Unit 8 – Intensifiers and degree compliments

USE: intensifiers and degree complements can be used to answer how questions with
meaning of how much or to what degree. Intensifiers have emphasis on the meaning,
are a more powerful way to express and intensify the meaning of the word it modifies.
Degree compliments are used more to describe the quantity, intensity or how much
something is changing.

INTENSIFIERS: (very, too, extremely, quite, rather, somewhat, a little, enough…)

-USE/MEANING:
Excessive degree: too – That is too expensive.
Great degree: quite, extremely, very (formal). Really, so, awfully
She is quite tired/ He’s extremely nice/ I work very hard/ She is really pretty
Moderate degree: rather, somewhat, fairly, reasonably, enough (f). Pretty, kind of, sort
of.
She’s a rather good doctor/ She’s somewhat nice/ He’s fairly-reasonably pretty/ He
cooks well enough/ He’s pretty cute/ She is kind of cute/ I am sort of tired
Small degree: slightly, a bit, a little (f). a tad
I am slightly annoyed/ He’s a bit tired/ She’s a little slow/ I am a tad tired
Insufficient degree: enough, nearly enough
She is not smart enough/ She doesn’t get paid nearly enough

TOO vs. VERY

Very: a great degree vs. Too: an excessive degree, so much of something that it is not
good
This is very difficult / This is too difficult

Using intensifiers with not to give negative statements softer, more indirect and polite.
She’s not too bright/ I’m not quite sure how I feel about her
-FORM:
Intensifiers come before the adverb or adjective
Intensifier + adjective/adverb – extremely nice
EXCEPT ENOUGH: enough comes after the adjective or adverb
Enough + adjective/ adverb – nicely enough/nice enough

Noun phrases: determiner + intensifiers + adjective – a very pretty girl

EXCEPT QUITE: quite + determiner + adjective – quite a pretty sight

DEGREE COMPLEMENTS (so… that, such… that, too/enough to)

-FORM/USE/MEANING:
Too- to show that something is more or less than what you need or want
Too + infinitive phrase:
before adjectives- too + adjective: She is too young to make wise decisions
before adverbs- too + adverbs: they speak to quickly to write down what they’re
saying
-too much/little + uncountable nouns: I have too much love to give/ I have too little
anger to fight with you
-too many/few + count nouns: There are too many animals locked in cages/ I have too
few friends to call.
-verb + too much/little: She thinks she looks too bad to present herself.

Enough- to show that something is sufficient (not enough- insufficient)

 after adjectives: adj + enough- she is old enough to handle herself
 after adverbs: adv + enough- I cook often enough to make great dishes
 after verbs: verb + enough- I studied enough to pass the all my exams
 before nouns: enough + noun- she gives her kids enough power to handle finances
So/such – to talk about cause and effect
So + such + that clauses
-so + adjective- She is so tired that she can’t leave her bed
-so + adverb – She cooks so well that she could be a chef
-so + many/few +count nouns- She has so many clothes that are going to be donated
- so + much/little- uncountable nouns- She has so much free time that she is bored
- such + (a/an) + (adj) + noun- Her disease is such a concerning topic that she is getting
depressed.

Unit 9 – Modifying Noun Phrases

FORM/MEANING-
Word order in noun phrases
Determiner+noun- the books;these books
Determiner(+ modifiers) + noun)- some insanely pretty brunette boys
Determiner (+modifiers) + noun + (modifying phrases and clauses)- some interesting,
really beautiful used grammar books with red covers
POSITION OF MODIFIERS IN A SENTENCE !!!!
Determiner  intensifier  adj. and participles  noun modifier  noun 
modifying phrases
A very interesting fashion documentary in theaters. The really pretty gold necklace in
the store.
ORDER OF DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES
Opinionappearance(size, shape,condition)  age  color  origin(place-material)–
ugly small old brown parisian silver ring/ good big new green fur coat
Size/shape/condition e origin: geographical/material can vary
PARTICIPLE MODIFIERS:
FORM: present and past modifiers can be used like descriptive adjectives to describe
nouns
MEANING: present participles modify agents, past participle modify receivers
The intriguing lady wore fascinating clothes/ The intrigued woman was fascinated
A loving friend (agent)/ a well-received family

Noun+participle
Present participles describes agents: a human-eating snake
Past participle describes the receiver: a manmade city
Adverb+participle: add adv. to both past and present participles
A fast- growing plant/ a much-visited park
Special cases: past participles from some adjective-noun combinations to describe
physical characteristics
A blue-eyed baby
Adverb-participle combinations: a strongly rehearsed dance
Noun+ prepositional phrases: the girl next to the window is a reporter
Participial phrases before or after the noun: the girl surrounded by fans is a singer

Unit 10- Comparatives

FORM-
MORE: X > Y: X+Is+(intensifier)+adjective + er +than Y- She is much nicer than her sister
More + adjective + than Y- She is a little more powerful…
More + adverb + than y- the race is going slightly more
quickly …
+ DIFFERENCE: much, considerably, substantially, somewhat, slightly – DIFFERENCE
EQUAL: X is + intensifier + as + adjective + as Y- She is just as pretty as you
+ adverb+ as Y – This bread is exactly as hard as…

LESS: X is + (intensifiers) + as + adjective + as Y- She is almost as bad as her sister

+ adverb
X is NOT + (intensifier) + as + adj./ adv + as Y – Peru is not as big as Brazil/ not
nearly as / not quite as
X is (intensifier) + less + adj./adv + than y - she is slightly less nice than her sister/
she is growing a bit less rapidly than her sister

AMOUNT- noun phrases

MORE: x + VP + (intensifier) + more NP than Y (does)- Brazil has much more population
than Peru does.
EQUAL: x + vp + (intensifier) + as much/many NP as Y (does)- Brazil has as much
diversity as Africa does
LESS: x + VP + (intensifier) as much/many NP as Y (does)- Brazil has almost as many
adults as USA does
X + not + VP + (intensifier) as much/many NP as y (does)- Brazil doesn’t have as many
elders working as India
X + VP + (intensifiers) fewer/less NP than Y (does) – Brazil has slightly less people than
India

SIMILARITY/ DIFFERENCE : verb phrases

Unit 11- Connectors

FORM/USE:
Coordinating conjunctions connect two similar grammatical structures, they can join
any parallel grammatical structures- He grew up in Brazil, but he lives in Peru/ He not
only works all week, but he also works on the weekend
(f and u)Repeated info should be omitted: he enjoys going to class, but not on
weekends
USE COMMA when coordinating conjunctions connect independent clauses: She loves
to shop, but she sometimes gets bored.
CLAUSES BEGINNING WITH NEGATIVE CONJUNCTIONS (nor, neither, not only) must
take question or inverted word order- Not only does she …, but also
FORM:Noun phrase, prepositional phrase, independent clauses + coordinating conj. +
noun phrase, prepositional phrase, independent clauses
Noun joined noun, verbs joined verbs, adj joined adj, adv joined adv, prep. Phrases
joined prep. Phrases, infinitives joined infinitives, gerunds joined gerunds, clauses
joined clauses

Sentence connectors show the logical connectors show the logical connection
between sentences- He grew up in Brazil. However, he lives in Peru.
FORM:Sentence + sentence connector + sentence
They are used with sentences or independent clauses connected with a SEMICOLON,
do not use comma to connect clauses.
She was getting busier. As a result, she decided to take a break./ ; as a result,
Normally occur at the beginning of the sentence
Some connectors can be used at the beginning, middle, end of the sentence. (ex.
However)
Subordinating conjunctions connect a dependent noun clause, a noun phrase, or a
gerund phrase with the main clause – Although he grew up in Brazil, he lives in Peru
FORM:Dependent noun clause, a noun phrase, gerund phrase + subordinating
conjunction+ main clause
Subordinating conjunctions can’t happen with sentences- Even though he is working.
He doesn’t earn enough
Some subordinating clause can’t be used with dependent clauses
In spite of (despite) + noun /+ ing/ + the fact + that + subject + verb
She doesn’t do well in school, despite the fact that she studies hard
Despite studying hard
LISTA DE CONNECTORS

Unit 13- Present Time Frame

USE: Present simple vs. Present progressive
Present simple:
-general statements about reoccurring habits/skills: She works in London
-timeless facts: fire burns people
- permanent situation: She lives in Paris
-states and conditions: She has a lot of things to do
+ AFF: S +verb in the present + complement ( She studies hard)
-NEG: S + do/does + not + verb base form + complement ( She does not study hard)
? INT: do/does + S + verb base form + complement? ( Does she study hard?)
Present Progressive:
-actions in progress at the time of speaking: She is living in a dorm
-actions in progress around the time of speaking: The fires are polluting the air.
- temporary situations: she is staying with me until she finds a place.
-actions: She’s thinking about you
+ AFF: S + to be + verb + -ing + complement (She is playing soccer.)
-NEG: S + to be + not + verb + -ing + complement ( She is not playing soccer)
? INT: to be + S + verb + -ing + complement ( Is she playing soccer?)
Use of present time frame:
-To state general truths and relationships in scientific and technical writing
-to describe actions as they are performed in live demonstration
-for reporting in radio and tv broadcasts
-to tell stories orally in informal situations
USE/MEANING:
Nondynamic(stative) verbs: nondynamic or stative verbs don’t take progressive forms
when they describe conditions or states
Examples:
-Sensory and perception: see, hear, feel, look, seem, smell, taste, appear, sound
I taste pepper/ I hear something/ It sounds like him
-Knowledge and belief: agree/disagree/ doubt/ know/ imagine/ remember/
understand/ think (believe)
I know that you are upset ( I’m knowing that… X)/ I agree with you/ I understand your
point/ I believe in you
-Feeling and attitude: love, like, hate, want, need, dislike, mind, prefer, appreciate
I love her/ I dislike chocolate/ I want a boyfriend/ I need air/ I prefer sweet food.
-logical relationships:
--cause and effect: results in, means, depends on, requires- Her actions results in
suspension/ This job requires studying/ Her placement depend on the others
--possession: belong to/ possess/ have/ own/ owe- This belongs to her/ I have a dog/ I
own this place/ I owe her
--measurements: weight/ cost/ measures/ equal- It weights a pound/ It costs a lot
-- inclusion: contain/ consists of/ include. This contains sugar/ It consist of cells

Verbs with both nondynamic and action meaning

Have: I have a dog (possess) / I’m having a great time (experiencing)
Mind: She doesn’t mind working late (object to)/ I’m minding children (taking care of)
See: I see your point (understand)/ She is seeing a therapist (consulting)
Think: I think that is wrong (opinion)/ I’m thinking of you (mental activity)
Consider: I consider her to be a friend(opinion)/ I’m considering buying this( ‘’)
Depends on: This depends on the results (require)/ I’m depending on you( relying)
Be: She is a teacher(identity)/ She is being very loud( behavior)
Feel: She feels that it is the right decision (believe) / She’s feeling sick (experience)

Smell: the flower smell lovely (perception)/ The dog is smelling him (action)
Taste: The food tastes delicious/ She is tasting the soup
Feel: My legs feel sore/ I am feeling the material of the dress
Weigh: She weights a lot / He is weighting the cake

Unit 14- Present Perfect

Choosing past time frame or present time frame
Past simple:
Use: to show that a past event has no direct, ongoing relationship to the present. The
event was completed in the past or happened at a specific time in the past. To talk
about something that is no longer true
FORM:
+ AFF: S + verb past participle + complement ( I studied in this school, but I don’t
remember much) / S + was/were + verb past participle + complement ( The food was
made yesterday)
-NEG: S + did + not + verb base form + complement ( I did not want to come)
? INT: Did + S + verb base form + complement ? ( Did she want to come?)

Present perfect:
Use: to show that a past event is directly related to the present. The event happened
in the past in the past, but it continues to influence the present in some way
Form:
+ AFF: S + have/has + past participle + complement ( she has lived in Peru, and because
of that she can speak Spanish)
--NEG: S + have/has + not + past participle (She has not finished her homework yet.
She’s still working on it.)
? INT: Have/ Has / Haven’t / Hasn’t + S + past participle + comp + ? ( Has she studied?)

To show that something is still true now – I have learned to accept people’s
differences.
Use present perfect to describe the number of times something has happened ( I have
visited Rio four times), to describe very recent events with just ( I have just visited her)

Already – use in affirmative phrases

Yet- expect something. Use with negative or interrogative
Never- I have never done this
Ever- Have you ever seen a rainbow? – to ask if someone has done something
For- talk about duration of an action in the past
Since- to talk about when the action started in the past and is still happening

Use present perfect to describe past events that cause a result in the present – I have
already eaten here, I want to try somewhere new/ You have spilled coffee all over my
shirt.
Present Perfect Progressive
FORM: S+ have/has been + verb + -ing + complement – I have been waiting for you
USE:
-describe something that is temporary rather than permanent: I have been living with
my parents, but I hope to buy my apartment soon
- repeated rather than a single than a single occurrence: I have been seeing a guy for a
few weeks
- continuous rather than repeated or recurring: I have been working constantly on my
project
- uncompleted rather than completed: I have been writing my final paper

Unit 15- Future time

Simple present can describe future time: The show airs in two days
Present progressive can describe future time: They’re coming home next week
Modals can describe future time: They will come
USE:
Use present simple and present progressive to describe future activities that are
ALREADY SCHEDULED OR PLANNED to take place in the future (dates, programs)
Our vacation holiday starts next month
Brazil is hosting the Olympics next year

For future events that are NOT ALREADY SCHEDULES, use will or other modal of
prediction (may, could, might)
They will come if they can board on time.
WILL:
Use: requests (Will you help me?), to express willingness or unwillingness (I’ll carry the
bags), to make promises( I’ll help you when I get home), general truths (Animals will
attack if they feel threatened), predictions with no evidence (The whether will get
better)

+ AFF: S + will + verb base form + complement – I will get better.

--NEG: S + will + not + verb base form + complement – I will not graduate.
? INT: Will + S + verb base form + complement +? – Will you come with me? Yes, I will/
No I won’t
BE GOING TO:
Use: intentions (I’m going to travel this summer), Immediate future (It’s going to go
paint), plans that have been made earlier (I’m going to travel tomorrow), predictions
with evidence (It’s going to rain)
Be going to usually introduces a topic. Following sentences often use will or modals
I’m going to paint my nails. I’ll buy the nail polish. I might paint it green.

+ AFF: S + be going to + verb base form + complement- I’m going to eat pie.
--NEG: S + be + not + going to + verb base form + complement- I’m not going to the
party
? INT: be + subject + going to + verb base form + complement ?- Is she going to cry?

Shall: use to make statements about future actions (formal)

I shall go to the mall
To make offers: Shall I close the door?
Activities that both speaker and listener will participate in: Shall we go?

Modals in future time

Certain- will (There will be more concerts)
Probable- should (the price should increase by next month)
Quite possible- may/may not (I may not be here next week)
Somewhat possible- might/might not/ could (there might be a rainstorm tomorrow)
Certain – will not (I will not go)

FORM: In future time, adverbial clauses always use present tenses and not modal
auxiliaries
I’ll clean my room when I finish my homework/ I’ll clean my room when I will finish my
homework.