Unit 2

Unit 2

1. Contrasting Ideas

   • But / However
     • But is more informal than however. You can use however at the beginning of a sentence, but you can’t use but at the beginning of a sentence (in written English).
       • I tried to lift the box, but it was too heavy for me.
   • Although / Even Though
     • These linking words are the same, and they are both followed by a subject + verb.
       • Although I exercise every day, I can’t seem to lose any weight.
   • Despite / In Spite Of
     • These linking words are the same, and they are followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form of the verb, which can function as a noun).
       • We won the game despite having two fewer players.
   • Despite The Fact That / In Spite Of The Fact That
     • These phrases are followed by a subject + verb.
       • We won the game despite the fact that we had two fewer players.
   • While / Whereas / Unlike
     • These linking words are used to make contrasts. While and whereas are usually used between two complete phrases. Unlike is typically used with only a subject.
       • I like tennis, while my brother prefers bowling.

2. Reduced time clauses

   • If the subject is the same in both clauses of the sentence, time clauses with (right) before, (right) after, and while can be reduced.
     • After finishing my workout, I head to the office
     • While taking his lunch break at work, he often sneaks a five-minute nap.
     • They´re not very approachable right after waking up!
     • However, other time clauses cannot usually be reduced.
       • Ever since, As soon as, Until, Whenever, from the moment

3. Clauses Stating Reasons And Conditions

   • Even if introduces a condition that does not influence the main clause.
     • I sometimes lie awake at night, even if ‘m really tired.
       • Considering that introduces causes and reasons that explain the main clause.
         • I’m lucky I can get by on six hours of sleep, considering that most people need eight.
           • As long as introduces a condition on which the main clause depends.
             • I can manage on five hours of sleep, as long as I take a nap during the day
               • Unless introduces something that must happen in order to avoid a consequence.
                 • Unless I get a good night’s sleep, I can easily fall asleep at school, at work, or even on the bus.
                   • (Just) in case introduces an undesirable circumstance that needs to be taken into account
                     • I always set two alarm clocks (just) in case one of them doesn’t go off.
                       • Only if or only… if introduces a condition that must be met for the main clause to be true
                         • I only wake up early if I have somewhere to be in the morning.
                           • I wake up early only if I have somewhere to be in the morning

4. Infinitive And Gerund Phrases

   • Gerunds and Infinitives are both verbals. A verbal is a word formed from a verb but functioning as a different part of speech, usually a noun
     • Gerunds are formed when an “-ing” ending is added to a verb
       • Jogging is a hobby of mine.
     • infinitive is composed of “to” plus a verb
       • Jim always forgets to eat

5. Reported Speech

   • If we report what another person has said, we usually do not use the speaker’s exact words (direct speech), but reported (indirect) speech.
     • direct speech
       • “I speak English.”
     • reported speech
       • He says that he speaks English.
       • He said that he spoke English.
     • with interrogative
       • direct speech
         • “Why don’t you speak English?”
       • reported speech
         • He asked me why I didn’t speak English.
       • without interrogative
         • direct speech
           • “Do you speak English?”
         • reported speech
           • He asked me whether / if I spoke English.

6. Present Perfect VS Present Perfect Continuous

   • We use the present perfect tense to talk about things where there is a connection between the past and the present.
     • He’s written 16 books.
   • We use the present perfect continuous when the focus is on an activity that is unfinished.
     • I’ve read that book you lent me. I finished it yesterday.

7. Simple Past

   • is the basic form of past tense in English. The time of the action can be in the recent past or the distant past and action duration is not important.
     • John Cabot sailed to America in 1498.