GRAMMAR REFERENCE

GRAMMAR REFERENCE

15 MONEY

16 DATES AND HISTORY

PRESENT TENSES IN FUTURE TIME CLAUSES

TIME PHRASES AND TENSE

Use the present simple or continuous to talk about

the future in clauses that start with when, as soon
as, before, after and until. When shows we are sure
something will happen. As soon as shows that one
thing will happen quickly after another thing. Until
shows something stops happening at this time.
The future time clause can come first or second in a
sentence.

Some time phrases commonly go with particular forms.

At the moment and currently commonly go with the
present continuous (see page 142). Currently is more
common in writing than speaking.
The economy is doing very well at the moment
I am currently working for an import-export company.
Over / in the last and since commonly go with the
present perfect.
Shes lost a lot of weight over the last few months.
Ive had six interviews in the last month.
The governments done a lot since it was elected.
Each sentence above shows a change happened at some
time during the period of time up to now.
In, in time, next, over the next, tomorrow, etc. go with
future forms.
The recession is going to be over in a year.
Unemployment will fall over the next few months.
Im going away in two weeks time.

In the main clause of these sentences, we can use will /

wont, can, be going to or imperatives.
Ill do it now before I forget.
We wont see any improvement until the economy gets
better.
I can help you with your homework as soon as I finish this.
When I leave school, Im going to study Law at university.
After you finish that, make me a cup of coffee.

Used to is commonly found without a time phrase, but

it often goes with in the past or when I was .
Flying used to be a lot more expensive in the past.
I used to play basketball when I was at school.

Last, the other, ago, yesterday, etc. go with past tenses.

I saw him the other day / week.
Last year, inflation went up 3%.

Exercise 1
Decide which of these time phrases can go with each
sentence below.

over the last five years

in two years
last month
three months ago
at the moment

in three months time

the other week
when I was
since last year
in the last six months

1
2
3
4

Prices have gone up a lot .

Unemployment is falling .
They opened a new factory here .
Theres going to be a general election .

Exercise 2
Write full sentences using these ideas.
1 The prime minister / lose popularity / in the last year.
2 I / spend a lot more money / in the past.
3 I / get a loan from the bank / the other month.
4 The recession / get worse / at the moment.
5 They / invest more in schools / over the next five years.
6 He / lose his job / three years ago.

154 OUTCOMES

Exercise 1
Choose the correct word.
1 I have to finish this work before / when I leave the office
tonight.
2 Ill email you when / until I get home tonight.
3 Im not going to lend you any more money until / after
you pay me the ten pounds you still owe me!
4 After / Until this course ends, Im going to visit my
cousin in the States.
5 Im not going to talk to him until / as soon as he
apologises.
6 We should book a hotel before / after we arrive in Paris.
Its going to be very late when we get there.
7 Shes still in hospital. As soon as / Until I hear anything,
Ill call you.
8 My neighbours are going to look after our cat when /
after were away on holiday.
9 Ill do it as soon as / before I have time, OK?
Exercise 2
Find the five mistakes and correct them.
1 Well obviously discuss the deal with everyone before
well make a final decision.
2 When youre ready, tell me, OK?
3 We will can have something to eat when we get home.
4 After youll register, youll be able to access your account
online.
5 Ill be OK for money when this cheque clears.
6 Ill come and visit you as soon as Im feeling better.
7 Inflation continues to rise until the government does
something about it!
8 I will believe in UFOs until I see one with my own eyes!

VERB PATTERNS

PREPOSITIONS AND NOUNS / ING FORMS

(ing and toinfinitives)

When some verbs are followed by another verb, the
second verb takes either the -ing or the to-infinitive
form. There are no rules for this. You just have to
learn which verbs have which patterns.

Prepositions go before nouns. If we need a verb to

follow a preposition, we use an ing form to make the
verb into a noun.
After the revolution, the nation suffered many problems.
Before leaving the room, please turn off the light.
I find it difficult to pay all the bills, despite having two jobs.

Verbs which are often followed by the ing form

include:

Some verbs / adjectives are often followed by particular

prepositions:
listen to
lead to
belong to
be opposed to
be caused by

result in
invest in
be involved in
depend on
apologise for

avoid
cant stand
consider
enjoy

insist on
complain about
argue about
date from
vote for / against

love
mind
miss
practise

prefer
recommend
spend
stop

Ive always really enjoyed cooking.

I really hate being so tall!

Some verbs often have two objects:

Verbs which are often followed by a to-infinitive

include:

accuse someone of something

ban someone from a place
remind someone of something

afford
agree
arrange
ask

Notice also this pattern:

The problem was caused by people not paying taxes.
Im opposed to people smoking in public places.

continue
decide
fail
hope

manage
offer
persuade
plan

promise
refuse
want
would like

I asked him to stop, but he refused to listen!

Ive arranged to go out with some friends tonight.

Exercise 1
Rewrite these sentences using an ing form. For
example:
After Napoleon became president, he introduced a new
legal system.
After becoming president, Napoleon introduced a new legal
system.
1 After the Mongols invaded Kazakhstan, many of them
settled in the region.

After .
2 Before I saw the film, I knew nothing about the history
of slavery.

Before .
3 The king brought the two sides together for peace talks
and as a result, he basically ended the civil war.

By .
4 Because unemployment is rising, theres a lot of
competition for jobs.

Because of .
5 The country has a good education system but health
care is poor.

Despite .

feel like
finish
hate
like

Some verbs can be followed by an -ing or a toinfinitive without the meaning really changing.
I love going / to go for walks in the countryside.
Its started raining / to rain.
With a few verbs, there is a change in meaning when
the ing form or toinfinitive form is used.
I must remember to call her. (= in the future)
I cant remember meeting her. (= in the past)
I tried to stop, but I couldnt. (= I wasnt able to do it)
I tried dieting, but it didnt work. (= it had no effect)
I stopped to buy some petrol. (= this is why I stopped)
I stopped trying after a while. (= I didnt try any more)

Exercise 1
Find the seven mistakes and correct them.
1 I like watching tennis, but I prefer play it.
2 Ive decided not going to university.
3 I thought we agreed not to talk about politics!
4 Would you mind to go to the shop for me?
5 I dont really enjoy to shop for clothes.
6 I spent six months to travel round Africa.
7 A friend of mine recommended coming here.
8 I dont really feel like cooking tonight. Lets eat out.
9 When I can afford to take some time off work, Id
really like to go to Kazakhstan.
10 Sorry Im late. I stopped having lunch on the way.
11 Can you please stop to make so much noise?
12 I must remember to buy some stamps later today.
GRAMMAR REFERENCE 155