Need and needn’t grammar rules

 

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Need is a regular verb that can be used as a lexical verb or as a modal. It expresses the necessity for something.

Need as a MAIN verb

You can use need as the main verb in a sentence with the following construction: need to + verb (to express a necessity, the need to do something) or need + noun (gerund) (to say that you need something) :

• I need to have a shower. 
• She needs to talk to him. 

For the negative and interrogative form, we use do/does and don’t/doesn’t :

• Do I need to show my passport? 
• Does she need my car? 
• You don’t need to go there. 
• He doesn’t need my help. 

⚠️ Don’t forget the final -s after he needs, she needs, it needs.

For the simple past, we add -ed to need: we get “needed“. For the interrogative and negative form, we use did and didn’t:

• He needed some eggs to make a cake. 
• He didn’t need to take his umbrellas. 
• Did he need my computer? 

You can use the formula need + verb-ing, similar to need to be + past participle.

• The windows need (or don’t need) cleaning. (= the windows need to be cleaned).

Need as a modal auxiliary

Need can also be used as a modal aid to the present, but only to the negative form and to the first person of the interrogative form (I or we).

⚠️ Be careful, however, these phrases are not often used :

In questions to ask about need, necessity :

• Need I take an umbrella ? 
• Need we finish the work today? 

The negative form need not (or needn’t) + verbal basis (without to) expresses the absence of obligation or necessity:

• We need not hurry. 
• It’s going to rain, you need’t take an umbrella. 

⚠️ As these formulas are rarely used, we use have to or need to instead :

• Do I have to take an umbrella? = Do I need to take an umbrella?
• Do we have to finish the work today? = Do we need to finish the work today?
• You don’t have to take an umbrella = You don’t need to take an umbrella
• We don’t have to hurry = We don’t need to hurry

To talk about actions that have been done but were not necessary: we use need not (or needn’t) + present perfect simple :

• They needn’t have waited for us. 

NEED USED AS A NAME

Need can also be a name, it means a necessity :

• Water is a need. 

DON’T FORGET!

⚠️ Do not confuse needn’t, which expresses the absence of obligation, with mustn’t, which expresses prohibition :

• You need’nt come  (the negation concerns need)
• You mustn’t come  (the negation concerns come)

⚠️ The structure need + verbal basis + ing is often used to say that something needs to be repaired or improved :

• Your bike needs repairing. 
• His english is bad. He needs practicing. 

 

©Englishfornoobs.com

Phrasal verbs basic rules in English

 

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Be careful, phrasal verbs are part of the basic things to know if you want to improve your English vocabulary!

What is a phrasal verb? It’s simply a verb composed of the base verb to which we add an adverbial particle, such as:

• away
• back
• up / down
• in / out
• on / off
• through
• about
• round
• over
• by
• forward
• along

This adverbial particle therefore modifies the meaning of the verb, or gives it more precision. An example:

• to run = to walk fast
• to run for = to be candidate for something
• to run out = to miss something (to run out of water, for example)

Another example:

• to put = to place
• to put off = to postpone
• to put away = to tidy up

Adverbial particles can also completely change the meaning of the verb:

• to give = Can you give me a cake?
• to give up = This lesson is too difficult! I give up! (= to quit)

Sometimes, the phrasal verb is followed by a preposition:

• to run away from 
• to keep up with 
• to look up at 
• to look forward to 

⚠️ The object can usually be placed before or after the particle:

• Turn off the light please = Turn the light off  please 
• Turn over the paper = Turn the paper over  

⚠️ When the complement is a pronoun (me, it, him, him, her, them), it is necessarily between the verb and the particle:

• Turn it off!  (NOT Turn off it!)
• Turn it over!  (NOT Turn over it!)

⚠️ A phrasal verb can sometimes have several meanings!

THE COMPLETE LIST OF PHRASAL VERBS

Here is a complete list of the 500 most common and most used phrasal verbs in English (there are a few more in fact…). Please leave a comment if you notice any errors or if there are any changes or modifications to be made:

LIST OF ALL PHRASAL VERBS IN ENGLISH
to ask somebody out	to get over	to piss off
to add up to something	to get over something	to plan ahead
to aim at	to get over with	to plan for
to ask around	to get round to something	to plan on
to ask for	to get through	to plug in
to ask out	to get to	to plug in/into
to back down	to get together	to plug up
to back off	to get up	to point out
to back somebody up	to get something across/ over	to point somebody/ something out
to back something up	to get something back	to point to
to back up	to give away	to print out
to beat up	to give back	to pull down
to beef up	to give in	to pull off
to believe in	to give out	to pull out
to bite off	to give somebody away	to pull over
to blow away	to give something away	to pull through
to blow off	to give something back	to punch in
to blow out	to give something out	to punch out
to blow something up	to give something up	to push back
to blow up	to give up	to put away
to boil down to	to go about	to put back
to break down	to go after	to put down
to break in	to go after somebody	to put in
to break into something	to go after something	to put off
to break off	to go against somebody	to put on
to break out	to go ahead	to put out
to break out in something	to go along	to put past
to break something down	to go along with	to put somebody down
to break something in	to go around	to put something down
to break through	to go away	to put something off
to break up	to go back	to put something on
to bring about	to go back on	to put something out
to bring back	to go beyond	to put something together
to bring down	to go by	to put through
to bring in	to go down	to put to
to bring out	to go for	to put together
to bring over	to go in	to put up
to bring somebody down	to go in for	to put up to
to bring somebody up	to go in/into	to put up with
to bring something up	to go off	to put up with somebody/ something
to bring up	to go off	to ring up
to brush off	to go on	to rip off
to brush up	to go out	to rip up
to build in/into	to go out with somebody	to rule out
to bump into	to go over	to run across
to burn down	to go over something	to run around
to burn out	to go round	to run away
to burn up	to go through	to run down
to burst out	to go through with	to run for
to butt in	to go up	to run into
to call around	to go with	to run into somebody/ something
to call back	to go without something	to run out
to call for	to goof around	to run over
to call in	to gross out	to run over somebody/ something
to call off	to grow apart	to run over/ through something
to call on somebody	to grow back	to run up
to call somebody back	to grow into something	to screw on
to call somebody up	to grow out of	to screw out of
to call something off	to grow out of something	to screw up
to call up	to grow up	to see about
to calm down	to hand back	to sell out
to care for	to hand in	to send back
to carry away	to hand out	to send for
to carry on	to hand over	to send off
to carry out	to hand something down	to send out
to catch on	to hand something in	to send something back
to catch up	to hand something out	to set about
to cheat on somebody	to hand something over	to set down
to check in	to hang around	to set off
to check out	to hang in	to set off
to check somebody/ something out	to hang on	to set out
to cheer some body up	to hang out	to set somebody up
to cheer up	to hang up	to set something up
to chicken out	to have on	to set up
to chip in	to head back	to settle down
to chop up	to head for	to settle for
to clean out	to head toward	to shake up
to clean something up	to hear about	to shop around
to clear out	to hear of	to show off
to clear up	to heat up	to shut off
to clog up	to help out	to shut up
to close down	to hit on	to sign in
to close off	to hold against	to sign out
to come about	to hold back	to sit back
to come across	to hold off	to sit down
to come across something	to hold on	to sit up
to come along	to hold onto somebody/ something	to sleep over
to come apart	to hold out	to slow down
to come back	to hold somebody/ something back	to sneak in/into
to come down	to hold somebody/ something up	to sneak out
to come down to	to hold something back	to sort out
to come down with	to hold up	to sort something out
to come down with something	to hook up	to space out
to come forward	to hurry up	to stand around
to come in	to keep at	to stand for
to come in	to keep away	to stand up
to come off	to keep down	to start off
to come on	to keep from	to start out
to come out	to keep in	to start up
to come over	to keep off	to stay off
to come round	to keep on	to stay out
to come through	to keep on doing something	to stay up
to come up	to keep somebody/ something out	to step on
to come up with	to keep something from somebody	to stick around
to con into	to keep something up	to stick out
to con out of	to keep to	to stick to
to cool off	to keep up	to stick to something
to count on	to kick back	to stick up
to count on somebody/ something	to kick out	to stick with
to count up	to knock off	to stop off
to cover up	to knock out	to stop over
to crack down	to knock over	to straighten out
to cross off	to know about	to stress out
to cross something out	to lay down	to switch something on/off
to cut back	to lay off	to take after somebody
to cut back on something	to lead up to	to take apart
to cut down	to leave behind	to take away
to cut in	to leave off	to take back
to cut off	to leave on	to take down
to cut out	to leave out	to take in
to cut somebody off	to leave over	to take off
to cut something off	to let down	to take on
to cut somethingdown	to let down	to take out
to cut somethingout	to let in	to take out on
to cut up	to let off	to take over
to deal with	to let on	to take somebody out
to do away with	to let out	to take something apart
to do away with something	to let somebody down	to take something back
to do over	to let somebody in	to take something off
to do somebody/ something over	to let up	to take something out
to do something over	to lie around	to take up
to do something up	to lift up	to take up on
to do with	to light up	to talk down to
to do without	to lighten up	to talk into
to doze off	to line up	to talk out of
to dress up	to live with	to talk to
to drop back	to lock in	to tear down
to drop in	to lock out	to tear off
to drop in/ by/ over	to lock up	to tear something up
to drop off	to log in (or on)	to tell apart
to drop out	to log out (or off)	to tell on
to drop somebody/ something off	to look after somebody/ something	to think about
to dry off	to look around	to think ahead
to dry out	to look at something	to think back
to dry up	to look back	to think over
to eat out	to look down	to think something over
to eat up	to look down on	to think up
to empty out	to look down on somebody	to think up
to end up	to look for somebody / something	to throw away
to fall apart	to look forward to	to throw out
to fall apart	to look into	to throw something away
to fall behind	to look into something	to throw up
to fall down	to look out	to track down
to fall for	to look out for somebody / something	to trade in
to fall in	to look over	to trick into
to fall off	to look round (ou look around)	to try on
to fall out	to look something up	to try out
to fall out	to look something over	to try something on
to fall over	to look up	to try something out
to fall through	to look up	to turn around
to feel up to	to look up to	to turn back
to fight back	to look up to somebody	to turn down
to figure on	to luck out	to turn in
to figure something out	to make for	to turn into
to fill in	to make of	to turn off
to fill out	to make off	to turn on
to fill something in	to make out	to turn out
to fill something out	to make somebody up	to turn over
to fill something up	to make something up	to turn round
to fill up	to make up	to turn up
to find out	to mess up	to turn something off
to find out	to mix something up	to turn something on
to find something out	to mix up	to turn something up
to fix up	to monkey around with	to turnsomethingdown
to flip out	to move back	to use up
to float around	to move in	to usesomething up
to follow up	to move on	to wake up
to fool around	to move out	to want out (familier)
to freak out	to move up	to warm somebody/ something up
to get ahead	to narrow down	to wash off
to get along	to not care for somebody / something	to wash up
to get along/on	to pass away	to watch out
to get around	to pass on	to wear down
to get away	to pass out	to wear off
to get away with something	to pass something out	to wear out
to get back	to pass something up	to wind up
to get back at	to pass through	to wipe off
to get back at somebody	to pay back	to wipe out
to get back into something	to pay for	to wipe up
to get back to	to pay for something	to work in
to get behind	to pay off	to work off
to get by	to pay somebody back	to work on
to get down	to pay up	to work out
to get in	to pick on	to work something out
to get off	to pick out	to work up
to get on with somebody	to pick something out	to wrap up
to get on something	to pick up	to write down
to get out	to pile up	to zip up

©Englishfornoobs.com

Words ending with -ever: whatever, whoever, whenever…

 

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The suffix -ever can be added to the words in wh- and how to change their meaning. These compound words then express a general value.

Whatever

• Whatever dish you choose, you have to eat it all.
• Take whatever you want from the fridge if you feel hungry. 
• Whatever you do, try your best. 

Whatever is sometimes used alone orally: it means ‘I don’t care‘, ‘It doesn’t matter to me‘:

• What do you want to eat tonight? – Whatever. 

Whenever

• Come and visit us whenever you want.
• He interrupts me whenever I start to speak. 
• You can borrow my car whenever you like. 
• We can leave whenever you’re ready. 

However

• However tired I am, I work out every day.
• However you try to explain it, I still can’t understand it. 
• However you look at it, it’s going to cost a lot. 

Wherever

• Put the book wherever you want.
• Sit down wherever you like. 
• Wherever we go, we’ll have fun. 

Whichever

With whichever we propose to choose between several things:

• Keep whichever you like. 
• Choose whichever you prefer. 
• Whichever day you come, we will be happy to see you. 

Whoever

It means ‘any person’:

• You can call whoever you want. 
• Whoever you are, you’ll love this song. 
• Whoever opened the gate didn’t close it. 
• Could I speak to whoever is in charge of customer service please? 

©Englishfornoobs.com

Can and can’t sentences in English

 

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Can in English

Can expresses a possibility, a capacity, or the ability of the subject, or a permission.

Can’t (or cannot, in a single word) is its negative form and expresses a disability. In the interrogative form, Can… must be placed at the beginning of the sentence.

1. Express an ability or inability

Can and can’t are used to say that something or someone may or may not be able to do something:

• He can sing.
• She can speak Japanese fluently. 
• I can’t swim. 
• Can you play the guitar? 
• I’m afraid I can’t come to work on Wednesday. 

2. Express an opportunity or occasional characteristics

In this case, it is used in the affirmative form:

• The river can be dangerous at times. 
• It can get hot there during the day. 
• I know she can win the competition. 
• I think your drone can be repaired.

3. To give or request permission or service

Can’t can also be used to deny permission:

• You can use my car if you want.
• Mum, can I go out now?
• Can I ask you a question? 
• Can I carry your luggage for you? 
• You can go to the swimming pool if you like. 

4. Indicate a prohibition with can’t

• You can’t smoke in the restaurant. 
• We cannot park the car next to this fire hydrant. 
• You cannot drive a car without a license. 

5. Express a strong certainty with can’t

In this case, can’t is used to show that you are surprised, or that you are sure that something is wrong in the present or in a past situation, whether it is a past fact or an activity (the construction is different in both cases):

• It can’t be possible! 
• He can’t have been to Japan.  (construction: can’t + have + verb at the past participle)
• He can’t have been drinking, he looked sober.  (construction: can’t + have been + ing)

6. Can and perception verbs

We often use can in front of perception verbs: hear, see, smell, touch…

• I can hear you but I can’t see you! 
• We can see the beach from our hotel. 
• I can smell something burning. 

7. Could

Could is the preterite of can. It is considered more polite or formal in a request:

• Could I have more tea, please? 

8. Can or be able ?

We use be able to when can is impossible to use:

• I’ve never been able to sing. 
• I’d like to be able to forgive you. 
• Sorry for not being able to help you. 

 

©Englishfornoobs.com

Will and Going to: what is the difference?

 

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What is the difference between will and going to?

To put it simply, we use ‘be going to’ + infinitive verb to evoke an intention to do something when a decision has already been made as we speak.

When the decision is made immediately, we use will. Will is also stronger than going to (will is used to make a promise, for example).

Compare the following examples:

• I need the car. I’m going to visit Uncle Paul. 
• She’ll tell you why she did it. 

We also use Be going to to predict something from what we see or know. With Will, the prediction is more abstract:

• Look at this kid with his skateboard. I’m sure he’s going to fall. 
• She’s going to have a baby. Her belly is really big. 
• Be careful! You’re going to drop thos glasses. 
• It’s going to rain. 

That said, sometimes there is not much difference between will and going to and you can use either one or the other:

• I think the weather will be nice tomorrow morning. = I think the weather is going to be nice tomorrow morning.

 

©Englishfornoobs.com

How to use ‘used to‘ in English

 

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Used to is used to talk about habits or actions that were repeated in the past, but are now over. In this lesson you will find many examples of sentences in English with used to, to help you understand better:

1 – CONSTRUCTION

Affirmative form: Used to is followed by the verbal base.

• He used to live in Tokyo. 

Negative form: we use either used not to, or didn’t use to. It’s necessary to remove the final -d of used after didn’t in writing (orally, it’s ok)!

• I used not to be so skinny (= I didn’t use to be so skinny). 
• I didn’t use to like mushrooms. (= I used not to like mushrooms) 

Question form: simply use Did (I, he, they…) use to…? at the beginning of the sentence. Be careful, remember to remove the final “d’ of used to the interrogative form in writing (orally, it’s ok)!

• Did he really use to be a soldier?
• Did he use to smoke much? 

2 – HOW TO USE USED TO

Used to is used to refer to an activity that has existed for some time and ended, or to talk about a habit in the past:

• He used to drink too much. 
• I used to read a lot.
• She used to be my friend when I was at school. 
• When I was a child, I used to walk to school everyday. 

At the end of sentences:

• I smoke cigarettes much more now than I used to. 
• My mother cooks better than she used to.

3 – A FEW TIPS

⚠️ Be careful not to confuse used to with be used to + verb -ing (to be used to):

• I am used to get up early. (I am used to getting up early.) → I have the habit of waking up early.
• I used to getting up early. → I would get up early (usually).

⚠️ In the same style, be careful not to confuse used to with get, become or grow used to + verb -ing

• You will get used to it. 

⚠️ Do not confuse the formula ‘used to‘ with the past participle of the verb to use!

• This room is used to store old furnitures. 

⚠️ There is no equivalent to ‘used to‘ in the present. To speak of habits in the present, we use frequency adverbs like often, usually, never, always…

• I usually go running at night.

⚠️ It’s sometimes possible to replace Used to with Would + infinitive (without to):

• We would go to Spain every year when I was a child. 

 

©Englishfornoobs.com

How to use would in English sentences

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WOULD

Would is a modal auxiliary, which is the will loan. It allows you to express a hypothesis.

The contracted form of would is ‘d, and the contracted form of would not is wouldn’t.

⚠ Be careful not to confuse the ‘d of would with that of had!

Here are the different uses of Would in English:

1 – Express the conditional with Would

We would use to imagine something that is not real:

• I’d like to go to Paris.
• I would not (= wouldn’t) want to go by bus. 
• They would buy this car if they had enough money. 

2 – Make a prediction

Would is often used with if + preterite, to evoke a possible hypothesis:

• I would do it if you asked me. 
• We would live in Osaka if we were Japanese. 
• I would be happy if she came. 

3 – To be polite

We use would to speak politely (it’s less direct than saying “I want”):

• I’d like some information about this car. 
• I’d like to see the menu, please. 

Would is often used in questioning form to ask or propose something politely:

• Would you help me, please?
• Would you like some tea? 
• How would you describe him? 

4 – Express the refusal with would

In the negative form, would express the refusal:

• I asked him to come, but he wouldn’t. 
• He wouldn’t listen to me. 
• The computer wouldn’t start. 

5 – Express an indirect speech

• Paul said that he would arrive late.

6 – Indicate a past habit with Would

We can use would to talk about things that used to happen regularly in the past, about old habits:

• When I was a child I would walk to school every day. 
• She would practise two hours a day. 

⚠ We can replace would by used to in this type of sentence:

• She would practise two hours a day. = She used to practise two hours a day.

7 – Would have + Past participle

This formula is used to imagine possible or impossible hypotheses in the past:

• We would have preferred to eat pizzas. 
• He wouldn’t have accepted. 
• I would have done it if I had known. 

Compare the following sentences:

• I would like to leave quickly.
• I would have liked to leave quickly.

8 – Would Rather

The formula I’d rather (= I would rather) means ‘I like (I would like) better’, ‘I prefer’ (I would prefer).

• I’d rather stay here. 
• I’d rather not go out tonight. 

There is another possible construction:

• I’d rather you stayed here. 
• I’d rather he didn’t know.

You can also add ‘than’ to compare:

• I’d rather stay at home tomnight than go to the cinema. 

⚠ Be careful not to confuse the construction of I’d rather with I’d prefer:

• I’d rather go there by bus ≠ I’d prefer to go there by bus.

©Englishfornoobs.com

How to use could and couldn’t in English sentences

 

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Could is the preterite of can. It expresses a capacity in the past. Couldn’t express a disability in the past, or something hypothetical.

COULD

Could can express a capacity or permission in the past (it is used as the past of can):

• I could smell something burning. 
• My grandmother could speak six languages. 
• I was totally free. I could go where I wanted. 

Compare the following sentences:

• I can see something.  (present)
• I could see something. (past)

Could could mean a hypothetical ability, i.e. something could be realized or be true now or in the future (it’s similar to might or may):

• You could succeed if you worked harder. 
• I could go out with you but I’m tired. 
• They could arrive anytime now. 
• Could you do this exercise in one minute? 
• If we had some eggs I could make you some pancakes. 

We can use could to make a suggestion or talk about possible actions (we can then replace it with can):

• We could go to the movies tonight if you want. 
• When you go to London next week, you could stay at Paul’s place. 
• He could try to fix the car himself. 

Could also express a logical deduction:

• It could be true. 
• She could still be in bed. 
• It could freeze tonight. 
• Where’s Paul? He could be at Tony’s place. 

Could have + past participle is used to express a possibility in the past, but that has not happened (to make a criticism, or to express a hypothesis, for example):

• You could have broken your arm.
• He could have tried once more. 
• Your brother could have helped you. 
• We were lucky: we could have run out of petrol. 

Could also express unrealistic things:

• This place is amazing. I could stay here for ever. 

Could allows you to ask for permission or something politely, in the present:

• Could I please use your bathroom? 
• Could we move on to the next topic now please? 
• Could you pass me the salt please? 
• I’m busy right now. Could you call back later? 

COULDN’T

Couldn’t allows to express a disability in the past:

• I was so tired I couldn’t get up. 
• I couldn’t start my car this morning. 

This incapacity could be due to something that was not permitted or authorized:

• In high school, we couldn’t use our smartphones. 
• Tina couldn’t go to the party because her parents wouldn’t let her. 

With couldn’t, we doubt that anything is true, we are almost sure of what we are saying:

• It couldn’t be true.
• Paul couldn’t be at Tony’s place. 
• You couldn’t be hungry. You’ve just had some pizza. 

To express the impossibility of the past, we use couldn’t have + past participle:

• We had a really good evening. It couldn’t have been better. 
• Tina couldn’t have gone to the party because she was sick. 

 

©Englishfornoobs.com

How to use should in English sentences

 

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Feel free to leave a comment if you find any errors or if you have any suggestions to make to improve this lesson.

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Should is a modal verb. It is the preterite of shall (not used as often). We use should to give advice or suggest something, or to give our opinion. It’s less strong than must or have to. Should also serves to express a certainty.

Give advice or make a suggestion

Should indicates what should be done and is used as a recommendation or advice:

• You should read this book, it’s great. 
• You look tired. You should go to bed.
• You should go out more often. 
• When you go to Paris, you should visit the Louvres. 

To say that something is wrong:

We can use should in negative form to advise against or say that something is wrong:

• We shouldn’t leave without saying goodbye.
• I shouldn’t listen to you. 
• She shouldn’t eat too much. 
• You shouldn’t work so much. 
• He shouldn’t talk like that to his mother. 
• You shouldn’t believe everything he says. 

To request an opinion or advice

• Should we invite Kevin to the party? – Yes, I think we should. 
• What should I do? 

Express a regret or reproach

With the formula should + have + verb in the past participle, we express a regret or a reproach:

• You should have checked the timetable.
• I should have studied more but I was too tired. 
• We should have taken the train. 
• You should have come to the party last night. 
• You should have given your brother the key yesterday when he asked for it. 

Compare should (go) and should have (gone) in the following examples:

• You should eat your breakfast. 
• You should have eaten your breakfast. 

Give your opinion

We often use should with I think / I don’t think / Do you think… ? at the beginning of the sentence. This allows for the expression of personal judgment.

• I think she should stop smoking. 
• I don’t think we should tell her.
• You should be more careful.
• Do you think Sarah should see a doctor? 

Express a certitude

We also use should to express a certainty, a very high probability:

• This is not normal, he should be here by now. 
• She should pass her exams.
• By now, they should already be in Singapore.
• There are plenty of restaurants in the town. It shouldn’t be difficult to find somewhere to eat.

When the probability concerns the past, we use should have + past participle:

• They should have finished already. 
• He should have eaten by now. 

Express an obligation that is less than necessary

Sometimes should be used instead of must to make instructions, orders or rules more polite and less strong (we often see this on notices or information boards):

• Passengers should check in at least 2 hours before departure time. 
• On hearing the fire alarm, hotel guests should leave their room immediately. 

Express an unfulfilled obligation

In this case, we use should + be + verb -ing, to say that the subject does not act as it should.

• You should be wearing your seatbelt. 
• We should be studying for the test. 

OTHER VALUES OF SHOULD

One can use should in two types of subordinates in that:

1 – To express a judgment, after a sentence beginning with an adjective such as strange, funny, interesting, interesting, surprised, surprised, surprising + that… or by ‘it’s important/necessary/essential/vital that … should’.

• It’s strange that you should say that. 
• I’m amazed that he should think that. 
• It’s essential that everyone should be here on time. 

2 – After some verbs expressing an order, a request, such as suggest, insist, propose, request, recommend:

• She insisted that we should sing the song aloud. 
• They demanded that he should repay the money. 
• She insisted that I should have dinner with her. 

⚠️ However, it is not mandatory to use should in the above sentences!

• It’s strange that you should say that. = It’s strange that you say that. 
• I’m amazed that he should think that. = I’m amazed that he think that.
• It’s essential that everyone should be here on time. = It’s essential that everyone be here on time.
• She insisted that we should sing the song aloud. = She insisted that we sing the song aloud.
• They demanded that he should repay the money. = They demanded that he repay the money.
• She insisted that I should have dinner with her. = She insisted that I have dinner with her. 

With if or in case, to express a possibility:

• If/in case they should come, tell them to telephone. 

⚠️ To express an obligation we use would have to… and not should:

• If my dad was sent abroad I should would have to quit my school. 

 

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Either and Neither, what is the difference?

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Feel free to leave a comment if you find any errors or if you have any suggestions to make to improve this lesson.

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We use either and neither to talk about two similar things and choices to be made. They can be determinants, pronouns or adverbs.

1 – EITHER

Either is always associated with the idea of a choice between several alternatives. It is always followed by a name in the singular:

• Either day suits me = A day or another day is ok for me.
• Either solution is good. = Both solutions are good.

When it is subject (whether it is a determinant or a pronoun), the verb is in the singular:

• Which pub shall we go? – We can go to either pub. 
• We have two choices. Either (of them) is fine. 

Either is often followed by of and it can also be used with a plural name or pronoun in this case:

• You can have either of the books. 
• Either of the hotels will be fine. 

Not… either is the negative equivalent of too. It is often placed at the end of the sentence:

• I don’t like wasting my time. – I don’t like it either. 
• She hasn’t had anything to eat and I haven’t either. 

Either is often used with ‘or’:

• You can either come with me or stay here. 
• He’s either shy or bored. 

If this conjunction is used with the subject, the following verb is in the singular:

• Either Sam or Tina has have taken it. 

⚠️ You can use Either alone, without any names:

• Do you want tea or coffee ? – Either. I don’t mind. 

⚠️To say “in any case”, “in either case”, we use the formula “Either way,…”:

• You can stay, or you can go. Either way, I’m going home. 

⚠️’On either side‘ means “on both sides, on both sides”:

• You can park on either side of the road.

2 – NEITHER

Neither is negative, it is used to express a double refusal. It is always used with an affirmative verb.

• Neither movie is any good. 
• Neither of them came. 
• Neither is fine with me.
• Neither solution is good. 

When it is subject (whether it is a determinant or a pronoun), the verb is in the singular

• We have two players, but neither of them is ready for the game. 

Neither… nor: we find this formula mainly in writing, it is not normally used orally:

• I like neither pizza nor pasta. (⚠️ but we normally say ‘I don’t like pizza or pasta‘).
• It’s neither good nor bad.  (⚠️ but we normally say ‘It’s not good or bad‘).
• They can neither read nor write. (⚠️ but we normally say ‘They can not read or write‘).

If this conjunction is used with the subject, the following verb is in the singular:

• Neither John nor Tina is coming tonight. 

⚠️Neither can be used alone, without any names:

• Is your friend British or Australian? – Neither. he’s Canadian. 

⚠️How can I say “me neither”?

It is necessary to take the affirmative form of the auxiliary of the starting sentence:

• She can’t swim. Neither can I.

The following formulas can be used:

Neither do I. (formal)  /  Me neither. (very familiar)  / I don’t either. (very familiar)

• He doesn’t like running. Neither do I. /Me neither. 

We can also say “Neither do we”, “we don’t either”, “neither do they”… to answer a negative sentence.

 

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