Some Typical Grammar Difficulties

Decide which of the pairs/groups of sentences are correct and think why

1.

If she hadn’t met him, they wouldn’t be married now

If she hadn’t met him, they wouldn’t have been married now

If she hadn’t met him, they wouldn’t have got married last Jun

2.

I want that you help me pay for this I would like you to pay for this

I want you to help me pay for this I would like that you help me pay for this

3.

Despite of she was tired, she still came early

In spite of being tired, she still came early

In spite of that she was tired, she still came early

Despite being tired, she still came early

4.

It’s been ages since I see you

It’s been ages since I’ve seen you

I am living here for 2 years

I have been living here for 2 years

5.

English is not similar than German

We prefer swimming to running

The weather is not the same here as in Spain

The food here is a lot different from Spanish dishes

The weather is not the same here than in Spain

We prefer swimming than running

English is not similar to running

The food here is a lot different than Spanish food

6.

The River Thames is in London

The Himalayas are the highest range of mountains in the world

The London is an important financial centre

The society needs to change regarding climate change

The cost of bread has gone up this month

Correct options

1.

If she hadn’t met him, they wouldn’t be married now –> (mixed conditional – past situation with present consequences)

If she hadn’t met him, they wouldn’t have got married last June –> (third conditional – all in the past)

2.

 I would like you to pay for this. I want you to help me pay for this –> (want/would like to + object + infinitive)

3.

In spite of being tired, she still came early. Despite being tired, she still came early

–>  (Despite/In spite of +______ing)

4.

It’s been ages since I’ve seen you –>(present perfect – ages from before until now)

I have been living here for 2 years–> (present perfect continuous – from the past until now)

5.

We prefer swimming to running

The weather is not the same here as in Spain

The food here is a lot different from Spanish dishes

English is not similar to running

(correct preposition collocations – prefer…to/the same…as/different…from/similar…to)

6.

The River Thames is in London–> (the + rivers)

The Himalayas are the highest range of mountains in the world –> (the + mountain ranges)

The cost of bread has gone up this month–> (specific cost = bread)