16 11, 2012

English Lesson: Use Will & Would for Characteristic Behavior

A garden lover will spend hours working in the garden

When you want to talk about usual or characteristic behavior, you can use will.

  • A baby bird will leave its nest when it is able to fly.
  • A dog will wag its tail when it is happy.
  • A car will not stop as well in the rain as it will on a sunny day.
  • Ice will melt if the temperature rises.

When you want to talk about usual or characteristic behavior in the past, you can use would.

  • Before the invention of television, people would listen to radio dramas for entertainment.
  • My grandfather would always tell us stories of his life as a boy in Italy.
  • No matter what the occasion, my grandmother would never drink alcohol.
  • When ever I needed help with my math homework, my mother would help me.

When you were a child, who would help you with your homework? Leave a message here and let me know.



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16 11, 2012

Mustaches for English Language Students & Staff

Students and employees at Kaplan International Colleges are being encouraged to embrace the Movember challenge for charity. Movember is an international charity aiming to raise awareness and money for men’s health issues by putting a fun twist on a very serious issue. This is done by encouraging men to give their razors a break for the 30 days in November and grow a moustache. This one month marathon doesn’t involve any strenuous activities like swimming, cycling, or running. All men need to do is grow a moustache. This can prove to be quite an amusing challenge for some guys, while for others it is not too difficult and may even become a source of pride.

Brave male students at Kaplan’s English language schools in Vancouver, Salisbury and Brisbane are getting involved in the annual charity campaign. And it is not just students learning English who are taking part in Movember. Kaplan’s employees are also getting in on the action. The sales and marketing team have created the formidable Tache-Mahals team.

One of Kaplan’s executives explained that, “There are some things that only men can do, like grow a moustache, or develop testicular cancer. Growing a moustache for Movember is a great way to raise awareness about cancers that only affect men.” If you want to support these hairy-lipped guys and contribute just visit the team page by clicking this link. What a fun way to help a good cause.

14 11, 2012

One-Point English Lesson: Using Could for Possibility

He could be upset because of the traffic

When you want to talk about a present possibility, you can use could.

  • Joe isn’t in the office yet. He could be stuck in traffic.
  • Why is that man on the ground? He could be injured.
  • We missed the meeting. I think we could be in trouble with the boss. Here he comes.

You can also use could when you want to talk about a future or potential possibility

  • Don’t put that glass on the top shelf. It could fall off.
  • If you don’t tighten those bolts, they could come loose.
  • We should put away the patio furniture. Otherwise it could get damaged this winter.

You can also use could have + pp verb when you want to talk about a past possibility

  • You shouldn’t have put that glass on the top shelf. It could have fallen off.
  • If you hadn’t tightened those bolts, they could have come loose.
  • I’m glad we put away the patio furniture. If not, it could have gotten damaged last winter.
12 11, 2012

One-Point English Lesson: Using Must for Logical Guesses

This stone path must have been built a long time ago.

You can use must to make a logical guess about a present situation. The structure is must + base verb:

  • Joe is late for work. He must be stuck in traffic.
  • Jane has been sneezing all morning. She must have a cold.
  • The expiration date on this cheese is November 30th. It must be ok to eat.
  • Jack must like pizza. He eats it every day for lunch.

You can also use must to make a logical guess about a past situation. The structure is must + have + pp verb:

  • Joe was late for work. He must have been stuck in traffic.
  • They had no power after the storm. It must have been a difficult time.
  • Jack must have worked late last night. He’s still sleeping.
  • You went on a cruise? You must have had a great time.

Is today your first time to study at Happy English? Leave a comment here and let me know.



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If you know anyone who has trouble with this English language point, why not help them out! Just share this lesson with them.

Thanks for studying today!