Mister Guru

A. How to Ask for Direction

• Where is ..., please?
• How do I get to ...?
• Can you help me, please? I want to get to ....
• Can you tell me where ... is?
• I’m looking for ....

B. How to Give Direction

• Go straight ahead. Take the lift / stairs.
• Turn left / right at the traffic lights.
• Walk straight.
• It’s on your left / right.
• It’s on the second floor.
• It’s upstairs / downstairs.
• Take the first right.
• Take the first exit.
• Take the ... bus and get off at ....
• It's next to ....
• It's opposite ....

C. Useful Expressions with Illustrations

D. Example Dialogues

Dialogue 1
Andy stops a passer-by to ask the way to the city museum.

Andy:	Excuse me, could you tell me where the museum is?
Passer-by:	The museum? It’s just over there, next to the park.
Andy:	Ah yes, thanks very much.
Passer-by:	You're welcome.

Dialogue 2
Ann needs to go to an ATM and asks a passer-by.

Ann:	Excuse me. Could you tell me the way to the nearest ATM?
Passer-by:	Well, go straight and turn left at the first junction. Go along the street and you will find a big supermarket. There are ATM booths in front of it.
Ann:	And what’s the supermarket called?
Passer-by:	Matahari. Shall I write it down for you?
Ann:	No, I think I’ve got it. Thanks a lot.
Passer-by:	Bye!

Dialogue 3
Lidya wants to go to the art gallery but she doesn't know how to get there.

Lidya:	Excuse me. How could I get to the art gallery?
Passer-by:	The art gallery? Get the 11 bus from the corner here, and get off at the Central park. Then turn left into Bright Avenue, and go on until you get to the gallery. It's on your right.
Lidya:	Could you write it down for me? I might get lost again otherwise.
Passer-by:	Certainly ... [writes it down for Lidya] ... there you are.
Lidya:	Thank you for your help.
Passer-by:	My pleasure. Enjoy the art gallery!
Lidya:	I will. Bye!
Passer-by:	Bye!

I. "A lot of"

"A lot of" is used for all types of sentences, affirmative (positive), interrogative (questions), or negative sentences, for both countable and uncountable nouns.

1. Example sentences with "a lot of" + countable nouns:
   • I have a lot of books.
   • Bob doesn't have a lot of clothes.
   • Do you have a lot of friends?
2. Example sentences with "a lot of" + uncountable nouns:
   • I have a lot of work to do.
   • Ali doesn't have a lot of money.
   • Do you have a lot of spare time?

Note: "Much" is never used in affirmative / positive sentences, while "many" can sometimes be used at the beginning of an affirmative / positive sentence, especially when the meaning is negative.

II. "Many" and "much"

"Many" and "much" are used in interrogative (questions) and negative sentences. "Many" is used for both countable nouns, whereas "much" is for uncountable nouns.

1. Example of interrogative sentences with "many" + countable nouns:
   • Do you have many books?
   • Does Siti have many clothes?
   • Do you have many photos?
   • I don't have many books.
   • Siti doesn't have many clothes.
   • I don't have many photos.
2. Example of interrogative sentences with "much" + uncountable nouns:
   • Do you have much paper?
   • Does Ali have much money?
   • Do you have much spare time?
   • I don't have much paper.
   • Ali doesn't have much money.
   • I don't have much spare time.

III. "A lot", "many" and "much" without a noun

"A lot", "many" and "much" can also be used without a noun.
Example sentences:

• I have some money but not much.
• I took some pictures but not many.
• She spoke to me but she didn't say much.
• Do you watch TV much? ~ No, not much.
• We like films, so we go to the cinema a lot.
• I don't like him very much.

A. Interactive Quiz

Complete each sentence by filling in the blank spaces with the correct answer, "a lot of", "many", or "much".

B. Writing Exercise

Rewrite the following sentences into the interrogative (questions).

1. He has a lot of friends.
2. Bill takes a lot of medicine.
3. This hotel has a lot of rooms.
4. There are a lot of bananas on the table.
5. They drink a lot of tea.

Rewrite the following sentences into the negative.

6. He is saving a lot of money.
7. There are a lot of kangaroos in the country.
8. There are a lot of people in front of the building.
9. She eats a lot of biscuits.
10. There is a lot of traffic in the streets during rush hours.

Complete the following sentences using "a lot of", "many", or "much". Sometimes, more than one answer may be possible.

11. Ali has ... spare time.
12. Indonesia has ... beautiful beaches.
13. Does Brisbane have ... bridges?
14. Do you eat ... rice?
15. We don't have ... bread.
16. Do they have ... different customs?
17. Barbara has ... flowers in her garden.
18. We usually have ... rain from October to April.
19. There are ... islands in Indonesia.
20. Do they grow ... rice?
21. How ... money have you got?
22. How ... photographs did you take?
23. How ... is this book?
24. How ... does the ticket cost?
25. Did they ask you ... questions?

I. Positive and negative statement with "Will + Infinitive"

Subject	Auxiliary Verb (Will)	Main Verb (Infinitive)
I / We / You / They / He / She / It / David / The students	will ('ll) will not (won't)	buy practice work leave wait

II. Interrogative statement (Question) with "Will + Infinitive"

Auxiliary Verb (Will)	Subject	Main Verb (Infinitive)
Will	I / We / You / They / He / She / It / David / The students	buy? practice? work? leave? wait?

III. Usage of future tense with "Will" and example sentences

1. We use "will" for the future (tomorrow / next week / next month, etc.). E.g.:
   • Sue travels a lot. Today she is in Madrid. Tomorrow, she'll be in Rome. Next week she'll be in Tokyo.
   • Leave the old bread in the garden. The birds will eat it.
   • Don't drink coffee before you go to bed. You won't sleep.
   • She will not be at school tomorrow.
2. We use "will" for unplanned future actions, which are done spontaneously at the time of speaking. E.g.:
   • Hold on. I'll get a pen.
   • We will see what we can do to help you.
   • Maybe we'll stay in and watch television tonight.
   For things we have arranged or planned to do, "be going to + infinitive" is commonly used.
   Learn more about Contrasting Future Forms "Be Going To" VS "Will" HERE.
3. We often use the simple future tense (will + infinitive) after "I think ...."E.g.:
   • I think I'll talk to him about it.
   • I think I will see her after work.
   • I don't think I will do that.
4. We use the simple future tense (will + infinitive) to make a prediction about what we think will happen in the future. E.g.:
   • The weather forecast says that it will rain tomorrow.
   • Things will get better soon.
   • Thousands of people will come to the new circuit to watch the first race.
   Learn more about Talking about Future Plans and Predictions in English HERE
   Learn more about Making Predictions with Future Continuous Tense HERE.
5. "Will you ...?" are usually used in polite requests. To make requests sound even more polite, "please" can be used at the end of the sentence.E.g.:
   • Will you talk to him about it?
   • Will you sign here, please?
   • Will you be quiet, please? I'm trying to concentrate.
   Learn more about Imperative Sentences and Polite Requests in English HERE

1. Write affirmative (positive), interrogative (question), and negative sentences with "will ...". Number 1 has been done as an example.
   1. They - build a new office.
      +: They will build a new office.
      ?: Will they build a new office?
      -: They won't build a new office.
   2. Ria - get the job.
   3. We - be away for a week.
   4. It - take a long time.
   5. She - be at work tomorrow.
   6. The committee - postpone the meeting.
2. In this interactive exercise, choose the correct answer for each question, "will" or "won't".
   
3. Helen is travelling in Europe. By referring to the picture below, complete the sentences with "she's", "she was", or "she'll be".
   
   1. Yesterday, ... in Paris.
   2. Tomorrow, ... in Amsterdam.
   3. Last week, ... in Barcelona.
   4. Next week, ... in London.
   5. At the moment, ... in Brussels.
   6. Three days ago, ... in Munich.
   7. At the end of her trip, ... very tired.
4. Write sentences beginning with "I think ..." or "I don't think ...". Number 1 and 2 have been done as an example.
   1. Diana will pass the exam.
      Answer: I think Diana will pass the exam.
   2. John won't pass the exam.
      Answer: I don't think John will pass the exam.
   3. We'll win the game.
   4. I won't be here tomorrow
   5. Sue will like her present.
   6. They won't get married.
   7. You won't enjoy the film.
   8. We will finish the project in time.
   9. We will not leave yet.
   10. The train will arrive on time.
5. Change the following commands into polite requests using "Will you ...? Number 1 has been done as an example.
   1. Sign this form, please.
      Answer: Will you sign this form, please?
   2. Leave your bags here.
   3. Speak loudly, please.
   4. Say that again.
   5. Come with me.
   6. Make some coffee, please.

Reference:

Murphy, Raymond Essential Grammar In Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998.

6610-0124PM-940.

n this post, we are going to learn adverb clause words, transitions, conjunctions, and prepositions which express cause and effect, opposition, and condition. To make it easier for you to understand the subject, there are example sentences as well as an interactive exercise where you can practice and test your uderstanding. Happy learning.

	ADVERB CLAUSE WORDS	TRANSITIONS	CONJUNCTIONS	PREPOSITIONS
CAUSE & EFFECT	because since now that as as/so long as inasmuch as so (that)	therefore consequently	so for	because of due to
OPPOSITION / CONTRAST	even though although / though whereas while	nevertheless nonetheless however on the other hand	but (... anyway) yet (... still)	despite in spite of
CONDITION	if unless only if / even if whether or not provided (that) providing (that) in case (that) in the event (that)	otherwise	or (else)	in case of or (else)

1. He went to bed because he was sleepy. (Cause and effect)
2. Gold is expensive, whereas copper is cheap. (Opposition)
3. I’m going to the movie this evening whether or not it rains. (Condition)

1. It was hot. Therefore, he turned on the air condition. (Cause and effect)
2. It was raining. Nevertheless, he went out. (Opposition)
3. You’d better wear a jacket. Otherwise, you’ll catch cold. (Condition)

1. It was getting late, so we decided to go home. (Cause and effect)
2. It was getting late, yet we still continued working. (Opposition)
3. You should leave now, or (else) you’ll be late for school. (Condition)

1. The flight was canceled due to the heavy fog. (Cause and effect)
2. They went out despite the bad weather. (Opposition)
3. In case of fire, call 911 immediately. (Condition)

Do this exercise. Complete the sentences using one of the words listed in the above table.

1. Dina lives in the city, ... Rinda lives in the country.
2. The meeting was postponed ... the heavy rain.
3. ... I had a cold, I decided to go to school.
4. You’d better prepare for the test, ... you will fail again.
5. You forget the meaning of these words ... you never practice it.
6. Mastering English is just a matter of practice. ... you must practice a lot.
7. She kept riding her motorcycle ... the flat back tire.
8. I’m going to take my TV set ... it hasn’t been repaired.
9. Her father has told her to study. ... she is going to the movie.
10. Parents should supervise their children when watching TV. ... they may watch inappropriate programs.
11. He didn't get the job ... he didn't have enough experience.
12. He got the job ... he didn't have enough experience.
13. I'll lend you some money ... you really need it.
14. The music was loud ... you could hear it from miles away.
15. I couldn't sleep ... I was very tired.
16. ... it rained a lot, we enjoyed our vacation.
17. We went out ... the rain.
18. He passed the exam ... he was well-prepared.
19. I didn't get the job ... I had all the necessary qualifications.
20. ... fire, please leave the building as quickly as possible.

A. Useful Expressions

Receiving a call

• Hello / good morning / good afternoon.
• Good morning, ...(your institution)....
• Hello. Dea speaking.
• Yes, can I help you?
• Oh, hi! It's been a long time. How are you?

Starting a call (caller)

• Hello / good morning / good afternoon.
• May I speak to ...(someone)..., please?
• Could I speak to ...(someone)..., please?
• I'd like to speak to ...(someone)....

Telling identity

• This is ...(your name)... speaking.
• ...(your name)... speaking.
• I'm calling on behalf of ...(company)....
• ...(someone)... told me to contact you.

Asking identity

• Who's calling, please?
• Who's speaking?
• May I have your name?
• Who am I speaking to?
• Is that ...(someone)...?
• Can I ask who’s calling?

Note:
We don’t use "Are you ...?"to find out who is on the other end of the phone.
We can ask "Is that Anne?", not "Are you Anne?"

Asking to wait

• Hold the line, please.
• Could you hold on?
• Just a moment, please.
• Please wait a minute.

Connecting

• The line is free now. I'll put you through.
• Thank you for holding.

Giving information

• I'm sorry. He/she is not available at the moment.
• I'm afraid the line is engaged. Could you call back later?
• I'm afraid he's still in a meeting.
• I'm sorry. He's out of the office today.
• I'm sorry. There's nobody here by that name.
• Sorry. I think you have dialled the wrong number.

Leaving a message

• I'd like to leave a message.
• Please tell him that I will meet him next week.
• Please tell him that I called.
• That's alright. I'll call back later.
• Yes. Please tell him to contact me.

Taking a message

• Would you like to leave a message?
• Do you have a message?
• May I take a message?
• May I have your number?
• Let me repeat your message. ...(repeat the message and confirm the details, e.g. place, time, telephone number, etc.)

Asking to repeat

• I'm sorry. Could you speak up, please?
• Could you repeat that, please?
• I'm afraid I can't hear you.
• I'm sorry. I didn't catch that. Come again?
• I beg your pardon. The line is very bad.

Closing a call

• Thank you. Bye.

B. Example Dialogues

Dialogue 1
Dave phones Vicki’s number to see if Nigel’s there.
DAVE: Hello, could I speak to Vicki?
VICKI: Speaking.
DAVE: Oh, hello Vicki – I didn’t recognise your voice. It’s Dave.
VICKI: Hi, Dave. How’s things?
DAVE: Not bad, thanks. Listen, I don’t suppose Nigel’s there, is he?
VICKI: No – but I’m expecting him round later on.
DAVE: OK – could you get him to ring me back?
VICKI: Of course. Can you give me your number?
DAVE: I think he’s got it, but let me give you it now just in case.
VICKI: Hang on – let me get a pen . . . OK.
DAVE: Six-seven-nine-oh-four-oh-four. Got that?
VICKI: Got it!

Dialogue 2
Julie’s phone rings, and she answers.
JULIE: 247649.
TERRY: Ah, hello. Could I speak to Jim, please?
JULIE: Jim?
TERRY: Yes, Jim Fife. Is he there?
JULIE: I’m afraid there isn’t anyone here by that name. Who am I speaking to?
TERRY: This is Terry Smith. Isn’t that Marilyn’s house?
JULIE: No – you’ve got the wrong number.
TERRY: Ah – I’m sorry.
JULIE: Quite all right.

Dialogue 3
Cynthia phones to speak to Bob at work. But she gets through to his secretary.
CYNTHIA: Hello, it’s Cynthia Palmer here. Can I speak to Bob Watford please?
SECRETARY: Hold on, I’ll see if he’s available .... Hello? I’m afraid Mr Watford’s in a meeting at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?
CYNTHIA: Yes – could you ask him to get back to me as soon as possible?
SECRETARY: Yes – has he got your number?
CYNTHIA: Yes, he has.
SECRETARY: Fine – I’ll make sure he calls you as soon as he gets out of the meeting.
CYNTHIA: Thanks.

Source: Colloquial English: A Course for Non-Native Speakers by Gareth King