BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION
READER
1 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 This is the reader for the 1st semester of IBMS Business Communication.
Business Communication (BCN) is the subject in which English is taught as the means of communication in a business setting. In the first year, Grammar is an important element, as accuracy in grammar improves the effectiveness of communication. That is why the first part of this reader is devoted to Grammar. We have selected a number of important grammar subjects and created exercises to practise the use of these structures. This section is rounded off by a sample grammar exam to show you the level you are expected to reach. In the ‘real’ exam – after Block 1 – there will also be a vocabulary test. This reader contains a number of vocabulary lists to be studied (self-study).
If you need more practice there are numerous internet sites where you will find more exercise material and explanations of the individual grammatical items. The exercises on Internet usually allow you to check your answers. The exercises in the reader do not have this opportunity. The exercises will be dealt with in class.
The second (and truly business communication) element is a presentation course, in which you will learn to make your own presentation. Attention will be paid to various aspects of speaking in public. In the second half of the semester this will culminate in presentations done in pairs.
The third element of the BCN course is Writing Skills. The course entails lots of writing assignments which will be given as homework, after which they are checked by the lecturer, and the student can then try to improve them. Part of this course consists of one-on-one teaching between student and lecturer. This requires an active attitude from students, and an eagerness to improve. An additional element of Reading/Writing skills is that the business texts help you increase your business vocabulary and sharpen your analytical skills. After Block 1 you will take part in Writing Test. If you don’t pass this test, you will have attend remedial Writing classes in Block 2 and take a second test at the end of this block.
In Appendix A you can find the module descriptions, which give you an insight into the number of credits to be had for each partial module and the amount of time you are expected to spend on the module, the exams (if any), the competencies that can be acquired etc. Please read them carefully: they will prevent questions on your side. An important thing to remember is that all parts of BCN require a passing grade of at least 5.5. There is no internal compensation.
We hope that this reader will be helpful in your language acquisition, and will show you the areas where you still need to improve.
Good luck
2 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
Table of Contents
GRAMMAR ...
3GRAMMAR TERMINOLOGY ... 3
SECTION 1:GRAMMAR TOPICS (DISCUSSED IN CLASS) ... 8
1. TENSES IN ENGLISH ... 9
TENSES EXERCISES ...21
2. CONDITIONALS ...23
EXERCISES CONDITIONALS ...25
SECTION 2:GRAMMAR ITEMS FOR SELF-STUDY ...26
3. PHRASAL VERBS...27
EXERCISES PHRASAL VERBS ...31
4. PREPOSITIONS ...33
EXERCISES PREPOSITIONS ...35
5. ARTICLES ...37
EXERCISES ARTICLES ...41
6. IRREGULAR VERBS ...43
EXERCISES IRREGULAR VERBS ...53
SAMPLE GRAMMAR EXAM ...55
SECTION 3:BUSINESS VOCABULARY (SELF-STUDY) ...57
EXERCISES BUSINESS VOCABULARY ...61
SPEAKING
SKILLS ...
65INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS EXERCISES/ACTIVITIES: ...65
CULTURAL AWARENESS EXERCISE ...65
PRESENTATION SKILLS ...68
SPEAKING ...69
THE ART OF RHETORIC ...71
PRESENTATION INGREDIENTS ...74
STRUCTURE ...74
PRESENTATION TOOLS & TECHNIQUES ...78
PRESENTATION TIME ! ...86
ACADEMIC
WRITING ...
891. STRUCTUREYOURWRITING ...91
4 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 Here is a short explanation of some of the grammatical terms used in this reader
Adjective
Words like large, cold, white, American etc. It helps to describe a noun or pronoun. I work in a large, modern office. It's nice and spacious.
Adverb
A word like carefully, quickly, well, sometimes, yesterday, never etc. It is normally used to say how or when something happens. Example: My father drives slowly. I'll see you tomorrow.
Article
A word that precedes a noun. ‘a’ and ‘an’ are called 'indefinite articles'; ‘the’ is called the 'definite article'.
Auxiliary verb
A verb like be, do, or have, which is used with another (main) verb to form tenses, passives, negatives, and questions.
I am working.
She has gone home.
Do you like Germany?
Conditional (or conditional clause)
A clause or sentence constructed with if, unless, etc.
It is normally used to discuss an event or situation in the future, present, or past, which may or may not be real. If you are late, we'll start the meeting without you.
If I were you, I would pay the bill now.
If the roads hadn't been so busy, we would have arrived on time.
Continuous form
See Simple and Continuous forms.
Infinitive
The infinitive is the basic form of the verb: to see, to make, to like, etc. If you look at the list of irregular verbs, you will see the infinitive form in the first column. For example:
Infinitive Past tense form Past participle to go went gone
The infinitive is usually introduced with the word to. Example: I want to leave, but it's not so easy to do.
Sometimes we use the 'bare infinitive' which is the infinitive without the word ‘to’.
You must leave now. You shouldn't stay any longer.
-ing form
When the -ing form of the verb is used as a verb or an adjective, it is called the 'present participle'.
I saw Peter leaving.
He's a very annoying person.
5 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 bare infinitive of another verb, and adds a certain kind of meaning: for example, ability, permission, obligation, probability, or certainty. (Modal verbs are also called modal auxiliary verbs.)
I can speak Japanese, but I can't write it.
The problem might be to do with the computer system.
You should think about taking out a business loan.
Noun
Words like computer, accountant, information, Martin, America. It is the name of an object, concept, place, or person. 'Concrete nouns' are things you can see or touch, like a car, a table, or an office. 'Abstract nouns' are things that you cannot see or touch, like an idea, a decision, or an opinion. Nouns can be countable: one book, two pages, three ideas, four days, etc.; or uncountable: water, advice, freedom (you cannot say two waters, an advice, etc.).
Object
The object of a sentence (a noun or noun phrase) usually comes after the verb. In the sentences below, thereport
and a new telephone system are the objects. They follow the verbs wrote and installed.
Peter wrote the report.
We installed a new telephone system last week.
Participle
The -ing or -ed forms of verb endings. The -ing form is called the 'present participle'; the -ed form is called the 'past participle'.
Passive and active forms
In an active sentence we say what people or things do, so we use active verb forms like went, explain, is developing, will increase. In the sentence below ‘The police’ is the subject, arrested is the verb and ‘Alain’ is the object. This is an active sentence.
The police arrested Alain.
In a passive sentence, we say what happens to people or things. The passive is formed by using the verb to be and a past participle. The object of the active sentence (Alain) becomes the subject. The subject of the active sentence (the police) is called the 'agent', and is introduced by the word by. This is a passive sentence.
Alain was arrested by the police.
Preposition
Words like to, in, behind, over, through, into, under, etc. Prepositions are used to give information about things like place, time, direction, and manner.
I telephoned our office in London at 7.00 this morning.
Last week we drove through the Alps into Switzerland.
I’ve sent them the documents by fax.
Pronoun
A word like it, me, you, she, they, him, her, etc. which replaces a noun in a sentence, usually because we do not want to repeat the noun.
I bought a new fax machine yesterday; it was very expensive.
6 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 A clause beginning with words like who, where, which, whose, or that. They are used to identify someone or something, or to give more information about them.
These lenses, which cost only a few pence to produce, cost over $200 to buy!
Stefan Anderson is the consultant that we employed on our last project.
Short forms (a.k.a. Contractions)
The verbs be and have, and the auxiliary verbs can be contracted into a shorter form (e.g., I'm, we've, don't, didn't,can’t, shouldn’t, etc.). These short forms are commonly used in speech and informal writing.
Simple and continuous forms
Tenses have both a simple and a continuous form. The simple form carries a sense of completion, or regularity of action. The continuous form carries a sense of continuity or incompleteness of action. The continuous form ends in –ing.
Simple Continuous
Present he works he is working
Past he worked he was working
Present perfect he has worked he has been working Past perfect he had worked he had been working Future he will work he will be working Future perfect he will have worked he will have been working
In other tenses and forms (like the Passive) it sometimes is not possible to use a continuous form, as a double form of ‘to be’ would occur. However, sometimes a double form of ‘to be’ is possible: “He was only being nice to me.”
Subject
The subject of a sentence (a noun or noun phrase) normally comes before the verb. It is usually the person or thing who does something, or is the main focus of attention. In the following sentences, the subjects are ‘My
brother Peter’ and ‘The sales conference’’.
My brother Peter works in London.
The sales conference will be held in September.
Tenses
The forms of a verb which help us to know the time of an action or event (past, present, or future). There are many different tenses. Here are two examples:
I work in the centre of Munich. (present simple tense) I worked in the centre of Munich. (past simple tense)
Some tenses are formed with the main verb and an extra verb such as be or have. These extra verbs are called 'auxiliary verbs'.
Antoinette is working late this evening. (present continuous tense) Ian has finished his report. (present perfect tense)
Transitive and intransitive (verbs)
Some verbs are followed by an object, and some are not. If a verb is normally followed by an object, it is called a 'transitive verb'. The verb to buy has an object, so in the sentence below, bought is the transitive verb, and a car is the object. Example: I bought a car
7 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 following sentences, competes, lies, buy, and sell are the verbs.
Five companies competed for the engineering contract.
La Défense lies to the West of Paris.
9 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 Simple Past or Past
Continuous Past Perfect or Past
Perfect Continuous
Future tenses
Present Perfect or Present Perfect Continuous
Future Perfect Simple or Future Perfect Continuous
FUTURE
PRESENT
PAST
Simple Present or Present Continuous
10 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
ACTIVE
Simplepresent: I do PresentContinuous: I am doing
Simplepast: I did
Past continuous: I was doing
Present Perfect: I have done Present Perfect Continuous: I have been doing
Past Perfect: I had done Past Perfect Continuous: I had been doing
Future tenses:
1. general promise I will/shall (‘ll) do
2. plan I am going to do
3. absolutely certain I do / I am doing
Future Perfect Simple: I will have done Future Perfect Continuous: I will have been doing
Conditional: I would do Conditional Perfect: I would have done Conditional Continuous: I would be doing Conditional Perfect Cont.: I would have been doing
PASSIVE
It is done It is being doneIt was done It was being done
It has been done NOT POSSIBLE
It had been done NOT POSSIBLE
It will be done It is going to be done It is done/It is being done
It will have been done NOT POSSIBLE
It would be done It would have been done NOT POSSIBLE
They say that he works 80 hours a week He is said to work 80 hours a week (they say this about his habits now)
They say that he worked 80 hours a week He is said to have worked 80 hours a week (they say this about what used to do)
11 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
1.1 Present Tense
1.1.1 Simple Present and Present Continuous
Form
Simple Present Present Continuous
infinitive
(3rd person singular: infinitive + 's') I speak
you speak he / she / it speaks we speak they speak
Questions and negatives are made with ‘do(es)’ followed by the infinitive of the verb:
I go I do not go
Exceptions when adding 's' :
For can, may, might, must, do not add s. Example: he can, she may, it must After o, ch, sh or s, add es.
Example: do - he does, wash - she washes
After a consonant, the final consonant y becomes ie. (but: not after a vowel)
Example: worry - he worries but: play - he plays
Exceptions when adding 'ing' :
Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee) Example: come - coming
but: agree - agreeing
After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled. Example: sit - sitting
After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English).
Example: travel - travelling (British English) but: travelling (American English) Final ie becomes y.
Example: lie - lying
Use
In general or right now?
Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?
Simple Present Present Continuous
in general (regularly, often, never) Colin plays football every Tuesday.
present actions happening one after another
First Colin plays football, then he watches TV.
right now
Look! Colin is playing football now.
also for several actions happening at the same time Colin is playing football and Anne is watching.
12 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 Timetable / Schedule or arrangement?
Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by a timetable or schedule?
Simple Present Present Continuous
action set by a timetable or schedule The film starts at 8 pm.
arrangement for the near future I am going to the cinema tonight.
Daily routine or just for a limited period of time?
Do you want to talk about a daily routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is only going on for a limited (rather short) period of time?
Simple Present Present Continuous
Daily:
Bob works in a restaurant.
only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen directly at the moment of speaking)
Jenny is working in a restaurant this week.
Certain Verbs
The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present (not in the continuous form). state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit
possession: belong, have
senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish brain work: believe, know, think, understand
Repetition and Irritation with "Always"
The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
She is always coming to class late.
13 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
1.2 Past Tense
1.2.1 Simple Past & Past Continuous
Form
Simple Past Past Continuous
regular verbs: verb + ed I worked
irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs I spoke
Questions and negatives are made with the auxiliary verb ‘did’ followed by the infinitive of the verb: I went I did
Exceptions when adding 'ed' : - when the final letter is e, only add d. Example: love - loved
- after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled
Example: admit - admitted
- final l is always doubled in British English (not always in American English)
Example: travel - travelled
- after a consonant, final y becomes i. (but: not after a vowel)
Example: worry - he worried but: play - he played
Exceptions when adding 'ing' :
silent e is dropped (but: does not apply for -ee)
- Example: come - coming but: agree - agreeing
- after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled
Example: sit - sitting
- final l is always doubled in British English (not always in American English)
Example: travel - travelling - final ie becomes y. Example: lie - lying
Use of Simple Past or Past Continuous: o After another or at the same time?
o Do you want to express that the actions in the past happened one after another or at the same time?
Simple Past Past Continuous
after another
She came home, switched on the computer and checked her e-mails.
at the same time
Simon was playing on the computer while his brother was watching TV.
New action or already in progress?
o If you want to express that a new action happened in the middle of another action, you need both tenses: Simple Past the new action and Past Continuous for the action already in progress.
Simple Past Past Continuous
new action
My mobile rang (when I was sitting in a meeting.)
action already in progress
14 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 Only mentioning or emphasising progress?
o Do you just want to mention that an action took place in the past (also used for short actions)? Or do you want to put emphasis on the progress, e.g. that an action was taking place at a certain time?
Simple Past Past Continuous
just mentioning
Colin played football yesterday.
emphasising progress
Yesterday at six o'clock, Colin was playing football.
Certain verbs are usually only used in Simple Past (not in the continuous form): the section on the Simple Present/Present Continuous for verbs generally not used with the Continuous.
Signal words
Simple Past Past Continuous
first then
when while as long as
1.3 Present Perfect
1.3.1 Present Perfect Simple
The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.
Form of Present Perfect
Positive Negative Question
I / you / we / they I have spoken. I have not spoken. Have I spoken?
he / she / it He has spoken. He has not spoken. Has he spoken?
For irregular verbs, use the participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add “ed”.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ‘-ed’
Exceptions in spelling when adding -ed Example
after a final e only add -d love – loved
final consonant after a short, stressed vowel or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled
admit – admitted travel – travelled
15 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 Use of Present Perfect:
o Puts emphasis on the result. She has written five letters.
o Action that is still going on. School has not started yet.
o Action that stopped recently. She has cooked dinner.
o Finished action that has an influence on the present. I have lost my key.
o Action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking. I have never been to Australia.
Signal Words of Present Perfect
already, ever, never, just, not yet, so far, till now, up to now , for (+ duration for five years), since (+ starting point since 2006)
1.3.2 Present Perfect Continuous
The present perfect continuous expresses an action that recently stopped or is still going on. It puts emphasis on the duration or course of the action.
Forms of Present Perfect Continuous
Positive Negative Question
I / you / we / they I have been speaking. I have not been speaking. Have I been speaking?
he / she / it He has been speaking. He has not been speaking. Has he been speaking?
Exceptions in Spelling
Exceptions in spelling when adding -ing Example
final e is dropped (but: ee is not changed)
come – coming (but: agree – agreeing)
after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled sit – sitting
NOTE: ‘l’ as final consonant after a vowel is always doubled (in British English; in American English it is not doubled)
travel – travelling (UK) travel – travelling (US)
final ie becomes y lie – lying
Use of Present Perfect Continuous:
Puts emphasis on the duration or course of an action (not the result).
o She has been writing for two hours.
Action that recently stopped or is still going on. I have been living here since 2001. Finished action that influenced the present. I have been working all afternoon.
Signal Words of Present Perfect Continuous
16 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 1.3.3 Past Perfect Simple
The Past Perfect Simple expresses an action taking place before a certain time in the past. Form of Past Perfect Simple
Positive Negative Question
.... had spoken. .... had not spoken. Had .... spoken?
For irregular verbs, use the past participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add -ed.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding -ed
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed Example
after final -e, only add -d love – loved
final consonant after a short, stressed vowel or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled
admit – admitted travel – travelled
final -y after a consonant becomes -i hurry – hurried
Use of Past Perfect
Action taking place before a certain time in the past (putting emphasis only on the fact, not the duration). Before I came here, I had spoken to Jack.
Signal Words
already, just, ever, never, not yet, once, until that day (with reference to the past, not the present)
1.3.4 Past Perfect Continuous
The past perfect continuous puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action taking place before a certain time in the past.
Form
A: He had been talking. N: He had not been talking. Q: Had he been talking?
Use
o action taking place before a certain time in the past o sometimes interchangeable with past perfect simple o puts emphasis on the course or duration of an action
Signal words
17 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 1.3.5 How to use the perfect tenses
One of the main problems for speakers of a number of European languages is that the perfect tenses in those languages often differ from English. In English the perfect tense always describes a situation/activity that covers two points in time (points 1 and 2 in the figure below. The second of these two points determines which perfect tense – past, present or future – is to be used.
If the second point lies in
the past: Past Perfect (he had done/he had been doing); the present: Present Perfect (he has done/he has been doing) the future: Future Perfect (he will have done/he will have been doing)
The two points could indicate a period of time (I have been working here for 5 years now), with the first point in time being the beginning of the period and the second point representing the end of the period of time. If the activity or situation is likely to continue after this period of time, the perfect continuous (have/had/will have been doing) is used.
The two points could also be two individual points in time, on the first of which something happens which creates a certain effect on the second point.
Example:
Jane: “You look different!” (at the moment of speaking)
Sue: “That’s right, I have been to the hairdresser’s”. (in the past, but the result is visible now.)
When the sentence gives information on “how much”, the standard perfect is used: “I’ve read 30 pages so far”.
When the sentence tells you “how long”, the perfect continuous is used: “I have been readingall night”. Past Perfect or Past
Perfect Continuous
Present Perfect or Present Perfect Continuous
Future Perfect Simple or Future Perfect Continuous
FUTURE
PRESENT
PAST 1 2
2 1
18 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
1.4 Future Tenses
1.4.1 Simple Future I: will
Simple Future I (will) expresses a spontaneous decision, an assumption with regard to the future or an action in the future that cannot be influenced.
Form of Simple Future I (will)
positive negative question
I will speak. I will not speak. Will I speak?
Use of Simple Future I (will)
o A spontaneous decision. Wait, I will help you.
o An opinion, hope, uncertainty or assumption regarding the future. He will probably come back tomorrow.
o A promise. I will not watch TV tonight.
o An action in the future that cannot be influenced. It will rain tomorrow. o Conditional clauses type I: If I arrive late, I will call you.
Signal Words
in a year, next …, tomorrow, I think, probably, perhaps
1.4.2 Simple Future I: to be going to
Simple Future I (going to) expresses a conclusion regarding the immediate future or an action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared.
Form of Simple Future I (going to)
positive negative question
I I am going to speak. I am not going to speak. Am I going to speak?
you / we / they You are going to speak. You are not going to speak. Are you going to speak?
he / she / it He is going to speak. He is not going to speak. Is he going to speak?
Use of Simple Future I (going to)
o An action in the near future that has already been planned or prepared. I am going to study harder next year.
o A conclusion regarding the immediate future. The sky is absolutely dark. It is going to rain.
Signal Words
in one year, next week, tomorrow
19 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 1.4.3 Future Continuous + will
Future Continuous can be used with both “will” and “going to”: "will be doing " and "be going to be doing." Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Continuous forms are usually interchangeable. Future Continuous puts emphasis on the course of an action taking place in the future.
Form
A: He will be talking / He is going to be talking. N: He will not be talking / He is not going to be talking. Q: Will he be talking? / Is he going to be talking?
Use
o action that is going on at a certain time in the future o action that is sure to happen in the near future
Signal Words
in one year, next week, tomorrow
1.4.4 Future Perfect Simple
Future Perfect Simple expresses an action that will be finished at a certain time in the future.
Form
A: He will have talked. N: He will not have talked. Q: Will he have talked?
Use
o action that will be finished at a certain time in the future
Signal Words
by Monday, in a week
1.4.5 Future Continuous Perfect
Future continuous perfect puts emphasis on the course / duration of an action taking place before a certain time in the future. It can also be used to express an assumption regarding a future action. Future continuous perfect is not used very often as it can usually be replaced by Future simple.
Form
A: He will have been talking. N: He will not have been talking. Q: Will he have been talking?
Use
o action taking place before a certain time in the future o puts emphasis on the course of an action
Signal Words
20 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 1.4.6 Simple Present used for future
Simple Present for future
Scheduled Events in the Near Future
Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.
Examples:
The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM. When do we board the plane?
The party starts at 8 o'clock. When does class begin tomorrow?
1.4.7 Present Continuous for the near future
Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.
Examples:
21 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
Tenses Exercises
Exercise 1.
Make logical sentences with the following groups of words. Be careful to select the tense that belongs to the meaning that you wish to convey. You can (and should) add words to make your sentence complete.
Fill in the correct tense of the verb in brackets.
1. Ms Gore really (believe) that John (cheat), now that he has such a good mark for his Maths exam?
2. I (know) for years that John cannot (trust), and I think that Ms Gore (know) the same. 3. I (take) a walk when an old lady (ask) me if I (see) her dog anywhere.
4. If she (know) that Jake was such a creep, she never (go) out with him. 5. Unless the weather (improve), I (not go) to school by bike.
6. Since when they (live) in this neighbourhood?
7. They first (live) in the Bronx for two years, but they (move) two years ago. 8. I (buy) this new sweater at C&A’s; it (cost) only € 5.—
9. Our neighbour always (blow) his horn early in the morning when he (leave); it drives me insane.
10. “Look, I (bring) you some sausages.” “You needn’t (bring) sausages, I’ve got plenty in the freezer.”
11. Next month Mr Graham (be) general manager of Halo Inc. for twenty years. I hope there (be) a celebration.
12. He said that he (have) his car since 1999.
13. This report (show) that we (sell) a lot of refrigerators this month. 14. I (not know) that you (know) Mrs Pitt-Jolie. How long you (know) her? 15. When he (promote) by his boss last month, he (become) Assistant Manager.
16. I (not know) when the new model (come) out, but I expect it (be) by the end of the month. 17. He (welcome) the new guests, and then (go) on talking about his children. I thought to
myself, “Why he (always talk) about them? It irritates me madly.” 18. Why you (smoke) a cigar, Mr Heys? You usually (not smoke) at all. 19. Look at what I (just buy)! Isn’t it beautiful?
20. Our sales campaign is a failure. It (be) a disaster from the start.
21. While we (walk) past the office block, a policeman (stop) us to ask if we (see) anything suspicious a few blocks back. We said that we (see) a dark figure hurrying round the corner. 22. She (work) here. She (do) so for twenty years next summer.
22 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 24. What (you do) if he had asked you to go with him to Costa Rica?
25. My train (leave) in thirty minutes, so I am not in any great hurry.
26. Although the car (just repair) by my local garage, the engine (fail) me again the next morning. 27. The handyman (strip) the wallpaper when suddenly a whole piece of wall came down. 28. He usually (attend) most lectures?
29. Why you (always watch) those stupid soaps on TV! Every time I look at the screen, I (see) terrible acting and tearful eyes. I’d like to see some serious drama for a change.
30. When the Gulf War (start)?
31. They (know) each other for months when they (discover) that they (have) mutual acquaintances.
32. I never (meet) him, but they say that he is charming.
33. After he (finish) reading his paper, he (call) his wife and (tell) her to bring him a beer immediately.
34. He slowly (recover) from his injuries, so he must not get too many visitors at the same time yet.
35. I (have) an interesting experience just now. I (tell) you all about it in a minute.
Exercise 3.
In the text below, which was adapted from an article in the Guardian, the verbs have been put in brackets. It is your task to put them in the correct tense. Sometimes there could be more than one solution; if this is the case you should try to determine what differences in meaning occur with the different solutions.
The number of single-use plastic bags handed out to shoppers by UK supermarkets (rise) for the second year running, new figures from the government's waste reduction body WRAP (reveal). The figures (be) a huge disappointment to the government, which (back) a voluntary scheme to cut the use of throwaway bags.
A total of 8bn "thin-gauge" bags (be) issued in the UK in 2011 – a 5.4% rise on the 7.6bn in 2010 – and every shopper now (use) an average of almost 11 a month.
It is the second year in a row the number of throwaway plastic bags (rise), although their use (fall) by more than a third (35%) since 2006, when 12.2bn bags (be) handed out. Retailers (blame) the recession and (say) families (change) their shopping habits and (do)more smaller shops every week – often using public transport.
23 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
2.
Conditionals
Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled. There are four types of Conditional Sentences. The opposite of ‘if’ is ‘unless’ (= if not).
In English the rules for Conditional Sentences are rather strict when it comes to the verb tenses that can be used. Normally ‘’will, shall, would or should” are not used in the ‘if’ part of the sentence. ‘Would’ can be used in the ‘if’ part in the case of requests (“I would be grateful if you would send me your reply as soon as possible.”)‘Should’ can be used in the ‘if’ part in order to make it sound more formal. However, using ‘should’ in the ‘if’ part tends to make the fulfilment of the condition appear less probable.
2.1 Conditional Sentence Type 0 (general truths and facts)
In this category ‘if’ can be replaced by ‘when’, ‘as soon as’, etc.
Form: if + simple present {then} simple present
Example: If/when you heat water to 100°, it boils. (THAT’S A GIVEN FACT)
2.2 Conditional Sentence Type 1 (Future Real Conditional)
It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled in future.Form: if + simple present will + infinitive
Example: If I earn enough money, I will book a trip to the Bahamas. (SO I HAVE TO CHECK MY BANK ACCOUNT).
2.3 Conditional Sentence Type 2 (Future Unreal Conditional)
It is possible but very unlikely, that the condition will be fulfilled.
Form: if + simple past, would + Infinitive
Example: If I earned enough money, I would book a trip to the Bahamas (BUT I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, SO NO BAHAMAS FOR ME!)
2.4 Conditional Sentence Type 3 (Past Unreal Conditional)
It is impossible that the condition will be fulfilled because it refers to the past. If this unrealistic outcome is situated in the past, ‘would have + Past Participle’ is used (Form 1). If the unrealistic outcome is situated in the Present, ‘would + infinitive’ is used.Form 1: if + Past Perfect, would + have + Past Participle
Example: If I had earned enough money, I would have booked a trip to the Bahamas. (BUT I DID NOT EARN ENOUGH, SO I NEVER WENT THE BAHAMAS)
Form 2: if + Past Perfect, would + inifinitive
24 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
2.5 Other ways of making conditional sentences
Instead of using ‘if’ or ‘unless’ there are other ways to express conditions.
1. Should instead of ‘if’:
Type 1: If I earn enough money, I will book a trip to the Bahamas Should I earn enough money, I will book a trip to the Bahamas
2. Inversion of the subject-auxiliary order
In formal English conditional sentences can be formed by inversion of subject and auxiliary. Also, if is removed.
Type 2:If I were you, I would visit my grandfather.
Were I you, I would visit my grandfather.
Type3: If I Had known this fact before, I wouldn't have come here.
25 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
Exercises Conditionals
Exercise 1
Make as many conditional sentences as possible from the notes below
1. lower the price … sell more goods (we) 2. can speak English … get the job (you) 3. take a taxi … catch the train (he) 4. go on strike … lose their jobs (they)’ 5. … the goods are satisfactory, further
orders follow (-)
6. it is convenient … come on Tuesday (we) 7. work harder … earn more (you)
8. see him … tell him (we)
9. lose the contract last year … go bankrupt (our company)
10. have time … show you around the shop floor (the manager)
11. are packed carefully … arrive safely (the goods)
12. start at 7.30 … can leave at 4 o’clock (you) 13. smoke less … may live longer (he)
14. have time … stay last week (she) 15. have time … come tomorrow (they)
Exercise 2
Complete the following sentence fragments, so that a correct and logical sentence is
created:
1. If I had known about those restrictions, …
2. She will never leave him unless … 3. Should anything happen to the house
while I am away, …
4. If the weather were slightly better, … 5. If the results of your exam had been
worse, …
6. Unless you pay the amount due today, …
7. Had she told me before, I … 8. If you paid more attention to her
behaviour, …
9. They would have phoned you earlier if …
10. If you go there without my consent, … 11. They can try the blue van if …
12. If Jonas has met her, he …
13. The car would be in much better shape if …
14. Sandy will have to come up with a better offer if …
15. If Jane cut the slices a little bit thinner, …
Exercise 3
Fill in the correct tense of the given verb
1. Terry (tell) me all about it if you hadn’tinterrupted him.
2. What would happen if we (make) them a more attractive offer? 3. Unless you (pay) me now, I will never
lend you anything again in my life. 4. If I (be) a rich man, I would buy a Rolls
Royce, a Porsche and a Jaguar. 5. If I had invested all my money in
Aegon shares four years ago, I (lose) most of my money, I (be) a poor man now.
6. The tea lady at the office would quit working immediately if she (win) the lottery.
7. …. the consequences (be) grave if the meteor that was discovered in our solar system last week hits earth? 8. Mr Spike (fly) up the wall if he heard
about the success of his competitor. 9. If you (lend) me five grand, I would be
eternally grateful.
27 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
3.
Phrasal Verbs
3.1 What are phrasal verbs?
1. A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb. In many cases the verb can take both a figurative and a literal meaning.
Example:
I ran into my teacher at the movies last night. RUN + INTO = MEET He ran away when he was 15. RUN + AWAY = LEAVE HOME
2. Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. An intransitive verb cannot be followed by an object.
Example:
He suddenly showed up. "SHOW UP" CANNOT TAKE AN OBJECT
3. Some phrasal verbs are transitive. A transitive verb can be followed by an object.
Example:
I made up the story. "STORY" IS THE OBJECT OF "MAKE UP"
4. Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. The object is placed between the verb and the preposition. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, separable phrasal verbs are marked by placing a * between the verb and the preposition / adverb.
Exampl:
I talked my mother into letting me borrow the car. She looked the phone number up.
5. Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. The object is placed after the preposition. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, inseparable phrasal verbs are marked by placing a + after the preposition / adverb. Example:
I ran into an old friend yesterday. They are looking into the problem .
6. Some transitive phrasal verbs can take an object in both places. In this Phrasal Verb Dictionary, such phrasal verbs are marked with both * and +.
Example:
I looked the number up in the phone book. I looked up the number in the phone book.
7. WARNING! Although many phrasal verbs can take an object in both places, you must put the object between the verb and the preposition if the object is a pronoun (it, him, her, etc.). This applies to separable phrasal verbs and those with two possibilities. For inseparable phrasal verbs it applies that the object is ALWAYS placed after the preposition.
Example:
I looked the number up in the phone book.
I looked up the number in the phone book. I looked it up in the phonebook BUT:
28 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
back down = stop defending your opinion in a debate
back out = not keep (a promise, agreement, deal)
blow over = pass without creating a problem break * down + = analyse in detail
break * in + = wear or use something new until it is comfortable
break in = interrupt
break * up + = break into pieces break up = end a relationship bring*about + = cause to happen bring * on + = cause something bring * up + = mention
brush * off + = ignore something or someone (inf.)
buy * out + = buy the shares of a company or the shares the other person owns of a business
buy * up + = purchase the entire supply of something
C
call for + = require (as in a recipe) call * off + = cancel something
call * off + = order to stop (an invasion, guard dogs)
call on + = visit
call on + = invite someone to speak in a meeting or a classroom
carry on + = continue (a conversation, a game)
carry on about + = continue in an annoying way
carry * out + = complete and/or accomplish something
catch up with + = speed up to be at the same place as a person or thing in front of you catch up on + = become up-to-date
check for + = try to find
check * out + = investigate, take a look at check out = leave a hotel, hospital check out of + = leave a hotel, hospital check up on + = investigate someone or something
check with + = ask a person for confirmation close * down + = close a place permanently close * up + = close temporarily
come about = occur / happen come across + = discover by accident come down with + = become sick with come up to + = approach; to equal
come up with + = produce or create (an idea, a plan)
count on + = depend/rely on count * out + = exclude count * up + = add
cut down = decrease the amount of cut down on + = decrease the amount of cut in = interrupt
cut * off = interrupt someone while they were speaking
cut * up + = cut into small pieces
D
do away with + = abolish
do without + = manage without something one wants or needs
draw * up + = create ( a contract) drop in = visit someone unexpectedly drop out = quit an organized activity
F
face up to + = acknowledge something difficult or embarrassing
fall back on + = be able to use in case of emergency
fall behind = go slower than scheduled, lag fall behind in + = go slower than scheduled, lag fall through = fail to happen
feel up to + = have the energy to do something
figure * out + = solve something, understand fill in for + = substitute for
fill * out + = complete (an application)
G
get * across + = cause to be understood get ahead = make progress
29 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
rules or illegal and not get caught or punished get by = survive without having the things you need or want
get by on + = survive with minimal resources get by with + = manage with
go through + = endure; experience challenges, difficulties or traumas
go through with + = continue or proceed despite difficulties or fears
go without + = abstain from something you want or need
H
hand * back + = return
hand * over + = relinquish control of hear from + = receive news from (a letter, an e-mail)
hear of + = know about something or somebody
hold * up + = delay (a flight, traffic) hook * up + = make the electrical connections required for a machine or information service
J
jack up + = to raise
jump in = enter a conversation
jump to + = make a quick, poorly thought out
lay down + = establish (laws, rules) lay * off + = suspend someone from a job
make up for + = compensate for
O
pick up = grow, increase (inf.)
play * down + = make less important (inf.) point * out + = indicate
put * across + = communicate (an idea or suggestion) clearly so that it is understood put * down + = insult, say bad things about put * off + = postpone
put out + = spend (usually used with unreasonably large sums of money)
run into + = meet unexpectedly run out of + = not have any more of something
S
see * off = say good-bye to someone at the beginning of their trip (at the airport, train station)
see to + = make sure something happens, arrange
set up + = arrange (an appointment, a meeting, etc.)
settle on + = make a decision after a period of time
settle up = pay one's debts
show off = boast, draw attention to oneself spell * out + = to explain something in a detailed way so that the meaning is clearly understood
stand by = wait stand for + = represent stand for + = tolerate
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T
take after + = resemble a parent or relative take * back + = retract something you said take * for = consider, view as
take over = take control of
talk back (to) = respond in an impolite way to an adult
talk * over + = discuss tear down + = destroy
tear * up + = tear or rip into small pieces think * over + = consider
think * through + = consider carefully think * up + = create or invent a false story throw * away + = discard
throw * out + = remove by force from (a room, school, a house, etc.)
try * out = test
turn * around = change or reverse direction turn * down + = refuse an offer; reject an application
turn * off + = stop the function of (a stove, a water faucet, a car, etc.)
turn out = end up being turn up = find unexpectedly
V
veer away from + = stay away from, avoid
W
wait on + = serve, service (a table) watch out = be careful
watch out for + = be careful of
wear off = disappear after a period of time wear * out = use until something is not useable anymore
wear * out = cause to be very tired work * out + = solve
write * up + = prepare a report
Z
zero in on + = discover, pinpoint
31 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
Exercises Phrasal Verbs
To find the correct answer you can consult the above list of phrasal verbs. If the phrasal verb cannot be found in the list in this reader, consult the complete list given at
http://www.englishpage.com/prepositions/prepositions.html , where you will also find more exercises. For more exercise material you can also simply google ‘phrasal verbs’.
Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks using the words below.
about after away back by for in into off on over together up down aside along out round across through
1. We had some problems when we checked …… the hotel. They had reserved the room under the wrong name.
2. My book club meets regularly to discuss selected novels. In fact, we are getting ……. next week to talk about a really unique mystery novel called Illusion.
3. Mrs Jones's husband passed ……. last Friday. We are going to attend his funeral next week. 4. In the dream, my wallet turned …….. a butterfly and flew away. Isn't that symbolic? I think I'd
better stop spending so much money.
5. Before the plane took ………, the flight attendant told everyone to fasten their seat belts and put their chairs in an upright position.
6. Don't forget to put your gloves ……… . It is cold outside!
7. The police chased the robber down the street and through the park but they couldn't catch him. He got ……… by jumping on the back of a passing truck.
8. Fred told us to keep ……... . He said the dog was very aggressive and that it might even be rabid. 9. I am looking ……… an apartment near the beach. I would like a studio or a one bedroom with a
view of the ocean.
10. I can't believe how much John takes ……… his father. They look and act exactly the same. 11.I can mail the letter for you. I go ……… the post office on my way to work.
12.If you watch your money, stay in hostels, make your own food, and plan carefully, you can get ……… there on less than $30.00 a day.
13.If you don't understand the word "superstitious," look it ……… in the dictionary.
14.For legal reasons, our lawyer wants to go ………. the papers thoroughly before we sign them. 15. Popular protest and extensive media coverage finally helped bring ……… change in the country's
environmental policies.
16. I can't hear what they are saying on TV. Can you please turn it …….. ?
17.This radio station is based in Chicago, which is 60 miles from here. That is why the broadcast doesn't come ……… clearly.
18.This is the most intensive language course I have ever taken. I have to study four hours per night just to keep ……… with the pace of the class.
19.I think the experiment supports my theory, but I need to go ……… the results a couple of times to make sure that no mistakes were made while collecting the data.
20.My job starts at 6:00 AM, so I have to get ………. really early to make it to work on time. 21. Don't put your homework ………until tomorrow. Just do it now and get it ………… with.
22.James came …………. a lot of money when his grandfather passed away. He could retire right now if he wanted to.
23.When the alarm went …………., everyone proceeded calmly to the emergency exits. The fire chief was very impressed with the organization of the drill.
24.If you have an old blanket, bring it ………… so that we have something to sit on at the beach.
25.Although the team was both mentally and physically exhausted because they had not slept in almost 48 hours, they kept …………... walking so they could reach the Eco-challenge finish line before dawn. 26.Hey, check …………. Tina's new haircut. Doesn't she look great?
27.I don't have time to clean the kitchen right now. Maybe I can get ………….. to it later.
32 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 them to become better people.
29.I love your new outfit. Especially your shirt, it really brings ………….. the colour of your eyes.
30.I came ……… an old picture of Daniel while I was looking through the trunk. It's the one I took when we went camping at the beach.
31.As consumer demand for the product changed and competitors flooded the market, the once highly profitable company finally went ………….. . Even the best businessman cannot keep a company going if nobody buys the product.
32.Look ………….., there's a rattlesnake under the picnic table!
33.The dealer tried to pass the painting ………. as an original Van Gogh, but the appraiser immediately recognized it was a fake.
34.The rebels have taken ………….. the capital city and toppled the sitting government. It looks like the revolution is over and the tiny nation will finally gain its independence.
35.When you are finished using the computer, can you please turn it ………..
36.Ever since their big fight last month, John and Deborah haven't been getting ………….. at all. They are constantly arguing with each other.
37.Cheryl was taken ……… by the con artist at the airport. He stole her passport, her plane ticket and $1500.
38.I am going to accept the research position at the Sorbonne. The pay isn't that great, but there is no way I am going to pass ………….. the opportunity to live in Paris.
39.I can't afford to put ………….. that much money for a new television. I can barely pay my rent! Exercise 2
Put in these business-related phrasal verbs.
(you may have to add some words to complete the sentence)
come by - come up with - deal with - look forward to - hire ---self out - knock off - knock down - lay off - set ---self up - set up - set back - shake down - sit in - size up - spin off - stand down - step aside - take over - turn over
1. The profits aren't high, but our company …… a large sum every year. 2. This firm has …………. three companies this year.
3. He is unwilling to …………..in favour of a younger person. 4. She's decided to ……….. after ten years as managing director. 5. The company is trying to ………… part of its business.
6. Every new job that is created ………… three or four more in related fields. 7. We ………… hearing from you.
8. The students are ………… as a protest about the increase in their fees. 9. The gang demanding protection payments would ………… local businesses. 10.He ………. as a graphics designer.
11.She plans to ……….. her own business.
12.Buying that car must have …………you ……….. a bit.
13.We must …………. she situation before we decide what to do.
14.The company has been forced to …………. several thousand employees.
15.The saleswoman ………… the price to less than $100 and then I bought the thing. 16.I’ve decided to go freelance and …………. as a computer programmer.
17.How do you intend to ………… this problem?
33 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
4.
Prepositions
4.1
Prepositions
–
Time
Preposition
Usage
Example
on days of the week on Monday
in months / seasons
time of day year
after a certain period of time (when?)
in August / in winter
a certain point of time (when?)
at night
ago a certain time in the past 2 years ago
before earlier than a certain point of time before 2004
to telling the time ten to six (5:50)
past telling the time ten past six (6:10)
to / till / until marking the beginning and end of a period of time
from Monday to/till Friday
till / until in the sense of how long something is going to last
He is on holiday until Friday.
By in the sense of at the latest up to a certain time
I will be back by 6 o’clock.
By 11 o’clock, I had read five pages.
4.2
Prepositions
–
Place (Position and Direction)
in room, building, street, town, country book, paper etc.
car, taxi picture, world
in the kitchen, in London in the book
in the car, in a taxi in the picture, in the world at meaning next to, by an object
for table for events
place where you are to do something typical (watch a film, study, work)
at the door, at the station at the table
34 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
4.3
Other important Prepositions
on Attached to a surface for a place with a river a surface
for a certain side (left, right) for a floor in a house for public transport for television, radio
the picture on the wall London lies on the Thames. On the table
under on the ground, lower than (or covered by) something else
the bag is under the table
below lower than something else but above ground
the fish are below the surface
over covered by something else meaning more than
getting to the other side (also across) overcoming an obstacle
put a jacket over your shirt over 16 years of age walk over the bridge climb over the wall above higher than something else, but not
directly over it
a path above the lake
across getting to the other side (also over) getting to the other side
walk across the bridge swim across the lake through something with limits on top, bottom and
the sides
drive through the tunnel
to movement to person or building movement to a place or country for bed
go to the cinema go to London / Ireland go to bed
into enter a room / a building go into the kitchen / the house towards movement in the direction of something
(but not directly to it)
go 5 steps towards the house
onto movement to the top of something jump onto the table
from indicating origin a flower from the garden; a woman
from Barcelona
between Separating two places or things The wall between East and West Berlin came down in 1989.
35 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016
from who gave it a present from Jane
of who/what does it belong to what does it show
a page of the book the picture of a palace
by who made it a book by Mark Twain
on walking or riding on horseback entering a public transport vehicle
on foot, on horseback get on the bus
in entering a car / taxi get in the car
off leaving a public transport vehicle get off the train
out of leaving a car / taxi get out of the taxi
by rise or fall of something
travelling (other than walking or horse-riding)
prices have risen by 10 percent by car, by bus
at for age she learned Russian at 45
about for topics, meaning what about we were talking about you
Exercises Prepositions
EXERCISE 1 - PREPOSITIONS
Fill in the blanks with these words: against, at, by, for, from, in, like, near, of, on, to, up, with. 1. She is doing a degree course ... a
university.
2. His trousers were washed ... the washing machine. 7. I don't usually feel tired ... the morning. 8. Have you heard anything ... him yet? 9. My house is quite ... to your school.
13. He sometimes quarrels ... his boss..
14. I think there is a salesman ... the door. 15. Her next birthday will be ... a Sunday. 16. Even the new drug could not cure him ... his illness.
17. He was given a ten-year prison sentence ... armed robbery.
18. The cat likes to rub its head ... my legs. 19. The store was robbed because there was no guard ... duty.
20. My father has a car ... yours.
21. His sister holds a degree ... physics ... Oxford.
EXERCISE 2 - PREPOSITIONS
Fill in the blanks with these words: about, across, after, along, among, behind, beside, off, since, through, under, without, from.
1. The referee ordered two players ... the field.
2. I could see her ... the window.
3. He sings whenever he is ... the influence of alcohol.
36 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 6. Police want to know all ... it and are
calling for witnesses.
7. Innocent civilians were ... the casualties. 8. Please shut the door ... you.
9. How long can you survive ... light or heating?
10. Who is looking ... you when your parents are not in?
11. She was carrying her handbag ... her arm.
12. We parked the car ... the fence.
13. He had to push his way ... the crowd to get in.
14. The robbers jumped ... the train while it was still moving.
15. We enjoy driving ... the highway. 16. Books were scattered ... the room. 17. We are not allowed to talk ... ourselves. 18. He has completed this degree course ... too much trouble.
19. There is only one bridge ... this river. 20. Do you believe in life ... death?
Complete the texts below by choosing the correct prepositions.
Turkey is a Eurasian country that stretches …………. the Anatolian peninsula in south -western Asia and the Balkan region of south-eastern Europe. The region comprising modern Turkey has seen the birth ……… major civilizations including the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Owing ………….. its strategic location ……… the intersection of two continents, Turkey's culture is a unique blend ………. Eastern and Western tradition, often described as a bridge ……… the two civilizations. Turkey is a democratic, secular, unitary, constitutional republic whose political system was established in 1923 ……….. the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk following the fall of the Ottoman Empire ……….. the aftermath of World War I. Since then, Turkey has increasingly integrated with the West while continuing to foster relations with the Eastern world. It is a founding member ………. the United Nations, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Organization for Security and Co -Co-operation in Europe, a member state of the Council of Europe ……….1949 and of NATO ……… 1952.
37 BCN Reader Semester 1 2015-2016 For better or for worse, the English language is blessed with articles. This causes a
considerable amount of confusion for speakers of most of the world's other languages, who seem to get on rather well without them.
Between British and American usage one finds subtle differences in nuance or emphasis. For example, Americans usually say someone is in the hospital, much as they could be at the bank or in the park. To the British this sounds like there is only one hospital in town or that the American is thinking of one hospital in particular that he or she patronizes. The Brits say an ailing person is in hospital, just as they would say a child is at school or a criminal is in prison. This is because they are thinking more of the primary activities that take place within those institutions rather than the buildings in which they are housed. If, however, you are merely visiting one of these places, you are at the hospital, at the school or at the prison — both British and Americans agree here that what we have in mind is the building itself.
These few examples serve to illustrate that there is more to articles than at first meets the eye. From whatever perspective you are viewing these pages, we hope you'll discover that articles are actually precision tools that greatly contribute to the unique accuracy of expression afforded by the English language.
5.1
The Indefinite Article (a, an)
To facilitate pronunciation, a is used in front of any word that begins with a or consonant-like vowel sound.
Conversely, an is put in front of any word that begins with a pure vowel sound or a mute ‘h’.
· Our town has a theatre, a university, a large park and a conference hall. · Many Chinese still believe an
Englishman always carries an umbrella.
· It’s an old custom.
·
It’s a strange old custom. Note that spelling is not a reliable indicator of whento use a or an! It is the actual pronunciation that counts!
· The coastguard received an SOS.
·
He spent an hour standing in line.The indefinite article a/an is placed in front of a countable noun that is being mentioned for the very first time. Once introduced, all further references to it can be preceded by the definite article the.
· I have two cars: a Ford and an Audi.
·
The Ford is white and the Audi is silver.In English, an indefinite article (a/an) is needed in front of professions.
·
She is an architect and he is a doctor.The indefinite article (a/an) can also be used instead of per when giving the rate or pace of something.
· He earns $200 a day. · She swims twice a week.
·
He drove at 60 miles an hour.Note too that little and few become a whole lot more positive when preceded by the indefinite article! She has a little money and a few friends, so she'll probably get by. (She’s OK)
