English learning thread

[Tokyo40]

Answers to Quiz 17.1

I was given a bunch of flowers on my birthday by John.
OR
A bunch of flowers was given to me on my birthday by John.

Part 2

1) I ate an ice cream.
5) He wrote a novel.
8) I have managed a company since 2004.

Mood for Grammar

A mood shows the writer’s attitude toward what he/she is saying.

Indicative Mood states an actuality or fact.

We will go to see a movie this Sunday.

I’ll follow you.

Imperative Mood makes a request.

Let’s go to see a movie this weekend!
Please stop bugging me!

Subjunctive Mood expresses a doubtful condition (contrary to fact) and is often used with an "if" clause.

If I were you, I wouldn’t buy a house.
I wish I were more organized.

The following verbs often attract the subjunctive mood:
ask, recommend, suggest, wish, insist, order, commend, request, and demand.

A verb in the subjunctive mood may have a different form.

The subjunctive for the present tense third-person singular drops the "s" or "es" so that it looks and sounds like the present tense for everything else.

In the subjunctive mood, the verb "to be" is "be" in the present tense and "were" in the past tense, regardless of what the subject is.

Incorrect: If I was you, I would take any offer.

Correct: If I were you, I would take any offer.

(The verb follows ‘if’ and expresses a non-factual condition.)

Incorrect: I wish I was able to speak English fluently.

Correct: I wish I were able to speak English fluently.

(The second verb is in a clause following a verb expressing a wish.
It suggests a non-factual or doubtful
condition.)

Incorrect: Our suggestion is that everyone on the team does the survey.

Correct: Our suggestion is that everyone on the team do the survey.

Incorrect: She recommended that each student takes a note.

Correct: She recommended that each student take a note.

[Quiz 18.1]

Write the correct form of the verb given.

1. I insist that Jennifer ........ (finish) her meal.

2. She suggests that the office ......... (be) closed today.

3. If I .......(be) you, I would win the game.

4. I wish I ...... (can) fly.

Part 2

Choose the correct sentence from the following.

1. I wish I was able to buy this car.
2. It were recommended that the company closes its foreign offices.

3. If Jack were 17 years old, he would apply for the university.

4. Our manager insists that the group is reorganized.

Next lesson:
Auxilliary Verbs ( BE, DO, HAVE )

 

[Nando]

Ww ni msaidizi wa ras simba

 

[Open school]

Dudes I doing language pactice and till I can seeing the changes to the language write mastering.

I put my grateful thanks to mr Tokyo40 and others who spend their time to joins with us in an online free class although there are some challenges which could I put here for assistance.

 

[Open school]

Ww ni msaidizi wa ras simba

Here you are in english learning class, don't put your comment by swahili instead proper language accordiing the above context. Look at the headline.

 

[Ntuzu]

Dudes I doing language pactice and till I can seeing the changes to the language write mastering.

I put my grateful thanks to mr Tokyo40 and others who spend their time to joins with us in an online free class although there are some challenges which could I put here for assistance.

Good! We all try to build our language to become better. But I can still see you have got some problems on tenses!

Ex. When you say " I doing language practice " is not correct! Here is whether you use simple present tense or present progressive! Like "I do language practice" this sentence, it is in simple present!

Or you can say as well in present progressive like "I am doing language practice"

And there is another sentence that I have seen whinc isn't correct. Such as " I can SEEING the changes to language write mastering". This sentence olso has some problems.

I think it is good for mukulu Tokyo40 to make more correction on this!

Keep it up joh! We are all together in this class to build our English language! But I would like to encourage you that! The more practice you make the more better you become!

Holler!

 

[Open school]

Good! We all try to build our language to become better. But I can still see you have got some problems on tenses!

Ex. When you say " I doing language practice " is not correct! Here is whether you use simple present tense or present progressive! Like "I do language practice" this sentence, it is in simple present!

Or you can say as well in present progressive like "I am doing language practice"

And there is another sentence that I have seen whinc isn't correct. Such as " I can SEEING the changes to language write mastering". This sentence olso has some problems.

I think it is good for mukulu Tokyo40 to make more correction on this!

Keep it up joh! We are all together in this class to build our English language! But I would like to encourage you that! The more practice you make the more better you become!

Holler!

Thanks chief Ntuzu I had saw my language writing error but in the blue bold above your fourth paragraph there a thing which I didn't very understood. I think did you supporsed to write that I had seen instead of I have see because seen is a past participle while have is simple.

I not reluctact to be corrected.
Tokyo40 & Ntuzu.

 

[Ntuzu]

Thanks chief Ntuzu I had saw my language writing error but in the blue bold above your fourth paragraph there a thing which I didn't very understood. I think did you supporsed to write that I had seen instead of I have see because seen is a past participle while have is simple.

I not reluctact to be corrected.
Tokyo40 & Ntuzu.

"I have seen" is possitive correct!

It's like nimeona in Swahili

 

[Tokyo40]

Answers to Quiz 18.1

1) finish
2) be
3) were
4) could

Part 2

Correct sentences for 1, 2, and 4:

1) I wish I would be able to buy this car

2) It was recommended that the company closed its foreign offices.

4) Our manager insists that the group be reorganized.



Auxiliary Verbs "Be," "Do," "Have"

An auxiliary verb helps the main (full) verb and is also called a "helping verb."

With auxiliary verbs, you can write sentences in different tenses, moods, or voices.

Auxiliary verbs are:
be, do, have, will, shall, would, should, can, could, may, might, must, ought, etc.

I think I SHOULD study harder to master English.

I AM having a cup of coffee.
You HAVE BEEN practicing hard.
It WAS written by a petitioner.
You MAY choose what you like.

The verb forms of "be", "do", and "have" can be used either as a main (full) verb or an auxiliary verb.

The following examples show these verbs used as auxiliary verbs.

1. "Be" as an auxiliary verb

A. Used in progressive sentences:

I am taking a bath.
She is preparing dinner for us.
They have been studying all night.


B. Used in passive sentences:

I was given a free meal.
He was seen by fans at the airport.
This song has been sung by all nations.

2."Do" as an auxiliary verb

A. Used in negative sentences:

I do not know the truth.
She doesn’t agree with me.
They didn’t arrive here yet.

B. Used in questions:

Do you want to have another one?
Did he finish his homework?
Do we need to keep going straight?

3."Have" as an auxiliary verb

A. Used in perfect sentences:

I have been following you for a mile.
We have done a lot so far.
She had been queen of the town.

[Quiz 19.1]

Identify all auxiliary verbs in the following paragraph.

I have just heard that you didn’t attend the meeting yesterday. Did you have a conflict with that time? I must ask that you explain the reason.

Part 2.

Which of the following sentences does not show any auxiliary verbs?

1. I didn’t have any reason to go there.

2. Have we practiced this song enough?

3. Three seats have been reserved for us.

4. I am a professor in the economics department.

Next lesson:
Auxiliary Verbs "Will/Would" and "Shall/Should"

 

[Tokyo40]

Answers for Quiz 19.1


I HAVE just heard that you DIDN'T attend the meeting yesterday. DID you have a conflict with that time? I MUST ask that you explain the reason.

Part 2

Sentence 4 (the verb AM is used as the main verb)



Auxiliary Verbs "Will/Would" and "Shall/Should"

The verbs :
would, shall, should, can, could, may, might, and must CANNOT be the main (full) verbs alone.

They are used as auxiliary verbs only and always need a main verb to follow.

WILL

Used to express desire, preference, choice, or consent:

I will take this duty.
Will you stop talking like that?
Used to express the future:

It will rain tomorrow.
The news will spread soon.

Used to express capacity or capability:

This bucket will hold two gallons of water.

This airplane will take 200 passengers.

Used to express determination, insistence, or persistence:

I will do it as you say.

Would (past form of will)

Often used in auxiliary functions with RATHEr to express preference:

I would rather go shopping today.

We’d rather say something than stay quiet.

Used to express a wish or desire:

I would like to have one more pencil.

Used to express contingency or possibility:

If I were you, I would be so happy.

Used to express routine or habitual things:

Normally, we would work until 6 p.m.

SHALL

Mainly used in American English to ask questions politely (it has more usages in British English).

For the future tense, WILL is more frequently used in American English than SHALL.

Shall we dance?
Shall I go now?
Let’s drink, shall we?

Often used in formal settings to deliver obligation or requirement:

You shall abide by the law.
There shall be no trespassing on this property.

Students shall not enter this room.

Should (past form of shall)

Often used in auxiliary functions to express an opinion, suggestion, preference, or idea:

You should rest at home today.
I should take a bus this time.
He should be more thoughtful in the decision-making process.

Used to express that you wish something had happened but it didn’t or couldn’t (should + have + past participle):

You should have seen it. It was really beautiful.

I should have completed it earlier to meet the deadline.

We should have visited the place on the way.

Used to ask for someone’s opinion:

What should we do now?
Should we continue our meeting?
Should we go this way?
Where should we go this summer?

Used to say something expected or correct:

There should be an old city hall building here.

Everybody should arrive by 6 p.m.
We should be there this evening.

[Quiz 20.1]

Fill in the blanks using an appropriate auxiliary verb.

1. I ............... leave now. It is too late.
2. You ........... have seen him. His dance was amazing.

3. ............... we have lunch together?
4. I ........... like a cup of tea, please.
5. ................. we read the email?

Next lesson :
Auxiliary Verbs "Can/Could" and "May/Might/Must"

 

[Shilewashile]

Answers to Quiz 10.1

1. sang
2. will write
3. will go

Table of English Tenses (limited)


A= affirmative
N= negative
Q= question

Simple Present
A: He speaks.
N: He does not speak.
Q: Does he speak?


Present Progressive
A: He is speaking.
N: He is not speaking.
Q: Is he speaking?


Simple Past
A: He spoke.
N: He did not speak.
Q: Did he speak?


Past Progressive
A: He was speaking.
N: He was not speaking.
Q: Was he speaking?


Present Perfect Simple
A: He has spoken.
N: He has not spoken.
Q: Has he spoken?


Present Perfect Progressive
A: He has been speaking.
N: He has not been speaking.
Q: Has he been speaking?


Past Perfect Simple
A: He had spoken.
N: He had not spoken.
Q: Had he spoken?


Past Perfect Progressive
A: He had been speaking.
N: He had not been speaking.
Q: Had he been speaking?

Next lesson: Progesssive and Perfect Tense

I am sorry sir, can you translate the above sentences in Swahili. sometimes their confusing me. Sorry for inconvenience. especially on past perfect tense and past perfect Continuous tense.

 

[Tokyo40]

I am sorry sir, can you translate the above sentences in Swahili. sometimes their confusing me. Sorry for inconvenience.

Sometimes THEY confuse me too, Mkuu Shilewashile. 🙂

It is not a problem for me. Let me finish the coursework and I'll translate it for you, to the best of my ability.

 

[Shilewashile]

Sometimes THEY confuse me too, Mkuu Shilewashile. 🙂

It is not a problem for me. Let me finish the coursework and I'll translate it for you, to the best of my ability.

Thanks sir for spending your to teacher us. May almighty God bless you abundantly.

 

[Tokyo40]

Answers to Quiz 20.1

1) should
2) should
3) Shall
4) would
5) Should



Auxiliary Verbs "Can/Could" and "May/Might/Must"

CAN

Used to express ability (to be able to do something):

I can make jewelry.
He can’t speak French.
Can you open this jar?

Used to ask for permission:

Can I use your bathroom?
Can I leave now?
Can I raise the volume?

Used to make requests or suggestions:

Can I have more napkins?
Can I have the bill?
You can take this spot if you like.
You can do whatever you want.

Could (past form of can)

Describes an ability that someone had in the past:

I could swim when I was young.
You could see the boat sinking.
They could tell he was nervous.

Often used in auxiliary functions to express permission politely:

Could I take this jacket with me?
You could borrow my umbrella.
Could you please let me pass you?
Could I get you more water?

Used to express possibility:

All of them could ride in the van.
You could always stay at our house.
Could it be true?
This plan could really work out.

MAY

Used to ask for formal permission:

May I come in?
May I say something now?
May I ask one question?

Used to suggest something that is possible:

She may agree with this plan.
They may not be happy about what happened.

It may shower tonight.

Might (past form of may)

Used to suggest a smaller possibility than may does (actually, MIGHT is more common than MAY in American English):

He might have finished it.
I might go see a doctor.
I might not come this time.
It might be right.
You might have lost it.
The store might have been closed today.

MUST

Used to express something formally required or necessary:

I must complete the project by this week.

The government must provide health care for everybody.

Everyone must save the natural resources of the earth.

The building must have a fire alarm.
You must answer my question right now.

Used to show that something is very likely:

He must be a genius.
You must be joking!
There must be an accident.
She must be very tired.

[Quiz 21.1]

Choose the right word for each blank.

1. She (can, could, may, might, must) have practiced a lot. Her performance was amazing.

2. I can’t find my watch anywhere. I (can, could, may, might, must) have lost it.

3. Professor, (can, could, may, might, must) I ask a question?

4. (can, could, may, might, must) you please lower your voice?

5. You (can, could, may, might, must) be kidding! How is that possible?

6. I (can, could, may, might, must) speak both English and Chinese fluently.

Next lesson :
Prepositions "On," "At," and "In"

 

[Tokyo40]

Answer to Quiz 21.1

1) must
2) might
3) may
4) could
5) must
6) can


Prepositions "On," "At," and "In"

A preposition is a word that links a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to some other part of the sentence.

Prepositions can be tricky for English learners. There is no definite rule or formula for choosing a preposition.

In the beginning stage of learning the language, you should try to identify a preposition when reading or listening in English and recognize its usage.

to the office
at the desk
on the table
in an hour
about myself

A preposition is used to show direction, location, or time, or to introduce an object.

Here are a few common prepositions and examples.

ON

Used to express a surface of something:

I put an egg on the kitchen table.
The paper is on my desk.

Used to specify days and dates:

The garbage truck comes on Wednesdays.

I was born on the 14th of June in 1988.

Used to indicate a device or machine, such as a phone or computer:

He is on the phone right now.
She has been on the computer since this morning.

My favorite movie will be on TV tonight.

Used to indicate a part of the body:

The stick hit me on my shoulder.
He kissed me on my cheek.
I wear a ring on my finger.

Used to indicate the state of something:

Everything in this store is on sale.
The building is on fire.

AT

Used to point out specific time:

I will meet you at 12 p.m.
The bus will stop here at 5:45 p.m.

Used to indicate a place:

There is a party at the club house.
There were hundreds of people at the park.

We saw a baseball game at the stadium.

Used to indicate an email address:

Please email me at abc@defg.com.

Used to indicate an activity:

He laughed at my acting.
I am good at drawing a portrait.

IN

Used for unspecific times during a day, month, season, year:

She always reads newspapers in the morning.

In the summer, we have a rainy season for three weeks.

The new semester will start in March.

Used to indicate a location or place:

She looked me directly in the eyes.
I am currently staying in a hotel.
My hometown is Los Angeles, which is in California.

Used to indicate a shape, color, or size:

This painting is mostly in blue.
The students stood in a circle.
This jacket comes in four different sizes.

Used to express while doing something:

In preparing for the final report, we revised the tone three times.

A catch phrase needs to be impressive in marketing a product.

Used to indicate a belief, opinion, interest, or feeling:

I believe in the next life.
We are not interested in gambling.

[Quiz 22.1]

Identify all prepositions in the following sentences.

After flying for many hours, we finally got off the airplane. We walked out the exit and went to the baggage claim area. There were hundreds of different bags on the conveyer belt. I almost picked up the wrong one because it looked like mine.

Part 2

Choose a correct preposition in the sentence.

1. I want to lose 5 kilogram (on, at, in) one month.

2. Could you get me this pants (on, at, in) a larger size?

3. She seems to be interested (on, at, in) Psychology.

4. I will come to pick you up (on, at, in) 2 pm tomorrow.

5. This class will be held (on, at, in) Mondays.

Next lesson:

Prepositions "Of," "To," and "For"

 

[Tokyo40]

Thanks sir for spending your to teacher us. May almighty God bless you abundantly.

Thank you Sir, for taking your time to teach us.

The pleasure is mine.

 

[Open school]

What if I put first go say.... Can you to do something instead of You can do something?

I have wait your answer/correct Tokyo40

 

[Tokyo40]

Answers to Quiz 22.1


After flying FOR many hours, we finally got OFF the airplane. We walked OUT the exit and went TO the baggage claim area. There were hundreds OF different bags ON the conveyer belt. I almost picked UP the wrong one because it looked LIKE mine.

Part 2

1) in
2) in
3) in
4) at
5) on

 

[Tokyo40]

What if I put first go say.... Can you to do something instead of You can do something?

I have wait your answer/correct Tokyo40

1. Can you do something?

You are asking for an action about something.

A. Your room is dirty. Can you do something (about it) ?
( clean it)

B. Can you do something about the air conditioner? It doesn't seem to work well. (Fix it for us).

2. You can do something about it.

1. No question mark (?).
2. Something happened and you are waiting for a reaction.

Your room is dirty. You can do something about it, if you really want to.

You failed all your exams again. But, you can do something about it, if you really want to, to improve your grades. Stop wasting your time playing computer games all day!

 

[Tokyo40]

Answers to Quiz 22.1


After flying FOR many hours, we finally got OFF the airplane. We walked OUT the exit and went TO the baggage claim area. There were hundreds OF different bags ON the conveyer belt. I almost picked UP the wrong one because it looked LIKE mine.

Part 2

1) in
2) in
3) in
4) at
5) on

Prepositions "Of," "To," and "For"
Of

Used for belonging to, relating to, or connected with:

The secret of this game is that you can’t ever win.

The highlight of the show is at the end.

The first page of the book describes the author’s profile.

Don’t touch it. That’s the bag of my friend’s sister.

I always dreamed of being rich and famous.

Used to indicate reference:

I got married in the summer of 2000.
This is a picture of my family.
I got a discount of 10 percent on the purchase.

Used to indicate an amount or number:

I drank three cups of milk.
A large number of people gathered to protest.

I had only four hours of sleep during the last two days.
He got a perfect score of 5 on his writing assignment.

TO

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward, or the direction of something:

I am heading to the entrance of the building.

The package was mailed to Mr. Kim yesterday.

All of us went to the movie theater.
Please send it back to me.

Used to indicate a limit or an ending point:

The snow was piled up to the roof.
The stock prices rose up to 100 dollars.

Used to indicate relationship:

This letter is very important to your admission.

My answer to your question is in this envelop.

Do not respond to every little thing in your life.

Used to indicate a time or a period:

I work nine to six, Monday to Friday.
It is now 10 to five. (In other words, it is 4:50.)

FOR

Used to indicate the use of something:

This place is for exhibitions and shows.

I baked a cake for your birthday.
I put a note on the door for privacy.
She has been studying hard for the final exam.

Used to mean "because of":

I am so happy for you.
We feel deeply sorry for your loss.
For this reason, I’ve decided to quit this job.

Used to indicate time or duration:

He’s been famous for many decades.
I attended the university for one year only.

This is all I have for today.

[Quiz 23.1]

Choose the correct preposition in each sentence.

1. I slept (of, to, for) only two hours last night.

2. It was my first trip (of, to, for) Hawaii.

3. Turn off the TV and go straight (of, to, for) bed.

4. This book was written (of, to, for) the people who want to learn how to play a guitar.

5. I was late (of, to, for) school.
6. Spencer is one (of, to, for) my best friends.

Next lesson:
Prepositions "With," "Over," and "By"

 

[Open school]

Thanks sir for spending your to teacher us. May almighty God bless you abundantly.

Thank you Sir, for taking your time to teach us.

The pleasure is mine.

Sir Tokyo40 I know that spending means apply or kutumia in swahili, so what is error at Shilewashile statement?

Also in your answer Thanks for taking your time I couldn't understand why did you use continuos tense instead of Take?