Showing posts sorted by relevance for query going to. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query going to. Sort by date Show all posts

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Future with "Going To"

Use be going to _____(base verb) to talk about a future that was planned.  Some websites have tests that indicate "be going to" is very different from "will."  In real life, the difference is very small.  We usually start with "be going to" for a plan and "will" for first volunteering or considering possibilities, but if we keep talking, we may use them interchangeably.

Great explanation and practice from a German website
Explanation and practice
Dialog Practice--Talking about tomorrow's plans


Be Going to Quiz








Going to is pronounced like (a cup of mustard) "gonna."  Even though lots of people--and many lyric writers-- write "gonna" especially in texts, it's not OK in a formal situation.  You should write "going to" and say "gunna."


Songs with "going to"














Monday, March 17, 2014

A, An, or The











A or An = 1  When I use a or an for one, I probably don't know or care which one.  I don't think you know which one anyway.  Use for non-specific nouns. Use a or an with one of many.
Examples: Please hand me a napkin.  Can I have a piece of pizza?  Please give her a pencil.  Get a chair.  Have an apple.  I'll be done in just a minute.
Never use a or an with plural (more that 1) or non-count nouns.

The= I think you know which one(s).  Can be used with plural nouns and non-count nouns. Don't use anything when the plural or non-count noun is a big idea. (Practice makes your English improve.  Religion makes her happy.  March has nice weather in Virginia.
The students need more practice.  (What students?  The ones in my class.)  There's the girl with the orange hat. (What girl?  The girl who is wearing the only orange hat in the class.  You know which one because you can see the orange hat.)  Did you finish the homework?  (What homework?  The homework that the teacher told you to do for today.  I think you know, but if you don't know, check the blog!!   What blog?  The blog for our class:  www.lieasyesol.blogspot.com)

The must be used when there's only one because if there's only one, you know which one.
Please lock the door.  Look at the clock.

The should be used when you describe which one.
We say "a student" to describe any one student in the class, but "the student" with the NIKE cap to describe a particular student.
A desk=any desk.  The teacher's desk=a specific desk---and you know which.

The should be used after the first mention because now you know which one(s).  
Please give me a sponge.  Would you please wet the sponge before you give it to me?
(What sponge?  The sponge that you are going to give me.)

www.Englishclub.com explanation -- only for a/an/the before count singular nouns
Englishclub Example:
This little story should help you understand the difference between the and a, an:

A man and a woman were walking on Oxford Street. The woman saw a dress that she liked in a shop. She asked the man if he could buy the dress for her. He said: "Do you think the shop will accept a check? I don't have a credit card

Advanced Explanation -- Scroll down for some good examples


Practice
a vs. the
http://www.learnenglishfeelgood.com/articles-a-the2.html
Englishcurrent.com practice

For a vs. an Use "an" before a vowel sound.  Be careful.  Sometimes the sound is more important than reality.  If "hon" sounds like "awww," use an.  If "u" sounds like "yooo," use a

a or an practice
a or an 2
Woodward English a vs. an

Thoughtco.com: A, an, or the

Put a, an, or the in the article-- Breaking News English --  Grown Children Moving Out Makes Parents Happy

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Verb tenses

 What's a verb?  A verb is a word for action or =.  In this video, = verbs are linking verbs. "Tired" is an adjective, NOT a past tense verb.






Present Continuous (AKA Present Progressive)

"Simple" Present