Countable/Uncountable nouns.
What is an uncountable noun?
It’s a noun that one can’t count or unitize example, sugar / coffee / fruit whereas a countable noun can be counted example, a pen / a car. Uncountable nouns are always singular e.g. fruit is good for you.
So you can count cars, example there are 10 cars in the parking lot but you can’t count sugar. Countable nouns can be singular or plural.
We use the indefinite article a before single countable nouns but we can’t use it before uncountable nouns.
I have a pen √
I have a sugar ×
Instead we must use the determiner some.
Positive sentences use ‘some’
I have some sugar in the cupboard.
Negative / interrogative sentences use any in both countable plural and uncountable nouns.
I don’t have any sugar - uncountable
Do you have any brothers and sisters in your family? – countable plural
We can only use the indefinite article a or an before countable singular nouns.
I have a friend who lives in China.
If we are requesting or offering something we use ‘some’ in questions.
Would you like some more coffee?
Could I have some more milk please?
I have a spare pen if you need it.
If you want to measure uncountable nouns you must use a expression like, a bottle of / a cup of /3 bottles of etc.
I’d like a cup of coffee please.
I’d like 2 cups of coffee please.
Something / somebody/someone and anything / anybody / anyone
The same rules as above apply.
I know someone who speaks French - positive sentence
Would you like something to eat? – request
She doesn’t know anyone who speaks Russian here
Do you know anything about our teacher?
A lot/ much / many
We use much + uncountable noun – in negatives / question sentences
I don’t have much time to spend with you
How much money do you have?
How much time do you have?
Sorry, I don’t have any time or not much.
Whereas we use a lot in positive sentences in both plural nouns and uncountable nouns.
I have a lot of money in the bank
I have a lot of friends in Dublin
Many: We use many with plural countable nouns in negative / question sentences.
Do you have many friends in Dublin?
I don’t have many friends in Dublin
I’ve got many friends in Dublin
A lot can be used with all types of sentences
Do you have a lot of friends in Dublin?
I don’t have a lot of friends in Dublin
I’ve got a lot of friends in Dublin
A little is used with uncountable nouns
I drank a little wine with my dinner.
A few is used with countable plural nouns
I read a few books during my holidays….
Friday, May 13, 2011
articles
Articles:
1.
You use the indefinite article a/ an as we saw above with countable singular nouns.
I have a pen.
I’d love an orange.
2.
Describing jobs:
He’s a doctor.
She is a student
3.
When we talk about something for the first time..
I have a brother who lives in Cork.
4.
When we describe something / someone
He is a nice guy
Cork is a very beautiful city
She is beautiful ×
She is a beautiful girl √
Definite articles (the)
1.
when something is unique – only one exists
The moon /The sun
The president of Ireland
2.
When you talk about something that was already mentioned before.
I saw a man in Grafton street playing and singing today.
The man was dressed like Clown and he was giving sweets to the kids.
3.
When it is clear which thing or person we mean.
Turn off the tv and the lights please before you go to bed.
Can you close the door please – (you know which door )
4.
Certain geographic places
The liffey, the Amazon etc.
The andes, the Philippines
The Hilton
5.
Describing a group of people,
The rich / the poor
The French / the irish…
6.
Superlatives
the most expensive/ the smallest / the cheapest etc
7.
Musical instruments
I play the guitar
No articles:
1.
abstract nouns / uncountable nouns and plural nouns used in a general sense.
Love makes the world go around
Money is a necessary evil
People only think of themselves
Cars are very expensive to run
2.
most geographic names / street names
I went to France last week.
I adore Paris.
3.
certain places / institutions / names of people / shops / days of the week / months of the year
I went to Hospital last night
1.
You use the indefinite article a/ an as we saw above with countable singular nouns.
I have a pen.
I’d love an orange.
2.
Describing jobs:
He’s a doctor.
She is a student
3.
When we talk about something for the first time..
I have a brother who lives in Cork.
4.
When we describe something / someone
He is a nice guy
Cork is a very beautiful city
She is beautiful ×
She is a beautiful girl √
Definite articles (the)
1.
when something is unique – only one exists
The moon /The sun
The president of Ireland
2.
When you talk about something that was already mentioned before.
I saw a man in Grafton street playing and singing today.
The man was dressed like Clown and he was giving sweets to the kids.
3.
When it is clear which thing or person we mean.
Turn off the tv and the lights please before you go to bed.
Can you close the door please – (you know which door )
4.
Certain geographic places
The liffey, the Amazon etc.
The andes, the Philippines
The Hilton
5.
Describing a group of people,
The rich / the poor
The French / the irish…
6.
Superlatives
the most expensive/ the smallest / the cheapest etc
7.
Musical instruments
I play the guitar
No articles:
1.
abstract nouns / uncountable nouns and plural nouns used in a general sense.
Love makes the world go around
Money is a necessary evil
People only think of themselves
Cars are very expensive to run
2.
most geographic names / street names
I went to France last week.
I adore Paris.
3.
certain places / institutions / names of people / shops / days of the week / months of the year
I went to Hospital last night
determiners a/ an / some / much / any / many / much / a few / a little
Countable/Uncountable nouns.
What is an uncountable noun?
It’s a noun that one can’t count or unitize example, sugar / coffee / fruit whereas a countable noun can be counted example, a pen / a car. Uncountable nouns are always singular e.g. fruit is good for you.
So you can count cars, example there are 10 cars in the parking lot but you can’t count sugar. Countable nouns can be singular or plural.
We use the indefinite article a before single countable nouns but we can’t use it before uncountable nouns.
I have a pen √
I have a sugar ×
Instead we must use the determiner some.
Positive sentences use ‘some’
I have some sugar in the cupboard.
Negative / interrogative sentences use any in both countable plural and uncountable nouns.
I don’t have any sugar - uncountable
Do you have any brothers and sisters in your family? – countable plural
We can only use the indefinite article a or an before countable singular nouns.
I have a friend who lives in China.
If we are requesting or offering something we use ‘some’ in questions.
Would you like some more coffee?
Could I have some more milk please?
I have a spare pen if you need it.
If you want to measure uncountable nouns you must use a expression like, a bottle of / a cup of /3 bottles of etc.
I’d like a cup of coffee please.
I’d like 2 cups of coffee please.
Something / somebody/someone and anything / anybody / anyone
The same rules as above apply.
I know someone who speaks French - positive sentence
Would you like something to eat? – request
She doesn’t know anyone who speaks Russian here
Do you know anything about our teacher?
A lot/ much / many
We use much + uncountable noun – in negatives / question sentences
I don’t have much time to spend with you
How much money do you have?
How much time do you have?
Sorry, I don’t have any time or not much.
Whereas we use a lot in positive sentences in both plural nouns and uncountable nouns.
I have a lot of money in the bank
I have a lot of friends in Dublin
Many: We use many with plural countable nouns in negative / question sentences.
Do you have many friends in Dublin?
I don’t have many friends in Dublin
I’ve got many friends in Dublin
A lot can be used with all types of sentences
Do you have a lot of friends in Dublin?
I don’t have a lot of friends in Dublin
I’ve got a lot of friends in Dublin
A little is used with uncountable nouns
I drank a little wine with my dinner.
A few is used with countable plural nouns
I read a few books during my holidays….
What is an uncountable noun?
It’s a noun that one can’t count or unitize example, sugar / coffee / fruit whereas a countable noun can be counted example, a pen / a car. Uncountable nouns are always singular e.g. fruit is good for you.
So you can count cars, example there are 10 cars in the parking lot but you can’t count sugar. Countable nouns can be singular or plural.
We use the indefinite article a before single countable nouns but we can’t use it before uncountable nouns.
I have a pen √
I have a sugar ×
Instead we must use the determiner some.
Positive sentences use ‘some’
I have some sugar in the cupboard.
Negative / interrogative sentences use any in both countable plural and uncountable nouns.
I don’t have any sugar - uncountable
Do you have any brothers and sisters in your family? – countable plural
We can only use the indefinite article a or an before countable singular nouns.
I have a friend who lives in China.
If we are requesting or offering something we use ‘some’ in questions.
Would you like some more coffee?
Could I have some more milk please?
I have a spare pen if you need it.
If you want to measure uncountable nouns you must use a expression like, a bottle of / a cup of /3 bottles of etc.
I’d like a cup of coffee please.
I’d like 2 cups of coffee please.
Something / somebody/someone and anything / anybody / anyone
The same rules as above apply.
I know someone who speaks French - positive sentence
Would you like something to eat? – request
She doesn’t know anyone who speaks Russian here
Do you know anything about our teacher?
A lot/ much / many
We use much + uncountable noun – in negatives / question sentences
I don’t have much time to spend with you
How much money do you have?
How much time do you have?
Sorry, I don’t have any time or not much.
Whereas we use a lot in positive sentences in both plural nouns and uncountable nouns.
I have a lot of money in the bank
I have a lot of friends in Dublin
Many: We use many with plural countable nouns in negative / question sentences.
Do you have many friends in Dublin?
I don’t have many friends in Dublin
I’ve got many friends in Dublin
A lot can be used with all types of sentences
Do you have a lot of friends in Dublin?
I don’t have a lot of friends in Dublin
I’ve got a lot of friends in Dublin
A little is used with uncountable nouns
I drank a little wine with my dinner.
A few is used with countable plural nouns
I read a few books during my holidays….
Monday, April 18, 2011
Help with Articles:
Vey important for good writing so well worth the effort.
1.
You use the indefinite article a/ an as we saw above with countable singular nouns.
I have a pen.
I’d love an orange.
2.
Describing jobs:
He’s a doctor.
She is a student
3.
When we talk about something for the first time..
I have a brother who lives in Cork.
4.
When we describe something / someone
He is a nice guy
Cork is a very beautiful city
She is beautiful ×
She is a beautiful girl √
Definite articles (the)
1.
when something is unique – only one exists
The moon /The sun
The president of Ireland
2.
When you talk about something that was already mentioned before.
I saw a man in Grafton street playing and singing today.
The man was dressed like Clown and he was giving sweets to the kids.
3.
When it is clear which thing or person we mean.
Turn off the tv and the lights please before you go to bed.
Can you close the door please – (you know which door )
4.
Certain geographic places
The liffey, the Amazon etc.
The andes, the Philippines
The Hilton
5.
Describing a group of people,
The rich / the poor
The French / the irish…
6.
Superlatives
the most expensive/ the smallest / the cheapest etc
7.
Musical instruments
I play the guitar
No articles:
1.
abstract nouns / uncountable nouns and plural nouns used in a general sense.
Love makes the world go around
Money is a necessary evil
People only think of themselves
Cars are very expensive to run
2.
most geographic names / street names
I went to France last week.
I adore Paris.
3.
certain places / institutions / names of people / shops / days of the week / months of the year
I went to Hospital last night
Vey important for good writing so well worth the effort.
1.
You use the indefinite article a/ an as we saw above with countable singular nouns.
I have a pen.
I’d love an orange.
2.
Describing jobs:
He’s a doctor.
She is a student
3.
When we talk about something for the first time..
I have a brother who lives in Cork.
4.
When we describe something / someone
He is a nice guy
Cork is a very beautiful city
She is beautiful ×
She is a beautiful girl √
Definite articles (the)
1.
when something is unique – only one exists
The moon /The sun
The president of Ireland
2.
When you talk about something that was already mentioned before.
I saw a man in Grafton street playing and singing today.
The man was dressed like Clown and he was giving sweets to the kids.
3.
When it is clear which thing or person we mean.
Turn off the tv and the lights please before you go to bed.
Can you close the door please – (you know which door )
4.
Certain geographic places
The liffey, the Amazon etc.
The andes, the Philippines
The Hilton
5.
Describing a group of people,
The rich / the poor
The French / the irish…
6.
Superlatives
the most expensive/ the smallest / the cheapest etc
7.
Musical instruments
I play the guitar
No articles:
1.
abstract nouns / uncountable nouns and plural nouns used in a general sense.
Love makes the world go around
Money is a necessary evil
People only think of themselves
Cars are very expensive to run
2.
most geographic names / street names
I went to France last week.
I adore Paris.
3.
certain places / institutions / names of people / shops / days of the week / months of the year
I went to Hospital last night
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
countable / uncountable nouns
What is an uncountable noun?
It’s a noun that one can’t count or unitize example, sugar / coffee whereas a countable noun can be counted example, a pen / a car.
Uncountable nouns are always singular.
So you can count cars, example there are 10 cars in the parking lot but you can’t count sugar. Countable nouns can be singular or plural.
We use the indefinite article a before countable nouns but we can’t use it before uncountable nouns.
I have a pen √
I have a sugar ×
Instead we must use the determiner some or any before uncountable nouns.
Positive sentences use ‘ some’
I have some sugar
Negative / interrogative sentences use any
I don’t have any sugar
Do you have any brothers and sisters in your family?
If we are requesting or offering something we use ‘some’ in questions.
Would you like some more coffee?
Could I have some more milk please?
We can also use some / any before plural countable nouns but we can only use the indefinite article a before countable singular nouns.
I have some pens here.
I don’t have any pens to lend you.
I have a spare pen if you need it.
If you want to measure uncountable nouns you must use a expression like, a bottle of / a cup of /3 bottles of etc.
I’d like a cup of coffee please.
I’d like 2 cups of coffee please.
Something / somebody/someone and anything / anybody / anyone
The same rules as above apply.
I know someone who speaks French - positive sentence
Would you like something to eat? – request
She doesn’t know anyone who speaks Russian here
Do you know anything about our teacher?
A lot/ much / many
We use much + uncountable noun – in negatives / question sentences
I don’t have much time to spend with you
How much money do you have?
Whereas we use a lot in positive sentences both plural nouns and uncountable nouns.
I have a lot of money in the bank
I have a lot of friends in Dublin
Many: We use many with plural nouns
Do you have many friends in Dublin?
I don’t have many friends in Dublin
I’ve got many friends in Dublin
A lot can be used with all types of sentences
Do you have a lot of friends in Dublin
I don’t have a lot of friends in Dublin
I’ve got a lot of friends in Dublin
A little is used with uncountable nouns
I drank a little wine with my dinner.
A few is used with countable nouns
I read a few books during my holidays….
It’s a noun that one can’t count or unitize example, sugar / coffee whereas a countable noun can be counted example, a pen / a car.
Uncountable nouns are always singular.
So you can count cars, example there are 10 cars in the parking lot but you can’t count sugar. Countable nouns can be singular or plural.
We use the indefinite article a before countable nouns but we can’t use it before uncountable nouns.
I have a pen √
I have a sugar ×
Instead we must use the determiner some or any before uncountable nouns.
Positive sentences use ‘ some’
I have some sugar
Negative / interrogative sentences use any
I don’t have any sugar
Do you have any brothers and sisters in your family?
If we are requesting or offering something we use ‘some’ in questions.
Would you like some more coffee?
Could I have some more milk please?
We can also use some / any before plural countable nouns but we can only use the indefinite article a before countable singular nouns.
I have some pens here.
I don’t have any pens to lend you.
I have a spare pen if you need it.
If you want to measure uncountable nouns you must use a expression like, a bottle of / a cup of /3 bottles of etc.
I’d like a cup of coffee please.
I’d like 2 cups of coffee please.
Something / somebody/someone and anything / anybody / anyone
The same rules as above apply.
I know someone who speaks French - positive sentence
Would you like something to eat? – request
She doesn’t know anyone who speaks Russian here
Do you know anything about our teacher?
A lot/ much / many
We use much + uncountable noun – in negatives / question sentences
I don’t have much time to spend with you
How much money do you have?
Whereas we use a lot in positive sentences both plural nouns and uncountable nouns.
I have a lot of money in the bank
I have a lot of friends in Dublin
Many: We use many with plural nouns
Do you have many friends in Dublin?
I don’t have many friends in Dublin
I’ve got many friends in Dublin
A lot can be used with all types of sentences
Do you have a lot of friends in Dublin
I don’t have a lot of friends in Dublin
I’ve got a lot of friends in Dublin
A little is used with uncountable nouns
I drank a little wine with my dinner.
A few is used with countable nouns
I read a few books during my holidays….
Monday, March 7, 2011
past continuous
Past Continuous?
Positive Structure:
Was /were + (verb + ing)
I was watching tv last night at 8pm
You were watching ….
He/she was watching tv…
We were watching tv…
You were watching tv…
They were watching tv….
Negative:
I wasn’t watching…
You weren’t watching ..
He / she wasn’t watching tv
We weren’t watching tv
You weren’t watching
They weren’t watching tv…
Question?
Was I watching tv last night at 8pm
Were you watching tv…
Was he / she watching tv…
Were we atching tv…
Were you watching tv..
Were they watching tv?
Uses:
We use it 2 describe a continuous action in the past as opposed to a single action in the past (past simple).
Example:
Last night I was reading a book at 10pm
Last night I read a book about Gorillas.
We also use the past continuous when we contrast a short action (past simple) with a longer continuous action (past continuous) in the same sentence.
Examples:
While I was studying, the doorbell ran or
The doorbell rang while I was studying.
The while clause is always continuous so we use the past continuous here. It contrasts with the shorter action – doorbell ringing – past simple.
Positive Structure:
Was /were + (verb + ing)
I was watching tv last night at 8pm
You were watching ….
He/she was watching tv…
We were watching tv…
You were watching tv…
They were watching tv….
Negative:
I wasn’t watching…
You weren’t watching ..
He / she wasn’t watching tv
We weren’t watching tv
You weren’t watching
They weren’t watching tv…
Question?
Was I watching tv last night at 8pm
Were you watching tv…
Was he / she watching tv…
Were we atching tv…
Were you watching tv..
Were they watching tv?
Uses:
We use it 2 describe a continuous action in the past as opposed to a single action in the past (past simple).
Example:
Last night I was reading a book at 10pm
Last night I read a book about Gorillas.
We also use the past continuous when we contrast a short action (past simple) with a longer continuous action (past continuous) in the same sentence.
Examples:
While I was studying, the doorbell ran or
The doorbell rang while I was studying.
The while clause is always continuous so we use the past continuous here. It contrasts with the shorter action – doorbell ringing – past simple.
past simple tense
Past Simple:
Again we have positive, negative and interrogative sentences.
Positive Sentences:
We have regular and irregular verbs:
Regular verbs end in /ed/ or /d/
Example:
Yesterday I played football
Yesterday I decided to do my homework!
Irregular verbs:
Lots - so please check the handout outlining the irregular verbs.
Example:
Yesterday, I ate a hamburger.
Uses:
The past simple is any action or state in the past with no connection to now. We usually know an action is in the past simple by recognizing the following finished time adverbs: yesterday, last month, 10 minutes ago, in 1999, when I was a young boy/ girl etc.
Negative Sentences:
We use the auxiliary verb didn’t + infinitive
Example:
Yesterday, I didn’t do my homework √
Yesterday I didn’t go to school √
Careful:
Yesterday, I didn’t did my homework ×
Yesterday, I didn’t went to school ×
Interrogative Sentences:
Did + Infinitive?
Example:
Did you do your homework last night?
Did you go to school yesterday?
Point:
Did he played golf yesterday? ×
Did he play golf yesterday? √
More complex interrogative sentences:
What did you do last night?
Where did you go last weekend?
Why did you hurt me last night?
How many pints did you drink last night?
How much money did you spend last night?
Exception:
To be
The verb to be is the exception to the norm as we don’t use the auxiliary verbs did / didn’t + infinitive like the regular / irregular verbs mentioned above.
I was at home last night
You were right about the match
He / She /It was upset yesterday
We were wrong
You were great
They were delicious
Negative:
I wasn’t
You weren’t
He / She /It wasn’t
We weren’t
You weren’t
They weren’t
Interrogative:
Was I ?
Were you?
Was he / she / it?
Were we / you / they?
More complex questions:
Why were you sad last night?
Where were you last night when I called?
How was the match?
How much was it?
How many were in the stadium?
Again we have positive, negative and interrogative sentences.
Positive Sentences:
We have regular and irregular verbs:
Regular verbs end in /ed/ or /d/
Example:
Yesterday I played football
Yesterday I decided to do my homework!
Irregular verbs:
Lots - so please check the handout outlining the irregular verbs.
Example:
Yesterday, I ate a hamburger.
Uses:
The past simple is any action or state in the past with no connection to now. We usually know an action is in the past simple by recognizing the following finished time adverbs: yesterday, last month, 10 minutes ago, in 1999, when I was a young boy/ girl etc.
Negative Sentences:
We use the auxiliary verb didn’t + infinitive
Example:
Yesterday, I didn’t do my homework √
Yesterday I didn’t go to school √
Careful:
Yesterday, I didn’t did my homework ×
Yesterday, I didn’t went to school ×
Interrogative Sentences:
Did + Infinitive?
Example:
Did you do your homework last night?
Did you go to school yesterday?
Point:
Did he played golf yesterday? ×
Did he play golf yesterday? √
More complex interrogative sentences:
What did you do last night?
Where did you go last weekend?
Why did you hurt me last night?
How many pints did you drink last night?
How much money did you spend last night?
Exception:
To be
The verb to be is the exception to the norm as we don’t use the auxiliary verbs did / didn’t + infinitive like the regular / irregular verbs mentioned above.
I was at home last night
You were right about the match
He / She /It was upset yesterday
We were wrong
You were great
They were delicious
Negative:
I wasn’t
You weren’t
He / She /It wasn’t
We weren’t
You weren’t
They weren’t
Interrogative:
Was I ?
Were you?
Was he / she / it?
Were we / you / they?
More complex questions:
Why were you sad last night?
Where were you last night when I called?
How was the match?
How much was it?
How many were in the stadium?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
