CONNECTING IDEAS SIMILAR IDEAS

Here are some ways to connect noun phrases and statements when you want to show that they are the same, or nearly the same.

1 Two noun phrases

1 Maria I like fruit Maria I dont like milk and and and or 2 John vegetables. John dont like meat. meat. (NOT and) like fruit.

2 Two statements a
These affirmative statements all mean the same: I like fruit. Maria also likes fruit. I like fruit and Maria likes fruit too. I like fruit. Maria likes fruit as well. I like fruit and so does Maria. (also before the verb) (too at the end) (as well at the end) (so + auxiliary)

These negative statements all mean the same: I dont like meat. Maria doesnt like meat either. I dont like meat and nor does Maria. I dont like meat and neither does Maria.

With longer statements, we can use in addition: We didnt go out. John had hurt his foot, which made it difficult for him to walk. In addition, the weather was bad.

NOTICE:

We can point more strongly to similarity with bothand (affirmative) or neithernor (negative). .

3 Three or more
Notice the comma and the use of and/or (with no comma before it). I like folk music, jazz, pop and rock. I dont like classical music, opera or instrumentals.

Exercise 1: And or or
Fill in the blank with and or or. Example: I don't like chicken ____ beef. Answer: I don't like chicken or beef. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I don't know who to go for a walk with, Maria ____ John. John ____ Maria didn't go for a walk yesterday. They stayed at home. She's got a bicycle ____ a car. she's lucky. Maria ____ John both hate walking. 5. I like walking ____ biking.

Exercise 2: And/ also/ both/ so/ too/ as well

Complete each sentence/question in column A by using the set of answers in column B. Example: He has a car. He _____ has a bicycle. Answer: He has a car. He also has a bicycle. Column A 1. I've got three brothers here _____ another brother in America. 2. I _____ have a brother who lives in America. 3. I enjoy science fiction books. My wife likes them _____. 4. We _____ like reading William Gibson novels. Column B A. as well B. and

C. also D. both

OPPOSITE IDEAS
Here are some ways to connect two ideas when you want to say that they are opposite to each other.

1 Contrast
a
Short statements I like fruit but I dont like meat. I like fruit. I dont like fruit drinks, though.

For longer statements, we can also use although, however and on the other hand: Although Einstein was a very clever man, he never passed any university exams. Living in the country is quiet and peaceful. However, it can also be very boring. Television has great educational possibilities. On the other hand, it can sometimes make people lazy. Although goes before the two ideas in one sentence. However and on the other hand go between the two ideas.

2 Choice
a b c
ORDINARY CHOICE:

Which do you want? The green one or the red one?

TO SHOW STRONGLY THAT YOU MEAN NOT BOTH:

At my school, we learn either English or Spanish.

TO SHOW PREFERENCE:

What would you rather do? Stay in or go out? Id rather stay in.

TO CONNECT LONGER IDEAS, WE CAN ALSO USE ON THE OTHER HAND:

What do you want to do? Its a beautiful day so we could go out for a walk. On the other hand, we could stay in and watch sports on TV.

NOTICE:

Would you like any tea or coffee? I want you to answer yes or no. Would you like tea or coffee? Answer tea or coffee.

Exercise 1: Although/ though/ but/ however/ either

Complete each sentence/question in column A by using the set of answers in column B. Example: Country life is peaceful. _____ it can be boring. Answer: Country life is peaceful. However, it can be boring. Column A 1. His work is slow _____sure. 2. _____ he works slowly, he never makes a mistake. 3. I like chocolate. I don't like caramel, _____. 4. Smoking might protect your teeth. _____ , it is still bad for you. 5. You can have _____ milk or juice, not both. Column B A. though B. however C. but D. although E. either

Exercise 2: And/ both/ but/ either/ or

Fill in the blank with and, or, but either or both. Example: We learn ____ English ____ Spanish ____ not ____. Answer: We learn either English or Spanish but not both. 1. We could spend the money ____ it would be better to save it. 2. ____ dresses are nice. 3. The blue one is cheaper ____ it is probably easier to wash. 4. Which one shall I buy? The red one ____ the blue one? 5. We don't have much time, we can ____ shop or study.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
In the sequence I took the key out of my pocket and opened the door, it is clear which action was first and which action happened second. You do not need to write anything else to show this. But sometimes it is not clear and you must use special words to show which was first or if the actions happened at the same time.

1 Same time a b c
Maria can wash the potatoes while I chop the onions. While I was on the phone, the TV show started. As I headed out the door, it started to rain. I heard a loud noise as I was crossing the road. They were eating when I arrived.

2 Different times a
EVENT 1 EVENT 2

First, Ill wash the potatoes. She watched TV for a while. After I have washed the potatoes,

Then, Ill chop the onions. After that, she went to bed. Ill chop the onions.
EVENT 1

EVENT 2

Ill chop the onions I found the message Before I chop the onions, They ate
NOTICE:

after I have washed the potatoes. when I arrived home. Ill wash the potatoes. when I arrived.
Compare with 1 c.

We cannot use will for future time with after, as, before, when, while. We use a present tense: Have another coffee before you go. Well arrest him while hes sleeping. NOT will go NOT will sleep

NOTICE:

If you are describing three or more events and you want to show the sequence clearly, put first at the beginning and put finally before the last event.

Exercise 1: Understanding sequence

Read the sentences below. Did they both happen at the same time? Answer Yes or No. Example: John arrived after we had lunch. Answer: No. 1. After we had lunch, John arrived. 2. John arrived when we were having lunch. 3. We had lunch when John arrived. 4. John arrived as we were eating. 5. While we were eating, John arrived.

Exercise 2: When/ while/ and

Fill in the blank with when, while or and. Example: I sat down ____ drank my coffee. Answer: I sat down and drank my coffee. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. I washed up ____ put the dishes away. I did the washing up ____ Maria was putting the dishes away. I was doing the washing up ____ Maria broke a plate. Maria was being silly ____ she broke the plate. I stopped washing up ____ helped her.

Exercise 3: After or after that

Fill in the blank with after or after that. Example: I had my dinner. ____ I wrote some letters. Answer: I had my dinner. After that, I wrote some letters. 1. ____ I washed up, I put the dishes away. 2. I put the dishes away ____ I had washed up.

3. I did the washing up. ____ I put the dishes away. 4. Maria broke a plate. ____ she was more careful. 5. We watched TV ____ doing the dishes.

CONDITIONS
Look at this sentence: Hes coming to see us if he has time. QUESTION: Is he coming to see us? ANSWER: We dont know. Perhaps he will have time or perhaps he will not have time. If he has time is an example of a REAL CONDITION (section 1 in this unit). Now look at this sentence: He would be here now if he had the time. QUESTION: Is he here now? ANSWER: No, because he doesnt have time. If he had the time is an example of an UNREAL CONDITION (section 2 in this unit). We usually begin conditions with if.

1 Real conditions
We do not know if the condition is, will be or was true. Here are some examples: If it rains tomorrow, Ill stay in. If Maria is coming to the party, you can tell her the news. But she wont be able to come if shes in Winnipeg now. Im sure shell come if John has remembered to tell her. If they saw each other last night, she must know about it. NOTICE: We cannot use will for future time in a condition: We say If it rains tomorrow NOT if it will rain If shes coming NOT if she will be coming NOTICE: We sometimes use unless (ifnot) at the beginning of a condition: Unless it rains tomorrow, Ill go to the beach. Unless shes in Winnipeg, Im sure shell come.

Im sure shell come unless John has forgotten to tell her about it.

2 Unreal Conditions
Always use PAST TENSE.

For PRESENT and FUTURE TIME the condition is not, or probably will not be, true: We use a SIMPLE or CONTINUOUS verb formation: If Maria was coming, you could tell her the news. I would have more money if I didnt smoke. Id phone him if only I could find his number. If I found a lot of money, Id give it to the police. (But she isnt coming; you cant tell her.) (But I smoke; I have less money.) (But I cant find it; I cant phone him.) (I dont expect to find any; Im imagining.)

NOTICE:

Would you mind if I left early? Would + mind + UNREAL CONDITION is a polite way to ask for permission.

For PAST TIME (the condition was not true), we use a PERFECT verb formation in the condition: If Maria had come, you could have told her the news. (But she didnt come; you couldnt tell her.) Id have phoned him if only I could have found his number. (But I couldnt find it; I didnt phone.) If I had found that money, I would have given it to the police. (I didnt find it; Im just imagining.) Im sure Maria wouldve come if John hadnt forgotten to tell her. (But John forgot; she didnt come.) NOTICE: In this sentence: If they saw each other, Im sure they talked about it the condition is real (talking about past time). But in this sentence: If they saw each other, they would talk about it the condition is unreal (talking about future time).

NOTICE: Conditions can go before the basic sentence, If its fine, Ill go to the beach, or after it, Ill go to the beach if its fine. If we put the condition before the basic sentence, we use a comma

Exercise 1: The correct verb formation

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in brackets. Example: If she ____ (talk) on the phone, she probably didn't hear the doorbell. Answer: If she was talking on the phone, she probably didn't hear the doorbell. 1. If it ____ (rain) tomorrow, we can't go out. 2. If it ____ (not rain), we could go out now. What a pity! 3. Unless it ____ (stop) raining soon, we can't go out at all. 4. If it ____ (not rain) yesterday, we could have gone out. 5. If he ____ (not leave) already, he'll be in his office. 6. If he ____ (not leave) already, he'd be in his office. 7. Do you mind if I ____ (open) the window? 8. Would you mind if I ____ (open) the window? 9. If only they ____ (have) a car, they could get there easily.