COMMON DISTINGUISHMENTS yellow/96226 This post is a part of

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There + 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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