Grammar

109
110
Unit
1 Present continuous (I am doing)
A Study this example situation:
Sarah is in her car. She is on her way to work.
She’s driving to work. (= She is driving …)
This means: she is driving now, at the time of speaking.
The action is not finished.
am/is/are + -ing is the present continuous:
I am (= I’m) driving
he/she/it is (= he’s etc.) working
we/you/they are (= we’re etc.) doing etc.

B I am doing something = I started doing it and I haven’t finished; I’m in the middle of doing it.
Please don’t make so much noise. I’m trying to work. (not I try)
‘Where’s Mark?’ ‘He’s having a shower.’ (not He has a shower)
Let’s go out now. It isn’t raining any more. (not It doesn’t rain)
How’s your new job? Are you enjoying it?
What’s all that noise? What’s going on? or What’s happening?
Sometimes the action is not happening at the time of speaking. For example:

Steve is talking to a friend on the phone. He says:

I’m reading a really good book at the moment.

It’s about a man who …

Steve says ‘I’m reading …’ but he is not reading the book at

the time of speaking.
He means that he has started reading the book, but has not
finished it yet. He is in the middle of reading it.

Some more examples:

Kate wants to work in Italy, so she’s learning Italian.
(but perhaps she isn’t learning Italian at the time of speaking)
Some friends of mine are building their own house. They hope to finish it next summer.

C You can use the present continuous with today / this week / this year etc. (periods around now):
a: You’re working hard today. (not You work hard today)
b: Yes, I have a lot to do.
The company I work for isn’t doing so well this year.

D We use the present continuous when we talk about a change that has started to happen. We often use
these verbs in this way:
getting, becoming changing, improving
starting, beginning increasing, rising, falling, growing
Is your English getting better? (not Does your English get better)
The population of the world is increasing very fast. (not increases)
At first I didn’t like my job, but I’m starting to enjoy it now. (not I start)

111
 Unit
Exercises 1
1.1 What’s happening in the pictures? Choose from these verbs:
cross hide scratch take tie wave

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 She’s taking a picture. 4 his head.

2 He a shoelace. 5 behind a tree.
3 the road. 6 to somebody.

1.2 The sentences on the right follow those on the left. Which sentence goes with which?

1 Please don’t make so much noise. a I’m getting hungry. 1 f

2 We need to leave soon. b They’re lying. 2
3 I don’t have anywhere to live right now. c It’s starting to rain. 3
4 I need to eat something soon. d They’re trying to sell it. 4
5 They don’t need their car any more. e It’s getting late. 5
6 Things are not so good at work. f I’m trying to work. 6
7 It isn’t true what they say. g I’m staying with friends. 7
8 We’re going to get wet. h The company is losing money. 8

1.3 Write questions. Use the present continuous.

1 What’s all that noise? What’s happening? (what / happen?)
2 What’s the matter? (why / you / cry?)
3 Where’s your mother? (she / work / today?)
4 I haven’t seen you for ages. (what / you / do / these days?)
5 Amy is a student. (what / she / study?)
6 Who are those people? (what / they / do?)
7 I heard you started a new job. (you / enjoy / it?)
8 We’re not in a hurry. (why / you / walk / so fast?)

1.4 Put the verb into the correct form, positive (I’m doing etc.) or negative (I’m not doing etc.).
1 Please don’t make so much noise. I’m trying (I / try) to work.
2 Let’s go out now. It isn’t raining (it / rain) any more.
3 You can turn off the radio. (I / listen) to it.
4 Kate phoned last night. She’s on holiday with friends. (She / have)
a great time and doesn’t want to come back.
5 Andrew started evening classes recently. (He / learn) Japanese.
6 Paul and Sarah have had an argument and now (they / speak)
to one another.
7 The situation is already very bad and now (it / get) worse.
8 Tim (work) today. He’s taken the day off.
9 (I / look) for Sophie. Do you know where she is?
10 The washing machine has been repaired. (It / work) now.
11 (They / build) a new hospital. It will be finished next year.
12 Ben is a student, but he’s not very happy. (He / enjoy) his course.
13 (The weather / change). Look at those clouds.
I think it’s going to rain.
14 Dan has been in the same job for a long time. (He / start) to get bored
with it.
112
Unit
2 Present simple (I do)
A Study this example situation:

Alex is a bus driver, but now he is in bed asleep.

He is not driving a bus. (He is asleep.)
but He drives a bus. He is a bus driver.
drive(s), work(s), do(es) etc. is the present simple:
I/we/you/they drive/work/do etc.
he/she/it drives/works/does etc.

B We use the present simple to talk about things in general. We use it to say that something happens all the
time or repeatedly, or that something is true in general:
Nurses look after patients in hospitals.
I usually go away at weekends.
The earth goes round the sun.
The cafe opens at 7.30 in the morning.
We say:
I work but he works you go but it goes
they teach but my sister teaches I have but he has
For spelling (-s or -es), see Appendix 6.

C We use do/does to make questions and negative sentences:

work? work
do I/we/you/they I/we/you/they don’t
drive? drive
does he/she/it he/she/it doesn’t
do? do
I come from Canada. Where do you come from?
I don’t go away very often.
What does this word mean? (not What means this word?)
Rice doesn’t grow in cold climates.
In the following examples, do is also the main verb (do you do / doesn’t do etc.):
‘What do you do?’ ‘I work in a shop.’
He’s always so lazy. He doesn’t do anything to help.

D We use the present simple to say how often we do things:

I get up at 8 o’clock every morning.
How often do you go to the dentist?
Julie doesn’t drink tea very often.
Robert usually goes away two or three times a year.

E I promise / I apologise etc.

Sometimes we do things by saying something. For example, when you promise to do something,
you can say ‘I promise … ’; when you suggest something, you can say ‘I suggest … ’:
I promise I won’t be late. (not I’m promising)
‘What do you suggest I do?’ ‘I suggest that you …’
In the same way we say: I apologise … / I advise … / I insist … / I agree … / I refuse … etc.

113
 Unit
Exercises 2
2.1 Complete the sentences using the following verbs:
cause(s) close(s) connect(s) go(es) live(s) speak(s) take(s)
1 Tanya speaks German very well. 5 My parents in a very small
2 Ben and Jack to the same flat.
school. 6 The Olympic Games place
3 Bad driving many accidents. every four years.
4 The museum at 4 o’clock on 7 The Panama Canal the
Sundays. Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
2.2 Put the verb into the correct form.
1 Julia doesn’t drink (not / drink) tea very often.
2 What time (the banks / close) here?
3 I have a car, but I (not / use) it much.
4 Where (Maria / come) from? Is she Spanish?
5 ‘What (you / do)?’ ‘I’m an electrician.’
6 Look at this sentence. What (this word / mean)?
7 David isn’t very fit. He (not / do) any sport.
8 It (take) me an hour to get to work in the morning. How long
(it / take) you?
2.3 Complete the sentences using these verbs. Sometimes you need the negative.
believe eat flow go grow make rise tell translate
1 The earth goes round the sun. 7 An interpreter
2 Rice doesn’t grow in cold climates. from one language into another.
3 The sun in the east. 8 Liars are people who
4 Bees honey. the truth.
5 Vegetarians meat. 9 The River Amazon
6 An atheist in God. into the Atlantic Ocean.
2.4 You ask Lisa questions about herself and her family. Write the questions.
1 You know that Lisa plays tennis. You want to know how often. Ask her.
How often do you play tennis ?
2 Perhaps Lisa’s sister plays tennis too. You want to know. Ask Lisa.
your sister ?
3 You know that Lisa goes to the cinema a lot. You want to know how often. Ask her.
?
4 You know that Lisa’s brother works. You want to know what he does. Ask Lisa.
?
5 You’re not sure whether Lisa speaks Spanish. You want to know. Ask her.
?
6 You don’t know where Lisa’s grandparents live. You want to know. Ask Lisa.
?
2.5 Complete using the following:
I agree I apologise I insist I promise I recommend I suggest

1 Mr Evans is not in the office today. I suggest you try calling him tomorrow.
2 I won’t tell anybody what you said. .
3 (in a restaurant) You must let me pay for the meal. .
4 for what I said. I shouldn’t have said it.
5 The new restaurant in Baker Street is very good. it.
6 I think you’re absolutely right. with you.

114
Unit Present continuous and present simple 1
3 (I am doing and I do)
A Compare:

present continuous (I am doing) present simple (I do)

We use the continuous for things happening at We use the simple for things in general or things
or around the time of speaking. that happen repeatedly.
The action is not complete.

I am doing I do
past now future past now future

The water is boiling. Be careful. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

Listen to those people. What language Excuse me, do you speak English?
are they speaking?
Let’s go out. It isn’t raining now. It doesn’t rain very much in summer.
‘I’m busy.’ ‘What are you doing?’ What do you usually do at weekends?
I’m getting hungry. Let’s go and eat. I always get hungry in the afternoon.
Kate wants to work in Italy, so she’s Most people learn to swim when they
learning Italian. are children.
The population of the world is Every day the population of the world
increasing very fast. increases by about 200,000 people.
We use the continuous for temporary situations We use the simple for permanent situations
(things that continue for a short time): (things that continue for a long time):
I’m living with some friends until I find a My parents live in London. They have
place of my own. lived there all their lives.
a: You’re working hard today. Joe isn’t lazy. He works hard most of
b: Yes, I have a lot to do. the time.
See Unit 1 for more information. See Unit 2 for more information.

B I always do and I’m always doing

I always do something = I do it every time:
I always go to work by car. (not I’m always going)
I’m always doing something = I do it too often or more often than normal.
For example:

I’ve lost my keys again. I’m always losing them.

I’m always losing them = I lose them too often,

or more often than normal.

Paul is never satisfied. He’s always complaining. (= he complains too much)

You’re always looking at your phone. Don’t you have anything else to do?

115
 Unit
Exercises 3
3.1 Are the underlined verbs OK? Correct them where necessary.
1 Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius. OK
2 How often are you going to the cinema? do you go
3 Ben tries to find a job, but he hasn’t had any luck yet.
4 Martina is phoning her mother every day.
5 The moon goes round the earth in about 27 days.
6 Can you hear those people? What do they talk about?
7 What do you do in your spare time?
8 Sarah is a vegetarian. She doesn’t eat meat.
9 I must go now. It gets late.
10 ‘Come on! It’s time to leave.’ ‘OK, I come.’
11 Paul is never late. He’s always starting work on time.
12 They don’t get on well. They’re always arguing.

3.2 Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.
1 a I usually get (I / usually / get) hungry in the afternoon.
b I’m getting (I / get) hungry. Let’s go and eat something.
2 a ‘ (you / listen) to the radio?’ ‘No, you can turn it off.’
b ‘ (you / listen) to the radio a lot?’ ‘No, not very often.’
3 a The River Nile (flow) into the Mediterranean.
b The river (flow) very fast today – much faster than usual.
4 a I’m not very active. (I / not / do) any sport.
b What (you / usually / do) at weekends?
5 a Rachel is in New York right now. (She / stay) at the Park Hotel.
b (She / always / stay) there when she’s in New York.

3.3 Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.
1 Why are all these people here? What’s happening (What / happen)?
2 Julia is good at languages. (She / speak) four languages very well.
3 Are you ready yet? (Everybody / wait) for you.
4 I’ve never heard this word. How (you / pronounce) it?
5 Kate (not / work) this week. She’s on holiday.
6 I think my English (improve) slowly. It’s better than it was.
7 Nicola (live) in Manchester. She has never lived anywhere else.
8 Can we stop walking soon? (I / start) to get tired.
9 Sam and Tina are in Madrid right now. (They / visit) a friend of theirs.
10 ‘What (your father / do)?’ ‘He’s an architect.’
11 It took me an hour to get to work this morning. Most days
(it / not / take) so long.
12 I (I / learn) to drive. My driving test is next month. My father
(teach) me.

3.4 Finish B’s sentences. Use always -ing.

1 a: I’ve lost my keys again.
b: Not again! You’re always losing your keys .
2 a: The car has broken down again.
b: That car is useless. It .
3 a: Look! You’ve made the same mistake again.
b: Oh no, not again! I .
4 a: Oh, I’ve left my phone at home again.
b: Typical! .

116
Unit Present continuous and present simple 2
4 (I am doing and I do)
A We use continuous forms (I’m waiting, it’s raining etc.) for actions and happenings that have started but
not finished.
Some verbs (for example, know and like) are not normally used in this way. We don’t say ‘I am knowing’,
‘they are liking’. We say ‘I know’, ‘they like’.
The following verbs are not normally used in the present continuous:
like want need prefer
know realise understand recognise
believe suppose remember mean
belong fit contain consist seem
I’m hungry. I want something to eat. (not I’m wanting)
Do you understand what I mean?
Anna doesn’t seem very happy right now.

B think
When think means ‘believe’ or ‘have an opinion’, we do not use the continuous:
I think Mary is Canadian, but I’m not sure. (not I’m thinking)
What do you think of my idea? (= what is your opinion?)
When think means ‘consider’, the continuous is possible:
I’m thinking about what happened. I often think about it.
Nicky is thinking of giving up her job. (= she is considering it)

C see hear smell taste look feel

We normally use the present simple (not continuous) with see/hear/smell/taste:
Do you see that man over there? (not are you seeing)
The room smells. Let’s open a window.
This soup doesn’t taste very good.
You can use the present simple or continuous to say how somebody looks or feels now:
You look well today. or You’re looking well today.
How do you feel now? or How are you feeling now?
but
I usually feel tired in the morning. (not I’m usually feeling)

D am/is/are being
You can say he’s being … , you’re being … etc. to say how somebody is behaving now:
I can’t understand why he’s being so selfish. He isn’t usually like that.
(being selfish = behaving selfishly now)
‘The path is icy. Don’t slip.’ ‘Don’t worry. I’m being very careful.’
Compare:
He never thinks about other people. He’s very selfish.
(= he is selfish generally, not only now)
I don’t like to take risks. I’m a very careful person.
We use am/is/are being to say how a person is behaving (= doing something they can control) now.
It is not usually possible in other situations:
Sam is ill. (not is being ill)
Are you tired? (not are you being tired)

117
 Unit
Exercises 4
4.1 Put the verb into the correct form, present continuous or present simple.
1 Are you hungry? Do you want (you / want) something to eat?
2 Alan says he’s 90 years old, but nobody (believe) him.
3 She told me her name, but (I / not / remember) it now.
4 Don’t put the dictionary away. (I / use) it.
5 Don’t put the dictionary away. (I / need) it.
6 Air (consist) mainly of nitrogen and oxygen.
7 Who is that man? What (he / want)?
8 Who is that man? Why (he / look) at us?
9 Who is that man? (you / recognise) him?
10 (I / think) of selling my car. Would you be interested in buying it?
11 I can’t make up my mind. What (you / think) I should do?
12 Gary wasn’t well earlier, but (he / seem) OK now.

4.2 Use the words in brackets to make sentences.

1 2

Are you OK?

You look worried.
(you / not / seem / very happy today)
You don’t seem very (I / think)
happy today.

3 4

(this / smell / good)

(who / this umbrella / belong to?)

I’ve no idea.

5 6

(these gloves / not / fit / me)

Excuse me. (anybody / sit / there?)
No, it’s free.
They’re too small.

4.3 Are the underlined verbs OK? Correct them where necessary.
1 Nicky is thinking of giving up her job. OK
2 It’s not true. I’m not believing it. I don’t believe it.
3 I’m feeling hungry. Is there anything to eat?
4 I’ve never eaten that fruit. What is it tasting like?
5 I’m not sure what she does. I think she works in a shop.
6 Look over there. What are you seeing?
7 You’re very quiet. What are you thinking about?

4.4 Complete the sentences. Use is/are being (continuous) or is/are (simple).
1 I can’t understand why he’s being so selfish. He isn’t usually like that.
2 You’ll like Sophie when you meet her. She very nice.
3 Sarah very nice to me at the moment. I wonder why.
4 They very happy. They’ve just got married.
5 You’re normally very patient, so why so unreasonable about waiting
ten more minutes?
6 Would you like something to eat? hungry?
118
Unit
5 Past simple (I did)
A Study this example:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian

musician and composer. He lived from 1756 to
1791. He started composing at the age of five
and wrote more than 600 pieces of music.
He was only 35 years old when he died.
lived/started/wrote/was/died are all past simple

B Very often the past simple ends in -ed (regular verbs):

I work in a travel agency now. Before that I worked in a department store.
They invited us to their party, but we decided not to go.
The police stopped me on my way home last night.
Laura passed her exam because she studied very hard.
For spelling (stopped, studied etc.), see Appendix 6.
But many verbs are irregular. The past simple does not end in -ed. For example:
write → wrote Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces of music.
see → saw We saw Alice in town a few days ago.
go → went I went to the cinema three times last week.
shut → shut It was cold, so I shut the window.
For a list of irregular verbs, see Appendix 1.

C In questions and negative sentences we use did/didn’t + infinitive (enjoy/see/go etc.):

I enjoyed you enjoy? I enjoy
she saw did she see? she didn’t see
they went they go? they go

I enjoyed the party a lot. Did you enjoy it?

How many people did they invite to the wedding?
I didn’t buy anything because I didn’t have any money.
‘Did you go out?’ ‘No, I didn’t.’
Sometimes do is the main verb in the sentence (did you do?, I didn’t do):
What did you do at the weekend? (not What did you at the weekend?)
I didn’t do anything. (not I didn’t anything)

D The past of be (am/is/are) is was/were:

I/he/she/it was/wasn’t was I/he/she/it?
we/you/they were/weren’t were we/you/they?

I was annoyed because they were late.

Was the weather good when you were on holiday?
They weren’t able to come because they were so busy.
I wasn’t hungry, so I didn’t eat anything.
Did you go out last night or were you too tired?

119
 Unit
Exercises 5
5.1 Read what Laura says about a typical working day:
I usually get up at 7 o’clock and have a big breakfast. I walk to work, which
takes me about half an hour. I start work at 8.45. I never have lunch. I finish
work at 5 o’clock. I’m always tired when I get home. I usually cook a meal
in the evening. I don’t usually go out. I go to bed at about 11 o’clock, and I
always sleep well.

LAURA

Yesterday was a typical working day for Laura. Write what she did or didn’t do yesterday.
1 She got up at 7 o’clock. 7 at 5 o’clock.
2 She a big breakfast. 8 tired when home.
3 She . 9 a meal yesterday evening.
4 It to get to work. 10 out yesterday evening.
5 at 8.45. 11 at 11 o’clock.
6 lunch. 12 well last night.

5.2 Complete the sentences using the following verbs in the correct form:
buy catch cost fall hurt sell spend teach throw write
1 Mozart wrote more than 600 pieces of music.
2 ‘How did you learn to drive?’ ‘My father me.’
3 We couldn’t afford to keep our car, so we it.
4 Dave down the stairs this morning and his leg.
5 Joe the ball to Sue, who it.
6 Kate a lot of money yesterday. She a dress which
£100.

5.3 You ask James about his holiday in the US. Write your questions.
1 YOU: Where did you go ?
JaMES: To the US. We went on a trip from San Francisco to Denver.
2 YOU: How ? By car?
JaMES: Yes, we hired a car in San Francisco.
3 YOU: It’s a long way to drive. How long ?
JaMES: Two weeks. We stopped at a lot of places along the way.
4 YOU: Where ? In hotels?
JaMES: Yes, small hotels or motels.
5 YOU: good?
JaMES: Yes, but it was very hot – sometimes too hot.
6 YOU: the Grand Canyon?
JaMES: Of course. It was wonderful.

5.4 Complete the sentences. Put the verb into the correct form, positive or negative.
1 It was warm, so I took off my coat. (take)
2 The film wasn’t very good. I didn’t enjoy it much. (enjoy)
3 I knew Sarah was busy, so I her. (disturb)
4 We were very tired, so we the party early. (leave)
5 It was hard carrying the bags. They really heavy. (be)
6 The bed was very uncomfortable. I well. (sleep)
7 This watch wasn’t expensive. It much. (cost)
8 The window was open and a bird into the room. (fly)
9 I was in a hurry, so I time to call you. (have)
10 I didn’t like the hotel. The room very clean. (be)

120
Unit
6 Past continuous (I was doing)
A Study this example situation:

Yesterday Karen and Joe played tennis. They started at

10 o’clock and finished at 11.30.
So, at 10.30 they were playing tennis.
they were playing =
they were in the middle of playing, they had not finished
was/were + -ing is the past continuous:
he/she/it was playing
doing
we/you/they were working etc.

B I was doing something = I was in the middle of doing it at a certain time. The action or situation started
before this time, but had not finished:
I started doing I was doing I finished doing

past past now

This time last year I was living in Hong Kong.
What were you doing at 10 o’clock last night?
I waved to Helen, but she wasn’t looking.

C Compare I was doing (past continuous) and I did (past simple):

I was doing (= in the middle of an action) I did (= complete action)
We were walking home when I met We walked home after the party last
Dan. (in the middle of walking home) night. (= all the way, completely)
Kate was watching TV when we Kate watched TV a lot when she was ill
arrived. last year.

D You can say that something happened (past simple) in the middle of something else (past continuous):
Matt phoned while we were having dinner.
It was raining when I got up.
I saw you in the park yesterday. You were sitting on the grass and reading a book.
I hurt my back while I was working in the garden.
But we use the past simple to say that one thing happened after another:
I was walking along the road when I saw Dan. So I stopped, and we talked for a while.
Compare:

When Karen arrived, we were having When Karen arrived, we had dinner.
dinner. (= we had already started before (= Karen arrived, and then we had
she arrived) dinner)

E Some verbs (for example, know and want) are not normally used in continuous forms (is + -ing,
was + -ing etc.). See Unit 4A for a list of these verbs.
We were good friends. We knew each other well. (not we were knowing)
I was enjoying the party, but Chris wanted to go home. (not was wanting)

121
 Unit
Exercises 6
6.1 Complete the sentences. Choose from:
was looking was wearing wasn’t listening weren’t looking
was snowing was working were sitting were you going

1 Today Helen is wearing a skirt. Yesterday she was wearing trousers.

2 ‘What did he say?’ ‘I don’t know. I .’
3 We at the back of the theatre. We couldn’t hear very well.
4 This time last year Steve on a farm.
5 They didn’t see me. They in my direction.
6 The weather was bad. It was very cold and it .
7 I saw you in your car. Where ?
8 I saw Kate a few minutes ago. She for you.
6.2 Which goes with which?

1 When I got to the cafe a when she was living in Rome. 1 f

2 We fell asleep b she was working in a clothes shop. 2
3 Amy learnt Italian c when I was driving home. 3
4 Tom didn’t come out with us d but nobody was watching it. 4
5 The car began to make a strange noise e while we were watching a film. 5
6 The TV was on f my friends were waiting for me. 6
7 When I first met Jessica g because he wasn’t feeling well. 7

6.3 Put the verb into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.
1 2

SUE

I saw (see) Sue in town yesterday, but I (cycle) home yesterday

she (not/see) me. when a man (step) out into the
She (look) the other way. road in front of me.
I (go) quite fast, but luckily
I (manage) to stop in time,
and I (not/hit) him.

6.4 Put the verb into the correct form, past continuous or past simple.
1 Jenny was waiting (wait) for me when I arrived (arrive).
2 ‘What (you / do) at this time yesterday?’ ‘I was asleep.’
3 ‘ (you / go) out last night?’ ‘No, I was too tired.’
4 How fast (you / drive) when the accident (happen)?
5 Sam (take) a picture of me while I (not / look).
6 We were in a very difficult position. We (not / know) what to do, so we
(do) nothing.
7 I haven’t seen Alan for ages. When I last (see) him, he
(try) to find a job.
8 I (walk) along the street when suddenly I (hear)
something behind me. Somebody (follow) me. I was scared and I
(start) to run.
9 When I was young, I (want) to be a pilot. Later I
(change) my mind.
10 Last night I (drop) a plate when I (do) the washing up.
Fortunately it (not / break).
122
Unit
7 Present perfect 1 (I have done)
A Study this example situation:

I’ve lost my key. Tom can’t find his key.

He’s lost his key. (= He has lost …)
he has lost his key =
he lost it and he doesn’t have it now
have lost / has lost is the present perfect simple:
finished
I/we/they/you have (= I’ve etc.)
lost
done
he/she/it has (= he’s etc.) been etc.

The present perfect simple is have/has + past participle. The past participle often ends in -ed
(finished/decided etc.), but many verbs are irregular (lost/done/written etc.).
For a list of irregular verbs, see Appendix 1.

B When we say ‘something has happened’, this is usually new information:

Ow! I’ve cut my finger.
The road is closed. There’s been an accident. (= There has been …)
Police have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.
When we use the present perfect, there is a connection with now. The action in the past has a result now:
Tom has lost his key. (= he doesn’t have it now)
He told me his name, but I’ve forgotten it. (= I can’t remember it now)
Sally is still here. She hasn’t gone out. (= she is here now)
I can’t find my bag. Have you seen it? (= do you know where it is now?)
Compare gone (to) and been (to):
James is on holiday. He has gone to Italy. (= he is there now or on his way there)
Amy is back home now. She has been to Italy. (= she has now come back)

C You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet.

Just = a short time ago:

‘Are you hungry?’ ‘No, I’ve just had lunch.’
Hello. Have you just arrived?
Already = sooner than expected:
‘Don’t forget to pay the bill.’ ‘I’ve already paid it.’
‘What time is Mark leaving?’ ‘He’s already left.’
Yet = until now. We use yet to show that we are expecting something to happen.
We use yet in questions and negative sentences:
Has it stopped raining yet?
I’ve written the email, but I haven’t sent it yet.

D You can also use the past simple (did, went, had etc.) in the examples on this page. So you can say:
Ben isn’t here. He’s gone out. or He went out.
‘Are you hungry?’ ‘No, I’ve just had lunch.’ or ‘No, I just had lunch.’

123
 Unit
Exercises 7
7.1 Read the situations and complete the sentences using the present perfect. Choose from these
verbs:
break disappear go up grow improve lose shrink stop

1 Tom is looking for his key. He can’t find it. Tom has lost his key.
2 Maria’s English wasn’t very good. Now it is better. Her English
3 My bag was here, but it isn’t here any more. My bag
4 Lisa can’t walk and her leg is in plaster. Lisa
5 Last week the bus fare was £1.80. Now it is £2. The bus fare
6 Dan didn’t have a beard before. Now he has a beard. Dan
7 It was raining ten minutes ago. It isn’t raining now. It
8 I washed my sweater, and now it’s too small for me. My sweater

7.2 Put in been or gone.

1 My parents are on holiday. They’ve gone to Italy.
2 Hello! I’ve just to the shops. I’ve bought lots of things.
3 Tom has just out. He’ll be back in about an hour.
4 Alice isn’t here at the moment. I don’t know where she’s .
5 You’re very late. Where have you ?

7.3 Complete the sentences using the present perfect.

1 Sally is still here. She hasn’t gone (she / not / go) out.
2 I can’t find my bag. (you / see / it) anywhere?
3 I can’t log on to the website. (I / forget) my password.
4 I sent Joe an email this morning, but (he / not / reply).
5 Is the meeting still going on, or (it / finish)?
6 (the weather / change). It’s colder now.
7 (you / not / sign) the form. Could you sign it now, please?
8 Are your friends still here, or (they / go) home?
9 Paul doesn’t know what he’s going to do.
(he / not / decide / yet).
10 ‘Do you know where Julia is?’ ‘Yes, (I / just / see / her).’
11 ‘When is David going away?’ ‘ (he / already / go).’
12 a: (your course / start / yet)?
b: Not yet. It starts next week.

7.4 Read the situations and write sentences with just, already or yet.
1 After lunch you go to see a friend at her house. She says, ‘Would you like something to eat?’
You say: No thank you. I’ve just had lunch . (have lunch)
2 Joe goes out. Five minutes later, the phone rings and the caller says, ‘Can I speak to Joe?’
You say: I’m afraid . (go out)
3 You are eating in a restaurant. The waiter thinks you have finished and starts to take your plate away.
You say: Wait a minute! . (not / finish)
4 You plan to eat at a restaurant tonight. You phone to reserve a table. Later your friend says,
‘Shall I phone to reserve a table?’ You say: No, . (do it)
5 You know that Lisa is looking for a place to live. Perhaps she has been successful.
You ask her: ? (find)
6 You are still thinking about where to go for your holiday. A friend asks, ‘Where are you going
for your holiday?’ You say: . (not / decide)
7 Laura went out, but a few minutes ago she returned. Somebody asks, ‘Is Laura still out?’
You say: No, . (come back)

124
Unit
8 Present perfect 2 (I have done)
A Study this example conversation:
DaVE: Have you travelled a lot, Jane?
JaNE: Yes, I’ve been to lots of places. Jane’s life
DaVE: Really? Have you ever been to China? (a period until now)
JaNE: Yes, I’ve been to China twice.
DaVE: What about India? past now
JaNE: No, I haven’t been to India.
When we talk about a period of time that continues from the past until now, we use the present
perfect (have been / have travelled etc.). Here, Dave and Jane are talking about the places Jane
has visited in her life, which is a period that continues until now.

In the same way we say:

Have you ever eaten caviar?
We’ve never had a car.
I don’t know what the film is about. I haven’t seen it.
Susan really loves that book. She’s read it three times. (She’s = She has)
It’s a really boring movie. It’s the most boring movie I’ve ever seen.
been (to) = visited:
I’ve never been to Canada. Have you been there?

B In the following examples too, the speakers are talking about a period that continues until now
(recently, in the last few days, so far, since I arrived etc.):
Have you heard anything from Ben recently? recently
I’ve met a lot of people in the last few days.
Everything is going well. There haven’t been any in the last few days
problems so far. since I arrived
The weather is bad here. It’s (= It has) rained every past now
day since I arrived. (= from when I arrived until now)
It’s good to see you again. We haven’t seen each other for a long time.
In the same way we use the present perfect with today, this evening, this year etc. when these
periods are not finished at the time of speaking:
I’ve drunk four cups of coffee today. today
Have you had a holiday this year?
I haven’t seen Tom this morning. Have you? past now

C We say ‘It’s the (first) time something has happened’. For example:
Don is having a driving lesson. It’s his first lesson.
We can say: This is the first time
I’ve driven a car.
It’s the first time he has driven a car. (not drives)
or He hasn’t driven a car before.
or He has never driven a car before.
In the same way we say:
Sarah has lost her passport again. This is the second
time this has happened. (not happens)
Andy is phoning his girlfriend again. It’s the third
time he’s phoned her this evening.

125
 Unit
Exercises 8
8.1 You ask people about things they have done. Write questions with ever.
1 (ride / horse?) Have you ever ridden a horse?
2 (be / California?) Have
3 (run / marathon?)
4 (speak / famous person?)
5 (most beautiful place / visit?) What’s

8.2 Complete B’s answers. Some sentences are positive and some negative. Use these verbs:
be be eat happen have have meet play read see try

A B

1 What’s Mark’s sister like? I’ve never met her.

I’ve no idea.
2 Is everything going well? Yes, we haven’t had any problems so far.
3 Are you hungry? Yes. I much today.
4 Can you play chess? Yes, but for ages.
5 Are you enjoying your holiday? Yes, it’s the best holiday for a long time.
6 What’s that book about? I don’t know. it.
7 Is Brussels an interesting place? I’ve no idea. there.
8 I hear your car broke down again Yes, it’s the second time
yesterday. this month.
9 Do you like caviar? I don’t know. it.
10 Mike was late for work again today. Again? He late every day this week.
11 Who’s that woman by the door? I don’t know. her before.

8.3 Write four sentences about yourself. Use I haven’t and choose from the boxes.
used a computer travelled by bus eaten any fruit
been to the cinema read a book lost anything today
this week
1 I haven’t used a computer today. recently
2 for ages
3 since …
4 this year
5

8.4 Read the situations and complete the sentences.

1 Jack is driving a car for the first time. He’s very nervous and not sure what to do.
It’s the first time he’s driven a car.
2 Some children at the zoo are looking at a giraffe. They’ve never seen one before.
It’s the first time a giraffe.
3 Sue is riding a horse. She doesn’t look very confident or comfortable.
She before.
4 Joe and Lisa are on holiday in Japan. They’ve been to Japan once before.
This is the second time .
5 Emily is staying at the Prince Hotel. She stayed there a few years ago.
It’s not the first this hotel.
6 Ben is playing tennis for the first time. He’s a complete beginner.
before.

126
Unit
13 Present perfect and past 1 (I have done and I did)
A Study this example situation:

Tom is looking for his key. He can’t find it.

He has lost his key. (present perfect)
This means that he doesn’t have his key now.

Ten minutes later:

Now Tom has found his key. He has it now.

Has he lost his key? No, he has found it.
Did he lose his key? Yes, he did.
He lost his key (past simple)
but now he has found it. (present perfect)

The present perfect (something has happened) is a present tense. It tells us about the situation now.
‘Tom has lost his key’ = he doesn’t have his key now (see Unit 7).
The past simple (something happened) tells us only about the past. If somebody says ‘Tom lost his key’,
we don’t know whether he has the key now or not. We know only that he lost it at some time in the past.
Compare present perfect and past simple:
They’ve gone away. They’ll be back on Friday. (they are away now)
They went away, but I think they’re back at home now. (not They’ve gone away)
It has stopped raining now, so we don’t need the umbrella. (it isn’t raining now)
It stopped raining for a while, but now it’s raining again. (not It has stopped)

B You can use the present perfect for new or recent happenings:
I’ve repaired the washing machine. It’s working OK now.
‘Hannah has had a baby! It’s a boy.’ ‘That’s great news.’
Usually, you can also use the past simple:
I repaired the washing machine. It’s working OK now.
Use the past simple (not the present perfect) for things that are not recent or new:
Mozart was a composer. He wrote more than 600 pieces of music.
(not has been … has written)
My mother grew up in Italy. (not has grown)
Compare:
Somebody has invented a new type of washing machine.
Who invented the telephone? (not has invented)

C We use the present perfect to give new information (see Unit 7). But if we continue to talk about it,
we normally use the past simple:
a: Ow! I’ve burnt myself.
b: How did you do that? (not have you done)
a: I picked up a hot dish. (not have picked)
a: Look! Somebody has spilt something on the sofa.
b: Well, it wasn’t me. I didn’t do it. (not hasn’t been … haven’t done)

127
 Unit
Exercises 13
13.1 Complete the sentences. Use the present perfect where possible. Otherwise use the past simple.
1 2
The office is empty now.
I can’t get in.
Everybody
I ’ve lost (lose) my
(go) home.
key.

3 4
I meant to call you last night,
but I
(forget).
Helen
(go) to New York for a holiday, but
she’s back home in London now.
5 6 Can you help us? Our car
before

(break) down.

Are you OK? Yes, I (have) a

headache, but it’s OK now.

13.2 Are the underlined parts of these sentences OK? Correct them where necessary.
1 Did you hear about Sophie? She’s given up her job. OK
2 My mother has grown up in Italy. My mother grew up
3 How many plays has William Shakespeare written?
4 I’ve forgotten his name. Is it Joe or Jack?
5 Who has invented paper?
6 Drugs have become a big problem everywhere.
7 We’ve washed the car, but now it’s dirty again.
8 Where have you been born?
9 Ellie has gone shopping. She’ll be back in about an hour.
10 Albert Einstein has been the scientist who
has developed the theory of relativity.

13.3 Put the verb into the correct form, present perfect or past simple.
1 It stopped raining for a while, but now it’s raining again. (it / stop)
2 The town where I live is very different now. It has changed a lot. (it / change)
3 I studied German at school, but most of it now. (I / forget)
4 The police three people, but later they let them go. (arrest)
5 What do you think of my English? Do you think ? (it / improve)
6 Are you ready to go? your coffee? (you / finish)
7 for a job as a tour guide, but I wasn’t successful. (I / apply)
8 Where’s my bike? outside the house, but it’s not there now. (it / be)
9 Quick! We need to call an ambulance. an accident. (there / be)
10 a: I’ve found my phone.
b: Oh, good. Where it? (you / find)
a: at the bottom of my bag. (It / be)
11 a: Ben won’t be able to play tennis for a while. his arm. (He / break)
b: Oh. How ? (that / happen)
a: off a ladder. (He / fall)

128
Unit
14 Present perfect and past 2 (I have done and I did)
A We do not use the present perfect (I have done) when we talk about a finished time (for example,
yesterday / last year / ten minutes ago etc.). We use a past tense:
It was very cold yesterday. (not has been)
Paul and Lucy arrived ten minutes ago. (not have arrived)
Did you eat a lot of sweets when you were a child? (not have you eaten)
I got home late last night. I was very tired and went straight to bed.
Use the past to ask When … ? or What time … ? :
When did your friends arrive? (not have … arrived)
What time did you finish work?
Compare:

Present perfect Past simple

Tom has lost his key. He can’t get Tom lost his key yesterday.
into the house. He couldn’t get into the house.
Is Carla here or has she left? When did Carla leave?

B Compare:

Present perfect (have done) Past simple (did)

I’ve done a lot of work today. I did a lot of work yesterday.
We use the present perfect for a period of time We use the past simple for a finished time in
that continues until now. For example: the past. For example:
today / this week / since 2010. yesterday / last week / from 2010 to 2014.
unfinished finished
today yesterday
past now past now
It hasn’t rained this week. It didn’t rain last week.
Have you seen Anna this morning? Did you see Anna this morning?
(it is still morning now) (it is now afternoon or evening)
Have you seen Ben recently? Did you see Ben on Sunday?
(in the last few days or weeks)
I’ve been working here since 2010. I worked here from 2010 to 2014.
(I still work here now) (I don’t work here now)
I don’t know where Lisa is. I haven’t seen a: Was Lisa at the party on Sunday?
her. (= I haven’t seen her recently) b: I don’t think so. I didn’t see her.
We’ve been waiting for an hour. We waited (or were waiting) for an
(we are still waiting now) hour. (we are no longer waiting)
Jack lives in Los Angeles. He has lived Jack lived in New York for ten years.
there for seven years. Now he lives in Los Angeles.
I’ve never ridden a horse. (in my life) I never rode a bike when I was a child.
It’s the last day of your holiday. You say: After you come back from holiday you say:
It’s been a really good holiday. I’ve really It was a really good holiday. I really
enjoyed it. enjoyed it.

129
 Unit
Exercises 14
14.1 Are the underlined parts of these sentences OK? Correct them where necessary.
1 I’ve lost my key. I can’t find it anywhere. OK
2 Have you eaten a lot of sweets when you were a child? Did you eat
3 I’ve bought a new car. You must come and see it.
4 I’ve bought a new car last week.
5 Where have you been yesterday evening?
6 Maria has left school in 1999.
7 I’m looking for Mike. Have you seen him?
8 ‘Have you been to Paris?’ ‘Yes, many times.’
9 I’m very hungry. I haven’t eaten much today.
10 When has this bridge been built?

14.2 Make sentences from the words in brackets. Use the present perfect or past simple.
1 (it / not / rain / this week) It hasn’t rained this week.
2 (the weather / be / cold / recently) The weather
3 (it / cold / last week) It
4 (I / not / eat / any fruit yesterday) I
5 (I / not / eat / any fruit today)
6 (Emily / earn / a lot of money / this year)
7 (she / not / earn / so much / last year)
8 (you / have / a holiday recently?)

14.3 Put the verb into the correct form, present perfect or past simple.
1 I haven’t been (I / not / be) to Canada, but I’d like to go there.
2 Paul and Lucy arrived (arrive) about ten minutes ago.
3 I’m tired. (I / not / sleep) well last night.
4 (There / be) a bus drivers’ strike last week, so
(there / be) no buses.
5 Edward (work) in a bank for 15 years. Then
(he / give) it up. Now he works as a gardener.
6 Mary lives in Dublin. (She / live) there all her life.
7 My grandfather (die) before I was born.
(I / never / meet) him.
8 I don’t know Karen’s husband. (I / never / meet) him.
9 It’s nearly lunchtime, and (I / not / see) Martin all morning. I wonder
where he is.
10 a: (you / go) to the cinema last night?
b: Yes, but the movie (be) awful.
11 a: (It / be) very warm here since we arrived.
b: Yes, (it / be) 35 degrees yesterday.
12 a: Where do you live? b: In Boston.
a: How long (you / live) there? b: Five years.
a: Where (you / live) before that? b: In Chicago.
a: And how long (you / live) in Chicago? b: Two years.

14.4 Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.

1 (something you haven’t done today) I haven’t eaten any fruit today.
2 (something you haven’t done today)
3 (something you didn’t do yesterday)
4 (something you did yesterday evening)
5 (something you haven’t done recently)
6 (something you’ve done a lot recently)

130
Unit
69 Countable and uncountable 1
A A noun can be countable or uncountable:
Countable Uncountable
I eat a banana every day. I eat rice every day.
I like bananas. I like rice.
Banana is a countable noun. Rice is an uncountable noun.
A countable noun can be singular (banana) An uncountable noun has only one form (rice).
or plural (bananas). There is no plural.
We can use numbers with countable nouns. We cannot use numbers with uncountable
So we can say one banana, two bananas nouns. We cannot say ‘one rice’, ‘two rices’
etc. etc.
Examples of nouns usually countable: Examples of nouns usually uncountable:
Kate was singing a song. Kate was listening to music.
There’s a nice beach near here. There’s sand in my shoes.
Do you have a ten-pound note? Do you have any money?
It wasn’t your fault. It was an accident. It wasn’t your fault. It was bad luck.
There are no batteries in the radio. There is no electricity in this house.
We don’t have enough cups. We don’t have enough water.

B You can use a/an with singular countable We do not use a/an with uncountable nouns.
nouns: We do not say ‘a sand’, ‘a music’, ‘a rice’.
a beach a student an umbrella
But you can often use a … of. For example:
a bowl / a packet / a grain of rice
You cannot use singular countable nouns alone You can use uncountable nouns alone
(without a/the/my etc.): (without the/my/some etc.):
Do you want a banana? I eat rice every day.
(not want banana) There’s blood on your shirt.
There’s been an accident. Can you hear music?
(not There’s been accident)
You can use plural countable nouns alone:
I like bananas. (= bananas in general)
Accidents can be prevented.

C You can use some and any with plural You can use some and any with uncountable
countable nouns: nouns:
We sang some songs. We listened to some music.
Did you buy any apples? Did you buy any apple juice?
We use many and few with plural countable We use much and little with uncountable
nouns: nouns:
We didn’t take many pictures. We didn’t do much shopping.
I have a few things to do. I have a little work to do.

131
 Unit
Exercises 69
69.1 Some of these sentences need a/an. Correct the sentences where necessary.
1 Joe goes everywhere by bike. He doesn’t have car. He doesn’t have a car.
2 Helen was listening to music when I arrived. OK
3 We went to very nice restaurant last weekend.
4 I brush my teeth with toothpaste.
5 I use toothbrush to brush my teeth.
6 Can you tell me if there’s bank near here?
7 My brother works for insurance company.
8 I don’t like violence.
9 When we were in Rome, we stayed in big hotel.
10 If you have problem, I’ll try and help you.
11 I like your suggestion. It’s interesting idea.
12 Can you smell paint?
13 I like volleyball. It’s good game.
14 Lisa doesn’t usually wear jewellery.
15 Jane was wearing beautiful necklace.
16 Does this city have airport?

69.2 Complete the sentences using the following words. Use a/an where necessary.
accident biscuit blood coat decision electricity
ice interview key moment music question

1 The road is closed. There’s been an accident .

2 Listen! Can you hear music ?
3 I couldn’t get into the house. I didn’t have .
4 It’s very warm today. Why are you wearing ?
5 Would you like in your drink?
6 Are you hungry? Have !
7 Our lives would be very difficult without .
8 Excuse me, can I ask you ?
9 I’m not ready yet. Can you wait , please?
10 The heart pumps through the body.
11 We can’t delay much longer. We have to make soon.
12 I had for a job yesterday. It went quite well.

69.3 Complete the sentences using the following words:

air day friend joke language meat
patience people picture queue space umbrella

Sometimes the word needs to be plural (-s), and sometimes you need to use a/an.
1 I had a camera with me, but I didn’t take any pictures .
2 There are seven in a week.
3 A vegetarian is a person who doesn’t eat .
4 Outside the cinema there was of people waiting to see the film.
5 I’m not good at telling .
6 Last night I went out with some of mine.
7 There were very few in town today. The streets were almost empty.
8 I’m going out for a walk. I need some fresh .
9 Paul always wants things quickly. He doesn’t have much .
10 I think it’s going to rain. Do you have I could borrow?
11 How many can you speak?
12 Our flat is very small. We don’t have much .

132
Unit
70 Countable and uncountable 2
A Many nouns are sometimes countable, and sometimes uncountable. Usually there is a difference in meaning.
Compare:
Countable Uncountable
Did you hear a noise just now? I can’t work here. There’s too much
(= a specific noise) noise. (= noise in general)
I bought a paper to read. I need some paper to write on.
(= a newspaper) (= material for writing on)
There’s a hair in my soup! You’ve got very long hair. (not hairs)
(= one single hair) (= all the hair on your head)
This is a nice room. You can’t sit here. There isn’t room.
(= a room in a house) (= space)
I had some interesting experiences I was offered the job because I had a
while I was travelling. lot of experience. (not experiences)
(= things that happened to me) (= experience of that type of job)
Enjoy your trip. Have a great time! I can’t wait. I don’t have time.

Coffee/tea/juice/beer etc. (drinks) are normally uncountable:

I don’t like coffee very much.
But you can say a coffee (= a cup of coffee), two coffees (= two cups) etc. :
Two coffees and an orange juice, please.

B These nouns are usually uncountable:

accommodation behaviour damage luck permission traffic
advice bread furniture luggage progress weather
baggage chaos information news scenery work

We do not normally use a/an with these nouns:

I’m going to buy some bread. or … a loaf of bread. (not a bread)
Enjoy your holiday! I hope you have good weather. (not a good weather)
These nouns are not usually plural (so we do not say ‘breads’, ‘furnitures’ etc.):
Where are you going to put all your furniture? (not furnitures)
Let me know if you need more information. (not informations)
News is uncountable, not plural:
The news was unexpected. (not The news were)
Travel (noun) means ‘travelling in general’ (uncountable). We do not say ‘a travel’ to mean a trip
or a journey:
They spend a lot of money on travel.
We had a very good trip/journey. (not a good travel)
Compare these countable and uncountable nouns:

Countable Uncountable
I’m looking for a job. I’m looking for work. (not a work)
What a beautiful view! What beautiful scenery!
It’s a nice day today. It’s nice weather today.
We had a lot of bags. We had a lot of baggage/luggage.
These chairs are mine. This furniture is mine.
That’s a good suggestion. That’s good advice.
There were a lot of cars. There was a lot of traffic.

133
 Unit
Exercises 70
70.1 Which is correct?
1 a The engine is making strange noise / a strange noise. What is it? (a strange noise is correct)
b We live near a busy road so there’s a lot of noise / there are a lot of noises.
2 a Light / A light comes from the sun.
b I thought there was somebody in the house because there was light / a light on inside.
3 a I was in a hurry this morning. I didn’t have time / a time for breakfast.
b We really enjoyed our holiday. We had great time / a great time.
4 a Can I have glass of water / a glass of water, please?
b Be careful. The window has been broken and there’s broken glass / a broken glass on the floor.
5 a We stayed at a hotel. We had very nice room / a very nice room.
b We have a big garage. There’s room / a room for two cars.

70.2 Which is correct?

1 Did you have nice weather / a nice weather when you were away? (nice weather is correct)
2 We were very unfortunate. We had bad luck / a bad luck.
3 Our travel / journey from Paris to Moscow by train was very tiring.
4 When the fire alarm rang, there was complete chaos / a complete chaos.
5 Bad news don’t / doesn’t make people happy.
6 There’s some lovely scenery / a lovely scenery in this part of the country.
7 I like my job, but it’s very hard work / a very hard work.
8 I want to print some documents, but the printer is out of paper / papers.
9 The trip took a long time. There was heavy traffic / a heavy traffic.
10 Your hair is / Your hairs are too long. You should have it / them cut.

70.3 Complete the sentences using the following words. Use the plural (-s) where necessary.
advice chair damage experience experience
furniture hair luggage permission progress
1 We didn’t have much luggage – just two small bags.
2 We have no , not even a bed or a table.
3 There is room for everybody to sit down. There are plenty of .
4 Who is that woman with short ? Do you know her?
5 Carla’s English is better than it was. She’s made good .
6 If you want to take pictures here, you need to ask for .
7 I didn’t know what I should do, so I asked Chris for .
8 I don’t think Dan should get the job. He doesn’t have enough .
9 Kate has done many interesting things. She could write a book about her .
10 The caused by the storm will cost a lot to repair.

70.4 What do you say in these situations? Use the word in brackets in your sentence.
1 Your friends have just arrived at the station. You can’t see any cases or bags. You ask:
(luggage) Do you have any luggage ?
2 You go to a tourist office. You want to know about places to visit in the town.
(information) I’d like .
3 You are a student. You want your teacher to advise you about which courses to do. You say:
(advice) Can you give ?
4 You applied for a job and you’ve just heard that you were successful. You call Tom and say:
(good news) Hi, Tom. I . I got the job!
5 You are at the top of a mountain. You can see a very long way. It’s beautiful. You say:
(view) It , isn’t it?
6 You look out of the window. The weather is horrible: cold, wet and windy. You say:
(weather) What !

134
Unit
71 Countable nouns with a/an and some
A Countable nouns can be singular or plural:
a dog a child the evening this party an umbrella
dogs some children the evenings these parties two umbrellas
Before singular countable nouns you can use a/an:
Bye! Have a nice evening.
Do you need an umbrella?
You cannot use singular countable nouns alone (without a/the/my etc.):
She never wears a hat. (not wears hat)
Be careful of the dog.
What a beautiful day!
Did you hurt your leg?

B We use a/an … to say what kind of thing something is, or what kind of person somebody is:
That’s a nice table.
In the plural we use the noun alone (not some …):
Those are nice chairs. (not some nice chairs)
Compare singular and plural:

A dog is an animal. Dogs are animals.

I’m an optimist. We’re optimists.
My father is a doctor. My parents are both doctors.
Jane is a really nice person. Jane and Ben are really nice people.
What a lovely dress! What awful shoes!

We say that somebody has a long nose / a nice face / blue eyes / long fingers etc. :

Jack has a long nose. Jack has blue eyes.

(not the long nose) (not the blue eyes)

We use a/an when we say what somebody’s job is:

Sandra is a nurse. (not Sandra is nurse)
Would you like to be an English teacher?

C You can use some with plural countable nouns. We use some in two ways.
(1) some = a number (of) / a few (of) / a pair (of):
I’ve seen some good movies recently. (not I’ve seen good movies)
Some friends of mine are coming to stay at the weekend.
I need some new sunglasses. (= a new pair of sunglasses)
Often you can say the same thing with or without some. For example:
I need (some) new clothes.
The room was empty apart from a table and (some) chairs.
Do not use some when you are talking about things in general (see Unit 75):
I love bananas. (not some bananas)
My aunt is a writer. She writes books. (not some books)
(2) some = some but not all:
Some children learn very quickly. (but not all children)
Tomorrow there will be rain in some places, but most of the country will be dry.

135
 Unit
Exercises 71
71.1 What are these things? Choose from the box and write a sentence.
1 an eagle It’s a bird.
2 a pigeon, a duck and a penguin They’re birds. bird(s)
flower(s)
3 carrots and onions
game(s)
4 a tulip
insect(s)
5 Earth, Mars and Jupiter language(s)
6 chess planet(s)
7 a hammer, a saw and a screwdriver river(s)
8 the Nile, the Rhine and the Mekong tool(s)
9 a mosquito vegetable(s)
10 Hindi, Arabic and Swahili

71.2 Read about what these people do. What are their jobs? Choose from:
chef interpreter journalist nurse plumber surgeon tour guide waiter
1 Sarah looks after patients in hospital. She’s a nurse.
2 Gary works in a restaurant. He brings the food to the tables. He
3 Jane writes articles for a newspaper.
4 Kevin works in a hospital. He operates on people.
5 Jonathan cooks in a restaurant.
6 Dave installs and repairs water pipes.
7 Anna shows visitors round her city and tells them about it.
8 Lisa translates what people are saying from one language into another, so that they can understand
each other.

71.3 Which is right?

1 Most of my friends are students / some students. (students is correct)
2 Are you careful driver / a careful driver?
3 I went to the library and borrowed books / some books.
4 Mark works in a bookshop. He sells books / some books.
5 I’ve been walking for hours. I’ve got sore feet / some sore feet.
6 I don’t feel very well. I’ve got sore throat / a sore throat.
7 What lovely present / a lovely present! Thank you very much.
8 I met students / some students in a cafe yesterday. They were from China.
9 It might rain. Don’t go out without umbrella / without an umbrella.
10 People / Some people learn languages more easily than others.

71.4 Put in a/an or some where necessary. If no word is necessary, leave the space empty.
1 I’ve seen some good movies recently.
2 Are you feeling all right? Do you have a headache?
3 I know lots of people. Most of them are − students.
4 When I was child, I used to be very shy.
5 birds, for example the penguin, cannot fly.
6 Would you like to be actor?
7 Questions, questions, questions! You’re always asking questions!
8 I didn’t expect to see you. What surprise!
9 Do you like staying in hotels?
10 Tomorrow is a holiday. shops will be open, but most of them will be closed.
11 Those are nice shoes. Where did you get them?
12 You need visa to visit countries, but not all of them.
13 Kate is teacher. Her parents were teachers too.
14 I don’t believe him. He’s liar. He’s always telling lies.

136
Unit
72 a/an and the
A Study this example:

Joe says ‘a sandwich’, ‘an apple’ because this is

I had a sandwich and an apple
for lunch.
the first time he talks about them.
The sandwich wasn’t very good, Joe now says ‘the sandwich’, ‘the apple’
but the apple was nice. because we know which sandwich and
which apple he means – the sandwich and
the apple he had for lunch.

JOE

Compare a and the in these examples:

A man and a woman were sitting opposite me. The man was American, but I think the
woman was British.
When we were on holiday, we stayed at a hotel. Sometimes we ate at the hotel and
sometimes we went to a restaurant.

B We use the when we are thinking of a specific thing. Compare a/an and the:
Tim sat down on a chair. (maybe one of many chairs in the room)
Tim sat down on the chair nearest the door. (a specific chair)
Do you have a car? (not a specific car)
I cleaned the car yesterday. (= my car)
We use a/an when we say what kind of thing or person we mean. Compare:
We stayed at a very cheap hotel. (a type of hotel)
The hotel where we stayed was very cheap. (a specific hotel)

C We use the when it is clear which thing or person we mean. For example, in a room we talk about the
light / the floor / the ceiling / the door / the carpet etc. :
Can you turn off the light, please? (= the light in this room)
I took a taxi to the station. (= the station in that town)
(in a shop) I’d like to speak to the manager, please. (= the manager of this shop)
We also say ‘(go to) the bank / the post office’:
I have to go to the bank and then I’m going to the post office.
(The speaker is usually thinking of a specific bank or post office.)
and ‘(go to) the doctor / the dentist’:
Clare isn’t well. She’s gone to the doctor.
I don’t like going to the dentist.
Compare the and a:
I have to go to the bank today.
Is there a bank near here?
I don’t like going to the dentist.
My sister is a dentist.

D We say ‘once a week / three times a day / £1.50 a kilo’ etc. :

I go to the cinema about once a month.
‘How much are those potatoes?’ ‘£1.50 a kilo.’
Helen works eight hours a day, six days a week.

137
 Unit
Exercises 72
72.1 Put in a/an or the.
1 This morning I bought a book and magazine. book is in my bag,
but I can’t remember where I put magazine.
2 I saw accident this morning. car crashed into tree.
driver of car wasn’t hurt, but car was badly damaged.
3 There are two cars parked outside: blue one and grey one. blue
one belongs to my neighbours. I don’t know who owner of grey one is.
4 My friends live in old house in small village. There is beautiful
garden behind house. I would like to have garden like that.

72.2 Put in a/an or the.

1 a This house is very nice. Does it have garden?
b It’s a beautiful day. Let’s sit in garden.
c I like living in this house, but it’s a shame that garden is so small.
2 a Can you recommend good restaurant?
b We had dinner in very nice restaurant.
c We had dinner in best restaurant in town.
3 a What’s name of that man we met yesterday?
b We stayed at a very nice hotel – I can’t remember name now.
c My neighbour has French name, but in fact she’s English, not French.
4 a Did Paula get job she applied for?
b It’s not easy to get job at the moment.
c Do you enjoy your work? Is it interesting job?
5 a ‘Are you going away next week?’ ‘No, week after next.’
b I’m going away for week in September.
c Gary has a part-time job. He works three mornings week.

72.3 Put in a/an or the where necessary.

1 Would you like apple? Would you like an apple?
2 How often do you go to dentist?
3 Can you close door, please?
4 I have problem. I need your help.
5 How far is it from here to station?
6 I’m going to post office. I won’t be long.
7 Paul plays tennis. He’s very good player.
8 There isn’t airport near where I live.
9 Nearest airport is 70 miles away.
10 There were no chairs, so we sat on floor.
11 Have you finished with book I lent you?
12 Chris has just got job in bank in Zurich.
13 We live in small apartment in city centre.
14 There’s shop at end of street I live in.

72.4 Answer these questions. Where possible, use once a week / three times a day etc.
1 How often do you go to the cinema? Three or four times a year.
2 How often do you go to the dentist?
3 How often do you go away on holiday?
4 How long do you usually sleep?
5 How often do you go out in the evening?
6 How many hours of TV do you watch (on average)?
7 What’s the usual speed limit in towns in your country?

138
Unit
73 the 1
A We use the when there is only one of something:
Have you ever crossed the equator?
(there is only one equator)
Our apartment is on the tenth floor.
Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina. THE EQUATOR
I’m going away at the end of this month.
We use the + superlative (best, oldest etc.):
What’s the longest river in Europe?
Compare the and a/an (see also Units 71–72):
The sun is a star. (= one of many stars)
The hotel where we stayed was a very old hotel.
We live in an apartment on the tenth floor.
What’s the best way to learn a language?

B We say ‘the same’:

Your sweater is the same colour as mine. (not is same colour)
‘Are these keys the same?’ ‘No, they’re different.’

C We say: the world the universe the sun the moon the earth
the sky the sea the ground the country (= not a town)
I love to look at the stars in the sky. (not in sky)
Do you live in a town or in the country?
The earth goes round the sun, and the moon goes round the earth.
We also use Earth (without the) when we think of it as a planet in space (like Mars, Jupiter etc.).
Which is the planet nearest Earth?
We say space (without the) when we mean ‘space in the universe’. Compare:
There are millions of stars in space. (not in the space)
I tried to park my car, but the space was too small.

D We say:
(go to) the cinema, the theatre
I go to the cinema a lot, but I haven’t been to the theatre for ages.
TV / television (without the), but the radio
I watch TV a lot, but I don’t listen to the radio much.
but Can you turn off the television, please? (the television = the TV set)
the internet
The internet has changed the way we live.

E We usually say breakfast/lunch/dinner (without the):

What did you have for breakfast?
We had lunch in a very nice restaurant.
But we say ‘a big lunch’, ‘a wonderful dinner’, ‘an early breakfast’ etc.
We had a very nice lunch. (not We had very nice lunch)

F We say: size 43, platform 5 etc. (without the)

Our train leaves from platform 5. (not the platform 5)
Do you have these shoes in size 43? (not the size 43)
In the same way, we say: room 126, page 29, vitamin A, section B etc.

139
 Unit
Exercises 73
73.1 Put in the or a where necessary. If no word is necessary, leave the space empty.
1 a: Our apartment is on the tenth floor.
b: Is it? I hope there’s lift.
2 a: Did you have nice holiday?
b: Yes, it was best holiday I’ve ever had.
3 a: Where’s nearest shop?
b: There’s one at end of this street.
4 a: It’s lovely day, isn’t it?
b: Yes, there isn’t cloud in sky.
5 a: We spent all our money because we stayed at most expensive hotel in town.
b: Why didn’t you stay at cheaper hotel?
6 a: Would you like to travel in space?
b: Yes, I’d love to go to moon.
7 a: What did you think of movie last night?
b: It was OK, but I thought ending was a bit strange.
8 a: What’s Jupiter? Is it star?
b: No, it’s planet. It’s largest planet in solar system.

73.2 Which is right? (For the, see also Unit 72.)

1 I haven’t been to cinema / the cinema for ages. (the cinema is correct)
2 Sarah spends most of her free time watching TV / the TV.
3 Do you ever listen to radio / the radio?
4 Television / The television was on, but nobody was watching it.
5 Have you had dinner / the dinner yet?
6 It’s confusing when two people have same name / the same name.
7 What do you want for breakfast / for the breakfast?
8 Fruit is an important source of vitamin C / the vitamin C.
9 This computer is not connected to internet / the internet.
10 I lay down on ground / the ground and looked up at sky / the sky.
11 Next train / The next train to London leaves from platform 3 / the platform 3.

73.3 Put in the or a where necessary. (For a and the see also Units 71–72.)
1 Sun is star. The sun is a star.
2 I’m fed up with doing same thing every day.
3 Room 25 is on second floor.
4 It was very hot day. It was hottest day of year.
5 We had lunch in nice restaurant by sea.
6 What’s on at cinema this week?
7 I had big breakfast this morning.
8 You’ll find information you need at top of page 15.

73.4 Complete the sentences. Choose from the box and use the where necessary.
breakfast cinema gate Gate 24 lunch question question 3 sea
1 I’m hungry. It’s time for lunch .
2 There was no wind, so was very calm.
3 Most of the questions in the test were OK, but I couldn’t answer .
4 ‘I’m going to tonight.’ ‘Are you? What are you going to see?’
5 I’m sorry, but could you repeat , please?
6 I didn’t have this morning because I was in a hurry.
7 (airport announcement) Flight AB123 to Rome is now boarding at .
8 I forgot to shut . Can you shut it for me?

140
Unit
74 the 2 (school / the school etc.)
A Compare school and the school:

ELLIE

Ellie is ten years old. Every day she goes to Today Ellie’s mother wants to speak to her
school. She’s at school now. School starts daughter’s teacher. So she has gone to the
at 9 and finishes at 3. school to see her. She’s at the school now.
We say a child goes to school or is at school Ellie’s mother is not a student. She is not ‘at
(as a student). We are not thinking of a specific school’, she doesn’t ‘go to school’. If she
school. We are thinking of school as a general wants to see Ellie’s teacher, she goes to the
idea – children learning in a classroom. school (= Ellie’s school, a specific building).

B We use prison (or jail), hospital, university, college and church in a similar way. We do not use the
when we are thinking of the general idea of these places and what they are used for.
Compare:
When I leave school, I plan to go I went to the university to meet
to university / go to college. Professor Thomas.
(as a student) (as a visitor, not as a student)
Joe had an accident last week. He was Jane has gone to the hospital to visit
taken to hospital. He’s still in hospital Joe. She’s at the hospital now.
now. (as a patient) (as a visitor, not as a patient)
Ken’s brother is in prison for robbery. Ken went to the prison to visit his
(He is a prisoner. We are not thinking brother. (He went as a visitor, not as a
of a specific prison.) prisoner.)
Sarah’s father goes to church every Some workmen went to the church to
Sunday. (for a religious service) repair the roof. (a specific building)

With most other places, you need the. For example, the station, the cinema (see Units 72C and 73D).

C We say go to bed / be in bed etc. (not the bed):

I’m going to bed now. Goodnight.
Do you ever have breakfast in bed?
but
I sat down on the bed. (a specific piece of furniture)
go to work / be at work / start work / finish work etc. (not the work):
Chris didn’t go to work yesterday.
What time do you usually finish work?
go home / come home / arrive home / get home / be (at) home / do something at home etc. :
It’s late. Let’s go home.
I don’t go out to work. I work at home.

141
 LESSON FIVE: Prepositions

A preposition is a word that connects a noun or a pronoun to another word in a sentence. Most
prepositions such as above, below, and behind usually indicate a location in the physical world, but
some prepositions such as during, after, and until show location in time.

In, At, and On

The prepositions in, at, and on are used to indicate both location and time, but they are used in
specific ways.

Preposition Time Example Place Example

year in 1942 country in Zimbabwe

month in August state in California

in season in the summer city in Chicago

time of day (not

in the afternoon
with night)

On
Preposition Time Example Place Example

day on Monday surfaces on the table

date on May 23 streets on 124th Street

on
specific modes of
on Independence Day on the bus
days/dates transportation

At
Preposition Time Example Place Example

at 1600 Pennsylvania
time at five o’clock addresses
at Avenue

with night at night location at Rooney’s Grill

142
Prepositions – Time

English Usage Example

• on  days of the week on Monday

• in  months / seasons in August / in winter

 time of day in the morning
 year in 2006
 after a certain period of time (when?) in an hour

• at  for night at night

 for weekend at the weekend
 a certain point of time (when?) at half past nine

• since  from a certain point of time (past till now) since 1980

• for  over a certain period of time (past till now) for 2 years

• ago  a certain time in the past 2 years ago

• before  earlier than a certain point of time before 2004

• to  telling the time ten to six (5:50)

• past  telling the time ten past six (6:10)

• to / till /  marking the beginning and end of a period of from Monday to/till Friday
until time

• till / until  in the sense of how long something is going He is on holiday until Friday.
to last

• by  in the sense of at the latest I will be back by 6 o’clock.

 up to a certain time By 11 o'clock, I had read five pages.

Prepositions – Place (Position and Direction)

English Usage Example

• in  room, building, street, town, country in the kitchen, in London

 book, paper etc. in the book
 car, taxi in the car, in a taxi

143
 English Usage Example

 picture, world in the picture, in the world

• at  meaning next to, by an object at the door, at the station

 for table at the table
 for events at a concert, at the party
 place where you are to do something typical (watch at the cinema, at school, at work
a film, study, work)

• on  attached the picture on the wall

 for a place with a river London lies on the Thames.
 being on a surface on the table
 for a certain side (left, right) on the left
 for a floor in a house on the first floor
 for public transport on the bus, on a plane
 for television, radio on TV, on the radio

• by, next to,  left or right of somebody or something Jane is standing by / next to /
beside beside the car.

• under  on the ground, lower than (or covered by) something the bag is under the table
else

• below  lower than something else but above ground the fish are below the surface

• over  covered by something else put a jacket over your shirt

 meaning more than over 16 years of age
 getting to the other side (also across) walk over the bridge
 overcoming an obstacle climb over the wall

• above  higher than something else, but not directly over it a path above the lake

• across  getting to the other side (also over) walk across the bridge
 getting to the other side swim across the lake

• through  something with limits on top, bottom and the sides drive through the tunnel

• to  movement to person or building go to the cinema

 movement to a place or country go to London / Ireland

144
 English Usage Example

 for bed go to bed

• into  enter a room / a building go into the kitchen / the house

• towards  movement in the direction of something (but not go 5 steps towards the house
directly to it)

• onto  movement to the top of something jump onto the table

• from  in the sense of where from a flower from the garden

Other important Prepositions

English Usage Example

• from  who gave it a present from Jane

• of  who/what does it belong to a page of the book

 what does it show the picture of a palace

• by  who made it a book by Mark Twain

• on  walking or riding on horseback on foot, on horseback

 entering a public transport vehicle get on the bus

• in  entering a car / Taxi get in the car

• off  leaving a public transport vehicle get off the train

• out of  leaving a car / Taxi get out of the taxi

• by  rise or fall of something prices have risen by 10 percent

 travelling (other than walking or horseriding) by car, by bus

• at  for age she learned Russian at 45

• about  for topics, meaning what about we were talking about you

145
 Prepositions of Place
Exercise 1: Complete the exercise according to the picture.

1. At/In/On the picture, I can see a woman.

2. The woman is sitting at/in front of/on a table.
3. She is sitting at/in/on a chair.
4. There is another chair across/beside/opposite the woman.
5. Her feet are beside/on/under the table
6. The woman is holding a cup at/in/into her hands.
7. Above/At/On the table are a laptop, a paper, a calculator, an appointment calendar, two pens and a
muffin.
8. The woman is looking at/on/to her laptop.
9. The woman's bag is between/behind/under the table.

Exercise 2: Complete the exercise according to the picture.

1. At/In/On the picture, there are four people.

2. A couple is sitting at/on/under the table.
3. They are sitting at/on/under chairs.

146
4. The drinks are at/on/under the table.
5. One woman is standing behind/in front of/on the table.
6. Behind/Between/In front of her is a man who is barbecuing.

Prepositions of Time

Exercise 3: Fill in the correct prepositions.

1. Peter is playing tennis ------------- Sunday.

2. My brother's birthday is ------------- the 5th of November.
3. My birthday is------------- May.
4. We are going to see my parents ------------- the weekend.
5. ------------- 1666, a great fire broke out in London.
6. I don't like walking alone in the streets ------------- night.
7. What are you doing ------------- the afternoon?
8. My friend has been living in Canada ------------- two years.
9. I have been waiting for you ------------- seven o'clock.
10. I will have finished this essay ------------- Friday.

Exercise 4: Decide whether to use »since« or »for«.

since - if the starting point is given (two o'clock, last Friday, 1998)
- for - if the period of time is given (twenty minutes, two days, one year)

1. I have been waiting since/for 4 o'clock.

2. Sue has only been waiting since/for 20 minutes.
3. Tim and Tina have been learning English since/for six years.
4. Fred and Frida have been learning French since/for 1998.
5. Joe and Josephine have been going out together since/for Valentine's Day.
6. I haven't been on holiday since/for last July.
7. Mary has been saving her money since/for many years.
8. I haven't eaten anything since/for breakfast.
9. You have been watching TV since/for hours.
10. We have been living here since/for 2 months.

Exercise 5: Complete the exercise with the correct prepositions.

1. If you want to go ----------------- bus, you have to go ----------------- the bus stop.
2. You look ----------------- the time table.
3. Then you wait ----------------- your bus.
4. When the bus arrives, you get ----------------- the bus.
5. You buy a ticket ----------------- the driver or show your ticket the driver.
6. When you arrive ----------------- your destination, you get ----------------- the bus.
7. Sometimes you even have to change buses ----------------- another bus stop.

147
Prepositions after Verbs

Prepositions often follow verbs to create expressions with distinct meanings. These expressions are
sometimes called prepositional verbs. It is important to remember that these expressions cannot be
separated.

Verb +
Preposition Meaning Example

My husband always agrees

agree with to agree with something or someone
with me.

to express regret for something, to say sorry

apologize for I apologize for being late.
about something

apply for to ask for something formally I will apply for that job.

to have a firm conviction in something; to I believe in educating the

believe in
believe in the existence of something world’s women.

to think that someone or something is I care about the health of our

care about
important oceans.

I heard about the teachers’

hear about to be told about something or someone
strike.

Will you look after my dog

look after to watch or to protect someone or something
while I am on vacation?

We will talk about the

talk about to discuss something
importance of recycling.

I will speak to his teacher

speak to, with to talk to/with someone
tomorrow.

I will wait for my package to

wait for to await the arrival of someone or something
arrive.
Tip: It is a good idea to memorize these combinations of verbs plus prepositions. Write them down
in a notebook along with the definition and practice using them when you speak.

148
Exercise 6: Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct prepositional verb.
1. Charlotte does not ________ (apologize for, believe in) aliens or ghosts.
2. It is impolite to ________ (hear about, talk about) people when they are not here.
3. Herman said he was going to ________ (believe in, apply for) the internship.
4. Jonas would not ________ (talk about, apologize for) eating the last piece of cake.
5. I ________ (care about, agree with) the environment very much.

Exercise 7: Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct prepositional verb
1. hang ----------------------
2. listen ----------------------
3. talk ----------------------
4. go ----------------------
5. arrive ----------------------
6. look ----------------------
7. sleep ----------------------
8. lie ----------------------
9. wait ----------------------
10. hide ----------------------

Prepositions after Adjectives

Similar to prepositions after verbs, prepositions after adjectives create expressions with distinct
meanings unique to English. Remember, like prepositional verbs, these expressions also cannot be
separated.

Adjective +
Preposition Meaning Example

to feel or show anger toward (or about) I am angry about the oil spill in
angry at, about
someone or something the ocean.

to be unable to think with clarity about Shawn was confused about the
confused about
someone or something. concepts presented at the meeting.

I was disappointed in my husband

disappointed in, to feel dissatisfaction with someone or
because he voted for that
with something
candidate.

He was dressed in a pin-striped

dressed in to clothe the body
suit.

to show happiness for someone or I was happy for my sister who

happy for
something graduated from college.

giving attention to something, expressing

interested in I am interested in musical theater.
interest

149
Adjective +
Preposition Meaning Example

to feel resentful or bitter toward someone

I was jealous of her because she
jealous of or something (because of their status,
always went on vacation.
possessions, or ability)

I am thankful for my wonderful

thankful for to express thanks for something
friends.

I was tired of driving for hours

tired of to be disgusted with, have a distaste for
without end.

to express anxiety or worry about I am worried about my father’s

worried about
something health.
Exercise 8: Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct adjective and preposition .
1. Meera was deeply ________ (interested in, thankful for) marine biology.
2. I was ________ (jealous of, disappointed in) the season finale of my favorite show.
3. Jordan won the race, and I am ________ (happy for, interested in) him.
4. The lawyer was ________ (thankful for, confused about) the details of the case.
5. Chloe was ________ (dressed in, tired of) a comfortable blue tunic.

Exercise 9: Choose the best preposition to use in each of the sentences:

1. I'm not capable ________________ that type of behavior.

of
in
at

2. Smoking is bad ________________ you.

at
for
on

3. I'm so angry ________________ this!

about
with
to

4. I'm so angry _______________ you!

about
to
with

150
5. She was dressed _______________ pink.
with
in
on

6. This restaurant is famous _______________ its mussels.

in
with
for

7. George is married _______________ a German woman.

to
with
by

8. Are you afraid ________________ him?

of
to
on

9. I'm so proud _______________ you!

with
of
to

10. We're not associated _______________ that company.

along
in
with

Tip: The following adjectives are always followed by the preposition at:
• Good
She is really good at chess.
• Excellent
Henry is excellent at drawing.
• Brilliant
Mary Anne is brilliant at playing the violin.

151
LESSON ONE: Modal Verbs
We all need to express our moods and emotions, both in writing and in our everyday life. We do
this by using modal auxiliaries.
Modal auxiliaries are a type of helping verbs that are used only with a main verb to help express its
mood.

The following is the basic formula for using a modal auxiliary:

Subject + modal auxiliary + main verb

James may call

There are ten main modal auxiliaries in English.

Modal
Auxiliary Use Modal Auxiliary + Main Verb

I can lift this forty-pound box. (ability)

Can Expresses an ability or possibility We can embrace green sources of energy.
(possibility)

I could beat you at chess when we were

kids. (past ability)
Expresses an ability in the past; a
Could present possibility; a past or future We could bake a pie! (present possibility)
permission
Could we pick some flowers from the
garden? (future permission)

I may attend the concert. (uncertain future

action)
Expresses uncertain present/future
May You may begin the exam. (permission)
action; permission; request permission
May I attend the concert? (requesting
permission)

Expresses uncertain present/future I might attend the concert (uncertain future

Might
action action—same as may)

I shall go to the opera. (intended future

Shall Expresses intended future action
action)

I should mail my RSVP. (obligation, same

Expresses obligation; ask if an as ought to)
Should
obligation exists Should I call my mother? (asking if an
obligation exists)

152
Modal
Auxiliary Use Modal Auxiliary + Main Verb

I will get an A in this class. (intended future

action)
Expresses intended future action; ask a
Will
favor; ask for information Will you buy me some chocolate? (favor)

Will you be finished soon? (information)

I would like the steak, please. (preference)

Would you like to have breakfast in bed?

States a preference; request a choice (request a choice politely)
politely; improbable result of a
Would
condition; introduce habitual past I would go with you if I didn’t have to
actions babysit tonight. (improbable result)

He would write to me every week when we

were dating. (habitual past action)

must Expresses strong obligation We must be on time for class.

I ought to mail my RSVP. (obligation, same

ought to Expresses obligation
as should)
Modal and Modal Phrases (Semi-Modals)
A modal is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission
or obligation. Modal phrases (or semi-modals) are used to express the same things as modals, but
are a combination of auxiliary verbs and the preposition to. The modals and semi-modals in English
are:
1. Can/could/be able to
2. May/might
3. Shall/should
4. Must/have to
5. Will/would
Can, Could, Be Able To
Can, could and be able to are used to express a variety of ideas in English:

Ability/Lack of Ability

Present and Future:

can/can’t + base form of the verb

1. Tom can write poetry very well.

2. I can help you with that next week.

153
Unit
26 can, could and (be) able to
A We use can to say that something is possible or allowed, or that somebody has the ability to do
something. We use can + infinitive (can do / can see etc.):
We can see the lake from our hotel.
‘I don’t have a pen.’ ‘You can use mine.’
Can you speak any foreign languages?
I can come and see you tomorrow if you like.
The word ‘dream’ can be a noun or a verb.
The negative is can’t (= cannot):
I’m afraid I can’t come to the party on Friday.

B You can say that somebody is able to do something, but can is more usual:
We are able to see the lake from our hotel.
But can has only two forms: can (present) and could (past). So sometimes it is necessary to use
(be) able to. Compare:

I can’t sleep. I haven’t been able to sleep recently.

Tom can come tomorrow. Tom might be able to come tomorrow.
Maria can speak French, Spanish and Applicants for the job must be able to
English. speak two foreign languages.

C Sometimes could is the past of can. We use could especially with:

see hear smell taste feel remember understand
We had a lovely room in the hotel. We could see the lake.
As soon as I walked into the room, I could smell gas.
I was sitting at the back of the theatre and couldn’t hear very well.
We also use could to say that somebody had the ability to do something, or was allowed
to do something:
My grandfather could speak five languages.
We were totally free. We could do what we wanted. (= we were allowed to do)

D could and was able to

We use could for general ability and with see, hear etc. :
My grandfather could speak five languages.
I could see them, but not very clearly.
But to say that somebody succeeded in doing something in a specific situation, we normally
use was/were able to or managed to (not could):
The fire spread quickly, but everybody was able to escape. (not could escape)
I didn’t know where Max was, but I managed to find him in the end. (not could find)
Compare:
Jack was an excellent tennis player when he was younger. He could beat anybody.
(= he was good enough to beat anybody, he had the ability)
but Jack and Andy played a match yesterday. Andy played well, but Jack managed to beat him.
(= he succeeded in beating him this time)
The negative couldn’t (could not) is possible in all situations:
My grandfather couldn’t swim.
I looked for Max everywhere, but I couldn’t find him.
Andy played well, but he couldn’t beat Jack.

154
 Unit
Exercises 26
26.1 Complete the sentences using can or (be) able to. If can is not possible, use (be) able to.
1 Gary has travelled a lot. He can speak five languages.
2 I haven’t been able to sleep very well recently.
3 Nicole drive, but she doesn’t have a car.
4 I used to stand on my head, but I can’t do it any more.
5 I can’t understand Mark. I’ve never understand him.
6 I can’t see you on Friday, but I meet you on Saturday morning.
7 Ask Katherine about your problem. She might help you.
8 You have to be careful in this part of the city. It be dangerous.
9 Michael has lived in Italy a long time, so he should speak Italian.

26.2 Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.

1 (something you used to be able to do)
I used to be able to sing well.
2 (something you used to be able to do)
I used
3 (something you would like to be able to do)
I’d
4 (something you have never been able to do)
I’ve

26.3 Complete the sentences with can/can’t/could/couldn’t + the following:

believe come hear run sleep wait
1 I’m afraid I can’t come to your party next week.
2 When Dan was 16, he 100 metres in 11 seconds.
3 ‘Are you in a hurry?’ ‘No, I’ve got plenty of time. I .’
4 I don’t feel good this morning. I last night.
5 Can you speak a little louder? I you very well.
6 I was amazed when I heard the news. I it.

26.4 Complete the answers to the questions with was/were able to … .

1 a: Did everybody escape from the fire?
b: Yes. The fire spread quickly, but everybody was able to escape .
2 a: Did you finish your work this afternoon?
b: Yes, there was nobody to disturb me, so I .
3 a: Did you solve the problem?
b: Yes, we did. It wasn’t easy, but we .
4 a: Did the thief get away?
b: Yes. No-one realised what was happening and the thief .

26.5 Complete the sentences using could, couldn’t or managed to.

1 My grandfather travelled a lot. He could speak five languages.
2 I looked everywhere for the book, but I couldn’t find it.
3 They didn’t want to come with us at first, but we managed to persuade them.
4 Jessica had hurt her foot and walk very well.
5 There was a small fire in the kitchen, but fortunately I put it out.
6 The walls were thin and I hear people talking in the next room.
7 I ran my first marathon recently. It was very hard, but I finish.
8 My grandmother loved music. She play the piano very well.
9 We wanted to go to the concert, but we get tickets.
10 A girl fell into the river, but some people pull her out. She’s all right now.

155
Unit
27 could (do) and could have (done)
A Sometimes could is the past of can (see Unit 26):
Listen. I can hear something. (now)
I listened. I could hear something. (past)

But could is not always past. We also use could for possible actions now or in the future, especially to
make suggestions. For example:
What shall we We could go to the cinema.
a: What shall we do tonight? do tonight?
b: We could go to the cinema.
a: When you go to Paris next month,
you could stay with Sarah.
b: Yes, I suppose I could.
Can is also possible in these sentences (‘We can go to the
cinema.’ etc.). Could is less sure than can.

B We also use could (not can) for actions that are not realistic. For example:
I’m so tired, I could sleep for a week. (not I can sleep for a week)
Compare can and could:
I can stay with Sarah when I go to Paris. (realistic)
Maybe I could stay with Sarah when I go to Paris. (possible, but less sure)
This is a wonderful place. I could stay here for ever. (unrealistic)

C We also use could (not can) to say that something is possible now or in the future:
The story could be true, but I don’t think it is. (not can be true)
I don’t know what time Lisa is coming. She could get here at any time.
Compare can and could:
The weather can change very quickly in the mountains. (in general)
The weather is nice now, but it could change later. (the weather now, not in general)

D We use could have (done) to talk about the past. Compare:

I’m so tired, I could sleep for a week. (now)
I was so tired, I could have slept for a week. (past)
The situation is bad, but it could be worse. (now)
The situation was bad, but it could have been worse. (past)
Something could have happened = it was possible, but did not happen:
Why did you stay at a hotel? You could have stayed with me.
David was lucky. He could have hurt himself when he fell, but he’s all right.

E I couldn’t do something = it would not be possible:

I couldn’t live in a big city. I’d hate it. (= it wouldn’t be possible for me)
Everything is fine right now. Things couldn’t be better.
For the past we use couldn’t have … (= would not have been possible):
We had a really good holiday. It couldn’t have been better.
Note that ‘I couldn’t do something’ has two meanings:
(1) I couldn’t = it would not be possible now, I would not be able:
I couldn’t run ten kilometres now. I’m not fit enough. (= I would not be able)
(2) I couldn’t = I was not able (past)
I couldn’t run yesterday because I’d hurt my leg. (= I was not able)

156
 Unit
Exercises 27
27.1 Which goes with which?

1 What shall we eat tonight? a We could go away somewhere. 1 c

2 I need to phone Vicky sometime. b You could give her a book. 2
3 What shall I get Ann for her birthday? c We could have fish. 3
4 Where shall we put this picture? d You could wear your brown suit. 4
5 What would you like to do at the weekend? e You could do it now. 5
6 I don’t know what to wear to the wedding. f We could hang it in the kitchen. 6

27.2 Put in can or could.

1 This is a wonderful place. I could stay here forever.
2 I’m so angry with him. I kill him!
3 I hear a strange noise. What is it?
4 It’s so nice here. I sit here all day but unfortunately I have to go.
5 I understand your point of view, but I don’t agree with you.
6 Peter is a keen musician. He plays the flute and he also play the piano.
7 The company Amy works for isn’t doing well. She lose her job.
8 Some people are unlucky. Life be very unfair.
9 I’ve been really stupid. I kick myself.
10 Be careful climbing that tree. You fall.
27.3 Complete the sentences. Choose from:
gone could be could come could sleep
have moved could have could have come could have been
1 a: Are you tired?
b: Yes, very tired. I feel as if I could sleep for a week.
2 a: I spent a very boring evening at home yesterday.
b: Why did you stay at home? You out with us.
3 a: Shall I open this letter?
b: Yes. It important.
4 a: How was your exam? Was it difficult?
b: It wasn’t so bad. It worse.
5 a: I got very wet walking home in the rain.
b: Why did you walk? You taken a taxi.
6 a: Where shall we meet tomorrow?
b: Well, I to your office if you like.
7 a: Does Tom still live in the same place?
b: I’m not sure. He could .
8 a: Did you go to university?
b: No. I could have , but I didn’t want to.
27.4 Complete the sentences. Use couldn’t or couldn’t have + these verbs (in the correct form):
afford be be live manage stand study wear
1 I couldn’t live in a big city. I’d hate it.
2 We had a really good holiday. It couldn’t have been better.
3 I that hat. People would laugh at me.
4 You helped me a lot. I without you.
5 The staff at the hotel were really good. They more helpful.
6 There’s no way we could buy a car now. We it.
7 Jack prepared for the exam as well as he could. He harder.
8 I wouldn’t like to live near the motorway. I the noise of
the traffic.

157
Unit
33 should 1
A You should do something = it is a good thing to do or the right thing to do.
You can use should to give advice or to give an opinion:
You look tired. You should go to bed.
The government should do more to improve
schools.
a: Should we invite Stephanie to the party?
b: Yes, I think we should.
The man on the motorbike should be wearing a helmet.
You shouldn’t do something = it isn’t a good thing to do:
You shouldn’t believe everything you read in newspapers.
We often use should with I think / I don’t think / Do you think … ? :
I think the government should do more to improve schools.
I don’t think you should work so hard.
a: Do you think I should apply for this job?
b: Yes, I think you should.
Should is not as strong as must or have to:
You should apologise. (= it would be a good thing to do)
You must apologise. / You have to apologise. (= you have no alternative)

B We use should when something is not right or what we expect:

Where’s Tina? She should be here by now.
(= she isn’t here yet, and this is not normal)
The price on this packet is wrong. It should be £2.50, not £3.50.
We also use should to say that we expect something to happen:
Helen has been studying hard for the exam, so she should pass.
(= I expect her to pass)
There are plenty of hotels in the town. It shouldn’t be hard to find a place to stay.
(= I don’t expect it to be hard)

C You should have done something = you didn’t do it, but it would have been a good thing to do:
You missed a great party last night. You should have come. Why didn’t you?
(= you didn’t come, but it would have been good to come)
I wonder why they’re so late. They should have been here long ago.
You shouldn’t have done something = you did it, but it wasn’t a good thing to do:
I’m feeling sick. I shouldn’t have eaten so much. (= I ate too much)
She shouldn’t have been listening to our conversation. It was private.
(= she was listening)
Compare should (do) and should have (done):
You look tired. You should go to bed now.
You went to bed very late last night. You should have gone to bed earlier.

D ought to …
You can use ought to instead of should in the sentences on this page.
We say ‘ought to do’ (with to):
Do you think I ought to apply for this job? (= Do you think I should apply … ?)
Jack ought not to go to bed so late. (= Jack shouldn’t go …)
It was a great party last night. You ought to have come. (= You should have come)

158
 Unit
Exercises 33
33.1 For each situation, write a sentence with should or shouldn’t + one of the following:
go away for a few days stay up so late look for another job
put some pictures on the walls take a picture worry so much

1 Anna needs a change. She should go away for a few days.

2 Your salary is very low. You
3 Jack always finds it hard to get up. He
4 What a beautiful view! You
5 Laura is always anxious. She
6 Dan’s room isn’t very nice.
33.2 Complete the sentences. Choose from:
should solve should be working OK shouldn’t cost more shouldn’t take long
should receive should pass the exam should be much warmer should be here soon

1 Helen has been studying hard, so she should pass the exam .
2 Joe hasn’t arrived yet, but he .
3 The TV has been repaired. It now.
4 It to get to the hotel. About 20 minutes.
5 I sent the documents to you today, so you them tomorrow.
6 The weather is unusually cold. It at this time of year.
7 The best way to get to the airport is by taxi. It than ten pounds.
8 If you have a problem with the computer, try restarting it. That the problem.
33.3 Complete the sentences. Use should … or should have … + the verb in brackets.
1 You look tired. You should go to bed. (go)
2 You missed a great party last night. You should have come . (come)
3 I’m in a difficult position. What do you think I now? (do)
4 I’m sorry that I didn’t take your advice. I what you said. (do)
5 We lost the game, but we were the better team. We . (win)
6 We don’t see you enough. You and see us more often. (come)
7 We went the wrong way and got lost. We right, not left. (turn)
8 My exam results weren’t good. I better. (do)
33.4 Read the situations and write sentences with should / should have / shouldn’t / shouldn’t have.
1 I’m feeling sick. I ate too much.
I shouldn’t have eaten so much.
2 When we got to the restaurant, there were no free tables. We hadn’t reserved one.
We
3 Laura told me her address, but I didn’t write it down. Now I can’t remember the house number.
I
4 The shop is open every day from 8.30. It is 9 o’clock now, but the shop isn’t open yet.

5 I was looking at my phone. I wasn’t looking where I was going. I walked into a wall.

6 Kate is driving. The speed limit is 30 miles an hour, but Kate is doing 50.
She
7 I wasn’t feeling well yesterday, but I went to work. That was a mistake. Now I feel worse.

8 Tomorrow there is a football match between Team A and Team B. Team A are much better.

9 I was driving. The car in front stopped suddenly and I drove into it. It wasn’t my fault.
The driver in front

159
Unit can/could/would you … ? etc.
37 (Requests, offers, permission and invitations)
A Asking people to do things (requests) Could you open the door, please?
We use can or could to ask people to do things:
Can you wait a moment, please?
or Could you wait a moment, please?
Helen, can you do me a favour?
Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the bus station?
You can say Do you think you could … ? :
Do you think you could take me to the airport?
(not Do you think you can)

B Asking for things

To ask for something, we use Can (I) have … ? / Could (I) have … ? or Can (I) get …?:
(in a shop)
Can I have these postcards, please? or Can I get these postcards, please?
(in a restaurant)
Could we have the menu, please? or Can we have the menu, please?
May I have … ? is also possible:
May I have these postcards, please?

C Asking to do things Could I use your phone charger?

We use can I or could I to ask to do something:
(on the phone) Hello, can I speak to Steve, please?
‘Could I use your phone charger?’ ‘Sure.’
Do you think I could borrow your bike?
May is also possible:
May I ask you a question?
May is more formal than can or could.
You can also say:
Do you mind if I … ?
Is it all right if I …? / Is it OK if I … ?
Do you mind if I use your phone charger?
‘Is it all right if I sit here?’ ‘Yes, of course.’

D Offering and inviting

You can use Can I … ? to offer to do something:
‘Can I help you?’ ‘No, it’s OK. I can manage, thanks.’
‘Can I get you some coffee?’ ‘That would be nice.’
To offer or to invite, we use Would you like … ? (not Do you like):
‘Would you like some coffee?’ ‘No, thanks.’
‘Would you like to eat with us tonight?’ ‘That would be great.’
I’d like … (= I would like) is a polite way to say what you want:
(at a tourist information office) I’d like some information about hotels, please.
(in a shop) I’d like to try on this jacket, please.

160
 Unit
Exercises 37
37.1 Which goes with which?

1 Could you pass the sugar? a It depends what you want me to do. 1 e
2 Would you like to go to the cinema? b No, that’s fine. 2
3 Can I use your toilet? c Me too. Let’s go out for a walk. 3
4 Do you mind if I leave work early? d Sure. It’s the door on the left. 4
5 Can you do me a favour? e Yes, here you are. 5
6 Would you like something to eat? f No, it’s all right. I can manage, thanks. 6
7 Can I give you a hand? g Maybe. What’s on? 7
8 I’d like some fresh air. h No, thanks. I’m not hungry. 8

37.2 Complete the sentences. Choose from:

I’d like Would you like to try Do you mind Can I take
Can I give Would you like to come Would you like I’d like to

1 You’re driving and you see a friend walking along the road. You stop and say:
Hi Joe. Can I give you a lift?
2 You’re making a cold drink for your friend. Perhaps he wants ice. You ask:
ice in your drink?
3 You’re ordering something to eat in a cafe. You say:
a chicken salad, please.
4 You have an extra ticket for a concert. Maybe your friend will come. You ask:
to a concert tomorrow night?
5 You answer the phone. The caller wants to speak to Lisa. You say:
Lisa’s not here. a message?
6 You need to see a dentist. You phone for an appointment. You say:
Hello. make an appointment, please.
7 You work in a shoe shop. A customer asks you about some shoes. You ask:
them on?
8 You go into a cafe and see some people you know. You ask:
if I join you?

37.3 What would you say in these situations?

1 You’re carrying a lot of things. You can’t open the door yourself. There’s a man near the door.
You say to him: Could you open the door, please?
2 You’ve finished your meal in a restaurant and now you want the bill.
You ask the waiter:
3 You’ve filled in some forms in English. You want your friend to check them for you.
You ask your friend:
4 The woman in the next room is playing music. It’s very loud. You want her to turn it down.
You say to her:
5 You’re on a train. The window is open and you’re cold. You’d like to close it.
You ask the man next to you:
6 You’re on a bus. You have a seat, but an elderly man is standing. You offer him your seat.
You say to him:
7 You’re a tourist. You want to go to the station, but you don’t know how to get there.
You ask at your hotel:
8 You are in a clothes shop. You see some trousers you like and you want to try them on.
You say to the shop assistant:
9 You meet a very famous person. You want to get his/her autograph.
You ask:

161
LESSON FOUR: Adjectives & Adverbs
An adjective is a word that describes a noun or a pronoun. It often answers questions such as which
one, what kind, or how many?
1. The green sweater belongs to Iris.
2. She looks beautiful.
• In sentence 1, the adjective green describes the noun sweater.
• In sentence 2, the adjective beautiful describes the pronoun she.

An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Adverbs frequently end
in -ly. They answer questions such as how, to what extent, why, when, and where.
3. Bertrand sings horribly.
4. My sociology instructor is extremely wise.
5. He threw the ball very accurately.
• In sentence 3, horribly describes the verb sings. How does Bertrand sing? He sings horribly.
• In sentence 4, extremely describes the adjective wise. How wise is the instructor? Extremely
wise.
• In sentence 5, very describes the adverb accurately. How accurately did he throw the
ball? Very accurately.
• Adverbs are used to express how something is done (adjectives express how someone or
something is).

Comparative versus Superlative

Comparative adjectives and adverbs are used to compare two people or things.
1. Jorge is thin.
2. Steven is thinner than Jorge.
• Sentence 1 describes Jorge with the adjective thin.
• Sentence 2 compares Jorge to Steven, stating that Steven is thinner. So thinner is the
comparative form of thin.
Form comparatives in one of the following two ways:
1. If the adjective or adverb is a one syllable word, add -er to it to form the comparative. For
example, big, fast, and short would become bigger, faster, and shorter in the comparative
form.
2. If the adjective or adverb is a word of two or more syllables, place the word more in front of it
to form the comparative. For example, happily, comfortable, and jealous would become more
happily, more comfortable, and more jealous in the comparative.

Superlative adjectives and adverbs are used to compare more than two people or two things.
1. Jackie is the loudest cheerleader on the squad.
2. Kenyatta was voted the most confident student by her graduating class.
• Sentence 1 shows that Jackie is not just louder than one other person, but she is the loudest of
all the cheerleaders on the squad.
• Sentence 2 shows that Kenyatta was voted the most confident student of all the students in her
class.

162
 Form superlatives in one of the following two ways:
1. If the adjective or adverb is a one-syllable word, add -est to form the superlative. For
example, big, fast, and short would become biggest, fastest, and shortest in the superlative
form.
2. If the adjective or adverb is a word of two or more syllables, place the word most in front of it.
For example, happily, comfortable, and jealous would become most happily, most comfortable,
and most jealous in the superlative form.

Tip: Remember the following exception: If the word has two syllables and ends in -y, change the -
y to an -i and add -est. For example, happy would change to happiest in the superlative
form; healthy would change to healthiest.

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (-er/-est)

 one-syllable adjectives (clean, new, cheap)
 two-syllable adjectives ending in -y or -er (easy, happy, pretty, dirty, clever)

positive
comparative form superlative form
form

clean cleaner (the) cleanest

Exceptions in spelling when adding -er / -est

 silent ‘e’ is dropped
Example: late-later-latest

 final ‘y’ after a consonant becomes i

Example: easy-easier-easiest

 final consonant after short, stressed vowel is doubled

Example: hot-hotter-hottest

Comparative Form and Superlative Form (more/most)

 adjectives of three or more syllables (and two-syllable adjectives not ending in -y/-er)

positive
comparative form superlative form
form

difficult more difficult most difficult

163
Comparative Form and Superlative Form (irregular comparisons)

superlative
positive form comparative form
form

good better best

bad / ill worse worst

little (amount) less least

little (size) smaller smallest

much / many more most

far (place + time) further furthest

far (place) farther farthest

late (time) later latest

late (order) latter last

near (place) nearer nearest

near (order) - next

old (people and things) older oldest

old (people) elder eldest

164
Exercise 1:

Positive Form Comparative Superlative

high

wild

short

loud

wonderful

Exercise 2:

Positive Form Comparative Superlative

nice

wild

forgetful

healthy

cloudy

165
 Exercise 3: Fill in the correct form of the words in brackets (comparative or superlative).

1. My house is (big)--------------- than yours.

2. This flower is (beautiful) ----------------- than that one.
3. This is the (interesting) ----------------------- book I have ever read.
4. Non-smokers usually live (long) ---------------------- than smokers.
5. Which is the (dangerous) --------------------------- animal in the world?
6. A holiday by the sea is (good) ------------------------ than a holiday in the mountains.
7. It is strange but often a coke is (expensive) ------------------------- than a beer.
8. Who is the (rich) -------------------- woman on earth?
9. The weather this summer is even (bad) ---------------------------- than last summer.
10. He was the (clever) --------------------------- thief of all.

Exercise 4: Fill in the comparison with as ... as.

1. John is (tall)-------------------- Glen.

2. Janet is (beautiful)--------------------- Jeniffer.
3. You are (crazy)-------------------- my sister.
4. We can run (fast)--------------------- they can.
5. My mom is (not / strict)----------------------- your mum.
6. Your mobile phone is (not / trendy)------------------------ mine.
7. Matrix II was (not / interesting)------------------------ Matrix I.
8. This yoghurt (not / taste / good)----------------------- the one I bought yesterday.
9. I can do (many / press-ups)--------------------- you.
10. I (not / earn / much / money)------------------------- you do.

Irregular Words: Good, Well, Bad, and Badly

Good, well, bad, and badly are often used incorrectly. Study the following chart to learn the correct
usage of these words and their comparative and superlative forms.
Comparative Superlative

Adjective good better best

Adverb well better best

Adjective bad worse worst

Adverb badly worse worst

166
Good versus Well

Good is always an adjective—that is, a word that describes a noun or a pronoun. The second
sentence is correct because well is an adverb that tells how something is done.
Incorrect: Cecilia felt that she had never done so good on a test.
Correct: Cecilia felt that she had never done so well on a test.

Well is always an adverb that describes a verb, adverb, or adjective. The second sentence is correct
because good is an adjective that describes the noun score.
Incorrect: Cecilia’s team received a well score.
Correct: Cecilia’s team received a good score.

Bad versus Badly

Bad is always an adjective. The second sentence is correct because badly is an adverb that tells how
the speaker did on the test.
Incorrect: I did bad on my accounting test because I didn’t study.
Correct: I did badly on my accounting test because I didn’t study.

Badly is always an adverb. The second sentence is correct because bad is an adjective that describes
the noun thunderstorm.
Incorrect: The coming thunderstorm looked badly.
Correct: The coming thunderstorm looked bad.

Better and Worse

The following are examples of the use of better and worse:

Tyra likes sprinting better than long distance running.
The traffic is worse in Chicago than in Atlanta.

Best and Worst

The following are examples of the use of best and worst:

Tyra sprints best of all the other competitors.
Peter finished worst of all the runners in the race.

167
Tip: Remember better and worse compare two persons or things. Best and worst compare three or
more persons or things.

Exceptions in spelling

exception example

silent e is dropped in true, due, whole true → truly

y becomes i happy → happily

le after a consonant is dropped sensible → sensibly

after ll only add y full → fully

Exceptions

adjective adverb (meaning) adverb (meaning)

good well

difficult with difficulty

public publicly

deep deep (place) deeply (feeling)

direct direct directly (=soon)

hard hard hardly (=seldom)

high high (place) highly (figurative)

168
 late late lately (=recently)

most most mostly (=usually)

near near nearly (=almost)

pretty pretty (=rather) prettily

short short shortly (=soon)

The following adjectives are daily, enough, early, far, fast, hourly,
also used as adverbs little, long, low, monthly, much, straight,
(without modification): weekly, yearly, …

 Adjectives are used to modify nouns:

The dog is loud.

 Adverbs are used to modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs:

The dog barks loudly.

Linking Verbs
Some verbs can only be used with adjectives; others might change their meaning when used with
an adverb.

verb used with an adjective used with an adverb

look look good (= appearance) look well (= healthy)

feel feel good (= state of health/mind) feel well (= have a good sense of touch)

smell smell good (= odour) smell well (= have a good sense of smell)

taste taste good (= preference) taste well (= have a good sense of taste)

169
 The following verbs can only be used with adjectives:
 be
 become
 get
 grow
 keep
 remain
 seem
 sound
 stay
 turn
Exercise 5: Write good, well, bad, or badly to complete each sentence.
1. Donna always felt ________ if she did not see the sun in the morning.
2. The school board president gave a ________ speech for once.
3. Although my dog, Comet, is mischievous, he always behaves ________ at the dog park.
4. I thought my back injury was ________ at first, but it turned out to be minor.
5. Steve was shaking ________ from the extreme cold.
6. Apple crisp is a very ________ dessert that can be made using whole grains instead of white
flour.
7. The meeting with my son’s math teacher went very ________.
8. Juan has a ________ appetite, especially when it comes to dessert.
9. Magritte thought the guests had a ________ time at the party because most people left early.
10. She ________ wanted to win the writing contest prize, which included a trip to New York.

Exercise 6: Write the correct comparative or superlative form of the word in parentheses.
1. This research paper is ________ (good) than my last one.
2. Tanaya likes country music ________ (well) of all.
3. My motorcycle rides ________ (bad) than it did last summer.
4. That is the ________ (bad) joke my father ever told.
5. The hockey team played ________ (badly) than it did last season.
6. Tracey plays guitar ________ (well) than she plays the piano.
7. It will go down as one of the ________ (bad) movies I have ever seen.
8. The deforestation in the Amazon is ________ (bad) than it was last year.
9. Movie ticket sales are ________ (good) this year than last.
10. My husband says mystery novels are the ________ (good) types of books.

170
ADVERBS

Adjectives ending in -ic: adjective + -ally (exception: public-publicly)

adjective adverb

fantastic fantastically

Adjectives ending in -ly: use ‘in a … way / manner’ or another adverb with similar meaning

adjective adverb

friendly in a friendly way

in a friendly manner

likely probably

Exceptions

adjective adverb (meaning) adverb (meaning)

good well

difficult with difficulty

public publicly

deep deep (place) deeply (feeling)

direct direct directly (=soon)

hard hard hardly (=seldom)

high high (place) highly (figurative)

171
 late late lately (=recently)

most most mostly (=usually)

near near nearly (=almost)

pretty pretty (=rather) prettily

short short shortly (=soon)

The following adjectives are daily, enough, early, far, fast, hourly,
also used as adverbs little, long, low, monthly, much, straight,
(without modification): weekly, yearly, …

Exercise 7: Find the adjective in the first sentence and fill the gap with the adverb.

1. Joanne is happy. She smiles happily.

2. The boy is loud. He shouts --------------------.
3. Her English is fluent. She speaks English --------------------.
4. Our mum was angry. She spoke to us --------------------.
5. My neighbor is a careless driver. He drives --------------------.
6. The painter is awful. He paints --------------------.
7. Jim is a wonderful piano player. He plays the piano --------------------.
8. This girl is very quiet. She often sneaks out of the house --------------------.
9. She is a good dancer. She dances really --------------------.
10. This exercise is simple. You -------------------- have to put one word in each space.

172
Comparison

Comparison (-er/-est)

Comparative ending in - Superlative ending in -

er est

one-syllable adverbs (hard) harder hardest

adverbs with the same form as adjectives earlier earliest

(early)

Comparison (more / most)

Comparative formed with more Superlative formed with most

adverbs ending in -ly (happily) more happily most happily

Irregular comparisons

positive form comparative superlative

well better best

badly worse worst

ill worse worst

little less least

much more most

far (place + time) further furthest

far (place) farther farthest

173
 late (time) later latest

Exercise on Comparison of Adverbs

Exercise 8: Fill in the correct adverb form (comparative or superlative) of the adjectives in
brackets.

1. I speak English (fluent)-------------------- now than last year.

2. She greeted me (polite) -------------------- of all.
3. She smiled (happy) -------------------- than before.
4. This girl dances (graceful) -------------------- of all.
5. Could you write (clear) -------------------- ?
6. Planes can fly (high) -------------------- than birds.
7. He had an accident last year. Now, he drives (careful) -------------------- than before.
8. Jim can run (fast) -------------------- than John.
9. Our team played (bad) -------------------- of all.
10. He worked (hard) -------------------- than ever before.

Exercise 9: Rewrite the sentences and put the adverbs in correctly.

1. We were in London. (last week) → We were in London last week.

2. He walks his dog. (rarely) → ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. She waited. (patiently) → --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. My father goes fishing. (always) → ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Your bedroom is. (upstairs) → ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. We don't go skiing. (in summer) → ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Cats can hear. (well) → --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. I saw him. (there) → -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. The girl speaks English. (fluently) → --------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. I have seen that film. (never) / (before) → --------------------------------------------------------------------

Exercise 10: Choose the correct form (adjective or adverb).

1. Niagara Falls form a natural/naturally border between the United States and Canada.
2. Tourists visit this place frequent/frequently.
3. The Falls are very noisy/noisily.
4. So you must speak loud/loudly or nobody can understand you.
5. Many years ago, the Iroquois tribe lived here peaceful/peacefully.

174
LESSON SIX: CONDITIONALS

175
 Conditional Sentences—Rules You Need to Know

• There are four types of conditional sentences.

• Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.

Conditional sentences are statements discussing known factors or hypothetical situations and their
consequences. Complete conditional sentences contain a conditional clause (often referred to as the
if-clause) and the consequence (result clause).

Here are four different types of conditional sentences in English. Each expresses a different degree
of probability that a situation will occur or would have occurred under certain circumstances.

• Zero Conditional Sentences

• First Conditional Sentences

• Second Conditional Sentences

• Third Conditional Sentences

How to Use Zero Conditional Sentences

Zero conditional sentences express general truths—situations in which one thing always causes
another. When you use a zero conditional, you’re talking about a general truth rather than a specific
instance of something. Consider the following examples:

If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities.

When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers.
First, when using the zero conditional, the correct tense to use in both clauses is the simple present
tense. A common mistake is to use the simple future tense.

When people smoke cigarettes, their health will suffer.

Secondly, notice that the words if and when can be used interchangeably in these zero conditional
sentences. This is because the outcome will always be the same, so it doesn’t matter “if” or “when”
it happens.

How to Use First Conditional Sentences

First conditional sentences are used to express situations in which the outcome is likely (but not
guaranteed) to happen in the future. Look at the examples below:

If you rest, you will feel better.

If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.
Note that we use the simple present tense in the if-clause and simple future tense in the main
clause—that is, the clause that expresses the likely outcome. This is how we indicate that under a

176
 certain condition (as expressed in the if-clause), a specific result will likely happen in the future.
Examine some of the common mistakes people make using the first conditional structure:

If you will rest , you will feel better.

If you rest , you will feel better.
Explanation: Use the simple present tense in the if-clause.

If you set your mind to a goal, you eventually achieve it.

If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.
Explanation: Use the zero conditional (i.e., simple present + simple present) only when a certain
result is guaranteed. If the result is likely, use the first conditional (i.e., simple present + simple
future).

Exercise 1: Choose the correct form.

If Clauses Type I - Form

 In the if clause of a Conditional Sentence Type I, we use Simple Present/Will-Future.
 In the main clause of a Conditional Sentence Type I, we use Simple Present/Will-Future.
 If we go/goes/will go to London, we visit/visits/will visit the Tower.
 If the shop are/is/will be open, I buy/buys/will buy a souvenir.
 If she miss/misses/will miss the bus, she do not get/does not get/will not get here on time.
 He help/helps/will help me if he know/knows/will know the answer.
 Jane let/lets/will let you in if I am not/is not/will not be here.

Complete the Conditional Sentences Type I.

 If you (eat) -------------------- an ice-cream, I (have) -------------------- a hot chocolate.

 If she (need) -------------------- a computer, her brother (give) -------------------- her his computer.
 If we (have / not) -------------------- time this afternoon, we (meet) -------------------- tomorrow.
 He (talk) -------------------- to her if you (want / not) -------------------- to do it.
 You (win / not) -------------------- the game if you (know / not) -------------------- the rules.

How to Use Second Conditional Sentences

Second conditional sentences are useful for expressing outcomes that are completely unrealistic or
will not likely happen in the future. Consider the examples below:

If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.
Notice the correct way to structure second conditional sentences is to use the simple past tense in
the if-clause and an auxiliary modal verb (e.g., could, should, would, might) in the main clause (the
one that expresses the unrealistic or unlikely outcome). The following sentences illustrate a couple
of the common mistakes people make when using the second conditional:

If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.
Explanation: When applying the second conditional, use the simple past tense in the if-clause.

177
 If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more.
If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.
Explanation: Use a modal auxiliary verb in the main clause when using the second conditional
mood to express the unlikelihood that the result will actually happen.

Exercise 2: Complete the Conditional Sentences Type II.

 If I (have) -------------------- more time, I (learn) -------------------- to play the guitar.

 If she (study) -------------------- harder, she (get) -------------------- better marks.
 If we (know) -------------------- more about history, we (be / not) ----------------- afraid of the test.
 I (go) -------------------- jogging with Tom and Sue if they (be) -------------------- here this week.
 It (surprise) -------------------- me if she (help / not) -------------------- you.

How to Use Third Conditional Sentences

Third conditional sentences are used to explain that present circumstances would be different if
something different had happened in the past. Look at the following examples:

If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.
These sentences express a condition that was likely enough, but did not actually happen in the past.
The speaker in the first sentence was capable of leaving early, but did not. Along these same lines,
the speaker in the second sentence was capable of cleaning the house, but did not. These are all
conditions that were likely, but regrettably did not happen.

Note that when using the third conditional, we use the past perfect (i.e., had + past participle) in the
if-clause. The modal auxiliary (would, could, shoud, etc.) + have + past participle in the main clause
expresses the theoretical situation that could have happened.

Consider these common mistakes when applying the third conditional:

If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
Explanation: With third conditional sentences, do not use a modal auxiliary verb in the if-clause.

If I had cleaned the house, I could go to the movies.

If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.
Explanation: The third conditional mood expresses a situation that could have only happened in
the past if a certain condition had been met. That’s why we use the modal auxiliary verb + have +
the past participle.

178
 Exercise 3: Conditional Sentence Type I or II: Complete the sentences with the correct form
(Type I or II).
 If you need the car in the afternoon, I go/will go/would go/went shopping in the morning.
 If I wear/will wear/would wear/wore a hat, I would look like an old woman.
 I'll buy this bag if they have/will have/would have/had it in blue.
 She wouldn't pay cash if she have/will have/would have/had a credit card.
 If I didn't have you, I do not know/will not know/would not know/did not know what to do.
Punctuating Conditional Sentences
Despite the complex nature of conditional sentences, punctuating them properly is really simple!

Use a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.

If I’d had time, I would have cleaned the house.

If the main clause precedes the if-clause, no punctuation is necessary.

I would have cleaned the house if I’d had time.

Review Exercises

Exercise 4: Complete the Conditional Sentences Type I.

 If you (go)---------------- out with your friends tonight, I (watch) )---------------- the football match
on TV.
 I (earn) )---------------- a lot of money if I (get) )---------------- that job.
 If she (hurry / not) )---------------- , we (miss) )---------------- the bus.

Exercise 5: Complete the Conditional Sentences Type II.

 If he (try) )---------------- harder, he (reach) )---------------- his goals.

 I (buy) )---------------- these shoes if they (fit) )---------------- .
 It (surprise / not) )---------------- me if he (know / not) )---------------- the answer.

Exercise 6: Complete the Conditional Sentences Type III.

 If we (listen) )---------------- to the radio, we (hear) )---------------- the news.

 If you (switch) )---------------- on the lights, you (fall / not) )---------------- over the chair.
 She (come) )---------------- to our party if she (be / not) )---------------- on holiday.

Exercise 7: Complete the Conditional Sentences with the correct form (Type I, II or III).

 If I am/will be/were/had been/would be/would have been stronger, I'd help you carry the piano.
 If we'd seen you, we stop/will stop/stopped/had stopped/would stop/would have stopped.
 If we meet/will meet/met/had met/would meet/would have met him tomorrow, we'll say hello.
 He would have repaired the car himself if he has/will have/had/had had/would have/would have
had the tools.
 If you drop the vase, it breaks/will break/broke/had broken/would break/would have broken.
 If I hadn't studied, I do not pass/will not pass/did not pass/had not passed/would not pass/would
not have passed the exam.

179
180
Exercise 8
If clauses Conditional type 1, 2 and 3
What type is it? Type one, type two or type three?
1. How would you feel if you saw a bear? Conditional Type ------------------
2. I will miss you if you leave London. Conditional Type------------------

3. Will you text me when you arrive there? Conditional Type ------------------

4. Emma would have opened her own shop if she had had the money. Conditional Type ------------------
5. If the policeman had been quicker, he would have caught the thief. Conditional Type ------------------
6. If I were you, I would do a computer course. Conditional Type ------------------
7. If it was your birthday, I would buy you a present. Conditional Type ------------------
8. Emma will write a report if the teacher asks her to. Conditional Type ------------------
9. If you don´t know the number, you won´t be able to phone him. Conditional Type ------------------

Exercise 9
If clauses type 1- exercises
Fill in the correct form of the verb.
1. He ------------------------------ the postcard if she sends it today. (get)
2. If I ------------------------------ my pocket money, I will buy the new DVD. (save)
3. You will pass your exam if you ------------------------------ hard. (work)
4. He ------------------------------ if you wait. (come)
5. If he ------------------------------ quietly, they will not hear him. (talk)

Exercise 10
If clauses type 2
Fill in the correct form of the verb - main clause.
1. If I was/were you, I -------------- ---------------- this offer. (accept)
2. It ------------- ----------------- nice if you came to the party on Saturday. (be)
3. If the sun shone, everybody --------------- --------------- happy. (be)
4. If the shoes were too big, I -------------- ---------------- them back. (take)
5. The teacher -------------- ---------------- us a map if we didn´t have one. (give)
Exercise 11
If clauses type 3 - exercises
Fill in the correct form of the verb. (Where possible fill in more verbs in one gap.)
1. If you ------------------- the party, you ------------------- home. (enjoy/not go)
2. ------------------- you------------------- him the truth if you ------------------- to? (tell/have)
3. If Jake ------------------- the film, he ------------------- the DVD. (like/buy)
4. If we ------------------- to the summer camp, we ------------------- in a cabin. (go/stay)
5. If I ------------------- him, he ------------------- never ------------------- . (not tell/know)