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

English Verb Tenses: Structure and Examples

This section outlines the 12 core English verb tenses, detailing their affirmative and negative structures using the verb to eat as an example. (Note: Base refers to the infinitive without 'to', V2 is the Past Simple form, and V3 is the Past Participle form.)

1. Present Simple Tense

   Affirmative: Subject + Base / Subject + Base + s (for 3rd person singular)
   Negative: Subject + do/does not + Base
   Example: I eat / I do not eat

2. Present Continuous Tense

   Affirmative: Subject + am/is/are + Verb + ing
   Negative: Subject + am/is/are not + Verb + ing
   Example: I am eating / I am not eating

3. Present Perfect Tense

   Affirmative: Subject + have/has + V3
   Negative: Subject + have/has not + V3
   Example: I have eaten / I have not

Reflections on the Past Generation

1. What did you think about the youth in your time?

I thought they were very full of life and dreams, but they also had their own worries.

2. How were young people different in your time?

They were closer and spent more time together, without as much distraction. They had more communication skills.

3. What values did you see changing in the younger generation back then?

Individualism and self-expression became more important. Thanks to technology, the new generation is improving their computer programming skills.

4. Did you think technology impacted young people positively or negatively in your time?

Technology was starting to appear and it was exciting, but it could also be disconnecting.

5. What advice would you

Improve your English grammar and rephrasing skills with these common sentence transformation examples. Each example demonstrates how to express the same idea using different grammatical structures.

1. Original:

   My aunt would spend hours watching the birds in the park.

   Transformed:

   My aunt used to spend hours watching the birds in the park.

2. Original:

   We had to deal with the matter carefully.

   Transformed:

   The matter had to be dealt with carefully.

3. Original:

   “Let’s go swimming!” she said.

   Transformed:

   She suggested going swimming.

4. Original:

   “Would you like a cup of tea?”

   Transformed:

   He offered me a cup of tea.

5. Original:

   Her house was broken into because she didn’t lock it.

   Transformed:

   If she had locked her house, it wouldn’t have been broken into.

6. Original:

Mastering Advanced Future Tenses

Future Continuous Tense

We use the Future Continuous to talk about an action that will be in progress at a certain time in the future.

Example: This time tomorrow, I'll be flying to Greece.

Structure:

Subject + will be + -ing form

Future Perfect Simple Tense

We use the Future Perfect Simple to talk about an action completed before a certain time in the future.

Example: By 3 p.m. tomorrow, I'll have arrived in Greece.

Structure:

Subject + will have + past participle

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

We use the Future Perfect Continuous to say how long an action will have been in progress at a certain time in the future.

Example: By next Saturday, I'll have been travelling around Greece for a week.

Structure:

Subject + will have

Dear Mr. Jones

1. T, T, F, F, DS
2. On 28th July at 11 pm.
3. Because they arrived late, their room wasn’t available. / There were no rooms available.
4. The hotel regulation: guests must pay for the room in advance if they want the hotel to keep the room after the expected arrival time.
5. The price was £100 more than the Lotus Hotel.
6. Pay compensation for the trouble and expense.

Vocabulary Exercise 1

1. I worked a lot of overtime last month.
2. Some people don’t like to be asked their age.
3. Don’t leave your bags or luggage unattended.
4. We spoke to the manager about the rude hotel staff.
5. The job pays a voucher salary of £50,000 a year.
6. The hotel has got a restaurant on its premises.
7. We asked Kate to help, but she refused.
8. I’m thinking of accompanying Jenny.

Vocabulary

Causative Verbs in English

Causative verbs are used when one person or thing causes another person or thing to do something, or to have something done to them. Here are the main forms:

Form 1: Subject + Have / Get + Object + Past Participle

• Structure: Subject + have / get + Object + Past Participle
• Example: I got my hair cut last week.

Form 2: Subject + Have + Agent + Base Verb + Object

• Structure: Subject + have + Agent + Base Verb + Object
• Example: Sussane had her brother cut.

Form 3: Subject + Get + Person + To + Base Verb

• Structure: Subject + get + Person + to + Base Verb
• Example: She gets her son to do this.

Understanding the Passive Voice

The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action rather than the doer of the action. It is often used... Continue reading "Mastering English Sentence Structures: Causatives, Passives, Conditionals, Relative Clauses" »

Key Social Topics in Spain

Right to Education

When we talk about the right education, we refer to the right to a school education for children. In Spain, education is compulsory until sixteen years of age. In underdeveloped countries, a great majority of children do not have this right, and most organizations work for this cause. From my point of view, all people should have this right and be able to make use of it. Rich countries, for example France or the USA, should provide financial support for this cause.

Young People and Family Bonds

In Spain, families and friends are important and very close. A tradition is to gather the entire family on Sundays for lunch and spend the day together. From my experience, my family is very small but we are... Continue reading "Spanish Social Issues: Education, Family, and Consumerism" »

Refining Your Professional Narrative

1. Personal Motivation and Application Rationale

I am a dedicated individual who works hard. I am genuinely interested in this position and committed to continuous learning and professional growth.

2. Demonstrating Leadership and Management Skills

I successfully directed my team to complete a project. By providing clear instructions and coordination, we ensured the work was finished efficiently and on time.

3. Learning from Past Mistakes (Wrong Decision)

My mistake involved failing to ask for necessary assistance. I learned the critical importance of seeking help when needed to prevent errors in the future.

4. My Greatest Professional and Personal Achievement

My greatest achievement is completing my education and... Continue reading "Essential Answers for Job Interviews and Career Growth" »

Journalist's Urgent Warning to Mrs. Torbay

Dear Mrs. Torbay,

I hope you are well. I am writing to inform you about some recent reports regarding your husband, Ronald Torbay. As a journalist, I have been following his actions closely, and I must say that I am concerned. Many people have reported that Ronald has been acting in a strange and aggressive manner lately.

Some witnesses claim that he has made threats and behaved violently in public. These reports are worrying, and I feel it is important that you are aware of the situation.

If you need further information or would like to discuss this matter more, please do not hesitate to contact me. I recommend that you take the necessary steps to ensure your safety.

I hope this letter helps you understand... Continue reading "Urgent Safety Concerns: Addressing Domestic Threats" »

Mastering Irregular Verbs

LOREM IPSUM

be.was.been.ser.estar.beat.beat.beaten.golpear.become.became.become.llegaraser.begin.began.begun.empezar.bend.bent.bent.doblar.bet.apostar.bite.bit.bitten.morder.bleed.bled.bled.sangrar.blow.blew.blown.soplar.break.broke.broken.romper.bring.brought.brought.traer.build.built.built.construir.burn.burnt.burnt.quemar.buy.bought.bought.comprar.catch.caught.caught.coger.choose.chose.chosen.elegir.come.came.come.venir.cost.cost.cost.gastar.cut.cut.cut.cortar.dig.dug.dug.cavar.do.did.done.hacer.draw.drew.drawn.dibujar.dream.dreamt.dreamt.soñar.drink.drank.drunk.beber.drive.drove.driven.conducir.eat.ate.eaten.comer.fall.fell.fallen.caer.feed.fed.fed.alimentar.feel.felt.felt.sentir.fight.fought.fought.luchar.find.