- Section One: Word Order
- Section Two: The Indefinite Article
- Section Three: The Definite Article
- Section Four: Nouns
- Section Five: Pronouns
- Section Six: Adjectives
- Section Seven: Comparison of Adjectives
- Section Eight: Comparison of Adverbs
- Section Nine: Prepositions of Time
- Section Ten: Prepositions of Place
- Section Eleven: The Simple Present Tense
- Section Twelve: The Present Continuous Tense
- Section Thirteen: The Future Tense
- Section Fourteen: The Simple Past Tense
- Section Fifteen: The Past Continuous Tense
- Section Sixteen: The Present Perfect Tense
- Section Seventeen: The Present Perfect Continuous Tense
- Section Eighteen: Auxiliary Verbss
- Section Nineteen: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
- Section Twenty: To Make and To Do
- Section Twenty_one:To Get
- Section Twenty_two: Been and Gone
- Appendix I: Regular verbs: Simple past tense
- Appendix
II: Irregular Verbs
Section One: Word Order
A: the positive statement:
1) S V C
e.g. John was ill.
2) S AUX V DO
e.g. Joan has lost her ball.
3) S AUX V IO DO
e.g. Bill is giving his friend a computer
B: the negative statement:
1) S V C
e.g. John was not ill
/ John wasn't ill.
2) S AUX V DO
e.g. Eric has not lost his bicycle
/Eric hasn't lost his bicycle.
3) S AUX V IO DO
e.g. Joan is not giving her mother a present
/Joan isn't giving her mother a present.
C: the positive question: verb reversal type
1) AUX S V
e.g. Are you going fishing?
2) AUX S V DO
e.g. Have you seen my book?
3) AUX S V IO DO
e.g. Has my father given his friend some books?
D: the positive question: question word type
1) QW V S
e.g. What is your name?
2) QW C V S
e.g. How big is your house?
3) QW AUX S V IO DO
e.g. Why is Bill giving his friend some money?
E: the negative question: verb reversal type
1) AUX S V C
e.g. Is Mary not coming with us?
Isn't Mary coming with us?
2) AUX S V DO
e.g. Have you not visited London?
/Haven't you visited London?
3) AUX S V IO DO
e.g. Have you not brought me a French dictionary?
/Haven't you brought me a French dictionary?
F: the negative question: question word type
1) QW AUX S V C
e.g. Why has he not come yet?
Why hasn't he come yet?
2) QW AUX S V DO
e.g. Why is he not teaching his class?
Why isn't he teaching his class?
3) QW AUX S V IO DO
e.g. Why have you not brought me a cup of tea?
Why haven't you brought me a cup of tea?
Section
Two: The Indefinite Article
2.1 Usage:The Indefinite Article is used with singular and plural nouns where the noun is general.
e.g. a book an elephant some boys
2.2 Usage: Exception:
The Indefinite Article is not used in French but is used in English when explaining a profession, nationality status/religion.
e.g. I am a teacher - profession
John is an Irishman - nationality
Ann is a Protestant - status/religion
2.3 Structure:
The general rule is:
a + a singular noun beginning with a consonant: e.g. a boy
an + a singular noun beginning with a vowel: e.g. an animal
some + a plural noun: e.g. some girls some buildings
Section
Three: The Definite Article
3.1 Usage:
The Definite Article is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is particular or specific:
e.g. the teacher the crowd the mountains
3.2 Usage: Exceptions:
The is not used before:
A: uncountable nouns with a general meaning:
e.g. I think geography is very interesting. (not the geography)
Bill cannot eat meat. (not the meat)
Here are some more examples of general uncountable nouns:
life, transport, music, society
B: the name of a language:
e.g. French is a difficult language to learn. (not the French)
I speak English at home and German at the office. (not the English or the German)
C: names of countries:
e.g. Eric lives in England. (not the England)
Joan went to Italy for a holiday. (not the Italy)
D: days of the week, names of months, years:
e.g. He arrived on Monday. (not the Monday)
Bill visited me in July. (not the July)
E: names of meals:
e.g. What do you want for breakfast? (not the breakfast)
Mary ate lunch at midday? (not the lunch)
F: titles + names of people:
e.g. President Mitterrand (not the President Mitterand)
Queen Elizabeth II (not the Queen Elizabeth II)
G: names of towns/cities and famous buildings:
e.g. in Paris (not the Paris) at Oxford University (not the Oxford University)
H: certain nouns:
e.g. at school (not the school) by car (not the car)
Here are some more examples:
in/to prison at/to university at/to work at/from home at night on holiday
Section
Four: Nouns
4.1
Usage:There are of three types of nouns: countable, uncountable, collective:
countable nouns are nouns that can be counted and have a plural form.
uncountable nouns are nouns that cannot be counted and do not have a plural form.
collective nouns are the name for a group/collection of people/animals/things.
In English, Nouns are used in the same way as they are in French but they are not defined as masculine/feminine/neuter. Some nouns are clearly masculine or feminine: man (men) - masculine , woman (women) - feminine.
Domestic animals are called he or she to distinguish between male and female.
e.g. I have a dog and he sleeps all the time.
4.2 Structure: Countable Nouns:
A: To form plural nouns add -s to the singular form:
e.g. book books
elephant elephants
However, for some groups of nouns, different rules apply
B: Nouns with distinct male and female forms. Common examples include:
masculine feminine masculine feminine
actor actress hero heroine
author authoress host hostess
businessman businesswoman man woman
duke duchess prince princess
earl countess waiter waitress
god goddess widow widower
C: Singular nouns ending in -s, -sh, -ch and x add -es in the plural form:
singular: plural singular plural
glass glasses bush bushes
stitch stitches box box
D: Many singular nouns ending in -f change -f to -v and add -es in the plural form. There are a few nouns ending in -f that behave normally and add -s in the plural form. Here are common examples of both types:
singular plural singular plural
calf calves chief chiefs
half halves cliff cliffs
leaf leaves roof roofs
loaf loaves
shelf shelves
E: Singular nouns ending in -fe change -fe to -ves in the plural form:
knife - knives life - lives wife - wives
F: Singular nouns ending in a -y after a consonant change -y to -i and add es in the plural form:
city - cities company - companies factory - factories
G: Singular nouns ending in -y after a vowel add -s in the plural form:
boy - boys
key - keys
toy - toys
trolley - trolleys
H: Some singular nouns ending in -o add -es in the plural while others add s. It is important to learn the most common nouns of both types:
singular plural singular plural
hero heroes banjo banjos
potato potatoes dynamo dynamos
tomato tomatoes piano pianos
volcano volcanoes solo solos
4.3 Structure: Countable Nouns: Exceptions:
A: Certain nouns do not add -s in the plural. Common examples are:
aircraft counsel graffiti media
offspring spaghetti
B: Some nouns, particularly the names of animals and fish, have the same form in singular and plural. Common examples are:
antelope - antelope buffalo - buffalo deer - deer fish - fish
pike - pike sheep - sheep salmon - salmon trout - trout
C: A number of nouns have no singular form even if there is only one:
singular/plural singular/plural singular/plural singular/plural
barracks headquarters pliers shorts
clothes jeans premises spectacles
contents manners pyjamas spirits
cross-roads means scissors trousers
goods outskirts savings valuables
D: Certain compound nouns add -s to the first word in the plural form. Some examples are:-
editor-in-chief - editors-in-chief
father-in-law - fathers-in-law
son-in-law - sons-in-law
passer-by - passers-by
E: Some nouns change vowels and/or add consonants in the middle of the word or add - en in the plural form:
foot - feet child - children
goose - geese ox - oxen
man - men
woman - women
mouse - mice
louse - lice
F: Certain singular nouns ending in -ex or ix remove the last two letters and add -ices in the plural form.. Common examples are:-
appendix - appendices index - indices vortex - vortices
G: Certain nouns used commonly in English are the same in English and French:
bureau - bureaux gateau - gateaux tableau - tableaux
4.4 Structure: Uncountable Nouns:
Uncountable nouns cannot be counted normally and have no plural form:
e.g. milk sugar soap meat
4.5 Structure: Uncountable Nouns: Exceptions:
A: Some uncountable nouns can be counted by naming the container/shape/weight in which they are found:
e.g. a bottle of milk a bag of sugar a bar of soap a tin of meat
B: Certain uncountable nouns can be counted by using a piece of .... , a bit of .... :
e.g. a piece of information a piece of news a piece of advice
a bit of information a bit of news a bit of advice
Here are some more nouns that may be used in this way: advice, furnitue, homework, housework, luggage, money, research.
4.6 Structure: Collective Nouns:
Collective nouns can be singular or plural and name groups/collections of people/animals/things
e.g. a crowd of people a herd of cows a bunch of bananas
A: When the collective nouns is the subject of the sentence, the verb is usually singular:
e.g. A flock of sheep is very noisy.
A team of horses was pulling the old carriage.
B: When the individual members of the collective group are important, the verb is plural:
e.g. The police are protecting the town.
The government are protesting about the low wages of members of Parliament.
Section
Five: Pronouns
Pronouns
replace nouns for various purposes in English and as in French, there
are several types of pronouns: personal, reflexive, demonstrative,
possessive..e.g. Derek himself took it to Marcel and showed him the details.
These books are mine and Mary bought them for me in London.
5.1 Usage: Personal Pronouns:
Different groups of Personal Pronouns have different roles in sentences:
A: The Subject:
I, you, he/she/it can replace singular nouns and we, you, they can replace plural nouns as the subject in a sentence:
e.g. Brian went to the cinema = He went to the cinema.
Joan and Mary visited Italy last July = They visited Italy last July.
B: The Direct Object:
me, you, him/her/it can replace singular nouns and us, you, them can replace plural nouns as the direct object in a sentence:
S V DO S V DO
e.g. Bill left Jane at the school gate = Bill left her at the school gate.
Joan met Tom and Mary in the park = Joan met them in the park.
C: The Indirect Object:
me, you, him/her/it can replace singular nouns and us, you. them can replace plural nouns as the indirect object in a sentence:
S V IO S V IO
e.g. John Smith gave the cat some food = John Smith gave it some food.
My parents gave Jill and I a car = My parents gave us a car.
5.2 Structure: Personal Pronouns:
Personal Pronouns are usually found in the same position in a sentence as the noun/nouns they are replacing:
S V IO DO
e.g. Henry wrote Ann a long letter.
He wrote her a long letter.
5.3 Structure: Exceptions:
A: With certain verbs, to can be put before the Indirect Object and the Indirect Object is placed after the Direct Object:
S V IO DO
e.g. The manager passed Jennifer a glass of wine.
S V DO IO
The manager passed a glass of wine to her.
Here are some more verbs of this type: to bring, describe, explain, pass, pay, owe, pass, pay, promise, read, sell, send, show, suggest, take.
B: With certain verbs, for can be put before the Indirect Object and the Indirect Object is placed after the Direct Object.
S V IO DO
e.g. My mother cooked the children some eggs.
S V DO IO
My mother cooked some eggs for them.
Here are some more verbs of this type: to bring, buy, cook, fetch, find, get, leave, open, order, reserve, save.
5.4 Usage: Reflexive Pronouns:
The reflexive pronouns myself, yourself, himself/herself/itself in the singular and ourselves, yourselves, themselves in the plural can be used in two ways:
e.g. I drove myself to Marseille.
Bill himself found the lost watch.
5.5 Structure:
A: to mention again the identity of the subject of the sentence with the meaning for ...... the reflexive pronoun is placed immediately after the verb:
e.g. John found a nice house to buy.
John found himself a nice house to buy.
B: to emphasise identity, the reflexive pronoun is placed immediately after the noun:
e.g. The brothers do not know the answer.
The brothers themselves do not know the answer.
5.6 Usage: Possessive Pronouns:
The possessive pronouns mine, yours, his/hers/its in the singular and ours, yours, theirs in the plural show that an object/person/thing belongs to someone who is not named.
e.g. Mary and Bill are buying a house and the house is theirs. (the house of Bill and Mary)
Who owns this car? It's mine. (the car of the writer)
5.7 Structure:
In sentences, possessive pronouns replace the missing name of the owner of the object/person/thing.
5.8 Final Note:
My, your, his/her/its in the singular and our, your, their in the plural are Possessive Adjectives. They are used to show that a person/place/thing belongs to someone whose identity is known:
e.g. "Mary and Bill are our children," said Ann and John.
The pilot landed his plane safely.
Section
Six: Adjectives
6.1 Usage:As in French, adjectives are used in English to describe/give more information about nouns:
e.g. the blue car the sad teacher the intelligent lion
6.2 Structure:
A: Adjectives are placed immediately in front of the noun they are describing:
e.g. the wild pig the enormous elephant the angry boxer
B: In English, adjectives do not agree with the gender of nouns:
e.g. the tall man the noisy boy the happy prince
the tall woman the noisy girl the happy princess
C: Certain words ending in -ly are adjectives and not adverbs:
e.g. a friendly letter a lovely scene an early train
Here are some other adjectives of this type: daily, hourly, weekly, monthly, yearly.
Section
Seven: Comparison of Adjectives
e.g. John is young but Mary is younger and Michael is the youngest.
7.2 Structure: Regular Adjectives:
e.g. Adjective Comparative Superlative
young younger youngest
small smaller smallest
There are five rules for the construction of the Comparative and Superlative forms of regular adjectives.
A: Short adjectives of one syllable add -er and -est to the adjective:
e.g. old older oldest
Here are more examples of adjectives of one syllable: young, small, tall, cheap, few.
B: When an adjective ends in -y, change this letter to -i and add -er and -est:
e.g. easy easier easiest
Here are more examples of adjectives that end in -y: heavy, early, busy, healthy, noisy, lucky, silly, happy.
C: When an adjective ends in -e, remove the -e and then add -er and -est:
e.g. large larger largest
Here are some more examples of adjectives that end in -e: brave, wise, safe, pale, simple, late.
D: When an adjective ends with a vowel plus a consonant, double the consonant and then add -er and -est:
e.g. big bigger biggest
Here are some more examples of adjectives of this type: thin, hot, fat, fit.
E: Adjectives of three or more syllables and some adjectives of two syllables do not change but more and most are put in front of these adjectives:
e.g. beautiful more beautiful most beautiful
Here are some more examples of adjectives of this type: delicious, efficient, humorous, expensive, careful, modern, famous, correct, honest.
7.3 Structure: Irregular Adjectives:
There are three adjectives which do not follow any rule: these must be memorised:
Adjective Comparative Superlative
good better best
bad worse worst
far farther/further farthest/furthest
Section
Eight: Comparison of Adverbs
e.g. John runs fast but Mary runs faster and Michael is the fastest.
8.2 Structure: Regular Adverbs:
e.g. Adverb Comparative Superlative
quick quicker quickest
slow slower slowest
There are two rules which control the formation of the Comparative and Superlative forms of regular adverbs.
A: In general, add -er and -est to the adverb.
B: When an adverb ends in -ly, more and most are put in front of the adverb.
8.3 Structure: Irregular Adverbs:
There are three irregular adverbs which do not follow any rule: these must be memorised:
Adverb Comparative Superlative
good better best
badly worse worst
far farther/further farthest/furthest
Section
Nine: Prepositions of Time
9.1 Usage: At,
On, In:These prepositions are used to show the time and date of events, activities and situations:
e.g. at three o'clock. in June. on Monday.
9.2 Structure: At:
at + particular time: dawn, midday, noon, night, midnight, nine o'clock etc.. e.g. at dawn.
at + the + a particular time in a week/month/year: start/end of the week/month/year, weekend. e.g. at the start of July.
at + calendar festival season: Christmas, New Year, Easter, Pentecost etc.. e.g. at Easter.
at + meal: breakfast, lunch, mid-morning, tea, dinner, supper etc.. e.g. at breakfast.
9.3 Structure: On:
on + day of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday etc. e.g. on Thursday.
on + particular part of a day: Friday morning, Saturday afternoon. e.g. on Sunday evening.
on + particular date: 25 July 1994, 4 January. e.g. on 19 March.
N.B. On the nineteenth of March is how this date is read aloud or said in conversation.
on + calendar festival day: Christmas Day, Palm Sunday. e.g. on Easter Sunday.
9.4 Structure: In:
in + the + a part of a day: the morning, the afternoon, evening. e.g. in the afternoon.
in + month: January, February, March, April, May etc.. e.g. in June.
in + season of the year: Spring, Summer, Autumn. e.g. in Winter.
in + specific year: 1988, 1989, 1990 etc.. e.g. in 1994.
in + the + a specific century: nineteenth century. e. g. in the twentieth century.
in + historical period of time: the Dark Ages, Pre-historic Times. e.g. in the Middle Ages.
N.B. No preposition is used if the day/year has each, every, last, next, this before it:
e.g. I go to Switzerland each Christmas ( not at each Christmas )
I'll see you next Monday afternoon. ( not on Monday afternoon )
Martin left home last evening. ( not in the evening )
9.5 Usage: For and Since:
These prepositions explain how long an event, activity, situation has continued:
e.g. for three days since last Thursday
9.6 Structure: For:
for + a period of time: two days, one week, three months, four years e.g. for the weekend.
This phrase can be used with all verb tenses.
e.g. Michael went to the Bahamas last year for three weeks. - past
I am in Paris for ten days. - present
My cousin will be visiting the West Indies for two months next February. - future
9.7 Structure: Since:
since + a point of time + past tense: last week, the war ended, 1990, yesterday.
The point of time does not have to be accurate.
e.g. My sister and her husband have worked in India since 1991.
Mary has been very ill since yesterday evening.
9.8 Usage: During and While:
These prepositions explain a period of time in which an event, activity or situation took place:
e.g. during the next month while I was swimming.
9.9 Structure: During:
during + a noun or phrase: the war, the nineteenth century: e.g. during my schooldays. This phrase can be used with all verb tenses: past, present, future and is the same as the French pendant:
e.g. Marcel received many telephone messages during the last week. - past
I am seeing John during the morning. - present
Bill will return to England during the Christmas Holiday. - future
9.10 Structure: While:
while + subject + verb: to eat, talk, swim, walk etc.... This clause can be used with all verb tenses: past, present, future and is the same as the French pendant que:
e.g. We will take you to the theatre while we are in London.
While David was in Spain, he didn't go to a bull fight.
N.B. In English, While can often be replaced by when and retain the same meaning.
while + infinitive + -ing (Present Participle): thinking, running, driving etc..
e.g. While swimming in the sea, Elizabeth was attacked by a shark.
Solange met Andrew while studying History at the Sorbonne.
9.11 Usage: Before and After:
These prepositions explain accurately the timing of an event, activity or situation:
e.g. before the weekend after the holiday
9.12 Structure: Before:
before + a noun: Monday, Christmas, examinations etc.. e.g. before the weekend.
before + subject + verb: to eat, study, swim, talk. etc.. All verb tenses can be used.
e.g. He spoke to his teacher before the examinations began.
Before you say anything, I must explain why I am here.
before + infinitive + -ing (Present Participle): to read, write etc.. e.g. before eating.
The equivalent in French is avant de.
9.13 Structure: After:
after + noun: the lesson, the meal etc. e.g. after the journey
after + subject + verb: to draw, sit, read etc.. All verb tenses can be used:
e.g. Patricia was very happy after she won the tennis match.
Why did the Queen smile after the President shook her hand?
After she finishes her studies, Ann will work in South Africa.
after + infinitive + -ing (Present Participle): to decide, say, report etc.. e.g. after crying.
9.14 Usage: By, until, till:
These prepositions describe a time limit for commencement/completion of an activity.
e.g. by Sunday until April 1995 till next week
By means not later than and can be used with all verb tenses.
Until/till explains how long an activity continues, will continue or has continued and can be used with all verb tenses.
N.B. Until/till have the same meaning: till is a short form of until.
9.15 Structure: By:
by + noun describing time/date: examples: this afternoon, tomorrow, Thursday.
e.g. Please pay me by Friday morning.
Will you finish your work by four o'clock?
By the end of the year, Mark spoke English very well.
9.16 Structure: Until, till:
until/till + noun describing time/date: examples: next week, this evening, tomorrow.
e.g. Tom's wife will stay here until/till the end of next week.
Until/till the end of the month, you can use my computer.
The Williams Family lived in Germany until/till 1991.
9.17 Usage: From - - - - to/until:
From . . . . . to/until defines the beginning and end of a period of time, present, past or future:
e.g. from April 1989 to July from November until March
9.18 Structure: From - - - - - to/until/till:
From + time/day/date/year to + time/day/date/year and can be used with all verb tenses.
e.g. From 1987 until 1991, Mary was at university in Brussels.
Each day, Derek works in the bank from nine till five thirty.
My shop will be closed from 1st July to 31st August
Section
Ten: Prepositions of Place
10.1
Usage: At, on, in:At, on and in are prepositions of place and show the position of people, places and things:
e.g. at the cinema on the wall in the shop
10.2 Structure: At:
at + the + place: the cinema, theatre, school, cross roads etc.. e.g. at the bank.
at + specific place: Orly Airport, Buckingham Palace: e.g. at Notre Dame Cathedral.
at + specific address including the house number/name: e.g. at 33 rue de La Fayette, Paris.
N.B. In English, at is not normally used with names of villages, towns and cities.
10.3 Structure: On:
on + a/the + surface of a place or object: shelf, wall, floor, ceiling etc.. e.g. on the table.
on + the directions: left/right/other side/nearside/far side: e.g. on the left.
on + levels of a building: first floor, second floor, top floor etc.. e.g. on the ground floor.
on + the + parts of a ship: port side/ starboard side/bow/stern.
on + parts of the body: his foot, her leg, our heads etc.. e.g. on his left arm.
on + a/the + types of transport: horse, bicycle, train, foot etc.. e.g. on the ferry, on a horse.
N.B. English people say in a car ( not on a car ).
10.4 Structure: In:
in + names of countries: France, England, Germany etc.. e.g. in Belgium.
in + names of towns, villages, cities: Paris, London etc.. e.g. in Cairo.
in + named places: Buckingham Palace, the Louvre etc.. e.g. in Windsor Castle.
in + the + geographical regions: Auvergne, Lake District etc.. e.g. in the Pas de Calais.
in + streets, roads, avenues: rue du Lion, Fish Street etc.. e.g. in Stratford Avenue.
in + the + rooms and places: kitchen, bedroom, foyer, auditorium etc.. e.g. in the bathroom.
in + the + weather: sun, rain, hail, snow etc.. e.g. in the fog.
in + parts of the body: his foot, her leg, our heads etc.. e.g. in his foot.
in + a/the + types of transport: car, train, van, lorry, aeroplane, ship e.g. in a train.
10.5 Prepositions: Exceptions:
A: In English, certain expressions are different from French and must be learned:
at the moment on holiday in a loud/angry/quiet/low voice
at this/that moment on the radio in a good/bad mood
at the same time on television in a bad temper
at no time on the menu in a suit
at present on the agenda in a new dress
at the end/beginning in clean/dirty/new shoes
B: Some expressions are used without a/the, here are some common examples:
at school in bed
at home in business
at school in hospital
at school in prison
at work
at university
at 37 k.p.h.
C: Both on and in can be used for types of transport and parts of the body:
On is used when the part of the body/type of transport is the most important detail.
In is used when position is the most important piece of information.
e.g. Peter travelled to London on the train. - type
John sat in the last carriage of the London train. - position
Mary has a cut on her left arm. - part of the body
Anna has broken a bone in her wrist. - position in the body
D: At and in can be used with places which can contain large numbers of people: cinema, theatre, church, stadium etc..
At is used when the activity is the most important piece of information.
In is used when the place/position is the most important detail.
e.g. I will meet you for a meal at the usual restaurant.
Richard and Mary met in the foyer of the Royal Theatre.
E: Both at and to can be used with places:
At is used when there is no active movement in the phrase/sentence.
To is used when there is movement in the phrase/sentence
e.g. At school, there are forty teachers and four hundred pupils. - no movement
Martin is cycling to London to visit his friends. - movement
F: Both at and to can follow certain verbs: the meaning of the verb is different in each case: to throw, run, shout.
e.g. Bill threw a stone to me. ( a friendly action )
Bill threw a stone at me. ( a hostile action: intending to hurt someone )
Mary ran to me. ( a friendly action )
Mary ran at me ( a hostile action: intending to attack )
Eric shouted to me. ( a friendly action )
Eric shouted at me ( a hostile action: intending to express anger )
G: The preposition by is often used with transport when the type of transport is very important: the common examples are: by aeroplane, bicycle, horse, car, ferry, horse, lorry, ship, train
e.g. The businessmen travelled to Africa by aeroplane and in Africa, they travelled by car.
N.B. Walking is travel on foot ( not by foot )
Section
Eleven: The Simple Present Tense
11.1
Usage:A: to make a statement about actions that are continuing or things happening repeatedly.
e.g. Jean lives in France.
Mary watches television each evening.
B: to give instructions/directions.
e.g. You take the first left then take the next right.
C: to tell jokes and stories.
e.g. A man comes into the pub and he says ............
D: to ask a simple question using do/does.
e.g. Do you like English food?
Does your father speak English?
E: short answers to a simple question.
e.g. Do you enjoy English food? Yes, I do.
11.2 Structure:
A: the verb to be:
singular plural
I am We are
You are You are
He/she/it is They are
B: the verb to have:
singular plural
I have We have
You have You have
He/she/it has They have
The general rule for construction of the Simple Present Tense of most verbs is:
Use the infinitive form of the verb for all persons except the third person singular which adds - s or -es.
C: the verb to sit:
singular plural
I sit We sit
You sit You sit
He/she/it sits They sit
D: the verb to go:
singular plural
I go We go
You go You go
He/she/it goes They go
11.3 Structure: Exception
A: Verbs that end with a consonant plus -y: to try, fly, worry, cry, deny, study:
In the third person singular of the Present Simple Tense of these verbs, replace the -y with - ies.
i.e. He/she/it tries, flies, worries, cries, denies, studies.
B: Verbs that end with a vowel plus -y: to play, enjoy, delay, obey, buy:
In the third person singular of the Present Simple Tense these verbs are normal.
i.e. He/she/it plays, enjoys, delays, obeys, buys.
11.4 Structure: Negatives
In the negative, the Present Simple Tense requires the auxiliary verb do/does:-
e.g. Positive: I walk home every day.
Negative: I do not walk home every day.
/I don't walk home every day.
Positive: She studies English at weekends.
Negative: She does not study English at weekends.
/She doesn't study English at weekends.
11.5 Structure: Questions:
In forming questions, the Present Simple Tense requires the auxiliary verb do/does:
e.g. Do you speak English? (not speak you English?)
Does the cashier use a computer? (not use the cashier a computer?)
N.B. Carefully note the word order for a question including a negative.
e.g. Positive: Do you understand my question?
Negative: Don't you understand my question?
11.6 The Simple Present Tense: Position of Adverbs:
There are rules for the positioning of certain adverbs: always, often, never, usually, sometimes:
A: In positive statements:
In the Simple Present Tense, these adverbs are placed after the subject and before the verb:
S ADV V
e.g. The teacher always shouts at the class.
The student often talks in class.
B: In negative statements:
In the Simple Present Tense, these adverbs are placed after the negative:
e.g. Positive: Chantal is usually happy at work.
Negative: Chantal is not usually happy at work
/Chantal isn't usually happy at work.
Positive: The manager often drives his car to work
Negative: The manager does not often drive his car to work.
/The manager doesn't often drive his car to work.
C: In questions:
In the Simple Present Tense, the question uses the form do/does and the adverb is placed after the subject.
S ADV
e.g. Do your sons sometimes travel by train?
Does your father usually walk to the office?
Section
Twelve: The Present Continuous Tense
12.1
Usage:A: to describe something happening now or for a limited time in the future.
e.g. Mary is working today.
John is learning French this year.
The policeman is not driving his car this week.
The students are not learning English this term.
N.B. Word order in the negative sentence.
B: to describe an expected or unexpected event that happens frequently and uses the adverb always:
e.g. The teacher is always shouting at his class.
It is always snowing in winter.
C: to make appointments and arrangements using go/come:
e.g. I am going to the dentist at 9 a.m..(not I go)
Eric is coming here tonight (not Eric comes)
D: to describe an event that is to happen and where the sentence includes a word/phrase with limited future meaning:
on Monday, on Tuesday etc.. in June, in July etc..
this afternoon, this evening, tomorrow etc.. next week, next month, next year etc..
e.g. Michael is buying a new car next Tuesday.
For my holiday in July, I am flying to Japan.
E: to form a question in the present tense:
e.g. Are you coming to my house? (not come you)
Is he going to work today? (not goes he)
N.B. the word order in a question.
12.2 Usage: Exception:
Some verbs are never used in the Present Continuous Tense.
A: Verbs of "thinking": to think (when it means believe), believe, agree, understand, know, remember, forget, mean, doubt.
e.g. I understand the teacher's lesson. ( not I am understanding)
B: Verbs of "feeling": to wish, love, hate, like, dislike, imagine, want
e.g. The soldier wishes to go home.(not is wishing)
C: Verbs of "possession": to have, own, belong, want.
e.g. The rich man owns three cars (not is owning)
D: Verbs for "reporting": to say, tell, answer, report.
e.g. My uncle says he is poor. (not is saying)
E: Particular verbs: to cost, seem, appear, need, weigh, prefer, recognise, taste.
e.g. The elephant weighs fifty kilos. (not is weighing)
12.3 Structure:
The verb to work:
singular plural
I am working We are working
You are working You are working
He/she/it is working They are working
The general rule for construction of the Present Continuous Tense of most verbs is:
Take the Simple Present Tense of the auxiliary verb to be plus the infinitive plus -ing.
12.4 Structure: Negatives
In negative sentences, the word not is placed immediately after the auxiliary verb and before the verb ending in -ing.
S AUX V
e.g. Positive: The driver is running to his bus.
Negative: The driver is not running to his bus.
/The driver isn't running to his bus.
12.5 Structure: Questions
To form questions, the auxiliary verb to be and the subject are reversed.
S AUX
e.g. Statement: We are going to the restaurant.
AUX S
Question: Are we going to the restaurant?
S AUX
Statement: The small boy is listening to the radio.
AUX S
Question: Is the small boy listening to the radio?
N.B. Carefully note the word order for a question including a negative. The word not follows immediately after the auxiliary verb and before the subject.
AUX S
e.g. Isn't he visiting his mother today?
Aren't the fish swimming quickly?
12.6 Final note on the Present Tenses:
In general, we use the Present Continuous Tense for temporary situations:-
e.g. They are going to the park.
We use the Simple Present Tense for permanent situations:-
e.g. I celebrate Christmas every year.
Section
Thirteen: The Future Tense
13.1 Usage:
The future can be expressed in four ways in English:
A:. by using the Simple Future Tense will/shall with an infinitive.
e.g. The teacher will give me the answer on Monday.
B: by using the Present Continuous Tense of the verb to go with an infinitive when the action is to take place very soon:
e.g. I am going to wash my car.
C: by using the Present Continuous Tense with a word/phrase indicating the future:
e.g. The Channel Tunnel is opening for passenger travel next year.
D: by using a statement beginning with let us or let's when wishing to ask a question:
e.g. Let's go to the cinema this evening! (Shall we go to the cinema this evening?)
Let's eat our lunch now! (Shall we eat our lunch now?)
13.2 Structure: The Simple Future Tense:
The verb to sit:
singular plural
I will sit We will sit
You will sit You will sit
He/she/it will sit They will sit
The general rule for construction of the Simple Future Tense of verbs is:
Use the auxiliary verb will followed by the infinitive form of the main verb.
N.B. Shall is used with the same meaning as will only in the first person singular and plural
N.B. The Simple Future Tense can be spoken/written in a shortened form.
e.g. I'll speak to you again later this week.
13.3 Structure: Negatives:
In negative sentences, the word not is placed immediately after the verb will/shall and before the infinitive form of the verb. The Simple Future Tense can be spoken/written in two ways with the same meaning:
AUX V
e.g. I will not walk home from work.
I wont walk home from work.
13.4 Structure: Questions:
To construct questions using the Future Tense:
A: begin the question with will/shall and leave the verb and subject in the same order as in a statement..
e.g. Statement: Christopher will begin work on Monday.
Question: Will Christopher begin work on Monday?
B: use let's to ask the question indirectly:
e.g. Let's start our homework! (meaning: Shall we start our homework?)
Section
Fourteen: The Simple Past Tense
14.1
Usage: Regular and Irregular Verbs:The Simple Past Tense is used:
A: to describe actions/events that happened in the recent or long past and are now finished.
e.g. The salesman sold two cars yesterday.
My brother bought a new house last year.
B: to tell a story.
e.g. A man went into a pub and asked for a beer .............
N.B. The Simple Past Tense is often used with certain phrases of time:
yesterday, last night, last month, last year, two years ago.
14.2 Structure: Irregular Verbs:
e.g. The policemen caught the criminals.
In English, there are many irregular verbs and these must be learned. Some examples are:-
Infinitive Past Tense Past Participle
to buy bought bought
to drive drove driven
to drink drunk drunk
The most common irregular verbs are listed in Appendix I.
14.3 Structure: Regular Verbs:
e.g. I cleaned my car.
The general rule for construction of the Simple Past Tense of regular verbs is:
Take the infinitive of the verb and add -ed. E.g. To clean .......... cleaned
14.4 Structure: Exceptions:
A: When the infinitive form ends in -e, only -d is added:
e.g. I live in Paris .................... I lived in Paris.
B: When the infinitive form ends in a consonant plus -y, remove the -y and add -ied in its place:
e.g. I try hard ........................... I tried hard.
C: When the infinitive ends in -p or -it, double the last letter:
e.g. to stop ................................stopped
to knit ..................................knitted
14.5 There are no other exceptions to the rule in written form but there are exceptions in pronunciation of the Simple Past Tense.
A: If the infinitive ends in -d, -t, -te, the Simple Past Tense ending is pronounced -id:
e.g. to shout ..............shouted (pronounced shout-id)
B: If the infinitive ends in any other consonant, the Simple Past Tense ending is pronounced -d:
e.g. to fix ...................fixed (pronounced fixd)
C: If the infinitive ends in -ce, -k, -s, -ss, the Simple Past Tense ending is pronounced -t:
e.g. to dance..............danced (pronounced dancet)
to walk ...............walked (pronounced walkt)
14.6 Structure: Regular and Irregular Verbs: Negative:
In the negative form use the Simple Past Tense of the verb to do as did plus the infinitive:
e.g. I did not notice the cat. - Regular
/I didn't notice the cat.
Didn't Bill forgive his sister? - Irregular
N.B. Carefully note the word order in negative sentences.
14.7 Structure: Regular and Irregular verbs: Questions:
To form questions, use the Simple Past Tense of the verb to do as did /did not plus the infinitive:
e.g. Did you stop at the shop?
Where did you work?
Didn't Bill sing a song?
N.B. Carefully note the word order for questions.
Section
Fifteen: The Past Continuous Tense
15.1
Usage:A: To describe an event, activity or situation that happened in the past for a period of time:
e.g. On Sunday, I was walking for three hours.
B: To describe an event, activity or situation happening in the past at the same time as another event happened.
e.g. Henry was speaking to Mary when Jane arrived.
C: To describe a scene or situation in a story or report.
e.g. It was snowing and the trees were looking beautiful when the accident happened.
15.2 Usage: Exceptions:
The Past Continuous Tense is not normally used:
A: to describe habitual or often repeated events:
e.g. The tourists climbed Mont Blanc three times in three weeks. (not were climbing)
B: Verbs of "thinking". to believe, doubt, forget, know, mean, to think (meaning to have an opinion), remember, understand:
e.g. I believed what he said ( not was believing)
C: Verbs of "feeling". to dislike, hate, like, love, want, wish:
e.g. While I was speaking to John, I wanted to be with Mary ( not was wanting)
D: Verbs of "possession". to belong, have (meaning to possess), own, want:
e.g. When he was in Germany, Brian owned a large Mercedes ( not was owning)
E: Particular verbs. to appear, cost, need, prefer, recognise, see (except when it means to meet), seem, taste, weigh:
e.g. All last year, it cost [[sterling]]200 to fly to Canada ( not was costing)
15.3 Structure:
The general rule for construction of the Past Continuous Tense of all verbs is:
The Simple Past Tense of the auxiliary verb to be + infinitive + -ing.
e.g. I was speaking to my mother this morning.
15.4 Structure: Negatives:
In negative statements, not is put after the auxiliary verb and before the verb ending -ing:
AUX V
e.g. positive: The King was sailing to Norway.
negative: The King was not sailing to Norway.
15.5 Structure: Questions:
In questions, reverse the positions of the auxiliary verb and the subject.
S AUX V
e.g. statement: Anna was enjoying the race.
AUX S
question: Was Anna enjoying the race?
S AUX V
statement: John was running fast.
QW AUX S V
question: Why was John running fast?
Section
Sixteen: The Present Perfect Tense
16.1 Usage:A: To describe an event, activity or situation that ended only a short time ago. Here the word just is often used.
e.g. I have just arrived home from work.
B: To describe an event, activity or situation that is to happen soon. Here, the word yet is often used.
e.g. I haven't telephoned her yet but I will telephone her before midnight.
C: To describe an event, activity or situation that began in the recent or long past and is still continuing.
e.g. Mary has always lived in France.
D: To describe an event, activity or situation with the meaning up to now.
e.g. I have never visited India but I hope to go there soon.
Have you ever met my brother?
16.2 Structure:
The general rule for the construction of the Present Perfect Tense of all verbs is:
Take the simple present tense of the auxiliary verb to have + the past participle of the verb:
e.g. My friends have gone to Provence for the weekend.
Bill has eaten five apples and three oranges today.
16.3 Structure: Negatives:
In negative statements, the word not is put immediately after has/have and before the verb:
e.g. I have not seen Martin this week.
/I haven't seen Martin this week.
16.4 Structure: Questions:
To form questions, reverse the positions of the auxiliary verb and the subject::
S AUX
e.g. Statement: John has worked hard all day.
AUX S
Question: Has John worked hard all day?
Section
Seventeen: The Present Perfect Continuous Tense
17.1 Usage:
A: The Present Perfect Continuous Tense shows that an event, activity or situation that began in the recent or long past is continuing.
e.g. Harry has been cleaning the car for three hours.
B: The Present Perfect Continuous Tense can be used to describe an event, activity or situation that began in the past and ended only a short time ago.
e.g. Brian has been mending the clock all the morning and until five minutes ago.
C: This Tense is often used to answer the questions: How long for? How long since?
and, in French, this Tense is often used with depuis:
e.g. I have been learning French since 1978.
Mary has been speaking German for five years.
N.B. In French, the Present Tense is often used when the Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used in English.
e.g. Marcel has been learning English since 1989.
Marcel apprend l'anglais depuis 1989.
17.2 Usage: Exceptions:
A: Some verbs are not used in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense:
to be, have, hear, know, like, love, prefer, recognise, see, suppose, understand, want, wish.
These verbs are used in the Present Perfect Tense.
e.g. I have known David since 1968 ( not I have been knowing )
B: The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is not used to express repetition:
e.g. Bill has driven his car twice this week ( not Bill has been driving )
C: The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is not used to describe an event, activity or situation that has not yet taken place.
e.g. The cyclist has not ridden his bicycle for three weeks ( not has not been riding )
17.3 Structure:
The general rule for construction of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense of all verbs is:
has/have been + infinitive + -ing.
e.g. The policeman has been chasing the criminals through the streets of London.
17.4 Structure: Negatives:
In negative statements, not is put immediately after has/have and before been.
e.g. My father has not been working in the factory for five years.
17.5 Structure: Questions:
In questions, the subject and has/have change places.
S AUX
e.g. statement: The two boys have been looking for the lost ring.
AUX S AUX
question: Have the two boys been looking for the lost ring?
Section Eighteen: Auxiliary Verbs
There are two types of auxiliary verbs and they modify/change/assist the meaning of regular and irregular verbs: a) primary auxiliary verbs b) modal auxiliary verbs
18.1 Primary Auxiliary Verbs:
There are three primary auxiliary verbs: to be, to have and to do.
18.2 Usage: Primary Auxiliary Verbs:
A: To be:
Use this verb to form the Present Continuous and Passive Tenses of regular and irregular verbs.
e.g. John is talking to Mary.
Musicians are wanted to play in the orchestra.
B: To have:
Use this verb to form the Present Perfect and Past Perfect Tenses of regular and irregular verbs.
e.g. Jane has never seen a lion.
The teacher had seen the headmaster before the class arrived.
C: To Do:
Use this verb to form questions and negative statements in the Simple Present Tense and the Simple Past Tense of regular and irregular verbs.
e.g. I do not like music by Mozart Bill did not go to work this morning.
Do you want an ice cream? Did your brothers see the Rugby match?
18.3 Structure: Primary Auxiliary Verbs:
See the relevant sections under the Simple Present and Simple Past Tenses of verbs.
Section
Nineteen: Modal Auxiliary Verbs
The modal
auxiliary verbs are: will/shall, can/could, may/might, must, ought
to, would, should.19.1 Usage: Will/Shall:
Will/shall are used:
A: to construct the Future Tense of regular and irregular verbs.
e.g. My parents will visit Strasbourg next week.
B: to show that a decision has been made:
e.g. I will buy a new car on Friday.
C: to show that a promise, offer or invitation exists:
e.g. My uncle said that he will drive me to your house this evening. - promise
Will you come to England with me? - invitation
D: to make an urgent request, to give an order:
e.g. Will you come to my house immediately, please? - request
John, you will pay for the tickets, now! - order
E: to make a suggestion/offer in the form of a question:
e.g. Shall we buy tickets for the concert? - suggestion
Shall I help Derek to repair the car - offer
19.2 Usage: Can/Could:
A: to describe ability/willingness to do something now or in the past.:
e.g. Bill can drive a car very well. - ability
Marcel can play the piano at the party - willingness now
My parents could play golf twenty years ago - ability past
Bill could take photographs until he lost his camera - willingness past
B: to give an explanation or ask for permission:
e.g. In England, you can drive a car at the age of seventeen. - explanation
Can Mary use your computer, this evening?
C: to express perception with certain verbs by using can in the present tense, and could in the past tense. The verbs are: to feel, hear, see:
e.g. Bill and Mary can see the River Seine from their house.
Derek could hear the church bells every Sunday morning when he lived in Milan.
Ann can feel the heat of the sun before she sees it.
D: to explain a possibility and to make a suggestion in the present and future tenses by using could:
e.g. The old table could be in the garage - present
We could go to the cinema next Sunday - future
Could Mary help you to make this dress? - present
19.3 Usage: May/Might:
A: to express a possibility/make a suggestion at the present time or in the future. The equivalent in French is peut-être:
e.g. If you return tomorrow, you may see Mr Smith.
If you return tomorrow, you might see Mr Smith.
It may rain on Thursday or it might snow.
N.B. Might suggests less certainty than may.
B: to give/ask for permission by using may:
e.g. The workers may leave at six o'clock if they have finished their work. - give permission
May I see you tomorrow? - ask permission
19.4 Usage: Must:
A: to explain obligation or necessity where there is no choice: must is used with the Simple Present and Future Tenses:
e.g. You must buy a ticket to use the train - obligation
To succeed, Mary must work harder at school. - necessity
N.B. Have to + infinitive: Have got to + infinitive have the same meaning as must:
e.g. To succeed, Mary has to work harder at school.
To succeed, Mary has got to work harder at school.
B: to assume knowledge of a fact or information now - use must:
to assume knowledge of a fact or information in the past - use must have:
e.g. Martin must like his job, he has worked in that office for ten years. - now
The roads are wet, it must have rained last night. - past
19.5 Usage: Ought to:
A: to express an obligation and to give advice that may be refused or accepted::
e.g. Europeans ought to send food to poor African countries.
We ought to leave early to catch the first train of the day.
N.B. Ought to has the same meaning as should:
e.g. Europeans should send food to poor African countries.
We should leave early to catch the first train of the day.
19.6 Usage: Would:
A: to describe or talk about a situation/activity that is imagined or thought about:
e.g. I would like to visit Canada soon.
My parents would know all about the British Museum in London.
B: to ask for or supply factual information:
e.g. If you would permit me, I can show you the way to Notre Dame.
Would you please tell me the price of a ticket to the museum.
C: to issue or accept an invitation:
e.g. Would you like to come to New York with me?
My parents would like to meet your parents as soon as possible.
D: to explain a preference:
e.g. Bill would drink tea and Mary would prefer coffee.
Would Jane eat fish if I cooked it well?
E: to report events, activities, situations, facts in the past which were first expressed using will and in Direct Speech:
e.g. original words: The teacher said, " I will be late to lessons tomorrow."
reported words: The teacher said that he would be late for lessons the next day.
F: to offer advice when there is a choice:
e.g. If I was you, I would go home now.
Would you like a banana or an apple?
G: to offer choice in the form of a question:
e.g. Would you like a banana or an apple?
Would your parents like to come here for a holiday?
19.7 Usage: Should:
A: to express an obligation or necessity where there is a choice:
e.g. The old man should see a doctor about his injury. ( but he may choose not to )
University students should work very hard. ( but they may choose not to )
B: to express thoughts and personal opinions aloud:
e.g. I think Brian should find a job now.
John should tell Beatrice his plans.
N.B. In every case, Should has the same meaning as ought to:
19.8 Structure: Modal Auxiliary Verbs:
A: The basic form is modal auxiliary verb + infinitive without to:
e.g. Mary may walk home after walk.
William ought to lose weight.
B: Modal auxiliary verbs always have the same form in all tenses: will/shall, can/could, may/might, must, ought to, would, should.:
e.g. I may see you this morning. - present
Bill chose the moment when he would explain his idea. - past
Mary ought to go to work tomorrow. - future
C: The modal auxiliary verb + perfect infinitive is used to describe an event, activity or situation that may/may not have happened in the past:
e.g. The teacher ought to have warned me about this possibility .
It might have rained in the desert two years ago.
D: The Modal Auxiliary Verb + be + the infinitive ending -ing is used to talk about obligation or possibility in the present and future tense:
e.g. Usually, I would be working but today is a public holiday. - present
Next week, Elizabeth ought to be flying to Washington. - future
E: Like all auxiliary verbs, Modal Auxiliary Verbs are used in Question Tags:
e.g. You can come with me, can't you?
You wouldn't tell her, would you?
19.9 Structure: Negatives:
In negative statements, modal auxiliary verbs have not or n't after them:
e.g. positive statement: Mary cannot go to the library this morning.
negative statement: /Mary can't go to the library this morning.
positive statement: You should clean your car every day.
negative statement: /You shouldn't clean your car every day.
19.10 Structure: Negatives: Exception:
A: Use must not or mustn't where there is an obligation/necessity and no choice:
e.g. positive statement: In England, you must drive your car on the left.
negative statement: In France, you must not drive your car on the left.
/In France, you mustn't drive your car on the left.
B: Use need not or needn't where there is an obligation or necessity and a choice:
e.g. positive statement: Children ought to visit your parents each week.
negative statement Children need not visit their parents each week.
/Children needn't visit their parents each week.
19.11 Structure: Questions:
In questions, the Modal Auxiliary Verb comes before the subject:
MV S V
e.g. May I offer you a cup of tea?
QW MV S V
e.g. When will you know the result of the examination?
Section
Twenty: To Make and To Do
From French,
the verb faire can be translated as either to
make or to do in English. There
are five rules to assist in choosing the correct meaning and some
exceptions. The examples at the end of this topic must be memorised.20.1 Usage:
A: as the verb to make when it means build/construct/create/produce/change/renovate:
e.g. I made a model train at school today.
Our mother makes the beds each morning.
B: as the verb to make when it means: to force/give orders/instruct/compel:
e.g. We made our friends buy us an ice cream.
The officer made the soldier march quickly.
C: as the verb to do when it describes an action without saying exactly what the action is:
e.g. I am doing my best at school.
My father did some work in the garden yesterday.
D: as the verb to do when the subject is work:
e.g. His wife does the housework in the afternoon.
My father usually does the cooking on Sunday.
E: as the auxiliary verb to do in the Present Simple and Past Simple Tenses of verbs:
e.g. She does think about me very much/ She doesn't think about me very much.
The elephant did damage many trees/ The elephant didn't damage many trees.
20.2 Important Examples:
Some examples when we use to make: to make arrangements; an attempt; a bed; a decision; enquiries; an excuse; an exception; an effort; a mistake; a noise; money; a suggestion, a telephone call, a profit.
Some examples when we use to do: to do your best; business; an exercise; good; harm; the shopping.
N.B. Normally, to make is used more often than to do.
Section Twenty_one: To Get
21.1 Usage:
There are several situations when this verb can be used.
A: To get can replace other verbs: to buy, obtain, receive etc..
e.g. I get my bread from this shop. = I buy
John gets a lot of money from his father. = John obtains
Mary got six pounds for the old watch. = Mary received
B: To get can replace the verb to become if it is used with a particular adjective:
e.g. I get hungry every morning.
I get tired at the end of the day.
Other adjectives include: angry, dry, hungry, old, ready, lost, thirsty, warm, wet.
C: to get + preposition can be used to indicate a particular movement:
e.g. I get into my car each morning.
The policeman gets up very early each day.
Other prepositions include: in, on, onto, down, off, out, out of, to.
D: to get + past simple tense of a verb when it is used as an auxiliary verb to form the passive tense.
e.g. Gilbert got married last year.
Last night, my window got broken.
Other examples include: dismissed, divorced, dressed, killed, washed.
E: to have got + verb infinitive has the meaning Must:
e.g. My father has got to go to work on Tuesday evening.
Bob and Bill have got to telephone their parents before they go on holiday
21.2 Structure: The Simple Present Tense: To Get:
I get We get
You get You get
He, she, it gets They get
21.3 Structure: The Future Tense: To Get:
I will get We will get
You will get You will get
He, she, it will get They will get
21.4 Structure: The Simple Past Tense: To Get:
I got We got
You got You got
He, she, it got They got
Section Twenty_two: Been and Gone
Many students confuse the meaning and usage of these two verbs. gone is the Past Participle form of the verb to go.
been is the Past Participle form of the verb to be.
e.g. John has gone to work in West Africa.
Margot has been to France six times this year.
22.1 Usage:
A: Gone describes an activity/action that has begun/taken place and is continuing.
e.g. My teacher has gone to Provence to meet her friends.
B: Been describes an activity/action that has finished.
e.g. Mary's parents have been thinking about retirement for years and now they have retired.
22.2 Structure:
Take the Simple Present Tense of the verb to have + past Participle of either to go or to be:
e.g. The aeroplane has gone to New York.
My brother has been studying History at university for three years.
22.3 Structure: Negatives:
In negative statements, not is placed after the auxiliary verb to have.
e.g. statement: Michael has gone to the office.
negative: Michael has not gone to the office.
/Michael hasn't gone to the office.
statement: Mary has been to London for the day.
negative: Mary has not been to London for the day.
/Mary hasn't been to London for the day.
22.4 Structure: Questions:
In questions, reverse the positions of the subject and auxiliary verb to have.
S AUX
statement: Peter has gone to New York to look for a job.
AUX S
question: Has Peter gone to New York to look for a job?
S AUX
statement: The President has been to Geneva..
AUX S
question: Why has the President been to Geneva?
APPENDIX I: REGULAR VERBS: SIMPLE PAST TENSE:
Here is a list of some of the regular verbs and their simple past tense forms with hints on pronunciation.
infinitive simple past pronunciation
to advance advanced advance-t
to dance danced dance-t
to force forced force-t
to guess guessed guess-t
to race raced race-t
to add added add-id
to attend attended attend-id
to comprehend comprehended comprehendid
to end ended end-id
to offend offended offend-ed
to chant chanted chant-id
to count counted count-id
to dent dented dent-id
to faint fainted faint-id
to hint hinted hint-id
invent invented invent-id
to interpret interpreted interpret-id
to rent rented rent-id
to start started start-id
to want wanted want-id
to anticipate anticipated anticipateid
to dictate dictated dictate-id
to hesitate hesitated hesitate-id
to promote promoted promote-id
to waste wasted waste-id
to blink blinked blink-t
to talk talked talk-t
to walk walked walk-t
to work worked work-t
to clap clapped clapp-t
to clip clipped clipp-t
to drop dropped dropp-t
to stop stopped stopp-t
to tap tapped tapp-t
to trap trapped trapp-t
to rely relied relide
to reply replied replide
to spy spied spide
to try tried tride
APPENDIX
II: IRREGULAR
VERBS:
Here is a list
of the irregular verbs.| Infinitive | Simple past | Past participle |
| be | was/were | been |
| beat | beat | beaten |
| become | became | become |
| begin | began | begun |
| bite | bit | bitten |
| blow | blew | blown |
| break | broke | broken |
| bring | brought | brought |
| build | built | built |
| buy | bought | bought |
| catch | caught | caught |
| choose | chose | chosen |
| come | came | come |
| cost | cost | cost |
| cut | cut | cut |
| do | did | done |
| draw | drew | drawn |
| drink | drank | drunk |
| drive | drove | driven |
| eat | ate | eaten |
| fall | fell | fallen |
| feel | felt | felt |
| fight | fought | fought |
| find | found | found |
| fly | flew | flown |
| forget | forgot | forgotten |
| get | got | got |
| give | gave | given |
| go | went | gone |
| grow | grew | grown |
| hang | hung | hung |
| have | had | had |
| hear | heard | heard |
| hide | hid | hidden |
| hit | hit | hit |
| hold | held | held |
| hurt | hurt | hurt |
| keep | kept | kept |
| know | knew | known |
| leave | left | left |
| lend | lent | lent |
| let | let | let |
| lie | lay | lain |
| light | lit | lit |
| lose | lost | lost |
| make | made | made |
| mean | meant | meant |
| meet | met | met |
| pay | paid | paid |
| put | put | put |
| read | read | read |
| ride | rode | ridden |
| ring | rang | rung |
| rise | rose | risen |
| run | ran | run |
| say | said | said |
| see | saw | seen |
| sell | sold | sold |
| send | sent | sent |
| shine | shone | shone |
| shoot | shot | shot |
| show | showed | shown |
| shut | shut | shut |
| sing | sang | sung |
| sit | sat | sat |
| sleep | slept | slept |
| speak | spoke | spoken |
| spend | spent | spent |
| stand | stood | stood |
| steal | stole | stolen |
| swim | swam | swum |
| take | took | taken |
| teach | taught | taught |
| tear | tore | torn |
| tell | told | told |
| think | thought | thought |
| throw | threw | thrown |
| understand | understood | understood |
| wake | woke | woken |
| wear | wore | worn |
| win | won | won |
| write | wrote | written |
These verbs can be used as regular or irregular verbs:
| burn burned | burnt burned | burnt |
| dream dreamed | dreamt dreamed | dreamt |
| learn learned | learnt learned | learnt |
| smell smelled | smelt smelled | smelt |
