Long Vowel Sounds - A - Spellings AID (ADE), APE, ATE (AIT)

This video is for pronunciation practice with the long vowel sound for A.  You will see examples for words spelled with aid, ade, ape, ate, and ait.   

There is also a downloadable vocabulary sheet with room for you to write in definitions and of the words:  Vocabulary Sheet

For a video with pronunciation practice of all the long vowel sounds (no words or spellings) please watch this video:

English Lesson - Synonyms for Mad / Angry

DIFFERENCES - A few / few

Today one of my students asked a very good question about the difference between the words “a few” and “few”.  Below are some example sentences with possible meanings and an explanation:

A few

I have a few pages of homework.

          Meaning:  I have 3 or 4 pages of homework, but it is not much.

A few students are going to the lecture.

          Meaning:  Some students are going to the lecture.  Maybe 5 or 6 students are going.

I have a few friends at school.

          Meaning:  I have 3 friends at school.

Few

I have few pages of homework.

          Meaning:  I do not receive much homework.

Few students are going to the lecture.

          Meaning:  There are students going, but not many.  The lecture may be cancelled if more students don't attend.

I have few friends at school.

          Meaning:  I have 2 or 3 friends, but I want more.    

   

The difference is the context.  “A few” we use when we want to talk about how much remains, or give a specific number or an estimation.  The number is going to be a smaller number when we use “a few”.   

We use “few” when we want to talk about what we lack.  Using “few” can mean that you are disappointed by the small number and desire more.

Do you have a few questions or do you have few questions?  ;)

Idiom of the day: “to act up”

Idiom of the day:  “to act up”

What does this mean and how can you use it?  Here are some examples:

1.  My computer is acting up.  I think it has a virus.

                Meaning:  My computer is not working (probably because of a virus).

Photo Credit:  Evan Williams

2.  My baby brother acts up at bedtime.  He does not want to go to sleep.

                Meaning:  My brother cries and is angry when he has to go to bed.

Photo Credit:  Steven & Courtney Johnson & Horwitz

Share some of your examples in the comments! :)