I added this link to the blog this week, but I think it needs a special mention. It's a dictionary and you can type in any word and see it explained visually! Really cool!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Overview of Inversions and links to activities
Use of Question Form
In this case, the question form (auxiliary + subject + main verb) takes the place of the standard positive sentence structure (i.e. He goes to work every day):
Examples
Not only do I enjoy classical music, but I also have a season ticket to the symphony.
Seldom has the boss been so upset!
In this case, the question form is substituted for standard sentence structure in a statement. Generally, an inversion is used to stress the uniqueness of an event and begins with a negative.
Negative Adverbials
Time expressions: never, rarely, seldom
These time expressions are used with a perfect form or with modals and often include comparatives:
Examples
Never have I been more insulted!
Seldom has he seen anything stranger.
Time expressions: hardly, barely, no sooner, or scarcely
These time expressions are used when a there are a succession of events in the past.
Examples
Scarcely had I got out of bed when the doorbell rang.
No sooner had he finished dinner, when she walked in the door.
After 'Only' Expressions such as 'only after', 'only when', 'only then', etc.
'Only' is used with a time expression.
Examples
Only then did I understand the problem.
Only after understanding the situation does the teacher make a comment.
After 'Little'
'Little' is used in a negative sense.
Examples
Little did he understand the situation.
Little have I read concerning nanotechnology.
Inversion after 'So', 'Such', and 'That'
'So'
'So + adjective ... that' combines with the verb 'to be'.
Examples
So strange was the situation that I couldn't sleep.
So difficult is the test that students need three months to prepare.
'Such'
'So + to be + noun ... (that)':
Examples
Such is the moment that all greats traverse.
Such is the stuff of dreams.
Inverted Conditional Forms
Sometimes conditional forms are inverted as a means of sounding more formal. In this case, the conditional 'if' is dropped and the inverted forms takes the place of the 'if clause'.
Examples
Had he understood the problem, he wouldn't have committed those mistakes.Should he decide to come, please telephone.
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/english_lessons/english-exercises-on-inversion
In this case, the question form (auxiliary + subject + main verb) takes the place of the standard positive sentence structure (i.e. He goes to work every day):
Examples
Not only do I enjoy classical music, but I also have a season ticket to the symphony.
Seldom has the boss been so upset!
In this case, the question form is substituted for standard sentence structure in a statement. Generally, an inversion is used to stress the uniqueness of an event and begins with a negative.
Negative Adverbials
Time expressions: never, rarely, seldom
These time expressions are used with a perfect form or with modals and often include comparatives:
Examples
Never have I been more insulted!
Seldom has he seen anything stranger.
Time expressions: hardly, barely, no sooner, or scarcely
These time expressions are used when a there are a succession of events in the past.
Examples
Scarcely had I got out of bed when the doorbell rang.
No sooner had he finished dinner, when she walked in the door.
After 'Only' Expressions such as 'only after', 'only when', 'only then', etc.
'Only' is used with a time expression.
Examples
Only then did I understand the problem.
Only after understanding the situation does the teacher make a comment.
After 'Little'
'Little' is used in a negative sense.
Examples
Little did he understand the situation.
Little have I read concerning nanotechnology.
Inversion after 'So', 'Such', and 'That'
'So'
'So + adjective ... that' combines with the verb 'to be'.
Examples
So strange was the situation that I couldn't sleep.
So difficult is the test that students need three months to prepare.
'Such'
'So + to be + noun ... (that)':
Examples
Such is the moment that all greats traverse.
Such is the stuff of dreams.
Inverted Conditional Forms
Sometimes conditional forms are inverted as a means of sounding more formal. In this case, the conditional 'if' is dropped and the inverted forms takes the place of the 'if clause'.
Examples
Had he understood the problem, he wouldn't have committed those mistakes.Should he decide to come, please telephone.
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/english_lessons/english-exercises-on-inversion
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Tense Check
Read the following short story and put the verbs into the correct tense. Post your answers to the Blog and I'll put up the answers in 5 days time! :)
John Tense? _____ (always travel) a lot. In fact, he Tense? _____ (be) only two years old when he first Tense? _____ (fly) to the US. His mother Tense? _____ (be) Italian and his father Tense? _____ (be) American. John Tense? _____(be) born in France, but his parentsTense? _____ (meet) in Cologne, Germany after they Tense? _____ (live) there for five years. They Tense? _____ (meet) one day while John's father Tense? _____ (read) a book in the library and his mother Tense? _____ (sit down) beside him. Anyway, John Tense?_____ (travel) a lot because his parents also Tense? _____ (travel) a lot.
As a matter of fact, John Tense? _____ (visit) his parents in France at the moment. He Tense?_____ (live) in New York now, but Tense? _____ (visit) his parents for the past few weeks. He really Tense? _____ (enjoy) living in New York, but he also Tense? _____ (love) coming to visit his parents at least once a year.
This year Tense? _____ (fly) over 50,000 miles for his job. He Tense? _____ (work) for Jackson & Co. for almost two years now. He Tense? _____ (be) pretty sure that he Tense? _____ (work) for them next year as well. His job Tense?_____(require) a lot of travel. In fact, by the end of this year, he Tense? _____ over 120,000 miles! His next journey Tense? _____ (be) to Australia. He really Tense? _____ (not like) going to Australia because it is so far. This time he Tense?_____ (fly) from Paris after a meeting with the company's French partner. He Tense? _____ for over 18 hours by the time he Tense? _____ (arrive)!
John Tense? _____ (talking) with his parents earlier this evening when his girlfriend from New York Tense? _____ (telephone) to let him know that Jackson & Co. Tense? _____ (decide) to merge with a company in Australia. The two companies Tense? [_____ (negotiate) for the pamonth, so it really Tense? _____ (not be) much of a surprise. Of course, this Tense? _____ (mean) that John Tense? _____ (have to catch) the next plane back to New York. He Tense? _____ with his boss at this time tomorrow.
Please check your answers!
John Tense? has always traveled (always travel) a lot. In fact, he Tense? was (be) only two years old when he first Tense? flew (fly) to the US. His mother Tense? is (be) Italian and his father Tense? is (be) American. John Tense? was (be) born in France, but his parents Tense? had met (meet) in Cologne, Germany after they Tense? had been living (live) there for five years. They Tense? met (meet) one day while John's father Tense? was reading (read) a book in the library and his mother Tense? sat down (sit down) beside him. Anyway, John Tense? travels (travel) a lot because his parents also Tense? travel (travel) a lot.
As a matter of fact, John Tense? is visiting (visit) his parents in France at the moment. He Tense? lives (live) in New York now, but Tense? has been visiting (visit) his parents for the past few weeks. He really Tense? enjoys (enjoy) living in New York, but he also Tense? loves (love) coming to visit his parents at least once a year.
This year Tense? he has flown (fly) over 50,000 miles for his job. He Tense? has been working (work) for Jackson & Co. for almost two years now. He Tense? is (be) pretty sure that heTense? will be working (work) for them next year as well. His job Tense? requires (require) a lot of travel. In fact, by the end of this year, heTense? will have traveled over 120,000 miles! His next journey Tense? will be (be) to Australia. He really Tense? doesn't like (not like) going to Australia because it is so far. This time he Tense? is going to fly (fly) from Paris after a meeting with the company's French partner. He Tense? will have been sitting for over 18 hours by the time he Tense? arrives (arrive)!
John Tense? was talking (talking) with his parents earlier this evening when his girlfriend from New York Tense? telephoned (telephone) to let him know that Jackson & Co. Tense? had decided (decide) to merge with a company in Australia. The two companies Tense? had been negotiating (negotiate) for the past month, so it really Tense? wasn't (not be) much of a surprise. Of course, this Tense? means (mean) that John Tense? will have to catch (have to catch) the next plane back to New York. HeTense? will be meeting with his boss at this time tomorrow.
Please check your answers!
John Tense? has always traveled (always travel) a lot. In fact, he Tense? was (be) only two years old when he first Tense? flew (fly) to the US. His mother Tense? is (be) Italian and his father Tense? is (be) American. John Tense? was (be) born in France, but his parents Tense? had met (meet) in Cologne, Germany after they Tense? had been living (live) there for five years. They Tense? met (meet) one day while John's father Tense? was reading (read) a book in the library and his mother Tense? sat down (sit down) beside him. Anyway, John Tense? travels (travel) a lot because his parents also Tense? travel (travel) a lot.
As a matter of fact, John Tense? is visiting (visit) his parents in France at the moment. He Tense? lives (live) in New York now, but Tense? has been visiting (visit) his parents for the past few weeks. He really Tense? enjoys (enjoy) living in New York, but he also Tense? loves (love) coming to visit his parents at least once a year.
This year Tense? he has flown (fly) over 50,000 miles for his job. He Tense? has been working (work) for Jackson & Co. for almost two years now. He Tense? is (be) pretty sure that heTense? will be working (work) for them next year as well. His job Tense? requires (require) a lot of travel. In fact, by the end of this year, heTense? will have traveled over 120,000 miles! His next journey Tense? will be (be) to Australia. He really Tense? doesn't like (not like) going to Australia because it is so far. This time he Tense? is going to fly (fly) from Paris after a meeting with the company's French partner. He Tense? will have been sitting for over 18 hours by the time he Tense? arrives (arrive)!
John Tense? was talking (talking) with his parents earlier this evening when his girlfriend from New York Tense? telephoned (telephone) to let him know that Jackson & Co. Tense? had decided (decide) to merge with a company in Australia. The two companies Tense? had been negotiating (negotiate) for the past month, so it really Tense? wasn't (not be) much of a surprise. Of course, this Tense? means (mean) that John Tense? will have to catch (have to catch) the next plane back to New York. HeTense? will be meeting with his boss at this time tomorrow.
Punctuation Exercises! :)
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/index.htm
I have found a really useful little site run by Bristol University with lots of exercises on grammar and writing skills.
Definitely worth a visit!
I have found a really useful little site run by Bristol University with lots of exercises on grammar and writing skills.
Definitely worth a visit!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Important Exam Infomation
Closing date for CPE exam is 31 March 2011, candidates can pick up the application form at level 1.
Written Test 16 June 2011 (Thursday)
Speaking Test between 6 and 10 June 2011.
Written Test 16 June 2011 (Thursday)
Speaking Test between 6 and 10 June 2011.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Issues in today's class
1.
Never before have people had such a common core of experiences.
> ..................................
_______________________(x)_________________________ now
(Linked to the immediate present)
Never before had so many people had so common a core of shared cultural experiences..
>.........................................
X____________________X____________________________now
(Linked to the past)
2. After speaking to another teacher, we both decided that 'so' does refer to the previous sentence. However, it's not used as an adjective, but as a conjunction as it adds infomation to the previous sentence.
Television will then have become truly global. So, perhaps, will the cultural values it instills.
To make this simplier:
After trying to understand this grammar, I have a headache. So do I.
(So links back to the headache)
Here's a visual representation of what 'so' can be:
http://www.visuwords.com/?word=so
Never before have people had such a common core of experiences.
> ..................................
_______________________(x)_________________________ now
(Linked to the immediate present)
Never before had so many people had so common a core of shared cultural experiences..
>.........................................
X____________________X____________________________now
(Linked to the past)
2. After speaking to another teacher, we both decided that 'so' does refer to the previous sentence. However, it's not used as an adjective, but as a conjunction as it adds infomation to the previous sentence.
Television will then have become truly global. So, perhaps, will the cultural values it instills.
To make this simplier:
After trying to understand this grammar, I have a headache. So do I.
(So links back to the headache)
Here's a visual representation of what 'so' can be:
http://www.visuwords.com/?word=so
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Overscored
Hello everyone,
After checking macmillan dictionary, 'overscored' isn't included:
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/spellcheck/british/?q=overscored
However the following best describes what overscored means in terms of movies:
The score is very interesting, very engaging. The songs make for a nice, hip soundtrack. Not a moment did the movie feel over-scored.
After checking macmillan dictionary, 'overscored' isn't included:
http://www.macmillandictionary.com/spellcheck/british/?q=overscored
However the following best describes what overscored means in terms of movies:
The score is very interesting, very engaging. The songs make for a nice, hip soundtrack. Not a moment did the movie feel over-scored.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
CPE: Proposal Outline
I just got an update regarding the outline of a proposal.
What was taught in CPE 2 last year and what was taught in CPE 1 this year are both acceptable.
As with most writing genres, there is some leeway to the organisation of the text.
The main thing you need to have is:
- Introduction (Background details)
- Proposal/ Recommendation
- Benefits (separate paragraph or after each proposal/recommendation)
I find it better to write after each proposal and it’s a bit clearer to read.
- Conclusion.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
CPE Exam Practice Tests
Hello everyone,
I was trying to get CPE 4 practice tests for you to use and after liasing with Nasser (Senior Teacher), it was agreed that it would be best to leave the practice tests for CPE2.
It is probably best to go through them a bit later to avoid jumping in too much. So instead of every week, I will give you a practice exam every few weeks.
Don't worry as I will still be giving extra optional things to do e.g. phrasal verbs, collocations, writing tasks, grammar - which will inform you when doing practise exams in the future.
If you have any questions, please post and I'll see what I can do to help!
Des :)
I was trying to get CPE 4 practice tests for you to use and after liasing with Nasser (Senior Teacher), it was agreed that it would be best to leave the practice tests for CPE2.
It is probably best to go through them a bit later to avoid jumping in too much. So instead of every week, I will give you a practice exam every few weeks.
Don't worry as I will still be giving extra optional things to do e.g. phrasal verbs, collocations, writing tasks, grammar - which will inform you when doing practise exams in the future.
If you have any questions, please post and I'll see what I can do to help!
Des :)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Classroom Thoughts
From Florence:
following our discussion, I have investigated further the origin of the word "history". It comes from the Greek word "historia", meaning inquiry, knowledge acquired by investigation. So, it's just a coincidence if it sounds like "his story" in English.
Nethertheless
adverb /ˌnevərðəˈles/
following our discussion, I have investigated further the origin of the word "history". It comes from the Greek word "historia", meaning inquiry, knowledge acquired by investigation. So, it's just a coincidence if it sounds like "his story" in English.
Nethertheless
adverb /ˌnevərðəˈles/
Nonetheless
Website of the Week
Website of the week - From International House Barcelona.
Lots more activities if you have completed the exercises on Flo-joe
http://www.english-online.org.uk/cpefolder/cpehome.php?name=Practice%20for%20the%20Cambridge%20Proficiency%20English
Lots more activities if you have completed the exercises on Flo-joe
http://www.english-online.org.uk/cpefolder/cpehome.php?name=Practice%20for%20the%20Cambridge%20Proficiency%20English
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Website(s) of the week
If you ever have problems deciding if a collocation is useful or not, please check the following websites:
www.webcorp.org.uk
and
www.natcorp.ox.ac.uk
www.webcorp.org.uk
and
www.natcorp.ox.ac.uk
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Conditionals - Extra Exercises and Explanations
Just found this and it's quite a good resource on conditionals with explanations and exercises.
http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/conditionalintro.html
For Example:
Mixed Conditionals
http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/conditionalintro.html
For Example:
Mixed Conditionals
Verbs in green are in the Present Unreal Conditional.
Verbs in red are in the Past Unreal Conditional.
Verbs in purple are in the Future Unreal Conditional.
Mixed Conditional Patterns
PAST | PRESENT |
Examples:
- If I had won the lottery, I would be rich.
But I didn't win the lottery in the past and I am not rich now. - If I had taken French in high school, I would have more job opportunities.
But I didn't take French in high school and I don't have many job opportunities. - If she had been born in the United States, she wouldn't need a visa to work here.
But she wasn't born in the United States and she does need a visa now to work here.
PAST | FUTURE |
Examples:
- If she had signed up for the ski trip last week, she would be joining us tomorrow.
But she didn't sign up for the ski trip last week and she isn't going to join us tomorrow. - If Mark had gotten the job instead of Joe, he would be moving to Shanghai.
But Mark didn't get the job and Mark is not going to move to Shanghai. - If Darren hadn't wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas, he would go to Mexico with us next month.
But Darren wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas and he won't go to Mexico with us next month.
PRESENT | PAST |
Examples:
- If I were rich, I would have bought that Ferrari we saw yesterday.
But I am not currently rich and that is why I didn't buy the Ferrari yesterday. - If Sam spoke Russian, he would have translated the letter for you.
But Sam doesn't speak Russian and that is why he didn't translate the letter. - If I didn't have to work so much, I would have gone to the party last night.
But I have to work a lot and that is why I didn't go to the party last night.
PRESENT | FUTURE |
Examples:
- If I didn't have so much vacation time, I wouldn't go with you on the cruise to Alaska next week.
But I do have a lot of vacation time and I will go on the trip next week. - If Cindy were more creative, the company would send her to New York to work on the new advertising campaign.
But Cindy is not creative and the company won't send her to New York to work on the new campaign. - If Dan weren't so nice, he wouldn't be tutoring you in math tonight.
But Dan is nice and he is going to tutor you tonight.
FUTURE | PAST |
Examples:
- If I weren't going on my business trip next week, I would have accepted that new assignment at work.
But I am going to go on a business trip next week, and that is why I didn't accept that new assignment at work. - If my parents weren't coming this weekend, I would have planned a nice trip just for the two of us to Napa Valley.
But my parents are going to come this weekend, and that is why I didn't plan a trip for the two of us to Napa Valley. - If Donna weren't making us a big dinner tonight, I would have suggested that we go to that nice Italian restaurant.
But she is going to make us a big dinner tonight, and that is why I didn't suggest that we go to that nice Italian restaurant.
FUTURE | PRESENT |
Examples:
- If I were going to that concert tonight, I would be very excited.
But I am not going to go to that concert tonight and that is why I am not excited. - If Sandy were giving a speech tomorrow, she would be very nervous.
But Sandy is not going to give a speech tomorrow and that is why she in not nervous. - If Seb didn't come with us to the desert, everyone would be very disappointed.
But Seb will come with us to the desert and that is why everyone is so happy.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Website of the Week! Splendid - Speaking
Improve your English fluency skills with chunks
Words often form part of fixed expressions. Being able to call on these 'chunks' of vocabulary will improve your fluency skills.
Words often form part of fixed expressions. Being able to call on these 'chunks' of vocabulary will improve your fluency skills.
Learn advanced English vocabularyGet the most out of Splendid Speaking. Use our free materials to help improve your advanced English vocabulary with our suggested activities.
Subscribe to Podcasts for listening practiceListening to native speakers is a great way to help improve your own advanced-level speaking skills. And it's never been easier with podcasts.
Practise English conversationIf you're a self-study student and need help in finding speaking partners for exams or general interest, try our Splendid Speaking group on Facebook.
More activities on Splendid-Speaking.com ...
Punctuation! :)
Preview of eats, shoots and leaves from Google.com/Books :)
http://books.google.ie/books?id=c3ETv37GqfcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=eats+shoots+and+leaves&hl=en&ei=Xs1HTcf3LoPKrAedmKzdBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
http://books.google.ie/books?id=c3ETv37GqfcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=eats+shoots+and+leaves&hl=en&ei=Xs1HTcf3LoPKrAedmKzdBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
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