Category: Class

Commas vs Semicolons in Compound Sentences

A sentence or an independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It is a complete sentence in itself but may appear together with another independent clause. When two independent clauses are linked together, it is called a compound sentence. A comma or a semicolon can be used to connect the independent clauses in a compound sentence.

Joining Independent Clauses

Comma (,)

Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to join two independent clauses. Place the comma after the first independent clause and use an appropriate coordinating conjunction afterward.

Examples:

I’m having a blast, and I don’t want it to end.
He was about to run out of gas, so he went straight to a gas station.
I was minding my own business at the coffee shop, and suddenly a strange lady started talking to me.
Note: This method of using a comma and a coordinating conjunction is best used when there is a relatively simple relationship between the independent clauses. Everything before the comma and after the coordinating conjunction must be able to operate as complete sentences.

Semicolon (;)

Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are closely related. No connecting word is necessary in this method. 

Examples:

She studied for her driving test for weeks; she felt confident for the exam the next day.
Belen adores her little niece; she is charming and delightful.
My father is an optometrist; he recommended I get a pair of reading glasses.
Note: This method of using a semicolon is best used when there is an evident relation between the two independent clauses. Everything before and after the semicolon must be able to operate as complete sentences. 

Use a semicolon with any of these conjunctive adverbs (adverbs that join independent clauses): however, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless, thus, etc. 

Examples:

This activity aims to promote teamwork among colleagues; moreover, it is a good way to disconnect from their stressful daily tasks.
We plan to stay for another day; however, my husband is starting to feel a little sick.
He got injured during the game; therefore, the coach decided to replace him with another player.

Adverb Position

An adverb is a word that qualifies or modifies a verb, an adjective, another adverb or even a whole sentence.

Examples:

She left unwillingly.
He appeared to be very perky.
I seldom visit my dentist.
I may have acted too hastily.
Luckily, we had spare cash.

Adverb Placement

It is important to learn the proper placement of adverbs. It is recommended to position the adverb as close as possible to the words they intend to modify. Not doing so can result in an awkward sentence.

Adverbs can be placed in three positions when used to modify a verb.

1. Place the adverb before the subject.

Gently, Alicia laid her baby on the bed.
Carefully, Allan unwrapped his present.

2. Place the adverb before the main verb.

Alicia gently laid her baby on the bed.
Allan carefully unwrapped his present.

3. Place the adverb after the direct object or verb complement.

Alicia laid her baby on the bed gently.
Allan unwrapped his present carefully.

Note: You can add many adverbs in any of these positions according to the context or style.

Placement of adverbs with the verb to be

Place the adverb right after the verb when the main verb of a sentence is the verb “to be“.

Examples:

I am totally dependable.
She‘s never certain of her work.

Placement of adverbs with auxiliaries and modals

Place the adverb after the first auxiliary or modal and before the main verb when the sentence contains an auxiliary or modal.

Examples:

I‘ve never seen him so furious.
They can barely see their own child.
You shouldn’t ever have seen that.

Placement of adverbs in questions

Place the adverb between the subject and the main verb in question forms.

Examples:

Have they ever considered looking for a new partner?
Would she really appreciate it if I backed off?

Adverbs and negatives

Place the adverb after the auxiliary/modal and before the main verb in negative sentences.

Examples:

She can’t really fathom the idea of you calling off the wedding.
He doesn’t usually like to fly business class.
She won’t always let people into her inner circle.

Where NOT to put an adverb

DO NOT put an adverb between a main verb and its direct object.

Correct:She opened the door suddenly.
IncorrectShe opened suddenly the door.

DO NOT put an adverb between a verb and a gerund or infinitive with to.

Correct:The child started behaving naughtily when he entered secondary school.
Incorrect:The child started naughtily behaving when he entered secondary school.
Correct:He’d like to visit you sometimes.
Incorrect:He’d like sometimes to visit you.

The Dangers of Being Over-Confident

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Possessing self-confidence is generally a positive trait. Individuals with higher level of confidence often have greater success across a wide range of fields.

While self esteem, superior to any other characteristic, is typically perceived as a strength in many scenarios, having too much of it can be extremely negative to both success and well-being.

But can you ever have too much confidence? Is it possible to have a good thing in excess?

Let us go through the entire article to discover more about the pitfalls of overconfidence.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220901-the-dangers-of-being-over-confident

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is it possible to have too much self-belief? Explain.
  2. What drawbacks might overconfidence cause?
  3. Can overconfidence be handled? How?
  4. How do you deal with someone who is overconfident?
  5. Share a situation where being overconfident helped you.

Catastrophizing or Toxic Thinking

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you have the habit of magnifying your problems, anticipating the worst, or thinking that your circumstances are worse than they actually are? If you routinely find yourself catastrophizing, becoming aware of your tendency to do so may be beneficial before it impairs your quality of life.

Finding techniques to disrupt those poisonous thought loops should be beneficial in boosting one’s toughness and there may be no better time to learn than now.

Let us read the complete content to learn more about how toxic thinking can lead you down to a dangerous path.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220725-catastrophising-how-toxic-thinking-can-lead-down-dark-path

Discussion Questions:

  1. What exactly does it mean to catastrophize?
  2. How could you make adjustments if you are a catastrophizer but would prefer not to be?
  3. Is it doable to teach your brain to avoid automatically thinking the worst-case scenario? Why or why not?
  4. How do you deal with anxiety without the employ of medications?
  5. How has expecting the worst helped you in some situations in your life previously?

Gender of Nouns

Nouns may be grouped according to gender. In English, the four genders of nouns are masculine, feminine, common and neuter.

Masculine nouns refer to words for men, boys and male animals. 

Examples:

boybrother
fatherking
hostduke
tigerlion

Example sentences:

That little boy is tired. He is sleeping.
The king gives the order. His soldier must follow.
Her father is a hard worker. He goes home late everyday.

Feminine nouns refer to words for women, girls and female animals.

Examples:

girlsister
motherqueen
hostessduchess
tigresslioness

Example sentences:

That girl is very smart. She answers the questions well.
The actress is very popular. She has many fans.
The hostess is very helpful. She takes good care of the guests.

Common nouns refer to words for members of a class that do not have a specific gender. They can be used for both males and females.

Examples:

cousinteacher
frienddoctor
studentspouse
chickenhorse

Example sentences:

Maria is my cousin. She is a teacher.
Vicente is my friend. He is a doctor.
Carlos is my neighbor. He is a student.

To make it clear, we can add the words male or female before these common nouns.

She is not my girlfriend, she is just a female friend.
Vicente is a male doctor.
She has five female cousins.

Neuter nouns refer to words for things that have no gender. They are neither male nor female.

Examples:

bookcar
doorcomputer
fanradio
traintelevision

Example sentences:

I like driving my car. It runs very fast.
My computer is very expensive. It costs €2000.
The train just arrived. It is always on time.

Workers and Employers Ghosting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

‘Ghosting’ was first used in the dating scene to describe an abrupt, unexpected halt to all contacts. This societal concept is quickly catching on in the workplace and both parties are guilty of committing the crime.

You might be surprised to learn that ghosting is becoming more pervasive. Additionally, ghosting is not solely done by employees. Employers are also guilty of abandoning prospects as the talent acquisition process moves forward, even while an offer is being made.

Understand why employees and employers are ghosting one another by going through the article.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220311-why-workers-and-employers-are-ghosting-each-other

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on this work issue.
  2. How can we end the trend of ‘quiet firing’ and ‘quiet quitting’?
  3. Why do employers ghost job applicants?
  4. Is it illegal to ghost your job? Why or why not?
  5. Is ghosting an employer profitable in the long term? Explain.
  6. What are the available alternatives to ghosting?

Questions

An introductory phrase may be used before a question. When you need to use them, you must change the order of the word in the question.

Common introductions:

Do you know…? 
Can I ask…? 
I’m not sure…
I’d like to know…
I wonder…

Example sentences:

What’s the date today?Can you tell me what the date today is?
Where did they sleep?I don’t know where they slept.

Form:

1. If the question has an auxiliary verb, exchange the positions of the auxiliary verb and the subject. You can also do the same in sentences with the verb to be.

Example: When can she complete it?

The auxiliary verb is “can” and “she” is the subject. Exchange their positions when adding an introduction.

Do you know when she can complete it?

Other examples:

Where are they going?I don’t know where they’re going.
What is she doing?I wonder what she’s doing.

If the verb is the last word in the sentence, you cannot shorten the verb.

Incorrect: Do you know where it’s? Correct: Do you know where it is?

2. Remove “do“, “does“, and “did” from the question if the question is in the present or past simple. Change the verb ending by using the correct verb tense.

Example:

What did she say? Did you hear what she said?
What time do you go to school? Can you tell me what time you go to school?
Where does he live?I wonder where he lives.

3. If no question word (where, what, why etc.) is used in a question, use if or whether before the question.

Example:

Does she study there?Do you know if she studies there?
Are they going to the park? Do you know whether they are going to the park?

Test 337

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Tag Questions

A tag question is a short question we can add to the end of a statement. We use tag questions to confirm the statement.

Rules for Two-Word Tag Questions 

a. The subject must be the same in both statement and tag question.

b. The auxiliary verb or main verb in the statement must match the verb in the tag question.

c. If the statement is positive, the tag question is negative, and if the statement is negative, the tag question is positive.

Examples:

They’ve been to Spain, haven’t they?
You won’t be late, will you?
You’re ready, aren’t you?
You aren’t going to school today, are you?

If the main statement has an auxiliary verb in it, use the same verb in the question tag. 

Normally there is no auxiliary verb used when positive statements have present and past simple tenses. In this case, we use the auxiliaries does, do or did in the tag question. Present or past simple negative statements definitely have the auxiliaries doesn’t, don’t or didn’t.

Examples:

You go to the gym on Wednesdays, don’t you?
Jaime goes with you, doesn’t he?
You didn’t go to the gym last Wednesday, did you?

When “there is” structure is used, “there” is used in the tag question.

Examples:

There’s nothing to do, is there?
There weren’t any books left, were there?

Something /someone/ nobody /no one/ etc.

When an indefinite pronoun is the subject in the statement, we use “it” in the tag question to mean something or nothing or “they” to mean someone or nobody.

Examples:

Something fell on the floor, didn’t it?
No one came, did they?
Somebody asked for you, didn’t they? Who was it?

When to Use Tag Questions

Tag questions are used to check information that we think we know is true. When rising intonation is used in the tag question, it means we are not very sure of the answer. If falling intonation is used, it means we are almost certain of the answer.

Rising tone

You haven’t met her, have you?
I could use yours, could I?

Falling tone

The dress looks great on Marta, doesn’t it?
The teacher wasn’t very happy today, was she?

A simple yes/no is the usual response to a tag question. We can also answer by using yes/no + auxiliary verb.

Exceptions:

Positive statement with positive tag question

It is possible to use a positive statement- positive tag question when we want to express surprise, interest, anger etc., and not to ask real questions.

Examples:

So you’re getting married, are you? That’s great!
So you think that’s funny, do you? Well, we don’t!
He’s coming home today, is he? He has been saying that for months!

Imperative sentences and let’s

We sometimes add “will you?” or “won’t you?” after imperatives when we want people to follow our advice.

Examples:

Don’t stay up late, will you?
Finish it now, will you?

We sometimes add “shall we?” when making a suggestion.

Examples:

Let’s go home, shall we?
Let’s have fish for dinner, shall we?

Leave out pronoun subject and auxiliary verb

We sometimes do not include pronoun subjects, auxiliary verbs and verb to be in the statement when used in very informal speech.

Examples:

Nice party, isn’t it? (It’s a nice party, isn’t it?)
Looking good, are you? (You’re looking good, are you?)

Abstract Nouns

What is an abstract noun?

An abstract noun is a type of noun that cannot be recognized using the five senses. These are nouns that you cannot see, smell, taste, hear nor touch. They usually refer to feelings or emotions, states, ideas, events and qualities.

Type of Abstract Nouns

Abstract noun typeExamples
Feelings/emotionsfear,pain,hope
Statesdenial, confusion, peace
Concepts/ideasDedication, knowledge, friendship
Eventsyouth, birthday, death
Qualitieshonesty, courage, beauty

Abstract nouns can be countable or uncountable.

Example:

It was a bad experience. (“experience” is used as a countable noun)
I have enough experience to do the job. (“experience” is used as an uncountable noun)

Many common abstract nouns can be formed by adding a suffix (-ity, -tion, -ment etc.) to nouns. 

Form: noun + suffix = abstract noun

Examples:

nounsuffixabstract noun
brother-hoodbrotherhood
generous-itygenerosity
invest-mentinvestment

Example sentences:

There is hope for the future.
She is enjoying her freedom.
My childhood was fun.