Author Archives: Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Bird-Brained Ideas

Posted on Tuesday - September 18, 2018 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Los Angeles is a big, sprawling (covering a wide area) city. That’s why people have a hard time (difficulty) getting around without cars. Our public transportation system—buses, subways, trains, etc.—just doesn’t reach enough parts of the city. About a year … Continue reading →

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Flu Shot Season is Here Again

Posted on Tuesday - September 11, 2018 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

A few years ago, I thought I was dying. My body ached (hurt). I couldn’t breathe. I had a high fever (body temperature). I had “the flu.” The flu, short for influenza, is a highly contagious (easy to pass from … Continue reading →

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New Words in American English, 2018 Edition

Posted on Tuesday - September 4, 2018 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

One of the leading (most popular) American English dictionaries, Merriam-Webster, has just published a list of 840 “new” words in English. Here are some you may want to know: TL;DR – “Too long; didn’t read” – This is sometimes used … Continue reading →

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Honesty is the Best Policy

Posted on Wednesday - August 29, 2018 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

This cartoon takes place in a courtroom (where legal processes and trials happen). We see the judge behind what looks like a big desk, which in a courtroom we call a bench. He has a gavel in front of him, a thing that looks … Continue reading →

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“What Should I Read in English?”

Posted on Tuesday - August 21, 2018 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

If you’ve read my special report on how to improve your English, you know that I recommend you do a lot of listening and reading. (And if you haven’t read my report, hurry up and get it today by signing … Continue reading →

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Why No One Talks to Anyone Anymore

Posted on Wednesday - August 15, 2018 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

I was back in my home state of Minnesota recently visiting my family there. One day I went into a diner located in a small town just outside Minneapolis. A diner is a restaurant that usually has breakfast food served … Continue reading →

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Does “Reading” Mean You Have to Say the Words Out Loud?

Posted on Tuesday - August 7, 2018 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Several people have emailed me recently to ask about the advice I give in my special report on how to improve your English (and if you haven’t seen it, sign up to get it below). In the report, I recommend … Continue reading →

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What Should I Listen To?

Posted on Wednesday - August 1, 2018 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

Here’s a question I am often asked: Dear Jeff, I always study English everyday, but I feel my listening ability is not good. Could you help me improve my listening ability? Tim Good question, Tim! The way to improve your … Continue reading →

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What’s for Dinner, Jeff?

Posted on Wednesday - July 25, 2018 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

I love to cook on my barbecue (also be spelled “barbeque” or abbreviated “BBQ”) grill in the back of my house. Here’s a photo of me getting ready go cook some hamburgers (and don’t worry, I cook them before I … Continue reading →

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How Americans Use Their Middle Names (Or Not!)

Posted on Wednesday - July 18, 2018 by Dr. Jeff McQuillan

How do Americans use their middle names? It seems like an easy question, but it can get a little confusing. I explained some of the rules in our Unlimited English lesson, Cultural English #457. (All of our Cultural English lessons … Continue reading →

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