Quick Guide – Prepositions of Location use ON for larger forms of transportation a train, bus, subway, airplane, boat, ship for things you sit ON (bicycle, scooter, horse) use IN for smaller forms of transportation, like a taxi, car, minivan/van, truck use IN when referring to a specific district: IN Times Square, Central Park,… Read More
Common English Mistakes – Say or Tell? (Part 2)
This is part 2 of my Common English Mistakes series. I want to share some common grammar problems my English students have. I hope these will help you improve your English. If you have any comments or suggestions you want to share, feel free to send an e-mail to me at pnyc2007@gmail.com Proper Use of the Verbs Say and… Read More
Common English Mistakes (Part 1)
I want to share some common English mistakes that I frequently hear students make. I hope these are helpful. If you have a few that you would like to share, feel free to send an e-mail to me at pnyc2007@gmail.com Non-Count nouns Advice, baggage, evidence, furniture, homework (and work), knowledge, learning, luggage scenery, training… Read More
My Tutoring Approach
Background I started tutoring immigrants and foreign business people working in New York at the International Center (link below). I found out about the International Center one Sunday afternoon following a church service. There was a special exposition of volunteer opportunities and one of them “caught my eye”. That was a life-changing moment for me,… Read More
Use of What and That
Use of What and That Some students have trouble understanding when to use “what” and “that” in a sentence. These tips will help you choose the right word. Use What when you are describing ideas, qualities and things, but not when referring to people or animals. Correct: I didn’t know what tasks she wanted me… Read More
Use of By and Until
Students are often confused about when to use the prepositions “by” and “until”. Both are used to indicate the time or date something must be completed, but not later than the expressed time or date. Here are two examples: 1. I need your edited blog post by 5 PM today. 2. You have until 5… Read More
Using Subjunctive Verbs
Verbs that express opinions, moods Use of Subjunctive Versage English Tutoring Services Newsletter – April 2015 © Many students are confused by this English grammar topic, so I wrote this document to help them. In English grammar the subjunctive mood is a verb mood. That means it is used to express something that has not… Read More