Free Short Self-Study English Lessons and Quick Tips for ESL Students

Using the Conditional (Part 1)

We use the conditional to show a possible situation based on another situation. For example: If A happens, then B will happen. The first conditional shows that something could possibly happen. Its structure is like this: If + subject + present tense (or present progressive) ----, subject + will/may/can + base verb ----. For example: If it rains tomorrow, I will take my umbrella. If you help me, we can finish earlier. If the boys give the monkey a coin, it may dance for them. Notice that each sentence above uses the present tense on the if side. But we could also use the present progressive if something is happening right

now. If he isn't working right now, he may want to come over for dinner. We can also change the order of the sentence and put the if side on the second half. The only difference is that there is no comma. I will take my umbrella if it rains tomorrow. We can finish earlier if you help me. The monkey may dance for the boys if they give it a coin. He may want to come over for dinner if he isn't working right now.

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More on using The

On November 26 we talked about the difference between using A and The. Here is a little more specific information on how to use The. Use the after you have talked about it the first time. For example: This is a cat. The cat is brown Use the when the person you are talking to already knows what you are talking about. For example: I am going to the bank. There is someone knocking at the door. It must be the computer repairman. I called him to come help fix my computer. Use the when you talk about general places in nature like the lake, the mountains, the ocean, the beach, etc. For example: Let's go to the beach. I love to camp in the mountains. Use the when you are talking about something that there is only one of and everyone knows about it. The sky, the earth, the stars (as a group). For example: How many people are there on the earth? The sky is so beautiful today.

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Using the Past Continuous with the Simple Past Tense

The past continuous tense uses: was/were + (verb) + ing was eating or were going It is used to show something that happened in the past and continued for a while. For example: From 8:00 to 8:30 I was taking a bath. We use the past continuous tense with the simple past tense when we want to show that one thing happened in the middle of another thing. I was taking a bath and the telephone rang. During a period of time (8:00-8:30) I was taking a bath. At one time (let's say 8:17) someone called on the telephone. We can also connect the past continuous and simple past together by using the words when, while, and as.

When I was taking a bath, the telephone rang. The telephone rang when I was taking a bath. While I was taking a bath, the telephone rang. The telephone rang while I was taking a bath. As I was taking a bath, the telephone rang. The telephone rang as I was taking a bath. Notice if you use when, while, or as at the beginning of the sentence, you need to put a comma (,) after the phrase.

Make a sentence using the words given. Use the past continuous for Check Your Understanding things that happened over a period of time and the simple past for things that happened a one time. The first one has been done for you. I walk down the street (5:00-5:10) see an old man (5:04) while While I was walking down the street, I saw an old man. I saw an old man while I was walking down the street. 1. Susan bake a cake (3:45-4:45) drop a spoon (3:51) when

2. We a burglar comes in the house (3:00) sleep (10:00-6:00)

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Have you ever...?

Ever means from the time you were born until now. Except for rare exceptions, it can only be used in questions and to answers with a no. It is used with have or had + a past participle. Example: Have you ever eaten a frog? Has she ever gone to Australia? When you answer the question, a yes answer will use have/has + past participle. Have you ever seen a whale? Answer: Yes, I have seen a whale. or Yes, I have. If you answer the question with a no, you will need to use

haven't /hasn't + ever + past participle or have /has + never + past participle (both of these have the same meaning) Example:

Check Your Understanding Create the sentences using ever, then answer the question (write only one possible answer.) Example: Susan/wear/cowboy hat Has Susan ever worn a cowboy hat? Yes, she has worn a cowboy hat. Yes, she has. 1. you/go/camping

No,

2. she/make/bread

Yes, 3. Lisa and Tom/eat/Chinese food

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Using have to, supposed to,

and ought to

Check Your Understanding Choose the best answer. 1. Willy needs money to pay for his food and house. If he doesn't go to work, he won't have money. He must work. Willy ___ go to work. a. ought to b. has to c. is supposed to 2. Johnny should help his mother with the housework. His mother would be happy if he did. But if he didn't help her, his mother wouldn't feel bad. Johnny ___ help his mother. a. ought to b. has to c. is supposed to

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Reported Speech (Part 1)

Reported Speech is used to tell or report what someone has said. For example, look at this sentence: Harry said, "I love Susan." If we ask someone else to tell us what Harry said, the person would say (or report) what the first person said like this. He said he loved Susan. Or Harry said he loved Susan. But notice how the verb tense changed. Love became loved. Here are some rules... The present tense verb is change to the past tense in reported speech. Sally said, "I like pizza." What did she say? She said (that*) she liked pizza. The past tense is change to the past perfect in reported speech.

Joe said, "I went to New York City." What did he say? He said (that) he had gone to New York City. The present continuous is changed to the past continuous.

Check Your Understanding Write the sentences using reported speech. 1. Lisa said, "I like to cook." What did she say?

2. Tony said, "I finished his homework." What did he say?

3. Ryan said, "I am working right now."

What did he say?

4. Gwen and Ed said, "We are going to Canada." What did they say?

5. The teachers said, "We help students

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Reported Speech (Part 2)

The present perfect verb is change to the past perfect tense in reported speech.
Michelle said, " I have been to California." What did she say? She said (that*) she had been to California.

The past perfect tense doesn't change.

John said, " I had talked to my neighbor." What did he say? John said (that) he had talked to his neighbor.

The future tense verb is change to the conditional in reported speech.

Staci said, "I will buy a new house."

Write the sentences using reported speech. What did she say?
She said (that) she would buy a new house.

1. Selma said, "I have been shopping." What did she say? *You can use the word that in reported speech if you want. It doesn't matter if you do or not.

2. George said, "I had just finished my work." What did he say? Check Your Understanding

3. Loren said, "I have seen the Grand Canyon." What did he say?

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Reflexive Pronouns

Check Your Understanding Use the the object to use a *reflexive pronoun or **object pronoun. Examples:

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Using because to connect sentences

Look at this sentence: Alice went shopping. Why? She needed to buy bread. Now let's use because to put the two sentences together. Alice went shopping because she needed to buy bread. We can also say it another way: Because she needed to buy bread, Alice went shopping. Notice that when you use because at the beginning of the sentence, you must use a comma (,) after the first part (which is called the adverb

clause.) One more: I like butterflies. Why? They are pretty. Now You Try... Rewrite the sentences connecting them with because in the middle and at the beginning. 1. Tommy doesn't like school. The other children tease him.

2. Michael works hard. He needs to earn money.

3. Jennifer eats chocolate everyday. She likes it.

4. All of the employees will have a party. It's the boss' birthday.

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Using Parallel Verbs

When speaking and writing in English, we sometimes use more than one verb to describe what is happening. For example: Thomas speaks and studies English. The important thing to remember is- when the subject does two or more things, the verbs use the same tense. More examples: Thomas spoke and studied English. Thomas will speak and (will) study English.

Thomas can speak and (can) study English. Thomas is speaking and (is) studying English. If the verb has a helping verb (like will, can, is, are, etc.) you must use it before the first verb but you may or may not use it after. It is your choice. Usually it is not used.

Check Your Understanding Are these sentences correct? Check your answers below. 1. John goes to the cafe and ate breakfast. Correct Not correct 2. Marty will bring the game and plays it. Correct Not correct 3. Alex can play the piano and sing songs. Correct Not correct 4. Tory is helping and watching at the same time. Correct Not correct 5. Mr. Jones can drive a car and eating lunch.

Correct Not correct 6. Helen sits and waited for the train. Correct Not correct 7. Cary will go to school and will study there. Correct Not correct 8. Franklin cleans his house and found his keys. Correct Not correct

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Using wish to talk about the past

Check Your Understanding Write a sentence using wish in the past. Two examples are given to you. Examples: Henry didn't do his work. Now his boss is angry. Answer: Henry wishes he had done his work. Melanie swam in the lake. Now she is cold. Answer: Melanie wishes she hadn't swum in the lake. 1. Jeff didn't wake up on time. Now he is late.

2. Tony and Chris went camping. Now it is raining.

3. Martha didn't eat dinner. Now she is hungry.

4. I lied to my friend. Now my friend won't

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Past Participles
Look at these tenses: present, past, past participle be, was or were, been sing, sang, sung drink, drank, drunk do, did, done go, went, gone make, made, made find, found, found talk, talked, talked eat, ate, eaten swim, swam, swum read, read, read write, wrote, written give, gave, given Now let's practice the past participle by using the present perfect tense. It shows something that started in the past, but continues until now.

has/have (not) + past participle Examples: She has done her homework.

Check Your Understanding Without looking back, try to fill in the blanks using the past participle. Use have or has. She (eat) all of the cookies. Maxwell (write) his essay. Thomas (find) a new friend. George and Kerry (go) to the mountains. The president (not/ make) his speech yet. Carolyn (not/ talk) to Richard. The teachers (give) us the homework. The cowboys (drink) all the beer.

The swimmers (swim) across the lake. Bonus: (Do you know these?)*** The boy (fall) down. We (choose) to meet with Mr. Green.
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Very vs. Too

Look at the two sentences. How are they different? A: It is very hot. B: It is too hot. A is a simple statement- It's HOT! But B shows some difficulty, like maybe because it is so hot, I feel terrible. Or because it is so hot, no one is happy. Here are some more... C: Lisa is very tall. D: Lisa is too tall. C is a simple statement. Wow! Lisa is a tall girl. But D has a negative feeling. Perhaps because Choose very or too. Check your answers by clicking on the Lisa is tall, she hits her head on the ceiling. Or arrow below. maybe she is so tall, she can't get a date or has 1. I think James is no friends. thinks James nice. Karen is nice, too. So remember, using too shows that there is a James is ___ nice. problem with the situation. very too 2. It's cold outside. I hate it. I might Check Your Understanding become sick if I go out. It's ___ cold outside. very too 3. That box is so big. I can't pick it up.

That box is ___ big. very too 4. Tony's cat is fat. It weighs 8 kg. Tony's cat is ___ fat. very too 5. Tony's cat is fat. It can't run. It may not live a long time. Tony's cat is ___ fat. very too

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Using must as a conclusion

Check Your Understanding Make a sentence using must as a conclusion. The first one is done for you. 1. Danny speaks English perfectly. Danny/be/native English speaker Answer: Danny must be a native English speaker. 2. Larry always complains about his job. Larry/hate/his job

3. It is snowing outside. It/be/cold outside.

4. Jennifer always opens the window at night to let cold air in her bedroom. Jennifer/like/a warm bedroom

5. Sanford doesn't ever watch horror movies. Sanford/enjoy/horror movies

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Using wish in the present tense

When you say "I wish..." you are talking about something that you want but probably will not happen, or you don't think will happen. Like I wish I had a million dollars. (It is different from the word hope. If you hope for something, it means you think it could be possible.) Here are some examples: I wish I had a new job. Teri wishes she knew Tom Cruise. Jim wishes Karen liked to cook. The boys wish they could go to Hawaii. Notice you use the past tense verb in the clause after wish. But when you use a be verb in the clause, always use were. Examples: I wish I were the president.

She wishes she were here now.

Check Your Understanding Change the sentences to use wish. Check your answer by clicking on the arrows. Examples: I want to have a bike. I wish I had a bike. Mary wants to be a movie star. Mary wishes she were a movie star. 1. Joseph wants to see his friend.

2. Eric and Steven want to have a new car.

Frank wants to be a pilot.

3. Sharon wants to be married.

4. You want to be able* to play the piano.

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

The Present Perfect Progressive Tense

This tense talks about how long you have been doing something you started in the past and still continue now. have/has been + verb+ing like has been studying or have been running

Generally when you use this tense you want to say how long something has been happening, so you will use since or for if you tell the amount of time. If you have forgotten how to use since or for, click here. Examples: Mary has been studying English since 1992. The kids have been running for 15 minutes. Karen has been singing all morning. The students have been practicing the play since last month. Remember, it is an activity that started before and

continues through now.

Check Your Understanding Write the sentence in the blanks. The first one has been done for you. Example: Albert/read/2 hours Albert has been reading for 2 hours.

1. The cat/play/20 minutes

2. We/drive/9:30 this morning

3. Lisa/smoke/10 years

4. Ben and Alicia/date/last year.

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Using Since and For

Use since + (a specific time) like March 31, or 9:19 a.m., or Tuesday. Examples: I have been studying English since 1993. John has helped me since 10:00 this morning. Those people have been in Europe since August. Note: Because we are talking about a time in the past until now, we have to use have/has + past participle when we use since. ****** Use for + (a length of time) like 1 day, or 3 hours, or 5 years. Examples: I have been studying English for 4 years. John has helped me for 8 hours. Those people went to Europe for 2 months. Note: It is possible to use the past tense when you use for if the action is finished.

Check Your Understanding Choose the correct answer. Check your answers below. 1. Leslie has lived here ten years. 2. I haven't seen you last March. 3. We sat and talked 30 minutes. 4. Young-eun studied French nine years. 5. Caroline has been learning Spanish March 1999. 6. We haven't had an earthquake 23 years. 7. I haven't heard from you Saturday. 8. Molly hasn't eaten 7:00 this morning. 9. He played basketball over 20 years. 10. Andre hasn't seen Becky yesterday.

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Using the Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is made like this: have/has + past participle. Here are some examples of the past participle: been gone done become eaten played read written

We use it to talk about a something that started in the past and continued until now. Examples: I have been in California for 2 years. (From 2 years ago in the past until now, I have been in California. I didn't live in another place.) or Karen has gone to school everyday since she was 5 years old. (From the time she was 5 years old -in the past- until now, she has gone to school. She didn't stop going to school.)

Check Your Understanding Use the present perfect tense. Check your answers by clicking on the arrows.

1. Jerry (play) basketball since he was young.

2. A: How long have you done karate? B: I (do) it for about 3 years now.

3. She was an ugly child. Now she (become) a beautiful woman.

4. Stephanie (be) at the library all day.

5. Oh no! The deer (eat) all of my flowers.

6. That little girl (read) all of the books on that shelf.

7. She said she (study) English for 8 years.

8. Thomas and Bill (watch) TV since 8:00 this morning.

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Use to/ Used to

There is a little confusion on how to use the words use to and used to. One reason for the confusion is that it is sometimes used as a verb, and sometimes used as an adjective. The other reason is because it seems like the tense changes. It's really quite simple when you look at it. Used as an adjective. Use to be + used to. This means to be accustomed to. For example- I can study with the TV on. I am used to it. It means I am accustomed, adjusted, or don't mind having the TV play while I'm studying. Or another example- Tim had a hard time living in Tokyo. He wasn't used to so many people. Tim didn't have experience being with big crowds of people before. Used as a verb. Use to + verb is a regular verb and means something that happened but doesn't happen any more. It uses -ed to show past tense. But since it always means something that happened in the past, it should always use past tense. For example- I used to go to school in

Paris. (I went to school there before, but now I don't.) Or, When Joshua was a child, he used to climb trees. (Now he doesn't climb trees.) Remember, we always use this word when talking about the past. So when do you use use to

You try...

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In, At, On + Time or Date

When is your birthday? Mine is ON October 12. When do you eat lunch? I usually eat it AT noon. When does the school year begin in your country? In mine it begins IN September. Do you know which preposition to use before times, days, months and years? Here is a reminder. Don't forget to use... in + month or year- In March, In 2003 on + date (with the year or without it) or day of the week- On April 2, On March 3, 1999, On Saturday at + clock time, midnight, noon- At 3:30 p.m., At 4:01, At noon Remember also... in + season- In the summer, In the winter in + morning, afternoon, evening- In the morning, In the evening at + night- At night

Questions and Answers

Write your answers in the boxes and check them by clicking on the arrows below. 1. Let's meet 6:30. 2. The play is Saturday noon. 3. I was born November 3, 1970. 4. Beverly went to Los Angeles January. 5. Bill arrived in New York February 7. 6. I love to see the flowers the spring. 7. The movie starts 7:30 the evening. 8. We go to bed 11:00 night. 9. Her birthday is October the fall. 10. I saw a witch midnight Saturday October 31 1998.

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Simple Past vs. Past Progressive Tense

Remember- the simple past talks about something that happened before. It happened and it finished. Some words are regular and just have -ed added at the end like walked, helped, and played. Others are irregular and have many variations like ate, began, and slept. The past progressive talks about something that was happening before, but for a period of time. It uses was or were + verb-ing like was eating or were playing. It gives a background for something that was happening while a different event happened. Example: While I was eating, the telephone rang. So, during the time I was eating (let's say from 6:30-7:00 p.m.) somebody called my house (let's say they called at 6:49p.m.) One thing happened (simple past) during the period of time another thing was happening (past progressive.) Here is another example: They saw an old man as they were walking down the street. You can think of walking as a video. You see the movement. You see the time passing. Think of saw as a photo. It is one point of time. You don't think of the time passing. I dreamed in English when I was sleeping. She was listening to the radio when the mail came. They visited Sydney when they were traveling in Australia.

Questions and Answers Use the simple past or present progressive tense. Check your answers by clicking on the arrows. 1. I dropped a cup while I (wash) the dishes.

2. Jon and Bill were washing the car when they (see) their friend Alex.

3. Tony came to see me while I (do) my homework.

4. The children (play) when their father came home.

5. When Inga was driving, she (notice) an animal in the road.

6. Annie (call) when Kerry was studying.

7. While the movie was playing, Tomoko (eat) popcorn.

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Using either, neither and too

Look at the sentences below. A is the speaker. B answers, and sometimes a third person C answers after B. When you agree with the speaker... A: I like ice cream. B: Me, too. or I do, too. or So do I. A: I can play the piano. B: Me, too. or I can, too. or So can I. A: I am hungry. B: Me, too. or I am, too. or So am I. A: I don't like hamburgers. B: Me, either. or Neither do I. A: I can't cook. B: Me, either. or Neither can I. A: I'm not tired. B: Me either. or Neither am I. In the sentences above, a third person (C) would say the same thing as the second person (B)

When you don't agree with the speaker... A: I love fried fish. B: I don't. C: I don't either. or Neither do I. A: I am tall. B: I'm not. C: I'm not either. or Neither am I. A: I can sing. B: I can't. C: I can't either. or Neither can I. A: I don't like chocolate. B: I do. C: I do, too.

A: I'm not Canadian. B: I am. C: I am, too. A: I can't speak English. B: I can. C: I can, too. Note- there may be a few other possible ways to answer these questions.

Now you try... Answer the questions using the examples above. Choose one response. (There may be more than one answer.) Check your answers by clicking on the arrows. 1. A: I like to play tennis. B: . (You like to play tennis.)

2. A: I can't swim. B: . (You cannot swim.)

3. A: I'm not going to school today. B: . (You

are going to school)

4. A: I don't have a son. B: . (You don't have a son)

5. A: I can't speak Russian. B: . (You can speak Russian.

6. A: I like to drink beer. B: I don't. C: . (C

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Simple Present vs. Present Continuous

This lesson may be a review for many people, but do you know the difference between I eat and I am eating? Is it okay to say I watch TV right now, or should you say I am watching TV right now? The Simple Present Tense is used for things that happen regularly, like this: Sheila takes a shower every evening. or for general facts, like this: Birds fly in the sky. *** The Present Continuous Tense is made by a be verb (am, is, are) + verb+ing. It is used for things that are happening right now, like this: I am taking a shower right now. or for things that are happening nowadays, like this: Many people are losing their jobs nowadays.

Questions and Answers Using the words below, fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb. study speak go watch drink brush

1. Lisa her teeth every morning.

2. Where is Charlie? He television. 3. A: What do you do after school everyday? B: I usually to the library. 4. These days I math at the college. 5. Australians English. 6. Frank always coffee for breakfast.

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Tag Questions
A tag question is one where a statement is made, but the speaker wants a response from the listener. Like- Today's lesson is hard, isn't it? or The kids can't sing that song, can they? First of all, to understand tag questions, you need to know about affirmative and negative sentences. Do you know what an affirmative sentence is? It is like this: Mary is at home. or The students work hard. Do you know what a negative sentence is? It is like this: Mary isn't at home. or The students don't work hard. Then, you need to know that if the sentence is affirmative, the tag will be negative. And if the sentence is negative, the tag will be positive. And finally, you need to think about the kind of verb used in the sentence. Does it use a modal, like can or will or a form of to be? Your tag question will follow the verb in the sentence. If it is a regular verb, don't forget it uses do, don't, does, doesn't when a question is asked. Examples Affirmative Sentence/ Negative Tag Toshi likes fishing, doesn't he? Susan is sick today, isn't she? Mike can play the piano, can't he? You will go there, won't you? Negative Sentence/ Affirmative Tag Andrew doesn't study much, does he? The dogs aren't hungry, are they? She can't cook, can she? You won't see her, will you?

You try it Write the correct answer in the box. Check your answers by clicking on the arrows. 1. It's going to rain, ?

2. Mike is home, ?

3. Sally doesn't have a car, ?

4. You can sing well, ?

5. Mia can't swim, ?

6. She has homework today, ?

7. Isaac isn't sick, ?

8. You guys aren't going shopping, ?

9. Harry will watch TV, ?

10. You won't go, ?

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More about Tag Questions

Yesterday we learned about tag questions. (If you didn't get this lesson, you can click here.) Now we need a little more information. You know how to ask a tag question, but how do you answer a tag question? When a speaker asks a question with a tag, like this one: "It's a nice day today, isn't it?" he expects the listener to agree with him. He expects the listener to say "Yes, it is." If the speaker thinks the day is bad and he thinks the listener will agree it's bad, he can say "It isn't a nice day today, is it?" and the listener (if he agrees it's bad) will say "No, it isn't." It's important to remember something... When we ask a tag question in English, the listener answers according to the subject, not the way the speaker asked the question. I know it sounds confusing, but let me show you.

Mary agrees John asks Mary a with John. question. He thinks she

Mary doesn't agree with John

will agree with him. It's cold outside, isn't Yes, it is. it? No, it isn't.

(Mary doesn't (John thinks it's cold. He (Mary agrees with agree with John. thinks Mary will agree it's John. She thinks She doesn't think cold.) it's cold.) it's cold.)

It's not cold outside, No, it isn't. is it?

Yes, it is.

(John thinks it's not cold. (Mary agrees with (Mary doesn't He thinks Mary will agree John. She thinks agree with John. it's not cold.) it's not cold.) She thinks it's cold.)

The movie was good, Yes, it was. wasn't it?

No, it wasn't.

(Mary doesn't (John thinks the movie (Mary agrees with agree with John. was good. He thinks Mary John. She liked She didn't like the liked the movie, too.) the movie.) movie.)

The movie wasn't good, was it?

No, it wasn't.

Yes, it was.
(Mary doesn't agree with John. She liked the movie.)

(John thinks the move (Mary agrees with was bad. He thinks Mary John. She didn't didn't like the movie, like the movie.) either.)

So, notice that the person who answers doesn't worry how the speaker asks the question. She only thinks about her feeling for the subject.

Questions and Answers Type the correct answer. The first one is done for you. 1. This picture is beautiful, isn't it? (You like

it.)

2. This soup doesn't taste good, does it? (You like it.)

3. Jennifer is 10 years old, isn't she? (Jennifer is 11.)

4. This game isn't fun, is it? (You don't like this game.)

5. English is easy, isn't it? (You think it easy.)

6. That man is handsome, isn't he. (You don't think he is handsome.)

7. Thomas isn't coming, is he? (Thomas is coming.)

8. You slept for 8 hours, didn't you? (You slept for 7 hours.)

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It's and Its

Lots of people get confused about the spelling of it's and its. It's

' means there is a contraction. Two words have been put together to make one word, and the ' is
really quite simple. Remember, the placed where one or more letters have been taken out. For exampleshe + is = she's. And does + not = doesn't. It's = it + has (you will know

So- It's = it + is or sometimes by the context which one it is.)

Now how about its? This is a possessive. Remember that a possessive is a word that shows who or what owns something. For exampleOrSoThis is the girl's coat. This is her coat. Their friend is here.

Joey and Melissa's friend is here. The book's pages are green.

Its pages are green.

You try. Fill in the blanks using it's or its. Use the arrows to see the correct answers. 1. Look at this table. leg is broken.

2. Come on, time to go home now. 3. Nice to see you. been a long time. 4. This is a bee. A beehive is home. 5. What is that? a kind of game. This is box.

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved. hts reserved.

Hear and Listen to

Hear- you do this without thinking. It is inactive. Example- When I leave my home every morning, I hear the birds singing in the trees. Listen to- this is an active word. You must think about what you are doing. Example- I really listen to my husband when he tells me about his day. Use hear or listen to in the following sentences. Use the arrows the see the correct answers.

1. Joanna wanted to her favorite radio show. 2. Sorry, I didn't you come in. You are so quiet. 3. Can you the sound of the ocean? 4. It is hard to the teacher when I feel tired. 5. this story. It's about a king and a frog.
5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Confused about confusing language?

How do you know when something is confused or confusing? When the movie wasn't so great, was I bored or boring? Does it make a difference if I tell my friend he's annoyed or annoying? It does. And there's an easy way to know which one to choose.

Words that end with -ed talk about a person's feelings. Examples-

1. John was so bored on his date. He really wanted to leave. 2. Karen was annoyed with her employee. This employee was always late. 3. Curt was confused about the new rules. They were very complicated. 4. The children were excited about the school trip. 5. Melanie was surprised to get a gift. 6. The class was interested in the game.

*****
Words that end with -ing, however, talk about the situation or thing that cause a person's feelings. Examples1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The The The The The The date was really boring. John wanted to leave. employee was annoying. He was always late. rules were confusing. They were complicated. school trip was exciting. gift was surprising. game was interesting.

So ... John was bored/ the date was boring Karen was annoyed/ the employee was annoying Curt was confused/ the rules were confusing The children were excited/ the school trip was exciting Melanie was surprised/ the gift was surprising. The class was interested/ the game was interesting

Questions- Choose the correct word 1. I always feel excited/exciting when I take a vacation.

2. The news was very interested/ interesting. 3. Everyone was surprised/ surprising when Tom Cruise came to the party. 4. Teri is always so confused/ confusing when she reads English. 5. That loud TV is so annoyed/ annoying. 6. When I am in the office, I am bored/ boring.

Answers 1. excited (person's feeling) 2. interesting (situation that caused the feeling) 3. surprised (person's feeling) 4. confused (person's feeling) 5. annoying (situation that caused the feeling) 6. This is a trick questionIf you say "I am bored," you don't feel happy or excited. If you say "I am boring," other people feel bored because of you.

5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

Irregular Past Tense Verbs

As you probably know, most past tense verbs in English end with "-ed." But many do not. Many don't follow the rule. They are called Irregular Verbs. How well do you know your past tense verbs? Change the sentences below. Use the past tense form of the verb.

1. Wow, you _____(bring) me some flowers! 2. I'm so sorry, I _____(forget) your birthday. 3. Melanie ____(hide) the present from her sister. 4. The children _____(take) their schoolwork home. 5. John _____(sleep) in class. 6. The mother _____(hit) the child on the leg. 7. Tony _____(read) about South Africa. 8. Alisa was tired so she _____(lie) down. 9. Thomas _____(lay) the book on the coffee table. 10. My parents _____(catch) a cold when they went skiing.

Answers 1. brought 2. forgot 3 hid 4. took 5. brought 6. hit 7. slept 8. lay* 9. laid* 10. caught * These are difficult words to remember. Many native English speakers get them confused and use them incorrectly. Look at this: lie, lay, lain (present tense, past tense, present perfect tense) To lie means to put oneself down. Examples- I'm tired. I'm going to lie down. Yesterday I lay down in the forest. lay, laid, laid (present tense, past tense, present perfect tense) To lay means to put something else down (like put.) Examples- Lay that fork on the table. She laid the blanket on the bed. If you didn't answer the above questions 100% correctly, I suggest you study irregular past tense verbs a little more.
5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.

See, Look at, and Watch

Do you know the difference between see, look at, and watch? See is an inactive word. When your eyes are open, you do it without thinking. Example- I see a car near the store. Look at is an active word. You must want to do it. But it is for a short time. ExampleLook at this dress. Watch is also an active word. You must want to do it but it is for a longer period of time. Example- Let's watch television. Choose the correct word (see, look at, or watch.) Click the box to see the correct answer. 1. Do you want to a movie with me tonight? 2. Please the clock and tell me what time it is.

Check Your Understanding

3. I like to go to the zoo and the animals while they are playing.* 4. How many things do you in this office? 5. I want to that sweater again. Maybe I will buy it.
5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 OakseedaEnterprises. All rights reserved. *Remember, this means it is long time.

Go + noun
Look at the sentences. For most sentences we use go to (somewhere)...

I will go to the store. I will go to the bank. I will go to the park.

BUT when you talk about home or shopping, don't use to.

I will go home. I will go shopping.

Do not say- I will go to home. Do not say- I will go to shopping.

Now you try

Use "to" if it is needed or "x" if nothing is needed. Karen needed to go _____ class. But she decided to go ____ shopping instead. So first she went _____ the bank to get money. Next she went _____ a restaurant. Then she went _____ a huge shopping mall where she bought a new sweater and a hat. After that she decided to go ____ the supermarket go get some groceries. At the end of the day, she was tired, so she went _____ home and fell asleep.

Answers Karen needed to go to class. But she decided to go (X) shopping instead. So first she went to a restaurant. Then she went to a huge shopping mall where she bought a new sweater and a hat. After that she decided to go to the supermarket to get some groceries. At the end of the day she was tired, so she went (X) home and fell asleep.
5 Minute English (www.5minuteenglish.com) Copyright 2003-2005 Oakseed Enterprises. All rights reserved.