F2F Class Notes 20th March (Raph)

RaphJason S

Homework

Write 5 sentences using each of the Continuous Tenses (Past / Present / Future).

Vocabulary

Failure (n): 1-  the fact of someone or something not succeeding:
E.g.: The meeting was a complete failure.

Obvious (adj): 1- easy to see, recognize, or understand.
E.g.: It’s obvious (that) she doesn’t like him.

Please (v): 1- to make someone feel happy or satisfied, or to give someone pleasure.
E.g.: I only got married to please my parents.

Pleased (adj): 1- happy or satisfied.
E.g.: We’re so pleased that you’re able to come to the wedding.

Paragraph (n): 1- a short part of a text, consisting of at least one sentence and beginning on a new line. It usually deals with a single event, description, idea, etc.. 2- 段
E.g.: The first paragraph should be an introduction to the subject of the text

Grammar

(Original – Edited)

Yesterday I’m fine. – Yesterday I was fine.

Yesterday I have a lesson. – Yesterday I had a lesson.

On the Wednesday. – On Wednesday.

Specifical time. – Specific time.

If I can’t sure. – If I’m not sure. / If I can’t be sure.

I think she should can speak a little bit English before into the school. – I think she should be able to speak a little English before she enters the new school.

Rhetorical Questions

A rhetorical question is a question that you ask without expecting an answer. The question might be one that does not have an answer. It might also be one that has an obvious answer but you have asked the question to make a point, to persuade or for literary effect.

Rhetorical Questions with Obvious Answers:

Here are some answers of rhetorical questions that have answers that are very obvious, either because they ask about common facts or because the answer is suggested based on the context of the question.

These types of rhetorical questions are often asked to emphasize a point:

  • Is the pope catholic?
  • Is rain wet?
  • You didn’t possibly think I would say yes to that did you?
  • Do you want to be a big failure for the rest of your life?
  • Does a bear poop in the woods?
  • Can fish swim?
  • Can birds fly?
  • Do dogs bark?
  • Do cats meow?
  • Do pigs fly?
  • Is hell hot?
  • Are you stupid?
  • There is no point, is there?
  • Is there anyone smarter than me?
  • Can we do better next time?
  • Do you want to be a success in this world?
  • Is this supposed to be some kind of a joke?
  • Are you kidding me?
  • Do liars lie?

Rhetorical Questions That Have No Answers:

  • What is the meaning of life?
  • Why do we go on?
  • What’s the matter with kids today?
  • There’s no hope, is there?
  • How much longer can this injustice continue?
  • How many times do I have to tell you not to yell in the house?
  • Why me?
  • But who’s counting?
  • Who cares?
  • Why bother?
  • How should I know?
  • Could I possibly love you more?

When a Rhetorical Question Would be Asked:

  • Your girlfriend asks if you love her. You say “Is the pope catholic?” to suggest that it is obvious you love her.
  • A parent is arguing with a child about the importance of good grades. The parent says “Do you want to live at home in the basement for the rest of your life?”
  • Two men are having a disagreement in a bar. One says “Do you want me to punch you in the face?”
  • A woman tells her husband she is pregnant and shows him the pregnancy test. He says “Are you serious?”
  • A student fails to bring in his homework assignment. The teacher keeps him after class and says “Can we do better next time?”
  • A boss is yelling at his staff member for a major mistake. He says “Do you want to get fired?”
  • A child is asking for a very expensive toy. His parent says “Do you think that money just grows on trees?”
  • A friend asks if you like hamburgers, which are your favorite meal. You say “Is rain wet?”

Now you see how rhetorical questions can be used to make a point and how they are asked without an expectation of a reply.

Read more at http://examples.yourdictionary.com/rhetorical-question-examples.html#BUxP76p28qO1mWzX.99

Continuous Tenses

Continuous Tenses are used when talking about actions that, at a certain point in time, are, were or will be unfinished. Below are the explanation about three types of Continuous Tenses:

1- PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE

The past continuous describes actions or events in a time before now, which began in the past and were still going on at the time being spoken about. In other words, it expresses an unfinished or incomplete action in the past.

It is used:

  • Often, to describe the background in a story written in the past tense, e.g. “The sun was shining and the birds were singing as the elephant came out of the jungle. The other animals were relaxing in the shade of the trees, but the elephant moved very quickly. She was looking for her baby, and she didn’t notice the hunter who was watching her through his binoculars. When the shot rang out, she was running towards the river…”
  • to describe an unfinished action that was interrupted by another event or action, e.g. “I was having a beautiful dream when the alarm clock rang.”
  • to express a change of mind: e.g. “I was going to spend the day at the beach but I’ve decided to get my homework done instead.”
  • with ‘wonder’, to make a very polite request: e.g. “I was wondering if you could baby-sit for me tonight.”
EXAMPLES
  • They were waiting for the bus when the accident happened.
  • Caroline was skiing when she broke her leg.
  • When we arrived he was having a bath.
  • When the fire started I was watching television.

Note: with verbs not normally used in the continuous form, the simple past is used.

FORMING THE PAST CONTINUOUS:

The past continuous of any verb is composed of two parts : the past tense of the verb “to be” (was/were), and the base of the main verb +ing.

Subject was/were base + ing
They were watching
Affirmative
She was reading
Negative
She wasn’t reading
Interrogative
Was she reading?
Interrogative negative
Wasn’t she reading?
2- PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE:

As with all tenses in English, the speaker’s attitude is as important as the time of the action or event. When someone uses the present continuous, they are thinking about something that is unfinished or incomplete

THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS IS USED:
  • to describe an action that is going on at this moment: You are using the Internet. You are studying English grammar.
  • to describe an action that is going on during this period of time or a trend: Are you still working for the same company? More and more people are becoming vegetarian.
  • to describe an action or event in the future, which has already been planned or prepared: We’re going on holiday tomorrow. I’m meeting my boyfriend tonight. Are they visiting you next winter?
  • to describe a temporary event or situation: He usually plays the drums, but he’s playing bass guitar tonight. The weather forecast was good, but it’s raining at the moment.
  • with “always, forever, constantly”, to describe and emphasise a continuing series of repeated actions: Harry and Sally are always arguing! You’re constantly complaining about your mother-in-law!

FORMING THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS:

The present continuous of any verb is composed of two parts – the present tense of the verb to be + the present participle of the main verb. (The form of the present participle is: base+ing, e.g. talking, playing, moving, smiling)

Affirmative
Subject + to be + base + ing
She is talking.
Negative
Subject + to be + not + base + ing
She is not (isn’t) talking
Interrogative
to be + subject + base + ing
Is she talking?

3- FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE:

The future continuous refers to an unfinished action or event that will be in progress at a time later than now. The future continuous is used for quite a few different purposes.

The future continuous can be used to project ourselves into the future.

EXAMPLES
  • This time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.
  • By Christmas I will be skiing like a pro.
  • Just think, next Monday you will be working in your new job.

The future continuous can be used for predicting or guessing about future events.

EXAMPLES
  • He’ll be coming to the meeting, I expect.
  • I guess you’ll be feeling thirsty after working in the sun.
  • You’ll be missing the sunshine once you’re back in England.

In the interrogative form, the future continuous can be used to ask politely for information about the future.

EXAMPLES
  • Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?
  • Will Jim be coming with us?
  • Will she be going to the party tonight?
  • Will I be sleeping in this room?

The future continuous can be used to refer to continuous events that we expect to happen in the future.

EXAMPLES
  • I’ll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.
  • When he is in Australia he will be staying with friends.
  • I’ll be eating with Jane this evening so I can tell her.

When combined with still, the future continuous refers to events that are already happening now and that we expect to continue some time into the future.

EXAMPLES
  • In an hour I’ll still be ironing my clothes.
  • Tomorrow he’ll still be suffering from his cold.
  • Next year will she still be wearing a size six?
  • Won’t stock prices still be falling in the morning?
  • Unfortunately, sea levels will still be rising in 20 years.

FORMING THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS:

The future continuous is made up of two elements: the simple future of the verb ‘to be’ + the present participle (base+ing)

Subject Simple Future of the verb ‘to be’ Present Participle
You will be watching
I will be staying