We use the present continuous to talk about things that we have already arranged to do in the future. I’ve got my ticket. I’m leaving on Thursday. I’m seeing Julie at 5 and then I’m having dinner with Simon. He’s picking me up at the airport. The company is giving everyone a bonus for Christmas….
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Will – other uses
Older textbooks often refer to ‘will’ as ‘the future tense’ and this has confused a lot of learners. It is important to remember that when we talk about the future we cannot always use ‘will’ and that when we use ‘will’ we are not always talking about the future. Here ‘will’ is clearly referring to…
Shall
We don’t use ‘Shall’ very frequently in modern English, particularly in American English. It is used to make offers and suggestions and to ask for advice. What time shall we meet? Shall we vote on it now? What dress shall I wear? Shall I open the window? You only really need to know that about…
The Passive
We use the active form to say what the subject does. For example: I speak English every day at work. I repaired the flat tire on the car. We use the passive form to say what happens to people and things, to say what is done to them. For example: English is spoken here. The…
The Imperative
We can use the imperative to give a direct order. Take that chewing gum out of your mouth. Stand up straight. Give me the details. We can use the imperative to give instructions. Open your book. Take two tablets every evening. Take a left and then a right. We can use the imperative to make…
The -ing form
The –ing form can be used like a noun, like an adjective or like a verb. Smoking is forbidden. I have a long working day. I don’t like dancing. When it is used like a noun it may or may not have an article before it. Marketing is a very inexact science. The marketing of…
Can
Can you do that? I can’t manage to do that. You can leave your car in that parking space. You cannot smoke in here. Notice that there are two negative forms: ‘can’t’ and ‘cannot’. These mean exactly the same thing. When we are speaking, we usually say ‘can’t’. We use ‘can’ to talk about ‘ability’….