Grammar 4ºESO

The negative form of used to is didn’t use to, and we form questions with did you use to. There is no present form of used to. When we want to talk about present habits or present repeated actions, we use the present simple tense with usually, normally, often, etc.

We use to eat out on Saturdays.
We usually eat out on Saturdays.

Be used to something/doing something

If you are used to something or to doing something, you are accustomed to it. Maybe it’s something new, strange or difficult, but you have done it for some time, and now you don’t find it new, strange or difficult anymore. Be used to is a state, so it is not used with continuous verb forms. It’s normally used with simple tenses.

When I started working, getting up at 6 a.m. was hard, but now I‘m used to it.
I’ve been living in England for a short time ,and I‘m still not used to driving on the left.

Get used to something/doing something

If you get used to something or to doing something, you become accustomed to something. Getting used to something is the process of becoming used to something.

I’ve just started my new job, and I‘m still getting used to getting up so early.
It might be difficult at first, but you‘ll get used to driving on the left.

Used to do, be used to doing, get used to doing

The past verb used to is always followed by an infinitive. The word to is part of the infinitive.

I used to play basketball when I was in school.

After be used to or get used to, we use a noun or a -ing verb. The word to is a preposition, not part of an infinitive, so when a verb follows, it must take the -ing form.

I‘m not used to this cold and rainy weather.
I’m sure you‘ll get used to work with John.
I’m sure you‘ll get used to working with John.

Exercises

Comparatives and superlatives

We use more.... for adverbs that end in -ly: more slowly, more quietly
You can use -er or more... with some two-syllable adjectives, especially: quiet, clever, narrow, shallow, simple
IRREGULAR COMPARATIVES: good/well > better, bad/badly > worse, far > further/farther
FURTHER & FURTHEST meaning 'more' or 'additional': Let me know if you hear any further news
Before comparatives you can use QUANTIFIERS such as: much, a lot, far, a bit, a little, slightly (He's much / slightly taller than his sister).
You can use any, no + adjective in the comparative form. Ex. I'm not waiting any longer.
Two comparatives of superiority connected by and meaning 'CADA VEZ MÁS'. Ex. The situation is becoming harder and harder.
COMPARATIVE OF EQUALITY: so, as....as.... Fernando Alsonso is as fast as the wind.
COMPARATIVE OF INFERIORITY: less....than... My cousin is less intelligent than my sister.
Difference between LESS & FEWER. Examples: I've got less money than you. A bicycle has got fewer wheels than a bus.
Some interesting collocations: the same as, different from, similar to
After superlatives we use in with places (the longest river in the world) and of for a period of time (the happiest day of my life)
ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE meaning 'very'. The book you lent me was most interesting.

Showing surprise

"I bought some mineral water" YOU: "Did you? So did my mother."

"Did you? My mother didn't"

"I didn't buy any beer" YOU: "Didn't you? Neither / Nor did my mother."

"Didn't you? My mother did."

Activity 1. Show surprise first. Then agree or disagree with the statements.

1. "My brother is very tired." YOU: "................? ________________ I".

2. "I always study before dinner." YOU: ".................? ________ my sister."

3. "I've missed my bus to Motril" YOU: "............? ________ my parents."

4. "I'm not very good at English." Víctor: "...................? I __________"

5. "I can't speak German" YOU: ".....................? _____________ we."

6. "I can't find any photos for my tourist brochure." YOU: "..........................? My English teacher _________"

7. "We are going to Edinburgh at the end of March." YOU: "..................? _________________ Albert's students."

8. "She has got a new boyfriend." YOU: "................? I _____________"

9. "I don't smoke Havana cigars." YOU: ".............? __________ smurfs."

10. "I was born in Salobreña." YOU: "..........? Albert ____________. I think he was born in Cologne, Germany."

Activity 2. Translate and show surprise first. Then agree or disagree with the statement.

Example: 'My parents go out every Friday evening.' 'Do they? Mine don't. They just stay at home and watch TV'

1. Mi hermano limpia el polvo dos veces a la semana.

2. Los domingos por la mañana yo me encargo de la colada.

3. Por la noche mi padre se encarga de la cena y yo de fregar los platos.

4. Todos los viernes mi madre se encarga de la plancha.

Activity 3. Translate the answers to the statements.

1. The market is open everyday. >> ¿Sí? Y también la tienda de discos. / Pues la carnicería no.

2. Hanif often wears hats. >> ¿Sí? Y nosotros también. Pues su hermana no.

3. Rachel thinks relationships are easy. >> ¿Sí? Y también Dan. Pues Joseph no.

4. They are coming with us. >> ¿Sí? Y también mis padres. Pues mi tía no.

5. He looked upset. >> ¿Sí? Y yo también. Pues su novia no.

6. I can speak German. >> ¿Sí? Y también tú. Pues yo no.

7. I've got a pencil. >> ¿Sí? Y también mi compañero. Pues el profesor no.

8. It isn't sunny in Salobreña. >> ¿No? Ni tampoco en Motril. Pues en Bubión sí.

9. I don't usually wear hats. >> ¿No? Ni tampoco mi madre. Pues mi padre sí.

10. Mary didn't come to the party. >> ¿No? Ni yo tampoco. Pues mi primo sí.

11. We haven't got any classroom on Monday. >>> ¿No? Ni ella tampoco. Pues mi tío sí.

12. She shoudn't speak like that. >> ¿No? Ni tampoco su madre. Pues yo sí.

13. Djokovic didn't win Wimbledon this year. >> ¿No? Ni tampoco Federer. Pues Nadal sí.

CONDITIONALS

CONDITIONALS.MP4

Zero conditionals

The zero conditional, also known as the present real conditional, is used to talk about actions and events that are always true. It is used to describe a cause-and-effect relationship between two facts or events. The zero conditional is used to express a general truth, scientific facts, or instructions. Here are some examples:

If you heat water up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, it boils.
If you don't eat, you get hungry.
If the traffic is heavy, it takes longer to get to work.

As you can see, the zero conditional is used to describe something that always happens or is always true. The first part of the sentence (if clause) describes the condition, and the second part of the sentence (main clause) describes the consequence.

First conditionals - Real conditionals

If clause and main clause

All conditional sentences have two parts: the if clause and the main clause. It doesn’t matter which clause comes first, but when the if clause comes first, we should put a comma after it.

If it rains, we’ll stay home
We’ll stay home if it rains.

If + present, future

In the first conditional, the verb in the if clause is present, and the verb in the main clause is future.

If you don’t go to sleep, you’ll be very tired tomorrow.

The if clause may have a present or a future meaning, but the verb is always in the present (NOT future)

If you will be a good boy tomorrow, mummy will buy you a present.
If you are a good boy tomorrow, mummy will buy you a present.

Main clause: will, modal verb, imperative

In the main clause, we can also use modal verbs or the imperative:

If it rains (PRESENT SIMPLE) ,

..... I will not play (FUTURE SIMPLE) tennis.
..... we can play (MODAL VERB) video games at home.
..... come (IMPERATIVE) to my house and we'll watch TV.

Unless = if (not)

We can also use unless in conditional sentences to mean if … (not)

I won’t go on holiday unless I save some money.
= I won’t go on holiday if I don’t save some money.

In case

We use in case to talk about the possibility of something happening. After in case, we also use the present to talk about the future.

I’ll take my umbrella in case it rains. (=maybe it will rain)

But the meaning of in case is different from if. Compare:

I’ll take my umbrella in case it rains. (=I’ll take my umbrella if it rains, and I’ll take my umbrella if it doesn’t rain)
I’ll take my umbrella if it rains. (=I’ll take my umbrella if it rains, but I won’t take my umbrella if it doesn’t rain)

First vs zero conditional

We use the first conditional to talk about a particular situation, whereas we use the zero conditional to talk about what happens in general.

If you don’t use oil, it tastes awful. (=I’m talking about what happens every time.)
If you don’t use oil, it will taste awful. (=I’m talking about this particular occasion.)

Exercises

Second conditionals - Hypothetical conditionals

We use the second conditional to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in the present or the future, so they are possible. We can use past simple or past continuous in the if clause, and we can use would, could or might + simple infinitive (do) or continuous infinitive (be doing) in the main clause.

If there were a fire, it would be impossible to escape.
If you weren’t making so much noise, I could concentrate.
I wouldn’t have a car if I lived in the city.
If it weren’t for him, I might not be talking to you right now.

When we use the verb be in the if clause, we can use either was (spoken English) or were (more formal) after I, he, she or it. But when we are giving advice, we always use if I were you (NOT was).

If he was/were rich, he wouldn’t be living in this house.
If I were you, I’d call him as soon as possible. (NOT was)

As with all conditional types, we use a comma after the if clause when it goes at the beginning of the sentence, but we don’t use a comma when the if clause goes at the end.

If you weren’t making so much noise, I could concentrate.
I could concentrate if you weren’t making so much noise.

Third conditionals - Impossible or unreal conditionals

We use the third conditional to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in the past. We can use the past perfect simple or past perfect continuous in the if clause and we can use would, could or might + the perfect infinitive in the main clause.

If you had come to class more often, you would have passed the test.
I wouldn’t have been late if I hadn’t overslept.
He could have died if he hadn’t been wearing a helmet.
If the jacket had been a bit cheaper, I might have bought it.

Exercises

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES - MIXED

A. Put the verbs in brackets into the suitable tense, but first think which type of conditional sentence it is (...), that is:

ZERO, REAL, HYPOTHETICAL, or IMPOSSIBLE/UNREAL

1. Sue has lost her watch, so (let) _______________ me know if you (find) __________ it. ...................................

2. Let's dream! What (you, do) ___________________ if you (find) ___________________ a wallet full of money? ............................................

3. Albert (be) __________________ really angry if I (not bring) _____________________ a composition every three weeks. That’s why I do it. ......................................

4. What (you, do) _______________________ if you (be) _____________________ bitten by a snake when you were in the jungle? ..............................................

5. According to Newton's law, if you (let) _____________________ an object loose in the air, it (fall) _____________. ..............................................

6. If my brother were offered a job, I think he (accept) _________________ it. .................................

7. I (lend) ___________________ her the money if she had asked me for it. ...............................

8. You will go to her wedding if you (buy) _____________________ a new suit. ................................

9. I would make adventure films if I (be) _________________ an actor. .........................................

10. (not get) ________________ scared if you come across a bear. Just (be) _________________ quiet and it (go) _________________ away. .............................

Non-defining relative clauses

Insert the clauses in brackets into the main sentences as non-defining relative clauses. Remember to add the commas.

1. Mont Blanc .... is the highest mountain in the Alps. (it is between France and Italy)

2. Alfred Hitchcock .... worked for many years in Hollywood. (he was born in Britain)

3. We recently visited Cambridge ..... (Albert studied there many years ago)

4. Mireia ..... loves travelling. (she is in 4º ESO)

5. London .... has over 8 million inhabitants. (it is the capital of Britain)

6. Mr Barack Obama .... visited Spain in 2016. (he was the President of the United States)

Passive voice and relative clauses

Read the following recipe and transform using the passive voice and relative clauses:

How to Make a Spanish Potato Omelette

Here's the recipe to make the Spanish potato omelette that my mother gave to me.

Some eggs, potatoes and some oil are needed to make this omelette. An onion is also often used. The cooking tools that you need are a spatula and a frying pan.

First, the potatoes and the onions are chopped and some salt is added to them. Then the frying pan, where you put some olive oil, is used to fry the potatoes and the onion. When they are cooked/fried, some eggs are beaten in a bowl and poured into the frying pan where the fried potatoes and onions are. Cook until the eggs are done/set and turn the omelette over so that it is done on both sides.

This is the omelette my mother used to do for us. It can be served on a plate with some fresh tomatoes which you slice. I hope you'll like it!!!

Example: Here's the recipe to make the Spanish potato omelette that my mother gave to me. - Here's the recipe for making the Spanish potato omelette that/which was given to me by my mother.

REPORTED SPEECH

When you are reporting someone's words you've got two ways to do it:

- using the exact words used by the speaker >>> DIRECT SPEECH (Example: 'I'm tired', he said)
- reporting the speaker's words >>> REPORTED SPEECH or INDIRECT SPEECH (Example: He said he was tired)

However, before we begin explaining how it works, we must note that the reported speech we will be discussing is a very artificial one. We are assuming a situation where the context in which the words were said and the context in which the words were reported are completely different, but this is not always true. Actually, they may be exactly the same, as in the following example:

- "I have brought you here these exercises" (SITUATION: the teacher is speaking and the students are listening)

- One students raises his hand and says: "Pardon. What did you say?"

- "I have just said that I have brought you here these exercises." (There are no changes at all because the situation is exactly the same: the teacher is speaking and the students are listening at the same time and in the same place.)

Apart from this, remember that there are indirect ways of speaking like in the following sentences:

- I don't know what time it is (instead of 'What time is it?')

- I wonder where I can buy some bread (instead of 'Where can I buy some bread?')

- I don't know if Dad is at home. (instead of 'Is Dad at home?')

- Tell me how fast you can run. (instead of 'How fast can you run?')

Anyway, we will make all the possible changes in our examples and all these transformations are what we call the BACKSHIFT, which is a change that we make backwards. This BACKSHIFT affects three main areas:

TENSES.- The changes are similar to the ones made in our language and the try to express the time gap there is between the moment of speaking and the time when the words were reported. Just remember to keep the time gap. For example, the past simple can stay the same or change into the past perfect. (Jane: "I arrived at 7" >> She said that she arrived / had arrived at 7"), but in the following example it is better to have it in the past perfect to keep the mentioned time gap: 'This is the present my boyfriend gave me yesterday', said Jane >> Jane said that was the present her boyfriend had given her the day before.)

PERSONS.- The speaker is represented by the first person and the listener by the second person, while there are no changes in the third person. So there may be changes in the personal pronouns, possessive adjectives and pronouns...

OTHER WORDS CONNECTED WITH TIME AND PLACE, which have to be learned by heart, although most of them are similar to our language.

Reported statements

Peter: "Money is the only thing I live for." >>> Peter said money was the only thing he lived for.

Reported questions

We've got two types of questions: WH-questions and Yes/No questions. Remember to undo the inversion because the reported question is actually a statement.

Pam: "Do you like my dress?" Jim: "Yes, I do" >>> Pam asked if/whether he liked her dress and he answered he did.

Albert: "When are you going to read this book?" >>> Albert asked the students when they were going to read that book.

Reported orders and requests

A TO-INFINITIVE structure is required.

Mother: "Would you buy some bread for dinner, please?" >>> My mother asked me to buy some bread for dinner.

Students: "Don't give us any homework for tomorrow.">They asked Albert not to give them any homework for the next day.

Reported suggestions

There are several options, especially when someone makes a suggestion to another person.

Richard: "What about ordering a pizza?" >>> Richard suggested ordering a pizza.

Albert: "You should revise the list of irregular verbs."

>>> Albert suggested they revise / revised / should revise the list of irregular verbs.

Further information about reported speech

When you mention just the person speaking you use SAY (He said he was very happy), but when you also mention the speaker it is better to use TELL (He told her he was very happy), although SAY TO is also possible (He said to her he was very happy.)
- In order to summarize and not use so many words the USE OF CONNECTORS is very important as well as the use of certain REPORTING VERBS, such as: insist, apologize for, invite, agree, explain, offer, declare, beg, accept, advise...

Tom: "I'm terribly sorry, but I couldn't arrive earlier.?" >>> Tom apologized for not arriving earlier.

Mark: "Would you like to come to my birthday party next week?"

>>> Mark invited me to go to his birthday party the next week.

Here is a good link to revise the REPORTING VERBS (Reported Speech) and a good video to watch about the issue (6 Minute English Vocabulary)

Exercises on Reported Speech:

A. Transform these sentences into Reported Speech.

1. "I can't stop laughing", the student to the teacher.

2. "They're laughing at me now", said Mary.

3. "I can't afford to buy your car", Albert to Fernando Alonso.

4. "FC Barcelona will win the King's Cup tomorrow", said Messi in the press conference.

5. "We don't like this exercise", said the students.

6. "I'm afraid of spiders", said my mum.

B. Fill in the gaps with 'said' or 'told' and then transform these sentences into Direct Speech.

1. They ....... that they couldn't find a cash machine in that city.

2. Mary ........ them that the fish tasted awful.

3. Fernando Alonso ........ Albert that he was saving for a new car then.

4. My parents ..... my aunt that they wanted to borrow her house in the mountains.

5. Nadal ......... that his elbow was very painful.

6. She ...... me that her coat was made of leather.

C. Rewrite the sentences using REPORTED SPEECH. First, decide which verb to use: ‘said’ or ‘told’

1. The student to the teacher: “I don't think it is made of glass”

The student ....................... ___________________________________________

2. The children: “We collected lots of cans in this river”.

They .................. ______________________________

3. Jane to her father: “I have invented a new tyre”. Jane .................. ______________________

4. The students to the robotics teacher: “We are building a smart house.”

They .................. _______________________________

5. Maria to her boyfriend: “I’ll help you, Tom”. She ................... _________________________

6. My parents: “We must save more energy”. They ................... _________________________

D. Have a look at the sentences, decide the appropriate verb to use ( ask , tell , offer, suggest ) and finish the sentence in REPORTED SPEECH.

“Shall we have a picnic?” // “Shall I open the window?” // “Bring me the newspaper” // “Could I have another biscuit, please?” // “Will you drive now?”

1. My friends ______________ _________ing ______________________

2. The little boy _______________ for _________________________

3. Her boyfriend ______________ her to ____________________________

4. The student _____________ to ______________________________

5. My father ____________ me to ____________________________

E. Put the following sentences into REPORTED SPEECH:

1. "I'm going out now", he said.

2. "I'll be home by nine", he said.

3. "My young brother wants to be a football player", said Mary.

4. "Who has been using my typewriter?", said my mother.

5. "Don't do anything dangerous", said his wife.

6. "Do you want to see the cathedral?", said the guide.

7. "Close the door", said Albert to Nick.

8. "Take these dictionaries to the English Department", said the teacher to the student.

F. Put this dialogue into reported speech:

Arthur‑ What's the matter? Don't cry. Do you want to borrow my handckerchief?

Mary ‑ I'm sorry to be so boring. I haven't seen Bruce for the whole weekend. Did you see him?

Arthur ‑ Yes, I did.

Mary ‑ Where did you see him?

Arthur ‑ I saw him at the dentist's last Thursday.

Mary ‑ He didn't come for me on Thursday. There must be quite a simple explanation.

Arthur ...... and told her ..... . Finally he asked her .....

Mary ...... , but .... and asked him .....

Arthur answered .....

Then Mary asked him ....

And Arthur said ......

Mary said .... , but that .....

Different uses of GET:

1. GET as a synonym of 'become' + ADJ. >> get... tired, better, upset, dark
2. GET as a synonym of 'obtain, receive, buy' + NOUN/NOUN PHRASE >> get... a job, a present for/from, a driving licence, a goal (score)
3. GET as a phrasal verb >> get... away (escape), together (meet), up
4. Other uses of GET >> get... home, to school (arrive), the flu (an illness), a bus (use transport)

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Grammar 4ºESO

Revision:

Table of Contents

Used to, be used to, get used to

Used to

Be used to something/doing something

Get used to something/doing something

Used to do, be used to doing, get used to doing

Exercises

Comparatives and superlatives

Showing surprise

CONDITIONALS

Zero conditionals

First conditionals - Real conditionals

First vs zero conditional

Exercises

Second conditionals - Hypothetical conditionals

Third conditionals - Impossible or unreal conditionals

Exercises

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES - MIXED

Non-defining relative clauses

Passive voice and relative clauses

Read the following recipe and transform using the passive voice and relative clauses:

How to Make a Spanish Potato Omelette

REPORTED SPEECH

Reported statements

Reported questions

Reported orders and requests

Reported suggestions

Further information about reported speech

Here is a good link to revise the REPORTING VERBS (Reported Speech) and a good video to watch about the issue (6 Minute English Vocabulary)

Different uses of GET: