Reporting verbs are verbs which are used to tell someone what another person said. They are used in reported speech.
Say and tell are the most common reporting verbs. However, there are other reporting verbs that we can use instead of say and tell to communicate our ideas more clearly.
Example:
He said that he would drive me to the airport (this sentence is correct but long)
We can say instead:
He offered to drive me to the airport (this sentence is shorter and absolutely clear)
Common reporting verbs patterns
NOTES:
recommend and suggest are special verbs that can be followed by a “that clause” when we want or need to mention who is the recommendation/ suggestion for.
recommend/ suggest + that + someone + base form
Example:
I suggested watching a horror movie. (suggest + gerund)
If you want to be more specific and want to add information about who is the recommendation for, you can use a “that clause” (noun clause)
I suggested that my friends watch a horror movie.
My friends suggested that I study for the English test tonight.
My teacher recommended that Maria practice speaking with me.
Practice time
Level of difficulty:
Speaking Practice
Level of difficulty:
Student A:
Choose one box
Read the sentence out loud.
Tell your partner the hint.
Student B:
Close your eyes
Listen to your partner
Complete the following sentence: My friend __________________
Example:
Student A: If you stay in a hostel it will be cheaper (Hint: explain)
Student B: My friend explained to me that staying in a hostel would be cheaper.
The past modal of advisability is “should have” and it is used to talk about past actions or events that didn’t happen, but would have been a good idea if they had.
If you are still confused, you can find an easy explanation in your first language 🇪🇸 🇵🇹 🇨🇳 🇷🇺 🇺🇦 🇹🇷 🇯🇵 👇
We use used to/ didn’t use to + base form to talk about past habits or repeated actions or situations that have changed.
Attention!!!!! used to DOES NOT exist in the simple present (I use to study at night XXXXX). For present habits, we use usually + simple present (I usually study at night)
For action verbs, we can replace used to with the word would.
Example:
When I was a child I used to play video games every day = When I was a child I wouldplay video games every day.
If you are still confused, you can find an easy explanation in your first language 🇪🇸 🇵🇹 🇨🇳 🇷🇺 🇺🇦 🇹🇷 🇯🇵👇
An essay is a written piece where you can present an idea, propose an argument, express your emotions or initiate a debate.
In an advantages and disadvantages essay your task is to describe the positive and the negative sides of a specific topic. You must include examples and reasons to support your ideas. Sometimes you will also be asked to give your opinion. You can include your personal opinion in the introduction and conclusion of the essay.
The typical structure for an advantages and disadvantages essay is the following:
Paragraph 1: Introduction
Start your introduction with a sentence that paraphrases the question you were given
Add a sentence where you include the main ideas that you will talk about
Give your opinion (if required)
Paragraph 2: Advantages
Write a sentence where you summarize the main idea of the paragraph. In this paragraph you must mention the advantages.
Next write a sentence where you explain the advantages.
Finally you explain the consequence or result of advantages by giving an example.
Paragraph 3: Disadvantages
(This paragraph is similar to paragraph 2, but here you will talk about the disadvantages)
Write a sentence where you summarize the main idea of the paragraph. In this paragraph you must mention the disadvantages.
Explain the disadvantages.
Give examples of the disadvantages.
Paragraph 4: Conclusion
Summarize your ideas
Paraphrase your opinion (if required)
Example:
Advantages and disadvantages of travelingby plane
Nowadays,a lot of people prefer to travel by plane when they go to another country. However, air travel has both pros and drawbacks. Let’s examine some of these here.
One of the main advantages of traveling by plane is that it is much faster than any other form of transport. For example, you can fly from Toronto to New York in 2 hours, whereas by car, it would take more than 7 hours. Another advantage is that flying is more comfortable and less tiring because you can sleep on a long flight. You can also watch movies or read. Finally, it is safer. More people die in car accidents than in the air.
On the other hand, traveling by plane also has some disadvantages. To start with, it can be quite expensive, especially if you want to travel in the comfort of First Class or Business Class. What is more, flights are often delayed, and this means you may have to spend a long time waiting in the airport or miss connecting flights. In addition, you may arrive in New York while your suitcase has gone to Paris.
To sum up, the airplane is a great invention, but it does have some drawbacks. If it was cheaper, it would be better. Still, in my opinion, the pros outweigh the cons. If we didn’t have planes, it would be very difficult to travel to distant places.
Below there is a template that can help you write your advantages and disadvantages essays.
Template for an advantages and disadvantages essay
Practice time
Speaking Practice
Grammar practice
Speaking
Writing practice
Writing Practice
with your opinion.
Watch the following video to learn more vocabulary to talk about advantages and disadvantages