MULTI-WORD VERBS

Phrasal verbs are mainly used in spoken English and informal texts. (The more formal a conversation or text, the less phrasal verbs are found.)

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb plus a particle (preposition, adverb). The particle can change the meaning of the verb completely, e.g.:

• look up – consult a reference book (look a word up in a dictionary)
• look for – seek (look for her ring)
• look forward – anticipate with pleasure (look forward to meeting someone)

There are no rules that might explain how phrasal verbs are formed correctly - all you can do is look them up in a good dictionary and study their meanings. In our lists, you will find some frequently used phrasal verbs and their meanings.

Frequently Used Phrasal Verbs with:

• break, bring, call, carry, come, do, fall, get, go, keep, look, make, put, run, set, take, turn

Position of the Particle

The particle is placed either after the verb or after the object.

Example:

Write down the word. / Write the word down.

If the object is a pronoun, however, the particle has to be placed after the pronoun (object).

Example:

Write it down.

Exercises on Phrasal Verbs

• Phrasal Verbs with 'up' 
• Phrasal Verbs with 'on' 
• Phrasal Verbs with 'turn' 
• Mixed Exercise 1 
• Mixed Exercise 2 

• Phrasal Verbs with 'out' 
• Phrasal Verbs with 'down' 
• Phrasal Verbs with 'look' 
• Mixed Exercise 1 
• Mixed Exercise 2 

• Phrasal Verbs with 'up' 
• Phrasal Verbs with 'out' 
• Phrasal Verbs with 'off' 
• Phrasal Verbs with 'come' 
• Phrasal Verbs with 'get' 
• Phrasal Verbs with 'go' 
• Mixed Exercise 1 
• Mixed Exercise 2 

taken from https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/phrasal-verbs

SPEAKOUT UPPER INTERMEDIATE VIDEO PODCAST UNIT 1

SPEAKOUT UPPER INTERMEDIATE UNIT 6

IDIOMS WITH "HORSE"

COMPARATIVES & SUPERLATIVES

Comparative/superlative

Comparative is the name for the grammar used when comparing two things. The two basic ways to compare are using as .. as or than. Examples of each are shown below:

• She's twice as old as her sister.
• He's not as stupid as he looks!
• I'm almost as good in maths as in science.
• This book is not as exciting as the last one.
• The cafeteria is not as crowded as usual.
• Russian is not quite as difficult as Chinese.

• This computer is better than that one.
• She's stronger at chess than I am.
• It's much colder today than it was yesterday.
• Our car is bigger than your car.
• This grammar topic is easier than most others.
• I find science more difficult than mathematics.
• Today's ESL lesson was more interesting than usual.

Note: In each of the example sentences above, the comparative form of the adjective is shown. See the foot of this page for information about the comparison of adverbs.

When comparing with as .. as, the adjective does not change. When comparing with than, however, some changes are necessary, depending on the number of syllables the adjective has:

1-syllable adjectives: add -er to the adjective

• My sister is much taller than me.†
• It's colder today than it was yesterday.

Note: If the word ends: consonant-vowel-consonant, then the last consonant is usually doubled in the comparative. Examples: big-bigger, fat-fatter, hot-hotter.

2-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the -y to -ier

• She's looking happier today.
• This grammar topic is easier than the last one.
• Why is everyone else luckier than me? �

Beware: Do not confuse adjectives and adverbs. 2-syllable adverbs ending in -y must be compared with the word more. Example: I drive more quickly (quicklier) than my brother.

Other 2-syllable adjectives: use more with the unchanged adjective

• The shops are always more crowded just before Christmas.
• Is there anything more boring than reading about grammar?
• My sister is more careful with her writing than I am with mine.

Note: The comparative of some shorter 2-syllable adjectives can be formed with -er. Examples: simple-simpler, clever-cleverer, narrow-narrower. To be sure which comparative method to use, you will need to consult a good dictionary.

Adjectives with 3 or more syllables: use more with the unchanged adjective

• Russian grammar is more difficult than English grammar.
• My sister is much more intelligent than me.†
• I find maths lessons more enjoyable than science lessons.
• The older you get, the more irritating you become.

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In the superlative you talk about one thing only and how it is the best, worst, etc. You do not compare two things. The following guidelines apply to the superlative:

1-syllable adjectives: add -est to the adjective (plus the)

• My sister is the tallest in our family.
• Yesterday was the coldest day of the year so far.

Note: If the word ends: consonant-vowel-consonant, then the last consonant is usually doubled in the superlative. Examples: big-biggest, fat-fattest, hot-hottest.

2-syllable adjectives ending in -y: change the -y to -iest (plus the)

• The richest people are not always the happiest.
• Which do you think is the easiest language to learn?
• She's the luckiest person I know.

Beware: Do not confuse adjectives and adverbs. 2-syllable adverbs ending in -y form their superlative with the words the most. Example: Of all the people I know my father drives the most quickly (quickliest).

Other 2-syllable adjectives: use the most with the unchanged adjective

• The most boring thing about ESL class is doing grammar exercises.
• My sister is the most careful person I know.

Note: The superlative of some shorter 2-syllable adjectives can be formed with -er. Examples: simple-simplest, clever-cleverest, narrow-narrowest. To be sure which superlative method to use, you will need to consult a good dictionary.

Adjectives with 3 or more syllables: use the most with the unchanged adjective

• Some people think that Russian is the most difficult language.
• Albert Einstein was the most intelligent person in history.
• My most enjoyable class is English.
• You are the most irritating person I have ever met!

Following are two common irregular comaparative/superlative forms:

• good-better-the best
• bad-worse-the worst

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The following guidelines apply to the comparative/superlative of most adverbs:

1-syllable adverbs: add -er/-est

• I can run faster than you. / I can run the fastest in my class.
• She works harder than me.† / She works the hardest of all students.

Other adverbs: use more / the most*

• She ran more quickly than me.† / Of all the students she ran the most quickly.

* In informal English it is common to hear the adjectival comparative/superlative form of two-syllable adverbs. For example: She ran quicker than me.† | She ran the quickest.

† Many educated English speakers prefer to use the nominative plus a verb rather than the accusative in such comparative sentences, especially in formal situations. They say, for example, My sister is taller than I am. or She ran more quickly than I did.The alternative, omitting the verb as in the following examples, is considered to be even more formal and is avoided by most British English speakers: My sister is taller than I. or She ran more quickly than I.


EXERCISE 1

EXERCISE 2

EXERCISE 3

PRESENT SIMPLE VS PRESENT CONTINUOUS

taken from https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpre-prepro

Simple Present	Present Progressive
infinitive (3rd person singular: infinitive + 's') I speak you speak he / she / it speaks we speak they speak	form of 'be' and verb + ing I am speaking you are speaking he / she / it is speaking we are speaking they are speaking
Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 's' : For can, may, might, must, do not add s. Example: he can, she may, it must After o, ch, sh or s, add es. Example: do - he does, wash - she washes After a consonant, the final consonant ybecomes ie. (but: not after a vowel) Example: worry - he worries but: play - he plays	Exceptions when adding 'ing' : Silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee) Example: come - coming but: agree - agreeing After a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled. Example: sit - sitting After a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English). Example: travel - travelling (British English) but: traveling (American English) Final ie becomes y. Example: lie - lying

See also explanations on Simple Present and Present Progressive

Use

In general or right now?

Do you want to express that something happens in general or that something is happening right now?

Simple Present	Present Progressive
in general (regularly, often, never) Colin plays football every Tuesday. present actions happening one after another First Colin plays football, then he watches TV.	right now Look! Colin is playing football now. also for several actions happening at the same time Colin is playing football and Anne is watching.
Signal words
always every ... often normally usually sometimes seldom never first then	at the moment at this moment today now right now Listen! Look!
Note: The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present: be, have, hear, know, like, love, see, smell, think, want

Timetable / Schedule or arrangement?

Do you want to express that something is arranged for the near future? Or do you refer to a time set by a timetable or schedule?

Simple Present	Present Progressive
action set by a timetable or schedule The film starts at 8 pm.	arrangement for the near future I am going to the cinema tonight.

Daily routine or just for a limited period of time?

Do you want to talk about a daily routine? Or do you want to emphasis that something is only going on for a limited (rather short) period of time?

Simple Present	Present Progressive
daily routine Bob works in a restaurant.	only for a limited period of time (does not have to happen directly at the moment of speaking) Jenny is working in a restaurant this week.

Certain Verbs

The following verbs are usually only used in Simple Present (not in the progressive form).

• state: be, cost, fit, mean, suit
  Example: We are on holiday.
• possession: belong, have
  Example: Sam has a cat.
• senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
  Example: He feels the cold.
• feelings: hate, hope, like, love, prefer, regret, want, wish
  Example: Jane loves pizza.
• brain work: believe, know, think, understand
  Example: I believe you.
• Introductory clauses for direct speech: answer, ask, reply, say
  Example: “I am watching TV,“ he says.

Exercies on Simple Present and Present Progressive

• Exercise 1, Exercise 2, Exercise 3, Exercise 4, Exercise 5, Exercise 6
• Exercise 7, Exercise 8
• Exercise 9, Exercise 10, Exercise 11, Exercise 12

Tests on Simple Present and Present Progressive

• Test 1
• Test 2
• Test 3

OBJECT PRONOUNS

http://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-exercise-object-pronouns.php

http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=1965

http://a4esl.org/q/h/9901/jd-pronouns.html

http://www.agendaweb.org/grammar/pronouns-objects.html

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/pronouns/personal_pronouns3.htm

MIXED CONDITIONALS

How conditional sentences are mixed

Unreal conditionals (type II + III) sometimes can be mixed, that is, the time of the if clause is different from the one of the main clause.

1. Past → Present

• If I had taken an aspirin, I wouldn't have a headache now.

2. Past → Future

• If I had known that you are going to come by tomorrow, I would be in then.

3. Present → Past

• If she had enough money, she could have done this trip to Hawaii.

4. Present → Future

• If I were you, I would be spending my vacation in Seattle.

5. Future → Past

• If I weren't flying to Detroit, I would have planned a trip to Vancouver.

6. Future → Present

• If I were taking this exam next week, I would be high-strung.

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Explanation

• Conditional sentences, if-clauses type I, II, III – Summary
• Conditional sentences – type I
• Conditional sentences – type II
• Conditional sentences – type III
• if I were you or if I was you
• Mixed conditionals
• Real and unreal conditionals, Modals and position of if-clauses
• Replacing if – Omitting if – if vs. when – in case vs. if
• will and would in if-clauses

taken from http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/mixed_conditionals.htm

MIX FUTURE

Future Mix

Comparison of future tenses: going to, will, Simple Present, Present Progressive

→ Explanation and exercises on future I simple (going to)

→ Explanation and exercises on future I simple (will)

→ Explanation and exercises on simple present

→ Explanation and exercises on present progressive

Use

Future I going to	Future I will	Simple Present	Present Progressive
decision made for the future	action in the future that cannot be influenced	action set by a time table or schedule	action already arranged for the near future
conclusion with regard to the future	assumption with regard to the future
	spontaneous decision

Exercise on going to, will, simple present and present progressive

taken from https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/future-mix

PRESENT PERFECT VS PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Form

Present Perfect Simple	Present Perfect Progressive
irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of irregular verbs Example: I / you / we / they have spoken he / she / it has spoken regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed Example: I / you / we / they have worked he / she / it has worked	form of 'have' + been + verb + ing   Example: I / you / we / they have been speaking he / she / it has been speaking
Exceptions
Exceptions when adding 'ed' : when the final letter is e, only add d Example: love - loved after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled Example: admit - admitted final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English) Example: travel - travelled after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel) Example: worry - worried but: play - played	Exceptions when adding 'ing' : silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee) Example: come - coming aber: agree - agreeing after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled Example: sit - sitting after a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English). Example: travel - travelling final ie becomes y. Example: lie - lying

See also explanations on Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Progressive

Use

Both tenses are used to express that an action began in the past and is still going on or has just finished. In many cases, both forms are correct, but there is often a difference in meaning: We use the Present Perfect Simple mainly to express that an action is completed or to emphasise the result. We use the Present Perfect Progressive to emphasise the duration or continuous course of an action.

Result or duration?

Do you want to express what has happened so far or how long an action has been going on yet?

Present Perfect Simple	Present Perfect Progressive
Result (what / how much / how often) I have written 5 letters. / I have been to London twice.	Duration (how long) I have been writing for an hour.

Certain verbs

The following verbs are usually only used in Present Perfect Simple (not in the progressive form).

• state: be, have (for possession only)
  Example: We have been on holiday for two weeks.
• senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
  Example: He has touched the painting.
• brain work: believe, know, think, understand
  Example: I have known him for 3 years.

Emphasis on completion or duration?

Do you want to emphasise the completion of an action or its continuous course (how has somebody spent his time)?

Present Perfect Simple	Present Perfect Progressive
Emphasis on completion I have done my homework. (Meaning: My homework is completed now.)	Emphasis on duration I have been doing my homework. (Meaning: That's how I have spent my time. It does not matter whether the homework is completed now.)

Result or side effect?

Do you want to express that a completed action led to a desired result or that the action had an unwanted side effect?

Present Perfect Simple	Present Perfect Progressive
desired result I have washed the car. (Result: The car is clean now.)	unwanted side effect Why are you so wet? - I have been washing the car. (side effect: I became wet when I was washing the car. It does not matter whether the car is clean now.)

Time + negation: last time or beginning of an action?

In negative sentences: Do you want to express how much time has past since the last time the action took place or since the beginning of the action?

Present Perfect Simple	Present Perfect Progressive
since the last time I haven't played that game for years. (Meaning: It's years ago that I last played that game.)	since the beginning I haven't been playing that game for an hour, only for 10 minutes. (Meaning: It's not even an hour ago that I started to play that game.)

Permanent or temporary?

If an action is still going on and we want to express that it is a permanent situation, we would usually use the Present Perfect Simple. For temporary situations, we would prefer the Present Perfect Progressive. This is not a rule, however, only a tendency.

Present Perfect Simple	Present Perfect Progressive
permanent James has lived in this town for 10 years. (Meaning: He is a permanent resident of this town.)	temporary James has been living here for a year. (Meaning: This situation is only temporary. Maybe he is an exchange student and only here for one or two years.)

Signal words

Present Perfect Simple	Present Perfect Progressive
how often ... times	how long since for

Exercises on Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Progressive

• Result or duration: Exercise 1, Exercise 2
• Certain verbs:Exercise 3
• Completion or duration: Exercise 4, Exercise 5
• Result or side effect: Exercise 6, Exercise 7
• Since the last time or since the beginning: Exercise 8, Exercise 9
• Mixed Exercises: Exercise 10, Exercise 11

Tests on Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Progressive

• Test 1
• Test 2