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INGLÉS2II
UNIDAD
INGLÉS II
Index

 Count and noncount nouns. 4

 Present perfect. 6

 Predictions. 10
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Introducción

In this unit you will learn to:

 Talk about your free time, likes and preferences.

 Use count and noncount nouns. with confidence.

 Make predictions, give opinions.

Count and noncount nouns
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Basic Rules: Count and noncount nouns

A count noun is one that can be expressed in plural form, usually with an "s." For

example, "cat—cats," "season—seasons," "student—students."

A noncount noun is one that usually cannot be expressed in a plural form. For
example, "milk," "water," "air," "money," "food." Usually, you can't say, "He had
many moneys."
Count and noncount nouns with adjectives

Most of the time, this doesn't matter with adjectives. For example, you can say,
"The cat was gray" or "The air was gray." However, the difference between a
countable and uncountable noun does matter with certain adjectives, such as
"some/any," "much/many," and "little/few."
Some/Any: Some and any countable and uncountable nouns. Examples:
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 "There is some water on the floor."

 "There are some students here."
 "Do you have any food?"
 "Do you have any apples?"
Much or Many?
Much modifies only uncountable nouns.
Many modifies only countable nouns.
Examples:
 "We don't have much time to get this done."
 "Many Americans travel to Europe."
Little or Few?
Little modifies only uncountable nouns.
Examples:
 "He had little food in the house."
 "The doctor had little time to think in the emergency room."

Few modifies only countable nouns. Examples:

 "There are few doctors in town."
 "Few students like exams."

Present Perfect

The present perfect is made using the auxiliary verb have plus the past participle of
the main verb.
The past participle, for regular verbs, is the same as the past simple.

So we have, for the present perfect:

I have worked
He has lived
They have watched
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Here is the verb live in all forms of the present perfect.

She’s not lived is also possible but not as common as she hasn’t lived.

Present Perfect Use

We use the present perfect for two main functions.

A. Indefinite Past.
Look at these two sentences. What is the difference?

I went to Paris in 2013.

I have been to Paris three times.
In the first sentence, we use past simple because we are talking about
a specified time in the past, 2013.
In the second sentence, though, we are just saying “at some time in my
life” without being specific as to exactly when we have been to Paris – so we use
the present perfect.
The present perfect used in this way means “at some time in the past”.
Examples:
I have lost my phone. – but we don’t say when.
She has seen that film before. – again, we don’t say when.
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President Piñera has told his advisors to work on 30-day payment grant.
was is yesterday, last Wednesday? We don’t know – we just know he has done it.
Now look at the same examples with more specific time expressions. Note how
we have to use the past simple in these sentences.

I lost my phone last Friday at the Gym.

She saw that film with Fede before Christmas.
President Piñera had a meeting with his cabinet yesterday late in the evening
and told them he was interested in working towards 30-day payment grant.

Using the present perfect in this way is often used to talk about one’s experiences of
life. Have you ever…? is a common question.

A: Have you ever visited Brazil?

B: No, I haven’t. I would like to one day.
A: Have you ever been to Sydney, Australia?
B: Yes, I have. I went in 1993.

Note: in the second dialogue, the person responding uses the past simple to
say when he went to New York.

B. Unfinished Past.
Look at these two sentences, what is the difference?

Michelle Bachelet was the President from 2014 to 2017.

Sebastián Piñera has been the President since 2017.

Who is the President now? Michelle Bachelet was the President in the past. Now her
time in La Moneda Palace is finished, over – so we use the past simple. Sebastián
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Piñera is still the president. His time at La Moneda Palace started in the past but it
continues now – so we use the present perfect.
The Present Perfect in this way, joins the past and the present and speaks about
both.
The present perfect used in this way means “unfinished past”.
Examples:
I have lived in this apartment for 15 years. I love it!
He has worked for this company since 1971 and is now company director.

In both these examples, the action started in the past but continues still today. If
the action started and finished in the past, we must use the past simple:

I lived in that apartment for ten years but then I bought a new house in the country
side.
He worked for Enel for 10 years, then went to work for Google.

Using the present perfect in this way is often used to talk about the duration of your
current activities. A common question is How long have you…?

Present Simple, Past Simple or Present Perfect?

Read this:
I have a beautiful gold ring. It is from France and it’s very old. I bought it in 1976
when I spent the summer in Paris as a student. I have had this wonderful piece for
over 25 years.

I have a ring. – here we talk only about the present and so use the present
simple.
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I bought it in 1976. – here we talk only about the past and so use the past simple.

I have had it for over 25 years. – here we are talking about the past and the
present together. You had the ring in the past and you still have it now in the
present. So here we use the present perfect.
Remember the present perfect tense connects the past simple and
the present.

Make predictions
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Example of how we express probability using will, could, and might:

Journalist: What do you think will happen to the Chilean economy next year?

Economist: I think our economy will improve.

Note: The person thinks the economy is sure to improve.

Journalist: Do you think there will be a recession before the economy improves?

Economist: Some countries in Europe could experience a recession. However, the

Chilean economy will pick up (improve).

Note: There is a possibility.

Journalist: What do you think will happen to the Eurozone?

Economist: The Eurozone might break up (separate) because of weak economies

in certain countries.

Note: The break up is not probable and the economist does not know if it will
happen. The economist is not sure.
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Now, let's compare making predictions and the use of the present continuous for
the future:

Janice: Hey Chandler, what are you doing this weekend?

(Use the present continuous to ask about someone's plans.)

Chandler: I am going on vacation. We are going to Brazil to see my parents!

Chandler made plans to go to Brazil and bought his plane tickets. That is why we
use the present continuous to talk about future plans and actions. He is not
expressing probability or possibility about a future action or event.

Janice: Really? That is great! When are you leaving?

Chandler: We are leaving on Saturday morning. I think our flight will be on time,
so we will have time in the afternoon to go to the beach and enjoy the sun.

Janice: What are you going to do in Brazil?

Chandler: I am going to a barbecue at my Uncle Joao's house on August 10th.

I am also having lunch with my friend, Manoel, at his parents' house on August
15th…

Note: Going to a barbecue and having lunch are future plans and actions.

Chandler: …I might go bicycling with him over the first weekend, but I am not
sure yet…

Note: I have not decided yet.

Chandler: …I know I am going to eat a lot of food, so I am going to run three

days a week. I could also go hiking the Corcovado Hill.

Note: Hiking is a future possibility.

Janice: Have a wonderful trip!

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To sum up, we use WILL, COULD, and MIGHT to make predictions and express
probability:

- Subject + Will / Could / Might + Verb (Infinitive)

- Will is the most probable and expresses a sure prediction about future events
and actions.

- Could expresses a future possibility (or different possibilities) about future events
and actions.

- Might is the least certain and probable. We use might when you are not sure or
you do not know what will happen in the future.

- Always use the present continuous when you talk about a future plan and
action. We only use will, could, and might to make predictions and talk about
probability.

What is the difference between might and may?

We generally use might in conversation and may in more formal writing and
business contexts.
 Bibliografía

Texto Electrónico

Dobie, R. (2018). All things Grammar. Recuperado a partir de:

https://www.allthingsgrammar.com/

Kaufman, T. (2013). Experience English. Recuperado a partir de:

http://experience-english.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-future-making-predictions-using.html

Si usted desea referenciar este documento, considere la siguiente información:

Reyes W., Ma. Francisca (2018) Having a good time. Apunte de clase unidad 1, Inglés II,
Universidad UNIACC.
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