PRESENT TENSES:

present simple:  I eat

Used for habitual actions (things you do all the time):

I eat bananas almost everyday.
We usually get up late on Saturdays.

Used for facts:

The sun rises early in the summer.
Water boils at 100 degrees celsius.

Used for opinions:

He is very shy with women.
You eat like a pig.

present continuous:   I am eating / I’m eating

Used for actions happening now:

Be quiet.  I am listening to the news.
Hurry!  I’m waiting for you.

Used for actions started in the past but not yet finished:

I’m reading a really good book.  
We’re painting all the bedrooms in the house.

Used for actions in the future (when the future is stated):

We are leaving for San Francisco tomorrow morning.
On Sunday they are playing a game against Vancouver. 

present perfect:  I have eaten / I’ve eaten

Used for past actions when the time is not stated:

We have seen that movie several times.
I’ve met you somewhere before.

Used for actions that happen a number of times:

We have eaten at that restaurant at least five times.
I’ve made that mistake many times.

Used for actions that started in the past and are still happening now:

I have known him since we were both children.
I’ve worked for that company for thirteen years.

Present perfect continuous:  I have been eating / I’ve been eating

Used for actions that started in the past and are still happening now:

(This is the same use for the last present perfect (above), so they are both correct in this situation.  However, I personally prefer the present perfect continuous for these kinds of actions.)

I’ve been thinking about moving to California.
She’s been spending a lot of time with her boyfriend.

PAST TENSES:

past simple:  I ate

Used for an action or actions that are finished in the past:

(There’s usually a time stated when these actions happened.)

I ate a banana for breakfast yesterday.
I saw him three times last week.

past continuous:  I was eating

Used for actions that were happening when another, shorter action happened:

(The shorter action is in the past simple.)

I was reading the newspaper when someone knocked on the door.
He was shoveling show when he hurt his back.

Used for actions that were happening at a certain time:

What were you doing at 3:00 in the afternoon?
At midnight I was getting ready for bed.

past perfect:  I had eaten / I’d eaten

Used for an action that happened before another action in the past:

(The word “already” is often used.)

His roommate had already gone to bed when he got back to his apartment
We had already eaten by the time the fireworks started.

Used for actions that happened before a certain time in the past:

I had already finished by dinner time last night.
She had gone to bed by that time.

past perfect continuous:  I had been eating / I’d been eating

Used for an action that was happening when another action happened:

(Most often used with “since” or “for”)

(The other action is in the simple past.)

They had been waiting since noon when she finally arrived an hour later.
We had been dating for three months before I found out she smoked.

FUTURE TENSES:

future simple:  I will eat / I’ll eat

Used for a single action in the future:

I will call you as soon as I get home.
She says she’ll be here at 9:00.

future continuous:  I will be eating / I’ll be eating

Used for a future action that is already happening when another action happens:

(The other action is in the present simple.)

They will be waiting for you when you arrive at the airport.
We’ll be doing our homework when you get home.

Used for a future action that is already happening at a certain time:

At midnight on December 31, I’ll probably be sleeping.
What will you be doing at 8:00 tonight?

Used for long actions in the future:

We’ll be working in the lab all afternoon.
Don’t make any plans because you’ll be painting the house all weekend.

future perfect:  I will have eaten / I’ll have eaten

Used for a future action that happens before another future action:

(The other future action is in the present simple.)

By the time you arrive, I will have finished my work.
After we see Skyfall, we will have seen all the James Bond movies.

Used for a future action that happens before a future time:

At midnight I will have already arrived home.
She told me she will have finished all the preparations by 6:00 pm.

future perfect continuous:  I will have been eating / I’ll have been eating

Used for a future action that will have been happening for a certain time when another action happens:

(The other future action is in the present simple.)

(Most often used with “since” or “for”)

When you arrive, I will have been painting since morning.
She will have been seeing him for three years when you visit next Spring.

Used for a future action that will have been happening for a certain time at a future time:

By this time next year, I will have been working there for ten years.
They will have been living here for twenty years next September.

 

There are more verb tense exercises in the Exercise section of this website.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

These words are often confused by students.  Here’s an explanation to help you.

Another is used when there is more than one other.
Another means “one of many others.”
It can be a noun or an adjective and it is followed by a singular noun.

Examples:
One shade of blue is called navy blue, and another is called sky blue.
(…and another shade of blue is called sky blue.)
[There are many other shades of blue.]

This path takes you through the park.  Another takes you to the zoo.
(Another path takes you to the zoo.)
[There are many other paths.]

A customer in the store was on his cell phone.  Another was buying gum.
(Another customer was buying gum.)
[There are many other customers in the store.]

Other is always an adjective and can modify plural nouns or non-count nouns.
Other means “one that is different than this one.”

Examples:
There are other reasons I wanted to talk to you.
[I’ve already told you one reason and now I’ll tell you more reasons]

That’s probably true for other people but not for me.
[It’s true for people who are not me.]

There is other furniture that would look better in this room.
[This furniture doesn’t look good.]

No other is an adjective and means “this is the only one” or “these are the only ones.”
It can modify a singular noun, a plural noun or a non-count noun.

Examples:
There’s no other way to get downtown at this hour.
[This way is the only way to get downtown.]

There are no other possibilities I can think of.
[You can only think of these possibilities.]

There’s no other water for miles.
[This is the only water in this area.]

No other can also be used as a noun.

Example:
I love only you.  There’s no other.
[There’s no other person that I love.]

Others is a noun and is used to replace other + plural noun.
It’s used when there are many others.

Examples:
Although some people know what they want to do, others have no idea.
(…, other people have no idea)

Some excuses are believable, but others are not.
(…, but other excuses are not.)

A few of the exercises were easy, but others were impossible.
(…, but other exercises were impossible.)

The other is an adjective or a noun and is used when there is only one other.

Examples:
One brother is a lawyer, and the other is a doctor.
(…, and the other brother is a doctor.)
[There are only 2 brothers.]

One team played very well, but the other played poorly.
(…, but the other team played poorly.
[There are only 2 teams.]

One path led up the mountain, and the other led to the village.
(…, and the other path led to the village.)
[There are only 2 paths.]

The others is a noun and means all the other ones.

Examples:
Most of the lights on the tree were blue.  The others were green and yellow.
(The other lights were green and yellow.)
[The tree had three different colors – blue, green and yellow]

Half the cupcakes had white icing, and the others had pink icing.
(…, and the other cupcakes had pink icing.

I wanted to leave, but the others wanted to stay longer.
(…, but the other people wanted to stay longer.

One of the most often asked grammar questions is about the difference between “you and I,” and “you and me?”  The problem is that there are two ways to refer to myself (I / me), and only one word for the person you’re talking to (you.)  Surprisingly, even native speakers of English make mistakes with this grammar.  Here is the rule with examples:

Use you and I before a verb.  Remember that the verb is always plural.  This usually happens at the beginning of a sentence.

Examples:
• You and I are going out tonight.
• Sometimes you and I argue, but it’s never serious.
• Maybe you and I should get an apartment together after we graduate.
• You and I often agree about politics.
• Next, you and I will visit the botanical gardens.

Also use you and I at the beginning of an independent clause followed by a verb.

Examples:
• When we were young, you and I used to walk to school together.
• After you get home, you and I are going to go shopping.
• We went to high school together, and then you and I went to different universities.
• Our friends are often late, but you and I are always on time.
• Because we like the same things, you and I should become friends.

Use you and me after a subject and verb.  This usually happens in the middle or at the end of a sentence.

Examples:
• Your sister saw you and me kissing last night at the party.
• The teacher gave you and me a math problem to solve.
• It took them more than a hour to find you and me.
• Remember when our parents let you and me sleep outside in the backyard?
• They thought their lies would make you and me fight, but they were wrong.

Also use you and me after a preposition.

Examples:
• The manager wants to talk to you and me after work today.
• This is between you and me.
• Our friends are throwing a party for you and me.
• She needs a ride, so I invited her to come with you and me.
• Remember that couple who was sitting next to you and me in the theatre?

An easy way to know whether to use you and I or you and me is to drop “you and.”  The sentence should still be correct.

Examples
Is that cake for you and me?
Is that cake for me?

She knows because she saw you and me together last night.
She knows because she saw me (together with you) last night.

You and I have to go.
I have to go.

When you and I get busy, we get a lot done.
When I get busy (with you), we get a lot done.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Many students have trouble with the word “even.”  Here is how it should be used.

Even in the positive means “do the most surprising thing of.”
It goes after the verb “be” but before any other single verb.  It goes between two verbs.

Examples:
• He’s very talented, isn’t he?  Did you know he even writes his own music?
• His daughter is even willing to move in and take care of him.
• He even has a signed portrait of the President.
• She can even stand on her head.

Even in the negative means “do the minimum thing of.“

Examples:
• My grandfather can’t even put on his own socks anymore.
• They won’t even answer my phone calls.
• She couldn’t even look me in the eyes when she told me.
• Do you remember when you wouldn’t even jump off the low diving board?

Even also goes before a noun and means “also the surprising thing of” in the positive.

Examples:
• Everything was red, even the icing on the cake.
• Even the president of the company was there to congratulate him.
• She brought everything with her, even her cat.
• That box isn’t so heavy.  Even my grandmother could lift it.

Even in the negative before a noun means “the expected thing of.”

Examples:
• Not even his own mother believed he was innocent.
• He never got sick, not even a cold.
• Not even the army could prevent the flood waters from entering the town.
• Our sailboat couldn’t move.  There wasn’t even a mild wind.

Even if is used when a condition makes no difference in a decision.  The condition that follows even if sounds like it would make the person change his mind, but it doesn’t.

Examples:
• Even if the thief were my brother, I would still call the police.
(I would call the police no matter who the thief was.)

• I don’t want to go for a bike ride even if it stops raining and the sun comes out.
(It doesn’t matter what the weather is like, I don’t want to go for a bike ride.)

• They want to go to Las Vegas even if they have to put it on a credit card.
(It doesn’t matter how they are going to pay for it, they want to go to Las Vegas.)

• Even if we apply today, our passports won’t come in time for her wedding.
(It doesn’t matter if we apply today, our passports won’t come in time for her wedding.)

Even though is used before a fact that would seem to make a result harder to.

Examples:
• Even though he was short  and stout, all the women seemed to like him.
• She passed the exam even though she hadn’t had much time to study.
• Even though snow covered the ground, it wasn’t a very cold day.
• My grandfather is in great physical shape even though he’s close to ninety years old.

Even when is used before a time that would seem to make something not true, but it’s still true.

Examples:
• Even when he was a boy, he was taller than anyone else his age.
(He’s been taller than others all his life, even as a boy.)

• She wears the earrings he gave her even when she is sleeping.
(Not even sleeping would make her take the earrings off.)

• Even when I stay up late, I’m not tired the following day.
(Not even staying up late makes me tired the following day.)

• She never stops talking even when she’s eating.
(Not even eating makes her stop talking.)

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

WILL and (BE) GOING TO are similar but different.  Here are the differences. 

WILL is used for: 

Promises:  things we promise to do in the future

Examples:
I will pay you back as soon as I get paid.
She told me she’ll be here by four o’clock.
I promise I won’t tell your parents you weren’t in school.
I will stop by after work and we can finish this.
Don’t worry.  I’ll help you when the time comes.

Facts:  things that are always true

Examples:
Water will boil at 100 degrees centigrade.
(Also:  Water boils at 100 degrees centigrade.)
Near the end of its life, a star will collapse into a tiny “white dwarf.”
(Also:  Near the end of its life, a star collapses into a tiny “white dwarf.”)
Don’t phone her now.  She’ll be asleep.
(Also:  Don’t phone her now.  She is asleep.)
More light will be needed to make this plant healthy.
(Also:  More light is needed to make this plant healthy.)

With expressions: probably, I think, I hope:  when we’re uncertain about the future

Examples:
He’ll probably fall asleep in the back seat.
I think they’ll be very happy together.
I hope you’ll reconsider your decision.

Volunteering:  doing something for someone else

Examples:
I’ll get the phone.
I’ll get a broom and clean it up.
I’ll make some sandwiches to take with us.
That looks heavy.  I’ll help you carry it.

Requesting:  asking for something

Examples:
Will you get some paper towels to soak this up?
Will you marry me?
Will you help me move this couch closer to the window?
Will you come with me to the immigration office?
(“Will” can be replaced  by “would”, “can”, and “could.”)

Refusing: saying no

Examples:
I won’t tolerate her bad behavior any longer.
I will not do your homework for you.
I won’t be coming to your graduation.  I’ll be out of town.
The professor says she will not accept any late papers.

(BE) GOING TO is used for:

Evidence: things that tell us that something is true

Examples:
It looks like it’s going to be another beautiful day today.
We’re not going to get in the restaurant for hours.  Look at that long line.
Stop driving so fast.  One of these days you’re going to get a ticket.
Be careful!  You’re going to spill your coffee.

Plans:  things we’re already thinking about.

Examples:
Tomorrow I’m going to look for a new pair of shoes.
We’re going to visit our relatives in Manitoba this summer.
How are you going to keep dry if it starts raining?
Who’s going to cook for us while mommy is in the hospital?
I’m going to be a fire fighter when I grow up.

Both WILL and (BE) GOING TO are used for:

Certainty:  things we are sure about

Examples:
I know you will like the present I picked out.
I know you’re going to like the present I picked out.
The boss won’t like what you’re doing.
The boss isn’t going to like what you’re doing.
You’ll be sorry.
You’re going to be sorry.

Predictions:  things we believe about the future

Examples:
I’m sure she will be here soon.
I’m sure she’s going to be here soon.
When he arrives, I know he will be tired.
When he arrives, I know he’s going to be tired.
Tomorrow it will be sunny.
Tomorrow it’s going to be sunny.
I’m certain he’ll do a good job painting the kitchen.
I’m certain he’s going to do a good job painting the kitchen.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Articles a, an, and the are a challenge for many students.  The basic rule is that a and an are used when indicating “one out of many” and are only used before countable nouns (nouns that can be made plural) such as a man or an animal.

They are also used for generalities:  A weasel is an animal.
Note:  The plural forms are also used for generalities (Weasels are animals.)

An is used before a vowel or a silent ‘h’, for example, an hour, but not before a pronounced ‘h’, for example, a hero.  Watch out for words that begin with ‘u’.  If they sound like a ‘y’, then use a, as in a university (you-ni-ver-si-ty).  If “u” doesn’t sound like a ‘y‘, then use an, as in an uncle.

The, on the other hand, is used for specific things, things that are known by the speaker and the listener.  For example, in “Please close the door.” the listener knows which door the speaker is talking about.

The is also used when the speaker indicates which thing he/she is talking about by using an adjective (The first time…), a prepositional phrase (The book on the top shelf…), or an adjective clause (The socks that I bought yesterday…).

The is used when there is only one of the thing, as in the moon, the beginning, or the President.

Finally, the is used when referring to general words that are all the same, such as the bathroom, the bus, the newspaper, the (tele)phone, the radio, the street, the government, the police, the fire department, and the army (navy, air force, marines)

It’s also used for musical instruments, such as the piano, the clarinet, the guitar.

Study this lesson, and when you’re ready, take the following quiz.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

There are 4 continuous (or progressive) verb tenses in English: the present continuous (I  am eating), the past continuous (I was eating), the present perfect continuous (I have been eating), and the past perfect continuous (I had been eating).  Just about any verb can be put into these continuous tenses, but there are some verbs that can’t.

The following list contains verbs that are not normally used in any continuous/ progressive tense.

•    Senses:  hear, see
•    Thinking:  believe forget, know, remember, think, understand
•    Possessing:  belong, have, own, possess,
•    Preferences:  dislike, hate, like, love, need, prefer, want
•    Being:  be, exist, seem, look (appear)

Examples:
I hear someone at the front door.
NOT:  I am hearing someone at the front door.
We believe we’re doing the right thing.
NOT: We are believing we’re doing the right thing
We own that house.
NOT:  We are owning that house.
She wanted a glass of cold water.
NOT:  She was wanting a glass of cold water.
They are my cousins.
NOT:  They are being my cousins.

Exceptions:

If one of these verbs is happening right now or was happening at the time indicated, you can use a continuous/progressive tense.

Examples:
What are you thinking about? (happening right now)
I was loving that experience until I fell. (happening at the time that I fell)
He was being an idiot last night. (happening all last night)

When “have” doesn’t mean “possess” but means “experience,” then you can use the continuous/progressive tense.

Example:
We were having such a good time that we forgot what time it was.

When “see” doesn’t mean “see with the eyes” but means “romantically date” or “have regular meetings with,” then you can use the continuous/progressive tense.

Examples:
These days he’s seeing a woman he works with, but I don’t think it’s serious.
I didn’t know you were seeing a psychiatrist.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

The file you specified does not exist.

When you put two verbs together in a sentence, most of the time the second verb is either an infinitive (to go) or a gerund (going).  Which verbs are followed by infinitives and which ones are followed by gerunds is often a difficult thing to learn.  Teachers give students lists to memorize and practice, but this is the hard way.  An easier way to learn this grammar is to look at a single verb (stop) and apply its rule to all the other verbs.  Although this rule is only 80%  accurate (true,) it’s better than no rule at all.

Look at this example:
After he had driven for an hour, John stopped to text his girlfriend.

In this example, the action John stopped was driving, not texting.  In other words, stopping was the first thing that he did, and texting was the second thing that he did.  The order of verbs in the sentence (stopped/ to text) is the same order of verbs in real time (he stopped first; he texted second).  When the order of the verbs in the sentence is the same as the order of verbs in real time, then use an infinitive (to text) for the second verb.

Look at this example:
After he started his car, John stopped texting his girlfriend.

In this example, the action John stopped doing was texting.  In other words, he was texting first and then he stopped.  The order of verbs (stopped / texting) in the sentence is the opposite order in real time (he texted first; he stopped second).  When the order of the verbs in the sentence is opposite the order of verbs in real time, then use the gerund (texting) for the second verb.

The verbs remember, forget and regret are just like stop.

Examples:

She remembered to meet him for lunch.  (remember is first and to meet is second in real time)
She remembers meeting him last year.  (meeting was first and remember was second in real time)

Did you forget to lock the door this morning?  (forget is first and to lock is second in real time)
Did you forget locking the door because I know you did?  (locking is first and forget is second in real time)

I regret to tell you that you failed the test.  (regret is first and to tell is second in real time)
I regret telling you my secret.  (tell is first and regret is second in real time)

The verb try is different than the above verbs.  If you are trying to do something difficult or impossible, then the infinitive follows.  However, if you’re trying different things to find a solution to a problem, then the gerund follows.

Examples:

You should try to finish as soon as possible.  (to finish is difficult to do)
If you’re hot, try opening the window, or taking off your sweater.  (opening and taking off are possible solutions to being hot)

Now let’s look at other verbs to see how they follow this rule.

Example 1:  I want to go to bed early tonight.

First I want, and then I will go.  It’s the same order in the sentence (want / go) and in real time (want / go).  Therefore, the second verb is an infinitive.

Example 2:  She enjoys watching cartoons on Saturday mornings.

She watches first, and then she enjoys the activity of watching.  It’s a different order in the sentence (enjoys / watching) and in real time (watching / enjoys).  Therefore, the second verb is a gerund.

Example 3:  I forgot to brush my hair this morning.

First I forgot, and that’s why I didn’t brush my teeth.  It’s the same order in the sentence (forget / brush) and in real time (forget / brush).  Therefore, the second verb is an infinitive.

Example 4:  He admitted stealing the necklace.

First he stole the necklace, and then he admitted that he had stolen it.  It’s a different order in the sentence (admit / steal) and in real time (steal / admit).  Therefore, the second verb is a gerund.

This a list of the most common verbs that are followed by infinitives.  The ones in [brackets] are exceptions to the rule:

he agrees to make…           he deserves to pass…        he plans to meet…
[he appears to be… ]          he fails to stop…                  he pretends to be…
he arranges to move…     he hesitates to close…       he refuses to stop…
he can afford to buy...      he hopes to finish…           he seems to know…
he cares to give…                he learns to make…           he struggles to make…
he claims to know…           he manages to put…         [he swears to have…]
he decides to go…               he means to say…               he threatens to end…
he demands to know…     he offers to help…              he waits to open…
he wishes to give…

This is a list of the most common verbs that are followed by gerunds.  Again, the ones in [brackets] do NOT follow the rule:

he admits taking…               he enjoys walking…                 he practices doing…
[he anticipates going…]     [he feels like singing…]        he quits smoking…
he appreciates doing…       he finishes painting…             he recalls meeting…
[he avoids washing…]        [he imagines living in…]         [he recommends buying…]
[he can’t help telling…]      it’s no use asking…                  [he resists making…]
he completes making…      it’s worth seeing…                   [he risks losing…]
[he considers asking…]     he keeps taking…                       [he suggests meeting…]
[he delays finishing…]       he minds being…                       he tolerates smoking…
he denies stealing…            he mentions doing…                 he understands needing…
[he discusses going…]       he misses visiting…
he dislikes having…            [he postpones making…]

Another thing you should know is if you use a person or a personal pronoun such as “me” after the first verb, an infinitive always follows.

he asks me to go…                  he hires me to wash…           he promises me to see…
he begs me to help…             he invites me to visit...          he reminds me to go…
he convinces me to stay…  he instructs me to finish…  he tells me to forget…
he dares me to climb…        he needs me to know…         he wants me to buy…
he expects me to be…           he orders me to wait…         he warns me to stay…
he forces me to clean…       he prepares me to do…

And of course there are a few verbs that are followed by either gerunds or infinitives.  It makes no difference.

he begins to play…              he continues to stay...    he likes to eat
he begins playing                he continues staying      he likes eating
he can’t stand to wait…    he hates to get…                he prefers to sit
he can’t stand waiting…   he hates getting…             he prefers sitting
he loves to beat…                 he starts to wait
he loves beating…               he starts waiting

Use these flashcards to help you study for the following exercises.

Use these flashcards to help you study for the following exercises.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

 

Direct question:

Are you tired?    (I don’t know what you’re going to answer – 50% YES/50% NO)

(This is the most common type of question.  You have no idea what the answer is going to be.)

Click on the audio recording  below

Negative question:

Aren’t you tired?    (I think YES – 90%)

(I’m pretty sure (90%) that your answer is going to be YES.  I just want you to agree with me.)

Click on the audio recording  below

Negative question tag:

You’re tired, aren’t you? [your voice goes up on the last “you.”]    (I think YES – 60%)

(I have an idea that you’re going to answer YES, but I’m not really sure (only 60% sure.))

(This kind of question is also used if you think the answer should be YES.  Example: You brush your teeth everyday, don’t you?)

Click on the audio recording  below

You’re tired, aren’t you? [your voice goes down on the last “you.”]    (I think YES – 90%)

(I’m pretty sure (90%) that your answer is going to be YES.  I just want you to agree with me.)

Click on the audio recording  below

Affirmative question tag:

You’re not tired, are you? [your voice goes up on the last “you.”]    (I think NO – 60%)

(I have an idea that you’re going to answer NO, but I’m not really sure (only 60% sure.))

Click on the audio recording  below

You’re not tired, are you? [your voice goes down on the last “you.”]    (I think NO – 90%)

(I’m pretty sure (90%) that your answer is going to be NO.  I just want you to agree with me.)

Click on the audio recording  below

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

•  Adverb clauses of time starting with after, before, since, when, and while can be reduced, but only if the subjects in the adverb clause and in the independent clause are the same.  When they are the same, you can drop the subject and the verb BE (or if there is no BE, change the verb to the -ing form) in the adverb clause.

Examples:
I fell asleep while I was watching TV.
I fell asleep while watching TV.

Since he came back to town, he has seen all his old friends.
Since coming back to town, he has seen all his old friends.

Paul celebrated with his friends after he took his final exam.
Paul celebrated with his friends after taking his final exam.

Before she went to bed, Alice brushed her teeth.
Before going to bed, Alice brushed her teeth.

When you are standing in line, start talking with someone to pass the time.
[The missing subject in a command is “you.” (…, you start talking…)]
When standing in line, start talking with someone to pass the time.

•  When reducing an adverb clause of reason starting with because, since, or as, you must drop the marker.  This type of adverb clause is most often used at the beginning of a sentence.

Examples:
Because he forgot his password, Sam was unable to use the bank machine.
Forgetting his password, Sam was unable to use the bank machine.

Since she hadn’t slept much the night before, Sue was tired most of the day .
Not having slept much the night before, Sue was tired most of the day.
[In compound verb tenses like this, put the first verb (have) in the -ing form]

As we are all together today, we should do something memorable.
Being all together today, we should do something memorable.
[When the only verb is BE, change it to -ing]

•  When reducing an adverb clause of time starting with while, you can drop it if you want to, but you don’t have to.

Example:
While we were walking to school, we saw a dog fight.
While walking to school, we saw a dog fight.
Walking to school, we saw a dog fight.

•  There are 6 prepositional phrases that function like adverb clauses but are followed by a noun and not a subject and verb.  The markers for these phrases are:

because of                on account of              despite
due to                         in spite of                     during

Examples:
They didn’t want to go for a bike ride because of the rain.
COMPARE:  They didn’t want to go for a bike ride because it was raining.

Because of a test at school, Paul studied late last night
COMPARE:  Because he had a test at school, Paul studied late last night.

On account of his poor memory, Mark missed the meeting.
COMPARE:  Because he has a poor memory, Mark missed the meeting.

He got up late this morning on account of the party last night.
COMPARE:  He got up late this morning because he went to a party last night.

Allan didn’t feel tired despite his lack of sleep.
COMPARE:  Allan didn’t feel tired although he didn’t sleep much.

Despite instructions not to, Faye opened the test booklet.
COMPARE:  Even though she had instructions not to, Faye opened the test booklet.

Due to the poor economic forecast, we put our money in gold.
COMPARE:  Because the economic forecast was poor, we put our money in gold.

No one could understand me due to my poor accent.
COMPARE:  No one could understand me because I have a poor accent.

They lied to me in spite of our friendship.
COMPARE:  They lied to me even though we are friends.

In spite of their best effort, the team lost the final game.
COMPARE:  Although they played their best, the team lost the final game.

They kissed for the first time during the concert.
COMPARE:  They kissed for the first time while they were at the concert.

During the lecture after lunch, Paul fell asleep.
COMPARE:  While he was listening to the lecture after lunch, Paul fell asleep.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot