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Grammar Basics: Unit 39 – There was / were, There has / have been, There will be (Solution)

Posted on 2012/05/02
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Exercises.  Complete the sentences using there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be.

Example:

__________ some nice apples at Tom’s Apple Orchard this year.  ==> There are some nice apples at Tom’s Apple Orchard this year.

1.    There have been an unusual number of bees this summer.
2.    There are DVDs and CDs available for checkout at the library.
3.    Luckily, there was one vacancy left at the Sleepy Hollow Motel.
4.    There will be roll call early tomorrow morning, so make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
5.    There were 22 boys and 20 girls in my graduating class.
6.    There is nothing as good as Mom’s cooking.
7.    The Farmer’s Almanac says there will be a cold winter next year.
8.    There was a black bear in the back yard when I got up this morning.
9.    Guess what?  There has been an earthquake in California.
10.    There’s no use crying over spilled milk.

Exercises.  Complete the sentence using there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be, and make the sentences negative.

Example:

I looked high and low, but __________ any keys on the desk.  ==> I looked high and low, but there weren’t any keys on the desk.

1.    Are you sure there wasn’t any milk left in the fridge?
2.    Goldilocks went into the cabin, but there wasn’t a soul around.
3.    There haven’t been any customers all day.
4.    There weren’t that many people at the nightclub last night.
5.    There aren’t any pencils in my pencil cup.  Please go to the supply room and get me a new pack.
6.    I checked in the supply cabinet, but there weren’t any pencils.
7.    Wasn’t there even one pack left?  I thought I had ordered some.
8.    No, there haven’t been any pencils in the supply cabinet for a whole month.
9.    You’d better lock your desk, then, when you leave for the night.  Apparently there’s been a pencil thief here lately.
10.    Whoever’s been taking the pencils had better come clean, or there will be trouble in River City!

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Grammar Basics: Unit 39 – There was / were, There has / have been, There will be

Posted on 2012/05/01
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In our last Grammar Basics, we looked at the phrase “There is / are…”  For the simple past tense of this phrase, we have:

There was…. (singular) // There were… (plural).
There wasn’t (was not)…. (singular) // There weren’t (were not)… (plural).

There was an accident at the train station.
There were a lot of people at the concert.
Was there a baseball game on TV today?
There weren’t (were not) any parking spaces in that lot.
There wasn’t any sale on eggs at the grocery store.

For the present perfect, we have:

There has been…(singular) // There have been…(plural).
There hasn’t been (has not been)…(singular) // There haven’t been (have not been)…(plural).

Waiter, there’s been (there has been) some sort of mistake.  I ordered steak, not fish.
There have been a lot of tornadoes lately.
Have there been any phone calls for me this morning?
There hasn’t been any rain for the past month.
There haven’t been any complaints for our department for three weeks now – good job!

For the future, we have:

There will be…
There won’t (will not) be…

Are you coming to the reunion?  There will be a live jazz band.
Will there be dancing? – Yes, so be sure to wear your dancing shoes.
There won’t be (there will not be) any school next Monday.  It’s a holiday.

Exercises.  Complete the sentences using there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be.

Example:

__________ some nice apples at Tom’s Apple Orchard this year.  ==> There are some nice apples at Tom’s Apple Orchard this year.

1.    __________ an unusual number of bees this summer.
2.    __________ DVDs and CDs available for checkout at the library.
3.    Luckily, __________ one vacancy left at the Sleepy Hollow Motel.
4.    __________ roll call early tomorrow morning, so make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
5.    __________ 22 boys and 20 girls in my graduating class.
6.    __________ nothing as good as Mom’s cooking.
7.    The Farmer’s Almanac says __________ a cold winter next year.
8.    __________ a black bear in the back yard when I got up this morning.
9.    Guess what?  __________ an earthquake in California.
10.    __________ no use crying over spilled milk.

Exercises.  Complete the sentence using there + is / are / was / were / has been / have been / will be, and make the sentences negative.

Example:

I looked high and low, but __________ any keys on the desk.  ==> I looked high and low, but there weren’t any keys on the desk.

1.    Are you sure __________ any milk left in the fridge?
2.    Goldilocks went into the cabin, but there __________ a soul around.
3.    __________ any customers all day.
4.    __________ that many people at the nightclub last night.
5.    __________ any pencils in my pencil cup.  Please go to the supply room and get me a new pack.
6.    I checked in the supply cabinet, but __________ any pencils.
7.    __________ even one pack left?  I thought I had ordered some.
8.    No, there __________ any pencils in the supply cabinet for a whole month.
9.    You’d better lock your desk, then, when you leave for the night.  Apparently __________ a pencil thief here lately.
10.    Whoever’s been taking the pencils had better come clean, or __________ trouble in River City!

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Grammar Basics: Unit 38 – There is / There are (Solution)

Posted on 2012/04/27
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Exercise.  Look at the picture below.  Write sentences about this picture using “There is/are…” or “There isn’t/aren’t…”  in response to the prompts.

Example:

Any swings?  ==> There are swings.

1.    There are a lot of people.
2.    There isn’t a food stand.
3.    There isn’t a horse.
4.    There is a roller coaster.
5.    There are trees.
6.    There aren’t any benches.
7.    There is a lamp post.
8.    There is a trash can.
9.    There are stairs.
10.    There isn’t an elevator.

Exercise.  Complete the following sentences with there’s / is there / it’s / is it.

Example:

“________ a car with its lights on.”  “________ a red Ford?” ==> “There’s a car with its lights on.”  “Is it a red Ford?”

1.    “There’s a nice hotel in Flagstaff.”  “Is it close to the airport?”
2.    “Is there a pool at the hotel?”  “Yes, it’s an outdoor pool.”
3.    We don’t want to rent that apartment.  It’s too small.
4.    “Is there an English class for beginners on Monday nights?”  “Yes, but it’s full.  The class on Tuesday is open, though.”
5.    I like that restaurant by the mall.  It’s got the best pizza I’ve ever tasted.
6.    “There’s a spot on your shirt.”  “I’ve brushed it off.  Is it gone now?”
7.    I haven’t heard of that movie.  Is it good?
8.    “Is there a bank near the hotel?”  “Yes, it’s just two blocks away.”
9.    “There’s a wallet in lost and found.”  “Is it brown?”
10.     This ice cream is not very good.  It’s too sweet.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 38 – There is / There are

Posted on 2012/04/26
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When we introduce an item or a topic, we often use the phrase “There is…” (singular form) or “There are…” (plural form).

Pattern (singular form):  “There is…”  (“There’s…”)

Waiter, there’s a fly in my soup.
There is a beach at the lake.

Question:  “Is there…?”

Is there a pet shop at the mall? – Yes, there is.
Is there a library nearby? – No, there isn’t. / No, there’s not.

Negative:  “There is not…” / “There isn’t…” / “There’s not…”

I don’t want to go camping at that park – there isn’t any beach there.

Pattern (plural form):  “There are…”

There are some apples on the table.  Help yourself.
There are five cars waiting in line for the ferry.

Question:  “Are there…?”

Are there any eggs left in the fridge? – Yes, there are (three eggs left).
Are there eight days in a week? – No, there are seven (days in a week).

Also:  “How many…are there?”

How many months are there in a year? – There are 12 months in a year.

Negative:  “There are not…” / “There aren’t…”

Are there any rooms available at this hotel? – No, I’m sorry, there aren’t.

Note:  The phrase “There is…” (“There’s…”) is used to introduce an object or a topic.  After the introduction, we can use the pronoun “it” to refer to the introduced object or topic:   “It is…” (“It’s…”).

There’s a cat sleeping on the porch.  It’s white with black spots. (i.e., the cat is white with black spots)
There’s a museum in the city.  It’s very famous.  (i.e., the museum is famous)

Exercise.  Look at the picture below.  Write sentences about this picture using “There is/are…” or “There isn’t/aren’t…”  in response to the prompts.

Example:

Any swings?  ==> There are swings.

indoor amusement park

Click for larger image

1.    A lot of people?
2.    A food stand?
3.    A horse?
4.    A roller coaster?
5.    Any trees?
6.    Any benches?
7.    A lamp post?
8.    A trash can?
9.    Any stairs?
10.    An elevator?

 

Exercise.  Complete the following sentences with there’s / is there / it’s / is it.

Example:

“________ a car with its lights on.”  “________ a red Ford?” ==> “There’s a car with its lights on.”  “Is it a red Ford?”

1.    “________ a nice hotel in Flagstaff.”  “________ close to the airport?”
2.    “________ a pool at the hotel?”  “Yes, ________ an outdoor pool.”
3.    We don’t want to rent that apartment.  ________ too small.
4.    “________ an English class for beginners on Monday nights?”  “Yes, but ________ full.  The class on Tuesday is open, though.”
5.    I like that restaurant by the mall.  ________ got the best pizza I’ve ever tasted.
6.    “________ a spot on your shirt.”  “I’ve brushed it off.  ________ gone now?”
7.    I haven’t heard of that movie.  ________ good?
8.    “________ a bank near the hotel?”  “Yes, ________ just two blocks away.”
9.    “________ a wallet in lost and found.”  “________ brown?”
10.     This ice cream is not very good.  ________ too sweet.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 37 – Do this…, Don’t do that…, Let’s do… (Solution)

Posted on 2012/04/25
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Exercise.  Choose the correct verb and complete the following sentences.  Make them commands.

Example: 

________ the seeds 2 inches apart. (plant) ==> Plant the seeds 2 inches apart.

1.    Sit next to me.
2.    Write a letter to Aunt Edna.
3.    Take two pills after every meal.
4.    Please sign on the dotted line.
5.    Read the book and write a report on it for next Monday.
6.    Please dry the dishes and put them away.
7.    Say goodbye to Mrs. Wirth.
8.    Slice the vegetables and cook them in boiling water for three minutes.
9.    Bring a sack lunch for the field trip tomorrow.
10.    Wash your face and brush your teeth before you go to bed.

 

Exercise.  For each of the following sentences, suggest an alternative activity using the phrase “No, let’s…”

Example: 

Do you want to watch the late night movie?  (go to bed) ==> No, let’s go to bed.

1.    Do you want to go camping this year?  No, let’s stay at a resort.
2.    Do you want to leave now?  No, let’s wait a while.
3.    Shall we have Chinese for dinner?  No, let’s have Italian.
4.    Should we tell Bob someone dented his car?  No, let’s mind our own business.
5.    Would you like to play a game?  No, let’s watch a movie.

Exercise.  Answer each of the following sentences with either “No, don’t…” or “No, let’s not…”

Example: 

Should I turn up the heat? ==> No, don’t turn up the heat.

1.    Shall I call for a doctor?  No, don’t call for a doctor.
2.    Should we leave yet?  No, let’s not leave yet.
3.    Should we have a big party for Tom’s birthday?  No, let’s not have a big party.
4.    Should I make you a nice, hot cup of coffee?  No, don’t make me a cup of coffee.
5.    Should I tell Mr. Smith you broke his window?   No, don’t tell Mr. Smith.
6.    Shall we go for a walk?  No, let’s not go for a walk.
7.    Should we take the train?  No, let’s not take the train.
8.    Should I put this picture in the letter to your mother?  No, don’t put that picture in the letter.
9.    Shall I shine your shoes, sir?  No, don’t shine my shoes.
10.    Should we give Sally a puppy for Christmas?  No, let’s not give Sally a puppy.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 37 – Do this…, Don’t do that…, Let’s do…

Posted on 2012/04/24
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For the imperative (command) form, we use the infinitive (base form) of the verb:

Go away!  Leave me alone.
Clean up your room and make your bed.
Hurry up – the buss will be here soon.
Eat your vegetables.
Watch out!

For a negative command:  Don’t (= Do not) + V (inf.)…

Don’t forget to go to the store.
Do not make any noise – Father is sleeping.
Don’t eat a snack.  You’ll spoil your supper.

If you want to do something together with another person, you can make a suggestion:  Let’s (= Let us) + V (inf.)…

Let’s take a break.  I’m tired.
Let’s go home – this party is boring.
It’s a beautiful day – let’s go for a walk.

For a negative suggestion:  Let’s not + V (inf.)…

Let’s not watch TV.  I’d rather read a book.
Let’s not go anywhere on vacation this year.  Let’s just have a “staycation” at home.

Exercise.  Choose the correct verb and complete the following sentences.  Make them commands.

Example: 

________ the seeds 2 inches apart. (plant) ==> Plant the seeds 2 inches apart.

bring
brush
cook
dry
put
read
say
sign
sit
slice
take
wash
write
write

1.    ________ next to me.
2.    ________ a letter to Aunt Edna.
3.    ________ two pills after every meal.
4.    Please ________ on the dotted line.
5.    ________ the book and ________ a report on it for next Monday.
6.    Please ________ the dishes and ________ them away.
7.    ________ goodbye to Mrs. Wirth.
8.    ________ the vegetables and ________ them in boiling water for three minutes.
9.    ________ a sack lunch for the field trip tomorrow.
10.    ________ your face and ________ your teeth before you go to bed.

 

Exercise.  For each of the following sentences, suggest an alternative activity using the phrase “No, let’s…”

Example: 

Do you want to watch the late night movie?  (go to bed) ==> No, let’s go to bed.

have Italian
mind our own business
stay at a resort
wait a while
watch a movie

1.    Do you want to go camping this year?
2.    Do you want to leave now?
3.    Shall we have Chinese for dinner?
4.    Should we tell Bob someone dented his car?
5.    Would you like to play a game?

Exercise.  Answer each of the following sentences with either “No, don’t…” or “No, let’s not…”

Example: 

Should I turn up the heat? ==> No, don’t turn up the heat.

1.    Shall I call for a doctor?
2.    Should we leave yet?
3.    Should we have a big party for Tom’s birthday?
4.    Should I make you a nice, hot cup of coffee?
5.    Should I tell Mr. Smith you broke his window?
6.    Shall we go for a walk?
7.    Should we take the train?
8.    Should I put this picture in the letter to your mother?
9.    Shall I shine your shoes, sir?
10.    Should we give Sally a puppy for Christmas?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 36 – I’d rather… (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/04/20
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Exercises:  Choose the right word to complete the sentence.  You might have to use the infinitive marker “to.”

Example:

drink like

Would you _______ some coffee, or do you prefer _______ tea? ==> Would you like some coffee, or do you prefer to drink tea?

1.    Max would rather start university next fall.
2.    Sally would prefer to take an evening class, if possible.
3.    I’d rather watch paint dry than see that new movie – I heard it’s really boring.
4.    Would you prefer to eat chocolate ice cream or vanilla?
5.    I’d rather dry the dishes than wash them. // I’d rather wash the dishes than dry them.
6.    Would you rather have Chinese food, or Italian?
7.    I’d prefer to eat Italian food.
8.    That model car comes in several colors – which one would you rather have?
9.    I’d prefer to sit alone, thank you.
10.    They would rather go to Niagara Falls on their honeymoon.

Exercises:  Choose the right word to complete the sentence.  Make the sentence negative.  You might have to use the infinitive marker “to.”

Example:

go

I’d rather _______ to the wedding. ==> I’d rather not go to the wedding.

1.    I’d prefer not to work on weekends.
2.    I would rather not sleep in the same room as Uncle Tim – he snores!
3.    I would rather not spend any more money than I have to.
4.    Tom would rather not live next to the Martins.
5.    I’d prefer not to use rye bread for my sandwich.
6.    I’d rather not lie down in the sun.
7.    I’d rather not meet Jack for lunch.
8.    I’d prefer not to call Mary and ask her for a date.
9.    I’d rather not invite Sam to the party.
10.    We’d prefer not to sleep in a hotel room that is right next to the expressway.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 36 – I’d rather…

Posted on 2012/04/19
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“I’d rather (do something).” = “I would rather (do something).” is another way of saying “I would prefer to (do something).”

Pattern:  I’d rather + V (inf.) … // I would rather + V (inf.) …

I’d rather read a book.
I would rather travel by car.
I’d rather stay indoors.

Negative:  I’d rather not + V (inf.)… // I would rather not + V (inf.)…

I’d rather not say who gave me the money.
We would rather not go on vacation in June.
I’d rather not eat turkey for Christmas dinner.

Questions:  Would you rather + V (inf.)….?

Would you rather sit outside?  It’s such a lovely day.
Would you rather go out to eat tonight?
Would you rather take a hot bath?

Note:  “I’d rather …” does NOT use the infinitive marker:

I’d rather go for a walk.  (NOT I’d rather to go for a walk.)
I would rather listen to some music.  (NOT I would rather to listen to some music.)
I’d rather not have an orange.  (NOT I’d rather not to have an orange.)

But, if we use “prefer,” the infinitive marker IS necessary:

I’d prefer to go for a walk.
I would prefer to listen to some music.
I would prefer not to have an orange.

“rather” is often used in comparisons.

Pattern:  I’d rather A than B. // I would rather A than B.

I’d rather eat chicken than beef.
John would rather play cards than watch TV.
I’d rather take a taxi than ride the train to the airport.

Exercises:  Choose the right word to complete the sentence.  You might have to use the infinitive marker “to.”

Example:

drink like

Would you _______ some coffee, or do you prefer _______ tea? ==> Would you like some coffee, or do you prefer to drink tea?

 

dry
eat
eat
go
have
have
see
sit
start
take
wash
watch

1.    Max would rather _______ university next fall.
2.    Sally would prefer _______ an evening class, if possible.
3.    I’d rather _______ paint dry than _______ that new movie – I heard it’s really boring.
4.    Would you prefer _______ chocolate ice cream or vanilla?
5.    I’d rather _______ the dishes than _______ them.
6.    Would you rather _______ Chinese food, or Italian?
7.    I’d prefer _______ Italian food.
8.    That model car comes in several colors – which one would you rather _______?
9.    I’d prefer _______ alone, thank you.
10.    They would rather _______ to Niagara Falls on their honeymoon.

Exercises:  Choose the right word to complete the sentence.  Make the sentence negative.  You might have to use the infinitive marker “to.”

Example:

go

I’d rather _______ to the wedding. ==> I’d rather not go to the wedding.

call
invite
lie
live
meet
sleep
sleep
spend
use
work

1.    I’d prefer _______ on weekends.
2.    I would rather _______ in the same room as Uncle Tim – he snores!
3.    I would rather _______ any more money than I have to.
4.    Tom would rather _______ next to the Martins.
5.    I’d prefer _______ rye bread for my sandwich.
6.    I’d rather _______ down in the sun.
7.    I’d rather _______ Jack for lunch.
8.    I’d prefer _______ Mary and ask her for a date.
9.    I’d rather _______ Sam to the party.
10.    We’d prefer _______ in a hotel room that is right next to the expressway.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 35 – Would you like…? I’d like… (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/04/18
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Exercises:  For the following sentences, choose the right expression.

Example:

(Do you like / Would you like) tea?  —Yes, thank you. ==> Would you like tea?  —Yes, thank you.
(Do you like / Would you like) cats? —No, I’m a dog person (I prefer dogs).  ==> Do you like  cats? —No, I’m a dog person.

1.    Do you like to work? —Yes, I enjoy my job.
2.    Would you like to see a movie? —Not today.  I have an appointment at 3 o’clock.
3.    Would you like pizza? —Yes, it’s been ages since I’ve had one.
4.    Do you like ice cream? —Yes.  Cookies and cream is my favorite flavor.
5.    Do you like to live in Chicago?  —Yes, the city has a lot of interesting museums and a nice lakefront.
6.    Would you like to live in New York? —No, it’s too far away from my friends and family, so I don’t want to move there.
7.    Do you like to listen to classical music? —Yes, I find it very relaxing.
8.    Would you like to listen to classical music? —That sounds like a good idea.  I’ve had a rough day.
9.    Would you like to watch TV?  —No, I just want to read a book.
10.    Do you like to watch TV?  —Yes, especially if I’m bored.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 35 – Would you like…? I’d like…

Posted on 2012/04/17
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“Would you like…?” is a polite way of asking someone if they want something, or want to do something:

Would you like a cup of tea?
Would you like a ride home?
Would you like to see a movie?
What would you like to eat?

“I’d like…” / “I would like…” is a polite way of saying “I want…”:

I’d like orange juice, please.
I’d like to take a nap.
I’d like some more ice cream, thank you.
I’d like a new bike for my birthday.

Note:  “Would you like…?” and “Do you like…?” are different.

  •  “Do you like…?”:  Someone is asking a general question (doesn’t have to be right now).
  • “Would you like…?”:  Someone is asking if you want something right now.

Do you like cake? (a general question)
—Yes.  My favorite cake is yellow cake.
Would you like some cake? (asking about right now)
—No thank you, I’m not hungry.

What do you like to do on vacation? (a general question)
—I like to relax, or go camping.
What would you like to do on this vacation? (asking about a vacation that you’ll be taking soon, not a general vacation)
—I’d really like to go to Mackinac Island.

 

Exercises:  For the following sentences, choose the right expression.

Example:

(Do you like / Would you like) tea?  —Yes, thank you. ==> Would you like tea?  —Yes, thank you.
(Do you like / Would you like) cats? —No, I’m a dog person (I prefer dogs).  ==> Do you like  cats? —No, I’m a dog person.

1.    (Do you like / Would you like) to work? —Yes, I enjoy my job.
2.    (Do you like / Would you like) to see a movie? —Not today.  I have an appointment at 3 o’clock.
3.    (Do you like / Would you like) pizza? —Yes, it’s been ages since I’ve had one.
4.    (Do you like / Would you like) ice cream? —Yes.  Cookies and cream is my favorite flavor.
5.    (Do you like / Would you like) to live in Chicago?  —Yes, the city has a lot of interesting museums and a nice lakefront.
6.    (Do you like / Would you like) to live in New York? —No, it’s too far away from my friends and family, so I don’t want to move there.
7.    (Do you like / Would you like) to listen to classical music? —Yes, I find it very relaxing.
8.    (Do you like / Would you like) to listen to classical music? —That sounds like a good idea.  I’ve had a rough day.
9.    (Do you like / Would you like) to watch TV?  —No, I just want to read a book.
10.    (Do you like / Would you like) to watch TV?  —Yes, especially if I’m bored.

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