Grammar

English Grammar
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INDEX
English Grammar What is Grammar? Glossary of English Grammar Terms English Parts of Speech Parts of Speech Table Parts of Speech Examples Words with More than One Job 1. Verbs What are Verbs? Verb Classification 1. Helping Verbs 2. Main Verbs Helping Verbs Primary helping verbs (3 verbs) Modal helping verbs (10 verbs) Verb Forms Forms of Main Verbs Example Sentences Infinitive Base - Imperative
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English Grammar Base - Present simple (except 3rd person singular) Base - After modal auxiliary verbs Past simple Past participle Present participle 3rd person singular, present simple Forms of Helping Verbs Tenses Simple Present Tense How do we make the Simple Present Tense? How do we use the Simple Present Tense? Present Continuous Tense How do we make the Present Continuous Tense? How do we use the Present Continuous Tense? Present continuous tense for action happening now Present continuous tense for the future How do we spell the Present Continuous Tense? Present Perfect Tense How do we make the Present Perfect Tense? Contractions with the present perfect tense How do we use the Present Perfect Tense? 1. Present perfect tense for experience 2. Present perfect tense for change 3. Present perfect tense for continuing situation For & Since with Present Perfect Tense Present Perfect Continuous Tense How do we make the Present Perfect Continuous Tense? Contractions How do we use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense? 1. An action that has just stopped or recently stopped 2. An action continuing up to now For and Since with Present Perfect Continuous Tense Simple Past Tense How do we make the Simple Past Tense? How do we use the Simple Past Tense? Past Continuous Tense How do we make the Past Continuous Tense? How do we use the Past Continuous Tense? Past Continuous Tense + Simple Past Tense Past Perfect Tense How do we make the Past Perfect Tense? How do we use the Past Perfect Tense? Past Perfect Continuous Tense How do we make the Past Perfect Continuous Tense? How do we use the Past Perfect Continuous Tense? Simple Future Tense How do we make the Simple Future Tense? How do we use the Simple Future Tense? No Plan Prediction Be file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com
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English Grammar Future Continuous Tense How do we make the Future Continuous Tense? How do we use the Future Continuous Tense? Future Perfect Tense How do we make the Future Perfect Tense? How do we use the Future Perfect Tense? Future Perfect Continuous Tense How do we make the Future Perfect Continuous Tense? How do we use the Future Perfect Continuous Tense? Phrasal Verbs and other multi-word verbs Phrasal Verbs Separable Phrasal Verbs Prepositional Verbs Phrasal-prepositional Verbs English Conditionals Structure of Conditional Sentences First Conditional: real possibility Second Conditional: unreal possibility or dream Third Conditional: no possibility Zero Conditional: certainty Conditionals: Summary Modal Verbs (modal auxiliaries) Can, Could, Be able to Can Structure of Can Use of Can can: Possibility and Ability can: Requests and Orders can: Permission Could Structure of Could Use of Could could: Past Possibility or Ability could: Requests Be able to Structure of Be able to Use of Be able to be able to: ability Gerunds (-ing) Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement Gerunds after Prepositions Gerunds after Certain Verbs Gerunds in Passive Sense Questions Basic Question Structure Basic Question Types 1. Yes/No Questions 2. Question Word Questions 3. Choice Questions Tag Questions Intonation
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English Grammar Answers to tag questions Question tags with imperatives Same-way question tags Subjunctive Structure of the Subjunctive Use of the Subjunctive Why do we say I were, he were? Active Voice, Passive Voice Passive Voice Construction of the Passive Voice Use of the Passive Voice Conjugation for the Passive Voice Infinitive or -ing? When to use the infinitive When to use -ing Plural Verbs with Singular Subjects Verb Meanings with Continuous Tenses Verbs not Used with Continuous Tenses Verbs with Two Meanings Be and Continuous Tenses Used to do & Be used to Used to do Use of Used to do Be used to Structure of Be used to Use of Be used to Tenses Going to Structure of Going to Use of Going to Going to - intention Going to - prediction 2. Nouns What are Nouns? Countable and Uncountable Nouns Countable Nouns Uncountable Nouns Nouns that can be Countable and Uncountable 3. Adjectives Determiners Determiners: A, An or The? Determiners: Each, Every Determiners: Some, Any Adjective Order Adjective Before Noun Adjective After Verb Comparative Adjectives Formation of Comparative Adjectives Superlative Adjectives Formation of Superlative Adjectives Use of Superlative Adjectives
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English Grammar 4. Adverbs Adverbs of Frequency 5. English Pronouns Personal Pronouns Personal Pronouns 6. English Prepositions English Prepositions List English Preposition Rule Prepositions of Place: at, in, on Prepositions of Time: at, in, on 7. Conjunctions Form Function Position Coordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions 8. Interjections
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What is Grammar?
Grammar is the system of a language. People sometimes describe grammar as the rules of a language; but in fact no language has rules*. If we use the word rules, we suggest that somebody created the rules first and then spoke the language, like a new game. But languages did not start like that. Languages started by people making sounds which evolved into words, phrases and sentences. No commonlyspoken language is fixed. All languages change over time. What we call grammar is simply a reflection of a language at a particular time. Do we need to study grammar to learn a language? The short answer is no. Very many people in the world speak their own, native language without having studied its grammar. Children start to speak before they even know the word grammar. But if you are serious about learning a foreign language, the long answer is yes, grammar can help you to learn a language more quickly and more efficiently. Its important to think of grammar as something that can help you, like a friend. When you understand the grammar (or system) of a language, you can understand many things yourself, without having to ask a teacher or look in a book.
So think of grammar as something good, something positive, something that you can use to find your way - like a signpost or a map.
Glossary of English Grammar Terms

Active Voice In the active voice, the subject of the verb does the action (eg They killed the President). See also Passive Voice. Adjective A word like big, red, easy , French etc. An adjective describes a noun or pronoun.
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English Grammar Adverb A word like slowly, quietly, well, often etc. An adverb modifies a verb. Article The indefinite articles are a and an. The definite article is the.
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Auxiliary Verb A verb that is used with a main verb. Be, do and have are auxiliary verbs. Can, may , must etc are modal auxiliary verbs. Clause A group of words containing a subject and its verb (for example: It was late when he arrived). Conjunction A word used to connect words, phrases and clauses (for example: and, but, if ). Infinitive The basic form of a verb as in to work or work . Interjection An exclamation inserted into an utterance without grammatical connection (for example: oh!, ah!, ouch!, well!). Modal Verb An auxiliary verb like can, may , must etc that modifies the main verb and expresses possibility, probability etc. It is also called modal auxiliary verb. 2. Nouns A word like table, dog, teacher, A merica etc. A noun is the name of an object, concept, person or place. A concrete noun is something you can see or touch like a person or car. An abstract noun is something that you cannot see or touch like a decision or happiness. A countable noun is something that you can count (for example: bottle, song, dollar). An uncountable noun is something that you cannot count (for example: water, music, money ). Object In the active voice, a noun or its equivalent that receives the action of the verb. In the passive voice, a noun or its equivalent that does the action of the verb. Participle The -ing and -ed forms of verbs. The -ing form is called the present participle. The -ed form is called the past participle (for irregular verbs, this is column 3). Part Of Speech One of the eight classes of word in English - noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction and interjection. Passive Voice In the passive voice, the subject receives the action of the verb (eg The President was killed). See also Active Voice.
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Phrase A group of words not containing a subject and its verb (eg on the table, the girl in a red dress). Predicate Each sentence contains (or implies) two parts: a subject and a predicate. The predicate is what is said about the subject. Preposition A word like at, to, in, over etc. Prepositions usually come before a noun and give information about things like time, place and direction. Pronoun A word like I, me, you, he, him , it etc. A pronoun replaces a noun. Sentence A group of words that express a thought. A sentence conveys a statement, question, exclamation or command. A sentence contains or implies a subject and a predicate. In simple terms, a sentence must contain a verb and (usually) a subject. A sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop (.), question mark (?) or exclamation mark (!). Subject Every sentence contains (or implies) two parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject is the main noun (or equivalent) in a sentence about which something is said. Tense The form of a verb that shows us when the action or state happens (past, present or future). Note that the name of a tense is not always a guide to when the action happens. The present continuous tense, for example, can be used to talk about the present or the future. Verb A word like (to) work , (to) love, (to) begin. A verb describes an action or state.
English Parts of Speech

There are thousands of words in any language. But not all words have the same job. For example, some words express action. Other words express a thing. Other words join one word to another word. These are the building blocks of the language. Think of them like the parts of a house. When we want to build a house, we use concrete to make the foundations or base. We use bricks to make the walls. We use window frames to make the windows, and door frames to make the doorways. And we use cement to join them all together. Each part of the house has its own job. And when we want to build a sentence, we use the different types of word. Each type of word has its own job. We can categorize English words into 8 basic types or classes. These classes are called parts of speech. Its quite important to recognize parts of speech. This helps you to analyze sentences and understand them. It also helps you to construct good sentences. In this lesson, we have an overview of the eight parts of speech, followed by a quiz to check your understanding:
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English Grammar Parts of Speech Table Parts of Speech Examples Words with More than One Job
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Parts of Speech Table

This is a summary of the 8 parts of speech. You can find more detail if you click on each part of speech. part of speech Verb Noun function or job action or state thing or person example words (to) be, have, do, like, work, sing, can, must pen, dog, work, music, town, London, teacher, John a/an, the, 69, some, good, big, red, well, interesting quickly, silently, well, badly, very, really I, you, he, she, some to, at, after, on, but and, but, when example sentences EnglishClub.com is a web site. I like EnglishClub.com. This is my dog. He lives in my house. We live in London. My dog is big. I like big dogs.
Adjective
describes a noun
Adverb
describes a verb, adjective or adverb replaces a noun links a noun to another word joins clauses or sentences or words short exclamation, sometimes inserted into a sentence
My dog eats quickly. When he is very hungry, he eats really quickly. Tara is Indian. She is beautiful. We went to school on Monday. I like dogs and I like cats. I like cats and dogs. I like dogs but I dont like cats. Ouch! That hurts! Hi! How are you? Well, I dont know.
Pronoun Preposition Conjunction
Interjection
oh!, ouch!, hi!, well
Parts of Speech Examples

Here are some sentences made with different English parts of speech: verb Stop! pronoun noun John verb verb works. noun noun John noun verb verb is working. verb adjective noun
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She noun Tara
loves animals. verb speaks verb ran noun English adverb well.
Animals
like
kind verb speaks
people. adjective noun good English.
noun Tara
pronoun She pron. She
preposition to noun snakes
adjective the conjunction but
noun station pron. I
adverb quickly. verb pron. hate them.
verb adj. likes big
Here is a sentence that contains every part of speech: interjection Well, pron. conj. she and adj. young noun John verb prep. walk to noun school adverb slowly.
Words with More than One Job

Many words in English can have more than one job, or be more than one part of speech. For example, work can be a verb and a noun; but can be a conjunction and a preposition; well can be an adjective, an adverb and an interjection. In addition, many nouns can act as adjectives. To analyze the part of speech, ask yourself: What job is this word doing in this sentence? In the table on the right you can see a few examples. Of course, there are more, even for some of the words in the table. In fact, if you look in a good dictionary you will see that the word but has six jobs to do: word work verb, noun, adverb, pronoun, preposition and conjunction! part of speech noun verb but conjunction preposition well adjective adverb interjection example My work is easy. I work in London. John came but Mary didnt come. Everyone came but Mary. Are you well? She speaks well. Well! Thats expensive!
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afternoon
noun
We ate in the afternoon.
noun acting as adjective We had afternoon tea.
1. Verbs What are Verbs?

The verb is king in English. The shortest sentence contains a verb. You can make a one-word sentence with a verb, for example: Stop! You cannot make a one-word sentence with any other type of word. Verbs are sometimes described as action words. This is partly true. Many verbs give the idea of action, of doing something. For example, words like run, fight, do and work all convey action. But some verbs do not give the idea of action; they give the idea of existence, of state, of being. For example, verbs like be, exist, seem and belong all convey state. A verb always has a subject. (In the sentence John speaks English, John is the subject and speaks is the verb.) In simple terms, therefore, we can say that verbs are words that tell us what a subject does or is; they describe: action (Ram plays football.) state (Anthony seems kind.)
There is something very special about verbs in English. Most other words (adjectives, adverbs, prepositions etc) do not change in form (although nouns can have singular and plural forms). But almost all verbs change in form. For example, the verb to work has five forms: to work, work, works, worked, working
Of course, this is still very few forms compared to some languages which may have thirty or more forms for a single verb. In this lesson we look at the ways in which we classify verbs, followed by a quiz to test your understanding: Verb Classification Helping Verbs Main Verbs
Verb Classification
We divide verbs into two broad classifications:
1. Helping Verbs
Imagine that a stranger walks into your room and says:
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English Grammar I can. People must. The Earth will.
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Do you understand anything? Has this person communicated anything to you? Probably not! Thats because these verbs are helping verbs and have no meaning on their own. They are necessary for the grammatical structure of the sentence, but they do not tell us very much alone. We usually use helping verbs with main verbs. They help the main verb. (The sentences in the above examples are therefore incomplete. They need at least a main verb to complete them.) There are only about 15 helping verbs.
2. Main Verbs
Now imagine that the same stranger walks into your room and says: I teach. People eat. The Earth rotates.
Do you understand something? Has this person communicated something to you? Probably yes! Not a lot, but something. Thats because these verbs are main verbs and have meaning on their own. They tell us something. Of course, there are thousands of main verbs. In the following table we see example sentences with helping verbs and main verbs. Notice that all of these sentences have a main verb. Only some of them have a helping verb. helping verb John You They The children We I are must do not main verb likes lied are playing. go want now. any. coffee. to me. happy.
Helping verbs and main verbs can be further sub-divided, as we shall see on the following pages.
Helping Verbs
Helping verbs are also called auxiliary verbs.
Helping verbs have no meaning on their own. They are necessary for the grammatical structure of a sentence, but they do not tell us very much alone. We usually use helping verbs with main verbs. They help the main verb (which has the real meaning). There are only about 15 helping verbs in English, file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
English Grammar and we divide them into two basic groups:
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Primary helping verbs (3 verbs)

These are the verbs be, do, and have. Note that we can use these three verbs as helping verbs or as main verbs. On this page we talk about them as helping verbs. We use them in the following cases: be
o o
to make continuous tenses (He is watching TV.) to make the passive (Small fish are eaten by big fish.)
have
o
to make perfect tenses (I have finished my homework.)
do
o o o o
to make negatives (I do not like you.) to ask questions (Do you want some coffee?) to show emphasis (I do want you to pass your exam.) to stand for a main verb in some constructions (He speaks faster than she does.)
Modal helping verbs (10 verbs)

We use modal helping verbs to modify the meaning of the main verb in some way. A modal helping verb expresses necessity or possibility, and changes the main verb in that sense. These are the modal verbs: can, could may, might will, would, shall, should must ought to
Here are examples using modal verbs: I cant speak Chinese. John may arrive late. Would you like a cup of coffee? You should see a doctor. I really must go now.
Semi-modal verbs (3 verbs) The following verbs are often called semi-modals because they are partly like modal helping verbs and partly like main verbs:
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l l l
need dare used to
Verb Forms
English verbs come in several forms. For example, the verb to sing can be: to sing, sing, sang, sung, singing or sings. This is a total of 6 forms. Not many, considering that some languages (French, for example) have more than 30 forms for an individual verb. English tenses may be quite complicated, but the forms that we use to make the tenses are actually very simple! With the exception of the verb to be, English main verbs have only 4, 5 or 6 forms. To be has 9 forms. Do not confuse verb forms with tenses. We use the different verb forms to make the tenses, but they are not the same thing. In this lesson we look at the forms of main verbs and helping (auxiliary) verbs, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: Forms of Main Verbs Forms of Helping Verbs
Forms of Main Verbs

Main verbs are also called lexical verbs.
Main verbsexcept the verb behave only 4, 5 or 6 forms. Be has 9 forms. V1 infinitive regular (to) work (to) sing (to) make (to) cut base work sing make cut V2 past simple worked sang made cut did had past simple was, were V3 past participle worked sung made cut done had past participle been present participle working singing making cutting doing having present participle being present simple, 3rd person singular works sings makes cuts does has present simple am, are, is
irregular
(to) do* do (to) have* have infinitive (to) be* base be
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In the above examples:

l l l l
to cut has 4 forms: to cut, cut, cutting, cuts to work has 5 forms: to work, work, worked, working, works to sing has 6 forms: to sing, sing, sang, sung, singing, sings to be has 9 forms: to be, be, was, were, been, being, am, is, are
The infinitive can be with or without to. For example, to sing and sing are both infinitives. We often call the infinitive without to the bare infinitive.
At school, students usually learn by heart the base, past simple and past participle (sometimes called V1, V2, V3, meaning Verb 1, Verb 2, Verb 3) for the irregular verbs. They may spend many hours chanting: sing, sang, sung; go, went, gone; have, had, had; etc. They do not learn these for the regular verbs because the past simple and past participle are always the same: they are formed by adding -ed to the base. They do not learn the past participle and 3rd person singular present simple by heartfor another very simple reason: they never change. The present participle is always made by adding -ing to the base, and the 3rd person singular present simple is always made by adding s to the base (though there are some variations in spelling).
Note that do, have and be also function as helping or auxiliary verbs, with exactly the same forms (except that as helping verbs they are never in infinitive form).
Example Sentences
These example sentences use main verbs in different forms.
Infinitive
l l l l l
I want to work He has to sing. This exercise is easy to do. Let him have one. To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Base - Imperative
l l l l
Work well! Make this. Have a nice day. Be quiet!
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Base - Present simple (except 3rd person singular)

l l l
I work in London. You sing well. They have a lot of money.
Base - After modal auxiliary verbs

l l l
I can work tomorrow. You must sing louder. They might do it.
You could be right.
Past simple
l l l l
I worked yesterday. She cut his hair last week. They had a good time. They were surprised, but I was not.
Past participle
l l l l
I have worked here for five years. He needs a folder made of plastic. It is done like this. I have never been so happy.
Present participle
l l l l
I am working. Singing well is not easy. Having finished, he went home. You are being silly!
3rd person singular, present simple
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l l l l
He works in London. She sings well. She has a lot of money. It is Vietnamese.
Forms of Helping Verbs

All helping verbs are used with a main verb (either expressed or understood*). There are 2 groups of helping verbs: Primary helping verbs, used mainly to change the tense or voice of the main verb, and in making questions and negatives. Modal helping verbs, used to change the mood of the main verb.
Study the table opposite. It shows the principal forms and uses of helping verbs, and explains the differences between primary and modal helping verbs.
Sometimes we make a sentence that has a helping verb and seems to have no main verb. In fact, the main verb is understood. Look at the following examples: Question: Can you speak English? (The main verb speak is expressed.) Answer: Yes, I can. (The main verb speak is not expressed. It is understood from the context. We understand: Yes, I can speak English.
But if somebody walked into the room and said Hello. I can, we would understand nothing! Helping Verbs Primary do be have (to make simple tenses, and questions and negatives) (to make continuous tenses, and the passive voice) (to make perfect tenses) Modal can may will shall must ought (to) could might would should
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Do, be and have as helping verbs have exactly the same forms as when they are main verbs (except that as helping verbs they are never used in infinitive forms). Primary helping verbs are followed by the main verb in a particular form:
l l l
Modal helping verbs are invariable. They always have the same form. Ought is followed by the main verb in infinitive form. Other modal helping verbs are followed by the main verb in its base form (V1).
l l
do + V1 (base verb) be + -ing (present participle) have + V3 (past participle)
ought + to... (infinitive) other modals + V1 (base verb)
Do, be and have can also function as main verbs.
Modal helping verbs cannot function as main verbs.
Tenses
The English Tense System The links opposite are to lessons for each of the 12 basic tenses. In each lesson we look at two aspects of the tense: Structure: How do we make the tense? Use: When and why do we use the tense?
Some lessons look at additional aspects, and most of them finish with a quiz to check your understanding.
Many English learners worry too much about tense. If you stopped 100 native English speakers in the street and asked them about tense, one of them might give you an intelligent answerif you were lucky. The other 99 would know little about terms like past perfect or present continuous. And they would know nothing about aspect, voice or mood. But they can all speak fluent English and communicate effectively. Of course, for ESL it helps to know about tenses, but dont become obsessed with them. Be like those native speakers! Speak naturally!
Simple Present Tense

I sing
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How do we make the Simple Present Tense?
subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

do There are three important exceptions: 1. For positive sentences, we do not normally use the auxiliary. 2. For the 3rd person singular (he, she, it), we add s to the main verb or es to the auxiliary. 3. For the verb to be, we do not use an auxiliary, even for questions and negatives. Look at these examples with the main verb like: subject auxiliary verb main verb like likes not like not like like like coffee. coffee. coffee. coffee. coffee? coffee? base
+ ?
I, you, we, they He, she, it I, you, we, they do He, she, it Do Does does I, you, we, they he, she, it
Look at these examples with the main verb be. Notice that there is no auxiliary: subject I main verb am French. French. French. not not not old. old. old. late? late? late?
You, we, they are He, she, it I is am
You, we, they are He, she, it Am is I you, we, they he, she, it
Are Is
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How do we use the Simple Present Tense?

We use the simple present tense when: the action is general the action happens all the time, or habitually, in the past, present and future the action is not only happening now the statement is always true
John drives a taxi.

past present future
It is Johns job to drive a taxi. He does it every day. Past, present and future. Look at these examples: I live in New York. The Moon goes round the Earth. John drives a taxi. He does not drive a bus. We do not work at night. Do you play football?
Note that with the verb to be, we can also use the simple present tense for situations that are not general. We can use the simple present tense to talk about now. Look at these examples of the verb to be in the present simple tensesome of them are general, some of them are now:
Am I right? Tara is not at home. You are happy.

past present future
The situation is now.
I am not fat. Why are you so beautiful?

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Ram is tall.
past present future
The situation is general. Past, present and future.
This page shows the use of the simple present tense to talk about general events. But note that there are some other uses for the simple present tense, for example in conditional or if sentences, or to talk about the future. You will learn about those later.
Present Continuous Tense

I am singing We often use the present continuous tense in English. It is very different from the simple present tense, both in structure and in use. In this lesson we look the structure and use of the present continuous tense, follwed by a quiz to check your understanding: Structure: how do we make the present continuous tense? Use: when and why do we use the present continuous tense? Spelling: how do we spell verbs with -ing for the present continuous tense?
Continuous tenses are also called progressive tenses. So the present progressive tense is the same as the present continuous tense.
How do we make the Present Continuous Tense?

The structure of the present continuous tense is:

be Look at these examples: subject auxiliary verb main verb base + ing
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+ + ? ?
I You She We Is Are
am are is are he they not not
speaking reading staying playing watching waiting
to you. this. in London. football. TV? for John?
How do we use the Present Continuous Tense?

We use the present continuous tense to talk about: action happening now action in the future
Present continuous tense for action happening now

a) for action happening exactly now
I am eating my lunch.
past present future
The action is happening now. Look at these examples. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the same time... ...the pages are turning. b) for action happening around now The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just before and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual. ...the candle is burning. ...the numbers are spinning.
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John is going out with Mary.

past present future
The action is happening around now. Look at these examples: Muriel is learning to drive. I am living with my sister until I find an apartment.
Present continuous tense for the future

We can also use the present continuous tense to talk about the futureif we add a future word!! We must add (or understand from the context) a future word. Future words include, for example, tomorrow, next year, in June, at Christmas etc. We only use the present continuous tense to talk about the future when we have planned to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision and a plan before speaking.
I am taking my exam next month.

past present future
!!!
A firm plan or programme exists now. Look at these examples: Were eating in a restaurant tonight. Weve already booked the table.. They can play tennis with you tomorrow. Theyre not working. When are you starting your new job? The action is in the future.
In these examples, we have a firm plan or programme before speaking. The decision and plan were made before speaking.
How do we spell the Present Continuous Tense?

We make the present continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb. Normally its simplewe just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change the word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here are the rules to help you know how to spell the present continuous tense.
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Basic rule
Just add -ing to the base verb: work play assist see be > > > > > working playing assisting seeing being
Exception 1
If the base verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel + consonant, double the last letter:
s
(vowels = a, e, i, o, u) stop run begin
t
consonant > > >
o
stressed vowel stopping running beginning
p
consonant
Note that this exception does not apply when the last syllable of the base verb is not stressed: open Exception 2 > opening
If the base verb ends in ie, change the ie to y: lie die > > lying dying
Exception 3
If the base verb ends in vowel + consonant + e, omit the e: come mistake > > coming mistaking
Present Perfect Tense

I have sung The present perfect tense is a rather important tense in English, but it gives speakers of some languages a difficult time. That is because it uses concepts or ideas that do not exist in those languages. In fact, the structure of the present perfect tense is very simple. The problems come with the use of the tense. In file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
English Grammar addition, there are some differences in usage between British and American English.
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In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the present perfect, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: Structure: how to make the present perfect tense Use: when and why to use the present perfect tense For and Since with the present perfect tense. Whats the difference?
The present perfect tense is really a very interesting tense, and a very useful one. Try not to translate the present perfect tense into your language. Just try to accept the concepts of this tense and learn to think present perfect! You will soon learn to like the present perfect tense!
How do we make the Present Perfect Tense?

The structure of the present perfect tense is:

have past participle Here are some examples of the present perfect tense: subject auxiliary verb have have has have you they not not main verb seen eaten been played finished? done it? ET. mine. to Rome. football.
+ + ? ?
I You She We Have Have
Contractions with the present perfect tense

When we use the present perfect tense in speaking, we usually contract the subject and auxiliary verb. We also sometimes do this when we write.
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I have You have He has She has It has John has The car has We have They have
Ive Youve Hes Shes Its Johns The cars Weve Theyve
Here are some examples: Ive finished my work. Johns seen ET. Theyve gone home.
Hes or hes??? Be careful! The s contraction is used for the auxiliary verbs have and be. For example, Its eaten can mean:
l
It has eaten. [present perfect tense, active voice]
It is eaten. [present tense, passive voice] It is usually clear from the context.
l
How do we use the Present Perfect Tense?

This tense is called the present perfect tense. There is always a connection with the past and with the present. There are basically three uses for the present perfect tense: 1. experience 2. change 3. continuing situation
1. Present perfect tense for experience

We often use the present perfect tense to talk about experience from the past. We are not interested in when you did something. We only want to know if you did it:
I have seen ET. He has lived in Bangkok.

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Have you been there? We have never eaten caviar.

past present future
!!!
The action or state was in the past. In my head, I have a memory now.
Connection with past: the event was in the past. Connection with present: in my head, now, I have a memory of the event; I know something about the event; I have experience of it.
2. Present perfect tense for change

We also use the present perfect tense to talk about a change or new information:
I have bought a car.

past present future
Last week I didnt have a car.
+
Now I have a car.
John has broken his leg.

past present future
+
Yesterday John had a good leg.
Now he has a bad leg.
Has the price gone up?

past present future
+
Was the price $1.50 yesterday?
Is the price $1.70 today?
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The police have arrested the killer.

past present future
Yesterday the killer was free.
+
Now he is in prison.
Connection with past: the past is the opposite of the present. Connection with present: the present is the opposite of the past.
Americans do not use the present perfect tense so much as British speakers. Americans often use the past tense instead. An American might say Did you have lunch?, where a British person would say Have you had lunch?
3. Present perfect tense for continuing situation

We often use the present perfect tense to talk about a continuing situation. This is a state that started in the past and continues in the present (and will probably continue into the future). This is a state (not an action). We usually use for or since with this structure.
I have worked here since June. He has been ill for 2 days. How long have you known Tara?
past present future
The situation started in the past.
It continues up to now.
(It will probably continue into the future.)
Connection with past: the situation started in the past. Connection with present: the situation continues in the present.
For & Since with Present Perfect Tense

We often use for and since with the present perfect tense. We use for to talk about a period of time5 minutes, 2 weeks, 6 years. We use since to talk about a point in past time9 oclock, 1st January, Monday.
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for
a period of time
since
a point in past time
20 minutes three days 6 months 4 years 2 centuries a long time ever etc Here are some examples: I have been here for 20 minutes. I have been here since 9 oclock. John hasnt called for 6 months. John hasnt called since February. He has worked in New York for a long time. He has worked in New York since he left school. 6.15pm Monday January 1994 1800 I left school the beginning of time etc
For can be used with all tenses. Since is usually used with perfect tenses only.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense

I have been singing
How do we make the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?

The structure of the present perfect continuous tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb + auxiliary verb + main verb

English Grammar have has
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been
base + ing
Here are some examples of the present perfect continuous tense: subject auxiliary verb have have has have you they not not auxiliary verb been been been been been been main verb waiting talking raining. playing seeing doing football. her? their homework? for one hour. too much.
+ + ? ?
I You It We Have Have
Contractions
When we use the present perfect continuous tense in speaking, we often contract the subject and the first auxiliary. We also sometimes do this in informal writing. I have been You have been He has been She has been It has been John has been The car has been We have been They have been Ive been Youve been Hes been Shes been Its been Johns been The cars been Weve been Theyve been
Here are some examples: Ive been reading. The cars been giving trouble. Weve been playing tennis for two hours.
How do we use the Present Perfect Continuous Tense?
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This tense is called the present perfect continuous tense. There is usually a connection with the present or now. There are basically two uses for the present perfect continuous tense:
1. An action that has just stopped or recently stopped

We use the present perfect continuous tense to talk about an action that started in the past and stopped recently. There is usually a result now.
Im tired because Ive been running.

past present future
!!!
Recent action. Result now.
Im tired [now] because Ive been running.
Why is the grass wet [now]? Has it been raining? You dont understand [now] because you havent been listening.
2. An action continuing up to now

We use the present perfect continuous tense to talk about an action that started in the past and is continuing now. This is often used with for or since.
I have been reading for 2 hours.

past present future
Action started in past.
Action is continuing now.
I have been reading for 2 hours. [I am still reading now.]
Weve been studying since 9 oclock. [Were still studying now.] How long have you been learning English? [You are still learning now.] We have not been smoking. [And we are not smoking now.]
For and Since with Present Perfect Continuous Tense

We often use for and since with the present perfect tense. We use for to talk about a period of time5 minutes, 2 weeks, 6 years. We use since to talk about a point in past time9 oclock, 1st January, Monday.
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for
a period of time
since
a point in past time
20 minutes three days 6 months 4 years 2 centuries a long time ever etc Here are some examples: I have been studying for 3 hours. I have been watching TV since 7pm. Tara hasnt been feeling well for 2 weeks. Tara hasnt been visiting us since March. He has been playing football for a long time. He has been living in Bangkok since he left school. 6.15pm Monday January 1994 1800 I left school the beginning of time etc
For can be used with all tenses. Since is usually used with perfect tenses only.
Simple Past Tense

I sang The simple past tense is sometimes called the preterite tense. We can use several tenses to talk about the past, but the simple past tense is the one we use most often. In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the simple past tense, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: Structure: how do we make the simple past tense? Use: how do we use the simple past tense? 05/02/2005
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How do we make the Simple Past Tense?

To make the simple past tense, we use: past form only or auxiliary did + base form
Here you can see examples of the past form and base form for irregular verbs and regular verbs: V1 base regular verb work explode like go see sing V2 past worked exploded liked went saw sang V3 past participle worked exploded liked gone seen sung You do not need the past participle form to make the simple past tense. It is shown here for completeness only. The structure for positive sentences in the simple past tense is: The past form for all regular verbs ends in -ed. The past form for irregular verbs is variable. You need to learn it by heart.
irregular verb
subject + main verb

past The structure for negative sentences in the simple past tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb + not + main verb

did base The structure for question sentences in the simple past tense is:
auxiliary verb + subject + main verb

did base The auxiliary verb did is not conjugated. It is the same for all persons (I did, you did, he did etc). And the base form and past form do not change. Look at these examples with the main verbs go and work: subject auxiliary verb main verb
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+ ?
I You She We Did Did did did you they not not
went worked go work go work
to school. very hard. with me. yesterday. to London? at home?
Exception! The verb to be is different. We conjugate the verb to be (I was, you were, he/she/it was, we were, they were); and we do not use an auxiliary for negative and question sentences. To make a question, we exchange the subject and verb. Look at these examples: subject main verb was here. in London. not not there. happy. right? late?
+ ?
I, he/she/it
You, we, they were I, he/she/it was
You, we, they were Was Were I, he/she/it you, we, they
How do we use the Simple Past Tense?

We use the simple past tense to talk about an action or a situationan eventin the past. The event can be short or long. Here are some short events with the simple past tense:
The car exploded at 9.30am yesterday. She went to the door. We did not hear the telephone. Did you see that car?
past present future
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The action is in the past. Here are some long events with the simple past tense:
I lived in Bangkok for 10 years. The Jurassic period lasted about 62 million years. We did not sing at the concert. Did you watch TV last night?
past present future
The action is in the past. Notice that it does not matter how long ago the event is: it can be a few minutes or seconds in the past, or millions of years in the past. Also it does not matter how long the event is. It can be a few milliseconds (car explosion) or millions of years (Jurassic period). We use the simple past tense when: the event is in the past the event is completely finished we say (or understand) the time and/or place of the event
In general, if we say the time or place of the event, we must use the simple past tense; we cannot use the present perfect.
Here are some more examples: I lived in that house when I was young. He didnt like the movie. What did you eat for dinner? John drove to London on Monday. Mary did not go to work yesterday. Did you play tennis last week? I was at work yesterday. We were not late (for the train). Were you angry?
Note that when we tell a story, we usually use the simple past tense. We may use the past continuous tense to set the scene, but we almost always use the simple past tense for the action. Look at this example of the beginning of a story: The wind was howling around the hotel and the rain was pouring down. It was cold. The door opened and James Bond entered. He took off his coat, which was very wet, and ordered a drink at the bar. He file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
English Grammar sat down in the corner of the lounge and quietly drank his...
This page shows the use of the simple past tense to talk about past events. But note that there are some other uses for the simple past tense, for example in conditional or if sentences.
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Past Continuous Tense

I was singing The past continuous tense is an important tense in English. We use it to say what we were in the middle of doing at a particular moment in the past. In this lesson we look at the structure and the use of the past continuouse tense, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: Structure: how do we make the past continuous tense? Use: how do we use the past continuous tense?
Continuous tenses are also called progressive tenses.
How do we make the Past Continuous Tense?

The structure of the past continuous tense is:
subject +
auxiliary verb BE
conjugated in simple past tense was were
+ main verb
present participle base + ing
For negative sentences in the past continuous tense, we insert not between the auxiliary verb and main verb. For question sentences, we exchange the subject and auxiliary verb. Look at these example sentences with the past continuous tense: main verb watching working TV. hard.
subject
auxiliary verb was were
+ +
I You
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? ?
He, she, it We Were Were
was were you they
not not
helping joking. being playing
Mary.
silly? football?
The spelling rules for adding ing to make the past continuous tense are the same as for the present continuous tense.
How do we use the Past Continuous Tense?

The past continuous tense expresses action at a particular moment in the past. The action started before that moment but has not finished at that moment. For example, yesterday I watched a film on TV. The film started at 7pm and finished at 9pm.
At 8pm yesterday, I was watching TV.

past 8pm At 8pm, I was in the middle of watching TV. When we use the past continuous tense, our listener usually knows or understands what time we are talking about. Look at these examples: I was working at 10pm last night. They were not playing football at 9am this morning. What were you doing at 10pm last night? What were you doing when he arrived? She was cooking when I telephoned her. We were having dinner when it started to rain. Ram went home early because it was snowing. present future
Some verbs cannot be used in continuous/progressive tenses.
We often use the past continuous tense to set the scene in stories. We use it to describe the background situation at the moment when the action begins. Often, the story starts with the past continuous tense and then moves into the simple past tense. Here is an example:
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James Bond was driving through town. It was raining. The wind was blowing hard. Nobody was walking in the streets. Suddenly, Bond saw the killer in a telephone box...
Past Continuous Tense + Simple Past Tense

We often use the past continuous tense with the simple past tense. We use the past continuous tense to express a long action. And we use the simple past tense to express a short action that happens in the middle of the long action. We can join the two ideas with when or while. In the following example, we have two actions: 1. long action (watching TV), expressed with past continuous tense 2. short action (telephoned), expressed with simple past tense past Long action. I was watching TV at 8pm. 8pm present future
You telephoned at 8pm. Short action. We can join these two actions with when: I was watching TV when you telephoned.
(Notice that when you telephoned is also a way of defining the time [8pm].) We use: when + short action (simple past tense) while + long action (past continuous tense)
There are four basic combinations: I was walking past the car When the car exploded The car exploded While I was walking past the car when it exploded. I was walking past it. while I was walking past it. it exploded.
Notice that the long action and short action are relative.
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English Grammar Watching TV took a few hours. Telephoned took a few seconds. Walking past the car took a few seconds. Exploded took a few milliseconds.
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Past Perfect Tense

I had sung The past perfect tense is quite an easy tense to understand and to use. This tense talks about the past in the past. In this lesson we look at: Structure: how do we make the past perfect tense? Use: how do we use the past perfect tense?
How do we make the Past Perfect Tense?

The structure of the past perfect tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb HAVE + main verb

conjugated in simple past tense had past participle V3
For negative sentences in the past perfect tense, we insert not between the auxiliary verb and main verb. For question sentences, we exchange the subject and auxiliary verb. Look at these example sentences with the past perfect tense: subject auxiliary verb had had had had you they not not main verb finished stopped gone left. arrived? eaten dinner? my work. before me. to school.
+ + ? ?
I You She We Had Had
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When speaking with the past perfect tense, we often contract the subject and auxiliary verb: I had you had he had she had it had we had they had Id youd hed shed itd wed theyd
The d contraction is also used for the auxiliary verb would. For example, wed can mean:
l
We had or
We would But usually the main verb is in a different form, for example:
l l
We had arrived (past participle)
l We would arrive (base) It is always clear from the context.
How do we use the Past Perfect Tense?

The past perfect tense expresses action in the past before another action in the past. This is the past in the past. For example: The train left at 9am. We arrived at 9.15am. When we arrived, the train had left.
The train had left when we arrived.

past Train leaves in past at 9am. 9 9.15 present future
We arrive in past at 9.15am.
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English Grammar Look at some more examples: I wasnt hungry. I had just eaten. They were hungry. They had not eaten for five hours. I didnt know who he was. I had never seen him before. Mary wasnt at home when I arrived. Really? Where had she gone?
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You can sometimes think of the past perfect tense like the present perfect tense, but instead of the time being now the time is past. past perfect tense had | done | >| present perfect tense have | done | >|
past
now
future
past
now
future
For example, imagine that you arrive at the station at 9.15am. The stationmaster says to you: You are too late. The train has left.
Later, you tell your friends: We were too late. The train had left.
We often use the past perfect tense in reported speech after verbs like said, told, asked, thought, wondered: Look at these examples: He told us that the train had left. I thought I had met her before, but I was wrong. He explained that he had closed the window because of the rain. I wondered if I had been there before. I asked them why they had not finished.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense

I had been singing
How do we make the Past Perfect Continuous Tense?

The structure of the past perfect continuous tense is:
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subject +
auxiliary verb HAVE

conjugated in simple past tense had
auxiliary verb BE
past participle been
+ main verb
For negative sentences in the past perfect continuous tense, we insert not after the first auxiliary verb. For question sentences, we exchange the subject and first auxiliary verb. Look at these example sentences with the past perfect continuous tense: subject auxiliary verb had had had had you they not not auxiliary verb been been been been been been main verb working. playing working expecting drinking? waiting long? tennis. well. her.
+ + ? ?
I You It We Had Had
When speaking with the past perfect continuous tense, we often contract the subject and first auxiliary verb: I had been you had been he had she had been it had been we had been they had been Id been youd been hed been shed been itd been wed been theyd been
How do we use the Past Perfect Continuous Tense?

The past perfect continuous tense is like the past perfect tense, but it expresses longer actions in the past before another action in the past. For example: file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
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Ram started waiting at 9am. I arrived at 11am. When I arrived, Ram had been waiting for two hours.
Ram had been waiting for two hours when I arrived.

past Ram starts waiting in past at 9am. 9 11 present future
I arrive in past at 11am. Here are some more examples: John was very tired. He had been running. I could smell cigarettes. Somebody had been smoking. Suddenly, my car broke down. I was not surprised. It had not been running well for a long time. Had the pilot been drinking before the crash?
You can sometimes think of the past perfect continuous tense like the present perfect continuous tense, but instead of the time being now the time is past. past perfect continuous tense had | | been | | doing | | >>>> | | present perfect continuous tense | have | | been | | doing | | >>>> |
past
now
future
past
now
future
For example, imagine that you meet Ram at 11am. Ram says to you: I am angry. I have been waiting for two hours.
Later, you tell your friends: Ram was angry. He had been waiting for two hours.
Simple Future Tense

I will sing
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The simple future tense is often called will, because we make the simple future tense with the modal auxiliary will.
How do we make the Simple Future Tense?

The structure of the simple future tense is:
subject + auxiliary verb WILL + main verb

invariable will base V1
For negative sentences in the simple future tense, we insert not between the auxiliary verb and main verb. For question sentences, we exchange the subject and auxiliary verb. Look at these example sentences with the simple future tense: subject auxiliary verb will will will will you they not not main verb open finish be leave arrive want the door. before me. at school tomorrow. yet. on time? dinner?
+ + ? ?
I You She We Will Will
When we use the simple future tense in speaking, we often contract the subject and auxiliary verb: I will you will he will she will it will we will they will Ill youll hell shell itll well theyll
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English Grammar For negative sentences in the simple future tense, we contract with wont, like this: I will not you will not he will not she will not it will not we will not they will not I wont you wont he wont she wont it wont we wont they wont
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How do we use the Simple Future Tense?

No Plan
We use the simple future tense when there is no plan or decision to do something before we speak. We make the decision spontaneously at the time of speaking. Look at these examples: Hold on. Ill get a pen. We will see what we can do to help you. Maybe well stay in and watch television tonight.
In these examples, we had no firm plan before speaking. The decision is made at the time of speaking. We often use the simple future tense with the verb to think before it: I think Ill go to the gym tomorrow. I think I will have a holiday next year. I dont think Ill buy that car.
Prediction
We often use the simple future tense to make a prediction about the future. Again, there is no firm plan. We are saying what we think will happen. Here are some examples: It will rain tomorrow. People wont go to Jupiter before the 22nd century. Who do you think will get the job?
Be
When the main verb is be, we can use the simple future tense even if we have a firm plan or decision before speaking. Examples: Ill be in London tomorrow.
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English Grammar Im going shopping. I wont be very long. Will you be at work tomorrow?
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Note that when we have a plan or intention to do something in the future, we usually use other tenses or expressions, such as the present continuous tense or going to.
Future Continuous Tense

I will be singing
How do we make the Future Continuous Tense?

The structure of the future continuous tense is:
subject +
auxiliary verb WILL

invariable will
auxiliary verb BE
invariable be
+ main verb
For negative sentences in the future continuous tense, we insert not between will and be. For question sentences, we exchange the subject and will. Look at these example sentences with the future continuous tense: subject auxiliary verb will will will will you they not not auxiliary verb be be be be be be main verb working lying using having playing watching at 10am. on a beach tomorrow. the car. dinner at home. football? TV?
+ + ? ?
When we use the future continuous tense in speaking, we often contract the subject and will: file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
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I will you will he will she will it will we will they will
Ill youll hell shell itll well theyll
For spoken negative sentences in the future continuous tense, we contract with wont, like this: I will not you will not he will not she will not it will not we will not they will not I wont you wont he wont she wont it wont we wont they wont
We sometimes use shall instead of will, especially for I and we.
How do we use the Future Continuous Tense?

The future continuous tense expresses action at a particular moment in the future. The action will start before that moment but it will not have finished at that moment. For example, tomorrow I will start work at 2pm and stop work at 6pm:
At 4pm tomorrow, I will be working.

past present future 4pm At 4pm, I will be in the middle of working. When we use the future continuous tense, our listener usually knows or understands what time we are talking about. Look at these examples:
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English Grammar I will be playing tennis at 10am tomorrow. They wont be watching TV at 9pm tonight. What will you be doing at 10pm tonight? What will you be doing when I arrive? She will not be sleeping when you telephone her. We ll be having dinner when the film starts. Take your umbrella. It will be raining when you return.
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Future Perfect Tense

I will have sung The future perfect tense is quite an easy tense to understand and use. The future perfect tense talks about the past in the future.
How do we make the Future Perfect Tense?

The structure of the future perfect tense is:
subject +
auxiliary verb WILL

invariable will
auxiliary verb HAVE

invariable have
main verb
past participle V3
Look at these example sentences in the future perfect tense: subject auxiliary verb will will will will not not auxiliary verb have have have have main verb finished forgotten gone left. by 10am. me by then. to school.
+ + -
I You She We
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? ?
Will Will
you they
have have
arrived? received it?
In speaking with the future perfect tense, we often contract the subject and will. Sometimes, we contract the subject, will and have all together: I will have you will have he will have she will have it will have we will have they will have Ill have youll have hell have shell have itll have well have theyll have Illve youllve hellve shellve itllve wellve theyllve
We sometimes use shall instead of will, especially for I and we.
How do we use the Future Perfect Tense?

The future perfect tense expresses action in the future before another action in the future. This is the past in the future. For example: The train will leave the station at 9am. You will arrive at the station at 9.15am. When you arrive, the train will have left.
The train will have left when you arrive.

past present future Train leaves in future at 9am. 9 9.15
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You arrive in future at 9.15am.
Look at some more examples: You can call me at work at 8am. I will have arrived at the office by 8. They will be tired when they arrive. They will not have slept for a long time. Mary wont be at home when you arrive. Really? Where will she have gone?
You can sometimes think of the future perfect tense like the present perfect tense, but instead of your viewpoint being in the present, it is in the future: present perfect tense | have | done | >| future perfect tense will | have | done | >|
past
now
future
past
now
future
Future Perfect Continuous Tense

I will have been singing
How do we make the Future Perfect Continuous Tense?

The structure of the future perfect continuous tense is:
auxiliary subject + + verb WILL

invariable will
auxiliary verb HAVE

invariable have
auxiliary verb BE
past participle been
main verb
For negative sentences in the future perfect continuous tense, we insert not between will and have. For
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question sentences, we exchange the subject and will. Look at these example sentences with the future perfect continuous tense: subject auxiliary verb will will will will you they not not auxiliary verb have have have have have have auxiliary verb been been been been been been main verb working travelling using waiting playing watching for four hours. for two days. the car. long. football? TV?
+ + ? ?
When we use the future perfect continuous tense in speaking, we often contract the subject and auxiliary verb: I will you will he will she will it will we will they will Ill youll hell shell itll well theyll
For negative sentences in the future perfect continuous tense, we contract with wont, like this: I will not you will not he will not she will not it will not we will not they will not I wont you wont he wont she wont it wont we wont they wont
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How do we use the Future Perfect Continuous Tense?

We use the future perfect continuous tense to talk about a long action before some point in the future. Look at these examples: I will have been working here for ten years next week. He will be tired when he arrives. He will have been travelling for 24 hours.
Phrasal Verbs and other multi-word verbs

Phrasal verbs are part of a large group of verbs called multi-word verbs. Phrasal verbs and other multiword verbs are an important part of the English language. Multi-word verbs, including phrasal verbs, are very common, especially in spoken English. A multi-word verb is a verb like pick up, turn on or get on with. For convenience, many people refer to all multi-word verbs as phrasal verbs. These verbs consist of a basic verb + another word or words. The other word(s) can be prepositions and/or adverbs. The two or three words that make up multi-word verbs form a short phrasewhich is why these verbs are often all called phrasal verbs. The important thing to remember is that a multi-word verb is still a verb. Get is a verb. Get up, is also a verb, a different verb. Get and get up are two different verbs. They do not have the same meaning. So you should treat each multi-word verb as a separate verb, and learn it like any other verb. Look at these examples. You can see that there are three types of multi-word verb: single-word verb multiword verbs prepositional verbs phrasal verbs look look after look up direct your eyes in a certain direction take care of search for and find information in a reference book anticipate with pleasure You must look before you leap. Who is looking after the baby? You can look up my number in the telephone directory. I look forward to meeting you.
phrasalprepositional verbs
look forward to
In this lesson we look at the three types of multi-word verbs, including phrasal verbs, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: Phrasal Verbs Prepositional Verbs Phrasal-prepositional Verbs
Like many grammar books, we divide multi-word verbs into:
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l l l
prepositional verbs phrasal verbs
phrasal-prepositional verbs Other grammars, however, call all multi-word verbs phrasal verbs.
Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are a group of multi-word verbs made from a verb plus another word or words. Many people refer to all multi-word verbs as phrasal verbs. On these pages we make a distinction between three types of multi-word verbs: prepositional verbs, phrasal verbs and phrasal-prepositional verbs. On this page we look at phrasal verbs proper. Phrasal verbs are made of:
verb + adverb
Phrasal verbs can be: intransitive (no direct object) transitive (direct object)
Here are some examples of phrasal verbs: examples phrasal verbs intransitive get up phrasal break down verbs transitive phrasal verbs put off turn down meaning direct object I dont like to get up. He was late because his car broke down. We will have to put off They turned down the meeting. my offer.
rise from bed cease to function postpone refuse
Separable Phrasal Verbs

When phrasal verbs are transitive (that is, they have a direct object), we can usually separate the two parts. For example, turn down is a separable phrasal verb. We can say: turn down my offer or turn my offer down. Look at this table:
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transitive phrasal verbs are
(RIGHT) They (RIGHT) They
turned turned my offer
down down.
my offer.
separable
However, if the direct object is a pronoun, we have no choice. We must separate the phrasal verb and insert the pronoun between the two parts. Look at this example with the separable phrasal verb switch on: direct object pronouns must go between the two parts of transitive phrasal verbs (RIGHT) (RIGHT) (RIGHT) (WRONG) John John John John switched switched switched switched the radio it on on. on. on it. This is not possible. the radio. These are all possible.
Separable or inseparable phrasal verbs? Some dictionaries tell you when phrasal verbs are separable. If a dictionary writes look (something) up, you know that the phrasal verb look up is separable, and you can say look something up and look up something. Its a good idea to write something/somebody as appropriate in your vocabulary book when you learn a new phrasal verb, like this:
l l l l
get up break down put something/somebody off
turn sthg/sby down This tells you whether the verb needs a direct object (and where to put it).
Prepositional Verbs
Prepositional verbs are a group of multi-word verbs made from a verb plus another word or words. Many people refer to all multi-word verbs as phrasal verbs. On these pages we make a distinction between three types of multi-word verbs: prepositional verbs, phrasal verbs and phrasal-prepositional verbs. On this page we look at prepositional verbs. Prepositional verbs are made of:
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verb + preposition
Because a preposition always has an object, all prepositional verbs have direct objects. Here are some examples of prepositional verbs: examples prepositional verbs believe in look after talk about wait for meaning direct object have faith in the existence of take care of discuss await I believe in He is looking after God. the dog.
Did you talk about me? John is waiting for Mary.
Prepositional verbs cannot be separated. That means that we cannot put the direct object between the two parts. For example, we must say look after the baby. We cannot say look the baby after: prepositional verbs are Who is looking after the baby? Who is looking the baby after?
inseparable
(RIGHT) (WRONG)
This is possible. This is not possible.
It is a good idea to write something/somebody in your vocabulary book when you learn a new prepositional verb, like this:
l l
believe in something/somebody
look after sthg/sby This reminds you that this verb needs a direct object (and where to put it).
Phrasal-prepositional Verbs
Phrasal-prepositional verbs are a small group of multi-word verbs made from a verb plus another word or words. Many people refer to all multi-word verbs as phrasal verbs. On these pages we make a distinction between three types of multi-word verbs: prepositional verbs, phrasal verbs and phrasalprepositional verbs. On this page we look at phrasal-prepositional verbs. Phrasal-prepositional verbs are made of:
verb + adverb + preposition

English Grammar Look at these examples of phrasal-prepositional verbs: examples phrasal-prepositional verbs meaning
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direct object He doesnt get on with I wont put up with I look forward to We have run out of his wife. your attitude. seeing you. eggs.
get on with put up with look forward to run out of
have a friendly relationship with tolerate anticipate with pleasure use up, exhaust
Because phrasal-prepositional verbs end with a preposition, there is always a direct object. And, like prepositional verbs, phrasal-prepositional verbs cannot be separated. Look at these examples: phrasal-prepositional verbs are (RIGHT) We (RIGHT) We ran out of ran out of fuel. it.
inseparable
It is a good idea to write something/somebody in your vocabulary book when you learn a new phrasalprepositional verb, like this:
l l l
get on with somebody put up with sthg/sby
run out of something This reminds you that this verb needs a direct object (and where to put it).
English Conditionals
There are several structures in English that are called conditionals. Condition means situation or circumstance. If a particular condition is true, then a particular result happens.
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English Grammar If y = 10 then 2y = 20 If y = 3 then 2y = 6
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There are three basic conditionals that we use very often. There are some more conditionals that we do not use so often. In this lesson, we will look at the three basic conditionals as well as the so-called zero conditional. Well finish with a quiz to check your understanding. Structure of Conditional Sentences First Conditional Second Conditional Third Conditional Zero Conditional Summary
People sometimes call conditionals IF structures or sentences, because there is usually (but not always) the word if in a conditional sentence.
Structure of Conditional Sentences

The structure of most conditionals is very simple. There are two basic possibilities. Of course, we add many words and can use various tenses, but the basic structure is usually like this: IF condition result
IF y = 10 2y = 20
or like this: result IF condition
2y = 20 IF y = 10
First Conditional: real possibility
We are talking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition or situation in the future, and the result of this condition. There is a real possibility that this condition will happen. For example, it is morning. You are at home. You plan to play tennis this afternoon. But there are some clouds in the sky. Imagine that it rains. What will you do?
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IF
condition present simple
result WILL + base verb I will stay at home.
If
it rains
Notice that we are thinking about a future condition. It is not raining yet. But the sky is cloudy and you think that it could rain. We use the present simple tense to talk about the possible future condition. We use WILL + base verb to talk about the possible future result. The important thing about the first conditional is that there is a real possibility that the condition will happen. Here are some more examples (do you remember the two basic structures: [IF condition result] and [result IF condition]?): IF condition present simple If If If If If I see Mary Tara is free tomorrow they do not pass their exam it rains tomorrow it rains tomorrow IF result WILL + base verb I will tell her. he will invite her. their teacher will be sad. will you stay at home? what will you do? condition present simple if if if if if I see her. she is free tomorrow. they do not pass their exam. it rains tomorrow? it rains tomorrow?
result WILL + base verb I will tell Mary He will invite Tara Their teacher will be sad Will you stay at home What will you do
Sometimes, we use shall, can, or may instead of will, for example: If you are good today, you can watch TV tonight.
Second Conditional: unreal possibility or dream

The second conditional is like the first conditional. We are still thinking about the future. We are
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thinking about a particular condition in the future, and the result of this condition. But there is not a real possibility that this condition will happen. For example, you do not have a lottery ticket. Is it possible to win? No! No lottery ticket, no win! But maybe you will buy a lottery ticket in the future. So you can think about winning in the future, like a dream. Its not very real, but its still possible. IF condition past simple If I won the lottery result WOULD + base verb I would buy a car.
Notice that we are thinking about a future condition. We use the past simple tense to talk about the future condition. We use WOULD + base verb to talk about the future result. The important thing about the second conditional is that there is an unreal possibility that the condition will happen. Here are some more examples: IF condition past simple If If If If I married Mary Ram became rich it snowed next July it snowed next July result WOULD + base verb I would be happy. she would marry him. would you be surprised? what would you do? IF condition past simple if if if if I married Mary. he became rich. it snowed next July? it snowed next July?
result WOULD + base verb I would be happy She would marry Ram Would you be surprised What would you do
Sometimes, we use should, could or might instead of would, for example: If I won a million dollars, I could stop working.
Third Conditional:
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no possibility
The first conditional and second conditionals talk about the future. With the third conditional we talk about the past. We talk about a condition in the past that did not happen. That is why there is no possibility for this condition. The third conditional is also like a dream, but with no possibility of the dream coming true. Last week you bought a lottery ticket. But you did not win. :-( condition Past Perfect If result WOULD HAVE + Past Participle
I had won the lottery I would have bought a car.
Notice that we are thinking about an impossible past condition. You did not win the lottery. So the condition was not true, and that particular condition can never be true because it is finished. We use the past perfect tense to talk about the impossible past condition. We use WOULD HAVE + past participle to talk about the impossible past result. The important thing about the third conditional is that both the condition and result are impossible now.
Sometimes, we use should have, could have, might have instead of would have, for example: If you had bought a lottery ticket, you might have won.
Look at some more examples in the tables opposite: IF condition past perfect If If If If If I had seen Mary Tara had been free yesterday they had not passed their exam it had rained yesterday it had rained yesterday result WOULD HAVE + past participle I would have told her. I would have invited her. their teacher would have been sad. would you have stayed at home? what would you have done? IF condition past perfect if I had seen her.
result WOULD HAVE + past participle I would have told Mary
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I would have invited Tara Their teacher would have been sad Would you have stayed at home What would you have done
if if if if
she had been free yesterday. they had not passed their exam. it had rained yesterday? it had rained yesterday?
Zero Conditional: certainty

We use the so-called zero conditional when the result of the condition is always true, like a scientific fact. Take some ice. Put it in a saucepan. Heat the saucepan. What happens? The ice melts (it becomes water). You would be surprised if it did not. IF condition present simple If you heat ice result present simple it melts.
Notice that we are thinking about a result that is always true for this condition. The result of the condition is an absolute certainty. We are not thinking about the future or the past, or even the present. We are thinking about a simple fact. We use the present simple tense to talk about the condition. We also use the present simple tense to talk about the result. The important thing about the zero conditional is that the condition always has the same result.
We can also use when instead of if, for example: When I get up late I miss my bus.
Look at some more examples in the tables opposite: IF condition present simple If If If If result present simple
I miss the 8 oclock bus I am late for work. I am late for work people dont eat you heat ice my boss gets angry. they get hungry. does it melt?
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result present simple I am late for work My boss gets angry People get hungry Does ice melt
IF
condition present simple
if if if if
I miss the 8 oclock bus. I am late for work. they dont eat. you heat it?
Conditionals: Summary
Here is a chart to help you to visualize the basic English conditionals. Do not take the 50% and 10% figures too literally. They are just to help you. probability 100% 50% 10% 0% conditional zero conditional first conditional second conditional third conditional example If you heat ice, it melts. If it rains, I will stay at home. If I won the lottery, I would buy a car. If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a car. time any time future future past
Modal Verbs (modal auxiliaries)

Modal auxiliary verbs may sound difficult but in fact theyre easy. They are invariable (no conjugation). And the main verb is always the bare infinitive (the infinitive without to).
Can, Could, Be able to Have to, Must, Must not/Mustnt Shall versus Will
Can, Could, Be able to

Can and could are modal auxiliary verbs. Be able to is NOT an auxiliary verb (it uses the verb be as a file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
English Grammar main verb). We include be able to here for convenience.
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In this lesson we look at these three verbs, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: Can Could Be able to
Can
Can is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use can to: talk about possibility and ability make requests ask for or give permission
Structure of Can
subject + can + main verb

The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without to). subject auxiliary verb can cannot main verb play play cant you play tennis. tennis. tennis?
+ I - He ? Can
Notice that:
Can is invariable. There is only one form of can. The main verb is always the bare infinitive.
The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without to). We cannot say:
Use of Can
can: Possibility and Ability
We use can to talk about what is possible, what we are able or free to do: She can drive a car. 05/02/2005
English Grammar John can speak Spanish. I cannot hear you. (I cant hear you.) Can you hear me?
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Normally, we use can for the present. But it is possible to use can when we make present decisions about future ability. A. Can you help me with my homework? (present) B. Sorry. Im busy today. But I can help you tomorrow. (future)
can: Requests and Orders

We often use can in a question to ask somebody to do something. This is not a real question - we do not really want to know if the person is able to do something, we want them to do it! The use of can in this way is informal (mainly between friends and family): Can you make a cup of coffee, please. Can you put the TV on. Can you come here a minute. Can you be quiet!
can: Permission
We sometimes use can to ask or give permission for something: A. Can I smoke in this room? B. You cant smoke here, but you can smoke in the garden. (Note that we also use could, may, might for permission. The use of can for permission is informal.)
Could
Could is an auxiliary verb, a modal auxiliary verb. We use could to: talk about past possibility or ability make requests
Structure of Could
subject + could + main verb

The main verb is always the bare infinitive (infinitive without to). subject auxiliary verb main verb swim.
+ My grandmother could
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could not
- She
couldnt
walk. your grandmother swim?
? Could
Notice that:
Could is invariable. There is only one form of could. The main verb is always the bare infinitive.
Use of Could
could: Past Possibility or Ability
We use could to talk about what was possible in the past, what we were able or free to do: I could swim when I was 5 years old. My grandmother could speak seven languages. When we arrived home, we could not open the door. (...couldnt open the door.) Could you understand what he was saying?
We use could (positive) and couldnt (negative) for general ability in the past. But when we talk about one special occasion in the past, we use be able to (positive) and couldnt (negative). Look at these examples: Past General Specific Occasion A man fell into the river yesterday. The police were able to save him. A man fell into the river yesterday. The police couldnt save him.
+ -
My grandmother could speak Spanish. My grandmother couldnt speak Spanish.
could: Requests
We often use could in a question to ask somebody to do something. The use of could in this way is fairly polite (formal): Could you tell me where the bank is, please? Could you send me a catalogue, please?
Be able to
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Although we look at be able to here, it is not a modal verb. It is simply the verb be plus an adjective (able) followed by the infinitive. We look at be able to here because we sometimes use it instead of can and could. We use be able to: to talk about ability
Structure of Be able to
The structure of be able to is:
subject + be + able + infinitive be

subject
able
infinitive to drive. to drive. to drive? able able
main verb adjective am is not
+ I She
isnt
? Are
you
able
Notice that be able to is possible in all tenses, for example: I was able to drive... I will be able to drive... I have been able to drive...
Notice too that be able to has an infinitive form: I would like to be able to speak Chinese.
Use of Be able to
be able to: ability
We use be able to to express ability. Able is an adjective meaning: having the power, skill or means to do something. If we say I am able to swim, it is like saying I can swim. We sometimes use be able to instead of can or could for ability. Be able to is possible in all tensesbut can is possible only in the present and could is possible only in the past for ability. In addition, can and could have no infinitive form. So we use be able to when we want to use other tenses or the infinitive. Look at these examples: I have been able to swim since I was five. (present perfect) You will be able to speak perfect English very soon. (future simple) 05/02/2005
English Grammar I would like to be able to fly an airplane. (infinitive)
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Be able to is not a modal auxiliary verb. We include it here for convenience, because it is often used like can and could, which are modal auxiliary verbs.
Gerunds (-ing)
Gerunds are sometimes called verbal nouns.
When a verb ends in -ing, it may be a gerund or a present participle. It is important to understand that they are not the same. When we use a verb in -ing form more like a noun, it is usually a gerund: Fishing is fun.
When we use a verb in -ing form more like a verb or an adjective, it is usually a present participle: Anthony is fishing. I have a boring teacher.
In this lesson, we look at the different ways in which we use gerunds, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement Gerunds after Prepositions Gerunds after Certain Verbs Gerunds in Passive Sense
Many grammarians do not like to use the expression gerund. That is because there is sometimes no clear difference between a gerund and a present participle.
Gerunds as Subject, Object or Complement

Try to think of gerunds as verbs in noun form. Like nouns, gerunds can be the subject, object or complement of a sentence: Smoking costs a lot of money. I dont like writing. My favourite occupation is reading.
But, like a verb, a gerund can also have an object itself. In this case, the whole expression [gerund +
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English Grammar object] can be the subject, object or complement of the sentence. Smoking cigarettes costs a lot of money. I dont like writing letters. My favourite occupation is reading detective stories.
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Like nouns, we can use gerunds with adjectives (including articles and other determiners): pointless questioning a settling of debts the making of Titanic his drinking of alcohol
But when we use a gerund with an article, it does not usually take a direct object: a settling of debts (not a settling debts) Making Titanic was expensive. The making of Titanic was expensive.
Do you see the difference in these two sentences? In one, reading is a gerund (noun). In the other reading is a present participle (verb).
l
My favourite occupation is reading.
l My favourite niece is reading. Answer
reading as gerund (noun) My favourite occupation My favourite occupation reading as present participle (verb) My favourite niece My favourite niece
Main Verb is is Auxiliary Verb is has
Complement reading. football. Main Verb reading. finished.
Gerunds after Prepositions

This is a good rule. It has no exceptions! If we want to use a verb after a preposition, it must be a gerund. It is impossible to use an infinitive after a preposition. So for example, we say: I will call you after arriving at the office.
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English Grammar Please have a drink before leaving. I am looking forward to meeting you. Do you object to working late? Tara always dreams about going on holiday.
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Notice that you could replace all the above gerunds with real nouns: I will call you after my arrival at the office. Please have a drink before your departure. I am looking forward to our lunch. Do you object to this job? Tara always dreams about holidays.
The above rule has no exceptions! So why is to followed by driving in 1 and by drive in 2?
1. I am used to driving on the left. 2. I used to drive on the left.

Answer
to as preposition I am used I am used to as infinitive I used I used
Preposition to to Infinitive to drive to smoke. on the left driving on the left. animals.
Gerunds after Certain Verbs

We sometimes use one verb after another verb. Often the second verb is in the infinitive form, for example: I want to eat.
But sometimes the second verb must be in gerund form, for example: I dislike eating.
This depends on the first verb. Here is a list of verbs that are usually followed by a verb in gerund form: admit, appreciate, avoid, carry on, consider, defer, delay, deny, detest, dislike, endure, enjoy, escape, excuse, face, feel like, finish, forgive, give up, cant help, imagine, involve, leave off, mention, mind, miss, postpone, practise, put off, report, resent, risk, cant stand, suggest, understand
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English Grammar Look at these examples: She is considering having a holiday. Do you feel like going out? I cant help falling in love with you. I cant stand not seeing you.
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Some verbs can be followed by the gerund form or the infinitive form without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start
l l l l
I like to play tennis. I like playing tennis. It started to rain. It started raining.
Gerunds in Passive Sense

We often use a gerund after the verbs need, require and want. In this case, the gerund has a passive sense. I have three shirts that need washing. (need to be washed) This letter requires signing. (needs to be signed) The house wants repainting. (needs to be repainted)
The expression something wants doing is British English.
Questions
What is a question? A statement is a sentence that gives information. A question is a sentence that asks for information. Statement: Question: I like EnglishClub.com. Do you like EnglishClub.com?
A written question in English always ends with a question mark:
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?
In this lesson we look at basic questions in English, followed by a quiz to check your understanding:
Basic Question Structure Basic Question Types
Basic Question Structure

The basic structure of a question in English is very simple:
auxiliary verb + subject + main verb

auxiliary verb Do Are Will Have subject you they Anthony you main verb like playing go seen Mary? football? to Tokyo? ET?
Exception! For the verb be in simple present and simple past, we do not use an auxiliary verb. We simply reverse the positions of be and subject: Statement: Question: He Is is German.
he German?
Basic Question Types

There are 3 basic types of question: 1. Yes/No Questions (the answer to the question is Yes or No) 2. Question Word Questions (the answer to the question is Information) 3. Choice Questions (the answer to the question is in the question)
1. Yes/No Questions
auxiliary verb Do Can subject you you main verb want drive? dinner? Answer Yes or No Yes, I do. No, I cant.
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Has Did
she they
finished go
her work? home?
Yes, she has. No, they didnt.
Exception! verb be simple present and simple past Is Was Anne Ram French? at home? Yes, she is. No, he wasnt.
2. Question Word Questions

question word Where When Who Why auxiliary verb do will did hasnt subject you we she Tara main verb live? have meet? done it? Answer Information In Paris. lunch? At 1pm. She met Ram. Because she cant.
Exception! verb be simple present and simple past Where How is was Bombay? she? In India. Very well.
3. Choice Questions
auxiliary verb subject main verb OR Answer In the question coffee? James? New York? Coffee, please. John. She went to London.
Do Will Did
you we she
want meet go
tea John to London
or or or
Exception! verb be simple present and simple past Is Were your car they white $15 or or black? $50? Its black. $15.
These pages show the three basic types of question. There are other
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types of question, for example tag questions.
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Tag Questions
A tag question is a special construction in English. It is a statement followed by a mini-question. The whole sentence is a tag question, and the mini-question at the end is called a question tag.
A tag is something small that we add to something larger. For example, the little piece of cloth added to a shirt showing size or washing instructions is a tag.
We use tag questions at the end of statements to ask for confirmation. They mean something like: Am I right? or Do you agree? They are very common in English. The basic structure is:
+ Positive statement,
negative tag?
+ Negative statement, positive tag?

Look at these examples with positive statements: positive statement [+] main auxiliary verb are have do coming, finished, like like will can must help, come, go, coffee, coffee, negative tag [-] personal pronoun
(same as subject) notes:
subject
auxiliary
not
You We You You They I We
are have do do wo can must
nt nt nt nt nt t nt
you? we? you? you? they? I? we?

You (do) like... wont = will not
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He You John
should
try are was
harder, English, there,
should are was
nt nt nt
he? you? he?

no auxiliary for main verb be present & past
Look at these examples with negative statements: negative statement [-] subject It We You They They I We He You John Some special cases: I am right, arent I? You have to go, dont you? I have been answering, havent I? Nothing came in the post, did it? Lets go, shall we? Hed better do it, hadnt he? Here are some mixed examples:
arent I (not amnt I) you (do) have to go... use first auxiliary treat statements with nothing, nobody etc like negative statements lets = let us he had better (no auxiliary)
positive tag [+] main verb personal auxiliary pronoun

(same as subject)
auxiliary is have do will wo can must should nt
raining, that, coffee,
is have do will us, it right, her, so fast, nt not English, there, will can must should are was
it? we? you? they? they? I? we? he? you? he?
never seen nt not nt like help, report
never do nt nt tell drive are was
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English Grammar But you dont really love her, do you? This will work, wont it? Well, I couldnt help it, could I? But youll tell me if she calls, wont you? Wed never have known, would we? The weathers bad, isnt it? You wont be late, will you? Nobody knows, do they?
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Notice that we often use tag questions to ask for information or help, starting with a negative statement. This is quite a friendly/polite way of making a request. For example, instead of saying Where is the police station? (not very polite), or Do you know where the police station is? (slightly more polite), we could say: You wouldnt know where the police station is, would you? Here are some more examples: You dont know of any good jobs, do you? You couldnt help me with my homework, could you? You havent got $10 to lend me, have you?
Intonation
We can change the meaning of a tag question with the musical pitch of our voice. With rising intonation, it sounds like a real question. But if our intonation falls, it sounds more like a statement that doesnt require a real answer: intonation You dont know where my wallet is, do you? Its a beatiful view, isnt it? / rising \ falling
real question not a real question
Answers to tag questions

A question tag is the mini-question at the end. A tag question is the whole sentence.
How do we answer a tag question? Often, we just say Yes or No. Sometimes we may repeat the tag and reverse it (..., do they? Yes, they do). Be very careful about answering tag questions. In some languages, an oposite system of answering is used, and non-native English speakers sometimes answer in the wrong way. This can lead to a lot of confusion!
Answer a tag question according to the truth of the situation. Your answer reflects the real facts, not (necessarily) the question.
For example, everyone knows that snow is white. Look at these questions, and the correct answers:
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tag question
correct answer
the answer is the same in both cases - because snow IS WHITE! the answer is the same in both cases - because snow IS NOT BLACK!
Snow is white, isnt it? Yes (it is). Snow isnt white, is it? Yes it is! Snow is black, isnt it? Snow isnt black, is it? No it isnt! No (it isnt).
but notice the change of stress when the answerer does not agree with the questioner
In some languages, people answer a question like Snow isnt black, is it? with Yes (meaning Yes, I agree with you). This is the wrong answer in English! Here are some more examples, with correct answers: The moon goes round the earth, doesnt it? Yes, it does. The earth is bigger than the moon, isnt it? Yes. The earth is bigger than the sun, isnt it? No, it isnt! Asian people dont like rice, do they? Yes, they do! Elephants live in Europe, dont they? No, they dont! Men dont have babies, do they? No. The English alphabet doesnt have 40 letters, does it? No, it doesnt.
Question tags with imperatives

Sometimes we use question tags with imperatives (invitations, orders), but the sentence remains an imperative and does not require a direct answer. We use wont for invitations. We use can, cant, will, would for orders. imperative + question tag invitation Take a seat, wont you? Help me, can you? Help me, cant you? order Close the door, would you? Do it now, will you? Dont forget, will you? notes: polite quite friendly quite friendly (some irritation?) quite polite less polite with negative imperatives only will is possible
Same-way question tags

Although the basic structure of tag questions is positive-negative or negative-positive, it is sometime possible to use a positive-positive or negative-negative structure. We use same-way question tags to express interest, surprise, anger etc, and not to make real questions. file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
English Grammar So youre having a baby, are you? Thats wonderful! She wants to marry him, does she? Some chance! So you think thats amusing, do you? Think again.
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Negative-negative tag questions usually sound rather hostile: So you dont like my looks, dont you?
Subjunctive
The subjunctive is a special, relatively rare verb form in English.
Structure of the Subjunctive

The structure of the subjunctive is extremely simple. For all verbs except the past tense of be, the subjunctive is the same as the bare infinitive (infinitive without to): be (past) I were you were he, she, it were we were you were they were be (present) I be you be he, she, it be we be you be they be all other verbs (past & present) I work you work he, she, it work we work you work they work
The subjunctive does not change according to person (I, you, he etc).
Use of the Subjunctive

We use subjunctives mainly when talking about events that are not certain to happen. For example, we use the subjunctive when talking about events that somebody: wants to happen hopes will happen imagines happening
Look at these examples: The President requests that you be present at the meeting. It is vital that you be present at the meeting. If you were at the meeting, the President would be happy.
The subjunctive is typically used after two structures: file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
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the verbs: ask, command, demand, insist, propose, recommend, request, suggest + that the expressions: it is desirable, essential, important, necessary, vital + that
Here are some examples with the subjunctive: The manager insists that the car park be locked at night. The board of directors recommended that he join the company. It is essential that we vote as soon as possible. It was necessary that every student submit his essay by the weekend.
Notice that in these structures the subjunctive is always the same. It does not matter whether the sentence is past or present. Look at these examples: Present: The President requests that they stop the occupation. Past: The President requested that they stop the occupation. Present: It essential that she be present. Past: It was essential that she be present.
The use of the subjunctive as above is more common in USA English than in English, where should + infinitive is often used:
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The manager insists that the car park should be locked at night. It was essential that we should vote as soon as possible.
We usually use the subjunctive were instead of was after if (and other words with similar meaning). Look at these sentences: If I were you, I would ask her. Suppose she were here. What would you say?
Why do we say I were, he were?

We sometimes hear things like if I were you, I would go or if he were here, he would tell you. Normally, the past tense of the verb to be is: I was, he was. But the if I were you structure does not use the past simple tense of the verb to be. It uses the past subjunctive of the verb to be. In the following examples, you can see that we often use the subjunctive form were instead of was after: if as if wish suppose Informal (The was form is possible in informal, familiar
Formal (The were form is correct at all times.)
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conversation.) If I were younger, I would go. If he werent so mean, he would buy one for me. I wish I werent so slow! I wish it were longer. Its not as if I were ugly. She acts as if she were Queen. If I were you, I should tell her. If I was younger, I would go. If he wasnt so mean, he would buy one for me. I wish I wasnt so slow! I wish it was longer. Its not as if I was ugly. She acts as if she was Queen. Note: We do not normally say if I was you, even in familiar conversation.
Some fixed expressions use the subjunctive. Here are some examples: Long live the King! God bless America! Heaven forbid! Be that as it may, he still wants to see her. Come what may, I will never forget you. We are all citizens of the world, as it were.
Active Voice, Passive Voice

There are two special forms for verbs called voice: 1. Active voice 2. Passive voice The active voice is the normal voice. This is the voice that we use most of the time. You are probably already familiar with the active voice. In the active voice, the object receives the action of the verb: subject active Cats eat verb object
>
fish.
The passive voice is less usual. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action of the verb:
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subject passive Fish
verb
object
<
are eaten by cats.
The object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb: subject active passive Everybody Water verb drinks object water.
is drunk by everybody.
Passive Voice
The passive voice is less usual than the active voice. The active voice is the normal voice. But sometimes we need the passive voice. In this lesson we look at how to construct the passive voice, when to use it and how to conjugate it.
Construction of the Passive Voice

The structure of the passive voice is very simple:
subject + auxiliary verb (be) + main verb (past participle)

The main verb is always in its past participle form. Look at these examples: subject Water 100 people I We Are auxiliary verb (to be) is are am are they main verb (past participle) drunk employed paid not paid paid by everyone. by this company. in euro. in dollars. in yen?
Use of the Passive Voice

We use the passive when: we want to make the active object more important 05/02/2005
English Grammar we do not know the active subject subject give importance to active object (President Kennedy) active subject unknown President Kennedy My wallet verb was killed has been stolen. object
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by Lee Harvey Oswald.
Note that we always use by to introduce the passive object (Fish are eaten by cats).
Look at this sentence: He was killed with a gun. Normally we use by to introduce the passive object. But the gun is not the active subject. The gun did not kill him. He was killed by somebody with a gun. In the active voice, it would be: Somebody killed him with a gun. The gun is the instrument. Somebody is the agent or doer.
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Conjugation for the Passive Voice

We can form the passive in any tense. In fact, conjugation of verbs in the passive tense is rather easy, as the main verb is always in past participle form and the auxiliary verb is always be. To form the required tense, we conjugate the auxiliary verb. So, for example: present simple: It is made present continuous: It is being made present perfect: It has been made
Here are some examples with most of the possible tenses: infinitive present past simple future It will be washed. conditional It would be washed. present continuous past future It is being washed. It was being washed. It will be being washed. to be washed It is washed. It was washed.
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conditional It would be being washed. present past perfect simple future It will have been washed. conditional It would have been washed. present past perfect continuous future It will have been being washed. conditional It would have been being washed. It has been being washed. It had been being washed. It has been washed. It had been washed.
Infinitive or -ing?
Sometimes we need to decide whether to use a verb in its:
-ing form (doing, singing) or infinitive form (to do, to sing).
For example, only one of the following sentences is correct. Which one? I dislike working late. (???) I dislike to work late. (???)
When to use the infinitive

The infinitive form is used after certain verbs: - forget, help, learn, teach, train - choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like - agree, encourage, pretend, promise, recommend - allow, can/cant afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse I forgot to close the window. Mary needs to leave early. Why are they encouraged to learn English? We cant afford to take a long holiday.
The infinitive form is always used after adjectives, for example: - disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised I was happy to help them.
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English Grammar She will be delighted to see you.
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This includes too + adjective: The water was too cold to swim in. Is your coffee too hot to drink?
The infinitive form is used after adjective + enough: He was strong enough to lift it. She is rich enough to buy two.
When to use -ing

The -ing form is used when the word is the subject of a sentence or clause: Swimming is good exercise. Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.
The -ing form is used after a preposition: I look forward to meeting you. They left without saying Goodbye.
The -ing form is used after certain verbs: - avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, mind/not mind, practise I dislike getting up early. Would you mind opening the window?
Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive without a big change in meaning: begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start .
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It started to rain. It started raining. I like to play tennis. I like playing tennis.
Plural Verbs with Singular Subjects

We often use singular nouns that refer to groups of people (for example: team, government, committee) as if they were plural. This is particularly true in English and less true in USA English. This is because we often think of the group as people, doing things that people do (eating, wanting, feeling etc). In such cases, we use: file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
English Grammar plural verb they (not it) who (not which)
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Here are some examples: The committee want sandwiches for lunch. They have to leave early. My family, who dont see me often, have asked me home for Christmas. The team hope to win next time.
Here are some examples of words and expressions that can be considered singular or plural: choir, class, club, committee, company, family, government, jury, school, staff, team, union, the BBC, board of directors, the Conservative Party, Manchester United, the Ministry of Health
But when we consider the group as an impersonal unit, we use singular verbs and pronouns: The new company is the result of a merger. An average family consists of four people. The committee, which was formed in 1999, is made up of four men and four women.
Notice that this is often a question of style and logic. The important thing is to be consistent.
Using a plural verb with singular subject is less common in USA English.
Verb Meanings with Continuous Tenses

There are some verbs that we do not normally use in the continuous tense. And there are other verbs that we use in the simple tense with one meaning and in the continuous tense with another meaning. In this lesson we look at various uses of continuous tenses, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: Verbs not Used with Continuous Tenses Verbs with Two Meanings Be and Continuous Tenses
Verbs not Used with Continuous Tenses

There are some verbs that we do not normally use with continuous tenses. We usually use the following verbs with simple tenses only (not continuous tenses): hate, like, love, need, prefer, want, wish believe, imagine, know, mean, realize, recognize, remember, suppose, understand belong, concern, consist, contain, depend, involve, matter, need, owe, own, possess appear, resemble, seem, 05/02/2005
English Grammar hear, see
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Here are some examples: I want a coffee. I dont believe you are right. Does this pen belong to you? It seemed wrong. I dont hear anything. not I am wanting a coffee. not I am not believing you are right. not Is this pen belonging to you? not It was seeming wrong. not I am not hearing anything.
Notice that we often use can + see/hear: I can see someone in the distance. (not I am seeing someone in the distance.) I cant hear you very well. (not I am not hearing you very well.)
With verbs that we dont use in the continuous tense, there is no real action or activity. Compare to hear and to listen. To hear means to receive sound in your ears. There is no real action or activity by you. We use to hear with simple tenses only. But to listen means to try to hear. You make an effort to hear. There is a kind of action or activity. We can use to listen with simple or continuous tenses.
Verbs with Two Meanings

Some verbs have two different meanings or senses. For one sense we must use a simple tense. For the other sense we can use a continuous or simple tense. For example, the verb to think has two different senses: 1. to believe, to have an opinion I think Ricky Martin is sexy. 2. to reflect, to use your brain to solve a problem I am thinking about my homework. In sense 1 there is no real action, no activity. This sense is called stative. In sense 2 there is a kind of action, a kind of activity. This sense is called dynamic. When we use the stative sense, we use a simple tense. When we use the dynamic sense, we can use a simple or continuous tense, depending on the situation. Look at the examples in the table opposite:
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If you have a doubt about a particular verb, ask yourself the question: Is there any real action or activity?
Stative sense (no real action) Simple only I think she is beautiful. I dont consider that he is the right man for the job. This table measures 4 x 6 feet. Does the wine taste good? Mary has three children.
Dynamic sense (a kind of action) Continuous Be quiet. Im thinking. We are considering your job application and will give you our answer in a few days. She is measuring the room for a new carpet. I was tasting the wine when I dropped the glass. Please phone later. We are having dinner now. Simple I will think about this problem tomorrow. We consider every job application very carefully. A good carpenter measures his wood carefully. I always taste wine before I drink it. We have dinner at 8pm every day.
Be and Continuous Tenses

The verb be can be an auxiliary verb (Marie is learning English) or a main verb (Marie is French). On this page we look at the verb be as a main verb. Usually we use simple tenses with the verb be as a main verb. For example, we say: London is the capital of the UK. (not London is being the capital of the UK.) Is she beautiful? (not Is she being beautiful?) Were you late? (not Were you being late?)
Sometimes, however, we can use the verb be with a continuous tense. This is when the real sense of the verb be is act or behave. Also, of course, the action is temporary. Compare the examples in the table opposite:
Here is the structure of the verb be in the continuous present tense: I am being You are being He, she, it is being We are being They are being
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Mary is a careful person. (Mary is always careful - its her nature.) Is he always so stupid? (Is that his personality?) Andrew is not usually selfish. (It is not Andrews character to be selfish.)
John is being careful. (John is acting carefully now, but maybe he is not always careful - we dont know.) They were being really stupid. (They were behaving really stupidly at that moment.) Why is he being so selfish? (Why is he acting so selfishly at the moment?)
Notice that we also make a difference between to be sick and to be being sick: She is sick (= she is not well) She is being sick (= she is vomiting)
Used to do & Be used to

These two expressions look the same, but in fact they are completely different. In this lesson we look at the structure and use of both expressions, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: Used to do Be used to
Used to do
We use used to do to talk about the past. It is not a tense but it is like a tense. It is a special expression. We use the expression used to do for the past only.
Do not confuse used to do with with the expression be used to. They have different meanings.
Use of Used to do
We use the used to do expression to talk about: ////// past Look at these examples. an activity that we did regularly in the past (like a habit) a situation that was true in the past I used to smoke. present future
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the past She used to work in a shop. He used to watch a lot of TV. They used to be married. There used to be a cinema here. I didnt use to go swimming. Did you use to smoke?
the present Now she works in a bank. Now he doesnt watch much TV. Now they are divorced. Now there is a supermarket here. Now I go swimming.
Be used to
Be used to something Be used to doing Be used to is an expression. It is not a tense. If I say I am used to Thailand, it is like saying I am accustomed to Thailand.
Do not confuse be used to with with the special construction used to do. They have different meanings.
Structure of Be used to
The structure is:
subject + be + used to + object

main verb be not am is arent you not
subject
used to used to used to used to used to
object horses. horses. horses. horses?
+ I
He
We
? Are
If the object invoves a verb, we use the -ing form: I am not used to being lied to.
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He We Are
is arent you
used to used to used to
working late. taking the bus. cooking?
Why do we use -ing for a verb after be used to? Because we always use -ing for a verb after a preposition - and the to is a preposition.
Use of Be used to
The be used to expression is for talking about something that is familiar to us or easy for us. For example: I am used to driving on the left.
It means that it is not a problem for me to drive on the left of the road. I am Japanese. In Japan, people drive on the left. Now I am living in the USA where people drive on the right. Of course, I drive on the right in the USA, but when I go to Japan it is easy for me to drive on the left because I am used to it. Look at these examples. I am used to hard work. I am used to working hard. He is not used to New York. He isnt used to living in New York. Are you used to fast food? Are you used to eating quickly?
Tenses
We can use be used to in any tense. We just conjugate the verb be in the tense that we need. Look at these examples: When we lived in Bangkok, we were used to hot weather. I have been used to snakes for a long time. You will soon be used to living alone.
Going to
Going to is not a tense. It is a special expression to talk about the future.
Structure of Going to
The structure is:
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subject + be + going + infinitive

The verb be is conjugated (past, present or future). subject be am (not) going infinitive going going is isnt you not going going going to buy to go to take to rain. to paint the house? a new car. swimming. the exam.
+ I + Im - He - It ? Are
Use of Going to
Going to - intention
We use going to when we have the intention to do something before we speak. We have already made a decision before speaking. Look at these examples: Jo has won the lottery. He says hes going to buy a Porsche. Were not going to paint our bedroom tomorrow. When are you going to go on holiday?
In these examples, we had an intention or plan before speaking. The decision was made before speaking.
Going to - prediction
We often use going to to make a prediction about the future. Our prediction is based on present evidence. We are saying what we think will happen. Here are some examples: The sky is very black. Its going to snow. Its 8.30! Youre going to miss the train! I crashed the company car. My boss isnt going to be very happy!
In these examples, the present situation (black sky, the time, damaged car) gives us a good idea of what is going to happen.
2. Nouns
Its not easy to describe a noun. In simple terms, nouns are things (and verbs are actions). Like
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food. Food (noun) is something you eat (verb). Or happiness. Happiness (noun) is something you want (verb). Or human being. A human being (noun) is something you are (verb).
What are Nouns?

The simple definition is: a person, place or thing. Here are some examples: person: man, woman, teacher, John, Mary place: home, office, town, countryside, America thing: table, car, banana, money, music, love, dog, monkey
The problem with this definition is that it does not explain why love is a noun but can also be a verb. Another (more complicated) way of recognizing a noun is by its: 1. Ending 2. Position 3. Function 1. Noun Ending There are certain word endings that show that a word is a noun, for example:

-ity > nationality -ment > appointment -ness > happiness -ation > relation -hood > childhood
But this is not is not true for the word endings of all nouns. For example, the noun spoonful ends in ful, but the adjective careful also ends in -ful. 2. Position in Sentence We can often recognise a noun by its position in the sentence. Nouns often come after a determiner (a determiner is a word like a, an, the, this, my, such): a relief an afternoon the doctor this word my house such stupidity
Nouns often come after one or more adjectives: a great relief
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English Grammar a peaceful afternoon the tall, Indian doctor this difficult word my brown and white house such crass stupidity
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3. Function in a Sentence Nouns have certain functions (jobs) in a sentence, for example: subject of verb: Doctors work hard. object of verb: He likes coffee. subject and object of verb: Teachers teach students.
But the subject or object of a sentence is not always a noun. It could be a pronoun or a phrase. In the sentence My doctor works hard, the noun is doctor but the subject is My doctor. Countable Nouns, Uncountable Nouns Why is this important? Why do some nouns have no plural?
dog/dogs, rice, hair(s)
Proper Nouns (Names) | Quiz Do we say Atlantic Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean? Should I write february or February?
Shirley, Mr Jeckyll, Thailand, Sony
Possessive s Adding s or to show possession.

Johns car, my parents house
Countable and Uncountable Nouns

English nouns are often described as countable or uncountable. In this lesson we look at: Countable Nouns Uncountable Nouns Nouns that can be Countable & Uncountable
Countable Nouns
Countable nouns are easy to recognize. They are things that we can count. For example: pen. We can count pens. We can have one, two, three or more pens. Here are some more countable nouns: dog, cat, animal, man, person bottle, box, litre coin, note, dollar cup, plate, fork
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Countable nouns can be singular or plural: My dog is playing. My dogs are hungry.
We can use the indefinite article a/an with countable nouns: A dog is an animal.
When a countable noun is singular, we must use a word like a/the/my/this with it: I want an orange. (not I want orange.) Where is my bottle? (not Where is bottle?)
When a countable noun is plural, we can use it alone: I like oranges. Bottles can break.
We can use some and any with countable nouns: Ive got some dollars. Have you got any pens?
We can use a few and many with countable nouns: Ive got a few dollars. I havent got many pens.
People is countable. People is the plural of person. We can count people. There is one person here. There are three people here.
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns are substances, concepts etc that we cannot divide into separate elements. We cannot count them. For example, we cannot count milk. We can count bottles of milk or litres of milk, but we cannot count milk itself. Here are some more uncountable nouns: music, art, love, happiness advice, information, news furniture, luggage rice, sugar, butter, water electricity, gas, power money, currency
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English Grammar We usually treat uncountable nouns as singular. We use a singular verb. For example: This news is very important. Your luggage looks heavy.
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We do not usually use the indefinite article a/an with uncountable nouns. We cannot say an information or a music. But we can say a something of: a piece of news a bottle of water a grain of rice
We can use some and any with uncountable nouns: Ive got some money. Have you got any rice?
We can use a little and much with uncountable nouns: Ive got a little money. I havent got much rice.
Uncountable nouns are also called mass nouns.
Here are some more examples of countable and uncountable nouns. When you learn a new word, its a good idea to learn whether its countable or uncountable.
Nouns that can be Countable and Uncountable

Sometimes, the same noun can be countable and uncountable, often with a change of meaning. Countable There are two hairs in my coffee! There are two lights in our bedroom. Shhhhh! I thought I heard a noise. Have you got a paper to read? (= newspaper) Our house has seven rooms. We had a great time at the party. hair light noise paper room time Uncountable I dont have much hair. Close the curtain. Theres too much light! Its difficult to work when there is too much noise. I want to draw a picture. Have you got some paper? Is there room for me to sit here? Have you got time for a
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coffee? Macbeth is one of Shakespeares greatest works. work I have no money. I need work!
Drinks (coffee, water, orange juice) are usually uncountable. But if we are thinking of a cup or a glass, we can say (in a restaurant, for example):
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Two teas and one coffee please.
3. Adjectives
An adjective is a word that tells us more about a noun. (By noun we include pronouns and noun phrases.) An adjective qualifies or modifies a noun (a big dog). Adjectives can be used before a noun (I like Chinese food) or after certain verbs (It is hard). We can often use two or more adjectives together (a beautiful young French lady ).
It is sometimes said that the adjective is the enemy of the noun. This is because, very often, if we use the precise noun we dont need an adjective. For example, instead of saying a large, impressive house (2 adjectives + 1 noun) we could simply say a mansion (1 noun).
Determiners
the, a/an, this, some, any
Adjective Order (with Quiz)

beautiful, long, dark brown
Comparative Adjectives
richer, more exciting
Superlative Adjectives
the richest, the most exciting
Determiners
Determiners are words like the, an, my, some. They are grammatically similar. They all come at the beginning of noun phrases, and usually we cannot use more than one determiner in the same noun phrase. Articles: a, an, the
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English Grammar Possessives: my, your, his, her, our, their
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Other determiners: each, every either, neither any, some, no much, many; more, most little, less, least few, fewer, fewest what, whatever; which, whichever both, half, all several enough
A, An or The? Each, Every Some, Any
Some grammarians do not consider determiners as adjectives, but give them a class of their own.
Determiners: A, An or The?
When do we say the dog and when do we say a dog? (On this page we talk only about singular, countable nouns.) The and a/an are called articles. We divide them into definite and indefinite like this: Articles Definite the Indefinite a, an
We use definite to mean sure, certain. Definite is particular. We use indefinite to mean not sure, not certain. Indefinite is general. When we are talking about one thing in particular, we use the. When we are talking about one thing in general, we use a or an. Think of the sky at night. In the sky there is 1 moon and millions of stars. So normally we could say: file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
English Grammar I saw the moon last night. I saw a star last night.
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Look at these examples: the

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a, an The capital of France is Paris. I have found the book that I lost. Have you cleaned the car? There are six eggs in the fridge. Please switch off the TV when you finish.
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I was born in a town. John had an omelette for lunch. James Bond ordered a drink. We want to buy an umbrella. Have you got a pen?
Of course, often we can use the or a/an for the same word. It depends on the situation. Look at these examples: We want to buy an umbrella. (Any umbrella, not a particular umbrella.) Where is the umbrella? (We already have an umbrella. We are looking for our umbrella, a particular umbrella.)
This little story should help you understand the difference between the and a, an: A man and a woman were walking in Oxford Street. The woman saw a dress that she liked in a shop. She asked the man if he could buy the dress for her. He said: Do you think the shop will accept a cheque? I dont have a credit card.
Determiners: Each, Every

Each and every have similar but not always identical meanings. Each = every one separately Every = each, all
Sometimes, each and every have the same meaning: Prices go up each year. Prices go up every year.
But often they are not exactly the same. Each expresses the idea of one by one. It emphasizes individuality.
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Every is half-way between each and all. It sees things or people as singular, but in a group or in general. Consider the following: Every artist is sensitive. Each artist sees things differently. Every soldier saluted as the President arrived. The President gave each soldier a medal.
Each can be used in front of the verb: The soldiers each received a medal.
Each can be followed by of: The President spoke to each of the soldiers. He gave a medal to each of them.
Every cannot be used for 2 things. For 2 things, each can be used: He was carrying a suitcase in each hand.
Every is used to say how often something happens: There is a plane to Bangkok every day. The bus leaves every hour.
Verbs with each and every are always conjugated in the singular.
Determiners: Some, Any

Some = a little, a few or a small number or amount Any = one, some or all Usually, we use some in positive (+) sentences and any in negative (-) and question (?) sentences. some any I have $10. I dont have any money. I dont have $1 and I dont have $10 and I dont have $1,000,000. I have $0. example
+ -
I have some money.
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Do you have any money?
Do you have $1 or $10 or $1,000,000?
In general, we use something/anything and somebody/anybody in the same way as some/any.
Look at these examples: He needs some stamps. I must go. I have some homework to do. Im thirsty. I want something to drink. I can see somebody coming. He doesnt need any stamps. I can stay. I dont have any homework to do. Im not thirsty. I dont want anything to drink. I cant see anybody coming. Does he need any stamps? Do you have any homework to do? Do you want anything to drink? Can you see anybody coming?
We use any in a positive sentence when the real sense is negative. I refused to give them any money. (I did not give them any money) She finished the test without any difficulty. (she did not have any difficulty)
Sometimes we use some in a question, when we expect a positive YES answer. (We could say that it is not a real question, because we think we know the answer already.) Would you like some more tea? Could I have some sugar, please?
Adjective Order
There are 2 basic positions for adjectives: 1. before the noun 2. after certain verbs (be, become, get, seem, look, feel, sound, smell, taste) adj. 1 2 I like big noun cars. My car is big. verb adj.
In this lesson we look at the position of adjectives in a sentence, followed by a quiz to check your understanding: file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
English Grammar Adjective before noun Adjective after certain verbs
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Adjective Before Noun

We sometimes use more than one adjective before the noun: I like big black dogs. She was wearing a beautiful long red dress.
What is the correct order for two or more adjectives? 1. The general order is: opinion, fact: a nice French car (not a French nice car)
(Opinion is what you think about something. Fact is what is definitely true about something.) 2. The normal order for fact adjectives is size, age, shape, colour, material, origin: a big, old, square, black, wooden Chinese table
3. Determiners usually come first, even though they are fact adjectives: articles (a, the) possessives (my, your...) demonstratives (this, that...) quantifiers (some, any, few, many...) numbers (one, two, three)
Here is an example with opinion and fact adjectives:

adjectives determiner opinion fact age two nice old shape round colour red candles noun
When we want to use two colour adjectives, we join them with and: Newspapers are usually black and white. She was wearing a long, blue and yellow dress.
The rules on this page are for the normal, natural order of adjectives. But these rules are not rigid, and you may sometimes wish to change the order for emphasis. Consider the following conversations:
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Conversation 1 A I want to buy a round table. B Do you want a new round table or an old round table? Conversation 2 A I want to buy an old table. B Do you want a round old table or a square old table?
Adjective After Verb

We can use an adjective after certain verbs. Even though the adjective comes after the verb, it does not describe the verb. It describes the subject of the verb (usually a noun or pronoun). Look at the examples opposite: subject verb adjective Ram is English. Because she had to wait, she became impatient. Is it getting dark? The examination did not seem difficult. Your friend looks nice. This towel feels damp. That new film doesnt sound very interesting. Dinner smells good tonight. This milk tastes sour.
Comparative Adjectives
When we talk about two things, we can compare them. We can see if they are the same or different. Perhaps they are the same in some ways and different in other ways. We can use comparative adjectives to describe the differences. In the example opposite, bigger is the comparative form of the adjective big:
We can use comparative adjectives when talking about two things (not three or more things).
A
The first A is bigger than the second A. file://F:\Grammar.htm PDF created with FinePrint pdfFactory Pro trial version http://www.fineprint.com 05/02/2005
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In this lesson we will look first at how we make comparative adjectives, and then at how we use them: Formation of Comparative Adjectives Use of Comparative Adjectives
Formation of Comparative Adjectives

There are two ways to make or form a comparative adjective: short adjectives: add -er long adjectives: use more
Short adjectives
l
1-syllable adjectives 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y
old, fast happy, easy old > older late > later big > bigger happy > happier
Normal rule: add -er Variation: if the adjective ends in -e, just add -r Variation: if the adjective ends in consonant, vowel, consonant, double the last consonant Variation: if the adjective ends in -y, change the y to i Long adjectives
l
2-syllable adjectives not ending in -y all adjectives of 3 or more syllables
modern, pleasant expensive, intellectual modern > more modern expensive > more expensive
Normal rule: use more
With some 2-syllable adjectives, we can use -er or more:

l l l l
quiet > quieter/more quiet clever > cleverer/more clever narrow > narrower/more narrow simple > simpler/more simple
Exception The following adjectives have irregular forms:
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English Grammar good > better well (healthy) > better bad > worse far > farther/further
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With some 2-syllable adjectives, we can use -er or more:

l l l l
quiet > quieter/more quiet clever > cleverer/more clever narrow > narrower/more narrow simple > simpler/more simple
Exception The following adjectives have irregular forms: good > better well (healthy) > better bad > worse far > farther/further Earth Diameter (km) Distance from Sun (million km) Length of day (hours) Moons Surface temperature (C) 12,760 150 Mars 6,790 228 Mars is smaller than Earth. Mars is more distant from the Sun. A day on Mars is slightly longer than a day on Earth. Mars has more moons than Earth. Mars is colder than Earth.
24 1 22
25 2 -23
Superlative Adjectives
A superlative adjective expresses the extreme or highest degree of a quality. We use a superlative adjective to describe the extreme quality of one thing in a group of things. In the example opposite, biggest is the superlative form of the adjective big:
We can use superlative adjectives when talking about three or more things (not two things).
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C
A is the biggest. In this lesson we will look first at how we make superlative adjectives, and then at how we use them: Formation of Superlative Adjectives Use of Superlative Adjectives
Formation of Superlative Adjectives

As with comparative adjectives, there are two ways to form a superlative adjective: short adjectives: add -est long adjectives: use most
We also usually add the at the beginning. Short adjectives 1-syllable adjectives 2-syllable adjectives ending in -y Normal rule: add -est Variation: if the adjective ends in -e, just add -st Variation: if the adjective ends in consonant, vowel, consonant, double the last consonant Variation: if the adjective ends in -y, change the y to i Long adjectives 2-syllable adjectives not ending in -y all adjectives of 3 or more syllables modern, pleasant expensive, intellectual modern > the most modern expensive > the most old, fast happy, easy old > the oldest late > the latest big > the biggest happy > the happiest
Normal rule: use most
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expensive
With some 2-syllable adjectives, we can use -est or most:

l l l l
quiet > the quietest/most quiet clever > the cleverest/most clever narrow > the narrowest/most narrow simple > the simplest/most simple
Exception The following adjectives have irregular forms: good > the best bad > the worst far > the furthest
Use of Superlative Adjectives

We use a superlative adjective to describe one thing in a group of three or more things. Look at these examples: John is 1m75. David is 1m80. Chris is 1m85. Chris is the tallest. Canada, China and Russia are big countries. But Russia is the biggest. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
If we talk about the three planets Earth, Mars and Jupiter, we can use superlative adjectives as shown in the table opposite:
When we compare one thing with itself, we do not use the:

l l
England is coldest in winter. (not the coldest) My boss is most generous when we get a big order. (not the most generous)
Earth Diameter (km) Distance from Sun (million km) Length of day (hours)
Mars 12,760 150 24
Jupiter 6,790 228 25 142,800 778 10 Jupiter is the biggest. Jupiter is the most distant from the Sun. Jupiter has the shortest day.
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Moons Surface temp. C)
1 22
2 -23
16 -150
Jupiter has the most moons. Jupiter is the coldest.
4. Adverbs
An adverb is a word that tells us more about a verb. An adverb qualifies or modifies a verb (The man ran quickly). But adverbs can also modify adjectives (Tara is really beautiful), or even other adverbs (It works very well).
Many different kinds of word are called adverbs. We can usually recognise an adverb by its: 1. Function (Job) 2. Form 3. Position 1. Function The principal job of an adverb is to modify (give more information about) verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. In the following examples, the adverb is in bold and the word that it modifies is in italics. Modify a verb: - John speaks loudly. (How does John speak?) - Mary lives locally. (Where does Mary live?) - She never smokes. (When does she smoke?) Modify an adjective: - He is really handsome. Modify another adverb: - She drives incredibly slowly .
But adverbs have other functions, too. They can: Modify a whole sentence: - Obviously, I cant know everything. Modify a prepositional phrase: - Its immediately inside the door.
2. Form Many adverbs end in -ly. We form such adverbs by adding -ly to the adjective. Here are some examples: quickly, softly, strongly, honestly, interestingly
But not all words that end in -ly are adverbs. Friendly, for example, is an adjective.
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English Grammar Some adverbs have no particular form, for example: well, fast, very, never, always, often, still
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3. Position Adverbs have three main positions in the sentence: Front (before the subject): - Now we will study adverbs. Middle (between the subject and the main verb): - We often study adverbs. End (after the verb or object): - We study adverbs carefully.
Adverbs of Frequency
Adverbs of Frequency answer the question How often? or How frequently? They tell us how often somebody does something. Adverbs of frequency come before the main verb (except the main verb to be): We usually go shopping on Saturday. I have often done that. She is always late.
Occasionally , sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also go at the beginning or end of a sentence: Sometimes they come and stay with us. I play tennis occasionally.
Rarely and seldom can also go at the end of a sentence (often with very): We see them rarely. John eats meat very seldom. always usually frequently often 50% sometimes occasionally rarely seldom hardly ever
100%
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0%
never
5. English Pronouns
Pronouns are small words that take the place of a noun. We can use a pronoun instead of a noun. Pronouns are words like: he, you, ours, themselves, some, each... If we didnt have pronouns, we would have to repeat a lot of nouns. We would have to say things like: Do you like the President? I dont like the President. The President is too pompous.
With pronouns, we can say: Do you like the President? I dont like him. He is too pompous.
Personal Pronouns
This summary of personal pronouns includes possessive adjectives for convenience and comparison. pronouns number person gender* 1st 2nd singular 3rd m/f m/f m f n 1st plural 2nd 3rd m/f m/f m/f/n subject I you he she it we you they object me you him her it us you them possessive mine yours his hers its ours yours theirs reflexive myself yourself himself herself itself ourselves yourselves themselves possessive adjectives my your his her its our your their
* m=male f=female n=neuter Examples:
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pronoun
subject object possessive reflexive
She likes homework. The teacher gave me some homework. This homework is yours. John did the homework himself. The teacher corrected our homework.
possessive adjective
Personal Pronouns
This summary of personal pronouns includes possessive adjectives for convenience and comparison. pronouns number person gender* 1st 2nd singular 3rd m/f m/f m f n 1st plural 2nd 3rd m/f m/f m/f/n subject I you he she it we you they object me you him her it us you them possessive mine yours his hers its ours yours theirs reflexive myself yourself himself herself itself ourselves yourselves themselves possessive adjectives my your his her its our your their
* m=male f=female n=neuter Examples: pronoun subject object possessive reflexive possessive adjective She likes homework. The teacher gave me some homework. This homework is yours. John did the homework himself. The teacher corrected our homework.
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6. English Prepositions
A preposition is a word governing, and usually coming in front of, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element, as in: She left before breakfast. W hat did you come for? (For what did you come?)
English Prepositions List

There are about 150 prepositions in English. Yet this is a very small number when you think of the thousands of other words (nouns, verbs etc). Prepositions are important words. We use individual prepositions more frequently than other individual words. In fact, the prepositions of, to and in are among the ten most frequent words in English. Here is a short list of 70 of the more common one-word prepositions. Many of these prepositions have more than one meaning. Please refer to a dictionary for precise meaning and usage. aboard about above across after against along amid among anti around as at before behind below beneath beside besides between beyond but by concerning considering despite down during except
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English Grammar excepting excluding following for from in inside into like minus near of off on onto opposite outside over past per plus regarding round save since than through to toward towards under underneath unlike until up upon versus via with within without
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English Preposition Rule

There is one very simple rule about prepositions. And, unlike most rules, this rule has no exceptions.
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English Grammar Rule A preposition is followed by a noun. It is never followed by a verb. By noun we include: noun (dog, money, love) proper noun (name) (Bangkok, Mary) pronoun (you, him, us) noun group (my first job) gerund (swimming)
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A preposition cannot be followed by a verb. If we want to follow a preposition by a verb, we must use the -ing form which is really a gerund or verb in noun form. Quick Quiz: In the following sentences, why is to followed by a verb? That should be impossible, according to the above rule: I would like to go now. She used to smoke.
Here are some examples: Subject + verb The food is She lives Tara is looking The letter is Pascal is used She isnt used I ate preposition on in for under to to before noun the table. Japan. you. your blue book. English people. working. coming.
Answer to Quick Quiz: In these sentences, to is not a preposition. It is part of the infinitive (to go, to smoke).
Prepositions of Place: at, in, on

In general, we use: at for a POINT in for an ENCLOSED SPACE on for a SURFACE
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at POINT at the corner at the bus stop at the door at the top of the page
in ENCLOSED SPACE in the garden in London in France in a box
on SURFACE on the wall on the ceiling on the door on the cover on the floor on the carpet on the menu on a page
at the end of the road in my pocket at the entrance at the crossroads at the entrance Look at these examples: in my wallet in a building in a car
Jane is waiting for you at the bus stop. The shop is at the end of the street. My plane stopped at Dubai and Hanoi and arrived in Bangkok two hours late. When will you arrive at the office? Do you work in an office? I have a meeting in New York. Do you live in Japan? Jupiter is in the Solar System. The authors name is on the cover of the book. There are no prices on this menu. You are standing on my foot. There was a no smoking sign on the wall. I live on the 7th floor at 21 Oxford Street in London.
Notice the use of the prepositions of place at, in and on in these standard expressions: at at home at work at school at university at college in in a car in a taxi in a helicopter in a boat in a lift (elevator) on on a bus on a train on a plane on a ship on a bicycle, on a motorbike
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at the top
in the newspaper
on a horse, on an elephant on the radio, on television on the left, on the right on the way
at the bottom in the sky at the side at reception in a row in Oxford Street
Prepositions of Time: at, in, on

We use: at PRECISE TIME at 3 oclock at 10.30am at noon at dinnertime at bedtime at sunrise at sunset at the moment at for a PRECISE TIME in for MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES and LONG PERIODS on for DAYS and DATES in MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES and LONG PERIODS in May in summer in the summer in 1990 in the 1990s in the next century in the Ice Age in the past/future on DAYS and DATES on Sunday on Tuesdays on 6 March on 25 Dec. 2010 on Christmas Day on Independence Day on my birthday on New Years Eve
Look at these examples: I have a meeting at 9am. The shop closes at midnight. Jane went home at lunchtime. In England, it often snows in December. Do you think we will go to Jupiter in the future? There should be a lot of progress in the next century. Do you work on Mondays? Her birthday is on 20 November.
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English Grammar Where will you be on New Years Day?
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Notice the use of the preposition of time at in the following standard expressions: Expression at night at the weekend at Christmas/Easter at the same time at present Example The stars shine at night. I dont usually work at the weekend. I stay with my family at Christmas. We finished the test at the same time. Hes not home at present. Try later.
Notice the use of the prepositions of time in and on in these common expressions: in in the morning in the mornings in the afternoon(s) in the evening(s) on on Tuesday morning on Saturday mornings on Sunday afternoons on Monday evening
When we say last, next, every, this we do not also use at, in, on. I went to London last June. (not in last June) Hes coming back next Tuesday. (not on next Tuesday) I go home every Easter. (not at every Easter) Well call you this evening. (not in this evening)
7. Conjunctions
A conjunction is a word that joins. A conjunction joins two parts of a sentence. Here are some example conjunctions: Coordinating Conjunctions and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so We can consider conjunctions from three aspects. Subordinating Conjunctions although, because, since, unless
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Form
Conjunctions have three basic forms: Single Word for example: and, but, because, although Compound (often ending with as or that) for example: provided that, as long as, in order that Correlative (surrounding an adverb or adjective) for example: so...that
Function
Conjunctions have two basic functions or jobs: Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two parts of a sentence that are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single words or clauses, for example: - Jack and Jill went up the hill. - The water was warm but I didnt go swimming. Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a subordinate dependent clause to a main clause, for example: - I went swimming, although it was cold.
Position
Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join. Subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of the subordinate clause.
In this lesson we will look in more detail at: Coordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions
The short, simple conjunctions are called coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
A coordinating conjunction joins parts of a sentence (for example words or independent clauses) that are grammatically equal or similar. A coordinating conjunction shows that the elements it joins are similar in importance and structure: Look at these examples - the two elements that the coordinating conjunction joins are shown in square brackets [ ]: I like [tea] and [coffee]. [Ram likes tea], but [Anthony likes coffee].
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English Grammar Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join.
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When a coordinating conjunction joins independent clauses, it is always correct to place a comma before the conjunction: I want to work as an interpreter in the future, so I am studying Russian at university.
However, if the independent clauses are short and well-balanced, a comma is not really essential: She is kind so she helps people.
When and is used with the last word of a list, a comma is optional: He drinks beer, whisky, wine, and rum. He drinks beer, whisky, wine and rum.
The 7 coordinating conjunctions are short, simple words. They have only two or three letters. Theres an easy way to remember them - their initials spell:
F
For
A
And
N
Nor
B
But
O
Or
Y
Yet
S
So
Subordinating Conjunctions
The majority of conjunctions are subordinating conjunctions. Common subordinating conjunctions are: after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while
A subordinating conjunction joins a subordinate (dependent) clause to a main (independent) clause: Look at this example: main or independent clause Ram went swimming subordinate or dependent clause although subordinating conjunction it was raining.
A subordinate or dependent clause depends on a main or independent clause. It cannot exist alone. Imagine that somebody says to you: Hello! Although
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it was raining. What do you understand? Nothing! But a main or independent clause can exist alone. You will understand very well if somebody says to you: Hello! Ram went swimming.
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A subordinating conjunction always comes at the beginning of a subordinate clause. It introduces a subordinate clause. However, a subordinate clause can sometimes come after and sometimes before a main clause. Thus, two structures are possible: Although it was raining, Ram went swimming.
8. Interjections
Hi! Thats an interjection. :-) Interjection is a big name for a little word. Interjections are short exclamations like Oh!, Um or Ah! They have no real grammatical value but we use them quite often, usually more in speaking than in writing. When interjections are inserted into a sentence, they have no grammatical connection to the sentence. An interjection is sometimes followed by an exclamation mark (!) when written. The table shows some interjections with examples.
Interjections like er and um are also known as hesitation devices. They are extremely common in English. People use them when they dont know what to say, or to indicate that they are thinking about what to say. You should learn to recognize them when you hear them and realize that they have no real meaning.
interjection
meaning expressing pleasure expressing realization
example Ah, that feels good. Ah, now I understand. Ah well, it cant be heped. Ah! Ive won! Alas, shes dead now. Oh dear! Does it hurt? Dear me! Thats a surprise! Its hot today. Eh? I said its hot
ah expressing resignation expressing surprise alas dear expressing surprise asking for repetition expressing grief or pity expressing pity
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today. expressing enquiry eh expressing surprise inviting agreement er hello, hullo expressing surprise calling attention hey expressing surprise, joy etc hi hmm expressing greeting expressing hesitation, doubt or disagreement expressing surprise oh, o expressing pain expressing pleading ouch uh uh-huh um, umm well introducing a remark Well, what did he say? : 9ILA"=4%& -BA(4& 9:5 ;="4_$_) ?0AIL expressing pain expressing hesitation expressing agreement expressing hesitation expressing surprise Hey! What a good idea! Hi! Whats new? Hmm. Im not so sure. Oh! Youre here! Oh! Ive got a toothache. Oh, please say yes! Ouch! That hurts! Uh...I dont know the answer to that. Shall we go? Uh-huh. 85 divided by 5 is...um...17. Well I never! Hello! My cars gone! Hey! look at that! expressing hesitation expressing greeting Eh! Really? Lets go, eh? Lima is the capital of...er...Peru. Hello John. How are you today? What do you think of that, eh?
general_mesbah@yahoo.co.uk
CBDF:GI%& CJ:4& -5&K34 ;=/ih 9h !V3hL -[ XK=I X1 KHAI
05/02/2005

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Glossary of English Grammar Terms

English Parts of Speech

Parts of Speech Table

Pronoun Preposition Conjunction

oh!, ouch!, hi!, well

Parts of Speech Examples

She noun Tara

kind verb speaks

people. adjective noun good English.

pronoun She pron. She

preposition to noun snakes

adjective the conjunction but

noun station pron. I

adverb quickly. verb pron. hate them.

verb adj. likes big

Words with More than One Job

We ate in the afternoon.

noun acting as adjective We had afternoon tea.

1. Verbs What are Verbs?

English Grammar I can. People must. The Earth will.

English Grammar and we divide them into two basic groups:

Primary helping verbs (3 verbs)

to make perfect tenses (I have finished my homework.)

Modal helping verbs (10 verbs)

need dare used to

Forms of Main Verbs

(to) do* do (to) have* have infinitive (to) be* base be

In the above examples:

Work well! Make this. Have a nice day. Be quiet!

Base - Present simple (except 3rd person singular)

I work in London. You sing well. They have a lot of money.

Base - After modal auxiliary verbs

You could be right.

3rd person singular, present simple

Forms of Helping Verbs

do + V1 (base verb) be + -ing (present participle) have + V3 (past participle)

ought + to... (infinitive) other modals + V1 (base verb)

Do, be and have can also function as main verbs.

Modal helping verbs cannot function as main verbs.

Simple Present Tense

How do we make the Simple Present Tense?

subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

You, we, they are He, she, it I is am

How do we use the Simple Present Tense?

John drives a taxi.

Am I right? Tara is not at home. You are happy.

The situation is now.

I am not fat. Why are you so beautiful?

The situation is general. Past, present and future.

Present Continuous Tense

How do we make the Present Continuous Tense?

subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

I You She We Is Are

am are is are he they not not

speaking reading staying playing watching waiting

to you. this. in London. football. TV? for John?

How do we use the Present Continuous Tense?

Present continuous tense for action happening now

John is going out with Mary.

Present continuous tense for the future

I am taking my exam next month.

How do we spell the Present Continuous Tense?