Grammar unit 2
The use of the present perfect
We use the present perfect to talk about actions in a period of time that started in the past and that
is still going on now.
Morgan has always used quality ingredients in his pastries.
Typical time indicators are: recently, just, lately, so far, this (week), yet, already, (n)ever, since, for (+
a period of time), always ...
We also use the present perfect to talk about actions that took place in the past and that have a
result in the present.
We have run out of flour (so we can’t make any more doughnuts).
Present perfect or present continuous
To talk about actions that started in the past and are still going on today, we use the present perfect.
If you want to stress the duration of this action, you can use the present perfect continuous:
has/have + been + the -ing form of the verb.
The staff has been working on a third edition since 1989.
Prepositions
We use in front of and behind to refer to place and before and after to refer to time.
We use into and onto to stress movement as alternatives for in and on.
Reflexive pronouns
Form
I myself
You yourself
He / She / It himself / herself / itself
We ourselves
You yourselves
They themselves
Use
Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of the sentence or clause.
Present continuous to express irritation
We can use the present continuous to express irritation or anger in the present.
A lot of my friends are always texting during class time!
Use of ‘emphatic do’
To emphasize the main verb, we can add a form of do. By using emphatic do, we make the statement
stronger or we express contrast. The form of do will be pronounced with more stress in this case.
I don’t need to see ads for beauty products, but I do think ads for
excursions are interesting.
The use of the present perfect
We use the present perfect to talk about actions in a period of time that started in the past and that
is still going on now.
Morgan has always used quality ingredients in his pastries.
Typical time indicators are: recently, just, lately, so far, this (week), yet, already, (n)ever, since, for (+
a period of time), always ...
We also use the present perfect to talk about actions that took place in the past and that have a
result in the present.
We have run out of flour (so we can’t make any more doughnuts).
Present perfect or present continuous
To talk about actions that started in the past and are still going on today, we use the present perfect.
If you want to stress the duration of this action, you can use the present perfect continuous:
has/have + been + the -ing form of the verb.
The staff has been working on a third edition since 1989.
Prepositions
We use in front of and behind to refer to place and before and after to refer to time.
We use into and onto to stress movement as alternatives for in and on.
Reflexive pronouns
Form
I myself
You yourself
He / She / It himself / herself / itself
We ourselves
You yourselves
They themselves
Use
Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of the sentence or clause.
Present continuous to express irritation
We can use the present continuous to express irritation or anger in the present.
A lot of my friends are always texting during class time!
Use of ‘emphatic do’
To emphasize the main verb, we can add a form of do. By using emphatic do, we make the statement
stronger or we express contrast. The form of do will be pronounced with more stress in this case.
I don’t need to see ads for beauty products, but I do think ads for
excursions are interesting.
