The Future is here …. or at least a short overview of Future Tense Grammar

In this short post, I am going to share how to talk about future events and hopefully it will help you better understand and use the future tense.

Predictions/statements of fact

The auxiliary verb will is used in making predictions or simple statements of fact about the future.

• The sun will rise at 6.30 tomorrow.
• Today’s class will be 10 minutes longer than usual.
• In the year 2030 all students will have their own computers in school.
• If you help me, I will help you.
• I don’t think your brother will be home soon.
• You won’t pass your test if you don’t study.
• I know my mother won’t let me go to that movie.
• Will it snow on Christmas?
• I know she’s on holiday, but will she be back next week?

Intentions

The auxiliary verb phrase going to is used in talking about intentions. (An intention is something that you plan to do in the future that you have already thought about.)

• He’s going to buy a new motorcycle next week.
• I’m going to vacation in Asia when I graduate.
• Next year I’m going to start eating healthier.
• She’s not going to go to the movie. She has too much homework.
• I’m not going to watch the movie until I have finished my report.
• Are you going to play football this weekend?
• What are you going to have for dinner tonight?

Arrangements

The present continuous tense is used in talking about arrangements. (An arrangement is is a plan for the future that you have already thought about and discussed with someone else.)

• I‘m meeting my father in the city on Tuesday.
• Her parents are visiting us this summer.
• Sorry, I can’t meet after work today; I‘m playing basketball with Michael.
• Are you doing anything with Mary this weekend?
• Do you know if he is going to the dance with Sarah next week?

Scheduled events

The present simple tense is usually used to refer to future events that are scheduled (and outside of our control).

• Hurry up! The train departs in 5 minutes.
• She leaves Paris at 6 o’clock in the morning and arrives in New York at midnight the next day.
• He has an appointment with his boss at 3 this afternoon.
• There’s no need to hurry. The plane doesn’t leave for another 45 minutes.
• When does the meeting begin?
• Our online English class begins at 11 your time.

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Another blog on a pair of words commonly misused by esl learners – other vs. another,the other and others

Other and another are two words that are often misused by many esl learners.  This short blog will provide some simple grammar rules to follow and other helpful examples to help you with your usage.

Quick Summary: What is the difference between another and other?

A simple rule to help you remember the difference between another and other is:

other + plural noun
others (a pronoun to replace other + plural noun)
another + singular noun

• I need another cup. (cup is singular so we use another)
• I need other cups. (cup is plural so we use other)
• I need others. (refers to other cups)

When to use OTHER

Other is a determiner that goes before plural countable nouns, uncountable nouns or a pronoun.

Other + Plural Countable Noun

Other can be followed by a plural countable noun.

• We have other colors if you are interested.
• Have you got any other shoes, or are these the only ones?
• Some nights are cooler though other nights can be very hot.
• I have invited some other friends.
• I can help you because I’m not busy with other activities.

Note: you can use other with a singular noun using the definite article when it refers to something specific or wanting a definite alternative.

• I don’t want this book, I want the other one.
• I saw Sally the other day.

Others as a pronoun

Others replaces “other ones” or “other + plural noun”.
Only others can be used as a pronoun and not other.

• I don’t like these jackets. Let’s ask for others. (others = other jackets)
• Most of the presents arrived on Friday. Others arrived the day before.

When to use ANOTHER

Another means:

• one more, an additional, an extra
• a different one; an alternative one

Another is a determiner (and a qualifier) that goes before a singular countable noun or a pronoun.

Another + Singular Countable noun

Another can be followed by a singular countable noun.

• She has bought another outfit.
• Would you like another cup of tea?
• Don’t worry about the weather. We can go another day.
• I think you should paint it another color.
• They are having another boy.

Another as a pronoun

Sometimes another is used as a pronoun.

• That piece of pie was delicious. I think I’ll have another. (another = one more piece of pie)
• I don’t like this room. Let’s ask for another. (another = another room)

Note: you can also say: “I think I’ll have another one.” and “Let’s ask for another one.”

Another + number + plural noun

Another can be used before a plural noun when there is a number before that noun or before phrases such as a couple of, a few etc.

• In another 2 years my laptop is going to be obsolete.
• I like this city so much that I’m going to spend another week here.
• We need another two students before classes can begin.
• I was given another couple of days to finish the report.

Remember another is ONE word not two words (an other is incorrect)

Take the following quiz to test your understanding of other-others-another-the other.

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English Every Day with Everyday English

Every day vs. Everyday

English Grammar

 A common mistake in English is the correct use of the words everyday and every day. Don’t worry, this is also a mistake commonly made by native speakers too.

The word everyday (one word) and phrase every day (two words) are not interchangeable.

The difference between everyday and every day.

Everyday is an adjective so it goes before the noun it describes.

Everyday = ordinary, regular, normal or commonplace. It can refer to something done or used daily or routinely.

• You should wear an elegant dress for the wedding, not just an everyday one.
• Even though he has won some money, it hasn’t changed his everyday life.
• Some everyday activities damage the environment.
• Why do you always use those big words that are not common in everyday language?

Every day is a phrase that usually acts as an adverb.

Every day = all of the days or each day over a period of time. It can also mean very regularly.

• You’ve been wearing that same shirt every day this week. You need to change it!
• You should take a shower every day.
• Low prices, every day! (A sign in a shop)
• Woodward English publishes new material on Twitter every day.

How to know when to use every day or everyday.

To know which of the words to use in your sentence, replace the word(s) with each day.

If it sounds correct, then write every day (two words).
If it doesn’t sound correct (usually because it is before a noun) then use everyday (one word).

For example:

• I do exercises every day. (correct)
• I do exercises each day – This sound correct so we use every day (two words)

• It’s not an every day event. (incorrect)
• It’s not an each day event. – This doesn’t sound correct so we use everyday (one word)

Another way of doing this is by replacing the word(s) with ordinary.

If it sounds correct, then write everyday (one word).
If it doesn’t sound correct then use every day (two words).

For example:

• I do exercises everyday. (incorrect)
• I do exercises ordinary – This does not sound correct so we use every day (two words)

• It’s not an everyday event. (correct)
• It’s not an ordinary event. – This sounds correct so we use everyday (one word)

Another tip is that the word everyday is followed by a noun and is not used by itself at the end of a sentence.

Pronunciation of Every day and Everyday.

The main difference in pronunciation between every day and everyday is where the accent (or word stress) is placed.

Everyday: the stress is on the first syllable … EVeryday.
Every day: the stress is on the word day … every DAY.

Summary Chart

Next activities

Try our interactive game to practice the difference between Every day and Everyday.

See our notes about the difference between  All vs Every vs Each

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Extreme English Adjectives

Walking in those high heels looks pretty extreme to me, though I don’t think I’d go so far as to call it an extreme sport.  Speaking of extreme, I thought I’d pass along the following chart which shows some pretty useful extreme adjectives which you can be used when you want to really add a little more punch when modifying nouns in your speech or writing.

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Prepositions Practice

Take a look at the chart below and try your hand at the short quiz that follows.  Try taking a look around and see how many sentences you can write on your own – what do you see that is in, on, above, beside, above, etc.

The pen is  _____ the notebook. between on under in front of behind near in	The red ball is ______ the dog. on near under between in front of behind in
The brown dog is in front of on under near in between behind the box.	The panda is  _____ the lamps. near on in under between in front of behind
The apple is _____  the book and the pen. in on under between in front of behind near	The gray cat is _____ the purple box. in front of on under near in between behind
The pupil is _____ the door. between in on in front of behind under near	The presents are  _____ the table. in front of in near on under between behind
The girl is standing  ____  the board. under in on between near	Two people are ______ the  green car. in front of on under near in between behind
The pencil is  _____ the  big red apple. between in on under in front of	The girl is reading _____ the chair. in front of in near on under between behind
The chair is _____ the desk. on in near under between	My brother is sitting ______ the computer. near between in front of behind on under in
The ball is _____  the box and the bear. on in front of between under in near behind	Three pencils are ______ the pencil box. in under behind on in front of near between

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So just what part of speech is “SO”?

In verbal and written English, the word “so” has multiple functions. It can act as an adverb, a conjunction, a pronoun, an adjective, or an interjection depending on the context.

1. Adverb

 This word is classified under adverbs because it can modify an adjective, a verb, or another adverb. When used as an adverb, the word “so” usually express the degree. Take for example, the sentence below:

She had never been so excited.

In the given example, the word “so” is categorized as an adverb because it modifies the adjective “excited.”

Definition:

a. to an indicated or suggested extent or degree

• Example:
• He looked so handsome.

 b. in a manner or way indicated or suggested

• Example:
• Do you really think so?

   2.    Conjunction

Another common usage of the word “so” is as a conjunction that also means “therefore.” When used as a conjunction, this word usually connects together two clauses to form a single sentence. In the sample sentence below:

It was still painful, so I went to the doctor.

The word “so” acts as a conjunction that links together the clauses “it was still painful” and “I went to the doctor.”

Definition:

a. and for this reason; therefore

• Example:
• I don’t want to go, so I won’t.

b. with the aim that; in order that

• Example:
• He whispered to her so that no one else will hear.

   3.    Pronoun

Sometimes, this word is classified as a pronoun because it can be used to substitute something that has been mentioned earlier. In this example:

If you need to make changes, do so while it’s still early.

The word “so” is used to replace “to make changes,” and is therefore considered as a pronoun.

Definition:

a. used to refer to something that has just been stated or suggested

• Example:
• If you have to file a complaint, do so as soon as possible.

    4.    Adjective

Other times, the word “so” is considered as an adjective when it modifies a noun. When used as an adjective, the word can also mean “true.” For example, in the sentence below:

She said things that were not so.

The word “so” is classified as an adjective because it modifies the noun “things.”

Definition:

a. agreeing with actual facts

• Example:
• His books are always just so.

   5.    Interjection

In some cases, the word “so” is also categorized under interjections because it can express short bursts of emotions. In the sample sentence below:

So look who’s here!

The word “so” is considered as an interjection that expresses surprise.

Definition:

a. used to express surprise or comprehension

• Example:
• So you’ve finished your assignment at last!

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Do you know the difference between a sewing machine and a kiss?

Do you know the difference between a sewing machine and a kiss?

One sews seams nice and the other seems so nice.

It may take you a minute to get it, thanks to two homophones – seam/seem and sew/so in the sentence.

This word set can be confusing, even for word geeks. Let’s start with the basics. A homograph is a word that has the same spelling as another word but has a different sound and a different meaning:

lead (to go in front of)/lead (a metal)

wind (to follow a course that is not straight)/wind (a gust of air)

bass (low, deep sound)/bass (a type of fish)

A homophone is a word that has the same sound as another word but is spelled differently and has a different meaning:

to/two/too

there/their/they’re

pray/prey

Not so bad, right? The ending –graph means drawn or written, so a homograph has the same spelling. The –phone ending means sound or voice, so a homophone has the same pronunciation. But here’s where it gets tricky. Depending on whom you talk to, homonym means either:

A word that is spelled like another but has a different sound and meaning (homograph); a word that sounds like another but has a different spelling and meaning (homophone)

OR

A word that is spelled and pronounced like another but has a different meaning (homograph and homophone)

So does a homonym have to be both a homograph and a homophone, or can it be just one or the other? As with most things in life, it depends on whom you ask.

In the strictest sense, a homonym must be both a homograph and a homophone. So say many dictionaries. However, other dictionaries allow that a homonym can be a homograph or a homophone.

It is important to continue to build your vocabulary and also spend time reading, listening and having English conversations to increase your exposure to the many different usages of words with different meanings, even if they are spelled the same or sound the same – you will know by context and experience their meaning and thus the intent of the speaker or writer.

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To Be or Not To Be

“To be, or not to be, that is the question…” is the opening phrase of a soliloquy (suh–lil–uh-kwee – a speech to oneself, someone talks to himself) in the “Nunnery Scene” of William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet.  In the speech, a despondent (sad, deeply troubled) or feigning (feyning – acting or pretending, putting on an appearance) Prince Hamlet contemplates death and suicide. He bemoans the pains and unfairness of life but acknowledges the alternative might be still worse.