Nick Cave is a is an Australian singer, songwriter, author, and screenwriter. On his website, The Red Hand Files, he answers questions from fans, any questions about anything. In this post, I’m featuring his eloquent response to the questions: What is mercy for you? What do you think of cancel culture?
Mercy is a value that should be at the heart of any functioning and tolerant society. Mercy ultimately acknowledges that we are all imperfect and in doing so allows us the oxygen to breathe — to feel protected within a society, through our mutual fallibility. Without mercy a society loses its soul, and devours itself.
Mercy allows us the ability to engage openly in free-ranging conversation — an expansion of collective discovery toward a common good. If mercy is our guide we have a safety net of mutual consideration, and we can, to quote Oscar Wilde, “play gracefully withideas.”
Yet mercy is not a given. It is a value we must nurture and aspire to. Tolerance allows the spirit of enquiry the confidence to roam freely, to make mistakes, to self-correct, to be bold, to dare to doubt and in the process to chance upon new and more advanced ideas. Without mercy society grows inflexible, fearful, vindictive and humourless.
Frances, you’ve asked about cancel culture. As far as I can see, Read more …
*This is a link to the definition of give up in the online dictionary www.learnersdictionary.com You will need to scroll down, down, down to the phrasal verb section to find the definition that I’ve included above. You may have to click on giveverb first.
How can you learn all these Phrasal Verbs? Well, how do you learn other vocabulary? Here are my suggestions. Check:
Don’t worry if it takes you a long time to work out the meanings of the Phrasal Verbs. While you are trying to work out the meanings (using my suggestions), you are learning much more than you realise. You are learning how to use the new vocabulary in context.
When you look up Phrasal Verbs like give up, you will see how the word give has multiple meanings. You will see that give up is not the only Phrasal Verb that starts with the word give. The two minutes you spend looking up give upwill be a mini lesson; you will learn so much more than just one phrasal verb.
∗ For a list from www.englishclub.com of the 200 most common Phrasal Verbs, with explanations and example sentences, click here.
2.There are two types: a)Separable and b)Non-separable.
Sometimes you can separate the words that make up a Phrasal Verb:
I really need to give up smoking.
Everyone tells me that I need to give smoking up.
Everyone tells me that I need to give it up.
Sometimes, you cannot separate the words that make up a Phrasal Verb. (‘Non-separable’ means that you must not separate the words.)
Non-separable Phrasal Verbs are not hard to remember and students don’t make the mistake of separating them. I have never heard a student separate a non-separable Phrasal Verb. I have never, ever, ever heard anything like:
You should stick your exercise routine to .
I can’t golike this around.
I look my dog after.
I got early up today to study for my exam.
There is a good reason why English learners don’t make the mistake of separating Non-separable Phrasal Verbs. They sound really bad if you separate them! This is an easy rule to remember. However, you need to know it because of rule #3.
3. When Phrasal Verbs are Separable, the pronoun must always go in the middle.
Phrasal Verbs like wear out, cheer up, and give up can be separated. If you use a pronoun, you must, must, must, put it in the middle. You cannot put it after the Phrasal Verb. You cannot say:
I’llwear out it .
Buying records cheersupthem.
You shouldgiveup it.
Have a look at the 200 examples of common Phrasal Verbs with explanations and example sentences at English Club. Take note of the Non-separable Phrasal Verbs. They are the ones with pronouns after the Phrasal Verbs. For example:
Now, take note of the Separable Phrasal Verbs. They are the ones with pronouns or nouns in the middle of the Phrasal Verbs.
For example:
My wife backed meup over my decision to quit my job.
This sad music is bringing me down.
His wife gave him away to the police.
Our teacher brokethe final project down into three separate parts.
I need tobreakthese shoesin before we run next week.
Doyour coat up before you go outside. It’s snowing!
So, there you have it. Remember the three rules and don’t worry. You already know a lot of phrasal verbs. They are just more vocabulary. Look at the list of 200 Phrasal Verbs. Read the explanations and examples. It won’t take long to learn the meanings. The main thing to remember is: do not put the pronoun after a separable Phrasal Verb! If you can put it in the middle, you must put it there!
Have fun and just think of how much you are improving your English knowledge every time you learn a new Phrasal Verb!
Hello students! As you know, I’m taking a break from teaching English (while I complete my e-book). Meanwhile, I have found the perfect online option for you! The best advice I can give to all my English students is to get a tutor.
I’ve partnered with EnglishScore Tutors – British Council’s official 1:1 tutoring platform.
I have used the excellent resources provided by British Council frequently on this website. Because of this, I am confident that their one-on-one tutoring service would help you improve your spoken English, vocabulary, and more, with instant feedback and support.
It’s comforting to keep in mind that English Second Language Teachers can often speak a second or third language themselves. You can practise with your British Council approved English tutor and not be worried about mistakes or pronunciation because they have experienced them themselves!
EnglishScore Tutors is British Council’s Official 1-to-1 tutoring service, helping over 12,500 adults and young learners improve their English. The platform hosts over 150 qualified English tutors who are available for private classes 24/7, which will work with your busy schedule.
Whether you are looking to improve your business English, prepare for an exam like IELTS, or just gain confidence speaking, EnglishScore Tutors offers you personalised sessions designed around you and your goals.
The good news is that you can try your first 30 minute session for just $1. Really!
It’s that time of year again when some of us celebrate Christmas and, or, welcome Santa, and some of us just want to welcome in the New Year and leave 2021 far behind!
Whatever you decide to do, I hope you enjoy the Festive Season and I wish you success and happiness in the New Year! It’s not Christmas for me without a Christmas song. This year, I’m presenting an old favourite by John Lennon of The Beatles. Click on the video at the end. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
You may be wondering why I haven’t published as many posts as usual recently. Well, wonder no more! I’ve been busy creating an e-book. An e-book? Yes, I’ve noticed that the post, How to Describe a Picture in 4 Easy Steps,is very popular with many of you. Next most viewed are my Grammar posts.
I decided to combine my most popular posts into an easy-to-use e-book called How to Describe a Picture in 4 Easy Steps. I have included the basics:
♦ the different parts of speech, ♦ how to put sentences together, ♦ how to understand verbs and tenses, and finally ♦ how to extend your vocabulary to describe anything.
The grammar I include will help you create grammatically correct sentences to use in your descriptions. I will of course include the original post, How to Describe a Picture in 4 Easy Steps. Importantly, the e-book will contain a lot of new material and will be available for purchase, at a low cost, through this website.
Hello English Students! The end of the year is fast approaching and I wonder how you have all managed with your English studies. Are you happy with your progress? Perhaps it’s time to test your grammar skills?
I am more than halfway through watching a Turkish TV Series called Magnificent Century. (There are more than 130 episodes!) I am enjoying it immensely; however, I don’t speak Turkish so I have been reading the English sub-titles.
Translating a fast-paced TV Series is a huge undertaking. The people responsible for translating Magnificent Century into English did a remarkable job in limited time. I was impressed with their advanced level of grammar. Nonetheless, I noticed that as with other non-English films, the English sub-titles contain the same familiar errors repeatedly, most of which are lower level grammar and are used in everyday conversation.
If your English level is Pre-intermediate or above, you should be able to find some, or all, of the mistakes in the following quotes from the TV Series. Cambridge students should ace this quiz! Check the answers at the end. Click on the links for grammar explanations.
The main cast of Magnificent Century
Grammar Quiz
Can you find one mistake in each example?
1. The news are not good.
2. Lufti Pasha has the experience for this promotion. He has many services in every government position.
3. Ibrahim Pasha has protected you for many years. (*Note: Ibrahim Pasha is dead.)
4. I want to raise my children in your own home!
5. Get all my stuff out of here and clean them.
6. Now you live in this chambers.
7. I’m working on it since a long time.
8. For a long time, there is a senseless malice between us.
9. I will not let me get rid of them!
10. There will always be people who wants to dig a pit for you.
11. Find her and takeher here.
12. The gold were in a purse with Hatice Sultana’s name written on it.
13. The investigation is continuing. If they will be arrested, they’ll pay for it.
14. How dare she wants something from me!
15. These are serious accusations. Does he have a proof?
16. Unfortunately, there are still no news from Cafer Aga.
17. You will be notified of everything that will happen here.
18. Is there a bad news?
19. What are these, Ibrahim’s gold?
20. If the treasure will be found, we’d be blamed.
21. Everything you heard about me are slanders and lies.
22. I should to go.
23. Let’s hope they find him and take him back here.
24. Take my son to me immediately!
25. When the preparations will be finished, he will start the India campaign.
26. Raresh rioted against our Sultan by killing Alvise Gritte who serves the Ottoman Empire.
27. I know her since many years.
28. From what he told me, some of our soldiers harrasses and steals from people.
29. Leave now and bring this letter to his majesty.
30. It is ever a problem in the palace.
Mistakes & Corrections
1. The newsarenot good. 1. The news is not good. (‘News’ is an uncountable noun.)
2. Lufti Pasha has the experience for this promotion. He hasmany services in every government position. 2. Lufti Pasha has the experience for this promotion. a) He has provided many services in every government position. b) He has worked (in many services) in every government position.
3. Ibrahim Pasha has protected you for many years. (*Note: Ibrahim Pasha is dead.) 3. Ibrahim Pasha protectedyou for many years.
4. I want to raise my children in yourown home! 4. I want to raise my children in my own home!
5. Get all my stuffout of here and clean them. 5. Get all my stuff out of here and clean it. (‘Stuff’ is an uncountable noun.)
6. Now you live inthis chambers. 6. Now you live in these chambers. (this chamber / these chambers)
7. I’m working on it sincea long time. 7. I have been workingon it for a long time.
8. For a long time, there is a senseless malice between us. 8. For a long time, there has beena senseless malice between us.
9. I will not let meget rid of them! 9. I will not let them get rid of me!
10. There will always be people who wants to dig a pit for you. 10. There will always be people who want to dig a pit for you. (‘People’ is a plural noun.)
11. Find her and takeher here. 11. Find her and bring her here. ( Bring here. Take there.)
12. Thegold were in a purse with Hatice Sultana’s name written on it. 12. The gold was in a purse with Hatice Sultana’s name written on it. (‘Gold’ is an uncountable noun.)
13. The investigation is continuing. If they will bearrested, they’ll pay for it. 13. The investigation is continuing. If they are arrested, they’ll pay for it.
14. How dareshe wantssomething from me! 14. How dare she want something from me! (In this sentence, ‘dare’ is a finite verb: Present Simple Tense. ‘Want’ is a non-finite verb: Base Infinitive.)
15. These are serious accusations. Does he havea proof? 15. These are serious accusations. a) Does he have any proof? b) Does he have proof? (‘Proof’ is an uncountable noun.)
16. Unfortunately, there arestill nonewsfrom Cafer Aga. 16. Unfortunately, there is still no news from Cafer Aga. (‘News’ is an uncountable noun.)
17. You will be notified of everything that will happenhere. 17. You will be notified of everything that happens here.
18. Is there a badnews? 18. Is there bad news? (‘News’ is an uncountable noun.)
19. What are these, Ibrahim’sgold? 19. What is this, Ibrahim’s gold? (‘Gold’ is an uncountable noun.)
23. Let’s hope they find him and take him back here. 23. Let’s hope they find him and bring him back here.
24.Take my son to me immediately! 24. a) Bring my son to me immediately! b) Take me to my son immediately!
25. When the preparations will be finished, he will start the India campaign. 25. When the preparations are finished, he will start the India campaign.
26. Raresh rioted against our Sultan by killing Alvise Gritte who serves the Ottoman Empire. 26. Raresh rioted against our Sultan by killing Alvise Gritte who servedthe Ottoman Empire.
27. I know hersincemany years. 27. Ihave knownher for many years.
28. From what he told me, some of our soldiers harrassesand stealsfrom people. 28. From what he told me, some of our soldiers harrass and steal from people. (‘Soldiers’ is a plural verb.)
29. Leave now and bringthis letter to his majesty. 29. Leave now and take this letter to his majesty.
30. It is evera problem in the palace. 30. It is always a problem in the palace.
I have written two posts on Spelling Mistakes that Ruin your Writing. They are a small number of mistakes which are easily fixed as soon as you understand the grammar. Don’t worry! The grammar is basic and easily understood.
Today, I’m focusing on other common mistakes. These are words that native speakers use incorrectly. I hope you find my explanations helpful.
I will list the confusing words in alphabetical order. Today, I’m dealing with ‘A’. If you would like to receive all my future posts explaining confusing words, just click on ‘Follow’.
Looking at baby animals, especially baby elephants, usually has a positive effect on people.
Let’s have a look at some confusing words:
a) advice, advise b) affect, effect c) agree with, agree to, agree on d) alternate, alternative e) among, between f) anticipate, expect g) approve, approve of
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
a) advice, advise
♦advice –noun
Do you think this is good advice?
Myadviceis to look at the spelling. Theword ‘advice’ contains the word‘ice’which is also a noun.
We often needadvicefrom an expert.
We sometimes receivethe best advicewhen we least expect it.
♦ advise –verb
Did your parents advise you to save your money?
Who advises the football coach?
I advise you to keep reading.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
b) affect, effect
♦ affect –verb (used with object: this means that the subjectaffectssomething or someone)
In France, the extremely cold winter of 2018-2019 affected many vineyards Do you believe that your thinkingaffectsyour actions?
♦ effect–noun
Looking at baby animals, especially baby elephants, usually has a positive effect on people.
Were you impressed with the special effects used in the movie Avatar?
Note: ‘Effect’can also be used as a verb but take care. While ‘affect’ means ‘to change’, ‘effect’means ‘to bring about/cause’ a change. It is usually used in formal speaking and writing. I advise consulting a dictionary if you wish to use‘effect’as a verb.
The President hopes to effect new laws to deal with drug trafficking.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
c) agree with, agree to, agree on
Do you agree with Satya Nani that a little progress each day adds up to big results?
♦ agree with someone
I agree with – Satya Nani that “A little progress each day adds up to big results”.
♦ agree to something, usually a plan or scheme.
I should never have agreed to look after his stupid dog!
♦ agree on a choice or result with other people
Sheldon and Amy agreed to get married but they couldn’t agree on when or where, nor could theyagree on whom to invite to their wedding.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
d) alternate, alternative
♦ alternate – verb meaning to change first one, then the other; repeatedly and regularly
LETHARGY
Many of us alternate between motivation and lethargy.
♦ alternate – adjective
I do shopping and housework on alternateweekends.
♦ alternative – noun which indicates a choice
There are many alternatives for when we are overcome with lethargy. We could follow Satya Nani’s advice and try to make a little progress each day.
♦ alternative – adjective
There are several alternative courses of action for when we lack motivation. There is no shortage of advice online.
People who want to escape the demands of modern life are often attracted to alternativelifestyles.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
e) among, between
♦ among – preposition which links more than two
Is your favourite book amongthese?
I love wandering amongthe bookshelves in libraries.
Reading takes me to another world where I’m always among friends.
♦between– preposition which links two only
Can you see Errol the Peril? It’s between two blue books.
Between you and me, I don’t think children read enough books nowadays.
Note: Among and betweenmust be followed by a plural noun or singular nouns which can be replaced by a plural pronoun.
Reading takes me to another world where I’m always among friends. (amongthem)
Can you see Errol the Peril? It’s between two blue books. (betweenthem)
Between you and me, I don’t think children read enough books nowadays. (between us)
Incorrect: I love wandering amongeach bookshelf in libraries. ‘Each bookshelf’ is a single unit so I cannot wander among one thing.
Incorrect: There is a famous quote between each chapter. Again, ‘each chapter’ is a single unit, so a quote cannot be between one thing.
Correct: There is a famous quote betweenthe chapters. (between 1 & 2, 2 & 3, 3 & 4 etc.)
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
f) anticipate, expect
♦ anticipate – verb meaning ‘to be aware of something that has not yet happened, or believe will happen, and (perhaps) to take appropriate action’
I recently booked into a highly recommended health retreat. Happily, theyanticipatedmy every need.
A good public speakeranticipatesthe mood and bias of the audience.
Guess what? We’re expectingtwins!
♦ expect – verb, to think or assume or predict that something might or should happen
We expecteveryone to arrive before the soccer match starts.
Your employer naturallyexpectsyou to start work on time.
“Weshouldnotexpectsomethingfornothing—but we all do and call it Hope”(Edgar W. Howe).
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
g) approve, approve of
♦ approve – to give permission for, accept
At last, after six months, the councilapprovedour plans to renovate our house.
Your application for a Blue Card has beenapproved.
♦ approve of – to view positively
Juliet knew that her family would neverapprove ofRomeo.
It was much more difficult in Shakespeare’s time for people to get married without the approval oftheir parents.
Juliet knew that her family would never approve of Romeo.
Click here for English Words that are often Confused #2
Today, I’m focusing on the song, Street Boy, by Rodriguez to highlight the use of ‘going to’ for future predictions: predictions based on evidence.
Click on the picture for the video. Rodriguez has an amazing voice and you will hear every word clearly.
I’ll also explain some common idioms in the song and the collocation ‘had better’.
1. BE + going to + base infinitive for Predictions based on Evidence
First, some revision from an earlier post on ‘going to’:
♦ *We OFTEN use BE + going to + base infinitive for Future Plans (see my postApril 8, 2013).
♦ When we use BE + going to + base infinitive, it often sounds like ‘gonna‘ + base infinitive. You see ‘gonna‘ written a lot in songs. This is okay for song writers. However, it is NOT okay to write ‘gonna’ in your English writing.
♦ *We ALSO use BE + going to + base infinitive for Predictions based on evidence (when there is evidence.) For example,
you look at the sky and see dark clouds: you say “Oh no, it’s going to rain!” – You know it’s going to rain.
you’re feeling sick because you drank too much beer: you say ” I’m going to be sick!” You know you’re going to throw up (vomit).
you’ve gambled a lot of money on a horse race and while you are watching the race, you can see that your horse is winning easily: you say ” He‘s going to win!” You know he’s going to win.
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
In the song, Street Boy, Rodriguez predicts that the street boy is ‘going to end up alone’ if he continues to live a ‘dead-end life’ on the streets, (evidence – he knows what’s going to happen).
He also predicts that the boy will never find or meet a street boy who has beaten the streets. However, Rodriguez has no evidence so he uses ‘will’. He also uses ‘will’ for a promise when he states, ‘There’s one last word then I’ll conclude …’ He has one last word of warning for the boy, a bet, and then he will stop giving advice. He keeps his promise.
Song: Street BoybyRodriguez
Chorus Street boy, You’ve been out too long. Street boy, Ain’t you got enough sense to go home? Street boy, You’re gonna end up alone. You need some love and understanding, Not that dead-end life you’re planning Street boy.
You go home but you can’t stay Because something’s always pulling you away. Your fast hellos and quick goodbyes, You’re just a street boy With the streetlights in your eyes. You’d better get yourself together; Look for something better.
Chorus
Your sister says that every week You just come home to eat and go to sleep, And you make plans you never keep Because your mind is always in the streets. You’d better get yourself together; Look for something better.
Chorus
There’s one last word then I’ll conclude Before you pick up and put on your attitude. Bet you’ll never find or ever meet Any street boy who has ever beat(en) the streets.
Street boy x 6 Sweet boy
2.Idioms
IDIOMS
MEANING
You’ve been out
To be ‘out’ is to be outside a particular building, usually the home, as in this song. It could be your work place. Click here for more meanings and sentence examples.
end up (alone)
To ‘end up alone’ means to be alone at the end of one’s life. ‘End up’ means finish/ result in. Click here for more meanings and sentence examples.
dead end life
A ‘dead end life’ is a life with no positive future as suggested in the song. ‘Dead end’ can mean no exit, boring, monotonous, hopeless, with no possibility of progress.
something’s always pulling you
The street boy always feels the ‘pull’ or ‘attraction’ of the street life. It pulls him away from his home and away from a better life.
the … in your eyes
To have something ‘in your eyes’ means that the ‘something’ is all you see, your top priority.
get yourself together
Rodriguez advises the street boy to ‘get yourself together’- to take action to improve his life; to change his ‘dead end’ lifestyle.
3.had better & base infinitive
‘Had better‘ includes the meaning and advice ‘should’. However, it is always used as a warning: ‘It would be better if … ‘ It means that if you don’t follow the advice, something bad will or could happen. The unfortunate result of not following the advice is sometimes stated, and usually understood:
You’d better not drive home. (You’ve had too much to drink.)
We’d better not be late for the theatre or we’ll be locked out.
My boyfriend had betterremember my birthday! (or I’ll never forgive him!)
You’d bettertake your studies seriously or you won’t pass.
The warning may be very mild:
You’d bettertake some fruit with you or you’ll get hungry.
I’d bettergo to bed now or I’ll be tired tomorrow.
We’d betterclean the house before your mother arrives.
We usually use the contraction – ‘d better – perhaps because this collocation is used for warnings when speaking, and contractions are common when speaking. Written warnings use more formal or academic styles. The contraction is difficult to hear and as a result many people (yes, even native speakers) think the expression is just – you better, we better, he better, etc.
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
I hope you enjoy this wonderful song and I hope it helps you understand how to use BE + going to + base infinitive for predictions based on evidence. For another song featuring BE + going to + base infinitive for predictions, check out an earlier post here.
Sixto Rodriguez has other equally wonderful songs which will help you in your English-learning journey. My favourite is I Wonder. Click here for the music video I Wonder. You will also see a playlist of his other songs.
We often use the Second Conditional to talk about how we would like things to change (our life, other people, the world). Sometimes, we are not satisfied with a current situation and imagine how it could/would improve, if …
‘If I earned a lot of money, I would buy a car. If I had a car, I wouldn’t have to walk to work.’
Frequently, the wished-for result is the opposite of what is true now. The above speaker does not have a car. He/she has to walk to work.
The Second Conditional describes hypothetical situations and their hypothetical results. How would you express the above situations in your language? Surely every language has a structure for expressing hypothetical situations? Thinking about how we could change and improve our lives is a very common human trait! For the English rules and practice exercises, check out my earlier post, here.
Today, to give you an example of how we use Second Conditional, I am featuring a song, If You Could See Her Through My Eyes, from the movie Cabaret. The movie is set in Berlin, in 1931, under the growing presence of the Nazi Party.
The lyrics of this song point out how human relationships would be improved if people were more tolerant – if they could see a person through the singer’s eyes. The situation is hypothetical – people do not see her the way the singer sees her. The result is also hypothetical – it is the opposite of what is true now. Present Simple and Present Continuous explain what is real and what is happening now.
The Second Conditional If clause is in bold print with the main clause underlined. The Present Simple is pink and the Present Continuous is blue.
Song: If You Could See Her Through My Eyes
M.C.:
I know what you’re thinking. You wonder why I chose her Out of all the ladies in the world. It’s just a first impression. What good’s a first impression? If you knew her like I do, It would change your point of view.
If you could see her through my eyes, You wouldn’t wonder at all. If you could see her through my eyes, I guarantee you would fall, Like I did. When we’re in public together, I hear society moan, But if they could see her through my eyes, Maybe they’d leave us alone.
How can I speak of her virtues? I don’t know where to begin. She‘s clever; she’s smart; she reads music. She doesn’t smoke or drink gin, Like I do. Yet when we’re walking together, They sneer if I’m holding her hand, But if they could see her through my eyes, Maybe they’d all understand.
Why don’t they leave us alone?
Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you: Is it a crime to fall in love? Can one ever choose where the heart leads us? All we ask is ‘Ein bißchen Verständnis’, a little understanding!
Why can’t the world ‘Leben und leben lassen’, live and let live?
Oh, I understand your objection, I grant you, the problem’s not small; But if you could see her through my eyes, She wouldn’t look Jewish at all!
Gerunds are usually nouns but they are different from other nouns because they are made from verbs.
∗Changing verbs into other forms: nouns or adjectives, for example, is common in many languages. Think about how your language changes verbs into other forms as you continue reading.
♦ Gerunds are always singular:Cooking dinner takes a long time. Cookingis hard work. ♦ The ‘ing’ form of the verb is always used: However, I love cooking
♦ Gerunds are the names of activities:eating, drinking, playing, watching, skiing, horse-riding.Can you see a pattern here? When we want a word to name the activity (noun) caused by the verb, we often use a gerund.
Cooking is LOVE you can taste.
If you can replace a gerund with a pronoun, for example, ‘it’, then the gerund must be a noun! Pronouns can only replace nouns. (pro = for) Here are the above three sentences with the gerund, cooking,replaced with ‘it‘:
It takes a long time.
It is hard work.
I love it!
♦ Gerunds are very common in everyday spoken English. They can be the Subject, the Object, or the Complement in a sentence:
Changing verbs into other forms is common in many languages. (Subject: ‘Changing verbs into other forms’ is a gerund phrase. You can replace all of it with the pronoun ‘it’: It is common in many languages.)
Skiing is a popular winter sport. (Subject)
Children seem to learnskiingeasily. (Object of ‘learn’)
The most popular winter sport in many countries isskiing. (Complement of ‘is’)
In the sentence, “Anthony saw some sharks when he was snorkelling in the Philippines last year.”, “snorkelling” is a participle – part of the verb “was snorkelling”.
In the sentence, “My children love snorkelling“,“snorkelling” is a noun. It is the object of “love“. An object is a noun.
∗ Note that in the above sentence, there is no indication that the children are actually snorkelling, unlike Anthony who was no doubt swimming very quickly after he saw the sharks. All we know is that the children love that activity. “My children love it.” The word “it” is the object of “love”. The pronoun “it” replaces “snorkelling” in the above sentence, so “snorkelling” must be a noun. It is a Gerund.
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INFINITIVES
Infinitives are the names of verbs: TO + BASE VERB. For example: to be, to have, to go, to look, to swim. When you look up a verb in a dictionary, it is the Base form that is listed first. Infinitives and Base verbs have no tense.
It is very common to use more than one verb in a clause. However, only one tense per clause is permitted! Again, think about your language and the rules for verbs. Infinitives have no tense, so they are used to add information without affecting the tense of the verb, without affecting ‘when’:
I want to study Architecture at University. (want = Present Simple Tense)
I wanted to study Architecture at school, but it wasn’t a school subject. (wanted = Past Simple Tense)
I have wanted to study Architecture ever since I saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa. (have wanted = Present Perfect Tense)
In the main clause of the above three sentences, the different forms of the verb ‘want’ show tense. The infinitive ‘to study’ adds meaning only.
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It is important to know when to use Gerunds after verbs and when to use Infinitives after verbs.
♦ Some verbs can be followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive:
I love going out on Saturday nights with my friends.
I love to go out on Saturday nights with my friends.
♦ Some verbs cannot be followed by an Infinitive. If you want to follow the verb with another verb, you have to use a Gerund:
I finished cleaning the house at 10pm. I finished to clean the house at 10pm. I enjoy going out with my friends. I enjoy to go out with my friends.
Of course, you can follow ‘finished’ and ‘enjoy’ with other word forms:
I finished my exams yesterday. (verb + noun + adverb)
I enjoy funny movies. (verb + adjective + noun)
♦ Other verbs cannot be followed by a Gerund. If you want to follow the verb with another verb, you have to use an infinitive:
Rou decided to study English in Australia. Rou decided studying English in Australia.
After that, she is planning to continue her studies in Taiwan. After that, she is planning continuing her studies in Taiwan.
Of course, you can follow ‘decided’ and ‘is planning’ with other word forms:
Rou decided on a holiday in Spain. (verb + preposition + noun)
After that, she is planning further study. (verb + adjective + noun)
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There is no easy rule to help you know if a verb is followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive. The way I see the difference is (usually) this:
Gerundsdescribe an activity (IT). It might not happen.
Infinitivesdescribe an action (TO DO IT) which happens/happened/will happen.
Have a look at these two sentences:
1. I love cooking.
2. I love to cook on the weekends when my parents visit.
My husband the chef. Photo by Mario
1. I love cooking. (I love it.)
I love watching Masterchef and *cooking videos on Youtube. I have some excellent recipe books. I love food and trying new dishes. I do all the food shopping. However, I never cook because my husband is a chef! (*cooking = adjective gerund)
2. I love to cook on the weekends when my parents visit. (I love to do it.)
I do it when my parents visit. What do I do? I cook.
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Try to remember the difference between gerunds and infinitives the way you learn new vocabulary. Online exercises are a good way to practise and remember:
• Click here for a website that categorizes which types of common verbs are followed by gerunds and which types of common verbs are are followed by infinitives. It is an excellent reference.
The site also lists songs which feature gerunds. However, not every word ending in ‘ing’ is a gerund! Some are participles; some are part of reduced Relative Clauses. I have focused on one of the songs, ‘Feel’ by Robbie Williams. Watch the video below and then check the lyrics. I have highlighted the gerunds in bold pink and the infinitives in bold blue.
• Click hereto see a list of verbs followed by Infinitives. This link will take you to verbs followed by Gerunds:
• For more information and practice exercises click here.
Song: FEEL by Robbie Williams
Come and hold my hand. I *wanna contact theliving. (*wanna contact = wantto contact) Not sure I understand This role I’ve been given. I sit and talk to God And he just laughs at my plans. My head speaks a language I don’t understand.
I just *wanna feel (wanna feel = wantto feel) Real love; feel the home that I live in, ‘Cause I’ve got too much life Running through my veins, Going to waste. I don’t *wanna die (*wanna die = want to die) But I **ain’t keen on livingeither. (**ain’t = am not) Before I fall in love, I’m preparing to leaveher.
(I) Scare myself to death. That’s why I keep on running. Before I’ve arrived, I can see myself coming.
I just *wanna feel (wanna feel = want to feel) Real love; feel the home that I live in, ‘Cause I’ve got too much life Running through my veins, Going to waste; And I need to feel Real love and the love ever after. I cannot get enough.
Mary's English Blog 