English One-Point Lesson: Hard vs Hardly
The exam was hard, because he hardly studied!
In many cases, adjectives can be made into adverbs by adding “ly” with the same meaning. For example, strong & strongly both have the same meaning, of course with a different usage. However, hard and hardly have a completely different meaning. Let’s look at these words today.
Hard is an adjective, which has a few different meanings:
- Yesterday’s exam was hard (difficult).
- A diamond is very hard (solid/firm).
- Working in construction is hard work (requires a lot of effort).
Hard is also an adverb, which also has a few different meanings:
- My student’s work very hard (using a lot of effort).
- Look! It’s raining hard (with a lot of force).
Hardly is an adverb, which also has a few different meanings, and very much different from hard:
- I hardly slept last night (I scarcely slept).
- Joe was in the office all day but he hardly worked (He barely worked).
Let’s compare these two sentences:
- Joe works hard (This is a positive statement about Joe. He uses his effort when he works).
- Joe hardly works (This is a negative statement about Joe. He scarcely/barely uses any effort).
So, how about you? Do you work hard, or do you hardly work? Thanks for studying today!
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NEW for 2012! 109 Phrasal Verbs – 116-page eBook
Including…
- The DEFINITION of each phrasal verb.
- How to USE the phrasal verb.
- The STRUCTURE showing the grammar pattern of the phrasal verb.
- EXAMPLE sentences to see how the phrasal verb is used in context.
- A PRACTICE question to give you the chance to use the phrasal verb.
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English One-Point Lesson: Surprised at, by/with, & that
Surprised is an adjective and is usually followed by at, by/with, or that.
My friend Joe sent me a strange email about his cat. He usually never sends emails!
- I was surprised at Joe.
- I was surprised by Joe’s email.
- I was surprised that Joe sent me an email.
You can be surprised at a person when they do something unexpected or unusual for them:
- I’m surprised at Joe. He never sends emails.
- I’m surprised at my boss. He gave us the afternoon off and he never did that before.
You can be surprised by/with a thing or a situation
- I’m surprised by the service at this restaurant. It is never this slow.
- I’m surprised with the exhibition. I didn’t think it would be so good.
You can use a sentence with that after surprised:
- I’m surprised that there was so much snow today. The forecast said “flurries.”
- I’m surprised that Jane stayed so late at the party. She said she was tired.
What have you been surprised by recently? Have you been surprised at someone recently?
Thanks for studying today!
Check out my book:
NEW for 2012! 109 Phrasal Verbs – 116-page eBook
Including…
- The DEFINITION of each phrasal verb.
- How to USE the phrasal verb.
- The STRUCTURE showing the grammar pattern of the phrasal verb.
- EXAMPLE sentences to see how the phrasal verb is used in context.
- A PRACTICE question to give you the chance to use the phrasal verb.
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English Lesson & Quiz: Present & Present Progressive for the Future
The flight departs at 7:00
My cousin Sam is getting married soon. Everyone in my family is looking forward to the wedding. She is having a black and white theme for her wedding, so I’m going to wear a tuxedo. The wedding reception starts at 9:00pm, so I booked a hotel room for the night. The hotel told me that check-in begins at 2:00, so I’m going to check in before the wedding.
We can use the present tense and present progressive tense to talk about the future. Do you know how to use these tenses? Have a look at the paragraph above and then check your understanding with the quiz at the end of the lesson.
Rule #1: We use the present progressive tense for the future when we talk about something we have already made plans or arrangement to do. Remember, the structure of the present progressive is Be Verb + Verb-ING:
- My cousin Sam is getting married soon.
- She is having a black and white theme for her wedding.
- I am going to wear a tuxedo to the wedding.
Rule #2: We also use the simple present tense for the future when we talk about schedules, timetables, and future events that have a fixed starting or ending time:
- The wedding reception starts at 9:00pm.
- The hotel told me that check-in begins at 2:00
- The flight to Boston departs at noon.
Rule #3 We can also use the simple present tense for fixed plans and arrangements, generally when we talk about work, school, and other habitual events that have a fixed schedule:
- What time do you finish work tonight?
- When does your new aerobics class start?
- The new coffee shop in town opens tomorrow.
Rule #4: But, we usually use present progressive for personal plans and arrangements made for pleasure:
- Jen and Chris are going to the movies tonight.
- I heard Matt is meeting Katie after work tonight.
- I’m taking a nap this afternoon.
How did you do? Now, check your understanding with this quiz:
Present & Present Perfect Quiz
Congratulations - you have completed Present & Present Perfect Quiz.
You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.
What's the result? Well, %%RATING%%
Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1Jane____________Florida next week.is going to goes togoing to Question 2____________ to the party on Saturday?Is Kathy comingKathy comes Does Kathy comeQuestion 3Usually the bus ____________ every hour, but I’m not sure about today. It’s raining hard.comes comingis coming Question 4My cousin ____________ a big wedding in June.is having havinghasQuestion 5Her flight ____________ at 7, so we have to hurry.leavingis leaves leaves Question 6I heard a new pizza restaurant ____________ on Friday.is opens opensis open Question 7What time ____________ work in the morning.are you starting do you startare you start Question 8I can’t meet you tonight because I ____________am work am workingwork
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
There are 8 questions to complete.
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Check out my book:
NEW for 2012! 109 Phrasal Verbs – 116-page eBook
Including…
- The DEFINITION of each phrasal verb.
- How to USE the phrasal verb.
- The STRUCTURE showing the grammar pattern of the phrasal verb.
- EXAMPLE sentences to see how the phrasal verb is used in context.
- A PRACTICE question to give you the chance to use the phrasal verb.
Just $5! Click here to buy it (Thank you)
Would you like a FREE 15-page sample? Click here for more information.
