TALKING ABOUT THINGS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DOING

TALKING ABOUT THINGS YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DOING

To say that you are interested in doing something or to say that you want to do something, you can use the expression ‘I would like to..’ or ‘I feel like…’

I would like to + (verb)

The structure ‘I would like to’ is used to talk about things you are interested in doing.

·         I’d like to be the next Prime Minister.

·         I’d like to become a scientist.

·         I’d like to learn the piano.

·         I’d like to invite him to dinner.

·         I’d like to meet the manager.

·         I’d like to take a look at the house.

I would like can be followed by a noun. This structure is used to talk about things we would like to have.

·         I’d like some tea.

·         I’d like an answer.

·         I’d like some rest.

·         I’d like some advice.

I feel like + (verb-ing)

‘Feel like’ can mean ‘want’ or ‘would like’. After ‘feel like’, you can use a noun or an –ing form.

·         I feel like a drink. (= I would like a drink.)

·         I feel like going to the beach. (= I would like to go to the beach.)

·         I feel like singing. (= I want to sing.)

·         I feel like reading a novel.

·         I felt like crying. (= I wanted to cry.)

You can use the expression ‘don’t feel like’ to talk about things you don’t want to do.

·         I don’t feel like leaving yet. (= I don’t want to leave yet.)

·         I don’t feel like going out with him. (= I don’t want to go out with him.)

·         I don’t feel like talking about it. (= I don’t want to talk about it.)

This structure can also be used to talk about your fears and concerns.

·         I don’t feel like we are doing the right thing. (= I don’t think that we are doing the right thing.)

FARTHER VS. FURTHER

FARTHER VS. FURTHER

The terms farther and further are sometimes used interchangeably by some writers because they both denote “at a greater distance.” However, there are different uses of the word further in which farther cannot be substituted. This post will help you determine which of these terms to use in a particular situation.

As an adjective, the word farther means “more distant in space than another item of the same kind.”

“Faster, Farther, More Frequent: Ultramarathon Runners Keep Pushing Limits”
New York Times

“When it comes to vacationing with these Guardians Of The Quirks, things can’t seem farther from right.”
India Times

“Then they lighten, and steam is visible rising from the coats of the horses at the farther side of the twenty-acre field.”
The Guardian

However, as an adverb, farther shares the same use as further which denotes “at, to, or by a greater distance,” indicating the extent to which one thing or person is or becomes distant from another.

“Developers in Montgomery County will pay more to build farther from transit, jobs”
Washington Post

“Indigenous in Mexico Take Consultation Farther Than Expected”
teleSUR English

“Many New Orleans voters are still driving farther to vote than before Katrina”
The Lens

Notice that even if you substitute the word further in the sentences above, they will still retain their meaning. However, there are several other uses for this term. As an adjective, further may mean “additional to what already exists or has already taken place, been done, or been accounted for.”

“Fitch: China Power Companies Face Further Margin Erosion in 2017”
Reuters

“Further floods threaten travel chaos across Britain”
The Guardian

“Japan supports further sanctions against Russia”
Interfax

Further may also be used as a verb meaning “to help the progress or development of something” or “to promote.”

“Trump’s Twitterfests are meant to further the culture wars that helped win him the presidency”
Los Angeles Times

“Mohammad Amir ‘should be free to further career’ says Essex chief executive”
BBC Sport

“AHN announces $6M grant to further diabetes care”
Pittsburgh Business Times

An easy way to remember which word to use is to choose farther if you are talking about a physical distance while further is considered more appropriate to use when discussing metaphorical or figurative distance.

HOW TO MAKE OFFERS IN ENGLISH?

HOW TO MAKE OFFERS IN ENGLISH?

Here are a few phrases you can use.Offers often begin Would you like…?

·         Would you like some more cherries?

·         Would you like something to drink?

·         Would you like some coffee?

·         Would you like another cake?

In a more formal style, you can say Can I get…? or May I get…? Expressions like Can I offer you…? or May I offer you…? are also possible.

·         May I bring you some coffee?

·         Can I help you?

·         May I offer you something to drink?

·         May I help you with this?

·         Offers to do things for people often begin Would you like me to…?

·         Would you like me to type your letters for you?

·         Would you like me to make some coffee for you?

More examples are given below.

·         Shall I get you something to drink?

·         You look tired. Would you like a cup of tea?

·         How about a coffee?

·         Can I get you some juice?

·         Can I help you?

·         Can I do something for you?

Learners should be able to make offers as well as accept or reject them. The following are useful expressions to do so.

Accepting the offer

Here are some phrases you can use to show your willingness to accept the offer.

·         That would be very kind of you.

·         Yes please. I’d like to.

·         Yes please. That would be nice / lovely.

·         Thank you. That would be great.

Rejecting an offer

Here are some phrases you can use.

·         No, thank you.

·         No, thanks.

·         It’s OK. I can do it myself.

·         Don’t worry, I’ll do it myself.

SUPPOSE VS. SUPPOSED

SUPPOSE VS. SUPPOSED

While suppose and supposed are two different terms based on their functions, many people still find it confusing to decide when to use one over the other. This may be understandable as these terms are two different forms of the word suppose.

Suppose is a word used as a verb meaning “to assume that something is the case on the basis of evidence or probability but without proof or certain knowledge.”

“NELSON: No good deed goes unpunished, I suppose”
Journal Review

“A Jewish ‘Christmas’: ‘I suppose my mother had explained the cross-cultural situation to Santa Claus'”
TheJournal.ie

“Letter: Suppose Trump could eliminate the CIA”
New Bern Sun Journal

It may also be used as a verb meaning “to be required to do something because of the position one is in or an agreement one has made.”

“It was supposed to be a marriage made in heaven, but Ronald Koeman’s Everton reign could end in divorce after just six months”
The Sun

“‘Is that supposed to hurt my feelings?’: Patriots shrug off what Mike Tomlin said about them”
The Washington Post

“How am I supposed to find the perfect Christmas ‘party look’?”
The Telegraph

On the other hand, supposed is a term used as an adjective meaning “generally assumed or believed to be the case, but not necessarily so.”

“‘A Disgrace … Nonsense’: Trump, Allies Blast Reports On Supposed Info Held By Russia”
Fox News

“Trump calls supposed delay in hacking intel briefing ‘very strange'”
Politico

“What Barcelona think about Man City’s supposed offer for Rakitic”
Sport English

One way to remember which term you should use in a sentence is to use the following mnemonic. If you want to use the term as a verb, then you should choose suppose since both have an “e” in their spelling. Meanwhile, you should use supposed if you want an adjective as both words have a “d” in their spelling.