Skip to main content

Posts

Level 12 = Conditionals _ Were to

  Were to Were to" is used to describe that the conditional "if" clause is very unlikely to happen. Only "if" is used with "were to" conditionals because it is describing a hypothetical or imaginary situation. You cannot use "when" in these sentences. Were to – Present If + were to + simple present Would + be Examples: ·          If I  were to call  my ex-boyfriend, I  would regret  it. ·          If she  were to keep  the money she found on the sidewalk, she  would feel  guilty. ·          If he  were to be  dishonest, I  would be  very shocked. He always tells the truth. Were to – Past If + were to have + past participle Would + have Examples: ·          If I  were to have told  everyone her secret, she  would have ended  our friendship. ·          If she  were to have caused  the accident, she  would have never  forgiven herself. ·          If he  were to have r
Recent posts

Level 12 = Conditionals _ Mixed Conditionals

  Mixed Conditional Sometimes conditional sentences can be a combination of two clauses each referring to different times. These are called mixed conditionals. The "if" clause is not the same time as the result clause. Mixed Conditionals - Present Unreal and Past Unreal If + simple past clause Would have + verb   Examples: ·          If I  were prepared , I  would have given  the presentation. ·          If I  understood  Spanish, I  would have watched  the movie without subtitles. ·          If I  read  the book, I  would have participated in the discussion. Mixed Conditionals - Present Unreal and Future Unreal If + simple past clause Would + verb Would have + verb (hypothetical result) If + simple past clause Would + be + present participle Examples: ·          If I  were  happy at work, I  would not be quitting  so soon. ·          If I  made  more money, I

Level 12 = Conditionals _ Future in the past

  Future in the Past Future in the past uses two verb forms: "would" and "was/were going to". The future in the past expresses a past idea of something you thought would happen in the future. You can use both verb forms to make statements of what you thought would or was/were going to happen in the future. Both forms are used to make predictions about the future. However, the event or action may or may not actually happen. The two verb forms will give the sentence different meanings. Future in the Past - Using "Would" "Would" is used to indicate talking in the past about what someone promised or offered to do. Simple past clause Would + verb   ·    I knew Sean would  buy everyone dinner. ·    Peter said he would  be late. ·    Paul said he would  sign the contract and he did. ·    She promised she would  call last night. Future in the Past - Using "was/were going to" "Was/were going t

Level 12 = Miscellaneous Grammar Points _ Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clause

  Restrictive Clauses A restrictive clause functions like an adjective. It is used to further identify the noun it is modifying. It provides additional information for the noun it is describing. Without a restrictive clause, the sentence will appear to be missing important information. Commas are not necessary when using a restrictive clause. ·    The boy  who broke the vase  was very apologetic. ·    The dog  that ate my garden vegetables lives next door. ·    The bike  that I won at the raffle  got a flat tire. ·    I am going to the movies with the boy  who is in my math class . ·    The essay  which you worked on yesterday was accidentally deleted. Nonrestrictive Clauses A nonrestrictive clause functions like an adjective. It is used to further identify the noun it is modifying. It provides additional information for the noun it is describing. However, it is not necessary for the sentence to be clear. A nonrestrictive clause is separated by a comma or placed in

Level 12 = Miscellaneous Grammar Points _ Adjective _ Adverb and Noun Clauses

  Adjective, adverb, and noun clauses contain a subject and a verb. They function as adjectives, adverbs, and nouns using pronouns or subordinating conjunctions. Adjective Clauses An adjective clause is also known as a relative clause. It contains a subject and a verb but it does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. This clause provides a description and functions as an adjective. Adjective clauses are placed after the noun it is modifying. Adjective clauses start with a pronoun. ·    The kids  who live in this neighborhood  take the bus to school. (Modifies kids) ·    Sean  who is my best friend  lives in that house. (Modifies Sean) ·    The dog  that ate my garden vegetables lives next door. (Modifies dog) ·    Maria  whose father is a Spanish professor is my Spanish tutor. (Modifies Maria) ·    The bike  that I won at the raffle  got a flat tire. (Modifies bike) Adverb Clauses An adverb clause provides a description and

Level 12 = Miscellaneous Grammar Points _ Independent Clauses and Dependent Clauses

  A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. A clause can be a complete or incomplete thought. A complete thought is called an "independent clause". Independent clauses are complete sentences. An incomplete thought is called a "dependent clause". Dependent clauses are not complete sentences. Independent Clauses An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It is independent and can stand alone as a complete sentence. ·    The kids walk to school. ·    Sean lives in a house. ·    The dog sees a bone. ·    Maria speaks Spanish. ·    The children play in the park. Dependent Clauses A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but it does not express a complete thought. It is dependent on a main clause and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Dependent clauses start with a subordinate conjunction. ·    When kids walk to school ·    Where Sean lives ·    Because the dog

Level 12 = Miscellaneous Grammar Points _ Subjunctive Mood

  A mood shows the writer's attitude toward what he or she is saying. "Subjunctive mood" expresses a doubtful condition (contrary to fact) and is sometimes used with the "if" clause. It can express wishes, doubts, suggestions, conditions, possibilities, etc. A verb in the subjunctive mood may have a different form. Subjunctive Mood - Common verbs The following verbs often attract the subjunctive mood: ask, doubt, recommend, suggest, wish, insist, order, commend, request, and demand. ·    I suggest that you hire a lawyer. ·    I doubt we will see her at the party. Subjunctive Mood - Verb form using "Were" Also in subjunctive mood sentences, the "be" verb in past tense "were" is used instead of "was" even with "I", "he", "she", or "it". It is grammatically incorrect to use "was" in these sentences Incorrect:  If I was you, I would take any offer. Correct: