GRPPT B1+

Present simple, present continuous and
1.1
present perfect simple
1 We use the present simple to talk about things that are always or generally true.
We also use it to talk about things that happen regularly or repeatedly.
1 Many people use social media.

2 She doesn’t see her old school friends very often; they meet once a year.
3 How often do you visit your cousins?
2 Remember the ‘s’ for the third person singular. Sometimes the spelling changes.
I miss – he misses You wash – she washes We watch – he watches

They cry – she cries (BUT I play – he plays)
3 We form the present simple negative and questions with do/does/don’t/doesn’t.
1 They don’t talk to their old school friends now.

2 Does he like meeting new people?
© Oxford University Press
1.1
1 We use the present continuous to talk about things that are happening at or
around the time we are speaking, and to talk about temporary situations.
2 We also use the present continuous to talk about things that are changing.
1 I’m talking on the phone. Can you turn the TV down, please?
2 The wind is getting stronger.
3 We form the present continuous with be and the -ing form. Remember some
verbs have a spelling change before the -ing form.
Subject Positive Negative Verb

I ’m ’m not working from home today.
He/She/It is isn’t stopping this week.
You/We/They are aren’t having a good day today.
1.1
1 We use the present perfect simple to talk about our life experience until now.
2 We also use the present perfect simple to talk about things that have just happened.
1 They’ve worked there for ten years.

2 I’ve never eaten snake.
3 He’s just arrived. I’ll make coffee.
3 We form the present perfect simple with has/have + past participle. With irregular
verbs, remember the past participle is not always the same as the past simple form.
Subject has/have Past Participle

I have lived in three different countries.
He/She/It has just broken the table.
We/They haven’t seen the latest James Bond movie.
Present simple, present continuous and present
1.1
perfect simple
1 Match the two halves of the sentences.
1 She works there for three years.

2 She has worked in a bank in the centre of town.
3 She is working until late today.
4 They meet at the gym every week.

5 They are meeting there before.
6 They have never met at a café at the moment.
7 I’ve driven my car every day.

8 I’m driving along this road now, as I’m on a trip.
9 I drive along this road before; I remember it.

1.2 State verbs
1 Most verbs describe actions. We can use them in both simple and continuous
forms, depending on when the actions happen.
Present simple
1 He writes emails every day. Present continuous
2 He is writing an email now, so don’t disturb him.
2 Some verbs describe states, and we don’t usually use them in continuous forms.
State verbs are often used to talk about how we feel or think, our experience or
what we possess.
State Verb
thoughts and think, know, believe, agree, prefer, I believe you.
feelings imagine, hate, love, like, want, feel, mean
experience be, see, hear, look, smell, taste, sound The food smells great.
possession belong, own, possess, have (got), include The books belong here.
1.2 State verbs
1 Some state verbs can be used in both simple and continuous forms, when we
want to emphasize that the state is temporary.
Simple form Continuous form

I don’t feel well. She’s feeling tired today.
You look smart. You’re looking smart. Where are you going?
They love living in Italy. I’m loving this film! *
*Note that love in the continuous form is an idiom from popular speech.
2 Some verbs can describe both states and actions with a different meaning.
opinion consider
1 We think it’s a great idea. You look happy! What are you thinking about?
2 She has a cold. Can you call back later? She’s having a shower.
state action © Oxford University Press
1.2 State verbs
1 Choose the correct alternative to complete these sentences.
1 What time are you having/do you have lunch today?
2 Are you having/Do you have a shower every evening?
3 Do you have/Are you having a car?
4 You seem/are seeming tired.
5 What do you mean/are you meaning?
6 She isn’t believing/doesn’t believe him.

2.1 Narrative forms
1 A narrative is a story or a description of past events.

2 We usually use three different verbs forms when we tell stories: the past simple,
the past continuous and the past perfect. Which verb forms can you see?
past simple past perfect
I said ‘goodnight’ to the children and switched off their light. We needed to get up
early the next day, so we had packed our bags and had prepared everything ready to
leave at 6 a.m. I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night. The wind was howling
and something was banging outside. I went downstairs quietly to see what was
making the noise. I was sure I had locked the back door before I had gone to bed
that night.
past continuous

2.1 Narrative forms
1 We use the past simple to describe the main events in a narrative.
1 She picked up the phone and called an ambulance.

2 They watched the robber outside the bank, and then they arrested him.
2 Most past simple verb forms add -ed, but many common verbs are irregular.
take took sleep slept wake woke put put have had
3 We form the negative and questions in the past simple with did and the infinitive.
1 I didn’t see him. NOT I didn’t saw him.

2 Did you wait? NOT You waited?

2.1 Narrative forms
1 We use the past continuous to describe background events and situations. We

also use the past continuous to contrast longer actions with shorter ones.
2 We form the past continuous with was/were and the -ing form of the main verb.
1 We were walking in the park while the children were playing.

2 The sun was shining and the birds were singing.
3 They were watching the match when the phone rang.
3 We form the negative past continuous with was/were not. We form questions by
changing the order of the subject and was/were.
1 He wasn’t looking when he stepped into the road. What was he thinking?
2 Where were you going when I saw you last night?
3 We weren’t having dinner; we were only having a drink when you saw us.
2.1 Narrative forms
1 We use the past perfect to describe things that happened before the main events
in the story or before the time of the story.
1 I had never been to Africa before, so I was excited when the plane landed.
2 She hadn’t met him before the party.
3 We’d spoken on the phone that morning.
2 We form the past perfect with had + past participle. We make the negative form
with had + not. We often use contractions ’d and hadn’t.
3 We form questions by changing the order of the subject and had.
1 Had you ever seen that man before?

2 Had they left before you arrived?

2.1 Narrative forms
1 Choose the correct options to complete the sentences.
1 They had never seen/never saw such a big hotel.
2 The boat had hit/hit a rock, there was/had been a rush of water and it had sunk/sank.
3 Snow was falling/fell and people were hurrying/hurried home as quickly as possible.
4 We had realized/realized our mistake five minutes after we had arrived/arrived.
5 Just as we were driving/drove back home, we saw/were seeing the fire engine
outside our house.

2.2 Time linkers
1 We use time linkers to describe how the time of one event relates to another
event. Here are some common time linkers.
Linker
as soon as I recognized him as soon as I heard his voice.
while She was texting while driving.
when It was raining heavily when I left the office.
meanwhile They worked hard all week. Meanwhile, we were on holiday!
by the time He had already started eating me by the time we arrived.
during Three players were sent off during the match.
until I didn’t hear from anyone until I reached the capital city.

2.2 Time linkers
1 Time linkers have different meanings. one thing happens

immediately after another
1 We got out of the car as soon as it stopped.
two things happen
2 I’ll make notes while you tell me what happened. at the same time
3 It was raining when we left home this morning.

similar to while,
two things happen
4 What were you doing when you saw the accident? at the same time
one action
interrupted another

2.2 Time linkers
one action is
2 Time linkers have different meanings. completed before
the main action
1 Had he gone by the time you got there?
one action happens at a
point within a time period
2 She had been unusually quiet during the journey.
one action happens up

3 They slept until midday the next day.
to a point in time
4 Two officers entered the backdoor. Meanwhile, another guarded the front.
two things happen at the same

time, but in different sentences

2.2 Time linkers
1 They lived in Mexico while/during the 1970s.
2 He decided to call as soon as/meanwhile he received the message.
3 They had eaten everything by the time/until we got there.
4 Most of them returned home. When/Meanwhile, two others stayed behind.
5 Can you ask him about the car while/during you’re over there?
6 She was looking for her keys when/as soon as she spotted the money.

3.1 Ability
1 We use can, could and be able to to talk about ability. We use can/can’t + infinitive
without to and be able to + infinitive without to to talk about general ability.
1 You can do anything you like here.

2 She can’t resist telling him the secret.
3 Most people are able to find some form of exercise they like.
2 We use will/won’t be able to + infinitive without to to talk about general ability and
ability in the future.
1 We won’t be able to lift that by ourselves. Let’s get help.

2 I’m afraid we won’t be able to come tomorrow.
3 She’ll be able to call in a minute.

3.1 Ability
1 We use could/couldn’t or was/were and wasn’t/weren’t able to + infinitive without

to to talk about general ability in the past.
1 We couldn’t use our mobile phones in class when we were at school.

2 They could swim really well when they were five.
3 She wasn’t able to walk until she was three.
2 We use was/wasn’t and were/weren’t able to + infinitive without to to talk about

ability on a specific occasion in the past.
1 We weren’t able to open the door so he climbed through a window.

2 He was able to open the door from the inside. NOT He could open …

3.1 Ability
1 We often use the phrases manage to + infinitive without to or succeed in + -ing to

talk about ability when there is some difficulty or challenge in achieving the task.
2 We can use these phrases in the past, present or future.
1 They always manage to get the monthly reports out on time.

2 He didn’t manage to take a day off last month because of the new project.
3 I hope we’ll manage to have a long holiday this year. We really need it!
4 He hasn’t succeeded in convincing me yet.
5 Will she succeed in getting the top job?
6 If you enjoy what you do, you succeed in doing whatever you want.

3.1 Ability
1 Correct the mistakes in the sentences. One sentence is correct.
1 Young children can to learn to wait for good things.

Young children can learn to wait for good things.
2 We were able call him last night.
We were able to call him last night.
3 Despite the snow, they can get home easily yesterday.
Despite the snow, they could/were able to/managed to get home easily yesterday.
4 We were able to swim in the outdoor pool even though it was raining.

5 We managed speak to the hotel owner as soon as we got there.
We managed to speak to the hotel owner as soon as we got there.
6 She succeeded in make the cake without the recipe.
She succeeded in making the cake without the recipe.
3.2 Obligation, permission and possibility
1 We use must, have to/need to and their negative forms to say that something
is/isn’t necessary or obligatory in the present.
It’s necessary or It’s necessary/obligatory To say something isn’t

obligatory NOT to do this necessary/obligatory
Feelings or must mustn’t
wishes of
the I must remember to I mustn’t forget to phone
speaker phone the doctor. the doctor.
Rules from have to/need to don’t have to/don’t need to
someone
else You have to be 18 to You don’t have to learn to
drive a car. drive at a school in the UK.
2 We often use must/mustn’t when the speaker expresses their own feelings or
wishes, and have to/don’t have to when the obligation comes from someone else.
1 Here are some more examples of must and have to to talk about the present.
1 You must work harder. (My feelings about your work.)

2 She has to work night shifts. (Her employment contract made this rule.)
3 I must write down your name and number. (I think I need to do this.)
4 You mustn’t forget to call me later. (I think it’s necessary for you NOT to do this.)
5 He has to be there at 9 a.m. (The rule is for him to be there at 9 a.m.)
6 He must be there at 9 a.m. (I think it’s necessary for him to be there at 9 a.m.)
7 He mustn’t be there at 9 a.m. (I don’t want him to be there at 9 a.m.)
8 He doesn’t have to be there at 9 a.m. (It is not necessary for him to be there
at 9 a.m. He can come later.)
2 We can ask questions with do/does + subject + have to or must + subject + infinitive
without to.
1 Do you have to catch the train to work?
2 Must we walk so fast?
1 We use had to or didn’t have to/didn’t need to when we talk about necessity or
obligation in the past. We do not use must/mustn’t in the past.
1 In my last job, I didn’t have to dress so smartly.

2 Did you have to wear a tie in the office in your previous company?
3 We had to wear a jumper in the office because the heating didn’t work!
2 We use can/can’t in the present and could/couldn’t in the past to say something
is/isn’t OK or allowed.
1 You can wear what you like in the office, but you can’t wear jeans.
2 In my previous job, I could use the internet for personal and business use.
3 We couldn’t ask questions during class; we had to wait until after the lesson.
1 Correct the mistakes in the sentences.
1 Pupils have to/mustn’t wear a uniform at some schools in the UK.
2 You have to/must buy a new suit for your interview next week.
3 She didn’t must/didn’t have to leave the company. We all wanted her to stay.
4 Do we must/have to catch the train so early?
5 I couldn’t/didn’t could study science and art subjects together at my university.
6 You mustn’t/don’t have to eat fried foods if you want to lose weight.

4.1 will/be going to for predictions and decisions
1 We use will + infinitive without to and be going to to talk about predictions about
the future.
2 We often use will/won’t when the prediction is based on a personal feeling,
opinion or what we believe about the future.
1 The photo’s fantastic. I think you’ll win the competition.

2 You’ll see him at the party; I’m sure he’ll be there.
3 They won’t come, you’ll see! They’re too lazy!
4 I don’t think he’ll pass the driving test. He hasn’t practised enough.
3 Notice that we often use I don’t think + will rather than I think + won’t.

1 We often use be going to when the prediction is based on some evidence to

support it, or the action has already started.
1 It’s going to rain soon, look at those dark clouds!

2 He’s just phoned to say there’s a delay, so he isn’t going to get here by 10.
3 She’s going to have the baby in March, isn’t she?
4 Surely you aren’t going to wear that light jacket today. It’s freezing outside!
5 They aren’t going to finish the presentation before lunch; look at the time.

1 We use both will/won’t and be going to for decisions.

2 We often use will/won’t when we make a spontaneous decision at the same time
we are speaking, e.g. we often use will in cafés and restaurants when we’re deciding
what to eat at the same time as we order.
1 It’s too dark in here, isn’t it? I’ll put the lights on.
2 They won’t help you if you don’t ask in perfect English!
3 I’ll have the steak and I’ll have … um … I’ll have chips and salad with it, please.
3 We often use be going to when we have already made a decision or we are talking
about plans and intentions.
1 No, I’m not going to go to their party. I’m going to be away that weekend.
2 Are you going to do your final exams this year or next year?

1 Complete the sentences with the correct form of will/won’t or be going to.
I’ll pass my exam.

1 He doesn’t think (I/pass) __________
We’re going to need more people to help us. There’s too much to do.
2 (We/need) __________________
you’ll like it.

3 Here’s your birthday present. We’re sure (you/like) __________
you’ll never get there on time.

4 If you don’t hurry up, (you/never/get) ______________
I won’t have it again. I think (I/have)

5 I had soup yesterday, so (I/not/have) ___________
I’ll have the salad, please.
__________
We’re going to stay with my sister in New

6 I’ve just booked the tickets. (We/stay) _________________
York next month.
4.2 will/may/might to talk about probability
1 We can use the modal verbs will/may/might, the adverbs

probably/possibly/definitely and the adjectives likely/unlikely to talk about
probability and certainty.
2 Here is a summary of different ways we talk about degrees of certainty.
100% 0%
Certain Possible Unlikely Impossible
will (definitely) will probably probably won’t (definitely) won’t
will possibly -
may may not
might might not
is likely to is unlikely to

1 We use the modal verbs may, might and will to talk about how sure we are of
something. We often use will when we are certain of something happening and may
or might when we think it is possible, but are not 100% certain.
1 Sea levels will rise, and as a result some major cities may flood.
2 Scientists might not be able to slow down global warming in the next 50 years.
3 We may not see the sunset this evening. There are clouds on the horizon.
2 We use the adverbs probably, possibly and definitely to give more information
about how sure we are. This is more common with will. The adverbs go after the
modal verb in the positive form and before the modal verb in the negative form.
1 We will probably see you next week.

2 She definitely won’t be there – she’s already told me.
3 I’ll probably call you later.
1 We use be + likely/unlikely + infinitive with to to talk about probability.
1 He’s likely to leave the company if we don’t pay him more.
2 It isn’t likely to rain today. The weather forecast is good.
3 It’s unlikely to be sunny all weekend.
4 They are unlikely to call now, as it’s too late.
5 Are you likely to see him later? If so, give him my regards.

1 Match the sentences to the degrees of certainty:

certain possible unlikely impossible
1 I definitely won’t be going out this evening, I feel terrible. impossible
2 Are you likely to want a shower later? I can leave the water heater on. possible
3 Students may pass all their exams in one year. possible
4 They aren’t likely to want all the food. Help yourself! unlikely
5 I’ll definitely be late tonight, so don’t wait up. certain
6 They might not get through this snow. unlikely

5.1 -ing form and infinitive with to
1 When we put two verbs together, we sometimes use the -ing form for the second
verb. We do this with verbs expressing likes and dislikes, such as:
1 She can’t stand running.

2 He loves beginning a new book.
3 I don’t feel like studying.
2 We also use the -ing form after these verbs:
admit avoid consider deny finish help imagine miss practise recommend
suggest
1 Did he admit taking the money?
2 Has he finished writing his report yet?
3 Do you miss seeing your brothers and sisters?
NB Remember that sometimes the -ing form has a spelling change.
1 We use the -ing form after verbs which are followed by a preposition:
1 She insists on practising every day.

2 We’re thinking of going out this evening.
3 He was referring to travelling by plane.
4 He doesn’t believe in being married.
2 We also use the -ing form after prepositions:
1 She always brushes her teeth before going out.

2 We are looking forward to seeing you next week.
3 We can find the answer by looking it up online.
4 You can’t become a lawyer without going to law school.

1 We use the infinitive with to after the following verbs.
afford agree aim appear arrange attempt choose decide demand expect
fail forget hope intend manage need offer plan start seem stop tend
want would like
1 I would like to go to the cinema this evening.

2 He intended to escape prison.
3 I aim to be back at work in a month.
4 We chose to go on holiday to Spain this year.
2 We put not between the two verbs to make the negative form.
1 She tends not to worry so much about the children nowadays.

2 We decided not to cycle into town today.

1 Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive with to with little or no
change in meaning. For example:
1 He attempted to do the test. – He attempted doing the test himself.

2 It began to rain at midnight. – It began raining at 10 a.m. and didn’t stop all day.
3 She can’t stand to wait around. – She can’t stand waiting for anyone.
4 Did you continue to work after I left? – I didn’t continue working after you left.
5 They prefer to have sandwiches at midday. – They prefer having a hot meal later.
6 She started to walk when she was one. – She started walking when she was one.
2 Notice that we do not normally put two -ing forms together, e.g. continuous + -ing
form, e.g. He’s starting to learn English. NOT He’s starting learning English.

1 Match the two halves of each pair of sentences.
1 She really enjoys to speak more English at work.

2 I want speaking more English at work.
3 He intended not to be late again, but he was.

4 They apologised for being late again.
5 He tends paying for our meal out tonight.

6 I don’t mind to pay for their meals.
7 I feel like walking there alone.

8 You shouldn’t attempt to walk there alone.
Time expressions with present perfect and
5.2
past simple
1 We usually think of a period of time as being finished, e.g. last year, yesterday, or
unfinished, e.g. this week, today, recently.
2 We generally use the present perfect for unfinished time periods.
1 They haven’t eaten anything yet today.

2 She has been to Germany for meetings three times this month.
3 Have you seen the news since yesterday?
3 Here are some more unfinished time expressions we use with the present perfect.
recently already just never ever yet so far for (ten minutes, three days)
over the past (two days, six years) since (2011, ten o’clock this morning, we met)

5.2
past simple
1 We generally use the past simple for finished time periods.
1 I didn’t go to your presentation yesterday. Did it go OK?

2 They thought last week’s meeting was very useful.
3 Did he study engineering when he was at university?
2 Here are some finished time expressions we use with the past simple.
yesterday recently last (night, month) in (November, 2001)

on (Tuesday, my birthday) (a few weeks, two years) ago
when (it was summer, I was at university)

5.2
past simple
1 Some time expressions can refer to both finished or unfinished time periods.
1 Have you spoken to Jane this morning? (It’s 11:30 a.m. now.)
2 Did you speak to Jane this morning? (It’s 4:30 p.m. now.)
3 I’ve played football quite a lot recently. (Focusing on the time until now.)
4 I played football recently. (Focusing on the time you played.)

5.2
past simple
1 Choose the correct verb forms, present perfect or past simple.
1 I went/I’ve been to the cinema last night.
2 We didn’t see/haven’t seen you the last time you came to England.
3 The children have wanted/wanted a pet for a long time.
4 Have you been/Did you go abroad in the summer?
5 They haven’t been/didn’t go away so far this year.
6 She worked/has worked really hard over the last few months.

6.1 Defining and non-defining relative clauses
1 There are two types of relative clause: defining and non-defining. With both
types, the relative clause helps us understand more about the person or thing that
we are talking about by giving us more information.
defining relative clause
1 The book which I got for my birthday is great.
2 Agatha Christie, whose books are very popular, was a famous author.
non-defining relative clause
2 Relative clauses come after the person or thing we have mentioned, and they
start with a relative pronoun (who, which, that or whose) or a relative adverb
(where, when).
1 The country where I grew up is not very far away.

1 We use defining clauses to identify exactly who or what we are talking about.
Which teacher?
1 That’s the teacher who taught me last year.
Which book?
2 Is this the book which/that you borrowed from me?
3 He’s the student whose phone I used.
Which student?
2 We can leave out the relative pronoun if it refers to the object of the verb.
1 The book which I read last week was amazing!

1 Non-defining relative clauses do not tell us exactly what or who we are talking
about because it is usually clear or we already know. Non-defining relative clauses
normally give us extra information about what or who we have already mentioned.
2 We do not use that in non-defining relative clauses, only who, which or whose.
1 Many disabled people, who have never been able to drive until now, can
benefit greatly from these new cars.
2 Modern phones, which are becoming cheaper, can do almost as much as
computers nowadays.
3 My cousin, whose job takes him all over the world, can now communicate
with his family cheaply and easily via his computer.
3 We use commas in non-defining relative clauses. We put them around the extra
information, or before the relative clause if this comes at the end of the sentence.
1 It was built in a developing country, which benefits greatly from exports.

1 We can also use the relative adverbs where and when in defining and non-
defining relative clauses.
1 The university where I did my degree was in the north of England.

2 At university, where many of us make lifelong friends, we meet people from
all kinds of backgrounds.
3 It’s in winter when most car accidents happen.
4 After dark, when drivers are in a hurry to get home, pedestrians need to wear
light colours or carry a torch.

1 Rewrite the two sentences as one sentence using a relative clause.
1 I’ve bought him a book for his birthday. I think he’ll like it.
I’ve bought him a book for his birthday, which I think he’ll like.
2 She didn’t like the film. I recommended it to her.
She didn’t like the film (which/that) I recommended to her.
3 Where was the place? You went to it on holiday last year.
Where was the place (which/that) you went to on holiday last year?
4 The dry season is a time of year. Most people visit Malaysia then.
The dry season is the time (when) most people visit Malaysia.
5 The painting is an original by Picasso. Picasso’s signature is missing.
The painting is an original by Picasso, whose signature is missing.
6 Was he the inventor? He created the driverless car.
Was he the inventor who created the driverless car?
6.2 Present perfect simple and continuous
1 We use the present perfect continuous (have/has + been + -ing) for unfinished
actions that started in the past and continue up to now.
2 We often answer the question How long …? with the present perfect continuous.
1 She’s been working here for three years.

2 How long have you been staying in the hotel?
3 They haven’t been feeling well for days now. They should go to the doctor’s.
3 We generally do not use the present perfect continuous with verbs of state, e.g.
be, have, own, like, know, believe, want.
1 He has known me for three months. NOT He has been knowing me …

2 There have been many problems recently. NOT There have been being many …

1 We use the present perfect simple (have/has + past participle) for completed
actions that happened at some point before now.
2 We do not know, or we do not focus on, when the action happened.
3 The action usually has some influence or importance now.
I do not have it
We can go here now.
1 I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten to bring my homework.
out now.
2 Let’s go. It’s stopped snowing.
So now we don’t
3 Have you seen John?
have any bread.
4 We haven’t been to the supermarket yet.
I need to talk
to him now.

1 Sometimes there is not much difference between the present perfect simple and
continuous. We can choose either depending on how we see the action.
We see this as a
1 They have been complaining about the course. continuous action or
2 They have complained about the course. a process.
We see this as a
finished action.

1 Match the sentence halves in each pair.
1 The waiter has made too many mistakes. He has to go.

2 The waiter has been making a mistake. Can I see the bill?
3 They have been watching TV since they came home.

4 They have watched two programmes today.
5 I haven’t been working in an international company before.

6 I haven’t worked here for very long.
7 How long have you been sitting here?

8 How long have you known each other?
7.1 Used to and would for past habits and states
1 We can use both used to and would to talk about situations that existed in the past
but do not exist now.
2 We use used to + infinitive without to for past habits and states.
Subject Verb
We used to go to school by bike. … but now he
doesn’t.
He used to eat too much chocolate.
She didn’t use to like classical music. … but now I
do.
I didn’t use to think seahorses were real.
Did you use to sing in the school choir? Was this a habit in
the past?
Did they use to work from home?
3 Notice that there is no final ‘d’ in used to in negatives and questions.

1 We use would + infinitive without to to talk about past habits, actions and typical
past behaviour.
1 We would always ask my grandmother for sweets.

2 She never caught the bus on time, so she would arrive late every day.
3 They would usually call us at weekends.
2 We do not use would for past states.
1 They used to live in Madrid. NOT They would live in Madrid.

2 He didn’t use to be so shy. NOT He wouldn’t be very shy.
3 Remember that for present habits we use the present simple, often with usually.
1 We (usually) go to the cinema on Saturdays.

1 Choose the correct options to complete 1–6. In one sentence, both are possible.
1 Did you use to / used to go to bed earlier than your brothers and sisters?
2 There would / used to be an outdoor café by the park when I was a kid.
3 Nowadays I used to / usually cycle to work.
both
4 We used to / would see the same people every day on our way to work.
possible
5 He didn’t use to / used to like swimming, but now he spends hours in the pool.
6 She would / used to think we were lovely when we were kids.

7.2 Questions
1 There are two basic types of question: subject questions and object questions.
2 In object questions, the question word is the object.
object
1 What food do you like most? – I like Chinese food most. object
2 Where did you go on holiday last year? – Last year we went to Thailand.
3 In object questions, we normally need an auxiliary verb before the subject. In the
present and past simple the auxiliary verb is do/does or did.
object
1 Why did you leave so early? – I left early because I didn’t feel well.
subject object
2 When does she get back? – She gets back on Friday.
subject
7.2 Questions
1 In subject questions, the question word is the subject.
subject
1 Who wrote this book? – My friend wrote this book.
2 What makes global warming worse? – Pollution makes global warming worse.
subject
2 We do not use the auxiliary verbs do/does/did with subject questions.
1 Who became the first female prime minister in 1979? NOT Who did become …
subject
2 Which planet rotates the fastest? NOT Which planet does rotate the fastest?
subject
7.2 Questions
1 We use indirect questions to make questions more polite and friendly.

2 We often start indirect questions with question phrases.
1 Could you tell me what the time is, please?

2 I’d like to know where I can catch the bus.
3 Would you mind telling me where you work now?
3 We use statement word order in indirect questions.
1 I’d like to know how I can get to the station. NOT … can I get to the station
2 Could you tell me why you go there? NOT … do you go there
4 We use if instead of a question word when the answer is yes or no.
1 Would you mind telling me if you saw him?

7.2 Questions
1 Correct the mistakes in these questions. One is correct.
1 Where you usually stay when you are in town?

Where do you usually stay when you are in town?
2 Who did help you yesterday with your homework?
Who helped you yesterday with your homework?
3 When you last went to the library?
When did you last go to the library?
4 Could you tell me where are the toilets?
Could you tell me where the toilets are?
5 She wants to know why you wrote the book?

6 Would you mind telling me does the train leave at 8:30?
Would you mind telling me if the train leaves at 8:30? © Oxford University Press
8.1 Sentences with if – real conditionals
1 If-sentences usually have two parts, or clauses: the if-clause and the result clause.
Sometimes we call these conditional sentences.
2 When we talk about a general situation with real results, we use the present
simple in both parts of the sentence.
1 If you take regular exercise, you live longer.

2 People are generally happier if they have a good work-life balance.
3 When we talk about a situation with possible results in the future, we use the
present simple in the if-clause and will in the result clause.
1 If you start to exercise more regularly, you will feel happier within a month.
2 They won’t lose weight if they don’t change their diet, too.

1 The conditional clause and the result clause can usually go in any order. When the
if-clause comes first, it is followed by a comma.
1 If you want to take up a new sport, get in touch with your local leisure centre.
2 Get in touch with your local leisure centre if you want to take up a new sport.
no comma
2 Unless means if … not or except if.
1 You don’t pay taxes unless you earn more than 20K a year.
2 They can’t arrest him unless they have a warrant.
3 We can use modal verbs in both the result clause and the if-clause.
1 If you follow the instructions, you might do better!

2 If you can help us tomorrow, we may finish earlier.
1 Decide where the words in brackets go in these sentences.
1 It is said that people go to the doctor more often healthcare is free. (if)
2 My friends be worried if I don’t phone them soon. (will)
3 I can’t afford to go on holiday I get a pay rise. (unless)
4 The traffic is terrible! You get there quicker if you walk! (might)
5 I play properly if you keep making me laugh! (can’t)
6 The government starts listening to people, they might win the election. (if)

8.2 Sentences with if – unreal conditionals
1 If-sentences usually have two clauses: the if-clause and the result-clause.
2 If the if-clause describes an imaginary or unreal situation, the result-clause
describes the imaginary result of this situation. We sometimes call this the
second conditional.
no comma
1 I’d call the police if I saw a street crime.
2 If they weren’t so rich, they would live in a very different part of town.
3 Would you keep working if you won the lottery tomorrow?
no comma
3 We use if + past tense with would + infinitive without to to describe these
unreal or hypothetical situations in the present or future.
4 The if-clause and the result-clause can go in either order. When the if-clause
comes first, the clauses are separated by a comma.
1 We can use the modal verbs could or might in the result-clause to talk about
uncertainty or ability.
ability uncertain
1 I could help you tomorrow if you’re desperate! result
2 They might be interested if you gave them a call and asked.
3 If it weren’t so hot, we could work at the table outside.
ability
2 In more formal English, we use were instead of was with all persons and especially
in some common fixed phrases.
1 If I were you, I’d get going right now.

2 If she were in your shoes, she’d know exactly how you feel.
3 If it weren’t for his age, he’d be the perfect candidate.

1 Write unreal conditionals using the prompts.
1 you / find / a wallet in the street – hand it in / police station?

If you found a wallet in the street, would you hand it in at the police station?
2 world / be / a better place – people / be / less selfish.
The world would be a better place if people were less selfish.
3 he / swim – he / take part in a triathlon.
If he could swim, he would/might/could take part in a triathlon.
4 she / not listen to / loud music – not be / so deaf.
If she didn’t listen to loud music, she wouldn’t be so deaf.
5 not earn / enough for his family – he / not work so hard.
He might not/couldn’t/wouldn’t earn enough for his family if he didn’t work so hard.
6 I / be / you – try / lose / weight.
If I were you, I’d try to lose weight. © Oxford University Press
9.1 Comparatives and superlatives
1 We use comparative forms of adjectives to compare people and things with each
other. Notice these spelling patterns.
Number of syllables Spelling pattern Example

One syllable + -er/+ -r My sister is tall, but I’m
taller, rounder, larger taller.
One syllable ending in double consonant + -er He’s much fitter than
short vowel + consonant bigger, slimmer, fitter he looks.
Two syllables ending in change -y to -ier His hair is curlier than
consonant + -y pretty/prettier, curly/curlier his brother’s.
Two or more syllables more Her husband is more
more overweight, more elderly overweight than she is.
2 Note that some two syllable adjectives can either add -er or use more, e.g.
greyer/more grey, gentler/more gentle.
1 We use than when we compare two things directly.
1 They’re blonder than their parents.

2 He’s got a wider face than his twin brother.
2 To make a negative comparison, we use less + adjective + than.
1 He’s less handsome than his father.

2 She’s less overweight than she thinks.
3 We use (just) as … as to say things are the same, or not as/so … as to say things are
not the same.
1 They’re (just) as tall as each other, but Tim’s not as sociable as his brother.

1 We use modifiers when we want to give more detail about the degree of
comparison or difference.
1 She’s much more talkative than her sister.

2 They’re far older than they look!
2 Here are some common modifiers.
Degree of difference Modifier Example

a stronger difference a lot, far, much, so She looks a lot happier now than earlier.
much, very much He’s so much better than he was.
a smaller difference a bit, a little, slightly I think they’re slightly younger than me.
no difference not any, no He’s not any older than I’d imagined.

1 We use superlative forms of adjectives to compare people and things with the
rest of their group. Notice these spelling patterns.
Number of syllables Spelling pattern Example

One syllable the + -est / + -st They’re the nicest people
e.g. the longest, the nicest I’ve ever met.
One syllable ending in a the + double consonant + -est I’m not the fittest person in
short vowel + consonant e.g. the biggest, the fittest the sports club.
Two syllables ending in change -y to -iest That’s the prettiest dress in
consonant + -y e.g. pretty/the prettiest the shop!
Two or more syllables the most This is the most intelligent
e.g. the most intelligent solution to our problem.
2 Some two-syllable adjectives can either add -est or use the most, e.g. the
friendliest/the most friendly, the gentlest/the most gentle.
1 What is the extra word in each sentence? There is one correct sentence.
1 Humans are not as tall as that their ancestors.
2 She’s the most friendliest of all my colleagues.
3 They aren’t any more taller than I’d imagined.
4 She’s far slimmer than her sister. 
5 Technology is a lot much more popular with this generation.
6 He’s so far much more confident than the last time I saw him.
9.2 Modals of deduction and speculation
1 When we are making a deduction or are speculating (making a guess based on

evidence), we use the modal verbs must, can’t, might and could.
How sure am I? Modal Example

verb
I’m very sure this is You must be John, I’ve heard so much about
must
true or possible. you!
could This could be the right street, I think it’s familiar.

I think this is true or
might He might be in the shower, he’s not answering.
possible.
might not They might not be back yet, let’s wait 5 minutes.
I’m very sure this is They can’t be here already, they only left home
can’t
NOT true or possible. 5 minutes ago!

1 We do not use mustn’t, couldn’t or can as modals of deduction.

can’t
1 This mustn’t be your bike. It’s far too small.
could/might
2 He can be his uncle. He looks a bit like his father.
2 We use look + adjective when something appears to be (adjective).
1 You look cold, come inside quickly.

2 He looks tired. What has he been doing?

1 It can’t be $50, that’s sounds about right.

2 It could be $50, that’s far too much!
3 He must be David! He looks just like his brother.

4 He might be David. I’m not sure if he is who we’re expecting.
5 She looks a bit sleepy. She said she didn’t sleep well last night.
6 She might be a bit sleepy. Her eyes keep closing.
7 They can’t be serious! I don’t believe them.

8 They could be serious. It’s possible they’re telling the truth.
10.1 Active and passive forms
1 We use active verbs to say what someone or something does.

2 We use passive verbs to describe what happens to someone or something.
active 1 Many young people around the world like Bollywood movies.
passive 2 Bollywood movies are liked by many young people around the world.
active 3 Companies are employing young graduates for their technical skills.
passive 4 Young graduates are being employed for their technical skills.
active 5 Technology companies haven’t been selling as many tablets as we imagine.

passive 6 Tablets haven’t been sold as much as we imagine.

1 We form the passive with the verb be (in any tense) + past participle.
be past
participle
New companies are registered every day.
Five new laws will have been passed before the elections.
Clearer guidelines were being discussed at the last conference.
Many small shops have been taken over by international chain stores.
The officers have not been seen since last week.
Their wages will not be paid until the strike is over.
The employees were not consulted before the change in contract.
If an investor is not found soon, the company will close.
2 Notice how not goes between two auxiliary verbs, but after be in simple tenses.
1 We use the passive when the person or thing who does the action is not known, not
important in the context or so obvious that we do not need to mention it.
1 Are Mini cars still manufactured in the UK?

2 Bananas are eaten in every country. They are the most popular fruit.
3 Three young men were arrested last night on suspicion of fraud.
2 We use by if we want to say specifically who or what does the action.
1 Mini cars are now owned by BMW.

2 The laws weren’t passed by the previous government.
3 Was the director taken to court by a customer or by an employee?
3 We often use the passive to talk about something we have already mentioned.
1 Wikipedia didn’t start as a big organization. It was started by a few individuals.

1 The risk was shared / is sharing between many investors.
2 The operation has carried out / has been carried out by the top surgeon in the field.
3 He became / was become a partner in the company at a young age.
4 Will the money be raised / being raised in time for the launch?
5 The project hasn’t been backed / has been not backed by all the committee.
6 No guarantee has been given / gave at all.

10.2 a/an, the and no article
1 We use a/an when something is one of many.
1 Have you ever seen a horror film?

2 Have you got an old coat I can borrow for the walk?
3 I can’t find a pencil anywhere in this house!
2 We use a/an when we mention something for the first time.
1 There’s a new restaurant in town. Shall we try it?

2 My brother has got a really old car, so he’s thinking of getting a new one.
3 Would you like an orange juice or some iced water?

1 We use the when something is the only one of many or the only one in a
particular context.
1 It’s hot in here. Shall I open the window?

2 Have you ever seen the Royal Palace?
3 The weather has been so cold recently. I hope the sun comes out today.
2 We use the when we have talked about the thing before.
1 Would you like an orange juice or some iced water? The juice isn’t very cold.
2 Do you remember the interview I told you about last week? I got the job!

1 We use no article (–) when we talk about plural and uncountable nouns in general.
1 He showed (–) great kindness towards all his grandchildren.

2 She loves (–) adventure stories, (–) action films and (–) biographies.
3 As a child he hated (–) hot drinks but now he drinks (–) tea.
2 We use no article (–) in some common expressions after a preposition.
1 How many languages do you study at (–) school?

2 I worked harder at (–) university than I do now.
3 She’s in (–) hospital, but you can still phone her.
4 Shhh! The children are in (–) bed.
5 I think it’s time you went to (–) bed.
6 What shall we do? There’s nothing on (–) TV.

1 When we talk about some common places, e.g. school, university, hospital, college,
church, prison, bed, we sometimes use no article (–) or the depending on the meaning.
2 If we are referring to the physical place, we use the.
1 The school is opposite the church.

2 The University of Oxford is one of the most famous in the world.
3 Can you tell me the way to the hospital, please?
3 If we are referring to the activity associated with the place, we use no article (–).
1 She goes to (–) church every Sunday. (She goes to a religious ceremony.)
2 Did you work hard at (–) university? (Did you study a lot?)
3 If only (–) school had been more interesting! (Lessons were boring.)

1 Choose the correct article a/an/the or no article (–).
1 My office has got a / the / – good view of a / the / – park and a / – / the river.
2 I think the / a / – job satisfaction is more important than the / – money.
3 How long has Karen been in a / the / – hospital?
4 Where is a / – / the station? Is it at a / – / the end of a / – / the main road?
5 Why are you still in the / – bed at this time of day?
6 Have you ever worked in a / the / – foreign country?

11.1 Sentences with if – unreal past conditional
1 We use the past conditional to talk about unreal situations in the past, to imagine
how the past could have been different.
2 The past conditional is sometimes called the third conditional, and we often use it
to talk about how events or situations in the past were different from what actually
happened.
1 If he had seen the car coming, he would have moved out of the way.
(But he didn’t see the car, so he didn’t move and there was an accident.)
2 Would you have left so early if you had known their flight was delayed?
(You didn’t know about the delay, so you left too early.)
3 If I’d been born in the 1800s, I wouldn’t have learned to read and write.
(But I wasn’t born in the 1800s, so I learned to read and write.)

1 We form the past conditional with if + past perfect + would have + past participle.
2 We can also use the modal verbs might and could instead of would.
past perfect would have past participle

more time to
If he’d told me earlier, I would have had
prepare.
If she’d been honest, they’d have given her the job.
If you hadn’t run so fast, you wouldn’t have caught the train.
If the bus had hit the lorry, you might/could have been seriously injured.
3 We use contractions would/’d and have/’ve in both informal writing and speaking.
1 The if-clause can go before or after the result clause. When the if-clause goes first
it is followed by a comma.
1 If I’d known we were going swimming, I’d have brought my costume.

2 I’d have brought my costume if I’d known we were going swimming.
no comma
no comma
3 Do you think the police would have caught him if the car hadn’t crashed?
4 If the car hadn’t crashed, do you think the police would have caught him?

1 Join the ideas in the sentences to make unreal past conditional sentences.
1 You didn’t tell me. So I didn’t know you were arriving earlier.
If you had told me, I’d have known you were arriving earlier.
2 He wasn’t looking where he was going. So the accident happened.
If he had been looking where he was going, the accident wouldn’t have happened.
3 She didn’t know how much money she had. So she might have spent too much.
If she had known how much money she had, she might not have spent too much.
4 You moved the car keys. So I couldn’t find them.
If you hadn’t moved the car keys, I could have found them.
5 She wasn’t paid very much. Is this why she left the company?
Would she have left the company if she had been paid more?
If she hadn’t been paid so little, would she have left the company?
11.2 Should/shouldn’t have
1 We use should have or shouldn’t have + past participle to talk about and criticize
things we did or didn’t do in the past.
2 We use should have or shouldn’t have + past participle to say that something was
or wasn’t a good idea at the time.
1 They shouldn’t have come. It was much too far to travel at night.
2 He shouldn’t have taken the money without asking. I’m still cross with him.
3 What should we have done? It wasn’t an easy situation.
4 I’m so cross with myself now. I shouldn’t have told him.
5 Do you think we should have waited?
3 We only use the contraction ’ve or n’t have in spoken English.
1 You should’ve known better! You’re an adult now!

2 I shouldn’t have trusted him!
11.2 Should/shouldn’t have
1 You should’ve come to the cinema with us. I told you you would be scared!
2 You shouldn’t have come to the cinema. You would have loved the film!
3 You shouldn’t have apologized. He should apologize to you!

4 You should have apologized. Now he’s really cross with you!
5 I shouldn’t have said she’s in hospital. He could have gone to visit today.
6 I should have said she was in hospital. Now he’s really worried about her.
7 I should have trusted you! You managed to do it by yourself!

8 I shouldn’t have trusted you! You obviously can’t do anything yourself!
12.1 Reported speech
1 When we talk about what someone else has said, we use reported speech.
Direct speech Reported speech

‘It is my favourite film.’ She said it was her favourite film.
‘She wants to work in film.’ They told us that she wanted to work in film.
‘I lived in France for ten years.’ He said that he had lived in France for ten years.
‘He’s never been to Austria.’ She told me that he had never been to Austria.
‘We’re thinking of a new slogan.’ They said they were thinking of a new slogan.
‘I’ll help you!’ He said that he’d help us.
2 Notice how the verb changes, to show that the words were spoken in the past.
is – was, do – did, did/have done – had done, will – would
1 We usually use the reporting verbs say or tell in their past form (said, told) to talk
about what someone has said.
2 Notice how said does not have a personal object but told has a personal object.
I.e. He told me… or He said… NOT He said me…
1 ‘I need help.’ said John. John said that he needed help.

2 ‘She hasn’t phoned yet.’ He told me that she hadn’t phoned.
3 ‘We’ll be leaving soon.’ They told him they’d be leaving soon.
4 ‘I can’t wait any more.’ He said he couldn’t wait any more.
3 When we use reported speech, we can use that. But we don’t have to.

1 Words that refer to times and places in direct speech may also change in reported
speech. This is because the time and place that the original speaker was in may not
be the same time and space that the reporter is in.
1 ‘I think I’ll have lunch here.’ She said she would have lunch there.
2 ‘They don’t want to sell now.’ They said they didn’t want to sell then.
3 ‘We sold it last year.’ They said they had sold it the year before.
4 ‘You can’t leave tomorrow.’ They said we couldn’t leave the next day.
2 Pronouns may also change, e.g. I to she, you to they.
3 When something we have said is very important now or is still true, we do not
change the tense.
1 ‘I’ll help you in a minute.’ She said she’ll help us in a minute.

1 Turn direct speech into reported speech.
1 ‘I’m going to Thailand tomorrow,’ said Anna.

She said she was going to Thailand the next day.
2 ‘I wanted to be a nurse when I was a child,’ said Tom.
He said he’d wanted to be a nurse when he was a child.
3 ‘We’ll help you in a second,’ Jane and Adam said to us.
They told us that they would/will help us in a second.
4 ‘He’s been waiting for you since 9.00 this morning,’ Teresa said to me.
Teresa told me that he had been waiting for me since 9.00 that morning.
5 ‘They haven’t seen the report yet,’ he said.
He said that they hadn’t seen the report yet.
6 ‘I don’t want to go,’ she said to him.
She told him that she didn’t want to go. © Oxford University Press
12.2 Reported questions
1 When we talk about a question someone else has asked, we use reported
questions. We change the verb tense, e.g. do – did, did – had done, will – would.
2 Reported questions are not real direct questions, so they follow normal sentence
word order.
1 ‘Where do you usually watch TV?’ He asked me where I usually watched TV.
2 ‘When is she coming back?’ They asked when she was coming back.
3 We can use the reporting verb asked with or without an object. We can also use the
phrase wanted to know.
1 ‘How does he do that?’ She wanted to know how he did it.

2 ‘How long have you been here?’ He wanted to know how long he’d been there?

1 When we report someone else’s yes/no questions, we use if or whether.
1 ‘Do you like the advert?’ He wanted to know if I liked the advert.
2 ‘Is he going to retire soon?’ She asked whether he was going to retire soon.
3 ‘Have you seen the new logo?’ We asked them if they had seen the new logo.
2 If the main verb in the question is be, we sometimes put be at the end of the
reported question, especially in short questions with be.
1 ‘Where is he?’ She asked where he was.

2 ‘What is the problem?’ We wanted to know what the problem was.

1 Match the questions to their reported forms in each pair.
1 ‘What do you eat for lunch?’ She asked what I had eaten for lunch.
2 ‘What did you eat for lunch?’ She asked what I ate for lunch.
3 ‘Where are you staying?’ He wanted to know where I was staying.

4 ‘Where did you stay?’ He wanted to know where I’d stayed.
5 ‘Do you want to leave?’ I wanted to know why he wanted to leave.

6 ‘Why do you want to leave?’ I wanted to know whether he wanted to leave.
7 ‘Did you have coffee?’ He asked where she’d had coffee.

8 ‘Where did you have coffee?’ He asked if she’d had coffee.

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Present simple, present continuous and

1 Many people use social media.

I miss – he misses You wash – she washes We watch – he watches

3 We form the present simple negative and questions with do/does/don’t/doesn’t.

1 They don’t talk to their old school friends now.

Subject Positive Negative Verb

1 They’ve worked there for ten years.

Subject has/have Past Participle

1 She works there for three years.

4 They meet at the gym every week.

7 I’ve driven my car every day.

© Oxford University Press

Simple form Continuous form

1 Choose the correct alternative to complete these sentences.

1 What time are you having/do you have lunch today?

2 Are you having/Do you have a shower every evening?

3 Do you have/Are you having a car?

4 You seem/are seeming tired.

5 What do you mean/are you meaning?

6 She isn’t believing/doesn’t believe him.

1 A narrative is a story or a description of past events.

past simple past perfect

© Oxford University Press

1 We use the past simple to describe the main events in a narrative.

1 She picked up the phone and called an ambulance.

1 I didn’t see him. NOT I didn’t saw him.

© Oxford University Press

1 We use the past continuous to describe background events and situations. We

1 We were walking in the park while the children were playing.

3 We form questions by changing the order of the subject and had.

1 Had you ever seen that man before?

© Oxford University Press

1 Choose the correct options to complete the sentences.

1 They had never seen/never saw such a big hotel.

4 We had realized/realized our mistake five minutes after we had arrived/arrived.

© Oxford University Press

© Oxford University Press

1 Time linkers have different meanings. one thing happens

3 It was raining when we left home this morning.

© Oxford University Press

one action happens up

two things happen at the same

© Oxford University Press

1 Choose the correct options to complete the sentences.

1 They lived in Mexico while/during the 1970s.

2 He decided to call as soon as/meanwhile he received the message.

3 They had eaten everything by the time/until we got there.

4 Most of them returned home. When/Meanwhile, two others stayed behind.

© Oxford University Press

1 You can do anything you like here.

1 We won’t be able to lift that by ourselves. Let’s get help.

© Oxford University Press

1 We use could/couldn’t or was/were and wasn’t/weren’t able to + infinitive without

1 We couldn’t use our mobile phones in class when we were at school.

2 We use was/wasn’t and were/weren’t able to + infinitive without to to talk about

1 We weren’t able to open the door so he climbed through a window.

© Oxford University Press

1 We often use the phrases manage to + infinitive without to or succeed in + -ing to

1 They always manage to get the monthly reports out on time.

© Oxford University Press

1 Correct the mistakes in the sentences. One sentence is correct.

1 Young children can to learn to wait for good things.

It’s necessary or It’s necessary/obligatory To say something isn’t