Adverbial phrases of frequency, time and place

Use:
An adverbial phrase is a group of words which always go together. they describe where, when or
how often something happens.
Adverbial phrases of frequency describe how often something happens.
every morning, every afternoon
every day daily
every week weekly
every month monthly
every year annually
every Sunday on Sundays on Sunday afternoons
once a day
twice a day
three / four / five times a day
all the time
Form:
1) Adverbs of frequency often go in present simple sentences.
I have toast for breakfast every day.
We visit our grandparents twice a month.
2) Note that on Saturday refers to one day. On Saturdays means every Saturday.
Common mistakes
1)

Some students write adverbs of frequency in the wrong place.

We every day go the park.

=>

We go to the park every

day.
2)

Some students use the plural form with every.

John goes swimming every days.

=>

John goes swimming every

day.
_____________________________________________________________________
Use:
Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of time to talk about when you do something.
Adverbs of time include:
today, tomorrow, tonight, yesterday, tomorrow, nowadays

now, first of all, beforehand

soon, afterwards, later, next, then
Form:
1) Adverbs of time usually go at the beginning or the end of a sentence or clause.
Tomorrow, Im going to the beach.
Im going to the beach tomorrow.
First of all, we had a drink at a caf.
We had a drink at a caf first of all.
Im going to the supermarket, and afterwards Im going to the library.
Im going to the supermarket, and Im going to the library afterwards.
2) It is more common to use then at the beginning of a sentence or clause.
Then we arrived at the castle.
Im going to finish my work and then Im going to have a drink.
It is more common to use soon and now at the end of a sentence.
Were going on holiday soon.
Im going home now.
Common mistakes
1)

Dont use an adverb of time between the subject and the object of a sentence.

I went yesterday to the zoo.

Im going now to the bank.
2)

=>
=>

I went to the zoo yesterday. / Yesterday I went to the zoo.

Im going to the bank now.

You must use a noun after After and Before. Otherwise, use afterwardsor beforehand.

Ill be late to class tomorrow. Im going to the doctors before. =>

Ill be late to class

tomorrow. Im going to the doctors beforehand.

Im going to my English class and Im going to the bar after.

=>

Im going to my English

class and Im going to the bar afterwards.

_____________________________________________________________________
Use:
Use adverbs and adverbial phrases of place to talk about where something happens.
Adverbs of place include:
outside, inside, indoors, upstairs, downstairs
(over) here, (over) there
abroad, overseas
Form:
1) Adverbs of place usually go after a verb.
She lives abroad.
Lets go indoors.

2) Adverbs of place can also go after the object of the sentence.

Rachel works in the office upstairs.
Your bag is on the table over there.

Comparatives
Use:
Use the comparative form to talk about how two things are different.
I am taller than you.
This book is thicker than that one.
Form:
1) If an adjective has one syllable, add er to the end. If it ends in e already, just addr.
tall => taller

nice => nicer

thick => thicker

late => later

2) If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then write er.
But never write a w twice.
big => bigger

new => newer (NOT newwer) thin => thinner

slow => slower (NOT

slowwer) slim => slimmer

My brother is thinner than me.
3) If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and add er.
funny => funnier

silly => sillier

Which of these books is funnier?

5) Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.
good => better
bad => worse
far => further
Add than after a comparative adjective to compare one thing with another. However, this is not
always necessary.
My house is smaller than yours.

Superlatives
Use:
Use the superlative form to describe something that is greater than any other thing.
The Amazon is the longest river in the world.
Helen is the most intelligent student in the class.

Form:
1)

Write the before all superlatives.

2)

If an adjective is short and has one syllable, add est to the end. If it ends in e already, just

add st.
tall
thick
2)

=>
=>

the tallest
the thickest

nice

=>

late

=>

the nicest
the latest

If an adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, write the consonant again, then

write est. But never write a w twice.

big

=>

the biggest

thin

=>

the thinnest

slim

=>

the slimmest

new

=>

the newest (NOT

newwest)
slow

=>

the slowest (NOT

slowwest)
The biggest cat in the world is the lion.
3)

If an adjective has two syllables and ends in y, change the y to i and addest.
funny

=>

the funniest

silly

=>

the silliest

Its the silliest film Ive ever seen!

4)

For other adjectives with two or more syllables, DONT add est. Writemost before the

adjective.
interesting

=>

the most interesting

surprising

=>

the

most surprising
Its the most interesting book Ive ever read.
5)

6)

Some adjectives have irregular superlative forms. These are listed below.
good

=>

the best

bad

=>

the worst

far

=>

the furthest

a) In is often (but not always) used after a superlative adjective to describe where this

statement is true.
London is the biggest city in England.
Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
My brother is the tallest person in my family.

be going to
Use:
Use be going to to talk about your personal plans for the future.

Im going to see my sister at the weekend.

Are you going to marry Paul?
Form:
1) The form of the positive and negative sentences and questions is shown below.
Positive
am / m
I
you

are / re

he / she / it

is / s

we

are / re

they

are / re

going to

verb (infinitive form)

going to

verb (infinitive form)

Negative
m not
I
you

arent

OR re not

he / she / it

isnt OR

we

arent

OR re not

they

arent

OR re not

s not

Questions
I
Am
Are

you

Is

he / she / it

Are

we

Are

they

going to

verb (infinitive form) ?

2) The short reply to a be going to question is Yes, I am, Yes, she is etc. You cannot contract
these short sentences.
Yes, hes. => Yes, he is.

The short negative replies are:

No, Im not.
No, youre not / No, you arent.
No, hes not / No he isnt. No, shes not / No she isnt. No, its not / no it isnt.
No, were not / No, we arent.
No, theyre not / No, they arent.
Common mistakes:
1) Some students forget to add the verb be before going to.
I going to see my friends tonight. => Im going to see my friends tonight.
2) Some students forget to invert the subject and be in questions.
What time you are going to leave? => What time are you going to leave?

Uncountable Nouns
Use:
Some nouns are countable you can count them. These include:
apples, books, cars, trees
Some nouns are uncountable you cannot count them. These include:
water, oil, rice, fruit, bread, information, money
Uncountable nouns have different grammar rules from countable nouns.
countable singular nouns

countable plural nouns

uncountable nouns

e.g. apple

e.g. apples

e.g. fruit

Singular countable nouns always Plural countable nouns do not

Uncountable nouns do not need a

need a determiner:

need a determiner.

determiner.

I like apples.

I like fruit.

a, this, that, my, the etc.

Look at that cat!
Can I have an apple?
Is this your bag?

Dogs are friendly.

But they can be used with
determiners:
Where are my shoes?
Are those pens yours?

But they can use singular

determiners:
This fruit is nice.

You can count countable nouns.

You cannot count uncountable

Can I have five apples please?

nouns.
Can I have five breads please?

Use singular verbs and

Use plural verbs and determiners. Use singular verbs and

determiners.

These apples are nice.

This apple is nice.

determiners.
This bread is nice.

Some determiners can be used with both countable and uncountable

nouns.
some, a lot of, lots of, loads of, plenty of, any
Weve got some potatoes. We need some bread.
We dont have any potatoes. We dont have any bread.
Some determiners can only be

Some determiners can only be

used with countable nouns:

used with uncountable nouns:

several, various, a few, many

much, a bit of, a little

Would like/ like

Use:
1)

Would like means want, but it is more polite.

You can use it in sentences and questions.

Id like a biscuit.
Would you like some tea?
2)

You can also use it to talk about your dreams and ambitions.

Id like to go to Japan.
I wouldnt like to live here!
You can also use Id love and Id hate to talk about dreams.
Id hate to live in the countryside.
Id love to work with Simon.
Form:
1)

Would like is the same for all persons.

I would like some tea.

You would like some tea.

He / she / James would like some tea.

We would like some tea.
They / our clients would like some tea.
2)

To make questions, invert the subject and would.

Would you / James / your clients like some tea?

3)

Use wouldnt to make the negative form.

I wouldnt like to work there.

4)

Would like can be followed by a noun or to + verb.

noun:

Would you like a biscuit?

verb:

Would you like to go to Malaysia?

5)

In positive sentences, you can contract would to d.

I would like to go to the USA.

=>

Id like to go to the USA.

But NOT in negative sentences:

Idnt like to work in a factory. =>

I wouldnt like to work in a factory.

And NOT in short answers:

Would you like to have a horse?
Yes, Id.
6)

=>

Yes, I would.

Be careful not to confuse would like and like.

Use like to talk about things you like all the time.
I like chocolate cake. Its my favourite food.
Use would like to talk about things you want now, or at some time in the future.
Id like a cup of coffee please.
Id like to work in a chocolate factory.

Imperative Forms
Use:
Use the imperative form to give instructions, orders and warnings.
Must is often used in signs and notices to give instructions.
Form:
1)

Do not use a subject when giving orders.

You wash your hands.

=>

Wash your hands.

Always use the infinitive form of the verb, without to.

To sit down please.

=>

Sit down please.

Use Dont to make the negative form.

Dont sit there!
2)

Written instructions on signs often use Do not, not Dont.

Do not cross this line.

3)

When giving instructions to a friend, you can soften the order by using you. However, this

is usually only done in spoken English.

First you put the mixture into a bowl, and then you add two eggs. Then you whisk it.
4)

Some written signs use Must / Must not.

All visitors must wear a badge.

Passengers must not talk to the driver.
Notice how plural nouns (visitors / passengers) are generally used in signs.
Common mistakes:
1)

Some students use to after Dont / Must

Dont to go in that door.

=>

Dont go in that door.

Grammar: So, such, too, enough

Too
Use:
Too means there is a lot of something. It shows a negative opinion.
Its too hot = It is very hot and I dont like it.
Form:
You can use too before an adjective.
Its too cold. My trousers are too small.
You can also use it before an adverb,
You walk too fast. James speaks too quietly.
Before a noun, use too much (uncountable nouns) or many (countable nouns).
I ate too much food.
I ate too many sandwiches.
You can also use too much after a verb.
I ate too much.
Paul drinks too much.
Enough
Use:

Enough means you have what you need.

We have enough food for everyone = everyone has some food.
We dont have enough chairs for everyone = some people dont have chairs.
Form:
Write enough before a noun.
We have enough chairs.
But write it after an adjective or verb.
Are you warm enough? Hes qualified enough. She isnt tall enough to be a model.
You dont work hard enough. Are you sleeping enough?
Sentences with enough are sometimes followed by to + verb infinitive.
Im not tall enough to reach the book.
I havent got enough money to buy that coat.
So
Use:
So means very.
Its so hot!
Form:
So is generally used before an adjective or an adverb.
Hes so funny! He plays the piano so well!
However, in modern English, it is increasingly being used before nouns and verbs.
That dress is so last year! (= That dress is last years fashion)
Im so going to shout at him when I see him! (so = really)
So can be used with a that clause, to show a result of the first clause.
I was so hot that I couldnt sleep.

Such
Use:
Such also means very. Such is used before an adjective and noun.
They are such nice children.
Form:
A / an, if necessary, go after such, not before.
Thats a such pretty dress. => Thats such a pretty dress!

Like So, Such can be used with a that clause, to show a result of the first clause.
I was such a nice day that we decided to go to the park.

Common mistakes
1) Some students use too with a positive meaning. But use so or very here
Its too hot! I love the summer! => Its so hot! I love the summer!
2) Some students write enough in the wrong place.
Do we have sugar enough? => Do we have enough sugar?
3) Some students use so / suchthat incorrectly.
It was so hot that the sun was shining.
This sentence is not correct because the sun was shining is not a direct result of It was so hot.
The hot day did not cause the sun to shine.

Can / Could
Use:
1) Use can / cant to talk about your abilities now.
I can speak English.

I cant speak German.

Use could / couldnt to talk about abilities in the past.

I could speak French when I was a child, but I can't now.
I couldnt speak English when I was a child, but I can now.
2) Use can and could to make requests. Could is more polite.
Can you cook this evening please?
Could you pass me the salt?
Use can to reply to requests.
Can I sit here?

=>

Can you cook this evening please?

Yes, you can.

=>

Sorry, you cant.

Yes, I can.

DONT use could in replies.

Could you lend me some money?
Yes, I could.

=>

Yes, sure! Sorry, I cant.

Form:
1) Can and could are the same for all persons.
I

can/could

you can/could

speak English
speak English

Sorry, I cant.

he / she / it
we

speak English

can/could

they

speak English

can/could

speak English.

can/could

2) The negative form of can is cannot, or cant. The negative form of could is couldnt.
3) There is always a verb after can and could, and the verb is always in theinfinitive form (without
to).
Sally can help you.

NOT Sally can helps you. / Sally can to help you.

4) Make questions by inverting can and the subject.

I can see you this afternoon.
You could help me.

=>

=>

Can I see you this afternoon?

Could you help me?

5) Use can/cant and could/couldnt in short answers.

Can your brother swim?
Could you do the test?

=>
=>

Yes, he can. No, he cant.

Yes, I could. No, I couldnt.

Common mistakes:
1) Some students make questions incorrectly.
You can speak English?
I could sit here?

=>

=>

Can you speak English?

Could I sit here?

Be
Use:
Use be with:
Names
Your age

Hello, Im John.
How old are you?
Im 17.
London is in England.

Places

The Pyramids are in Egypt.

The bank is one kilometre from here.

Adjectives

This hotel is nice.

Im hungry.
Im a student.

Jobs and family

My parents are doctors.

This is my sister.
Ann and Tom are my children.

Other Nouns

Jess is a dog.
Hamlet is a play.

adjective + noun

Thats a nice dress.

Shes a good actor.

Form:
Positive sentences
am / m

cold / hungry

a student / a teacher

You / We / They

are / re

He / She / It

is / s

at home / in the kitchen

Negative Sentences
am not / m not

cold / hungry

a student / a teacher

You / We / They

are not / arent / re not

He / She / It

is not / isnt / s not

at home / in the kitchen

Questions
I

cold / hungry?

Am

a student / a teacher?

Are

you / we / they

Is

he / she / it

at home / in the kitchen?

Short answers
I am.
Yes,

No,

Im not.

you are.

you arent / youre not.

he / she / it is.

he isnt / hes not.

we are.

we arent / were not.

they are.

they arent / theyre

not.

Contractions
The verb be has a full form and a contracted form.
I am = Im
He is = Hes
We normally use the contracted form (m / s / re) in speaking and informal writing.
We write the words in full in formal writing.

You can only use one contraction at a time:

eg: He isnt
Hes not
but NOT Hesnt
You can contract be after pronouns (I, you, she etc) and names.
You can contract is after question words.
What is your name? => Whats your name?
But do not contract are after question words.
Where are you from? => Wherere you from?
Do not contract short answers:
Yes, I am NOT Yes, Im
Common mistakes
1. In English, every sentence must have a verb. Some students write sentences with no verb.
I very hungry. => Im very hungry
My brother in his bedroom. => My brother is in his bedroom.
2. Some students write questions incorrectly.
She is your sister? => Is she your sister?

Past simple
Use:
Use the past simple to talk about finished events in the past. Use it to tell stories, jokes and
anecdotes.
Form:
1)

Many past tense verbs are formed by adding -ed to the end of the verb.

want

=>

wanted

start

=>

started

If a verb ends in e, just add d (liked, hoped).

If a verb ends in y, delete y and add ied (studied, carried). But dont do this if the verb ends in
a vowel + y (played, NOT plaied. stayed, NOT staied)
But a lot of past tense verbs are irregular. You need to learn each one separately. Here are some
examples.
have

=>

had

make

=>

made

take

=>

took

sit

=>

sat

get

=>

got

feel

=>

felt

Past simple verbs are the same for all persons.

I went; you went; he went; she went; they went; we went...

2)

Form negatives this way:

I, you, he , she, we, they...

didnt

infinitive verb
know, see, go

Dont use the past verb in negative sentences.

I didnt had dinner.

=>

I didnt have dinner.

3) Form questions this way:

I, you, he , she, we, they...
Did

infinitive verb
know, see, go

Common mistakes:
Some students use the past verb in questions.
Did you saw the film?

=>

Did you see the film?

Possessive s
Use:
Possessive adjectives after a name and before a noun.
They tell you who owns something.
This is Johns coat.
Is this Tinas bag?
Dont use s after things.
I clean the gardens pond every week. =>
Whats the books name?

I clean the pond in the gardenevery week.

=>

Whats the name of the book?

You can usually use s after organisations and groups of people.

Its the governments decision. OR
Tom is the companys new director.

Its the decision of the government.

OR

Tom is the new director of the company.

You can use s after time expressions.

What time is tomorrows meeting?
You can sometimes use s after countries and cities.
Indias population is rising.
But you cannot do this if it refers to a person.
I met Londons mayor last week.
Englands Queen is well-known. =>

=>

I met the mayor of London last week.

The Queen of England is well-known.

Form:

To make the possessive form, add s to the end of the name.

Is that Jacks bag?

With two names, only add s to the second name.

NOT

Thats Jane and Harrys house.

Thats Janes and Harrys house.

If something belongs to two or more people, put the apostrophe() after the plural s. Do not
write a second s.

My parents house is really big. NOT

My parentss house is really big.

However, if the plural noun is irregular, write the apostrophe () before the S.
The childrens party was great. NOT

The childrens party was great.

Prepositions and prepositional phrases of place

Use:
Use prepositions of place to describe where something is.

The ball is on the box.

The ball is in the box.

The ball is under the

box.

The ball is over the box.

The ball is next to the

The ball is between the

box.

two boxes.

The ball is near (to) the The ball is in front of the

box.

The ball is behind the

box.

box.

In is also used in these situations:

Countries, cities, villages
the world
mountains and valleys
buildings
water
the middle / centre
books / films / newspaper

We live in France / in Paris / in Madrid.

Its the highest building in the world.
They have a cottage in the mountains / in a valley.
She works in a bank.
Dont swim in the sea / the river / the lake.
He lives in the middle of Paris / in the city centre.
Which film was that actor in? I read about it in the newspaper.

On is also used in these situations:

walls, ceilings, doors, floor:
surfaces
the front / side/ back
left / right
Floors
lists / menus

She hung the picture on the ceiling / the wall / the door.
Theres a dirty mark on the page / table
Theres a label in on the box / bottle
The school is on the left.
Jims office is on the second floor.
Whats on the menu? Did you buy everything on the list?
I live on Jackson street. The nearest gas station is on the motorway.

roads
natural lines and borders

The post box is on the way to work.

He lives on the coast. London is on the River Thames.

At is also used in these situations:

the top / bottom (of a page)

Sign your name at the top / bottom.

Turn left at the traffic lights / roundabout / end of the street.

Directions:
Position (next to something)
the front / the back
the beginning / the end
events
buildings

Wait at the traffic lights / corner / tree.

I wrote my name at the front / back of the book.
What happened at the beginning / end of the film?
I met him at a party / conference / football match
Ill meet you at the airport / the station / home

Common mistakes:
1. Some students miss out part of the prepositional phrases.
I live next a small shop. =>

I live next to a small shop.

I parked the car in front the

I parked the car in front of the building.

building. =>
2. Some students add a second preposition where it is not necessary.
Your bag is behind ofthe
door.=>

Your bag is behind the door.

Prepositions of Time
Use:
Use prepositions of time before days, months, years and other time words.
AT:
Use before:
Times: Were leaving at 3 oclock
Lunchtime / bedtime: Hes arriving at lunchtime.
Night: I cant sleep at night.
The weekend: See you at the weekend!
Festivals: We went away at Easter.
IN:
the morning / afternoon / evening: See you in the morning!
Months: My birthdays in June.

Seasons: We always go on holiday in summer.

Years: He was born in 1996.
ON:
Dates: We arrived here on 4th August.
Days of the week: Lets go to the zoo on Saturday.
Single day events: We always eat out on Christmas Day.
Use ON before a day + morning/ afternoon/ evening/ night. See you on Tuesday night!
Dont use a preposition before: today, tonight, tomorrow, yesterday.

present continuous
Use:
1)

Use the present continuous to talk about actions which are happening now.
Ellen is having a bath at the moment.
Right now, Mark is talking to her manager.

Form:
Positive
am / m
I
You

are / re

He / She / It

is / s

We / They

are / re

verb+ing

Negative
m not
I
You

arent / re not

He / She / It

isnt / s not

We / They

arent / re not

Question

verb+ing

I
Am

verb+ing

Are

you

Is

he / she / it

Are

we / they

Spelling Rules:
If a verb ends in e, delete the e before you add ing.
come =>

Im coming.

have =>

Hes having lunch.

Common mistakes
1)

Some students forget the verb be.

I watching television.
She not coming.

2)

=>
=>

Im watching television.

Shes not coming.

Some students make questions incorrectly.

She is working?

3)

=>

Is she working?

Some students make spelling mistakes.

Im studing law. =>

Im studying law.

Present Simple
Use:
Sentences in the present simple tense are true all the time.

I come from Japan.

I live in Paris.

I like animals.

I have three sisters.

Form:
1) Form the present simple this way:
Positive
like
I
you

he
likes

she
it
we

animals

like

they
Negative
dont
I
you

like

he

animals

doesnt

she
it
we

dont

they
Questions
I
Do

you
like

he
Does

animals?

she
it

Do

we
they

Short answers
I
you

do

I
you

dont

he

he
does

she

she

it

Yes,

we

No,

do

they

doesnt

it
we

dont

they

Spelling Rules for 3rd person (he / she / it)

If a verb ends in consonant + y, change y to i and add es.

I study English. He studies English.

If a verb ends in tch, ss, x, sh or z, add es.

She watches television.

Susan misses her family.
He fixes the television.
My dad washes the car on Sundays.

Some verbs have irregular spellings:

I go

he / she / it goes

I do

he / she / it does

I have

he / she / it has

Common mistakes
1)

Some students forget to add s for he/she/it.

My mother like chocolate.

2)

My mother likes chocolate.

Some students make the negative form incorrectly.

Tom no work here.

Tom doesnt work here.

Tom isnt work here.

Tom dont work here.
3)

Some students forget to use Do and Does to make questions.

You like this song?

Is your father work here?

Do you like this song?

Does your father work here?

Use:
Whenever you use an introductory phrase before a question, you must change the word order in the
question.

Introductions include:
Can you tell me...? Do you know...? I dont know... Im not sure... I wonder... I cant remember...
Whats the time? =>Can you tell me what the time is?
Where did he go? =>I dont know where he went.
Form:
1) If the question has an auxiliary verb, swap the positions of the auxiliary verb and the subject. You
can also do this in sentences with the verb to be.
Example: When can you get here?
Can is the auxiliary verb and you is the subject. Swap their positions when you add an introduction.
Do you know when you can get here?
Other examples:
Where has he gone?

=>I dont know where he has gone.

What are they doing? =>I dont know what theyre doing.
What time is it?

=>Have you any idea what time it is?

You cannot contract the verb if it is the last word in the sentence.
Do you know what time its?

=>Do you know what time it is?

2) If the question is in the present or past simple, remove do / does / did from the question. Change
the verb ending so that the verb is in the correct tense.
Example:
Where did he go? =>Did you see where he went?
What time do you get up? =>Can you tell me what time you get up?
Where does she work? =>I wonder where she works.
3) If a question does not have a question word (Where, What, Why etc.) use if or whether before
the question.
Example:
Does he live here? =>Do you know if he lives here?
Are they coming to the party?

=>Do you know whether they are coming to the party?

Verbs of Preference + gerunds

Use:
We can use several different words and phrases in English to talk about things we like and dislike.

like

love

enjoy

dont mind

dislike

hate

cant stand

Form:
After these words you can use a noun or a verb in the ing form.
I like water.

I like swimming.

I love sports.

I love running.

We enjoy good food.

We enjoy eating out.

I dont mind housework.

I dont mind cooking.

I dislike buses.

I dislike waiting.

I hate housework

I hate cleaning.

I cant stand planes.

I cant stand flying.

Spelling rules
Remember the spelling rules when you make the ing form.

have

swim

If a verb ends in e, delete the e before you add ing.

=>

I love having breakfast in bed.

If a verb ends one vowel and one consonant, double the consonant.
=>

I dont like swimming.

Exceptions: words that end in w or y.

row

=>

I love rowing.

sew

=>

I dont like rowing.

play

=>

I like playing football.

Other exceptions:
=>

iron
open

=>

My mum hates ironing.

I dont mind opening the window for you.