Quizzes & Exercises

The present perfect is a present tense so, it only tells us about the situation now. It is an update of something that started in the past.

• I have known Julie for ten years.
  (I started to know Julie in the past, but we use the present perfect because we are talking about the present situation – now is ten years after I first met Julie.)
• My brother has been to Mexico three times.
  (We use the present perfect because at this moment he has visited Mexico three times.)
• I have visited Tanya once this week.
  (Today is Tuesday so this week is at this moment.)


The past simple is a past tense so it only tells us about the past.

• I spoke French when I was at school.
  (I am 35 years old now, and I am not at school. Finished time, finished action.)
• My grandfather went to Mexico three times.
  (My grandfather is dead, and it is not possible for him to go to Mexico again.)
• I saw Conrad last week.
  (It talks about last week, and last week is finished.)


Compare:

• I fed my cat some special food, so he has grown very big.
  (fed is in the past simple because the action of feeding has finished. has grown is in the present perfect because he started to grow in the past and he is still growing now.)
• Yesterday we enjoyed a lovely walk. Today it has been very windy, and the walk hasn’t been nice.
  (Yesterday is finished, Today is at this moment.)

Now do the exercise.

Don’t forget the to after listen. It is always there, no exceptions.

• I listen to music.
• Please listen to me.
• I was listening to my mother.

More help with verbs.

We use mustn’t when something should definitely not be done.

• I mustn’t forget to do my homework.
  (Definitely don’t forget to do your homework.)
• You mustn’t walk on the road.


We use needn’t when you have a choice to do something or not.

• I needn’t do my homework tonight because the lesson is next week.
  (You can do your homework, or not. Your choice)
• You needn’t bring some water because I have some.

Now do the exercise.

Comparatives and superlatives cannot be used in sentences where no comparison is made.

• In our school the number of students is smaller.
  (Smaller cannot be used because no comparison is made.)
• In our school the number of students is small.
  (Small can be used because it is neither a comparative nor a superlative.)
• Jimmy is the best singer in the group.
  (Best can be used because Jimmy is being compared with the other singers in the group.)

More and -er with adjectives.