PRE UNIT – UNTIL MARCH 18TH

TENSES REVISION

THE FUTURE
THE PAST
THE PRESENT PERFECT
REPORTED SPEECH

There are two ways to report what someone says or thinks:

Direct Speech

Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words
that a person used.

Example

Hai asked, "Where are you going?"

Manny replied, "I'm going home."

Reported Speech

Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are
usually used. In reported speech, the reader does not assume that the words are the speaker's exact words; often,
they are a paraphrase of the speaker's words.

Example

Hai asked Manny where he was going.

Manny said he was going home.

Note: Use of the word "that" is optional in reported speech. Both of the following sentences are correct:

 The child said that they were lost.

 The child said they were lost.

Verb Tense in Reported Speech

When you report what someone said in the past, you usually shift back a verb tense from the tense the speaker
used. These are some examples of verb shifts:

 simple present to simple past

 past to past perfect

 present perfect to past perfect

Quotation Reported Speech

"I am hungry." She stated that she was hungry.

"I saw them leave." Aidan said that he had seen them leave.

"Where have they gone?" Felicite wondered where they had gone.
Quotation Reported Speech

"Will you help me?" I asked Silvio if they would help me.

"I can't remember your name." Soungyoung said she couldn't remember my name.

"The exam will be next week." Dr. Park said the exam will be next week.*

*If the reported information is still true, you may use the same tense.

Questions in Reported Speech

Word order: The word order in a reported question is the same as in a statement. The subject comes before the
verb.

 Question: Are you ready?

 Statement: I am ready.

 Question in reported speech: She wanted to know if I was ready.

Punctuation: If the sentence is a statement, end it with a period even if it contains a reported question.

 Statement containing a reported question: She asked me what I thought of the book.

 Question containing a reported question: Did she ask what you thought of the book?

Yes or No Questions

To change a yes/no question to a noun clause in reported speech, introduce the noun clause "if" or "whether."
"Whether or not" may also be used.

Quotation Reported Speech

"Did you turn off the coffee pot?" I asked Evelyn if she had turned off the coffee pot.

"Is supper ready?" Dakhon wanted to know whether supper was ready.

"Will you be at the party?" Hildene asked me whether or not I would be at the party.

Emra wondered whether she should tell Hai the news.

"Should I tell her the news?" Emra wanted to know if she should tell Hai the news.

Emra asked whether or not she should tell Hai the news.

Information Questions
To change an information question to a noun clause in reported speech, begin the noun clause with the question
word and remember to use sentence word order.

Quotation Reported Speech

"Where do they live?" Abdul wanted to know where they live.

"What time is it?" Do you know what time it is?

"Why did you say that?" Pedro asked me why I had said that.

"Where will you stay?" Have you decided where you will stay?

Pronouns

The person who is reporting what someone said is usually different from the person who made the original
statement. As a result, pronouns in reported speech often change.

Quotation Reported Speech

"I am hungry." Hongzia said she was hungry.

"Where will you be?" Anastasia wanted to know where I would be.

"Have you seen my glasses?" Aiden asked me if I had seen their glasses.

Place and Time

Changes in the situation between direct and reported speech can result in changes to words indicating place and
time.

Quotation Reported Speech

"I don't like this book." Seon said he didn't like that book.

"I'll see you tomorrow" (spoken on Thursday) Michiko said she would see me yesterday. (reported on Saturday

Recommend and Suggest

The subjunctive, or base, form of the verb (no tense, without "to") is used in reported speech when the main verb is
"recommend" or "suggest."

Quotation Reported Speech

Quotation Reported Speech

"You should arrive early." Alex recommended that we arrive early.

"Don't wait to apply." Hai recommended that I not wait to apply.

"Shema should call me." I will suggest that Shema call you.

Infinitives

Infinitives (to + the simple form of the verb) may sometimes be used instead of noun clauses, especially in
commands and in requests for action or permission.

Commands

Commands can be reported two ways:

 A noun clause with a modal (usually "should")

 An infinitive

Quotation Reported Speech

Mom said we should call her when we get home.

"Call me when you get home."
Mom said to call her when we get home.

My father told me that I should plan ahead.

"Plan ahead."
My father told me to plan ahead.

Requests for Action or Permission

Requests for action or permission can be reported two ways:

 A noun clause with "if"

 An infinitive

Quotation Reported Speech

Action: She asked if I would carry the box for her.

"Will you carry the box for me?" She asked me to carry the box for her.

Permission: Durand asked if he could make an appointment.

"Can I make an appointment?" Durand asked to make an appointment.

THE PASSIVE VOICE

The passive voice is not grammatically incorrect, but rather it is a stylistic choice. Many writers use the passive voice
in formal texts to shift the emphasis in a sentence, to explain step-by-step processes, in technical writing, or to
compliment writing strategies. The passive voice is used to emphasize the person or object that experiences an
action (also called a direct object), rather than emphasizing the person or object that performs the action. In other
words, the most important thing or person in the sentence becomes the focus of the sentence
HAVE SOMETHING DONE

CONDITIONALS

Conditionals describe the result of a certain condition. The if clause tells you the condition (If you study hard) and
the main clause tells you the result (you will pass your exams). The order of the clauses does not change the
meaning.

If you study hard, you will pass your exams.

You will pass your exams if you study hard.

Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.

Zero conditional
We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially for laws and rules.

If I drink too much coffee, I can't sleep at night.

Ice melts if you heat it.
When the sun goes down, it gets dark.

The structure is: if/when + present simple >> present simple.

First conditional

We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or possible.

If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.

Arsenal will be top of the league if they win.
When I finish work, I'll call you.

In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually: if/when + present simple >> will + infinitive.

It is also common to use this structure with unless, as long as, as soon as or in case instead of if.

I'll leave as soon as the babysitter arrives.

I don't want to stay in London unless I get a well-paid job.
I'll give you a key in case I'm not at home.
You can go to the party, as long as you're back by midnight.

Second conditional

The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality.

If we had a garden, we could have a cat.

If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a big house in the country.
I wouldn't worry if I were you.

The structure is usually: if + past simple >> + would + infinitive.

When if is followed by the verb be, it is grammatically correct to say if I were, if he were, if she were and if it were.
However, it is also common to hear these structures with was, especially in the he/she form.

If I were you, I wouldn't mention it.

If she was prime minister, she would invest more money in schools.
He would travel more if he was younger.
What is a Conditional Sentence?

A conditional sentence is based on the word ‘if’. There are always two parts to a conditional sentence – one part
beginning with ‘if’ to describe a possible situation, and the second part which describes the consequence. For
example:

If it rains, we’ll get wet.

We can also invert the two parts of a conditional sentence so that the ‘if’ part comes second, and this is especially
common in questions. For example:

What will you do if you miss the train?

How can you finish the project if you don’t have a computer?

What happens if the students don’t pass an exam?

There are four types of conditional sentences:

0 – The zero conditional

1 – The first conditional

2 – The second conditional

3 – The third conditional

It is also possible to mix the second and third conditional. Let’s look at each conditional to see how we use them.

The Zero Conditional

We use the zero conditional to talk about permanent truths, such as scientific facts, and general habits. The
structure is simple:

Here are some examples:

If you heat water to 100°, it boils.

If you eat a lot, you put on weight.

If it doesn’t rain for a long time, the earth gets very dry.

If we go out with friends, we normally go to a restaurant.

If I’m tired, I go to bed early.

The First Conditional

We use the first conditional to talk about a realistic situation in the present or future. The structure of the first
conditional is as follows:

Here are some examples:

If you’re free later, we can go for a walk.

If they’re hungry, I’ll make some sandwiches.

If you’re not back by 5pm, give me a ring.

If he studies hard, he’ll do well in the exam.

If we arrive late, we must get a taxi.

He’ll call if he needs help.

Take a break if you’re tired.

Another way to make first conditional sentences is to use ‘unless’ which means ‘only if’ or ‘except’. As with ‘if’, the
word ‘unless’ can never be followed by ‘will’ but only by the present simple. For example:

Unless you hurry up, you won’t catch the bus.

I’ll carry on doing this work, unless my boss tells me to do something else.

We’ll stay at home unless the weather improves.

The Second Conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about improbable or impossible situations in the present or future. Here is
the structure:

For example:

If I had more time, I’d exercise more. (But I don’t have more time so I don’t.)

If I were rich, I’d spend all my time travelling. (But I’m not rich so I can’t.)

If she saw a snake, she’d be terrified.

If he didn’t have to work late, he could go out with his girlfriend.

What would you do if you were offered a job in Canada?

You wouldn’t have to walk everywhere if you bought a bike.

A common expression used to give advice has the second conditional structure. The expression is ‘If I were you,
I’d..’, meaning ‘in your situation, this is what I would do’. For example:

A: I’ve got a headache.

B: If I were you, I’d take an aspirin.

A: I don’t understand this.

B: If I were you, I’d ask your teacher for help.

A: This order won’t be delivered on time.

B: If I were you, I’d phone the customer to let them know.

The Third Conditional

We use the third conditional to talk about impossible situations, as in the second conditional, in the past. We often
use the third conditional to describe regrets. The structure is:

Here are some examples:

If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on time.

If you hadn’t forgotten her birthday, she wouldn’t have been upset.

If they had booked earlier, they could have found better seats.

If I hadn’t learnt English, I wouldn’t have got this job.

What would you have studied if you hadn’t done engineering?

They wouldn’t have hired you if you hadn’t had some experience abroad.

You could have helped me if you’d stayed later.

Mixed Conditionals

It’s possible to combine the second and third conditional in one sentence when we want to make a hypothesis
about the past that has a consequence in the present. In this case, the structure is:

Here are some examples:

If you’d studied harder, you’d be at a higher level now.

We’d be lying on a beach now if we hadn’t missed the plane.

They’d have much more confidence if they hadn’t lost so many matches.

What would you be doing now if you hadn’t decided to study?

Now you’ve seen all the English conditionals, start practicing by using them whenever you can. Make some of your
own examples following the structure patterns written. If you practice, using conditionals will become easy!

MODAL VERBS

A modal verb (also called a modal auxiliary verb) is used along with a main verb to express possibility, ability,
permission, or necessity. For example, in the statement “you must leave,” “must” is a modal verb indicating that it’s
necessary for the subject (“you”) to perform the action of the verb (“leave”).

The modal verb “will” is used to form the future tense, indicating an action that has not yet occurred (e.g., “I will
clean the garage”).

Examples: Modal verbs in a sentenceWe should listen to some music.

Can you drive me to the airport?

Amanda might practice her German.

Modal verbs are used along with a main verb to indicate ability, necessity, possibility, and permission. In sentences
containing modal verbs, the main verb typically takes the infinitive form. Modal verbs come before main verbs and
never change form.

Examples: How to use modal verbsI might walk to work today.

You may have as many cookies as you’d like.

Lina must order tickets in advance if she wants to go to the theater.

Modal verb Function Example

Can Indicate ability Javi can play the guitar.

Indicate possibility We can drive or walk.

Indicate permission (informal) You can borrow that book.

Make a request (informal) Can I have some water?

Could Past form of “can” She could speak French.

Indicate possibility You could become a chef.

Make a polite request Could you tell me the time?

May Indicate possibility Dana may arrive late.

Indicate permission (formal) You may enter.

Make a request (formal) May I respond?

Might Indicate possibility I might order pizza.

Must Indicate obligation Cyclists must wear helmets.

Indicate likelihood You must be very proud.

Shall Indicate a future action (normally used only with “I” and “we”) I shall attend.

Ask a question (normally used only with “I” and “we”) Shall we arrange a meeting?

Should Make a suggestion You should watch that film.

Indicate likelihood Tom should be at the office.

Will Indicate a future action or event Fay will book the venue.

Make a polite request Will you get the door?

Would Past form of “will” She would often work late.

Make a polite request Would you call back later?

Modal verbs and auxiliary verbs

Modal verbs are classed as a type of auxiliary verb. Auxiliary verbs are used along with a main verb to express tense,
mood, or voice. However, unlike modal verbs, regular auxiliary verbs follow subject-verb agreement and must be
conjugated for tense and mood.
Examples: Auxiliary verbs in a sentenceMary was building a sandcastle.

Gordon has burned the toast.

Do you know what time it is?

Modal verbs can be used along with auxiliary verbs to refer to possible past, continuous, or future action.

When a modal verb is followed by another auxiliary verb (e.g., “have,” “be”), the main verb takes either the past
participle form (typically ending in “-ed,” “-n,” or “-t”) or the present participle form (ending in “-ing”).

The modal verb “will” is used in all aspects of the future tense (e.g., “I will talk,” “you will be traveling”).

Examples: Modal and auxiliary verbs combinedHe should have asked me first.

You may be wondering what I mean.

Farrah will have finished work by then.

Modal verbs and mood

The grammatical mood of a verb indicates the intention of the sentence. Modal verbs and auxiliary verbs are used
along with a main verb to express mood.

Grammatical Function Example

mood

Indicative State a fact “Lana is drinking coffee.”

Imperative Express a command or a request (often with a “Don’t forget to call.”

negative auxiliary verb)

Interrogative Ask a question “Would you open the window?”

Conditional Express a condition “You should leave now if you want to get
the bus.”

Subjunctive Express a wish, doubt, or hypothetical situation “If you were free, we could watch a
movie.”