Hướng dẫn ngữ pháp tiếng anh

1 Hướng dẫn ngữ pháp tiếng anh , trường hợp cụ thể Present Simple We use the present simple to talk about actions we see as long term or permanent It is a very common and very important tense Here, we are talking about regular actions or events • They drive to the office every day • She doesn't come here very often • The news usually starts at 6.00 every evening • Do you usually have bacon and eggs for breakfast? Here, we are talking about facts • We have two children • Water freezes at 0° C or 32° F • What does this expression mean? • The Thames flows through London Here, we are talking about future facts, usually found in a timetable or a chart • Christmas Day falls on a Monday this year • The plane leaves at 5.00 tomorrow morning • Ramadan doesn't start for another weeks • Does the class begin at 10 or 11 this week? Here, we are talking about our thoughts and feelings at the time of speaking Although these feelings can be short-term, we use the present simple and not the present continuous • They don't ever agree with us • I think you are right • She doesn't want you to it • Do you understand what I am trying to say Present Continuous The present continuous is used to talk about present situations which we see as short-term or temporary We use the present simple to talk about present situations which we see as long-term or permanent In these examples, the action is taking place at the time of speaking • It's raining • Who is Kate talking to on the phone? • Look, somebody is trying to steal that man's wallet • I'm not looking My eyes are closed tightly In these examples, the action is true at the present time but we don't think it will be true in the long term • I'm looking for a new apartment • He's thinking about leaving his job • They're considering making an appeal against the judgment • Are you getting enough sleep? In these examples, the action is at a definite point in the future and it has already been arranged • I'm meeting her at 6.30 • They aren't arriving until Tuesday • We are having a special dinner at a top restaurant for all the senior managers • Isn't he coming to the dinner? Present Simple or Continuous We use the Present Simple o for regular actions or events I watch TV most evenings o facts The sun rises in the east o facts know about the future The plane leaves at 5.00 in the morning o thoughts and feelings about the time of speaking I don't understand We use the Present Continuous o at the time of speaking ('now') I'm watching a movie on TV o things which are true at the moment but not always I'm looking for a new job o present plans for the future I'm taking my husband to New York for his birthday Look at these sentences: I usually don't drink coffee but I'm having one this morning because there is o nothing else I often drive to work but I'm taking the train this morning because my car is in for o repair I'm thinking about dying my hair blonde but I don't think my wife will be very o happy about it o My parents live in New York but I'm just visiting Notice how in all these examples we use the present continuous to talk about events which are temporary/limited in time and the present simple to talk about events which are habits/permanent Past Simple We use the past simple to talk about actions and states which we see as completed in the past We can use it to talk about a specific point in time • She came back last Friday • I saw her in the street • They didn't agree to the deal It can also be used to talk about a period of time • She lived in Tokyo for seven years • They were in London from Monday to Thursday of last week • When I was living in New York, I went to all the art exhibitions I could You will often find the past simple used with time expressions such as these: • Yesterday • three weeks ago • last year • in 2002 • from March to June • for a long time • for weeks • in the 1980s • in the last century • in the past Past Continuous We use the past continuous to talk about past events which went on for a period of time We use it when we want to emphasize the continuing process of an activity or the period of that activity (If we just want to talk about the past event as a simple fact, we use the past simple.) • While I was driving home, Peter was trying desperately to contact me • Were you expecting any visitors? • Sorry, were you sleeping? • I was just making some coffee • I was thinking about him last night • In the 1990s few people were using mobile phones We often use it to describe a "background action" when something else happened • I was walking in the street when I suddenly fell over • She was talking to me on the phone and it suddenly went dead • They were still waiting for the plane when I spoke to them • The company was declining rapidly before he took charge • We were just talking about it before you arrived • I was making a presentation in front of 500 people when the microphone stopped working Past Simple or Continuous Both the past simple and the past continuous refer to completed actions in the past Most of the time when we are talking about such actions, we use the past simple This is by far the most common way of talking about the past • I lived there for years • I only found out a few moments ago • I asked her but she didn't know anything • The company made 100 people redundant last year Only use the past continuous when you want to emphasize the continuity of the action • Everybody was talking about it all evening • They were really trying hard but couldn't it • I was thinking about you the other day • Were you expecting that to happen? When we use these two forms in the same sentence, we use the past continuous to talk about the "background action" and the past simple to talk about the shorter completed action • It was raining hard when we left the building • I was reading the report when you rang • He was going out to lunch when I saw him • The company Irregular Verbs All new verbs in English are regular • I photocopied the report • She faxed it to me • They emailed everybody about it • I googled my name and got more than 20 000 responses There are approximately 180 irregular verbs You don't need to learn all of them because some of these are very rare but many others are very useful and you need to know them What's the easiest way to learn them? Some people think you should learn a list 'by heart' Others think you should not learn them at all – you will just gradually acquire them over time One useful method is to note down new irregular verbs as you meet them It is useful to write these verbs (or any vocabulary you want to learn) in sentences and learn those rather than the individual word Which is easier to learn? • stick stuck stuck • I stuck the photo into my album Another technique is to classify the irregular verbs into categories All forms the same • set set set • cost cost cost Similar sound groups • beat beat beaten • eat ate eaten • blow blew blown • throw threw thrown • drink drank drunk • sing sang sung • speak spoke spoken • wake woke woken The second and third forms are the same • bend bent bent • sleep slept slept • spend spent spent • bring brought brought • buy bought bought • teach taught taught • have had had • pay paid paid • say said said The "unclassifiables" • come came come • did done • go went gone • show showed show Present Perfect (Please note that British and American English have different rules for the use of this tense The explanation and exercises here refer to British English In American English, it is often acceptable to use the past simple in some of these examples.) We use the present perfect when we want to look back from the present to the past We can use it to look back on the recent past • I've broken my watch so I don't know what time it is • They have cancelled the meeting • She's taken my copy I don't have one • The sales team has doubled its turnover When we look back on the recent past, we often use the words 'just' 'already' or the word 'yet' (in negatives and questions only) • We've already talked about that • She hasn't arrived yet • I've just done it • They've already met • They don't know yet • Have you spoken to him yet? • Have they got back to you yet? It can also be used to look back on the more distant past • We've been to Singapore a lot over the last few years • She's done this type of project many times before • We've mentioned it to them on several occasions over the last six months • They've often talked about it in the past When we look back on the more distant past, we often use the words 'ever' (in questions) and 'never' • Have you ever been to Argentina? • Has he ever talked to you about the problem? • I've never met Jim and Sally • We've never considered investing in Mexico Present Perfect Continuous 10 This tense is used to talk about an action or actions that started in the past and continued until recently or that continue into the future: We can use it to refer to an action that has finished but you can still see evidence • Oh, the kitchen is a mess Who has been cooking? • You look tired Have you been sleeping properly? • I've got a a stiff neck I've been working too long on computer It can refer to an action that has not finished • I've been learning Spanish for 20 years and I still don't know very much • I've been waiting for him for 30 minutes and he still hasn't arrived • He's been telling me about it for days I wish he would stop It can refer to a series of actions • She's been writing to her regularly for a couple of years • He's been phoning me all week for an answer • The university has been sending students here for over twenty years to work experience The present perfect continuous is often used with 'since', 'for', 'all week', 'for days', 'lately', 'recently', 'over the last few months' • I've been wanting to that for ten years • You haven't been getting good results over the last few months • They haven't been working all week They're on strike • He hasn't been talking to me for weeks • We've been working hard on it for ages • I've been looking at other options recently • He's been working here since 2001 49 • I don't suppose you know where Mary is? • I don't suppose he'll anything • I don't suppose you have a Nokia phone charger here? When responding to an idea with 'suppose', you can use 'so' to avoid repeating the idea that has already been expressed • Is Susan coming to this meeting? ~ I suppose so Suppose Supposed to be' can be used to mean 'it is said/believed' • The new James Bond movie is supposed to be excellent • He is supposed to have been rude to Mark but I don't believe it • It is supposed to be the best restaurant in town 'Supposed to be' can also be used to talk about what is arranged, intended or expected It is a bit like 'should' • I'm supposed to get to work by • John is supposed to turn off all the lights when he leaves • I'm supposed to pay my rent on the first of the month • It's not supposed to be here Often there is a suggestion that the action 'supposed to' happen does not actually happen • I'm supposed to be there before but I'm often late • You were supposed to phone me • I'm supposed to be getting on a plane to Tokyo at this very minute 'Not supposed to' often suggests that something is not allowed or prohibited • You're not supposed to smoke in here 50 • I'm not supposed to tell you • We're not supposed to use the Internet for personal reasons at work 'Suppose' can also be used as a conjunction to mean 'what if' Notice that the verb which follows it is sometimes, but not always, put 'more in the past' • Suppose we take the earlier train to Munich? It would give us more time there • Suppose we took the plane instead? That would give us even more time There's nobody in reception to let our visitors in Suppose I sit there until somebody • comes? • I'm going to ask him for a pay increase ~ Suppose he said 'no'? What would you do? Have/Get something done If you 'have something done', you get somebody else to something for you • I'm going to have my hair cut • She's having her house redecorated • I'm having a copy of the report sent to you In informal English, we can replace 'have' by 'get' • We're getting a new telephone system installed • They will be getting the system repaired as quickly as they can • I got the bill sent direct to the company We can also use 'have/got something done' in situations where something bad has happened to people or their possessions This is not something they wanted to happen • John had all his money stolen from his hotel bedroom • We had our car damaged by a falling tree • I got my nose broken playing rugby 51 Should have We can use 'should have' to talk about past events that did not happen • I should have let her know what was happening but I forgot • He should have sent everybody a reminder by email • They should have remembered that their guests don't eat pork We can also use 'should have' to speculate about events that may or may not have happened • She should have got the letter this morning I expect she'll give us a call about it later • He should have arrived at his office by now Let's try ringing him • They should have all read that first email by this stage It's time to send the next one We can use ' should not have' to speculate negatively about what may or may not have happened • She shouldn't have left work yet I'll call her office • He shouldn't have boarded his plane yet We can probably still get hold of him • They shouldn't have sent the report off for printing yet There is still time to make changes We can also use 'should not have' to regret past actions • I shouldn't have shouted at you I apologise • We shouldn't have left the office so late We should have anticipated this bad traffic • They shouldn't have sacked him He was the most creative person on their team Could Have We can use 'could have' to talk about something somebody was capable of doing but didn't • I could have gone to Oxford University but I preferred Harvard 52 • She could have married him but she didn't want to • They could have bought a house here 20 years ago but chose not to Often, there is a sense of criticism • You could have phoned me to let me know • They could have helped me instead of just sitting there • I could have done more to help you Sorry We can use 'couldn't have' to talk about something we were not capable of doing • I couldn't have managed without you • I couldn't have got the job He was always going to appoint his nephew • I couldn't have enjoyed myself more Thank you for a lovely day We can use 'could have' to speculate about what has happened (We can also use 'may have' or 'might have' in these situations.) • She could have taken the earlier train • Simon could have told her • They could have overheard what we said We can also use 'can have' to speculate about what has happened but only in questions and negative sentences and with words such as 'hardly', 'never' and 'only' • Can she have forgotten about our meeting? • He can't have seen us • They can hardly have thought that I was not interested in the job We can also use 'could have' to speculate about something that didn't happen • You could have broken your neck, jumping out the window like that • He could have hurt somebody, throwing a bottle out of the window like that • I could have done well in my exam if I'd worked harder 53 You can also use 'could have' to talk about possible present situations that have not happened • I could have been earning a lot as an accountant but the work was just too boring • He could have been Prime Minister now but he got involved in a big financial scandal • They could have been the market leaders now if they had taken his advice Will Be Doing We can use 'will be doing' to talk about something that will be in progress at a particular moment in the future • This time next week, I'll be sitting on the beach in Barbados • I'll be thinking about you all back in the office – and I'll be laughing • We'll be enjoying ourselves too, boss We won't be doing any work while you are not here We can use 'will be doing' to talk about future events that are fixed or decided I'll be visiting your country on a regular basis In fact, I'm going to be coming next • month • He'll be looking after the factory until we can appoint a new manager • They'll be thinking about this very carefully over the next few months We can use 'will be doing' to predict what is happening now • Try phoning his hotel He'll probably still be having breakfast • They'll be deciding who gets the contract at this very moment I'm very nervous • She's not in her office She'll be having lunch in the canteen 54 We can use 'will be doing' to ask extremely politely, and with no pressure, about future plans • Will you be eating with us this evening? • Will you be needing anything else? • Will they be joining us for dinner? Will Have Done We can use 'will have done' to talk about what will have been achieved by a certain moment in time • We'll have been in these offices for eight years next month • She'll have visited ten countries in twelve days by the time she gets back • I'll have finished this project by Friday If we want to emphasise the continuity of the activity, we can use the continuous form • I'll have been working here for 35 years by the time I retire • She'll have been driving for more than fifteen hours straight by the time she gets here • They'll have been working with us for 15 years by the end of this year We can also use 'will have done' to predict what we think has already happened at present • He'll have already read the report by now Too late to change it • She'll have boarded her plane It's too late to contact her • They'll have decided by now We should hear the result today or tomorrow About We can use about to mean ‘concerning’ • I have heard all about it 55 • There is nothing we can about it • The great thing about her is that she never gives up We can use about to mean ‘approximately’ We can also use around for this but about is less formal • About six hundred people were present • About half the people agreed • Come round at about six We can use How about and What about to make suggestions • What about asking Tom? • How about leaving that for the time being? • What about a break? We can also use What about ( but not How about) for more genuine questions • What about the workers? Have you thought about them? • What about the dog? What we with her? We use about and on to talk about the subject of a discussion We use on for more formal situations • They talked about the bad economic situation • He gave a lecture on the economy For We can sometimes use for + ing to talk about the purpose of a thing When we do, it means the same as to + infinitive • What is that for? It is for opening envelopes • This bell is for calling the waiter • This bell is to call the waiter 56 When we talk about the purpose of somebody's actions, we cannot use for + ing • I went there to ask for help • You will have to queue a long time to get tickets However, it is sometimes possible to use for + noun for this • I went there for help • You will have to queue a long timefor tickets We can also use for + object + infinitive to talk about a purpose • I gave her a notebook for her to write down new English words she found • They sent a form for me to sign We also use the pattern for + object + infinitive in sentences after is or was • The plan is for us to get to Barcelona by lunchtime • The objective was for them to get the work finished by the end of last month We can add details to a noun by using the pattern for + object + infinitive • That is an expensive place for them to stay • There is a lot of work for us to • There is no need for you to be so aggressive We also use the pattern for + object + infinitive after certain verbs and adjectives 57 • I am waiting for him to make the first move • I have arranged for you to see the bank manager tomorrow morning • We are keen for you to take the job • I think it would be good for you to take a break now For We can use for to mean ‘because’ We only use this in very formal English • The divers have to be careful for a sudden change in conditions could be dangerous • Read the instructions carefully for you will only get one chance to enter the information We can use for to talk about a purpose or a reason • What did you that for? • What is that for? • Thank you for your letter • I don’t have enough money for the ticket • I need treatment for my bad back For can mean that you are in favour/favor of something • He is for the idea of cutting taxes • I am for this change in the way we things • You need to stand up for what is right We can use for with expressions of time and distance • I walked for miles • I waited for a long time • We will be away for the next week 58 Sometimes we can omit the for completely in these expressions without changing the meaning • I walked miles • I waited a long time With the present perfect, for refers to a length of time Since refers to the starting point • I have studied English for seven years • I have studied English since I was 12 Here are some useful expressions using for • I enclose a cheque/check for 100 euros • What’s another word for stupid? • I’ve known him for ages • I am all for making this change • Get ready -What for? -Anne is coming Let We can use let to mean to rent out a house o We moved to Australia and let our house in London A major use of let is for talking about ‘allowing’ and ‘permission’ o My mother let me come o I let her leave early One pattern is let followed by an OBJECT followed by a BARE INFINITIVE o She let me have the last one o You must let us know when you are coming to New York o I didn’t let my friend drive my car 59 Why did you let Jane that? o Another pattern is let followed by an OBJECT followed by a COMPLEMENT o Let me past o The police aren’t letting anybody out of the building o Don’t let him get away o Why did you let him in? Notice that we can use reflexive pronouns to talk about what we allow ourselves to o I let myself be influenced by her o She let herself out o I didn’t let myself be talked into it o Did you let yourself in? Notice that we not make a contraction out of let us when asking for permission o Let us help you o Let us pay for this o Let us buy that o Let us take the risk We use let’s when we are making a suggestion o Let’s go to the cinema o Let’s stay at home o Let’s not argue (formal) o Don’t let’s argue (informal) Compare these o Let us watch TV, please (asking for permission) 60 Let’s watch TV (a suggestion) o There are many fixed expressions, idioms and phrasal verbs using let Let alone means ‘much less’ o I’ve never been to Africa, let alone Ghana o I’ve never met any actor, let alone Brad Pitt Let go can mean to dismiss o My company let 20 people go o I was let go three weeks ago Let your hair down means to lose your inhibitions At the office party, everybody let their hair down and we had fun o Don’t let it get you down means to stay cheerful although something bad has happened Everybody makes mistakes Don’t let it get you down o let you off’/let you off the hook means that you are excused, even though you did something wrong or had something bad to I made a mess but the boss let me off o I was supposed to tidy up after the party but I was let off the hook as Sandra did o it Letting off steam means to get rid of excess energy or frustration o After work I go to the gym and let off steam on the treadmill o We need to go out after the exams and let off steam Let me see and let me think are expressions used to give you time to think o You want a raise? Let me think Can we discuss this later? o A good place for lunch? Let me see How about the Italian restaurant? Let’s say and let’s suppose are used to talk about hypothetical situations 61 o Let’s say that you were boss What would you do? o Let’s suppose that we don’t get the contract What we do? Let’s hope is used to express a hope o Let’s hope he gets the job o Yes, let’s hope so Like We use the First Conditional to talk about future events that are likely to happen You probably know that the verb like can be followed by either the -ing form or by an infinitive • I like going to the cinema • I like to see all the latest movies Often these two forms mean exactly the same thing but there can be a difference between them When we use like to there is an ide that we think is is a good idea, even if not pleasant, and it is probably a regular action • I like to visit the dentist twice a year • I like my children to be in bed by nine • I like to keep fit We use would like to to make polite offers and requests • Would you like to have lunch one day next week? • I'd like to have your opinion Used as a preposition, like often means 'similar' or 'typical' • Like me, you probably are a bit shocked by his behaviour • What is Harry like? Is he conceited? 62 • You look like you need to sit down • I want to something exciting - like bungee jumping • It is just like him to be late In informal American English, like is used to mean 'as if' (Some people think it is 'incorrect' but you will certainly hear it a lot.) • I feel like I am a princess • It was like I was back in the sixties Don't confuse that with feel like meaning 'a desire to someting' • I feel like going out for a meal • I don't feel like driving any more today Unusually for a preposition, like can have the adverbs quite or rather in front of it • It is quite like old times • It is rather like it was before we had computers Here are some useful phrases using like Come when you like • You are always welcome Come when you like Do as you like • It is entirely your choice Do as you like If you like is used to make suggestions • We could go later, if you like Like this is used when you are demonstrating something • You put the paper in here like this Eat like a horse means to eat in large quantities • Kate eats like a horse but she never seems to put on any weight 63 Feel like a million means that you feel really good • I have met a new girl I feel like a million Go like clockwork means that it happens without problems • The launch of the new product went like clockwork Like a bat out of hell means very fast • He drove like a bat out of hell I was scared Like a fish out of water means that the person does not fit in at all • He knows a lot about accounting but he is like a fish out of water in marketing If something sells like hot cakes, it sells really well • The new iphone is selling like hot cakes If you go out like a light, you fall asleep immediately • He was so tired that he went out like a light when he lay on the sofa If you sleep well, you sleep like a log • I slept really well I slept like a log If you watch like a hawk, you watch really closely • I didn't trust him so I watched him like a hawk for the whole time he was here He didn't anything wrong If news spreads like wildfire, everybody hears it very quickly • Reports of their argument spread like wildfire through the company