タグ grammar

Three Types of Questions You Should Really Know in English

英語で本当に知っておくべき3種類の質問

A guide to asking questions in English If you want to learn English, try to think like a child again and be as curious as possible. In this friendly guide, I’m going to cover three main types of questions in English that you can use again and again in real life. 1. Yes/No questions This type of question is usually the easiest to ask and answer. ‘Yes/No‘ questions are questions to which the answer is Yes or No We make Yes/No questions by so-called ‘inversion’, which means that we change the order of words in the sentence by putting the the auxialiary verb for example: are, will, had, have before […]

A Tricky Verb ‘TO BE’ and Its Usage

A Tricky Verb ‘TO BE’ and Its Usage

The verb ‘to be’ is one of the most common verbs in the English language. It has many different forms in different tenses. Read the text and watch a video showing how some students struggle with using this verb in sentences:) It’s not as easy as it may seem to be.   The verb ‘to be’ in passive sentences The verb ‘to be’ is used together with the third form of the verb (Past Participle form) in passive sentences. For example: ACTIVE: I eat an apple. PASSIVE: The apple is eaten. More examples: People buy cars. –> Cars are bought. ( Present Simple ) Someone turned on the light. –> […]

The Passive Voice In the News

The Passive Voice In the News

It is easy to understand the news once you already know the Passive Voice structure, as it always appears in the news headlines, articles, etc. From Wikipiedia, the free encyclopedia “The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States will mark the commencement of the four-year term of Donald Trump as President. A public ceremony will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017, on the West Front of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The inauguration theme is “Uniquely American”, a phrase that highlights the inaugural ceremony as “a uniquely American expression of our Constitutional system.” The theme also stresses the peaceful transition of […]

Tricky uncountable nouns

Tricky uncountable nouns

Have you ever wondered whether you can count a particular noun or not? Count or not to count… that is a question! Nouns like news, information, advice, milk, furniture, luggage or hair are reallly tricky, so be careful when you make their plural forms! Countable nouns These are nouns you can count! They are for things we see as individual items and not part of a greater whole. They can be used with indefinite articles ( a, an=one) and have a plural form. A table– 2 tables, a chair – 4 chairs, a person -12 people, an apple- 10 apples Uncountable nouns These are nouns for things we don’t see […]

‘interested’ or ‘interesting’?

‘interested’ or ‘interesting’?

Should we say Interested or Interesting? English learners often are not sure whether to use the “-ing” ending or “-ed” ending for adjectives that express emotions. Some examples of these adjectives, derived from verbs, are: exciting/excited interesting/interested boring/bored amazing/amazed confusing/confused Here’s a general rule to help you remember the difference: When talking about yourself or your feelings, use the –ed ending. “I am interested in music.” When talking about others or something outside yourself, use the –ing ending. “That music is interesting.”

Modals of obligation and prohibition

Modals of obligation and prohibition

There are many rules in our lives, at work, at school, at home, in the public places, on the roads, etc., which have been established to ensure order and safety. We use modal verbs to express obligations and prohibitions, or lack of obligation. Modal verbs have the following grammatical structure: Subject + Modal Verb + Basic Verb Example:”I must go to bed early tonight”.   And this is how we express prohibition and lack of obligation: Be careful: there is a big difference in the meaning between ”mustn’t” and ”don’t have to”

Most common collocations with verbs DO and MAKE

Most common collocations with verbs DO and MAKE

The English verbs do and make are frequently confused, so pay attention to the expressions below. It is best to learn these expressions by heart. The best approach is to practise……and then practise again!   Cambridge online dictionary will make your learning easier. You can check here pronunciation, have example sentences, and even find translation to your native langugae, chosing your mother languge from the list https://dictionary.cambridge.org/ Time for a practice:) Watch the video every day and try to remember at least 5 collocations each day. Remember to revise before you learn new words. This method really works! If you’re not a member of our site yet, join us either […]

Different ways of talking about the future

Different ways of talking about the future

One very good way to prepare for your IELTS speaking is to practise different ways of talking about the future. This is because the examiner listens for the way you vary your grammar, not just if you make mistakes. This is a skill you need mostly in part 1 and 3 parts of the Speaking test.   In fact, there are loads of more ways of talking about the future. It’s not all about verbs and tenses, see these examples: 1)We often use verbs like ”would like”, “plan”, “want”, “mean”, “hope”, “expect” to talk about the future: What are you going to do next year? I’d like to go to […]

Conditionals – Type 0 and I

Conditionals – Type 0 and I

Can you use these conditionals? More examples: Flowers die, if they are not watered. If you have a big car, you pay a lot for petrol. Don’t forget to switch off the light, when /if you leave. If/ When it snows, the roads get slippery and dangerous. Felix is always in good mood, when his team wins.   Formula: If/When clause- Present Simple, Main Clause- Present Simple ( CONDITION– RESULT)   MORE EXAMPLES: We may/might go on a picnic, if the weather is good. If we go on a picnic, we should invite Josh. If they don’t leave right now, they will miss the train. NOTE:In the First Conditional ( […]

Conditionals through songs

Conditionals through songs

GRAMMAR DOES NOT HAVE TO BE BORING! Have you ever wondered how it would be if you were born a boy or a girl? This is a great song to practise especially conditionals, but not only. You can also learn a few useful, interesting expressions and words while listening and later singing this song. Today we focus on grammar, so tell me… Which conditional? The title ‘If I were a boy‘ refers to: a(n)realunrealsituation inpastpresentfuturetime and so is the first part of afirstsecondthirdconditional. which is constructed with: ‘if‘ +present simplepast simplepast perfect in the ‘if’ clause , andwill + 1st formwould + 1st formwould have + 3rd form in the […]