What are Phrasal Verbs?

There are four types of phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs can be separable or inseparable and they can take an object
or not. Here is a guide to the basics of phrasal verbs.

Phrasal Verbs which Take Objects

Phrasal verbs which take objects can be separable or inseparable:

Separable phrasal verbs can remain together when using an object that is a noun or noun phrase.

 I picked Tom up. OR I picked up Tom.

 They put their friends up. OR They put up their friends.

Separable phrasal verbs MUST be separated when a pronoun is used:

 We picked him up at the station. NOT We picked up him at the station.
 They put them up. NOT They put up them.

Inseparable phrasal verbs always remain together. It makes no difference if a noun or pronoun is used.

 We set off for the beach. / We set off for it.

 They are looking after the children. / They are looking after them.

Phrasal Verbs which Don't Take Objects

Some phrasal verbs do not take objects. These phrasal verbs are ALWAYS inseparable.

 They thieves got away.

 The bus broke down on the way to work.
 She got up early.

TIP!

If you are not sure whether a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable, ALWAYS use a noun or nouns phrase and
DO NOT separate. In this manner, you will always be correct!

Separable Phrasal Verbs: bring up, take off

 They brought up their children to respect others.

 She took off her jacket before she began the lesson.

Inseparable Phrasal Verbs: look for, set off

 She was looking for her books when he arrived.

 They set off for a wonderful holiday in Hawaii.

Three-word Phrasal Verbs

Some verbs are followed by two prepositions (or adverbs). These phrasal verbs are ALWAYS inseparable.

 I'm looking forward to meeting John. OR I'm looking forward to meeting him.
 They didn't get on with their mother. OR They didn't get on with her

Adverbs of frequency
Adverbs of frequency tell us how often something happens/is the case, happened/was
the case, will happen/will be the case, etc.

There are lots of them. Here are some examples:

 usually
constantly normally
habitually chiefly mostly
always predominantly generally
typically commonly
continuously largely
regularly

often sometimes
frequently occasionally rarely
sporadically infrequently never
repeatedly intermittently seldom
spasmodically

Where do they come in the sentence?

1. If the sentence has one verb in it (e.g. no auxiliary verb) we usually put the
adverb in the middle of the sentence, i.e. after the subject and before the verb:

Position A

subject adverb verb predicate

Tom usually goes to work by car.

2. The adverb usually comes after the verb "be":

Position B

subject verb adverb predicate

Tom is often late.

Anne isn’t usually late.

This is not the case if we put the adverb at the beginning or end of the sentence for
emphasis.

This rule also does not apply to short answers:

Speaker A: Is she usually on time? Speaker A: Tell her not to be late.

Speaker A: Yes, she usually is. Speaker B: She never is.

The rule is broken in other cases too, e.g.

Speaker A: What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at school?

Speaker B I normally am at school at this but my teacher is ill.

time,

Speaker A: You’re late again!

Speaker I usually am late on Mondays because the traffic is so bad.

B:

Speaker A: Tom is late again!

Speaker Tom usually is late!

B:

I never was any good at maths.

3. If the sentence has more than one verb in it (e.g. auxiliary verb) we usually
put the adverb after the first part of the verb:

Position C

subject verb 1 adverb verb 2 predicate

I can never remember his name.

Anne doesn’t usually smoke. about the state of the school

toilets.
The children have often complained

Exception:

In sentences with "have to" the adverb is in position A:

subject adverb verb 1 verb 2 predicate

We often have to wait for the bus.

4. For emphasis we can put the adverb at the beginning or end of the sentence.

At the end is unusual – we usually only put it there when we have forgotten to put it in
earlier.
Position D

adverb subject verb 1 predicate

Sometimes we go to school by bus.

Position E

subject verb 1 predicate adverb

We go to school by bus - sometimes.

Exceptions:

"Always" can’t go at the beginning or end of the sentence.

"Never", "seldom", "rarely" can’t go at the end of a sentence. They only go at the beginning
of a sentence in "polemic statements". Then they have to be followed by the word order for
questions:

Never has there been a better time to overcome our differences!

Rarely do we have an opportunity like this to…

Seldom had the orchestra given a worse performance.

5. When using adverbs of frequency in the question form, put the adverb before
the main verb.

Position F

Auxiliary verb subject Adverb verb 1 predicate

Do you often go to the cinema?

Exceptions:

"Never", "seldom", "rarely" and other adverbs of frequency with a negative sense are not
usually used in the question form.
6. When using adverbs of frequency in the negative form, put the adverb before
the main verb.

Position G

subject Auxiliary verb Adverb verb 1 predicate

They don’t often go to the cinema.

Exceptions:

"Never", "seldom", "rarely" and other adverbs of frequency with a negative sense are not
usually used in the negative form.

Can / Be able to

Listed below are examples and uses of can / could / be able to for ability and permission

Examples Usage

He can play tennis

well. Use 'can' or 'be able to' to express
She is able to speak an ability or possibility
five languages.
They can come on NOTE: The future of 'be able to' is
Friday. 'will be able to
Jack will be able to
come next week.
Could in the past means the
He could swim when general ability to do something.
 he was five.
They were able to get
tickets for the concert.
IMPORTANT: If someone was in
the position to do something, or
I was able to finish
managed to do something, we use
before 6.
'was/were able to instead of 'could'

I couldn't come last

In the negative,' wasn't able to' OR
night, sorry. OR I
'couldn't' are both correct.
wasn't able to come
last night, sorry.

Must / Have To – Mustn’t / Not

Listed below are examples and uses of must / have to / mustn't / not have to

Examples Usage

We have to get up early.

She had to work hard Use 'have to' in the past, present and future to express
yesterday. responsibility or necessity. NOTE: 'have to' is conjugated
They will have to arrive as a regular verb and therefore requires an auxillary verb
early. in the question form or negative.
Does he have to go?

Use 'must' to express something that you or a person feels

I must finish this work
is necessary. This form is used only in the present and
before I leave.
future.
Must you work so hard?

You don't have to arrive The negative form of 'have to' expresses the idea that
before 8. something is not required. It is however, possible if so
They didn't have to work desired.
so hard.

She mustn't use such The negative form of 'must' expresses the idea that
horrible language. something is prohibitied - this form is very different in
Tom. You mustn't play meaning than the negative of 'have to'!
with fire.
Did he have to leave so
early?
IMPORTANT: The past form of 'have to' and 'must' is 'had
He had to stay overnight to'. Must does not exist in the past.
in Dallas.
Must / Have To - Mustn't / Not Have To Quiz
Use either 'must','have to', 'mustn't or 'not have to' for the following quesitons.
Jack had to go (go) home early last night.
Does she have to commute (she/commute) to work?
Children mustn’t play (play) with cleaning liquids.
We must get (get) going it's already midnight!
When did you have to arrive (you/arrive) for work last week?
You don’t have to do (do) the cleaning up this morning, I will!

Passive voice
The passive voice is used when focusing on the person or thing affected by an action.

 The Passive is formed: Passive Subject + To Be + Past Particple

 It is often used in business and in other areas where the object of the action is
more important than those who perform the action. For Example: We have
produced over 20 different models in the past two years. Changes to: Over 20
different models have been produced in the past two years.
 If the agent (the performer of the action) is important, use "by" For Example:
Tim Wilson wrote "The Flight to Brunnswick" in 1987. Changes to:"The Flight to
Brunnswick" was written in 1987 by Tim Wilson.
 Only verbs that take an object can be used in the passive.

The following chart includes sentences changed from the active to the passive in the principal
tenses.

Time
Active Passive
Reference

They make Fords in

Fords are made in Cologne.
Cologne. Present Simple

Dinner is being cooked by

Susan is cooking dinner. Present
Susan
Continuous

James Joyce wrote "Dubliners" was written by

"Dubliners". James Joyces. Past Simple

They were painting the The house was being painted

house when I arrived. when I arrived. Past
Continuous
They have produced Over 20 models have been
over 20 models in the produced in the past two
past two years. years. Present Perfect

They are going to build a A new factory is going to be Future

new factory in Portland. built in Portland. Intention with
Going to

I will finish it tomorrow. It will be finished tomorrow.

Future Simple

Quiz : Active to Passive Transformations

Put the following sentences into the passive voice or form. Once you have decided on
your answer, click on the arrow to see if you have answered correctly. Remember that
the agent should not be used unless importantThey make shoes in that factory.

Shoes are made in that factory.

1. People must not leave bicycles in the driveway.
 Bicycles must not be left in the driveway.
2. They built that skyscraper in 1934.
That skyscraper was built in 1934.
3. The students will finish the course by July.
The course will be finished by July.
4. They are repairing the streets this month.
The streets are being repaired this month.
5. They make these tools of plastic.
These tools are made of plastic.
6. They have finished the new product design.
The new product design has been finished.
7. They were cooking dinner when I arrived.
Dinner was being cooked when I arrived.
8. Smithers painted 'Red Sunset' in 1986.
'Red Sunset' was painted in 1986 by Smithers.
9. Did the plan interest you?
Were you interrested in the plan?
10. They had finished the preparations by the time the guests arrived.
The preparations had been finished by the time the guests arrived.
11. You should take care when working on electrical equipment.
Care should be taken when working on electrical equipment.
12. They are going to perform Beethoven's Fifth Symphony next weekend.
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is going to be performed next weekend.
13. Someone will speak Japanese at the meeting.
Japanese will be spoken at the meeting.
14. Karen is going to prepare the refreshments.
The refreshments are going to be prepared by Karen.

Conditionals
English conditional statements are grouped into four main types - zero, first,
second, and third conditional.

Zero Conditional

Zero conditional is used for statements and facts which are perceived to be true.

Zero conditional has the form if + present simple + present simple. For
example:
- If you need any help just call me.
- If you run fast you get tired.
All conditionals have two clauses, the if clause
- "If you have time, ..."
and the main clause
- "...come and visit us".

Either of these two clauses can come first:

- "If it rains take an umbrella" - or also:
- "Take an umbrella if it rains."

The zero conditional is often used with imperatives. For example:

- If you feel sick, see a doctor.
- If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

First Conditional
 First conditional is used for statements and facts which will be true, if a certain condition is met.

First conditional has the form if + present simple + will + base verb. For example:
- If it's sunny, we'll go to the beach.
- If I have time, I'll meet you at work.
- If we don't go now, we'll be late.
As with all conditionals the first conditonal has two clauses, the if clause
- "If you help us, ..."
and the main clause
- "...we'll help you.".

Either of these two clauses can come first:

- "If he gets a new job we'll move to London." - or also:
- "We'll move to London if he gets a new job."

In the first conditional will is a modal verb expressing certainty. Other modal verbs can also be
used to show various degrees of certainty. For example:
- If you like Asian food, you'll love this restaurant. (There is a 100% chance you'll love the
restaurant.)
- If you like Asian food, you should like this restaurant. (80%)
- If you like Asian food, you might like this restaurant. (50%)
- If you like Asian food, you probably won't like this restaurant. (20%)
- If you like Asian food, you won't like this restaurant. (0%)

Modals

Must & Have to - Necessity

Must and have to are modal verbs often used to convey necessity.
- I have to go home now.
- I must arrive by 12.00.

Have to is used for general necessity. For example:

- I have to finish this before 12.00. (I have a general obligation to finish this by
12.00)
Must is used for necessity which we feel personally.
- I must finish this before 12.00. (I have a sense of strong personal responsibility
to finish this.)

Must does not have a past form, we have to use have to for the past.
- I had to get up early this morning.
- I must got up early this morning. This is incorrect.

Note that have to inflects like a normal verb, it can have different tenses and
uses auxiliary verbs for questions and negatives. For example:
- Do we have to go out tonight?
- You don't have to come with us.

Must doesn't use auxiliary verbs or different tenses.

- Must we go out tonight? (This sounds rather British, I really don't want to go out
tonight.)
- We mustn't forget the tickets. (No auxiliary verb "to do", just add not.)

Negative Forms

Don't have to means that something is not necessary, but possible.

- You don't have to come, but you can if you want to.
- We don't have to leave today.

Must not is strong and means that something is prohibited.

- You must not push the red button.
 - We mustn't be late.

Must and have to - Certainty

Must and have to can also express certainty.

- This must be the ight way.
- This has to be the right way.

Should / Ought to
Should is a modal verb used to give advice and recommendation.
- You should see a doctor.
- You should keep your promises.
- Should we buy her a present?

Should can also be used for obligation. For example:

- I should call my Mum tomorrow.
- He should apologize to Mary.

Should is also used for when something is expected.

- Tony should arrive here at 12.00.
- It's 12.30, and Tony should be here.
- This book is wrong, tha answer should be "A".

Note that have to inflects like a normal verb, it can have different tenses and
uses auxiliary verbs for questions and negatives. For example:
- Do we have to go out tonight?
- You don't have to come with us.

Must doesn't use auxiliary verbs or different tenses.

- Must we go out tonight? (This sounds rather British, I really don't want to go out
tonight.)
- We mustn't forget the tickets. (No auxiliary verb "to do", just add not.)

Ought to

Ought to can be used instead of should. It is less common than should and sounds
rather British.
- You ought to say thankyou for the present. (You should say thankyou for the
present)

Negatives and questions are less common and even more British.
- We ought not to be late for the meeting.
Questions are often made with "Do you think.."
- Do you think I ought to get up earlier?

Questions with just ought to are rare.

- Ought I to get up earlier?

Would
Would is a modal verb expressing some kind of imaginary or hypothetical
situation. Would is often contracted to 'd, for example
- I would love to learn Spanish.
- I'd love to learn Spanish.

Offers and Requests

Would is used to make offers and show willingness. For example:

- Would you like a cookie with your coffee?
- Would you like to go out this evening?
- Would you like some help?

Would can also be used to make requests.

- Would you open the door for me?
This has a slightly commanding tone, perhaps like a teacher to a student. Could is
less assertive.
- Could you open the door please?

Hypothetical Situations

Would is used to show hypothetical situations. For example:

- I would love to go abroad. (But I'm not abroad now.)
- You would be a great lawyer. (You're not a lawyer now - being a lawyer is an
imaginary situation)

Would is often used in the main clause of conditional statements.

- If I had time, I would visit my family.
- I'd go to the beach if it was sunny.

For more information see the units on Conditionals.

Will - Past form

Would is used as the past form of will, it's used for future predictions made in the
past. For example:
- He'll call you tomorrow. (A future prediction made now.)
- He said he'd call you tomorrow. (A prediction made in the past)
- They'll arrive at 7.00. (prediction made now)
- They told me they would arrive at 7.00. (prediction made in the past)

Past Habit

Would can be used for a past habit, an action that happened regularly in the past.
For example:
- I would often play soccer when I was young.
- My grandfather would always give us candy.

Note that would cannot be used for a past state, for example:
- "He would be handsome when he was younger." Incorrect
- "He was handsome when he was younger." Correct
Would is used only for past habits - something that happened many times.

For past states you can use "used to":

- He used to be handsome when he was younger.
For more information see the Unit on "Used to".

Would 2
Would is a modal verb expressing some kind of imaginary or hypothetical
situation. Here are some more uses of would continuing from the previous unit.

Wish ... Would

Wish...would is used when the speaker wants a present situation to be different.

The speaker is dissatisfied with the situation and believes that the thing wished
for is unlikely to actually happen. For example:
- I wish Jane would call me.
- I wish they would stop fighting.
- I wish the dog would stop barking.
- I wish the dog wouldn't keep barking.

Because wish...would is often used to complain, it's unusual to use this structure
to talk about yourself. For example:
- "I wish I'd study more." This is unusual though not incorrect.

Wish...would is used for actions, but not normally for states.

- I wish I had more time. To "have" something is a state not an action, so we use
the past tense "had".
- I wish I would have more time. Incorrect
- I wish I knew the answer.
- I wish I would know the answer. Incorrect

Would rather

Would rather + verb (base form) is used to express a preference. It often implies
that we don't like other available choices. For example:
- "Let's go shopping this evening". "Oh, I'd rather go tomorrow." (And I don't want
to go this evening)
- "Which book would you rather buy?" "I'd rather buy this one. That one isn't so
good."

Would rather is also used with the past simple when giving a strong request,
usually with some authority.
- Can I meet John after lunch, Mom?" "Yes, but I'd rather you did your homework
first".
- "I'd rather you didn't tell anyone about the party. It's going to be a surprise."

All structures with would rather are more often found in British English.

Would mind

Would mind is used to make a polite request. For example:

- "Would you mind closing the window?"
- "Would you mind waiting a few minutes? I need to buy some stamps."
- "Would you mind if we didn't come tonight? We're just really tired, that's all."

Determiners - each / every

Each and every are used to refer to individual things and groups of things.

Each

Each is used to refer to individual items of a group. The emphasis is on the

individual aspect of each item. For example:
- Give each student some candy. (Give to each individual person)
- Make each day better than its yesterday, and each tomorrow better than
today.

Each is often used for members of a smaller group. For example:

- Our team won and we each got a prize.

The position of each can be at the front, middle, or at the end of a sentence.
For example:
- Each of these shirts are only $20.
- These shirts are only $20 each.
- These shirts each cost $20. (This structure is slightly more unusual.)

Each one

Each can be used with the indefinite pronoun one. For example:
- Twins can look the same, but each one has their own personality.
However using one is often not necessary:
- Twins can look the same, but each has their own personality.

Each of...

Each of... is used for a selection of individual items. For example:

- Each of these books is interesting.
- Each of the top five employees will receive a bonus.
- We've won each of our last four games.

Every

Every is used to refer to a group of individual items. The emphasis is on the

group. For example:
- Learn something new every day.
- Every student got a candy. (Everyone in the group got some candy.)

Every is used for how often something happens. For example:

- He plays soccer every Saturday.
- They go abroad every year.
- I don't want to work here anymore. (I wanted to work here, but no I don't
like working here.)

Every one / Every one of

Every can be used with the indefinite pronoun one. For example:
- Did you eat the strawberries? Yes, I ate every one.
- Did you finish these questions? Yes, I got every one right.
Note that every one refers to things, but everyone is a completely different
word used for people.

Every can't be used alone. For example:

- Did you finish these questions? Yes, I got every right. - This is incorrect.
- Did you finish these questions? Yes, I got every one right. - This is incorrect.

Every one of can be used when we want to specify what group we are referring
to. For example:
- You must read every one of these books by next week.
- Did you finish these questions? Yes, I got every one of them right.

Question Tags
Question tags are small questions "tagged" on to the end of a sentence to
make a question. For example:
Sentence:- She speaks English.
Question:- Does she speak English?
Question Tag:- She speaks English, doesn't she?

Form

Question tags are made from an auxiliary verb and the subject.
If the sentence is affirmative, we usually use a negative tag, for eaxmple:
- That's a great song, isn't it?
- She's a lawyer, isn't she?

If the sentence is negative, the tag is positive. For example:

- You're not busy, are you?
- This way isn't right, is it?

The auxiliary verb and subject in the question tag match those in the main
sentence. Only the positive and negative past changes. For example:
- He can play the trumpet, can't he?
- You haven't finished yet, have you?
Here the subject is in blue, and the auxiliary verb in green. It's just whether
each part of the question is positive or negative that changes.

Function

Question tags have two main purposes: to confirm expected information and to
question unexpected information. You can tell which function is being used by
the voice - when the voice goes down it's checking expected information -
when the voice goes up it's really asking a question. For example:

- Intonation going down - You haven't finished yet, have you?

I expect you haven't finished, I'm just checking.
- Intonation going up - You haven't finished yet, have you?
I'm really asking if you're finished or not. If you are finished it's earlier than I
expected, so I'm surprised.

- You're really busy now, aren't you? - Yes, I've got to finish this by Monday.
I'm confirming you're busy now, possibly showing sympathy as well.
- Why are you watching TV? You're really busy now, aren't you? - Not really, I
did most of it last night.
I think you're busy but I'm surprised, you should be working not watching TV,
so I'm asking about an unexpected situation.

Negative sentences with positive tags are often used for requests, for example:
- You don't have a pencil, do you?
- You couldn't change a $5 bill, could you?

Imperative questions tags usually use will, for example:

- Open the door for me, wil you?
- Hang on a minute, will you?
Unless used with informal language, question tags with imperatives can often
sound impatient.
Question tags are an important part of natural speech and are particularly
useful in small talk, as they help to confirm and affirm key information in a
sympathetic way.

V V-ED V-EN Traduction

beat beat beaten battre

become became become devenir

begin began begun commencer

blow blew blown souffler

break broke broken casser

bring brought brought apporter

build built built construire

burn burnt burnt brûler

buy bought bought acheter

catch caught caught attraper

choose chose chosen choisir

come came come venir

cost cost cost coûter

cut cut cut couper

dig dug dug creuser

do did done faire

draw drew drawn dessiner

dream dreamt dreamt rêver

drink drank drunk boire

drive drove driven conduire

eat ate eaten manger

fall fell fallen tomber

feed fed fed nourrir

 feel felt felt sentir, éprouver

fight fought fought combattre

find found found trouver

fly flew flown voler

forget forgot forgotten oublier

freeze froze frozen geler

get got got obtenir

give gave given donner

go went gone aller

grow grew grown grandir

have had had avoir

hear heard heard entendre

hide hid hidden (se) cacher

hit hit hit frapper, atteindre

hold held held tenir

hurt hurt hurt blesser

keep kept kept garder

know knew known savoir, connaître

learn learnt learnt apprendre

leave left left laisser, quitter

lend lent lent prêter

lose lost lost perdre

make made made faire, fabriquer

mean meant meant signifier

meet met met (se) rencontrer

mow mowed mown tondre

pay paid paid payer

put put put mettre

read read read lire

ride rode ridden chevaucher

ring rang rung sonner

 rise rose risen s'élever, se lever

run ran run courir

say said said dire

see saw seen voir

sell sold sold vendre

send sent sent envoyer

shake shook shaken secouer

show showed shown montrer

sing sang sung chanter

sit sat sat être assis

sleep slept slept dormir

smell smelt smelt sentir (odorat)

speak spoke spoken parler

spend spent spent dépenser

stand stood stood être debout

steal stole stolen voler, dérober

swear swore sworn jurer

sweep swept swept balayer

swim swam swum nager

take took taken prendre

teach taught taught enseigner

tell told told dire, raconter

think thought thought penser

throw threw thrown jeter

understand understood understood comprendre

wake woke woken (se) réveiller

wear wore worn porter (des vêtements)

win won won gagner

write wrote written écrire

La liste AAA est composée des verbes que vous connaissez déjà sans le savoir. En effet, les
trois formes V, V-ED et V-EN sont identiques.
 V V-ED V-EN Traduction

cost cost cost coûter

cut cut cut couper

hit hit hit frapper, atteindre

hurt hurt hurt blesser

put put put mettre

read read read lire

La liste ABB vous permet d'une pierre deux coups d'apprendre les formes V-ED et V-EN (qui
sont bien sûr identiques).

V V-ED V-EN Traduction

bring brought brought apporter

build built built construire

burn burnt burnt brûler

buy bought bought acheter

catch caught caught attraper

cost cost cost coûter

cut cut cut couper

dig dug dug creuser

dream dreamt dreamt rêver

feed fed fed nourrir

feel felt felt sentir, éprouver

fight fought fought combattre

find found found trouver

get got got obtenir

have had had avoir

hear heard heard entendre

hit hit hit frapper, atteindre

hold held held tenir

hurt hurt hurt blesser

 keep kept kept garder

learn learnt learnt apprendre

leave left left laisser, quitter

lend lent lent prêter

lose lost lost perdre

make made made faire, fabriquer

mean meant meant signifier

meet met met (se) rencontrer

pay paid paid payer

put put put mettre

read read read lire

say said said dire

sell sold sold vendre

send sent sent envoyer

sit sat sat être assis

sleep slept slept dormir

smell smelt smelt sentir (odorat)

spend spent spent dépenser

stand stood stood être debout

sweep swept swept balayer

teach taught taught enseigner

tell told told dire, raconter

think thought thought penser

understand understood understood comprendre

win won won gagner

 Grammar

Wish
Although wish is generally associated with hope, it is actually used mainly for regrets.
For example:
- I wish I had a better job. (I don't have the job I want now)
- I wish my kids could have a better education.

Wish is used with unreal situations, so like all unreal situations in English the sentence
goes one tense back in time.
If the sentence is about the present then, we use wish with the Past Pimple. For
example:
- I want more time now => I wish I had more time.
- It's too hot now => I wish it wasn't so hot.
 And if the sentence is about the past, we use wish with the Past Perfect. For example:
- I wanted more time => I wish I had had more time.
- It's too hot now => I wish it hadn't been so hot.

Wish ... would

Wish ... would is used to complain about a present situation. For example:
- I wish he would speak louder..
- Don't you wish countries could stop fighting?
- I wish it would stop raining.

Wish... would is used only for actions, not states or situations. For example:
- I wish I would be at home. - Incorrect.
- I wish I was at home / I wish I were at home. – OK

Subjunctive

The subjunctive is a little used mood now found mainly in a few stock English
phrases. Simply put it means that with if and wish, you can use were with I/he/she/it. It's
particularly common with the pronoun "I", for example:
- I wish I was a rich man. OK
- I wish I were a rich man. OK
- If I was a rich man... OK
- If I were a rich man... OK

As with older English, this is found mainly in British English.

Conditionals

English conditional statements are grouped into four main types - zero, first, second,
and third conditional.

Zero Conditional

Zero conditional is used for statements and facts which are perceived to be true.

Zero conditional has the form if + present simple + present simple. For example:
- If you need any help just call me.
- If you run fast you get tired.
All conditionals have two clauses, the if clause
- "If you have time, ..."
and the main clause
- "...come and visit us".

Either of these two clauses can come first:

- "If it rains take an umbrella" - or also:
- "Take an umbrella if it rains."

The zero conditional is often used with imperatives. For example:

- If you feel sick, see a doctor.
- If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen

First Conditional

First conditional is used for statements and facts which will be true, if a certain
condition is met.

First conditional has the form if + present simple + will + base verb. For example:
- If it's sunny, we'll go to the beach.
- If I have time, I'll meet you at work.
- If we don't go now, we'll be late.
As with all conditionals the first conditonal has two clauses, the if clause
- "If you help us, ..."
and the main clause
- "...we'll help you.".

Either of these two clauses can come first:

- "If he gets a new job we'll move to London." - or also:
- "We'll move to London if he gets a new job."

In the first conditional will is a modal verb expressing certainty. Other modal verbs
can also be used to show various degrees of certainty. For example:
- If you like Asian food, you'll love this restaurant. (There is a 100% chance you'll love
the restaurant.)
- If you like Asian food, you should like this restaurant. (80%)
- If you like Asian food, you might like this restaurant. (50%)
- If you like Asian food, you probably won't like this restaurant. (20%)
- If you like Asian food, you won't like this restaurant. (0%)
 Passive Voice
There are two voices in English, the active and the passive. The active tells us what the
subject does, for example:
- The secretary wrote a letter.
The passive tells us what is done to the subject. For example:
- The letter was written by the secretary.
Form
The passive is made with the verb "to be" and the past participle. Here are the main
English tenses used in the passive voice.
Tense Subject Verb "to be" Past Participle

Simple present: Flowers are planted every year

Present continuous: Flowers are being planted now.

Simple past: Flowers were planted last year

Past continuous: Flowers were being planted last summer.

Present perfect: Flowers have been planted here for 10 years.

Past perfect: Flowers had been planted until last year.

Future: Flowers will be planted next year.

Future continuous: Flowers will be being planted during the summer.

Present conditional: Flowers would be planted if we had seeds.

Past conditional: Flowers would have planted if we had had seeds.

been

By

To state what the cause of a passive action is, you can use by. For example:
- This photo was taken by my friend.
- I was given this by my brother.

It is often not necessary to statethe cause of a passive action, especially when clearly
understood or irrelevant. For example:
- The meeting was cancelled. (The meeting's cancellation is what is important, not
who cancelled it.)
- These boots were made in Italy. (The fact they were made in Italy is what's
important, not who made them.)

Born

When talking abut the birth of specific people of things we use the passive form "to be
born". For example:
 - I was born in Iran.
- The twins were born just last year.

Get

Get can be used instead of to be in situations where something happens. For example:
- Our flight got cancelled = Our flight was cancelled.
- I got paid today = I was paid today.

Get can't be used with general situations and state verbs (verbs that express a state,
not an action). For example:
- He is liked by a lot of people. - OK
- He gets liked by a lot of people. - Incorrect.
- She is known to be a hard-working employee. - OK
- She gets known to be a hard-working employee.- Incorrect
Get is used more often in informal English.
 Reported Speech 1

Sometimes we need to say what another person said. There are two ways to do this in
English, direct speech and reported speech.

Direct Speech

Direct speech restates exactly what another person said. For example:
- Jane said, "I'm so happy today".
- The president said, "I need a vacation".

Reported Speech

Reported speech reports indirectly what another person said. For example:
- Jane said she was so happy today.
- The president said he needed a vacation.

Reported speech usually uses the past form of direct speech. So if the direct speech is
in the present, the reported speech is in the past. For example:
Direct Speech - I said, "She is in her office."
Reported Speech - I said she was in her office.
Also if the direct speech is in the past, the reported speech uses the past perfect.
Direct Speech - I said, "She was in her office at lunchtime."
Reported Speech - I said she had been in her office at lunchtime. OR
- I said she was in her office at lunchtime.
In modern English the past perfect is often not necessary for past reported speech, you can
simply use the past simple instead.

Here are some common verb forms in direct and reported speech.

Tense Direct / Reported Speech

Simple present: I said, "She is busy". - I said she was busy.

Present continuous: I said, "I am working now". - I said I was working now

Simple past: I said, "She was here this morning". - I said she was here this
morning. OR
I said she had been here this morning.
Past continuous:
I said "She was studying all yesterday" - I said she was studying all
yesterday. OR
Present perfect: I said she had been studying all yesterday

Past perfect: I said, "She has worked here for 5 years." - I said she had worked
here for 5 years.
Future:
I said, "She had worked here for 5 years." - I said she had worked
Future continuous: here for 5 years.

I said, "She will work here from July." - I said she would work here
Can: from July.

I said, "We'll be living here for 6 months." - I said we would be

living here for 6 months.

I said, "She can play the piano well." - I said she could play the
piano well.
That
Reported speech is often given as part of a that-clause, especially in written or more formal language.
For example:
- He said that he would arrive at 10.00.
- He said he would arrive at 10.00.
These two mean the same thing, and that can be omitted without any change in meaning.
 Causative Verbs
Causative verbs show that somebody/something is indirectly responsible for an action.
The subject doesn't perform the action itself, but causes someone/something else to do it
instead. For example:
- Yesterday I had my hair cut.
I didn't cut my own hair, but I made someone else do it for me instead - I "caused"
them to cut my hair.

Have

Have is a common causative verb. Instead of doing something ourselves, we "have"

someone else do it instead. It has the following form:
The verb "to have" + object + past participle. For example:
- I had my jacket cleaned yesterday.
- Did you have your computer fixed?

Sometimes we use have as a causative verb when we intend to perform the action
ourselves. For example:
- When will the report be ready? I'll do it by tomorrow morning. >>
- When will the report be ready? I'll have it done by tomorrow morning.

By using the causative the second sentence takes attention away from the doer of the
action, and gives more attention to the action being done. It sounds polite and professional.

Get

Get is often used instead of have. For example:

- I got my computer fixed - I had my computer fixed. These two sentences mean the
same thing.
- I got my jacket cleane. - I had my jacket cleaned. These two sentences mean the
same thing.

Causative verbs are often used with negative experiences. In these situations it's more
common to use have. For example:
- I had my wallet stolen. (I didn't actually cause my wallet to be stolen - someone stole
my wallet from me)
- She had her window smashed.

Causative (Make, Get, Have, Let, Help)

(1) Causative Make
- make can be used as a causative
- Use verb word after a person or thing (No infinitive,No -ing form)

* make + person + verb word

* make + thing + verb word

(ex) I make this radio work.

(ex) I can make your friend work part time in this summer vacation.
(2) Causative Get
- get can be used as a causative
- Use an infinitive after a person and use a participle after thing (No verb word)

* get + person + infinitive

* get + thing + participle

(ex) I got my friend to help this homework.

(ex) I get my house repaired before this winter.

(3) Causative Have

- have can be used as a causative
- Use verb word after a person and use a participle after thing

* have + person + verb word

* have + thing + participle

(ex) I have my car fixed.

(ex) My English teacher had me give oral speaking.

(4) Causative Let

- let can be used as a causative
- let means a person gives permission for another person to do it.
- Use a verb word after a person or thing (No -ing form, No infinitive)

* let + person + verb word

* let + thing + verb word

(ex) I can let this car cool.

(ex) Would you let me join your party?

(5) Causative Help

- help can be used as a causative
- let means a person assists another person to do it.
- Use a verb word or infinitive after a person (No -ing form)

* help + person + infinitive

= help + person + verb word

(ex) I helped her to pack the luggage.

(ex) Would you help me deliver this box?

Verb + to or verb + -ing

Verb + to
Some verbs require an infinitive in the complement
afford agree aim
arrange attempt decide
deserve fail forget
hope learn manage
offer plan promise
threaten .... ....

(ex) He decided to study in USA.

(ex) How old were you when you learnt to play golf?

2. verb + ...ing

Some verbs require an -ing form in the complement.

admit avoid consider

delay deny fancy
finish imagine involve
miss practice postpone
stop enjoy ....

(ex) Have you considered studying in another country?

(ex) I enjoyed talking with my friend.

Some verb phrases require an -ing form in the complement.

approve of be better off count on

forget about get through insist on
look forward to object to think of

(ex) How about going to China when you get through studying?
(ex) I looked forward to meeting my old friend.

3. different meaning between to... and ...ing

When some verbs have a infinitive in the complement or have a ... ing form in the
complement, their meanings are different.

remember + ...ing remember + to

I remember doing something = I did it and I remembered to do something = I
now I remember this remembered that I had to do it, and so I did it.

(ex) I remember paying an entrance fee. (= I paid it, and now I remember this)
(ex) Remember to do your homework. (= don't forget to do homework)
 regret + ...ing regret + to
I regret doing something = I did it and now I'm I regret to do something = I'm sorry that I have
sorry about it to do (say, tell, inform)

(ex) I regret buying a car. I should not have bought it.

(ex) We regret to inform you that you failed to enter university.

need + ...ing need + to

Something needs doing = something I need to do something = it is
needs to be done. necessary for me to do it.

(ex) She needs to study harder if she wants to enter good university.
(ex) This room needs tidying.

Sequence of Tenses

Sequence of Tenses: The relationship between verbs in a main clause and verbs in
dependent clauses is important. These verb tenses don't have to be identical as long as they
reflect, logically, shifts in time and meaning: "My brother had graduated before I started
college." "My brother will have graduated before I start." Click HERE for a chart describing
various time relationships and how those relationships determine the appropriate sequence of
verb tenses.

Verbals

Verbals are words that seem to carry the idea of action or being but do not function
as a true verb. The are sometimes called "nonfinite" (unfinished or incomplete) verbs.
Because time is involved with all verb forms, whether finite or nonfinite, however, following
a logical Tense Sequence is important. Click HERE for a chart describing the time elements
involved in choosing the correct verbal form. Verbals are frequently accompanied by other,
related words in what is called a verbal phrase.

There is a whole section on how verbals connect with other words

to form phrases. Be sure to visit the always pleasant GARDEN OF
PHRASES.

Participle: a verb form acting as an adjective. The running dog chased the fluttering
moth. A present participle (like running or fluttering) describes a present condition; a past
participle describes something that has happened: "The completely rotted tooth finally fell out
of his mouth." The distinction can be important to the meaning of a sentence; there is a huge
difference between a confusing student and a confused student. See the section on Adjectives
for further help on this issue.

Infinitive: the root of a verb plus the word to. To sleep, perchance to dream. A present
infinitive describes a present condition: "I like to sleep." The perfect infinitive describes a
time earlier than that of the verb: "I would like to have won that game." See the section on
Sequence below for other forms as well.

The Split Infinitive

If there is one error in writing that your boss or history prof

can and will pick up on, it's the notorious split infinitive. An
infinitive is said to be "split" when a word (often an adverb) or
phrase sneaks between the to of the infinitive and the root of the
verb: "to boldly go," being the most famous of its kind. The
argument against split infinitives (based on rather shaky
historical grounds) is that the infinitive is a single unit and,
therefore, should not be divided. Because it raises so many
readers' hackles and is so easy to spot, good writers, at least in
academic prose, avoid the split infinitive. Instead of writing "She
expected her grandparents to not stay," then, we could write
"She expected her grandparents not to stay." Sometimes,
though, avoiding the split infinitive simply isn't worth the bother.
There is nothing wrong, really, with a sentence such as the
following:
He thinks he'll be able to more than double his salary this year.

The Oxford American Desk Dictionary, which came out in

October of 1998, says that the rule against the split infinitive can
generally be ignored, that the rule "is not firmly grounded, and
treating two English words as one can lead to awkward, stilted
sentences." ("To Boldly Go," The Hartford Courant. 15 Oct
1998.) Opinion among English instructors and others who feel
strongly about the language remains divided, however. Today's
dictionaries allow us to split the infinitive, but it should never be
done at the expense of grace. Students would be wise to know
their instructor's feelings on the matter, workers their boss's.

Both gerunds and infinitive phrases can function as

nouns, in a variety of ways. Noun uses are covered in a separate
document, a section that should be helpful to students who want to
understand why some verbs take gerunds, others take infinitives,
some take either. (In addition, there is a section on the use of the
infinitive as adjective complement — free at no extra charge.) Click
the button to enter.

Gerund: a verb form, ending in -ing, which acts as a noun. Running in the park after
dark can be dangerous. Gerunds are frequently accompanied by other associated words
making up a gerund phrase ("running in the park after dark").

Because gerunds and gerund phrases are nouns, they can be used in any way that a noun can
be used:

 as subject: Being king can be dangerous for your health.

  as object of the verb: He didn't particularly like being king.
 as object of a preposition: He wrote a book about being king

Infinitives and Gerunds and Sequence

Although they are not, strictly speaking, verbs, infinitives and gerunds carry within
them the idea of action. Combined with auxiliary verb forms, like verbs, they also express
various shades of time.

 We had planned to watch all the events of

the Olympics
Simple
Forms  Seeing those athletes perform is always a
great thrill.
 The women's hockey team hoped to have
won a gold medal before they were done.
Perfective
 We were thrilled about their having been
Forms
in contention in the world championships
before.
 To be chosen as an olympian must be the
biggest thrill in any athlete's life.
Passive
Forms  Being chosen, however, is probably not
enough.
 The women did not seem satisfied simply
Perfective to have been selected as players.
Passiv
e  Having been honored this way, they went
Forms out and earned it by winning the gold.

Perfective
Progre  To have been competing at that level, at
ssive their age already, was quite an
Infiniti accomplishment
ve

Actual and Potential Meanings

Although a gerund and an infinitive will often have practically the same meaning
("Running in the park after dark can be dangerous" and "To run in the park after dark can be
dangerous"), there can be a difference in meaning. Gerunds are used to describe an "actual,
vivid, or fulfilled action" whereas infinitives are better used to describe "potential,
hypothetical, or future events" (Frodesen & Eyring 297). This is especially true with three
kinds of verbs: verbs of emotion, verbs of completion/incompletion, and verbs of
remembering.
EMOTION
Actual Event Potential Event
I hated practicing my violin while I prefer to work during the day.
the other kids were playing
outside.
COMPLETION/INCOMPLETION
Actual Event Potential Event
We began working on this project We will continue to work on this
two years ago. We finished project for the next four months. I
working on this project a month wonder when we will start to wrap up
ago. (Finish always takes a this project.
gerund.)
REMEMBERING
(such as remember, forget, regret)
Juanita forgot to do her homework. Juanita forgot doing her homework.
(meaning that Juanita failed to do (meaning that Juanita did her
her homework because she didn't homework but that she forgot she had
remember to do it) done so)

Active and Passive Voice

There is now a separate section dealing with issues raised by a verb's VOICE (active/passive).

Mood

Mood in verbs refers to one of three attitudes that a writer or speaker has to what is
being written or spoken. The indicative mood, which describes most sentences on this page,
is used to make a statement or ask a question. The imperative mood is used when we're
feeling sort of bossish and want to give a directive, strong suggestion, or order:

 Get your homework done before you watch television tonight.

 Please include cash payment with your order form.
 Get out of town!

Notice that there is no subject in these imperative sentences. The pronoun you
(singular or plural, depending on context) is the "understood subject" in imperative sentences.
Virtually all imperative sentences, then, have a second person (singular or plural) subject. The
sole exception is the first person construction, which includes an objective form as subject:
"Let's (or Let us) work on these things together."

The subjunctive mood is used in dependent clauses that do the following: 1) express a wish;
2) begin with if and express a condition that does not exist (is contrary to fact); 3) begin with
as if and as though when such clauses describe a speculation or condition contrary to fact; and
4) begin with that and express a demand, requirement, request, or suggestion. A new section
on the uses of the Conditional should help you understand the subjunctive.

 She wishes her boyfriend were here.

 If Juan were more aggressive, he'd be a better hockey player.
 We would have passed if we had studied harder.
  He acted as if he were guilty.
 I requested that he be present at the hearing.

The subjunctive is not as important a mood in English as it is in other languages, like

French and Spanish, which happen to be more subtle and discriminating in hypothetical,
doubtful, or wishful expressions. Many situations which would require the subjunctive in
other languages are satisfied by using one of several auxiliary verbs in English.

The New York Public Library's Writer's Guide to Style and

Usage has this important note on the subjunctive: "The words if,
as if, or as though do not always signal the subjunctive mood. If
the information in such a clause points out a condition that is or
was probable or likely, the verb should be in the indicative
mood. The indicative tells the reader that the information in the
dependent clause could possibly be true" (155). Cited with
permission.

The present tense of the subjunctive uses only the base form of the verb.

 He demanded that his students use two-inch margins.

 She suggested that we be on time tomorrow.

The past tense of the subjunctive has the same forms as the indicative except (unfortunately)
for the verb to be, which uses were regardless of the number of the subject.

 If I were seven feet tall, I'd be a great basketball player.

 He wishes he were a better student.
 If you were rich, we wouldn't be in this mess.
 If they were faster, we could have won that race.

Subjunctive
The following is a mini-tutorial on the use of the Subjunctive. After you have studied the tutorial,
complete the associated exercises. If you already know how to use this verb form, you can skip the
explanation and go directly to the exercises.

Subjunctive

FORM
Use the simple form of the verb. The simple form is the infinitive without the "to." The simple form of
the verb "to go" is "go." The subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses.

USE
The Subjunctive is used to emphasize urgency or importance. It is used after certain expressions (see
below).

EXAMPLES:
I suggest that he study.

Is it essential that we be there?

Don recommended that you join the committee.

NOTICE
The Subjunctive is only noticeable in certain forms and tenses. In the examples below, the Subjunctive
is not noticeable in the you form of the verb, but it is noticeable in the he form of the verb.

EXAMPLES:

You try to study often. You form of "try"

It is important that you try to study often. Subjunctive form of "try"

He tries to study often. He form of "try"

It is important that he try to study often. Subjunctive form of "try"

Verbs Followed by the Subjunctive

USE
The Subjunctive is used after the following verbs:

to advise
to ask
to command
to demand
to desire
to insist
to propose
to recommend
to request
to suggest
to urge

EXAMPLES:

Dr. Smith asked that Mark submit his research paper before the end of the month.

Donna requested that Frank be at the party.

The teacher insists that her students arrive on time.

Expressions Followed by the Subjunctive

USE
The Subjunctive is used after the following expressions:

It is best (that)
It is crucial (that)
It is desirable (that)
It is essential (that)
It is imperative (that)
It is important (that)
It is recommended (that)
It is urgent (that)
It is vital (that)
It is a good idea (that)
It is a bad idea (that)

EXAMPLES:

It is crucial that you be there before Tom arrives.

It is important that she attend the meeting.

It is recommended that he take a gallon of water with him if he wants to hike to the bottom of the
Grand Canyon.

Negative, Continuous and Passive Forms of Subjunctive

NOTICE
The Subjunctive can be used in negative, continuous and passive forms.

NEGATIVE EXAMPLES:

The boss insisted that Sam not be at the meeting.

The company asked that employees not accept personal phone calls during business hours.

I suggest that you not take the job without renegotiating the salary.

PASSIVE EXAMPLES:

Jake recommended that Susan be hired immediately.

Christine demanded that I be allowed to take part in the negotiations.

We suggested that you be admitted to the organization.

CONTINUOUS EXAMPLES:

It is important that you be standing there when he gets off the plane.

It is crucial that a car be waiting for the boss when the meeting is over.

I propose that we all be waiting in Tim's apartment when he gets home.

Should as Subjunctive

After many of the above expressions, the word "should" is sometimes used to express the idea of
subjunctiveness. This form is used more frequently in British English and is most common after the
verbs "suggest," "recommend" and "insist."

EXAMPLES:

The doctor recommended that she should see a specialist about the problem.

Professor William suggested that Wilma should study harder for the final exam.
 Let / Make / Have / Get
The following is a mini-tutorial on the use of the causative verbs "let," "make," "have," and "get." After
you have studied the tutorial, complete the associated exercises. If you already know how to use
these verbs, you can skip the explanation and go directly to the exercises.

Let

FORM
let + PERSON + VERB

USE
This construction means "to allow someone to do something."

EXAMPLES:

John let me drive his new car.

Will your parents let you go to the party?

I don't know if my boss will let me take the day off.

Make

FORM
make + PERSON + VERB

USE
This construction means "to force someone to do something."

EXAMPLES:

My teacher made me apologize for what I had said.

Did somebody make you wear that ugly hat?

She made her children do their homework.

Have

FORM
have + PERSON + VERB

USE
This construction means "to give someone the responsibility to do something."

EXAMPLES:

Dr. Smith had his nurse take the patient's temperature.

Please have your secretary fax me the information.

I had the mechanic check the brakes.

Get

FORM
get + PERSON + to + VERB

USE
This construction usually means "to convince to do something" or "to trick someone into doing
something."

EXAMPLES:

Susie got her son to take the medicine even though it tasted terrible.

How can parents get their children to read more?

The government TV commercials are trying to get people to stop smoking.

Get vs. Have

Sometimes "get someone to do something" is interchangeable with "have someone do something,"

but these expressions do not mean exactly the same thing.

EXAMPLES:

I got the mechanic to check my brakes.

At first the mechanic didn't think it was necessary, but I convinced him to check the brakes.

I had the mechanic check my brakes.

I asked the mechanic to check the brakes.

Even
The following is a mini-tutorial on the various uses of the word "even." After you have studied the
tutorial, complete the associated exercises. If you already know how to use "even," you can skip the
explanation and go directly to the exercises.

Even

USE
"Even" is used to express shock, unexpectedness, surprise, excitement at an idea, action or event.

EXAMPLES:

He loses everything. He even lost his own wedding ring!

John has amnesia and he can't remember anything about the past. He can't even remember his own
name!

He could even become President of the United States!

I love that author, and I have all of his books - even the ones which are out of print.

Even though / when / if

USE
"Even" can be combined with the words "though," "when" and "if." It emphasizes that a result is
unexpected. Study the following examples and explanations to learn how these expressions differ. In
the examples below, it is important to remember that if Bob studied hard, it is an unexpected result
that he would fail his French tests.

EXAMPLES:

Even though Bob studied very hard, he still failed his French tests.
(Bob always studied hard. But, unfortunately, he failed the tests.)

Even when Bob studied very hard, he still failed his French tests.
(Bob occassionally studied hard, but it didn't really make a difference. Every time he studied, he still
failed.)

Even if Bob studied very hard, he still failed his French tests.
(Bob didn't normally study very hard. But in the rare situation when he did try to study hard, he still
failed the test.)

Jerry is never happy. Even though you do everything his way, he is still dissatisfied.
(You do everything his way, but he is still dissatisfied.)

Jerry is never happy. Even when you do everything his way, he is still dissatisfied.
(You have tried doing what he wants, but he is still dissatisfied.)

Jerry is never happy. Even if you do everything his way, he is still dissatisfied.
(Perhaps once or twice you have tried doing things his way, but it makes no difference because he is
still dissatisfied.)

IMPORTANT
These expressions are not always interchangeable; the context of the sentence will affect your choice:

"Even though" is used when something is always done.

"Even when" is used when something is occasionally done.
"Even if" is used when something is rarely done or it is just imagined.

EXAMPLES:

Even though the interview went terribly, Cheryl got the job. CORRECT
(The interview went terribly, but she got the job.)

Even when the interview went terribly, Cheryl got the job. NOT CORRECT
(This sentence is incorrect because the interview did not go terribly more than one time. There was
only one interview so "when" is not the right word for this sentence.)

Even if the interview went terribly, Cheryl got the job. CORRECT
(You imagine that the interview went terribly, but you think she probably got the job anyway.)

Even though he wins the lottery jackpot, he won't have enough money to pay off his debt. NOT
CORRECT
(This sentence would suggest that he always wins the lottery.)
Even when he wins the lottery jackpot, he won't have enough money to pay off his debt. NOT
CORRECT
(This sentence would suggest that he sometimes wins the lottery jackpot.)

Even if he wins the lottery jackpot, he won't have enough money to pay off his debt. CORRECT
(There is a chance in a million that he might win the lottery jackpot, but it wouldn't make any difference
because he still wouldn't have enough money to pay off his debt.)

REMEMBER
The meaning and context of the sentence is very important when deciding whether to use
"even though," "even when" or "even if."

Even so

USE
"Even so" is very much like the word "but" or "however." "Even so" is different in that it is used with
surprising or unexpected results.

EXAMPLES:

She is loud and unfriendly. Even so, I like her.

(She is loud and unfriendly, so it is unexpected that I like her.)

The bed is extremely large and heavy. Even so, Jim managed to carry it into the house by himself.
(It is unexpected that Jim could carry the bed by himself.)

Jane was sick for a couple days in Los Angeles. Even so, she said her trip to the United States was
great.
(If she was sick, it is unexpected that she enjoyed her trip.)

Adverbs / Adjectives / Linking Verbs

The following is a mini-tutorial on the use of Adverbs, Adjectives and Linking Verbs. After you have
studied the tutorial, complete the associated exercises. If you are already familiar with these topics,
you can skip the explanation and go directly to the exercises.

Adverbs

FORM
ADJECTIVE + ly
(There are also irregular adverbs such as "well.")

USE 1
Adverbs can be used to modify verbs.

EXAMPLES:

John walked quickly towards the door.

Sally sat silently waiting for somebody else to speak first.

USE 2
Adverbs can be used to modify adjectives.

EXAMPLES:
The redwood tree was impressively tall.

The blouse was outrageously expensive.

USE 3
Adverbs can be used to modify other adverbs.

EXAMPLES:

She spoke extremely confidently.

The cheetah ran incredibly quickly.

Adjectives

FORM
There are many different adjective endings including "-ive," "-ous," "-y," "-ful," "-ent" and many others.
"Attractive," "envious," "lazy," "beautiful," and "intelligent" are all adjectives.

USE 1
Adjectives can be used to modify nouns.

EXAMPLES:

Jack drives a big car.

Sally writes beautiful poems.

USE 2
Adjectives often follow Linking Verbs. (See Linking Verbs description below.)

EXAMPLES:

Max is tall.

Sandra seems mad.

Linking Verbs

LIST
to appear
to be
to become
to feel
to get
to go
to grow
to look
to prove
to remain
to seem
to smell
to sound
to stay
to taste
to turn

USE
The Linking Verbs above are often followed by adjectives instead of adverbs. In such situations, the
adjective describes the subject of the sentence rather than the verb.

EXAMPLES:

Mary seemed sad. CORRECT

Mary seemed sadly. NOT CORRECT

The cake tastes good. CORRECT

The cake tastes well. NOT CORRECT

The train is slow.

James grew tired.

Sarah remained calm.

The milk went bad.

The seas turned rough.

The negotiations proved pointless.

IMPORTANT
The verbs in the list above are not always used as Linking Verbs. Compare the examples below.

EXAMPLES:

Sally grew angry.

("Angry" describes Sally. In this sentence, "to grow" is being used as a Linking Verb.)

The plant grew quickly.

("Quickly" does not describe the plant, it describes the manner in which it grows. In this sentence, "to
grow" is not being used as a Linking Verb.)
 Verb Tense Overview with Examples
Simple Present Simple Past Simple Future
If you are having
problems, I will help you
I study English Two years ago, I studied study English.
everyday. English in England. I am going to study
English next year.

Present Continuous Past Continuous Future Continuous

I will be studying
English when you arrive
I was studying English tonight.
I am studying English
when you called I am going to be
now.
yesterday. studying English when
you arrive tonight.

Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect

I will have studied every
tense by the time I finish
this course.
I have studied English I had studied a little I am going to have
in several different English before I moved studied every tense by
countries. to the U.S. the time I finish this
course.

Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Perfect

Continuous Continuous Continuous

I will have been

studying English for
over two hours by the
I had been studying
time you arrive.
I have been studying English for five years
English for five years. before I moved to the
I am going to have been
U.S.
studying English for
over two hours by the
time you arrive.
 Simple Present
FORM Simple Present

EXAMPLE: [ to run]

I run
you run
he runs
she runs
it runs
we run
they run

USE 1 Repeated Actions

Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a
habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be
something a person often forgets or usually does not do.

EXAMPLES:

I play tennis.

She does not play tennis.

The train leaves every morning at 8 am.

The train does not leave at 9am.

She always forgets her purse.

He never forgets his wallet.

Every twelve months, the Earth circles the sun.

The sun does not circle the Earth.

USE 2 Facts or Generalizations

The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now,
and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to
make generalizations about people or things.

EXAMPLES:

Cats like milk.

Birds do not like milk.

California is in America.

California is not in the United Kingdom.

Windows are made of glass.

Windows are not made of wood.

New York is a small city. (It is not important that this fact is untrue.)

USE 3 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

Sometimes speakers use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not
happening now. This can only be done with Non-continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs.

EXAMPLES:

I am here now.

She is not here now.

He needs help right now.

He does not need help now.

He has a car.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE Simple Present

EXAMPLES:

Once a week, Tom cleans the car. ACTIVE

Once a week, the car is cleaned by Tom. PASSIVE

Present Continuous
FORM Present Continuous

[AM / IS / ARE] + [VERB+ing]

EXAMPLES:

I am watching TV.

He is quickly learning the language.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Present Continuous (is
learning), adverbs often come between the first part and the second part (is quickly learning).

USE 1 Now

Use the Present Continuous with Continuous Verbs to express the idea that something is happening
now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.

EXAMPLES:
You are learning English now.

You are not swimming now.

I am sitting.

I am not standing.

They are reading their books.

They are not watching television.

What are you doing?

Why aren't you doing your homework?

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, now can mean "this second," "today," "this month," "this year," "this century" and so on.
Sometimes we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action
which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.

EXAMPLES: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)

I am studying to become a doctor.

I am not studying to become a dentist.

I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.

I am not reading any books right now.

Are you working on any special projects at work?

Aren't you teaching at the University now?

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in
the near future.

EXAMPLES:

I am meeting some friends after work.

I am not going to the party tonight.

Is he visiting his parents next weekend.

Isn't he coming with us tonight.

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that
something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present but with
negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."

EXAMPLES:

She is always coming to class late.

He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.

I don't like them because they are always complaining.

IMPORTANT Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any "continuous" tenses.
Also, certain "non-continuous" meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in "continuous" tenses. To
express the idea of "happening now", you must use Simple Present USE 3.

EXAMPLES:

She is loving chocolate. Not Correct

She loves chocolate. Correct

ACTIVE / PASSIVE Present Continuous

EXAMPLES:

Right now, Tom is writing the letter. ACTIVE

Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. PASSIVE

Simple Past
FORM Simple Past

[VERB+ed]

EXAMPLES:

I visited my friends.

I often visited my friends.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with only one part such as Simple Past (visited), adverbs
usually come before the verb (often visited). Please remember this is different from verbs with more
than one part such as Present Continuous.

USE 1 Completed Action in the Past

Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the
past. Sometimes the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific
time in mind.
EXAMPLES:

I saw a movie yesterday.

I didn't see a movie yesterday.

Last year, I traveled to Japan.

Last year, I didn't travel to Japan.

She washed her car.

She didn't wash her car.

USE 2 A Series of Completed Actions

We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st,
2nd, 3rd, 4th...

EXAMPLES:

I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.

He arrived from the airport at 8:00, checked into the hotel at 9:00, and met the others at 10:00.

USE 3 Single Duration

The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a long
action often used with expressions like "for two years," "for five minutes," "all day" or "all year."

EXAMPLES:

I lived in Brazil for two years.

Shauna studied Japanese for five years.

They sat at the beach all day.

We talked on the phone for thirty minutes.

How long did you wait for them?

We waited for one hour.

USE 4 Habit in the Past

The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same
meaning as "used to". To make it clear that we are talking about a habit we often use expressions
such as "always," "often," "usually," "never," "...when I was a child" or "...when I was younger" in the
sentence.

EXAMPLES:
I studied French when I was a child.

He played the violin.

She worked at the movie theater after school.

They never went to school, they always skipped.

IMPORTANT "When clauses" happen first

Clauses are groups of words which have meaning but are not complete sentences. Some clauses
begin with the word when such as "When I dropped my pen..." or "When class began..." These
clauses are called "when clauses" and they are very important. The examples below contain "when
clauses."

EXAMPLES:

When I paid her one dollar, she answered my question.

She answered my question, when I paid her one dollar.

"When clauses" are important because they always happen first when both clauses are in the Simple
Past. Both of the examples above mean the same thing. First, I paid her one dollar, and then, she
answered my question. However, the example below has a different meaning. First, she answered my
question, and then, I paid her a dollar.

EXAMPLE:

I paid her a dollar, when she answered my question.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE Simple Past

EXAMPLES:

Tom repaired the car. ACTIVE

The car was repaired by Tom. PASSIVE

Past Continuous
FORM Past Continuous

[WAS / WERE] + [VERB+ing]

EXAMPLES:

I was studying when she called.

I was carefully picking up the snake when it bit me.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Past Continuous (was
picking), adverbs often come between the first part and the second part (was carefully picking).

IMPORTANT

Clauses are groups of words which have meaning but are not complete sentences. Some clauses
begin with the word when such as "...when she called " or "...when it bit me." Clauses with the Past
Continuous usually start with while. While expresses the idea "during the time." Study the examples
below. They have the same meaning.

EXAMPLES:
I was studying when she called.

While I was studying, she called.

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past

Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is
usually an 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 a picnic, it started to rain.

Sally was working when Joe had the car accident.

While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

In USE 1, described above, the Past Continuous is interrupted by an action in the Simple Past.
However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.

EXAMPLES:

Last night at 6 p.m., I was eating dinner.

At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.

IMPORTANT

In the Simple Past a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In the Past
Continuous a specific time only interrupts the action.

EXAMPLES:

Last night at 6 p.m., I ate dinner.

(I started eating at 6 p.m.)

Last night at 6 p.m., I was eating dinner.

(I started earlier and at 6 p.m. I was in the process of eating dinner.)

USE 3 Parallel Actions

When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that
both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
EXAMPLES:

I was studying while he was making dinner.

While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.

They were eating dinner, discussing their plans and having a good time.

USE 4 Atmosphere

In English we often use a series of Parallel Actions to describe atmosphere in the past.

EXAMPLE:

When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones, the
boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. One customer was yelling at a
secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each other about the bad service.

USE 5 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Past Continuous with words such as always or constantly expresses the idea that something
irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression used to
but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words always or constantly between "be" and
"verb+ing."

EXAMPLES:

She was always coming to class late.

He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.

I didn't like them because they were always complaining.

IMPORTANT Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any "continuous" tenses.
Also, certain "non-continuous" meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in "continuous" tenses. To
express the idea of Past Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Past.

EXAMPLES:

Jane was being at my house when you arrived. Not Correct

Jane was at my house when you arrived. Correct

ACTIVE / PASSIVE Past Continuous

EXAMPLES:

The salesman was helping the customer when the thief came into the store. ACTIVE

The customer was being helped by the salesman when the thief came into the store. PASSIVE
 Present Perfect
FORM Present Perfect

[HAS / HAVE] + [past participle]

EXAMPLES:
I have seen that movie many times.

I have never seen that movie.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Present Perfect (have
seen), adverbs usually come between the first part and the second part (have never seen).

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The
exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with time expressions such as
"yesterday," "one year ago," "last week," "when I was a chlid," "when I lived in Japan," "at that
moment," "that day" or "one day." We CAN use the Present Perfect with expressions like "ever,"
"never," "once," "many times," "several times," "before," "so far," "already" and "yet."

EXAMPLES:

I have seen that movie twenty times.

I think I have met him once before.

There have been many earthquakes in California.

Has there ever been a war in the United States?

Yes, there has been a war in the United States.

People have traveled to the moon.

IMPORTANT How do you actually use the Present Perfect?

The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate
Present Perfect with the following topics:

TOPIC 1 Experience

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience
of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present
Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

EXAMPLES:

I have been to France.

(This sentence means that you have the experience of being to France. Maybe you have been once,
or several times.)

I have been to France three times.

(You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.)

I have never been to France.

(This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.)

I think I have seen that movie before.

He has never traveled by train.

Joan has studied two foreign languages.

Have you ever met him?

No, I have not met him.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.

EXAMPLES:

You have grown since the last time I saw you.

The government has become more interested in arts education.

Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies
program was established.

My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

TOPIC 3 Accomplishments

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot
mention a specific time.

EXAMPLES:

Man has walked on the moon.

Our son has learned how to read.

Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.

Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using
the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action.

EXAMPLES:

James has not finished his homework yet.

Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.

Bill has still not arrived.

The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which occured in the past at
different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.

EXAMPLES:

The army has attacked that city five times.

I have had four quizes and five tests so far this semester.

We have had many major problems while working on this project.

She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.

IMPORTANT

When we use the Present Perfect it means that something happened at some point in our lives before
now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.

Sometimes we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. Expressions such as "in the
last week," "in the last year," "this week," "this month," "so far" and "up to now" can be used to narrow
the time we are looking in for an experience.

EXAMPLES:

Have you been to Mexico in the last year.

I have seen that movie six times in the last month.

They have had three tests in the last week.

She graduated from university less three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so
far.

This week my car has broken down three times.

NOTICE
"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before now.
"In the last year" means from 365 days ago until now.

EXAMPLES:

I went to Mexico last year.

(I went to Mexico in 1998.)
I have been to Mexico in the last year.
(I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now. We do not know
exactly when.)

USE 2 Duration From Past Until Now (Non-continuous

Verbs)

With Non-continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Present
Perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes,"
"for two weeks" and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect.

EXAMPLES:

I have had a cold for two weeks.

She has been in England for six months.

Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE Present Perfect

EXAMPLES:

Many tourists have visited that castle. ACTIVE

That castle has been visited by many tourists. PASSIVE

Present Perfect Continuous

FORM Present Perfect Continuous

[HAS / HAVE] + [BEEN] + [VERB+ing]

EXAMPLES:

I have been waiting here for two hours.

She has only been studying English for two years.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Present Perfect Continuous
(has been studying), adverbs often come between the first part and the second part (has only been
studying).

USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued
up until now. "For five minutes", "for two weeks", and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be
used with the Present Perfect Continuous.

EXAMPLES:

They have been talking for the last hour.

She has been working at that company for three years.

James has been teaching at the University since June.

USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for five minutes", "for two
weeks", and "since Tuesday". Without the durations, the this tense gives a more general meaning of
"lately". We often use the words "lately" or "recently" in the sentence to strengthen this meaning.

EXAMPLES:

Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

She has been watching too much television lately.

Mary has been feeling a little depressed.

IMPORTANT

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

IMPORTANT Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

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

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

Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

ACTIVE / PASSIVE Present Perfect Continuous

EXAMPLES:

Recently, John has been doing the work. ACTIVE

Recently, the work has been being done by John. PASSIVE

NOTE: Present Perfect Continuous is rarely used in its passive form.

Past Perfect
FORM Past Perfect

[HAD] + [PAST PARTICIPLE]

Examples:
I had studied a little English when I came to the U.S.

They had never met an American until they met John.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Past Perfect (had met),
adverbs often come between the first part and the second part (had never met).

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in Past

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can
also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

EXAMPLES:

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

Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 1992?

Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before in 1988.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Past (Non-

continuous Verbs)

With Non-progressive Verbs and some non-progressive uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Past Perfect
to show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past.

EXAMPLES:

We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.

By the time Alex finished his studies, he had been in London for over eight years.

IMPORTANT Specific Times with the Past Perfect

Unlike the Present Perfect, it is possible to use specific time words or phrases with the Past Perfect.
Although this is possible, it is usually not necessary.

EXAMPLE:

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

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

EXAMPLE:

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

HOWEVER

If the Past Perfect action did not happen at a specific time, Past Perfect MUST be used at all times.
Compare the two sentences below.

EXAMPLE:

She had never seen a bear before she moved to Alaska. Correct

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

ACTIVE / PASSIVE FORMS Past Perfect

EXAMPLES

George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanics license. ACTIVE

Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanics license. PASSIVE

Past Perfect Continuous

FORM Past Perfect Continuous

[HAD BEEN] + [VERB+ing]

EXAMPLES:

I had been waiting there for two hours before she finally arrived.

She had only been studying English for two years before she got the job.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Past Perfect Continuous
(had been studying), adverbs often come between the first part and the second part (had only been
studying).

USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Past

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until
another time in the past. "For five minutes" and "for two weeks" are both durations which can be used
with the Past Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous;
however, the duration does not continue until now.

EXAMPLES:

They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived.
She had been working at that company for three years when it went out of business.

James had been teaching at the University for more than a year before he left for Asia.

USE 2 Cause of Something in the Past

Using the Past Perfect Continuous before another action in the past is a good way to show cause and
effect.

EXAMPLES:

Jason was tired because he had been jogging.

Sam gained weight because he had been overeating.

IMPORTANT

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday", many
English speakers choose to use the Past Continuous. There is also a difference in meaning. Compare
the examples below.

EXAMPLES:

I was reading when my roommate returned.

The reading will be interrupted.

I had been reading for an hour when my roommate returned.

The reading stopped just before my roommate returned.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE FORMS Past Perfect Continuous

EXAMPLES:

Chef Jones had been preparing the restaurant's fantastic dinners for two years, before he moved to
Paris. ACTIVE

The restaurant's fantastic dinners had been being prepared by Chef Jones for two years before he
moved to Paris. PASSIVE

NOTE: Passive forms of the Past Perfect Continuous are not common.

Simple Future
The Simple Future has two different forms in English, "will" and "be going to." Although the two forms
can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These
different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice the differences will
become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.

FORM Will
[WILL] + [VERB]

EXAMPLES:

I will help him later.

I will never help him.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Simple Future (will help),
adverbs usually come between the first part and the second part (will never help).

FORM Be Going To

[AM / IS / ARE] + [GOING TO] + [VERB]

EXAMPLES:

He is going to meet Jane tonight.

He is definitely going to meet Jane tonight.

NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Simple Future (is going to
meet), adverbs usually come between the first part and the second part (is definitely going to meet).

IMPORTANT No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with "when", "while",
"before", "after", "by the time," "as soon as," "if" and "unless." In this lesson, all verbs in Time Clauses
are italicized.

EXAMPLES:

When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct

When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct

USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action

"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker
offers to do for someone else. Often we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request
for help.

EXAMPLES:

A: I'm really hungry.

B: I'll make some sandwiches.

A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.

B: I'll get you some coffee.

A: The phone is ringing.

B: I'll get it.

USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise

"Will" is usually used in promises.

EXAMPLES:
I will call you when I arrive.

If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive
health insurance.

I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.

USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan

"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do
something in the future.

EXAMPLES:

He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.

We are going to meet each other tonight at 6:00 PM.

A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake.

B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.

USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction

Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions
are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the subject usually has
little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the following examples there is no
difference in meaning.

EXAMPLES:

The year 2000 will be a very interesting year.

The year 2000 is going to be a very interesting year.

John Smith will be the next President.

John Smith is going to be the next President.

The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.

The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.

IMPORTANT

In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind. Often, there is more
than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE FORMS Simple Future

EXAMPLES:

John will certainly finish the work by 5:00 PM. ACTIVE

The work will certainly be finished by 5:00 PM. PASSIVE

Sally is going to make a beautiful dinner tonight. ACTIVE

A beautiful dinner is going to be made by Sally tonight. PASSIVE

Future Continuous
IMPORTANT No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with "when", "while",
"before", "after", "by the time", "as soon as", "if" and "unless". In this lesson, all verbs in Time Clauses
are italicized.

EXAMPLES:

While I am finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Correct

While I will be finishing my homework, she is going to make dinner. Not Correct

FORM Future Continuous

[WILL BE] + [VERB+ing]

EXAMPLE:

When your plane arrives tonight, I will be waiting for you.

[AM / IS / ARE] + [GOING TO] + [VERBing]

EXAMPLE:

When your plane arrives tonight, I am going to be waiting for you.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "going to" to create the Future Continuous with little or no
difference in meaning.

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Future

Use the Future Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the future will be interrupted. The
interruption is usually an action in the Simple Future. Remember this can be a real interruption or just
an interruption in time.

EXAMPLES:

I will be watching TV when she arrives tonight.

I will be waiting for you when your bus arrives.

While I am working, Steve will make dinner. (NOTICE "am working" because of "while.")

I am going to be staying at the Madison Hotel, if anything happens and you need to contact me.

He will be studying at the library tonight, so he will not see Jennifer when she arrives.

NOTE: No future tenses can be used in Time Clauses therefore you must say "While I am working... ."
See the warning at the top of the page.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

In USE 1, described above, the Future Continuous is interrupted by an action in the Simple Future.
However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.

EXAMPLES:
Tonight at 6 p.m., I am going to be eating dinner.

At midnight tonight, we will still be driving through the desert.

IMPORTANT

In the Simple Future a specific time is used to show the time an action will begin. In the Future
Continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action.

EXAMPLES:

Tonight at 6 p.m., I am going to eat dinner.

I am going to start eating at 6 p.m.

Tonight at 6 p.m., I am going to be eating dinner.

I am going to start earlier and I will be in the process of eating dinner at 6 p.m. .

USE 3 Parallel Actions

When you use the Future Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea
that both actions will be happening at the same time. These are Parallel Actions.

EXAMPLES:

I am going to be studying while he is making dinner.

While Ellen is reading, Tim will be watching television.

Tonight, they will be eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.

USE 4 Atmosphere

In English we often use a series of Parallel Actions to describe atmosphere in the future.

EXAMPLE:

When I arrive at the party everybody is going to be celebrating. Some will be dancing. Others are
going to be talking. A few people will be eating pizza and several people are going to be drinking beer.
They always do the same thing.

IMPORTANT Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any "continuous" tenses.
Also, certain "non-continuous" meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in "continuous" tenses. To
express the idea of Future Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Future.

EXAMPLES:
Jane will be being at my house when you arrive. Not Correct

Jane will be at my house when you arrive. Correct

ACTIVE / PASSIVE FORMS Future Continuous

EXAMPLES:
At 8:00 PM tonight, John will be washing the dog. ACTIVE

At 8:00 PM tonight, the dog will be being washed by John. PASSIVE

NOTE: Passive forms of the Future Continuous are not common.

Future Perfect
IMPORTANT No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect cannot be used in clauses beginning with "when," "while,"
"before," "after," "by the time," "as soon as," "if" and "unless". In this lesson, all verbs in Time Clauses
are italicized.

EXAMPLES:

I am going to see a movie when I have finished my homework. Correct

I am going to see a movie when I will have finished my homework. Not Correct

FORM Future Perfect

[WILL HAVE] + [PAST PARTICIPLE]

EXAMPLE:

I will have perfected my English by the time I come back from the U.S.

[AM / IS / ARE] + [GOING TO HAVE] + [PAST PARTICIPLE]

EXAMPLE:

I am going to have perfected my English by the time I come back from the US.

NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "going to" to create the Future Perfect with little or no
difference in meaning.

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the

Future

The Future Perfect expresses the idea that something will occur before another action in the future. It
can also show that something will happen before a specific time in the future.

EXAMPLES:
By next November, I will have received my promotion.

By the time he gets home, she is going to have cleaned the entire house.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Future (Non-

continuous Verbs)

With Non-continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Future Perfect
to show that something will continue up until another action in the future.

EXAMPLES:

I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave.

By Monday, Susan is going to have had my book for a week.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE Past Perfect

EXAMPLES:

The Post Office will have returned my package before I can pick it up. ACTIVE

My package will have been returned by the Post Office before I can pick it up. PASSIVE

Future Perfect Continuous

IMPORTANT No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect Continuous cannot be used in clauses beginning with "when,"
"while," "before," "after," "by the time," "as soon as," "until," "if" and "unless". In this lesson, all verbs in
Time Clauses are italicized.

EXAMPLES:

I won't tell the student the answer until he has been working on the math problem for more than an
hour. Correct

I won't tell the student the answer until he will have been working on the math problem for more than
an hour. Not Correct

FORM Present Perfect Continuous

[WILL HAVE BEEN] + [VERB+ing]

EXAMPLE:

I will have been waiting for two hours when her plane finally arrives.

[AM / IS / ARE] + [GOING TO HAVE BEEN] + [VERB+ing]

EXAMPLE:

I am going to have been waiting for two hours when her plane finally arrives.
NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "going to" to create the Future Perfect Continuous with little
or no difference in meaning.

USE 1 Duration Before Something in the Future

We use the Future Perfect Continuous to show that something will continue up until a particular event
or time in the future. "For five minutes," "for two weeks" and "since Friday" are all durations which can
be used with the Future Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect
Continuous and the Past Perfect Continuous, however the duration stops in the future.

EXAMPLES:

They will have been talking for over an hour by the time Tony arrives.

She is going to have been working at that company for three years when it finally closes.

James will have been teaching at the University for more than a year by the time he leaves for Asia.

USE 2 Cause of Something in the Future

Using the Future Perfect Continuous before another action in the future is a good way to show cause
and effect.

EXAMPLES:

Jason will be tired when he gets home because he will have been jogging for over an hour.

Claudia's English will be perfect when she returns to Germany because she is going to have been
studying English in the United States for over two years.

IMPORTANT

If you do not include a duration such as "for five minutes," "for two weeks" or "since Friday", many
English speakers choose to use the Future Continuous. There is also a difference in meaning.
Compare the examples below.

EXAMPLES:

I will be reading when my roommate returns.

The reading will be interrupted.

I will have been reading for an hour when my roommate returns.

The reading will stop just before my roommate returns.

ACTIVE / PASSIVE Future Perfect Continuous

EXAMPLES:

The famous artist will have been painting the mural for over six months by the time it is finished.
ACTIVE

The mural will have been being painted by the famous artist for over six months by the time it is
finished. PASSIVE

NOTE: Passive forms of the Past Perfect Continuous are not common.
COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES

FORMING THE COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

Number of syllables Comparative Superlative

one syllable + -er + -est
tall taller tallest
one syllable with the spelling consonant + single vowel +
consonant: double the final consonant:
fat fatter fattest
big bigger biggest
sad sadder saddest

Number of syllables Comparative Superlative

two syllables + -er OR more + adj + -est OR most + adj
ending in: -y, -ly, -ow
ending in: -le, -er or -ure
these common adjectives - handsome, polite, pleasant, common,
quiet
happy happier/ more happy happiest/ most happy
yellow yellower/ more yellow yellowest/ most
yellow
simple simpler/ more simple simplest/ most
simple
tender tenderer/ more tender tenderest/ most
tender
If you are not sure, use MORE + OR MOST +
Note: Adjectives ending in '-y' like happy, pretty, busy, sunny, lucky
etc:. replace the -y with -ier or -iest in the comparative and
superlative form
busy busier busiest

Number of syllables Comparative Superlative

three syllables or more + adj most + adj
more
important more important most important
expensive more expensive most expensive

Examples:

a. A cat is fast, a tiger is faster but a cheetah is the fastest

b. A car is heavy, a truck is heavier, but a train is the heaviest
c. A park bench is comfortable, a restaurant chair is more comfortable, but a sofa is the most
comfortable

IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

These adjectives have completely irregular comparative and superlative forms:

Adjective Comparative Superlative

good better best
bad worse worst
little less least
much more most
far further / farther furthest / farthest

THE + SUPERLATIVE

'the' is placed before the superlative:

For example: He is the richest man in the world.

COMPARATIVE + THAN

To compare the difference between two people, things or events.

Examples:

 Mt. Everest is higher than Mt. Blanc.

 Thailand is sunnier than Norway.
 A car is more expensive than a bicycle.
 Albert is more intelligent than Arthur.
AS + ADJECTIVE + AS
To compare people, places, events or things, when there is no difference, use as + adjective + as:
 Peter is 24 years old. John is 24 years old. Peter is as old as John.
More examples:
 Moscow is as cold as St. Petersburg in the winter.
 Ramona is as happy as Raphael.
 Einstein is as famous as Darwin.
 A tiger is as dangerous as a lion.

NOT AS + ADJECTIVE + AS

Difference can also be shown by using not so/as ...as:

 Mont Blanc is not as high as Mount Everest

 Norway is not as sunny as Thailand
 A bicycle is not as expensive as a car
 Arthur is not as intelligent as Albert

COMPARISONS OF QUANTITY
To show difference: more, less, fewer + than
To show no difference: as much as , as many as, as few as, as little as

COMPARISONS OF QUANTITY
To show difference: more, less, fewer + than

Examples:

With countable nouns: more / fewer

 Eloise has more children than Chantal.

  Chantal has fewer children than Eloise.
 There are fewer dogs in Cardiff than in Bristol
 I have visited fewer countries than my friend has.
 He has read fewer books than she has.

With uncountable nouns: more / less

 Eloise has more money than Chantal.

 Chantal has less money than Eloise.
 I spend less time on homework than you do.
 Cats drink less water than dogs.
 This new dictionary gives more information than the old one.

So, the rule is:

MORE + nouns that are countable or uncountable

FEWER + countable nouns
LESS + uncountable nouns

COMPARISONS OF QUANTITY

To show no difference: as much as , as many as, as few as, as little as

 as many as / as few as + countable nouns

 as much as / as little as + uncountable nouns

Examples:
With countable nouns:
 They have as many children as us.
 We have as many customers as them.
 Tom has as few books as Jane.
 There are as few houses in his village as in mine.
 You know as many people as I do.
 I have visited the States as many times as he has.

With uncountable nouns:

 John eats as much food as Peter.

 Jim has as little food as Sam.
 You've heard as much news as I have.
 He's had as much success as his brother has.
 They've got as little water as we have.

Phrasal Verb

1. A phrasal verb is a verb plus a preposition which creates a meaning different from
the original verb.

EXAMPLE:
I ran into my teacher at the movies last night.

NOTE:
You didn't physically run into your teacher, but you met your teacher unexpectedly.
2. A phrasal verb can be transitive or intransitive.

A transitive verb is followed by an object.

EXAMPLE:
I made up the story.

An intransitive verb is not followed by an object.

EXAMPLE:
He suddenly showed up.

3. Transitive phrasal verbs can be separable or non-separable.

Separable verbs take the object between the verb and the preposition:

EXAMPLE:
I talked into my mother letting me borrow the car. Not Correct
I talked my mother into letting me borrow the car. Correct

Note: "talk into" is separable

Non-separable verbs take the object after the preposition:

EXAMPLE:
I ran my sister into. Not Correct
I ran into my sister. Correct

Note: "run into" is non-separable

Some phrasal verbs can take a preposition in both places.

EXAMPLE:
I made an excuse up. Correct
I made up an excuse. Correct

Note: "make up" is both separable and non-seperable

4. In this phrasal verb dictionary, the following symbols will be used with transitive
phrasal verbs to indicate whether they are separable, non-separable or take
prepositions in both places:

+ non-separable
EXAMPLE: run into +

* separable
EXAMPLE: talk * into

* + Indicates that an object can be placed in both positions

EXAMPLE: made * up +
Phrasal Verb Definition Example
behave or function I think I need to take my car to the mechanic
act up
improperly because it's acting up again.
add * up + calculate a sum I added up the receipts and it totaled $135.46.
add up to + equal an amount The total expenses added up to $325.00.
add up make sense Her story doesn't add up. I think she is lying.
I can't believe that Joe finally asked me out on a
ask * out + invite on a date
date!
ask * over + invite to one's home Why don't we ask the Johnsons

Phrasal Verb Definition Example

stop defending your opinion in a Jane never backs down. She always
back down
debate wins arguments.
not keep (a promise,
back out Sam backed out at the last second.
agreement,deal)
not keep (a promise, Sam backed out of the agreement at
back out of +
agreement, deal) the last second.
You need examples to back up your
back * up + give support
opinion.
Could you back up a little so I can
back up move backwards, reverse
open this drawer.
bawl * out criticize, reprimand (inf.) She bawled him out for arriving late.
The soldier had to bear down on the
leather strap while the doctor
bear down on + bite
removed a bullet from the soldier's
arm.
The U.S.A. is bearing down on drug
bear down on + take strong measures against
traffickers.
This information may bear on this
bear on + have to do with
case.
I didn't think he would bear up so
bear up withstand
well in that situation.
How did he bear up under such
bear up under + withstand
extreme pressure.
Please bear with me while I fill out
bear with + be patient
the paperwork.
My cousin blew in unexpectedly with
blow in visit unexpectedly (inf.)
his entire family.
All this negative publicity will blow
blow over pass without creating a problem
over in a couple of weeks.
make explode;destroy using
blow * up + The terrorists blew the bridge up.
explosives
The bomb blew up before they could
blow up explode
defuse it.
When Joan heard the news, she
blow up suddenly become very angry
blew up and rushed out of the room.
We need to break this problem down
break * down + analyze in detail
in order to solve.
break down stop working properly The truck broke down in the desert.
 She broke down after her husband
break down become mentally ill
died.
wear or use something new I need to break these shoes in
break * in +
until it is comfortable before I go hiking.
While we were discussing the
break in interrupt situation, Terri broke in to give her
opinion.
The burglar broke in between
break in enter a place unlawfully
midnight and 3 AM.
Jane broke in on the conversation
break in on + interrupt (a conversation)
and told us to get back to work.
The burglar broke into the house
break into + enter a house unlawfully
between midnight and 3 AM.
Jane broke into the conversation
break into + interrupt (a conversation)
and told us what she knew.
Sally broke her engagement to John
break * off + end something
off.
Violent protests broke out in
break out appear violently
response to the military coup.
use something extravagant for He broke out the champagne to
break out +
celebration celebrate his promotion.
The murderer broke out of the
break out of + escape
prison.
I broke the cracker up into pieces
break * up + break into pieces
and put it in the soup.
disperse (a crowd), stop (a The police broke the demonstration
break * up +
fight) up before it got out of control.
Sam and Diane broke up again.
break up end a relationship
What a rocky relationship.
Democracy brought about great
bring * about + cause to happen
change in the lives of the people.
When we go to the forest, bring your
bring * along + bring with
wildlife guide along.
change someone's mind, She doesn't want to go, but we'll
bring * around
convince someone eventually bring her around.
My trip across the Sahara was
learn or gain (from an difficult, but I brought a new
bring * away
experience) appreciation for life away from the
experience.
succeed at something difficult You robbed the bank! I can't believe
bring * off +
or unexpected you brought that off.
I can't believe she got so angry.
bring * on + cause something
What brought that on?
Your new shirt brings out the color of
bring * out + highlight, stress
your eyes.
When you visit me, why don't you
bring * over + bring to someone's house
bring over your son.
We used smelling salts to bring her
bring * to revive consciousness
to after she fainted.
I didn't want to bring up the fact that
bring * up + mention
she was unemployed.
bring * up + raise ( a child) Sam was brought up in South
 Carolina.
ignore something or someone Mary brushed her ex-boyfriend off at
brush * off +
(inf.) the party.
The children burned the house down
burn * down + destroy by setting fire to
while playing with matches.
burn until completely gone
burn down Two buildings burnt down in the fire.
(building)
I am burning up in here - open the
burn up be hot
window.
The papers were burned up in the
burn up consume by fire
fire.
burn * up + destroy by fire He burnt up the files.
buy the shares of a company or
Pacific Inc. was bought out by a
buy * out + the shares the other person
company from Oregon.
owns of a business
purchase the entire supply of We bought up all the beer in the
buy * up +
something store.

Phrasal Verb Definition Example

This recipe calls for milk, not
call for + require (as in a recipe)
water.
They called the picnic off because
call * off + cancel something
of the rain.
order to stop (an invasion, He called off the dogs when he
call * off +
guard dogs) saw it was his neighbor.
Mark called on Naomi while he
call on + visit
was in town.
invite someone to speak in a Professor Tanzer called on Tim to
call on +
meeting or a classroom answer the question.
I called Sam up to see if he
call * up + telephone
wanted to go to the movies.
You can calm the baby down by
calm * down + make someone relax
rocking her gently.
He cared for the bird until its wing
care for + nurse someone or something
healed.
I don't care for sour cream on my
care for + like someone or something
potato.
continue (a conversation, a Please, carry on. I didn't mean to
carry on +
game) interrupt you.
He kept carrying on about how
carry on about + continue in an annoying way
much money he makes.
I want you to carry on with the
carry on with + continue
project while I am out of town.
complete and/or accomplish The secret agent carried out his
carry * out +
something orders exactly as planned.
continue on a subsequent day, The meeting carried over into
carry * over +
page, etc. lunch time.
catch on slowly start to understand (inf.) He caught on after a few minutes.
I will never catch up. I am too
catch up make up for lost time
behind in my work.
catch up with + speed up to be at the same I had to run to catch up with the
 place as a person or thing in
others.
front of you
I need to catch up on world
catch up on + become up-to-date events. I haven't seen the news in
ages.
We will check back tomorrow to
check back return to see if everything is OK
make sure the project is finished.
go to a place to see if We need to check by the office to
check by +
everything is OK see if the documents are ready.
They checked for termites before
check for + try to find
they bought the house.
They need to check in before
check in enter a hospital, hotel etc.
noon.
They checked into the hotel at
check into + enter a hospital, hotel etc.
11:00 AM.
investigate, look for (often We are checking into discount
check into +
through a service) flights to London.
make a mark next to (an item
check * off + Check each name off the list.
on a list)
Let's check on the baby again
check on + make sure something is OK
before we go to sleep.
He checked out the new
check * out + investigate, take a look at
restaurant down the street.
It's already eleven. We need to
check out leave a hotel, hospital
check out.
We checked out of the hotel
check out of + leave a hotel, hospital
before ten.
closely examine the condition of He checked over the old car to
check * over +
something see if it was worth buying.
investigate someone or The police are checking up on the
check up on +
something bomb threats.
send luggage through (to a Your luggage will be checked
check * through
destination) through to Paris.
He needs to check with his
check with + ask a person for confirmation
parents before he goes.
cheer * up make someone feel cheerful The party really cheered me up.
Cheer up. Everything will be all
cheer up become cheerful
right.
chew * up + chew into small pieces The dog chewed up my shoe.
The lumberjack chopped the tree
chop * down + fell/cut ( a tree)
down.
He chopped the meat up into little
chop * up + chop/cut into small bits
pieces.
Susan cleaned the mess up
clean * up + tidy
before she left.
Everybody clear out! We're
clear out leave ( inf.)
closed.
Susan cleared up the mess before
clear * up + tidy
she left.
The corner market closed down
close * down + close a place permanently because they didn't have many
customers.
 The bar was closed down
close down close permanently because they served alcohol to
minors.
The rebels were closing in on the
close in on + approach and threaten capital, so the government called
in the army.
They are closing the ski resort up
close * up + close temporarily
for the summer.
The ski resort is closing up for the
close up close temporarily
summer.
How did you idea for the book
come about occur / happen
come about.
They came across some lost
come across + discover by accident
Mayan ruins in the jungle.
initially seem or have the He comes across as rather rude,
come across +
appearance but he isn't.
come along accompany someone If you want, you can come along.
Sam came along with us to the
come along with + accompany
beach.
How's the research paper coming
come along progress
along.
How are you coming along with
come along with + progress
the research paper.
I came away from the meeting
leave a place with a particular
come away feeling like the presentation was a
feeling or impression
success.
come back return What time are you coming back?
How did you come by that new
come by + get, receive
Mercedes?
come by visit a person at their house I'll come by later this afternoon.
come down with + become sick with He came down with the flu.
He came into a large sum of
come into + inherit
money when his aunt died.
The handle came off the suitcase
come off + fall off, break off
when I picked it up.
I didn't see the car at first. It came
come out appear
out of nowhere.
come out reveal you are homosexual Sam finally came out last month.
come out turn out, end up The pictures came out great.
produce and distribute a Microsoft is coming out with a new
come out with +
product video game system next month.
Why don't you come over after
come over visit someone at their house
work for dinner.
Don't worry! She faints all the
come to regain consciousness time. She always comes to after a
few minutes.
Terry really came through for us in
come through do what is needed or expected
the end.
The job offer didn't come up to her
come up to + approach; to equal
expectations.
come up with + produce or create (an idea, a She came up with a great
 proposal for the new advertising
plan)
campaign.
The computer system doesn't
come with + include (an accessory)
come with a printer.
count * in + include Did you count expenses in?
count on + depend/rely on You can really count on Sarah.
You can count James out. He
count * out + exclude
hates playing poker.
Count the change up and see how
count * up + add
much we have.
draw a line through something, Why did you cross my name out
cross * out +
eliminate on the list?
You eat too much fat. You need to
cut down decrease the amount of
cut down.
You need to cut down on your fat
cut down on + decrease the amount of
intake.
She suddenly cut in and delivered
cut in interrupt
the news
She cut in on the conversation
cut in on + interrupt
and delivered the news.
interrupt someone while they She cut him off before he said
cut * off
were speaking something he would regret later.
His finger was accidentally cut off
cut * off + sever ( with a knife)
in an industrial accident.
cut * out + remove He cut the bone out of the steak.
cut * out stop an action Cut it out! You're bothering me.
He cut the beef up and put the
cut * up + cut into small pieces
pieces in the soup.

Phrasal Verb Definition Example

The applause died away after 5
die away diminish in intensity
minutes.
The controversy about the president's
die down diminish in intensity
affair finally died down.
die off/out become extinct Whales are in danger of dying off.
cause to feel sick due to food
disagree with + Spicy food disagrees with me.
or drink
Some Americans want to do away with
do away with + abolish
the death penalty.
You made many mistakes, so I want
do * over + repeat
you to do the report over.
manage without something
do without + I couldn't do without a car in California.
one wants or needs
Let's draw an agreement up before we
draw * up + create ( a contract)
go any further with this project.
dress * down reprimand severely The mother dressed her son down for
 skipping school.
I am dressing down because we're
dress down dress casually
going to a barbecue by the beach.
You could dress this house up with
dress * up + decorate
some bright colors
dress up wear elegant clothes She always dresses up at work.
The invaders were driven back by the
drive * back + repulse
army.
drop in visit someone unexpectedly Meg dropped in yesterday after dinner.
Let's drop in on Julie since we're driving
drop in on + visit someone unexpectedly
by her house.
Yuri isn't on the team any more. He
drop out quit an organized activity
dropped out.
quit an organized activity It's difficult to get a good job if you drop
drop out of +
(school) out of high school.
drop over visit someone casually Drop over any time you feel like talking.

I'll never be able to face up to my

acknowledge something
face up to + colleagues after getting so drunk last night
difficult or embarrassing
at the work party.
be able to use in case of Yuki can fall back on her degree in biology
fall back on +
emergency if she doesn't succeed in her acting career.
go slower than scheduled,
fall behind Hurry up or you will fall behind!
lag
Cheryl has missed several days of school
go slower than scheduled,
fall behind in + and now she is falling behind in her
lag
homework.
Interest in the project fell off when they
fall off decrease
realized it wouldn't be profitable.
I had a falling out with my sister last month
fall out with + have an argument with
and we haven't talked to each other since.
Unfortunately, my trip to Indonesia fell
fall through fail to happen through because I couldn't save enough
money.
She sued her boss for sexual harassment
feel * up + grope
after he felt her up.
have the energy to do I don't feel up to going out tonight because
feel up to +
something I had a long day at work.
Where do you figure on living when you
figure on + expect
move to the the U.S.A.?
solve something, I finally figured the joke out. Now I
figure * out +
understand understand why everybody was laughing.
I need to figure my expenses up before I
figure * up + calculate
give you an estimate.
Don't forget to fill in all the blanks on the
fill * in + complete
application.
fill in substitute Who is going to fill in while you're gone?
Miguel filled in for me at the meeting
fill in for + substitute for
yesterday because I was sick.
fill * out + complete (an application) I filled out an application to rent the
 apartment last week.
Now that you're filling out honey, we need
fill out mature, get breasts
to get you a bra.
fill * up + fill to the top Fill the car up with unleaded gas, please.
find out + discover You will never find out all my secrets!
Vicky's parents are going to be so mad
find out discover
when they find out she got a tattoo.
fix * up + repair, renovate, remodel My neighbors are fixing their house up.

It's difficult to get humor across in

get * across + cause to be understood
another language.
I can't get ahead even though I
get ahead make progress
work two jobs.
You need to work overtime in order
get ahead of + surpass
to get ahead of schedule.
get along have a good relationship Do you and your sister get along?
Giovanna doesn't get along with
get along with + have a good relationship
her two brothers.
Some people get around paying
get around + avoid someone or something
taxes by hiring a good accountant.
It's easy to get around town with
get around go many places
public transportation.
get away escape The bank robbers got away.
do something against the
My sister gets away with
get away with + rules or illegal and not get
everything!
caught or punished
survive without having the I lost my job, so I am having a hard
get by
things you need or want time getting by this year.
survive with minimal It's nearly impossible to get by on
get by on +
resources making minimum wage.
You don't need a computer. You
get by with + manage with
can get by with the typewriter.
Enough small talk. Let's get down
get down to + get serious about a topic
to business.
Get in the front seat. You will have
get in + enter ( a car, a small boat)
more leg room.
Get in. I will give you a ride to
get in enter
school
I finally got my sister's birthday
get * off + send (a package)
present off yesterday.
remove ( a spider from your Can you get this spider off my
get * off
shirt) shirt?
leave (a bus, plane, train, We need to get off the bus at the
get off +
boat) next stop.
It's dangerous to sit on the roof.
get off leave
Get off!
idiomatic phrase - How does Where does he get off saying
get off
he justify saying that?! that?!
You should get your jacket on
get * on put on (clothes)
because it's going to be cold.
 enter (a bus, train), mount (a
get on The train is leaving. Quick, get on!
horse, a bike)
enter (a bus, train), mount ( a Get on my bike and I will give you
get on +
horse, a bike) a ride home.
Natasha doesn't get on with her
get on have a good relationship
co-workers.
Do you get on with your
get on with + have a good relationship
neighbors?
Now that the police have left, let's
get on with + continue an activity
get on with the party!
exit (a small boat, car, an I fell into the water when I tried to
get out of +
enclosed area) get out of the canoe.
recover (a cold, a disease, an Jennifer still hasn't gotten over her
get over +
ex-boyfriend/ex-girlfriend) breakup with Peter.
We will never get through all of
get through + complete
these boxes by 9:00 PM.
We need a stronger drill to get
get through + penetrate
through this wall.
The door was jammed, so we
get through penetrate
couldn't get through.
Have you gotten through with your
get through (with) + finish
homework yet?
It's hard to get through to Janet
get through to + make contact because her telephone line is
always busy.
cause someone to rise (from Ahmed got Abdul up at 5:30 in the
get * up a sitting position or a lying morning by turning the music up
position) really loud.
rise (from sitting position or a What time did you get up this
get up
bed) morning?
give something without asking Why did Nancy give all of her
give * away +
for anything in exchange furniture away?
We are having a surprise party for
Susan next Saturday, so don't give
give * away + betray (a secret)
our surprise away by acting
suspicious.
return something you When are you going to give that
give * back +
borrowed book back to your teacher?
give in stop trying Never give in! You can do it!
That white flower gives off a
give off + release (a smell, light)
beautiful smell.
I earn extra money by giving out
give * out + distribute
brochures on the street.
I hope this car doesn't give out in
give out become very tired (inf.)
the middle of the desert.
The police told the thief to give his
give * up + surrender something
gun up.
give up surrender Never give up learning English!
I yelled at the dogs to make them
go away leave
go away.
When are you going back to your
go back return
house?
 go past, go close to, visit We go by the coffee shop
go by +
quickly everyday.
not keep (one's word, a Don't trust him. He always goes
go back on +
promise) back on his promises.
The cost of flight tickets is going
go down decrease
down.
Our team is going for the gold
go for + try to achieve
medal in the Olympics.
idiomatic phrase - I am
go for I could go for pepperoni pizza.
craving pepperoni pizza.
Are you going to go in for soccer
go in for + participate ( inf.)
this year at school?
I really don't want to go into that
go into + discuss in detail
now.
The bomb could go off at any
go off explode
moment.
begin, start (used with
The alarm clock went off at 6:00
go off signals, alarms, warning
AM.
sounds)
The DVD player goes off
go off stop (said of a machine) automatically if you are not using
it.
Maria went off last night after I told
go off become angry
her about losing her bike.
Please, go on. Don't let me
go on continue
interrupt you.
This place is a mess! What went
go on happen
on here last night?
continue ( a plan, a I think we should go on with the
go on with +
conversation) meeting and stop wasting time.
go out stop burning ( a fire) The fire went out after three days.
take part in social activities They love to go out every Saturday
go out
(usually at night) night.
Do you usually go over your notes
go over + review
before class?
go over be well received, succeed That didn't go over well.
I need to have my lawyer go
examine in detail, study
go through + through this contract before I sign
carefully
it.
endure; experience
She has gone through so much in
go through + challenges, difficulties or
her life.
traumas
continue or proceed despite I have decided to go through with
go through with +
difficulties or fears the operation.
That shirt doesn't go with those
go with + match (clothing)
pants.
I am going with Alejandro to the
go with + accompany a person
party.
go with + have a boyfriend/girlfriend I am going with Yuri.
abstain from something you A person can go without water for
go without +
want or need three days.
grow under go out of business The restaurant went under after it
 lost its liquor license.
Your brother needs to grow up and
grow up mature
start thinking about his future.

Is the teacher going to hand back our tests

hand * back + return
today?
The president is going to hand his decision
hand * down + pronounce formally
down on health care tonight.
When my clothes got too small for me as a
hand * down + give as an inheritance
child, I handed them down to my sister.
hand * in + submit I have to hand in an offer by March 12.
We should hand the concert fliers out at
hand * out + distribute
school.
Hand your car keys over. You're too drunk
hand * over + relinquish control of
to drive.
stay in a place for fun Maria and Salvador usually hang around
hang around +
( inf.) the beach after school.
hang around stay in a place for fun Those guys just hang around all day.
suspend (clothes on a You can hang your jacket up in the front
hang * up +
hanger) closet.
put down the Don't hang up. I'm going to change
hang up
telephone receiver phones.
stay in a place for fun
hang out + Let's go hang out at the mall tonight.
(inf.)
What are you doing? - - I'm just hanging
hang out stay in a place for fun
out.
have * on + wear Do you have your hiking boots on?
invite guests to your Why don't we have Mr. and Mrs. Jones
have * over
home over for dinner tonight.
receive news from (a
hear from + Have you heard from Steve lately?
letter, an e-mail)
know about
Have you heard of chocolate covered
hear of + something or
ants?
somebody
I hit on the idea while watching the
hit on + find on accident
Simpsons show.
Jay's friend Marc was trying to hit on my
hit on + flirt with
sister last night.
The police held the demonstrators back
hold * back + restrain
while the politicians entered the building.
not allow to advance The teacher held Frank back a year, so he
hold back
in school couldn't enter fifth grade.
Mr. Johnson held the dog off while we
hold * off + restrain
crossed the yard.
hold off on + delay We should hold off on making dinner until
 your parents arrive.
Hold on tight! The roller coaster is about to
hold on grasp tightly
take off.
tell someone to wait
hold on Hold on a minute. I'll get Carol.
on the telephone
Make sure you hold on to the hand rail as
hold on to + grasp tightly
you walk down the stairs.
not give in, continue Stop holding out and tell us where you
hold out
to resist found all of these old records.
hold out against + not give in, resist They held out against enemy attack.
hold * up + delay (a flight, traffic); The accident held traffic up for an hour.
rob (a bank, a
hold * up + person) with a Five men held the bank up yesterday.
weapon

I always keep a dictionary around to

keep * around have handy, have accessible
translate new words.
not give up (an activity), to
keep at + You should keep at your studies.
persevere
keep * away prevent access to, hold back Keep the kids away from the cookies.
maintain a safe distance,
Keep back! The burning building is
keep * back cause to maintain a safe
about to collapse.
distance
not vomit, not throw up, keep If I ate that, I down know if I could keep
keep * down
in one's stomach it down.
keep in a particular place,
When I am not using it, I keep my
keep * in have something in a specific
passport in this drawer.
location
prevent from stepping or
keep * off Keep the cat off the couch.
climbing on to something
He kept on talking after everybody
keep on continue
asked him to stop.
Keep the dog out of the garden; he
keep * out prevent from entering
keeps digging up the flowers.
cover something with, put I keep a tarp over my bicycle at night
keep * over
something above to prevent it from getting wet.
Everybody said she would never finish
keep to + continue, persist in (an activity) the puzzle, but she kept to it until it
was done.
You have to keep up if you want to
keep up stay on the required schedule
work here.
keep * up + continue You are doing a great job! Keep it up.
stay on schedule with (a
I have so much reading that I can't
keep up with + person, the workload,
keep up with the writing exercises.
homework)
 Why don't you lay away your
lay away + save for the future
wedding outfit?
Lori lays down the law in her class.
lay down + establish (laws, rules)
English only!
My mom really laid in on me when I
lay in on + scold or criticize severely got home at 4:00 in the morning last
night.
I saw Reto's mom lay into him when
lay into + scold or criticize severely
he came home late last night.
suspend someone from a job The company was losing money, so
lay * off +
(during a slow period) they had to lay off 100 workers.
Why don't we lay the pieces of the
lay * out + arrange
table out before we put it together.
Why did your parents leave you out
leave * out + not include, omit
of their vacation plans?
I felt let down when I didn't receive a
let * down disappoint
birthday card from my sister.
My uncle is a tailor, so he can let
let * down lengthen (pants in sewing)
your pants down.
I am happy my brother was let out of
let * out release
prison early.
I need to let out this skirt because I
let * out make bigger (in sewing)
have gained weight.
I told her NO a thousand times, but
let up weaken in intensity
she won't let up.
I need to lie down before we go out
lie down rest, recline
tonight.
I'm going to lie down on the sofa for
lie down on + rest, recline ( on a couch, bed)
a while.
Whether or not you can go to the
lie with + be decided by
party lies with your father.
Let's get some candles to light this
light * up + illuminate
room up.
Do you have to light up another
light up + to smoke cigarette? I thought you were trying
to cut down.
live in a way that a shameful
Jose will never live down singing
live * down + or embarrassing event is
that song at the karaoke bar.
forgotten
live on + survive from I could live on bread and cheese.
It would be hard to live up to her
live up to + keep a standard parent's expectations. They are so
demanding.
take care of (a child, a house, When my sister goes on vacation, I
look after +
a pet) look after her dog.
When I look back on my childhood, I
look back on + to remember nostalgically
often feel angry.
She's so conceited. She looks down
look down on + see as inferior
on everybody else.
I'm looking for my keys. Have you
look for + to seek or search for
seen them?
 I am looking forward to traveling to
look forward to + anticipate with pleasure
New York next year.
The police are looking into the
look into + investigate
murder.
Everybody just looked on as the two
look on observe as a spectator
men fought.
be careful, pay attention, heed Look out, there's a black widow
look out
a certain danger spider on the wall.
When I'm camping, I look my shoes
look * over + examine, review
over before I put them on.
I takes time to look up new
look * up + search for (in a dictionary)
vocabulary words.
If you ever travel to California, you
look * up + locate and visit
should look me up.
look up to + respect, admire someone He looks up to his father.

I can't make out your handwriting. What does

make * out decipher
this say?
write a check or other
make * out + Who should I make this check out to?
document
He really made out in the stock market last
make out succeed
year.
make out progress How is your son making out in his new job?
I saw Benno and Isabelle making out in the
make out kiss passionately
movie theater last night!
kiss someone
make out with + Did you make out with Sally?
passionately
make * over do again The teacher made me do my homework over.
Don't believe anything she says. She always
make * up + invent ( a story)
makes things up.
complete what was Fortunately, my professor let me make up the
make * up +
missed exam I missed yesterday.
make * up + put on cosmetics I takes me 10 minutes to make my face up.
You two have been friends for so long that I
make up reconcile
think you should make up.
Allen made up for being late by getting me
make up for + compensate for
flowers.
mix * up + confuse I sometimes mix the verb tenses up.
We need to mix up these different kinds of
mix * up + blend
nuts before we put them in a bowl.
Let's mix up this party with a little disco
mix * up + make lively (a party)
music.

pan out be successful, turn out well The trip to Vegas didn't pan out.
After battling cancer for several years,
pass away die he finally passed away at the age of
87.
try to convince someone that He tried to pass the fake watch off as
pass * off +
something is real a real Rolex.
Please pass this message on to your
pass * on + transmit
co-workers.
 not accept (an invitation to eat or Jennifer passed on the invitation to
pass on +
do something) join us for dinner.
I am afraid Professor Johnson has
pass on die
passed on.
We need to pass out these flyers for
pass * out + distribute
the concert tomorrow.
He passed out because the room was
pass out become unconscious
too hot.
not take advantage (of an I can't believe she passed up the
pass * up +
opportunity) opportunity to study in Rome.
If I loan you money, will you pay me
pay * back + repay
back.
It took me ten years to pay off my
pay * off + complete payment on a debt
credit card debt.
Don't try to pay the police officer off if
pay * off + to bribe
you get pulled over for speeding.
She keeps picking on me! Make her
pick on + to tease, bully
stop.
Diane picked out a lovely dress for
pick * out + choose
the dance.
Keep your back straight when you lift
pick * up + to lift an object with the hands
the TV up.
What time are you going to pick me
pick * up + come and get someone in a car
up.
It's possible to pick up enough English
pick * up + learn something without effort in two weeks to get by on your trip to
Los Angeles.
try to initiate a relationship with Some weird guy tried to pick Patricia
pick * up +
someone (often in a bar) up at the bar.
Business is really picking up this
pick up grow, increase (inf.)
quarter.
The President played down his affair
play * down + make less important (inf.)
with the intern.
She played up her part in the new
play * up highlight something (inf.) movie, but it was actually a very small
role.
flatter someone for your She has been playing up to the boss
play up to +
personal advantage because she wants a promotion.
I'd like to point out that figures in
point * out + indicate
column two might be outdated.
pull down earn He pulls down about $300,000 a year.
Mark pulled in too quickly and
pull in park (a vehicle)
crashed into the wall.
Our train pulls out at 8:00, so don't be
pull out depart (a vehicle)
late.
I didn't think she was going to make it,
pull through barely survive
but she pulled through in the end.
communicate (an idea or
I thought Ms. Smith put her ideas
put * across + suggestion) clearly so that it is
across rather clearly in the meeting.
understood
return to the proper place of
put * away + I told you kids to put your toys away.
storage
 She always puts down people who
put * down + insult, say bad things about
don't share her opinions.
officially submit a request (in the He put in for a transfer to the division
put in +
armed forces or public services) in Los Angeles.
put * off + postpone Don't put off your work - do it now!
Make sure you put on a sweater
put * on + wear
before you go outside.
I didn't believe a thing he said. I think
put * on + deceive
he was putting me on.
Don't use water to put out a grease
put * out + extinguish (a fire)
fire.
I don't want to put you out, but could
put * out + inconvenience someone
you pick me up at the airport.
spend (usually used with
I can't put out that much money each
put out + unreasonably large sums of
month.
money)
have a guest stay in your house
put * up Can you put me up while I'm in town.
for a short time
Sandy will not put up with smoking in
put up with + tolerate
her house.

I need to read up on the company

read up on + research a topic for a reason
before I go on the job interview.
Jack rung me up last night at 3:00 in
ring * up telephone
the morning.
I wouldn't rule out the possibility of
rule * out + eliminate moving to another country if I get a
good job offer.
I ran across some old photos while I
run across + find or meet unexpectedly
was cleaning my house.
Gore ran against Bush in the 2000
run against + compete in an election
elections in the U.S.A.
leave home permanently The child ran away because her
run away
before you are a legal adult parents beat her.
run away from + escape from The child ran away from its parents.
Have you run down those phone
run * down trace
numbers I asked for last week?
run * down criticize My boss runs everyone down.
run * down hit with a car My dog was run down by a bus.
You need to wind your watch so it
run down loose power, be very tired
doesn't run down.
campaign for a government Gore is running for president of the
run for +
position U.S.A.
I ran into my English teacher at the
run into + meet unexpectedly
movies last night. She's so nice!
The new government is trying to run the
run * off + make leave
drug traffickers off.
Would you mind running off 10 copies
run * off reproduce (photocopies)
of this document for me?
run off leave quickly Why did you run off after the party?
run off waste water You shouldn't swim where the sewage
 runs off into the ocean.
not have any more of We ran out of milk this morning, so we
run out of +
something need to go to the store.

I hope I will be able to save up

save * up + accumulate (money)
enough money to go to school.
My dad said he was going to see
see about + arrange or consider something
about buying me a car.
say good-bye to someone at the
Did you see your sister off at the train
see * off beginning of their trip (at the
station?
airport, train station)
make sure something happens, I'll see to it that Mr. Ramirez gets
see to +
arrange your message.
Are you going to be able to see your
finish something despite
see * through studies through now that you have a
difficulties
baby?
My partner in crime sold me out for a
sell * out tell on someone
reduced jail sentence.
My mom set me up with her friend's
set * up arrange a relationship
son.
I don't think he killed those men.
set * up falsely incriminate a person
Somebody set him up.
arrange (an appointment, a I set up an appointment with my
set up +
meeting,etc.) doctor at 3:30 this afternoon.
make a decision after a period of I settled on the job at the oil
settle on +
time company.
We need to settle up before you
settle up pay one's debts
move.
show to everybody with a lot of
show * off + He always shows off his new things.
pride
Young boys show off in order to
show off boast, draw attention to oneself
impress girls.
He's always trying to show up his co-
show * up make someone seem inferior
workers in order to get ahead.
I hadn't seen my cousin for years,
show up arrive without previous notice and all of a sudden, he showed up at
my workplace yesterday!
If you don't pay your electric bill, your
shut * off stop from functioning
power is going to get shut off.
Would someone shut him up! He's
shut * up make quiet talking so loudly that we're going to
get in trouble.
Because Mary's level in English is
slow * down + make move more slowly lower than the rest of the students,
she slows the class down.
Because Mary's level in English is
slow * up + make move more slowly lower than the rest of the students,
she slows the class up.
to explain something in a
He's so stupid that you have to spell
spell * out + detailed way so that the meaning
everything our for him.
is clearly understood
 I need you to stand by and answer
stand by wait
the phone when my broker calls.
SCUBA stands for "self contained
stand for + represent
underwater breathing apparatus."
I won't stand for people criticizing
stand for + tolerate
me.
Soledad is so beautiful! She really
stand out be very noticeable
stands out in a crowd.
I arranged to meet Joe at the library
not arrive to a date or an
stand * up at 8:00, but he stood me up. I hope
appointment (inf.)
he has a good excuse.
defend (something one believes Every individual must stand up for
stand up for +
in) what they believe in.
I think you should stand up to your
defend oneself against someone
stand up to + older brother and tell him to stop
or something
pushing you around.
It takes you so long to take the bus
spend the night at a person's
stay over home, so why don't you just stay
house
over?
My boss really stuck it to me when I
stick it to + severely criticize a person (inf.) arrived late to work for the third time
this week.
Even though English is a hard
stick to + persevere, keep trying language to master, you must stick to
it!
Joseph joined the army because he
stick up for + defend oneself or opinions believes he must stick up for his
country.

I take after my father. Who do you

take after + resemble a parent or relative
take after?
take * away + remove, seize or capture The soldiers took the captives away.
I demand that you take back what you
take * back + retract something you said
said.
The dress my grandmother bought for
take * back + return an item to a store me didn't fit, so I took it back and
exchanged it for a pair of pants.
Would you mind taking down my
take * down + write down what is said
messages while I am on vacation?
The city government made the shop
take * down + remove (from a high place)
take down their bright, neon sign.
take * for consider, view as Do you take me for an idiot?
Are you taking in all of these phrasal
take * in + learning
verbs?
take * in + deceive a person He was taken in by the con artist.
 I lost weight, so I need to take some
take * in + make smaller when sewing of my skirts to the tailor to have them
taken in.
when a plane or rocket My stomach felt funny when the plane
take * off
leaves the ground took off.
In many cultures, it is appropriate to
take * off + remove take off your shoes when entering a
house.
leave work or school for a I was sick last week, so I took a few
take * off +
period of time days off of work.
take off leave We took off after dinner.
accept (responsibilities, She has taken on too much
take on +
work) responsibility in this project.
Who is going to take over the family
take * over + take control of
business when Aretha's father dies?
If the President is assassinated, the
take over take control of
Vice-president will take over.
accompany a person on a I can't meet you tonight because I am
take * out +
date (for dinner, the movies) taking Fernanda out to dinner.
Have you taken up any new hobbies
take * up + begin a new hobby
since you moved here?
We should take this issue up in the
take * up + discuss (at a later date)
meeting tomorrow.
shorten a garment when This dress is too long, I am going to
take * up +
sewing take it up.
This couch takes up too much space
take up + occupy space
in the living room.
respond in an impolite way to
talk back Don't talk back!
an adult
respond in an impolite way to Children should not talk back to their
talk back to +
an adult parents.
I hope my parents talk their
talk * over + discuss relationship problems over before they
get divorced.
The county decided to tear down the
tear * down + destroy dilapidated school and build a new
one.
I always tear up my personal papers
tear * up + tear or rip into small pieces
before I throw them out.
Carolina told me off when she found
criticize a person severely,
tell * off + out I was gossiping about her date
reprimand (inf.)
with Martin.
Every time I did something wrong
report a crime to the police or
tell on + when I was a child, my sister would
bad behavior to a parent
tell on me.
Think over the offer before you sign
think * over + consider
the contract.
You need to think this through
think * through + consider carefully
carefully before you make a decision.
I need to think up an excuse for not
think * up + create or invent a false story
going to her party.
throw * away + discard Don't throw away those bottles; we
 can recycle them.
I asked him not to throw out the
throw * out + discard Sunday newspaper because I wanted
to save an article.
remove by force from (a Mary threw out her roommate
throw * out +
room, school, a house, etc.) because she stopped paying rent.
If you drink too much alcohol, you
throw up vomit
might throw up.
When we dock, make sure you tie the
tie * up + tie securely
boat up.
cause someone to be very
tire * out Speaking English all day tires me out.
tired
The presidential candidates touched
touch on + talk about for a short time on the subject of health care during
the debates.
We didn't paint the whole kitchen, we
touch * up make the final improvements
just touched up the cabinets.
put on to make sure a piece
try * on + Try on the pants before you buy them.
of clothing fits
Try out this massage chair - it feels
try * out test
great!
refuse to deal with or give They turned us away at the border
turn * away
service because we didn't have visas.
Turn the car around and go back
turn * around change or reverse direction
home.
She turned down the new job in New
refuse an offer; reject an
turn * down + York, because she didn't want to
application
move.
lower the volume or intensity
turn * down + of a TV, radio, or other I'm studying! Please turn down the TV.
machine
You need to turn your essays in next
turn * in submit
week.
It's getting late. I think it is about time
turn in go to bed (inf.)
to turn in.
become something different, When she kissed the frog, it turned
turn into +
transform into a handsome prince.
stop the function of (a stove, Don't forget to turn off the iron before
turn * off +
a water faucet, a car, etc.) you leave the house.
The pit bull suddenly turned on the
turn on + attack unexpectedly
small child.
Scientists have discovered that the
turn * on cause to be excited sexually smell of cinnamon turns many people
on.
start the function of a TV, a Turn on the TV. The baseball game
turn * on +
radio, a machine starts in a few minutes.
The weavers can turn out two or three
turn * out produce
rugs a month.
Turn out the light before you go to
turn * out switch off a light
bed.
audience members to a Over 100,000 people turned out for
turn out
function the concert.
 She turned out to be the murderer
turn out end up being
after all.
give to authorities (said of
They turned the wallet over to the
turn * over evidence or stolen / lost
police.
property)
increase the volume or
Turn up the TV. I can't hear what
turn * up + intensity of a TV, radio, or
they're saying.
other machine
turn up find unexpectedly My keys turned up in the bedroom.
I used up all of the soap, so we need
use * up use all of something
to buy some more.

Each waitress waits on three different

wait on + serve, service (a table)
tables in the restaurant.
not sleep because you are
wait up waiting for something or Don't wait up.
someone
not sleep because you are
Let's wait up for Mary to see how her
wait up for + waiting for someone or
date went.
something
The car alarm woke me up at 6:00 in
wake * up + awaken someone
the morning.
Wake up. It's time to get ready for
wake up awaken
work.
Make sure you wash up before
wash up clean oneself
dinner.
If we work together, we can wash the
wash * up + clean
kitchen up in a few minutes.
watch out be careful Watch out - there's a rattlesnake!
Watch out for snakes while you are
watch out for + be careful of
hiking in the desert.
The affects of the medicine will wear
wear off disappear after a period of time
off after a few hours.
use until something is not If you wear the same shoes everyday,
wear * out
useable anymore you'll wear them out.
wear * out cause to be very tired Her three kids wore me out.
If he doesn't get his act together, he is
wind up + finish (inf.)
going to wind up in jail.
tighten the spring of a watch or He wound up the toy dog and set it
wind * up +
similar machine on the floor.
cause an animal or a child to The kids always get wound up when
wind * up +
behave wildly Uncle Henry comes over.
The tidal wave wiped out the small
wipe * out + massacre or destroy
fishing village.
After surfing all day, I was completely
wipe * out cause to be very tired
wiped out.
work * out + solve I hope you two can work out your
 problems.
I work out three times a week at the
work out exercise
fitness center.
I am glad your new catering business
work out be successful
is working out.
Write down the directions so you
write * down + record
don't forget them.
He wrote out the lyrics so I could
write * out + write down every word or letter understand what the singer was
saying.
He wrote up a business proposal in
write * up + prepare a report
order to get a loan.

I think I have zeroed in on what has been

zero in on + discover, pinpoint
causing the problem.
move quickly from
zip around + I zipped around town after work today.
place to place
zone out stop paying attention He zoned out during class.
Jill was so exhausted after taking the TOEFL test
zonk out fall asleep
that she zonked out before dinner.
zoom in focus You need a telephoto lens to zoom in.
focus on something, She zoomed in on his face while taking the
zoom in on +
pinpoint picture.

conditionals
Listed below are examples, uses and formation of conditionals :

Examples Usage
Conditional 0 Situations that are always true if something
happens.
If I am late, my father NOTE
takes me to school.
This use is similiar to, and can usually be
She doesn't worry if replaced by, a time clause using 'when'
Jack stays out after (example: When I am late, my father takes
school. me to school.)
Conditional 1 Often called the "real" conditional because it
is used for real - or possible - situations.
If it rains, we will stay These situations take place if a certain
at home. condition is met.

He will arrive late NOTE

unless he hurries up.
In the conditional 1 we often use unless
Peter will buy a new which means 'if ... not'. In other words,
car, if he gets his '...unless he hurries up.' could also be
raise. written, '...if he doesn't hurry up.'.
Conditional 2
Often called the "unreal" conditional because
it is used for unreal - impossible or
If he studied more, he
improbable - situations. This conditional
would pass the exam.
provides an imaginary result for a given
situation.
I would lower taxes if I
were the President.
NOTE

They would buy a new

The verb 'to be', when used in the 2nd
house if they had more
conditional, is always conjugated as 'were'.
money.
Conditional 3

If he had known that,

Often referred to as the "past" conditional
he would have decided
because it concerns only past situations with
differently.
hypothetical results. Used to express a
hypothetical result to a past given situation.
Jane would have found
a new job if she had
stayed in Boston.

Structure
Conditional 0 is formed by the use of the present simple in the if
clause followed by a comma + the present simple in the result
clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a
comma between the clauses.
If he comes to town, we have dinner

We have dinner if he comes to town.

Conditional 1 is formed by the use of the present simple in the if
clause followed by a comma + will + verb (base form) in the result
clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma
between the clauses.
If he finishes on time, we will go to the movies.

We will go to the movies if he finishes on time.

Conditional 2 is formed by the use of the past simple in the if clause
followed by a comma + would + verb (base form) in the result
clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma
between the clauses.
 If they had more money, they would buy a new house.

They would buy a new house if they had more money.

Conditional 3 is formed by the use of the past perfect in the if clause
followed by a comma + would have + past participle in the result
clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma
between the clauses.
If Alice had won the life would have changed.
competition,
if Alice had won the
Life would have changed competition.

Quiz

Choose the correct conditional form to complete the sentences below. Once you have decided
on your answer, click on the arrow to check your answer.
1- If I _________(stay) in Boston, I would have found a new appartment.
2-She would help the poor if she _________(be) the President.
3-If he goes to Rome on a business trip, he often ________(visit) the Vatican.
4- We won't go to the film unless they _________(arrive) in the next 5 minutes.
5-She _________(buy) a new car if she had had the money.
6- If Enrico were me, he _________(go) to New York immediately.
7- They will talk to John if he ________(come).
8 -She comes to work 30 minutes late if her child _______(miss) the bus to school.
9 -If Jack ________(think) twice, he wouldn't have made such a stupid mistake.
10- Katherine ___________(become) a VIP if she studies hard!
11- If they _________(know) all the facts, they would have found the defendant guilty.
12-tUnless you __________(hurry up), we will never arrive on time.
13- If I were in charge, I ________(change) the standard business routines.
14- He takes his daughter out to dinner, if she ________(come) to town.
15- If I hadn't known better, I _________(trust) him.

Correction

1-Had stayed 2-were 3-visits 4-arrive 5-would have bought 6- would go 7-comes 8-
misses 9- had thought 10- will become11-had known 12-hurry up
13- would change 14-comes 15-would have trusted

Indirect speech
Indirect Speech (also referred to as 'reported speech') refers to a sentence reporting
what someone has said. It is almost always used in spoken English.

 If the reporting verb (i.e. said) is in the past, the reported clause will be in a past
form. This form is usually one step back into the past from the original.

For example:
 o He said the test was difficult.
o She said she watched TV every day.
o Jack said he came to school every day.
 If simple present, present perfect or the future is used in the reporting verb (i.e.
says) the tense is retained.

For example:

o He says the test is difficult.

o She has said that she watches TV every day.
o Jack will say that he comes to school every day.
 If reporting a general truth the present tense will be retained.

For example: The teacher said that phrasal verbs are very important.

Changing Pronouns and Time Signifiers

When changing from direct speech to indirect speech, it is often necessary to change the
pronouns to match the subject of the sentence.

For example:

 She said, "I want to bring my children." BECOMES She said she wanted to bring
her children.
 Jack said, "My wife went with me to the show." BECOMES Jack said his wife had
gone with him to the show.

It is also important to change time words (signifiers) when referring to present, past or
future time to match the moment of speaking.

For example:

 She said, "I want to bring my children tomorrow." BECOMES She said she wanted
to bring her children the next day.
 Jack said, "My wife went with me to the show yesterday." BECOMES Jack said his
wife had gone with him to the show the day before.

Indirect Questions

When reporting questions, it is especially important to pay attention to sentence order.

When reporting yes/ no questions connect the reported question using 'if'. When
reporting questions using question words (why, where, when, etc.) use the question
word.

For example:

 She asked, "Do you want to come with me?" BECOMES She asked me if I wanted
to come with her.
 Dave asked, "Where did you go last weekend?" BECOMES Dave asked me where I
had gone the previous weekend.
 He asked, "Why are you studying English?" BECOMES She asked me why I was
studying English.

The following chart includes sentences changed from quoted speech to reported speech
using a past form. Pay special attention to sentences marked with "*". Note Simple past,
present perfect, and past perfect all change to past perfect in the reported form.
 Direct Speech Indirect Speech
He said, "I live in Paris." He said he lived in Paris.
He said, "I am cooking He said he was cooking
dinner." dinner.
He said, "I have visted He said he had visited
London twice." London twice.
He said he had gone to
He said, "I went to New
New York the week
York last week."
before.
He said, "I had already He said he had already
eaten." eaten.
He said, "I am going to find He said he was going to
a new job." find a new job.
He said, "I will give Jack a He said he would give Jack
call." a call.
He said, "I have been He said he had been
working on that project for working on that project for
over two weeks." over two weeks.
He said, "I can come He said he could come that
tonight." night.
* He said, "I may buy a He said he might buy a
new car." new car.
* He said, "I might go to He said he might go to
Denver." Denver.
* He said, "I must give Ken He said he had to give Ken
a call." a call.
* He said, "I have to give He said he had to give Ken
Ken a call." a call.
* He said, "I should see a He said he should see a
doctor" doctor.

Reporting verbs
When using reported speech, most students learn to use "say" and "tell":

Examples:

John told me he was going to stay late at work.

Peter said he wanted to visit his parents that weekend.

These forms are perfectly correct for reporting what others have said. However, there are a
number of other reporting verbs which can more accurately describe what someone has said.
These verbs take a variety of structures. The following list gives you reporting verbs in
various categories based on sentence structure. Notice that a number of verbs can take more
than one form.

verb +
verb + verb +
verb + verb + verb + object +
object + preposition
infinitive (that) gerund preposition
infinitive + gerund
+ gerund
admit
agree
agree
advise decide
decide
encourage deny deny accuse
offer apologize
invite explain recommend blame
promise insist
remind insist suggest congratulate
refuse
warn promise
threaten
recommend
suggest
Examples: Examples: Examples:
Examples:
Jack Examples: Tom He denied
They Examples:
encouraged She offered admitted having
accused the He
me to look to give him (that) he anything to
boys of apologized
for a new a lift to had tried to do with
cheating on for being
job. work. leave early. her.
the exam. late.

They invited My brother She agreed Ken

She blamed She insisted
all their refused to (that) we suggested
her husband on doing the
friends to take no for needed to studying
for missing washing up.
attend the an answer. reconsider early in the
the train.
presentation. our plans. morning.
Quiz
1. Tom said, "I want to visit my friends this weekend."

Tom said____________________.

2. Jerry said, "I'm studying English a lot at the moment."

Jerry said ______________________ .

3. They said, "We've lived here for a long time."

They said ___________________for a long time.

4. He asked me, "Have you finished reading the newspaper?"

He asked me _______________________.

5. "I get up every morning at seven o'clock.", Peter said.

Peter said _______________________at seven o'clock.

6. Susan reassured me, "I can come tonight."

Susan told me ____________________.

7. She said, "I really wish I had bought that new car."

She told me __________________that new car.

8. Jack said, "He must be guilty!"

 Jack said he must have been guilty.

9. Cheryl asked her, "How long have you lived here?"

Cheryl asked her ___________________.

10. He said, "I must get going. Otherwise, I'm going to be late."

He told me _________________________.