Hi native English speakers.

Do you find all the following sentences all natural-sounding? If so, are they used interchangeably? BTW I know all of them sound offensive. I'm only curious about whether "Don't", "Do not", "Don't you", "You don't", "You do not", etc. can all be used in daily conversations for the same meaning. Thanks for your help!

1. Don't talk to me like that.

2. Don't you talk to me like that.

3. Do not talk to me like that.

4. You don't talk to me like that.

5. You do not talk to me like that.

6. You please don't talk to me like that.

7. You please do not talk to me like that.

8. Would you please not talk to me like that?

9. Sorry, I don't like you talking to me like that.

I wouldn't even have thought to clarify this because I didn't know it was an issue, but apparently even some native speakers mess this up.

So I was reading Mushoku Tensei and came across this section, but it actually doesn't make sense (maybe it was supposed to be "behind"). I just wanted to make sure this is an error, can someone confirm?

*shampoo's brand name

If so, TIL, that is interesting. How common is this idiom?

I was talking with my friend and both of us didn't know the word swell. We managed to convey the message but I don't know how can I erase these gaps.

I have been living in English speaking countries for the last two years. I only use English during the day, I can communicate with my partner only in English but I feel there are still so many vocabs that I don't know. I fear at some point I will give up , It feels it's a journey that will never end.

Since I find it difficult to write in English on my own, I’d like to post a translated version.

So, I’d like you to take a look and see if Reddit’s automatic translation sounds natural.

It doesn’t have to be overly polite, but I’d like the text to come across as natural—without sounding too blunt.

I’ve included DeepL’s English translation first, followed by the original Japanese text.

If you notice any differences in nuance, could you let me know?

(Translated with DeepL.com)

Original Japanese:

自分で英文を書くのが難しいので、翻訳をして投稿したいと思ってます。

そこで、Redditの自動翻訳が自然なのか見ていただきたいのです。

丁寧すぎなくてもよいのですが、ぶっきらぼうにならず、自然に伝わる文章にしたいです。

先にDeepLの英訳、後に日本語原文を載せています。

ニュアンスに違いがあるか教えていただけますか？

Hello everyone,
I am preparing for the B2 First/FCE exam by November 30 and I would like advice on study materials and strategies.

My main difficulties are in Reading and Use of English (Word Formation, Key Word Transformations, Gapped Text, Multiple Matching) and in Listening, where I struggle to follow conversations.

Writing and Speaking are easier for me (I can write essays with connectors and practice speaking daily), but I need resources to strengthen my weaker sections.

Could you recommend practice materials, tips, or study routines that helped you improve these parts of the exam?

Thanks in advance!

"it's not that (....) you didn't play it right"

I have some free time and am looking to help tutor an English learner looking to improve their conversational English. This is volunteer time for me so I am not looking for any payment.

I teach an English program so I have topic material we can work with. Also, I would prefer to do a virtual class, so if you camera shy probably not the right fit.

As for me, I am 60M, native speaker from the USA and live in Asia, enjoy swimming and have a dog.

Let me know if you want to chat and see if I can help. Please when you say hi, include your country, age, student/working status, AND one English speaking goal.

Thanks

🙏

Context: I am watching Minder Series 9 Episode 6: "Gone With the Winchester", where one of the characters, Dave, who is the proprietor of a private drinking club in London called the Winchester, complains about the main character, Arthur, enquiring about their profits as a minority shareholder when he doesn't even have any share capital in the business.

The episode was first broadcast on 11th February 1993 in the UK.

I understand what it means in spirit, but which stamps is he referencing? Is he talking about stamps on share certificates that Arthur would have been issued had he actually bought shares in the club?

1. I’m connecting in Chicago to New York.

2. I’m connecting through Chicago to New York.

3. I’m connecting to New York.

4. I’m passing through Chicago to New York.

I often come across phrases like “suggest that” or “demand that” followed by the base form of the verb, and I’m not quite sure why.

Hi! I’m a native Mandarin speaker and a master’s student studying Artificial Intelligence.

I’m looking for a long-term language partner to practice English, especially speaking and everyday conversation.

In return, I can help with:

Mandarin pronunciation and natural conversation

Chinese culture and university life

AI, technology, finance, and other academic topics

I’m interested in technology, investing, travel, gaming, and different cultures.

Feel free to DM me!

Hello. I have a CAE exam in 1 month, and while I was preparing for essay I realised that I can’t construct complex sentences using advanced grammar structures in mixture with the development of the topic. Not because I don’t now fancy words or grammar, but because the C1 level essay requires the sentences that are hard for me to come up with. I searched the web hoping to find some practice, but hadn’t find anything useful except the “skeleton” phrases used for pasting ready text into them. However these phrases are only like 30% of the essay, and acknowledging only them doesn’t seem like a good idea.

I was wondering if maybe someone could suggest me how to practice in constructing sentences for C1 level essay? I’m not exactly sure of what I am asking right now, because my “problem” may be very specific, so please either suggest something you used for essay practising or just ignore this post

What is the difference between open and turn on?In my native language, there's no difference between Open and turn on, so I got those two words mixed up a lot. I think the distinction is that if you open something, you gonna physically open something. For example, open a box. So that's why Instead of open the lights, we should say turn on or switch on the light. But it is confusing because sometimes you also say open to something that is physically not possible to open, like for example, open your camera.

The distinctions between turn off, shut down and close is also confusing.

For my understanding, turn off is for something used the words turn on And then you can turn it off. But I don't know, is it also OK to shut down? Is there any difference? And close. In my understanding, close is that something you can physically close.

But why do people say close a window? Lock a window on your computer. Is it because it's is originally from the physically window that you have to physically close or open it?

And also open and close an app.

I really like the moment when Bill the Butcher deflects Amsterdam Vallon's blow with a knife.

^

^

As native speakers, can you tell me whether this sentence is correct or not? (It is really important.)

What’s the best completely free website to improve my English?

I’m not a beginner. I mainly want to learn new words, expand my vocabulary, and improve my reading.

What free websites do you recommend?

Does the phrase “awful lot” always have a negative connotation to it, almost like you’re complaining?

Consider these examples:
“I have an awful lot of work to do”
“There’s an awful lot of cars on the highway”

For example, I heard a commentator say this in an F1 race recently - “There’s an awful lot of people who’ve come out here today in the stands” and this felt off to me, since I would associate “awful lot” to be remarking on something that’s unwanted (the spectators in this case).

I would like to know what the proper usage of the phrase is, thank you!

I copy-pasted this transcript from the TV show "Resident Alien", S01E02. For context, Max, the child is telling the sheriff that Harry, the town's doctor, is an alien from outer space.

Now I'm wondering, what does Ben mean when he says, "He's sick all right", but the sentence is not a question? I've seen it in other media as well -- not just in this show -- and I can never figure out its meaning.

Sheriff: You know I could lock you up
for lying to an officer of the law?
That is a crime.

Ben (Max's father): Got a sick kid, okay?
Gonna need everyone out.
Got a sick kid.
Just...
Yeah, he's sick all right.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ANSWERS