COMPARISON: COMPARATIVES

USE:
To compare one or more people/things to other people/things.
FORM:
[COMPARATIVE FORM OF ADJECTIVE + THAN]
John is older than Bart.
Betty is more beautiful than Barbara.
Most adjectives take -er:
long/longer, old/older, tall/taller
Adjectives ending in -e take -r:
nice/nicer, late/later
Adjectives ending in vowel + consonant
double the consonant:
fat/fatter, big/bigger, hot/hotter
With adjectives ending in y, drop the y; add -ier:
happy/happier, easy/easier
With most two-syllable adjectives and longer adjectives form the comparative wit
h more:
intelligent - more intelligent
beautiful - more beautiful
The adjectives "good" and "bad" have anirregular comparative form:
good - better
bad - worse
EXAMPLES:
Todd: "Samurai Sam is winning. He's stronger than Viking Vick."
Ron: "Yes, and he's more popular, too!"
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COMPARISON: EQUALITY
USE:
To compare two persons or things that are alike.
FORM:
AFFIRMATIVE:
[AS + ADJECTIVE + AS]
Bob is as tall as Marty.
NEGATIVE:
[NOT AS + ADJECTIVE + AS]
Her hair is not as long as mine.
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NOUNS and QUANTIFIERS:
COUNT/NON-COUNT NOUNS
USE:
Quantifiers are words or phrases which show the number or amount of some object.
Some quantifiers are used with both count and non-count nouns. Some other quant
ifiers are only used with count or non-count nouns, but not with both.
USED WITH BOTH COUNT AND NON-COUNT NOUNS:
some (statements):
"There are some books on the shelf." (COUNT)
"There is some fruit on the table." (NON-COUNT)
any (questions and negative sentences):
"Are there any girls in your class?" (COUNT)
"There aren't any onions in the salad." (COUNT)
"Is there any butter?" (NON-COUNT)
"There isn't any homework today." (NON-COUNT)
a lot of
"There are a lot of red apples." (COUNT)
"There is a lot of noise in here." (NON-COUNT)
USED WITH COUNT NOUNS ONLY:
many
"I haven't got many friends."
"How many chairs are in that classroom?"
a few
"He has a few books."
USED WITH NON-COUNT NOUNS ONLY:
much
"I haven't got much time."
"How much milk do you want?"
a little
"I only want a little juice."
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See Explanation
PAST SIMPLE: QUESTIONS
YES/NO QUESTIONS
USE:
To ask questions about past actions/events that need an answer of "yes" or "no".
FORM:
Put DID / DIDN'T in front of the subject.
[DID / DIDN'T + SUBJECT + VERB + REST]
Did you walk yesterday?
Didn't they buy the book last week?
WH-QUESTIONS
USE:
To ask questions about the past that begin with these question words: WHAT, WHEN
, WHERE, WHO, WHY, HOW.
FORM:
Questions about the SUBJECT:
[WHO/WHAT + PAST VERB + REST]
Who told him?
What made that noise?
Questions about the REST OF THE SENTENCE:
[WH-WORD + DID + VERB...]
When did you leave school?
Where did they buy that?
EXAMPLES:
John: "Did you ask the boss about money?"
Rose: "Yes, I did."
John: "Well, what did she say?"
Rose: "She said no."
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MODALS and SEMI-MODALS: MAY
USE:
The Modal MAY is used with verbs and adds a special meaning. Like most Modals, M
AY has more than one meaning.
MEANING:
"You may leave early."(PERMISSION)
"They may buy a new house." (POSSIBILITY)
FORM:
Like other Modals, MAY goes before the verb and only has one form.
AFFIRMATIVE
[MAY + VERB]
John may go with you.
They may visit us later.
NEGATIVE
[MAY + NOT + VERB]
You may not leave the table.
We may not go to the party later.
YES/NO QUESTIONS
[MAY + SUBJECT + VERB + REST]
May we leave now?
May I help me?
Answers:
Yes, you may.
No, you may not.
WH-QUESTIONS
[WH-WORD + MAY... VERB...]
When may we leave?
EXAMPLES:
Girl: "Mom, may I have a cookie?"
Mother: "Okay, but only one. Your brother may
want one, too."
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MODALS and SEMI-MODALS: HAVE TO
USE:
The Semi-modal HAVE TO is used with verbs and adds a special meaning.
MEANING:
"He has to leave early." (OBLIGATION).
FORM:
Like other Modals and Semi-modals, HAVE TO goes before the verb. It has the same
form as regular verbs.
AFFIRMATIVE:
[HAVE TO + VERB + REST]
He has to leave early.
They have to do their homework.
NEGATIVE:
[DO/DOES (NOT) + SEMI-MODAL + VERB + REST]
The boys don't have to work today.
YES/NO QUESTIONS:
[DO/DOES(NOT) + SUBJECT + HAVE TO + VERB + REST]
Do I have to leave now?
Doesn't she have to study for her test?
Answers:
Yes, I do.
No, she doesn't.
WH-QUESTIONS:
[WH-WORD + (DO/DOES + SUBJECT) + HAVE TO + VERB + REST]
Who has to leave?
When do you have to call your parents?
EXAMPLES:
Mother: "It's time for bed, Michael."
Rick: "Aw, Mom. Do I have to go to bed now?"
Mother: "Yes, you do. It's late and you have to goto school tomorrow."
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MODALS and SEMI-MODALS: CAN
USE:
The Modal CAN is used with verbs and adds a special meaning. Like most Modals, C
AN has more than one meaning.
MEANING:
"Joe can speak French." (ABILITY)
"You can leave early." (PERMISSION)
"It can be hot here." (POSSIBILITY)
FORM:
Like other Modals, CAN goes before the verb and only has one form.
AFFIRMATIVE
[CAN + VERB]
John can swim quickly.
You can go to the movies with your friends.
NEGATIVE
[CAN + NOT + VERB]
Diane can't swim.
Beth cannot meet us tonight.
YES/NO QUESTIONS
[CAN + SUBJECT + VERB + REST OF SENTENCE]
Can you help me?
Can Ileave now?
Answers:
Yes, you can.
No, you cannot/can't.
WH-QUESTIONS
[WH-WORD + CAN... VERB...]
When can you help me?
EXAMPLES:
Danny: "Can you open it?"
Keith: "No, I can't. I can't open it."
Danny: "Let's ask Butch. He can do it."
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