A2

Past Continuous

by

In English, the past continuous is used to describe actions that happened in the past. However, unlike the past simple tense, it describes actions that happened for a period of time in the past.[1]https://7esl.com/past-continuous-tense/

past continuous

When do we use the past continuous?

It is important to know when to properly use the past continuous tense.

Parallel Actions

The past continuous is used to describe two actions happening at the same time in the past.

For example:

  • I was studying for the exam, while she was watching tv.
  • They were setting the table, while she was cooking the meal.
  • We were sleeping while it was raining.
  • The class was taking a test, while the teacher was sleeping.

Two Actions

It can also be used to describe when one action is interrupted by another action in the past.

In this case, the first action uses the past continuous tense, while the action that is doing the interrupting uses the past simple tense.

For example:

  • I was washing the dishes, when she said that she had to go.
  • Susie was running when the bike crashed into her.
  • Frank was driving when he received the call.
  • They were walking on the street when it started to rain.

Describe a point in time

The past continuous can describe a period of time in the past.

For example:

  • The truck driver was driving all day yesterday.
  • I was studying all weekend.
  • They were cooking all morning for the Thanksgiving meal.
  • The dog was barking all night long.
  • I was working all weekend.

Repetition

It can be used to describe repetition in the past.

For example,

  • I was taking the bus to school every day when I was young.
  • They were eating at the same restaurant every Friday.
  • We were watching the same movie every Christmas.

Example Exercises

 10%

Question 1 of 10

1. My class _______ taking an exam this morning.

Question 1 of 10

Question 2 of 10

2. They _______ eating lunch at the restaurant at 12:30 pm.

Question 2 of 10

Question 3 of 10

3. Anne _____ working as a teacher, when we first met her.

Question 3 of 10

Question 4 of 10

4. They ______ hiking all weekend.

Question 4 of 10

Question 5 of 10

5. _______ I playing video games last weekend?

Question 5 of 10

Question 6 of 10

6. Susie ______ sleeping, when I knocked on the door.

Question 6 of 10

Question 7 of 10

7. My car ________ not working.

Question 7 of 10

Question 8 of 10

8. We ________ sleeping during the storm.

Question 8 of 10

Question 9 of 10

9. Joe ______ eating, when they called him.

Question 9 of 10

Question 10 of 10

10. My friends and I ________ swimming all weekend.

Question 10 of 10


 

References[+]

Modals – should

by

The modal “should” talks about giving advice and making recommendations.[1]https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/should-modals It is similar to the modals of “must” and “have to”, but used in a slightly different way.

modal should

Advice

The modal “should” can be used to give advice. In addition, it can be used in the past, present, and future verb tenses.

For example:

Past

  • You should have eaten less for dinner.
  • She should have arrived earlier to class.
  • They shouldn’t have yelled loudly during the movie.

Present

  • I should exercise more regularly.
  • We should eat now.
  • Joe should help us with the housework.

Future

  • Susie should start studying for the test.
  • Mark shouldn’t start complaining.
  • You should start eating more healthily.

Expectation

The modal “should” can be used for expectation. In addition, it can be used in the past, present, and future verb tenses.

For example:

Past

  • We should have arrived by now.
  • They should have been finished by now.
  • Frank should have stopped cooking.

Present

  • I should be arriving now.
  • You shouldn’t be studying now.
  • It should be arriving now.

Future

  • My friends should be arriving in an hour.
  • The plane should be landing in 2.5 hours.
  • The restaurant should be opening in 30 minutes.

Note: you can replace “should” with the words “be supposed to” and “ought to be”.

Obligation

The modal “should” can be used for obligations. There is not negative form when talking using should and talking about obligations.

For example:

  • We should let her know.
  • You should go to sleep.
  • They should be quite.

Note: you can replace “should” with the words “be supposed to”.

Question

You can used the modal should to ask for advice about something. The question form of the modal “should” is:

  • Should I wait for you?
  • Should we tell her about it?
  • Should they let us know?

Example Exercises

Please go to Modals – should to view this quiz

References[+]

Modals – Must vs. Have to

by

The modals “must” and “have to” talk about obligation.[1]https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-modals-have-to-must-not.htm The difference between the two types of obligation is if it internal or external.

must

Must

In general, you use “must” to talk about personal opinion. This is subjective. That means, the speaker thinks it is necessary.

must

For example:

  • I must study; otherwise, I won’t do well on the test.

(The implication is that the speaker wants to do well on the test. Therefore, they are going to study. It is not a requirement for them to study.)

  • You must try this sandwich! It is so tasty!

(The implication is that you really should try the sandwich that I think is very tasty. However, if you don’t want to, you are required to.)

  • If I am going to become a professional basketball player, I must practice every day.

(The implication is that it is necessary to practice every day in order to become a professional basketball player. However, neither becoming a professional basketball player nor practicing every day is a requirement.)

Have to

In general, you use “have to” to talk about external rules or opinions. In other words, you use it when rules and other people are telling you to do something. It is not a personal opinion.

have to

For example:

  • In England, you have to drive on the left hand size of the road.

(The implication is that it is the law in England to drive on the left hand side of the road.)

  • I have to wear a uniform at work.

(The implication is that it a requirement to wear a uniform at work.)

  • You have to wait for the stop light to turn green before you can move forward.

(It is the law that you can’t drive through a red light. You must wait for the green light to drive.)

Practice Exercises

Please go to Modals – Must vs. Have to to view this quiz

References[+]

Gerunds

by

In English, gerunds are a type of verb form that function as nouns.[1]https://7esl.com/gerunds/#The_Gerund_Can_be_Used_after_Certain_Expressions

Form

Gerunds are formed by taking a verb and adding -ing.

gerunds

When do you use the gerund?

Subject

The gerund form of verbs is used when it is the subject of a sentence.

For example:

  • Learning English is easy!
  • Playing video games is my favorite thing to do.
  • Swimming is my favorite hobby.

Direct Object

The gerund form of verbs is used when it is the direct object of a sentence.

For example:

  • I like eating ice cream.
  • She loves swimming in the pool.
  • They like going to the movies.

Subject Complement

The gerund of verbs is used when it is the subject complement.

For example:

  • My dog’s favorite hobby is sleeping.
  • One of their responsibilities is cleaning the dishes.
  • Their favorite activity is swimming in the lake.

Object of a Preposition

The gerund of verbs is used when it is the object of a preposition.

For example:

  • The teacher said that she would be interested in hearing your excuse as to why you are late to class.
  • I was interested in running a marathon.
  • She is thinking of changing his job.

After Certain Expressions

The gerund form of verbs is used when it is after certain expressions such as it’s no use, it’s no good, there’s no point in.

For example:

  • It’s no use cleaning the floor; it is only going to get dirty again.
  • It’s no good only trying a little bit, you will never succeed.
  • There’s no point going back.

Gerunds vs. Infinitives

It can be confusing to understand when to use gerunds vs. infinitives.

Infinitives are the “to” form of a verb.

The easiest way to remember the difference between the two is:

  1. Gerunds are used with completed, fixed, and real actions.
  2. Infinitives are used with future, abstract, and unreal actions.

A Few Common Verbs Used with Gerunds

  • Admit: I admit making a mistake.
  • Advice: I advise not doing that.
  • Anticipate: She anticipates having to study a lot for the tests.
  • Began: They began eating at 4 pm.
  • Delay: I delayed studying for the exam.
  • Enjoy: He enjoys eating ice cream.
  • Keep: They keep running stop signs.
  • Love: We love running in the rain.
  • Prefer: I prefer sleeping on the left side of the bed.
  • Recommend: They recommended trying the appetizer.
  • Suggest: I suggest studying hard for the test

Practice Exercises

Please go to Gerunds to view this quiz

References[+]

Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns

by

In English, there are both countable and uncountable nouns. When using them, it is important to know which articles to use with them.[1]https://7esl.com/articles-with-countable-and-uncountable-nouns/

Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are concepts, materials, and information that cannot be counted.

A few examples include:[2]https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/nouns-countable-un.htm

  • Currency
  • Money
  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Power
  • Water
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Rice
  • Milk
  • Music
  • Love
  • Art
  • news

Countable Nouns

Countable nouns are places, people, and objects that can be counted.

For example:

  • 8 kids
  • 4 men
  • 12 apples
  • 6 oranges
  • A car
uncountable nouns

Articles with Uncountable Nouns

The

You can use the article “the” with uncountable nouns to talk about specific things.

For example:

  • The water is very cold.
  • I am listening to the news.
  • I love the art in the museum.

No Article

You can use no article in front an uncountable noun when you are talking about something in general.

For example:

  • He loves listening to music.
  • Milk is an important part of this recipe.

Articles with Countable Nouns

Number

You can use numbers in front of countable nouns.

For example:

  • I have 2 kids.
  • We have 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 6 fish as pets.

A/An

You can use “a/an” in front of singular non-specific countable nouns. This means that you are talking about something in general/nonspecific.

For example:

  • She has a cat.
  • Can I have a book please?
  • Joe is an English teacher.

The

You can use “the” in front of singular and plural specific countable nouns.

  • I like the book.
  • I like the books.

No Article

You can use no article in front of countable nouns when you mean all or any of it.

For example:

I am eating with my friends. (this can mean with some of my friends or all of my friends)

I like dogs. (this means that I like all dogs in general)

She hates cats. (this means that she hates all cats in general)

Practice Exercises

Please go to Articles with Countable and Uncountable Nouns to view this quiz

References[+]