By Jacqueline Schaalje Students ask me sometimes whether they can ask any question with do and does. I say, no, sometimes you need to ask with “can,” or with a form of to be (am, is, are). “So when do I need do or does?” the student will ask. Answer: First of all you use… Continue reading When to Use Do and Does, Questions and Negatives
Walls have _________ – People are listening, also in situations where you are not aware of it. Choose the right answer: ears eyes stones bricks scroll down for the answer scroll some more The right answer is: moonjazz ears. (Some people say: The walls have ears.) Here are… Continue reading Instant Proverb: Walls have _______
By Jacqueline Schaalje Henry Burrows At last, a fun subject!. Has it happened to you that you read a sentence and you thought: Heck, this sentence has no meaning? But then you read the sentence again, and a miracle happens: the pieces fall into place. And suddenly the sentence does make sense. For instance, what do… Continue reading Garden Path Sentences – Crazy Sentences that Do Have Meaning
spur (noun) – a sharp object attached to a rider’s boot to make the horse go (faster). Or: something that motivates. Spur (on) (verb) – to make a horse go (faster), to motivate/stimulate Vince Alongi Examples: The rider has spurs attached to his boots, but he claims he never strikes his horse with them. Lack of work… Continue reading Word to the Wise: spur
This is for advanced or expert learners of English By Jacqueline Schaalje In a student exam I found the following sentence: “I’ve read the manual three times to make sure I’m doing everything well, but still the microphone isn’t working both on my laptop and on my brother’s PC.” What is wrong here? Looks like… Continue reading Nor: The Forgotten Word
Have a good look at the meanings of this word. It means something completely different when it is a verb or when it is a noun! jibe (noun) – aggressive remark jibe (verb) – agree with, consistent with peddhapati Examples of how you can use jibe: After he aimed that jibe at an overweight co-worker… Continue reading Word to the Wise: jibe
By Jacqueline Schaalje Now a really easy grammar subject: has and have. When do you use have and when has? Look at the picture. What do you see? A man hugging his son. The man has a son. Note: I’m only going to talk about present simple tense, and not about any other tense. There… Continue reading Easy Grammar: Has and Have
paediatrics (Br.)/paediatrics (Am.) (noun) – medical care for children paediatrician/pediatrist (noun) – a doctor for children paediatric/pediatric (adjective) – connected to medical care for children Eden, Janine and Jim Examples: After finishing his internship in paediatrics, Edwin became even more interested in child development. When Loretta was only 12 months, his paediatrician diagnosed her with autism.… Continue reading Word to the Wise: paediatrics/pediatrics
A Sentence for Every Occasion By Jacqueline Schaalje Warning: This is a lesson at Expert level. If you’re a beginner, read only the first part in this article about simple sentences, and then do something else. In this article you’ll learn how to write and recognize simple sentences, then compound sentences, and finally complex sentences. As… Continue reading Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences
tantrum (noun) – a show of anger, by or like a child Examples: When I told Emma she couldn’t have another ice cream she threw a tantrum. It took a long time before she would stop crying. What’s all the banging on tables and slamming with doors? Oh, it’s the boss throwing a tantrum. When he’s… Continue reading Word to the Wise: tantrum
English with a Smile 