REVIEW OF SOME GRAMMAR POINTS STUDIED ON TN6

HAVE GOT TO / HAVE GOT

Check the differences in meaning between HAVE GOT and HAVE GOT TO + VERB.

HAVE GOT TO = HAVE TO = NEED TO (It is used to talk about things that one has the
obligation to do. For things that are extremely necessary to be done.)

Ex.: I have (got) to take a bus to school every day. The school is too far. (If I do not take a bus I
will not get to school on time. I need to take a bus to school.)

Ex.: Matthew has (got) to study harder or he will flunk this semester.

HAVE GOT = HAVE (Possess, own)

Ex.: We have got a new car. or We have a new car.

Ex.: Nancy has got two sisters. or Nancy has two sisters.

For the past we use had (without got):

Ex.: Ann had long blond hair when she was a child.

Have (but not have got) is also used for many actions and experiences. Have got is not possible
in these expressions.

Breakfast/lunch/dinner/a cup of coffee/a party/a good flight/an accident/

an experience/a dream/a look at something/a baby/an operation/ difficulty/
have trouble/fun/a nice time

Exercises:

1- Write negative sentences with have. Some are present (can’t), and some are past
(couldn’t).

a) I can’t make a phone call.(any change) I don’t have any change.

b) I couldn’t read the letter.(my glasses) I didn’t have my glasses.

c) We couldn’t visit the museum.(enough time) We____________________________

d) She can’t pay her bills.(any money) ______________________________________

e) They can’t get into the house.(a key) _____________________________________

f) I couldn’t take any pictures. (a camera) ___________________________________

 2- Write sentences about yourself. Choose four of the following things:

a car a bicycle a computer a dog long hair a driver’s license a guitar

NOW 5 YEARS AGO

1. I have a car. OR I’ve got a car. I didn’t have a car.

2. ___________________________ ______________________________

3. ___________________________ ______________________________

4. ___________________________ ______________________________

A) IT TAKES, IT TOOK / B) IT TAKES, IT TOOK + PERSON / C) MANY, A FEW, FEW

It takes – used to describe how much time is necessary to do something.

Ex.: It takes 45 minutes to get to the airport by car. / It takes three minutes to boil an egg.

It took – the past tense of it takes.

It takes me/you/him/her/us/them – used to describe how much time is necessary for

someone to do something.

Ex.: It takes me an hour to wash the car. / It takes him 20 minutes to take a shower.

FEW - not many (it expresses a negative idea).

Ex.: Dave has few friends at the company now that Jason and Bruce have quit. (not many
friends; not enough friends)

A FEW – some but in a small number (A FEW is more positive than FEW).

Ex.: “When was the last time you saw Claire?” “A few days ago.” (= some days ago, maybe
2 or 3.)

MANY - used with plural nouns.

Ex.: Many people / many friends / many cars / many men

3 - Put in many / few / a few.

a) He isn’t very popular. He has very ______________ friends.

b) Did you take ________________ pictures when you were on vacation?

c) Do you mind if I ask you _________________ questions?

 MIGHT / MAY

Might / may – used to say that something is a possibility. It is either used in the present or
in the future.

Ex.: “Where’s Bob?” “He may be in his office now.” (=per haps he is in his office.)
Ex.: “Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It might rain later.” (=perhaps it will rain)

HOW LONG

How long – used to ask questions about duration of time. And we generally answer a how
long question by using for + time period.

Ex.: “How long were you married?” “We were married for 10 years.” (We are not married
now.)

Ex.: “How long have you been married?” “We’ve been married for 10 years.” (We are still
married.)

We can also answer how long questions by using since + time expression. This structure
indicates the moment or time when something started happening until now.

Ex.: “How long have you lived here?” “I’ve lived here since 1994.”

4- Correct the sentences.

a) Bob and Susan are married since July. _____________________________________

b) I like your house. How long are living there? _________________________________

c) How long do you work at CCAA? __________________________________________

USED TO (DO)

Something used to happen = something happened regularly in the past but no longer
happens. Ex.: I used to play tennis a lot, but I don’t play it anymore.
Ex.: She used to travel to Miami on business, but now she travels to Boston.

Complete: I used to go to bed early when I was a kid, but now _________________________.
I don’t like Xuxa’s TV show anymore, but in the past I used to __________________________.