5 min. grammar

7/29/2019 5 min. grammar

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Free Short Self-Study English Lessons and Quick Tips for ESL Students

Using the Conditional

(Part 1)We use the conditional to show a possible situation

based on another situation. For example:

IfA happens, then B will happen.

The first conditional shows that something could

possibly happen. Its structure islike this:

If+ subject + present tense (orpresent progressive) ----,subject+

will/may/can + base verb ----.

For example:

If it rains tomorrow, I will take my umbrella.

If you help me, we can finish earlier.

If the boys give the monkey a coin, it may dance for

them.

Notice that each sentence above uses the present

tense on the ifside. But we could also use thepresent progressive if something is happening right


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now.

If he isn't working right now, he may want to comeover for dinner.

We can also change the order of the sentence andput the ifside on the second half. The only

difference is that there is no comma.

I will take my umbrella if it rains tomorrow.

We can finish earlier if you help me.

The monkey may dance for the boys if they give it a

coin.

He may want to come over for dinner if he isn't

working right now.

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com)Copyright 2003-2006 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

More on using The


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On November 26 we talked aboutthe difference between usingA

and The. Here is a little morespecific information on how to use

The.

Use the after you have talkedabout it the first time. For

example:

This is a cat. The cat is brown

Use the when the person you are

talking to already knows what you

are talking about. For example:

I am going to the bank.

There is someone knocking at the

door. It must be the computerrepairman. I called him to come

help fix my computer.

Use the when you talk aboutgeneral places in nature like the

lake, the mountains, the ocean,

the beach, etc. For example:

Let's go to the beach.

I love to camp in the mountains.

Use the when you are talkingabout something that there is only

one of and everyone knows about

it. The sky, the earth, the stars(as a group). For example:

How many people are there onthe earth?

The sky is so beautiful today.
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5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com)

Copyright 2003-200

Using the Past Continuous with

the Simple Past Tense

Thepast continuous tense uses:

was/were + (verb) + ingwas eating or were going

It is used to show something that happened in

the past and continued for a while. Forexample:

From 8:00 to 8:30 I was taking a bath.

We use thepast continuous tense with thesimple past tense when we want to show that

one thing happened in the middle of another

thing.

I was taking a bath and the telephone rang.

During a period of time (8:00-8:30) I was

taking a bath. At one time (let's say 8:17)someone called on the telephone.

We can also connect the past continuous and

simple past together by using the words when,while, and as.


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When I was taking a bath, the telephone rang.

The telephone rang when I was taking a bath.

While I was taking a bath, the telephone rang.The telephone rang while I was taking a bath.

As I was taking a bath, the telephone rang.The telephone rang as I was taking a bath.

Notice if you use when, while, or as at the

beginning of the sentence, you need to put acomma (,) after the phrase.

Check Your UnderstandingMake a sentence using the words given. Use the past continuous for

things that happened over a period of time and the simple past forthings that happened a one time. The first one has been done for

you.

I

walk down the street (5:00-5:10)see an old man (5:04)

while

While I was walking down the street, I saw an old man.

I saw an old man while I was walking down the street.

1. Susan

bake a cake (3:45-4:45)

drop a spoon (3:51)when

2. We

a burglar comes in the house (3:00)sleep (10:00-6:00)


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5 Oakseed Enterprises.

Have you ever...? Evermeans from the time you were born

until now. Except for rare exceptions, it can

only be used in questions and to answers

with a no.

It is used with have or had+ apast

participle.

Example:

Have you ever eaten a frog?

Has she ever gone to Australia?

When you answer the question, a yes

answer will use have/has + past participle.

Have you ever seen a whale?

Answer:

Yes, I have seen a whale. or Yes, Ihave.

If you answer the question with a no, you

will need to use


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haven't /hasn't + ever + past participleor

have /has + never + past participle

(both of these have the same meaning)

Example:

Check Your Understanding

Create the sentences using ever, thenanswer the question (write only one

possible answer.)

Example:

Susan/wear/cowboy hatHas Susan ever worn a cowboy hat?

Yes, she has worn a cowboy hat.

Yes, she has.

1. you/go/camping

No,


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2. she/make/bread

Yes,

3. Lisa and Tom/eat/Chinese food


Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved.

Using have to, supposed to,


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and ought to


Choose the best answer.

1. Willy needs money to pay for his food and house. If he doesn't go

to work, he won't have money. He must work.

Willy ___ go to work.

a. ought tob. has to

c. is supposed to

2. Johnny should help his mother with the housework. His motherwould be happy if he did. But if he didn't help her, his mother

wouldn't feel bad.

Johnny ___ help his mother.

a. ought to

b. has toc. is supposed to


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Reported Speech (Part 1)

Reported Speech is used to tell or report whatsomeone has said.

For example, look at this sentence: Harry said, "Ilove Susan." If we ask someone else to tell us

what Harry said, the person would say (or report)

what the first person said like this.

He said he loved Susan.

Or Harry said he loved Susan.

But notice how the verb tense changed. Lovebecame loved. Here are some rules...

The present tense verb is change to the past

tense in reported speech.

Sally said, "I like pizza."

What did she say?

She said (that*) she liked pizza.

The past tense is change to the past perfect inreported speech.


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Joe said, "I went to New York City."

What did he say?

He said (that) he had gone to New York City.

The present continuous is changed to the past

continuous.


Write the sentences using reportedspeech.

1. Lisa said, "I like to cook." What did shesay?

2. Tony said, "I finished his homework."

What did he say?

3. Ryan said, "I am working right now."


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What did he say?

4. Gwen and Ed said, "We are going toCanada." What did they say?

5. The teachers said, "We help students



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Reported Speech (Part 2)

The present perfect verb is change to the pastperfect tense in reported speech.

Michelle said, " I have been to California."

What did she say?She said (that*) she had been to California.

The past perfect tense doesn't change.

John said, " I had talked to my neighbor."

What did he say?John said (that) he had talked to his neighbor.

The future tense verb is change to the

conditional in reported speech.

Staci said, "I will buy a new house."

What did she say?She said (that) she would buy a new house.

*You can use the word that in reported speech if

you want. It doesn't matter if you do or not.


Write the sentences using reported speech.

1. Selma said, "I have been shopping." What did she say?

2. George said, "I had just finished my work." What did he say?

3. Loren said, "I have seen the Grand Canyon." What did he say?


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Reflexive Pronouns


Use the the object to use a *reflexive pronoun or **objectpronoun.

Examples:


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Using because to connectsentences

Look at this sentence:

Alice went shopping.

Why?

She needed to buy bread.

Now let's use because to put the two sentences

together.

Alice went shopping because she needed to buybread.

We can also say it another way:

Because she needed to buy bread, Alice wentshopping.

Notice that when you use because at the

beginning of the sentence, you must use a comma(,) after the first part (which is called the adverb


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clause.)

One more:

I like butterflies. Why? They are pretty.

Now You Try...

Rewrite the sentences connecting them withbecause in the middle and at the beginning.

1. Tommy doesn't like school. The other children teasehim.

2. Michael works hard. He needs to earn money.

3. Jennifer eats chocolate everyday. She likes it.


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4. All of the employees will have a party. It's the boss'birthday.


Using Parallel Verbs

When speaking and writing in English, wesometimes use more than one verb to describe

what is happening. For example:

Thomas speaks and studies English.

The important thing to remember is- when the

subject does two or more things, the verbs usethe same tense. More examples:

Thomas spoke and studied English.

Thomas will speak and (will) study English.


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Thomas can speak and (can) study English.

Thomas is speaking and (is) studying English.

If the verb has a helping verb (like will, can, is,are, etc.) you must use it before the first verb but

you may or may not use it after. It is yourchoice. Usually it is not used.


Are these sentences correct? Check youranswers below.

1. John goes to the cafe and ate breakfast.

Correct

Not correct

2. Marty will bring the game and plays it.

Correct

Not correct

3. Alex can play the piano and sing songs.

Correct

Not correct

4. Tory is helping and watching at the sametime.

CorrectNot correct

5. Mr. Jones can drive a car and eating lunch.


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CorrectNot correct

6. Helen sits and waited for the train.

Correct

Not correct

7. Cary will go to school and will study there.

Correct

Not correct

8. Franklin cleans his house and found his

keys.

CorrectNot correct


Using wish to talk about thepast


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Write a sentence using wish in the past.

Two examples are given to you.

Examples:

Henry didn't do his work. Now his boss

is angry.

Answer: Henry wishes he had done hiswork.

Melanie swam in the lake. Now she is

cold.

Answer: Melanie wishes she hadn't swum inthe lake.

1. Jeff didn't wake up on time. Now he islate.

2. Tony and Chris went camping. Now it is

raining.

3. Martha didn't eat dinner. Now she ishungry.

4. I lied to my friend. Now my friend won't


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Past Participles

Look at these tenses:

present, past, past participle

be, was or were, been

sing, sang, sungdrink, drank, drunk

do, did, done

go, went, gonemake, made, made

find, found, foundtalk, talked, talked

eat, ate, eaten

swim, swam, swumread, read, read

write, wrote, writtengive, gave, given

Now let's practice the past participle byusing the present perfect tense. It shows

something that started in the past, but

continues until now.


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has/have (not) + past participle

Examples:

She has done her homework.


Without looking back, try to fill in the

blanks using the past participle. Use

have or has.

She (eat) all of the cookies.

Maxwell (write) his essay.

Thomas (find) a new friend.

George and Kerry (go) to the mountains.

The president (not/ make) his speech yet.

Carolyn (not/ talk) to Richard.

The teachers (give) us the homework.

The cowboys (drink) all the beer.


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The swimmers (swim) across the lake.

Bonus: (Do you know these?)***

The boy (fall) down.

We (choose) to meet with Mr. Green.



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Veryvs. Too

Look at the two sentences. How are they

different?

A: It is very hot.B: It is too hot.

A is a simple statement- It's HOT!

But B shows some difficulty, like maybe because itis so hot, I feel terrible. Or because it is so hot,

no one is happy.

Here are some more...

C: Lisa is very tall.D: Lisa is too tall.

C is a simple statement. Wow! Lisa is a tall girl.

But D has a negative feeling. Perhaps becauseLisa is tall, she hits her head on the ceiling. Or

maybe she is so tall, she can't get a date or hasno friends.

So remember, using too shows that there is a

problem with the situation.


Choose veryor too. Check your answersby clicking on the arrow below.

1. I think James is nice. Karen thinks James

is nice, too.

James is ___ nice.

very

too

2. It's cold outside. I hate it. I mightbecome sick if I go out.

It's ___ cold outside.

verytoo

3. That box is so big. I can't pick it up.


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That box is ___ big.

verytoo

4. Tony's cat is fat. It weighs 8 kg.

Tony's cat is ___ fat.

very

too

5. Tony's cat is fat. It can't run. It may notlive a long time.

Tony's cat is ___ fat.

very

too


Using mustas a conclusion


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Make a sentence using mustas a conclusion.The first one is done for you.

1. Danny speaks English perfectly.

Danny/be/native English speaker

Answer: Danny must be a native English speaker.

2. Larry always complains about his job.

Larry/hate/his job

3. It is snowing outside.

It/be/cold outside.

4. Jennifer always opens the window at night to letcold air in her bedroom.

Jennifer/like/a warm bedroom

5. Sanford doesn't ever watch horror movies.

Sanford/enjoy/horror movies


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Using wish in the presenttense

When you say "I wish..." you are talking aboutsomething that you want but probably will not

happen, or you don't think will happen. Like I

wish I had a million dollars. (It is different fromthe word hope. If you hope for something, it

means you think it could be possible.)

Here are some examples:

I wish I had a new job.

Teri wishes she knew Tom Cruise.

Jim wishes Karen liked to cook.The boys wish they could go to Hawaii.

Notice you use the past tense verb in the clauseafter wish. But when you use a be verb in the

clause, always use were.

Examples:

I wish I were the president.


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She wishes she were here now.


Change the sentences to use wish. Check

your answer by clicking on the arrows.

Examples:

I want to have a bike.I wish I had a bike.

Mary wants to be a movie star.Mary wishes she were a movie star.

1. Joseph wants to see his friend.

2. Eric and Steven want to have a new car.

Frank wants to be a pilot.

3. Sharon wants to be married.

4. You want to be able* to play the piano.


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The Present PerfectProgressive Tense

This tense talks about how long you have been

doing something you started in the past and stillcontinue now.

have/has been + verb+ing

like has been studying or have been running

Generally when you use this tense you want tosay how long something has been happening, so

you will use since or forif you tell the amount oftime. If you have forgotten how to use since or

for,click here.

Examples:

Mary has been studying English since 1992.

The kids have been running for 15 minutes.

Karen has been singing all morning.The students have been practicing the play since

last month.

Remember, it is an activity that started before and
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continues through now.


Write the sentence in the blanks. Thefirst one has been done for you.

Example: Albert/read/2 hoursAlbert has been reading for 2 hours.

1. The cat/play/20 minutes

2. We/drive/9:30 this morning

3. Lisa/smoke/10 years

4. Ben and Alicia/date/last year.


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Using Since and For

Use since + (a specific time) like March 31, or

9:19 a.m., or Tuesday.

Examples:I have been studying English since 1993.

John has helped me since 10:00 this morning.

Those people have been in Europe since August.

Note: Because we are talking about a time in thepast until now, we have to use have/has + past

participle when we use since.

******

Use for + (a length of time) like 1 day, or 3

hours, or 5 years.

Examples:I have been studying English for 4 years.

John has helped me for 8 hours.Those people went to Europe for 2 months.

Note: It is possible to use thepast tense when

you use for if the action is finished.


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Choose the correct answer. Check youranswers below.

1. Leslie has lived here ten years.

2. I haven't seen you last March.

3. We sat and talked 30 minutes.

4. Young-eun studied French nine years.

5. Caroline has been learning Spanish March1999.

6. We haven't had an earthquake 23 years.

7. I haven't heard from you Saturday.

8. Molly hasn't eaten 7:00 this morning.

9. He played basketball over 20 years.

10. Andre hasn't seen Becky yesterday.




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Using the Present PerfectTense

Thepresent perfect tense is made like this:

have/has + past participle.

Here are some examples of the past participle:

been eaten

gone played

done readbecome written

We use it to talk about a something that started inthe past and continued until now.

Examples: I have been in California for 2 years.

(From 2 years ago in the past until now, I havebeen in California. I didn't live in another place.)

or Karen has gone to school everyday since she

was 5 years old. (From the time she was 5 yearsold -in the past- until now, she has gone to

school. She didn't stop going to school.)


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Use the present perfect tense. Check

your answers by clicking on the arrows.

1. Jerry (play) basketball since he wasyoung.

2. A: How long have you done karate? B: I(do) it for about 3 years now.

3. She was an ugly child. Now she (become)

a beautiful woman.

4. Stephanie (be) at the library all day.

5. Oh no! The deer (eat) all of my flowers.

6. That little girl (read) all of the books on

that shelf.

7. She said she (study) English for 8 years.

8. Thomas and Bill (watch) TV since 8:00 thismorning.


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Use to/ Used to

There is a little confusion on how to use the words use to and used

to. One reason for the confusion is that it is sometimes used as averb, and sometimes used as an adjective. The other reason is

because it seems like the tense changes. It's really quite simple when

you look at it.

Used as an adjective. Use to be + used to. This

means to be accustomed to. For example- I can

study with the TV on. I am used to it. It means Iam accustomed, adjusted, or don't mind having

the TV play while I'm studying.

Or another example- Tim had a hard time livingin Tokyo. He wasn't used to so many people. Tim

didn't have experience being with big crowds of

people before.

Used as a verb. Use to + verb is a regular verb

and means something that happened but doesn'thappen any more. It uses -edto show past

tense. But since it always means something thathappened in the past, it should always use past

tense. For example- I used to go to school in


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Paris. (I went to school there before, but now Idon't.) Or, When Joshua was a child, he used to

climb trees. (Now he doesn't climb trees.)

Remember, we always use this word when talkingabout the past. So when do you use use to

You try...



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In, At, On + Time or Date

When is your birthday? Mine is ON October 12. When do you eatlunch? I usually eat it AT noon. When does the school year begin in

your country? In mine it begins IN September.

Do you know which preposition to use before times, days, months andyears? Here is a reminder.

Don't forget to use...

in + month or year- In March, In 2003

on + date (with the year or without it) or dayof the week- On April 2, On March 3, 1999, On

Saturday

at + clock time, midnight, noon- At 3:30p.m., At 4:01, At noon

Remember also...

in + season- In the summer, In the winter

in + morning, afternoon, evening- In the

morning, In the evening

at + night-At night

Questions and Answers


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Write your answers in the boxes andcheck them by clicking on the arrows

below.

1. Let's meet 6:30.

2. The play is Saturday noon.

3. I was born November 3, 1970.

4. Beverly went to Los Angeles January.

5. Bill arrived in New York February 7.

6. I love to see the flowers the spring.

7. The movie starts 7:30 the evening.

8. We go to bed 11:00 night.

9. Her birthday is October the fall.

10. I saw a witch midnight Saturday October

31 1998.



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Simple Past vs. PastProgressive Tense

Remember- the simple past talks aboutsomething that happened before. It happened

and it finished. Some words are regular and just

have -edadded at the end like walked, helped,andplayed. Others are irregular and have many

variations like ate, began, and slept.

The past progressive talks about something that

was happening before, butfor a period of time. Ituses was or were + verb-ing like was eating orwere playing. It gives a background for

something that was happening while a different

event happened.

Example: While I was eating, the telephone rang.

So, during the time I was eating (let's say from

6:30-7:00 p.m.) somebody called my house (let'ssay they called at 6:49p.m.) One thing happened

(simple past) during the period of time anotherthing was happening (past progressive.)

Here is another example: They saw an old man

as they were walking down the street.

You can think ofwalking as a video. You see themovement. You see the time passing. Think of

sawas a photo. It is one point of time. You don'tthink of the time passing.

I dreamed in English when I was sleeping.

She was listening to the radio when the mailcame.

They visited Sydney when they were traveling inAustralia.


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Use the simple past or present progressive tense.

Check your answers by clicking on the arrows.

1. I dropped a cup while I (wash) the dishes.

2. Jon and Bill were washing the car when they

(see) their friend Alex.

3. Tony came to see me while I (do) my

homework.

4. The children (play) when their father camehome.

5. When Inga was driving, she (notice) an animalin the road.

6. Annie (call) when Kerry was studying.

7. While the movie was playing, Tomoko (eat)

popcorn.


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Using either,neitherand too

Look at the sentences below. A is the speaker. B answers, andsometimes

a third person Canswers after B.

When you agree with the speaker...

A: I like ice cream. B: Me, too. or I do, too.

or So do I.

A: I can play the piano. B: Me, too. or I can,too. or So can I.

A: I am hungry. B: Me, too. or I am, too. or

So am I.

A: I don't like hamburgers. B: Me, either. or

Neither do I.

A: I can't cook. B: Me, either. or Neither can I.

A: I'm not tired. B: Me either. or Neither am I.

In the sentences above, a third person (C) would

say the same thing as the second person (B)


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When you don't agree with the speaker...

A: I love fried fish. B: I don't. C: I don'teither. or Neither do I.

A: I am tall. B: I'm not. C: I'm not either. orNeither am I.

A: I can sing. B: I can't. C: I can't either. or

Neither can I.

A: I don't like chocolate. B: I do. C: I do, too.

A: I'm not Canadian. B: I am. C: I am, too.

A: I can't speak English. B: I can. C: I can,

too.

Note- there may be a few other possible ways to

answer these questions.

Now you try...

Answer the questions using the examples above.Choose one response. (There may be more than

one answer.) Check your answers by clicking onthe arrows.

1. A: I like to play tennis. B: . (You like to playtennis.)

2. A: I can't swim. B: . (You cannot swim.)

3. A: I'm not going to school today. B: . (You


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are going to school)

4. A: I don't have a son. B: . (You don't have a

son)

5. A: I can't speak Russian. B: . (You can speak

Russian.

6. A: I like to drink beer. B: I don't. C: . (C



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Simple Present vs. Present

Continuous

This lesson may be a review for many people, but do you know the

difference between I eatand I am eating? Is it okay to say I watchTV right now, or should you say I am watching TV right now?

The Simple Present Tense is used for things that

happen regularly, like this:

Sheila takes a shower every evening.

or for general facts, like this:

Birds fly in the sky.

***

The Present Continuous Tense is made by a beverb (am, is, are) + verb+ing. It is used for things

that are happening right now, like this:

I am taking a shower right now.

or for things that are happening nowadays, like this:

Many people are losing their jobs nowadays.


Using the words below, fill in the blanks with the

correct form of the verb.

study speak go watch drink brush

1. Lisa her teeth every morning.


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2. Where is Charlie? He television.

3. A: What do you do after school everyday? B:

I usually to the library.

4. These days I math at the college.

5. Australians English.

6. Frank always coffee for breakfast.



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Tag Questions

A tag question is one where a statement is made, but the speaker

wants a response from the listener. Like- Today's lesson is hard,

isn't it? or The kids can't sing that song, can they?

First of all, to understand tag questions, you need to know about

affirmative and negative sentences.

Do you know what an affirmative sentence is? It is like this: Maryis at home. or The students work hard.

Do you know what a negative sentence is? It is like this: Mary isn't

at home. or The students don't work hard.

Then, you need to know that if the sentence is affirmative, the tag willbe negative. And if the sentence is negative, the tag will be positive.

And finally, you need to think about the kind of verb used in thesentence. Does it use a modal, like can or willor a form ofto be?

Your tag question will follow the verb in the sentence. If it is a

regular verb, don't forget it uses do, don't, does, doesn'twhen aquestion is asked.

Examples

Affirmative Sentence/ Negative Tag

Toshi likes fishing, doesn't he?

Susan is sick today, isn't she?Mike can play the piano, can't he?

You will go there, won't you?

Negative Sentence/ Affirmative Tag

Andrew doesn't study much, does he?

The dogs aren't hungry, are they?She can't cook, can she?You won't see her, will you?


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You try it

Write the correct answer in the box. Checkyour answers by clicking on the arrows.

1. It's going to rain, ?

2. Mike is home, ?

3. Sally doesn't have a car, ?

4. You can sing well, ?

5. Mia can't swim, ?

6. She has homework today, ?

7. Isaac isn't sick, ?

8. You guys aren't going shopping, ?

9. Harry will watch TV, ?

10. You won't go, ?


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Copyright 2003-2005 O

More about Tag QuestionsYesterday we learned about tag questions. (If you didn't get this

lesson, you can click here.) Now we need a little more information.

You know how to ask a tag question, but how do you answer a tagquestion?

When a speaker asks a question with a tag, like this

one: "It's a nice day today, isn't it?"he expects thelistener to agree with him. He expects the listener

to say "Yes, it is." If the speaker thinks the day isbad and he thinks the listener will agree it's bad, he

can say "It isn't a nice day today, is it?"and the

listener (if he agrees it's bad) will say "No, it isn't."

It's important to remember something... When we

ask a tag question in English, the listener answersaccording to the subject, not the way the speaker

asked the question. I know it sounds confusing,

but let me show you.

John asks Mary aquestion. He thinks

she

Mary agrees

with John.

Mary doesn't

agree withJohn
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will agree with him.

It's cold outside, isn'tit?

Yes, it is. No, it isn't.

(John thinks it's cold. Hethinks Mary will agree it'scold.)

(Mary agrees withJohn. She thinksit's cold.)

(Mary doesn't

agree with John.She doesn't think

it's cold.)

It's not cold outside,

is it?No, it isn't. Yes, it is.

(John thinks it's not cold.He thinks Mary will agree

it's not cold.)

(Mary agrees withJohn. She thinks

it's not cold.)

(Mary doesn'tagree with John.

She thinks it'scold.)

The movie was good,wasn't it? Yes, it was. No, it wasn't.

(John thinks the movie

was good. He thinks Maryliked the movie, too.)

(Mary agrees with

John. She likedthe movie.)

(Mary doesn't

agree with John.

She didn't like themovie.)

The movie wasn't

good, was it?No, it wasn't. Yes, it was.

(John thinks the movewas bad. He thinks Mary

didn't like the movie,

either.)

(Mary agrees with

John. She didn'tlike the movie.)

(Mary doesn'tagree with John.

She liked the

movie.)

So, notice that the person who answers doesn't worry how the

speaker asks the question. She only thinks about her feeling for the

subject.


Type the correct answer. The first one is done for you.

1. This picture is beautiful, isn't it? (You like


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it.)

2. This soup doesn't taste good, does it?

(You like it.)

3. Jennifer is 10 years old, isn't she?

(Jennifer is 11.)

4. This game isn't fun, is it? (You don't like

this game.)

5. English is easy, isn't it? (You think iteasy.)

6. That man is handsome, isn't he. (Youdon't think he is handsome.)

7. Thomas isn't coming, is he? (Thomas iscoming.)

8. You slept for 8 hours, didn't you? (Youslept for 7 hours.)


akseed Enterprises. All rig


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It's and Its

Lots of people get confused about the spelling of it's and its. It's

really quite simple. Remember, the ' means there is a contraction.

Two words have been put together to make one word, and the ' isplaced where one or more letters have been taken out.

For example- she + is = she's. And does + not = doesn't.

So- It's = it + is or sometimes It's = it + has (you will know

by the context which one it is.)

Now how about its? This is a possessive. Remember that apossessive is a word that shows who or what owns something.

For example- This is the girl's coat. This is hercoat.

Or- Joey and Melissa's friend is here. Theirfriend is here.

So- The book's pages are green. Its pages are green.

You try. Fill in the blanks using it's or its. Use the arrows tosee the correct answers.

1. Look at this table. leg is broken.


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2. Come on, time to go home now.

3. Nice to see you. been a long time.

4. This is a bee. A beehive is home.

5. What is that? a kind of game. This is box.


hts reserved.

Hear and Listen to

Hear- you do this without thinking. It is

inactive. Example- When I leave my home

every morning, I hear the birds singing in thetrees.

Listen to- this is an active word. You mustthink about what you are doing. Example- I

really listen to my husband when he tells meabout his day.

Use hearor listen to in the following sentences. Use the

arrows the see the correct answers.


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1. Joanna wanted to her favorite radio show.

2. Sorry, I didn't you come in. You are so

quiet.

3. Can you the sound of the ocean?

4. It is hard to the teacher when I feel tired.

5. this story. It's about a king and a frog.


Confused about confusinglanguage?

How do you know when something is confusedorconfusing? When

the movie wasn't so great, was Iboredorboring? Does it make adifference if I tell my friend he's annoyedorannoying?

It does. And there's an easy way to know which one to choose.

Words that end with -ed talk about a person's feelings.

Examples-


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1. John was so bored on his date. He really wanted to leave.

2. Karen was annoyed with her employee. This employee was

always late.

3. Curt was confused about the new rules. They were very

complicated.4. The children were excited about the school trip.

5. Melanie was surprised to get a gift.

6. The class was interested in the game.

*****

Words that end with -ing, however, talk about

the situation or thing that cause a person's

feelings.

Examples-

1. The date was really boring. John wanted to leave.

2. The employee was annoying. He was always late.

3. The rules were confusing. They were complicated.

4. The school trip was exciting.

5. The gift was surprising.6. The game was interesting.

So ...

John was bored/ the date was boring

Karen was annoyed/ the employee was annoyingCurt was confused/ the rules were confusing

The children were excited/ the school trip was exciting

Melanie was surprised/ the gift was surprising.The class was interested/ the game was interesting

Questions- Choose the correct word

1. I always feel excited/exciting when I take a vacation.


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2. The news was very interested/ interesting.

3. Everyone was surprised/ surprising when Tom Cruise came to theparty.

4. Teri is always so confused/ confusing when she reads English.

5. That loud TV is so annoyed/ annoying.

6. When I am in the office, I am bored/ boring.

Answers

1. excited (person's feeling)

2. interesting (situation that caused the feeling)

3. surprised (person's feeling)

4. confused (person's feeling)

5. annoying (situation that caused the feeling)

6. This is a trick question-

If you say "I am bored," you don't feel happy or excited.

If you say "I am boring," other people feel bored because ofyou.




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Irregular Past Tense Verbs

As you probably know, most past tense verbs in English end

with "-ed." But many do not. Many don'tfollow the rule. They are calledIrregular

Verbs. How well do you know your pasttense verbs? Change the sentences below.

Use the past tense form of the verb.

1. Wow, you _____(bring) me some flowers!

2. I'm so sorry, I _____(forget) your birthday.

3. Melanie ____(hide) the present from her sister.

4. The children _____(take) their schoolwork home.

5. John _____(sleep) in class.

6. The mother _____(hit) the child on the leg.

7. Tony _____(read) about South Africa.

8. Alisa was tired so she _____(lie) down.

9. Thomas _____(lay) the book on the coffee table.

10. My parents _____(catch) a cold when they went skiing.


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Answers

1. brought

2. forgot

3 hid

4. took

5. brought

6. hit

7. slept

8. lay*

9. laid*

10. caught

* These are difficult words to remember. Many native Englishspeakers get them confused and use them incorrectly. Look at this:

lie, lay, lain (present tense, past tense, present perfect tense) To

lie means to put oneself down. Examples- I'm tired. I'm going to liedown. Yesterday I lay down in the forest.

lay, laid, laid (present tense, past tense, present perfect tense) To

lay means to put something else down (like put.) Examples- Lay thatfork on the table. She laid the blanket on the bed.

If you didn't answer the above questions 100% correctly, I suggestyou study irregular past tense verbs a little more.




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See, Look at, and Watch

Do you know the difference between see, lookat, and watch?

See is an inactive word. When your eyes areopen, you do it without thinking. Example- Isee a car near the store.

Look at is an active word. You must want to

do it. But it is for a short time. Example-Look at this dress.

Watch is also an active word. You must want

to do it but it is for a longer period of time.

Example- Let's watch television.


Choose the correct word (see, look at, or watch.) Click the box to see

the correct answer.

1. Do you want to a movie with me tonight?

2. Please the clock and tell me what time it is.

3. I like to go to the zoo and the animals while they are playing.*

4. How many things do you in this office?

5. I want to that sweater again. Maybe I will buy it.

*Remember, this means it is a long time.




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Go + noun

Look at the sentences. For most sentences we usego to (somewhere)...

I will go to the store.

I will go to the bank.I will go to the park.

BUT when you talk about home or shopping, don't use to.

I will go home. Do not say- I will go to home.

I will go shopping. Do not say- I will go to shopping.

Now you try


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Use "to" if it is needed or "x" if nothing

is needed.

Karen needed to go _____ class. But shedecided to go ____ shopping instead. So

first she went _____ the bank to get money.Next she went _____ a restaurant. Then she

went _____ a huge shopping mall where shebought a new sweater and a hat. After that

she decided to go ____ the supermarket go

get some groceries. At the end of the day,she was tired, so she went _____ home and

fell asleep.

Answers

Karen needed to go to class. But she decided to go (X) shopping instead. So first shewent to a restaurant. Then she went to a huge shopping mall where she bought a new

sweater and a hat. After that she decided to go to the supermarket to get some

groceries. At the end of the day she was tired, so she went (X) home and fell asleep.


5 min. grammar

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