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INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE ENGENHARIA DO PORTO

SUPERIOR TECHNICAL SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING PREPARATORY COURSE (ANO ZERO) 2006 | 2007

INGLS | ENGLISH GRAMMAR SUMMARY | RESUMO DE GRAMTICA


(BOOKLET GS1)

DOCENTE | TEACHER:

Ana Margarida Barata (ABT)

Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Contents:
Present Tenses Form and Use
Present Simple Present Continuous Present Perfect 3 3 4 5 7 7 7 8 9 12 14 15 15 16 19 21 21 22 23 23 24 26 27

Past Tenses Form and Use


Past Simple Past Continuous Past Perfect

Future Time Form and Use

Modals Meaning / Use / Form Passive Voice Use and Form

Expressing Time and Place


Time prepositions and expressions Place prepositions

Adjectives followed by prepositions Form and Use

Verbs followed by prepositions Form and Use


Prepositional verbs Phrasal verbs

Making Comparisons Form and Use


Formation Use in sentences

Relative Clauses and Relative Pronouns Form and Use

Bibliography

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Present Tenses Form and Use PRESENT SIMPLE:


FORM: Present Simple is formed with the bare infinitive form of the verb:
Example: I like

You like

We like

They like

We add s in the third person singular he / she / it. Verbs ending in o, s, ch, sh, x add es:
Examples: She likes

He goes He wishes

She watches It relaxes

She misses

Questions: Present Simple questions are formed with do and the bare infinitive form of the verb. Third person singular is formed with does and the bare infinitive form of the verb.
Examples: Do you like?

Does he like?

Negatives: Present Simple negatives are formed with do not and the bare infinitive form of the verb. Third person singular is formed with does not and the bare infinitive form of the verb.
Examples: I do not like / I dont like She does not like/ She doesnt like

USE / MEANING: We use the present simple to describe: Habitual actions:


E.g.: He needs his computer every day. He never uses his calculator.

Natural, scientific or permanent truth:


E.g.: Water boils at 100 degrees centigrade.

Personal facts:
E.g.: We like working with computers.

Frequency Adverbs are often used with present simple. They explain how often someone does an action, or something happens. always DDDDD often; frequently DDDD usually; normally DDD sometimes; occasionally DD rarely; hardly ever; seldom D never
Note: The frequency adverb goes between the pronoun (I, she, he, etc.) or the person and the verb. Example: She always has classes at 8 oclock in the morning.

Frequency adverbs used with the verb be come after the verb.
Example: Jim is usually late.

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

State verbs: some verbs are usually used in the present simple and not in the present continuous.

Examples: hear see smell taste (often used with can) notice recognize believe feel (that) think (that) forget remember know mean suppose understand like love dislike hate want wish seem belong to contain matter

PRESENT CONTINUOUS
FORM: Present Continuous is formed from the verb be +verb (bare infinitive) +-ing
Example: I am relaxing.

She is relaxing.

We are relaxing.

They are relaxing.

Spelling: Verbs ending e drop the e when they add ing. E.g.: like liking. decide deciding. Verbs with one syllable, ending in one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant when they add ing. E.g.: sit sitting. swim swimming. Verbs ending ie change ie to y. E.g.: lie lying. tie tying USE / MEANING: We use the present continuous to describe Actions happening at the moment:
E.g.: I am reading now. Note: with now and already and time phrases such as: at the/this moment; at the present moment;

die dying

Certain future:
E.g.: They are arriving at 2 p.m..

Temporary habit:
E.g.: She is studying computer languages this semester.

Repeated annoying Actions:


E.g.: My computer is always breaking down!

Plans for a near future:


E.g.: I cant forget Im having an important meeting with the director tomorrow.

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

PRESENT PERFECT
Present Perfect Simple:
FORM: Have / Has + Past Participle (main verb):
Example: I have decided to leave tomorrow.

She hasnt written to her mother yet.

USE / MEANING: Present perfect simple generally describes past events which are connected to the present: An event in the past but without a definite time.
E.g.: Helen has bought a palmtop.

We dont know when this happened, and she still has got the palm top. There is no time expression. A state or repeated event lasting until the present, and still happening. There is a time expression, describing how long or how often something has happened. E.g.: Ive lived here for ten years. Ive often seen Jim with his laptop in the park. Explaining a present situation when an exact time is not mentioned:
E.g.: Whats the matter? Why are you walking like that?

Ive hurt my foot. Experiences in the past when an exact time is not mentioned.
E.g.: Have you visited any other countries? Yes, Ive been to Italy and France.

Completion: we often use the present perfect when we describe how many things are completed so far and an exact time is not mentioned. E.g.: Mary has read a hundred pages of her History book.

Other common uses (with time expressions): ever / never: when we ask or talk about our experiences in life.
E.g.: Have you ever eaten Japanese food? No, Ive never eaten it.

yet / already / so far We use yet in questions and negative sentences. It has a similar meaning to so far. We used so far in positive sentences.
E.g.: Have you finished this book yet? No, Im on page 56.

How many pages have you read so far? Ive read 56 pages. We use already to describe an action which happened before.
E.g.: When are your classes going to start?

They have already started. just is used to refer to a very recent event.
E.g.: Cathy has just entered the room.

Frequency adverbs: always / often.


E.g.: He has always loved computer games. (a state)

We have often visited Spain. (a repeated event) for / since : for describes a period of time. E.g.: Tom has worked here for three months. since describes when the period of time started E.g.: Tom has worked here since July 10th.

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Present Perfect Continuous


FORM: Have / Has + been (Past Participle of be) + Present Participle (-ing):
Example: I have been waiting here all morning.

What have you been doing lately? USE / MEANING: Present perfect continuous, like present perfect simple, generally describes past events which are connected to the present. The continuous form gives a number of different meanings: It can emphasize the length to time and action. E.g.: I have been waiting here all morning. (The person speaking isnt happy with this situation!) It can emphasize that the action is recent.
E.g.: Youre very dirty! What have you been doing?

Ive been fixing my bike.

(This action is recent because we can see the result.)

It can emphasize that the action is temporary.


E.g.: Ive been staying in a hotel for the past month.

Common uses: Recent activities:


E.g.: What have you been doing lately?

Ive been working a lot. James has been feeling ill for weeks. Continuing actions: E.g.: How long have you been studying English? He has been living in Barcelona for 3 years. Repeated actions Time expressions with present perfect continuous
E.g.: I have been phoning her for days, but shes never at home.

E.g.: all day; all morning; , for days; for ages; ; lately; recently

Contrasts with present perfect simple: Present perfect simple often emphasizes that an action is finished, but present perfect continuous can emphasize that it is still going on:
E.g.: I have written five letters.

(Present Perfect Simple) The number stresses that the action is completed. I have been writing letters. (Present Perfect Continuous) This suggests that the writer has not finished.

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Past Tenses Form and Use PAST SIMPLE:


FORM: Regular Verbs Past Simple regular verbs add ed to the bare infinitive. Verbs ending in e simply add d. All persons have the same form.
Example: I enjoyed the film. I entered in University.

Irregular Verbs It is necessary to learn irregular forms. You have a list available in this anthology.
Examples: eat ate

drink drunk

forget forgot

USE / MEANING: We use the Past Simple to describe: Definite events in the past; a definite time expression can be used with these events.
Examples: I enjoyed the film we saw last night.

James bought a new computer two weeks ago. Habitual actions in the past.
Example: Every day we got up early and went to the beach.

PAST CONTINUOUS:
FORM: Present Continuous is formed from the verb be (past) +verb (bare infinitive) +-ing
Examples: I was sitting by the door.

You were laughing. USE / MEANING:

He was sleeping. She was playing computer games. We were discussing an important topic.

Past continuous describes a continuing situation. This is often contrasted with a sudden event.
Examples:

Continuing situation They were doing a research work While he was waiting for the beginning of the class,

Sudden event when the lights went out. he met a new classmate.

Past continuous is used to describe a number of continuing situations, as background description.


Example: The corridor was full of students. Some were talking, some were writing notes, and others were simply

standing there. Everyone was waiting for the final grades to come out. It is also used to describe two continuing situations, which are happening at the same time.
Example: While Jim was cooking, David was checking the news on the Internet.

Time expressions: With Past Simple: two hours ago / in September / last week / at 6.00 / for 3 years With Past Continuous: While / When

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

PAST PERFECT
Past Perfect Simple:
FORM: Had + Past Participle (main verb):
Examples: I had decided to leave tomorrow.

She had left.

They hadnt eaten.

USE / MEANING: Past perfect simple is used when we need to make clear that one event in the past happened before another event in the past.
Examples: Sue left at 7.00. We arrived at her house at 8.30. When we arrived at Sues house, she had left.

Note: it is not necessary to use past perfect simple just because an event happened a long time ago. We use past simple: E.g.: The Chinese built the great Wall over two thousand years ago. Common uses: With realise:
E.g.: When I got home I realised I had lost my wallet.

With verbs of thinking:


E.g.: think, know, be sure, remember, suspect, understand, etc.

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Future Time Form and Use


We can refer to future time in English by using will / shall, be going to or by using present tenses. These forms dont have all the same meaning, so its necessary to choose the most suitable one. Read the explanations that follow attentively:

Will and Shall


FORM: Will future is formed with the infinitive without to. Shall is used in formal situations with I and we. Negative of will = wont / Negative of shall = shant USE / MEANING: Will describes a prediction or what we think will happen in the future. There is usually a time expression. We can use perhaps when we are uncertain, probably when we are almost certain, or definitely when we are certain:
Examples: Perhaps itll rain tomorrow.

In the next century, most people will probably work from home, using only the Internet. On the 10th June I will definitely not have classes. If they test the computer, they will find the malfunction. Thatll be John at the door. (This means that I suppose it is John.) Will is also used to express an immediate decision:
Examples: Ill take this bag.

(Decisions expressed with going to refer to a more distant point in the future.)

Be going to
FORM: Be going to future is formed with the verb be + going + the infinitive. USE / MEANING: there are two very similar meanings: 1. Plans or intentions It is a plan, so it may not happen: Im going to do lots of work this evening. 2. Present cause It is a prediction based on something we can see or know about. Look out! Those CDs are going to fall on the floor!

Present Continuous with future meaning


FORM: Be +verb +-ing USE / MEANING: We can use the present continuous to refer to the future when we talk about events which are arranged for the future. It is often used when we talk about social arrangements.
Example: I cant forget Im having an important meeting with the director tomorrow.

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Future Continuous
FORM: will or shall +be + verb +-ing
Example: This time tomorrow Ill be eating lunch on the plane.

(Note: shall is used in formal situations with I and we; it is considered to be restricted in British English and declining in use.) USE / MEANING: Future continuous describes a temporary situation or activity in the future. We often use it when we compare what we are doing now with what we will be doing in the future. We usually use a time expression (e.g.: in five yeas time; tomorrow) We also use the future continuous to describe something which will definitely happen because an arrangement has already been made.
Example: Well be holding a meeting soon, so we can decide then. (This means that the

meeting will happen anyway.)

Future Perfect
FORM: will or shall +have + past participle (of the main verb)
Example: By the time we get to the cinema, the film will have begun.

USE / MEANING: Future perfect describes a situation which has not happened yet. At a time in the future it will happen.
Example: By the time we get to the cinema, the film will have begun. (This means that when we arrive at the

cinema we can say, The film has begun. We often use by or by the time.) It can also be used to express an assumption on the part of the speaker:
Example: You wont have heard the explanation, of course. (This means that I assume you have not heard

what has been explained.)

Other ways of referring to the Future


Using the Present Simple: when we talk about events which are fixed and cannot be altered (they arent simply the wishes of the speaker); and when describing timetables.
Examples: Jims presentation is at 11 a.m.. (Timetable; calendar reference)

Our head teacher retires next year. (Fixed, unchangeable event). Future time clauses: in a future time clause, we can refer to the future with the form of the present simple after a time word (e.g.: when, until / till, as soon as); we can also use the present perfect, when we emphasize that an action is complete.
Examples: When I see her again, Ill tell her your news. (Present Simple)

Please, wait here until Mrs. Seymour comes back. (Present Simple) As soon as were ready, well phone you. (Present Simple) Lets run home before it rains. (Present Simple) Hand in your paper as soon as you have finished. (Present Perfect)
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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Is / are to be: this form is used to describe formal arrangements:


Example: All students are to meet in the school hall at 4 p.m..

Be about to, be on the point of, be due to:


Examples: The class is about to start.

Be about to and be on the point of refer to the next moment The President is on the point of resigning.

Be due to refers to scheduled times.


Example: Students are due to deliver their research work on 24th November.

Other future references:


Hope: this can be followed by either the present or future tenses.
Examples: I hope it doesnt rain tomorrow.

I hope the exam wont be difficult. Other verbs followed by WILL: Most verbs of thinking can be followed by will if there is future reference. These include: think, believe, expect, doubt
Examples: I expect the train will be late.

I doubt whether the students will be on time. Just / just about to: these expression can be used to express something on the point of happening:
Example: Hurry up! The test is just starting! / The test is just about to start!

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

MODALS MEANING / USE / FORM


Modal auxiliaries do not change their form they do not have the third person present simple s and do not form tenses. Modal auxiliaries are always followed by a verb infinitive (without to). The meaning of modal auxiliaries depends on the context they are used. Read the explanations that follow attentively: MODAL AUXILIARY can / cant / cannot (Present) could / couldnt (Past) be able to (used instead of can to
form other tenses)

MEANING / FUNCTION Ability

USE: EXAMPLES
Sofia can speak French and English fluently. Can you lift a 19 monitor alone, Alice? Of course I can! Jane could already swim very well when she was 9. Paul couldnt play the guitar when he was 6. Will you be able to teach Joan how to play that game? (Future) Jim had never been able to dance so well before! (Past Perfect) Can I leave earlier, please? (Neutral) You cant go out tonight. End of discussion!, his father pointed. Could I leave earlier? (Polite) - No, you cant. May I leave earlier? (Very Polite) Yes, you may. You wont be allowed to go camping in summer if you fail. (Future)

Permission
(asking for, giving and refusing permission)

can / cant could may allowed / not allowed to (used instead of can to form other tenses)

Possibility or uncertainty

may / might (Present)

Joan might go to Sweden next year. (It is possible) I may/might have some news for you next week. (Perhaps I will; it is uncertain) He could be stuck in the traffic (Perhaps he is.) Maria might/ may/ could have taken the bus. (Its possible, perhaps she did.) President Bush cant win the next election. (Its impossible.) He must be at an important meeting. (Im sure he is.) She cant be in Greece! I saw her today! (Im sure she isnt.) Charles cant have bought a new car. He is completely broken! (Im sure he didnt.) 1. When explaining that something is necessary: I must finish this information sheet before 8 p.m.. = I have to finish this information sheet before 8 p.m.. 2. When describing official rules or any rule from an external authority: If the traffic lights are red, you have to stop. 3. Emphasis to show that an action is very important: You must be here by 8.00, or the bus will leave without you.

could (uncertainty, specially when


used with be) (Present)

might have/ may have/ could have + past participle (Past) Impossibility or certainty must have / cant have + past participle (Past) Obligation must / have to must / cant (Present)

mustnt (describes something that is


forbidden)

You mustnt smoke in a gas station. You dont have to turn on the central heating. Its automatic. When I was in kindergarten we had to wear uniform. Joseph didnt have to do any homework yesterday.

dont have to (describes an


unnecessary action)

had to / didnt have to (used to


express the past)

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Advice and opinion

should / shouldnt (Present)

Advice: (I think) you should talk to your teacher about it. Opinion: I think the police shouldnt be soft with criminals. Expectation: They should arrive at 10 a.m.. The same use as should / shouldnt (more formal): The police ought not to be soft with criminals. In my opinion youd better stay at home and rest. You look tired. Wed better not forget to turn off the computer!

ought to / ought not to (Present) had better (non-modal) (Present)

Used in the past, they often describe a criticism: should have / shouldnt have + past participle (Past) You should have worked harder! = ought to have / ought not to have You shouldnt have eaten so much yesterday! + past participle (more formal)

Asking, accepting and refusing Asking for information Making an offer to do something Offers and preferences

can / will / would

Can you help Joan? Sorry, I cant/ Of course I can. (neutral) Will you wait a few minutes? (formal) Would you wait a moment, please? (formal)

can / could / would

Can you tell me the time were having exam? (neutral) Could you tell me? (more polite) Would you mind telling me? (most polite)

shall would would rather (+ verb infinitive) would prefer (+ gerund / noun)

Shall I carry this suitcase for you?

Offering: Would you like a soft drink? Asking preferences: Do you prefer westerns or sci-fi films? Id rather watch a western today. Id prefer watching a western. Id prefer tea, please. Ill be back in a few minutes. I wont do anything silly, dont worry! Can you turn on the lights, please? (neutral) Could you turn on the lights, please? (more polite) Would you mind helping me? (most polite)

Promises Requests

will / will not = wont can / could / would

Suggestions

shall / could

Shall we go to the cinema tonight? We could go to the cinema. Other expressions used with this meaning: How about going to the theatre? Lets go to the caf. Why dont we visit Joan next weekend?

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Passive Voice Use and Form


USE:
The passive structure is not a tense of the verb but a very common verb form; it has several uses and it is specially found in formal, scientific, technical and academic English. It can have a wide range of time references, either past, present, future or conditional. The most used passive tenses are present simple and continuous, past simple and continuous, present perfect simple, past perfect simple, will future, and future perfect. There are also present and past passive infinitives. The uses of the passive forms in English do not necessarily correspond to the uses in other languages. Some languages may use passive forms where English uses active forms and vice versa. Your written work will certainly be improved if you adopt this so-called impersonal style whenever appropriate, so pay attention to the following example and to the passive structure presented below.

Example: The advantages of computers as an aid in language learning can be demonstrated by a very simple experiment in the context of a school. Last year computers were used by a group of children in their English learning classes in a villages primary school. the verbs in bold/italic are in the passive.

FORM: Verb to be in the appropriate verb tense + Past Participle of the main verb in the sentence.
Examples:

Active: They play computer games everyday. (Present Simple) Passive: Computer games are played (by them) everyday. (Present Simple) Active: Last month people held a manifestation against the rise in taxes. (Past Simple) Passive: Last month a manifestation against the rise in taxes was held. (Past Simple) Active: Someone has brought that computer to be fixed. (Present Perfect) Passive: That computer has been brought to be fixed. (Present Perfect) Active: Someone is leaving a computer to be fixed next door. (Present Continuous) Passive: A computer is being left to be fixed next door. (Present Continuous)

Verbs with two objects can be made passive in two ways (idiomatic passive) it depends on the subject you want to emphasize.
Examples:

James was given a present.

A present was given to James.

Common verbs of this type: bring, give, lend, pass, pay, promise, sell, show, send, tell

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Expressing Time and Place


Time prepositions and expressions
in
Years Months Seasons Centuries in 2005 in November in the autumn in the 21st Century on my birthday at midday at midnight Parts of the day in the morning in the afternoon in the evening

on at

Days Times Night

on Thursday at 4.00 at night

during Calendar references

Periods of time We say: We write: Dates

I didnt feel nervous during the performance. the seventeenth of September 7 September 7th or September September the seventeenth September 7th

are written DAY/MONTH/YEAR in British English: 07/09/2005 tomorrow (30th October) the day after tomorrow (31st October) yesterday (28th October) the day before yesterday (27th October)

Day references

If TODAY is 29th October:

Periods of the day

this morning yesterday morning tomorrow morning

this afternoon yesterday afternoon tomorrow afternoon

tonight last night tomorrow night

For Since Ago

For refers to a period of time: e.g.: I have lived here for two years.

She studied German for three years.

Since refers to a point at the beginning of a period of time: e.g.: I have lived here since 2003. She has been waiting since 3.30. Ago refers to a point in the past: e.g.: We arrived four hours ago. I knew that ages ago!

Once One day

Once refers to a state in the past: e.g.: Once Jim owned a motorbike. (He doesnt own it anymore.) One day can refer to PAST or FUTURE: e.g.: One day Kathy was walking in the garden when she met Brian. One day you will be successful computer science engineers! Now refers to an exact moment, or a general state: e.g.: You have to finish now! John used to study civil engineering but now hes studying computer science. Nowadays is used when we generalize about the present: e.g.: Nowadays almost all types of jobs are dependent on computers.

Now Nowadays

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Then Afterwards After Later

Then refers in the past to the following moment e.g.: We had a pizza in a nice restaurant, and then we went to the cinema. Afterwards can be used in the same as then is used: e.g.: We had a pizza in a nice restaurant, and afterwards we went to the cinema. When after is used there is an object (1) or a gerund (2): e.g.: (1) After dinner we went to the cinema. After that we went home. (2) After having dinner went to the cinema. After that we went home. Later means at a later time: e.g.: Mr. Smith isnt here at the moment. Can you come back later?

Until By

Until refers to the latest point in a period of time: e.g.: She waited for Alex until 6.00, and then she left. Ill be here until the end of December. By means at a time before: e.g.: John studied the whole afternoon, so by 7.00 he was exhausted. (not exactly at 7.00, but not later than that time.) We use at last when we are pleased that a long wait has ended: e.g.: At last Jane arrived! In the end describes the final result: e.g.: I studied a lot for maths but in the end I failed. At the end describes a point at the end of something: e.g.: At the end of the semester well have exams. On time means at the hour which was arranged: e.g.: The conference started exactly on time. In Time means with enough time to do something: e.g.: We arrived in time to have a cup of coffee before the conference started.

At last In the end At the end

On time In time

Place prepositions
in inside out in and inside

In generally describes things contained by something else. e.g.: There are some cups in that cupboard. We use inside to emphasize the idea of containing. e.g.: Luckily there was nobody inside the blazing house. Compare: Kate is in. (she's at home) Kate is out. (she's not at home) Kate is inside. (in the house, not outside in the garden)

There are many expressions with in. This is a selection.


a country a city street road mirror hole l crack hand armchair country hospital prison
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My parents are in Canada at the moment. My sister lives in Madrid. Jack lives in Garden Avenue. She was walking in the road, not on the pavement. Tony could see his face in the mirror. There was a hole in my shoe. Ellen had a bunch of flowers in one hand. She sat in an armchair. Paul and Mary live in the country, not in the city. Sally is ill, and is in hospital. Keith stole some money and ended up in prison . 16
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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

on

on
On generally describes a thing on the surface of another thing. Don't leave your bag on the floor.

Expressions with on.


transport chair television wall injuries left/right side pavement

There were few passengers on the plane l bus l train. She sat on a chair. What's on television l the radio this evening? Let's hang this picture on that wall. Tim cut his foot on a piece of glass. There's a cinema on the left. There are small houses on this side of the street. She was walking in the road, not on the pavement.

at in to

At and in are used to describe a person's position. At describes position at a point or place. In describes position in a place which has walls (like a building). lt is also used with cities and towns, etc. The difference between at and in is clear in these examples: We met at the airport. (the place in general) We met in the airport building. (inside the building) I'll see you at the cinema. (the place in general) I'll see you in the cinema. (inside the building) At and in are used with arrive. e.g.: We arrived in Prague. (the city) We arrived at Prague Airport. (the place To is used with verbs of motion. e.g.: Last night we went to the cinema.

Expressions with at and to

At There's a caf at the end of the street. Do you sit at the front or at the back of the class? John isn't at school. He's at home. Mr King wasn't at work yesterday.

To Could you take this letter to the post office? I sent a parcel to my sister.

above over

above and over above means higher than. e.g.: You can see the top of the tower above the trees. over means higher than, but in the same position. e.g.: The alien spaceship hovered over the building. It also means across or covering. e.g.: There was a plastic sheet over the hole in the roof. There is a footbridge over the motorway.

below under

below and under below means lower than. e.g.: From the mountain, I could see the lake below. under means lower than, but in the same position. e.g.: I keep my suitcase under my bed.

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1 next to and near Next to means exactly at the side of e.g.: Maria sits next to Paula. Near means close to. e.g.: Tom's house is near the sports centre.

next to near

by beside

beside and by Beside means the same as next to e.g.: Maria sat beside Paula in the class. By means the same as near e.g.: There was a table by the window. He was standing by the door when his sister arrived.

opposite

Opposite means exactly on the other side of a space: e.g.: There is a caf opposite ISEP.

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Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Adjectives + Prepositions Form and Use


Study these groups of ADJECTIVES AND PREPOSITIONS. Sometimes other prepositions are possible.
nice/ kind/ good/ generous/ mean/ stupid/ silly/ intelligent/ clever/ sensible/ (im)polite/ rude/ (un)reasonable OF someone (to do something): E.g.: Thank you. It was very nice / kind of you to help me dealing with this program. BUT: (to be) nice/ kind/ good/ generous/ mean/ stupid/ silly/ intelligent/ clever/ sensible/ (im)polite/ rude/ (un)reasonable TO someone: E.g.: My boss has always been very nice / kind to me. angry/ annoyed/ furious ABOUT something WITH someone FOR doing something E.g.: Im really annoyed about my Internet server! Its running too slowly. Im furious with you, John, for not keeping up with the timetable! I hope youll hurry up; otherwise Ill look for another web designer. delighted/ pleased/ satisfied/ disappointed WITH something E.g.: They are delighted with the incredible tasks their computer is able to accomplish. surprised/shocked/ amazed/ astonished AT/ BY something E.g.: My teacher was really surprised at my research work about the History of Computers. excited/ worried/ upset ABOUT something E.g.: Some people are worried about what might happen if technological development surpasses human control. afraid/ frightened/ terrified/ scared OF someone/something E.g.: People neednt be frightened of technological improvements, but some are. proud/ ashamed/ jealous/ envious/ suspicious OF someone/something E.g.: Im very proud of my son! He has just become an engineer in Computer Science. aware/ conscious OF something E.g.: Are you conscious of what a hacker can do? good/ bad/ excellent/ brilliant/ hopeless AT (doing) something E.g.: A good professional in computing must be brilliant at solving any kind of problems in that area. impressed BY/ WITH someone/something E.g.: Im really impressed with/by the Internet world! famous/ responsible FOR something E.g.: A hacker was responsible for breaking the codes in our company system and for the loss of thousands of important files.

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

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Ana Barata | 2006-2007

Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

different FROM someone/ something E.g.: An HP-DeskJet 840C printer is very different from an HP Office Jet R45 printer. similar TO something E.g.: This monitor is very similar to the one I had before, but it offers a much sharper image. interested IN something E.g.: Im interested in knowing more about the new Microsoft products. capable/ incapable OF something E.g.: JavaScript is capable of making pages jump, move, and respond to a site visitors input. full/ short OF something E.g.: Hes short of money, so he wont be able to renew his software. tired OF something E.g.: Im tired of waiting for you to work out the problem in that disk drive; Ill look for another technician. keen ON something E.g.: Young people are keen on picking up all kind of music in Internet sites. crowded WITH (people) E.g.: The conference room was crowded with experts in computing.

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

20

Ana Barata | 2006-2007

Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Verbs + Prepositions Form and Use


Study this list of PREPOSITIONAL VERBS
Verbs + Prepositions To accuse of To advertise for To aim at To apologise for (+ing) To apply for To approve of To blame for To beg for To believe in To belong to To borrow from To care for To congratulate on To complain about / of To concentrate on
To consist of (be made of)

Examples: He was accused of cheating on the exam. That student wants to advertise for selling his old computer. The new educational measures aim at improving the learning/teaching system. James apologized for having been rude to his classmate. At the end of their degree, students will apply for a job. She didnt approve of him working till midnight. Sometimes students blame the system for their bad results. The baby is begging for his parents attention. Adults usually dont believe in fairy tales. That book belongs to Joana, not to Miguel. Miguel has borrowed this book from Joana. She lent it to him two weeks ago. It is very important to care for the environment. The professor congratulated his students on their results. He is always complaining about having long classes. You should concentrate a little more on your work. Bolognaise sauce consists of minced beef, onion, tomatoes, garlic and seasoning. The beauty of Porto consists in the life by the Douro river and in the downtown. He was trying to convince me about the importance of having another digital camera but I didnt buy it. John crashed into his neighbours garage last night. He made quite a damaged! Every working machine depends on a power supply to keep on working. James dreams of having a new and more powerful laptop. He dreamt about it last night. There still are many people around the world that have to fight for their freedom. Jane happened to have been present when the car crash occurred. I heard about the launching of Garcia Marquezs new book. I heard of it last on the news. He is hindering his iPod from his younger brother. They insisted on offering me a new cellular phone. He is listening to music, so he cant hear the phone ringing. He will live on the memory people have of him.. I love looking at the stars. I dont object to the adoption of a new book, but I prefer this one. He is paying for the mistakes he made in the past. You have to refer to Babbages work when writing about the History of computers. Not always can you rely on technology. He is searching for information on network typologies. Some people separate their private life completely from their professional activities. 21
Ana Barata | 2006-2007

To consist in (be based on) To convince about To crash into / against To depend on To dream of / about To fight for To happen to To hear about / of To hinder from To insist on To listen to To live on To look at To object to To pay for To refer to To rely on To search for To separate from
ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

Grammar Summary To speak to To spend on To talk to To think of / about To wait for To write to She doesnt speak to Michael about politics. She spent a lot of money on books. Im talking to you, please, listen to what Im saying.

Booklet GS1

John was thinking about his last summer holidays in Japan. He is thinking of travelling to India for the next holidays. They have been waiting for their teacher since 2 p.m.. Paul is writing to his mother asking for a new mobile phone.

Study this list of PHRASAL VERBS


Phrasal Verbs To account for To ask for To back up To be done for To be up / over To break off To bring about To bring in To carry out To come across To get over To go on To go up To lay off To make out To take on To switch off To switch on To take to To turn on To turn off To work out To write out Meaning: To justify When you make a request To save; to make a copy of a file or computer program / To agree with what someone is saying To be broken, damaged To end To interrupt To lead to something, to cause something to happen To introduce To conclude, to accomplish something To meet or to find unexpectedly To recover from an illness or problem To continue To rise, to ascend To fire someone To understand an idea after considering some evidences To accept something To disconnect To connect To dedicate to doing something (a light or the heating) (the radio, the TV, the computer / the lights) To plan, organize Write in full

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

22

Ana Barata | 2006-2007

Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Making Comparisons Form and Use


Formation
The regular comparative and superlative forms of descriptive words (adjectives and adverbs) are shown below:

0. Words of one syllable add the ending er (in the comparative) and est (in the superlative).
Examples: Absolute Adjectives new old big soon late Comparative newer older bigger sooner later Superlative newest oldest biggest soonest latest

Adverbs

1. Words with three or more syllables are preceded by more and most.
Examples: Absolute Adjectives interesting convenient beautiful easily carefully Comparative more interesting more convenient more beautiful more easily more carefully Superlative most interesting most convenient most beautiful most easily more carefully

Adverbs

2. Adjectives with two syllables may be like 1 or 2 above in that they will add the ending er (in the comparative) and est (in the superlative) if they end in y or ly, -ow, -le and er.
Examples: Absolute -y -ly -ow -er tiny speedy early friendly shallow narrow clever Comparative tinier speedier earlier friendlier shallower narrower cleverer Superlative tiniest speediest earliest friendliest shallowest narrowest cleverest

3. Most of the remaining two-syllable adjectives take more (in the comparative) and most (in the superlative) in front of them.
Examples: Absolute careful careless boring awful complex Comparative more careful more careless more boring more awful more complex Superlative most careful most careless most boring most awful most complex

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

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Ana Barata | 2006-2007

Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

4. Some common two-syllable adjectives can have either type of formation.


Examples: Absolute common gentle quiet Comparative commoner/ more common gentler/ more gentle quieter/ more quiet Superlative commonest/ most common gentlest/ most gentle quietest/ most quiet

5. Two-syllable adverbs ending in ly take more and most.


Examples: Absolute careful careless boring awful complex Comparative more careful more careless more boring more awful more complex Superlative most careful most careless most boring most awful most complex

6. A small number of adjectives and adverbs have an irregular comparative and superlative form.
Examples: Absolute Adjectives bad far good many badly far little much well Comparative worse further/ farther better more worse further/ farther less more better Superlative worst furthest/ farthest best most worst furthest/ farthest least most best

Adverbs

Use in sentences
Comparisons may show equivalence, non-equivalence, the highest degree of something, and parallel increase.

0.

Equivalence: the following words/constructions are used to show that things or people are similar in some way.
as as as many as as much as the same as similar to the same are similar equal to is like similar/ ly equal/ ly compared to/ with each either all both and alike

Examples: 0. Here, the term processor is equivalent to the central processing unit. 1. Laptops are as powerful as microcomputers. 2. Some companies have as many computers as employees. 3. Some companies are both disks and conventional filing systems for storing data.

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

24

Ana Barata | 2006-2007

Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

1. Non-equivalence: the following words/constructions are used to compare or contrast things or people that are separate from each other.
not as as -er than more than fewer than less than greater than not as many as not as much as not equal to unequal / ly unlike not the same as not all

Examples: 0. Learning to use a computer is not as difficult as learning to program 0. A fax board costs less than a fax machine. 0. Unlike factory-sealed software, pirated versions may contain viruses 0. You can save money with a network because you will need fewer printers.

2. The highest degree: the following words/constructions are used to compare one member of a group with the whole group (superlative).
the -est the most the least

Examples: 0. This is the most popular package on the market today. 1. BASIC is the least difficult programming language to learn. 2. The best programs are those adapted specifically to your own needs.

3. Parallel increase: the following words/constructions are used to show parallel increase (two comparatives).
the -er, the more the more , the -er thet -er, the less

Examples: 0. The more memory your computer has, the more data it can store. 0. The bigger your computer system, the less time you spend waiting. 0. The more training you give to your employees, the better they will perform.

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

25

Ana Barata | 2006-2007

Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Relative Pronouns and Relative Clauses


0. 0. 0. 0. A geek is a computer expert who is extremely intelligent and devoted to his profession. The computer (which / that) you bought has got a large hard disk capacity! Bill Gates, who is the main responsible for the development of Microsofts products, is one of the richest men in the world. Internet, which is an extraordinary source of information, is used by almost everyone around the world.
WHO (subject) WHOM (object; obligatory after a preposition) WHICH refers only to things THAT refers to things and people WHOSE (possession) refers to both things and people

Relative Pronouns:

Defining Relative Clause


It is essential to the meaning of the sentence; it defines the subject. It is not between commas. E.g.: The girl who was sitting next to you in the English class is very nice.
Contact Clause:

The relative pronoun may be omitted if it is not the subject of the relative clause: E.g.: They didnt have the computer program I wanted.

When the preposition is entirely independent from the verb, it always precedes the relative: E.g.: The speaker asked a question to which I didnt know the answer. The relative pronoun that can only be used in defining relative clauses instead of who, whom, which. A preposition can never be placed before the relative that: Defining relative clauses occur both in spoken and in written English.

Non-Defining Relative Clause


It gives additional information, which is not necessary to the grammatical sense of the sentence; It is enclosed by commas; The relative pronoun cannot be omitted; The relative pronoun that can never be used; The preposition governing the relative is usually placed just before the relative and not at the end: E.g.: He promised to support my position, for which I was profoundly grateful. Non-defining relative clauses are rarely used in spoken language, but are quite used in written English.

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

26

Ana Barata | 2006-2007

Grammar Summary

Booklet GS1

Bibliography:
Eastwood, John. 1992. Oxford Practice Grammar. Oxford University Press. Hewings, Martin. 1999. Advanced Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press. Vince, Michael. 2003. Advanced Language Practice. Macmillan Heinemann. Vince, Michael. 1998. Intermediate Language Practice. Macmillan Heinemann.

ISEP-Preparatory Course | English

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Ana Barata | 2006-2007

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