English Grammar Review: Phonetics and Verb Tenses

Posted on May 6, 2024 in English

Phonetics

English Pronunciation

Consonants

Voiced

ID: t/d T: p/k/f/gh/sh/ch/ss/c/x D: l/n/r/g/v/s/z/b/m/

Unvoiced

IZ: c/s/x/z/ss/ch/sh/ge S: p/t/kf/gh/ph Z: b/d/g/l/m/n/ng/r/v/vocales

Verb Tense Review

Present Perfect Continuous

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to describe an ongoing action that began in the past and continues in the present. It emphasizes the continuous nature of the action.

Example: It has been raining since last month. (Ha estado lloviendo toda la semana)

Past Continuous

We use the Past Continuous to describe an ongoing action at a specific time in the past. It often appears with another action in the Past Simple that interrupts it.

Examples:

• When you called, I was studying. (Cuando me llamaste estaba estudiando)
• While I was texting you, I was listening to music. (Mientras te mandaba el mensaje, estaba escuchando música)

Past Perfect

The Past Perfect describes an action that was completed before another action in the past.

Structure: HAD + Past Participle

Example: When I arrived, he had already left. (Cuando yo llegué, él ya se había ido)

Past Perfect Continuous

The Past Perfect Continuous describes an action that began in the past and continued up to another point in the past or just before another past event.

Structure: ‘had’ + been + verb-ing

Example: I had been living in London for five years before I moved to Paris.

Future Tenses

Will

We use “will” for:

1. General predictions and predictions based on opinion: The sun will rise at 7am. / I don’t think the Conservatives will win the next election.
2. Promises, requests, offers, and refusals: I’ll help you with your homework.
3. Spontaneous decisions: A: I’m cold. B: I’ll close the window.
4. First conditional and sentences with a conditional feeling: If it doesn’t rain, we’ll go to the park.

Be Going To

We use “be going to” for:

1. Future plans and intentions: A: We’ve run out of milk. B: I know, I’m going to buy some.
2. Predictions based on evidence: Look at those boys playing football! They’re going to break the window.

Future Continuous

The Future Continuous describes an ongoing action at a specific time in the future.

Structure: WILL + BE + ING

Example: This time tomorrow, I will be working on my presentation.

Future Perfect

The Future Perfect describes an action that will be completed before a specific time in the future.

Example: By 2025, I will have finished university. (Antes del 2025 habré terminado la universidad)

Simple Present for Timetables

We use the Simple Present for scheduled events like train departures.

Example: Hurry up! Your train leaves in 5 minutes!

Present Continuous for Future Plans

We use the Present Continuous for plans with a fixed date and time.

Example: Tonight, I’m having dinner with George Clooney.

Should Paparazzi Be Banned?

The role of paparazzi in society is a controversial topic. While some argue that they satisfy the public’s curiosity about celebrities, others believe they invade privacy and cause harm.

Arguments against paparazzi:

• They exploit celebrities’ embarrassing moments for profit.
• They cross ethical and legal boundaries in pursuit of photos.
• They cause distress to celebrities and their families.

Conclusion: Celebrities deserve privacy, and the intrusive practices of paparazzi should be restricted.

Reported Speech

Reported speech is used to convey what someone said without using their exact words.

Reporting Verbs:

• tell + object (+ that) + reported speech: He told me (that) he’d just heard the news.
• say (+ to + object) (+ that) + reported speech: He said (to me) (that) he’d just heard the news.

Verbs like tell, ask, order, and advise are followed by “to” or “not to”:

Example: She told me to wait.

Tense Changes in Reported Speech

The tense of the verb usually changes when we report what someone said. Here’s a table summarizing the changes: