Tuesday, February 9, 2010

INDIRECT QUESTIONS

I don't know what you are talking about.
Can you tell me what time it is?

FORCING

Make sb do sth.
Have sb do sth.

Get sb to do sth.
Force sb to do sth.

Friday, February 5, 2010

SUBJUNCTIVE

Necessity:
It is important, vital, necessary, essential, crucial..+(that)+subject+bare infinitive+(should)+clause.
e.g. It is crusial that he be on time.
It is necessary that he work hard.


I insist, suggest, recommend...
e.g. I insist that he go there.
I recommend that she buy the flat.
I suggest that we be relaxed at work.

INVERSION

Not only...but also...
e.g. Not only did he cheat on me, but he also yelled at me.

Barely, Hardly, Scarcely...
e.g. Scarcely had I opened the door when I saw him.

Always, Never, In no way...
Under no circumstances...

Only if/after/when..., inverted main-clause.
e.g Only if I see that, will I believe it.

INVERTED CONDITIONALS

FIRST CONDITIONAL
If you see John, sai hi.
Should you see John, say hi.

SECOND CONDITIONAL
If I were you, I would apologize.
Were I you, I would apologize.

THIRD CONDITIONAL
If You had studied, you would have passed.
Had you studied, you would have passed.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

WORDS INSTEAD OF "IF"

FIRST CONDITIONAL

  • If + Present Simple --> will + verb
e.g. If we don't do our homework, our teacher will be furious.
Unless we do our homework, our teacher will be furious.

Provided (that)...
Providing (that)...
As long as...
e.g. Provided that the weather is good, the match will take place as usual.

NOTE: No "will", even if they refer to the future!
If-clause
Time-clause
e.g. If you go Paris make sure you visit the Louvre.


when, while, before, after, as soon as -->
Present Simple, Present Continuous, Present Perfect -->
to refer to the future!!

TIME CLAUSES
While you stay in Paris, make sure you visit the Louvre.
When I am sitting on the beach, I love reading books.
As soon as you have arrived home, please call me.

Monday, February 1, 2010

ESSAY

Compare yourself today and yourself five years ago. In what ways are you the same or different?

All the people as they get older undergo changes. Comparing myself today and five years ago, I find a lot of differences. I believe that I have changed in many aspects personally and professionally.

Five years ago, I was a 20-year-old spontaneous easy-going girl. I was in the second year in the University of Crete. At that time, I did not have any job experience and I was thinking in a difference way. I didn’t care about the future; I was just living for the present. I trusted everyone without taking into account the consequences. I also used to spend money without thinking about how to gain it. I lived in my family’s house and I was totally dependent on my family. Moreover, I was mad about reading books and going to the cinema to watch the latest films.

Five years later, I have evolved into a responsible and mature woman. I have graduated from the University of Crete and I am planning to apply for a postgraduate degree on Economics. Furthermore, I sell products by Avon cosmetics. I don’t gain much money but I make enough money to obtain the cosmetics I need free of charge. That kind of work has a lot of fun because it is a cause to keep in touch with your friends and also to communicate with other people. What is more, I feel more mature and confident. Now, I am thinking a lot before making the next step. As far as my personal life is concerned, today, I am engaged! After, two years of relationship, we decided to live the rest of our lives together. What is more, I have more experience which helps me to make the right decisions. I have, already, bought my own house and I live together with my partner. The only sad thing is that I haven’t got much free time to read books or to go to the cinema or to go on a trip due to today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Generally, I lack the time to do all my hobbies, which I did five years ago.

In conclusion, I reckon that all the things in my life have changed for the best. However, even more changes would be welcome!