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Past perfect for actions completed before a point in the past
We use the past perfect tenseA grammatical category that is marked by verb inflection. To express when an event or action happens in time or when a state exists, we use tenses. to express that an eventA general term expressing that somebody or something does something or that something happens. E.g.: An apple fell on Isaac’s head. took place before another event in the past, that is, it had been completeA concept, related to the perfect aspect, expressing that an action has finished. E.g.: He’s finished university.d. This tense allows us to keep track of the order of the events if this is not clear otherwise.
Prepositional verbs followed by the gerund
Prepositional verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis.s consist of a verb and a preposition (or sometimes more than one). As prepositions are followed by nounA part of speech that names a person, place or thing. E.g.: The koala is a marsupial. ("koala", "marsupial") phrases, so are prepositional verbs. Therefore the verbs listed below are all followed by gerunds.
Reporting a simultaneous event with passive voice
If the reporting and the reported actionA general term expressing that somebody or something does something happen at the same time, we use simple or continuousThe aspect expressing duration, formed with be + verb-ing. E.g.: What are you doing? infinitives.
This football coach is said to be strict but fair. (= They say this football coach is strict but fair.)
The definite article with geographic names
Countries
Names of countries which are collective, plural or post-modified take the definiteRelating to a specific or determined person, thing, idea or time. E.g.: I know the guy you are talking about. ("the guy you are talking about") articleAny of the words "a", "an" and "the", used to limit or give definiteness to a noun. "A" and "an" are indefinite articles, while "the" is a definite article. E.g.: A man was standing on the platform. ("a", "the").
The difference between direct and indirect speech
David: Have you seen The Two Towers? (original utterance)
David asked, "Have you seen The Two Towers?" (direct speech)
When we quote word for word what somebody says, we use inverted commas (quotation marks) and we repeat exactly the original utterance. This is called direct speech.
TO + infinitive or gerund: ADVISE, ALLOW, PERMIT, FORBID, RECOMMEND, REQUIRE
In this group, the verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis.s have the same meaning followed by either the infinitive or the gerund. The difference is in the way of usage. If the person who is advised/allowed/forbidden/etc. is mentioned, a to + infinitive follows, if not, a gerund.
TO + infinitive or gerund: BEGIN, START, CONTINUE, CEASE, DREAD, INTEND, LOVE, PLAN
These verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis.s can be followed by either the to + infinitive or the gerund with no difference in meaning.
TO + infinitive or gerund: CONSIDER, IMAGINE
I am considering working abroad. (= I am thinking of working abroad.)
He is considered to be the best person for the job. (= He is regarded as the best man for the job.)
Imagine living at 2,000 metres above sea level! (= What would it be like to live at 2,000 metres above sea level?)