Recently I have published a post on giving advice. And our post on modal verbs won the British Council blog award. This post will deal with three ways to express the modal verb SHOULD. The different means are HAD BETTER and OUGHT TO. Both of these have the same meaning as SHOULD.
This grammar point often appears in FCE tests. So if you are planning to take an international certificate in English this post is really important for you.
[su_spacer][su_heading]OUGHT TO – mind map
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Once you learn the three forms correctly you should have no problem with using them. However, remember that SHOULD is much more frequent than either OUGHT TO or HAD BETTER.
[su_spacer][su_heading]SHOULD – games
[/su_heading][su_spacer] The first game is called Hoop Shoot. Your task is to choose the correct form and then score a basket. You can choose the difficulty too. Enjoy.The second game is a simple quiz. Your task is to complete the second sentence in such a way that it means the same as the first one. However, you have to use the word in the bracket in your answer. There are 16 sentences and if you pass the quiz you will be given a chance to play the game Indiara. Good luck 🙂
Category: English games, Grammar, Intermediate
First conditional is very similar to time clauses. However, I would say that first conditional is easier than time clauses.
First conditional is used if we speak about two possibilities in the future. After the conjunction IF we use present simple tense and in the other clause we use WILL. You can see the explanation in the mind map below and then you can try a quiz to practise this simple grammar.
[su_spacer][su_heading]First conditional – mind map
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The most important thing to remember is, that you cannot use WILL after IF.
First conditional – game
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In this game you have to solve the quiz first and then you can play the game Visual memory. In this game you see some coloured squares and your task is to remember them and later click on them. While the game is quite easy at the beginning, it soons becomes really difficult and my best score is 420 points. Can you do better?
Have you ever tried to memorise the following list of verbs to know when you should use TO and when the ending ING?
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Honestly, I have never been able to commit the list to memory. And even when I thought that I know the verbs I was not really sure which form follows them. And my students had the same problem.
So I have written a post on verb patterns. But it did not work. The division of the verbs was too complicated.
And when I started to be desperate I read a short comment under a post on verb patterns. There the author described his simple rule which worked in nearly 100% cases.
The rule goes like this: “If the first verb happens before the second verb, use TO. If the second verb happens at the same time or before the first verb use the ending -ING with the second verb. For example: I want to go out. (First I want and then I will go out) She stopped smoking. (First she smoked and then she stopped.) He agreed to do it. (First he agreed and then he did it)”
Simple, isn’t it? However, you have to be careful as the rule does not work for the verbs suggest, pretend and fail.
Below you can see the idea in a mind map and lower you can test it in several games.
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Verb patterns – mind map
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] The mind map contains a graphical explanation of the rule.[su_spacer] [su_heading]
Verb patterns – games
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] Well, once you think you understand the rules, it is time to put them into a test. The first game is called penalty and your task is to choose the correct verb and then try to score a goal. GOOD LUCK.In the second game, you should complete the quiz and if you succeed you can play the game Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Phrasal verbs make many students feel hopeless. Even advanced students struggle with them and to be honest, I am not very comfortable with them either. Moreover, they seem very hard to memorise.
That is why I have prepared the following post. There is a story where all the verbs are used. Thus you can see them in context.
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Then you should read and listen to the story again and complete the mind map with the phrasal verbs from the story.
In the end you can practise the verbs in a quiz.
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Phrasal verbs – story
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] Watch and listen to the story and then answer the comprehension questions in the game.[su_spacer] Now answer the comprehension questions in the following game called On target. If you answer the questions correctly you should shoot as many bad ducks as possible. Don’t forget that you can get a bonus if you shoot any of the bottles on the walls. [su_button url=”https://engames.eu/phrasal_verbs_story/phrasal_verbs_story_quiz%20(web)/index.html” target=”blank” background=”#f56b68″ size=”6″]Phrasal verbs – game[/su_button] [su_spacer] [su_heading]
Phrasal verbs – mind map
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] Print out the following mind map and try to complete it with the phrasal verbs from the story. [su_spacer] [su_heading]Games
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] Now it is time to practise the phrasal verbs in a quiz. If you complete the quiz successfully you will have an opportunity to play the game Hot race.
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More practice
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] We have already published two posts on phrasal verbs here. The first one is called Phrasal verbs – Fred and Betty and you can see it be clicking here. There is an animated story and several exercises to memorise 12 phrasal verbs.The other post deals with phrasal verbs from a slightly different point of view. It is called Phrasal verbs separable or non-separable and it explains which phrasal verbs stick together and which can be separated.
For and since are often given as the key words which signal that present perfect tense should be used. It is not 100% true but it makes life easier for elementary and lower intermediate students.
However, sometimes it is difficult for learners to know which word they should use. The rule is simple. FOR is used when we give the length of the time (for three days) and since is used when we give the beginning of the time (since Monday). You can see the graphical explanation of this rule below.
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In this post you can find an interactive video, where the grammar is explained and tested by the experts from BBC learning English.com, a mind map explaining the difference between FOR and SINCE graphically and a quiz with a game to practise the correct usage of the words For and SINCE.
FOR and SINCE – interactive video
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] Play the following video and answer the questions. If you succeed, you can play the game Highway race.[su_spacer] [su_button url=”https://engames.eu/present_perfect_for_since/for_since_interactive_video (web)/index.html” target=”blank” background=”#9bef2d”]For and SINCE – interactive video[/su_button] [su_spacer][su_heading]
FOR and SINCE – mind map
[/su_heading][su_spacer] In the mind map there is the graphical explanation of the usage of the words FOR and SINCE. [su_spacer][su_heading]FOR and SINCE – games
[/su_heading] There are two games for you.FOR and SINCE – quiz
There are 22 items in this quiz. If you answer more than 60% of all the questions correct (that is not so difficult) you can play the game called Rock, Paper and Scissors. In this game you win if you give a Rock and your opponent scissors, you give a paper and your opponent gives rock and finally, you win if you give scissors and your opponent gives a paper.
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[su_button url=”https://engames.eu/present_perfect_for_since/since and for_quiz (web)/index.html” target=”blank” background=”#ef2dea”]For and Since – Quiz[/su_button]
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SINCE and FOR – fling the teacher game
This game is slightly more difficult as you mustn’t make a mistake to win. You have to answer all the questions correctly to build the machine and fire your teacher 🙂 You can use up to three helps which are displayed on the screen.
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[su_button url=”https://engames.eu/present_perfect_for_since/since_for_fling_the_teacher.swf” target=”blank” background=”#ef2dea”]For and Since – Fling the teacher[/su_button]
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There are many ways to speak about future in English. We have already dealt with two ways here. In the first blog we tried to distinguish between Will and MAY and Might on the basis of certainty that an event will happen.
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In this post I would like to demonstrate the difference between WILL and BE GOING TO. BE GOING TO is used when we speak about our plans while WILL is used for decisions made at the moment of speaking.
To give you a better chance to understand the difference between the two tenses there is an interactive video (based on BBC Grammar challenge), a mind map and two games.
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Future tenses – interactive video
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] I have used the BBC Grammar challenge twice before (Definite Articles and in ED and ING Adjectives) and in both cases I turned the original radio recording into a video. This time I went one step further. The video is interactive and you have to react to the tasks.Watch the video and answer the questions. If you answer correctly the video will continue. If you answer wrongly you will hear the part again. Give it a try. [su_spacer][su_button url=”https://engames.eu/future/will_going_to/will and going to_grammar challenge (web)/index.html” target=”blank”]WILL and BE GOING TO – interactive video[/su_button] [su_spacer] [su_heading]
Future tenses – mind map
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] The following mind map shows the form of the two tenses and their usage. This mind map might not be suitable for everyone but the visual learners will profit a lot.
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Future tenses – games
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] The first game is the easier one. Your task is to choose the correct form (WILL or GOING TO) and if your answer is correct you can shoot all the bad ducks. If you shoot one of the bottles you will get a bonus. Good luck.[su_spacer] [su_button url=”https://engames.eu/future/will_going_to/will_goingto_ontarget.swf” target=”blank”]WILL and BE GOING TO – On Target[/su_button] [su_spacer] In the second game you have to write the correct future form (WILL or GOING TO). If you get more than 60% of all the forms correct, you can play the game Hot Race. Enjoy.
[su_spacer] [su_button url=”https://engames.eu/future/will_going_to/will and going to quiz_hot race (web)/index.html” target=”blank”]WILL and BE GOING TO – Hot Race[/su_button] [su_spacer] [su_spacer][su_heading]
Future tenses in English – share
[/su_heading][su_spacer] If you do not have an internet connection at school, you can download the video and online quiz here. Unpack the files and find the index.html and play the quiz.Category: Elementary, English games, Grammar, Listening
I remember struggling with this grammar when I was at secondary school. As it is possible to translate the words IF and WITH with the same word in my mother tongue I couldn’t see the difference in English.
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To help my students avoid this problem I have created the following mind map and several games. I hope they will help you too.
[su_heading]WHEN or IF – mind map
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] The basic difference between the words IF and WHEN is, that the word IF is used if you choose between two options. On the other hand the word WHEN is used when you speak about a time period after some decision or action. Have a look at the mind map below.
WHEN or IF – games
[/su_heading][su_spacer] The first game is called Speedway race. Your task is to complete the sentences with WHEN or IF. If you succeed the computer will let you play the game. Your task is to avoid as many cars as possible. One of my students managed to score 50,000 points and then I had to stop him. The game is very addictive.[su_spacer][su_button url=”https://engames.eu/when_if/when_if_race (web)/index.html” target=”blank”]IF or WHEN – Speedway Race[/su_button] [su_spacer] The second game is called Hoopshoot. Your task is to choose the correct option and then hit the basket with the ball. Good luck.
[su_spacer] [su_button url=”https://engames.eu/when_if/when_if_hoopshoot.swf” target=”blank”]IF or WHEN – Hoop shoot game[/su_button]
Category: Elementary, English games, Grammar
Recently I have been dealing with the modal verbs. First I created a mind map depicting all the modals in present and past tenses. That post was suitable for intemediate students. Then I wrote a post about the modal verbs Must and Should which was for elementary students.
In this post I would like to add the verb HAVE TOÂ and explain its usage in English. This explanation is aimed at elementary students. At the end of the post there are two games to practise the modal verbs.
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Have to – mind map
[/su_heading] [su_spacer]The triangles show the way HAVE TO forms sentences and the images on the right show the meaning of the verbs.
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Have to – games
[/su_heading] [su_spacer] The first game contains a quiz and if you answer the questions correctly you will play a game called Hot Race. I have managed to win 8,853 points, but when we played the quiz at school one student scored 50,000 points and I had to stop him because we would not have done anything else in the lesson. Can you be better than him? 🙂[su_spacer][su_button url=”https://engames.eu/modal_verbs/have_to/have_to_quiz_race/index.html” target=”blank”]HAVE TO – Quiz[/su_button][su_spacer] The second game is called Reaction. Your task is to complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb HAVE. If you complete the sentences correctly, you will have to click on the ugly frog as quickly as possible. The quicker you click on the frog the better. My personal record is 18,250 points.
[su_spacer] [su_button url=”https://engames.eu/modal_verbs/have_to/questionz/index.html” target=”blank”]HAVE TO – Reaction[/su_button] [su_spacer]
There have been many different attempts to explain the difference between the past simple and present perfect tenses to learners of English. I have tried to do this for example in my posts on present perfect basics, Present perfect tense vs Past simple or present perfect infographics.
In the textbook New Inside Out pre-intermediate they try to introduce the concept of “finished” and “up to now” time expressions. I think, it is not a bad way to distinguish between the past simple and present perfect tenses.
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According to the textbook, finished times are a the expressions which refer to a period or moments that finished in the past and are not connected to the present (for example, yesterday finished several hours ago and this is not connected to now). On the other hand, up to now time expressions refer to periods which are somehow connected to the present time (for example, today is still going on till this moment).
Then the theory is quite simple. If you use a time expression for finished time, use past simple tense. If you use a time expression for up to now time, use present perfect tense.
[su_spacer] [su_heading]Present perfect tense – a mind map
[/su_heading][su_spacer] Here you can see the mind map which explains the differences between finished times and up to now times.
The finished times are just the points on the timeline. On the other hand, the up to now times are connected to the present moment.
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Present perfect tense – games
[/su_heading][su_spacer] In the first activity your task is to divide the times into two categories. On the first slide tick all the expressions for finished times and on the second tick all the expressions for up to now times. If you are successful you will get an opportunity to play the game Hot race.[su_spacer] [su_button url=”https://engames.eu/present_perfect_up_to_now/up_to_now_quiz (web)/index.html” target=”blank”]Present perfect tense – quiz and Hot race[/su_button][su_spacer] In the second game your task is to choose the correct option and then if you are successful you should shoot all the bad ducks.
[su_spacer] [su_button url=”https://engames.eu/present_perfect_up_to_now/up_to_now_on_target.html” target=”blank”]Present perfect tense – On target[/su_button][su_spacer] [su_heading]
English Learning Magazine
[/su_heading]At our sister site englishlearningmagazine.com we have published a new text on Prague. There is a text and a quiz to check your comprehension. It is mobile phones friendly, so give it a try.
This is one of the easiest grammar points for the Czech students because in their mother tongue there exists a structure which is similar to infinitive of purpose. Because of this, I am not going to spend too much time and energy on this grammar point.
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There is just a mind map explaining and demonstrating the infinitive of purpose and a game where you can practise the grammar.
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Infinitive of purpose – mind map
[/su_heading] Infinitive of purpose is used if you want to say why you did or do something.
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Infinitive of purpose – a game
[/su_heading] In the following game you have to match the beginning and the end of the sentence. Then you have to rewrite the first sentence using the infinitive of purpose. If you pass the test you will have a chance to play the game Speedway racing. I have managed 6,732 points. Will you be better than me? [su_spacer] [su_button url=”https://engames.eu/infinitive of purpose/infinitive_purpose_race (web)/index.html” target=”blank”]Infinitive of purpose – quiz and game[/su_button] [su_spacer] There is just one game this time as I feel that this grammar is very easy and you do not need to practise it a lot. If you feel differently leave a comment and if there are a lot of comments demanding more games and quizzes I will gladly add them.This post deals only with the basic usage of the modal verbs SHOULD and MUST. I have recently written a post on Modal verbs. This post was aimed at intermediate students and it demonstrated the usage and meaning of all the modal verbs in present and past tenses.
You can find here a graphical presentation of the usage of the verbs SHOULD and MUST and several completely new games to practise the usage of these verbs.
[su_heading]SHOULD and MUST – mind map
[/su_heading]Here is the graphical presentation of the two modal verbs:
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SHOULD and MUST – games
[/su_heading]This time there are three different games to practise the two verbs. All the games are completely new and in one case there is more playing than learning.
The first game is called Reaction. Your task is to answer each question by filling in SHOULD or SHOULDN’T. If you answer correctly you have to wait till the frog appears. Once it appears, your task is to click on it as quickly as you can. My record is 18,250. Will you be better?
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[su_button url=”http://www.englishlearningmagazine.com/obsah/newgame/index.html” target=”blank”]SHOULD – Reaction game[/su_button]
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The second game is the one where you will play more than learn. Your task is to fill in SHOULD or SHOULDN’T. After each correct answer you can play the Hot race. However, if you do not like the game you can skip it by clicking on the NEXT button. My personal best is 1:22 on the first circuit.
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[su_button url=”https://engames.eu/shouldandmust/shouldquiz (web)/index.html” target=”blank”]SHOULD – Racing game[/su_button]
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In the third game you have to complete the sentences with MUST or MUSTN’T. If you complete the whole exercise correctly, you can play the game Rock, Scissors and Paper. Can you beat the computer?
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[su_button url=”https://engames.eu/shouldandmust/must_quiz (web)/index.html” target=”blank”]MUST – Rock, scissors and paper[/su_button][su_spacer]
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BRITISH COUNCIL – Blog award
[/su_heading] Do you find this blog interesting and innovative. Then you can like it at British Council Teaching English Facebook page. Ours is the HOW post.Thanks for your support.
Students usually understand the usage of the modals in present tense very quickly. However, when they start speaking about the past, they use the present tense or some non-existent forms, like “musted”.
Here I’ve tried to create a simple overview of all the modal verbs and their usage in present and past tenses. I hope you will find it at least a bit useful.
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Modal verbs – mind map
[/su_heading] Have a look at this mind map. Notice that the modal verbs are in two colours. The white modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to and the red modal verbs are followed by past participles. If you still have problems with the past participles please follow the link above or this one, which will take you to quizzes on past participles at our other site English Learning Magazine.ADVERT:
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Modal verbs – games
[/su_heading] Once you have understood the explanation, it is time to practise your knowledge in two games on Modal verbs. The first one is called En Garde and your task is to choose the correct modal verb and then hit your opponent.[su_spacer] [su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/modal_verbs/modalverbs_engarde.swf”][su_button] Modal verbs – En Garde[/su_button][/su_lightbox][su_spacer] The second game is called Penalty. Once again you should choose the correct modal verb and then try to score a goal. Will you succeed?[su_spacer] [su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/modal_verbs/modalverbs_penalty.swf”][su_button] Modal verbs – Penalty[/su_button][/su_lightbox][su_spacer] [su_heading]English Learning Magazine
[/su_heading] We have started a new site for learners of English. While this site contains short grammar explanations and games to practise the grammar, the new site www.englishlearningmagazine.com contains tests and quizzes to practise English in general. For example, there is a text on Easter and you have to answer comprehension questions and then reconstruct the text.Or you could practise the names of the plants in a post which contains the video with the names of the plants and three tests. Moreover, you can listen to a song and complete its lyrics.
The whole site is mobile phones friendly (unlike this one, where the games play only on desktops).
Enjoy.
In English there are many ways to speak about future and at the same time there are many grammarians who claim that there is nothing like a future tense in English. I do not want to discuss this issue here, I would only like to present two ways of speaking about future.
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First I will introduce the basic system of future tenses in English according to the speaker’s certainty. The tenses presented at the bottom of the pyramid are the least certain to happen. The tenses at the top of the pyramid are the most certain.
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And in this post, I would like to deal with the tenses that are at the bottom of the pyramid: MAY/MIGHT and WILL.
MAY/MIGHT and WILL – mind map
[/su_heading] First study the following mind map. Notice that MAY/MIGHT does not make questions about the future. Moreover, there do not exist any short forms of the negatives of MIGHT and MAY (no mayn’t or mightn’t.)[su_spacer] [su_spacer]WILL is the most frequent form used to speak about the future. So if you are in doubt, use WILL. In both cases the verbs used after the words MIGHT/MAY and WILL are always in their basic form (in the infinitive without TO).[su_spacer] [su_heading]MAY/MIGHT and WILL – GAMES
[/su_heading] Once you have studied the mind maps and the explanations above, it is time to practise all you have learnt in several games. The first game is called On Target and your task is to choose which word best suits into each gap. If you answer correctly you will be given a chance to shoot the bad ducks. You can shoot a bottle too and get a bonus.[su_spacer] [su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/future/will_might on target.swf”][su_button] Will and Might – On Target [/su_button][/su_lightbox] [su_spacer] In the second game you should choose the correct form again and score a basket. Good luck.
[su_spacer] [su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/future/will_might hoopshoot.swf”][su_button] Will and Might – Hoop shoot[/su_button][/su_lightbox] [su_spacer]
Category: Elementary, English games, Grammar
Comparative is used when you want to compare two things. For example one person is tall and the other is short. So you will say: Person A is taller than person B. OR Person B is shorter than person A.
You can see some more examples below in the picture.
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Superlative is used if you want to say that someone is number 1. For example, you can say that Usain Bolt is the fastest man in the world. There are other examples of the usage of superlatives in the picture:
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Grammar explanation – mind map
[/su_heading] There are several rules in English how to form comparatives and superlatives. First of all you have to decide whether the adjective is short or long. Short adjectives are those adjectives that have one syllable or that have two syllables and end with “Y”. If the adjective is short you add the ending “-er” for a comparative or “-est” for a superlative. There are several simple rules concerning the spelling which you can find in the mind map below.If the adjective has two or more syllables and it does not end with “Y” then it is a long adjective and you have to add “more” or “most” in front of the adjective.
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Irregular adjectives
You have to learn the following adjectives.
good – better – the best
bad – worse -the worst
far – futher / farther – the furthest / the farthest
little – less – the least
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Games
[/su_heading] So now that you understand the rules how to form superlatives and comparatives in English it is time to practice them in games. In the first game your task is to write the adjectives in superlative or comparative form. Be careful about the spelling.[su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/comparatives/comparatives_superlatives_invaders.swf”][su_button] Comparatives and superlatives – Teacher invaders [/su_button][/su_lightbox]
In the second game you have to complete the sentences with the correct form of the adjective.
[su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/comparatives/comparatives_superlatives_penalty.swf”][su_button] Comparatives and superlatives – Penalty [/su_button][/su_lightbox]Last week I was teaching past perfect in one of my classes and suddenly one of the students exclaimed: “Finally we are learning something new.” And by new she meant useful as well.
I am not sure how useful this tense might be for people who want to speak English but it is certainly very handy for students who want to read in English a lot as past perfect tense comes up quite frequently in reading.
Once again, if you want to use and form past perfect tense correctly you need to know past participles.. If you are not sure about them, follow the link and learn them.
Past perfect – mind map
[/su_heading] This mind map tries to explain the form and the usage of the past perfect tense.Advert:
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If you think you understand past perfect tense, it is high time to practise the tense in the following exercises and games.
Past perfect – games
[/su_heading] There is just one game to practise past perfect tense. It is called Penalty and to be able to play this game you need to read the following story first:And now try the game called penalty. Read each sentence and on the basis of the story above decide which tense should be used. If you choose the correct tense you will be given a chance to kick a penalty.
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Past perfect – penalty
[/su_heading] [su_button url=”https://engames.eu/past perfect tense/past perfect penalty_game.swf” target=”blank” background=”#f56b68″ size=”7″ desc=”The game is in Flash”]The GAME[/su_button]This morning I was preparing a presentation for one of my classes on separable and not separable phrasal verbs and suddenly an interesting pattern appeared. It seems that the fact that the particle is separable can be guessed according to the particle that is used. I am not sure whether it works all the time, but it certainly worked for all the phrasal verbs I had to cover with my lower intermediate class.
The rule is quite simple: If the phrasal verb is transitive, it is not separable if there are two particles or the particles AFTER and WITHÂ are used. If there are other particles, the phrasal verbs are separable.
It might seem really complicated but if you have a look at the mind map bellow, it is quite easy.
Phrasal verbs – mind map
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Phrasal verbs – games
[/su_heading] I am glad if you feel that you can understand the grammar now. However, it is more important to be able to use the grammar correctly than to understand it. That is why I have prepared two games for you to check your understanding.The first game is called Darts. Your task is to choose a correct (or incorrect) option and click on it at the moment you think that you will get most points. [su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/Phrasal_verbs_02/darts.swf”][su_button] Click Here to play the game – Phrasal verbs – Darts [/su_button][/su_lightbox]
The second game is called On target. Once again, your task is to choose the correct or incorrect option and then shoot as many bad ducks as you can.
[su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/Phrasal_verbs_02/on target phrasal verbs.swf”][su_button] Click Here to play the game – Phrasal verbs – on Target [/su_button][/su_lightbox] [su_heading]Phrasal verbs – Conclusion
[/su_heading] If you are more interested in the meaning and usage of phrasal verbs you should certainly try our other post on phrasal verbs. It is a short story about Fred and Betty and you will certainly learn some of the verbs there too.Please, let us know what you think about this new rule.
To learn Passive voice it is necessary to know the past participles. If you do not know the past participles go to our post on Past participle and learn the irregular verbs first. Once you do not have any problems with past participles, it is time to learn the Passive voice in English.
Passive voice is used if the subject (the thing before the verb) does not do the action described by the verb. Then you have to insert the verb “TO BE” in the correct form in front of the verb in past participle.
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Passive – graphical presentation
[/su_heading] First there is a mind map describing the form of the passive.ADVERTISEMENT:
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The second graphic clearly shows the usage of passive voice: Your task is to write two sentences under each picture using present simple tense and past simple. The sentences in the first column should be in active voice and the sentences in the second column should be in passive voice.
[su_heading size=”16″]Passive – games
[/su_heading] Here you have a chance to learn the passive through games. Play each game at least twice and then I think that you will understand the basic rules of passives.The first game is a simple online quiz. Try to fill in the verbs in the correct form.
The second game is called Hoop shoot. Once again, choose the correct form and then stop the sliders in the center.
[su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/Passive/passive_hoopshoot.swf”][su_button] Click Here to play the game – Passive Hoop Shoot [/su_button][/su_lightbox]
Some time ago I presented here an infographics on present perfect tense. This infographic contains a lot of interesting information but when I tried to teach the present perfect tense using it, I found out that I failed. That is why I have prepared this new one where I try to introduce the form and the basic usage of the present perfect tense.
To teach the grammar successfully though the students have to know the past participles. You can learn present past participles here. There is mind map and three games to learn 40 of them.
Present perfect tense – mindmap
[/su_heading]This mind map shows the form of present perfect tense and the basic usage.
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Present perfect tense – RAP
[/su_heading]We have used a rap before to explain the grammar. You can see the explanation of the present simple and present continuous tenses here and the rap presentation of past participles here.
Play this rap after reading the graphics above and it should help you memorise the form and the usage of the grammar.
Present perfect tense – practise
[/su_heading]And now it is time to practise the grammar. Try the following video. Watch and use the words on the screen to make a sentence in the present perfect tense.Â
You can play other games for example here in our post Present perfect basic.
Conclusion
[/su_heading]I hope this post helped you understand the usage and form of the present perfect tense better. You can find more grammar posts on our blog. For example, there is a post on Second conditional or creation of questions starting with HOW. Enjoy.
Several weeks ago I published a post on Conditionals. In the post, I tried to cover all the conditionals in one mind map and I think that I succeeded.
However, the post was unnecessarily complicated for lower level students. Therefore I created a simpler one for lower intermediate students who need to know only the second conditional. Here you can see the result.
Second conditional – mind map
[/su_heading]The mind map very simply depicts the form and usage of the second conditional.
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Last week I taught passive and present perfect tense. I thought that I was well prepared but in both cases we encountered one big problem. The students could not form the past participles correctly. So they fought with the past participles and completely ignored the grammar taught.
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So now I know that we have to deal with past participles before we return to the two grammatical points again. That is why I have prepared this post. Here the students can learn and practise the past participles of 40 irregular verbs. It is not a full list but, it is better than nothing. There is a rap to start the lesson, there is a mind map and several games to practise the verbs. I hope you will find these useful too.
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Past participles – RAP
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Watch and follow the video. You can sing along if you dare.
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Past participles – mind map
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Here I try to track some regularities in forming the past participles in English. These rules are based on the pronunciation.
- Past participles are not as difficult as they seem.
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Past participles – GAMES
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In this section of the post you can practise the 40 past participles in different games. First of them is called Fling the Teacher and your task is to choose the correct past participle. If you get all 15 questions correct your teacher will be fired. Good luck.
[su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/Past_participle/past participles_fling.swf”][su_button] Click Here to play the game [/su_button][/su_lightbox]
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The second game is called En Garde. Your task is to choose the correct past participle and then hit your opponent. Kill him sooner than he does the same to you.
[su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/Past_participle/past participles_engarde.swf”][su_button] Click Here to play the game [/su_button][/su_lightbox]
The third game has already been presented on our site. It is called Teacher invaders and your task it to kill all the invaders and write the past participles of the verbs displayed. Enjoy.
[su_lightbox src=”https://engames.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Past_participle_invaders-game.swf”][su_button] Click Here to play the game [/su_button][/su_lightbox]