English Lesson & Quiz: Using Go and To

I went to the library today

I went to the library after work today. The NY Public library on 42nd Street is so amazing. I have gone shopping in that neighborhood many times, but I haven’t gone to the library in such a long time. After studying there for a while I went home. A few minutes after I came home, friend Paul came to my house. He said he was planning on going skiing this weekend and asked me if I wanted to join him. Since I have to go to work, I had to decline.

Sometimes go is followed by to and sometimes it is not. Do you know the rules? Have a look at the paragraph above and then check today’s lesson.

With certain verbs of motion, like go, come, walk, drive, etc. there are times when we need to use to after the verb and other times when we do not. Here are the three rules:

Rule #1 – Specific, Physical Places

When we talk about a specific, physical place we need to use to after these verbs of motion. The structure   is [go, come, walk, drive, etc.] + to + specific physical place

  • I went to the grocery store.
  • She came to school late today.
  • I usually walk to the park.

Rule #2 – Non-Physical Places

Next, when we talk about a non-physical place we do not use to after these verbs of motion. Some examples of non-physical places are: home, there, here, somewhere, anywhere, over there, upstairs, downstairs, uptown, and downtown. The structure is [go, come, walk, drive, etc.] + specific physical place

  • I came home after class. Not, I came to home after class.
  • I want to go somewhere fun this weekend
  • I walked downstairs when I heard the doorbell

Rule #3 – Ing-word Activities

Finally, when we use an ing-word activity we do not use to after these verbs of motion. Some examples ofing-word activities are: shopping, drinking, and sports that have an ing in their name.  The structure is [go, come, walk, drive, etc.] + ing-word activity

  • Let’s go skiing this weekend.
  • Can you come sailing with me this summer?
  • When are we going shopping?

Study these rules, then try today’s quiz:

 

Using Go & To Quiz

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Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
Jenny is _________________ Boston next week.
A
driving
B
driving to
C
drive to
Question 2
I ___________________________after work last night.
A
drove to home
B
drove straight home
C
drove straight to home
Question 3
I usually _____________________ on the weekends in the summer time.
A
go to sailing
B
go sailing
C
sailing
Question 4
Larry said he ______________________ every day during his vacation.
A
went to shopping
B
went shopping
C
went to the shopping
Question 5
Do you like bowling? We should ___________________ sometime.
A
go to bowling
B
go bowling
C
bowling
Question 6
Joe lives downtown, and usually ___________________________ when he goes to work.
A
walks the uptown
B
walks uptown
C
walks to uptown
Question 7
What time are you ___________________________ tomorrow?
A
come home
B
coming home
C
come to home
Question 8
Jack ___________________________ and found the basement had flooded.
A
went to downstairs
B
went downstairs
C
went to the downstairs
Question 9
Grandma has trouble ________________________, so we moved her bedroom to the ground floor.
A
walking upstairs
B
walk to upstairs
C
walking to upstairs
Question 10
Jim’s car broke down when he _______________ home last night.
A
was driving
B
was driving to
C
was drive to
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English Lesson & Quiz: Present & Present Progressive for the Future

The flight departs at 7:00

My cousin Sam is getting married soon. Everyone in my family is looking forward to the wedding. She is having a black and white theme for her wedding, so I’m going to wear a tuxedo. The wedding reception starts at 9:00pm, so I booked a hotel room for the night. The hotel told me that check-in begins at 2:00, so I’m going to check in before the wedding.

We can use the present tense and present progressive tense to talk about the future. Do you know how to use these tenses? Have a look at the paragraph above and then check your understanding with the quiz at the end of the lesson.

Rule #1: We use the present progressive tense for the future when we talk about something we have already made plans or arrangement to do. Remember, the structure of the present progressive is Be Verb + Verb-ING:

  • My cousin Sam is getting married soon.
  • She is having a black and white theme for her wedding.
  • I am going to wear a tuxedo to the wedding.

Rule #2: We also use the simple present tense for the future when we talk about schedules, timetables, and future events that have a fixed starting or ending time:

  • The wedding reception starts at 9:00pm.
  • The hotel told me that check-in begins at 2:00
  • The flight to Boston departs at noon.

Rule #3 We can also use the simple present tense for fixed plans and arrangements, generally when we talk about work, school, and other habitual events that have a fixed schedule:

  • What time do you finish work tonight?
  • When does your new aerobics class start?
  • The new coffee shop in town opens tomorrow.

Rule #4: But, we usually use present progressive for personal plans and arrangements made for pleasure:

  • Jen and Chris are going to the movies tonight.
  • I heard Matt is meeting Katie after work tonight.
  • I’m taking a nap this afternoon.

How did you do? Now, check your understanding with this quiz:

Present & Present Perfect Quiz

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You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.

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Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
What time ____________ work in the morning.
A
do you start
B
are you starting
C
are you start
Question 2
Usually the bus ____________ every hour, but I’m not sure about today. It’s raining hard.
A
is coming
B
comes
C
coming
Question 3
I can’t meet you tonight because I ____________
A
am work
B
work
C
am working
Question 4
____________ to the party on Saturday?
A
Does Kathy come
B
Kathy comes
C
Is Kathy coming
Question 5
Jane____________Florida next week.
A
is going to
B
goes to
C
going to
Question 6
I heard a new pizza restaurant ____________ on Friday.
A
is open
B
opens
C
is opens
Question 7
My cousin ____________ a big wedding in June.
A
having
B
is having
C
has
Question 8
Her flight ____________ at 7, so we have to hurry.
A
is leaves
B
leaves
C
leaving
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English Lesson & Quiz: Using Already & Yet

The train hasn't arrived yet

I’ve had a busy day. It’s just 9am now, but I have already done so much. I have prepared my lessons, checked Facebook, Twitter, and Weibo, and made breakfast. Of course, I have already taken Happy for a walk. I was planning to go to the gym, but I haven’t gone yet. Maybe I’ll go this afternoon.

We use already and yet with present perfect. Do you know how to use these words? Have a look at the paragraph above, and then check out today’s lesson:

We use already with the present prefect to show that something was completed before the time of speaking. Note that already generally comes between have and the main verb.

  • It’s just 9am now, but I have already done so much.
  • I have already taken Happy for a walk.

We use yet with the present prefect to show that something was not completed before the time of speaking. Note that yet comes at the end of the sentence.

  • I was planning to go to the gym, but I haven’t gone yet.
  • The train hasn’t arrived yet.

We use both already and yet when we ask questions using present perfect. Yet has a neutral meaning. Already has a meaning that the speaker expects that something has happened. Notice the difference:

  • Has Carol heard from Jim yet? Neutral meaning
  • Has Carol already heard from Jim? The speaker expects that Carol has heard from Jim.

Is that clear? Take this quiz and check your understanding.

Already & Yet Quiz

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Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
Jim has ___________
A
not been to Sao Paolo yet
B
not already been to Sao Paolo
Question 2
Despite the weather, I have ____________ at the office.
A
already arrived
B
arrived already
Question 3
Adriao________ that movie
A
already has seen
B
has already seen
Question 3 Explanation: 
Remember! Put "already" before the main verb.
Question 4
Bob hasn't finished his homework ________.
A
yet
B
already
Question 5
Have you _______ seen that  movie?
A
yet
B
already
Question 6
Biatta________
A
hasn't arrived already
B
hasn't arrived yet
Question 7
I have ________ .
A
already talked to Ann
B
talked to Ann yet
Question 8
________ fed the dog?
A
Have you already
B
Have you yet
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English Lesson & Quiz: Simple Past Vs Present Perfect

I had some delicious curry last night.

Today, let’s have a look at the difference between how to use the simple past and present perfect. Do you know how to use these tenses? Have a look at today’s lesson and then check your understanding with the quiz at the end of the lesson.

Situation #1 – Has the action finished or not?

We can use the simple past with for when the action has finished.

  • I worked at that company for 10 years. I don’t work there anymore.
  • Steve lived in Miami for three months. Steve doesn’t live there anymore.

We can use present perfect with for or since when the action has not finished.

  • I have worked at that company for 10 years. I still work there.
  • Steve has lived in Miami for three months. Steve still lives there.

Situation #2 – Is the time specific or not?

We can use the simple past when we know the specific time.  

  • I ate some delicious curry last night.
  • Steve lived in Miami last year.

We can use present perfect when we don’t know the specific time.

  • I have seen Casablanca many times. We know his experience, but we don’t know when.
  • Steve has lived in Miami and Mexico City. We know his experience, but we don’t know when.

Situation #3 – Has the time period ended or not?

We can use the simple past when the time period has finished  

  • I saw Casablanca last night. Last night has finished.
  • Steve lived in Miami last year. Last year has finished.

We can use present perfect when the time period has not finished.

  • I have seen Casablanca twice this week. This week has not finished.
  • Steve has lived in Miami all his life. All his life means Steve is still living, the time period “all his life” has not finished.

Situation #4 – Is this recent information, or old information

We can use the simple past when we talk about some old news:

  • I saw Casablanca when I lived in Miami.
  • Steve moved away from New York when he went to college.

We can use present perfect when we talk about some recent news, and we often use words like “again” or “recently” when we do:  

  • I have seen Casablanca again.
  • Steve has moved back to Mexico City recently.

Simple Past Vs Present Perfect Quiz

Congratulations - you have completed Simple Past Vs Present Perfect Quiz.

You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.

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Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1
My friend Jack ___________ in the Navy all his life.
A
has been
B
was
Question 1 Explanation: 
I said my friend, and used "all his life" so the nuance is that my friend is still alive.
Question 2
I ___________ to a nice pizza shop last night. It was great!
A
have gone to
B
went to
Question 2 Explanation: 
We know the time...it was last night.
Question 3
I ___________ at ABS Corp. for 5 years, and I love it!
A
have worked
B
worked
Question 3 Explanation: 
I still work at ABC Corp
Question 4
I ___________ golf quite often when I lived in Miami.
A
have played
B
played
Question 4 Explanation: 
This is old news. I don't live in Miami any more.
Question 5
I heard Jenny ___________ a cold recently
A
caught
B
has caught
Question 5 Explanation: 
Both "caught" & "has caught" could be used here, however, using the present perfect, "has caught," is more common for recent news.
Question 6
I ___________ at ABS Corp. for 5 years, and then started working here.
A
have worked
B
worked
Question 6 Explanation: 
I don't work at ABC company now.
Question 7
I ___________ to that speech a few times today.
A
listened
B
have listened
Question 7 Explanation: 
Today has not finished yet.
Question 8
Steve ___________ in Paris and Istanbul. He’s quite a citizen of the world.
A
has lived
B
lived
Question 8 Explanation: 
We don't know when he lived there
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NEW for 2012! 109 Phrasal Verbs – 116-page eBook
Including…

  • The DEFINITION of each phrasal verb.
  • How to USE the phrasal verb.
  • The STRUCTURE showing the grammar pattern of the phrasal verb.
  • EXAMPLE sentences to see how the phrasal verb is used in context.
  • A PRACTICE question to give you the chance to use the phrasal verb.

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