RELATIVE CLAUSES

Defining Relative Clauses give detailed information defining a general term or expression. 

Do you know the girl who is talking to Tom?

A seaman is someone who works on a ship.

Object pronouns in defining relative clauses can be dropped. 

The boy (who/whom) we met yesterday is very nice.

Non-defining relative clauses give additional information on something, but do not define it. 

Do you know the girl, who is talking to Tom?

Object pronouns in non-defining relative clauses must be used.

Jim, who/whom we met yesterday, is very nice.

How to Shorten Relative Clauses?

Relative clauses with who, which, that as subject pronoun can be replaced with a participle. This makes the sentence shorter and easier to understand.

I told you about the woman who lives next door. – I told you about the woman living next door.

Do you see the cat which is lying on the roof? – Do you see the cat lying on the roof?

EXERCISES

Exercise on Relative Pronouns

Subject Pronouns or Object Pronouns? 

Relative Adverbs 

Contact Clauses 

Non-Defining Relative Clauses 

NATIONAL DAY OF SCOTLAND

The 30th November is the National Day of Scotland, the Feast of Saint Andrew. See how the Union Jack is made up of three flags:

So, happy Saint Andrew's day!!

VERB PATTERNS WITH REPORTING VERBS

These are the most common reporting verbs:

SAY

The basic verb pattern for using 'say' for reported speech is:

say + (that) + clause
She said (that) she had already eaten.


TELL

with 'tell' we need to use an object, a person who we tell the information to.

tell + someone + (that) + clause
I told John (that) I had seen the new film.

When we are reporting orders, we can also use another pattern with 'tell':

tell + someone + to + infinitive
She told the children to go to bed.

ASK

We use 'ask' to report questions or requests. For questions we use the pattern:

ask + someone + if / question word + clause
I asked my boss if I could leave early.
She asked them where the station was.

For requests we use the pattern:

ask + someone + to + infinitive
I asked Lucy to pass me the salt.

Other reporting verbs follow a variety of patterns.

ADVISE

(= Give someone advice. Notice the different spelling for the verb and the noun.)

Advise + someone + to + infinitive
She advised him to see a doctor.

Advise + (that) + clause
The staff advise that you carry water at all times.

Advise + against + verb-ing
I'd advise against leaving early.

AGREE

Agree + to + infinitive
We agreed to meet the following day.

Agree + (that) + clause
I agreed that the children could do their homework later.

APOLOGISE

Apologise + (to + someone) + for + verb-ing
They apologised to us for being late.
She apologised for forgetting the book.

Apologise (+ to + someone) + for + noun
She apologised for the delay.

DECIDE

Decide + to + infinitive
They decided to go to the cinema.

Decide + (that) + clause
They decided that they would go to the cinema.

ENCOURAGE

Encourage + someone + to + infinitive
She encouraged him to take the exam again.
The teacher encouraged the students to ask questions.

EXPLAIN

Explain + (that) + clause
The teacher explained that the course was finished.

Explain + noun + to + someone
She explained the grammar to the students. (NOT: She explained me the grammar)

Explain + question word + to + infinitive
They explained how to buy a train ticket on the internet.
John explained where to find the restaurant.

Explain + question word + clause
We explained what the exams would cover.

INSIST

Insist + on + verb-ing
He insisted on paying.

Insist + (that) + clause
He insisted that we sit down.

PROMISE

Promise + to + infinitive
He promised to arrive early.

Promise + (someone) + (that) + clause
I promised him that I wouldn't do it again.

RECOMMEND

Recommend + verb-ing
I recommend visiting the British Museum while you're in London.

Recommend + (that) + clause
I recommend that you visit the British Museum

REMIND

Remind + someone + to + infinitive
She reminded him to take his keys.

Remind + someone + (that) + clause
They reminded me that there is a party tonight.

SUGGEST
Suggest + verb-ing
I suggest leaving soon

Suggest + (that) + clause
I suggest that you come as soon as you can. (NOT: I suggest him to come)

WARN

Warn + someone + (not) + to + infinitive
I warned them not to go in the water.

Warn + someone + about + something
She warned us about the dangerous roads.


Negatives
To make the verbs that we have reported negative, we need to look at the verb pattern:

When there's a clause, we make the negative in the usual way: She said that she didn't like ice cream.
When there's 'to + infinitive', we generally put 'not' before 'to': He promised not to do it again.
When there's 'verb-ing', we generally put 'not' in front of it: I advise not taking the bus.

EXERCISE 1

EXERCISE 2

EXERCISE 3

EXERCISE 4

EXERCISE 5

PREFER, WOULD PREFER, WOULD RATHER

Prefer

We use prefer to say we like one thing or activity more than another. We can use a prepositional phrase with to when we compare two things or actions:

I prefer tea to coffee. We prefer going by ferry to flying.

We don’t use than after prefer:

She prefers books to magazines. Not: She prefers books than magazines.

We can use a to-infinitive or an -ing form after prefer. A to-infinitive is more common.

She’s not keen on coffee. She prefers to drink tea.(or She prefers drinking tea to coffee.)

Would prefer

We use would prefer or ’d prefer, followed by a to-infinitive or a noun, to talk about present and future preferences:

I’d prefer to go by myself. Would you prefer a quieter restaurant? She’d prefer not to drive at night.

When we want to say that we would like to do one thing more than another, we can introduce the second thing with rather than, followed by an infinitive without to:

I’d prefer to go skiing this year rather than go on a beach holiday.

When we are talking about our preferences for the actions of another person, we can use would prefer + object pronoun + to-infinitive or would prefer it if + past simple:

They’d prefer us to come later. (or They’d prefer it if we came later.)

Would you prefer me to drive? (or Would you prefer it if I drove?)

Typical mistakes:

We use a to-infinitive after prefer, not an infinitive without to: I prefer to drive. Not: I prefer drive.

Whenever I have time I like to read but I prefer not to read in the evening. Not: … but I prefer not read in the evening.

We make comparisons using to or rather than, not just than:

A lot of young people prefer computer games to football. (or A lot of young people prefer computer games rather than football.) Not: A lot of young people prefer computer games than football.

Would rather

We use would rather or ’d rather to talk about preferring one thing to another. Would rather has two different constructions.

Compare:

           same subject (+ base form)                               different subject (+ past simple clause)

I’d rather stay at home than go out tonight.                 I’d rather you stayed at home tonight.

I’d rather not go out tonight.                                  I’d rather you didn’t go out tonight

In negative sentences with a different subject, the negative comes on the clause that follows, not on would rather:

She’d rather you didn’t phone after 10 o’clock. Not: She wouldn’t rather you phoned after 10 o’clock.

Same subject: When the subject is the same person in both clauses, we use would rather (not) followed by the base form of the verb: We’d rather go on Monday. Not: We’d rather to go … or We’d rather going …

More than half the people questioned would rather have a shorter summer break and more holidays at other times.

I’d rather not fly. I hate planes.


Different subjects: When the subjects of the two clauses are different, we often use the past simple to talk about the present or future: I would rather they did something about it instead of just talking about it. (past simple to talk about the present or future). Would you rather I wasn’t honest with you?

EXERCISE 1

EXERCISE 2

EXERCISE 3

EXERCISE 4

MORE ABOUT MIXED CONDITIONALS

CONDITIONALS PRESENTATION

REVISION OF THE VERB "MIND"

The verb MIND is followed by :

* a noun :       ex : I don't mind chocolate from time to time.

* -ing form :    ex : Would you mind my (me) singing ?

* a clause :     ex : I don't mind if you don't talk to me ! = it doesn't matter ...

2) mind is most often used in the interrogative and negative forms :

ex : She doesn't mind staying up late.

ex : Do you mind my smoking ? ( me smoking = less formal ) = smoking and ready to put out his cigarette = Do you dislike the fact I'm smoking ?

ex: Do you mind if I smoke ? The person will light a cigarette if permission is given.

3) mind is also used in the imperative + a clause (often a negative one) : = Be careful ! (This expression is used in the UK.)

ex : Mind you don't fall ! ; Mind you don't bang your head ! Mind the step !

ex : Mind your own business !

4)  mind is also used to express polite requests :

ex : Would you mind switching on the light for me, please?

5) An expression : Mind you ... is used to add something to what you have just said, especially to make it less strong. = It's mostly spoken English and quite informal.

ex : The meal was expensive ... Mind you, it was delicious !

 Don't confuse:  'I dont mind ...' and 'I don't care...' (= I'm not interested !)

EXPRESSING NEGATION

There are seeral ways to express negation:

Negative forms of the verb 

In most cases a negative meaning is given to a verb by adding the negative particle NOT. In some cases, not is replaced by never.

Negative structures

"Not" normally follows the principal auxiliary or modal verb in a verbal structure. In the few cases where there is no auxiuliary or modal (present simple or past simple affirmative tenses), it follows do or did. The choice between not and n't is a matter of style. Not is generally preferred in written English, n't in spoken English

Examples: 

He lives in London / He does not live in London

I can see you / I cannot see you / I can't see you

I like those photos / I don't like any of those photos

The man lost all his money / The man did not lose all his money

I should eat (some) more chocolate / I shouldn't eat (any) more chocolate.

You ought to have gone home / You ought not to have gone home.

I may be able to finish in time / I may not be able to finish in time.

"Never" is used in the same way as not, except when the verb is in the simple present or simple past tense. With never, there is no need to add a missing auxiliary using a form of do.

Examples: 

He plays tennis / He never plays tennis. (but not He does never play)

I saw the Queen yesterday / I never saw the Queen yesterday.

I've been to London . / I' ve never been to London.

You should eat a lot of chocolate / You should never eat a lot of chocolate.

You ought to have done that / You ought never to have done that.

I may be able to finish this. / I may never be able to finish this.

Not many and not much

The particle not can also be added to much or many, to form the small-quantity quantifiers not much or not many. 

Examples: 

Not many people came to the concert last night.

It's still pretty poor, and not much better than it used to be

Negation using a noun or pronoun 

Less frequently, a negative meaning may be implied by attaching a negative particle to a noun group, either the subject or the direct object of a sentence. In this case, the negative particle that is used is no. No is sometimes combined with -one, -thing, -where, etc. to make negative indefinite pronouns, noone, nobody, nothing, nowhere, etc.

Examples: 

Trees grow on the moon / No trees grow on the moon.

I can see someone / I cannot see anyone / I can see noone.

The man lost time / The man lost no time 

I should eat more chocolate / I should eat no more chocolate.

There's something in that box / There's nothing in that box.

The riders were able to finish the race/ No riders were able to finish the race.

"None of" is used in the same way as no, except that it is followed by a definite article or another determiner

Examples: 

The riders were able to finish the race/ None of the riders were able to finish the race.

Your shoes are clean / None of your shoes are clean.

I like those photos / I like none of those photos.

Did you eat some chocolates? / Did you eat none of the chocolates ?

Negation using an adverb phrase

 It is also possible to add a negative meaning to a sentence, by including an adverb phrase with a negative meaning. The most common group of negative adverbial phrases are formed using the word without, or a preposition followed by no.

Examples: 

You can have some whiskey / You can do without whisky.

He's walking with a stick / He's walking without a stick 

He did it for a good reason / He did it for no reason at all. 

I want you to do it with me / I want you to do it without me.

Neither and nor 

"Neither" and "nor" are used to link a pair of negative statements. Nor can be used by itself to introduce the second of a pair of negative statements, even if a normal "not" structure is used in the first one. Neither and nor can be attached to verbs, or to nouns (subjects or objects), or even to prepositional phrases. When nor introduces a second main clause, the subject and the auxiliary or modal are inverted. 

Examples: 

He neither looks like a gentleman, nor talks like a gentleman

I can neither see it nor hear it.

I didn't agree with what he said. Nor did I believe him.

I haven't eaten for three days; nor have I slept.

They can't find the problem; nor can they explain why it happened.

I like neither your appearance nor your attitude.

Neither the President nor the Prime minister was (were) present.

I could convince him neither with my arguments nor with my warnings.

You should wash this in water, but neither with soap nor with detergent.

Negation using negative adjectives 

An affirmative statement can be turned into a negative statement by adding a negative prefix or suffix to an appropriate adjective.

Examples: 

This is possible > This is impossible.

You are being very cooperative > You are being very uncooperative.

The border guards were friendly > The border guards were unfriendly.

I'm very pleased with my results > I'm very displeased with my results.

He's being very sensible > He's being very senseless.

Tag questions 

Negative tags attached to the end of affirmative statements have the structure and appearance of negative questions, but they do not really express a negative value, and they are not really questions ; they are essentially an expression of minor doubt, or a means of requesting confirmation of a statement or an opinion. 

Examples: 

You're coming, aren't you ?

This is the right road, isn't it ?

We'll get to the airport on time, won't we.

You managed to get everything on the shopping list, haven't you ?

We must give them a nice present, mustn't we ?

We'll be able to get our money back if it breaks, won't we ?

AI PRESENTATION

In the group B2.2 A we had a presentation about "artificial intelligence" (AI). The students Juan Ángel and Victor explained a few engaging points so that we could understand what this is about. They gave a lot of examples of known actions that make use of this field and caught the attention of the whole class with the thought-provoking notions they dealt with.

PAST ABILITIES

To talk about past abilities, we can use:

COULD

Used to talk about general skills or abilities in the past.

When I first started my career, I could work long hours without a break.

They hired her because they knew that she could do the job well.

At this time last year, Santiago couldn’t speak English.

WAS/WERE ABLE TO

Used to talk about specific achievements.

I called our IT help desk and they were able to resolve the issue.

Were you able to get in touch with Gary?

Kathy wasn’t able to get here on time because of the accident on the highway.

(Note that in the negative form, we can use couldn’t and was/were able to. For this example, we could also say “Kathy couldn’t get here on time because of the accident on the highway.”)

MANAGED TO/SUCCEEDED IN 

Used to talk about specific achievements that were difficult.

No one thought she had a chance to win the race but somehow she managed to get enough votes and win the election.

When Carla quit without giving notice it was difficult for us, but we managed to handle everything.

How did they manage to find a suitable candidate for the position in such short time?

PARTICIPLE CLAUSES

A participle clause contains either a present participle, e.g. seeing,a past participle, e.g. seen,or a perfect participle, e.g. having seen.

TIME CLAUSES

A) to replace a time clause to show that an action took place while another was already in progress.

Walking down the street on Saturday, I saw Simon. (replaces As/ When/ While I was walking)

B) to replace a time clause to indicate that the event in the subordinate clause comes immediately before the event in the main clause.

Raising their glasses, they wished Darren a happy birthday.

C) to emphasize that the event in the subordinate clause happened before the event in the main clause.

Having spent my money on a car, I couldn't afford a holiday.

RELATIVE CLAUSES

A) to replace a relative clause when we give more information about a person or thing.

The woman wearing the funny yellow hat is my cousin Jane  (replaces who is wearing)

The plane, last used in World War II, is now a museum exhibit  (replaces which was last used)

REASON/ RESULT

to show that the event in the main clause occurs because of the event in the subordinate clause. It can replace a reason clause.

Not understanding Tom's question, I was unable to give him an answer  (replaces Because / Since I didn't understand)

Very often the event in the main clause is the result of the event in the subordinate clause.

Having spent my money on a car, I couldn't afford a holiday.

CONDITION

to replace a conditional clause

Washed at the wrong temperature, clothes can shrink  (If they are washed at the wrong temperature, clothes can shrink)

NOTE The subject of the participle must also be the subject of the other verb. It is not possible to say Having a bath,the phone rang.

EXERCISES

EXERCISE 1

EXERCISE 2

EXERCISE 3

EXERCISE 4

SERIES PARA MEJORAR TU NIVEL DE INGLÉS

En ocasiones, cuando gozamos de nuestro tiempo de ocio, nos entra un sentimiento de culpabilidad por no aprovechar esos momentos para algo más educativo o productivo. Pero fusionar las dos finalidades en un solo ejercicio es posible y satisfactorio. Se trata de empezar a ver nuestras series favoritas en inglés. De este modo, mientras estamos disfrutando de la trama estaremos haciendo oído y adquiriendo nuevo vocabulario, mejorando la gramática y la pronunciación. Y todo esto, sin moverse del sofá y de una forma divertida.

Hay que desterrar el viejo método del lápiz y el papel para aprender un idioma. Los países de habla no inglesa en los que las series se emiten en versión original subtitulada tienen mejor nivel de inglés que otros países que lo doblan. Así lo recoge un estudio publicado en diciembre pasado en 'Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization'. Eso sí, debemos elegir una serie u otra en función de nuestro nivel de inglés. En TicBeat han elaborado un listado para guiarnos a la hora de decantarnos por una producción u otra.

Nivel bajo de inglés

Debemos buscar series con diálogos simples y pronunciaciones claras para que seguir el hilo sea factible. 'Vikings', 'Gotham' u 'Ozark' son las mejores recomendaciones ya que son series de acción,  y eso permite que la comprensión en inglés sea más sencilla.

Nivel intermedio de inglés

Para un nivel intermedio de inglés podemos optar por series como 'Modern Family' o series como 'The Simpson', en la que los personajes son siempre los mismos y podemos apreciar sus particularidades lingüísticas.

'House of Cards' es perfecta para ampliar el vocabulario ya que utiliza muchos términos políticos. 'Downtown Abbey' o 'The Crown', también son muy recomendables en este nivel ya que ambas tienen un inglés muy pulcro y formal.

Nivel alto de inglés

Cuando el dominio del idioma es alto, los expertos recomiendan series con más giros en el argumento y tramas enrevesadas como 'Sherlock', 'Peaky Blinders', o 'Orange is the New Black'.

En la primera, por ejemplo, los personajes hablan a gran velocidad y la terminología que utilizan no es nada fácil. El acento en 'Peaky Blinders' es sólo apto para oídos experimentados y en la producción carcelaria de Netflix, la jerga y los acentos que utilizan las presas de la serie son complicados de entender si no eres un experto en el idioma. Otras series recomendadas para eruditos de la lengua de Shakespeare son 'Juego de Tronos', 'Sense 8' o 'Derek'.

Fuente: La Opinión de Murcia

WHAT KIND OF LEARNER ARE YOU?

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Clothes vocabulary

Personality adjectives i

Personality adjectives ii

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Hope they help!!