Present and Future Tenses in English
1. The Present Progressive (Present Continuous)
This form usually refers to a situation that began before the moment of speaking, continues at, around, and after the present moment, into the future, and is of limited duration:
I am writing these notes on the future. (At this moment).
2. BE + going to
BE + going to refers to a future situation for which there is present evidence. In the previous example, the present evidence is the black clouds.
3. The Present Simple
The present simple is frequently used
Read MoreMastering English: Passive Voice, Modals, and More
Passive Voice Exercises
B. Write sentences in the passive voice.
- The wheel / invent / thousands of years ago.
The wheel was invented thousands of years ago. - In the old days / use / candles / to see in the dark.
In the old days, candles were used to see in the dark. - In the past / cook / food / over fires.
In the past, food was cooked over fires. - The Italians / make / the first pizzas.
The first pizzas were made by the Italians. - Bicycles / use / before cars.
Bicycles were used before cars.
Passive Voice
Read MoreMastering English Grammar: Used To, Pronouns, Gerunds, Conditionals
Mastering Key English Grammar Concepts
Used To: Past Habits and States
The structure ‘used to + verb’ expresses a state, a habit, or an action that was repeated in the past, long ago.
Example: I used to live in Madrid. Now I live in New York.
Relative Pronouns: Connecting Ideas
Uses: Relative pronouns indicate the person, object, or place the idea refers to. They provide essential information without which the sentence would be incomplete.
Examples:
- The girl who won the competition was very happy.
- There’
Don Quixote: Prologues and Early Chapters
Prologue 1: A Mockery of Pedantry
Cervantes begins by describing his initial struggles in writing the prologue. He explains that he started writing the book in prison and, while preparing the foreword, found himself repeatedly stuck. A friend visits Cervantes and points out that the book lacks endorsements from famous figures, a common practice at the time. The friend suggests that, given Cervantes’s age and limited publications, his book might be perceived as inferior. Cervantes, pretending to be
The Ashton Affair: Comprehension Questions and Answers
The Ashton Affair: Comprehension Questions
- Malcolm Jaggard first meets Penny Ashton at: c. a dinner party
- Malcolm Jaggard is introduced to Penny’s father at: b. his large family home
- At Malcolm Jaggard’s office there is a _____ called Nellie: a. computer system
- Malcolm Jaggard learns that George Ashton grew up in: c. Russia
- At George Ashton’s house there is a very large model: b. railway
- George Ashton and Benson run away to: d. Sweden
- George Ashton and Benson _____ and then go to the small town of
Restaurant, Hiking, and Graduation Experiences
Restaurant Experience
- Rick was celebrating his anniversary with his girlfriend. (False)
- The other customers didn’t eat their meal because they had to leave.
- The owner of the restaurant offered Rick a free meal.
- Rick liked the surprise in the restaurant. (True)
- Rick and his girlfriend finally ate vegetables, meat, and so on.
- When the cell phone rang, Rick and his girlfriend were looking at their menus.
- Rick and his girlfriend paid the bill when they finished eating. (False)
- Rick and his girlfriend didn’t