It can be used as a self-study reference grammar and practice book, or as supplementary material in classes preparing for examinations. If used for classwork, activities can be done individually or co-operatively in pairs or small groups. The grammatical information provided can be used for reference when needed, or worked through systematically The grammar section includes recognition and concept-checking activities, as well as production activities. | FIRST CERTIFICATE LANGUAGE PRACTICE Key points 1 The present perfect simple describes events without a definite time. Either these events take place in a period of time leading up to the present moment or the result of the event is still evident. The choice between the present perfect simple and the past simple can depend on how the speaker thinks. Compare A What s the matter A What s the matter B I ve had an accident. B had an accident. In the second example the speaker thinks of the event as finished rather than still connected with the present. 2 Events described with the present perfect simple may be recent or not. 3 The present perfect continuous is used for an action in progress. It suggests that the action is unfinished or recently finished. Compare I ve read this book. completion of the action is emphasised I ve been reading this book. the action itself is emphasised - it may not be complete The present perfect continuous can also emphasise the length of time of the action. 4 For refers to a finished or unfinished period of time. waited for three hours. He s been sitting there for ages. Since refers to the point at which an unfinished period of time began. He s been sitting there since two o clock. Ago refers to the time of a finished event. Jill arrived a week ago. SEE ALSO Grammar 1 Past time Grammar 5 Consolidation Grammar 14 Time express 14 Explanations Prediction Will Will is used to make predictions. It is often preceded by I think or by opinion words like perhaps. A time expression is also necessary. I think it ll rain tomorrow. Perhaps she ll be late. In speech will is contracted to . See also Grammar 18 and 19 for functional uses of will. Going to Going to is also used for predictions. It is especially common when we can see the cause of the event. Look out There s a bus coming It s going to hit us I can see you re going to have a baby. When is it due You re going to fall Going to is also common in impersonal statements. Liverpool are going to win
