Slider right list post


Thursday, December 24, 2015

   Nouns name people, places, and things. Every noun can further be classified as common or proper. A proper noun has two distinctive features:
  1) it will name a specific [usually a one-of-a-kind] item, and
  2) it will begin with a capital letter no matter where it occurs in a sentence.

Check out the chart below:

Common Noun
writer,
teacher
beagle
cookie
city
restaurant
document
school.

Proper Noun

Herman Melville,
Mrs. Hacket,
Snoopy,
Oreo,
OrlandoOrlando,
Tito's Taco Palace,
Declaration of Independence,
University of Southern California,

Read the following sentences. Notice the difference between the common and proper nouns.

Tina offered Antonio one of her mother's homemade oatmeal cookies but only an Oreo would satisfy his sweet tooth.

Cookies = common noun; Oreo = proper noun.

Charlie had wanted an easy teacher for his composition class, but he got Mrs. Hacket, whose short temper and unreasonable demands made the semester a torture.

Teacher = common noun; Mrs. Hacket = proper noun.

Gloria wanted to try a new restaurant, so Richard took her to Tito's Taco Palace, where no one dips into the hot sauce until the drinks have arrived at the table.

Restaurant = common noun;
Tito's Taco Palace = proper noun.

bydata
in
12:38:00 AM

Common noun and Proper noun

   Nouns name people, places, and things. Every noun can further be classified as common or proper. A proper noun has two distinctive featur...
Read More


  It's not easy to describe a noun. In simple terms, nouns are "things" (and verbs are "actions").
  Like food. Food (noun) is something you eat (verb).
     Or
happiness. Happiness (noun) is something you want (verb).
Another example is "human being"". A human being (noun) is something you are (verb).
   What are Nouns?
The simple definition is: a person, place or thing, teacher, school, book
  Types:
Countable Nouns, dog/dogs.
Uncountable Nouns : rice, hair(s)
Proper Nouns (Names)
Do we say "Atlantic Ocean" or "the Atlantic Ocean"? Should I write "february" or "February"?
Shirley, Mr Jeckyll, Thailand, April, Sony
Possessive 's
Adding 's or ' to show possession.
John's car, my parents' house
Noun as Adjective
Sometimes we use a noun to describe another noun. In that case, the first noun is "acting as" an adjective.
love story, tooth-brush, bathroom
bydata
in
12:38:00 AM

Noun

  It's not easy to describe a noun. In simple terms, nouns are " things " (and verbs are " actions ").   L...
Read More


What is a noun phrase?
Definition:  A noun phrase is a phrase whose headword is a noun or a pronoun accompanied by modifiers. In the respect, there are two types of modifiers Pre modifiers and Post modifiers.
1.Pre modifiers are adjective and/ or articles.
2.Post modifiers are generally adjective phrase and/ or adjective clauses.
Possible noun modifiers
A noun phrase may optionally contain noun modifiers. If these modifiers are placed before the noun they are called pre-modifiers. However, if they are placed after the noun, they are called post-modifiers. Possible noun modifiers include the following:
1. Determiners:
  •articles (the, a),
  •demonstratives (this, that)
  •Numerals (two, five, etc.)
  •Possessives (my, their, etc.)
  •Quantifiers (some, many, etc.).
In English, determiners are usually placed before the noun;
   2. Adjectives (the delicious food)
   3. Complements, in the form of a prepositional phrase (such as: the student of physics), or a That-clause (the idea that the world is a small village)
Functions of a noun phrase
Noun phrases can function as subjects, objects:
Example:
   1.That sophisticated woman is beautiful. (That sophisticated woman is a noun phrase that functions as a subject.)
   2.I like the book that you bought. (The book that you bought is a noun phrase that functions as an object).
Form Of Noun Phrase
•Pre modifier+ Noun
•Pre modifier + Noun + Post modifier
    1.Pro modifier +Noun
Pro modifier +Noun is referred to as an article and/ or adjective, and a noun is called ‘Headword’
  Example:
   -I’d like to buy a car.
   -He’s an architect.
   -The price is reasonable.
2.PRE MODIFIER + NOUN + POST MODIFIER
Post modifier is referred to an adjective phrase and/ or adjective clause, and again a noun is called ‘Headword’
Example:
   -The student who study abroad have better opportunities.
   -These residents use the water from the stream.
   -The news which I have just received is very shocking.
POSITION OF NOUN PHRASE
The position of the noun phrase are not different from those of noun or noun clause.
Generally, there are seven positions.
    Position of Noun phrase:
1.Subject of a Verb
2.Direct object of a Verb
3.Indirect object of a Verb
4.After (also object of a Preposition )
5.Possessive case
6.Subject Complement
7.Phrase in apposition
1-SUBJECT OF VERB
Form: Noun phrase + Verb + (Object)
Example:
  -The three outstanding students will be awarded tomorrow.
  -The dog in the garden are chasing the sparrows.
  -Some staff didn’t receive the notification yesterday.
2-DIRECT OBJECT OF A VERB
Form: SUBJECT + VERB + NOUN PHRASE
Example:
   -I bought a leather belt yesterday.
   -Our center will recruit ten more staff.
   -We hate a long journey.
3-INDIRECT  OBJECT OF A VERB
Form: SUBJECT + VERB +DIRECT OBJECT + NOUN PHRASE
Here are the common verbs which usually take two object –indirect object (person) and direct object (here, noun phrase).
Bring, Buy, Send, Give (grant), Pass, Promise, Leave, Show, Offer, Tell, Write, Find, Provide, Award.
Example:
  -Please bring me some cold water.
  -My dad will buy me an expensive car.
  -I’ll send Cheata this love letter.
4-AFTER A PRPOSITION
Form: PREPOSITION + NOUN PHRASE
Example:
  -I’m very worried about our next trip.
  -Are you bored with his long speech?
  -He was apprehended on suspicion of attempted murder.
5-POSSESSIVE CASE (‘s)
Form: NOUN PHRASE + ‘S + NOUN
Example:
  -My math teacher’s wife had an accident this morning.
  -We need the suspect’s profile.
  -The six immigrants’ country is Vietnam.
  -Let’s contact these injured passengers’ relatives.
6-SUBJECT COMPLEMENT
Form: TO BE / BECOME + NOUN PHRASE
Noun phrase are placed after ‘To be’ or ‘Become’
Example:
   -She is a chemistry teacher.
   -He has become a famous singer since he was 10.
   -How long have you been a staff here?
7-PHRASE IN APPOSITION
Form: NOUN + NOUN PHRASE
  If two noun groups referring to the same person or thing are in apposition, one is placed immediately after the other with no conjunction joining them.
  Generally, only two commas are needed. We use them to add more information into sentences and give more information about someone or something that have already been named or mentioned about.

Example:
   -Mrs. Ney Mey, our school principle, has been demoted.
   -I walk Dalis, my little puppy to the beach every evening.
   -Dalis, the most generous lady, is the founder of this center.

                        Useful tip
  To infinitive and gerund phrase can also function as the noun phrase. They have the same positions as that of the noun phrase.
-To drive at night is very hazardous. (Used as a noun phrase/subject of verb)
-I don’t want to drive at night. (used as a noun phrase/ object of verb)
-Driving at night is very hazardous. (used as a NP/ subject of verb)
-I hate driving at night. ( used as a noun phrase/ object of a verb)
bydata
in
12:38:00 AM

Noun Phrase

 What is a noun phrase? Definition :  A noun phrase is a phrase whose headword is a noun or a pronoun accompanied by modifiers....
Read More

Communication is the heart and soul of the human experience. The process communication mainly includes speaking , listening, and writing. Nobody actually learns grammar to learn his/ her own mother tongue. It is a natural phenomenon that we start speaking what everybody speaks around us. We gradually develop a better sense of understanding with the passage of time.

We don't study grammar of our own mother tongue to use it for daily speaking, but when we need to polish our own mother tongue, we have to study its grammar and we usually do that. When we come to learning a new language like English language, we need to study its grammar, the importance of grammar cannot be neglected and before we do that we need to understand what grammar is.

Grammar is the study of words and the ways words work together. An invisible force that guides us as we put words together into sentences. Any person who communicates using a particular language is consciously or unconsciously aware of the grammar of that language.

To speak in a clearer and more effective manner we study grammar. A person who has unconscious knowledge of grammar may be sufficient for simple language use, but the ones who wish to communicate in an artful manner and well, will seek greater depth of understanding and proficiency that the study of grammar provides

bydata
in
12:38:00 AM

Introduction to English Grammar

Communication is the heart and soul of the human experience. The process communication mainly includes speaking , listening, and writing. No...
Read More

    A. If a preposition (in/for/about etc.) is followed by a verb, the verb ends in ~ing. For example:
  Are you interested in working for us?
  I'm not very good at learning languages.
  She must be fed up with studying.
  What are the advantages of having a car?
  This knife is only for cutting bread.
  How about playing tennis tomorrow?
  I bought a new bicycle instead of going away on holiday.
  Carol went to work in spite of feeling ill.
  You can also say 'interested in somebody (do)ing .....', fed up with you (do)ing...' etc.:
  * I'm fed up with you telling me what to do.
    B. Note the use of the following prepositions + ~ing:
  before ~ing and after ~ing:
  * Before going out, I phoned Sarah. (not 'Before to go out')
  * What did you do after leaving school?
  You can also say 'Before I went out ...' and '... after you left school'.
  by ~ing (to say bow something happens):
  * The burglars got into the house by breaking a window and climbing in.
  * You can improve your English by reading more.
  * She made herself ill by not eating properly.
  without ~ing:
  * I ran ten kilometer without stopping.
  * They climbed through the window without anybody seeing them. (or ... without being seen.)
  * She needs to work without people disturbing her. (or ... without being disturbed.)
  * It's nice to go on holiday without having to worry about money.
    C. To ~ing
  To is often part of the infinitive (to do/to see etc.):
  * We decided to go out.
  * Would you like to play tennis?
  But to is also a preposition (like in/for/about/from etc.). For example:
  * We drove from London to Edinburgh.
  * I prefer tea to coffee.
  * Are you looking forward to the weekend?
  If a preposition is followed by a verb, the verb ends in ~ing; (in doing/about going etc.- see Section A). So, when to is a preposition and it is followed by a verb, you must say to ~ing:
  * I prefer driving to travelling by train. (not 'to travel')
  * Are you looking forward to seeing Ann again? (not 'looking forward to see')
  For be/get used to ~ing,

bydata
in
12:38:00 AM

Preposition (in/for/about etc.) + ~ing

    A. If a preposition (in/for/about etc.) is followed by a verb, the verb ends in ~ing. For example:   Are you interested in working...
Read More

Saturday, December 19, 2015


    A. We use could in a number of ways. Sometimes could is the past of can.
  * Listen. I can hear something. (now)
  * I listened. I could hear something. (past)
  But could is not only used in this way. We also in the future (especially to make a suggestion).
    For example:
  * A: What shall we do this evening?
     B: We could go to the cinema.
  * It's a nice day. We could go for a walk.
  * When you go to New York next month, you could stay with Barbara.
  * A: If you need money, why don't you ask Karen?
    B: Yes, I suppose I could.
  Can is also possible in these sentences ('We can go for a walk,' etc.). Could is less sure than can.
     You must use could (not 'can') when you don't really mean what you say.
    For example:
  * I'm so angry with him. I could kill him! (not 'I can kill him')
    B. We also use could to say that something is possible now or in the future:
  * The phone is ringing. It could be Tim.
  * I don't know when they'll be here. They could arrive at any time.
  Can is not possible in these examples (not 'It can be Tim')
  In these sentences could is similar to might (see Unit 29-30):
  * The phone is ringing. It might be Tim.
    C. Compare could (do) and could have (done):
  * I'm so tired. I could sleep for a week. (now)
  * I was so tired. I could have slept for a week. (past)
  Most often, we use could have (done) for things which were possible but did not happen:
  * Why did you stay at a hotel when to New York? You could have stayed with Barbara. (= you had opportunity to stay with her but you didn't)
  * Jack fell off a ladder yesterday but he's all right. He's lucky - he could have hurt himself badly. (but ha didn't hurt himself)
  * The situation was bad but it could have been worse.
    D. Sometimes could means 'would be able to...':
  * We could go away if we had enough money.(= we would be able to go away)
  * I don't know how you work so hard. I couldn't do it.
  Could have (done) = would have been able to (do):
  * Why didn't Liz apply for the job? She could have got it.
  * We could have gone away if we'd had enough money.
  * The trip was cancelled last week. Paul couldn't have gone anyway because he was ill. (= he wouldn't have been able to go)
  * You did very well to pass the exam. I'm sure I couldn't have passed it. (= I wouldn't have been able to pass it if I had taken it)

bydata
in
1:57:00 AM

Could (do) and could have (done)

    A. We use could in a number of ways. Sometimes could is the past of can .   * Listen. I can hear something. (now)   * I listene...
Read More

    A. Study these examples:
  A: What time will you phone me tomorrow?
  B: I'll phone you when I get home from work.
  'I'll phone you when I get home from work' is a sentence with two parts:
   the main part: 'I'll phone you'
  and the when-part: 'when I get home from work (tomorrow)'
  The time in the sentence is future ('tomorrow') but we use a present tense (get) in the when part of the sentence.
  We do not use will in the when-part of the sentence:
  * We'll go out when it stops raining. (not 'when it will stop')
  * When you are in London again, you must come and see us. (not 'when you will be')
  * (said to a child) What do you want to be when you grow up? (not 'will grow')
  The same thing happens after: while  before  after  as soon as  until or till
  * I'm going to read a lot of books while I'm on holiday. (not 'while I will be')
  * I'm going back home on Sunday. Before I go, I'd like to visit the museum.
  * Wait here until (or till) I come back.
    B. You can also use the present perfect (have done) after when/after/until/as soon as:
  * Can I borrow that book when you've finished it?
  * Don't say anything while Ian is here. Wait until he has gone.
  It is often possible to use the present simple or the present perfect:
  * I'll come as soon as I finish. or I'll come as soon as I've finished.
  * You'll feel better after you have something to eat. or  You'll feel better after you've had something to eat.
  But do not use the present perfect if two things happen together. The present perfect shows that one thing will be complete before the other (so the two things do not happen together).
  Compare:
  * When I've phoned Kate, we can have dinner. (= First I'll phone Kate and after that we can have dinner.)
  but * When I phone Kate this evening, I'll invite her to the party. (not 'when I've phoned') (In this example, the two things happen together.)
    C. After if, we normally use the present simple (if I do/if I see etc.) for the future:
  * It's raining hard. We'll get wet if we go out. (not 'if we will go')
  * Hurry up! If we don't hurry, we'll be late.
  Compare when and if:
  We use when for things which are sure to happen:
  * I'm going shopping this afternoon. (for sure) When I go shopping, I'll buy some food.
  We use if (not 'when') for things that will possibly happen:
  * I might go shopping this afternoon. (it's possible) If I go shopping, I'll buy some food.
  * If it is raining this evening, I won't go out. (not 'when it is raining')
  * Don't worry if I'm late tonight. (not 'when I'm late')
  * If they don't come soon, I'm not going to wait. (not 'when they don't come')

bydata
in
1:57:00 AM

When I do/When I've done When and if

    A. Study these examples:   A: What time will you phone me tomorrow?   B: I'll phone you when I get home from work.   ...
Read More

A. Study this example situation:
  Kevin loves football and this evening there is a big football match on television. The match begins at 7.30 and ends at 9.15. Paul wants to see Kevin the same evening and wants to know what time to come to his house.
  PAUL: Is it all right if I come at about 8.30?
  KEVIN: No, I'll be watching the football then.
  PAUL: Well, what about 9.30?
  KEVIN: Fine. The match will have finished by then.

    B. 'I will be doing something' (future continuous) = I will be in the middle of doing something.
      

    The football match begins at 7.30 and ends at 9.15. So during this time, for example at 8.30, Kevin will be watching the match.
    Another example:
  * I'm going on holiday on Saturday. This time next week I'll be lying on a beach or
swimming in the sea.
   Compare will be (do)ing and will (do):
  * Don't phone me between 7 and 8. We'll be having dinner then.
  * Let's wait for Mary to arrive and then we'll have dinner.

Compare will be ~ing with other continuous forms:
  * At 10 o'clock yesterday, Sally was in her office. She was working. (past)
  It's 10 o'clock now. She is in her office. She is working. (present)
  At 10 o'clock tomorrow, she will be in her office. She will be working.
    C. We also use will be doing in a different way: to talk about complete actions in the future:
   * A: If you see Sally, can you ask her to phone me?
  B: Sure. I'll be seeing her this evening, so I'll tell her then.
  * What time will your friends be arriving tomorrow?
  In these examples will be ~ing is similar to the present continuous for the future.
  You can use Will you be ~ing ...? to ask about somebody's plans, especially if you want something or want them to do something. For example:
  * A: Will you be passing the post office when you're out?
  B: Probably. Why?
  A: I need some stamps. Could you get me some?
  * A: Will you be using your bicycle this evening?
  B: No. Do you want to borrow it?
    D. We use will have (done) (future perfect) to say that something will already be complete.
     Kevin's football match ends at 9.15. So after this time, for example at 9.30, the match will have finished.
     Some more examples:
  * Sally always leaves for work at 8.30 in the morning, so she won't be at home at 9 o'clock. She'll have gone to work.
  * We're late. The film will already have started by the time we get to the cinema.

Compare will have (done) with other perfect forms:
  * Ted and Amy have been married for 24 years. (present perfect)
  Next year they will have been married for 25 years.
  When their first child was born, they had been married for three years. (past perfect)
bydata
in
1:57:00 AM

Will be doing and will have done

A. Study this example situation:   Kevin loves football and this evening there is a big football match on television. The match b...
Read More


    A. We use must and have to to say that it is necessary to do something.

Sometimes it doesn't matter which you use:
  * Oh, it's later than I thought. I must go. or
    I have to go.

  But there is a difference between must and have to and sometimes this is important:
   
     Must is personal. We use must when we give our personal feelings.
  'You must do something' = 'I (the speaker) say it is necessary':
  * She's a really nice person. You must meet her. (= I say this is necessary)
  * I haven't phoned Ann for ages. I must phone her tonight.
  Compare:
  * I must get up early tomorrow. There are a lot of things I want to do.

    Have to is impersonal. We use have to for facts, not for our personal feelings.

    'You have to do something' because of a rule or the situation:

  * You can't turn right here. You have to turn left. (because of the traffic system)

  * My eyesight isn't very good. I have to wear glasses for reading.

  * George can't come out with us this evening. He has to work.

  * I have to get up early tomorrow. I'm going away and my train leaves at 7.30.

  If you are not sure which to use, it is usually safer to use have to.

    B. you can use must to talk about the present or future, but not the past:

  * We must go now.
  * We must go tomorrow. (but not 'We must go yesterday')
  You can use have to in all forms.

     For example:

  * I had to go to hospital. (past)
  * Have you ever had to go to hospital? (present perfect)
  * I might have to go to hospital. (infinitive after might)

  In questions and negative sentences with have to, we normally use do/does/did:

  * What do I have to do to get a driving licence? (not 'What have I to do?')
  * Why did you have to go to hospital?
  * Karen doesn't have to work on Saturdays.

    C. Mustn't and don't have to are completely different:

  You mustn't do something = it is necessary that you do not do it (so, don't do it):
  * You must keep it a secret. You mustn't tell anyone. (= don't tell anyone)
  * I promised I would be on time. I mustn't be late. (= I must be on time)
  You don't have to do something = you don't need to do it (but you can if you want):
  * You can tell me if you want but you don't have to tell me. (= you don't need to tell me)
  * I'm not working tomorrow, so I don't have to get up early.

    D. You can use 'have got to' instead of 'have to'. So you can say:

  * I've got to work tomorrow. or have to work tomorrow.
  * When has Ann got to go? or When does Ann have to go?

bydata
in
1:57:00 AM

Must and have to

    A. We use must and have to to say that it is necessary to do something. Sometimes it doesn't matter which you use:   * Oh, it...
Read More

Monday, December 14, 2015


    A. Future actions

  Study the difference between will and going to:

       Sue is talking to Helen:

  SUE: Let's have a party

  HELLEN: That's a great idea. We'll invite lots of people.

  will ('ll): We use will when we decide to do something at the time of speaking. The speaker has not decided before. The party is a new idea.

  Later that day, Helen meets Dave:

  HELLEN: Sue and I have decided to have a party. We're going to invite lots of people.

  going to: We use (be) going to when we have already decided to do something. Helen had already decided to Invite lots of people before she spoke to Dave.

  Compare:

  * 'George phoned while you were out.' 'OK. I'll phone him back.'

  but * 'George phoned while you were out.' 'Yes, I know. I'm going to phone him back.'

  * 'Ann is in hospital.' 'Oh really? I didn't know. I'll go and visit her.'

  but * 'Ann is in hospital.' 'Yes, I know. I'm going to visit her tomorrow.'

    B. Future happenings and situations (predicting the future)

  Sometimes there is not much difference between will and going to. For example, you can say:

  * I think the weather will be nice later.

  * I think the weather is going to be nice later.

  When we say 'something is going to happen', we know (or think) this because of the situation now. For example:

  * Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain. (not 'it will rain' - we can see the clouds now)

  * I feel terrible. I think I'm going to be sick. (not 'I think I'll be sick' - I feel terrible now)

  Do not use will in situations like these.

  In other situations, it is safer to use will:

  * Tom will probably arrive at about 8 o'clock.

  * I think Ann will like the present we bought for her.

bydata
in
4:29:00 PM

I will and I'm going to

     A. Future actions   Study the difference between will and going to:        Sue is talking to Helen:    SUE : Let's have a party...
Read More


    A. We do not use will to say what somebody has already arranged or decided to do in the future:

  * Ann is working next week. (not 'Ann will work')

  * Are you going to watch television this evening? (not 'will you watch')

  For 'I'm working ...' and 'Are you going to ...?, see Units 19-20.

  But often, when we talk about the future, we are not talking about what somebody has decided to do. For example:

  CHRIS: Do you think Ann will pass the exam?

  JOE: Yes, she'll pass easily.

  'She'll pass' does not mean 'she has decided to pass'. Joe is saying what he knows or thinks will happen. He is predicting the future.

  When we predict a future happening or situation, we use will/won't.

  * Jill has been away a long time. When she returns, she'll find a lot of changes.

  * 'Where will you be this time next year)' 'I'll be in Japan.'

  * That plate is very hot. If you touch it, you'll burn yourself.

  * Tom won't pass the examination. He hasn't worked hard enough for it.

  * When will you know your exam results?

    B. We often use will ('ll) with:

  probably: I'll probably be home late this evening.

  I expect: I haven't seen Carol today. I expect she'll phone this evening.

  (I'm) sure: Don't worry about the exam. I'm sure you'll pass.

  (I) think: Do you think Sarah will like the present we bought her?

  (I) don't think: I don't think the exam will be very difficult.

  I wonder: I wonder what will happen.

  After (I) hope, we generally use the present:

  * I hope Carol phones this evening.

  * I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.

    C. Generally we use will to talk about the future, but sometimes we use will to talk about now. For example:

  * Don't phone Ann now. She'll be busy. (= I know she'll be busy now)

    D. I shall .../we shall ...

  Normally we use shall only with I and we.

  You can say I shall or I will (I'll), we shall or we will (we'll):

  * I shall be tired this evening. (or I will be ...)

  * We shall probably go to Scotland for our holiday. (or We will probably go ...)

  In spoken English we normally use I'll and we'll:

  * We'll probably go to Scotland.

  The negative of shall is shall not or shan't:

  * I shan't be here tomorrow. (or I won't be ...)

  Do not use shall with he/she/it/you/they:

  * She will be very angry. (not 'she shall be')

bydata
in
4:29:00 PM

Will and shall

     A. We do not use will to say what somebody has already arranged or decided to do in the future:   * Ann is working next week. (not ...
Read More

Monday, December 7, 2015


Some people have been taught that 'will' is 'the future' in English. This is not correct. Sometimes when we talk about the future we cannot use 'will'. Sometimes when we use 'will' we are not talking about the future.

We can use 'will' to talk about future events we believe to be certain.

The sun will rise over there tomorrow morning.
Next year, I'll be 50.
That plane will be late. It always is.
There won't be any snow. I'm certain. It's too warm.
Often we add 'perhaps', 'maybe', 'probably', 'possibly' to make the belief less certain.

I'll probably come back later.
He'll possibly find out when he sees Jenny.
Maybe it will be OK.
Perhaps we'll meet again some day.
We often use 'will' with 'I think' or 'I hope'.

I think I'll go to bed now.
I think she'll do well in the job.
I hope you'll enjoy your stay.
I hope you won't make too much noise.
We use 'will' at the moment we make a new decision or plan. The thought has just come into our head.

Bye. I'll phone you when I get there.
I'll answer that.
I'll go.tell him. I promise
I won't 
.
bydata
in
5:07:00 PM

Future simple

Some people have been taught that 'will' is 'the future' in English. This is not correct. Sometimes when we talk about the...
Read More

Sunday, December 6, 2015


active voice

In the active voice, the subject of the verb does the action (eg They killed the President). See also Passive Voice.

adjective

A word like big, red, easy, French etc. An adjective describes a noun or pronoun.

adverb

A word like slowly, quietly, well, often etc. An adverb modifies a verb.

article

The "indefinite" articles are a and an. The "definite article" is the.

auxiliary verb

A verb that is used with a main verb. Be, do and have are auxiliary verbs. Can, may, must etc are modal auxiliary verbs.

clause

A group of words containing a subject and its verb (for example: It was late when he arrived).

conjunction

A word used to connect words, phrases and clauses (for example: and, but, if).

infinitive

The basic form of a verb as in to work or work.

interjection

An exclamation inserted into an utterance without grammatical connection (for example: oh!, ah!, ouch!, well!).

modal verb

An auxiliary verb like can, may, must etc that modifies the main verb and expresses possibility, probability etc. It is also called "modal auxiliary verb".

noun

A word like table, dog, teacher, America etc. A noun is the name of an object, concept, person or place. A "concrete noun" is something you can see or touch like a person or car. An "abstract noun" is something that you cannot see or touch like a decision or happiness. A "countable noun" is something that you can count (for example: bottle, song, dollar). An "uncountable noun" is something that you cannot count (for example: water, music, money).

object

In the active voice, a noun or its equivalent that receives the action of the verb. In the passive voice, a noun or its equivalent that does the action of the verb.

participle

The -ing and -ed forms of verbs. The -ing form is called the "present participle". The -ed form is called the "past participle" (for irregular verbs, this is column 3).

part of speech

One of the eight classes of word in English - noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction and interjection.

Passive voice

In the passive voice, the subject receives the action of the verb (eg The President was killed). See also Active Voice.

phrase

A group of words not containing a subject and its verb (eg on the table, the girl in a red dress).

predicate

Each sentence contains (or implies) two parts: a subject and a predicate. The predicate is what is said about the subject.

preposition

A word like at, to, in, over etc. Prepositions usually come before a noun and give information about things like time, place and direction.

pronoun

A word like I, me, you, he, him, it etc. A pronoun replaces a noun.

sentence

A group of words that express a thought. A sentence conveys a statement, question, exclamation or command. A sentence contains or implies a subject and a predicate. In simple terms, a sentence must contain a verb and (usually) a subject. A sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop (.), question mark (?) or exclamation mark (!).

subject

Every sentence contains (or implies) two parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject is the main noun (or equivalent) in a sentence about which something is said.

tense

The form of a verb that shows us when the action or state happens (past, present or future). Note that the name of a tense is not always a guide to when the action happens. The "present continuous tense", for example, can be used to talk about the present or the future.

verb
A word like (to) work, (to) love, (to) begin. A verb describes an action or state.

bydata
in
4:21:00 AM

Grammar term 1

active voice In the active voice, the subject of the verb does the action (eg They killed the President). See also Passive Voice. adjecti...
Read More

Saturday, December 5, 2015


    A. Future actions

  Study the difference between will and going to:

  Sue is talking to Helen:

  SUE: Let's have a party

  HELLEN: That's a great idea. We'll invite lots of people.

  will ('ll): We use will when we decide to do something at the time of speaking. The speaker has not decided before. The party is a new idea.

  Later that day, Helen meets Dave:

  HELLEN: Sue and I have decided to have a party. We're going to invite lots of people.

  going to: We use (be) going to when we have already decided to do something. Helen had already decided to Invite lots of people before she spoke to Dave.

  Compare:

  * 'George phoned while you were out.' 'OK. I'll phone him back.'

  but * 'George phoned while you were out.' 'Yes, I know. I'm going to phone him back.'

  * 'Ann is in hospital.' 'Oh really? I didn't know. I'll go and visit her.'

  but * 'Ann is in hospital.' 'Yes, I know. I'm going to visit her tomorrow.'

    B. Future happenings and situations (predicting the future)

  Sometimes there is not much difference between will and going to. For example, you can say:

  * I think the weather will be nice later.

  * I think the weather is going to be nice later.

  When we say 'something is going to happen', we know (or think) this because of the situation now. For example:

  * Look at those black clouds. It's going to rain. (not 'it will rain' - we can see the clouds now)

  * I feel terrible. I think I'm going to be sick. (not 'I think I'll be sick' - I feel terrible now)

  In other situations, it is safer to use will:

  * Tom will probably arrive at about 8 o'clock.

  * I think Ann will like the present we bought for her.

bydata
in
6:40:00 PM

I will and I'm going to

     A. Future actions   Study the difference between will and going to :   Sue is talking to Helen:   SUE: Let's have a party   ...
Read More


   A. We use I'll (= I will) when we decide to do something at the time of speaking:

  * Oh, I've left the door open. I'll go and shut it.

  * 'What would you like to drink?' 'I'll have an orange juice, please.'

  * 'Did you phone Ruth?' 'Oh no, I forgot. I'll phone her now.'

  You cannot use the present simple (I do/I go etc.) in these sentences:

  * I'll go and shut the door. (not 'I go and shut')

  We often use I think I'll ... and I don't think I'll ...:

  * I feel a bit hungry. I think I'll have something to cat.

  * I don't think I'll go out tonight. I'm too tired.

  In spoken English the negative of will is usually won't (= will not):

  * I can see you're busy, so I won't stay long.

    B. Do not use will to talk about what you have already decided or arranged to do (see Units 19-20):

  * I'm going on holiday next Saturday. (not 'I'll go')

  * Are you working tomorrow? (not 'will you work')

    C. We often use will in these situations:

  Offering to do something

  * That bag looks heavy. I'll help you with it. (not 'I help')

  Agreeing to do something

  * A: You know that book I lent you. Can I have it back if you've finished with it?

     B: Of course. I'll give it to you this afternoon. (not 'I give')

  Promising to do something

  * Thanks for lending me the money. I'll pay you back on Friday. (not 'I pay')

  * I won't tell anyone what happened. I promise.

  Asking somebody to do something (Will you ...?)

  * Will you please be quiet? I'm trying to concentrate.

  * Will you shut the door, please?

  You can use won't to say that somebody refuses to do something:

  * I've tried to advise her but she won't listen. (= she refuses to listen)

  * The car won't start. I wonder what's wrong with it. (= the car 'refuses' to start)

bydata
in
6:35:00 PM

Will ( Future simple )

    A. We use I'll (= I will) when we decide to do something at the time of speaking :   * Oh, I've left the door open. I'll g...
Read More

FUTURE TENSE indicates that an action is in the future relative to the speaker or writer. There are no inflected forms for the future in English (nothing like those -ed or -s endings in the other tenses). Instead, the future tense employs the helping verbs will or shallwith the base form of the verb:
• She will leave soon.
• We shall overcome.
The future is also formed with the use of a form of "go" plus the infinitive of the verb:
• He is going to faint.
English can even use the present to suggest the future tense:
• I am leaving later today."

Note that the auxiliary will can be combined with "be" and a progressive form of the main verb to create a sense of the future that does not harbor any hint of insistence (which is possible with the auxiliary alone). For instance, if stress is placed on the word will in "When will you arrive?", the sentence can sound impatient, insistent. In "Whenwill you be arriving?" there is less of that emotional overtone.
The construction form of to be + infinitive is used to convey a sense of planning for the future, command, or contingency.
• There is to be an investigation into the mayor's business affairs.
• You are to be back on the base by midnight.
• If he is to pass this exam, he'll have to study harder.

To create a sense of imminent fulfillment, the word about can be combined with the infinitive.
• He is about to die.
Other adverbs can be used in similar constructions with various effects:
• He is liable to get in trouble.
• She is certain to do well in college.

bydata
in
8:06:00 AM

Future

FUTURE TENSE indicates that an action is in the future relative to the speaker or writer. There are no inflected forms for the future in En...
Read More


    A. 'I am going to do something' = I have already decided to do it, I intend to do it:

  * A: There's a film on television tonight. Are you going to watch it?

    B: No, I'm tired. I'm going to have an early night.

  * A: I hear Ruth has won some money. What is she going to do with it?

    B: She's going to buy a new car.

  * A: Have you made the coffee yet?

    B: I'm just going to make it. (just = right at this moment)

  * This food looks horrible. I'm not going to eat it.

    B. I am doing and I am going to do

  We normally use I am doing (present continuous) when we say what we have arranged to do for example, arranged to meet somebody, arranged to go somewhere.

  * What time are you meeting Ann this evening?

  * I'm leaving tomorrow. I've got my plane ticket.

  'I am going to do something' = I've decided to do it (but perhaps not arranged to do it):

  * 'The windows are dirty.' 'Yes, I know. I'm going to clean them later.' (= I've decided to clean them but I haven't arranged to clean them)

  * I've decided not to stay here any longer. Tomorrow I'm going to look for somewhere else to stay.

  Often the difference is very small and either form is possible.

    C. You can also say that 'something is going to happen' in the future. For example:

  The man can't see where he's walking. There is a hole in front of him.

  He is going to fall into the hole.

  When we say that 'something is going to happen', the situation now makes us believe this. The man is walking towards the hole now, so he is going to fall into it.

  * Look at those black clouds! It's going to rain. (the clouds are there now)

  * I feel terrible. I think I'm going to be sick. (I feel terrible now)

    D. 'I was going to (do something)' = I intended to do it but didn't do it:

  * We were going to travel by train but then we decided to go by car instead.

  * A: Did Peter do the examination?

    B: No, he was going to do it but he changed his mind.

  * I was just going to cross the road when somebody shouted 'Stop!'

  You can say that  something was going to happen (but didn't happen):

  * I thought it was going to rain but then the sun came out.

bydata
in
4:40:00 AM

I'm going to (do) [ Future plan ]

     A. 'I am going to do something' = I have already decided to do it, I intend to do it:   * A: There's a film on television...
Read More


    A. Study this example situation:

  Dennis stopped smoking two years ago. He doesn't smoke any more.

  But he used to smoke.

  He used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day.

  'He used to smoke' = he smoked regularly for some time in the past, but he doesn't smoke now. He was a smoker, but now he isn't

    B. 'Something used to happen' = something happened regularly in the past but no longer happens:

  * I used to play tennis a lot but I don't play very often now.

  * Diane used to travel a lot. These days she doesn't go away so often.

  * 'Do you go to the cinema very often?' 'Not now, but I used to.' (= I used to go ...)

  We also use used to... for something that was true but is not true any more:

  * This building is now a furniture shop. It used to be a cinema.

  * I used to think he was unfriendly but now I realise he's a very nice person.

  * I've started drinking coffee recently. I never used to like it before.

  * Janet used to have very long hair when she was a child.

    C. 'I used to do something' is past. There is no present form. You cannot say 'I use to do'. To talk about the present, use the present simple (I do).

  Compare:

  past: he used to smoke  we used to live  there used to be

  present: he smokes  we live  there is

  * We used to live in a small village but now we live in London.

  * There used to be four cinemas in the town. Now there is only one.

    D. The normal question form is did (you) use to ...?:

  * Did you use to eat a lot of sweets when you were a child?

  The negative form is didn't use to ... (used not to ... is also possible)

  * I didn't use to like him. (or I used not to like him.)

    E. Compare I used to do and I was doing.

  * I used to watch TV a lot. (= I watched TV regularly in the past, but I no longer do this)

  * I was watching TV when the phone rang. (= I was in the middle of watching TV)

    F. Do not confuse I used to do and I am used to doing
  
   The structures and meanings are different:

  * I used to live alone. (= I lived alone in the past but I no longer live alone)

  * I am used to living alone. (= I live alone and I don't find it strange or new because I've been living alone for some time)

bydata
in
4:36:00 AM

Used to (do)

     A. Study this example situation :   Dennis stopped smoking two years ago. He doesn't smoke any more.   But he used to smoke.  ...
Read More

Friday, December 4, 2015


    A. Present continuous J am doing) with a future meaning

  Study this example situation:

  This is Tom's diary for next week.

  He is playing tennis on Monday afternoon.

  He is going to the dentist on Tuesday morning.

  He is having dinner with Ann on Friday.

  In all these examples, Tom has already decided and arranged to do these things.

  Use the present continuous to say what you have already arranged to do. Do not use the present simple J do):

  * A: What are you doing on Saturday evening? (not 'what do you do')

  B: I'm going to the theatre. (not 'I go')

  * A: What time is Cathy arriving tomorrow?

  B: At 10.30. I'm meeting her at the station.

  * I'm not working tomorrow, so we can go out somewhere.

  * Ian isn't playing football on Saturday. He's hurt his leg.

  '(I'm) going to (do)' is also possible in these sentences:

  * What are you going to do on Saturday evening?

  But the present continuous is more natural for arrangements.

  Do not use will to talk about what you have arranged to do:

  * What are you doing this evening? (not 'what will you do')

  * Alex is getting married next month. (not 'will get')

    B. Present simple (I do) with a future meaning

  We use the present simple when we talk about timetables, programmes etc. (for example, for public transport, cinemas etc.):

  * The train leaves Plymouth at 11.30 and arrives in London at 14.45.

  * What time does the film begin?

  * It's Wednesday tomorrow.

  You can use the present simple for people if their plans are fixed like a timetable:

  * I start my new job on Monday.

  * What time do you finish work tomorrow?

  But the continuous is more usual for personal arrangements:

  * What time are you meeting Ann tomorrow? (not 'do you meet')

  Compare:

  * What time are you leaving tomorrow?

  but * What time does the train leave tomorrow?

  * I'm going to the cinema this evening.

  but * The film starts at 8.15 (this evening).

bydata
in
3:04:00 PM

Present tenses (I am doing/I do) for the future

     A. Present continuous J am doing) with a future meaning    Study this example situation:   This is Tom's diary for next week.  ...
Read More

    A. Have and have got (= possess, own etc.)
  We often use have got rather than have alone. So you can say:
  * We've got a new car. or We have a new car.
  * Ann has got two sisters. or Ann has two sisters.
  We use have got or have for illnesses, pains etc.:
  * I've got a headache. or I have a headache.
  In questions and negative sentences there are three possible forms:
  Have you got any money?  I haven't got any money.
  Do you have any money?  I don't have any money.
  Have you any money? (less usual)  I haven't any money. (less usual)
  Has she got a car?  She hasn't got a car.
  Does she have a car?  She doesn't have a car.
  Has she a car? (less usual)  She hasn't a car. (less usual)
  When have means 'possess' etc., you cannot use continuous forms (is having/are having etc.):
  * I have/I've got a headache. (not 'I'm having')
  For the past we use had (usually without 'got'):
  * Ann had long fair hair when she was a child. (not 'Ann had got')
  In past questions and negative sentences we normally use did/didn't:
  * Did they have a car when they were living in London?
  * I didn't have a watch, so I didn't know the time.
  * Ann had long fair hair, didn't she?
    B. Have breakfast/have a bath/have a good time etc.
  Have (but not 'have got') is also used for many actions and experiences. For example:
  have breakfast/dinner/a cup of coffee/a cigarette etc.
  have a bath/a shower/a swim/a rest/a party/a holiday/a nice time etc.
  have an accident/an experience/a dream etc.
  have a look (at something)/a chat (with somebody)
  have a baby (= give birth to a baby)
  have difficulty/trouble/fun
  * Goodbye! I hope you have a nice time.
  * Mary had a baby recently.
  'Have got' is not possible in these expressions. Compare:
  * I usually have a sandwich for my lunch. (have = 'eat' - not 'have got')
  but * I've got some sandwiches. Would you like one?
  In these expressions, have is like other verbs. You can use continuous forms (is having are having etc.) where suitable:
  * I had a postcard from Fred this morning. He's on holiday. He says he's having a
wonderful time. (not 'he has a wonderful time')
  * The phone rang while we were having dinner. (not 'while we had')
  In questions and negative sentences we normally use do/does/did:
  * I don't usually have a big breakfast. (not 'I usually haven't')
  * What time does Ann have lunch? (not 'has Ann lunch')
  * Did you have any difficulty finding somewhere to live?

bydata
in
2:54:00 PM

Have and have got

     A. Have and have got (= possess, own etc.)   We often use have got rather than have alone. So you can say:   * We've got a n...
Read More


    A. Study this example situation:

  Yesterday morning I got up and looked out of the window. The sun was shining but the ground was very wet.

  It had been raining.

  It was not raining when I looked out of the window; the sun was shining. But it had been raining before. That's why the ground was wet.

  Had been ~ing is the past perfect continuous:

  I/we/you/they had(= I'd etc.) been doing/working/playing etc.

  he/she/it had (= he'd etc.) been doing/working/playing etc.

  Some more examples:

  * When the boys came into the house, their clothes were dirty, their hair was untidy and one of them had a black eye. They'd been fighting.

  * I was very tired when I arrived home. I'd been working hard all day.

    B. You can say that something had been happening for a period of time before something else happened:

  * Our game of tennis was interrupted. We'd been playing for about half an hour when it started to rain very heavily.

  * Ken gave up smoking two years ago. He'd been smoking for 30 years.

    C. Had been ~ing (past Perfect continuous) is the past of have been ~ing (present perfect continuous).

         Compare:

    present perfect continuous

  * I hope the bus comes soon. I've been waiting for 20 minutes. (before now)

  * He's out of breath. He has been running.

    past perfect continuous

  * At last the bus came. I'd been waiting for 20 minutes. (before the bus came)

  * He was out of breath. He had been running.

    D. Compare had been doing and was doing (past continuous):

  * It wasn't raining when we went out. The sun was shining. But it had been raining, so the ground was wet.

  * Ann was sitting in an armchair watching television. She was tired because she'd been working very hard.

    E. Some verbs (for example, know and want) are not normally used in the continuous:

  * We were good friends. We had known each other for years. (not 'had been knowing)

bydata
in
9:10:00 AM

Past perfect continuous (I had been doing)

     A. Study this example situation:   Yesterday morning I got up and looked out of the window. The sun was shining but the ground was ve...
Read More

    A. Study this example situation:

  Sarah went to a party last week. Paul went to the party too but they didn't see each other. Paul went home at 10.30 and Sarah arrived at 11 o'clock. So:

  When Sarah arrived at the party, Paul wasn't there. He had gone home.

  Had gone is the past perfect (simple):

  I/we/they/you or he/she/it had (= I'd etc./he'd etc.) gone/seen/finished etc.

  The past perfect simple is had + past participle (gone/seen/finished etc.).

  Sometimes we talk about something that happened in the past:

  * Sarah arrived at the party.

  This is the starting point of the story. Then, if we want to talk about things that happened before this time, we use the past perfect (had ... ):

  * When Sarah arrived at the party, Paul had already gone home.

  Some more examples:

  * When we got home last night, we found that somebody had broken into the flat.

  * Karen didn't want to come to the cinema with us because she had already seen the film.

  * At first I thought I'd done the right thing, but I soon realised that I'd made a serious mistake.

  * The man sitting next to me on the plane was very nervous. He hadn't flown before./He had never flown before.

    B. Had done (past perfect) is the past of have done (present perfect).

     Compare:

    present perfect

  * Who is that woman? I've never seen her before.

  * We aren't hungry. We've just had lunch.

  * The house is dirty. They haven't cleaned it for weeks.

    past perfect

  * I didn't know who she was. I'd never seen her before. (= before that time)

  * We weren't hungry. We'd just had lunch.

  * The house was dirty. They hadn't cleaned it for weeks.

    C. Compare the past perfect (I had done) and past simple (I did):

  * 'Was Tom at the party when you arrived?' 'No, he had already gone home.'

  but 'Was Tom there when you arrived?' 'Yes, but he went home soon afterwards.'

  * Ann wasn't at home when I phoned. She was in London.

  but Ann had just got home when I phoned. She had been in London.

bydata
in
9:03:00 AM

Past perfect (I had done)

     A. Study this example situation:   Sarah went to a party last week. Paul went to the party too but they didn't see each other. Pa...
Read More


    A. Study this example situation:

  Tom is looking for his key. He can't find it.

  He has lost his key. (present perfect)

  This means that he doesn't have his key now.

 

  Ten minutes later:

  Now Tom has found his key. He has it now.

  Has he lost his key? (present perfect)

  No, he hasn't. He has found it.

  Did he lose his key? (past simple)

  Yes, he did.

  He lost his key (past simple)

  but now he has found it. (present perfect)

  The present perfect is a present tense. It always tells us something about now. 'Tom has lost his key' = he doesn't have his key now.

  The past simple tells us only about the past. If somebody says 'Tom lost his key', we don't know whether he has it now or not. We only know that he lost it at some time in the past.

  Two more examples:

  * Jack grew a beard but now he has shaved it off. (so he doesn't have a beard now)

  * They went out after lunch and they've just come back. (so they are back now)

    B. Do not use the present perfect if there is no connection with the present (for example, things that happened a long time ago):

  * The Chinese invented printing. (not 'have invented')

  * How many plays did Shakespeare write? (not 'has Shakespeare written')

  * Beethoven was a great composer. (not 'has been')

  Compare:

  * Shakespeare wrote many plays.

  * My sister is a writer. She has written many books. (she still writes books)

    C. We use the present perfect to give new information (see Unit 7). But if we continue to talk about it, we normally use the past simple:

  * A: Ow! I've burnt myself.

  B: How did you do that? (not 'have you done')

  A: I picked up a hot dish. (not 'have picked')

  * A: Look! Somebody has spilt milk on the carpet.

  B: Well, it wasn't me. I didn't do it. (not 'hasn't been ... haven't done')

  A: I wonder who it was then. (not 'who it has been')

bydata
in
8:59:00 AM

Present perfect and past (1) (I have done and I did)

     A. Study this example situation:   Tom is looking for his key. He can't find it.   He has lost his key. (present perfect)   Th...
Read More


    A. Study this example situation:

  Bob and Alice are married. They got married exactly 20 years ago, so today is their 20th wedding anniversary.

  They have been married for 20 years.

  We say: They are married. (present)

  but How long have they been married? (present perfect) (not 'How long are they married?')

  They have been married for 20 years. (not 'They are married for 20 years')

  We use the present perfect to talk about something that began in the past and still continues now. Compare the present and the present perfect:

  * Amy is in hospital.

  but She has been in hospital since Monday. (not 'Amy is in hospital since Monday')

  * We know each other very well.

  but We have known each other for a long time. (not 'we know')

  * Are you waiting for somebody?

  but How long have you been waiting?

    B. I have been doing something (present perfect continuous) = 'I started doing something in the past and I am still doing it (or have just stopped)':

  * I've been learning English for a long time. (not 'I am learning')

  * Sorry I'm late. Have you been waiting long?

  * It's been raining since I got up this morning.

  The action can be a repeated action:

  * 'How long have you been driving?' 'Since I was 17.'

    C. I have done (simple) or I have been doing (continuous)

  The continuous is more usual with how long, since and for (see also Unit 10B):

  * I've been learning English for a long time. (not usually 'I've learnt')

  You can normally use either the continuous or simple with live and work:

  * John has been living/has lived in London for a long time.

  * How long have you been working/have you worked here?

  But we use the simple with always:

  * John has always lived in London. (not 'has always been living')

  You can use the continuous or the simple for actions repeated over a long period:

  * I've been collecting/I've collected stamps since I was a child.

  Some verbs (for example, know/like/believe) are not normally used in the continuous:

  * How long have you known Jane? (not 'have you been knowing')

  * I've had a pain in my stomach since I got up this morning.

    D. We use the present perfect simple in negative sentences like these:

  * I haven't seen Tom since Monday. (= Monday was the last time I saw him)

  * Jane hasn't phoned me for two weeks. (= the last time she phoned was two weeks ago)

bydata
in
8:53:00 AM

How long have you (been) ...?

     A. Study this example situation:   Bob and Alice are married. They got married exactly 20 years ago, so today is their 20th wedding a...
Read More

 
  A. Study this example conversation:

  DAVE: Have you travelled a lot, Jane?

  JANE: Yes, I've been to lots of places.

  DAVE: Really? Have you ever been to China?

  JANE: Yes, I've been to China twice.

  DAVE: What about India?

  JANE: No, I haven't been to India.

  When we talk about a period of time that continues from the past until now, we use the present perfect (have been/have travelled etc.). Here, Dave and Jane are talking about the places Jane has visited in her life (which is a period that continues until now).

  * Have you ever eaten caviar? (in your life)

  * We've never had a car.

  * 'Have you read Hamlet?' 'No, I haven't read any of Shakespeare's plays.'

  * Susan really loves that film. She's seen it eight times!

  * What a boring film! It's the most boring film I've ever seen.

  In the following examples too the speakers are talking about a period that continues until now (recently/in the last few days/so far/since breakfast etc.):

  * Have you heard from George recently?

  * I've met a lot of people in the last few days.

  * Everything is going well. We haven't had any problems so far.

  * I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast. (= from breakfast until now)

  * It's nice to see you again. We haven't seen each other for a long time.

    B. We use the present perfect with today/this morning/this evening etc. when these periods are not finished at the time of speaking:

  * I've drunk four cups of coffee today. (perhaps I'll drink more before today is finished)

  * Have you had a holiday this year (yet)?

  * I haven't seen Tom this morning. Have you?

  * Ron hasn't worked very hard this term.

    C. Note that we say 'It's the first time something has happened' (present perfect).

  Don is having a driving lesson. He is very nervous and unsure because it is his first lesson.

  * It's the first time he has driven a car. (not 'drives') or He has never driven a car before.

  * Linda has lost her passport again. It's the second time this has happened. (not 'happens')

  * This is a lovely meal. It's the first good meal I've had for ages. (not 'I have')

  * Bill is phoning his girlfriend again. That's the third time he's phoned her this evening.

bydata
in
8:49:00 AM

Present perfect (2) (I have done)

     A. Study this example conversation :    DAVE : Have you travelled a lot, Jane?    JANE : Yes, I've been to lots of places.    D...
Read More

Thursday, December 3, 2015


    A. Study this example situation:

  Yesterday Karen and Jim played tennis. They began at 10 o'clock and finished at 11.30. So, at 10.30 they were playing tennis.

  They were playing = 'they were in the middle of playing'. They had not finished playing.

  Was/were ~ing is the past continuous:

  I/he/she/it  was  playing/doing/working etc.

  we/you/they  were  playing/doing/working etc.

    B. We use the past continuous to say that somebody was in the middle of doing something at a certain time. The action or situation had already started before this time but had not finished:

  * This time last year I was living in Brazil.

  * What were you doing at 10 o'clock last night?

  * I waved to her but she wasn't looking.

    C. Compare the past continuous (I was doing) and past simple (I did):

    Past continuous (in the middle of an action)

  * I was walking home when I met Dave. (= in the middle of walking home)

  * Ann was watching television when the phone rang.

    Past simple (complete action)

  * I walked home after the party last night. (= all the way, completely)

  * Ann watched television a lot when she was ill last year.

    D. We often use the past simple and the past continuous together to say that something happened in the middle of something else:

  * Tom burnt his hand when he was cooking the dinner.

  * I saw you in the park yesterday. You were sitting on the grass and reading a book.

  * While I was working in the garden, I hurt my back.

  But we use the past simple to say that one thing happened after another:

  * I was walking along the road when I saw Dave. So I stopped and we had a chat.

  Compare:

  * When Karen arrived, we were having dinner. (= We had already started dinner before Karen arrived.)

  * When Karen arrived, we had dinner. (= First Karen arrived and then we had

dinner.)

    E. There are some verbs (for example, know/want/believe) that are not normally used in the continuous.

  * We were good friends. We knew each other well. (not 'we were knowing')

  * I was enjoying the party but Chris wanted to go home. (not 'was wanting')

bydata
in
8:02:00 PM

Past continuous (I was doing)

     A. Study this example situation:   Yesterday Karen and Jim played tennis. They began at 10 o'clock and finished at 11.30. So, at ...
Read More

    A. Study this example:

  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian musician and composer. He lived from 1756 to 1791. He started composing at the age of five and wrote more than 600 pieces of music. He was only 35 years old when he died.

  Lived/started/wrote/was/died are all past simple.

    B. Very often the past simple ends in -ed (regular verbs):

  * I work in a travel agency now. Before that I worked in a shop.

  * We invited them to our party but they decided not to come.

  * The police stopped me on my way home last night.

  * She passed her examination because she studied very hard.

  But many verbs are irregular. The past simple does not end in -ed.

For example:

  write -> wrote

  * Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces of music.

  see -> saw

  * We saw Rose in town a few days ago.

  go -> went

  * I went to the cinema three times last week.

  shut -> shut

  * It was cold, so I shut the window.

    C. In questions and negatives we use did/didn't + infinitive (enjoy/see/go etc.):

     Positive

  I/she/they: enjoyed/saw/went
     Question

  Did: you/she/they: enjoy?/see?/go?
     Negative

  I/she/they: didn't: enjoy/see/go

  * A: Did you go out last night?

     B: Yes, I went to the cinema but I didn't enjoy the film much.

  * 'When did Mr Thomas die?' 'About ten years ago.'

  * They didn't invite her to the party, so she didn't go.

  * 'Did you have time to write the letter?' 'No, I didn't.'

  Be careful when do is the main verb in the sentence:

  * What did you do at the weekend? (not 'what did you at the weekend')

  * I didn't do anything. (not 'I didn't anything')

    D. The past of be (am/is/are) is was/were:

  I/he/she/it  was/wasn't

  we/you/they  were/weren't

  was  I/he/she/it?

  were  we/you/they?

  Note that we do not use did in negatives and questions with was/were:

  * I was angry because they were late.

  * Was the weather good when you were on holiday?

  * They weren't able to come because they were so busy.

  * Did you go out last night or were you too tired?

bydata
in
7:57:00 PM

Past simple (I did)

     A. Study this example :   Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian musician and composer. He lived from 1756 to 1791. He started co...
Read More

 

Grammar Spot © 2015 - Designed by Templateism.com, Plugins By MyBloggerLab.com