Word Use: However and Nevertheless - II

However and Nevertheless: for counter-argument

If you need to write essays, it is also useful to use however, nevertheless, nonetheless or even so to introduce the final part of a three-part structure:

* in the first part you might outline an argument, introducing it perhaps with it is often said;

* in the second part you might indicate that there is supporting evidence using it is true or certainly to introduce these ideas;

* in the third part introduce the counter-argument with however or one of the other discourse markers listed above.

• It is said that water pollution is one of the greatest evils in this country.
  
  
• It is true that more and more factories are being built along this stretch of the river and that a certain amount of waste will inevitably be discharged into the river.
  
  
• However, in all the discussions that I have had with these firms' representatives, I have not found one who does not have a responsible attitude to environmental protection.

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Word Use: However, nevertheless, nonetheless

However, nevertheless, nonetheless to dispel any confusion convey the same unexpected result. However, 'nevertheless' and 'nonetheless' are more formal and are usually used only in writing.

Ex:

We're having difficulties with the research project. Nevertheless, we'll finish it on time.
We've been working hard all week. However, we'll have to continue next week as well.

However and nevertheless: to express a contrast

We can use either of the adverbs however or nevertheless to indicate that the second point we wish to make contrasts with the first point. The difference is one of formality: nevertheless is bit more formal and emphatic than however. Consider the following:

* I can understand everything you say about wanting to share a flat with Martha. However, I am totally against it.

* Rufus had been living in the village of Edmonton for over a decade. Nevertheless, the villagers still considered him to be an outsider.

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Noun + Noun compounds

Often in English a noun + noun compound is formed to create an expression.

EX:

a horse race (a kind of race)

a race horse (a kind of horse)

baby bottle (a kind of bottle)

a conference room (a kind of room)

In some classifying expressions we use a structure with possessive 's. This is common when we are talking about things that are used by a person or animal: the first noun refers to the user.

EX:
a woman's magazine
a man's sweater

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Emphasis in English Part II

1) Constructions with an anticipatory “it” also serves the purpose of emphasis:

Eg:

It was he who broke the window.

It was in the middle of the night that the fierce fire burst out.

2) Sentences with the construction: of + objective case of the personal pronoun is also an emphatic construction:

Eg:

Not for the life of me could I do such a stupid thing.

It will be the unavoidable death of him.

I can not bear the terrible sight of it.

3) The so-called repetition group are another favorite device to make a word prominent:

Eg:

He added improvement after improvement to his machine.

She thought of it again and again.

It was miles and miles of winding forest path.

4) Abstract noun and names of materials are made emphatic when used in the plural:

Eg:

The snows and frosts of an Arctic winter killed them.

A thousand pardons were produced when she made a mistake.

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Word Use: Hardly and Scarcely

When do you use "hardly" and "scarcely?"

Hardly and 'scarcely are adverbs mostly used with past perfect to show something that happened in quick succession in the past.

Ex: Hardly had I come in the door, when Mariana arrived.

EX: Luisa had scarcely finished her meal when she received the call from Juanito.

Extra tip: Barely is also an adverb with similar use.

Ex: I had barely finished my work when my boss gave me another assignment.

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The Least and The Fewest

What's the difference between "the least" and "the fewest?" Confused?

The least is the superlative form of 'little' used with uncountable nouns.

Ex: Juani does the least work of anyone in class.

The fewest is the superlative form of 'few' used with countable nouns.

Ex: Maria has made the fewest mistakes on the test than anyone in class.

If you are in Buenos Aires and want English lessons personally designed to fit your needs, please call Professor Winn at 1160 461 342 or send an email to mrenglish101@gmail.com.

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Emphasis in English Part I

The English language uses the following means to make a word or a word-group prominent:

1) Using intonation in spoken language, prominent stress in word-group, or using bold type, italics, underlines, … can be used to express emphasis.

Eg: I have seen him. I have seen him lately.

2) A word or a word-group becomes emphatic when it is put in any abnormal position:

Eg:

Strangely fast fled his days in the valley.

Down, down they ski off the hill.

Foot steps, quick and light, mounted the stairs and went into the next room.

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Confusing English Words Part II

Here is our second list of confusing English words:

credit:

adverse, averse: Adverse means unfavorable. Adverse conditions make a trip unlikely. Averse means disinclined or reluctant: The secretaries are averse to changing the dress code.

advice, advise: Advice is a noun: Take my advice. Advise is a verb: I advise you not to go.

affect, effect: The most common mistake here is to confuse the verb affect with the noun effect. The verb affect means to influence, while the noun effect means result. The decision to strike affects us all because the effect of a strike at this time will be devastating. (If you can put the in front of it, the word is effect.) Less frequently, effect is used as a verb meaning to bring about, to accomplish: Harris effected a change in company policy. Still less frequently, and with the accent on the first syllable, affect is used as a noun meaning an emotion or mood as a factor in behavior or a stimulus arousing an emotion or mood. The use of this noun is limited to psychology.

aid, aide: Aid means assistance (noun) and to assist (verb). It doesn't mean a person who is an assistant. That word is aide: Her aide spoke to the press.

all ready, already: All ready means all prepared. I am all ready to go on the picnic. Already means by or before the given or implied time: I was already aware that the plan wouldn't work.

all right, alright: All right, meaning safe, is correct; His performance was all right. Alright is an incorrect spelling.

all together, altogether: All together means all at one time or in one place: When we rescued the five men, they were all together on the ledge. Altogether means completely, in all. Altogether, we rescued five men.

allude, refer: To allude to something is to speak of it without specifically mentioning it: When he said his father was unable to care for himself, he was probably alluding to the filthy house and empty refrigerator. To refer to something is to mention it directly: He referred to the filthy house and empty refrigerator as evidence that his father couldn't live alone

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Confusing English Words - Part I

Some English learners and natives alike confuse these words. Word choice is an important skill in any language.

How many do you know?

source:

alot, a lot: A lot is a colloquial expression meaning very much or very many; avoid using it in formal writing. Alot is a misspelling of a lot.

a while, awhile: These words mean essentially the same thing, but there is a distinction to be aware of. While means period of time, and therefore it is correct to write He left for a while. However, awhile means for a period of time, with the for as part of the definition. Therefore, it is correct to write He waited awhile but not He waited for awhile.

accept, except: Accept means to receive or to agree with: I accept the gift; I accept your proposal. Except as a preposition means leaving out or (as a verb) to exclude: Everyone except you is invited; He was excepted from the requirement.

adapt, adopt: When you adapt something, you change it to suit a purpose, such as adapting a novel for a screenplay, or adapting yourself to a new environment. When you adopt something, you take it as it is and make it your own. For example, the local chapter of a club may adopt its national organization's constitution.

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Improve Your Writing Skills

Unfortunately, writing suffers in foreign language instruction.

The focus is on oral communication and its compliment, reading comprehension.

Here are some practical writing tips:

1) Practice makes perfect: Write, write, write! Writing is learning by doing.

2) Variety: Write different types of texts: reports, emails, blog posts, or an interesting short story. Different techniques and strategies apply to the type of text involved.

3) Read: Yes, reading is essential in writing better. Learn from other authors about style, phrasing, effective word order, and how to say the most in the least words (brevity is the soul of wit says Shakespeare).

4) Overcome fear: Express your ideas clearly and succinctly. Find your writing voice. Have confidence in your writing.

5) Focus on your weakness: Do you have problems with the opening sentence to capture attention? Is it difficult to organize your thoughts?

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