Category: For ESL Students

Do you know how to use modal verbs?

Can I open the window?

imagesMay I go to the washroom?

You should study more?

I can skate.

You don”t have to buy a new car.

She must move in two days.

I would rather sleep for a week.

You had better clean your room by the the time I come back.

 

  • Requests: can, could, will, would
  • Asking for permission: can, could, may, might
  • Advice: might, should, could
  • Commands: had better, must, will
  • Logical probability: might, may, could, must
  • Ability: can
  • Expectation: should, ought to
  • Lack of necessity: don’t have to
  • Logical impossibility: cannot
  • Necessity: must, have to
  • Preference: would rather
  • Prohibition: must not

 

SAY vs. TELL

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  • SAY – to say something using words (spoken or written)

Examples:

She said “hello” to me.

Elena said something funny and left.

Expressions with say:

  1. say your piece –say what you want to say
  2. say no more – used to show that you understand what someone means
  3. say the word – used to tell someone they only have to ask you and you’ll do what they want
  4. say what you like – used when giving an opinion that you know for sure is correct, even if the person you are talking to might disagree with you
  • TELL – is used when giving information to someone else (by speaking to them or by writing to them)

Examples:

She told me a lot about herself.

Can you tell me how to get to the bank?

Expressions with tell:

1. tell a joke / tell a secret / tell a lie

2. tell the truth

3. tell the time

4. tell somebody the way

5. tell one’s fortune

6. tell the difference

 

SPEAK vs. TALK

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  • SPEAK – it means to use your voice to produce words & it is used when one person addresses a group

Example:

The teacher spoke to the class about their next test.

Expressions with speak:

  1. speak well of –say good things about someone
  2. speak ill of – say bad things about someone
  3. speak highly of – praise someone
  4. speak in favor of – support someone or something
  5. speak against – oppose someone or something
  6. speak your mind – tell everyone exactly what you think, good or bad
  • TALK – it means to say something to someone, especially in a conversation & it suggests that two or more people are having a conversation

Example:

Can I talk to you?

Elena and Veronica talked for hours about their vacation plans.

Expressions with talk:

  1. talk nonsense – you can say this to someone when what they are saying is silly or wrong
  2. talk sense – to give sensible opinions about things

 Watch movie online The Transporter Refueled (2015)

 Watch movie online The Transporter Refueled (2015)

FUN vs. FUNNY

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  • FUN – is a noun and ***an adjective (in informal speaking) & it means pleasure and enjoyment

Examples:

I hope you have fun!

I had a lot of fun yesterday.

***The girls had a lot of fun activities at the beach.

  • FUNNY – is an adjective & and it means amusing (someone or something that makes you laugh and have a good time)

Examples:

Elena is very funny!

I saw a funny movie last night.

 

More idioms :)

Idiom: “to go around in circles”

Meaning: Not accomplishing anythingdownload

Example:

Veronica: We’ve been going around in circles all day trying to decide on an ad for the website. It’s 8:00 pm and we still haven’t decided!

Elena: Hmmmmm……

 

Idiom: “to be in the dog house”

Meaning: You are in troublek17697158

Example:

Veronica: My lovely husband came home at 4:00 am last night. Can you believe that?

Elena: Oh….I guess he’s in the dog house now.

 

Idiom: “to run against the clock”

Meaning: To have a tight deadlinek22638307

Example:

Elena: When do you have to submit your application for that teaching position?

Veronica: Today by 5:00 pm.

Elena: You’d better hurry up and do it. You’re running against the clock.

Adjectives ending in “-ED” and “-ING”

How you feel inside: “-ED” Clip-art-stick-figure-clipart-image

  • disgusted
  • confused
  • bored
  • excited
  • frightened
  • embarrassed

 

How you make others feel: “-ING”

images (4)

  • disgusting
  • confusing
  • boring
  • exciting
  • frightening
  • embarrassing

Examples:

  • disgusted & disgusting

I was disgusted by the food at my friend’s wedding. It was really bad.

The food at my best friend’s wedding was disgusting. It had a bad smell.

  • confused & confusing

All students are confused. English grammar is hard to understand.

The teacher is confusing. The students can’t understand anything.

  • bored & boring

The students are bored. The teacher is not funny at all.

The teacher is boring. No one likes his classes.

  • excited & exciting

Elena was really excited about the party.

The party was exciting. Elena danced all night.

  • frightened & frightening

The cat was frightened and ran away.

The dog was big and frightening. The cat got scared and wanted to hide.

  • embarrassed & embarrassing

I was so embarrassed. I made so many mistakes and everyone laughed.

His behavior was embarrassing. His parents were very upset and promised to teach him a lesson.

 

 

 

Idioms

Idiom: “when fish fly”

Meaning: Something that will never images

happen.

Example:

Veronica: I’ll buy a pink dress tomorrow.

Elena: Yeah, right! You’ll buy a pink dress when fish fly!

 

Idiom: “money pit”

Meaning: A business, a project or a possession (a house, a car) that

requires more and more money with little hope of profit. images (2)

Example:

Veronica: See this new car? It’s a money pit! I have to take it to the mechanic every week….

Elena: Why don’t you get rid of it and take the subway like everybody else?

 

Idiom: “a fat cat”

Meaning: A very rich and powerful personimages (1)

Example:

Veronica: Look at that guy’s car! It’s a Ferrari!

Elena: He’s a fat cat for sure.

 

DURING vs. WHILE

 

  • We use “during “ to say when something happens

during + noun

            Example : Lidia used her computer during class.

 

  • We use “while” to talk about two simultaneous actions (two things happening at the same time)

while + subject + verb

            Example: Lidia was talking on the phone while her mother was driving.

TO BE vs. TO HAVE

 

  • We use «be» to describe something or someone.

Subject + to be + complement (adjective)

Example:          He is tall.

Mike is intelligent.

Ann and Mary are pretty.

The house is big.

  • We use «be» to say that someone or something is in a specific place.

Subject + to be + complement (place)

Example:          He is in the house.

Mike is at the airport.

Ann and Mary are in the building.

The house is in Montreal.

  • We use «have» to express possession.

Subject + have/has+ complement (noun)

Subject + have/ has + complement (adjective + noun)

Example:          He has a new car.

Mike has a pretty girlfriend.

Ann and Mary have homework.

The house has a big garden.