In these last few weeks, we’ve been talking about the COVID-19 from many different perspectives. We were first introduced to it, by a quick look at the Coronavirus. Then we learned the instructions you can give to other people to stay safe. Next we had some food for thought. Then another good message, and finally a nice song.
Now we’re going to listen to what Wakya Un Mani, also known as Vernon Foster, a Lakota Chief and Spiritual Leader, has to say about this disease.
As we’re living through a pandemic, the COVID-19, an emerging infectious disease, learning about it has urged. We were first introduced to it, by a quick look at the Coronavirus. Then we explored other perspectives: instructions you can give to other people to stay safe, some food for thought, another good message, and a nice song. Now we’re going to learn some general questions doctors ask patients.
To take a medical history, your healthcare providers simply talk to you. Usually they’ll start by reviewing your medical chart and any previous health problems with you. Then they’ll ask you more specifically about your current symptoms, family history, and lifestyle.
Common questions are:
Were you always asked all these questions?
In your opinion, are these questions enough for the doctor to give you the best possible advice?
Do you think that the doctor could be leaving out critical information?
“What’s been going on recently in your life?” Do you think that this could be an important question?
“What changes will you make going forward?” And what about this question?
Tell me what you think.
The general noun thing is most commonly used to refer to physical objects, but we also use thing to refer to ideas, actions and events:
What’s that thing over there in the car park?
She always says that she hasn’t a thing to wear.
Can you put your things in the upstairs room? (things here = personal belongings)
Anger is a very dangerous thing in a young man.
So don’t rush him. These things take time and we certainly don’t want to upset him.
A holiday? That’s just the thing for you.
A: Hi Geoff. How’s things? (How’s things is a common informal greeting.) B: Fine, thanks. How are you?
In speaking, we commonly use the phrase the thing is. We use it when we want to focus on something, or to indicate that there is a problem:
The thing is … erm … we don’t have time to visit New York as well as Washington.
Yeah, that’s OK, but the thing is, he still hasn’t apologised for being late.
Thing is an example of vague language. It allows speakers not to sound too direct. We often use thing in phrases such as things like that, that kind of thing:
They’re cooking lots of different Italian and Spanish dishes and things like that.
When I worked in a newspaper office, there wasn’t time for eating lunch or that kind of thing, you know.
We also use thing to show both positive (usually affectionate) and negative attitudes, mainly when accompanied by appropriate adjectives:
Our cat is too old now to leave the house, poor thing.
You lucky thing! I wish I had the chance to visit New Zealand.
A: You’re going to get paint on that dress. Why don’t you get changed? B: It doesn’t matter. It’s just an old thing.
Stuff is one of the most common nouns in speaking. It is more informal than thing. It is not at all common in writing.
Stuff is an uncountable noun. We use stuff in similar ways to thing, especially in vague language phrases such as stuff like that:
Where can we put our stuff? (our belongings) (very similar to, but more informal than, Where can we put our things?)
She didn’t have much advice to offer. She just told us to learn lots of new English vocabulary and stuff like that.
Now watch this video for an extra perspective on the usage of thing and stuff.
Depending on the context, stuff can suggest a more negative idea:
What’s this stuff on the floor? Que troço é este no chão?
I have some sticky stuff on my shoe. Tem um troço grudento no meu sapato.
Modal verbs help other verbs to express if something is likely to happen, or certain to have happened; whether or not something is possible, or whether or not we have the ability to do something; whether or not we have the permission to do something; and whether or not we have the obligation or requirement or need to do something.
All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and have are called modals. But unlike other auxiliary verbs, modals only exist in their helping form; they cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence.
Thus they do not change their form (spelling) and have no infinitive or participle (past/present).
Notice that be, do, and have can also serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence.
The modal verbs are: can, could, will, would, shall, should, must, ought, may, might. Below is a list showing them according to the idea meant to be expressed:
Now watch carefully this video and take notes.
Next click here for a quiz on modal verbs.
Modals verbs are an extensive area of English grammar. Learners are usually introduced to them all at once, and they should certainly start checking each one, but most of all, they should notice the context, to feel which modal is necessary to express the idea. A lot of times, there will be more than one possibility. Don’t worry! This comes with time, exposure, practice and consistent correction. 😉
This is one of the most beautiful thoughts I’ve ever seen.
I can safely assume that you can now understand it, after having worked on the meaning of the verb bear, right?
I wish you a joyful Good Friday!