Kamis, 05 Mei 2011

Talking About Certainty

Must can be used to express the conclusion that something is certain or highly probable.

If A is older than B, and B is older is than C, then A must be older than C.
She must have a problem – she looks worried.
There is the doorbell. It must be your Dad.

To express certainty in questions, we usually use can. Note that must is not used in questions with this meaning.

There is the doorbell. Who can it be?

Cannot can be used in negative clauses to say that something is certainly not the case.

It can’t be the postman at the door. He has already been.

Need not can be used to say that something is not necessarily so. Must not is not used to express this meaning.

‘Look at those tracks. That must be a fox.’ ‘It needn’t necessarily be – it could be a dog.’

The structure must have + past participle is used to express conclusions about the past.

‘Somebody phoned while you were sleeping.’ ‘That must have been Peter.’
She must have reached home by now.


sumber : http://www.perfectyourenglish.com/speaking/english-speaking-certainty.htm

Selasa, 03 Mei 2011

Talking About a Limited Quantity of Something

To talk about a limited quantity of something we often use the word piece or bit, together with of, before an uncountable noun. Note that bit is informal and usually suggests a small quantity.

The most common expressions of this kind are:

A piece / bit of cake / bread
A piece / bit of paper / wood
A piece / bit of news / information
A piece of advice
A piece of spaghetti
A piece of furniture
A piece of luggage

Other words like bar, blade, drop etc are also used. But note that they are less general and are used before particular nouns. Some common examples are:

A bar of chocolate / soap
A blade of grass
A block of ice
A drop of water /oil
A grain of salt / rice / sand / corn
An item of clothing / furniture
A loaf of bread
A slice of bread / cake / meat
A lump of sugar / coal
A speck of dust
A sheet of paper / metal / plastic / stamps
A stick of chalk
A strip of land / water
A suit of clothes

Pairs

Pair is used for many things that normally come in pairs. Examples are:

A pair of shoes / socks / ear-rings
A pair of glasses / binoculars
A pair of trousers / jeans
A pair of scissors / pliers


sumber : http://www.perfectyourenglish.com/speaking/a-piece-of-something.htm

Senin, 02 Mei 2011

Meeting People

When you meet people greet them saying Good morning/afternoon/evening. This is formal. In an informal style say Hello or Hi.

Good morning is used before 12 pm. In most people’s speech, afternoon starts after lunch and changes to evening after normal working hours.

Evening changes to night more or less at bedtime. But note that ‘Good evening’ usually has the sense of ‘Hello’ and ‘Good night’ of ‘Goodbye’. Good night is not used to greet people.

Common forms of leave taking are given below.

Good night.
See you. (Informal)
See you later. (Informal)
See you tomorrow/next week. (Informal)
Take care. (Informal)
It was nice to meet you.

A piece of conversation is given below.

John: Good evening. Terrible weather, isn't it?
Peter: Yes, dreadful.
John: Hasn't stopped raining for days. Well, I must be going. Good night.
Peter: Good night.

sumber : http://www.perfectyourenglish.com/speaking/meeting-people.htm

Introducing Strangers to Each Other

There are a number of phrases that are commonly used to introduce strangers.

  • Anne, do you know Mary? (introducing Mary to Anne.)
  • Mary, this is my friend Anne. (introducing Anne to Mary.)
  • John, I don't think you have met Sally. (introducing Sally to John.)
  • I don't think you two know each other, do you? (introducing two strangers to each other.)
  • Gautam, meet my friend Arjun. (introducing Arjun to Gautam.)
  • John, I don't think you've met Peter.
  • I don't think you know Alice
  • May I introduce you to Mary?
  • Mary, do you know Jane?
  • Peter, I'd like you to meet John.
  • Friends, can I introduce Mr John? (formal)

When you are introduced to somebody, you usually say How do you do? Americans often say How are you? This is formal. In an informal style you can say Hello or Hi.

Note that How do you do? is not a question, and the normal reply is How do you do? People who are introduced often shake hands.

You may introduce yourself saying My name is … or I am …

  • My name is Manju. OR I am Manju.
Example conversation

Here is a short introductory conversation:

John (to Peter): Peter, I'd like you to meet Mary.
Peter (to Mary): How do you do?
Mary (to Peter): How do you do.
John (to Peter): Mary is my cousin.

When somebody is introduced to you, it is also common to greet that person with It's a pleasure to meet you or Pleased to meet you.

John: Peter, I'd like you to meet Mary.
Peter (to Mary): It's a pleasure to meet you.
Mary (to Peter): How do you do.
John: Mary is my cousin.

John: Peter, I'd like you to meet Mary.
Peter (to Mary): How do you do?
Mary (to Peter): Pleased to meet you.
John: Mary is my cousin.

In informal situations, introductions are often made simply saying: This is (name). It is also common to just say Hi or Hello as a response in this informal setting.

John: Peter, this is Mary.
Peter: How do you do?
Mary: Pleased to meet you.
John: Mary is my cousin.

sumber : http://www.perfectyourenglish.com/speaking/introducing-people.htm