Grammar Notes.

Level 2.
 1.1.How do we make the
Present Perfect Tense?

The structure of the present perfect tense is:

subject + auxiliary verb + main verb

have past participle
Here are some examples of the present perfect tense:

subject auxiliary verb main verb

+ I have seen ET.

+ You have eaten mine.

- She has not been to Rome.

- We have not played football.

? Have you finished?

? Have they done it?

Contractions with the present perfect tense
When we use the present perfect tense in speaking, we usually contract the subject and
auxiliary verb. We also sometimes do this when we write.

I have I've

You have You've

He has He's
She has She's
It has It's
John has John's
The car has The car's

We have We've

They have They've

Here are some examples:
I've finished my work.
John's seen ET.

1.2.Future simple. Common mistakes

Structure of future simple

I won't (will not) be there

I'll (I will) be there tomorrow. Will you be there tomorrow?
tomorrow.

Future simple - common mistakes

Common mistakes Correct version Why?

If the action is decided at the

- The phone's ringing.
Ok -I'll answer it. moment of speaking, we use
- OK, I'm going to answer it.
will / will not (won't).

I'm sure he is going to help When we say what we think or

I'm sure he will help you.
you. expect, we use will (won't).

I promise I'm going to help. I promise I'll help. After promise we usually use will.

When we refer to the future in

I'll call you when I'll come to I'll call you when I come to my adverbial clauses, we normally
my office. office. use present simple (after when,
as soon as, until).

If you will give me your When we refer to the future in

If you give me your address, I'll
address, I'll send you a conditional clauses, we normally
send you a postcard.
postcard. use the present simple.

To show that the decision was

I can't see you next week. I am
I can't see you next week. I will made in the past, we use the
returning/am going to return to
return to Paris. present continuous or the 'going
Paris.
to' future.
 1.3.Object and Subject
questions.
Object Questions

Object questions ask about the object of a sentence. The word order of the question must be
changed and the question requires the use of the auxiliary verb 'to do'.

For example:-

If the answer is "I caught the train to London." the question would be "Which train did you
catch?"
If the answer is "I saw a film yesterday." the question would be "What did you do yesterday?"

Subject Questions

There are also subject questions. These are questions that we ask to find out about the
subject. When what, which, who or whose refers to the subject, the question word comes
before the verb without the use of the auxiliary verb.

For example:-

If the answer is "The train to London was late." the question would be "Which train was late?"
If the answer is "I won the race." the question would be "Who won the race?"

More examples:-

Object questions:-
What did you do today?
Which film did you like best?
Who did I phone?

Subject questions:-
What happened today?
Which film is best?
Who phoned me?

1.4.Modal verbs
The modal verbs are:-

CAN / COULD / MAY / MIGHT / MUST / SHALL / SHOULD / OUGHT TO / WILL /

WOULD

Modal Example Uses

Can They can control their own budgets. Ability / Possibility

We cant fix it. Inability / Impossibility

Can I smoke here? Asking for permission

Can you help me? Request

Could Could I borrow your dictionary? Asking for permission.

Could you say it again more slowly? Request

We could try to fix it ourselves. Suggestion

I think we could have another Gulf War. Future possibility

He gave up his old job so he could work for us. Ability in the past
May May I have another cup of coffee? Asking for permission

China may become a major economic power. Future possibility

Might We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating Present possibility
their dinner now.
Future possibility
They might give us a 10% discount.
Must We must say good-bye now. Necessity / Obligation
 They mustnt disrupt the work more than necessary. Prohibition
Ought to We ought to employ a professional writer. Saying whats right or
correct
Shall Shall I help you with your luggage? Offer
(More
common in Shall we say 2.30 then? Suggestion

the UK than
Shall I do that or will you? Asking what to do
the US)
Should We should sort out this problem at once. Saying whats right or
correct
I think we should check everything again.
Recommending action
Profits should increase next year.
Uncertain prediction
Will I cant see any taxis so Ill walk. Instant decisions

I'll do that for you if you like. Offer

Ill get back to you first thing on Monday. Promise

Profits will increase next year. Certain prediction

Would Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me? Asking for permission

Would you pass the salt please? Request

Would you mind waiting a moment? Request

"Would three o`clock suit you?" - "Thatd be fine." Making arrangements

Would you like to play golf this Friday? Invitation

"Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "Id like tea Preferences

please."
REFERENCES

1.
http://speakspeak.com/a/html/d10a010_english_grammar_future_si
mple_tense.htm
2. http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/questiontext.htm