Screenshot 2566-10-21 at 7.08.15 PM
Screenshot 2566-10-21 at 7.08.15 PM
Screenshot 2566-10-21 at 7.08.15 PM
This book is prepared for basic grammar learners who want to improve their knowledge
in grammar, especially with twelve tenses. In this book I have also included some further
grammar texts, appendix, at the back of the book. With only specific and clear grammar points
are included in this book.
I hope that this book will become a good facilitator for all basic grammar learners. I am
enthusiastic to all your recommends with the mistakes accidently happen in this book.
I
Acknowledgement
With this little result of this book, I would like to show my profound thank to the authors
as the following: L. G. Alexander (Longman English Grammar), Betty Schrampfer Azar
(Understanding and using English grammar), A. J. Thomsom and A. V. Martinet (Oxford
English grammar of Oxford University Press) and other authors. Without their documents, I will
not prepare this grammar book.
I am also grateful to all my friends who help me to edit this book. Their help and their
supporting is a great force encourages me to get this book.
II
Content Pages
Preface I
Acknowledgement II
References 47
Student Development Institute Basic Grammar
Present Simple (I do/work/like etc.)
Forms:
Note:
Most verbs add –s when use with third person singular (He/She/It)
When verbs ending in –s; -sh; -ch; -o; -x we add –es to form with He/She/It.
When verbs ending in –y change –y to –i+es to form with He/She/It.
But verbs ending in –y with a vowel before –y we don’t change. In this case, we follow
the simple rule add –s.
Exercises
A- Write the he/she/it form of these verbs.
1- read …………….. 6- have ……………... 11- buy ………………
2- repair …………… 7- push ……………… 12- go ………………...
3- watch …………... 8- do ………………...
4- listen …………… 9- think ………………
5- love …………….. 10- kiss ……………...
1- I understand. ………………………………………….
2- He doesn’t smoke. …………………………………....
3- They know. …………………………………………..
4- She loves him. ……………………………………….
5- I don’t want it. ………………………………………..
6- He lives in Cambodia. ………………………………..
7- They speak Chinese. ………………………………….
8- It doesn’t rain. ………………………………………..
C- Complete the sentences. All of them are negative. Use don’t/doesn’t + one of these
verbs.
Forms:
Ex: I am working.
Ex: Tom is writing a letter.
Ex: They are playing football.
Ex: It is raining.
Ex: She is eating.
Ex: I am studying at PPIU.
Ex: We are having a party next week.
2- Negative Form:
S + be + not + V-ing + Obj.
Ex: I am not working.
Ex: Tom is not writing a letter.
Ex: They are not playing football.
Ex: It is not raining.
Ex: She is not eating.
3- Question Form:
Be + S + V-ing + Obj?
Ex: Are you working?
Ex: Is Tom writing a letter?
Ex: Are they playing football?
Ex: Is it raining?
Ex: Is she eating?
Note:
With verbs ending in –e drop –e before add –ing.
Ex: write writing
give giving
But verbs ending in double –ee follow the usual rule.
Ex: see seeing
With one syllable verbs ending in a vowel and a consonant; we double consonant before
add –ing.
Ex: run running
In some cases two syllable verbs can be double consonant; in this case that verb is
stressed on the second syllable.
Ex: travel travelling
Verbs that end with four letters: w, x, y, z can add –ing without double.
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Exercises
A- Complete the sentences. Use am/is/are + one of these verbs.
We use Past Simple for action that happened and finished already in the past with
the exact past time.
Form:
In this case, we need auxiliary verb did + not to form the negative. So V2 must be
changed into infinitive.
Ex: I didn’t see her yesterday.
Ex: They didn’t go to school this morning.
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3- Question Form: Did + S + V1 + Obj?
Note:
Pronunciation of /t/ and /d/
1- We pronoun /t/ after voiceless sounds such as –k; -p; -s; -ch; -sh; -f.
Ex: laugh laughed /t/
kiss kissed /t/
2- We pronoun /d/ after voice sounds such as –l; -v; -n; -b; and all vowel sounds.
Ex: travel travelled /d/
live lived /d/
3- We pronoun /id/ after /t/ and /d/.
Ex: start started /id/
need needed /id/
Exercises:
Form:
1- Positive Form: S + was/were + V-ing + …….
Future
It began to rain
Past Continuous
Note:
A- Fill the gaps using the verb in brackets in the past continuous tense.
1- I ………………………..letters all day yesterday. (write)
2- You ………………………..very slow about it. (be)
3- You ………………………..on the phone for hours and hours. (talk)
4- They ……………………….much business before lunch. (do –NEGATIVE)
5- She …………………………to me all week. Silly now. (speak – NEGATIVE)
6- It ………………………….for long. (rain – NEGATIVE)
7- What …………you …………….when I phoned yesterday? (do)
8- ……………you ………….TV when it happened? (watch)
9- What ……….you………………at the party? (wear)
10- He ……………………..horrible to everyone, the nasty pig! (be)
11- I ……………………….computer games all morning. (play)
12- We ………………………….all afternoon in the library. (revise)
B- Fill the gaps using the verb in brackets in the past continuous and past simple.
1- I ………………… (watch) TV when a bird ……………….into the window. (fly)
2- The Prime Minister …………………………..(relax) on holiday while the country
………………………………..in crisis. (be)
3- Collin ……………………..(have) a shower when Angelina …………………….. on
the door. (knock)
4- We …………………….(have) a coffee when we ……………………the news on the
radio. (hear)
5- The riots ……………………..(start) when the President ………………………… the
country. (visit)
6- Frank ………………………..(pick) his nose when the accident ………………….
(happen)
7- The earthquake ……………………………(begin) when we ……………………..
chess. (play)
Form:
Note:
ever (used in question) and never (used in positive and has negative meaning)
Ex: Have you ever seen her?
Ex: I have never loved her.
for (a period of time) and since (started time)
Ex: I’ve worked here for 2 years.
Ex: I’ve worked here since 2010.
just (used in positive) and yet (used in negative and question)
Ex: She’s just arrived.
Ex: I’ve not done my homework yet.
Ex: Have you seen her yet?
already (used in positive)
Ex: I’ve have already called her. (already usually stands between have/has and V3)
Exercises:
Form:
Note:
Future
2 hr
Exercises:
B- Use the present perfect or the present perfect progressive. In some sentences, either tense
may be used with little or no change in meaning.
1- It (snow) ………………………………….. all day. I wonder when it will stop.
2- We (have) ………………………………… three major snowstorms so far this
winter. I wonder how many more we will have.
3- It’s ten P.M. I (study) …………………………………… for two hours and probably
won’t finish until midnight.
action taking place before another action in a certain time in the past
sometimes interchangeable with past perfect progressive
putting emphasis only on the fact (not the duration)
Form:
Note:
Had + past participle used with all subjects: I / You / We / They / He / She / It.
The signal words used with past perfect simple: already, just, never, not yet, once, until
that day, if sentence type III (If I had talked,…), etc.
eat Present
arrive
Future
Note:
Exercises:
Twin Daughters
Anne and Annie
A- Complete the sentences about twins who met as adults. Use the past perfect
form of the verbs in parentheses.
1. Two separate Illinois families had adopted (adopt) Anne Green and Annie Smith
before the twins were three days old.
2. When they met, they were fascinated by their similarities. For example, they
…………………………… (live) near each other before the Greens moved away.
3. As children, both Anne and Annie ……………………………… (go) to the same
summer camp.
4. Anne ………………………………. (not / go) to college, and Annie ………..
………………………………… (not / attend) college, either.
5. Both …………………………………. (marry) for the first time by the age of 22.
Form:
Ex: Tom had been studying for two hours before his friend came.
Ex: He had been speaking to her.
Ex: I had been sleeping when she arrived.
Note:
Had been = ‘d been: used with all subjects (I / You / We / They / He / She / It)
Present
2 hrs Future
Tom had been studying English for two hours before his friend came.
Ex: Tom had not been studying before his friend came.
Ex: He had not been speaking to her.
Ex: I had not been sleeping when she arrived.
Note:
Ex: Had Tom been studying for two hours before his friend came?
Ex: Had you been sleeping when she arrived?
Ex: Had he been speaking to her?
Exercises:
A- Fill the gaps with the verb in brackets using the past perfect continuous or the past
perfect simple.
Form:
1- Positive Form: S + will + V1 (infinitive) + ………………….
Note:
Will = Shall
Will used with all subjects (I / You / We / They / He / She / It)
Shall used with only (I / We)
We often say I think …………will……………
Phrases used with future (will): in a year, next …, tomorrow If-Sate Type I (If you ask
her, she will help you.) assumption: I think, probably, perhaps, etc.
Form:
Ex: I am going to the cinema this evening. (We have already planned)
Ex: They are going to get married.
Ex: It is going to rain. (We have enough evidence)
Note:
Be (am / is / are)
Am is used with (I)
Is is used with (He / She / It)
Are is used with (We / You / They)
Phrases used with going to: in one year, next week, tomorrow, etc.
Note:
I am not = I’m not
He / She / It is not = He’s / She’s / It’s not = He / She / It isn’t
We / You / They are not = We’re / You’re / They’re not = We / You / They aren’t
Exercises:
A- Make questions. Use ………………be going to ……………
1- (what / you / wear / to the party?) …………………………………………………?
2- (when / you / visit me again?) …………………………………………………….?
3- (what time / Tom / phone you tonight?) …………………………………………..?
4- (how long / your friends / stay here?) ……………………………………………..?
5- (what time / you / get up tomorrow?) ……………………………………………..?
Form:
10:00 11:00
(Tom will go to sleep at 10:00 tomorrow night. We will arrive at 11:00. The
action is still going on.)
Note:
Exercises:
Use the future progressive or the simple present.
1- Right now I am attending class. Yesterday at this time, I was attending class.
Tomorrow at this time, I (attend) ……………………………………..class.
2- Tomorrow I’m going to leave for home. When I (arrive) ……………………... at
the airport, my whole family (wait) …………………………………for me.
3- When I (get) ……………………….up tomorrow morning, the sun (shine)
…………………………, the birds (sing) ………………………………., and my
roommate (lie, still) ………………………………..in bed fast asleep.
4- A: When do you leave for Florida?
B: Tomorrow. Just think! Two days from now I (lie) …………………………. on
the beach in the sun.
A: Sound great! I (think) ……………………… about you.
5- Next year at this time, I (do) ………………………………….. exactly what I am
doing now. I (attend) ……………………………….. school and (study)
………………………………… hard next year.
6- Look at those clouds. When class (be) …………………………………..over, it
(rain, probably) …………………………………………………
7- A: How can I get in touch with you while you’re out of town?
B: I (stay) …………………………………………….at the Pilgrim Hotel. You
can reach me there.
Action that will be complete (finish) before another time or event in the future. Or
Action that will be finished at a certain time in the future.
Form:
Note:
Past
I’ll have finished homework
Note:
Ex: Will they have spoken to her in the day she comes?
Exercises:
Form:
1. Positive Form: S + will + have + been + v-ing + …………….
Ex: I will go to bed at ten P.M. Ed will get home at midnight. At midnight I will be
sleeping. I will have been sleeping for two hours by the time Ed gets home.
Ex: He will have been living here for 20 years by the end of the year.
Ex: She will have been teaching for 45 years.
Ed gets home
2hrs
I am sleeping.
I will have been sleeping for two hours by the time Ed gets home.
Note:
Sometimes the future perfect and the future perfect continuous have the same meaning.
Ex: When Professor Jones retires next month, he will have taught for 45 years.
Ex: When Pro. Jones retires next month, he will have been teaching for 45 years.
Note:
Exercises:
Fill the gaps with the verb in brackets using either the future perfect simple or
continuous tenses.
1- By the time we get to the party, Fat Bob ………………………………..everything
(eat).
2- When we get to March, Jimbo ……………………………………..in Thailand for 18
months. (live)
3- There’s no point going now. The bus ………………………………….by the time we
get there. (leave)
4- Be prepared to stand up during the concert as they ………………………………... all
the seats by now. (take)
3- I will fix your bicycle if I (have) ………………a screwdriver of the proper size.
4- I would fix your bicycle if I (have) ……………..a screwdriver of the proper size.
5- Sally always answers the phone if she (be) ……………….in her office.
6- Sally would answer the phone if she (be) …………………in her office right now.
native language.
8- Most people know that oil floats on water. If you pour oil on water, it (float) ………..
……………........................
…………………………………..
6- If the weather had been nice tomorrow, we (go) ……………………………to the zoo.
Present A: He is speaking. action taking place in the at the moment, just, just
Progressive N: He is not speaking. moment of speaking now, Listen!, Look!, now,
Q: Is he speaking? action taking place only for a right now
limited period of time
action arranged for the future
Simple Past A: He spoke. action in the past taking place yesterday, 2 minutes ago,
N: He did not speak. once, never or several times in 1990, the other day, last
Q: Did he speak? actions taking place one after Friday
another if sentence type II (If I
action taking place in the talked, …)
middle of another action
Present Perfect A: He has spoken. putting emphasis on the result already, ever, just, never,
Simple N: He has not spoken. action that is still going on not yet, so far, till now, up
Q: Has he spoken? action that stopped recently to now
finished action that has an
influence on the present
action that has taken place
once, never or several times
before the moment of
speaking
Present Perfect A: He has been speaking. putting emphasis on the course all day, for 4 years, since
Progressive N: He has not been or duration (not the result) 1993, how long?, the
speaking. action that recently stopped or whole week
Q: Has he been speaking? is still going on
finished action that influenced
the present
Past Perfect A: He had spoken. action taking place before a already, just, never, not
Simple N: He had not spoken. certain time in the past yet, once, until that day
Q: Had he spoken? sometimes interchangeable if sentence type III (If I had
with past perfect progressive talked, …)
putting emphasis only on the
Past Perfect A: He had been speaking. action taking place before a for, since, the whole day,
Progressive N: He had not been certain time in the past all day
speaking. sometimes interchangeable
Q: Had he been speaking? with past perfect simple
putting emphasis on the
duration or course of an action
Future I A: He will speak. action in the future that cannot in a year, next …,
Simple N: He will not speak. be influenced tomorrow
Q: Will he speak? spontaneous decision If-Satz Typ I (If you ask
assumption with regard to the her, she will help you.)
future assumption: I think,
probably, perhaps
Future I A: He is going to speak. decision made for the future in one year, next week,
Simple N: He is not going to conclusion with regard to the tomorrow
speak. future
(going to) Q: Is he going to speak?
Future I A: He will be speaking. action that is going on at a in one year, next week,
Progressive N: He will not be certain time in the future tomorrow
speaking. action that is sure to happen in
Q: Will he be speaking? the near future
Future II A: He will have spoken. action that will be finished at a by Monday, in a week
Simple N: He will not have certain time in the future
spoken.
Q: Will he have spoken?
Future II A: He will have been action taking place before a for …, the last couple of
Progressive speaking. certain time in the future hours, all day long
N: He will not have been putting emphasis on the course
speaking. of an action
Q: Will he have been
speaking?
Zero conditional
When we talk about things that are generally or always true, we can use:
If/When/Unless plus a present form PLUS present simple or imperative
If he gets there before me, ask him to wait.
When you fly budget airline, you have to pay for your drinks and snacks.
Unless you need more space, a small car is big enough for one person.
Note that we are not talking about a specific event but something which is generally true.
In the condition clause, we can use a variety of present forms. In the result clause, there can only be the
present simple or imperative.
If you visit London, go on the London Eye.
If unemployment is rising, people tend to stay in their present jobs.
If you've done that, go and have a coffee.
When you go on holiday, take plenty of sun cream. It'll be very hot.
When I'm concentrating, please don't make so much noise.
When I've finished an article, I always ask Kate to read it through.
Notice that 'unless' means the same as 'if not'.
Unless he asks you politely, refuse to do any more work on the project.
Unless prices are rising, it's not a good investment.
Second conditional
The Second Conditional is used to talk about 'impossible' situations.
If we were in London today, we would be able to go to the concert in Hyde Park.
If I had millions dollars, I'd give a lot to charity.
If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.
If everyone had clean water to drink, there would be a lot less disease.
Note that after I/he/she/it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'.
(Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct'.)
If she were happy in her job, she wouldn't be looking for another one.
If I lived in Japan, I'd have sushi every day.
If they were to enter our market, we'd have big problems.
Note the form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.
If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live.
If I were you, I'd go back to school and get more qualifications.
The Second Conditional is also used to talk about 'unlikely' situations.
If I went to China, I'd visit the Great Wall.
If I was the President, I'd reduce taxes.
If you were in my position, you'd understand.
Note that the choice between the first and the second conditional is often a question of the speaker's
attitude rather than of facts. Compare these examples. Otto thinks these things are possible, Peter doesn't.
Otto – If I win the lottery, I'll buy a big house.
Peter – If I won the lottery, I'd buy a big house.
Otto – If I get promoted, I'll throw a big party.
Peter – If I got promoted, I'd throw a big party.
Otto – If my team win the Cup, I'll buy champagne for everybody.
Peter – If my team won the Cup, I'd buy champagne for everybody.
Note that the 'If clause' can contain the past simple or the past continuous.
If I was still working in Brighton, I would commute by train.
If she were coming, she would be here by now.
If they were thinking of selling, I would want to buy.
Note that the main clause can contain 'would' 'could' or 'might.
If I had the chance to do it again, I would do it differently.
If we met up for lunch, we could go to that new restaurant.
If I spoke to him directly, I might be able to persuade him.
Also note that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
What would I do without you? ("if you weren't here")
Where would I get one at this time of night? ("if I wanted one")
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He wouldn't agree. ("if I asked him")
Third conditional
We can use the Third Conditional to talk about 'impossible' conditions, impossible because they are in the
past and we cannot change what has happened.
If I had worked harder at school, I would have got better grades.
If I had had time, I would have gone to see him. But I didn't have time.
If we had bought that house, we would have had to rebuild the kitchen.
If we had caught the earlier train, we would have got there on time but we were late.
Notice that the main clause can contain 'would', 'could' or 'might.
If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him. (But he wasn't there so I didn't.)
If I had seen him at the meeting, I could have asked him. (But he wasn't there so it wasn't
possible.)
If I had seen him at the meeting, I might have asked him. (But I'm not sure. Perhaps if the
opportunity had arisen.)
If I had paid more attention in class, I would have understood the lesson.
Also notice that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
I'd have done it. ("if you had asked me but you didn't.")
I wouldn't have said that. ("if I'd been there.")
He wouldn't have let him get away with that. ("if he had tried that with me.")
Wish
Let's start off with the easy part.' I wish to' can mean the same as 'I want to' but it is much, much more
formal and much, much less common.
I wish to make a complaint.
I wish to see the manager.
You can also use 'wish' with a noun to 'offer good wishes'.
I wish you all the best in your new job.
We wish you a merry Christmas.
Notice that when you want to offer good wishes using a verb, you must use 'hope 'and not 'wish'.
We wish you the best of luck.
We hope you have the best of luck.
I wish you a safe and pleasant journey.
I hope you have a safe and pleasant journey.
However, the main use of 'wish' is to say that we would like things to be different from what they are, that
we have regrets about the present situation.
I wish I was rich.
He wishes he lived in Paris.
They wish they'd chosen a different leader.
Notice that the verb tense which follows 'I wish' is 'more in the past' than the tense corresponding to its
meaning.
I'm too fat. I wish I was thin.
I never get invited to parties. I wish I got invited to parties.
It's raining. I wish it wasn't raining.
I went to see the latest Star Wars film. I wish I hadn't gone.
I've eaten too much. I wish I hadn't eaten so much.
I'm going to visit her later. I wish I wasn't going to visit her later.
In the case of 'will', where 'will' means 'show willingness' we use 'would'.
He won't help me. I wish he would help me.
You're making too much noise. I wish you would be quiet.
You keep interrupting me. I wish you wouldn't do that.
Where 'will' means a future event, we cannot use 'wish' and must use 'hope'.
There's a strike tomorrow. I hope some buses will still be running.
I hope everything will be fine in your new job.
In more formal English, we use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was' after 'wish'.
I wish I were taller.
Will be doing
We can use 'will be doing' to talk about something that will be in progress at a particular moment in the
future.
This time next week, I'll be sitting on the beach in Barbados.
I'll be thinking about you all back in the office – and I'll be laughing.
We'll be enjoying ourselves too, boss. We won't be doing any work while you are not here.
We can use 'will be doing' to talk about future events that are fixed or decided.
I'll be visiting your country on a regular basis. In fact, I'm going to be coming next month.
He'll be looking after the factory until we can appoint a new manager.
They'll be thinking about this very carefully over the next few months.
We can use 'will be doing' to predict what is happening now.
Try phoning his hotel. He'll probably still be having breakfast.
They'll be deciding who gets the contract at this very moment. I'm very nervous.
She's not in her office. She'll be having lunch in the canteen.
We can use 'will be doing' to ask extremely politely, and with no pressure, about future plans.
Will you be eating with us this evening?
Will you be needing anything else?
Will they be joining us for dinner?
Had better
We use “had better” plus the infinitive without “to” to give advice. Although “had” is the past form of
“have”, we use “had better” to give advice about the present or future.
You'd better tell her everything.
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I'd better get back to work.
We'd better meet early.
The negative form is “had better not”.
You'd better not say anything.
I'd better not come.
We'd better not miss the start of his presentation.
We use “had better” to give advice about specific situations, not general ones. If you want to talk about
general situations, you must use “should”.
You should brush your teeth before you go to bed.
I shouldn't listen to negative people.
He should dress more appropriately for the office.
When we give advice about specific situations, it is also possible to use “should”.
You shouldn't say anything.
I should get back to work.
We should meet early.
However, when we use “had better” there is a suggestion that if the advice is not followed, that something
bad will happen.
You'd better do what I say or else you will get into trouble.
I'd better get back to work or my boss will be angry with me.
We'd better get to the airport by five or else we may miss the flight.
Asking questions
The basic rule for asking questions in English is straightforward: Invert the order of the subject and the
first auxiliary verb.
It is snowing. = Is it snowing?
He can speak German. = Can he speak German?
They have lived here a long time. = Have they lived here a long time?
She will arrive at ten o'clock. = Will she arrive at ten o'clock?
He was driving fast. = Was he driving fast?
You have been smoking. = Have you been smoking?
If there is no auxiliary, use part of the verb 'to do'.
You speak fluent French. = Do you speak fluent French?
She lives in Brussels. = Does she live in Brussels?
They lived in Manchester. = Did they live in Manchester?
He had an accident. = Did he have an accident?
Most questions with question words are made in the same way:
How often does she use it?
Why don't you come?
Where do you work?
How many did you buy?
What time did you go?
Which one do you like?
Whose car were you driving?
Note who, what and which can be the subject. Compare:
Who is coming to lunch? (who is the subject of the verb)
Who do you want to invite to lunch? (you is the subject of the verb)
What happened? (what is the subject of the verb)
What did you do? (you is the subject of the verb)
Note the position of the prepositions in these questions:
Who did you speak to?
What are you looking at?
Where does he come from?
Question tags
We use tags in spoken English but not in formal written English.
They are not really questions but are a way of asking the other person to make a comment and so
keep the conversation open.
Making a tag is very mechanical. To make a tag, use the first auxiliary. If there is no auxiliary,
use do, does or did. With a positive sentence, make a negative tag and with a negative sentence,
make a positive tag.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
He has been, hasn't he?
You can, can't you?
It must be, mustn't it?
You know him, don’t you?
He finished it, didn't he?
He will come, won't he?
It isn't very good, is it?
It hasn't rained, has it?
It can't be, can it?
Jenny doesn't know James, does she?
They didn't leave, did they?
He won’t do it, will he?
Notice these:
There isn't an ATM here, is there?
Let's have a cup of coffee, shall we?
To reply, use the same auxiliary:
It's beautiful, isn't it? ~ Yes, it is. I think it's fabulous.
It isn't very good, is it? ~ No, it isn't. In fact, it's terrible.
Although, the rules are very simple and mechanical, in order to use them easily in conversation, they have
to be automatic. So you need to hear and practice them very often.
Reported speech
We use reported speech when we are saying what other people say, think or believe.
He says he wants it.
We think you are right.
I believe he loves her.
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Yesterday you said you didn't like it but now you do!
She told me he had asked her to marry him.
I told you she was ill.
We thought he was in Australia.
When we are reporting things in the present, future or present perfect we don't change the tense.
He thinks he loves her.
I'll tell her you are coming.
He has said he'll do it.
When we tell people what someone has said in the past, we generally make the tense 'more in the past'.
You look very nice. = I told him he looked very nice.
He's working in Siberia now. = She told me he was working in Siberia now.
Polly has bought a new car. = She said Polly had bought a new car.
Jo can't come for the weekend. = She said Jo couldn't come for the weekend.
Paul called and left a message. = He told me Paul had called and had left me a message.
I'll give you a hand. = He said he would give me a hand.
However, when we are reporting something that was said in the past but is still true, it is not obligatory to
make the tense 'more in the past'. The choice is up to the speaker. For example:
"The train doesn't stop here."
He said the train doesn't stop here.
He said the train didn't stop here.
"I like Sarah."
She said she likes Sarah.
She said she liked Sarah.
When we are reporting what was said, we sometimes have to change other words in the sentence.
We have to change the pronoun if we are reporting what someone else said. Compare these two
sentences. In each case the person actually said "I don't want to go."
I said I didn't want to go.
Bill said he didn't want to go.
We have to change words referring to 'here and now' if we are reporting what was said in a different place
or time.
Compare these two sentences. In each case the person actually said "I'll be there at ten tomorrow."
(If it is later the same day) He said he would be there at ten tomorrow.
(If it is the next day) He said he would be there at ten today.
Now compare these two sentences.
(If we are in a different place) He said he would be there tomorrow at ten.
(If we are in the place he is coming to) He said he would be here at ten tomorrow.
Suppose (Cont)
'Supposed to be' can be used to mean 'it is said/believed'.
The new James Bond movie is supposed to be excellent.
He is supposed to have been rude to Mark but I don't believe it.
It is supposed to be the best restaurant in town.
'Supposed to be' can also be used to talk about what is arranged, intended or expected.
It is a bit like 'should'.
I'm supposed to get to work by 8.
John is supposed to turn off all the lights when he leaves.
I'm supposed to pay my rent on the first of the month.
It's not supposed to be here.
Often there is a suggestion that the action 'supposed to' happen does not actually happen.
I'm supposed to be there before 8 but I'm often late.
You were supposed to phone me.
I'm supposed to be getting on a plane to Tokyo at this very minute.
'Not supposed to' often suggests that something is not allowed or prohibited.
You're not supposed to smoke in here.
I'm not supposed to tell you.
We're not supposed to use the Internet for personal reasons at work.
'Suppose' can also be used as a conjunction to mean 'what if'. Notice that the verb which follows it is
sometimes, but not always, put 'more in the past'.
Suppose we take the earlier train to Munich? It would give us more time there.
Suppose we took the plane instead? That would give us even more time.
There's nobody in reception to let our visitors in. Suppose I sit there until somebody comes?
I'm going to ask him for a pay increase. ~ Suppose he said 'no'? What would you do?
The imperative
We can use the imperative to give a direct order.
1. Take that chewing gum out of your mouth.
2. Stand up straight.
3. Give me the details.
We can use the imperative to give instructions.
1. Open your book.
2. Take two tablets every evening.
3. Take a left and then a right.
We can use the imperative to make an invitation.
1. Come in and sit down. Make yourself at home.
2. Please start without me. I'll be there shortly.
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3. Have a piece of this cake. It's delicious.
We can use the imperative on signs and notices.
1. Push.
2. Do not use.
3. Insert one dollar.
We can use the imperative to give friendly informal advice.
1. Speak to him. Tell him how you feel.
2. Have a quiet word with her about it.
3. Don't go. Stay at home and rest up. Get some sleep and recover.
We can make the imperative 'more polite' by adding 'do'.
Do be quiet.
Do come.
Do sit down.