THE FUTURE
Several different verb-forms can be
used to talk about the future. Three common structures are
(1)
the "shall/will future", I'll
see you next week.
(2) the going
to structure, Who's going to look after
the baby tomorrow?
and
(3) the present continuous. Harry and Mary are coming this evening.
The shall/will future.
Ø To
express that
I'm
sure, I think, I expect, I hope, I suppose, I'm afraid, probably, perhaps, possibly and surely.
Do you think it'll rain?
We'll
be in Manchester before ten, I expect.
I'm sure he’ll come back.
They’ll
probably wait for us.
will
is a common way of expressing what the speaker thinks, believes, hopes, assumes, fears, etc. will happen:
It will probably be cold / I expect it will be cold.
Tomatoes will be expensive this year / I'm sure
tomatoes will be expensive.
Ø To
express certainty. It can be used “definitely”
That film definitely won’t win any award!
Ø It
is also used to express intention at the
moment of decision/sudden decision:
A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll answer it.
A: Come to a party. B: OK. I'll bring my boyfriend.
We use shall if we are asking what decision we ought to make.
What shall I do?
Ø Threats and
promises are decisions, either to do
something definitely, or to do it under certain circumstances. We usually use will ('ll) in the first person, but going to is also possible.
I promise I won't get drunk again.
I'll hit you if you do that again.
THE BE GOING TO STRUCTURE.
Ø It
expresses the subject's intention to
perform a certain future action. This intention is always premeditated and
there is usually also the idea that some preparation for the action has already
been made. Actions expressed by the be
going to structure are usually
considered very likely to be performed, though there is not the same idea of
definite future arrangement that we get from the present continuous. It is more
often used to talk about plans and resolutions with no fixed date. It can be
used without a time expression.
I am going to meet Tom at the station (it doesn't imply an
arrangement with Tom;
he may get a surprise)
He is going to be a dentist when he grows up.
He is going to lend me his bicycle.
(b) It is used to express
prediction. It can express the speaker's feeling of certainty. The time is not usually mentioned, but the
action is expected to happen in the near or immediate
future:
Look at those clouds! It's going to rain.
Listen to the wind. We're going to have a rough crossing.
He is going to get better (implies that
there are signs of recovery)
He will get better (implies confidence in his doctor, but
promises
eventual rather than immediate recovery)
Comparison of the use of be going to and will to express intention.
The be going to form always implies a premeditated intention, and often
an intention + plan.
Will
+ infinitive implies intention alone, and this intention is usually
unpremeditated.
If preparations for the action have
been made, we must use be going to:
I have bought some
bricks and I'm going to build a
garage
If the intention is clearly
unpremeditated, we must use will:
There is someone at the
door; I'll go and open it.
When the intention is neither
clearly premeditated nor clearly unpremeditated, either be going to or will may be used:
I'll/m going to climb that mountain one day.
I won't/am not going to tell you my age.
Comparison of be going to (used for prediction) with will (used for probable future):
Be
going to implies that there are signs that something will happen, will implies that the speaker
thinks/believes that it will happen.
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS AS A FUTURE FORM.
Note that the time must be
mentioned, or has been mentioned, as otherwise there may be confusion between
present and future.
The present continuous can express a definite arrangement in the
near future; it is used particularly to talk about future actions or events
which have been planned to take place at a particular time, or date.
I'm taking an exam in October
Bob and Bill are meeting tonight.
But with verbs of movement from one
place to another, e.g. go, come, drive,
fly, travel, arrive, leave, start, and verbs indicating position, e.g. stay, remain, and the verbs do and have, the present continuous can be used more widely. It can
express a decision or plan without any definite arrangement:
What are you doing next Saturday?
I'm going to the seaside
The neighbours are coming to watch television
I'm not doing anything. I'm
staying at home.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXERCISES
THE
PRESENT CONTINUOUS AND THE FUTURE TENSE.
1.
I am sure that I (recognize) ............... him.
2.
He (play) ............... a tennis match on Friday.
3.
She (come) ............... back on Monday.
4.
We (know) ............. tonight.
5.
I hope that you (have) ............... a good time tomorrow.
6.
He (not forget) ............. to come.
7.
He (leave) ............. in a few days.
8.
He has cut my hair too short.
Don't worry. It (grow) ............ again
very quickly.
9.
You (understand) ................ when you are older.
10.
She (go) .............. on a cruise next summer.
11.
I (wait) ............ here until he comes back.
12.
There (be) ............ a big meeting here tomorrow.
13.
I (move) ............. to a new flat next week.
PUT THE VERBS IN
BRACKETS INTO THE FUTURE TENSE OR BE GOING TO FORM. (In
some of the examples the present continuous could be used instead of the going to )
1.
He is in hospital with a broken
leg.
I am sorry to hear that. I (send)
............... him some grapes.
2.
I can't understand this letter.
I (call) .............. my son. He
(translate).............. it for you.
3.
(you buy) .................. bread?
No, because I (not eat) ..................
it any more.
4. I have enrolled at the local technical
college. I (attend) ................ pottery classes next winter.
5. How do I get from here to London Bridge?
I don't know, but I (ask)
................ that policeman.
6. You look very cold. Sit down by the fire and
I (make) ................ some tea.
7. I hear that you want to go on a diet. When
(you start) ....... ..............
?
I (start) ............... on Monday.
8. Leave a note for them on the table and they
(see) ............ it when they
come back.
9.
I'm afraid I'm not ready.
Don't
worry. I (wait) .............
10.
Why are you buying fruits?
Because I (make) ............ a fruit
cake.
11.
I've got a terrible headache.
Have you? Wait here and I (get)
................ an aspirin for
you.
12.
Why are you filling that bucket with water?
I (wash) ................. the car.
13.
Look! There's smoke coming out of that house. It's on fire!
Good heavens! I (call)
................ the fire-brigade immediately.
14.
Where are you going? Are you going shopping?
Yes, I (buy) ................
something for dinner.
15.
What would you like to drink -tea or coffee?
I (have) ................ tea,
please.
16.
Did you post that letter for me?
Oh, I'm sorry. I completely forgot.
I (do) ........... it now.
17.
I (get) ................. some bread. Do you want anything from the shop?
Yes, I need some envelopes.
OK, I (get) ................ you
some.
18.
Does George know what to do when he leaves school?
Oh yes, he (have) ................ a
holiday for a few weeks and then
he (start) ................. a computer programming course.
-------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Alejandro Alcaraz
Sintes
from isabelperez.com
Students‘ FAQs
- Confundo already y yet.
RESPUESTA
- Already y yet se usan con el Present Perfect (have +
participio)
- PREGUNTAS: YET se usa en preguntas
(interrogativas) y se coloca al final de la oración. = ¿YA?
- Have you had a swim yet? = ¿Lo has hecho ya?
- Have you said your mathematics lesson yet?
- Have you studied Unit 17 of Conocimiento del medio yet?
- RESPUESTAS:
- ALREADY se usa para contestar que
sí (afirmativas) o para decir que algo ya ha ocurrido, y
se coloca entre el auxiliar have y el verbo.= SÍ, YA.
- I have already had a swim in my swimming-pool.
- I have already said my mathematics lesson.
- I have already studied the English present tenses.
- YET se usa para contestar que no
(negativas) o para decir que algo todavía no ha ocurrido y
se coloca al final de la oración. = TODAVÍA NO, AÚN NO
- I haven‘t had a swim in my swimming-pool yet.
- I haven‘t said my mathematics lesson yet.
- I haven‘t studied Conditionals with inversion yet.
- Confundo still con yet.
RESPUESTAS
- Yet se usa con el Present Perfect, mientras que
still se
usa con el Present Perfect o con el Present (Simple o
Continuous), dependiendo de su significado.
- Still se usa con el Present para decir que
una acción o situación sigue ocurriendo. Para decir lo mismo en español,
usamos la frase «seguir haciendo
algo» o bien usamos «todavía». Ejemplos:
- I am still studying at school. = Sigo estudiando en el Instituto. Todavía estoy
estudiando en el Instituto.
- She is still in love with Juan. = Sigue enamorada de Juan. Todavía está enamorada de
Juan.
- STILL se usa también para decir que algo
todavía no ha ocurrido y por eso tiene el mismo significado que
YET. Pero
se colocan en distintos sitios dentro de la oración. En español se dice de la
misma forma: Todavía no he visitado
Londres / No he visitado Londres todavía.
- STILL se coloca delante del auxiliar: I still haven‘t visited London.
- YET se coloca al final de la oración: I haven‘t visited London yet.
Y ahora vamos a ver si haces bien el ejercicio. Hay una serie
de tareas ineludibles que tienes que hacer. Siempre hay una persona que te
pregunta si has hecho ya alguna tarea y tú debes contestar si ya las hecho, si
todavía no la has hecho, si todavía estás haciéndola. Tienes un ejemplo hecho
con la primera tarea. Las tareas son:
Mother‘s question: Have you made your bed yet?
Your answer 1: No, I haven‘t made it yet. I‘m sorry.
Your answer 2: No, I still haven‘t made it. I‘m
sorry.
Your answer 3: Yes, I have already made it. Stop bothering
me!
Your answer 4: I am still making it. Can‘t you
see?
Your mother asks your the following questions. You may add
something else after your answer, as in the example.
- MAKE YOUR BED
- WATER THE FLOWER POTS IN YOUR BEDROOM
- ARRANGE YOUR BOOKS ON THE SHELF
- POLISH YOUR SHOES
- ARRANGE YOUR CLOTHES IN YOUR BEDROOM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Watch the movie segment from “THE REBOUND”
THE REBOUND
and write down HE if the
activity was performed by the male character. Write SHE if she did it. The main
characters used to be lovers but they have spent the past 5 years apart, doing
different things.
( ) 1 Visit Paris ( ) 2
Interview several people (
) 3 See the kids play baseball
( ) 4 Travel to third world countries ( ) 5 Broadcast the news as a TV anchor
( ) 6 Travel to New York ( ) 7 Drive across the desert ( ) 8 Go on a safari
( ) 9 Go to fancy parties ( ) 10 Teach needy children in Africa
II. Now write down what both of the them HAVE DONE while they have been away from each other.
III. Work in pairs and discuss the following questions:
1. How different have their lives been?
2. Who had a happier life? Why?
3. What kind of life would you rather have? His or hers? Why?
4. Do you think that such different couple can be happy together? Explain it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Complete
the lines of the opening scene from the
movie "The Great Gatsby" with the correct form of the adjectives,
nouns or expressions from the box. You may use COMPARATIVE, SUPERLATIVE, OR DOUBLE COMPARATIVE FORMS.
LOOSE - BROAD - HOPEFUL - IN TUNE - YOUNG - VULNERABLE - WE DRANK - BIG -
HIGH - CHEAP
1) In my
_________________ and _________________ years my father gave me some advice
that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like
criticizing anyone,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this
world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.
2) The
________________ with the time we were, the _________________.
3) He was the single
_____________________ person I have ever met;
4) The parties were
_________________________.
5) The shows were
____________________________.
6) The buildings were
________________________.
7) The morals were
_____________________ and the ban on alcohol had backfired, making the liquor
__________________.
IV. Discuss:
1. How do
you imagine life was like in the 1930's? Does the movie segment surprise you?
2. Would you
like to have lived during those years? Why (not)?
3. Alcohol
was prohibited, so the prices were very expensive. Do you think alcohol should
be prohibited again, the way it used to be in the 30's? Why (not)?
4. What
about some drugs, like marijuana? Should they remain banned? Or do you think
the legalization will be best?*
------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparatives and
Superlatives
- short adjectives: add '-er'
- long adjectives: use 'more'
THE FUTURE
Several different verb-forms can be
used to talk about the future. Three common structures are
(1)
the "shall/will future", I'll
see you next week.
(2) the going
to structure, Who's going to look after
the baby tomorrow?
and
(3) the present continuous. Harry and Mary are coming this evening.
The shall/will future.
Ø To
express that
I'm
sure, I think, I expect, I hope, I suppose, I'm afraid, probably, perhaps, possibly and surely.
Do you think it'll rain?
We'll
be in Manchester before ten, I expect.
I'm sure he’ll come back.
They’ll
probably wait for us.
will
is a common way of expressing what the speaker thinks, believes, hopes, assumes, fears, etc. will happen:
It will probably be cold / I expect it will be cold.
Tomatoes will be expensive this year / I'm sure
tomatoes will be expensive.
Ø To
express certainty. It can be used “definitely”
That film definitely won’t win any award!
Ø It
is also used to express intention at the
moment of decision/sudden decision:
A: The phone is ringing.
B: I'll answer it.
A: Come to a party. B: OK. I'll bring my boyfriend.
We use shall if we are asking what decision we ought to make.
What shall I do?
Ø Threats and
promises are decisions, either to do
something definitely, or to do it under certain circumstances. We usually use will ('ll) in the first person, but going to is also possible.
I promise I won't get drunk again.
I'll hit you if you do that again.
THE BE GOING TO STRUCTURE.
Ø It
expresses the subject's intention to
perform a certain future action. This intention is always premeditated and
there is usually also the idea that some preparation for the action has already
been made. Actions expressed by the be
going to structure are usually
considered very likely to be performed, though there is not the same idea of
definite future arrangement that we get from the present continuous. It is more
often used to talk about plans and resolutions with no fixed date. It can be
used without a time expression.
I am going to meet Tom at the station (it doesn't imply an
arrangement with Tom;
he may get a surprise)
He is going to be a dentist when he grows up.
He is going to lend me his bicycle.
(b) It is used to express
prediction. It can express the speaker's feeling of certainty. The time is not usually mentioned, but the
action is expected to happen in the near or immediate
future:
Look at those clouds! It's going to rain.
Listen to the wind. We're going to have a rough crossing.
He is going to get better (implies that
there are signs of recovery)
He will get better (implies confidence in his doctor, but
promises
eventual rather than immediate recovery)
Comparison of the use of be going to and will to express intention.
The be going to form always implies a premeditated intention, and often
an intention + plan.
Will
+ infinitive implies intention alone, and this intention is usually
unpremeditated.
If preparations for the action have
been made, we must use be going to:
I have bought some
bricks and I'm going to build a
garage
If the intention is clearly
unpremeditated, we must use will:
There is someone at the
door; I'll go and open it.
When the intention is neither
clearly premeditated nor clearly unpremeditated, either be going to or will may be used:
I'll/m going to climb that mountain one day.
I won't/am not going to tell you my age.
Comparison of be going to (used for prediction) with will (used for probable future):
Be
going to implies that there are signs that something will happen, will implies that the speaker
thinks/believes that it will happen.
THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS AS A FUTURE FORM.
Note that the time must be
mentioned, or has been mentioned, as otherwise there may be confusion between
present and future.
The present continuous can express a definite arrangement in the
near future; it is used particularly to talk about future actions or events
which have been planned to take place at a particular time, or date.
I'm taking an exam in October
Bob and Bill are meeting tonight.
But with verbs of movement from one
place to another, e.g. go, come, drive,
fly, travel, arrive, leave, start, and verbs indicating position, e.g. stay, remain, and the verbs do and have, the present continuous can be used more widely. It can
express a decision or plan without any definite arrangement:
What are you doing next Saturday?
I'm going to the seaside
The neighbours are coming to watch television
I'm not doing anything. I'm
staying at home.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXERCISES
THE
PRESENT CONTINUOUS AND THE FUTURE TENSE.
1.
I am sure that I (recognize) ............... him.
2.
He (play) ............... a tennis match on Friday.
3.
She (come) ............... back on Monday.
4.
We (know) ............. tonight.
5.
I hope that you (have) ............... a good time tomorrow.
6.
He (not forget) ............. to come.
7.
He (leave) ............. in a few days.
8.
He has cut my hair too short.
Don't worry. It (grow) ............ again
very quickly.
9.
You (understand) ................ when you are older.
10.
She (go) .............. on a cruise next summer.
11.
I (wait) ............ here until he comes back.
12.
There (be) ............ a big meeting here tomorrow.
13.
I (move) ............. to a new flat next week.
PUT THE VERBS IN
BRACKETS INTO THE FUTURE TENSE OR BE GOING TO FORM. (In
some of the examples the present continuous could be used instead of the going to )
1.
He is in hospital with a broken
leg.
I am sorry to hear that. I (send)
............... him some grapes.
2.
I can't understand this letter.
I (call) .............. my son. He
(translate).............. it for you.
3.
(you buy) .................. bread?
No, because I (not eat) ..................
it any more.
4. I have enrolled at the local technical
college. I (attend) ................ pottery classes next winter.
5. How do I get from here to London Bridge?
I don't know, but I (ask)
................ that policeman.
6. You look very cold. Sit down by the fire and
I (make) ................ some tea.
7. I hear that you want to go on a diet. When
(you start) ....... ..............
?
I (start) ............... on Monday.
8. Leave a note for them on the table and they
(see) ............ it when they
come back.
9.
I'm afraid I'm not ready.
Don't
worry. I (wait) .............
10.
Why are you buying fruits?
Because I (make) ............ a fruit
cake.
11.
I've got a terrible headache.
Have you? Wait here and I (get)
................ an aspirin for
you.
12.
Why are you filling that bucket with water?
I (wash) ................. the car.
13.
Look! There's smoke coming out of that house. It's on fire!
Good heavens! I (call)
................ the fire-brigade immediately.
14.
Where are you going? Are you going shopping?
Yes, I (buy) ................
something for dinner.
15.
What would you like to drink -tea or coffee?
I (have) ................ tea,
please.
16.
Did you post that letter for me?
Oh, I'm sorry. I completely forgot.
I (do) ........... it now.
17.
I (get) ................. some bread. Do you want anything from the shop?
Yes, I need some envelopes.
OK, I (get) ................ you
some.
18.
Does George know what to do when he leaves school?
Oh yes, he (have) ................ a
holiday for a few weeks and then
he (start) ................. a computer programming course.
-------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Alejandro Alcaraz Sintes
By Alejandro Alcaraz Sintes
from isabelperez.com
Students‘ FAQs
- Confundo already y yet.
RESPUESTA
- Already y yet se usan con el Present Perfect (have + participio)
- PREGUNTAS: YET se usa en preguntas (interrogativas) y se coloca al final de la oración. = ¿YA?
- Have you had a swim yet? = ¿Lo has hecho ya?
- Have you said your mathematics lesson yet?
- Have you studied Unit 17 of Conocimiento del medio yet?
- RESPUESTAS:
- ALREADY se usa para contestar que sí (afirmativas) o para decir que algo ya ha ocurrido, y se coloca entre el auxiliar have y el verbo.= SÍ, YA.
- I have already had a swim in my swimming-pool.
- I have already said my mathematics lesson.
- I have already studied the English present tenses.
- YET se usa para contestar que no (negativas) o para decir que algo todavía no ha ocurrido y se coloca al final de la oración. = TODAVÍA NO, AÚN NO
- I haven‘t had a swim in my swimming-pool yet.
- I haven‘t said my mathematics lesson yet.
- I haven‘t studied Conditionals with inversion yet.
- Confundo still con yet.
RESPUESTAS
- Yet se usa con el Present Perfect, mientras que still se usa con el Present Perfect o con el Present (Simple o Continuous), dependiendo de su significado.
- Still se usa con el Present para decir que una acción o situación sigue ocurriendo. Para decir lo mismo en español, usamos la frase «seguir haciendo algo» o bien usamos «todavía». Ejemplos:
- I am still studying at school. = Sigo estudiando en el Instituto. Todavía estoy estudiando en el Instituto.
- She is still in love with Juan. = Sigue enamorada de Juan. Todavía está enamorada de Juan.
- STILL se usa también para decir que algo todavía no ha ocurrido y por eso tiene el mismo significado que YET. Pero se colocan en distintos sitios dentro de la oración. En español se dice de la misma forma: Todavía no he visitado Londres / No he visitado Londres todavía.
- STILL se coloca delante del auxiliar: I still haven‘t visited London.
- YET se coloca al final de la oración: I haven‘t visited London yet.
Y ahora vamos a ver si haces bien el ejercicio. Hay una serie
de tareas ineludibles que tienes que hacer. Siempre hay una persona que te
pregunta si has hecho ya alguna tarea y tú debes contestar si ya las hecho, si
todavía no la has hecho, si todavía estás haciéndola. Tienes un ejemplo hecho
con la primera tarea. Las tareas son:
Mother‘s question: Have you made your bed yet?
Your answer 1: No, I haven‘t made it yet. I‘m sorry.
Your answer 2: No, I still haven‘t made it. I‘m
sorry.
Your answer 3: Yes, I have already made it. Stop bothering
me!
Your answer 4: I am still making it. Can‘t you
see?
Your mother asks your the following questions. You may add
something else after your answer, as in the example.
- MAKE YOUR BED
- WATER THE FLOWER POTS IN YOUR BEDROOM
- ARRANGE YOUR BOOKS ON THE SHELF
- POLISH YOUR SHOES
- ARRANGE YOUR CLOTHES IN YOUR BEDROOM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I. Watch the movie segment from “THE REBOUND”
THE REBOUND
and write down HE if the activity was performed by the male character. Write SHE if she did it. The main characters used to be lovers but they have spent the past 5 years apart, doing different things.
( ) 1 Visit Paris ( ) 2 Interview several people ( ) 3 See the kids play baseball
( ) 4 Travel to third world countries ( ) 5 Broadcast the news as a TV anchor
( ) 6 Travel to New York ( ) 7 Drive across the desert ( ) 8 Go on a safari
( ) 9 Go to fancy parties ( ) 10 Teach needy children in Africa
I. Watch the movie segment from “THE REBOUND”
THE REBOUND
and write down HE if the activity was performed by the male character. Write SHE if she did it. The main characters used to be lovers but they have spent the past 5 years apart, doing different things.
( ) 1 Visit Paris ( ) 2 Interview several people ( ) 3 See the kids play baseball
( ) 4 Travel to third world countries ( ) 5 Broadcast the news as a TV anchor
( ) 6 Travel to New York ( ) 7 Drive across the desert ( ) 8 Go on a safari
( ) 9 Go to fancy parties ( ) 10 Teach needy children in Africa
II. Now write down what both of the them HAVE DONE while they have been away from each other.
III. Work in pairs and discuss the following questions:
1. How different have their lives been?
2. Who had a happier life? Why?
3. What kind of life would you rather have? His or hers? Why?
4. Do you think that such different couple can be happy together? Explain it.
III. Work in pairs and discuss the following questions:
1. How different have their lives been?
2. Who had a happier life? Why?
3. What kind of life would you rather have? His or hers? Why?
4. Do you think that such different couple can be happy together? Explain it.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II. Complete
the lines of the opening scene from the
movie "The Great Gatsby" with the correct form of the adjectives,
nouns or expressions from the box. You may use COMPARATIVE, SUPERLATIVE, OR DOUBLE COMPARATIVE FORMS.
LOOSE - BROAD - HOPEFUL - IN TUNE - YOUNG - VULNERABLE - WE DRANK - BIG -
HIGH - CHEAP
1) In my
_________________ and _________________ years my father gave me some advice
that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. ‘Whenever you feel like
criticizing anyone,’ he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this
world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.
2) The
________________ with the time we were, the _________________.
3) He was the single
_____________________ person I have ever met;
4) The parties were
_________________________.
5) The shows were
____________________________.
6) The buildings were
________________________.
7) The morals were
_____________________ and the ban on alcohol had backfired, making the liquor
__________________.
IV. Discuss:
1. How do
you imagine life was like in the 1930's? Does the movie segment surprise you?
2. Would you
like to have lived during those years? Why (not)?
3. Alcohol
was prohibited, so the prices were very expensive. Do you think alcohol should
be prohibited again, the way it used to be in the 30's? Why (not)?
4. What
about some drugs, like marijuana? Should they remain banned? Or do you think
the legalization will be best?*
------------------------------------------------------------------Comparatives and Superlatives
Short
adjectives
|
|
|
old, fast
|
|
happy,
easy
|
Normal
rule: add '-er'
|
old >
older
|
Variation:
if the adjective ends in -e, just add -r
|
late >
later
|
Variation:
if the adjective ends in consonant, vowel, consonant, double the last
consonant
|
big >
bigger
|
Variation:
if the adjective ends in -y, change the -y to -i
|
happy
> happier
|
Long
adjectives
|
|
|
modern,
pleasant
|
|
expensive,
intellectual
|
Normal
rule: use 'more'
|
modern
> more modern
expensive > more expensive |
Warning! With some
2-syllable adjectives, we can use '-er' or
'more':
- quiet > quieter/more quiet
- clever > cleverer/more clever
- narrow > narrower/more narrow
- simple > simpler/more simple
How do we use comparative adjectives? |
We use comparative adjectives when talking about 2 things
Often, the comparative adjective is followed by 'than'.
Look at these examples:
- John is 1m80. He is tall. But Chris is
1m85. He is taller than John.
- America is big. But Russia is bigger.
- I want to have a more powerful computer.
- Is French more difficult than English?
Superlative Adjectives
What is the superlative?
|
Comparison is between 2 things: "A
is bigger than B."
A
|
B
|
But the superlative is the
extreme between 3 or more things: "A is the biggest."
A
|
B
|
C
|
How do we make a superlative adjective?
|
As with comparative adjectives, there are two ways to form a superlative adjective:
- short adjectives: add '-est'
- long adjectives: use 'most'
We also usually add 'the' at the beginning.
Short
adjectives
|
|
|
old, fast
|
|
happy,
easy
|
Normal
rule: add '-est'
|
old >
the oldest
|
Variation:
if the adjective ends in -e, just add -st
|
late >
the latest
|
Variation:
if the adjective ends in consonant, vowel, consonant, double the last
consonant
|
big >
the biggest
|
Variation:
if the adjective ends in -y, change the -y to -i
|
happy
> the happiest
|
Long
adjectives
|
|
|
modern,
pleasant
|
|
expensive,
intellectual
|
Normal
rule: use 'most'
|
modern
> the most modern
expensive > the most expensive |
Warning! With some
2-syllable adjectives, we can use '-est' or
'most':
- quiet > the quietest/most
quiet
- clever > the cleverest/most
clever
- narrow > the narrowest/most
narrow
- simple > the simplest/most
simple
When we compare one thing with itself, we do not use 'the':
- England is coldest in winter. (not
the coldest)
- My boss is most generous when we get a big
order. (not the most generous)
Irregular adjectives:
Comparative
|
Superlative
|
|
good
|
better
|
best
|
bad
|
worse
|
worst
|
much
|
more
|
most
|
little
|
less
|
least
|
far
|
farther
further |
farthest
furthest |
old
|
older
elder |
elder
eldest |
Irregular adverbs:
Comparative
|
Superlative
|
|
badly
|
worse
|
worst
|
far
|
farther
further |
farthest
furthest |
little
|
less
|
least
|
much
|
more
|
most
|
well
|
better
|
best
|
We use as + adjective + as to say that
something is equal to other thing.
Examples:
He is as
good student as his brother.
Maria’s
eyes are as beautiful as yours.
We use less + adjective + than to say
that something is inferior to other.
Examples:
You are
less boring than my teacher.
Our car is
less expensive than theirs.
When we want
to describe how something or someone changes we can use two
comparatives with and:
The balloon
got bigger and bigger.
Everything is getting more and more expensive.
Grandfather is looking older and older.
Everything is getting more and more expensive.
Grandfather is looking older and older.
We often use
the with comparative adjectives to show that one thing depends on another:
When you
drive faster it is more dangerous
> The faster you drive, the more dangerous it is.
When they climbed higher it got colder
> The higher they climbed, the colder it got.
> The faster you drive, the more dangerous it is.
When they climbed higher it got colder
> The higher they climbed, the colder it got.
COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES WITH COMPARATIVES
1.
Do
you think Pat is _______________________ Brian ? (intelligent)
2.
This
school is _______________________ ours
(new)
3.
The
computer is _______________________ I thought (expensive)
4.
The
rooms are_______________________ they
used to be (clean)
5.
He
is _______________________ he was a year ago (healthy)
6.
Do
you think English is _______________________ French? (difficult)
7.
He
eats a lot – He is getting _____________ and _____________ (fat)
8.
I
think girls are _______________________ boys (mature)
9.
Not
many people are _______________________ he is (dishonest)
10.
His
face was getting _____________ and _____________ (red)
11.
He
was _______________________I had ever seen him before (angry)
12.
Big
cars are _______________________small ones ( comfortable)
13.
I
think the book is_______________________ the film (interesting)
14.
Could
I have a_______________________ room, please? (big)
15.
My
exam was_______________________ I thought (bad)
16.
The
road becomes _______________________after three or four miles (narrow)
17.
The
film is getting _____________ and _____________ (interesting)
18.
_____________
you drive _____________you’ll arrive
19.
_____________
I see you _____________ I love you
20.
_____________
I eat _____________ I get
21.
_____________
people_____________ problems.
Difference between almost and nearly
Almost and nearly have similar meanings. They are both used to express ideas connected with progress, measurement or counting.
He slipped and almost fell to the ground. OR He slipped and nearly fell to the ground.
Dinner is almost / nearly ready. (= Dinner will soon be ready.)
Sometimes almost shows more ‘nearness’ than nearly.
Compare:
It is nearly 12 o’clock. (= perhaps 11.45)
It is almost 12 o’clock. (= perhaps 11.55)
Differences
Nearly can be used with very and pretty. Almost cannot be used with very and pretty.
I have pretty nearly finished. (NOT I have pretty almost finished.)
Nearly is less common in American English.
Differences
Nearly suggests progress towards a goal. Almost suggests ideas such as similarity.
He is almost like a father to me. (NOT He is nearly like a father to me.)
She has got a strange accent. She almost sounds foreign.
Nearly is not normally used before negative words like never, nobody, nothing, any etc. Instead we use almost or hardly with ever, anybody, anything etc.
The speaker said almost nothing. OR The speaker said hardly anything. (= The speaker said only a few words of little importance.)
(NOT The speaker said nearly nothing.)
Almost nobody came. OR Hardly anybody came. (NOT Nearly nobody came.)
He slipped and almost fell to the ground. OR He slipped and nearly fell to the ground.
Dinner is almost / nearly ready. (= Dinner will soon be ready.)
Sometimes almost shows more ‘nearness’ than nearly.
Compare:
It is nearly 12 o’clock. (= perhaps 11.45)
It is almost 12 o’clock. (= perhaps 11.55)
Differences
Nearly can be used with very and pretty. Almost cannot be used with very and pretty.
I have pretty nearly finished. (NOT I have pretty almost finished.)
Nearly is less common in American English.
Differences
Nearly suggests progress towards a goal. Almost suggests ideas such as similarity.
He is almost like a father to me. (NOT He is nearly like a father to me.)
She has got a strange accent. She almost sounds foreign.
Nearly is not normally used before negative words like never, nobody, nothing, any etc. Instead we use almost or hardly with ever, anybody, anything etc.
The speaker said almost nothing. OR The speaker said hardly anything. (= The speaker said only a few words of little importance.)
(NOT The speaker said nearly nothing.)
Almost nobody came. OR Hardly anybody came. (NOT Nearly nobody came.)
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