The document provides examples and explanations for using different tenses and grammatical structures in English, including the present simple tense with future meaning, verbs followed by infinitives, the present perfect tense with just/for/since, reported speech, the past tense of "there is/there are", the past continuous tense, an introduction to the passive voice, examples of the present simple passive, and exercises practicing these concepts. Weblinks are also provided for further English grammar practice.
2. Present simple whit future meaning
We use the PRESENT SIMPLE to talk about TIMETABLES, such as school
schedules, TV programmes, train timetables... So, in this activity you
have to use the PRESENT SIMPLE with future meaning:
a) What time __________ (the train to Oxford/leave)?
b) The film __________at quarter to nine. (start)
c) We ________ art at 11:00
d) When __________(the documentary/finish)?
e) The documentary _________ at half past nine.
f) What time________ (we/have/the geography test)?
3. Future:´´be about to´´
We use be to + infinitive when discussing formal or official arrangements or to give formal
instructions or orders and your examples illustrate these aspects very well. Further examples
might be:
•The Prime Minister is to make a further visit to Devon next week.
•We are to receive a pay rise in line with inflation in September.
•I don't mind her going to Ruth's party but she's not to be back late.
•You are not to leave this house without my permission. Is that clear?
4. exercise
Lucy is very good at science. She study __________ medicine.
Jane and Tom love travelling. They take __________a sabbatical year
to travel around the world.
Your son/not go _________to university?
We wear _________ a dress for the wedding.
5. Verbs + infinitive
In general, to verbs relate to a goal, a projected time in the future.
The verb expressing a wish or hope is followed by a clause that is
reduced to an infinitive clause. [The full clause is not actually used in
speech or writing.] A specific group of verbs is complemented by
an infinitve (nonfinite) clause.
6.
7. Present perfect simple + just/
for/since
Present Perfect Tense - For and Since
We use Present Perfect tense to talk about action which started in
the past and continues up to the present.
Examples
I have had this computer for about a year.
How long have you been at this school?
I haven't seen Julia since September.
Tip! For other uses of the Present Perfect tense, see the Present
Perfect Tense - When To Use.
We use for with a period of time, for example: a few days, half an
hour, two years. We use since with the time when the action started,
for example: last year, June 8, I met you.
8.
9. Reported speech
Indirect speech, unlike the direct style, do not use the quotes and need
not be verbatim. In general, when indirect speech is used, the tense
changes. Here you have an explanation of the changes they undergo
tenses.
Sometimes "that" is used in the affirmative and negative to introduce
what the other person has said phrases. On the other hand,
interrogative sentences can be used "if" or "whether".
Note: Also consider that expressions change over time speech. Notice
the change of time in the examples below, and then find a table with
more explanations of the changes of time in speech.
Examples:
She said he was American.
He asked me if I was busy that night.
12. Exercises
It It ______ cloudy yesterday morning. We _____ excited about going to America.
We ________ lucky. We won the first prize. The dogs _______ in the park.
Jason ______ a great swimmer when he
was young.
They_____ at the beach last Sunda
13. Past continuous
Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past
was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the
Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an
interruption in time.
Examples:
I was watching TV when she called.
When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
What were you doing when the earthquake started?
I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
17. Present simple passive
Something is done by someone regularly / everyday / as expected...
Active : The gardener waters the flowers every evening.
Passive: The flowers are watered by the gardener every evening.
Active : Helen doesn't drink anything in parties.
Passive: Nothing is drunk by Helen in parties.
Active : Who sells umbrellas?
Passive: Who are umbrellas sold by?
Active : My mother doesn't paint the walls.
Passive: The walls aren't painted by my mother.
