Category: Books by Andrew Miles


  • Avoid Overusing “for” and “of”

    One way to make your English more professional (and clearer!) is to check whether you are using “for” and “of” too much. Scan your text for these prepositions and see if they can be replaced by more economical constructions. Examples This is a simple way to improve your writing, so apply it whenever you can!…

  • Better Listening: Watch the News

    Watching the news is a great way to improve your listening. ✅ Clear accents: News anchors often have excellent diction, making it easier to understand spoken English. ✅ Easier to follow: We generally know the background on stories so can imagine what we don’t understand. ✅ Short & sweet: Most news are short, which allows…

  • Offer Advice Strongly with “Ought to”

    We can suggest things with “should” (as in “You should paint your house green”) but what to do if we want to be stronger? “Ought to” is for obligations that are morally desirable or offer objective reasons. “Ought to” for moral obligations It transmits a moral duty, as when you refer to something that’s right…

  • Five tips to save time and money when learning a language

    Want to learn a language without wasting your investment? Here are five tips to maximize your language learning: ✅ Forget miracle systems: There are no shortcuts. Real progress comes from consistent study and practice. ✅ Be punctual to class: Ten minutes late could mean one hour less every month. ✅ Teachers are essential: Avoid online…

  • Use the Active Voice for Better Writing

    Writing “The product was sold by Peter” is longer and less direct than “Peter sold the product”.  In other words, the active voice is shorter and gets straight to the point. Therefore, use it as much as you can when you write. 🧿 Active Voice: “Peter sold the product”Apply the active voice most of the…

  • Improve Your English Listening: Understand Change!

    English is a language that changes very quickly. We often find neologisms (new words) and informal expressions (slang), which makes understanding difficult. What to do about neologisms What to do about slang Can teachers help? Unfortunately, teachers often can’t help with neologisms and slang, because they may not know the specific words you need. The…

  • What to say when someone’s unavailable

    You never know when the phone will ring; memorise these expressions to say someone is unavailable She’s not in today.         He’s not available now.                                          They’re at a meeting. His line’s engaged.     Read Andrew’s books on how to improve your business English here: www.andymiles.com

  • Use Headings to Improve Your Business Writing

    When writing longer pieces, use headings to guide your readers effectively. Why Are Headings Important? 🔘 Improved Readability: Headings help readers navigate your content with ease, enhancing their understanding.🔘 Better Organization: They divide your text into manageable sections, simplifying complex information.🔘 Increased Engagement: Clear and compelling headings encourage readers to dive deeper into your content.…

  • Magnify Gestures: People Will Understand You Better

    We often say a picture is worth a thousand words. Gestures are like small pictures you draw with your body. They will help you if you are speaking a foreign language—even when people don’t understand all your words. Gestures make your message clearer: When you use your body to highlight what you mean, it’s easier…

  • Speak and Write as Simply as You Can

    Simple Business English Is Easier to Understand Brevity is always a plus in English so make your sentences as simple as possible. “Mary (our ex-manager and an expert in marketing) would have never rejected that offer”. It’s clearer if we say “Our ex-manager Mary would have never rejected that offer because she’s an expert in…