ELTAB Grammar

semi-modal verbs/ quasi-modal auxiliary verbs

A verb having some of the properties of a true modal, but lacking others. Ought to (sometimes included in modals), need to, have to. Dare and need can be used both as modals and as ordinary conjugated (non-modal) verbs.Also had better/best, be going to, be likely/supposed to, would rather and used to.

verb moods

Indicative, imperative and subjunctive. Can also include interrogative and conditional .Ways of using a verb to show the attitude of the speakers.

modal auxiliary verb

A modal verb used as an auxiliary or helping verb (e.g., can, could, may, might) that shows ability, intention, or probability. "Modal verb" and "modal auxiliary verb" are often used interchangeably. I could always beat you at tennis when we were kids. I shall go now. We thought he might sell the house.

plosive

A short burst of sound made when you say a word containing the letters b, d, g, k, p or t

verb voices

Active and Passive voice.. Active - the subject (you) of the verb does the action, as in these examples. You stole the cookie from the cookie jar.. Passive - The cookie was stolen from the cookie jar. The focus changes to the object, and we do not know who committed the cookie crime.

subject

Acts as the 'doer' or agent of an action. Spring is like a breath of fresh air after a winter indoors. Callum is so good at sport. They don't open the shop on Sundays. The dog ate my homework

Verb tenses

Grammatically defined as the present, the past, and maybe also the future (some people will say that there is no single future tense) .Each tense has aspects - continuous or perfect. Often these aspects are also called tenses e.g the past perfect. It was 1968 I had worked at my company for three years, when it happened..

cloze test

Learners have to replace words missing from a text. These are removed at regular intervals, e.g. every five words. Example: 'This contrasts with a ______ exercise, where words are ______ and removed in order ______ practise a specific language ______'. Clozes are often used to practise reading skills or as a general language review. They are common in testing.

a gap-fill exercise

Learners have to replace words missing from a text. These words are chosen and removed in order to practise a specific language point. Often used to practise specific language points, for example items of grammar and vocabulary, and features of written texts such as conjunctions. Common in testing.

Modal verbs can be used alone

Only when the main verb is clearly understood: A: Drug dealers have been making loads of money from these lockdown street parties... B: Oh they would, wouldn't they? A: Of course they would!

direct object

The "who" or "what" affected by the subject. For example: We (the subject) bought a new computer Q. What did we buy?A. A new computer ( = the Direct Object) generally comes after the verb, just as the subject generally comes before it.

Passive voice example

The ball is being kicked by the girl. The focus is on what happens to the object (the ball) the subject (the girl) is connected through the use of "by". Without a subject "the ball is being kicked".

Indicative Mood

The form/mood of a verb that is used to express statements of fact and used in ordinary statements and questions. "We walked home" the verb "walked" is in the indicative.

Active voice example

The girl is kicking the ball. The subject (the girl) of the verb is doing the action to the object(the ball)

Auxiliary verbs (helping verbs)

These help to form the tenses, moods, and voices of other verbs. The main ones are be, do, and have. They are both stand-alone verbs and auxiliary verbs. Modal verbs are a subclass of auxiliary verbs. She is reading a magazine. The judge had asked her to speak up. Do is used for emphasis: "He did look tired" and to make questions: "Do you want a coffee?"

modal verbs

They are: can, may, must, shall, will, could, might, should, would. Used to show if we believe something is certain, possible or impossible:My keys must be in the car. It might rain tomorrow. That can't be Peter's coat. It's too small. Also used to talk about ability, ask permission, and make requests and offers.

Infinitive

This is the base form of verbs. Examples are: write, bring, take, make, sing, dance etc. It usually takes the preposition 'to' with it. Examples are: to write, to bring, to take, to make, to sing, to dance etc.

Imperative mood

Used for commands, directions, instructions, advice, warnings, offers and recipes. The form of the verb used for the imperative is the base form of the main verb, which is used without a subject. Walk to the corner, turn right, and cross the road. Open your mouth and say 'Aaaah'. Have another piece of cake.

Continuous tenses (Continuous aspect) also known as the progressive (U.S.) tense/aspect

Used for something happening before and after a specific time. "He's getting on the train". (present continuous - before and after the moment of speaking) Also used for for something happening before and after another action. "Mother will be cooking the dinner when we get home." (future continuous) "We were waiting for the bus when it started to rain."

Perfect tenses (Perfect aspect)

Used to look back from a specific time and talk about things up to that time or about things that are important at that time. The present perfect to look back from the present:I have always enjoyed working in Italy. [and I still do]. The past perfect to look back from a time in the past:It was 2006. I had enjoyed working in Italy for the past five years. We can use will with the perfect to look back from a time in the future: By next year I will have worked in Italy for 15 years. All perfect tenses use "have" in some form.

Subjunctive Mood

Usually expresses something that you wish for, or a hypothetical rather than actual situation: If only I were (not was) ten years younger. I only wish that what you say were (not was)true. Also found In that-clauses. She insisted that Jane sat there. Also in As if..., as though..., if... e.g. If that were so, things would be very different. It was as if Sally were disturbed in some way.

simple tenses (simple aspect)

Usually refer to a single action e.g. present simple: I drive home every day. past simple: I drove home yesterday. future simple ( or future with will): I will drive home later.

Bare infinitive (base form)

infinitive without to The simple form of the verb without any endings , the dictionary form of a verb, used in an e.g. see, eat, go, be

unvoiced sounds

no vibration of the vocal cords e.g F, K, P, T, S,

velar

pronounced with the back of the tongue near the soft palate, as in k and g in English.

voiced sounds

the term that describes sound produced with vibration of the vocal folds.e.g B, D, G, J, L, M, N