Not many people know this but Hollywood hunk Hugh Jackman lived for a year in Rutland, where he worked as a teaching assistant. Richard Boston recalls his time there and talks about the lasting impression he left on staff and pupils. Read first and thenlisten to the story
The present perfect simple is have/has + past participle. (regular verbs in-ed, irregular verbs 3rd list. Form
I have(‘ve) left/arrived.
He/She/ has (‘s) left/arrived.
Use
When we use the present perfect, there is a connection with now. The action in the past has a result now.
e.g. Tom is looking for his key. He can’t find it. He has lost his key. (he lost it recently, and he still doesn’t have it.
The present perfect is usually used with the following time expressions. Just = a short time ago e.g Are you hungry? No, I’ve just had lunch. already - to say that something happened sooner than expected:
e.g. What time is Mark leaving?” He’s already left. Yet = until now. Yet shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences:
I’ve written the letter, but I haven’t sent it yet Alwayse.g she has always loved animals Never e.g She has never been to China So far e.g. I have sent twenty invitations so far.
Also with: Lately/recently e.g. I haven’t heard from Jim recently/lately.
In the last few days e.g. I’ve met a lot of people in the last few days. Since e.g. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. For e.g. I have known Jack for five years/ for a long time/ for ages How long e.g. How long have you known Jack?
Also with today/this evening/this year etc. When these periods are not finished at the time of speaking.e.g. I’ve drunk a lot of cups of coffee today.
Have you had a holiday this year (yet)?
I haven’t seen Tom this morning. Have you?
We use the present perfect when we say it’s the (first/second etc.) time something has happened.e.g It’s the first time I’ve driven a car.
I have never driven a car before.
We use the present perfect when we talk about a period of time that continues from the past until now. E.g “Have you travelled a lot? Yes, I’ve been to lots of places.
The present perfect is used for an action which happened at an unstated time in the past. The exact time is not important, so it is not mentioned. The emphasis is placed on the action.
E.g. He has broken his arm.
Peter has been to Paris four times.
Note the difference between gone (to) and been (to):
Jim is on holiday. He has gone to Italy. (he is there now or on his way there)
Jim is back home now. She has been to Italy. (= she has now come back)
We can refer to future actions with the future simple, be going to, the present continuous, the present simple, the future perfect and the future perfect continuous and other expression to express a future idea. We are going to study the following this year: Future simple The future simple is used: - in predictions about the future usually with the verbs think, believe, expect, etc., the expressions be sure, be afraid, etc., and the adverbs perhaps, certainly, probably, etc. e.g I feel a bit hungry. I think I'll have something to eat I don't think I'll go out tonight. I'm too tired I'll probably be home late tonight I haven't seen Carol today. I expect she'll phone this evening. Don't worry about the exam. I'm sure you'll pass. Click here to practise I think I will/I don't think + will - for on the -spot decisions , that is , when you decide to do something at the time of speaking e.g. Did you phone Mary? "Oh no, I forgot. I'll phone her now. Oh, I've left the door open. I'll go and shut it. - Offering to do something. e.g. That bag looks heavy. I'll help you with it. Click hereto practise
- Agreeing to do something e.g. Can you give Tim this book? Sure, I'll give it to him when I see him this afternoon. - Promising to do something e.g. Thanks for lending me the money. I'll pay you back on Friday. - Asking somebody to do something. e.g. Will you please turn the radio down? I'm trying to concentrate.
-for actions/events/situations which will definitely happen in the future and which we cannot control. e.g. My son will be eight years old next month.
I promised I'd wait for you The midnight hour I know you'll shine on through I promised myself I promised the world to you I gave you flowers You made my dreams come true How many of us out there Feel the need to run and look for shelter I promised myself That I'd say a prayer for you A brand new tomorrow Where all you wish comes true I promised myself That I'd make it up to you My sister and brother Know I'm in love with you How many of us out there Feel the pain of losing what was once there God I know what people say about her No mistake, who can live without love I promise myself How many of us out there Feel the pain, of losing what was once there God I know what people say about her No mistake, who can live without love I promised myself I promised I'd wait for you The midnight hour I know you'll shine on through I promised myself I promised the world to you I gave you flowers You made my dreams come true In the midnight hour I will wait for you I will wait for you, I will wait for you
Ain't no mountain high. Ain't no valley low. Ain't no river wide enough baby.
If you need me, call me No matter where you are No matter how far,
dont worry baby
Just call my name I'll be there in a hurry You don't have to worry
cause baby, There aint no mountain high enough aint no valley low enough aint no river wide enough To keep me from getting to you, babe
Remember the day I set you free I told you you could always count on me darling From that day on, I made a vow I'll be there when you want me Someway, somehow
cause baby, Ain't no mountain high enough Ain't no valley low enough Ain't no river wide enough To keep me from getting to you, babe
oh no darling No wind, no rain Nor winter storm can't stop me baby no no baby Cause you are my goal If your ever in trouble I'll be there on the double just send for me oh baby!
My love is alive way down in my heart Although we are miles apart If you ever need a helping hand I'll be there on the double Just as fast as I can
Don't you know that there ain't no mountain high enough Ain't no valley low enough Ain't no river wide enough To keep me from getting to you babe
Don't ya know that there Ain`t no mountain high enough Ain`t no valley low enough Ain`t no river wide enough To keep me from gettin to you babe.
• Marcadores más frecuentes para:- - Dirigirse a alguien (Excuse me) - Saludar (Hi there); - Empezar a hablar (Well.....) - Apoyar al interlocutor (Really? That’s interesting!) - Reaccionar e interaccionar ( You’re joking! Kidding!; that’s incredible! - Implicar al interlocutor ( I see, I know) - Tomar la palabra ( In my opinion) - Iniciar una explicación (so, basically) - Mostrar duda (maybe, perhaps) - Mostrar acuerdo (sure, no doubt, of course) - Mostrar desacuerdo (Sorry but I don’t agree, I don’t know about that) - Contradecir en parte ( I understand /I can see your point but ...) - Clarificar las opiniones y reformular ( I mean, in other words) - Pedir repeticiones ( could you say that again...) - Presentar conclusiones (so, in conclusion)
1/2 pint of olive oil 5 medium (40 oz each) baking potatoes, peeled, sliced and lightly sprinkled with salt 1/2 yellow onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 5 eggs Salt
Preparation Heatthe olive oil in a 9-inch skillet and add the potato slices carefully, because the salt will make the oil splatter. Try to keep the potato slices separated so they will not stick together. Cook, turning occasionally, over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the potatoes are tender. Drain into a colander, leaving about 3 tablespoons of oil in the skillet.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the eggs with a pinch of salt.Add the potatoes, and stir to coat with the egg. Add the egg-coated potatoes to the very hot oil in the skillet, spreading them evenly to completely cover the base of the skillet. Lower the heat to medium and continue to cook, shaking the pan frequently, until mixture is half set.
Use a plate to cover the skillet and invert the omelette away from the hand holding the plate (so as not to burn your hand with any escaping oil). Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and slide the omelette back into the skillet on its uncooked side.Cook until completely set. Allow the omelette to cool, and then cut it into wedges. Season it with salt and sprinkle with lemon juice to taste (optional).
David is finished with work at the conference and is taking Annie out to dinner. Pay attention to how the waiter asks what they want to drink and eat. Listen to David and Annie’s responses. Follow along through the whole dinner process to improve your English. From getting a table, then ordering their food and finally asking for the check.
In English language there are verbs that are not normally used in the Continuous Tense, because they describe rather state than an action. They are called state verb (stative verbs, non-progressive verbs).
The verbs that can be used in the Continuous Tense are called action verbs (dynamic verbs).
Some verbs can be both state and action verbs depending on their meaning. Here are some verbs that are not normally used in the Continuous Tense.
like, dislike, love, hate, prefer, remember, forget, believe, mean, seem, understand, want, need, know, belong, own
Here are a few verbs that can be both state and action verbs depending on their meaning. I think you made a mistake. think = believe
I am thinking about my mum now. think = mental process I have two cars. have = possess, own I am having my lunch now. have = eat I am seeing my friend tomorrow evening. see = meeting with I see what you mean. See = understand
1. For actions taking place now, at the moment of speaking.
e.g She's cooking dinner.
2. For temporary actions; that is actions that are going on around now but not at the moment of speaking.
e.g. She is working hard these days.
3. With always when we want to express our irritation at actions which happen too often.
e.g You're always forgetting to pay the bill.
4.For actions the we have already arranged to do in the near future, especially when the time and place have been decided.
e.g She's getting married at 3 this afternoon.
5. For changing or developing situations.
e.g These days everything is changing. Cities are becoming bigger and busier every year, technology is developing faster than ever before.
The present continuous is used with the following time expressions:now, at the moment, these days, at present, tonight, nowadays, still, etc.
Spelling rules for the formation of the present participle.
Some verbs change their spelling when the ending ing is added to form the present participle.
a. Verbs ending in a silent e
When a verb ends in a silent e, the silent e is dropped before the ending ing is added. For example: make - making
However, when a verb ends in an e which is not silent, the final e is not dropped before the ending ing is added. For example: to be- being to see- seeing
b. Verbs ending in ie When a verb ends in ie, the ie is changed to y before the ending ing is added. to die -dying to lie -lying
When a verb ends in y, no change is made before the ending is added. fly-flying
c. One-syllable verbs ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel.
Except in the case of the final consonants w, x and y, when a one-syllable verb ends in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel,the final consonant must be doubled before the ending ing is added. The reason for this is to reflect the fact that the pronunciation of the single vowel does not change when the ending ing is added. put-putting
d. Verbs of more than one syllable which end in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel.
When a verb of more than one syllable ends in a single consonant other than w, x or y preceded by a single vowel,the final consonant is doubled to form the present participle only when the last syllable of the verb is pronounced with the heaviest stress.
In these examples, the syllables pronounced with the heaviest stress are underlined. For example: to ex'pel- expelling to be'gin-beginning to o'ccur- occurring to o'mit-omitting
The present simple is used for: 1. Permanent states. 2. Repeated actions or daily routines (often with adverbs of frequency such as: always, never, usually etc.). Mr Jones is a businessman. He lives in New York. (permanent state) He usually starts work at 9 a.m. He often stays at the office until late in the evening. (daily routine) 3. General truths or laws of nature. The moon moves round the earth. It rarely rains in the desert. 4. Programmes or timetables. ( trains, buses etc.). The plane to London takes off at 6.50 a.m. The bus leaves in 10 minutes. 5. For sports commentaries, reviews and narration. Ronaldo kicks the ball and passes it to KaKa. (sports commentary) So, the prince tells her ....... (narration)
Spelling rules 1. Most verbs take-s in the third person singular, I read- he reads 2. Verbs ending in -ss,- sh,-ch,-x and -o, take -es. I kiss- he kisses. I brush- he brushes. I teach- he teaches, I fix- he fixes, I go- he goes. 3. Verbs ending in a consonant + y, dropthe -y and take -ies. I try- he tries 4. Verbs ending in a vowel+ y, simply take -s. I buy- he buys
Pronunciation In the present simple the suffix of the third person singular is pronounced /s/ when the verb ends in a /f/, /k/, /p/ or /t/ sound. laughs, drinks, sleeps, hates /iz/ when the verb ends in a /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/, /dʒ/ or /z/ sound. misses, wishes, matches, arranges, rises /z/ when the verb ends in any other sound. dreams, stays, begins, stands, saves. Listen and practise the pronunciation of the suffix http://evaeaston.com/pr/s-z-Iz-pattern.html
Better Speaking is all about how you can become a fluent, confident speaker of English. In the programmes we hear from learners of English from around the world and also from someone who specialises in teaching speaking, trainer Richard Hallows. Better Speaking is presented by Callum Robertson.
