1 Person and 2 or more PEOPLE

 Germlish: There were 5 persons at the meeting.

What you want to say: There were 5 people at the meeting.


Person is singular i.e. (that is to say) 1 person.

People is the plural i.e. 2, 3 ,4 5, people.

By or Until?

By + time = no later than 

Use by with a deadline.

A good way to remember it is to think bis spätestens = by

 Ex: The project has to be finished by (no later than) Friday.



Until + time = up to a point of time

A good way to remember it is to think bis  = until

Ex: Aldi is open from 7 am until 9 pm.

      Today is Monday. We have until (up to the deadline day/time) Friday to finish this project.


Try this exercise By/Until

How do you do, How are you doing, What do you do and What are you doing

I always say English is a piece of cake, but I never said it isn't confusing sometimes.

1. How do you do = a greeting. It is not a question. It is used when you meet someone for the first time. It is not as common as Nice to meet you.

Ex: Jane introduces Mark to Sam: This is Sam. Sam says: How do you do. 
                                    Mark says:  How do you do.


2. How are you doing? = is similar to How are you but more informal.

Ex: How are you doing?
Answer:  Fine, thanks. And you?


3. What do you do? = what is your job or profession. It is a question.

Ex: What do you do?
Answer: I'm a language coach.


4. What are you doing? = is a question.

Ex: What are you doing, John?
       John: I'm making coffee.

Two Important Words

self-confidence - Selbstvertrauen, Selbstbewusst
skills - Fähigkeiten

Self-confidence is the "magic" key in using your English language skills.

Present Perfect Signal Words

just                             gerade, erst, vorbei

already                       schon

since                           seit (Zeitpunkt)

for                              seit  (Zeitspanne)

until now                    bis jetzt

up to now                   bis jetzt

so far                          bisher

not yet                        noch nicht

ever                             jemals

never                           noch nie

this morning               * heute morgen                    

this afternoon             * heute nachmittag

this year                      *dieses Jahr

* Wenn die entsprechende Tageszeit/Jarhreszeit zum Zeitpunkt des Sprechens bereits angefangen hat, aber nochnicht vorüber ist.

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Present Perfect

Present Perfect

We use the present perfect to talk about something that began in the past but is still happening or unfinished: "I've lived here for 10 years." (I still live here!) - Das Present Perfect ist eine Zeitform, die einen Bezug zur Gegenwart herstellt. Wir verwenden das Present Perfect für Handlungen, die in der Vergangenheit geschehen sind. Dabei ist der Zeitpunkt, wann diese Handlung geschehen ist, nicht wichtig.

There is always a connection between the past and the present. Think of it as a "bridge".

   PAST (10 years AGO)  -------- NOW ( I still live here!)   ------------ FUTURE

 How long have you lived here?

I have lived here for three years = I moved here 3 years ago and still live here now

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Structure

have/has + the third past tense form.   Ex: live, lived, lived

I have + lived here for 3 years.

NOTE: Most of the past participles of regular verbs end in -ed, but you should learn the irregular verbs.

Ex: teach, taught, taught

The present perfect is used for:

1. actions started in the past and are continuing now

I've worked here for ten months.

2. unfinished time period

I've had two cups of coffee today. (today's not over!)

3. life experiences (not important when)

I've been to New York City many times. (in my life so far — until now)

4. giving news   

There has been an earthquake in Japan. (no time signal!)

Present perfect signal words:

    just

    ever

    already

    never

    yet

    so far

    today

    this week, year, month ...

    recently

For & Since

We use “for” with a period of time. (Zeitraum)

We use “since” with a point in time. (Zeitpunkt)

Practice time

1. Peter has had that car _________ 26 years!

2. She's worked here ________  1980.

3. I have ________ at this company a long time.

4. _________ you ever been to Berlin?

5. Yes, I have _______ to Berlin a few times.

6. How long have you worked here?  I _______ _______ here ______ _____ years.