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An online discussion forum

Learn how to write posts on an online forum.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Reading text

Katie20

Can you believe it? Someone in another group asked me to write some pages of their website in English and French. But they can't pay because 'I'm starting this business with no money.' He said he's a professional photographer and he can do some photos for me instead. Am I wrong to be angry?

Asher87

Nope! I’d be angry too

JayCee99

I can't help but here's the link to a friend's website. He is a French–English writer and translator www.franco-anglo-translations.com/About

Carla62

Er … asking people to work for free … not cool!

Asher87

^^^ This!

JayCee99

Oops! I thought you were looking for someone. Sorry for the misunderstanding smiley

Carla62

I can't pay my rent with photographs, sorry

Katie20

Exactly!

Mylo45

True, but professional photos cost a lot of money, especially if you're getting married. Sorry I don't speak French or I would do it cheeky

Katie20

Here's a link to his photography if anyone wants the job www.billsphoto.com/portfolio As you can see the website needs some work … wink

Carla62

@Mylo45 Maybe, but people always ask writers to work for free #PayMe

Katie20

Yep, if I need photos OK but I prefer to get paid with money

Tips

1. Writing in online forums is more like speaking.

2. You don’t have to put full stops (.) at the end of sentences.

3. Use ^^^ to show you’re talking about the post above yours.

4. Use @ and a person’s name to show clearly who you’re replying to.

5. You can use emojis.  cool

6. Stay calm and be polite. Some people get angry in online discussions but try to avoid that.

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Task 3

Exercise

Discussion

Do you join in many discussion forums? Why or why not?

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Language level

Pre-intermediate: A2

Comments

Andrea Valencia's picture Andrea Valencia replied on Colombia

I don't join many discussion forums because people are unkind, rude and show low level of research about the topic they are discussing.

Ehsan's picture Ehsan replied on United Kingdom

no. because I think it is waste of time.

Camila Abreu's picture Camila Abreu replied on Brazil

I am not interested in discussions in online foruns. When that happens, I tend to be polite and express my ideas politely.

MikhailZatopliaev's picture MikhailZatopliaev replied on Bulgaria

Err.. Sometime. I think It is actually for me now, when I learning English. I can practice my spelling for free) What do you think about it?

ANOUAR's picture ANOUAR replied on Morocco

NOOOO! because I don't have time for this kind of discussions.

In's picture In replied on New Zealand

No, I don`t. I don`t have time for that.

Rafaela1's picture Rafaela1 replied on Cambodia

I think I haven't joined discussion forums online seriously yet... ;)

Leila77's picture Leila77 replied on Algeria

I have a question, please.
In task 1, I don't understand why you use 'they' instead of 'he' or 'she'? For example, it said: "What does Katie20 mean when they say 'Exactly'?" Why you don't write "What does Katie20 mean when she says 'Exactly'?"?

Jonathan R's picture Jonathan R replied on United Kingdom

Hi Leila77,

Good question! We can use they when we don't know the person's gender. For example:

  • Somebody called me while I was in the meeting. They didn't leave a message.

In modern English usage, some people also use they when the person's gender is known, to avoid invoking any gender stereotypes. 

Best wishes,

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team

Mai Khin Nway Shein's picture Mai Khin Nway Shein replied on Myanmar

Wow
I don't know this before.
Very useful for me!
Thanks

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