English Notes

2021-04-17 19:01:10 Superlatives

Use superlative adjectives and adverbs to compare people, thing, or actions with all of their group.

We form superlatives like comparatives, but we use -est instead of -er and the most / least instead of more / less

Use the before superlatives, but we can also use possessive adjectives:
My best friend
Their most famous song.

Often use a superlative with the present perfect + ever:
It's the best book I've ever read.

#tip #comparing Open / Comment

2021-04-16 19:01:12 Comparing two actions

Use comparative adverbs to compare two actions.
Use (not) as + adverb + as to make comparisons

Regular comparative adverbs:
fast → faster
slowly → more slowly
carefully → more carefully

Irregular comparative adverbs:
well → better
badly → worse

#tip #comparing Open / Comment

2021-04-15 19:01:11 Regular comparative adjectives:
old → older
big → bigger
easy → easier

Irregular comparative adjectives:
Good → better
bad → worse
far → further / farther

One-syllable adjectives endings in -ed:
bored → more bored
stressed → more stressed
tired → more tired

#tip #comparing Open / Comment

2021-04-14 19:01:10 Comparing two people, places, things, etc.

Use comparative adjectives + than to compare two people, places, thing, etc.
My car is a bit older than yours.
This test is less difficult than the last one.

Use (not) as + adjective + as to make comparisons
The new sofa isn't as comfortable as the old one.
I don't have as many books as I used to.

#tip #comparing Open / Comment

2021-04-09 19:01:10 Difference between an Apology and an Excuse

An apology is admitting that you did something wrong and want forgiveness.

An excuse is acknowledging that something wrong was done, but that it wasn't your fault.
Also an excuse can be used to avoid doing something you don't want to do, such as tidying your bedroom.

Generally, an apology is something which is genuine, where as excuses tend to be lies to avoid unwanted situations.

#tip #difference Open / Comment

2021-04-07 19:01:19 Difference between Present Perfect and Present Perfect continuous

Present Perfect (Simple) – emphasize (focus) a result.
I've written 15 words on the board.
The price have grown by 5%

Present Perfect Continuous – continuous emphasize (focus) a duration continuing action.
I've been playing golf since morning.
Has he been sleeping all day?

Exception
With non-action (prefer, like, love, want, know etc.) verbs use the Present Perfect (Simple) - (NOT continuous)

Like and Work can use in either the Present Perfect (Simple) and Present Perfect Continuous

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2021-04-06 19:01:11 Present perfect continuous
have / has been + verb + -ing

How long have you been learning English?

They've been going out together for about three years.

Use the present perfect continuous with for and since with action verbs when emphasizing (focus) a duration.

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2021-04-02 19:01:11 Present perfect + for / since

Use Present perfect + for or since to talk about something which started in the past and is still true now.
They've known each other for ten years.

Use How long...? + Present perfect to ask about unfinished period of time (from the past until now).
How long have you married?

Use for + a period of time. – For two weeks.

Use since + a point of time. – Since 2016

#tip #tenses #presentperfect Open / Comment

2021-04-02 18:01:09 Present perfect or Past simple?

I've been to Madrid twice.
(= in my life up to now)

I went there in 1998 and 2002.
(= on two specific occasions)

I've bought a new computer.
(= I don't say exactly when, where, etc.)

I bought it last Saturday.
(= I say when)

When we don't specify a time → Present Perfect
When time is mentioned or understood → Present simple

#tip #difference #tenses #presentperfect #pastsimple Open / Comment

2021-04-01 16:01:06 Past simple
worked, stopped, went, had, etc.

Use the past simple for finished actions.
(When we say, ask, or know when they happened)

They got married last year.
I didn't have time to do my homework. (know when)
What time did you wake up this morning?

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