BASIC 1

L E S S O N 1

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I am/I’m a teacher. I am not/I’m not Scottish. Am I in London?

You are/You’re a student. You are not/You aren’t here. Are you a teacher?
He is/He’s an actor. He is not/He isn’t sick. Is Zico/Is he a soccer star?
She is/She’s a model. She is not/She isn’t cold. Is Madonna/Is she American?
It is/It’s cold. It is not/It isn’t in Brazil. Is Paris/Is it in France?
We are/We’re humans. We are not/We aren’t Irish. Are we friends?
You are/You’re students. You are not/You aren’t OK. Are you ready for the exam?
They are/They’re happy. They are not/They aren’t sad. Are they married?

:: COMMON MISTAKES

INCORRECT CORRECT
I be happy. I am happy.
She don’t be a doctor. She isn’t a doctor.
He not is in New York. He is not in New York.
He is my friend? Is he my friend?

L E S S O N 2

DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS
:: USE AND STRUCTURE
Demonstrative Pronouns

This is Mark. (close) These are English books. (close)

That is my sister. (distant) Those are my bikes. (distant)

Singular Plural
This: you → These: you →
That: you Those: you

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:: EXAMPLES IN CONTEXT

At a Birthday Party Looking at the View At the Bakery

Danny – Hi, Lily! Happy birthday!
This is for you…
Lily – Oh, thanks, Danny!
What’s this?
Danny – Oh, c’mon, open it! It’s
a surprise!
Mike – Wow…Look, we can see Mary – Good morning.
the beach from here… This cake here, please.
Lia – Really? Where? Clerk – Sure. Anything else?
Mike – Look in that direction… Mary – And…that brownie over
See that tree? there.
Lia – Oh, yeah! Wow! Clerk – Here it is, ma’am.
Mary – Thank you.

QUESTION WORDS: WHO AND WHAT

:: USE AND STRUCTURE

Who → Questions about people

Who + Is/Are + Subject Pronouns?

Who are you? I am Peter. Who is she? She is Sheila.

Who is he? He is John. Who are they? They are Josh and Barry.

What → Questions about objects and things in general

What + Is/Are + Demonstrative Pronouns?

What’s that?
That is a chair.

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L E S S O N 2

What are these?

These are pencils.

What are those?

Those are toys.

What’s that?
That’s a computer.

:: EXAMPLES IN CONTEXT

She is...
I am Erika, This is William, I don’t know.
the receptionist. the manager. Who is she?

Thank you.
This is What’s this?
my office.
That is the
CEO’s office.

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VERB TO BE: REVIEW

:: USE AND STRUCTURE

Let’s review the verb to be in the simple present.

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I am Richard. I am not/I’m not tired. Am I OK?

You are a bank manager. You are not/aren’t sad. Are you tired?
He is a handsome man. He is not/isn’t tall. Is he on the beach?
She is a beautiful girl. She is not/isn’t crazy. Is she an architect?
It is a nice day. It is not/isn’t good. Is it a cold day?
We are at home. We are not/aren’t students. Are we friends?
You are single. You are not/aren’t in NYC. Are you actors?
They are at work. They are not/aren’t doctors. Are they at the gym?

Let’s see the type of personal information we can share using the verb to be.

Age: I am 34 years old. Location (Temporary or Permanent):

Mary is at school.

Feeling (Temporary or Permanent): Description: Jack is athletic.

Tony is excited about his results.

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L E S S O N 2

Profession: Stephanie and Mitchell are lawyers. Marital Status: Carol is married and Tim is single.

:: EXAMPLES IN CONTEXT

In a Meeting with a New Client

Nice to meet you, Paul. I’m
Ross, sales rep at 2sports.
I’m Paul, the account
manager. Nice to meet you.

:: STAY ALERT

I’m not a teacher. → informal or speaking

I am not a teacher. → formal, emphatic, or writing

:: COMMON MISTAKES

INCORRECT CORRECT
I not am an administrator. I am not an administrator.
You are at work? Are you at work?
He’s is a doctor. He is a doctor.

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VERB TO HAVE
:: USE AND STRUCTURE

Verb To Have (Simple Present—Affirmative Form)

I
You He
We have She has
You It
They

• To have = To own, to possess → Refers to possession

Physical Description
I have green eyes. Lia has curly hair.

Possession

Possession
Liam has a dog and a cat. Mary has two childrens.

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L E S S O N 2

• To have = To eat / To drink

We have breakfast at seven a.m. Michael has coffee for breakfast.

Sam has lunch at one p.m. My family has dinner together on Fridays.

Affirmative and Negative Forms

I have a dog. I do not (don’t) have a dog.

You have a dog. You do not (don’t) have a dog.
He has a dog. He does not (doesn’t) have a dog.
She has a dog. She does not (doesn’t) have a dog.
It has beautiful eyes. It does not (doesn’t) have beautiful eyes.
We have a dog. We do not (don’t) have a dog.
You have a dog. You do not (don’t) have a dog.
They have a dog. They do not (don’t) have a dog.

:: EXAMPLES IN CONTEXT

Talking about Pets Personal Description

Tom – Do you have pets? Mike – Is your girlfriend blonde?

Gina – Yes, I have a cat and two dogs. I love pets! Otto – No, she has brown hair.

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:: STAY ALERT

INCORRECT C ORRECT
I have twenty-five years old. I am twenty-five years old.
Mike have a brother. Mike has a brother.

L E S S O N 3

GREETINGS AND FAREWELLS

:: USE AND STRUCTURE

Greetings can be formal, neutral, or informal.

• Formal Greetings → used in formal situations

Good morning Good afternoon Good evening

• Neutral or Informal Greetings → used in neutral or in informal situations. It’s important to pay
attention to your tone of voice in order not to sound too informal.

Neutral Greetings: Informal Greetings:

Hello! How are you? Hi! What’s up? How’s it going? How’s life? Hey!

Farewells can also be formal, neutral, or informal.

• Formal Farewells → used in formal situations

Good night.
See you + Time Expression (e.g., See you tomorrow / next week.)
It was a pleasure meeting you.

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