How do you do this word

How do you call. vs. What do you call.

It seems an open-and-shut case, the correct version for asking the word of something in English is

And yet the sheer number of second-language speakers of English who ask daily, the following

is extraordinary and cannot be ignored easily. Romance languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian use the adverb how in “What do you call this?”

And apparently, Russian speakers make the same mistake too. However, if the verb call is replaced with a different verb, i.e. say, the request «What do you say this?» becomes extremely unidiomatic; the determiner what must be replaced with how.

That phrase has the following meaning: “In what way or manner do you say this word?”

The “how do you call. ” construct is uttered even by proficient speakers of English. Would anyone have noticed the discordance in the following quotation if I hadn’t emphasized that expression?

. actor was so obsessed with accurately portraying his character that he started losing sleep over it. “It’s a very – how do you call that? – sensorial condition. So I’m like, ‘I need to experience that, be in that zone when you’re constantly paranoid, where your senses work at 200 percent.’ You hear more intensely, you feel more intensely. And so, because I got so anxious I stopped sleeping, but not as a choice. And, all of a sudden, I started to have these symptoms,” he explains.

Perhaps there is evidence to suggest that the construct “How do you call (something)” has begun entering the English lexicon, as demonstrated in a speech made in Hanover, Germany, by the current President of the USA, Barack Obama

“I truly believe you’ve shown us the leadership of steady hands,” Obama said, imitating the way she likes to hold her hands in public, with the fingers arranged in a sort of rhombus, or as the Germans call it, a Raute. “How do you call it?” Obama said with a smile. “The Merkel Raute?”

UPDATE 5 June 2016

Two more examples of just how common it is to hear and read the ‘ungrammatical’ construction by both non-native and native speakers.

I didn’t think my leaving US Vogue would be big news. I went – how do you call it – viral. That was funny. I just thought. ‘Oh good, maybe I’ll get a job now’. _{Grace Coddington 21 May 2016}

The user remained unimpressed and totally unconvinced, while I asked permission to cite his words which he agreed to, I have preferred to keep him anonymous:

Interestingly, the British English corpus yielded no results for “How do you call. ” but when I searched the American English corpus using Google Ngram the following graph appeared. Admittedly, the results support overwhelmingly the “What do you call..” but I never doubted that for one instance. I am however open-minded enough to ask myself «why» and «how» this slow shift has come about.

Questions

4 Answers 4

We are confusing and conflating these forms here:

All these forms are good, grammatical, idiomatic English when used this way. Any other uses of these forms would be non-idiomatic, non-standard, and maybe incomprehensible.

The difficulty arises when foreigners use their own grammar and thought patterns, but with English words. Lei come si chiama? in Italian, literally means how do you call yourself? and does not expect the answer “I use a cellphone”. In idiomatic English this is what’s your name? The Italian is wired to use this form for forms 2 and 4 above, never using the word “name” in questions like those. In fact, if an Italian pointed to something and asked another Italian what that thing’s name is, he would be thought facetious, expecting an answer like “It reminds me of Sally, so let’s just call it Sally for now.”

This difficulty cuts both ways. If you ask a Spanish speaker for his name, using form 4 above, you would say “Cual es su nombre”. He would be within his rights to answer “My name is the unique label by which I am distinguished from others in the room”. You should ask como se llama, but you’re not wired for that, it’s not one of the forms on our list.

So now to answer the questions.

What evidence is there that «How do you call. » is, or is not, a legitimate phrasal usage or expression in English? How do you call is legitimate in English – see form 3 – but only in the use allowed in form 3. Otherwise you do two things: you risk not being understood within the flow of speech, and you cause a needless proliferation of forms when we have a good one present already. I know this is getting into the descriptive-prescriptive debate, which is a different can of worms, but we’re there anyway just by discussing the question. Your Ngram is all the evidence needed for pointing out that this is ono-standard. As for legitimate, well, that’s an opinion.

Could it be called a dialectal variant? Why is it considered non-standard? These are two questions. First, no, I know of no such dialectical variant. Second, I have already shown why it’s non-standard above. And indeed your Ngram shows that it’s non-standard. There’s another thing about Ngrams: in a world in which educational standards are dropping, along with IQs pace the Flynn effect, more and more examples of poor English are going to show up. Just because a form is standard in language A doesn’t mean that it should become standard in language B, and this becomes very obvious when A and B are from different families.

“how do you call it” or “what do you call it”

dec-sev

Senior Member

Enloquecida

Member

magicaltrevor

Senior Member

I would always say «What do you call that?» or «What is that called?»

«How do you call that?» does not sound like good English to me, though it would be understood.

Enloquecida

Member

I would always say «What do you call that?» or «What is that called?»

«How do you call that?» does not sound like good English to me, though it would be understood.

magicaltrevor

Senior Member

Just to add to that, I would say, for example:

«How do you say XXX in Italian»

«What do you call a/an XXX in Italian»

Enloquecida

Member

Jaseis

Member

In English it is best to use ‘what’ in the place of ‘how’
In many European languages you say how.

>
How is that called?

A lot of the European’s I speak to say, ‘how do you call it’. It’s not correct but it does, as already stated, get your point across.

It depends on what you are asking.
Asking about a sound or a method of speech
How do you say/pronounce ‘Extraordinary’?
Asking about a word (normally in written language)
What does that mean?
Asking about an object or person
What do you call him, her, it?

Hopefully I helped

Enloquecida

Member

dec-sev

Senior Member

dec-sev

Senior Member

Jaseis

Member

GreenWhiteBlue

Banned

It is not natural English to say «How do you call it?» to mean «What is the English word for that?», or «What is that called in English?» It is instead the sort of error that would immediately indicate that someone was not a native speaker. The only situation I could imagine in which «how do you call it?» is correct is if you are asking for information about the correct manner of summoning (or «calling») something.

Farmer John: When I want my horse to come to me, I call it with my special horse-summoning call, and when I want my cow, I use my cow-summoning call.
City Sue: And what about your pig? When you want your pig to come to you, how do you call it?

Jaseis

Member

It is not natural English to say «How do you call it?» to mean «What is the English word for that?», or «What is that called in English?» It is instead the sort of error that would immediately indicate that someone was not a native speaker. The only situation I could imagine in which «how do you call it?» is correct is if you are asking for information about the correct manner of summoning (or «calling») something.

Farmer John: When I want my horse to come to me, I call it with my special horse-summoning call, and when I want my cow, I use my cow-summoning call.
City Sue: And what about your pig? When you want your pig to come to you, how do you call it?

Very good point. I actually thought about how I could have worded after I made my post

LilMama

New Member

panjandrum

Lapsed Moderator

If you are talking about the original context of this thread, meaning «What is the English word for that,» the native speakers above have given a very clear answer. Asking «How do you call it?» very clearly marks you as a non-native.

GWB has explained that in some particular contexts the sentence «How do you call it?» is correct, but those contexts have nothing to do with asking for the English word for something.

BODYholic

Senior Member

But that also implies that native speakers are likely to understand your question.

As an non-native speaker, I am in favor of «What» over «How». Not just because it sounds better or natural, but they are slightly different.

When you asked a «How» question, you are effectively asking for a method or some procedures. Referring to your example, If I am presented with that question, I would assume that you do not know and you also could not pronounce the word «table». You would like me to teach you how to emulate the sound of «table» one syllable at a time. This is akin to asking «How to shutdown a computer?». The answers come in steps.

On the contrary, a «What» question is relatively straight forward. You are expecting something precise and to the point.

I am not suggesting that you should stick to «xxx do you call?», since better choice has already been offered. I am just stating those minor differences between «What» and «How» based on the given context.

Jaseis

Member

As mentioned by panjandrum,
But that also implies that native speakers are likely to understand your question.

As an non-native speaker, I am in favor of «What» over «How». Not just because it sounds better or natural, but they are slightly different.

When you asked a «How» question, you are effectively asking for a method or some procedures. Referring to your example, If I am presented with that question, I would assume that you do not know and you also could not pronounce the word «table». You would like me to teach you how to emulate the sound of «table» one syllable at a time. This is akin to asking «How to shutdown a computer?». The answers come in steps.

On the contrary, a «What» question is relatively straight forward. You are expecting something precise and to the point.

I am not suggesting that you should stick to «xxx do you call?», since better choice has already been offered. I am just stating those minor differences between «What» and «How» based on the given context.

That’s exactly what I was getting at earlier. How implies you want to know the method rather than the word.

Also, when asking ‘What do you call it?’, in most cases it’s better, but not necessary, to say ‘What do you call that?’
The reason is that it sounds a lot more directed, native English and also more specific which can be a problem for non-native speakers. If the object is close enough and it’s obvious about what you are asking about, use that rather than it.

1. __ this word in English?

а) How do you call ;

Ь) How do you say;

с) What do you say;

d) How is called.

2. What __ at the cinema tonight?

d) are they play.

3. Неге are your shoes. I __ them.

а) have just cleaned;

Ь) have just been cleaned;

с) did just clean;

4. I hope you know that you __ come with me if you don’t want to.

5. » __ » »No, her eyes are sore, that’s why they are so red.»

а) Has Sue crying?

с) Had Sue cried?

d) Has Sue been crying?

6. «How long __ yourfriend?» «Since 2000.»

с) have you been knowing;

7. Не asked me if i _____ to swim across the river.

8. 1 was just wondering if she __ about the tragedy.

d) had been told.

9. I’m glad to hear that at least today’s __ cheerful.

1О. __ wanted to see you yesterday.

а) One ofmy friend;

Ь) One my friend;

с) А friend of mine;

11. «She said she had met my friend two weeks before.» «___ she?»

12. Не used __ cigarettes, but he doesn ‘t any more.

13. l’d have collected the money if he __ asked me.

с) was laughed- cried;

d) laughed- was cried.

15. She will have ____ free time from now оn.

Ь) dozens- hundred sheeps;

с) dozen- hundred sheep;

d) dozen- hundreds sheeps.

17. Тhе proЬlem is __ than 1 thought.

Ь) тuch тоге worse;

с) тuch тоге bad;

а) 11 o’clock in this тorning;

Ь) at 11 о’ clock this тorning;

с) on 11 o’clock this тorning;

d) on this morning at 11 o’clock.

20. What are you going to do when you __ school?

How you do you say «What is this word?» in a friendly, indirect and elaborate way?

In French, when you don’t know what the hell a word means that’s just been mentioned, instead of flat-out asking “What is that?” we have an informal expression “Hmmm, ça se mange?” (Litterally, “can it be eaten?”). It makes obvious the fact that you’re missing something. Alternatively, you could also say “À tes souhaits” (“bless you”), trying to pretend you took that uttered word for a sneeze.

Is there anything a similar, common phrase I could use in English?

5 Answers 5

In a similar spirit to ça se mange?, some people in the UK (especially my parents) would say «that’s easy for you to say». This refers to a 1970s comedy TV show, the Morecambe and Wise Show, but most people would understand the joke even if they hadn’t heard it before.

It isn’t common here in Australia, but the expression what’s that when it’s at home? fits the bill.

Informally, I’ve heard «Come again?» and «Say what now?» when someone either doesn’t understand the word or phrase or isn’t sure they heard correctly.

Formally, «Pardon me? can be used if you wish the person to repeat themselves or if you don’t understand a word, you can say, «I’m not familiar with that word. Would you mind explaining that?»

Английский для начинающих. Урок 12.

Вспомогательный глагол Do / Does

Pronunciation. Произношение

Well, are we taking a driving test? Нет, экзамен не на вождение (driving), а на произношение: прочитайте список, четко выговаривая гласные в корне, а согласная d в конце слова должна давать четкий звук [d].

red — красный
met — встречал
bet — пари
dead — мертвый
net — сеть
send — посылать
pet — любимец
letter — буква
setter — сеттер
head — голова
lead — свинец
said — сказал

rat — крыса
mad — сумасшедший
bat — летучая мышь
dad — папа
gnat — комар
sand — песок
pat — гладить
latter — недавний
matter — дело
had — имел
lad — парень
sad — грустный

Make some phrases with the words. Фразы пусть будут хоть разумные, хоть безумные, лишь бы грамматически правильные. Например:

What is the matter, dad? — В чем дело, папа?

I met a mad gnat. — Я встретил безумного комара.

Pat it on the head. — Погладь его по голове.

This lad is so sad. — Этот парень такой грустный.

Не has a bat as a pet. — У него летучая мышь в качестве домашнего животного.

Grammar. Грамматика

У вас есть домашнее животное? А машина? А вы любите мороженое?

Чтобы задать подобный вопрос, англичане прибегают к помощи do [du:]. Глагол do выступает в таких случаях только как вспомогательное слово, никакого «делания» он не обозначает.

Do you like ice-cream? — Вы любите мороженое?

Do you help your mum? — Ты помогаешь своей маме?

Do they play football? — Они играют в футбол?

Ответим на последний вопрос — сначала утвердительно, затем отрицательно. Частица not (не) ставится после do.

Yes, they do. — Да, играют.

No, they do not. — Нет, не играют.

Смотрите: в ответах do замещает play — тот глагол, который стоит в вопросе. Теперь посмотрим, как звучат вопрос и ответы в общении со вторым лицом — с вами.

Do you speak French? — Вы говорите по-французски?

No, I do not. — Нет, не говорю.

Когда вопрос о ком-либо или о чем-либо — о третьем лице в единственном числе — вместо do используется does [dʌz].

Does Tim learn French? — Тим учит французский?

Does he know Spanish? — Он знает испанский?

No, he does not. — Нет, не знает.

Составим два полных отрицательных предложения, используя только что полученные краткие ответы.

They do not play football. — Они не играют в футбол.

Tim does not know Spanish. — Тим не знает испанский.

Когда в предложении есть does, окончание -s добавлять к основному глаголу не нужно.

She likes jam. Does she like fruit?

She eats oranges. Does she eat bananas?

He keeps dogs. He does not keep cats.

Pronunciation. Произношение

Любой вопрос, начинающийся с do (или does), предполагает ответ yes (да) или no (нет). Такие вопросы произносятся с подъемом интонации. Обозначим ударные слоги, укажем стрелочкой, где голос идет вверх.

‘Do you ‘go to ➚ school?

‘Does she ‘grow ➚ flowers?

‘Do they ‘keep ➚ horses?

Conversation. Разговор

А теперь давайте расспросим Тима о его делах — с помощью do, а также используя вопросительные слова: what [wot] — что; when [wen] — когда; where [wɛǝ] — где; why [wai] — почему; how [hau] — как; who [hu:] — кто, кого.

Отвечать придется вам: поставьте себя на место Тима и… Вперед! Go ahead!

When do you get up? — Когда вы встаете?

Does your mother make fresh tea every morning? — Ваша мама заваривает свежий чай каждое утро?

Where does she cook breakfast? — Где она готовит завтрак?

Why does she take a cup of tea upstairs? — Почему она относит чашку чая в спальню?

What do you have for breakfast? — Что у вас на завтрак?

Do you have coffee for breakfast? — Вы пьете кофе на завтрак?

Do you take a cold shower in the morning? — Вы принимаете холодный душ утром?

How much sugar do you put into your tea? — Сколько сахару вы кладете в чай?

What does your father like for breakfast? — Что ваш отец любит на завтрак?

How do you get to school? — Как вы добираетесь до школы?

Do you walk? — Вы идете пешком?

Who do you meet on your way to school? — Кого вы встречаете no дороге в школу?

Когда вопросительное слово what идет «вплотную» с существительным, оно имеет значение какой, каков.

What cars do you like? — Какие машины вам нравятся?

What books does he read? — Какие книги он читает?

What colour is your car? — Какого цвета ваша машина?

Reading. Чтение

А где обещанный желтый автомобиль с красными колесами? Where is the yellow car with red wheels?
Ответ: Вот он — в рассказе о мистере Блиссе. Here it is in the story about Mr Bliss.

After breakfast Mr Bliss puts on his green hat and goes out.

He says, «I want to buy a car!»

So he gets on his bicycle and rides down the hill to the village. He walks into the shop and says, «I want a car.»

«What colour?» asks Mr Binks, the shopkeeper.

«Bright yellow,» says Mr Bliss.

«That is five shillings,» says Mr Binks.

«And I want red wheels,» says Mr Bliss.

«That is sixpence more.»

«Very well,» says Mr Bliss, «only I left my purse at home.»

«Very well, then leave your bicycle here. When you bring your money you can have it back.»

It is a beautiful bicycle by the way. It is all silver. But the bicycle does not have pedals. Why? Because Mr Bliss only rides downhill!

Words. Слова

buy [bai] — покупать; bicycle [‘baisikl] — велосипед; shopkeeper [‘ʃopˌki:pǝ] — владелец магазина; wheel [wi:l] — колесо; beautiful [‘bju:tiful] — красивый; pedal [‘pedl] — педаль.

Notes. Примечания

1. Глагол want в большинстве случаев переводится как хотеть. Но бывает, что want соответствует русским словам необходимо, нужно.

I want some tea. — Я хочу чаю.

Не wants а car. — Ему нужна машина.

Не wants red wheels. — Ему нужны красные колеса.

2. Повторим несколько фраз из текста, вместе переведем их. Let’s repeat a few sentences from the text and translate them.

He gets on his bicycle. — Он садится на велосипед.

It is a beautiful bicycle by the way. — Это, между прочим, красивый велосипед.

It is all silver. — Он весь серебристый.

When you bring the money you can have your bicycle back. — Когда принесете деньги, можете забрать свой велосипед.

Very well! — Очень хорошо! Или: Ладно!

Why does his bicycle have no pedals? — Почему у его велосипеда нет педалей?

Because Mr Bliss rides only downhill. — Потому что мистер Блисс ездит только под гору.

Word. Слово

В глаголе leave [li:v] долгий гласный звук, что отличает его от live [liv] (жить). Первое значение leave — уходить, уезжать. Поскольку глагол часто сообщает об уже свершившихся событиях, укажем сразу его прошедшую форму — left.

Уточняя, куда именно отбывает поезд или пароход, куда отправляется человек, используйте предлог for.

Не puts on his hat and leaves the house. — Он надевает шляпу и выходит из дома.

When does the train leave? — Когда поезд отправляется?

She left early in the morning. — Она уехала рано утром.

Не left for London. — Он уехал в Лондон.

They left for the seaside. — Они поехали к морю.

Второе значение leave — оставлять, забывать. Глагол пригодится, когда вы оправдываетесь перед учителем по поводу забытых дома вещей.

I am sorry… I left my exercise-book at home. — Извините… Я забыл тетрадь дома.

Mr Bliss left his purse at home. — Мистер Блисс оставил кошелек дома.

Не left his bicycle in the shop. — Он оставил свой велосипед в магазине.

Discussion. Обсуждение

Purse [pǝ:s] (кошелек) вещь устаревшая: в наши дни у людей бумажники. People have wallets. Shilling [‘ʃiliŋ] (шиллинг) вышел из употребления. We are discussing English money. Раньше в английском фунте было 20 шиллингов. There were 20 shillings in a pound. В каждом шиллинге было 12 пенсов и фунт складывался из 240 пенсов. There were 240 реnce in a pound. Теперь в фунте 100 пенсов. Today there are 100 реnce in a pound.

Осталась грамматическая сложность со словом penny [‘peni] — у него два множественных числа. Когда идет речь о стоимости, используется реnce [pens]. Много монеток стоимостью в один пенс будет pennies [‘peniz].

This book costs five pounds ninety-nine pence. — Эта книга стоит пять фунтов девяносто девять пенсов.

The cashier gave me a handful of pennies. — Кассир дала мне пригоршню однопенсовых монет.

Конечно, автомобиль не может стоить всего пять шиллингов. A car cannot cost just five shillings. Но ведь Толкин пишет о реальности пополам с фантастикой. Поговорим с мистером Блиссом о цвете и цветах.

What colour is your bicycle and your new car? — Какого цвета ваш велосипед и ваша новая машина?

The bicycle is silver, the car is yellow. — Велосипед серебристый, машина желтая.

What is your favourite colour? — Какой ваш любимый цвет?

It is yellow. — Желтый.

Чтобы «смешать» два цвета, используется and. Чтобы сделать цвет ярким, следует добавить прилагательное bright [brait]. Для осветления необходимо прилагательное light [lait]. Темный оттенок придается с помощью dark [dɑ:k].

The picture is black and white. — Фотография черно-белая.

The dress is red and green. — Платье красно-зеленое.

The rose is bright red. — Роза ярко-красная.

Your balloons are bright blue. — Ваши шарики ярко-синие.

Mine are light blue. — Мои светло-голубые.

I wear a dark blue suit. — Я ношу темно-синий костюм.

Question. Вопрос

В одном месте написано Не rides down the hill, а в следующий раз без артикля и слитно downhill? Может, по ошибке артикль пропущен?

Ответ: Ошибки нет. Можно и так сказать, и так. Отсутствие артикля несколько меняет смысл.

Не rides down the hill. — Он съезжает с холма.

Холм конкретный, тот, на котором стоит его дом.

Не rides downhill. — Он съезжает вниз.

Он едет под гору, спускается вниз по склону.

Downhill — наречие, а не существительное. Приведем несколько схожих наречий, образованных от существительных с помощью up, down и in.

upstairs — наверх (по лестнице)

downstairs — вниз (по лестнице)

upstream — вверх по течению

downstream — вниз по течению

upward — вверх, в гору

downward — вниз, книзу, под уклон

inland — вглубь страны

Про дом мистера Блисса можно сказать чуть по-разному, используя on top (наверху) или on the top (на самом верху, на самой вершине).

It is on top of the hill. — Он наверху холма.

It is on the top of the hill. — Он на вершине холма.

Reading. Чтение

Do Mice Like Cats? Любят ли мыши кошек?

Poor Alice sits down and begins to cry.

«Stop this moment!» she says to herself. «Stop crying!»

Soon there is a large pool round her.

In a minute her foot slips and… Splash! She is in salt water.

At first she thinks that it is the sea. Then she realizes that she is in the pool of her own tears! Then she hears something splashing in the pool near her.

Alice is afraid. Is it a walrus? Then she sees that it is only a mouse.

She says, «Excuse me, do you know the way out of this pool?»

The Mouse looks at Alice but it does not say anything.

«Perhaps it does not speak English,» Alice thinks. «Perhaps it is a French mouse.»

So she begins again in French: «Ou est ma chatte?»

It means in English: Where is my cat?

Suddenly the Mouse leaps out of the water.

«Oh, I am sorry!» cries Alice hastily. «You do not like cats.»

Words. Слова

poor [puǝ] — бедный; begin [bi’gin] — начинать; large [lɑ:ʤ] — большой; minute [‘minit] — минута; salt [so:lt] — соленый; realize [‘riǝlaiz] — понимать, осознавать; pool [pu:l] — лужа; own [oun] — собственный; tear [tiǝ] — слеза; splash [splæʃ] — плескаться; walrus [‘wo:lrǝs] — морж; perhaps [pǝ’hæps] — наверно; suddenly [‘sʌdǝnli] — вдруг, внезапно; leap [li:p] — прыгать; hastily [‘heistili] — поспешно.

Phrases. Фразы

Stop this moment! — Прекрати сейчас же!

Stop crying! — Прекрати плакать!

Perhaps she is French. — Наверное, она француженка.

What does pool mean? — Что означает pool?

This word means лужа. — Это слово означает лужа.

Conversation. Разговор

Разговор Алисы с мышью — вымысел, но, заблудившись где-нибудь в Лондоне, мы можем спросить так же как Алиса: Do you know the way? To есть: Вы знаете дорогу? Как сказать, что я не местный? Используйте stranger [‘streinʤǝ], существительное, которое означает приезжий, не местный (и еще посторонний, незнакомец, чужестранец). Обратимся к прохожему мальчику.

You: Excuse me. Show me the way to Green Street, please.

Boy: Well, I think… You should turn right… No, left… Oh, I am sorry, I do not know really.

Прохожий не знает, где Зеленая улица. Спросим у полицейского, он наверняка укажет дорогу.

You: Show me the way to Green Street, please.

He: Go along this street and then turn right.

He: You are welcome.

Теперь представим, что нам нужно добраться до железнодорожного вокзала Виктория.

You: Excuse me, how do I get to Victoria Station?

He: Yes, take bus number ten. It goes as far as Victoria.

He: The bus stop is across the street.

Все ясно: десятый номер идет до самого вокзала, на что указывает as far as, буквально: так далеко, как.

Напоследок спросим у полицейского, правильно ли мы идем к самой известной лондонской площади — Трафальгарской. Is this the right way…

You: Excuse me, is this the right way to Trafalgar Square?

He: Yes. Go on along this street and then turn left.

Question. Вопрос

Excuse me переводится как извините, а когда Алиса напугала до смерти мышь, она сказала I am sorry, что тоже извините. В чем разница?

Ответ: Разницу лучше запомнить по какой-нибудь «жизненной» сцене. Обращаясь к кому-либо, привлекая внимание человека, начинайте со слов Excuse me. Эта же фраза подойдет, если вы пробираетесь через толпу: Прошу прощения. Извините. Разрешите.

Но если, пробираясь, вы наступили кому-то на ногу, в гостях разбили чью-то чашку, напугали мышку, чего-то не увидели, не заметили, — нужно извиниться за проступок с помощью I am sorry. Если чашка была особенно любимой, придайте голосу больше раскаяния, если дело пустячное, можно «отделаться» укороченным извинением.

I am terribly sorry! — Мне ужасно жаль!

Подытожим, do/does используется в вопросительных и отрицательных предложениях:

do
does

work?
drive?
do?

don’t
doesn’t

work
drive
do

Exercises. Упражнения

Exercise 1. Answer the questions. Ответьте на вопросы, используя местоимение вместо существительного.

What colour are buses in London?
They are red.

1. What colour is grass?

2. What colour is the sky?

3. What colour is the sun?

4. What colour is an apple?

5. What colour is snow?

6. What colour are clouds?

7. What colour are roses?

8. What colour is Mr Bliss’s new car?

9. What colour are the wheels of his new car?

10. What colour is the flag of Russia?

Exercise 2. Make questions. Постройте вопросительные предложения. Глагол остается тот же, новое подлежащее приведено в скобках.

Ann goes to school. (Tim)
Does Tim go to school?

1. Alice swims in the pool. (the Mouse)

2. Cats catch mice. (dogs)

3. Alice goes into the low hall. (her sister)

4. Cats do not like to swim. (a fish)

5. I wash my hands before lunch. (you)

6. People visit their friends. (animals)

7. Lions and tigers eat meat. (cows)

8. A bicycle has two wheels. (a car)

9. Tim plays football and tennis. (Ann)

10. He takes a shower in the morning. (his son)

Ответы Exercise 1: It is green. 2. It is blue. 3. It is yellow. 4. It is green, red or yellow. 5. It is white. 6. They are black. 7. They are bright red, yellow or white. 8. It is yellow. 9. They are red. 10. It is white, blue and red.

Ответы Exercise 2: 1. Does the Mouse swim in the pool? 2. Do dogs catch mice? 3. Does her sister go into the low hall? 4. Does a fish like to swim? 6. Do animals visit their friends? 7. Do cows eat meat? 8. Does a car have two wheels? 9. Does Ann play football and tennis? 10. Does his son take a shower in the morning?

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