question comes up too early in the interview. In this case, you'll need more information in order to give an accurate range.

• I'd prefer giving specific numbers after we've discussed the details of the position.
• I'd like to learn more about what the position entails. From there, we can decide on a fair salary. 
• Could I first ask a few questions about the responsibilities of this role? I'll be able to give a more accurate range that way.

Another strategy is to ask the employer what they are prepared to offer.

• Can I ask what salary range you have in mind for this position?

Finally, you can mention if there's anything else that might affect your expectations.

• Could you tell me about your employee benefits? I heard that they include a gym subscription as well as pet insurance. Benefits like this could allow me to be more flexible with salary.
• I would like to work remotely from my hometown two months every year. If something like that could be arranged, I'd be open to negotiating my salary.
• My salary is negotiable depending on the overall compensation package. In particular, I'd like to learn more about stock options and bonuses.

Here's a sample response:

Based on my knowledge of the industry, similar positions in this region pay in the range of $50,000 to $60,000. With my qualifications, I'd expect a salary in the upper part of that range, so somewhere between $57,000 and $60,000.

However, I'd like to learn more about what the position entails as well as the overall compensation package, including bonuses and equity. From there, I'm sure we can find something we both agree on.

Practice your interviews with a tutor

Practicing before an interview is a great way to get more comfortable and confident in your responses. If that's something you'd like to do, try booking an online lesson with a professional English tutor.

Engoo has many tutors with experience preparing students for job interviews, and they would be happy to help you. Learn more about us here.

The post How to Answer 3 Common Interview Questions in English [Updated] appeared first on Engoo Blog.

This article will explain some common English words and phrases you'll read and hear relating to the economy and people's financial situations. 

Everyday Words and Phrases for Discussing the Economy

Necessities

Since this word is related to "necessary," perhaps you can guess that it refers to essential items everyone needs — things like food, clothing and shelter.

You should take care of necessities before spending money on things like entertainment.

Non-essential purchase(s)

"Non-essential purchases" are the opposite of necessities — they are things that are not needed to live.

When people have less money to spend, non-essential purchases, such as subscriptions to streaming services, are often the first things they cancel. 

Disposable income

"Disposable" is an adjective describing something that can be thrown away. It's often used for items that can be used once, like disposable cameras and disposable shaving razors.

When talking about the economy, "disposable income" is money people have to spend on things that aren't essential to daily living.

I love visiting foreign countries, so I spend most of my disposable income on travel.

Staple

"Staple" is another word for "necessity," though it usually only describes basic foods like bread, milk and eggs.

Due to inflation, shoppers have seen the prices of staples rise sharply in recent months.

Recession

A recession is a "period of temporary economic decline." In other words, it's a short time when the economy isn't healthy. This comes from the verb "recede," which means "to slowly move backwards."

Fear of a recession is causing people to spend their money more carefully.

Strong public spending is a sign that a recession may be ending.

Depression

When a bad economic situation continues for a long time, it changes from a "recession" to a "depression."

The Great Depression, which lasted from 1929 to 1939, had a major impact on many countries around the world. 

(Of course, "depression" can also refer to an emotional state of deep sadness. If someone you know is depressed, you should offer them your support.)

Hike

When you hear this word, you might think of a walk through a forest or up a mountain, but "hike" also has another meaning — a "hike" in prices means the prices go up.

Due to a rise in supply costs, the company announced a price hike to go into effect next month.

"Hike up" is used as a phrasal verb.

My local grocery store hiked up the prices of all fruits and vegetables last week.

Related article: New to Phrasal Verbs? Start Here!

Soar

The basic meaning of "soar" is "to fly."

The jet soared through the sky at incredible speed.

But things like popularity, followers on social media and even prices can "soar" as well. In these cases, it means "to rise dramatically."

Gasoline prices have soared over the last 12 months.

Purchasing power

"Purchasing power" is how much people are able to buy with their money. This term usually refers to large groups of people instead of individuals.

In some developing countries, the purchasing power of the population is slowly increasing.

High inflation leads to less purchasing power for consumers.

Pass along/onto (consumers) 

When it costs a business more money to provide a product or service, it might be necessary for it to raise the prices it charges customers. In cases like these, we say that the business is "passing along" the higher cost to buyers.

Businesses are trying new strategies to avoid passing rising costs onto their customers.

Budget

"Budget" is both a noun and a verb.

As a noun, it refers to a plan that specifies how much money a person or organization is able to spend.

The manager has to approve our division's budget for the year.

When our son was born, my wife and I had to make big changes to our household budget.

If something is not affordable, we say that it's not "in the budget."

A new TV isn't in my budget right now, unfortunately.

If there isn't much money available to spend, we say that a budget is "tight."

I'm on a very tight budget until I find a new job.

As a verb, "budget" refers to using money for a specific purpose. 

The company is budgeting a big portion of money for its marketing strategy.

Cost of living

"Cost of living" (sometimes shortened to "CoL") refers to how much money is needed for basic things like housing, food and transportation in a particular area.

Before moving to Spain, I did a lot of research on the cost of living there.

Major cities like New York and London often have a much higher cost of living than smaller areas.

Uncertainty

When you're uncertain about something, it means you don't completely know or understand it.

The noun form "uncertainty" is often used when talking about an economic situation that makes people confused and worried about what will happen.

Because of the economic uncertainty, shoppers are spending less money on things like movies and eating out. 

Wrap-up

Many people would agree that along with good health, strong finances are important for a comfortable life. However, global events can have a big impact on how much money people have and how much that money can buy.

Whether you're reading about the economy in the news or discussing finances with others, you'll be more prepared after learning this list of vocabulary.

If you'd like to discuss money topics in a real conversation, search for an Engoo tutor with expertise by typing "economy" in the search bar.

The post How to Talk About the Economy in English appeared first on Engoo Blog.

How can you respond in these situations?

This time, we'll introduce short phrases you can use to tell your partner you don't know or understand something. 

Formal Phrases

I'm unclear on/about ~

English speakers often say that something is "clear" if it is understandable — just imagine a picture in your head with details that are easy to see and recognize.

If the image is unclear, however, it won't make much sense to you, which is why we use this phrase when we don't understand something.

I’m sorry, I’m unclear on this details of the project.

I’m not clear on the last thing you said.

Is anyone unclear on what we need to do today?

I’m not sure what you mean by ~

Use this phrase when there is a particular piece of information you don’t understand.

I’m not sure what you mean by “soon.” Do you need it today?

I’m not quite sure what you mean by that. Could you explain, please?

I’m (a little) confused about ~

You can simply say “I’m confused,” but it’s better to refer to something specific.

I’m confused about the last part of your presentation.

I’m a little confused about what you need us to do.

I’m (a bit) lost.

You can be "lost" anytime you're confused — not only when you don’t know which direction to go!

Honestly, I’m a little lost on our team’s goals. What should be our priority now?

I’m a bit lost. Can you explain this document to me?

Casual Phrases

The phrases we’ve introduced above are great for professional situations. The following, however, are more casual and are best in informal environments. Think of these phrases as alternatives to "I don't know."

I don’t have the foggiest idea.

As we mentioned earlier, clearness represents understanding. Fog, however, makes it difficult to see things, which is why this expression is common for expressing confusion.

I don’t have the foggiest idea what he meant by that.

This phrase is often shortened, as in the following example. 

A

What does this sign mean?

B

I haven’t got the foggiest.

I don’t have a clue.

This phrase expresses that you're completely confused.

I don’t have a clue where to find the information I need.

We don’t have a clue where to begin.

An even more casual expression is simply “No clue,” which is used as a response to a question.

A

When is the next train scheduled to arrive?

B

No clue. I hope it’s soon because it’s cold out here!

I have no idea.

This is similar to "I have no clue."

Jasmine asked me to recommend some local restaurants, but I have no idea what to tell her.

A

Where's Phil?

B

I have no idea. I'll call him.

Don’t look at me.

This phrase actually means “Don’t expect me to know the answer.” Just like "No clue," it's used as a response. 

A

Does anyone know where the nearest pharmacy is?

B

Don’t look at me. I'm new to this area.

Don’t forget, these expressions are very informal, so be careful where you use them!

Your guess is as good as mine.

With this phrase, the speaker is saying that they can only guess what the answer is. In other words, they know just as little as the person asking the question.

A

How much do you think that house costs?

B

Your guess is as good as mine.

Wrap-up

Many students don't speak up when they're confused about something — and unfortunately, this often results in even more confusion later!

If you don't understand something, instead of pretending that you do, be honest and ask for more explanation — it will make things much easier for you and for the people around you. 

For more suggestions on what to say in confusing situations, read our article on 10 Ways to Politely Ask for Clarification.

The post What to Say When You Don't Understand Something appeared first on Engoo Blog.