"Is", "are": the use of the English language

Knowledge of the English language opens many doors. That is why it is actively studied almost in all countries of the world. Currently across the planet about 2 million people use this language on a regular basis. This number includes those for whom English is the mother tongue and those who use it as a foreign language: for contacts with business partners, communication with foreign friends, entertainment of a different sort and, actually, study. In General, the study of any foreign languages enhances mental activity, logical and abstract thinking, and the ability to navigate in unexpected situations.

How to learn English grammar

For many, learning English difficult is grammar. In fact, there's nothing complicated (especially if you compare, for example, with the Russian language!), once you comprehend important patterns and memorize the basic forms. However, the memorization comes through practice: doing exercises, reading, writing letters or essays, oral communication. The best way to master English grammar – do it naturally.

Often it happens that a person knows the rule but can't apply it in his speech. These difficulties are removed in practice – and the bigger and more diverse (writing, reading, speaking, listening), the faster and better the result.

Remember that each person has their own, highly individual, the pace of development of new knowledge and skills to apply them in practice your own speech. For example, if you are in a group where some students learn faster and more correct grammar than you, – no need to lose heart. No doubt you too will one day begin to speak English confidently and without error. The main thing - keep practicing.

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Verbal form, “is”/“are”: the use of speech

If you have recently started to learn English, then you know this situation: you want to say something, but the fear of making a mistake prevents, causes shyness. To avoid this, try to understand the rule, and, most importantly, more practice exercises.

One of the most common grammatical difficulties arise when confusing verbal cords “is”/“are”. Use of these forms of the verb to be (to be) depends solely on the person of the pronoun in each case. We are talking about the pronoun that performs the function of subject. For example:

I am a student. – I am a disciple (student).

If the subject is a noun or a proper name, then you need to mentally replace it with the corresponding pronoun. Then you would float the scheme of conjugation, including a linking verb “is”/“are”, the use of which often causes difficulties.

Kate (?) a student – > She is a student.

To be exactly sure which form of the verb to deliver, we must firmly remember the principle of conjugation.

The Conjugation of the verb to be (present tense)

Statement

Negation

Q

Cases Such as the use of “is” in the English language are usually descriptive situations. When we want to describe something that is singular (can be replaced by the pronoun it), or someone acting as “he” or “she” – then, without a doubt, you need to use the form “is”. Examples:

It is great. – (It's) perfectly.

He is old. – He is old.

She is a doctor. – She's a doctor.

The Important thing is that you must firmly grasp: “am”, “is”, “are”, the use of which causes sometimes difficulties are not three different verb, same-verb to be (to be).

The Conjugation of the verb to be (past tense)

Now let us consider the following question that causes confusion for some English learners, namely the right to use “was”/“growth”. This is also the same verb, not at all two different. Moreover, the two verbal forms are directly linked to “am”, “is”, “are”. Guess why? Right, this is – the same verb to be.

And now more about these correspondences. Form last time “was” is used only in the singular and corresponds to the pronouns: I, it, he, she. Form "were" used with the pronouns you, we, they and is most often used in the plural. For example:

I was at home. – I was at home.

It was hot. – it Was hot.

They were happy. – They were happy.

There are only two situations when the verb "were" in the sentence can refer to the subject in the singular. First case: when the pronoun “you” implies the translation of “you” or “You” (i.e. one person). Second case: the so-called subordinate clause of condition (Conditional sentences), in which it is possible to form “if I were”.

Have you ever been in...

The communication between people there are often situations when you need to ask a person about his past experiences where he was, what he did, finished if started. In such cases, use the special design form of the two verbs: to have (to have) + main verb.

Oftensemantic verb was already well known to be (to be). Depending on the use to be (and how the pronoun it can be replaced) there are two varieties: “have been” and “has been”. The first is used with the pronouns you, we, they, the second – I, it, he, she. For example:

Have you been to Europe? - have You ever been to Europe?

She has been on the excursion. – She was on the tour.

As a rule, the consumption has been associated with such situations, when we have in mind:

• A lived experience;
• Completeness or the result of a case;
• The importance of the fact, what action was performed (the time of its Commission is not of particular importance);
• The need to emphasize how long already performed this action.

On the last named situation a little more.

How long (How long)…?

In such cases, use the Present Perfect Continuous. It is formed according to the scheme: have (has) + been + Ving, where V – meaning the verb. For example:

I have been studying English for 3 months. – I have been studying English for 3 months (that is, began to study in the past and still continue for a certain period of time).

He hasn’t been riding a bike for a long time. – He's not ridden a bike for a long time (that is, stopped going once in the past, did not go for a long time and still not sat on the bike).

I'm going to do...

In the English language, in addition to the usual future tense, the active use of design “to be going to”. The use of this grammatical construction refers to situations where you expect or know exactly what you will do. Often this design is used in order to predict what (in your opinion) going to happen: it rains, on the road to cork, presenting someone a gift will like or not like. “Mean”, “to gather” – so often translates to a turnover of “to be going to”. Use it in a sentence is associated with a change to be on “am”, “is”, “are”.

Example:

I am going to learn English next month. – I intend to teach English next month.

We are going to visit granny at the weekend. – We're going to go visit my grandmother on the weekends.

It’s going to rain. – rain.

I'm used to...

In conclusion, let us examine the use of “used to be”. This sustainable design is often used in colloquial speech. Its value – “get used to anything”. For example:

He is used to Russian winter. – It is a familiar (accustomed) to the Russian winter.

He is used to living in cold winter. – It is usual (used to) live in the winter cold.

However, we must watch and listen carefully so as not to confuse “used to be" with very similar designs "use to" (and the corresponding form of the past tense – “used to”).

What is the difference between these two expressions? First, meaning “be used to” – “stranger”, “use to” – “to do something in the past, but not anymore” (similar to Past Simple). This is best understood by examples.

Be used to

I’m used to my work hours. – I got used to his working day.

He is used to TV noise. – He was used to the noise of the TV.

To Use:

I used to live here before. – I lived here before (but not anymore).

I didn’t use to have a mobile phone 10 years ago. – I didn't Have a mobile phone 10 years ago (but now is).

From the examples it is obvious and the second difference of these two, at first glance very similar structures. The one that is translated “stranger”, supplied with the verb to be (am, is, are). And the other, respectively, no. Easy care, a little practice – and you will easily learn to distinguish these two “treacherous” wording.

The same applies to any grammatical rules of the English language. Understand the nature and practice more often: exercise, reading, letters or oral communication. As the English say: “Practice makes perfect”. On Russian it can be translated as: “It is afraid of the master”. So even the most difficult and tricky grammar rules I'm afraid your determination. Have a nice day!