Module 09. Grammar: Number and concord (extra)

Hi

Have a look at the article to find out more about singular nouns that take plural verbs.

Enjoy it.

Module 05. Grammar: Future Tenses

Back to the Future is a 1985 science fiction adventure film directed by Robert Zemeckis, co-written by Bob Gale and produced by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, as well as Christopher Lloyd, Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson and Thomas F. Wilson. Back to the Future tells the story of Marty McFly, a teenager who is accidentally sent back in time from 1985 to 1955. He meets his parents in high school, accidentally attracting his mother's romantic interest. Marty must repair the damage to history by causing his parents to fall in love, while finding a way to return to 1985.

So far, so good. But... what about grammar? Are you confident about the way you use future tenses in English? Here's some links that may help you out:

Future forms
Future hopes and plans
Going to / will - Ex. 1 - Ex. 2 - Ex. 3 - Ex. 4 - Ex. 5
Future in the past
Future perfect & future continuous

Links courtesy of Carmen Saura

Module 05. Extra grammar: Phrasal Verbs in Context

Hi all,

Here's some exercises from New English File Upper-intermediate so that you can practice phrasal verbs in context:

Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Exercise 4
Exercise 5
Exercise 6
Exercise 7

You can also click here to download a document with lots of phrasal verbs and exercises.

. .

Module 03. Grammar: infinitive or gerund

Hi,

Click here to download another document with some examples that illustrate how verbs followed by gerund / infinitive are used.

Hope it helps.

Cheers

Sergio

Module 02. Extra Grammar: Present Perfect Simple

Hi,

Here are some extra notes on the Present Perfect Simple that you should be aware of:

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE: SPECIAL USES

It's been ages since I last went surfing (Be careful with this type of structure).
It's the first time I've tried this kind of food. (Notice how we use the Present Perfect in this kind of sentences)
I'll call you when I've finished (Notice how we use the Present Perfect to express future, too.)

Compare:
I've just seen our lawyer (BrEng)
I just saw our lawyer (AmEng) -> Just+past simple is also correct in the American English variety.

Module 01. Extra: Collocations

Hi,

I just checked out the possible collocations for the word argument, and these are the results:


argument noun
1. angry discussion:
angry, bitter, heated, violent, big, argument
little, silly, stupid argument

2. reason supporting opinion:
basic, general, main, good, major, powerful, sound, strong, valid, compelling, conclusive, convincing, persuasive, plausible argument

Source: OXFORD Collocations Dictionary for students of English

The collocation 'plain argument', as some of you suggested in class, might also be possible, but I haven't found any reliable sources to verify it. If you find any good references on the Internet, do not hesitate to post your sources in the Comments section.

See you tomorrow!

Module 01. Extra Grammar: Present/Past States

Complete the gaps with the correct verb tense. Then check your answers using the key in the Comments section

PRESENT STATES
1. The coffee ______________ (taste) bitter.
2. Ring his home number. He ______________ (be) at home now. (I’m sure he’s at home)
3. Tom ______________ (always go) away for weekends and he hardly ever sees his parents.
4. How much ______________ (I owe) you?
5. It’s no use asking Tom; he ______________ (not know).
6. The director ______________ (see) the applicants this morning.
7. ______________ (Bill be) at the club now? What do you think?
8. ______________ (it smell) sour?
9. I ______________ (always make) that mistake!
10. A: I can’t find Jude’s new address. B: Ask Tom; he ______________ (know) it.
11. Let’s not go shopping now. The shops ______________ (be) very crowded.

PAST STATES: USED TO / WOULD

1. I __________ smoke cigarettes.
2. He ___________ drink beer.
3. Every time she _____________ (come) home she _____________ (sit) on the couch, drink a cup of tea and talk about her illness.
4. _____________ (you live) abroad?
5. Tom and Ann _____________ (be) a young married couple. Every morning Tom _____________ (kiss) Ann and set off for work. Ann _____________ (stand) at the window and wave goodbye. In the evening she _____________ (welcome) him home and ask him to tell her about his day.

Module 01. Grammar: Present Habits

Put the verb in the correct form.

1. I ____________ (always go) to work by car.
2. You ____________ (always watch) television. You should do something more active.
3. John is never satisfied. He ____________ (always - complain).
4. The train is never late. It ____________ (always - leave) on time.
5. My parents ____________ (live) in Bristol. They were born there and have never lived anywhere else.
6. I used to drink a lot of coffee but these days I ____________ (prefer) tea.
7. Air ____________ (consist) mainly of nitrogen and oxygen.
8. George says he’s 80 but nobody ____________ (believe) him.
9. Who is that man? What ____________ (he want)?
10. ____________ (you see) that man over there?
11. This room ____________ (smell). Let’s open a window.
12. You look serious. What ____________ (you think) about?
13. I ____________ (think) of giving up my job.
14. Ann ____________ (not seem) very happy at the moment.
15. How ____________ (you feel) now?
16. I ____________ (usually go) by train, but this weekend I ____________ (go) by bus. It ____________ (take) longer but it ____________ (cost) less.
17. Mrs Jones: My daughter ____________ (never write) to me so I ____________ (never know) what she ____________ (do). ____________ (Your son write) to you, Mrs Smith?
Mrs Smith: Yes, I ____________ (hear) from him every week. He ____________ (seem) to like writing letters.
18. These apples ____________ (cost) 40p a bag. ____________ (You think) that is expensive? – It ____________ (depend) on the size of the bag.
19. I ____________ (see) my solicitor tomorrow (I’ve arranged it); I ____________ (change) my will. – You ____________ (always change) your will. Why ____________ (you not leave ) it alone?
20. I ____________ (not think) your brother ____________ (enjoy) the party. He ____________ (keep) looking at his watch.

Courtesy of Carmen Saura

Intermediate Level Revision: Pronunciation of -ed

1. Classify the following verbs according to their pronunciation in the past simple tense, that is, /d/, /t/ or /id/. There are ten answers for each column.

allowed - asked - cracked - cried - damaged - decided - encouraged - ended - flooded - guessed - included - jailed - killed - landed - loved - missed - mixed - pasted - relaxed - repeated - shaved - slipped - stopped - tasted - visited - wasted - washed - watched - welcomed - yawned

2. Complete the rules for the pronunciation of regular verbs in the past.

a. When the regular verb ends in a vowel sound or voiced consonant sound, the -ed ending is pronounced /_____ /.

b. When the regular verb ends in an unvoiced consonant sound, the -ed ending is pronounced /_____ /.

c. The -ed ending is pronounced /id/ when the verb ends in the consonant sounds _____ and _____ .


In case you need more practice with regular verbs, have a look at this website if you want to test yourself. Remember, try to read out the verbs to practice your own pronunciation as you progress with the exercise:

http://club.telepolis.com/phonetics/afoneticedd.html