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Use:
An adverbial phrase is a group of words which always go together. they describe where,
once a day
twice a day
Form:
2) Note that ‘on Saturday’ refers to one day. ‘On Saturdays’ means ‘every Saturday’.
Common mistakes
day.
every day.
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Use:
Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of time to talk about when you do something.
Form:
I’m going to the supermarket, and afterwards I’m going to the library.
I’m going to the supermarket, and I’m going to the library afterwards.
I’m going to finish my work and then I’m going to have a drink.
Common mistakes
1) Don’t use an adverb of time between the subject and the object of a sentence.
I went yesterday to the zoo. => I went to the zoo yesterday. / Yesterday I went to the
zoo.
I’m going now to the bank. => I’m going to the bank now.
I’m going to my English class and I’m going to the bar after. => I’m going to my
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Use:
Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of place to talk about where something happens.
abroad, overseas
Form:
Let’s go indoors.
Use:
Adverbs can be used to describe verbs. They describe HOW you do something.
Form:
2) Some adverbs are irregular, and do not end in ly. These include:
3b) If the verb has a direct object WITHOUT A PREPOSITION the adverb should go after the
object.
You sang that song nicely. NOT You sang nicely that song.
3c) If the verb is followed by a preposition and an object, you can put the adverb in different
places.
4) Adverbs are NOT used to describe the following verbs. These verbs use adjectives.
5) Some words end in ‘ly’ but they are not adverbs. Friendly is an example. Friendly is an
adjective. We can say ‘She is friendly’ but not ‘She talks friendly’. There is no adverb for friendly,
but we can say ‘She talks in a friendly way’. Elderly and lonely are also adjectives, not
be going to
Use:
Use be going to to talk about your personal plans for the future.
Form:
1) The form of the positive and negative sentences and questions is shown below.
Positive
am / ‘m
he / she / it is / ‘s
we are / ‘re
‘m not
Is he / she / it
Are we
Are they
2) The short reply to a ‘be going to’ question is ‘Yes, I am’, ‘Yes, she is’ etc. You cannot contract
No, he’s not / No he isn’t. No, she’s not / No she isn’t. No, it’s not / no it isn’t.
Common mistakes:
1) Some students forget to add the verb ’be’ before ‘going to’.
I going to see my friends tonight. => I’m going to see my friends tonight.
What time you are going to leave? => What time are you going to leave?
Can / Could
Use:
Can I sit here? => Yes, you can. Sorry, you can’t.
Can you cook this evening please? => Yes, I can. Sorry, I can’t.
Form:
2) The negative form of can is cannot, or can’t. The negative form of could is couldn’t.
3) There is always a verb after can and could, and the verb is always in the infinitive
form(without to).
Sally can help you. NOT Sally can helps you. / Sally can to help you.
4) Make questions by inverting can and the subject.
I can see you this afternoon. => Can I see you this afternoon?
Common mistakes:
Comparatives
Use:
Use the comparative form to talk about how two things are different.
Form:
1) If an adjective has one syllable, add er to the end. If it ends in e already, just add r.
2) If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then writeer.
big => bigger new => newer (NOT newwer) thin => thinner slow => slower (NOT
5) Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.
Add than after a comparative adjective to compare one thing with another. However, this is not
always necessary.
Use:
2) Use plural nouns or uncountable nouns to talk about things in general. Don't use an article
here.
I like cats.
Crime is increasing.
3) Use the to talk about one particular thing, or a particular group of things.
4) Use a to introduce a new thing or person. Use the when you already know this person or thing.
6) Use the when there are many things, but it is clear which one you mean.
Common mistakes:
1) Some students use the when they talk about things in general.
I want book about the weather. => I want a book about the weather.
3) Some students use the when they talk about things in general.
I want the book about the weather. => I want a book about the weather.
First Conditional
Use:
The first conditional structure is used to talk about something which will or may happen in the
Form:
Make the first conditional in this way.
he he not form)
she... she...
Examples: If I see Tom, I will tell him the news.
Or
he he
she... she...
Examples: She’ll be late if she doesn’t hurry up.
You might not pass your exams if you watch television all the time.
Common Mistakes:
If I will arrive first, I’ll make lunch. => If I arrive first, I’ll make lunch.
I might to go out tonight, if I’m not too tired. => I might go out tonight if I’m not too tired.
Use:
b) After some verbs, such as: like, hate, enjoy, quit, suggest, dislike, deny
A good learner’s dictionary will tell you whether a verb is followed by a gerund or not.
c) After prepositions.
I’m interested in buying a computer. I’m scared of walking alone in the dark.
2) The infinitive form of the verb is the original verb. It can be with or without ‘to’.
a) After some verbs, such as; agree, arrange, ask, promise, decide, afford
I agreed to do the work. I arranged to see the doctor, They decided to get married.
A good learner’s dictionary will tell you whether a verb is followed by an infinitive or not.
b) To show the reason why you did something.
c) After adjectives.
b) Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or a infinitive, but there is a change in meaning.
I tried to get into the house. (Getting into the house is your goal or objective).
I tried climbing through the window. (Climbing through the window is one thing you tried
I stopped cleaning the windows. (I was cleaning the windows and then I stopped).
I stopped to clean the windows. (I was driving, and I stopped driving in order to clean
the windows).
I remembered to lock the door. (I remembered, and after that I locked the door).
I remember locking the door. (I remember (now) that I locked the door (in the past)).
Have to
Use:
Form:
The positive, negative and question forms are shown in the table.
Positive
1) Some students think that don’t have to means must not, but this is not correct.
You don’t have to use your mobile phone in class. → You mustn’t use your mobile
phone in class.
2) Some students use haven’t / hasn’t to make negative sentences and questions.
now?
How questions
Use:
You can use it to find out about age, size, length, cost and much more.
Form:
1) Dimensions
Use How big to find out about size.
Use How long to find out about length, and How wide to ask about width.
Use the words long and wide in your answers to make them clear.
2) Age
You can reply: ‘She’s ten’ or ‘She’s ten years old’ NOT ‘She’s ten years’.
3) Time
4) Quantity
Use How much to ask about cost. Also use How much with uncountable nouns.
How much money do you have? NOT How much do you have money?
Use How many to ask about countable nouns. Remember to put any countable nouns directly
after ‘many’.
How many people are coming? NOT How many are coming people?
How many people are there in your class? NOT How many people are in your
class?
Imperative Forms
Use:
Form:
3) When giving instructions to a friend, you can soften the order by using ‘you’. However,
First you put the mixture into a bowl, and then you add two eggs. Then you whisk it.
Notice how plural nouns (visitors / passengers) are generally used in signs.
Common mistakes:
Use:
Phrasal verbs consist of a verb and one or more prepositions. They are often used, especially in
informal spoken English. The meaning of phrasal verbs is often completely different from the
Form:
Please can you look after our cats while we’re on holiday?
There has been a burglary at the school. Police are looking into it.
get to = arrive at
I look up to my teachers.
Past continuous
Use:
1) Use the past to ‘set the scene’ of a story before describing what happened.
‘It was raining. I was walking in the park. Some kids were playing football nearby.
Suddenly…’
2) Use the past continuous to talk about an action which happened for some time in the past and
was then interrupted. Use the past simple tense to talk about the interruption.
I was cooking dinner when suddenly there was a knock at the door.
3) Use the past continuous to talk about events that were in progress at a certain time.
When James got home, I cooked dinner:- I started cooking AFTER he got home.
When James got home, I was cooking dinner: - I started cooking BEFORE he got home.
Form:
Positive
was
I verb+ing
You were
He / She / It was
We / They were
Negative
wasn’t
I verb+ing
You weren’t
He / She / It wasn’t
We / They weren’t
Question
Was verb+ing ?
Were you
Was he / she / it
Were we / they
Spelling Rules:
If a verb ends in one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant (except w and y).
Common mistakes
Past simple
Use:
Use the past simple to talk about finished events in the past. Use it to tell stories, jokes and
anecdotes.
Form:
1) Many past tense verbs are formed by adding -ed to the end of the verb.
If a verb ends in y, delete y and add ied (studied, carried). But don’t do this if the verb ends in
But a lot of past tense verbs are irregular. You need to learn each one separately. Here are some
examples.
know, see, go
Don’t use the past verb in negative sentences.
Did you saw the film? => Did you see the film?
Present continuous
Use:
1) Use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening now.
Form:
Positive
am / ‘m
I verb+ing
You are / ‘re
He / She / It is / ‘s
‘m not
I verb+ing
You aren’t / ‘re not
Am verb+ing
Are you
Is he / she / it
Are we / they
Spelling Rules:
If a verb ends in e, delete the e before you add –ing.
Common mistakes
‘Where’s dad?’
Form:
Positive
am / ‘m verb-ing
I are / ‘re
you / they / we
is / ‘s
he / she / it
Examples: I’m going / He’s going / We’re going to Spain next week.
Negative
‘m not verb-ing
Questions
Are he / she / it
Is
Examples: Are you coming / Is James coming to the party?
Common Mistakes:
1) Some students use will to talk about future plans. However, present continuous is the correct
tense to use.
I’ll visit my cousin in Paris this weekend. => I’m visiting my cousin in Paris this weekend.
Present Perfect
Use:
1) Use it to describe events that happened in the past and are still true now because you
However, you cannot use the present perfect to describe experiences in someone’s life if
NOT
3) Use it to describe events that started in the past and are still happening now.
John has worked here for 10 years (and he works here now).
Form:
Positive
he / she / it
Examples: I’ve seen him; they’ve gone; she’s taken my bag.
Negative
he / she / it
Examples: I haven’t seen him; they haven’t gone yet; she’s not been here.
Questions
Have he / she / it
Has
Examples: Have you seen him? Has she taken my bag?
Common mistakes:
John’s been to New York last month. => John’s been to New York.
Use:
Separable phrasal verbs consist of two parts. They always require an object.
They are often used, especially in informal spoken English. The meaning of phrasal verbs is often
Form:
1) The object of a phrasal verb can go either between the verb and the preposition or after the
preposition.
I handed in my homework.
2) If the object of the sentence is a pronoun, it must go between the two parts of the phrasal verb.
Examples:
make up = invent
This shirt is too small. I’m going to take it back to the shop.
James studied hard because he didn’t want to let his parents down.
Can you turn the music down please? It’s very loud.
Form:
Should
Should is a modal verb, like can and will, so it follows the same rules.
5) You can also use should in the continuous form. Use should + be + verb-ing.
Ought
Use:
Use:
Use many in negative sentences and questions. We don’t often use it in positive sentences,
There are many cars on the road today. → There are a lot of cars on the road today.
However, we can use Many of Not Many before the subject of the sentence.
Not many people know that you can get free coffee here!
We use much in negative sentences and questions with uncountable nouns. We don’t often use
Common mistakes
I haven’t got some brothers or sisters. → I haven’t got any brothers or sisters.
Do you have some brothers or sisters? → Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Use:
Form:
Subject Questions
1)To be
classroom?
here / there?
Are / Were we / you / they / your parents teachers / students?
classroom?
here / there?
Is Tom a teacher? Is it cold? Was he at the party? Is she here?
Are you students? Were you tired? Are they in the classroom? Were you parents there?
2)Use Question word + to be before nouns, pronouns, places and this / that.
Question word be
When classroom?
are / were we / you / they / my keys?
these / those?
classroom?
Who is it? When was it? Where was my bag? Who was at the party?
gone?
Object Questions
1)Object questions have no subject in the question. Any present / past simple verbs should go in
saw / called
What happened (to me / you / him / her / us / them?)
is happening (to
Who likes me? What happened to you?
In the present tense, always use the third person singular form of the verb.
Common mistakes:
Who did meet you at the station?=> Who met you at the station?
Superlatives
Use:
Use the superlative form to describe something that is greater than any other thing.
The Amazon is the longest river in the world.
Form:
2) If an adjective is short and has one syllable, add est to the end. If it ends in e already,
2) If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then
newwest)
slowwest)
3) If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add est.
4) For other adjectives with two or more syllables, DON’T add est. Write most before the
adjective.
most surprising
It’s the most interesting book I’ve ever read.
5) Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.
6) a) In is often (but not always) used after a superlative adjective to describe where this
statement is true.
Uncountable Nouns
Use:
Some nouns are countable – you can count them. These include:
Some nouns are uncountable – you cannot count them. These include:
Singular countable nouns Plural countable nouns do not Uncountable nouns do not
please? please?
Use singular verbs and Use plural verbs and Use singular verbs and
This apple is nice. These apples are nice. This bread is nice.
Some determiners can be used with both countable and
uncountable nouns.
some, a lot of, lots of, loads of, plenty of, any
Use:
Will and won’t are used to talk about the future. Will is positive and won’t is negative.
a) Make predictions.
c) Make a decision about the future at the same time as you speak.
Form:
I will go, you will go, he / she will go, we will go, they will go.
You will happy when you hear the news. => You will be happy when you hear the news.
5) The short answer for Will questions is: Yes, I/you/he/she/he/they/we will
Common mistakes:
1) Some students forget to write will before the subject in questions.
2) Many students use will to talk about their plans. But you should use going to or the present
continuous.
Use:
2) You can also use it to talk about your dreams and ambitions.
You can also use I’d love and I’d hate to talk about dreams.
Form:
Use like to talk about things you like all the time.
Use would like to talk about things you want now, or at some time in the future.
Zero Conditional
Use:
The first conditional structure is used to talk about something which is always true. It
Form:
Unless he he
she... she...
Examples: If you fly on a budget airline, you have to buy your own drinks.
Or
he unless he
she... she...
Examples: You have to buy your own drinks if you fly on a budget airline.
2. You can also form the zero conditional with the imperative form.
If you have a membership card, enter through the door on the left.
Enter through the door on the left if you have a membership card.
3. You can also form the zero conditional using a modal verb.
If it’s rainy and sunny at the same time, you can often see a
rainbow.
only the present simple, a modal or imperative form can be used in the ‘result’ clause.