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ANALYZING SENTENCE STRUCTURE: THE TREE DIAGRAM

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  The tree diagram is a new method for analyzing sentences in linguistics. It is a useful tool for students  to visualize sentence structures even if they are not familiar with sentence diagrams. BREAKING DOWN THE TREE: In a diagram tree, the sentence is divided into two parts: a SUBJECT and a PREDICATE. They are formed by NOUN PHRASES and VERB PHRASES. These are groups of words that include a noun or  verb and any other words that act as modifiers. The subject is a noun phrase and the predicate usually is a verb phrase. For example, in the sentence: The dog ate the bone,   the subject of the sentence is  The dog  which is a noun phrase (NP) formed by the indeterminate article " the " and the noun " dog ". The predicate is ate the bone , formed by a the verb ate and a noun phrase the bone. DRAW A DIAGRAM TREE STEP BY STEP SENTENCE: I have a green spaceship. STEP 1: Identify the subject (Noun Phrase) Subject: I STEP 2: Find the predicate (Verb Phrase) Pred...

CONDITIONALS AND WHEN TO USE THEM

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  CONDITIONALS Conditional sentences are used to describe the result of a certain condition and are based on the word "IF". Conditional sentences are formed by two parts: one part begins with "if" to describe a possible action and a second part that describes a consequence. TYPES OF CONDITIONALS ZERO CONDITIONAL: We use zero conditionals when we talk about permanet truths such as scientific facts and general habits. Structure: (IF + PRESENT SIMPLE / PRESENT SIMPLE) Examples:  -If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. -If you eat a lot of food, you put on weight. FIRST CONDITIONAL: We use first conditional when we talk about a realistic situation in the present or future. Structure: (IF +  PRESENT SIMPLE / WILL, CAN, MUST + INFINITIVE VERB) Examples:  - If you are free later, we can go for a walk. - If he studies hard, he will do well in the exam. SECOND CONDITIONAL: We use second conditionals when we talk about improbable or impossible situations in the present of futu...

COLLOCATIONS: WHAT ARE THEY AND HOWTO USE THEM?

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  Collocations are a group of two or more words that are always, or most of the time, put together to create a specific meaning. Collocations can be made up of any kind of words such as verbs, nouns, adjectives and adverbs. There are no rules for collocations since they are a combination of words that are familiar between each other. SOME EXAMPLES: VERB COLLOCATIONS:   -To save time -To come prepared To find a replacement ADJECTIVE COLLOCATIONS: -Deep trouble -Big mistake -Heavy rain -Strong sense NOUN COLLOCATIONS: -Custumer service - Safe and sound - Pros and cons SELECT THE CORRECT COLLOCATION

GERUNDS VS INFINITIVES

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Do you know the difference between Gerund and Infinite Verbs? If you take a look at this blog you'll be able to tell when to use one or the other correctly. GERUNDS Gerunds are verbs ending in -ING. They are usually used in sentences about actions that are real or complete. EXAMPLES: -eating -walking -thinking -living -We really like climbing mountains -I drank a cup of coffee before leaving  OTHER USES OF GERUNDS: 1) After verbs like: avoid, bear, consider, deny, detest, dislike, endure, enjoy, imagine, involve, mention, mind, miss, practice, reent, risk, postpone, stand. 2) After prepositions of time or place: before, after, by, since, durig, until, in, on at, from, above, beside, under, below, behind, among, betwee, etc. 3) Can be used as subjects and complements: Gambling is a waste of money.  4) With verbs like stop, remember, forget, regret, go on. 5)With verbs such as like, love and hate. INFINITIVES Infinitives verbs use the word "To" before the verb. They are usu...

PAST PERFECT VS PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

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  Past perfect and past perfect continuous may confuse students since they are not usually used in every day conversations. But we'll find out that they are not so difficult to learn. PAST PERFECT (HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE OF THE VERB) We use Past Perfect when the first past action finishes before the second past action. PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE (HAD + BEEN + ING VERB) We use Past Perfect Progressive when the first past action continues until the second past actions. COMPARISON CHARTS TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE LEARN MORE

FUTURE PERFECT VS FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

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  THE FUTURE TENSE CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR SOME STUDENTS AND WHEN IT COMES TO FUTURE PERFECT AND FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE, IT CAN BE EVEN MORE DIFFICULT. BUT THIS ENDS KNOW. THE FUTURE PERFECT DESCRIBES AN ACTION THAT WILL END IN THE FUTURE. THE FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE OR CONTINUOUS DESCRIBES AN ACTION THAT WILL CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE. FUTURE PERFECT STRUCTURE (WILL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE OF THE VERB) IT IS USED WHEN THE FIRST FUTURE ACTION WILL FINISH BEFORE THE SECOND  FUURE ACTION. FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE (WILL+ HAVE + BEEN + ING VERB) IT IS USED WHEN THE FIRST FUTURE ACTION WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE SECOND FUTURE ACTION. COMPARISON CHART  LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS   CLICK ME

INVERTED SENTENCES

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  INVERTED SENTENCES ARE THOSE IN WHICH THE VERB OR PREDICATE COMES BEFORE THE NOUN OR SUBJECT. IN OTHER WORDS,  WE CHANGE THE NATURAL ORDER OF WORDS IN ORDER TO CREATE MORE INTERESTING SENTENCES STRUCTURES. EXAMPLES: TRY USING NEVER, SELDOM, RARELY  THIS ADVERBS ARE USED IN INVERTES SENTENCES TO EXPRESS HOW UNIQUE A GIVEN SITUATION IS. TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THAT THESE SENTENCES ARE USED WITH THE PERFECT FORM OF THE VERB OR OFTEN USE COMPARATIVES. YOU CAN ALSO USE HARDLY, BARELY, NO SOONER OR SCARCELY THESE TIME EXPRESSIONS ARE USED WHEN THERE IS A SUCCESSSON OF EVENTS IN THE PAST OR WHEN WE WANT TO FOCUS ON HOW QUICKLY SOMETHING HAPPENED. DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT INVERTED SENTENCES? CLICK BELOW TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE