Grammar V (Inversion)

Inversion

What do these sentences have in common?
Not only is he difficult to understand, but he is also funny.
Never have I understood less about women.
Scarcely have they been on time.

These are all inverted sentences. Inverted sentences are sentences with an irregular verb placement of the verb before the subject. Follow the instructions below to learn how and when inverted sentences are used in English.
 
Use of Question Form
In this case, the question form (auxiliary + subject + main verb) takes the place of the standard positive sentence structure (i.e. He goes to work every day):
 
Examples
Not only do I enjoy classical music, but I also have a season ticket to the symphony.
Seldom has the boss been so upset!

In this case, the question form is substituted for standard sentence structure in a statement. Generally, an inversion is used to stress the uniqueness of an event and begins with a negative.
 
Negative Adverbials
 
Time expressions: never, rarely, seldom
These time expressions are used with a perfect form or with modals and often include comparatives:
 
Examples
Never have I been more insulted!
Seldom has he seen anything stranger.
 
Time expressions: hardly, barely, no sooner, or scarcely
These time expressions are used when a there are a succession of events in the past.
 
Examples
Scarcely had I got out of bed when the doorbell rang.
No sooner had he finished dinner, when she walked in the door.
 
After 'Only' Expressions such as 'only after', 'only when', 'only then', etc.
'Only' is used with a time expression.
 
Examples
Only then did I understand the problem.
Only after understanding the situation does the teacher make a comment.
 
After 'Little'
'Little' is used in a negative sense.
 
Examples
Little did he understand the situation.
Little have I read concerning nanotechnology.
 
Inversion after 'So', 'Such', and 'That'
'So'
'So + adjective ... that' combines with the verb 'to be'.
 
Examples
So strange was the situation that I couldn't sleep.
So difficult is the test that students need three months to prepare.
 
'Such'
'So + to be + noun ... (that)':
 
Examples
Such is the moment that all greats traverse.
Such is the stuff of dreams.
 
Inverted Conditional Forms
Sometimes conditional forms are inverted as a means of sounding more formal. In this case, the conditional 'if' is dropped and the inverted forms takes the place of the 'if clause'.
 
Examples
Had he understood the problem, he wouldn't have committed those mistakes.
Should he decide to come, please telephone.

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Grammar IV (If Sentences)

If Sentences

Introduction:

English learners should learn if sentences, also known as conditional forms, in order to discuss various possibilities that are either realistic or imaginary. Follow the introduction below, you will find a grammar overview and explanation for each tense. Once you are familiar with these forms, use the referenced materials to practice and further your understanding of these forms. Teachers can print out the comprehension materials related to the materials, as well as the suggested lesson plans with point-by-point instructions on how to teach the conditional forms in class.

The Basics: What Are If Sentences?:

If sentences are used to discuss things that happen based on the condition that something else happens. There are three main types of if sentences.

Use an if sentence in the first conditional to consider real, possible events in the present or future:
If it rains, I'll take an umbrella.

Use an if sentences in the second conditional to speculate about unreal, improbable events in the present moment or future:
If I had a million dollars, I'd buy a big house.

An if sentence in the third conditional concerns imaginary (unreal) outcomes of past events:
If he had spent more time studying, he would have passed the exam.

If Sentence Forms Overview:

If Sentence # 1 = First Conditional
If + S + present simple + objects, S + will + verb + objects
-> If the boys finish their homework early, they will play baseball.
 
If Sentence # 2 = Second Conditional
If + S + past simple + objects, S + would + verb + objects
-> If he bought a new car, he would buy a Ford.
 
If Sentence # 3 = Third Conditional
If + S + past perfect + objects, S + would have + past participle + objects
-> If she had seen him, she would have discussed the issues with him.

Study If Sentences In Depth:

Here is a detailed guide to all conditional forms with examples, important exceptions to the rules and a structure guide. The alternate guide provides options for advanced level learners. Finally, this guide to choosing between the first or second conditional provides further help on deciding whether to use the real or unreal conditional.

Test Your Understanding of If Sentences:

Once you've studied the rules - or if you already know the rules - test your knowledge:
Conditional Forms Quiz
For advanced level learners here is a reading dialogue comprehension exercise that focuses on using the third conditional.

Teach a Lesson about If Sentences:

This first and second conditional forms lesson employs reading comprehension about emergencies to help students discover and review the forms. Once students are comfortable with the form, they discuss other difficult or unusual situations using the first and second conditional
This conditionals tic-tac-toe is a great game to help students review all three if sentence forms.
Finally, here is a printable conditional form quiz to use in class.

If Sentence Activities:

Practice if sentences with grammar chants. Using these chants, you and your classes can practice the structure so that it becomes natural and easy to remember.
Conditional 1 Chant
Conditional 2 Chant
Conditional 3 Chant

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Grammar III (Guide to Reported Speech)

Guide to Reported Speech

 

The Basics: Reported Speech:

Reported speech is used in both written and spoken English. Intermediate level English learners should study the reported speech in order to relate what others have said. Strong knowledge of the reported speech shows a command of tense conjunctions, as well as the proper use of pronouns and time expressions which must be changed. English learners should use this guide to explore detailed instructions, as well as use practice activities appropriate to this form. Teachers can print out the lesson plans, grammar charts and other reported speech learning materials introduced in this guide.
Reported Speech (also referred to as 'indirect speech') refers to a sentence reporting what someone has said. It is almost always used in spoken English.

• If the reporting verb (i.e. said) is in the past, the reported clause is in a past form. This form is usually one step back into the past from the original.
  For example:
  
  • He said the test was difficult.
  • She said she watched TV every day.
  
  
• If simple present, present perfect or the future is used in the reporting verb (i.e. says) the tense is retained.
  For example:
  
  • He says the test is difficult.
  • She has said that she watches TV every day.

Study Reported Speech in Depth:

The reported speech calls for changes in tenses, pronouns and time expressions. This reported speech guide provides all the information required. Reported speech generally uses the verbs 'say' and 'tell'. However, there are also a number of other reporting verbs that are much more descriptive (admit, reveal, suggest, etc.)
When changing verbs in reported speech, it's important to know your tenses well. This verb tense chart will help you review.

Test Your Knowledge of Reported Speech:

Once you've studied the rules - or if you already know the rules - test your knowledge. Practice using this form with the reported speech worksheet that provides a quick review and exercise. There's also a reported speech quiz which provides immediate feedback on correct or incorrect answers.

Teach a Lesson about Reported Speech:

Here are lessons on the site which focus on the past simple or past continuous and their use with other tenses.
Reported Speech - integration lesson for upper level students
Best Friend - Friend from Hell - fun conversation lesson which includes reporting back on what has been said

Activities with the Reported Speech:

Some activities that will help you practice:
Guess Who I Bumped Into? - Reported speech reading comprehension activity
Having a Hard Time Finding a Job - Dialogue reading of two conversations, the second of which reports on the first about someone who's having a hard time finding a job, includes a follow-up comprehension quiz

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Grammar II (Differences between Action and Stative Verbs)

Differences between Action and Stative Verbs

All verbs in English are classified as either stative or action verbs (also referred to as 'dynamic verbs'). Action verbs describe actions we take (things we do) or things that happen. Stative verbs refer to the way things 'are' - their appearance, state of being, smell, etc. The most important difference between stative and action verbs is that action verbs can be used in continuous tenses and stative verbs can not be used in continuous tenses.

For example:

Action Verbs
She's studying math with Tom at the moment. AND She studies math with Tom every Friday.
They've been working since seven o'clock this morning. AND They worked for two hours yesterday afternoon.
We'll be having a meeting when you arrive. AND We are going to meet next Friday.
Stative Verbs
The flowers smell lovely. NOT Those flowers are smelling lovely.
She heard him speak in Seattle yesterday afternoon. NOT She was hearing him speak in Seattle yesterday afternoon.
They'll love the concert tomorrow evening. NOT They'll be loving the concert tomorrow evening.
Common Stative Verbs

There are many more action verbs than stative verbs. Here is a list of some the most common stative verbs:
be
hate
like
love
need
belong
believe
cost
get
impress
know
reach
recognize
taste
think
understand

You may notice that some of these verbs can be used as action verbs with different meanings. For example, the verb 'to think' can either express an opinion, or the process of considering. In the first case, when 'think' expresses an opinion it is stative:

I think she should work harder on her math.
She thinks he is a fantastic singer.
'Think', however, can also express the process of considering something. In this case 'think' is an action verb:

They're thinking about buying a new house.
She's thinking of joining a health club.

Generally, stative verbs fall into four groups:
 
Verbs Showing Thought or Opinions
know
believe
understand
recognize

Verbs Showing Possession have
own
belong
possess

Verbs Showing Senses
hear
smell
see
feel

Verbs Showing Emotion
love
hate
want
need

If you are unsure of whether a verb is an action verb or a stative verb ask yourself the following question:

Does this verb relate some sort of process or a state? If it relates a process, then the verb is an action verb. If it relates a state, the verb is a stative verb.

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Grammar I (Focus on Adjectives Ending in -ic and -ical)

Focus on Adjectives Ending in -ic and -ical

Many adjectives end in either '-ic' or '-ical'.

Examples of Adjectives ending in '-ic':
athletic
energetic
prophetic
scientific

Example Sentences:

The boys are very athletic and play a variety of sports
I didn't realize you were so energetic! You've completed 10 exercises in the last hour.
His writings were very prophetic and some think show the way of the future.
Many feel that the only valid way to learn is the scientific approach.

Examples of Adjectives ending in '-ical':
 magical
diabolical
cynical
musical

Example Sentences:

We had a magical evening at the concert.
His political use of the military was diabolical.
I wish she weren't so cynical. I don't know whether I can believe anything she says.
You Timothy is quite musical and plays the piano well.
An extension of the adjective ending '-ical' is the adjective ending in '-logical'. These adjectives tend to be used with scientific and medical related terms.

Examples of Adjectives ending in '-logical':
psychological
cardiological
chronological
ideological

Example Sentences:

The psychological study of patients has led to many helpful discoveries.
The cardiological unit of the hospital has saved many lives.
The chronological listing of each King's reign can be found on page 244.
Many feel that an ideological approach to our political problems will not solve anything.

There are a few cases in which both adjective endings are used with slight changes in meaning. Here are some of the most common:

economic / economical
economic = relating to economics and finance
economical = money saving, frugal

Example Sentences:
The economic picture looks pretty depressing for the next few quarters.
It's economical to reuse your banana peels as compost.

historic / historical
historic = famous and important
historical = dealing with history

Example Sentences:

The historic Battle of the Bulge was fought in Belgium.
The historical significance of Da Vinci's writings was discussed in Peter Gould's essay.

lyric / lyrical
lyric = relating to poetry
lyrical = resembling poetry, musicality, etc.

Example Sentences:

Lyric poetry reading can help you find the music of everyday language.
His lyrical approach to scientific writing help to popularize the subject.

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