Present Perfect Continuous Past Perf Cont Use example essay topic

Present Simple FORM: 3rd person sing -s -es: wash, mix, go -fly - flies; stay - stays USE: 1) to denote truths: . habitual: a frequency adverb is often used -he smokes 40 cigarettes a day. -he usually takes the bus to work... general, recurrent -English people drink a lot of tea... mathematical, scientific, geographical -water boils at 100 degrees. -the river Po flows into the Adriatic Sea... permanent actions -I live in Milan - vs. - I'm living in Milan (now-temporary) 2) to give instructions / directions: -first you take 2 eggs and then you mix them with... 3) in narrative: to describe summarised events: . journalism -"Bush addresses Congress". plot summaries - film, book, historical table -In Chapter 1 Susan meets Greg and... -1789. The French revolution begins.

4) timetable future: per or ari di partenza / arrive mezz i di trasporto; inizio / fine spettacoli... -the train leaves at 3 o'clock. -he takes the 1st train tomorrow. 5) suggerimenti, in viti alla forma negative: -WHY DON'T YOU... ? 6) WHAT DO YOU DO?

What's your job? 7) with "state" verbs: . percezione involontaria: hear, see, smell, seem, appear, taste. volont'a: want, need, prefer, wish. sentiment: love, like, dislike, hate. posses so: have (got), belong, own, possess. cost, be, depend, matter, exist, weigh = pes are, contain, include. believe, know, suppose, think, understand. N.B. Some of these verbs can be used in continuous forms with a change of meaning: O I'm having breakfast. ( = eat) O I'm tasting the soup to check if it needs more salt. ( = sample) O I'm thinking of buying a new car ( = consider) Present Continuous FORM: ie y: lie / lying c ck: mimic / mimicking run running USE: 1) a temporary action - now -; a continuous action already begun not yet complete: -he's studying. 2) a temporary action begun recently, continuing, but not expected to be permanent: -I'm living in Milan. 3) temporary habit not necessarily taking place at the moment: -I'm studying Japanese. 4) a regrettable habit ("ALWAYS") -he's always losing his keys! 5) to describe a photo 6) azione programmata per il futuro (appointment, arrangement already made) -I'm seeing the doctor tomorrow morning. -how long are you staying in Rome?

7) formal (letters) O I am LOOKING FORWARD TO + ing: da ora in poi, verso il futuro I have been looking forward to meeting her: fine- nn ve devo l'ora... O TO BE HOPING TO + ing PAST TENSES Simple past FORM: cooked - worried - slipped - mimicked USE: 1) single finished action with clear time marker: -I played tennis yesterday -I left my shopping bag on the train ( = a definite place suggests a definite time) - N.B. I was born on 11th August, 1983. - 2) past habits / states (a time expression is usually necessary): -I always got up early in those days. -I rode a horse when I was young. -I lived in Paris FOR several years before movin to London -- -not any longer N.B. USED TO: past habit vs. present: -I used to drink tea when I was young but now I prefer coffee. /didn't use- did you use to? / WOULD: past habit (usually in writing) but not in contrast with the present: -I would always make my mum a cup of tea after lunch.

Present Perfect 1) recent event without a definite time (sottointeso just): -I have read the instructions but I don't understand them. N.B. - I bought a new bracelet: l'attenzione 'e sull' azione -When / where did you buy it? : l'attenzione 'e sul luogo, tempo in cui l' azione, or mai conclusa, 'e avvenuta. 2) event whose result is evident in the present: -I've broken my arm, as you can see. -I've washed the car ( = now it's cleaned) 3) past action with present relevance: -I've studied French ( = so I can translate this passage) -I've seen the film ( = so I can tell you about it) -INTERVIEW-RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Why are you suitable for this job? Because I have studied / I have worked...

4) action begun in the past incomplete - it still goes on: FOR - SINCE: -I have lived in Milan for - since... 5) with ADVERBS of FREQUENCY: . always - often - generally - usually - sometimes - rarely / seldom - hardly ever (-) never (-) - ever (? ). still - just - already - yet (-) - almost - recently -I've just finished it. Ma: -I've finished it recently-yet (-) -I still have seen her. 6) time span not yet over: . this morning / afternoon / week / century... -I've seen her this morning (she's probably still here) vs. I aw her earlier (she could be anywhere now). so far / up to now (the job hasn't been too tiring). all day. in my life. in the last few days / weeks. in this century. N.B. It's the 1st time... 7) I HAVE BEEN to Bath 3 times this week ( = sono gi'a torna to) I HAVE GONE to Bath today.

I'm coming back at 6 ( = sono ancora a B.) 8) with a future meaning following WHEN - AFTER - AS SOON AS - (FUT. AFTER): -I' ll come when I have finished. Present Perfect Continuous -Past Perf Cont- USE: 1) emphasises the length of time of an action. The action is NOT COMPLETED - still goes on - or recently finished. -I've been baking biscuits ALL AFTERNOON. - (So far) I've backed 50 biscuits altogether. ( = giving the number of actions suggests completion) -I've lived in this house FOR 5 years = I've been living in this house FOR 5 years.

MA PRES. PERF. CONT: con How long, sit, lie, wait, stay 2) explanation of a present situation - no... perch'e... - -I won't shake hands, I've been gardening.

-I've been digging the garden. That's why I'm so dirty! -Why are you so tired? I haven't been sleeping very well ( = E' un p'o di tempo che... ) 3) explanation of a period of time just finishing: -I'm sorry I'm late. I've been talking to my boss.

-Where have you been? I've been waiting for ages. -They have been promising a new metro line for years but although they have been talking and talking nothing has been done / they haven' t done anything. 4) I' VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO + ING I' VE BEEN MEANING / INTENDING TO VISIT for ages but I'm very busy: implies that the action has not been done. Past Continuous 1) past action in progress (also descriptions); often contrasted with a sudden event in the Simple Past ( = contemporary): -Henry was in his bedroom. He was reading a book.

-When I arrived, Tom was talking on the phone. -While I was studying, the phone rang. 2) un' azione programmata per il futuro in relazione a un momento passato: -He said he was going to work by car the following day. 3) past annoying habit ("ALWAYS") -John was always ringing me up! 4) Polite: I WAS WONDERING IF you could help me! I WAS HOPING you might help me find the answer.

Uncertainty: I WAS THINKING OF HAVING a party next week. 5) an action in the past that continued over a specified period of time: now -I was watching TV all day. -I was studying between 3 p.m. and 7 p. m... 6) demanding an account of an activity - not permitted -: -What were you doing in my room?

I was looking for a book. 7) abandoned idea / proposal: -I was hoping to... -I was planning to go there but... Past Perfect 1) past before past: O before the time considered: -She had gone to bed BEFORE MIDNIGHT. O Before another action always belonging to the past: -When she had finished her work, she relaxed.

2) with frequency adverbs 3) as soon as it was the first time if I had studied... I wish I had known... THE FUTURE Will 1) predictions (vs. to be going to dove vedi la causa): -Computer will never replace teachers. -Don't worry, it won't rain tomorrow! -PROBABLY / PERHAPS it will become dirtier if nothing will be done.

2) dopo verbi di opinion, supposizione, certezza, speranza (think, suppose, be sure, hope... ): -I hope you " ll come in time for the performance. 3) spontaneous, unplanned decision (decision presa al momento e non programmata vs. to be going to): -It's raining! I'll take my umbrella. -the phone is ringing. I'll go and answer! 4) azione future non dipendenti dalla volont'a di ness uno: -I'll be 18 in July.

-Will there be many people at the lecture? 5) nelle dubitative / interrogative indirette: -I don't doubt that she " ll pass the exam. -I don't know if he " ll come. 6) offerta, pro messa, minaccia, richie sta 7) deduction: -Is that the phone? It " ll be ( = MUST BE) Andrew.

Timetable Future (pres + time marker) -The bus leaves at 3. Diary Future (pres. cont + time marker) 1) a plan, an appointment already fixed - nel vicino futuro: -I'm going to the doctor tomorrow. -I'm leaving for France tonight. 2) to ask about social arrangements: -Ware you doing anything tonight? To Be Going To - Future of Intention 1) l' intenzione di compere un' azione: -What are you going to do after your diploma? -I'm going to fix the TV tomorrow.

2) un' azione imminent e che ci si asp etta che avvenga o che sta per av venire (prediction but we can see the cause of the event): -It's cloudy: It's going to rain again! Future Continuous 1) un " azione in corso nel momento futuro in consider azione: -At this time tomorrow I'll be travelling to London. 2) un " azione futura che ri entra nel normale corso degli eventi - as usual... - - As usual, I'll be meeting my relatives next Sunday. Future Perfect 1) un " azione futura che sar'a gi'a finita nel momento futuro considera to: (BY; BY+PRECISE TIME OR DATE, BY THEN, BY THAT TIME... ) - I'll have finished by 5 tomorrow.

Future Perfect Continuous 1) to express a predicted duration of a future action: -At this time tomorrow I'll have been travelling FOR 24 hours. FUTURO nelle SUBORDINATE IF, UNLESS, WHEN, AS SOON AS, AS LONG AS, TILL 1) FUTURO SEMPLICE: + Pres - I won't be there when you come back. 2) FUTURO ANTERIOR E: +Pres. Perfect - As soon as you have finished, we " ll go out. FUTURE in the PAST = CONDIZIONALE PRESENTE -he said that he would never marry Jane. -the sky was blue, the sea was calm. It would certainly be a pleasant crossing.

CONDITIONALS 1) 0 Conditional: always true; if = when (ever) -If I drink coffee in the evening, I don't sleep. -When there was snow, we went skiing. REMEMBER: If she's still having a shower / If she's still here / If she hasn' t finished, she won't go away. 2) 1st Conditionals: realistic / logical possibility - If I study, I'll / can do well my exam. -If it rains, we " ll take an umbrella. 3) 2nd Conditional: hypothetical (dreams, advice) - If I were you, I'd tell her the truth.

-If he asked me nicely, I might / could give it to him. = vague possibility 4) 3rd Conditional: unreal / hypothetical past situation: regret - If my brother had studied more, he would / might have become famous. -If only I had studied more I'd have done better ( = regret) THE PASSIVE FORM: the appropriate form of the verb "to be"+ past participle del verbi transitive - ma non di I like-love pizza - TEMPO FORMA ATTILA FORMA PASSIVA Simple present makes is made Present continuous is making is being made Simple past made was made Past continuous was making was being made Present perfect has made has been made Past perfect had made had been made Simple future will make will be made Future perfect will have made will have been made Going-to form is going to make is going to be made Present conditional would make would be made Perfect conditional would have made would have been made Present infinitive to make to be made Perfect infinitive to have made to have been made Present participle-gerund making being made Perfect participle having made having been made USE: 1) when the action is more important than the agent. The agent is actually: -unknown: my bike has been stolen. -obvious: Mr Jones was arrested. 2) processes, routines (series of actions): -How is wine made? The grapes are gathered in the fields...

-How does the Royal Mail work? First a letter is written... 3) divi eti, istruzioni: -smocking is not allowed here. -students are asked not to smoke. 4) reporting - current events / crime /historical events: -the presidential election in the USA has been won by Bush.

NOTA BENE: 1) in colloquial English "to be" is often replaced by "to get": -My car got broken into again yesterday. 2) make ( = to force) and ask require "to": -They made David work hard -- -David was made to work hard. 2) "let" becomes "allow": 4) HAVE STH DONE: O per servizi resi da terri: I had new tiles put on the roof. O Misfortunes happened to us caused by an unspecified person: Peter had his car stolen last year. 5) NEEDS DOING: per indic are una persona o cosa che necessity di un servizio: -The floor is dirty. It needs scrubbing.

6) passive dei verbi con dop pio accusative: to bring, to give, to lend, to offer, to promise, to send, to tell - the director will offer him the role of Othello. He will be offered the role of Othello. - They didn't tell Laura the truth. Laura wasn't told the truth. 7) il si passivate, per evitare THEY / PEOPLE, con verbi quail SAY, BELIEVE, UNDERSTAND. ( = nell' at tivo con lo stes so tempo tra princ. e sub ord.) -People say he is in debt. It is said to be in debt.

WISHES / REGRETS -I want / would like / would have liked to go I want / would like you to go -I prefer to go to the cinema than watch / instead of watching / to watching TV. I prefer you to go... Altri modi per render e il condizionale - pres e pass - di prefer. I'd rather (not) go I'd rather have gone.

I'd rather you went I'd rather you had gone. I'd sooner you went I'd sooner you had gone -You'd better (not) go = should = far esti meglio a -It's (high) time you went. -If only I hadn't broken it. = regret -Suppose / Imagine you were rich, what would you do? -Desi deri realizzabili: I hope to see you / I hope you won't be late vs. WISH PRESENTE: . I wish I had a new car-I wish I were rich... I wish it wasn't snowing. N.B. ANNOYING HABIT or A SPECIFIC ACTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAPPEN.

I wish you wouldn't chew gum all the time... I wish the police would do sth about these people. FUTURO: . I wish I could do that tomorrow... I wish I didn't have to get up early tomorrow.

PASSATO: . I wish I had listened to her-I wish it hadn't been snowing on my wedding day. N.B. ANNOYING HABIT or A SPECIFIC ACTION YOU WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAPPEN. I wish you wouldn't have talked all the time. Verbi che reggono -ing Con preposizione to apologise for scusarsi per to be afraid of aver laura di to be keen on essere appassionato di to be used to essere abituato a to get used to abituarsi a to be tired of essere stance di to feel like essere dis posto a-aver vo glia di to give up smettere di to insist on insistere di to think of pens are di to thank's. o. for ringraziare qlc per to burst out scoppiare a to avoid Evitare di to admit : he admits being wrong he admits that he's wrong Ammettere di to be busy essere occupa to a to deny neg are di to consider considera re di to practise esercitarsi a to enjoy divertirsi a to miss avere la mancanza di to imagine immaginare di to keep (on) continu are a to help aiu tare a to mind dispiacere / avere qlc in contra rio to resist resister e a to risk rischiare a to suggest : he suggested going he suggested that we went suggerire di Espressioni come... can't waste time non power sprecare tempo a can't bear / stand non sopportare can't help (MA: can't do without sth) non po tere fare a meno di it's no use-no good 'e inutile-non serve it's (is not) worth (non) vale re la pena N.B. : Se il soggetto 'e diverse dalla principale V + AGG. POSS o GENITIVE o COMPL PERS + ing -I can't stand his / Paul's / him snoring.

VERB +ING +TO hate - like - dislike - love - prefer azione abituale-I love cooking. azione occasional e: -What would you like to go? forget - remember past event: -I don't remember learning walk future event-obligation: -Remember to do it! try suggestion: -Try taking an aspirin e, you " ll be better. try and fail: -I tried to warn him (but... ) go on continue: -she went on working even though it was late. aggiungere col dire: mean comport are, signifi care: -leaving tomorrow will mean getting up early. avere l' intenzione: -I meant to phone you but i forgot. stop give up: -I stopped smoking. smettere per fare qual cos " altro: -I stopped to buy some coffee. to be sorry (for: se -ing) / regret azione passato: -I regret not phoning you but I was late about what's going to be said: -I regret to tell you that you have failed Verbi con infinite + to can't afford non potersi permet tere agree appear apparir e arrange ask chiedere di choose scegli ere di decide decider e di fail hope prepare prepararsi a promise promettere di manage seem sembrare refuse rifiutare di wait aspettare di threaten minacciare di Prepositional Phrases vote for vot are per ask for sth chiedere per avere qlc blame's. o. for incolpare qlc di warn's. o. of sth avvisare qlc di qlc remind's. o. to do sth ricord are a qlc di fare qlc insist on insistere a rely on conta re su apologise to's. o. for sth scusarsi con qlc di qlc good at bravo in It is good / kind of you to do sth 'e gentile da parte tua fare qlc Participles 1) as adjectives: -I'm a boring person -- -- the stolen wallet ( = passive meaning) 2) participles clause: dopo AFTER e BECAUSE; per sostituire clauses con when e le relative: -Driving home i listened to... -Having arrived home late, he went out for supper: pres. perf. participle -se 1 azione 'e finita prima di un " altra.