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2730 questions about English

  • Why not use 'build'? ''This is the secret to building complex sentences.'' Thank you.
    Best answer

    Hi Esin, The reason "building" is used here instead of "build" is because of the verb tense. Adding -ing to the end of a verb changes it to the continuous (also known as progressive) tense. In English, the continuous verb tense is used to describe an action or event that is in progress. When giving instructions in English (like your example sentence), often the continuous tense is used because it implies that the person receiving the instructions is doing the action, and will continue to do the action (for example, you do not build a sentence one time, but you are continuously building sentences throughout the day). English verb tenses are quite complicated - there are 12 of them! If you'd like better understand these grammar points, I'd be happy to talk more.

  • Which sentences are correct? Thank you so much.

    What I want to do is read a book. What I want to do is to read a book. What I want to do is that reading a book. What I want to do is that I want to read a book.


    Best answer

    The infinitive read or to read is correct, but keeping the to is optional. What I want to do is read a book. What I want to do is to read a book. What I want to do is that I want to read a book. Using the gerund reading is incorrect. Someone else asked this question in 2013 and John Lawler answered it in detail talking about “clefting” which is a syntactical device to emphasize certain parts of the sentence. The main point of the sentence is “I want to read a book” The reason why you would use read and not reading is because want takes an infinitive complement, and to do is also the infinitive. You have to make the verbs match.

  • when does one use they, there and their?
    Best answer

    There’s an article on grammarly from September 21, 2022 that talks about the differences of they’re, their, and there. Many people confuse them because they are homophones— they sound similar. There - in or at a place; location ADVERB I went there on Saturday. There is a place I want to go. Somewhere out there, someone is waiting for me. PRONOUN There is a chance to win! There is no way I am eating that! Their - possessive form of the pronoun they - indicates ownership Their noses went under the knife. I wonder how their plastic surgery went. That’s their problem. They‘re - a contraction of they are; usually in informal situations They’re (they are) late again! I wonder when they’re (they are) going to take the test. There is money inside the car. (Location) Their money is inside the car. (Possession/ownership) They’re hiding money in the car. (Subject Verb contraction) I hope this helps.

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  • What's the best way to help students practice listening skills?

    Hello fellow Tutors! In my experience as a language learner (French and Russian), I find that I can write, read, and speak pretty well. But I am VERY bad at listening. :( I know that my time learning languages has helped me become a better English teacher, because I can better empathize with English students. My question is: how do you best help students improve their listening skills? I think it is best to practice conversation. And a student should also listen to English being spoken in an audio, before a tutor asks the student questions about what he or she heard. But what are your thoughts on this? How have you helped students practice listening? Thanks a lot, and happy teaching! Christian B


    Best answer

    HI Christian! Hope you are doing well! You can suggest them watching Disney movies in English if they are kids. To adults, you can refer any English movie. Movies bring a sort of interest. So, they will pay a good attention to dialogues, it will improve their listening and understanding.

  • Hi Teachers! This is in relation to the question about teaching ESL to kids,

    I noticed that most of you recommended the TPR Approach. My question is that, what is TPR Approach? And what are the examples of that? Thank you!


    Best answer

    TPR means total physical response. Ot is really helpful for children in quick grasping things best examples of TPR are story telling and acting actions while speaking

  • What are some tips on teaching ESL for kids?
  • What English Language phrases are more desired to be learnt by beginners?
    Best answer

    Hi Kelice! Beginners desire to learn the phrases very fast which are about introductions, directions, places, offices, small talks like in shopping etc.

  • How do you motivate your student?


  • The most read book in the world

    Does anyone know which book is the most read in the world?


    Best answer

    Probably the Bible or Quran because of how many languages it has been translated into

  • What are the most important words in English for beginners ?
    Best answer

    ∆ Greetings and self-introduction E.g Hello, good day, Hi My name is I am ∆ Courtesy and social expression E.g Please, thank you,