Topic

1: Articles
Articles

Use “a/an” Use “the” Don’t use “a/an” or “the”
1. For singular, countable nouns 1. When you talk about something 1. For plural nouns or uncountable
the first time you mention them. that is unique. nouns.
I want an apple. Look at the Sun! I love dogs.
I love rice.
2. When you talk about something 2. When the words: north, south,
that was previously mentioned. east and west are used as
I found a park nearby. The park is adjectives:
really nice. South Africa is an amazing place.
3. When we refer to a particular 3. For abstract nouns.
thing. Life is wonderful!
Could you pass me the pen that is
on the table?
4. For names of seas, rivers, 4. For body parts and articles of
groups of islands, chains of clothing.
mountains, plural names of He hit his head on his forehead
countries, deserts and regions. while he was taking off his
In the Netherlands, there are lots sweater.
of tulip fields.
5. For the formula “noun + of + 5. For singular names of lakes,
noun”. mountains and islands.
The Gulf of Mexico is really One day, I’d like to climb Mount
beautiful. Everest.
6. When the words north, south,
east and west are referring to
location.
She was driving to the south.
7. For names of choirs, orchestras,
pop groups, etc.
I used to hate the Beatles.

Topic 2: Gerunds
1. Gerunds in the Subject Position (before the verb)

Formulas:
V+ING + C + VERB + C
Shopping is my favorite activity. / Going to the movies can be fun.
2. Gerunds in the Object Position (after the verb)

Formulas:
The Gerunds in the Object Position are used after certain verbs and expressions. (Check the Vocabulary List)
J + VERB or EXPRESSION + V+ING + C
I avoid eating sugary foods.
I look forward to going on vacation.
I’m tired of solving this Math problem.
3. Gerunds for uses and purposes

Formulas:
The Gerunds for uses and purposes are used with the preposition “FOR”.
They answer the question “What for?”
J + VERB + C + FOR + V+ING + C
I use my computer for sending e-mails.


























Topic 3: Infinitives
1. Infinitives of Purpose

Formulas:
The Infinitives of purpose are used with the preposition “TO”.
They answer the question “Why?”
J + VERB + C + TO + VSF + C
I do exercise to lose weight.
2. Describing actions with infinitives

Formulas:
IT + BE + ADJECTIVE + (for J ) + TO + VSF + C
It is nice (for me) to meet new people.
3. Excess to do an action

Formulas:
We use the preposition “TOO” to indicate an excess. It gives a negative meaning so it can’t be used with
adjectives that express a positive idea. Its not possible to say “too beautiful”.
J + BE + + TOO + ADJECTIVE + (for J ) + TO + VSF + C
This coffee is too hot (for me) to drink it.
4. Expressing Expectation 1

Formulas:
(IN COUNTRY/PLACE), IT + BE + THE CUSTOM TO + VSF + C
In Japan, it’s the custom to bring flowers to a sick person.
(IN COUNTRY/PLACE), IT + BE (NOT) + ACCEPTABLE TO + VSF + C
In Mexico, it’s not acceptable to arrive to a house without an invitation.
5. Expressing Expectation 2

Formulas:
J + BE + SUPPOSED TO/ EXPECTED TO + VSF + C
You’re supposed to call a friend to cancel your plans.
You’re expected to respond to an e-mail from work.

Topic 4: Verbs with Infinitives and different meanings
1. Verbs that mean “persuade”

*In these examples, it’s NECESSARY to mention the receiver of the information.
Formulas:
J (DOER) + ADVISE/ CAUSE / CONVINCE + J (RECEIVER) + TO + VSF + C
She advised me to join the new club.
The flu caused him to stay home.
He convinced her to change her schedule.
2. Verbs that mean “want”

*In these examples, it’s OPTIONAL to mention the receiver of the information.
Formulas:
J (DOER) + EXPECT / NEED + [J (RECEIVER)] + TO + VSF + C
They expect [her] to win the competition.
I need [him] to make copies for everyone.
3. Verbs that mean “believe”

Formulas:
J (DOER) + CONSIDER/ RECOGNIZE + J (RECEIVER) + TO + BE + C
They consider her to be the best in her field.
I recognize him to be a great leader.
4. Verbs that mean “plan”

Formulas:
J (DOER) + ARRANGE + FOR + J (RECEIVER) + TO + VSF + C
They have arranged for us to get an interview as soon as possible.
5. Verbs with different meanings + VSF

Formulas:
PAYING FOR A SERVICE
J (DOER) + HAVE + J (RECEIVER) + VSF + THING = J (DOER) + HAVE + THING + VPP
I’ll have the boy wash my car. = I’ll have my car washed.
EXPRESSING PERMISSION
J (DOER) + LET + J (RECEIVER) + VSF + C
My parents let me organize a party at home.
FORCING A PERSON TO DO SOMETHING
J (DOER) + MAKE + J (RECEIVER) + VSF + C
Our teacher made us stay after class.

Topic 3: Conditionals (Review)
Real Conditionals:
Zero and First

1. Zero Conditional
Concept: Cause and Effect
Condition Result
When/If + J + Vpres + C, J + Vpres + C
When I have a headache, I take an aspirin.
*You can also use “should” and “have to” in the Result
2. First Conditional
Concept: Future Possible
Condition Result
When/If + J + Vpres + C, J + will/can/ may + VSF + C
If I finish this course, I’ll study another language.
Will= Sure, Can= Opportunity, May= Possibility or Uncertainty
Unreal Conditionals:
Second and Third

3. Second Conditional
Concept: Imaginary Situations in the Present
Condition Result
If + J + Vpast (subjunctive) + C, J + would/could / might + VSF + C
If I had the chance, I would move to France.
Would= Sure, Could= Opportunity, Might= Possibility or Uncertainty
4. Third Conditional
Concept: Imaginary Situations in the Past
Condition Result (Past Consequence)
If + J + Had + VPP (subjunctive in the past) + C, J + would/could / might + have + VPP + C
If I had studied more, I would have gotten a better grade.
Would= Sure, Could= Opportunity, Might= Possibility or Uncertainty
Condition Result (Present Consequence)
If + J + Had + VPP (subjunctive in the past) + C, J + would/could / might +VSF + C
If I had studied more, I wouldn’t be in trouble.
Condition Result (Present Consequence)
If + J + Had + VPP (subjunctive in the past) + C, J + would/could / might + BE + V+ing + C
If I had studied more, I wouldn’t be failing this subject
Would= Sure, Could= Opportunity, Might= Possibility or Uncertainty
5. Criticism or Regret
J + should + have + VPP + C
You should have studied more.
*Regret is expressed by changing the subject into “I”





Topic 4: Past Tenses (Review)
1. Simple Past Some examples of Time
Concept: Definite Time in the Past Expressions for Simple Past
Formulas: Yesterday
Affirmative Last week
J + VPast + C + T. E. A year ago
I went to the movies yesterday. The day before yesterday
Negative Last Summer
J + DIDN’T + VSF + C + T. E. Earlier today
I didn’t study for my exam last week. The other day
2 months ago
2. Past Continuous
Concept: Actions in Progress in the Past
Formulas:
Affirmative /Negative with AT
J + was(n’t)/were(n’) + V+ING + C + AT + T. E. (Specific)
I was sleeping at home at 9pm.
Affirmative /Negative with WHILE
J + was(n’t)/were(n’) + V+ING + C + WHILE + J + was(n’t)/were(n’t)+ V+ing + C
I was sleeping at home while you were running in the park.
Affirmative /Negative with WHEN
J + was(n’t)/were(n’) + V+ING + C + WHEN + J + VPast* + C (*Short, Fast Actions)
I was sleeping at home when the phone rang.
3. Past Perfect
Concept: Actions that began before other events
Formulas:
Affirmative /Negative with BY THE TIME/ BEFORE/ WHEN
J + had/hadn’t + VPP + C + BY THE TIME/ BEFORE / WHEN + J + VPast + C
I had left the school before you called me.
I had left the school by the time you called me.
I had left the school when you called me.
Affirmative /Negative with BY
J + had/hadn’t + VPP + C + BY + T. E.
I had left the school by 3pm.
*Remember “BY” in this case means “BEFORE”
4. Past Perfect Continuous
Concept: Actions that started in the past and continued until another action happened in the past
Formulas:
Affirmative with WHEN
J + HAD + BEEN + V+ING + C + FOR + T. E. + WHEN + J + VPast + C
I had been studying for two hours when you called me.
*In this form, you normally use the affirmative option.





Topic 5: Present Tenses (Review)
1. Simple Present Verbs that Express Some examples of Time
Concept: Habits and General Information General Information Expressions for Habits
Formulas: Have (Possession) on Mondays
Affirmative Speak on weekends
J + VPRESENT + C (+ T. E.) Live on weekdays
I live in the South of the City. (Gral Information) Like Every day
He goes to the movies every weekend. (Habit) Work * in the spring/summer
Negative Study * in the fall/winter
J + DON’T/ DOESN’T + VSF + C (+ T. E.) *These verbs can also In the morning
I don’t live in the South of the City. (Gral Information) express Habits In the afternoon
He doesn’t go to the movies every weekend. (Habit) At night
from Monday to Friday
2. Present Continuous
Concept: Actions Now
Formulas:
Affirmative /Negative with NOW/ RIGHT NOW / AT THE MOMENT
J + am/ am not / is / isn’t / are / aren’t + V+ING + C + NOW/ RIGHT NOW / AT THE MOMENT
I’m using a computer now.
3. Present Perfect Some examples of Time
Concept 1: The Indefinite Past Expressions for Present Perfect 1
Formulas: Lately
Affirmative / Negative Recently
J + HAVE(N’T)/HAS(N’T) + VPP + C + T. E. Up to Now
I have seen a lot of movies recently. During the Last Two Months
This week
Over the past year
Ever * (only in Interrogative)
3. Present Perfect Some examples of Time
Concept 2: Actions that began in the Past and Continue in the Present Expressions for Present Perfect 2
Formulas: for 2 years
Affirmative /Negative for 3 hours
J + HAVE(N’T)/HAS(N’T) + VPP + C + FOR + period of time for a long time
I have studied English for 10 years. for quite a while
Affirmative /Negative since 2007
J + HAVE(N’T)/HAS(N’T) + VPP + C + SINCE + starting date since 7am
I have studied English since 2007. since I was in High School
I have studied English since I was in High School. since I arrived
4. Present Perfect Continuous Verbs that CAN’T be used with
Concept: Actions that began in the Past and are still in Progress Present Perfect Continuous
Formulas: Be
Affirmative Have (for possession)
J + HAVE(N’T)/HAS(N’T) + BEEN + V+ing* + C + T. E. (*non-stop) Love
I have been playing tennis a lot lately. Hate
Know


Topic 6: Future Tenses (Review part 1)
1. Idiomatic Future Some examples of Time Expressions for
Concept: Future Plans the Future
Formulas: today / tonight /tomorrow
Affirmative / Negative the day after tomorrow
J + am (not) / is (not) / are (not) + GOING TO + VSF + C + T. E. later / soon / next week / this week
I’m going to study abroad next year. in a few hours / in 2 days / in 2020
He isn’t going to watch TV tonight. as soon as possible
2. Present Continuous for Future
Concept: Future Plans we can CONTROL
Formulas:
Affirmative / Negative
J + am (not) / is (not) / are (not) + V+ING + C + T. E.
I’m having dinner with some friends later.
He isn’t visiting his family this summer.
3. Simple Future with WILL
Concept 1: Future Actions we are SURE about and Determined to do
Formulas:
Affirmative / Negative
J + WILL/ WON’T + VSF + C + T. E.
I will travel to Spain. (I already have the tickets.)
I won’t take the course tomorrow. (I have another activity to do)
4. Simple Future with ‘LL
Concept 2: Future Actions and Decisions we make at the moment of Speaking
Formulas:
Affirmative
J + ‘LL + VSF + C + T. E.
A: The phone is ringing. B: I’ll get it. / A: I need some help with these exercises. B: I’ll help you out.
*In this form, you normally use the affirmative option with a contraction.
5. Simple Future with MAY
Concept 3: Future Actions we are NOT SURE about
Formulas:
Affirmative / Negative
J + MAY/ MAY NOT + VSF + C + T. E.
I may eat a salad today. (60% of possibility)
I may not stay home today. (40% of possibility)
6. Future Continuous
Concept: Actions in progress in the Future
Formulas:
Affirmative /Negative with AT
J + WILL + BE + V+ING + C + AT + T. E. (Specific)
I will be reading the document at 4pm.
Affirmative /Negative with AT
J + WILL + BE + V+ING + C + T. E. (General)
I will be playing soccer tomorrow.
Topic 6: Future Tenses (Review part 2)
7. Present Simple for Future
Concept: Future Events programmed in timetables
Formulas:
Affirmative
J + VPRES + C + T. E.
The train leaves at 10pm.
The class starts at 8am.
8. Future Perfect
Concept: Events that will be finished before a specific time in the future
Formulas:
Affirmative /Negative with BY THE END OF____ / BY THE YEAR ___ / IN ___ YEARS / ____ YEARS FROM NOW
BY THE END OF ____
BY (THE YEAR) ______ + J + WILL + HAVE + VPP + C
IN ____ YEARS
____ YEARS FROM NOW
By the end of the school year, I will have finished my social service.
By (the year) 2020, I will have completed my English courses.
In 2 years, the price of this new phone will have dropped by 50% or more.
10 years from now, I will have moved abroad.
9. Future Perfect Continuous
Concept: Actions that will continue up to a particular time or event in the future
Formulas:
Affirmative with WHEN
J + WILL + HAVE + BEEN + V+ING + C + FOR + T. E. + WHEN + J + VPRESENT + C
I will have been training for about two months when the season starts.