Indirect questions.

What for?
To sound more polite.
To beat about the bush (andarse con rodeos :P)

Common expressions used to "ask":

I wonder if...

I would like to know...

I don't know...

I'm not sure....

I don't remember...

Can/ could you tell me...?

Do you know...?

Do you have any idea...?

Do you happen to know...?

Word order
If we do not begin a question directly, but begin it with something like: Can you tell me...? Do you know...? I wonder if...? the word order is the same as in an affirmative statement (subject + verb).

Example:
Direct question: What is he doing? Indirect question: Do you know what he is doing?
Direct question: Where have they been? Indirect question: I wonder where they have been?

Do, does, did
If the direct question contains do, does or did, we omit it in the indirect question.
Example:
Direct question: What do you want? Indirect question: Can you tell me what you want?
Direct question: When did she leave? Indirect question: Do you know when she left?

Yes/no questions
In yes / no questions, we use if or whether and we have to change the word order.
Example:
Direct question: Have you seen my dog? Indirect question: Could you tell me if you have seen my dog?

Exercises:
http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/312.html
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.inqu.i.htm
http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/intermediate/a_grammar/unit11/hwy_int_unit11_1/
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoEnglish/gr.inqu.p.htm

Report what we heard

We can report what another person says in two ways:

1. Quoting people. By using the exact words of the speaker.
We repeat the exact words used by the speaker and keep the exact words within quotation marks.

Example:

He told me, “I'm an architect”

"I love him", she said.

"I'm working", he said to me.

2. Reporting. By using our own words to repeat what the speaker said.
Here we do not use the quotation marks.

Example:


Direct: He told me, “I'm an architect” Reporting: He told me he was an architect.
Direct: I love him", she said. Reporting: She said that she loved him.
Direct: "I'm working", he said to me. Reporting: he said to me that he was working.





When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

• Tenses (backshift): "Marco lives in the South", she told me. = She told me (that) Marco lived in the South.
• Pronouns. "I love you", she said. = SHE said she loved me.
• Place and time expressions: "We will wait for you here, tomorrow", they said. = They said they would wait for me there, the following day.
  

More info about reported statements:
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/reported-speech/statements



Exercises:
http://a4esl.org/q/h/9901/tm-reported1.html
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/reported-speech/exercises?03
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/reported-speech/exercises?04
http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_reported1.htm
http://wwwedu.ge.ch/cptic/prospective/projets/anglais/exercises/reported1.htm
http://www.english-zone.com/verbs/indirect1.html

Reported speech

If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech.
Therefore, you need to learn how to transform direct speech into reported speech.
The structure is a little different depending on whether you want to transform a statement, question or request.

Statements
When transforming statements, check whether you have to change:

• Tenses (backshift): "Marco lives in the South", she told me. = She told me (that) Marco lived in the South.
• Pronouns. "I like chocolate", she said. = SHE said she liked chocolate.
• Place and time expressions: "We will wait for you here, tomorrow", they said. = They said they would wait for me there, the following day.
  

More info about reported statements: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/reported-speech/statements


Questions
When transforming questions, remeber that you have to:

• Transform the question into an indirect question: “Why do you study English?" = He asked me why I studied English.
• Use the interrogative (wh- word) or in case of yes/ no questions use if / whether: “Do you speak English?” = He asked me whether / if I spoke English.

Exercises on reported statements:

http://a4esl.org/q/h/9901/tm-reported1.html

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/reported-speech/exercises?03

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/reported-speech/exercises?04

http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_reported1.htm

http://wwwedu.ge.ch/cptic/prospective/projets/anglais/exercises/reported1.htm

http://www.english-zone.com/verbs/indirect1.html

Exercises on reported questions:

http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoEnglish/gr.repqu.i.htm

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/reported-speech/exercises?05

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/reported-speech/exercises?06

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/reported_speech/questions.htm

More practice:
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/absolutenglish-972/notes/pandorabot/askmybot.html

A native speaker of English, however, will often use reporting verbs other than just say, tell and ask. Compare the following:

"I didn't do it!"
He said that he hadn't done it.
He denied that he had done it OR He denied doing it.

"I'll bring the book back tomorrow."
She said that she would bring the book back the following day.
She promised to bring the book back the following day.

"Please will you think about it some more?"
He asked me if I would think about it some more.
He begged me to think about it some more.

"First you should put the money in the slot and then you should press the button."
She said that I should first put the money in the slot and then press the button.
She explained what I should do.


DIFFERENT VERBS TO REPORT
We use reporting verbs to report what someone said more accurately than using 'say' and 'tell'.

verb + infinitive
agree
decide
offer
promise
refuse
threaten

They agreed to meet on Friday.
He refused to take his coat off.

verb + (^.^) + infinitive
advise
encourage
invite
remind
warn

Tom advised me to go home early.
She reminded me to telephone my mother.

verb + gerund
deny
recommend
suggest
They recommended taking the bus.
She suggested meeting a little earlier.

verb + (^.^) + preposition (+ gerund)
accuse someone of
blame someone for
congratulate someone on

He accused me of taking the money.
They congratulated me on passing all my exams.
My brother blamed me for the accident.

verb + preposition + gerund
apologize for
insist on

They apologized for not coming.
He insisted on having dinner.

verb + (that SVC)
admit
agree
decide
deny
explain
insist
promise
recommend
suggest

Sarah decided (that) the house needed cleaning.
They recommended (that) we take the bus.

Exercises on reporting verbs:
http://www.us.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/intermediate/a_grammar/unit12/hwy_int_unit12_2/
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.report3.i.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.report2.p.htm

More practice:
http://www.englishlearner.com/tests/reported_speech_quiz_1.shtml

Past perfect. (the past of the past :P)

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

It is used to sequence the past events in narrations. It helps to show which event heppened first

For example:

1) A: Why didn't you call me?

B. I wanted to call you, but I had spent all my credit. (that happened before "want to call you")

2) He was nervous because he had never dived before.

FORM

[had + past participle]

Affirmative: You had studied English before you moved to New York.

Question: Had you studied English before you moved to New York?

Negative: You had not studied English before you moved to New York.

Exercises:

Recognize past perfect: http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/StudyZone/410/grammar/pastpf1.htm

Work on the form: http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/StudyZone/410/grammar/pastpf2.htm

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/past-perfect-simple/exercises

Simple past and past perfect:

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/pastperfect/exercise1.html

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/pastperfect/exercise6.html

http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/140.html

Simple past and past perfect in context: http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs11.htm

TASK

You are very annoyed with one of your classmates. The teacher asked you to do a project in teams but he is really lazy and irresponsible so you finished doing almost all the project alone because he never finished the work on time.

Tell us what happened.

Example:

"Ronald is really irresponsible! I don't want to work with him anymore.

Before he answered my text message, I had already sent him 3 messages to his cellphone asking him to call me.

I had looked up for new words and I had written a list by the time he sent his list.

He paid for the material that we used in the project after I had asked him many times to pay it."

TAG QUESTIONS

YOU SPEAK ENGLISH, DON'T YOU?

A tag question is a special construction in English. It is a statement followed by a mini-question.
This structure is often used in Spoken English.

INTONATION

WHEN THE QUESTION GOES UP (a real question)
We use it for confirmation. It means something like: "Am I right?" or "Do you agree?"

WHEN THE QUESTION GOES DOWN.
We use it for making conversation, encouraging someone to carry on talking. We mean: "Talk to me".

Here are some mixed examples:

• But you don't really love her, do you?
• This will work, won't it?
• Well, I couldn't help it, could I?
• But you'll tell me if she calls, won't you?
• We'd never have known, would we?
• The weather's bad, isn't it?
• You won't be late, will you?
• Nobody knows, do they?

The basic structure is:

+ Positive statement,	- negative tag?
Snow is white,	isn't it?
- Negative statement,	+ positive tag?
You don't like me,	do you?

Grammar lesson in You tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pttjfRa2Udw

Exercises:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pttjfRa2Udw
http://www.better-english.com/grammar/questiontags2.htm

More info and exercises in different tenses:
http://english-zone.com/index.php?ID=110

Listening exercises

For basic, intermediate and advance students Try this web site!

It includes activities to work on listening and vocabulary.
Authentic material
Variety of topics

http://www.esl-lab.com/

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINOUS vs PRESENT PERFECT

Think of this situation.

Jessica Viviana says:

"I'm an English Teacher. I started to teach English in 2007. That means, I have been teaching English for two years. I have taught 10 different levels."

In this example we are talking about a fact that started in the past (teach English in 2007) and continues up to the present and it is possible that it continues in the future (because that's Jessica's career).

Now, some questions:
1) How long has Jessica been teaching? She has been teaching for two years.
2) How many levels has she taught? She has taught 10 different levels.

In the first question we focus on the TIME, THE DURATION. We answer the question: HOW LONG...?

The grammar tense used to answer this question is called: present perfect continuous.
It is formed:

Affirmative: Subject + has/have + been + verb(ing) + complement.
She has been teaching English for 2 years.

Negative: Subject + hasn't/haven't + been + verb(ing) + complement.
We haven't been eating fat food since we are on a diet.

Question: (Wh- word) + has/ have + subject + been + verb (ing) + complement.
What sport have you been practising recently?

Note: You can use any Wh- word (where, who, what, why) except from: When/How much/ How many...
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/present-perfect-progressive-2
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-progressive/exercises

In the first question we focus on the QUANTITY/ THE RESULT. We answer the question: HOW MANY...? OR HOW MUCH...?
The grammar tense used to answer this question is called: present perfect.

It is formed:
Affirmative: Subject + has/have + verb (past participle) + complement.
She has taught 10 different levels.

Negative: Subject + hasn't/haven't + verb (past participle) + complement.
We haven't done anything.

Question: (Wh- word) + has/ have + subject + verb (past participle) + complement.
How many sports have you practised recently?

Note: You can use any Wh- word (where, who, what, why) except from: When/How long...
We don't use WHEN in the questions, because WHEN ask and answer for a specific time in the past. Therefore, for this question/ answer it is used simple past. Example: When did she start to teach English? She started in 2007.

Use of: for /since.
Because we are talking about actions that started in the past and they are still in progress, we generally use time expressions to express when the action started.
For the present perfect and present perfect continuous we use FOR + a period of time and SINCE +specific date when the action started.
Example:
She has been teaching English since 2007. = She has been teaching English for two years. (now is 2009)

http://www.englishlearner.com/tests/since_or_for.shtml
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-m_for-since_quiz.htm

Present perfect continuous (have/has been doing) vs present perfect (has/ have done)

Emphasis on time vs Emphasis on result
I have been working all night.
I have worked on the project and it is already finished.

Duration vs Quantity
I have been studying French since I was in elementary school.
I have studied French in 5 different schools.

Emphasis on the action vs Emphasis on the result
I have been watching videos to improve my English.
I have improved my Listening-

Verbs of action vs Stative verbs
I have been dating my boyfriend for 2 months. (Here the verb is: date -- a verb of action)
I have been with my boyfriend for 2 months. (Here the verb is: be -- a stative verb)

Other stative verbs: understand, want, love, hate, have (possesion).

Exercises. Present perfect or continuous?
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/prepersim-preperpro/exercises

http://www.aulafacil.com/Ingejerc/Lecciones/Ejerc21.htm


TASK

Talking about a collection...

Do you collect anything?
When did you start to collect it?
How long have you been collecting it?
How many items have you collected?

If you don't collect anything... you can talk about a hobby...

PASSIVE AND ACTIVE VOICE (present and past)

PASSIVE VOICE

The passive voice is used when we want to emphasize the object or person affected by an action. The object or the person receives/ received the action that is why we say they are "passive".

The Passive is formed:

Simple present: always, generally --> Object + am/is/ are + past participle + complement

Example: Umbrellas are used to cover from the rain.

Simple past: event in the past--> Object + was/ were + past participle + complement
Example: Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.

If the agent (the DOER of the action) is important, use "by" to introduce him.
For Example:

Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci

WHEN TO USE PASSIVE VOICE?

• It is often used in business and in other areas (definitions in dictionaries and encyclopedias, school reports, scientific topics) where the object of the action is more important than those who perform the action.

For Example:

We produced over 20 different models in the past two years. (Who produced the models? We DON'T CARE!! :P)

So, it changes to:
Over 20 different models were produced in the past two years.

• If your readers don't need to know who is responsible for the action.

• It used used when we want to sound formal and /or polite.

Example: A mistake was made.

In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).

Passive simple present:
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises

Passive simple past:

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?02

PASSIVE VOICE vs ACTIVE VOICE

Generally, we express our ideas in active voice because for us it is more important the DOER (the person that does the action)
Tim Wilson wrote "The Flight to Brunnswick" in 1987. (Active voice emphasizing Wilson)

However, when we want to emphasize the OBJECT, we have to use passive voice.

"The Flight to Brunnswick" was written in 1987 by Tim Wilson. (Passive voice emphasizing "The flight to Brunnswick")

When we don't know who the doer is/ was, it is preferable to use passive voice instead of active.

For example:

Someone stole my wallet! ...It's OK but sounds better: My wallet was stolen!

Exercises. Active or passive?

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?simple-present-2
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?simple-past-2

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/active_or_passive.htm

TEXT TO COMPLETE WITH ACTIVE OR PASSIVE VOICE

http://faculty.mdc.edu/kbiache/cellphones.htm ABOUT CELLPHONES

http://faculty.mdc.edu/kbiache/canopener.htm ABOUT CANS AND CAN OPENERS

Exercises of transformation active to passive voice:

Remember! When changing to passive, check: 1) Is it in present? or past? 2) Is it singular or plural?

In simple present:

http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/sentences_simple_present.htm

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?simple-present

In simple past:

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive/exercises?simple-past
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/sentences_simple_past.htm

Different tenses:
http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_passive1.htm
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/passive_sentences1.htm

Further grammar explanation:

http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/passivevoice.html

Guessing and making hypothesis

Read this link as an intro: http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blmodalprob.htm

When we aren't 100% of something we want to say about a situation we guess or make hypothesis.

To express it, we use this 'Guessing pyramid':

M U S T ( 99% probable) +
C A N (85%)
M A Y (50%)
M I G H T
COULD (10%) -

CAN'T (100% NO WAY!!!)

GUESSES or PROBABILITIES ABOUT PRESENT SITUATIONS

For example:

I am waiting for Julie with another friend, David. I ask: 'Where is Julie?' David guesses:

She must be on the bus. (I'm almost sure this is a good guess) She could be lost.
She may be in the wrong room.
She can’t be at home. (I'm almost sure this isn't possible)

http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/intermediate/a_grammar/unit09/hwy_int_unit09_1/

GUESSES or PROBABILITIES ABOUT SITUATIONS HAPPENING NOW

For example:
I am waiting for Julie with another friend, David. I ask: Why hasn't Julie arrived? What is she doing?' David guesses:

She must be coming by bus. (I'm almost sure this is a good guess)
She could be working at her office.
She may be eating with her family.
She can’t be partying with other friends! (I'm almost sure this isn't possible)

GUESSES or PROBABILITIES ABOUT PAST SITUATIONS

For example:

You: Where was Julie last night? David guesses:

She must have forgotten about our date.
She might have worked late.
She could have taken the wrong bus.
She may have felt ill.
She can’t have stayed at home.

http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/intermediate/a_grammar/unit09/hwy_int_unit09_2/

Exercises:
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal1.htm
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal4.htm
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal7.htm

TASK

Your English Teacher hasn't come to give classes this week. You went to ask in the coordination but they don't know any information.

What might have happened to her?
Where might she be?
What might she be doing?

Questions with "like"

'Like' is a word frequently used in English - in different ways. Check how it is used.

Ask for physical appearance

What does she look like?

She is good-looking, slim. She has long black hair and big brown eyes. (Notice that the answer doesn't use 'like')

Ask for personality

What is she like ?

She is really friendly and she has an easy-going nature. (Notice that the answer doesn't use 'like')

Tell me about...

What is the weather like ?

It is awful, it hasn't stop raining for the last three days.

Ask for hobbies

What does she like (doing) ?

She likes painting and making things with her hands

Ask about preferences at the moment(more polite that want)

What would you like (to) ?

What would you like to drink? A beer, please

Exercises
http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/intermediate/a_grammar/unit06/hwy_int_unit06_1/
http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/blgrquiz_like.htm
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammarchallenge/pdfs/gc_21_like_quizzes.pdf

PRESENT PERFECT vs PAST SIMPLE

	The present perfect is used when the time period has NOT finished:	I have seen three movies this week. (This week has not finished yet.)
	The simple past is used when the time period HAS finished:	I saw three movies last week. (Last week is finished.)
	The present perfect is often used when giving recent news:	Martin has crashed his car again. (This is new information.)
	The simple past is used when giving older information:	Martin crashed his car last year. (This is old information.)
	The present perfect is used when the time is not specific:	I have seen that movie already. (We don't know when.)
	The simple past is used when the time is clear:	I saw that movie on Thursday. (We know exactly when.)

KEY WORDS (time expressions)

Simple Past	Present Perfect Simple
yesterday ... ago in 1990 the other day last ...	just over the past... all my/his life already up to now until now / till now ever (not) yet so far lately / recently

Past simple or present perfect
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs5.htm
http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs6.htm
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/StudyZone/410/grammar/ppvpast1.htm
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/simpas-preper/tests?test1
http://www.ego4u.com/en/read-on/countries/usa/tour/grand-canyon#exercises
http://a4esl.org/q/f/z/zz29bms.htm
http://esl.about.com/library/quiz/bl_pastorperfect1.htm


TASK

You have to interview a director, actor, writer, singer for the 82th Oscar Award.
Prepare a questionnaire with some questions the audience might be interested to know.

To share this exercise, write your questions and answers the director might give to you.
Example:
Have you won an Oscar award before? No, I haven't but I have won a Grammy award.
When did you win it? I won it three years ago.

CONDITIONALS (Zero, 1st, 2nd and 3rd)

We use the grammar stuctures "conditionals" when we want to talk about conditions and their results.
There are conditionals to express real-life or probable situations (zero conditional and 1st conditional) and to express unreal, imaginary or improbable situations (2nd conditional and 3rd conditional).

Zero conditional
It is used to talk about what you normally do, or what normally happens in real-life situations. To express something that is always or generally true.

When/If simple present + , + present
or
simple present + when/if present

Example:

• If you freeze water, it turns into ice.
• I get tired if I work too much.
• The water boils if you heat it at 100 ºC

http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoEnglish/gr.zero.p.htm
http://perso.wanadoo.es/autoenglish/gr.zero.i.htm
http://www.englishmedialab.com/Quizzes/preintermediate/zero%20conditional.htm
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/0cond1.htm

1st conditional

It is used when you have a situation and you are not sure about its result. You express probable and possible results.

If simple present + ,+ future (will, going to, might)
or
future (will, going to, might) + if simple present

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/1cond1.htm
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences/type-1/exercises
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/1cond2.htm

2nd conditional
It is used to talk about what you would generally do in imaginary situations, dreams or hypothesis about present situations.


If simple past + , + would/could/ might/should
or
would/could/ might/should + if simple past
Examples:

• If I owned a car, I would drive to work. But I don't own a car.
• A: What would you do if you won the lottery? B: I would buy a house
• I would play basketball if I were taller.

http://www.better-english.com/grammar/cond2.htm
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences/type-2/exercises
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences/type-2/exercises?02

3rd conditional
It is used to talk about talk about 'impossible' conditions, impossible because they are in the past and we cannot change what has happened. Dreams or hypothesis about past situations.

If past perfect + , + would/could/ might/should have + (verb in participle)
or
would/could/ might/should have + (verb in participle) + If past perfect

Examples:

• If she had had time, she might have gone to the party (but she didn't have time).
• I would have read more as a child if I hadn't watched so much TV. Unfortunately, I did watch a lot of TV, so I never read for entertainment.
• If Jack had worked harder, he would have earned more money. Unfortunately, he was lazy and he didn't earn much.

http://www.learn4good.com/languages/evrd_grammar/3rdconditional.php3
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences/type-3/exercises
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/3cond1.htm
http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/thirdconditional/exercise1.swf
http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/thirdconditional/exercise1.swf



2nd conditional (present unreal) vs. 3rd conditional (past unreal)
http://www.englishpage.com/conditional/conditional6.htm
http://wwwedu.ge.ch/cptic/prospective/projets/anglais/exercises/condit3.htm
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/allcnd1.htm

zero, 1st, 2nd and 3rd conditional quiz
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-conditional_quiz.htm

1st, 2nd and 3rd conditional quiz
http://www.eflnet.com/grammar/conditionals.php
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences/exercises?05
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences/exercises?06
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/conditional-sentences/cat-and-mouse

MAKE OR DO??

PRACTISE AND HAVE FUN!

http://www.english-online.org.uk/games/makeordo.htm

Future: Present continuous

The present continuous is used to talk about arrangements for future events.

There is a suggestion that more than one person is aware of (knows about) the event, and that some preparation has already happened.

Generally, when you use present continuous you have to include a time expression: tomorrow, at 9 pm, on January 2nd..

E.g.

a. I'm meeting Jim at the airport at 7:oo = and both Jim and I have discussed this.
b. I am leaving tomorrow. = and I've already bought my train ticket.
c. We're having a staff meeting next Monday = and all members of staff have been told about it.

http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/naturalenglish/pre/a_grammar/unit08/nepre_grammar08_2/
http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/beginner/a_grammar/grammarunit14/hwy_begin_unit14_1/

(BE) GOING TO vs. PRESENT CONTINUOUS

We use both grammar structures for plans. However, the difference is the certainty of the plans:

(Be) going to= Intention

vs
Present continuous= Fixed plan

The future with "going to" can be used with plans and also future arrangements. This is the most versatile future form.

"I'm going (to go) to Egypt"

It can mean that I have bought the tickets and made the arrangements. It can also mean that I plan to go to Egypt, but have NOT made arrangements.

"I'm leaving for Egypt"

It means that arrangements have been made (you have called the travel agency, bought the tickets, booked the hotel). You really shouldn't use this form if you are talking about a plan.

English teachers often call the present continuous future form the "diary form" because you can use it for anything written in your diary or agenda.
Example: "Sept 23rd I'm seeing the dentist" <-- Fixed plan = arrangement
http://www2.cambridge.org/interchangearcade/launch.do?activityID=335&level=1&unit=15&type=Cup_word_up&stage=2

For more grammar explanation and exercises check this BBC link:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1530_gramchallenge32/
1. In the first part of the programme, they explain these general rules.
2. In the second part, they practise them with a foreign student: the teacher tries to arrange an English class with her.
3. You can print the written explanation
4. There are two "Practice quiz"

WILL/ (BE GOING TO)/ PRESENT CONTINUOUS

WILL: sudden decisions, predictions, with expressions: I think, I know...
GOING TO: plans and intentions, predictions based on evidence.
PRESENT CONTINUOUS: fixed plans (arrangements), very near future

http://madridteacher.com/Grammar/John/future.htm
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-6874.php
http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:n2JVSEJ3Bj0J:www.gimnazija-prva-os.skole.hr/dokumenti%3Fdm_document_id%3D152%26dm_dnl%3D1+future+forms+exercises&cd=12&hl=es&ct=clnk&gl=mx&client=firefox-a

Verb patterns

1. What are verb patterns?

Sometimes in a sentence, one verb follows another. For example, I want to buy an electric car. The first verb is 'want', the second verb is 'buy'.

In sentences like this, there are different possible patterns. For example:

(a) I want to buy an electric car.

(b) I hate driving.

In sentence A, the first verb is followed by an infinitive (to + verb).

In sentence B, the first verb is followed by a gerund (verb + -ing).

The verb patterns are dependent upon the first verb. There are several different types of pattern. When you learn a new verb, you need to learn the verb pattern. Unfortunately, some verbs have more than one possible pattern! Sometimes, if a verb has two patterns, each pattern can have a different meaning or use.

Here are examples of some of the patterns:

Verb Pattern	Structure	Examples
verb + infinitive	This is one of the most common verb combination forms. ( want, hope, decide, agree..)	I waited to begin dinner. They wanted to come to the party.
verb+ verb (ing)	This is one of the most common verb combination forms. (enjoy, mind, consider ...)	They enjoyed listening to the music. They regretted spending so much time on the project.
verb + verb (ing) OR verb+ infinitive - no change in meaning	Some verbs can combine with other verbs using both forms without changing the basic meaning of the sentence. (start, begin...)	She started to eat dinner. OR She started eating dinner.
verb +verb (ing) OR verb+infinitive - change in meaning	Some verbs can combine with other verbs using both forms. However, with these verbs, there is a change in the basic meaning of the sentence. (regret, stop...)	They stopped speaking to each other. => They don't speak to each other anymore. They stopped to speak to each other. => They stopped walking in order to speak to each other. I regret to tell you this =>I am sorry to tell you this I regret leaving London => I left London in the past, and I am sorry that I did that
verb+object+ infinitive	This is the most common form when a verb is followed by both an object and a verb. (want, need, ask, beg...)	She asked her to find a place to stay. They instructed them to open the envelope.
verb+object+base form (infinitive without 'to')	This form is used with a few verbs (let, help and make).	She made her finish her homework. They let him go to the concert. He helped him paint the house.

To have the a list of verb patterns check the appendix in your student book

2. How can I learn them?

PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE....
This could be:
a) Read texts paying attention to the verb patterns and underline them,
b) Write sentences that are significant for you (funny sentences or sentnces about your friends and family) so they will be easy to remember,
c) Do exercises on line.
e) Carry a photocopy and study it when commuting by metro or microbus :D

http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=verb-patterns
http://www.oup.com/elt/global/products/headway/intermediate/a_grammar/unit06/hwy_int_unit06_2/
http://www.learn-english-today.com/wordgames/hotpot-quizzes/verb-patterns1.html