Page 122 - Basic English Usage

163 — 164 122

In negative sentences, we usually put nof with the verb that comes after
hope.
| hope she doesn’t wake up.
(NOT +don’t hepe-she wakes up-)

We can use | was hoping to introduce a polite request.
! was hoping you could lend me some money ...
| had hoped is used to talk about hopes that were not realized — hopes
for things that did not happen.
| had hoped that Jennifer would become a doctor, but she wasn't
good enough at science.
For | hope so/not, see 311.
For the difference between hope, want, expect, wish, look forward to and wait,
see 122.

163 how and what ... like?
We use how to ask about things that change — for example people’s
moods and health.
We use what ... like to ask about things that do not change — for
example, people’s appearance and character. Compare:
‘How’s Ron?’ ‘He's very well.’
‘What’s Ron like?’ ‘He’s tall and dark, and a bit shy.’
‘How does he look?’ ‘Surprised.’
‘What does he /ook like?’ ‘Nice. '

We often use how to ask about people’s reactions to their experiences.
‘How was the film?’ ‘Great.’
‘How’s your steak?
‘How’s the new job?’

Don't confuse the preposition like (in What ... like?) with the verb /ike.
Compare:
‘What is she like?’ ‘Lovely.’
‘What does she like?’ ‘Dancing and fast cars.’

164 if: ordinary tenses

clause + if+ clause

1 An ifclause can come at the beginning or end of the sentence.
If you eat too much, you get fae —_- You get fat if you eat too much.