CONTENTS
A. GRAMMAR:............................................................................................................... 1
1. Present Simple........................................................................................................... 1
1.1. Form.................................................................................................................... 1
1.2. Usage.................................................................................................................... 1
1.3. Spelling................................................................................................................ 3
1.4. Watch out!........................................................................................................... 4
2. Present continuous.................................................................................................... 4
2.1. Form.................................................................................................................... 4
2.2. Usage.................................................................................................................... 5
2.3. Spelling................................................................................................................ 6
2.4. Stative verbs........................................................................................................ 7
B. VOCABULARY:.......................................................................................................... 8
1. Words to describe feelings........................................................................................ 8
2. Jobs............................................................................................................................ 9 A. GRAMMAR 1. Present simple 1.1. Form
The simple present tense is just the base form of the verb.
Questions are made with do and negative forms are made with do not.
 Positive: S + V-in昀椀nitive
 Negative: S + do not/don’t + V-in昀椀nitive
 Question: Do + S + V-in昀椀nitive ?
ex: I work in London.
But with the third person singular (she/he/it,…), -s or -es is added.
Questions are made with does and negative forms are made with does not.  Positive: S + V (s/es)
 Negative: S + does not/doesn’t + V-in昀椀nitive
 Question: Does + S + V-in昀椀nitive ?
ex: She works in London. 1.2. Usage
1.2.1. General truths and facts
 We use the present simple to talk about general facts that are
always true and permanent about the world:
ex: Ten times ten makes one hundred. (10 x 10 = 100)
 We use the present simple to talk about general facts that we
think are true and permanent at the present time: ex: I nineteen years old. ’m
1.2.2. Repeated actions
 We use the present simple to talk about an action is repeated.
The action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled
event or something that often happens. We often use always,
often, usually, sometimes, never and other adverbs of
frequency for regular and habitual events:
ex: I read every night before I go to sleep.
When does the train usually leave?
1.2.3. Instructions and directions
 We use the present simple when we are giving instructions or
directions. We often use ordering words, such as and, 昀椀 rst and
then with this use of the present simple:
ex: [Giving directions]: You take the train into the city centre
and then you take a number 昀椀ve bus. You don’t get o昀昀 at the
museum. You get o昀昀 at the stop after the museum.
[Giving instructions before a test]: So what you do is … you
read the questions 昀椀rst and then you write down your answers
in the box. You don’t write on the question paper.
1.2.4. Timetables and plans
 We use the present simple to talk about events that are part of a future plan or timetable:
ex: The lesson starts at 9.30 tomorrow instead of 10.30.
Lunch is at 12.30. Don’t be late.
1.2.5. Present simple after when, before, etc.
 We use the present simple for future reference in subordinate
clauses after words like when, before, as soon as, if and whether:
ex: I’ll call you when I get there. (Not: I’ll call you when I will get there.)
You must 昀椀nish your work before you go home. (Not: You
must 昀椀nish your work before you will go home.)
They hope to move in to the new house as soon as they get
back from Australia next month. (Not: … as soon as they will get
back from Australia next month.)
1.2.6. Stories and commentaries
 We often use the present simple to tell a story:
ex: I was walking down the street the other day when suddenly
this man comes up to me and tells me he has lost his wallet and
asks me to lend him some money. Well, he looks a bit dangerous
so I'm not sure what to do and while we are standing there…
 We often use the present simple to summarise a book, 昀椀lm or play:
ex: Harry Potter goes to Hogwarts School. He has two close friends, Hermione and …
 The present simple is often used by sports commentators to
give commentaries or report actions as they are happening:
ex: Mwaruwauri Benjani fouls Cahill. Habsi takes the free kick,
Caicedo shoots and volleys. O’Brien blocks.
1.2.7. Immediate reactions
 We use the present simple, often with verbs of senses and
perception, to talk about feelings and reactions at the moment of speaking:
ex: Do you think that meat is ok to eat? It doesn’t smell very good.
1.2.8. Newspaper headlines
 We often see the present simple in news headlines to report
past events. It emphasises the drama or immediacy of an event:
ex: Man rescues child from lake. 1.3. Spelling
There are the spelling rules for he/ she/ it:
 For most verbs we add -s to the base form to make the she,
he, it (third person singular) form: come → co order → order travel → trav mes s els record → reco walk → walk
eat → eats rds s move → mo ves
 For other verbs, the spelling changes are: she, he, verb it
When the verb ends in -ch, -ss, -sh, -x or -zz, we watc add watches -es. h miss misses wash washes mix mixes she, he, verb it buzz buzzes hurry hurries
When the verb ends in a consonant + -y we change study studies
y to i and add -es. reply replies pay pays
But when the verb ends in a vowel + -y we just add -s. enjoy enjoys have has go goes
Have, go, do and be are irregular. do does be is
 When the verb ends in -s or -z we double the -s or -z and add - es
ex: quiz → quizzes. These verbs are not common. 1.4. Watch out!
 We can also use do/does in present simple statements for emphasis:
ex: The bus isn’t quicker than the train but it does stop right outside the factory.
2. Present continuous 2.1. Form
We use am, is, are + the -ing form of the verb. We use the short
form more often than the full form, especially when speaking. Positive (full form) V-ing. I am you, we, they are, she, he, it is (short form) I ’m you, we, they ’re she, he, it ’s (full form) I am not you, we, they are not she, he, it is not Negativ V-ing. e (short form) ’m not I ’re you, we, they
not or aren’t she, he, it
’s not or isn’t Am I Question Are you, we, they V-ing? Is she, he, it 2.2. Usage
2.2.1. Activities at the time of speaking
 We use the present continuous to talk about activities which
are in progress at the moment of speaking:
ex: A: What time’s dinner?
B: I’m cooking now so it’ll be ready in about half an hour.
2.2.2. Temporary states
 We use the present continuous to talk about temporary states
which are true around the moment of speaking:
ex: Her mother’s living with her at the moment. She’s just come out of hospital.
2.2.3. Repeated temporary events
 We use the present continuous to describe actions which are
repeated or regular, but which we believe to be temporary:
ex: She’s working a lot in London at the moment. (She doesn’t usually work in London)
2.2.4. Changing and developing situations
 We use the present continuous to talk about a gradual change:
ex: They’re building a new stand at the football ground.
Maria, 38, is getting better and doctors are optimistic she will make a full recovery. 2.2.5. Annoying habits
 We often use the present continuous with words like always,
constantly, continually and forever (adverbs of inde昀椀nite
frequency) to describe events which are regular but not planned, and often not wanted:
ex: My wife, she’s always throwing things out. I like to keep everything.
I’m constantly spilling things.
2.2.6. Future plans or arrangements
 We use the present continuous to refer to talk about what we
have arranged to do in the future:
ex: We’re moving to Cambridge in July.
Aren’t you playing tennis on Saturday?
A: What are you doing next weekend?
B: I’m taking my son to the zoo on Saturday, then I’m
cooking lunch for some friends on Saturday. 2.3. Spelling
For most verbs, we add -ing to the base form to make the -ing form:
be → bein
eat → eati order → order g ng ing
cry → cryi
昀椀x → 昀椀xin
play → playin ng g g
do → doin
go → goin g g
For other verbs the spelling changes are (note the underlined syllables are stressed): verb -ing form move moving
When the verb ends in -e, we take o昀昀 the -e and add - face facing ing. come coming commi committi t ng preferrin prefer g
When the verb ends in a vowel followed by a
single consonant and if the last syllable is rub rubbing
stressed, then the consonant is doubled. BUT: cover covering rememb remembe er ring travelling travel
When the verb ends in a vowel + * l, we double the consonant. controllin control g
* American English spelling is traveling. 2.4. Stative verbs
Stative verbs are not normally used in continous tenses because
they don’t describe actions. Stative verbs include:
 Verbs of thinking and feeling: believe recognise hate love imagine remember prefer satisfy know think need wish understand realise like dislike mean suppose want enjoy  Verbs of existence: be exist
 Verbs of the human senses: hear smell taste see sound
 Verbs of appearance: appear look seem resemble
 Verbs of possession and relationships between things: consist of belong to include possess have involve owe own
We normally use the simple instead:
I see what you mean. (Not: I am seeing what you mean.)
I understand you. (Not: I am understanding you.)
This cake tastes wonderful (Not: This cake is tasting wonderful.) Watch out!
 Some verbs (such as be, have, imagine, look, see, taste, think)
are stative with one meaning and non-stative with another meaning.
√ Do you have your plan ticket with you? (state: possession)
√ Are you having lunch at the moment? (action: eating) B. VOCABULARY
1. Words to describe feelings -
sorrowful /ˈsɒrəʊfəl/ (adj): very sad: buồn phiền
 With a sorrowful sigh she folded the letter and put it away. -
dejected /dɪˈdʒektɪd/ (adj): unhappy, disappointed, or without
hope: chán nản, thất vọng
 She looked a bit dejected when they told her she didn't get the job. -
optimistic /ɒptɪˈmɪstɪk/ (adj): always hoping or believing that
something good will happen in the future: lạc quan
 She is optimistic about her chances of winning a gold medal. -
pessimistic /pesɪˈmɪstɪk/ (adj): thinking that bad things are
more likely to happen or emphasizing the bad part of a situation: bi quan
 The doctors are pessimistic about his chances of recovery. -
depressed /dɪˈprest/ (adj): unhappy and without hope: chán nản, thất vọng
 She became deeply depressed when her husband died. -
upset /ʌpˈset/ (adj): worried, unhappy: lo lắng, buồn bã
 Is he very upset about failing his exam? -
jubilant /ˈdʒuːbələnt/ (adj): feeling or expressing great
happiness, especially because of a success: vui sướng
 The fans were jubilant at/about/over their team's victory. -
embarrassed /ɪmˈbærəst/ (adj): feeling ashamed or shy: xấu hổ
 She felt embarrassed about undressing in front of the doctor. -
tense /tens/ (adj): nervous, worried and unable to relax: căng thẳng
 She was very tense as she waited for the interview. -
amused /əˈmjuːzd/ (adj): smiling or laughing because you think
that something is funny: buồn cười
 I don't know why you're laughing - there is nothing to be amused about. -
glad /ɡlæd/ (adj): happy: vui mừng
 I’m very glad that you are here. -
pleased /pli:zd/ (adj): satis昀椀ed: hài lòng
 I'm really pleased with your work this term. -
annoyed /əˈnɔɪd/ (adj): angry: tức giận, khó chịu
 I was so annoyed with him for turning up late. -
joyful /ˈdʒɔɪfəl/ (adj) very happy: hạnh phúc
 Christmas is such a joyful time of year. -
in a good mood (idiom): feeling happy or pleasant
 You're in a good mood this morning! -
be full of the joys of spring (idiom): be very happy
 He bounced into the o昀케ce, full of the joys of spring. -
be in seventh heaven (idiom): be extremely happy
 Since they got married, they've been in seventh heaven. -
be over the moon (idiom): be very pleased: rất sung sướng, hạnh phúc
 She was over the moon about/with her new bike. -
be/feel on top of the world (idiom) = be over the moon (idiom)
 She’s on top of the world – she’s just got engaged to be married. -
mixed feelings /mɪkst ˈ昀椀ːlɪŋz/ (n): if you have mixed feelings
about something, you feel both pleased and not pleased about it at the same time
 I had mixed feelings about leaving home. I was excited but at
the same time, I knew I would miss my family. -
no hard feelings (idiom): no feeling of being upset
 Yona wanted to show there were no hard feelings after I won the contest. -
be as hard as nails (idiom): not feeling or showing any
emotions such as sympathy, fear, or worry
 She’ll be good in business – she’s as hard as nails. -
carry a torch for someone (idiom): to be in love with someone.
It is often used to describe a situation where the feelings aren’t mutual.
 John has carried a torch for Jane for years but she doesn’t seem to notice. -
a chip on one’s shoulder (idiom): an angry attitude from
someone who feels unfairly treated
 She’s not going to make any friends if she walks around with a
chip on her shoulder like that. -
make someone hair stand on end (idiom): make someone very frightened: làm ai sợ hãi
 The thought of jumping out of a plane makes my hair stand on end. -
go to pieces (idiom): become deeply sad and depressed after
the loss of something or someone extremely important in life;
to have a mental or emotional collapse
 Candy went to pieces after she heard about his death. -
be in a stew (idiom): be extremely concerned or upset about something
 I am in a stew! My son is not back home yet! -
be hopping mad (about/over something) (idiom) = be 昀椀ghting
mad (idiom): phát điên, vô cùng tức giận (về điều gì)
 Bill is hopping mad because his wife borrowed his credit card
and bought an expensive dress without 昀椀rst asking his permission. -
have had enough (idiom): you don’t want more of something
because you are annoyed, angry, or tired of it
 “I’ve had enough of your lies. Just tell me the truth.” -
feel blue (idiom) = have the blues (idiom): depressed or sad
 Don’t feel blue. Life is short, have some fun! 2. Jobs -
builder /ˈbɪldər/ (n): a person whose job is to build or repair
houses or other buildings: thợ xây
 The builder who built our house has gone bankrupt. -
carpenter /ˈkɑːpəntər/ (n): a person whose job is making and
repairing wooden objects and structures: thợ mộc -
plumber /ˈplʌmər/ (n): a person whose job is to 昀椀t and repair
things such as water pipes, toilets,…: thợ sửa ống nước
 Send for a plumber – we have a leaking pipe. -
electrician /ɪlekˈtrɪʃən/ (n): a person whose job is to connect,
repair,… electrical equipment: thợ điện
 The electrician mended the electric fan. -
mechanic /məˈkænɪk/ (n): a person whose job is repairing machines, especially cars
 Buying that second-hand car without having it checked by a
mechanic 昀椀rst cost us dear. -
architect /ˈɑːkɪtekt/ (n): a person whose job is to design new
buildings and make certain that they are built correctly: kĩ sư
 Doug and Wendy worked with an architect to create their dream home. -
lawyer /ˈlɑːjɚ/ (n): someone whose job is to give advice to
people about the law and speak for them in court: luật sư
 If you want to make your will, consult a lawyer. -
accountant /əˈkaʊn.tənt/ (n): a person whose job is to keep or
check 昀椀nancial accounts: nhân viên kế toán
 He employs an accountant to deal with his tax a昀昀airs. -
full-time /fʊlˈtaɪm/ (adj/adv): (of work or education) done for the whole of a working week
 Most children in the UK remain in full-time education until
they are at least 16 years old.
 She went back to work full-time when her youngest child went to school. -
part-time /pɑːtˈtaɪm/ (adj/adv): not taking one’s whole time; for
only a few hours or days a week: bán thời gian
 She got a part-time job working three days a week. -
freelancer /ˈfriːlɑːnsər/ (n): someone who is not employed by
any one organization but does particular pieces of work for di昀昀erent organizations
 She has written for a variety of publications both as a sta昀昀er and a freelancer. -
minimum wage /mɪnɪməm ˈweɪdʒ/ (n): the smallest amount of
money that employers are legally allowed to pay someone who works for them
 The new business couldn't a昀昀ord to pay more than the minimum wage. -
out of work (adj): unemployed
 I’ve been out of work since December. Hope I 昀椀nd a new job soon! -
hourly rate (n): the amount of money that is charged, paid, or earned for every hour worked
 You pay a 昀椀xed or hourly rate for the advisers' time rather
than paying for the products they sell you. -
work-life balance /wɜːklaɪf ˈbæləns/ (n): the amount of time you
spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you
spend with your family and doing things you enjoy
 It can be di昀케cult to get the right work-life balance. -
career break /kəˈrɪə breɪk/ (n): a period of time when you
choose not to have a job, for example because you want to
travel or take care of your children
 I took a career break for a year and travelled around the world. -
dead-end job /dedend ˈdʒɒb/ (n): a job that has no chance of promotion or advancement
 She left the company because she was very ambitious but in a dead-end job. -
be sacked/ get the sack: be 昀椀red: bị sa thải, đuổi việc
 I just got the sack, and so did 20 other people. I have three
hours pack up my things and leave the o昀케ce. -
balance the books (idiom): make certain that the amount of
money spent is not more than the amount of money received
 If the business loses any more money, we won't be able to balance the books this year. -
golden handshake (idiom): trợ cấp nghỉ việc
 She won't have to 昀椀nd a job very quickly because she got a
huge golden handshake from her last job. -
be snowed under (idiom): be very busy
 I’m sorry, I can’t write that report for you right now – I’m snowed under with work today. -
sweat blood (idiom): make a great e昀昀ort
 We sweated blood to get the work 昀椀nished on time. -
bring home the bacon (idiom): earn money for a family to live
on: kiếm đủ tiền nuôi sống gia đình
 I can't sit around all day - someone's got to bring home the bacon. -
be a 昀椀sh in a small pond (idiom): người có tầm quan trọng ở
một phạm vi nhỏ, nhưng ở vị trí cao hơn, họ sẽ ít quan trọng hơn
 As the manager of a local company, he enjoys being a 昀椀sh in a small pond. -
begin to see daylight (idiom): nhận ra mình sắp kết thúc dự án/
nhiệm vụ, sau những ngày vùi mặt vào làm cuối cùng cũng đến
ngày được thấy ánh mặt trời
 Read these thoroughly. I believe you will begin to see daylight in our plan. -
make ends meet (idiom): kiếm đủ sống
 A young boy started his own business to help his mom make
ends meet after she lost her job during the pandemic COVID - 19. -
burn the candle at both ends (idiom): làm cạn sức lực của mình
bằng cách sống một cuộc đời quá bận rộn
 I’ve been working two jobs so we can buy a car, but I’m very
tired. I’m burning the candle at both ends.