A2 English - Elementary

The A2 curriculum, unit by unit

13 levels and 156 grammar points, in the order Leo teaches them. Each unit lists its must-know forms with a real example - the supporting points are covered inside the stories.

1. A2.1 The past tense opens up: verbs, negatives, questions 12 points

   past simple — irregular, second wave

   She bought a red coat. I left my bag on the bus. He told me the truth.

   bought, brought, thought, found, left, felt, told, wrote, gave, ran, sat, put, met, knew, heard, kept, lost, sent

   past simple — negative didn't

   I didn't spend a lot of money. You didn't come to my party.

   didn't + base form (never didn't + -ed)

   past simple — questions Did...?

   Did you buy something yesterday? — Yes, I did.

   Did + subject + base form + ? — short answers Yes, I did. / No, I didn't.

   sequencing first / then / after that / later / finally

   First we went to Naples. Then we visited Pompeii. Finally we stayed a week in Capri.

   connectors at the start of the clause

2. A2.2 Setting the past scene: what was going on, what cut in 12 points

   past continuous — affirmative

   I was waiting for you all evening. They were playing outside.

   was / were + verb-ing

   past continuous + past simple with when / while

   It was raining when I arrived. While I was walking home, I saw a fox.

   While + past continuous, past simple. | Past continuous when + past simple.

   questions with wh- in the past

   What did you do yesterday? Where did you go? Why did she leave?

   wh- + did + subject + base form

   time clauses when / while / before / after / until

   When I bought my computer, the price was high. Wait here until I come back.

   conjunction + clause, before or after the main clause

3. A2.3 Describing people, things and feelings 12 points

   adjective after look / feel / sound / smell

   You look tired. It sounds strange. The soup smells good.

   perception verb + adjective (not an adverb)

   too + adjective

   It's too small for me. The box was too heavy to carry.

   too + adjective (+ for + person / + to + verb)

   possessive pronoun mine / yours / his / hers / ours / theirs

   This bag is mine. Is this yours? Hers is the red one.

   possessive pronoun on its own, with no noun

4. A2.4 Comparing and naming the best 12 points

   comparative with more + long adjective

   It was more expensive than the other one. You must be more careful.

   more + adjective of 2+ syllables

   comparative + than (extended)

   It's smaller than my old phone. The weather was hotter than in Paris.

   comparative adjective + than + noun / pronoun

   superlative with the + -est

   It's the biggest beach in Europe. She was the happiest person there.

   the + short adjective + -est (+ spelling rules -iest, double consonant, -st)

   superlative with the most

   Football is the most popular sport here. It is the most famous place in the city.

   the most + adjective of 2+ syllables

5. A2.5 Counting, quantifying, linking 12 points

   much / many in negatives and questions

   We didn't have much money. Were there many people? So many games!

   much + uncountable, many + plural (especially in negatives and questions)

   the, or no article, with uncountables and plurals

   I like music. (general) — The music was too loud. (specifique)

   zero article = general | the = specific and identified

   there is / there are + quantifier

   There's a lot of people there. There is some information about the class.

   There is + some/a lot of + uncountable | There are + a lot of/some/any + plural

6. A2.6 Plans: what is already decided 12 points

   be going to — affirmative and negative

   I'm going to wear them on vacation. We aren't going to wait.

   be + going to + base form (+ negative isn't going to)

   be going to — questions

   What time are you going to arrive? Are you going to tell her?

   be + subject + going to + base form | What are you going to do?

   present continuous for a scheduled appointment

   I'm meeting Tom at six. We're having dinner at 7pm. They're going back on Sunday.

   be + -ing + future time marker

7. A2.7 The future and commitment: promising, offering, following on 12 points

   will — negative won't and questions

   I won't be late. Will you come with me?

   will not / won't + base | Will you...? / What will you do?

   will vs be going to

   The bag is heavy — I'll carry it. (spontane) / I'm going to carry it, I decided. (plan)

   will = decision made on the spot, promise, opinion-based prediction | going to = plan already made, visible evidence

   when / if + present simple with future meaning

   I'll call you when I get home. If I need a camera, I'll use my phone.

   when / if + present simple, main clause in the future (never will in the subordinate clause)

   to + infinitive of purpose

   I went out to buy some bread. She stood up to see better.

   verb + to + base form (= in order to do something)

8. A2.8 What you have to do: obligation, prohibition, advice 12 points

   have to / has to — external obligation

   This weekend I have to go to a party. My mom has to work on Saturday.

   have / has to + base form

   must — felt necessity

   We must hurry, we are late. I must call my parents.

   must + base form (invariable)

   should / shouldn't — advice and suggestion

   You should buy this one. We should go there together. You shouldn't worry.

   should / shouldn't + base form

9. A2.9 Conditions, possibilities and wishes 12 points

   zero conditional — if + present, present

   If I have spare time, I always read a book. If you press this, the light goes on.

   If + present simple, present simple (general truth or habits)

   first conditional — if + present, will

   If you help me, I will finish quickly. I'll wait if you want.

   If + present simple, will + base form (either order)

   would like / would prefer / would love to

   I'd love to have a pen-friend in Japan. I'd prefer to go on Sunday. Would you like to play tennis?

   'd like / 'd prefer / 'd love + to + base | Would you like to...?

10. A2.10 Linking: relative clauses, indefinites, possession 12 points

    defining relative with who

    It's about a girl who went to the war. I'd like a pen-friend who likes music.

    noun (person) + who + verb

    defining relative with that / which

    The team that I like is called 'The Monkeys'. I bought clothes that I will need.

    noun (thing) + that / which + verb

    indefinite pronoun someone / anyone / everyone / no one

    Someone stole my bag. Is there anyone here? Everyone was happy. Nowhere to go.

    indefinite pronoun + singular verb | + -thing / -where on the same pattern

    prepositions of time (extended)

    It rained during the night. Wait until six. The shop is open from nine to five.

    during, until, before, after, from... to

11. A2.11 Experience: the present perfect 12 points

    present perfect — affirmative

    I have seen the Eiffel Tower. She's been to Japan three times.

    have / has + past participle (regular -ed + irregular seen, been, done, made, gone, met, eaten)

    present perfect — experiences with ever / never

    Have you ever seen a whale? — No, I've never seen one.

    Have you ever + past participle ? | I have never + past participle

    present perfect with just / already / for

    I've just arrived. She has already eaten. We've lived here for two years.

    have + just / already + past participle | for + duration

    already / yet / still

    She has already left. Are you ready yet? He's still waiting.

    already in mid position | yet at the end of a negative or interrogative sentence | still in mid position

12. A2.12 Reporting speech and thought 12 points

    verbs of thinking think / hope / know / remember / believe

    I think that it begins on Monday. I hope you enjoy your vacation.

    verb + (that) + clause

    that-clause after say / think / know / hope

    My mother said that she can help us. I think it begins on Monday.

    verb + (that) + clause — that often omitted

    reported speech with said

    She said that she was tired. He said he would come later.

    said (that) + clause, with pronoun shift

    yes/no question with auxiliary and modals

    Are you coming? Have you finished? Can she drive? Did they leave?

    be / have / do / modal + subject + verb ?

13. A2.13 Verb patterns and the passive 12 points

    verb + to + infinitive (extended)

    I hope to go to England. Please remember to bring your toothbrush. She decided to stay.

    decide, hope, try, forget, remember, promise, learn, start, want, need + to + base

    verb + -ing (extended)

    We enjoy playing the piano. He finished eating. Stop shouting!

    enjoy, finish, stop, keep, mind, practice + verb-ing

    -ing as subject or object (the gerund)

    Swimming is my favorite sport. I love reading. Walking home takes ten minutes.

    verb-ing in subject or object position

    preposition + -ing

    She's good at drawing. Before leaving, he closed the window. Thanks for helping.

    preposition + verb-ing (never + infinitive)

How to actually get through A2