TEST YOUR LEVEL OF ENGLISH
Go to this website English Level Test- http://www.englishjet.com/english_courses_files/test_level.asp
On the left hand column choose the level you think you are and take the test.
Italki member Jibi Thomas recommends this website for English phonetics :
http://englishphonetics4u.blogspot.com
LEARNING GRAMMAR ONLINE? TEACHER? TEXT BOOK?
There are many grammar books available if you want to learn from a text book. This should be supervised by an English language teacher/tutor so that you can pronounce the words correctly. Please refer to my posts on Spoken English and How to improve your English listening skills. If you want to learn grammar online, Italki member Cherry has recommended the following links that could help you learn English grammar:
www.learnenglish.de/grammarpage.htm
www.nonstopenglish.com/
esl.about.com/od/grammar/Beginning_Level_English_G.
www.english-at-home.com/
Flying Robot recommends http://www.arts.uottawa.ca/writcent/hypergrammar/
Some online dictionaries:
www.thefreedictionary.com
http://www.onelook.com/reverse-dictionary.shtml
SENTENCE PATTERNS IN ENGLISH
Grammar books vary in the number of patterns they describe. These patterns describe the elements in a sentence which are compulsory - there can also, of course, be plenty of additional information
1. S.V. (SUBJECT. VERB)
2. S.V.O. (SUBJECT.VERB. OBJECT)
3. S.V.C.(COMPLEMENT)
4. S.V.A.(ADVERBIAL CLAUSE)
5. S.V.O.O. (INDIRECT OBJECT. DIRECT OBJECT)
6. S.V.O.C.( SUBJECT VERB OBJECT COMPLEMENT)
7. S.V.O.A.( SUBJECT VERB OBJECT ADVERB)
8. S.V.O.V. ( SUBJECT VERB OBJECT VERB)
Example: A test may ask you to classify these sentences (S.V.O. etc.)
When to use "the", "an/a" in a sentence?
English has two articles:" the" and "a/an". "The" is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; "a/an" is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call "the" the definite article and "a/an" the indefinite article.
the = definite article
a/an = indefinite article
For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a specific book. If I say, "Let's read a book," I mean any book rather than a specific book.
Here's another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group. For example, "I just saw the most popular movie of the year." There are many movies, but only one particular movie is the most popular. Therefore, we use the.
"A/an" is used to refer to a non-specific or non-particular member of the group. For example, "I would like to go see a movie." Here, we're not talking about a specific movie. We're talking about any movie. There are many movies, and I want to see any movie. I don't have a specific one in mind.
When to use the infinitive form of verbs?
The infinitive form is used after certain verbs:
- forget, help, learn, teach, train
- choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like
- agree, encourage, pretend, promise
- allow, can/can't afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse
* I forgot to close the window.
* Mary needs to leave early.
* Why are they encouraged to learn English?
* We can't afford to take a long holiday.
WHEN TO USE HAS/HAVE TO AND MUST?
Have to" , "has to" and "must" have the same meaning in the affirmative and interrogative forms when referring to obligation. Some grammarians think that "must" is slightly stronger, but for all practical purposes, they mean the same thing:
Example: A doctor has to/Doctors have to/ attend medical school for several years before he/they can practice medicine.
Doctors must attend medical school for several years before they can practice medicine.
While "have/has to" and "must" can be used interchangeably, there are differences in usage:
Both verbs can be used in British English to talk about obligation. (In American English, 'have to' is the normal form.) British English often makes a distinction as follows. 'Must' is used mostly to talk about the feelings and wishes of the speaker and hearer — for example, to give or ask for orders. 'Have (got) to' is used mostly to talk about obligations that come from "outside" — for example from laws, regulations, agreements and other people's orders. Compare:
I must stop smoking. (I want to.)
I have to/she has to stop smoking. Doctor's orders.
This is a terrible party. We really must go home.
This is a lovely party, but we've got to go home because of the baby-sitter.
Must you wear dirty old jeans all the time? (Is it personally important for you?)
Do you have to/does he has to wear a tie at work? (Is there a regulation?)
What's the difference between "ought to" and "should"?
"ought" indicates what somebody should/must do
"should " gives a suggestion on what is the right thing for somebody to do
You ought to tell her how you feel.
You can't avoid telling her how you feel
You should tell her how you feel.
It is better or the best to tell her how you feel
By saying "ought to" you suggest someone what is one of the last options one has or something that one can't easily avoid, for example, any longer.
By saying "should" you suggest someone that something is good to be done or something that after all is meaningful.
The difference is in importance you give when you say "ought to" or "should". "Ought to" wants to say that you think that it is more important something to be done.
As well, "should" more expresses something than it is explicit. "Ought to" is more explicit, closer to a request than "should".
WHAT ARE MODAL VERBS?
All the auxiliary verbs except "be, do and have" are called modal verbs. Unlike other auxiliary verbs, modals only exist in their helping form; they cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence.
Be, do, and have also differ from the other auxiliaries in that they can also serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence.
The modal verbs are: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, ought to, will and would.
COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
http://www.easyenglish.com/lesson.asp?much.txt
Active and Passive Voice: Tense-wise Rules
Simple Present tense
An Active sentence in the simple present tense has the following structure:
Subject + first form of the verb + object
A passive sentence in the simple present tense has the following structure:
Object of the active sentence + is/am/are + past participle form of the verb + by + subject of the active sentence
Changing an assertive sentence into the passive
Active: I write a letter.
Passive: A letter is written by me.
Active: I help you.
Passive: You are helped by me.
Active: I love my parents.
Passive: My parents are loved by me.
Active: We love our country.
Passive: Our country is loved by us.
Changing a negative sentence into the passive
Active: I do not write a letter.
Passive: A letter is not written by me.
Active: I do not abuse my servants.
Passive: My servants are not abused by me.
Active: I do not write novels.
Passive: Novels are not written by me.
Active: He does not tease her.
Passive: She is not teased by him.
Changing an interrogative sentence into the passive
Structure: Is/are/am + object of the active verb + past participle form of the verb + by + subject of the passive verb
Active: Do you write a letter?
Passive: Is a letter written by you?
Active: Do you write stories?
Passive: Are stories written by you?
Active: Does she make candles?
Passive: Are candles made by her?
Active: Who does not obey you?
Passive: By whom are you not obeyed?
Active: Which newspaper do you read?
Passive: Which newspaper is read by you?
Active: Does she do her duty?
Passive: Is her duty done by her?
Notes:
The object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb. Therefore, sentences which do not have an object cannot be changed into the passive. The following sentences, for instance, cannot be changed into the passive because they do not have objects.
The old man sat in a corner.
The child sleeps.
The wind blows.
The dog barks.
The fire burns.
He laughed aloud.
pdf download
CONSONANTS
There is a spelling rule for words ending in a consonant + le
Words ending in -le
The vowel sound is SHORT when there are two consonants between the vowel and the -le.
li tt le
ha nd le
ti ck le
a mp le
a pp le
bo tt le
pu zz le
cru mb le
a ng le
bu bb le
mi dd le
The sound is LONG when there is only one consonant before 'le"
bugle
able
poodle
needle
idle
people
table
* By Italki member Denis
ENGLISH TENSES
This website lists all the verb tenses with examples
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/tenses
Some further links for grammar exercises:
englishonline.sites.uol.com.br/english/basic.htm
www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar
depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/exercises/main/gr.
www.better-english.com/grammar.htm
www.smic.be/smic5022/exercisesgrammar.htm
USING ADJECTIVES LIKE HAPPY& SAD WITH SENTENCES AS EXAMPLES
http://www.english-at-home.com/vocabulary/talking-about-people-and-emotions/english-word-for-emotions/
Maybe you would like to check out these too :
http://www.englishdaily626.com/c-mistakes.php
http://blog.chinasprout.com/2008/05/english-and-chinese-grammar.html
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/language/index.pl?read=1137
THERE ARE 8 PARTS OF SPEECH IN ENGLISH
This is a summary of the 8 parts of speech
part of speech function or "job" example words example sentences
Verb action or state (to) be, have, do, like, work, sing, can, must EnglishClub.com is a web site. I like EnglishClub.com.
Noun thing or person pen, dog, work, music, town, London, teacher, John This is my dog. He lives in my house. We live in London.
Adjective describes a noun a/an, the, 69, some, good, big, red, well, interesting My dog is big. I like big dogs.
Adverb describes a verb, adjective or adverb quickly, silently, well, badly, very, really My dog eats quickly. When he is very hungry, he eats really quickly.
Pronoun replaces a noun I, you, he, she, some Tara is Indian. She is beautiful.
Preposition links a noun to another word to, at, after, on, but We went to school on Monday.
Conjunction joins clauses or sentences or words and, but, when I like dogs and I like cats. I like cats and dogs. I like dogs but I don't like cats.
Interjection short exclamation, sometimes inserted into a sentence oh!, ouch!, hi!, well Ouch! That hurts! Hi! How are you? Well, I don't know.
- Some grammar sources categorize English into 9 or 10 parts of speech. At EnglishClub.com, we use the traditional categorization of 8 parts of speech. Examples of other categorizations are:
* Verbs may be treated as two different parts of speech:
o Lexical Verbs (work, like, run)
o Auxiliary Verbs (be, have, must)
* Determiners may be treated as a separate part of speech, instead of being categorized under Adjectives
HOW TO USE UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
Uncountable nouns have only one form. i.e., the singular form. Examples: Gold, water, air, tea, milk, fire etc. You don’t normally use a/an before an uncountable noun.
A list of uncountable nouns:
a) substances: water, air, iron, paper, plastic,
b) abstract ideas: life, progress, happiness, joy, fun, freedom, health
c) activities: work, travel, sleep, football, help,
d) feelings: love, hope, anger, hate, respect
These are the most tricky ones:
- accommodation
- advice
- behavior
- business
- cash
- equipment
- furniture
- health
- homework
- information
- knowledge
- luggage
- money
- permission
- rubbish
- traffic
- travel
- weather
- work
- scenery
Uncountable only in the plural form
There is a group of nouns that have their meanings only in the plural form.
For example:
- clothes
- contents
- goods
- means
- tidings
- outskirts
- jeans
- surroundings
UNDERSTANDING SENTENCE STRUCTURE
The following are some sites explaining English sentence structure with some exercises as well:
- http://www.arts.uottawa.ca/writcent/hypergrammar/sntstrct.html
- http://www.speak-read-write.com/grammar1.html
- http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/157039/how_to_identify_the_parts_of_a_sentence.html?cat=4
- http://grammar.about.com/od/basicsentencegrammar/a/basicstructures.htm
- http://www.berghuis.co.nz/abiator/lang/lscr/lscrindex.html ( an exercise of scrambles sentences ).
WHAT IS A SIMPLE SUBJECT AND A COMPLETE SUBJECT?
from Mister Wright Example sentence #1:
"The big, gray, ugly, hungry shark ate the whale."
Who did the eating in this sentence? The shark did.
So, the "shark" is the "simple subject".
The complete subject is "the big, gray, ugly hungry shark".
So the complete subject includes the simple subject, plus all of it's modifiers or descriptive words.
Example sentence #2:
"The cold, white snow fell on the ground".
Simple Subject: "snow"
Complete Subject: "cold, white, snow".
HOW TO FRAME A SENTENCE
- Write short and simple sentences using simple vocabulary. A simple sentence should have a subject and a verb (or subject + verb + complement / object).
'He speaks fluently.'
'I teach English.'
'She looks tired.'
- To write strong, clear sentences you must know who or what you are writing about (subject) and what you want to say about them or it (predicate):
'He often comes late to class.'
'He': the subject
'often comes late to class': the predicate
(The predicate contains information about the someone or something that is the subject)
- Avoid thinking in your mother tongue and translating it when writing in English. If you want to write correct sentences, you will have to "think" in English.
Active and Passive Voice:
I am writing a letter. - Active
The letter is written by me - Passive.
I will not write you an answer - Active
An answer will not be written to you ( by me ) - Passive.
USE OF AN ARTICLE IN ENGLISH
What is an article? Basically, an article is an adjective. Like adjectives, articles modify nouns.
English has two articles: the and a/an. The is used to refer to specific or particular nouns; a/an is used to modify non-specific or non-particular nouns. We call the the definite article and a/an the indefinite article.
the = definite article
a/an = indefinite article
For example, if I say, "Let's read the book," I mean a specific book. If I say, "Let's read a book," I mean any book rather than a specific book.
Here's another way to explain it: The is used to refer to a specific or particular member of a group. For example, "I just saw the most popular movie of the year." There are many movies, but only one particular movie is the most popular. Therefore, we use the.
"A/an" is used to refer to a non-specific or non-particular member of the group. For example, "I would like to go see a movie." Here, we're not talking about a specific movie. We're talking about any movie. There are many movies, and I want to see any movie. I don't have a specific one in mind.
PERSONAL PRONOUNS
English has 7 personal pronouns:
- first-person singular (I)
- second-person singular and plural (you)
- third-person singular human or animate male (he)
- third-person singular human or animate female (she
)
- third-person singular inanimate (it)
- third-person plural (they)
Each pronoun has up to five forms:
- A form used as the subject of a finite verb (I/we)
- An objective or oblique form (me/us/etc.) used as the object of a verb or of a preposition
- A reflexive form (myself/ourselves/etc.) which replaces the objective-case form in referring to the same entity as the subject.
- And two possessive forms (my/our/etc. and mine/ours/etc.).
These are used to stand for the possessor of another noun — one that is used as a determiner, and one that is used as a pronoun or a predicate adjective. The former are sometimes not included among the pronouns, since they do not act as nouns, but have a role closer to that of adjectives. Nevertheless, the term "pronoun" is frequently applied to both, at least informally. The two sets of pronouns are sometimes distinguished with the terms "possessive determiners" or "possessive adjectives", and "possessive pronouns", respectively.
- You can increase your English input (writing and speaking) if you listen and read a lot (English output). By listening and reading you will automatically improve your writing and speaking skills.
The more listening and reading you do, the more natural it will become to use English without translating.
- Use a good English dictionary that can clearly define words, provide information about grammar and give sample sentences to show how words are used in context.
NOUNS ARE NAMING WORDS
Nouns can be used as attributives.
Examples:
apple
apple tree
silver
silver bracelet
yard
yard sale
diamond
diamond ring
There is not a great difference other than a noun may occasionally be used to modify other nouns, and an adjective may occasionally be used as a noun.
Examples:
"The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"
I enjoy good food.
The adjective "good" can be referred to as a noun, but is primarily used to modify
VERBAL NOUNS eg studying comes from the noun study, looking comes from the noun look
For more information go to
There are many references to the use of verbal nouns on the web, such as:
http://www.answers.com/topic/verbal-noun
CONDITIONALS
- The Zero Conditional (Type 0)
"Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air."
- First Conditional (Type I)
"If I have the money, I will buy this car."
- Second Conditional (Type II)
"If I were you, I would not talk to him."
- Third Conditional (Type III)
"If had studied harder, I would have aced the test."
USING GERUNDS
You should always use the gerund form after the verb. For example:
- I enjoy to eat (INCORRECT!!!!)
- I enjoy eating (correct)
Other examples: admit, avoid, require, mention, imagine, finish, keep, mind, suggest, recall, practise, miss etc. These all require the use of gerund after them.
With other verbs such as "like" the meaning is unchanged between infinitive and gerund. For example:
- I like to eat (correct)
- I like eating (correct)
Both have the same meaning.
USING PREPOSITIONS IN ESSAYS
Prepositions are words which stand in front of a noun or pronoun.Common prepositions used in essays often include: about, above, around, as, except, during, inside, through, towards, underneath, upon,without etc. For example;
Above the prisoner's head, all he could see was the ceiling. During his imprisonment he tried to peer through the narrow slit in the wall but it was only about two centimetres wide. On a warm day he could see a sliver of sunlight, as he gazed upon the graffiti left by others.
Check these sites for information about prepositions of time and place and their application:
http://esl.about.com/library/beginner/bleasypreps.htm
http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/CILL/eap/2004/u2/pg34preps.htm
EXAMPLE: Here is the rule for using the prepositions in and on
In
'in' mainly denotes to be located or to be in a specified place in the examples below
PLACE: He lives in the country. He lives in Chicago. (BUT, He lives at 2300 Wabash Ave.)
TIME: I’ll be there in an hour.
MANNER: The child ran down the steps in tears.
REFERENCE: In my opinion we need a referendum. They are happy in their marriage.
On
'on' indicates proximity and position above or outside:
PLACE: He sat on the fence.
TIME: He was not thinking well on that occasion.
REFERENCE: He asked my opinion on the matter.
CONDITION: We’ll hire him on your recommendation.
TENSES
This website lists all the verb tenses with examples
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/tenses
PRESENT TENSE
We can use the present simple or continuous to say how somebody feels or looks now:
'How do you feel now?' OR 'How are you feeling now?'
'I feel tired now' OR 'I'm feeling tired now.'
But
'I usually feel tired in the morning.' (NOT I'm usually feeling)
- 'He usually protests against his stepmother's behaviour.'
(We use the present simple to talk about things in general. We use it to say that something happens all the time or repeatedly, or that something is true in general.)
'She's protesting against her father's decision not to give her pocket money.'
(We use the present continuous to talk about actions happening 'NOW' at the time of speaking. We also use it with 'today/this week/this year etc, or to talk about changes happening round now).
- 'You are silly' (You are silly generally, not only at the moment).
'You are being silly'
You are being= you are behavinng / you are acting
(Being silly = behaving or acting in a silly way at the moment (now) )
PAST TENSE
Simple past is formed for regular verbs by adding –ed to the root of a word. Example: He walked to the store. A negation is produced by adding did not and the verb in its infinitive form. Example: He did not walk to the store. Question sentences are started with did as in Did he walk to the store?
Simple past is used for describing acts that have already been concluded and whose exact time of occurrence is known. Furthermore, simple past is used for retelling successive events. That is why it is commonly used in storytelling.
Past progressive is formed by using the adequate form of to be and the verb’s present participle: He was going to church. By inserting not before the main verb a negation is achieved. Example: He was not going to church. A question is formed by prefixing the adequate form of to be as in Was he going?.
Past progressive is used for describing events that were in the process of occurring when a new event happened. The already occurring event is presented in past progressive, the new one in simple past. Example: We were sitting in the garden when the thunderstorm started. Use is similar to other languages' imperfect tense.
Present perfect simple is formed by combining have/has with the main verb’s past participle form: I have arrived. A negation is produced by inserting not after have/has: I have not arrived. Questions in present perfect are formulated by starting a sentence with have/has: Has she arrived?
Present perfect simple is used for describing a past action’s effect on the present: He has arrived. Now he is here. This holds true for events that have just been concluded as well as for events that have not yet occurred.
Present perfect progressive is formed by prefixing have/has before the grammatical participle been and the verb’s present participial form: We have been waiting. A negation is expressed by including not between have/has and been: They have not been eating. As with present perfect simple, for forming a question, have/has is put at the beginning of a sentence: Have they been eating?
Present perfect progressive is used for describing an event that has been going on until the present and may be continued in the future. It also puts emphasis on how an event has occurred. Very often since and for mark the use of present perfect progressive: I have been waiting for five hours / I have been waiting since three o’clock.
Furthermore, there is another version of past tense possible: past perfect, similar to other languages' pluperfect tense.
Past perfect simple is formed by combining the simple past form of to have with the past participle form of the main verb: We had shouted. A negation is achieved by including not after had: You had not spoken. Questions in past perfect always start with had: Had he laughed?
Past perfect simple is used for describing secluded events that have occurred before something else followed. The event that is closer to the present is given in simple past tense: After we had visited our relatives in New York, we flew back to Toronto.
Past perfect progressive is formed by had, the grammatical particle been and the present participle of the main verb: You had been waiting. For negation, not is included before been: I had not been waiting. A question sentence is formed by starting with had: Had she been waiting?
If emphasis is put on the duration of a concluded action of the past, since and for are signal words for past perfect progressive: We had been waiting at the airport since the 9 P.M. flight. / They had been waiting for three hours now.
USAGE OF HAVE GOT AND GOT
SOURCE: http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic40068.html
Have got and have (for possession, relationships, illnesses etc.):
In this case there is no difference in meaning.
They've got a new car. or They have a new car.
Lisa has got two brothers. or Lisa has two brothers.
I've got a headache. or I have a headache.
-1st Difference-
- For past you have to use had (without got)
Lisa had long hair. (not Lisa had got long hair.)
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Questions and Negative Sentences
Have you got any questions? - I haven't got any questions.
Do you have any questions? - I don't have any questions.
Have you any questions? (less usual) - I haven't any questions. (less usual)
-2nd Difference-
- As you can see grammatically all of them correct but using just have is not common.
------------
-3rd Difference-
Have is used for many actions and experiences (but not have got)
breakfast/a cup of tea/dinner/a party/a shower/an accident/a discussion/difficulty/etc.
- Sometimes I have (=eat) a sandwich for my lunch. (not I've got)
The meaning of have represents action of eating that is why you have to use just have.
- I had (=experience) difficulty finding a place to live.
The meaning of had is experience difficulty doing something so, you have to use just have.
Questions and Inversions
Basically, inversion usually creates a question.
Inverting words creates a question. In spoken English you will be able to tell the difference by the tone of the sentence or by the context.
Q: "Should we go to the restaurant?" A: "Should we!" (falling tone, like 第四声 = "Of course we should!"
but, also
Q: "Should we go to the restaurant?" A: "Should we?" (rising tone, like 第二声) = "I don't know, should we go?"
You can see standard inversion for questions in these examples; if there is more than one verb in the clause (usually a "helper" verb like "should", "could", etc), you only invert the first verb and the subject:
"Should I go to bed?" "Yes, you should."
"Can you speak Chinese?" "No, I can't."
"Do you want to go shopping?" "No, I don't
want to go shopping."
By Italki member: CrazedEwok
FUTURE SIMPLE AND FUTURE PERFECT
The future simple is simply indicating that you are doing something in the FUTURE,be it the near or far future.
It is formed by will + verb in infinitive
I will call you in one minute .
I will visit her tomorrow .
He will travel to London next month.
She will graduate next year.
The Future Perfect indicates that the action or event will be completed at a time in the future.A specific time is usually stated or understood.
That is why it is often used with "by" and "until".
It is formed by will + verb in the present perfect ( verb to have + Participle)
By the time you arrive here , you will have flown 6 hours.
The students will have finished their paintings tomorrow.
He will have worked at this company for 2 years next week.
Future perfect: I will be doing.
Future perfect continuous: I will have been doing. Or: I will be going to have been doing.
Future perfect describes a future action while future perfect continuous describes a future action that is already performed or is in the act of being performed before another action or state of being can be attained.
Think of it as: I will do something BUT before I can do it I have to do something else.
Future perfect continuous is the "set up" for an action (or state of being) to follow.
So: I will do something. When I do it, I WILL HAVE BEEN DOING something else first.
Just think of the action described in the future perfect continuous as an obstacle standing between you & a future action. First do (or be doing) the primary action (future perfect continuous). Only then can you perform the secondary action (future perfect tense)
What is the causative passive voice? Watch an online teacher give an explanation on the website below.
The Causative Passive
Causative Passive. Remember:. The causative in the passive voice has two structures:. 1. For GET and HAVE: usually used with professional services. ...
international.ouc.bc.ca/chalkntalk/causativepassive/ - 2k
SUBJUNCTIVE TENSE
It is mostly used in American English after certain verbs like request, advise, ask, beg, decide, decree, desire, dictate, insist, intend, move, order, petition, propose, recommend, request, require, resolve, suggest, urge, and vote.
NO,SHE REQUESTED THAT ``I NOT BRING´´ ......present subjunctive
NO,SHE REQUESTED THAT ``I DON'T BRING´´ .....normal present tense is sometimes used instead
NO,SHE REQUESTED THAT ``I SHOULD NOT BRING´´ .......in British English 'should' often replaces the subjunctive
.
NO,SHE REQUESTED "ME TO NOT BRING".......sometimes the infinitive is used instead
Present subjunctive tense of the verb 'bring,'
I bring
You bring
He bring....no s
We bring
You bring
They bring
There is also a past subjunctive in English. Here is a good reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_subjunctive
INDIRECT OR REPORTED SPEECH
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/reported-speech/statements
Reported speech is telling someone what someone else said. Often if we communicate what someone said by writing, we simply quote them:
Tom said, "I want to go home."
With reported/indirect speech there are no quotes and the verb tense is one degree in the past:
Tom said he wanted to go home.
What I mean by "one degree in the past" is that the present tense becomes the past, the past tense becomes the past perfect, etc:
He said, "I want to go to the store." = He said he wanted to go to the store.
He said, "I wanted to go to the store but it was raining." = He said that he had wanted to go to the store but it was raining.
DanOIS THERE A FUTURE TENSE FOR THE WORD 'MUST'?
There is no future form of 'must' , so we use 'will have to' instead.
'ought to' is a little different, because it suggests that you would do something if you were good, but you might or might not do it.
'have to' means you are required and 'will have to' is correct for the future.
zooey
eg We must meet Alan tomorrow.
PHRASAL VERBS
http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/
You can browse alphabetically for the verb, find a certain verb and search all the prepositions attached, or find a certain preposition and get most of the verbs they are attached to with definitions and examples in all cases.
SEPARABLE AND INSEPARABLE PHRASAL VERBS
Here is an easy way of determining whether phrasal verbs are separable or inseparable. In inseparable verbs, the object comes after the particle.
For example:-
- "She got on the bus ."
- "On weekdays, we look after our grandchildren."
Separable verbs have several ways of separating verb, particle and object. Usually, the object comes between verb and particle.
For example:-
- "She looked up the word in her dictionary."
- "She looked it up in her dictionary."
However, with some separable verbs, the object can come before or after the particle.
For example:-
- "Switch the light off."
- "Switch off the light."
- "Switch it off."
IRREGULAR VERBS
ATTRIBUTIVE CLAUSES
"Who" refers exclusively to people. * Like:
"The man WHO came to town."
The only real attributive clause contention you'll see on this matter, is that between 'that' or 'which'. Like:
"That is a book WHICH I need for class." vs. "That is a book THAT I need for the class."
There's a (pretty weak) rule out there which says that THAT should be used with restrictive modifiers, and WHICH with nonrestrictive modifiers. Just ignore that rule, really; it's more often non-applicable than not. For smooth speech, just drop THAT or WHICH altogether, like:
"That is a book I need for class."
--
- For use of the relative pronoun as object, you can use THAT as well for humans:
"The man WHOM I saw yesterday..."
"The man THAT I saw yesterday..."
Though 'whom,' in the above context, would be considered somewhat archaic these days. For best smooth speech, just drop WHOM/THAT here too. Like:
"The man I saw yesterday..."
ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
Adverbial Clauses are phrases that function as an adverb in a sentence. Adverbial Clauses can be used to show time (temporal clauses) or cause (causal clauses).
Temporal Adverbial Clauses (showing time):
While I was fishing last year, I caught a fish.
After we finished hiking for the day, we took a nap.
Causal Adverbial Clauses (showing cause):
Because my sister knew how I felt, she took me to the mall.
Since I had never been to Japan, I brought a guide book with me.
If you have some phrases in mind that you want to change to an Adverb clause. I'll help you.
Example:
Adverb: I saw the movie yesterday.
Adverb Phrase: I saw the movie on Friday.
Adverb(ial) Clause: I saw the movie before I left for Calgary
PALINDROMES
A palindrome is a word or sentence that is the same spelled forward or backward. For example, take a look at the following sentence: "Madam, I'm Adam". If you omit the punctuation, you can see that the letters spell the same thing forward and backward. There are lots of words that are palindromes including: dad, deified, kayak, mom, repaper, reviver, rotator, and radar.
TIPS ON HOW TO MEMORIZE VOCABULARY
Here are some tips for enlarging and remembering vocabulary.
Vocabulary can’t always be understood just from a dictionary definition.
In order to really understand a new vocabulary word, you need to know how to use it in a variety of contexts.
Just knowing a vocabulary word enough to recognize it later on is not sufficient enough to memorize it. Your really need to know what the vocabulary word sounds like and how it is spelled.
You must know the vocabulary word visually and phonetically.
For the visual part of the vocabulary word look at the spelling, close your eyes and say the spelling out loud, then open your eyes and check that you spelled it correctly.
For the phonetic part of the vocabulary word, read the vocabulary word, look away from the page and say it out loud, then check that you have said the vocabulary correctly.
If you can learn the vocabulary word both visually and phonetically, you know the vocabulary word really well. This is most important.
Once you know the vocabulary word really well, you need to connect that vocabulary word to what you already know. Use 'post it' notes to stick the word onto objects in your home.
You need to turn the vocabulary word into a memorable image in your imagination.
Consider what the new vocabulary word reminds you of that can be easily visualized.
Try to pick the first thing that comes into your head because when you re-encounter the vocabulary word you’re likely to think the same way again. Try drawing a picture or symbol next to the words
USING PHRASES CORRECTLY
http://www.whitesmoke.com/grammar-rules-sentence-structure-phrases.html
A phrase is a group of words that does not contain both a subject and a predicate and therefore cannot stand alone as a clause or a sentence. There are a few kinds of phrases.
1. A noun phrase functions as a noun in a sentence.
The old Berlin zoo was established back in 1844.
noun phrase functions as a subjectDuring my last visit to Berlin, I liked the Berlin zoo the best.
noun phrase functions as a direct object of the verb like2. A verb phrase functions as the verb in a sentence.
The old Berlin zoo was established back in 1844.
During my last visit to Berlin, I couldn't stop admiring the Berlin zoo the best.
3. A prepositional phrase always starts with a preposition and functions as a modifier.
During my last visit to Berlin in 2002, I took the train to the Berlin zoo.
during my last visit, to Berlin, in 2002 are three prepositional phrases modifying the verb took for time and place, to the Berlin zoo is a prepositional phrase modifying the verb took for place4. An absolute phrase usually contains a noun or pronoun and a present or past participle. It modifies the entire sentence that it is in.
Zoos being top city attractions, the Berlin zoo is not to be missed.
absolute phrase contains present participleOur trip nearly finished, we decided to spend our last day at the Berlin zoo.
absolute phrase contains past participle5. A verbal phrase contains a verb part that functions not as a verb, but rather as a noun or an adjective. Verbals are either infinitives, present participles, or past participles (non - finite verb forms). As opposed to absolute phrases, verbal phrases modify part of a sentence but not the whole sentence.
We used the last day of our trip to visit the Berlin zoo.
infinitive phrase modifyingVisiting the Berlin zoo, we were amazed by the beauty of the exotically designed animal enclosures.
present participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying weThe children, amazed by the animal exhibits, didn't want to leave the Berlin zoo.
past participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying the children6. A gerund phrase looks like a verbal phrase with a present participle but functions as a noun, whereas a verbal present participial phrase functions as a modifier.
Visiting the Berlin zoo was a great experience.
gerund phrase functions as a noun = subject of the sentenceVisiting the Berlin zoo, we were amazed by the beauty of the exotically designed animal enclosures.
verbal present participial phrase functions as an adjective modifying weI always enjoy visiting zoos in the cities I visit.
gerund phrase functions as a noun = object of the verb enjoy
WHAT IS PARALLELISM ? Source: Wikipedia:
In grammar, parallelism is a balance of two or more similar words, phrases, or clauses. The application of parallelism in sentence construction improves writing style clearness and readability. Parallelism may also be known as parallel structure or parallel construction. In English, parallelism of the predicate provides for one of the few structural situations in which the subject for each verb does not need restatement. Parallelism is often achieved in conjunction with other stylistic principles, such as antithesis, anaphora, asyndeton, climax, epistrophe, and symploce.
Parallelism strengthens sequences described.
Examples
Some examples of parallelistic sentences:
Wrong: The investigators added drug A, added drug B, and measured the pH.
Correct: The investigators added drug A and drug B, then measured the pH.
Wrong: You must take particular care in the preparation of your materials and methods, your bibliography, and your index.
Correct: You must take particular care in the preparation of your materials and methods, of your bibliography, and of your index.
Wrong: Please leave your name, your number, and a message should also be left.
Correct: Please leave your name, your number, and your message.
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS E.G. USA, UN, UNICEF, BA, ETC
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Abbreviations and acronyms dictionary:
Acronym Finder: The Acronym Finder is a searchable database of over 4 million acronyms, abbreviations and meanings. Covers: common acronyms, computers etc
www.acronymfinder.com
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Browse the Web's Largest Acronyms & Abbreviations Resource .
Business - Medical - Miscellaneous
www.abbreviations.com/
WHAT IS A TAG QUESTION?
"Yes, it is" always means the positive, no matter how the question is asked.
A: Nice day, isn't it?
B: Yes, it is. (It is a nice day)
A: The weather isn't nice at all today, is it?
B: Oh yes, it is. (The weather is nice today)
USE OF GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES
See http://www.italki.com/answers/question/89553.htm
Dictionary definition and use of "as"
Meaning and usage of "as" as an adverb.
1. To the same extent or degree; equally: The child sang as sweetly as a nightingale.
2. For instance: large carnivores, as the bear or lion.
3. When taken into consideration in a specified relation or form: this definition as distinguished from the second one.
Meaning and usage "as" as a conjunction
1. To the same degree or quantity that. Often used as a correlative after so or as: You are as sweet as sugar. The situation is not so bad as you suggest.
2. In the same manner or way that: Think as I think.
3. At the same time that; while: slipped on the ice as I ran home.
4. For the reason that; because: went to bed early, as I was exhausted.
5. With the result that: He was so foolish as to lie.
6. Though: Great as the author was, he proved a bad model. Ridiculous as it seems, the tale is true.
7. In accordance with which or with the way in which: The hotel is quite comfortable as such establishments go. The sun is hot, as everyone knows.
8. Informal That: I don't know as I can answer your question.
Meaning and usage of "as" as a pronoun.
1. That; which; who. Used after same or such: I received the same grade as you did.
2. Chiefly Upper Southern U.S. Who, whom, which, or that: Those as want to can come with me.
Meaning and usage of "as" as a preposition.
1. In the role, capacity, or function of: acting as a mediator.
2. In a manner similar to; the same as: On this issue they thought as one.
HOW TO USE THE WORD "UP"
I'm sure you will enjoy this. I never knew one word in the English language that can be a noun, verb, adj, adv, prep.
The two-letter word 'up' in English has more meanings than any other two-letter word. It is listed in the dictionary as an
adv,
prep,
adj,
n or
v.
It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?
At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP, and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report? We call UP our friends, brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and fix UP the old car.
At other times, this little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, lineUP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.
To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special.
And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.
We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!
To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look UP the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.
If you are UP to it, you might try buildingUP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.
When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out, we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it soaks UP the earth. When it does not rain for awhile, things dry UP. One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now . . . my time is UP!
Oh . . . one more thing: What is the first thing you do in the morning and the last thing you do at night?
U
you P!
peeDid that one crack you UP?
HOW TO STRUCTURE LOGICAL QUESTIONS?
There are two basic question forms in English, which depend on whether you want a Yes/No reply or whether you are seeking information. So, the form depends on the purpose.
For a simple Yes/No question, the most basic form is to invert the verb and subject:
"You are a student." - statement
"Are you a student?" - question, answer "Yes/No".
For questions that are seeking information, you place a pronoun (called an interrogative pronoun) before the inversion, such as:
"What are you studying?"
- the answer here will be the 'what', and you should see that in the statement form (of a full answer), this information replaces the interrogative pronoun and becomes the object:
"I am studying English."
Because all you are asking for is the 'what', you can also give a very short answer:
"What are you studying?" "English."
There are of course more complex question forms, but you should see that they all come from these basic forms. Please feel free to follow up if there are any specific examples that you are having trouble with.
As for the 'Wh' pronouns themselves, these relate to the type of information you are looking for, and there really aren't very many. The most common ones are:
What - a thing, object, or generality
Where - a place or direction
Why - a reason
How - a method (eg, for doing something)
Which - a choice
Whose - a possession (= who does this belong to)
When - a time or time period
FORMATTER ERROR (":" and "&" not supported in Page Names)
And there are a few variations:
How much - a quantity (uncountable)
How many - a quantity (countable)
HOW plus an adjective or adverb also give you requests for something specific, usually a measurement or figure:
How long - a distance, length or time period
How tall - a height
How quick - a speed (or time related to speed)
How happy - a measurement of your state of happiness
For learning
English | Category
Grammar | Level
A1: Beginner |
Second language
English | Created
Feb 16, 2009 17:42 | Views
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