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.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
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".
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".
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, April 10, 2009
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:
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:
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, April 6, 2009
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)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
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:
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.
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:
- common nouns
- proper nouns
- compound nouns
- collective nouns
Monday, March 30, 2009
Song: Conjunction Junction
This Schoolhouse Rock video is about the seven coordinating conjunctions. The lyrics follow the video.
Conjunction Junction
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up words and phrases and clauses
Conjunction Junction, how’s that function?
I’ve got three favorite cars that get most of my job done
Conjunction Junction, what’s their function?
I got and, but and or:
They’ll get you pretty far.
And: that’s an additive, like this and that
But: that’s sort of the opposite, not this but that
and then there’s or: O-R, when you have a choice, like this or that
and, but, and or get you pretty far!
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up two boxcars and making them run right
Milk & honey, bread & butter, peas & rice
Hey, that’s nice!
Dirty but happy
Digging and scratching,
Losing your shoe and a button or two
He’s poor but honest, sad but true
Boo hoo hoo hoo
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Okay, now: 2 cars to one when you say something like this.
Choice: either now or later
Or no choice: neither now nor ever
Hey, that’s clever!
Eat this or that; grow thin or fat
(Never mind, I wouldn’t do that; I’m fat enough now!)
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up phrases and clauses that balance,
Like “out of the frying pan and into the fire”
“He cut loose the sandbags, but the balloon wouldn’t go any higher.”
Let’s go up to the mountains or down to the sea
You should always say “thank you” or at least say “please.”
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up words and phrases and clauses in complex sentences like
“In the mornings, when I am usually wide awake,
I love to take a walk through the gardens and down by the lake,
where I often see a duck and a drake,
and I wonder as I walk by just what they would say if they could speak
although I know that’s an absurd thought.”
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
Hooking up cars and making them function
Conjunction Junction, how’s that function?
Like tying up words and phrases and clauses
Conjunction Junction, watch that function!
I’m going get you there if you’re very careful
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
I’m going to get you there if you’re very careful.
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
I’m going to get you there if you’re very careful.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Coordinating Conjunctions and Compound Sentences
You already know 4 common coordinating conjunctions. There are 3 more coordinating conjunctions: for, nor, yet. They are less common. This video will help you to remember all seven coordinating conjunctions. (This video has no sound.)
Remember: To form a compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction, do this:
1st independent clause + comma + coordinating conjunctions + 2nd independent clause
IC + , + cc + IC
A simple sentence has a subject and a predicate (verb + everything that is not the subject = predicate). The subject can be simple or compound, and the verb can be simple or compound.
A simple sentence with a simple subject and a simple predicate:
The teacher left the room.
A simple sentence with a compound subject and a simple predicate:
The teacher and the students left the room.
A simple sentence with a simple subject and a compound predicate:
The teacher left the room and went to lunch.
A simple sentence with a compound subject and a compound predicate:
The teacher and the students left the room and went to lunch.
In a simple sentence, all of the subjects come before all of the verbs.
In this video, Jesse Franzen explains how you can put two simple sentences together to make a compound sentence. You use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so) between the sentences.
Example: The halls are long, but they are narrow.
In a compound sentence, there is a subject or subjects between the verbs.
Remember: To form a compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction, do this:
1st independent clause + comma + coordinating conjunctions + 2nd independent clause
IC + , + cc + IC
A simple sentence has a subject and a predicate (verb + everything that is not the subject = predicate). The subject can be simple or compound, and the verb can be simple or compound.
A simple sentence with a simple subject and a simple predicate:
The teacher left the room.
A simple sentence with a compound subject and a simple predicate:
The teacher and the students left the room.
A simple sentence with a simple subject and a compound predicate:
The teacher left the room and went to lunch.
A simple sentence with a compound subject and a compound predicate:
The teacher and the students left the room and went to lunch.
In a simple sentence, all of the subjects come before all of the verbs.
In this video, Jesse Franzen explains how you can put two simple sentences together to make a compound sentence. You use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so) between the sentences.
Example: The halls are long, but they are narrow.
In a compound sentence, there is a subject or subjects between the verbs.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Past Tense
The past form of BE is was/were.
New York was cold last week.
Miami wasn't cold last week.
Was Washington, DC cold last week? Yes, it was.
Was San Diego cold last week? No, it wasn't.
In this video, Paul explains the past tense of the verb be:
Most English verbs are regular in the past tense. That is, the past form is V + ed.
Example: They work every day. They worked yesterday.
Some verbs are irregular. You must memorize the past tense form.
Example: They go home after class every day. They went home after class yesterday.
All English verbs (except for be) are regular in the negative (did not + V) and question (Did + Subject + V...?).
In this video, Paul explains about be and do (did) in the past tense:
For a more complete review of the formation of the past tense in English, watch this video from JenniferESL:
Here is Part 2 of the lesson:
Part 3 of the lesson reviews past tense forms and question words:
The last part of the lesson talks about questions about the subject (e.g., What happened?) and questions with BE. It also has pronunciation rules for the -ed ending:
New York was cold last week.
Miami wasn't cold last week.
Was Washington, DC cold last week? Yes, it was.
Was San Diego cold last week? No, it wasn't.
In this video, Paul explains the past tense of the verb be:
Most English verbs are regular in the past tense. That is, the past form is V + ed.
Example: They work every day. They worked yesterday.
Some verbs are irregular. You must memorize the past tense form.
Example: They go home after class every day. They went home after class yesterday.
All English verbs (except for be) are regular in the negative (did not + V) and question (Did + Subject + V...?).
In this video, Paul explains about be and do (did) in the past tense:
For a more complete review of the formation of the past tense in English, watch this video from JenniferESL:
Here is Part 2 of the lesson:
Part 3 of the lesson reviews past tense forms and question words:
The last part of the lesson talks about questions about the subject (e.g., What happened?) and questions with BE. It also has pronunciation rules for the -ed ending:
Monday, March 23, 2009
Possessives: Adjectives and Nouns
In this short video, Paul explains about possessive adjectives:
1st person: my / our
2nd person: your
3rd person: his / her / its / their
Examples:
Give me my book!
Our class has six students.
What is your name?
Willie usually brings his lunch.
Nina is visiting her sister.
The dog is licking its paw.
The students do their homework.
In this longer video by Corey Branigan and Adam Sharkey, we learn about the possessive form of singular nouns. To make a noun possessive, we usually add 's to the noun.
For example, the possessive form of Nina is Nina's.
English speakers usually use the 's with nouns for people and animals. We use 's less often for things.
Now watch the video:
To make the possessive form of a plural noun, add only the apostrophe (') if the noun already ends in s:
For example:
The teacher collected the students' papers after the test.
but
The children's artwork is on display in the cafeteria. (Children is an irregular plural and does not end in -s.)
1st person: my / our
2nd person: your
3rd person: his / her / its / their
Examples:
Give me my book!
Our class has six students.
What is your name?
Willie usually brings his lunch.
Nina is visiting her sister.
The dog is licking its paw.
The students do their homework.
In this longer video by Corey Branigan and Adam Sharkey, we learn about the possessive form of singular nouns. To make a noun possessive, we usually add 's to the noun.
For example, the possessive form of Nina is Nina's.
English speakers usually use the 's with nouns for people and animals. We use 's less often for things.
Now watch the video:
To make the possessive form of a plural noun, add only the apostrophe (') if the noun already ends in s:
For example:
The teacher collected the students' papers after the test.
but
The children's artwork is on display in the cafeteria. (Children is an irregular plural and does not end in -s.)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Song: Singin' in the Rain
This is Gene Kelly's original performance of "Singing in the Rain" from the 1952 movie of the same name. Kelly's character is happy because he is in love.
The lyrics are here:
I'm singin' in the rain
Just singin' in the rain
What a glorious feeling
I'm happy again
I'm laughin' at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain
Dancin' in the rain
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
I'm happy again!
I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain!
I'm dancin' and singin' in the rain...
(Note: In the speech of many Americans, the -ing ending of the present participle is pronounced IN instead of ING. The spellings dancin' and singin' reflect this pronunciation.)
The lyrics are here:
I'm singin' in the rain
Just singin' in the rain
What a glorious feeling
I'm happy again
I'm laughin' at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain
Dancin' in the rain
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
Dee-ah dee-ah dee-ah
I'm happy again!
I'm singin' and dancin' in the rain!
I'm dancin' and singin' in the rain...
(Note: In the speech of many Americans, the -ing ending of the present participle is pronounced IN instead of ING. The spellings dancin' and singin' reflect this pronunciation.)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Song: Tom's Diner
This song was written and performed by Suzanne Vega. It has many examples of the present progressive! The song is about a few minutes in a woman's life, when she goes to a diner for a cup of coffee. (A diner is a kind of simple restaurant.)
Here are the lyrics:
I am sitting
In the morning
At the diner
On the corner
I am waiting
At the counter
For the man
To pour the coffee
And he fills it
Only halfway
And before
I even argue
He is looking
Out the window
At somebody
Coming in
"It is always
Nice to see you,"
Says the man
Behind the counter
To the woman
Who has come in
She is shaking
Her umbrella
And I look
The other way
As they are kissing
Their hellos and
I'm pretending
Not to see them
And instead
I pour the milk
I open
Up the paper
There's a story
Of an actor
Who had died
While he was drinking
It was no one
I had heard of
And I'm turning
To the horoscope
And looking
For the funnies
When I'm feeling
Someone watching me
And so
I raise my head
There's a woman
On the outside
Looking inside
Does she see me?
No, she does not
Really see me
'Cause she sees
Her own reflection
And I'm trying
Not to notice
That she's hitching
Up her skirt
And while she's
Straightening her stockings
Her hair
Has gotten wet
Oh, this rain
It will continue
Through the morning
As I'm listening
To the bells
Of the cathedral
I am thinking
Of your voice...
Here are the lyrics:
I am sitting
In the morning
At the diner
On the corner
I am waiting
At the counter
For the man
To pour the coffee
And he fills it
Only halfway
And before
I even argue
He is looking
Out the window
At somebody
Coming in
"It is always
Nice to see you,"
Says the man
Behind the counter
To the woman
Who has come in
She is shaking
Her umbrella
And I look
The other way
As they are kissing
Their hellos and
I'm pretending
Not to see them
And instead
I pour the milk
I open
Up the paper
There's a story
Of an actor
Who had died
While he was drinking
It was no one
I had heard of
And I'm turning
To the horoscope
And looking
For the funnies
When I'm feeling
Someone watching me
And so
I raise my head
There's a woman
On the outside
Looking inside
Does she see me?
No, she does not
Really see me
'Cause she sees
Her own reflection
And I'm trying
Not to notice
That she's hitching
Up her skirt
And while she's
Straightening her stockings
Her hair
Has gotten wet
Oh, this rain
It will continue
Through the morning
As I'm listening
To the bells
Of the cathedral
I am thinking
Of your voice...
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Using the Simple Present and Present Progressive with the Verb "Think"
JenniferESL's video compares the use of the simple present and the present progressive with the verb think. This video is also advanced.
More Present Progressive (Advanced)
This video by EnglishPage.info reviews the rules we have studied about the present progressive (also called the present continuous) and adds some new rules. For example, it explains that we sometimes use the present progressive to talk about the future:
"She is going to Paris next week."
In addition, we learn that with certain time expressions such as always and repeatedly, we sometimes use the present progressive instead of the habitual present:
"My friend is always interrupting me when I study."
(It is also correct to say, "My friend always interrupts me when I study.")
"She is going to Paris next week."
In addition, we learn that with certain time expressions such as always and repeatedly, we sometimes use the present progressive instead of the habitual present:
"My friend is always interrupting me when I study."
(It is also correct to say, "My friend always interrupts me when I study.")
Cartoon: Present Progressive
In this cartoon, the coyote (a kind of wild dog or small wolf) keeps trying to kill his enemy the roadrunner (a kind of bird). Does he succeed?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Present Progressive
We use the present progressive to talk about actions in progress or temporary actions.
(The present progressive is also called the present continuous.)
We form the present progressive with BE (am, is, or are) + Verb + ing.
For example:
I am posting videos on the blog.
You are visiting the blog.
We are studying present tenses this month.
This very short video by Bonazar introduces the present progressive:
In this video, Paul reviews the form of the present progressive.
In this Real English video, you can see examples of the present progressive ("What are you wearing?" "I'm wearing....") and practice color and clothing vocabulary.
(The present progressive is also called the present continuous.)
We form the present progressive with BE (am, is, or are) + Verb + ing.
For example:
I am posting videos on the blog.
You are visiting the blog.
We are studying present tenses this month.
This very short video by Bonazar introduces the present progressive:
In this video, Paul reviews the form of the present progressive.
In this Real English video, you can see examples of the present progressive ("What are you wearing?" "I'm wearing....") and practice color and clothing vocabulary.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Song: Why Do Fools Fall in Love?
Frankie Lymon wrote this song in 1956 when he was only 13 years old! In this video, Diana Ross, the lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes, performs the song. How many present tense questions can you hear?
Here are the lyrics:
Why do birds sing so gay,
And lovers await the break of day?
Why do they fall in love?
Why does the rain fall from up above?
Why do fools fall in love?
Why do they fall in love?
Love is a losing game.
Love can be a shame.
I know of a fool, you see,
For that fool is me.
Tell me why, tell me why.
Why do birds sing so gay
And lovers await the break of day?
Why do they fall in love?
Why does the rain fall from up above?
Why do fools fall in love
Why do they fall in love?
Why does my heart skip a crazy beat,
For I know it will reach defeat?
Tell me why, tell me why.
Why do fools fall in love?
Tell me why, tell me why.
Now listen:
Here are the lyrics:
Why do birds sing so gay,
And lovers await the break of day?
Why do they fall in love?
Why does the rain fall from up above?
Why do fools fall in love?
Why do they fall in love?
Love is a losing game.
Love can be a shame.
I know of a fool, you see,
For that fool is me.
Tell me why, tell me why.
Why do birds sing so gay
And lovers await the break of day?
Why do they fall in love?
Why does the rain fall from up above?
Why do fools fall in love
Why do they fall in love?
Why does my heart skip a crazy beat,
For I know it will reach defeat?
Tell me why, tell me why.
Why do fools fall in love?
Tell me why, tell me why.
Now listen:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)