A2 grammar topics

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1. ADVERBIAL PHRASES OF FREQUENCY, TIME AND PLACE

Use:

An adverbial phrase is a group of words which always go together. They describe where, when or how often

something happens.

Adverbial phrases of frequency describe how often something happens.

every morning, every afternoon

every day – daily

every week – weekly

every month – monthly

every year – annually

every Sunday – on Sundays – on Sunday afternoons

once a day

twice a day

three / four / five times a day

all the time

Form:

1) Adverbs of frequency often go in present simple sentences.

I have toast for breakfast every day.

We visit our grandparents twice a month.

2) Note that ‘on Saturday’ refers to one day. ‘On Saturdays’ means ‘every Saturday’.

Common mistakes

1) Some students write adverbs of frequency in the wrong place.

We every day go the park. => We go to the park every day.

2) Some students use the plural form with every.

John goes swimming every days. => John goes swimming every day.

Use:

Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of time to talk about when you do something.

Adverbs of time include:

today, tomorrow, tonight, yesterday, tomorrow, nowadays

now, first of all, beforehand

soon, afterwards, later, next, then

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Form:

1) Adverbs of time usually go at the beginning or the end of a sentence or clause.

Tomorrow, I’m going to the beach.

I’m going to the beach tomorrow.

First of all, we had a drink at a café.

We had a drink at a café first of all.

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.

2) It is more common to use then at the beginning of a sentence or clause.

Then we arrived at the castle.

I’m going to finish my work and then I’m going to have a drink.

It is more common to use soon and now at the end of a sentence.

We’re going on holiday soon.

I’m going home now.

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.

2) You must use a noun after After and Before. Otherwise, use afterwards or beforehand.

I’ll be late to class tomorrow. I’m going to the doctors before. => I’ll be late to class tomorrow. I’m

going to the doctors beforehand.

I’m going to my English class and I’m going to the bar after. => I’m going to my English class and

I’m going to the bar afterwards.

Use:

Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of place to talk about where something happens.

Adverbs of place include:

outside, inside, indoors, upstairs, downstairs

(over) here, (over) there

abroad, overseas

Form:

1) Adverbs of place usually go after a verb.

She lives abroad.

Let’s go indoors.

2) Adverbs of place can also go after the object of the sentence.

Rachel works in the office upstairs.

Your bag is on the table over there.




2. ADVERBS - DESCRIBING VERBS

Use:

Adverbs can be used to describe verbs. They describe HOW you do something.

Examples: She walks quickly; He sings nicely.

Form:

1) You can make many adverbs by adding – ly to an adjective.

slow -> slowly; loud -> loudly

If an adjective ends in ‘y’, change it to an ‘i’.

heavy -> heavily; funny -> funnily

Add ‘ally’ to adjectives ending in ‘ic’.

Physical -> physically; energetic -> energetically

2) Some adverbs are irregular, and do not end in ly. These include:

good -> well She dances well.

hard -> hard He works hard.

fast -> fast He runs fast.

late -> late He arrives late.

3a) Usually, the adverb goes after the verb it describes.

She talks quietly NOT She quietly talks.

He runs fast. NOT He fast runs.

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.

He did the job well. NOT He did well the job.

3c) If the verb is followed by a preposition and an object, you can put the adverb in different places.

He quickly walked to the shop.

He walked quickly to the shop.

He walked to the shop quickly.

4) Adverbs are NOT used to describe the following verbs. These verbs use adjectives.

Be I am quiet. NOT I am quietly.

Seem It seems strange. NOT It seems strangely.

Look That looks nice. NOT That looks nicely.

Smell That smells good. NOT That smells well.

Sound That sounds great. NOT That sounds greatly.

Feel That feels funny. NOT That feels funnily.

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 adverbs. Kindly and early are adjectives and

adverbs.




3. CAN / COULD

Use:

1) Use can / can’t to talk about your abilities now.

I can speak English. I can’t speak German.

Use could / couldn’t to talk about abilities in the past.

I could speak French when I was a child, but I can't now.

I couldn’t speak English when I was a child, but I can now.

2) Use can and could to make requests. Could is more polite.

Can you cook this evening please?

Could you pass me the salt?

Use can to reply to requests.

Can I sit here? => Yes, you can. Sorry, you can’t.

Can you cook this evening please? => Yes, I can. Sorry, I can’t.

DON’T use could in replies.

Could you lend me some money?

Yes, I could. =>Yes, sure! Sorry, I can’t.

Form:

1) Can and could are the same for all persons.

I can/could speak English

You can/could speak English

he / she / it can/could speak English

we can/could speak English

they can/could speak English.

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?

You could help me. => Could you help me?

5) Use can/can’t and could/couldn’t in short answers.

Can your brother swim? => Yes, he can. No, he can’t.

Could you do the test? => Yes, I could. No, I couldn’t.

Common mistakes:

1) Some students make questions incorrectly.

You can speak English? => Can you speak English?

I could sit here? => Could I sit here?




4. COMPARATIVES

Use:

Use the comparative form to talk about how two things are different.

I am taller than you.

This book is thicker than that one.

Form:

1) If an adjective has one syllable, add er to the end. If it ends in e already, just add r.

tall => taller nice => nicer

thick => thicker late => later

2) If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then write er. But

never write a w twice.

big => bigger new => newer (NOT newwer) thin => thinner slow =>

slower (NOT slowwer) slim => slimmer

My brother is thinner than me.

3) If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add er.

funny => funnier silly => sillier

Which of these books is funnier?

5) Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.

good => better

bad => worse

far => further

Add than after a comparative adjective to compare one thing with another. However, this is not always

necessary.

My house is smaller than yours.




5. FIRST CONDITIONAL

Use:

The first conditional structure is used to talk about something which will or may happen in the future as a

result of something else.

Example: If it rains tomorrow, I’ll stay at home.

Form:

Make the first conditional in this way.

If

When

I

you

he

she...

present simple , I

you

he

she...

will / won’t

might / might not

verb

(infinitive form)

Examples: If I see Tom, I will tell him the news.

When you visit, we might go to the park.

Or

I

you

he

she...

will / won’t

might / might not

verb

(infinitive form)

if

when

I

you

he

she...

present simple

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:

1) Don’t use will or might directly after will or might.

If I will arrive first, I’ll make lunch. => If I arrive first, I’ll make lunch.

2) Always use an infinitive verb after will and might.

I might to go out tonight, if I’m not too tired. => I might go out tonight if I’m not too tired.




6. GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

Use:

1) A gerund is a verb in its –ing form, used as a noun.

For example: eating, going, seeing

Gerunds are used:

a) As the subject of a sentence.

Smoking is bad for you.

b) After some verbs, such as: like, hate, enjoy, quit, suggest, dislike, deny

I like cooking. I enjoy fishing.

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’.

For example: (to) eat, (to) go, (to) see.

The infinitive form is used:

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.

Tony went to the post office to pay a bill.

c) After adjectives.

I was surprised to see Erica. I’m pleased to meet you.

3) a) Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or infinitive with NO CHANGE in meaning:

For example: start, begin, hate, like, prefer, continue

She started to cry = She started crying.

I hate watching horror films = I hate to watch horror films.

b) Some verbs can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive, but there is a change in meaning.

For example: try, remember, stop

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 in order to obtain

your final objective.)

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)).




7. BE GOING TO

Use:

Use be going to to talk about your personal plans for the future.

I’m going to see my sister at the weekend.

Are you going to marry Paul?

Form:

1) The form of the positive and negative sentences and questions is shown below.

Positive

I

am / ‘m

going to

verb (infinitive form)

you are / ‘re

he / she / it is / ‘s

we are / ‘re

they are / ‘re

Negative

I

‘m not

going to

verb (infinitive form)

you aren’t OR ‘re not

he / she / it isn’t OR ‘s not

we aren’t OR ‘re not

they aren’t OR ‘re not

Questions

Am

I

going to

verb (infinitive form) ?

Are you

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 these

short sentences.

Yes, he’s. => Yes, he is.

The short negative replies are:

No, I’m not.

No, you’re not / No, you aren’t.

No, he’s not / No he isn’t. No, she’s not / No she isn’t. No, it’s not / no it isn’t.

No, we’re not / No, we aren’t.

No, they’re not / No, they aren’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.

2) Some students forget to invert the subject and be in questions.

What time you are going to leave? => What time are you going to leave?

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8. HAVE TO

Use:

Use have to to talk about something you must do.

I have to start work at eight.

Use don’t have to to talk about something that is not necessary.

You don’t have to work tomorrow, it’s Saturday.

Form:

The positive, negative and question forms are shown in the table.

Positive

I, you, we, they

have to verb (infinitive form)

(go, sleep, work)

he / she / it has to

Negative

I, you, we, they

don’t have to verb (infinitive form)

(go, sleep, work)

he / she / it doesn’t

Question

Do

I, you, we, they have to verb (infinitive form)

(go, sleep, work)

?

Does he / she / it

Common mistakes

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.

My sister hasn’t to work today → My sister doesn’t have to work today.

Have you to leave now? → Do you have to leave now?




9. HOW

Use:

Use How to get information about numbers and quantities.

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.

How big is your car?

Use How long to find out about length, and How wide to ask about width.

How long is the River Nile? How wide is it?

Use the words long and wide in your answers to make them clear.

It’s a hundred miles long. It’s a mile wide.

2) Age

Use How old to find out about age.

How old is your sister?

You can reply: ‘She’s ten’ or ‘She’s ten years old’ NOT ‘She’s ten years’.

3) Time

Also use How long to ask about time.

How long is the film? It’s about two hours long.

How long does it take to get there? About three hours.

4) Quantity

Use How much to ask about cost. Also use How much with uncountable nouns.

Remember to put any uncountable nouns directly after ‘much’.

How much is this bag?

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 questions often use the word there.

How many people are there in your class? NOT How many people are in your class?




10. IMPERATIVE FORMS

Use:

Use the imperative form to give instructions, orders and warnings.

Must is often used in signs and notices to give instructions.

Form:

1) Do not use a subject when giving orders.

You wash your hands. => Wash your hands.

Always use the infinitive form of the verb, without to.

To sit down please. => Sit down please.

Use Don’t to make the negative form.

Don’t sit there!

2) Written instructions on signs often use Do not, not Don’t.

Do not cross this line.

3) When giving instructions to a friend, you can soften the order by using ‘you’. However, this is usually only

done in spoken English.

First you put the mixture into a bowl, and then you add two eggs. Then you whisk it.

4) Some written signs use Must / Must not.

All visitors must wear a badge.

Passengers must not talk to the driver.

Notice how plural nouns (visitors / passengers) are generally used in signs.

Common mistakes:

1) Some students use to after Don’t / Must

Don’t to go in that door. => Don’t go in that door.




11. 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.

At 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon, I was driving home from work.

Note the difference in meaning:

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

I was

verb+ingYou were

He / She / It was

We / They were

Negative

I wasn’t

verb+ingYou weren’t

He / She / It wasn’t

We / They weren’t

Question

Was I

verb+ing ?Were you

Was he / she / it

Were we / they

Spelling Rules:

If a verb ends in e, delete the e before you add –ing.

Have => I was having lunch.

If a verb ends in one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant (except w and y).

get => He was just getting up.

Play => We were playing.

Common mistakes

1) Some students remember the verb be but forget ‘ing’.

I was watch television. => I was watching television.

2) Some students make spelling mistakes.

I was studing. => I was studying.

We were eating => We were eating.




12. 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.

want => wanted

start => started

If a verb ends in e, just add d (liked, hoped).

If a verb ends in y, delete y and add ied (studied, carried). But don’t do this if the verb ends in a vowel +

y (played, NOT plaied. stayed, NOT staied)

But a lot of past tense verbs are irregular. You need to learn each one separately. Here are some examples.

have => had make => made

take => took sit => sat

get => got feel => felt

Past simple verbs are the same for all persons.

I went; you went; he went; she went; they went; we went...

2) Form negatives this way:

I, you, he , she, we, they... didn’t infinitive verb

know, see, go

Don’t use the past verb in negative sentences.

I didn’t had dinner. =>I didn’t have dinner.

3) Form questions this way:

Did I, you, he, she, we, they... infinitive verb

know, see, go

Common mistakes:

Some students use the past verb in questions.

Did you saw the film? => Did you see the film?




13. INSEPARABLE PHRASAL VERBS

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 meaning of the verb

alone.

Form:

1) Some phrasal verbs never use an object.

get up = get out of bed

I get up at seven o’clock every morning.

take off = leave the ground

The plane took off on time.

look out = beware! be careful!

Look out! That car is going to hit you!

get on = be good friends

My dad and my brother don’t get on.

break down = stop working (for vehicles)

Our car broke down on the way home from Scotland.

make up = become friends again after an argument

The kids often fight but they always make up afterwards.

2) Some phrasal verbs need an object.

get on / off something = exit transport

Get off the bus at the next stop.

look after someone / something = take care of someone / something

Please can you look after our cats while we’re on holiday?

see to something = do, arrange, prepare, organise

Don’t worry about dinner. I’ll see to it.

look into something = investigate

There has been a burglary at the school. Police are looking into it.

get to = arrive at

When you get to the end of the street, turn right.

3) Some phrasal verbs contain three words and an object.

look up to someone = respect someone

I look up to my teachers.

look forward to something = be excited about (a future event)

I’m looking forward to the party.

get on with someone =be good friends with someone

I don’t get on with Karen.

get on with something = continue doing something

Please be quiet and get on with your work.

put up with something = tolerate

I can’t put up with that noise any longer!




14. SEPARABLE PHRASAL VERBS

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 completely

different from the meaning of the verb alone.

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.

I handed my homework in.

2) If the object of the sentence is a pronoun, it must go between the two parts of the phrasal verb.

I handed it in NOT I handed in it.

Examples:

Some common separable phrasal verbs:

pick someone/something up = collect

Please can you pick me up from the station?

drop someone/something off = take and leave/ deposit

I dropped John off outside his school.

throw away = discard

I threw all my old school papers away.

write down = note

I wrote Sally’s phone number down on a piece of paper.

make up = invent

Henry likes to make stories up about dinosaurs.

take back = return

This shirt is too small. I’m going to take it back to the shop.

let down = disappoint

James studied hard because he didn’t want to let his parents down.

turn down = reject

The company offered me a job, but I turned it down.

wash up = wash (dishes)

Can you wash your plates up please?

take off = remove (clothes)

Please take off your shoes before you come inside.

put on = dress in (clothes)

You’ll need to put a coat on. It’s cold.

turn up / down = increase / decrease volume/ temperature

Can you turn the music down please? It’s very loud.

try on = wear and test (clothes)

Please can I try on these trousers?

give up = stop doing something.

She smokes a lot, but she wants to give it up.

take up = start doing something (a new hobby) I’ve decided to take up running.




15. PRESENT CONTINUOUS

Use:

1) Use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening now.

Ellen is having a bath at the moment.

Right now, Mark is talking to her manager.

Form:

Positive

I

am / ‘m

verb+ing

You are / ‘re

He / She / It is / ‘s

We / They are / ‘re

Negative

I ‘m not

verb+ingYou aren’t / ‘re not

He / She / It isn’t / ‘s not

We / They aren’t / ‘re not

Question

Am

I

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.

Come =>I’m coming.

Have =>He’s having lunch.

Common mistakes

1) Some students forget the verb be.

I watching television. => I’m watching television.

She not coming. => She’s not coming.

2) Some students make questions incorrectly.

She is working? => Is she working?

3) Some students make spelling mistakes.

I’m studing law. => I’m studying law.




16. PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE

Use:

The present continuous tense has two uses:

1) Use it to describe what is happening at the moment.

Where’s dad?’

‘He’s watching TV in the living room’.

2) Use it to describe plans and arrangements in the future.

‘Tom is arriving on the three o’clock train tomorrow’.

Form:

Make the present continuous in this way.

Positive

I

you / they / we

he / she / it

am / ‘m

are / ‘re

is / ‘s

verb-ing

Examples: I’m going / He’s going / We’re going to Spain next week.

Negative

I

you / they / we

he / she / it

‘m not

aren’t / ‘re not

isn’t / ‘s not

verb-ing

Examples: I’m not going / You’re not going / She isn’t going to the meeting.

Questions

Are

Is

you / they / we

he / she / it

verb-ing?

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.




17. PRESENT PERFECT

Use:

The present perfect is used for several reasons:

1) Use it to describe events that happened in the past and are still true now because you can see the result.

I’ve broken my leg!

David has painted his house.

2) Use it to describe experiences in your life.

I’ve been to New York three times in my life.

However, you cannot use the present perfect to describe experiences in someone’s life if that person has

died.

Michael Jackson performed in Britain many times.

NOT

Michael Jackson has performed in Britain many times.

3) Use it to describe events that started in the past and are still happening now.

I’ve lived here all my life (and I live here now).

John has worked here for 10 years (and he works here now).

Never refer to a finished time with a present perfect verb.

Form:

Make the present perfect in this way.

Positive

I / you / they /

we

he / she / it

have / ‘ve

has / ‘s

past participle

Examples: I’ve seen him; they’ve gone; she’s taken my bag.

Negative

I / you / they / we

he / she / it

haven’t / ‘ve not

hasn’t / ‘s not

past participle

Examples: I haven’t seen him; they haven’t gone yet; she’s not been here.

Questions

Have

Has

you / they / we

he / she / it

past participle?

Examples: Have you seen him? Has she taken my bag?

Common mistakes:

1) Don’t use the present perfect to refer to a finished time.

I’ve hurt my arm yesterday. =>I’ve hurt my arm.

John’s been to New York last month. =>John’s been to New York.




18. SHOULD AND OUGHT TO

Use:

Use Should and Ought to give advice.

Examples:You should see a doctor.

You ought to find a new job.

Form:

Should

Should is a modal verb, like can and will, so it follows the same rules.

1) Do not add ‘s’ to the third person singular.

He should buy a new car. NOT He should buys a new car.

2) To form a negative, add not / n’t after should.

You shouldn’t do that!

3) To form questions, invert should and the subject.

What time should we arrive?

4) Should is always followed by a verb in the infinitive form.

I should to go.=>I should go.

5) You can also use should in the continuous form. Use should + be + verb-ing.

Why are you watching TV? You should be working!

Ought

Ought is a semi-modal verb. It is similar to should in some ways:

1) Do not add ‘s’ to the third person singular.

He oughts to buy a new car. => He ought to buy a new car.

2) To form a negative, add not / n’t after ought.

You ought not to do that!

However, ought is not often used in negative sentences

3) To form questions, invert ought and the subject.

What time ought we to arrive?

However, ought is not often used in questions.

Ought is different to should because:

1) Ought is always followed by to + a verb in the infinitive form .

I ought go. => I ought to go.




19. SOME / ANY / MUCH / MANY

Some and any

Use:

Use some before plural nouns or uncountable nouns.

There are some children in the street.

There is some money in my pocket.

Use any, not some, in negative sentences and questions.

There aren’t any children in the street.

There isn’t any money in my pocket.

Are there any children in the street?

Is there any money in your pocket?

However, Some is possible in offers and requests.

Please can I have some chocolate?

Would you like some tea?

Much and Many

Use:

Use many in negative sentences and questions. We don’t often use it in positive sentences, especially in

informal situations. We use a lot of / lots of.

Use many with plural nouns.

Are there many Chinese students in your class?

I haven’t got many CDs.

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.

Many people think that trains are too expensive.

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 it in

positive sentences. We say a lot of / lots of.

Have you got much money with you?

I haven’t got much money with me.

I have much money. → I have a lot of money.

Common mistakes

1) Some students use many with uncountable nouns.

I don’t have many money. → I don’t have much money.

2) Some students use some in negative sentences.

I haven’t got some brothers or sisters. → I haven’t got any brothers or sisters.




20. SUBJECT AND OBJECT QUESTIONS

Use:

Some questions ask about the object of a sentence.

Who did you see? => I saw Helen.

Helen is the object of the sentence.

Some questions ask about the subject of a sentence.

Who saw you? => Nobody saw me.

Nobody is the subject of the sentence.

Subject and Object questions have different structures.

Form:

Object Questions

1) To be

Use to be before a subject + nouns, adjective or place.

to be Subject

Is / Was

he / she / it / Tom

a teacher / a student?

happy / cold / tired / ready?

at the party / in the classroom?

here / there?

Are / Were we / you / they / your parents

teachers / students?

happy / cold / tired / ready?


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 your parents there?

2) Use Question word + to be before nouns, pronouns, places and this / that.

Question word be

Where

Who

What

When

is / was

he / she / it / my bag?

this / that?


are / were we / you / they / my keys?

these / those?


Who is it? When was it? Where was my bag? Who was at the party?

Where are my keys? What are those?




3) Use (Question word) + auxiliary verb before a subject + verb

Question word auxiliary verb Subject

Where

Who

What

When

Why

is / are

was / were

you

he

she

it

we

they

doing seeing

going eating

do / does

did

do see

go eat

can / could

will / would

should

do see

go eat

have / has

had

done saw

goneeaten

Where are you going? Who did you see? What did you do? When will we go? Why have they gone?

Subject Questions

1) Subject questions have no subject in the question. Any present / past simple verbs should go in the past /

present simple tense, not the infinitive form.

Only What and Who can be used in this kind of question.

Question word verb object

Who

likes / needs / wants

is following / calling

saw / called

me / you / him / her / us / them?

the film?

What happened (to

is happening (to

me / you / him / her / us / them?)

Who likes me? What happened to you?

In the present tense, always use the third person singular form of the verb.

What happens next? NOT What happen next?

Common mistakes:

1) Some students use an auxiliary verb in a subject question.

What did happen? => What happened?

Who did meet you at the station? => Who met you at the station?




21. 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.

Helen is the most intelligent student in the class.

Form:

1) Write the before all superlatives.

2) If an adjective is short and has one syllable, add est to the end. If it ends in e already, just add st.

tall => the tallest nice => the nicest

thick => the thickest late => the latest

2) If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then write est. But

never write a w twice.

big => the biggest new => the newest (NOT newwest)

thin => the thinnest slow => the slowest (NOT slowwest)

slim => the slimmest

The biggest cat in the world is the lion.

3) If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add est.

funny => the funniest silly => the silliest

It’s the silliest film I’ve ever seen!

4) For other adjectives with two or more syllables, DON’T add est. Write most before the adjective.

interesting => the most interesting surprising => the most surprising

It’s the most interesting book I’ve ever read.

5) Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.

good => the best

bad => the worst

far => the furthest

6) a) In is often (but not always) used after a superlative adjective to describe where this statement is true.

London is the biggest city in England.

Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

My brother is the tallest person in my family.




22. UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

Use:

Some nouns are countable – you can count them. These include:

apples, books, cars, trees

Some nouns are uncountable – you cannot count them. These include:

water, oil, rice, fruit, bread, information, money

Uncountable nouns have different grammar rules from countable nouns.

countable singular nouns

e.g. apple

countable plural nouns

e.g. apples

uncountable nouns

e.g. fruit

Singular countable nouns always

need a determiner:

a, this, that, my, the etc.

Look at that cat!

Can I have an apple?

Is this your bag?

Plural countable nouns do not

need a determiner.

I like apples.

Dogs are friendly.

But they can be used with

determiners:

Where are my shoes?

Are those pens yours?

Uncountable nouns do not need a

determiner.

I like fruit.

But they can use singular

determiners:

This fruit is nice.

You can count countable nouns.

Can I have five apples please?

You cannot count uncountable

nouns.

Can I have five breads please?

Use singular verbs and

determiners.

This apple is nice.

Use plural verbs and determiners.

These apples are nice.

Use singular verbs and

determiners.

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

We’ve got some potatoes. We need some bread.

We don’t have any potatoes. We don’t have any bread.

Some determiners can only be

used with countable nouns:

several, various, a few, many

Some determiners can only be

used with uncountable nouns:

much, a bit of, a little




23. WILL / WON’T

Use:

Will and won’t are used to talk about the future. Will is positive and won’t is negative.

I will be late tomorrow.

John won’t be at the party next Saturday.

Use will and won’t to:

a) Make predictions.

In the year 2050, people will live under the sea.

b) Make an offer or promise.

I’ll buy you a drink.

John will help you with that box.

c) Make a decision about the future at the same time as you speak.

Sorry, we don’t have any tea.

That’s OK, I’ll have coffee.

Form:

1) Will is the same for all persons.

I will go, you will go, he / she will go, we will go, they will go.

2) Always write a verb in the infinitive form after will.

You will happy when you hear the news. => You will be happy when you hear the news.

3) You can contract will to ‘ll for pronouns.

I’ll buy it. We’ll be late.

He’ll be late home today. They’ll be delighted.

But don’t contract will with names.

Mark’ll be late. => Mark will be late.

4) To write questions, write will before the subject.

Will you buy me a drink?

Will Tom get the job?

5) The short answer for Will questions is: Yes, I/you/he/she/he/they/we will

No, I/you/he/she/he/they/we won’t.

Do not contract will in short answers.

Will John be late?

Yes, he’ll => Yes, he will.

Common mistakes:

1) Some students forget to write will before the subject in questions.

You will be late? => Will you be late?

2) Many students use will to talk about their plans. But you should use going to or the present

continuous.

I will meet my friends on Friday => I’m meeting my friends on Saturday.

I’m going to meet my friends on Saturday.




24. ZERO CONDITIONAL

Use:

The first conditional structure is used to talk about something which is always true. It always happens, on the

condition that something else happens.

Example: If it rains a lot, our garden floods.

Form:

1. Make the first conditional in this way.

If

When

Unless

I

you

he

she...

present simple , I

you

he

she...

present simple

Examples: If you fly on a budget airline, you have to buy your own drinks.

When we visit Geoff, he always cooks us a roast dinner.

Or

I

you

he

she...

present simple if

when

unless

I

you

he

she...

present simple

Examples: You have to buy your own drinks if you fly on a budget airline.

Geoff always cooks us a roast dinner when we visit him.

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 the alarm goes off, we should leave the building.

If it’s rainy and sunny at the same time, you can often see a rainbow.

4. Different tenses can be used in the If / When (‘condition’) clause. However, only the present simple, a

modal or imperative form can be used in the ‘result’ clause.

If we’ve finished all our work, we can leave early.

If people are getting enough exercise, they usually feel better emotionally as well as physically.




25. WOULD LIKE VS LIKE

Use:

1) Would like means want, but it is more polite.

You can use it in sentences and questions.

I’d like a biscuit.

Would you like some tea?

2) You can also use it to talk about your dreams and ambitions.

I’d like to go to Japan.

I wouldn’t like to live here!

You can also use I’d love and I’d hate to talk about dreams.

I’d hate to live in the countryside.

I’d love to work with Simon.

Form:

1) Would like is the same for all persons.

I would like some tea.

You would like some tea.

He / she / James would like some tea.

We would like some tea.

They / our clients would like some tea.

2) To make questions, invert the subject and would.

Would you / James / your clients like some tea?

3) Use wouldn’t to make the negative form.

I wouldn’t like to work there.

4) Would like can be followed by a noun or to + verb.

noun: Would you like a biscuit?

verb: Would you like to go to Malaysia?

5) In positive sentences, you can contract would to ‘d.

I would like to go to the USA. =>I’d like to go to the USA.

But NOT in negative sentences:

I’dn’t like to work in a factory. =>I wouldn’t like to work in a factory.

And NOT in short answers:

Would you like to have a horse?

Yes, I’d. =>Yes, I would.

6) Be careful not to confuse would like and like.

Use like to talk about things you like all the time.

I like chocolate cake. It’s my favourite food.

Use would like to talk about things you want now, or at some time in the future.

I’d like a cup of coffee please.

I’d like to work in a chocolate factory.




Table of contents

1. Adverbial Phrases Of Frequency, Time And Place..................................................................................22. Adverbs - describing verbs.....................................................................................................................43. Can / Could.............................................................................................................................................54. Comparatives.........................................................................................................................................65. First Conditional.....................................................................................................................................76. Gerunds and Infinitives..........................................................................................................................87. be going to.............................................................................................................................................98. Have to.................................................................................................................................................119. How......................................................................................................................................................1210. Imperative Forms.................................................................................................................................1311. Past continuous....................................................................................................................................1412. Past simple...........................................................................................................................................1513. Inseparable phrasal verbs....................................................................................................................1614. Separable phrasal verbs.......................................................................................................................1715. present continuous..............................................................................................................................1816. Present Continuous for Future.............................................................................................................1917. Present Perfect.....................................................................................................................................2018. Should and Ought to............................................................................................................................2119. some / any / much / many...................................................................................................................2220. Subject and object questions...............................................................................................................2321. Superlatives..........................................................................................................................................2522. Uncountable Nouns..............................................................................................................................2623. will / won’t...........................................................................................................................................2724. Zero Conditional...................................................................................................................................2825. Would like vs like..................................................................................................................................29




A2 grammar topics

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