English grammar
Headlines: invades (= has invaded), to close (= will close)
Understand newspaper headlines: present simple for news, to + verb for the future.
From the scene Headline English
In short
Headlines use the present simple for something that has just happened, to + verb for the future, and drop little words.
Your turn
Which one goes with a change → present simple?
Options: Film crew invades Calle del Pez · Calle del Pez to close for a month · Eighty-year-old neighbour becomes a star
Show answer
a change → present simple → Eighty-year-old neighbour becomes a star
How it works
Headlines save space: the present simple reports something that has just happened (Film crew invades Calle del Pez = has invaded), to + verb means it will happen (Street to close = will close), and little words like a, the and is disappear.
Good to know
If you ask me is how you give your own opinion (never according to me).
just happened → present simple Film crew invades Calle del Pez
Javi
"Film crew invades Calle del Pez."
"Calle del Pez, invadida por el cine."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"(blank)."
Options: Eighty-year-old neighbour becomes a star · Calle del Pez to close for a month · Film crew invades Calle del Pez
Show answer
Javi
"Film crew invades Calle del Pez."
"Calle del Pez, invadida por el cine."
a change → present simple Eighty-year-old neighbour becomes a star
Javi
And here's another story: "Eighty-year-old neighbour becomes a star."
Y aquí hay otra noticia: "Vecina de ochenta años, convertida en estrella".
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And here's another story: "(blank)."
Options: Eighty-year-old neighbour becomes a star · Film crew invades Calle del Pez · Calle del Pez to close for a month
Show answer
Javi
And here's another story: "Eighty-year-old neighbour becomes a star."
Y aquí hay otra noticia: "Vecina de ochenta años, convertida en estrella".
future → to + verb Calle del Pez to close for a month
Nuria
And look here: "Calle del Pez to close for a month."
Y mirad aquí: "La calle del Pez cerrará durante un mes".
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And look here: "(blank)."
Options: Calle del Pez to close for a month · Film crew invades Calle del Pez · Eighty-year-old neighbour becomes a star
Show answer
Nuria
And look here: "Calle del Pez to close for a month."
Y mirad aquí: "La calle del Pez cerrará durante un mes".
your own opinion if you ask me, it's the best newspaper in Spain
Elena
If you ask me, it's the best newspaper in Spain.
Según yo, es el mejor periódico de España.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: If you ask me, it's the best newspaper in Spain · Film crew invades Calle del Pez · Eighty-year-old neighbour becomes a star
Show answer
Elena
If you ask me, it's the best newspaper in Spain.
Según yo, es el mejor periódico de España.
Common mistake
Not closing to or to closed here. It will happen.
And look here: "Calle del Pez to close for a month."
Y mirad aquí: "La calle del Pez cerrará durante un mes".
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| just happened → present simple | Film crew invades Calle del Pez |
|---|---|
| a change → present simple | Eighty-year-old neighbour becomes a star |
| future → to + verb | Calle del Pez to close for a month |
| your own opinion | if you ask me, it's the best newspaper in Spain |
More lines from the story
- JaviLook at this. We're in the newspaper!Miren esto. ¡Salimos en el periódico!
- NuriaWhat does the headline say?¿Qué dice el titular?