language reference

one
question forms cover & check exercises
inversion 1.1 Correct the errors.
Auxiliary verbs and modal verbs usually come before the subject. For present 1 When he is leaving?
simple and past simple, use do / does / did. 2 Where she lives?
Are you leaving now? Has he arrived? Do you know her? 3 Does he can speak German?
Did you like the film? Can you speak Italian? Should we tell her? 4 Did he came to see you?
5 They married?
go to exercise 1.1

wh- / how questions 1.2 What are possible questions for these
These words are used in questions which require specific information. answers?
Auxiliary verbs and modal verbs usually come before the subject. 1 Its twenty kilometres.
Whats he doing? When can you do it? 2 Three times a week.
Where does he live? Why was he late? 3 Ive got five.
4 Forty next week.
Some wh- / how question words combine with other words. 5 Its a Fiat.
How far can you see? = distance 6 About two hundred.
How long has he had it? = length of time 7 Midnight.
How often do you go there? = frequency 8 Since last year.
9 A litre.
How much do you want? = quantity (uncountable)
10 Not long.
How many did you see? = number (countable)
How old is he? = age
What sort of car is it? = specifying
What time did it start? = point in time (when)
go to exercise 1.2

subject / object questions 1.3 Make questions for these answers. Use
When a wh- word / how is the subject of the sentence, it comes before the words in brackets.
the verb. Dont use do / did. 1 I lost my bag. (What)
2 The brown leather one. (Which)
What happened? There was an accident. NOT What did happen? 3 In the park. (Where)
4 Last Sunday. (When)
5 A small boy. (Who)
Who took my pen? Mary took it.
How many people came? About ten (did).
Cover the grammar,
When a wh- word / how is the object, normal question word order is used then try the exercise.
with an auxiliary. Check the grammar
again to help you.
How many people did you see? (I saw) about ten.
When did you leave? (I left) around 6.30.
How often do you go? (I go) every week.
go to exercise 1.3

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questions ending in prepositions 1.4 What are the missing prepositions in
these questions?
When the question word is the object of a preposition, the preposition
usually goes at the end. 1 What are they listening ?
2 What did she buy that ?
What are you looking at? Whos she talking to? 3 Who did you speak ?
What did you do that for? = Why? 4 What is he talking ?
go to exercise 1.4 5 What are they waiting ?

question tags 1.5 Write the question tags.

These are used to check what you think is true, or to confirm information. 1 They havent finished, ?
You can use question tags to start a conversation or keep it going. To form 2 Peter cant drive, ?
question tags, repeat the auxiliary verb. If the auxiliary in the main clause 3 Maries French, ?
is positive, the tag is negative; this is the most common pattern. If the 4 You work here, ?
auxiliary in the main clause is negative, then the tag is positive. If theres 5 Hes following me, ?
no auxiliary, use do / does / did. 6 You lost it, ?
7 Were late, ?
8 They shouldnt be here, ?
Its really hot, isnt it? You arent married, are you?
9 He lives in London, ?
Weve met before, havent we? You can swim, cant you? 10 She didnt marry him, ?
He comes from Israel, doesnt he? She passed, didnt she?
If you think you know the answer and want confirmation, use falling
intonation. If youre not sure about the answer, use rising intonation. When youve finished
an exercise, say the
go to exercise 1.5 sentences aloud.

present perfect (1)

time up to now have / has + past participle 1.6 Put ever, never, or before into these
sentences.
positive and negative forms questions
1 Jennys been to India.
I/you/we/they ve met him. Have you done it?
2 Have you eaten oysters ?
havent 3 Ive been late for anything.
he /she /it / s worked well. Has he worked there? 4 Has John read War and Peace?
hasnt 5 I dont think weve met .
You can use the present perfect to talk about things that have happened in 1.7 Make complete sentences. Use the
your life up to now. It isnt important when the things happened. present perfect and put ever, never, or
| before in the correct places.
before now now 1 You / see / this / man (before)?
2 Sue / drive / a car (never)
Ive written several books. = in my life; it isnt important when I wrote them 3 They / use / this / software (ever)?
Shes never had a holiday. = in her life, before now 4 Harry and Pam / meet (never)
5 He / tell / you / about it (ever)?
The adverbs ever, never, and before are often used with the present perfect.
Have you ever been to Japan? = in your life For a change,
Have you been to Japan before? = before this occasion, before this trip do an exercise quickly
Ive never read War and Peace. = not in my life in your head.
go to exercises 1.6 and 1.7

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Note: A common problem with the present perfect is with the construction 1.8 Complete the sentences with the correct
This / It is the first / second / only time Ive been here. A different tense is form of the verbs in brackets.
often used in other languages. 1 This is the first time I (try) yoga.
This is the first time Ive done this. NOT This is the first time I do this. 2 This is the third time we (travel)
to India.
Is this the first time youve been abroad? NOT Is this the first time you are abroad?
3 Is this the first time you (be) to the
Its the only time Ive been late. NOT Its the only time Im late. Taj Mahal?
go to exercise 1.8 4 Its the only time he ever (be) angry.
5 This isnt the first time I (see) this film.

recent events 1.9 Circle the correct adverb.

You can use the present perfect to talk about things that happened a short 1 Havent you finished already / yet?
time ago and are important now, often with just, already, and (not) yet. 2 Ive yet / just had lunch.
Its just stopped raining. So we can go out now. 3 Ben has already / yet seen that film.
4 It hasnt stopped snowing yet / just.
Ive already had lunch. Im not hungry now.
5 Oh, no! Ive just / yet broken a glass.
Havent you finished that book yet? I can see youre still reading it.
go to exercise 1.9

present perfect v. past simple 1.10 Tick the correct sentences.

When you give more specific information about where or when something 1 Ive been to Holland last year.
happened, you usually use the past simple and not the present perfect. I went to Holland last year.
A Have you been to Japan before? B Yes, I went two years ago. 2 Its the first time Ive been to
Rome.
A Ive never met Bill. B Oh, really? I met him at Jills party. Its the first time Im in Rome.
go to exercise 1.10 3 I saw James at the wedding.
Ive seen James at the wedding.
been and gone 1.11 What do these sentences mean?
Go has two past participles, been and gone. They have different meanings. 1 Julie has been to Egypt.
Shes gone to the theatre. = Shes at the theatre now. Julie went to Egypt and now
shes back.
Hes been to the shops. = He went to the shops, and now hes back.
Julie is in Egypt now.
For more information on the present perfect, go to p.157 and p.166. 2 Mikes gone to the shops.
go to exercise 1.11 Mike is at the shops now.
Mike went to the shops but now
hes back.
future plans and intentions
going to + verb 1.12 Make questions using going to + verb.
positive and negative forms questions 1 Its Jons party this evening.
(What / wear?)
I m/m not going to do it. Am I going to do it?
2 Ive bought a new computer.
You/we/they re /arent Are you /we/they going to do it? (Where / put it?)
He/she/it s/isnt Is he/she/it going to do it? 3 Mikes broken his leg.
You can use be going to + verb to talk about future plans and intentions. (How / get to work?)
Dont use will + verb. 4 Were both 30 on Saturday.
(How / celebrate?)
Shes going to spend a few days in Rome. = its her plan 5 Annas won a lot of money.
What are you going to do for your holidays this year? = whats your plan? (What / do with it?)
Ive got plans for tonight - Im going to see a film. = its my intention
NOT Ill go to see a film.
go to exercise 1.12

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plan, hope, and think 1.13 Rewrite the sentences. Use the verbs
You can use other verbs to talk about your future plans and intentions, with think, plan, or hope.
different degrees of certainty. 1 I want to go to France but Im not
Im planning to take a few days off work soon. = its my plan sure itll happen.
Im .
Were hoping to open a new factory next year. = we want to, but were not sure
2 Its my plan to travel round Europe.
it will happen Im .
Im thinking of selling my computer. = Im thinking about it as a 3 I may go to the cinema this evening.
future possibility Im .
Hope and plan (but not think) can also be used in the simple form, with
little change in meaning. Is this grammar the
I plan to take a month off work in the summer. I hope to see him soon. same in your language?
If not, make a note
For more information on be going to, go to p.165. of the difference.
go to exercise 1.13

exclamations with what and how

what + a / an + countable noun what + a / an + adjective + noun 1.14 Tick the correct sentences and
What a surprise! What a lovely dress! correct the others.
What a shame! What an interesting idea! 1 What fantastic day!
what (+adjective) + uncountable/plural noun how + adjective 2 What pity!
3 How amazing!
What rubbish! How exciting!
4 What a terrible weather!
What fantastic weather! How incredible! 5 What a nightmare!
What noisy children! 6 What great news!
go to exercise 1.14 7 What fascinating book!
8 How beautiful flowers!
9 What a shocking story!
10 What delicious cake!

two
comparative and superlative adjectives cover & check exercises
form 2.1 What are the comparative and superlative
One-syllable adjectives and two-syllable adjectives ending in -y: forms of these adjectives?
adjective comparative superlative notes 1 big
2 easy
slow slower (than) the slowest +er/+est 3 strong
safe safer the safest +r/+st 4 nice
big bigger the biggest double consonant after 5 cheap
short vowels /I/, /e/, /Q/, /&/ 6 happy
noisy noisier the noisiest change -y to -i, +er/+est 7 hot
8 late
quiet quieter the quietest a few two-syllable
9 lazy
adjectives add +er/+est, 10 narrow
e.g. clever, narrow
go to exercise 2.1

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Many two-syllable adjectives (e.g. ending -ful, -less, -ing, -ed) and longer 2.2 Fill the gaps with an appropriate word.
adjectives: 1 Shirley is much than I am
adjective comparative superlative notes at maths.
tiring more tiring (than) the most tiring more (+); opposite less (-) 2 Peter works harder I do.
3 Thats the expensive thing
useful more useful the most useful the most (+); opposite Ive ever seen!
the least (-) 4 She gave me money than I
dangerous more dangerous the most dangerous needed.
reliable more reliable the most reliable 5 Are we going to drive much
down this road?
irregular forms:
adjective comparative superlative
Write in pencil,
good better (than) the best then you can rub out your
bad worse the worst answers and do the exercise
far further the furthest again later.
After a comparative adjective, use than.
This room is bigger than I thought.
Trains are more reliable than buses.
After a superlative adjective, you normally use in, not of.
Its the biggest factory in the world. NOT of the world
Shes the youngest student in the class. NOT of the class
You can also make comparative and superlative phrases with nouns.
We need more time to do it. This paper has the most information in it.
I want less work, not more! This job will bring you the most money.
go to exercise 2.2

modifying comparatives 2.3 Put the words in the correct order to

Use much, far, and a lot to express a big difference between two things. form sentences.
Use a bit, a little, and slightly to show a small difference. 1 Pat / slightly / taller / is / than / me
A is a lot/much/far lighter than C. 2 older / I / than / are / you / far / am
3 reliable / Liz / much / than / I / more /
A B C B is a bit/a little/slightly heavier than A.
thought / is
10kg 12kg 25kg C is a lot/much/far heavier than B. 4 further / the / is / house / a bit / away
Note: a bit and a lot are more informal than the other forms. 5 a lot / expensive / should / be / it / than /
that / is / more
go to exercise 2.3 and 2.4
2.4 Choose much, far, a lot, a bit, a little or
slightly to complete the sentences. More
present simple and continuous (1) than one answer is often possible.
1 Africa is bigger than South
present simple America.
2 A grapefruit is smaller than
positive and negative forms questions a melon.
I/you/we/they work Where do you work? 3 Going by car is slower than
dont work going by plane.
he/she/it works Where does your sister work? 4 Iceland is colder than
doesnt work Spain.
5 Silk is more expensive than
The present simple tense describes things which are always true. cotton.
Yoko comes from Japan. She has two brothers and a sister.

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It also describes things we think are permanent, or true for a long time. 2.5 Match the sentences below with the
correct uses.
Maria lives in Barcelona. Where do you work?
a always true
It describes habits and things that happen regularly. b permanent or true for a long time
We go to the South of France for our holidays most summers. c routines and habits
I usually play football at the weekends. 1 I often go to the cinema.
For more information on the present simple, go to p.164. 2 Fruit is good for you.
3 The leaves on this tree change
go to exercise 2.5 colour in the autumn.
4 George lives on a Greek island.
present continuous (1) 5 They love each other.
6 I always eat fish on Fridays.
positive and negative forms questions 7 Tony has a dog.
I m working Where am I going? 8 We go walking in summer.
m not 9 My brother never drives to work.
he/she/it s working Whats she wearing? 10 Do you usually work late?
isnt 2.6 Complete the sentences. Use a suitable
we/you/they re working Where are you working? verb in the present continuous.
re not / arent 1 I usually work three days a week
The present continuous describes things happening at this precise moment. but this week I Monday
to Friday.
Dont talk to me about it now; Im watching the news. 2 Maria an essay at the
Sorry, she cant come to the phone; shes having a shower. moment so she cant go out.
3 Im the bus to work this
go to exercise 2.6
week. The cars being serviced.
It also describes temporary things happening around now, but not 4 Its very hot in my room so I
necessarily at this precise moment. in the spare room at the
xx x x | x xx moment.
5 Come in! Everyone the
now match on TV.
Im studying English this year. For a change,
Theyre repairing the motorway near our house. do an exercise
in your head.
For more information on the present continuous, go to p.164 and p.165.

compound nouns
Two or three words often go together to make compound nouns. This is a 2.7 Complete the compound nouns and
common feature of English. decide if they are one word or two.
tea cup = a cup you drink tea from shoe shop = a shop where you buy shoes 1 traffic
writing paper letterbox 2 snack
tourist information office mother-in-law 3 coffee
4 writing
Most compounds are written as two words.
5 tooth
traffic lights bus stop credit card snack bar 6 sun
Some short noun + noun compounds are written as one word. 7 bus
bedroom sunglasses postman toothpaste 8 bath
9 post
A small number have hyphens. 10 shoe
make-up T-shirt X-ray sisterin-law
If you arent sure how to write a compound, use a dictionary to check.
go to exercise 2.7

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three
present perfect and past simple (2) cover & check exercises
The present perfect can describe something that started in the past and 3.1 Correct the errors. Sometimes theres
continues up to now. more than one possible answer.
x work | 1 Ive lived here since three years.
2000 now 2 Shes bought that car three years ago.
3 Ive been in Paris last weekend.
Ive worked for this company since 2000. (I started in 2000 and Im still here.) 4 I didnt see Mark since Monday.
Ive worked there for a few years. (I started a few years ago and still work there.) 5 I wasnt there since last year.
6 Jane worked here since a month.
This use of the present perfect also describes something that didnt happen
in a period of time from the past until now. 7 Mikes been on holiday last week.
8 I didnt see Jason since last year.
I havent seen him since 1998. (The last time I saw him was in 1998.) 9 I enjoyed tennis when Ive been
I havent worked for five years. (I stopped working five years ago.) a child.
If you want to describe something that started and finished in the past, use 10 Weve seen our friends yesterday.
the past simple with for + a period of time. Compare: 3.2 Put for or since in these sentences.
Shes had that sports car for eighteen months. (present perfect: she still has the car.) 1 I havent seen Isabelle ages.
She had that motorbike for two years. (past simple: she hasnt got it now.) 2 Weve lived in this house
I was a baby.
x motorbike x sports car | 3 Peter has known Sally 1994.
two years 18 months now
3.3 Make questions for these answers.
For and since are common with this use of the present perfect. Use How long ? and the present perfect
for + period of time since + point of time or past simple.
I havent been for three years/ages/ Ive known her since last June/ 1 For fifteen years.
a long time / a couple of weeks. we were at school / last summer. 2 Since 1999.
3 For three months now.
go to exercises 3.1 and 3.2 4 For about a year or so.
5 Most of my adult life.
The most common question with this use of the present perfect is How long ?
This question can also be used with the past simple. Compare:
Is this grammar
How long have you been a doctor? (I know you are a doctor now.) different in your language?
How long were you in the army? (I know you arent in the army now.) If so, make a note of the
difference.
For more information on the present perfect, go to p.153 and p.166.
go to exercise 3.3

collocation
Collocation describes the way pairs or groups of words often go together.
verb + noun noun + verb adjective + noun adverb + adjective
play the guitar the car broke down blonde hair terribly sorry
take a photo the bomb exploded a close friend completely empty
Many collocations are easy to understand. It can be difficult to produce them,
however, because they dont always translate literally from different languages.
I missed the bus. NOT I lost the bus.
She did her homework. NOT She made her homework.
a fast train NOT a rapid train
a terrible pain NOT a strong pain

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A good dictionary will include common collocations often in bold type and 3.4 Complete these sentences with an
in example sentences. appropriate word.
friend /frend/ noun [C] a person that you know and like (not a member of your 1 Jacks my closest .
family), and who likes you: Trevor and I are old friends. We were at school 2 Im terribly Im late.
together. Were only inviting close friends and relatives to the wedding. 3 When did you learn to the
Helens my best friend. A friend of mine told me about this restaurant. One of drums?
my friends told me about this restaurant. Look at boyfriend, girlfriend, and 4 Did you many photos on
penfriend. IDIOMS be / make friends (with sb) to be / become a friend (of sb): holiday?
Tony is rather shy and finds it hard to make friends.
5 Im late because I the train.
entry from Oxford Wordpower Dictionary ISBN 0194315169
go to exercise 3.4

used to + verb
3.5 Rewrite the sentences. Use used to + verb.
positive and negative forms questions
1 I played tennis a lot.
I/you/he/she/we/they used to work Did he use to work?
2 We went to Spain every year.
never used to* Did they use to help? 3 Patrick never liked Maths at school.
didnt use to 4 Anne had long hair.
* Never used to is more common in spoken English than didnt use to. 5 You didnt go to the gym.
Use used to + verb to talk about past habits and states which are now 3.6 Tick the correct sentences and correct
finished or have changed. You can also use the past simple here. the others.
She used to have a house in France, but she sold it a few years ago. 1 We used to go to Italy twice a year.
I used to wear suits a lot, but now I only wear them for special occasions. 2 I used to go to Rome twice for a
holiday.
Used to cannot describe how many times or how long something happened.
3 I never used to take the bus.
I studied German for three years. NOT I used to study German for three years. I always drove.
I went to Greece twice for a holiday. NOT I used to go to Greece twice for a holiday. 4 I dont use to play football these
days.
Used to is not used to talk about the present. Use usually for this.
5 Did you use to have short hair?
Nowadays people usually do a lot of their shopping in supermarkets.
NOT Nowadays people usually used to do a lot of their shopping in supermarkets.
natural English ellipsis
You dont need to repeat the verb or phrase after used to.
A Do you ever go fishing? B I used to, but I dont any more.

go to exercises 3.5 and 3.6

four
preferences cover & check exercises
Use would prefer to + verb or would rather + verb to talk about a preference
on a specific occasion.
A Would you like to go shopping today?
B Id prefer to go to the beach. / Id rather go to the beach. How do you
talk about preferences
A Do you want to order the books today? in your language?
B Id prefer to wait until tomorrow. / Id rather wait until tomorrow.
Would rather is more common than would prefer to in spoken English.

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Prefer + -ing or prefer + full infinitive are used to talk about preferences in 4.1 Make complete sentences using the
general. You dont usually use would rather for general preferences. infinitive or the -ing form of the verbs.
On holiday, I prefer to take my car than to go by train. 1 Id rather (go) skiing than sailing.
She prefers cross-country skiing to downhill skiing. 2 Id prefer (leave) early.
3 Would you rather (live) in France
go to exercise 4.1 or Italy?
4 I much prefer (get up) early than late.
5 Jim always prefers (travel) by train.
modal verbs would, could / might
positive and negative forms questions 4.2 Circle the correct modal verb.
I/you/he/she/it/we/they would/d do it Would you do it? 1 Its difficult, but I would / might be
wouldnt do it Could you do it? able to do it.
could do it 2 Sarah could / would be upstairs.
couldnt do it Have you looked?
might do it 3 Im sure we might / would enjoy that.
4 I think this guide book might / can be
might not do it
useful for the trip.
5 I know I wouldnt / couldnt like it.
natural English forms of might Ive tasted it before.
Its more common and natural in English to say: 6 Pat would/might not come tomorrow.
I might not come tomorrow. than I mightnt come tomorrow. Hes got a lot to do.
Do you think he might win? than Might he win? 7 Would / Might you help me? This
project is very difficult.
Would and could / might often describe how certain you are in imaginary 8 Do you think Alan can / might get
situations, for example: the job?
Chris likes his university course, but he hasnt got enough money. 9 He would / can hate working in an
A friend suggests he gives up the course and works in a shop for a year. office. He likes being outside.
Read what Chris says: 10 Jane looks pale. She could / would be
ill or just tired.
Id (would) have more money. = Im sure about this
I wouldnt enjoy working in a shop. = Im sure about this
It could be a way to save money and study next year. = this is possible When youve finished
I might be able to work part time and study. = this is possible an exercise, say the
sentences aloud.
Compare these uses of can and could to express possibility.
Madrid can be cold at this time of year. (Its sometimes cold; its a fact.)
Madrid could be cold at this time of year. (I imagine that its possible.)
For more information on could and might, go to p.172.
go to exercise 4.2

modal verb will (1)

Use will (ll) + verb when youre willing / happy and prepared to do things, 4.3 Match the sentences below with the
e.g. promising, offering, or agreeing to do something. You often make the correct uses.
decision to do these things at the moment of speaking. a offer or promise
A Is that the doorbell? A I need the books before tomorrow. b sudden decision
B Yes, Ill answer it. B OK, Ill send them this afternoon. c unwillingness or refusal
NOT Yes, I answer it. NOT OK, I send them this afternoon. 1 Im always nice to him, but he
Use wont when youre not willing to do things. Here it means refuse. wont help me.
2 Dont worry! Ill make sure your
She wont lend me her laptop because I broke it last time. house is safe while youre away.
For more information on will, go to p.165. 3 Thats the doorbell, isnt it?
Ill see whos there.
go to exercise 4.3

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