A2 · Lesson 30 · 25 min
Checkpoint: everyday grammar
In this lesson
- I can choose grammar for everyday situations in the present, past and future.
- I can connect ideas and express quantity, comparison, rules and plans.
Grammar in context
Mina is organising a small picnic for Saturday. She usually shops after work, but today she is checking the weather. Yesterday, she bought fruit, and tomorrow she is going to make sandwiches with her brother.
Which verbs describe a routine, an action now, a finished event and a future plan?
Choose the time clearly
Use the present simple for routines and facts, and the present continuous for actions happening now. Use past simple for a finished time, often with yesterday or last week. For a plan already decided, use going to; use will for a decision you make at the moment. Questions with do, does and did use the base verb.
- Leo walks to college every morning.
- Leo is walking to college now.
Talk about things and compare them
Use some in positive statements and any in most questions and negatives. Use many with countable plural nouns and much with uncountable nouns. Comparatives compare two things: cheaper than, better than. Superlatives name one thing in a group: the cheapest, the best. Remember that some nouns, such as water and rice, are uncountable.
- There are some apples in the bag.
- This café is quieter than the one near my office.
Rules, reasons and possible results
Mustn't means something is not allowed. Don't have to means it is not necessary. Should gives friendly advice. Connect ideas with and, but, because and so. For a real future possibility, use if plus present simple, then will plus a base verb. Use when for events that happen at a particular time.
- You mustn't park in front of the gate.
- If it rains, we will eat inside.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
She doesn't likes spicy food.
Use
She doesn't like spicy food.
After doesn't, use the base form of the verb.
Avoid
We didn't went to the market.
Use
We didn't go to the market.
After didn't, use the base form, not the past form.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.