Language (Lessons and Exercises)
Language (Lessons and Exercises)
When one verb follows another verb, the structure is usually verb + - ing or verb + to –
Gerund-Infinitive Patterns:
Verb
Verb
Be +Inifinitive or
Verb +Inifinitive or
Verb + +Adjective Verb + Verb + Infinitive Gerund
+Preposition Gerund
Gerund +Preposition Infinitive ( to ) ( without to ) ( distinct
+Gerund ( no difference
+Gerund difference in
in meaning)
meaning)
acknowledge adapt to be accustomed to agree Let attempt forget
admit adjust to be afraid of aim help begin go on
advise agree (with) on be angry about afford may can/can't bear regret
anticipate apologize for be ashamed of appear might can/can't stand remember
appreciate approve of be capable of arrange can cease stop
avoid argue about be certain about ask could continue try
be concerned
consider ask about care will hate
with
defend believe in be critical of choose would like
be discouraged
defer blame for claim Must love
from
be enthusiastic
delay care about consent shall neglect
about
deny complain about be familiar with dare should prefer
detest consist of be famous for decide had better propose
discuss decided on be fond of decline Would rather see
dislike depend on be glad about demand start
endure disapprove of be good at deserve
enjoy discourage from be happy about desire
escape engage in be interested in expect
excuse forgive for be known for fail
feel like give up be nervous about guarantee
finish help with be perfect for happen
go inquire about be proud of hope
imagine insist on be responsible for intend
involve interfere with be sad about know
keep keep on be successful in learn
mention look forward to be suitable for manage
mind (object
object to be tired of need
to)
miss participate in be tolerant of offer
need (passive) persist in be upset about plan
omit plan on be used to pledge
postpone prepare for be useful for prepare
practice profit from be worried about pretend
prevent prohibit from promise
quit put off refuse
recall result from resolve
recollect succeed in seem
recommend suffer from tend
regret talk about struggle
resent take part in swear
resist there's no point in volunteer
resume think about wait
risk warn about want
suggest work on wish
tolerate worry about would like
Note :
- Adjectives + prepositions always take the gerund .
For e.g : I’m fond of watching soccer games on TV.
They are keen on learning Spanish.
She is fed up with working eight hours a day.
These verbs can be followed by gerunds or infinitives but with a change in meaning.
When these verbs are used with a gerund they refer to something that happened before a certain time. When they are used
with an infinitive they refer to something that happens at or after a certain time.
forget
Forget with the gerund is often used with never for a memorable previous action.
- I'll never forget going to Japan.
Forget with the infinitive means something happens at or after a certain time.
- Don't forget to meet me at 5.00.
regret
Regret with the infinitive is used to give bad news in a formal, polite way. It's often used with the verbs to say, to
announce, to tell you and to inform you.
- We regret to inform you the interview is cancelled.
remember
Remember with the infinitive is used for something that happens at or after a certain time.
- Please remember to close the door. (in the future please close the door.)
go on
mean
try
Try with the gerund is used for suggestions.
- "I need to lose weight." "Try exercising and eating healthy food".
- "I'm really hot." "Try sitting here, it's much cooler."
stop
come
come with the gerund means movement with a sense of surprise or excitement.
- The ball came flying toward me - it almosty hit me on the head!
- Don't come running to me! (this means don't expect sympathy)
help
Help with the gerund is also used with can't to mean a reaction beyond the subject's control.
- I can't help laughing.
- Those kids are noisy, but I can't help liking them.
Exercises :
a) arriving b) to arrive
a) being b) to be
a) to get b) getting
a) studying b) to study
a) locking b) to lock
a) moving b) to move
8. We will never forget _____ called Mommy and Daddy for the first time.
a) being b) to be
9. I don't regret _____ up tennis and settling down with my wife and children.
a) giving b) to give
10. I had to go home early yesterday because my son had forgotten _____ his key.
a) taking b) to take
1. You left the lights on all night. Don´t forget ________________ (switch) them off when you go to bed.
2. I´ll never forget _______________ (cross) the Channel for the first time.
3. I´ll always remember _________________ (fly) for the first time.
4. Don´t forget ________________ (take) your raincoat. It hasn´t stopped raining all day.
5. Oh dear, I didn´t remember ________________ (buy) the tickets.
6. Don´t forget ________________ (buy) some milk when you go to the supermatket.
7. You mustn´t forget ________________ (go) to the doctor´s today.
8. I remember _____________________(shut) the door when I left.
9. Did you remember __________________(shut) the door when you left?
10. I can´t listen to you any more. Please stop ____________________ (talk).
11. After driving in his car for about half an hour Mr Duncan was lost. So he stopped _____________ (ask) someone for
help.
12. As so many people die of cancer I strongly advise you to stop __________________(smoke).
13. I remember ___________________(hear) a loud bang.
14. I will never forget _____________________(take) the final exams at school.
Language : Tenses ( Review)
always, every …,
-Action in the present taking place
Simple Present A: He speaks. never, normally, often,
N: He does not speak. once, n never, or several times seldom, sometimes,
Q: Does he speak? -Facts usually
if sentences type I (If I
-Actions taking place one after another. talk, …)
-Action set by a timetable or schedule
Present Progressive A: He is speaking. at the moment, just,
-Action taking place in the moment of
N: He is not speaking. just now, Listen!,
Q: Is he speaking? speaking. Look!, now, right now
-Action taking place only for a limited
period of time.
-Action arranged for the future.
Simple Past A: He spoke. yesterday, 2 minutes
-Action in the past taking place once,
N: He did not speak. ago, in 1990, the other
Q: Did he speak? never , or several times day, last Friday
if sentence type II (If I
-Actions taking place one after another .
talked, …)
-Action taking place in the middle of
another action.
Past Progressive A: He was speaking. when, while, as long as
-Action going on at a certain time in the
N: He was not speaking.
Q: Was he speaking? past.
-Actions taking place at the same time.
-Action in the past that is interrupted by
another action.
Present Perfect Simple A: He has spoken. already, ever, just,
-Putting emphasis on the result
N: He has not spoken. never, not yet, so far,
Q: Has he spoken? -Action that is still going on in the till now, up to now
present.
-Action that stopped recently .
-Finished action that has an influence
on
the present.
- Action that has taken place once,
never,
or several times before the moment of
speaking .
Present Perfect Progressive A: He has been speaking. all day, for 4 years,
-Putting emphasis on the course or
N: He has not been speaking. since 1993, how long?,
Q: Has he been speaking? duration (not the result) the whole week
-Action that recently stopped or is still
going on .
-Finished action that influenced the
present.
action that started before a certain moment and lasts beyond that moment
action that takes place once, He played football every He plays football every He will / is going to play
never or several times Tuesday. Tuesday. football every Tuesday.
actions that happen one after He played football and then he He plays football and then he He will play football and then
another went home. goes home. he will go home.
state He loved football. He loves football. He will love football.
action going on at that moment He was playing football. He is playing football. He will be playing football.
actions taking place at the He was playing football and He is playing football and she He will be playing football and
same time she was watching. is watching. she will be watching.
action taking place before a He had won five matches until He has won five matches so He will have won five matches
certain moment in time; that day. far. by then.
emphasises the result
action taking place before a He had been playing football He has been playing football He will have been playing
certain moment in time (and for ten years. for ten years. football for ten years.
beyond), emphasises the
duration
Past Perfect
[had + past participle]
Examples:
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:
With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous 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.
They felt bad about selling the house because they had owned it for more than forty years.
Although the above use of Past Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of
Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are
NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.
Unlike with 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.
MOREOVER
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. For this reason, both sentences below are correct.
Examples:
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 is not referring to an action at a specific time, Past Perfect is not optional. Compare the examples below.
Here Past Perfect is referring to a lack of experience rather than an action at a specific time. For this reason, Simple Past
cannot be used.
Examples:
She never saw a bear before she moved to Alaska. Not Correct
She had never seen a bear before she moved to Alaska. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You had previously studied English before you moved to New York.
Had you previously studied English before you moved to New York?
You had been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived.
Had you been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived?
You had not been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived.
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, it stops before
something else in the past.
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.
How long had you been waiting to get on the bus?
Mike wanted to sit down because he had been standing all day at work.
James had been teaching at the university for more than a year before he left for Asia.
A: How long had you been studying Turkish before you moved to Ankara?
B: I had not been studying Turkish very long.
Using the Past Perfect Continuous before another action in the past is a good way to show cause and effect.
Examples:
Examples:
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. Instead of using Past Perfect Continuous with
these verbs, you must use Past Perfect.
Examples:
The motorcycle had been belonging to George for years before Tina bought it. Not Correct
The motorcycle had belonged to George for years before Tina bought it. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
You had only been waiting there for a few minutes when she arrived.
Had you only been waiting there for a few minutes when she arrived?
Future Perfect
Examples: [will have done]
You will have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
Will you have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
You will not have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
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:
Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in Simple Present rather than Simple Future.
This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.
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.
Although the above use of Future Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed
Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-
Continuous Verbs.
Like all future forms, the Future Perfect cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while,
before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect, Present Perfect is used.
Examples:
I am going to see a movie when I will have finished my homework. Not Correct
I am going to see a movie when I have finished my homework. Correct
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
Subordinators
Subordinators connect elements of unequal importance. One clause is not as
strong as the other.
S + V although S + V (although, even though, because, since*,
when, while, before*, after*, whenever,
wherever*, if, unless, whether?[or not]
as, as [adjective] as, so that, whereas
anywhere*, anytime*)
Although S + V , S + V
Sentence Connectors
Sentence Connectors connect paragraphs or show relationship between very
different ideas.
S + V . However, S + V (however, therefore, thus, moreover,
nevertheless, first*, then*, next*, still*
S + V ; however, S + V besides, consequently, furthermore)
Prepositions
Prepositions show relationship among elements of a sentence.
They are followed by noun phrases only and cannot take on a S + V.
S + V (prep. phrase) (during, after*, before*, in, on, at
despite, in spite of, for*, since*, by
(Prep. phrase), S + V like, except, but*, about, to*, from
between [A and B], among, with
(Prep. phrase) V + S (unusual) within, without, beside, near, next to)
Giving examples
For example
For instance
Namely
Such as
The most common way of giving examples is by using for example or for instance.
"There are two problems: namely, the expense and the time."
Adding information
And
In addition
As well as
Also
Too
Furthermore
Moreover
Apart from
In addition to
Besides
Not only …….but ( also) ….(as well).
Ideas are often linked by and. In a list, you put a comma between each item, but not before and.
Also is used to add an extra idea or emphasis. "We also spoke about marketing."
You can use also with not only to give emphasis.
"We are concerned not only by the costs, but also by the competition."
We don't usually start a sentence with also. If you want to start a sentence with a phrase that means also, you can use In
addition, or In addition to this…
Too goes either at the end of the sentence, or after the subject and means as well.
Apart from and besides are often used to mean as well as, or in addition to.
Moreover and furthermore add extra information to the point you are making.
"Marketing plans give us an idea of the potential market. Moreover, they tell us about the competition."
Not only …….but ( also) ….(as well). can be used at the beginning of the sentence. In this case,
The first clause is put inthe interrogative form.
« Not only did the athlete win the race, but he broke the world record as well. »
« Not only does he sing well, but he also plays the violin. »
« Not only was she late ,but her car did not start as well. »
Summarising
In short
In brief
In summary
To summarise
In a nutshell
To conclude
In conclusion
We normally use these words at the beginning of the sentence to give a summary of what we have said or written.
Sequencing ideas
The former and the latter are useful when you want to refer to one of two points.
"Marketing and finance are both covered in the course. The former is studied in the first term and the latter is studied in the
final term."
Firstly, … secondly, … finally (or lastly) are useful ways to list ideas.
It's rare to use "fourthly", or "fifthly". Instead, try the first point, the second point, the third point and so on.
The following is a good way of starting a list.
"The following people have been chosen to go on the training course: N Peters, C Jones and A Owen."
Giving a reason
"Due to the rise in oil prices, the inflation rate rose by 1.25%."
"Owing to the demand, we are unable to supply all items within 2 weeks."
If you want to follow these words with a clause (a subject, verb and object), you must follow the words with the fact that.
"Due to the fact that oil prices have risen, the inflation rate has gone up by 1%25."
"Owing to the fact that the workers have gone on strike, the company has been unable to fulfil all its orders."
Because / because of
Because can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. For example, "Because it was raining, the match was
postponed."
"We believe in incentive schemes, because we want our employees to be more productive."
Since / as
Giving a result
Therefore
So
Consequently
This means that
As a result
Therefore, so, consequently and as a result are all used in a similar way.
"The company are expanding. Therefore / So / Consequently / As a result, they are taking on extra staff."
So is more informal.
Contrasting ideas
But
However
Although / even though
Despite / despite the fact that
In spite of / in spite of the fact that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
While
Whereas
Unlike
In theory… in practice…
But is more informal than however. It is not normally used at the beginning of a sentence.
Although, despite and in spite of introduce an idea of contrast. With these words, you must have two halves of a sentence.
Despite and in spite of are used in the same way as due to and owing to. They must be followed by a noun. If you want to
follow them with a noun and a verb, you must use the fact that.
"Despite the fact that the company was doing badly, they took on extra employees."
"The sea was cold, but he went swimming nevertheless." (In spite of the fact that it was cold.)
"The company is doing well. Nonetheless, they aren't going to expand this year."
While, whereas and unlike are used to show how two things are different from each other.
"Taxes have gone up whereas social security contributions have gone down."
"In theory, teachers should prepare for lessons, but in practice, they often don't have enough time."
Linking words exercises
3. I will give you this English book _________you can pass your exam.
3. She accepted the job _______________the salary, which was rather low.
Fill in the blanks with the right linking words : (Beside - Even if - Furthermore – namely- in spite of -
nevertheless- owing to - since – that is to say- whereas
1-The team haven't been playing too well. ........................., they are expected to win this afternoon.
2- ........................... in nearly every country in the world they drive on the right, in England they insist on driving on the left.
4-........ …………..the computer had recently been repaired, it still kept crashing.
5- The man was arrested ....................... claiming to have been nowhere near the scene of the crime.
6- I overslept this morning. .................................... , my car ran out of petrol on the way to work.
8- They decided to buy a new car ..................... they were having problems with their old one.
10- The two greatest soccer teams in spain, ………………… FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, are having
a lot of fans in Morocco.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3- The old man was very rich. The young girl refused to marry him.( however)
....................................................................................
4- Mr Smith took his umbrella . He didn’t want to get wet. ( in order not to)
…………………........................................................................
5- Uncle Ben broke the axe while chopping the wood. He hurt himself, too.(not only..but ..as well)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
10- Despite their parents’ wealth, the children are poorly dressed.( Nonetheless)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
1- The smiths didn’t send their daughter to university as they couldn’t pay for her studies.
Because……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2- Yesterday, Mary had a very busy day. Nevertheless, she went to her son’s school annual meeting.
Despite……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3- Farmers can’t pay their taxes. It hasn’t rained enough for 2 years.
……………………………………………….As a result,..……………………………………………………….
4- Women in rural areas are illiterate; consequently, they don’t use contraceptives
Because …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5- Hard work causes a lot of stress.
Although ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7- Siham didn’t feel well. She had eaten too much chocolate.
8- Aziza learnt how to read and write. She also learnt how to do business.
9- I have been to many countries. However, my brother has never travelled abroad.
Whereas…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
10- Ashmov wrote many detective stories. He also wrote several books on scientific subjects.
…………………………………………………………..Besides, …..…………………………………………….
Language : Defining / non-defining relative clauses
How to Form Relative Clauses
Imagine, a girl is talking to Tom. You want to know who she is and ask a friend whether he knows her. You could say:
That sounds rather complicated, doesn't it? It would be easier with a relative clause: you put both pieces of information into one
sentence. Start with the most important thing – you want to know who the girl is.
As your friend cannot know which girl you are talking about, you need to put in the additional information – the girl is talking to Tom.
Use „the girl“ only in the first part of the sentence, in the second part replace it with the relative pronoun (for people, use the relative
pronoun „who“). So the final sentence is:
Relative Pronouns
who subject or object pronoun for people I told you about the woman who lives next door.
which subject or object pronoun for animals and things Do you see the cat which is lying on the roof?
whose possession for people animals and things Do you know the boy whose mother is a nurse?
whom object pronoun for people, especially in non-defining relative I was invited by the professor whom I met at the
clauses (in defining relative clauses we colloquially prefer who) conference.
that subject or object pronoun for people, animals and things in I don’t like the table that stands in the kitchen.
defining relative clauses (who or which are also possible)
If the relative pronoun is followed by a verb, the relative pronoun is a subject pronoun. Subject pronouns must always be used.
If the relative pronoun is not followed by a verb (but by a noun or pronoun), the relative pronoun is an object pronoun. Object pronouns
can be dropped in defining relative clauses, which are then called Contact Clauses.
when in/on which refers to a time expression the day when we met him
where in/at which refers to a place the place where we met him
why for which refers to a reason the reason why we met him
Imagine, Tom is in a room with five girls. One girl is talking to Tom and you ask somebody whether he knows this girl. Here the
relative clause defines which of the five girls you mean.
Object pronouns in defining relative clauses can be dropped. (Sentences with a relative clause without the relative pronoun are called
Contact Clauses.)
Imagine, Tom is in a room with only one girl. The two are talking to each other and you ask somebody whether he knows this girl. Here
the relative clause is non-defining because in this situation it is obvious which girl you mean.
Note: In non-defining relative clauses, who/which may not be replaced with that.
I told you about the woman who lives next door. – I told you about the woman living next door.
Do you see the cat which is lying on the roof? – Do you see the cat lying on the roof?