Practice · Dr. Bashir

1 Corrections

How you said it, the natural version, and why. These are your own sentences.

How you said it

University degrees are not worth the time in these days.

The natural version

University degrees are not worth the time these days.

"These days" is already a complete time expression — it never needs "in" before it.

How you said it

I have few friends. (meaning: enough)

The natural version

I have a few friends.

"Few" (no article) means not enough — it sounds like a complaint. "A few" means a small but satisfying amount. Always check which feeling you want.

How you said it

Can you help me with buying a new car?

The natural version

Can you help me buy a new car?

After "help me," use the base verb directly — not "with + gerund". This is a very common mistake.

How you said it

Would you like coffee? No, I wouldn't.

The natural version

Would you like coffee? No, I don't feel like it.

"I wouldn't" alone sounds blunt and unnatural. Use "I don't feel like it" or "No, I'm good" to decline politely.

1b Already right

These needed no correction at all.

If I were you, I would start a new company.

Correct — great use of Type 2 conditional with "were" (not "was") for hypothetical situations!

I can relate, it keeps me up.

Correct — excellent natural use of "I can relate" and "keeps me up" in the same sentence!

2 Grammar tips

"Consult with" — fixed preposition

Always use "with" after "consult" when naming the person you're asking for advice.

Before making this decision, consult with your team.

Type 2 conditional — If I were you

Use "If I were you, I would..." or "If I were in your shoes..." to give advice or imagine a different situation. Always use "were" (not "was") in this pattern.

If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't sign that contract.

"Few" vs "A few"

"Few" (no article) = not enough — sounds negative. "A few" (with article) = a small but okay amount — sounds neutral or positive.

I have few options. (I'm not happy.) / I have a few options. (I'm okay.)

Ellipsis — "I would if I could"

When the main verb is already clear from context, you can drop it and just say "I would if I could." This is a very natural, polite way to decline.

A: Can you lend me money? B: I would if I could, but I can't right now.

"Feel like" + gerund

"Feel like" is followed by a verb ending in -ing (a gerund) to say what you want or don't want to do right now.

Do you feel like going to the conference, or would you rather stay?

Irregular verb: eat → ate → eaten

"Eat" is irregular. Always use "ate" for past simple and "eaten" for past participle (with have/had).

I ate lunch late today. / I have already eaten.

Comparative: more + adjective + than

For long adjectives (2+ syllables), use "more ... than" — never add -er to long adjectives.

Some departments are more profitable than others.

3 New words and phrases

5 Practice sentences

01I can relate to my employees — I was once in the same situation.
02We evaluated the budget carefully before deciding on any raise.
03If I were you, I would consult with a few wise people before signing.
04I don't feel like going to the conference today — I need a break.
05She hired three architects and reviewed all their portfolios.
06I have a few controversial opinions about how companies are run.
07The topic of unemployment is very important in our country right now.
08He was listening and nodding, but I could tell he had a gut feeling something was wrong.
09My colleague was reading the budget report and nodded off — it was very long.
10"Work smart, not hard" — that's my favourite saying, and I use it all the time.
11Few people are willing to criticize the people who rule them.
12A fresh graduate with a strong portfolio can compete with anyone.

6 Model sentences

Read these out loud three times.

If I were in your shoes, I would consult with wise people before making that decision.
We evaluated the budget and decided to give all departments a raise and a bonus.
The topic of unemployment is controversial — few people agree on the right solution.
Do you feel like reviewing the portfolios today, or would you rather wait until tomorrow?
He nodded through the whole meeting, but I could tell he didn't agree with anything.
I would help you if I could, but this decision is above my level.
A fresh graduate with a strong portfolio has a better chance than someone with just a degree.

7 Mini-dialogue

A
We need to talk about the budget. Can you help me with the numbers?
B
Of course — I would if I could. And actually, yes, I do feel like going through them today.
A
Good. Some departments are more profitable than others. Should we give them all the same raise?
B
If I were you, I would give bonuses to the top departments and a standard raise to the rest.
A
That might be controversial. A few people will probably disagree.
B
That's fine. Work smart, not hard — that's my favourite saying.
A
Fair enough. Let's consult with HR first before we decide anything.
B
Agreed. And please — no nodding. I want honest feedback, not just people agreeing with me.

Read A, say B's line yourself, then check.

8 Homework

Write 3 sentences using "If I were you, I would..." — base them on real decisions or situations from your week.
Write 5 sentences using "feel like" + a different gerund each time (e.g. eating, going, staying, working, reading).
Write one sentence using "few" (sounds negative) and one using "a few" (sounds positive) — use different topics for each.
Choose 5 vocabulary words from this session and write a short paragraph (4–5 sentences) about your workplace using all 5.
Record yourself reading the Mini-Dialogue out loud, both roles. Listen back and check: did you stress the right syllables in 'evaluated,' 'controversial,' and 'portfolio'?

9 Self-check

The difference between 'few' and 'a few' surprised me. They sound almost identical, but the feeling is completely opposite — 'few' sounds like a complaint and 'a few' sounds neutral. From now on, I will stop before I use a quantity and ask myself: am I happy about this number, or not?

The expression 'I would if I could' is very natural and I want to start using it in real conversations. It's a polite and honest way to decline something without being rude — much better than just saying 'no, I can't.'

I'm wondering: can I use 'feel like' with a noun instead of a gerund? For example, 'I feel like coffee' instead of 'I feel like drinking coffee'? Both sound possible to me, but I'm not sure if one is more correct than the other. I'll ask in the next session.