English: May 2014

Quotes Kit: Good Morning Quotes

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Past continuous / past progressive

Past continuous or past progressive is one of the tenses we are going to study this year. The following chart summarises the most important aspects you'll have to learn:

Form:

First, the right form of be is placed after the subject: am, is or are.
Then the -ing form of the verb is needed, but remember the rules to form the gerund.
A time reference is often included at the end of the sentence.

My friends were talking to the director.
I was waiting for the bus when I saw a taxi.
Sean wasn’t having breakfast at 8 am; he was reading.
He wasn't doing his homework at half past six.
Were you playing tennis? I can't believe it.

Uses:

Talking about what was happening at a specific time in the past (talking about memories...)

We were watching the film at lunch time.

Talking about something that happened at one point (in the past simple) while a longer action was taking place (in the past continuous). In this use, the clause referring to the longer action, is often introduced by while or as; or, alternatively, the shorter action clauses is introduced by when:

We weren't watching the film when my sister rang.
They found the lost key as they were having a walk along the river.
Myrtle broke here leg while she was exercising in the park.

2nd type conditional sentences

MEANING

The second conditional is used to talk about situations or actions in the present or future which are not likely to happen or are imaginary, hypothetical or impossible.

If I were a rich woman, I would travel around the world. I think it is very unlikely that I will be rich. However, in this unlikely condition, I will travel around the world.
If I weren't / wasn't watching TV now, I would be playing tennis. I am watching TV, but I am imagining an alternative activity I would be doing if I wasn't watching TV
If I were an alien, I would be able to travel around the universe. It is impossible for me to be an alien. However, I am imagining what I would do in this situation.

FORM
If + past simple + conditional (would)

Conditional (would) + if + past simple

Verb be is usually were for all subjects; was (1st & 3rd person) is colloquial.

Usage of "Too" versus "Enough"

"Too" versus "Enough"

Too and Enough

Too and enough indicate degree. They are used with adjectives.

Too means more than what is needed.
Enough means sufficient.

Examples

You are too young to vote.
Jim is intelligent enough to do the right thing.
You're not driving fast enough .
I don't have enough money.
He has too many friends.
They have got too much patience.

Use of too and enough

Enough precedes adjectives and adverbs:

He isn't old enough to watch that film.
We're not running quickly enough.

Enough may also precede nouns:

We have enough time.
I don't have enough money to buy this computer.

Too comes before adjectives and adverbs:

It's too hot to wear that coat.
I was driving too fast.

Too may also come before nouns when it is used with the expressions too much and too many.

Too much is used before uncountable nouns.

There is too much vinegar in this salad.

Too many is used before countable nouns

There are too many desks in this classroom.

First type conditional sentences

The first conditional is also called the "real" conditional because it is used for real, or possible, situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met.
In the first conditional we can salso use unless, which means "if... not". In other words, "... unless he hurries up" could also be written, "... if he doesn't hurry up."

If it rains, we will stay at home.
He will arrive late unless he hurries up.
Sophie will buy a new car, if he gets his raise.

The first conditional is formed by the use of the present simple in the if clause followed by a comma and a future simple verb (will + infinitive) in the result clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.