Grammar Notes. Level 2.
1.1.How do we make the Present Perfect Tense?
The structure of the present perfect tense is: subject + auxiliary verb + main verb have past participle Here are some examples of the present perfect tense: subject auxiliary verb
main verb
+ I
have
seen
ET.
+ You
have
eaten
mine.
- She
has
not been
to Rome.
- We
have
not played
football.
? Have
you
finished?
? Have
they
done
it?
Contractions with the present perfect tense When we use the present perfect tense in speaking, we usually contract the subject and auxiliary verb. We also sometimes do this when we write. I have
I've
You have
You've
He has She has It has John has The car has
He's She's It's John's The car's
We have
We've
They have They've
Here are some examples: •
I've finished my work.
•
John's seen ET.
1.2.Future simple. Common mistakes Structure of future simple I won't (will not) be there tomorrow.
I'll (I will) be there tomorrow.
Will you be there tomorrow?
Future simple - common mistakes Common mistakes
Correct version
Why?
- The phone's ringing. - OK, I'm going to answer it.
Ok -I'll answer it.
If the action is decided at the moment of speaking, we use will / will not (won't).
I'm sure he is going to help you.
I'm sure he will help you.
When we say what we think or expect, we use will (won't).
I promise I'm going to help.
I promise I'll help.
After promise we usually use will.
I'll call you when I'll come to my office.
I'll call you when I come to my office.
When we refer to the future in adverbial clauses, we normally use present simple (after when, as soon as, until).
If you will give me your address, I'll send you a postcard.
When we refer to the future in If you give me your address, I'll conditional clauses, we normally send you a postcard. use the present simple.
I can't see you next week. I will return to Paris.
To show that the decision was I can't see you next week. I am made in the past, we use the returning/am going to return to present continuous or the 'going Paris. to' future.
1.3.Object and Subject questions. Object Questions Object questions ask about the object of a sentence. The word order of the question must be changed and the question requires the use of the auxiliary verb 'to do'. For example:If the answer is "I caught the train to London." the question would be "Which train did you catch?" If the answer is "I saw a film yesterday." the question would be "What did you do yesterday?"
Subject Questions There are also subject questions. These are questions that we ask to find out about the subject. When what, which, who or whose refers to the subject, the question word comes before the verb without the use of the auxiliary verb. For example:If the answer is "The train to London was late." the question would be "Which train was late?" If the answer is "I won the race." the question would be "Who won the race?" More examples:Object questions:What did you do today? Which film did you like best? Who did I phone? Subject questions:What happened today?
Which film is best? Who phoned me?
1.4.Modal verbs The modal verbs are:CAN / COULD / MAY / MIGHT / MUST / SHALL / SHOULD / OUGHT TO / WILL / WOULD Modal Can
Could
May
Might
Example
Uses
They can control their own budgets.
Ability / Possibility
We can’t fix it.
Inability / Impossibility
Can I smoke here?
Asking for permission
Can you help me?
Request
Could I borrow your dictionary?
Asking for permission.
Could you say it again more slowly?
Request
We could try to fix it ourselves.
Suggestion
I think we could have another Gulf War.
Future possibility
He gave up his old job so he could work for us.
Ability in the past
May I have another cup of coffee?
Asking for permission
China may become a major economic power.
Future possibility
We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating Present possibility their dinner now. Future possibility They might give us a 10% discount.
Must
We must say good-bye now.
Necessity / Obligation
They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary. Prohibition Ought to We ought to employ a professional writer.
Saying what’s right or correct
Shall
Shall I help you with your luggage?
Offer
(More common in Shall we say 2.30 then? the UK than the US) Should
Suggestion
Shall I do that or will you?
Asking what to do
We should sort out this problem at once.
Saying what’s right or correct
I think we should check everything again. Recommending action Profits should increase next year. Uncertain prediction Will
Would
I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk.
Instant decisions
I'll do that for you if you like.
Offer
I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday.
Promise
Profits will increase next year.
Certain prediction
Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me?
Asking for permission
Would you pass the salt please?
Request
Would you mind waiting a moment?
Request
"Would three o`clock suit you?" - "That’d be fine."
Making arrangements
Would you like to play golf this Friday?
Invitation
"Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I’d like tea
Preferences
please."
REFERENCES 1. http://speakspeak.com/a/html/d10a010_english_grammar_future_si mple_tense.htm 2. http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/questiontext.htm