Argumentative Essays

Irregular Verbs in Context 1

Do you have this look of sheer terror on your face when you think about irregular verbs? Oh come on, they're not that bad, are they? Chances are, you've been memorizing them in a list where you almost have to recite the three mutations (conjugations) to be able to use the second one or the third one. This is an acceptable method if you are able to use the three without hesitating too much. And if you have a lot of time to recite the three forms of the verb each time you need to use one. However, there are better ways. Contextualization is the key, in my opinion. Below is a first series of irregular verbs in different sentences, including sentences (answers) that you will need to construct. Take the time to go through them and really do them, i.e. thinking about each answer. Take as much time as you need before checking the answers which will be at the bottom of the page ... eventually. Then, once you have finished t...

More New Pages!

Hi all, I am busy posting more new "Pages" on the blog. You should consider these pages like a reference or text book and go back to them from time to time, especially the "Words" page, as I've realized that I cut it a bit short. There should be some lines about count/non-count nouns, verbs never in the progressive form, and differences between Latinate and Germanic origins and their influence on grammar (comparatives/superlatives) and spelling, and so on. Also, keep an eye on these pages in the coming weeks for exercises both here and on my favorite web site for exercises: www.quia.com . All will be original of course and -- at least for the time being -- free of charge. Thanks for logging on and your interest! Paul

Don't Get Familiar with Me!

Don't Get Familiar with Me! Like many students know, English has only one 2nd person way of addressing people, both singular and plural: you. But what does this word mean? Well, as it so happens, many languages have both a familiar and a formal term to use when addressing others: *Brazilian Portuguese has nearly totally lost all trace of the familiar tu to standardize the você form for both formal and familiar, with the plural being vocês . English, contrary to the above languages but like other languages such as Brazilian Portuguese, no longer makes a difference between formal and familiar. Did you catch that adverbial? " No longer ." This means that English did indeed at one point have a different 2nd person. English kept the formal way of addressing others you and lost the familiar! You might think this odd, but actually it is quite common: on the French island of Réunion in the south I...

Learning American English

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