by R. S. Karunaratne

How to use 'also' 'as well' and 'too'

'Also' is used frequently both in written and spoken English. It appears in different positions.

'Also' used in the front position is quite common.

I am keeping fine. My parents are in good health. Also, how are things with you?

Sometimes, 'also' is used along with 'and.'

I have sent you a cheque for Rs. 10,000 to cover your expenses. And also you can expect some money from your sister.

'Also' can be used in the mid position.

I've been reading some of your poems. They need editing. And I have also been writing some poems.

Tamara is a good painter. She is also very good at sculpture.

See how 'also' is used in the end position.

Floods have done immense damage to crops. Due to floods many animals can die also.

'As well' is more frequent in speech than in writing. But it is no substitute for 'also.' In speech 'as well' usually comes at the end position.

I ignored her. I think everybody else did as well.

Could I have a book on psychology and philosophy as well.

'As well as' can be used to join noun phrases, verb phrases and clauses.

He is a novelist as well as a poet.

Kamala was the receptionist as well as the telephone operator.

'Too' is more frequent in writing than in speech. It is usually not used at the beginning of a sentence. It usually appears at the end of a sentence or in mid position.

She has too many children to feed.

The teacher found it too difficult to control the class.

A: I love ice-cream.

B: Me too.

Indrani has not been too well recently.

It's too bad that you can't come to see me in hospital.

'Too' occurs in some idiomatic expressions.

Too good to be true means that something is so good that it is hard to belive.

Rex claims to be a media consultant to a leading company but it is too good to be true.

Too good to miss means that it is a very good opportunity that you should not miss it.

Too little too late means not happening early enough to stop a bad situation getting worse.

Be familiar with phrasal verbs

Most students do not pay attention to phrasal verbs although they are an important part of the English language. They are used both in written and spoken English. Phrasal verbs are difficult to learn because you cannot guess their meanings. Starting from today we will bring you a selection of phrasal verbs with explanations and examples. Learn and use them in your writing and speech.

1. Abide by means to accept or obey an agreement or decision.

When you join a company you must be ready to abide by the rules.

2. Abound in/with means to contain a lot of something.

Agatha Christy's detective novels abound in many plots.

3. Accede to means to agree to something.

The minister finally acceded to the union demands.

4. Accord with means to agree with something.

Your version of the accident does not accord with the newspaper report.

5. Accounts for means to explain the reason for something.

The cashier was unable to account for Rs. 10,000.

6. Ache for means to want someone or something very much.

After keeping awake for two days his body was aching for sleep.

7. Act out means to perform the actions of a story.

Marlon was asked to act out any scene from Macbeth.

8. Add up means to calculate.

If you use a calculator, you soon forget to add up in your head.

9. Adhere to means to obey a rule.

Companies are required to adhere to safety guidelines.

10. Aim at means to intend to achieve something.

The Government is aiming at a rapid development of the economy.

11. Allude to means to mention something indirectly.

John said one of his children was not doing well in studies alluding to his son.

12. Amount to means to become a particular amount.

The cost of your surgery will amount to Rs. 100,000.

13. Angle for means to get something in an indirect way.

Everybody knew that Rosy was angling for a promotion.

14. Announce against means to say publicly that you do not support a particular party or candidate.

The Trade Union Federation has announced against the ABC Party candidate.

Possessive adjectives and pronouns

Possessive adjectives and pronouns are used to show ownership or relationship.

This is the boy’s play-room.

This is their play-room.

This play-room is theirs.

Arun is Prem’s son.

Arun is his son.

Harsha is my son and Arun is his.

Personal pronouns (subjective form):

I, we, you, he, she, it, they

Possessive adjectives

This is my pen.

These are our pens.

This is your book.

This is his shirt.

This is her jacket.

This is its tail.

These are their books.

Possessive pronouns

This is my pen. It is mine.

These are our pens. They are ours.

This is your book. It is yours.

This is his shirt. It is his.

This is her jacket. It is hers.

Note: The personal pronoun it does not have a possessive pronoun form.

Do not confuse its with it’s.

Its is a possessive adjective.

The cat is looking after its kittens.

It’s is the contraction (short form) of it is.

This is my laptop. It’s mine.

Activity

Underline the correct word and check your answers with the key.

1. I/my mother is a nurse.

2. Your/you father is a lawyer.

3. These books are our/ours.

4. Those jackets are theirs/their.

5. That car is he’s/his.

6. He drives he/his car.

7. Menaka’s house is far from mine/my one.

8. Those books are their/theirs.

9. My/Mine friends are in the class.

10.Her/Hers essay is very good.

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[Key]

1. My

2. Your

3. ours

4. theirs.

5. his

6. his

7. mine

8. theirs

9. My

10. Her