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 wish 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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