PRESENT SIMPLE AND CONTINUOS

PRESENT SIMPLE

Para conjugar el presente simple usamos el inifinitivo para los sujetos "I",
"you", "we" y "they" y para las terceras personas "he", "she" y "it",
aadimos un "-s" al final del verbo.

I, You, We, They talk, eat, learn, watch, do, go...

He, She, It talks, eats, learns, watches, does, goes...

Nota: Hay excepciones de ortografa en la tercera persona, segn la letra en

que termina el verbo. Las reglas son las mismas que se utilizan para formar
el plural de los sustantivos. Para ms informacin, ver la leccin sobre los
nombres.

Structure

Affirmative Sentences (Frases afirmativas)

Sujeto + verbo principal.

I talk. (Yo hablo.)

He eats. (l come.)
They learn. (Ellos aprenden.)

Negative Sentences (Frases negativas)

Sujeto + verbo auxiliar ("to do") + auxiliar negativo ("not") + verbo

principal.

I do not [don't] talk. (Yo no hablo.)

He does not [doesn't] eat. (l no come.)
They do not [don't] learn. (Ellos no aprenden.)

Nota: En frases negativas, el verbo auxiliar ("to do") cambia y el verbo

principal va en el infinitivo.

Interrogative Sentences (Frases interrogativas)

Verbo auxiliar ("to do") + sujeto + verbo principal

Do you talk? (Hablas t?)

Does he eat? (Come l?)
Do they learn? (Aprenden ellos?)

Nota: Como en frases negativas, en frases interrogativas el verbo auxiliar

("to do") cambia y el verbo principal va en el infinitivo.
Uses (Usos)

1. El presente simple se utiliza para hablar de cosas que suceden

habitualmente. A diferencia con el espaol, no se usa el presente
simple para hablar sobre algo que est pasando en el momento en
el que hablamos.

Se suele utilizar el presente simple con adverbios de tiempo: Always

(siempre), every day (cada da), usually (normalmente), often (a menudo),
sometimes (a veces), rarely (raramente), hardly ever (casi nunca), never
(nunca)...

I always talk to my mother on Sundays. (Siempre hablo con mi madre

los domingos.)
He never eats vegetables. (Nunca come las verduras.)
They learn something new in class. They usually learn something new
in class. (Normalmente aprenden algo nuevo en la clase.)

Excepcin: Los adverbios de tiempo van delante del verbo, excepto el verbo
"to be" (ser/estar). Cuando se usa "to be" el verbo va delante del adverbio.

I am always happy. (Siempre estoy contento.)

He is often sick. (A menudo l est enfermo.)
They are rarely late. (En raras ocasiones llegan tarde.)

2. Se utiliza para hablar de generalidades o hechos cientficos.

He does not [doesn't] eat vegetables. (l no come verduras.)

She works in a hospital. (Ella trabaja en una hospital.)
Elephants live in Africa. (Los elefantes viven en frica.)
Bogota is in Colombia. (Bogot est en Colombia.)
Do children like animals? (Les gustan a los nios los animales?)
Adults do not [don't] know everything. (Los adultos no lo saben todo.)

3. Se usa para eventos programados en el futuro prximo.

The train leaves at 10:00. (El tren sale a las 10h.)

The party is tonight. (La fiesta es esta noche.)
Does the festival start tomorrow? (Empieza el festival maana?)
The plane does not [doesn't] arrive today. (El avin no llega hoy.)

4. Se usa para instrucciones (el imperativo).

Open the window. (Abre la ventana.)

Eat the vegetables. (Come las verduras.)
Don't cry. (No llores.)
Do your homework. (Haz los deberes.)
Call your mother. (Llama a tu madre.)
http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-simple-exercise-7.html

PRESENT CONTINUOS

Para formar el presente continuo se utiliza el verbo auxiliar "to be" y el

gerundio (infinitivo + "-ing") del verbo.

SujetoAuxiliar (to be) Gerundio

I am talking, eating, learning, doing, going...

He, She, It is talking, eating, learning, doing, going...
You, We, They are talking, eating, learning, doing, going...

Structure

Affirmative Sentences (Frases afirmativas)

Estructura Sujeto + verbo auxiliar ("to be") + gerundio ("-ing").

I'm talking. (Estoy hablando.)

He's eating. (Est comiendo.)
They're learning. (Estn aprendiendo.)

Negative Sentences (Frases negativas)

Estructura Sujeto + verbo auxiliar ("to be") + auxiliar negativo ("not") +

gerundio ("-ing").

I'm not talking. (No estoy hablando.)

He's not [He isn't] eating. (No est comiendo.)
They're not [They aren't] learning. (No estn aprendiendo.)

Interrogative Sentences (Frases interrogativas)

Verbo auxiliar ("to be") + sujeto + gerundio ("-ing")?

Are you talking? (Ests hablando?)

Is he eating? (Est comiendo?)
Are they learning? (Estn aprendiendo?)

Uses (Usos)

El presente continuo se utiliza para hablar sobre algo que est pasando en
el momento en el que hablamos. Expresiones de tiempo tales como "now",
"right now" and "at the moment" indican el presente continuo.

I'm studying now. (Estoy estudiando ahora.)

He's eating at the moment. (Est comiendo en este momento.)
Is it raining? (Est lloviendo?)
Tambin lo usamos para hablar de algo que est sucediendo en la
actualidad pero no necesariamente cuando hablamos. En este caso, se
utilizan expresiones de tiempo como "currently", "lately" o "these days".

They're learning English. (Estn aprendiendo ingls.)

She's currently looking for a job. (Actualmente est buscando un
trabajo.)
Are you working much lately? (Ests trabajando mucho
ltimamente?)

Usamos el presente continuo para hablar de algo que est ya decidido que
se har en el futuro prximo. Su uso indica que es bastante seguro que lo
planificado suceder.

I'm going to the party tonight. (Voy a la fiesta esta noche.)

He's not [He isn't] coming to class tomorrow. (No viene a la clase
manaa.)
Are you working next week? (Trabajas la semana que viene?)

Nota: Hay unos verbos que no solemos usar en los tiempos continuos.
Puedes consultar la lista de verbos de tiempos continuos y su explicacin.

Be, want, need, know, prefer, remember, understand, care, see, hear, mell,
believe, belong, cost, seem, exist, own, like, dislike, love, hate, fear, envy,
mind...

David needs a new car.

David is needing a new car. X

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-continuous-exercise-
6.html

PAST SIMPLE

Para formar el pasado simple con verbos regulares, aadimos la terminacin

"-ed" al verbo. La forma es la misma para todas las personas (I, you, he,
she, it, we, they).

want wanted
earn learned
stay stayed
walk walked
show showed

Excepciones: Para verbos que terminan en una "e", slo aadimos "-d.

change changed
believe believed

Si el verbo termina en una vocal corta y una consonante (excepto "y" o "w"),
doblamos la consonante final.
 stop stopped
commit committed

Con verbos que terminan en una consonante y una "y", se cambia la "y" por
una "i".

study studied
try tried

Nota: Hay muchos verbos irregulares en ingls. Desafortunadamente, no

hay una norma establecida para formarlos. A continuacin tienes los tres
verbos irregulares ms comunes y los que actan como verbos auxiliares.

Verb Past Simple

be was (I, he, she, it) / were (you, we, they)

do did
have had

Ms informacin sobre los verbos irregulares

Pronunciation (Pronunciacin)

Pronunciamos la terminacin "-ed" de forma diferente dependiendo

de la letra que va al final del infinitivo. En general la "e" es muda.

Con los infinitivos que terminan en "p", "f", "k" o "s" (consonantes
sordas, excepto "t") pronunciamos la terminacin" "-ed" como una
"t".

looked [lukt]
kissed [kisst]

Con los infinitivos que terminan en "b", "g", "l", "m", "n", "v", "z"
(consonantes sonoras, excepto "d") o una vocal, pronunciamos slo
la "d".

yelled [jeld]
cleaned [klind]

Con los infinitivos que terminan en "d" o "t", pronunciamos la "e"

como una "i".

ended [endid]
waited [weitid]

Structure (Estructura)

1. Affirmative Sentences (Frases afirmativas)

Sujeto + verbo principal...

 She was a doctor. (Ella era doctora.)
The keys were in the drawer. (Las llaves estaban en el cajn.)
I wanted to dance. (Quera bailar.)
He learned English. (Aprendi ingls.)
They believed him. (Le cremos.)

2. Negative Sentences (Frases negativas)

To be:

Sujeto + "to be" + "not"...

She wasn't a doctor. (Ella no era doctora.)

The keys weren't in the drawer. (Las llaves no estaban en el cajn.)

Nota: El verbo "to have got", que en el presente simple sigue las mismas
reglas que el verbo "to be", no puede ser utilizado en el pasado. Para indicar
la posesin en el pasado, usamos el verbo "to have".

Todos los dems verbos:

Sujeto + verbo auxiliar ("to do") + "not" + verbo principal...

I didn't want to dance. (No quera bailar.)

He didn't learn English. (No aprendi ingls)
They didn't believe him. (No le cremos.)

Nota: En frases negativas, el verbo auxiliar va en pasado ("did") y el verbo

principal se queda en el infinitivo.

3. Interrogative Sentences (Frases interrogativas)

To be:

"To be" + sujeto...?

Was she a doctor? (Ella era doctora?)

Were the keys in the drawer? (Estaban las llaves en el cajn?)

Todos los verbos dems:

Verbo auxiliar ("to do") + sujeto + verbo principal...?

Did you want to dance? (Queras bailar?)

Did he learn English? (Aprendi ingls?)
Did they believe him? (Le creste?)

Nota: Al igual que en las frases negativas, el verbo auxiliar va en pasado

("did") y el verbo principal se queda en el infinitivo.

Uses (Usos)
El pasado simple se utiliza para hablar de una accin concreta que
comenz y acab en el pasado. En este caso equivale al pretrito
indefinido espaol. Generalmente, lo usamos con adverbios de
tiempo como "last year", "yesterday", "last night"...

Tom stayed at home last night. (Tom se qued en casa anoche.)

Kate worked last Saturday. (Kate trabaj el sbado pasado.)
I didn't go to the party yesterday. (No fui a la fiesta ayer.)
Did they walk to school this morning? (Han andado a la escuela esta
maana?)

Se usa el pasado simple para un serie de acciones en el pasado.

I received the good news and immediately called my husband. (Recib

la buena noticia y llam de inmediato a mi marido.)
He studied for an hour in the morning, worked all afternoon and didn't
return home until 10 at night. (Estudi durante una hora por la
maana, trabaj toda la tarde y no regres a casa hasta las 10 de la
noche.)

Tambin lo usamos para acciones repetidas o habituales en el

pasado, como se usa el pretrito imperfecto espaol.

We always traveled to Cancun for vacation when we were young.

(Siempre viajbamos a Cancun durante las vacaciones cuando
ramos jvenes.)
He walked 5 kilometers every day to work. (Caminaba 5 kilmetros
hasta el trabajo cada da.)

Lo usamos para narraciones o acciones de perodos de largo tiempo

en el pasado, como el pretrito imperfecto espaol.

I worked for many years in a museum. (Trabajaba en un museo

durante muchos aos.)
She didn't eat meat for 6 years. (No coma carne durante 6 aos.)

Se utiliza para hablar de generalidades o hechos del pasado.

The Aztec lived in Mexico. (Los aztecas vivan en Mxico)

I played the guitar when I was a child. (Tocaba la guitarra cuando era
nio.)

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/past-simple-exercise-7.html

PAST CONTINUOUS

El pasado continuo se utiliza para acciones que ocurrieron en un momento

especfico en el pasado. Como el presente continuo, se forma con el verbo
"to be" y el gerundio.
Form (Forma)

Para formar el pasado continuo se utiliza el verbo auxiliar "to be" y el

gerundio (infinitivo + "-ing") del verbo. El verbo auxiliar "to be" est en el
pasado simple, pero ten en cuenta que "to be" es un verbo irregular.

Sujeto Auxiliar (to be) Gerundio

I, He, She, It was talking, eating, learning, doing, going...

You, We, They were talking, eating, learning, doing, going...

1. Affirmative Sentences (Frases afirmativas)

Sujeto + verbo auxiliar ("to be") + gerundio.

I was talking. (Estaba hablando.)

He was eating. (Estaba comiendo.)
They were learning. (Estaban aprendiendo.)

2. Negative Sentences (Frases negativas)

Sujeto + verbo auxiliar ("to be") + "not" + gerundio.

I was not [wasn't] talking. (No estaba hablando.)

He was not [wasn't] eating. (No estaba comiendo.)
They were not [weren't] learning. (No estaban aprendiendo.)

3. Interrogative Sentences (Frases interrogativas)

Verbo auxiliar ("to be") + sujeto + gerundio?

Were you talking? (Estabas hablando?)

Was he eating? (Estaba comiendo?)
Were they learning? (Estaban aprendiendo?)

Uses (Usos)

El pasado continuo lo utilizamos para una accin larga que ya en el

pasado fue interrumpida. La accin que se interrumpe est en
pasado continuo y la accin que provoca la interrupcin est en
pasado simple. "When" y "while" sealan el uso del pasado simple y
continuo. En general, usamos el pasado simple directamente
despus de "when" y el pasado continuo despus de "while."

Jose called while I was watching the news. (Jose llam mientras
estaba mirando las noticias.)
He was walking to work when he fell. (Estaba caminando hacia su
trabajo cuando se cay.)
Was it raining when you left? (Estaba lloviendo cuando te fuiste?)
Se usa el pasado continuo para hablar sobre acciones en un tiempo
especfico en el pasado.

Paula wasn't living in Spain in 2005. (Paula no estaba viviendo en

Espaa en el 2005.)
We were still working at 10 o'clock last night. (Todava estabamos
trabajando a las 10 de la noche. )

Se usa el pasado continuo para dos acciones que estaban

ocurriendo al mismo tiempo en el pasado.

My son was reading while I was cooking. (Mi hijo estaba leyendo
mientras que yo estaba cocinando.)
They were talking very loudly while we were trying to watch the
movie. (Estaban hablando muy alto mientras nosotros estbamos
intentando mirar la pelicula.)

Nota: Hay unos verbos que no solemos usar en los tiempos continuos. Ver
una lista y explicacin en la leccin de tiempos continuos de los verbos.

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/past-continuous-exercise-1.html

PAST PERFECT

[had + past participle]

You had studied English before you moved to New York.

Had you studied English before you moved to New York?
You had not studied English before you moved to New York.

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred

before another action in the past. It can also show that something
happened before a specific time in the past.

I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai.

I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet.
Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the city several
times.
Had Susan ever studied Thai before she moved to Thailand?
She only understood the movie because she had read the book.
Kristine had never been to an opera before last night.
We were not able to get a hotel room because we had not booked in
advance.
A: Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 2006?
B: Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before.

With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed

Verbs, we use the Past Perfect to show that something started in
the past and continued up until another action in the past.

We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
 By the time Alex finished his studies, he had been in London for over
eight years.
They felt bad about selling the house because they had owned it for
more than forty years.

Although the above use of Past Perfect is normally limited to Non-

Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live,"
"work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though
they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

If the Past Perfect action did occur at a specific time, the Simple
Past can be used instead of the Past Perfect when "before" or
"after" is used in the sentence. The words "before" and "after"
actually tell you what happens first, so the Past Perfect is optional.
For this reason, both sentences below are correct.

She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved
in with them in 1996.
She visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in
with them in 1996.

If the Past Perfect is not referring to an action at a specific time,

Past Perfect is not optional. Compare the examples below. Here
Past Perfect is referring to a lack of experience rather than an
action at a specific time. For this reason, Simple Past cannot be
used.

She never saw a bear before she moved to Alaska. Not Correct
She had never seen a bear before she moved to Alaska. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as:
always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

You had previously studied English before you moved to New York.
Had you previously studied English before you moved to New York?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic's

license. Active
Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his
mechanic's license. Passive

Exercises: http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/past-perfect-exercise-
1.html

GOING TO
Se usa para acciones que van a suceder muy pronto o para expresar un plan
que se tiene. "Will" se usa para expresar una promesa, una prediccin o algo
que se quiere hacer en el futuro.

"Going to": El tiempo futuro con "going to" se usa ms comnmente en el

lenguaje hablado cuando se quiere hacer referencia al futuro inmediato, es
decir, a algo que est por ocurrir.

She is going to pay with a credit card = Ella va a pagar con una
tarjeta de crdito (algo que est por ocurrir).
I am going to drop off my prescription over there = voy a dejar mi
prescripcin mdica all.

Tambin se emplea para hablar de intenciones o planes para hacer algo:

Im going to learn English = voy a aprender ingls.

Se forma con el verbo"to be" conjugado para la persona correspondiente,

seguido de "going to" y el verbo base.

"To be" + "going to" + verbo (en infinitivo)

I am going to pay = yo voy a pagar.

You are going to pay = t vas a pagar.
He is going to pay = l va a pagar.
She is going to pay = ella va a pagar.
It is going to pay = eso va a pagar.
We are going to pay = nosotros vamos a pagar.
You are going to pay = ustedes van a pagar.
They are going to pay = ellos/ellas van a pagar.

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the

idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does
not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.

He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.

She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.
They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
Who are you going to invite to the party?
A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.

Interrogative Form:

Afi rmativo Negativo

 Am I going to Am I not going to
do? do?

Are you going to Are you not going Aren't you going
do? to do? to do?

Is he going to Is he not going to Isn't he going to

do? do? do?

Is she going to Is she not going to Isn't she going to

do? do? do?

Is it going to Is it not going to Isn't it going to

do? do? do?

Are we going to Are we not going Aren't we going

do? to do? to do?

Are you going to Are you not going Aren't you going
do? to do? to do?

Are they going Are they not going Aren't they going
to do? to do? to do?

Exercises:
http://www.vitutor.com/gramatica_inglesa/verb_tense/be_going_to.h
tml
 WILL

En ingls no existen los verbos en futuro, sino que al agregar will,

convertimos en futuro al verbo que le sigue:

I will come to see you tonight.

I will go - ir
I will eat - comer
I will be - ser / estar
I will have - tendr / habr

Affirmative:

Bill will finish this later.

This will be very easy.
I will call you back.
It will rain next week.

Negative:

I won't sleep tonight.

They will not come.
You won't like it.

Interrogative:

Will Mrs. Lennon understand me?

Will you take me with you?

Use will/wont for promises:

Ill send you an e-mail.

I wont tell anyone your secret.
Hell pay you back tomorrow.
We wont forget your birthday.

Use will for offers:

Ill buy you a drink.

My secretary will help you with the paperwork.

Use will for decisions made in the moment:

Would you like potatoes or rice?

Ill have the rice.
Which shirt do you like?
Well, the red one is cheaper, but I prefer the color blue. Ill take the
blue one.

Use will/wont or going to for predictions or statements about

the future:

My companys going to move its headquarters overseas next year.

 Your wife will love those flowers theyre beautiful!
The economy isnt going to improve much this year.
He wont pass the test. He hasnt studied at all.

Exercises: http://www.learn-english-online.org/Lesson39/willwont.htm

SHALL

Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in

sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall
we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or voluntary actions. In
formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events often expresses
inevitability or predestination. "Shall" is much more commonly heard in
British English than in American English; Americans prefer to use other
forms, although they do sometimes use "shall" in suggestions or formalized
language.

Shall I help you? SUGGESTION

I shall never forget where I came from. PROMISE
He shall become our next king. PREDESTINATION
I'm afraid Mr. Smith shall become our new director. INEVITABILITY

More Examples of "Shall"

Modal Positive Forms Negative Forms You

Use can
also
use:

shall I shall be replaced by I shall not be replaced will

FUTURE someone from the New after all.
ACTION York office.
I shall not be there. I
(British I shall be there by 8:00. have a previous
form) obligation.

shall Shall we begin dinner? shoul

SUGGESTIO d
NS Shall we move into the
living room?

shall I shall take care of I shall never forget will

VOLUNTEER everything for you. you.
ING,
PROMISING I shall make the travel I shall never give up
arrangements. There's no the fight for freedom.
need to worry.
(British
form)

shall Man shall explore the Man shall never give

INEVITABILIT distant regions of the up the exploration of
Y universe. the universe.

(British We shall overcome He shall not be held

form) oppression. back.

http://www.englishgrammar.org/exercise-6/

PRESENT PERFECT AND PAST SIMPLE

El tipo de periodo de tiempo

a. Cuando el periodo de tiempo incluye el momento presente, se

utiliza el Present Perfect. Este periodo puede ser:

Un periodo de tiempo definido:

I have lived in Barcelona for 5 years / since 2004.

Por eso, se utiliza el Present Perfect en preguntas con How long? que hacen
referencia a un periodo de tiempo que empieza en el pasado y contina
hasta el momento presente.

How long have you had your car?

Un periodo de tiempo indefinido:

I have seen this film before / recently.

I have already done my homework.

Un periodo de tiempo no expresado:

Have you been to New York?

Si contestamos que si, entoces los detalles se tienen que poner en el Past
Simple:

Yes, I have. I went there when I was a student.

b. Cuando no hay vnculo alguno con el momento presente, se

utiliza el Past Simple. Esto puede indicarse con:

Expresiones que hacen referencia a momentos de tiempo claramente

desconectados del presente:
 I went to New York last year / two years ago / in 2006 / yesterday.

Por eso, se utiliza el Past Simple en preguntas con When? que hacen
referencia a un momento especfico del pasado:

When did you buy your car?

Fijaros tambin en el tipo de verbo que se utiliza en esta pregunta: se trata

de una accin sin duracin (buy a car). En la pregunta con How long?, el
verbo es una accin durativa (have a car)

Expresiones que hacen referencia a un periodo de tiempo que no incluye el

momento presente:

I lived in Paris for 5 years and then I moved to Barcelona.

2. El vnculo que una situacin tiene con el presente

a. Cuando una situacin tiene un vnculo con el presente, se utiliza el

Present Perfect. Normalmente, este vnculo lo constituyen los resultados
presentes de una accin que se realiz en el pasado:

I have lost my keys I dont have them now.

I have written two books The books exist now.

No es necessario que la accin haya pasado poco antes del momento

presente. Lo que importa es que el locutor considere que sus resultados o
efectos todava tienen relevancia en el presente.

I have read this book. la lectura del libro puede haber pasado hace
mucho tiempo, pero el recuerdo de la lectura est todava presente.

b. Cuando una situacin no tiene vnculo alguno con el presente, se utiliza el

Past Simple. No es necesario utilizar una expresin de tiempo:

My parents got married in France.

La falta de vnculo con el presente es muy evidente cuando hablamos de

una persona que ha muerto:

Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet.

Present Perfect:

Sujeto + verbo auxiliar ("to have") + participio pasado...

I've talked to Peter. (He hablado con Peter.)

She's gone to work. (Ha ido a su trabajo.)
We've been to London. (Hemos ido a Londres.)
They've learned English. (Han aprendido ingls.)
 Negative: Subject + Haven't / Hasn't + Past Participle
We haven't won the championship.
You haven't tried to learn a lot.
They haven't forgotten my birthday.
Question: Have / Has + Subject + Past Participle
Has she written the letter?
Has it started on time?
Have we won a trophy?

Past Simple:

subject + verb (in past form) + complement.

Affirmative: I saw a movie yesterday

Negative: subject + auxiliary verb (did) + negacion + verb
(infinitive) + complement.
He didnt hear the telephone.
Interrogative: auxiliary verb (did) + subject + verb (infinitive)
+ complement?.
Did you have dinner last night?

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpas-preper/tests?
test1

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

FORM
[has/have + been + present participle]

You have been waiting here for two hours.

Have you been waiting here for two hours?
You have not been waiting here for two hours.

USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in

the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks,"
and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present
Perfect Continuous.

They have been talking for the last hour.

She has been working at that company for three years.
What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?
James has been teaching at the university since June.
We have been waiting here for over two hours!
Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three
days?
USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such
as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general
meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to
emphasize this meaning.

Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

She has been watching too much television lately.
Have you been exercising lately?
Mary has been feeling a little depressed.
Lisa has not been practicing her English.
What have you been doing?

IMPORTANT
Remember that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of "lately"
or "recently." If you use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as
"Have you been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or
unhealthy. A question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that
you smell the smoke on the person. Using this tense in a question suggests
you can see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action. It is possible to
insult someone by using this tense incorrectly.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in
any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed
Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Perfect
Continuous with these verbs, you must use Present Perfect.

Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct
Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as:
always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

You have only been waiting here for one hour.

Have you only been waiting here for one hour?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Recently, John has been doing the work. ACTIVE
Recently, the work has been being done by John. PASSIVE
NOTE: Present Perfect Continuous is less commonly used in its passive form.
http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-perfect-
continuous-exercise-1.html

COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

Adjetivo Comparativo Superlativo Espaol

angry angrier Angriest enfadado, enojado
bad worse Worst malo
big bigger biggest grande
amargo, resentido,
bitter bitterer bitterest
agrio
black blacker blackest negro
bland blander blandest soso
bloody bloodier bloodiest sanguinolento
blue bluer bluest deprimido
bold bolder boldest audaz
bossy bossier bossiest mandn
brave braver bravest valiente
brief briefer briefest breve
bright brighter brightest brillante, luminoso
broad broader broadest ancho, amplio
busy busier busiest ocupado, ajetreado
calm calmer calmest tranquilo
cheap cheaper cheapest barato
chewy chewier chewiest correoso, gomoso
chubby chubbier chubbiest rechoncho
classy classier classiest elegante
clean cleaner cleanest limpio, sano
clear clear clearest claro, despejado
clever cleverer cleverest listo, ingenioso
close closer closest cerca
cloudy cloudier cloudiest nubiado
clumsy clumsier clumsiest torpe
coarse coarser coarsest spero, grosero
cold colder coldest fro
cool cooler coolest fresco
crazy crazier craziest loco
creamy creamier creamiest cremoso
espeluznante,
creepy creepier creepiest
repugnante
crispy crispier crispiest crujiente
cruel crueler cruelest cruel
crunchy crunchier crunchiest crujiente
curly curly curliest rizado, crespo,
 quebrado
curvy curvier curviest curvo
cute cuter cutest mono
damp damper dampest hmedo
dark darker darkest oscuro, moreno
deadly deadlier deadliest mortal, mortfero
deep deeper deepest profundo
dense denser densest denso
dirty dirtier dirtiest sucio
dry drier Driest seco
aburrido, soso, tonto,
dull duller dullest
romo
dumb dumber dumbest estpido
dusty dustier dustiest polvoriento
early earlier earliest pronto, temprano
easy easier easiest facl
leve, tenue, vago,
faint fainter faintest
ligero
claro, sereno, recto,
fair fairer fairest
justo
fancy fancier fanciest lujoso
far further/farther furthest/farthest lejos, distante
fast faster fastest rpido
fat fatter fattest gordo
few fewer fewest pocos
fierce fiercer fiercest fiero, encarnizado
filthy filthier filthiest aaqueroso, obsceno
fine finer Finest fino
firm firmer firmest firme, estricto
fit fitter fittest apto, en forma
flaky flakier flakiest desconchado
flat flatter flattest llano, liso, plano
fresh fresher freshest fresco, nuevo, original
agradable, amable,
friendly friendlier friendliest
amistoso
full fuller fullest lleno, completo
funny funnier funniest gracioso, curioso, raro
tierno, afectuoso,
gentle gentler gentlest
suave
oscuro, abatido,
gloomy gloomier gloomiest
decado
good better Best bueno
grandioso, ambicioso,
grand grander grandest
impotente
grave graver gravest grave
greasy greasier greasiest grasiento
great greater greatest grande, genial
goloso, codicioso,
greedy greedier greediest
vido
asqueroso, grosero,
gross grosser grossest
craso
guilty guilter guiltiest culpable
hairy hairier hairiest velludo, peludo
prctivo, til,
handy handier handiest
habilidoso, maoso
happy happier happiest feliz, contento, alegre
hard harder hardest duro, difcil
harsh harsher harshest spero, duro
healthy healthier healthiest sano, saludable
pesado, grueso,
heavy heavier heaviest
fuerte, duro

Comparatives Adjectives

Para comparar DOS cosas, animales o personas utilizamos los adjetivos en

grado comparativo, el cual se divide en: comparativo de superioridad,
comparativo de igualdad y comparativo de inferioridad.

SUPERIORIDAD (ms que): El comparativo de superioridad se usa para

comparar dos personas, animales o cosas cuando una supera a la otra en
algn aspecto. Para formarlo deberemos fijarnos en la longitud del adjetivo:

1. Adjetivos cortos

Se consideran adjetivos cortos aquellos que tienen una slaba . El

comparativo se forma se forma de la siguiente manera:

aadiendo -er al adjetivo + than

cheap (barato) cheaper than (ms barato que)

The white shirt is cheaper than the blue one (la camisa blanca es ms
barata que la azul)

Casos especiales:

Los adjetivos cortos que acaben en vocal + consonante (-b, -d, -g, -n, -p, -t)
duplican la consonante antes de aadir -er. Hot hotter big
bigger thin thinner

A los adjetivos de dos slabas que acaben en consonante* + -y cambian la y

por una i, aadiendo por tanto -ier (hungry, empty, friendly, tidy, busy, dirty,
funny, hungry, crazy, early, lucky...) crazy crazier happy happier
lucky luckier
Los adjetivos cortos que acaban en -e muda (no se pronuncia) slo
tendremos que aadir -r. Nice nicer large larger

Los adjetivos cortos que acaben en -l, duplican la l antes de aadir -er. cruel
crueller . Si acaban en doble l, slo aadiremos -er. Tall taller

* Aunque acaben en dos slabas se consideran cortos a efectos de formacin

del grado comparativo.

She is taller than her sister. (Ella es ms alta que su hermana)

John is thinner than Mike (John es ms delgado que Mike)
My office is larger than hers (Mi oficina es ms grande que la suya)
Her hair is curlier than mine (su pelo es ms rizado que el mo)
Today is hotter than yesterday (Hoy hace ms calor que ayer)

Adverbios: El grado comparativo en adverbios por lo general se forma

como explicamos a continuacin. No obstante, algunos adverbios "cortos"
como early (temprano), late (tarde) o near (cerca) aaden -er.

early earlier late later near nearer

2. Adjetivos largos

Se consideran adjetivos largos aquellos que tienen dos slabas o ms. El

comparativo de superioridad se forma de la siguiente manera:

more + adjetivo / adverbio + than

Famous (famoso) more famous than (ms famoso que)

Expensive (caro) more expensive than (ms caro que)
Difficult (difcil) more difficult than (ms difcil que)
Easily (fcilmente) more easily than (ms fcilmente que, con ms
facilidad que)

Ejemplos:

His trainers are more comfortable than hers (sus zapatillas son ms
cmodas que las suyas)
A blouse is more elegant than a t-shirt (una camisa es ms elegante
que una camiseta)
Mercedes is more expensive than Hyundai (Mercedes es ms caro que
Hyundai)
She learns more easily than her sister (ella aprende con ms facilidad
que su hermana)

Excepciones: Quiet quieter than

Los adjetivos de dos slabas que acaben en -ow, -le y -er permiten ambas
formas, si bien es ms comn aadir -er.

Clever cleverer than / more clever than

Narrow narrower than / more narrow than
 Simple simpler than / more simple than

Irregulares: Algunos adjetivos adoptan una forma irregular para formar su

grado comparativo.

Good (bueno) better than (mejor que)

Bad (malo) worse than (peor que)
Far (lejos) farther than / further than (ms lejos que)

Otras expresiones:

Con los comparativos no podemos usar "very" (muy). Sin embargo, s

podemos usar:

much / far (mucho ms)*

Chinese is much / far more difficult than Spanish (el chino es mucho
ms difcil que el espaol)
a lot / lots (mucho ms) (informal)
Chinese is a lot more difficult than Spanish
a little (un poco)
The blue dress is a little cheaper than the white one (el vestido azul
es un poco ms barato que el blanco)
a bit (un poco) (informal)
The blue dress is a bit cheaper than the white one
any (algo) (enftico)
Do you feel any better? (te sientes algo mejor?)
even (incluso)
You cook even better than a chef (cocinas incluso mejor que un chef)

Verbos y sustantivos: Adems de adjetivos y adverbios, tambin

podemos usar la comparacin de superioridad con verbos y sustantivos.

She works more than he does (ella trabaja ms que l)

They want more money (ellos quieren ms dinero)

*Cuando el comparativo se usa con sustantivos, podemos modificarlo con

much (para incontables) y many (para contables).

Ellos tienen mucho ms dinero que t They've got much more

money than you do
Hay muchos ms libros en esta estantera There are many more
books in this shelf

IMPORTANTE

Slo podremos "than" cuando mencionemos las dos cosas que se estn
comparando.

The orange t-shirt is 15. The blue t-shirt is 20

The blue t-shirt is more expensive than the orange t-shirt (nombramos las
dos)

The blue t-shirt is more expensive (slo nombramos una)

Mucho cuidado con escribir that en lugar de than.

Ellos son ms altos.

They are more talls X They are taller OK

Detrs de than podemos usar:

Pronombres objeto You are taller than me (t eres ms alto que yo)

Pronombres posesivos His car is better than mine (su coche es mejor que
el mo)

One /ones (para sustituir a un sustantivo precedente) The blue t-shirt is

more expensive than the orange one (la camiseta azul es ms cara que la
naranja)

IGUALDAD (tan. como): Lo usamos para indicar que dos cosas,

animales o personas son iguales. El grado de igualdad se formar de la
siguiente manera:

As + adjetivo / adverbio + as

Blue is as nice as green (el azul es tan bonito como el verde)

Nike is as expensive as Adidas (Nike es tan caro como Adidas)
My car runs as smoothly as yours (mi coche va igual de suave que el
tuyo)

Negativas

My office isn't as large as hers (mi oficina no es tan grande como la

suya)
Peter is not so successful as his father ( Peter no tiene tanto xito
como su padre)

INFERIORIDAD (menos. que)

El grado de inferioridad se formar de la siguiente manera:

Less + adjetivo / adverbio + than

Water is less expensive than coke (el agua es menos cara que la
coca-cola)
The book is less popular than the film (el libro es menos conocido que
la pelcula)
He drives less carefully than his wife (l conduce con menos cuidado
que su mujer)
 I go to the cinema less often than you (voy al cine con menos
frecuencia que t)

Adems de adjetivos y adverbios, tambin podemos usar este grado

comparativo con sustantivos:

less + sustantivo incontable + than

He has less money than you (l tiene menos dinero que t)

fewer + sustantivo contable + than
He has fewer books than she has (l tiene menos libros que ella)
He has less books than she has

Superlatives Adjectives

Superlative adjective compares three or more nouns. This takes the

comparison of nouns to the highest degree. An example would be: My
mothers cooking is the best. The rules for making superlative adjectives
are almost identical to the rules for making comparative adjectives. They
are:

One syllable words - add est to the word. Remember that it is

sometimes necessary to double the final consonant. Examples are:
strong to strongest and big to biggest.
One syllable words ending with an e - only add st like fine to
finest or rare to rarest.
Two syllable words ending with a y - change the y to an i and
add est. Two examples are crazy to craziest and silly to silliest.
Two and three syllable words - use most or least. Examples
include most desirable and least expensive.

Exercises: http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?
id=3565

MUST

En forma afirmativa se usa para expresar obligacin o una necesidad muy

fuerte.

I must study a lot for my Geography exam. (Debo estudiar mucho

para mi examen de geografa.)

Para negar, slo aadimos la partcula negativa not, y normalmente se

contrae con must. En forma negativa se usa para expresar algo muy
diferente. No es lo contrario de su significado en forma afirmativa (o sea,
que no hay obligacin). Al contrario, se usa para expresar una prohibicin,
algo que no est permitido.

You mustn't eat in class. (No debis comer en clase = Est prohibido
comer en clase.)
1. Obligacin

El semimodal Have to tambin se usa para expresar obligacin. La

diferencia radica en que la obligacin expresada por have to es externa
(viene dada por una tercera persona o por normas) mientras que la
obligacin expresada por must est impuesta por el hablante o el que
escribe la frase. Adems, la obligacin con must tiene intencin futura.

I must write an e-mail to my cousin (debo escribir un e-mail a mi

primo) Es algo que me impongo yo mismo. Todava no lo he hecho,
tiene intencin futura.

Passengers must fasten their seatbealts (los pasajeros deben

abrocharse el cinturn de seguridad) Es algo que impone la
compaa que ha escrito la frase.
I have to wear uniform at work (tengo que llevar uniforme en el
trabajo) Es algo que me imponen en el trabajo.

2. Deber moral

You must respect your parents (debes respetar a tus padres)

3. Consejo (persuasin)

Aqu es muy importante que se distinga del "should" que tambin se usa
para expresar consejo. Usamos must para expresar fuerte recomendacin o
consejo, hasta el punto de querer persuadir al interlocutor.

You must go and see that film (Debes ir y ver esa pelcula)
You must clean your car (debes limpiar el coche)

4. Necesidad fuerte

Aqu hemos de distinguirlo del semi-modal have to que tambin expresa

necesidad. Must se usa para expresar una necesidad fuerte.

I must tidy my bedroom. It's a mess (debo ordenar mi habitacin.

Est hecha un desastre)

Adems, slo usamos must para expresar una fuerte necesidad en presente.
Si queremos usar otros tiempos verbales, deberemos recurrir a have to.

I'll have to go to the doctor (tendr que ir al mdico) futuro

I had to leave early (tuve que marcharme temprano) pasado

5. Deduccin afirmativa.

You got up very early. You must be tired (te levantaste muy temprano.
Debes estar cansado)
 The lights are on. She must be home. (las luces estn encendidas.
Debe estar en casa)

Para deducciones negativas usaremos el modal can't.

You can't be 30! You look younger. (No puedes tener 30 aos!
Pareces ms joven)

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?
id=5140
HAVE TO

"Have to" is used to express certainty, necessity, and obligation.

Have to / Has to = it is necessary

Don't have to / Doesn't have to = it isn't necessary

AFFIRMATIVE SUBJE MODA

VERB EXAMPLES
SENTENCES CT L

I have to clean my room.

affirmative I clean You have to get a new
book.
sentences you have get
(+) we to pick We have to pick up the
they up laundry.
NECESSITY: have They have to have a
have to/has to eat notebook.
means it is go He has to eat dinner now.
he
necessary.
she has to work She has to go to work now.
it It has to work.

Using "Have to" in Present, Past, and Future

"Have to" behaves quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study the
chart below to learn how "have to" behaves in different contexts.

Use Positive Forms Negative Forms You

1. = Present 2. = Past 1. = Present 2. = Past 3. can
3. = Future = Future also
use:

have 1. That has to be Jerry. 1. SHIFT TO "MUST" must

to They said he was tall That must not be Jerry. ,
CERTAI with bright red hair. They said he has blond have
NTY hair, not red hair. got
2. That has to have
 been the right 2. SHIFT TO "MUST" to
restaurant. There were That must not have been
no other restaurants on the right restaurant. I guess
the street. there was another one
around there somewhere.
3. NONE
3. NONE

have 1. She has to read four
to books for this literature
NECESS class.
ITY
2. She had to finish the
first book before the
midterm.
3. She will have to finish
the other books before
the final exam.
1. She doesn't have to read must
"Grapes of Wrath." It's
optional reading for extra
credit.
2. She didn't have to write
a critique of "The Scarlet
Letter." She had to give a
presentation to her class.
3. She won't have to take
any other literature classes.
American Literature 101 is
the only required course.

REMEMBER: "Do not have to" vs. "Must not"

"Do not have to" suggests that someone is not required to do something.
"Must not" suggests that you are prohibited from doing something.

Examples:

You must not eat that. IT IS FORBIDDEN, IT IS NOT ALLOWED.

You don't have to eat that. YOU CAN IF YOU WANT TO, BUT IT IS NOT
NECESSARY.

Exercises: http://english-zone.com/verbs/haveto1.html

SHOULD

"Should" is most commonly used to make recommendations or give advice.

It can also be used to express obligation as well as expectation.

When you go to Berlin, you should visit the palaces in

Potsdam. RECOMMENDATION
You should focus more on your family and less on work. ADVICE
I really should be in the office by 7:00 AM. OBLIGATION
By now, they should already be in Dubai. EXPECTATION
Using "Should" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study
the chart below to learn how "should" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Use Positive Forms Negative Forms You

1. = Present 2. = Past 1. = Present 2. can
3. = Future = Past 3. = also
Future use:

should 1. People with high 1. Sarah ought

RECOMMENDATI cholesterol should eat shouldn't smoke to
ON, low-fat foods. so much. It's not
ADVISABILITY good for her
2. Frank should have health.
eaten low-fat foods. That
might have prevented his 2. Sarah
heart attack. shouldn't have
smoked so
3. You really should start much. That's
eating better. what caused her
health problems.

3. Sarah
shouldn't smoke
when she visits
Martha next
week. Martha
hates when
people smoke in
her house.

should I should be at work before NO NEGATIVE be

OBLIGATION 9:00. FORMS suppos
ed to
We should return the
video before the video
rental store closes.

"SHOULD" CAN ALSO EXPRESS

SOMETHING BETWEEN
RECOMMENDATION AND
OBLIGATION. "BE SUPPOSED
TO" EXPRESSES A SIMILAR
IDEA AND CAN EASILY BE USED
 IN THE PAST OR IN NEGATIVE
FORMS.

should 1. Susan should be in 1. Susan ought

EXPECTATION New York by now. shouldn't be in to,
New York yet. be
2. Susan should have suppos
arrived in New York last 2. Susan ed to
week. Let's call her and shouldn't have
see what she is up to. arrived in New
York until
3. Susan should be in yesterday.
New York by next week.
Her new job starts on 3. Susan
Monday. shouldn't arrive
in New York until
next week.

MAY

"May" is most commonly used to express possibility. It can also be used to

give or request permission, although this usage is becoming less common.

Cheryl may be at home, or perhaps at work. POSSIBILITY

Johnny, you may leave the table when you have finished your
dinner. GIVE PERMISSION
May I use your bathroom? REQUEST PERMISSION
Using "May" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study
the chart below to learn how "may" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Positive Forms Negative Forms You

Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 1. = Present 2. = Past can
3. = Future 3. = Future also
use:

may 1. Jack may be upset. I 1. Jack may not be upset. mig

POSSIBILIT can't really tell if he is Perhaps he is tired.
Y annoyed or tired. 2. Jack may not have ht
been upset. Perhaps he
2. Jack may have been was tired.
upset. I couldn't really
tell if he was annoyed or 3. Jack may not get
tired. upset, even if you tell
him the truth
3. Jack may get upset if
you don't tell him the
truth.

may 1. You may leave the 1. You may not leave the can
GIVE table now that you're table. You're not finished
PERMISSIO finished with your with your dinner yet.
N dinner.
2. SHIFT TO "BE
2. SHIFT TO "BE ALLOWED TO"
ALLOWED TO" You were not allowed to
You were allowed to leave the table because
leave the table after you hadn't finished your
you finished your dinner.
dinner.
3. You may not leave the
3. You may leave the table until you are
table when you finish finished with your
your dinner. dinner.

may May I borrow your NO NEGATIVE FORMS can,

REQUEST eraser? mig
PERMISSIO ht
N
May I make a phone
call?

REQUESTS USUALLY REFER

TO THE NEAR FUTURE.

MIGHT

"Might" is most commonly used to express possibility. It is also often used

in conditional sentences. English speakers can also use "might" to make
suggestions or requests, although this is less common in American English.

Your purse might be in the living room. POSSIBILITY

If I didn't have to work, I might go with you. CONDITIONAL
 You might visit the botanical gardens during your visit. SUGGESTION
Might I borrow your pen? REQUEST
Using "Might" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study
the chart below to learn how "might" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Positive Forms Negative Forms You

Use 1. = Present 2. = Past 1. = Present 2. = can
3. = Future Past 3. = Future also
use:

might 1. She might be on the 1. She might not be could,

POSSIBILITY bus. I think her car is on the bus. She may
having problems. might be walking
home.
2. She might have taken
the bus. I'm not sure how 2. She might not
she got to work. have taken the bus.
She might have
3. She might take the bus walked home.
to get home. I don't think
Bill will be able to give her 3. She might not
a ride. take the bus. She
might get a ride from
Bill.

might 1. If I entered the contest, 1. Even if I entered

CONDITION I might actually win.
AL OF MAY
2. If I had entered the
contest, I might actually
have won.
3. If I entered the contest
tomorrow, I might actually
win. Unfortunately, I can't
enter it.
the contest, I might
not win.
2. Even if I had
entered the contest,
I might not have
won.
3. Even if I entered
the contest
tomorrow, I might
not win.

might 1. NO PRESENT FORM 1. NO PRESENT could

SUGGESTIO FORM
N
2. You might have tried
 the cheese cake. 2. PAST FORM
UNCOMMON
3. You might try the
cheesecake. 3. You might not
want to eat the
cheese cake. It's
very calorific.

might Might I have something to NEGATIVE FORMS could,

REQUEST drink? UNCOMMON may,
can
(British Might I borrow the
form) stapler?

REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO

THE NEAR FUTURE.

REMEMBER: "Might not" vs. "Could not"

"Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens. "Could not"
suggests that it is impossible for something to happen.

Examples:

Jack might not have the key. MAYBE HE DOES NOT HAVE THE KEY.
Jack could not have the key. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT HE HAS THE KEY.

CAN AND CANT

Pronoun / name + can + action verb + Complement

Ntese que estas oraciones a pesar de que estn formuladas como presente
simple, no se cambia el verbo en la tercera persona del singular (He, She,
It). En los siguientes ejemplos se puede ver esta explicacin:

He can work today.

He can works today. X
She can wash the dishes.
She can washes the dishes.X
It can play videos.
It can plays videos.X

Pronoun / name + can't + action verb + Complement

Este tipo de oraciones de naturaleza negativa conserva las propiedades del
verbo de accin que las oraciones afirmativas, es decir, el verbo no cambia
en funcin de la persona de quien se hable.

Nota: Es muy comn en el ingls (al hablar y escribir) usar la contraccin

"Can't" en lugar de "Cannot".

Para preguntas de "Can":

Can + Pronoun / name + action verb + Complement?

Ahora que hemos visto la forma correcta de estructurar estas oraciones,

volvamos al principio para explicar en qu consisten cada una de las 4
formas en que podemos usar "Can" y "Can't".

1- Posibilidad de ciertos sucesos

a) I can go to the market in the afternoon.

(Puedo ir al mercado en la tarde.)

b) We can visit Christian next week

(Nosotros podemos visitar a Cristian la prxima semana.)

c) It can be rainy tomorrow.

(Puede estar lluvioso maana.)

d) She can't come to the party tonight.

(Ella no puede venir a la fiesta esta noche.)

e) Can you arrive early today?

(Puedes llegar temprano hoy?)

2.- La habilidad o capacidad de personas / cosas

a) Laura can swim very well.

(Laura puede nadar muy bien.)

b) They can play the piano.

(Ellos pueden tocar el piano.)

c) It can run desktop software and modern apps.

(Puede correr programas de escritorio y aplicaciones modernas.)

d) He can't cook. He always burns the food.

(l no puede cocinar. El siempre quema la comida.)

e) Can she drive a standard car?

(Puede ella conducir un auto estndar?)

3.- Para pedir / dar permiso

3.1.- Para pedir permiso

a) Can she come with me?

(Puede ella venir conmigo?)

b) Can I come in?

(Puedo entrar?)

3.2.- Para dar permiso

a) You can stay.

(Te puedes quedar.)

b) They can visit their grandparents tomorrow.

(Ellos pueden visitar a sus abuelos maana.

4.- Para pedir / ofrecer cosas

4.1- Para pedir cosas

a) Can you help me, please?

(Puedes ayudarme, por favor?)

b) Can you work in our team?

(Puedes trabajar en nuestro equipo?)

4.2- Para ofrecer cosas

a) Can I help you?

(Puedo ayudarte?)

b) Can I take your order?

(Puedo tomar su orden?)

Hasta el momento solo se han visto el tipo de preguntas que se responden

con "Si" o "No". Aquellas que comienzan con el verbo auxiliar "Can"

- You can go to the Plaza Mall. (Puedes ir a la Plaza Mall.)

- What can I do there? (Qu puedo hacer ah?)

- You can hang out with your friends. (Puedes pasar el rato con tus
amigos.)

- What else can I do there? (Qu ms puedo hacer ah?)

- You can meet interesting people. (Puedes conocer gente

interesante.)

- When can I go there? (Cundo puedo ir ah?)

- You can go there every day. (Puedes ir ah todos los das.)

- What things can I buy there? (Qu cosas puedo comprar ah?)

- You can buy jewelry and clothes. (Puedes comprar joyera y ropa)

http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal1.htm

http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal3.htm

http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal6.htm

COULD

"Could" is used to express possibility or past ability as well as to make

suggestions and requests. "Could" is also commonly used
inconditional sentences as the conditional form of "can."

Extreme rain could cause the river to flood the city. POSSIBILITY
Nancy could ski like a pro by the age of 11. PAST ABILITY
You could see a movie or go out to dinner. SUGGESTION
Could I use your computer to email my boss? REQUEST
We could go on the trip if I didn't have to work this
weekend. CONDITIONAL
Using "Could" in Present, Past, and Future

Most modal verbs behave quite irregularly in the past and the future. Study
the chart below to learn how "could" behaves in different contexts.

Modal Positive Forms Negative Forms You

Use 1. = Present 2. = 1. = Present 2. = Past can
Past 3. = Future 3. = Future also
use:
could 1. John could be the 1. Mary couldn't be the might,
POSSIBILIT one who stole the one who stole the
Y money. money. may

2. John could have 2. Mary couldn't have

been the one who stole been the one who stole
the money. the money.

3. John could go to jail 3. Mary couldn't possibly

for stealing the money. go to jail for the crime.

could 1. If I had more time, I 1. Even if I had more

CONDITIO could travel around the time, I couldn't travel
NAL world. around the world.
OF CAN
2. If I had had more 2. Even if I had had more
time, I could have time, I couldn't have
traveled around the traveled around the
world. world.

3. If I had more time 3. Even if I had more

this winter, I could time this winter, I
travel around the couldn't travel around
world. the world.

could 1. NO PRESENT FORM NO NEGATIVE FORMS

SUGGESTI
ON
2. You could have
spent your vacation in
Hawaii.

3. You could spend

your vacation in
Hawaii.

could I could run ten miles in I couldn't run more than be

PAST my twenties. a mile in my twenties. able to
ABILITY
I could speak Chinese I couldn't speak Swahili.
when I was a kid.
"COULD" CAN BE USED IN
"COULD" CANNOT BE USED NEGATIVE SENTENCES IN
IN POSITIVE SENTENCES IN WHICH YOU DESCRIBE A
WHICH YOU DESCRIBE A MOMENTARY OR ONE-TIME
 MOMENTARY OR ONE-TIME ABILITY.
ABILITY.
Yesterday, I couldn't lift
Yesterday, I could lift the couch by
the couch by myself. Correct
myself. Not Correct

could Could I have something Couldn't he come with can,

POLITE to drink? us? may,
REQUEST might
Could I borrow your Couldn't you help me
stapler? with this for just a
second?
REQUESTS USUALLY REFER
TO THE NEAR FUTURE. REQUESTS USUALLY REFER TO
THE NEAR FUTURE.

REMEMBER: "Could not" vs. "Might not"

"Could not" suggests that it is impossible for something to happen.
"Might not" suggests you do not know if something happens.

Examples:

Jack might not have the key. MAYBE HE DOES NOT HAVE THE KEY.
Jack could not have the key. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE THAT HE HAS THE KEY.

BE ABLE TO (ABILITY, POSSIBILITY)

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 atbe
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 basic structure for be able to is:

subject + be + able + to-infinitive

 main verb adjective
subject be able to-infinitive

+ I am able to drive.

- She is not able to drive.

isn't

? Are you able to drive?

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 is NOT a modal auxiliary verb. We include it here for

convenience, because it is often used like "can" and "could",
which aremodal auxiliary verbs.

be able to for 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 toswim", 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 tenses - but "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 usebe
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)
 I would like to be able to fly an airplane. (infinitive)

FIRST CONDITIONAL AND FUTURE

Will + Infinitive (First Conditional)

The first conditional has the present simple after 'if', then the future simple
in the other clause:

if + present simple, ... will + infinitive

It's used to talk about things which might happen in the future. Of course,
we can't know what will happen in the future, but this describes possible
things, which could easily come true.

If it rains, I won't go to the park.

If I study today, I'll go to the party tonight.
If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes.
She'll be late if the train is delayed.
She'll miss the bus if she doesn't leave soon.
If I see her, I'll tell her.

First vs. Zero Conditional: The first conditional describes a particular

situation, whereas the zero conditional describes what happens in general.

For example (zero conditional): if you sit in the sun, you get burned (here I'm
talking about every time a person sits in the sun - the burning is a natural
consequence of the sitting)

But (first conditional): if you sit in the sun, you'll get burned (here I'm talking
about what will happen today, another day might be different)

The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where

the situation is real. The type 1 conditional refers to a possible condition
and its probable result. In these sentences the if clause is in the simple
present, and the main clause is in the simple future.

If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple future

If this thing happens that thing will happen.

If you don't hurry you will miss the train.

 If clause Main clause

If it rains today you will get wet.

We use the First Conditional to talk about future events that are
likely to happen.

If we take John, he'll be really pleased.

If you give me some money, I'll pay you back tomorrow.
If they tell us they want it, we'll have to give it to them.
If Mary comes, she'll want to drive.

The 'if' clause can be used with different present forms.

If I go to New York again, I'll buy you a souvenir from the Empire State
Building.
If he's feeling better, he'll come.
If she hasn't heard the bad news yet, I'll tell her.

The "future clause" can contain 'going to' or the future perfect as
well as 'will'.

If I see him, I'm going to tell him exactly how angry I am.
If we don't get the contract, we'll have wasted a lot of time and
money.

The "future clause" can also contain other modal verbs such as 'can'
and 'must'.

If you go to New York, you must have the cheesecake in Lindy's.

If he comes, you can get a lift home with him.

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/first-conditional-
exercise-1.html
SECOND CONDITIONAL

The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the
infinitive:

if + past simple, ...would + infinitive

(We can use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'. This is mostly
done in formal writing).
 It has two uses.

First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are
probably not going to be true. Maybe I'm imagining some dream for
example.

If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.(I probably won't win
the lottery)

If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.

She would travel all over the world if she were rich.

She would pass the exam if she ever studied.(She never studies, so
this won't happen)

Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present which

is impossible, because it's not true. Is that clear? Have a look at the
examples:

If I had his number, I would call him. (I don't have his number now,
so it's impossible for me to call him).

If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.

How is this different from the first conditional?

This kind of conditional sentence is different from the first conditional

because this is a lot more unlikely.

For example (second conditional): If I had enough money I would buy a

house with twenty bedrooms and a swimming pool (I'm probably not going
to have this much money, it's just a dream, not very real)

But (first conditional): If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes (It's
much more likely that I'll have enough money to buy some shoes).

The Second Conditional is used to talk about 'impossible' situations.

If we were in London today, we would be able to go to the concert in

Hyde Park.
 If I had millions dollars, I'd give a lot to charity.

If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much

better place.

If everyone had clean water to drink, there would be a lot less

disease.

Note that after I / he/ she /it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and
not 'was'. (Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other
people think 'was' is equally 'correct' .)

If she were happy in her job, she wouldn't be looking for another one.

If I lived in Japan, I'd have sushi every day.

If they were to enter our market, we'd have big problems.

Note the form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.

If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live.

If I were you, I'd go back to school and get more qualifications.

The Second Conditional is also used to talk about 'unlikely' situations.

If I went to China, I'd visit the Great Wall.

If I was the President, I'd reduce taxes.

If you were in my position, you'd understand.

Note that the choice between the first and the second conditional is often a
question of the speaker's attitude rather than of facts. Compare these
examples. Otto thinks these things are possible, Peter doesn't.

Otto If I win the lottery, I'll buy a big house.

Peter If I won the lottery, I'd buy a big house.

Otto If I get promoted, I'll throw a big party.

Peter If I got promoted, I'd throw a big party.

 Otto If my team win the Cup, I'll buy champagne for everybody.

Peter If my team won the Cup, I'd buy champagne for everybody.

Note that the 'If clause' can contain the past simple or the past continuous.

If I was still working in Brighton, I would commute by train.

If she were coming, she would be here by now.

If they were thinking of selling, I would want to buy.

Note that the main clause can contain 'would' 'could' or 'might.

If I had the chance to do it again, I would do it differently.

If we met up for lunch, we could go to that new restaurant.

If I spoke to him directly, I might be able to persuade him.

Also note that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.

What would I do without you? ("if you weren't here")

Where would I get one at this time of night? ("if I wanted one")

He wouldn't agree. ("if I asked him")

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/second-conditional-exercise-1.html

THIRD CONDITIONAL

We make the third conditional by using the past perfect after 'if' and then
'would have' and the past participle in the second part of the sentence:

if + past perfect, ...would + have + past participle

It talks about the past. It's used to describe a situation that didn't happen,
and to imagine the result of this situation.

If she had studied, she would have passed the exam (but, really
we know she didn't study and so she didn't pass)
 If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick (but I did eat a
lot, and so I did feel sick).

If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane

She wouldn't have been tired if she had gone to bed earlier

She would have become a teacher if she had gone to university

He would have been on time for the interview if he had left the
house at nine

We can use the Third Conditional to talk about 'impossible' conditions,

impossible because they are in the past and we cannot change what has
happened.

If I had worked harder at school, I would have got better grades.

If I had had time, I would have gone to see him. But I didn't have
time.

If we had bought that house, we would have had to rebuild the

kitchen.

If we had caught the earlier train, we would have got there on time
but we were late.

Notice that the main clause can contain 'would', 'could' or 'might.

If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him. (But he
wasn't there so I didn't.)

If I had seen him at the meeting, I could have asked him. ( But he
wasn't there so it wasn't possible.)

If I had seen him at the meeting, I might have asked him. (But I'm not
sure. Perhaps if the opportunity had arisen.)

If I had paid more attention in class, I would have understood the

lesson.

Also notice that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.
 I'd have done it. ("if you had asked me but you didn't.")

I wouldn't have said that. ("if I'd been there.")

He wouldn't have let him get away with that. ("if he had tried that
with me.")

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/third-conditional-exercise-1.html

USUALLY

The adverb usually refers to what typically or normally happens. We use it

mostly in mid position, between the subject and the main verb, or after the
modal verb or first auxiliary verb, or after be as a main verb:

Children usually enjoy visits to the zoo.

Not: Children enjoy usually visits

I usually get up around eight oclock.

You can usually buy tickets for rock concerts on the Internet.

Are you usually in your office on Thursdays?

Warning:

Usually does not mean the same as used to or be used to. Usuallyrefers to
what typically or normally happens. Used to refers to things which were true
in the past but not now. Be used to means be accustomed to or be familiar
with:

We usually watch the news on TV before we go to bed.

Not: We used to watch the news or Were used to watching the news
or We use to watch the news

We can also use the verb tend to talk about what usually happens:

We tend to watch the news on TV before we go to bed.

We say as usual, not as usually, to talk about something which happens in

the normal or typical way:

We shall meet again as usual at 5 pm next Tuesday.

Not: We shall meet again as usually at

 Typical errors

Take care to spell usually with ll.

Dont confuse usually and used to. Usually refers to what normally
happens; used to refers to things which were true in the past but are no
longer true:

I usually play football on Wednesday evenings, so Thursday would be

better for me to go out for a meal.

Not: I used to play football

USED TO

[used to + VERB]

I used to go to the beach every day.

It is better not to use "used to" in questions or negative forms;

however, this is sometimes done in informal spoken English. It is
better to ask questions and create negative sentences using
Simple Past.

"Used to" expresses the idea that something was an old

habit that stopped in the past. It indicates that
something was often repeated in the past, but it is not
usually done now.

Jerry used to study English.

Sam and Mary used to go to Mexico in the summer.
I used to start work at 9 o'clock.
Christine used to eat meat, but now she is a vegetarian.

"Used to" can also be used to talk about past facts or

generalizations which are no longer true.

I used to live in Paris.

Sarah used to be fat, but now she is thin.
George used to be the best student in class, but now Lena
is the best.
Oranges used to cost very little in Florida, but now they are
quite expensive.

"Used to" vs. Simple Past

Both Simple Past and "Used to" can be used to describe past
habits, past facts and past generalizations; however, "used to" is
preferred when emphasizing these forms of past repetition in
positive sentences. On the other hand, when asking questions or
making negative sentences, Simple Past is preferred.

You used to play the piano.

Did you play the piano when you were young?
You did not play the piano when you were young.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Jerry used to pay the bills. ACTIVE
The bills used to be paid by Jerry. PASSIVE

Negative Sentences (Frases negativas)

Estructura Sujeto + "didn't" + "use to" + verbo...

Interrogative Sentences (Frases interogativas)

Estructura "Did" + sujeto + "use to" + verbo...?

PASSIVE

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not

important or not known, however, who or what is performing the
action.

My bike was stolen.

In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was
stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.

Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active

voice, as the following example shows:

A mistake was made.

In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I
do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).

Form of Passive

Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle

 A letter was written.

When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the

following: The object of the active sentence becomes the subject
of the passive sentence

the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past

participle)
the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of
the passive sentence (or is dropped)

Examples of Passive

Tense Subject Verb Object

writes a letter.
Simple Present Active: Rita

Passive: A letter is written by Rita.

Simple Past Active: Rita wrote a letter.

Passive: A letter was written by Rita.

Present Perfect Active: Rita has written a letter.

Passive: A letter has been written by Rita.

Future I Active: Rita will write a letter.

Passive: A letter will be written by Rita.

Hilfsverben Active: Rita can write a letter.

Passive: A letter can be written by Rita.

Examples of Passive

Tense Subject Verb Object

is writing a letter.
Present Active: Rita
Progressive
Passive: A letter is being written by Rita.

Past Progressive Active: Rita was writing a letter.

Passive: A letter was being written by Rita.

Past Perfect Active: Rita had written a letter.

Passive: A letter had been written by Rita.

Future II Active: Rita will have written a letter.

Passive: A letter will have been written by Rita.

Conditional I Active: Rita would write a letter.

Passive: A letter would be written by Rita.

Conditional II Active: Rita would have written a letter.

Passive: A letter would have been by Rita.

written

Passive Sentences with Two Objects

Subject Verb Object 1 Object 2

wrote a letter to me.

Active: Rita

Passive: A letter was written to me by Rita.

Passive: I was written a letter by Rita.

.Form:

[Thing receiving action] + [be] + [past participle of verb]

+ [by] + [thing doing action]

Uses

Usamos la voz pasiva cuando no sabemos quien ha

realizado la accin.

A civilian has been killed. (Un civil ha sido asesinado.)

The car was stolen. (El coche fue robado.)
Usamos la voz pasiva cuando queremos dar ms
importancia a lo que pas, que a quin realiz la accin o
cuando no queremos decir quien la realiz.

The letter was delivered yesterday. (La carta fue entregada

ayer.)
A mistake was made. (Un error fue cometido.)

Nota: No podemos usar la voz pasiva con verbos intransitivos

como "die", "arrive" o "go". Verbos intransitivos son verbos que
no llevan un objeto directo.

http://www.esl-lounge.com/student/grammar/3g20-passive-active-
exercise.php

SOMETHING/ ANYTHING/ NOTHING

Something means a thing that is unknown. It is often used in positive

sentences.
Anything means a thing of any kind. Use it in questions and negative
sentences. It can also be used to to mean I don't mind.
Nothing means no single thing. Used as subjects of a sentence or
question.
Everything means all the things. Use in affirmative, negative and
interrogative sentences when we want to be inclusive.

http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/anything-nothing-something-
everything

QUANTIFIERS

Los cuantificadores indican la cantitad de un nombre. Son repuestas a la

pregunta "Cuntos?". Al igual que los artculos, los cuantificadores definen
a un nombre y siempre estn situados delante del nombre. Algunos se
pueden usar slo con nombres contables, otros, slo con nombres
incontables y otros, con ambos.

Many
Much
Some
Any
 No, none
A lot of/Lots of
Little/A little
Few/A few

Utilizamos los cuantificadores para expresar la idea de cantidad o nmero.

En el siguiente resumen podrs estudiar cmo y cundo usarlos.

Many

Significado: Mucho

Uso: Expresa la idea de gran cantidad. Es utilizado sobretodo en frases

negativas e interrogativas con el nombre contable en plural. Se puede usar
"many" en frases afirmativas, aunque no es muy comn. Normalmente,
usamos otros cuantificadores como "a lot."

Frase negativa:

There are not many tourists. (No hay muchos turistas.)

Frase interrogativa:

How many cats do you have? (Cuntos gatos tienes?)

Frase afirmativa:

We have many friends. (Tenemos muchos amigos.)

Tambin se combina con "too" (demasiado) o "so" (tanto) para expresar la

idea de cantidad excesiva o un punto de vista sobre una cantidad.

There are too many changes for me. (Hay demasiados cambios para m.)

There are so many things I want to do! (Hay tantas cosas que deseo hacer!)

Much

Significado: Mucho

Uso: Como "many", expresa la idea de gran cantidad y es utilizado

sobretodo en frases negativas e interrogativas. La diferencia con "many" es
que usamos "much" slo con nombres incontables en singular. Se puede
usar "much" en frases afirmativas, aunque sera ms formal y no tan
comn.

Frase negativa:

There is not much time. (No hay mucho tiempo.)

Frase interrogativa:

How much money does he have? (Cunto dinero tiene?)

Frase afirmativa:

We have much to do! (Tenemos mucho que hacer!)

Como "many," tambin se puede combinar con "too" o "so" para expresar la
idea de cantidad excesiva o un punto de vista sobre una cantidad.

There is too much work. (Hay demasiado trabajo.)

We have so much work to do! (Tenemos tanto trabajo que hacer!)

Some

Significado: Algunos, unos

Uso: Se utiliza tanto para los nombres o sustantivos contables en singular

como para los nombres o sustantivos contables en plural. Se usa en frases
afirmativas e interrogativas (para afirmar algo); se sustituye "any" en frases
negativas o interrogativas. Significa una cantidad indefinida, pero limitada.

Frase afirmativa/nombre contable:

She has some apples. (Tiene algunas manzanas.)

Frase afirmativa/nombre incontable:

There is some milk in the kitchen. (Hay leche en la cocina.)

Frase interrogativa/nombre contable:

Are there some tourists? (Hay unos turistas?)

Frase interrogativa/nombre incontable:

Would you like some coffee? (Quieres caf?)

Any

Significado: Algunos, ninguno

Uso: Se utiliza en los mismos contextos que "some," pero en frases

negativas o interrogativas.

Frase negativa/nombre contable:

I do not have any cats. (No tengo ningn gato.)

Frase negativa/nombre incontable:

He does not have any money. (No tiene dinero.)

Frase interrogativa/nombre contable:

Are there any changes? (Hay algunos cambios?)

Frase interrogativa/nombre incontable:

Is there any milk? (Hay leche?)

No, None

Significado: No, ninguno

Uso: A diferencia de la partcula "no," "none" se puede utilizar sin ir

acompaado de un nombre, contable o incontable. Por tanto acostumbra a
ir al final de la frase y como nica respuesta a una pregunta que haga
referencia a cantidades.

Nombre contable:

How many pencils are there? None. (Cuntos lpices hay? Ninguno.)

Nombre contable:
There are no pencils. (No hay lpices)

Nombre incontable:

How much money do you have? None. (Cunto dinero tienes? Nada.)

Nombre incontable:

I have no money. (No tengo dinero.)

A lot of/Lots of

Significado: Mucho

Uso: Expresan idea de gran cantidad. Se puede usar con nombres o

sustantivos contables e incontables. A diferencia de "many" y "much", no
las usamos en frases interrogativas. En general, "lots of" es ms informal.

Nombre contable:

He has a lot of books. (Tiene muchos libros.)

Nombre contable:

He does not have a lot of books. (No tiene muchos libros.)

Nombre incontable:

I have a lots of money. (Tengo mucho dinero.)

Nombre incontable:

I do not have a lot of money. (No tengo mucho dinero.)

Little/A little

Significado: Poco/s

Uso: Expresan una cantidad pequea y se usan slo con nombres

incontables. La opcin de usar "little" o "a little" refleja una opinin sobre la
cantidad. Si usas "a little", significa una opinin positiva sobre la cantidad y
si usas "little" implica una opinin negativa.
Frase interrogativa:

Do you have a little money? (Tienes un poco de dinero?)

Frase afirmativa:

We have little time. (Tenemos poco tiempo.)

Few/A few

Significado: Poco/s

Uso: Expresan un nmero pequeo. "A few" puede indicar un nmero

suficiente. Se usan slo con nombres contables. Como hemos visto arriba, la
opcin de usar "few" o "a few" refleja la opinin sobre la cantidad
expresada. "Few" describe la cantidad de forma negativa y "a few" la
describe de forma positiva.

Frase inTerrogativa: Do you have a few dollars? (Tienes unos dolares?)

Frase afirmativa: There are few tourists here today. (Hay pocos turistas aqu
hoy.)

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=4307

TOO AND NOT ENOUGH

"Enough" y "too"se utilizan como calificadores con adjetivos, adverbios y

nombres para indicar un grado de cantidad.

Enough (Suficiente)

"Enough" es un adjetivo que se usa para indicar que es suficiente o igual

que lo necesario. Se puede utilizar con otros adjetivos, adverbios o nombres.

1. Con adjetivos and adverbios:

adjetivo/adverbio + "enough"
 Heather is old enough now to make her own decisions. (Heather es lo
suficientemente mayor ahora para tomar sus propias decisiones.)

Victor doesn't speak English well enough for the job. (Victor no habla
suficientemente bien el ingls para este trabajo.)

The apartment is big enough for three people. (El piso es lo

suficientemente grande para tres personas.)

Ben runs fast enough to win the race. (Ben corre lo suficientemente
rpido como para ganar esta carrera.)

We aren't working hard enough! We are never going to finish this

project. (No trabajamos lo suficientemente duro. Nunca acabaremos
este proyecto.)

2. Con nombres:

"enough" + nombre

I don't have enough time to finish all this work! (No tengo tiempo
suficiente para acabar este trabajo.)

Is there enough wine for everyone to try? (Hay suficiente vino para
que todos lo prueben?)

Don't worry, they have enough space in the car for all of us. (No se
preocupe, tienen sitio suficiente en el coche para todos nosotros.)

Nota: Podemos reemplazar "enough" por "the" para indicar la misma cosa.
Compare los ejemplos de arriba y abajo.

I don't have the time to finish all this work! (No tengo el tiempo para
acabar este trabajo.)

Don't worry, they have the space for all of us. (No se preocupe, tienen
sitio para todos nosotros.)

Nota: Tambin podemos utilizar "enough" sin un nombre cuando est claro a
que nos referimos.
 Would you like some more coffee? No, I've had enough, thank you.
(Le gustara un poco ms de caf? No, he tenido suficiente, gracias.)

Do you have enough to pay for this? (Tienes suficiente para pagar
esto?)

3. Podemos usar "enough" con un adjetivo y un nombre, pero el sentido de

la frase cambia con la posicin de "enough".

Is there enough hot water? (Hay suficiente agua caliente?)

Is there hot enough water? (El agua es lo suficientemente caliente?)

4. "Enough of":

"enough of" + determinante [articulo o pronombre]

I've been in enough of these situations to know better! (He estado en

bastantes situaciones de estas como para conocer mejor.)

We've had enough of your complaints. Don't you have anything

positive to say? (Tenemos bastante con tus quejas. No tienes nada
positivo que decir?)

Michael has studied enough of the possibilities to make a good

decision. (Michael ha estudiado bastantes de las posibilidades como
para tomar una buena decisin.)

Too (Demasiado): "Too" es un adverbio que indica que hay una cantidad
ms que suficiente.

1. Con adjetivos y adverbios:

"too" + adjetivo/adverbio

You are too young to understand. (Eres demasiado joven para

entender.)

Claire is too irresponsible to have a dog. (Claire es demasiado

irresponsable como para tener un perro.)
 It's too early to go to bed. (Es demasiado temprano para ir a la cama.)

Nota: Podemos usar "enough" en una frase negativa para indicar que algo
no es suficiente. Compara los ejemplos de arriba con los de abajo.

You are not old enough to understand. (No eres lo suficientemente

mayor para entender.)

Claire is not responsible enough to have a dog. (Claire no es lo

suficientemente responsable como para tener un perro.)

2. Cuando usamos "too" con nombres, utilizamos las expresiones "too

many" o "too much".

"too many" + nombre contable

"too much" + nombre incontable

There are too many students in the classroom. (Hay demasiados

estudiantes para esta clase.)

Is there too much sugar in your coffee? (Hay demasiado azcar en tu

caf?)

My daughter has too many shoes, she doesn't need any more! (Mi hija
tiene demasiados zapatos, no necesita ms.)

There is too much work for just one person! (Hay demasiado trabajo
para una sola persona.)

3. "Too much of" o "Too many of":

"too many of" + determinante + nombre contable

"too much of" + determinante + nombre incontable

His problem is that he spends too much of his time playing video
games! (Su problema es que pasa demasiado tiempo jugando a
videojuegos.)

That's enough. You have already eaten too many of the chocolates!
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=3110

ARTICLES A AN THE

First the good news:There are only three articles in English: a, an and the.

There are two types of articles indefinite 'a' and 'an' or definite 'the'. You
also need to know when not to use an article.

The bad news is that their proper use is complex, especially when you get
into the advanced use of English. Quite often you have to work it out by
what sounds right, which can be frustrating for a learner.

USE 9
A and AN are called indefinite articles. "Indefinite" means "not
specific". Use A(AN) when you are talking about a thing in general,
NOT a specific thing.

Examples:

I need a phone. NOT A SPECIFIC PHONE, ANY PHONE

Mark wants a bicycle. NOT A PARTICULAR BICYCLE, A BICYCLE IN GENERAL

Do you have a driver's license? IN GENERAL

Use A(AN) when talking about a thing which is new, unknown, or

introduced to a listener for the first time. Also use A(AN) when you are
asking about the existence of something.

Examples:

I have a car. THE CAR IS BEING INTRODUCED FOR THE FIRST TIME.

Tom is a teacher. THIS IS NEW INFORMATION TO THE LISTENER.

Is there a dictionary in your backpack? ASKING ABOUT THE EXISTENCE OF THE

DICTIONARY

Similarly, use A(AN) to introduce what type of thing we are talking

about.

Examples:

That is an excellent book. DESCRIBING THE KIND OF BOOK

Do you live in a big house? ASKING ABOUT THE KIND OF HOUSE

I ate a thick, juicy steak. DESCRIBING THE KIND OF STEAK

REMEMBER: You cannot use A(AN) with plural nouns

because A(AN) means "one" or "a single".
Examples:

I saw a bears in Yellowstone National Park. Not Correct

I saw bears in Yellowstone National Park. Correct

USE 10
THE is called a definite article. "Definite" means "specific".
Use THE when talking about something which is already known to the
listener or which has been previously mentioned, introduced, or
discussed.

Examples:

I have a cat. The cat is black.

There is a book in my backpack. The book is very heavy.
Do you know where I left the car keys? THE LISTENER KNOWS WHICH SPECIFIC
CAR KEYS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

Do you own a car? Is the car blue? YOU ASSUME THEY DO HAVE A CAR AFTER
ASKING ABOUT IT IN THE FIRST SENTENCE.

Nobody lives on the Moon. THE MOON IS KNOWN TO EVERYONE.

IMPORTANT: You can use THE with both singular nouns and plural
nouns.

Examples:

I saw the bear in Yellowstone National Park. Correct

I saw the bears in Yellowstone National Park. Correct

USE 11
Many clauses and phrases make the noun known to the listener by
telling the listener which person or thing we are talking about. Let's
look at an example sentence:

Can you give me the book on the table.

We use THE in this sentence because the phrase "on the table" tells
the listener which book we are referring to. We are not talking about
other books, we are talking about a specific book that the listener can
see or already knows about. Learning to recognize such identifying
clauses and phrases will help you use THE correctly.

Examples:

Did you read the book which I gave you?

He didn't like the movie that you suggested.
He loved the dessert with chocolate and cherries.
 The phone on my desk belongs to Ken.
Did you know the man who was talking to Leonie?
HOWEVER: Not all clauses and phrases make the noun known to the
listener. Some are simply descriptive. They add extra information, but
they do not tell the listener which specific thing we are talking about.

Examples:

He bought the house with a big backyard. THIS COMBINATION TELLS THE
LISTENER WHICH SPECIFIC HOUSE HE BOUGHT.

He bought a house with a big backyard.

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?
id=6420

GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

We use gerunds (verb + ing):

After certain verbs - I enjoy singing

After prepositions - I drank a cup of coffee before leaving

As the subject or object of a sentence - Swimming is good exercise

We use 'to' + infinitive:

After certain verbs - We decided to leave

After many adjectives - It's difficult to get up early

To show purpose - I came to London to study English

We use the bare infinitive (the infinitive without 'to'):

After modal verbs - I can meet you at six o'clock

After 'let', 'make' and (sometimes) 'help' - The teacher let us leave early

After some verbs of perception (see, watch, hear, notice, feel, sense) - I
watched her walk away
 After expressions with 'why' - why go out the night before an exam?

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/gerunds-and-infinitives-exercise-2.html

REPORTED SPEECH

Direct Speech : Cuando queremos informar exactamente de lo

que otra persona ha dicho, utilizamos el estilo directo. Con este
estilo lo que la persona ha dicho se coloca entre comillas ("...") y
deber ser palabra por palabra.

"I am going to London next week," she said. ("Voy a

Londres la semana que viene," ella dijo.)
"Do you have a pen I could borrow," he asked. ("Tienes un
bolgrafo que puedas prestarme?," l pregunt.)
Alice said, "I love to dance." (Alice dijo, "Me encanta
bailar.")
Chris asked, "Would you like to have dinner with me
tomorrow night?" (Chris pregunt, "Te gustara cenar
conmigo maana por la noche?")

Reported Speech: El estilo indirecto, a diferencia del estilo

directo, no utiliza las comillas y no necesita ser palabra por
palabra. En general, cuando se usa el estilo indirecto, el tiempo
verbal cambia. A continuacin tienes un explicacin de los
cambios que sufren los tiempos verbales.

A veces se usa "that" en las frases afirmativas y negativas para

introducir lo que ha dicho la otra persona. Por otro lado, en las
frases interrogativas se puede usar "if" o "whether".

Nota: Ten en cuenta tambin que las expresiones de tiempo

cambian en el estilo indirecto. Fijate en los cambios de tiempo
en los ejemplos ms abajo y despus, encontrars una tabla con
ms explicaciones de los cambios de tiempo en el estilo
indirecto.

Direct Speech Reported Speech

Present Simple Past Simple

Play Play

"He's American," she said. She said he was American.

Play Play

"I'm happy to see you," Mary said. Mary said that she was happy to see me.

Play Play

He asked, "Are you busy tonight?" He asked me if I was busy that night.

Present Continuous Past Continuous

Play Play

Dan is living in San Francisco," she said. She said Dan was living in San Francisco.

Play Play

He said, "I'm making dinner." He told me that he was making dinner.

Play
Play

"Why are you working so hard?" they

They asked me why I was working so hard.
asked.

Past Simple Past Perfect Simple

Play
Play

He told me they had gone to the movies the

"We went to the movies last night," he said.
night before.

Play
Play

Greg said that he hadn't gone to work the

"Greg said, "I didn't go to work yesterday."
day before.

Play Play

"Did you buy a new car?" she asked. She asked me if I had bought a new car.
Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

Play
Play

Vicki told me she'd been working late the

"I was working late last night," Vicki said.
night before.

Play
Play

They said that they hadn't been

They said, "we weren't waiting long."
waitinglong.

Play Play

" He asked, "were you sleeping when I He asked if I'd been sleeping when he
called?" called.

Present Perfect Simple Past Perfect Simple

Play Play

"Heather said, "I've already eaten." Heather told me that she'd already eaten.

Play Play

"We haven't been to China," they said. They said they hadn't been to China.

Play
Play

I asked her whether she'd

"Have you worked here before?" I asked.
worked therebefore.

Present Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

Play Play

"I've been studying English for two He said he'd been studying English for two
years,"he said. years.

Play Play

" Steve said, "we've been dating for over a Steve told me that they'd been dating for
year now." over a year.
Play Play

"Have you been waiting long?" they asked. They asked whether I'd been waiting long.

Past Perfect Simple Past Perfect Simple (*NO CHANGE)

Play Play

"I'd been to Chicago before for work," he He said that he'd been to Chicago before for
said. work.

Past Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous (*NO CHANGE)

Play Play

She said, "I'd been dancing for years before She said she'd been dancing for years
the accident." before the accident.

Nota: Cuando hablamos de algo que no ha cambiado (que sigue

siendo cierto) o de algo en el futuro, no es necesario cambiar el
tiempo verbal.

"I'm 30 years old," she said. She said she is 30 years

old.
Dave said, "Kelly is sick." Dave said Kelly is sick.
"We are going to Tokyo next week," they said. They said
they are going to Tokyo next week.
"I'll cut my hair tomorrow," Nina said. Nina said she is
cutting her hair tomorrow.

Modals:

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

Will Would

Play
Play
John said
"I'll go to the movies he would go to
tomorrow," John said. the moviesthe next
day.

Play Play
"Will you help me
move?" she asked. She asked
me if I would
help her move.

Can Could

Play
Play
Debra said
Debra said, "Allen can Allen could
work tomorrow." work the next
day.

Play
Play

He asked
"Can you open the window,
me if I could
please?", he asked.
open the window.

Must Had to

Play
Play

My mom said
"You must wear your
I had to wear my
seatbelt," mom said.
seatbelt.

Play
Play

She said I had to

She said, "You must
work the next
work tomorrow."
day.

Shall Should

Play
Play
Tom
"Shall we go to the beach asked if we should
today?" Tom asked. go to the
beachthat day.

Play Play
 "What shall we do tonight?"
she asked. She asked me
what we should
do that night.

May Might/Could

Play
Play
Jane said
Jane said, "I may not be in she might not
class tomorrow." be in class the
next day.

Play
Play

the boy
The boy
asked. "May I use the
asked if he could
bathroom, please?"the boy
use the bathroom.
asked.

Direct Speech Indirect Speech

today that day

tonight that night

that
this week/month/year
week/month/year

tomorrow the next day

the following
next week/month/year
week/month/year

the day before/the

yesterday
previous day

the
day/month/year
last week/month/year before o the
previous
day/month/year

then/at that
now
momento
 Otros cambios

here there

Exercises:
http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-
exercise-reported-speech.php

RELATIVE CLAUSES

We can use relative clauses to join two English sentences, or to give more
information about something.

I bought a new car. It is very fast.

I bought a new car that is very fast.

She lives in New York. She likes living in New York.

She lives in New York, which she likes.

Defining and Non-defining

A defining relative clause tells which noun we are talking about:

I like the woman who lives next door.

(If I don't say 'who lives next door', then we don't know which woman I mean).

A non-defining relative clause gives us extra information about something.

We don't need this information to understand the sentence.

I live in London, which has some fantastic parks.

(Everybody knows where London is, so 'which has some fantastic parks' is extra
information).

Defining relative clauses:

1: The relative pronoun is the subject:

First, let's consider when the relative pronoun is the subject of a defining
relative clause.
We can use 'who', 'which' or 'that'. We use 'who' for people and 'which' for
things. We can use 'that' for people or things.

The relative clause can come after the subject or the object of the sentence. We
can't drop the relative pronoun.

For example (clause after the object of the sentence):

I'm looking for a secretary who / that can use a computer well.

She has a son who / that is a doctor.

We bought a house which / that is 200 years old.

I sent a letter which / that arrived three weeks later.

More examples (clause after the subject of the sentence):

The people who / that live on the island are very friendly.

The man who / that phoned is my brother.

The camera which / that costs 100 is over there.

The house which / that belongs to Julie is in London.

Try an exercise where the relative pronoun is the subject here.

2: The relative pronoun is the object:

Next, let's talk about when the relative pronoun is the object of the clause. In
this case we can drop the relative pronoun if we want to. Again, the clause can
come after the subject or the object of the sentence. Here are some examples:

(Clause after the object)

She loves the chocolate (which / that) I bought.

We went to the village (which / that) Lucy recommended.

John met a woman (who / that) I had been to school with.

The police arrested a man (who / that) Jill worked with.

(Clause after the subject)

The bike (which / that) I loved was stolen.

The university (which / that) she likes is famous.

The woman (who / that) my brother loves is from Mexico.

The doctor (who / that) my grandmother liked lives in New York.

Try an exercise where the relative pronoun is the object here

Try an exercise about defining relative clauses, both subject and

object here

Try another exercise about defining relative clauses here

Non-defining relative clauses:

We don't use 'that' in non-defining relative clauses, so we need to use 'which' if
the pronoun refers to a thing, and 'who' if it refers to a person. We can't drop the
relative pronoun in this kind of clause, even if the relative pronoun is the subject
of the clause.

(Clause comes after the subject)

My boss, who is very nice, lives in Manchester.

My sister, who I live with, knows a lot about cars.

My bicycle, which I've had for more than ten years, is falling apart.

My mother's house, which I grew up in, is very small.

(Clause comes after the object)

Yesterday I called our friend Julie, who lives in New York.

The photographer called to the Queen, who looked annoyed.

Last week I bought a new computer, which I don't like now.

 I really love the new Chinese restaurant, which we went to last night.

Prepositions and relative clauses

If the verb in the relative clause needs a preposition, we put it at the end of the
clause:

For example:

listen to

The music is good. Julie listens to the music.

The music (which / that) Julie listens to is good.

work with

My brother met a woman. I used to work with the woman.

My brother met a woman (who / that) I used to work with.

go to

The country is very hot. He went to the country.

The country (which / that) he went to is very hot.

come from

I visited the city. John comes from the city.

I visited the city (that / which) John comes from.

apply for

The job is well paid. She applied for the job.

The job (which / that) she applied for is well paid.

Whose
'Whose' is always the subject of the relative clause and can't be left out. It
replaces a possessive. It can be used for people and things.

The dog is over there. The dog's / its owner lives next door.
The dog whose owner lives next door is over there.
The little girl is sad. The little girl's / her doll was lost.
The little girl whose doll was lost is sad.

The woman is coming tonight. Her car is a BMW.

The woman whose car is a BMW is coming tonight.

The house belongs to me. Its roof is very old.

The house whose roof is old belongs to me.

Where / when / why

We can sometimes use these question words instead of relative pronouns and
prepositions.

I live in a city. I study in the city.

I live in the city where I study.

I live in the city that / which I study in.
I live in the city in which I study.

The bar in Barcelona is still there. I met my wife in that bar.

The bar in Barcelona where I met my wife is still there.

The bar in Barcelona that / which I met my wife in is still there.
The bar in Barcelona in which I met my wife is still there.

The summer was long and hot. I graduated from university in the summer.

The summer when I graduated from university was long and hot.
The summer that / which I graduated from university in was long and hot.
The summer in which I graduated was long and hot.

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/relative-clauses-exercise-1.html

QUESTION TAGS

En ingls es frecuente terminar las frases con otra frase corta, de signo contrario, la
cual tiene la intencin de pedir la opinin o buscar la aprobacin del interlocutor: son
las llamadas question tags (preguntas coletillas). Estas frases equivalen a: verdad?,
no es verdad?, no?, no es as? en serio?
 You eat meat, don't you? (Comes carne, verdad?)
She doesn't like to dance, does she? (No le gusta bailar, no?)
Alex and Sergio are friends, aren't they? (Alex y Sergio son amigos, no?)

Grammatical Rules (Reglas gramaticales)

Para formar esta pregunta corta utilizaremos el auxiliar de la frase principal y su sujeto
pero de signo contrario. Si no tuviera auxiliar entonces utilizaramos el auxiliar "to do".

Si la oracin es afirmativa, la pregunta coletilla es negativa y viceversa.

Oraciones afirmativas

Your brother is older than you, isn't he? (Tu hermano es mayor que t, no es
as?)
You can help me, can't you? (Puedes ayudarme, verdad?)
John is getting married, isn't he? (John se casar, verdad?)
You worked yesterday, didn't you? (Trabajaste ayer, no?)
Sarah likes ice cream, doesn't she? (A Sarah le gusta el helado, no?)

Oraciones negativas

You're not from here, are you? (No eres de aqu, no?)
Kate's not American, is she? (Kate no es americana, verdad?)
Peter never liked Susan, did he? (A Peter nunca le gust Susan, verdad?)
They didn't go to class yesterday, did they? (No fueron a la clase ayer,
verdad?)
You can't dance, can you? (No puedes bailar, no?)

Nota: Cuidado con los verbos "to have" y "to have got":

To have got:

They've got a dog, haven't they? (Tienen un perro, no?)

To have:

They have a dog, don't they? (Tienen un perro, no?)

Excepcin: Con el verbo "to be" en la primera persona de oraciones affirmatives, se

usa la tercera persona ("aren't") en la pregunta coletilla.
 I am not wrong, am I?
I am wrong, aren't I?

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/question-tags-exercise-1.html

INDIRECT QUESTIONS

Me: Excuse me. Could you tell me where the nearest station is?
Person in the street: Certainly. It's along that road on the right.
Me: Thank you. And do you know if there's a supermarket near here?
Person in the street: Yes, there's one next to the station.
Me: Thank you very much for your help.

I use indirect questions when I'm asking for help in the street, because they are
very polite. Indirect questions start with a phrase like 'could you tell me...' or 'do
you know...'. For example:

Direct question: Where is the bank?

Indirect question: Could you tell me where the bank is?

Notice that in the indirect question I put the verb ('is') after the subject ('the
bank'), in the same way as I do with a normal positive sentence ('the bank is
over there'), but in the direct question I put the verb 'is' before the subject 'the
bank'. This is called inversion, and it is used to make direct questions in many
verb tenses in English, but we don't use inversion in indirect questions. This is
very similar to the grammar of reported questions. However, we use indirect
questions in a different way from reported questions. Indirect questions are a
way of being polite. They are very, very common in English, especially when
you're talking to someone you don't know.

'Yes / No' Questions

To make an indirect 'yes / no' question, we use 'if' and the word order of a
normal positive sentence. This is the same as for reported 'yes / no' questions.
On the other hand, we don't usually need to 'backshift' (change the tense of the
verb) as we do with reported questions.

Of course, most tenses make questions by using 'inversion' (changing the word
order). To change from a direct 'yes / no' question with inversion to an indirect
question, you add 'if' and change the word order back to a normal positive
sentence. You don't need to use inversion.

'Yes / no' questions for tenses with inversion:

Verb Tense Direct Question Indirect Question

Present
Can you tell me if he is
simple with Is he Spanish?
Spanish?
'be'

Can you tell me if the

Present Is the restaurant
restaurant is closing
continuous closing now?
now?

Can you tell me if he

Past simple Was he late for the
was late for the
with 'be' meeting?
meeting?

Can you tell me if you

Past Were you watching
were watching TV at
continuous TV at 3pm?
3pm?

Present Has Lucy been to Can you tell me if Lucy

perfect Mexico? has been to Mexico?

Present Can you tell me if she

Has she been living
perfect has been living here
here long?
continuous long?

Had she found this Can you tell me if she

Past perfect job when she moved had found this job when
here? she moved here?

Past perfect Had she been living Can you tell me if she
continuous here long when she had been living here
 met you? long when she met you?

Future Can you tell me if she

Will she start her
simple with will start her new job
new job next week?
'will' next week?

Future
Is it going to rain Can you tell me if it is
simple with
later? going to rain later?
'going to'

Can you tell me if Lisa

Future Will Lisa be meeting
will be meeting the boss
continuous the boss later?
later?

Will he have Can you tell me if he

Future
finished the report will have finished the
perfect
by tonight? report by tonight?

Will he have been Can you tell me if he

Future
studying French for will have been studying
perfect
twenty years when French for twenty years
continuous
he retires? when he retires?

Should we start Can you tell me if we

Modal verbs
now? should start now?

'Yes / no' questions with tenses that use 'do / does / did':

Sometimes you want to make an indirect question using the present simple of
any verb except 'be' or the past simple of any verb except 'be'. These tense make
direct questions by using 'do / does / did'. When we want to make indirect 'yes /
no' questions using these tenses, we need 'if' and we don't need 'do / does / did'.

Direct
Verb Tense Indirect Question
Question

Present simple
Does David live Can you tell me if
with any verb
in London? David lives in London?
except 'be'

Past simple with Can you tell me if

Did Amanda call
any verb except Amanda called John
John yesterday?
'be' yesterday?

'Wh' Questions

In the same way as with reported 'wh' questions, we use the question word and
the word order of a normal positive sentence to make indirect 'wh' questions.
We don't need to use inversion. Again, we also don't usually need to 'backshift'
(change the tense of the verb) as we do with reported questions.

To change a direct question to an indirect question for tenses that make

questions using inversion, you just add 'if' and change the word order back to a
normal positive sentence.

'Wh' questions for tenses with inversion:

Verb Tense Direct Question Indirect Question

Present
Can you tell me why he
simple with Why is he unhappy?
is unhappy?
'be'

Present When is the Can you tell me when

continuous restaurant closing? the restaurant is
 closing?

Can you tell me why he

Past simple Why was he late for
was late for the
with 'be' the meeting?
meeting?

Past What were you Can you tell me what

continuous doing at 3pm? you were doing at 3pm?

Present Can you tell me where

Where has Lucy?
perfect Lucy has been?

Present Can you tell me how

How long has she
perfect long she has been living
been living here?
continuous here?

Why had she quit Can you tell me why she

Past perfect her job before she had quit her job before
moved here? she moved here?

How long had she Can you tell me how

Past perfect
been living here long she had been living
continuous
when she met you? here when she met you?

Can you tell me when

Future simple When will she start
she will start her new
with 'will' her new job?
job?
 Future simple When is it going to Can you tell me when it
with 'going to' rain? is going to rain?

What time will Lisa Can you tell me what

Future
be meeting the time Lisa will be
continuous
boss? meeting the boss?

Can you tell me when

Future When will he have
he will have finished
perfect finished the report?
the report?

How long will he Can you tell me how

Future
have been studying long he will have been
perfect
French when he studying French when
continuous
retires? he retires?

What should we do Can you tell me what

Modal verbs
now? we should do now?

'Wh' questions for tenses with 'do / does / did':

Sometimes you want to make an indirect 'wh' question using the present simple
of any verb except 'be' or the past simple of any verb except 'be'. Usually these
tenses make questions by using 'do / does / did'. However, when we want to
make indirect 'wh' questions using these tenses, we don't need 'do / does / did'.
Instead, we use a question word and then normal positive sentence word order.

Verb Tense Direct Question Indirect Question

Present simple Where does David Can you tell me where

with any verb live? David lives?
 except 'be'

Past simple with Why did Amanda Can you tell me why
any verb except call John Amanda called John
'be' yesterday? yesterday?

Common Problems

It can be difficult to remember to put the verb after the subject, especially when
the indirect question is in the present simple tense of 'be'. For example, we need
to say:

Could you tell me where the station is?

NOT:

Could you tell me where is the station?

http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/indirect-questions-
exercise-2.html

PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verbs are usually two-word phrases consisting of verb

+ adverb orverb + preposition. Think of them as you
would any other English vocabulary. Study them as you come
across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once.
Use the list below as a reference guide when you find an
expression that you don't recognize. The example sentences
will help you understand the meanings. If you think of each
phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you
will be able to remember it more easily. Like many other
verbs, phrasal verbs often have more than one meaning.
This list shows about 200 common phrasal verbs, with
meanings and examples. Only the most usual meanings are
given. Some phrasal verbs may have additional meanings.

As well as learning their meanings, you can study

the grammar of phrasal verbs.

phrasal verb meaning example sentence

ask someone out invite on a Brian asked Judy out

date to dinner and a
movie.

ask around ask many I asked around but

people the nobody has seen my
same wallet.
question

add up equal Your purchases add

to something up to $205.32.

back something up reverse You'll have to back

upyour car so that I
can get out.

back someone up support My

wife backed me upov
er my decision to quit
my job.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

blow up explode The racing car blew

upafter it crashed into
the fence.

blow something up add air We have to blow 50

balloons up for the
party.

break down stop Our car broke

functioning down at the side of
(vehicle, the highway in the
machine) snowstorm.

break down get upset The woman broke

down when the police
told her that her son
had died.

break somethingdo divide into Our

wn smaller parts teacher broke the
final
project down into
three separate parts.

break in force entry Somebody broke

to a building in last night and stole
our stereo.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

break enter The firemen had

into something forcibly tobreak into the
room to rescue the
children.

break something in wear I need to break these

something a shoes in before we
few times so run next week.
that it
doesn't
look/feel
new

break in interrupt The TV station broke

into report the news
of the president's
death.

break up end a My boyfriend and

relationship Ibroke up before I
moved to America.

break up start The kids just broke

laughing upas soon as the
(informal) clown started talking.

break out escape The prisoners broke

phrasal verb meaning example sentence

out of jail when the

guards weren't
looking.

break out develop a I broke out in a rash

insomething skin after our camping
condition trip.

bring someone do make This sad music

wn unhappy isbringing me down.

bring someone up raise a child My

grandparentsbrought
me up after my
parents died.

bring something u start talking My mother walks out

p about a of the room when my
subject father brings
up sports.

bring something u vomit He drank so much

p that he brought his
dinnerup in the toilet.

call around phone many We called

phrasal verb meaning example sentence

different around but we

places/peopl weren't able to find
e the car part we
needed.

call someone back return a I called the

phone call companyback but the
offices were closed for
the weekend.

call something off cancel Jason called the

wedding off because
he wasn't in love with
his fianc.

call on someone ask for an The professor called

answer or onme for question 1.
opinion

call on someone visit We called on you last

someone night but you weren't
home.

call someone up phone Give me your phone

number and I
will callyou up when
we are in town.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

calm down relax after You are still mad. You

being angry need to calm
downbefore you drive
the car.

not care not like I don't care for his

forsomeone/somet (formal) behaviour.
hing

catch up get to the You'll have to run

same point faster than that if you
as someone want tocatch up with
else Marty.

check in arrive and We will get the hotel

register at a keys when we check
hotel or in.
airport

check out leave a hotel You have to check

outof the hotel before
11:00 AM.

checksomeone/so look at The company checks

methingout carefully, out all new
investigate employees.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

check look at Check out the crazy

outsomeone/somet (informal) hair on that guy!
hing

cheer up become She cheered

happier up when she heard
the good news.

cheer someone up make I brought you some

happier flowers
to cheer youup.

chip in help If everyone chips

in we can get the
kitchen painted by
noon.

clean something u tidy, clean Please clean up your

p bedroom before you
go outside.

come find I came across these

acrosssomething unexpectedl old photos when I was
y tidying the closet.

come apart separate The top and

phrasal verb meaning example sentence

bottomcome apart if
you pull hard enough.

come down become sick My nephew came

withsomething down with chicken
pox this weekend.

come forward volunteer for The woman came

a task or to forward with her
give husband's finger
evidence prints.

come originate in The art of

fromsomewhere origamicomes
from Asia.

count rely on I am counting

onsomeone/someth on you to make
ing dinner while I am out.

cross something o draw a line Please cross out your

ut through old address and write
your new one.

cut back consume My doctor wants me

onsomething less tocut back on sweets
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

and fatty foods.

cut something dow make We had to cut the old

n something tree in our
fall to the yard downafter the
ground storm.

cut in interrupt Your father cut

in while I was dancing
with your uncle.

cut in pull in too The bus driver got

closely in angry when that
front of car cut in.
another
vehicle

cut in start The air

operating (of conditioner cuts
an engine or in when the
electrical temperature gets to
device) 22C.

cut something off remove with The doctors cut

something off his leg because it
sharp was severely injured.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

cut something off stop The phone

providing company cut off our
phone because we
didn't pay the bill.

cut someone off take out of a My

will grandparents cutmy
father off when he
remarried.

cut something out remove part I cut this ad out of

of something the newspaper.
(usually with
scissors and
paper)

dosomeone/someth beat up, He's lucky to be alive.

ingover ransack His shop was done
(BrE, over by a street
informal) gang.

do something over do again My teacher wants me

(AmE) todo my
essay overbecause
she doesn't like my
topic.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

do away discard It's time to do away

withsomething with all of these old
tax records.

do something up fasten, close Do your

coat up before you go
outside. It's snowing!

dress up wear nice It's a fancy restaurant

clothing so we have to dress
up.

drop back move back Andrea dropped

in a backto third place
position/gro when she fell off her
up bike.

drop in/by/over come I might drop

without an in/by/over for tea
appointment sometime this week.

dropsomeone/som take I have to drop my

ethingoff someone/so sisteroff at work
mething before I come over.
somewhere
and leave
them/it
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

there

drop out quit a class, I dropped out of

school etc Science because it
was too difficult.

eat out eat at a I don't feel like

restaurant cooking tonight.
Let's eat out.

end up eventually We ended up renting

reach/do/de a movie instead of
cide going to the theatre.

fall apart break into My new dress fell

pieces apartin the washing
machine.

fall down fall to the The picture that you

ground hung up last night fell
down this morning.

fall out separate The money must

from an havefallen out of my
interior pocket.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

fall out (of hair, His hair started to fall

teeth) out when he was only
become 35.
loose and
unattached

figure something o understand, I need to figure

ut find the outhow to fit the
answer piano and the
bookshelf in this
room.

fill something in to write Please fill in the form

information with your name,
in blanks, as address, and phone
on a form number.
(BrE)

fill something out to write The form must

information be filled out in
in blanks, as capital letters.
on a form
(AmE)

fill something up fill to the top I always fill the water

jug up when it is
empty.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

find out discover We don't know where

he lives. How can
we find out?

find something out discover We tried to keep the

time of the party a
secret, but
Samanthafound it ou
t.

get somethingacro communicat I tried to get my

ss/over e, make pointacross/over to
understanda the judge but she
ble wouldn't listen.

get along/on like each I was surprised how

other well my new girlfriend
and my sister got
along/on.

get around have My grandfather

mobility can get around fine
in his new wheelchair.

get away go on a We worked so hard

vacation this year that we had
to get away for a
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

week.

get away do without Jason always gets

withsomething being away with cheating
noticed or in his maths tests.
punished

get back return We got back from

our vacation last
week.

get something bac receive Liz finally got her

k something Science
you had notes backfrom my
before room-mate.

get back retaliate, My sister got back

at someone take revenge atme for stealing her
shoes. She stole my
favourite hat.

get back become I finally got back

intosomething interested in intomy novel and
something finished it.
again
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

get on something step onto a We're going to freeze

vehicle out here if you don't
let us get on the bus.

get recover from I just got over the flu

over something an illness, and now my sister
loss, has it.
difficulty

get overcome a The company will

over something problem have to close if it
can't get over the
new regulations.

get round finally find I don't know when I

tosomething time to do am going to get
(AmE: get round towriting the
around thank you cards.
tosomething
)

get together meet Let's get

(usually for together for a BBQ
social this weekend.
reasons)

get up get out of I got up early today

phrasal verb meaning example sentence

bed to study for my exam.

get up stand You should get

up and give the
elderly man your
seat.

give someone awa reveal His

y hidden wife gave himaway t
information o the police.
about
someone

give someone awa take the My

y bride to the father gave meaway
altar at my wedding.

give something aw ruin a secret My little

ay sister gave the
surprise
party away by
accident.

give something aw give The library

ay something was giving away old
to someone books on Friday.
for free
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

give something ba return a I have to give these

ck borrowed skates back to Franz
item before his hockey
game.

give in reluctantly My boyfriend didn't

stop fighting want to go to the
or arguing ballet, but he
finally gave in.

give something out give to many They were giving

people outfree perfume
(usually at samples at the
no cost) department store.

give something up quit a habit I am giving

up smoking as of
January 1st.

give up stop trying My maths homework

was too difficult so
Igave up.

go after someone follow My brother tried to go

someone after the thief in his
car.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

go after something try to I went after my

achieve dream and now I am
something a published writer.

go compete, We are going

against someone oppose againstthe best
soccer team in the
city tonight.

go ahead start, Please go ahead and

proceed eat before the food
gets cold.

go back return to a I have to go

place back home and get
my lunch.

go out leave home We're going out for

to go on a dinner tonight.
social event

go out date Jesse has been going

with someone out with Luke since
they met last winter.

go over something review Please go over your

phrasal verb meaning example sentence

answers before you

submit your test.

go over visit I haven't seen Tina

someone for a long time. I
nearby think I'll go over for
an hour or two.

go suffer lack When I was young,

without something or wewent
deprivation without winter boots.

grow apart stop being My best friend and

friends over Igrew apart after
time she changed schools.

grow back regrow My roses grew

backthis summer.

grow up become an When Jack grows

adult uphe wants to be a
fireman.

grow out get too big Elizabeth needs a new

ofsomething for pair of shoes because
she has grown out
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

ofher old ones.

grow grow big This bike is too big for

into something enough to fit him now, but he
shouldgrow into it by
next year.

hand somethingdo give I handed my old

wn something comic books down to
used to my little cousin.
someone
else

hand something in submit I have to hand in my

essay by Friday.

hand something ou to distribute We will hand out the

t to a group of invitations at the
people door.

hand something ov give (usually The police asked the

er unwillingly) man to hand over his
wallet and his
weapons.

hang in stay positive Hang in there. I'm

phrasal verb meaning example sentence

(informal) sure you'll find a job

very soon.

hang on wait a short Hang on while I grab

time my coat and shoes!
(informal)

hang out spend time Instead of going to

relaxing the party we are just
(informal) going to hang out at
my place.

hang up end a phone He didn't say goodbye

call before he hung up.

holdsomeone/some prevent from I had to hold my

thingback doing/going dogback because
there was a cat in the
park.

hold something ba hide an Jamie held back his

ck emotion tears at his
grandfather's funeral.

hold on wait a short Please hold on while

time I transfer you to the
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

Sales Department.

hold hold firmly Hold onto your hat

ontosomeone/som using your because it's very
ething hands or windy outside.
arms

holdsomeone/some rob A man in a black

thingup maskheld the
bank up this morning.

keep on continue Keep on stirring until

doingsomething doing the liquid comes to a
boil.

keep something fr not tell We kept our

omsomeone relationship from our
parents for two years.

keepsomeone/som stop from Try to keep the wet

ethingout entering dogout of the living
room.

keep something up continue at If you keep those

the same results up you will get
rate into a great college.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

let someone down fail to I need you to be on

support or time.
help, Don't let medown thi
disappoint s time.

let someone in allow to Can you let the

enter cat inbefore you go to
school?

log in (or on) sign in (to a I can't log in to

website, Facebook because I've
database forgotten my
etc) password.

log out (or off) sign out (of If you don't log
a website, offsomebody could
database get into your account.
etc)

look take care of I have to look

aftersomeone/som after my sick
ething grandmother.

look down think less of, Ever since we stole

onsomeone consider that chocolate bar
inferior your dad has looked
down onme.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

look try to find I'm looking for a red

forsomeone/somet dress for the wedding.
hing

look forward be excited I'm looking forward

tosomething about the tothe Christmas
future break.

look investigate We are going to look

into something into the price of
snowboards today.

look out be careful, Look out! That car's

vigilant, and going to hit you!
take notice

look out be especially Don't forget to look

forsomeone/somet vigilant for out for snakes on the
hing hiking trail.

look something ov check, Can you look

er examine over my essay for
spelling mistakes?

look something up search and We can look her

find phone number up on
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

information the Internet.

in a
reference
book or
database

look up have a lot of My little sister has

to someone respect for always looked up to
me.

make something u invent, lie Josie made up a

p about story about why we
something were late.

make up forgive each We were angry last

other night, but we made
upat breakfast.

make someone up apply My

cosmetics to sisters made me upfo
r my graduation party.

mix something up confuse two I mixed up the twins'

or more names again!
things
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

pass away die His uncle passed

awaylast night after a
long illness.

pass out faint It was so hot in the

church that an elderly
lady passed out.

pass something ou give the The

t same thing professor passedthe
to many textbooks outbefore
people class.

pass something up decline I passed up the job

(usually because I am afraid of
something change.
good)

pay someone back return owed Thanks for buying my

money ticket.
I'll pay you backon
Friday.

pay for something be punished That bully will pay

for doing forbeing mean to my
something little brother.
bad
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

pick something out choose I picked out three

sweaters for you to
try on.

pointsomeone/som indicate with I'll point my

ethingout your finger boyfriendout when he
runs by.

put something dow put what You can put the

n you are groceries down on
holding on a the kitchen counter.
surface or
floor

put someone down insult, make The students put the

someone substitute
feel stupid teacherdown because
his pants were too
short.

put something off postpone We are putting

off our trip until
January because of
the hurricane.

put something out extinguish The

neighbours put the
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

fire out before the

firemen arrived.

put somethingtoge assemble I have to put the

ther cribtogether before
the baby arrives.

put up tolerate I don't think I can put

withsomeone/som up with three small
ething children in the car.

put something on put Don't forget to put

clothing/acc onyour new earrings
essories on for the party.
your body

run meet I ran into an old

intosomeone/some unexpectedl school-friend at the
thing y mall.

run drive a I accidentally ran

oversomeone/som vehicle over overyour bicycle in
ething a person or the driveway.
thing

run rehearse, Let's run

phrasal verb meaning example sentence

over/throughsom review over/through these

ething lines one more time
before the show.

run away leave The child ran

unexpectedl awayfrom home and
y, escape has been missing for
three days.

run out have none We ran out of

left shampoo so I had to
wash my hair with
soap.

send something ba return My letter got sent

ck (usually by backto me because I
mail) used the wrong
stamp.

set something up arrange, Our boss set a

organize meetingup with the
president of the
company.

set someone up trick, trap The police set up the

car thief by using a
hidden camera.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

shop around compare I want to shop

prices arounda little before
I decide on these
boots.

show off act extra He always shows

special for off on his skateboard
people
watching
(usually
boastfully)

sleep over stay You should sleep

somewhere overtonight if the
for the night weather is too bad to
(informal) drive home.

sort something out organize, We need to sort the

resolve a bills out before the
problem first of the month.

stick to something continue You will lose weight if

doing you stick to the diet.
something,
limit yourself
to one
particular
thing
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

switch something stop the The light's too bright.

off energy flow, Could
turn off you switch it off.

switch something start the We heard the news as

on energy flow, soon as we switched
turn on on the car radio.

take resemble a I take after my

after someone family mother. We are both
member impatient.

take something ap purposely He took the car

art break into brakesapart and
pieces found the problem.

take something ba return an I have to take our

ck item new TV back because
it doesn't work.

take off start to fly My plane takes off in

five minutes.

take something off remove Take off your socks

something and shoes and come
(usually in the lake!
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

clothing)

take something ou remove from Can you take the

t a place or garbage out to the
thing street for me?

take someone out pay for My

someone to grandparents tookus
go out for dinner and a
somewhere movie.
with you

tear something up rip into I tore up my ex-

pieces boyfriend's letters and
gave them back to
him.

think back remember When I think

(often + to, back on my youth, I
sometimes wish I had studied
+ on) harder.

think something ov consider I'll have to think this

er job offer over before
I make my final
decision.
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

throw somethinga dispose of We threw our old

way furniture away when
we won the lottery.

turn something do decrease the Please turn the

wn volume or TVdown while the
strength guests are here.
(heat, light
etc)

turn something do refuse I turned the

wn job downbecause I
don't want to move.

turn something off stop the Your mother wants

energy flow, you to turn the
switch off TV off and come for
dinner.

turn something on start the It's too dark in here.

energy, Let's turn some
switch on lightson.

turn something up increase the Can you turn the

volume or musicup? This is my
strength favourite song.
(heat, light
phrasal verb meaning example sentence

etc)

turn up appear Our cat turned

suddenly up after we put
posters up all over the
neighbourhood.

try something on sample I'm going to try these

clothing jeans on, but I don't
think they will fit.

try something out test I am going to try this

new brand of
detergentout.

use something up finish the The kids used all of

supply the toothpaste up so
we need to buy some
more.

wake up stop We have to wake

sleeping upearly for work on
Monday.

warmsomeone/so increase the You can warm your

methingup temperature feetup in front of the
 phrasal verb meaning example sentence

fireplace.

warm up prepare I always warm up by

body for doing sit-ups before I
exercise go for a run.

wear off fade away Most of my make-

upwore off before I
got to the party.

work out exercise I work out at the

gym three times a
week.

work out be Our plan worked

successful outfine.

work something ou make a We have to work

t calculation outthe total cost
before we buy the
house.

http://www.english-area.com/paginas/phrasalverbsquiz5.htm