Direct to reported speech activity

Following our lesson on Wednesday, first watch the video clip on the right hand side the blog about direct and reported speech and then rewrite the following sentences to reported speech.

1. Alex said, "I am going to meet a friend."
2. Ken asked, "What are you going to do tonight?"
3. I said, "I've been to Mexico."
4. Steve said, "I want to go to South Africa."
5. Allen said, "I'd like to come visit."

" the" instead of "enough"

'the' can be used alone to mean 'enough' placed before a noun.
Example Sentences:
1. Does he have the patience to do the job? = Does he have enough patience to do the job?
2. She doesn't have the money to buy that house. = She doesn't have enough money to buy that house.

Post me two example sentences of your own.

Active to passive voice exercise

Change the following passive voice sentences into the active voice. Should you need any help, take a look at the previous lesson about passive and active voices.
Good luck

1. The instructions have been changed.
2. She will have to be taught.
3. This car was manufactured in Japan by Toyota.
4. Why aren't the exercises being finished on time?
5. Last year 2,000 new units had been produced by the time we introduced the new design.
6. Casual clothes must not be worn.
7. $400,000 in profit has been reported this year.
8. The test will be given at five o'clock this afternoon.
9. Students are required to wear uniforms at all times.
10. This rumour must have been started by our competitors.

Passive voice + activities

Use of Passive

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.

Example: My bike was stolen.

In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.

Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:

Example: A mistake was made.

In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.)

Form of Passive
Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)

Example: A letter was written.

When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:

1. the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)
2. the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence

Present Simple
Subject Verb Object
Active: Rita writes a letter.
Passive: A letter is written by Rita.

Simple Past
Active: Rita wrote a letter.
Passive: A letter was written by Rita.

Present Perfect
Active: Rita has written a letter.
Passive: A letter has been written by Rita.

Future
Active: Rita will write a letter.
Passive: A letter will be written by Rita.

Activity:
Now rewrite the following sentences in passive voice.

1. John collects money.
2. Anna opened the window.
3. We have done our homework.
4. I will ask a question.
5. He can cut out the picture.
6. The sheep ate a lot.
7. We do not clean our rooms.
8. William will not repair the car.
9. Did Sue draw this circle?
10. Could you feed the dog?

Passive and continuous

The passive voice is rarely if ever used with present or past perfect continuous forms.

These two sentences are incorrect. Rewrite them in an active form.

1. That bridge has been being worked on for two weeks.
2. That paper had been being studied for two hours before he arrived.

Reading task and homework

Australian Social Customs

This term means the common or usual way Australian behave in their day-to-day life. As a tolerant society with people from many cultures, each person is encouraged to maintain and share their cultural beliefs and practices. At the same time, we respect the right of others to do the same.

How do we greet people?
When meeting someone for the first time, it is usual to shake the person's right hand with your right hand. People who do not know each other generally do not kiss or hug when meeting. When you first meet someone, it is polite not to talk about personal matters.

Many Australians look at the eyes of the people they are talking with. They consider this a sign of respect, and an indication that they are listening. Do not stare at the person for a long time.
In the workplace and among friends, most Australians tend to be informal and call each other by their first names.

What are the clothing customs?
The types of clothing that people wear reflect the diversity in our society just as much as the variation in climate. There are no laws or rules on clothing, but you must wear certain clothing for work situations. Most workplaces have dress standards.

Outside of the work situation, clothing is an individual choice; many people dress for comfort, for the social situation or the weather. Clubs, movie theatres and other places require patrons to be in neat, clean clothes and appropriate footwear.

Many Australians live close to the beach and the sea. On hot days, they may wear little clothing on the beach and surrounds. This does not mean that people who dress to go to the beach or swimming have low moral standards. It means that this is what we accept on and near beaches.
People from other countries can choose to wear their national dress. They may be religious or customary items and include monks' robe, a hijab or a turban. As a tolerant society with people from many different cultures, clothing is a part of cultural beliefs and practices that is encouraged.

Homework:

1. Find 5 conjuctions
2. Find 5 noun groups
3. Find 5 noun compounds
4. Find 2 gerunds.

How to use "arrive"

We use either 'arrive in' with cities, or 'arrive at' with places. We never use 'arrive to'.

Example Sentences:

He arrived in Tokyo after a 12 hour flight.
Tom arrived at work just in time for the presentation.

Now post me your own example sentences.

Have a nice day

Michael