k 26 Grammar workshop 1 Units 1-4 ‘These exercises are intended to help you quickly revise in a business context grammar which you have probably studied before, Comparison of adjectives and adverbs i= These adjectives and adverbs use er for the | comparative and -est for the superlative: + one-syllable adjectives, 8, quick quicker quickest * two-syllable adjectives ending in e.g. easy easier easiest | + one-syllable adverbs, eg, hard harder —* hardest = These adjectives and adverbs use more for the comparative and mast for the superlative: + adjectives with two or more syllables, | eg, useful more usefiel + most useful ‘© adverbs ending in-ly, | e.g, quickly + more quickly + most quickly NB Some two:syllable adjectives ending in -y can | use -er/-est or more/most: healthy healthier/more healthy -+ healthiest / most healthy = These adjectives and adverbs are exceptions: g00d/well + better + best bad/badly + worse worst muehy/many more most eS far— further/farther + furthest/farthest eee eee ar ene ras 1 Complete these sentences with the comparative/ Ee ee ee Sree ere euaniie wanton ‘ehalenging economical far friendly great hard highly impressive litle long motivating strong 1 T'd like to have a !ore.challenging, job because this cone doesn't stretch me very much 2. Rents are so high that my company is moving its offices ‘out ofthe city to somewhere Unfortunately, Thave to travel to get there. Grammar workshop 1 3 Igot the job because I was other candidates. 4 If they give me promotion, I'll have to work hours and have responsibility. 5. I'd have stayed in the job if my colleagues had been qualified than the 6 Martin is undoubtedly the candidate because he has a much ‘rack record. 7 Ireally like my new job; the aspect is the ‘opportunity to take my own decisions ~ something I ccouldn’t do in my previous post. 8 There are still many places in the world where women, earn ‘men for the same work and where they have to work to get promotion. 2 Work with a partner, and say whether you agree or disagree with the above sentences. Why? Present perfect and past simple = You use the past simple for things which started and finished in the past: ‘joined ray company three years ago f= You use the present perfect: * for things which started in the past and are still happening now: Inthe past three months, I’ve been given a ot more responsibility (which I still have). Thave had this job since I left university. * for things in the past where the time is not stated: | Pee been to New York three tires on business. + for things which happened in the past but which have a present result ve lost my job (and now I'm unemployed) 1. Lookat these sentences from Unit 1. Say which use the past simple and which use the present perfect. 1. T've heen with Deloitte for nearly two years now. present perfect 2. Iwas originally attracted to this company in my final ‘year at Cambridge. 3 Inmy case, this means 've always been allowed to give ‘exam preparation priority over my client work 4 When L arrived at Deloitte, we went through an initial three-day programme to develop our core skills and troduce us to the firm and our new colleagues.2 Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense (present perfect or past simple). 1 have worked. (work) for the same company for only three years, but I'm already a senior manager. 21 (go) on a training course during my first month at work, but (n0t go) on one since then, 3 My first boss (be) very friendly, but she (leave) the company last year and | {not see) her since she (go). 4 They (change) the way we work completely in the last six months. Now we have flexible working, whereas before we (start) at nine and (finish) attive 5 In.2004, they (ost) him to Japan. He {be] there ever since, and during that time he (get) married and (stort) a family Simple questions Questions are formed: = when the main verb is not be, by putting an | auxiliary verb before the subject: How long have you worked for Carrefour? ‘When did you graduate from university? What do you like about your present job? Are you prepared to work long hours? = when the main verb is be, by putting the main ver before the subject: Is there a telephone near here? Are you responsible for sales? 1 Complete the questions in this interview. 1 Bid yous have... a good joumey here today? Yes, thanks, although there was alt of traffic coming into the ct 2 bea problem for your ‘Working in this city? I don’t think so. I've always wanted to work here. 3 {a8 an accountant? Well, I finished my training three years ago, so as a fully qualified accountant, just three years, 4 most enjoy about your work? Oh, I'm fascinated by figures, and especially how they reflect the performance of an erganisation. 5 like to be doing in ten years’ time? In ten years’ time, I'd like to have a post in senior management here, or in a similar organisation. 2 Work with a partner: Imagine you are interviewing him/her for a job. Ask similar questions. Then change roles. Complex questions @ Look at what happens to the word order of ‘questions when you put a short phrase before them: How long have you worked for Carrefour? + Can you tell me how long you have worked jor | carefour? When did you graduate from university? + Fd lke you to tell me when you graduated from niversty What do you like about your present job? + I wonder what you like about your present job. Would your present employer be prepared to give ‘you a reference? + Do you know if your present employer would be prepared to give you a reference? ‘Can you see when to use question marks (?) and when not? 1 Rewrite these questions, starting with the words given. 1 How long have you been a product manager? Could you tell me .... how long you have been a product manager ? 2. Have you studied abroad? Td like to know 3. When did you first become interested in this profession? Iwonder 4 What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Td like you to tell me 5 What will you be doing in ten years’ time? Can you predict : 2 Work with a partner. Ask these or similar questions: about your partner's job/studies starting with Could you tell me... 'd like to know ..., !wonder when Do you know... I'd like you to tell me ..., etc. Grammar workshop 1 a