Page 114 - PortalToEnglish_4_SB_SE

Grammar Reference

TIME EXPRESSIONS
always, ever, never, before, so far, yet, already, just,
may / might / could once, twice, for, since, how long, recently, etc.
• We use may / might / could + bare in initive to
express possibility in the present or future. NOTE
He could/may/might be at home now.
• We use may not / might not + bare in initive to Look at the list of irregular verbs.
express lack of possibility in the present or future.
We may not / might not go out tonight. NOTE
must / can’t • have/has gone means that someone has gone
• We use must + bare in initive to express a positive somewhere and is still there.
deduction about the present or future. Joan has gone to the gym. (She’s still there).
My parents must be at work now.
• We use can't + bare in initive to express a negative • have/has been means that someone has visited a
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deduction about the present or future. place but has come back.
You can't be serious. Joan has been to China. (Now she’s back).
had better Present Perfect Simple vs Past Simple
We use had better + bare in initive to give strong
advice. It often expresses threat or warning and We use the We use the
it’s stronger than should / ought to. It refers to the Present Perfect Simple: Past Simple:
present or future, not the past. Its negative form is
had better not. In spoken English the short form is • for actions that • for actions that
commonly used (I’d better, you’d better, etc.). happened in the past, happened at a de inite
You’d better ask a doctor about it. but we don’t say when time in the past. We
You’d better not lie to me again. exactly. say when.
I have tasted Mexican I tasted Mexican food
should / ought to food. last night.
Should / Shouldn’t + bare in initive refers to the
present or future and is used: • for actions that started • for actions that started
• to ask for or give advice. in the past and are and were completed in
Should I apologise to John for shouting at him? still happening in the the past.
You shouldn’t eat so much sugar. present. Ted worked as a waiter
• to express an opinion. Ted has worked as a when he was a student.
She should be more careful when she drives. waiter for two years.
• to make a suggestion. (= he is still working).
You should go to that new restaurant. It’s fantastic!
• to express mild obligation.
You should go to work on time.
since/for
NOTE • We use the Present Perfect with for and since for

• Should can be replaced with ought to. actions that started in the past and continue up to
You ought to go to that new restaurant. It’s fantastic! the present.
You ought not to eat so much sugar.
since + a speci ic point in time I’ve had this car since
It refers to the time when the
er
er
esent P
esent P
ect Simple
Present Perfect Simple action started. 2001.
ect Simple
f
f
Pr
Pr
We use the Present Perfect Simple: for + a period of time
• for actions which happened in the past, but we don't It refers to the duration of the I’ve had this car for
mention when exactly. action. ten years.
I’ve lost my sunglasses.
Present Perfect Simple + since +
• for a state which started in the past and continues Past Simple Julia has changed jobs
up to the present. To indicate when an action which three times since she
Mark has had this car since September. started in the past and continues came to Luton.
• for actions that happened in the past and inished, up to the present started.
but their results are obvious in the present.
Derek has washed his car.
• for actions which were completed a short time ago
(usually with just).
I’ve just bought this video game. Do you like it?
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