1

CONTENIDO
A. MULTI-WORD VERBS ..................................................................................................................... 3
B. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES IN ENGLISH ....................................................................................... 7
Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Conditional sentences ..................................................................................................................... 7
1. Conditional sentences - type I...................................................................................................... 8
Use .................................................................................................................................................. 8
Form ............................................................................................................................................... 8
Examples......................................................................................................................................... 8
2. Conditional sentences - type II ..................................................................................................... 9
Use .................................................................................................................................................. 9
Form ............................................................................................................................................... 9
Examples......................................................................................................................................... 9
3. Conditional sentences - type III .................................................................................................... 9
Use ................................................................................................................................................ 10
Form ............................................................................................................................................. 10
Examples....................................................................................................................................... 10
C. Conditional sentences - Special types and structures ................................................................ 10
1. Structure ................................................................................................................................... 10
2. Types......................................................................................................................................... 10
Real Condition ............................................................................................................................... 11
Unreal Condition ........................................................................................................................... 11
3. Special Features ........................................................................................................................ 11
D. Conditional sentences - Special types and structures .................................................................... 11
1. Structure ................................................................................................................................... 12
2. Types......................................................................................................................................... 12
Real Condition ............................................................................................................................... 12
Unreal Condition ........................................................................................................................... 12
3. Special Features ........................................................................................................................ 12
E. Mixed Conditionals........................................................................................................................ 13
Mixed Conditionals ........................................................................................................................... 13
F. if I were you - if I was you - which is correct? .................................................................................. 13
G. will and would in if-clauses ............................................................................................................ 14
1. will in if-clauses ......................................................................................................................... 14
2. would in if-clauses ..................................................................................................................... 14
H. Replacing if - Omitting if - if vs. when - in case vs. if....................................................................... 14
1. Replacing if ................................................................................................................................ 14
2. Omitting if ................................................................................................................................. 14
3. if vs. when ................................................................................................................................. 15
4. in case vs. if ............................................................................................................................... 15
ANEXO ................................................................................................................................................. 22
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PHRASAL VERBS
A. MULTI-WORD VERBS

Are verbs that combine with one or two particles.

 I'm looking for my keys. Have you seen them?
(Verb + preposition)
 Look out! There's a car coming!
(Verb + adverb)
 A snob is someone who looks down on people of a lower social class.
(Verb + adverb + preposition)
if the addition of the particle(s) changes the meaning of the verb, it is usually
called a phrasal verb because it has the meaning of a phrase. However, there
are so many different types of phrasal verbs that it is easier to call all
combinations of verb + particle(s) multi-word verbs.

Type Meaning Example

He looked up and saw a plane.
Literal meaning
Here the meaning of the verb
and the particle have not
changed.
He looked up = He looked + up
(in the direction of the sky)

Non-literal meaning Sometimes the addition of the He looked up all the new words
particle(s) creates a multi-word verb in the dictionary.
that has a different meaning. In this sentence, look up = to hd
information in a reference
book.
The meaning of Some particles can have a general For example. The particle can
particles meaning when combined with a certain be used to give the meaning of
group of verbs. visiting someone informally.
Semi-literal meaning The meaning of some multi-word verbs I want to give up smoking= I
is comletely different from the separate want to stop smoking.
literal meanings of the verbs and
particle.
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However, some multi-word vervs have a

semi-literal meaning: the basic meaning We decided o drive on= we
of the verb remains the same, but the decided to continue driving.
particle adds its own particular
meanings. In this example, the particle on
gives the idea of continuing
with something.
Multiple meanings The same multi-word verb can have 1. I finally worked out the
several different meanings answer to the problem.
2. I am fit an strog because I
work out in the gymnasium
for an hour every day.
3. I worked out how much it
would cost me to travel
across Europe by train
4. He´s a very strange person. I
can´t work him out.
WORD ORDER
 Each multi-word verv has its own rule for word order. Multi-word vervs which have more than
one meaning can have several word order rules.
 Some descriptions of these rules are too complex to be useful, but here are four types which
cover most multi-word verbs
Type Meaning Example
Type 1 multi-word Some multi-word verbs are  Jhon called round.
verbs intransitive( i.e , they don´t take an  Jhon called round last night.
objec ).  Jhon called round to see you
We can use these multi-word verbs in a  Jhon called round because
sentence on their own or continue the he wanted to borrow some
sentence in any way we like in order to suger.
add further information: It is impossible to separate the
verb and the particle.
Not John called last night
round.
Multi-word verbs are written in a
dictionary with nothing after them (i.e. Not John called to see you
without someone or something) to round.
show they are.
 5

Type 2 multi-word Multi-word verbs are transitive(i.e they He looked up the word in the
verbs take a direct object) and separable ( i.e. dictionary.
it is is possible to separate the verb and He looked the word up in the
the participle). For example. These two dictionary.
sentences have the same meaning:

If an object pronoun is used He looked it up. not he look up it

( me/you/him/her/it/us/them). The
particlw must always come after the
In other word. You have to
object pronoun:
separate the verb and the particle
when you use an object pronoun.

To work something out

Multi-word verbs are written with
To turn somethin on
someone and /or something between
To ask someone round
the verb and the particle to show they
To swith something off
can be separated: to look something up.
To run someone over
To fill somethiring in
Use both noun objects and
pronoun objects to show that
the particle can be separated
from the verb .
Type 3 multi-word Multi-word are transitive and it is I’m looking for my keys .
verbs imposible to separate the verb and the Not Iám looking my keys
particle by the noun object or the for.
pronoun object: I’m looking for them.
Not I’am looking them for

Type 3 multi-word verbs are written

witn someone and/ or something after
the particle to show that they are
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transitive and inseparable: to look for

someone /something.

Type 4 multi –word Type multi-word verbs are always Not He looks them down
verbs transitive and have two particles which on.
are inseparable.
Type 4 multi-word verbs are written
with someone and / or something after
the two particles: to look down on
someone
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B. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES IN ENGLISH

SUMMARY

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

The conditional sentences are sometimes confusing for learners of English.

Watch out:

1) Which type of the conditional sentences is used?

2) Where is the if-clause (e.g. at the beginning or at the end of the conditional sentence)?

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF THE IF-CLAUSES.

type condition
I condition possible to fulfill
II condition in theory possible to fulfill
III condition not possible to fulfill (too late)

FORM
type if clause main clause
I Simple Present will-future (or Modal + infinitive)
II Simple Past would + infinitive *
III Past Perfect would + have + past participle *

EXAMPLES (IF-CLAUSE AT THE BEGINNING)

type if clause main clause
I If I study, I will pass the exam.
II If I studied, I would pass the exam.
III If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.

EXAMPLES (IF-CLAUSE AT THE END)

type main clause if-clause
I I will pass the exam if I study.
II I would pass the exam if I studied.
III I would have passed the exam if I had studied.

EXAMPLES (AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE SENTENCES)

type Examples
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long forms short/contracted forms

I + If I study, I will pass the exam.
- If I study, I will not fail the exam.
If I do not study, I will fail the exam.
II + If I studied, I would pass the exam.
- If I studied, I would not fail the exam.
If I did not study, I would fail the exam.
III + If I had studied, I would have passed the
exam.
- If I had studied, I would not have failed the
exam.
If I had not studied, I would have failed the
exam.
If I study, I'll pass the exam.
If I study, I won't fail the exam.
If I don't study, I'll fail the exam.
If I studied, I'd pass the exam.
If I studied, I wouldn't fail the exam.
If I didn't study, I'd fail the exam.
If I'd studied, I'd have passed the exam.
If I'd studied, I wouldn't have failed the
exam.
If I hadn't studied, I'd have failed the exam.

* We can substitute could or might for would (should, may or must are sometimes possible, too).

I would pass the exam.

I could pass the exam.
I might pass the exam.
I may pass the exam.
I should pass the exam.
I must pass the exam.

1. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES - TYPE I

USE
It is possible to fulfil a condition, which is given in the if-clause.

FORM
if clause main clause
Simple Present will-future
or
infinitive
or
Modal + infinitive

EXAMPLES
If I study, I will pass the exams.
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If you see John tonight, tell him to e-mail me.

If Ben gets up early, he can catch the bus.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.

If I study, I will pass the exams.

I will pass the exams if I study.

2. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES - TYPE II

USE

It is theoretically possible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

FORM
if clause main clause
Simple Past would + infinitive
or
could + infinitive
or
might + infinitive

EXAMPLES
If I studied, I would pass the exams.
If I studied, I could pass the exams.
If I studied, I might pass the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.

If I studied, I would pass the exams.

I would pass the exams if I studied.

3. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES - TYPE III

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USE

It is impossible to fulfil a condition which is given in the if-clause.

FORM

if clause main clause

would + have + past participle

or
Past Perfect could + have + past participle
or
might + have + past participle

EXAMPLES
If I had studied, I would have passed the exams.
If I had studied, I could have passed the exams.
If I had studied, I might have passed the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.

If I had studied, I would have passed the exams.

I would have passed the exams if I had studied.

C. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES - SPECIAL TYPES AND STRUCTURES

1. STRUCTURE

If-clauses can be clause-initial (1), clause-medial (2) as well as clause-final (3).

(1) If you like, we can catch a movie.

(2) We, if you like, can catch a movie.
(3) We can catch a movie if you like.

2. TYPES
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Aside from the typical type I, II, III strucure, conditionals can be divided into two categories:
real and unreal conditionals.

REAL CONDITION
If I have money, I spend it. Present Real Conditional - type I
If I had money, I spent it. Past Real Conditional - type I
If I have money, I will/am going to spend it. Future Real Conditional - type I

UNREAL CONDITION
If I had had money, I would Past unreal Conditional - type III
have spent it.
If I had money, I would I think about spending the Present unreal Conditional - type II
spend it. money TODAY.
If I had money, I would I think about spending the Future unreal Conditional - type II
spend it. money NEXT WEEK.

3. SPECIAL FEATURES

Modal verbs

Main clauses with real conditional tenses can have modal verbs.

If I have money, I can spend it.

You can use could and might instead of would in unreal conditional clauses.

If I had money, I could spend it.

(I would be able to spend it.)
If I had money, I might spend it.
(I would possibly spend it.)

D. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES - SPECIAL TYPES AND STRUCTURES

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1. STRUCTURE

If-clauses can be clause-initial (1), clause-medial (2) as well as clause-final (3).

(1) If you like, we can catch a movie.

(2) We, if you like, can catch a movie.

(3) We can catch a movie if you like.

2. TYPES

Aside from the typical type I, II, III strucure, conditionals can be divided into two categories:
real and unreal conditionals.

REAL CONDITION
If I have money, I spend it. Present Real Conditional - type I
If I had money, I spent it. Past Real Conditional - type I
If I have money, I will/am going to spend it. Future Real Conditional - type I

UNREAL CONDITION
If I had had money, I would
have spent it.
If I had money, I would
spend it.
If I had money, I would
spend it.
I think about spending the
money TODAY.
I think about spending the
money NEXT WEEK.
Past unreal Conditional - type III
Present unreal Conditional - type II
Future unreal Conditional - type II

3. SPECIAL FEATURES

Modal verbs
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Main clauses with real conditional tenses can have modal verbs.

If I have money, I can spend it.

You can use could and might instead of would in unreal conditional clauses.

If I had money, I could spend it.

(I would be able to spend it.)
If I had money, I might spend it.
(I would possibly spend it.)

E. MIXED CONDITIONALS

MIXED CONDITIONALS

Unreal conditionals (type II + III) sometimes can be mixed, that is, the time of the if clause is
different from the one of the main clause.

Past --> Present

If I had taken an aspirin, I wouldn't have a headache now.

Past --> Future

If I had known that you are going to come by tomorrow, I would be in then.

Present --> Past

If she had enough money, she could have done this trip to Hawaii.

Present --> Future

If I were you, I would be spending my vacation in Seattle.

Future --> Past

If I weren't flying to Detroit, I would have planned a trip to Vancouver.

Future --> Present

If I were taking this exam next week, I would be high-strung.

F. IF I WERE YOU - IF I WAS YOU - WHICH IS CORRECT?

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The word were in the phrase if I were you is special form. It is known as the subjunctive mood
(from the grammatical point of view).

Today you also find the phrase if I was you. Here the Simple Past form of be is used. But there
are people who say that this phrase is incorrect and would never use it (mainly Americans).
Others say that this phrase can be used.

If I were you I would phone him. - subjunctive mood

If I was you I would phone him. - Simple Past

G. WILL AND WOULD IN IF-CLAUSES

1. WILL IN IF-CLAUSES

When the situation or action depicted in the if-clause is a result of the main clause, the will future
is used in the if-clause.

He'll pay me $10 if I'll help him do the dishes.

(Doing the dishes is the result of paying ten dollars.)

2. WOULD IN IF-CLAUSES

In polite requests would is possible in if-clauses.

It would be nice if you would help me in the kitchen.

(Are you ready to help me in the kitchen?)

H. REPLACING IF - OMITTING IF - IF VS. WHEN - IN CASE VS. IF

1. REPLACING IF
If can be replaced by words or expressions with a similar meaning.
The most common are:
as long as
assuming (that)
on condition (that)
on the assumption (that)
provided (that)
supposing (that)
unless
with the condition (that)

2. OMITTING IF
Had I known... (instead of If I had known...)
Were you my daughter,... (instead of: If you were my daughter,...)
Should you need my advice,... (instead of: If you should need my advice,...)
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3. IF VS. WHEN
if and when are interchangeable when the statement of the conditional clause is a fact or a
general issue (also known as zero conditonal)
If you heat ice, it melts.
When you heat ice, it melts.
if is used for something that, according to the speaker, might happen.
We can spend the afternoon on the beach if the weather is fine.
when is used for something that, according to the speaker, will happen.
I will clean up the kitchen right away when I'm back from work.

4. IN CASE VS. IF
in case of can be used to shorten an if-clause as shown below:
If there is a fire, leave the room. In case of fire, leave the room.
While if expresses a condition (1), in case is used to express a possibility (2).
(1) I need painkillers if I'm in severe pain.
(2) I need painkillers in case I'm in severe pain.
The expression just in case is used pretty much the same way.
I got you a pizza just in case you were hungry.
(I don't know whether you are hungry.)

WAYS OF EXPRESSING THE FUTURE IN ENGLISH

Ways of Expressing the Future in English

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Despite what you will find in some course books and student’s grammars, and hear from some
teachers, there is no future tense in English. If we want to refer to future-time situations we can
do this in several ways. In these notes, we look at seven ways.

The first five of these are commonly used in both speech and writing:

1. Emma is seeing Luke tomorrow – the present progressive, also known as the present
continuous.

2. Emma is going to see Luke tomorrow – BE + going to, sometimes referred to as the “(BE)
going to future”.

3. Emma sees Luke tomorrow – the present simple.

4. Emma will see Luke tomorrow - this modal form is sometimes, unhelpfully, called the “future
simple”.

5. Emma will be seeing Luke tomorrow – this modal progressive (or continuous) form is
sometimes, unhelpfully, called the “future progressive/continuous”.

The last two are used in more restricted contexts:

6. Emma is to see Luke tomorrow – BE + to + infinitive.

7. Emma to see Luke tomorrow – to- infinitive.

There are also some so-called ‘future perfect’ constructions, which we will consider at the end of
these notes:

8. Emma will have seen Luke …

9. Emma will have been seeing Luke …

10. Emma is going to have seen Luke …

1. THE PRESENT PROGRESSIVE (ALSO KNOWN AS THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS)

This form usually refers to a situation that began before the moment of speaking, continues at or
around, and after, the present moment, and into the future, and is of limited duration:

I am writing these notes on the future. (At this moment).

Lindsay is driving to work this week. (She normally goes by bus).

The present progressive can refer to a future situation that has been arranged before the
present time. The arrangement continues through the present until the situation occurs:
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Emma is seeing Luke tomorrow, (They arranged this meeting yesterday)

Note that only the context or co-text (in the last example the word tomorrow) can tell us which
time-period a present progressive verb form refers to.

Also note that it is simply not possible to make arrangements for some future situations. It is
therefore not normally possible to say XIt is raining tomorrow. X

2. BE + GOING TO

Although you may hear or read that this form indicates ‘present intention’, this is not always
true. It is hard to imagine any intention in this sentence: “Look at those black clouds; it is going
to rain soon.”

BE + going to refers to a future situation for which there is present evidence. In the previous
example, the present evidence is the black clouds. In the following example, the present evidence
may simply be the speaker’s knowledge that Emma and Luke have arranged the meeting:

Emma is going to see Luke tomorrow.

When the present evidence is an arrangement, then there is, practically speaking, no real
difference in meaning between the present progressive and BE + going to.

3. THE PRESENT SIMPLE

The present simple is frequently used for situations that often or regularly happen. It can
therefore be used for a future situation that is part of a regular series of happenings:

The train for Berlin leaves at midnight tonight.

It is also used for something that is seen as part of a fixed timetable:

The sun rises at 07.34 tomorrow. (We can imagine the speaker thinking of a table of sunrise and
sunset times.)

Emma sees Luke tomorrow. (We can imagine the speaker mentally looking at Emma’s diary).

4. THE MODAL WILL + BARE INFINITIVE

The modal auxiliary verb will has a number of possible meanings. Four of the more common are:

a. certainty – John left an hour ago, so he will be home by now. (The speaker is certain that John
is home)
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b. habitual characteristic: Andrea will sit at her desk for hours without saying a word. (This is
what she often does.)

c. volition (willingness): I’ll carry your bag for you. (The speaker is offering to carry the bag.)

Fred will carry your bag for you. (The speaker is offering Fred’s services.)

d. instant decision: What will I do tomorrow? I know! I’ll go to the zoo. (The speaker decides to
go to the zoo at the very moment of speaking – no plans had been made for this visit.)

Context tells us whether the certainty (a) is about the present, as in the example above, or the
future: Prince Charles will become King when the present Queen dies.

Habitual characteristic (b) is something that is shown regularly. It was observed in the past, can
be observed in the present, and will presumably be observed in the future. It is not possible to
know of a future habitual characteristic, so we do not use this form for purely future reference.

Volition (c), denoting an offer, can refer only to a future situation. Will is normally contracted to
‘ll.

Instant decisions (d) can be made only about a future situation and, usually, only reported by the
person making the decision. We therefore usually encounter this meaning only with I or we as
the subject. Will is normally contracted to ‘ll.

The word tomorrow in the following sentence tells us that the seeing (meeting) is in the future:

Emma will see Luke tomorrow.

Only context can tell us whether the speaker is certain of the occurrence of the future meeting, or
reporting that Emma is willing to see Luke.

Note that other modals, which have different meanings, can also can also refer to future
situations, for example:

Peter might come over next week. (It is possible that this will happen)

You must finish the report before you go home tonight. (You are obliged to finish the report.) )

You may read in some books that shall is used instead of will when the subject is I or we. Only a
small minority of native speakers use shall other than in questions, and then only for certainty
and instant decision, never for volition or habitual characteristic. Shall is used commonly in
questions:

e) making a suggestion: Shall we go to the pub this evening?

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f) asking if the person addressed wants the speaker to do something: Shall I arrange the
publicity?

5. THE MODAL WILL + BE + -ING FORM

Progressive forms usually refer to a situation that began before a time point continues through
and after that time point, and into the future, and is of limited duration. The combination of this
idea with the modal will, expressing certainty, leads to the modal will + be + -ing form referring
to a situation beginning before a future time point and continuing through that time point:

Sally’s plane takes off from Heathrow at 9 o’clock tomorrow, so by about midday she will be
flying over Istanbul.

It is also possible that the speaker is more concerned with the pure certainty of the action
happening than with volitional aspect that might be implied by the use of WILL by itself:

Emma will be seeing Luke tomorrow.

Some writers claim, with some justification, that this use of modal will + a progressive implies,
by its lack of reference to intention, volition or arrangement, a 'casual' future. Depending on the
context and co-text, the speaker may be intending a ‘casual’ futurity, or may be indicating a
situation in progress at a particular time.

6. BE + TO + INFINITIVE

This form is not common in informal conversation. It refers to something that is to happen in the
future as a plan or decree, normally by some authority other than the subject of the sentence,
and is common in television and radio news reports Thus we are unlikely to hear the first of the
following examples (unless Emma and Luke are the names of well-known singers, actors, etc) .
We might well hear the second:

Emma is to see Luke tomorrow.

Downing Street announced this morning that the Prime Minister is to fly to Washington this
evening for urgent talks about the current crisis.

7. TO- INFINITIVE

This form is common only in newspaper headlines, where editors want to announce the news as
briefly as possible. Once again, we are unlikely to see the first of the following examples (unless
Emma and Luke are the names of well-known singers, actors, etc). We might well see the
second:

Emma to see Luke tomorrow.

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PM to fly to US.

8. WILL + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE (THIRD FORM)

When we refer to a future action completed before a later future time, or a future state continuing
up to that later future time, we use will + have + a past participle (third form). This is sometimes
known as the ‘future perfect’:

I will have lived here for just over thirteen years when I celebrate my 66th birthday next March.
(At the moment of speaking, six months before ‘next March’, the speaker has lived ‘here’ for
twelve and a half years.)

By the time she leaves Paris tomorrow, Emma will have seen Luke and told him the news. (When
Emma leaves Paris tomorrow, the seeing and telling will be, for her, in the past.)

This form is sometimes known as the ‘future perfect’.

9. BE + GOING TO + HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE (THIRD FORM)

It is possible, though not very common, for a speaker to suggest that there is present evidence
of a future action completed before a later future time, or a future state continuing up to that
later future time, using BE + going to + have + a past participle form (third form):

By the time Emma leaves Paris tomorrow, She is going to have seen Luke and told him the news.

Learners may see/hear this usage, but are recommended to use only 8. will + have + a past
participle (third form), which has practically the same meaning, and is far more commonly used.

10. WILL + HAVE + BEEN + -ING FORM

When we refer to a future action begun before a later future time and continuing through that
later future time, we use will + have + been + -ing form.

By the end of next week, Emma will have been seeing Luke for three months. (She has now, one
week before ‘the end of next week’ been seeing him for a week less than three months.)

This form is sometimes known as the ‘future perfect continuous’.

Important Note.

In many sentences, several of the forms can be used perfectly naturally. The final
subconscious choice of form is made by speakers at the moment of speaking, and depends
on the context of situation as they see it at that moment. Do not think that there is one, and
only one, ‘correct’ form in any given situation.
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ANEXO

RECOGNIZE A TRANSITIVE VERB WHEN YOU SEE

ONE.
A transitive verb has two characteristics. First, it is an action verb,
expressing a doable activity like kick, want, paint, write, eat, clean, etc.
Second, it must have a direct object, something or someone who receives
the action of the verb.

Here are some examples of transitive verbs:

Sylvia kicked Juan under the table.

Kicked = transitive verb; Juan = direct object.

Joshua wants a smile from Leodine, his beautiful but serious lab
partner.

Wants = transitive verb; smile = direct object.

Cornelius painted the canvas in Jackson Pollock fashion, dribbling

bright colors from a heavily soaked brush.

Painted = transitive verb; canvas = direct object.

Alicia wrote a love poem on a restaurant napkin.

Wrote = transitive verb; poem = direct object.

Antonio eats lima beans drenched in brown gravy.

Eats = transitive verb; lima beans = direct object.

Pinky the poodle cleans the dirty supper dishes with his tongue
before Grandmaloads the "prewashed" items into dishwasher.

Cleans, loads = transitive verbs; dishes, items = direct objects.

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Important note: When no direct object follows an action verb, the verb
is intransitive.

THE INTRANSITIVE VERB

RECOGNIZE AN INTRANSITIVE VERB WHEN YOU

SEE ONE.
An intransitive verb has two characteristics. First, it is an action verb,
expressing a doable activity like arrive, go, lie, sneeze, sit, die, etc.
Second, unlike a transitive verb, it will NOT have a direct
object receiving the action.

Here are some examples of intransitive verbs:

Huffing and puffing, we arrived at the classroom door with only

seven seconds to spare.

Arrived = intransitive verb.

James went to the campus cafe for a steaming bowl of squid eyeball
stew.

Went = intransitive verb.

To escape the midday sun, the cats lie in the shade under our cars.

Lie = intransitive verb.

Around fresh ground pepper, Sheryl sneezes with violence.

Sneezes = intransitive verb.

In the evenings, Glenda sits on the front porch to admire her

immaculate lawn.

Sits = intransitive verb.

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Flipped on its back, the beetle that Clara soaked with

insecticide dies under the refrigerator.

Dies = intransitive verb.

REALIZE THAT MANY VERBS CAN BE BOTH

TRANSITIVE AND INTRANSITIVE.
An action verb with a direct object is transitive while an action verb with
no direct object is intransitive. Some verbs, such
as arrive, go, lie, sneeze, sit, and die, are always intransitive; it is
impossible for a direct object to follow.

Other action verbs, however, can be transitive OR intransitive, depending

on what follows in the sentence. Compare these examples:

Because of blood sugar problems, Rosa always eats before leaving

for school.

Eats = intransitive verb.

If there is no leftover pizza, Rosa usually eats whole-grain cereal.

Eats = transitive verb; cereal = direct object.

During cross-country practice, Damien runs over hills, through

fields, across the river, and along the highway.

Runs = intransitive verb.

In the spring, Damien will run his first marathon.

Will run = transitive verb; marathon = direct object.

CONDITIONALS 1
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Conditionals are sentences with two clauses – an ‘if clause and a main clause – that are closely
related. Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.

ZERO CONDITIONAL

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true.

 IF YOU HEAT WATER, IT BOILS.

 WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN, IT GETS DARK.
 IT LIGHTS UP IF YOU PUSH THAT BUTTON.

The present simple is used in both clauses.

FIRST CONDITIONAL

We use the first conditional when we talk about real and possible situations.

 I’LL GO SHOPPING ON THE WAY HOME IF I HAVE TIME.

 IF IT’S A NICE DAY TOMORROW WE’LL GO TO THE BEACH.
 IF ARSENAL WIN THEY’LL BE TOP OF THE LEAGUE.

In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + present simple and will + infinitive.
It’s not important which clause comes first.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

The second conditional is used to talk about ‘unreal’ or impossible things.

 IF I WON A LOT OF MONEY I’D BUY A BIG HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY.

 WHERE WOULD YOU LIVE IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD?
 IF YOU DIDN’T SMOKE SO MUCH YOU’D FEEL A LOT BETTER.

The structure is usually if + past simple and would + infinitive. It’s not important which clause
comes first.

Look at the difference between the first and second conditionals.

 In January: IF IT SNOWS TOMORROW I’LL GO SKIING. It might snow tomorrow.

 In August: IF IT SNOWED TOMORROW I’D GO SKIING. It almost certainly won’t snow
tomorrow.

NOTE: Although many conditional sentences use if + will/would, conditional sentences can also
use other words instead of ‘if’ – e.g. ‘when’ ‘as soon as’ ‘in case’ Other modal verbs can be used
instead of ‘will/would’ – e.g. ‘can/could’, ‘may’ ‘might’.
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Other types of conditional sentences are covered in another section.

BIBLIOGRAFIA
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1. http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/grammar/if.htm.
2. https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/es/grammar-reference/conditionals-1
3. http://www.gramorak.com/Articles/Future.pdf
4. http://www.ncte.org/journals/ej/issues/v100-4
5.