English in Madrid

Source:  Alexander Popov on Unsplash A binomial pair is an expression containing two words which are joined by a conjunction (usually and or or ). The word order of a binomial pair is usually fixed.  Here are a few examples:  a rant - a long, angry and confused speech (diatriba, bronca)  e.g. His speech turned into a rant about the political situation. to rant - to speak, write or shout in a loud, uncontrolled, or angry way, often saying confused or silly things (despotricar, echar pestes)  e.g. She was ranting (on) about the traffic for what seemed ages . to rave - to speak in an uncontrolled way, usually because you are upset or angry, or because you are ill (despotricar, desvariar)  e.g. It was frightening the way he was raving , pacing up and down the street - like a madman .   to rave about - to express praise and admiration for someone or something enthusiastically (entusiasmarse por algo,  alabar con entusiasmo)  e.g. Everyone raves about Scotland - it really ha

Source: Wikipedia ( Chrionexfleckeri1350) China's Singles Day: 3m people, 4,000 planes and cargo ships  "Three million workers, helped by 4,000 planes and ships, are getting ready for the world's biggest online sale - with " revenge spending" tipped to be one of this year's biggest trends . China's Singles Day on 11 November is the world's biggest 24-hour online shopping event, with 1.9bn products ordered and delivered last year. But it is thought pent-up demand from the pandemic will break new records. Robot cleaners, vacuums and toolboxes are all expected to be popular. However, luxury brands are also hoping to get a boost , as millions of Chinese who have been unable to travel overseas on shopping trips go online for what experts are dubbing "revenge spending". "We anticipate ongoing international restrictions will cause a meaningful shift in Chinese consumers buying luxury online," said Michael Norris, at market rese

Source:  Matt Seymour on Unsplas h Covid-19: 'Lockdown' declared Collins Dictionary word of the year  "Lockdown" has been declared the word of the year for 2020 by Collins Dictionary, after a sharp rise in its usage during the pandemic.  It "encapsulates the shared experience of billions of people", Collins said. Lexicographers registered more than 250,000 usages of "lockdown" during 2020, up from just 4,000 last year.  Other pandemic-linked terms on the 10-strong list include " furlough ", " key worker ", " self-isolate " and " social distancing " as well as "coronavirus".  According to the dictionary, lockdown is defined as "the imposition of stringent restrictions on travel, social interaction, and access to public spaces".  It came into common parlance as governments around the world responded to the spread of Covid-19 in early 2020 by placing strict measures to stop transmiss