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Free Construction English mini-lessons for architects, engineers and builders

Activities, downloadable worksheets, and lesson video clips focused on key vocabulary, sentence patterns, and useful grammar tools related to architecture, engineering and construction project environments.  

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Category: Vocabulary

Build a stronger foundation of specific vocabulary and terms related to design and construction and convey meaning more accurately.

Work as a Noun

The English word ‘WORK’ is the single most important word in the design and construction business.  Let’s explore why. In an earlier mini-lesson, we talked about the word ‘WORK’ as a verb. In this mini-lesson, we will learn a little …

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Talking About Work

Work Work is a common word, especially in design and construction.  However, common words we already know are often used in different ways.  These combinations can often mean different things. Work is both a noun and a verb.  This lesson …

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Dovetail Connections

Q: What do a white bird and construction connections have in common? A: Dovetails! As mentioned in our masonry tie lesson… There are different types of anchors that tie the brick to the building. Here’s a dovetail masonry anchor. Dovetail refers …

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Brick Ties

Brick Ties Of course we aren’t talking about an article of clothing.  🙂 We’re talking about an important part of masonry wall construction!  Take a look at this video Study the short tutorial after you watch Then check your understanding …

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Building Anatomy: brick cavity wall

Here are some important parts of a brick cavity wall. Try to guess where each part is located in the assembly  Brick Compressible filler Concrete Continuous reglet and through-wall flashing Continuous steel relief angle Intermittent weep holes Sealant and backer …

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Building Anatomy: concrete slab types

Concrete slab terminology Understanding floor slab terminology is essential for architects, engineers, and construction professionals working on international building projects. Concrete is the most common and useful material on the planet and slabs form the horizontal structural elements in buildings—supporting …

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TAKE OFF, TAKE-OFF, or TAKEOFF?

Take off is a common phrase in English. It’s most commonly used as a ‘phrasal verb’:  VERB + PREPOSITION 1. to remove something, especially a piece of clothing: I’d better take my shoes off. 2. if an aircraft takes off, it leaves …

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