Holiday Experience: How to Use Past Tense (3)

Objectives

1. Differentiate simple past tense from past continuous tense by identifying each tense in a sentence.
2. Use simple past tense and past continuous tense correctly to tell about holiday experience.

Learn about it!

You went to a really good place last holiday and your friend asked you about your experience having a holiday in that place. What will your reaction be? How do you tell them about your experience? In this lesson, you will learn about how to use past tense in order to tell your holiday experience.

Experience can be defined as something that happens to you. Generally, it happened to you in the past. It can be childhood experience, events that happened last year, or even your holiday experience. Holiday experience happened to you in the past. Logically an experience is something that you face, something that happened to you in the past. Experience is life events that already happened before. It is something that you have been through before. So, when we want to tell others about our experience in the past, how do we tell them in English?

In English, there are several ‘tenses’ we can use that show the time at which an action happened. For example when we talk about something that will happen in the future we use future tense; when we talk about something that we are doing now we use present continuous tense; when we want to tell about something that happened in the past we use past tense.

Holiday experience is something that happened in the past, thus we use past tense to tell others about what happened. Read the text about holiday experience below.

Do you understand?

Pay attention to the first sentence. How do you know that the experience happened in the past?

Last weekend, my family and I wentto the beach.

There are two ways to analyze the tense:

• First, you can find the time that indicates it happened in the past, as in the example above you can find “Last weekend”. This phrase tells you that the event happened last week, which means it happened in the past.
• Second, you can see it from the verb that is used in the sentence. In the example above, you can read that ‘my family and I went to the beach’. ‘Went’ is past form of ‘go’, it indicates the use of simple past tense.

The next sentences in the text above are also written in past tense:

1. First, my father checked* the car. ‘Checked’ is past form of ‘check’.
2. It was in a good condition, so we were ready to go. ‘Was’ and ‘were’ are past form of ‘be’.
3. Before we went, my mother cooked the meal while my father and I were packing our things.

In this sentence, there are two clauses joined by ‘while’:

a. Before we went, my mother cooked the meal; and
b. My father and I were packing our things.

The first clause uses simple past tense just like the other sentences. It is indicated by the word ‘cooked’. This is the past form of ‘cook’. However, there is something different with the second clause. It uses past continuous tense instead of past tense. Past continuous tense indicates an event that was happening at a particular time in the past. So, the event ‘my father and I were packing our things’ was happening while ‘my mother cooked the meal’.

Keypoints

Past Tense
In past tense, the verb that you use is in the past form. For example:

• I did my homework.
• She studied math after class. The above structure is examples of simple past tense.

Past Continuous Tense
In past continuous tense, you use was/were + the –ing form of a verb. ‘Was’ is used for singular (I, she, he). ‘Were’ is used for plural (they, we).
Example:

• I was taking a bath when you called.
• We were going to the mountain, but the storm came.

Direct and Indirect Speeches

(REPORTED SPEECH)

Objectives

• Understanding the concept of reported speech.
• Shifting direct speech into reported speech using appropriate tenses.

Learn about it!

Dad: Andy, please tell mom to pick up your sister at 9 p.m. I will have a meeting tonight.
Andy: Okay, Dad.

Andy: Mom, Daddy told me that he will have a meeting tonight. He asked you to pick up Anna at 9 p.m.
Mom: Okay, thank you Andy.

Reported speech is commonly used in spoken text/ conversation. In daily settings we can find people do this reported speech when they want to share information to friends, families or the other without changing the exact meaning (Not the exact words since the tense may slightly vary). This is why reported speech is also known as ‘Indirect speech’.

The idea of reported speech is similar to the situation when you receive a message or information from somebody then, you tell someone else about it. The channel of information goes from the person telling the information to you, yourself, the person hearing the information from you. In that case you are the 2nd speaker and the other person whom you share the information with is the 3rd speaker. See the illustration below!

The difference between direct speech and reported speech is on the use of the original words from the 1st speaker. In direct speech we repeat the original 1st speaker exact words but in reported speech we say the exact meaning without using the 1st speaker original words, or called reporting. The consequence of reporting what you hear from someone to someonelse is the changes in tenses, especially when we turn direct speech into reported speech. See the table below!

Do you understand?

Read the text carefully and turn the direct speech into reported speech!

You have just received a call from your uncle. He is a professor, teaching in a well-known university in this country. In his conversation with you, he gives some tips of becoming a successful university student. He guaranties if you do all of the suggestions, you can be successful. He mentions rule number one, “Study at the same time.” Rule number two, “Start with the most difficult subject first”. Rule number three, “Do your homework today.” And rule number four, “Have a study group with your friends”. You tell your friends that a professor gives you four tips of successful study in the university. Your friends are very interested to know what the tips are. One by one they start asking you to tell.

Rendy: Can you tell us the tips of successful students from the professor?
Aldo: What is the first rule?
You : (1) ....
Ivan : What’s next?
You : (2) ....
Erik : Then the third?
You : Did our homework today
Aldo: What is the last?
You : (3) ....
They: Thank you for sharing the secrets.
You : My pleasure

What would you tell your friends about the rule number one? Choose the correct sentence ....

a. He mentioned that the first rule study at the same time
b. He mentioned that the first rule studies at the same time
c. He mentioned that the first rule studied at the same time
d. He mentioned that the first rule studying at the same time
e. He mentioned that the first rule to study at the same time

Hint:
What tense is used to tell the tips?

Explanation:
The correct answer is, ‘He mentioned that the first rule studied at the same time.’ We can see in the third answer that the tense which is used is simple past. The other answer must have the same tense.

Direct speech: Study at the same time (simple present)
Reported speech: Studied (simple past)

What is the second rule? Choose the right asnwer below ....

a. Start with the most difficult subject first
b. Starts with the most difficult subject first
c. Is started with the most difficult subject first
d. Was started with the most difficult subject first
e. Started with the most difficult subject first

Hint:
Which answer is using simple past?
Explanation:
The verb is start (V1) and started for V2 (simple past)

The third advice to be a successful university student is ....

a. Studied group with your friends
b. Has study group with your friends
c. Have study group with your friends
d. Had study group with your friends
e. Having study group with your friends

Hint:
What is the verb? Change it into simple past!
Explanation:
The verb is have (V1) and had (V2)

Keypoints

• There is no comma after said in reported speech.
• The word that is optional, it can be omitted.

Encouraging Others

Objectives

Through this section, you will learn:
• How to encourage others in different situations

Learn about it!

Have you ever got a hard situation in your life? Do you feel better when someone encourages you?

       In this life, happiness and problem will come and go. Once the hard time happens, encouragement from people around will help you to feel better. Encouragement might not lessen your problem nor change the situation. However, it shows that you are surrounded by the people who care on you.

       Imagine, your friend is good in singing. One day, she is going to follow a singing contest and very nervous. What are you going to say to encourage her? There are so many expressions you can say. Here, we are going to learn how to give encouragement.

       However, there are other expressions that can be used to encourage others. Let’s see. Encouragement can be given in two situations. First, encouragement is given when someone has a problem.

For example:
• Failing the exam
• Failing to be the winner in a contest

Second, encouragement is given to someone who is going to face a remarkable event in their life. Here are the example of the situations:
• Going to have an exam
• Going to follow a contest

What do we say?

You can use these expressions to give encouragements:
• I know you can do it.
• I’m with you.
• Well done!
• You will do better next time.
• That’s okay. You have tried your best.

Look at the conversation between Nina and her friend, Marissa.

Situation: Marissa and Nina are checking the result of their English Language exam.

Nina sees that Marissa looks sad.
Nina: How is the result?
Marissa: It is not good. I fail the exam.
Nina: Don’t worry. You will do better next time.
Marissa: What about you?
Nina: Mmmm, well, I pass the exam.
Marissa: Nina, I’m happy for you.

From the conversation, we know that Marissa failed the exam. Nina encouraged her by saying Don’t worry. You will do better next time.

Try it!

A. Complete the conversation by using the expressions of encouragement you have learnt.

Situation: Danny is a swimming athlete. Before the competition is begun, his friend, Dika, comes to meet him.

Dika: When will the competition begin?
Danny: It will be on 09.30.
Dika: How do you feel, Danny?
Danny: I’m a litle bit nervous.
Dika: ....
Danny: Well, thank you.

Solution:
The conversation can be completed by some expressions, such as:
• Don’t worry. You can do it.
• I know you can do it.
• My support is with you.

B. Look at these expressions. Pair the situations with the appropriate expressions.

Solution:
Here is the appropriate use of those expression.
Situations: (A) Your friend is practicing a speech for a speech competition in front of you.
Expression: Well done!

Situations: (B) Your friend fails a contest.
Expression: That’s okay. You’ve tried your best.

Situations: (C) Your friend is going to have an exam.
Expression: I know you can do it.

Expressing Annoyance

Objectives

Learning competency: responding the meaning of formal and sustained transactional (to get things done) as well as interpersonal (social) conversations that use various spoken language expressions accurately, fluently and acceptable in the context of everyday life, involving expressions of annoyance.

Learn about it!

In this topic, you will learn how to express annoyance formally and informally. Read the following explanation carefully.

Expressing Annoyance

What do you feel when someone accidentally pour coffee to your new shirt or step on your new shoes? What do you feel when someone interrupts you in the middle of your speech? You must feel annoyed, don`t you? In every day’s life you often find impolite people or those who make mistakes unintentionally to you. Being in this situation, you usually feel annoyed or upset.

It is important to keep in mind, though, that no matter how upset you are, you cant just express your annoyance as you want. Stay in control and avoid being rude. You need to express it appropriately by looking at the situations and who you are talking to, so that you wont find yourself irritate other people.

Annoyance is an unpleasant feeling that may lead to anger and frustration. Its not a bad emotion if you dont express it aggressively. The term ‘bad’ here means destructive. Expressing annoyance in a good way will show other people your true feeling and give them chance to apologize and change their behavior. In other situations, proper expression of annoyance can serve as a way to remind and warn others about the unpleasant actions, treatments, service, etc.

Expressing annoyance in formal situation:

In expressing annoyance, you should consider the timing and who you are talking to. In formal situations, you can use the following expressions of annoyance.

• I’m getting very irritated.
• I’m a little irritated
• I’m really disappointed
• I’m getting very annoyed
• I’m very annoyed.
• I’m extremely displeased with …
• … is extremely irritating.
• I’m extremely unhappy about this.
• It really bothers me.

When can we use those expressions? Possible situations that you encounter are:
* Feeling annoyed for somebody’s words, behavior, actions, in formal situations such as in a meeting, conference, or speaking to people you respect.
* Feeling annoyed for a bad service when staying at the hotel, or eating out at the restaurant.
* Feeling annoyed to people older than you, of those who you respect.

Expressing annoyance in informal situation:

The followings are some expressions you can use to express your annoyance informally. You can use them to talk to your close friends or people you know quite well.

• Oh, no!
• Oh, dear!
• What a nuisance!
• It makes me mad.
• For goodness sake!
• For heavens sake!
• I can’t believe it.
• I can`t take it.
• It really gets on my nerves.
• I can’t stand it anymore.
• It drives me crazy.

When do we use the above expressions? Informal expressions are suitable for more casual situations. We usually speak in casual manners to close friends and siblings. It is very important to remember, although you have a close relationship with someone older than you, it doesn’t mean that you can express your annoyance casually. Showing respect is a must!

Do you understand?

Example of dialogues

1. Situation: in a photocopy shop

Fotocopy operator : Can I help you?
Randy: Yes, please make 5 copies of this file. Thanks.

(5 minutes later)

Fotocopy operator: Here are the copies. It will be 2000 rupiah.
Randy: Oh, no. I forgot to bring my wallet.
Fotocopy operator: We open till 7 PM, leave the copied files here, and we will wait for you.

Discussion:
The expression typed in italic is an informal expression of annoyance. Randy is annoyed because he forgot to bring her money and can`t pay for the copies.

2. Situation: at school

Principal : Can I see the school report from the assessor?
Vice-Principal : Certainly, Mr. Handerson. Here it is.

(5 minutes later)

Principal : The report said that we did not have enough computers for
the IT class. I think I have told Mr. Brown to order more computers. How could this happen? I am really not happy with this situation.

Discussion:
The expression typed in italic is a formal expression of annoyance. The principal is annoyed because the school do not have enough computers like it`s supposed to.

Keypoints

·                     When you express your annoyance, you should pay attention to the expressions you use. Choose formal or informal expressions according to who you are talking to; and where you are at the time of speaking. You also need to remember not to use offensive expressions because you can irritate other people`s feelings.

·                     To add emphasis to your feelings, you may add adverbs of degree in your expressions to show others how annoyed you are, such as extremely, very, really, pretty, fairly, quite, a little.

Formal vs Informal Compliment

Learning Objectives

In this lesson, you will learn formal compliment and how it differs from the informal one.

Lesson

In the lesson under the topic giving informal compliments, you have learned about complimenting a person in a casual way. Here, you will learn how to compliment a person in a more formal way. The following dialogue is based on the following setting.

Settings:
Mr Simon and Mr Jan meet in a party at their friend’s house. Mr Simon comes with his wife who is wearing simple yet elegant black nightgown.
Note: Pay attention to the parts in bold.

Mr Yaya: Hello, how are you?
Mr Simon: Fine, thank you. How are you?
Mr Yaya: Very well, thanks. Nice party, isn’t it?
Mr Simon: Yes nice. However, nothing compares to how my wife looks tonight.
Mr Yaya: Oh yes, of course. Mrs Simon, you are looking wonderful in your gown.
Mrs Simon: Thank you. That’s a nice compliment. My husband gave this as a present for my birthday.
Mr Simon: You deserved it, my dear. (Mr Simon says to his wife)

In the dialogue, the expressions in bold are the way people give compliments. The dialogue also shows how to respond to a compliment formally. It is important to remember, when people say polite things to you, you should respond them politely, too.

Here, Mr Yaya is complimenting Mrs Simon who is wearing simple but elegant gown by saying “You are looking wonderful in your gown.” Getting this compliment, Mrs Simon thanking Mr Yaya by saying “That’s a nice compliment.”

You can use the above compliment or you can choose one of the following formal compliments expressions:

You are looking beautiful today.
May I be so bold as to compliment your blue outfit
May I pay you a compliment? You really look elegant today.
I hope you don’t mind, but you are looking great today.

Tips

The above compliments are used when you want to show your admiration to a person’s appearance in a formal way. When it is a person’s skills or possessions to admire, you can choose the following expressions.

Complimenting someone’s skills

I admire your ability to sew.
My compliments on your cooking.
You are a fine writer.
I must say you really know how to sketch.
You can really subtitle.
If you don’t mind my saying, you are an incredible artist.
What an amazing singer you are!
I wish I could draw as well as you!

Complimenting possessions

What an interesting view you have from your bedroom.
I couldn’t help but notice your beautiful hair.
What a lovely smile you have!
You have such an obedient monkey.
You have such a cozy house.
I have to admit I’m jealous of your achievement.

Key Points

So, what are the differences between informal and formal compliment?
* Formal compliment is longer than the informal one.
* Formal compliment is used to compliment a person that you don’t know very well, while an informal compliment is delivered to a person that has a close relation to the speaker.

Expressing Criticism

Objectives

Responding meaning to conversation of getting things done and interpersonal accurately by considering various language features and social function in: criticizing.

Learn about it!

Pay attention to the following picture, and read the text about Instagram.

A New Way to Share Experiences

       Do you love photography? Do you love to freeze moment through picture? Do you love sharing your experiences to many people? If you do, you will know the latest social media where you can share your experiences through pictures to everyone. This social media is called Instagram. Many teenagers nowadays know Instagram. You can access Instagram by using your mobile phone. You just need to download the application. By using Instagram, people can take a picture then post it so everyone in the world can see your picture.

       There are several benefits of Instagram. First, Instagram is a useful media for e-commerce. All online sellers can sell their products by posting the pictures of their products on Instagram. Another benefit of Instagram is people can use it as a media to practice their skill in photography. People who have a lot of followers in their Instagram generally have brilliant skills in photography. The most important thing, the use of Instagram is free. Therefore, you do not have to pay some money to take benefits of Instagram.

Language Focus

Pay attention to the following dialogue between these two students.

Student 1: Hey, what are you doing? You keep staring at your mobile phone.
Student 2: I am posting some pictures on my Instagram.
Student 1: What? Instagram? What is that?
Student 2: It is a free social media. Its function is almost the same as other social media, but in Instagram you can only post picture. Here, look at my pictures.
Student 1: Well. Do you get any benefit from uploading pictures on Instagram?
Student 2: Yes of course. First, I can share my experience through pictures to all my friends on Instagram, Besides, I do my business by using Instagram. I sell various women’s dresses. By selling my dresses on Instagram, I do not need to pay for renting place to sell my dresses. That is awesome, isn’t it?
Student 1: Yes it is. But you have to be careful in using the social media. Social media might be disastrous if the users are not careful.
Student 2 : Yes I agree with you. Many kinds of social media can be beneficial for the users, but it can also be disastrous for the users. Posting something on social media means we let everyone knows what we have posted. Therefore, we should be more careful and wise to use all kind of social media. On instagram for example, fortunately this social media provides “private feature” where only limited people who can see your pictures.
Student 1 : That’s great. By the way, thank you for the information.
Student 2 : Anytime.

After reading the dialogue, pay attention to the following expression taken from the dialogue:

1. Social media might be dangerous if the users are not careful.
2. Any kind of social media can be beneficial for the users, it can be also disastrous for the users.
3. We should be more careful and wise to use all kind of social media.

Modals "might, should/should’t, can and could” are used to express disapproval or criticism.

The following are the example of expression of criticism:

1. I have to say that the new songs from your band are disappointing.
2. With all due respect, Ms. Ann, I do not think your idea is applicable.
3. The new English teacher seems, shall we say, a little bit sensitive. She is easily to get angry.
4. They should not be here for doing nothing.

You may also expressing criticism by not using the aforementioned expressions. The most important, when you criticize means you give any evaluation toward someone/something. Here are some examples:

1. The film was totally boring.
2. Your words were really rude.
3. She behaves rudely to you teacher.
4. Ann and Dan were really annoying last night.

Expressing Prediction

Objectives

Learners are able to comprehend the expressions of prediction. 
Learners are able to use the expressions of prediction.

Learn about it!

Two students are having conversation. They are discussing the national examination they will face next week.

Andy : Final examination is coming next week. I am afraid I cannot do it. 
Nanda : Don’t be worried. You will definitely be able to do all the subjects well. I am sure because you have studied every day.

       Based on the mentioned example, Nanda is saying something about what will happen to Andy in the national examination. It means, Nanda is making prediction. Nanda predicts that Andy will be able to do all examination, because Nanda knows that Andy has learned hard every day.

       Pay attention to another example of how to make a prediction in English. The following is a conversation between two boys who are planning to play tennis.

Raka: Wira. Let’s practice tennis tomorrow morning. I want to prepare for the tennis competition that will be held next six months. 
Wira: Well. I also want to practice tennis, but I am afraid we cannot do it tomorrow morning. This morning I watched the news, it is predicted that tomorrow morning will be rain. So, it is better for us to stay at home.

On the text, Wira is saying something that tomorrow will be raining; so it is better for the two of them to stay at home rather than play tennis. Wira is saying that information based on his knowledge after watching news on the television. It means that Wira is making prediction. Wira could predict that they cannot practice tennis since tomorrow will be rain.

From the examples before, the two dialogues contain the expression of making prediction. Making prediction means to say that an action or event will happen in the future especially as a result of knowledge or experience.

The following are other examples of expressions of making prediction:

• I predict Anita will not come to the party.
• We do not think the weather will be nice tomorrow to have a picnic.
• I predict dollars currency will increase next month.
• It is predicted that tomorrow will rain.
• I am sure you can pass tomorrow’s exam.

Keypoints

• Please remember that not all expressions of prediction contain word “predict” as a way to convey prediction.
• The most important point of making prediction is that someone is saying that something will happen. Therefore, the use of word “predict” is unnecessary.