When we use a VERB + -ING as a gerund, it behaves as a noun. Think of it as an activity.

For example swimming:  swimming includes going to the pool/beach, getting into the water, and actually swimming

Other examples:

• fishing
• smoking
• cooking
• traveling
• jogging

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When we use a VERB + -ING as a verb or an adjective, it is a present participle:

• “Jane is swimming.” (verb)
• “We are going fishing on the weekend.” (verb)
• “What time are you cooking dinner?” (verb)
• “John is boring. I don’t want to sit beside him anymore.” (adjective)

“I think Scott is falling for Ana. Does he know she has a boyfriend?”

fall flat = fail

“I tried to quit smoking, but I fell flat. It is so hard to stop!”

fall apart = not keep its shape / not work any longer

“My new boots fell apart within a month. I should have bought ones that were of better quality.”

Jean’s kids run rampant whenever they come over. The have no manners.”

run scared = escape a situation you don’t want to be in / panic about something

“I bet Ted is running scared after his manager warned him about his poor performance.”

run short (of) = not have enough

“I’m going to run short of euros today. I should have exchanged more money.”

run into a stone wall = experience a large problem

“We ran into a stone wall when asking the bank for a loan. We were told we have a poor credit rating and cannot get any money.”

Here are some examples:

“Would you like to see a movie?”

(YES)

“Sure.”…”Why not?”…”Let’s do it.”…”Certainly.”…”I’m in.”…”You bet.”…”Good call.”

(NO)

“I’m ok.”…”I’m alright.”…”I’ll pass thanks.”…”I’m fine for now.”…”Maybe another time.”

imply (that) = to suggest something is true without saying it

A: “You should get a new hairstyle.”
B: “Are you implying that I look messy?”

“Adam implied he would lend me the money, but when I needed it, he said no.”

“You did say you would help me move house on Sunday! I didn’t imply anything!”

infer = to believe something is true because you heard information to make you think so.

“Ted inferred that I was going to give him the promotion just because I said he works hard.”

What one person implies, another person can infer very differently.  Be careful with your words!

It is the base form of the verb without ‘to’ and generally does not have a subject.

• Be quiet!
• Sit down!
• Drive more slowly!
• Be careful!

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We also use the negative imperative to tell someone to NOT do something. Simply add Don’t.

• Don’t say anything!
• Don’t leave!
• Don’t worry!
• Don’t be sad!

Structure:

If + subject + past simple, subject + would + base verb

“If I was taller, I would be a model. ” (I am short so this will never happen!)

OR

Subject + would + verb + (no comma) if + subject+ past simple.

“I would be a scientist if I was more clever.”  (I failed science in high school…)

The cute song “If I Had a Million Dollars” by the Canadian Band the Bare Naked Ladies is a great example of how to use the second conditional!

Enjoy

If I had a 1,000,000 (If I had a 1,000,000)
I’d but you a house ( I would buy you a house)
If I had a 1,000,000 (If I had a 1,000,000)
I’d buy you furniture for your house ( maybe a nice chesterfield or an ottoman)
If I had a 1,000,000 (If I had a 1,000,000)
I’d but you a K-car ( a nice reliant automobile)
If I had a 1,000,000, I’d buy you love

If I had a 1,000,000
I’d build a treefort in our yard
If I had a 1,000,000
You could help it wouldn’t be that hard
If I had a 1,000,000
Maybe we could put a refrigerator in there
Wouldn’t that be fabulous!

If I had a 1,000,000 (If I had a 1,000,000)
I but you a fur coat( but not a real fur coat that’s cruel)
If I had a 1,000,000 (If I had a 1,000,000)
I’d buy you an exotic pet(like a llama or an emu)
If I had a 1,000,000 (If I had a 1,000,000)
I’d but you John Merick’s remains (All them crazy elephant bones)
If I had a 1,000,000 I’d buy your love

If I had a 1,000,000
We wouldn’t have to walk to the store
If I had a 1,000,000
We’d take a limousine cause it costs more
If I had a 1,000,000 We wouldnt have to eat Kraft dinner

If I had a 1,000,000 (If I had a 1,000,000)
i’d but you a green dress ( but not a real green dress that’s cruel)
If I had a 1,000,000 (If I had a 1,000,000)
I’d but you some art ( A Picasso or a Garfunkel)
If I had a 1,000,000 (If I had a 1,000,000)
I’d buy you a monkey (haven’t you always wanted a monkey?)
If I had a 1,000,000 If I had a 1,000,000 If I had a 1,000,000
If I had a 1,000,000 I’d be RICH!

“We need to separate the children who have the flu from the healthy kids.”

separate (adj) = removed from the rest of something

“The money we need for gasoline is separate from the travel fund.”

seperate = one of the most common spelling mistakes in English! NEVER use this

There IS a formula to the structure of essays, but the rest is your knowledge of grammar/vocabulary, and…of course…the subject you are writing about.

This is a good reference to help you build an essay: http://lklivingston.tripod.com/essay/

Best of luck!

If you self-correct the same mistake 3 times, you generally will not make the mistake again!

Teachers love it when a student self-corrects