Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Mini-Grammar Tutorials > Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns

Did you know that not all nouns are countable in English? Knowing the difference between countable and uncountable nouns can help you in many areas of English grammar.

Countable Nouns

Countable nouns are nouns that can be counted. Most nouns in English are countable.

Examples:

I have two dogs.
Sandra has three cars.
Jessie has ten dollars.

Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are not counted in English. This usually has to do with the way English speakers think of these nouns. We often picture these nouns as a single concept or one big thing which is hard to divide. Many of these words are countable in other languages, but they ARE NOT countable in English. Generally, we do not use plural forms of these words; however some of these words do end in "s", so don't get confused.

Examples:

Mack drinks a lot of water.
Cindy gives great advice.
Paul enjoys politics. Ends with "s" but uncountable

Uncountable nouns tend to belong to one of the following categories:

Liquids and Gases

water
coffee
milk
air
oxygen

Solid and Granular Substances

wood
metal
cheese
sand
rice

Energy Words and Forces

electricity
sunshine
radiation
heat
magnetism

Subjects

French
chemistry
economics
science
math

Grouped Concepts

fruit
money
food
vocabulary
news

Information and Abstract Concepts

information
advice
education
democracy
intelligence

Mini-Grammar Tutorials > Also / Too / Either

The following is a mini-tutorial on the use of the words "also," "too" and "either." After you have studied the tutorial, complete the associated exercises. If you already know how to use these words, you can skip the explanation and go directly to the exercises.

Also

USE

"Also" is used in positive sentences to add an agreeing thought.

Examples:

Jane speaks French. Sam also speaks French.
I love chocolate. I also love pizza.
Frank can come with us. Nancy can also come with us.

PLACEMENT

"Also" comes after "to be."

Examples:

I am also Canadian.
I was also there.

With verbs other than "to be," "also" comes before single verb forms.

Examples:

I also sing.
He also helped us.

In verb tenses with many parts, "also" comes after the first part and before the second.

Examples:

I have also been to Hong Kong.
I am also studying economics.

Similarly, since modal verbs are usually followed by a second verb, "also" comes after modal verbs.

Examples:

I can also speak French.
I should also be there.

Adverbs / Adjectives / Linking Verbs//Mini-Grammar Tutorials

e > Mini-Grammar Tutorials > Adverbs / Adjectives / Linking Verbs

Adverbs / Adjectives / Linking Verbs

The following is a mini-tutorial on the use of adverbs, adjectives, and linking verbs. After you have studied the tutorial, complete the associated exercises. If you are already familiar with these topics, you can skip the explanation and go directly to the exercises.

Adverbs

FORM

[adjective + ly]
There are also irregular adverbs such as "well" and "fast."

USE 1

Adverbs can be used to modify verbs.

Examples:

John walked quickly towards the door.
Sally sat silently waiting for somebody else to speak first.

USE 2

Adverbs can be used to modify adjectives.

Examples:

The redwood tree was impressively tall.
The blouse was outrageously expensive.

USE 3

Adverbs can be used to modify other adverbs.

Examples:

She spoke extremely confidently.
The cheetah ran incredibly quickly.

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Screen Capturing and Screen Recording Like a Boss

Have you ever wanted to share a picture of your screen? Or a recording of your screen and voice? Have you ever wondered how we make these screencasts? Well, wonder no longer! In this tutorial, I will demonstrate two different ways to grab screenshots and two different ways to record your screen with audio.

Objectives

By the end of this tutorial, you will know how to:

Take screenshots using built-in shortcuts
Use the Grab application to take screenshots
Screen record with QuickTime
Screen record with Screenflow