English grammar
Review English: short, verbless phrases
Read and write a short online review of a café in natural English review-speak.
From the scene Two stars
In short
Reviews use short tags, not full sentences: the cake, spectacular; highly recommended; needs improving.
Your turn
Which one goes with the opposite, a flat no?
Options: needs improving · not recommended at all · highly recommended
Show answer
the opposite, a flat no → not recommended at all
How it works
Online reviews drop full sentences in favour of short tags: the thing, a comma, the verdict (the cake, spectacular).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Oh dear... Two stars. (blank) coffee, and the owner, a bag of nerves.
Options: Dreadfully · Dreadful · Dread
Show answer
Oh dear... Two stars. Dreadful coffee, and the owner, a bag of nerves.
Ay... Dos estrellas. Café pésimo, y el dueño, un manojo de nervios.
Good to know
Highly recommended and not recommended at all are the fixed opposites.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Yes: "Very (blank), very handsome waiter." Signed: Javi.
Options: attentively · attentive · attention
Show answer
Yes: "Very attentive, very handsome waiter." Signed: Javi.
Sí: «Camarero muy atento y guapísimo». Firma: Javi.
Good to know
Needs improving is the standard polite way to say something wasn't good enough; attentive describes helpful staff.
the highest praise highly recommended
Nuria
Highly recommended. The cake, spectacular. Five stars.
Muy recomendable. La tarta, espectacular. Cinco estrellas.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). The cake, spectacular. Five stars.
Options: Needs improving · Highly recommended · Not recommended at all
Show answer
Nuria
Highly recommended. The cake, spectacular. Five stars.
Muy recomendable. La tarta, espectacular. Cinco estrellas.
the opposite, a flat no not recommended at all
Nuria
Value for money: needs improving. Not recommended at all.
Relación calidad-precio: a mejorar. Nada recomendable.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Value for money: needs improving. (blank).
Options: A very attentive waiter · Not recommended at all · Highly recommended
Show answer
Nuria
Value for money: needs improving. Not recommended at all.
Relación calidad-precio: a mejorar. Nada recomendable.
polite for 'this needs to be better' needs improving
Nuria
Value for money: needs improving. Not recommended at all.
Relación calidad-precio: a mejorar. Nada recomendable.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Value for money: (blank). Not recommended at all.
Options: a very attentive waiter · needs improving · highly recommended
Show answer
Nuria
Value for money: needs improving. Not recommended at all.
Relación calidad-precio: a mejorar. Nada recomendable.
how good the price is for what you get value for money
Nuria
Value for money: needs improving. Not recommended at all.
Relación calidad-precio: a mejorar. Nada recomendable.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank): needs improving. Not recommended at all.
Options: A very attentive waiter · Value for money · Highly recommended
Show answer
Nuria
Value for money: needs improving. Not recommended at all.
Relación calidad-precio: a mejorar. Nada recomendable.
helpful, caring staff a very attentive waiter
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| the highest praise | highly recommended |
|---|---|
| the opposite, a flat no | not recommended at all |
| polite for 'this needs to be better' | needs improving |
| how good the price is for what you get | value for money |
| helpful, caring staff | a very attentive waiter |
More lines from the story
- NuriaOh dear... Two stars. Dreadful coffee, and the owner, a bag of nerves.Ay... Dos estrellas. Café pésimo, y el dueño, un manojo de nervios.
- NuriaYes: "Very attentive, very handsome waiter." Signed: Javi.Sí: «Camarero muy atento y guapísimo». Firma: Javi.
- TomásDreadful? But it's the best coffee in the neighbourhood!¿Pésimo? ¡Si es el mejor café del barrio!
- NuriaAnd here it says: "They make the partners pay."Y aquí dice: «A los socios los hacen pagar».