Where should I begin?

How can I use the first illustration/cartoon/photo in each unit?

What is the purpose of the Check Point?

When should I do the Check Point?

How can I use the Grammar Charts?

How can I use the Chart Checks?

What is the purpose of the Express Check?

How can I use the Express Check?

How can I check my answers?

What should I do if I can't understand some words?

How can I use the Grammar Explanations and Examples?

How can I use the Appendices?

What are the different exercise types?

How can I practice the grammar structure after I finish a unit?

How can I use the SelfTests?








Where should I begin?
There are several ways you can use Grammar Express:

• Start at Unit 1 and work through the whole book.
• Look through the Table of Contents in the front of your book (pages iii-vii). You will see a list of grammar points for each unit along with examples of each point (in blue print). Choose a grammar point that interests you and go to that unit.
• Look up a topic in the Index (pages 349-354). For example, if you want to learn more about gerunds, look up gerund in the Index and go to the pages listed.
• Take a Unit Test or Part Test on this Website to see if you know the grammar or if you need to study it more.

• Read the Grammar Chart and then try to answer the Chart Check question. (The Chart Check will help you understand the grammar point.) Then check your answer.
• Read the Chart Check before you look at the Grammar Chart. Then look at the Grammar Chart and try to answer the question in the Chart Check. Check your answer.

You can also use the Grammar Chart to practice the grammar point. For example, look at the first Grammar Chart on page 70. Try to make different statements by substituting the words in the box:

• Read the Chart Check before you look at the Grammar Chart. Then look at the Grammar Chart and try to answer the question in the Chart Check. Check your answer.
• Read the Grammar Chart first and then try to answer the Chart Check question. Check your answer.

• Read the Grammar Explanations first, before you look at the Examples.

• Study the Examples before you read the Grammar Explanations. Try to figure out the grammar point. Then check to see if you are right by reading the Explanation.

Choose This is a multiple choice exercise. It checks that you understand the meaning of the grammar structure. For example, on page 64 in Unit 15 (Present Perfect Progressive), you have to choose the correct meaning of sentences using the present perfect progressive.

Identify In this exercise you read a text and underline or circle the grammar point. There are often words that look like the grammar point, but are not, so you need to think about the meaning and not just the form of the structure. Read the whole text carefully. For example, on page 34 in Unit 8 (Used to), you are asked to read an article and underline all the examples of used to that refer to a habit in the past. Not every example of used to has the meaning of past habit, so you have to think about each example before you underline it.

Match In this exercise you decide which sentence or part of a sentence belongs with another sentence or part of a sentence. This exercise usually checks that you understand the meaning of the grammar structure. For example, on page 20 in Unit 5 (Imperative), you need to match an imperative sentence with the situation in which you may hear or say that imperative.

Read and Answer This exercise checks to see if you understand the meaning of the grammar structure. For example, on page 30 in Unit 7 (Simple Past Tense: Negative Statements and Questions), after reading some information, you answer some questions about the information (just by checking Yes or No).

True or False This exercise checks if you understand the meaning of the grammar structure. For example, on page 38 in Unit 9 (Past Progressive), the exercise checks if you understand when an action is finished or not finished.

Ask (& Answer) In this exercise you practice writing questions (and short answers) using cues. The cues are words separated by slashes (/) as on page 30 in Unit 7. This type of exercise gives you practice in both form and meaning.

Choose This exercise is often used in units that contrast two different forms that are often confused. For example, on page 68 in Unit 16 (Present Perfect and Present Perfect Progressive) you have to choose between these two forms to complete the statements.

Choose & Complete In this exercise you read a text that has blanks. You have to choose the correct word (based on meaning) from a box with several choices. You then have to fill in the blank with the correct form of the word you chose. For example, on page 21 in Unit 5 (Imperative), you read a paragraph and choose the correct verb from the box. You then have to decide if you need the affirmative or negative form of the imperative and write it in the blank. This type of exercise gives you practice in both form and meaning.

Combine In this exercise you combine two sentences to form one sentence. You often need to think about the relationship of two events. For example, on page 43 in Unit 10 (Past Progressive and Simple Past Tense), you need to decide which event happened first, or if the two events happened at the same time.

Complete In this exercise you need to fill in the blanks. There is often a cue (words in parentheses) under the blank. For example, on page 4 in Unit 1 (Present Progressive), you complete a conversation by using the correct form of the verb in parentheses. This gives you practice in using the grammar structure in different forms (affirmative statements, negative statements, and questions). It also practices spelling. It often helps to read the sentences before and after the sentence with the blanks.

Describe This exercise always has an illustration (a cartoon, a drawing, handwritten notes). You have to look at the illustration and then write sentences about it using cues. For example, on page 65 in Unit 15 (Present Perfect Progressive) you see two pictures. You have to choose between affirmative and negative statements using the cues (in parentheses) to make sentences which describe the pictures.

Report This exercise is similar to Rewrite and Summarize but you will find it only in the Indirect Speech Units (Units 73-75). You read a sentence in direct speech and then report it using indirect speech. You have to make changes (in pronouns, verbs, time and place expressions) to keep the original meaning.

Rewrite This exercise is similar to Summarize. You read one or more sentences. You have to think about the meaning and then rewrite the sentence without changing the meaning. For example, on page 165 in Unit 38 (Advisability in the Past) you will read sentences about things that happened in the past. Then, using the verb in parentheses you will write a sentence that expresses a similar meaning to the original sentences.

Summarize This exercise is similar to Rewrite. You read a statement. You then summarize the statement (write the main point of the statement) by choosing a word from the box. In some exercise you have to use the word from the box with the correct form of the verb in parentheses under the line (see page 201). In other exercises you have to summarize using a verb from the box and the words from the original statement (see page 225).

• Look for the use of the grammar structure in English newspapers, magazines, and books. If you become aware of the grammar structure, it will be easier for you to learn and use it.
• Listen for the use of the grammar structure in spoken English-for example, in TV programs, movies, and songs.
• Write sentences using the grammar structure.
• If you have the opportunity to speak English, try to use the grammar structure in your conversation. You can even practice alone by saying sentences that use the structure.