jueves, 2 de mayo de 2013

PASSIVE VOICE


 

Use of Passive

Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however, who or what is performing the action.
Example: My bike was stolen.
In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however, who did it.
Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example shows:
Example: A mistake was made.
In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You have made a mistake.).

Form of Passive

Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)

Example: A letter was written.
When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:
  • the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence
  • the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)
  • the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped)

Examples of Passive 

Tense Subject Verb Object
Simple Present Active: Ritawritesa letter.
Passive: A letteris writtenby Rita.
Simple Past Active: Ritawrotea letter.
Passive: A letterwas writtenby Rita.
 
Exercises
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=6071
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=1870
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=4356
http://www.espressoenglish.net/passive-voice-examples-exercises-present-past/
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-voice_quiz.htm
http://www.english-4u.de/passive_ex2.htm
http://www.agendaweb.org/verbs/passive-exercises.html
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/active_passive/sentences_simple_present.htm
 






















lunes, 29 de abril de 2013

CONNECTORS

SEQUENCE CONNECTORS
It is important to know the order or sequence that events take place in a paragraph. It helps you understand what you read.. These connectors are very useful to organize your ideas and easy to learn. The most important are:

  • First
  • Then
  • Next
  • After that
  • Finally
Let´s practice with this activity:
http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/weblessons/sequenceofevents/default.htm#page4

Watch this video and learn about sequence connectors in English

miércoles, 3 de abril de 2013

CONNECTORS

CAUSE AND EFFECT CONNECTORS
Before you go on to work on the grammar and writing exercises in this unit, read through this brief review of linking words and phrases for cause and effect. There are three main types of linking words: conjunctions, transitions, and prepositions.

1. Conjunctions

The most important conjunctions are because, as, since, and so. “Because”, “as”, and “since” introduce a cause; “so” introduces an effect. These are used to join two complete sentences (or independent clauses) together. They are often used like this:

arrrow to the right First sentence conjunction second sentence.

For example:
I stayed at home because it was raining.
Or:
It was raining, so I stayed at home. (use a comma before “so”)
You can also reverse the order of the sentences with because, as, and since.
For example:
Because it was raining, I stayed at home. (use a comma between the first and second sentences)
Note that this is not possible with “so”.

2. Transitions

The most important transitions are therefore, consequently, and as a result. All of these introduce an effect. These are used to join two complete sentences (or independent clauses) together. They are often used like this:

arrrow to the right First sentence; transition, second sentence.

arrrow to the right First sentence. transition, second sentence.

For example:
It was raining; therefore, I stayed home.
Or:
It was raining. Consequently, I stayed at home.

3. Prepositions

The most important prepositions are due to and because of. Both of these introduce a cause in the form of a noun phrase. They are often used like this:

arrrow to the right Sentence due to noun phrase.

arrrow to the right Because of noun phrase, sentence.

For example:
I stayed at home due to the rain.
Or:
Because of the rain, I stayed at home.

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

martes, 26 de febrero de 2013

FIRST CONDITIONAL

FIRST CONDITIONAL

Form

if + Simple Present, will-Future
Example: If I find her address, I will send her an invitation.
The main clause can also be at the beginning of the sentence. In this case, don't use a comma.
Example: I will send her an invitation if I find her address.
Note: Main clause and / or if clause might be negative. See Simple Present und will-Future on how to form negative sentences.
Example: If I don’t see him this afternoon, I will phone him in the evening.

Use

Conditional Sentences Type I refer to the future. An action in the future will only happen if a certain condition is fulfilled by that time. We don't know for sure whether the condition actually will be fulfilled or not, but the conditions seems rather realistic – so we think it is likely to happen.
Example: If I find her address, I’ll send her an invitation.
I want to send an invitation to a friend. I just have to find her address. I am quite sure, however, that I will find it.
Example: If John has the money, he will buy a Ferrari.
I know John very well and I know that he earns a lot of money and that he loves Ferraris. So I think it is very likely that sooner or later he will have the money to buy a Ferrari.

Exercises

More practice
http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/first-conditional-exercise-1.html
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/1cond.htm

martes, 22 de enero de 2013

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

When we group adjectives together there is a general rule for the position of each type adjective, these are:- 

Position 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

Opinion Size Age Shape Colour Material Origin Purpose

Nice Small Old Square Black Plastic British Racing

Ugly Big New Circular Blue Cotton American Running