236. Complex sentences B1, B2 (4 funny jokes)

04/13/25 • 15 min

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

Structure Summary

Would like / want / ask
I would like you to come to a party on Saturday
Object Clause (noun clause): you to come to a party on Saturday
Subject + verb + [object = (object pronoun + verb + more information)]
I / would like / you to come to a party on Saturday.

Other examples:
I would like you to come to a meeting on Monday to discuss the terms of the contract.
My parents want me to go on holiday with them this summer.
You asked me to tell you about the football match.

Make
(verb that follow are without ‘to’ in the infinitive)
She makes me smile
Subject: She.
Verb: makes
Object: me – the direct object of makes
Complement (Bare Infinitive Verb): smile – this is the bare infinitive (infinitive without "to") following the causative verb make.

Other examples:
She makes me laugh when I'm feeling sad.
She always makes me angry!

Let
(verb that follow are without ‘to’ in the infinitive)
Let me know if Monday is suitable for you.
You are eighteen now, your parents should let you do what you like!
I think you should talk with your parents and try to make them understand how you feel.
My parents are afraid of letting me go away by yourself, they still think I'm a baby.
Help
Help (verbs that follow are with or without ‘to’.
Please would you help me find something better?
Indirect Object: me – the person receiving the help.
Bare Infinitive Verb: find – after help, we use the bare infinitive (you can say "help me to find" too.).

Other examples:
I wanted to help him (to) make some friends.
I hope that it will help you (to) keep fit.
I hope my advice will help you (to) decide where to go on holiday.
This hotel is terrible and I hope you can help me (to) find a better one.

For transcripts of jokes see: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-236.htm

At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
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Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

Structure Summary

Other examples:
She makes me laugh when I'm feeling sad.
She always makes me angry!

For transcripts of jokes see: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-236.htm

Previous Episode

235. Future Perfect B2 (short story)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

LOOKING BACK FROM A POINT IN THE FUTURE - FUTURE PERFECT
I have studied / I have been studying English for/since...
(from the past to the present)
Next September, I will have studied / been studying English for ten years
(from the past to a moment in the future
I will have had this car for fifteen years next month.
I will have lived / been living in Seville for twenty-five years
This summer I will have been working for three years at the car factory.
The structure is the same for other verbs that use modal auxiliary verbs
I should study now
I should have studied in the past (but I didn't)
We call this the perfect infinitive.
I could work in the car factory
I could have worked in the car factory (but I didn't)
I might buy that sweater I saw in the shop window.
I might have bought that sweater I saw in the shop window. (but I didn't)

(Georgia on my Mind cover by M.A. Bilbrough)

Read the story transcript at my website: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-235.htm

Next Episode

237. Candle Burning - B1 short story (complete version)

Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.

These are the four comprehension questions to read before you listen to the story.

1) What was the first thing Nigel did when he went into the shower?
2) What did Nigel decide not to have for breakfast that day?
3) Why did Nigel lose his job?
4) What reason did the doctor give for Nigel's death?

Answers are given at the end of the podcast

For complete transcript of the story, go to: https://www.practisingenglish.com/podcast-237.htm