English (US)

English is the world's most widely spoken language, with over 1.5 billion speakers including 400 million native speakers. It's the language of international business, science, technology, aviation, and the internet.

Why improve your English?

English proficiency directly correlates with career advancement in global business. It's the default language of international meetings, academic publishing, and tech documentation. Improving your English is one of the highest-return investments you can make.

What makes English distinctive?

• Vast vocabulary — Over 170,000 words in active use
• Relatively simple grammar — No grammatical gender, minimal conjugation
• Spelling inconsistencies — Historical spellings often don't match pronunciation
• Phrasal verbs — Verb + preposition combinations with unique meanings
• Global varieties — American, British, Australian, Indian, and more

American vs British English

Aspect	American	British
Spelling	color, organize, center	colour, organise, centre
Vocabulary	apartment, elevator, truck	flat, lift, lorry
Grammar	I have a car	I've got a car
Pronunciation	/ˈtəmeɪtoʊ/	/təˈmɑːtəʊ/

This guide focuses on American English with notes on British variations.

This guide

1. Pronunciation — Sounds and stress patterns
2. Grammar essentials — Core structures
3. Verb tenses — The English tense system
4. Business English — Professional communication
5. Common mistakes — Errors to avoid
6. Idioms and expressions — Native-like fluency
7. Writing — Professional writing skills
8. Next steps — Resources for continued learning

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