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About + infinitive (with to) means ‘going to very soon’; ‘just going to’.Don’t go out now – we’re about to have lunch.I was about to go to bed when the telephone rang.Not about tocan mean ‘unwilling to’.I’m not about to pay 100 dollars for that dress.about to• see adverb position 5: emphasizing adverbs For more […]
We use “able” especially in the structure be able + infinitive. This often has the same meaning as can. There is a negative form unable. Some people are able to / can walk on their hands. I am unable to / can’t understand what she wants. “Can” is preferred in the sense of ‘know how […]
1 punctuation We usually write abbreviations without full stops in modem British English. Full stops (AmE ‘periods’) are normal in American English. Mr (AmE Mr.) = Mister (not usually written in full) kg (AmE kg.) = kilogram Ltd = limited (company ) 2 initial-letter abbreviations Some abbreviations are made from the first letters of several […]
Some styles of writing and speech have their own special grammar rules, often because of the need to save space or time.1 advertisements and instructionsSmall ads and instructions often leave out articles, subject or object pronouns, forms of be and prepositions.Single man looking for flat Oxford area. Phone 806127 weekends.Job needed urgently. Will do anything […]
how long? present perfectWe use a present perfect to say how long a situation or action has continued up to now. Compare:It’s raining again.It’s been raining since Christmas, (NOT It’s raining since Christmas.)Are you learning English?How long have you been learning? (NOT How long are you learning?) >I hear you’re working at Smiths. present perfect […]
non-progressive verbsSome verbs are not used in progressive forms (see progressive 2: non-progressive verbs), even if the meaning is one for which a progressive form ismore suitable. Common examples are be, have and know.John’s been ill all week, (NOT John’s been being ill…)She’s had a cold since Monday, (NOT She’s been having a cold …)I’ve […]
progressive (or ‘continuous’)formshave/has been + -ing I have been thinking about you.Have you been waiting long?I haven’t been studying very well recently.For double letters in words like sitting, stopping, see spelling 7: doubling final consonants.continuing actions and situationsWe use the present perfect progressive to look back over actions and situations which started in the past […]
causes and origins: Who gave you that?We normally use the present perfect when we are thinking about past events together with their present results (see present perfect 1: basic information.).I can’t come to your party because I’ve broken my leg.However, we usually prefer a past tense when we identify the person, thing or circumstances responsible […]
Thinking about the past and present together We use the present perfect if we are thinking about the past and present together. We do not use the present perfect if we are not thinking about the present. Compare: My sister has learnt French. (She can speak French now.) Shakespeare probably learnt Italian, (NOT Shakespeare has […]
This entry deals with the simple present perfect. For the present perfect progressive, see present perfect 4 forms have/has + past participle I have broken my glasses. Have you finished? She hasn’t phoned. In older English, some present perfect forms were made with be, not have (e.g. Winter is come). This does not normally happen […]