e-Learning English, Grammar Review, Level 2, A-Z

00000 0 Its important to understand these grammatical concepts: A verb describes an action or state. It usually goes after the subject: th Jack works on the 5 floor We dont understand this An infinitive is the basic/root form of the verb. For example: (to) be, (to) do, (to) take, (to) win, etc.: To be or not to be? I cant do this A gerund is the -ing form of the verb: I hate flying Thank you for listening A subject is the thing or person that goes before a verb: The boy needs help We walk to work An object is a thing or person that goes after the verb: He loves them very much She wants more money A noun is a thing or person. It usually goes before a verb: These plates are dirty! That man lives in London A pronoun substitutes a noun: Give me the books -> Give me them Its her key -> Its hers An adjective describes something or somebody It goes before a noun: The blue pens are mine Hes a very stupid man

An adverb describes how? how much? when? where? etc. It goes after a verb, but before an adjective: He sings beautifully Its an incredibly cheap watch A preposition describes position, direction, relation, etc. It usually goes before a noun, pronoun or gerund: Thanks for the biscuits Give it to him Im tired of studying 22517 A little v. A few We use (just) a little with Uncountable Nouns: How much oil do we need? Just a little (= Not much) We use (just) a few with Plural Nouns: How many bananas do we need? Just a few (= Not many) 23208 Abilities: good at, bad at We use good at something, bad at something, etc. to describe ability: Theyre brilliant at volleyball Shes very good at French Im quite bad at mathematics Hes hopeless at remembering peoples names Look at this typical mistake: Were very bad in languages at Remember: abilities = at! 23409 Abilities: What are you like at? We use What are you like at? Whats Jane like at? etc. to ask about somebody's ability : What are you like at golf? I'm hopeless! What were you like at physics when you were at school? I was quite good Whats Martha like at chess? Shes OK, I suppose What was your father like at swimming? He was the British Under 16s Champion!

22004 Adverbs

An adverb describes how? how much? when? where? etc. It goes after a verb, but before an adjective: He sings beautifully Its an incredibly cheap watch To make adverbs we add -ly to the adjective: bad -> badly slow -> slowly If the adjective ends in y, change y to i and add ly: happy -> happily lucky -> luckily If the adjective ends in le, change e to y: terrible -> terribly gentle -> gently There are two exceptions: good -> well goodly fast -> fast fastly

22006 Adverbs & Adjectives

Adverbs qualify verbs : | Verb | Adverb | | well He | writes | badly She | sings | slowly | | happily | | terribly Adjectives qualify nouns : | Adjective | Noun | good | | bad | book a | slow | song | happy | | terrible |

20525 After, After that, etc.

We always say after something: After breakfast, I go to work After having breakfast, she went to work After the class, we played football

After 6 oclock, Im free to meet you After that, we went home Look at this typical mistake: I had a shower and, after, I got dressed I had a shower and, after that, I got dressed You can also use afterwards as an alternative to after that: I had a shower and, afterwards, I got dressed 21301 Ago We use (time) + ago to say when something happened. We use the Past Simple because ago refers to a specific time in the past: She got up 10 minutes ago We arrived 2 days ago They built this castle about 500 years ago Look at these typical mistakes: He has left an hour ago He left Ive phoned you 5 minutes ago I phoned 23513 Agree The verb is agree, not be agree. Look at these typical mistakes: Im agree with Peter -> I agree with Peter We arent agree -> We dont agree Are you agree? -> Do you agree? When we want something, we usually begin Can/Could I have? or Can/Could you give me?: Can I have some more coffee, please? Could I have your name, please? Can you give me another glass, please? Could you give me your email address, please? Here are some common phrases beginning with at: At home -> Shes not at home the home At work -> Is Bob at work? At school -> The children are at school At university -> Janes at university At church -> We often see Jack at church Here are some common phrases beginning with in: In bed -> Hes probably in bed the bed In hospital -> Is your grandmother still in hospital?

22222 Asking for Things: Can I have Can you give me?

20407 At home / In bed

In prison -> Uncle David is in prison In church -> See you in church! You can say at church or in church: We often see Jack at church / We often see Jack in church See you at church! / See you in church! Here are some common phrases beginning go to: go to bed, go to church, go to prison, go to school, go to work Come on! Its time to go to school go to the school Here are a few common phrases with home: come home, go home, leave home, arrive home, get home, return home be at home, stay at home We say home, not the home: I leave home at 6 every day leave the home Lets stay at home today stay at the home 21001 Be born The verb is be born, not born Look at these typical mistakes: When you born? When were you born? She born in 1988 She was born in 1988 22014 Can, Could: Ability We use can to ask about ability or possibility: Can you meet me tomorrow at 6? (possibility) Can I help you? (possibility) John can play the guitar very well (ability) Amy can speak ten languages! (ability) The negative form of can is cant: I cant hear you very well We cant learn English in one day! To express past ability, we use could or couldnt: When I was young, I could run 100 metres in 11 seconds Until I left home, I couldnt cook very well Could you understand the film? 22312 Can...? & Could...? We use Can? and Could? to ask for things, get information, get permission, offer to do something, etc

Asking For Information Can I have your name, please? Could I have your phone number, please? Can you give me your full name, please? Could you give me your date of birth, please? Asking For Something Can I have some more wine, please? Could I have another cup of coffee, please? Can you give me the report, please? Could you give me the results, please? Can I see your permit, please? Could you pass the salt, please? Asking Somebody To Do Something Could you tell Mr. Jones that Jenny is here, please? Can you tell her to call me, please? Could you ask her if shes coming to the party? Can you ask him to phone Peter, please? Could you wait until we finish? Can you spell that, please? Could you say that again, please? Can you speak up, please? Asking For Permission Could I open the window? Can I smoke here? Can I ask you a few questions? Could I interrupt you for a moment? Offering To Do Something Can I take a message? Can I take your coat? Can I help you? Can I get you a drink? 24319 Collocation: hire/rent, close/shut In every language, some words combine naturally to form collocations. For example, hire and rent have a very similar meaning (pay to use something), but we normally say hire a car and rent a flat. This is because hire collocates with car and rent collocates with flat.

Lets take another example: shut, which means close: Ill shut the door (or Ill close the door) Shall I shut the window? (or Shall I close the window?) Shut your books, please Close your books, please We can understand the meaning of Shut your books but it is not a natural collocation. It is more natural to say Close your books 21703 Comparing: As + Adjective + As We use (not) as + adjective + as to compare two things, situations, etc.: We use as + adjective + as to express equality or similarity: Im as tall as my father Janes as intelligent as her sister We use not as + adjective + as to express difference: Im not as rich as my brother Apartments arent as expensive as hotels Look at these typical mistakes: Im as taller as my father tall Im not as rich than my brother as Remember a-a-a: as + adjective + as 21616 Comparing: more + adjective / adjective + -er When we compare two things or two people, we use more + adjective + than or adjective + -er + than (Comparative Structures) If the adjective has one syllable, use er: small -> Cardiff is smaller than Edinburgh short -> Im shorter than my father If the adjective ends in e, add r: safe -> Swimming is safer than skiing nice -> Mark is nicer than Jack If the adjective ends in Consonant + y, change the y to i, then add er: dry -> London is drier than Edinburgh If the adjective ends in Consonant+Vowel+Consonant, double the final consonant, then add er: hot -> Madrid is hotter than Helsinki slim -> My brother is slimmer than he was

If the adjective has three syllables or more, use more: expensive (ex-pen-sive) -> Hotels are more expensive than apartments ridiculous (ri-di-cu-lous) -> Your story is more ridiculous than mine If the adjective has two syllables and ends in -y, we use er: friendly (friend-ly) -> Bob and Pam are friendlier than Tim and Ann healthy (health-y) -> My diet is healthier than yours If the adjective has two syllables and ends in ful, we use more: useful (use-ful) -> Todays class was more useful than last weeks painful (pain-ful) -> My tooth is more painful than it was yesterday If the adjective has two syllables and does not end in y or ful, we use er or more depending on the adjective: modern (mo-dern) -> This building is more modern than that one clever (cle-ver) -> Samantha is cleverer than her sister With two-syllable adjectives, its often a question of personal preference or regional dialect: simple (sim-ple) -> English is simpler / more simple than we thought quiet (qui-et) -> This room is quieter / more quiet than that one There are three exceptions: good -> better My results were better than I expected gooder bad -> worse My results were worse than I expected badder far -> further New York is further than London farer 21619 Comparing: than We use than, not that, to compare two things, situations, etc: Cardiff is less expensive than Edinburgh that Edinburgh is more touristic than Cardiff Cardiff is smaller than Edinburgh Jenny has more friends than me Are you better today than you were yesterday? Better late than never! Better safe than sorry! Youre driving faster than you should He drank much more than he realised

21717 Comparing: the

We always use the before most or -est: London is one of the most famous cities in the world Rome is one of the nicest cities Ive ever visited The most expensive hotels arent always the best ones The quickest way to a mans heart is through his stomach When we compare more than two things or two people (everything or everybody), we use the most + adjective or the + adjective + -est (Superlative Structures) If the adjective has one syllable, use est: small -> England is smaller than France, but Luxembourgs the smallest short -> Im shorter than my father, but my mother is the shortest If the adjective ends in e, add st: safe -> Walking is probably the safest sport nice -> Mark is nicer than Jack, but Andys the nicest If the adjective ends in Consonant + y, change the y to i, then add est: dry -> London is drier than Edinburgh, but Valencias the driest If the adjective ends in Consonant+Vowel+Consonant, double the final consonant, then add est: hot -> Madrid is hotter than Helsinki, but Cairos the hottest slim -> My brother is the slimmest in our family If the adjective has three syllables or more, use most: expensive (ex-pen-sive) -> A Mercedes is one of the most expensive cars you can buy. ridiculous (ri-di-cu-lous) -> Your story is the most ridiculous Ive ever heard! If the adjective has two syllables and ends in -y, we use est: friendly (friend-ly) -> Steve and Carol are the friendliest people I know healthy (health-y) -> My diet is healthier than yours, but Sandras is the healthiest If the adjective has two syllables and ends in ful, we use most: useful (use-ful) -> Todays class was the most useful in weeks! painful (pain-ful) -> This is the most painful headache Ive ever had

21714 Comparing: the most + adjective / the + adjective + -est

If the adjective has two syllables and does not end in y or ful, we use est or most depending on the adjective: modern (mo-dern) -> This church is the most modern one Ive ever seen clever (cle-ver) -> Samantha is the cleverest person I know With two-syllable adjectives, its often a question of personal preference: simple (sim-ple) -> English is the simplest / most simple language quiet (qui-et) -> This room is the quietest / most quiet There are three exceptions: good -> best My results were the best in the class! goodest bad -> worst My results were the worst in the class! baddest far -> furthest New York is further than London, but San Franciscos the furthest farest 24118 Conditions: If they invite me Look at this example of a First Conditional: IF they invite me, I'll go The Conditional verb the Secondary Clause refers to a Future Possibility, but we use the Present Simple: If they invite me... If they will invite me The Result verb the Main Clause - is in the Future: ... I'll go The condition If they invite me - is possible (50-50): Maybe they will invite me. Maybe they won't (will not) invite me IF the condition is true, the result Ill go - is certain (100%): Certainly I will go... but ONLY IF they invite me... Look at these typical mistakes: If they will invite me, Ill go I'll need my jersey if I will get cold What will you do if they will ignore your request? 20519 Did she? Yes, she did / No, she didnt, etc. We make questions and give short answers in the Present using do(nt) or does(nt):

Do you have a shower in the morning? Yes, I do / No, I dont Does he go to work at 8 oclock? Yes, he does / No, he doesnt We make questions and give short answers in the Past using did(nt): Did you have a shower in the morning? Yes, I did / No, I didnt Did he go to work at 8 oclock? Yes, he did / No, he didnt In Present tenses, we use do(nt) with I, you, we and they; but we use does(nt) with he, she and it. In Past tenses we use did(nt) for every person. 20802 Do, Does and Did. The verb do has two uses... (1) Do as a main verb: I do my homework every day She does a lot of things We did something stupid (2) Do as an auxiliary verb: We use do(nt), does(nt) and did(nt) as an auxiliary verb to convert main verbs into questions or negatives, in the Present and in the Past: What do you want? (= QUESTION in PRESENT) He doesn't understand us (= NEGATIVE in PRESENT) Did they buy the potatoes? (= QUESTION in PAST) She didn't need help (= NEGATIVE in PAST) 22924 For v. Since We use for to express the DURATION of the action: Weve known Bill for 10 years since We use since to indicate the STARTING POINT of the action. Weve known Bill since 1996 for 21604 Going to We use (be) going to + verb when we want to express future plans: What are you going to do with all that money? Im going to buy a new house

Brian hates his work but he isnt going to look for a new job 21911 Going to: Predictions We use (be) going to + verb when we predict the future: I think its going to rain Im never going to pass my exams Are they going to get married? We usually use going to (instead of will) when there is clear evidence to support the prediction: I think its going to rain (Can you hear the thunder?) Im never going to pass my exams (Look at these results!) Are they going to get married? (Thats what everybody is saying!) 24018 Golden Rules Golden Rule #1 Every Verb Must Have A SUBJECT DON'T say: Then had a bath SAY: Then she had a bath Golden Rule #2 Adjectives Always Come BEFORE The Noun DON'T say: Do you like the shirt red? SAY: Do you like the red shirt? Golden Rule #3 Adjectives Are Always SINGULAR DON'T say: These are difficults questions SAY: These are difficult questions Golden Rule #4 Use ONE Negative Only In The Same Sentence DON'T say: I don't understand nothing SAY: I don't understand anything Golden Rule #5 AFTER A Preposition The Verb Always Ends In -ING DON'T say: How about to make an omelette? SAY: How about making an omelette? 20814 Have a nice weekend / Have a good time, etc. We use Have a nice or Have a good when we want somebody to be happy: Have a nice weekend / Have a good weekend Have a nice day / Have a good day Have a nice meal / Have a good meal Have a nice evening / Have a good evening Have a nice holiday / Have a good holiday Have a nice time / Have a good time We often use Enjoy your as an alternative to Have a nice/good:

Enjoy your weekend, Enjoy your meal, etc. 24410 Have v. Have got We can use have with or without got to express possession: I have a difficult job / Ive got a difficult job He doesnt have any friends / He hasnt got any friends Do they have a licence? / Have they got a licence? The corresponding question for have is Do you have...? Does she have...? etc: Do you have a problem? Does she have the solution? The corresponding question for have got is Have you got...? Has she got...? etc: Have you got a problem? Has she got the solution? The corresponding negative form for have is I dont have She doesnt have etc: I dont have the answer She doesnt have much time The corresponding negative form for have got is I havent got She hasnt got etc: I havent got the answer She hasnt got much time Have got is more informal than have When we are speaking, we normally use the contracted forms: I've got... She's got... etc. If we use the contracted forms (I've, She's...), we must use got: Jacks the keys Jacks got the keys Ive a book Ive got a book Look at these typical mistakes: We've 10 minutes Weve got Have you the food? Have you got the food? Junes 30 days Junes got / June has Has Mark the report? Has Mark got the report? He got 3 sisters Hes got They havent a licence They havent got / They dont have

She hasent got any money 22804 Have you ever?

She hasnt got

We use Have you ever? + past participle (the Present Perfect) to ask about past experiences: Have you ever been to Paris? Have you ever met my brother? Have you ever eaten caviar? Have you ever gone skiing? We can give a short reply: Yes, I have Yes, several times Yes, in June No, I haven't No, never No. Have you? If we reply positively, we use the Past Simple because we are talking about a specific time in the past: Have you ever been to Paris? Yes, we were there last summer Have you ever met my brother? Yes, I met him at Sams wedding Have you ever eaten caviar? Yes, when I was in Greece Have you ever gone skiing? Yes, we went to Formigal in February We say been to (+ place)?, not been in. It means visited: Have you ever been to Rome? (Have you ever visited Rome?) Ive never been to France (Ive never visited France) Whos been to America? (Whos visited America?) We use go +ing to describe activities: go skiing, go shopping, go jogging, go swimming, etc.

22617 How about...? What about...?

We use How about...? or What about...? as alternatives to And...? - What about this shirt, John? - No it's too serious. - And this one?

- No, too modern. - Well, how about this nice blue one? There is no difference in meaning between How about? and What about? : - How about this shirt? = What about this shirt? - What about this one? = How about this one? How about? and What about? avoid repeating the question: Where do you live, Peter?... How about you, Andrew?... (= And where do YOU live, Andrew?) What do you do, Sue?... What about you, Maria?... (= And what do YOU do, Maria?) We also use How about? or What about? to make suggestions: How about a coffee? What about a beer? How about going for a walk? What about having lunch together? Remember that verbs after prepositions (eg. about) take ing: How about going for a walk? What about having lunch together? 23108 How long? v. How long ago...? We use How long ago? + the Past Simple to ask about when a completed action happened: How long ago was he in London? How long ago did you have breakfast? We use How long? + the Present Perfect to ask about the duration of an unfinished action: How long have they been in France? How long has America been independent? 21919 I hope so, I think so, etc. I hope so, I think so, etc. are short answers which we often use as alternatives to Yes or No: Do you think its going to rain? I hope so / I hope not I expect so / I expect not I suppose so / I suppose not I think so / I dont think so

We use hope to express a desire; expect or suppose to express a good possibility; and think to express an opinion. I dont think so is more usual than I think not. 21306 I last... We use I last to say the last time I did something. We use the Past Simple because I last refers to a specific time in the past: I last had a holiday 3 years ago I last went to the cinema 5 days ago I last saw him on Saturday I last visited her in 2003 We can also use this structure with He, She, We, They, etc.: He last had a holiday 3 years ago She last went to the cinema 5 days ago We last saw him on Saturday They last visited her in 2000 23513 I think I dont think After think, the verb is always positive, so we use dont think if we want to express a negative idea: I think its going to rain I think it isnt going to rain -> I dont think its going to rain She thinks the plan will work She thinks the plan wont work -> She doesnt think the plan will work I think you can never justify capital punishment I dont think you can ever justify capital punishment Remember: Think Positive! 23824 I'll... We use Ill for spontaneous decisions Offering to do something -This exercise is impossible! -Ill help you do it Promising to do something -I really need that report -Ill do it this afternoon Threatening to do something -We cant refund your money

-Ill take you to court! 21309 Last summer / Next year, etc. We use Last to refer to a specific time in the past: Last summer, I went to the States Last year, we bought a house in Marbella She met Wendy last week They left last Tuesday We say Last, not The last We use Nextto refer to a specific time in the future: Next week, were going to visit Julie Next year, Ill probably have a new job Bob arrives next Friday We must pay for our car next month We say Next, not The next Look at these typical mistakes: The last week, I spoke to Andy The next year, Im going to university 20204 Likes & Dislikes

Last week Next year

When we talk about likes and dislikes, the following verb takes an ing form: We love playing tennis Do you like going for walks? I dont mind shopping He doesnt like watching TV She hates cooking They cant stand getting up early Every sentence has a Main Clause: Remember to call us I'm going to phone you Some sentences have a Subordinate Clause: Remember to call us when you arrive I'm going to phone you as soon as my plane lands

24107 Main Clauses & Subordinate Clauses

24110 Main Clauses & Subordinate Clauses: Future Actions

If the Main Clause refers to a Future Action, the verb in the Subordinate Clause is usually in the Present Simple: Remember to call us when you arrive

I'm going to phone you as soon as my plane lands I'll need them if I get hungry Put this jersey on before you catch a cold Look at these typical mistakes: Remember to call us when you will arrive I'm going to phone you as soon as my plane will land I'll need them if I will get hungry Put this jersey on before you will catch a cold 24001 Making Suggestions There are several ways to make a suggestion: Shall we take the dogs for a walk? Let's play Monopoly! How about going to the cinema? What about seeing Titanic 2? Remember that verbs after prepositions (eg. about) take ing: How about going to the cinema? What about seeing Titanic 2? 24425 Most Most + plural / uncountable noun means Nearly all We use Most, not The most before nouns: We stay in the most evenings We use most in general statements: Most people prefer not to work at weekends I get up at about 7 oclock most mornings Most wine is made from grapes We use most of the most of my etc. in specific statements: Ive done most of my homework Most of our friends are married Paula ate most of the sweets Look at these typical mistakes: The most days I leave home at 8:30 Most of cheese is bad for you The most these apples are bad Weve spent most money

Most days (general) Most cheese (general) Most of these apples (specific) most of our money (specific)

We use the most + adjective when comparing things (Superlative): A Mercedes is one of the most expensive cars you can buy.

Your story is the most ridiculous Ive ever heard! 22512 Much v. Many We use much with Uncountable Nouns: How much oil do we need? Not much We use many with Plural Nouns: How many bananas do we need? Not many 23830 Offering To Help We use Shall I? or Ill to offer help: Shall I help you? / Ill help you Shall I show you? / Ill show you Shall I say that again? / Ill say that again Shall I help you? We can accept an offer: Yes, please Thank you Thanks That's very kind of you If you don't mind Or we can reject the offer: It's OK, thanks I'm OK, thanks I'm all right, thankyou It's all right, thankyou Don't worry, I'm fine 20819 Ordinal Numbers We normally distinguish between Cardinal Numbers and Ordinal Numbers: Cardinal Numbers: 1, 2, 3, st nd rd Ordinal Numbers: 1 , 2 , 3 , We can write ordinal numbers in full (eg. first , second...) or in abbreviated form eg. 1st, 2nd... To write the abbreviated form, take the cardinal number (eg. 1, 2...) and add the last two letters of the ordinal number in its full form : first 1st

23818 Offers: Accepting and Rejecting

second third fourth fifth etc.

2nd 3rd 4th 5th

We write 1st, 2nd, etc. or I, II, III, etc - but we always say the first, the second, etc: st January 1 -> January the first Elisabeth II -> Elisabeth the Second rd 3 March -> the third of March Henry VIII -> Henry the Eighth 20825 Ordinal Numbers & Dates We use ordinal numbers to make dates. There are two ways: th th January the 4 / the 4 of January nd nd March the 22 / the 22 of March st st July the 31 / the 31 of July rd rd August the 3 / the 3 of August We often use the Past Continuous and Past Simple together in order to set the scene (Past Continuous) and say what happened (Past Simple) We use the Past Continuous to describe the Continuing action: He was playing tennis I was having a shower We use the Past Simple to describe the Interrupting action the phone rang Brian called We can introduce the Continuing action with While... While he was playing tennis, the phone rang While I was having a shower, Brian called We can introduce the Interrupting action with When... He was playing tennis when the phone rang I was having a shower when Brian called Dont use while and when in the same sentence.Use one or the other: While we were having lunch when our parents arrived While we were having lunch, our parents arrived We were having lunch when our parents arrived

23712 Past Continuous v. Past Simple

We can begin our sentence with the Continuing action or the Interrupting action: While I was having a shower, Brian called I was having a shower when Brian called Brian called while I was having a shower When Brian called, I was having a shower 23705 Past Continuous: He was playing tennis We use the Past Continuous to describe a continuing action in the past: He was playing tennis She was talking to her friends Use a past form of be + -ing to form the Past Continuous: What were you doing? Was David having breakfast? Sorry, Iwasnt listening to you! We often use the Past Continuous to set the scene, begin a story, introduce an anecdote, etc.: He was playing tennis when the phone rang She was talking to friends Suddenly, they heard a noise I was getting my dinner... Then, the lights went out 20724 Past Simple: Negative Sentences We make negative sentences in the Past Simple with (1) Subject + (2) didn't + (3) basic verb We I 1 didn't didn't 2 want do 3 to go home anything very interesting.

All verbs - Regular AND Irregular - form Past Simple negatives in the same way: Greg didn't We didn't order go lasagne home (Regular Verb: I order -> I ordered) (Irregular Verb: I go -> I went)

Look at these typical mistakes: Greg didnt ordered lasagne order We didnt went home go 20710 Past Simple: Pronunciation of Regular Verbs There are three ways to pronounce regular verbs: /t/ /d/ /id/

cooked worked watched danced

listened played studied stayed

needed wanted depended waited

The pronunciation of ed depends on the previous sound. If the infinitive finishes in a hard sound (cook, watch) we pronounce ed in a hard way, like a t: cooked, watched If the infinitive finishes in a soft sound (listen, play) we pronounce ed in a soft way, like a d: listened, played If the infinitive finishes in a /d/ or /t/ (need, want) we add /id/: needed, wanted We never pronounce ed as /ed/! 20724 Past Simple: Questions We make questions in the Past Simple with (1) did + (2) subject + (3) basic verb: What did Did 1 you you 2 do? have 3

a good weekend?

All verbs - Regular AND Irregular - form Past Simple questions in the same way: What did you order? Why did you go? (Regular Verb: I order -> I ordered) (Irregular Verb: I go -> I went)

Look at these typical mistakes: What did you ordered? order Why did you went? go 20726 Past Simple: Questions and Negative Sentences Past Simple verbs are only Irregular in Affirmative sentences: We went home, I had a shower, etc. There is no difference in structure between Regular and Irregular verbs when we form questions or negatives: Where did you go? (go = irregular verb) What did you play? (play = regular verb) We didnt go anywhere

We didnt play anything 20706 Past Simple: Regular and Irregular Verbs Regular verbs end in ed: cook -> cooked dance -> danced listen -> listened Irregular verbs have different forms: do -> did go -> went have -> had For a full list of irregular verbs, consult the second column in your verb tables. For example: do did done go went gone have had had 20714 Past Simple: Spelling of Regular Verbs If a regular verb ends in a consonant + y like study or marry, change y to i and add -ed: studied, married, etc. If a regular verb ends in -e like dance or like, add d: danced, liked, etc. Look at these typical spelling mistakes: studyed studied marryed married danceed danced liveed lived 20709 Past Simple: Use We use the Past Simple to describe actions that happened in the past at a specific time: I stayed at home yesterday (or Yesterday, I stayed at home) I got the bus to work this morning (or This morning, I got the bus to work) I went to bed at 10 o'clock (or At 10 oclock, I went to bed) Look at these typical mistakes: This morning, I have got up at 7 oclock -> I got up I have dreamed a lot last night -> I dreamed 22322 Permission We use Can I? Could I? or May I? to ask for permission: Can I ask you a personal question? Could I use your phone?

May I interrupt you a second? We reply Yes, of course to give permission We reply Id rather you didnt to refuse permission We use Id rather to express a preference: Id rather you didnt Id rather you didnt smoke in here Id rather live in the city than in the country 20114 Possession: Angelas, Johns, etc. We use an apostrophe plus s (s) after names to indicate possession: This is Adrians diary Are these Dianas socks? If the context is clear, the noun after s is optional: This is Adrians = This is Adrians diary Are these Dianas? = Are these Dianas socks? We often use s when we reply to Whose?: Whose diary is this? -> Its Adrians (diary) Whose socks are these? -> Theyre Dianas (socks) 20108 Possession: My/Mine, Your/Yours There are two ways to express Possession: Put my, your, etc. before the noun: This is my bed Are those your glasses? Substitute the noun: This bed is mine or This is mine Are those glasses yours? or Are those yours? Words like mine, yours, etc. often go at the end of the sentence: That book is hers The problem is ours We use mine, yours, etc. to express possession of things: This DVD is mine Are those trousers yours? Look at these typical mistakes: Is this teacher hers? -> Is this her teacher?

These children are ours -> These are our children We use my, your, etc. to express possession of things or people: This is my DVD Are those your trousers? Is this her teacher? These are our children 20111 Possession: Whose? We use Whose? before a noun to ask about possession: Whose pen is this? Whose car is that? Whose CDs are these? Whose clothes are those? We use Possessive Adjectives before a noun to express possession: I love my job! You love your job! He loves his job! She loves her job! We love our job! They love their job! Be careful with his and her! Look at these typical mistakes: She loves his husband -> She loves her husband He loves her wife -> He loves his wife 20103 Possessive Pronouns: Mine, Yours We can use Possessive Pronouns to express possession: Those keys are mine (= Those are my keys) Is that book yours? (= Is that your book?) This shop is his (= This is his shop) The idea was hers (= It was her idea) Are these suitcases ours? (= Are these our suitcases?) Isnt that car theirs? (= Isnt that their car?) 20208 Preferences: prefer A to B When we talk about preferences, we use prefer A to B: I prefer cats to dogs She prefers jogging to swimming Look at these typical mistakes:

20101 Possessive Adjectives: My, Your

Do you prefer whisky than gin? -> Do you prefer whisky to gin? We prefer driving than flying -> We prefer driving to flying 21007 Prepositions of Time: In / On / At We use in with months, seasons and years: in July, in November in spring, in autumn in 1986, in 2008 We also use in with these expressions: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening We use on with days and dates: on Monday, on Friday on Tuesday morning, on Sunday afternoon, on Wednesday evening th nd th on 4 of July, on October 22 , on Thursday 15 May We use at with times: at six oclock, at half past seven We also use at with these expressions: at the weekend, at weekends at night at Christmas, at Easter 21407 Present Continuous We use the Present Continuous to describe temporary actions what is happening NOW: Im writing to my father Shes playing the piano Use be + -ing to form the Present Continuous: What are you doing? Is David having breakfast? Were waiting for Malcolm Theyre playing tennis Im not listening to you! She isnt helping much 21409 Present Continuous: Spelling of the ing form To make the ing form of a verb, take the basic verb and add ing: look -> looking help -> helping play -> playing If the verb ends in e, remove the e, then add ing:

live -> living liveing write -> writing close -> closing If the verb ends in consonant+vowel+consonant, double the last consonant, then add ing: stop -> stopping (T=consonant, O=vowel, P=consonant) run -> running (R=consonant, U=vowel, N=consonant) forget -> forgetting (G=consonant, E=vowel, T=consonant) 22807 Present Perfect The Present Perfect is formed using have/has + past participle: Have you ever been to Italy? Ive finished! Brians never had a job Theyve just arrived Has Sandra already started university? We havent written all the letters yet If the verb is regular, the Past Participle finishes in ed: finished, arrived, started, etc. If the verb is irregular, you will find the Past Participle in the 3rd column of your verb table: be was/were been have had had write wrote - written We use the Present Perfect to emphasise the action or experience: Have you ever been to Italy? -> Its a beautiful country! Ive finished! -> Lets celebrate! We havent written all the letters yet -> Our boss will be furious! We often use the Present Perfect to start a conversation: Have you ever been to Scotland?... Has everybody read this report?... Have you heard the news?... Ive just spoken to Matthew Ive decided to look for a new job 22812 Present Perfect v. Past Simple. The Past Simple refers to a specific time. The Present Perfect focuses more on the action or experience.

We often use the Present Perfect to start a conversation. We often change to the Past Simple when we talk about the details When? Where? Why? Who with? etc. Example 1 -Have you ever been to Edinburgh? (Present Perfect focus on experience, start conversation) -Yes, I have -When did you go? (Past Simple ask for details) -I went last summer (Past Simple answer with details) Example 2 -Ive passed my exam! (Present Perfect focus on action, start conversation) -But you told me it was a disaster! (Past Simple remember details) -Yes, I was really nervous and Section C was horrible! (Past Simple more details) -Have you told your parents? (Present Perfect focus on action, new direction in conversation) -I rang Mum, but she wasnt in (Past Simple answer with details) 22909 Present Perfect: Unfinished Actions To describe an Unfinished Action (an action that started in the Past and that continues Now), we use the Present Perfect (NOT the Present Simple!) together with for or since. We use for to express the DURATION of the action (6 years, 10 minutes, etc.). We use since to indicate the STARTING POINT of the action (8 o'clock, 1999, etc.)

I've been on this computer for 10 minutes I've been on this computer since 8 o'clock Shes had that watch for 7 years Shes had that watch since 1999 We ask How long? + Present Perfect (NOT the Present Simple!) to ask about the duration of an Unfinished Action: How long have you been on this computer? How long are you? How long has she had that watch? How long does she have? Look at these typical mistakes: Example 1 I'm on this computer since 10 minutes I've been on this computer for 10 minutes Unfinished Action (Im still on this computer) -> Present Perfect Duration (10 minutes) -> for Example 2 She has that watch for 1999 Shes had that watch since 1999 Unfinished Action (She still has that watch) -> Present Perfect Starting Point (1999) -> since 21429 Present Simple v. Present Continuous We use the Present Simple to describe routine actions what happens every day, always, etc: Jack usually wears brown shoes We live in London I travel to work by bus The sun rises in the East We use the Present Continuous to describe temporary actions what is happening now, at the moment: Today, Jacks wearing black shoes Were living in Oxford this month Im travelling to work by car this week The price of petrol is rising again. 22510 Say v. Tell We say things. We tell people: Could you tell Mr. Jones that Jenny is here, please? Can I say something? Please tell Jack to phone me Sorry, did you say "fourteen" or "forty"?

First of all, I'd like to say thankyou to everybody Don't tell Mary - it's a secret! Did you tell them about the problem? You can say anything. Nobody is listening. How do you say "zorro" in English? If you don't tell us, we can't help you. Look at these typical mistakes: Say me! Tell me! Say to me! Tell me! She said us she was a doctor She told us There are three common exceptions to the say/tell rule: (1) tell the difference say eg. Can you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? (2) tell the time say eg. Robbie's learning to tell the time (3) tell the truth say eg. Do you promise to tell the truth? 23812 Shall I...? Shall we? We use Shall I? or Shall we? to ask what the listener wants or suggests Examples of Shall I? Shall I help you? Shall I speak to Ana? What shall I do? Who shall I ask? When shall I start? etc. Examples of Shall we? Shall we meet at 6? Shall we leave it for tomorrow? What shall we buy? Where shall we meet? How shall we travel? etc. We often use Shall I? to make offers: Shall I help you? Shall I explain it to you? Shall I carry your bag?

We often use Shall we? To make suggestions: Shall we start again? Shall we meet for lunch? Shall we ask Bob? Look at these typical mistakes: I help you? Shall I help you? I speak to Ana? Shall I speak to Ana? What I do? What shall I do? We meet at 6? Shall we meet at 6? We leave it for tomorrow? Shall we leave it for tomorrow? How we travel? How shall we travel? 23801 Should We use should to give advice or make recommendations: -I've got a headache -You should take an aspirin... -I'm bored -We should go for a walk... -Shes full up -She shouldn't eat so much... The negative form is shouldnt We do not use to after should Look at these typical mistakes: You shouldnt to laugh at Cathy. You should to be nice to her. You shouldnt laugh at Cathy. You should be nice to her. 23203 Sports & Activities: Play / Do / Go We use PLAY when the sport is competitive, usually with 2 teams, often with a ball: play football play volleyball play basketball play tennis We use GO when the sport is more individual, usually moving, often for considerable distances: go swimming go ice-skating

go skiing go running We use DO when the sport is for developing the body, usually in a restricted space, often with an instructor: do weight-training do karate do yoga do aerobics We say do sports (or play sports), NOT practise sports If the activity is related to a musical instrument, we use play the: Can you play the piano? Im learning how to play the violin 24012 Suggestions: Replying Lets play Monopoly! We can accept a suggestion in many ways: That's a good idea That's a great idea! OK Allright Fine We can reject a suggestion in many ways too: I'm not sure about that I don't think so No, not now. No, lets play Trivial Pursuit! Cant we do something else? 24423 The or not the? We use the when we are talking about something specific: To be or not to be? - that is the question! Can you pass the bread, please? Don't touch the dogs! They're dangerous We do not use the when we are talking about something general: I love sports Pilots earn a lot of money I don't like cats. How about you? Look at these typical mistakes:

I love the sports sports (sports in general) The footballers earn a lot Footballers (sports in general) When did Civil War start? the Civil War (a specific war) Where did you put yoghourts? the yoghourts (specific yoghourts) 20410 There was / There were The past form of There is is There was: Theres a clock on the wall -> There was a clock on the wall There isnt a key to the door -> There wasnt a key to the door Is there a solution? -> Was there a solution? The past form of There are is There were: There are 3 books on the table -> There were 3 books on the table There arent any oranges -> There werent any oranges Are there any problems? -> Were there any problems? 20501 Time: Whats the time? etc. Look at these example times: 03:00 -> 3 oclock 03:10 -> 10 past 3 03:15 -> A quarter past 3 03:30 -> Half past 3 03:40 -> 20 to 4 03:45 -> A quarter to 4 If the number of minutes is between 1 and 30, use past. The rule is MINUTES + past + LAST HOUR 03:10 -> 10 past 3 16:28 -> 28 past 4 If the number of minutes is between 31 and 59, use to: The rule is MINUTES + to + NEXT HOUR 03:40 -> 20 to 4 20 to 3 16:38 -> 22 to 5 22 to 4 If the number of minutes is 15 or 45, use a quarter: 03:15 -> A quarter past 3 16:45 -> A quarter to 5 If the number of minutes is 30, use half: 03:30 -> Half past 3 16:30 -> Half past 4 If the number of minutes is 0, use oclock: 03:00 -> 3 oclock

16:00 -> 4 oclock Look at these typical mistakes: 03:00 -> 3 clock 3 oclock 03:10 -> 3 past 10 10 past 3 03:15 -> Quarter past 3 A quarter past 3 03:30 -> 30 past 3 Half past 3 03:30 -> A half past 3 Half past 3 03:40 -> 40 past 3 20 to 4 03:40 -> 20 to 3 20 to 4 03:45 -> Quarter to 4 A quarter to 4 There are several ways to ask the time: Whats the time? What time is it? More formally (eg. with strangers), we can use: Can you tell me the time, please? Could you tell me the time, please? More informally (eg. with friends/family), we often use: What time do you make it? Its = The time is: Its 1 oclock Its 7 oclock They are 7 oclock When we give the time, Its is optional: Whats the time? 6 oclock / Its 6 oclock 24007 To or not to? We say phone somebody or visit somebody, NOT phone to somebody or visit to somebody Similarly, we say fax somebody or e-mail somebody, NOT fax to somebody or e-mail to somebody We only say to somebody when to is an indivisible part of the verb eg. listen to somebody, speak to somebody, write to somebody Look at these typical mistakes: Shall I phone to Bob? Lets call to Jack!

Did you visit to Wendy? Ill e-mail to you Shall we ask to Linda? We must pay to Susan 22603 Too We use too when there is a problem Too much + Uncountable Noun -> Ive got too much work Too many + Plural Noun -> There are too many things to do Too + adjective -> Im sorry, Im too busy to help you Look at these typical mistakes: Too many people bought my book -> A lot of people / Many people I have too much time to relax -> a lot of time / plenty of time The film was too interesting -> very interesting / really interesting 22616 Too + adjective + to We use too + adjective + to to describe a problem or inability: He's too young to see the film She's too short to touch the ceiling He's too slow to catch the bus She's too tired to study He's too lazy to cook Look at these typical mistakes: He's too young for to see the film too young to see She's too short for touching the ceiling too short to touch He's too much slow to catch the bus too slow to catch 24301 Travel & Transport: by car, on foot We use by to refer to transport generally: I go to work by bus She usually goes by car I hate travelling by plane We say on foot, not by foot: We came here on foot its quicker than by tube We sometimes use a simple verb like drive: Hes travelling by car = Hes driving Shes travelling by plane = Shes flying Were travelling by boat = Were sailing Theyre travelling by bicycle = Theyre cycling Im travelling on foot = Im walking If we refer to a specific means of transport, we use in or on:

I came in Jims car I went on my bike Ill get to the hotel in a taxi Shes travelling on the 6.05 to Washington We sometimes use bike to refer to a motorbike. At other times, it refers to a bicycle. The context usually makes the meaning clear. 24314 Travel & Transport: drive a car, ride a bicycle We ride animals or vehicles with one leg on each side: ride a camel ride a donkey ride a horse ride a bicycle ride a motorbike ride a moped We drive other vehicles: drive a car drive a lorry drive a bus 22204 Uncountable & Countable Nouns Nouns are Countable or Uncountable. You can count Countable Nouns; you cant count Uncountable Nouns (1) Countable Singular eg. a banana, an orange, a child, a man (2) Countable Plural eg. bananas, oranges, children, men (3) Uncountable eg. salt, milk, coffee, money salts, milks, coffees, moneys 22211 Uncountable & Countable Nouns: A/An, Some & Any We use a/an with Singular Nouns: Question -> Do we need a melon? (an onion?) Positive -> Yes, we need a melon (an onion) Negative -> No, we dont need a melon (an onion) We use some/any with Plural Nouns and Uncountable Nouns. We use some in positive sentences; we use any in questions and negatives:

Question -> Do we need any bananas? Positive -> Yes, we need some bananas Negative -> No, we dont need any bananas Question -> Do we need any salt? Positive -> Yes, we need some salt Negative -> No, we dont need any salt Look at these typical mistakes: We dont need any melon a melon Singular! Do we need some bananas? any bananas Question! We need any salt some salt Positive! We dont need some wine any wine Negative! 22213 Uncountable & Countable Nouns: Requests and Offers If the question is a Request or an Offer, we use some, not any: Can I have some wine, please? any Request! Could I have some apples, please? any Request! Would you like some coffee? any Offer! Do you want some cherries? any Offer! Some verbs take a preposition. Here are 5 common verbs : wait for (somebody or something) look for (somebody or something) look at (somebody or something) listen to (somebody or something) pay for (something) Sometimes the preposition changes the meaning considerably. For example, look for means try to find (eg. Im looking for my glasses) but look after means take care of (eg. Can you look after my suitcase?) 20406 Was / Were Was and Were are the Past Simple forms of be: I was at work yesterday Were you at the meeting? She wasnt happy with us We use was(nt) with I, she, he and it: I was at the office were She wasnt at work yesterday werent Was he interested? Were It was a nice day were We use were(nt) with you, we and they:

24329 Verbs and Prepositions

You were at work yesterday was We werent at the office wasnt Were they tired? Was We use Subject + was/were to make positive sentences: She was at work They were at the office We use Subject + wasnt/werent to make negative sentences: She wasnt at work They werent at the office We invert the Subject and Verb to make questions: Was she at work? Were they at the office? 20419 What... like? We ask Whatslike? or What waslike? when we want a description of somebody or something: Whats your sister like? Whats Bilbao like? What was the boss like? What was the match like? There is NO relation between like the preposition and like the verb: Whats your brother like? = Describe your brother What does your brother like? = Does he like football, walking, etc? 23411 What... like? v. Whatlike at? We ask Whatslike? or What waslike? when we want a description of somebody or something: Whats your sister like? Whats Bilbao like? What was the match like? We use What are you like at? Whats Jane like at? etc. to ask about somebody's ability : What are you like at golf? What were you like at physics when you were at school? Whats Martha like at chess? There is NO relation between like the preposition and like the verb: Whats your brother like? = Describe your brother What does your brother like? = Does he like football, walking, etc?

20227 What's it for? Its for ing

We ask Whatsfor? when we ask about the function of something: Whats a corkscrew for? Whats it for? What are they for? Whats this for? What are these for? etc. We use Its / Theyre for + ing to explain the function of something: Its for opening wine bottles Theyre for cutting paper

24401 Who / Which / That

We use who to refer to people: The story is about a woman who falls in love at the age of 90 The police have caught the thief who took my car radio We use which to refer to things: Bob works for a company which makes fridges and freezers Where are the photos which were on my desk? We use that to refer to people and things: The story is about a woman that falls in love at the age of 90 The police have caught the thief that took my car radio Bob works for a company that makes fridges and freezers Where are the photos that were on my desk? Look at these typical mistakes: The story is about a woman which falls in love who / that Where are the photos who were on my desk? which / that

21714 Worse v. Worst

We use worse with Comparative structures (comparing two things): My French is worse than yours worst Her bark is worse than her bite worst We use worst with Superlative structures (comparing everything): This is the worst soup Ive ever tasted! worse Whats the worst experience you can remember? worse

20828 Years

To say a year, if it is before 2000, divide it into two pairs: 1684 -> 16 84 -> sixteen eighty-four 1799 -> 17 99 -> seventeen ninety-nine 1800 -> 18 00 -> eighteen hundred 1906 -> 19 06 -> nineteen o six

Look at these typical mistakes: 1789 -> one thousand seven hundred seventeen 1808 -> eighteen eight eighteen o eight 1900 -> nineteen hundreds nineteen hundred If the year is 2000 or later, say two thousand and: 2007 -> two thousand and seven 2010 -> two thousand and ten