English Grammar | how to use verbs to describe statistics The birth rate has reduced over the past ten years. [incorrect] The birth rate has dropped over the past ten years. [correct] The graph shows a rise in the number of accidents involving cyclists. [correct] The graph represents a rise in the number of accidents involving cyclists. [incorrect] Common verbs used to describe graphs, charts and diagrams include: The chart/graph shows levels of post-school education in four countries. The diagram illustrates/represents the structure of the political system. The chart/graph compares average working hours in the USA and Europe. We can see from the chart/graph that the number of visitors peaks in August. Common verbs to describe figures and statistics include: The statistics/figures suggest that people in rural areas are healthier. The figure will increase further, reaching 6 million in 2020. Demand rose by 48% in just 2 years. [not raised by 48%] Time spe...

My brother is good at sport but he is very bad at English. (correct) My brother is good in sport but he is very bad in English. (incorrect) The percentage in women attending university is increasing. (incorrect) The percentage of women attending university is increasing. (correct) Some adjectives are always followed by a specific preposition. At . We say you are bad at , good at or surprised at something: I was surprised at the number of people who came. About and with . We say you are angry about or pleased about something but angry with or pleased with a person: I am pleased about your new job. I was really angry with John. After disappointed we use about or with ; after worried we only use about : She was pretty disappointed with / about her exam results. I am worried about John. They are worried about the test. Some nouns are always followed by a specific preposition. In . We say decrease in, drop in , fall in , increase in , rise in : The...

Gerund or infinitive after verbs My school does not allow us taking holidays during term. [incorrect] My school does not allow us to take holidays daring term. [correct] Our teacher suggested me to buy a good dictionary. [incorrect] Our teacher suggested I buy a good dictionary. [correct] Some verbs are followed by - ing if there is no object and by to + infinitive if there is a direct object - advise , allow , forbid , permit : The teacher allowed talking as long as it was in English. (no direct object) The teacher allowed us to talk as long as it was in English. ( us is the direct object) Make is followed by the infinitive without to : My boss made me wear a horrible uniform. (not made me to wear ) Note that the direct object must come between the verb and the infinitive: She allowed her dog to sit in the front of her car. (not She allowed to sit her dog ) In the passive, these verbs are followed by to + infinitive : be advised , be allowed , be for...

Verbs after adjectives and prepositions Young children often feel shy to talk to adults. (incorrect) Young children often feel shy talking to adults. (correct) It is easy to understand why. (correct) It is easy understanding why. (incorrect) With feel + adjective we use the -ing form of the verb: New students do not always feel comfortable speaking English to other people. After be + adjective , too + adjective and adjective + enough , we use to + infinitive : I was happy to see her when she arrived. (not I was happy seeing her ) The lecture was easy enough to understand . (not enough easy or easy understanding ) After all prepositions ( about , by , from , for , in , of , without , etc.) we use the - ing form of the verb; we cannot use a clause (subject + verb): They celebrated their anniversary by organising a big party. Thank you for helping me so much with my studies. He opened the door without thinking about what would happen next. (not without he...

I just managed to avoid hitting the car in front of me. (correct) I just managed to avoid to hit the car in front of me. (incorrect) I want telling you a little about myself. (incorrect) I want to tell you a little about myself. (correct) We use to + infinitive after the following verbs: ask , afford , decide , deserve , help , hope , learn , offer , prepare , promise , refuse , seem , want , would like : Summer seems to arrive later and later these days. Nowadays most people would like to have more money. Learn how is also followed by to + infinitive : I want to learn how to drive before I go to university. After some verbs, we use - ing : avoid , carry on , consider , deny , enjoy , finish , give up , imagine , involve , keep , like , mind , practise , recommend , resist , suggest : I really enjoy watching movies at the cinema. (not enjoy to watch ) Look forward to is also followed by - ing : I look forward to hearing your reply. (not look forward to...

In the USA this situation is totally different (correct) In USA this situation is totally different (incorrect) The table shows number of people working in Britain in 1976 (incorrect) The table shows the number of people working in Britain in 1976 (correct) We use the • with countries or places where the name refers to a group: the United States, the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates, the UK • with superlatives: the best, the longest, the highest • with cardinal numbers: the first, the second, the third • when there is only one in the world: the environment, the internet, the sun • to refer to the only one in a particular area: the government, the police, the rive r • in the phrase: the same as We don't use the • with a single country or place: America, England, China • to talk about something in general. We use the plural if we are talking about something in general; we use the to identify one specific example. Compare: People with reading diffi...