Ask Alicia: Tips for Language Learning and Formal English

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Problem: Difficulty remembering new vocabulary from reading, TV, and movies.
Solutions:
1. Use Flashcards: Add new words to digital or physical flashcards.
2. Keep a Vocabulary List: Maintain a list in a notebook or phone for periodic review.
3. Review Context: Revisit the book, TV show, or movie to see the word again in context.
4. Create Sentences: Write new sentences using the new words; keep a journal for this.

Problem: Does English have formal speaking styles similar to other languages?
Key Points:
- No specific grammar rules for formality.
- Utilize Vocabulary Choices and Set Phrases to sound more formal or polite.
- Examples:
  - Casual Apology: "I'm sorry."
  - Formal Apology: "I apologize." / "We sincerely apologize."
- Request:
  - Casual: "Hey, are you free tomorrow?"
  - Formal: "Would you be free tomorrow at about 3 PM?" / "Could I have a moment of your time?"
- Use set formal phrases like "Would it be possible to...?"
- Be aware of formality levels of words to avoid sounding unnatural in casual settings.

Problem: Usage of 'had' multiple times in a row (e.g., "had had").
Explanation:
- Past Perfect Tense: Uses 'had' as a helping verb plus the past participle form.
- Examples:
  - "I had had too much to eat." (First 'had' is the helping verb, second 'had' is the past participle)
- Rare to have three 'hads' in a row but it's grammatically correct.
- Example with Three 'Hads':
  - "All the food that she had had had a negative effect on her stomach." (Sequence of actions using past perfect for the first action and simple past for the second)

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