Posting from my Blackberry

Wow, you can write in your blog even if you are on your way, using your mobile conexion. I’m posting this while I am in the street.
If you have a blog in WordPress.com all you have to do is connect to m.wordpress.com from your PDA or cellphone.

Countable vs Uncountable

BBC Learning English Newsletter

This is my first English post… I know I make a lot of grammar mistakes when I try to write in English, but I decided to start this blog all in English and I should keep this decision. I dare to write in English even if I don’t do properly. I let the comments open, so feel free to add, note or even scold me when I was wrong.

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Obviously it’s a fact that the BBC has the most powerful learning English resource in the Internet, but I’d like to write today about BCC Learning English Newsletter.

Once you’ve subscribed, every friday you’ll get an e-mail with the last BBC English page’s news. Grammar, vocaburay, exercises, games, videos, … a complete set to enjoy weekend learning English

In coming issues I’d like to do a deep BBC’s review, but for now I recomend you (if you are a beginner) this interesting site.

>>Subscribe BB LE Newsletter at

http://bbcle.bsysmail.com/go.asp?/.pages.registration/bBBE001

Future forms

BE GOING TO + INFINITIVE |
PRESENT CONTINUOUS |
WILL/SHALL + INFINITIVE |

1. BE GOING TO + INFINITIVE

We use this structure for

FUTURE PLANS: I’m going to buy a new computer.

INTENTIONS: Are you going to come home soon?

PREDICTIONS: I think it’s going to rain.

2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS

We use this structure for

FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS:     What are you doing next weekend?

We are getting married on January!!

3. WILL/SHALL + INFINITIVE

IN THE RESTAURANT: I’ll have the soup

OFFERS: I’ll write the letter for you

PREDICTIONS: You’ll love the hotel

Conditional tense

Zero Conditional
If I heat water, it boils
IF + PRESENT SIMPLE, PRESENT SIMPLE

First Conditional
If I have money, I’ll buy this car for you.
IF + PRESENT SIMPLE, WILL/WON’T + INFINITIVE

2nd Conditional
If I had money, I would buy this car for you
IF + PAST SIMPLE, WOULD/WOULDN’T + INFINITIVE

3th Conditional
If I had had money, I would have bought this car for you
IF + HAD + PAST PARTICIPE, WOULD HAVE + PAST PARTICIPE

Infinitive or –ing form?

When to use the infinitive?

The infinitive form is used after certain verbs:

- forget, help, learn, teach, train
- choose, expect, hope, need, offer, want, would like
- agree, encourage, pretend, promise, recommend
- allow, can/can’t afford, decide, manage, mean, refuse

I forgot to close the window.
Mary needs to leave early.
Why are they encouraged to learn English?
We can’t afford to take a long holiday.

The infinitive form is always used after adjectives, for example:

- disappointed, glad, happy, pleased, relieved, sad, surprised

I was happy to help them.
She will be delighted to see you.

➡ This includes too + adjective:
The water was too cold to swim in.
Is your coffee too hot to drink?
➡ The infinitive form is used after adjective + enough:
He was strong enough to lift it.
She is rich enough to buy two.
Use the Infinitive form to express reason or purpose
She’s saving money to buy a new car

When to use -ing?

The -ing form is used after certain verbs:

- avoid, dislike, enjoy, finish, give up, mind/not mind, practise, forgive, deny, miss, suggest, detest, practice, understand.

I dislike getting up early.
Would you mind opening the window?

The -ing form is used when the word is the subject of a sentence or clause:

Swimming is good exercise.
Doctors say that smoking is bad for you.
The -ing form is used after a preposition:
I look forward to meeting you.
They left without saying “Goodbye.”

Tip
Some verbs can be followed by the -ing form or the infinitive without a big change in meaning:

begin, continue, hate, intend, like, love, prefer, propose, start.

It started to rain.
It started raining.
I like to play tennis.
I like playing tennis.