Study Material & Useful Videos

Look at this amazing scene.

2010-09-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Users

2010-08-21T13:22:00.000-07:00

Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Users

Here is how to navigate Windows if your mouse has stopped working or if you want to save time by not moving your hand back and forth. When Windows first starts up and your desktop is displayed, an icon is already highlighted in order to select other icons, use your arrow keys to move among the icons. Once they are highlighted, you can hit your enter key instead of double-clicking them with your mouse. To access the start menu, most keyboards have a window key that you can use to open the start menu. If your keyboard doesn't have a windows key, you can hit ctrl and esc to open it. Once the start menu is open, you can use your arrow keys to move among the items and use your enter key to open the items. When you are at a dialog window you can move through all the option areas by hitting tab. Once you are at the area that you want to be in, use your arrow keys and your enter key to open the item. If you want to check or uncheck a box with your keyboard, get to that area by using tab and then click your spacebar to check or uncheck.

Here are more keyboard commands:

CTRL+ TAB - Move forward through tabs.
CTRL+ SHIFT + TAB - Move backward through tabs.
TAB - Move forward through options.
SHIFT+ TAB - Move backward through options.
ALT+ Underlined letter - Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option.
ENTER - Carry out the command for the active option or button.
SPACEBAR - Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box.
Arrow keys - Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons.
F1 - Display help.
F4 - Display the items in the active list.
BACKSPACE - Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box.
CTRL + C - Copy
CTRL+ X - Cut
CTRL+ V - Paste
CTRL+ Z - Undo
DELETE - Delete
SHIFT+ DELETE - Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin
CTRL while dragging an item - Copy selected item.
CTRL+ SHIFT while dragging an item - Create shortcut to selected item.
F2 - Rename selected item.
CTRL+ RIGHT ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word.
CTRL+ LEFT ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word.
CTRL+ DOWN ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph.
CTRL+ UP ARROW - Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph.
CTRL+ SHIFT with any of the arrow keys - Highlight a block of text.
SHIFT with any of the arrow keys - Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop,or select text within a document.
CTRL+ A - Select all.
F3 - Search for a file or folder.
ALT+ ENTER - View properties for the selected item.
ALT+F4 - Close the active item, or quit the active program.
ALT+ Enter - Displays the properties of the selected object.
ALT+ SPACEBAR - Opens the shortcut menu for the active window.
CTRL+F4 - close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously.
ALT+ TAB - Switch between open items.
ALT+ ESC - Cycle through items in the order they were opened.
F6 - Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop.
F4 - Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
SHIFT+F10 - Display the shortcut menu for the selected item.
ALT+ SPACEBAR - Display the System menu for the active window.
CTRL+ ESC - Display the Start menu.
ALT+ Underlined letter in a menu name - Display the corresponding menu Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu - Carry out the corresponding demand.
F10 - Activate the menu bar in the active program.
RIGHT ARROW - Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu.
LEFT ARROW - Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu.
F5 - Refresh the active window.
BACKSPACE - View the folder one level up in My computer or Windows Explorer.
ESC - Cancel the current task.
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-Rom drive - Prevent the CD from automatically playing.
Windows Key - Display or hide the Start menu.
Windows Key+ BREAK - Display the System Properties dialog box.
Windows Key+ D - Show the desktop.
Windows Key+ M - Minimize all windows.
Windows Key+ Shift+ M - Restores minimized windows.
Windows Key+ E - Open My Computer.
Windows Key+ F - Search for a file or folder.
CTRL+ Windows Key+ F - Search for computers.
Windows Key+F1 - Display Windows Help.
Windows Key+ L - Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain.
Windows Key+ R - Open the Run dialog box.
Windows Key+ U - Open Utility Manager.

12. Find out your IP Address

2010-08-21T13:12:00.001-07:00

12. Find out your IP Address

9x: Start > Run > type in winipcfg.exe
XP: Start > Run > type in cmd. Now in the C:WindowsSystem32cmd.exe box type in ipconfig at the flashing cursor.

11. Brand your copy of Windows XP in the Start Menu

2010-08-21T13:11:00.001-07:00

11. Brand your copy of Windows XP in the Start Menu

Have you used someone's new Hewlett Packard with their OEM version of Windows XP? You've seen that HP has their own icon in the Start Menu, underneath Run, that goes to their Help Site. Now, you can have your icon that does anything you want (website, program, etc) and says anything you want. Basically, you are "branding" Windows XP (Home or Pro), great for if you are a computer builder and sell them, or you just want to make Windows XP your own. It involves Regedit.
NOTE: You should NOT install this over a FACTORY BRAND. (UNLESS YOU EXPORT THE FILE FIRST)
1. Start up Notepad and create a new registry file (*.reg) and copy and paste the following into it:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
@="YOUR TITLE HERE"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}DefaultIcon]
@="YOUR ICON HERE"00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,68,00,70,00,6c,00,69,00,
6e,00,6b,00,2e,00,69,00,63,00,6f,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}InProcServer32]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,
00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,
64,00,6f,00,63,00,76,00,77,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,00,00
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}Instance]
"CLSID"="{3f454f0e-42ae-4d7c-8ea3-328250d6e272}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}InstanceInitPropertyBag]
"CLSID"="{13709620-C279-11CE-A49E-444553540000}"
"method"="ShellExecute"
"Command"="YOUR TITLE HERE""Param1"="YOUR FUNCTION HERE"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}shellexContextMenuHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}shellexContextMenuHandlers{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}shellexMayChangeDefaultMenu]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTCLSID{2559a1f6-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}ShellFolder]
"Attributes"=dword:00000000

2. Edit where it says YOUR ICON HERE to a path to an icon (ex. c:icon.ico), it must be 24x24 pixels and in .ico format.

3. Edit both places where it says YOUR TITLE HERE to what you want it to say in the
Start Menu (ex. Elranzer Homepage).

4. Edit where it says YOUR FUNCTION here to what you want it to do when you click it, it
can be anything... your website, a local HTML document, a program, a Windows function, whatever your imagination can provide (ex. http://www.elranzer.com).

5. Save this file as brand.reg, double-click it to enter in your information, and refresh Explorer (log off/on)to see it in the Start Menu!! This works in both Home and Professional.

10. To change the icon for a single folder

2010-08-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

10. To change the icon for a single folder

Create a desktop.ini file -- in the folder -- that contains: [.ShellClassInfo]
IconFile={name and path of the file that contains the icon}
IconIndex=xx (xx = Zero-based icon # in file)
InfoTip={An optional description for the folder that displays in webview}

To change all folder icons:
Explorer > View > Folder Options >File Types > File Folder > Edit > Change Icon

9. Enable and disable Windows Picture and Fax Viewer (XP)

2010-08-21T13:08:00.001-07:00

9. Enable and disable Windows Picture and Fax Viewer (XP)

You can register or unregister shimgvw.dll to enable or disable WPFV:
Enable: Start > Run > regsvr32 shimgvw.dll
Disable: Start > Run > regsvr32 /u shimgvw.dll
Note: If you unregister shimgvw.dll, Windows Explorer will not display thumbnails anymore. So the registry tweak is a much better way to disable WPFV. If PhotoEd is installed, it will open picture files after WPFV is disabled.

8. Create a folder shortcut (XP)

2010-08-21T13:07:00.001-07:00

8. Create a folder shortcut (XP)

A folder shortcut is not a shortcut to a folder. Like the Control Panel, a folder shortcut is always visible at the
bottom of Windows Explorer's left pane, and it can be used as a regular folder.
Go to c:Documents and Settings{username}NetHood
While holding down the mouse right button, drag a folder and drop it into the NetHood folder. A contextual menu
will appear: Select Create Shortcuts Here.
Drag the shortcut to the Desktop.

7. Disable Password that appear after standby

2010-08-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

7. Disable Password that appear after standby

From a security perspective, XP Pro should prompt for your password when coming off standby or hibernation mode. But if your workstation is at home or in a very secured location, to disable this important security feature:

Start the Power Options Control Panel applet

Start.

Control Panel.

Power Options.

Select the Advanced tab.

Uncheck the Prompt for password when computer goes off standby check box.

Click OK.

5. Speed up Internet

2010-08-21T12:59:00.001-07:00

5. Speed up Internet

Today I will tell you to increase the speed of your internet slightly by changing this. There is no need to install any speed booster. Then here we go

Go to start menu and click run and type system.ini click ok.

A word pad window will open type the following commands after ‘CGA40WOA.FON=CGA40WOA.FON’

Page buffer=1000000tbps

Load=1000000tbps

Download=10000000tbps

Save=1000000tbps

Back=1000000tbps

Search=1000000tbps

Sound=1000000tbps

Webcam=1000000tbps

Voice=1000000tbps

Faxmodemfast=1000000tbps

Update=1000000tbps

Speaker=1000000tbps

View=1000000tbps

Picture=1000000tbps

Image=1000000tbps

Save changing this document and restart your computer. Internet speed will be boosted many times.

Tips to enhance internet speed

2010-08-21T12:58:00.001-07:00

Tips to enhance internet speed

If you are using a dial up, LAN, or DSL you can enhance your internet speed by using this software. Guys this really works I have use this cfosspeed software. I am not joking this is a reality in this era you cannot do this but this software works well for this job. you can download this software from downloading websites by searching from google. Expert user can download it’s full version from torrent.

If you use this software you will really enjoy a high speed internet.

3. Enhance Downloading Speed

2010-08-21T12:56:00.001-07:00

3. Enhance Downloading Speed

Enhance your downloading speed by this method.Hey guys try this method.. I hv tested this & works very fine for me

01.First install IDM ( Internet download manager )

02.Then configure IDM settings ( Options > settings )

03.Paste ur rapidshare link in ur browser

04.In download listings , go Advanced Settings

05.Choose Global crossing

06.Press Download..

Then u'll be able to get maximum download speed from Rapishare..

So enjoy now...

Note : This might not work in Peak time... Try off peak times

2. Make XP 100% Genuine

2010-08-21T12:54:00.001-07:00

2. Make XP 100% Genuine

Basically we are going to change the product key of windows in a LEGAL WAY
certified by Microsoft itself.

This is 101% Genuine CD key For Windows Xp Sp2 Prof. which never expires...!
V2C47-MK7JD-3R89F-D2KXW-VPK3J

This above key can be used while installation of any windows xp prof. Sp2 to get it validated after installation.
--------------------------------------------------
Follow These Steps---:
1. Click Start, and then click Run.
Copy Paste this below command to check the activation status of your
windows in Run and hit Enter.
Command-: %systemroot%system32oobemsoobe.exe /a

This would say Windows Is already activated. if not then jump to step 8.

2. Now again click Start and then click Run. In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.

3. In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsNTCu rrent VersionWPAEvents

4. In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.

5. Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.(eg -: change any value lets say 93 to 67 etc)

6. Click Start, and then click Run.

7. In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK.
%systemroot%system32oobemsoobe.exe /a

8. Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next.

9. Click Change Product key.

10. Type the new product key-: " V2C47-MK7JD-3R89F-D2KXW-VPK3J " in the New key boxes, and then click Update.
If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later, and then restart the computer.

11. Repeat steps 6 and 7 to verify that Windows is activated. You receive the following message:
Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.

12. Click OK.

13. Now Click Here to validate your windows xp.

u must download & install the Microsoft WGA Plugin to validate the XP..Guys this really works...

Please if you have any suggestions and tips to make xp genuine leave comments.

1. Clean your RAM

2010-08-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

1. Clean your RAM

Clean Your RAM & Make Your Comp Speed Better.
You may recognize that your system gets slower and slower when playing and working a lot with your Desktop or a laptop. That’s because your RAM is full of remaining progress pieces you do not need any more.
Open the notepad and type
FreeMem=Space(64000000)
in this file and save it as RAMcleaner.vbs [ You should choose the “All Files” option when u save it ]

Run the file and ur RAM may be cleaned :>
Of course u can edit the code in the file for a greater “cleaning-progress”.

FreeMem=Space(128000000)

Unit 12 - Demonstratives - this / that / these / those

2010-08-21T07:59:00.000-07:00

Grammar

1. Demonstratives - this, that, these, those.

This/that/these/those show the relative distance between the speaker and a noun.

This refers to something near to the speaker, that to something further away. These is the plural of this, and those is the plural of that.

Sometimes demonstratives are pronouns, for example:
- "This is my Mom." Mom is near to the speaker
- "These are my books." The books are near the speaker.
- "I don't like that." He doesn't like something that is further away.

Sometimes demonstratives can also be adjectives, for example:
- That man is a doctor.
- I like those jackets.
- I don't like that movie.

Now try some exercises.

Unit 11 - Plural Nouns

2010-08-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

Grammar

1. Plural Nouns

-s ending - Plurals are generally made by adding -s to the noun. For example:
Cat - cats, tree - trees, building - buildings.

There are a number of exceptions to this rule, here are some of the most common ones.

-es ending: Nouns ending with -o, -s, -x, -z, -ch, and -sh usually add -es to the noun. For example:
tomatoes, dresses, foxes, quizzes, watches, stashes.

- ies ending: Nouns ending with a consonant + -y usually replace the -y with -ies. For example:
country - countries, party - parties.

- ves ending: Some nouns ending in -f replace the -f with -ves. For example:
wife - wives, knife - knives, elf - elves.

As always, memorizing these rules is probably less helpful and much less interesting than exposing yourself to real English usage and learning them at the same time. Time for some more exercises!

Unit 10 - Articles

2010-08-21T07:54:00.001-07:00

Grammar

1. Articles

Articles are a kind of adjective, they show how particular or how general a noun is.

There are three kinds of article: the, a/an, and having no article, zero article.

2. A/An - Indefinite Article

A is used for indefinite things. For example:

- I have a book. I don't have a specific book, just any book in general.
- She lives in a house. Again, the house is just a general house, not a particular house.

A is also used only for singular countable nouns. For example:

- A book, a chair, a person, a building, etc.

An has the same meanng as a.
A is used in front of words starting with a consonant sound, such as b, c, d, g, p.
An is used in front of words that start with a vowel sound such as a, e, i, o, or u. For example:

- a bear, a fox, a newspaper.
- an apple, an egg, an umbrella.

An can also be used before words starting with "h".
Sometimes this is optional, for example: a hotel, or "an hotel". Here the "h" sound in hotel is pronounced.
Occasionally this is not optional, for example: an honor, not a honor. The "h" sound in honor is not pronounced, so this word actually starts with the vowel sound "o". As a result, we need to usean.

2. The - Definite Article

The is used for particular, definite things. For example:

The is used for something already mentioned.particular, definite thing. For example:

The is used for a particular, definite thing. For example:

3. Zero Article

Zero article is generally for when something is seen as neither definite or indefinite, it simply exists.

Zero article is used in front of plural countable nouns. For example:
I like eggs. ~~I like an eggs.~~
Flowers are beautiful. ~~A flowers are beautiful.~~

Zero article is used in front of singular uncountable nouns. For example:
I like milk. ~~I like a milk.~~
Soccer is fun. ~~The soccer is fun.~~

Zero article is used in front of proper nouns. For example:
My name is Jeremy. ~~My name is a Jeremy.~~
I live in London. ~~I live in a~~ ~~London~~.

-----

These are guidelines not rules, and usage of all articles depends entirely on the current context and perspective of the speaker. Articles take a long time to master, especially if your native language does not have articles such as in Korean or Japanese. Try to understand what things are definite and what things are not from an English perspective, and as you experience more English your confidence and ability with articles will grow. Good luck!

Unit 9 - Countable / Uncountable Nouns

2010-08-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

Grammar

1. Countable Nouns

All nouns are countable or uncountable. Countable nouns have the following properties.

- They can be counted, for example 1 apple, 2 apples, ...etc.
- They can be made plural.
- They can take the indefinate article a/an.

2. Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns have the following properties.

- They usually can't be counted, for example ~~1 money~~, ~~2 money~~, ...etc.
- They usually can't be made plural.
- They usually don't take the indefinate article a/an.

Some is often used for plural nouns. For example:
- I have some apples.
- I have some food.
This is covered later in more detail.

Here are some common countable and uncountable nouns.

Countable

apple
tree
person
dog
kilo
liter

Uncountable

time
rice
beef
money
information
help

Countable nouns often refer to individual things, and physical things. For example: a person, a tree, a kilo.

Uncountable nouns often refer to non-individual things, and abstract things. For example rice is not an individual thing, it's seen as group of hundreds of small grains. Love and sadness are abstract, not physical things.

3. Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Some nouns can be countable and uncountable, depending on how they are used. For example:

- Countable : A glass of milk. Here glass refers to one container made of glass.
- Uncountable : You can see through glass. Here glass doesn't refer to one thing, it refers to glass as a substance.

- Countable: He has many papers. Here papers refers to some of individual documents.
- Uncountable: Paper is made from wood. Here paper is not an individual thing, but a general substance.

-----

Whether something is countable or uncountable takes time to learn and can only be achieved through longterm exposure to English. Also, what may seem logical in your own language may seem completely illogical in English! Learning a language involves learning another culture's point of view, and as always, the guidelines above should be used to help your own understanding rather than as hard and fast grammar rules. Good luck!

Unit 8 - Object Pronouns

2010-08-21T07:51:00.001-07:00

Grammar

1. Object Pronouns

Subjects are what a sentence is about. For example:
- I like rice.
In this sentence I is the subject - I is what the sentence is about.

Objects are what is affected by the action of the subject. For example:
- I want a table.
- I am reading a book.

Object pronouns are used instead of object nouns, usually because we already know what the object is.
- My friend's name is Hyun Ju. I really like her.
- I like this book. I read it every day.

The Subject and Object Pronouns are as follows:

Singular

I - Me

You - You

He - Him

She - Her

It - It

Plural

We - Us

You - You

They - Them

Subject pronouns are not normally used on their own in short answers. We use object pronouns, for example:
- Who want some candy? Me! / Not me!
- Who wants some candy? I / Not I! This is very unusual.

-----

Click below for exercises using object pronouns.

Unit 7 - Question Words

2010-08-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

Grammar

1. Question Words

Question words are used to ask what we are talking about.

Questions using question words follow this order: Question word - Auxiliary verb - Subject.
Here are some question words and example sentences:

Question Word

What

Where

Who

Whose

Why

When

Which

How

Usage

To ask about the nature of things and substances.

To ask about location.

To ask about identity

Top ask about posession

To ask about reason and purpose

To ask about time

To ask about a set of choices.

How has several usages, including asking about process and method.

Example

What color do you like?
What time is it?

Where are you?

Who is he?

Whose pen is this?

Why are you happy?

When do you get up?

Which one do you want?

How do you make coffee?

To make a question with question words in the Simple Present, you simply make a normal question, and then put a question word in front. For example:

With the verb "to be":
- Statement: His name is Tyler.
- Question: Is his name Tyler?
- With a Question Word: What is his name?

With other verbs:
- Statement: I like flowers.
- Question: Do you like flowers?
- With a Question Word: Why do you like flowers?

-----

Now try these exercises, using the correct question word and the correct auxiliary verb.

Unit 6 - Prepositions of Place

2010-08-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

Grammar

1. Prepositions of Place

Prepositions show relationships between things. For example: "The lamp is on the table" contains the preposition "on". This word shows the spatial relationship between the lamp, and the table.

The most common prepositions of place are: in, on, under, next to, in front of, behind, at.

Look at the following pictures to learn their meaning:

In, on, under, in front of, and behind are clear from the pictures above. Example sentences are:
- The dog is in the box.
- The cat is under the table
- The man is next to the building.

At however is a more abstract concept - it is used to refer to a point in space, usually a point on a line. See below for more explanation.

2. In, On, At

In is used to show somethng that surrounds or encloses us. For example:

- I sleep in my bedroom.
- The desk is in the room.

In is also used for geographical areas such as cities and countries, for example: "I live in London" or "I live in

England

On is used to show something that is on a surface. For example:

- I sleep on my bed.
- The paper is on the desk.

On is also used for street names, for example: "I live on Orchard Road".

At is used to show something that is at a particular point, often as part of a line. For example:

- He is at the bus stop.
The bus stop is one point in a line of bus stops.
- John is at the bank.
John is at a particular place or point, the bank. The bank is part of his journey and also part of a street, both of which can be seen as lines.

At is also used for complete addresses, for example: "I live at 22 Orchard Road, London,

England

-----

So why do we live "on a street" but "in a city"? And how can you know for sure when to use in, on, or at? It depends on the perspective of the speaker, and what is considered acceptable in English. These are questions that all English learners encounter and they cannot be completely answered through rote memorization or lists of rules. As your exposure to English grows you will gain enough experience to be able to decide for yourself which is correct. Simply keep trying to understand, and eventually you will.

Now give some exercises a try!

Unit 5 - Contractions

2010-08-21T07:42:00.001-07:00

Grammar

1. Contractions

Many verbs have short forms which are used particularly in spoken English. For example: "I am happy today" = "I'm happy today". The short forms of the verb "to be" are as follows:

Singular

I am = I'm

You are = You're

He is = He's

She is = She's

It is = It's

Plural

We are = We're

You are= You're

They are = They're

Be careful not to confuse it's with its. It's means "it is", but its is a possessive form we'll study later.

2. Negative Contractions - Simple Present Verb "to be"

There are two main short forms for the negative of the verb "to be": "You are" becomes "You're not" or "you aren't". For example:

- She is not happy = She isn't happy = She's not happy.
- We are not singers = We aren't singers = We're not singers

The short forms for the negative verb "to be" are as follows:

Singular

I am not = I'm not = ~~I amn't~~*

You are not = You're not = You aren't

He is not = He's not = He isn't

She is not = She's not = She isn't

It is not = It's not = It isn't

Plural

We are = We're not = We aren't

You are= You're not = You aren't

They are = They're not = They aren't

* "I am" Negative Contraction

You can say "I am not", and you can say "I'm not", but you can't say "I amn't".

3. Negative Contractions - Simple Present

Simple Present negatives contract in two ways: "do not" becomes "don't" and "does not" becomes "doesn't". For example:

- Statement: I do not like pizza = I don't like pizza.
- Questions: He does not drive a car = He doesn't drive a car.

And just in case you need it, here's a table of Simple Present contractions.

Singular

I do not = I don't

You do not = You don't

He does not = He doesn't

She does not = She doesn't

It does not = It doesn't

Plural

We do not = We don't

You do not = You don't

They do not = They don't

Now give some exercises a try!

Unit 4 - Present Simple: Negatives and Questions

2010-08-21T07:40:00.003-07:00

Grammar

1. Simple Present Negatives

Simple Present negatives and questions are used in the same situations as Simple Present statements: for permanent facts, present fact, and habitual actions.

- Permanent facts: I do not speak Japanese. - Fish do not live in water.

- Present facts: I do not work at home. - She does not play the piano.

- Habitual actions: I do not get up at 8.00. - They do not come here every day.

To make a negative sentence we put do or does after the subject. Because of this, the verb that follows do/does + not is always in the bare infinitive form.
For example:
"I do not like pizza." is correct, but
"I do not likes pizza is incorrect" - you don't need to add an "s" to the verb "like".
Do and does come from the verb "to do", which is often used as an auxiliary verb in English.

Here is the negative form of the verb "to give" in the Simple Present:

Singular

I do not give

You do not give

He does not give

She does not give

It does not give

Plural

We do not give

You do not give

They do not give

2. Simple Present Questions

To make a Simple Present Questions you put do or does before the subject. For example: - Statement: I speak Japanese.
- Questions: Do I speak Japanese?
- Statement: She likes pizza.
- Questions: Does she like pizza?
As with negatives, the verb after do or does (and the subject) is always in the bare infinitive form. It is the auxiliary verb "to do", do or does, which changes.

Simple Present Question verbs are as follows:

Singular

Do I like (pizza) ?

Do you like ...?

Does he like ...?

Does she like ...?

Does it like ...?

Plural

Do we like ...?

Do you like ...?

Do they like ...?

Negative questions are also possible but are used for several more advanced ways. We'll deal with them later!

Unit 3 - Present Simple

2010-08-21T07:38:00.003-07:00

Grammar

1. Present Simple

The Simple Present is used to make statements about the present time. It is used in the following ways.

- Permanent facts: These sentences give facts which are always true.
It is cold in winter. - The sun shines. - Fish live in water.

- Present facts: These sentences are true now.
I work at home. - She plays the piano.
"I work at home" doesn't mean I am working right now, but it does mean that in my present condition I work at home.

- Habitual actions: I get up at 8.00. - They come here every day.
These actions are repeated regularly, so they are considered a present reality and are expressed in the Simple Present.

Here is the verb "to give in the Simple Present:

Singular

I give

You give

He gives

She gives

It gives

Plural

We give

You give

They give

2. Spelling Rules for the Present Simple

If you look above you'll see the spelling doesn't change, except for the third person singular (He, She, It) which adds an "s" to the verb. For example "I eat - He eats".

Sometimes other spelling rules also apply to He, She and It. All the following verbs add "es" instead of "s":

The short forms for the negative verb "to be" are as follows:

Verb Endings

Verbs ending in -o add -es

Verbs ending in -s add -es

Verbs ending in -x add -es

Verbs ending in -ch add -es

Verbs ending in -sh add -es

-----

Verbs ending in a consonant and -y often change the -y to -ies:

Verbs such as "buy" have no consonant before the "y", so you simply add -s
as usual.

Spelling Examples

do - does, go - goes

pass - passes, kiss - kisses

fix - fixes, mix - mixes

match - matches, catch - catches

push - pushes, rush - rushes

try - tries, cry - cries

buy - buys, pay - pays.

Click below for exercises on the Present Simple.

Unit 2 - Present Simple "to be": Negatives and Questions

2010-08-21T07:36:00.000-07:00

Grammar

1. Present Simple Negatives - Verb "to be"

Present Simple negatives and questions using the verb "to be"are formed differently from other questions. To make negatives you simply insert "not" before the verb "to be".

- Statement: You are a doctor.
- Negative: You are not a doctor.
- Statement: They are cats.
- Negative: They are not cats.

Here is the negative form of the verb "to be" in the Simple Present:

Singular

I am not

You are not

He is not

She is not

It is not

Plural

We are not

You are not

They are not

2. Present SimpTo make questions you simply invert the subject and the verb.

- Statement: You are a doctor.
- Question: Are you a doctor?
- Statement: They are cats.
- Question: Are they cats?

Simple Present Question verbs are as follows:

Singular

Am I (a teacher) ?

Are you ...?

Is he ...?

Is she ...?

Is it ...?

Plural

Are we ...?

Are you ...?

Are they ...?

3. Short Answers

We can often answer these questions with a short answer using the verb "to be". For example:
- Are you a teacher?
- Yes, I am / No, I am not.

- Is he a student?
- Yes, he is. / No, he is not.

Note that in spoken English we usually use contractions with the negative form. For example:
- No, I am not = No, I'm not.
These contractions will be studied in a later Unit.

Present Simple "to be" - Subject Pronouns

2010-08-20T00:47:00.000-07:00

Grammar

1. Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns tell which person or thing we are speaking about.
The personal pronouns in English are:

Singular

You

She

Plural

You

They

2. Verb "to be"

The verb "be" means to exist.

It is a linking verb, it links a subject and a thing connected with that subject.
The present simple forms of "to be" are as follow:

Singular

I am

You are

He is

She is

It is

Plural

We are

You are

They are

3. First Sentences

English is a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) language - meaning that sentences are made with the subject first, then the verb, and finally the object. Using the above grammar we can now make basic English sentences, for example:
- I am a teacher
- She is happy
- They are students

Languages like French and Chinese are also SVO languages, but other languages are different. For example, Japanese, Korean and Persian are Subject-Object-Verb languages, so you wouldn't say "She is happy", you'd say "She happy is"!