為您的日常生活增添色彩。

Cafetalk Tutor's Column

Lady Ayame 講師的專欄

New Grammar Lessons! "Present Perfect" and "Prepositional Phrases!"

2019年6月18日

Hello Cafetalk friends!

How are you doing in this rising temperature? I hear it's hot and humid around the rainy season in various parts of Asia. Due to the rain, you might want to stay inside your home more often. What better time to study English? I know how passionate, determined, diligent you are, and important it is for you to get better at speaking, writing, reading, and comprehending English. 
I would like to help with your endeavors by expanding your knowledge of English grammar. This time I am offering lessons about two topics:
A.) Present perfect tense 
B.) Prepositional phrases
I think they are one of the most difficult English tenses and parts of speech to master. If you've always had questions about how to form a "present perfect" tense, this lesson is perfect for you. 
[For example:] - A.) Present Perfect
Did you know the present perfect tense is used --?
1.) -- to talk about a state that started in the past and continues until now
(Example:) My boyfriend hit me (<-- past) and it still hurts (<-- present). . . ("Well, maybe that wasn't the best example." Glad you're paying attention. Hee-hee!)
2.) -- to talk about life experience at an unspecified time
(Example:) I have not seen the controversial YouTube video yet. 
3.) -- to say that something that happened several times
(Example:) So far this month, I have seen "Bohemian Rhapsody" twice.
4.) -- to talk about recent past events.
(Example:) I have recently moved to a different city in Canada.
5.) -- to talk about change over time.
(Example:) Since the last time we met, your English has improved.
6.) -- to talk about incomplete action that is expected to happen.
(Example:) Judy hasn't finished her homework yet.
--------------------
Do you know how to form them?
[Formula:] "have/has" + verb3 (or past participle)
_____________

[Example:] B.) Prepositional Phrases
Do you know how to use prepositions? Take this short Quiz below. If you are already familiar with them, the answers should come easily to you. If you are confused, perhaps my lesson will help clarify which prepositions are used to give further information about the: Time, Location, and Ownership.
[Short Quiz:] - Test yourself!
(Instructions:) Please complete the sentences with the proper prepositions from the list below:
[Options:] in / at / on / from / to / of
1.) Sally is still _________ bed.
2.) My lesson is ________ Sunday.
3.) I live _________ 24th Street in Calgary.
4.) The store is open ________ 10:00 am ________ 5:00 pm.
5.) My sister is not _______ work today.
6.) Mrs. Johnson was ________ the front _______ the line.
7.) Dan was cooking _______ the kitchen.
8.) I was born _______ Sept. 26th, 1979.
"It's easier said than done," right? (American Idiom) I know it looks easy, but when you get right down to it, I believe it can be confusing when to use which preposition(s). 
Then, you will learn "compound prepositions" (which are prepositions with more than one word). For example, "in spite of," "because of," "in addition to," etc.
Also, you will learn about the "prepositional phrase" including a "preposition" followed by an object (noun, pronoun, or adverb).
Did you know you can change the structure of the sentence placing the prepositional phrase at the beginning of the sentence, rather than the end of the sentence where it's usually placed?
[Example:]
The couple is having a picnic under the tree.
Under the tree, the couple is having a picnic.

Learn the rules about when and how to use the prepositions and you'll never be confused again!
I know grammar sounds boring, but I did my best to make a lesson that is both entertaining, interesting, and informative out of the material. I think you will learn a lot while you're having fun. This lesson requires at least one and sometimes two x 50-minute lessons depending on your rate and pace of learning. I want to clarify that the "Present Perfect" lesson and "Prepositional Phrases" are two separate lessons. *Please choose either one or the other for a single, 50-minute lesson.
[You can sign up for a lesson at this website below:]
[Let's Speak American English! You and me! (50 min)]
https://cafetalk.com/lessons/detail/?id=121328&lang=en  


I believe this lesson will help you cut out the fogginess in your mind about these two most difficult parts of grammar. Come have fun while you learn with the use of brain-teasers, quizzes, and exercises. Wouldn't you like to demystify how to use the Present Perfect or Prepositional Phrases? If so, please take one of my lessons. I look forward to hearing from you.
PS: For those of you who read my last column about me moving to another city in Canada, I made it safely and I'm settled now in my new home. I appreciate you asking and for your concern!
PSS: To my regular students: Please know that I appreciate you taking each and every lesson from me. Your kindness, loyalty, and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Thank you very much! It's always a pleasure to see you and work with you!

[Answers to the short Quiz above:]
1.) in

2.) on
3.) on
4.) from / to
5.) at
6.) at / of
7.) in
8.) on


Warmest regards,
Lady Ayame
(Patricia Ayame Thomson) 





專欄文章僅代表作者個人觀點,不代表咖啡滔客的立場。

線上客服諮詢