Category Archives: Grammar

Past Perfect Tense

Posted on May 14, 2013 by mhardy3222

FORM  (had + past participle) Some of my students are studying Past Perfect Tense this week. Unfortunately, Heloise is absent with a broken finger, so I’ve found a site which has a good explanation of Past Perfect for her to … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3) | 1 Comment

Understanding language in context

Posted on April 23, 2013 by mhardy3222

There are some wonderful learning tools on the Internet for students of English. One I can highly recommend is an Online Concordancer. If you want to know how to use a word or phrase in context, or if you want … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Reading, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Vocabulary, Writing | Tagged | Leave a comment

Conditionals: First

Posted on April 17, 2013 by mhardy3222

This week I’m teaching First Conditional to my Pre-Intermediate class. My student Majed has gone back to U.A.E. for two weeks so this is a good time to write about First Conditionals so he can read this blog and keep … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3) | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Gerunds & Infinitives

Posted on April 15, 2013 by mhardy3222

Last week I taught my Pre-intermediate class about Gerunds and Infinitives. Gerunds are usually nouns but they are different from other nouns because they are made from verbs. Infinitives are the names of verbs: TO + BASE VERB. For example: … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3) | 2 Comments

A Song containing Relative Clauses: #2

Posted on April 11, 2013 by mhardy3222

Shania Twain sings a song called “You’re Still The One” which has several Relative Clauses in the chorus. (See also Shakira, and One Republic.) Links below: one link is the official music video, and the other link has lyrics only, … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Relative Clauses, Songs | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Relative Clauses: #1

Posted on April 9, 2013 by mhardy3222

I’ve found a summary of Relative Clauses online which provides excellent revision for English students who are having difficulty with them. (Did you notice that there were two Relative Clauses in the previous sentence?) Even students who understand the rules … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Relative Clauses, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Tagged | Leave a comment

Present Continuous Tense – Mini Tutorial (especially for my lovely student Corina)

Posted on April 8, 2013 by mhardy3222

* Many languages have only one Present Tense when in English we use two: Present Simple Tense and Present Continuous Tense. We use Present Continuous to describe actions or situations that are happening or continuing now. For example, you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Videos | Leave a comment

Sports Vocabulary

Posted on April 6, 2013 by mhardy3222

Use pictures to help you remember vocabulary. Just go to http://www.google.com.au and click-on Images. Have a look at these Olympic Games Sport Icons. Don’t translate the sport names into your language. It is easier to remember the English words if … Continue reading →

Posted in Elementary (Level 2), Grammar, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Vocabulary | Tagged | Leave a comment