Verbs

Verbs: some common mistakes

May 7, 2012

Here is a list of errors students often make in the use of verbs. Incorrect: My father told me that honesty was the best policy. Correct: My father told me that honesty is the best policy. We usually use a past tense in the subordinate clause when the verb in the main clause is in [...]

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Using want

April 5, 2012

Infinitive with to After want, we normally use an infinitive with to. I want to go. (NOT I want go.) (NOT I want going.) I want to come back here again. She wants to be a pilot. Want cannot be followed by that-clauses, but we can use an object + infinitive structure. I want him [...]

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Different kinds of phrasal verbs

April 2, 2012

There are mainly four kinds of phrasal verbs. Here is a guide to the basics of phrasal verbs. Separable and non-separable phrasal verbs Phrasal verbs are made by putting adverb particles or prepositions after verbs. Phrasal verbs made with prepositions are usually non-separable. That means the verb and the preposition always go together. We set [...]

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Be and have

March 20, 2012

To talk about experiencing physical sensations like hunger, thirst, heat and cold, we use the structure be + adjective. Feel + adjective is also possible. Note that we do not usually use have + noun to express these ideas. I am hungry. (NOT I have hunger.) Are you thirsty? (NOT Do you have thirst?) Are [...]

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