CARRERA

MATERIA
CLAVE
UNIDAD

Ingeniera Industrial y en Sistemas

LEI9
1 A8

Salvador Padilla Vargas

Febrero 2011

Content
1.

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................................3

2.

THE PRESENT PERFECT AND SIMPLE PAST.......................................................................................................4

2.1.
DEFINITION...............................................................................................................................................................4
2.1.1. The structures......................................................................................................................................................4
2.1.2. Their different use...............................................................................................................................................5

3.

PRACTICAL ENGLISH 1.............................................................................................................................................6

4.

PRESENT PERFECT PASSIVE....................................................................................................................................7

4.1.
THE PRESENT PERFECT PASSIVE STRUCTURE............................................................................................................7
4.1.1. The use of the perfect passive structure..............................................................................................................7

5.

PRACTICAL ENGLISH 2 PHRASAL VERBS...........................................................................................................8

6.

MODAL AUXILIARIES SUPPOSITIONS AND ASSUPMTIONS...........................................................................9

6.1.
6.2.

7.

MODAL AUXILIARIES IN SUPPOSITIONS IN THE PRESENT.........................................................................................9

MODAL AUXILIARIES IN SUPPOSITIONS IN THE PAST.............................................................................................10

BASE AND STRONG ADJECTIVES.........................................................................................................................10

7.1.
CLASSIFICATION OF BASE AND STRONG ADJECTIVES............................................................................................10
7.1.1. Adverbs for Base and Strong Adjectives...........................................................................................................11

8.

PRACTICAL ENGLISH 3. THE PHRASE I THINK..........................................................................................11

9.

PRACTICAL ENGLISH 4. PHONE LANGUAGE...................................................................................................11

9.1.1.

Ttulo Nivel 3....................................................................................................................................................12

9.1.1.1.

9.2.

Ttulo Nivel 4.......................................................................................................................................................... 12

TTULO NIVEL 2.....................................................................................................................................................12

10.

CONCLUSIONES.........................................................................................................................................................13

11.

RECOMENDACIONES...............................................................................................................................................14

12.

REFERENCIAS BIBLIOGRFICAS........................................................................................................................14

13.

APNDICES Y ANEXOS.............................................................................................................................................15

Lista de tablas y figuras

Figura 1. Ejemplo figura uno.......................................................................................................2
Tabla 1. Present Perfect Structure..............................................................................................4
Tabla 2. The Simple Past Structure............................................................................................5
Tabla 3. Present Perfect vs Simple Past Contrast......................................................................6
Tabla 4. The use of SO DO I AND NEITHER DO I.....................................................................6
Table 5. Present Perfect Passive................................................................................................7
Salvador Padilla Vargas

Table 6. Phrasal Verb Samples...................................................................................................8

Table 7. Modal Auxiliaries in Present Suppositions....................................................................9
Table 8. Modal Auxiliaries in Past Suppositions.......................................................................10
Table 9. Strong and Base Adjectives........................................................................................10
Table 10. Adjectives for Strong and Base Adjectives................................................................11
Table 10. Phone Phrases..........................................................................................................11
Tabla 1. Ejemplo tabla uno........................................................................................................12
Tabla 2. Ejemplo tabla dos........................................................................................................13

1.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of these notes and grammatical references is to provide help for extra
clarification of the topics covered in the course in a more direct way. However, it must be
clarified that the subject is not a theory based subject and as a consequence the
memorization or knowledge of the material contained in this notes does not guarantee the
abilities necessary to communicate in a second language.
Then, the purpose of these notes is to provide a solid foundation and help for topics that
would need more clarification because of their complexity as a source of notes to review and
study the theory part of the course.

Figura 1. Ejemplo figura uno

Salvador Padilla Vargas

2.

THE PRESENT PERFECT AND SIMPLE PAST

The next section will consider the structures of the simple past and present perfect and their
different uses making a contrast between them.

2.1. Definition
The present perfect is in essence a present tense that shows the results of past actions or
conditions. It expresses an action that has some effect in the present, but it does not specify
the exact time when the past action or condition occurred because the attention is on the
effects of this action or condition in the present tense.
On the other hand, the past tense focuses primarily in the past action and condition specifying
the exact time or season when the action or condition occurred.
2.1.1. The structures
The structure of the present perfect is explained in the nest chart:
Affirmative/Negative/Interrogative
have
I
ve (contracted form)
You
We
Have not
They
havent (contracted form)

He
She
It

Have

Has

watched this movie before.

(regular verb: watch)
seen this film before.
(irregular verb: seen)

Has
s (contracted form)

watched this movie before.

(regular verb: watch)

Has not
Hasnt (contracted form)

seen this film before.

(irregular verb: seen)

I
You
We
They

watched this movie before?

(regular verb: watch)

He
She
It

watched this movie before?

(regular verb: watch)

seen this film before?

(irregular verb: seen)

seen this film before?

(irregular verb: seen)
Tabla 1. Present Perfect Structure

Salvador Padilla Vargas

The structure of the simple past is explained in the next chart:

Affirmative/Negative/Interrogative
I
You
He
She
It
They
We
I
You
He
She
It
They
We

watched

Did

this movie last weekend.

(regular verb: watch)

saw

this film last weekend.

(irregular verb: see)

did not watch

didnt watch(contracted form)

this movie last weekend.

(regular verb: watch)

did not see

didnt see (contracted form)

this film last weekend.

(irregular verb: see)

I
You
He
She
It
They
We

this movie last weekend?

(regular verb: watch)
this film last weekend?
(irregular verb: see)
Tabla 2. The Simple Past Structure

2.1.2. Their different use

In many languages there is little or no difference in the use of the present perfect; however,
for the content of this course we will make a differentiation the use each tense.
Look at the following chart that contrasts the uses of both tenses:
Present Perfect
We use it for actions started in
the past that continue into the
present.

Simple Past
We use it for finished actions.

Example: John has worked here for 5

years (John continues working here).

Example: John worked here for 5 years

(John does not work here anymore).

For actions that occurred

sometime (unspecific) in the
past.

Salvador Padilla Vargas

We use it for finished actions in

a specific time in the past.
5

Example: My brother has traveled by

plane many times.
My sister has never traveled by plane.
For actions in the past that have
a present result.

Example: Lisa traveled by plane

yesterday to Japan.

Example: Kayla has not finished her

homework.

Example: Kayla did not do her homework.

The results of the actions stay in

the past.

Tabla 3. Present Perfect vs Simple Past Contrast

3.

PRACTICAL ENGLISH 1

This section presents pieces of the language useful in common every day communication. In
this unit we will consider a common response to agree with people in a positive or negative
way.
Observe the next chart that presents the structures:
Positive Agree

Negative Agree

Example
John: I like vanilla ice-cream
Lisa: So do I.
Peter: I went to the movies
last night.
John: So did I
John: I dont like vanilla icecream
Lisa: Neither do I.

Structure
So + auxiliary+ person

Neither + auxiliary+ person

Peter: I didnt go to the

movies last night.
John: Neither did I
Note: The auxiliary verb changes according to the tense of the initial statement
(present: do or does; past: did; present perfect: have or has; etc.).
Tabla 4. The use of SO DO I AND NEITHER DO I

Salvador Padilla Vargas

4.

PRESENT PERFECT PASSIVE

The present perfect passive follows the rules previously covered for the passive voice and the
present perfect. So, we will first take a look at the passive voice structure and the application
to the present perfect.

4.1. The present perfect passive structure

As we remember, the passive voice has two basic elements: a form of the verb to be, and
the past participle of a verb, example: The bank is opened at 9 am, but yesterday it was
opened at 10 am.
Verb to be + verb in past participle
The same rule applies to the present perfect tense when we apply the passive voice to it.
The structure conjugates the form of the verb to be necessary for the passive voice.
Have or has + been
So, after the conjugation of the verb to be, we only need to add the verb of our sentence in
the past participle form.
I
You
We
They
He
She
It

have been

included
in the list.

has been

included

Table 5. Present Perfect Passive

4.1.1. The use of the perfect passive structure

The use of this structure is the same as the use of the present perfect with an emphasis in
the passive voice. It means that the focus or attention is on the object or person receiving the
action and not on the person doing the action.
Examples:

Active
My mechanic has always fixed
this car.
We have considered him part of
the family since the first day.

Salvador Padilla Vargas

Passive
My car has always been fixed
here.
He has been considered part of
the family since the first day.
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5.

PRACTICAL ENGLISH 2 PHRASAL VERBS

Phrasal verbs in English are verbs that are composed of a verb and a preposition usually.
These phrasal verbs have the characteristic of having a literal and a figurative meaning.
Example:

Robert came up to the second floor after to see his room. (Literal meaning-to go up
a place).
Robert came up with an excellent idea for the party. (Figurative meaning-to find an
idea).

Many times the preposition with the verb indicates the position or direction of the action.
However, this is not always the case. A very important aspect to understand the meaning of
phrasal verbs used in a figurative way is to pay attention to the context of each sentence.
Some of the phrasal verbs are separable (you can put a person or object between verb and
preposition), others are optionally separable (you can or not separate them) and some are
inseparable (you can never separate them). There are some examples of phrasal verbs:

Take out
Put away
Keep on

Wash up

Literal
John takes out the trash
at home.
I need to put away all
the groceries (To put in
their assigned place).
My son keeps his
sweater on all the time
in school. (Not to
remove clothes or
accessories).
My car needs to be
washed up because its
all dirty. (Wash with
water).

Figurative
Maria is taking her husband to a
restaurant. (go on a date)
I am putting away money for a new car.
(to save something).
I must keep on working for 2 more hours
(To continue doing something).

Carlos was all washed up after the game.

(tired or exhausted).

Table 6. Phrasal Verb Samples

Salvador Padilla Vargas

6.

MODAL AUXILIARIES SUPPOSITIONS AND ASSUPMTIONS

In situations when we do not have all the information to predict or describe a situation 100%
sure of the facts, we make assumptions or suppositions. The words that will help us do this
are the same auxiliaries that helped us express rules and obligations.

Must
Could
May
Might
Cant (cannot)

Examples:

This bag is not mine. I think it could belong to Martha

The door was open in the morning. John must have forgotten to close it.

We can make assumptions and suppositions about situations, states or actions in the past or
present. The structure will depend on the tense of the situation.

6.1. Modal Auxiliaries in Suppositions in the Present

A situation, action or state that is not completely clear or certain allows for a supposition or an
assumption. In the present tense we will normally express

Habitual actions
States that do not change

The following table explains the degree of certainty expressed with each modal auxiliary and
the structure that these statements follow.
Modal Auxiliary
Must
Could
May
Might
Cant

Sample Sentences
She is kissing him. He must
be her husband.
If he is not her husband, he
could be her boyfriend.
She may not be married.
She might be thinking about
a wedding.
He cant be her brother.

Level of Certainty
90%
50%
40%
20%
0% Impossible

Table 7. Modal Auxiliaries in Present Suppositions

Since they are modal auxiliaries, they follow the same rules as any other modal auxiliary. The
most important is the form of the verb that is in front of them. It has to be in base form.
Salvador Padilla Vargas

Must be

could belong

may go

might work

6.2. Modal Auxiliaries in Suppositions in the Past.

The modal auxiliaries in this context present a situation or action that happened in the past
and of which we do not have all the details or are not sure of all the facts. So, we make
suppositions or formulate assumptions.
The levels of certainty are the same as the suppositions and assumptions in the present
tense.
The structure presents a new element because the verb in front of the auxiliary verb has to
be in the present perfect form.

Karla is crying. She must have broken up wither boyfriend.

The floor is wet. It could have rained during the night.

Modal Auxiliary
Must

Sample Sentences
He is not here. He must have
stayed late at work.
He could have had some car
problem.
He may have overslept.
He might be sick.
He cant be in his vacations.

Could
May
Might
Cant

Level of Certainty
90%
50%
40%
20%
0% Impossible

Table 8. Modal Auxiliaries in Past Suppositions

7.

BASE AND STRONG ADJECTIVES

In the description of objects, people or situations we use adjectives that can be classified in
two groups:

Base (gradable): These adjectives can present several degrees of their

description.
A person can be very tall, a little tall or somewhat tall.
Strong (non-gradable): These adjectives present the descriptions in terms of
absolutes. There are no degrees in their description. A person is correct and not a
little correct or very correct; he or she is correct (as an absolute condition).

7.1. Classification of Base and Strong Adjectives.

The next table presents examples of some base and strong adjectives:
Base Adjectives
Strong Adjectives
Beautiful / big / small / rich / poor / tall /
awful / excellent / terrified / dead /
short / tired / long /important / angry/ good /
impossible / boiling / enormous /
warm / cold / hot / young / strong / weak /
freezing / perfect / completely /
deep / narrow / busy / dangerous / noise /
immediately / terrible / unknown /
terrifying / bad / freezing
certain / gigantic / huge / black /
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whole / alive / mortal / dead / correct

Table 9. Strong and Base Adjectives

7.1.1. Adverbs for Base and Strong Adjectives

The application of the classification of the adjectives in base and strong adjectives has its
application in the use of the adverbs that modify each of the groups of adjectives. There are
adverbs for each group and they cannot be used for both.
Example: I am very tall ---------- I am absolutely tall
The first option is correct because the adverb very is used with base adjectives. The second
option is incorrect because the adverb absolutely is used only with strong adjectives.
The next table presents a classification of adverbs for each group:
Base Adjectives
very, a little, dreadfully, extremely, fairly,
hugely, immensely, intensely, rather,
reasonably, slightly, unusually,

Strong Adjectives
Totally, virtually, absolutely, nearly,
completely, mainly, almost,
essentially, fully, perfectly, primarily,
practically.

Table 10. Adjectives for Strong and Base Adjectives

8.

PRACTICAL ENGLISH 3. THE PHRASE

I THINK

The phrase I think in combination with other words can be used to:

Ask for an opinion: in interrogative form. It is horrible, dont you think?

Confirm agreement and information: in affirmative + so. Is she here? I think so.

Express a desire: in affirmative. I think I will go to the movies today.

9.

PRACTICAL ENGLISH 4. PHONE LANGUAGE

There are certain established phrases standard in the English language that are used when
we speak on the telephone. Here are some of them in a table:
Phrase
Use
Is Larry in?
To ask for someone
Is Larry available?
This is Roberto
To introduce oneself
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Can I take a message?

Could I leave a message?

To take a message
To leave a message
Table 11. Phone Phrases

Tabla 12. Ejemplo tabla uno

9.1.1. Ttulo Nivel 3

Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 3
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 3
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 3

Vietas
Vietas
Vietas

9.1.1.1. Ttulo Nivel 4

Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 4
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 4
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 4

9.2. Ttulo Nivel 2

Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 2
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 2
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 2

Salvador Padilla Vargas

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10. CONCLUSIONES
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1

Tabla 13. Ejemplo tabla dos

Salvador Padilla Vargas

13

11. RECOMENDACIONES
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1

12. REFERENCIAS BIBLIOGRFICAS

Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1

Salvador Padilla Vargas

14

13. APNDICES Y ANEXOS

Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1
Texto normal, prrafo de nivel 1

Salvador Padilla Vargas

15