Classroom – English

50 Popular English Idioms for Fluency

Classroom - English, Classroom - IELTS, Learn English, Learn IELTS & TOEFL / By

50 Popular English Idioms for Fluency

To understand English as it is spoken in real life, you have to be familiar with idioms. They are used so much in everyday English that it is important to be aware of them. You need to learn what they mean, and how to use them to become an ‘insider’. This blog post will show you some of the most popular English idioms currently in use. Remember, knowledge is power.

50 Popular English Idioms

1. CRUNCH TIME: the period of time just before a project has to be completed and everyone has to work hard
  • I’m not getting enough sleep these days. It’s crunch time at work.
2. LET YOUR FREAK FLAG FLY: to let others see your uniqueness
  • My colleagues were surprised at the Christmas party- I let my freak flag fly and showed them a break dance routine.
3. GET OUT OF HAND: when you lose control of things, they get out of hand
  • The party got out of hand and the guests started to throw bottles at each other.
4. GET YOUR HEAD AROUND IT: to understand something
  • I just can’t get my head around the fact that Joe is leaving us.
5. DIG IN YOUR HEELS / STICK TO YOUR GUNS: to refuse to compromise or change your mind
  • My parents wanted me to give up writing, but I dug in my heels and went on to become a famous writer.
  • My parents wanted me to give up writing, but I stuck to my guns and went on to become a famous writer.
6. POUND THE PAVEMENT: to walk the streets looking for a job
  • I’d been pounding the pavement for months before I found a job in a fast food restaurant.
  7. PULL A RABBIT OUT OF A HAT: to do something unexpected that may have seemed impossible
  • I thought we were going bankrupt, but my partner pulled a rabbit out of his hat and we landed a major contract.
8. LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED: to do everything you can to achieve your goal
  • I’ll leave no stone unturned until I find out who did this.
9. GET IT OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM: to do something you’ve wanted to do for a long time and don’t want to postpone any longer
  • I wasn’t sure how she was going to react, but I had to get it out of my system, so I told her I had found another woman.
10. STEP UP YOUR GAME: to start performing better
  • If you want to win this competition, you’ll have to step up your game.
11. PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER: to calm down and behave normally
  • I understand you’ve had a bad day, but pull yourself together and get on with your job, will you?
12. SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT: either start performing better or leave
  • This is the last time I’m telling you to arrive on time. Shape up or ship out.
13. CUT SOMEBODY SOME SLACK: to give somebody a break/ not to judge somebody severely
  • I was extremely busy last week. Cut me some slack and I’ll finish the report by tomorrow morning.
  14. BY THE SKIN OF YOUR TEETH: when you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just succeed/ nearly fail
  • I hadn’t studied much, but passed the test by the skin of my teeth.
15. ONCE IN A BLUE MOON: when something rarely ever happens
  • We used to see him all the time, but now he just visits us once in a blue moon.
16. GO DOWN IN FLAMES: to end or fail suddenly and spectacularly
  • She’d wanted to become Managing Director, but her career went down in flames when they found out she’d been leaking information to our competitors.
17. TAR SOMEONE WITH THE SAME BRUSH: to believe that someone has the same bad qualities as others in a group
  • I don’t think much of that band, but the singer shouldn’t be tarred with the same brush. She’s got a fantastic voice.
18. COME OUT SWINGING: to be confrontational and strongly defend yourself at the beginning of a debate
  • Our local MP came out swinging against the current leadership and demanded that the government resign.
50 Popular English Idioms for Fluency 19. HANG IN THERE: wait and be patient
  • I know you’d really like to call him, but I don’t think that’s the right thing to do now. Just hang in there and he will call you.
20. SHOOT FROM THE HIP: to speak directly
  • If you want to get on well with your boss, try not to shoot from the hip next time. You don’t want to offend him, do you?
21. GO THE EXTRA MILE: to make a special effort/try very hard to achieve your goal
  • If you want to become proficient in English, you’ll have to go the extra mile and start learning idioms.
  • My English class was great, we learnt so much because our teacher was the best, she always went the extra mile for us.
22. RUNNING ON FUMES: to continue to stay awake when feeling exhausted
  • I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go home now. I haven’t slept for twenty hours and I’m running on fumes.
23. SOLD ME OUT: to snitch on someone, or let their secret out
  • I asked you to keep it to yourself! I can’t believe you sold me out, I trusted you!
24. YOU SOLD ME (ON SOMETHING): you convinced me of something, because you were persuasive
  • OK, you’ve sold me. I’ll go to the match with you.
25. BLEW ME AWAY: when something blows you away, you’re extremely impressed by it
  • The exhibition just blew me away. I’d never seen so many beautiful paintings before.
26. BLOW SMOKE: to exaggerate or say things that aren’t true to make you seem better/ more knowledgeable than in reality
  • I’m not blowing smoke. I have honestly read War and Peace by Tolstoy.
  27. CRY WOLF: to call for help when you don’t need it
  • Do you think Peter is in trouble or is he just crying wolf?
28. COULDN’T CARE LESS: used to express total lack of interest in something
  • That man stole a bottle of wine from the shop.
  • Oh, really? I couldn’t care less.
29. BE CHUFFED TO BITS: to be pleased and happy
  • Hey, thanks for the present! I’m chuffed to bits.30. FEELING UNDER THE WEATHER: to be ill or unable to do regular activities
  • I think I’m going to have to take the day off work. I feel quite under the weather today.
31. BE TICKLED PINK: to be excited and happy
  • She was tickled pink by all the compliments she’d received.
50 Popular English Idioms for Fluency   32. A BAKER’S DOZEN: thirteen
  • Check out our baker’s dozen language learning tips.
33. COMFORT FOOD: food that makes you feel better, because it reminds you of your childhood
  • After a tiring day, it’s so nice to make some comfort food and settle down with a good book.
34. SKELETON CREW: the minimum number of people needed to keep a service/office operating
  • Can you come back after the holidays? We’re operating with a skeleton crew at the moment.
  35. LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY: to let something happen, no matter what happens next
  • I must tell John how I feel about him, let the chips fall where they may.
36. NO-BRAINER: an easy decision
  • Do you think I should propose to Judy?
  • Come on, it’s a no-brainer. She’s such a fantastic woman!
37. A STONE’S THROW: very near
  • The hotel  was a stone’s throw from the beach. I loved it.
38. HEAR ON THE GRAPEVINE: to hear a rumour or unconfirmed story
  • I heard on the grapevine that Charlie and Sarah are dating at the moment.
39. SIT ON THE FENCE: to stay neutral and not take sides
  • Well don’t you think I’m right, he’s been acting differently hasn’t he?
  • I’m sitting on the fence with this one, you’re both my good friends.0. TAKE WHAT SOMEONE SAYS WITH A PINCH OF SALT: regard something as exaggerated, or only believe a part of something
  • Did you hear what Tina said happened in the office yesterday?
  • Oh, I would take anything she says with a pinch of salt.
41. FREAK OUT: to become very angry, scared or excited
  • Mum, don’t freak out! I married a guy in Las Vegas.
2. BE A CATCH: be someone worth marrying/having
  • John is taking me out tonight. He’s such a catch, I hope he’ll propose.
43. PIECE OF CAKE: when something is extremely easy to do
  • Do you think you could beat him in a race?
  • Yeah, piece of cake. I’m definitely a lot faster than him.
44. HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD: used if something someone says, is precisely correct
  • My doctor hit the nail on the head. He knew exactly what was wrong with me!
45. COSTS AN ARM AND A LEG: when something is very expensive
  • My son wants that mountain bike for his birthday, but it’ll cost an arm and a leg!
50 Popular English Idioms for Fluency 46. HIT THE BOOKS: to study very hard
  • Do you want to go for lunch somewhere nice?
  • No thanks, I’m going to hit the books. I have an exam coming up soon.
47. BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW: to take on something that is too much for you to handle
  • He recently got promoted and took on some new responsibilities, but he’s just too busy. He bit off more than he could chew, and I don’t think he can handle it anymore.  48. WHEN PIGS FLY: this means that something will never happen
  • Aren’t you going to buy that dream house you told me about?
  • Ugh, I will when pigs fly. It’s just so expensive, I don’t think it’ll happen.
49. DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER: this means don’t make a decision based on a brief impression or outward appearance
  • I don’t like our new neighbours very much, they’re quite strange.
  • Hey, you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Give them a chance, I think they’re just a bit quirky but really nice!
50. YOU ROCK: you are great
  • Thanks for the tickets, Rob. You rock!
51. MISS THE BOAT: when someone has missed their opportunity to do something
  • Have you applied for that job yet?
  • No, I think I may have missed the boat. I should’ve done it last week.
]]>

Learn English through Tamil 02

Classroom - English, Learn English / By

ஆங்கில பாடப் பயிற்சி – 2 (Grammar Patterns 2)

முழுமையான தமிழ் விளக்கத்துடன் ஆங்கில இலக்கண பாடப் பயிற்சி. இன்றையப் பாடம் நாம் முதல் பாடத்தில் கற்ற “ஆங்கில பாடப் பயிற்சி-1” – றைப் போன்றே இருந்தாலும், இதில் சில இலக்கங்களின் போது சில மாற்றங்கள் உள்ளன.I உடன் am இணைந்து வந்திருந்தது.He, She, It போன்ற “Third Person Singular” உடன் “is ” இப்பாடத்தில் இணைந்து வருகின்றது. அதனைத் தொடர்ந்து 1, 7, 8, 13, 16, 18, 27, 37, 38, 39, 56, 60, 61, 64, 71 போன்ற இலக்கங்களின் போதும் சில இலக்கண மாற்றங்கள் ஏற்பட்டுள்ளன. இவற்றை அவதானித்து பயிற்சிச் செய்யுங்கள்.
இன்று நாம் “speak in English” எனும் ஒரு வார்த்தையை உதாரணமாக எடுத்துக்கொள்வோம். முதல் பாடத்தில் “நான்” (I) என்பதற்கு பதிலாக, இப்பாடத்தில் “அவன்” (He) இட்டுக்கொள்வோம். இவ்வார்த்தையின் முறையே “He speaks in English – அவன் பேசுகின்றான் ஆங்கிலத்தில், He spoke in English – அவன் பேசினான் ஆங்கிலத்தில், He wiil speak in English – அவன் பேசுவான் ஆங்கிலத்தில்” என ஒரே வாக்கியத்தை 73 மூன்று வாக்கியங்களாக மாற்றி பயிற்சி செய்யப் போகின்றோம். speak in English 1. He speaks in English. அவன் பேசுகின்றான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 2. He is speaking in English. அவன் பேசிக்கொண்டிருக்கின்றான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 3. He spoke in English. அவன் பேசினான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 4. He didn’t speak in English. அவன் பேசவில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். 5. He will speak in English. அவன் பேசுவான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 6. He won’t speak in English. அவன் பேசமாட்டான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 7. Usually he doesn’t speak in English. சாதாரணமாக அவன் பேசுகின்றானில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். 8. He is not speaking in English. அவன் பேசிக்கொண்டிருக்கின்றானில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். 9. He was speaking in English. அவன் பேசிக்கொண்டிருந்தான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 10. He wasn’t speaking in English. அவன் பேசிக்கொண்டிருக்கவில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். 11. He will be speaking in English. அவன் பேசிக்கொண்டிருப்பான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 12. He won’t be speaking in English. அவன் பேசிக் கொண்டிருக்கமாட்டான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 13. He is going to speak in English. அவன் பேசப்போகின்றான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 14. He was going to speak in English. அவன் பேசப்போனான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 15. He can speak in English. 16. He is able to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச முடியும் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 17. He can’t speak in English. 18. He is unable to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச முடியாது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 19. He could speak in English. 20. He was able to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச முடிந்தது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 21. He couldn’t speak in English. 22. He was unable to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச முடியவில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். 23. He will be able to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச முடியுமாக இருக்கும் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 24. He will be unable to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச முடியாமலிருக்கும் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 25. He may be able to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச முடியுமாக இருக்கலாம் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 26. He should be able to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச முடியுமாகவே இருக்கும் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 27. He has been able to speak in English. சற்று முன்பிருந்து /கிட்டடியிலிருந்து அவனுக்கு பேச முடியுமாக இருக்கின்றது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 28. He had been able to speak in English. அன்றிலிருந்து /அக்காலத்திலிருந்து அவனுக்கு பேச முடியுமாக இருந்தது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 29. He may speak in English. 30. He might speak in English.
31. He may be speaking in English. அவன் பேசலாம் ஆங்கிலத்தில்.32. He must speak in English.
அவன் பேச வேண்டும் ஆங்கிலத்தில். (கட்டாயம்/அழுத்தம்) 33. He must not speak in English. அவன் பேச வேண்டியதில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில் (அழுத்தம்) அவன் பேசக் கூடாது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 34. He should speak in English. அவன் பேசவே வேண்டும் ஆங்கிலத்தில். (மிக அழுத்தம்) 35. He shouldn’t speak in English. அவன் பேசவே வேண்டியதில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். (மிக அழுத்தம்) அவன் பேசவே கூடாது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 36. He ought to speak in English. அவன் எப்படியும் பேசவே வேண்டும் ஆங்கிலத்தில். (மிக மிக அழுத்தம்) 37. He doesn’t mind speaking in English. அவனுக்கு ஆட்சேபனை இல்லை பேசுவதற்கு ஆங்கிலத்தில். 38. He has to speak in English. அவன்/அவனுக்கு பேச வேண்டும் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 39. He doesn’t have to speak in English. அவன்/அவனுக்கு பேச வேண்டியதில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். 40. He had to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச வேண்டி ஏற்பட்டது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 41. He didn’t have to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச வேண்டி ஏற்படவில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். 42. He will have to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச வேண்டி ஏற்படும் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 43. He won’t have to speak in English. அவனுக்கு பேச வேண்டி ஏற்படாது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 44. He needs to speak in English. அவனுக்கு அவசியம் பேச வேண்டும் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 45. He needn’t to speak in English. 45. He doesn’t need to speak in English. அவனுக்கு அவசியமில்லை பேசுவதற்கு ஆங்கிலத்தில். 46. He seems to be speaking in English. அவன் பேசுகின்றான் போல் தெரிகின்றது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 47. He doesn’t seem to be speaking in English. அவன் பேசுகின்றான் போல் தெரிகின்றதில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். 48. He seemed to be speaking in English. அவன் பேசுகின்றான் போல் தெரிந்தது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 49. He didn’t seem to be speaking in English. அவன் பேசுகின்றான் போல் தெரியவில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். 50. Speaking in English is useful. பேசுவது(தல்) ஆங்கிலத்தில் பிரயோசனமானது. 51. Useless speaking in English. பிரயோசனமில்லை பேசுவது(தல்) ஆங்கிலத்தில். 52. It is better to speak in English. மிக நல்லது பேசுவது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 53. He had better speak in English. அவனுக்கு மிக நல்லது பேசுவது ஆங்கிலத்தில். 54. He made her speak in English. அவன் அவளை வைத்து பேசுவித்தான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 55. He didn’t make her speak in English. அவன் அவளை வைத்து பேசுவிக்கவில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். 56. To speak in English.He is practicing. பேசுவதற்கு ஆங்கிலத்தில் அவன் பயிற்சி செய்துக்கொண்டிருக்கின்றான். 57. He used to speak in English. அவன் பழக்கப்பட்டிருந்தான் பேசுவதற்கு ஆங்கிலத்தில். 58. Shall I speak in English? நான் பேசவா ஆங்கிலத்தில்? 59. Let’s speak in English. பேசுவோம் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 60. He feels like speaking in English. அவனுக்கு நினைக்கின்றது பேசுவதற்கு ஆங்கிலத்தில். 61. He doesn’t feel like speaking in English. அவனுக்கு நினைக்கின்றதில்லை பேசுவதற்கு ஆங்கிலத்தில். 62. He felt like speaking in English. அவனுக்கு நினைத்தது பேசுவதற்கு ஆங்கிலத்தில். 63. He didn’t feel like speaking in English. அவனுக்கு நினைக்கவில்லை பேசுவதற்கு ஆங்கிலத்தில். 64. He has been speaking in English. சில காலமாக/கிட்டடியிலிருந்து அவன் பேசிக்கொண்டிருக்கின்றான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 65. He had been speaking in English. அன்றிலிருந்து/அக்காலத்திலிருந்து அவன் பேசிக்கொண்டிருந்தான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 66. I see him speak in English. எனக்கு தெரிகின்றது அவன் பேசுகிறான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 67. I don’t see him speak in English. எனக்கு தெரிகின்றதில்லை அவன் பேசுகிறான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 68. I saw him speak in English. எனக்கு தெரிந்தது அவன் பேசுகிறான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 69. I didn’t see him speak in English. எனக்கு தெரியவில்லை அவன் பேசுகிறான் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 70. If he speaks in English, he will get a good job. அவன் பேசினால் ஆங்கிலத்தில் அவனுக்கு கிடைக்கும் ஒரு நல்ல வேலை. 71. If he doesn’t speak in English, he won’t get a good job. அவன் பேசாவிட்டால் ஆங்கிலத்தில் அவனுக்கு கிடைக்காது ஒரு நல்ல வேலை. 72. If he had spoken in English, he would have got a good job. அவன் பேசியிருந்தால் ஆங்கிலத்தில், அவனுக்கு கிடைத்திருக்கும் ஒரு நல்ல வேலை. (பேசவும் இல்லை கிடைக்கவும் இல்லை) 73. It is time he spoke in English. இது தான் நேரம் அவன் பேசுவதற்கு ஆங்கிலத்தில். கவனத்திற்கு:
1. உதாரணமாக மேலே இன்று நாம் கற்றப் பாடத்தில் முதலாவது வாக்கியத்தைக் கவனியுங்கள். அதில் “He speaks in English” “என்றுள்ளது. அதில் “speak” எனும் சொல்லுடன் “s” எழுத்தும் இணைந்து வந்துள்ளதை அவதானித்திருப்பீர்கள். அதாவது “Third Person Singular” சாதாரண நிகழ் காலத்தில் He, She, It உடன் வரும் பிரதான வினைச்சொற்களோடு s, es எனும் எழுத்துக்களும் இணைந்தே வரும் என்பதை மறவாதீர்கள். Third Person Singular “He, She, It: Infinitive + e, es” அட்டவணை பார்க்கவும். 2. மற்றது “speak in English” எனும் வார்த்தை சில இலக்கங்களின் போது “speaking in English” என்று வந்துள்ளதை அவதானிக்கவும். Verb with + ing: 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 31, 37, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69. இவ்விலக்கங்களின் போது எப்பொழுதும் பிரதான வினைச்சொல்லுடன் “ing” யும் இணைந்தே பயன்படும் என்பதை மனதில் வைத்துக்கொள்ளுங்கள். உதாரணம்: speak in English speaking in English. என்று “ing” யும் இணைந்து வரும். Homework:
He drives a car. அவன் ஓட்டுகின்றான் மகிழூந்து. She goes to school. அவள் போகின்றாள் பாடசாலைக்கு. Sarmilan gets up early morning. சர்மிலன் எழுத்திருக்கின்றான் அதிகாலையில். Nithya comes to the office. நித்யா வருகின்றாள் அலுவலகத்திற்கு. He apologizes with her. அவன் மன்னிப்பு கோருகின்றான் அவளிடம்.
My mother opens a current account. எனது தாயார் திறக்கின்றார் ஒரு நடைமுறைக் கணக்கு.இவற்றை மேலே நாம் கற்றதைப் போன்று ஒவ்வொரு வாக்கியங்களையும் 73 வாக்கியங்களாக மாற்றி எழுதி பயிற்சி செய்யுங்கள்.இப்பாடத் திட்டம் பாடசாலை ஆங்கிலப் பாடத்திட்டம் போன்றோ, ஆங்கில பேச்சுப் பயிற்சி புத்தகங்களில் (Spoken English) போன்றோ அல்லாமல் மிக மிக இலகுவான ஒரு பாடப் பயிற்சி முறையாகும். மற்றும் மேலே குறிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும் ஒவ்வொரு இலக்கங்களும், ஒவ்வொரு பாடங்களாக எதிர்வரும் பாடங்களில் விரிவடையும். அப்போது அதனதன் பயன்பாடுப் பற்றியும், இலக்கண விதிமுறைகள் பற்றியும் மேலும் விரிவாக கற்கலாம். சரி பயிற்சிகளை தொடருங்கள். மீண்டும் அடுத்த பாடத்தில் சந்திப்போம்.
]]>

Learn English through Tamil 01

Classroom - English, Learn English / By

ஆங்கிபாடப் பயிற்சி – 1 (Grammar Patterns 1)

முழுமையான தமிழ் விளக்கத்துடன் ஆங்கில இலக்கண பாடப் பயிற்சி. இது பாடசாலை பாடத்திட்டத்தைப் போன்றோ, ஆங்கில பேச்சுப் பயிற்சி (Spoken English) போன்றோ அல்லாமல், முழுமையான தமிழ் விளக்கத்துடன்  ஆங்கில இலக்கண பாடத் திட்டத்தைக்கொண்டது. இதில் சகல “Grammar Patterns” களும் உள்ளடக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.இப்பாடத்திட்டத்தில் இலக்கணப் பிழையின்றி ஆங்கிலம் பேசவும், எழுதவும், வாசிக்கவும் கற்றுக்கொள்ளலாம். தமிழ் மொழிப்பெயர்ப்பு பற்றிய விளக்கம் உதாரணமாக “I do a job” எனும் வாக்கியத்தை தமிழில் மொழி பெயர்ப்போமானால், “நான் ஒரு வேலை செய்கின்றேன்.” என்று தான் கூறுவோம். ஆனால் நாம் இந்த ஆங்கில பாடப் பயிற்சியில் “நான் செய்கின்றேன் ஒரு வேலை.” என்றே தமிழாக்கம் செய்துள்ளோம். இதற்கான காரணம் இவ்வாறுதான் ஆங்கிலத்தை தமிழில் மொழிப்பெயர்க்க வேண்டும் என்று நாம் கூறவில்லை. ஆனால் முடிந்தவரையில் ஆங்கில நடைக்கு ஏற்றாற் போல் தமிழ் விளக்கம் கொடுத்து பயிற்சி செய்தால்; ஆங்கில வார்த்தைகளுக்கு மட்டுமல்லாமல், ஒவ்வொரு ஆங்கில சொற்களுக்குமான தமிழ் அர்த்தத்தையும் விளங்கிக் கற்க இலகுவாய் இருக்கும் என்பது எமது கருத்தாகும். இங்கே “do a job” எனும் ஒரு வார்த்தையை இன்றையப் பாடமாக எடுத்துக்கொள்வோம். இவ்வார்த்தையின் தமிழ் அர்த்தம் “செய் ஒரு வேலை” என்பதாகும். இதை “நான் செய்கின்றேன் ஒரு வேலை, நான் செய்தேன் ஒரு வேலை, நான் செய்வேன் ஒரு வேலை” என ஒரே வார்த்தையை 73 விதமாக மாற்றி பயிற்சி செய்வதே இப்பாடத்திட்டத்தின் நோக்கமாகும். இது மிகவும் இலகுவாகவும் அதிவிரைவாகவும் ஆங்கிலம் கற்றுக்கொள்ளக் கூடிய ஓர் பயிற்சி முறையாகும். do a job 1. I do a Job. நான் செய்கின்றேன் ஒரு வேலை. 2. I am doing a job. நான் செய்துக்கொண்டிருக்கின்றேன் ஒரு வேலை. 3. I did a job. நான் செய்தேன் ஒரு வேலை. 4. I didn’t do a job. நான் செய்யவில்லை ஒரு வேலை. 5. I will do a job. நான் செய்வேன் ஒரு வேலை. நான் செய்கிறேன் (சற்றுப் பிறகு) ஒரு வேலை. 6. I won’t do a job. நான் செய்யமாட்டேன் ஒரு வேலை. 7. Usually I don’t do a job. சாதாரணமாக நான் செய்கிறேனில்லை ஒரு வேலை. 8. I am not doing a job. நான் செய்துக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றேனில்லை ஒரு வேலை. 9. I was doing a job. நான் செய்துக் கொண்டிருந்தேன் ஒரு வேலை. 10. I wasn’t doing a job. நான் செய்துக் கொண்டிருக்கவில்லை ஒரு வேலை. 11. I will be doing a job. நான் செய்துக் கொண்டிருப்பேன் ஒரு வேலை. 12. I won’t be doing a job. நான் செய்துக் கொண்டிருக்கமாட்டேன் ஒரு வேலை. 13. I am going to do a job. நான் செய்யப் போகின்றேன் ஒரு வேலை. 14. I was going to do a job. நான் செய்யப் போனேன் ஒரு வேலை. 15. I can do a job. 16. I am able to do a job. எனக்கு செய்ய முடியும் ஒரு வேலை 17. I can’t do a job. 18. I am unable to do a job. எனக்கு செய்ய முடியாது ஒரு வேலை. 19. I could do a job. 20. I was able to do a job. எனக்கு செய்ய முடிந்தது ஒரு வேலை. 21. I couldn’t do a job. 22. I was unable to do a job. எனக்கு செய்ய முடியவில்லை ஒரு வேலை. 23. I will be able to do a job. எனக்கு செய்ய முடியுமாக இருக்கும் ஒரு வேலை. 24. I will be unable to do a job. எனக்கு செய்ய முடியாமலிருக்கும் ஒரு வேலை. 25. I may be able to do a job. எனக்கு செய்ய முடியுமாக இருக்கலாம் ஒரு வேலை. 26. I should be able to do a job. எனக்கு செய்ய முடியுமாகவே இருக்கும் ஒரு வேலை 27. I have been able to do a job. (Perfect Tense பார்க்கவும்) சற்றுமுன்பிருந்து/கிட்டடியிலிருந்து எனக்கு செய்யமுடியுமாக இருக்கின்றது ஒரு வேலை. 28. I had been able to do a job. அக்காலத்திலிருந்து/அன்றிலிருந்து எனக்கு செய்யமுடியுமாக இருந்தது ஒரு வேலை. 29. I may do a job. 30. I might do a job. 31. I may be doing a job. நான் செய்யலாம் ஒரு வேலை. 32. I must do a job. நான் (கட்டாயம்) செய்ய வேண்டும் ஒரு வேலை.(அழுத்தம்) 33. I must not do a job. நான் செய்ய வேண்டியதில்லை ஒரு வேலை. நான் செய்யக் கூடாது ஒரு வேலை. 34. I should do a job. நான் செய்யவே வேண்டும் ஒரு வேலை. (மிக அழுத்தம்) 35. I shouldn’t do a job. நான் செய்யவே வேண்டியதில்லை ஒரு வேலை. நான் செய்யவே கூடாது ஒரு வேலை. 36. I ought to do a job. நான் எப்படியும் செய்யவே வேண்டும் ஒரு வேலை. (மிக மிக அழுத்தம்) 37. I don’t mind doing a job. எனக்கு ஆட்சேபனையில்லை செய்ய ஒரு வேலை. 38. I have to do a job. நான்/எனக்கு செய்ய வேண்டும் ஒரு வேலை. 39. I don’t have to do a job. நான்/எனக்கு செய்ய வேண்டியதில்லை ஒரு வேலை. 40. I had to do a job. நான்/எனக்கு செய்ய வேண்டி ஏற்பட்டது ஒரு வேலை. 41. I didn’t have to do a job. நான்/எனக்கு செய்ய வேண்டி ஏற்படவில்லை ஒரு வேலை. 42. I will have to do a job. எனக்கு செய்ய வேண்டி ஏற்படும் ஒரு வேலை. 43. I won’t have to do a job. எனக்கு செய்ய வேண்டி ஏற்படாது ஒரு வேலை. 44. I need to do a job. எனக்கு அவசியம் செய்ய (வேண்டும்) ஒரு வேலை. 45. I needn’t to do a job. 45. I don’t need to do a job. எனக்கு அவசியமில்லை செய்ய ஒரு வேலை. 46. He seems to be doing a job. அவன் செய்கின்றான் போல் தெரிகின்றது ஒரு வேலை. 47. He doesn’t seem to be doing a job. அவன் செய்கின்றான் போல் தெரிகின்றதில்லை ஒரு வேலை. 48. He seemed to be doing a job. அவன் செய்கிறான் போல் தெரிந்தது ஒரு வேலை. 49. He didn’t seem to be doing a job. அவன் செய்கிறான் போல் தெரியவில்லை ஒரு வேலை 50. Doing a job is useful. செய்வது(தல்) ஒரு வேலை பிரயோசனமானது. 51. Useless doing a job. பிரயோசனமில்லை செய்வது ஒரு வேலை. 52. It is better to do a job. மிக நல்லது செய்வது ஒரு வேலை. 53. I had better do a job. எனக்கு மிக நல்லது செய்வது ஒரு வேலை. 54. I made him do a job. நான் அவனை வைத்து செய்வித்தேன் ஒரு வேலை. 55. I didn’t make him do a job. நான் அவனை வைத்து செய்விக்கவில்லை ஒரு வேலை 56. To do a job I am going to America. செய்வதற்கு ஒரு வேலை நான் போகின்றேன் அமெரிக்காவுக்கு 57. I used to do a job. நான் பழக்கப்பட்டிருந்தேன் செய்ய ஒரு வேலை. 58. Shall I do a Job? நான் செய்யவா ஒரு வேலை? 59. Let’s do a job. செய்வோம் ஒரு வேலை. 60. I feel like doing a job. எனக்கு நினைக்கின்றது செய்ய ஒரு வேலை. 61. I don’t feel like doing a job. எனக்கு நினைக்கின்றதில்லை செய்ய ஒரு வேலை. 62. I felt like doing a job. எனக்கு நினைத்தது செய்ய ஒரு வேலை. 63. I didn’t feel like doing a job. எனக்கு நினைக்கவில்லை செய்ய ஒரு வேலை. 64. I have been doing a job. நான் கிட்டடியிலிருந்து/சிலகாலமாக செய்துக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றேன் ஒரு வேலை. 65. I had been doing a job. நான் அன்றிலிருந்து/அக்காலத்திலிருந்து செய்துக்கொண்டிருந்தேன் ஒரு வேலை. 66. I see him doing a job. எனக்கு தெரிகின்றது அவன் செய்கின்றான் ஒரு வேலை. 67. I don’t see him doing a job. எனக்கு தெரிகின்றதில்லை அவன் செய்கின்றான் ஒரு வேலை. 68. I saw him doing a job. எனக்கு தெரிந்தது அவன் செய்கிறான் ஒரு வேலை. 69. I didn’t see him doing a job. எனக்கு தெரியவில்லை அவன் செய்கிறான் ஒரு வேலை. 70. If I do a job, I will get experience. நான் செய்தால் ஒரு வேலை எனக்கு கிடைக்கும் அனுபவம். 71. If I don’t do a job, I won’t get experience. நான் செய்யாவிட்டால் ஒரு வேலை எனக்கு கிடைக்காது அனுபவம். 72. If I had done a job, I would have got experience. என்னால் செய்யப்பட்டிருந்தால் ஒரு வேலை எனக்கு கிடைத்திருக்கும் அனுபவம். (செய்யவும் இல்லை கிடைக்கவும் இல்லை) 73. It is time I did a job. இது தான் நேரம் நான் செய்வதற்கு ஒரு வேலை. கவனத்திற்கு:
உதாரணமாக மேலே கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ள பாடத்தில் “do a job” எனும் வார்த்தை சில இலக்கங்களின் போது “doing a job” என வந்துள்ளதை அவதானித்திருப்பீர்கள். அதாவது பிரதான வினைச்சொல்லுடன் ‘ing‘ யும் இணைத்து பயன்பட்டுள்ளது. அவ்வாறு பயன்படுத்தப்பட வேண்டிய இலக்கங்களை கீழே கொடுத்துள்ளோம். அவ்விலக்கங்களின் போது எப்போதும் பிரதான வினைச் சொல்லுடன் “ing” யையும் இணைத்தே பயன்படுத்த வேண்டும் என்பதை மனதில் வைத்துக் கொள்ளுங்கள். Verb with + ing: 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 31, 37, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69. உதாரணம்: speak in English speaking in English. என்று வந்துள்ளதை அவதானிக்கவும். Homework:
கீழே 10 வாக்கியங்கள் கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. அவற்றை மேலே நாம் கற்றதைப் போன்று ஒவ்வொரு வாக்கியங்களையும் 73 விதமாக மாற்றி எழுதி பயிற்சி செய்யவும். எழுதும் பொழுது சத்தமாக வாசித்து வாசித்து எழுதிப் பயிற்சி செய்யுங்கள். அதுவே எளிதாக உங்கள் மனதில் பதியக் கூடியதாக இருக்கும். 1. I speak in English. நான் பேசுகின்றேன் ஆங்கிலத்தில். 2. I write a letter. நான் எழுதுகின்றேன் ஒரு கடிதம். 3. I play cricket. நான் விளையாடுகின்றேன் கிரிக்கெட். 4. I fill up the form. நான் நிரப்புகின்றேன் விண்ணப்பம். 5. I go to school. நான் போகின்றேன் பாடசாலைக்கு. 6. I do my homework. நான் செய்கின்றேன் வீட்டுப்பாடம். 7. I read a book. நான் வாசிக்கின்றேன் ஒரு பொத்தகம். 8. I travel by bus. நான் பிரயாணம் செய்கின்றேன் பேரூந்தில். 9. I look for a job. நான் தேடுகின்றேன் ஒரு வேலை. 10. I ride a bike. நான் ஓட்டுகின்றேன் உந்துருளி. கவனிக்கவும்
உதாரணமாக “speak in English” எனும் ஒரு வாக்கியத்தை எடுத்துக் கொண்டோமானால் அதை: I speak in English. நான் பேசுகின்றேன் ஆங்கிலத்தில். I am speaking in English. நான் பேசிக்கொண்டிருக்கின்றேன் ஆங்கிலத்தில். I spoke in English. நான் பேசினேன் ஆங்கிலத்தில். I didn’t speak in English. நான் பேசவில்லை ஆங்கிலத்தில். I will speak in English. நான் பேசுவேன் ஆங்கிலத்தில். என (மேலே எடுத்துக்காட்டியுள்ளதைப் போன்று) அதே இலக்க வரிசைக் கிரமத்தில் 73 வாக்கியங்களாக மாற்றி எழுதி பயிற்சி செய்யவும். இது மிகவும் இலகுவான ஓர் பயிற்சி முறையாகும். Long Forms = Sort Forms Do + not = Don’t Does + not = Doesn’t Did + not = Didn’t Will + not = Won’t Was + not = Wasn’t Were + not = Weren’t Can + not = Can’t Could + not = Couldn’t Have + not = Haven’t Has + not = Hasn’t Had + not = Hadn’t Need + not = Needn’t Must + not = Mustn’t Should + not = Shouldn’t Would + not Wouldn’t இப்பாடத்துடன் தொடர்புடை இரண்டு கிரமர் பெட்டன்களின் இணைப்பு கீழே கொடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன. அவற்றையும் பயிற்சி செய்துக்கொள்ளுங்கள்.
  • Grammar Patterns 2
  • Grammar Patterns 3
மற்றும் இன்றையப் பாடத்தில் நாம் கற்ற 73 வாக்கியங்களும் (அதே இலக்க வரிசைக் கிரமத்தில்) ஒவ்வொரு பாடங்களாக விரிவடையும். அப்பொழுது அதனதன் பயன்பாடுப் பற்றியும், இலக்கண விதிமுறைகள் பற்றியும் விரிவாக கற்கலாம். விரிவாக எழுதப்பட்ட பாடங்களுக்கு குறிப்பிட்ட வாக்கியத்துடன் இணைப்பு வழங்கப்படும். அவ்விணைப்பை சொடுக்கி குறிப்பிட்டப் பாடத்திற்கு சென்று அதன் முழுமையான பயன்பாட்டை கற்றுக்கொள்ளலாம். பிழையற்ற உச்சரிப்பு பயிற்சிக்கு பாடங்களுடன் இணைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும் ஒலிதக்கோப்புகளை சொடுக்கி பயிற்சி பெறுங்கள். இந்த கிரமர் பெட்டன்களைத் தவிர மேலும் பல கிரமர் பெட்டன்கள் உள்ளன. அவை உரிய பாடங்களின் போது வழங்கப்படும்.
  • ஆங்கிலம் துணுக்குகள்
  • ஆங்கிலம் மொழி வரலாறு
  • அமெரிக்க ஆங்கிலம்
போன்றவற்றையும் பார்க்கலாம். நினைவில் வைத்துக்கொள்ளுங்கள்
“பேசும் மொழியைத்தான் இலக்கண விதிகளாக வகுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதே தவிர, உலகில் எந்த ஓர் மொழியும் இலக்கணக் கூறுகளை வகுத்துவிட்டு மக்களின் பேச்சுப் புழக்கத்திற்கு வரவில்லை.” இக்கூற்று உலகில் உள்ள எல்லா மொழிகளுக்கும் பொருந்தும். எனவே “ஆங்கில இலக்கணம்” என்றவுடன் அதனை கடினமானதாக கருதாமல், மேலே கூறப்பட்டுள்ள விதிமுறைகளின் படி தொடர்ந்து பயிற்சி செய்யுங்கள். அவை உங்கள் மனதில் பதியும் வண்ணம் தொடர்ந்து பயிற்சி செய்யுங்கள். ஆங்கிலத்தில் “Well Begun is Half Done ” என்பர், அதன் பொருள் “எதனையும் முறையாக ஆரம்பித்து விட்டீர்கள் என்றாலே பாதி வெற்றி” என்பதுதான். எனவே இந்த முதல் பாடமே உங்களுக்கான சிறந்த ஆரம்பமாக இருக்கட்டும்! தொடர்ந்து பயிற்சி செய்யுங்கள். முடிந்தவரை அச்சமின்றி சத்தமாகப் பேசி பயிற்சி செய்யுங்கள். அதுவே கூடிய விரைவில் இயல்பாக ஆங்கிலம் பேசும் ஆற்றலை பெற்றுக்கொள்ள வழிவகுக்கும். மீண்டும் கூறிக்கொள்கின்றோம். இது மிகவும் எளிதாக ஆங்கிலம் கற்பதற்கான ஓர் பயிற்சி முறையாகும். சரி பயிற்சிகளைத் தொடருங்கள்! மீண்டும் அடுத்தப் பாடத்தில் சந்திப்போம்!
]]>

English Grammar: Simple and Compound Sentenses

Classroom - English / By

Simple and Compound Sentences

There are mainly three kinds of sentences in English: simple, complex and compound.

Simple sentence

A simple sentence consists of just one clause. Examples are given below.
  • The dog barks.
  • The kettle boils.
  • Birds live in nests.
  • The boys are singing.
In its simplest form, a simple sentence consists of a subject and a verb. We can add more meaning to the sentence by including qualifiers, objects, complements etc.
  • Sitting on a branch, the monkey gibbered.
  • The little girl was carrying a basket on her head.

Compound sentence

A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses.
  • The boys sang and the girls danced.
This compound sentence consists of two simple clauses connected by the coordinating conjunction and. Another example is given below.
  • Men may come and men may go, but I go on forever.
This compound sentence consists of three independent clauses. We make compound sentences by joining independent clauses with the help of coordinating conjunctions. More examples of compound sentences are given below.
  • You may watch TV or you can go out to play.
  • You should either sit quietly or go out.
  • The old man could neither see nor hear.
  • He took the test several times but he couldn’t pass.
  • He is famous, yet he is very humble.
  • She was angry, still she kept her cool.
  • The thieves not only robbed the man of his possessions, but also inflicted injuries on him.
Notes The words however, therefore and nevertheless are not conjunctions. They cannot be used to connect two independent clauses.
  • My car broke down on the way; therefore, I hired a taxi. (NOT My car broke down on the way, therefore I hired a taxi.)
  • He lost all his money; nevertheless, he is cheerful.

How to write complex sentences

A complex sentence consists of one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses joined together with the help of subordinating conjunction(s). Two clauses connected by relative pronouns or relative adverbs are also examples of complex sentences. Writing a complex sentence is easy if you have a basic understanding of conjunctions and relative pronouns. Study the examples given below. Maria is a brilliant girl. She is 12 years old. She lives with her grandmother. As you can see we have got three simple sentences. We can combine them together and form a complex sentence. Maria is a brilliant 12 year old girl who lives with her grandmother. Although we had three simple sentences, the complex sentence has only two clauses – one main clause and one subordinate clause – because we reduced one of the clauses into an adjective. Here are some points to keep in mind when we combine simple sentences into complex sentences: Avoid the repetition of words. You will probably have to change words. Add linking words like conjunctions or relative pronouns. Another example is given below. Her name is Susie. She is a well-known singer. She lives in Chicago. We can combine these three sentences in two ways. Susie, who lives in Chicago, is a well-known singer. OR Susie, who is a well-known singer, lives in Chicago. Exercise Combine the following pairs of simple sentences into complex sentences. 1. John went to the movies. He had a lot of work to do. 2. Vishnu is a brilliant boy. He has won several honors. 3. Mark didn’t get the job. He lacked the necessary qualifications. 4. Harry is a baseball player. He is known all over the world. Suggested answers 1. John went to the movies although he had a lot of work to do. 2. Vishnu is a brilliant boy who has won several honors. 3. Mark didn’t get the job because he lacked the necessary qualifications. 4. Harry is a baseball player who is known all over the world.
Two independent clauses need to be connected with a coordinating conjunction or separated with a full stop or a semicolon.
]]>

English Grammar: Use of Modal Verbs

Classroom - English / By

Modal verbs list, usages, examples

What are modal verbs?

Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs, modal auxiliaries) are special verbs which behave irregularly in English. They are different from normal verbs like “work, play, visit…” They give additional information about the function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions. Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:
  • They never change their form. You can’t add “s”, “ed”, “ing”…
  • They are always followed by an infinitive without “to” (e.i. the bare infinitive.)
  • They are used to indicate modality allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation, necessity, ability

List of modal verbs

Here is a list of modal verbs:
can, could, may, might, will, would, shall, should, must
The verbs or expressions dare, ought to, had better, and need not behave like modal auxiliaries to a large extent and my be added to the above list

Use of modal verbs:

Modal verbs are used to express functions such as:
  1. Permission
  2. Ability
  3. Obligation
  4. Prohibition
  5. Lack of necessity
  6. Advice
  7. possibility
  8. probability

Modal verbs list, usages, examples

Modal verbs meanings and uses Modal verbs are also know as helping verbs and are used to express the following:- Possililty, obligation, ability and permission.

Modal verbs their usage and examples

Modal verb list English Grammar

Modal verb list with examples

Modal verbs list, usages, examples

Modal verbs can be used with actions

 
Modal verbs list, usages, examples
Modal verbs used with actions

Modal verbs

      Can         ability     permission     probability (0%)         Can I go to the mall?     It can’t be Robert. He is in London
    Could     past ability     past permission     probability (30%)     request, offer or suggestion       He could speak English when he was 2 years old.    He could go to the park.     It could get much colder in December.     Could I go to the toilet?     I could lend you my dictionary.  
    May     probability (50%)     permission       It may rain tomorrow.     May I go to the cinema with you?  
    Might     probability (30% or less)       It might snow today.  
    Must       Prohibition     deduction / probability (100%)       You mustn’t play with that. It’s dangerous     The visitor must be Daniel. I’ve seen his car outside.
    Should       advice       You shouldn’t smoke. It’s bad for your health
    Will       prediction     spontaneous decision       I think he will study harder this time.     Oh, it’s very cold in here. I’ll close the window.

Examples of modal verbs

Here is a list of modals with examples:
Modal Verb Expressing Example
must Strong obligation You must stop when the traffic lights turn red.
logical conclusion / Certainty He must be very tired. He’s been working all day long.
must not prohibition You must not smoke in the hospital.
can ability I can swim.
permission Can I use your phone please?
possibility Smoking can cause cancer.
could ability in the past When I was younger I could run fast.
polite permission Excuse me, could I just say something?
possibility It could rain tomorrow!
may permission May I use your phone please?
possibility, probability It may rain tomorrow!
might polite permission Might I suggest an idea?
possibility, probability I might go on holiday to Australia next year.
need not lack of necessity/absence of obligation I need not buy tomatoes. There are plenty of tomatoes in the fridge.
should/ought to 50 % obligation I should / ought to see a doctor. I have a terrible headache.
advice You should / ought to revise your lessons
logical conclusion He should / ought to be very tired. He’s been working all day long.
had better advice You ‘d better revise your lessons

1. can

Use Examples
ability to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be able to) I can speak English.
permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed to) Can I go to the cinema?
request Can you wait a moment, please?
offer I can lend you my car till tomorrow.
suggestion Can we visit Grandma at the weekend?
possibility It can get very hot in Arizona.

2. could

Use Examples
ability to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be able to) I could speak English.
permission to do sth. in the past (substitute form: to be allowed to) I could go to the cinema.
polite question * Could I go to the cinema, please?
polite request * Could you wait a moment, please?
polite offer * I could lend you my car till tomorrow.
polite suggestion * Could we visit Grandma at the weekend?
possibility * It could get very hot in Montana.

3. may

Use Examples
possibility It may rain today.
permission to do sth. in the present (substitute form: to be allowed to) May I go to the cinema?
polite suggestion May I help you?

4. might

Use Examples
possibility (less possible than may) * It might rain today.
hesitant offer * Might I help you?

5. must

Use Examples
force, necessity I must go to the supermarket today.
possibility You must be tired.
advice, recommendation You must see the new film with Brad Pitt.

6. must not/may not

Use Examples
prohibition (must is a little stronger) You mustn’t work on dad’s computer.
You may not work on dad’s computer.

7. need not

Use Examples
sth. is not necessary I needn’t go to the supermarket, we’re going to the restaurant tonight.

8. ought to

simliar to should – ought to sounds a little less subjective
Use Examples
advice You ought to drive carefully in bad weather.
obligation You ought to switch off the light when you leave the room.

9. shall

used instead of will in the 1st person
Use Examples
suggestion Shall I carry your bag?

10. should

Use Examples
advice You should drive carefully in bad weather.
obligation You should switch off the light when you leave the room.

11. will

Use Examples
wish, request, demand, order (less polite than would) Will you please shut the door?
prediction, assumption I think it will rain on Friday.
promise I will stop smoking.
spontaneous decision Can somebody drive me to the station? – I will.
habits She’s strange, she‘ll sit for hours without talking.

12. would

Use Examples
wish, request (more polite than will) Would you shut the door, please?
habits in the past Sometimes he would bring me some flowers.
* These are no past forms, they refer to the future.

Uses of Can and Could

The modal auxiliary can is used

  • to express ability (in the sense of being able to do something or knowing how to do something): He can speak Spanish but he can’t write it very well.
  • to expression permission (in the sense of being allowed or permitted to do something): Can I talk to my friends in the library waiting room? (Note that can is less formal than may. Also, some writers will object to the use of can in this context.)
  • to express theoretical possibility: American automobile makers can make better cars if they think there’s a profit in it.

The modal auxiliary could is used

  • to express an ability in the past: I could always beat you at tennis when we were kids.
  • to express past or future permission: Could I bury my cat in your back yard?
  • to express present possibility: We could always spend the afternoon just sitting around talking.
  • to express possibility or ability in contingent circumstances: If he studied harder, he could pass this course.

In expressing ability, can and could frequently also imply willingness: Can you help me with my homework?

Can versus May

Whether the auxiliary verb can can be used to express permission or not — “Can I leave the room now?” [“I don’t know if you can, but you may.”] — depends on the level of formality of your text or situation. As Theodore Bernstein puts it in The Careful Writer, “a writer who is attentive to the proprieties will preserve the traditional distinction: can for ability or power to do something, may for permission to do it. The question is at what level can you safely ignore the “proprieties.” Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, tenth edition, says the battle is over and can can be used in virtually any situation to express or ask for permission. Most authorities, however, recommend a stricter adherence to the distinction, at least in formal situations.

Uses of May and Might

Two of the more troublesome modal auxiliaries are may and might. When used in the context of granting or seeking permission, might is the past tense of may. Might is considerably more tentative than may.
  • May I leave class early?
  • If I’ve finished all my work and I’m really quiet, might I leave early?

In the context of expressing possibility, may and might are interchangeable present and future forms and might + have + past participle is the past form:

  • She might be my advisor next semester.
  • She may be my advisor next semester.
  • She might have advised me not to take biology.
Avoid confusing the sense of possibility in may with the implication of might, that a hypothetical situation has not in fact occurred. For instance, let’s say there’s been a helicopter crash at the airport. In his initial report, before all the facts are gathered, a newscaster could say that the pilot “may have been injured.” After we discover that the pilot is in fact all right, the newscaster can now say that the pilot “might have been injured” because it is a hypothetical situation that has not occurred. Another example: a body had been identified after much work by a detective. It was reported that “without this painstaking work, the body may have remained unidentified.” Since the body was, in fact, identified, might is clearly called for.

Uses of Will and Would

In certain contexts, will and would are virtually interchangeable, but there are differences. Notice that the contracted form ‘ll is very frequently used for will.

Will can be used to express willingness:

  • I’ll wash the dishes if you dry.
  • We’re going to the movies. Will you join us?

It can also express intention (especially in the first person):

  • I’ll do my exercises later on.

and prediction:

  • specific: The meeting will be over soon.
  • timeless: Humidity will ruin my hairdo.
  • habitual: The river will overflow its banks every spring.

Would can also be used to express willingness:

  • Would you please take off your hat?

It can also express insistence (rather rare, and with a strong stress on the word “would”):

  • Now you’ve ruined everything. You would act that way.

and characteristic activity:

  • customary: After work, he would walk to his home in West Hartford.
  • typical (casual): She would cause the whole family to be late, every time.

In a main clause, would can express a hypothetical meaning:

  • My cocker spaniel would weigh a ton if I let her eat what she wants.

Finally, would can express a sense of probability:

  • I hear a whistle. That would be the five o’clock train.
]]>

English Classroom: Grammar: Active and Passive Voice

Classroom - English / By

English Active and Passive Voice

English Active and Passive Voice

  • The places of subject and object in sentence are inter-changed in passive voice.
  • 3rd form of verb (past participle) will be used only (as main verb) in passive voice.
  • Auxiliary verbs for each tense are given below in the table.
Present Simple Tense (passive Voice) Auxiliary verb in passive voice: am/is/are

Active voice: He sings a song. He does not sing a song.Does he sing a song?

Passive voice: A song is sung by him. A song is not sung by him. Is a song sung by him?
Present Continuous Tense (passive Voice) Auxiliary verb in passive voice: am being/is being/are being

Active voice: I am writing a letter I am not writing a letter. Am I writing a letter?

Passive voice: A letter is being written by me. A letter is not being written by me. Is a letter being written by me?
 
Present Perfect Tense (passive Voice) Auxiliary verb in passive voice: has been/have been

Active voice: She has finished his work She has not finished her work. Has she finished her work?

Passive voice: Her work has been finished by her. Her work has not been finished by her. Has her work been finished by her?
Past Simple Tense (passive Voice) Auxiliary verb in passive voice: was/were

Active voice: I killed a snake I did not kill a snake. Did I kill a snake?

Passive voice: A snake was killed by me. A snake was not killed by me. Was a snake killed by me?
 
Past Continuous Tense (Passive Voice) Auxiliary verb in passive voice: was being/were being

Active voice: He was driving a car. He was not driving a car. Was he driving a car?

Passive voice: A car was being driven by him. A car was not being driven by him. Was a car being driven by him?
English Active and Passive Voice
Past Perfect Tense (Passive Voice) Auxiliary verb in passive voice: had been

Active voice: They had completed the assignment. They had not completed the assignment. Had they completed the assignment?

Passive voice: The assignment had been completed by them. The assignment had not been complete by them. Had the assignment been completed by them?
 
Future Simple Tense (Passive Voice) Auxiliary verb in passive voice: will be

Active voice: She will buy a car. She will not buy a car. Will she buy a car?

Passive voice: A car will be bought by her. A car will not be bought by her. Will a car be bought by her?
 
Future Perfect Tense (passive Voice) Auxiliary verb in passive voice: will have been

Active voice: You will have started the job. You will have not started the job. Will you have started the job?

Passive voice: The job will have been started by you. The job will not have been started by you. Will the job have been started by you?

Note: The following tenses cannot be changed into passive voice.

  1. Present perfect continuous tense
  2. Past perfect continuous tense
  3. Future continuous tense
  4. Future perfect continuous tense
  5. Sentence having Intransitive verbs

Fundamental Rules

  • The places of subject and object in sentence are inter-changed in passive voice.
  • 3rd form of verb (past participle) will be used only (as main verb) in passive voice.
  • Auxiliary verbs for each tense are given below in the table.
English Active and Passive Voice

Active and Passive Voice: Tense-wise Rules

Simple Present tense

An Active sentence in the simple present tense has the following structure: Subject + first form of the verb + object A passive sentence in the simple present tense has the following structure: Object of the active sentence + is/am/are + past participle form of the verb + by + subject of the active sentence

Changing an assertive sentence into the passive

Active: I write a letter. Passive: A letter is written by me. Active: I help you. Passive: You are helped by me. Active: I love my parents. Passive: My parents are loved by me. Active: We love our country. Passive: Our country is loved by us.

Changing a negative sentence into the passive

Active: I do not write a letter. Passive: A letter is not written by me. Active: I do not abuse my servants. Passive: My servants are not abused by me. Active: I do not write novels. Passive: Novels are not written by me. Active: He does not tease her. Passive: She is not teased by him.

Changing an interrogative sentence into the passive

Structure: Is/are/am + object of the active verb + past participle form of the verb + by + subject of the passive verb Active: Do you write a letter? Passive: Is a letter written by you? Active: Do you write stories? Passive: Are stories written by you? Active: Does she make candles? Passive: Are candles made by her? Active: Who does not obey you? Passive: By whom are you not obeyed? Active: Which newspaper do you read? Passive: Which newspaper is read by you? Active: Does she do her duty? Passive: Is her duty done by her? Notes: The object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb. Therefore, sentences which do not have an object cannot be changed into the passive. The following sentences, for instance, cannot be changed into the passive because they do not have objects. The old man sat in a corner. The child sleeps. The wind blows. The dog barks. The fire burns. He laughed aloud.

]]>

English Classroom: Grammar: Future Perfect Continuous

Classroom - English / By

English Future Perfect Continuous

Future Perfect Continuous has two different forms: “will have been doing ” and “be going to have been doing.” Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Perfect Continuous forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Perfect Continuous with “Will”

[will have been + present participle]
Examples:
  • You will have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
  • Will you have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?
  • You will not have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
English Future Perfect Continuous

FORM Future Perfect Continuous with “Be Going To”

[am/is/are + going to have been + present participle]
Examples:
  • You are going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
  • Are you going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives?
  • You are not going to have been waiting for more than two hours when her plane finally arrives.
NOTE: It is possible to use either “will” or “be going to” to create the Future Perfect Continuous with little or no difference in meaning.

USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Future

We use the Future Perfect Continuous to show that something will continue up until a particular event or time in the future. “For five minutes,” “for two weeks,” and “since Friday” are all durations which can be used with the Future Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous and the Past Perfect Continuous; however, with Future Perfect Continuous, the duration stops at or before a reference point in the future.
Examples:
  • They will have been talking for over an hour by the time Thomas arrives.
  • She is going to have been working at that company for three years when it finally closes.
  • James will have been teaching at the university for more than a year by the time he leaves for Asia.
  • How long will you have been studying when you graduate?
  • We are going to have been driving for over three days straight when we get to Anchorage.
  • A: When you finish your English course, will you have been living in New Zealand for over a year? B: No, I will not have been living here that long.
Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because these future events are in time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Cause of Something in the Future

Using the Future Perfect Continuous before another action in the future is a good way to show cause and effect.
Examples:
  • Jason will be tired when he gets home because he will have been jogging for over an hour.
  • Claudia’s English will be perfect when she returns to Germany because she is going to have been studying English in the United States for over two years.
English Future Perfect Continuous

Future Continuous vs. Future Perfect Continuous

If you do not include a duration such as “for five minutes,” “for two weeks” or “since Friday,” many English speakers choose to use the Future Continuous rather than the Future Perfect Continuous. Be careful because this can change the meaning of the sentence. Future Continuous emphasizes interrupted actions, whereas Future Perfect Continuous emphasizes a duration of time before something in the future. Study the examples below to understand the difference.
Examples:
  • He will be tired because he will be exercising so hard. This sentence emphasizes that he will be tired because he will be exercising at that exact moment in the future.
  • He will be tired because he will have been exercising so hard. This sentence emphasizes that he will be tired because he will have been exercising for a period of time. It is possible that he will still be exercising at that moment OR that he will just have finished.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect Continuous, Present Perfect Continuous is used.
Examples:
  • You won’t get a promotion until you will have been working here as long as Tim. Not Correct
  • You won’t get a promotion until you have been working here as long as Tim. Correct

AND REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Future Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Future Perfect .
Examples:
  • Ned will have been having his driver’s license for over two years. Not Correct
  • Ned will have had his driver’s license for over two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
  • You will only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
  • Will you only have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?
  • You are only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives.
  • Are you only going to have been waiting for a few minutes when her plane arrives?

]]>

English Classroom:Grammar-Future Perfect

Classroom - English / By

Future Perfect Tense: How to use?

Future Perfect Tense: How to use?

Future Perfect has two different forms: “will have done” and “be going to have done.” Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Perfect forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Perfect with “Will”

[will have + past participle]
Examples:
  • You will have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
  • Will you have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
  • You will not have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.

FORM Future Perfect with “Be Going To”

[am/is/are + going to have + past participle]
Examples:
  • You are going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
  • Are you going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
  • You are not going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
NOTE: It is possible to use either “will” or “be going to” to create the Future Perfect with little or no difference in meaning. The Future Perfect expresses the idea that something will occur before another action in the future. It can also show that something will happen before a specific time in the future.
Examples:
  • By next November, I will have received my promotion.
  • By the time he gets home, she is going to have cleaned the entire house.
  • I am not going to have finished this test by 3 o’clock.
  • Will she have learned enough Chinese to communicate before she moves to Beijing?
  • Sam is probably going to have completed the proposal by the time he leaves this afternoon.
  • By the time I finish this course, I will have taken ten tests.
  • How many countries are you going to have visited by the time you turn 50?
Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Future (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Future Perfect to show that something will continue up until another action in the future.
Examples:
  • I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave.
  • By Monday, Susan is going to have had my book for a week.
Although the above use of Future Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words “live,” “work,” “teach,” and “study” are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.
Subject + WILL HAVE + Verb (past participle form)

Quick examples

  • I will have graduated from university by May.
  • Patrick will have lived in Hong Kong for 20 years by the next month.
  • The train will have left by now.
We use the Future Perfect tense to talk about actions that will be finished before some point in the future. We also use this tense to express situations that will last for a specified period of time at a definite moment in the future. The last use is to express certainty that an action was completed.

Use

Use 1: Completion before a specified point in the future

The first use of this tense is to talk about future actions that will be finished before some specified point in the future.
  • Before they come, we will have cleaned up the house.
  • John will have eaten the whole cake, by the time the birthday party starts!

Use 2: Duration in the Future

Another use of this tense is to talk about actions will last after a given point in the future.
  • By the next year, I will have known Monica for 30 years.
  • Patrick will have lived in Hong Kong for 20 years by 2012.
Common Time Expressions
Time expressions that are commonly used with the Future Perfect:
  • By
  • By the time
  • Before
  • By tomorrow/7 o’clock/next month
  • Until/till

Use 3: Certainty About the Near Past

The last use is to express conviction that something happened in the near past.
  • The train will have left by now. We have to look for another way to get there. (I’m sure the train has left)
  • The guests will have arrived at the hotel by now. (I’m sure the guests have arrived at the hotel)

Form

WILL = ‘LLExample: She’ll have finished = she will have finished WILL + NOT = WON’T Example: She won’t have finished = she will not have finished
Important
The Future Perfect appears in two forms: “will” form and “going to” form which can be used interchangably. Example:
  • “She will have finished” means “she is going to have finished”

Positive Sentences

Subject + Auxiliary verb + Auxiliary verb + Past participle
e.g. I/a dog etc. will have e.g. eaten/given/gone etc.
Examples Use
I will have retired by the end of this year. (Use 1)
I read 40 pages a day. If I keep up the pace, I will have read the book by Tuesday. (Use 1)

Questions

Auxiliary verb + Subject + Auxiliary verb + Past participle
will e.g. I/a dog etc. have e.g. eaten/given/gone etc.
Examples Use
Will they have graduated from Cambridge by July 2009? (Use 1)
Will I have retired by the end of the year? (Use 1)
Will you have bought a new processor by the end of this week? (Use 1)

Negative Sentences

Subject + Auxiliary verb + not + Auxiliary verb + Past participle
e.g. I/a dog etc. will not have e.g. eaten/given/gone etc.
Examples Use
They won’t have graduated from from Cambridge by July 2009. (Use 1)
My uncle won’t have retired by the end of the year. (Use 1)

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect, Present Perfect is used.
Examples:
  • I am going to see a movie when I will have finished my homework. Not Correct
  • I am going to see a movie when I have finished my homework. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
  • You will only have learned a few words.
  • Will you only have learned a few words?
  • You are only going to have learned a few words.
  • Are you only going to have learned a few words?

]]>

English Classroom-Grammar-Future Continuous

Classroom - English / By

English Future Continuous

The Future Continuous tense is often used in English as a way to talk about something happening at a given point in the future.

How do we make the Future Continuous tense?

The structure of the Future Continuous tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb WILL + auxiliary verb BE + main verb
invariable invariable present participle
will be base + ing
For negative sentences in the Future Continuous tense, we insert not between will and be. For question sentences, we exchange the subject and will. Look at these example sentences with the Future Continuous tense:
subject auxiliary verb auxiliary verb main verb
+ I will be working at 10am.
+ You will be lying on a beach tomorrow.
– She will not be using the car.
– We will not be having dinner at home.
? Will you be playing football?
? Will they be watching TV?
We sometimes use shall instead of will, especially for I and we.

Contraction with Future Continuous

When we use the Future Continuous tense in speaking, we often contract the subject and WILL:
I will I’ll
you will you’ll
he will she will it will he’ll she’ll it’ll
we will we’ll
they will they’ll
In negative sentences, we may contract with won’t, like this:
I will not I won’t
you will not you won’t
he will not she will not it will not he won’t she won’t it won’t
we will not we won’t
they will not they won’t

How do we use the Future Continuous tense?

The Future Continuous tense expresses action at a particular moment in the future. The action will have started before that moment but it will not have finished at that moment. For example, tomorrow I will start work at 2pm and stop work at 6pm:
At 4pm tomorrow, I will be working.
past present future
4pm
At 4pm, I will be in the middle of working.
When we use the Future Continuous tense, our listener usually knows or understands what time we are talking about. Look at these examples:
  • I will be playing tennis at 10am tomorrow.
  • They won’t be watching TV at 9pm tonight.
  • What will you be doing at 10pm tonight?
  • What will you be doing when I arrive?
  • She will not be sleeping when you telephone her.
  • We‘ll be having dinner when the film starts.
  • Take your umbrella. It will be raining when you return.
Note that continuous tenses are also called progressive tenses. So the Future Continuous tense is sometimes called the Future Progressive tense.
Future Continuous has two different forms: “will be doing ” and “be going to be doing.” Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Continuous forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Continuous with “Will”

[will be + present participle]
Examples:
  • You will be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
  • Will you be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
  • You will not be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.

FORM Future Continuous with “Be Going To “

[am/is/are + going to be + present participle]
Examples:
  • You are going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
  • Are you going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight?
  • You are not going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives tonight.
REMEMBER: It is possible to use either “will” or “be going to” to create the Future Continuous with little difference in meaning. Use the Future Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the future will be interrupted by a shorter action in the future. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.
Examples:
  • I will be watching TV when she arrives tonight.
  • I will be waiting for you when your bus arrives.
  • I am going to be staying at the Madison Hotel, if anything happens and you need to contact me.
  • He will be studying at the library tonight, so he will not see Jennifer when she arrives.
Notice in the examples above that the interruptions (marked in italics) are in Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption in the Future

In USE 1, described above, the Future Continuous is interrupted by a short action in the future. In addition to using short actions as interruptions, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.
Examples:
  • Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner. I will be in the process of eating dinner.
  • At midnight tonight, we will still be driving through the desert. We will be in the process of driving through the desert.

REMEMBER

In the Simple Future, a specific time is used to show the time an action will begin or end. In the Future Continuous, a specific time interrupts the action.
Examples:
  • Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to eat dinner. I am going to start eating at 6 PM.
  • Tonight at 6 PM, I am going to be eating dinner. I am going to start earlier and I will be in the process of eating dinner at 6 PM.

USE 3 Parallel Actions in the Future

When you use the Future Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions will be happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples:
  • I am going to be studying and he is going to be making dinner.
  • Tonight, they will be eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.
  • While Ellen is reading, Tim will be watching television.

USE 4 Atmosphere in the Future

In English, we often use a series of Parallel Actions to describe atmosphere at a specific point in the future.
Example:
  • When I arrive at the party, everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will be dancing. Others are going to be talking. A few people will be eating pizza, and several people are going to be drinking beer. They always do the same thing.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future tenses, the Future Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Future Continuous, Present Continuous is used.
Examples:
  • While I am going to be finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Not Correct
  • While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Correct

AND REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Future Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Future.
Examples:
  • Jane will be being at my house when you arrive. Not Correct
  • Jane will be at my house when you arrive. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
  • You will still be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
  • Will you still be waiting for her when her plane arrives?
  • You are still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives.
  • Are you still going to be waiting for her when her plane arrives?
USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Future
]]>

Classroom English-Grammar-Simple Future

Classroom - English, Learn English / By

English Simple Future

FUNCTIONS OF THE SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE

The simple future refers to a time later than now, and expresses facts or certainty. In this case there is no ‘attitude’. The simple future is used:
  • To predict a future event: It will rain tomorrow.
  • With I or We, to express a spontaneous decision: I’ll pay for the tickets by credit card.
  • To express willingness: I’ll do the washing-up. He’ll carry your bag for you.
  • In the negative form, to express unwillingness: The baby won’t eat his soup. I won’t leave until I’ve seen the manager!
  • With I in the interrogative form using “shall”, to make an offer: Shall I open the window?
  • With we in the interrogative form using “shall”, to make a suggestion: Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
  • With I in the interrogative form using “shall”, to ask for advice or instructions: What shall I tell the boss about this money?
  • With you, to give orders: You will do exactly as I say.
  • With you in the interrogative form, to give an invitation: Will you come to the dance with me? Will you marry me?
Note:In modern English will is preferred to shall. Shall is mainly used with I and we to make an offer or suggestion, or to ask for advice (see examples above). With the other persons (you, he, she, they) shall is only used in literary or poetic situations, e.g. “With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She shall have music wherever she goes.”

FORMING THE SIMPLE FUTURE

The simple future tense is composed of two parts: will / shall + the infinitive without to
Subject will infinitive without to
Affirmative
I will go
I shall go
Negative
They will not see
They won’t see
Interrogative
Will she ask?
Interrogative negative
Won’t they try?
CONTRACTIONS
I will = I’ll We will = we’ll You will = you’ll He will = he’ll She will = she’ll They will = they’ll Will not = won’t The form “it will” is not normally shortened.

TO SEE: SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE

Affirmative Negative Interrogative Interrogative Negative
I will see I won’t see Will I see? Won’t I see?
*I shall see *Shall I see?
You will see You won’t see Will you see? Won’t you see?
He will see He won’t see Will he see? Won’t he see?
We will see We won’t see Will we see? Won’t we see?
*We shall see *Shall we see?
They will see They won’t see Will they see? Won’t they see?
*Shall is dated, but it is still commonly used instead of “will” with the affirmative or interrogative forms of I and we in certain cases (see above). Simple Future has two different forms in English: “will” and “be going to.” Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both “will” and “be going to” refer to a specific time in the future.

FORM Will

[will + verb]
Examples:
  • You will help him later.
  • Will you help him later?
  • You will not help him later.

FORM Be Going To

[am/is/are + going to + verb]
Examples:
  • You are going to meet Jane tonight.
  • Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
  • You are not going to meet Jane tonight.

USE 1 “Will” to Express a Voluntary Action

“Will” often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use “will” to respond to someone else’s complaint or request for help. We also use “will” when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use “will not” or “won’t” when we refuse to voluntarily do something.
Examples:
  • I will send you the information when I get it.
  • I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
  • Will you help me move this heavy table?
  • Will you make dinner?
  • I will not do your homework for you.
  • I won’t do all the housework myself!
  • A: I’m really hungry. B: I‘ll make some sandwiches.
  • A: I’m so tired. I’m about to fall asleep. B: I‘ll get you some coffee.
  • A: The phone is ringing. B: I‘ll get it.

USE 2 “Will” to Express a Promise

“Will” is usually used in promises.
Examples:
  • I will call you when I arrive.
  • If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
  • I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
  • Don’t worry, I‘ll be careful.
  • I won’t tell anyone your secret.

USE 3 “Be going to” to Express a Plan

“Be going to” expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.
Examples:
  • He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
  • She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
  • A: When are we going to meet each other tonight? B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
  • I‘m going to be an actor when I grow up.
  • Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.
  • They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
  • Who are you going to invite to the party?
  • A: Who is going to make John’s birthday cake? B: Sue is going to make John’s birthday cake.

USE 4 “Will” or “Be Going to” to Express a Prediction

Both “will” and “be going to” can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In “prediction” sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.
Examples:
  • The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.
  • The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.
  • John Smith will be the next President.
  • John Smith is going to be the next President.
  • The movie “Zenith” will win several Academy Awards.
  • The movie “Zenith” is going to win several Academy Awards.
 

IMPORTANT

In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind. Often, there is more than one way to interpret a sentence’s meaning.

No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.
Examples:
  • When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
  • When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
  • You will never help him.
  • Will you ever help him?
  • You are never going to meet Jane.
  • Are you ever going to meet Jane?

]]>

Scroll to Top