Learn English, Live English.: 2019-10-20

Friday, October 25, 2019

Resources and Links - Resources for French-speaking learners

Resources for French-speaking learners

Français avec Mahmoud - https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Coach/Fran%C3%A7ais-avec-Mahmoud-135310470396212/
French-English Language Guide
English tests from Vocable
English grammar in French.
Tim's Box free games - French-English
1-Language (learn English from French)
Online technical English database (French-English)
Useful English-French phrases
France's English-language newspaper
English-French proverbs

Resources and Links - Dictations

Dictations

Graded Dictations
Short dictations
Everyday situations

Resources and Links - Pronunciation

Pronunciation

Learn vocabulary with sound (US)
Pronunciation guide for learners
Language Guide
Pronunciation practice
Pronunciation Guide for American English Dictionary
Pronunciation Workshop

Resources and Links - Reading

Reading

Easy articles for learners
Articles for upper-Intermediate/Advanced levels
Dreamreader: Free reading lessons with exercises
Free classic literature online
Free short stories: Eastoftheweb
University of Victoria: Reading (adults) audio + exercises
Free graded online e-books
Bartleby: free books
Linguapress: Intermediate reading resources
Free short stories: The New Yorker
Loyal Books: free audio and ebooks to download
Linguapress: Advanced reading resources

Resources and Links - Interactive Speaking Services (require registration)

Interactive Speaking Services (require registration)

Speak Confident English (speaking course)
WeSpeke social network
Skype Buddies

Resources & Links - Listening and Speaking (podcasts, videos and film clips)

Listening and Speaking (podcasts, videos and film clips)

Easy news reports
Breaking News English
British Council podcasts
5MinuteEnglish
YouTube mini lectures
VOA News (with script)
British Council lessons for beginners
ESOL lessons for beginners
VOA lessons for beginners
Business: listening exercises
Focus English: everyday dialogues
Film clips and trailers with exercises

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Grammar - Beginner - Do, Does and Did

Do, Does and Did

Use do, does and did to talk about actions.
Use do with the pronouns I, you, we and they, and with plural nouns. Use does with the pronouns he, she and it, and singular nouns.
Did is the simple past tense of do and does.

He does such interesting work.
They do amazing tricks.
Dad does the dishes.
We always do exercise together.
Mom does the cooking.
Sally did her hair in front of the mirror.
They did the dusting and cleaning.
Jane did all the laundry by herself.
You did well in the test.
I did poorly on my exam.

Here’s a table to remind you about the use of do and does:
Singular Plural
First person I do we do
Second person you do you do
Third person he does they do
she does they do
it does they do

4 Here’s a table to remind you about the use of the verb did:
Singular Plural
First person I did we did
Second person you did you did
Third person he did they did
she did they did
it did they did

Learn these contractions:
do not = don’t
does not = doesn’t
did not = didn’t

You can also use do, does and did as helping verbs to ask and answer questions.

Do you like ice cream? Yes, I do.

Does it rain often here? Yes, it does.

Does he enjoy music? Yes, he does.

Did it snow last night? No, it didn’t.

Who wants to come with me to the zoo? We all do!

What do you want for lunch?

Who broke this vase? Peter did!

Does Ken often come home late? Yes, he does.

Why did he leave so suddenly?

Does everyone have a dictionary?

Use do not, does not and did not to make other verbs negative.

Cats do not like water.

I don’t enjoy difficult math tests.

Sophie doesn’t want to go to school.

He didn’t get to the station in time.

Don’t you have a ticket? No, I don’t.

Don’t they go to the gym on Mondays? Yes, they do.

Didn’t they win? No, they didn’t.

You didn’t draw that picture yourself, did you?

Did you see the rainbow? No, I didn’t.

Do not forget to switch off the air conditioner.

Don’t tell lies!

Grammar - Beginner - The Future Tense

The Future Tense

Use the future tense for things that have not happened yet, but are going to happen.

Use the verbs shall and will as helping verbs or auxiliary verbs to form the future tense.

FORMING THE SIMPLE FUTURE

The simple future tense is composed of two parts: will / shall + the infinitive without to

1: We use the future simple with 'will' to predict the future. It is the basic way we talk about the future in English, and we often use it if there is no reason to use another future tense. We can use it for future facts and for things that are less certain.

The sun will rise at 7am.

I think the Conservatives will win the next election.

2: Promises / requests / refusals / offers. This is sometimes called 'volitional' will. It's about wanting to do something or not wanting to do something in the future.

I'll help you with your homework.

Will you give me a hand?

I won't go!

In a similar way, we often use 'will' when we're talking about a decision at the moment of speaking. We are usually making an offer or promise or talking about something that we want to do.

A: I'm cold. B: I'll close the window.

3: We use the simple future with 'will' in the first conditional, and in other sentences that have a conditional feeling.

If it doesn't rain, we'll go to the park.

Let's arrive early. That will give us time to relax.

Shall

'Shall' is used mainly in the forms 'shall I?' and 'shall we?' in British English. These forms are used when you want to get someone's opinion, especially for offers and suggestions.

Shall I open the window? (= Do you want me to open the window?)

Where shall we go tonight? (= What's your opinion?)

Be going to

1: We often use 'be going to' to talk about our future intentions and plans. We have usually made our plans before the moment of speaking.

A: We've run out of milk. B: I know, I'm going to buy some.

2: We can also use 'be going to' to make a prediction about the future. Often it's possible to use both 'be going to' and 'will' but it's more common to use 'be going to' if we can see evidence in the present.

Look at those boys playing football! They're going to break the window.

The sky is getting darker and darker. It's going to rain.

Affirmative Negative Interrogative Interrogative Negative

I will see I won't see Will I see Won't I see?

*I shall see *Shall I see?

You will see You won't see Will you see? Won't you see?

He will see He won't see Will he see? Won't he see?

We will see We won't see Will we see? Won't we see?

*We shall see *Shall we see?

They will see They won't see Will they see? Won't they see?

Learn these contractions:
I shall = I’ll we shall = we’ll
I will = I’ll we will = we’ll
you will = you’ll they will = they’ll
he will = he’ll
she will = she’ll shall not = shan’t
it will = it’ll will not = won’t

Keywords to indicate the presence of Simple future Tense :

Tomorrow

Next (week, month, year,...)

Soon

Shortly

In 2015 / any year that comes after this year

After

In a little time

In the years to come

In future

Early

On next Monday

In a few minutes

Later

Today evening

Within a week

Grammar - Beginner - The Past Progressive Tense

The Past Progressive Tense
Use the past progressive tense to talk about actions that were going on at a certain moment in the past.

Miss May was cleaning the chalkboard.
Sally was packing her books into her schoolbag.
Jenny and I were tidying the classroom.
The twins were fighting in the corner.
Michael and John were washing the paint brushes.
Mom was cooking our supper when I came home.

You form the past progressive tense like this:
was + present participle
were + present participle
In the examples above, was and were are called helping verbs, or auxiliary verbs. They help to form the past progressive tense when you join them to the present participle (the form of verbs ending in -ing) . For example:
Ben was doing his homework.
Peter was making a model of a bridge.

I was watching
You were working
He was playing
She was talking
It was eating
We were hanging
You were acting
They were dancing

We use the past continuous to talk about the past:

for something which happened before and after another action:

The children were doing their homework when I got home.

Compare: The children did their homework when (= after) I got home.

This use of the past continuous is very common at the beginning of a story:

The other day I was waiting for a bus when …
Last week, as I was driving to work, …

for something that happened before and after a specific time:
It was eight o'clock. I was writing a letter.

Compare: At eight o'clock I wrote (= started writing) some letters.

to show that something continued for some time:
My head was aching.
Everyone was shouting.

for something that happened again and again:
I was practising every day, three times a day.
They were meeting secretly after school.
They were always quarrelling.

with verbs which show change or growth:
The children were growing up quickly.
Her English was improving.
My hair was going grey.
The town was changing quickly.

We do not normally use the past continuous with stative verbs. We use the past simple instead:

When I got home, I really needed (NOT was needing) a shower.

Affirmative   Negative Interrogative
I was playing   I was not playing   Was I playing?
You were playing You were not playing   Were you playing?
He was playing He wasn't playing Was he playing?
We were playing   We weren't playing   Were we playing?
They were playing   They weren't playing   Were they playing?

Keywords to indicate the presence of Simple Past Tense :
Yesterday

Last (week, month, year,..)

Ago, Once, Once upon a time

In those days

One day

Then

In 1980s / 1985 / like this

In ancient times

In early days

In my childhood

In my boyhood days

Today morning…

Grammar - Beginner - Past Simple

The Simple Past Tense
Use the simple past tense to talk about things that happened in the past. The simple past tense is also
used to talk about things that happened in stories.

We use the past tense to talk about:

something that happened once in the past:
I met my wife in 1983.
We went to Spain for our holidays.
They got home very late last night.

something that happened several times in the past:
When I was a boy, I walked a mile to school every day.
We swam a lot while we were on holiday.
They always enjoyed visiting their friends.

something that was true for some time in the past:
I lived abroad for ten years.
He enjoyed being a student.
She played a lot of tennis when she was younger.

we often use expressions with ago with the past simple:
I met my wife a long time ago.

I bought a new camera last week.
Joe learned to play the guitar very quickly.
We drove to the safari park last weekend.
The giant panda gave birth to a cub last night.
Yesterday Dad took me to the carnival.
The plane landed a few minutes ago.
The children visited a farm during the holidays.
Who invented the computer?
Jack and Jill went up the hill.
Little Red Riding Hood decided to visit her grandmother.
The Three Bears found Goldilocks asleep in their house.

Past simple questions and negatives

We use did to make questions with the past simple:

Did she play tennis when she was younger?
Did you live abroad?
When did you meet your wife?
Where did you go for your holidays?

But questions with who often don't use did:

Who discovered penicillin?
Who wrote Don Quixote?

We use didn't (did not) to make negatives with the past simple:

They didn't go to Spain this year.
We didn't get home until very late last night.
I didn't see you yesterday.

Regular and Irregular Verbs
The simple past tense of most verbs ends in -ed. These verbs are called regular verbs.

Spelling File
Base Form Simple Past
aim aimed
bake baked
open opened
happen happened
pull pulled
push pushed
scold scolded
shout shouted
visit visited
wait waited
walk walked
work worked

Mom opened the door for us.
Sally petted the dog.
That event happened long ago.
We visited our uncle last week.
They walked to school together yesterday.
They worked until twelve last night.
Dad tried to fix the light.
William Tell aimed at the apple on his son’s head.

- The simple past tense is usually formed by adding -ed
to the verb. For example:
jump + ed = jumped lift + ed = lifted
laugh + ed = laughed look + ed = looked

- If the verb ends with -e, just add -d. For example:
agree + d = agreed hate + d = hated
die + d = died live + d = lived

- Remember these spelling rules:
You must double the last letter of some verbs before adding -ed. For example:
fan + ed = fanned pat + ed = patted
grab + ed = grabbed rip + ed = ripped
nod + ed = nodded slam + ed = slammed

- Notice that the verbs above are all short verbs of just one syllable. They all end with a consonant such as b, d, m, n, p, t, and have only a single vowel before the consonant.

- With verbs that end in -y, change the y to i before adding -ed. For example:
bury + ed = buried fry + ed = fried
carry + ed = carried hurry+ ed = hurried
cry + ed = cried try + ed = tried

The simple past form of some verbs does not end in -ed. Such verbs are called irregular verbs.
The simple past tense of some irregular verbs does not change at all.
He hit the ball over the net.
Dad read to us last night.
He shut the door.
I put some sugar in my coffee.

Spelling File
Base Form Simple Past
beat beat
burst burst
cost cost
cut cut
hit hit
hurt hurt
put put
read read
split split
shut shut

Most irregular verbs, however, take a different form in the simple past tense.
I lost my pen on the bus.
We sold our car last week.
The baby slept right thought the night.
Peter got a watch for his birthday.
I heard a noise in the night.
He brought his pet mouse to school.
My book fell off the desk.

Spelling File
Base Form Simple Past
bend bent
break broke
bring brought
buy bought
fall fell
fly flew
get got
hear heard
keep kept
lose lost
sell sold
shoot shot
sleep slept

Was and Were
The verbs was and were are also forms of the verb be.
Was is the simple past tense of am and is. Use was with the pronouns I, he, she and it, and with singular nouns.

Beethoven was a German composer.
Sue was at the library this morning.
It was very wet on Monday.
Ten years ago she was only a baby.
He was not well yesterday.
Last year she wasn’t tall enough to reach
the high shelf.
Samantha was second in the race,
wasn’t she?

Were is the simple past tense of are. Use were with the pronouns you, we and they, and with plural nouns.
The Romans were brave soldiers.
They were third in the wheelbarrow race.
There weren’t any clouds in the sky.
Were you still in bed when I phoned?
We were on the same school team.
Those were my best jeans.

Here is a table to help you remember the rules:
Singular Plural
First person I was we were
Second person you were you were
Third person he was they were
she was they were
it was they were

Here’s a table to show you the different forms of the verb be:
Simple Present Simple Past
First person singular am was
Second person singular are were
Third person singular is was
First person plural are were
Second person plural are were
Third person plural are were

Learn these contractions:
was not = wasn’t
were not = weren’t

Keywords to indicate the presence of Simple Past Tense :
Yesterday

Last (week, month, year,..)

Ago, Once, Once upon a time

In those days

One day

Then

In 1980s / 1985 / like this

In ancient times

In early days

In my childhood

In my boyhood days

Today morning…

Grammar - Beginner - The Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect Tense

Use the present perfect tense to talk about happenings in the past that explain or affect the present. The verbs have and has are used as “helping” or auxiliary verbs to form the present perfect tense.

Sam has scored two goals.
I’ve just finished my shower.
Uncle Tom has lost his wallet.
John has gone out.
The Lees have moved to Ohio.
It has not rained for months.
Have you found your keys yet?
Tim has made two spelling mistakes.
They have opened a new shop.

To form the present perfect tense join have or has to the past participle of the verb:
have + past participle
has + past participle

The past participle of a regular verb usually ends in -ed, just like the simple past tense. But the past participles of irregular verbs don’t follow this rule.

THE PRESENT PERFECT IS USED TO DESCRIBE

ACTIONS STARTED IN THE PAST AND CONTINUING IN THE PRESENT

They haven't lived here for years.
She has worked in the bank for five years.
We have had the same car for ten years.
Have you played the piano since you were a child?

WHEN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO HAS NOT FINISHED

I have worked hard this week.
It has rained a lot this year.
We haven't seen her today.

ACTIONS REPEATED IN AN UNSPECIFIED PERIOD BETWEEN THE PAST AND NOW.

They have seen that film six times
It has happened several times already.
She has visited them frequently.
We have eaten at that restaurant many times.

ACTIONS COMPLETED IN THE VERY RECENT PAST (+JUST)

Have you just finished work?
I have just eaten.
We have just seen her.
Has he just left?

WHEN THE PRECISE TIME OF THE ACTION IS NOT IMPORTANT OR NOT KNOWN

Someone has eaten my soup!
Have you seen 'Gone with the Wind'?
She's studied Japanese, Russian, and English.

Negative & Questions

Affirmative Negative Interrogative
I have walked   I haven't walked   Have I walked?
You have walked   You haven't walked. Have you walked?
He, she, it has walked   He, she, hasn't walked Has he, she, it walked?

PRESENT PERFECT WITH FOR AND SINCE

Using the present perfect, we can define a period of time before now by considering its duration, with for + a period of time, or by considering its starting point, with since + a point in time. FOR and SINCE can also both be used with the past perfect. SINCE can only be used with perfect tenses. FOR can also be used with the simple past.

FOR + A PERIOD OF TIME

for six years, for a week, for a month, for hours, for two hours
I have worked here for five years.

SINCE + A POINT IN TIME

since this morning, since last week, since yesterday
since I was a child, since Wednesday, since 2 o'clock
I have worked here since 1990.

PRESENT PERFECT WITH FOR

She has lived here for twenty years.
We have taught at this school for a long time.
Alice has been married forthree months.
They have been at the hotel for a week.

PRESENT PERFECT WITH SINCE

She has lived here since 1980.
We have taught at this school since 1965.
Alice has been married since March 2nd.
They have been at the hotel since last Tuesday.

PRESENT PERFECT + EVER, NEVER, ALREADY, YET

EVER
The adverbs ever and never express the idea of an unidentified time before now(Have you ever visited Berlin?)'Ever' and 'never' are always placed before the main verb (past participle). Ever is used:

IN QUESTIONS

EXAMPLES

Have you ever been to England?
Has she ever met the Prime Minister?
IN NEGATIVE QUESTIONS

EXAMPLES

Haven't they ever been to Europe?
Haven't you ever eaten Chinese food?
IN NEGATIVE STATEMENTS USING THE PATTERN NOTHING+EVER OR NOBODY+EVER

EXAMPLES

Nobody has ever said that to me before.
Nothing like this has ever happened to us.
WITH 'THE FIRST TIME'

EXAMPLES

It's the first time that I've ever eaten snails.
This is the first time I've ever been to England.
NEVER
Never means at no time before now, and is the same as not ..... ever: (I have never visited Berlin)

BE CAREFUL!You must not use never and not together
I haven't never been to Italy.
I have never been to Italy.

ALREADY
Already refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time before now. It suggests that there is no need for repetition.

EXAMPLES

I've already drunk three coffees this morning. (= and you're offering me another one!)
Don't write to John, I've already done it.

It is also used in questions:

Have you already written to John?
Has she finished her homework already?

Already can be placed before the main verb (past participle) or at the end of the sentence:

I have already been to Tokyo.
I have been to Tokyo already.

YET
Yet is used in negative statements and questions, to mean (not) in the period of time between before now and now, (not) up to and including the present. Yet is usually placed at the end of the sentence.

EXAMPLES

Have you met Judy yet?
I haven't visited the Tate Gallery yet
Has he arrived yet?
They haven't eaten yet

Been and Gone

In this tense, we use both 'been' and 'gone' as the past participle of 'go', but in slightly different circumstances. We use 'been' (often when we talk about life experience) to mean that the person we're talking about visited the place and came back.
I've been to Paris (in my life, but now I'm in London, where I live).
She has been to school today (but now she's back at home).
They have never been to California.

We use 'gone' (often when we are talking about an action with a result in the present) to mean that the person went to the place and is at the place now.
Where's John? He's gone to the shops (he's at the shops now).
Julie has gone to Mexico (now she's in Mexico).
They've gone to Japan for three weeks (now they're in Japan).

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Grammar - Beginner - Have & Has

Have and Has

The verbs have and has are used to say what people own or possess. They are also used to talk about things that people do or get, such as illnesses. These words are the simple present tense of the verb have.

He has a lot of stamps.
She has long hair.
Our house has large windows.
I have a younger brother.
We have art lessons on Mondays.
Have a cookie, if you like.
Dad has a cold.
Jenny often has sandwiches for lunch.

- Use has with he, she, it, and with singular nouns. Use have with I, you, we, they, and with plural nouns.

Here is a table to help you remember the rules:

Singular Plural
First person I have we have
Second person you have you have
Third person he has they have
she has they have
it has they have

Learn these contractions:
I have = I’ve
you have = you’ve
he has = he’s
she has = she’s
it has = it’s
we have = we’ve
they have = they’ve
have not = haven’t
has not = hasn’t

Grammar - Beginner - The Present Progressive Tense

The Present Progressive Tense

When do you use the present progressive tense? To talk about actions in the present, or things that are still going on or happening now.
I’m playing chess with my friend.
She’s riding a horse.
He’s taking a walk in the park.
The man’s counting the money.
They are practicing tai chi.
We’re rushing to the airport to meet Mr. Smith.
They are still sleeping.
They are swimming in the sea.
What are they doing?
What’s happening?
Why aren’t you doing your homework?
Aren’t I sitting up straight?

- Form the present progressive tense like this:
am + present participle
is + present participle
are + present participle

- The present participle is the form of a verb ending with -ing. For example:
show + ing = showing
come + ing = coming

- You have to double the last letter of some verbs before you add -ing. For example:
get + ing = getting rob + ing = robbing
nod + ing = nodding stop + ing = stopping
jog + ing = jogging swim + ing = swimming

- Notice that the verbs above are all short verbs of just one syllable.
They all end with a consonant such as b, d, g, m, p, t and have only one vowel before the consonant.

- If a verb ends in e, you usually have to drop the e
before you add -ing. For example:
chase + ing = chasing
cycle + ing = cycling
drive + ing = driving
smile + ing = smiling

Use the present progressive tense to talk about things you have planned to do, or things that are going to happen in the future. To form the present progressive tense, use am, is and are as helping verbs or auxiliary verbs.
We are going camping tomorrow.
I’m starting piano lessons soon.
Jim’s parents are taking him to Texas next week.
My favorite TV program is starting in a minute.
All our friends are coming.
Who’s bringing salad for the barbecue? I am.
I am visiting Joe next week.
Where are you going for your vacation?
What are we eating for dinner?

Grammar - Beginner - The Simple Present Tense

The Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense expresses a general truth or a customary action.
Mary enjoys singing.
Peter sometimes lends me his bike.
Cows eat grass.
Monkeys like bananas.
Tom collects stamps.
The earth goes around the sun.
It often snows in winter.
We always wash our hands before meals.
We eat three meals a day.
Father takes the dog for a walk every morning.

Use the simple present tense to talk about things that are planned for the future.
We join the senior scout troop in July this year.
My big brother leaves school at 4 o’clock.
The new supermarket opens next Friday.
The new grammar book comes out in September.
Grandad retires next year.
We fly to London next Thursday.
The plane lands at 5:30 P.M.
We move to our new house in a month.
My big sister begins her summer job next week.
- The present tense is the base form of the verb:
I work in London.

But with the third person singular (she/he/it), we add an –s:
She works in London.

Present simple questions
Do you play the piano?
Does Jack play football?
Where does he come from?
We use do and does to make questions with the present simple. We use does for the third person singular (she/he/it) and do for the others.

- We use do and does with question words like where, what and when:
Where do Angela and Rita live?
What does Angela do?
When does Rita usually get up?

But questions with who often don't use do or does:

Who lives in London?
Who plays football at the weekend?
Who works at Liverpool City Hospital?

Present simple negatives
Look at these sentences:

I like tennis but I don't like football. (don't = do not)
I don't live in London now.
I don't play the piano but I play the guitar.
They don't work at the weekend.
John doesn't live in Manchester. (doesn't = does not)
Angela doesn't drive to work. She goes by bus.
- We use do and does to make negatives with the present simple. We use doesn't for the third person singular (she/he/it) and don't for the others.

We often use adverbs of frequency like sometimes, always and never with the present simple:

I sometimes go to the cinema.
She never plays football.

Am, Is and Are
The words am, is, are are also verbs, but they are not action words. They are the simple present tense of the verb be.
Use am with the pronoun I, and is with the pronouns he, she and it. Use are with the pronouns you, we and they.
I am Peter. I am not Paul.
She is Miss Lee. She is a teacher.
He is my father. He is a doctor. He is not a lawyer.
You are a stranger. You are not my friend.
We are in the same class, but we are not on the same team.
They are good friends. They are not enemies.

Here’s a table to help you remember how to use am, is and are:
Singular Plural
First person I am we are
Second person you are you are
Third person he is they are
she is they are
it is they are

Learn these short forms called contractions:
I am = I’m they are = they’re
you are = you’re we are = we’re
he is = he’s
she is = she’s
it is = it’s
am not = aren’t (only in questions)
is not = isn’t
are not = aren’t

In questions, use aren’t as a contraction of am not. For example, you can say:
I’m taller than you, aren’t I?
But in a statement you say:
I’m not as old as you.

Use the verb is with singular nouns and are with plural nouns.
Kenneth is a lawyer.
Rex is a clever dog.
A duck is a kind of bird.
The playground is full of people today.
My house is near the school.
These questions are too difficult.
The balloons are very colorful.
Those people are very busy.
Dad and Mom are in the kitchen.

Use is and are with the word there to say what you can see and hear.
There is a fence around the school.
There are a lot of books in the library.
There are two guards at the gate.
Is there any food in the fridge?
Are there any apples left on the tree?
How much rice is there?
There are a few sharks in the bay.
There are enough candies for everyone, aren’t there?
There are two pigeons on the roof.

Learn this contraction:
there is = there’s

Grammar - Begginer - Verbs

Verbs

Verbs in English have four basic parts:

Base form -ing form    Past tense    Past participle
work   working worked worked
play playing played   played
listen listening listened   listened
Most verbs are regular: they have a past tense and past participle with –ed (worked, played, listened). But many of the most frequent verbs are irregular.

Level: beginner

Basic parts

Verbs in English have four basic parts:

Base form    -ing form Past tense Past participle
work   working worked worked
play playing   played   played
listen listening listened listened

Most verbs are regular: they have a past tense and past participle with –ed (worked, played, listened). But many of the most frequent verbs are irregular.

Verb phrases

Verb phrases in English have the following forms:

a main verb:
main verb
We are   here.
I   like it.
Everybody saw the accident.
We laughed.
The verb can be in the present tense (are, like) or the past tense (saw, laughed).

the auxiliary verb be and a main verb in the –ing form:
auxiliary be   -ing form
Everybody is watching.
We were laughing.

A verb phrase with be and –ing expresses continuous aspect. A verb with am/is/are expresses present continuous and a verb with was/were expresses past continuous.

the auxiliary verb have and a main verb in the past participle form:
  auxiliary have past participle
They   have    enjoyed   themselves.
Everybody has   worked   hard.
He   had   finished work.

A verb phrase with have and the past participle expresses perfect aspect. A verb with have/has expresses present perfect and a verb with had expresses past perfect.

a modal verb (can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would) and a main verb:
  modal verb main verb
They will   come.
He   might   come.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Grammar - Beginner - Prepositions

Prepositions
A preposition is a word that connects one thing with another, showing how they are related.
Some prepositions tell you about position or place.

There’s a big balloon in the sky.
Jane is jumping into the pool.
The books fell off the shelf.

Dad always keeps his wallet in the drawer.
There is a long mirror on the wall.
The school is near the park.
There is an old castle on the hill.
The horse jumped over the hurdle.
- A preposition is usually followed by a noun or pronoun.

Some prepositions are used to talk about time.
Many shops close on Sundays.
We watched the World Cup game until 2:00 A.M.
The trees lose their leaves during winter.
We always wash our hands before meals.
Dad gets home about six in the evening.
We get up in the morning.
We go to bed at night.
It’s always hot in summer.
The movie starts at two in the afternoon.
Autumn begins in September.
They were married in 1990.
Joe arrived after me.
It has not rained at all for two weeks.
Breakfast is served at seven o’clock.
Kevin and Joe have been in the same class since first grade.

Grammar - Beginner - Interjections

Interjections
An interjection is a word that expresses a sudden, strong
feeling such as surprise, pain, or pleasure.

Wow!
Goodness!
Oh!
Good!
Oh no!
Hooray!
Thanks!
Help!
Good luck!
Well done!
Gosh!
Hey!
Merry Christmas!
Happy New Year!
Happy Birthday!
Cheers!

- Notice that an exclamation point (!) is often used after interjections.

Grammar- Beginner - Conjunctions

Conjunctions
A conjunction is a linking word such as and, or, but. Conjunctions are used to connect words or sentences.

a cat and its kittens
a builder and his tools
a doctor and a nurse
slow but steady
sweet or sour?
a male or a female?
A horse, a zebra or a donkey?
Paul has a dog, a parrot and a cat.
The animal is large but timid.
Is this a sheep or a goat?
- A conjunction may link two or more than two words or sentences.

The words before, after, as, when, while, until, since, are also conjunctions. They tell when something happens, so they are called conjunctions of time.

Maggie could play the piano before she was five.
I always brush my teeth after I’ve had my breakfast.
After he began exercising regularly, Jerry became healthier.
You have grown taller since I saw you last.
Look both ways before you cross the street.
Joe listened to music while he was doing his homework.
Miss Lee was smiling as she walked into the class.
Wait here until I come back.
Don’t leave until you’ve finished your work.
Tran saw an accident while he was walking home.
Take all your belongings with you when you leave the plane.
Joe first met his wife when he was studying in London.
Tom and Joe have been friends since childhood.

Grammar - Beginner - Adverbs (Manner, Time, Place)

Adverbs
An adverb is a word that describes a verb. It tells you about an action, or the way something is done.
A lot of adverbs end in -ly.

The dog is barking fiercely.
Alice skated beautifully.
The Prince and the Princess
lived happily ever after.
The birds are singing sweetly.
It is raining heavily.
The dog and the cat live
together peacefully.
The soldiers fought bravely.
The sun is shining brightly.
The old man walked slowly.

Spelling File

Adjective Adverb

beautiful beautifully
brave bravely
bright brightly
fierce fiercely
happy happily
heavy heavily
loud loudly
peaceful peacefully
slow slowly
sound soundly
sweet sweetly
- Many adverbs are made by adding –ly to adjectives.

Some adverbs describe the way something is done. They are called adverbs of manner.
Please write legibly.
Please speak clearly.
Look closely at these footprints.
You have all answered correctly.
You can shop cheaply
at this store.
Jamal dressed smartly for the party.
Maria is behaving selfishly.
The man drove carelessly.
The twins liked to dress differently.
She played skillfully.
The driver braked suddenly.
The parcel arrived safely.
The dog jumped up playfully.

Spelling File

Adjective Adverb

careless carelessly
cheap cheaply
clear clearly
close closely
correct correctly
different differently
playful playfully
safe safely
selfish selfishly
skillful skillfully
smart smartly

Some adverbs describe when something happens. They are called adverbs of time.

He often swims in the evening.
Lisa is always cheerful.
Sometimes I ride my bike to school.
Everyone arrived early.
David arrived late.
It’s snowing again.
The mother bird started to build her nest yesterday.
She is continuing to build it today.
She will finish it tomorrow.
John’s shoes were too big for him last year.
They fit him this year.
They will be too small for him next year.
It rained last night.
The weather is fine this morning.

Some adverbs tell you where something happens. They are called adverbs of place.

Mom and Dad are watching television upstairs.
The children are playing downstairs.
It’s raining. Let’s go inside.
Rex, you can stay outside.
Come here!
Please put the books there.
The workers are moving the rubbish away.
The miners are working underground.
They are going abroad to study.
There are trees everywhere.
Alice lived next door.
Where’s Shamika?

Grammar - Beginner - Possessive Determiners

Possessive Determiners
The words my, your, his, her, its, our, their are called possessive determiners or posessive adjectives. Use these words before nouns to say who something belongs to.

Is this your house?
Robert, your handwriting is difficult to read.
Michael is showing his tortoise to his friends.
My sister lost her way in the city.
The lion is chasing its prey.
I lent Margaret my guitar.
The dentist asked his patient to open her mouth.

- Here is a table to help you remember the possessive determiners.
Singular Plural
First person my our
Second person your your
Third person his their
her their
its their

Grammar - Beginner - Interrogative Determiners

Interrogative Determiners
Use the words what, which and whose before nouns to ask about people or things. These words are called interrogative determiners or interrogative adjectives.

What time is it?
What color is her hair?
What kind of clothes do you like to wear?
Which school do you go to?
Which doll is your favorite?
Which road leads to the zoo?
Which runner is the winner?
Do you know which girl won the prize?
Whose footprints are these?
Whose baby is this?
Whose dog was barking in the middle of the night?
What size do you wear? What kind of bird is that?

Grammar - Beginner - Demonstrative Determiners

Demonstrative Determiners

The words this, that, these and those are determiners. They are used to tell which thing or person you mean. These words are called demonstrative determiners, or demonstrative adjectives.

I am keeping these books.
I am selling those books.
This ice cream is delicious.
How much is that racket?
What is that animal?
Bring me that ball.
Would you like these apples?

- You use this and these to point to people or things near you.
You use that and those to point to people or things that are farther from you.
You use this and that before singular nouns.
You use these and those before plural nouns.

Here’s a table to help you remember the rules:
Singular Plural
this these
that those

Grammar - Beginner - Determiners

Determiners
Determiners are words such as this, those, my, their, which. They are special adjectives that are used before nouns.

The Articles

The words a, an and the belong to this group of words called determiners.
The words a and an are called indefinite articles. You can use them with singular nouns to talk about any single person or thing.

This is a picture of an elephant.
Rudy is reading a book.
Mom bought me a new dress today.
You will need an umbrella when you go out.
She eats an apple a day.

- The article an is usually used before words beginning with vowels. The article a is used before words beginning with consonants.

The word the is called the definite article. Use the before a noun when you are talking about a certain person or thing.
Granny is sitting in the garden.
The street is very busy today.
The sky is getting dark.

- You also use the before a noun when there
is only one. For example:
the sun
the moon
the sky
the front door of my house

Grammar - Beginner - Comparison of Adjectives

Comparison of Adjectives
When you compare two people or things, use the comparative form of the adjective.
Lots of comparative adjectives end in -er.
cheap cheaper
clear clearer
loud louder
new newer
old older
rich richer
short shorter
tall taller
slow slower
thick thicker

- The word than is often used with comparative
adjectives. For example, you might say:
Jack is taller than John.
A sports car is faster than a motorbike.

Use the superlative form of an adjective to compare three or more nouns.
Lots of superlatives end in -est.
clean cleaner cleanest
easy easier easiest
fat fatter fattest
flat flatter flattest
heavy heavier heaviest
hot hotter hottest
narrow narrower narrowest
noisy noisier noisiest
simple simpler simplest
thin thinner thinnest
wet wetter wettest
- You often add the before the superlative form.
For example, you say:
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
Peter is the tallest boy in his class.

- With adjectives that end in -e, add -r to form
the comparative, and -st to form the superlative.
For example:
Comparative Superlative
close closer closest
large larger largest
safe safer safest
wide wider widest

- Some adjectives have only one syllable, end with a
consonant, and have a single vowel before the
consonant. With these adjectives, double the last letter
before adding –er to form the comparative, and -est to
form the superlative. For example:
Comparative Superlative
big bigger biggest
dim dimmer dimmest
mad madder maddest
sad sadder saddest

- Some adjectives have two syllables and end in -y. With these adjectives change the y to i. Then add -er to form the comparative, and -est to form the superlative.
For example:
Comparative Superlative
busy busier busiest
dirty dirtier dirtiest
happy happier happiest
pretty prettier prettiest

With some adjectives, you use more to make the comparative form, and most to make the superlative
form.
active more active most active
charming more charming most charming
cheerful more cheerful most cheerful
comfortable more comfortable most comfortable
delicious more delicious most delicious

Adjectives that form their comparative and superlative with more and most are usually adjectives with two or more syllables, or sounds.
For example:
ac-tive ex-pen-sive
beau-ti-ful fa-mous
charm-ing for-tu-nate
cheer-ful in-tel-li-gent
com-fort-a-ble pow-er-ful
de-li-cious val-u-a-ble

The comparative and superlative forms of some adjectives are completely different words.

good better best
little less least
bad worse worst
few less least
many more most
much more most

- With these adjectives, you don’t add -er or more to form the comparative, or -est or most to form
the superlative.

Grammar - Beginner - Kinds of Adjectives

Kinds of Adjectives

There are different kinds of adjectives.
Some adjectives describe the qualities of nouns.

a beautiful rainbow
a clever monkey
a difficult question
happy children
a kind lady
a new car
an old house
a pretty girl
a rich family
a sad story
a strong man
a wicked queen

Some adjectives tell you which place or country a person
or thing comes from, or belongs to. They are called
adjectives of origin.
Australian apples
a Balinese dancer
the English language
the French flag
an Italian car
a Japanese garden
a Scottish kilt
Thai boxing

Some adjectives tell you the color of things.

The sea is blue.
George is wearing brown shoes.
I don’t like green apples.
Carrots are orange.
Flamingos are pink.
Eggplants are purple.
Roses are red.

Some adjectives tell you the size of the nouns they
describe.
a big hat
broad shoulders
a high mountain
a large ship
a long bridge
a low ceiling
a narrow path
small animals
tiny insects
a wide street

- The word tall describes people and narrow,
upright objects. For example, you can say:
a tall girl a tall bookcase

- The word high describes bigger or wider objects that reach
a great height. For example, you can say:
a high mountain a high wall

Numbers are adjectives, too. They tell you how many
people, animals, or things there are. Sometimes they are
called adjectives of quantity.
eleven hens fifteen frogs nineteen lizards
twelve geese sixteen snails twenty butterflies
thirteen birds seventeen kittens
fourteen mice eighteen ants

Other adjectives tell you something about quantity without giving you the exact number.
a little ice cream
a little rice
not many people
too much salt
lots of insects
plenty of money
some food
Is there any milk?
- Adjectives that tell you about quantity are also called quantifying determiners.

Grammar - Beginner - Adjectives

Adjectives
An adjective is a describing word. It tells you more about a noun. An adjective usually appears before the noun it describes. Sometimes, though, the adjective appears after the noun, later in the sentence.

a busy street
a dark corner
a deep sea
a large bed
It is windy.
John’s handwriting is very neat.
The sea is rough.
All the players are very tall.
The baby’s hands are very small.
Sue’s drawing is beautiful.
That problem is too difficult.
Peter is very quiet today.

Adjective Endings
Adjectives have different endings.
Some adjectives end in -ful or -less.
a beautiful dress
a careless driver
a faithful dog
a harmless insect
a useful tool

- An adjective that ends in -less is the opposite of the same adjective that ends in -ful.
For example:
careful – careless useful – useless
colorful – colorless harmful – harmless
The -ful ending means having a lot of something.
For example:
painful = having a lot of pain
hopeful = having a lot of hope

The -less ending means without.
For example:

leafless = without leaves
sleeveless = without sleeves

Some adjectives end in -y.
a dirty street
a noisy room
an oily pot
a sleepy passenger
a sunny day

Some adjectives end in -ive.
an active child
an attractive hat
a creative toy

Some adjectives end in -ing.

a caring nurse
an interesting book
loving parents
matching clothes
a smiling face

Some adjectives end in -ly.
a costly diamond ring
an elderly woman
lively kittens
a lonely boy
a lovely girl
a weekly magazine

- Many adverbs also end in -ly.

Here are some adjectives with the endings -able, -al,
-en, -ible, -ish and -ous.
childish behavior a national costume
a comfortable chair a musical instrument
a dangerous place a terrible mess
a foolish act a woolen sweater
a horrible smell a wooden table
a loveable koala

Grammar - Beginner - Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative Pronouns
The words this, these, that and those are called demonstrative pronouns. They are showing words.

This is my house.
This is a hill.
These are donkeys.
What is this?
Did you drop this?
Hi, Jane! This is Michael!
That is John’s house.
That is a mountain.
Those are horses.
What are those?
We can do better
than that.
No, that’s not mine.
You mean you won?
That’s amazing!
Hello, who is that speaking, please?
Hello, is that you, George?

You use this and these when you point to things
near you.
You use that and those when you point to things
farther away.

Demonstrative pronouns can be singular or plural:
Singular Plural
this these
that those

Grammar - Beginner - Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative Pronouns
The words who, whom, whose, what and which are called interrogative pronouns.
These pronouns are used to ask questions.
Who
Who is he talking to?
Who are those people?
Which
Which of these bags is yours?
Which do you prefer?
Whose
Whose is this umbrella?
Whose are these gloves?
What
What is your dog’s name?
What are you talking about?
What is the time?
Whom
Whom are you playing with?
Whom is he talking to?

- Who can be used as the object of a verb as well as the subject.
Whom is used only as the object. For example,
you can say:
Who are you playing with?
or
Whom are you playing with?

Grammar - Beginner - Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive Pronouns
The words myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves and themselves are called reflexive pronouns.
They refer to the person or animal that is the subject of the verb.

I made this cake myself.
Be careful with the knife. You’ll cut yourself.
Michael is looking at himself in the mirror.
Susan has hurt herself.
Our cat washes itself after each meal.
We organized the party all by ourselves.
Come in, children, and find yourselves a seat.
Baby birds are too young to look after themselves.

Here is a table to remind you about reflexive pronouns.
Singular Plural
First person (I,me) myself (we,us) ourselves
Second person (you) yourself (you) yourselves
Third person (he, him) himself (they, them) themselves
(she, her) herself (they, them) themselves
(it) itself (they, them) themselves

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