Posts tagged prepositions
English Lesson & Quiz: During vs While
Mar 14th
Don't use the phone during the meeting
It was warm during the day today. During work, I looked out the window and noticed people were carrying their jackets while walking on the street. It wasn’t so warm early in the morning while I was walking my dog, but it got really warm during the afternoon while I was teaching my classes.
The words during and while can be confusing sometimes. Do you know how to use these words? Have a look at the paragraph above and check today’s lesson. There are two basic rules you need to follow:
Rule #1: During
We use during + [something], and that [something] is usually a noun, like this:
- It was warm during the day.
- During work, I don’t use my cell phone.
- During the summer, I like to go sailing.
Rule #2: While
We use while + [action], and that [action] is usually a verb or a sentence, like this:
- While walking on the street, people were carrying their jackets
- I don’t use my cell phone while I am working.
- It got really warm during the afternoon while I was teaching my classes.
If you can remember these two rules, you’ll be in good shape. Here is one more expression to keep in mind. We say during the week but on the weekend:
- I work during the week, so my only chance to go shopping is on the weekend.
What do you do during the week? How about on the weekend? Leave a comment below.
Are you ready for a quiz? Check how much you understand this lesson:
During & While Quiz
Congratulations - you have completed During & While Quiz.
You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.
What's the result? Well, %%RATING%%
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English Lesson & Quiz: Using Go and To
Feb 29th
I went to the library today
I went to the library after work today. The NY Public library on 42nd Street is so amazing. I have gone shopping in that neighborhood many times, but I haven’t gone to the library in such a long time. After studying there for a while I went home. A few minutes after I came home, friend Paul came to my house. He said he was planning on going skiing this weekend and asked me if I wanted to join him. Since I have to go to work, I had to decline.
Sometimes go is followed by to and sometimes it is not. Do you know the rules? Have a look at the paragraph above and then check today’s lesson.
With certain verbs of motion, like go, come, walk, drive, etc. there are times when we need to use to after the verb and other times when we do not. Here are the three rules:
Rule #1 – Specific, Physical Places
When we talk about a specific, physical place we need to use to after these verbs of motion. The structure is [go, come, walk, drive, etc.] + to + specific physical place
- I went to the grocery store.
- She came to school late today.
- I usually walk to the park.
Rule #2 – Non-Physical Places
Next, when we talk about a non-physical place we do not use to after these verbs of motion. Some examples of non-physical places are: home, there, here, somewhere, anywhere, over there, upstairs, downstairs, uptown, and downtown. The structure is [go, come, walk, drive, etc.] + specific physical place
- I came home after class. Not, I came to home after class.
- I want to go somewhere fun this weekend
- I walked downstairs when I heard the doorbell
Rule #3 – Ing-word Activities
Finally, when we use an ing-word activity we do not use to after these verbs of motion. Some examples ofing-word activities are: shopping, drinking, and sports that have an ing in their name. The structure is [go, come, walk, drive, etc.] + ing-word activity
- Let’s go skiing this weekend.
- Can you come sailing with me this summer?
- When are we going shopping?
Study these rules, then try today’s quiz:
Using Go & To Quiz
Congratulations - you have completed Using Go & To Quiz.
You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.
What's the result? Well, %%RATING%%
Question 1 |
driving | |
drive to | |
driving to |
Question 2 |
went shopping | |
went to the shopping | |
went to shopping |
Question 3 |
drove to home | |
drove straight to home | |
drove straight home |
Question 4 |
went downstairs | |
went to downstairs | |
went to the downstairs |
Question 5 |
walks uptown | |
walks the uptown | |
walks to uptown |
Question 6 |
was driving to | |
was driving | |
was drive to |
Question 7 |
go bowling | |
bowling | |
go to bowling |
Question 8 |
go to sailing | |
sailing | |
go sailing |
Question 9 |
walking to upstairs | |
walk to upstairs | |
walking upstairs |
Question 10 |
come home | |
come to home | |
coming home |
|
List |
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English One-Point Lesson: Surprised at, by/with, & that
Feb 8th
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.
Just $5! Click here to buy it (Thank you)
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