Essential English Grammar: Tenses, Passive Voice, and Modals
English Grammar Essentials
Unit 1: Common Phrases and Present Tenses
Common Phrases:
- At least: al menos
- At once: en seguida
- At last: al final
- At all: en absoluto
Present Simple
- To say when things happen if they take place regularly: I meet my friends on Saturdays.
- To talk about permanent situations: I live in a small flat.
- To state general truths: Teenagers sleep more than adults.
Present Continuous
- To talk about the present moment: I am watching TV.
- For a temporary action or event: I am staying with my granny.
- For repeated actions and events over a period of time: I am learning to play the guitar (not at the present moment).
- For changing or developing situations: The world is getting warmer.
- For events with a future meaning: We are playing football on Wednesday.
Future Tense: Will vs. Going To
Will:
- For decisions made at the moment of speaking: The phone is ringing, I will answer it.
- For anything uncertain (with probably, maybe, etc.): I probably won't finish this project today.
- For predictions: The number of people will grow.
- For requests, promises, and offers: I will give you your book.
Going to:
- For something decided but not a definite arrangement: I am going to ring my friend in a minute.
- To predict something with evidence: It is going to rain (I can see the clouds).
Unit 2: Past Tenses
Past Simple
- Completed actions and events in the past: I went to the city yesterday.
- Repeated actions and events in the past: I practised the guitar every time before the concert.
- Permanent or long-term situations in the past: My family lived in Paris.
Present Perfect Simple
- To talk about a period of time still continuing (with since or for): I've lived in this village for five years.
- For finished actions and events: I haven't been to the new pool yet.
- For events that happened in the recent past: She's gone to the cinema.
- To talk about how many times something has happened: I've already heard this band.
Unit 3: The Passive Voice
- When we don't know who or what does something: My bike was stolen.
- When the action is more important than the agent: The match has been canceled because of the weather.
- When it is obvious who or what does something: The film will be shot in Brazil.
Have Something Done
Structure: have + thing/person + past participle
Example: She had her hair and make-up done before going on stage.
Unit 4: Modal Verbs and Prepositions
Modal Verbs:
- Should: is advised
- Could: was possible
- Must: seems certain
Common Prepositional Phrases:
- Depends on
- Responsible for
- Jealous of
- Help with
- Excited about
- Interested in