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created by: bbedited by: dzyubamThere + Be
When using the combination of
there + be,
there is called an “expletive”. It has no meaning as a vocabulary word. It simply introduces the idea that something exists in a particular place. When beginning a sentence with this combination, the subject follows the verb.
There + be + subject + expression of place
There is | a clean towel | in the linen closet. |
Verb | subject | expression of place |
There are | six kittens | under my bed. |
Verb | subject | expression of place |
There has been | a fire | at the warehouse. |
Verb | subject | expression of place |
Sometimes the expression of place is omitted when the meaning is clear.
There are seven continents. (The implied expression of place is clearly
in the world.)
Say / Tell
Say and
tell both mean to communicate verbally with someone, but they are usually used differently. Normally, you
say something and you
tell someone something.
You say something | You tell someone something |
Jeff said that he was tired. Jennifer says you have a new job. Patricia said, “I love you.” | Jeff told Sam that he was tired. Jennifer tells me you have a new job. Patricia told John that she loves him. |
Tell uses an object directly following.
Bob
told the boss that he wasn’t working tomorrow.
Janice
told me that she loves John.
Say uses the word “to” or “that” before the object.
Bob
said to the boss that he wasn’t working tomorrow.
Janice
said to me that she loves John.
Bob
said that he wasn’t working tomorrow.
Janice
said that she loves John.
When using direct speech,
say is normally used.
Amanda
said, “Sweetheart, I’m going to work now.”
“John, that’s a beautiful car!” George
said.
Sometimes
tell is used in direct speech if it is an instruction, or information. (Notice the object directly after
tell as described above.)
Rebecca
told her assistant, “Open the door for the caterer.”
He
told me, “This is the key to the front door.”
Say and
tell cannot be used with reported questions.
Ask, or a similar verb, must be used.
Roy
asked if I had ever been to Miami.
Mary’s mother
asked what I wanted to eat.
The policeman
asked me where I lived.
He
asked if she wanted to leave.
Tell + object + infinitive is used to give orders, or advice.
The teacher
told the child to sit down.
She
told me to wait in the lobby.
Tell Bill to have a great trip to Europe.
Exercise 10: Using Say and Tell
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb
say or
tell.
1. Jason _____________ his friend to shut up.
2. Jane _____________ that she is feeling sick.
3. My English teacher ______________ I’m learning quickly.
4. The driver _____________, “I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
5. Please, ______________ me where to find the washing detergent.
6. The angry mother ____________, “ I ___________ you not to do that!”
7. I heard Peter _____________ that he was going out with Becky tonight.
8. The security guard ______________ me to get off the stage.
9. _______________ me the story again!
10. Will you ______________ John to meet me after work?
Know / Know How
The verb
know, when used by itself, is usually followed by a noun, a prepositional phrase, or a sentence.
She
knew the answer.
Everyone
knows about gravity.
Jason
knew that
he was going to be in trouble.
Know how is used to indicate a skill, or ability to do something. This form is followed by the infinitive form of a verb.
Jim
knows how to make cool inventions.
Monkeys
know how to use primitive tools.
Do you
know how to make fudge brownies?
Exercise 11: Using Know and Know How
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of
know or
know how.
1. The boys ____________________ to catch rabbits with snares.
2. Do you ____________________ to get to the airport from here?
3. I didn’t ____________________ that Jenny was pregnant.
4. I am amazed that Jack ____________________ where to go from here.
5. Some primitive tribes ____________________ to perform surgery long ago.
Need / In Need Of
Usually, when the subject of a sentence is an animate object, the verb
need is followed by an infinitive verb.
Hector
needs to get a haircut.
We
need to leave now.
My dog
needs to learn new tricks.
Usually, when the subject of a sentence is an inanimate object, the verb
need is followed by either a gerund (or “ing” verb), or the verb
to be followed by the past participle of the action verb.
The grass
needs cutting.
OR The grass
needs to be cut.
The motorcycle
needs repairing.
OR The motorcycle
needs to be repaired.
The guest list
needs writing.
OR The guest list
needs to be written.
Be aware that there are some exceptions to these rules. Sometimes, animate objects follow the second rule.
My dog
needs to be fed.
The baby
needs burping. OR The baby
needs to be burped.
Sometimes, inanimate objects follow the first rule.
The buzzer
needs to ring before we can leave class.
The grass
needs to grow more before I can cut it.
The expression
in need of can be used in some cases in place of using the verb need. However, because the word
need is not a verb in the phrase
in need of, it must be preceded by the verb
be.
Darren
is in need of a haircut. (Darren needs a haircut.)
The car
was in need of new tires. (The car needed new tires.)
The girls
were in need of prom dresses. (The girls needed prom dresses.)
Exercise 12: Using Need
Fill in the correct form of the verb in parentheses after the verb
need.
1. I need ___________________ finish) my homework.
2. The bus needs to be ___________________ (fill) with gas.
3. Mary’s garden needs ___________________ (water).
4. The thief needs to be ___________________ (punish).
5. Harold will need _____________________ (make) extra cash for his trip.
6. This problem needs _____________________ (solve).
7. Nancy needs _____________________ (wash) the dishes soon.
8. The crops need to be ______________________ (harvest) before it rains.
9. Stacy and I need _____________________ (move) to another apartment.
10. That hole in the road needs ______________________ (fill).
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