Prepositional Verbs March 21, 2009

Just a little note on prepositional verbs. I’ve noticed lately a lot of Spaniards saying “Listen me” when what you mean is: “Listen TO me”.

There are plenty of others like this, for example;

• want to
• have to
• like to

You should keep a note of these in your vocab journal as you find them.

IN vs ON March 20, 2009

SO my students had some questions about this in class last night, so I thought to add a link… Check out this great explanation for
IN, AT & ON: (Opens in a new window)

Using Adverb Clauses with Time Expressions March 1, 2009

Using Adverb Clauses with Time Expressions

These type of clauses are often called “time clauses” in English grammar books and follow specific patterns. Take a look at the chart below to study the various usage of different time expressions.

Punctuation

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses. Example: As soon as he arrives, we will have some lunch.. When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma. Example: He gave me a call when he arrived in town.

For more information about how to use these words click on the link for an explanation of the usage.

Adverb Clauses with Time

When	He was talking on the phone when I arrived. When she called, he had already eaten lunch. I washed the dishes when my daughter fell asleep. We’ll go to lunch when you come to visit.	‘When’ means ‘at that moment, at that time, etc.’. Notice the different tenses used in relationship to the clause beginning with when. It is important to remember that ‘when’ takes either the simple past OR the present – the dependent clause changes tense in relation to the ‘when’ clause.
Before	We will finish before he arrives. She (had) left before I telephoned.	‘Before’ means ‘before that moment’. It is important to remember that ‘before’ takes either the simple past OR the present.
After	We will finish after he comes. She ate after I (had) left.	‘After’ means ‘after that moment’. It is important to remember that ‘after’ takes the present for future events and the past OR past perfect for past events.
While, as	She began cooking while I was finishing my homework. As I was finishing my homework, she began cooking.	‘While’ and ‘as’ mean ‘during that time’. ‘While’ and ‘as’ are both usually used with the past continuous because the meaning of ‘during that time’ which indicates an action in progess.
By the time	By the time he finished, I had cooked dinner. We will have finished our homework by the time they arrive.	‘By the time’ expresses the idea that one event has been completed before another. It is important to notice the use of the past perfect for past events and future perfect for future events in the main clause. This is because of the idea of something happening up to another point in time.
Until, till	We waited until he finished his homework. I’ll wait till you finish.	‘Until’ and ’till’ express ‘up to that time’. We use either the simple present or simple past with ‘until’ and ’till’. ‘Till’ is usually only used in spoken English.
Since	I have played tennis since I was a young boy.	‘Since’ means ‘from that time’. We use the present perfect (continuous) with ‘since’. ‘Since’ can also be used with a specific point in time.
As soon as	He will let us know as soon as he decides (or as soon as he has decided).	‘As soon as’ means ‘when something happens – immediately afterwards’. ‘As soon as’ is very similar to ‘when’ it emphasizes that the event will occur immediately after the other. We usually use the simple present for future events, although present perfect can also be used.
Whenever, every time	Whenever he comes, we go to have lunch at “Dick’s”. We take a hike every time he visits.	‘Whenever’ and ‘every time’ mean ‘each time something happens’. We use the simple present (or the simple past in the past) because ‘whenever’ and ‘every time’ express habitual action.
The first, second, third, fourth etc., next, last time	The first time I went to New York, I was intimidated by the city. I saw Jack the last time I went to San Francisco. The second time I played tennis, I began to have fun.	The first, second, third, fourth etc., next, last time means ‘that specific time’. We can use these forms to be more specific about which time of a number of times something happened.

zSB(3,3)

Future Time Clauses March 1, 2009

Time Conjunctions (while, as, when, as soon as, until, before, after, by the time, once) go with the TIME CLAUSE.

They can be put either at the beginning of the sentence, or in between the two clauses (except for UNTIL, which always goes between).

The verb in the MAIN CLAUSE is in the FUTURE, whereas the verb in the TIME CLAUSE is in the present.

There is a comma after the TIME CLAUSE if it is put first. EG:

As soon as you come to my office, I will tell you the truth.

I will tell you the truth as soon as you come to my office.

DOWNLOAD THIS GREAT POWERPOINT EXPLANATION

Conditionals February 14, 2009

Zero Conditional (will definitely happen)

If + Present Simple + Present Simple.

If you don’t drink water for 6 days, you die.

First Conditional (is possible)

If + Present Simple + modal verb (will,can,could,may) = is used for REAL POSSIBILITIES

When + Present Simple = FUTURE EVENTS which are CERTAIN

If/Unless + Present Simple (without modal) = FUTURE EVENTS which are UNCERTAIN

As soon as = happens immediately

If you read English outside class, you’ll improve more quickly.

Second Conditional (is possible on condition)

If + Past Simple + would

If I could live anywhere, I would live in Australia.

Third Conditional (is not possible)

If + Past Perfect + would have + past participle

If I had’ve studied art, I would’ve been an art teacher.

*~*~*~*~

OK, now you have learnt about conditionals, what kind of sentences are these?

If this weather keeps up, we’ll get more of it.

I would’ve if I could’ve but I couldn’t so I didn’t.

If you don’t eat, you don’t shit, and if you don’t shit, you die.

These are typical Australian expressions that my grandfather used to say when I was a child. Now, there’s a little slice of my culture for you!