PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2+) GRAMMAR
PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2+) GRAMMAR
TIME, TENSE & ASPECT
FORM MEANING FUNCTION SUPPORTING LANGUAGE LEARNER OUTCOMES
WORK
Present Simple Permanent States To talk about permanent states: Time Expressions: every Produce affirmative/negative
State Verbs He lives in Madrid. hour/week/month, usually, sentences and questions by using
Describe present states and conditions and talk always, every ‘simple present tense’ to talk about
about ideas/beliefs/ possessions: morning/evening/afternoon, habits, routines or permanent states
This book belongs to me. Before/after + sentence Use a repertoire of state verbs to talk
State verbs (e.g. believe, belong, about and write about present
understand, like, love) conditions or states
Present Continuous Actions happening around the To describe actions happening now/ at the Time Expressions: Now, at the Make affirmative /negative sentences
time of speaking moment of speaking moment, these days, tomorrow, and questions by using ‘present
I’m reading a magazine now. next week, at 6 o’clock, at the continuous tense’ to talk about
To talk about actions happening around the time weekend, on Monday actions happening around the time of
of speaking speaking
She’s studying for the final exams. Talk about fixed arrangements in the
near future using ‘present continuous
tense’
Simple Past A series of completed past To list a series of completed past actions: Time Expressions: Yesterday, Produce affirmative /negative
actions Lisa bought her house last year, decorated it last night/year/week, two sentences and questions by using
Habits in the past and moved in a month. months ago, in 1964 ‘simple past tense’ to talk about past
To talk about habits in the past: Before/after + sentence events
We went to the same beach every summer.
Past continuous Interrupted events To talk about an action which was in progress at When/ while/As (Short Action/ Produce affirmative /negative
Two actions in progress a stated time in the past Long Action) sentences and questions in ‘past
At five o’clock yesterday I was cooking dinner. Compare with simple past continuous tense’ to talk about two
To talk about a past action which was in actions in progress using ‘when’ and
progress when another action interrupted it ‘while’
(WHEN CLAUSE) Make affirmative /negative sentences
She was having breakfast when the phone rang. and questions by using ‘past
To talk about two or more actions which were continuous tense’ in oral and written
happening at the same time in the past narratives (e.g. Personal anecdotes,
(simultaneous actions) (WHILE CLAUSE) stories, etc.)
Tina was doing the washing-up while the Recognize different functions of
children were playing in the garden. simple past and past continuous
Present perfect Indefinite past actions Actions which happened at an unstated time in Time Expressions: never, yet, Produce affirmative or negative
the past already, just sentences and questions in written
I have read this book. Have you ever...? and oral language by using ‘present
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PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2+) GRAMMAR
To talk about an experience been vs. gone perfect tense’ with ever, never, yet
They have travelled through Europe. How long, for/since: and already
Unfinished actions Duration of past states/actionsrelevant to now for + time expressions (a year, Understand the differences between
(with state verbs) two months) present perfect and simple past
They have been teachers since 1987. since + a year (1996) tenses and make affirmative
I have known him for 10 years. since + a clause (in the past - I /negative sentences and questions in
was a child) written and oral language by using
since + noun phrase (my appropriate time expressions (e.g.
childhood) Yesterday, already)
since + full sentence Produce affirmative or negative
sentences and questions in written
and oral language by using ‘present
perfect tense’ to talk about
unfinished past
Futurity Future Simple Predictions based on what we believe or think Time Expressions: tomorrow, Produce affirmative /negative
-predictions Robots will do most of the work in the future. the day after tomorrow, next sentences and questions by using
-on the spot decisions On-the-spot decisions or promises week/month/year, tonight, soon, ‘will’ to make predictions based on
Be going to A: it’s cold in here. in a week/month/year what they believe or think
-plans/intentions B: i’ll close the window. Use ‘will’ to make on-the-spot
-predictions based on present Plans and intentions we have for the near future decisions or promises
evidence Susan is going to move her house. Produce affirmative /negative
Present Continuous Predictions based on what we see or know look sentences and questions by using ‘be
- Fixed arrangement in the at him. He’s going to jump out of the train. going to’ to talk about their plans and
near future (present evidence) intentions for the near future
They are leaving for Cairo tomorrow. Use ‘be going to’ to talk about their
predictions based on present
evidence
PAST HABITS
Used to Past Habits To talk about past habits or things that do not used to / didn’t use to Make affirmative /negative sentences
happen anymore but/however and questions with ‘used to’ for past
Sarah used to drink a lot of coffee. anymore/ any longer/ no longer habits
ADVERBS OF PLACE/MANNER/TIME
Adverbs - ly Modify verb (adverbs of Give details about how actions are carried out Compare regular/irregular Modify verbs using adverbs of place,
place, manner, time) adverbs: time and manner
well, fast, slowly, early, hard,
etc
ARTICLES
Articles First and second mention of To emphasise nouns mentioned for the first time a/an//the/Ø Emphasize nouns using articles
nouns or second time ‘a/an/the’ appropriately
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PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2+) GRAMMAR
CONDITIONALS
IF Clauses/ Conditionals - Type 0 To express something which is always true or to If/When Use zero conditionals with if/when
-Type 1 talk about something which happens as a result will for facts and truths
of something else Talk about present and future
If/When the temperature falls below 0 ̊C, water probability and possibility using first
turns into ice. conditionals
To express a real or very probable situation in Ask questions using first
the present or future conditionals
If Tom studies hard, he will pass the exam.
PASSIVE VOICE
Passives (with/without Passive Voice To show that the action of the verb is more by Recognize passive structures with or
by) (Present Simple / Past Simple) important than the agent (The agent is Past participle forms without ‘by’
introduced with by when it is important or needs Produce affirmative /negative
to be stated.) sentences and questions in written
His car was stolen last night. and oral language by using passives
E-mail was invented by Tomlinson. with or without ‘by’ to talk about
present and past facts and truths
COMPARATIVES
Comparatives Similarity/differences To compare two people, things, places, etc. (use As ... as, much more ... than, the Compare people, things or places by
Superlatives of than with comparative adjectives) same as using comparative structures
(Not) as + Sue’s skirt is longer than Mary’s. Too, enough, both, different appropriate to this level
adjective/adverb + as + Irregular comparatives from
Less + adjective + than (e.g.good/bad/much/many/little/far/hard/fast /...) Irregular comparatives (hard,
Much + comparative To compare a person, thing or place with the fast,
form + than whole group they belong to
(Not) the same as (Use of the ... of/in with superlative adjectives)
Similar to Pluto is the coldest planet in the solar system.
Different from To say that two people, things or places are/ are
not similar
Tom is as tall as Peter.
To compare two persons, things or places The
green jacket is less expensive than the yellow
jacket.
To compare two persons, things or places
This tie is much longer than that one.
To show that two things are identical
Our new coffee table is the same as our old
coffee table.
To show that two things share the same quality
or characteristic
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PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2+) GRAMMAR
This table is similar to the other one.
To show that two things are different
Our new couch is different from our old couch.
DIRECT/REPORTED SPEECH
Direct/Reported Speech Direct Speech The exact words someone said Say/tell Produce sentences in direct speech
(Present Simple/Present “I want help” Mary says. Changes to the time expressions by using the exact words someone
Cont./Present Perfect/Past The exact meaning of what someone said, but and subject/object pronouns said
Simple/Past Cont./Future not the exact words "I do my homework " Mary Report sentences in simple present
Simple) Mary says that she wants help. said. and present cont.
Reported Speech Alison says that she is studying. Mary said she does her
(Simple Present/Present Cont.) homework.
MODALS
Will + infinitive without Certainty To express certainty No 3rd person s
to He will definitely pass the course. Modal + INF
Must/have to Present obligation and To express an obligation or necessity Recognize and understand the form
Mustn’t/can’t necessity You must stay in bed. (affirmative, negative and
Don’t have to Prohibition I have to go to the post office. question),meaning and use of modals
Should/shouldn’t Lack of necessity To express prohibition of certainty, obligation, prohibition,
Could Suggestions/Giving advice You mustn’t/can’t park here. lack of necessity, advice and ability
Would like Ability To express lack of necessity Express certainty, obligation, lack of
Let’s... Desires and wants You don’t have to buy any oranges. We’ve got necessity and prohibition using
Shall... Offers plenty. modals appropriate to this level
Why don't...? Suggestions To say what the right/best thing to do is Give suggestions and show ability
How about...? You should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. using modals appropriate to this level
to say what isn’t the right/best thing to do
You shouldn’t eat junk food.
To show past ability
I could play the violin when I was a child. - Past
ability
Polite way of saying ‘I want’
I would like to see the film on television
this evening.
Would you like some cake?
For suggestion:
Let’s go to a movie.
Shall I open the window?
Why don't we go to the cinema?
GERUNDS & INFINITIVES
Gerunds Depends on the lexis To use after certain verbs - (refer to intermediate Verb + gerund Differentiate between verbs followed
Infinitives Gerund as subject word list) Verb + to + infinitive by gerunds and infinitives
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PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2+) GRAMMAR
Gerund as object I love watching the sun set every evening. Gerund + verb + complement Use gerunds/gerund phrases as the
Infinitive of purpose He wanted to buy some sugar. Subject + verb + gerund subjects and objects of sentences
To form nouns from verbs as subject and object: To + verb Use infinitives to state purpose
Smoking is forbidden in this building.
I like jogging.
To express purpose:
She went to the chemist’s to buy some aspirin.
DISCOURSE MARKERS
Linkers Simple cause/effect, contrast Linking actions with results/comparing So, (in order) to, however, also, Produce sentences using ‘in order to,
exemplification/addition ideas/giving supporting details in addition, for example however, in addition, so, to, also, for
example’’ to write or talk about
simple cause/effect, exemplification
and addition
QUANTIFIERS
Quantifiers Availability/existence To describe amount/number of things Much/many, a few/little, all, Make appropriate sentences by using
Some- Any Some in the affirmative with countable nouns in none a range of quantifiers appropriate to
Much-Many the plural and uncountable nouns this level to talk about availability
A few/A little I want some strawberries and some ice-cream. and existence
All Any in the negative and interrogative form with
too + adj / adv countable nouns in the plural and uncountable
too + many + countable plural nouns
noun There isn’t any salt left. / have you got any
too + much + an uncountable biscuits?
noun Much and many in questions and negations
enough+ noun Is there much sugar in the bag? /there isn’t
adj/adv + enough much milk in the carton. / have you got many
records? / She hasn’t got many friends.
A few with plural countable nouns
We’ve got a few eggs.
A little with uncountable nouns
I want a little orange juice.
All flowers are beautiful. (Flowers in general)
He walks too fast.
There were too many people at the party.
There is too much food in the fridge.
I have enough money.
She isn't old enough.
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PRE-INTERMEDIATE (A2+) GRAMMAR
QUESTIONS
Q words – wh Inquiry Ask/answer simple questions Make questions in oral and written
Tag questions Who is the man next to you? language by using wh- questions in
Subject/object questions You like hamburgers, don’t you? PIN tenses
"Who did you talk to yesterday?" Use simple question tags (all the
"Who called you yesterday?" verb forms at this level)
PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions Direction of movement To indicate details of movement of people or By, past, through, over, under, Recognize prepositions of movement
objects around in various contexts
Julie didn’t recognize me. In fact, she walked Use prepositions of movement like
straight past me. by, past, through, over, under and
I hung the painting over our bed. around accurately
PRONOUNS
Reflexive pronouns Emphasis To describe personal details/actions Myself, herself, etc Emphasize ideas using reflexive
pronouns such as myself and yourself
