【推荐1】Words have the power to build us up or tear us down. It doesn't matter if the words come from ourselves or someone else. The positive and negative effects are just as lasting.

    1     We're usually too embarrassed to admit it, though. In fact, we really shouldn't be because more and more experts believe talking to ourselves out loud is a healthy habit. This ''self-talk'' helps us motivate ourselves, remember things, solve problems, and calm ourselves down. Be aware, though, that as much as 77% of self-talk tends to be negative.     2    

Often, words come out of our mouths without us thinking about the effect they will have. But we should be aware that our words cause certain responses in others. For example, when returning an item to a store, we might use warm, friendly language during the exchange. And the clerk will probably respond in a similar manner.     3    

Words possess power because of their lasting effect. Many of us regret something we once said. We remember unkind words said to us as well. Before speaking, we should always ask ourselves:     4     If what we want to say doesn't pass this test, then it's better left unsaid.

Words possess power: both positive and negative. Those around us receive encouragement when we speak positively. We can offer hope, build self-esteem and motivate others to do their best.     5     Will we use our words to hurt or to heal? The choice is ours.

【推荐2】Even for native speakers, the English language is full of traps. That’s why people are so hesitant to use whom instead of who, and why thinking about the differences between lay and lie gives even language professors a headache.     1    

Both words describe similar situations, with only one letter separating them. Though they’re often used interchangeably(可交换地), there is a difference between them. For anyone who struggles with grammar, it seems really hard to make a choice.

    2     Farther and further are both used in relation to progress, but the type of progress they describe differs. Farther is used for physical distance, such as “he can run farther than before”.

    3     For example, “she was interrupted before she could go further in her speech.” This can remind you to use farther when describing things like trips and walks, and save further for concepts like projects, education, and dreams.

This distinction is clear enough, but it is hard to decide when it’s not totally obvious whether it is dealing with physical or abstract distance.     4     If the progress being referred to is lines on a page, farther works just fine, but if the speaker is talking about the poem as a piece of art, further may be more appropriate. In such instances, it’s usually safest to use further, usage for farther is slightly stricter, and since further deals with situations that are hard to define, you can get away with using it in more contexts (语境).

    5     After all, lots of great writers have been using farther and further interchangeably for centuries.