The book thief.

Emails.

Sentences with two objects and prepositions.

Sentences with two objects and prepositions.

Some sentences have two objects. We often use a preposition between the two objects: 

       Verb + object of verb + preposition + object of preposition.

A preposition is a word which shows relationships among other words in the sentence. 
The relationships include direction, place, time, cause, manner and amount. 

The following words are the most commonly used prepositions:

 

• about
• below
• excepting
• off
• toward
• above
• beneath
• for
• on
• under
• across
• beside(s)
• from
• onto
• underneath
• after
• between    
• in
• out
• until
• against
• beyond
• in front of
• outside
• up
• along
• but
• inside
• over
• upon
• among
• by
• in spite of
• past
• up to
• around
• concerning
• instead of
• regarding
• with
• at
• despite
• into
• since
• within
• because of
• down
• like
• through
• without
• before
• during
• near
• throughout
• with regard to
• behind
• except
• of
• to
• with respect to.

 

 

It is useful to locate prepositional phrases in sentences since any noun or pronoun within the prepositional phrase must be the preposition’s object and, therefore, cannot be misidentified as a verb’s direct object.

 

Excersices.

Reference 1

Reference 2

 

Reason, purpose and result.

Reason, purpose and result.

************VIDEO**************

  

Conjunctions describing causes, reasons, results and purpose are subordinating conjunctions.

Reason.

In your written and spoken assignments you will often need to answer the question ‘Why?’. When you want to explain why something happens, you can use a reason clause introduced by the conjunctions "because", "as" or "since".

•     As she wanted to practise her spoken English, Carrie regularly took part in school.
•     Mark joined the English Drama Club because he wanted to improve his intonation.

Don’t use "so" in sentences beginning with "since", "as" or "because". Here is a common mistake: 

You can also use the prepositional phrases "because of" and "on account of" express reason.

•     We were unable to carry out the experiment on account of a malfunction in the computer.
•     We were unable to carry out the experiment because the computer malfunctioned.

Result.

When you want to indicate the result of an action or situation, you can use a result clause. Result clauses are introduced by conjunctions such as "so", "so... that", or "such … that".

•     The lecture was boring and irrelevant, so some of the students began to fall asleep.
•     Peter was having problems with mathematics, so he went to see his tutor to ask for advice.
•     There were so many books on the subject that Cindy didn’t know where to begin.
•     There was such a lot of material to cover that Ivan found it difficult to keep up with his studies.

There are many other ways of talking about the result of an action or situation. In some situations you may prefer to use "and as a result" or "with the result that".

•     The lecture was boring and irrelevant, and as a result some of the students began to fall asleep.
•     The lecture was boring and irrelevant, with the result that some of the students began to fall asleep.

Purpose.

You use a purpose clause when you want to state the purpose of the action in the independent clause. The most common type of purpose clause is a to-infinitive clause.

•     Sarah went to the computer lab to print out her research report.

In formal writing, "in order to" and "so as to" are often used.

•     The company conducted a detailed survey in order to gauge its clients’ views.

In formal writing, you can also introduce a purpose clause with "so that" or "in order that". These finite purpose clauses usually contain a modal.

•     Dr Cha, adjusted the overhead projector so that the students would be able to see the chart more clearly.
•     The lecturer finished his lecture five minutes early so that the students could come and ask him questions. 
  

EXERSICE.

References:
     Reference 1. 

   Reference 2. 

Sequencers

Sequencers.

Sequencers are generally easy to recognise and easy to use. Bear them in mind when you speak and write and have a look at the grammar theory just in case you may have any doubts.

We use sequencers to show the order of the steps.

Beginnings

• Initially
• At first
• To start with
•  First of all
•  Firstly
•  To begin with
•  In the beginning

Middles

• secondly
• thirdly
• later
• then
• afterwards
• at this point
• meanwhile
• next
• after that
• subsequently
• later on
• during this time

Endings

• Finally
• Eventually
• In time
• In the end
• Ultimately
•  Lastly

Examples:
 

• Dad and I went fishing. Meanwhile my mom made our lunch.
• A cake comes hot from the oven and is cooled on a rack. When it is cool it may be stored in a tin.

References Sequencers >> 

The imperatives.

The imperative.

We can use the imperative to give a direct order.

1. Take that chewing gum out of your mouth.
2. Stand up straight.
3. Give me the details.

We can use the imperative to give instructions.

1. Open your book.
2. Take two tablets every evening.
3. Take a left and then a right.

We can use the imperative to make an invitation.

1. Come in and sit down. Make yourself at home.
2. Please start without me. I'll be there shortly.
3. Have a piece of this cake. It's delicious.

We can use the imperative on signs and notices.

1. Push.
2. Do not use.
3. Insert one dollar.

We can use the imperative to give friendly informal advice.

1. Speak to him. Tell him how you feel.
2. Have a quiet word with her about it.
3. Don't go. Stay at home and rest up. Get some sleep and recover.

We can make the imperative 'more polite' by adding 'do'.

• Do be quiet.
• Do come.
• Do sit down.

 Imperatives exercises >>

References Imperatives >>

Present simple vs present continuous.

Present Simple VS Present Continuous.

Present Simple.

The simple present expresses an action in the present taking place once, never or several times. It is also used for actions that take place one after another and for actions that are set by a timetable or schedule. The simple present also expresses facts in the present.

Structure:
          I / We / They / You + verb
 

 

 Examples:

 Present Continuous.

The present continuous (sometimes called the present progressive) tense in English is really easy to make and is the same for all verbs. We make it using the present simple of 'be' + verb-ing: Structure:

               Am/ Is / Are + verb(ing)

 

Examples:

Present Simple VS Present Continuous.

 Exercises Present Continuous >>

Exercises Present Simple >>

References Present simple

References Present Continuous