Welcome to
ESL Printables, the website where English Language teachers exchange resources: worksheets, lesson plans,  activities, etc.
Our collection is growing every day with the help of many teachers. If you want to download you have to send your own contributions.

 


 

 

 

ESL Forum:

Techniques and methods in Language Teaching

Games, activities and teaching ideas

Grammar and Linguistics

Teaching material

Concerning worksheets

Concerning powerpoints

Concerning online exercises

Make suggestions, report errors

Ask for help

Message board

 

ESL forum > Grammar and Linguistics > Student homework question    

Student homework question



juliamontenegro
Brazil

Student homework question
 
She wrote:
...but the only thing that changed ARE my friends. (because she moved from another city to this one)
 
that sounded so strange!!!
 
how to say that in a more natural way?
 
Thanks you guys!

15 Jun 2009      





Carla Horne
United States

Hi,
 
I think what is bothering you is the word "thing." I have been taught to be more specific, so she may want to write, "...the biggest change is my new friends." I hope this helps.
 
Carla

15 Jun 2009     



idamjate
Morocco

In my modest opinion, i can suggest the following: .... but nothing  was changed except my friends. Hoping that would help.Thumbs Up

15 Jun 2009     



eng789
Israel

 
everything was the same except for my new friends.

15 Jun 2009     



Apodo
Australia

Singular subject (the only thing) needs a singular verb
 
..but the only thing that changed is my friends
 
I think this is OK when in context , but here are some alternate suggestions:
 
..but the only thing that changed is my group of friends
..but the only thing that changed is that I have new friends.
 
 

15 Jun 2009     



gumby59
Hong Kong

How about: "...the only thing that has changed is my circle of friends."

15 Jun 2009     



Nebal
Lebanon

Well, I think it could be " ... but the only thing that changed is my new friends."

15 Jun 2009     



ajaaron
Thailand

Gumby has it right for me.

You need to make the present perfect - An action that occured in the past with no specific time reference that is relevant now.

Eg: My life is pretty much the same here in my new city. The only thing that has changed is my friends. I lost contact with my old friends so quickly, but I have been making new friends ever since I arrived here.

1 Jul 2009