English Grammar Lesson: Using It, This, & That to Refer to What Was Said

My friend's antique cup. That is just about the nicest coffee cup I've ever used!

My friend’s antique cup. That is just about the nicest coffee cup I’ve ever used!

We use it to refer back to something that was just mentioned, talked about, or written. It is a pronoun, and it replaces a noun used in the previous sentence. When you use it, there is no special nuance or emphasis:

  • I went to Jack’s party last night. It was so much fun. It replaces “Jack’s party.”
  • We are planning a trip to Asia. It will be about three weeks long. It replaces “a trip to Asia.”
  • Have you ever seen Casablanca? It’s a great movie. It replaces “Casablanca.”

We also use this and that to refer back to something that was just mentioned, talked about, or written. This and that are also pronouns and have more of stronger nuance or emphasis. This and that have the nuance that what came before this and that is something special or a new or interesting. I feel that when using this and that we tend to add more information after this and that than we do after it. Compare these two sentences:

  • I went to Jack’s party last night. It was so much fun.
  • I went to Jack’s party last night. That was an amazing party. The food was great and everyone had a great time.

So after it we usually say “a little information”, but after this and that we tend to say “more information.”

  • We are planning a trip to Asia. This will be the first time for both of us to visit China, Japan and Korea.
  • Have you ever seen Casablanca? That is probably one of the most classic films of the last century.

Now it’s your turn. How about trying to write an original sentence using one or both of the above patterns. Use the comment box below



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English Lesson: Anything, Nothing, Anyone & No One

There isn’t anyone in the meeting room!


Today, lets look at anything, nothing, anyone & no one. These four words can be confusing sometimes.

Anything and nothing have the exact same meaning, but the way we use these words is different:
We use anything with a negative verb and questions:

  • I didn’t eat anything for breakfast.
  • We thought it was strange that Tom didn’t say anything to his boss.
  • Did Cathy find anything on sale at the store?
  • BUT NOT: I didn’t eat nothing for breakfast.

We use nothing with a positive verb:

  • I ate nothing for breakfast.
  • We thought it was strange that Tom said nothing to his boss.
  • Cathy said she found nothing on sale at the store.
  • BUT NOT: I ate anything for breakfast.

Anyone and no one also have the exact same meaning, and the way we use these words is also different:
We use anyone with a negative verb and questions:

  • I didn’t see anyone in the meeting room at 3:00.
  • I couldn’t find anyone to take care of my dog when I go on vacation.
  • Does Cathy know anyone who still uses CD’s?
  • BUT NOT: I didn’t see no one in the meeting room at 3:00.

We use no one with a positive verb:

  • I saw no one in the meeting room at 3:00
  • I found no one to take care of my dog when I go on vacation.
  • Cathy said she knows no one who still uses CD’s.
  • BUT NOT: I saw anyone in the meeting room at 3:00.

One-Point English Lesson: Where or Which?

Jack’s house, which is on the water, is amazing!

You can use both which or where to describe a place. Some of my students have asked how to use these words, so lets have a look today!

Use which after a place to describe the location of that place, like this:

  • Times Square, which is in New York city, is a popular tourist attraction.
  • Lombardi’s, which is in Soho, is my favorite pizzeria.
  • Jack’s house, which is next to mine, has a beautiful garden.

Use where after a place to describe what happens at that place, like this:

  • Times Square, where many tourists go, is a fun place to visit.
  • Lombardi’s, where you can get amazing pizza, is always crowded.
  • Jack’s house, where I met Jane for the first time, is located in Westchester County.

English Lesson: Enough & Too

My friend Jack was thinking about having a party so he checked what he had in the house. There seems to be enough wine and beer. The last time he had a party he bought too much wine, and he has about ten bottles left over from that party. There was not enough ice, so he is going to need to pick that up when he shops for food. I told him no to buy to many things because there was a lot left over from his last party.

Today let’s look at how to use enough & too. Do you know how to use these words? Have a look at the paragraph above and then check today’s lesson:

We use enough to show that there is a sufficient amount of something and we are satisfied with the amount or situation.

Jack: Would you like some more coffee?

Jenny: No thanks, I’ve had enough.

 

There seems to be enough wine and beer.

It’s warm enough in the house, so I will take off this sweater.

Do you have enough books to read on your vacation?

We use not enough to show that there is not a sufficient amount of something, and we are not satisfied with the amount or situation.

He doesn’t have enough ice, so he is going to need to pick that up.

I didn’t have enough time to see everyone I wanted to see during the holidays.

Since Joe doesn’t get enough exercise, he is going to join a gym.

There isn’t enough milk in the fridge, so I can’t make pancakes.

We use too to show that something is more than you want/need, and in some cases less than you want/need, and using too means you are not satisfied with the amount or situation.

The last time he had a party he bought too much wine.

Happy has too many toys to play with.

The sweater my aunt gave me is too small, so I need to exchange it.

Lori’s doctor told her she drinks too much coffee.

Take a look in your refrigerator. What do you have enough of? What do you not have enough of? What do you have too much or too little of?

Thanks!