Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta Time expressions. Mostrar todas las entradas
Mostrando entradas con la etiqueta Time expressions. Mostrar todas las entradas

jueves, 14 de julio de 2016

Simple future

Uses

USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action
"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.

Examples:
I will send you the information when I get it.
I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
Will you help me move this heavy table?
Will you make dinner?
I will not do your homework for you.
I won't do all the housework myself!
A: I'm really hungry.
B: I'll make some sandwiches.
A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
B: I'll get you some coffee.
A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it
.
USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise
"Will" is usually used in promises.

Examples:
I will call you when I arrive.
If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
Don't worry, I'll be careful.
I won't tell anyone your secret.

Structure

Time expressions


Examples

Future actions or future states (not plans):

They will dance all night long.

Next month he will be ten years old.

How old will he be next month?

It will be very cold in the winter.

This winter will not be so cold.

I hope you will have a successful trip.

I hope you will not be disappointed.

He won't be late again.

What time will he arrive?

She will be very happy when she finds out.


We will eat in ten minutes.

You will see him in a minute.

I believe it will be a very nice party.


Promises or intentions:

I will always help you.

We will win this match!

I will drop by later.

Will you come with us?

We will stay for dinner.

I won't give up.

I will do it tomorrow.
I will fix the car as soon as I can.

We won't tell anyone about it.

Exercises ( to do the exercises press on the links)





*Shall

"Shall" is used to indicate future action. It is most commonly used in sentences with "I" or "we," and is often found in suggestions, such as "Shall we go?" "Shall" is also frequently used in promises or voluntary actions. In formal English, the use of "shall" to describe future events often expresses inevitability or predestination. "Shall" is much more commonly heard in British English than in American English; Americans prefer to use other forms, although they do sometimes use "shall" in suggestions or formalized language.
Examples:

  • Shall I help you? suggestion
  • I shall never forget where I came from. promise
  • He shall become our next king. predestination
  • I'm afraid Mr. Smith shall become our new director. inevitability

miércoles, 6 de julio de 2016

Present Continuous

Uses:

USE 1 Now

We use the Present Continuous with Normal verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.
  • I am studying to become a doctor.
  • I am not studying to become a dentist.
  • I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
  • I am not reading any books right now.
  • Are you working on any special projects at work?
  • Aren't you teaching at the university now?

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.
  • I am meeting some friends after work.
  • I am not going to the party tonight.
  • Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
  • Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
  • She is always coming to class late.
  • He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
  • I don't like them because they are always complaining.

Structure:

It is important to remember that Non continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present.
Examples:
  • She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct X
  • She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct +

Time expressions:

Time Expressions we use with the Present Continuous
With the present continuous we use these time expressions:
(Notice that the time expression can come at the start or at the end of the sentence.)
At the moment: ‘I’m watching TV, at the moment.’
These days: ‘Paul’s living in Cardiff, these days.’
Now: ‘What are you doing, now?’
Nowadays: ‘I think you are smoking too much, nowadays.’

Examples:

You are learning English now.
You are not swimming now.
Are you sleeping?
I am sitting.
I am not standing.
Is he sitting or standing?
They are reading their books.
They are not watching television.
What are you doing?
Why aren't you doing your homework?

EXERCISES   if you want to do some exercises press the links below

martes, 5 de julio de 2016

Simple Present

Uses:

USE 1 Repeated Actions
Use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not do.
Examples:
  • I play tennis.
  • She does not play tennis.
  • Does he play tennis?
  • The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
  • The train does not leave at 9 AM.
  • When does the train usually leave?
  • She always forgets her purse.
  • He never forgets his wallet.
  • Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
  • Does the Sun circle the Earth?
USE 2 Facts or Generalizations
The Simple Present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.
Examples:
  • Cats like milk.
  • Birds do not like milk.
  • Do pigs like milk?
  • California is in America.
  • California is not in the United Kingdom.
  • Windows are made of glass.
  • Windows are not made of wood.
  • New York is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.
USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future
Speakers occasionally use Simple Present to talk about scheduled events in the near future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it can be used with other scheduled events as well.
Examples:
  • The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.
  • The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
  • When do we board the plane?
  • The party starts at 8 o'clock.
  • When does class begin tomorrow?
USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)
Speakers sometimes use the Simple Present to express the idea that an action is happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with Non-Continuous Verbs and certain Mixed Verbs.
Examples:

  • I am here now.
  • She is not here now.
  • He needs help right now.
  • He does not need help now.
  • He has his passport in his hand.
  • Do you have your passport with you?


Structure:

WH questions:

STRUCTURE

WH questions in simple present use “do” or “be”:

WH Questions with "do"WH   +   DO/DOES   +   SUBJECT    +   VERB
Examples:
* Where do you work?
* When does she wake up?
* Who is your brother?  
WH Questions with "be"WH   +   BE    +    SUBJECTExamples:  
* Where are you from?
* Who is that man?
* When is your class?

Frequency Adverbs:


With the present simple, we often use adverbs of frequency to say 'how often' we do something. Here's a list of common adverbs:

  • always
  • frequently
  • generally
  • hardly ever
  • infrequently
  • never
  • normally
  • occasionally
  • often
  • rarely
  • regularly
  • seldom
  • sometimes
  • usually

Time Expressions:


Examples:

Examples:
  • I play tennis.
  • She does not play tennis.
  • Does he play tennis?
  • The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
  • The train does not leave at 9 AM.
  • When does the train usually leave?
  • She always forgets her purse.
  • He never forgets his wallet.
  • Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
  • Does the Sun circle the Earth?

CAN:

Can is a modal verb.
Can is used to express ability or to say that something is possible.
Can is the same for all subjects. We don't add an 'S' in the third person (like other verbs)
The verb that comes after Can is in the infinitive without to:
  • I can speak Spanish. (= it is possible for me to speak Spanish = I have the ability to speak Spanish)
  • He can swim well.
  • We can see our neighbour in the garden.
  • They can play the guitar.
For more uses of Can see: Modal Verbs: Can - Could

Negative

To form the negative we add "not" after can to form one word: cannot.
We can also contract the negative to form can't. (can't = cannot)
  • I cannot play the piano. We can't go to the cinema tonight.
  • She cannot speak French very well. He can't drive a car.

Questions

To from the question we change the position of the subject and the auxiliary verb.
The main verb is still in the infinitive without to.
  • Where can I buy an ice-cream?
  • Can I go to the party, please?
  • Can you speak Japanese?
  • What can we do on Saturday?
Remember that you can use short answers:
  • Can I sit here please? Yes, you can.
  • Can you speak Chinese? No, I can't.