Archive for April, 2009
Dependent Clauses
This is from a new podcast lesson at www.esllearningpod.com called Dependent Clauses; please listen to it!
A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. In most cases, a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.
Here is an example:
In this example “when” is the dependant marker word.
When Tony studied in the school canteen for his English Exam . . .
We can see that this is not a full sentence because although it contains a subject and a verb. It doesn’t contain a complete expression.
In most cases a dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.
When Tony studied in the school canteen for his English Exam . . .
Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.
I hope you enjoyed this pod cast!
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Please check out their site. And also don’t forget to check out www.esllearningpod.com
Comma Splice
A comma splice is when a comma is used to separate two independent clauses. Can you remember what an independent clause is?
An independent clause is a sentence that contains a subject, a verb and also a complete expression or statement.
For example:
I can swim very well.
Now as I explained to you before, a comma slice is when you try to join two independent clauses with a comma.
For example:
I can swim very well, you can swim better than me.
So how do we correct this?
Well you can do the following:
You can simply replace the comma with a period/ full stop.
I can swim very well. You can swim better than me.
You can replace the comma with a semi colon.
I can swim very well; you can swim better than me.
Or you can use the comma and add a dependent marker word
I can swim very well, but you can swim better than me.
A dependent marker word is just a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.
If you want to learn more about dependent marker words, you will need to subscribe to our site or pod casts.
www.esllearningpod.com
Yossarian provides us with a detailed English lesson on coordinating conjunctions and comma splices.
A comma splice is the use of a comma between independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Has your teacher ever told you to stop writing run-on sentences?
Do you know what a run-on sentence is?
A run on sentence is a sentence that contains two independent clauses which have not been separated by a semi colon or period/full stop.
For example:
Jim is great at English he is great at French too.
There are actually two ways to fix this run-on sentence:
1) Jim is great at English; he is great at French too.
2) Jim is great at English. He is great at French too.
That was not that difficult, was it?
To learn about independent clauses, listen to our independent clause podcast at www.esllearningpod.com
NEWS ROUND
At last the streets of Bangkok have returned to normal. No more fighting, rioting or violence. Over the last few days Thailand has been shook as the nation came to the brink of a civil war. However, as of yesterday, it would seem that the days of Thaksin are now over. The Abhisit government has gained creditability from not only the Thais but also from countries around the world. The Prime Minister has proved his ability to be a strong leader even in time of adversity. Let us hope that from this day on Thailand can repair the wounds of the past few days and strive to be a united country.
Vocabulary Share:
Normalcy – When things are normal.
Rioting – An out break of unrest created by a large group or number of people.
Brink – On the edge of…
Creditability – Reputable and trustworthy
Adversity – Times of difficulty and hardship
United – To be together
Do you know what an Independent Clause is? Can you give an example of one? If you don’t then maybe you should listen to our latest podcast.
Learn about Independent Clauses
Remember our English lessons are free! Check out our other pod casts too!
Dear friend,
Below is a very
helpful tip to help you gain confidence to speak English more.
Hot English Tip #7
Gaining Confidence To Speak English
If you are like most
people, you often feel down, lack confidence, feel frustrated or
feel that you are not progressing very much with your English.
It’s actually quite easy to overcome these problems. All you need to
do is build your confidence.
How do you do this quickly and easily?
There are a few things you should not do:
Try not to:
* Compare yourself to other people’s level of English.
* Tell yourself or say to other people,
“My English is poor”,
or
“My English is broken” or anything like this.
Learning English is not a competition with other people, it’s like a
game of golf.
The goal with learning English is to keep improving your level. It
does not matter what your level is, it’s all about constantly
improving.
The purpose of practicing golf is to keep improving your game
(lowering your score).
Asian people usually compare themselves with others. Their focus is
on the other people, thinking things like, “What will they say?”,
or “What will they think if I make
a mistake”.
This kills your confidence.
The focus should be on yourself, “How can I improve?”, or
“I am improving, therefore my English is going well”.
You will always feel confident if your focus is here.
Another reason why people do not have much confidence is because
they worry about making mistakes, thinking others will laugh or say
negative things about their mistakes.
This however, does not happen.
Let’s prove this…
Have you ever made a mistake in your native language?
Of course you have right?
Now, when you make mistakes in your native language (the language
which you are the “expert” in) do people laugh at you?
Do people say bad things about you for making a mistake?
No way, right?
Well, why or how can people laugh or say bad things about you when
you make mistakes in English (your second language which you are
learning)?
They cannot. So, do not think or worry that people will do this, it
will never happen.
In fact other people will be scared to laugh or comment about your
English mistakes because either:
-
Your English is better
than theirs, so they cannot comment (they will feel embarrassed if
they do)
or
-
They are also learning
English and understand that learning English is difficult. They
understand making mistakes are a part of learning, so they will
not comment,
In fact they may help you.
Best of luck, study with
confidence from now on.
Rohan Cox
English Essentials
Rapid Learning, Instant Results
PS. To receive more hot tips that will help you improve your English by
up to 99%,
Learn English - English Language Online Book store
Hey, Are you looking for books to learn English? If you are why not check out the esllearningpod.com bookstore!
General English: Idioms starting with the letter ‘D’.
Paul provides the next podcast in the idioms series. During this lesson you will learn idioms that start with ‘D’ and are from both British English and American English. Enjoy!!!
Go to the podcast section of this site
Jennifer provides us with yet another excellent English lesson. In this video she clearly outlines the common mistakes made when trying to make recommendations.
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