tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80750441064994594302024-02-03T05:14:02.322+08:00On-English.Blogspot.comGeneral English Grammar & Vocabulary onlineShawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11097344406575396735noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-23769282988618851232017-05-18T17:12:00.002+08:002017-05-18T17:13:29.209+08:00Business emails and letters TipsThere are some more business email and letter phrases. In this list we
look at how to make requests, complain, apologise and give bad news.
The examples in the left column are more formal. The right-hand column shows the less formal equivalent.
When we make a request
more formal
less formal
I would be grateful if you could … .
Could you possibly … ?
I would appreciate (it) Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-71184322197332692942011-05-02T23:26:00.004+08:002011-05-02T23:38:49.955+08:00This is Just Type of PunctuationSometimes, you might forget what the name of those punctuation. If so, refer to the list belowapostrophe = 'brackets = ( ) [ ]colon = :comma =, dash = -exclamation mark = !full stop = .hyphen = -inverted commas = ' 'semicolon = ;question mark = ?Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-86763240278330611482011-04-10T18:03:00.003+08:002011-04-10T18:11:39.733+08:00May or Might ?One of the meanings of may and might is to be allowed to.e.g. The members of the organization agree that I may join it. The members of the organization agreed that I might join it.May and might and must are also used to express differing degrees of probability:Degree of Probability Auxiliary somewhat probable may, mightFor instance, may and might are often used in the Simple Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-73755925222171275822010-12-26T20:38:00.002+08:002010-12-26T20:43:18.141+08:00Conditional Clauses : Improbable Situation and Imaginary Situationsa. Improbable Situations 1. WRONG : If the meeting would be cancelled, they would ring. CORRECT : If the meeting was cancelled, they would ring. 2. WRONG : If I would do it , I would do it this way. CORRECT : If I did it, I would do it this way. When referring to something that is possible but unlikely to happen, we use past tense for the if clause, and would / could for the main clause. b. Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-71826716936362049422010-12-13T00:13:00.004+08:002010-12-13T00:17:31.315+08:00Conditional Clauses : Real PossibilityCommon errors in conditional clauses mostly concern the wrong use of verb tense. Here are some typical examples. Real Possibility Sample 1. WRONG : If you attend 80 % of the sessions, you would receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course. CORRECT : If you attend 80 % of the sessions, you will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course. Sample 2.WRONG : If you Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-48641746509364647532010-12-01T22:59:00.004+08:002014-04-02T13:44:51.532+08:00Ordinal Numbers
First = 1 st
Second = 2 nd
Third = 3 rd
Fourth = 4 th
Fifth = 5 th
Sixth = 6 th
Seventh = 7 th
Eighth = 8 th
Ninth = 9 th
Tenth = 10 th
Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-61409930294131777362010-11-28T14:04:00.001+08:002010-11-28T14:09:15.639+08:00CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : Past PossibilitiesPast Possibilities Sample 1. WRONG : If you were not late for the press conference, you would have heard the Director’s speech. CORRECT : If you had not been late for the press conference, you would have heard the Director’s speech. Sample 2. WRONG : If the project was not delayed, we would have finished it by now. CORRECT :If the project had not been delayed, we would have finished it by now. Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-88043694361288237492010-11-21T22:41:00.001+08:002010-11-21T22:43:21.055+08:00CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : Imaginary SituationsImaginary Situations WRONG : If I am you, I will take the offer. CORRECT : If I were you, I would take the offer. CORRECT :If I was you, I would take the offer.(Less Formal) When talking about imaginary situations, we use past tense in the if clause and would/could in the main clause.Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-69431926376237596752010-11-13T23:39:00.001+08:002010-11-13T23:41:09.783+08:00How to do business ?How to do business !!Conversation between a business man & his son.BM : "I want you to marry a girl of my choice"Son : "No - I will choose my own bride!"BM : "But the girl is Bill Gates' daughter."Son : "Well, in that case...ok"Next, BM approaches Bill Gates.BM : "I have a husband for your daughter."Bill Gates: "But my daughter is too young to marry!"BM : "But this young man is a Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-33688845827415871262010-11-07T18:34:00.001+08:002010-11-07T18:36:13.428+08:00CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : Improbable SituationsImprobable Situations 1. WRONG : If the meeting would be cancelled, they would ring. CORRECT : If the meeting was cancelled, they would ring. 2. WRONG : If I would do it , I would do it this way. CORRECT : If I did it, I would do it this way. When referring to something that is possible but unlikely to happen, we use past tense for the if clause, and would / could for the main clause.Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-34578299400864090762010-10-31T17:46:00.002+08:002010-10-31T18:00:50.183+08:00CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : Real Possibility Real Possibility 1. WRONG :If you attend 80 % of the sessions, you would receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course. CORRECT : If you attend 80 % of the sessions, you will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course. 2. WRONG : If you send us your applications this week, we would let you know of the results in two weeks’ time. CORRECT :If you send us your Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-15057954599286585522010-10-24T22:16:00.002+08:002010-10-24T22:20:55.425+08:00CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : Past PossibilitiesPast Possibilities 1.WRONG : If you were not late for the press conference, you would have heard the Director’s speech. RIGHT : If you had not been late for the press conference, you would have heard the Director’s speech. 2. WRONG : If the project was not delayed, we would have finished it by now. RIGHT : If the project had not been delayed, we would have finished it by now. When referring Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-1340383115734478642010-10-17T22:51:00.008+08:002010-10-17T23:39:10.509+08:00CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : Improbable Situations and Imaginary Situationsa. Improbable Situations 1. WRONG : If the meeting would be cancelled, they would ring. RIGHT : If the meeting was cancelled, they would ring. 2. WRONG :If I would do it , I would do it this way. RIGHT :If I did it, I would do it this way. When referring to something that is possible but unlikely to happen, we use past tense for the if clause, and would / could for the main clause. b. Imaginary Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-89308460368028303252010-10-10T10:58:00.003+08:002010-10-10T11:36:30.818+08:00CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : Probable SituationsReal Possibility 1. Wrong : If you attend 80 % of the sessions, you would receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course. Right: If you attend 80 % of the sessions, you will receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course. 2. Wrong : If you send us your applications this week, we would let you know of the results in two weeks’ time. Right: If you send us your Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-16653715490972941262010-10-03T16:56:00.004+08:002010-10-03T17:07:31.746+08:00CONDITIONAL CLAUSES - 1CONDITIONAL CLAUSES There are basically three types of conditional clauses: TYPE 1 Probable Situations If clause + Main clause simple present will / shall eg. If we purchase a new computer, we will be able to process 500 more applications per month. TYPE 2 Improbable or Imaginary Situations If clause + Main clause simple past wouldShawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-70303540888718477352010-09-12T13:02:00.004+08:002010-09-12T13:10:48.481+08:00ARTICLES: Use of OmissionOmissionSituations 1. after prepositions in some common expressionsExampleto/in/into/ out of hospital/prison/bedby car/bicycle/bus/plane/trainto/at/from workout of townSituations 2. in some time phrasesExamplein 1990 (year), in summer (season),since April (month),at Christmas (festival)on Monday (day of week), at nightSituations 3. before the names of continents and countriesExampleHave you Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-49066177518908894822010-09-05T18:40:00.003+08:002010-09-05T19:05:44.607+08:00ARTICLES: Use of a or an and TheARTICLESIf you are unsure whether to use a, an or the, consider the following:Use of a or anUsage1. before a singular countable nounExample: She is a member of our Finance Committee.2. when a person/thing is mentioned for the first timeExample: An in-house seminar will be held next Tuesday. Three representatives from the Human Resources Association will speak at the seminar.3. in Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-16889878309551733012010-08-30T22:44:00.008+08:002010-08-30T23:57:06.151+08:00More examples of Verbs with no passive: Part 4RiseWrong : show that the inflation rate rose by 2%.Correct: There is no passive form for rise.There is no passive form for rise.StartWrong : The District Board Election will be started at nine tomorrow morning.Correct: The District Board Election will start at nine tomorrow morning.We use the active form for start when referring to activitiese.g. election, meetings, press conferences.take Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-19024001656882248902010-08-22T17:22:00.005+08:002010-08-22T19:55:27.091+08:00More examples of Verbs with no passive: Part 3DisappearWrong : When the police arrived at the scene, they found the suspects were disappeared.Correct: When the police arrived at the scene, they found the suspects had disappeared.There is no passive form for the verb disappear.Discharge (to release from hospital, prison or the armed forces)Wrong : As she recovered very quickly, she discharged from hospital the following week.Correct: As sheShawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-3020409595445637042010-08-15T16:20:00.004+08:002010-08-15T16:39:11.962+08:00More examples of Verbs with no passive: Part 2baseWrong: The report based on research of various educational systems in South East Asia.Correct: The report was based on research of various educational systems in South East Asia.We use the passive form for the verb base because the report cannot perform this action.beginWrong: The orientation programme will be begun early next week.Correct: The orientation programme will begin early next Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-88032280183854733542010-08-08T14:28:00.003+08:002010-08-15T16:39:34.250+08:00Verbs with no passive -Part 1Some verbs do not have a passive form. Here are some examples:Verbs without Passives:- break out- let- die- occur- disappear- pass away- escape- race- exist- resemble- flee- suit- get- survive- happen- take placeSome common errors in the use of active and passive are as follows:admit (to take into hospital to receive treatment)Wrong - The driver admitted to hospital after the traffic Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-7112026452245451182010-08-01T18:48:00.001+08:002010-08-01T18:51:21.743+08:00ACTIVE and PASSIVEWhen to use the passiveVerbs can be used in active or passive form. This depends on whether you would like to emphasize the performer of an action or that someone or something is affected by an action.(Passive) He was forced to resign.(Here the emphasis is on the he being affected by the resignation.)(Active) The senior management forced him to resign.(Here the senior management is emphasized as Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-56144099389514343592010-07-24T20:55:00.000+08:002010-07-25T15:55:25.364+08:00What is Tag ?TagsWhen teaching tags, the temptation is to concentrate on getting the correct auxiliary.Two other points are worth remembering:1. Why tags are used in conversation - to facilitate turn-taking.2. Tags are not questions - they need a response, which will give more informationto enable the conversation to develop further:You've been to Malta before, haven't you?> Yes, but it was years ago.Really, Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-8597303631900663592010-07-18T15:26:00.001+08:002010-07-18T16:18:06.048+08:00Questions and Reported SpeechRules for Reported SpeechBeware of being too dogmatic about this area. Some grammars say that certain rules must be followed, but the truth is that many different combinations of tenses are possible:He said > he's coming / he'll come / he's going to come / he was coming.On the whole, past tenses are used to report past events. Sometimes we report in the present things which are happening or are Shawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075044106499459430.post-47761385745629186932010-07-11T08:10:00.001+08:002010-07-11T11:47:04.814+08:00Defining relative clausesDefining relative clausesThese clauses add an extra piece of information which helps to define the noun more clearly. Notice there are no commas to show the close link between the clause and its subject.He introduced me to his sister who is retired and lives in America.(He has more than one sister. This one is retired and lives in America.)The person who deals with your account is on holiday thisShawn Vervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00849545719074810219noreply@blogger.com0