There are two confusing nouns in the English language: a loan and a mortgage. Let me explain the difference to you.
A loan is an amount of money that you borrow from a bank because you want to buy a car, a computer etc. Examples:
Jim took out a loan to pay for his car.
It'll be years before we've paid off the loan.
a business loan / personal loan
A mortgage is a legal arrangement by which you borrow money from a bank in order to buy a house or a flat. Examples:
They've taken out a 30-year mortgage.
Mortgage rates are set to rise again in the spring.
She was having trouble meeting her mortgage payments.
TEST YOURSELF – loan or mortgage?
1. A student …......
2. Do you have a …...... on your house?
3. Kenya was still paying off a multimillion-dollar …...... to the IMF.
4. Your building society or bank will help arrange a ….......
5. Nick told me the …...... on his apartment is worth about $90,000.
6. I'll get a bank …...... if necessary.
7. The bank says we have to buy a life insurance policy before we can get a ….......
8. The organization was allowed to make …...... to private businesses.
9. I had to take out a …...... to buy my car.
10. It took my parents nearly thirty years to pay off their ….......
11. We still have a $180,000 …...... on the house.
12. Anyone taking out a …...... should be aware that interest rates can go up at any time.
28.06.2011
27.06.2011
Allow vs Let
In the English language there are two verbs which mean exactly the same. They are to allow and to let. The only difference is in the usage.
While using the verb to allow, we need to use the following structure:
to allow sb to do sth
e.g. My parents wouldn't allow me to go to the party.
While using the verb to let, we need to use the following structure:
to let sb do sth
e.g. My parents wouldn't let me go to the party.
The only difference is the lack of to while using the verb to let. Here are some more examples:
Don't allow your problems to dominate your life. = Don't let your problems dominate your life.
We do not allow people to smoke anywhere in the building. = We do not let people smoke anywhere in the building.
Some people seem to allow their kids to do whatever they like. = Some people seem to let their kids do whatever they like.
TEST YOURSELF
Fill in with allow or let.
1. Alice’s mum won’t …..... her come with us.
2. …..... your imagination run wild.
3. Sue doesn't …..... her kids eat candy.
4. Unfortunately, they didn’t …..... me to explain the thinking behind my decision.
5. I stepped back and …..... him pass.
6. I can …..... you have another £10, but no more.
7. …..... me have a look at that letter.
8. She only …..... the children to watch television at weekends.
9. …..... Johnny have a go on the computer now.
10. DVD …..... you to record programmes and watch them later.
While using the verb to allow, we need to use the following structure:
to allow sb to do sth
e.g. My parents wouldn't allow me to go to the party.
While using the verb to let, we need to use the following structure:
to let sb do sth
e.g. My parents wouldn't let me go to the party.
The only difference is the lack of to while using the verb to let. Here are some more examples:
Don't allow your problems to dominate your life. = Don't let your problems dominate your life.
We do not allow people to smoke anywhere in the building. = We do not let people smoke anywhere in the building.
Some people seem to allow their kids to do whatever they like. = Some people seem to let their kids do whatever they like.
TEST YOURSELF
Fill in with allow or let.
1. Alice’s mum won’t …..... her come with us.
2. …..... your imagination run wild.
3. Sue doesn't …..... her kids eat candy.
4. Unfortunately, they didn’t …..... me to explain the thinking behind my decision.
5. I stepped back and …..... him pass.
6. I can …..... you have another £10, but no more.
7. …..... me have a look at that letter.
8. She only …..... the children to watch television at weekends.
9. …..... Johnny have a go on the computer now.
10. DVD …..... you to record programmes and watch them later.
24.06.2011
Subject Questions
Questions about the subject or subject questions (PL podmiot) are slightly different from typical English questions. Let's have a look at the difference:
Who wrote that book? (subject question)
When did he write that book? (typical question)
For subject questions you don't use the following auxiliary verbs do, does and did. The only thing you need to do is to put who + the verb in the correct form, e.g.
Who stole my ring? but Why did he steal my ring?
Who read the book? but When did you read the book?
Who told you about it? but Why did he tell you about it?
What makes you happy? but Why does music make her happy?
Who is swimming now? But Why is Jack swimming now?
You need to remember to use only the 3rd person singular to make subject questions.
TEST YOURSELF
Make the correct question:
1. Who …......... us every day? (visit)
2. When …......... they you? (visit)
3. Who …......... in Paris last weekend? (be)
4. Why …......... you to France last year? (go)
5. Who …......... TV last night from 10pm to 2am? (watch)
6. Who never …......... his room? (clean)
7. Who …......... the first prize recently? (win)
8. What …......... she the first prize for? (win)
9. Who …......... you? (love)
10. Which car …......... first? (arrive)
11. What type of food …......... less? (cost)
Who wrote that book? (subject question)
When did he write that book? (typical question)
For subject questions you don't use the following auxiliary verbs do, does and did. The only thing you need to do is to put who + the verb in the correct form, e.g.
Who stole my ring? but Why did he steal my ring?
Who read the book? but When did you read the book?
Who told you about it? but Why did he tell you about it?
What makes you happy? but Why does music make her happy?
Who is swimming now? But Why is Jack swimming now?
You need to remember to use only the 3rd person singular to make subject questions.
TEST YOURSELF
Make the correct question:
1. Who …......... us every day? (visit)
2. When …......... they you? (visit)
3. Who …......... in Paris last weekend? (be)
4. Why …......... you to France last year? (go)
5. Who …......... TV last night from 10pm to 2am? (watch)
6. Who never …......... his room? (clean)
7. Who …......... the first prize recently? (win)
8. What …......... she the first prize for? (win)
9. Who …......... you? (love)
10. Which car …......... first? (arrive)
11. What type of food …......... less? (cost)
20.06.2011
Between vs Among
The prepositions between and among are very similar in meaning and they are a bit problematic for some students of English. Let me explain the difference to you.
Between refers to the space, time or number that separates two things, people, places, times or events. Examples:
I sat down between Sue and Jane.
Are there any public holidays between Christmas and Easter?
You shouldn't eat between meals.
The project will cost between eight and ten million dollars.
Among refers to many people or objects. It means in or through the middle of a group of people or things. Examples:
The girl quickly disappeared among the crowd.
Among the collection of photographs are two taken in Hamburg in 1911.
Among women in their later thirties and early forties, the figures are higher still.
At the meeting they discussed, among other things, recent events in Japan.
TEST YOURSELF
1. She was the eldest .......... them.
2. Most of the victims were young men .......... the ages of 16 and 21.
3. .......... you and me, I think Schmidt's about to resign.
4. I could hear voices coming from somewhere .......... the bushes.
5. A lot of students spend a year abroad in .......... school and university.
6. Jim relaxed, knowing he was .......... friends.
7. The ball rolled .......... his feet.
8. The problem is causing widespread concern .......... scientists.
9. The team have a lot of work to do .......... now and Sunday.
Between refers to the space, time or number that separates two things, people, places, times or events. Examples:
I sat down between Sue and Jane.
Are there any public holidays between Christmas and Easter?
You shouldn't eat between meals.
The project will cost between eight and ten million dollars.
Among refers to many people or objects. It means in or through the middle of a group of people or things. Examples:
The girl quickly disappeared among the crowd.
Among the collection of photographs are two taken in Hamburg in 1911.
Among women in their later thirties and early forties, the figures are higher still.
At the meeting they discussed, among other things, recent events in Japan.
TEST YOURSELF
1. She was the eldest .......... them.
2. Most of the victims were young men .......... the ages of 16 and 21.
3. .......... you and me, I think Schmidt's about to resign.
4. I could hear voices coming from somewhere .......... the bushes.
5. A lot of students spend a year abroad in .......... school and university.
6. Jim relaxed, knowing he was .......... friends.
7. The ball rolled .......... his feet.
8. The problem is causing widespread concern .......... scientists.
9. The team have a lot of work to do .......... now and Sunday.
16.06.2011
Receipt vs Recipe vs Prescription
There are 3 confusing words which cause English students trouble, both in meaning and in pronunciation.
The first word is a receipt and it means a piece of paper that you are given which shows that you have paid for something. Examples:
Can you give me a receipt?
Keep your credit card receipts until your statement arrives.
The second word is a recipe and it refers to a set of instructions for cooking a particular type of food. Examples:
a recipe for tomato soup
a recipe book
Could you give me the recipe for that chocolate cake?
The third word is a prescription and it means a piece of paper on which a doctor writes what medicine a sick person should have, so that they can get it from a pharmacist. Examples:
a prescription for sleeping pills
We are trying to cut the price of prescription drugs.
TEST YOURSELF
Fill in with the correct word: receipt, recipe or prescription.
1. During the past few decades, ........ drugs have also been widely used to control the symptoms of depression.
2. Purchases may be returned if you show your .........
3. I've found a really great ........ for barbecue sauce.
4. She asked the doctor a ........ for tranquillisers.
5. Make sure you get ........ for everything.
6. This soup is really good - you must give me the .........
7. Keep your ........ in case you want to bring it back.
The first word is a receipt and it means a piece of paper that you are given which shows that you have paid for something. Examples:
Can you give me a receipt?
Keep your credit card receipts until your statement arrives.
The second word is a recipe and it refers to a set of instructions for cooking a particular type of food. Examples:
a recipe for tomato soup
a recipe book
Could you give me the recipe for that chocolate cake?
The third word is a prescription and it means a piece of paper on which a doctor writes what medicine a sick person should have, so that they can get it from a pharmacist. Examples:
a prescription for sleeping pills
We are trying to cut the price of prescription drugs.
TEST YOURSELF
Fill in with the correct word: receipt, recipe or prescription.
1. During the past few decades, ........ drugs have also been widely used to control the symptoms of depression.
2. Purchases may be returned if you show your .........
3. I've found a really great ........ for barbecue sauce.
4. She asked the doctor a ........ for tranquillisers.
5. Make sure you get ........ for everything.
6. This soup is really good - you must give me the .........
7. Keep your ........ in case you want to bring it back.
2.06.2011
Few vs Little
A few refers to countable nouns and means a small number of things or people, e.g.
I've read a few of her books.
I have to buy a few things at the supermarket.
There are a few more things I'd like to discuss.
Few refers to countable nouns and means not many, not enough, e.g.
low-paid jobs that few people want
Very few of the staff come from the local area.
The team that makes the fewest mistakes usually wins.
A little refers to uncountable nouns and means a small amount, e.g.
Susan speaks a little French.
Fortunately I had a little time to spare.
Would you like a little more milk in your coffee?
Little refers to uncountable nouns and means only a small amount or hardly any of something, e.g.
There's little doubt in my mind that he's guilty.
I paid little attention to what the others were saying.
Changes in the law have done little to improve the situation.
TEST YOURSELF
1. There is ………….. time to prepare for the exams.
2. She has done ………. today besides sleep.
3. I spoke with ………… colleagues about it.
4. There was too much rain and too ……… sun.
5. She approached several people, but ………. were interested.
6. We managed to save ………. money.
7. With ………. luck, you might write the next best-seller!
8. Only ……… managers attend the meetings.
9. They live in a very small flat because they have …..... money.
10. I really need to see him. I've got …..... questions to ask him.
11. Could we have …..... champagne, please ?
12. They've already been to Spain …..... times.
13. These plants require …..... water and it's very handy.
14. At home, the kitchen was a pleasant place. There were always …..... flowers in a vase.
15. 'Sandra is fluent in Italian, French and Spanish.' 'It's quite rare, …..... people can speak several foreign languages.'
16. This boy isn't very popular at school. He's got very …..... friends.
I've read a few of her books.
I have to buy a few things at the supermarket.
There are a few more things I'd like to discuss.
Few refers to countable nouns and means not many, not enough, e.g.
low-paid jobs that few people want
Very few of the staff come from the local area.
The team that makes the fewest mistakes usually wins.
A little refers to uncountable nouns and means a small amount, e.g.
Susan speaks a little French.
Fortunately I had a little time to spare.
Would you like a little more milk in your coffee?
Little refers to uncountable nouns and means only a small amount or hardly any of something, e.g.
There's little doubt in my mind that he's guilty.
I paid little attention to what the others were saying.
Changes in the law have done little to improve the situation.
TEST YOURSELF
1. There is ………….. time to prepare for the exams.
2. She has done ………. today besides sleep.
3. I spoke with ………… colleagues about it.
4. There was too much rain and too ……… sun.
5. She approached several people, but ………. were interested.
6. We managed to save ………. money.
7. With ………. luck, you might write the next best-seller!
8. Only ……… managers attend the meetings.
9. They live in a very small flat because they have …..... money.
10. I really need to see him. I've got …..... questions to ask him.
11. Could we have …..... champagne, please ?
12. They've already been to Spain …..... times.
13. These plants require …..... water and it's very handy.
14. At home, the kitchen was a pleasant place. There were always …..... flowers in a vase.
15. 'Sandra is fluent in Italian, French and Spanish.' 'It's quite rare, …..... people can speak several foreign languages.'
16. This boy isn't very popular at school. He's got very …..... friends.
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