My dear friends! Being a professional teacher of English grammar, I decided to start this group to help you improve your knowledge of the subject. Many members asked me to do it and I do feel like that! So, I am planning to start a few discussions where you will be able to ask me questions or to have some practice. I'd also like to involve my husband, a native speaker, who is supposed to be helpful. So, how do you feel about such a group?
Rewrite into a passive sentence: "You haven't given the gift to Pete"
Is it not "The gift hasn't been given to Pete by you" ? I was marked down for writing my answer as such instead of "The gift to Pete hasn't been given by you". How is it any different?
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Dear Lone Wolf,
You explained very well. I believe you are an excellent teacher.
Best wishes,
Bijan from the Persian Gulf
It seems our great teachers are busy these days.Hope they will join us and answer question.
In the meantime, here is a learner’s version of “BEEN”! :)
First of all, I will explain what is “BEEN”.
Being an Indian, you know the Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu and His ten “avatars”, right?
Means, who is Krishna? He is one avatar/form of Vishnu.
Who is Ram? Who is Vaman? They are also the “FORMS” of Vishnu.
Likewise, the word “BE” also has its ‘avatars/ forms’.
BE- is, are, am, was, were, be, been, being
That is, “Was” is actually BE. “Are” is actually BE. “Is” actually BE.
Please have a look at the below table.
Forms of a Verb
Root/ Base Form
From this, we can understand “BEEN” is the Past Participle Formof the verb BE.
And, these past participles are always used with the forms of HAVE.
So, BEEN is also used with has, have, had and having.
BEEN is used in PERFECT Tense Forms (Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future perfect)
e.g., I have been a member of EC for a long time.
I have been working here for 10 years.
It was wet outside, it had been raining.
Having been a sea captain, he was well acquainted with the tides.
How long will it have been since we were together?
And, BEEN is used in “PASSIVE VOICE”.
E.g., The manager has scolded me just now. (Active Voice)
I have been scolded by the manager just now. (Passive Voice)
To understand these constructions well, please seek the help of a good grammar book in your regional language. “BEEN” is there in chapters which describe Perfect Tenses and PASSIVE VOICE of perfect tense.
Thanks!
Hlo teachers i have problem in using the word been. could you please tell me where can i use this word correctly or how can i make a sentence correct
Sure, DIFFICULT and TRICKY are not synonyms. They both are adjectives. A difficult question is the one you need to think a lot to answer but you are expected to know. A tricky question is the one teachers may ask to check your ability to think logically. The answer is not clear but if you are smart you will find it
Hi, Dear teachers.
It's my question. Is the meaning of these two word (difficult and tricky) same or one of them is adjective and the ather is strong adjective.
Please explain them me with examples.
Thank you
Hi, dear Top!
TO LIVE is to exist, to be alive (contrary TO BE DEAD). We live until we die. It may also mean our lifestyle, place of residence, etc.
TO SURVIVE means to continue to live (not to die) despite some danger, accident or hardship.
Here are a few examples:
We live in a very picturesque place.
Some people have no subsistence to live.
He survived in a plane crash.
They surived despite not having water to drink.
He has got severe injuries but he will survive.
Dear teachers.
Please explain me th verbs TO LIVE and TO SURVIVE.
IT will be very kind of you if you answer my question.
Dear Bet, in the first sentence I would say "I could hardly tell the difference..." In my sentence, it is a compound verb.
The second sentence is grammatically correct and it is the simple present tense.
The rest sentences are incorrect.
3. Doesn't make sense and the verb is in the simple form (like). I would say "I will hardly call him again".
4. It is so-so. If you say "by 6 pm", you should use the future perfect tense.
5. You wanted to use the passive voice. So, it must be
I will hardly be forgotten by you.
Dear Simran, these two adjectives are really tricky. They are different but may be synonyms in some cases. It is a good question. Speaking about people
LONE may mean "without being accompanied, solitary or single, isolated, lucking a support of others".
ALONE may mean "on one's own, single-handed (without others' help or participation), lonely and isolated".
Here are a few examples:
I saw a lone man getting drunk in the bar.
He was a lone man, without family or friends.
She felt so alone and exposed.
Can you do it alone?
Leave me alone!
Thanks a lot dear Tanya....I think now I know what is predicates...my examples are...
1. I hardly found any difference between the twins! (simple past tense)
2. I hardly like shopping.(simple present)
3. I like hardly call him (complex)
4. I will hardly be there by 6 o'clock.
5. I will have hardly forgotten by you.
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