The past perfect is a verb tense that is learned by students at an advanced level.  It is used for an action that happened before another action in the simple past.  Look at these two examples:

Examples:
When I got home, my roommate went to bed.
(My roommate went to bed after I got home.)

When I got home, my roommate had gone to bed.
(My roommate went to bed before I got home.)

The past perfect is most often used in a sentence with a verb in the simple past or a time in the past.  The word already is often used to emphasize that the action in the past perfect tense occurred before the action in the simple past tense.

Examples:
The movie had already started by the time we arrived.
She hadn’t made up her mind until late last night.
Had you read the book before you saw the movie?

Sometimes the past perfect can be the only verb in a sentence, but it refers to an action that is already stated.

Examples:
“Why was Johnny sad?  Did you punish him for something?”
“Yes, he had drawn pictures all over the wall in the living room.”
(Drawing pictures was before being punished.)

“Why didn’t your son run in the race?”
“He had broken a toe the day before.”
(Breaking a toe was before not running in the race.)

Generally speaking, the past perfect is used less and less in today’s English, especially when it’s already clear which action happened before the other.  This is especially true with the words: before, after and until.  With these 3 words and sometimes with the word when, it’s clear which action happened first.  Therefore, it’s not necessary to use the past perfect, and most English speakers use the simple past.

Examples:
He had finished all his homework before he went to bed.
He finished all his homework before he went to bed.  (also correct)
(It’s clear that finishing his homework is before going to bed.)

After he had fallen asleep on the sofa, his wife turned off the light.
After he fell asleep on the sofa, his wife turned off the light.  (also correct)
(It’s clear that his falling asleep is before his wife’s getting into bed.)

She didn’t go to bed until she had done all her chores.
She didn’t go to bed until she did all her chores.  (also correct)
(It’s clear that doing all her chores is before going to bed.)

He started practicing his guitar as soon as he had gotten home.
He started practicing his guitar as soon as he got home.  (also correct)
(It’s clear that getting home is before practicing his guitar.)

When the children had finished their homework, they put their books away.
When the children finished their homework, they put their books away.
(It’s clear that finishing their homework is before putting their books away.)

BUT when it is not clear which action happened first, you must use the past perfect for the first action.

When the movie finished, everyone had left the theatre.  (Leaving the theatre was before the movie finished.)
When the movie finished, everyone left the theatre.  (Leaving the theatre was after the movie finished.)
(It’s not clear which action happened first, so the past perfect is used in the first example.)

When two actions happen at the same time or almost the same time, use the simple past for both actions.

Examples:
When I arrived at work, I turned on the lights.  (Arriving at work and turning on the lights is at almost the same time.)
She screamed when she opened her present.  (Screaming and opening her present are at the same time.)

In reported speech when you add the words showing that a speaker said something, those words become the second action, and if the other action is in the simple past, it is changed to the past perfect because it happened before the person reported it.

Examples:
He said, “I crashed the car into a tree.”
He said that he had crashed the car into a tree.
(Crashing the car is before saying it.)

She told him, “You left the milk out last night.”
She told him that he had left the milk out last night.
(Leaving the milk out is before telling him.)

We asked them, “Did you win the game?”
We asked them if they had won the game.
(Winning the game is before asking them.)

Also in reported speech, if the original verb in quoted speech is in the present perfect, it is changed to the past perfect.

Examples:
He said, “My brother has been home all week with the flu.”  (quoted speech)
He said that his brother had been home all week with the flu.  (reported speech)

She told me, “I’ve seen that movie four times.”  (quoted speech)
She told me that she had seen that movie four times.  (reported speech)

We asked her, “Have you ever gone abroad?”  (quoted speech)
We asked her if she had ever gone abroad.  (reported speech)

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

There’s no easy way to know which preposition follows an adjective.  The best way to learn this grammar is to learn the adjective and preposition together.  If there’s a verb after the preposition, it must of course be in the gerund form.  Here is a list of the most common adjective + preposition combinations:

absent from:   She’s been absent from class for a week.
afraid of:  She says she’s not afraid of anything.
angry with (at) / about:  She’s angry with (at) her sister.  (both with and at are correct before a person or animal)
He’s angry about the weather.  (use about before a thing)
ashamed of (someone) for / about:  I’m ashamed of myself for lying to my mother.  (for is used before a reason)
They’re both ashamed about their behavior.
aware of:  I wasn’t aware of any problems they were having.
bad at:  He’s bad at remembering names.
based on:  The movie is based on a real-life story.
bored with:  They stopped playing because they were bored with the game.
capable of:  I don’t think he’s capable of murder.
certain of:  I left my wallet right here.  I’m certain of it.
clever at:  She’s quite clever at solving puzzles.
close to:  We all live close to our parent’s house.
compared to (with):  Compared to (with) yesterday it’s much warmer.  (no difference between to and with)
concerned about:  They’re concerned about their son joining the army.
content with:  I’m content with my apartment and don’t want to move.
different from:  This tea tastes different from the tea we had yesterday.
disappointed in (with):  His father was disappointed in (with) him.   (no difference between in and with)
done with:  Could you pass the salt when you’re done with it
dressed in:  Everyone was dressed in black for the funeral.
embarrassed about:  I’m embarrassed about the way I acted last night.
engaged to:  She just got engaged to a wonderful man.
equal to:  Your success will be equal to the amount of work you do.
equipped with:  This car is equipped with GPS.  (Global Positioning System)
excited about:  Everyone is excited about the arrival of the Queen.
familiar with:  I’m not familiar with that language.
famous for:  Thomas Edison is most famous for the invention of the light bulb.
far from:  The place we’re going is far from here.
fond of:  My girlfriend is very fond of chocolates.
free of:  This food is free of artificial colors and flavors.
friendly to (with):  It’s important to be friendly to (with) your coworkers.   (no difference between to and with)
frightened of / about / by:  She seems to be frightened of the dog.  (use of before an ongoing source)
She’s frightened about losing her home.  (use about before a situation)
She was frightened by the loud noise.  (use by before a single source)
furious at (someone) for / about:  She’s furious at him for staying out so late.   (use at before a person or animal)
They’re furious about the decrease in their pensions.  (use about before a thing)
glad about:  I’m glad about your acceptance to university.
good at / with:  He’s good at sports.  (use at before activities)
He’s good with his hands.  (use with before tools)
grateful (to someone) for:  We’re grateful to you for lending us the money.
We’re grateful for all we have.  (to someone can be dropped)
guilty of:  I’m not guilty of this crime.
happy about (with):  They’re not happy about (with) all the delays.  (no difference between about and with)
inferior to:  This cell phone is inferior to the iPhone.
innocent of:  I believe you’re innocent of the charges.
interested in:  He’s been interested in flying for as long as I’ve known him.
involved in:  I don’t want to get involved in your business.
jealous of:  He’s jealous of his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend.
known for:  This restaurant is known for its cheesecake.
lucky at:  I’ve never seen someone so lucky at poker.
made of / from / by / for:  This table is made of reclaimed wood.  (use of for the material)
This table is made from the wood of an old ship.  (use from for the origin)
This table is made by Uhuru, a company in New York City. (use by for the maker)
This table is made for people who love wood furniture.  (use for for the destination)
married to:  They’ve been married to each other for twenty years.
necessary (for someone) to:  It’s not necessary for you to help clean up.
It’s not necessary to clean up tonight.  (for someone can be dropped)
nervous about:  I’m nervous about my first day on the job.
next to:  He put his keys next to his wallet.
opposite of:  The opposite of love is indifference, not hate.
patient with:  She’s always very patient with her students.
perfect for:  Those earrings are perfect for my wife.
polite to:  They’ve taught their children to always be polite to other people.
possible (for someone) to:  Is it possible for people to live on Mars?
Is it possible to live on Mars?  (for someone can be dropped)
proud of (someone) for / to:  She’s proud of her daughter for telling the truth.
She’s proud to represent her company at the conference.
related to:  Are you related to Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook?
responsible for:  Because of his mental illness, he was not responsible for his actions.
satisfied with:  I feel satisfied with my job.
scared of:  Don’t be scared of trying something new.
shy about:  He’s shy about speaking in public.
sick of / with:  I’m sick of watching TV all the time.  Let’s go out.  (sick of means tired of)
I think she’s sick with the flu.  (sick with means physically sick)
slow at:  He’s a little slow at math, but he can usually get the right answer.
sorry for (about):  I’m sorry for the way I acted yesterday.   (no difference between for and about)
superior to:  These speakers are superior to the ones in the other store.
sure of (about):  Are you sure of your answer?  (no difference between of and about)
surprised at (someone) for / by:  I’m not at all surprised at him for making that decision.  (use at before a person or animal)
I’m not at all surprised by his decision.  (use by before a thing)
terrified of:  My sister is terrified of spiders
tired of / from:  Aren’t you tired of spending your whole day inside?  (tired of means you don’t want to do it anymore)
Aren’t you tired from all the activity during the holidays?  (tired from means physically tired)
typical of (for)(someone) to:  It’s typical of her to be late.  (no difference between of and for)
upset with (at) (someone) for / about:  I’m upset with (at) him for breaking the vase.  (no difference between with and at)
I’m upset about the change in government.
worried about:  Are you worried about the weather on your wedding day?
wrong with:  There’s nothing wrong with putting yourself first.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

When asking for or giving permission, 3 modal verbs are used: can, could and may.  Although many people think that may is more polite than the other 2, all 3 are equally polite, especially if you add please.  You can ask for permission either for yourself or for someone else.  Remember that the verb after these modals is always in the simple form.

Examples:
Can I please use your washroom?
Can my friend get a free sample too, please?

Could I just get my money back, please?
Could my child please stay here until I get back?

May I please have another slice of cake?
May my mother have this seat, please?

(Notice that please can go either before the simple form verb or at the end of the sentence.)

Negative permission is called prohibition.  Use can and may in the negative to indicate that someone doesn’t have permission.

Examples:
You can’t park your car in my neighbor’s driveway.
Your friend cannot stay here overnight.

BUT NOT:  You could not smoke in this room. (which is past ability, not prohibition)

You may not leave class early.
Your dog may not lie on the sofa.
(Note:  You cannot contract may not (mayn’t.))

Besides these 3 modals you can also ask permission with Is it alright/okay (with you) if …, Do you mind if…, and Would you mind if…. 

With Is it alright/okay (with you) if and Do you mind if… always use the present simple form of the verb.

Examples:
Is it alright if my friend comes with us?
Is it okay with you if I don’t stay long?

Do you mind if I close the window?
Do you mind if I sit down?

After Would you mind if…, you can use the present simple or the past simple tense, and there’s no difference in meaning.

Examples:
Would you mind if I get something to eat?
Would you mind if I got something to eat?

Would you mind if I leave early?
Would you mind if I left early?

NOTE: To give permission when someone uses the expressions Do you mind if… and Would you mind if…, say, “No, not at all,” or “No, go ahead.”  Without these extra words after “No,” the listener may think you’re not giving permission.  If you don’t want to give permission, don’t just say “Yes,” but say “Yes I do” or “Yes I would.”

Conversation:

Brian:  Is it alright if I leave early today?  I have a job interview this afternoon.

Teacher:  Sure.  No problem.  Just remember to do your homework for tomorrow.

Brian:  Could I do it on the weekend.  I have a test in math tomorrow and I have to study.

Teacher:  You can’t skip your homework in this class.  Without practice you won’t learn as well.

Brian:  I understand, but I’ve really got a lot to do tonight.   Would you mind if I skip it this once?

Teacher:  No, not at all.  I guess one time won’t hurt.

Brian:  Thanks.

 

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Prepositions are short words, but it can be challenging to learn how to use them.  Following is a list of the most common expressions starting with the prepositions at, by, for, in and on:

at best / worst:  At best we’ll be finished by midnight, and at worst we’ll be up all night.
at birth / death:  She had blue eyes at birth, but now they’re brown.
at first / last:  At first, we thought he was a shy, but he’s not really.
at once:  Come here at once!  (= immediately)
at present:  At present we’ve had 35,000 visitors to our website.
at random:  The computer picks a number at random.  (= by chance)
at the moment:  He’s not home at the moment.
at the peak (of):  These grapes are at the peak of ripeness.  (= at perfect)

by car / boat / bus / plane / train:  He gets to work by car.  (= in a car)
by chance:  By chance have you seen my keys?
by far:  She is by far the best player on the team.
by hand:  This hat was made by hand in Peru.

for example:  Italian food, for example pizza, is delicious.
for free:  The store is giving away key chains for free.
for good:  He stopped smoking for good.  (= forever)
for instance:  I have trouble remembering things, for instance names.
for later:  I’m going to save this piece of pie for later tonight.
for now:  I’ve had enough food for now, but I may be hungry later.

in a book / a magazine / the newspaper:  Did you read that information in a magazine?
in a car:  They traveled to Mexico in a car.
in a row:  She won three games in a row.  (= in sequence)
in charge (of):  Who’s in charge of the music for the party?  (= has responsibility)
in common (with):  I have nothing in common with him.
in danger (of):  You’re in danger of becoming addicted to the pills.
in detail:  Explain to me in detail what happened.
in existence:  The blue whale is the largest animal in existence.  (= living now)
in general:  In general, the buses in this city are on time.
in practice:  In practice this system doesn’t work very well.  (= doing it)
in style:  She shops at the best stores and is always in style.  (= well dressed)
in the front / middle / back:  We like to sit in the front of the classroom.
in the past / present / future:  In the past it took days and days to do research.
in the world:  There are over seven billion people in the world.
in theory:  In theory it looks like it would work.  (= as an idea)

on a bus / boat / plane / train:  They came to Vancouver on a bus.
on earth:  I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man on earth.
on fire:  Get out quickly; the house is on fire.  (= burning)
on foot:  His car broke down, so he had to come home on foot.
on purpose:  She stepped on his foot on purpose.  (= knowing what she’s doing)
on television / TV:  He has the most popular talk show on television.
on the Internet:  There are many dating services on the Internet.
on the other hand:  He’s very smart, but on the other hand he’s disorganized.
on the radio:  I heard that song on the radio.
on the whole:  On the whole, people in this city are friendly.

Study these expressions, and when you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

The verb tenses you’ve learned so far have all been in the active voice.  In the active voice the subject does the verb.  We usually don’t tell you this because in the beginning it’s not important.  In the passive voice the subject does not do the verb.  This is because the subject in the passive voice is the object in the active voice.

Examples:

The dog bit the boy.  (active)
The boy was bitten by the dog.  (passive)

A thief stole his motorcycle.  (active)
His motorcycle was stolen by a thief.   (passive)

The police arrested the thieves.  (active)
The thieves were arrested by the police.   (passive)

To form the passive, put the verb be in the same tense as the main verb in the active sentence, and then add the past participle of this main verb.  The subject in the active sentence is put after the verb in a prepositional phrase starting with by. It is then called the agent.

Examples:

My friends and I finished the job in three days.  (active)
The job was finished in three days by my friends and me. (agent = my friends and me)
Note:  I changes to me because it is now an object, not a subject.

Most of the students passed the test.  (active)
The test was passed by most of the students. (agent = most of the students)

His grandfather built a tree house in the back yard.  (active)
A tree house was built in the back yard by his grandfather. (agent = his grandfather)

If there is a modal verb, then put be after the modal in the passive.

Examples:

The children must do all homework before bedtime.  (active)
All homework must be done by the children before bedtime.

I couldn’t read his handwriting.  (active)
His handwriting couldn’t be read by me.

He promised me that he would finish everything by Friday.  (active)
He promised me that everything would be finished by Friday.

If there is no object in an active sentence, then the sentence cannot be made passive.

Examples:

We all went to the movies after dinner.  (We went who / what? = no answer / no object)

After the movie, everyone was crying.  (Everyone was crying who / what? = no answer / no object)

The agent in the passive voice can go after the verb or at the end of the sentence.

Examples:

Parents teach their children to be polite.  (active)
Children are taught to be polite by their parents.
OR:  Children are taught by their parents to be polite. (agent = their parents)

Her mother named her after her grandmother.  (active)
She was named after her grandmother by her mother.
OR:  She was named by her mother after her grandmother. [agent = her mother]

His parents gave him a laptop on his graduation from high school.  (active)
He was given a laptop by his parents on his graduation from high school.
OR:  He was given a laptop on his graduation from high school by his parents.  [agent = his parents]

The agent is dropped in the passive voice for 3 reasons.

Reason 1:

When the subject is not important (it doesn’t add any real information), then you can drop it, especially when it’s they, people, someone or any other general subject.

Examples:

People call this river the Columbia River.  (active)
This river is called the Columbia River.  (passive) (by people is not important)

Someone lost this cell phone on the bus.  (active)
This cell phone was lost on the bus.  (passive) (by someone is not important)

They grow lots of rice in Asia.   (active)
Lots of rice is grown in Asia.  (passive) (by them is not important)

Reason 2:

When the subject is unknown. (no one knows)

Examples:

Someone stole my bike.
My bike was stolen. (by someone is unknown)

They broke the mirror in the move.
The mirror was broken in the move. (by them is unknown)

I know someone will buy that car today.
I know that car will be bought today. (by someone is unknown)

Reason 3:

When the subject is obvious (everyone knows who it is.)

Examples:

The teacher gave him a C on his composition.
He was given a C on his competition. (by teachers is obvious because only teachers mark compositions)

The police arrested him late yesterday afternoon.
He was arrested late yesterday afternoon. (by the police is obvious because only the police arrest people)

An artist painted a mural on the side of the building.
A mural was painted on the side of the building. (by an artist is obvious because only artists paint)

However, when the agent is important, such as a name, you must include it in the sentence.

Examples:

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.  (active)
The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.

Leonardo DaVinci painted the Mona Lisa.  (active)
The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo DaVinci.

The Ford Motor Company produced the first Model T Ford in 1908.  (active)
The first Model T Ford was produced in 1908 by the Ford Motor Company.

When there is both a direct object and an indirect object, either one can be the subject of the passive voice, but it is more common to use the indirect object.

Examples:

My parents gave me a bicycle for my birthday.
I was given a bicycle for my birthday.  (commonly used)
A bicycle was given to me for my birthday.  (not often used)

After the ballet, they presented her with a bouquet of flowers.
After the ballet, she was presented with a bouquet of flowers.  (commonly used)
After the ballet, a bouquet of flowers was presented to her.  (not often used)

They told him their secret.
He was told their secret.  [commonly used]
Their secret was told to him.  [not often used]

The verb get can also be used in place of be.  Get is most often used:

When the result is negative.

Examples:

A fire destroyed the factory.  (active)
The factory got destroyed in a fire.  (destroyed is a negative result)
OR:  The factory was destroyed in a fire.

Her boss fired her for her sloppy and incomplete work.  (active)
She got fired for her sloppy and incomplete work.  (sloppy and incomplete are negative)
OR:  She was fired for her sloppy and incomplete work.

If he tells the truth, his parents won’t punish him.  (active)
If he tells the truth, he won’t get punished.  (punished is negative)
OR:  If he tells the truth, he won’t be punished.

When the result happened because of some action that was done.

Examples:

They finally painted the porch.  (active)
The porch finally got painted.  (action = painting)
OR:  The porch was finally painted.

The Canadian people elected Pierre Trudeau Prime Minister in 1968.  (active)
Pierre Trudeau got elected Prime Minister in 1968.  (action = running for election)
OR:  Pierre Trudeau was elected Prime Minister in 1968.

Did the company reimburse you for the meal yesterday?  (active)
Did you get reimbursed for the meal yesterday?   (action = asking the company)
OR:  Were you reimbursed for the meal yesterday?

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

This exercise tests the following verb tenses:  simple present, simple past, past continuous, simple future, present perfect, present perfect continuous, future continuous, past perfect, past perfect continuous, future perfect, and future perfect continuous

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

This, that, these and those are called demonstrative adjectives and also demonstrative pronouns.

Demonstrative adjectives are followed by a noun. This and that are used before singular or uncountable nouns. These and those are used before plural nouns.

Examples:
This apple tastes great.
This furniture is lovely.
That man is staring at me.
That advice you gave me proved to be good.
These flowers are beautiful.
Those animals are very strong.

Demonstrative pronouns are used alone with no noun. However, the noun is understood by both the speaker and the listener.

Examples:
This is a wonderful gift.  (This bottle of wine)
I never saw that before.  (that magic trick)
I’ve heard about these.  (these bladeless fans)
I would never eat those.  (those red berries)

Also, those can mean those people.

Examples:
Those who say it can’t be done are wrong.  (Those people …)
The only true citizens are those who vote in every election.  (… those people…)

Use this or these for things that are close in time or space. Use that or those for things that are far in space or time.

Examples:
This neighborhood is much cleaner than the one we used to live in.  (This neighborhood is the one we now live in.) (Close in space)
These opportunities don’t come around very often.  (These opportunities are now.) (Close in time)
If I lived in that country, I would learn the language as fast as I could.  (That country is far away from this country.) (Far in space)
Those days we spent at the beach were wonderful.  (Those days are past.) (Far in time)

Use this to introduce people and that to identify people.

Examples:
Jason, this is June.  June, meet Jason.
That is Paul standing by the window

Use that for things that have just happened or were just mentioned.

Examples:
That movie was quite good, don’t you think?
I know everyone thinks he’s crazy, but I don’t believe that.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Wish and hope are similar but different.  Wish is used for impossible or improbable things.  Hope is used for possible things.  Both wish and hope are used in the present, past and future.

Wish:

In the present, wish is used for things that are not true.  It is the opposite of reality.  The verb after wish is in the simple past, past continuous, or could   Change was to were in formal English.  That can follow wish but is usually dropped, so I’ll write (that).

Examples:
I wish (that) I had an umbrella.
He wishes (that) he were not so nervous.
I wish (that) the sun were shining.  
I wish (that) I could swim.

If the truth is stated first, then just use did for most verbs, were for the verb be, or could.

Examples:
I don’t have an umbrella, but I wish (that) I did.
He’s very nervous, but he wishes (that) he weren’t.
The sun isn’t shining, but I wish (that) it were.
I can’t swim, but I wish (that) I could.

Wish can also be followed by an infinitive and means the same thing as want.  Don’t use that.

Examples:
Who do you wish to see?
He wishes to talk to the company president directly.
The children wish to go swimming.
What do you wish to accomplish?

If you’re wishing something for someone else, use a person and a noun after wish.

Examples:
We wish you good luck.
I wish your mother a speedy recovery.
I wish them a safe trip home.
Do you wish him harm?

In the past, wish is used for things that we’re disappointed about.  The verb after wish is in the past perfect.

Examples
I wish (that) you had told me the truth.
We wish we had been on time.
I wish (that) I had studied for the test.
They wish (that) they had been able to come.
Do you wish (that) you had graduated from high school?

If the truth is stated first, then just use had. (NOTE:  The verbs be and be able to must be repeated.)

Examples:
You didn’t wait for me, but I wish you had.
We weren’t on time, but we wish we had been.
I didn’t study for the test, but I wish I had.
They weren’t able to come, but they wish they had been able to.
You didn’t graduate from high school, but do you wish you had?

In the future, wish is used for things you want to happen.  The verb after wish is would or could (for ability) followed by a verb in the simple form.

Examples:
I wish (that) you would be quiet.
I wish (that) he could stay all summer.
I wish (that) they would remember my name.
We wish (that) you wouldn’t chew with your mouth open.
She wishes (that) she could do it again.

If the truth is stated first, then just use would or could.  (NOTE:  The verb be must be repeated.)

Examples:
You’re not quiet, but I wish (that) you would be.
He can’t stay all summer, but I wish (that) he could.
They don’t remember my name, but I wish (that) they would.
You chew with your mouth open, but we wish (that) you wouldn’t.
She can’t do it again, but she wishes (that) she could.

Hope:

In the present, hope is used when you think the result is possible.  It is followed by the simple present or the present continuous.

Examples:
I hope (that) he finds his glasses.
We hope (that) he likes his present.
He hopes (that) she is feeling better.

In the past, hope is used for things that could already be true, but you don’t know.  It is followed by the simple past or the past continuous.

Examples:
I hope (that) they had a good time at the party.
We hope (that) you enjoyed your time in Vancouver.
I hope (that) you were being truthful with me.
She hopes (that) they were just kidding.

In the future, hope is used for things that could come true.  It is followed by the future (will), the future (going to) or can.

Examples:
They hope (that) we’ll be able to help them.
We hope (that) she is going to agree with us.
I hope (that) you can help me.

Hope can also be followed by an infinitive.

Examples:
We hope to finish by Thursday afternoon.
I hope to be there before dinnertime on Friday.
She hopes to get answers to all her questions.

Hope can also be followed by so and not.

Examples:
Do you think you’ll pass this course?  I hope so.
Do you think you’ll fail this course?  I hope not.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

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The simple past is used for an action or actions that are finished in the past.  For most verbs you add –ed to the end of the basic verb.

Examples:
She arrived back home before dinnertime.
They hated the whole movie from start to finish.
He cleaned the bathroom and vacuumed the carpet.

If the verb is negative, then use didn’t (did not) with the basic verb.

Examples:
She didn’t arrive back home until midnight.
They didn’t hate the movie, but they didn’t like it either.
He didn’t clean the bathroom or vacuum the carpet.

If the verb is interrogative (question), then use did before the subject and the basic verb.

Examples:
Did she arrive back home before dinnertime?
Did they hate the whole movie from start to finish?
Did he clean the bathroom and vacuum the carpet?

There are many irregular verbs whose past tense does not add –ed.  These verbs must be memorized.  They are:

be (am, are, is)      was, were                       lose                        lost
become                   became                            make                     made
begin                        began                                mean                     meant
bite                           bit                                        meet                      met
blow                         blew                                   pay                         paid
break                       broke                                ride                         rode
bring                        brought                           ring                         rang
buy                           bought                             rise                          rose
catch                       caught                              run                          ran
choose                   chose                                 say                          said
come                       came                                 see                           saw
creep                      crept                                  seek                       sought
deal                         dealt                                  sell                          sold
dig                            dug                                     shake                     shook
do                             did                                      shoot                     shot
draw                        drew                                 shrink                   shrank
drink                       drank                                sing                        sang
drive                       drove                                 sink                        sank
eat                           ate                                       sit                           sat
fall                            fell                                      sleep                     slept
feed                         fed                                      slide                      slid
feel                           felt                                     speak                    spoke
fight                         fought                              spit                        spit / spat
find                           found                               spring                   sprang
flee                           fled                                    stand                    stood
fly                              flew                                   steal                      stole
forbid                      forbade                           stick                      stuck
forget                      forgot                               sting                     stung
forgive                    forgave                            stink                     stank
freeze                      froze                                 strike                   struck
get                            got                                      swear                  swore
give                          gave                                   sweep                  swept
go                             went                                   swim                    swam
grow                        grew                                   swing                  swung
hang                        hung                                   take                      took
have                        had                                      teach                   taught
hear                        heard                                  tear                      tore
hide                         hid                                       tell                        told
hold                         held                                    think                    thought
keep                        kept                                    throw                  threw
kneel                       knelt                                   understand      understood
know                       knew                                  wake                    woke
lay                             laid                                      wear                    wore
leave                        left                                      weep                    wept
lead                          led                                       win                        won
lie (down)              lay                                       write                    wrote
light                         lit / lighted

Verbs that have the same present and past forms:

beat                          beat                                    let                        let
bet                            bet                                       pet                       pet
broadcast             broadcast                        put                       put
burst                        burst                                  quit                     quit
cost                          cost                                     read                    read
cut                            cut                                       set                        set
fit                              fit                                         shut                     shut
hit                             hit                                       split                      split
hurt                          hurt                                   spread                spread

Verbs that end in -d that change to -t:

bend                        bent                                   send                     sent
build                        built                                   spend                   spent
lend                         lent

Use these flashcards to help you study.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

Conjunctions are words that are used to connect things.  They are used to connect 2 or more nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs as well as independent clauses, adjective clauses,  adverb clauses, noun clauses, prepositional phrases,  infinitive phrases, and gerund phrases.  

The most common conjunctions are and, but, or and so.  We’ll look at these four first.  The more advanced conjunctions are  for, yet and nor, which we’ll look at later.

Let’s start with and, the most common conjunction, to see how it connects things.  Sometimes both can be used with and but only with 2 single words such as nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.

And connects:

2 independent clauses:

She likes living in her own apartment, and she enjoys the freedom.
Note:  There’s a comma between the 2 clauses when there’s a subject (she) after and.
However, if there’s no subject after and, then there’s no comma.
She likes living in her own apartment and enjoys the freedom.

2 or more nouns:

John and his sister both have red hair.
He plays basketball, soccer, hockey and tennis.
(Note:  There’s a comma ( , ) after each noun, but there’s no comma before and.)

2 or more verbs:

She eats and talks at the same time.
All he does is watch TV, play video games and sleep.

2 or more adjectives:

She is both hardworking and creative.
He’s tall, thin and fast.

2 or more adverbs:

She works quickly and efficiently.
He went into battle boldly, swiftly and forcefully.

2 or more adjective clauses:

She is a girl whose parents are rich and whose trust fund is large.
He only buys things that are unique and have value.

2 adverb clauses:

They brush their teeth after they eat breakfast and before they go to bed.
When I’m lonely and thinking about home, I phone my parents.

2 noun clauses:

What she said and what I heard were two different things.
He planned where they were going and what they would do.

2 or more prepositional phrases:

They’re giving away free samples in the mall and on the street.
He looked under the bed, in the closet and on top of the dresser.

2 infinitive phrases:

To understand the lecture and to take good notes, she had to concentrate.
To stay up all night and study for the test, he had to drink several energy drinks.

2 gerund phrases:

Two of my favorite activities are staying up late and watching old movies.
Playing in all the games and scoring the most points was the highlight of her year.

You can even connect 2 things that aren’t alike:

He did the job discretely and with finesse.
The man was strong and in a bad mood.

But connects things that are opposite or that don’t usually go together.  When the second thing is negative, put but not.

But connects:

2 independent clauses:

I’m going to Chicago, but I don’t know anybody there.
She likes acting but also wants to direct.
(Note:  no comma before but because the subject she has been dropped in the second independent clause.)

2 nouns:

They like the beach but not the water.
She knows a lot about literature but not poetry.

2 verbs:

I swim but don’t dive.
She‘s here but doesn’t want to talk to you.

2 adjectives:

He’s strong but not athletic.
The food was cold but delicious.

2 adverbs:

They did the job quickly but well.
She worked slowly but surely.

2 adjective clauses:

He’s a man who has lots of acquaintances but who has no real friends.
She’s a person whose salary is high but whose work is easy.

2 adverb clauses:

Robert stayed home not because he felt a little sick but because he had a test.
She came down to the kitchen before she brushed her teeth but not before she put on her makeup.

2 noun clauses:

She told him what she had planned but not how she was going to do it.
He told me why he was leaving but not where he was going.

2 prepositional phrases:

We checked in all the classrooms but not in the library.
We work from Monday to Thursday but not on Friday or the weekend.

2 infinitive phrases:

He went outside not to get some fresh air, but to have a cigarette.
I’m studying English not primarily to get into university but to be able to speak to my friends.

2 gerund phrases:

Going to bed early but not falling asleep has been his problem for years.
We like having parties but not cleaning up afterwards.

2 different things:

I write but not very well.
I swim but only in swimming pools.

Or connects choices or possibilities.  It is often used with either, whether, or if, which are put before the first choice or possibility.

Or connects:

2 independent clauses:

I want ice cream for dessert, or maybe I’ll have some pie.
She is either going to tell the truth, or she’ll continue to lie.

2 nouns:

His friend is either a teacher or a social worker.  I forget.
Roses or carnations would be an appropriate gift.

2 verbs:

Whether she passes or fails is her choice.
I couldn’t tell if he was joking or being serious.

2 adjectives:

She can’t decide whether she’s angry or amused.
They’re either stupid or naive.

2 adverbs:

He picked the numbers skillfully or, as my brother says, luckily.
She writes beautifully or terribly, depending on how she feels.

2 adjective clauses:

That’s the city either where he was born or where he went to school.  I forget.
That’s the sort of news that either makes you very hopeful or that makes you sad.

2 adverb clauses:

I lost my wallet either when I was in his office or when I was in the cab coming home.
He got the job either because he was the best qualified or because he was related to the boss.

2 noun clauses:

What he said or what he meant to say is that he’s sorry.
Where she lives or who she sees is none of your business.

2 prepositional phrases:

I left the keys either on the mantle or on the hall table.
We can drive on the road or off the road in this truck.

2 infinitive phrases:

Did you take this job to get rich or to help other people?
To be patient or to be proactive is the choice you now have.

2 gerund phrases:

Their options were doing nothing or trying to solve the problem.
Going out for dinner or making dinner at home are our choices.

2 different things:

She is lying either for a good reason or because she’s afraid.
He doesn’t read for the information or to be entertained.

So connects a reason and a result. 

So only connects:

2 independent clauses:

The weather report is for rain, so we’ll have to cancel the picnic.
Everyone arrived before 8:00, so the meeting started on time.

(The first clause is the reason and the second clause is the result.  You can also join these clauses with because.)

We’ll have to cancel the picnic because the weather report is for rain.
The meeting started on time because everyone arrived before 8:00.

Here is an exercise for these 4 conjunctions:

Now, let’s look at the last 3 conjunctions:  for, yet and nor.  They are more advanced connectors and not as often used as the first 4.

For connects results and reasons.  It is used just like ‘because’, but it always has a comma before it.  It is always used in the middle of the sentence, not at the beginning.

For only connects:

2 independent clauses:

I stayed away, for I was told that I wasn’t welcome.
He brought her flowers, for it was their anniversary that day.
[The first clause is the result; the second clause is the reason.]

You can also say:

He brought her flowers because it was their anniversary that day.
Because it was their anniversary that day, he brought her flowers.

BUT never start a sentence with for.

Yet connects things that are opposite or that don’t usually go together.  It is used just like ‘but‘, and can connect many things.  Just like but, yet is sometimes used with not (yet not, yet he didn’t…)  However, don’t confuse yet not with not yet, which means not at this time but later. 

Yet connects:

2 independent clauses:

We’ve been working all morning, yet we’re no closer to being done. 
She comes to class everyday yet doesn’t do well on the tests.
[Note:  no comma before yet because the subject she has been dropped in the second independent clause.]

2 verbs:

He studies yet continues to get poor marks.
They went to bed, yet they didn’t fall asleep for yours.

2 adjectives:

We’re tired yet anxious to finish this project.
The sofa was modern yet comfortable.

2 adverbs:

He works quickly yet carefully.
They seem excited yet afraid to get started.

2 adjective clauses:

It’s the kind of present that looks expensive yet that doesn’t cost too much.
That’s the city where I lived, yet not where I went to school.

2 adverb clauses:

He kissed her when he got home yet not when she left in the morning.
He could watch TV after he came home yet not until he had finished his homework.

2 noun clauses:

What she said yet not what she meant was the topic of conversation.
He could eat what he wanted yet not when he wanted to.

2 prepositional phrases:

There was fire damage on the ceiling yet not on the walls.
He put the date on the calendar yet not in his smart phone where he usually puts such things.

2 infinitive phrases:

To work all day yet to accomplish very little was frustrating.
They were allowed to speak to him yet not to look directly at him.

2 gerund phrases: 

Studying for hours yet not passing the mid-term made him frustrated.
She prefers going to bed late yet getting up early the next day.

2 different things:

He likes drinking his coffee black yet with plenty of sugar.
She was in a good mood yet not ready to listen to him.

Nor connects things that are negative.  It is often used with neither.  With two independent clauses nor requires the following verb to be inverted, just like a question.  Also, nor is not followed by other negative words like not or never.  With single words, nouns, verbs, etc., nor must be used with neither, which goes before the first of the two things connected.

Nor connects:

2 independent clauses:

I don’t like spaghetti, nor do I like lasagna.
[I don’t like spaghetti, and I don’t like lasagna.]
Note: do I like is the inverted and positive form of I (don’t) like.

She doesn’t waste her money, nor does she waste her time.
[She doesn’t waste money, and she doesn’t waste time.]
Note: does she waste is the inverted and positive form of she (doesn’t) wait.

2 nouns:

Neither John nor his brother knew about the wedding.
He chose neither the Toyota nor the Nissan.

2 verbs:

She neither smokes nor drinks alcohol.
We neither need nor want your assistance.

2 adjectives:

They’re neither rich nor poor.
I’m neither angry nor disappointed that you dropped out of school.

2  adverbs:

He fixed the sink neither quickly nor correctly.
She studied neither hard nor long for the final exam.

Note:  2 adjective clauses cannot be connected with nor.

2 adverb clauses:

She doesn’t hug him when he leaves nor when he gets home.
He doesn’t brush his teeth after he eats nor before he goes to bed.

2 noun clauses:

He wouldn’t tell us what she said nor where she went.
She didn’t know where she was nor what time it was.

2 prepositional phrases:

His backpack wasn’t by the front door nor on the front porch.
She didn’t play sports in the fall nor in the winter.

2 infinitive phrases:

We didn’t want to get you too excited nor to frighten you.
Management didn’t want a gym for their own use nor for the use of the staff.

2 gerund phrases: 

She doesn’t like writing letters nor sending emails.
Neither apologizing to her nor sending her flowers had any effect.

2 different things:

She wouldn’t tell me her phone number nor where she lived.
His essay was neither well written nor in the correct format.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot