Grammar Reference

 

1.1 ■ Present simple and present continuous

Present simple

Affirmative	base form of verb (+ -s / -es for third person singular)
Negative	don't / doesn't + infinitive
Questions	do / does + subject + infinitive

He always wears designer clothes.

Fashions and customs don’t always stay the same.

Do you like tattoos? Yes, I do. / No, I don’t.

Use

We use the present simple to talk about:

• habits and everyday routines.
• facts and general truths.
• states. Some verbs that describe states are believe, hate, have, know, like, need, prefer, see, seem, think, understand, want.

We use the following time expressions with the present simple: always, every day, often, regularly, usually, sometimes, hardly ever, never.

Present continuous

Affirmative	is / are + -ing form
Negative	isn't / aren't + -ing form
Questions	is / are + subject + -ing form

The grass in the garden is getting very long.

I’m not wearing my hair in a ponytail today.

Are you looking for a particular type of jacket?

Yes, I am. / No, I’m not.

Use

We use the present continuous to talk about:

• actions that are happening now, or around now.
  I’m looking for a vintage dress.
• temporary situations.
  I’m staying with my aunt and uncle at the moment.
• changing or developing situations.
  More and more people are becoming overweight.
• irritating habits, often with always.
  He’s always playing that awful music.

We use the following time expressions with the present continuous: right now, at the moment, nowadays, today.

1.2 ■ Verb patterns

When two verbs appear together in a sentence, the first one can be followed by the infinitive (with or without to) or the -ing form of the second.

It is important to remember the pattern for each verb. Below are some of the most common ones.

• Verb + infinitive with to (decide, expect, promise, choose, seem, need, want)
  We decided to meet outside the Clock Café.
• Verb + infinitive without to (shall, must, could, will, should)
  You should eat less junk food.
• Verb + -ing (suggest, consider, admit, enjoy, avoid, imagine)
  I enjoyed listening to Dan’s music.
• Verb + infinitive or -ing (like, love, prefer)
  Paula doesn’t like staying up late.
  Paula doesn’t like to stay up late.

Some verbs change their meaning depending on whether they are followed by infinitive + to or verb + -ing.

These include: remember, forget, stop, try, regret.

• remember + infinitive with to: to remember that you need to do something.
  I remembered to buy milk.
• remember + -ing: to have a memory of doing something.
  I remember buying milk, but I don't remember picking up my purse in the shop.
• forget + infinitive with to: we forget before the action.
  We forgot to buy a cake for Martha's birthday.
• forget + -ing: often in the phrase will never forget, to talk about a memorable experience.
  I'll never forget spending that week in Rome.
• stop + infinitive with to: to stop in order to do something.
  She stopped to look in the shop window.
• stop + -ing: to end an action.
  She stopped looking in the window and walked off towards the station.
• try + infinitive with to: to do your best.
  I'm trying to do my homework, so can you please make less noise?
• try + -ing: to do something that might solve a problem.
  We've tried putting oil in the lock, but we still can't open the door.
• regret + infinitive with to: a formal way of giving bad news.
  We regret to inform you that the 14.05 train to York is cancelled.
• regret + -ing: to feel sorry about something that you did in the past.
  Kate really regrets saying those things to Suzy.