Basic English, Lesson 2- Survival Sentences

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Lesson 2: Basic Survival Sentences

I want __(something) .

I want a pizza.	I want a job.	I want an aspirin.	I want a new car.
I want a drink.	I want an orange.	I want some change.	I want a room.
I want the newspaper.	I want some water.	I want some gas.	I want the telephone.

Notice the Articles - A, AN, THE - and the adjective SOME. They all point out nouns.

A is used before words that begin with a consonant sound. It refers to any one of a group of things. "A pizza" means one of the pizzas in the shop: not a particular one.
AN is used before words that begin with a vowel sound. It also refers to any one of a group of things. "An aspirin" means one of the aspirins in the bottle or medicine cabinet, but no special one.
THE refers to a particular something: "I want the newspaper." usually means today's newspaper or the most recent one. It could also mean the only newspaper in the room or the one on the table.
SOME means an indefinite amount of the noun it refers to. "some water" could mean a glass of water, half a glass of water, or a bucket of water. The exact meaning would be different in different situations.

I need (something) .

I need a drink.	I need a job.	I need a new car.	I need a hug.
I need an aspirin.	I need an umbrella.	I need an overcoat.	I need an envelope.
I need some gas.	I need some change.	I need some milk.	I need some help.
I need the screwdriver.	I need the phone book.	I need the newspaper.	I need the answer.

I have (something) .

I have a headache.	I have a toothache.	I have a stomach ache.	I have the newspaper.
I have the time.	I have two sisters.	I have an apartment.	I have a good job.
I have an idea.	I have an apple.	I have some coffee.	I have some friends.

In the place of the articles (A, AN, THE), you can often use numbers or amount words: "I have a lot of time." "I have little time." "I have a cup of coffee." "I have two friends." "I need 5 gallons of gas." "I need three envelopes." "I want two aspirins."

I want to (+ verb) + . This form talks about an action I desire to take but is not necessary.

I want to go home.	I want to stay home.	I want to work.	I want to sleep.
I want to drive.	I want to write a letter.	I want to change shoes.	I want to help.

I need to (+ verb) + . This form is used for an action that is necessary or important to take.

I need to sleep.	I need to exercise.	I need to wake up.	I need to buy milk.
I need to go shopping.	I need to study.	I need to pay bills.	I need to drive slowly.

I have to (+ verb) + . This form is to talk about an action I am obligated to do - very important.

I have to rest.	I have to work.	I have to eat.	I have to visit Mother.
I have to take a test.	I have to pay my rent.	I have to fix my car.	I have to finish this job.

Exercise A: Complete the following sentences with I want, I need, or I have.

1. ____________ some cherry pie.	4. _____________ a lawyer.	7. ____________ an ice cream cone.
2. _____________ new tires for my car.	5. _____________ film for my camera.	8. ____________ a wife and two kids.
3. ____________ some cold medicine.	6. ____________ too many bills.	9. ____________ a vacation.

Exercise B: Complete the following sentences with I want, I have, I need.

1. ___________ to go swimming.	4. ___________ to polish my shoes.	7. ___________ to mow the grass.
2. ___________ to buy groceries.	5. ___________ to watch a movie.	8. ___________ to play basketball.
3. ___________ to attend school.	6. ___________ to pay my taxes.	9. ___________ to learn English.

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Answers to Lesson 2 Exercises:

Exercise A: These are the best answers, but other choices may be correct.

1. I want (have) some cherry pie.	4. I need (want) (have) a lawyer.	7. I want an ice cream cone.
2. I need (have) (want) some new tires for my car.	5. I need (want) (have) film for my camera.	8. I have (want) a wife and two kids.
3. I need (have) (want) some cold medicine.	6. I have too many bills.	9. I need (want) a vacation.

Exercise B: The best answers are first. Other answers may be OK.

1. I want to go swimming.	4. I have (want) (need) to polish my shoes.	7. I have (need) (want) to mow the grass.
2. I need (have) (want) to buy groceries.	5. I want to watch a movie.	8. I want to play basketball.
3. I have (want) to attend school.	6. I have to pay my taxes.	9. I need (want) to learn English.

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