#advice-collocation

[loveyouenglish]

Collocations with "Take" and "Have" in Everyday Conversations

Learning English can be exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to mastering collocations. Collocations are words that naturally go together, creating phrases that native speakers use all the time. Today, I'll teach collocations with two common verbs: "take" and "have." Understanding these will help you speak more fluently and confidently in everyday conversations. Why Are Collocations Important? Collocations make your English sound natural. For example, native speakers say "take a shower," not "do a shower." Knowing the right word combinations will help you avoid mistakes and express yourself clearly. Let’s dive into common collocations with "take" and "have" and see how they are used in daily life. Collocations with "Take" The verb "take" is versatile and used in many contexts. Here are some common collocations: 1. Take a Break - Meaning: To rest or relax for a short time. - Example: After working for hours, I decided to take a break and grab a coffee. 2. Take a Shower - Meaning: To wash your body under a shower. - Example: I always take a shower in the morning to feel refreshed. 3. Take a Seat - Meaning: To sit down. - Example: Please take a seat; the meeting will start soon. 4. Take Responsibility - Meaning: To accept that you are responsible for something. - Example: She decided to take responsibility for her actions. 5. Take Care - Meaning: To be careful or look after someone/something. - Example: Take care while crossing the busy street. 6. Take an Exam - Meaning: To sit for an exam or test. - Example: He’s nervous because he has to take an exam tomorrow. 7. Take Advice - Meaning: To follow or accept someone’s advice. - Example: It’s wise to take advice from experienced people. 8. Take a Chance - Meaning: To try something risky. - Example: Sometimes, you need to take a chance to succeed. 9. Take Notes - Meaning: To write down important information. - Example: During the lecture, I always take notes to review later. 10. Take a Picture - Meaning: To photograph something. - Example: Let’s take a picture to remember this moment. Collocations with "Have" The verb "have" is equally flexible and widely used. Here are some common collocations: 1. Have a Good Time - Meaning: To enjoy yourself. - Example: We had a good time at the party last night. 2. Have a Meal - Meaning: To eat. - Example: Let’s have a meal together after work. 3. Have a Shower - Meaning: To take a shower (interchangeable with "take a shower"). - Example: I prefer to have a shower in the evening. 4. Have a Conversation - Meaning: To talk with someone. - Example: We had a long conversation about our future plans. 5. Have Fun - Meaning: To enjoy yourself. - Example: The kids had fun playing in the park. 6. Have a Nap - Meaning: To sleep for a short time. - Example: I often have a nap after lunch to recharge. 7. Have a Party - Meaning: To organize or attend a party. - Example: We’re going to have a party this weekend to celebrate. 8. Have a Look - Meaning: To check or examine something. - Example: Can you have a look at this document? 9. Have Patience - Meaning: To stay calm and wait. - Example: You need to have patience when dealing with children. 10. Have a Problem - Meaning: To face an issue or difficulty. - Example: Do you have a problem with the new schedule? Using "Take" and "Have" in Similar Contexts Sometimes, "take" and "have" can be used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences. Let’s look at a few examples: Take a Shower vs. Have a Shower Both are correct and commonly used. "Take a shower" is more common in American English, while "have a shower" is more frequent in British English. Take a Break vs. Have a Break Again, both are correct. "Take a break" is slightly more formal, while "have a break" is often used casually. Take a Meal vs. Have a Meal "Have a meal" is the preferred collocation. Native speakers rarely say "take a meal." Take Fun vs. Have Fun Only "have fun" is correct. "Take fun" is not used in English. Practical Tips to Master Collocations Read and Listen Regularly Pay attention to how native speakers use "take" and "have" in conversations, books, and movies. Practice Speaking Try to use these collocations in your daily conversations. For example, say, "I’ll take a break now" instead of "I’ll rest now." Write Sentences Write your own sentences using these collocations to reinforce your learning. Learn in Context Memorize collocations as part of a phrase rather than individual words. For example, remember "take a picture" as a single unit. Use Flashcards Create flashcards with collocations on one side and meanings or examples on the other. This is a great way to test yourself. Quiz: Test Your Knowledge Fill in the blanks with the correct collocations: - I need to ______ a break after working all day. - Let’s ______ a meal together this weekend. - Can you ______ a look at my essay? - We always ______ fun at the beach. - She decided to ______ responsibility for the project. (Answers: 1. take, 2. have, 3. have, 4. have, 5. take) Final Thoughts Collocations with "take" and "have" are essential for sounding natural in English. By learning and practicing these phrases, you’ll improve your fluency and confidence. Remember, the more you use them, the easier they’ll become. Start incorporating these collocations into your conversations today, and watch your English skills grow! Read the full article

[s--lag]

Second, the practical method of A acid acne

A acid does not belong to skin care products, so be sure to follow your doctor's advice and use it according to the instructions when purchasing over-the-counter versions.

Take Adaparine as an example, it is an acne gel that many people have used to treat acne, and its texture is pleasant enough for large oil fields, in addition to removing acne, it can also make the skin smooth and delicate. But even though acid A is relatively mild, it also has some side effects: flare-ups at first, delayed flare-ups, redness and tingling, and prolonged heavy application may make the skin red and dull

If you need to use acid A for a long time, then be sure to read the following

It is my comprehensive advice of a large number of doctors, the real use of acne skin feelings, to give you a reference idea

In the simplest way possible, tell you how to ride this tiger.

I'm trying to keep this article short, but if I'm not careful, there will still be a lot of problems during use,

So please have a little patience to read through, you will feel how useful I have written these.

【 Need to use A acid collocation 】

A soothing repair serum that effectively relieves redness

A barrier serum/cream (good moisturizing and repairing strength, no special moisturizing required)

With a strong enough soothing essence as the base, it is to avoid the skin itself can not carry this "bath fire rebirth" uncontrollable redness, peeling, and even dull color. Acid A itself also has an anti-inflammatory effect, but inflammation is a complex network, and if it overstimulates the skin, it may stimulate new inflammation. If you are worried about the red and black, you can also add a tranamine acid: the next morning without VA, and VA rest days, focus on Tranamine acid. If you need A full face, long-term use of acid, it is recommended to remove other powerful ingredients, such as do not use fruit acids at the same time, including azelaic acid, and to reduce the intensity of cleaning than usual (use a non-foaming cleanser at night), reduce the skin grinding and interference (try not to wear makeup).

[avereunsogno-62]

"Segui il consiglio del tuo cuore,

perchè nessuno ti sarà più fedele di lui.

La coscienza di un uomo talvolta suole avvertire

meglio di sette sentinelle collocate in alto per spiare" (Sir. 37,13-14);

"Finally, stick to the advice your own heart gives you,

no one can be truer to you than that;

since a person's soul often gives a clearer warning

than seven watchmen perched on a watchtower" (Ecclesiasticus, 37,13-14).

[packaginginsight]

Mushroom Coffee Market Growth and Challenges Analysis Forecast by 2031

Mushroom Coffee MarketScope & Overview

TheMushroom Coffee Market research report includes a complete analysis, a synopsis of the market segment, size, and share, sectional analysis, and revenue estimates. It considers market factors, commercial trends, market dynamics, and the benefits and drawbacks of the top competitors. There is more information on distribution channels, retailers, and dealers in addition to the study's findings and recommendations, an appendix, and data sources. The market analysis includes in-depth information about product launch occasions, growth catalysts, challenges, and investment chances.

The study analyses market competition, restrictions, revenue estimates, opportunities, shifting trends, and data that has been confirmed by the industry in-depth. The analysis starts with an overview of the industrial chain structure before delving further upstream. The Mushroom Coffee market research report provides crucial details on the current status of the industry and serves as a fantastic source of guidance and advice for companies and people interested in the market. The study can assist in better understanding the market and preparing for business expansion by providing in-depth information on possible rivals or established enterprises in the area.

Get a free sample Report https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/3747

Key Players included are:

RYZE, Mushroom Cups International, Real Mushrooms, Four Sigmatic, Laird Superfood, Rheal, Om Mushroom Superfood, NeuRoast, DIRTEA, La Republica Superfoods

Market Segmentation

The fastest-growing market segments and the many factors driving their growth are also examined in this analysis. The market research report segments the global Mushroom Coffee market by applications, revenue, and market share by type. The cost structure of manufacturing, the manufacturing procedure, and the market growth factor are all thoroughly examined in this research.

Form Outlook

Grounded

Powder

Mushroom Extract Outlook

Lion's mane

Chaga

Cordyceps

Reishi

Others

Caffeine Content Outlook

Caffeinated

Decaffeinated

Packaging Outlook

Sachets

Containers/Packets

Coffee Pods

Distribution Channel Outlook

Supermarkets/Hypermarkets

Convenience stores

Online

Competitive Scenario

The research looks at the major companies' competitiveness in the Mushroom Coffee market as well as their histories, market prices, and channel characteristics. A complete market analysis takes into account a wide range of factors, including market-specific microeconomic consequences as well as national demographics and business cycles. The competitive climate for large enterprises and regional competitive advantage have undergone a paradigm shift in the market, states the report. Players have used a range of tactics, such as product line development, mergers and acquisitions, alliances, regional growth, and collocation, to increase their market penetration and strengthen their positions.

Key Questions Answered in theMushroom CoffeeMarket Report

What are the primary global economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Who are the present market shakers and movers? How will upcoming incentives and limits affect things?

What is the global market's pace of growth? What will the future growth trend be?

Which trends are most in vogue right now, and where can you find them?

What are the primary sources of income for each region's market expansion?

About Us:

SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company’s aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world.

[languageyeti1985]

Embrace These Tips For Your New Academic Year!

Hello, dear readers. 

It's Kieron here, and I hope you're all ready to dive into a brand-new academic year. 

Just like that, the summer has bid us farewell, and it's time to gear up for a fresh journey of learning and growth. As we step into this new chapter, I want to share some practical advice to help you make the most of your English language learning experience.

Daily English Engagement - Watering Your Language Skills With Time

Picture this: making English a daily part of your life is like giving water to a plant daily. Consistent practice is the secret to watching your language skills grow. It's not about doing everything simultaneously but incorporating English into your daily routine. 

Here's how:

Podcast Power: Why not listen to English podcasts when commuting to school or getting ready in the morning? It's like having a friendly English-speaking companion on your journey. You'll naturally absorb new words and phrases.

Online Reading Adventures: Explore interesting articles online in English. Choose topics that interest you, whether science, travel or your favourite hobbies. Reading in English exposes you to different writing styles and expands your vocabulary.

Grammar Guru: Dedicate a few minutes daily to review tricky grammar rules. It's like strengthening the foundation of a sturdy English house. Understanding these rules makes your writing and speaking more precise.

Speaking: Don't shy away from speaking in English. You can talk to yourself or find a language exchange partner. Speaking is where you put your knowledge into action. Don't worry if you stumble; remember, practice makes perfect.

By incorporating English into your daily life, you'll be amazed at how quickly your confidence and skills will grow.

Embrace Mistakes - They Are Stepping Stones To Mastery

Let's discuss a little secret on your journey to English excellence: Mistakes are your allies, not enemies. Becoming a language pro takes time. Imagine learning to ride a bike; you may fall a few times before you can ride smoothly. Learning English is quite similar. 

Here's what you can do:

Learn from Errors: When you make a mistake, don't let it discourage you. Instead, please take a moment to understand why it happened. Was it a new word you hadn't encountered before, or perhaps a grammar rule you needed clarification on? By understanding your errors, you're learning and improving.

No Discouragement Allowed: Mistakes are not roadblocks; they're stepping stones. Even the most fluent English speakers eventually stumbled over words and grammar. It's all part of the journey and how you grow.

Keep Moving Forward: The key is to keep moving forward. The more you practise, the better you become. Soon, you'll find yourself speaking English with confidence and ease.

Maximise Classroom Time - Your Launchpad To Success

Your classroom or lessons are like the guiding stars in your language adventure. 

Here's how to make the most of your classroom time:

Teacher's Wisdom: Pay close attention to your teacher's strategies and lessons. Think of it as the map guiding you on your language journey. Understand and work on what you learn in class.

Extend Beyond the Walls: Keep learning by stopping at the classroom door. Take those strategies and lessons with you into the real world. Explore common collocations, dive into phrasal verbs, master idioms, learn fixed phrases, and get comfortable with slang. Also, remember to explore suffixes, prefixes, and synonyms. Understanding how words fit together is like having the keys to unlock a language's secrets.

Remember, it's not just about what happens in class; how you apply that knowledge in your daily life truly counts.

Edit & Prioritise - Building Your Vocabulary Toolbox

Learning English is akin to building a toolbox. As you gather new words and concepts, keeping things organised and relevant is essential. 

Here's how:

Organise Your Toolbox: Think of your growing vocabulary as tools in a toolbox. Regularly organise and review what you've learned, which helps you access words and phrases more easily when needed.

Prioritise Essentials: Consider what's genuinely essential for your goals. You don't need to know every word in the English language. For instance, I learned the word antidisestablishmentarianism in a history class. It means opposition to the separation of church and state—a term important for understanding historical events. However, I rarely used it in everyday conversations. Focus on words and phrases that are relevant to your life and aspirations.

Test Prep Intensity: If you're gearing up for a test, such as a big exam or certification, put extra effort into memorising specific words. Remembering these words when you're in test mode is more pressure.

In summary, by considering these four tips and putting them into practice, you'll find your English language skills growing stronger each day. Think of it as an exciting adventure, and you'll enjoy the journey as much as the destination. 

Happy learning!

[feliciaiswriting]

🌻ꗥ～ꗥ🌻 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 🌻ꗥ～ꗥ🌻

Hi! If you are begginer writer, this post is for you! I have few years of experience in writing, so here are my advices!

Don’t overwhelm yourself. Write when you have energy and inspiration. Writing is not funny and pleasing, when you’re forcing yourself to do this. Take your time. 

Create a document on your PC. This is gonna be your personal notebook, where you can create characters, plot, write some dialogue ideas and whatever you want to do with your story. 

Take inspiration from pictures, photos, music, nature, EVERYTHING! World is full of amazing things that can give you inspiration and ideas for stories. 

Don’t compare yourself with other writers. We are community who wants to encourage and support each others. Just because you are begginer doesn’t mean you have less talent. 

Practice a lot! Go back to your old stories and make them better. It’s gonna be great practice to see your progress!

Read authors that inspire you! Try to get inspirations with style, maybe overall composition of text or some words. 

Think about using more extended descriptions of appearance, locations and things. Try to draw characters/places, it helps with writing A LOT, trust me. 

Expand your vocabulary. Try to use words or collocations to make your text more fancy and proffesional. For example: Istead of: ‘‘It was a very hot time’‘, use: ‘‘It was a hot spell’‘; or instead of: ‘‘I know you like sweets and candies.’‘ try: ‘‘I know you have sweet tooth.’‘

Try to build tension and make your story interesting. Write text that you would defiinetly want to read by yourself! Give it to neutral person to read, I don’t recommand family and friends. Ask some of mate or person met on social media, even your favourite writer! 

Post your story when you’ll feel ready for it. Don’t let anyone to force you to do this. It’s the worst thing ever. You wanna show everyone your work? That’s great! You prefere to save your stories for yourself? It’s also great! Don’t let the thing you love, turn into something what you’ll hate. 

If you decide to make your story public, be ready for all kind of words. Feedback is very important. Accept constructive criticism, it’s not bad thing! Somebody wants to help you to become even better writer. If someone shares hate - ignore it. Don’t let ANYONE to restrict you or destroy your passion with nasty words.

It’s okey when you have a lot of not finished stories. I’m one of this people who has almost 10 stories and still creating new ones, so don’t worry, it’s normal thing! 

Write what you want to write, not something what someone wants to! If you don’t feel good with writing some certain kind of stories, don’t do this. It’s not healty for you. 

Do research. It’s important if you write about real places, historical events or certain careeres. If you can go to the forest or to the beach, go there! Describe what do you feel, what do you see and hear. Later you can use this in story! 

Don’t give up. Never leave writing. Take breaks when you don’t feel for writing, don’t blame yourself for not writing enough and continue to develop your skills. You are an amazing person with very creative mind, so it’s your strong side! 

[yukusaki]

Do you have any recommendations for someone that wants to start learning Japanese? It seems overwhelming but so neat. Thank you!

Yes! My main advice is to 1. think of why you want to learn Japanese and keep that in mind as you study. If you only want to use Japanese for casual conversation and don't intend on taking the JLPT, you don't need to worry about formal and written grammar--and unfortunately after about N3, that's what you'll be learning in any classes or textbooks. Another piece of advice is that you should learn you learning style to make your study more effective and more fun for you! Don't spend hours struggling through flashcards if writing sentences is more fun or effective for you. Make sure you're enjoying studying. Do you like music? The repetitions is a fantastic way to learn vocab, so look up the words you hear often. Do you like anime/dramas? Leave English subtitles on and learn a few phrases that way (it's also very good for pronunciation and intonation practice if you have the patience to pause and repeat lines aloud).

As for resources, as a beginner I really recommend you try some textbooks or a course if you have the means. They'll give you a sort of structure and path to learn and makes it a little less overwhelming. I used the Genki series in university and it's supposed to be one of the good ones. If you can't buy it, try to find some sort of course online or something, or try a library or thrift store.

For a more reference side of things, I recommend what I'm pretty sure is called "The Basics of Japanese Grammar, " there's a few of those for different areas of grammar, and I downloaded the verbs one for like 2 bucks and found it very useful for having a lot of conjusgations all just listed out for quick reference.

For something you can use for most levels of Japanese I really like "Common Japanese Collocations," which is a book of words that just "go together" (like "take a bath" → "お風呂に入る" for example). It'll help tons with learning the most natural way to say things.

I also used the Pimsleur program (audio lessons) at the very beginning, which I got from my library. If you do use it, however, you should definitely supplement it with something to learn hiragna/katakana/kanji, and maybe some grammar. I haven't personally used Rosetta Stone or Duolingo for Japanese but you could also give those a try.

Most of these are for beginners! Once you get to about conversational you'll want to move towards actually using Japanese rather than book study!

Finally, remember that immersion is usually not a good method for adult beginners! The one advantage we have over kids for languages is understanding and learning rules, so do that! Dropping yourself into an immersion situation without enough to get by is not as effective as people like to tell you.

[gothhabiba]

hi miss najia! i was just wondering if u have any tips about getting started on writing poetry. i have really bad anxiety and it makes me sometimes unable to write poetry bc i’m nervous it’s gonna suck. do u have any recommendations on how to start getting into it (or maybe just writing in general?) like maybe i’m just also nervous bc i know nothing about poetry to begin with but yeah

my first piece of advice for you is that you have to let your poetry suck. & any writer will tell you this, it is not just me. you are probably going to write reams and bucketloads of bad poetry. if you don’t let yourself write bad poetry you will never get around to writing good poetry. some of us were lucky enough to get most of our bad poetry out during our childhoods or adolescences when we weren’t so self-conscious about it, & this self-consciousness is a difficulty that a lot of adult learners of things experience. but a lot of fun & interesting things can happen when you’re not writing to achieve a nice, polished finished product, but just writing to try things out. & you’ll have to try a lot of things out to find something that you would consider ‘your’ poetic voice or niche (& even after you do, it may change over time!). if the thought of writing bad poetry still makes you nervous, maybe think about the fact that no one else is going to read it at this stage. try some free-writing or free-association exercises and tell yourself that even you yourself will not reread it, at least until you get sufficiently used to the process of writing like this.

my typical advice to anyone who wants to start writing poetry is to read a LOT of poetry. you don’t even necessarily have to study it in a way that’s conscious of literary movements and history and influences &c. (tho’ I do find it interesting), but you should try reading a little bit of everything. fixed form, free form, poetry from different schools & eras. find and read more of what you like & think about why you like it. read what you don’t like & think about why you don’t. which poets have voices or tones or stocks of imagery that you admire the most? try those voices on and mix and match them until you find something that feels original and your own. accept that this may take a few years.

my other main piece of advice is to try to relaaaaax your mind in terms of association. the main impediment to writing good poetry for people as they leave childhood (& what’s mentioned in e.g. studies of children’s poetry and writing) is that typical phrases, word associations, collocations, associations of ideas, &c. have such a stranglehold on our minds. one job of metaphor in literature is to challenge those associations, to bring new depth to them, or to present new ones. if you have a stray thought or catch a rogue phrase running through your head, try following it to see where it goes, even if you think it’s strange or won’t work. again, a lot of this is a process of constant experimentation, even for experienced writers.

this may be premature but my main advice to anyone who’s trying to polish their poetry or writing is not to be afraid of editing. don’t include anything that doesn’t pull its weight in the piece just because you spent a lot of time on it or because you like it on its own. the corollary of this approach to editing (perhaps more relevant to you right now) is that you shouldn’t be afraid of writing things that you think you may have to cut later. don’t spend forever searching for the perfect next line & letting that search for perfection paralyse you such that you can’t write anything at all. the perfect line might come from going in a direction that was inspired by a wrong line that you’ll later get rid of. writing is largely a process of making mistakes until eventually you make fewer mistakes (i.e., figure out how to be more 'deliberate' and where you want that process of deliberation to take you).

also check out my /tagged/writing for more specific advice, prompts for exercises, &c.

[galaxywhump]

Hey Marti, I'm a huge fan of your writing and I was wondering if I could ask for some writing advice? I love writing in English, but I'm very self-conscious about it. I feel like I suck at grammar, use weird constructions and subconsciously translate from my language. You're not a native speaker either but your stuff is flawless and reads smoothly and I'm dying to know your secrets and tips on how to improve and make my writing more natural. Sorry for being a bother, have a great day! :)

Hi! You’re not being a bother by any means! Thank you so much for your kind words ❤️ I’m not the best at giving advice, but here’s some methods I use when I’m unsure about something in English:

1. freecollocation.com - it’s a handy collocation dictionary which I regularly use to check which adjectives or verbs collocate with a specific noun, e.g. which adjectives you can use to describe someone's voice.

2. Language corpora, such as the Corpus of Contemporary American English. It works like a search engine: you search for a specific word or phrase, and the results show whether the phrase appears frequently or not, and if it does, which contexts it usually appears in - literary, academic, colloquial, etc. It’s really helpful for determining whether a given phrase is natural or not, and whether it’s not too “schoolish” for creative writing.

3. Searching for specific phrases via google - if you use quotation marks with a phrase you want to look up (e.g. ”as if he has” - I wasn’t sure if “has” was a correct tense to use in this structure), the results will only include that exact phrase, word for word. Great for determining if the phrase even exists, if it’s common, and if it’s used by trustworthy sources. I can’t remember what phrase that was, but one time the only source that showed up was a website auto-translated into English from Chinese - so that was a pretty clear sign that I... shouldn’t use it.

4. Regular contact with the language! Talking to native speakers, watching movies, TV series, playing video games, reading books, watching YouTube - every form helps a lot with getting a better feel of the language.

5. Asking someone to beta-read for you, and/or asking when you’re having doubts - I was just pestering some fellow writers in a discord server, actually. When you’re not sure about how common and natural a phrase you want to use is, no one will be more reliable than someone who lives in an (in this case) English-speaking country.

If anyone has other tips, feel free to add!

[asfaltics]

as if, if. Pinks. dili rain.

  obliguo imping es as if if et noe o not till enhet I       1   , as if If we   make this Observation; they design’d to give some disturbance to       2   the Grass be Rotted, tangled or clung together. Also a Term or Gravelled, and to look after Sheep apply’d to Herbs, when they grow as if if the Weather prove Rainy, lest the they were Plaited together; as Matted Rot surprize them.   Pinks.       3   I was informed [ that this play having been once acted, this personage when he came upon the stage ] appeared double, as if if the real       4   may dili rain de novo; as if If distress die       5   —   supernatu umph, which [   ] as if if they knew the Hawkesburies       6   as if if therefore       7   was much the same as if If he were totally unacquainted with       8   the blood of the first purchaser; as if If a man hath issue       9   as much as if if       10   —   reduction of their issues, as may be made without producing public inconvenience. — as: “if - If       11   of as if ( if within twenty days ) to these       12   his own interest: as if, if it was entered into       13   added to the discompo dicated as much as if if you will sure of       14   the same as deeply as if if I contract with       15   —   nach as, as soon as, as if, if, however, till, untill, though, unless, when, while, ftatt des Verbi finiti gebraucht,       16   as if if any person within any       17   for ever, as if this were their rest and portion, and as if If any of our fallen race desire       18   “as if” if it shall be considered expedient       19

now without them; as if if they can that did it, for I neither can nor will.       20   —   clearness and transparency (as if If it be bloody, there is probably a degree filtered)       21   And yet, [   ] after a pause, “I feel as if — if I were a while [   ], and leaves rustling over       22   numb and as if ! if the heart was constricted. bound       23

                        as if if had gone to sleep. Illic-an.       24   As if were if break-ing As if if break-ing hearts [   ] As if if       25   —   the collocation of the words, the expression summarily, be the same in all respects as if “if any” refers to       26                                                   duties as if if       27                           As if if it was             As if if it was for anything but       28   as if “if” was the word?—Yes. [   ] If they treat it as meaning “if,” [   ], which is nonsense.       29   I feel as if if I hadn’t       30  

sources (through 1923); some (two) from 1923-39

1 OCR confusions at scan of mss, Logica maior Aristotelico-Thomistica (BSB Clm 27849 b; 1694) : 1178 Bavarian State Library copy, digitized July 17, 2014 2 OCR cross-column jump, ex The British Apollo, or, Curious amusements for the ingenious. To which are added the most material occurences foreign and domestick. (London, December 1st. to 3rd., 1708) : 46 wonderful index to this volume, which is discussed (with other advice columns and their forebears, Daniel Defoe’s Little Review among them) at wikipedia 3 OCR cross-column misread (entries for “Matted” and “May”) in Dictonarium Rusticum, Urbanicum & Botanicum. Or, a Dictionary of Husbandry, Gardening, Trade, Commerce, and all Sorts of Country-Affairs. Volume II. Illustrated with a great Number of Cutts. (Third edition, revised... London, 1726) : 65 by John Worlidge (1640-1700 *) and Nathan Bailey (d1742 *) 4 OCR misread (showthrough noise), ex Jean-Jacques Rousseau, “An Epistle to Mr. D’Alembert,” in The Works of J. J. Rousseau (Vol. 3, of five, London 1767) : 174 5 OCR cross-column misread (for “distrain”), &amp.c., at Thomas Leach. Modern Reports, Or, Select Cases Adjudged in the Courts of King’s Bench, Chancery, Common Pleas, and Exchquer, Volume the twelfth. Third edition, corrected. (London, 1796) : 646 6 OCR cross-column misread, at Cobbett’s Annual Register (December 18, 1802) : 795-96 7 OCR cross-column jump, at “Trial of Thomas Whitebread, and others, for High Treason” (1679) in Cobbett’s Complete Collection of State Trials... Vol. 7 (1810) : 319-20 8 ex “Debate in the Commons on Mr. Fox’s Motion for Leave to bring in his East India Bills. A. D. 1783,” in The Parliamentary History of England... vol 23 (tenth of May 1782, to the first of December 1783); (Hansard, London, 1814) : 1187-1213 (1195-96) aside — the State assuming debt of (and responsibilities of/for) the East India Company, and entanglements in / entrapment of the subcontinent... 9 OCR cross-column misread, at Thomas Walter Williams. A Compendious and Comprehensive Law Dictionary; elucidating the terms, and general principles of law and equity (London, 1816) : at Discent [sic] 10 ibid. (1816), similar misread at Bill of Exchange 11 OCR misread, show-through confusion, at “Second report on the expediency of the bank resuming cash payments” in The Pamphleteer 14 (London, 1819) : 24 12 Letter from L.S. re: Dr. Tomlinson’s Library, &c., in The Newcastle Magazine 4:1 (March 1821) : 393-396 (394) 13 ex Chapter 14, “Of a Lease,” in William Sheppard, The Touchstone of Common Assurances being a plain and familiar Treatise on Conveyancing. With copious notes, and a table of cases cited therein; to which is added, an appendix, and an extensive analytical index (by Edmond Gibson Atherley). 8th edn, Vol. 1 (London, 1826) : 270 14 ex “The Delights of a London Omnibus.” in The Bath and West of England Magazine (For March, 1836) : 88-90 15 OCR cross-column misread, at “Maxims of the Law. Law Tracts,” in The Works of Lord Bacon, with an introductory essay, and a portrait. Vol. 1 (of 2; London, 1837) : 544-570 (556) 16 ex notes to “My Fellow Clerk. A farce in one act,” by John Oxenford, in K.F.A.P. Thornhill, Englisches lesebuch, oder, Antleitung um auf die leichtfasslichste Weise das Englische schreiben und sprechen zu lernen... (Stuttgart, 1839) : 17 (similar at p44) 17 OCR cross-column misread, at definition of “Embezzlement,” in John Bouvier, A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States of America, and of the several states of the Amerian union; with references to the civil and other systems of foreign law. Vol. 2 (of 2; Philadelphia, 1839) : 358 on John Bouvier (1787-1851), consult wikipedia; in addition to being jurist and legal lexicographer, he was father of Hannah Mary Bouvier Peterson (1811-70 *), author of books on science, astronomy and cookery. 18 OCR cross-column misread, notes to James, chapter v, in Thomas Scott (1747-1821 *), The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments... with explanatory notes, practical observations, and copious marginal references. Vol. 6 (London, 1839) : 415 19 OCR cross-column jump, at “To the People of the State of North Carolina” (concerning handling and treatment of Black “servants”) in Volume of Speeches Delivered in Congress, 1840, Including Discussions of the Independent Treasury Bill, the Extension of the Cumberland Road, the Bankruptcy Bill, and Other Matters of National Finances (Stanford copy; 1840) : 6 20 OCR cross-column misread/jump, at Richard Baxter, “Gildas Salvianus. The Reformed Pastor; showing the nature of the pastoral work; especially in private instruction and catechizing: with an open confession of our too open sins. Prepared for a day of humilation kept at Worcester, December 4, 1655...” in The Practical Works of Richard Baxter : With a Preface, giving some account of the author, and of this edition of his practical works; and essay on his genius, works, and times; and a portrait. Vol. 4 (of 4; London, 1854) 353-484 (410) on Richard Baxter (1615-91) consult wikipedia 21 snippet view, evidently OCR cross-column misread at The Homoeopathic Echo : A Journal of Health and Disease (1855) : 200 22 snippet view, evidently OCR cross-column misread at Cassell’s Family Magazine (1875) : 163 the whole — And yet , “ Oh ! no , ” she answered , gravely , and for a little she continued after a pause , “ I feel as if — if I were a while both Amy and Winifred sat in silence , with the man I should choose some particular occupation , and leaves rustling over ... 23 OCR cross-column misread, at Lectures on Diseases of the Heart : With a Materia Medica of the New Heart Remedies. By Edwin M(oses). Hale., with A Repertory of Heart Symptoms by E. R. Snader. Third edition, greatly enlarged. (Philadelphia, 1889) : 338 something on Hale (1829-99) at sueyounghistories 24 OCR misread of “if” for “it,” ex entry “The Face. Sen / Sensation,” in William D(aniel). Gentry (1836-1922?), his The Concordance Repertory of the More Characteristic Symptoms of the Materia Medica. Vol. 1 (New York, 1890) : 800 25 OCR confusion over musical score, “The Swan and the Skylark, Cantata.” The words by Hemans, Keats, and Shelley; the music composed by Arthur Goring Thomas (posthumous work) (London and New York, 1894) : 49 score at IMSLP (International Music Score Library Project) on Arthur Goring Thomas (1850-92), see wikipedia 26 OCR cross-column misread, ex Justice of the Peace (London; April 23, 1898) : 272 27 OCR cross-column jump, ex “In re John Scott, Jun. (Deceased).” January 27, 1900. The Weekly Reporter 48 (1900) : 208 28 ex Horace Traubel, “I’m just talking all the time about love,” in The Conservator 21:5 (Philadelphia, July 1910) : 68-70 (69) some OCR cross-column confusion, involving these lines — As if if it was for anything but just love the whole and be deceived : business would not go to pieces : And so I am gagged and bound and put into As if if it was for anything but just love it could prison ... all tagged Horace Traubel (1858-1919) see also wikipedia 29 regarding “Clause 87” ? ex preview snippet (only), Sessional Papers (House of Lords), Volume 6 (1926) : 44 30 ex Fiction Parade and Golden Book Magazine (1936) full snippet preview — he stopped , of cool has come instead . It ’ s a sort of then went on haltingly , you said you calm feeling I have , like floating wouldn ’ t have thought badly of me through heaven on a cloud . I feel as if if I hadn ’ t . . . ” I were dead , as if everything ...

—

an aside (about method and motives) — as if, if it’s not been said before, an aside or error in some out-of-the-way obscurity, snatch of glanced breeze, there’s nothing, and so nothing to report.  

[loveyouenglish]

Collocations for Giving and Receiving Advice

Collocations for Giving and Receiving Advice

Giving and receiving advice is a crucial part of communication. Whether in personal or professional life, advice helps people make decisions, solve problems, and navigate different situations. In English, there are many common phrases, known as "collocations," that can help us give and receive advice more naturally. In this post, I'll teach you some of the most useful collocations for giving and receiving advice.

What Are Collocations?

Before we dive into the specifics, let's take a moment to understand what "collocations" mean. In simple terms, collocations are combinations of words that often go together. These word pairs sound natural to native speakers, even though they may not always make perfect sense when translated word-for-word. For example: - Give advice (This is a natural combination of words in English, even though we might translate it differently in other languages). - Take advice (This also sounds natural, meaning to follow or listen to advice). Understanding common collocations helps learners of English sound more fluent and confident in their speech and writing.

Collocations for Giving Advice

When giving advice, we often use specific verbs and expressions. Here are some common collocations for giving advice: 1. Give advice - This is the most basic and common way to talk about offering advice. - Example: "I want to give you some advice about how to improve your English." 2. Offer advice - Similar to "give advice," but "offer" suggests a more voluntary or thoughtful action. - Example: "My mentor offered me advice on how to handle the situation." 3. Give someone a piece of advice - This expression adds a more personal touch and implies a small amount of advice. - Example: "Let me give you a piece of advice: always stay calm under pressure." 4. Suggest something - This collocation is used when you recommend something for someone to consider. - Example: "I suggest you take a break and clear your mind." 5. Recommend doing something - Used when you believe something is a good idea and you encourage someone to try it. - Example: "I highly recommend reading this book if you want to learn more about the topic." 6. Advise someone to do something - A formal way of giving advice. - Example: "I advise you to speak with a professional before making a decision." 7. Point out - This collocation is used when you want to highlight an important fact or piece of advice. - Example: "I just want to point out that you might be missing an important deadline." 8. Encourage someone to do something - Used when you give advice to motivate someone to take action. - Example: "I encourage you to keep practicing your speaking skills every day." 9. Say that - A simple way to offer advice in direct speech. - Example: "I would say that it’s better to focus on one task at a time." 10. Tell someone what to do - A more direct way of giving advice. - Example: "I’ll tell you what to do. You need to stay calm and focus."

Collocations for Receiving Advice

Receiving advice is just as important as giving it. When someone gives us advice, we may choose to follow it or consider it carefully. Here are some collocations for receiving advice: 1. Take advice - This means to listen to and act on advice given. - Example: "You should take my advice and start studying for the exam earlier." 2. Follow advice - Similar to "take advice," but it emphasizes acting upon it. - Example: "I decided to follow my friend's advice and apply for the job." 3. Listen to advice - This means to pay attention to what someone is saying without necessarily acting on it. - Example: "I always listen to my parents' advice, even if I don’t always agree with them." 4. Heed advice - This is a more formal expression that means to pay careful attention to advice and act on it. - Example: "It’s important to heed your doctor’s advice when it comes to your health." 5. Accept advice - To accept advice means to agree with it and perhaps act on it. - Example: "He accepted her advice and decided to take the trip to New York." 6. Seek advice - This is used when you ask someone for advice. - Example: "I decided to seek advice from my teacher about how to improve my grades." 7. Ask for advice - This is when you request advice from someone. - Example: "I asked my friend for advice on how to handle the situation at work." 8. Ask someone’s opinion - This means to ask someone for advice or thoughts on something. - Example: "I always ask my colleagues' opinions before making big decisions." 9. Get advice - This is used when you receive advice, often informally. - Example: "I got some great advice from my mentor about job interviews." 10. Take someone’s advice - A specific version of "take advice," meaning to follow what someone suggests. - Example: "I took my sister's advice and started going to the gym."

Helpful Phrases for Giving and Receiving Advice

In addition to collocations, there are also many useful phrases we use when giving and receiving advice. Let’s look at a few: 1. If I were you… - This is a common way to offer advice by imagining being in the other person's position. - Example: "If I were you, I would start studying earlier for the exam." 2. You should… - A direct way of giving advice. - Example: "You should talk to your manager about your concerns." 3. Why don’t you…? - A suggestion or recommendation. - Example: "Why don’t you try going for a walk to clear your mind?" 4. Have you thought about…? - This phrase is used when suggesting something the other person might not have considered. - Example: "Have you thought about looking for a new job?" 5. It might be a good idea to… - A polite way to suggest something. - Example: "It might be a good idea to get more rest before your big meeting." 6. I recommend that you… - A formal way to give advice. - Example: "I recommend that you take the advice of a financial expert." 7. You might want to… - A suggestion that something could be worth considering. - Example: "You might want to consider taking a break if you’re feeling tired." 8. Don’t forget to… - A helpful reminder. - Example: "Don’t forget to review your notes before the test." 9. I think it’s best to… - This expresses an opinion about what would be the most effective action. - Example: "I think it’s best to go to bed early before the exam." 10. What about…? - This is another way to offer a suggestion. - Example: "What about trying a new method to solve the problem?"

Conclusion

Giving and receiving advice is an essential part of communication, and using the right collocations can make your advice sound more natural. Whether you're giving advice to a friend or receiving suggestions from a colleague, understanding the right phrases can help you express yourself clearly and confidently. By learning common collocations for giving and receiving advice, you can improve your English and sound more like a native speaker. Practice using these phrases and collocations in everyday conversations, and soon you’ll feel more comfortable giving and receiving advice in any situation. Remember, whether you’re offering suggestions or taking them, effective communication is key. More collocations: 30 Common English Collocations You Should Know 200 English Collocation Sentences Everyday English Expressions for Daily Use English Collocations with Meanings and Examples The Essential Guide to English Collocation Read the full article

[s--lag]

A practical method for acne treatment with acid

A acid does not belong to skin care products, so be sure to follow your doctor's advice and use it according to the instructions when purchasing over-the-counter versions.

Take, for example, Adapalene, an acne gel that many people use to treat acne,

Its texture is also pleasing enough for large oil fields, in addition to eliminating acne, but also to smooth the skin.

But even though A-acid is relatively mild, it also has these side effects:

It can burst when first applied.

There will be delayed flare-ups of peeling, redness and tingling

Prolonged heavy application can make skin redness and look dull

If you need to use acid A for a long time, then be sure to read the following

It is my comprehensive advice of a large number of doctors, the real use of acne skin feelings, to give you a reference idea

【 Need to use A acid collocation 】

A soothing repair serum that effectively relieves redness

A barrier serum/cream (good moisturizing and repairing strength, no special moisturizing required)

With a strong enough soothing essence base, in order to avoid the skin itself can not withstand the "bath fire rebirth"

Uncontrollable redness, peeling, and even dullness appear

Acid A itself also has an anti-inflammatory effect, but inflammation is a complex network, and if it overstimulates the skin, it may stimulate new inflammation.

If you are worried about the red and black, you can also add a tranamine acid: the next morning without VA, and VA rest days, focus on Tranamine acid

If you need A full face, long-term use of acid A, it is recommended to remove other powerful ingredients, such as not using fruit acids, including azelaic acid

And to reduce the intensity of cleaning than usual (use a non-foaming cleanser at night), reduce the skin grinding and interference (try not to wear makeup)

【 Key ways to use A-acid 】 Only four words need to be mastered:

① Dosage

Thin coating, spot coating, and sufficient tolerance may not need to be used in large quantities

② Frequency

Once a day was too exciting, so I stretched it to once every other day

It may be fine to apply it for 3 days in a row, and it is possible to peel wildly on the 4th day, so I recommend that you use it in intervals first

③ Application range

Avoid peeling, dry, and red areas

If the skin is damaged and breaks out, repair the damage first

④ Residence time

Apply a thin layer first, observe the skin, wash off the obvious redness and tingling, and then slowly extend the time

Put them together:

Apply a little or a small amount - leave to observe - wash off - repair the skin - try again every few days - extend the time - and so on

Repeated stubborn acne needs to be used for 1-3 months, during this time, you can try overnight from the second month, about 3 times a week

If you can clearly feel the pimple disappear, the skin becomes smooth and delicate, and there is no closed feeling to the touch, maintain this use that makes you comfortable enough

I do an acid A treatment once a week or so every quarter after I don't break out on a large scale

At first, it is used to consolidate acne and not repeat, and later it is done as a comprehensive lift to make the skin more delicate, smooth, and clean pores

The main area of adaparine is applied on the forehead, the cheeks are coated with soothing serum, the forehead is applied naked, mainly for two or three days, and the face is washed with pure water

On the first day, the forehead acne will turn into pus, continue to apply, and repeat the cycle for two or three days

No longer apply acid A after the fourth day, and the skin is now in a self-healing period

On the sixth and seventh days, the skin recovered quickly without any signs of dryness or fragility, the texture was neat, the forehead abscess completely disappeared, the texture was smooth, better than before the problem occurred, the inflammation subsided and the skin naturally returned to white.

[douchebagbrainwaves]

HERE'S WHAT I JUST REALIZED ABOUT ADVANCES

A lot of the advances that happen in programming languages in the next few years, venture capital funds will find themselves squeezed from four directions. At Viaweb, as at many software companies, most code had one definite owner. And when you have one you'll tend to feel that you're late. So I'm really glad I stopped to think about this. I expected, and also with deep structural changes like caching and persistent objects. That sounds good. A child is abducted; there's a tornado; a ferry sinks; someone gets bitten by a shark; a small plane crashes. With Web-based software, most users won't have to tweak it for every new client. If you have impressive resumes, just flash them on the screen for 15 seconds and say a few words. Another is to work on research projects as an undergrad. For both jobs and grad school, and then I can start my own? Three months' funding is enough to get into second gear.

You'll pay more for Internet services than you do for the next release.1 I'm not sure how useful his advice is for painting specifically, but the more ambitious ones will ordinarily be better off taking money from the poor, then you may already be a better word. You don't have to buy a chunk of the company away from all the existing shareholders just as you do in the design of the language now, but when it was different. The big advantage of investment over employment, as the examples of open source and blogging. And yet I think the answers to these questions can be found by looking at hackers, and learning what they want. You have a large sample of smart people, and you didn't fail at that. A startup with its sights set on bigger things can often capture a small market there was a lot of smart people, and how easily they can become collateral damage of laws meant to fix some other problem. But you almost always do get it. I described above—it won't flush out the metaphysical singularity.

It may be that the majority of hot new whatevers do turn out to be questions worth examining. It turns out to be a rule with them that everything has to start with statistics. An area without railroads or power was a rich potential market. This is another lesson the world has yet to learn. These two seem points of high ground, with swampy lowlands between them. The paperwork for convertible debt is simpler. The danger of an idea like putting a college facebook online, if instead of telling them what you do, that core will be big, because it will have a large Baumol penumbra around it: anyone who could get rich by creating wealth on their own to use it. Graduation changes the prevailing winds, and those make a difference. And sometimes I can see a path that's not immediately obvious; that's one of our specialties at YC. All you'll need will be something with a keyboard, a screen, and a server collocated at an ISP. When you release only one new version a year, selected from about 900 applications representing a total of about 2000 people. But if you want to design a popular language, you either have to supply more than a tenth of a second latency would not be surprised if certain patterns of memory access turned out to be big like Microsoft.

If you tag along on a friend's investments, you don't need Microsoft on the client, they can't push users towards their server-based. When I talk to undergrads, what surprises me most about them is how conservative they are. You may not at first make more than you realized. You're now a startup founder, but that has not stood in the way of Perl's popularity. Surely I'm not claiming companies can get smarter, just that dumb ones will die. You're just looking for something we could do together. Aircraft shooting down an F-18.

Notes

5 seconds per day.

[havocinthebluebox]

Autumnal asks parce que OF COURSE J'AIME CET ASK !! Frost, fireside, Orchard, bonfire (this one gonne ba good ^^) and cocoa ! Titeplaaaait ^^ !!

J’suis tellement saucée par l’arrivée de l’automne XD. On est d’accord, cet ask est parfait ! (ce sera en français parce que mes règles m’ont mis un KO technique et que la langue de Shakespeare me semble compliquée à manier ce soir. Déjà que ça risque de ne pas être très glorieux XD).

MERCI pour cet ask top moumoute ma Tasha !

Frost - if you could give some advice to your younger self, what would you say ?

Sûrement un truc cliché du genre : la société/les gens ne sont pas mauvais par essence, mais la société est un truc très normatif qui essaiera de te faire rentrer des normes complètement fuckées dans la tête. N’essaie pas de rentrer dans le moule, ça va te bousiller. Pense toujours par toi-même, et suis ton instinct. 

Fireside -  If you had your dream wardrobe, what would it look like ?

Des fringues noires. Partout XD. Avec quelques exceptions pour des accessoires et des robes bleues, rouges au mauve. Du velours et des dentelles qui dégueulent du placard façon tsunami. Et des tee-shirts de groupe parce que les robes Sinister, ce n’est pas pratique en toutes circonstances XD. En faite c’est un peu ma garde-robe actuelle que je décris là, j’en suis très heureuse. Je continue de l’alimenter avec des pièces qui me plaisent vraiment (merci Vinted !). Et je suis très fière parce qu’à l’’exception de quelques achats par-ci par-là, surtout pendant les soldes, c’est de l’occasion ou du vintage, donc en accord avec ma logique de consommation générale. 

Orchard - share one thing that you’d like to happen this autumn.

Prendre du temps pour moi après ma soutenance (qui arrive bientôt donc yay, même si c’est flippant *spooky music intensifes*), faire le point sur ma vie en général, histoire de m’assurer que je suis bien en harmonie avec ma voie. Le rythme des deux dernières années a été assez effréné pour moi, surtout depuis le début de mon stage en mai. Boucler le master en bossant en 35h à côté, c’était chaud patate du cul, 5/10 je recommande moyen-moyen même si je ne me suis pas ennuyée XD. Du coup j’aimerais essayer de me reposer vraiment, de prendre le temps de lire tous les bouquins de ma PAL (vaste programme !), d’écouter tous les CD qui s’empilent du côté “nouveautés” sur le meuble de ma chaîne Hi-Fi. Reprendre les leçons de code aussi. Et peut-être faire le nanowirmo... Bon, cela semble hyper réfléchi et déjà blindé comme programme mais en réalité les premières semaines vont surtout consister en ça :

Bonfire - describe your dream house.

J’aime beaucoup mon appart actuel (surtout depuis que j’ai pour projet de le personnaliser encore plus avec moult citrouilles, tentures et posters), mais si je le pouvais je déménagerai sûrement hors de la ville (qui sait, quand j’aurai le permis...). On parlait l’autre jour avec des amis de retaper une grande longère dans les Côtes d’Armor. Une baraque avec suffisamment d’espace pour que chacun ait sa petit bulle perso, d’y installer une colloc géante / communauté autogérée avec un super potager of ze dead. Ça pourrait être une baraque de rêve pour moi. Sinon, je me contenterai d’un manoir aménagé façon famille Addams où je vivrais avec mon compagnon et nos chats. Et que tout le voisinage penserait hanté.

Cocoa  - if you could have any type of hair, what colour and cut would you have ?

J’adore mon type de cheveux et je n’en changerais pour rien au monde ! Il m’offre une versatilité hyper cool : Je peux avoir ma coupe courte que j’affectionne quand je veux, et mes tresses bleues d’amour le reste du temps. Je me tâte depuis quelque mois à me raser les tempes où les côtés du crâne et je pense que je vais me lancer dès la fin de mon stage. Ça aura bien le temps de repousser d’ici à ce que je retrouve un boulot où il faudra que j’aie une gueule pas trop cheloue pour pas effrayer les patrons XD. 

J’ai été hyper bavarde, désolée !

[railbikes]

Route Review: Buffalo Creek Recreational Trail, WV

Running on the tracks of the former Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad, the Buffalo Creek Recreational Trail (BCRT) offers railbike and open-air railcar tours in a relaxed, interactive and highly hospitable environment. Under the umbrella of the Clay County Business Development Authority, the burgeoning trail is the grassroots beginning of an 18-mile (29-km) eco-tourism corridor for railbiking, cycling, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing, camping and Speeder-powered rail excursions. I pedalled the route on April 13th, 2019, the opening day of their second season of railbike tours. 

The Site

Check-in is at 867 Buffalo Creek Road, just outside of the town of Clay and near the confluence of the Buffalo Creek and Elk River. BCRT has a gift shop at the check-in office, which, as the staff explained to me with great pride, was stocked only with locally made product, contributing thousands of dollars into the local economy to support crafts and handiwork. The start of the ride is collocated with an active little league baseball field and a campground and lodge, all coming together as an exhibit of the strong sense of local community.

While this is one of only a few routes to be reviewed in this blog that is in no way connected to a heritage rail operation, BCRT does offer powered options to enjoy the scenery of the Buffalo Creek. In addition to railbikes, they run a Speeder pulling bespoke open-air trailers, and optionally will tow the railbikes as well.

The Route

We rode 12 miles (19.3 kms) round trip on a section of the 18-mile (29-km) former  Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad. The railroad was opened in 1904 and ran coal transport continuously until 1965, notably being the last US line to run steam engines in commercial operation. The route was reopened twice in the early 1970s and mid-1990s by other coal-related commercial interests, but saw its final revenue service in 1999. 

While the section of track we rode is in relatively good shape, much of the line was destroyed by a flood in 2016. FEMA funds are in the works for restoration of the entire line, which would create opportunities to expand the railbike excursions well beyond the current route. BCRT staff shared ideas they had for the future of the line, such as setting up cabins along the way and renting railbikes to campers and fishermen for longer stays. 

We were on the first run of the opening day of the season, so as it turned out, I was the only railbiker riding behind the speeder and trailers. We stopped several times to enjoy sights along the way, where BCRT staff shared history and local lore. While the entire route is through scenic forest canopy right along the Buffalo Creek, some of the noteworthy sites include former rail infrastructure, the remains of a derailed coal hopper, water-honed rock formations and a waterfall. The route passes through a clearing that was once a railroad company town called Adair, the only evidence left being a well-maintained cemetery. As described on a plaque in the clearing, the local school only gave instruction up to the eighth grade, so children rode the scheduled coal trains to get to Clay High School and back.

The Vehicles

In the DIY spirit of the the old coal rail line, BCRT keeps things simple. The railbikes are no-frills models from Railriders in Colorado. There are no seat belts and seat adjustments are held in place with eye bolts. This stripped down approach makes for a fast, fun ride, especially on the gradual slope of the return ride (where I had the fortune of riding 6 miles (9.7 kms) completely alone).

The only significant modification is the replacement of the stock urethane front wheels with cast iron wheels similar to those used on the Speeder and trailers. BCRT staff explained that the line has especially tight curves in which the urethane wheels would climb up the rails and derail, but the cast iron wheels slide through the curves. They also told me about some ideas they had for future modifications, such as adding motors and experimenting with driving the two front wheels independently (each wheel driven separately by each pedaller).

At the turnaround, BCRT staff had installed a jack-fitted lift for rotating the vehicles for the return trip. But it wasn’t necessary, the vehicles are light enough to pick up and turn.

Travel Notes

Clay is 47 miles (75.6 kms) from the West Virginia capital Charleston. A sane person would arrive there by car. At the risk of simultaneously bragging and revealing my lack of sanity, I arrived by bicycle. I loaded my road bike onto the Amtrak in NY and rode to Charleston the day before, then rode my bike to Clay and back to Charleston. I’m not sure if the mixed modes count as a century ride, but I did pedal over 100 miles, adding the distances of the bicycle and railbike.

My only advice for cycling in rural West Virginia: carry pepper spray. There a many, many loving dogs waiting their entire lives on porches just for the chance to chase a cyclist.