Song: You Can Get It If You Really Want

Learning English isn't easy, but if you try very hard, you can do it! This song was recorded in 1972 by Jamaican singer Jimmy Cliff.



You can get it if you really want.
You can get it if you really want.
You can get it if you really want.
But you must try, try and try,
Try and try. You'll succeed at last!

Persecution you must bear.
Win or lose, you've got to get your share.
Got your mind set on a dream -
You can get it, though hard it may seem now!

You can get it if you really want.
You can get it if you really want.
You can get it if you really want.
But you must try, try and try,
Try and try. You'll succeed at last!
I know it! Listen:

Rome was not built in a day.
Opposition will come your way.
But the hotter the battle, you see,
It's the sweeter the victory, now!

You can get it if you really want.
You can get it if you really want.
You can get it if you really want.
But you must try, try and try,
Try and try--you'll succeed at last!

You can get it if you really want.
You can get it if you really want.
You can get it if you really want.
But you must try, try and try,
Try and try--you'll succeed at last!

You can get it if you really want - I know it!
You can get it if you really want - Don't I show it?
You can get it if you really want - Don't give up now!
Keep on trying!

Some & Any

In this video, Paul explains the difference between some and any.

Song: I'll Follow the Sun

Another Beatles song that sings of the future is "I'll Follow the Sun." Notice how may is also used to express future possibility (maybe something will happen = something may happen):



One day you'll look to see I've gone.
For tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.
Some day you'll know I was the one.
But tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.
And now the time has come
And so my love I must go.
And though I lose a friend,
In the end you will know, oh.
One day you'll find that I have gone.
For tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.
Yes, tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.
And now the time has come
And so my love I must go.
And though I lose a friend,
In the end you will know, oh.
One day you'll find that I have gone.
For tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun.

The Future with WILL

English doesn't have a future tense, so it makes use of modals (will, may, might...), idioms (be going to, be about to...), present tenses (present progressive, simple present) and verbs like and plan and intend to talk about future time.

Like all modals, will is followed by the simple (root) form of the verb:
The semester will end on April 29.

To make a negative, add not after the modal:
There will not be any classes after April 24.

(Contraction: will + not --> won't)

To make a question, reverse the subject and modal:
Will you go back to your country in the summer?

We use will to make predictions about the future and to express spontaneous (unplanned) decisions.

Example of a prediction:
The economic crisis will last for a long time.

Example of a spontaneous decision:
I'll help you with your homework.

To review, watch Paul's explanation of the "simple future using will".

Song: I Will

This is the original Beatles recording of the love song by Paul McCartney:



Lyrics:

Who knows how long I've loved you
You know I love you still
Will I wait a lonely lifetime?
If you want me to--I will.

For if I ever saw you,
I didn't catch your name,
But it never really mattered
I will always feel the same.

Love you forever and forever
Love you with all my heart
Love you whenever we're together
Love you when we're apart.

And when at last I find you
Your song will fill the air.
Sing it loud so I can hear you.
Make it easy to be near you,
For the things you do endear you to me
You know I will
I will.

Infinitives

An infinitive is another kind of verbal that functions like a noun in a sentence. It can be the subject (but this is not very common) or the direct object (after certain verbs only!). However, the infinitive is never the object of a preposition. Only a gerund can follow a preposition.

Infinitive as subject: To remember all these grammar rules is not easy.
Infinitive as direct object: I want to remember the rules.

Infinitives and infinitive phrases can also express reason or purpose (why someone does something).

Infinitive of purpose: I am taking this course to improve my English.

Watch Paul's short explanation about infinitives:

Gerunds

A verbal is a word made from a verb but which functions as a different part of speech in a sentence. Participles, gerunds, and infinitives are all verbals.

A gerund is a verbal formed by adding -ing to the root form of a verb. It functions as a noun. Like a noun, a gerund can be the subject of the sentence, the direct object of a verb, or the object of a preposition.

Gerund as subject: Doing homework is not fun.
Gerund as direct object: I don't like doing homework.
Gerund as object of a preposition: Many students are against doing homework.

In these examples, the gerund "doing" is followed by its object, "homework." This is called a gerund phrase.

In this video, Paul explains about gerunds.

Modals

Modals are a special kind of auxiliary (helping) verb. We use modals to express things such as

• future time (will)
• ability (can, could)
• possibility (may, might, could)
• necessity (must)
• advice (should)

The main verb after the modal must be in the simple (root) form. Never use a gerund (Ving) or infinitive (to V) after a modal!

Irregular Verbs

This PerfectEnglish video will help you with the pronunciation of the most common irregular verbs. By the way, in American English, the past participle of "get" is "gotten"--not "got."



Paul's video does the same thing, but with pictures to help you remember the meaning of the verbs:

The Past Tense of Regular Verbs

Watch these short videos by Paul to review the formation of affirmative statements, negative statements, and questions in the simple past tense.

1. Affirmative statements: Ved



2. Negative statements: didn't V



3. Questions: did ... V ?



In the next two videos, you can review the rules for pronouncing the -ed ending.

The first one, from RebeccaESL, is quite short, but it includes all three pronunciations.



This one from Paul is a little longer. It has some details about how voiced and unvoiced (voiceless) sounds at the end of the verb change the pronunciation of the -ed ending. Paul does not talk about the /id/ pronunciation of -ed, however.

4 Kinds of Nouns

This video by Studio4Learning is an advanced review of the 4 types of nouns:

1. common nouns
2. proper nouns
3. compound nouns
4. collective nouns

The video is for native speakers of English, so the speakers talk fast. Can you understand them?