Unit 6

LIKE (VERB OR PREPOSITION)

Like as a verb can be followed by –ing or to, sometimes with a change in meaning.
- I like going out at the weekend. (General employment)
- I like to sit in a hot bath and read. (Habits and preferences)
Like as a verb has a person as the subject.
- I like modern art. / I don’t like the way he looks at me.
- Do you like fish? / Would you like a drink?
Like as a preposition has an object after it.
- She’s wearing a hat like mine. / He’s nothing like his father.
- That sounds like the postman. / You’re behaving like children.
- This new girlfriend of his – what’s she like?

What… like? (Description)

What is/are/was/were … like? is used to ask about the permanent nature of people and things. It asks for a
description or an impression or a comparison.
- What’s the health service like in your country?
- What are the new students like?
Note:
1) Be careful, with a description or an impression, we don’t use like in the answer.
− What’s London like? It’s quite big, and it’s very interesting. (Not it’s like quite big…)
− What’s Amanda like? She’s tall, attractive, and very funny. (Not she’s like tall…)
2) With a comparison, we can use like in the answer. Here, like means similar to / the same as.
− What’s London like? It’s like New York, but without the tall buildings. ( = It’s similar to)
− What’s Amanda’s daughter like? She’s just like Amanda. ( = She’s the same as…)

Grammar revision, LIKE and AS (workbook p39)

1) When like is used as a preposition, it’s always followed by a noun. It means similar to / the same as.
2) We use as in comparisons.
− My daughter is as tall as me.
− She works in the same office as me.
3) When as is used as a conjunction, it’s followed by a subject and a verb.
− Do as I say and sit down.
− Don’t eat and speak at the same time, as my mother used to say.
− As you know, we’re leaving tomorrow at 10.00.
4) Notice the use of as in as usual.
− Pat and Peter arrived late, as usual.

How…? (Personal feelings)

1) How…? is used to ask about the present condition of something that can change.
− How’s work these days? It’s better than last year.
− How was the traffic this morning? It was worse than usual.
To ask about the weather, we can use both questions.
How’s the weather
where you are?
What’s the weather like
2) How…? is also used to ask about people’s health an happiness. Compare:
− How’s Peter? He’s fine.
− What’s Peter like? He’s a nice guy. He’s quite tall, has dark hair…
3) How…? is also used to ask about people’s reactions and feelings.
− How’s your meal? / How’s your new job?
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How…? or What… like?
Sometimes we can use What… like? or How…?, but they aren’t the same. What… like? asks for an
objective description. How…? asks for personal feelings. Compare:
- How’s the party? It’s great.
- What’s the party like? It’s very noisy, but there’s lots to eat and drink.

Verb patterns

Verbs + -ing
Adore
Can’t stand Note:
Don’t mind doing We often use the verbs go + -ing for sports and activities.
Enjoy swimming I go swimming everyday.
Finish cooking I go shopping on weekends.
Look forward
to

Verbs + to + infinitive
Agree
Choose
Dare
Decide
Expect
Notes:
Forget
Help and dare can be used without to.
Help
We helped clean up the kitchen.
Hope
They didn’t dare disagree with him.
Learn
to do
Manage
to come Have to for obligation.
Need
to cook I have to wear a uniform.
Offer
Promise
Used to for past habits.
Refuse
I used to smoke, but I quit last year.
Seem
Want
Would have
Would like
Would love
Would prefer

Verbs + sb+ to + infinitive Note:

Advise me to do Help can be used without to.
Allow him to go I helped him do the dishes.
Ask them to come
Beg someone
Encourage
Expect
Help
Invite
Need
Order
Remind
Tell
Want
Warn
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Would like

Verbs + sb + infinitive (no to) Notes:

To is used with make in the passive.
We were made to work hard.
Let her
do
Make us
Let cannot be used in the passive. Allowed to is used instead.
She was allowed to leave.

Verbs + -ing or to + infinitive

(With little or no change in meaning)
Begin
Continue
doing
Hate
to do
Prefer
Start

Verbs + -ing or to + infinitive Note:

(With a change in meaning) I remember posting the letter.
(= I have a memory now of a past action: posting the letter.)
I remembered to post the letter.
(= I reminded myself to post the letter. I didn’t forget.)

Remember I stopped drinking coffee. (= I gave up the habit.)

doing
Stop I stopped to drink a coffee. (= I stopped doing something else
to do
Try in order to have a cup of coffee.)

I tried to sleep. (= I wanted to sleep, but it was difficult.)

I tried counting sheep and drinking a glass of warm milk.
(= These were possible ways of getting to sleep.)

Relative clauses
R.C. are used to tell us which person or thing we’re talking about, (to give more information about
something).

1) Defining (Especificativas)
♦ People Who, (That) Quién
♦ Things Which, (That) Qué
♦ Places Where Dónde
♦ Time When Cuándo
♦ Possession Why Porqué (excepción, the reason why…)

- El hombre [que vino ayer] es mi padre. [Frase de relativo] The man who came yesterday is my father.
- El hombre que viste ayer es mi padre. The man who you saw yesterday is my father. (Excepción en la
q si la frase secundaria tiene un sujeto, se puede quitar el who, which o that)
- La silla en la que estás sentada es muy barata.The chair on which/that you’re sitting ON is very cheap.
(La preposición va detrás de la frase de relativo)

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 2) Non-defining (Explicativas)
♦ Si hablamos hacemos una pausa y si escribimos, ponemos una coma. No existe el that.
- Tom Cruise, que es tonto, se casó en Francia. Tom Cruise, who is stupid, got married in France.

3) Participles after a noun define and identify in the same way as relative clauses.
- That woman driving the red Porsche is my aunt. / The men seen outside were probably the thieves.
Unit 7
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
- Positive  I’ve (have) / He’s (has) lived in Rome.
- Negative  They haven’t / She hasn’t lived in Rome.
- Question  How long have /has we / she known Peter?
- Short answer  Have you always lived in Budapest? Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.

Use:
1) An action that began in the past and still continues (unfinished past)
− We’ve lived in the same house for 25 years. − How long have you known each other?
− Peter’s worked as a teacher since 2000. − They’ve been married for 20 years.
Note:
Many languages express this idea with a present tense, but in English this is wrong.
Peter has been a teacher for 10 years. NOT Peter is a teacher for 10 years.

These time expressions are common with this use.

two years 1970
a month the end of the class
fo
a few minutes since August
r
half an hour 8 o’clock
ages Christmas
We use for with a period of time and since with a point in time.
2) An experience that happened at some time in one’s life. The action is in the past and finished, but the
effects of the action are still felt. When the action happened is not important.
− I’ve been to the United States. (I still remember.)
− She’s written poetry and children’s stories. (In her writing career.)
− Have you ever had an operation? (At any time in your life up to now.)
− How many times has he been married? (In his life.)
The adverbs ever, never, and before are common with this use.
− Have you ever been to − I’ve never tried bungee − I haven’t tried sushi
Australia? jumping. before.
Questions and answers about the definite times are expressed in the Past Simple.
− When did you go to the United States?
− Was her poetry published while se was alive?
− He met his second wife in the dry cleaner’s.
3) A past action that has a present result. The action is usually in the recent past.
− The taxi hasn’t arrived yet. (We’re still waiting for it)
− What have you done to your lip? (It’s bleeding)
We often announce news in the Present Perfect ‘coz the speaker is emphasizing the event as a present
fact.
− Have you heard? The Prime Minister has resigned.
− Susan’s had her baby. − I’ve ruined the meal.
Details about definite time will be in the Past Simple.
− She resigned ‘coz she lost a vote of no confidence.
− She had a baby boy this morning. It was a difficult birth.
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 − I didn’t watch it carefully enough.
The adverbs yet, already, and just are common with this use.
− I haven’t done my homework yet. (Negative, aún, todavía)
− Has the postman been yet? (Question, ya)
− I’ve already done my homework. (Affirmative, ya estaba hecho)
− She’s just had some good news. (Affirmative, acaba de pasar)

Be careful with been and gone.

− He’s been to the United States. (experience – he isn’t there now)
− She’s gone to the United States. (present result –she’s there now)

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE OR PAST SIMPLE

1) The present perfect s for unfinished actions. The past simple is for completed actions. Compare:
Present Perfect Past Simple
I’ve lived in Texas for 6 years. I lived in Texas for 6 years.
I still live there. Now I live somewhere else.
I’ve written several books. Shakespeare wrote 30 plays.
I can still write some more. He can’t write anymore.

2) We can see that the Present Perfect refers to indefinite time and the Past Simple refers to definite
time by looking at the time expressions used with the different tenses.
Present Perfect - indefinite Past Simple - definite
for a long time. yesterday.
since July. last week.
I’ve done it
before. two days ago.
recently. I did it at 8 o’clock
in 1987
I’ve already done it.
when I was young.
I haven’t done it yet.
for a long time.

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE PASSIVE

have, has + BEEN + Past Participle

• A.  They have packed all the luggage.
• P. All the luggage has been packed.
• Q.P.  Has she ever been made redundant?

PHRASAL VERBS

Three types of phrasal verbs can be literal or idiomatic. The forth type is nearly always idiomatic.
Type 1 Verb + particle (no object)
a) He put on his coat and went out. (salió, literal)
b) He didn’t put enough wood on the fire and it went out. (se apagó, idiomatic, go out = stop burning)

Examples with literal meaning Examples with idiomatic meaning

Sit down. Please go away The marriage didn’t work out. (=succeed, no
She stood up and walked out. funcionó)
She walked right past the store without noticing it. Our plans fell through. (=fail, fallaron)

Type 2 Verb + particle + object (separable)

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 a) I put up the picture. (Poner o colgar un cuadro, literal) I put the picture up.
b) I put up my sister for the night. (Alojar a alguien unos días, idiomatic) I put my sister up.
If the object is a pronoun, it always comes between the verb and the particle. I put it/her up.

Examples with literal meaning Examples with idiomatic meaning

The waiter took away the plates I put off the meeting. (= postpone, pospuse)
Don’t throw it away. Don’t let me down. (=disappoint, no me dejes
They’re pulling that old building down. tirado)

Type 3 Verb + particle + object (inseparable)

a) She came across the room. (cruzar la habitación, literal)
b) She came across an old friend while she was out shopping. (cruzarse, idiomatic =find by accident)
The object (noun or pronoun) always comes after a particle.

Examples with literal meaning Examples with idiomatic meaning

I’ll look after it for you. (=care for)
I’m looking for Jane. (=care for)
She takes after her father. (=resemble in features, build, character
They ran across the park.
or disposition, parecerse a)
We drove past them
He never got over the death of his wife. (recover from, recuperó)

Type 4 Verb + particle + particle

Nearly always idiomatic, the object cannot change position, ir cannot come before the particles or between
the particles. (preposiciones)

I get along very well with my I’m looking forward to it. How can you put up with that
boss. noise? (soportar, tolerar)

Unit 8
CONDITIONALS
FIRST CONDITIONAL (Real)

If + Present Simple, Future Simple (Will + Infinitive)

Si mis padres me dan el dinero, me compraré ese coche.

If my parents give me the money, I’ll buy that car.
Pr.S. F.S.

Use: Express a possible condition and a probable result in the future. The condition clause If… can come at
the beginning or the end of the sentence.
Note: If expresses a possibility that something will happen; When expresses what the speaker sees as
certain to happen. Like if  Unless (a menos que), In case (en caso de; por si acaso).

TIME CLAUSES (siempre seguidas x present simple)

Conjunctions of time (when, as soon as, before, until, alter) are not usually followed by will. We use a
present tense eve though the time reference is future.
I’ll call you when I get home. As soon as dinner is ready, I’ll give you a call.
Can I have a word with you before I go? Wait until I come back.

We can use the present perfect if it’s important to show that the action in the time clause is finished.
When I’ve read the book, I’ll lend it to you. I’ll go home after I’ve done the shopping.

ZERO CONDITIONAL

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If (sí) + Present Simple,  Present Simple
OR
 Imperative

Si vienes mañana, trae las golosinas.  If you come tomorrow, bring the candy.
P.S. Imperative

Si juegas conmigo, te leo un cuento.  If you play with me, I read a tale to you.
SECOND CONDITIONAL (Hypothetical)

If or Unless + Past Simple, Conditional Simple (Would/Could + Infinitive)

If I won the lottery, I would (I’d) invite you to have dinner.

Ps.S C.S.

Use: Express a possible but not probable condition and its result. The condition clause If… can come at the
beginning or the end of the sentence. Were is used instead of was in the condition clause. (If I were you…,
If he were here…)

THIRD CONDITIONAL (Referred to the past)

If + Past Perfect (had + past participle), Conditional Perfecta (Would + have + past participle)
1) I wouldn’t have bought it if I’d* known.
2) If I’d* gone to the party, I would have enjoyed myself very much.
*had, xq si fuese un would, detrás tendría un verbo en infinitivo. (Would ↔ Might)

FIRST OR SECOND CONDITIONAL

First  Real and possible.

If I lose my job, I’ll… (My company is doing badly, There’s a strong possibility of being made redundant.)
If there’s a nuclear war, we’ll all… (Said by a pessimist.)

Second  Situations that probably never happen.

If I lost my job, I’d… (I’m just speculating)
If there was a nuclear war, we’d… (But I don’t think it will happen)

Would
She’d look better with shorter hair. (=If she cut her hair, she’d look better)
Would to express preference
I’d love a cup of tea. Where would you like to sit? I’d rather have coffee, please.
I’d rather not tell you, if that’s all right.(inf. sin to) What would you rather do, stay in or go out?
Would to express a request
Would you open the door for me? Would you mind lending me a hand?

Unit 9
MODAL VERBS
Ability (can), obligation (have to, must), permission (may I, can I), and request (could you, would you).
Detrás de un modal verb siempre tiene que ir una forma en infinitivo.

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 MODAL VERBS OF PROBABILITY
Expressing possibility/probability: the present/future
1) Must and can’t express the logical conclusion of a situation: Must = logically probable. Can’t =
logically improbable. We aren’t absolutely sure, but we’re pretty certain.
He must be exhausted. He can’t even stand up. A walk in this weather! You must be joking!
Sue can’t have a ten-year-old daughter! Sue’s He’s in great shape, even though he must be at
only 24! least 60!
Is there no answer? They must be in bed. They can’t be out this late!

2) Could and may/might express possibility in the present or future. (No lo tenemos tan claro).
May/Might + not is the negative. Couldn’t is rare in this use.
They could move to a different place. Take your umbrella. It might rain later.
I might not be able to come tonight. I might have to work late. He might be lost.
Dave and Beth aren’t at home. They could be We may go to Greece for our vacation. We
at the concert, I suppose. haven’t decided yet.

The continuous infinitive.

Must/could/can’t/might + be + -ing make the continuous form in the present.
Peter may be working late. They can’t be working very hard.
Compare:
‘John’s grass is lovely. He must cut it ‘What’s John doing in the garden? He might
regularly.’ (Habit) be cutting the grass.’ (Now)

Expressing possibility/probability: the past

The perfect infinitive.
Must/could/can’t/might + have + past participle express degrees of probability in the past.
He must have been exhausted. She can’t have told him about us yet.
He might have got lost. They could have moved house.

The continuous infinitive.

Must/could/can’t/might + have + been + -ing make the continuous form in the past.
She must have been joking. They can’t have been He could have been lying
trying very hard. to you.

Asking about possibilities

To ask about possibility/probability we usually use do you think…? Question forms with modal verbs of
probability are unusual.
Do you think she is married? She can’t be.
Where do you think he’s from? He might be Spanish or Portuguese.
Do you think they’ve arrived yet? They may have. Or they might have got stuck in the traffic.

So do I! Neither do I! Yo tb/Yo tmpco

Agree or disagree: When we use them we repeat the auxiliary verbs. If there’s no aux., use do/does/did.

AGREEING DISAGREEING

I like ice cream So do I I don’t like Mary I do

I’m wearing jeans So am I We’re going now We aren’t
I can swim So can I I can speak Polish I can’t
I went out So did I I haven’t been skiing I have

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I don’t like working Neither do I I like blue cheese I don’t
I can’t drive Neither can I I saw Pat yesterday I didn’t
I haven’t been to Paris Neither have I I’m going to have some coffee I’m not

Too and either/neither (verb. neg. /verb. aff.)

We express that we have the same ideas as somebody else by using too and either/neither. With too and
either we repeat the aux. verbs or, if there’s no aux., use do/does/did.
I like ice-cream. I do, too. / Me too.
I have always studied hard. I have, too. / Me too.
I don’t like working. I don’t either. / Me neither.
I can’t play a musical instrument. I can’t either. / Me neither.
Unit 10

Continuous forms
The following ideas are expressed by all continuous forms:

1) Activity in progress.
Be quiet! I’m thinking.
I was having a shower when the phone rang.
I’ve been working since 9 o’clock this morning.

2) Temporary activity.
We’re staying with friends until we find a place of our own.
We’ve been living with them for six weeks.

3) Possibly incomplete activity.

I’m writing a report. I have to finish it by tomorrow.
Who’s been eating my sandwich?

P RESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

- Positive  I’ve / He’s been working.

- Negative  They haven’t / She hasn’t been working.
- Question  How long have/has you/she been working?

Use:
- An activity that is began in the past and is continuing now.
I’ve been studying English for three years.
How long have you been working there?

Sometimes there’s no difference between the simple and the continuous.

I’ve played If the continuous is possible,

I’ve been playing the piano since I was a boy. English has a preference for using
it.

The continuous can sometimes express a temporary activity, and the simple a permanent state.
I’ve been living in this house for the past few months. (temporary)
I’ve lived here all my life. (permanent)

Remember that state verbs rarely take the continuous form. Continuous = activity, not a state.
I’ve had this book for ages.
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 I’ve always loved sunny days.

- A past activity that has caused a present result.

I’ve been working all day. (I’m tired now.)
Have you been crying? (Your eyes are red.)
Roger’s has been cutting the grass. (I can smell it)

The past activity might be finished or might it not. The context usually makes this clear.
Look out of the window! It’s been snowing! (It has stopped snowing now.)
I’ve been writing this book for two years. (It still isn’t finished.)
I’m covered in paint because I’ve been decorating the bathroom. (It might be finished or it might
not. We don’t know.)

P RESENT PERFECT SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS

1) The simple expresses a completed action.
I’ve painted the kitchen, and now I’m doing the bathroom.
The continuous expresses an activity over a period and things that happened during the activity.
I’ve got paint in my hair because I’ve been decorating.
Because the simple expresses a completed action, we use it if the sentence gives a number or
quantity. Here, the continuous isn’t possible.
I’ve been reading all day. I’ve read ten chapters.
She’s been eating ever since she arrived. She’s eaten ten biscuits already.
2) Some verbs don’t have the idea of a long time, for ex., find, start, buy, die, lose, break, stop. These
verbs are more usually found in the simple.
Some verbs have the idea of a long time, for ex., wait, work, play, try, learn, rain. These verbs are
often found in the continuous.
I’ve cut my finger. (One short action)
I’ve been cutting firewood. (Perhaps over several hours.)

TIME EXPRESSIONS
Past Simple
I lived in Chicago for six years. I saw Jack two days ago.
They met during the war. She got married while she was at university.

Present Perfect
We’ve been married for ten years. They’ve been living here since July.
She hasn’t been working since their baby was born.

Future
We’re going on vacation for a few days. The class ends in 20 minutes.
I’ll be home in a half an hour.

Prepositions with dates, months, years, etc.

September
Monday 7 o’clock
1965
Monday morning the end of May
summer
in on 8 August at Christmas
the holidays
Christmas Day the age of ten
the 1920s
holiday dinner-time
the 20th century

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