Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Used To vs. Would (Part 1)




Used to and would are both use to describe something that happened regularly in the past but doesn't happen any longer, as shown in the following two sentences about quitting smoking:
  1. used to smoke, but I quit last year. 
  2. Whenever I craved a cigarette, I would chew gum instead. 
However, there are two important differences between used to and wouldThe first difference is that would should not be used unless it has already been established that the time frame is in the past, while used to does not require this. This example, with used to at the beginning, sounds natural:
  • used to watch cartoons every Saturday morning when I was very little. Now I rarely watch TV.
However, when used to is replaced with would, the same example becomes awkward and ungrammatical: 
  • *I would watch cartoons every Saturday morning when I was very little. Now I rarely watch TV. This sentence is not correct!!!
But if the past time frame is established before would appears,would sounds fine. 
  • When I was little, I would get up and watch cartoons every Saturday morning. Now I rarelywatch TV.
The second difference between used to and would is that would is not used with stative verbs such as love, be, understand, and feel. Compare thesetwosentenceswith thestativeverb love:  
  1. When I was a student, I used to love sleeping late on the weekends. (natural and grammatical)
  2. *When I was a student, I would love sleeping late on weekends. (awkward and ungrammatical) Not correct.

Also, would CANNOT be used in negative form WOULDN'T when refering to regular past actions or routines. 


To summarize, the use of would is more restricted than that of used to. Therefore, if you aren't sure which one to use, it's best to choose used to


taken from:
http://www.learnersdictionary.com/qa/the-difference-between-used-to-and-would

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Passive Fun

Everyday Conversations: Formal Greetings




James: Good morning, Professor Austin. How are you doing?

Professor Austin: Good morning, James. I am doing well. And you?

James: I’m great, thank you. This is my friend Emma. She is thinking about applying to this college. She has a few questions. Would you mind telling us about the process, please?

Professor Austin: Hello, Emma! It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m more than happy to speak with you. Please stop by my office next week.

Emma: It’s a pleasure to meet you, professor. Thank you so much for helping us.

Professor Austin: Don’t mention it. Hopefully, I will be able to answer your questions!


Language notes

• The greetings good morning/good afternoon/good evening are used at different times of the day to greet people. “Good evening” is often used after 6 p.m. or generally when the sun has set.

“Good night” is not a greeting: It is used when leaving a place or group of people. Thank you and good night!/Good night, and see you tomorrow.

• When people meet in the United States, it is customary for them to shake hands. A handshake should be firm and usually lasts for about two to three seconds — which allows enough time to say “Nice to meet you.”

“Don’t mention it” is another way of saying “You’re welcome.” The phrase “You are welcome” is more formal. However, responses such as Don’t mention it/No problem/Happy to help are informal ways of responding to a thank you.

taken from:
https://share.america.gov/everyday-conversations-formal-greetings/

Dialogue: Informal Greetings and Farewells





Jane: Hi, Helen! How’s it going?

Helen: Fine, thanks — and you?

Jane: Just fine. Where are you off to?

Helen: To the library. I’ve got a history exam next week and need to start studying. Ugh.

Jane: Oh, no. Well, I’ll see you later then. Good luck!

Helen: Thanks. See you later.

Language notes

“Hi” is an informal way of saying “hello.” Notice that the “i” sound in “hi” is extended, to show that Jane is very pleased to see Helen.

“How’s it going?” is an informal way of saying “How are you?”

“Fine, thanks — and you?” Notice the rising intonation on “and you?” This shows that Helen is interested in what Jane has to say.

“Where are you off to?” is an informal way of saying “Where are you going?” Notice the falling intonation since this is an information question, not a “yes/no” question.

“To the library.” Notice that Helen does not say “I’m going” here because that information was already established in the question “Where are you off to?”

“Oh, no.” is a way of saying “I sympathize with you” or “I understand you are not happy.”

“See you later” is an informal way of saying “goodbye.”

taken from:

Dialogue: Take a Vacation




Julie: I just bought a ticket to New York City. I’m so excited to see the city!

Sophie: Good for you! Traveling is so much fun. I love discovering new places and new people. When are you leaving?

Julie: Next week. I’m taking the red eye. It was cheaper. Hopefully, I’ll be able to sleep on the plane.

Sophie: I wish I could go with you! New York City is a magical place. You’ll have so much fun.

Julie: I hope so. I’m going to visit my brother who lives there. I will stay for a week and then take the train down to Washington, D.C.

Sophie: That sounds like a great vacation. I’m looking forward to a week at the beach for my summer vacation. I just want to relax.

Language Notes

Ticket can refer to many different types of transportation (Metro, bus, train, plane, etc.). In general, you can guess the means of transportation by the context.

When discussing airplane travel, a red eye is a flight that leaves at night to arrive early the next morning. This is in reference to how red your eyes become when you don’t get a full night’s sleep.

taken from:
https://share.america.gov/everyday-conversations-taking-vacation/

Dialogue: What's Your Favorite Sport?





Phil: What time is that soccer game on? I thought it started at noon.

Jack: We must have had the wrong time. Oh, well … soccer’s not my favorite sport anyway. I much prefer basketball.

Phil: Oh, really? I thought your favorite sport was tennis. I’m a big fan of basketball too.
Jack: How about a game sometime?

Phil: Sure thing! Why don’t we go shoot some hoops now since the soccer game isn’t on?

Jack: Excellent idea. Let’s go.

Language notes: 

What time is that soccer game on? means “When does the soccer game start?” “What time” plus something plus “on” is a common expression used to ask about the start time of a TV show or a movie.
I much prefer basketball here means “I like basketball a lot more than soccer.” Notice how “much” is stressed to show that the speaker really likes basketball.
Oh, really? Notice the rising intonation on “really.” This shows that the speaker is surprised. He thought that Jack liked tennis the best.
I’m a big fan of basketball is a way of saying “I like basketball very much” (“to be a fan of” is a casual expression used to describe something you really like).
How about a game here means “Let’s play a basketball game.”
Sure thing! This is a casual expression used to mean “OK.”
Shoot some hoops means to play an informal game of basketball. This is a casual expression used between friends.

taken from:

Greetings


Verb + Gerund or Infinitive




Verbal Tenses Infographics




Verbal Tenses Infographics




Verbal Tenses Infographics











Tag Questions

Question tags are short questions at the end of statements.

They are mainly used in speech when we want to:
a) confirm that something is true or not, or
b) to encourage a reply from the person we are speaking to.

If the sentence is affirmative, the tag will be negative. And if the sentence is negative, the tag will be positive.

Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the appropriate subject.

Examples:

Affirmative Sentence/ Negative Tag
You are Tom, aren’t you?
Mike can play the piano, can't he?
It's a lovely day, isn't it?
You will go there, won't you?


Negative Sentence/ Affirmative Tag
He isn’t Joe, is he?
She can't cook, can she?
You didn't do your homework, did you?
You won't see her, will you?


Special points:
1. Although the negative word not is not in the sentence, the sentence can be negative. Then we use the positive question tag.
He hardly ever speaks, does he?
They rarely eat in restaurants, do they?


2. If the verb is in the past simple we use did.
They went to the cinema, didn't they?


3. We use shall after Let's.
Let's take the next bus, shall we?

4. We use won't with a polite request.
Open the window, won't you?


5. Exception with Verb To Be "am" in Simple Present (negative)
I am not a bad friend, am I?
I am right, aren't I?

Friday, July 24, 2015

Auxiliary Verbs


taken from:

Useful Adjectives and Their Antonyms







taken from:

For vs. Since (Past Perfect)


taken from: 

Vocabulary: Immigration


taken from:

Beach Vocabulary


taken from:

Modal Verbs: Advice


What Time Is It?


Phrasal Verbs: Travel


Find the Perfect Word for Your feelings


taken from:

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Quote of the Week

Dialogue: Formal Introductions




Margaret: Mr. Wilson, I’d like you to meet Dr. Edward Smith.

Mr. Wilson: It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Smith.

Dr. Smith: Pleasure to meet you, too.

Margaret: Dr. Smith is an economist. He just finished writing a book on international trade.

Mr. Wilson: Oh? That’s my field, too. I work for the United Nations.

Dr. Smith: In the Development Program, by any chance?

Mr. Wilson: Yes. How did you guess?

Dr. Smith: I’ve read your articles on technical assistance. They’re excellent.

Language notes

Mr. Wilson, I’d like you … Notice the rising intonation on “Mr. Wilson,” which is used to address someone. Listen for the “d” in “I’d like.” This means “I would like,” which is very different from “I like.” (“I’d like” means the same as “I would like” or “I want.”)

Dr. Smith is an economist. Notice the stress on “economist.” This content word has new information, so it is emphasized. There are four syllables in “economist,” with the stress on the second syllable (e-CON-o-mist).

He just finished writing … “Just” means the very recent past. “Just” is usually used with a simple past verb because the action is complete. However, it can also be used with the present perfect (He’s just finished writing …).

Development program. Since these two words make a compound noun, the main stress falls on “development.”

By any chance? means the same as “possibly.” Notice the rising intonation, which is used in yes/no questions to confirm that something is true.

taken from:

Lost in Translation


Dialogue: How Old Are You?





Patty: I’m really excited for Aunt Mary’s surprise birthday party this afternoon! Aren’t you?

Susan: Yeah! How old is she?

Patty: She’ll be 55 on May 14th [fourteenth].

Susan: Wow! I didn’t know that my mom was older — she’s going to be 57 on September 2nd [second]. Anyway, Aunt Mary’s going to be so surprised to see us all here!

Patty: I know! But we still have to get all the food set up before she gets here… OK, we’re all ready now. Shh! She’s here!

All: Surprise!

Language notes

I’m really excited… Notice the emphasis on “really.” “Really” is used to emphasize the adjective “excited” here.
Birthday party Notice that the normal stress for a compound noun falls on the first element of the compound.
Aren’t you? This negative tag is used to show that the speaker expects a positive answer. Patty assumes that Susan is also looking forward to the party.

She’ll be 55 Notice that “55” is stressed here. This detail answers the question “How old is she?”
Fourteenth Notice that we use the “th” for ordinal numbers, starting with four [but first, second and third]. The stress is on the second syllable [fourTEENTH]. Compare this with “40th” [FORtieth].
She’s going to be… Notice how this is pronounced like “gonna be.” Instead of four syllables, “go/ing/to/be,” there are three syllables, “ga/na/be.”

taken from:
https://share.america.gov/everyday-conversations-old/

Fun With Words


Idiom of the Month



Just For Fun


Proverb of the Month



Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Dialogue: Ordering A Meal





Waiter: Hello, I’ll be your waiter today. Can I start you off with something to drink?

Ralph: Yes. I’ll have iced tea, please.

Anna: And I’ll have lemonade.

Waiter: OK. Are you ready to order, or do you need a few minutes?

Ralph: I think we’re ready. I’ll have the tomato soup to start, and the roast beef with mashed potatoes and peas.

Waiter: How do you want the beef — rare, medium or well done?

Ralph: Well done, please.

Anna: And I’ll just have the fish, with potatoes and a salad.

Language notes

Can I start you off with something to drink? Notice how the question starts with “Can.” Since this is a yes/no question, the intonation rises at the end.

And I’ll have lemonade. Notice how Anna stresses “I’ll” and “lemonade” to emphasize her choice.
Are you ready to order, or do you need a few minutes? The word “or” signals a choice here. Notice the rising intonation on “order,” and the falling intonation on “minutes” (the first choice is “Are you ready to order?” and the second choice is “Do you need a few minutes?”).

I’ll have the tomato soup to start, and the roast beef with mashed potatoes and peas. Notice that “tomato soup,” “roast beef,” “mashed potatoes” and “peas” are stressed because the food order is the important information here. Notice also that “tomato soup, “roast beef” and “mashed potatoes” are compound words. The stress falls on the second word in each phrase.

Well done, please. Notice that the subject and verb are omitted in the response; only the necessary information is given.

I’ll just have the fish. Anna says “just” here to mean that she does not want a starter.

taken from:
https://share.america.gov/everyday-conversations-ordering-meal/

Dialogue: Asking Directions





Mark: Excuse me. Could you tell me where the library is?

Nancy: Yes, it’s that way. You go three blocks to Washington Street, then turn right. It’s on the corner, across from the bank.

Mark: Thanks! I’ve only been in town a few days, so I really don’t know my way around yet.

Nancy: Oh, I know how you feel. We moved here a year ago, and I still don’t know where everything is!

Language notes

Could you tell me…is slightly more polite than “Can you tell me…?”

Could you tell me where the library is? Notice that “library” is stressed here because it is the word with the important information. This is an indirect question, so the subject (the library) comes before the verb (is). The word order is reversed in a direct question (Where is the library?). 

Yes, it’s that way. Notice the stress on “that.” The speaker is pointing in a certain direction and wants to emphasize that direction. 

I know how you feel is a way of saying “I understand.” Notice the emphasis on “feel.” The speaker wants to show empathy and understanding.

I still don’t know where everything is! Notice the word order of “where everything is.” The subject (everything) comes before the verb (is). This word order is different from the direct question (Where is everything?).
taken from:

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Beyonce - If I Were A Boy



Complete the lyrics using the Second Conditional with would or could

IF I WERE A BOY
{verse 1}
If I _____ a boy even just for a day
I ______ roll out of bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted and go
Drink beer with the guys
And chase after girls
I ______kick it with who I wanted
And I ______ never get confronted for it
'Cause they stick up for me

{Chorus}
If I ______ a boy
I think I ______ understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man
I _____ listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
'Cause he's taking you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

{Verse}
If I ______ a boy
I _____ turn off my phone
Tell everyone it's broken
So they'd think that I was sleeping alone
I'd put myself first
And make the rules as I go
'Cause I know that she'd be faithful
Waiting for me to come home
To come home...

{Chorus}
If I ______ a boy
I think I _____ understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man
I _______ listen to her
'Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted (wanted)
'Cause he's taking you for granted (granted)
And everything you had got destroyed

{Bridge}
It's a little too late for you to come back
Say it's just a mistake
Think I'd forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong

{Chorus }
But you're just a boy
You don't understand
Yeah you don't understand, oh
How it feels to love a girl
Someday you wish you were a better man
You don't listen to her
You don't care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
Cause you're taking her for granted
And everything you had got destroyed
But you're just a boy!

Collocations

Dialogue: What Time Is It?





Natasha: What time is it? We’re going to be late!

Tony: It’s a quarter after 7. We’re on time. Don’t panic.

Natasha: But I thought we had to be at the restaurant by 7:30 for the surprise party. We’ll never make it there with all this evening traffic.

Tony: Sure we will. Rush hour is almost over. Anyway, the party starts at 8. But I do need help with directions. Can you call the restaurant and ask them where we park our car?

Language notes

It’s a quarter after 7. This phrase is one of the most common ways of stating this time. It means: “It’s 15 minutes past 7 o’clock.” Another possibility here is to simply say: “It’s 7:15.” In general you can say: “It’s a quarter past the hour.” How do we know the time of day? Look for context clues: “evening traffic.”

In the dialog, Natasha and Tony are going to a surprise party. They need to be on time. Therefore there is an element of stress and urgency. When someone is stressed for time you can use expressions like: Don’t worry. / Don’t stress. / We’re fine. / We will be on time.

Natasha thinks the surprise party begins at 7:30. There are two different ways to express this time. You may say simply “7:30(seven thrity) or “half past 7.”

Rush hour is the time of day—usually in the morning and evening—when traffic is heavy because of people commuting to and from their workplace by bus, by car, by subway, on foot, etc.

taken from:

Dialogue: Informal Introductions




Jim: Who’s the tall woman next to Barbara?

Charles: That’s her friend Mary. Didn’t you meet her at Steve’s party?

Jim: No, I wasn’t at Steve’s party.

Charles: Oh! Then let me introduce you to her now. Mary, this is my friend Jim.

Mary: Hi, Jim. Nice to meet you.

Jim: You, too. Would you like a drink?

Mary: Sure, let’s go get one.

Language notes

“Who’s” is the contracted form of “who is.” It is pronounced the same way as “whose” (/huwz/), but the meaning is different.

Didn’t you meet her …? Notice that this is a negative question. Charles thought that Jim had met Mary before. He is now surprised that Jim does not know Mary, and so he uses a negative question to show his surprise.

I wasn’t at Steve’s party. Notice that the emphasis here is on “at” although prepositions normally have weak stress. In this case, “at” means “there” (I wasn’t there).

Mary, this is my friend Jim. This is a friendly way to introduce two people. It’s common to follow this with “Jim, this is Mary.” In this case, Mary says “Hi, Jim” first.

Nice to meet you. This is a typical response after you’ve been introduced to someone.

“Sure” is often used in informal conversation to mean “yes.”

taken from:
https://share.america.gov/topics/everyday-conversations/

Riddle of the Month

In Heaven But Not in Hell

I am in heaven but not in hell.
I’m in the devil but not in god.
I’m in the river but not in the sea.

What am I?


answer: the letter "V"

taken from: 

Monday, July 20, 2015

Quote of the Week


Word of the Week

neophyte
noun
\NEE-uh-fyte\




Definition
1: a new convert : proselyte
2: novice
3: tyro, beginner

Examples
As a neophyte to chess, Brock was still learning the rules and basic strategies of the game.

taken from:

Level 01

WE LEVEL 01
REVIEW
CEVAZ

A) Complete the sentences with the verb To Be - affirmative:
Ex.: Robert is a teacher
1. She_____ a student.
2. We______ teachers.
3. It _____ a cat.
4. They _______ dogs.
5. John ______ a boy.
6. Fatima ____ Portuguese.
7. Tom and Peter _____ friends.

B) Complete the sentences with the verb To Be – negative. Write full and contracted forms:
Ex.: Peter is not a lawyer/ Peter isn’t a lawyer
1. She _____________ a boy.
2. I _____________ a doctor.
3. You ____________ a dentist.
4. Paul and Rodrigo ______________ English.
5. Those _____________ pencils.
6. It ______________ a book.
7. Michael _____________ a nurse.

C) Complete the questions with the correct form of the verb To Be.
Ex.: Is she an architect?
1. _______ you from Indonesia?
2. _______this your car?
3. _______ we at the right place?
4. _______ I in the right classroom?
5. _______ she tall?

D) Complete the sentences with the correct Possessive Adjective:
My      Your    His       Her      Its        Our     Their
1) He is __________ brother.
a.      you
b.     your
2) Those are __________ bananas.
a.      they
b.     their
3) She is __________ new teacher.
a.      I
b.     my
4) Mr. Johnson’s __________ father.
a.      our
b.     we
5) These people are __________ friends.
a.      he
b.     his
6) Fluffy is __________ small cat.
a.      she
b.     her

E) Complete the conversation.
Mary: Hello. My _______ Mary. What's _______ name?
Peter: Peter. How _______ you?
Mary: I'm _______ and you?
Peter: I’m OK, ________ you from?
Mary: ________ from Ireland.

F) Complete the sentences with the correct indefinite article “a” or “an”.
1. I have ____big shirt.
2.  She has ____ orange ribbon.
3. I'm _____ Swedish girl.
4. He is _____ English boy.
5.  What ____ old man!

G) Write the numbers in words.
12________________           15________________           88______________
30________________           95________________           33______________
8_________________           13________________           56______________

H) Complete the sentences with the correct form of “There is” or “There are”:
1. __________five pens in the box.
2. __________a car in the garage.
4. __________a telephone in the bedroom.
5. __________two tables in the kitchen.
7. __________a magazine on the floor.

I) Write the plural next to each sentence.
For example: 
This car is new.                      These cars are new.
That girl goes to my school.            Those girls go to my school.
1. This orange is very nice. ________________________ 
2. That student writes well. _______________________  
3. That house is near the beach. ___________________  
4. This book belongs to George. ___________________

J) Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb To Have: Has or Have.
1. We ______ beautiful flowers in our garden.
2. Jane _____ five new English books.
3. I ______ an expensive sport car.
4. Does Mary _______ a big apartment on the beach?
5. My sister doesn’t _______ a lot of dolls in her room.

K) Look at the picture and complete the sentences with prepositions of place:
            in         on       under             next to         between


There is a chair _______ the bed.     There are pictures _____ the wall.
There is a bed _____ the bedroom.  There is a clothes rack _____ the picture.
There is a jar and a glass of water _____ the night table _________ the chair.
The night table is _________ the two chairs.

L) Read the following paragraph.
My name is John Smith. I am 45 years old. I’m an architect and I work for a construction company. I’m married to a beautiful woman named Caroline. She is 37 years old. We have two children, Jimmy and Susie. Jimmy is 10 years old and Susie is 6.
Jimmy has black hair and dark blue eyes. Susie has light brown hair and brown eyes.
We live in a nice apartment. It’s small but comfortable.

Now complete the following paragraph:
____ name _____ Robert Johnson. I ____ 50 years _____. I’m ____ lawyer and I work for ____ law firm. I ____ divorced and I ______ two children. I ______ dark brown hair and dark green eyes. I live in ____ small studio apartment. _____ children’s names are Paul and Daniel. Paul ____ 18 _____ old. He _____ black hair and brown eye.
Daniel ____ 12 years ____. He ______ dark green eyes and dark brown hair.

I live _____ a small studio apartment. _____ is very comfortable.

Other Ways to Say...


Palindromes

Palindrome: a word, phrase, number, or other sequence of symbols or elements, whose meaning may be interpreted the same way in either forward or reverse direction. Famous examples include “Amore, Roma“, “A man, a plan, a canal: Panama” and “No ‘x’ in ‘Nixon’“. Composing literature in palindromes is an example of constrained writing. The word “palindrome” was coined from the Greek roots palin (“again”) and dromos (“way, direction”) by the English writer Ben Jonson in the 17th century.
Some fun sentences:

Dogma: I am God
Never odd or even
Too bad – I hid a boot
Rats live on no evil star
No trace; not one carton
Was it Eliot's toilet I saw?
Murder for a jar of red rum
May a moody baby doom a yam?

A man, a plan, a cat, a ham, a yak, a yam, a hat, a canal-Panama!