Situational Writing - Postcard

Language

Grammar

When writing a postcard, you would use:

•First Person Nouns

For example:

I gave myself a treat today. My stomach was so full after that and Brother called me a greedy pig.

•Second Person Nouns (as you are addressing an intended recipient)

For example:

I wish that you could be here. You would enjoy yourself very much.

Present, Past or Future Tenses

•In postcard writing, the Present Tense is used to describe the place, your feelings and what is happening at the moment.

For example:

Japan is a wonderful place. We are delighted to be here.

•In postcard writing, the Past Tense is used to describe things, actions and feelings of the past.

For example:

Yesterday, my family went to the zoo. It was very crowded. Everyone had a lot of fun. I love the polar bears the most.

•In postcard writing, the Future Tense is used to describe actions or events that will happen some time in the future.

For example:

Tomorrow, we are going to visit the famous market. We will buy some things home for Grandpa.

Grammar: Phrasal Verbs

What are phrasal verbs?

• A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition or adverb which creates a meaning different from the original verb.

Example:I ran into my teacher at the movies last night. run + into = meet

He ran away when he was 15. run + away = leave home

• Some phrasal verbs are intransitive. An intransitive verb cannot be followed by an object.

Example:He suddenly showed up. "show up" cannot take an object

• Some phrasal verbs are transitive. A transitive verb can be followed by an object.

Example:I made up the story. "story" is the object of "make up"

• Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. The object is placed between the verb and the preposition.

Example:I talked my mother into letting me borrow the car.She looked the phone number up.

• Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. The object is placed after the preposition.

Example:I ran into an old friend yesterday.They are looking into the problem.

• Some transitive phrasal verbs can take an object in both places. Example:I looked the number up in the phone book.I looked up the number in the phone book.

• Although many phrasal verbs can take an object in both places, you must put the object between the verb and the preposition if the object is a pronoun.

Example:I looked the number up in the phone book.

-I looked up the number in the phone book.

-I looked it up in the phone book. (correct)

-I looked up it in the phone book. (incorrect)

Click here to learn more about phrasal verbs.
Click here for online exercises on phrasal verbs.

SA1 Common Mistake: Rules for Using Lay and Lie

RULES For Using Lay and Lie

Understand the problem.

Using the verbs lay and lie correctly is a big challenge. Without a doubt, they are the two most difficult irregular verbs. The problem is that when we speak, we frequently misuse them. As a result, our ears are used to hearing the verbs incorrectly. So when we see a wrong form while we are proofreading, it sounds perfectly right to us.Know the solution.

How do you use lay and lie correctly?

Click here to find out more.