Tips for Basic English

(An Amusing Look at the English Language Rules)1. Verbs HAVE to agree with their subjects.2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.3. And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.

Take, bring and fetch

Take is the opposite of bring and fetch (a bit more informal)
  *  take (something away from here)
  *  bring/fetch something to here

Choose the best word, take, bring or fetch to complete the sentences:

1. There is so much food, please ....... something when you leave.

2. Why are you ....... your laptop on holiday?

3. Do you mind if I....... my laptop on holiday to check any emails.

4. I've ....... some cakes to share when we have lunch.

5. I ....... some cakes to share when we had lunch.

6. Can you ....... some milk on your way home?

Lend and Borrow

These verbs are often confused although they are opposites

 * lend - the object is yours and goes to someone else

 * borrow - you take the obejct from someone else and then return it

Choose the correct very lend or borrow to complete the sentences (don't forget to change tenses etc.. where necessary)

1. The bank refused to ....... him the money.

2. Can you ....... me your car for an hour?

3. My mother told me never to ....... money from people.

4. Sorry, I've just ....... the book to Joe.

5. Be careful, she's always ....... things but never gives them back!

6. May I ....... your pen please?

Steal and Rob

These words are often confused

 -  Steal an item from someone or somewhere

 -  Rob the person or the place

Decide whether the sentences are corrrect or incorrect:

1. Help we've been stolen!

2. The statue was robbed.

3. She robbed my purse right in front of me!

4. I'm afraid they stole the car.

5. Country houses are a good target for thieves and they get robbed often.

6. Can you give me a description of the things that were robbed?

Talk and Speak

These verbs have very similar meanings, but they are not always interchangeable.

•   Talk is a more general term
•   Speak is used for formal speeches and where a person in authority is    addressing an audience

Choose the correct verb talk or speak to complete the sentences

1. Seigfried ....... English very well.

2. The headmaster is ....... to all the parents this evening.

3. The Queen ....... to the nation on christmas day.

4. We hadn't met for over 10 years so we spent the whole night .......!

5. Remember to ....... up in your oral exam so that the examiner can hear you.

6. Right, 'any other business', can we ....... about the news sales strategy?

Take and Have

Choose the correct verb - take or have - to complete the sentences

1. It  ....... years of practice to speak a language fluently.

2. Counselling usually ....... a positive effect on sufferers of depression.

3. You have no right to say that, I ....... exception to your comments!

4. I'm sorry she's not in, can I ....... a message?

5. Dan, can I ....... a quick word with you?

6. Shall we ....... something to eat?

7. I'd like you to ....... part in tomorrow's meeting.

8. I can't get this table to work can you ....... a go?

Self Development Tips

As long as you are still alive, you are capable of changing and growing. You can do anything you want to do, be anything you want to be. Listen to some positive thoughts on how to continue your self development and then apply them in your own life. 
1. Accept personal responsibility for your own growth; no one can do it for you.  What you do today will determine your readiness for tomorrow.
2. Take time every day to do something for yourself.