Pronouns

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Sir, As you said, "He goes to the shop every morning, shows habitual behaviour." and "He will go to the shop every morning, shows this is what I expect based on what I know." Then I think the same applies for the situation below. He went to the shop every morning. (Habitual action) He would go to the shop every morning. (This is what I expect based on what I know) Right ?

Hi SonuKumar,

Both of your sentences refer to habitual past actions. 'would' isn't used to refer to past expected actions but rather for past repeated actions. You can read more about this use of 'would' on our Past habits page.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Thanks a lot

Hello! I am so confused whether I have to use above or over JUST to say in a higher postition . please explain it . and do we really use above for things on the same flat plane? And If so, why don't we use over? Cause it means directly above . Please tell me when they're interchangeable and give exactly the same meaning and when they aren't .

Hi uchiha itache,

In general, 'above' is used to speak about a higher level, though it's important to know what specific context or contexts you have in mind.

I don't see how one object could be 'above' or 'over' another if they are both on the same flat plane – could you give a specific example? The proximity of one object to the other is also an important factor.

In any case, I'd recommend look at this Cambridge Dictionary entry on just this question. If you have any further questions, you're welcome to ask them but please provide a specific sentence in context.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Sir, She acts like ( in a manner that ) any other girl would not do. I think in this sentence it wouldn't be right to use the word 'Another' which means one more rather than Any other which, in this sentence, means No other girl, right ?

Hello SonuKumar,

In this sentence 'any other girl' does not mean 'no other girl'. Rather, 'any other girl' means the opposite - it means 'every girl - it doesn't matter which one you choose'.

If I understand your intention correctly and you wish to say that her behaviour is different from every other girl's, then the best way to phrase the sentence would be as follows:

She acts like no other girl would

or

She acts in a way that no other girl would

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Sir, Can we also say " She acts as no other girl would do" and "She acts the way no other girl would do" I mean Can we use 'As and The way' rather than 'Like or In a way or manner' In this sentence ?

Hi SonuKumar,

Yes, you could use 'as' to express the same idea. You could also use 'the way', but it isn't very natural-sounding, so I'd recommend using 'as' or one of Peter phrasings.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Hello the learn English team. I can't understand this point : We can also use for to refer to public holidays and seasons: For example : He always goes to his mother’s house for New Year. What does this example mean ? And whats the difference between these two sentences ? 1 I have met him since last year 2 I have met him for the last year And what would be the difference if the 2 sentences were negative, too?

Hello uchiha itache,

Could you please ask these questions on appropriate pages on our site? I'm not sure where you found that statement about 'for', for example, but please ask your question about it on that page.

The same is true for your question about 'since' and 'for'. This topic is covered to some degree, for example, on our present perfect page.

In any case, I'm afraid that neither of the sentences you ask about is grammatically correct; they could be if you changed the verb to 'know', but I'm not sure if that changes the meaning to something other than what you mean.

Thanks in advance.

Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Hi everyone .. could plz tell how can I change my level from B1 to B2 ?

Hi bedour1414,

There is only one way to improve and that is to learn and practise. Do this and you will make progress.

You can find materials for different levels, and you can also use it to find different topics and types of practice. Remember that levels are descriptive and very general approximations. Everyone is on a spectrum and has different strengths. For example, a person may be very accurate and use a wide range of structures when they write but find it very hard to understand when they listen or be very slow and lacking in fluency when they speak. Identifying and working on your weaknesses is important, I think.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

I read in practical English usage that we can report questions starting with ( who / which / what ) + be in 2 ways depending on whether they ask for a subject or complement. For example, Direct : who is the best player Reported : - he asked who was the best player or who the best player was . But if I'm asking for a complement I only can use 1 way Direct : what is the time Reported : he asked what the time was ( not usually what was the time ) I don't understand what a complement is . I read in some sites and I couldn't still get it . I hope you explain it to me

Hello uchiha itache,

When we report a question we use normal (not question) word order. Thus if the question is

Who is the best player?

then we report it as follows:

He asked who the best player is / He asked who the best player was

It is incorrect to use the word order of the question:

~~He asked who was the best player~~ [incorrect]

Complement is a term used in linguistics. It describes a linguistic unit (a word, phrase or clause) which completes the meaning of an expression. The wikipedia page on complements gives clear definitions and many examples. You can find it here.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Hello! What does this sentence mean? You needn't worry about anything except having a good time . Is It a good think or a bad thing ? Should I worry that I won't have a good time or what ? I don't get it at all

Hi uchiha itache,

In most cases this sentence would be used to communicate the idea that the listener can relax. The idea is that there's no need for them to worry about anything and that the only thing that they could possibly worry about is having a good time because everything else is taken care of. Although it literally seems to doubt whether the listener will have fun, in the way we use it, it isn't meant to cast doubt on the idea that the person can have a good time -- it's just a way of saying that everything is taken care of so they can focus on enjoying themselves.

I hope that helps clarify it.

Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Please help me with these words, occasion and opportunity. I read tips on a lot of dictionaries to distinguish between them but I couldn't cause both of them are translated the same way in my language. And im not talking about the meaning of ( occasion ) generally . it has a lot of definition and just one of them is similar to ( opportunity ), on most dictionaries the definition is : a favourable opportunity or time so what is more accurate ? Time or opportunity ? And are threse sentences correct : I couldn't have the opportunity to talk to him . And there was no occasion for talking to him . ( can't I have an occasion ? ) Are both the same ?

Hello uchiha itache,

Generally speaking, in modern English (the use of occasion has changed over time) an opportunity is a chance to do something positive, while an occasion is a particular instance. I might meet someone on a particular occasion (a party or a chance meeting) and that meeting is an opportunity for me to learn something new. However, words are used in particular contexts and structures which may not entirely fit this general definition.

In terms of your context, I think opportunity to talk is the best phrase in both sentences.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Although it's kind of complicated, I think I got it .

Hello. I'd like to know how we report conditionals. I know that the 3rd conditional stays the same with no change . so what about the zero, 2nd and 1st conditionals? To make the question clearer , i'll give some if-sentences and please, just report them . 1- he said " if I am tired, I go to sleep " 2 - he said, " if I had money, i'd buy a car " 3- he said " if I won a lottery I would be happy " 4 he said " if I eat chicken I will be happy "

Hello uchiha itache,

Conditional forms are reported in the same way any other forms are reported:

See here for reporting structures.

See here for reporting structures with that, wh- and if-clauses.

Note that there is often a choice with the verb forms, depending on the context and the intended meaning (if the action is still true or is no longer true, for example).

Your examples could be reported as follows:

He said (that) if he is tired, he goes to sleep / He said (that) if he was tired, he went to sleep

He said (that) if he had money, he'd buy a car / He said (that) if he had had money, he'd have bought a car

He said (that) if he won the lottery he would be happy / He said (that) if he had won the lottery he would have been happy

He said (that) if he eats chicken he will be happy / He said (that) if he ate chicken he would be happy

In each pair, the first sentence tells us that the original speaker's words are still true. The second sentence tells us that the speaker's words were true when he said them but may or may not be true now.

For example, imagine I am reporting the sentence I love you. I can say either of these:

She said she loves me. [she loved me then and she still loves me]

She said she loved me. [she loved me then; there is no information about whether or not she still loves me]

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

I'm so grateful

Dear Staff, Could you please let me know which of the following is correct? Thank you so much. 【A】If I so much as look at a cake, I gain weight. 【B】If I so much as to look at a cake, I gain weight. 【C】If I so much as looking at a cake, I gain weight.

Hi learning,

Option A is the only correct one here.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Hello . What's the difference between historic and historical? And what's the difference between a history book or historical book ? And by saying historical film..does it mean a film which shows past events or a film which was made a long time ago ?

Hi uchiha itache,

There's an article on just this topic on this Oxford Dictionary page.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Sir, I have noticed that native speakers use the word "would" for some thing being or happening in future. eg: I would be there. In other case they also use the word " would" for their desire or preference. eg: I would like a coffee. I would like to be a doctor. but in Pakistan I read in books some sentences like that " I want to be a Doctor. I will be there. I will buy orange shirt." Please let me know which one is the correct & natural way in above sentences?

Hello Imran 26,

In general, we use will to talk about a future which we consider likely or real in some way, while we use would to talk about less likely or hypothetical futures. However, we can also use would as a polite form because it is less direct and more tentative. Some phrases, such as would like are now simply polite forms (would like describes the present and is a more polite way to say want, for example, while will like is purely about the future).

In many contexts both will and would are possible and which you use depends upon your intention. For example:

I will buy an orange shirt - in this sentence the speaker is sure of their decision

I would buy an orange shirt - in this sentence the speaker is not sure of their decision or sees it as purely hypothetical. You could add an if-clause to make this clearer:

I would buy an orange shirt if there was one in the shop.

You can read more about these forms on this page.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

It's me or it's i

Hi pyramid,

Both are considered correct, though 'It is I' is less common because it sounds rather formal. Unless you're speaking or writing in a quite formal context, 'It's me' is probably better.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Hello ! I'm really confused . I don't know when to use must or have to ! I read that must is used for internal obligations and have to is used for external ( laws or rules ) but there's an example in my school book saying focus on the following: Drivers must stop when the light is red . The light is red . you have to stop ! I don't get the difference between these 2 examples. Isn't have to used for laws? Then why must here? I want u to tell me all uses of must and have to please . I know they are now almost interchangeable but I want them for my stupid education system .which teaches us things just to confuse us. There are more than 60 questions whether to choose have to or must So please I hope you explain them to me in details. By the way, I read you article about them but I still want more details and specially the 2 examples above

Hi uchiha itache,

I'm sorry to hear about this situation. Without knowing a lot more about how the tests you have to pass are prepared, I'm afraid it's difficult to give specific advice. What I can do is recommend the Cambridge Dictionary's explanation of must, which is quite detailed and includes a section in which it is contrasted with 'have to'.

Note that the rule about 'must' being for obligations coming from the speaker and 'have to' being more for external ones is a general rule and requires some interpretation. For example, one might consider a rule or prohibition an external obligation (and this would make sense), but 'must' (and 'must not') are often used in public notices announcing rules and prohibitions. You can see examples in the Rules and laws section of the page I linked to above.

I hope this helps you.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Hello. I'd be thankful if you help me. I'm confused by the use of "could" to express possibility in the present: There's a situation: I'm looking at the man and I don't know where he works, and I'm trying to guess: "Maybe, he works in the bank" = "He could work in the bank" - is that correct, or "He could work in the bank" means that I'm talking about someone who doesn't work in the bank, but it is a good idea for him to do it? Look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Ellenna,

Yes, 'He could work in the bank' can mean the same as 'Maybe he works in the bank'. It can also have the second meaning that you describe. Only context can really tell us which it is. As you can see, modal verbs can be used in different ways to mean different things.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Evening Sir, Could you please explain the word "has to be". I am pretty not clear that exactly in which situation "has to be" used.

Hello Khadhar,

We use 'have to' with a similar meaning to 'must'. It can be followed by any verb in the infinitive form, including 'be':

I have to be at home before midnight.

I must be at home before midnight.

'Had to' is the past form for both 'must' and 'have to':

I had to be at home before midnight.

You can read more about 'have to' and how it differs from 'must' on this page.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Evening Sir! I am always confused between these two word. Hobbies and Interests. Would you clarify the difference between them please? Thanks

Hello hawa100,

I think a hobby is something a person actively does in their free time, while an interest is simply anything which we are interested in. Something can be an interest of mine in general terms, such as politics, history or fashion, but for it to be a hobby I would need to actually devote some time to doing it actively in some way. For example, I might participate in a political discussion group, or do some local history research, or write a blog on fashion trends - these would be examples of hobbies.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

I really find this website interesting . Thank you a lot.

Sir, When we say "Native Speakers". We are talking about the peoples who speaks British English/American English or we are talking about the peoples who belongs to the country where national language is English?

Hello Imran 26,

The term native speakers applies to people who speak any language as a mother tongue rather than having learnt it as a second language. Thus, a person can be a native speaker of English, Spanish, Chinese or Urdu. Everyone is a native speaker of at least one language, and many people are native speakers of more than one. For example, I live in Poland and my children learned both English and Polish at home. They are native speakers of two languages. In school they are learning a third language - French - but they will never be native speakers of this, even if they become very proficient.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Got the point. Thanks a lot.

Worth and value as nouns When are they interchangeable and when they aren't ? ( only as nouns )

Hello uchiha itache,

In general, when speaking about the amount of money someone could expect to pay for something, they mean the same thing. I'd encourage you to look them up in the dictionary and to study the example sentences there.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Sir, I have read noun section in this site, there is a sentence ; 1-There are some birds in the trees. can I say this sentence like that" There are some birds on the trees. I am confuse about the preposition used "in". birds sits above the trees so why there use preposition "in".

Hello Imran 26,

With trees we always say 'in' and not 'on'.

If you said 'on' then it would mean that the person is literally standing on the tree just as you might stand on a roof. It's similar to the way we say 'in the river' even if only the soles of your feel are actually touching the water. We do, however, say 'on a branch'.

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

thank you Sir,

Hello Sir, Please let me know the sense of below sentences. 1- I am not much to help you. 2- I am not enough to help you.

Hi Imran,

I'm afraid that since neither of those sound like sentences a native speaker would use, I can't really help you with these, particularly without knowing the context.

Please remember that our main purpose is to help our users with our website. We occasionally answer questions about sentences users have found in other places, but we can't provide corrections or explanations of sentences such as these two.

Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Pronouns

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