Time Expressions and Tenses
From Kenneth Beare
Time expressions are used to indicate the time at / during which an action took place. Common time expressions include:
Present forms: everyday, on Fridays, at the moment, now, as well as adverbs of frequency such as always, usually, sometimes (for present habits and routines). Days of the weeks followed by 's' such as Mondays, Tuesdays, etc.
Examples
He sometimes finishes work early.
Marjorie is listening to the radio at the moment.
Peter goes jogging on Saturdays.
Past forms: when I was ..., last week, day, year, etc., yesterday, ago (two weeks ago, three years ago, four months ago, etc.)
Examples
He visited his friends last week.
I didn't see you two days ago.
Jane flew to Boston yesterday.
Future forms: next week, year, etc., tomorrow, by (the end of the week, Thursday, next year, etc.) in X time (in two weeks time, in four months time, etc.)
Examples
I'm going to attend a conference next week.
It won't snow tomorrow.
They're going to visit New York in two weeks.
Perfect forms: since, yet, already, just, for
Examples
Michael has worked here since 1998.
Have you finished reading the paper yet?
He's just gone to the bank.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Superlative Forms - Understanding the English Superlative Form
Superlative Forms - Understanding the English Superlative Form
From Kenneth Beare
Here is a chart showing how to construct the superlative form in English:
One Syllable Adjectives
place 'the' before the adjective and add '-est' to end of the adjective (Note: double the final consonant if preceded by a vowel)
Example: cheap - the cheapest / hot - the hottest / high - the highest
Example Sentences
Today is the hottest day of the summer.
This book is the cheapest I can find.
Two, Three or More Syllable Adjectives
place 'the most' before the adjective
Example: interesting - the most interesting / difficult - the most difficult
Example Sentences
London is the most expensive city in England.
That is the most beautiful painting here.
Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in '-y' place 'the' before the adjective and remove the 'y' from the adjective and add 'iest'
Example: happy - the happiest / funny - the funniest
Example Sentences
New York is the noisiest city in the USA.
He is the most important person I know.
IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS
There are some important exceptions to these rules. Here are two of the most important exceptions:
good
good - adjective
the best - superlative
Example Sentences
Peter is the best golf player in the school.
This is the best school in the city.
bad
bad - adjective
the worst - superlative
Example Sentences
Jane is the worst student in the class.
This is the worst day of my life.
From Kenneth Beare
Here is a chart showing how to construct the superlative form in English:
One Syllable Adjectives
place 'the' before the adjective and add '-est' to end of the adjective (Note: double the final consonant if preceded by a vowel)
Example: cheap - the cheapest / hot - the hottest / high - the highest
Example Sentences
Today is the hottest day of the summer.
This book is the cheapest I can find.
Two, Three or More Syllable Adjectives
place 'the most' before the adjective
Example: interesting - the most interesting / difficult - the most difficult
Example Sentences
London is the most expensive city in England.
That is the most beautiful painting here.
Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in '-y' place 'the' before the adjective and remove the 'y' from the adjective and add 'iest'
Example: happy - the happiest / funny - the funniest
Example Sentences
New York is the noisiest city in the USA.
He is the most important person I know.
IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS
There are some important exceptions to these rules. Here are two of the most important exceptions:
good
good - adjective
the best - superlative
Example Sentences
Peter is the best golf player in the school.
This is the best school in the city.
bad
bad - adjective
the worst - superlative
Example Sentences
Jane is the worst student in the class.
This is the worst day of my life.
Comparative Forms in English
Comparative Forms in English
We use the comparative and superlative form to compare and contrast different objects in English. Use the comparative form to show the difference between two objects. Example: New York is more exciting than Seattle. Use the superlative form when speaking about three or more objects to show which object is 'the most' of something. Example: New York is the most exciting city in the USA.
Here is a chart showing how to construct the comparative form in English. Notice in the example sentences that we use 'than' to compare the two objects:
One Syllable Adjectives
add '-er' to end of the adjective (Note: double the final consonant if preceded by a vowel) remove the 'y' from the adjective and add 'ier'
Example: cheap - cheaper / hot - hotter / high - higher
Example Sentences
Yesterday was hotter than today.
This book is cheaper than that book.
Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in '-y'
Example: happy - happier / funny - funnier
Example Sentences
I am happier than you.
That joke was funnier than his joke.
Two, Three or More Syllable Adjectives
place 'more' before the adjective
Example: interesting - more interesting / difficult - more difficult
Example Sentences
London is more expensive than Madrid.
This test is more difficult than the last test.
IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS
There are some important exceptions to these rules. Here are two of the most important exceptions:
good
good - adjective
better - comparative
Example Sentences
This book is better than that one.
I am better at tennis than my sister.
bad
bad - adjective
worse - comparative
Example Sentences
His French is worse than mine.
His singing is worse than Tom's.
We use the comparative and superlative form to compare and contrast different objects in English. Use the comparative form to show the difference between two objects. Example: New York is more exciting than Seattle. Use the superlative form when speaking about three or more objects to show which object is 'the most' of something. Example: New York is the most exciting city in the USA.
Here is a chart showing how to construct the comparative form in English. Notice in the example sentences that we use 'than' to compare the two objects:
One Syllable Adjectives
add '-er' to end of the adjective (Note: double the final consonant if preceded by a vowel) remove the 'y' from the adjective and add 'ier'
Example: cheap - cheaper / hot - hotter / high - higher
Example Sentences
Yesterday was hotter than today.
This book is cheaper than that book.
Two Syllable Adjectives Ending in '-y'
Example: happy - happier / funny - funnier
Example Sentences
I am happier than you.
That joke was funnier than his joke.
Two, Three or More Syllable Adjectives
place 'more' before the adjective
Example: interesting - more interesting / difficult - more difficult
Example Sentences
London is more expensive than Madrid.
This test is more difficult than the last test.
IMPORTANT EXCEPTIONS
There are some important exceptions to these rules. Here are two of the most important exceptions:
good
good - adjective
better - comparative
Example Sentences
This book is better than that one.
I am better at tennis than my sister.
bad
bad - adjective
worse - comparative
Example Sentences
His French is worse than mine.
His singing is worse than Tom's.
Count and Non-Count Nouns - Understanding Nouns
Count and Non-Count Nouns - Understanding Nouns
From Kenneth Beare
What are countable nouns?
Countable nouns are individual objects, people, places, etc. which can be counted.
books, Italians, pictures, stations, men, etc.
A countable noun can be both singular - a friend, a house, etc. - or plural - a few apples, lots of trees, etc.
Use the singular form of the verb with a singular countable noun:
There is a book on the table.
That student is excellent!
Use the plural form of the verb with a countable noun in the plural:
There are some students in the classroom.
Those houses are very big, aren't they?
What are uncountable nouns?
Uncountable nouns are materials, concepts, information, etc. which are not individual objects and can not be counted.
information, water, understanding, wood, cheese, etc.
Uncountable nouns are always singular. Use the singular form of the verb with uncountable nouns:
There is some water in that pitcher.
That is the equipment we use for the project.
Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns.
Use a/an with countable nouns preceded by an adjective(s):
Tom is a very intelligent young man.
I have a beautiful grey cat.
Do not use a/an with uncountable nouns preceded by an adjective(s):
That is very useful information.
There is some cold beer in the fridge.
Some uncountable nouns in English are countable in other languages. This can be confusing! Here is a list of some of the most common, easy to confuse uncountable nouns.
accommodation
advice
baggage
bread
equipment
furniture
garbage
information
knowledge
luggage
money
news
pasta
progress
research
travel
work
From Kenneth Beare
What are countable nouns?
Countable nouns are individual objects, people, places, etc. which can be counted.
books, Italians, pictures, stations, men, etc.
A countable noun can be both singular - a friend, a house, etc. - or plural - a few apples, lots of trees, etc.
Use the singular form of the verb with a singular countable noun:
There is a book on the table.
That student is excellent!
Use the plural form of the verb with a countable noun in the plural:
There are some students in the classroom.
Those houses are very big, aren't they?
What are uncountable nouns?
Uncountable nouns are materials, concepts, information, etc. which are not individual objects and can not be counted.
information, water, understanding, wood, cheese, etc.
Uncountable nouns are always singular. Use the singular form of the verb with uncountable nouns:
There is some water in that pitcher.
That is the equipment we use for the project.
Adjectives with Countable and Uncountable Nouns.
Use a/an with countable nouns preceded by an adjective(s):
Tom is a very intelligent young man.
I have a beautiful grey cat.
Do not use a/an with uncountable nouns preceded by an adjective(s):
That is very useful information.
There is some cold beer in the fridge.
Some uncountable nouns in English are countable in other languages. This can be confusing! Here is a list of some of the most common, easy to confuse uncountable nouns.
accommodation
advice
baggage
bread
equipment
furniture
garbage
information
knowledge
luggage
money
news
pasta
progress
research
travel
work
Countable and Uncountable Expressions with Nouns
Countable and Uncountable Expressions with Nouns
From Kenneth Beare, About.com
See More About:countable and uncountable nounsbeginning englishenglish grammar13 of 25
Gallery IndexPrev Next
Sponsored Links
Books on Visual Learners
If You Could See the Way I Think, The Visual-Spatial Classroom, more!
www.Visual-Learners.com
Teaching english
A Website Dedicated to Teaching english
Teachingenglish.SuperbResources.com
Free TOEFL practice tests
Listening and Reading online Check your TOEFL level
www.examenglish.com
Countable and Uncountable
Uncountable
Use the singular form of the verb with uncountable nouns. Use both 'some' and any' with uncountable nouns when speaking about specific objects.
Examples
Do you have any butter?
There is some juice in the bottle.
If you are speaking in general, do not use a modifier.
Examples
Do you drink coca cola?
He doesn't eat meat.
Countable
Use the plural form of the verb with countable nouns. Use both 'some' and 'any' with countable nouns when speaking about specific objects.
Examples
There are some magazines on the table.
Has he got any friends?
If you are speaking in general, use the plural form of the noun.
Examples
They love books by Hemingway.
She doesn't eat apples.
Expressions for Use with Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Use the following expressions with uncountable nouns.
most
much, lots of, a lot of
some
a little, little
Examples
There is lots of interest in the project.
She's got some money left in the bank.
There's little time to finish.
Use the following expressions with countable nouns.
many, lots of, a lot of
several
some
not many, only a few, few
Examples
There are a lot of pictures on the wall.
We have several friends in Chicago.
She bought some envelopes this afternoon.
There are only a few people in the restaurant.
From Kenneth Beare, About.com
See More About:countable and uncountable nounsbeginning englishenglish grammar13 of 25
Gallery IndexPrev Next
Sponsored Links
Books on Visual Learners
If You Could See the Way I Think, The Visual-Spatial Classroom, more!
www.Visual-Learners.com
Teaching english
A Website Dedicated to Teaching english
Teachingenglish.SuperbResources.com
Free TOEFL practice tests
Listening and Reading online Check your TOEFL level
www.examenglish.com
Countable and Uncountable
Uncountable
Use the singular form of the verb with uncountable nouns. Use both 'some' and any' with uncountable nouns when speaking about specific objects.
Examples
Do you have any butter?
There is some juice in the bottle.
If you are speaking in general, do not use a modifier.
Examples
Do you drink coca cola?
He doesn't eat meat.
Countable
Use the plural form of the verb with countable nouns. Use both 'some' and 'any' with countable nouns when speaking about specific objects.
Examples
There are some magazines on the table.
Has he got any friends?
If you are speaking in general, use the plural form of the noun.
Examples
They love books by Hemingway.
She doesn't eat apples.
Expressions for Use with Countable and Uncountable Nouns
Use the following expressions with uncountable nouns.
most
much, lots of, a lot of
some
a little, little
Examples
There is lots of interest in the project.
She's got some money left in the bank.
There's little time to finish.
Use the following expressions with countable nouns.
many, lots of, a lot of
several
some
not many, only a few, few
Examples
There are a lot of pictures on the wall.
We have several friends in Chicago.
She bought some envelopes this afternoon.
There are only a few people in the restaurant.
Countries and Languages - Names and Adjectives
Countries and Languages - Names and Adjectives
From Kenneth Beare
This chart shows first the country, then language and, finally the nationality of many major countries from around the world.
One syllable
France
French
French
Greece
Greek
Greek
ends in '-ish'
Britain
English
British
Denmark
Danish
Danish
Finland
Finnish
Finnish
Poland
Polish
Polish
Spain
Spanish
Spanish
Sweden
Swedish
Swedish
Turkey
Turkish
Turkish
ends in '-an'
Germany
German
German
Mexico
Spanish
Mexican
The United States
English
American
ends in '-ian' or '-ean'
Australia
English
Australian
Brazil
Portuguese
Brazilian
Egypt
Arabic
Egyptian
Italy
Italian
Italian
Hungary
Hungarian
Hungarian
Korea
Korean
Korean
Russia
Russian
Russian
ends in '-ese'
China
Chinese
Chinese
Japan
Japanese
Japanese
Portugal
Portuguese
Portuguese
From Kenneth Beare
This chart shows first the country, then language and, finally the nationality of many major countries from around the world.
One syllable
France
French
French
Greece
Greek
Greek
ends in '-ish'
Britain
English
British
Denmark
Danish
Danish
Finland
Finnish
Finnish
Poland
Polish
Polish
Spain
Spanish
Spanish
Sweden
Swedish
Swedish
Turkey
Turkish
Turkish
ends in '-an'
Germany
German
German
Mexico
Spanish
Mexican
The United States
English
American
ends in '-ian' or '-ean'
Australia
English
Australian
Brazil
Portuguese
Brazilian
Egypt
Arabic
Egyptian
Italy
Italian
Italian
Hungary
Hungarian
Hungarian
Korea
Korean
Korean
Russia
Russian
Russian
ends in '-ese'
China
Chinese
Chinese
Japan
Japanese
Japanese
Portugal
Portuguese
Portuguese
Future Forms - Going to / Will
Future Forms - Going to / Will
From Kenneth Beare
The future with 'Will' is used in a variety of situations discussing the future. Use the following forms with 'will'. Notice that 'will' or 'won't' is used for ALL subjects.
Positive
Subject + will + base form of verb + object(s)
Negative
Subject + will + not + base form of verb + object(s)
Question
(Question Word) + will + subject + base form of verb?
Used for spontaneous decisions. Spontaneous decisions are decisions made AT the moment of speaking.
Examples
Jack's hungry. I'll make her a sandwich.
That's difficult! I'll help you with the problem.
Used for predictions:
Examples
It will snow tomorrow.
She won't win the game.
Used for scheduled public events
Examples
The concert will begin at 8 o'clock.
When will the train leave?
The class won't start next week.
Used for promises
Examples
Will you marry me?
I'll help you with your homework after class.
Future with 'Going to'
The future with 'going to' is used to speak about future intentions or plans made before the present moment. Use the following forms with 'going to'.
Positive
Subject + to be + going to + base form of verb + object(s)
Negative
Subject + to be + not + going to + base form of verb + object(s)
Question
(Question Word) + to be + subject + going to + base form of verb?
Examples
We are going to study French next semester.
Where are you going to stay in France?
She isn't going to take a vacation this year.
Used for planned decisions. Planned decisions are decisions made BEFORE the moment of speaking.
Examples
I'm going to study Languages at university next year.
We're going to stay at the Hilton in New York next week.
Used for predicting an action that you see is about to happen:
Examples
Watch out! You're going to hit that car!
Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.
Used for future intentions:
Examples
I'm going to be a policeman when I grow up.
Katherine is going to study English when she goes to University.
From Kenneth Beare
The future with 'Will' is used in a variety of situations discussing the future. Use the following forms with 'will'. Notice that 'will' or 'won't' is used for ALL subjects.
Positive
Subject + will + base form of verb + object(s)
Negative
Subject + will + not + base form of verb + object(s)
Question
(Question Word) + will + subject + base form of verb?
Used for spontaneous decisions. Spontaneous decisions are decisions made AT the moment of speaking.
Examples
Jack's hungry. I'll make her a sandwich.
That's difficult! I'll help you with the problem.
Used for predictions:
Examples
It will snow tomorrow.
She won't win the game.
Used for scheduled public events
Examples
The concert will begin at 8 o'clock.
When will the train leave?
The class won't start next week.
Used for promises
Examples
Will you marry me?
I'll help you with your homework after class.
Future with 'Going to'
The future with 'going to' is used to speak about future intentions or plans made before the present moment. Use the following forms with 'going to'.
Positive
Subject + to be + going to + base form of verb + object(s)
Negative
Subject + to be + not + going to + base form of verb + object(s)
Question
(Question Word) + to be + subject + going to + base form of verb?
Examples
We are going to study French next semester.
Where are you going to stay in France?
She isn't going to take a vacation this year.
Used for planned decisions. Planned decisions are decisions made BEFORE the moment of speaking.
Examples
I'm going to study Languages at university next year.
We're going to stay at the Hilton in New York next week.
Used for predicting an action that you see is about to happen:
Examples
Watch out! You're going to hit that car!
Look at those clouds. It's going to rain.
Used for future intentions:
Examples
I'm going to be a policeman when I grow up.
Katherine is going to study English when she goes to University.
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