DO English 10/08

Can you spot which sentence is grammatically correct?

Put your English skills to the test by choosing the correct sentence in each pair below. It’s a fun and quick way to sharpen your grammar and boost your confidence. Ready? Let’s get started! (Answers are at the end)

1. a) She don’t like coffee.
b) She doesn’t like coffee.

2. a) I have went to the store yesterday.
b) I went to the store yesterday.

3. a) The children is playing in the park.
b) The children are playing in the park.

4. a) He walks to school every day.
b) He walk to school every day.

5. a) They was excited about the trip.
b) They were excited about the trip.

Answers:

1. b) She doesn’t like coffee.

2. b) I went to the store yesterday.

3. b) The children are playing in the park.

4. a) He walks to school every day.

5. b) They were excited about the trip.

Don’t get trick by these words

False Friends

False friends are words that look or sound similar in two languages but have different meanings. Here are some examples of false friends between English and Spanish, Portuguese, and French that you can include in your newsletter:

English - Spanish False Friends:

1. Actual (English) vs. Actual (Spanish)

   • English: "Actual" means real or current.

   • Spanish: "Actual" means current or present, not real.

2. Assist (English) vs. Asistir (Spanish)

   • English: "Assist" means to help.

   • Spanish: "Asistir" means to attend, not to help.

3. Library (English) vs. Librería (Spanish)

   • English: "Library" is a place where you borrow books.

   • Spanish: "Librería" means a bookstore, not a library.

English - Portuguese False Friends:

1. Pretend (English) vs. Pretender (Portuguese)

   • English: "Pretend" means to act as if something is true when it is not.

   • Portuguese: "Pretender" means to intend or plan, not to fake.

2. Push (English) vs. Puxar (Portuguese)

   • English: "Push" means to move something away.

   • Portuguese: "Puxar" means to pull, not to push.

3. Eventually (English) vs. Eventualmente (Portuguese)

   • English: "Eventually" means in the end or finally.

   • Portuguese: "Eventualmente" means possibly or occasionally, not finally.

English - French False Friends:

1. Demand (English) vs. Demander (French)

   • English: "Demand" means to ask forcefully.

   • French: "Demander" means to ask or request, not to demand.

2. Introduce (English) vs. Introduire (French)

   • English: "Introduce" means to present someone to another person.

   • French: "Introduire" means to insert or put in, not to introduce a person.

3. Attend (English) vs. Attendre (French)

   • English: "Attend" means to be present at an event.

   • French: "Attendre" means to wait, not to attend.

Why is English pronunciation so weird?

English pronunciation often seems weird and unpredictable, especially for learners, and this complexity is rooted in the language’s history and evolution. One major reason is that English has borrowed extensively from other languages over the centuries, particularly from French, Latin, and Norse. Each of these languages contributed their own pronunciation rules, leading to inconsistencies. For example, the word “colonel” is pronounced like “kernel” due to its French origins, while “knight” retains the silent “k” from Old English.

Another factor is the Great Vowel Shift, a major change in the pronunciation of English vowels that occurred between the 15th and 18th centuries. Before this shift, words like “bite” and “meet” were pronounced more like “beet” and “mate.” However, while pronunciation evolved, spelling largely stayed the same, leading to discrepancies between how words are written and how they’re pronounced.

Additionally, English spelling was standardized in the 15th century with the advent of the printing press, but by then, pronunciation had already begun to change. Words borrowed from different languages were often kept close to their original spelling, even when the English pronunciation differed.

These historical influences have created a language with a rich but complex phonetic structure. Silent letters, irregular vowel sounds, and exceptions to almost every rule are the result of this intricate blend of linguistic layers. While challenging, understanding these quirks can make the language’s unique character more fascinating.