Can Adults Learn a New Language?

The first language someone learns at home or from their family.

Tone and use: Neutral and widely understood; “native language” is another common choice. Use it when talking about a person’s first language or family language background.

May not fit: Do not assume someone has only one mother tongue; multilingual homes are common.

Form or stay in a group, often because people share a situation or experience.

Tone and use: Common, neutral conversational English. Use it for people gathering or choosing to spend time together.

May not fit: It can sound like you are describing people as a single group; name the people clearly when that matters.

Change from speaking one language to speaking another.

Tone and use: Straightforward and conversational. Use it to describe moving between languages in a conversation or situation.

May not fit: For a formal linguistic discussion, “code-switch” may be more precise.

Remained seated in a place, often while something else was happening.

Tone and use: Informal spoken past-tense phrasing; standard in British English. Use it when recounting being present but not taking part or moving.

May not fit: In formal writing, “sat” can be ambiguous in some varieties; “was sitting” may be clearer.

Extremely surprised or impressed by something.

Tone and use: Informal and emphatic. Use it in casual speech when new information or an experience strongly surprises you.

May not fit: Avoid it in formal reports or when a calm, precise reaction is more appropriate.

Less hopeful or confident because something has been difficult or disappointing.

Tone and use: More measured than “devastated”; suitable in conversation and writing. Use it for discouragement after a setback or slow progress.

May not fit: It does not mean completely hopeless; choose a stronger word if the feeling is more severe.

Recover after a difficult experience, failure, or disappointment.

Tone and use: Encouraging and conversational. Use it when someone regains confidence or resumes progress after a setback.

May not fit: It can make recovery sound simple; do not use it to minimize someone’s serious difficulties.

In a situation that is too difficult for your current knowledge or ability.

Tone and use: Informal, commonly used for a challenging task or unfamiliar situation. Use it when you feel unable to manage something because it exceeds your experience.

May not fit: It describes your feeling, not proof that you cannot learn the task.

Feeling at a disadvantage or less prepared than others.

Tone and use: Conversational and often used when comparing someone’s starting position with another person’s. Use it when explaining why a situation feels harder because you are beginning with less experience or confidence.

May not fit: Avoid it when you mean only that something is physically behind you; the phrase is usually figurative in this use.

Stay focused on the result you want, despite distractions or setbacks.

Tone and use: Motivational and idiomatic; often phrased “keep your eyes on the prize.” Use it to encourage persistence toward a clear goal.

May not fit: It may sound like a slogan; in serious contexts, a direct “stay focused on your goal” can feel more natural.

Actively spending time listening to, reading, speaking, or otherwise using English.

Tone and use: Neutral learning-related phrasing. Use it to describe meaningful contact with the language, not only studying rules.

May not fit: It is broad; specify the activity when you need to explain exactly what you did.