Quantifiers in English: few, little, lots of

Quantifiers are an important part of English grammar. We can use a few, a little, a lot and lots of to mean "not very much", "not very many" and "plenty of". The one you choose depends on what type of noun you are describing.

Few and little

We use a few with plural, countable nouns. For example, "A few people came to the party."
We use a little with uncountable nouns. For example, "There's a little coffee left, if you would like some."
We can also use few and little (without "a") to mean very few or very little (i.e. much less in quantity).
For example, "There's little point in calling" (= there's not much point calling).
"There were few people at the concert."
"A few" is more in quantity than "few"; and "a little" is more in quantity than "little".
"Few people understand" (not many people understand), compared to "a few people understand" (some people understand).
In spoken English, we can also say not many, or only a few to mean "few" and only a little or not much to mean "little".
"Not many people came to the party." Or "Only a few people came to the party."
"There was only a little petrol left in the car." Or "There wasn't much petrol left in the car."
Making comparisons
The comparative form of "few" is fewer, and the comparative form of "little" is less.
Remember: use "fewer" for plural, countable nouns, and "less" for uncountable nouns.
For example, "There are fewer people here than last year" or "He drinks less coffee than I do".
It is grammatically incorrect to say "There are less people here than last year", as "people" is a plural countable noun.

Lots of and a lot of

In spoken English we often use lots of or a lot of. In written English, it is more common to write many (for countable plural nouns) or a great deal of (for uncountable nouns) in positive statements.
A common mistake is to use lot of. For example, "There are lot of accidents on this road". To avoid making this mistake, remember either to use a before lot, or to make lot plural – lots.
We can say either a lot of or lots of before a noun. For example, "There are a lot of people here" or "There are lots of people here". There isn't any difference between the two expressions.
We can also use a lot as an adverb to say how much you do something. For example, "She talks a lot".
A lot is also used in short answers. For example, "Do you like swimming?", "Yes, a lot."
For more information on types of nouns, see our page on English articles.

Read more ...

Like and As

Like and as are often confused in English. They can both be used to talk about how things are similar.

Like

Like is followed by a noun or pronoun. For example, "I'm like my sister", or "Like my sister, I have brown eyes."
When we use "like" in this way, we can describe physical similarity as well as similarity of character.
"I'm like my sister. We both have dark hair."
"I'm just like my sister. I hate it when people are rude."
If you want to ask for a description of a person, you can say:
"What's she like?" (i.e. is she nice or difficult to get on with?)
If you want a physical description of a person, you can say:
"What does she look like?" (is she tall, or does she have brown hair, for example?)
If you want to find out who a person resembles (either physically or in character) you can say:
"Who is she like?" (does she take after her mother or her father, for example?)

Look like

You can use "look like" to talk about physical similarity.
"She looks like her aunt. They both have red, curly hair."
(Be careful that you don't confuse the two, and say something like "I'm look like" or "She's look like".)
You can also use "look like" to make a prediction.
"It looks like it's going to rain."
"She looks like she's going to cry."
"He looks like he's about to go on holiday."
"It looks like it will be a great year for the company."

As

As is followed by a subject and verb. For example, "She's a good student, as her brother was before her."
However, in spoken English, like is often used instead of as. "She's a good student, like her brother was before her."
As is used with a preposition, such as, "As in the 1960's, the population explosion will cause some problems."
We can use as in certain expressions, such as "as you know", "as you requested", "as we agreed".
We also use as…..as to give comparisons. For example, "He's as clever as his sister."

Read more ...

Direct and Indirect Questions in English

Direct questions – yes / no questions in English.
1. He likes swimming.
2. He can swim long distances.
3. He is a good swimmer.
To make sentence 1 into a question, you need to add does. The does goes before he.
Does is only used if the subject is he, she or it – in all other cases, use do.
The verb like goes after the subject, but it doesn't have an 's' on the end.
Remember: after auxiliary verbs (like do, does, have, can, etc.) the verb is in the infinitive, without 'to'.
"Does he like swimming?" Not "Does he likes swimming?" or "Do he like swimming?"
If the sentence is in the past tense (he liked swimming), we use the past form of 'do' or 'does', which is did. The verb 'like' is still in the infinitive without 'to'.
For example, "Did he like swimming?" Not "Did he liked swimming?"
To make sentence 2 into a question, you don't need to use 'does' because you already have an auxiliary verb – can. So you put the can before he.
"Can he swim long distances?" Not "Can swim he long distances?" or "Does he can swim long distances?"
To make sentence 3 into a question, use is as the auxiliary.
"Is he a good swimmer?" Not "Does he is a good swimmer?" or "Does he be a good swimmer?"

Direct questions – "wh" questions

What is your name?
Why do you want this job?
How much do you earn?
How soon can you start?
When did you see the advertisement?
Where do you live?
Which newspaper did you see the advertisement in?
Who gave you my name?
After the "wh word" (what, why, how, when, etc) comes the auxiliary (do, does, did or can), then the subject (you) , then the rest of the question.
Note: if 'who', 'which' or 'what' are the subject of the question, you don’t need an auxiliary.
For example, "What happened?" Not "What did happen?" The thing that happened is what – the subject of the question.
"Who saw you?" Someone saw you – who was it?
Compare with "Who did you see?" You saw someone – who was it?)
"Which company made a profit?" A company made a profit – which company was it?
Compare with "Which company did you work for?" You worked for a company – which one was it?

Indirect questions in English

If you want to ask a question that is quite sensitive, try using one of the indirect phrases below:
Can you tell me…
Could you tell me…
I'd be interested to hear…
I'd like to know…
Would you mind telling me…
These questions are followed by either about, a "wh word" or if. Then you add the subject, then the sentence.
You don't need an 'auxiliary', such as 'do', 'does', 'did', or 'can'.
"Can you tell me what you like most about your present job?" Not "Can you tell me what do you like?"
"I'd be interested to hear about your experiences."
"Would you mind telling me if you have applied for a similar position before?"

Read more ...

"If" sentences

There are four main types of if sentences in English, often called conditional sentences.
These sentences are in two halves, with the if part in one half and the other part where you can use words such as can, will, may, might, could and would.

If + present form + present form

"If you heat ice, it melts."
In this type of sentence, you could use when instead of if. It's always true that when you heat ice it melts. This is why this type of sentence is sometimes called a zero conditional.

If + present form, + will, can or may

"If I am late, I will call you."
"If you need me, you can call me at home."
"If it gets any hotter, we may have a thunder storm."
In these sentences (or first conditional sentences), there is a strong possibility that the first part (coming after if) is going to happen. The second part says what will happen as a result.

If + past form + would, could or might

"If I got a pay rise, I would buy a new car."
"If you left your job, you could travel around the world."
"If you were nicer to him, he might lend you the money."
In these sentences, the first part with if shows that the event is unlikely to happen. In English, we often use this type of sentence (called a second conditional) to talk about hypotheses, or imaginary future events.
For example, "If I was President of the United States, I would change some laws." But I know that I'll never be the President of the USA – I'm just saying what I would do if I was in his/her position. Note: in American English, it is correct to use "if I were…" In British English, it's more common to say "if I was…"

If + past perfect + would/might/could have done

"If I had revised, I would have passed my exams."
"If we had gone out earlier, we might have got to the cinema on time."
"If you had told me there was a problem, I could have helped."
In these sentences (or third conditional sentences), the first part of the sentence with if didn't happen. So there is no possibility of the second part of the sentence happening. I didn't revise, so I didn't pass my exams and there is nothing I can do about it now. English speakers use this type of sentence to show how things could have been different.

Read more ...

Conjunctions and Linking Words

Conjunctions and Linking Words

Coordinators
Coordinators connect elements of equal importance.

S + V , but S + V

(and, but, so, or, nor, for*, yet)

S + V and V
S and S + V
N and N
Adj. and Adj.
Phrase and Phrase
Can be used in a series: A, B, C, or D

Subordinators Subordinators connect elements of unequal importance. One clause is not as strong as the other.

S + V although S + V	(although, even though, because, since*, when, while, before*, after*, whenever, wherever*, if, unless, whether…[or not] as, as [adjective] as, so that, whereas anywhere*, anytime*)
Although S + V , S + V

Sentence Connectors
Sentence Connectors connect paragraphs or show relationship between very different ideas.

S + V . However, S + V	(however, therefore, thus, moreover, nevertheless, first*, then*, next*, still* besides, consequently, furthermore)
S + V ; however, S + V

Prepositions

Prepositions show relationship among elements of a sentence.
They are followed by noun phrases only and cannot take on a S + V.


S + V (prep. phrase)	(during, after*, before*, in, on, at
	despite, in spite of, for*, since*, by
(Prep. phrase), S + V	like, except, but*, about, to*, from
	between [A and B], among, with
(Prep. phrase) V + S (unusual)	within, without, beside, near, next to)

* These words have more than one function.

Read more ...

Singular vs. Plural

Singular vs. Plural

English nouns can be classified as count (singular and plural) and non-count.
The singular form is used when considering the noun as a single item (count) or entity (non-count).

brick

dog

airplane

person

foot

water

sugar

truth

education

The plural form is used when considering more than one of the same item. Non-count nouns do not have a plural form.

bricks

dogs

airplanes

people

feet

Things to be aware of: Regular plurals
Most plurals are formed by adding –s or –es to the singular noun:

boys	cars	pens	pills	pronounce /z/
cats	rocks	tips	chiefs	pronounce /s/
kisses	watches	boxes	dishes	pronounce /Iz/

In some cases, there are special spelling rules that need to be considered when forming the plural.

knives

hobbies

quizzes

Irregular plurals
Some nouns take on a different form in the plural:

women

teeth

mice

children

people

Non-count nouns
Non-count nouns do not have a plural form; however, some nouns can be used in both the count and non-count sense:

I have a lot of experience.

I have a lot of experiences.

Third-person singular –s
Singular and non-count nouns (in the third person) require the –s form of the verb in the present tense.

The girl loves painting.
My dog likes to eat meat.
Johnny lives next door to Jenny.
Milk contains nutrients.
Tommy has two hobbies.
Jerry is from Colorado.

Singular count nouns require an article (the, a, an) unless

they are “proper” nouns

Mr. Jones went to Arizona.

they are preceded by a possessive

My mother loves my father.

they are preceded by this, that, each, every, either, neither, or one.

Each man contributed one dollar.

(Wrong: Apple is on table.—articles are required)

The/An apple is on the table. (right)

Plural nouns and singular non-count nouns do not require an article in the “generic” sense:

Water is important for plants.

However, they require articles (the, some) in most other cases.

Please put some wine in the glasses.

Read more ...

Grammar : ACTIVE / PASSIVE VOICE

Active voice
In most English sentences with an action verb, the subject performs the action denoted by the verb.
    These examples show that the subject is  doing the verb's action.
           
Because the subject does or "acts upon" the verb in such sentences, the sentences are said to be in the active voice.

Passive voice
One can change the normal word order of many active sentences (those with a direct object) so that the subject is no longer active, but is, instead, being acted upon by the verb - or passive.
    Note in these examples how the subject-verb relationship has changed.
           
Because the subject is being "acted upon" (or is passive), such sentences are said to be in the passive voice.
NOTE:   Colorful parrots live in the rainforests cannot be changed to passive voice because the sentence does not have a direct object.
To change a sentence from active to passive voice, do the following:
    1.  Move  the active sentence's direct object into the sentence's subject  slot
             
    2. Place the active sentence's subject into a  phrase beginning with the preposition by
             
    3.  Add a form of the auxiliary verb be to the main verb and change the  main verb's form
             
Because passive voice sentences necessarily add words and change the normal doer-action-receiver of action direction, they may make the reader work harder to understand the intended meaning.
As the examples below illustrate, a sentence in  active voice  flows more smoothly and is easier to understand than the same sentence in  passive voice.
            
           
It is generally preferable to use the ACTIVE voice.

To change a passive voice sentence into an active voice sentence, simply reverse the steps shown above.
    1.  Move  the passive sentence's subject into the active  sentence's  direct object slot
            
    2.  Remove  the auxiliary verb be from the main verb and change main verb's form if needed
            
    3. Place the passive sentence's object of the preposition by into the subject slot.
          
Because it is more direct, most writers prefer to use the active voice whenever possible.
The passive voice may be a better choice, however, when

• the doer of the action is unknown, unwanted, or unneeded in the sentence

             Examples
            

• the writer wishes to emphasize the action of the sentence rather than the doer of the action

            Examples
              

• the writer wishes to use passive voice for sentence variety.

Read more ...

Grammar : Modals

 MODALS

All the auxiliary verbs except be, do and have are called modals. Unlike other auxiliary verbs modals only exist in their helping form; they cannot act alone as the main verb in a sentence.
Be, do, and have also differ from the other auxiliaries in that they can also serve as ordinary verbs in a given sentence.
The modal verbs are:-
CAN / COULD / MAY / MIGHT / MUST / SHALL / SHOULD / OUGHT TO / WILL / WOULD

Modal	Example	Uses
Can	They can control their own budgets. We can’t fix it. Can I smoke here? Can you help me?	Ability / Possibility Inability / Impossibility Asking for permission Request
Could	Could I borrow your dictionary? Could you say it again more slowly? We could try to fix it ourselves. I think we could have another Gulf War. He gave up his old job so he could work for us.	Asking for permission. Request Suggestion Future possibility Ability in the past
May	May I have another cup of coffee? China may become a major economic power.	Asking for permission Future possibility
Might	We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be eating their dinner now. They might give us a 10% discount.	Present possibility Future possibility
Must	We must say good-bye now. They mustn’t disrupt the work more than necessary.	Necessity / Obligation Prohibition
Ought to	We ought to employ a professional writer.	Saying what’s right or correct
Shall (More common in the UK than the US)	Shall I help you with your luggage? Shall we say 2.30 then? Shall I do that or will you?	Offer Suggestion Asking what to do
Should	We should sort out this problem at once. I think we should check everything again. Profits should increase next year.	Saying what’s right or correct Recommending action Uncertain prediction
Will	I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk. I'll do that for you if you like. I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday. Profits will increase next year.	Instant decisions Offer Promise Certain prediction
Would	Would you mind if I brought a colleague with me? Would you pass the salt please? Would you mind waiting a moment? "Would three o`clock suit you?" - "That’d be fine." Would you like to play golf this Friday? "Would you prefer tea or coffee?" - "I’d like tea please."	Asking for permission Request Request Making arrangements Invitation Preferences

!Note: The modal auxiliary verbs are always followed by the base form. The verb used to, which is explained here, can also be used like a modal verb.

Read more ...

Grammar: Conditional 3

Used to express conditions in the past that did not happen. Often used to express criticism or regret with would have, could have or should have.
Uses the past perfect tense:-

Formation

(IF Clause)	(Main Clause)
If I had worked harder,	I would have passed my exam.
If I had worked harder,	I could have passed my exam.
If I had worked harder,	I should have passed my exam.

or...

(Main Clause)	(IF Clause)
I would have passed my exam	if I had worked harder.
I could have passed my exam	if I had worked harder.
I should have passed my exam	if I had worked harder.

Note! We never use would have, or wouldn't have etc in the if clause.
For example:

• If I hadn't helped you, you would have failed. = You would have failed, if I hadn't helped you. (I helped you so you didn't fail).
• If it had been sunny, we could have gone out. = We could have gone out, if it had been. (We didn't go out because it wasn't sunny).

Read more ...

Grammar: Conditional 2 / 2nd Conditional / Conditional II

The 2nd conditional is used to express unreal situations in the present or future. Often used to express a wish.
Uses the simple past tense:-

Formation

(IF Clause)	(Main Clause)
If I won the lottery,	I would buy a new house.

or...

(Main Clause)	(IF Clause)
I would buy a new house	if I won the lottery.

Note! We never use would, or wouldn't in the if clause.
For example:

• If I were you, I wouldn't do that. = I wouldn't do that, if I were you. (I am not you - therefore the condition is unreal).
  
• If I had more time, I would do more on my websites. = I would do more on my websites, if I had more time. (I don't have more time - therefore the condition is unreal).
  

Read more ...

Grammar: 1st Conditional / Conditional 1

The first conditional is used to express situations based on fact in the present or future (things which may happen).
Uses the simple present tense:-

Formation

(IF Clause)	(Main Clause)
If I see you tomorrow,	I will buy you a drink.

or...

(Main Clause)	(IF Clause)
I will buy you a drink	if I see you tomorrow.

We often use unless which means 'if ... not'.

Formation

(IF Clause)	(Main Clause)
Unless you hand in your homework,	I won't mark it.
means
If you don't hand in your homework,	I won't mark it.

or...

(Main Clause)	(IF Clause)
I won't mark your homework	unless you hand it in.
means
I won't mark your homework	if you don't hand it in.

Note! We never use will, or won't in the if clause.
For example:

• If I have time today, I will phone my friend. = I will phone my friend, if I have time today. (It is possible that I will have time - therefore the condition is real).
• If I go to England, I will buy some Cheddar cheese. = I will buy some Cheddar cheese, if I go to England. (It is possible that I will go to England - therefore the condition is real).

Read more ...

Grammar : Conditional 0 / Zero Conditional

The conditional 0 is used to express general truths and facts (often things based on scientific fact).
Uses the simple present tense:-

Formation

(IF Clause)	(Main Clause)
If you heat water to 100°C,	it boils.

or...

(Main Clause)	(IF Clause)
Water boils	if you heat it to 100°C,

For example:

• If you drop an apple, it falls. = An apple falls, if you drop it. (This is an absolute truth based on scientific fact - gravity).
• If you don't do your homework, I will be disappointed. = I will be disappointed, if you don't do your homework. (This is a general truth based on previous knowledge - you know that I am disappointed if people don't do their homework).

Note! Most zero conditional sentences mean the same thing if "when" is used instead of "if".

Read more ...

GRAMMAR: Future Progressive

Future Progressive

Future progressive tense is used to indicate action which will be taking place at some time in the future.
For example,

I will be singing at Symphony Hall next month.
We’ll be leaving next Monday.
When you arrive, I’ll be cooking dinner.

The future progressive tense is formed by adding will be to the –ing form of the main verb.

She will be coming around the mountain in a few minutes.
She’ll be riding a white horse into town.

The future progressive tense is not as common as other tenses, and it can some-times be replaced by simple future, present progressive or even simple present.

I’ll be leaving in a few minutes.
I’ll leave in a few minutes.
I’m going to leave in a few minutes.
I’m leaving in a few minutes.
I leave in a few minutes.

Read more ...

GRAMMAR:Future Perfect

Future Perfect

The future perfect tense is not commonly used in English. It indicates that an action will be completed in the future (usually before some other action or event).

I will finish my Russian course in June. In July, I will begin studying Chinese.
By the time I begin studying Chinese, I will have finished my Russian course.
When I finish this race, I will have run a total of five miles.
Before they leave for Miami, they will have visited Houston and New Orleans.

The important thing to remember is the time of completion. (Beginning time may vary.)

I started studying last year. I will have passed my exams when I graduate next June.
I am studying right now. I will have passed my exams when I graduate next June.
I will start studying next month. I will have passed my exams when I graduate next June.

Read more ...

GRAMMAR: Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Tense can be used in three situations:

1. To indicate something that has happened at an indefinite time in the past.

I have seen that movie already.
She has left for California.
They have not eaten their dinner yet.

2. To indicate something which started in the
past and continues until now.

I have lived in New York for nine years.
We have been here since Friday.
He has played football since he was a child.

3. To indicate something which occurred recently.

I have been sick lately.
She hasn’t slept much recently.

OBSERVATIONS When speaking about a specific time, use past tense.

A: I have seen that movie already.	(Non-specific time)
B: Oh really? When did you see it?
A: I saw it last week with Bob.	(Specific time)

Some words should not be used in situation 2 (above)

I have met John for five years.	(INCORRECT)
I have known John for five years.	(CORRECT)
I met John five years ago.	(CORRECT)
I have met John already.	(CORRECT)

Sometimes, but not always, present perfect continuous can be used instead of present perfect.

I have lived there for ten years.	(Okay)
I have been living there for ten years.	(Okay)
I have exercised a lot recently.	(Okay)
I have been exercising a lot recently.	(Okay)
I have seen that movie ten times.	(Okay)
I have been seeing that movie ten times.	(NOT Okay)

 

Read more ...

GRAMMAR: Future Simple

Future Simple 

In English the Future Time is expressed in a number of ways. The most common are with will and be going to. See examples from the following sentences.

I will finish my homework in an hour.
I’m going to finish my homework in an hour.

With be going to, make sure the verb be agrees with its subject. I’m going to eat a whole watermelon.

She’s going to eat a whole watermelon.
Actually, we’re going to eat a whole watermelon together.

In speech, the words going to are often pronounced “ gonna .”
Don’t forget the be verb.

A: What are you gonna do this weekend?
B: I’m gonna stay home and clean my carpet.
NOT: I gonna stay…( gonna (USA) = going to (UK) )
NOT: I’m gonna to stay…

What’s the difference between will and be going to?
Both can be used interchangeably in some cases. (Predictions and guesses)

My prints will be here tomorrow.
My prints are going to be here tomorrow.

Be going to is preferable for strong intentions or for describing the inevitable.

I’m going to give her a piece of my mind.
There’s no way they can score 21 points in 2 minutes. We’re going to win!

Will is the preferable form for making offers or expressing pop decisions.

A: Who will help me finish this chocolate cake?
B: I will.
A: I have two tickets left for the front row.
B: I’ll take them.

Sometimes future time can be expressed with either the present or present progressive tense. In such cases, time words must be expressed or clearly implied.

I fly to Beijing tomorrow.
I’m flying to Beijing tomorrow.
Sorry I can’t attend the picnic on Saturday. I’m flying to Beijing.

 

Read more ...

GRAMMAR: PAST CONTINUOUS

PAST CONTINUOUS

Uses of the past progressive tense: "Iwas working"

There are five basic uses of the past progrissive tense. We use it for:

 1/ Temporary action in progress in the past : i was living abroad in 1989.

         We often use all to emphasize continuity ( all day , all summer ) : it was raining all night.

2/ Action which were in progress when something else happened:

          just as / when i was leaving, the phone rang.

  these are often introduced by conjunctions like when , as, just as and while , but the shorter action can be introduced by when : We were having a supper when the phone rang.

3/ Actions in progress at the same time : While i was reading, Joan was playing the piano.

4/ Rpeated action with e.g. always: When i worked here , i was always making mistakes

5/ Polite inquiries: Iwas wondering if you could give ma a lift.

EXAMPLES

Affirmative	Negative		Interrogative
	Contracted Form
I was playing	I was not playing	I wasn't playing	Was I playing?
You were playing	You were not playing	You weren't playing	Were you playing?
He/she/was playing	He/she/it was not playing	He/she/it wasn't playing	Was he/she/it playing?
We were playing	We were not playing	We weren't playing	Were we playiing?
You were playing	You were not playing	You weren't playing	Were you playing?
They were playing	They were not playing	They weren't playing	Were they playing?

Read more ...

GRAMMAR: SIMPLE PAST

SIMPLE PAST

We use the simple past to talk about events, action or situations which happened in the past and are now finished. We always have to say (or imply) when the action happened, so we often use time reference like yesterday, ago, last summer...

We use the past:

            -- to describe action which happend in the recent or distant past:

Sam phoned a moment ago .(Not "Sam has phoned")

The Goths invaded Rome in A.D.410. (Not"The Goths had invaded")

            -- to describe paast habit: I smoked forty cigarettes a day till i gave up.

If we don't use time reference ( a moment ago , when Iwas young, etc .) we imply them:

I saw Fred in town . ( i.e. when i was there this morning)

I never met my grabdfather. ( i.e. perhaps he died i was born)

OBSERVATION: in the simple past there are regular verbs which are end by ed , and the irregular verbs which have not a rule .

Simple Past Timeline

Regular Verb (to work) Statements +	Regular Verb (to work) Statements -	Questions	Short answer +	Short answer -
I worked.	I didn't work.	Did I work?	Yes, I did.	No, I didn't.
He worked.	He didn't work.	Did he work?	Yes, he did.	No, he didn't.
She worked.	She didn't work.	Did she work?	Yes, she did.	No, she didn't.
It worked.	It didn't work.	Did it work?	Yes, it did.	No, it didn't.
You worked.	You didn't work.	Did you work?	Yes you did.	No, you didn't.
We worked.	We didn't work.	Did we work?	Yes we did.	No, we didn't.
They worked.	They didn't work.	Did they work?	Yes they did.	No, they didn't.

Read more ...

GRAMMAR: PRESTNT CONTINUOUS

PRESTNT CONTINUOUS

Uses of the present progressive(continuous) tense: I am working/He is working

There are four basic uses of the present progressive tense. We use it for :

1/ Actions progress at the moment of speaking: He is working at the moment.

2/ Temporary situations/actions, not necessarily in progress at the moment of speaking:

My dauther is studying English at Durham University.

3/ Planned actions ( + future adverbial reference): we're spending next winter in Australia.

4/ Repeated actins with adverbs like always, forever:She is always helping people.

Examples:

I am playing tennis at the moment. She is playing tennis at the moment .

I'm not playing Golf. He's not playing Golf .

Do you driving to work tomorrow ? . Does he driving to work tomorrow?.

Statements +	Statements -	Questions	Short answer +	Short answer -
I'm working.	I'm not working.	Am I working?	Yes, I am.	No, I'm not.
He's working.	He isn't working.	Is he working?	Yes, he is.	No, he isn't.
She's working.	She isn't working.	Is she working?	Yes, she is.	No, she isn't.
It's working.	It isn't working.	Is it working?	Yes, it is.	No, it isn't.
You're working.	You aren'tt working.	Are you working?	Yes you are.	No, you aren't.
We're working.	We aren't working.	Are we working?	Yes we are.	No, we aren't.
They're working.	They aren't working.	Are they working?	Yes they are.	No, they aren't.

Present Continuous Timeline

Read more ...

Grammar: SIMPLE PRESENT

SIMPLE PRESENT

 Uses of the simple present tense: 'I play / He plays'

there are seven basic uses of the simple present tense:

1/Permanent truths: Summer follow spring. Gases expand when heated.
2/ The presebt period ( ' this is the situation at present'): My sister works ina bank.
3/ Habitual actions: i get up at7. I sometimes stay up till midnight.
4/ Future reference(for time table,etc.): the concert begins at 7:30 next friday evening.
5/ Observations and declarations: i hope so. it stays here that... . i love you . i hate him.
6/ Instructions: first, you weigh the ingredients.
7/ Commentaries: Becker serves to Lendl.

EXAMPLES:
i play tennis every day . She plays tennis every day .
i don't play Golf . He doesn't play Golf.
Do you drive to work? . does he drive to work

To have	Short form	Other Verbs (to work)
I have	I've	I work
he has	he's	He works
she has	she's	She works
it has	it's	It works
you have	you've	you work
we have	we've	we work
they have	they've	they work

Read more ...