Grammar Guide

Inglés 4
Núcleo de Idiomas
Índice

Contenido
Índice............................................................................................................................................. 2
So, too, neither, either ................................................................................................................... 3
Past continuous ............................................................................................................................. 5
The Present Perfect with For and Since .......................................................................................... 7
Verb Patterns ................................................................................................................................. 8
Used to ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Comparisons: As….as ................................................................................................................... 11
Modals of Necessity ..................................................................................................................... 13
The Passive Voice ......................................................................................................................... 16
Future Forms ............................................................................................................................... 18
Modals for future possibility ........................................................................................................ 21
Phrasal Verbs ............................................................................................................................... 22
Key/Respuestas ........................................................................................................................... 23
Referencias bibliográficas ............................................................................................................ 25

Para mayor ayuda, puedes usar el diccionario Cambridge online:

http://dictionary.cambridge.org

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So, too, neither, either
We use so and too to show similarity or agreement with positive statements statements in
past, present and future tenses.

Look at the table below.

We use either and neither to show similarity or agreement with negative statements in
past, present and future tenses.

Look at the table below.

Exercise 1
Show agreement with the statement using So… and …. Too. Follow the example.

Example

I live in Santiago.

………So do…. I. / …………..I live in Santiago too………...

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1. I have two cats and a dog.

…………………………… he. / ……………………………………………………………………..…… too.

2. She has three tests tomorrow.

…………………………… we. / ………………………………………………………………………………….

3. I was at the concert yesterday.

……………………………….. I. / …………………………………………………………………...……………...

4. My parents went to the coast last weekend.

……………………………….. mine. / …………………………………………………………………………..

5. I think I’ll have an orange juice.

……………………………….. I. / ………………………………………………………………………………….

Now use neither and either.

6. I’m not happy with my performance.

……………………………….. I. / ………………………………………………………………………... either.

7. Paul doesn’t like going to the stadium.

…………………………… she. / …………………………………………………………………………………….

8. My friends weren’t home last week.

…………………………… they. / …………………………………………………………………………………….

9. We didn’t study for the test.

…………………………… we. / …………………………………………………………………………………….

10. Jacky won’t be in Santiago this weekend.

…………………………… I. / …………………………………………………………………………………….

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Past continuous

USE
We use the past continuous to talk about an action which was in progress at a particular
time in the past.

e.g. Yesterday at 8.20 I was driving to work.

At 8.30 last night my sister was watching TV.

A: What were you doing at 7 o´clock yesterday?

B: I was doing my homework

Compare:

e.g. When I walked into the room, Mary was writing an email.

We use the Past Simple (walked) for a completed action in the past.

We use the Past Continuous (was writing) for an action in progress in the past.

While / When
We can use while or when before the Past Continuous.

e.g. I met Peter while I was running in the park.

I met Peter when I was running in the park. (when = during the time)

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We can only use when before the Past Simple.

e.g. When I met Peter, we were running in the park.

Exercise 2
Choose the correct options.

1. I listened / was listening to the radio when I heard / was hearing this fantastic song.

2. When the teacher said / was saying ‘Stop!’, I still tried / was still trying to finish the last
question.

3. I feel silly! While I danced / was dancing, I fell / was falling and broke / was breaking my
elbow.

4. Tim played / was playing a computer game when his mum called / was calling him for
lunch.

5. I looked / was looking for a file on my memory stick when I noticed / was noticing there
was a virus.

6. Ron found / was finding an interesting website about dance music while he surfed / was
surfing the internet.

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The Present Perfect with For and Since

We use the present perfect tense to show that an action or state started in the past and
continues to the present. We form the present perfect with have or has + the past
participle.

You can use for and since with the present perfect to indicate a Period of Time (for) or a
Point in Time (since). Look at these examples.

Examples

We’ve lived here for 15 years. We’ve lived here since 2005.

She’s worked here for 10 years. She’s worked here since 2010.

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Exercise 3

Complete the dialog with the present perfect. Use the verb in parentheses and for or
since where indicated.

Billy: I (1) ……………………………………………. (call) you several times today.

Kim: Sorry, but I (2) …………………………………………… (be) busy.

Billy: (3) ………………………………. you (4) ………….………………… (speak) to Jessica yet?

Kim: No, I haven’t. She (5) ………………………………………... (have) her phone off (6) ………………….
(for/since) yesterday.

Billy: And (7) …………………………. you (8) …………………………. (see) George?

Kim: No, I haven’t. He (9) …………………………… (be) on holidays (10) ………………………. (for/since)
two weeks now. I’ll see him on Friday.

Billy: Ok. I’ll phone him during the weekend, then. Thanks.

Verb Patterns

Verb + infinitive and verb + gerund

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In English, some verbs are followed by a verb in infinitive (to + base form of a verb) and other
verbs are followed by a gerund (verb + -ing).

Examples

1. Verb + infinitive: They attempted to contact the candidate.

Here, attempt is the verb and to contact is the infinitive.

2. Verb + gerund: We enjoyed going to the concert yesterday.

Here, enjoy is the verb and going is the gerund.

3. Verb + infinitive and Verb + gerund: Some verbs can be used with either form.

I like to eat pizza. = I like eating pizza.

We love to dance salsa. = We love dancing salsa.

Here is a list of some verbs that you will need to learn:

Exercise 4

Complete the sentences with the infinitive or gerund. Use the verb in parentheses.

1. I can’t imagine …………………………………. (live) in Alaska for two years.

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2. The man denied ……………………………… (take) the bag from the woman.

3. I really like ………………………… (make) breakfast on Saturdays.

4. We hope ……………………………… (move) to Canada at the end of the year.

5. My friends and I plan …………………………. (travel) together in summer.

6. She can’t stand ……………………………. (watch) horror films.

7. The family agreed ……………………………. (celebrate) New Year’s Eve together.

8. They enjoyed ………………………. (listen) to the Professor’s lecture.

9. If you ask me, I prefer …………………………. (cook) traditional Chilean food.

10. My big sister promised ………………………. (buy) me a new pair of sneakers.

Used to

We use this expression to talk about habits or repeated actions we did in the past which
we don’t do in the present. We also use it to talk about states in the past which are no
longer true.

For example:
• I used to have long hair (but now I have short hair).

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• He used to smoke (but now he doesn’t smoke).
• They used to live in India (but now they live in Germany).

Watch out! With the negative and the question, it’s ‘use’ and not ‘used’:

• Did you use to be a teacher?

• Did he use to study French?
• She didn’t use to like chocolate, but she does now.
• I didn’t use to want to have a nice house.

Exercise 5

Complete then sentences with used to, didn’t use to or did …. use to.

1. I ___________________________ (play) hide and seek.

2. Ten years ago I _____________________________ (live) in an apartment.

3. When I was young I___________________________________ (not/have) a car.

4. My grandpa _________________________ (not/use) a computer at the age of 10.

5. _______________ you _________________ walk to school?

6. _______________ you __________________ (share) a room with your brother?

Comparisons: As….as

Another way to compare is to use as ... as. Here are some more examples:

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Examples:

• Our house is as big as yours.

• It isn't as cold as yesterday.
• The chair is not as expensive as the table.
• We aren’t as quick as you.

There are also idiomatic expressions with as…as:

Examples:

• As sick as a dog
• As quiet as a mouse
• As hungry as a bear
• As happy as a clam as clean as a whistle

http://esl.about.com/od/vocabularyreference/a/as_expressions.htm

Exercise 6

Use the words to make comparisons with as . . . as.

Example: Desktop computers / be / popular / laptops

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 Desktop computers are as popular as laptops (are).

1. Her house / be / big / mine.

________________________________________.

2. Microwave ovens / work / well / regular ovens.

________________________________________.

3. Motorbikes / go / fast / cars

________________________________________.

4. This hotel room / be / big / my apartment

________________________________________.

Modals of Necessity
• We use must, have to, and need to to say that something is necessary. We often use
must and have to to talk about rules.
• We use mustn’t to talk about things that are not permitted when there is an obligation
not to do them.

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 • We use don’t have to and don’t need to to say something is not necessary, or there is no
obligation to do something.
• We use should and shouldn’t to give advice or to make a recommendation about what is
the right or wrong thing to do.

You must be flexible to be a good leader.

MUST If you want to succeed, you mustn’t give up.

Companies have to accept that failure is often a necessary part of business.

You don’t have to have a degree to start your own business.
HAVE TO

You need to take risks sometimes to grow your business.

People don’t need to be ruthless to get to the top.
NEED TO

Businesses should aim to give customers something exciting and new.

Leaders shouldn’t forget that employee job satisfaction is very important for success.
SHOULD

Exercise 7

Rewrite these sentences using a modal (obligation / absence of obligation/ prohibition).

1. It's not necessary to go to school on Saturdays.

You ........................................................................................................................................

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2. It's obligatory for all drivers to have a driving license.

All drivers.................................................................................................................................

3. It's compulsory for Peter to learn Spanish.

Peter ........................................................................................................................................

4. It's not obligatory for customers to go on the trips organized by the hotel.

Customers ...............................................................................................................................

5. Passengers aren't allowed to smoke in this compartment.

Passengers ...............................................................................................................................

6. It’s necessary to book in advance.

You ..............................................................................................................................................

7. It's essential to have a visa to travel to India.

You ................................................................................................................................................

8. It's not necessary for you to shout. I can hear you perfectly well.

You ................................................................................................................................................

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The Passive Voice
We use the passive voice when the subject of the sentence is the receiver of the action.

Compare active voice and passive voice in different tenses.

Exercise 8

Read the following sentences. Decide if the underlined verb is active (A) or passive (P).

Example: The actress received an Oscar. A

The actress was given an Oscar. P

1. The actress wore a beautiful gown.

2. Halle Berry presented an Oscar.

3. Halle Berry has been seen in many movies.

4. The director has been nominated many times.

5. Old movies were filmed in black and white.

6. Many actors live in California.

7. Many movies are made in Hollywood.

8. The names of the winners will be printed in tomorrow’s newspaper.

9. The actress thanked all the people who helped her win.

10. The actress was driven to the ceremony in a white limousine.

11. Hollywood was built at the beginning of the twentieth century.

12. Hollywood has become the movie capital of the U.S.

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Future Forms

Be going to
1. We often use 'be going to' to talk about our future intentions and plans. We have usually
made our plans before the moment of speaking.

e.g. A: We’ve run out of milk.

B: I Know. I’m going to buy some.

2. We can also use 'be going to' to make a prediction about the future. Often, it's
possible to use both 'be going to' and 'will' but it's more common to use 'be going
to' if we can see evidence in the present.

e.g. Look at those boys playing football! They're going to break the window.

The sky is getting darker and darker. It's going to rain.

Present continuous for future arrangements

There are three primary uses for the present continuous tense:

■ happening right now for a short time.

■ happening for a longer time but still temporary.

■ talking about future arrangements.

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Exercise 9

Are these sentences talking about the present or future arrangements?

Will
1. We use the future simple with 'will' to predict the future. It is the basic way we
talk about the future in English, and we often use it if there is no reason to use
another future tense. We can use it for future facts and for things that are less
certain.

e.g. The sun will rise at 7am.

I think the Conservatives will win the next election.

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 2. Promises / requests / refusals / offers.

e.g. I'll help you with your homework.

Will you give me a hand?

I won't go!

In a similar way, we often use 'will' when we're talking about a decision at the moment of
speaking. We are usually making an offer or promise or talking about something that we
want to do.

e.g. A: I'm cold.

B: I'll close the window.

3. We use the simple future with 'will' in the first conditional, and in other sentences
that have a conditional feeling.

e.g. If it doesn't rain, we'll go to the park.

Let's arrive early. That will give us time to relax.

Exercise 10

Put in will or be going to.

1. A: I don’t have any ice.

B: Don’t worry. I ___________________ get some from the corner shop.

2. A: Why is Vilma packing a bag?

B: She _________________________ go to Chiloe tomorrow.

3. A: I can’t lift this box. It’s too heavy.

B: Really? I __________________ help you.

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4. _______________ you ______________ buy that computer?

5. I think I _____________________ married in 10 years time.

6. I think our sales ________________ grow next year.

7. ___________________ Harry ___________________ start a college degree?

8. ___________________ Sandra and Betty ___________________ work together?

Modals for future possibility

We can use the modal verbs may/may not, might/might not, and could to talk about possibility in
the future. Remember that modal verbs need a main verb.

Examples
I might study Music next semester.

He may apply to the exchange student program next year.

We could go to Punta Arenas for our holidays.

Exercise 11
Re-write the second sentence so it is similar to the first one A. Follow the example.

Example:
There is a possibility of rain for tomorrow.
………. It might rain tomorrow……

1. It is possible that the match be postponed.

The match …………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. The flight could be delayed due to bad weather.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
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3. There is a possibility of buying a new car in June.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

4. It’s possible that we get another computer.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

5. It could help you study for the test tonight.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are multi-word phrases which indicate actions. They are made up of a verb and
prepositions and/or adverbs. Here are some examples:

Make up with, run into, get over, go out with, cheat on, give up, turn on, turn off, ask out, break up
with, turn down, get along with, grow up

Together, these words have different meanings. For example, look into is not the same as look
for.

Look into: investigate ------------→ The police will look into the matter.

Look for: search ---------------→ I’m looking for my keys. I lost them.

Exercise 12

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Choose the correct verb from below and conjugate it to complete the sentences.

run into, go out with, give up, turn off, grow up, get over

1. Remember to ……………………………. the computer before going to bed.

2. You must ……………………………. this bad experience. Better times are ahead.
3. I ……………………………. George yesterday at the mall. He’s still very handsome.
4. Mary ……………………………. in Calama but now lives in Valparaiso.
5. We’ve told him to ……………………………. smoking so many times, but he just won’t listen!
6. Steve and Karina have been ………………………………. each other since they were in high
school.

Key/Respuestas
Exercise 1
1. So does he. / I have two cats and a dog too.
2. So do we. / We have two tests tomorrow too.
3. So was I. / I was at the concert (yesterday) too.
4. So did mine. / My parents went to the coast (last weekend) too.
5. So will I. / I think I’ll have one (an orange juice) too.
6. Neither am I. / I’m not happy with my performance either.
7. Neither does she. / She doesn’t like going (to the stadium) either.
8. Neither were they. / They weren’t home (last week) either.
9. neither did we. / We didn’t study (for the test) either.
10. Neither will I. / I won’t be in Santiago (this weekend) either.

Exercise 2
1. was listening/heard 4. was playing/called
2. said/was still trying 5. was looking/noticed
3. was dancing/feel/broke 6. found/was surfing

Exercise 3
1. ‘ve called 2. ‘ve been 3. Have 4. Spoken 5. Has had
6. since 7. Have 8. Seen 9. ‘s been 10. For

Exercise 4
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1. living 2.taking 3. To make/making 4. To move 5. To travel
6. watching 7. To celebrate 8. Listening 9. To cook/cooking 10. To buy

Exercise 5
1. used to play 2. used to live 3. didn’t use to have
4. didn’t use to use 5. Did you use to 6. Did you use to

Exercise 6
1. Her house is as big as mine.
2. Microwaves work as well as regular ovens.
3. Motorbikes go as fast as cars.
4. This hotel room is as big as my apartment.

Exercise 7
1. You don’t have to go to school on Saturdays.
2. All drivers must have a driving license.
3. Peter has to learn Spanish.
4. Customers don’ have to go on trips organized by the hotel.
5. Passengers mustn’t smoke in this compartment.
6. You need to book in advance.
7. You need a visa to travel to India.
8. You don’t have to shout. I can hear you perfectly well.

Exercise 8
1. A 2. A 3. P 4. P 5. P 6. A 7. P 8. P 9. A 10. P
11. P 12. A

Exercise 9
1. P 2.F 3. P 4. F 5. F

Exercise 10
1. will
2. is going to
3. will
4. Are you going to
5. will
6. will
7. Is Harry going to
8. Are Betty and Sandra going to

Exercise 11
1. The match may/might/could be postponed.
2. The flight may/might be delayed due to bad weather.
3. We may/might/could buy a new car in June.
4. We may/might/could get another computer.
5. It may/might help you for the test tonight.

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Exercise 12
1. turn off 2.get over 3. Ran into 4. Grew up 5. Give up 6. Going out with

Referencias bibliográficas

Adaptado de Education First. Recuperado de http://www.ef.com/english-

resources/english-grammar/simple-present-tense en abril de 2017.

Adaptado de ejercicio de ingles.com Recuperado de

http://www.ejerciciodeingles.com/expresiones-cantidad-ingles-some-any en abril

de 2017.

Adaptado de Learn English Language. Recuperado de

http://www.englishlanguage.com/blog/aprenda-ingles/gramatica/preguntas-

informativas en abril de 2017.

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