GRAMMAR FILE UNIT 1 2ND EDITION B2

REFERENCE present perfect continuous

present tenses
present simple
We use the present simple for habits, repeated actions and
routines, for things that are always true, with adverbs and
expressions of frequency (e.g. usually, always, often).
They usually watch TV in the evenings.
Every once in a while I go mountain biking with my dad.
We use present perfect continuous for actions that started in the
past and continue now.
Sam’s been learning Greek since last June.
We also use it for continuous actions in the recent past that have
a result in the present.
My brother’s been baking cakes. The house smells lovely!
We can also use it to emphasise the long duration of an activity.
We’ve been looking for you all morning!

present continuous comparative forms: adjectives

We use the present continuous for actions happening now, or around and adverbs
now, for temporary actions, with always to talk about repeated
actions or annoying habits, for situations that are changing. irregular adjectives/adverbs
They’re building a new sports centre at my school.
adjective comparative superlative adverb
My sister’s always borrowing my things without asking.
good better the best well
state verbs bad worse the worst badly
These kinds of verbs describe a state. They cannot usually be used
in the continuous form. They include: far further the furthest far
verbs of thinking: agree, believe, disagree, doubt, know, suppose little less the least little
verbs of sense/perception: see, smell, taste, hear much/many more the most much/a lot
verbs describing attitudes: dislike, hate, like, love, need,
prefer, want too and (not) enough
verbs describing appearance, qualities: appear, look, seem, sound We use too + adjective/adverb to mean more than necessary or
verbs of being and possession: be, belong to, contain, have, own, not + adjective/adverb + enough to mean not sufficient.
possess It's too hot, I can’t eat it. / It isn't cool enough to eat.
Other verbs: cost, fit, mean, owe, weigh This question is too difficult for me to answer.
We can use some state verbs in the continuous form when we The water is deep enough to dive into.
describe actions.
comparing two equal things
I think this is the best choice. (I believe it)
I’m thinking about which one to choose. (I’m considering it) We use (just) as + adjective/adverb + as.
She’s as clever as her sister.
present perfect simple We use not as + adjective/adverb + as to mean less than.
We use present perfect simple for states that started in the past
The black jumper is not as expensive as the green one.
and continue now. We use since with a specific point in time and
for with a period of time. double comparatives
I’ve been at this school for three years/since I was 12. We use a double comparative for emphasis and to show
We also use it: continual change.
• to talk about recently finished actions or past actions with a I’m becoming better and better at chess.
present result. The focus is on the result. The later it got, the more worried she became.
I'm soaking wet! I’ve just walked home from school in the rain.
adverbs of degree
• for actions that have happened at an unspecified past time
We use much, slightly, far, rather, a lot, a bit, a little, even with
My basketball team has won lots of matches.
comparative forms.
We also use present perfect with already, yet, ever and never
I’d be much happier if you stayed.
I’ve already finished my book. Have you ever been to Mexico? This room is slightly bigger than the other room.
Has he finished his dinner yet? I’ve never performed on stage. These earrings are rather more expensive.
We use ever and never with the comparative and superlative.
This is the most expensive phone I’ve ever bought.
I’ve never had a more expensive phone.

142 © Pearson Education Limited 2018

 2ND EDITION B2

PRACTICE comparative forms: adjectives

and adverbs
present tenses 4 Complete the dialogue with the comparative form of the
1 Choose the correct verbs to complete the sentences. words in brackets.

1 Henry can’t go out because he is finishing / hasn’t finished Emma: Hi, Jack, what are you reading?
his school project yet. Jack: It’s an article called ‘The ten 1
2 We have been / are being on holiday since August. (amazing) facts about our sense of smell.’ Did you
know that our sense of smell is 2
3 Do you like my new hairstyle? Is it looking / Does it look
(strong) after exercise than it is before?
OK?
Emma: No, I didn’t – although it’s not the 3
4 They cancel / are cancelling the football match when the
(good) time to have a strong sense of smell is it? You
pitch gets icy.
know, with all those sweaty sports clothes!
5 Megan has saved up / ’s saving up for a new phone; she’s
Jack: True! And many animals have a much 4
nearly got enough money.
(powerful) sense of smell than humans.
6 Most days my brother and I cycle / are cycling to school.
Emma: Yes, I’ve heard that. They can smell things from much
5
(far) away than humans.
2 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs
in brackets.
5 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar
1 Jake (look forward) to watching this film meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Use
since it first came out. between two and five words, including the word given.
2 My sister always (borrow) my 1 I didn’t like that film because it was very scary.
clothes. It’s so annoying!
That film was me. SCARY
3 You’re covered in dirt! What you
2 Mark is a slower writer than Joe.
(do)?
Mark Joe. WRITES
4 I’m so sleepy! I only just
(wake up). 3 We can’t go swimming because it’s too cold.
5 So we (stand) on the front row and the The weather go swimming. WARM
singer asks me to get on stage. Can you believe it? 4 Charlotte and Liam were both born on 2nd June 2002.
6 People (celebrate) this festival for centuries. Charlotte Liam. OLD
5 I’m the best dancer in my family.
3 Complete the blog with these verbs in the correct
present tense. I else in my family. CAN
6 My house is closer to school than Oliver’s.
enjoy feel go look forward not regret recommend Oliver lives I do. FROM
show try wait want
6 Complete the paragraph with the appropriate comparative
forms of the adverbs and adjectives in the box.
Start something new today!
This month I 1 something new for the first bad dark good hard high old strong sweet tall well
time. I 2 to my first ice-skating class and
I highly 3 it to anyone who likes a challenge!
My brother and I are twins, but we’re quite different. For a
Not only is ice-skating great fun, but I 4 really
start, he is a little 1 me (by one centimetre) and
stepping outside my comfort zone and
has slightly 2 hair. He’s also 3
meeting new people. I 5 always
me at different things at school. For example I’m definitely
to ice-skate – probably ever since I was a little girl. So why 4
at maths and science and never do very well.
6
I so long before trying it? Well,
However, I always get 5 grades in languages. I’d
I guess I often 7 nervous about starting new
say that in general I study 6 my brother, who’s
activities on my own. But this time I decided to put my fears
usually a bit lazy! We have both tried weight lifting and I think
to one side and give it a go – and since then I 8
we are 7 each other. We can both lift the same
my decision at all. My first ice-skating class 9
weights! We have a different sense of taste as well. He loves
me that it’s worth pushing yourself sometimes. My next
chocolate cakes, but they’re 8 for me. I prefer
lesson is this afternoon and I 10 to it all week!
more savoury food. When we were little we used to argue a lot,
but 9 we get, 10 we get on together.

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