We use adverbs of frequency to say how often we do things. Adverbs of frequency go before all verbs EXCEPT the verb to be.
De menos a mas:
Never – hardly ever – rarely (seldom) – sometimes – usually (often)- always
Note 1: Remember that with never and hardly ever we use POSITIVE sentences.
Example:
- We don’t never smoke. (INCORRECT)
- We never smoke.
Note 2: With don’t and doesn’t we use the adverb of frequency after these and before the verb.
Example:
- We don’t usually travel.
Note 3: Sometimes can go at the beginning of the sentence. (Sometimes puede ir al comienzo de una oración)
The adverbs of frequency answer the typical question starting with “How often”.
Examples: 1) How often do you brush your teeth?
I always brush my teeth
2) How often does your mother cook?
She seldom/rarely cooks.
3) How often is Claudio late for class.
He is never late for class
** How often = Con que frecuencia. Para decir la horas exacta uno tambien puede preguntar (What time?) Para responder la hora exacta utilizamos la preposicion “at” antes de la hora.
Ejemplo:
What time do you wake up?
I wake up at 7:00 am.
Let’s Practice
Before we practice we need to learn some common verbs that we do everyday. FIGURA # 1
Complete the sentences with an adverb of frequency
1) They _________ drive. They don´t have a car.
2) I _______ eat turkey. (Only at Christmas)
3) She doesn’t have a watch so she’s _________ late.
4) We __________ get up at 8:00, except Saturdays and Sundays.
5) I ________ play tennis (when I have time)
Unreal Past is the use of past tenses to talk about hypothetical situations. We use Past Simple, to talk about unlikely or unreal situations in the present and future, and Past Perfect for unlikely or unreal situations in the past.
We use Unreal Past in the following:
Unreal or hypothetical conditionals - second, third and mixed
The constructionsI wish ...andIf only ...
Expressing a preference withI'd rather, I'd sooner, I'd prefer, I'd just as soon
Hypothesising withWhat if, supposing, imagine
Expressing a preference with I would rather etc
The expressions would rather, would sooner, would just as soon and would prefer are all used to talk about preference. Sometimes it's about a choice between two things (with than in statements and or in questions), sometimes it's just a case of wanting something to happen or not happen. Would rather is by far the most common of these expressions, with would prefer coming second.
She'd rather jump off a bridge than go and speak to him.
Shall we take the bus, or would you rather walk?
She'd sooner buy a flat than rent one.
I'd sooner not tell Maisie
I'd just as soon not invite him
Wouldn't you just as soon stay in tonight?
Would you prefer to go by train or take the coach?
He'd prefer to keep quiet about the whole affair.
When only the subject is involved, as in the examples above, we use the bare infinitive (1st form), or in the case of prefer, the to-infinitive.
.But when the subject wants someone else to do something, either separately or together with the subject, we use a clause in Unreal Past
I'd rather we kept this to ourselves
Would you rather I didn't come?
She'd sooner we didn't tell Maisie.
We'd sooner he was / were there with us.
We'd just as soon she didn't come.
I'd just as soon you didn't do that.
I think they'd prefer it if I weren't / wasn't at the meeting.
Wouldn't you prefer it if I told her?
Hypothesising with What if, supposing, suppose, imagine
Suppose, supposing and imagine can be used instead of if in real and unreal conditionals, with the same tense forms as if conditionals. Supposing is not used so much in American English.
Suppose he moves his queen to there, it'll be checkmate. - Like a 1st Conditional
Imagine you won the lottery, what would you do? - Like a 2nd Conditional
Supposing we had played better, we might not have lost the match. - Like a 3rd Conditional
Suppose you hadn't gone to university, you wouldn't be working here now. - Like a Mixed Conditional
We can use what if ...? in a similar way, but the condition and result are expressed in two separate sentences.
What if it rains? We'll get soaked. - Like a 1st Conditional
What if you failed your exam? What would you do? - Like a 2nd Conditional
What if we had played better? We might not have lost the match. - Like a 3rd Conditional
What if you hadn't gone to university? You wouldn't be
El Presente Simple es un tiempo verbal que se utiliza para describir acciones habituales que suceden con cierta frecuencia y no hace referencia a si está ocurriendo en el momento actual.
I play tennis. Yo juego al tenis.
(Hace mención de un deporte que realizo cotidianamente y que no necesariamente lo estoy jugando en este momento).
He works in an office. Él trabaja en una oficina.
(Se refiere al trabajo que desarrolla una persona frecuentemente).
They travel to Madrid. Ellos viajan a Madrid.
(Habla de un viaje que se repite a diario, aunque el sujeto no lo esté realizando ahora).
A continuación se muestran las formas afirmativa, interrogativa ynegativa de este tiempo verbal:
En el cuadro superior se ha tomado como ejemplo el verbo PLAY (jugar). Observe que en el modo afirmativo, en la 3º persona del singular, se le añade una "S" al verbo.
He eats vegetables. Él come vegetales.
Alice dances at the theatre. Alice baila en el teatro.
The dog breaks the fence. El perro rompe la cerca.
En el modo interrogativo y negativo se utiliza el auxiliar DO, aunque en la 3º persona del singular se coloca como auxiliar DOES y se le quita la "S" al verbo.
Existen algunos casos particulares como por ejemplo, si el verbo empleado termina en "SS", "SH", "CH", "O" y "X" al formar la 3º persona del singular en la forma afirmativa se le agrega "ES". Aquí vemos algunos ejemplos:
Si el verbo es FISH (pescar), se conjugará: He fishes at the sea. Él pesca en el mar.
Si el verbo es KISS (besar), se conjugará: She kisses to her boyfriend. Ella besa a su novio.
Si el verbo es WATCH (observar), se conjugará: He watches the mountain. Él observa la montaña.
Si el verbo es FIX (arreglar), se conjugará: He fixes his car. Él arregla su coche.
Si el verbo es GO (ir), se conjugará: She goes to the office. Ella va a la oficina.
Otra excepción se presenta si el verbo termina en "Y" tras consonante. Para formar la 3º persona del singular se sustituye esta "Y" por una "i" acompañada de la terminación "ES". Por ejemplo:
Si el verbo es STUDY (estudiar) se conjugará: She studies the lesson. Ella estudia la lección.
Para la forma negativa se puede emplear la forma contraída de DON'T en lugar de DO NOT o DOESN'T en vez de DOES NOT.
I don't play tennis. Yo no juego al tenis.
He doesn't work in an office. Él no trabaja en una oficina.
They don't travel to Madrid. Ellos no viajan a Madrid
Will future expresses a spontaneous decision, an assumption with regard to the future or an action in the future that cannot be influenced.
Form of will Future
positive
negative
question
no differences
I will speak.
I will not speak.
Will I speak?
Use of will Future
· a spontaneous decision
example: Wait, I will help you.
· an opinion, hope, uncertainty or assumption regarding the future
example: He will probably come back tomorrow.
· a promise
example: I will not watch TV tonight.
· Future: “Be Going To”
Introduction
In English, there are many ways of expressing future time. One of the most common is the "be going to" construction. This page will explain the main meaning of “be going to” and show you how to use “be going to” in sentences and questions.
How to form "be going to" sentences
To make a verb form with “be going to”, you first put “be” into the correct form to agree with the subject, and then add “going to” + the simple form of the verb. Note also that the “be” form is often shortened. This table lists the main forms:
Subject
Statement
Question
Negative
I
I am going to leave.
I'm going to leave.
Am I going to leave?
I am not going to leave.
I'm not going to leave.
You
You are going to leave.
You're going to leave.
Are you going to leave?
You are not going to leave.
You aren't going to leave.
You're not going to leave.
He
He is going to leave.
He's going to leave.
Is he going to leave?
He is not going to leave.
He's not going to leave.
He isn't going to leave.
She
She is going to leave.
She's going to leave.
Is she going to leave?
She is not going to leave.
She's not going to leave.
She isn't going to leave.
It
It is going to leave.
It's going to leave.
Is it going to leave?
It is not going to leave.
It's not going to leave.
It isn't going to leave.
We
We are going to leave.
We're going to leave.
Are we going to leave?
We are not going to leave.
We're not going to leave.
We aren't going to leave.
They
They are going to leave.
They're going to leave.
Are they going to leave?
They are not going to leave.
They're not going to leave.
They aren't going to leave.
2. The meaning of “be going to” future forms
“Be going to” is usually used when something is already planned or definite. Look at the difference between these sentences:
I'll make the supper tonight.
(Making a decision/volunteering to do something.)
I'm going to make the supper every Wednesday.
(This is already planned and organized.)
We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.
Examples:
I have seen that movie twenty times.
I think I have met him once before.
There have been many earthquakes in California.
People have traveled to the Moon.
People have not traveled to Mars.
Have you read the book yet?
Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.
How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?
The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate Present Perfect with the following topics:
TOPIC 1 Experience
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
Examples:
I have been to France. This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once, or several times.
I have been to France three times. You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
I have never been to France. This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.
I think I have seen that movie before.
He has never traveled by train.
Joan has studied two foreign languages.
A: Have you ever met him?
B: No, I have not met him.
TOPIC 2 Change Over Time
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.
Examples:
You have grown since the last time I saw you.
The government has become more interested in arts education.
Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.
My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.
TOPIC 3 Accomplishments
We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
Man has walked on the Moon.
Our son has learned how to read.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.
TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting
We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.
Examples:
James has not finished his homework yet.
Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
Bill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn't stopped.
TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times
We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.
Examples:
The army has attacked that city five times.
I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
We have had many major problems while working on this project.
She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.
Time Expressions with Present Perfect
When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.
Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc.
Examples:
Have you been to Mexico in the last year?
I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
They have had three tests in the last week.
She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so far.
My car has broken down three times this week.
NOTICE
"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.
Examples:
I went to Mexico last year. I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.
I have been to Mexico in the last year. I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.
USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)
With Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Present Perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect.
Examples:
I have had a cold for two weeks.
She has been in England for six months.
Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.
Although the above use of Present Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Form the comparative and superlative forms of a one-syllable adjective by adding –er for the comparative form and –est for the superlative.
One-Syllable Adjective
Comparative Form
Superlative Form
tall
taller
tallest
old
older
oldest
long
longer
longest
Mary is tallerthan Max.
Mary is the tallestof all the students.
Max is olderthan John.
Of the three students, Max is the oldest.
My hair is longerthan your hair.
Max's story is the longeststory I've ever heard.
If the one-syllable adjective ends with an e, just add –r for the comparative form and –st for the superlative form.
One-Syllable Adjective with Final -e
Comparative Form
Superlative Form
large
larger
largest
wise
wiser
wisest
Mary's car is largerthan Max's car.
Mary's house is the tallestof all the houses on the block.
Max is wiserthan his brother.
Max is the wisestperson I know.
If the one-syllable adjective ends with a single consonant with a vowel before it, double the consonant and add –er for the comparative form; and double the consonant and add –est for the superlative form.
One-Syllable Adjective Ending with a Single Consonant with a Single Vowel before It
Comparative Form
Superlative Form
big
bigger
biggest
thin
thinner
thinnest
fat
fatter
fattest
My dog is biggerthan your dog.
My dog is the biggestof all the dogs in the neighborhood.
Max is thinnerthan John.
Of all the students in the class, Max is the thinnest.
My mother is fatterthan your mother.
Mary is the fattestperson I've ever seen.
Two-syllable adjectives.
With most two-syllable adjectives, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.
Two-Syllable Adjective
Comparative Form
Superlative Form
peaceful
more peaceful
most peaceful
pleasant
more pleasant
most pleasant
careful
more careful
most careful
thoughtful
more thoughtful
most thoughtful
This morning is more peacefulthan yesterday morning.
Max's house in the mountains is the most peacefulin the world.
Max is more carefulthan Mike.
Of all the taxi drivers, Jack is the most careful.
Jill is more thoughtfulthan your sister.
Mary is the most thoughtfulperson I've ever met.
If the two-syllable adjectives ends with –y, change the y to i and add –er for the comparative form. For the superlative form change the y to i and add –est.
Two-Syllable Adjective Ending with -y
Comparative Form
Superlative Form
happy
happier
happiest
angry
angrier
angriest
busy
busier
busiest
John is happier today than he was yesterday.
John is the happiest boy in the world.
Max is angrierthan Mary.
Of all of John's victims, Max is the angriest.
Mary is busierthan Max.
Mary is the busiestperson I've ever met.
Two-syllable adjectives ending in –er, -le, or –ow take –er and –est to form the comparative and superlative forms.
Two-Syllable Adjective Ending with -er, -le, or -ow
Comparative Form
Superlative Form
narrow
narrower
narrowest
gentle
gentler
gentlest
The roads in this town are narrowerthan the roads in the city.
This road is the narrowestof all the roads in California.
Big dogs are gentlerthan small dogs.
Of all the dogs in the world, English Mastiffs are the gentlest.
Adjectives with three or more syllables.
For adjectives with three syllables or more, you form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.
Adjective with Three or More Syllables
Comparative Form
Superlative Form
generous
more generous
most generous
important
more important
most important
intelligent
more intelligent
most intelligent
John is more generousthan Jack.
John is the most generousof all the people I know.
Health is more importantthan money.
Of all the people I know, Max is the most important.
Women are more intelligentthan men.
Mary is the most intelligentperson I've ever met.
Exceptions.
Irregular adjectives.
Irregular Adjective
Comparative Form
Superlative Form
good
better
best
bad
worse
worst
far
farther
farthest
little
less
least
many
more
most
Italian food is betterthan American food.
My dog is the best dog in the world.
My mother's cooking is worsethan your mother's cooking.
Of all the students in the class, Max is the worst.
Two-syllable adjectives that follow two rules. These adjectives can be used with -er and -est and with more and most.
Two-Syllable Adjective
Comparative Form
Superlative Form
clever
cleverer
cleverest
clever
more clever
most clever
gentle
gentler
gentlest
gentle
more gentle
most gentle
friendly
friendlier
friendliest
friendly
more friendly
most friendly
quiet
quieter
quietest
quiet
more quiet
most quiet
simple
simpler
simplest
simple
more simple
most simple
Big dogs are gentlerthan small dogs.
Of all the dogs in the world, English Mastiffs are the gentlest.
Big dogs are more gentlethan small dogs.
Of all the dogs in the world, English Mastiffs are the most gentle.
Modal verbs do not follow the pattern of normal verbs. They have no past or future and they do not take ‘s’ for the third person singular:
She can sing She cans sing (X).
When speaking in the past or future, we tend to use another verb with a similar meaning. For example: “She must leave” becomes “she had to leave” in the past tense and “she will have to leave” in the future.
It is also possible to follow the modal with have in order to change the tense. Thus, “Ishould eat some lunch” becomes “I should have eaten some lunch”. Note that in this case, the following verb is in the past participle.
Can and could act as pair modals, thus a statement using can in the present becomescould in the past.
I can’t find my wallet > I couldn’t find my wallet.
All modals form their negative by adding not.
I shouldn’t eat chocolate I don’t should eat chocolat (X)
Also, all modals are followed by the base form of a verb without ‘to’.
I could dance I could to dance. (X)
As seen before, modals are used in forming question tags. They are also used in forming short answers to question tags. In this case, the modal is always the same.
Have a look at these examples:
Examples: You can’t pass me the salt, can you? Yes I can.
You wouldn’t let me down, would you? No I wouldn’t.
Each modal performs different functions in a sentence. See below for a chart of those functions:
Los adjetivos posesivos en inglés son: my, your, his, her, its, our, your, their. Hacen referencia a quien posee y no a lo poseído. En general preceden a sustantivos. Aquí encontrarás ejemplos traducidos al español.
Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.
Examples:
I saw a movie yesterday.
I didn't see a play yesterday.
Last year, I traveled to Japan.
Last year, I didn't travel to Korea.
Did you have dinner last night?
She washed her car.
He didn't wash his car.
USE 2 A Series of Completed Actions
We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.
Examples:
I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.
He arrived from the airport at 8:00, checked into the hotel at 9:00, and met the others at 10:00.
Did you add flour, pour in the milk, and then add the eggs?
USE 3 Duration in Past
The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc.
Examples:
I lived in Brazil for two years.
Shauna studied Japanese for five years.
They sat at the beach all day.
They did not stay at the party the entire time.
We talked on the phone for thirty minutes.
A: How long did you wait for them?
B: We waited for one hour.
USE 4 Habits in the Past
The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as "used to." To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.
Examples:
I studied French when I was a child.
He played the violin.
He didn't play the piano.
Did you play a musical instrument when you were a kid?
She worked at the movie theater after school.
They never went to school, they always skipped class.
USE 5 Past Facts or Generalizations
The Simple Past can also be used to describe past facts or generalizations which are no longer true. As in USE 4 above, this use of the Simple Past is quite similar to the expression "used to."
Examples:
She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing.
He didn't like tomatoes before.
Did you live in Texas when you were a kid?
People paid much more to make cell phone calls in the past.
Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted. The interruption is usually a shorter action in the Simple Past. Remember this can be a real interruption or just an interruption in time.
Examples:
I was watching TV when she called.
When the phone rang, she was writing a letter.
While we were having the picnic, it started to rain.
What were you doing when the earthquake started?
I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the fire alarm.
You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the oven off.
While John was sleeping last night, someone stole his car.
Sammy was waiting for us when we got off the plane.
While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went off.
A: What were you doing when you broke your leg?
B: I was snowboarding.
USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption
In USE 1, described above, the Past Continuous is interrupted by a shorter action in the Simple Past. However, you can also use a specific time as an interruption.
Examples:
Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner.
At midnight, we were still driving through the desert.
Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.
IMPORTANT
In the Simple Past, a specific time is used to show when an action began or finished. In the Past Continuous, a specific time only interrupts the action.
Examples:
Last night at 6 PM, I ate dinner. I started eating at 6 PM.
Last night at 6 PM, I was eating dinner. I started earlier; and at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner.
USE 3 Parallel Actions
When you use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence, it expresses the idea that both actions were happening at the same time. The actions are parallel.
Examples:
I was studying while he was making dinner.
While Ellen was reading, Tim was watching television.
Were you listening while he was talking?
I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made several mistakes.
What were you doing while you were waiting?
Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either.
They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.
USE 4 Atmosphere
In English, we often use a series of parallel actions to describe the atmosphere at a particular time in the past.
Example:
When I walked into the office, several people were busily typing, some were talking on the phones, the boss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to be helped. One customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. Others were complaining to each other about the bad service.
USE 5 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"
The Past Continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the idea that something irritating or shocking often happened in the past. The concept is very similar to the expression "used to" but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always" or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:
She was always coming to class late.
He was constantly talking. He annoyed everyone.
I didn't like them because they were always complaining.
While vs. When
Clauses are groups of words which have meaning, but are often not complete sentences. Some clauses begin with the word "when" such as "when she called" or "when it bit me." Other clauses begin with "while" such as "while she was sleeping" and "while he was surfing." When you talk about things in the past, "when" is most often followed by the verb tense Simple Past, whereas "while" is usually followed by Past Continuous. "While" expresses the idea of "during that time." Study the examples below. They have similar meanings, but they emphasize different parts of the sentence.
Examples:
I was studying when she called.
While I was studying, she called.
REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs
It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Past Continuous with these verbs, you must use Simple Past.
Examples:
Jane was being at my house when you arrived. Not Correct
Jane was at my house when you arrived. Correct
1.- Past simple
El "past simple" describe una acción pasada ya finalizada.
When I was young I lived in Madrid (ahora vivo en Barcelona)
2.- Past continuous
Indica que una acción se estaba desarrollando en cierto momento del pasado al cual se hace referencia. No dice si la acción ya finalizó o todavía continuaba.
When the mother came home her husband was playing with the kids (no sabemos si terminó de jugar en ese momento o continuó jugando)
A veces se describen dos acciones simultáneas que tuvieron lugar en el pasado. En dicho caso, se utiliza el "past imple" para describir aquella que finalizó y el "past continuous" para aquella otra que estaba ocurriendo cuando la primera tuvo lugar.
Yesterday evening when you called me I was having a shower
When the parents arrived home the children were watching TV
Otra diferencia entre ambos tiempos es que el "past continuous" se utiliza a veces para indicar que la acción es más casual, menos planificada.
Yesterday morning, from 8 to 10, I was running (algo rutinario, que suelo hacer con frecuencia, por lo que no lo resalto)
Yesterday morning, from 8 to 10, I ran (algo diferente, un tanto extraordinario, por lo que quiero destacarlo)
B2, C1 ACCOUNTING, C1 LAW
WATCH THE VIDEO AND MAKE NOTES TO DISCUSE IN CLASS SOME THINGS HEVEN´T TAUGHT IN CLASS
We use the so-called zero conditional when the result of the condition is always true, like a scientific fact.
Take some ice. Put it in a saucepan. Heat the saucepan. What happens? The ice melts (it becomes water). You would be surprised if it did not.
IF
condition
result
present simple
present simple
If
you heat ice
it melts.
Notice that we are thinking about a result that is always true for this condition. The result of the condition is an absolute certainty. We are not thinking about the future or the past, or even the present. We are thinking about a simple fact. We use the present simple tense to talk about the condition. We also use the present simple tense to talk about the result. The important thing about the zero conditional is that the condition always has the same result.
We can also use when instead of if, for example: When I get up late I miss my bus.
Look at some more examples in the tables below:
IF
condition
result
present simple
present simple
If
I miss the 8 o'clock bus
I am late for work.
If
I am late for work
my boss gets angry.
If
people don't eat
they get hungry.
If
you heat ice
does it melt?
result
IF
condition
present simple
present simple
I am late for work
if
I miss the 8 o'clock bus.
My boss gets angry
if
I am late for work.
People get hungry
if
they don't eat.
Does ice melt
if
you heat it?
First Conditional: real possibility
We are talking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition or situation in the future, and the result of this condition. There is a real possibility that this condition will happen. For example, it is morning. You are at home. You plan to play tennis this afternoon. But there are some clouds in the sky. Imagine that it rains. What will you do?
IF
condition
result
present simple
WILL + base verb
If
it rains
I will stay at home.
Notice that we are thinking about a future condition. It is not raining yet. But the sky is cloudy and you think that it could rain. We use the present simple tense to talk about the possible future condition. We use WILL + base verb to talk about the possible future result. The important thing about the first conditional is that there is a real possibility that the condition will happen. Here are some more examples (do you remember the two basic structures: [IF condition result] and [result IF condition]?):
Use the Simple Past to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.
Examples:
I saw a movie yesterday.
I didn't see a play yesterday.
Last year, I traveled to Japan.
Last year, I didn't travel to Korea.
Did you have dinner last night?
She washed her car.
He didn't wash his car.
USE 2 A Series of Completed Actions
We use the Simple Past to list a series of completed actions in the past. These actions happen 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.
Examples:
I finished work, walked to the beach, and found a nice place to swim.
He arrived from the airport at 8:00, checked into the hotel at 9:00, and met the others at 10:00.
Did you add flour, pour in the milk, and then add the eggs?
USE 3 Duration in Past
The Simple Past can be used with a duration which starts and stops in the past. A duration is a longer action often indicated by expressions such as: for two years, for five minutes, all day, all year, etc.
Examples:
I lived in Brazil for two years.
Shauna studied Japanese for five years.
They sat at the beach all day.
They did not stay at the party the entire time.
We talked on the phone for thirty minutes.
A: How long did you wait for them?
B: We waited for one hour.
USE 4 Habits in the Past
The Simple Past can also be used to describe a habit which stopped in the past. It can have the same meaning as "used to." To make it clear that we are talking about a habit, we often add expressions such as: always, often, usually, never, when I was a child, when I was younger, etc.
Examples:
I studied French when I was a child.
He played the violin.
He didn't play the piano.
Did you play a musical instrument when you were a kid?
She worked at the movie theater after school.
They never went to school, they always skipped class.
USE 5 Past Facts or Generalizations
The Simple Past can also be used to describe past facts or generalizations which are no longer true. As in USE 4 above, this use of the Simple Past is quite similar to the expression "used to."
Examples:
She was shy as a child, but now she is very outgoing.
He didn't like tomatoes before.
Did you live in Texas when you were a kid?
People paid much more to make cell phone calls in the past.
Let your visitors know about news and events on your website as often as possible. You need to keep your website up-to-date so that your visitors will get used to visiting your pages regularly. You can use RSS feeds to deliver new articles directly to your readers.
Our new website has been launched today.
Tell your visitors why you have started a new presentation and how it benefits them. Mention your goals and project advantages. Try to briefly give your visitors reasons why they should return to your pages.
En el cuadro superior se ha tomado como ejemplo el verbo PLAY (jugar). Observe que en el modo afirmativo, en la 3º persona del singular, se le añade una "S" al verbo.
