Level 4

1. You will not be hungry _____ you eat.
a) after
b) before

2. _____ the sun set, the shadows lengthened.
a) After
b) As

3. Every night _____ I go to bed, I brush my teeth.
a) after
b) before

4. _____ the girl fell asleep, she had a strange dream.
a) After
b) Before

5. _____ I was building a fire, smoke kept getting in my eyes.
a) As
b) Before

6. I want to graduate from high school _____ possible.
a) after
b) as soon as

7. _____ he started the car, the engine made a strange sound.
a) As
b) Before

8. You have to pack your suitcase _____ you go to the airport.
a) after
b) before

9. Just _____ I was picking up my glasses, they fell out of my hand.
a) as
b) before

10. _____ I get my driver's license, I'm going to drive to your house.
a) as soon as
b) before

Unit 50: -

Adverbs of Degree

Adverbs of degree show how much or to what degree something happened. For example:
- Mike is a very good student.
- I'm quite excited about my interview tomorrow.

There are many adverbs of degree. Some common ones include:
almost, completely, enough, extremely, hardly, just, nearly, pretty, quite, too, scarcely, so, such, very.

Adverbs of degree usually go before the adjective, adverb, or noun being modified. For example:
- That test was extremely difficult.
- You did pretty well in that test.
- I almost got an 'A' in our test.

Enough

Enough means a satisfactory amount or degree. For example:
- I'm so busy, I haven't got enough time.
- Do you have enough potatoes?

Enough comes after adjectives and adverbs:
- This jacket isn't big enough for me.
- She speaks English well enough to go to an American university.

Enough usually comes before nouns:
- We have enough money to buy our own apartment.

We often use enough...for, especially with people and things. For example:
- This job isn't good enough for her.
- We have enough time for a quick lunch.

Enough...to infinitive is also a common structure. For example:
- She's old enough to drive a car.
- We have enough time to eat some lunch.

Too

Too means more than enough, an excessive amount or degree. For example:
- This room is too hot.
- He eats too quickly.

Too is also used with for: For example:
- This book is too simple for me
- Our apartment is too small for us.

Too...to infinitive is also a common structure. For example:
- This book is too easy to study.
- Our apartment is too small to live in.

Too and Very

Very means something is done to a high degree, it is usually factual. For example:
- He finishes his work very quickly.
Too means something is done to an excessive degree, it is often a criticism.
- He finishes his work too quickly.

Very is a common word, so if you'd like to use something different to spice up your vocabulary try one of these:

absolutely, acutely, amply, astonishingly, awfully, certainly, considerably, cruel, dearly, decidedly, deeply, eminently, emphatically, exaggeratedly, exceedingly, excessively, extensively, extraordinarily, extremely, greatly, highly, incredibly, indispensably, largely, notably, noticeably, particularly, positively, powerfully, pressingly, pretty, prodigiously, profoundly, really, remarkably, substantially, superlatively, surpassingly, surprisingly, terribly, truly, uncommonly, unusually, vastly, wonderfully.

Unit 50: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using enough, too, and very.

Example: The hot and sour pork was _____ spicy for me to eat.

a) too
b) very
c) enough

The answer is: a) - too
----------

1. The man is _____ poor to buy a car.
a) too
b) very
c) enough

2. I am just _____ tired to work any more.
a) too
b) very
c) enough

3. Is this box light _____ for you to carry?
a) too
b) very
c) enough

4. Thank you _____ much for your nice words.
a) too
b) very
c) enough

5. Do you have _____ money for emergencies?
a) too
b) very
c) enough

6. How much calcium is _____ to prevent bone loss?
a) too
b) very
c) enough

7. Don't worry about your mother, she'll be home _____ soon.
a) too
b) very
c) enough

8. I'm _____ interested in everyone's opinion, so I appreciate your view.
a) too
b) very
c) enough

9. We don't get enough sleep because we have _____ much homework to do.
a) too
b) very
c) enough

10. High-definition televisions are much _____ expensive for the average American consumer.
a) too
b) very
c) enough

Unit 51: -

Present Perfect 1

The Present Perfect is used to connect the past and the present. It's core purpose is to show the present relevancy of a past action or situation. For example:
- John has gone home.
John went home in the past, but our real interest is where he is now. This sentence gives past information to inform a present situation.

Form

The Present Perfect is made with have/has (the auxiliary verb "to have") and the past participle. For example:
- I have worked in London.
- She has worked in a bank.
Regular past participles are made by adding -ed to the verb, for example work - worked, play - played.

Here are the Present Perfect forms of the verb to work.

Affirmative:

Singular:

I have worked
You have worked
He has worked
She has worked
It has worked

Plural:

We have worked
You have worked
They have worked

Negative:

I haven't worked (haven't = have not)
You haven't worked
He hasn't worked
She hasn't worked
It hasn't worked

We haven't worked
You haven't worked
They haven't worked

Interrogative

Have I worked?
Have you worked?
Has he worked?
Has she worked?
Has it worked?

Have I worked?
Have you worked?
Have they worked?

Here are some of the many usages of the Present Perfect. Bear in mind that for all these individual cases the main purpose of connecting past and present is essentially the same.

A. Past informing Present

1. The Present Perfect is used to give past information that is relevant to the present. For example:
- Have you been shopping? Yes, I went this morning.
The question "Have you been shopping?" asks about a past fact - did you go shopping or not. However this question is asked because of a present need - If you have been shopping, we don't need to go now - If you haven't been shopping we need to go now. This question is about a present need, not a past fact.

2. The Present Perfect is used to relate past experience. For example:
- Have you been to Italy?
- No, I haven't been there.
Again the question "Have you been to Italy?" asks about a past fact, but the past time or circumstances are not so important. Instead we want this information for a present need - perhaps we are having a conversation about travel abroad, or maybe I'm interested in Italy. We can't tell from just one sentence, but the focus here is on a present need, not a past fact.

3. The Present Perfect is used for achievements. For example:
- James has won first prize for math.
James won the prize in the past, but the focus is on his present achievement.

B. Past Time - Present Time

1. The Present Perfect is used to show change from the past to the present.
- John's English wasn't very good, but he's got much better.
Between a past time and the present, John's English has improved. The focus is less on how poor John was in the past, but rather how much better he is now.

2. The Present Perfect is used for a situation or action that started in the past and continues to the present. It's common to use for and since in these situations. For example:
- John's lived in Boston for 5 years.
John came to Boston 5 years ago, and he still lives there.
- He's been a lawyer for 12 years.

3. The Present Perfect is used for repeated actions that started in the past and continue to the present. For example:
- We've been to England 4 times.
We went to England several times the past, and it's possible we could go there again in the future.

4. The Present Perfect is used for a period of time that started in the past but still continues in the present.
- I've studied at the library every day this week.
This week started in the past, but it's still going on, it isn't finished yet.

Indefinite and Definite Time

One convenient rule about the Present Perfect is it cannot be used with definite time. For example:
- I've been on vacation. OK
- I went on vacation last month. OK
- I've been on vacation last month. Incorrect.
We cannot use definite time with the Present Perfect. By definition the Present Perfect uses past information to focus on the present time, so introducing a past time as well is non-sensual.

As a general rule: If the exact past time is important use the Present Simple - If the exact past time is not important use the Present Perfect. For example:
- I went to Paris last year. - Focus is on the past time.
- I've been to Paris. - Focus is how our past experience affects the present.

The Present Perfect can be used with time adverbs. For example:
- I haven't had a vacation recently.

Note the Present Perfect can be used with time periods that haven't finished yet. For example:
I haven't had a vacation this year. OK - This year isn't finished yet, so the Present Perfect is used for a time that continues from past to present.
I haven't had a vacation last year. Incorrect

Unit 51: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using have, has, haven’t, and hasn’t.

Example: Although age is beginning to slow me down, it _____ stopped me.

a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

The answer is: d) - hasn't
----------

1. All of the patients in the study _____ signed waivers.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

2. I _____ learned that a girl in one of my classes has an identical twin.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

3. The demand for apartments _____ been high and few vacancies exist.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

4. The attractions of the campus _____ changed at all since I was a student.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

5. Although some of my youthful idealism _____ faded, I am still an optimist at heart.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

6. We _____ worked late every day this week, so today they're letting us leave at 3:00.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

7. The difficulties at work _____ gone away, but things should improve after the manager retires.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

8. Having a baby _____ dented Katy's party-loving nature because she still goes out when she can.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

9. I was concerned about reception when I bought the radio, but so far that _____ proven to be a problem.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

10. Because customer satisfaction is job number one, our focus _____ always been on the quality of our service.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

Unit 52: -

Present Perfect 2

- Ever / Never / Have you ever...?

Have you ever...?

Have you ever...? is a common structure used to ask about past experience. For example:
- Have you ever met a famous person?
This roughly means: Do you have a past experience of meeting a famous person / Did you meet a famous person at any time in the past?
- Have you ever flown in a plane?
- Have you ever won a competition?
- Haven't you ever done this before?

Ever

Ever means "at any time", the specific time is unknown or unnecessary.

Ever is used in questions, see "Have you ever..?" above.

Ever is also used with nothing, nobody and so on for things that haven't happened before. For example:
- Nobody has ever travelled through time.
- That window's been broken for months, but nothing has ever been done about it.

Ever is also used with "the first time" for first experiences. For example:
- This is the first time I've been abroad.
- Is this your first time on a plane?
- This is the first time I've ever eaten dog soup.

Ever can be used in affirmative sentences though it is more unusual and often old-fashioned. For more info you can check out:

Never

Never is originally a contraction of "not ever". Used with the Present Perfect it means the subject hasn't had a certain experience before. For example:
- Have you ever been abroad? No, I've never been abroad.
I've never had that experience before.
- Have you ever been on a plane before? No, I've never been on a plane.

Negative questions are also possible. For example:
- Have you never eaten this before?
This shows surprise that you've never had a certain experience before.
- Have you never played soccer?

Unit 52: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using ever and never.

Example: Have you _____ eaten lobster?

a) ever
b) never

The answer is: a) - ever
----------

1. I have _____ been to France.
a) ever
b) never

2. I think I have _____ really known you.
a) ever
b) never

3. That’s the smallest car I have _____ ridden in.
a) ever
b) never

4. _____ have I suggested that a test should replace a teacher.
a) ever
b) never

5. She is probably the most fascinating woman I have _____ met.
a) ever
b) never

6. _____ have I met a person with such constantly terrible bad luck.
a) ever
b) never

7. If you _____ have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me personally.
a) ever
b) never

8. If you have _____ felt or known real love, you know it is well worth the wait.
a) ever
b) never

9. Have your children _____ had Turkish Delight or chocolate-covered pistachios?
a) ever
b) never

10. You have no right to say what the greatest movie is if you have _____ seen “Citizen Kane.”
a) ever
b) never

Unit 53:

- Present Perfect 3 - For / Since

Since and for are both used for situations and actions that start in the past and continue to the present. For example:
- I've been at home for 4 hours.
- I've been at home since 12.00.

Since

Since is used with a point of time. For example:
- I've lived here since March.
- I've been here since 9.00 this morning.

Since is only used with perfect forms such as the Present Perfect, Past Perfect and so on - it cannot be used with other forms. For example:
- I've studied English since last year - Correct
- I studied / I am studying / I will study English since last year - Incorrect

Since is also used with time clauses. For example:
- I've studied English since I was at university.
- We haven't seen my family since we got married.
Note that the main clause uses the Present Perfect, whereas the other clause uses the Past Simple.

For

For is used with a period of time. For example:
- I've lived here for 9 months.
- She's been here for 5 hours.

Unlike since, for can be used with tenses other than perfect tenses. For example:
- I lived here for 9 months - This period of time started and ended in the past, it is now finished.
- I will live here for a year - This period of time will start and end in the future, it hasn't started yet.
- I have lived here for a long time - This period of time started in the past and continues to the present. It isn't finished yet.

Unit 53: Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using ever and never.

Example: I have lived _____ I was born.

a) for
b) since

The answer is: b) - since
----------

1. What have you been doing _____ we last spoke?
a) for
b) since

2. What has changed in your life _____ you moved here?
a) for
b) since

3. I have been working full-time _____ several weeks now.
a) for
b) since

4. Donald hasn't wanted to talk to me _____ our argument.
a) for
b) since

5. Tony Swanson has been with the company _____ twenty-five years.
a) for
b) since

6. The little girl was hungry because she hadn’t eaten anything _____ a while.
a) for
b) since

7. Puerto Ricans have been migrating to the United States _____ over a century.
a) for
b) since

8. Human beings have sought to know the unimaginable _____ the beginning of time.
a) for
b) since

9. It is believed that everything in the universe has existed _____ the Big Bang 15 billion years ago.
a) for
b) since

10. Is there a family member who has a talent that has been in your family _____ several generations?
a) for
b) since

Unit 54:

- Present Perfect 4 - Past Simple or Present Perfect?

Choosing whether to use the Present Perfect or Past Simple usually depends on whether a definite or indefinite time is used. If a definite past time is used, use the Past Simple, and if there is no time given use the Present Perfect. Examples below are split into two groups, single events and multiple events.

Single Events

- I went to America in March. - This sentence has a definite past time, so the Past Simple is used.
- I've been to America. - Here the time is not important, what is important is the fact I went.

- I read this book last week. - Last week I started and finished this book.
- I've read this book. - Here also the time is not important, what is important is the fact I've already read the book.

The Present Perfect can however be used with a period of time that isn't finished yet. For example:
- I've been to the doctor today. - Today is not finished, so this is correct.
- I went to the doctor today. - This is also correct, a statement about a past action.
- I've been to the doctor yesterday. - This is incorrect, yesterday is a finished period of time that does not continue into the present so we cannot use the present perfect here.

Multiple Events

The Past Simple and Present Perfect can similarly be used for multiple events. For example:
- I went to America three times last year. - Here the time is important.
- I've been to America three times. - Here the time is not important, it's the fact I've been that is important.

AS above you can also use the present perfect for multiple events when the time is not finished. For example:
- I've been to America three times this year. - This year isn't finished yet, so this is correct.
- I've been to America three times last year. - Incorrect, last year is a finished time period, so you can't use the Present Perfect.

Unit 54: Grammar Exercises

Fill in the blanks with either a past simple or a present perfect form of the verb.

Complete the sayings and proverbs below using the clauses in the box.

Example: That actress is amazing! I really think she more beautiful with age. (become)

1. We tennis five times last week. (play)

2. I the new James Bond movie last week. (see)

3. We the TV you are watching since 1974. (own)

4. My daughter on her own for six years now. (be)

5. I returned the shoes I bought at the mall because they . (not fit)

6. My nephew in Germany all his life and he still lives there. (live)

7. Since the weather was so nice I my bicycle to work yesterday. (ride)

8. Alligators, which are common in Florida, for tens of millions of years. (exist)

9. I from my friend in over a year. I wonder what he is doing these days. (not hear)

10. I this fish fresh today. It’ll taste great when we eat it. (catch)

1. I _____ arrived ten minutes ago.
a) just
b) yet
c) still

2. I haven’t finished my essay _____.
a) just
b) already
c) yet

3. I moved to Chicago about five years_____.
a) anymore
b) ago
c) already

4. I’ve only worked two hours, and I’m _____ tired.
a) yet
b) already
c) anymore

5. I'm _____ at the college. I’ve been there three years.
a) ago
b) anymore
c) still

6. I don't know my way around _____, but I’m learning.
a) yet
b) just
c) already

7. I bought a house, so I don’t live in an apartment _____.
a) anymore
b) yet
c) just

8. This book is so easy to read that I’m _____ in chapter 10.
a) ago
b) still
c) already

9. I hired someone today, so I’m not accepting applications _____.
a) anymore
b) already
c) yet

10. I _____ heard on the radio that a big snow storm is coming our way.
a) ago
b) just
c) anymore

Grammar

Unit 56 Determiners - each / every

Each and every are used to refer to individual things and groups of things.

Each

Each is used to refer to individual items of a group. The emphasis is on the individual aspect of each item. For example:
- Give each student some candy. (Give to each individual person)
- Make each day better than its yesterday, and each tomorrow better than today.

Each is often used for members of a smaller group. For example:
- Our team won and we each got a prize.

The position of each can be at the front, middle, or at the end of a sentence. For example:
- Each of these shirts are only $20.
- These shirts are only $20 each.
- These shirts each cost $20. (This structure is slightly more unusual.)

Each one

Each can be used with the indefinite pronoun one. For example:
- Twins can look the same, but each one has their own personality.
However using one is often not necessary:
- Twins can look the same, but each has their own personality.

Each of...

Each of... is used for a selection of individual items. For example:
- Each of these books is interesting.
- Each of the top five employees will receive a bonus.
- We've won each of our last four games.

Every

Every is used to refer to a group of individual items. The emphasis is on the group. For example:
- Learn something new every day.
- Every student got a candy. (Everyone in the group got some candy.)

Every is used for how often something happens. For example:
- He plays soccer every Saturday.
- They go abroad every year.
- I don't want to work here anymore. (I wanted to work here, but no I don't like working here.)

Every one / Every one of

Every can be used with the indefinite pronoun one. For example:
- Did you eat the strawberries? Yes, I ate every one.
- Did you finish these questions? Yes, I got every one right.
Note that every one refers to things, but everyone is a completely different word used for people.

Every can't be used alone. For example:
- Did you finish these questions? Yes, I got every right. - This is incorrect.
- Did you finish these questions? Yes, I got every one right. - This is incorrect.

Every one of can be used when we want to specify what group we are referring to. For example:
- You must read every one of these books by next week.
- Did you finish these questions? Yes, I got every one of them right.

Grammar

Question tags are small questions "tagged" on to the end of a sentence to make a question. For example:
Sentence:- She speaks English.
Question:- Does she speak English?
Question Tag:- She speaks English, doesn't she?

Form

Question tags are made from an auxiliary verb and the subject.
If the sentence is affirmative, we usually use a negative tag, for example:
- That's a great song, isn't it?
- She's a lawyer, isn't she?

If the sentence is negative, the tag is positive. For example:
- You're not busy, are you?
- This way isn't right, is it?

The auxiliary verb and subject in the question tag match those in the main sentence. Only the positive and negative past changes. For example:
- He can play the trumpet, can't he?
- You haven't finished yet, have you?
Here the subject is in blue, and the auxiliary verb in green. It's just whether each part of the question is positive or negative that changes.

Function

Question tags have two main purposes: to confirm expected information and to question unexpected information. You can tell which function is being used by the voice - when the voice goes down it's checking expected information - when the voice goes up it's really asking a question. For example:

- Intonation going down - You haven't finished yet, have you?
I expect you haven't finished, I'm just checking.
- Intonation going up - You haven't finished yet, have you?
I'm really asking if you're finished or not. If you are finished it's earlier than I expected, so I'm surprised.

- You're really busy now, aren't you? - Yes, I've got to finish this by Monday.
I'm confirming you're busy now, possibly showing sympathy as well.
- Why are you watching TV? You're really busy now, aren't you? - Not really, I did most of it last night.
I think you're busy but I'm surprised, you should be working not watching TV, so I'm asking about an unexpected situation.

Negative sentences with positive tags are often used for requests, for example:
- You don't have a pencil, do you?
- You couldn't change a $5 bill, could you?

Imperative questions tags usually use will, for example:
- Open the door for me, will you?
- Hang on a minute, will you?
Unless used with informal language, question tags with imperatives can often sound impatient.

Question tags are an important part of natural speech and are particularly useful in small talk, as they help to confirm and affirm key information in a sympathetic way.

-----

Grammar

Unit 58 - Passive Voice

There are two voices in English, the active and the passive. The active tells us what the subject does, for example:
- The secretary wrote a letter.
The passive tells us what is done to the subject. For example:
- The letter was written by the secretary.

Form

The passive is made with the verb "to be" and the past participle. Here are the main English tenses used in the passive voice.

Tense                     Subject        " Verb "to be"         P . P.

Simple present:                          Flowers              are                       planted every year

Present continuous:                   Flowers               are being              planted now.

Simple past:                               Flowers              were                     planted last year

Past continuous:                        Flowers               were being        planted here for 10 years.

Present perfect:                         Flowers                have been         planted here for 10 years.

Past perfect:                              Flowers                had been         planted until last year.

Future:                                      Flowers                 will be             planted next year.

Future continuous:                   Flowers                 will be being     planted during the summer.

Present conditional:                 Flowers               would be              planted if we had seeds.

Past conditional:                      Flowers                 would have been   planted if we had had seeds.

By     

To state what the cause of a passive action is, you can use by. For example:
- This photo was taken by my friend.
- I was given this by my brother.

It is often not necessary to state the cause of a passive action, especially when clearly understood or irrelevant. For example:
- The meeting was cancelled. (The meeting's cancellation is what is important, not who cancelled it.)
- These boots were made in Italy. (The fact they were made in Italy is what's important, not who made them.)

Born

When talking abut the birth of specific people of things we use the passive form "to be born". For example:
- I was born in Iran.
- The twins were born just last year.

Get

Get can be used instead of to be in situations where something happens. For example:
- Our flight got cancelled = Our flight was cancelled.
- I got paid today = I was paid today.

Get can't be used with general situations and state verbs (verbs that express a state, not an action). For example:
- He is liked by a lot of people. - OK
- He gets liked by a lot of people. - Incorrect.
- She is known to be a hard-working employee. - OK
- She gets known to be a hard-working employee.- Incorrect
Get is used more often in informal English.

Unit 59 - Reported Speech 1

Sometimes we need to say what another person said. There are two ways to do this in English, direct speech and reported speech.

Direct Speech

Direct speech restates exactly what another person said. For example:
- Jane said, "I'm so happy today".
- The president said, "I need a vacation".

Reported Speech

Reported speech reports indirectly what another person said. For example:
- Jane said she was so happy today.
- The president said he needed a vacation.

Reported speech usually uses the past form of direct speech. So if the direct speech is in the present, the reported speech is in the past. For example:
Direct Speech - I said, "She is in her office."
Reported Speech - I said she was in her office.
Also if the direct speech is in the past, the reported speech uses the past perfect.
Direct Speech - I said, "She was in her office at lunchtime."
Reported Speech - I said she had been in her office at lunchtime. OR
- I said she was in her office at lunchtime.
In modern English the past perfect is often not necessary for past reported speech, you can simply use the past simple instead.

Here are some common verb forms in direct and reported speech.

Tense                            Direct / Reported Speech

Simple present:           I said, "She is busy". - I said she was busy.

Present continuous:   I said, "I am working now". - I said I was working now

Simple past: I said, "She was here this morning".

- I said she was here this morning.

OR
I said she had been here this morning.

Past continuous:   I said "She was studying all yesterday" - I said she was studying all yesterday.

OR
I said she had been studying all yesterday

Present perfect:     I said, "She has worked here for 5 years."

- I said she had worked here for 5 years.

Past perfect:         I said, "She had worked here for 5 years." - I said she had worked here for 5 years.

  Future:             I said, "She will work here from July."

- I said she would work here from July.

Future continuous:        I said, "We'll be living here for 6 months."

- I said we would be living here for 6 months.

Can:              I said, "She can play the piano well."

- I said she could play the piano well.

That

Reported speech is often given as part of a that-clause, especially in written or more formal language. For example:
- He said that he would arrive at 10.00.
- He said he would arrive at 10.00.
These two mean the same thing, and that can be omitted without any change in meaning.

Grammar

Unit 60 - Used to

Used to is used for a past habit that doesn't happen anymore. For example:
- I used to play soccer at weekends. (But not now)
- He used to get up at 5.30, but now he gets up at 8.00.

Used to is also used for past situations and facts. For example:
- People used to think the world was square.
- He used to be a film director.

Used to is used only in the past simple. For example:
- We used to work together. OK
- We use to work together. Incorrect

Used to can be used in questions and negatives like any other verb. For example:
- I didn't use to exercise regularly.
- Did you use to work here?
Note that the use of did and the base verb use (without a "d" at the end) is the same as normal question and negative formation.

Used to / be used to

Used to is a completely different structure from be used to. Used to is for past habit, be used to means to get accustomed to something.

----- Grammar

Unit 62 - Wish

Wish

Although wish is generally associated with hope, it is actually used mainly for regrets. For example:
- I wish I had a better job. (I don't have the job I want now)
- I wish my kids could have a better education.

Wish is used with unreal situations, so like all unreal situations in English the sentence goes one tense back in time.
If the sentence is about the present then, we use wish with the Past Pimple. For example:
- I want more time now => I wish I had more time.
- It's too hot now => I wish it wasn't so hot.

And if the sentence is about the past, we use wish with the Past Perfect. For example:
- I wanted more time => I wish I had had more time.
- It's too hot now => I wish it hadn't been so hot.

Wish ... would

Wish ... would is used to complain about a present situation. For example:
- I wish he would speak louder..
- Don't you wish countries could stop fighting?
- I wish it would stop raining.

Wish .. would is used only for actions, not states or situations. For example:
- I wish I would be at home. - Incorrect.
- I wish I was at home / I wish I were at home. - OK

Subjunctive

The subjunctive is a little used mood now found mainly in a few stock English phrases. Simply put it means that with if and wish, you can use were with I/he/she/it. It's particularly common with the pronoun "I", for example:
- I wish I was a rich man. OK
- I wish I were a rich man. OK
- If I was a rich man... OK
- If I were a rich man... OK

As with most older English, this is found mainly in British English.

Grammar

Unit 63 - Preposition and Conjunctions - like / as

Like

Like can be used as a preposition, it means something is similar to or resembles something else. For example:
- She looks like my friend Mona. (She looks similar to Mona)
- She sings like a bird. (Her voice reminds me of a bird)

As

As can be used as a conjunction to show similarity, it means to do something in the same way as something else. For example:
- Do as your teacher says. (Do the same as what your teacher says.)
- I called John as you asked. (I called John, which is the same as what you asked me to do.)

As can also be used as a preposition, it is used to refer to a particular event or situation. For example:
- I used to work as a teacher.
- He's younger than his friends, but they treat him as an equal.
- He started as a one-man business, but now he employs over 200 people.

Like or As?

Like and as (conjunction) can have similar meanings. Here's where you use each one:

Like is used with any kind of noun, for example:
- She's like an angel.
- My brother is like me.
- Reading a book is like having a conversation with the world's greatest thinkers.

As (conjunction) comes before a subject + verb, for example:
- Don't change anything, I like it as it is.
- Do as you like.
- We left early as you suggested.

Grammar

Unit 64 - Adverbs - Comparative

Adverbs have comparative forms similar to adjectives. For example:
- She runs more quickly than me.

For adverbs ending in -ly, add more in front of the adverb. For example:
- Jake works slowly >> Jake works more slowly than Mark, but he doesn't make many mistakes.
- He understands easily. >> He understands more easily than before.

something is similar to or resembles something else. For example:
- She looks like my friend Mona. (She looks similar to Mona)
- She sings like a bird. (Her voice reminds me of a bird)

Irregular Adverbs

Irregular adjectives and adjectives usually have the same comparative form. Here's some common adjectives and adverbs with the same comparative form.
Adjective           Adverb            Comparative Adverb/Adjective

good                   well                           better         

fast                     fast                            faster
bad                     badly                         worse
far                      far                         farther or further
hard                    hard                        harder

Unit 65 - Relative Clauses 1

Relative clauses give information to help define something. For example:
- I work for a company. >> I work for a company that sells computer software.
The clause "that sells computer software" gives extra information about the company.
- She likes people. >> She likes people who are kind and generous.
The first sentence is too general, whereas the second sentence gives more information about who she likes.

Who

Who clauses give information about people. For example:
- There are many people who want to learn English.
- A doctor is a person who helps sick people.

Sometimes you can use that as well as who. For example:
- I like the man that lives next to us.
- I like the man who lives next to us.
This is possible in Essential Relative Clauses, but not in Non-essential Relative Clauses. For more information see later units on Relative Clauses.

Which

Which clauses give information about things. For example:
- Where's the pencil which was on my desk?
- He's moved to an apartment which has a nice view.

That can be used instead of which especially in informal speech. For example:
- I'd like a job that has a higher salary. - OK
- I'd like a job which has a higher salary. - OK

- This is the book that I borrowed from Lisa. - OK
- This is the book which I borrowed from Lisa. - OK

As above, which and that can both be used in Essential Relative Clauses, but only which can be in Non-essential Relative Clauses. For more information see later Units on Relative Clauses.

Unit 66 - Indirect Questions

Indirect questions are polite, longer forms of normal questions. For example:
- Where's the department store? - Direct question
- Could you tell me where the department store is, please? - Indirect question
- What's his name? - Direct question
- Do you know what his name is? - Indirect question

Form

Indirect questions are formed of two parts: a polite expression, and a question which has no subject/verb inversion like a normal question . For example:
- What's his name? >>
- Do you know what his name is? - Indirect question
Here the polite expression is "Do you know...", and the question part is "...what his name is?". Note that the subject and verb have not changed place in the question part. So if you said "Do you know what is his name?", this would be incorrect.

Another example:
- What's the time? >>
- Do you have any idea what the time is? - Indirect question
The polite expression is "Do you have any idea...?", and the question is "...what the time is?".
The question is not "...what is the time?" - you don't invert the subject and verb kike a normal question.

Auxiliary Verb "To do"

The auxiliary verb "to do"is used in questions when there is no other auxiliary verb. For example:
- You like Chinese food. >>
- Do you like Chinese food?

Indirect questions do not use the auxiliary verb "to do" in the main question. For example:
- When does the next train arrive? - Direct question
- Do you know when the next train arrives? - Indirect question
- Do you know when does the next train arrive? - Incorrect

Another example:
- When does the restaurant close? - Direct question
- Could you tell me when the restaurant closes? - Indirect question
- Could you tell me when does the restaurant close? - Incorrect

There are infinite ways to make indirect questions. Not all indirect questions are questions at all, rather they are polite statements which encourage some kind of response. Some common polite expressions include:
- I wonder if/whether...?
- I can't remember if/whether...?
- Could you tell me if/whether...?
- Would you mind telling me if/whether...?
- Would it be possible for you to...?
- Is there any chance you could...?
- I don't suppose you could...
- I'd like to know if/whether...
- I can't remember...

Unit 67 - Past Perfect

The Past Perfect is used to connect two past times: a previous past time with a later one. In practice it is used to talk about events that happened bafore a certain past time. For example:
- When I arrived, the plane had left. - Before I left (past time), the plane left (previous past time)
- Before I went to Canada, I hadn't been abroad. - I went to France (past time), and before that time I never went abroad (previous past time).

Form

The Past Perfect is made with had and the past participle. For example:
- I had eaten
- She had played
- They had flown
and so on.

Usage

As mentioned the Past Perfect connects two past times: a past situation and another one before it. There are few rules, so here are some examples to help you see how it's used.
- I wasn't busy yesterday. I had already finished my work.
I wasn't busy in one past time, because previously I had finished my work.
- I ate a small lunch, because I'd already eaten a big breakfast.
I ate lunch at one past time, and I ate breakfast at a previous past time.
- When I arrived, the concert had just started.
I arrived in the past, and the concert started sometime before.

Past Perfect - Present Perfect

The Present Perfect connects the past and the present, for example:
- I haven't eaten today, so I want some food.

The Past Perfect connects two past times, for example:
- I hadn't eaten yesterday, so I wanted some food.

Similarly:
- We don't need an umbrella because the rain has stopped.
- We didn't need an umbrella, because the rain had stopped.

Unit 68 - Future Continuous

The Future Continuous is used for an activity that happens in a future period of time. For example:
- This week I'm working in Boston, but next week I'll be working in Los Angeles.
- Where will you be staying? I'll be staying at the Warwick Hotel.

Form

The Future Continuous is made with the will + the verb "to be" + the -ing form. For example:
- I will be arriving at 4.00.
- They will be staying for a few days.
- She will be going to America.

Negatives add not, for example:
- I won't be arriving at 4.00.
- We won't be staying for a few days.
- She won't be going to America.
- Will you be studying late tonight?

Questions invert will and the subject, for example:
- Will you be arriving at 4.00?
- Will they be staying for a few days?
- Will she be going to America?

Usage

The Future Continuous is used for an activity that happens during a future period of time. For example:
- I'll be having a meeting from 3.00 to 4.00
- She'll be eating dinner with her friends this evening.

The Future Continuous is also used for an activity that happens around a certain time. For example:
- I'll be arriving at 7.00. (I'll be arriving around the time of 7.00)
- I'll be seeing you at Mike's birthday party.
- What time will you be leaving? I'll be leaving at 10.00. (I can't leave at exactly 10.00, but the process of leaving happens around 10.00.)

The Future Continuous is sometimes used for formal offers, for example:
- "Will you be needing a cab home, sir?"

The Future Continuous is often used to check information, for example:
- Will you be having lunch with us?
Compare with the Future Simple, which sounds more like an offer, for example:
- Will you have lunch with us?

The Future Continuous is also used to make sympathetic predictions about people's feelings, for example:
- You'll be feeling hungry after a hard day's work.
- You'll be needing some rest before you go.

Unit 69 - Future Perfect

The Future Perfect is used to show the time by which something finishes. For example:
- I will have finished by 4.00. - By 4.00 I will finish a certain activity.

Form

The Future Continuous is made with will + have + the past participle. For example:
- I will have arrived by 4.00.
- They will have left by next week.
- He will have gone to America by the end of the month.

Negatives add not, for example:
- I won't have arrived by 4.00.
- They won't have left by next week.
- He won't have gone to America until next month.

Questions invert will and the subject, for example:
- Will you have arrived by 4.00?
- Will they have left by next week?
- Will he have gone to America by next month?

Usage

The Future Perfect shows the time before which something will finish. For example:
- Next Friday, I'll have worked here for 5 years.
When next Friday comes, it will be 5 years since I started working here.

We often use by to show the time before which something is completed, for example:
- Can I borrow you book? - You can have it tomorrow, I'll have read it by then.
- I'll have left by the time you arrive.

Unit 70 - Causative Verbs

Causative verbs show that somebody/something is indirectly responsible for an action. The subject doesn't perform the action itself, but causes someone/something else to do it instead. For example:
- Yesterday I had my hair cut.
I didn't cut my own hair, but I made someone else do it for me instead - I "caused" them to cut my hair.

Have

Have is a common causative verb. Instead of doing something ourselves, we "have" someone else do it instead. It has the following form:
The verb "to have" + object + past participle. For example:
- I had my jacket cleaned yesterday.
- Did you have your computer fixed?

Sometimes we use have as a causative verb when we intend to perform the action ourselves. For example:
- When will the report be ready? I'll do it by tomorrow morning. >>
- When will the report be ready? I'll have it done by tomorrow morning.

By using the causative the second sentence takes attention away from the doer of the action, and gives more attention to the action being done. It sounds polite and professional.

Get

Get is often used instead of have. For example:
- I got my computer fixed - I had my computer fixed. These two sentences mean the same thing.
- I got my jacket cleaned. - I had my jacket cleaned. These two sentences mean the same thing.

Causative verbs are often used with negative experiences. In these situations it's more common to use have. For example:
- I had my wallet stolen. (I didn't actually cause my wallet to be stolen - someone stole my wallet from me)
- She had her window smashed.