Understanding English Grammar – phrasal verbs ‘stop’

admin — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 09:04:57 +0000

These exercises are about using the verb ‘to stop ‘ combined with particles:

‘to stop away’ means to deliberately not go back to a place.

Since the beach was polluted by petrol, people have been stopping away.
After the terrorist attacks on London, tourists stopped away for a while.

‘to stop back’ means to return to a place at a later time.

I didn’t have time to talk so I told him to stop back later when I had some free time.
I’ll stop back on the way home from work and see how you are.

‘to stop behind’ means to stay in a place after everyone else has left.

I stopped behind after the meeting to talk to Bill.
Stop behind after class so I can give you some extra work to do.

‘to stop by’ means to visit a place quickly.

I’m going to stop by Jim’s house on the way home.
Stop by for a coffee when you are next here.

‘to stop in’ means to not go out.

I’m not going to the cinema with them this evening. I’ve decided to stop in.
I’m stopping in and watching TV tonight. I can’t afford to go out.

‘to stop off’ means to stay in a place in the middle of a journey.

We stopped off in Paris on the way to Nice to visit some friends.
I’ll stop off at the shops on the way home and buy some bread.

‘to stop out’ means to stay out late at night.

When I was a student, I often stopped out all night and came home for breakfast.
He often stops out all night during the holidays and comes home at dawn.

‘to stop over’ means to spend a night in a place in the middle of a journey.

On the way to Australia, we are stopping over in Singapore.
On the round the world ticket, we can stop over in five different countries.

‘to stop up’ means to not go to bed until much later than usual.

Don’t stop up too late. You’ve got school tomorrow.
We all stopped up until midnight to see the New Year in.

exercise1

exercise 2

exercise 3

Learn English Grammar – the present continuous

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:18:39 +0000

The present continuous is used to talk about present situations which we see as short-term or temporary . We use the present simple to talk about present situations which we see as long-term or permanent.

In these examples, the action is taking place at the time of speaking.

* It’s raining.
* Who is Kate talking to on the phone?
* Look, somebody is trying to steal that man’s wallet.
* I’m not looking. My eyes are closed tightly.

In these examples, the action is true at the present time but we don’t think it will be true in the long term.

* I’m looking for a new apartment.
* He’s thinking about leaving his job.
* They’re considering making an appeal against the judgment.
* Are you getting enough sleep?

In these examples, the action is at a definite point in the future and it has already been arranged.

* I’m meeting her at 6.30.
* They aren’t arriving until Tuesday.
* We are having a special dinner at a top restaurant for all the senior managers.
* Isn’t he coming to the dinner?

Here are some grammar exercises. Please note that these are different from the one available in English Grammar Secrets.

Grammar Teacher » Grammar Exercises

Understanding English Grammar – phrasal verbs ‘stop’

Learn English Grammar – the present continuous