AT : A Preposition of Place and Time

AT : A Preposition of Place and Time.

Nice brief and practical explanation for this sometimes confusing prepositon. Sure you’ll like it.

 

REVISE THE BASICS: How to form negative verb forms in English

Negative verb forms are made by putting not after an auxiliary verb. If there are two auxiliary verbs, not goes after the first.

 She has not been invited.  I have not forgotten that. She has not come.  They are not interested.  

She cannot sing. (Note that ‘cannot’ as one word is more common than ‘can not’; both forms are acceptable.)

 If there is no other auxiliary verb, we make negatives by putting do not (contracted form: don’t) before the verb.

 I do not like cricket. (NOT I like not cricket.) She does not like him.  I did not want to go.

 Note that do not is followed by the infinitive without to.  I did not go. (NOT I did not to go.)

In spoken English we often reduce not to n’t:

They don’t work very hard. They aren’t working hard.  They won’t be working hard. They hadn’t been working hard

 Do is not used with negative infinitives or –ing forms:

Remind me not to go there again. (NOT Remind me do not to go there again.)  I’m so sorry for not having called you back.

 

Negative imperatives are made with do not / don’t + infinitive without to. 

Do not make a noise. OR Don’t make a noise. (NOT Make not a noise.)  Don’t pluck flowers.  Don’t walk on the grass.

Do is not normally used with be. However, do can be used to make the negative imperative form of be.                Don’t be silly.

 Not and No

We use not to make a word or expression or clause negative.

Not surprisingly, we missed the train (NOT No surprisingly….). I can see you tomorrow, but not on Thursday.   I have not received his answer.

 We use no with a noun or –ing form to mean ‘not any’ or ‘not a/an’. It’s more emphatic.

Sorry, I’ve got no time. (I don’t have any time for you/for that). No teachers went on strike. (There weren’t any teachers on strike). I’ve got no Thursdays free this term. (… not any Thursdays….). I telephoned but there was no answer. (…. not an answer)

 At the beginning of a sentence, no is almost always used.

No cigarette is completely harmless. No tourists ever come to our village.

 

Double Trouble…….never use double negation

In standard English, we do not use not or do with other negative words like never, hardly, nothing, etc. (But this is common in some English dialects)

 He never works (NOT He does never work OR He doesn’t never work).      It hardly matters (NOT I doesn’t hardly matters). He said nothing (NOT He didn’t say nothing).  I’ve got no money (NOT I haven’t got no money)

 

GRAMMAR: Some of you need to revise the use of the English articles

ENGLISH ARTICLES: Definite, indefinite and zero article

Printable version here ; ‘Grammar reference on ‘The’ use and omission” here 

Here you will find all – or nearly all – the uses of the different English articles. We also include specific notes on the use of articles with abstract and generic nouns.

 1. The definite article “the” refers only to specific nouns.

It marks a noun phrase as definite that is, referring to something that can be identified uniquely in the contextual or general knowledge shared by speaker and hearer.

1.     ‘The’  may refer to a noun mentioned earlier (so it becomes specific and definite): Fred bought a radio and a tv-set , he returned the radio.

2.     ‘The’ may also refer to a noun specified by the following sentence: I’m trying to find the book that I wanted to show you.

Other uses to take into account are:

1.     In connection to the immediate situation, present and visible: Can you see the bird sitting on the lower branch?

2.     It may refer to a large situation; assumptions about general knowledge: In the dark we couldn’t see what the countryside looked like. I won’t come by car, I’ll take the train.

3.     With reference to parts of the body, in prepositional phrases instead of the possessive. He grabbed me by the arm.

4.     Logical and grammatical factors: nouns premodified by superlatives, ordinals and similar restrictive items will be made logically unique:  He is the best guitarist of all times. I was the first to arrive. She was the sole survivor. 

5. With musical instruments: Can he play the piano?

6. With national or ethnic groups: The Chinese are very hard working people.

7. With nouns deriving from adjectives with human reference: the blind, the unemployed, the poor, the rich (plural invariable)

2. The indefinite article is used when we refer to something that is not unique or identifiable to start with.

I’m going to move into an apartment quite near where you live.

It is associated with the first time we mention something. A subsequent mention would need the definite article “the”:

She lost a camera, a radio and a purse; though fortunately the purse contained very little money and the camera was insured.

3. The zero article (no article needed) is used in the following situations:

1.     Definite meaning: similarly to “the”, specifying a unique referent: As (the) chairman, I must rule you out of order.

2.     With plural countable and noncount nouns.  Quantification would be expressed by ‘some’ or ‘any’:  Coffee can be bought almost everywhere. Some coffee will wake you up. Roses are my favourite type of flower.

3.    In idioms relating to:

1. Specific places		He must be in/go to school, town, bed, church, prison.Institutions are specific places, no need to use ‘the’.
2. with seasons		In spring we like to clean the house.We visit my parents for Christmas and at Easter.
3. with meals		Breakfast was delicious. He’s preparing dinner by himself.
4. with diseases		He’s dying of pneumonia. Appendicitis nearly killed him. (specially with technical medical names, except ‘the mumps’ and ‘the measles’ ‘)
5. with time expressions		By/at night/day. At midday/midnight/dawn.  After dark/nightfall. Before dawn/dusk.
6. Transport and communication	We’ll go/travel/come by train/bus, car, plane, bicycle. ( but also: We’ll take the train.)Send it by telex, post, mail, satellite, fax.
7. Fixed phrases and complex prepositions	by heart, on foot, in case of , out of step.
8. Binominal expressions used adverbially	hand in hand, mile after mile, day in day out, eye to eye.

 4. Article usage with abstract nouns

Abstract nouns can be treated as countable or uncountable nouns and go with or without articles.

As uncountable nouns – no article: when they refer to activities, states, qualities.

He is studying European history.  Peace of mind helps people live longer.   Injustice was widespread within the judicial system itself. Her body was racked with grief.

As countable nouns – article:  when they refer to specific events:

The country has had a troubled history. The storm upset my peace of mind. He implored the judge to correct the injustice. It was a grief he had never felt before.

5. The English article in generic reference

We can refer to something countable in a generic way by using any of the three articles or by omitting the article altogether with plural nous (zero article):

               The car / a car / cars became an increasing necessity of life in the 20th century.

Generic reference with uncountable nouns and plural is formed with the zero article.

           Velvet is an excellent material for curtains. Children are an example of innocence.

NOTES:

• Zero is the most natural way of expressing the generic.
• The indefinite article tends to carry comparative meaning: Tigers run / a tiger runs more gracefully than most animals.
• “The” with singular nouns conveys a rather formal tone in generic use.

Distancing

Also “Hedging”

Hedging is something we do related to being vague and/or cautious for two very different reasons: because we want to be true/loyal to facts or just the opposite!

Sometimes you want to distance yourself from facts and opinions, because you don’t want to state a fact too categorically (politeness) and/or because you know you can’t prove it, and your message is not intended to be interpreted as The Truth.

Some people want to manipulate people’s opinion, and pretend they are scientific and informed but they know they aren’t! (pseudoscientific information in the media; news which pretend to be informed and aren’t, actually!).

For both of these very different communicative attitudes we have the resource of hedging. Consider these expressions:

It seems that…
It seems that the endless voilence in Iraq, does not allow foreign forces to leave the country. (The author might be cautious or just stating a possibility. He or she might also be critical of this, ironic, and thus he or she would imply he does not believe this to be true.)
It seems that the brains zones involved in the understanding of basic mathematical sentences are not the same as the one of the traditional, written, languages. (This is no evidence, the author is sharing with us his or her or such-n-such hypothesis.)

Similarly,

It appears that
It appears that there are still some people who refuse to recognize…
It appears that the new budget presented before the parliament last week …
It appears that the war in … set (notice: simple past) an important precedent in determining the geopolitical landscape.
It appears that the new budget has failed to meet the needs…

This appears to be
This appears to be an exact copy of…
This appears to be a highly unusual case and without further tests it is impossible to draw conclusions
This appears to be the most commonly used form in English language…

Negotiations seem to have broken down
Negotiations seem to have come to an end
Negotiations seem to be failing / going nowhere
Negotiations seem to be moving ahead at a steady pace / going smoothly
Negotiations seem to be going on again
Negotiations seem to be deadlocked, but there is a possibility of advance…
Negotiations seem to have moved away from the public arena into the process of informal consultations between key countries facilitated by
A ceasefire seems to be possible now that…
A ceasefire seems to have been reached
A ceasefire seems to be coming
A ceasefire seems to be the only way people can gain protection

(More distance: use “would”)
It would appear that
It would seem that certain behaviors are inevitable
They would seem to be

(Using the passive)
It is widely recognized that
At present, it is widely recognized that personal and professional development is one of the most decisive motivations in job performance.
It is widely recognized that this problem can be solved through the …
It is widely recognized that quality is fundamental to…
It is widely recognized that the most effective form of … / way to …

It is not known whether
It is believed that (cf. People think, Experts believe)
It is said that (cf. People say, Experts say)
It has been shown that (cf. “A team of scientists led by So-n-So at the University of Whatever, (Country), studied Whatever)

(With noun phrases)
There is little doubt that
There is some doubt that
There is no doubt that
There is some evidence

Prepositions

It is easy and very common to misuse prepositions, such as to, of , from and at after a word. Click on the following links for some advice and practice:

Secrets to Using Prepositions in English

Prepositions of Time and Place

At: the preposition of Time and Place

Preposition Combinations

This “Cheat Sheet of Proper Prepositions (prepositional phrases)” will help you use the correct preposition for a word.  (Mind you!  as this is a very complete list, do just use the phrases you think are going to be useful to you according to your level, right?)

Quizzes:

Prepositions of Place – in / at / on
Prepositions of Movement – in / to / at / nothing
Prepositions – for / while / during
Prepositions of time and date – in / on / at
Prepositional Phrases

Grammar Review Quizzes by Level

These English grammar review quizzes provide questions that cover the most important grammar points for each level. Correct answers are provided after each question and a total score is given with feedback at the end of the test.

Beginning Level English Grammar Review
Lower Intermediate Level English Grammar Review
Intermediate Level English Grammar Review
Advanced Level English Grammar Review

By K. Beare, About.com Guide   June 20, 2011

A great site for vocabulary…. an more

http://www.elearnenglishlanguage.com/

by Laura K. Lawless

Thanks Laura!!

THE EXPRESSION OF FUTURE TIME: verb tenses and other linguistic elements

VERBAL FORMS TO EXPRESS FUTURE TIME

1. THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

1. When we refer to future events which are seen as absolutely certain or fixed events:
 Tomorrow is Friday.
 The term starts at the beginning of October.
 He retires next month.

2. Used in subordinate time clauses and ‘if’ clauses:
 When / Before / If he arrives late again, his boss will be very upset.

Other conjunctions: after, as, once, until, as soon as, even if, unless, as long as.

3. That-clauses with hope, assume, suppose, etc.
 I hope the train isn’t late.

2. TO BE GOING TO + inf.

1. Plans + intentions: something you have already decided to do generally as a result of a present situation:
 I’m going to start an English course.
 My sister is going to adopt a child, she can’t have her own.
 I’m not going (to go) to NY next year, I’ve been denied my grant.
 They were going to fix the roof, but it started to rain.

2. Predictions:
 I think it’s going to rain.
 They are going to win, I’m sure.

3. If something is about to happen (causative factors):
 He’s going to crash (I can see him going towards a tree)
 I’m feeling sick, I think I’m going to faint.

3. PRESENT CONTINUOUS/PROGRESSIVE

1. Future arrangements (programmed plans): when a time / place has been agreed.
 They’re meeting at 9.
 She’s leaving on Friday.
 I’m coming back soon.

Present cont. or  ‘going to’ for future arrangements? The difference between the two forms is that ‘going to’ shows that you have made a decision and the present cont. emphasizes that you have already made the arrangements.
 We are going to get married in the summer.
 We are getting married on July.

4. SIMPLE FUTURE: WILL / SHALL + bare infinitive (inf. without ‘to’)
Will and Shall are auxiliary verbs used to form the future simple and continuous.

‘Shall’ is used with the first person singular and plural and ‘will’ with the rest. This difference disappears when we use their contraction “ ’ll ”. In modern English, specially in spoken English, the use of ‘will’ is spreading to the first person singular and plural, as well. However, If not contracted, I recommend the use of ‘shall’ with the first person singular and plural.

Its meaning about the future is neutral, that is, we do not know when the action will happen, what we care of is that it will happen in the future. However, we may specify when something will happen by adding adverbials (tomorrow, next week, as soon as possible, when my sister comes, etc.).

We may use the simple future form in the following cases:

1. Instant decisions at the moment of speaking:
 I’ll have the steak.
 I’ll get a taxi, don’t worry.
2. Offers and request (polite):
 Shall I help you carry your case?
 I’ll open the door for you, madam.
3. Suggestions:
 Shall we go to the cinema this evening? I’ll pick you up at 6.
4. Promises:
 I won’t let you down.
 I won’t tell anybody where you are.
5. Predictions and personal opinions:
 I think it’ll rain.
 You’ll love the film. (also going to)
6. If clauses and Time clauses
 If you press the button, the machine will work.
 When you call me, I’ll come immediately.

5. FUTURE CONTINUOUS: WILL / SHALL + be + ing (or present participle)

1- Planned or expected future events: We can use the future continuous to say that something will be happening at a particular time in the future. There is an intention or expectation implied.
 How will you be getting to the airport?
 What time will you be having breakfast?
 I’ll be sunbathing on the beach this time next week.
 I hope everything goes well at the exam. I’ll be thinking of you.
 The train will be arriving soon (here also ‘is arriving soon’)
 I’ll be coming back to visit at some point, I expect.

2- Polite questions about plans and arrangements.
 Will you be staying here long? Will she be joining us for dinner?

3- It can also be used in connection with a present situation to express possibility and probability:
 Don’t call her now, she will be sleeping.

6. THE FUTURE PERFECT: WILL / SHALL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
It is used for an action which at a given future time will be in the past or will just have finished. It is generally used with a time expression beginning with ‘by’:

 By the end of next week he will have been here for 10 years.

7. THE FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS OR PROGRESSIVE: WILL / SHALL + HAVE BEEN + ING (PRESENT PARTICIPLE)
Like the future perfect, it is used with a time expression beginning with ‘by’:

 By the end of this year he will have been acting for 30 years.

8. PHRASES REFERING TO THE FUTURE

BE LIKELY TO
BE SET TO
BE CERTAIN TO
BE BOUND TO
BE DUE TO
BE ABOUT TO
BE ON THE VERGE / POINT/ BRINK OF

 He’s likely to receive an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
 She’s on the verge of leaving her husband.
 Their new album is due to come out in March.

9. THE FUTURE IN THE PAST

We can express the future seen from a viewpoint in the past. We use the past tenses of the verb forms we would usually use to talk about the future.

 They were going to punish him, when he escaped. (They are going to punish him for that)
 The priceless tapestry was about to catch fire, but the firemen saved it. (The tapestry is going to catch fire!)

Observe how its meaning usually carries the knowledge that the anticipated happening did not take place.

We also find these forms when we are reporting:

 She said she was going to come, but she never turned up

Be careful with time expressions! Notice that they change when we use the future in the past:

 There was going to be a meeting the following day. (There is going to be a meeting tomorrow)

2010 “twenty ten” or “two thousand (and) ten”?

So what are you calling it – “twenty ten” or “two thousand (and) ten”? Both are possible but there does seem to be a preference for “twenty ten”. The BBC has gone for “twenty ten” and there’s even a Facebook group called “It’s Twenty-ten, not Two-thousand and ten” that has 5,796 members, arguing that it’s easier, faster, and shorter to say.
After a decade of two thousand and this, two thousand and that – English native speakers have come to their senses.

“The English language counts the centuries in hundreds, not thousands, ten-oh-one, eleven-oh-one, twelve-oh-one, and so on until we get to nineteen-oh-one, twenty-oh-one — and in due course, twenty-one-oh-one.”

So the wretched two-thousand-and-nine at last makes way for the glorious twenty-ten.

So that’s that, then. The London Olympics? Twenty-twelve. Agreed?
On which note, a happy twenty-ten to you all.

Adapted from Robin Lustig

HOMOPHONES- same sound, different meaning

Take a look at this link for an interesting list of English homophones:

http://www.learnenglish.de/homophones/Homophones.htm#No94