ONCE AND FOR ALL

Good morning everyone.

Today's expression is: Once and for all.

It means: completely and finally.

Example 1:
The Supreme Court's ruling will decide this matter once and for all.

I got the inspiration for today's expression in a recent advertisement that I saw for a language school. In the ad they claimed that you would aprender inglés de una vez por todas.

Example 2:
At Acme Language Academy, you will learn English once and for all. 

The problem with this sentence isn't grammatical; the problem is that it insinuates that you can somehow learn English completely, and then never study it again, which of course isn't true. Maintaining your English is one of the most important (and enjoyable) parts about learning it. If you want to learn English and speak it ten years from now, then you have to maintain it!

Example 3:
Jordi decided, once and for all, that he was going to do what it takes to learn English; he does something with English every day, even if for only 3 minutes. He has taken control of his learning, instead of depending on a teacher to "fill his head with English."

A decision or a court ruling can be once and for all, but not the learning of a language.

If you would like to receive a simple document (in Spanish) with suggestions of activities that you can do to improve (and maintain) your English with just a few minutes per day, please send us an email with "suggestions" in the subject field. Or perhaps you have special activities that you like to use to maintain your English. If so, send them to us, or post them in the Daily Vitamin Plus! Forum section on our website.

Have a great day!