Intermediate Level Grammar Review

Day 2

References

http://esl.about.com/od/beginningenglish/ig/Basic-English/Prepositions-of-Time.htm

In / On / At For Time

IN Use 'in' months and years and periods of

time: in January in 1978 in the twenties

Use 'in' a period of time in the future: in a few weeks in a couple of days

In / On / At For Time

AT Use 'at' with precise time: at six o'clock at 10.30 at two p.m.

ON Use 'on' with days of the week: on Monday on Fridays

In / On / At For Time

Use 'on' with specific calendar days: on Christmas day on October 22nd

IMPORTANT NOTES in the morning / afternoon / evening - at night We say in the morning, afternoon or evening BUT

we say 'at night'

Gerund / Infinitive (playing vs. play)

Verb + 'ing' OR Verb + Infinitive When two verbs are used together, the

second verb is often in the gerund form (-ing) or the infinitive. There are no specific rules concerning which verbs take which form. Like irregular verbs, you will need to learn which form a verb takes.

Gerund / Infinitive (playing vs. play)

Common Verbs + 'ing' Go / enjoy / quit / discuss / mind / can't stand

suggest Examples: They go jogging on Saturdays.

I don't mind helping you.They can't stand driving in traffic jams.

Gerund / Infinitive (playing vs. play)

Common Verbs + Infinitive promise / plan / refuse / want / need / decide /

hope Examples: I promised to help him. Alice needs to start that task. He decided to quit his job.

Present Simple

Use the present simple to talk about activities or routines which take place on a regular basis.

Positive Sentences Subject + present conjugation of verb + objects I / You drive to work every day. She / He / It drives to work every day. You / We / They drive to work every day.

Present Simple

Negative Sentences Subject + do not + base form of verb + objects I / You don't (do not) use a computer every day. She / He / It doesn't ( does not) use a computer at

work. It You / We / They don't (do not) use a typewriter at

work.

Present Simple

Question Form Wh? + do + subject + base form of verb ? When do I / you arrive at work? What does he / she / it use at work? Where do we / you / they keep the paper?

Modals: Should, May, Can

Modals are verbs that modify other verbs. The most common modals are: Can / Should / Must

Note that all subjects take the same form of the modal.

Positive Subject + Modal + Base Form of Verb + Objects

Modals: Should, May, Can

Examples He can play the piano. I must leave soon.

Negative Subject + Modal + Not + Base Form of Verb

+ Objects Examples

They can't visit next week. You shouldn't go to that film.

Modals: Should, May, Can

They can't visit next week.You shouldn't go to that film.

Question Modal + Subject + Base Form of Verb + Objects Examples

Can you help me?What should I do?

Giving Advice with Should 'Should' is used when asking for or giving advice. It is also

used when asking for suggestions.

Modals: Should, May, Can

Examples I think you should see a doctor.

What type of job should I get? Expressing Ability with Can

'Can' is used to speak abilities. Examples

He can speak Japanese.Can you play golf?

Modals: Should, May, Can

Asking for Permission with May 'May' is used to ask for permission.

Examples May I help you?

May I visit you this afternoon? NOTE: In spoken English, 'Can I ...?' is often

used instead of 'May I ...?'

Future: Going to and Will

The future with 'Will' is used in a variety of situations discussing the future. Use the following forms with 'will'. Notice that 'will' or 'won't' is used for ALL subjects.

Positive Subject + will + base form of verb + object(s)

Negative Subject + will + not + base form of verb + object(s)

Question (Question Word) + will + subject + base form of verb?

Future: Going to and Will

Used for spontaneous decisions. Spontaneous decisions are decisions made AT the moment of speaking.

Examples Jack's hungry. I'll make her a sandwich.

That's difficult! I'll help you with the problem.

Used for predictions: Examples

It will snow tomorrow.She won't win the game.

Future: Going to and Will

Used for scheduled public events Examples

The concert will begin at 8 o'clock. When will the train leave? The class won't start next week.

Used for promises Examples

Will you marry me? I'll help you with your homework after class.

Future: Going to and Will

The future with 'going to' is used to speak about future intentions or plans made before the present moment. Use the following forms with 'going to'.

Positive Subject + to be + going to + base form of verb + object(s)

Negative Subject + to be + not + going to + base form of verb +

object(s) Question

(Question Word) + to be + subject + going to + base form of verb?

Future: Going to and Will

Examples  We are going to study French next semester. Where are you going to stay in France? She isn't going to take a vacation this year.

Used for planned decisions. Planned decisions are decisions made BEFORE the moment of speaking.

Examples I'm going to study Languages at university next year. We're going to stay at the Hilton in New York next week.

Future: Going to and Will

Used for predicting an action that you see is about to happen:

Examples Watch out! You're going to hit that car!

Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.

Used for future intentions: Examples

I'm going to be a policeman when I grow up. Katherine is going to study English when she goes to

University.

Country, Language, People

One syllable: France French French Greece Greek Greek

Ends in –ish Britain English British Sweden Swedish Swedish Turkey Turkish Turkish Denmark Danish Danish Finland Finnish Finnish

Country, Language, People

Ends in –ish Poland Polish Polish Spain Spanish Spanish

Ends in –an Germany German German Mexico Spanish Mexican The United States English American

Country, Language, People

Ends in –ian Australia English Australian Brazil Portuguese Brazilian Egypt Arabic Egyptian Italy Italian Italian Hungary Hungarian Hungarian Korea Korean Korean Russia Russian Russian

Country, Language, People

Ends in –ese China Chinese Chinese Japan Japanese Japanese Portugal Portuguese Portuguese

Much, Many, Few, A Lot of

Countable and Uncountable Uncountable Use the singular form of the verb with

uncountable nouns. Use both 'some' and any' with uncountable nouns when speaking about specific objects.

Examples Do you have any butter? There is some juice in the bottle.

Much, Many, Few, A Lot of

If you are speaking in general, do not use a modifier.

Examples Do you drink Coca Cola? He doesn't eat meat.

Countable Use the plural form of the verb with countable

nouns. Use both 'some' and 'any' with countable nouns when speaking about specific objects.

Much, Many, Few, A Lot of

Examples There are some magazines on the table. Has he got any friends?

If you are speaking in general, use the plural form of the noun.

Examples They love books by Hemingway. He doesn't eat apples.

Much, Many, Few, A Lot of

Expressions for Use with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Use the following expressions with uncountable nouns. most / much / lots of / a lot of / some / a little /

little Examples

There is lots of interest in the project. She's got some money left in the bank. There's little time to finish.

Much, Many, Few, A Lot of

Use the following expressions with countable nouns.

Many / lots of / a lot of / several / some / not many / only a few / few

Examples There are a lot of pictures on the wall. We have several friends in Chicago. She bought some envelopes this afternoon. There are only a few people in the restaurant.

Much, Many, Few, A Lot of

COUNT, NON-COUNT NOUNS What are countable nouns? Countable nouns are individual objects,

people, places, etc. which can be counted. books, Italians, pictures, stations, men, etc.

A countable noun can be both singular - a friend, a house, etc. - or plural - a few apples, lots of trees, etc.

Much, Many, Few, A Lot of

Use the singular form of the verb with a singular countable noun: There is a book on the table. That student is excellent!

Use the plural form of the verb with a countable noun in the plural: There are some students in the classroom. Those houses are very big, aren't they?

Much, Many, Few, A Lot of

What are uncountable nouns? Uncountable nouns are materials, concepts,

information, etc. which are not individual objects and can not be counted. information, water, understanding, wood, cheese,

etc. Uncountable nouns are always singular. Use

the singular form of the verb with uncountable nouns: There is some water in that pitcher. That is the equipment we use for the project.

Much, Many, Few, A Lot of

Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns.

Use a/an with countable nouns preceded by an adjective(s): Tom is a very intelligent young man. I have a beautiful grey cat.

Do not use a/an with uncountable nouns preceded by an adjective(s): That is very useful information. There is some cold beer in the fridge.

Much, Many, Few, A Lot of

Some uncountable nouns in English are countable in other languages. This can be confusing! Here is a list of some of the most common, easy to confuse uncountable nouns.

accommodationadvicebaggagebreadequipmentfurniture

garbageinformationwork

progressresearchtravel

knowledgeluggagemoneynewspasta

Comparative

COMPARATIVE (hot – hotter, good – better, etc.) We use the comparative and superlative form to

compare and contrast different objects in English. Use the comparative form to show the difference between two objects. Example:New York is more exciting than Seattle. Use the superlative form when speaking about three or more objects to show which object is 'the most' of something. Example: New York is the most exciting city in the USA.

Comparative

Here is a chart showing how to construct the comparative form in English. Notice in the example sentences that we use 'than' to compare the two objects:

Comparative

One Syllable Adjectives add '-er' to end of the adjective (Note: double

the final consonant if preceded by a vowel) remove the 'y' from the adjective and add 'ier'

Example: cheap - cheaper / hot - hotter / high - higher

Example Sentences Yesterday was hotter than today. This book is cheaper than that book.

Comparative

Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in '-y' Example: happy - happier / funny - funnier Example Sentences

I am happier than you. That joke was funnier than his joke.

Comparative

Two, Three or More Syllable Adjectives place 'more' before the adjective Example: interesting - more interesting /

difficult - more difficult Example Sentences

London is more expensive than Madrid.  This test is more difficult than the last test.

Comparative

IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS There are some important exceptions to these

rules. Here are two of the most important exceptions: good good - adjective better - comparative

Example Sentences This book is better than that one.  I am better at tennis than my sister.

Comparative

bad bad - adjective worse - comparative

Example Sentences His French is worse than mine. 

His singing is worse than Tom's.

Superlative

SUPERLATIVE (cold – colder, bad, - worst, etc. )

Here is a chart showing how to construct the superlative form in English:

One Syllable Adjectives Place 'the' before the adjective and add '-est'

to end of the adjective (Note: double the final consonant if preceded by a vowel).

Superlative

Example: cheap - the cheapest / hot - the hottest / high - the highest

Example Sentences Today is the hottest day of the summer. 

This book is the cheapest I can find. Two, Three or More Syllable Adjectives Place 'the most' before the adjective.

Superlative

Example: interesting - the most interesting / difficult - the most difficult

Example Sentences: London is the most expensive city in England.  That is the most beautiful painting here.

Superlative

Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in '-y' Place 'the' before the adjective and remove the 'y' from the adjective and add 'iest'.

Example: happy - the happiest / funny - the funniest

Example Sentences New York is the noisiest city in the USA.  He is the most important person I know.

Superlative

IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS There are some important exceptions to

these rules. Here are two of the most important exceptions: good good - adjective the best - superlative

Example Sentences Peter is the best golf player in the school.  This is the best school in the city.

Superlative

bad bad - adjective the worst - superlative

Example Sentences Jane is the worst student in the class. This is the worst day of my life.

Time Expressions Time expressions are used to indicate the time at /

during which an action took place. Common time expressions include:

Present forms: everyday, on Fridays, at the moment, now, as well as adverbs of frequency such as always, usually, sometimes (for present habits and routines). Days of the weeks followed by 's' such as Mondays, Tuesdays, etc.

Examples He sometimes finishes work early. Marjorie is listening to the radio at the moment. Peter goes jogging on Saturdays.

Time Expressions

Past forms: when I was ..., last week, day, year, etc., yesterday, ago (two weeks ago, three years ago, four months ago, etc.)

Examples He visited his friends last week.

I didn't see you two days ago.Jane flew to Boston yesterday.

Time Expressions

Future forms: next week, year, etc., tomorrow, by (the end of the week, Thursday, next year, etc.) in X time (in two weeks time, in four months time, etc.)

Examples I'm going to attend a conference next week.

It won't snow tomorrow.They're going to visit New York in two weeks.

Time Expressions

Perfect forms: since, yet, already, just, for Examples

Michael has worked here since 1998.Have you finished reading the paper yet?He's just gone to the bank.