
- •Oxford Practice Grammar
- •1 What kind of word? (b)
- •2 What kind of word? (b)
- •3 Words in sentences (c)
- •1 Subject Verb
- •1 Parts of the sentence (a)
- •2 Sentence structure (a)
- •3 Word order (a)
- •4 Adverbials (b)
- •Indirect object or to? (a)
- •1 Form (b)
- •2 Form (b)
- •2 Forms (b-c)
- •3 Forms (b-c)
- •1 Present continuous or simple? (a-b)
- •2 Present continuous or simple? (a-c)
- •3 Always (d)
- •I like/I'm liking etc
- •1 States and actions (a)
- •3 The verb be (b)
- •1 Positive forms (b)
- •2 Positive forms (b)
- •3 Negatives and questions (c)
- •1 Form (b)
- •2 Form (b)
- •1 Past continuous or simple? (a-b)
- •2 Past continuous or simple? (a-b)
- •3 Past continuous or simple? (a-c)
- •B Form
- •C Irregular forms
- •1 Form (b)
- •2 Irregular forms (c)
- •3 Review (a-d)
- •1 Just (a)
- •2 Just, already and yet (a)
- •3 For and since (b)
- •4 For and since (b)
- •B Ever and never
- •C First time, second time, etc
- •1 Gone to or been to? (a)
- •6 I've done it. I did it yesterday.
- •2 I've done it. I did it yesterday. (b)
- •3 Structures with for, since and last (c)
- •It hasn't rained today.
- •1 I've been or I was? (a)
- •4 Present perfect or past simple? (Units 14 and 15)
- •23 Will and shall
- •24 Be going to
- •27 When I get there, before you leave, etc
- •28 Will be doing
- •29 Will have done and was going to
- •1 Will have done (a)
- •2 Will have done (a)
- •3 Was going to (b)
- •4 Was going to (b)
- •39 Who, what or which?
- •1 What or which? (a)
- •2 What or which? (a)
- •3 Who, what or which? (b)
- •43 So/Neither do I and I think so
- •3 I think so, etc (b)
- •49 Should, ought to, had better and be supposed to
- •52 Will, would, shall and should
- •53 It may/could/must have been, etc
- •1 I was given ... (a)
- •2 It is said that... (b)
- •3 He is said to... (c)
- •58 Have something done
- •1 Have something done (a-b)
- •2 Have something done (a-b)
- •3 Get something done (c)
- •59 To be done and being done
- •63 Like, start, etc
- •64 Remember, regret, try, etc
- •1 It is easy to drive the car (b)
- •2 The car is easy to drive (c)
- •3 Certain, sure and likely (d)
- •71 Afraid to do or afraid of doing?
- •1 Afraid (a)
- •2 Afraid (a)
- •3 Afraid, anxious, ashamed and interested (a-b)
- •4 Sorry (c)
- •72 Used to do and be used to doing
- •74 See it happen or see it happening?
- •1 See it happen (b)
- •2 See it happening (c)
- •3 See it happen or see it happening? (d)
- •77 A carton of milk, a piece of information, etc
- •1 A carton of milk (a)
- •2 A man/he and the man/someone (c)
- •85 A/an, one and some
- •4 Some (d)
- •86 Cars or the cars?
- •87 Prison, school, bed, etc
- •1 Prison or the prison? (a)
- •88 On Friday, for lunch, etc
- •89 Quite a, such a, what a, etc
- •2 So and such (c)
- •4 What (d)
- •91 This, that, these and those
- •92 My, your, etc and mine, yours, etc
- •94 Some and any
- •95 A lot of, lots of, many, much, (a) few and (a) little
- •96 All, half, most, some, no and none
- •97 Every, each, whole, both, either and neither
- •3 Each other (b)
- •103 Everyone, something, etc
- •106 The old, the rich, etc
- •107 Interesting and interested
- •Interesting.
- •1 Less (a)
- •2 Much faster (b)
- •3 Faster and faster (c)
- •4 The faster, the better (d)
- •114 Yet, still and already
- •3 Very cold, really hurting, etc (b-d)
- •116 Quite and rather
- •3 Quite or rather? (c)
- •117 Too and enough
- •121 For, since, ago and before
- •122 During or while? By or until? As or like?
- •1 During or while? (a)
- •2 By or until? (b)
- •3 As or like? (c)
- •71 Afraid, anxious, ashamed, interested, sorry 72 Used to
- •2 Good, bad, etc (c)
- •1 Tell/ask someone to do something (a)
- •148 If, when, unless and in case
- •1 If or when? (b)
- •2 If and unless (c)
- •3 If and unless (c)
- •4 In case (d)
- •5 If, when, unless and in case (b-d)
- •149 Wish and if only
- •150 But, although and in spite of
- •2 Although (b)
- •3 In spite of and although (e)
- •4 But, although, even though, in spite of and despite (a-e)
- •5 Although, even though, in spite of and despite (a-e)
- •151 To, in order to, so that and for
- •Verbs with prepositions and adverbs
151 To, in order to, so that and for
We use to, in order to, so that and for to express purpose, to say why we do things. The purpose of stopping is to buy a newspaper.
B To
We can use the to-infinitive to express purpose.
Melanie was hurrying to catch her bus. Most people work to earn money. I rang to find out the train times. We went to the library to get some books.
C In order to and so as to
In order to and so as to are more formal than to.
The government took these measures in order to reduce crime.
The staff are working at weekends so as to complete the project in time. We can use the negative in order not to or so as not to.
Melanie was hurrying in order not to miss her bus.
The staff are working at weekends so as not to delay the project any further. We cannot use not to on its own.
She
was hurrying to
catch her
bus. not
She-was-hurrying
not to miss-her bus.
D So that
Look at this example.
I'll post the card today so that it gets there on Daniel's birthday. After so that we use a subject and verb, e.g. it gets. We often use will or can for a present purpose and would or could for a past purpose.
I'll give you a map so that you can find/you'll find the way all right.
I gave Nick a map so that he could find/would be able to find the way all right.
E To or for?
We can use for with a noun to say why we do something.
The whole family have gone out for a bike ride. Why don't you come over for coffee? To talk about the purpose of a thing, we use either a to-infinitive or for + an ing-form.
This heater is to keep/for keeping the plants warm in winter.
This machine is used to cut/for cutting plastic. But we do not use for + an ing-form to talk about a specific action.
I
put the heater on to
keep the
plants warm, not
I
put the heater-on-for keeping the plants warm.
Exercises
1 To(B)
Complete each sentence using to and these words:
cash a cheque, finance her studies, go to sleep, hear the football results, look smart
► Laura
went to the bank to
cash a cheque.
Mrs Miles sometimes takes a pill
Tom turned on the radio
Just this once Mike is going to wear a suit
Jessica is borrowing some money
2 In order to and so as to (C)
Alan works for Zedco. He wants to succeed in business, so he is listening to a talk on the subject. Here is what the speaker is showing the audience.
ACTION PURPOSE
► study the market be more successful
get to work earlier impress the boss
work harder achieve more
take risks be a winner
think positively not miss any opportunities
Say what Alan is going to do. Use either in order to or so as to. Both are correct.
► He's going to study the market in order to be more successful.
1
2 …………………………………………………………………………………
3 ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4
3 To, for and so that (B, D, E)
Comment on what each person says. Use the word in brackets.
Ilona: I'm learning English. I want to get a better job. (to) llona is learning English to get a better job.
Claude: I study encyclopedias. Then I can answer quiz questions, (so that) Claude studies encyclopedias so that he can answer quiz questions.
Vicky: I'm saving up. I'm planning a holiday, (for) Vicky is saving up for a holiday.
Nick: I keep a dog. It guards the house, (to)
David: I'm going to be very careful. Then I won't have an accident, (so that)
Jessica: I'm going on a diet. I want to lose weight, (to)
Trevor: I often switch off the heating. It saves money, (to)
Sarah: I had to go to Birmingham. I had a business meeting, (for)
Emma: I wore boots because I didn't want my feet to get wet. (so that)
152 Review of linking words
A Time words
Look at these examples with when, while, as soon as, etc.
My leg hurts when I walk.
(when I walk = at the time I walk)
Mark heard the news on the radio as/while he was driving home.
(as/while he was driving = during the time he was driving)
We're going to tidy up after everyone's gone.
(after everyone's gone = later than everyone goes)
As soon as Laura had left the house, it started to rain.
(as soon as she had left = immediately after she had left)
/ must get to the post office before it closes.
(before it closes = earlier than it closes)
You have to wait until the light changes to green.
(until it changes = up to the time it changes)
David hasn't been able to work since he broke his leg.
(since he broke his leg — from the time he broke his leg) Remember that we use the present simple for future time after when, etc. We say before it closes, until it changes, etc (see Unit 27).
B If, unless and in case
We use these words to express a condition (see Unit 148). Rachel might buy a car if she passes her test. (She may or may not pass her test.)
You won't learn to use a keyboard properly unless you practise. (unless you practise = if you don't practise)
We'd better allow plenty of time for the journey in case there are traffic hold-ups. (in case there are hold-ups = because there may be hold-ups)
C But, although and in spite of
We use these words to express the idea of a contrast (see Unit 150). The jacket was nice, but it was too small for me.
Although the forecast said it would rain, it turned out to be a beautiful day. We still haven't got a sponsor in spite of writing/in spite of the fact that we've written to dozens of companies.
D Because and so
We use because to express the reason for something and so to express the result of something. / turned the heating on because it was cold. Henry started jogging because his doctor told him to. It was cold, so I turned the heating on. The stereo didn't work, so Vicky took it back to the shop.
E To, in order to and so that
We use these words to express purpose (see Unit 151). Sarah went to Birmingham to meet a client. We're having to borrow money in order to pay our bills. I took the bread out of the freezer so that it would defrost.
152 Exercises
Time words (A)
Arlene Black's new CD is now available in the shops. Write the titles of her songs.
Use these words instead of the ones in brackets: as soon as, before, since, when, while, until
► Think of me (during the time) I'm away Think of me while I'm away
I'll love you (up to the day) I die
I hear music (at the time) I see you
Come back (earlier than) I forget you
I've been sad (from the time) you left me
I fell in love (immediately after) we met
Linking words (B-E)
Put in these words: although, because, but, if, in case, in order to, in spite of so, so that, unless
► Olivia booked a babysitter so that she could go out for the evening.
1 ……………………. it was late, Nick didn't seem in a hurry to leave.
They put video cameras in shops ……………. stop people stealing things.
We decided not to go out for a meal……………………… we were simply too tired.
4 ………………….. you're ready, we can start now.
Our room was very small, we didn't really mind.
No one was watching the television, I switched it off.
You can't drive a car you've got a licence.
8 ……………… having absolutely no talent, Guy became a popular TV personality
and chat show host.
9 I think my answers are right, but can I just check them with yours
I've made a mistake?
Linking words (A-E)
Complete the conversation. Choose the correct linking word.
Daniel: What are you going to do (►) after/befefe you finish college, Rachel?
Rachel: Vicky and I will be off to the States (1) as soon as/in spite of this term is over. We're going to travel
around, and we may go to Canada (2) so that/to see some friends of Vicky's. We've been thinking
about nothing else (3) since/until we bought our plane tickets. Daniel: It sounds great. How are you getting around in the States? Rachel: By Greyhound bus. I know it takes longer than flying, (4) but/in spite of it'll be more interesting.
We fly to LA and then we're taking the bus to New York. We're going to buy a special ticket
(5) in order/so that we can go anywhere we like on the way.
Daniel: Yes, it's better by bus (6) because/unless you can stop off at interesting places. Rachel: Of course the bus will probably be tiring.
Daniel: Maybe you should take plenty of money (7) if/in case you decide to fly instead. Rachel: I'll have to be careful with my money. I'm hoping to stay out there (8) unless/until I have to come
back and start my job in September. I'm really looking forward to the trip, (9) although/because
I'll be sad to leave here. And what about you? What are you doing this summer? Daniel: I'd go away somewhere (10) if/in case I could afford to. But I'm working. I've got no money,
(11) because/so I'll have to earn some. Rachel: Have you really got no money (12) although/in spite of the fact that you've had a part-time job
this term? Daniel: You know me, Rachel. If I've got money, I spend it.
153 Links across sentences
Rita: You go to United's games, don't you, Tom?
You watch them on TV, too. Tom: Well, I'm a fan. It's wonderful when United win.
On the other hand, it's terrible when they lose. Rita: Why not have a change? After all, there are
other things in life. Tom: Such as? Rita: There's music, for example. Why don't you go
to a concert some time? Tom: But I don't like classical music.
Look at the words and phrases too, on the other hand, after all and for example. They all make a link with an earlier sentence. When Rita says There's musk, for example, she is giving an example of other things in life, which she has already mentioned.
B Words and phrases meaning 'and', 'but' and 'so'
'And': Sarah often works late. She works on Saturdays sometimes, too/as well. Sarah often works late. She also works on Saturdays sometimes. Arlene Black has a yacht and a helicopter. In addition, she has five cars. I'm not inviting my cousin — I don't like him. Besides, he didn't invite me to his party. The buildings are in a very poor condition. Furthermore, there is no money to repair them.
'But': I haven't been very well recently. Still, it could be worse.
Nick is in love with Rita. Rita, however, is in love with Tom.
Everyone thought that Emma should accept the offer. Nevertheless/All the same, she turned it down.
I don't want to be late for the meeting. On the other hand, I don't want to get there too early.
'So': The holiday had been a complete disaster. We therefore decided to fly home early if we could. Someone switched the freezer off. Consequently/As a result, all the food was spoilt.
Some of these words and phrases are rather formal and typical of written English. They are consequently, furthermore, however, in addition, nevertheless and therefore.
C Other linking words and phrases
Rephrasing: Jessica isn't the most popular person around here. In other words, no one likes her.
Correcting yourself: We play basketball. I mean/Or rather volleyball.
Contradicting: Sarah isn't lazy. On the contrary, she works extremely hard.
Picking up a topic: I like Natasha. I went on holiday with her. ~ Talking of holidays, what are your
plans for this year?
Changing the subject: It's a lovely day, isn't it? ~ Yes, beautiful. By the way, have you seen Melanie? Supporting a statement: We don't need to drive to the club, do we? After all, it's only about
200 metres from here. Dismissing something: I'm not sure a thank-you letter is really necessary. Anyway, I can't be bothered to
write one. Giving an example: Yes, I do think Henry is rude. He shouts at waiters, for example/for instance.
153 Exercises
1 Words and phrases meaning 'and', 'but' and 'so' (B)
What do the underlined words mean? Write and, but or so.
► Daniel's suitcase got left behind. He got it back in the end, however. = but
I'm too tired to go for a walk. Besides, it looks like rain. =
The road was under water. The police therefore closed it to traffic. =
We took lots of photos. We videoed the speeches as well. =
It was a terrible journey. Still, we got there safely in the end. =
A strike by air traffic controllers has begun. Many flights have consequently been cancelled. =
The company has spent millions on computers. Nevertheless, it does = not seem to have become more efficient.
2 Links across sentences (B-C)
Complete this letter to a local newspaper. Choose the correct word or phrase.
There's
been a lot of talk about a 'spaceship' seen over the town at about
eleven o'clock on Friday night. (►)
As
a result/Nevertheless,
hundreds of enthusiastic sky-watchers have arrived in town, hoping
that it will return.
But was it really a spaceship? About twenty people say they saw it.
(1) Consequently/Furthermore,
there is a photograph which is supposed to show the object in the
sky. We know, (2) however/as
a result,
that trick photos are easy to produce. (3) By
the way/In other words,
it is almost certainly a fake. But it would be wrong to treat the
whole thing as a joke. (4) All
the same/On the contrary,
all such reports should be
carefully investigated. (5) After
all/Anyway,
the arrival of a spacecraft from another world would indeed be
a serious matter. But usually there is a more simple explanation.
Many supposed spaceships turn out to be weather balloons, (6) for
example/or rather.
A similar mistake probably lies behind the belief that someone
from another world really did pay us a visit last Friday.
3 Links across sentences (C)
What would you say? Give your answer using a linking word or phrase.
► Support Emma's opinion: she might not get another offer. Emma: You're right. Maybe I should accept the offer.
After all, you might not get another one.
Rephrase what Rita is saying: she doesn't want to see Nick. Rita: I don't know if I'll have time to see Nick.
Change the subject and ask what the time is.
Tom: I hope Wayne Johnson will be fit to play for United on Saturday.
Dismiss the idea of buying a sweater: they haven't got one in your size. Daniel: I'm not sure if that sweater really suits you.
Mention Sarah as an example.
Claire: Lots of our friends have mobile phones, don't they?
5 Contradict what Nick says.
Nick: Sorry. I persuaded you to see that film and you hated it, didn't you?
Contents
Introduction page vi Key to symbols vii Starting test viii
Words and sentences
Word classes: nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc 2
Sentence structure: subject, verb, object, etc 4
Direct and indirect objects 6
Verbs
The present continuous 8
The present simple 10
Present continuous or simple? 12
State verbs and action verbs 14 Test 1: Present tenses 16
The past simple 18
The past continuous 20
Past continuous or simple? 22
Test 2: Past simple and past continuous 24
The present perfect (1) 26
The present perfect (2): just, already, yet; for and since 28
The present perfect (3): ever, this week, etc 30
Present perfect or past simple? (1) 32
Present perfect or past simple? (2) 34 Test 3: Present perfect and past simple 36
The present perfect continuous 38
Present perfect continuous or simple? 40
The past perfect 42
Review of the past simple, continuous and perfect 44
The past perfect continuous 46 Test 4: Past and perfect tenses 48
Review of present and past tenses 50 Test 5: Present and past tenses 54
Introduction to the future 56
Will and shall 58
Be going to 60
Will and be going to 62
Present tenses for the future 64
When I get there, before you leave, etc 66 Test 6: The future with will, be going to and present tenses 68
Will be doing 70
Will have done and was going to 72
Review of the future 74 Test 7: The future 76
The verb have 78
Short forms, e.g it's, don't 80
Emphatic do 82
Questions, negatives and answers
Yes/no questions 84
Short answers, e.g. Yes, it is. 86
Wh-questions 88
Subject/object questions 90
Prepositions in wh-questions 92
Who, what or which? 94 Test 8: Questions 96
Negative statements 98
Negative questions 100
Question tags, e.g. isn't it? 102
So/Neither do I and I think so 104
Test 9: Questions, negatives and answers 106
Modal verbs
Ability: can, could and be able to 108
Permission: can, may, could and be allowed to 110
Possibility and certainty: may, might, could, must, etc 112
Necessity: must and have to 114
Necessity: mustn't, needn't, etc 116
Should, ought to, had better and be supposed to 118
Asking people to do things 120
Suggestions, offers and invitations 122
Will, would, shall and should 124
It may/could/must have been, etc 126 Test 10: Modal verbs 128
The passive
Passive verb forms 130
Active and passive (1) 132
Active and passive (2) 134
Special passive structures 136
Have something done 73$
To be done and being done 140 Test 11: The passive 142
The infinitive and the ing-form
Verb + to-infinitive 144
Verb + ing-form 146
Verb + to-infinitive or verb + ing-form? 148
Like, start, etc 150
Remember, regret, try, etc 152
Test 12: Verb + to-infinitive or ing-form 154
Verb + object + to-infinitive or ing-form 156
Question word + to-infinitive 158
Adjective + to-infinitive 160
For with the to-infinitive 162
The infinitive with and without to 164
Verb/Adjective + preposition + ing-form 166
Afraid to do or afraid of doing? 168
Used to do and be used to doing 170
Preposition or linking word + ing-form 172
See it happen or see it happening? 174
Some structures with the ing-form 176 Test 13: The infinitive and the ing-form 178
Nouns and articles (a/an and the)
Ship and water: countable and uncountable nouns 180
A carton of milk, a piece of information, etc 182
Nouns that can be either countable or uncountable 184
Agreement 186
Singular or plural? 188
Pair nouns and group nouns 190
Two nouns together 192
Test 14: Nouns and agreement 194
A/an and the (1) 196
A/an and the (2) 198
A/an, one and some 200
Cars or the cars? 202
Prison, school, bed, etc 204
On Friday, for lunch, etc 206
Quite a, such a, what a, etc 208
Place names and the 210 Test 15: A/an and the 214
This, my, some, a lot of, all, etc
This, that, these and those 216
My, your, etc and mine, yours, etc 218
The possessive form and of 220
Some and any 222
A lot of, many, much, (a) few and (a) little 224
All, half, most, some, no and none 226
Every, each, whole, both, either and neither 228
Test 16: This, my, some, a lot of, all, etc 230
Pronouns
Personal pronouns, e.g. I, you 232
There and it 234
Reflexive pronouns 236
Emphatic pronouns and each other 238
The pronoun one/ones 240
Everyone, something, etc 242 Test 17: Pronouns 244
Adjectives and adverbs
Adjectives 246
The order of adjectives 248
The old, the rich, etc 250
Interesting and interested 252
Adjective or adverb? (1) 254
Adjective or adverb? (2) 256
Test 18: Adjectives and adverbs 258
Comparative and superlative forms 260
Comparative and superlative patterns (1) 264
Comparative and superlative patterns (2) 266 Test 19: Comparative and superlative 268
Adverbs and word order 270
Yet, still and already 274
Adverbs of degree, e.g. very, quite 276
Quite and rather 278
Too and enough 280
Test 20: Adverbs and word order 282
Prepositions
Prepositions of place 284
In, on and at (place) 288
In, on and at (time) 290
For, since, ago and before 292
During or while? By or until? As or like? 294
Preposition + noun, e.g. on holiday 296
Noun + preposition, e.g. trouble with 298
Adjective + preposition, e.g. proud of 300 Test 21: Prepositions 302