Present Simple

Use: Sentences in the present simple tense are true all the time.
 I come from Japan.
 I live in Paris.
 I like animals.
 I have three sisters.

Form:
Positive
I
like
you

he

she likes
animals
it

we
like
they

Negative
I
don’t
you

he

she doesn’t like animals

it

we
don’t
they

Questions
I /you like animals?
Do
We/they

he

she
Does
it
Short answers

I I
do don’t
you you

he he

Yes, she does No, she doesn’t

it it

we we
do don’t
they they

Spelling Rules for 3rd person (he / she / it)

 If a verb ends in consonant + y, change y to i and add es.
I study English. He studies English.

 If a verb ends in tch, ss, x, sh or z, add es.

She watches television.
Susan misses her family.
He fixes the television.
My dad washes the car on Sundays.

 Some verbs have irregular spellings:

I go → he / she / it goes
I do → he / she / it does
I have → he / she / it has

Mistakes
a. Some students forget to add s for he/she/it.
My mother like chocolate. → My mother likes chocolate.

b. Some students make the negative form incorrectly.

Tom no work here. → Tom doesn’t work here.
Tom isn’t work here.
Tom don’t work here.

c. Some students forget to use Do and Does to make questions.

You like this song? → Do you like this song?
Is your father work here? → Does your father work here?
Imperatives
Use:
Use the imperative form to give instructions, orders and warnings.
Must is often used in signs and notices to give instructions.

1) Do not use a subject when giving orders.

You wash your hands. => Wash your hands.

Always use the infinitive form of the verb, without to.

To sit down please. => Sit down please.
Use Don’t to make the negative form.
Don’t sit there!

2) Written instructions on signs often use Do not, not Don’t.

Do not cross this line.

3) When giving instructions to a friend, you can soften the order by using ‘you’. However, this is usually only
done in spoken English.
First you put the mixture into a bowl, and then you add two eggs. Then you whisk it.

4) Some written signs use Must / Must not.

All visitors must wear a badge.
Passengers must not talk to the driver.
Plural nouns (visitors / passengers) are generally used in signs.

mistakes:
1) Some students use to after Don’t / Must
Don’t to go in that door. => Don’t go in that door
Present Continuous
1) Use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening now.
Ellen is having a bath at the moment.
Right now, Mark is talking to her manager.

Form:
Positive
I am / ‘m verb+ing

You are / ‘re

He / She / It is / ‘s

We / They are / ‘re

Negative
I ‘m not

You aren’t / ‘re not

verb+ing
He / She / It isn’t / ‘s not

We / They aren’t / ‘re not

Question
Am I

Are you
verb+ing
Is he / she / it

Are we / they

Spelling Rules:
If a verb ends in e, delete the e before you add –ing.
come => I’m coming.
have => He’s having lunch.
Mistakes
1) Some students forget the verb be.
I watching television. => I’m watching television.
She not coming. => She’s not coming.
2) Some students make questions incorrectly.
She is working? => Is she working?
3) Some students make spelling mistakes.
I’m studing law. => I’m studying law.
Past Simple
Use:
Use the past simple to talk about finished events in the past. Use it to tell stories, jokes and anecdotes.

1) Many past tense verbs are formed by adding -ed to the end of the verb.
want => wanted
start => started
If a verb ends in e, just add d (liked, hoped).
If a verb ends in y, delete y and add ied (studied, carried). But don’t do this if the verb ends in a vowel +
y (played, NOT plaied. stayed, NOT staied)
But a lot of past tense verbs are irregular. You need to learn each one separately. Here are some examples.
Look at the irregular verbs list here .
have => had make => made
take => took sit => sat
get => got feel => felt
simple verbs are the same for all persons.
I went; you went; he went; she went; they went; we went...

2) Form negatives this way:

infinitive verb
I, you, he , she, we, they... didn’t
know, see, go
Use the past verb in negative sentences.
I didn’t had dinner. => I didn’t have dinner.

3) Form questions this way:

infinitive verb
Did I, you, he , she, we, they...
know, see, go

Common mistakes:
Some students use the past verb in questions.
Did you saw the film? => Did you see the film?
Past Continuous
Use:
1) Use the past to ‘set the scene’ of a story before describing what happened.
‘It was raining. I was walking in the park. Some kids were playing football nearby. Suddenly…’

2) Use the past continuous to talk about an action which happened for some time in the past and was then
interrupted. Use the past simple tense to talk about the interruption.
I was cooking dinner when suddenly there was a knock at the door.

3) Use the past continuous to talk about events that were in progress at a certain time.
At 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon, I was driving home from work.

Note the difference in meaning:

When James got home, I cooked dinner :- I started cooking AFTER he got home.
When James got home, I was cooking dinner: - I started cooking BEFORE he got home.

Form:
Positive
I was

You were
verb+ing
He / She / It was

We / They were

Negative
I wasn’t

You weren’t
verb+ing
He / She / It wasn’t

We / They weren’t

Question
Was I

Were you
verb+ing ?
Was he / she / it

Were we / they
Spelling Rules:
If a verb ends in e, delete the e before you add –ing.
have =>I was having lunch.
If a verb ends in one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant (except w and y).
get =>He was just getting up.
play =>We were playing.

Common mistakes
1) Some students remember the verb be but forget ‘ing’.
I was watch television. =>I was watching television.

2) Some students make spelling mistakes.

I was studing. =>I was studying.
We were eatting =>We were eating.
Present Continuous for the
Future
Use:
1) Use it to describe what is happening at the moment.
‘Where’s dad?’
‘He’s watching TV in the living room’.

2) Use it to describe plans and arrangements in the future.

‘Tom is arriving on the three o’clock train tomorrow’.

Form:
Positive
I am / ‘m
you / they / we are / ‘re verb-ing
he / she / it is / ‘s
Examples: I’m going / He’s going / We’re going to Spain next week.

Negative
I ‘m not
you / they / we aren’t / ‘re not verb-ing
he / she / it isn’t / ‘s not
Examples: I’m not going / You’re not going / She isn’t going to the meeting.

Questions
Are you / they / we
verb-ing?
Is he / she / it
Examples: Are you coming / Is James coming to the party?

Common Mistakes:
1) Some students use will to talk about future plans. However, present continuous is the correct tense to use.

I’ll visit my cousin in Paris this weekend. => I’m visiting my cousin in Paris this weekend.
Verbs of Preference + gerunds
Use:
We can use several different words and phrases in English to talk about things we like and dislike.
 like love enjoy
 don’t mind
 dislike hate can’t stand
Form:
After these words you can use a noun or a verb in the –ing form.
like water. I like swimming.
love sports. I love running.
We enjoy good food. We enjoy eating out.
I don’t mind housework. I don’t mind cooking.
I dislike buses. I dislike waiting.
I hate housework I hate cleaning.
I can’t stand planes. I can’t stand flying.

Spelling rules
Remember the spelling rules when you make the –ing form.
 If a verb ends in e, delete the e before you add –ing.
have => I love having breakfast in bed.
 If a verb ends one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant.
swim => I don’t like swimming.

Exceptions: words that end in w or y.

row => I love rowing.

sew => I don’t like sewing.
play => I like playing football.

Other exceptions:

iron => My mum hates ironing.

open => I don’t mind opening the window for you.
Going To
Use:
Use be going to to talk about your personal plans for the future.
I’m going to see my sister at the weekend.
Are you going to marry Paul?

Form:
1) The form of the positive and negative sentences and questions is shown below.

Positive

I am / ‘m

you are / ‘re

he / she / it is / ‘s going to verb (infinitive form)

we are / ‘re

they are / ‘re

Negative
I ‘m not

you aren’t OR ‘re not

he / she / it isn’t OR ‘s not going to Verb (infinitive form)

we aren’t OR ‘re not

they aren’t OR ‘re not

Questions
Am I

Are you

Is he / she / it going to verb (infinitive form) ?

Are we

Are they
2) The short reply to a ‘be going to’ question is ‘Yes, I am’, ‘Yes, she is’ etc. You cannot contract these short
sentences.

Yes, he’s. => Yes, he is.

The short negative replies are:

No, I’m not.

No, you’re not / No, you aren’t.
No, he’s not / No he isn’t. No, she’s not / No she isn’t. No, it’s not / no it isn’t.
No, we’re not / No, we aren’t.
No, they’re not / No, they aren’t.

Common mistakes:
1) Some students forget to add the verb ’be’ before ‘going to’.
I going to see my friends tonight. => I’m going to see my friends tonight.
2) Some students forget to invert the subject and be in questions.

What time you are going to leave? => What time are you going to leave?
Will and Won't
Use:
Will and won’t are used to talk about the future. Will is positive and won’t is negative.
I will be late tomorrow.
John won’t be at the party next Saturday.
Use will and won’t to:

a) Make predictions.
In the year 2050, people will live under the sea.

b) Make an offer or promise.

I’ll buy you a drink.
John will help you with that box.

c) Make a decision about the future at the same time as you speak.
Sorry, we don’t have any tea.
That’s OK, I’ll have coffee.

Form:
1) Will is the same for all persons.
I will go, you will go, he / she will go, we will go, they will go.

2) Always write a verb in the infinitive form after will.

You will happy when you hear the news. => You will be happy when you hear the news.

3) You can contract will to ‘ll for pronouns.

I’ll buy it. We’ll be late.
He’ll be late home today. They’ll be delighted.

But don’t contract will with names.

Mark’ll be late. => Mark will be late.

4) To write questions, write will before the subject.

Will you buy me a drink?
Will Tom get the job?

5) The short answer for Will questions is: Yes, I/you/he/she/he/they/we will
No, I/you/he/she/he/they/we won’t.
Do not contract will in short answers.

Will John be late?

Yes, he’ll.=> Yes, he will.

Common mistakes:
1) Some students forget to write will before the subject in questions.
You will be late? => Will you be late?

2) Many students use will to talk about their plans. But you should use going to or the present continuous.
I will meet my friends on Friday. => I’m meeting my friends on Saturday.
I’m going to meet my friends on Saturday.
Present Perfect
Use:
The present perfect is used for several reasons:
1) Use it to describe events that happened in the past and are still true now because you can see the result.

I’ve broken my leg!

David has painted his house.

2) Use it to describe experiences in your life.

I’ve been to New York three times in my life.

However, you cannot use the present perfect to describe experiences in someone’s life if that person has died.

Michael Jackson performed in Britain many times.

NOT
Michael Jackson has performed in Britain many times.

3) Use it to describe events that started in the past and are still happening now.

I’ve lived here all my life (and I live here now).

John has worked here for 10 years (and he works here now).

Never refer to a finished time with a present perfect verb.

Form:
Positive
I / you / they / we have / ‘ve
past participle
he / she / it has / ‘s
Examples: I’ve seen him; they’ve gone; she’s taken my bag.

Negative
I / you / they / we haven’t / ‘ve not
past participle
he / she / it hasn’t / ‘s not
Examples: I haven’t seen him; they haven’t gone yet; she’s not been here.

Questions
Have you / they / we
past participle?
Has he / she / it
Examples: Have you seen him? Has she taken my bag?

mistakes:
1) Don’t use the present perfect to refer to a finished time.
I’ve hurt my arm yesterday. => I’ve hurt my arm.
John’s been to New York last month. => John’s been to New York.
can find the irregular past participle
To Be
Use:
Use be with:
Names Hello, I’m John.

How old are you?

Your age
I’m 17.

is in England.
Places The Pyramids are in Egypt.
The bank is one kilometre from here.

This hotel is nice.

Adjectives
I’m hungry.

I’m a student.
My parents are doctors.
Jobs and family
This is my sister.
Ann and Tom are my children.

Jess is a dog.
Other Nouns
‘Hamlet’ is a play.

That’s a nice dress.

adjective + noun
She’s a good actor.

Form:

Positive sentences
I am / ‘m
cold / hungry
You / We / They are / ’re a student / a teacher
at home / in the kitchen
He / She / It is / ‘s

Negative Sentences
I am not / ‘m not
cold / hungry
are not / aren’t / ’re
You / We / They a student / a teacher
not
at home / in the kitchen
He / She / It is not / isn’t / ‘s not
Questions
Am I
cold / hungry?
Are you / we / they a student / a teacher?
at home / in the kitchen?
Is he / she / it

Short answers
I am. I’m not.
you are. you aren’t / you’re not.
Yes, he / she / it is. No, he isn’t / he’s not.
we are. we aren’t / we’re not.
they are. they aren’t / they’re not.

Contractions

The verb be has a full form and a contracted form.

I am = I’m
He is = He’s

We normally use the contracted form (‘m / ‘s / ‘re) in speaking and informal writing.
We write the words in full in formal writing.

You can only use one contraction at a time:

eg: He isn’t
He’s not
but NOT He’sn’t
You can contract ‘be’ after pronouns (I, you, she etc) and names.

You can contract ‘is’ after question words.

What is your name? => What’s your name?
But do not contract ‘are’ after question words.
Where are you from? => Where’re you from?

Do not contract short answers:

Yes, I am NOT Yes, I’m

Common mistakes
1. In English, every sentence must have a verb. Some students write sentences with no verb.
I very hungry. => I’m very hungry
My brother in his bedroom. => My brother is in his bedroom.

2. Some students write questions incorrectly.

She is your sister? => Is she your sister?
Here and There
Use:
Here:
 Use here when you find something.
Where’s my bag? It’s here! Here it is!

 Here means that something is near you.

Is your dad here? Yes, he is.

There:

Use there to talk about what exists.
There’s a cafe, a bank, a shop and a park in the town.
 Use there to talk about how many things there are.
There are three people in my family.
There are ten students in the class.

 And use there to talk about where things are.

There is a bathroom opposite the bedroom.
There’s a cash machine near the cafe.

 Use there, or over there, to talk about something that is not near you.
Where’s my bag? It’s over there, near the door.

Form:
1) Use here and there with be.
Here is your bag. Your bags are here.
There is a nice restaurant in town. There are some good shops in town.

2) You can contract is after here and there. You cannot contract are.
Here is Joe! => Here’s Joe!
There is a great café near here. =>There’s a great café near here.
Here are your bags! Here’re your bags.
There are three kids in my family. There’re three kids in my family.

3) Make questions by inverting here / there and be:

Is there a nice restaurant in town?
Are there any good shops in town?
How many shops are there in the town?

MISTAKES

1. Some students do not use there to talk about things that exist.
A restaurant is in my town. => There is a restaurant in my town.
Ten students are in my class. => There are ten students in my class.

2. Some students forget to invert there and be in questions.

How many students there are in your class?=>
How many students are there in your class?
Have To
Use:
Use have to to talk about something you must do.
I have to start work at eight.

Use don’t have to to talk about something that is not necessary.

You don’t have to work tomorrow, it’s Saturday.

Form:
Positive
I, you, we, they have to
verb (infinitive form)
(go, sleep, work)
he / she / it has to

Negative

I, you, we, they don’t

verb (infinitive form)
have to
(go, sleep, work)
he / she / it doesn’t

Question
Do I, you, we, they
verb (infinitive form)
have to ?
(go, sleep, work)
Does he / she / it

Common mistakes
-Some students think that don’t have to means must not, but this is not correct.
You don’t have to use your mobile phone in class. → You mustn’t use your mobile phone in class.

-Some students use haven’t / hasn’t to make negative sentences and questions.
My sister hasn’t to work today. → My sister doesn’t have to work today.
Have you to leave now? → Do you have to leave now?
Was and Were
1) Use was and were to talk about situations in the past.
It was cold yesterday.

My mum was a teacher when she was younger.

The children were late for school yesterday.

2) You can use was and were before:

a) nouns My mum was a teacher.

b) adjectives We were late yesterday.
c) locations The book was in my bag!
DON’T use was and were before an infinitive verb.
I was go to the park yesterday. → I went to the park yesterday.

Form:
Positive
I / he / she / it was at school.
late.
You / we / they were a doctor.

Negative
I / he / she / it wasn’t at school.
late.
You / we / they weren’t a doctor.

Question
Was I / he / she / it at school?
late?
Were You / we / they a doctor?

Short answers
Yes, I / he / she / it was. No, I / he / she / it wasn’t.

Yes, you / we / they were. No, you / we / they weren’t.

Mistakes
1) Some students make questions incorrectly.
You were at the party? → Were you at the party?

2) Some students use the wrong verb.

We was very happy. → We were very happy.
Can / Could
1) Use can / can’t to talk about your abilities now.

I can speak English. I can’t speak German.

Use could / couldn’t to talk about abilities in the past.
I could speak French when I was a child, but I can't now.
I couldn’t speak English when I was a child, but I can now.

2) Use can and could to make requests. Could is more polite.

Can you cook this evening please?

Could you pass me the salt?
Use can to reply to requests.
Can I sit here? Yes, you can. Sorry, you can’t.
Can you cook this evening please? => Yes, I can. Sorry, I can’t.

DON’T use in replies to requests.

Could you lend me some money?
Yes, I could. => Yes, sure! Sorry, I can’t.

Form:
1) Can and could are the same for all persons.
I can/could speak English
you can/could speak English
he / she / it can/could speak English
we can/could speak English
they can/could speak English.

2) The negative form of can is cannot, or can’t. The negative form of could is couldn’t.

3) There is always a verb after can and could, and the verb is always in the infinitive form (without to).
Sally can help you. NOT Sally can helps you. / Sally can to help you.

4) Make questions by inverting can and the subject.

I can see you this afternoon. => Can I see you this afternoon?
You could help me. => Could you help me?

5) Use can/can’t and could/couldn’t in short answers.

Can your brother swim? => Yes, he can. No, he can’t.
Could you do the test? => Yes, I could. No, I couldn’t.

Common mistakes:

1) Some students make questions incorrectly.

You can speak English? => Can you speak English?
I could sit here? => Could I sit here?
Should and Ought to
Use:
Use Should and Ought to give advice.
Examples:
should see a doctor.
ought to find a new job.

Form:

Should
Should is a modal verb, like can and will, so it follows the same rules.

1) Do not add ‘s’ to the third person singular.

He should buy a new car. NOT He should buys a new car.

2) To form a negative, add not / n’t after should.

You shouldn’t do that!

3) To form questions, invert should and the subject.

What time should we arrive?

4) Should is always followed by a verb in the infinitive form.

I should to go. =>I should go.

5) You can also use should in the continuous form. Use should + be + verb-ing.
Why are you watching TV? You should be working!

Ought
Ought is a semi-modal verb. It is similar to should in some ways:
1) Do not add ‘s’ to the third person singular.
He oughts to buy a new car. => He ought to buy a new car.

2) To form a negative, add not / n’t after ought.

You ought not to do that!
However, ought is not often used in negative sentences

3) To form questions, invert ought and the subject.

What time ought we to arrive?
However, ought is not often used in questions.
Ought is different to should because:

1) Ought is always followed by to + a verb in the infinitive form.

ought go. => ought to go.
Would Like
1) Would like means want, but it is more polite.

You can use it in sentences and questions.

I’d like a biscuit.
Would you like some tea?

2) You can also use it to talk about your dreams and ambitions.

I’d like to go to Japan.

I wouldn’t like to live here!

3) You can also use I’d love and I’d hate to talk about dreams.

I’d hate to live in the countryside.

I’d love to work with Simon.

Form:
1) Would like is the same for all persons.

I would like some tea.

You would like some tea.
He / she / James would like some tea.
We would like some tea.
They / our clients would like some tea.

2) To make questions, invert the subject and would.

Would you / James / your clients like some tea?

3) Use wouldn’t to make the negative form.

I wouldn’t like to work there.

4) Would like can be followed by a noun or to + verb.

noun: Would you like a biscuit?

verb: Would you like to go to Malaysia?

5) In positive sentences, you can contract would to ‘d.

I would like to go to the USA. => I’d like to go to the USA.

But NOT in negative sentences:
I’dn’t like to work in a factory. => I wouldn’t like to work in a factory.
And NOT in short answers:
Would you like to have a horse?
Yes, I’d. => Yes, I would.

6) Be careful not to confuse would like and like.

7) Use like to talk about things you like all the time.

I like chocolate cake. It’s my favourite food.

8) Use would like to talk about things you want now, or at some time in the future.

I’d like a cup of coffee please.

I’d like to work in a chocolate factory.
Zero Conditional
Use:
The first conditional structure is used to talk about something which is always true. It always happens, on the
condition that something else happens.
Example: If it rains a lot, our garden floods.

1. Make the first conditional in this way.

I I
If
you you
When present simple , present simple
he he
Unless
she... she...
Examples: If you fly on a budget airline, you have to buy your own drinks.
When we visit Geoff, he always cooks us a roast dinner.

Or
I I
if
you you
present simple when present simple
he he
unless
she... she...
Examples: You have to buy your own drinks if you fly on a budget airline.
Geoff always cooks us a roast dinner when we visit him.

2. You can also form the zero conditional with the imperative form.

If you have a membership card, enter through the door on the left.
Enter through the door on the left if you have a membership card.

3. You can also form the zero conditional using a modal verb.

If the alarm goes off, we should leave the building.

If it’s rainy and sunny at the same time, you can often see a rainbow.

4. Different tenses can be used in the If / When (‘condition’) clause. However, only the present simple, a modal
or imperative form can be used in the ‘result’ clause.

If we’ve finished all our work, we can leave early.

If people are getting enough exercise, they usually feel better emotionally as well as physically.
First Conditional
Use:
The first conditional structure is used to talk about something which will or may happen in the future as a result
of something else.
Example: If it rains tomorrow, I’ll stay at home.

Form:
Make the first conditional in this way.
I I
If you you will / won’t verb
present simple ,
When he he might / might not (infinitive form)
she... she...
Examples: If I see Tom, I will tell him the news.
When you visit, we might go to the park.

Or
I I
you will / won’t verb if you
present simple
he might / might not (infinitive form) when he
she... she...
Examples: She’ll be late if she doesn’t hurry up.
You might not pass your exams if you watch television all the time.

Mistakes:
1) Don’t use will or might directly after will or might.
If I will arrive first, I’ll make lunch. => If I arrive first, I’ll make lunch.

2) Always use an infinitive verb after will and might.

I might to go out tonight, if I’m not too tired. => I might go out tonight if I’m not too tired.
Subject and Object Questions
Use:
Some questions ask about the object of a sentence.
Who did you see? => I saw Helen.
Helen is the object of the sentence.

Some questions ask about the subject of a sentence.

Who saw you?=> Nobody saw me.
Nobody is the subject of the sentence.
Subject and Object questions have different structures.

Form:

Object Questions
1) To be
Use to be before a subject + nouns, adjective or place.

to be Subject

a teacher / a student?
happy / cold / tired / ready?
Is / Was he / she / it / Tom
at the party / in the classroom?
here / there?

teachers / students?
happy / cold / tired / ready?
Are / Were we / you / they / your parents
at the party / in the classroom?
here / there?
Is Tom a teacher? Is it cold? Was he at the party? Is she here?
Are you students? Were you tired? Are they in the classroom? Were your parents there?

2) Use Question word + to be before nouns, pronouns, places and this / that.

Question word be

he / she / it / my bag?
is / was this / that?
Where at the party / in the classroom?
Who
What
When we / you / they / my keys?
are / were these / those?
at the party / in the classroom?
Who is it? When was it? Where was my bag? Who was at the party?
Where are my keys? What are those?
3) Use (Question word) + auxiliary verb before a subject + verb

Question word auxiliary verb Subject

is / are doing seeing

was / were going eating

do / does you do see

Where
did he go eat
Who
she
What
can / could it
When do see
will / would we
Why go eat
should they

have / has done saw

had gone eaten
Where are you going? Who did you see? What did you do? When will we go? Why have they gone?

Subject Questions
1) Subject questions have no subject in the question. Any present / past simple verbs should go in the past /
present simple tense, not the infinitive form.
Only What and Who can be used in this kind of question.

Question word verb object

likes / needs / wants

me / you / him / her / us / them?
Who is following / calling
the film?
saw / called

happened (to
What me / you / him / her / us / them?)
is happening (to

Who likes me? What happened to you?

In the present tense, always use the third person singular form of the verb.
What happens next? NOT What happen next?

mistakes:
1) Some students use an auxiliary verb in an subject question.
What did happen? => What happened?
Who did meet you at the station?=> Who met you at the station?
How
Use:
Use How to get information about numbers and quantities.
You can use it to find out about age, size, length, cost and much more.

1) Dimensions

Use How big to find out about size.

How big is your car?
Use How long to find out about length, and How wide to ask about width.
How long is the River Nile? How wide is it?
Use the words long and wide in your answers to make them clear.
It’s a hundred miles long. It’s a mile wide.

2) Age

Use How old to find out about age.

How old is your sister?
You can reply: ‘She’s ten’ or ‘She’s ten years old’ NOT ‘She’s ten years’.

3) Time

Also use How long to ask about time.

How long is the film? It’s about two hours long.
How long does it take to get there? About three hours.

4) Quantity

Use How much to ask about cost. Also use How much with uncountable nouns.
Remember to put any uncountable nouns directly after ‘much’.
How much is this bag?
How much money do you have? NOT How much do you have money?
Use How many to ask about countable nouns. Remember to put any countable nouns directly after ‘many’.
How many people are coming? NOT How many are coming people?
How many questions often use the word there.
How many people are there in your class? NOT How many people are in your class?
Gerunds and Infinitives
Use:
1) A gerund is a verb in its –ing form, used as a noun.
For example: eating, going, seeing
Gerunds are used:

a) As the subject of a sentence.

Smoking is bad for you.

b) After some verbs, such as: like, hate, enjoy, quit, suggest, dislike, deny
I like cooking. I enjoy fishing.
A good learner’s dictionary will tell you whether a verb is followed by a gerund or not.

c) After prepositions.
I’m interested in buying a computer. I’m scared of walking alone in the dark.

2) The infinitive form of the verb is the original verb. It can be with or without ‘to’.
For example: (to) eat, (to) go, (to) see.

infinitive form is used:

a) After some verbs, such as; agree, arrange, ask, promise, decide, afford

I agreed to do the work. I arranged to see the doctor, y decided to get married.
A good learner’s dictionary will tell you whether a verb is followed by an infinitive or not.

b) To show the reason why you did something.

Tony went to the post office to pay a bill.

c) After adjectives.

I was surprised to see Erica. I’m pleased to meet you.

3)

a) Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or infinitive with NO CHANGE in meaning:

For example: start, begin, hate, like, prefer, continue

She started to cry = She started crying.
I hate watching horror films = I hate to watch horror films.

b) Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or a infinitive, but there is a change in meaning.

For example: try, remember, stop

I tried to get into the house. (Getting into the house is your goal or objective).
I tried climbing through the window. (Climbing through the window is one thing you tried in order to obtain your
final objective.)
I stopped cleaning the windows. (I was cleaning the windows and then I stopped).
I stopped to clean the windows. (I was driving, and I stopped driving in order to clean the windows).

I remembered to lock the door. (I remembered, and after that I locked the door).
I remember locking the door. (I remember (now) that I locked the door (in the past)).
Irregular Verbs List
Present Past Simple Past Participle

arise arose arisen

awake awoke, awaked awoken, awaked

be was, were been

bear bore borne, born

beat beat beaten, beat

become became become

beget begot begotten

begin began begun

bend bent bent

bet bet, betted bet, betted

bid bade, bid bidden, bid, bade

bind bound bound

bite bit bitten

bleed bled bled

bless blessed, blest blessed, blest

blow blew blown

break broke broken

breed bred bred

bring brought brought

broadcast, broadcast,
broadcast
broadcasted broadcasted

build built built

burn burnt, burned burnt, burned

burst burst burst

bust bust, busted bust, busted

buy bought bought

cast cast cast

catch caught caught

choose chose chosen

clothe clothed, clad clothed, clad

come came come

cost cost cost

creep crept crept

crow crowed crew, crowed

cut cut cut

deal dealt dealt

dig dug dug

do did done

draw drew drawn

dream dreamt, dreamed dreamt, dreamed

drink drank drunk

drive drove driven

dwell dwelt, dwelled dwelt, dwelled

eat ate eaten

fall fell fallen

feed fed fed

feel felt felt

fight fought fought

find found found

flee fled fled

fling flung flung

fly flew flown

forbid forbad, forbade forbid, forbidden

forecast forecast, forecasted forecast, forecasted

forget forgot forgotten

forsake forsook forsaken

freeze froze frozen

 get got got, gotten

give gave given

go went gone

grind ground ground

grow grew grown

hang hung hung

have had had

hear heard heard

hide hid hidden, hid

hit hit hit

hold held held

hurt hurt hurt

keep kept kept

kneel knelt, kneeled knelt, kneeled

knit knitted, knit knitted, knit

know knew known

lay laid laid

lead led led

leap leapt, leaped leapt, leaped

learn learnt, learned learnt, learned

leave left left

lend lent lent

let let let

lie lay lain

light lit, lighted lit, lighted

lose lost lost

make made made

mean meant meant

meet met met

 pay paid paid

plead pled, pleaded pled, pleaded

prove proved proven, proved

put put put

quit quit, quitted quit, quitted

read read read

ride rode ridden

ring rang rung

rise rose risen

run ran run

saw sawed sawn, sawed

say said said

see saw seen

seek sought sought

sell sold sold

send sent sent

set set set

sew sewed sewn, sewed

shake shook shaken

shed shed shed

shine shone shone

shoot shot shot

show showed shown, showed

shred shred, shredded shred, shredded

shrink shrank, shrunk shrunk

shut shut shut

sing sang sung

sink sank sunk

sit sat sat

 slay slew slain

sleep slept slept

slide slid slid

smell smelt, smelled smelt, smelled

sow sowed sown, sowed

speak spoke spoken

speed sped, speeded sped, speeded

spell spelt, spelled spelt, spelled

spend spent spent

spill spilt, spilled spilt, spilled

spin spun spun

spit spat spat

split split split

spoil spoilt, spoiled spoilt, spoiled

spread spread spread

spring sprang, sprung sprung

stand stood stood

steal stole stolen

stick stuck stuck

sting stung stung

stink stank, stunk stunk

stride strode stridden

strike struck struck

string strung strung

strive strove striven

swear swore sworn

sweat sweat, sweated sweat, sweated

sweep swept swept

swell swelled swollen, swelled

 swim swam swum

swing swung swung

take took taken

teach taught taught

tear tore torn

telecast telecast, telecasted telecast, telecasted

tell told told

think thought thought

throw threw thrown

thrust thrust thrust

tread trod trodden

understand understood understood

wake woke, waked woken, waked

wear wore worn

weave wove woven

wed wed, wedded wed, wedded

weep wept wept

wet wet, wetted wet, wetted

win won won

wind wound wound

wring wrung wrung

write wrote written

Comparatives
Use:
Use the comparative form to talk about how two things are different.
I am taller than you.
This book is thicker than that one.

Form:
1) If an adjective has one syllable, add er to the end. If it ends in e already, just add r.
tall => taller nice => nicer
thick => thicker late => later

2) If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then write er. But never
write a w twice.
big => bigger new => newer (NOT newwer) thin => thinner slow => slower (NOT slowwer) slim => slimmer
My brother is thinner than me.

3) If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add er.
funny => funnier silly => sillier
Which of these books is funnier?

4 ) Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.
good => better
bad => worse
far => further

5) Add than after a comparative adjective to compare one thing with another. However, this is not always
necessary.
My house is smaller than yours.
Superlatives
Use: Use the superlative form to describe something that is greater than any other thing.
The Amazon is the longest river in the world.
Helen is the most intelligent student in the class.

1) Write the before all superlatives.

2) If an adjective is short and has one syllable, add est to the end. If it ends in e already, just add st.

tall => the tallest nice => the nicest

thick => the thickest late => the latest

3) If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then write est. But never
write a w twice.

big => the biggest new => the newest (NOT newwest)
thin => the thinnest slow => the slowest (NOT slowwest)
slim => the slimmest
The biggest cat in the world is the lion.
4) If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add est.

funny => the funniest silly => the silliest

It’s the silliest film I’ve ever seen!

5 ) For other adjectives with two or more syllables, DON’T add est. Write most before the adjective.

interesting => the most interesting surprising => the most surprising

It’s the most interesting book I’ve ever read.

6) Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below
.
good => the best
bad => the worst
far => the furthest

* In is often (but not always) used after a superlative adjective to describe where this statement is true.

London is the biggest city in England.

Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
My brother is the tallest person in my family.
This, That, These, Those
Use:
This: Use this to talk about something which is near you.
How much is this bag?

These: Use these to talk about two or more things which are near you.
Are these your keys?

That: Use that to talk about one thing which is far from you.
Is that your house?

Those: Use those to talk about two or more things which are far from you.
Who are those children over there?

Use This, That, These and Those:

 Before the verb be.

This is my sister / Those are my children.

 Before a noun:
That cake looks delicious! These bags are expensive!
Make questions this way:
Is this / that your sister?
Are these / those your children?
You can contract is after that.
That is my dad. => That’s my dad.
But do not contract is after this.
This’s my dad. => This is my dad.

Do not contract are after These / Those.

Common mistakes
Always use a verb in sentences with this, that, these and those.
This lovely bag. => This is a lovely bag / This bag is lovely.

Simple adjectives
Use:
Simple adjectives are describing words.

 They can go before nouns.

That’s a nice car.

 They can also follow the verbs be, look, feel, smell, sound and taste.
This food looks nice. It smells delicious! The cake is lovely!
Possessive Adjectives
Use:

Possessive adjectives go before a noun.

They tell you who owns something.
This is my coat.
Is this your bag?

1) Possessive adjectives are shown in the table below.

I my This is my brother.

you your is this your chair?

he his His sister works here.

she her Janet and her brother are here.

it its My dog is brown, but its tail is white.

we our My husband and I live in London, but our children live in Paris.

they their My cousins live in Scotland with their parents.

Common mistakes
The pronoun is connected to the person who owns the object, NOT the object.
sister and her husband live in Paris. NOT sister and his husband live in Paris.
Possessive ‘s
Use:

Possessive adjectives after a name and before a noun.

They tell you who owns something.
This is John’s coat.
Is this Tina’s bag?
Don’t use ‘s after things.
I clean the garden’s pond every week. => I clean the pond in the garden every week.
What’s the book’s name? => What’s the name of the book?
You can usually use ‘s after organisations and groups of people.
It’s the government’s decision. OR It’s the decision of the government.
Tom is the company’s new director. OR Tom is the new director of the company.
You can use ‘s after time expressions.
What time is tomorrow’s meeting?

You can sometimes use ‘s after countries and cities.

India’s population is rising.
But you cannot do this if it refers to a person.
I met London’s mayor last week. => I met the mayor of London last week.
England’s Queen is well-known. => The Queen of England is well-known.

Form:
 To make the possessive form, add ’s to the end of the name.
Is that Jack’s bag?

 With two names, only add ‘s to the second name.

That’s Jane and Harry’s house. NOT That’s Jane’s and Harry’s house.

 If something belongs to two or more people, put the apostrophe(‘) after the plural s. Do not write a
second s.
My parents’ house is really big. NOT My parents’s house is really big.

However, if the plural noun is irregular, write the apostrophe (‘) before the S.
The children’s party was great. NOT The childrens’ party was great.
Definite and Indefinite Articles
Use:
1) Use a before a singular noun.
I've got a brother and a sister.
Use an if the noun begins with a vowel.
I've got an aunt in Texas.

2) Use plural nouns or uncountable nouns to talk about things in general. Don't use an article here.

I like cats.
Dolphins are very intelligent.
Crime is increasing.

3) Use the to talk about one particular thing, or a particular group of things.
Books are interesting. The book on the table is interesting.
Children are noisy. The children in this class are noisy.

4) Use a to introduce a new thing or person. Use the when you already know this person or thing.
There is a restaurant near my house. The restaurant serves good food.

5) Use the when there is only one of these things.

The moon is very big tonight.
My dad is the only doctor in our village.
Joe is the best student in the class.

6) Use the when there are many things, but it is clear which one you mean.
Let's go to the pub! We need to go to the supermarket.

7) Most 'general' nouns do not use an article.

Life is not the same as it used to be NOT: The life…
Health is important to everyone. NOT: The health…
We're worried about pollution. NOT: The pollution…

But some general nouns use the:

the environment People are increasingly worried about the environment.
the weather What's the weather like today?
the countryside I love walking in the countryside.
the sea / ocean I'd love to live near the sea.
the radio There's an interesting programme on the radio.
the theatre / cinema We went to the theatre last night.
the economy The economy is affecting everyone.

Common mistakes:
1) Some students use the when they talk about things in general.
I love the romantic films! => I love romantic films!
2) Some students use singular nouns without a or the.
I want book about the weather. => I want a book about the weather.
3) Some students use the when they talk about things in general.
I want the book about the weather. => I want a book about the weather.
Adverbial Phrases of Frequency,
Time and Place
Use
An adverbial phrase is a group of words which always go together. they describe where, when or how often
something happens.
Adverbial phrases of frequency describe how often something happens.
every morning, every afternoon
every day – daily
every week – weekly
every month – monthly
every year – annually
every Sunday – on Sundays – on Sunday afternoons
once a day
twice a day
three / four / five times a day
all the time

Form:
1) Adverbs of frequency often go in present simple sentences.
I have toast for breakfast every day.
We visit our grandparents twice a month.

2) Note that ‘on Saturday’ refers to one day. ‘On Saturdays’ means ‘every Saturday’.

mistakes
1) Some students write adverbs of frequency in the wrong place.
We every day go the park. => We go to the park every day.

2) Some students use the plural form with every.

John goes swimming every days. => John goes swimming every day
_____________________________________________________________________
Use:
Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of time to talk about when you do something.
Adverbs of time include:
today, tomorrow, tonight, yesterday, tomorrow, nowadays
now, first of all, beforehand
soon, afterwards, later, next, then

Form:
1) Adverbs of time usually go at the beginning or the end of a sentence or clause.
Tomorrow, I’m going to the beach.
I’m going to the beach tomorrow.
First of all, we had a drink at a café.
We had a drink at a café first of all.
I’m going to the supermarket, and afterwards I’m going to the library.
I’m going to the supermarket, and I’m going to the library afterwards.
2) It is more common to use then at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
Then we arrived at the castle.
I’m going to finish my work and then I’m going to have a drink.
It is more common to use soon and now at the end of a sentence.
We’re going on holiday soon.
I’m going home now.
Mistakes
1) Don’t use an adverb of time between the subject and the object of a sentence.
I went yesterday to the zoo. => I went to the zoo yesterday. / Yesterday I went to the zoo.
I’m going now to the bank. => I’m going to the bank now.

2) You must use a noun after After and Before. Otherwise, use afterwards or beforehand.
I’ll be late to class tomorrow. I’m going to the doctors before. => I’ll be late to class tomorrow. I’m going to the
doctors beforehand.
I’m going to my English class and I’m going to the bar after. => I’m going to my English class and I’m going to
the bar afterwards.

_____________________________________________________________________

Use:
Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of place to talk about where something happens.
Adverbs of place include:
outside, inside, indoors, upstairs, downstairs
(over) here, (over) there
abroad, overseas

Form:
1) Adverbs of place usually go after a verb.
She lives abroad.
Let’s go indoors.

2) Adverbs of place can also go after the object of the sentence.

Rachel works in the office upstairs.
Your bag is on the table over there.
Adverbs
Use:
Adverbs can be used to describe verbs. They describe HOW you do something.
Examples: She walks quickly; He sings nicely.

Form:
1) You can make many adverbs by adding –ly to an adjective.
slow -> slowly; loud -> loudly
If an adjective ends in ‘y’, change it to an ‘i’.
heavy -> heavily; funny -> funnily
Add ‘ally’ to adjectives ending in ‘ic’.
Physical -> physically; energetic -> energetically

2) Some adverbs are irregular, and do not end in ly. These include:
good -> well She dances well.
hard -> hard He works hard.
fast -> fast He runs fast.
late -> late He arrives late.

3)
a) Usually, the adverb goes after the verb it describes.
She talks quietly NOT She quietly talks.
He runs fast. NOT He fast runs.

b) If the verb has a direct object WITHOUT A PREPOSITION the adverb should go after the object.
You sang that song nicely. NOT You sang nicely that song.
He did the job well. NOT He did well the job.

If the verb is followed by a preposition and an object, you can put the adverb in different places.
He quickly walked to the shop.
He walked quickly to the shop.
He walked to the shop quickly.

4) Adverbs are NOT used to describe the following verbs. These verbs use adjectives.

Be I am quiet. NOT I am quietly.

Seem It seems strange. NOT It seems strangely.
Look That looks nice. NOT That looks nicely.
Smell That smells good. NOT That smells well.
Sound That sounds great. NOT That sounds greatly.
Feel That feels funny. NOT That feels funnily.

5) Some words end in ‘ly’ but they are not adverbs. Friendly is an example. Friendly is an adjective. We can say
‘She is friendly’ but not ‘She talks friendly’. There is no adverb for friendly, but we can say ‘She talks in a friendly
way’. Elderly and lonely are also adjectives, not adverbs. Kindly and early are adjectives and adverbs.
Some / Any / Much / Many
Some and any

Use:
Use some before plural nouns or uncountable nouns.
There are some children in the street.
There is some money in my pocket.
Use any, not some, in negative sentences and questions.
There aren’t any children in the street.
There isn’t any money in my pocket.
Are there any children in the street?
Is there any money in your pocket?
However, Some is possible in offers and requests.
Please can I have some chocolate?
Would you like some tea?

Much and Many

Use:
Use many in negative sentences and questions. We don’t often use it in positive sentences, especially in
informal situations. We use a lot of / lots of.
Use many with plural nouns.
Are there many Chinese students in your class?
I haven’t got many CDs.
There are many cars on the road today. → There are a lot of cars on the road today.
However, we can use Many of Not Many before the subject of the sentence.
Many people think that trains are too expensive.
Not many people know that you can get free coffee here!
We use much in negative sentences and questions with uncountable nouns. We don’t often use it in positive
sentences. We say a lot of / lots of.
Have you got much money with you?
I haven’t got much money with me.
I have much money. → I have a lot of money.

Mistakes
1) Some students use many with uncountable nouns.
I don’t have many money. → I don’t have much money.

2) Some students use some in negative sentences.

I haven’t got some brothers or sisters. → I haven’t got any brothers or sisters.
Uncountable Nouns
Use:

Some nouns are countable – you can count them. These include:
apples, books, cars, trees

Some nouns are uncountable – you cannot count them. These include:

water, oil, rice, fruit, bread, information, money

Uncountable nouns have different grammar rules from countable nouns.

countable singular nouns countable plural nouns uncountable nouns

e.g. apple e.g. apples e.g. fruit

Plural countable nouns do not need a

Singular countable nouns always Uncountable nouns do not need a
determiner.
need a determiner: determiner.
I like apples.
a, this, that, my, the etc. I like fruit.
Dogs are friendly.
Look at that cat! But they can use singular
But they can be used with determiners:
Can I have an apple? determiners:
Where are my shoes?
Is this your bag? This fruit is nice.
Are those pens yours?

You can count countable nouns. You cannot count uncountable nouns.
Can I have five apples please? Can I have five breads please?

Use singular verbs and

Use plural verbs and determiners. Use singular verbs and determiners.
determiners.
These apples are nice. This bread is nice.
This apple is nice.

Some determiners can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
some, a lot of, lots of, loads of, plenty of, any
We’ve got some potatoes. We need some bread.
We don’t have any potatoes. We don’t have any bread.

Some determiners can only be used Some determiners can only be used
with countable nouns: with uncountable nouns:
several, various, a few, many much, a bit of, a little