Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for English

English Grammar

Verb Tenses

Past Tense Transformations

• Present Simple (eats/eat) → Past Simple (ate)
• Don't/Doesn't → Didn't
• Present Continuous (am, is, are + v ing) → Past Continuous (was, were + v ing)
• Past Simple (-ed or irregular) → Past Perfect (had + past participle)
• Present Perfect (have, has + past participle) → Past Perfect
• Past Perfect (had + past participle) → Past Perfect
• Past Continuous (was, were + v ing) → Past Perfect Continuous (had + been + v ing)
• Present Perfect Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
• Past Perfect Continuous → Past Perfect Continuous
• Future: Will + infinitive → Would + infinitive
• Can → Could + infinitive
• Must/Have to → Had to + infinitive
• May → Might + infinitive

Changes in Reported Speech

• Now → Then
• Today

... Continue reading "English Grammar and Vocabulary Guide" »

Reported Speech

Types of Reported Speech

Yes/No Questions

Structure: S + reporting verb + if/whether + S + past tense verb

Example: He asked if he was late.

Wh- Questions

Structure: S + reporting verb + wh-word + S + past tense verb

Example: He asked where he had left his keys.

Orders and Requests

Structure: S + reporting verb + object + (not) + to + infinitive

Note: Use "told" for orders.

Example: He told me to be quiet.

Suggestions

Structure 1: S + suggest (tense) + (not) + verb-ing

Structure 2: S + suggest + that + S + should + infinitive

Example: She suggested going for a walk.

Reporting Verbs

Verbs followed by "to + infinitive"

Examples: agree, offer, refuse, promise, threaten

Example: We agreed not to buy a car.

Additional verbs with object: advise, invite,... Continue reading "Reported Speech: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples" »

Living Our Values: Building a Better World From Within

In my daily life, I try to practice the values of Love, Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, and Non-Violence. These values are not just ideas; they are actions that help us grow as people and build better communities.

For example, I show love by supporting my friends emotionally and volunteering when others need help. I’ve learned that helping others can change their day and make a big difference. I believe that right conduct means being honest, punctual, and responsible in school and work. It also means being organized and keeping my expenses in order (Unit 1 - Personal Banking).

In my leadership roles, I have learned to listen carefully, speak with respect, and try to solve problems with peaceful... Continue reading "Practicing Core Values for Community Improvement" »

Complete the sentences with the verbs below in Past Simple:

walk, enjoy, like, watch, travel, finish, listen

1. Lucy liked her birthday presents.
2. Last weekend I walked in the mountains for 2 hours.
3. We enjoyed the party very much.
4. Ken listened to his favorite CD yesterday.
5. My sister studied Maths for an exam.
6. They traveled to the USA in 2003.
7. Dad washed his car last weekend.
8. The film finished at 11:30.

Write the sentences in negative:

1. Lucy didn't like her birthday presents.
2. Last weekend I didn't walk in the mountains for 2 hours.
3. We didn't enjoy the party very much.
4. Ken didn't listen to his favorite CD yesterday.
5. My sister didn't study months for German.
6. They didn't travel to the USA in 2003.
7. Dad didn't wash his car last weekend.
8. The film didn't finish at 11:30.

... Continue reading "English Past Tense, 'Used To,' and Present Continuous" »

Infinitive Versus Verbs + ING

Infinitive (to + verb)

• To state the purpose of an action (e.g., "to accept").
• To explain why something exists (e.g., "to reduce").
• After the adverbs "too" and "enough".

Verbs + ING (Gerund)

• After any preposition.
• As the subject or object of a sentence.
• After verbs such as: admit, avoid, celebrate, delay, enjoy, finish, keep, miss, practise, regret, risk, stop, suggest.
• After expressions like: "It's no (good, worth, use)" or "It's a waste of time" (also includes "can't stand," "help").

Vocabulary: Ambition, Career, Experience, and Job

To achieve a certain ambition, one needs experience to build a career.

• Ambition: achieve, fulfil, realise.
• Career: build, make, pursue, start out on.
• Experience: gain, get, have, look for.
• Job: apply

... Continue reading "English Grammar: Verbs, Prepositions, and Vocabulary" »

Distinctive Feature Theory

Distinctive Feature Theory challenges Phoneme Theory (PT) by focusing on the features that compose phonemes, rather than the phonemes themselves. This approach questions the validity of the phoneme concept, arguing that speech is not simply a series of discrete sounds.

Natural Class: A set of sounds sharing phonetic features, affected by the same environment, and having the same effect on surrounding sounds.

Major Class Features

• Vowels: [+SYLLABIC], [+SONORANT], [-CONSONANTAL] - form the syllable nucleus.
• Glides: [-SYLLABIC], [+SONORANT], [-CONSONANTAL].
• Sonorant Consonants (nasals and liquids): [+/-SYLLABIC], [+SONORANT], [+CONSONANTAL].
• Obstruents: [-SYLLABIC], [-SONORANT], [+CONSONANTAL].

Consonant Features

• Voice: [+/-VOICE]

... Continue reading "Phonetics and Phonology: Distinctive Features and Vowel Sounds" »

Reported Speech

• Present Simple → Past Simple
• Present Continuous → Past Continuous
• Present Perfect → Past Perfect
• Future with will → Future in the Past
• Imperative → Infinitive
• I / We → He / She / They
• My / Our → His / Her / Their
• Your → My / Her / His / Their
• Here → There
• Now / At the moment → Then / At the time
• Today → That day
• Tomorrow → The next day / The following day
• Yesterday → The day before / The previous day
• This → That
• Last → The previous / Before

Zero Conditional

If + present tense → present tense or infinitive

Use: General truths, habitual actions, repeated events, or instructions.

First Conditional

If + present simple → will

Use: To talk about a possible future event. If can appear at the beginning or in the middle... Continue reading "English Grammar Essentials: Reported Speech & Verb Forms" »

Verb Tense Summary

Present Simple (Pres.S)

am/is/are + participle. He/She/It: do $\rightarrow$ does/doesn't. Will not.

Present Continuous (Pres.Cont)

am/is/are + being + participle.

Past Simple (Past.S)

was/were + participle.

Past Continuous (Past.Cont)

was/were + being + participle.

Present Perfect (Pres.Perf)

have/has + been + participle.

Past Perfect (Past.Perf)

had + been + participle.

Future Simple (Future.S)

will + be + participle.

Going To Future

am/is/are + going to + be + participle.

Auxiliary Verbs Summary

have/has/past: had.

Modal Verbs (Second Conditional Context)

Second Modals: might/may/could.

Examples: not buy $\rightarrow$ didn't buy. He/She/It WERE.

Participles

Third Participle: verb + ed. Go $\rightarrow$ gone. Be $\rightarrow$ have been.

Conditional

... Continue reading "English Grammar Structures and Formal Letter Correction" »

Orden of adjectives: O(opinion), S(size), SH(shape), A(age), C(colour), O(origin).
____________________________________________________
FUTURE:
-Will: Predictions, opinions, spontaneous, decisions.
-Be going to: plans for the future, intention of future, predictions with evidence.
-Present continuous: Arrangements(preparativos), dates(fechas).
-Future continuous: S+WILL+BE+GERUND. Finished action in the future.
-Future perfect: S+WILL+HAVE+PAST PART. Completed action in the future
____________________________________________________
Such...that / So...that:
Such + (a/an [singular]) + adjective + noun + that
It was such a cramped street that we couldn't walk.
So + adjective + that
The street was so cramped that we couldn't walk.

Conditional sentences:

First... Continue reading "Orden of adjectives, future, conditional sentences and wishes and regrets in English" »

Concept of Active and Passive Voice

We focus the action of the verb in the subject (active voice) or object (passive).

Examples:

• Active Voice: The porter carries the bags. (The porter carries the bags.)
• Passive Voice: The bags are carried by the porter. (The bags are carried by the porter.)

Grammar Rules

The passive voice is formed using the verb to be + the main verb's past participle.

Table of Verbal Changes: Active to Passive Voice Transformation

Considering the points above, this scheme shows the changes to the tense when transforming an active sentence into a passive sentence. We use the example: to write a letter.

Verb forms for 'to write': write (present) / wrote (past) / written (past participle).

Tense of the Active Sentence	Active Sentence Example	Passive

... Continue reading "Mastering Active and Passive Voice Transformations" »