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)