Mastering English Grammar: Present Perfect, Past Simple, Comparisons & More
Present Simple vs. Present Perfect
Use the correct form of the verbs (know, leave, not eat):
I have known my French friend Nicole since September.
Have your parents ever travelled?
My father retired last year.
My father left home five years ago.
So far this week, I haven’t eaten.
Did you talk to your teacher about…?
Past Simple or Present Perfect
Complete the text using the past simple or the present perfect:
(Passed, gave, asked, have never gone, was, told, were, has never driven, have seen, have never felt)
Past Perfect Simple
Use the past perfect simple:
Had never (travelled before I went to Ireland), had gone, had finished, had happened, had already left
- They had gone out before I arrived.
- Had the concert finished by the time you got there?
- We were exhausted because it had been a long fight.
- Before he took his driving test, he hadn’t had a lot of lessons.
- By the time they left, it had started to rain.
Used To
Write the correct forms of ‘used to’:
- Used to go
- Didn’t use to like
- Did your parents use to live here?
- Used to see
- Didn’t use to work
Comparisons
- Madrid is busier than Salamanca.
- Spanish beaches are more crowded than UK beaches in the summer.
- The Kinepolis cinema in Madrid is the largest cinema in the world.
- Granada is less crowded than Seville in August.
- Teruel is as big as Liria.
- New York is not as cold as Moscow in winter.
- It’s too cold to wear a t-shirt.
- Athens is as interesting as Rome.
- The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world.
- He’s not old enough to travel by himself.
- Buenos Aires is more populated than Rio de Janeiro.
- Helsinki is further north than Berlin.
- In my opinion, the Taj Mahal is the most beautiful building in the world.
Too and Not Enough
- Too strong
- Not dark enough
- Not relaxed enough
- Too nervous
- Too shy
Confusing Words
- My…to school takes… (journey, trip, travel, voyage)
- Next term… (journey, trip, travel, voyage)
- Julia…me than… (reminded, remember, missed, miss)
- Did you… (reminded, remember, missed, miss)
- Simon woke… (reminded, remember, missed, miss)
Foreigners, strangers, hope, expecting
Time Chart
| Verb | Past Simple | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | Passed | Passed |
| Give | Gave | Given |
| Ask | Asked | Asked |
| Go | Went | Gone |
| Be | Was/Were | Been |
| Tell | Told | Told |
| Drive | Drove | Driven |
| See | Saw | Seen |
| Feel | Felt | Felt |
Reading Comprehension: A Shock to the System
- 1d 2c 3a 4b
What are some of… symptoms of culture shock include feeling full of hope and enthusiasm, and feeling homesick.
What were Pablo’s… Pablo felt lonely and depressed, and like a tourist.
Which everyday thing… he didn’t know how to get to place, and he couldn’t join in conversations because his English wasn’t very good.
How did Pablo know… after about six months, he knew his way around well, and people recognized him and invited him to meeting.
What problems did… Pablo’s friends helped him with any problems with his landlord.
How had Pablo’s feelings… by the end of the years, he didn’t want to leave.
- 1a 2c 3b 4c 5a 6b
A Mix of Cultures: Young People in the UK
- C are learning
- The girls in the… B have
- The girls: d share many
- Carrie: C enjoys talking
- Puja thinks the: C helps people to understand
- Vineeta: B wears
- So sometimes the girls: B concentrate
- Sasha believes: C should be proud of their