English Grammar Pattern 92 (1) "Now that" + (2) Finished Action + (3) Result

Model Sentence

(1) Now that (2) we're finished, (3) we can relax.

In grammar Pattern 92, we begin with the phrase "Now that", then add an action that is finished, followed at last by the result, which is usually in the form of a sentence. It is possible to invert the sentence, using "now that" in the middle and stating the result first.

 

Pronunciation Practice - Repeat each sentence out loud!

1. Now that I'm an adult, I can eat and drink whatever I want!
2. I can get more sleep now that I'm not so busy.
3. Now that we're ready to start, why don't we start!
4. She's ready to start cooking, now that she's prepared all the food.
5. Now that you've gotten a promotion, what are you going to do first?

 

 Conversation Practice - Ask these questions to your friends!

1. What will you do next, now that today's lesson is almost finished?
2. Now that the weekend is almost here, what are your plans?
3. Now that you've learned many new sentences, what do you want to talk about?
4. What are your plans, now that a new year has come? (If it has just come!)
5. How will your life be different, now that you're married? (If you have just gotten married!)

English Grammar Pattern 91 (1) Sentence + (2) Unless + (3) Condition

Model Sentences

(1) We will not change (2) unless (3) you have a good idea.

OR

(2) Unless (3) you have a good idea, (1) we will not change.

Grammar Pattern 91, shows how to use "Unless", whose basic meaning is similar to "only if". The word "unless" can serve as a connector, as in Model Sentence 1, or it can come at the beginning, as in Model Sentence 2. "Unless" must go directly with the condition. If the condition and "unless" are separated, it sounds quite strange. For example, we could not change the example to "Unless we will not change, you do not have a good idea".

 

Pronunciation Practice - Repeat each sentence out loud!

1. We can't do it unless you pay us more.
2. Unless it rains tomorrow, we will go for sure.
3. I will be there unless you decide to do it yourself.
4. Unless I get sick, I will be there next Friday.
5. They said they will finish unless you want to add something.

 

Conversation Practice - Ask these questions to your friends!

1. Unless there's an emergency, when will you get up tomorrow morning?
2. Where will you go tomorrow, unless something unexpected happens?
3. What could happen to a young student, unless he or she studies well?
4. How can a company succeed unless they work well and work efficiently.
5. Unless you finish these lessons, can you be sure to speak English correctly?

English Grammar Pattern 90 (1) Although + (2) Sentence A + (3) Sentence B

Model Sentence

(1) Although (2) I don't understand English perfectly, (3) I can still have many conversations!

Grammar Pattern 90 can be used to connect two very different ideas. Both "though" and "although" are the same as "but", except they are a bit more formal and can be used at the beginning of a sentence. ("But" should only be used in the middle of a sentence.) "Even though" is simply a stronger version of "though" and "although". In every case, the meaning is still the same as "but", only the positioning within the sentence is different.

 

Pronunciation Practice - Repeat each sentence out loud!

1. We continued to walk in the park even though it was raining.
2. I'll continue to study languages although I don't need to.
3. Though I have already reached a high level, I will continue to work hard.
4. Although I am not rich, I am happy with my life.
5. Even though I have had trouble, I have never given up.

 

Conversation Practice - Ask these questions to your friends!

1. Even though a man is poor, can he still enjoy life?
2. Although someone is busy, can she still find time for fun?
3. Will you always be so energetic, though you are getting older?
4. Can you move up in your job even though there is a lot of competition?
5. Should we try to succeed even though we may fail completely?

English Grammar Pattern 89 (1) Long Sentence + (2) "as if" or "as though" + (3) Verb Phrase

Model Sentence

(1) We continued playing tennis (2) as if (3) it weren't raining.

Grammar Pattern 89 is a simple but useful "very long sentence". Simply start with a normal sentence pattern, then compare that using "as if" or "as though". Using "as if" or "as though" suggests doing something in a certain way, even if it's not real. Practice with the questions below and you'll get the concept. Have fun! 

Pronunciation Practice - Repeat each sentence out loud!

1. My boss listened as if here were interested. (But he wasn't!)
2. They were running as if they were trying to catch a train.
3. I worked as if my life depended on it.
4. We laughed as if it was the funniest joke we had ever heard!
5. I am living my life as if I will die tomorrow.

 

Conversation Practice - Ask these questions to your friends!

1. Do you usually live your life as if you will live forever?
2. Have you ever tried to live as if you only had one week to live?
3. Have you ever talked to a boring person as if he or she were really interesting?
4. Would you ever want to act as if you were the leader of the world. (When?)
5. What would you do if you acted as if you were the leader of the world?

English Grammar Pattern 88 (1) Before / After / During / While + (2) Two Verbs

Model Sentences

(1) After I (2) visited Paris, I (2) decided to learn to speak French well.

OR

I (2) decided to learn to speak French well (1) after I (2) visited Paris.

Grammar Pattern 88 is the first "very long sentence" we will look at. The adverb, such as "before", "after", "during" or "while", can be at the beginning or at the end, as you can see in the model sentences.

 

Pronunciation Practice - Repeat each sentence out loud!

1. Before I came here, I was not sure wanted to come.
2. After I decided, I started to worry about my decision!
3. She burned herself while she was cooking dinner.
4. I fell in my face while I was ice skating!
5. We learned so much during our time practicing these sentences.

 

Conversation Practice - Ask these questions to your friends!

1. Do you like to listen to music while you are studying?
2. What activities do you enjoy doing during the spring?
3. Before you go to work in the morning, how do you prepare?
4. After you watch a good movie, what do you like to do?
5. While you are reading an interesting book, can you have a conversation?

English Grammar Pattern 87 Passive Sentences

Model Sentence

These lessons were put together by a teacher named Joe.

Grammar Pattern 87 is the "passive" structure in English, which uses the past form of the verb "b" plus a past participle. Don't use passive sentences too often. Only use them in formal situations or when the action is more important than the person who did it.

 

Pronunciation Practice - Repeat each sentence out loud!

1. This book was written by a famous writer.
2. The movie was produced by an unknown director.
3. Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.
4. The telephone was invented by Alexander Bell.
5. This amazing story was written in the middle of winter.

 

Conversation Practice - Ask these questions to your friends!

1. Who was "My Heart Will Go On" sung by?
2. Who was the telephone invented by?
3. Who was the airplane invented by?
4. Was the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo?
5. Do you like movies that were directed by famous directors?

English Grammar Pattern 86 (1) Past Perfect + (2) Connector + (3) Past

Model Sentence

We (1) had already finished eating (2) when our boss (3) offered to take us out to dinner! 

Grammar Pattern 86 has two past events, one which happened before the other. Usually, the first past event has an important connection to the second one. In the Model Sentence above, "we had finished eating" so we were not hungry when "our boss offered to take us out to dinner". The meaning of the sentence is that we missed a good opportunity - if only the boss had offered earlier! 

Pronunciation Practice - Repeat each sentence out loud!

1. He had been waiting for two hours when the telephone suddenly rang.
2. I had already been planning my holiday when the boss told me I had to work overtime.
3. She had been studying for the exam for two months before learning that it was cancelled.
4. When we arrived at the football match, they had already been playing for 15 minutes.
5. I had just started using my computer when the electricity suddenly went out.

 

Conversation Practice - Ask these questions to your friends!

1. How long had you been working in your job before you started to do well?
2. Had you already been studying sentence patterns before you started these lessons?
3. Where had you been living when you decided to start your career?
4. Can you remember when you first went to university or started your first job? How long had you been studying to prepare for that day?
5. What kind of job had you been dreaming of before you found your current job?