Reported speech can be more complicated than I showed you on the Reported speech – basic page.  For example, there are more words that change besides pronouns, possessive adjectives, and verb tenses.    Place words and time words also change. 

To review, the first kind of reported speech is with statements.   All the examples below are statements.  Later we’ll look at imperatives, questions and other types of sentences.

In a statement that can be dropped anytime before a subject and verb, so I will put it in parentheses – (that).  When you see this word in the examples that follow, remember that you can drop it if you want to.

It’s important to know which words you have to change in reported speech.

These verb tenses change:

present simple –>  past simple

Example:
He said, “I like to eat watermelon in the summertime.”
He said (that) he liked to eat watermelon in the summertime..

present continuous –>  past continuous

Example:
They said, “We are putting together a basketball team.”
They said (that) they were putting together a basketball team.

past simple –>  past perfect

Example:
He told them, “I went to our usual pub, but none of you were there.”
He told them (that) he had gone to their usual pub, but (that) none of them had been there.

present perfect –>  past perfect

Example:
He said, “My family have lived in this area for generations.”
He said (that) his family had lived in that area for generations.

present perfect continuous –>  past perfect continuous

Example:
They said, “We’ve been practicing for hours.”
They said (that) they’d been practicing for hours.

Past continuous –> past perfect continuous

Example:
She said, “I was working in the garden all afternoon.”
She said (that) she had been working in the garden all afternoon.

 

However, these verb tenses don’t change:

past perfect –>  past perfect

Example:
I said to her, “I had forgotten to lock the door.”
I told her (that) I had forgotten to lock the door.

past perfect continuous –>  past perfect continuous

Example:
She said, “I had been wondering about that for a long time.”
She said (that) she had been wondering about that for a long time.

 

The following modals change:

will –>  would

Example:
He told me, “I’ll be there at 11:00 at the very latest.”
He told me (that) he would be here at 11:00 at the very latest.

can –>  could

Example:
She said, “I can be at the meeting tomorrow morning.”
She said (that) she could be at the meeting tomorrow morning.

may –>  might

Example:
She said, “I may be late, but I’ll be there.”
She said (that) she might be late, but (that) she’d be there.

have to  –> had to

Example:
He told her, “I have to go to New York on business.”
He told her (that) he had to go to New York on business.

must –> had to

Example:
She said, “I must see the dentist sometime this month.”
She said (that) she had to see the dentist sometime this month.

 

However, these modals don’t change:

might –>  might

Example:
He told them, “There’s one thing I might do for you.”
He told them (that) there was one thing he might do for them.

could –>  could

Example:
He said, “I couldn’t come yesterday because I lost my car keys.”
He said (that) he couldn’t come yesterday because he had lost his car keys.

would –>  would

Example:
I told them, “I would visit more often if I could.”
I told them (that) I would visit more often if I could.

should –>  should

Example:
She said to him, “I think I should go stay with my aunt in Toronto.”
She told him (that) she thought she should go stay with her aunt in Toronto

ought to –>  ought to

Example:
Mother told the children,” You ought to keep your rooms clean.”
Mother told the children (that) they ought to keep their rooms clean.

had better –>  had better

Example:
I said to her, “You’d better not be late for your appointment.”
I said (that) she’d better not be late for her appointment.

used to –>  used to

Example:
He said, “I used to be a fireman in Chicago.”
He said (that) he used to be a fireman in Chicago.

 

Place words often change.  However, if the place hasn’t changed from the direct speech to the reported speech, then don’t change these words:

here –>  there
this –>  that
these –>  those

Examples:
He said, “I’m supposed to meet him here later.”
He told me (that) he was supposed to meet him there later.
(I’m in a different place when I report the speech.)

They said to us, “You can use this room for a meeting.
They said (that) we could use that room for a meeting.
(We’re in a different place when we report the speech.)

He said, “I read these books when I was young.”
He said (that) he had read those books when he was young.
(The person is in a different place when he reports the speech.)

Time words often change.  However, if the time is still the same at the time of the reporting, then don’t change the time word.

next –>  the following
last –>  the previous / the ____ before
today –> that day
tomorrow –>  the next day / the following day
yesterday –> the previous day / the day before
now –>  then
in ____ –> ____ later
this –>  that

Examples:
She said, “The store is having a sale next Friday.”
She told  us (that) the store was having a sale the following Friday.

I said to him, “I didn’t sleep very well last night.”
I told him (that) I hadn’t slept very well the previous night (the night before.)

He told me, “My girlfriend is leaving for Los Angeles today.”
He told me (that) his girlfriend was leaving for Los Angeles that day.

They told us, “We’re having a game tomorrow at the park.”
They told us (that) they were having a game the next day (the following day) at the park.

He said to him, ”I couldn’t find my bus pass yesterday.”
He told him (that) he couldn’t find his bus pass the previous day (the day before.)

I told her, “You have to come with me now.”
I told her (that) she had to come with me then.

She said, “I‘ll be finished in half an hour.”
She said (that) she would be finished half an hour later.

John said, “I can help you this Saturday.”
John said (that) he could help us that Saturday.

 

In addition to statements, there are other kinds of sentences that you can report.

The imperative (commands) is a little different than statements in reported speech.  The verb becomes an infinitive (with to).  Use told for your reporting verb or asked if there is a “please.”

Examples:
I said to her, “Go pick up the kids.”
I told her to go pick up the kids.

He said to them, “Please take your seats.”
He asked them to take their seats.

We said to the team, “Do your best but most of all have fun.”
We told the team to do their best but most of all to have fun.

The nurse said to us, “Please wait here and someone will be with you shortly.”
The nurse asked us to wait here and (that) someone would be with us shortly.

 

Questions are also different in reported speech.

If it is a yes/no or a choice question, then use if.  Always use the reporting verb asked.  Also, there is no inversion of the subject and verb like in a real question.  Also remember to drop the question mark (?) because it’s no longer a question.

Examples:
He said, “Would you like coffee or tea?”  (Choice)
He asked us if we would like coffee or tea.

My neighbor said, “Could you look after my dog for a week?”  (Yes or no)
My neighbor asked me if I could look after her dog for a week.

He said, “Is it on the top or the bottom shelf?”  (Choice)
He asked if it was on the top or the bottom shelf.

He asked her, “Do you live around here?”  (Yes or no)
He asked her if she lived around here.

Notice that there is no subject-verb inversion (would we or could we) in reported questions.  Always put the subject before the verb in reported speech (we would or we could).

 

If it’s an information question (who, what, where, when, why, how), then repeat the question word.  As above, don’t invert the subject and verb.   Again, drop the question mark.

Examples:
She said, “What time is it?”
She asked me what time it was.

He asked her, “Where can I go for coffee around here?”
He asked her where he could go for coffee around there.

He asked me, “Why are you always so tired?”
He asked me why I was always so tired.

We asked him, “How can we find out if we passed or not?”
We asked him how we could find out if we had passed or not.

 

When reporting invitations, there are 2 ways to do it – the regular way or with an infinitive.  Use the reporting verbs invited or asked.  Once again, drop the question mark.

Examples:
She said to him, “Would you like to go on a picnic with us?”
She asked him if he would like to go on a picnic with them.
She invited him to go on a picnic with them.

He said to her, “Would you please not smoke in my car?”
He asked her if she would not smoke in his car..
He asked her not to smoke in his car.
[Note that the not is before to, not after.]

We said to them, “Would you like to come over for coffee?”
We asked them if they would like to come over for coffee.
We invited them to come over for coffee.

 

When reporting advice, there are 2 ways to do it – the regular way or with the infinitive.  Use the reporting verb told or advised.

Examples:
He said to his daughter, “You should clean up a bit before he arrives.”
He told his daughter (that) she should clean up a bit before he arrived.
He advised his daughter to clean up a bit before he arrived.

She told her boyfriend, “You should call me when you arrive in Calgary.”
She told her boyfriend (that) he should call her when he arrived in Calgary.
She advised her boyfriend to call her when he arrived in Calgary.

The teacher said to the students, “You should check your writing for mistakes.”
The teacher told the students (that) they should check their writing for mistakes.
The teacher advised the students to check their writing for mistakes.

 

When reporting requests, do it the regular way or use the infinitive.  The reporting verb is asked.

Examples:
The coach said to the team, “Could you please be on time tomorrow?”
The coach asked the team if they could be on time the following day.
The coach asked the team to be on time the following day.

The man said to us, “Would you please be quiet so I can hear my cellphone.?”
The man asked us if we would please be quiet so he could hear his cellphone.
The man asked us to please be quiet so he could hear his cellphone

I said to him, “Can you help me move on the weekend?”
I asked him if he could help me move on the weekend.
I asked him to help me move on the weekend.

 

When reporting permission given, do it the regular way or use an infinitive.  The reporting verbs to use are told, invited or gave (someone) permission.

Examples:
I said to Jonathan, “You can stay at my place for awhile.”
I told Jonathan (that) he could stay at my place for awhile.
I invited Jonathan to stay at my place for awhile.

He said to his friend, “You can use my bike this afternoon.”
He told his friend (that) he could use his bike that afternoon.”
He gave his friend permission to use his bike that afternoon.

We told them, “You can stay here until the store closes.”
We told them (that) they could stay until the store closed.
We invited them to stay until the store closed.

 

One last thing.  If the reporting verb is in the present tense (say, tell, ask), or if you’re reporting the speech immediately, then make no verb changes.

Examples:
She said, “What time are we going home?”
She asked what time we are going home.  [Immediate reporting.  No change in time or place.]

His friend always tells him, “You would be rich if you worked harder.”
His friend always tells him (that) he would be rich if he worked harder.  [Reporting verb is present tense.]

They asked us, “Will you help us.”
They asked us if we will help them.  [Immediate reporting.]

 

Let’s review:

Statements:

She said, “The rainbow is beautiful.”
She said (that) the rainbow was beautiful.

Imperative:

He told the class, “Take your seats.”
He told the class to take their seats.

Yes/no or choice question:

John said, “Would you please  stop talking.”
John asked them if they would stop talking.

Information question:

They asked me, “When will the game start?”
They asked me when the game would start.

Reporting invitations, advice, requests and permission:

We told them, “You can stay overnight, but you must leave in the morning.
We told them (that) they could stay overnight but they had to leave in the morning.
We invited them to stay overnight but they had to leave in the morning.

Immediate reporting or when the reporting verb is present tense – no verb tense change:

She asks me all the time, “Are you going for a run?”
She asks me all the time if I‘m going for a run.

Study this page again, and when you’re ready, take the following quiz.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Adjectives and adverbs are similar words but are used differently.  Let’s see how each is used.

Adjectives give more information about a noun (person, place or thing).  They usually have no –ly on the end, except for costly, daily, early, friendly, lovely, monthly, only, timely, weekly, and yearly.  Adjectives are placed before the noun they describe. 

Examples:
There’s an early flight that leaves at 6:00.
Tuesday is the only day I can meet you.
This is a safe place to talk about your feelings.
He cut himself on the sharp edge of the metal.

Adjectives are also placed after the verbs: be, appear, become, feel, look, seem, sound, smell, and taste.  [Notice that there is no action with these verbs.]

Examples:
His uncle is honest.
The road up the mountain appeared long and steep.
I’m feeling a little sick, so I think I’ll stay home.
The decorations for the party look wonderful.
His idea to advertise on-line sounds doable.

Adjectives are also used after make (someone/something).

Examples:
She makes me angry when she does that.
The seafood made everyone ill.
Changing the rules made the game fair for everyone.

Sometimes nouns can also be used as adjectives.

Examples:
There’s a police car parked down the street.
I need to book a hotel room for this weekend.
His father is the school counsellor.
He often plays video games after school.

Past or present participles can also be used as adjectives.

Examples:
The car needed a new steering wheel.
It was a very interesting lecture last night.
They replaced the broken window the following day.
She felt embarrassed to be there.

Adverbs give more information about a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or an independent clause.  Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to an adjective, such as:  slow – slowly, easy – easily, weak – weakly.  They are placed before the adjective or adverb they modify, but if they end in -ly, they are placed after the verb or before an independent clause.

Examples:
She sings beautifully.
You’re really strong for a girl.
I’m not feeling very well.
Generally, I feel healthy.

Adverbs of frequency, such as always, often, and sometimes, can be placed before the verb.

Examples:
She always waits for me outside the cafeteria.
I often find that people are nice.
They sometimes wonder if we’re a little crazy.

If there are two verbs, the adverb is placed between them.

Examples:
I can really taste the difference between these colas.
She was slowly walking to the exit when I noticed her.
They have stubbornly refused to consider our proposal.

For adverbs that end in –al, like eternal, special, and radical, the ending is –ally (double l).

Examples:
The men were eternally grateful for their rescue.
This car is specially made for handicapped people.
The house was radically different from when he was young.

Some adjectives and adverbs are exactly the same.  They are:  long, far, fast, funny, hard, late, pretty and right.

Examples:
Have you been waiting long?
It’s been a long day.
He can throw the ball far.
It is a far trip to my homeland.
The kids fell asleep pretty fast.
She’s a fast learner.
She dances funny.
That was a funny joke
We all studied hard for the test.
That was a hard lesson to learn.
She comes late every day?
The bus is late again.
The food in the cafeteria is pretty awful.
All the boys think she is pretty.
He did it right.
That’s not the right way

The adjective good and the adverb well can be a problem sometimes.  Use good to modify nouns, and use well to modify verbs and adjectives.

Examples:
She has a good idea for the party.
That soup tasted really good.
I didn’t know you could sing so well.
The trail up the mountain was well used.

To review:  Adjectives and adverbs modify different things.  Adjectives can only modify nouns, but adverbs can modify verbs, as well as adjectives and other adverbs.  The adverb is usually the adjective + ly, but there are exceptions.  Study this page, and when you think you’re ready, take the quiz that follows, and see how well you know this grammar.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

Participle adjectives are made from verbs with either an -ing (present participle)  or an -ed (past participle) on the end.  How do you know which one to use?  There are 3 parts to that answer.

First, if the participle adjective is a feeling, then put -ing on the end if something gives you or somebody else that feeling and -ed on the end if you or somebody else have that feeling.  -ING = give the feeling.  -ED = have the feeling

Examples:
That is a boring game.  (The game gives me the feeling of boredom.)
I’m bored with that game.  (I have the feeling of boredom.)
That lecture was interesting.  (The lecture gave me the feeling of interest.)
I was interested in the lecture.  (I had the feeling of interest.)
Her photo was embarrassing.  (The photo gave her that feeling.)
She was embarrassed by the photo.  (She had that feeling.)
The book that he read was depressing.  (The book gave him that feeling.)
He was depressed after reading the book.  (He had that feeling.)

Secondly, there are participle adjectives that are not feelings.  To use these correctly, ask yourself if the object does the verb.  If the answer is yes, then put -ing on the end (present participle.)  If the answer is no, then use the past participle.  Remember that some past participles are irregular and don’t have -ed on the end.

Examples:
The losing team rode home in silence.  (Did the team lose something?  Yes – the game.)
The lost dog was finally found.  (Did the dog lose something?  No.)
He put on two coats in the freezing weather.  (Did the weather freeze something?  Yes – everything outside.)
He tried to warm his frozen hands.  (Did his hands freeze something?  No.)
The circling bees stung him many times.  (Were the bees circling?  Yes – they were circling him.)
The circled words were all misspelled.  (Did the words circle something?  No.)

Thirdly, if something is happening at that same time, then it is the present participle (-ing), but if it happened before, if it was already finished, then it is the past participle (-ed).

Examples:
She heard the sound of boiling water.  (The water was boiling at that time.)
The boiled water was very hot.  (The water had finished boiling.)
The falling snow made driving hazardous.  (The snow was falling at that time.)
The fallen snow was already starting to melt.  (The snow had already fallen.)
The opening curtains made a squeaking sound.  (The curtains were opening.)
The opened curtains signaled that someone was at home..  (The curtains were already open.)

Here is a list of participle adjectives and the verbs they came from:

amaze                                  amazed                                         amazing
amuse                                  amused                                         amusing
annoy                                   annoyed                                       annoying
boil                                         boiled                                            boiling
bore                                       bored                                             boring
circle                                     circled                                           circling
close                                     closed                                            closing
confuse                               confused                                      confusing
delight                                 delighted                                      delightful *
depress                               depressed                                    depressing
disappoint                         disappointed                              disappointing
embarrass                         embarrassed                              embarrassing
excite                                   excited                                           exciting
exhaust                               exhausted                                    exhausting
fall                                         fallen                                               falling
fascinate                            fascinated                                    fascinating
frighten                              frightened                                   frightening
freeze                                  frozen *                                         freezing
frustrate                            frustrated                                    frustrating
horrify                                horrified                                        horrifying
interest                              interested                                    interesting
intimidate                         intimidated                                 intimidating
lose                                       lost                                                   losing
open                                     opened                                          opening
please                                  pleased                                          pleasing
puzzle                                  puzzled                                          puzzling
satisfy                                  satisfied                                        satisfying
scare                                     scared                                            scary *
shock                                    shocked                                        shocking
startle                                  startled                                         startling
surprise                              surprised                                      surprising
terrify                                  terrified                                        terrifying
tire                                        tired                                                tiring
upset                                   upset *                                           upsetting
worry                                  worried                                         worrying

* = irregular forms

Study this lesson, and when you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

The difference between it and there is not as hard as you think.  Read this page at least twice or until you understand it, and then take the quiz afterwards to see how you do.

It is always singular and the verb that follows is in the singular form ( ‘s’ on the end in the present tense.)  It is a pronoun which refers to things or actions.

Examples:
Where’s the TV remote control?  It’s on the coffee table.  (It = remote control)
I got a haircut yesterday, but I don’t like it very much.  (it = haircut)
The roadblock was successful because it caught eleven drunk drivers.  (it = roadblock)
I love playing poker.  It’s my favorite activity.  (It = playing poker)
I have to put away my work every night, and I think it’s ridiculous.  (It = putting away my work every night)
We’ve been arguing a lot lately, and it’s getting worse.  (It = arguing)

It is also used with be + adjective + object.  It doesn’t really mean anything but is used as an artificial subject  The real subject is the object of the sentence.

Examples:
It is important to clean up after we finish.
To clean up after we finish is important.
It’s clear that he doesn’t know what to do.
That he doesn’t know what to do is clear.
It was brave of you to save that girl from drowning.
To save that girl from drowning was brave of you.

It is also used with be + a singular or plural noun (person, place or thing.)  It doesn’t really mean anything but is used as an artificial subject.  The real subject is the object of the sentence.

Examples:
It was Susan who cleaned the fridge this morning.
Susan cleaned the fridge this morning.
It is my friends who are giving me a going-away party
My friends are giving me a going-away party.
It was Vancouver that won the game against Calgary last night.
Vancouver won the game against Calgary last night.
It was Sochi, Russia, that was chosen as the host city for the 2014 Olympics.
Sochi, Russia, was chosen as the host city for the 2014 Olympics.
It is a traffic accident that is causing this slowdown.
A traffic accident is causing this slowdown.
It was his shoulders that were injured in the accident.
His shoulders were injured in the accident.

Similarly, it is used for weather, time and distance.  Again, it doesn’t really mean anything but serves as the subject of the sentence.

Examples:
It has been raining for four hours.
We’d better bring our boots because it’s going to snow.
It’s not even twelve o’clock yet.
I think it was four in the morning when we left the party.
It’s too far to drive, so let’s take the train.
It is 200 kilometers from here to Seattle.

There, on the other hand, can be singular or plural depending on the object that follows.  There is used to state that something exists, something is real.  There, like it, doesn’t really mean anything but is used as an artificial subject.  The real subject is the object of the sentence.

Examples:
There are 24 students in this class.
24 students are in this class.
There is only one correct answer.
One correct answer exists.
There are many reasons why he can’t help.
Many reasons exist for why he can’t help.
There must be an explanation.
An explanation must exist.

Notice that the verb is plural when the object is plural.

Here’s an exercise to test your understanding:

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

When you have two verbs together, what form should the second verb be?  The first answer to this question is on my page on gerunds and infinitives.  The second answer is on my page on verbs of perception.  The third answer is with the causative verbs:  make, let, have, help and get.   These verbs cause someone else to do the second verb.  After these verbs, there is an object (someone else) before the second verb (except sometimes with help.)  With all the causatives but get, the second verb is in the simple form (the infinitive without to.)  Let’s look at each of these causative verbs separately.

Make:  means to force someone to do something they don’t want to.

Examples:
My parents made me go to summer camp every summer against my wishes.
Her brother made her stay out of the tree house when he was there.

Let:  means to give someone permission to do something.

Examples:
He let his son drive the car for the first time last Saturday.
Please let me stay a little while longer.

Have:  means to ask or order someone to do something.

Examples:
She had the painters start with the two bedrooms on the second floor.
The sergeant had all his men do a five-mile run at the end of every day.

When the verb after have repeats or continues for a long time, you can use the present participle.

Examples:
My boss had me working everyday from 8:00 pm. to 3:00 am.  (Working was a long, continuous action.)
My boss had me work on Sunday last weekend.  (Work was only that one time and not repeated.)

The news had them jumping for joy.  (Jumping was repeated.)
The coach had the team jump over the fence.  (They jumped once.)

When have is used in the passive voice, the second verb is a past participle.

Examples:
She had her hair restyled at Maxime’s across the street.
Will you have the flowers sent straight up to our room when they arrive, please.

Help:  means to do a job that benefits someone else.  There doesn’t have to be an object.

Examples:
He helped clean the kitchen after breakfast.
Everyone helped us move into our new apartment.

After help, you can also use the infinitive with no difference in meaning.  There doesn’t have to be an object.

Examples:
He helped to clean the kitchen after breakfast.
Everyone helped us to move into our new apartment.

Get:  means to ask, order, trick, or pay.  However, the second verb is not in the simple form.  It is in the infinitive form (with to.)

Examples:
Johnny got his brother to hide under the bed.
She got the teacher to agree to give her more time for the project.

When get is used in the passive voice, the second verb is a past participle.

Examples:
He got his car painted after the accident, and now it looks almost new.
We have to get it done by the end of the day.

There are other causative verbs like allow, cause, convince, pay, permit, require, etc., but they are always followed by the infinitive.

Examples:
They allowed the prisoner to go to his wife’s funeral.
She paid the gardener to take good care of her flowers.
The law requires us to have a Visa for that part of the world.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

There are 4 ways you can use adjectives and adverbs to compare 2 things.

1.  The first way is to add “-er” to the end of one-syllable adjectives or adverbs.  Also put than right before the second thing you’re comparing.

The pattern is:  A [verb] _____er than B 

Examples:
My brother is stronger than you think.
His sister falls asleep faster than he does.
The house on the corner is older than yours.

• If the second thing being compared is not stated afterwards, do not use than.

Examples:
I know your father is tall, but mine is taller.  (There’s no than your father after taller.)
(BUT:  My father is taller than your father.)
He works hard, but his brother works harder. (There’s no than he works after harder.)
(BUT:  His brother works harder than he works.)

• If a one-syllable adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, then double the consonant when adding –er.  If a 2-syllable adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, and the accent is on the last syllable, then double the consonant when adding –er.

Examples:
They live in a bigger house than we do.  (big:  i (vowel) + g (consonant))
Susan is fatter than her sister.  (fat:  a (vowel) + t (consonant))
I need to be thinner to fit into those pants.  (… thinner than I am to fit …)  (thin:  i (vowel) + n (consonant))

• There are 3 irregular adjectives: good, bad, and far.  The comparative forms are better, worse, and farther (or further.)
• There are 3 irregular adverbs:  well, badly and far.  The comparative forms are better, worse, and farther (or further.)

Examples:
This is a better book than the last one.
This restaurant is worse than the last one we ate at.
Nepal is a farther (further) destination than Egypt.
She’s feeling better today than she did yesterday.
He did worse on his exam than you did.
They live farther (further) away than we do.

• If an adjective has 2 syllables ending with a y, change the y to i and then add –er.

Examples:
The driving test is easier than you think.
Her parents are friendlier than his are.
His brother is lazier than he is.

2. The second way to make a comparison is with “more.”

The pattern is:  A [verb] more _____ than B

• Most 2-syllable adjectives take more.

Examples:
Sandra was always more mature than her sister.
He’s already more skillful than he was before.
I’ve always been more honest with you than you’ve been with me.

• However, the following 2-syllable adjectives use –er or more but not both at the same time.

able        angry        clever       common       cruel        friendly       gentle        handsome       narrow       pleasant       polite       quiet       simple       sour

Examples:
He keeps getting more handsome every time I see him.  (…more handsome than he was before…)
He keeps getting handsomer every time I see him.
Tattoos are more common nowadays than they used to be.
Tattoos are commoner nowadays than they used to be.
Life was more simple in those days.  (…than life these days.)
Life was simpler in those days.

• All other 2-syllable adjectives take more.

Examples:
I want you to be more careful than you usually are.
He needs to learn to be more social if he wants to make friends.  (… more social than he is now…)
The students were more nervous before this test than before any of the others they’ve taken.

• All adjectives with 3 or more syllables use more.

Examples:
He was more intelligent than his older brother.
That toothpaste is more effective than the other one.
The film about penguins was more interesting than anything else we saw.

• Exception:  The adjective fun can be used 2 different ways:

Fun as an adjective:
This is a more fun way to do the job.
This is a funner way to do the job.

Fun as a noun can only be used one way:
This is more fun than we’ve had in years.

• All adverbs with -ly  use more.

Examples:
She learns more quickly than anyone else in the class.
He makes friends more easily than I do.
They drive more carefully when the children are in the car.

• Exception:  Although early ends in -ly, it’s not like other -ly adverbs.
My brother gets up earlier than I do.  (NOT: more early than…)

• To give more information about how big the difference is, use much, a lot, or far to say the difference is big.  Use a little, a bit, or a little bit to say the difference is little.

Examples:
I was much more hard-working at your age than you are.
She’s a lot easier to talk to than your mother.
Vancouver is far bigger than Victoria.
I’m a little more confident this time than last time.
She’s a bit taller than her twin sister.
His friend is a little bit more experienced than he is.

• You can also use more alone with no adverb.

Examples:
She loves him more than me.
My uncle gave my sister more than he gave me.
I got a better mark because I studied more than you did.

• With the verbs BE and DO, there is an educated and an informal way to state the second thing that is compared.

Examples:
He’s very organized, but she’s more organized than he is. (educated)
He’s very organized, but she’s more organized than him. (informal)
NOT:  He’s very organized, but she’s more organized than he. (too formal)
She’s not cleverer than I am. (educated)
She’s not cleverer than me. (informal)
NOT:  She’s not cleverer than I.  (too formal)
We were more afraid of losing than they were.  (educated)
We were more afraid of losing than them.  (informal)
NOT:  We were more afraid of losing than they.  (too formal)
They did better at bowling than we did.  (educated)
They did better at bowling than us.  (informal)
NOT:  They did better at bowling than we.  (too formal)

3. The third way to make a comparison is with “less.”

The pattern is:  A [verb] less _____ than B

Examples:
The new model was less popular than the old one.
She uses bad language less often than her brother does.
Your muffins were far less tasty than last time.   (…than your muffins last time.)

• You can also use less with no adjective or adverb.

Examples:
Her commuting time is a lot less than it used to be.
My brother studied a little less than I did.
That number was less than I thought.

• Don’t use less with one-syllable adjectives.  Instead, use not as _____ as.

(See one-syllable adjective examples below.)

• Use less for things that are singular (uncountable), but use fewer for things that are plural (countable.)  If you want to sound educated, learn when to use less and when to use fewer.  You’ll speak English with better grammar than many native speakers who have forgotten the difference.

Examples:
He has less hair than he used to have.  (“hair” is uncountable.  You cannot say “hairs.”)
They made fewer mistakes than last time.  (“mistakes” is countable because it is plural.)
NOT:  They made less mistakes than last time.  (Although many people say this, it is still considered incorrect.)
I used to have a lot of patience, but now I have less.  (“patience” is uncountable.  You cannot say “patiences.”)
She prefers frozen yogurt because it has fewer calories than ice cream.  (“calories” is countable because it is plural.)
NOT:  She prefers frozen yogurt because it has less calories.

4. The fourth way to make a comparison is with as ____ as

The pattern is:  A [verb] as _____ as B.  

Examples:
His uncle is as strong as a horse.
He gets up in the morning as early as I do.
This knife is as sharp as a razor.

• In the negative  A [verb] not as _____ as B  means that A is less _____ than B, and you can make the comparison both ways.

Examples:
I’m not as energized today as I was yesterday.
I’m less energized today than I was yesterday
This book wasn’t as interesting as the one I read last week.
This book was less interesting than the one I read last week.
Her present boss is not as demanding as her former boss.
Her present boss is less demanding than her former boss.

• However, with one-syllable adjectives, most English speakers use not as _____ as

Examples:
He was not as far out to sea as he thought.
(NOT often used:  He was less far out to sea than he thought.)
He didn’t do as well  as he thought he would.
(NOT often used:  He did less well than he thought he would.)
Our cookies are not as sweet as our competitor’s.
(NOT often used:  Our cookies are less sweet than our competitor’s.)

• You can drop the last as if the second part of the comparison doesn’t follow.

Examples:
Now that she lives near the school, she doesn’t have to walk as far.  (…as far as she used to walk.)
I know you paid over $65,000 for your car, but my car was not as expensive.  (…not as expensive as your car.)
I really enjoyed this movie.  The last one we saw wasn’t as good.  (… wasn’t as good as this movie.)

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

There is a group of expressions of quantity that can be singular or plural depending on the prepositional phrase that follows.  These words are: plenty, lots, a lot, all, some, most, a great deal, none, (fractions) and (percentages.)  If the noun in the prepositional phrase is a countable word that is plural, then the expression of quantity is plural and the verb is also plural.  If the noun in the prepositional phrase is an uncountable word, which cannot be made plural, then the expression of quantity is singular and the verb is also singular.  Look at these examples:

Plenty of   

Plenty of patience is required for this job..
(‘patience‘ is uncountable, which makes plenty singular, so the verb is singular.)

Plenty of spare parts are kept in the garage.
(‘spare parts‘ is countable, which makes plenty plural, so the verb is plural.)

Plenty of the food I have eaten was unhealthy.
(‘food’ is uncountable, which makes plenty singular, so the verb is singular.)

Plenty of my friends know it’s my birthday.
(‘friends’ is countable, which makes plenty plural, so the verb is plural.)

(WRONG:  Plenty food …)

Lots of / A lot of   

Lots (A lot) of money changes hands at a market.  (‘money’ is uncountable.)

Lots (A lot) of people change their minds.  (‘people’ is countable.)

Lots (A lot) of the information we received was too late.  (‘information is uncountable.)

Lots (A lot) of his jokes were not very funny.  (‘jokes’ is countable.)

(WRONG:  Lots food, A lot food …)

All

All mammals produce milk .  (‘mammals’ is countable.)

All of the work needs to be redone.  (‘work’ is uncountable.)

All of our answers were right.  (‘answers’ is countable)

(WRONG:  All of work …)

Some 

Some students have exams next week.  (‘students’ is countable.)

Some of the time passes quickly.  (‘time’ is uncountable.)

Some of the police cars were parked in the driveway.  (‘police cars’ is countable.)

(WRONG:  Some of vehicles …)

Most

Most people in Europe speak more than one language.  (‘people’ is countable.)

Most of his advice is very good.  (‘advice’ is uncountable.)

Most of the students I know have smart phones.  (‘students’ is countable.)

(WRONG:  Most of people …)

A great deal of 

A great deal of energy gets lost in exercise.  (‘energy’ is uncountable.)

A great deal of hikers get lost in the mountains.  (‘hikers’ is countable.)

A great deal of our time was spent fishing.  (‘time’ is uncountable.)

A great deal of the products we use come from Asia.  (‘products’ is countable.)

None of 

None of the advice is good.  (‘advice’ is uncountable.)

None of his solutions seem to work.  (‘solutions’ is countable.)

(NOTE: In British English, “none” is considered singular no matter what follows.)

(WRONG:  None advice …)  (but “No advice” is correct)

(WRONG:  None of advice …)

Fractions and percentages have the same grammar:

Two thirds of the test was based on the textbook.  (‘test’ is singular.)

Three quarters of the students were prepared for the test.  (‘students’ is plural.)

Sixty percent of the land is desert.  (‘land’ is singular.)

Eighty percent of the towns are located along the coast.  (‘towns’ is plural.)

 

A way to remember these words is to remember PLASMAN.  This is what the first letters of all these words spell.  P= plenty, L= lots/ a lot, A= all, S= some, M= most, A= a great deal, N= none

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

Adverbs of frequency and time list

also                       already          always           ever            hardly          
hardly ever          never             often              rarely          soon          
sometimes           seldom           still                usually        yet

If there’s only one verb, all the above adverbs go before the verb:

We usually play poker on Thursday nights.  (See exception 1)
She sometimes feels a little depressed, especially on holidays. (See exception 2)
In Vancouver we often have rainy weather.
I seldom go to bed before eleven o’clock. (See exception 4)
I hardly ever see my old friends since I started university. (See exception 4)

If the verb is BE, all the above adverbs go after it.

We were never late for a meeting. (See exception 4)
He’s usually shy around women.
I ‘m not yet ready to tell you my secret. (See exception 3)
Are the children still awake?
You are often late for class. (See exception 1)

If there is a modal, all the above adverbs go after the modal and before the main verb:

She should always remember to lock the door.
My friends and I can often tell if she’s lying.  (See exception 1)
Would you ever lie to your best friend?
She may also be a member of the club. (See exception 1)
They could rarely stay away from a party. (See exception 4)

If there are two-word verb tenses, all the above adverbs go between the two:

He’s soon going to realize his mistake. (See exception 1)
I’ve already seen that movie twice. (see exception 3)
Have you ever met someone famous?
We had never seen a prettier sunset.  (See exception 4)
He hasn’t yet called the police. (See exception 3)
I will still take care of you when you’re old.

Exception 1:

Also, often, soon and usually are not only placed like all the others but are also used at the beginning or at the end of the clause:  

She also wants me to help her on Saturday.
Also, she wants me to help her on Saturday.
She wants me to help her on Saturday, also.

I often skip breakfast because I don’t have time to eat.
Often I skip breakfast because I don’t have time to eat.
I skip breakfast often because I don’t have time to eat.

He soon became the best player on the team. 
Soon he became the best player on the team.
He became the best player on the team soon.

She is usually in bed by this hour.
Usually, she‘s in bed at this hour.
She‘s in bed at this hour usually.

Exception 2:

Sometimes is not only placed like all the others but is also used at the beginning of the clause, end of the clause, or after the verb:

She sometimes feels a little depressed, especially on holidays. 
Sometimes she feels a little depressed, especially on holidays. 
She feels a little depressed sometimes, especially on holidays. 
She feels sometimes a little depressed, especially on holidays.

He sometimes worries about his sister all alone in New York.
Sometimes he worries about his sister all alone in New York.
He worries about his sister all alone in New York, sometimes.
He worries sometimes about his sister all alone in New York.

Exception 3:

Yet and already are not only placed like all the others but are also used at the end of the clause:

I’m not yet ready to tell you my secret.
(OR: I’m not ready yet to tell you my secret.)
I ‘m not ready to tell you my secret yet. 
He has already called the police.
He has called the police already. 

Exception 4:

In very formal English the negative adverbs – hardly ever, never, rarely, and seldom – can be at the beginning of a sentence.  Notice that the subject and verb are inverted.

Hardly ever do I see my old friends since I started university. 

Never were we late for a meeting.

Rarely could they stay away from a party.

Seldom do I go to bed before eleven o’clock.

 

Study this lesson, and when you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

 

© 2013 Ambien Malecot