I. not (n’t) + any There aren‘t any cars in the car park. Sally and Steve haven‘t got any children. You can have some coffee but I don‘t want any. no + noun (no cars / no garden etc.) no … = not + any or not + a: There are no cars in the [...]
Ago and For
- time + ago = time before now I went to Spain six weeks ago (=six weeks before now) – for time = spent time I went to Germany for six weeks this summer (=I spent six weeks in Germany)
each other and one another
1. Each other and one another mean the same. Mary and I write to each other/ one another every day They sat without looking at each other/one another. 2. There is a possessive each other’s/ one another’s We often borrow each other’s clothes. They stood looking into one another’s eyes Each other/ one another are [...]
Across and Through
- across = movement on a surface We walked across the ice We drove across the desert I walked across the square – through = movement in a three-dimensional space We walked through the wood We drove through several towns I walked through the crowd. – People, ships + across The river’s too wide to [...]
but – except
1. We use but to mean except after all, every, any, no and everything, everybody, nothing, nobody, anywhere etc) He eats nothing but hamburgers Everybody‘s here but George I’ve finished all the jobs but one. We usually use object pronouns (me, him etc) after but. Nobody but her would do a think like that. 2. [...]
during and for
During says when something happens For says how long it takes Compare My father was in hospital during the summer My father was in hospital for six weeks (not during six weeks) It’s rained during the night for two or three hours I’ll call in and see you for a few minutes during the afternoon
after (preposition)- afterwards (adverb)
After is a preposition: it can be followed by a noun or an -ing form We ate in a restaurant after the film After seeing the film, we ate in a restaurant After in not an adverb: we do not use it with the same meaning as afterwards, then or after that We went to [...]
List N
nationalise or naturalise? to NATIONALISE =totransfer ownership from the private sector to the state to NATURALISE = to confer full citizenship on a foreigner no body or nobody? Use these exemplar sentences as a guide: It was believed that he had been murdered but NO BODY was ever found, and so nothing could be proved. [...]
Have to and must
I have to do something = it is necessary to do it, I am obliged to do it: You can’t turn right here. You have to turn left. I have to wear glasses for reading. George can’t come out with us this evening. He has to work late. Last week Tina broke her arm and [...]
if so and if not
We can use these expressions instead of repeating a verb that has already been mentioned. Are you free this evening? If so, let’s go out for a meal. (=… If you are…) I might see you tomorrow. If not, then I’ll be Saturday. (=… if I don’t…)
