I Can Do It

(A Post about Modals)

What are Modals?

We use modal verbs to show if we believe something is certain, probable or possible (or not). We also use modals to do things like talking about ability, asking permission making requests and offers, and so on.

• Can

Ability to do something: I can ride a bike. 
Request: Can you get that fork?
Suggestion: Can we finish the papers by tomorrow?

• Could 

Ability to do something (past): I could speak Spanish during my 3rd year of high school.

Polite way of requesting: Could you pass me those papers?

Polite Offer: I could drive you to town if you like. 

• May 

Possibility: Bring your umbrella. It may rain today.

Polite Suggestion: May I help you?

Permission: May I go to the rest room?

• Must 

Force: You must finish checking this tomorrow.

Possibility: You must be tired from running. 

Recommendation: You must read this book by John Green. 

• Might 

Possibility (less possible than May): It might rain today. 

• Ought 

Obligation: You ought to perform in the school play.

• Shall

Suggestion: Shall I carry your bag?

• Will 

Wish (less polite than Would): Will you shut the door? 

Request: Will you pass that salt?

• Would 

Wish: Would you be a dear and pass this salt to him?

References: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-grammar/modal-verbs

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/hilfsverben2.htm

Butterflies in my Stomach

(A Post about Idioms)

WHAT ARE IDIOMS?

     An idiom is an expression with a figurative meaning that differs from the literal meaning.
    
      A group of words whose meaning considered as a unit is different from the meanings of each word considered separately.

     Idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun.
     
      We need idioms because they were coined to communicate a specific and usually quite precise meaning for which there is no exact word.

EXAMPLES:

Other examples:

1. A blessing in disguise - a good thing that seemed bad at first 
2. A dime a dozen - Something common 
3. Beat around the bush - Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable 
4. Better late than never - Better to arrive late than not to come at all 
5. Bite the bullet - To get something over with because it is inevitable 
6. Break a leg - Good luck
7. A penny for your thoughts - Tell me what you're thinking by itself 
8. A penny saved is a penny earned - Money you save today you can spend later by itself 
9. A perfect storm - the worst possible situation

References:

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/idiom

journalpro.ru/articles/importance-of-idioms-in-communication/

You're Beautiful

A Post about Adjective

Adjectives

• Adjectives are describing words. They describe nouns and pronouns. 

Kinds of Adjectives

(All bold words are adjectives, while the underlined ones are the words they modify.)

• Descriptive Adjective (Qualitative Adjective) - Descriptive adjectives are used to describe nouns and pronouns.

Examples: The big tree is growing an unidentified fruit.

                  Ezekiel has a lovely smile.

• Quantitative Adjective -  describes the quantity of something. They answer the question “how much?” or “how many?” 

Examples: I have one fruit left.

                  Several children are coming to the party.

                  Basti has many chocolates in his bag.

NOTE: Notice that adjectives are always before the noun or the word it describes.  

• Demonstrative Adjective - this describes WHICH pronoun or noun you are referring to.

Examples: This mango tree is ours.

                   That fish is swimming energetically.

• Possessive Adjective  - it describes to whom something belongs to.

Examples: That is my pen.

                  Our dog is named Whitney. 

   

References: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/adjective/

                    https://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/english-adjectives/

Read Silently (or Loudly)

A Post about Adverbs

ADVERBS

• Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, and another adverb. They express manner, time, place, frequency, and degree among others. 

Types of Adverbs

1. Adverb of Manner - this describes how an action is made. It answers the question "HOW".

    Examples: She dances gracefully.

                      The kid speaks clearly.

2. Adverb of Time - this states the time or occurrence of the action. It answers the question "WHEN".

    Examples: Levi woke early.

                      We conducted a meeting yesterday.

3. Adverb of Place - this states WHERE the action is taking place.

    Example: Please, come inside.

                    Judith will go there next week

                    We are singing here.

4. Adverb of Frequency - it states how OFTEN or how many times an action occurs. 

    Example: Belle has been going to the church every day.

                    I seldom drink coffee.

                    Children should always brush their teeth.

5. Adverb of Degree - it tells the intensity of an action. 

    Examples: You are almost there, honey. 

                      Kim and Yara run very fast. 

                      The coffee is too hot.      

*All bold words in examples are adverbs, while the underlined words are the ones adverbs modify. 

References: http://www.studyandexam.com/adverb2.html

                    https://www.english4today.com/englishgrammar/grammar/adverbs_degree.php

OK, but...

A Post About Conjunctions

What are CONJUNCTIONS?

•     Conjunctions are used to connect words, phrases, and clauses.

There are two types of clauses:

1. Independent Clause

    This clause can stand alone, meaning it has a subject and a predicate aka a sentence.                    

    Example: John is washing the dishes.   

2. Dependent Clause

    This clause cannot stand alone. Although it has a subject and a predicate, it doesn't have a complete thought. This clause is dependent on Independent clauses.
     Example: because it was raining
                     but that's not fair
                     However, they both die at the end

Kinds of Conjunction

• Coordinating Conjunction

These conjunctions are commonly known as FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Coordinating conjunctions join equals to each other. It is also followed by a comma.

Examples: It is hard to choose between fire and ice. (It connects word to word.)

                  We want to eat pizza, but the mall is closed today. (clause to clause)

                     Independent Clause                   Dependent Clause 

• Correlative Conjunction

These conjunctions are always used in pairs. One cannot go without the other. These conjunctions include both-and, neither-nor, either-or, and not only-but also.

Examples: Either Jonna will join the party or her sister Anabeth will go.

                  Not only the Filipinos are hospitable, but they are also disciplined people.

•   Subordinating Conjunction 

Subordinating conjunctions also join two clauses together, but in doing so, they make one clause dependent (or "subordinate") upon the other. Conjunctions used here include although, however, because, even if, so that, unless, until, whenever, wherever, etc.

Examples: May will go to the dentist tomorrow because her tooth aches.

                                Independent Clause                             Dependent Clause

                   My sister goes to the carnival even though it is pouring hard. 

                                    Independent Clause                             Dependent Clause

                   Even if it's not Christmas, we should give love to one another. 

                                    Dependent Clause                          Independent Clause

References: https://www.aims.edu/student/online-writing-lab/grammar/independent-vs-dependent

https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/parts-of-speech/conjunctions/correlative-conjunctions.html

https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.html

You, Me, Us

(A POST ABOUT PRONOUNS)

WHAT ARE PRONOUNS?
     Pronouns replaces nouns. In other words, pronouns substitute names of persons, places, things, and events.

Below is the list of pronouns and their cases. 

There are three cases of pronouns.

1. Nominative Case - this case is for using pronouns as subjects in a sentence.
Example: He is going to the mall today.
                 I will bake an apple pie on Christmas.
                 You are the apple of my eye.

2. Objective Case - this case is used for pronouns that are direct object, indirect object, or object of preposition. 
Example: Sheila gave me a cake. (Indirect Object)
                Give him some space. (Indirect Object)
                The kids have to get it to pass the exam. (Direct Object)
                We drove the her to the store. (Object of Preposition)

Remember: You and me are going to the mall.
                    You and I are going to the mall.
      Sentence A is wrong because objective case pronoun cannot be used as subjects, only pronouns under nominative case can be subjects in a sentence. 

3. Possessive Case  - this is used to show ownership or possession of something.
Example: This bag is hers.
                 Is this book yours?
                 This globe is mine.

MORE EXAMPLES:

1. I'm falling to pieces. (Nominative)
2. You are going to love this. (Nominative)
3. The book is for you. (Indirect Object)
    Note: You can be nominative or objective, you have to carefully analyze how they are used in the sentence. In number 2, YOU is used as a subject, therefore it is in the nominative case, while in number 3, it is used as an indirect object, thus being under the objective case.    
4. We rented your house for our reunion party.
    We = Nominative
    Your = Possessive
    Our = Possessive
5. I was excited to show her my new laptop.
     I = Nominative
     Her = Objective
     My = Possessive

Reference: https://schooltutoring.com/help/the-three-cases-of-personal-pronouns/

Simple Present

A Post About Simple Present Tense

SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE: Why do we use this?

The simple present (also called present simple or present indefinite) is a verb tense which is used to show repetition, habit or generalization.

This tense is used for the following:

1. REPEATED ACTION - use simple present to show repetition of action, habits, daily events, or things which occur often.

Examples: I brush my teeth every morning.

                  Lisa forgets to bring an umbrella every time it rains.

                  Every Christmas Eve, my mother and I bake an apple pie.

(All of this sentences are habitual and are happening often.)

2. FACTS - use this tense in indicating a universal truth, or facts which was true in the past, is true now, and will still be true in the future. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.

Examples: The earth revolves around the sun.

                  Cats like milks.

                  Visayas is part of the Philippine archipelago.

                  Water freezes at zero degrees. 

References: https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-grammar/simple-present-tense/

https://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/simplepresent.html