SIMPLE FUTURE
Simple Future has two different forms in English: "will" and "be going to." Although the two forms can sometimes be used interchangeably, they often express two very different meanings. These different meanings might seem too abstract at first, but with time and practice, the differences will become clear. Both "will" and "be going to" refer to a specific time in the future.
FORM Will
[will + verb]
Examples:
- You will help him later.
- Will you help him later?
- You will not help him later.
FORM Be Going To
[am/is/are + going to + verb]
Examples:
- You are going to meet Jane tonight.
- Are you going to meet Jane tonight?
- You are not going to meet Jane tonight.
USE 1 "Will" to Express a Voluntary Action
"Will" often suggests that a speaker will do something voluntarily. A voluntary action is one the speaker offers to do for someone else. Often, we use "will" to respond to someone else's complaint or request for help. We also use "will" when we request that someone help us or volunteer to do something for us. Similarly, we use "will not" or "won't" when we refuse to voluntarily do something.
Examples:
- I will send you the information when I get it.
- I will translate the email, so Mr. Smith can read it.
- Will you help me move this heavy table?
- Will you make dinner?
- I will not do your homework for you.
- I won't do all the housework myself!
- A: I'm really hungry.
B: I'll make some sandwiches. - A: I'm so tired. I'm about to fall asleep.
B: I'll get you some coffee. - A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll get it.
USE 2 "Will" to Express a Promise
"Will" is usually used in promises.
Examples:
- I will call you when I arrive.
- If I am elected President of the United States, I will make sure everyone has access to inexpensive health insurance.
- I promise I will not tell him about the surprise party.
- Don't worry, I'll be careful.
- I won't tell anyone your secret.
USE 3 "Be going to" to Express a Plan
"Be going to" expresses that something is a plan. It expresses the idea that a person intends to do something in the future. It does not matter whether the plan is realistic or not.
Examples:
- He is going to spend his vacation in Hawaii.
- She is not going to spend her vacation in Hawaii.
- A: When are we going to meet each other tonight?
B: We are going to meet at 6 PM. - I'm going to be an actor when I grow up.
- Michelle is going to begin medical school next year.
- They are going to drive all the way to Alaska.
- Who are you going to invite to the party?
- A: Who is going to make John's birthday cake?
B: Sue is going to make John's birthday cake.
USE 4 "Will" or "Be Going to" to Express a Prediction
Both "will" and "be going to" can express the idea of a general prediction about the future. Predictions are guesses about what might happen in the future. In "prediction" sentences, the subject usually has little control over the future and therefore USES 1-3 do not apply. In the following examples, there is no difference in meaning.
Examples:
- The year 2222 will be a very interesting year.
- The year 2222 is going to be a very interesting year.
- John Smith will be the next President.
- John Smith is going to be the next President.
- The movie "Zenith" will win several Academy Awards.
- The movie "Zenith" is going to win several Academy Awards.
IMPORTANT
In the Simple Future, it is not always clear which USE the speaker has in mind. Often, there is more than one way to interpret a sentence's meaning.
No Future in Time Clauses
Like all future forms, the Simple Future cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Simple Future, Simple Present is used.
Examples:
- When you will arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Not Correct
- When you arrive tonight, we will go out for dinner. Correct
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
FORM
[am/is/are + present participle]
Examples:
Complete List of Present Continuous Forms- You are watching TV.
- Are you watching TV?
- You are not watching TV.
USE 1 Now
Use the Present Continuous with Normal Verbs to express the idea that something is happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is not happening now.
Examples:
- You are learning English now.
- You are not swimming now.
- Are you sleeping?
- I am sitting.
- I am not standing.
- Is he sitting or standing?
- They are reading their books.
- They are not watching television.
- What are you doing?
- Why aren't you doing your homework?
USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now
In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century, and so on. Sometimes, we use the Present Continuous to say that we are in the process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be doing it at this exact second.
Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)
- I am studying to become a doctor.
- I am not studying to become a dentist.
- I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
- I am not reading any books right now.
- Are you working on any special projects at work?
- Aren't you teaching at the university now?
USE 3 Near Future
Sometimes, speakers use the Present Continuous to indicate that something will or will not happen in the near future.
Examples:
- I am meeting some friends after work.
- I am not going to the party tonight.
- Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
- Isn't he coming with us tonight?
USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"
The Present Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is like Simple Present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
- She is always coming to class late.
- He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
- I don't like them because they are always complaining.
REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Present.
Examples:
- She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct
- She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct
WEEK 1 :
ASIGNMENT 1: Please clic on the link below and you will use the future simple to make predictions based on the reading. - Please send this to my e-mail.
WEEK 2:
ASINGMENT 2: Do a project about an
organization that offers courses; a stadium; people visiting the country and
the information they need.
MODAL VERBS
Can
"Can" indica habilidad o posibilidad. En estos casos puede ser traducido como "poder" en español.
- Ejemplos:
- I can speak five languages. (Puedo hablar cinco idiomas.)
- We can work late tonight if you need us. (Podemos trabajar hasta tarde esta noche si nos necesitas.)
- Bill and Tom can't help you. (Bill y Tom no pueden ayudarte.)
- The restaurant can be expensive if you drink a lot of wine. (El restaurante puede ser caro si bebes mucho vino.)
- It can be dangerous to drive if you are tired. (Conducir puede ser peligroso si estás cansado.)
En frases interrogativas, el uso de "can" puede solicitar permiso o preguntar sobre posibilidades.
- Ejemplos:
- Can I have a glass of water? (¿Puedo tomar un vaso de agua?)
- Can you help me? (¿Puedes ayudarme?)
- Can they work late tonight? (¿Pueden trabajar hasta tarde esta noche?)
Could
"Could" es el pasado de "can"; indica posibilidad o habilidad en el pasado.
- Ejemplos:
- Joe could speak Spanish when he was young. (Joe podía hablar español cuando era joven.)
- I couldn't sleep last night. (No pude dormir anoche.)
- It could have been worse. (Podría haber sido peor.)
- Could you play an instrument when you were a child? (¿Podías tocar un instrumento cuando eras un niño?)
También se puede usar "could" para posibilidades en el futuro.
- Ejemplos:
- You could pass the test if you studied. (Podrías pasar el examen si estudiaras.)
- I think it could rain later. (Creo que podría llover más tarde.)
Como "can", en frases interrogativas "could" puede solicitar permiso o preguntar sobre las posibilidades, pero es más formal.
- Ejemplos:
- Could you pass the salt please? (¿Podría pasarme la sal por favor?)
- Could you help me? (¿Podrías ayudarme?)
- Could I be wrong? (¿Podría estar equivocado?)
Nota: Se usa "could" en frases condicionales. Ver la lección sobre frases condicionales para más información sobre el uso de "could".
May
Como "could", se usa "may" para indicar posibilidades en el futuro.
- Ejemplos:
- I would bring an umbrella, it may rain later. (Llevaría un paraguas, puede llover más tarde.)
- It may be better to finish this now, rather than wait until tomorrow. (Tal vez sea mejor terminar esto ahora, en lugar de esperar hasta mañana.)
También se puede utilizar para dar permisos o instrucciones.
- Ejemplos:
- You may leave if you like. (Puede salir si quiere.)
- You may use your cell phones now. (Podéis usar sus teléfonos ahora.)
En frases interrogativas, el uso de "may" es más educado que "can" o "could".
- Ejemplos:
- May I have a glass of water? (¿Podría tomar un vaso de agua?)
- May I leave now? (¿Podría salir ahora?)
Might
Se usa "might" para indicar posibilidades en el presente o el futuro. En estos casos, es un sinónimo de "may".
- Ejemplos:
- I would bring an umbrella, it might rain later. (Yo llevaría un paraguas, puede llover más tarde.)
- It might be better to finish this now, rather than wait until tomorrow. (Tal vez sea mejor terminar esto ahora, en lugar de esperar hasta mañana.)
También se puede usar, al igual que "may", para pedir permisos o hacer peticiones corteses, aunque este uso es mucho más común en el Reino Unido que en los Estados Unidos.
Will
Como hemos visto, se utiliza "will" para formar el tiempo futuro.
También el uso de "will" significa voluntad o determinación.
- Ejemplos:
- I will help you. (Te ayudaré.)
- We will learn English. (Aprenderemos inglés.)
Se utiliza "will" en frases interrogativas para pedir información, un favor o sobre opciones.
- Ejemplos:
- Will they find a cure for cancer? (¿Encontrarán una cura para el cáncer?)
- Will you help me move? (¿Me ayudas a mudarme?)
- Will he go to Paris by car or train? (¿Irá a París en coche o en tren?)
Shall
Se usa "shall" como "will" para formar el tiempo futuro. El uso de "shall" es mucho más común en el Reino Unido y en general es más educado.
- Ejemplos:
- Chris shall be happy to see you. (Chris estará feliz de verte.)
- I'll take the 3 o'clock train. (Tomaré el tren a las 15h.)
Nota: Las formas cortas de "will" y "shall" son lo mismo. Entonces "I'll" en el ejemplo anterior puede significar "I will" o "I shall".
También se puede utilizar "shall" para ofertas y sugerencias o para preguntar sobre opciones o preferencias.
- Ejemplos:
- Shall we meet at 10pm? (¿Quedamos a las 22h?)
- Shall we go to the movies or a museum? (¿Vamos al cine o a un museo?)
Should
"Should" indica una obligación o recomendación. Refleja una opinión sobre lo que es correcto. Se traduce como el condicional de "deber" en español.
- Ejemplos:
- I should call my parents more often. (Debería llamar a mis padres más a menudo.)
- You shouldn't work so hard. (No debería trabajar tan duro.)
- They should practice more if they want to win the championship. (Deberían practicar más si quieren ganar el campeonato.)
Se utiliza "should" en frases interrogativas para preguntar si existe una obligación o para pedir una recomendación.
- Ejemplos:
- Should we leave a tip? (¿Deberíamos dejar una propina?)
- Should I have the steak or the chicken? (¿Debería comer el bistec o el pollo?)
- Where should they meet you? (¿Dónde deberían encontrarte?)
Ought to
"Ought to" es un sinónimo de "should".
- Ejemplos:
- She ought to quit smoking. (Debería dejar de fumar.)
- I ought to call my parents more often. (Debería llamar a mis padres más a menudo.)
- They ought to work less. (Deberían trabajar menos.)
Note: Nunca se usa "ought to" en frases interrogativas en inglés americano.
Must
"Must" indica una obligación, prohibición o necesidad. También puede emplearse "have to" (tener que).
- Ejemplos:
- You must [have to] read this book, it's fantastic. (Tienes que leer este libro, es fantástico.)
- You must [have to] brush your teeth two times a day. (Tienes que cepillarte los dientes dos veces al día.)
- We must [have to] leave now or we will be late. (Tenemos que irnos ahora o llegaremos tarde.)
- You mustn't drink and drive. (No puedes beber y conducir.)
- When must we meet you? (¿Cuándo debemos quedar? )
También se puede usar "must" para indicar probabilidad o asumir algo.
- Ejemplos:
- John's not here. He must be sick because he never misses class. (John no esta aquí. Debe estar enfermo porque nunca pierde clases.)
- It must be difficult to learn a new language as an adult. (Debe ser difícil aprender un idioma como adulto.)
Es posible también usar "must" para preguntas retóricas.
- Ejemplos:
- Must you always be late? (¿Siempre tienes que llegar tarde?)
- Must she talk so much? (¿Tiene que hablar tanto?)
Would
Se usa "would" para declarar una preferencia y para preguntar por algo educadamente.
- Ejemplos:
- She would like to go to New York someday. (Le gustaría ir a Nueva York algún día.)
- I would like a beer and my wife would like a glass of wine please. (Me gustaría una cerveza y a mi mujer le gustaría una copa de vino por favor.)
- Would you like some coffee? (¿Le gustaría un cafe?)
- Would you help me please? (¿Me ayudas por favor?)
- When would you like to go to the movies? (¿Cuándo te gustaría ir al cine?)
WEEK 3:
ASIGNMENT 3: Give advice to a person who will travel to USA, using should or shouldn't and the things you must or must not do in a plane travel.
PRESENT PERFECT
The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.
Form of Present Perfect
| Positive | Negative | Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I / you / we / they | I have spoken. | I have not spoken. | Have I spoken? |
| he / she / it | He has spoken. | He has not spoken. | Has he spoken? |
For regular verbs, just add “ed”.
LIST OF VERBS (check the past participle)
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ‘ed’
| Exceptions in spelling when adding ed | Example |
|---|---|
| after a final e only add d | love – loved |
| final consonant after a short, stressed vowel or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled | admit – admitted travel – travelled |
| final y after a consonant becomes i | hurry – hurried |
Use of Present Perfect puts emphasis on the result
- Example: She has written five letters.
- action that is still going onExample: School has not started yet.
- action that stopped recentlyExample: She has cooked dinner.
- finished action that has an influence on the presentExample: I have lost my key.
- action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speakingExample: I have never been to Australia.
Signal Words of Present Perfect
- already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now.
WEEK 4:
ASIGNMENT 4: What about your
travel experiences? Describe one of them and share it with your teacher.
COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES

Exercises:
: 
WEEK 5:
FINAL QUIZ: http://anthonyhalderman.com/english/compsup.htm