WOULD RATHER

'Would rather' means 'would prefer to'.

I would rather stay stay with you tonight. (I would prefer to stay with you tonight) 
I would rather join army.
She would rather accompany you guys.
We would rather migrate to America.

Would you rather spend some time with me?
Would you rather stay here or go home?
How about a drink? I would rather have something to eat.

The negative form is 'would rather not'
Example:
I would rather not go out tonight. (correct)
I would not rather go out tonight. (incorrect)


She would rather not go to the USA.
They would rather not take supper with us tonight.

                                                                                                                                                                                   

Jacob (Nova English Campus)

Intonation of question tags

Hi guys!
Here is a bit of information to help you use the question tags in a more natural way......

No doubt you are very familiar with using various types of question tags. But do you know how to use the right tone of voice while using a question tag?
Well, if the question tag is used to get some real information from the listener (i.e. you are not very much sure of the answer), you must use a rising intonation. See th example below:

The conference is going to be held in the evening, isn't it?

In the example given above, the tag part (isn't it?) must be spoken with a high tone (rising intonation).

On the other hand, if the tag question is not exactly asked to get some real information from the lstener, you must use a falling intonation. In this case, the speaker is sure about the answer.

Example:
It's too hot today, isn't it?
Here, the tag question (isn't it?) must be spoken with an ascending tone of voice (falling intonation) i.e. it must be spoken in a way that is opposite to the former example.

You must speak out as many sentences as possible using the two types of intonation to get yourself familiar with them.

                                                                                                                                                        
Good night
See ya.
Jacob (Nova English Campus)

Exceptional question tags

Hi friends!
This is the second part of yesterday's blog. If you're here for the first time, please get back to yesterday's lesson.

We can also use 'same-way' tags to ask questions. In this structure, the main sentence is used to make a guess. And the tag is used to enquire if the information in the main sentence is correct.

This is your last chance, is it? (I guess this is your last chance. Am I right?)
You are from India, are you?
This is your missing key, is it?
The boss is at meeting, is he?
He is going to be sacked, is he?
They are quarrelling out there, are they?
She has got a lot of experience, has she?
It seems unfair, does it?

NB if the previous sentences seem to be confusing, you may try to rephrase them in the way shown in brackets after the first example e.g. The sentence "You're from India, are you?" can be rephrased as "I guess you're from India. Am I right?"

Negative 'same-way' questions are also possible but they are not widely used as they sound aggressive.
e.g. Well. You don't seem to obey me, don't you?

                                                                                                                                                                                   
                    Good Night
     Jack (Nova English Campus)

'Same-way' question tags...

Hi friends!
While learning the rules of 'tag-questions' school, you all have been taught this rule: IF THE STATEMENT IS POSITIVE, THE QUESTION TAG IS NEGATIVE AND VICE VERSA.

However, do you know that it is also possible to use both the statement and the tag without swapping the 'positive/negative' aspects?

for example, 'You have decided to remain a bachelor, have you?

The sentence given above cannot always be ungrammatical! This kind of formation is possible when the speaker expresses his/her surprise, interest, concern or any such sudden feeling.

More examples:
So at last you have decided to resign the job, have you? How bad!
(The speaker is worried at the decision)

You think you are smarter than I, do you? Well, well.
(The speaker is surprised)

Wow! She has amazing talents, does she?
Wow! She has amazing talents, has she?
(The speaker is surprised)

The people are so nice here, are they? Sounds great.
(Shows the speaker's interest)

The population is still increasing, is it?
(The speaker is worried)
                                                                                                                                                                                

Well, tomorrow we will learn about another situation in which the same-way tag questions are possible...... 

With regards
   Jacob (Nova English Campus)

Do you mind me talking loudly?

'Do you mind if I smoke here now?' can also be written or spoken as 'Do you mind me smoking here?. And also notice the use of the object pronoun 'me' in the sentence. 'Mind' means 'dislike'.

More examples:
Do you mind me talking loudly? (Do you mind if I talk loudly?)
Do you mind me being irregular to the classes?

We don't mind you coming late.
They don't mind us spending lavishly.
Will they mind me asking their age?
Does their boss mind them gossipping?
I never mind anyone criticising me.

                                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                    
Jacob (Nova English Campus)

DO YOU MIND IF I........?

Hi friends!
Yesterday we saw how to use 'do you mind + noun' in English, as in 'Do you mind the smell of tobacco?' (Do you dislike the smell....?)

Now, let us see how to make sentences with 'Do you mind + if......' . In this construction too, the meaning of the sentence remain the same as in 'do you mind + noun'.

Examples:
Do you mind if I leave a bit earlier today? (Do you dislike if I leave.......?)

More examples:
Do you mind if I sit here for a while?
Do you mind if I ask you your age?
Do you mind if I tell you the truth?
Do you mind if my child plays with your puppy?
Do you mind if she doesn't respect you?

I don't mind if you sit here for a while. (I won't dislike if you.....)
I don't mind if you come with me.
He doesn't mind if you call him names.
They never mind if you neglect them.
We don't mind if our kids make too much noice.

                                                                                                                                                              
JACOB (NOVA ENGLISH CAMPUS (AMRITSAR)                                              

Do you mind.....?

The word 'mind' can be used to mean 'dislike', 'object to', 'be annoyed by' etc.

Examples:
Do you mind(dislike) the noise in my room?
(There is a lot of noice in my room. Do you dislike that?)

More examples:
Do you mind(dislike) the smell of cigarette?
Do you mind my loud speaker?
Do you mind my wayward children?
Do yo mind my untidy room?
Do you mind indiscipline in your office? etc.
Do you mind the increasing number of traffic problems?

I don't mind the smell of cigarette.
I never mind you advice.
Don't mind his absense.
She doesn't mind my comments.

                                                                                                                                                       
Regards
Jacob