As you know there are four conditionals in English, the zero, the first, the second and the third, in this lesson I would like to look at first conditional.
Lets start this lesson by considering the following:
If you study this lesson you will learn how to use the first conditional, if you learn the first conditional, your English will be better, if your English is better, you will be a student of SmartLanguageSolutions.com!
The above sentences are examples of the first conditional and as you can from the sentences the first conditional is used to express a possible condition and its possible result.
Like all conditionals the first conditional has two parts, the condition and its result.
The condition is formed by If + present simple, for example:
"If it rains..."
"If you study this lesson..."
and "If I see John..."
The result is formed by Will + the base of the verb:
"...I will stay at home"
"...you will learn how to use the first conditional"
"...I will tell him"
To complete the conditional sentences:
"If it rains, I will stay at home"
"If you study this lesson, you will learn how to use the first conditional"
"It I see John, I will tell him"
It is possible to use "shall", "can" or "may" instead of "will".
"If it rains, I shall stay at home"
"It I see John, I can tell him"
"If you leave now you may catch the bus"
When we use "may" in the result we are expressing a possibility while when we use "will" we are expressing a certainty.
Remember the first conditional is used to express a possible conditional and its possible result.
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Showing posts with label English grammar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English grammar. Show all posts
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Friday, 19 March 2010
To make a horlicks.
The health care company GalxoSmithKiine, make a malt milk drink called Horlicks, which is marketed in the UK, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, Pakistan and Jamaica.
Traditionally in the UK Horlicks is taken at night just before going to sleep, in the same way as British people take coco or hot chocolate.
However in the English language Horlicks can also be used to describe a minor disaster or shambles, it is normally combined with the verb "To Make"
For example, "Oh my, did you see the football game last night, our team made a horlicks of the defence!"
In this example the speaker is suggesting that the team the speaker supports had a disastrous game, especially in defence.
Using horlicks in this manner is not considered offensive, and was in fact used in 2003 by the
Learn English correctly @ the online language school, SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
To call time
The other day I was teaching a class and while reading an article we came across the following phrase:
"To call time"
It was a phrase that no student had hear of before, so I felt it would be a good idea to explain it to you here in this blog.
The phrase "to call time" has its history in English and Irish bars/pub.
By law English and Irish bars/pubs must close by a certain time in the evening. When the closing time comes the bar person must shout "TIME" so that everyone in the bar knows it is time to close the bar.
The act of shouting "TIME" to tell everyone that it is now time to close the bar is know as, "to call time".
However the phrase, to call time, is now used in English to describe the moment when someone decides that something has come to an end.
For example:
"John Smith, the footballer, has called time on his career"
This means that John Smith has decided to finish playing football.
Or
"Ladies and gentlemen, I must call time on this meeting"
This means that the speaker, perhaps the chairman of the meeting, has decided that it is time to finish the meeting.
To call time = to end or to finish.
Learn more English online with Smart Language Solutions, find out more at www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
"To call time"
It was a phrase that no student had hear of before, so I felt it would be a good idea to explain it to you here in this blog.
The phrase "to call time" has its history in English and Irish bars/pub.
By law English and Irish bars/pubs must close by a certain time in the evening. When the closing time comes the bar person must shout "TIME" so that everyone in the bar knows it is time to close the bar.
The act of shouting "TIME" to tell everyone that it is now time to close the bar is know as, "to call time".
However the phrase, to call time, is now used in English to describe the moment when someone decides that something has come to an end.
For example:
"John Smith, the footballer, has called time on his career"
This means that John Smith has decided to finish playing football.
Or
"Ladies and gentlemen, I must call time on this meeting"
This means that the speaker, perhaps the chairman of the meeting, has decided that it is time to finish the meeting.
To call time = to end or to finish.
Learn more English online with Smart Language Solutions, find out more at www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Packed in like Sardines
The other night I was teaching a client in Moscow and he asked me to explain the phrase, "packed in like sardines" which he had heard was a good way to describe rush hour on the Moscow Metro, however he was a little unsure if it was an offensive phrase or not.
The phrase is not offensive and in fact comes from the business of food processing.
Sardines, as you know are a type of fish, and we normally buy our sardines in small tins. When we open a tin of sardines, its normal that there are a lot fish in the tin and there no free space.
Therefore the phrase packed in like sardines is used to describe a situation where people are in an area or space with little room to move.
So it is not offensive and in fact a very good way to describe the Moscow Metro during rush hour.
"Every morning I take the Metro to work, it is always full and there is no room to move because everyone is packed in like sardines."
Packed in Like sardines = No space to move
Learn more English online- SmartLanguageSolutions.com
The phrase is not offensive and in fact comes from the business of food processing.
Sardines, as you know are a type of fish, and we normally buy our sardines in small tins. When we open a tin of sardines, its normal that there are a lot fish in the tin and there no free space.
Therefore the phrase packed in like sardines is used to describe a situation where people are in an area or space with little room to move.
So it is not offensive and in fact a very good way to describe the Moscow Metro during rush hour.
"Every morning I take the Metro to work, it is always full and there is no room to move because everyone is packed in like sardines."
Packed in Like sardines = No space to move
Learn more English online- SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Using Will to express the future
When talking about the future we can use the verbs will, going to and the present continuous used with a future time point.
In this mini English lesson from www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com I am going to talk about using will to express the future.
Will has three different and distinct future uses in English, however in this mini lesson I will focus only one of the three uses.
In English Will is used to express promises and offers.
To use will as a promise:
"If you let watch TV now, I promise I will do the washing up tomorrow."
To use will as an offer:
"Oh sit down I will do the washing up for you."
As mentioned will has two other uses in English and you will find those uses explained in other blogs from www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Of course learning English is a two way interactive process, and the best place to learn online with live interactive English teachers is at www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
In this mini English lesson from www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com I am going to talk about using will to express the future.
Will has three different and distinct future uses in English, however in this mini lesson I will focus only one of the three uses.
In English Will is used to express promises and offers.
To use will as a promise:
"If you let watch TV now, I promise I will do the washing up tomorrow."
To use will as an offer:
"Oh sit down I will do the washing up for you."
As mentioned will has two other uses in English and you will find those uses explained in other blogs from www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Of course learning English is a two way interactive process, and the best place to learn online with live interactive English teachers is at www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Have to
In English when we want to express an obligation, we combine "have" and "to" with an infinitive (first from of the verb).
For example, "I have to be in work at 9AM"
Here you can see the construction "Have" + "to"+ "be"
Remember an obligation is something that comes from "outside" such as a rule or a law we obey.
"You have to drive at 30KM in the city centre"
"Do you have to wear a uniform?"
The past tense of "have to" is "had to" + infinitive.
When we use the past tense we express and obligation that we no longer do.
"When I was a child I had to make my bed in the morning"
The future of "have to" is "will + have + to" + infinitive.
We use the future tense to express a future obligation that we don't have at the moment.
"When I get to the airport tonight I will have to show my passport"
We hope this helps you.
If you have any questions please let us know.
Why not have a free interactive lesson with us! Go to www.smartlanguagesolutions.com and book a free trial lesson with us.
For example, "I have to be in work at 9AM"
Here you can see the construction "Have" + "to"+ "be"
Remember an obligation is something that comes from "outside" such as a rule or a law we obey.
"You have to drive at 30KM in the city centre"
"Do you have to wear a uniform?"
The past tense of "have to" is "had to" + infinitive.
When we use the past tense we express and obligation that we no longer do.
"When I was a child I had to make my bed in the morning"
The future of "have to" is "will + have + to" + infinitive.
We use the future tense to express a future obligation that we don't have at the moment.
"When I get to the airport tonight I will have to show my passport"
We hope this helps you.
If you have any questions please let us know.
Why not have a free interactive lesson with us! Go to www.smartlanguagesolutions.com and book a free trial lesson with us.
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
English Idiom – Packed in Like Sardines
This idiom is used across the English speaking world.
Packed in like sardines, is used to describe the situation when a place is very crowded.
“The night club was so full everyone was packed in like sardines.”
The idiom is sometimes spoken as “packed like sardines”
“The night club was so full everyone was packed like sardines”
Learn more English online and interactive with our professional teachers at www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com we look forward to meeting you soon.
Packed in like sardines, is used to describe the situation when a place is very crowded.
“The night club was so full everyone was packed in like sardines.”
The idiom is sometimes spoken as “packed like sardines”
“The night club was so full everyone was packed like sardines”
Learn more English online and interactive with our professional teachers at www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com we look forward to meeting you soon.
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
IELTS – Speaking Module
The IELTS speaking test is about 10 to 15 minutes long, and has three parts.
The test is a one to one interview, just you and the examiner.
Part one
The examiner will ask you about something familiar such you, your family, country and so on.
We recommend that you use this part of the test to relax and get over any nerves you may have.
Listen to the examiner, and only answer the questions that you are asked.
Part two
You will have to talk for about 2 to 4 minutes. The examiner will give you a topic and one minute to prepare a small talk. The topic the examiner will give you will be based on your personal experience.
We suggest that you don’t just list off the words in the question that that examiner has given you.
Part three
This section is a two way discussion, not a question and answer. The examiner will ask you questions broadly linked to the topic you spoke about. You should give long coherent answers. Give reasons for your answers!
There are many self teach books for the IELTS which are very good. However you will need the input of a professional native speaking English teacher who can help you with your speaking and listening.
Smart Language Solutions (www.smartlanguesolutions.com) is the online language school who can help you.
The test is a one to one interview, just you and the examiner.
Part one
The examiner will ask you about something familiar such you, your family, country and so on.
We recommend that you use this part of the test to relax and get over any nerves you may have.
Listen to the examiner, and only answer the questions that you are asked.
Part two
You will have to talk for about 2 to 4 minutes. The examiner will give you a topic and one minute to prepare a small talk. The topic the examiner will give you will be based on your personal experience.
We suggest that you don’t just list off the words in the question that that examiner has given you.
Part three
This section is a two way discussion, not a question and answer. The examiner will ask you questions broadly linked to the topic you spoke about. You should give long coherent answers. Give reasons for your answers!
There are many self teach books for the IELTS which are very good. However you will need the input of a professional native speaking English teacher who can help you with your speaking and listening.
Smart Language Solutions (www.smartlanguesolutions.com) is the online language school who can help you.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Word – Ahead
Ahead is an adverb, and has a number of meanings.
In English we use ahead to describe the position of being in the front:
John is ahead in the race at the moment (John is leading the race)
Move something to a different time in the future:
We need to move the start time ahead by a day from Monday to Tuesday.
To move in a forward direction:
The queue moved ahead slowly
When learning a new word it’s important to check all the meanings of the word. Above are just a few of the meanings of “ahead”!
Learning English is fun, but it is best to learn with professional native English speaking teachers.
You can learn English online at www.smartlanguagesolutions.com
In English we use ahead to describe the position of being in the front:
John is ahead in the race at the moment (John is leading the race)
Move something to a different time in the future:
We need to move the start time ahead by a day from Monday to Tuesday.
To move in a forward direction:
The queue moved ahead slowly
When learning a new word it’s important to check all the meanings of the word. Above are just a few of the meanings of “ahead”!
Learning English is fun, but it is best to learn with professional native English speaking teachers.
You can learn English online at www.smartlanguagesolutions.com
Monday, 17 August 2009
Phrasal Verb – Make Up
Make Up is used in English to describe the situation when people reconcile.
John and Mary have been friends for a long time, but they had a row last week, I really think they should make up.
Of course the phrasal verb Make Up has more than one meaning and you should be careful when using it, in fact it best to learn English from a professional native speaking English teacher, which you can do at Smart Language Solutions.
www.smartlanguagesolutions.com
John and Mary have been friends for a long time, but they had a row last week, I really think they should make up.
Of course the phrasal verb Make Up has more than one meaning and you should be careful when using it, in fact it best to learn English from a professional native speaking English teacher, which you can do at Smart Language Solutions.
www.smartlanguagesolutions.com
Friday, 14 August 2009
Some Mispronounced words
Some Mispronounced words
In English we do not have a system of accenting our vowels. This can lead to problems when pronouncing words.
Here are some words that are commonly mispronounced:
Utmost – mispronounced as – Upmost
Wasn’t – mispronounced as – wadn’t
Yolk – mispronounced as – yoke
Suite – mispronounced as – suit
Nuclear – mispronounced as – nuclar
Close – mispronounced as – clothes
Be careful when learning new words! Its good to learn English with a professional native speaking teacher. You can do that with Smart Language Solutions
Learn English on line at www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
In English we do not have a system of accenting our vowels. This can lead to problems when pronouncing words.
Here are some words that are commonly mispronounced:
Utmost – mispronounced as – Upmost
Wasn’t – mispronounced as – wadn’t
Yolk – mispronounced as – yoke
Suite – mispronounced as – suit
Nuclear – mispronounced as – nuclar
Close – mispronounced as – clothes
Be careful when learning new words! Its good to learn English with a professional native speaking teacher. You can do that with Smart Language Solutions
Learn English on line at www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Slang Word – Dohment
Dohment is the moment you realise you did something stupid in the past.
“Oh my, I just realised I booked my flight for the wrong day, I will have to rebook”
In standard English a dohment, can also be called the moment when something “dawns on you” or when “the penny drops”.
Dohment is a combination of the words Doh and moment.
Doh is the phrase used by the cartoon character “Homer Simpson” when he makes a mistake.
Be careful when using slang, if you are not sure, don’t use it.
Take lessons with professional native English speaking teachers at Smart Language Solutions.
www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
“Oh my, I just realised I booked my flight for the wrong day, I will have to rebook”
In standard English a dohment, can also be called the moment when something “dawns on you” or when “the penny drops”.
Dohment is a combination of the words Doh and moment.
Doh is the phrase used by the cartoon character “Homer Simpson” when he makes a mistake.
Be careful when using slang, if you are not sure, don’t use it.
Take lessons with professional native English speaking teachers at Smart Language Solutions.
www.SmartLanguageSolutions.com
Monday, 10 August 2009
Countable and Uncountable Nouns
In English we class our nouns into countable and uncountable.
Countable nouns are nouns we can physically count:
5 Apples
2 People
7 Books
Uncountable Nouns are nouns we can’t physically count:
Water
Electricity
Rice
Money is an uncountable noun!
Some and Any
We use some in positive sentences with uncountable and plural nouns:
There is some water in the pool
There are some apples in the kitchen
We also use some when we ask for and offer things:
Can I have some rice please?
Would you like some books to take home?
We use any in questions and negative sentences with uncountable and plural nouns:
Is there any electricity in the house?
There aren’t any people at the party.
How much/many
We use how much with uncountable nouns:
How much rice is in the pot?
We use how many with countable nouns:
How many people were at the party?
Learn more English as a foreign language at smart language solutions
www.smartlanguagesolutions.com
Countable nouns are nouns we can physically count:
5 Apples
2 People
7 Books
Uncountable Nouns are nouns we can’t physically count:
Water
Electricity
Rice
Money is an uncountable noun!
Some and Any
We use some in positive sentences with uncountable and plural nouns:
There is some water in the pool
There are some apples in the kitchen
We also use some when we ask for and offer things:
Can I have some rice please?
Would you like some books to take home?
We use any in questions and negative sentences with uncountable and plural nouns:
Is there any electricity in the house?
There aren’t any people at the party.
How much/many
We use how much with uncountable nouns:
How much rice is in the pot?
We use how many with countable nouns:
How many people were at the party?
Learn more English as a foreign language at smart language solutions
www.smartlanguagesolutions.com
Friday, 7 August 2009
IELTS Listening section
If you are taking the IELTS, the first task of the day is the 30 minute listening test.
There are four parts to the listening test.
Part One: this will be a conversation between two people, the theme of the conversation will either be a social or semi official format.
Part Two: this will be a talk by a single speaker and it will be a non academic situation.
Part Three: this will be a conversation between a number of people, the theme will be academic or course related.
Part Four: this will be a university type lecture.
Before the recordings you will have a chance to see the ten questions for each recording, each recording is then played one time only.
So the key to passing the listening test is:
Read the questions and understand them.
As you listen to the recording make notes on the answer sheet about each question.
Then take the full ten minutes after the listening to transfer your notes onto the answer sheet!
As practice try listening to UK, US, and Irish talk radio online, these are great sources to “tune” your ear to native speakers.
Here are some stations:
BBC: http://bit.ly/jyJte
RTE: http://bit.ly/hjEQN
Newstalk: http://bit.ly/GaMAt
Air America: http://bit.ly/2WIK2
KUDO: http://bit.ly/hDX48
Of course its very important to work with a professional English teacher who will support you in your learning.
That’s why we suggest you contact us at www.smartlanguagesolutions.com and we will support you in your learning.
There are four parts to the listening test.
Part One: this will be a conversation between two people, the theme of the conversation will either be a social or semi official format.
Part Two: this will be a talk by a single speaker and it will be a non academic situation.
Part Three: this will be a conversation between a number of people, the theme will be academic or course related.
Part Four: this will be a university type lecture.
Before the recordings you will have a chance to see the ten questions for each recording, each recording is then played one time only.
So the key to passing the listening test is:
Read the questions and understand them.
As you listen to the recording make notes on the answer sheet about each question.
Then take the full ten minutes after the listening to transfer your notes onto the answer sheet!
As practice try listening to UK, US, and Irish talk radio online, these are great sources to “tune” your ear to native speakers.
Here are some stations:
BBC: http://bit.ly/jyJte
RTE: http://bit.ly/hjEQN
Newstalk: http://bit.ly/GaMAt
Air America: http://bit.ly/2WIK2
KUDO: http://bit.ly/hDX48
Of course its very important to work with a professional English teacher who will support you in your learning.
That’s why we suggest you contact us at www.smartlanguagesolutions.com and we will support you in your learning.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Pronouncing Regular Past Tense Verbs
To review, we all know that to form the written regular past tense we must do the following.
If the verb ends in “e” add “d”
Live = Lived
If the verb ends in a consonant + “y” change the “y” to “i” and then add “ed”
Cry = Cried
If the verbs ends in a vowel and a consonant (except) “w” or “y”) then double the consonant and add “ed”
Stop = Stopped
For all other ending add “ed”
Fill = Filled
However, the sound made when we pronounce the regular past tense is not just “d”.
A lot of English learners don’t realise that there are three distinct sounds used in English for regular past tense verbs, and they are “d”, “id” and “t”.
Listened has the “d” sound at the end
Boasted has the “id” sound at the end
Laughed has the “t” sound at the end
To find out which regular past tense verbs have which sound at the end is best done by learning English with a professional native speaker English teacher!
Learn more English for free at www.smartlanguagesolutions.com and click free stuff!
If the verb ends in “e” add “d”
Live = Lived
If the verb ends in a consonant + “y” change the “y” to “i” and then add “ed”
Cry = Cried
If the verbs ends in a vowel and a consonant (except) “w” or “y”) then double the consonant and add “ed”
Stop = Stopped
For all other ending add “ed”
Fill = Filled
However, the sound made when we pronounce the regular past tense is not just “d”.
A lot of English learners don’t realise that there are three distinct sounds used in English for regular past tense verbs, and they are “d”, “id” and “t”.
Listened has the “d” sound at the end
Boasted has the “id” sound at the end
Laughed has the “t” sound at the end
To find out which regular past tense verbs have which sound at the end is best done by learning English with a professional native speaker English teacher!
Learn more English for free at www.smartlanguagesolutions.com and click free stuff!
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