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Leggi anche appunti:'- ing' form'- ING' FORM THE PRESENT PARTICIPLE The present participle of most verbs has The Merchant of Venice (an Early Festive Comedy)The Merchant of Venice (an Early Festive Comedy) In a street of Venice, the merchant Microbiology of airMICROBIOLOGY OF AIR Air is a carrier of particulate matter, dust or droplets |
'- ING' FORM
THE PRESENT PARTICIPLE
The present participle of most verbs has the form base+ing and is used in the following ways:
a. as part of the continuous form of a verb
(See continuous tenses in VERB TENSES)
Example:
I am working,
he was singing,
they have been walking.
b. after verbs of movement/position in the pattern: verb + present participle
Example:
She went shopping
He lay looking up at the clouds
She came running towards me
This construction is particularly useful with the verb 'to go', as in these common expressions :
to go shopping |
to go walking |
c. after verbs of perception in the pattern:
verb + object + present participle
Example:
I heard someone singing.
He saw his friend walking along the road.
I can smell something burning!
NOTE: There is a difference in meaning when such a sentence contains a zero-infinitive rather than a participle. The infinitive refers to a complete action, but the participle refers to an incomplete action, or part of an action.
Compare:
I heard Joanna singing (= she had started before I heard her, and probably went on afterwards)
I heard Joanna sing (= I heard her complete performance)
d. as an adjective
Examples:
amazing, worrying, exciting, boring.
It was an amazing film.
It's a bit worrying when the police stop you
Dark billowing clouds often precede a storm.
Racing cars can go as fast as 400kph.
He was trapped inside the burning house.
Many of his paintings depict the setting sun.
e. with the verbs spend and waste, in the
pattern:
verb + time/money expression + present participle
Example:
My boss spends two hours a day travelling to work.
Don't waste time playing computer games!
They've spent the whole day shopping.
f. with the verbs catch and find, in the
pattern:
verb + object + present participle:
With catch, the participle always refers to an action which causes annoyance or anger:
If I catch you stealing my apples again, there'll be trouble!
Don't let him catch you reading his letters.
This is not the case with find, which is unemotional:
We found some money lying on the ground.
They found their mother sitting in the garden.
g. to replace a sentence or part of a sentence:
When two actions occur at the same time, and are done by the same person or thing, we can use a present participle to describe one of them:
They went out into the snow. They laughed as they went. They went laughing out into the snow.
He whistled to himself. He walked down the road. Whistling to himself, he walked down the road.
When one action follows very quickly after another done by the same person or thing, we can express the first action with a present participle:
He put on his coat and left the house. Putting on his coat, he left the house.
She dropped the gun and put her hands in the air. Dropping the gun, she put her hands in the air.
The present participle can be used instead of a phrase starting as, since, because, and it explains the cause or reason for an action:
Feeling
hungry, he went into the kitchen and opened the fridge.
(= because he felt hungry)
Being poor, he didn't spend much on clothes.
Knowing that his mother was coming, he cleaned the flat.
TENSES
PAST PERFECT
Past perfect, form
The Past Perfect tense in
English is composed of two parts: the past tense of the verb to have (had) +
the past participle of the main verb.
Subject |
had |
past participle |
We |
had |
decided |
Affirmative |
|
|
She |
had |
given. |
Negative |
|
|
We |
hadn't |
asked. |
Interrogative |
|
|
Had |
they |
arrived? |
Interrogative negative |
||
Hadn't |
you |
finished? |
Example: to decide, Past perfect
Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I had decided |
I hadn't decided |
Had I decided? |
You had decided |
You hadn't decided |
Had you decided? |
He, she, it had decided |
He hadn't decided |
Had she decided? |
We had decided |
We hadn't decided |
Had we decided? |
You had decided |
You hadn't decided |
Had you decided? |
They had decided |
They hadn't decided |
Had they decided? |
Past perfect, function
The past perfect refers to a
time earlier than before now. It is used to make it clear that
one event happened before another in the past. It does not matter which event
is mentioned first - the tense makes it clear which one happened first.
In these examples, Event A is the first or earliest event, Event B is the second or latest event:
a. |
John had gone out |
when I arrived in the office. |
Event A |
Event B |
|
b. |
I had saved my document |
before the computer crashed. |
Event A |
Event B |
|
c. |
When they arrived |
we had already started cooking |
Event B |
Event A |
|
d. |
He was very tired |
because he hadn't slept well. |
Event B |
Event A |
Past perfect + just
'Just' is used with the past
perfect to refer to an event that was only a short time earlier than before
now, e.g.
a. The train had just left
when I arrived at the station.
b. She had just left the room when the police arrived.
c. I had just put the washing out when it started to rain.
TENSES
PRESENT PERFECT
1. Present perfect - form
The present perfect of any verb
is composed of two elements : the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb to
have (present tense), plus the past participle of the main verb. The
past participle of a regular verb is base+ed, e.g. played,
arrived, looked. For irregular verbs, see the Table of irregular verbs
in the section called 'Verbs'.
Affirmative |
|
|
Subject |
to have |
past participle |
She |
has |
visited |
Negative |
|
|
Subject |
to have + not |
past participle |
She |
hasn't |
visited |
Interrogative |
|
|
to have |
subject |
past participle |
Has |
she |
visited..? |
Interrogative negative |
||
to have + not |
subject |
past participle |
Hasn't |
she |
visited? |
Example: to walk, present perfect
Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I have walked |
I haven't walked |
Have I walked? |
You have walked |
You haven't walked |
Have you walked? |
He, she, it has walked |
He, she, it hasn't walked |
Has he,she,it walked |
We have walked |
We haven't walked |
Have we walked? |
You have walked |
You haven't walked |
Have you walked? |
They have walked |
They haven't walked |
Have they walked? |
2. Present perfect, function
The Present Perfect is used to
indicate a link between the present and the past. The time of the action is before
now but not specified, and we are often more interested in the result
than in the action itself.
BE CAREFUL! There may be a verb tense in your language with a similar form, but the meaning is probably NOT the same.
The present perfect is used to describe:
1.An action or situation that started in
the past and continues in the present. Example: I have lived in Bristol
since 1984 (= and I still do.)
2. An action performed during a period that has not yet finished. Example: She
has been to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't
over yet.)
3. A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now.
Example: We have visited Portugal several times.
4. An action that was completed in the very recent past, (expressed
by 'just'). Example: I have just finished my work.
5. An action when the time is not important. Example: He has read
'War and Peace'. (the result of his reading is important)
Note: When we want to give or ask details about when, where, who, we use the simple past. Example: He read 'War and Peace' last week.
Examples:
1. Actions started in the past
and continuing in the present.
a. They haven't lived here for years.
b. She has worked in the bank for five years.
c. We have had the same car for ten years.
d. Have you played the piano since you were a child?
2. When the time period
referred to has not finished.
a. I have worked
hard this week.
b. It has rained a lot this year.
c. We haven't seen her today.
3. Actions repeated in an
unspecified period between the past and now.
a. They have seen
that film six times.
b. It has happened several times already.
c. She has visited them frequently.
d. We have eaten at that restaurant many times.
4. Actions completed in the very recent past (+just).
a. Have you just finished work?
b. I have just eaten.
c. We have just seen her.
d. Has he just left?
5. When the precise time of the action is not important or not known.
a. Someone has eaten my soup!
b. Have you seen 'Gone with the Wind'?
c. She's studied Japanese, Russian and English.
TENSES
PRESENT PERFECT + ever, never, already, yet
The adverbs ever and never express the idea of an unidentified time before now e.g. Have you ever visited Berlin?
'Ever' is used
a. in questions. e.g.
Have you ever been to England?
Has she ever met the Prime Minister?
b. in negative questions e.g.
Haven't they ever been to Europe?
Haven't you ever eaten Chinese food?
c. and in negative statements using the
pattern nothing.ever, nobody.ever e.g.
Nobody has ever said that to me before.
Nothing like this has ever happened to us.
d. 'Ever' is also used with 'The
first time. e.g.
It's the first time (that) I've ever eaten snails.
This is the first time I've ever been to England.
'Never' means at no time before now, and is the same as not
.. ever:
I have never visited Berlin
BE CAREFUL!
You must not use never
and not together:
I haven't never been to Italy.I have never been to
Italy.
Position: 'Ever' and 'never' are always placed before the main verb (past participle).
Already and yet:
Already refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time
before now. It suggests that there is no need for repetition, e.g.
a. I've already drunk three coffees this morning. (and you're
offering me another one!)
b. Don't write to John, I've already done it.
It is also used in questions:
a. Have you already written to John?
b. Has she finished her homework already?
Position: already can be placed before the main verb (past participle) or at
the end of the sentence:
a. I have already been to Tokyo.
b. I have been to Tokyo already.
yet is used in negative statements and questions, to mean (not)
in the period of time between before now and now, (not) up to and including the
present. e.g.
a. Have you met Judy yet?
b. I haven't visited the Tate Gallery yet.
c. Has he arrived yet?
d. They haven't eaten yet.
Position: Yet is usually placed at the end of the sentence.
TENSES
PRESENT PERFECT OR SIMPLE PAST?
Always use the present perfect when
the time is not important, or not specified.
Always use the simple past when details about the time or place are
specified or asked for.
Compare:
Present perfect |
Simple past |
I have lived in Lyon. |
I lived in Lyon in 1989. |
They have eaten Thai food. |
They ate Thai food last night. |
Have you seen 'Othello'?. |
Where did you see 'Othello'? |
We have been to Ireland. |
When did you go to Ireland? |
There is also a difference of attitude that is often more important than the time factor.
'What did you do at school
today?' is a question about activities,
and considers the school day as finished.
'What have you done at school today?' is a question about results
- 'show me', and regards the time of speaking as a continuation
of the school day.
TENSES
PRESENT PERFECT + for, since
Using the present perfect, we can define a period of time before now by considering its duration, with for + a period of time, or by considering its starting point, with since + a point in time.
For + a period of time:
for six years, for a week, for a
month, for hours, for two hours.
I have worked here for five years.
Since + a point in time:
since this morning, since last week, since
yesterday,
since I was a child, since Wednesday, since 2 o'clock.
I have worked here since 1990.
More examples:
present perfect with for:
a. She has lived here for
twenty years.
b. We have taught at this school for a long time.
c. Alice has been married for three months.
d. They have been at the hotel for a week.
present perfect with since:
a. She has lived here since 1980.
b. We have taught at this school since 1965.
c. Alice has been married since March 2nd.
d. They have been at the hotel since last Tuesday.
Note:
1. For and since
can both be used with the past perfect.
2. Since can only be used with perfect tenses, for
can also be used with the simple past.
TENSES
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
1. Present continuous, form
The present continuous of any verb is composed of two parts - the present tense of the verb to be + the present participle of the main verb.
(The form of the present participle is: base+ing, e.g. talking, playing, moving, smiling)
Affirmative |
||
Subject |
+ to be |
+ base+ing |
she |
is |
talking |
|
|
|
Negative |
||
Subject |
+ to be + not |
+ base+ing |
she |
is not (isn't) |
talking |
|
|
|
Interrogative |
||
to be |
+ subject |
+ base+ing |
is |
she |
talking? |
Example: to go, present continuous
Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I am going |
I am not going |
Am I going? |
You are going |
You aren't going. |
Are you going? |
He, she, it is going |
He, she, it isn't going |
Is he, she, it going? |
We are going |
We aren't going |
Are we going? |
You are going |
You aren't going |
Are you going? |
They are going |
They aren't going |
Are they going? |
Note: alternative negative contractions: I'm not going, you're not going, he's not going etc.
2. Present continuous, function
As with all tenses in English, the speaker's attitude is as important as the time of the action or event. When someone uses the present continuous, they are thinking about something that is unfinished or incomplete.
The present continuous is used:
BE CAREFUL! Some verbs are not used in the continuous form - see below.
3. Verbs that are not normally used in the continuous form
The verbs in the list below are normally used in the simple form, because they refer to states, rather than actions or processes:
List of common verbs normally used in simple form:
Senses / Perception |
feel*, hear, see*, smell, taste |
Opinion |
assume, believe, consider, doubt, feel (= think), find (= consider), suppose, think* |
Mental states |
forget, imagine, know, mean, notice, recognise, remember, understand |
Emotions / desires |
envy, fear, dislike, hate, hope, like, love, mind, prefer, regret, want, wish |
Measurement |
contain, cost, hold, measure, weigh |
Others |
look (=resemble), seem, be (in most cases), have (when it means to possess)* |
Notes:
1. 'Perception' verbs (see, hear, feel, taste, smell) are often used with 'can': e.g. I can see
2. * These verbs may be used in the continuous form but with a different meaning, compare:
a. This coat feels nice and warm.
(= your perception of the coat's qualities)
b. John's feeling much better now (= his health is
improving)
a. She has three dogs and a cat.
(=possession)
b. She's having supper. (= She's eating)
a. I can see Anthony in the
garden (= perception)
b. I'm seeing Anthony later (= We are planning to meet)
Examples:
TENSES
PAST CONTINUOUS
Past continuous - form.
The past continuous of any verb is composed of two parts : the past tense of
the verb to be (was/were), and the base of the main verb +ing.
Subject |
was/were |
base-ing |
They |
were |
watching |
Affirmative |
||
She |
was |
reading |
Negative |
||
She |
wasn't |
reading |
Interrogative |
||
Was |
she |
reading? |
Interrogative negative |
||
Wasn't |
she |
reading? |
Example: to play, past continuous
Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I was playing |
I was not playing |
Was I playing? |
You were playing |
You were not playing |
Were you playing? |
He, she, it was playing |
She wasn't playing |
Was she playing? |
We were playing |
We weren't playing |
Were we playing? |
You were playing |
You weren't playing |
Were you playing? |
They were playing |
They weren't playing |
Were they playing? |
2. Past continuous, function The past continuous describes actions or events in a time before now, which began in the past and was still going on at the time of speaking. In other words, it expresses an unfinished or incomplete action in the past.
It is used:
More examples:
a. They were waiting for the
bus when the accident happened.
b. Caroline was skiing when she broke her leg.
c. When we arrived he was having a bath.
d. When the fire started I was watching television.
Note: with verbs not normally used in the continuous form, the simple past is used. See list in Present continuous
TENSES
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Past perfect continuous, form
The past perfect continuous is
composed of two elements - the past perfect of the verb to be (=had been)
+ the present participle (base+ing).
Examples:
Subject |
had been |
verb-ing |
I |
had been |
walking |
Affirmative |
|
|
She |
had been |
trying |
Negative |
|
|
We |
hadn't been |
sleeping |
Interrogative |
|
|
Had you |
been |
eating |
Interrogative negative |
||
Hadn't they |
been |
living |
Example: to buy, past perfect continuous
Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I had been buying |
I hadn't been buying |
Had I been buying? |
You had been buying |
You hadn't been buying |
Had you been buying |
He,she,it had been buying |
He hadn't been buying |
Had she been buying? |
We had been buying |
We hadn't been buying |
Had we been buying? |
You had been buying |
You hadn't been buying |
Had you been buying |
They had been buying |
They hadn't been buying |
Had they been buying |
Past perfect continuous,
function
The past perfect continuous
corresponds to the present perfect continuous, but with reference to a time
earlier than 'before now'. Again, we are more interested in the process.
Examples:
a. Had you been waiting long
before the taxi arrived?
b. We had been trying to open the door for five minutes when Jane
found her key.
c. It had been raining hard for several hours and the
streets were very wet.
d. Her friends had been thinking of calling the police
when she walked in.
This form is also used in reported speech. It is the equivalent of the past continuous and the present perfect continuous in direct speech:
Jane said 'I have been gardening all afternoon.' Jane said she had been gardening all afternoon.
When the police questioned him, John said 'I was working late in the office that night.' When the police questioned him, John told them he had been working late in the office that night.
TENSES
PRESENT CONTINUOUS FOR FUTURE EVENTS
1. Present continuous for the
future, form
See notes on form in section on
Present Continuous.
Subject |
+ to be |
+ base-ing |
She |
is |
meeting |
2. Future: Present continuous
for the future, function
The present continuous is used
to talk about arrangements for events at a time later than now.
There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of the event, and that
some preparation has already happened. e.g.
a. I'm meeting Jim at the airport = and
both Jim and I have discussed this.
b. I am leaving tomorrow. = and I've already bought my train ticket.
c. We're having a staff meeting next Monday = and all members of staff
have been told about it.
More examples:
a. Is she seeing him
tomorrow?
b. He isn't working next week.
c. They aren't leaving until the end of next year.
d. We are staying with friends when we get to Boston.
Note: in example (a), seeing is used in a continuous form
because it means meeting.
BE CAREFUL! The simple present is used when a future event is
part of a programme or time-table. Notice the difference between:
a. We're having a staff meeting next Monday.
b. We have a staff meeting next Monday.(= we have a meeting every
Monday, it's on the time-table.)
UNREAL PAST
The past tense is sometimes used in English to refer to an 'unreal' situation. So, although the tense is the past, we are usually talking about the present, e.g. in a Type 2 conditional sentence:
If an elephant and a mouse fell in love, they would have many problems.
Although fell is in the past tense, we are talking about a hypothetical situation that might exist now or at any time, but we are not referring to the past. We call this use the unreal past.
Other situations where this occurs are:
Expressions like 'if'
The following expressions can be used to
introduce hypothetical situations:
- supposing, if only, what if. They are followed by a past
tense to indicate that the condition they introduce is unreal:
These expressions can also introduce hypothetical situations in the past and then they are followed by the past perfect.
Examples:
The verb to wish
The verb to wish is followed by an 'unreal' past tense when we want to talk about situations in the present that we are not happy about but cannot change:
When we want to talk about situations in the past that we are not happy about or actions that we regret, we use the verb to wish followed by the past perfect:
NOTE: When we want to talk about situations we are not happy about and where we want someone else to change them, we use to wish followed by would + infinitive:
I'd rather and it's time
These two expressions are also followed by an unreal past. The verb is in the past tense, but the situation is in the present.
When we want to talk about a course of action we would prefer someone else to take, we use I'd rather + past tense:
NOTE: the stress can be important in these sentences, to show what our preference is:
Similarly, when we want to say that now is a suitable moment to do something, either for ourselves or for someone else, we use it's time + past tense:
TENSES
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Present perfect continuous,
form
The present perfect continuous
is made up of two elements: (a) the present perfect of the verb 'to be'
(have/has been), and (b) the present participle of the main verb (base+ing).
Subject |
has/have been |
base+ing |
She |
has been |
swimming |
Affirmative |
|
She has been / She's been |
running |
Negative |
|
She hasn't been |
running |
Interrogative |
|
Has she been |
running? |
Interrogative negative |
|
Hasn't she been |
running? |
Example: to live, present perfect continuous
Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I have been living |
I haven't been living |
Have I been living? |
You have been living |
You haven't been living |
Have you been living? |
He, she, it has been living |
He hasn't been living |
Has she been living? |
We have been living |
We haven't been living |
Have we been living? |
You have been living |
You haven't been living |
Have you been living? |
They have been living |
They haven't been living |
Have they been living? |
Present perfect continuous,
function
The present perfect continuous refers to an unspecified time between
'before now' and 'now'. The speaker is thinking about something that started
but perhaps did not finish in that period of time. He/she is interested in the process
as well as the result, and this process may still be going on, or may have
just finished.
Examples:
1. Actions that started in the past and continue in the present.
a. She has been waiting for you all day (=and she's still waiting now).
b. I've been working on this report since eight o'clock this morning (=and I still haven't finished it).
c. They have been travelling since last October (=and they're not home yet).
2. Actions that have just finished, but we are interested in the results:
a. She has been cooking since last night (=and the food on the table looks delicious).
b. It's been raining (= and the streets are still wet).
c. Someone's been eating my chips (= half of them have gone).
Note:
Verbs without continuous forms
With verbs not normally used in
the continuous form, use the present perfect simple. See list of these verbs
under 'Present Continuous':
KINDS OF ADVERBS
RELATIVE ADVERBS
The following adverbs can be used to join sentences or clauses. They replace the more formal structure of preposition + which in a relative clause:
where, when, why
Examples:
KINDS OF ADVERBS
INTERROGATIVE ADVERBS
These are:
why, where, how, when
They are usually placed at the beginning of a question.
Examples:
Notice that how can be used in four different ways:
1. meaning 'in what way?':
How did you make this sauce?
How do you start the car?
2. with adjectives:
How tall are you?
How old is your house?
3. with much and many:
How much are these tomatoes?
How many people are coming to the party?
4. with other adverbs:
How quickly can you read this?
How often do you go to London?
KINDS OF ADVERBS
ADVERBS OF DEGREE
Adverbs of degree tell us about the intensity or degree of an action, an adjective or another adverb.
Common adverbs of degree:
Almost, nearly, quite, just, too, enough, hardly, scarcely, completely, very, extremely.
Adverbs of degree are usually placed:
Examples:
Enough, very, too
Enough as an adverb meaning 'to the necessary degree' goes after adjectives and adverbs.
Example:
It also goes before nouns, and means 'as much as is necessary'. In this case it is not an adverb, but a 'determiner'.
Example:
Too as an adverb meaning 'more than is necessary or useful' goes before adjectives and adverbs, e.g.
Enough and too with adjectives can be followed by 'for someone/something'.
Example:
We can also use 'to + infinitive' after enough and too with adjectives/adverb.
Example:
Very goes before an adverb or adjective to make it stronger.
Example:
If we want to make a negative form of an adjective or adverb, we can use a word of opposite meaning, or not very.
Example:
BE CAREFUL! There is a big difference between too and very.
Other adverbs like very
These common adverbs are used like very and not very, and are listed in order of strength, from positive to negative:
extremely, especially, particularly, pretty, rather, quite, fairly, rather, not especially, not particularly.
Note: rather can be positive or negative, depending on the adjective or adverb that follows:
Positive: The teacher was rather nice.
Negative: The film was rather disappointing.
Note on inversion with negative adverbs:
Normally the subject goes before the verb:
SUBJECT |
VERB |
I |
left |
However, some negative adverbs can cause an inversion - the order is reversed and the verb goes before the subject
Example:
I have never seen such courage. Never have I seen such courage.
She rarely left the house. Rarely did she leave the house.
Negative inversion is used in writing, not in speaking.
Other adverbs and adverbial expressions that can be used like this:
seldom, scarcely, hardly, not
only ..
but also, no sooner ..
than, not until, under no circumstances.
THE PASSIVE VOICE
PASSIVE TENSES AND ACTIVE
EQUIVALENTS
Notice that the tense of the
verb to be in the passive voice is the same as the tense of the main verb in
the active voice.
Example: to keep
TENSE / VERB FORM |
ACTIVE VOICE |
PASSIVE VOICE |
Simple present |
keeps |
is kept |
Present continuous |
is keeping |
is being kept |
Simple past |
kept |
was kept |
Past continuous |
was keeping |
was being kept |
Present perfect |
have kept |
have been kept |
Past perfect |
had kept |
had been kept |
future |
will keep |
will be kept |
Conditional present |
would keep |
would be kept |
Conditional past |
would have kept |
would have been kept |
present infinitive |
to keep |
to be kept |
perfect infinitive |
to have kept |
to have been kept |
present participle/gerund |
keeping |
being kept |
perfect participle |
having kept |
having been kept |
Example sentences:
Active: I keep the butter in the fridge.
Passive: The butter is kept in the fridge.
Active: They stole the painting.
Passive: The painting was stolen.
Active: They are repairing the road.
Passive: The road is being repaired.
Active: Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.
Passive: Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.
Active: A dog bit him.
Passive: He was bitten by a dog.
THE PASSIVE VOICE
PASSIVE, FORM
The passive voice in English is composed of two elements : the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' + the past participle of the verb in question:
Subject |
verb 'to be' |
past participle |
The house |
was |
built |
Example: to clean
Subject |
verb 'to be' |
past participle |
Simple present: |
||
The house |
is |
cleaned every day. |
|
|
|
Present continuous: |
||
The house |
is being |
cleaned at the moment. |
|
|
|
Simple past: |
||
The house |
was |
cleaned yesterday. |
|
|
|
Past continuous: |
||
The house |
was being |
cleaned last week. |
|
|
|
Present perfect: |
||
The house |
has been |
cleaned since you left. |
|
|
|
Past perfect: |
||
The house |
had been |
cleaned before their arrival. |
|
|
|
Future: |
||
The house |
will be |
cleaned next week. |
|
|
|
Future continuous: |
||
The house |
will be being |
cleaned tomorrow. |
|
|
|
Present conditional: |
||
The house |
would be |
cleaned if they had visitors. |
|
|
|
Past conditional: |
||
The house |
would have been |
cleaned if it had been dirty. |
NOTE: 'to be born' is a passive form and is most commonly used in the past tense:
I was born in 1976. When
were you born?
BUT: Around 100 babies are
born in this hospital every week.
Infinitive form: infinitive of 'to be' + past participle: (to) be cleaned
This form is used after modal verbs and other verbs normally followed by an infinitive, e.g.
You have to be tested on your
English grammar
John might be promoted next year.
She wants to be invited to the party.
Gerund or -ing form: being + past participle: being cleaned
This form is used after prepositions and verbs normally followed by a gerund
Examples:
a. Most film
stars hate being interviewed.
b. I remember being taught to drive.
c. The children are excited about being taken to the zoo.
NOTE: Sometimes the passive is formed using the verb to get instead of the verb to be:
a. He got arrested for
dangerous driving.
b. They're getting married later this year.
c. I'm not sure how the window got broken.
THE QUANTIFIERS
Quantifiers with countable
and uncountable nouns
Adjectives and adjectival phrases that describe quantity are shown below. Some can only go with countable nouns (friends, cups, people), and some can only go with uncountable nouns (sugar, tea, money, advice). The words in the middle column can be used with both countable and uncountable nouns.
Only with |
With uncountable |
Only with |
How much? |
How much? or How many? |
How many? |
a little |
no/none |
a few |
a bit (of) |
not any |
a number (of) |
|
some (any) |
several |
a great deal of |
a lot of |
a large number of |
a large amount of |
plenty of |
a great number of |
|
lots of |
|
+ noun |
Note: much and many are used in negative and question forms.
Example:
They are also used with too, (not) so,
and (not) as :There were too many people at the concert - we
couldn't see the band.
It's a problem when there are so many people.
There's not so much work to do this week.
In positive statements, we use a lot of:
TYPE 1 CONDITIONAL
1. Form
In a Type 1 conditional
sentence, the tense in the 'if clause is the simple present, and
the tense in the main clause is the simple future
'IF' CLAUSE (CONDITION) |
MAIN CLAUSE (RESULT) |
If + simple present |
Simple future |
2. Function
In these sentences, the time is
the present or future and the situation is real. They
refer to a possible condition and its probable result. They are
based on facts, and they are used to make statements about the real world, and
about particular situations. We often use such sentences to give warnings:
Examples:
NOTE: We can use modals to express the degree of certainty of the result:
'IF' SENTENCES AND THE 'UNREAL' PAST
In this section you will find information on sentences containing the word 'if', the use of conditional tenses, and the 'unreal past', that is, when we use a past tense but we are not actually referring to past time.
IF AND THE CONDITIONAL
There are four main types of 'if' sentences in English:
1. The 'zero' conditional, where the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present:
'IF' CLAUSE |
MAIN CLAUSE |
If + simple present |
simple present |
In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible. They are often used to refer to general truths.
2. The Type 1 conditional, where the tense in the 'if clause is the simple present, and the tense in the main clause is the simple future
'IF' CLAUSE |
MAIN CLAUSE |
If + simple present |
Simple future |
In these sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real. They refer to a possible condition and its probable result.
3. The Type 2 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE |
MAIN CLAUSE |
If + simple past |
Present conditional |
In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal. They are not based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result.
4. The Type 3 conditional, where the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE |
MAIN CLAUSE |
If + past perfect |
Perfect conditional |
In these sentences, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed, and they refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result.
A further type if 'if' sentence exists, where Type 2 and Type 3 are mixed. The tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE |
MAIN CLAUSE |
If + past perfect |
Present conditional |
In these sentences, the time is past in the 'if' clause, and present in the main clause. They refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present.
TYPE 2 CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
1. Form
In a Type 2 conditional sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE |
MAIN CLAUSE |
If + simple past |
Present conditional |
Present conditional, form
The present conditional of any verb is composed of two parts - the modal auxiliary would + the infinitive of the main verb (without 'to'.)
Subject |
would |
infinitive without to |
She |
would |
learn |
Affirmative |
|
|
I |
would |
go |
Negative |
|
|
I |
wouldn't |
ask |
Interrogative |
|
|
Would |
she |
come? |
Interrogative negative |
|
|
Wouldn't |
they |
accept? |
Would: Contractions of would
In spoken English, would is contracted to 'd.
I'd |
We'd |
you'd |
you'd |
he'd, she'd |
they'd |
The negative contraction = wouldn't.
Example: to accept, Present conditional
Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I would accept |
I wouldn't accept |
Would I accept? |
You would accept |
You wouldn't accept |
Would you accept? |
He would accept |
She wouldn't accept |
Would he accept? |
We would accept |
We wouldn't accept |
Would we accept? |
You would accept |
You wouldn't accept |
Would you accept? |
They would accept |
They wouldn't accept |
Would they accept? |
2. Function
In these sentences, the time is now or any time, and the situation is unreal. They are not based on fact, and they refer to an unlikely or hypothetical condition and its probable result. The use of the past tense after 'if' indicates unreality. We can nearly always add a phrase starting with 'but', that expresses the real situation:
Examples of use:
To make a statement about something that is not real at present, but is possible:
I would visit her if I had time. (= I haven't got time but I might have some time)
To make a statement about a situation that is not real now and never could be real:
If I were you, I'd give up smoking (but I could never be you)
Examples:
a. If I was a plant, I would
love the rain.
b. If you really loved me, you would buy me a
diamond ring.
c. If I knew where she lived, I would go and see
her.
d. You wouldn't need to read this if you understood
English grammar.
e. Would he go to the concert if I gave him a
ticket?
f. They wouldn't invite her if they didn't like her
g. We would be able to buy a larger house if we had more
money
NOTE: It is correct, and very common, to say 'If I were' instead of 'If I was'.
TYPE 3 CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
1. Form
In a Type 3 conditional
sentence, the tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and
the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE |
MAIN CLAUSE |
If + past perfect |
Perfect conditional |
Perfect conditional - form
The perfect conditional of any
verb is composed of two elements: would + the perfect infinitive of the
main verb (=have + past participle):
Subject |
would |
perfect infinitive |
He |
would |
have
gone |
Affirmative |
|
|
I |
would |
have believed |
Negative |
|
|
She |
wouldn't |
have given |
Interrogative |
|
|
Would |
you |
have left? |
Interrogative negative |
|
|
Wouldn't |
he |
have been? |
Example: to go, Past conditional
Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I would have gone |
I wouldn't have gone |
Would I have gone? |
You would have gone |
You wouldn't have gone |
Would you have gone? |
He would have gone |
She wouldn't have gone |
Would it have gone? |
We would have gone |
We wouldn't have gone |
Would we have gone? |
You would have gone |
You wouldn't have gone |
Would you have gone? |
They would have gone |
They wouldn't have gone |
Would they have gone? |
In these sentences, the time is past, and the situation is contrary to reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed.
Type 3 conditional sentences, are truly hypothetical or unreal, because it is now too late for the condition or its result to exist. There is always an unspoken 'but' phrase:
NOTE: Both would and had can be contracted to 'd, which can be confusing. Remember that you NEVER use would in the IF-clause, so in the example above, 'If I'd known' must be 'If I had known', and 'I'd have baked' must be 'I would have baked..'
Examples:
a. If I'd known you were in
hospital, I would have visited you.
b. I would have bought you a present if I'd known
it was your birthday.
c. If they'd had a better goalkeeper they wouldn't have
lost the game.
d. If you had told me you were on the Internet, I'd have
sent you an e-mail.
e. Would you have bought an elephant if you'd known
how much they eat?
MIXED CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
It is possible for the two parts of a conditional sentence to refer to different times, and the resulting sentence is a 'mixed conditional' sentence. There are two types of mixed conditional sentence:
A. Present result of past
condition:
1. Form
The tense in the 'if'
clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the present
conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE |
MAIN CLAUSE |
If + past perfect |
Present conditional |
2. Function
In these sentences, the time is
past in the 'if' clause, and present in
the main clause. They refer to an unreal past condition and its probable
result in the present. They express a situation which is contrary
to reality both in the past and in the present:
'If I had worked harder at school' is contrary to past fact - I didn't
work hard at school, and 'I would have a better job now' is contrary to
present fact - I haven't got a good job.
If we had looked at the map (we didn't), we wouldn't be lost (we
are lost).
Examples:
B. Past result of present or continuing condition.
1. Form The tense in the If-clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:
'IF' CLAUSE |
MAIN CLAUSE |
If +
simple past |
Perfect
conditional |
2. Function In these sentences the time in the If-clause is now or always, and the time in the main clause is before now. They refer to an unreal present situation and its probable (but unreal) past result:
Examples:
a. If she wasn't afraid of
flying she wouldn't have travelled by boat.
b. I'd have been able to translate the letter if my Italian was
better.
c. If I was a good cook, I'd have invited them to
lunch.
d. If the elephant wasn't in love with the mouse, she'd
have trodden on him by now.
TENSES
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
Future continuous, form The future continuous is made up of two elements: the simple future of the verb 'to be' + the present participle (base+ing)
Subject |
simple future, 'to be' |
base+ing |
You |
will be |
watching |
Affirmative I will be asking
Negative
She won't be leaving
Interrogative
Will they be retiring?
Interrogative negative Won't we be staying?
Example: to stay, future continuous
Affirmative |
Negative |
Interrogative |
I will be staying |
I won't be staying |
Will I be staying? |
You will be staying |
You won't be staying |
Will you be staying? |
He, she, it will be staying |
He won't be staying |
Will she be staying? |
We will be staying |
We won't be staying |
Will we be staying? |
You will be staying |
You won't be staying |
Will you be staying? |
They will be staying |
They won't be staying |
Will they be staying? |
Future continuous, function
The future continuous refers to
an unfinished action or event that will be in progress
at a time later than now. It is used:
a. to project ourselves into the future and see something happening: This time next week I will be sun-bathing in Bali.
b. to refer to actions/events that will happen in the normal course of events: I'll be seeing Jim at the conference next week.
c. in the interrogative form, especially with 'you', to distinguish between a simple request for information and an invitation: Will you be coming to the party tonight? (= request for information) Will you come to the party? (= invitation)
d. to predict or guess about someone's actions or feelings, now or in the future: You'll be feeling tired after that long walk, I expect.
More examples:
a. events in progress in the future:
When you are in Australia will you be staying with friends?
This time next week you will be working in your new job.
At four thirty on Tuesday afternoon I will be signing the
contract.
b. events/actions in normal course of
events:
I'll be going into town this afternoon, is there anything you
want from the shops?
Will you be using the car tomorrow? - No, you can take it.
I'll be seeing Jane this evening - I'll give her the message.
c. asking for information:
Will you be bringing your friend to the pub tonight?
Will Jim be coming with us?
d. predicting or guessing:
You'll be feeling thirsty after working in the sun.
He'll be coming to the meeting, I expect.
You'll be missing the sunshine now you're back in England.
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