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Reported speech: indirect speech Indirect speech focuses more on the content of what someone said rather than their exact words. In indirect speech, the structure of the reported clause depends on whether the speaker is reporting a statement, a question or a command. direct indirect reported clause statement ‘I’m tired,’ I said. I told them (that) I was […]
Introduction One way of describing a person or thing is by saying that they have more of a particular quality than someone or something else. To do this, we use comparative adjectives, which are formed either by adding -er at the end of the adjective, or placing more before it, e.g. She’s more intelligent than her sister. […]
To is a preposition. It is also used as part of the infinitive (the to-infinitive): Does this train go to Cambridge? (preposition) I’d like to see that film. (to-infinitive) To as a preposition: destination or direction We can use to as a preposition to indicate a destination or direction: We’re going to Liverpool next week. Does he want to come to the park with us? The dog ran to us as soon as […]
In English, if you want to follow a verb with another action, you must use a gerund or infinitive. For example: We resumed talking. (gerund – verb + ing) I want to see a movie. (infinitive – to + base verb) There are certain verbs that can only be followed by one or the other, and these verbs must […]
Comma after so When so is used to mean therefore, it is a transitional adverb. So, it should be followed by a comma. I was not feeling well. So, I decided to consult a doctor. Semicolon before And A coordinating conjunction that merges two clauses into one is usually preceded by a comma. However, the comma can be left out when the clauses […]
Make sure you use the correct tense when you talk about future plans in English. Here are some tips to do this, as well as other phrases to use when you talk about your plans with other people. (For more information about this, see our page on future forms.) When it isn’t definite We use […]
Form will be + present participle (-ing form of the verb) NOTE – There is no future tense in English. Instead, we use a variety of forms to talk about the future. WILL (in this case with be + present participle) is one of those forms. In many student grammars (and here!) this form is referred to as future continuous for […]
Using a wide range of vocabulary will help you speak more comprehendible and look more natural. Don’t fear: you don’t have to learn all of these phrases. Just choose a few that you like and practice using them in your writing. Listing Giving examples Generalizing firstly, secondly, thirdly for example in general first, furthermore, finally for […]
Thinking about the past and present together We use the present perfect if we are thinking about the past and present together. We do not use the present perfect if we are not thinking about the present. Compare: My sister has learnt French. (She can speak French now.) Shakespeare probably learnt Italian, (NOT Shakespeare has […]
afraid and fear In an informal style, be afraid is more common than fear. Don’t be afraid, (not Don’t fear) She’s afraid that I might find out. Are you afraid of the dark? I’m not afraid to say what I think. I’m afraid = ‘I’m sorry’ I’m afraid (that) often means ‘I’m sorry to tell […]