Words

Word Endings

Word endings, or suffixes (suffixes), can help you identify whether the word is a verb (verb), noun (noun) or adjective (adjective).

The suffixes -ate, -ize, - ent, -ete can indicate that the word is a verb: create. critisize, compete, educate, entertain, rate, restrict, invent, produce, revolutionize, describe 

The suffixes -ion, -ity and -ism can indicate that the word is a noun: innovation, creativity, criticism, education, entertainment, rating, restriction, violence, production, revolution, invention, description

The suffixes -al, -ive, -ary, -ed can indicate that the word is an adjective: critical, innovative, educational, entertaining, restrictied, violent, descriptive, productive, inventive, revolutionary

Words with '-ing'

When you see or hear a word ending in -ing, there are three possibilities: 

> It's an adjective: My job is unchallenging, My work with the Peace Corps was very rewarding

> a gerund (a noun ending in -ing): Working during the day and studying at night isn't easy

> Verb in a progressive tense: I am studying to become a teacher, He was working in a bank when he decided to change his career.

Candy is talking about her job and her studies: I've been working the same job for two years now, managing a coffee shop. It's not very rewarding. So last month I started taking night classes to become a computer programmer. Studying at night isn't easy, but I want a more challenging job. Becoming a programmer is hard work, but I'm doing my best. It's exciting! 

Indefinite pronouns

Use indefinite pronouns to refer to nonspecific people, places and things. Generally, indefinite pronouns with some- are used for positive statements, and indefinite pronouns with any- for questions and negative statements.

> Someone told me we're getting a new boss.
> Everybody is saying that Josh is leaving to go to a competitor.
> Please don't tell anybody that he's joining another team.
> No one knows he's getting replaced. 
> I need somewhere quiet to work. It's a little noisy in here.
> Let's go someplace quiet.
> I need to tell you something. Can you keep a secret?
> Don't ask me. I don't know anything about it.

Indirect objects

The most common sentence structure in English is subject-verb-object.

• Ex: Jack sent a postcard.

In this sentence, a postcard is the direct object, because it is the recipient of the verb's action (it is what Jack sent).

Sometimes, a noun or pronoun is not the recipient of the verb's action, but of the direct object. This is called an indirect object.

• Ex: Jack sent his wife a postcard.

In this sentence, his wife is the indirect object, because she is the recipient of the direct object (a postcard). Notice that the indirect object comes between the verb and the direct object.

You can also put the indirect object after the direct object by using the prepositions to and for.

• Jack sent a postcard to his wife
• Jack bought a gift for his wife

Here are some more examples of indirect objects:

• I had to give the hotel my credit card number.
• I showed the clerk my passport.
• I showed my passport to the clerk.
• The hotel gave my company a discount.

When a pronoun replaces the indirect object, we call it an indirect object pronoun.

• The hotel sent me a confirmation email.
• The clerk gave her the bill.
• The clerk gave the bill to her.

Collocation with make, do, and take

Collocations are two or more words that are commonly used together. A good understanding of collocations will help improve your oral fluency, as well as your reading and listening skills.

Here are some collocations with the verb make: make something work, make sure

• Do you think we're making headway in the negotiations?
• We really need to make a decision today.
• I think we finally made a breakthrough in the negotiations.

Here are some collocations with the verb do: do research 

• It's important to do research before negotiations begin.
• It's been a pleasure doing business with you.
• You did very well. Congratulations!
• I want you to do your homework before the meeting tomorrow

Here are some collocations with the verb take: take care of

• They're trying to take advantage of us!
• Our vendor takes good care of us.
• There's no need to rush. Take your time.
• I want you to take the lead in the negotiations.