The use of a wish in a sentece

I have noticed that several students have been confused with the use of the word wish and its grammar. Here are some ways to help with this confusion.

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Wishes about the present & future

You may use a wish that talks about a present or future situation. If so you remember that we use the wish and past simple to express that we want a situation in the present or future to be different.

For example: I wish I spoke Italian. This means, I don't speak Italian.

Or we may use wish and past continuous to express that we want to be doing a different action in the present or in the future.

For example: I wish it wasn't raining. This means, it is raining.

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Wishes about the past

Now, if we want to express a wish about the past, we use wish and past perfect to express regret, or that we want a situation in the past to be different.

For example: I wish I had studied harder at school. This means, I was lazy at school. If I had studied harder, I may have gotten into a better University or a better job.

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Wish + would

Last we look at the wish and would. We use wish together with would and the bare infinitive to express impatience, annoyance or dissatisfaction with a present action.

For example: I wish she would be quiet. This means, I am annoyed because she is speaking.It might be also used to ask someone politely, as in the above sentenced, someone is very noisy and you may say: I wish you would be quite.

GEPT - Vocabulary List 4

gas pump - [ gass pump] noun - a pump that draws gasoline from underground storage tanks

fume - [ fyoom ] noun – the gas or vapor produced that is unpleasant or harmful

avoid - [ əvóyd ] verb - not do something or prevent something

entitle - [ intīt'l, ent īt'l ] verb - to give somebody the right to have or to do something

expire - [ ikspīr ] verb - end or be no longer valid

utensil - [ yooténss'l ] (plural u·ten·sils) noun – a tool especially one used in a kitchen such as knife, fork or spoon

extinguisher - [ ik stínggwishər ] (plural ex·tin·guish·ers) noun - something that puts an end to something else such as a fire (fire extinguisher)

type - [ tīp ] verb – writing words using a computer keyboard, word processor, or typewriter

credit card (plural cred·it cards)- noun - a card issued by a bank that allows somebody to buy goods and services and pay for them later

cash [ kash ] – noun -money in the form of coins or bills

jasmine tea [ jázmin ] [ tee ] or jessamine tea [ jéssəmin ] [ tee ] –noun - a black tea flavored with jasmine blossoms

documentary - [ dòkyəméntəree ] noun (plural doc·u·men·ta·ries) a movie or TV program presenting facts and information

sitcom - [ sít kòm ] – noun- (plural sit·coms) situation comedy

slouch [ slowch ] – verb – to sit, stand, or walk in lazy way, with an awkward, drooping, excessively relaxed posture.

Timed certificate account – is time deposit that cannot be withdrawn before a date specified at the time of deposit.

starved [ staarvd ]- adjective - extremely hungry

mystical [ místik'l ]- adjective – beyond human understanding

phenomenon [ fənómmənòn, fənómmənən ]- noun - something that is out of the ordinary and excites people's interest and curiosity

pot roast [pot rōst ] (plural pot roasts) - noun - a dish consisting of a piece of beef cooked slowly in the oven in a closed pot in its own juices

consider [ kənsíddər ] – verb - to think carefully about something

cosmetic surgery [ koz méttik súrjəree ]- noun - surgery beautifying plastic surgery that is intended to improve the appearance of a part of the body and makes you look younger, e.g. the shape of the nose or the size of the breasts

Richter scale [ríktər skàyl ] - noun - scale for measuring earthquakes from 1 to 10 with a higher number showing stronger tremors or stronger earthquake.

Condom [ kóndəm, kúndəm ] (plural con·doms) - noun -a close-fitting rubber covering worn by a man over the penis during sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy or the spread of sexually transmitted disease

PTA - Parent-Teacher Association – a group that supports and speaks on behalf of children and youth in the schools

GEPT - Vocabulary List 3

dairy [ dérree ] adjective - relating to milk products

ATM (plural ATMs) noun - electronic cash machine

withdraw [ with dráw, with dráw ] verb - remove something

two-way adjective - moving in both directions

morose [ mə rṓss, maw rṓss ] adjective - miserable, bad, depressed

solar [ sṓlər ] adjective - operating using energy from Sun

frown [ frown ] (verb) noun - a facial expression of unhappiness by wrinkling the brow

under the weather feeling a little sick

custodian [ kustṓdee ən ] (plural cus·to·di·ans) noun - somebody responsible for cleaning, especially of a school or other public building

license (short for license plate) noun - a thin flat piece of metal showing a number on a car

dry-cleaners noun - a business that cleans clothes

fender-bender noun - small accident

mystery [ místəree ] noun (plural mys·ter·ies)- a movie about a puzzling event, especially an unsolved crime

astrology [ əstrólləjee ] noun - study of planets and human behavior

astrometry [ əstrómmətree ] noun - the measurement of the real and apparent motions and the positions of plants

cardiopulmonary resuscitation noun - emergency technique to revive somebody whose heart has stopped beating

deoxyribonucleic acid [ dee òksee rībō noo klik ássid ] noun - DNA

depart [ dipaart ] verb - to leave

media [ meedeeə ] noun - television, newspapers, and radio

GEPT - Vocabulary List 2

trap [ trap ] noun (plural traps) something designed to catch animals

zoology [ zō ólləjee, zə wóləjee ] (plural zo·ol·o·gies)noun scientific study of animals

bar [ baar ]noun (plural bars) a length of metal, wood, or other solid material used as a fence to block

symbol [ símb'l ] (plural sym·bols) noun something that stands for something else

recycling [ ree s ī kling ] noun use a material again

wast [ wayst ] verb not using something

Hula-Hoop [hoolə-hoop] noun a plastic ring that people place around the waist and keep twirling by rhythmically moving the hips

video arcade [víddeeō aarkáyd] noun a place where people pay to play video games

aerobics [erṓbiks, ərṓbiks] noun exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling, and swimming that increasing breathing and heart rates

barbell [ baarbèl ] (plural bar·bells) noun a metal bar with removable weights at each end, used in weightlifting

mallet [ mállət ] (plural mal·lets) noun tool like a hammer

RPG noun (role-playing game) a computer or other game in which the participants imagine roles

pediatrician [peedee ə trísh’n] noun a doctor for children

debt [ det ] (plural debts) noun not having money or something owed

automatic [ àwtə máttik ] adjective working by itself

soar [ sawr ] verb increase rapidly

odds [ odz ] plural noun chances of something happening

rune [ roon ] (plural runes) noun old Germanic alphabet character

tune [ toon ] noun (plural tunes) simple melody

lune [ loon ] (plural lunes) noun a curved-shaped part of a plane

dune [ doon ] (plural dunes) noun hill of sand

idol [īd'l ] (plural i·dols) noun somebody or something greatly admired or loved

hero [ heerō ] (plural he·roes) noun really brave person

busboy [ búss bòy ] (plural bus·boys) noun somebody who clears away dishes, set tables, and assist the servers

spy [ spī ] noun (plural spies) somebody who seeks secret information

first aid [ furst ayd ] noun things you do for somebody who is ill or injured before medical help arrives

anniversary [ ànnə vúrssəree ] (plural an·ni·ver·sa·ries) noun a celebration the date of an important event

affair [ ə fér ] noun (plural af·fairs) a sexual relationship between two people not married to each other

pretend [ pri ténd ] verb act as if something were true

GEPT - Vocabulary List 1

Caldron noun [ káwldrən ] (plural cal·drons) pot for boiling

Collarbone noun [ kóllər bōn ] (plural col·lar·bones) either of the two bones connecting the shoulder blades with the upper part of the breastbone

Funny bone noun elbow point

Sprain verb [ sprayn ] to injure a joint by a sudden twisting it

Daring adjective [ dérring ] risky, shocking

Insulting adjective [ in súlting ] being rude or insensitive

Sashimi noun [ saa shèemee ] a Japanese dish consisting of slices of raw fish

Hanukkah noun [ hàanəkə] Jewish festival

Allergic adjective [ ə lúrjik ] having allergy

Allergy noun [ állərjee ] sensitivity to something

Orphan noun [ áwrfən ] (plural or·phans) child without parents

Sink noun [ singk ] (plural sinks) basin for washing something

Prompt adjective [ prompt ] done immediately

Vitamin noun [ vī təmin ] (plural vi·ta·mins) organic substance important to food

Supplement noun [ súppləmənt ] (plural sup·ple·ments)

Currency noun [ kúrrənssee, kúr ənssee ] (plural cur·ren·cies) a system of money

Home Economics noun study of subjects related doing things in your home

Mannered adjective [ mánnərd ] behaving in particular way (well mannered = very polite)

Root canal noun (plural root ca·nals) a dentist removes diseased tissue from the root of a tooth

Rapid eye movement noun jerky movements of the eyeballs while asleep

Parlor noun [ páarlər ] (plural par·lors) a room used to provide particular services like a a beauty parlor

Pileup noun [ p ī l ùp ] (plural pile·ups) large-scale collision or accident

Freeway noun [ frèewày ] (plural free·ways) expressway or highway

Unimpressive adjective [ ùnnim préss iv ] not capable of impressing

Amateur noun [ ámmə tùr, ámmətər] (plural am·a·teurs) somebody who does something for pleasure rather than payment. (Antonym: professional)

Antonym noun [ ántənìm ] (plural an·to·nyms) word with opposite meaning

Die away verb diminish, fade or disappear slowly

Immortal adjective [ i máwrt'l ] never dying

Fad noun [ fad ] (plural fads) short-lived fashion or getting less popular over time

Cult noun [ kult ] (plural cults) something popular or fashionable in one group

Classic adjective [ klássik ] always fashionable and elegant

Elegant adjective [ élləgənt ] stylish and graceful, neat and simple

Print noun [ print ] (plural prints) writing on surface such as words, figures, or symbols

LED noun (plural LEDs) light-emitting diode (small lamps)

Coated adjective [ kṓtəd ] covered with a layer of something

Rumor noun [ r óo mər ] (plural ru·mors) a story without facts that may not be truth

Gay adjective [ gay ] (comparative gay·er, superlative gay·est) brightly colored, showing happiness, relating to attraction or activity among members of the same sex

Homosexual noun [ h ō mə sékshoo əl, h ō mō sékshoo əl ] somebody who is attracted to members of his or her own sex

Present perfect continuous vs. simple present perfect

What are some of the differences between the present perfect continuous, also sometimes called the present perfect progressive, and the simple present perfect.

Normally we use the present perfect progressive for shorter, temporary situations. So you might say, "I have been studying for ten minutes."

And we use the simple present perfect for longer or permanent situations. For example, "I have lived in Taipei since I was born."

However, sometimes either present perfect continuous or simple present perfect can be used. It depends on how the speaker sees the situation so you might say, "The sun has been shining all week." Or, "The sun has shined all week".

Now a few rules you should remember. Some verbs are almost never used in progressive forms even when the meaning is one where you would use a progressive, for example “be, have and know. Therefore you should not say, "She's been being here for ten minutes. Or I’ve being had a headache all day. or I've only being known him since Friday."

Also remember if you want to put the emphasis on results, you use the simple present perfect, as in “I've learned ten new words since I arrived this morning."

Last we use the simple present perfect to say how many times something has happened. "He has interrupted my studies six times this morning."

Conjunctions

Many of you students have asked me how or when to use conjunctions. I hope this table will answer some of you questions:

CONJUNCTION	What is Linked and how?	SAMPLE SENTENCES
and	Noun phrase + Noun phrase	We have tickets for the train and the airplane.
but	Sentence + Sentence	My English class is on Tuesday, but my piano class is on Wednesday.
or	Verb + verb	Have you seen or heard the opera by Verdi?
both...and	Subject + Subject	Both my sister and my brother play the piano.
either...or	Noun + noun	I will either go for a walk or read a book.
neither...nor	Subject + Subject	He is neither rich nor famous.
not only...but also	Sentence + Sentence	She is not only clever, but also hard-working.
after	later in time	After the train left, we went home.
Before	earlier than	I arrived before the stores were open.
since	1. from a past time 2. as, because	1. I have been here since the sun rose. 2. Since you are here, you can help me.
while	1. at the time when 2. on the other hand	1. While it was snowing, we played cards. 2. He is rich, while his friend is poor.
although	in spite of the fact that	Although it was after midnight, we did not feel tired.
even if	in spite of a possibility	I am going out even if it rains.
because	for the reason that	We had to wait, because we arrived early.
Unless	except when, if not	Unless he helps us, we cannot succeed.
In case	because of a possibility	Take a sweater in case it gets cold.

The word “finished”

Many students have trouble to use the word “finished” correctly.

The confusion arises because finished operates both as an adjective and as the past tense and past participle of the verb to finish.

When you use it as in 'We're finished for today', then you are using it as an adjective.

On the other hand if you are using it as in 'We've finished work for today', then you are using it as the past participle of the verb to finish.

When you use it as an adjective, you can talk about things being finished as well as people being finished with something.

For example, if you say “My marriage is finished” then this means that your marriage was a disaster from the beginning and now you are happy that it's over.

If you are working on your home you may tell your friends that you won't be finished for at least another hour and a half.

If you use it as a verb however you may say, “I finished my homework two hours ago.”

As an adjective finish means:

1. ended or completed.

2. completed or perfected in all details, as a product: to pack and ship finished items.

3. polished to the highest degree of excellence: a dazzling and finished piece of writing.

4. highly skilled or accomplished: a finished violinist.

5. condemned, doomed, or in the process of extinction: The aristocracy was finished after the revolution.

6. (of livestock) fattened and ready for market.

As a verb finish means:

1. To arrive at or attain the end of: finish a race.

2. To bring to an end; terminate: finished cleaning the room.

3. To consume all of; use up: finish a pie.

4. To bring to a desired or required state: finish a painting. (meaning complete)

5. To give (wood, for example) a desired or particular surface texture.

6. To destroy; kill: finished the injured horse with a bullet.

7. To bring about the ruin of: The stock market crash finished many speculators.

8. To come to an end; stop.

9. To reach the end of a task, course, or relationship.

to meeting vs. to meet

Here is a familiar problem.

I was asked to help with the phrases:

"I'm looking forward to meeting you. vs. I'm looking forward to meet you".

Correct is: I'm looking forward to meeting you.

Why?
The verb is in this sentence is 'to look forward to' which also means 'to anticipate'. These are transitive verbs which require a direct object.

In the example “I'm looking forward to meeting you” the direct object is a gerund. A gerund is a noun form of the verb 'to meet’.

In contrast in the sentence “I'm waiting to meet you” ‘to meet’ is the infinitive.

There are some verbs that are followed by a gerund and some that are followed by an infinitive. And then there are some that are followed by either a gerund or an infinitive.

You simply have to memorize these verbs.

Verb Tenses

Grammar

Verb Tenses:

Present Simple (Simple Present): basic verb (infinitive) ( go-went-gone) eg: I go home every day.

Present Progressive (Present Continuous): Simple Present of 'to be' + -ING (he is going) eg: he is still sleeping, be quiet!

Past Simple (Simple Past): regular verbs + ed, irregular 2^nd form (pushed, go–went-gone) eg: He pushed me into the water. Last night, he went home right away.

Past Progressive (Past Continuous): Past Simple of TO BE + ING eg: He was eating dinner when I called him last night.

Present Perfect: 'HAVE' + Past Participle (go–went-gone) eg: I have gone home.

Past Perfect: 'HAD' + Past Participle (take-took-taken) eg: I had taken a holiday.

Future: will + basic verb (infinitive) or ‘to be’ + going to + basic verb (infinitive) eg: He will go home soon. Or He is going to go home soon.

Auxiliary Verbs:

DO', 'BE' and 'HAVE' are the English auxiliary verbs used in a negative structure, a question or to show tense.

eg: I haven’t eaten yet!

Are you happy?

'DO', 'DON'T', 'DOES' and 'DOESN'T' are used for questions and negatives in the Present Simple Tense,

and 'DID' and 'DIDN'T' are used in the Past Simple Tense.

eg: Do you speak English?

BE' is used with basic verb (infinitive) in Continuous (Progressive) Verbs. It is also used with the Past Participle in the Passive

eg: He is going home. Rice is grown in Taiwan.

'HAVE' is used with the Past Participle to form the Present Perfect or HAD with the Past Participle to form the Past Perfect.

eg: He had gone to school before his mother got home.

Gerund: A Gerund is a verb when it acts as a noun. Basic verb (infinitive) + ING

Remember: If a verb ends with -e, it loses the last letter -e before adding the –ing.

eg: Swimming is fun!

Infinitive: The infinitive usually occurs with 'To' (for example To go)

eg: I had to go!

Modal Verbs: Modal verbs are used to express ideas such as possibility, intention, obligation and necessity: CAN, COULD, WILL, WOULD, SHALL, SHOULD, OUGHT TO, DARE and NEED.

eg: I would tell you the story, if I had more time..

You should study harder!

Virtual Barber Shop

Are you looking for an easy and fun way to improve your English?
Just listen to the Virtual Barber Shop.
To get the most out of it use headphones, close your eyes.
Have fun!

Parents and Teenagers

Most parents are very involved in their child's schooling.

Nonetheless, as their children become teenagers, these teenagers are becoming more independent and are increasingly involved in activities outside the family. During this time however parents should and must remain the most influential person in the life of their teenager.

Through the involvement of parents in school and extracurricular activities, parents can do much to help their teenagers believe in the value and importance of education. Be enthusiastic about learning and achieving academic success.

What you as parents can do to stay in touch with your teenager:

1. Show interest in your teenager’s studies, by taking the time on a daily base to talk about what has been learned and done in school (don't take "nothing" for an answer!).
2. Discuss ideas and feelings about school, studies, and activities. Let your teenager vent their frustrations. Be supportive.
3. Talking over any concerns or problems builds trust between you and your teenager. (restrain yourself from anger)
   
4. Consistently acknowledge and reward efforts at school.
5. When your teenager works hard, your acknowledgment motivates them to persist.
6. If you get your teenager's trust, your teenager will never disappoint you.
7. Give your teenagers responsibilities so they learn and develop self-esteem.
   

Treasure their trust!

What do these words mean 3.

Ancient - is an adjective and is pronounced [ áynshənt ]
It is some things that is very old.
Chinese: 古

Costume - is a noun and is pronounced [ kóstoom ]
It is a special cloth worn on a special even such as by an actor or a storyteller .
Chinese:服飾

Professional - is an adjective and is pronounced [ prō féshən'l, prō féshnəl, prə féshən'l ]
It is someone with a high degree of skills who works for money .
Chinese:專業

Laughter - is a noun and is pronounced [ láftər ]
It is the sound or an act of laughing.
Chinese:笑聲

Event - is a noun and is pronounced [ i vént ]
It is a happening such as the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Chinese: 近義詞
Energy - is a noun and is pronounced [ énnərjee ]
It is the ability or power to work or act.
Chinese:能源

Audience - is a noun and is pronounced [ áwdee ənss ]
It is the viewer of a movie or the listener to a radio program.
Chinese:觀眾

Intently - is an adverb and is pronounced [ in téntli ]
It is the focused a viewer who on of a movie he or she is watching.
Chinese:副 一心一意地;專心地

Comic - is an adjective and is pronounced [ kómmik ]
It is something funny such as a comic book.
Chinese:漫畫

Entertain - is an verb and is pronounced [ èntər táyn ]
It is to hold the interest of an audience by providing amusing or interesting material.
Chinese:動 使娛樂;使高興;招待