Number of

Syllables

How to form the comparative Examples

1 SYLLABLE

We add +ER (than) to the

adjective *

•nicer than

•faster than

•taller than

2 SYLLABLES

ending in Y

Y > IER (than)

•heavier than

•dirtier than

•easier than

2 or more

SYLLABLES

MORE _________________ (than)

•more difficult than

•more beautiful than

*Cons –vowel-cons: we double the last consonant when adding the suffix. big > bigger, thin > thinner *Adj. ending in –E : we only add R. nice >nicer

We compare two entities.

good > better (than)

bad > worse (than)

far > farther / further (than)

clever > cleverer (than) more clever than

narrow quiet simple

The sooner, the better. The easier, the faster. The more (people), the merrier.

(not) AS _______________ AS

NOT SO ___________ AS

LESS ______________ THAN

Before a comparative you can use:

much , a lot, far, a bit, a little, slightly

Number of

Syllables

How to form the superlative Examples

1 SYLLABLE

the _____________EST

•the nicest

•the tallest

•the fastest

2 SYLLABLES

ending in Y

the _____________Y > IEST

•the heaviest

•the dirtiest

•the easiest

2 or more

SYLLABLES

the most ___________________

•the most difficult

•the most beautiful

One entity standing out from a group.

THE LEAST __________________.

good > the best bad > the worst far > the farthest / the furthest

•We can use a superlative followed by IN to delimit the

group of elements involved:

ex. She’s the most beautiful girl in the class.

•We can often use PRESENT PERFECT after a superlative

to talk about a experience.

It’s the best holiday I’ve had.

It’s the most difficult exam we’ve done.

If __________________________

, CONDITION CONSEQUENCE

CONDITIONALS

Type Zero It’s quite possible, we base ourselves on something proven/happened before

If…. Unless… + Present Simple

Present Simple

1st type:

if the condition is given, the result is sure (80% sure)

If / Unless + Present Simple Will / Won’t VB

Imperative

Modal Verb

2nd type:

Imaginary, hypothetical.

If + Past Simple

Would / Wouldn’t VB

Could/ Couldn’t VB

Should/Shouldn’t

3rd type:

It’s too late, it’s not possible.

If + Past Perfect Would / Wouldn’t have + Past

Part.

MODAL VERBS

Some aspects we should take into account when using them: 1. Some of them don’t behave as common verbs: They don’t need

an auxiliary verb to negate or for questions and they don’t need

the S for the 3rd person singular, for example.

ex. She can swim / she can’t swim / Can she swim?

2. Some of them don’t exist in all the verbal tenses or exist just in one.

ex. Must, could, may, might…

3. Some of them can have many functions depending on the

context:

MODAL VERBS DEDUCTION

I’m almost 100% sure.

(Present tense)

must * They must be brothers, they look alike.

I’m almost 100% NOT

(Present tense)

(Past tense)

can’t * They can’t be brothers, one is much older.

couldn’t

It’s possible.

(Present tense)

(Past tense and Conditionals)

may / might *

(puede que, es posible/ podría ser que)

could (sería posible)

ABILITY

Present tense can, can’t

Past tense could, couldn’t

All the other tenses Be able to

Especial use in all tenses: manage

*Perfect infinitives for the PAST: have + Past Participle after the modal verb.

ex. It must have been raining. / He may have had some kind of problem.

OBLIGATION

•Personal /strong obligation in present Aff.

•Written formal rules.

must ID must be shown at the entrance.

I must give up smoking.

•It’s necessary, external obligation.

All tenses!

have to I have to wear a uniform at work.

•It’s necessary, external obligation.

All tenses!

need to I need to buy the tickets before the concert.

NO OBLIGATION

don’t have to / don’t need to (All tenses!!)

needn’t *

PROHIBITION

Mustn’t *

Can’t

ADVICE

Should, shouldn’t *

Ought to, oughtn’t to * (Had/’d better)