In North American English, advice is most often given using should.  The advice can be direct when one person talks to another or to themselves, or  indirect when the person isn’t giving the advice to the person, but is saying what he/she believes is the right thing to do.  Should is always followed by the simple form of the verb.

Examples:
You should be more careful crossing the street.  (talking directly to the person)
They should try and save some money for the future.  (saying what you believe is right)
She should tell her father everything.  (saying what you believe is right)

Ought to is not used as much, but sometimes you hear it.

Examples:
You ought to see a dentist about that toothache.
There ought to be a law against that.
I ought to give my daughter a cell phone.

In the negative shouldn’t is used 99% of the time.  Ought not to or ought not are correct but are rarely used.   (NEVER use oughtn’t to)

Examples:
We shouldn’t interrupt his phone call.
We ought not to interrupt his phone call.  (rarely said.)
We ought not interrupt his phone call.  (rarely said.)

You shouldn’t leave your dirty clothes on the floor.
You ought not to leave your dirty clothes on the floor.  (rarely said.)
You ought not leave your dirty clothes on the floor.  (rarely said.)

Her parents shouldn’t dictate what kind of wedding she has.
Her parents ought not to dictate what kind of wedding she has.  (rarely said.)
Her parents ought not dictate what kind of wedding she has.  (rarely said.)

In the interrogative (question form) only should is used.

Examples:
Should we leave for the theater now?
(NEVER: Ought we to leave for the theater now?)

Should I go help them with their move?
(NEVER:  Ought I to go help them with their move?)

Shouldn’t you be studying for your test tomorrow?
(NEVER:  Ought not you to be studying for your test tomorrow?)

Another modal to use for advice is had better or ’d better.  These words are very strong.  When you use them, you are saying that there will be a bad result if the person doesn’t do what you advise.  The simple form of the verb follows.

Examples:
You’d better remember your keys this time.  (Bad result = not being able to unlock doors.)
He’d better pay me back by Friday.  (Bad result = I’ll get angry.)
We had better not be late for class.  (Bad result = The professor won’t like it.)
NOTE:  When people speak, they often drop the middle word and say You better, He better, We better, etc., but don’t write it this way  When writing, always include “had” or ” ‘d.”

If you want to say the result (which is in the future), add or before it.

Examples:
You’d better get here on time, or you’ll miss the beginning of the movie.
She had better not forget to bring the tickets, or we won’t be able to get in.
I’d better get started, or I won’t finish on time.

There are other ways to give advice without using modals.  The first of these is If I were you, I would or just I would.  This is the present conditional (Conditional II), so remember to use were instead of was.

Examples:
If I were you, I would apologize to her immediately.
I would apologize to her immediately.

If I were you, I would place that sofa against the far wall.
I would place that sofa against the far wall.

If I were you, I would think twice about making him jealous.
I would think twice about making him jealous.

A second way to give advice is to say My advice is to.  This is followed by the simple form of the verb.

Examples:
My advice is to start planning your vacation right away.
My advice is to stop complaining and do something.
My advice is to buy a monthly bus pass.

Lastly, you can also give advice after a bad result has already happened.  The past modals should have, ought to have and had better have are used.  These are all followed by the past participle of the verb.

Examples:
You should have finished your homework before you went to bed.
You shouldn’t have wasted all those years.
You ought to have remembered his name.
You ought not to have made them angry at you.
You’d better have apologized to her for saying that.
You’d better not have forgotten the traveler’s cheques.

Study this page and when you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Adjectives and adverbs are similar words but are used differently.  Let’s see how each is used.

Adjectives give more information about a noun (person, place or thing).  They usually have no –ly on the end, except for costly, daily, early, friendly, lovely, monthly, only, timely, weekly, and yearly.  Adjectives are placed before the noun they describe. 

Examples:
There’s an early flight that leaves at 6:00.
Tuesday is the only day I can meet you.
This is a safe place to talk about your feelings.
He cut himself on the sharp edge of the metal.

Adjectives are also placed after the verbs: be, appear, become, feel, look, seem, sound, smell, and taste.  [Notice that there is no action with these verbs.]

Examples:
His uncle is honest.
The road up the mountain appeared long and steep.
I’m feeling a little sick, so I think I’ll stay home.
The decorations for the party look wonderful.
His idea to advertise on-line sounds doable.

Adjectives are also used after make (someone/something).

Examples:
She makes me angry when she does that.
The seafood made everyone ill.
Changing the rules made the game fair for everyone.

Sometimes nouns can also be used as adjectives.

Examples:
There’s a police car parked down the street.
I need to book a hotel room for this weekend.
His father is the school counsellor.
He often plays video games after school.

Past or present participles can also be used as adjectives.

Examples:
The car needed a new steering wheel.
It was a very interesting lecture last night.
They replaced the broken window the following day.
She felt embarrassed to be there.

Adverbs give more information about a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or an independent clause.  Many adverbs are formed by adding –ly to an adjective, such as:  slow – slowly, easy – easily, weak – weakly.  They are placed before the adjective or adverb they modify, but if they end in -ly, they are placed after the verb or before an independent clause.

Examples:
She sings beautifully.
You’re really strong for a girl.
I’m not feeling very well.
Generally, I feel healthy.

Adverbs of frequency, such as always, often, and sometimes, can be placed before the verb.

Examples:
She always waits for me outside the cafeteria.
I often find that people are nice.
They sometimes wonder if we’re a little crazy.

If there are two verbs, the adverb is placed between them.

Examples:
I can really taste the difference between these colas.
She was slowly walking to the exit when I noticed her.
They have stubbornly refused to consider our proposal.

For adverbs that end in –al, like eternal, special, and radical, the ending is –ally (double l).

Examples:
The men were eternally grateful for their rescue.
This car is specially made for handicapped people.
The house was radically different from when he was young.

Some adjectives and adverbs are exactly the same.  They are:  long, far, fast, funny, hard, late, pretty and right.

Examples:
Have you been waiting long?
It’s been a long day.
He can throw the ball far.
It is a far trip to my homeland.
The kids fell asleep pretty fast.
She’s a fast learner.
She dances funny.
That was a funny joke
We all studied hard for the test.
That was a hard lesson to learn.
She comes late every day?
The bus is late again.
The food in the cafeteria is pretty awful.
All the boys think she is pretty.
He did it right.
That’s not the right way

The adjective good and the adverb well can be a problem sometimes.  Use good to modify nouns, and use well to modify verbs and adjectives.

Examples:
She has a good idea for the party.
That soup tasted really good.
I didn’t know you could sing so well.
The trail up the mountain was well used.

To review:  Adjectives and adverbs modify different things.  Adjectives can only modify nouns, but adverbs can modify verbs, as well as adjectives and other adverbs.  The adverb is usually the adjective + ly, but there are exceptions.  Study this page, and when you think you’re ready, take the quiz that follows, and see how well you know this grammar.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Participle adjectives are made from verbs with either an -ing (present participle)  or an -ed (past participle) on the end.  How do you know which one to use?  There are 3 parts to that answer.

First, if the participle adjective is a feeling, then put -ing on the end if something gives you or somebody else that feeling and -ed on the end if you or somebody else have that feeling.  -ING = give the feeling.  -ED = have the feeling

Examples:
That is a boring game.  (The game gives me the feeling of boredom.)
I’m bored with that game.  (I have the feeling of boredom.)
That lecture was interesting.  (The lecture gave me the feeling of interest.)
I was interested in the lecture.  (I had the feeling of interest.)
Her photo was embarrassing.  (The photo gave her that feeling.)
She was embarrassed by the photo.  (She had that feeling.)
The book that he read was depressing.  (The book gave him that feeling.)
He was depressed after reading the book.  (He had that feeling.)

Secondly, there are participle adjectives that are not feelings.  To use these correctly, ask yourself if the object does the verb.  If the answer is yes, then put -ing on the end (present participle.)  If the answer is no, then use the past participle.  Remember that some past participles are irregular and don’t have -ed on the end.

Examples:
The losing team rode home in silence.  (Did the team lose something?  Yes – the game.)
The lost dog was finally found.  (Did the dog lose something?  No.)
He put on two coats in the freezing weather.  (Did the weather freeze something?  Yes – everything outside.)
He tried to warm his frozen hands.  (Did his hands freeze something?  No.)
The circling bees stung him many times.  (Were the bees circling?  Yes – they were circling him.)
The circled words were all misspelled.  (Did the words circle something?  No.)

Thirdly, if something is happening at that same time, then it is the present participle (-ing), but if it happened before, if it was already finished, then it is the past participle (-ed).

Examples:
She heard the sound of boiling water.  (The water was boiling at that time.)
The boiled water was very hot.  (The water had finished boiling.)
The falling snow made driving hazardous.  (The snow was falling at that time.)
The fallen snow was already starting to melt.  (The snow had already fallen.)
The opening curtains made a squeaking sound.  (The curtains were opening.)
The opened curtains signaled that someone was at home..  (The curtains were already open.)

Here is a list of participle adjectives and the verbs they came from:

amaze                                  amazed                                         amazing
amuse                                  amused                                         amusing
annoy                                   annoyed                                       annoying
boil                                         boiled                                            boiling
bore                                       bored                                             boring
circle                                     circled                                           circling
close                                     closed                                            closing
confuse                               confused                                      confusing
delight                                 delighted                                      delightful *
depress                               depressed                                    depressing
disappoint                         disappointed                              disappointing
embarrass                         embarrassed                              embarrassing
excite                                   excited                                           exciting
exhaust                               exhausted                                    exhausting
fall                                         fallen                                               falling
fascinate                            fascinated                                    fascinating
frighten                              frightened                                   frightening
freeze                                  frozen *                                         freezing
frustrate                            frustrated                                    frustrating
horrify                                horrified                                        horrifying
interest                              interested                                    interesting
intimidate                         intimidated                                 intimidating
lose                                       lost                                                   losing
open                                     opened                                          opening
please                                  pleased                                          pleasing
puzzle                                  puzzled                                          puzzling
satisfy                                  satisfied                                        satisfying
scare                                     scared                                            scary *
shock                                    shocked                                        shocking
startle                                  startled                                         startling
surprise                              surprised                                      surprising
terrify                                  terrified                                        terrifying
tire                                        tired                                                tiring
upset                                   upset *                                           upsetting
worry                                  worried                                         worrying

* = irregular forms

Study this lesson, and when you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

When you have two verbs together, what form should the second verb be?  The first answer to this question is on my page on gerunds and infinitives.  The second answer is on my page on verbs of perception.  The third answer is with the causative verbs:  make, let, have, help and get.   These verbs cause someone else to do the second verb.  After these verbs, there is an object (someone else) before the second verb (except sometimes with help.)  With all the causatives but get, the second verb is in the simple form (the infinitive without to.)  Let’s look at each of these causative verbs separately.

Make:  means to force someone to do something they don’t want to.

Examples:
My parents made me go to summer camp every summer against my wishes.
Her brother made her stay out of the tree house when he was there.

Let:  means to give someone permission to do something.

Examples:
He let his son drive the car for the first time last Saturday.
Please let me stay a little while longer.

Have:  means to ask or order someone to do something.

Examples:
She had the painters start with the two bedrooms on the second floor.
The sergeant had all his men do a five-mile run at the end of every day.

When the verb after have repeats or continues for a long time, you can use the present participle.

Examples:
My boss had me working everyday from 8:00 pm. to 3:00 am.  (Working was a long, continuous action.)
My boss had me work on Sunday last weekend.  (Work was only that one time and not repeated.)

The news had them jumping for joy.  (Jumping was repeated.)
The coach had the team jump over the fence.  (They jumped once.)

When have is used in the passive voice, the second verb is a past participle.

Examples:
She had her hair restyled at Maxime’s across the street.
Will you have the flowers sent straight up to our room when they arrive, please.

Help:  means to do a job that benefits someone else.  There doesn’t have to be an object.

Examples:
He helped clean the kitchen after breakfast.
Everyone helped us move into our new apartment.

After help, you can also use the infinitive with no difference in meaning.  There doesn’t have to be an object.

Examples:
He helped to clean the kitchen after breakfast.
Everyone helped us to move into our new apartment.

Get:  means to ask, order, trick, or pay.  However, the second verb is not in the simple form.  It is in the infinitive form (with to.)

Examples:
Johnny got his brother to hide under the bed.
She got the teacher to agree to give her more time for the project.

When get is used in the passive voice, the second verb is a past participle.

Examples:
He got his car painted after the accident, and now it looks almost new.
We have to get it done by the end of the day.

There are other causative verbs like allow, cause, convince, pay, permit, require, etc., but they are always followed by the infinitive.

Examples:
They allowed the prisoner to go to his wife’s funeral.
She paid the gardener to take good care of her flowers.
The law requires us to have a Visa for that part of the world.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Many students confuse these six adverbs, so here is an explanation of how to use them.

Very means a lot.  It is used before adjectives and adverbs to make them stronger.  It is the opposite of a little.

Examples:
I know he’s going to be very tired after his long trip.  (He’s going to be much more than a little tired.)
We are both very interested in science.  (We’re much more than a little interested.)
She learns very quickly.  (She learns more quickly than normal.)

In the negative very doesn’t mean a lot.  It means nothing, but people like to use it anyway.

Examples:
She doesn’t know him very well.  (She doesn’t know him well.)
They don’t have very much money.  (They don’t have much money.)
I’m not a very good singer.  (I’m not a good singer.)

Also, you can say very very, which makes it even stronger.

Examples:
She knows me very very well.
I’m very very proud of you.

Really has the same meaning as very, but really can be used before an adjective, an adverb and a verb.

Examples:
She was really tired, so she went to bed.
He walked home really slowly.
I really like this city.

NOTE:  You cannot say:  I very like this city.  Very cannot be used before a verb but only before an adjective or an adverb.

Also, you can say really really, which makes it even stronger.

Examples:
She is a really really good athlete.
I was really really sad to hear the bad news.

Quite is also strong and means the same thing as very and really.  Like really, it is used before adjectives, adverbs and verbs.

Examples:
I’ve been quite tired these past couple days.
She sings quite beautifully.
We quite like that painting, so we’re going to hang it in the living room.

Pretty is a little less strong than very.  It is used before adjectives and adverbs but not before verbs.

Examples:
This soup tastes pretty bad.  (which is not as bad as very bad)
I think she sings pretty well.  (which is not as well as very well)
I’m pretty tired after a long day of skiing.  (which is not as tired as very tired)

So is stronger than very.  Use it when very isn’t strong enough.  It is used before adjectives, adverbs but not before verbs.

Examples:
I’m so tired of hearing the neighbors argue.  (more than very tired)
She talks so fast that sometimes I don’t understand what she says.  (more than very fast)
We’re so glad you decided to come work for us.  (more than very glad)

Also, use so (adjective/adverb) that when a reason or a result is stated.  You can drop that if you want to.

Examples:
They were so grateful that we had helped them.  (Our helping them was the reason they were grateful.)
She sang so beautifully people in the audience started to cry.  (People starting to cry was the result of her singing.)
You were so excited that you had won the contest.  (Your winning the contest was the reason you were excited.)

Too is the strongest, and is used when something cannot be done.  The thing that cannot be done starts with to.  You don’t have to state what cannot be done, however, if it was stated earlier.  It is used before adjectives, adverbs but not before verbs.

Examples:
They were too tired to play another game.  (Playing another game could not be done.)
They were walking too slowly to get to school on time.  (Getting to school on time could not be done.)
It’s too late to do anything about it.  (Nothing can be done.)

BUT NOT:  The team was too excited about their win.  (Nothing cannot be done.)
CORRECT:  The team was very/really/so excited about their win.

So let’s review:

Very goes before an adjective or an adverb but NOT a verb.  It is strong.

Really can go before an adjective, an adverb or a verb.  It is just as strong as very.

Quite can go before an adjective, an adverb or a verb.  It is just as strong as very.

Pretty can go only before an adjective or an adverb.  Use it to make the word a little stronger.  It is the weakest of the six words.

So is used when very isn’t strong enough.  It is used before an adjective or an adverb.  It’s also used when a reason or result follows.

Too is used when something cannot be done.  That thing starts with to.  It is used before an adjective or an adverb.

Study this page and when you’re ready, do the exercise below.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

There are 4 ways you can use adjectives and adverbs to compare 2 things.

1.  The first way is to add “-er” to the end of one-syllable adjectives or adverbs.  Also put than right before the second thing you’re comparing.

The pattern is:  A [verb] _____er than B 

Examples:
My brother is stronger than you think.
His sister falls asleep faster than he does.
The house on the corner is older than yours.

• If the second thing being compared is not stated afterwards, do not use than.

Examples:
I know your father is tall, but mine is taller.  (There’s no than your father after taller.)
(BUT:  My father is taller than your father.)
He works hard, but his brother works harder. (There’s no than he works after harder.)
(BUT:  His brother works harder than he works.)

• If a one-syllable adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, then double the consonant when adding –er.  If a 2-syllable adjective ends in one vowel and one consonant, and the accent is on the last syllable, then double the consonant when adding –er.

Examples:
They live in a bigger house than we do.  (big:  i (vowel) + g (consonant))
Susan is fatter than her sister.  (fat:  a (vowel) + t (consonant))
I need to be thinner to fit into those pants.  (… thinner than I am to fit …)  (thin:  i (vowel) + n (consonant))

• There are 3 irregular adjectives: good, bad, and far.  The comparative forms are better, worse, and farther (or further.)
• There are 3 irregular adverbs:  well, badly and far.  The comparative forms are better, worse, and farther (or further.)

Examples:
This is a better book than the last one.
This restaurant is worse than the last one we ate at.
Nepal is a farther (further) destination than Egypt.
She’s feeling better today than she did yesterday.
He did worse on his exam than you did.
They live farther (further) away than we do.

• If an adjective has 2 syllables ending with a y, change the y to i and then add –er.

Examples:
The driving test is easier than you think.
Her parents are friendlier than his are.
His brother is lazier than he is.

2. The second way to make a comparison is with “more.”

The pattern is:  A [verb] more _____ than B

• Most 2-syllable adjectives take more.

Examples:
Sandra was always more mature than her sister.
He’s already more skillful than he was before.
I’ve always been more honest with you than you’ve been with me.

• However, the following 2-syllable adjectives use –er or more but not both at the same time.

able        angry        clever       common       cruel        friendly       gentle        handsome       narrow       pleasant       polite       quiet       simple       sour

Examples:
He keeps getting more handsome every time I see him.  (…more handsome than he was before…)
He keeps getting handsomer every time I see him.
Tattoos are more common nowadays than they used to be.
Tattoos are commoner nowadays than they used to be.
Life was more simple in those days.  (…than life these days.)
Life was simpler in those days.

• All other 2-syllable adjectives take more.

Examples:
I want you to be more careful than you usually are.
He needs to learn to be more social if he wants to make friends.  (… more social than he is now…)
The students were more nervous before this test than before any of the others they’ve taken.

• All adjectives with 3 or more syllables use more.

Examples:
He was more intelligent than his older brother.
That toothpaste is more effective than the other one.
The film about penguins was more interesting than anything else we saw.

• Exception:  The adjective fun can be used 2 different ways:

Fun as an adjective:
This is a more fun way to do the job.
This is a funner way to do the job.

Fun as a noun can only be used one way:
This is more fun than we’ve had in years.

• All adverbs with -ly  use more.

Examples:
She learns more quickly than anyone else in the class.
He makes friends more easily than I do.
They drive more carefully when the children are in the car.

• Exception:  Although early ends in -ly, it’s not like other -ly adverbs.
My brother gets up earlier than I do.  (NOT: more early than…)

• To give more information about how big the difference is, use much, a lot, or far to say the difference is big.  Use a little, a bit, or a little bit to say the difference is little.

Examples:
I was much more hard-working at your age than you are.
She’s a lot easier to talk to than your mother.
Vancouver is far bigger than Victoria.
I’m a little more confident this time than last time.
She’s a bit taller than her twin sister.
His friend is a little bit more experienced than he is.

• You can also use more alone with no adverb.

Examples:
She loves him more than me.
My uncle gave my sister more than he gave me.
I got a better mark because I studied more than you did.

• With the verbs BE and DO, there is an educated and an informal way to state the second thing that is compared.

Examples:
He’s very organized, but she’s more organized than he is. (educated)
He’s very organized, but she’s more organized than him. (informal)
NOT:  He’s very organized, but she’s more organized than he. (too formal)
She’s not cleverer than I am. (educated)
She’s not cleverer than me. (informal)
NOT:  She’s not cleverer than I.  (too formal)
We were more afraid of losing than they were.  (educated)
We were more afraid of losing than them.  (informal)
NOT:  We were more afraid of losing than they.  (too formal)
They did better at bowling than we did.  (educated)
They did better at bowling than us.  (informal)
NOT:  They did better at bowling than we.  (too formal)

3. The third way to make a comparison is with “less.”

The pattern is:  A [verb] less _____ than B

Examples:
The new model was less popular than the old one.
She uses bad language less often than her brother does.
Your muffins were far less tasty than last time.   (…than your muffins last time.)

• You can also use less with no adjective or adverb.

Examples:
Her commuting time is a lot less than it used to be.
My brother studied a little less than I did.
That number was less than I thought.

• Don’t use less with one-syllable adjectives.  Instead, use not as _____ as.

(See one-syllable adjective examples below.)

• Use less for things that are singular (uncountable), but use fewer for things that are plural (countable.)  If you want to sound educated, learn when to use less and when to use fewer.  You’ll speak English with better grammar than many native speakers who have forgotten the difference.

Examples:
He has less hair than he used to have.  (“hair” is uncountable.  You cannot say “hairs.”)
They made fewer mistakes than last time.  (“mistakes” is countable because it is plural.)
NOT:  They made less mistakes than last time.  (Although many people say this, it is still considered incorrect.)
I used to have a lot of patience, but now I have less.  (“patience” is uncountable.  You cannot say “patiences.”)
She prefers frozen yogurt because it has fewer calories than ice cream.  (“calories” is countable because it is plural.)
NOT:  She prefers frozen yogurt because it has less calories.

4. The fourth way to make a comparison is with as ____ as

The pattern is:  A [verb] as _____ as B.  

Examples:
His uncle is as strong as a horse.
He gets up in the morning as early as I do.
This knife is as sharp as a razor.

• In the negative  A [verb] not as _____ as B  means that A is less _____ than B, and you can make the comparison both ways.

Examples:
I’m not as energized today as I was yesterday.
I’m less energized today than I was yesterday
This book wasn’t as interesting as the one I read last week.
This book was less interesting than the one I read last week.
Her present boss is not as demanding as her former boss.
Her present boss is less demanding than her former boss.

• However, with one-syllable adjectives, most English speakers use not as _____ as

Examples:
He was not as far out to sea as he thought.
(NOT often used:  He was less far out to sea than he thought.)
He didn’t do as well  as he thought he would.
(NOT often used:  He did less well than he thought he would.)
Our cookies are not as sweet as our competitor’s.
(NOT often used:  Our cookies are less sweet than our competitor’s.)

• You can drop the last as if the second part of the comparison doesn’t follow.

Examples:
Now that she lives near the school, she doesn’t have to walk as far.  (…as far as she used to walk.)
I know you paid over $65,000 for your car, but my car was not as expensive.  (…not as expensive as your car.)
I really enjoyed this movie.  The last one we saw wasn’t as good.  (… wasn’t as good as this movie.)

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

The conditional is used when a result depends on something else to happen first, when something else is required before a result can happen.  There are 4 conditionals – a  general, a future, a present, and a past.  To learn this grammar, you need to memorize a pattern first.  You will see this pattern in the examples below.

The general conditional:

This conditional is used when the same action always produces the same result.

The pattern in the present is:  present simple or present continuous in the if (dependent) clause, and the present simple in the main (independent) clause.

Examples in the present:
If it is raining, I always take my umbrella.  (Every time it rains, I take my umbrella.)
If it’s Tuesday, it’s my turn to make dinner. (I always make dinner on Tuesdays.)
If water freezes, it expands  (This is a scientific fact, so it always happens.)
If she is going for a walk, she always takes her dog.  (Every time she goes for a walk, she takes her dog.)

Examples in the past:
If I brought flowers to my wife, she was happy.  (She was always happy when I brought her flowers.)
If she cheated on a test, she felt guilty.  (Every time she cheated, she felt guilty.)

Note:  All these examples can also use when in place of if (but then it’s no longer a conditional sentence.)

Example:
When it’s raining, I always take my umbrella.
When it’s Tuesday, it’s my turn to make dinner.
When I brought flowers to my wife, she was happy.
When she cheated on a test, she felt guilty.

The future conditional, also known as conditional I or the future possible:

This conditional is used when the result is a real possibility in the future.

The pattern is:  simple present in the if clause, and one of the future tenses in the main clause.  The future can be expressed by will, going to, the present continuous, or the future continuous.

Examples:
If I win the lottery, I will travel around the world first class.
If Maria studies hard, she’s going to pass.
If we finish our project, we’re eating out tonight.
If he wins the game, he‘ll be celebrating all night.

In the main clause, in addition to will (and the other futures) you can also use can for ability, may for possibility, should for advice, and must (or have to) for necessity.

Examples:
If I earn enough money this summer, I can travel to Europe in the fall.  (I will have the ability to travel to Europe.)
If he drives all day, he may be too tired to go out with us.  (There is the possibility that he will be tired.)
If Alicia’s tooth continues to hurt, she should see her dentist.  (Advice for Alicia.)
If you see this missing girl anywhere, you must call the police immediately.  (It is necessary to call the police if you see her.)

The present conditional, also known as conditional II or the present unreal:

This conditional is used for a result you can only imagine because the action that could produce that result is not real.

The pattern is:  simple past in the if clause, and would + simple verb form in the main clause.

Examples:
If I had more money, I would live in a better apartment.  (But I don’t have more money.)
If they visited us more often, they would get to know us better.  (But they don’t visit us very often.
If Peter stopped smoking, he would have more energy.  (But Peter isn’t going to stop smoking.)
If he lost his wedding ring, his wife would never forgive him.  (But he hasn’t lost his ring.)

In the main clause, in addition to would you can also use could for ability, might for possibility, should for advice and would have to for necessity.

Examples;
If I got a second job, I could earn enough money to buy a car.  (I will have the ability to earn enough money.)
If she started wearing makeup, she might look prettier.  (There is a possibility of looking prettier.)
If Bryan hurt his knee, he should go to the nurse’s office.  (Advice for Bryan.)
If we arrived late, we would have to report to the office before going to class.  (When we were late, it was necessary to report to the office.)

Note:  If the verb in the main clause is be, then was changes to were.

Examples:
If I were you, I would tell him the truth.
If my father were here, he would know what to do.
If your boyfriend were serious, he would ask you to marry him.

One last thing about all these conditionals.  In all the examples above, the If clause is before the main clause, and there’s a comma ( , ) at the end of that clause.  You can also state the conditional with the if clause after the main clause with no comma used.

Examples:
I always take my umbrella if it’s raining.
I’ll travel around the world first class if I win the lottery.
I would live in a better apartment if I had more money.

Here is a summary of the 3 patterns:

General conditional  (Conditional O):

If it rains, I always take my umbrella.

Future conditional  (Conditional I):

If it rains tomorrow, I’ll take my umbrella.

Present conditional  (Conditional II):

If it rained, I would take my umbrella.

Review these 3 conditionals, and then do the exercises below.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

The imperative is a verb that has no subject.  The verb is always in the simple form.  You can be talking to one person or more than one person, but the verb doesn’t change.  To make it negative, put don’t or do not before the verb.  If you need to be clear about whether you’re talking to one person or more than one, add you guys, people, you two, you three, etc.

The imperative is used in five ways:

1. To give an order:

•  Wait here for me, you two.

•  Don’t forget to lock the door.

•  Go away, you guys.

You can make orders more polite by adding please.

•  Please don’t make all that noise.  I’m trying to study.

•  Close the window, please.  I’m cold.

•  Please wait for me while I open an account.

2. On signs that give orders:

•  Don’t walk

•  Insert the correct change

•  Do not use this exit

3. To give instructions:

•  Don’t open the test booklet until I say so.

•  Go three blocks north and then turn left onto Georgia Street.

•  Squeeze the sides of the cap as you unscrew it.

4. To make an invitation:

•  Drop by tomorrow afternoon, and we’ll go for coffee.

•  Please join us for dinner.

•  Make yourself comfortable.

5. To give advice:

•  Go home and be with your family.

•  Get some sleep and we’ll talk tomorrow.

•  Speak to your husband, and tell him how you feel.

There is a group of expressions of quantity that can be singular or plural depending on the prepositional phrase that follows.  These words are: plenty, lots, a lot, all, some, most, a great deal, none, (fractions) and (percentages.)  If the noun in the prepositional phrase is a countable word that is plural, then the expression of quantity is plural and the verb is also plural.  If the noun in the prepositional phrase is an uncountable word, which cannot be made plural, then the expression of quantity is singular and the verb is also singular.  Look at these examples:

Plenty of   

Plenty of patience is required for this job..
(‘patience‘ is uncountable, which makes plenty singular, so the verb is singular.)

Plenty of spare parts are kept in the garage.
(‘spare parts‘ is countable, which makes plenty plural, so the verb is plural.)

Plenty of the food I have eaten was unhealthy.
(‘food’ is uncountable, which makes plenty singular, so the verb is singular.)

Plenty of my friends know it’s my birthday.
(‘friends’ is countable, which makes plenty plural, so the verb is plural.)

(WRONG:  Plenty food …)

Lots of / A lot of   

Lots (A lot) of money changes hands at a market.  (‘money’ is uncountable.)

Lots (A lot) of people change their minds.  (‘people’ is countable.)

Lots (A lot) of the information we received was too late.  (‘information is uncountable.)

Lots (A lot) of his jokes were not very funny.  (‘jokes’ is countable.)

(WRONG:  Lots food, A lot food …)

All

All mammals produce milk .  (‘mammals’ is countable.)

All of the work needs to be redone.  (‘work’ is uncountable.)

All of our answers were right.  (‘answers’ is countable)

(WRONG:  All of work …)

Some 

Some students have exams next week.  (‘students’ is countable.)

Some of the time passes quickly.  (‘time’ is uncountable.)

Some of the police cars were parked in the driveway.  (‘police cars’ is countable.)

(WRONG:  Some of vehicles …)

Most

Most people in Europe speak more than one language.  (‘people’ is countable.)

Most of his advice is very good.  (‘advice’ is uncountable.)

Most of the students I know have smart phones.  (‘students’ is countable.)

(WRONG:  Most of people …)

A great deal of 

A great deal of energy gets lost in exercise.  (‘energy’ is uncountable.)

A great deal of hikers get lost in the mountains.  (‘hikers’ is countable.)

A great deal of our time was spent fishing.  (‘time’ is uncountable.)

A great deal of the products we use come from Asia.  (‘products’ is countable.)

None of 

None of the advice is good.  (‘advice’ is uncountable.)

None of his solutions seem to work.  (‘solutions’ is countable.)

(NOTE: In British English, “none” is considered singular no matter what follows.)

(WRONG:  None advice …)  (but “No advice” is correct)

(WRONG:  None of advice …)

Fractions and percentages have the same grammar:

Two thirds of the test was based on the textbook.  (‘test’ is singular.)

Three quarters of the students were prepared for the test.  (‘students’ is plural.)

Sixty percent of the land is desert.  (‘land’ is singular.)

Eighty percent of the towns are located along the coast.  (‘towns’ is plural.)

A way to remember these words is to remember PLASMAN.  This is what the first letters of all these words spell.  P= plenty, L= lots/ a lot, A= all, S= some, M= most, A= a great deal, N= none

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Adverbs of frequency and time list

also                       already          always           ever            hardly          
hardly ever          never             often              rarely          soon          
sometimes           seldom           still                usually        yet

If there’s only one verb, all the above adverbs go before the verb:

We usually play poker on Thursday nights.  (See exception 1)
She sometimes feels a little depressed, especially on holidays. (See exception 2)
In Vancouver we often have rainy weather.
I seldom go to bed before eleven o’clock. (See exception 4)
I hardly ever see my old friends since I started university. (See exception 4)

If the verb is BE, all the above adverbs go after it.

We were never late for a meeting. (See exception 4)
He’s usually shy around women.
I ‘m not yet ready to tell you my secret. (See exception 3)
Are the children still awake?
You are often late for class. (See exception 1)

If there is a modal, all the above adverbs go after the modal and before the main verb:

She should always remember to lock the door.
My friends and I can often tell if she’s lying.  (See exception 1)
Would you ever lie to your best friend?
She may also be a member of the club. (See exception 1)
They could rarely stay away from a party. (See exception 4)

If there are two-word verb tenses, all the above adverbs go between the two:

He’s soon going to realize his mistake. (See exception 1)
I’ve already seen that movie twice. (see exception 3)
Have you ever met someone famous?
We had never seen a prettier sunset.  (See exception 4)
He hasn’t yet called the police. (See exception 3)
I will still take care of you when you’re old.

Exception 1:

Also, often, soon and usually are not only placed like all the others but are also used at the beginning or at the end of the clause:  

She also wants me to help her on Saturday.
Also, she wants me to help her on Saturday.
She wants me to help her on Saturday, also.

I often skip breakfast because I don’t have time to eat.
Often I skip breakfast because I don’t have time to eat.
I skip breakfast often because I don’t have time to eat.

He soon became the best player on the team. 
Soon he became the best player on the team.
He became the best player on the team soon.

She is usually in bed by this hour.
Usually, she‘s in bed at this hour.
She‘s in bed at this hour usually.

Exception 2:

Sometimes is not only placed like all the others but is also used at the beginning of the clause, end of the clause, or after the verb:

She sometimes feels a little depressed, especially on holidays. 
Sometimes she feels a little depressed, especially on holidays. 
She feels a little depressed sometimes, especially on holidays. 
She feels sometimes a little depressed, especially on holidays.

He sometimes worries about his sister all alone in New York.
Sometimes he worries about his sister all alone in New York.
He worries about his sister all alone in New York, sometimes.
He worries sometimes about his sister all alone in New York.

Exception 3:

Yet and already are not only placed like all the others but are also used at the end of the clause:

I’m not yet ready to tell you my secret.
(OR: I’m not ready yet to tell you my secret.)
I ‘m not ready to tell you my secret yet. 
He has already called the police.
He has called the police already. 

Exception 4:

In very formal English the negative adverbs – hardly ever, never, rarely, and seldom – can be at the beginning of a sentence.  Notice that the subject and verb are inverted.

Hardly ever do I see my old friends since I started university. 

Never were we late for a meeting.

Rarely could they stay away from a party.

Seldom do I go to bed before eleven o’clock.

Study this lesson, and when you think you’re ready, do the following exercise.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot