
Vocabulary used when speaking about…
- how clever you are: talented, brilliant, ability, intelligent, bright
- your feelings/emotions: confident, a positive attitude
- what you have done: successful, achievement
- stopping something: give up
The language of adverts
Language used in the adverts has some specific features:
- Sentences start with we or you. We’re planning a trip to North India…
- Sentences start with impersonal nouns like jobs or duties. Duties include teaching English, art, maths, etc.,…
- Sentences use formal words like candidates or volunteers. Volunteers should be able to start work next month.
- Passive verb forms are often used. Payment to be arranged.
- The advert uses conversational expressions (Hi there, get back to, fixing things). If this sounds like the trip for you, send a reply plus a photo and we’ll get back to you!
- Some sentences and phrases end in exclamation marks. North India and the Himalayas – come and join us in October!
In adverts and messages, we often use fixed 'reduced' expressions. Here’s how it works:
- You don't need any experience. No experience needed.
- We'd prefer a person with climbing experience. Climbing experience preferred.
- We need a volunteer. Volunteer needed.
- We don't require you to have any qualifications. No qualifications required.
- Assistance is urgently needed. Assistance urgently needed.
- Driving licence is required. Driving licence required.
- A male or female under 40 is preferred. Male or female under 40 preferred.
- Accommodation is included. Accommodation included.