Menu
  • Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon Home
    • Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon Higher Ed.
      • Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon English 
        • Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon MindLanguage
          • External link opens in new tab or window Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon Literature
            • Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon Lit
              • External link opens in new tab or window Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon eslstation
                • External link opens in new tab or window Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon Read
                  • Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon  Politics
                    • External link opens in new tab or window Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon
                      • Link Icon Link Icon Link Icon A Government of Hyenas


                    Enroll in Our CLASSES-              External link opens in new tab or windowTOEFLETS

                    Inquire About Our

                    External link opens in new tab or windowEnglish Writing Classes

                    Our knowledgeable representatives will attend to your queries as soon as they can.

                    Read MoreRead More

                    Mind your language


                    • External link opens in new tab or windowMost Common English Mistakes
                    • Never use "etc." in formal writing.
                    • Never use "because" after "the reason is.." Because and reason are the same.
                    • External link opens in new tab or windowConsider the rule of Neither - nor.  The verb agreement follows the noun after "nor."
                    • External link opens in new tab or windowNever say "lay down."  "Lay" is the past tense of "Lie." You should say "Lie down."
                    • Never say "I wish I was." Wish is unreal and must be followed by unreal form of the verb.  You should say, "I wish I were..."
                    • Never use "must" for a 100% certainty.
                    • Please note that most Americans do not speak proper English.  Do not be confused by their speech.  Follow Rules.
                    • Vever conjugate verbs after "watch." _-I watch him close the door. - I watched him swim.
                    • Never conjugate a second verb unless you use a helping (auxiliary) verb.
                    • Never translate prepositions.  "Prepositions" are cultural.  While in Spanish we watch movies in TV, in English it is on TV.
                    • Never use "you and me" as subjects. Wrong: "You and me are going to the movies."
                    • Never use "you and I" as objects. Wrong: "My brother spoke to you and I."
                    • Never misuse "modals."  Please review them carefully.
                    • Never separate two independent clauses with a "comma.'
                    • Never use exclamation marks (!) in writing.
                    • Never use "I think" or "I believe" or "in my opinion" or "This essay will be about..."
                    • Never use "first person 'I' " in essays unless the essay is narrative.
                    • Never use more than ONE idea in a topic sentence (for paragraphs.)
                    • Never use ONE idea in a thesis statement (for essays) try to use THREE IDEAS, each of which will be developed into a paragraph
                    • Never start a question without an auxiliary verb as "do" "have" Will."
                    • Know the difference between questions and noun clauses.
                    • Never confuse "infinitives" and "gerunds" when either one can be used.  Infinitives mean now and gerunds mean always.
                    • Never use a translator to translate log texts; it is never accurate.
                    • Never use the article "The" before the word "Life."
                    • Use gerunds after prepositions.
                    • External link opens in new tab or windowTOEFL PREPARATION External link opens in new tab or windowETS
                      • Contact me for Help
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowAbout English
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowConsider the Following
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowAbout Verb Tenses
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowMore about Tenses
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowYou Ought to Know
                      • The English I Learnt in Great Britain

                      • External link opens in new tab or windowImportant Tenses
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowMaking Sense of Modals
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowAll You Need to Know
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowHow to write well
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowSpeaking Vs. Writing
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowWriting in English
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowWriting Errors
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowEssay Format
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowESL Problem Spots
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowFOR NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE ENGLISH LEARNERS
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowCONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: WRITING & GRAMMAR
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowCOMMON WRITING ERRORS
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowMore about Writing
                      • SExternal link opens in new tab or windowabri Bebawi- Distance Learning Pioneer
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowVerb Tenses

                      • External link opens in new tab or windowA SHORT STORY by SABRI BEBAWI + EXERCISES
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowABOUT PRONUNCIATION
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowUnderstanding "Either....Or" and Neither...Nor."
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowSENTENCE ELEMENTS
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowNOUN OR GERUND-EXERCISE
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowACADEMIC RESOURCES FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowEnhance your reading, listening and critical thinking skills
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowThe Rule of Conditional "if"

                      • External link opens in new tab or windowProper use of "wish" and "if only."
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowUnderstanding Academic Essays
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowCircular Vs. Linear Thinking
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowThe rule of "As Well As."
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowNoun Clauses and Phrases
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowGerunds and Infinitives
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowAmericans do not speak English
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowPassive Voice Explained

                      • External link opens in new tab or windowOverview of Punctuation
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowAll about ESL
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowAbout Dr. Sabri bebawi
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowAmerican Vs. British English
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowThe President of the United States, Donald Trump speaks English like a child
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowNavigate eslstattion.net developed by professor Kathleen Hanson and Dr. Sabri Bebawi
                      • External link opens in new tab or windowEnglish Textbooks by Dr. Sabri g. Bebawi


                    KendalHunt Publishing

                                                                                                                                                            







                    External link opens in new tab or windowCan We Insult The United States President? YES AMERICANS ARE FREE


                    ON IDIOMS




                    Collective Nouns


                    Collective nouns are singular in form but indicate a collection or group of things or people.


                    Band

                    Committee

                    Family

                    Group

                    Team


                    Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs, depending on the meaning or context. When using a collective noun as one unit, use a singular verb.


                    The team has a new uniform.

                      The group goes skiing every year.


                        When indicating that the members of a group are acting individually, use a plural verb.

                        The committee do not agree on what to do.


                          The family have all gone to do different things today.


                            Sometimes the plural form with a collective noun can sound awkward, even if it is correct. You can always rephrase the sentence.


                            The committee members do not agree.

                              The family members have...


                                TOEFL™  Words

                                External link opens in new tab or windowETS
                                 
                                External link opens in new tab or windowTOEFL


                                Choose the correct vocabulary word that best fits the intended meaning of each sentence. Verbs may be in any tense.

                                settle / confirm / critical / rigid / complex / chiefly / block / challenge / forbid / relinquish


                                TOEFL™  Idioms


                                Choose the correct idiom for each sentence. Answers may be in any verb tense.


                                tear...down / turn...around / back and forth / give in / get away / throw...away / run into / wear out / at all / talk...over


                                  1. My shoes are _____ _____. I need new ones.

                                  1. Don't _____ _____ these papers. They're important.

                                  1. They will _____ that building _____ and build a new one.

                                  1. To "pace" means to walk _____ _____ _____.

                                  1. I _____ _____ Fred yesterday. I hadn't seen him in a while.

                                  1. The test wasn't difficult _____ _____. It was easy.

                                  1. The criminals did not _____ _____. The police caught them.

                                  1. _____ the car _____ and go back.

                                  1. We _____ the situation _____ and came to a decision.

                                  1. Try your best and never _____ ____


                                  • His _________ opinions made him very unpopular.

                                  • A typical Japanese dish will consist _________ of fish and vegetables.

                                  • Please call to _________ your reservation 24 hours in advance.

                                  • A federal law _________ motorists from driving faster than 65 miles per hour.

                                  • Your brother is much too _________ of your political views.

                                  • The attorneys agreed to _________ the case out of court.

                                  • The reporters were _________ by police from entering the building.

                                  • He _________ his claim to the property so that it could be sold.

                                  • The _________ of learning is to study frequently.

                                  • The physics theories in that lecture were very _________. I'll have to study for weeks for the test!

                                     
                                  ETS

                                   
                                   

                                  Mind Your Language

                                   

                                  Commonly Confused Words

                                  Many of your spelling errors may be caused by a confusion of words that have different spellings but similar pronunciations. Since the confused words sound alike, their pronunciation is no clue to their spelling. Instead you must rely on their meanings if you are to spell them correctly. Below is a list of some of these troublesome Sound-Alikes. They are words that you use frequently in writing, so be sure to learn then correctly.  

                                  capital (leading city; money)            
                                  Albany is the capital of New York.            
                                  John has invested all her capital.

                                  Capitol (only the name of a building)               
                                  Congress meet at the Capitol in Washington.

                                  hear (listen)             
                                  I could not hear my cellular phone because of the interference. 

                                  here (in this place)            
                                  I shall wait for you here.

                                  its (belongs to it)            
                                  The dog could not wag its tail.                 

                                  it's (it is)            
                                  It is the best of all possible worlds. 

                                  passed ( went by)            
                                  I passed the library on the way to class. 

                                  past ( a former time)            
                                  Those who forget their past can be lost.  

                                  peace (the absence of war and strife)            
                                  The United Nations hopes to bring peace to the world. 

                                  piece ( a portion)            
                                  Have a piece of pie with your tea.

                                  principal (most important; chief person; the original amount of a loan)            
                                  What is the principal idea of this essay?            
                                  Ms. Dean is the school principal.            
                                  I have paid the interest of fifty dollars on the principal. 

                                  principle (a basic doctrine or rule)            
                                  The many principles of physics are difficult to learn. 

                                  then ( at that time)            
                                  We went to an early dinner, and then we went home. 

                                  than (used to compare unequal things)            
                                  His essay was longer than mine. 

                                  their ( belonging to them)           
                                  It is their privilege to vote against the amendment. 

                                  there ( at that place)            
                                  There is the oldest schoolhouse in America. 

                                  they're (they are)            
                                  They are the best friends one could hope for. 

                                  to (toward; part of the infinitive)            
                                  John gave his schedule to me.            
                                  They like to condemn all his decisions. 

                                  too (also; more than enough)           
                                  I like coffee too.            
                                  Children watch too much TV. 

                                  Two (the number 2)            
                                  We consulted two doctors. 

                                  weather (the state of the atmosphere)            
                                  The weather was fine for a trip to the lake. 

                                  whether (indicates a choice)            
                                  Pham could not decide whether to stay home or to go out.

                                  who's ( who is)          
                                  Who's your teacher? 

                                  whose ( belonging to whom)            
                                  Whose books are these? 

                                  Your (belonging to you)         
                                  It is your decision to make. 

                                  you're ( you are)            
                                  You are my best friend.

                                  A SPECIAL NOTE:

                                   Memory tricks are especially helpful for learning these Sound-Alikes. Remember that you hear with your ear.We waited here and not there.The principal is my pal and the chief person in the school.The principle is a rule.The capitol has a dome.The weather was clear.He ate a piece of pie.


                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowDictionaries Online 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowEffective Writing 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowESL Station 

                                  •External link opens in new tab or window Gerunds/Infinitives 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowGrammar 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowGrammar/Writing 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowListening/Speaking 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowPronunciation 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowAll about ESL
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowListening and Speaking


                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowPunctuation 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowReading/Vocabulary 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowReading/Writing Essays 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowThe Paragraph 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowThe Simple Past Tense (Irregular Verbs) 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowSlang and Cliche
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowArgument Essays
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowEssential Language Skills
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowThe Five-Paragraph Essay Format

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowThe Simple Past Tense (Regular Verbs) 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowThe Simple Present 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowVocabulary 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowWriting at a Glance 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowWriting Effectively 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowWriting Errors 

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowWriting Problems

                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowCommon Writing Errors



                                  • External link opens in new tab or window"God on Trial" on KOBO
                                  • External link opens in new tab or window"God on Trial" on LULU
                                  • External link opens in new tab or window"The Match-Maker" 
                                  • External link opens in new tab or window"The Non-Native Myth" 
                                  • External link opens in new tab or window"The Student" by Chekov 
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowEgypt Then and NOW
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowAll about ESL
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowFinancial Aid for Foreign Students
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowFor Educators 
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowHelen Keller: Story of My Life
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowJustification for Technology 
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowLyrics I Should've Written, Instead a Son Did 
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowMedia Release 
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowNovel on Kindle 
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowOther Stories 
                                  • External link opens in new tab or windowWant to Volunteer and Travel?


                                       

                                  Resources for English Language Learners

                                  sabri.org

                                  close lightbox