What Are Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses? Defining and non-defining relative clauses are two types of relative clauses used in English to give more information about a noun. Relative pronouns are who, which, that, whose, where, that. That is often used instead of who or which. Defining Clauses (Restrictive Clauses) define or identify exactly which person or
Prepositional Verbs In English, many verbs are followed by specific prepositions. These combinations often create meanings that are different from the individual words. Learning these verb + preposition combinations is important for understanding and using natural English. Below is a list of common examples with simple definitions and sentences to help you learn how to
Respond to News and Opinions Let's learn how to respond to news and opinions using so, too, neither, nor, either, really, oh. We use expressions so/too and neither/nor/either in short statements meaning (me) too or (me) neither. We use these constructions in reaction to somebody’s statements to let the other person know that we are
Word Formation: Suffixes There are four main kinds of word formation: prefixes, suffixes, conversion and compounds. Lots of words are formed with suffixes. In English, there are hundreds of suffixes. Derivational suffixes are used to create new words by changing the meaning or part of speech. A suffix is a letter or a group of letters
Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous Present Perfect or Present Perfect Continuous? Both Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous connect the past to the present, but they are used differently. Present Perfect (have/has + past participle) focuses on the result of an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past or has recently
How to Use Numbers with Currencies Let's learn how to use numbers with currencies. Whole Numbers with Currencies $5 → five dollars €20 → twenty euros £100 → one hundred pounds ¥1,000 → one thousand yen Decimals in Currencies (for amounts with cents, pennies, or smaller units): $12.50 → twelve dollars and fifty cents €99.99
Use Gerunds After Prepositions Use gerunds after prepositions. Gerunds after Prepositions Verbs + Preposition + Gerund Some verbs require a preposition before the gerund. She insists on going early. He succeeded in solving the problem. They apologized for being late. Some common verbs followed by prepositions + gerunds: approve of (doing something) depend on (getting
Second Conditional The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality. If we had a garden, we could grow flowers and vegetables. If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a big house by the sea. I wouldn't so lazy if I were you. The
Briefly about Direct and Reported Speech Changes of Tenses in Reported Speech When changing from direct to reported speech, the tense usually shifts back one step in time. Direct Speech (Present) - Reported Speech (Past) Present Simple: "I am tired." - Past Simple: He said he was tired. Present Continuous: "She is reading." - Past
Linking Words We use linking words to join ideas together when we're talking or writing. Sometimes we want to link two ideas that are different from each other or we want to link one idea to another one which is surprising or unexpected. What are the differences between linking words of contrast: although, however, nevertheless, even
