GRAMMAR

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Adverbs positions

Modal Verbs



Stative Verbs

STATIVE (OR STATE) VERB LIST
like	know	belong
love	realise	fit
hate	suppose	contain
want	mean	consist
need	understand	seem
prefer	believe	depend
agree	remember	matter
mind	recognise	see
own	appear	look (=seem)
sound	taste	smell
hear	astonish	deny
disagree	please	impress
satisfy	promise	surprise
doubt	think (=have an opinion)	feel (=have an opinion)
wish	imagine	concern
dislike	be	have
deserve	involve	include
lack	measure (=have length etc)	possess
owe	weigh (=have weight)

A verb which isn't stative is called a dynamic verb, and is usually an action.
Some verbs can be both stative and dynamic:

Be

be is usually a stative verb, but when it is used in the continuous it means 'behaving' or 'acting' you are stupid = it's part of your personality, you are being stupid = only now, not usually

Think

think (stative) = have an opinion I think that coffee is great think (dynamic) = consider, have in my head what are you thinking about? I'm thinking about my next holiday

Have

have (stative) = own I have a car have (dynamic) = part of an expression I'm having a party / a picnic / a bath / a good time / a break

See

see (stative) = see with your eyes / understand I see what you mean I see her now, she's just coming along the road see (dynamic) = meet / have a relationship with I've been seeing my boyfriend for three years I'm seeing Robert tomorrow

Taste

taste (stative) = has a certain taste This soup tastes great The coffee tastes really bitter taste (dynamic) = the action of tasting The chef is tasting the soup ('taste' is the same as other similar verbs such as 'smell')

Verb + -ing form or Verb + to + infinitive

We use verb+ing form:

• After prepositions
• As the subject of a sentence
• After certain verbs

We use to+infinitive:

• After adjectives
• To express purpose and reason
• After certain verbs

Some verbs are followed by -ING.VERB + -ING
I avoided talking to him.
These include: admit, deny, dislike, feel like, give up, mind, avoid, discuss, enjoy, finish, mention, practise, suggest, take up, miss, understand, recommend.

VERB + TO + INFINITIVE
Some verbs are followed by TO + infinitive.
James agreed to help me.
These include: advise, choose, help, afford, decide, hope, agree, expect, invite, learn, manage, offer, plan, pretend, promise, refuse, seem, teach, tell, want, would like.

VERB + INFINITIVE (WITHOUT TO)
Some verbs are followed by an object + bare infinitive (without to).
I let him take my book home for one night.

These include: let, make, help.

VERBS FOLLOWED BY EITHER -ING OR TO + INFINITIVE
Some verbs can be followed by either -ING or the full infinitive.
I started liking / to like Sarah after she helped me with my problem.

With some verbs, the meaning is the same or nearly the same.
These include: begin, continue, hate, like, love, prefer, start.

With some verbs, the meaning changes.
These verbs include:
Remember
Have a memory in your mind: Do you remember seeing that film?
Do something you are/were planning to: You must remember to lock the door.
Forget
Not be able to remember a past event: I'll never forget meeting the President.
Not do something you are/were planning to do: Don't forget to invite Mary to the party!
Stop
Stop an action: I stopped working for them because I started my own business.
Interrupt an action to do something else: It's difficult to concentrate if you have to stop to answer the phone every five minutes.
Try
Do something to try and solve a problem: If you have problems sleeping, you should try doing yoga.
Make an effort to do something: I tried to say I'm sorry, but she wouldn't listen.

Complete the sentences with -ING or TO + infinitive.

1. My uncle finally gave up … (smoke) at the age of fifty.
2. I really enjoyed … (listen) to those CDs you sent me.
3. How did you learn … (speak) Chinese?
4. I enjoy … (write) postcards.
5. The song made me … (smile).
6. Do you mind … (open) the door?
7. This is intolerable! I refuse … (wait) a moment longer!
8. We managed … (arrive) in time.
9. She'd like … (fly) an aeroplane.
10. You should avoid … (make) silly mistakes.

 Rellenar huecos
Write the right word from the box next to its definition.

cruise	drive	flight	journey	tour	travel	trip	voyage
Journey in an aeroplane.		An act of traveling by water.
The act of traveling from one place to another.		Journey for some specific purpose.
A holiday on a ship.		A journey or route all the way around a particular place or area.
(Usually verb) Go from one place to another.		A journey in a vehicle driven by someone else.

 Rellenar huecosComplete the sentences using the same words.
1. My boss is gone on a business
to the Middle East.
2. We were planning a
around the Egean Islands, but it was too expensive.
3. It's not worth flying there, it's only a four hour
from our home.
4. One of the most famous
was the one made by the Mayflower, which sailed from Southampton to America in 1620.
5. I love traveling, but I hate the
. I always go sick!
6. When I graduate, I'll go on a
around Europe.
7. You can book extremely cheap
in low-cost online agencies.
8. My neighbours never
. They say there's nothing like being at home.

. Asking for help

In English, there are different ways to ask for help in formal and informal situations.
Asking for help
Could you . . . (for me) ?
Would you please . . . ?
Would you mind v+ing . . . ?
Could you possibly . . . ?
Do you have a minute?
Can you spare a few minutes?
Could you do me a favor?
Could I ask you a favor?
Can I ask you to . . . ?
I need some help (if you have time).
(If you're not busy) I could use your help.
Responding
Okay, no problem.
Sure, I'd be glad to.
Sorry, I'm (kind of) busy now.
I'm sorry. I don't have time right now.

Follow-up
Thanks for your help.
Thank you so much.
Thanks, I really appreciate it.


Here are some phrasal verbs about travel.
Get away (from someone or somewhere).
Leave or escape from a person or place, often when it is difficult to do this:
I didn't think I was ever going to get away. He just wouldn't stop talking to me!
Back up
Vehicles have to wait in a long line because there are too many of them:
The traffic has started to back up because of the accident.
Road works have caused a lot of delays and cars are backing up along the mains roads into the city.
Get on (a vehicle)
Go onto a bus, train, plane or boat:
We got on the train at 9 o'clock, but it didn't leave until 9.30.
He got on the bus and then realised he'd left his wallet at home.
Hop on (informal)
Go onto a bus, train, plane or boat:
With a one-day travel card, you can hop on and off as many buses as you like.
Just hop on the 172 and you'll be in the city in 10 minutes.
Get off (a vehicle).
Leave a train, bus, plane or boat:
Get off at the bus stop after the cinema and I'll meet you there.
We got off the ship for a few days and spent the time at the beach.
Check in
Show your ticket at an airport to confirm that you are flying a particular flight so that your bags can be put on the plane:
We need to check in two hours before the flight.
You can't go through to passport control until you have checked in.
Pull over (a vehicle) / pull someone (a driver) over
A vehicle moves to the side of the road and stops:
Just pull over by the petrol station, and I'll run in and buy some chocolate.
The police pulled him over because he was speeding.
Pull out (a vehicle)
Move onto a road where the traffic is moving faster:
He just pulled out without even signalling. I almost crashed right into him.
Wait until there's a break in the traffic and then pull out.
Stop over (verb) a stopover (noun)
Stay at a place for one night or a few nights on the way to somewhere else:
They stopped over in Singapore for one night on the way to Australia.
Do you want a stopover in New York for a few days on your way back from Mexico?
 Rellenar huecos
Complete each sentence with one phrasal verb from the list. You might have to put it in the right tense.
check in drop off back up (x2) get away get on get off pick up pull over pull out

1.
the bus! It's about to leave.2. I'll
you after the class.3. I don't know where to
the train!4. Does bus number 11
you at Trafalgar Square?5. I often see cars
on the coastal road.6. You must
at least two hours before the flight.7. I don't think he'll ever leave his job and
from it all.8. Did the police
you ?9. No-one was moving. We had to sit there for ages because the traffic was
for miles.10. He almost caused an accident. He
without signalling and I almost crashed right into him.


To express obligation we normally use modal verbs.
Must is only for present or future situations and it is used for strong recommendation from the speaker (eg written rules).
All students must wear uniforms in this school.

Doctor: "You must stay in bed for 4 days".
It is also used when the speaker thinks something is necessary, because it is his own feelings.
I must write to Kate. She is my best friend and I haven't heard of her for one month.
Have to as a substitute to must:
It has all forms:
Present: have/has to
Past: had to.
Present perfect : have had to
Future: will have to
Infinitive: to have to
She might not have to go to work tomorrow.

As he didn't the test yesterday, he will have to do it this evening.
It changes the third person into "has to".
It uses auxiliaries for questions and negatives:
What is the main difference between MUST and HAVE TO?

Have to is used when the speaker does not express his feelings, he is just giving facts. The obligation comes from the circumstances or external rules. It is used in general obligations.
We had to drive on the left in Britain last August.

My boss has had to leave in an emergency.
Must is used when the obligation comes from the speaker, that is, personal obligations and also more specific ones (i.e. on one occasion)
You must study this lesson for tomorrow.
Compare:
I must study this lesson for tomorrow. (It's my decision)
I have to study this lesson for tomorrow. (My teacher told me)
You can also use must or have to for strong recommendations.
You must/have to see that film. It's fantastic.






Importante


Jim loves all animals, but she especiallylikes cats.The computer was specially built to answer the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything.

Here you have some commonly confused words
Especially is used to make something or someone standout or to emphasize something or someone

• I am going to study for the test because it is going to be especially hard.

Specially is used when someone or something is for a specific purpose or reason. Many times specially can be used instead of the word just.

• My dress was made specially for the wedding.
• Greyhound dogs are breed specially for their speed.

Sometimes especially and specially are interchangeable.

Fun means to have a good time; to enjoy something or someone.

• What do you like to do for fun?
• We do not think homework is fun.

Funny is something that makes you laugh

• My dog is really funny. He makes me laugh.
• My sister is reading a really funny book.
• My doctor is a funny man. He is always telling jokes.

Another is used with singular nonspecific countable nouns.

• I do not like that book. Do you have another book?
• I do not want to look for another problem. I have enough already.

Other – is used with plural or uncountable nonspecific nouns

• I do not like those books. Do you have other books?
• Do you have other kinds of cakes? I do not like chocolate cake.

The Other is used with specific singular, plural countable and uncountable nouns.

• I do not like these books. I want the other book that is in your room.
• We want to go to the other food store, the one that is up the street.

Oxford Practice Grammar

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Melanie Grammar Checker

Interesting English explanations on Grammar Checker

GRAMMAR EXERCISES

Verb Collocations, Phrasal Verbs and False Friends are sometimes difficult for students. Click on ESL and try to enjoy with the exercises provided.

Maybe Sherton English can clarify some doubts about essential grammatical points. Click on Sherton English and see.

The Englisch-Hilfen can also explain to you the use of the definite article. So check it clicking on The Englisch-Hilfen