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:	Rita	writes	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	is written	by Rita.
Simple Past	Active:	Rita	wrote	a letter.
	Passive:	A letter	was written	by 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

 

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

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:

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:

First sentence; transition, second sentence.

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:

Sentence due to noun phrase.

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.

EXERCISES

MODAL VERBS

MODAL VERBS 

A modal verb:

• is an auxiliary verb
• is used to express intention, necessity, obligation, offer, permission, possibility, prohibition, question, request, suggestion
• cannot function as a main verb in a sentence
• is followed by an infinitive

Watch the video about Modal verbs in Spanish 
 

Now watch this ppt and learn the characteristics of Modal Verbs

Modal verbs from concettadalterio

 

Practice with the activities below:

http://www.englishpage.com/modals/interactivemodal1.htm http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/musthaveto/menu.php
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-49540.php
http://www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/Should1A.html
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/modals/can.htm
http://www.englishpage.com/modals/modalintro.html
http://english-language.webpark.pl/modal_verbs.html
http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blmodalprob.htm
http://www.nonstopenglish.com/exercise.asp?exid=917
http://www.iesprofesorjuanbautista.es/3o-eso
Almost 200 exercises: http://www.tolearnenglish.com/cgi2/myexam/liaison.php?liaison=_modal_

PREPOSITIONS

PREPOSITIONS

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

• Exercise on IF Clauses Type I
• Exercise 2 on IF Clauses Type I

More practice

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

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

COMPARATIVES AND SUPERLATIVES (review)

Comparatives & Superlatives from Joel Aldrich