FORM Will [will + verb]

Examples:

* You will help him later.
* Will you help him later?
* You will not help him later.

USE 1 “Will” to Express a Voluntary Action

“Will” often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use “will” to respond to someone else’s complaint or request for help. We also use “will” when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use “will not” or “won’t” when we refuse to voluntarily do something.

Examples:

* I will send you the information when I get it.
* I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
* Will you help me move this heavy table?
* Will you make dinner?
* I will not do your homework for you.
* I won’t do all the housework myself!
* A: I’m really hungry.
B: I’ll make some sandwiches.
* A: I’m so tired. I’m about to fall asleep.
B: I’ll get you some coffee.
* A: The phone is ringing.
B: I’ll get it.

USE 2 “Will” to Express a Promise

“Will” is usually used in promises.

Examples:

* I will call you when I arrive.
* If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
* I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
* Don’t worry, I’ll be careful.
* I won’t tell anyone your secret.

USE 3 “Be going to” to Express a Plan

“Be going to” expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.

Examples:

* He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
* She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
* A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM.
* I’m going to be an actor when I grow up.
* Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.
* They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
* Who are you going to invite to the party?
* A: Who is going to make John’s birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John’s birthday cake.

USE 4 “Will” or “Be Going to” to Express a Prediction

Both “will” and “be going to” can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In “prediction” sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.

Examples:

* The year 2034 will be a very interesting year.
* The year 2034 is going to be a very interesting year.

* John Murphy will be the next President.
* John Murphy is going to be the next President.

* The movie “Zenith” will win several Academy Awards.
* The movie “Zenith” is going to win several Academy Awards.

FORM - had been + present participle

Examples:

* You had been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived.
* Had you been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived?
* You had not been waiting there for more than two hours when she finally arrived.

USE:

1 Duration Before Something in the Past

We use the Past Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and continued up until another time in the past. “For five minutes” and “for two weeks” are both durations which can be used with the Past Perfect Continuous. Notice that this is related to the Present Perfect Continuous; however, the duration does not continue until now, it stops before something else in the past.

Examples:

* They had been talking for over an hour before Tony arrived.
* She had been working at that company for three years when it went out of business.
* How long had you been waiting to get on the bus?
* Mike wanted to sit down because he had been standing all day at work.
* James had been teaching at the university for more than a year before he left for Asia.
* A: How long had you been studying Turkish before you moved to Ankara?
B: I had not been studying Turkish very long.

USE 2

Cause of Something in the Past

Using the Past Perfect Continuous before another action in the past is a good way to show cause and effect.

Examples:

* Jason was tired because he had been jogging.
* Sam gained weight because he had been overeating.
* Betty failed the final test because she had not been attending class.

FORM : had + past participle

Examples:

* You had studied English before you moved to New York.
* Had you studied English before you moved to New York?
* You had not studied English before you moved to New York.

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Past

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

Examples:

* I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai.
* I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet.
* Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the city several times.
* Had Susan ever studied Thai before she moved to Thailand?
* She only understood the movie because she had read the book.
* Kristine had never been to an opera before last night.
* We were not able to get a hotel room because we had not booked in advance.
* A: Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 2006?
B: Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Past (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Past Perfect to show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past.

Examples:

* We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
* By the time Alex finished his studies, he had been in London for over eight years.
* They felt bad about selling the house because they had owned it for more than forty years.

Although the above use of Past Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words “live,” “work,” “teach,” and “study” are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.
IMPORTANT Specific Times with the Past Perfect

Unlike with the Present Perfect, it is possible to use specific time words or phrases with the Past Perfect. Although this is possible, it is usually not necessary.

Example:

* She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.

MOREOVER

If the Past Perfect action did occur at a specific time, the Simple Past can be used instead of the Past Perfect when “before” or “after” is used in the sentence. The words “before” and “after” actually tell you what happens first, so the Past Perfect is optional. For this reason, both sentences below are correct.

Examples:

* She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.
* She visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.

HOWEVER

If the Past Perfect is not referring to an action at a specific time, Past Perfect is not optional. Compare the examples below. Here Past Perfect is referring to a lack of experience rather than an action at a specific time. For this reason, Simple Past cannot be used.

Examples:

* She never saw a bear before she moved to Alaska. Not Correct
* She had never seen a bear before she moved to Alaska. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

* You had previously studied English before you moved to New York.
* Had you previously studied English before you moved to New York?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

* George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic’s license. Active
* Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanic’s license. Passive

We use ’should’ for giving advice.

*
You should speak to him about it.
*
He should see a doctor.
*
We should ask a lawyer.

We use ’should’ to give an opinion or a recommendation.

*
He should resign now.
*
We should invest more in Asia.
*
They should do something about this terrible train service.

‘Should’ expresses a personal opinion and is much weaker and more personal than ‘must’ or ‘have to’. It is often introduced by ‘ I think’.

*
I think they should replace him.
*
I don’t think they should keep the contract.
*
Do you think we should tell her.

FORM

[If ... Past Perfect ..., ... would have + past participle ... ]

[... would have + past participle ... if ... Past Perfect ...]

USE

The Third Conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations in the past. You can describe what you would have done differently or how something could have happened differently if circumstances had been different.

Examples:

* If I had owned a car, I would have driven to work. But I didn’t own one, so I took the bus.
* She would have traveled around the world if she had had more money. But she didn’t have much money, so she never traveled.
* I would have read more as a child if I hadn’t watched so much TV. Unfortunately, I did watch a lot of TV, so I never read for entertainment.
* Mary would have gotten the job and moved to Japan if she had studied Japanese in school instead of French.
* If Jack had worked harder, he would have earned more money. Unfortunately, he was lazy and he didn’t earn much.
* A: What would you have done if you had won the lottery last week?
B: I would have bought a house.
* A: What city would you have chosen if you had decided to move to the United States?
B: I would have chosen Seattle.

IMPORTANT Only use “If”

Only the word “if” is used with the Third Conditional because you are discussing imaginary situations. “When” cannot be used.

Examples:

* I would have bought that computer when it had been cheaper. Not Correct
* I would have bought that computer if it had been cheaper. Correct

EXCEPTION Conditional with Modal Verbs

There are some special conditional forms for modal verbs in English:

would have + can = could have

would have + shall = should have

would have + may = might have

The words “can,” “shall” and “may” cannot be used with “would have.” Instead, they must be used in these special forms.

Examples:

* If I had gone to Egypt, I could have learned Arabic.
* If she had had time, she might have gone to the party.

The words “could,” should,” “might” and “ought to” include Conditional, so you cannot combine them with “would have.”

Examples:

* If I had had more time, I could have exercised after work.
* If he had invited you, you might have gone.

FORM

[If / When ... Simple Present ..., ... Simple Present ...]

[... Simple Present ... if / when ... Simple Present ...]

USE

The Present Real Conditional is used to talk about what you normally do in real-life situations.

Examples:

* If I go to a friend’s house for dinner, I usually take a bottle of wine or some flowers.
* When I have a day off from work, I often go to the beach.
* If the weather is nice, she walks to work.
* Jerry helps me with my homework when he has time.
* I read if there is nothing on TV.
* A: What do you do when it rains?
B: I stay at home.
* A: Where do you stay if you go to Sydney?
B: I stay with my friends near the harbor.

IMPORTANT If / When

Both “if” and “when” are used in the Present Real Conditional. Using “if” suggests that something happens less frequently. Using “when” suggests that something happens regularly.

Examples:

* When I have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach.
I regularly have days off from work.
* If I have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach.
I rarely have days off from work.

Present Unreal Conditional
FORM

[If ... Simple Past ..., ... would + verb ...]

[... would + verb ... if ... Simple Past ...]

USE

The Present Unreal Conditional is used to talk about what you would generally do in imaginary situations.

Examples:

* If I owned a car, I would drive to work. But I don’t own a car.
* She would travel around the world if she had more money. But she doesn’t have much money.
* I would read more if I didn’t watch so much TV.
* Mary would move to Japan if she spoke Japanese.
* If they worked harder, they would earn more money.
* A: What would you do if you won the lottery?
B: I would buy a house.
* A: Where would you live if you moved to the U.S.?
B: I would live in Seattle.

EXCEPTION If I were …

In the Present Unreal Conditional, the form “was” is not considered grammatically correct. In written English or in testing situations, you should always use “were.” However, in everyday conversation, “was” is often used.

Examples:

* If he were French, he would live in Paris.
* If she were rich, she would buy a yacht.
* I would play basketball if I were taller.
* I would buy that computer if it were cheaper.
* I would buy that computer if it was cheaper. Not Correct (But often said in conversation.)

When we are talking about the future we are thinking about a particular condition or situation in the future, and the result of this condition.
There is a real possibility that this condition will happen. For example, it is morning. You are at home. You plan to play football this afternoon. But there are some clouds in the sky. Imagine that it rains. What will you do?

IF condition result
present simple WILL + base verb

If it rains I will stay at home.

Notice that we are thinking about a future condition. It is not raining yet. But the sky is cloudy and you think that it could rain. We use the present simple tense to talk about the possible future condition. We use WILL + base verb to talk about the possible future result.

The important thing about the first conditional is that there is a real possibility that the condition will happen. Remember the two basic structures:

IF condition result and result IF condition

IF condition result
present simple WILL + base verb

If I see Peter I will tell him.
If Susan is free tomorrow we will invite her.
If it rains tomorrow what will you do?

result IF condition

WILL + base verb present simple

I will tell Peter if I see him.
He will invite Susan if she is free tomorrow.
What will you do if it rains tomorrow?

Sometimes, we use shall, can, or may instead of will, for example: If you are good today, you can watch TV tonight.

Both the past simple and the past continuous refer to completed actions in the past.

We use the past simple when we talk about:
* complete action: I lived there for 6 years.

*when one thing happened after another: When I saw Kate, I stopped and we had a chat.

We use the past continuous when:
* we want to emphasize the continuity of the action: This time last year I was travelling.
* when we talk about uncomplete action: I was cooking a dinner. ( I was in the middle of doing something)

When we use these two forms together, we use the past continuous to talk about the “background action” and the past simple to talk about the shorter completed action.

* I was reading the report when the phone rang. ( something happened in the middle of something else)

Here are some English idioms that describe relationship idioms!

Positive

get on like a house on fire = to get on really well with someone: “They get on like a house on fire.”

have a soft spot for someone = to be very fond of someone: “She has a soft spot for her youngest child.”

go back a long way = to know someone well for a long time: “Those two go back a long way. They were at primary school together.”

be in with = to have favoured status with someone: “She’s in with the management.”
Negative

get off on the wrong foot with someone = to start off badly with someone: “She really got off on the wrong foot with her new boss.”

keep someone at arm’s length = to keep someone at a distance: “I’m keeping her at arm’s length for the time being.”

they’re like cat and dog = to often argue with someone: “Those two are like cat and dog.”

rub someone up the wrong way = to irritate someone: “She really rubs her sister up the wrong way.”

be at loggerheads = to disagree strongly: “Charles and Henry are at loggerheads over the new policy.”

sworn enemies = to hate someone: “Those two are sworn enemies.”
Equality and inequality

bend over backwards for someone = do everything possible to help someone: “She bent over backwards for them when they first arrived in the town.”

be at someone’s beck and call = to always be ready to do what someone wants: “As the office junior, she was at his beck and call all day.”

pull your weight = to do the right amount of work: “The kids always pull their weight around the house.”

do your fair share = to do your share of the work: “He never does his fair share!”

take someone under your wing = to look after someone until they settle in: “He took her under his wing for her first month at work.”

keep tabs on someone = to watch someone carefully to check what they are doing: “He’s keeping tabs on the sales team at the moment.”

wear the trousers = to be in control: “She wears the trousers in their relationship.”

be under the thumb = to be controlled by someone else: “He really keeps her under the thumb.”
How you communicate

get your wires crossed =to misunderstand someone because you think they are talking about something else: “I think I’ve got my wires crossed. Were you talking about car or personal insurance?”

get the wrong end of the stick = to misunderstand someone and understand the opposite of what they are saying: “You’ve got the wrong end of the stick. The fault was with the other driver, not with me.”

be left in the dark = to be left without enough information: “We’ve been left in the dark over this project. We haven’t been told how to do it.”

talk at cross purposes = when two people don’t understand each other because they are talking about two different things (but don’t realise it): “We’re talking at cross purposes here.”

go round in circles = to say the same things over and again, so never resolving a problem: “We always end up going round in circles in these meetings.”

leave things up in the air = to leave something undecided: “I hate leaving things up in the air.”

Choose an idiom to replace the expression in the brackets:

1. “Please stop that (mischief) and do some serious work.”

(a) dog and pony show (b) monkey business (c) piggyback (d) road hog

2. The little boy kept asking many questions until his mother finally said that (asking too many questions will get him into trouble).

(a) the cat had got his tongue (b) you can’t teach an old dog new tricks (c) curiosity killed the cat (d) there is more than one way to skin a cat

3. “Please (be patient and wait) while I make a phone call.”

(a) call the dogs off (b) have a whale of a time (c) flog a dead horse (d) hold your horses

4. The computer software patent is (a good source of money) for our company.

(a) a cash cow (b) as strong as an ox (c) a horse of a different color (d) a dark horse

5. The little boys thought that their friend was (easily frightened) because he would not play with the dog.

(a) as awkward as a cow on roller skates (b) a kangaroo court (c) as quiet as a mouse (d) a scaredy-cat

6. The supervisor has a reputation for (watching and controlling) the workers.

(a) living high off the hog on (b) riding herd on (c) horsing around with (d) going ape with

7. When the police arrived the two men looked frightened and suddenly (ran away).

(a) hit the bull`s eye (b) let the cat out of the bag (c) turned tail (d) cried wolf

8. I heard about the plans for the new magazine article (directly from the person responsible).

(a) off his high horse (b) straight from the horse`s mouth (c) in two shakes of a lamb’s tail (d) in a pig`s eye

9. The car engine stopping while driving on the freeway was the (thing that finally made me decide to do something) so I sold the car.

(a) straw that broke the camel`s back (b) black sheep of the family (c) cat on a hot tin roof (d) wolf in sheep`s clothing

10. He really (misjudged his chance of success) when he found an unreliable partner for his business.

(a) led a dog`s life (b) bet on the wrong horse (c) cast pearl`s before swine (d) made a mountain out of a molehole

11. He is the (most important person) in his company.

(a) holy cow (b) dog in the manger (c) alley cat (d) top dog

12. I had not seen my cousin for a long time so when we finally met we talked (for a long time).

(a) in the dog house (b) as busy as a beaver (c) until the cows came home (d) like lambs to the slaughter

13. “Do not be afraid of your new neighbour. Her (words are worse than her actions).”

(a) tail is wagging the dog (b) tail is between her legs (c) looks are like something the cat dragged in (d) bark is worse than her bite

14. My grandfather moved to the country to get away from the (business and confusion) in the city.

(a) white elephant (b) horse trading (c) rat race (d) horse sense

15. The young boy (pretended to be asleep) when his friend came into the room.

(a) went to the dogs (b) put on the dog (c) served as a guinea pig (d) played possum

16. The man who owns the store is (very dishonest).

(a) as crooked as a dog’s hind leg (b) as clean as a hound’s tooth (c) as stubborn as a mule (d) bright-eyed and bushy-tailed

17. We had (an exciting and interesting time) at the conference.

(a) a cock-and-bull story (b) a whale of a time (c) the best-laid plans of mice and men (d) a bull in a china shop

18. My supervisor is always angry so I do not like to (get into an argument with) her.

(a) lock horns with (b) monkey around with (c) go hog-wild with (d) make a monkey out of

19. I knew that our company was (supporting someone who could not win) but still we continued to support our candidate in the election.

(a) killing the fatted calf (b) making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear (c) backing the wrong horse (d) separating the sheep from the goats

Answers: 1 b), 2 c), 3 d), 4 a), 5 d), 6 b), 7 c), 8 b), 9 a), 10 b), 11 d), 12 c), 13 d), 14 c), 15 d), 16 a), 17 b), 18 a), 19 c)