The Neverending Phrasal Verbs II

Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
She missed many classes, now she has to run to catch up on with the lessons. / catch up on with
Meaning:
to become up to date

 Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
This is the result of our effort, we carried out our project and we got a promotion! / carry out 
Meaning:
to manage despite difficulties

Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
She was so anxious to go to Iron Maiden's concert but it was called off due to the rain. / call off
Meaning:
to cancel 

Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
He worked very hard and now he came out with a smart solution. / come out with
Meaning:  
to produce (answers, solution, ideas) 

Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
I can't do without a computer, it's important to fulfill what I have to do today. / do without 
Meaning:  
manage without something that it's necessary or someone needs
 
Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
I know that you're bit down in the dumps, but drop by in my house later, huh? / drop by  
Meaning:  
to stop at a place briefly
* down in the dumps means that someone is sad or depressed.





 

The Neverending Phrasal Verbs I

One of the most challenges that English students have is about Phrasal Verbs. Despite of having posted some links here, I leave you some useful examples. Hope this post may help you.

Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
* I am for the animal rights. / be for
Meaning:
to agree with - support


Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
 * She is in charge of the new project. / be in charge of 
 Meaning:
to be responsible for - manage


Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
* He was brought up by his granparents after his parents died. / bring up
Meaning:
to educate / raise a child

 Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
 * Dean broke up with me last weekend. I'm so sad! / break up
Meaning:
 to end a relatioship

Phrase / Phrasal Verb:
* I read in the news that the burglars broke into that famous jewelry again. / break into 
Meaning:
enter by force.

ESL Podcast

I'm sure you're all gonna love this! Access ESL podcasts and download (for free) or listen to more than 800 podcasts about many life issues; business, entertainment, daily life, shopping, relationships... It's really practical. Go for it and improve your listening skills! 
Bear in mind that in order to have a good speaking, you need to improve your listening and vocabulary.

Superlative Form

And catching up with students' asks, here you have a little bit more about Superlative form.
It is used when you are saying that something is the top, there's no other. It is formed by the + adjective + er as in the examples bellow:
- Singapore is one of the hottest places in the world!
- This is the dirtiest city I've ever seen!
- The cheetah is the fastest animal in the world, it speed up to 120 km per hour!
- That was the easiest text that teacher gave me, a piece of cake really.

And for the longer adjectives, we must add the most + adjective. Examples:
- This is the most interesting book I've ever read.
- That was the most boring party I've ever been.
- She is one of the most beautiful women in the world.
- This hotel is the most expensive in this city.

This review will you help you a lot, for sure. Here, more links: ESL, Easy English, Englisch-Hilfen  and Ego4U. Any doubts or suggestions, leave your comments, ok?

Comparative Form

I've already posted about Comparative forms before, but due to students asking for more, here you are:
When you want to compare one thing (or person, place, whatever) to another, you must use this form, but for short adjectives you just add -er + than. Examples:
 - Sheila is taller than Samantha.
- Bill Gates is older than Mark Zuckemberg.
- Usually, a dog is bigger than a cat.
- This room is cleaner than that one.

When you have longer adjectives, you add more + adjective + than. Examples:
- A smartphone is more modern than the majority of the cell phones.
- Buying brand name clothes is more expensive than buying popular ones.
- Travelling by plane is more comfortable than traveling by bus.
- That test was more difficult than the first one that I did last semester.

So, if you click on Ego4U , Better English Lessons and Englisch-Hilfen, there are more activities. Hope to have helped you! Remember that, before everything, English is self-study, so work on it!

Future Perfect Tense

After having explained about the Future Continuous tense, it's about time to explain the Future Perfect tense, which is used when we want to talk about an event that will be fullfilled in a certain time in the future. It is formed by:
will (auxiliary in the future) + have + verb in the past particle




Examples:
- By 2011, he will have finished his studies.
- She will have bought her car when she finishes the college. 
- On next Christmas, I will have paid all my bills.


Again, some links to practice, such as Englisch-Hilfen, Verb Tense act. 25 / 26 / 27 and 28 (mixed with Future Continuous tense). There are also the links to Future Perfect Multiple choice 1 and 2. So, work on them!

Future Continuous Tense

The Future Continuous tense is used when we will be doing something in a near future. It's a future action in progress. The structure of the future continuous tense is:

subject	+	auxiliary verb WILL	+	auxiliary verb BE	+	main verb
		invariable		invariable		present participle
		will		be		base + ing

 Examples:
 - Along the next days, she will be studying for the test. 
- I will be correcting some pieces of homework by the end of the year.
- He will not (won't) be waiting for his girlfriend if she arrives late again for their next appointment.
- We will be working in the project next month. 

There is also the future continuous tense with "be going to". This form is far less used than the first form. The Future Continuous tense "Be Going to" is formed by:
am/is/are + going to be + present continuous.

Examples:
- You are going to be playing guitar in that band, aren't you?
- She is going to be working tomorrow night. 

Click on English Page for more explanations and exercises 1 e exercises 2 (English tenses).

Draft - Either or Neither

www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/PresentSimpleToBe1A.html
 http://www.eslgold.com/speaking/ss_agreeing_disagreeing.html
http://www.topenglishteaching.com/english_teaching.asp?id=5653 - download pdf file
http://eslbee.com/cobaq/quizzes/13_so_too_neither.htm

Past Continuous Tense

The Past Continuous Tense or Progressive is used when you are describing an action that was happening in the past, but not anymore. It's formed by verb to be in the past simple tense + the action verb in the continuous tense. Examples:
When I woke up on that day, my sister was having breakfast.
They were playing soccer when it started to rain. 
He was reading a book when the lights went out.

Very often, the Past Continuous Tense is used with the Past Simple. Even if you change the order of the actions, the meaning is the same. Examples:
My sister was having breakfast when I woke up. 
When it started to rain, they were playing soccer.
When the lights went out, he was reading a book.


For activities on line, click on Perfect English Grammar, Ego4U/positive sentences and  negative sentences, plus English Page. So, you all have a lot of work to do. Work on them! ;-)

Some and Any

This is a basic information about the use of some and any:
Some is used in affirmative sentences:
- There are some apples. We can do a delicious pie with them!
- She had been waiting for some minutes.

But any is used in negative and interrogative sentences: 
- There isn't any eggs in the fridge.
- I didn't like his new album, there isn't any nice song! 
- Is there any piece of cake for us tonight?
- Are there any tomatoes to make a salad?


Some is also used when you offering things and ask something. Examples:
- Would you like some coffee? - You are offering some cookies.
- Can you lend some money?  - You are asking for something.


For more explanations and exercises on line, click on Englisch-Hilfen, Better English, and Ego4U.
So that's it!
** I've found another site about the use of SOME, AN, A, check it out on Esl About.

Be Going To - Simple Future

I've just finished teaching an intemediate class and I've noticed that some students were mixed up about Simple Future (Be Going To) and Present Continuous (Be + Verb + ing). Well, I had posted about this subject in May 2009, but it's about time to updated it:
Simple Future is used when you have made a decision, you have taken a plan, you have an intention. It's formed as follows:
Verb to be + going to + verb in its infinitive form
I'm going to correct a lot of tests this afternoon.
She's going to have dance classes on Monday night.
They're going to do their homework.

In their negative form, you have:
I'm not going to correct a lot of tests this afternoon.
She's not going to have dance classes on Monday night.
They're not going to do their homework.

And in their interrogative form:
Am I going to correct a lot of tests this afternoon?
Is She not going to have dance classes on Monday night?
Are they not going to do their homework?

I've twitted some good tips to my Inter level students and here you have the links: http://www.colegioweb.com.br/ingles/be-going-to-future and http://www.inglesonline.com.br/gramatica-basica-resumida/futuro-be-going-to . On these two links you find more explanations, but on the English-Hilfen, English4U and Web2 (just click on the words) you can do exercises on line. Well, I'm sure that I've helped you. Enjoy!

Do and Does

Basic students: watch out! For today, I have a good explanation for Do and Does. 
When we don't have the verb to be (I am/ you are/ he is/ she is/ it is/ we are/ you are/ they are), and we need to formulate questions and negative sentences, we have to use this auxiliary Do/Does. 
Examples below:

Affirmative: I have a pencil.
Question: Do I have a pencil? - Negative: I don't have a pencil.
Affirmative: You have a pencil.
Question: Do you have a pencil? - Negative: You don't have a pencil.
Affirmative: He/She/It has a pencil.
Question: Does he/she/it have a pencil? - Negative: He/she/it doesn't have a pencil.
Affirmative: We have a pencil. 
Question: Do we have a pencil? - Negative: We don't have a pencil.
Affirmative: They have a pencil. 
Question: Do they have a pencil? - Negative: They don't have a pencil. 


Here, I leave you these links (Better-English and Englisch-Hilfen) to do some exercises online, ok? Hope to have helped you. =)

English Experts / Lend and Borrow

More sources for all those students who study English through Portuguese. I was browsing on web and I've found English Experts, a good site full of good tips, it's really worthy to check it out!
One nice thing, for example, the difference between borrow and lend. 
Where I work, we teach "can you lend me a pen?", at the first class, but, further on, these students will face a "can I borrow your cell phone?" and, certainly, they'll ask the difference. Well, borrow means to take something from someone, with permission and with the intention of giving it back. You usually say: I borrowed this pen drive from my sister.
On the other hand, you say lend to give something to someone, with the expectation that s/he will return it, as: can you lend me a pencil, please? 
So, that's it for today. I'll tweet this, where you can follow me, ok? 

For Teachers Only

A teacher who I work with showed me an amazing website just for teachers, called Mes-English. There are flashcards, worksheets, games, videos... it's awesome! There are flash cards, bingo, games, worksheets, everything printable! There is a lot to help your students with the learning of vocabulary, so check it out! Brownse it! .
Another interisting site is simply called site for teachers. There are hundreds of educational sites to work with, to all levels, but brownse it calmly, it takes time. They were rated for their popularity worldwide.

Paired Conjunctions

Well, my vacancy is over. I´m back and updating all my blogs. So, shall we start with paired conjunctions? First of all, what the hell are they? 
They are often used in spoken and written English when you want to make a point, give emphasis or give alternatives without being repetitive. 
* Either... or; used when there are two options to choose from. Example;
- I'm short of money. Ican't afford both magazines.
- Well, you could choose either Newsweek or Scientific American. Which one is better to your research?

* Neither... nor; used when neither of the two options available is possible: 
- I'm crazy about Metallica, but I have a crush on Jon Bon Jovi.
- Speak it for yourself. I like neither Metallica or Bon Jovi.

* Both... and; used tp express two related pieces of information:
- It's Saturday, we can go to both the wedding and the birthday parties.
- No way! They happen at almost the same time. 

* Not only... but also; used to add an extra piece of information to the sentence:
- Practicing English everyday is not only good to your vocabulary but also enhances your brain to its learning process.

So, that's it. Take the highlighted words and come up with new sentences, practicing them. I'm sure you can make it ; - )
See ya'!

Phrasal Verbs Online

Another tip for this day is www.usingenglish.com/reference/phrasal-verbs/
This is a wonderful dictionary online, where you can type the verb and the preposition to find what you need. An example is "take over": "the company unveiled its new brand identity “Mahindra Satyam” subsequent to its takeover by the Mahindra Group’s IT arm, Tech Mahindra. This "take over" means to assume control of a company or organisation.
I'm going to add this site to my links, I really enjoyed this!
Remember that phrasal verbs always enrich your vocabulary when writing or speaking. 
Now, that this blog is updated, I can go out on vacation with my mind in peace ;-)

So Lingua Inglesa (site)

 Long time... there have been so many things to do... but, I´m here again and I have a good hint today: http://www.solinguainglesa.com.br
I don´t like recommending sites in Portuguese, but I must admit that some students have difficulties and the best for them is to start learning in their mother language, or if you are already enrolled in a school whose methodology in just English (classes presented in this language), so this site can help you in your first steps. You can take a look at the news, curiosities, lyrics, poems, news reporting, English anthems and so on. Check it out and do your best. It's a way to start, so take a chance!

The Sap's Key

I was looking for news about Ronnie James Dio's death (he died on May 16, Sunday) and I've found this interesting site. You can read about media news, tips on how to boost your English skills, curiosities... it's really cool. Check it out: http://www.teclasap.com.br/blog/ and there's the link to the subject about Dio: http://www.teclasap.com.br/blog/2010/05/17/metal-rocker-ronnie-james-dio-has-died-wife-says/.

Phrasal Verbs - check these sites out!

Phrasal Verbs. Always necessary. These sites are really useful:
http://www.sk.com.br/sk-twow.html 
http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/phrasal-verbs-list.htm 
http://www.learn-english-today.com/phrasal-verbs/phrasal-verb-list.htm
http://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/phrasaldictionary.html
And have fun! ;-)

Should Have + Past Participle

This grammar structure is very elegant when you express regret, something you shouldn' have done (but instead, you did it) or you should've done (but you didn't do). It's formed by:
the modal should + have + verb in the past participle
Examples:
- She should have told her parents the truth.
- They shouldn't have broken the computer.
- You should have woken earlier today.


On these links, you can do some exercises online: one from BBC and OUP, both are excellent.
Many students have huge difficulties about learning past participles, but there's no other way, you must memorize them. It's a question of practicing and reading a lot. Hope to have helped you all!

Wishes about the Present and the Future

Wish + Past Simple:
We use it to express that we want a situation in the present or future to be different.

I wish I spoke German. -- I don't speak German.
I wish I had a big house. -- I just a small one.
I wish I was in London. -- I'm in another city.                                                                                                Future: I wish it was the weekend tomorrow. -- It's still Tuesday.

Wish + Past Continuous:
We use it to express that we want to be doing a different action in the present or in the future.

I wish I was watching my favorite series now. -- I'm waiting to see the doctor.
I wish it wasn't raining. -- It is raining.
Future: I wish you weren't leaving tomorrow. -- You are leaving tomorrow.

Wish + Would - Infinitive: This is used to express impatience, annoyance or dissatisfaction with a present action. You are complaining about what is happening at the moment. 
I wish you would stop singing. (You are singing very badly and it is annoying me.)
I wish it would stop raining.  (It's raining a lot and I want to go to the beach.)


And you can click on ELS Base for more explanation. Hope to have helped you!

Wishes About the Past

Wish + past perfect: It is used to express a regret, or that we want a situation in the past to be different.

I wish I hadn't drunk so much. -- I drank too much.
I wish he'd brought the homework. --  He didn't.
I wish I had studied harder to the test. -- I didn't studied enough and I failed.


For activities, go to Better English.

Reflexive Pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used to emphasize that the person who realizes the action is the same who receives it. Here, some examples:
Subject Pronouns    Reflexive Pronouns
        I                                 Myself
      You                             Yourself
       He                              Himself
      She                              Herself
       It                                 Itself
       We                            Ourselves
      You                            Yourselves
      They                          Themselves

- I'm doing this project all by myself. = I'm doing it alone.
- (You)Take care of yourself!
- He was working with that inappropriate tool and he cut himself.
- She killed herself.
- Love is not enough, in itself. = Love is not enough, alone. 
- We've been studying for ourselves.
- You all must clean all this house, yourselves. Don't count on me!
- They should do that effort for themselves. It's worthy just for their own purpose.


Here, at Web2, and Perso Wanadoo, you can practice this issue a little bit.
 
    

Object Pronouns

I was asked to explain something about Object Pronouns. Students usually say that this is a nightmare, but once you have learned, that's it. 
To make it easier to comprehend, I have prepared this table:
 
Subject Pronoun       Object Pronoun           Possessive Pronoun
 I like Gena.                  Gena likes me.            My name is Gena.
 You like Gena.             Gena likes you.          Your name is Gena. 
 He likes Gena.             Gena likes him.          His name is...
 She likes Gena.           Gena likes her.            Her name is...
 It likes Gena.               Gena likes it.              Its name is...
 We like Gena.              Gena likes us.            Our names are...
 You like Gena.           Gena likes you.           Your names are...
They like Gena.          Gena likes them.         Their names are... (plural)

Here, you can learn more at Learn American English Online and do exercises at ESL Quiz, SRLC, Ego4U and English Hilfen.


 
           

Chat on line!

Tonight, I've found a web site where you can chat online. It's called www.englishexperts.com 
You can choose from basic, intermediate and advanced levels, make your registration and just chat! I had been there and I'd really liked it, people are nice, since that everybody wants to learn and exchange experience. 
As you can notice, there are many tools to improve, aren't there?

Scientific American in Podcasts

More podcasts in english. This time is from Scientific American. Here it's the link: http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/
This is for all those who, like me, love Science as well as English. Enjoy it!

Podcasts in English

Check it out! Click on and listen to these podcasts. If you need, there's the audio transcription to:
http://www.betteratenglish.com/ and http://www.podcastsinenglish.com/index.shtml
http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/
http://www.englishpronunciationpod.com/ This one is specially for all those who want to focus your pronunciation on the American accent.
You all already know that the real English is really lively and fun! You must try them out!

Who is it? - Teaching English Source

Who is it?
Click on the link above. On this activity, you all can listen to the audio, download the worksheet and read the script, but try to read it just after listening to the audio (enhancing this skill, huh?). You must be well disciplined to do that. Remember that you are also responsible for your learning process. Hope to have helped you.

The Difference Betweeen "in the end" and "at the end"

Here is another kind of confusion that many students may also have:

In the end = finally, after a long time:
- In the end, I got a visa for Russia.
- Well, I went to my cousin's party, in the end.

At the end = at the point where something stops or ends:
- I think the film’s a bit weak at the end.
- She said that she saw the couple at the end of the tunnel.

The Difference Betweeen "in time" and "on time"

These are some common doubts that many students (even advanced ones) have. Let's elicit them once and for all:

On time = at the planned time; neither late nor early:
- Dean wants the meeting to start exactly on time.
- Elisa hates being late. She always arrives on time.

In time = with enough time to spare; before the last moment:
- She would have died if they hadn’t called the paramedics in time.
- Unfortunately, I didn't arrive in time. My friend had already taken the plane.

Sometimes mistakes may be a good fun :-)

Would you attend her classes?

When You Must Use Enough, Too and Very

Some students were asking me when they may use ENOUGH,VERY or TOO. Let's check them out:
ENOUGH means sufficient. Here, some examples:
- This house is big enough to our family. Let's buy it!
- Thanks, your food is really delicious, but I had it enough.

VERY means a great degreee, a large quantity of something:
- He liked that jacket. Although it is very expensive, he's going to buy it.
- Today is very hot, so we can enjoy all this afternoon in the beach!

TOO means too much of something that is not good enough:
- Wow, I love Mexican food, but this is too spicy!
- Jena, you played video game too much today. Turn it off and give me some help with the cleaning!

And take a look at this charge. Really funny, huh?

International English Certificates

We can’t deny the importance of the international certificates for our best English performance. There is TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), FCE (First Certificate of English), CAE (Cambridge Advanced English), ILEC (International Legal English Certificate) and many others. Which one is better? Well, it depends on your needs, what your main purpose is.
Moreover, if you intend to study or work abroad, it is extremely important and it can certificate the level of your English skills.
On the other hand, since you have taken one of these certificates, you can no longer stop studying and improving.
Some time ago, I wrote here about the importance of the TOEFL (July 16, 2008). Today, I’m writing about the FCE. The importance of this certificate lies in the fact that it is given by the prestigious University of Cambridge. The attainment of the first certificate proves the first level of competent knowledge of English. Once released, the First certificate can’t be revoked and all that increases its importance. The first certificate exam includes several examinations such as reading, writing, use of English, listening and speaking.
I remember when I took my FCE: I felt very proud of myself :-)! It was – and it still is – a great achievement. Furthermore, its focus is on the British English, so, if you’re used to the American accent, just like me, study a little bit more, because of the listening part. Be confident, but not overconfident, ok?
For all students and foreign English speakers, here it’s one web site that helped me a lot when I took my first English certificate:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/.../p3pt3a.htm
Hope to have helped you. Bye.

Used to & Be Used to + ing

Check this out: when you want to talk about habits in the past, you use;
Used to + verb (infinitive)
- When I was 20, I used to listen to pop music. Nowadays, I listen to rock’n’roll.
- I used to study German, some months ago. These days, I don’t have time enough for that.

When you want to talk about current habits, you use;
Be used to + verb (ing)
- I’m used to blogging every week.
- He’s used to checking his e-mails twice a day.


Here, two links that can help you out: "Used to" is at English Page and Better English; "Be Used to" is at English Club and Using English.

New Year’s Resolutions

All end of year is the same: we usually make a huge list of things to accomplish, but (as everybody knows) we don’t change much our habits and we can’t figure out why our resolutions don’t last.
Well, and if we focus on who we are? In a society where matters what we can have, it’s really daunting to do something different and be daring. All self-help books (and I hate them all) tell us about who we supposed to be, innovating ourselves and everything else, but why don’t put our strength on who we really are?
What makes us a valuable person? Our degrees? Our car and house, where we live? Our lack of failures? Our bank accounts or our top cell phones? The brands of our clothes? Gosh, think that in a fraction of a second, all these supposed values can be taken away from us.
I used to think on these topics on a regular basis, but eventually I got tired of them, because even when it looks like I have everything, I feel depressed, so I don’t need to be a genius to get that material values are not the way to feel happy and fulfilled.
Don’t be obsessed about creating a new yourself, think about challenging yourself as a task along this year and set new goals, as for example, enhance your English skills ;-)
Here, I put this paragraph that I read on the Oprah Winfrey webite:
“Being yourself takes courage, commitment and faith. It's a process of letting go of many false beliefs you've picked up from the collective consciousness: that you have to look good, be smart, know the right people, say the right things, have the proper experience, in order to be happy and successful in life. Being yourself can be scary and counterintuitive, difficult and even off-putting and, at times, lonely. However, being your authentic self is liberating, exciting and fulfilling. When you have the courage to just be who you are, without apology or pretense, so much of the suffering, stress and worry in life simply disappears.”
For more, go to http://www.oprah.com/article/spirit/knowyourself/pkgempoweryourself/20100108-orig-mike-robbins-new-year-be-you
Note that these recommendations, very often, are for me, too.