Hello class, hello monarchy!
Posted by: inclassnumbernine on: February 18, 2008
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40 Responses to "Hello class, hello monarchy!"
November 29, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Hello guys! How are you today? I hope you’re fine!
First of all, I’d like to explain all about my disagreement with this blog.
I consider myself a very sensible person, who always tries to do his best, and although I believe this blog is a good idea, I know that I’m not able to contribute the way I like, so I thought that if things cannot be well done is better not to do them, but I’ve been thinking about the whole item and I promise that every single free-minute I have, I’ll invest it on this blog.
I hope you join me!
After telling this, here comes my first contribution. One the many “short stories” I’ve stored in my brain waiting patiently to be shared with all of you.
A DYING NIGHT
I’m gonna die tonight. I do know it. I don’t know exactly when; maybe the next bend or perhaps while I’m driving across that brigde. Tonight, nothing matters, that’s why I’m driving so fast. I’ve got nothing left to lose.
Someone is sitting on the back side of my car. I can feel his freezing breathe on the nape of my neck. I look through the driving mirror but I’m not able to see his face, nor I want to. I just can see the brightness of his scythe.
(“Short sories”, from Kike’s mind)
What about it? Did you enjoy it?
Now, it’s time to leave a question in the air ( to be answered by you, of course)
What would you do whether you found out you’re gonna die tonight?
I’m anxiously waiting for your answers…
November 30, 2008 at 10:40 am
Hi Kike!
First things first, thanks so much for your contribution. I did expect it so early!!! Well done!
Secondly, I’d like how you explained why you did not vote for the creation of the blog last week. It makes sense what you said and I say thanks again to have spoken up and it’s great you strive for perfection but remember everybody makes mistakes. We just have to learn from them and don’t forget that the blog is, more often than not, only an excuse to espose ourselves to be corrected.
As regards your story…. I am dying to read anything written in English by you all so again thanks to be so daring. I liked the way you conveyed meaning by using a few words and the excellent use of suspense, vocabulary and grammatical structures. It makes the reader to get hooked on the story from the very beginning to the very end.Congratulations!
Finally, my answer to your question is… If I found out I am going to die tonight I would be
November 30, 2008 at 10:51 am
ooops!!! Sorry, my finger slipped…I was saying I would be very calm and I’d make sure my dying words are not misanderstood by anybody because there is always something left to say….Something will remain. Anyway, you are not good at predicting, are you?
See you in class! I encourage you to join us and post something on the blog. Btw, remember this is also supposed to be a diary of your English classes…
NB/ Good luck in the rehearsal of your presentations and a happy weekend!
December 3, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Hi everybody,
I´m checking the blog , this is a trial . I don´t know if i´m doing right , so we will see. Anyway how are you ? I hope fine at least like me. I´ve started to read the second book – The curious incident of the dog in the night-time-. It looks well but it´s just the beginning. I´ll carry on informing you.
Kike: As you know you are one of my favourite poet , but in this ocassion I am unable to give you an right answer . I haven´t got a clue what i would do but may be, I would have a fit of madness or anything so.
Well it is enough for now. See you tomorrow in “class ….so on.
Regards.
December 4, 2008 at 1:11 am
So the new book looks good?? Great to hear so! Keep us posted Carlos!
No anwers for Kike’s short story? Hope you have not been driven to the brink of madness! I’m looking forward to reading a new story from any of you!
See you in class number nine!
December 4, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Charming Charles 1st: I didn’t knew I was one of your favourite poets but now that I know it I promise that the next poem I write, will be inspired on you cause I love you too, “pretty” man, je je. See you next week!
And for the rest of the class (even the teacher). Have a nice looooong-weekend!
December 6, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Hi everybody from Miranda planet.
Great idea to share!!!!
How To Start a Freelance Business Today (Tools for Beginners)
Have you been reading about freelancing for weeks now?
Do you think that freelancing could be an excellent hedge against these harsh times? Have you done your homework adequately, and are you at last you’re ready to start your very own freelance business?
Congratulations!
But, before you start there are a few important things to consider. You’ll need a skill or a product to market, you’ll need some basic equipment, and finally, you’ll need a plan.
To be contiuned……
December 10, 2008 at 8:16 am
Dear crowned head, what do we really need to start a freelance business today?
An arrangement? A plan? An intention?
As you know, the three go in decreasing order of how much work has been done.
“I have made arrangements to visit Miranda de Ebro.” <- I have a hotel room reserved, and have requested time off from work.
“I have made plans to visit Miranda de Ebro.” <- I’ve decided when I want to go, and have thought about what I want to see in the town.
“I intend to visit Miranda de Ebro.” <- I want to go there at some point in the future.
And one more thing- Is there any difference between freelance and self-employed?
In my opinion freelance implies that you are doing something that you would normally be employed by a firm to do, for example a freelance architect is not employed by a firm but takes his own jobs and works the field freely. i.e. is not contracted by a firm, but still works for others, does jobs for someone else´s project.
On the other hand, self-employed means that you are your own boss, that for example you run a company or shop, or that you otherwise produce your own means of subsistence.
hope this helps!
I wonder if kings have to worry about this matter. There must be because of the crisis. What do you all think about it?
December 10, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Hi,
First of all , I think better late than never, always in crisis times , somebody has been able to earn much more money than before, perhahs this is our great oppotunity to be successful in life. Above all we must be optimistic people, or rather enterprising people.
My next post will help all of you to carry out our “plan”.
Refering the difference between freelance and self-employed , i am completely agree with you.
And about if the kings have to be worried about this issue , i think they must be worried a lot. They are responsible for what happened indeed.
See you tomorrow.
December 10, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Yes, better late than never… and always optimistic. Check the lighter side of Elisabeth the Queen below. Churchill used to said attitude is the little thing that makes all the difference…
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=ejRJXR92B7g.
BTW, Why do we have a monarchy? Sorry about the digression… I’m ready and willing to read your future posts!
Thanks for your participation!
See you tomorrow!
December 11, 2008 at 10:52 am
The risis and blogs… Do they have anything in common? How far does this crisis affect blogs?
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/heath-row/blogs-new-role-crisis-communications.
This is just a funny site on the Spanish crisis…
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xUbuCdj1r4Q
December 15, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Ohh! Monarchy, great item to be disscused, but not yet, maybe in Christmas when I have more free time to leave my mind flow.
And about the rest of the exercises, I beg for time because altought they’re “amusing, engagin and of course interesting”, they involve spending a lot of time.
December 15, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Well, I had a little bit forgotten our bussines. Let see
1st step:
What are you selling?
If you’re going to start your own freelance business, then you need to have something to sell. That something could be a skill such as programming, web design, or copywriting. Or, that something could be a product that you make or resell.
In order to decide what you should sell, take a look at your own skill set and match that up with what’s in demand. You can get an idea for what freelancing services are in demand by visiting any of the popular job boards.
Finding your specialty is one of the most important parts about freelancing, so take your time and make sure you get this part right.
Truly yours.
The King.
December 15, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Thanks king!
I wonder what your subjects think about your idea… What’s your speciality?
Do we have the makings of adept freelancers?
December 30, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Charles, Charles, my dear Charles. Do you really believe freelancing is a great bussines to be run by some of us. As far as I know, freelancing means COMPROMISE. I mean, you should be prepared to spend a lot of time trying to self your products which involves to reduce the time you used to spend with your family, your friends and so on. In My opinion, we are rather used to our relaxed life, so why should we change it? And what’s more, to sell your products/services you must be always the best. Are we ready to live under that pressure?
I lived that way in the past, when I was self-employed (It’s not the same but similar) and believe me. That’s not my bussines!
LET’S TALK ABOUT MONARCHY.
Just a question: what century do we live in? XII, XV?
Nowadays, I’m not able to understand the role the King has in a country like Spain. For God sake! They just spend the money of the taxpayer. Have you ever realize how many family are they? And all of them paid by YOU. What will be next? Maybe in some years we must pay again a tithe for the churh!
I already know that some people will disagree with me. That’s what I’m looking for! I’m searching for opinions.It’s the best way we have to use our english.
OWN IDEAS.
If you all agree, we can do that this blog is a little part of our class at home. I’ll try to be clear. In my opinion, all of us have some doubts that aren’t solved in class, perhaps because of the time or maybe because you don’t dare to do it. Then, listen! This is your place. Upload here your doubts and Laura will solve them ( I depend on you, Laura. Don’t betraye me now!). We could call this section: REASONABLE DOUBTS, ok! I will start right now.
REASONABLE DOUBTS.
The other day I heard ” You can’t fight the moonlight”, I looked it up in several dictionaries but I didn’t find it. I guess it means that you don’t have the possibility to stop something.For example, if I love you, you can’t stop that feeling. Am I right or wrong?
And now a little of what I like the most. A piece of handwriting english. This is a poem I wrote last year to commemorate the book’s day. I hope you like it!
UNFORGETTABLE LOVES
There was a time, when the love
burned as an incandescent fire.
Then, your pretended words came
and ashes were thrown far away.
My life was never the same!
Your sharp lies cut like a knife.
Harmful and false, they hurt me everyday.
You, never felt as your own pain
the tears of my lonely nights.
Neither my saddest moments
nor my internal fights.
I trusted in you, you betrayed me
but I wasn’t able to see. I was so blind!
That me wasn’t me, just a wandering soul.
I can hardly believe you really loved me
beacuse you left me to fall
into the deepest madness
of a nonsesical world.
I still remember those hideous days
when I coud see nothing
apart from your face.
Everywhere I went.
Whatever was the place.
Now I’m dreaming of new romances.
Far enough from your crazy mind
where, there isn’t even a sign
of the flame we both lit.
January 3, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Dear all,
First of all , congratulations Kike for the poem, GREAT!!!!!!!!!.
I´m completely in agreement with you about our monarchy, well about all monarchies over the world. You just have a look at Europe….. (except Englan and Spain).
Above all we musn´t forget who appointed to Juan Carlos the 1st like head of state, although sometimes is better to forget it.
Almost forty years suffering and at the end ….. (Birds of a feather flock together)
Kike , let me to give the tools carriying on freelancing bussines;
—————————————————————————–
Equipment Basics
Once you’ve identified something to sell, you’ll need to get the basic equipment. Most freelancers will have the following tools:
Computer:
– While there are a few businesses (such as landscaping, pet grooming, or catering) that technically don’t require a computer, most freelancers do rely on a computer to find and produce work. Even if your business doesn’t require that you have a computer, you may wish to have one in order to correspond with clients and keep records.
Printer:
– A printer is an excellent tool for producing customer correspondence as well account records (such as customer receipts).
Telephone:
– Typically, it’s a good idea to set up a separate telephone number for your business. This allows you to segregate your business and personal calls and also prevents other family members from accidentally taking a business call.
Internet connection:
– For many freelancers, the Internet is indispensable. It’s how they obtain and how they deliver their work. Even for a non-computer based businesses, an Internet connection provides another way to communicate with clients. I’d recommend skipping the dial-up connection and going straight to a high speed connection such a fiber optics or a cable modem.
E-mail:
– E-mail provides a way for clients to reach you when you can’t be reached by phone. E-mail can also provide a permanent record of client “conversations.” Some services (such as copywriting, graphics, or software development) can even be delivered through e-mail.
Website or blog:
– A web presence has become a necessary component of a freelance business. More and more, potential clients are searching the Internet for businesses that can provide the products or services that they need. For technical services, clients are more likely to use the Internet than the phone directory to find a vendor.
Word processing software:
– A basic word processing package allows you to correspond with customers as well as create basic reports.
Accounting software:
– You will need some means of keeping your accounting records straight. Accounting software can be as basic as a spreadsheet for a small business, or as elaborate as a custom bookkeeping system for a larger business
See you soon.
January 3, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Kike,
Have a look this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjMGtb3MDWo
Bye.
January 3, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Kike here you are the song
LEANN RIMES LYRICS
“Can’t Fight The Moonlight”
Under a lovers’ sky
Gonna be with you
And noone’s gonna be around
If you think that you won’t fall
Well just wait until
Til the sun goes down
Underneath the starlight – starlight
There’s a magical feeling – so right
It’ll steal your heart tonight
You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark
You’ll surrender your heart
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
No, you can’t fight it
It’s gonna get to your heart
There’s no escape from love
Once a gentle breeze
Weaves it’s spell upon your heart
No matter what you think
It won’t be too long
Til your in my arms
Underneath the starlight – starlight
We’ll be lost in the rhythm – so right
Feel it steal your heart tonight
You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark
You’ll surrender your heart
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
No you can’t fight it
No matter what you do
The night is gonna get to you
Don’t try then
You’re never gonna win
Underneath the starlight – starlight
There’s a magical feeling – so right
It will steal your heart tonight
You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark
You’ll surrender your heart
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
No, you can’t fight it
You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know
Don’t you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark
You’ll surrender your heart
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
No, you can’t fight it
It’s gonna get to your heart
AND FINALLY AND IN SPANISH.
Hay momentos en los que no se puede controlar el instinto, al lobo, o al animal que tenemos dentro; pero tampoco debe buscársele más explicación.
“you can’t fight the moonlight”.
January 3, 2009 at 5:11 pm
HI TO EVERYBODY! or should I say just, hi Charles? cause (except for me) you are the only person in this blog. Or should I say particular chat, now that Laura is missing too?
Nevermind! We’ll keep on running the blog. Sincerely, I really enjoy it (more than expected, I must confess).
First of all, thanks for the answer to my doubt. The lyrics of the song have been fairly useful to understand the meaning, but my mind is always working and I have a new doubt running through my head.
REASONABLE DOUBTS (part 2)
In many books I’ve seen that the verb “do” is used to emphasize something. Eg: ” I do remember her name”. This means that you remember it pretty well. And my doubt is the next. How can I emphasize something in a past or a future tense? I mean, if I say “I do will remember her name” to emphasize that I won’t forget it. Is it correct? And how should I tell it in the past? And in other tenses? Are there any other possibilities?Thanks in advance.
In response to freelancers tools.
I already guessed that some of those tools were going to be neccesary but thank you for explaining the whole details, Charles. Obviusly, is completely clear that you’ve been a freelancer and of course you know more about it than me so maybe you could help me ( whether in the end I decided to be a freelancer) to choose the product/service to be sell. What would you choose, something that already exists and you’d try to improve it or maybe something completely new? And if so, if you found out something absolutely different. Would you sell your great idea for an enourmous amount of money or would you run your idea until the end…?
January 3, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Hi,
Neither a new idea nor a existing one is the most important, the motivation is one of the most important traits a business owner can have. We are constantly called upon to set our own work schedules, create our own goals, and stick to deadlines. Without motivation none of this would work.
But to be very successful you need more than just casual motivation — you need to be able to motivate yourself on your schedule. A self-motivated person can focus better, be more creative, accomplish bigger goals, and many other things. People who are really self-motivated produce the quality of work that only a passionate individual can, and they do it whenever they need.
In my case I would run the idea till the end.
January 3, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Kike,
“I did remember her name” in the past; for the future I´d say “I will remember her name indeed” or “I will definitely remember her name”. “Indeed” can be used in any tense, but the connotation is somewhat different:
I do remember her name (I haven´t forgotten it.)
I remember her name indeed (Of course I/I surely remember her name.)
Saludos
Looking forward Laura´s confirmation
January 10, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Here I am again!
I’ve come back because I have a little doubt I’d like to share with you.
REASONABLE DOUBTS (part 3).
“Just you and me”/”Just you and I”
And the doubt is. Which one is correct? The first? The second? or maybe both are possible? Please I need help, desperately!!!
Now, it’s time for the Saturday’s night joke. This time is half a joke and half a poem. Here we go!
I don’t have breakfast because I’m thinking of you.
I don’t have lunch because I’m thinking of you.
I don’t have dinner because I’m thinking of you
and I don’t sleep because I’M HUNGRY!!!
January 11, 2009 at 11:53 am
As you all know, I – me Personal pronouns in English have one form (I, he, she, we, they) when they are used as the subject of a sentence and another form (me, him, her, us, them) when they are used as the object of a verb or follow a preposition (with me, after us, etc).
This applies to all personal pronouns, as listed above, except you and it which remain the same in both subject and object forms:
We gave them some chocolates and they gave us some wine.
I’ll lend you my flared skirt if you’ll lend me your blue denims.
Can you see Paul and Julie? You can’t see me, but I’m standing behind him and beside her in the photo.
So whether you say you and I or you and me in co-ordinate phrases depends on whether they function as subjects or objects in the sentence:
You and I should go and speak to Trevor about this matter.
Trevor has indicated that he wants to interview you and me.
HOWEVER Kike, in colloquial informal British English, people often use you and me as subjects, even though it is known to be incorrect. This has led to an assumption that you and me can never be correct and people (even the Queen perhaps) then sometimes use you and I as objects instead of the correct form you and me.But for your own convenience, keep a clear distinction between them as the same rule applies to other personal pronouns, i.e it’s she and I when they are the subject of the clause and her and me when they are the object:
Do you know Geoffrey? Well, he and I are going to Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea on Saturday.
They wouldn’t listen to her or me when I said we couldn’t go with them.
Hope it is clear now! See you in class number nine and thanks for the tone you give to your comments!
January 11, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Oops! I´ve read all through! I´ll answer your two previous “reasonable doubts” in a minute. The one on idioms and the one on emphasis. Let me focus on the one on idims first.
1. FIGHT THE MOONLIGHT.
It is now an allusion to the futility of trying to claim copyright on generic, pointless ideas, particularly within internet fandoms.
Kike, you guessed it means that you don’t have the possibility to stop doing something but it seems to be more specific according to the urban dictionary I checked. .You may find this idiom below more helpful…
2. FIGHT A GHOST.YOU CAN NEVER FIGHT A GHOST means:
1.If something is over and done with, you can’t keep on fighting it, because it is over. If someone has died, it would be futile for their loved ones to try to keep them alive (which is obviously impossible).
2. You can’t fight or overcome an invisible enemy or something that you can’t get a grasp on (because ghosts are transparent).
3.You can never fight something that you can’t see. Marry a Widow…you’ll find that her late husband was a saint…no matter what she said while he was alive.
4.You can’t change the past.
5.You cannot fight against someone or something that is more spiritual than physical…for example, you can’t defeat a martyr
6. You can’t change the past, what mistakes were made, etc just learn from them and try not to make the same ones again
It’s over, king. You can never fight a ghost!
Doubt on emphasis on next comment. Hope this one has been clear!
January 11, 2009 at 11:10 pm
THE EXPRESSION OF EMPHASIS. Quite a thorough explanation indeed!
(1) In speech we may give words extra emphasis by pronouncing them louder and with higher intonation, or we may make the vowel longer or pause before an stressed word.
(2) Emphasis can also be reflected on printing by using italics or bold type, and in hand writing by using capital letters or by underlining.
(3) It is worth noting that changes in emphasis can affect the meaning of a sentence, as we saw before when we referred to focus:
Jane phoned me yesterday. (not somebody else)
Jane phoned me yesterday. (she did not come to visit me)
Jane phoned me yesterday. (she did not phone you)
Jane phoned me yesterday. ( not today)
(4) There are many different grammatical methods to express emphasis.
(a) One way of adding emphasis to a sentence is turning it into an exclamatory sentence introduced by “what” or “how”. These sentences do not have subject operator inversion.
What weather we are having. How well she plays the piano.
(b) There are also many words that can be used to add emphasis to a sentence:
The reflexive pronouns or the word “own” after the possessive determiners are a way to emphasise a noun phrase and a pronoun respectively:
Tom cooks dinner himself.
Tom cooks his own dinner.
I spoke to the manager himself.
A further way of emphasising is with the adverb “so” and the determiner “such”, used to give emphasis to statements, questions or commands. They should not be mistaken with the same words used as comparatives.
It was such a lovely party. Why are you so afraid?
In affirmative sentences and commands without an auxiliary verb do can be added to carry the stress:
She does like you. Do come to visit us.
There are as well many adjectives and adverbs with a heightening effect on the nouns they modify, which is the case of emphasises and amplifiers such as simply, entirely, really, actually, indeed, etc.
I simply don’t believe you. I entirely agree with you.
Finally, within the special use of words to express emphasis we can mention repetition:
She looks much, much older than she used to.
(c) A different way of showing emphasis is by changing the word order of a sentence through fronting, inversion, cleft sentences, pseudo-cleft sentences or postponement.
As far as the fronting is concerned, it consists in placing an element of the sentence in initial position, a position that normally should be occupied by the subject:
Excellent food they serve here. Strange people they are.
Often the fronting of an adverbial is accompanied by inversion, which consists of placing the verb before its subject, but it has several limitations.
It can only be done when the verb phrase consists of a single word, otherwise only the operator is placed before the subject.
The verb has to be intransitive (of position or motion),
the fronted element is normally an adverb of place or direction
and the subject cannot be a pronoun.
Here comes the bus.
Subject operator inversion is obligatory if a negative adverbial is fronted:
At no time was the president aware of this problem.
Hardly had I arrived when trouble started.
As for cleft sentences, they split a sentence in two and they place
the new information in the first part with the subject “it” plus the verb “to be”,
and the second part, introduced by “that”, contains the given information.
Do you want to read this book? No, It’s the other book that I want to read.
Pseudo-cleft sentences also divide the information, but they are introduced by “what” and the order of the information is the opposite. Unlike cleft sentences, pseudo-cleft sentences cannot focus on an adverbial, a prepositional phrase or “who” / ”whom” / ”whose”, but on the other hand they can focus on the complement or the verb.
What I want to read is the other book.
What he is a genius.
What he’s done is spoil the party.
Finally, postponement consists of placing the new information at the end of the clause. When for reasons of emphasis it is convenient to place an agentive subject at the end because it conveys new information, the passive provides a way of postponing it:
Who makes those bulbs? They are made by Phillips.
See you in class!
January 24, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Thank you very much for such a wonderful explanation! It’s so useful! But the last part seems to be quite difficult to our level so I better store it on a corner of my mind waiting patiently to be completely understood when I feel ready.
REASONABLE DOUBTS (part 4)
Do you remember the video you uploded on Xmas which was about a child’s desire? Yeah, you do remember it! “All I want for Xmas IS my two front teeth” Why did they use “IS” instead of “are”? I know that’s correct but I need a clear explanation to remember it forever and ever because, in my opinion, when you understand something it’s easier to make it yours so you can use it later. I’m sure this is better than learning it by heart.
January 27, 2009 at 8:52 am
Hi Kike! Great to have you back and thanks to express your reasonable doubts! I´ll try to answer your question…
Your question has to do with number (quantity) and agreement in English, namely INDEFINITE constructions.
Indefinite constructions can be classified according to whether they refer to absolute quantity, abundance of quantity, excess of quantity, sufficient quantity, insufficient quantity or absence of quantity.
(a) ALL – what concerns you- expresses absolute quantity in the same way as the compounds of “every” and the word “whole”.
As you know, “Every” and its compounds are singular, and accordingly they require a verb in the third person singular, but they often have a plural association. Because of that the pronouns “they” and “their” are more frequent than their singular equivalents: “Everyone is talking at the top of their voices”.
As far as “all” and “whole” are concerned, they are the source of problems for Spanish learners-you just highlighted the issue- because both translate into Spanish as “todo”. Whereas “all” works mainly with uncountable nouns and countable nouns in the SINGULAR (All -pronoun_ I want for Xmas IS my two front teeth)- and in the plural- (All the students -predeterminer. see below!!!!!-ARE ready for the exam), “whole” can only go with singular countable nouns.
In the case when both are possible, “all” refers to the content and “whole” to the extent:
“All the boys were at the match”
“I told him all/the whole story”.
Further info on that…
“All” as a PREDETERMINER.
(1) All, both and half,
which can occur before the articles (all the day, all the days, all the furniture), possessive determiners (half my days, both his sisters, all my furniture) and demonstrative determiners (all those chairs).
Since they are quantitatifiers they cannot precede quantitative determiners.
Both has dual number, so it must be followed by a plural noun.
In addition to this predeterminer function they can be pronouns, and in that case they are followed by an of- construction (all of my friends, half of them).
…………………………………..
(b) Let me know focus on the expressions of abundance of quantity.
Here we may start with the closed class quantifiers “much” and “many”. “Much” is used mainly for uncountable nouns and “many” for countable ones and they are usually restricted to interrogative and negative sentences.
But “many” can occur in the affirmative accompanying the subject, as in “Many people came to see her”,
and also followed by countable nouns in singular in the expression “many a”, as in “Many a day has passed since then”.
Furthermore, “much” and “many” may also act in the affirmative as pronouns: “Much of what you say IS true”, “Many came to the demonstration”.
I hope it is unforgettable now!
See you in class!
February 2, 2009 at 7:17 pm
I already know that is not necessary to apologize but I’ve been missing too much time and there is a quite understanding reason for it.
The truth is that one week ago my computer exploded, althought it seems to be unbelievable it happened to me.
Now, I’m trying to buy a new laptop but when I was determined to buy it; What do you think that happened? The one I had choosen had been already sold!!! So I’m patiently waiting for a new opportunity because the rest of the laptops of the catalogue are not what I was looking for. It’s a pity because I have new doubts and more engaging stories to be shared but as you can imagine I can’t be asking for favours to friends as today, to submit comments.
I hope you comprehend it and please, forgive me if I’m missing for a few weeks more!!!
Laura. Thanks for solving my doubts in such a clear way.
February 7, 2009 at 9:41 am
Thanks for telling Kike! WE ALL hope to read your engaging stories soon!
March 28, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Do you remember I promised to come back with new stories? Well I didn´t lie you. Here you have two mini-sagas more. Enjoy them!
CONFUSING
When he woke up he didn’t know where he was. There was an old woman laying beside him. Confused, he asked her who she was.
She, surprised dialled a phone number, asked a question and waited for the answer.
Then, she started to cry.
She hadn’t heard about Alzheimer’s before.
TOO LATE TO APOLOGIZE
-What the hell were you thinking when you did it?-
-I was just kidding but I’m pretty sorry now Mum-
-Do you really believe that changing a patient’s diagnosis is a joke? For God’s sake! Grandpa came to the hospital suffering from appendicitis and now he has silicon titties!-
The truth is that I feel a bit dissapointed because I’ve written 7 mini-sagas but I’ve had to choose just one for the contest. The rules say that only one per person and it was quite difficult for me to decide which mini-saga could be the one that people would like the most.
I wrote a spanish poem too to compete in another contest and I’ve been selected as one of the fifteen finalists. I have to read it to the audience and the jury next thursday. We’ll see if I win some of the prizes!
I’ll keep you informed and don’t forget that an english poem is coming soon!
March 29, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Ey CONFRATULATIONS Kike!!!!!
I´ve to ask you something. I´ve a good friend who is also an English teacher. She is preparing a talk on minisagas for next national EOI´s Congress to be held in Gran Canaria in a few days and she may be interested in one of your writings. I told her you have already written some good pieces! May I give her your e-mail address so she can contact you?
I understand you are hesitant…
BEST OF LUCK!!!!!
April 1, 2009 at 6:02 pm
THANKS!!!!
Of course, you’re allowed to give her my e-mail but only if she takes me to Gran Canaria with her… It’s just a joke! Tell her not to be shy and that she can contact with me whenever she wants.
April 1, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Thanks Kike!
I have already asked her to take me with her but “computer said no”. She´d rather take you! She said she´s going to illustrate her talk by using the first two minisagas you posted on the blog so you´ll become a renowned writer after the Congress! I´ll/she´ll let you know how the lecture goes.
Ah! Of course thanks in her name!
Keep writing!
April 4, 2009 at 10:26 am
Hi!!!
How about in Valladolid?
Here in Miranda we’re ready to enjoy Easter holidays, more or less, because I’m helping a friend in his restaurant so I’m going to spend most of the time working. Who said crisis?
It’s a pitty that you’re not here because you’re missing the taste of a special homemade drink that we prepare these days. It’s called “Zurracapote” (what a beautiful name) It reminds me when I was young/younger ( It’s up to you) when my friens and I used to drink litters of Zurra because it was the cheapest drink. It’s made with red wine, lemons, oranges, sugar and cynnamon BUT IS NOT SANGRÍA! as many people think.
As regards my poem… I won the third prize! 200 € and a “NICE” trophy that will be hidden in a drawer forever and ever.
See you!!!!
April 8, 2009 at 8:23 am
I´m not very picky when it comes to spelling but did you really use to drink litTers of Zurra when you were youngER?
Take a pic of your trophy and post it please!!! Let´s show off, why not???
April 19, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I’m sorry but there’s no new minisagas to be posted in this comment.
I’m gonna write the poem I promised instead.
It’s the original one although it might be changed after Rebeca checks it for mistakes.
Here it is!
SOMETIMES
Sometimes I miss your whispered words.
I wish I heard them once again.
Words that are forever vanished.
Hurt that still remains.
I used to drink from your heady lips
where my thirst was quenched with the sweetest wine.
Now I hug this empty bottle
and I dream you are still mine.
Sometimes I bitterly wonder.
What was my fault to pay this price?
I thought I would always rule my luck
But it depends now on a rolling dice.
Sometimes I feel I’m like a bird.
I close my eyes and flap my wings.
To fly high.
To run away.
April 19, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Thanks so much for posting it and sorry for being demanding!
And now a question for the author: Could we roll a six-faced dice without being scared stiff?
Remember the soft red one we used to roll in class? It´s started to come apart.
May 17, 2009 at 5:21 pm
I’ve posted some comments and a minisaga a few hours ago but they seem to be vanished. If you can’t see them either let me know to post them again.
November 22, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Hi, this is a comment.
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