the moment = immediately

Use 'the moment (that) to mean immediately.

I'll call you the moment I know the news.

She told me she would inform me the moment she heard.

Such' and 'So'

 'such' and 'so' are similar in meaning, but different in construction. The main difference between the two structures is that 'such' takes a noun phrase, whereas 'so' takes an adjective.

'Such … that' - takes a noun or modified noun in a noun phrase. 'That' can be used following the noun phrase but is not required.

such + adjective + noun + (that)

The recording was such a disappointment that I didn't buy any more from that artist.

It was such an expensive car that the didn't buy it.

'So … that' - takes an adjective. 'That' can be used following the noun phrase but is not required.

So + adjective + (that)

The game was so fascinating (that) he played for hours.

Our vacation apartment was so luxurious (that) we didn't want to leave.

'So' for Results

'So' can also be used to express a result. In this case 'so' is followed by a full clause:

I had a lot of time so I visited the museum.

She wasn't happy in her current position so she looked for a new job.

into / in

Use 'into' when indicating change. Use 'in' when indicating state or place.

He drove into the garage.

He studies in that classroom.

Verbs + About

Each verb + about combination includes an example sentence.

be about something - That book is about his experiences in Africa.
argue about (doing) something - The boys argued about which bus to take.
be concerned about (doing) something - I'm concerned about your grades.
be worried about (doing) something - She is worried about her exams.
boast about (doing) something - Thomas boasted about his golfing ability.
decide about (doing) something - Anna decided about her goals.
dream about (doing) something - Mark dreams about becoming a ballet dancer.
protest about (doing) something - The students protested about the invasion.

but = except

'But' can be used to mean 'except'.

He's done everything but pack his bags.

But for the food, the vacation was a disaster.

Alike and like

Use 'alike' to mean 'like each other'. Use 'like' to mean 'like someone else'.

We are very much alike.

Tom looks like Peter.

Since vs. For with Present Perfect

Since is used with the present perfect to express that something has happened since a point in time.
I've lived here since 1999.
She's been working hard since two this afternoon.

For is used with the present perfect to express that something has happened for a period of time.
I've worked at this job for 10 years.
Peter's been playing tennis for two hours.

"at your English Tips 6"

Preposition + Verb
Always use the gerund when the verb is the object of a preposition
What shall we do? - How about visiting Tom!
I looked into purchasing a new computer.

Interested In
The correct usage of showing interest is a passive infinitive "to be interested in".
They are interested in geography.
Was he interested in coming to the presentation?

Good and Bad
The comparative form for "good" is "better". The superlative form is "the best". The comparative form for "bad" is "worse". THe superlative form is "the worst".
She is the worst tennis player on the team.
He's better at math than Jack, but worse at geography.

The Basics of "At"
Use "at" with times of the day and places in a city.
I'll meet you at three o'clock.
Let's meet at the bank.

Ask
The verb "ask" plus an object is constructed "S + ask + person being asked + infinitive with to".
She asked him to repeat the question.
My friend asked me to come early to the meeting.


On
Use "on" with days of the week. However, in British English use "at the weekend".
I'll see you on Tuesday.
Let's meet on Sunday.



Since
Use the present perfect (continuous) with the time expression "since" when using a specific date or time.
He's lived in that house since 1998.
They've been playing golf since ten this morning.

Too vs. Two vs. To

Too means "also" and is generally used at the end of a sentence. "Too" also indicates too much of a particular quality.
That car is too expensive for me!
I'd love to come to the party, too.

Two is the written form of the number 2.
There are two applicants for the job.
She has two cats.

To is generally used as a preposition. It is also used as part of the infinitive form of verbs.
I gave the book to him.
The verb "to understand" is irregular.

How to "Travel" in Words

Here are the many words which refer to travel and how to use them :


*journey
Can be used to refer to travel, but more often than not tends to be used more figuratively e.g. "my journey through life's ups and downs"
*trip
Often refers to going somewhere more long distance e.g. "we are going on a trip overseas" or "we are going on a road trip to Scotland" but can also mean something shorter e.g. "day trip" or "day trippers" (think of the Beatles song!)
*crossing
Normally refers to going over water by any means e.g "crossing the Atlantic by plane", or "crossing the Channel by ferry". Note that one wouldn't normally say "crossing the Channel by tunnel" as one would be going under the water :)
*voyage
Typically only used if one is going by ship, also the French "bon voyage" is also used with the same meaning in English to mean "have a good trip"
*outing
Typically a special trip somewhere e.g. "a family outing".

'at your English Tips 3'

Useful review tips for intermediate learners

If he were ... Use "were" in the second conditional if clause for all subjects.
If he were the boss, we'd all have more to do.
I would change my position if I were you.


when using a verb of purpose - I do something to do another thing. - use "to + verb".
She bought the computer to get more work done at home.
Hans visited the branch to speak with the manager.


The passive voice simple past is formed: Passive Subject + to be (was/were) + participle

One thousand units were produced last month.

The application form was completed and submitted to the administration.

Say and Tell
We use "say" without an indirect object. "Tell" on the other hand takes an indirect object - i.e. He told me.
I told her to hurry up.
I said I was coming soon.


Shall - Use "shall" with "we" when asking for suggestions for a group.

Where shall we go tonight?

When shall we meet?

Auxiliary/Helping Verb Usage

DO / DOES - Used simple present question and negative forms:
What time does he get up?
They don't drive to work. They take the bus.

DID - Used in simple past question and negative forms:
When did they arrive yesterday?
He didn't finish his homework last week.

IS / ARE / AM - Used in present continuous and for the future with 'going to':
They are working hard at the moment.
She is going to study medicine at university.

WAS / WERE - Past continuous:
I was watching TV when you arrived.
What were they doing while you were cooking dinner?

HAVE / HAS - Present perfect and present perfect continuous:
How long have you lived here?
I've been working since seven this morning.

HAD - Past perfect and past perfect continuous:
He had eaten by the time I arrived.
She had been studying for two hours when he finally telephoned.

WILL / WON'T - Future with 'will':
What will the weather be like tomorrow?
He won't understand.

Lay vs Lie

Lay and Lie are two verbs that are often confused due to similarity in their meanings. In fact they are used differently with different usage.

 One of the main differences between lay and lie is that

·         Lay is a regular verb.

              Verb     Infinitive      Past Tense      Past Participle      Present Participle
            lay          lay               laid               laid                       laying

·         The verb ‘lay’ means ‘putting down something carefully’. It also has the meaning of ‘putting down flat’.

·         Lay requires the use of an object. Observe the following sentences:

I laid the books out on the table. (The books were put down carefully on the table.)

Lay the paintings down on the carpet.( The paintings were put down flat on the carpet.)

·         Lie is an irregular verb.

              Verb     Infinitive      Past Tense      Past Participle      Present Participle
            Lie          lie                  lay                lain                        lying

·         Lie gives the meaning of ‘to be down’ or ‘to be flat’.

·         The irregular verb ‘lie’ does not require the use of an object.

Don’t lie in bed all day. Get to some work instead.

I fell down and lay motionless for a few minutes.

"Drama Queen"

A drama queen makes everything seem more exaggerated and serious than it needs to be.

While, As and During

Use 'while' and 'as' to express actions that happen at the same time.

                                 while/as + verb

          He was cleaning the garage while/as I was cooking lunch.

Use 'during' to express the same idea, but with a noun. 

                                   during + noun

          He did his homework during class.

Confusing Verb Pairs

Are you confused of when to use the verb come and when to use go? How about see and watch?? Here is a site that gives us an explanation of the differences in usage of these verbs more.

Go and Come

Go and Get

Bring, Take and Fetch

See and Watch

Listen and Hear
Lend and Borrow

http://esl.about.com/od/vocabularyintermediate/ss/confusing_verb_pairs.htm