Language, when you need it

Present Simple vs Present Continuous

Present Simple = habits and permanent facts. Present Continuous = happening now or around now. State verbs (know, like, want) stay Simple.

Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Past Continuous = the longer background action. Past Simple = the shorter completed event that interrupts it or moves the story on.

Present Perfect (since / for / just / yet / already)

Present Perfect links a past action to now. 'for' + length of time, 'since' + starting point, 'just / already' before the main verb, 'yet' at the end of questions and negatives.

Modals of Possibility & Obligation

must / have to = obligation · should = advice · might / could / may = possibility · mustn't = prohibited · don't have to = not necessary.

Conditionals (0 / 1st / 2nd)

Zero: if + present, present (facts). First: if + present, will (real future). Second: if + past, would (imaginary).

Passive Voice

be + past participle. Use it when the action or the thing it happens to matters more than the person who did it.

PEEL & Linkers (Writing organisation)

PEEL = Point · Explain · Example · Link back. Join the steps with because, so, however, in addition, for example and finally.

Dependent Prepositions & Word partners

Many verbs and adjectives lock to one preposition (depend ON, good AT, interested IN). Learn them as chunks, not as single words.

Relative Clauses (who / that / which / where)

Add information to a noun: who (people) · which / that (things) · where (places). The relative pronoun replaces the subject or object — don't repeat it.

Reference Words (it / this / that / one / so)

Small words point back to something already mentioned. Always ask: what exactly does 'it', 'this' or 'one' replace?

Speculating (looks like / seems / might be)

When you describe a photo, don't guess as fact. Use: It looks like… · She seems… · They might / could be… · Maybe / Perhaps…

Polite Requests, Offers & Suggestions

Requests: Could you…? / Would you mind…? · Offers: Shall I…? / Would you like me to…? · Suggestions: Why don't we…? / How about + -ing?

Giving, Extending & Challenging Opinions

Opinion + reason + example. Agree: 'That's a good point, and…' · Disagree politely: 'I see what you mean, but…' · Extend: 'Also… / Another thing is…'

Numbers, Times, Dates & Prices

Times: half past seven / quarter to eight. Prices: £4.50 = 'four pounds fifty'. Dates: 'the third of May' or 'May the third'. Say -teen with stress on the end, -ty with stress at the front.

Prepositions of Place & Describing Position

Position: in / on / at, in front of, behind, next to, between, on the left / right, in the background. Describe a picture from big to small: whole scene → people → details.

Word Families & Word Formation

Before a gap, ask what family the missing word belongs to: noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition or a fixed phrase. Endings give it away: -tion / -ment (noun), -ful / -ous (adjective), -ly (adverb).

Accuracy Slips & Final Proofreading

Check five things in this order: verb tense, third-person -s, plural -s, articles (a / the), prepositions. Two minutes of checking wins more marks than two extra sentences.

Feelings & Attitude Language

-ed adjectives describe how someone feels (bored); -ing adjectives describe the cause (boring). Attitude also shows in verbs (can't stand, don't mind) and adverbs (luckily, unfortunately).

Paraphrasing & Rewording

Exam options almost never repeat the words of the text. Match the meaning, not the words: 'not allowed' = 'you mustn't'; 'free' = 'no charge'; 'a lot of people' = 'popular'.