English learning thread

English learning thread

WILL - other uses

Older textbooks often refer to 'will' as 'the future tense' and this has confused a lot of learners.

It is important to remember that when we talk about the future we cannot always use 'will' and that when we use 'will' we are not always talking about the future.

Here 'will' is clearly referring to the future.

If I speak to her, I'll tell her about it.
I'll probably visit Sue when I go to Oxford.

Next birthday she'll be 32. Or so she says.

In these examples, however, 'will' is referring to events happening at the present.

The car won't start.
If that's the phone, I'll get it.
Will you have another cup of coffee?

When we use 'will' referring to the present, the idea being expressed is usually one of 'showing willingness' or 'will power'.

My baby won't stop crying. I've tried everything and I'm really exhausted.

I am the boss. You will do as I say.

I need quiet to write this but he will keep on talking to me. I wish he would leave me alone.

We use 'will' for requests, orders, invitations and offers.

Will you give me a hand?
Will you please take a seat?
Will you have some cake?
I'll help you.

We use 'will' to make promises or threats.

I'll do it at once.
I'll phone him back immediately.
I won't forget this.
I'll get my own back some day.

We use 'will' for habit.

A cat will always find a warm place to sleep.

My car won't go any faster than this.

We use 'will' for deduction.

I expect he'll want us to get on with it.

The phone's ringing. That will be Mark.

Look again at all of these examples of 'will'. They are all to do with the present or are 'timeless'.
 
DO and MAKE


DO and MAKE are two verbs which frequently confuse students.

Here we will learn about the difference between Do and Make and when to use each one.

When do you use DO?
DO is used as follows:

1. DO is used when talking about work, jobs or tasks. Note, they do not produce any physical object.

Have you done your homework?
I have guests visiting tonight so I should start doing the housework now.

I wouldn't like to do that job.

2. DO is used when we refer to activities in general without being specific. In these cases, we normally use words like thing, something, nothing, anything, everything etc.

Hurry up! I've got things to do!
Don't just stand there – do something!
Is there anything I can do to help you?

3. We sometimes use DO to replace a verb when the meaning is clear or obvious. This is more common in informal spoken English:

Do I need to do my hair? (do = brush or comb)

Have you done the dishes yet? (done = washed)

I'll do the kitchen if you do the lawns (do = clean, do = mow)

Remember Do can also be as an auxiliary verb (for making questions in the present tense - Do you like chocolate?)

When do you use MAKE?
MAKE is for producing, constructing, creating or building something new.

It is also used to indicate the origin of a product or the materials that are used to make something.

His wedding ring is made of gold.
The house was made of adobe.
Wine is made from grapes.
The watches were made in Switzerland

We also use MAKE for producing an action or reaction:

Onions make your eyes water.
You make me happy.
It’s not my fault. My brother made me do it!

You make after certain nouns about plans and decisions:

make the arrangements,
make a choice
We use Make with nouns about speaking and certain sounds:

make a comment
make a noise
make a speech

We use Make with Food, Drink and Meals:

make a cake
make a cup of tea
make dinner
Compare Do and Make

A: You have to make a cake for Simon.

B: I’ll do it later.

Notice how in the response the verb DO is used. This is because the meaning is clear and to avoid saying “I’ll make it later.” which could sound repetitive.
 
Speak and Talk: Difference


There is not much difference between speak and talk. They are usually both possible in most situations.

Formality

Talk is less formal than speak. In fact, talk is the usual word to refer to informal communication.

I want to talk to you.
I think you should talk to him.
I don’t know why she has stopped talking to me.

I would like to talk to you about the film I watched yesterday.

Stop talking nonsense.
We talked for an hour.

Speak is often used for exchanges in more serious or formal situations.

Speak your mind.
I was so shocked that I could hardly speak.

They are not speaking anymore.
Actions speak louder than words.

Speak is not usually used before sense, nonsense and other words with similar meanings.

Lectures etc

Talk is often used for the act of giving an informal lecture. Speak is preferred for more formal lectures.

Compare:

This is Ms Susan Fernandez, who is going to talk to us about cookery.

This is Professor Susan Fernandez, who is going to speak to us on recent developments in stem-cell therapy.

Speak is the usual word to refer to a person’s ability to speak a language.

She can speak English. (NOT She can talk English.)

She speaks ten languages fluently.
Speak is also the word to refer to speech on the phone.

Could I speak to Alice, please? (More natural than ‘Could I talk to Alice?’)
 
SAY and TELL


The meanings of these two verbs, TELL and SAY are similar.

The main meaning of TELL is to "say or write something to someone."

The main meaning of SAY is to "use your voice to express something in words."

However, there are some clear and easy rules to follow about when to use these two words, as shown below.

Usage rules for TELL and SAY:

TELL is used only to instruct or inform, and when the receiver of the information is included as an object of the verb.

Do not use for quotes.
Has she told you the good news, yet?
Please tell us your name and occupation.

The police officer told him to stop. [NOT The police officer told him, "Stop."]

Can you tell me what happened?

SAY is used for exact quotes, and when the receiver isn’t mentioned in the sentence:

“Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter.

I just stopped by to say hello.
I said three words before he interrupted me again.

Say is also used to express opinions:
I wouldn't say that he's a great guitarist [=I don't think he's a great guitarist].

They say that you should drink eight glasses of water a day.
 
Tokyo40 said:
SAY and TELL


The meanings of these two verbs, TELL and SAY are similar.

The main meaning of TELL is to "say or write something to someone."

The main meaning of SAY is to "use your voice to express something in words."

However, there are some clear and easy rules to follow about when to use these two words, as shown below.

Usage rules for TELL and SAY:

TELL is used only to instruct or inform, and when the receiver of the information is included as an object of the verb.

Do not use for quotes.
Has she told you the good news, yet?
Please tell us your name and occupation.

The police officer told him to stop. [NOT The police officer told him, "Stop."]

Can you tell me what happened?

SAY is used for exact quotes, and when the receiver isn’t mentioned in the sentence:

“Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter.

I just stopped by to say hello.
I said three words before he interrupted me again.

Say is also used to express opinions:
I wouldn't say that he's a great guitarist [=I don't think he's a great guitarist].

They say that you should drink eight glasses of water a day.
Click to expand...

My humble Tokyo40 I salute you for your helps.

From that statement above I would want know why we write HAS SHE TOLD YOU A GOOD NEWS, YET? instead of starting by the words SHE HAS? What a different the uses of Has she and She has?
 
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Open school said:
My humble Tokyo40 I salute you for your helps.

From that statement above I would want know why we write HAS SHE TOLD YOU A GOOD NEWS, YET? instead of starting by the words SHE HAS? What a different the uses of Has she and She has?
Click to expand...

1. SHE had already told you the story.
Ameshakuhadithia.

2. HAD SHE told you the story, yet?Je, ameshakuhadithia?

The sentence that started with "Had she... is in question form.

She had already told you the good news.
Ameshakuambia habari njema.

Had she told you the good news, yet?
Je, ameshakuambia habari njema?
 
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Mama wawilii said:
Noted pmwasyoke,I am learning alot here,the class have started,I am taking notes
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in present perfect tense we have

Subject+ HAS/HAVE+ verb in past participle

HAS_for third person singular e.g : Asha,Juma, A dog, It,She, He.

HAVE- for first person singular and plural, second person, third person plural
e.g I, We,You,they,Juma and Ana
......
 
Thanks mf. Tokyo40 for your clarification. I had been busying for a time as my silence seemed but now I have try to remain here for making english practice.
 
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kireri jr said:
from today foward i will spend a hour to read english books,newspaper and other sources of knowledge that may help me to improve my poor english. thanx nyani ngabu and kiranga for ure advice
Click to expand...

So far how many books you have covered up to this moment.
 
soma stor mbalimbal za kiingereza pamoja na vitabu,jaribu kufanya mazoez ya kuzungumza na kuandika kwapamoja you will win
 
Mama wawilii said:
So far how many books you have covered up to this moment.
Click to expand...
Mama wawili is wahat nyou have written a question?No question mark?And if it is a question it would be fine if you would have written have you and not you have i.e how many books have you covered..?
 
Open school said:
Thanks mf. Tokyo40 for your clarification. I had been busying for a time as my silence seemed but now I have try to remain here for making english practice.
Click to expand...
have a look on the red highlighted sentence above,does it ring a bell to you?Busying???what if you just say busy?
 
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