Linguagum

Today’s sentence

Hi, welcome back. OK, we’re going to spend a few days looking at adjectives, comparatives and superlatives.

This is good. That one’s better than this one. This one’s the best.

Notes

• Good = adjective. Better = comparative. The best = superlative.
• These ones are irregular and obviously very common.
• You say “better than…”
• e.g. Your computer is good, but mine is better than yours. However, Jim’s is the best (one.)
• Esto está bien. Ese es mejor que este. Este es el mejor.

We’ll continue with this theme tomorrow with another irregular adjective. See you tomorrow!

Today’s sentence

Hi, welcome back. This is the last sentence in the some/any series.

Would you like some coffee?

Notes

• Here it is again… some in a question.
• We use some because we think the answer will be “yes.”
• It’s an offer, and we expect that the other person will accept.
• For that reason we use “some”.
• ¿Quieres café?

We’re going to look at a new theme tomorrow - don’t go away!

Today’s sentence

Hello again. Here’s the new sentence in the some/any theme.

Could I have some sugar in my tea, please?

Notes

• Hmm. We said the other day that some is used for affirmative sentences and any is used for questions.
• But this is a question using some.
• What’s going on?
• Well, when a question is also a request (you are asking for something) you use some.
• Confusing, eh?
• e.g. Could you give me some help, please?
• ¿Me da azúcar (para el té) por favor?

…coming tomorrow… goodbye

Today’s sentence

Hi, here’s the new sentence in the some / any theme.

I don’t have any brothers but I do have some sisters… three, in fact.

Notes

• This is an answer to yesterday’s question.
• I don’t have any brothers. It’s a negative sentence, so we use “any” for plural nouns.
• But I do have some sisters. Affirmative sentence, plural noun (sisters), some.
• “I do have…” what’s this? Do is for questions, right?
• Right, usually. But in this sentence we are using it for emphasis, or contrast. I don’t have any… but I do have…”
• Listen to the sentence again: my pronunciation should help you understand this point. (I hope.)
• No tengo hermanos pero sí que tengo hermanas. Tres, de hecho.

That’s all for today. See you tomorrow!

Today’s sentence

Hello again. We’re continuing with the some / any theme today. Here’s the new sentence.

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

Notes

• Brothers and sisters. You can count them, can’t you?
• Because it’s plural, we use “any” in the question.
• Do you have a sister? (Singular.)
• Do you have any sisters? (Plural.)
• ¿Tienes hermanos?

What do you think an affirmative sentence might be? We’ll look at that tomorrow! Bye!

Today’s sentence

Welcome back. Here’s the next in the series on the use of some/any.

I haven’t got any money.

Notes

• Any money. A question could be: “Do you have any money?”
• Do you remember yesterday’s sentence? (Do you have a light?)
• Remember, it’s “a light” because this is a countable noun.
• However. Money isn’t a countable noun. You can’t say “one money.”
• It’s like sugar, or coffee, or air, for example. You can’t have two airs, because you can’t count air.
• So, we have to use some or any. I have some money.” (Affirmative sentence.) I haven’t got any money (negative sentence.) Do you have any money? (Question.)
• No tengo dinero.

We’ll continue this tomorrow - see you then!

Today’s sentence

Hi, how are you? This week we’re looking at sentences using a, some or any.

Have you got a light?

Notes

• OK, I know most people don’t smoke these days, but for those of you who do…
• “Have you got a light?” This means “do you have a match / lighter (to light my cigarette.)
• It’s “a light” because (a) it’s a countable noun (1 light, 2 lights) and (b) you only want one light.
• Other examples? Do you have a dog? Could I have a cup of coffee, please?
• I know this is very basic, but tomorrow you’ll see why I included this.
• ¿Tienes fuego?

OK, that’s all for today - we’ll continue with this theme tomorrow… bye for now!