Grammar review: Topic - Examples Flashcards
Present continuous
‘Who are you phoning?’ ‘I’m trying to get through to Helen.’
She’s doing voluntary work with young children until she starts her university course.
Present simple
Trees grow more quickly in summer than in winter.
This cake tastes wonderful. Where did you buy it?
Do you go to Turkey every year for your holidays?
Past simple
Kathy left a few minutes ago.
Jim continued the course even though it was proving very difficult.
I saw my grandparents every week as a child.
Present perfect
We can’t have a meeting, because so few people have shown any interest.
My ceiling has fallen in and the kitchen is flooded. Come quickly!
We have belonged to the tennis club since we moved here.
Lee has represented his country on many occasions, and hopes to go on to compete in
the next Olympics.
Past continuous
When he realised I was looking at him, he turned away.
Past perfect
When I went into the bathroom, I found that the bath had overflowed.
By 10 o’clock most people had gone home.
Present perfect continuous
Since the operation two months ago, Joe has been learning to walk again. He can already
take one or two steps unaided.
Your eyes are red - have you been crying?
Past perfect continuous
When I saw the vase in the shop window, I knew it was exactly what I had been looking for.
Will + infinitive
It’s late. I think I’ll go to bed now.
I think you’ll enjoy the film.
I’ll make one of my special desserts for dinner, if you like a I’ve asked her to join us this evening, but she won’t.
Be going to + infinitive
‘Has anybody offered to look after the children?’ ‘Jo’s going to do it.”
Present simple for the future
The next train to Newcastle leaves at 3.45. (station announcement)
Present continuous for the future
We’re having a party next Saturday. Can you come?
Future continuous
After the operation you won’t be doing any sport for a while.
Can, could and be able to
A polyglot is someone who can speak several different languages.
Anita could speak three languages before she was six.
Martha couldn’t swim until she was ten.
‘Why isn’t Tim here yet?’ ‘It could be because his mother’s ill again.’
We use could, not can, to say there is a possibility of something happening or being true.
Despite yesterday’s snowfalls, we were able to drive home in less than an hour.
After the trees have been cut back, we will be able to see more of the garden from the
sitting room.
We can/are allowed to stay up late on Fridays and Saturdays because we don’t have to
go to school the next day.
Will, would and used to
Will/Won’t you have another biscuit? (Won’t you…?’ is a very polite and rather formal
offer).
‘John wants to borrow the car.” ‘He will not.’ (a firm refusal)
You will now put your pens down and pay attention. (a firm instruction)
You should apply for the job. You would have a good chance of getting it.
Would you like me to get you some water?
We would/used to lend him money when he was unemployed.
I used to live in a flat in Paris.
May, might, can and could
If the drought goes on much longer, there may/might/could be water rationing before the
end of the month.
Her parents may/might/could have influenced her decision to resign.
‘While we’re in Leeds shall we go and see Mark?’ “But it’s been nearly 20 years since we last saw him. He may not/might not remember us.’
I think I saw her go out, so she can’t/couldn’t be at home.
Coats may be left in the cloakroom.
Must and have (got) to
That’s really good news. I must tell Steve straight away.
‘Can we meet on Thursday morning?’ ‘Sorry, no. I have to go to the dentist at 11.00.’
She was bruised quite badly in the accident. It must hurt a lot.
‘I’m seeing Dr Evans next week.’ “That can’t be right. He’s on holiday then.’
When I went to school I had to learn Latin.
Need(n’t), don’t have to and mustn’t
He didn’t cook the meal himself so you needn’t/don’t have to eat it all. He won’t be
offended.
You mustn’t put anything on the shelves until the glue has set hard.
I didn’t have to/didn’t need to have an interview because I’d worked there before.
I needn’t have cooked dinner. Just as it was ready, Chris and June phoned to say that they couldn’t come to eat.
Should, ought to and be supposed to
You’ll catch cold if you go out like that. I think you should/ought to take a hat.
I enjoyed her first novel, so the new one should/ought to be good.
The work was supposed to start/should have started/ought to have started last week.
Walking under a ladder is supposed to be unlucky.
Passives
The building survived the earthquake but then was destroyed by a fire.
I’m really disappointed. I didn’t get picked/wasn’t picked for the team again.
The house was owned by an elderly couple before I bought it.
Questions
What happened to your eye?
I’ve got orange juice or apple juice. Which would you prefer?
He just turned away when I asked him. What do you think he meant?
Haven’t you finished your homework yet?
Why didn’t she pay for the meal?
Who wouldn’t like to own an expensive sports car?
Verb + to-infinitive
They won’t agree to pay for the damage.
Verb + -ing
Stevens admitted stealing the wallet.
Verb + to-infinitive or -ing with little difference in meaning
Before we began eating/to eat my father thanked everyone for coming.
Verb + to-infinitive or -ing but with a difference in meaning
She came hurrying up the path to bring us the news.
How did you come to buy the car?
