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It uses an s on the verb in the third person singular (he / she / it)
I / You / We / They play
He / She / It plays
Present continuous
The present continuous tense is used for actions happening now, I am talking to
you! Listen to me!, or around now I'm staying at my parents house this week
and next.
The future
The present continuous can be used for future arrangements - these are strong
future plans.
I'm having dinner tomorrow.
They're driving to Madrid next week.
The present simple can be used for timetabled future events - such as bus, train or
aeroplane departures.
My flight leaves at 6.30 tomorrow.
The queen opens the museum at 3.30pm on Monday.
State verbs
Some verbs cannot be used continuously. These are called state verbs. For
example: need, know, want, have (possess). They are usually used in the simple
form, even if we would normally use the continuous tense.
I am really hungry. I want some food.
I have three children.
Position
Adverbs of frequency go immediately before the main verb:
I often go to work.
You didn't always forget to lock the door.
He's usually playing football.
She has never been to France.
Unless the main verb is the verb be, in which case, the adverb comes after:
I am often working.
You rarely party anymore.
They aren't often interested.
Double Negatives:
English doesn't usually like double negatives. Some adverbs already have a negative
meaning (rarely, never) and should not be used with a negative verb:
He never wakes up on time.
They never came to the meetings.
It is rarely sunny in England!
Bare infinitives
Used to and would are always followed by a bare infinitive verb (a verb with no to)
I would wake up early
You wouldn't wake up early
Would he wake up early?
Wouldn't she wake up early?
Form: Used to
When Used to is used in the negative or in a question, we use the auxiliary verb did
and change its spelling. It loses the 'd' on 'used'. This does not affect its
pronunciation: (+) used to (-) didn't use to and (?) Did...use to are all pronounced the
same.
State verbs
Some verbs cannot be used continuously. These are called state verbs. For
example: need, know, want, have (possess). They are usually used in the simple
form, even if we would normally use the continuous. In this case, that means using
the present perfect simple tense where we might wish to use the present perfect
continuous.
Quantity or duration?
Both the present perfect simple and continuous can look at the same action, but from
different views. The present perfect simple is concerned with change and looks at
completed actions - often counting quantity by using how much or how many. The
present perfect continuous assumes that an action is in progress, or very recently
finished, and looks at how long something has been happening.
Obligation
‘Have to’ and ‘must’ are concerned with obligation. ‘Must’, ‘mustn’t’ and ‘have to’ tell
us what we are obliged to do or what is forbidden. However, ‘don’t have to’, ‘doesn’t
have to’ and ‘didn’t have to’ all describe a voluntary action – you can choose.
Have to
‘Have to’ is the only modal verb which changes its form for person and time. It can be
used in the past tense too.
Episode 6: Be going to
Be going to
A bare infinitive
Be going to is always followed by a bare infinitive verb.
I’m going to see my parents.
Are you going to travel this weekend?
He’s not going to pass his exams.
Future predictions
Be going to can be used to talk about future predictions based on present evidence.
In other words, a future that can be predicted because of something that you can
see, hear, or understand at the moment of speaking.
Look at those dark clouds. It’s going to rain.
Be careful or you are going to fall!
If she keeps swinging her watch around, she is going to lose it.
Future plans
Be going to is also used to talk about future plans. These are things which the
speaker has decided on before the moment of speaking.
This evening I’m not going to go out. I’ve felt tired all day.
Are you still going to take a holiday? You booked it last week.
He says he’s going to climb Mount Everest! He’s planned the trip and everything!
Gonna
In fluent speech, especially in an informal situation, be going to is pronounced
‘gonna’ /gənə/. It is rarely written down this way, except in very informal
communication.
I’m gonna stay here.
Are you gonna watch the movie?
It’s not gonna rain!
Some verbs can have more than one corresponding verb pattern and this can
change the meaning of the second verb. There are three basic forms:
Bare infinitive
Some verbs, such as modal verbs like can and must, are followed by a bare infinitive
verb form.
I can swim faster than you.
He must come home as soon as possible.
Full infinitive
Some verbs, such as verbs like intend and would like, are followed by a full infinitive
verb form.
I wouldn't like to live there.
She intends to study at university.
ING form
Some verbs, such as verbs like enjoy and can't help, are followed by a bare infinitive
verb form.
I've always enjoyed walking in the rain.
He couldn't help playing one more game before he left.
After adjectives
We tend to use a full infinitive after adjectives such as wonderful, happy and terrible.
It's wonderful to see you.
It was terrible to see him fail like that.
I'm so happy to be here!
After prepositions
We tend to use an ING form after prepositions such as without, before and of.
He walked without knowing where he was going.
I've got to clean the house before cooking lunch.
I want to go with you instead of going with her.
Some or any?
We generally use 'some' in affirmative sentences, and ‘any’ in questions and
negatives. However, if the question is a request, or an offer to help, we also use
‘some’.
The if clause
'If + a present tense' is called the 'if clause' or 'conditional clause'. It can go at the
beginning of the conditional sentence or in the middle. When the if clause appears at
the beginning of the sentence, it is followed by a comma. The tense used within this
clause can be any present tense. The present simple is the most common, but the
present continuous or present perfect tense are also possible.
If you go out, will you buy me an ice-cream?
He won't pass the test if he doesn't know the answer.
If they don't go to France, where will they go?
If she's buying lunch, will you ask her to get me some too?
Will you buy a car immediately if you've passed your test?
Formality
We can make a first conditional more polite by replacing 'if' with 'should'. When doing
this with a negative if clause, use 'not' instead of 'don't' or 'doesn't'.
Should I go anywhere today, I will go to the cinema.
Should you not finish on time, will you call me?
Relative pronouns
Relative pronouns are both pronouns and linkers which connect the relative clause to
the noun they describe.
People
'Who' is the relative pronoun for people. In defining relative clauses, 'that' can always
be used in place of 'who'. It is less formal though.
The boy who gave me his phone number is standing at the bus stop.
I know the woman who lives upstairs.
Things
'Which' is the relative pronoun for things. In defining relative clauses, 'that' can
always be used in place of 'which'. It is less formal though.
This is the house which my mother has just bought.
The birds which nest in that tree always eat the seeds in our garden.
Possessions
'Whose' is the relative pronoun for possessions, but it acts as a determiner like 'my',
'your' or 'its'. Unlike 'who' or 'which', 'whose' must be followed by a noun.
That's the guy whose car is a Ferrari.
I know where there's a piano whose strings are out of tune.
Whom
'Whom' is the more formal, object only, form of 'who', the relative pronoun for people.
These days, many people use 'who' for both subject and object relatives, especially
when speaking. However, it's more commonly found in writing. If 'whom' is used in
combination with a preposition, put the preposition in the formal position.
The boy from whom I found out about the accident gave me his phone number.
(Formal)
The boy (who) I found out about the accident from gave me his phone number.
(Informal)
What
'What' is an unusual relative pronoun. It does not refer to a noun that comes before it,
or need a noun to follow it. It means 'the thing which' or 'the things which'. Because of
this, it is a noun (the thing) and relative pronoun (which) combined. It is less
common as a relative pronoun, but still used.
I don't know what I want for dinner.
I don't know the thing which I want for dinner.
I hope you're going to give me what I need.
I hope you're going to give me the things which I need.
Had had
The past perfect uses 'had' as an auxiliary. Because it is an auxiliary, it is pronounced
in its weak form /həd/. In cases where the main verb is also 'had', it is pronounced in
its strong form /hæd/. It is important to remember that the first had is weak and the
second strong.
I had (/həd/) had (/hæd/) a shower.
Unrealised hopes
An unrealised hope is something that we wanted to happen, but didn't. It is common
to use the past perfect with verbs such as ‘wish’, ‘hope’, ‘intend’ and ‘want’. When
using the past perfect in this way, we stress the auxiliary verb.
Well, I had hoped to leave work by 5, but I'm still not nearly done and it's 5.30.
She had expected you to at least bring her some flowers on your anniversary, but
you never remember, do you?
Quantity
We can combine 'so' with 'much' or 'many' to emphasise the quantity of something.
'So much' is used for uncountable nouns and 'so many' is used for countable nouns.
Again, an adjective can be used before the noun if required, and a 'that' clause can
be added to talk about the effect of the number of items. There is no 'such much' or
'such many'.
Making comparatives
There are three types of comparative adjectives:
Type 1: 1 syllable or some 2 syllable adjectives - Add 'ER'
Type 2: some 2 syllable adjectives and 3 or greater syllable adjectives - Add 'more'
Type 3: Irregular
Be careful! There are many two syllable adjectives in English that can be correctly
used as type 1 or type 2 comparatives!
Type 1: Leslie is handsomer than Will.
Type 2: Will is more handsome than Leslie.
Type 1 comparatives
If the adjective has one syllable, or is one of the certain group of 2 syllable adjectives,
add 'ER'.
'fast' becomes 'faster'
If the adjective ends in 'E', just add 'R'
'nice' becomes 'nicer'
If the adjective has two syllables and ends in 'Y', change the 'Y' to an 'I' and add 'ER'
'happy' becomes 'happier'
If the adjective ends in a single vowel followed by a consonant, double the consonant
and add 'ER'
'hot' becomes 'hotter'
Type 2 comparatives
If the adjective has two syllables or greater, put 'more' before the adjective
boring becomes more boring
Type 3 comparatives
Some comparatives are irregular:
'good' becomes 'better'
'bad' becomes 'worse'
'far' becomes 'further'
'fun' becomes 'more fun'
Size of difference
Some comparative structures can show the size of difference. Examples of these are:
No difference: as... as...
James is as tall as Frank.
A small difference: a bit more / less...
My car is a bit more expensive than yours.
A big difference: twice as... as... / nothing like as...
Her story is twice as good as mine.
a) This house was built in 1930 by my grandfather. (I want to tell you about the
house, not my grandfather.)
b) I left my lunch here but it was eaten. (I don't know who ate it)
c) The suspect was arrested last Thursday. (The police arrested him - everyone
knows who did this.)
Many uses
'Will' is versatile. Depending on its context, it can be used for:
• Future predictions: Tomorrow, we will win the football cup final.
• Future intentions: After I finish my degree, I'll do an MA.
• Instant decisions: I think I'll order Italian food tonight.
• Promises: He will take you to the cinema as soon as he's finished work. Trust me.
• Threats: I'll ruin your career for doing this to me.
• Offers: If your bag is heavy, I will carry it for you.
Present Habits
Will can be used to describe present habits and typical behaviour too, just like the
present simple. Its form is exactly the same, so pay attention to clues in context such
as the time words in the sentence.
Shall
Shall is a a bit formal and more old-fashioned form of 'will'. In modern English, it is
mainly used to ask for advice, make suggestions and make offers. When doing so,
we tend to only use the pronouns 'I' and 'we'. A common response to a suggestion
with 'shall we' is 'let's'. Both of these verbs are followed by a bare infinitive.
Adjective order
When many adjectives are used together, they have an order. Though it is unlikely
that you’ll order so many adjectives for one noun, the order goes: size, age, shape,
colour, origin, material. There are other types of adjectives not featured in this list,
such as adjectives of opinion.
Time
There are three basic prepositins of time: 'at', 'on' and 'in'.
At - 'At' is used to talk times such as: at three o'clock, at lunchtime or at Christmas.
On - 'On' is often used to talk about days, such as: on Monday, on the third of June
or on Christmas Day.
In - 'In' usually refers to longer periods of time, such as: in the morning, in July or in
the winter.
Be careful! In the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening but at night!
Place
Prepositions of place are words like ‘in’, ‘on’, ‘at’ , ‘over’ and ‘between’, among
others. They tell us where things are or where they are moving to.
Dependent prepositions
Dependent prepositions are the connectors between a word and what may follow
before or after it. Many nouns, verbs and adjectives have dependent prepositions.
They are the connectors that help us form sentences. Examples are: 'good at', 'pride
in', 'rely on'.
The boss has said I can go! If I leave work in the next five minutes, I will catch the
early train.
(First conditional - It's possible for me to leave work and so catch the train)
If I left work in the next five minutes, I would catch the ealy train. But I still have all
these reports to do.
(Second conditional - It's not possible to leave work, I am just imagining.)
Was or were?
Though 'was' is also frequently used, it is common to use 'were' with any pronoun in
a second conditional. This occurs in both speech and writing and can be considered
more formal. It is especially common when using the phrase 'If I were you, I would...'
to give advice.
If I was / were taller, I would be a basketball player.
If you were taller, you would be a basketball player.
If he was / were taller, he would be a basketball player.
If she was / were taller, she would be a basketball player.
If it was / were taller, it would be a tree.
If we were taller, we would be basketball players.
If they were taller, they would be basketball players.
Making superlatives
There are three types of superlative adjectives:
Type 1: one-syllable or some two-syllable adjectives - Add 'EST'
Type 2: some two-syllable adjectives and three or greater syllable adjectives - Add
'most'
Type 3: Irregular
Be careful! There are many two syllable adjectives in English that can be correctly
used as type one or type two superlatives!
Type 1: Will is the handsomest game show host.
Type 2: Will is the most handsome game show host.
Type 1 superlatives
If the adjective has one syllable, or is one of the certain group of two-syllable
adjectives, add 'EST'.
'fast' becomes 'fastest'
If the adjective ends in 'E', just add 'ST'
'nice' becomes 'nicest'
If the adjective has two syllables and ends in 'Y', change the 'Y' to an 'I' and add
'EST'
'happy' becomes 'happiest'
If the adjective ends in a single vowel followed by a consonant, double the consonant
and add 'EST'
'hot' becomes 'hottest'
Type 2 superlatives
If the adjective has two syllables or greater, put 'most' before the adjective
boring becomes most boring
Type 3 superlatives
Some superlatives are irregular:
'good' becomes 'best'
'bad' becomes 'worst'
'far' becomes 'furthest'
'fun' becomes 'most fun'
The, in and of
In sentences we often precede a superlative with the word 'the'. If we wish to define
the superlative further with a group or place, we can use a prepositional phrase. If the
place or group is singular, we usually use ‘in’. For example, …in the world. Before a
plural, we can use ‘of’. For example, he’s the fastest of them all.
It the coolest thing I've ever seen.
You're the most intelligent girl in the room.
He's the least friendly of them.
Infinitives
After a superlative, we can use an infinitive to further define the noun – much like a
relative clause.
She's the youngest person to complete the marathon.
No auxiliary verb
In certain tenses, there may be no obvious auxiliary verb. Tenses such as the
present simple and past simple combine their auxiliary verbs with the main verb in
the affirmative form. To make the question tag, use the same auxiliary verb as you
would for a question - present simple with 'do/ does', and past simple with 'did'.
Intonation
Generally speaking, if a question tag is spoken with a rising intonation, the speaker is
genuinely asking the question and would like to know the answer. If the tag is spoken
with a falling intonation, it means the speaker believes they know the answer and is
probably looking for agreement or confirmation.
Imperatives
Imperatives are often used as commands or an informal way of speaking between
friends. They have no tense and an implied subject. For example, be quiet. To make
an imperative into a question tag, we use a modal verb such as 'will', 'could' and
'would' and the subject pronoun 'you'. Be careful of appearing rude!
Be quiet, will you!
Don't shut the door, could you?
Do sit down, wouldn't you?
There
If a sentence has 'there' as a subject, use 'there' in the question tag.
There's no one here, is there?
Subject questions
Subject questions differ from object questions in construction. We use a subject
question when the question word represents the subject of the answer sentence.
With these questions we do not change word order. In addition, if the verb is changed
to show the current tense, that change remains.
A: Who knows what happened here? (normal subject question form- present simple
tense)
B: I'm sorry. I don't know.
A: You don't know? Who does know? (emphasised subject question)
Reported questions
Reported questions are used to tell a person about a question that someone different
asked in another place and time in the past. They use normal sentence word order in
the same way that subject questions do. The auxiliary verb and subject are not
switched. They are written as sentences with no question mark at the end. Reported
questions are usually introduced with a phrase involving the verb 'ask' such as, he
asked me if...
I can run fast.
You can run fast.
He / She / It can run fast.
We can run fast.
They can run fast.
Many uses
Can and can't have many uses. The choice depends on the speaker's meaning
within the context of the situation. Some of these uses include permissions, requests
and offers, possibility and impossibility, ability and typical behaviour.
Can't help
The verb can't help means that despite trying, someone is unable to resist doing
something. Can't help does not change its form regardless of which subject pronoun
is used. It is always followed by verb-ing.
Say
Say is usually not followed by a pronoun. We can say something or we can say
something to someone. We can use that or not.
Tell
Tell must be followed by a pronoun. We tell someone something. We can use that or
not.
Ask
Ask is used to make reported questions. If the direct question is a yes/no question,
we use if or whether in the reported question. If the direct question is a question word
question, we repeat the question word in the reported question. We can ask
someone something, or we can ask something. Do not use a question mark in a
reported question.
Tense change
When changing sentences from direct speech to reported speech we roll back the
tense of the direct speech one step. This means that direct sentences which are in a
present tense become past tense and past direct speech becomes past perfect.
There are some exceptions. Direct speech which is already in the past perfect does
not rollback, nor does direct speech using some verbs, such as would or could.
Tense changes may not occur with speech which is still true - please see the next
section.
Context
Certain words that relate to person, time and place in direct speech will need to
change in reported speech. This is because the context has changed.
I should go soon.
You should go soon.
He / She / It should go soon.
We should go soon.
They should go soon.
Many uses
Should and shouldn't have many uses. The choice depends on the speaker's
meaning within the context of the situation. They can be used to offer advice and
make suggestions, talk about probabilities based on what is expected or logical and
refer to obligations – though should is not as strong as must.
Advice and suggestions: What do you think we should do this evening? I think
we should go to the cinema.
Probability: The sky is dark so it should rain soon. I've just got in the car so
I should be with you in ten minutes.
Obligation: There should be no smoking inside the building.
Had better
Had better and should are very similiar. Neither of them changes their form for a
pronoun, and both of them are followed by an infinitive. They also both deal with
advice. However, had better is a little more urgent and intense than should. When
we use had better there is often a sense that if the advice is not followed, there will
be negative consequences. This makes it useful for making a threat.
That cough sounds very bad. You'd better go to the doctor as soon as possible!
Tell him that he owes me three thousand pounds. He'd better have my money by
tomorrow or else...
Containers
To make an uncountable noun into a countable one, we need to use a container.
This is an expression which usually looks like: a… of… For example, a cup of, a
bottle of, a loaf of. Once the uncountable noun is attached to a container, it can be
counted.
Irregular Plurals
Some nouns, such as fish and fruit, have an irregular plural, fishes and fruits. We use
them when we want to talk about different types of a thing in the same category.
I want some fruit. (uncountable – any fruit, I don’t care which. All fruit is the same to
me.)
The shop sells many fruits. (plural – many different types of fruit e.g. apples,
bananas and pears.)
There were three fish in the tank (plural – all the same)
There were three fishes in the tank. (plural- three different species of fish)
Other irregulars
There are many other irregular nouns in English. Some nouns, such as species and
fish, have the same singular and plural form – but the verb will change. Some nouns,
such as news and mathematics, appear to be plural because of the ‘s’, but are
actually uncountable and take a singular verb. Some nouns, such as police and staff,
are known as collective nouns, are always plural and take a plural verb. Some
collective nouns, such as family, team and government, can be singular or plural. It
depends on whether the speaker considers them to be a group of people, using a
plural verb and the pronoun they, or a single unit, using a singular verb and the
pronoun it.
When I was in London, I went to a park. In the park, I saw a boy. The boy was
playing with a ball...
I'd never seen such a beautiful car! We had a really lovely day!
Tigers are an animal that live in India. John is a conservationist who lives there.
Do you have a pen? I don't care what colour, I just need a pen!
When I was in London, I went to a park. In the park, I saw a boy. The boy was
playing with a ball...
Once we had arrived on board, the pilot delivered his good morning message.
Can you pass me the pen, please? It's on the table. There's only one.
The Sun is a giant ball of gas. It lights the solar system.
That was the tastiest meal I've ever had!
Institutions
Institutions are places where some kind of service takes place, for example
universities, hospitals, churches, schools, prisons etc. When we talk about them, it is
possible to use the indefinite article, zero article or definite article depending on our
meaning. There can be a big difference between being 'in the hospital', which refers
to the place, and being 'in hospital' which means part of the mechanism or service. If
you are in hospital, it is implied that you are injured and are being treated.
More detail
After using the present perfect to introduce a context, we often use the past simple to
talk about that context in more detail, such as using follow up questions.
JEANY
The present perfect is associated with a number of adverbs, many of which mean ‘at
some or any time up to now’. A useful way of remembering some of them is to use
JEANY: Just, ever, already or always, never, yet! That said, there are other adverbs,
such as for, since, lately and recently. These are the most common, but not all of
them.
Time: No time
The present perfect is often used without a time word or where no specific time is
mentioned. In these cases, the speaker is generally thinking of a time period
meaning up to the present.
Transitive or intransitive?
A transitive verb needs an object, an intransitive one does not need an object. Some
phrasal verbs are transitive, some are not and some can be both.
Separable?
If it takes an object, can the object go between the verb and preposition, or not? An
object pronoun must go between the verb and particle. Some phrasal verbs are
inseperable.
Context
Phrasal verbs can have more than one meaning, so pay attention to the context:
To take off (remove) your shirt.
The plane took off (flew into the sky).
I need to take off (leave) or I will miss my train.
I’m tired. I need to take time off (take a holiday).
Slip up: make a mistake. Also: mess up, foul up and screw up.
I slipped up by mentioning the surprise birthday party.
She really messed up when she locked herself out of her car.
Clown around: behave in a silly or foolish way. Also: muck around, mess about,
monkey around and goof off.
Stop clowning around and get to work.
If you spent less time monkeying around and more time studying, you'd pass your
exam!