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Exercises Explanation Downloads

Gerund or infinitive - do, to do, doing

Exercise 1

Choose the correct gerund or infinitive form to complete the sentences below.

When do we use gerund or infinitive?

When we have to use a verb after another verb, or a certain kind of word, we sometimes use an infinitive or a gerund. It often depends on the word that comes before. Here you have a list of the main situations in which we use infinitives or gerunds.

Verbs that take gerund or infinitive with a change of meaning

Forget

Forget to do something: Used to talk about things that we need to do, and we forget to do them.

Forget doing something: It's normally used in negative sentences. Used to talk about memories; normally about things that we did in the past and that we will not forget.

Remember

Remember to do something: Used to talk about things we need to do.

Remember doing something: Used to talk about memories. We remember things from the past.

Try

Try to do something: When we try to do something, we make an effort to achieve something that we maybe will or will not accomplish.

Try doing something: Used when we have an objective and we try something as an experiment to see if it helps us achieve that objective. We try something in order to achieve an objective.

Stop

Stop to do something: Used when we stop doing an activity so as to start doing a different one.

Stop doing something: It means to finish doing something that we are doing.

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Gerund or infinitive - do, to do, doing - Test-English

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Gerund or infinitive - do, to do, doing. Verbs patterns. Verbs followed by infinitive, verbs followed by -ing. English intermediate grammar exercises.

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Use a/an

➪ When we mention something for the first time.

➪ To say what kind of person or thing something/somebody is.

➪ When we mean 'one'.

➪ For frequency, rates and speeds etc.

➪ In the expressions what a/ such a + singular countable noun.

Note that you cannot use singular countable nouns alone (without a/ the/ my/ etc.)

Use the

➪ With things or people already mentioned, or when we know which things or people we are talking about.

➪ When a noun is made specific by details we give after it.

➪ When there is only one of something: the earth, the moon, the planet, the internet, the universe, the sky, the city (=not the country), the country (=not the city), etc.

➪ With places in a town where we commonly go ( the park, the cinema, the doctor, etc.)

➪ With superlatives

➪ With the names of oceans, seas, rivers and canals (, etc.).

Use no article

➪ To describe something in general (with plural or uncountable nouns).

Love and health are more important than money.

Women drive more cautiously than men.

I love music. (= music in general)

The party was great. I loved the music. (=specific music)

➪ With home, work, bed, hospital, school, university, prison when we speak in general (as the place used to live, work, sleep, be hospitalised, learn or be imprisoned.)

But we use the article if we refer to these places just as places, or buildings; when they are not used for their main purpose.

➪ With names of meals ( breakfast, lunch, dinner)

➪ With names of years, months and days of the week.

➪ With name + number.

➪ With TV (when used as a broadcasting service, NOT as an appliance)

But Last year we spent three weeks in London. The last week in London was one of the best in my life. (=It does not mean 'the week before NOW')
➪ With most names of places, such as continents (Europe, Africa, etc.), countries (Spain, China, etc.), cities or towns (Rome, Bangkok, etc.), mountains (mount Everest, Annapurna, etc.)
But names of countries that are plural or that include words such as State or Republic, or Kingdom are used with the: the US (the United States), the UK (the United Kingdom), the Philippines, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic.

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A(n), the, or no article. English grammar exercises. Intermediate grammar exercises. School vs. the school, I like music, I don't have a driving license.

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After her pet hamster died, it took Sarah a few weeks to ____________ the sadness.

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Developed by the University of Cambridge, Write & Improve is a FREE tool that helps every learner to improve their English writing.

Choose from hundreds of tasks at all levels and start writing, or create your own tasks

Submit your writing and get a result linked to the international standard, the CEFR

Get automatic feedback on where your writing may need improvement

Make changes and check again to improve your writing

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Write & Improve is a free service for learners of English to practise their written English. Submit your written work and receive feedback in seconds, covering spelling, vocabulary, grammar and general style.

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Write a short bioggraphy of a famous/ succesful person.

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ESL Brains - Verb patterns - changes in meaning

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https://www.baamboozle.com/game/876456

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Here we have listed useful phrases for IELTS Speaking. Learning the speaking phrases will enrich your vocabulary, give you much more flexibility when you speak, make you sound more fluent and contribute to a higher score.

Keep the vocabulary list next to you while you practise, so you can get ideas for linking and expressing your views.

Beginnings

I am not sure what you mean, could you be more specific?

Could you repeat the question, please?

Well, I have never thought about it, but If I do, I would say that ...

Well, it is not a simple question ...

Reformulation of the questions

What did I enjoy doing as a child? Let me see ...

That's not something I've thought about before. It's an interesting question.

I haven't thought about that question before.

Wow, that's tough question to answer.

I need a couple of seconds to think about that but ...

I'm not quite sure what to say here ...

There are a variety of different things I could say ...

Middles

I almost forgot to say that ... / Another point would be that ...

And I should add that ...

Opinion language

In my opinion ... / I think that ... / Well, if you ask me, ... / When it comes to me, I ...

I am sure something will/won't happen / It is unlikely/likely this event won't/will occur

As I see it ... / In my opinion ... / I'd say ... / If you ask me ... / Personally ...

I'm certain ... / I'm convinced ...

I guess ... / I suppose ... / I reckon ...

What you just said was rubbish

Let me try and rephrase that ...

What I'm trying to say is ...

Or to put it another way ...

You forgot the word or what you wanted to say

Sorry, it's on the tip of the tongue ...

I don't know the right way to put this ...

I'm not sure if this is the right way to put it, but ...

Coherence - repeat yourself

As I was saying ... / As I said before ...

Variations

It is fairly likely that ...

It's rather unlikely that ...

Ends

And I suppose that that's my main point

And finally, I'd say that ...

And I don't think I have anything else to say

See also: Linking Words For IELTS Writing and Speaking

MORE RESOURCES

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Useful phrases for IELTS Speaking - IELTS Leader

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Vocabulary is worth 25% of your mark in IELTS speaking test. Therefore, it is worth learning the speaking vocabulary, which will give you much more flexibility when you speak, make you sound more fluent and give your score a boost.

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https://www.baamboozle.com/game/1177761

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Book Report on "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

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Book Report on "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

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Introduction

"The Alchemist" is a novel by Paulo Coelho. It is a story about following your dreams.

Summary of Characters and Setting

The main character is Santiago, a young shepherd from Spain. He travels to the deserts of Egypt to find a treasure. The story is set in Spain and the Egyptian desert.

Description of the Plot

Santiago has a dream about finding treasure in Egypt. He meets a king who tells him to follow his "Personal Legend." On his journey, Santiago learns from the people he meets, like the alchemist. The journey teaches him about listening to his heart and realizing his dreams.

The End

Santiago finds the treasure not just in gold but in the knowledge and experiences he gains. The real treasure was his journey and what he learned about life.

Tone of the Book

The tone is inspirational and philosophical. It makes you think about your own dreams and how to achieve them.

Good and Bad Points

The good point is its simple message about following your dreams. However, some may find the story too simple or predictable.

Personal Opinion

I liked "The Alchemist" because it's inspiring. It tells you to never give up on your dreams.

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E-mail writing: Formal and Informal verbs

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E-mail writing: Formal and Informal verbs

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Link to audio files: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qFFH63J7r9ROxuYtM6qWVDCRCe6lTGTK/view?usp=sharing

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Reported Speech/ Questions and Reporting verbs

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Reported Speech/ Questions and Reporting verbs

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Complete all the activities:

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/b1-b2-grammar/reported-speech-statements

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/b1-b2-grammar/reported-speech-questions

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/b1-b2-grammar/reported-speech-reporting-verbs

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Look at these examples to see how we can tell someone what another person said.

direct speech: 'I love the Toy Story films,' she said.
indirect speech: She said she loved the Toy Story films.

direct speech:'I worked as a waiter before becoming a chef,' he said.
indirect speech: He said he'd worked as a waiter before becoming a chef.

direct speech:'I'll phone you tomorrow,' he said.
indirect speech: He said he'd phone me the next day.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

Reported speech is when we tell someone what another person said. To do this, we can use direct speech or indirect speech.

direct speech: 'I work in a bank,' said Daniel.
indirect speech:Daniel said that he worked in a bank.

In indirect speech, we often use a tense which is 'further back' in the past (e.g. worked) than the tense originally used (e.g. work). This is called 'backshift'. We also may need to change other words that were used, for example pronouns.

Present simple, present continuous and present perfect

When we backshift, present simple changes to past simple, present continuous changes to past continuous and present perfect changes to past perfect.

'I travel a lot in my job.'
Jamila said that she travelled a lot in her job.
'The baby's sleeping!'
He told me the baby was sleeping.
'I've hurt my leg.'
She said she'd hurt her leg.

Past simple and past continuous

When we backshift, past simple usually changes to past perfect simple, and past continuous usually changes to past perfect continuous.

'We lived in China for five years.'
She told me they'd lived in China for five years.
'It was raining all day.'
He told me it had been raining all day.

Past perfect

The past perfect doesn't change.

'I'd tried everything without success, but this new medicine is great.'
He said he'd tried everything without success, but the new medicine was great.

No backshift

If what the speaker has said is still true or relevant, it's not always necessary to change the tense. This might happen when the speaker has used a present tense.

'I go to the gym next to your house.'
Jenny told me that she goes to the gym next to my house. I'm thinking about going with her.
'I'm working in Italy for the next six months.'
He told me he's working in Italy for the next six months. Maybe I should visit him!
'I've broken my arm!'
She said she's broken her arm, so she won't be at work this week.

Pronouns, demonstratives and adverbs of time and place

Pronouns also usually change in indirect speech.

'I enjoy working in my garden,' said Bob.
Bob said that he enjoyed working in his garden.
'We played tennis for our school,' said Alina.
Alina told me they'd played tennis for their school.

However, if you are the person or one of the people who spoke, then the pronouns don't change.

'I'm working on my thesis,' I said.
I told her that I was working on my thesis.
'We want our jobs back!' we said.
We said that we wanted our jobs back.

We also change demonstratives and adverbs of time and place if they are no longer accurate.

'This is my house.'

He said this was his house. [You are currently in front of the house.]

He said that was his house. [You are not currently in front of the house.]

'We like it here.'

She told me they like it here. [You are currently in the place they like.]

She told me they like it there. [You are not in the place they like.]

'I'm planning to do it today.'

She told me she's planning to do it today. [It is currently still the same day.]

She told me she was planning to do it that day. [It is not the same day any more.]

In the same way, these changes to those, now changes to then, yesterday changes to the day before, tomorrow changes to the next/following day and ago changes to before.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Language level

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Do you know how to report what somebody else said? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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Study the grammar explanations and complete the activities.

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* look up the meaning of any new words and put them in a sentence.

+ make a handwritten note of any new words, ideally in a separate note pad that

you carry with you. Whenever you have a few minutes — waiting for a bus, just

before going to sleep, waiting for the kettle to boil — take out the list and look

through, reminding yourself of the word and the meaning.

* write the new word a number of times — writing down vocabulary will help you

remember it and will also help with spelling.

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Choose one of the methods of study listed above and try it out for the next week. Report back to the class on how useful you found it.

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Making Polite Requests / some fixed phrases in conversation

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Making Polite Requests / some fixed phrases in conversation

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Possibility

They may come by car. (= Maybe they will come by car.)
They might be at home. (= Maybe they are at home.)
If we don't hurry, we could be late. (= Maybe we will be late.)

We use to make general statements about what is possible:

It can be very cold here in winter. (= It is sometimes very cold here in winter.)
You can easily get lost in this town. (= People often get lost in this town.)

Level: intermediate
I haven't received your letter. It may have got lost in the post.
It's ten o'clock. Theymight have arrived by now.
Where are they? Theycould have got lost.

We use could to make general statements about the past:

It could be very cold there in winter. (= It was sometimes very cold there in winter.)
You could easily get lost in that town. (= People often got lost in that town.)

Impossibility
Level: beginner Level: intermediate
Certainty
Level: beginner
We use must to show we are sure something is true and we have reasons for our belief:

We use to suggest something is true and we have reasons for our suggestion:
Level: intermediate
They hadn't eaten all day. They must have been hungry.
You look happy. Youmust have heard the good news.
It's nearly eleven o'clock. Theyshould have arrived by now.

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Learn about modal verbs for possibility, impossibility and certainty and do the exercises to practise using them.

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Review restaurant Bocca di Lupo 21 feb 2024 for English

Location : Soho easy to get by feet but no parking in the area

Atmosphere : Design, cosy, family-run, nice atmosphere, bustling vibes but its a compact restaurant and you can eat on the big bar with view on the kitchen

Kind of food : Healthy, various regionals Italian stylish food, delicious but portions are not very generous.

Food quality : Fresh and daily made

The Service :  Very kind and professional

How Busy : Very busy

Prices : A little bit overpriced but not so much in regards of the quality and experience

Value for the money : Definitely worth a visit if you like authentic Italian food

Intersting : They own the gelateria called Gelupo in the opposite of the street.

The address is : https://maps.app.goo.gl/sM414WMNjVCY8Hm16?g_st=ic

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I went to the Oblix. It is a restaurant in the shard.  It was really luxurious atmosphere. When I went to there, I ordered afternoon tea. It was absolutely delicious but the portion was too much for me. The waiter was really friendly. There was extremely expensive but I would like to recommend my friends.

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Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

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This restaurant is really good. Chef from Thailand is working here. It has a fairly authentic atmosphere. There are lamps and sculptures in the restaurant. In addition, it’s quite near the station so we can be there in 3 minutes walk from the station. I ordered the Pad Thai , it was really delicious and the portion was very generous. The price aren’t really expensive.

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Baan Rak Tsunashima Ekimae · 4.5★(97) · Thai restaurant

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Baan Rak Tsunashima Ekimae · 4.5★(97) · Thai restaurant

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Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

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Highly recommended!! Colbert Sloane Square 

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Highly recommended!! Colbert Sloane Square 

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The french toast quality was very good. The staff were friendly. It's a good place to meet your friend because the prices are reasonable.This Cafe is very convenient, located near the Sloane Square station but it's a bit noisy.

colberts reviews https://g.co/kgs/aFWc32o

Chayakorn

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The atmosphere of the restaurant was friendly but the location was in a bad place although the location was bad  it was quite crowded.The service was quite fast and the employees were friendly.Altought the food was overcooked its wasn’t bad . The cost of the meals was overpriced.

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Succulent pieces of lamb, layered on one huge skewer and then slow cooked for maximum tongue bursting flavours.

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The Port House

https://maps.app.goo.gl/v8dhupxKXScLmc3s8?g_st=ic

This restaurant is Spanish Tapas dish.

There are good location so you can go there by bus from here about 15 minutes.

The general atmosphere is a great place to sit and relax.

The service is friendly enough.

And there are a lot of different kind of wines and so many food.

Most dishes are extremely delicious!

We can spend a gread time.

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The atmosphere of the restaurant was friendly but the location was in a bad place although the location was bad  it was quite crowded.The service was quite fast and the employees were friendly.Altought the food was overcooked its wasn’t bad . The cost of the meals was overpriced.

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There was a friendly atmosphere with good Italian music. The staff were fun and very fast! This place is located in the center near Covent Garden and usually there are many people. I ate a delicious pizza and the price was not vary expencive. I Can definitely recommend this pizzeria and i’ll be going back.

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(and much more)

The word "VASINICOLA" Means "THE BASIL " in the Neapolitan dialect.

It is an ancient term which derives from the Greek word "V azilikon", this exact word refers to another ancient terminology: "V asilias" that means " King".

Basil is a very important ingredient and a well known healthy herb with an amazing perfume that represents the real Mediterranean cuisine. We have chosen the word " Vasinikò" to aim of freshness, of summer and intense aroma like all our pizzas of our new London pizza restaurant. We are committed to serve you one of the best original Neapolitan pizza in London!

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We have different pizza restaurant in different part of Italy and we are now opening the new pizza place that will bring to London the real neapolitan products and flavors. We will add new images of the new location as soon as possible and we will show how our pizzas and dishes are freshly made with love and patient.

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The oblix was absolutely a luxury restaurant. I had really delicious dessert, tea and coffee. And there was a relaxing atmosphere. Also the waiters were extremely friendly.

The price was completely expensive but I think it’s definitely worth a visit.

I can really recommend it as a restaurant to get something to eat with friends or family.

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The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY, United Kingdom

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Hard Rock Cafe London

The atmosphere and the music was very good. The food was fresh and the burger was tasty. The personal was reasonable and friendly. Just the burger was a little bit overpriced but the restaurant was easy to find. It’s definitely worth a visit, you just have to reserve a spot in advance because it is very crowded.

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Hard Rock Cafe London Piccadilly Circus · 4.6★(8834) · Amerikanisches Restaurant

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Hard Rock Cafe London Piccadilly Circus · 4.6★(8834) · Amerikanisches Restaurant

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Building 225, Piccadilly Criterion Building, St. James's, London W1J 9HR, Vereinigtes Königreich

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Look at these examples to see how zero, first and second conditionals are used.

If you freeze water, it becomes solid.
If it rains tomorrow, I'll take the car.
If I lived closer to the cinema, I would go more often.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

Conditionals describe the result of a certain condition. The if clause tells you the condition ( If you study hard) and the main clause tells you the result ( you will pass your exams). The order of the clauses does not change the meaning.

If you study hard, you will pass your exams.
You will pass your exams if you study hard.

Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.

Zero conditional

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially for laws and rules.

If I drink too much coffee, I can't sleep at night.
Ice melts if you heat it.
When the sun goes down, it gets dark.

The structure is: if/w hen + present simple >> present simple.

First conditional

We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or possible.

If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.
Arsenal will be top of the league if they win.
When I finish work, I'll call you.

In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually: if/ when + present simple >> will + infinitive.

It is also common to use this structure with unless, as long as, as soon as or in case instead of if.

I'll leave as soon as the babysitter arrives.
I don't want to stay in London unless I get a well-paid job.
I'll give you a key in case I'm not at home.
You can go to the party, as long as you're back by midnight.

Second conditional

The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality.

If we had a garden, we could have a cat.
If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a big house in the country.
I wouldn't worry if I were you.

The structure is usually: if + past simple >> + would + infinitive.

When if is followed by the verb be, it is grammatically correct to say if I were, if he were, if she were and if it were. However, it is also common to hear these structures with was, especially in the he/ she form.

If I were you, I wouldn't mention it.
If she was prime minister, she would invest more money in schools.
He would travel more if he was younger.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Language level

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Do you know how to use the zero, first and second conditionals? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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Adverbs: probably refers to an action that most likely will occur and possibly refers to an action that has a chance to happen.

Possibly: might happen, maybe 50% chance it will or it won't.

Probably: most likely happen, more than 50% chance it will happen.

It will PROBABLY rain today.

(lots of dark clouds in the sky)

(a dark cloud in the distance) There's a small chance it will rain. Maybe. POSSIBLY it will rain.

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https://www.baamboozle.com/study/1669340

Game: https://www.baamboozle.com/game/117313

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Giliana - A Christmas story

Arif - Frankenstein

Arianna - The advantures Huckleberry Finn

Joao - Stargate

Riri - Crime story

Fan- Thomas Edison

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Look at these examples to see how will, going to and the present continuous are used.

Oh great! That meeting after work's been cancelled. I'll go to that yoga class instead.
I'm going to try to visit my relatives in Australia this year.
The restaurant is reserved for 8. We're having a drink at Beale's first.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar explanation

We use different verb forms to talk about our plans for the future, depending on what kind of plan it is: a spontaneous plan, a pre-decided plan or an arrangement.

We use will to talk about spontaneous plans decided at the moment of speaking.

Oops, I forgot to phone Mum! I'll do it after dinner.
I can't decide what to wear tonight. I know! I'll wear my green shirt.
There's no milk. I'll buy some when I go to the shops.

We use going to to talk about plans decided before the moment of speaking.

I'm going to phone Mum after dinner. I told her I'd call at 8 o'clock.
I'm going to wear my black dress tonight.
I'm going to go to the supermarket after work. What do we need?

Present continuous

We usually use the present continuous when the plan is an arrangement - already confirmed with at least one other person and we know the time and place.

I'm meeting Jane at 8 o'clock on Saturday.
We're having a party next Saturday. Would you like to come?

We often use the present continuous to ask about people's future plans.

Are you doing anything interesting this weekend?

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Language level

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Future forms: 'will', 'be going to' and present continuous

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Do you know how to talk about future plans using will, going to and the present continuous? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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Complete the activities 1,2,3,4 and 6.

Then, for activity 7 choose one of the topics below and plan a story using the chunks and narrative tenses to tell your friends.

✴ Have you ever moved country, and if so, what was it like?

✴ Tell about something eventful that happened when you were last on holiday.

We will do activities 8 &9 in class tomorrow.

Link for the audio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K5KMtkBvesYqQoJURFvxETSaq3bsJHPH/view?usp=sharing

Answer key:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yv-OSlC_c2RNWFLdrQhhZSrTHiZKhNnnIa83GCEOn5I/edit?usp=sharing

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https://www.baamboozle.com/game/1429639

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https://www.baamboozle.com/study/1725082

https://jeopardylabs.com/play/seeing-the-doctor

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Read through the grammar explanations and complete the activities. Then, check your answers.

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Look at these examples to see how the present perfect simple and continuous are used.

We've painted the bathroom.
She's been training for a half-marathon.
I've had three coffees already today!
They've been waiting for hours.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Grammar B1-B2: Present perfect simple and present perfect continuous: 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

We use both the present perfect simple ( have or has + past participle) and the present perfect continuous ( have or has + been + -ing form) to talk about past actions or states which are still connected to the present.

Focusing on result or activity

The present perfect simple usually focuses on the result of the activity in some way, and the present perfect continuous usually focuses on the activity itself in some way.

Ongoing states and actions

We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect simple to talk about ongoing states.

How long have you known each other?
We've known each other since we were at school.

We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect continuous to talk about ongoing single or repeated actions.

How long have they been playing tennis?
They've been playing tennis for an hour.
They've been playing tennis every Sunday for years.

Sometimes the present perfect continuous can emphasise that a situation is temporary.

I usually go to the gym on the High Street, but it's closed for repairs at the moment so I've been going to the one in the shopping centre.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2

Grammar B1-B2: Present perfect simple and present perfect continuous: 2

Language level

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Do you know the difference between We've painted the room and We've been painting the room? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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ESL Brains - I’ve been doing it for a week and I love it!

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https://jeopardylabs.com/play/reported-speech-game2

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Crush - Reported Speech general gram…: English ESL video lessons (islcollective.com)

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See the answer key in the comments below.

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ESL Brains - Everyone has it, but no one can lose it: indefinite pronouns

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Reading: Seeking fitspiration on social media

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Reading: Seeking fitspiration on social media

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REACTING TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING--- https://www.liveworksheets.com/w/en/english-second-language-esl/534285