Adjectives

Adjectives
Click for Audio

Adjectives are used to describe nouns. They give more details or information about the nouns they are associated with. A: Tell me about your boyfriend
B: Well, he is tall, dark, and handsome. A: Sounds like mine.

Adjectives can be used to answer the questions "What kind (of) ?" or "Which one?" A: Hi. I'm calling about the car you're selling?
B: It's a great car. (It's) in excellent condition. A: What kind of seats does it have? B: They're very comfortable seats, (soft, plush, just like a sofa.) A: Uh. I think I'll sleep on it. A: Hand me a book. B: Which one do you want? A: The red book. The red one.

Adjectives come before the nouns they modify (not after). Three happy hippies lived in the Heartquake Hotel.
WRONG: Three hippies happy lived in the Heartquake Hotel.

Adjectives can also be used with linking verbs to describe the subject of a sentence.
When used in this manner, the adjective(s) come after the linking verb.

My mother is tall and slender.

WRONG: My mother tall and slender. (No linking verb.)

Seem, become, appear, and verbs of perceptioncan also be used as linking verbs. Note how they are used with adjectives in the following. Can you identify the linking verbs and the adjectives? The journey seemed long. (It appeared strenuous and boring.)
You smell nice today. What kind of cologne are you wearing? A: What do you want to do this weekend? Bowling? Shopping? A movie? B: Bowling sounds good. CAUTION/BE CAREFUL: Tom looked greedy. (He appeared to be a greedy person.) The adjective greedy is used to describe Tom. Tom looked greedily at the pie on the table. (He saw it and wanted it for himself.) The adverb greedily is used to describe Tom's action.

Adjectives are the same for all nouns. They do not change for plurals. Example: Three tired tigers tried to tie a triangular tie. Not: three "tireds" tigers

Adverbs

Adverbs Click for Audio

Adverbs are used to describe actions. They may come before or after a verb, but not between a verb and its object. Mrs.Jenner sang softly. (Most common word order.)
Mrs. Jenner softly sang. (Also possible.) Mrs. Jenner softly sang a lullaby. Mrs. Jenner sang a lullaby softly. Mrs. Jenner sang softly a lullaby. (Not correct.)

Adverbs may come between a main verb and its auxiliaries. Mrs. Jenner is softly singing a lullaby.
Mrs. Jenner softly is singing a lullaby. (Not correct.) Mrs. Jenner has been softly singing that lullaby for a long time. Some time and frequency adverbs are ?movable.? That is, they can be placed at various points in a sentence.

Yesterday I visited the dentist.

I visited the dentist yesterday. Jack Prompt is here already. Jack Prompt is already here.

Caution:
Even though some adverbs can be used in certain sentence positions, others can not.

I yesterday visited the dentist. (Not okay.)

I already visited the dentist. (Okay.) Already I visited the dentist. (Not okay.) Adverbs such as quite, very, really, extremely, and absolutely are used to modify adjectives and other adverbs. They come directly before the words they describe. Greg is quite happy with his new boss. Sue eats very slowly. You're absolutely right! Many adverbs can be formed by adding "ly" to adjectives:

Carl is a quick runner.

Carl runs quickly. Some adverbs are identical to adjectives in form. Others are completely different.

Carl is a fast runner. (Adjective)

Carl runs fast. (Adverb)

Jill is a good student. (Adjective)

Jill studies well. (Adverb)

Be careful with words like hardly and lately, which have no relation to the adjectives/adverbs hard and late.

Jacob kicked the ball hard.

Jacob hardly kicked the ball. Trudy came to class late. Trudy hasn't come to class lately.

He kicked the ball with tremendous force.)

(He barely touched the ball.) (She was tardy.) (She hasn't been to class recently.)

Adverbs and Prepositions

Adverbs and Prepositions

Adverbs are words or groups of words which tell time, place, frequency or manner. I ate my lunch yesterday. I ate at that restaurant last week. She went there. She went downtown.

Prepositions are usually followed by objects in prepositional phrases. They can also be used to indicate time, place, frequency, duration, reason, manner, or to show contrast. She went to the store. I ate my lunch at noon. She walked into the I ate in the cafeteria. house. *Do not use adverbs as objects of prepositions. Incorrect: I went to somewhere. I was busy at last night. John works in downtown. She came to home on yesterday. Correc t: I went somewhere. I was busy last night. John works downtown. She came home yesterday.

Be careful with words such as home, downtown, today, next/last week, etc. which are sometimes used as adverbs and sometimes used as nouns.

As adverbs I will go back tomorrow. She went home last night. Next week I will travel to Iowa.

As nouns Tomorrow is another day. They built a home in Oregon. Next week is my vacation.

Basic Sentence Structure

Basic Sentence Structure Click for Audio There are five basic patterns around which most English sentences are built.* They are as follows: S-V Subject-Verb John sleeps. Jill is eating. Jack will arrive next week. S-V-O Subject-Verb-Object I like rice. She loves her job. He's eating an orange. S-V-Adj Subject-Verb-Adjective He is funny. The workers are lazy. Karen seems angry. S-V-Adv Subject-Verb-Adverb Jim is here. Flowers are everywhere. No one was there. S-V-N Subject-Verb-Noun She is my mom. The men are doctors. Mr. Jones is the teacher. At the heart of every English sentence is the Subject-Verb relationship. Other elements can be added to make a sentence more interesting, but they are not essential to its formation. The following sentences are examples of the S-V pattern. She sleeps. Core sentence

She sleeps soundly. She sleeps on the sofa. She sleeps every afternoon. She is sleeping right now. Mary will sleep later.

An adverb is added to describe how she sleeps. A prepositional phrase is added to tell where she sleeps. A time expression is added to tell when she sleeps. Verb tense is changed, but S-V relationship remains the same. Subject is named and another tense is used.

The dogs are sleeping in the garage. New subject may require a different form of the verb. Note: Any action verb can be used with this sentence pattern. The following sentences are examples of the S-V-O pattern. They like rice. The people like rice. The friendly people like rice. Core sentence Specific subject Subject modified with an adjective

The people in the restaurant like rice. Subject modified with an adjective The people like boiled rice. The people like hot, white rice. Object modified with an adjective Object modified with more than one adjective

Note: Only transitive action verbs can be used with this sentence pattern. The following sentences are examples of the S-V-Adj pattern. He is fine. He seems happy. Jordan is tall, dark and handsome. He appears very comfortable. George became sick last night. Basic sentence with "be" verb Basic sentence with another linking verb Series of adjectives Adverb or intensifier added Different tense and linking verb

Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern. The following sentences are examples of the S-V-Adv pattern. The teacher is here. The teacher is over there. Basic sentence Using an adverb phrase

Teachers are everywhere. The teachers are in the lobby.

Plural noun and verb used Prepositional phrase functioning as adverb

Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern. The following sentences are examples of the S-V-N pattern. The man is a doctor. The women are doctors. My father is a nice guy. Basic sentence Using plural noun and verb Modified subject and complement

My grandparents are senior citizens. Modified plural subject and complement Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern. *Other, less common structures are dealt with in another unit.

Building Sentences

Building Sentences Click for Audio Remember, the S - V relationship is at the "heart" of every sentence. All sentences are built around this core. To give a sentence more substance, you may enhance the subject or verb: (VERB enhancements) 1. Change the verb in tense or aspect or a combination of the two. He eats. He will eat. He is eating. He has eaten. He has been eating. He should have been eating. (simple present) (future/modal) (continuous) (perfect) (combination) (combination)

2. Add an adverb or adverb phrase, or prepositional phrase. He should have eaten already/ by now. He was eating in the kitchen. 3. Add an adverbial clause. He was eating when the bus arrived. 4. Add a participial phrase. Having finished his homework, he ate.

(SUBJECT enhancements) 5. Change the noun to a pronoun or vice versa. He eats. John eats. 6. Add an article, demonstrative, or possessive. The man eats. This man eats. His father eats.

Conjunctions and Linking Words

Conjunctions and Linking Words Click for Audio Coordinators Coordinators connect elements of equal importance. S + V , but S+V S + V and V S and S + V N and N Adj. and Adj. Phrase and Phrase Can be used in a series: A, B, C, or D Subordinators Subordinators connect elements of unequal importance. One clause is not as strong as the other. S + V although S + V (although, even though, because, since*, when, while, before*, after*, whenever, wherever*, if, unless, whether?[or not] as, as [adjective] as, so that, whereas anywhere*, anytime*) Although S + V , S + V Sentence Connectors Sentence Connectors connect paragraphs or show relationship between very different ideas. S + V . However, S + V (however, therefore, thus, moreover, nevertheless, first*, then*, next*, still* S + V ; however, S + V besides, consequently, furthermore) (and, but, so, or, nor, for*, yet)

Prepositions Prepositions show relationship among elements of a sentence. They are followed by noun phrases only and cannot take on a S + V. S + V (prep. phrase) (during, after*, before*, in, on, at despite, in spite of, for*, since*, by (Prep. phrase), S + V like, except, but*, about, to*, from between [A and B], among, with (Prep. phrase) V + S (unusual) within, without, beside, near, next to)

Everyday vs. Every Day

Everyday vs. Every Day Click for Audio

Explanation
Everyday is an adjective meaning "daily." Every day is a time expression meaning "each day" or "regularly." Examples Note the difference in the following sentences: 1. Jane goes to class every day (each day) 2. Jane has an everyday class. (a daily class) Common Errors The most common error is writing "every day" as one word (everyday) as in the following sentences: 1. I used to jog three miles everyday (Incorrect) 2. I used to jog three miles every day. (Correct)

Frequency Adverbs

Frequency Adverbs Click for Audio

The most common frequency adverbs in English are: Always 100% of the time Frequently
Usually Often about 90% of the time about 80% of the

time about 70% of the time Sometimes Occasionally Seldom Rarely Never about 50% of the time about 40% of the time about 20% of the time about 10% of the time about 00% of the time Note: The percentages here are rough estimates only. Frequency adverbs can be placed at various points in the sentence, but are most commonly used before the main verbs and after be verbs.

I always come to work on time.

They are seldom home when we call. He's usually eating breakfast at this time. She's never been to Maine. A: Do you come here often? B: Yes. I'm here occasionally. A: What do you usually do here? B: Sometimes I just sit and ponder the meaning of life. Note: The adverbs seldom, rarely, never and hardly ever are considered negative.

A: Do you always carry a briefcase?

B: (Yes,) I usually do. No, I usually don't. No, I rarely do. No, I hardly ever do. Other frequency adverbs and expressions are as follows:

Every day/week/month
Every other day/week Once a week/month/year Twice a year/day, etc. (Every) once in a while Every so often These expressions are used at the beginning and end of sentences, not before main verbs.

Every once in a while I visit my grandmother in Minnesota.

I visit my grandmother in Minnesota every once in a while. I every once in a while visit my grandmother in Minnesota. (Incorrect)

Regularly
Normally Traditionally

(according to schedule)
(commonly nowadays) (commonly in the past)

These words can come at various points in the sentence.

I regularly floss my teeth.

I floss my teeth regularly. Traditionally, that was considered child's play. I normally get up around 6 o'clock. Normally, I get up around 6 o'clock.

Non-Action Verbs

Non-Action Verbs Click for Audio Some verbs cannot be used in the progressive tenses. They are called non-action verbs. Non-action verbs indicate state, sense, desire, possession, or opinion. The most common non-action verbs are: be* look* like have* think* seem sound* want own believe appear* smell* prefer possess consider* (Wrong!) (Correct) (Wrong!) (Correct) (Wrong!) (Correct) taste* love* feel* (existence) (senses) (desire) (possession) (opinion)

Note the usage in the following sentences: Mr. Tactful is seeming like a nice guy. Mr. Tactful seems like a nice guy. This salad is tasting delicious. This salad tastes delicious. I am liking banana cream pie. I like banana cream pie.

Some verbs have both action and non-action meanings. They are indicated by an asterisk* in the table above. The situation determines whether the action or non-action form of the verb is used. Those flowers look beautiful. Flora is looking out the window. I think that's a great idea. I am thinking about my upcoming speech. We have a brand new car. (Non-action) (Action) (Non-action) (Action) (Non-action)

We are having a party this weekend. Craig is a real estate agent. Billy is being naughty today.

(Action) (Non-action) (Action)

Noun and Verb Phrases

Noun Phrases Noun Phrases are groups of words that can function as subjects or objects in sentences. They may take on various forms: Water is important for survival. Mr. Jones spoke to Dr. James. The boy ate an apple. My friend works with her father. The young girl wore a long, white dress. Some of the kids ate all of the cake. The man with the gun frightened the people in the bank. The woman who lives there is my aunt. The dogs sleeping on the deck should be left alone. Whoever wrote this is in trouble. (Single words) (Proper names) (Nouns and articles) (Nouns and possessives) (Nouns and adjectives) (Nouns and quantifiers) (Nouns and prep. phrases) (Nouns and relative clauses) (Nouns and phrases) (Noun clauses)

Pronouns and similar words can also function as subjects and objects: He gave the money to us. Someone left this. Give me one of each. Verb Phrases Verb phrases are groups of words that express action or state of being. They take on various forms. The men live in the dormitory. He stayed at the Hi Hat Hotel. I am learning many new things. She has been there before. They have been working here five years. I could use some assistance. The trip was approved by the professor. Do you want some more pie? (Single verbs) (Past tense verbs) (Progressive verbs) (Perfect verbs) (Perfect progressive verbs) (Verbs and modals) (Passive verbs) (Verbs in questions)

Other words can be added to enhance verb phrases: The mayor works here. Neil is not a candidate. They live in the suburbs. She'll leave whenever she wants. Don't talk while eating. (adverbs) (negatives) (prepositional phrases) (adverbial clauses) (phrases)

Prepositions: In, On, and At

Prepositions: In, On, and At (with specific times and places)

The prepositions in, on, and at can be used to indicate time and place. Notice how they are used in the following situations:

Preposition In On At

Time Year, Month, In 1999, In December

Place Country, State, City In Japan, In Utah, InTaipei

Day, Date Street On Saturday, On May 1 On Main Street, On 1st Ave. Time At 8:00, At 7:30 Address At 815 East Main Street

In many languages, there is only one preposition for the above situations. In English there are three. Just remember that in usually indicates the "largest" time or place, and at usually indicates the "smallest" time or place.
Examples:

A: Where's your office?

B: In Taipei, Taiwan. A: Really? What part of Taipei? B: It's on Chung Shan North Road. A: I know that area. Where exactly is it? B: It's at 105 Chung Shan North Road, next to the bookstore. C: When is the wedding? D: It's in June. C: What day?

D: It's on Saturday, the 25th. C: What time? D: It starts at 6:00.

Prepositions with articles and locations

When talking about locations, use at to indicate the general vicinity or area, and in to indicate inside the building, enclosed area, etc. For example: at the swimming pool (on site) in the swimming pool (in the pool itself i.e. in the water) in the post office/bank (inside the building) in the zoo (animals in their cages) in the classroom

at the post office/bank (general)

at the zoo (visitors, general area) at school

Sample sentences: I met my wife at the theater. (while watching a movie) I spilled my drink in the theater (on the floor of the building) She works at the library on Wednesdays. She found a rare coin in the library (building). Dr. Jones works at the hospital every day. John was in the hospital for a week with a broken leg. For school, prison, and church, the is used to indicate the building. No article indicates the general situation. Note the following: "practice"/situation in school (studying, listening to teacher, etc.) in jail/prison (staying there as a criminal) in church (praying, listening to a sermon, etc.) Where's Dad? in church (attending services) at church in prison (He committed a crime.) in the church (fixing the windows) at the church at the prison (visiting his friend) building in the school (building) in the jail/prison (temporary) in the church (building)

Prepositions of Location

Prepositions of Location Click Here for Audio The most common prepositions of location are in on at (See: In, On, At) by near nearby above below over under up down around through inside outside (of) between beside beyond in front of in back of behind next to on top of within beneath underneath among along against These prepositions are most commonly followed by "the" and a noun. Both the speaker and the listener likely know which object is being referred to. Examples, The keys are on the table. (We both know which table.) The post office is next to the bakery. (Not: next to bakery) Occasionally, prepositions can be used with "a/an." This usually indicates that the speaker knows of the place, but the listener does not. For example, I live by a river. (You probably don't know which one.) I live by the river. (You know the river I'm talking about.)

Present Progressive Tense

Present Progressive Tense Click for Audio

The present progressive tense takes the form be + V ing.

The form of be is determined by the subject of the sentence.

He is singing.
She is listening. They are sleeping. I am going home.

In English, the present progressive is used to indicate actions happening at the time of speaking, or right now. Jake is speaking to his mother right now.
Please keep quiet. The baby is sleeping.

The present progressive can also be used to indicate actions occurring over a period of time which includes the present. I'm taking five classes at the university.
Grace is working at a chemical factory. What are you doing these days?

The present progressive is sometimes used to indicate ongoing, developing, imminent or future actions. Ongoing Don't bother Mr. Grumpy while he is watching the football game. Developing I'm beginning to like this place! Imminent A: Honey, where are you?
B: I'm coming. Just let me put on my shoes.

Future (Note the presence of future time words.) A: Are you going to the concert this weekend?
B: I wish I could, but I'm meeting an important client from Oklahoma.

Some non-action verbs do not occur in the present progressive tense. The simple present is sufficient.

Pronouns

Pronouns Click for Audio

Pronouns are used in place of nouns. They enable speakers to refer to something or someone without having to repeat its name.
Example:

Mr. Jones lives in Kentucky. He frequently travels to Memphis to see his

wife. She is a lawyer and only sees him on weekends. The subject and object pronouns in English are as follows: Objec Subject t
I You He She It We They Me You Him Her It Us Them

Use subject pronouns when the pronoun refers to the doer of the action or the main topic (subject) of the sentence.

Henry hit a baseball over the fence. He didn't know where it would land. It went right through Mrs. Crabby's window. She was furious. She called Henry's parents and told them what happened. Henry had to pay for the window with his hard-earned money. He wasn't too happy about that, but he learned a lesson. Now, he only plays baseball at the ball park. Use object pronouns when the pronoun refers to the receiver of the action or is the object of a prepositional phrase. Ms. Lindon met her husband in a gold mine. The first time she saw him, she was in love. He also liked everything about her. He asked her to marry him the next day. Many friends joined them in the wedding celebration. Reminders: Do not use subject pronouns in the object position or vice versa. Give the balloon to he. WRONG: Give the balloon to Correct: him.
WRONG: Correct: Her is the one I want to see. She is the one I want to see.

Remember to use he/him when referring to males and she/her when referring to females!

WRONG: Correct:
WRONG: Correct:

Mary lived on a farm. He had a little lamb. Mary lived on a farm. She had a little lamb.
Mr. Smith has gone to Washington. I'll give her the message. Mr. Smith has gone to Washington. I'll give him the message.

Sentence Subjects

Sentence Subjects Click for Audio What can be the subject of a sentence? A noun: Jonathan loves chocolates. Mrs. Smith lives next door to the barber shop. The yellow dog makes me nervous. Crocodiles are very dangerous. A pronoun: It isn't time yet. They went to sleep at 9:00. Are you coming to the dance? Words like everyone, everybody, everything, something, anybody, nothing, no one Everything is ready. Is everyone here? Is anybody home? Quantifiers with nouns/pronouns Some of the pie was gone. Some of the pies were gone. Both of them are in the foyer. Neither of them is in the foyer. None of those people are nice. None of those people is my friend. Without nouns/pronouns. Some (count) are here. Some (non-count) is not. All is well. All are watching. Both are correct. (as a group) Neither is correct. (separately)

(all of them are not nice)

(not any individual)

Noun clauses Whoever left the food on the table is in trouble. What you say is not important. How you do it is up to you. "Dummy" subjects There are five people in the room. There is some milk in the refrigerator. Be careful In most cases, the words before the verb are the subject of the sentence. It is just the three of us. The three of us are going to be there. Prepositional phrases cannot be subjects, even if they come at the beginning of a sentence. On the table was a red hat. On the table were a red hat, white gloves and a blue scarf. Some words look plural but are actually singular: Physics is my favorite subject. The news was good. Scotch and soda is my favorite drink. (This is very uncommon usage.) My faithful friend and companion is Terry. Mass or "group" nouns may be singular or plural, depending on focus. The family is more important than the individual. The family are going in separate directions. With either/neither...or/nor, the subject closest to the verb determines agreement. Neither John nor Jane was the winner. Either the men or the women are going to take the cake. Neither Mr. Jones nor his sons have a car. Neither the boys nor their father has a car. Some can sometimes be used to indicate an unidentified person.

Some woman was here to see you. Some guy keeps calling you. Relative clauses do not affect the main subject-verb relationship; however, S-V agreement within the relative clause may be different, depending on the meaning. The people who live there are my friends. The house that the Jacksons built needs to be remodeled. One of the men who live there is deranged. He is the only one who lives there.

Simple Future Tense

Simple Future Tense Click for Audio

In English the Future Time is expressed in a number of ways. The most common are with will and be going to. See examples from the following sentences. I will finish my homework in an hour.
I'm going to finish my homework in an hour.

With be going to, make sure the verb be agrees with its subject. I'm going to eat a whole watermelon.
She's going to eat a whole watermelon. Actually, we're going to eat a whole watermelon together. In speech, the words going to are often pronounced ? gonna .?

Don't forget the be verb.

A: What are you gonna do this weekend? B: I'm gonna stay home and clean my carpet. NOT: I gonna stay? NOT: I'm gonna to stay? What's the difference between will and be going to?

Both can be used interchangeably in some cases. (Predictions and guesses) My prints will be here tomorrow.
My prints are going to be here tomorrow.

Be going to is preferable for strong intentions or for describing the inevitable. I'm going to give her a piece of my mind.
There's no way they can score 21 points in 2 minutes. We're going to win! Will is the preferable form for making offers or expressing pop decisions.

A: Who will help me finish this chocolate cake?

B: I will. A: I have two tickets left for the front row. B: I'll take them. Sometimes future time can be expressed with either the present or present

progressive tense. In such cases, time words must be expressed or clearly implied.

I fly to Beijing tomorrow.

I'm flying to Beijing tomorrow. Sorry I can't attend the picnic on Saturday. I'm flying to Beijing .

Simple Past Tense

Simple Past Tense Click for Audio Explanation 1. The simple past tense is expressed with the past form of the verb and nothing else.

My grandfather died last year. My grandfather was died last year. My grandfather has died last year.

(Correct) (Incorrec t) (Incorrec t)

2. The simple past tense refers to a. action which occurred at a specific time in the past b. completed action c. past status Examples

Specific past action

I ate lunch at noon today. He drove to work yesterday.

Completed action
She finally mailed the letter. Jan finished her report on time.

Past status
John was still single in 1995. Jane was a movie star.

Note the usage of the past tense in the following story. Yesterday Mrs. Hubbard had a very rough day. In the morning, she went to the kitchen and looked in the cupboard for some food for her dog, but the cupboard was empty. Her poor dog stared up at her with its hungry eyes, and she knew she had to do something quickly. She hurried to the grocery store to buy some dog food, but unfortunately the store was out of her dog's favorite brand, so she had to catch a bus downtown. After buying the food, she waited for a half hour in the rain to get a taxi. When she finally got home, her dog was sound asleep on the living room sofa. Common problems with the past tense 1. Using the present tense when the past tense is required.

Last week, Tonya fix her neighbor's car. (Incorrec Last week, Tonya fixed her neighbor's t) car. (Correct)
2. Using "was" with verbs in the past tense.

It was happened one night in September. It happened one night in September.

Exercises

(Incorrec t) (Correct)

Change the verbs in the following sentence into past tense.

1. Yesterday, I go to the restaurant with a client. 2. We drive around the parking lot for 20 minutes in order to find a parking space. 3. When we arrive at the restaurant, the place is full. 4. The waitress asks us if we have reservations. 5. I say, "No, my secretary forgets to make them." 6. The waitress tells us to come back in two hours. 7. My client and I slowly walk back to the car. 8. Then we see a small grocery store. 9. We stop in the grocery store and buy some sandwiches. 10. That is better than waiting for two hours. Correct the mistakes in the following sentences: 1. Last night, Samantha have pizza for supper. 2. My pet lizard was died last month. 3. Yesterday I spend two hours cleaning my living room. 4. This morning before coming to class, Jack eats two bowls of cereal. 5. What was happened to your leg?

Simple Present Tense

Simple Present Tense Click for Audio

1A. Explanation The simple present tense takes one of two forms depending on the subject. Subject base form -s form I, you eat
They, We Plural nouns He, She, It Singular nouns Non count-nouns go work

eats goes works

1B. Examples Subjects followed by verb in base form:

I like rice. You look nice. They think twice. We throw dice. Chefs use spice. The boys ring the doorbell.

Subjects with verb in ?s form:

She makes toys. He rakes leaves. It takes time. Mom bakes pies. Water slakes thirst. Jill loves dates.

Children sing on special occasions. Some people bring gifts to parties. Bees sting when they are disturbed.

Mr. Smith fills crates. Grandpa washes plates. The dog jumps gates.

1C. Exercises 1. Jerry (come/comes) to school on time.

2. Jerry and Linda (come/comes) to school on time. 3. Ms. Jones (teach/teaches) geography. 4. The cat (sleep/sleeps) on the sofa every day. 5. Milk (cost/costs) two dollars a quart. 2A. Explanation

Use the simple present tense to indicate:

1. Routine actions 2. Facts

2B. Examples Routine actions

John brushes his teeth every morning. Carol usually drives to work. The teacher grades homework on Fridays.

Facts
Hawaii is in the Pacific Ocean. Some birds fly south for the winter. Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen.

Note how the present tense is used in the following paragraph. Mr. Lee is a bus driver. Every day he gets up at 7:00 a.m. and prepares for his day. He showers, eats his breakfast, and puts on his uniform. His wife drives him to the station where he checks in with his supervisor. Then, he gets on Bus #405 and starts the engine. He pulls out of the parking lot and begins his route. At his first stop, he picks up Mrs. Miller, who lives in a red house on the corner of Main Street and Seventh Avenue. She works at the post office and has to be to work by 9:00. At the next stop, the Bartlett twins get on the bus. They attend class at Bayside Elementary. More children get on at the next three stops, and they ride until the bus reaches their school. Mr. Lee enjoys seeing the kids every day and is happy to see them again in the afternoon when he drives them safely back home.

2C. Exercises 1. To practice the present tense, reread the above paragraph, then try to repeat the main ideas in your own words. Be sure to use the -s form of the verb when the subject of a sentence is singular. Have a partner listen to your speech and check for correct usage of verbs.
2. Tell whether the present tense is appropriate in the following sentences.

1. Yesterday I go to Washington D.C.

2. Every day, Mr. Johnson cleans his living room. 3. They usually take the bus to the office. 4. Right now Susan eats her breakfast. 5. Melinda and Harry work in the bank.

Correct
Correct Correct Correct Correct

Incorre ct
Incorrect Incorrect Incorrect Incorrect

Common Mistakes with the simple present tense

1. Not using the -s form with singular subjects:

Jack likes Chinese food.

Jack like Chinese food.

(Correc t)
(Incorrec

t) 2. Using the simple present tense when another tense is required.

(Correc Last night I watched television for two hours. t)

Last night I watch television for two hours. (Incorrec t)

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subject-Verb Agreement Click for Audio Third person singular -s Use the ?s form of a verb in the present tense when the subject is third person singular. For all other subjects, use the base form in the present tense. Example: base form I live in Athens. They live in Crete. The Smiths live in Rome. -s form He lives in Cyprus. She lives in Malta. Tim lives in Naples. Ms. Conner lives in Milan. The verb have The ?s form of the verb have is has. We have a winner. He has a trophy. The verb be The ?s form (present tense) for be is is. For the past tense, it is was. Was is also used with first person singular subjects (I) in the past tense. (Am is used in the present tense. Are is used with other subjects in the present, and were is used in the past.) She is here. He is not here. I am here too. You are right. They are wrong. She was home yesterday. Ron wasn't home yesterday. I was here yesterday. We were here too. Auxiliary verbs When auxiliary verbs are used, only the first verb carries the third person singular ?s. Jean does not like spaghetti. (Correct) Jean does not likes spaghetti. (Wrong!) Jean do not likes spaghetti. (Wrong!)

Elsa is eating her dinner. (Correct) Elsa is eats her dinner. (Wrong!) Leo is going to eat later. Frank has eaten lunch already. (Correct) Frank have eaten lunch already. (Wrong!) Modals Do not use the ?s form of the verb with modals, regardless of the subject. Ian can eat twelve bowls of rice. (Correct) Ian can eats twelve bowls of rice. (Wrong!) See also: Grammar: Verb List Grammar: The Verb "Be" If you have questions or comments about this page, please contact us. Be sure to include the title of this page in the Subject line of your e-mail.

This, That, These, Those

This, That, These, Those Click for Audio Demonstratives are used to point out a particular item. They are as follows: This (indicates something close to the speaker) That (indicates something away from the speaker) These (indicates some things close to the speaker) Those (indicates some things away from the speaker) Example: A: What is this? (pointing to something held in the speaker's hand or near the speaker) B: A pencil. A: What is that? (pointing to something at a distance from the speaker) B: A tree. Remember that demonstratives are used in reference to the speaker. (What is near "you" may not be near "me" and vice versa.) A: B: A: B: What's that you're holding? This is an egg. Here, catch! Oops. That's a mess.

A: What are these (holding up a pair of slippers) B: Those are slippers. Be sure to use this/that with singular and non-count nouns and these/those with count nouns. This orange is sour. That truck is full. This milk is fresh. Sometimes demonstratives can be used as pronouns (to refer to a particular noun.) These oranges are sweet. Those trucks are empty.

Give me that! Give me that (spoon).

Whose are these? Whose are these (socks)?

This and that can also be used with one. However, these and those are more commonly used alone. I want this one. I'll take that one. I want these. (not these ones) I'll take those.

On the telephone, this and that are used differently in British and American English to identify callers. Example: Receiver: Hello. Caller: I was wondering if you would be interested in buying . . .

Receiver: Who is this? (American) Who is that? (British) (Both expressions are used to ask the caller to identify himself/herself.) Caller: This is Mr. Fuller from the Acme Brush Company. (Same for both British and American English) Caller: Hi Jack. Long time no see!

Receiver: Is this Bob? What a surprise! (American) Is that Bob? What a surprise! (British) If you have questions or comments about this page, please contact us. Be sure to include the title of this page in the Subject line of your e-mail.

Verb List

Verb List Click for Audio Regular Verbs

base call clean look talk end wait

-s form calls cleans looks talks ends waits

past called cleaned looked talked ended waited

past participle called cleaned looked talked ended waited

-ing form calling cleaning looking talking ending waiting

note s

1 1 2 2

kiss wash live love beg sin play stay cry die tie
Notes:

kisses washes lives loves begs sins plays stays cries studies dies ties

kissed washed lived loved begged sinned played stayed cried studied died tied

kissed washed lived loved begged sinned played stayed cried studied died tied

kissing washing living loving begging sinning playing staying crying studying dying tying

3 3 4 4 5 5

6 6

1. Pronunciation differences in past/past participle after /p, s, k, f/ sounds 2. Pronunciation differences in past/past participle after /t, d/ sounds 3. Spelling and pronunciation differences in -s form after /s, sh, ch, z/ sounds 4. Dropping of "silent e" with -ing endings 5. Doubled consonants after "short" vowel sounds 6. Spelling differences when "y" is preceded by a consonant Irregular Verbs

base cut fit hit let put quit set shut split upset burst cast cost hurt spread knit sit spit begin

-s form cuts fits hits lets puts quits sets shuts splits upsets bursts casts costs hurts spreads knits sits spits begins

past cut fit hit let put quit set shut split upset burst cast cost hurt spread knit/knitted sat spat/spit began

past participle -ing form cut fit hit let put quit set shut split upset burst cast cost hurt spread knit/knitted sat spat/spit begun cutting fitting hitting letting putting quitting setting shutting splitting upsetting bursting casting costing* hurting spreading knitting sitting spitting beginning

swim ring sing spring cling fling sling sting swing wring hang drink shrink stink think bring buy seek fight catch teach creep keep sleep sweep weep bleed breed feed flee lead speed meet bend lend send spend deal feel kneel dream

swims rings sings springs clings flings slings stings swings wrings hangs drinks shrinks stinks thinks brings buys seeks fights catches teaches creeps keeps sleeps sweeps weeps bleeds breeds feeds flees leads speeds meets bends lends sends spends deals feels kneels dreams

swam rang sang sprang clung flung slung stung swung wrung

swum rung sung sprung clung flung slung stung swung wrung

swimming ringing singing springing clinging flinging slinging stinging swinging wringing hanging sinking shrinking stinking thinking bringing buying seeking fighting catching teaching creeping keeping sleeping sweeping weeping bleeding breeding feeding fleeing leading speeding meeting bending lending sending spending dealing feeling kneeling

hung/hanged** hung/hanged drank shrank stank thought brought bought sought fought caught taught crept kept slept swept wept bled bred fed fled led sped/speeded met bent lent sent spent dealt felt knelt drunk shrunk stunk thought brought bought sought fought caught taught crept kept slept swept wept bled bred fed fled led sped/speeded met bent lent sent spent dealt felt knelt

dreamt/dreame dreamt/dreame dreaming d d

mean spill build burn hold sell tell find grind wind break choose freeze speak steal wake weave arise drive ride rise write bite hide slide get forget give forgive forbid fall swell dive blow fly grow know throw

means spills builds burns holds sells tells finds grinds winds breaks chooses freezes speaks steals wakes weaves arises drives rides rises writes bites hides slides gets forgets gives forgives forbids falls swells dives blows flies grows knows throws

meant spilt/spilled built burnt/burned held sold told found ground wound broke chose froze spoke stole woke wove arose drove rode rose wrote bit hid slid got forgot

meant spilt/spilled built burnt/burned held sold told found ground wound broken chosen frozen spoken stolen woken woven arisen driven ridden risen written bitten hidden slid gotten forgotten

meaning spilling building burning holding selling telling finding grinding winding breaking choosing freezing speaking stealing waking weaving arising driving riding rising writing biting hiding sliding getting forgetting giving forgiving forbidding falling swelling diving blowing flying growing knowing throwing

gave given forgave forgiven forbade/forbad forbidden fell swelled dove/dived blew flew grew knew threw fallen swollen dived blown flown grown known thrown

draw withdraw show eat beat take forsake mistake shake make swear wear tear bear stand understand become come run dig spin stick strike do go have hear lay pay say lie light lose leave prove

draws withdraws shows eats beats takes forsakes mistakes shakes makes<TDMADE<
td><TDMADE< td>

drew withdrew showed ate beat took forsook mistook shook making swore wore tore bore stood understood became came ran dug spun stuck struck did went had heard laid paid said lay lit/lighted lost left proved

drawn withdrawn shown eaten beaten taken forsaken mistaken shaken

drawing withdrawing showing eating beating taking forsaking mistaking shaking

swears wears tears bears stands understands becomes comes runs digs spins sticks strikes does goes has hears lays pays says lies lights loses leaves proves

sworn worn torn born stood understood become come run dug spun stuck

swearing wearing tearing bearing standing understanding becoming coming running digging spinning sticking

struck/stricken striking done gone had heard laid paid said lain lit/lighted lost left proven/proved doing going having hearing laying paying saying lying lighting losing leaving proving

read see sew shave shine shoot win be

reads sees sews shaves shines shoots wins is/are/am

read saw sewed shaved shined/shone <SHOT< td> won was/were

read seen sewn/sewed

reading seeing sewing

shaven/shaved shaving shined/shone shot won been shining shooting winning being

* "Cost" does not usually occur in the -ing form. ** "hang" has two different meanings and thus two usages in past/past participle

Wh - Questions

Wh- Questions Click for Audio

Wh- Questions allow a speaker to find out more information about topics. They are as follows: Time When?
Where? Who? Why? How? What? Place Person Reason Manner Object/Idea/Acti on

Other words can also be used to inquire about specific information: Which (one)? Choice of alternatives Whose?
Whom? How much? How many? How long? How often? Possession Person (objective formal) Price, amount (noncount)

Quantity (count) How far? What kind (of)? Duration Frequency Distance Description

The "grammar" used with wh- questions depends on whether the topic being asked about is the "subject" or "predicate" of a sentence. For the subject pattern, simply replace the person or thing being asked about with the appropriate wh-word. Who has my (Someone has my baseball.) baseball?
(Something is bothering you.) What is bothering you?

For the predicate pattern, wh- question formation depends on whether there is an "auxiliary" verb in the original sentence. Auxiliary or "helping" verbs are verbs that precede main verbs. Auxiliary verbs are italicized in the following sentences. I can do it. They are leaving. I have eaten my lunch. I should have finished my homework. To make a question using the predicate pattern, first form a yes/no question by inverting the subject and (first) auxiliary verb. Then, add the appropriate wh- word to the beginning of the sentence. (You will leave some time.) ? will you leave When will you leave? (He is doing something.) ? is he doing What is he doing? (They have been somewhere.) ? have they been Where have they been? If there is no auxiliary and the verb is "be," invert the subject and verb, then add the appropriate wh- word to the beginning of the sentence. (He is someone.) ? is he Who is he? (The meeting was some time.) ? was the meeting When was the meeting? If there is no auxiliary and the verb is not "be," add do to the beginning of the sentence. Then add the appropriate wh-question word. Be sure to "transfer" the tense and number from the main verb to the word do. (You want something.) ? do you want What do you want? (You went somewhere.) ? did you go (past tense) Where did you go?

(She likes something.)

? does she like (third person -s) What does she like?

Yes/No Questions

Yes/No Questions Click for Audio There are many types of questions in English. The easiest are questions that can be answered "yes" or "no." A: B: A: B: A: B: A: B: Are you from around here? Yes, I am. Do you come here often? Yes, I do. Can I buy you a drink? No, thanks. Are you married? Yes, I am.

To form a question from a statement, first count the number of verbs. John is a doctor. Jane drives a sports car. Joan played basketball last night. Jan is eating her dinner. June has rented an apartment. Jen has been living there since 1969. One verb: is (be) One verb: drives One verb: played Two verbs: is eating Two verbs: has rented Three verbs: has been living

If there is one verb in the statement and the verb is a form of be, simply switch the positions of the subject and verb. Statement John is a doctor. The Jensens are here. Question Is John a doctor? Are the Jensens here?

If there are two verbs, simply switch the positions of the subject and first verb. Statement Jan is eating dinner. June has rented an apartment. Jen has been living here since 1969. Question Is Jan eating dinner? Has June rented an apartment? Has Jen been living here since 1969?

If there is one verb, and the verb is not a form of be, the process is more complex. 1. Add Do to the beginning of the sentence.

The Johnsons live in that house.

Do the Johnsons live in that house?

2. If the main verb "carries" a third person singular s, move the s to Do, making it Does. Jane drives a car. Do Jane drives a car? (Not finished yet!) Does Jane drive a car? (Good question!) 3. If the main verb "carries" past tense, move the past tense to Do, making it Did. Joan played basketball last night. Do Joan played basketball? (Not finished yet!) Did Joan play basketball? (Good question!) In conversation, most questions are asked of the second person (you) and answered in the first (I). A: B: A: B: A: Are you from California? No, I'm from Oregon. Are you? Yes, I'm from Hollywood. Do you know any movie stars? No, I don't go out at night.

In British English, the main verb have sometimes functions like be in questions. This is not common in American English. Statement You have a pet ferret. Question Have you a pet ferret? (British) Do you have a pet ferret? (American)