The British Council's language clinic with "Dr Danny"

Hello and welcome to the British Council?s English Language Clinic. This week I have been asked to return to the topic of idioms. I have received several questions from members of the business community asking if and when idioms can be used in the workplace. Idioms are used so frequently in English that it is often difficult to identify them. Some idioms are neutral and others are informal; recognising which are appropriate in a particular situation is vital. The correct use of idioms is an extremely important part of higher level language use; it conveys a sense of fluency and demonstrates confidence in using the language.

When it comes to idioms, do you know them ?inside out?? If you do, you will have realised that they can ?make all the difference?, although they are not ?the be-all-and-end-all? of business communications, if you ?know your stuff? it will stop you ?putting your foot in it?, and prevent you from ?clutching at straws? when talking to customers and colleagues in English. Does the use of idioms leave you feeling ?out of your depth?, like you have been ?thrown in at the deep end? or with ?egg on your face?? If so, please do not worry. The British Council is currently offering a selection of Corporate Business English courses to businesses around Mauritius. These courses cover a wide range of areas, including the use of formal and informal language, pronunciation, report writing, telephone skills, presentation skills and many others.

There are twelve idioms in this article, which do you think are formal and which are informal?

Please send your comments, queries and questions to ?Dr Danny? at the British Council Language Clinic by emailing the following address [email protected]

To find out more about the British Council?s Corporate Training Courses or any of the services which we provide, please call on 403 0200.