Vocabulary Precision
Indian English habits
Indian English is a real variety. Some phrases need a switch for international listeners.
1 Observe
Read each phrase and its international version. Would a friend in London understand both?
- Prepone Common in India: to move something to an earlier time.
- Bring forward The same idea in international English.
- Out of station Common in India: away from your home town.
- Out of town / away The same idea in international English.
2 Discover
Indian English is a proper kind of English, used by millions of people. Words like prepone are clear to everyone here. But someone from another country may not know them. So it helps to know both: the one you use at home and the one that works everywhere.
3 Apply
Writing to a client in Singapore, Priya says: 'Can we ____ the meeting to Monday?'
In an international email, Joseph wants to say he will be away. Best choice:
Which ending suits an email to a university outside India?
4 Create
Pick one Indian English phrase you use and write its international version in a sentence.
This box is just for you. Nothing you write here is saved or sent.
Example: Pune: 'I'm out of station this week.' London: 'I'm away this week.'
5 Explore
Open the habit cards to see more phrases and their international versions.