GRAMMAR FILE UNIT 1 2ND EDITION B2+

REFERENCE We use both tenses with:

unfinished time expressions (e.g. for, since, this morning, in the
last two days, over the past few years, all day).
present tenses and time I’ve been calling you all day. (focus on action)
expressions time expressions for recent time (e.g. recently, lately, in recent
weeks).
We use different time expressions with different tenses. Some go
at the beginning of a sentence and some at the end. Others go I’ve read three books in the last week. (focus on result)
between the subject and the main verb or after the verb be. It is yet, already, just, ever, never (present perfect simple only)
useful to notice the typical position of each time expression. Just, ever and never go in the middle position.
The manager has just chosen the team.
present simple
We use the present simple to talk about habits, repeated actions
and things that are true with: phrasal verbs
expressions of frequency (e.g. every other day, once in a while, Phrasal verbs are made up of a verb and a particle – a preposition
from time to time). or adverb. Grammatically speaking, there are four types of phrasal
verb.
Every so often he comes round for dinner.
adverbs of frequency (e.g. regularly, frequently, occasionally, type 1: inseparable, intransitive
rarely, often). The verb and particle cannot be separated and no object is
He frequently forgets to do his homework. needed.
Don’t slouch in the chair like that. Sit up!
present continuous I auditioned for the lead role in the school play but missed out.
We use the present continuous to talk about actions happening
now or around now, temporary situations and changing situations type 2: separable, transitive
with: The verb and particle can be separated and an object is needed.
expressions describing now or around now (e.g. at the moment, The object can go between the verb and particle or come after it.
right now, this year, nowadays). When a pronoun is used, it must come in the middle.
He’s currently taking a drama course. If you do a hobby well, it can open opportunities up/open up
Note: We can also use these time expressions with the present opportunities in other areas.
simple with state verbs (e.g. have, think, believe, feel, see). A lack of motivation can hold you back from achieving more.
expressions describing temporary actions (e.g. currently, for the
time being). type 3: inseparable, transitive
My tablet’s broken, so I’m using my dad’s for the time being. The verb and particle cannot be separated. An object is needed
and it comes after the particle.
adverbs of frequency to describe annoying habits (e.g. always,
continually, constantly). Ben took to diving immediately.
I came by an interesting article the other day.
She’s always taking my stuff without asking!
expressions describing changing situations (e.g. all the time, type 4: three-part
these days, nowadays).
There are two particles after the verb. These are inseparable and
She’s getting better at dancing all the time. an object is usually needed.
A few students drop out of school each year.
present perfect simple and continuous You won’t get away with cheating.
We use the present perfect simple to talk about states that Note: Some phrasal verbs can be type 1 as well as type 2, 3 or 4.
started in the past and continue now, recently finished actions This is because they have different meanings and don’t always
or past actions with a present result. We use the present perfect need an object.
continuous for an action or a series of actions that started in
the past and continue now. It stresses the action rather than I watched the traffic until it was safe to pull out.
the result. Because of injury, he’s pulled out of the competition.

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 2ND EDITION B2+

PRACTICE phrasal verbs

4 Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.
present tenses and time Sometimes both are possible.

expressions 1 He’s really bounced back / bounced him back since his injury.
2 I take after my dad / my dad after when it comes to
1 Choose the correct verbs to complete the sentences. languages.
1 A teenager from New Delhi is / has been collecting pencils 3 Don’t give it in / give in after one failure. Keep going!
for the last ten years. 4 I tried writing the essay but ran up against a few
2 So far, he collects / has collected over 14,000 of them problems / a few problems against.
from forty different countries. 5 I was silly to pass a chance like that up / up a chance like that.
3 He spends / has spent hours online looking for new pencils 6 It can be hard for you to fit in / to fit you in when you start
over the past few years. a new school.
4 Once in a while, family members help / are helping him to 7 She couldn’t believe it when she walked away with first
buy more expensive items. prize / with first prize away.
5 He is / has been currently in the Indian Limca Book of 8 Everyone starts a new hobby off / off a new hobby with
Records. enthusiasm but it doesn’t always last.
6 All this week he counts / has been counting his pencils in
the hope of getting the world record. 5 Look at the phrasal verbs in Ex 4. Which type is each one:
1, 2, 3 or 4?
2 Complete the essay paragraph with the correct form of
these verbs. Do you agree with the writer? 6 Complete the advice with the phrasal verbs in brackets.
Decide which order the words should come in. Do you agree
be have offer read study tell with the advice?

offer
Currently, many universities 1
places to students, making the application process more
fewer
How to meet a challenge
competitive. Schools 2 are continually
telling students to take up a hobby to 1 If you mess something up (mess
make their application appear more attractive. However, up / something), start again. That’s how you learn.
showing a real interest in your chosen subject frequently
3
has a greater effect. If you can 2 When you run up against a problem (run
demonstrate that you 4 have read about this up against / a problem), don’t panic. Think logically.
subject over the past few years with genuine enthusiasm,
the interviewers will be impressed. An applicant who
3 Learn to come up with solutions (come
5
studied the subject in school over just a few up with / solutions) to problems quickly.
months with no out-of-class reading will come across less
4 Don’t let obstacles hold you back
well. This is why reading articles on your chosen subject
from time to time 6 is an excellent idea. (hold back / you). Find a way to get round them.
5 Make sure you have the support you need to
3 Add one of these time expressions to the correct place in see through you
(see through /
each sentence.
you) a difficult challenge.
all day continually currently 6 Never pass up the opportunity (pass up /
for the past few years this week yet the opportunity) to get advice from others.
continually 7 If things don’t go your way, try to
1 Cara’s been at her desk, staring at a university application
form. bounce them back (bounce back) as
currently
2 She wants to study games design. fast as possible.
3 She’s been at the top of her computer class. for the past few years 8 Never give in (give in).
4 Her parents complain that she’s staring at a computer Keep going!
screen. all day
5 She’s been researching various universities. this week
yet
6 She hasn’t decided which university to apply for but has to
decide soon.

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