Inglese RISTO Mid-term revision kit (Lessons 1-5 A.Y. 2015/2016)

SIMPLE PAST [VERB+ed] or irregular verbsirregular verbs You called Debbie. Did you call Debbie? You did not call Debbie. USE 1 Completed Action in the Past. Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind. I saw a movie yesterday. I didn't see a play yesterday.

We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on. I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim. Duration in the past The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc. I lived in Brazil for two years. ( ) How long did Jacob live in Montreal?

PAST CONTINUOUS (I WAS DOING) [was/were + ING Form] You were studying when she called. Were you studying when she called? You were not studying when she called. Interrupted Action in the Past The past continuous indicates that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. I was watching TV when she called.

A “slice” in time… Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner. I started eating at 6 PM. Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner. I started earlier; at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner.

Parallel Actions When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, this tense expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.

While vs. When I was studying when she called. While I was studying, she called.

STATIVE VERBS (“NON- CONTINUOUS”) Abstract Verbs to be, to want, to cost, to seem, to need, to care, to contain, to owe, to exist... Possession Verbs to possess, to own, to belong... Verbs expressing feelings to like, to love, to hate, to dislike, to fear, to envy, to mind... He is needing help now. Incorrect He needs help now. Correct He is wanting a drink now. Not Correct He wants a drink now. Incorrect

PRESENT PERFECT (I HAVE DONE, SHE HAS BEEN) [HAVE/HAS+ past participle] (=reg.vb+ed/3rd column) You have seen that movie many times. Have you seen that movie many times? You haven’t seen that movie many times. 1- Unspecified time We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

I have been to France. This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once, or several times. (WHEN??????) I have been to France three times. you can add the number of times at the end of the sentence (HOW MANY TIMES vs. WHEN) I have never been to France. you have not had the experience of going to France.

2- WHAT vs. WHEN Man has walked on the Moon. Our son has learned how to read. Doctors have cured many deadly diseases. Scientists have split the atom.

3- “Unfinished” Time Frame in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc. I went to Mexico last year. I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one. I have been to Mexico in the last year. I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.

4 – Duration form (up to the present) I live in New York. How long have you lived there? I have lived there since I was born / for thirty years. UP TO NOW ? HOW LONG …. + SINCE+ begininng / FOR + total

DURATION : PAST SIMPLE OR PRESENT PERFECT? How long has Tony lived in Italy? He has lived there for over forty-five years (= he’s still living in Italy) How long did Tony live in Italy? He lived there for ten years. He moved to Rome right after college, but he went back to the States when he got married. (=he’s not living in Italy any more)

ITALIAN vs ENGLISH… Verbs such as leave, arrive, start, finish, stop, die… usually identify a completed action, so... “Siamo arrivati da un’ora” “Il film è cominciato cinque minuti fa”  We arrived here an hour ago *We have arrived for an hour BUT We have been here for an hour  The movie started five minutes ago * The movie has started for five minutes  WHEN did the movie start?

It’s the (first) time This / It is the first time I have taken part in a competition (NOT …I take part...)

Present Perfect Continuous I have been walking … [has/have + been + ING form] You have been waiting here for two hours. Have you been waiting here for two hours? You have not been waiting here for two hours

A BRIDGE from the past to now DURATION from the past UNTIL NOW An event/action that started in the past has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous. She has been working at that company for three years. James has been teaching at the university since June. We have been waiting here for over two hours! How long have you been standing here?

You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning. Recently, I have been feeling really tired. She has been watching too much television lately. Mary has been feeling a little depressed. Lisa has not been practicing her English. (  rimprovero) What have you been doing these days?

If you use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as "Have you been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you smell the smoke on the person. Using this tense in a question suggests you can see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action.