'at your English Tips 3'

Useful review tips for intermediate learners

If he were ... Use "were" in the second conditional if clause for all subjects.
If he were the boss, we'd all have more to do.
I would change my position if I were you.


when using a verb of purpose - I do something to do another thing. - use "to + verb".
She bought the computer to get more work done at home.
Hans visited the branch to speak with the manager.


The passive voice simple past is formed: Passive Subject + to be (was/were) + participle

One thousand units were produced last month.

The application form was completed and submitted to the administration.

Say and Tell
We use "say" without an indirect object. "Tell" on the other hand takes an indirect object - i.e. He told me.
I told her to hurry up.
I said I was coming soon.


Shall - Use "shall" with "we" when asking for suggestions for a group.

Where shall we go tonight?

When shall we meet?

at your English Tips 2

Using a Verb as a Noun
     We use the gerund form of the verb (verb+ing) when we use the verb as a noun.

Playing golf is my favorite pastime.

She said that driving was very difficult for her.

Future Time Clauses

In a future time clause use the present simple - the construction is the same as for the first conditional.

We'll begin the meeting as soon as she arrives.

She'll finish after she receives the notes.

At the Moment Decisions

     We use the future with "will" for spontaneous reactions. In other words, decisions that we make at that moment.

I'm hungry. - I'll make you a sandwich.

It's raining. - I'll get an umbrella.

Few and A Few

We use "few" in a negative sense. Use "a few" in a positive sense.

I have few friends in Los Angeles.

I have a few friends in New York.

The Use of Well

"Well" is the adverb form of the adjective "good"

He plays golf very well.

She speaks German well.

Using Adverb Clauses with Time Expressions

http://esl.about.com/od/grammaradvanced/a/adverb_clauses.htm