Have had Explained+ collocations with have---> ''Teacher- I have had grey hairs trying to understand these two verbs.''

Dear Readers- students and teachers alike---> I trust that my blog posts serve you well- wishing that with my whole heart attuned to your needs.

Today's lesson revolves around the dicey and spicy topic of the ''have had'' confusion. I shall avoid morphing this particular article into a prolix of orotund gunk and start with a few forms highlighting the use of have:

"Have had" is using the verb ''have'' in the present perfect tense.

Perfect Tense Form:

I   have had

you  have had

Third person: he/she/it   has had

we   have had

you  have had

they have had

have had / has had:

Typically we use ''have'',  as a main verb with an object to talk about common actions.

We use have in collocations too- as before mentioned- you would do yourself a service by learning vocabulary in groups/chunks as opposed to singular words which are easily forgotten! 

Here are some handy common collocations :

have a great day/ have a bad time/have a good time/have fun

have a shower/a bath/a wash and shave

have a rest/a snooze/a siesta/a good sleep/a bad dream

have breakfast/lunch/dinner/supper/a bite to eat/a light meal

have a hot or cold drink/a glass of wine/a cup of coffee/some mineral water

have a walk/a swim/a good time/a yoga session/a nice evening/a day off/a holiday/a good journey/a good trip

have a word with someone/a chat/a conversation/a quarrel/an argument

have a headache/a sore throat/hay fever/a bad back/a bad cold

have a (good) job/some work to do/money/an opportunity/a chance

I have had it! = I am cross/angry/ over it!/Tired.

We use the present perfect tense when we want to connect the present with the (recent) past in some way and this will appear as has had or have had in full forms or as 's had or 've had in contracted forms:

Examples:

Have Adriana and Marius had a holiday yet? ~ They've had a holiday, in Thailand.

He was tired after work, but now that he's had a shower and had a rest, he's very relaxed now.

Have you had a nice day, Bernadette? ~ I've had a rotten day. I had an argument with a colleague and I've had enough for one day- time out!

Have you always had headaches? ~ I've had them every month, I think I need glasses.

I've had a headache since early morning.

That's that!  I hope you have had enough explanation about this topic- for more- be sure to book a lesson with me on the web- site!  Namaste, Teacher Bee

Intonation+ Reading- How much time have you assigned to reading and practicing intonation ( the rising and falling of the voice) ? Try this lovely Poem: Tanglaw -- Light By Binibining

Good day world, How do you do? I have been indulging in some poetry and thought it a good idea to share the golden treasures which I have discovered. I trust you will take time to digest the text, take it in and feel inspired- Reading aloud is essential and of huge importance-refer back to my post on,  ''Why should I read?''.

Every bit of reading done in English, exposes you to acquisition(the process of getting something...) of some kind. 

Grammar in context, new vocabulary, perhaps a new phrase- a new thought, something to enlighten or brighten your day. Sub-conscious learning is inevitable with conscious decisions taken to assign time to reading even a short text aloud.

               Happy Reading--------------->Give it a try, I dare you to read the text aloud- try differ your tone of voice as you read! Practice intoning by variation- try sounding sad, confused and then happy-----------> It is a great method :) Every language has it's own melody- we call this ''intonation.'' In English we have a rising and falling intonation. Book a lesson with me on the web-site for more information on how to intone correctly! :)

Tanglaw - Light:

Sometimes, I cannot help but sigh
and wonder--
wonder deep inside of me 
whether I could ever be like you.

I riffle through the pages of my soul
and find a lot of them empty
Unlike yours, which seem to be bursting, blinding,
bursting, and still continuing to burst with brilliance...

So much so, 
that your soul's light
has spread far and wide,
very much like sunlight's fingers
opening the morning sky curtains,
touching and warming
those who need it.

Tanglaw 
Each step that you take,
each breath that you exhale,
each prayer that you whisper,
each beat of your heart
Tanglaw

I receive a smile,
and chat
with that man
who you've helped change...
Because of you,
the silent man now speaks, smiles.

You sit down to rest,
I see you talking to someone,
and I am almost fooled,
since you seem like old friends.
Because of you,
the lonely strangers become kindred.

It mystifies me sometimes,
of how you never seem to get tired.
It seems like I am the one who gets tired for you,
who gets worried for your own strength...
Then I see that glow from all around, 
and I am reminded how you glean from this glow.

I see you as this beautiful ball of energy--
Never static,
bouncing from soul to soul,
illuminating parts of themselves
that even they never knew existed.

It is so amazing seeing this at work,
since the next thing I know,
the place is lit up,
Alive. 
...and it is all because of you.

It makes me feel unworthy at times,
but oh how it also makes me feel so proud,
that I am a part of you,
and you are a part of me.

I have a lot of catching up to do,
since it seems I am light years from where you are

But I will try.
I will catch the tail end of your light,
clutch to it with my life, winding it around me,
let it embrace me--tight, so tight.
And I will never let it go. Never.
Until I also begin to glow.
Until I too, become that ball of light.

Hopefully when someone
riffles through the pages of my soul,
they will not find it blank,
but filled with gilt pages of light.

Just like yours.
Bursting and brilliant just like yours.




Tanglaw is pronounced "tang-lao"

Where I live, mothers are said to be the "light of the home"... 

First Conditional + song by The Beatles ''Can't buy me love.''

Today was super- I had the opportunity to start my day with teaching the First Conditional. I have included in this post, the very basics and certainly hope that it sheds some light on the matter- If you find that you still struggle- I will be available for any questions- schedule a lesson on the website if you would like to know more about the First conditional and using it with connectors/ time clauses! Enjoy reading!

The first conditional:

Form:

If+ present simple+ will+base verb or  Will+ base verb+ if+ present simple.

We use the First Conditional to discuss future events that are likely to happen.There is a real possibility.

If we take Diana, she'll be really pleased.

If you give me some money, I'll ( I will/I wont) pay you back tomorrow.

If you don't eat your food- we will not have dessert! 

NOTICE:

We will---->  is often contracted to we'll.

We NEVER USE ''WILL'' IN the condition- ---------> we use it in the clause that states the result:

Example:

INCORRECT:

If you will need my help- I will be on skype until seven thirty p.m.

CORRECT:

If you need my help, I will be on skype until seven thirty.

Incorrect:

If Kirby will come to my house, she'll want to drive my scooter.

Correct:

If Kirby comes ( to my house.) , she'll (she will.) want to drive my scooter 

USE A COMMA WHEN THE ''CONDITION'' COMES FIRST. 

IF THE RESULT IS MENTIONED FIRST-NO COMMA IS NEEDED!

E.G.

If you don't study, you won't pass the English test.

You won't pass the English test if you don't study.

         Keep on reading! There is still more to learn about this conditional!

The 'if' ,''conditional'' clause can be used with different present forms.

If I go to Knysna , I'll buy you a souvenir from the Hippie street market.

If he's feeling better, he'll come with us.

(On condition that he is better the result will be that he comes with us.)

If she hasn't heard the bad news yet, I'll tell her.

The "future clause" can contain 'going to' or the future perfect as well as 'will'.

If I see him, I'm going to tell him how cross I feel.

If we don't get the internet contract, we'll have wasted a lot of time and money.

The "future clause"/ ''Result clause'' can be structured with modal verbs such as 'could' and 'must'.

If you go to Knysna, you must have lunch at Harry B's

If he comes, you could get a lift home with him.

Try doing some contextual observation of the use of this conditional: Listen to the song and sing along! :)

Lyrics

Can’t buy me love, love

Can’t buy me love

I’ll buy you a diamond ring my friend if it makes you feel alright

I’ll get you anything my friend if it makes you feel alright

‘Cause I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love

I’ll give you all I got to give if you say you love me too

I may not have a lot to give but what I got I’ll give to you

I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love

Can’t buy me love, everybody tells me so

Can’t buy me love, no no no, no!

Say you don’t need no diamond rings and I’ll be satisfied

Tell me that you want the kind of things that money just can’t buy

I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love

…buy me love, everybody tells me so

Can’t buy me love, no no no, no!

Say you don’t need no diamond rings and I’ll be satisfied

Tell me that you want the kind of things that money just can’t buy

I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love

Can’t buy me love, love

Can’t buy me love