Lesson 65
Dialogue
1/ Sentence Practice
We have arrived early because we did not want to miss the plane.
We need not have arrived early as the plane is delayed by one hour.
That is irrelevant since we could not have known.
Let’s have some Spanish food such as Tapas and Paella.
We can eat that at home. For example at one of the two tapas bars near our house.
I would like to have a coffee instead of eating now.
According to the plane tickets we have a meal included on the flight.
However, the food on the plane is not always that filling.
Although the plane is supposed to be an hour late yet we know it could be longer.
While I am happy to eat the food on the plane, I would prefer to eat something now.
So we are going to eat now even though we know we will be eating another meal later.
I can eat now and I can eat on the plane too.
I am sure you can as well.
Tomorrow not only we can start a diet but we can also start to do gentle exercise.
For example a gentle walk in the Park. Although you are still recovering, you can exercise also.
Instead of just watching the T.V.
Vocabulary
- Conjunctions
- adverbs
- prepositions
- connectors.
- to arrive early
- because
- to miss the plane.
- delayed
- by one hour.
- That is irrelevant
- since
- we could not have known.
- Let’s have
- Spanish food
- such as
- Tapas and Paella
- eat at home.
- For example
- at one of the
- near
- our house.
- I would like to have a coffee
- instead of eating now.
- According to
- the plane tickets
- included
- on the flight.
- However
- filling.
- Although
- yet
- longer than that.
- While
- I am happy
- I would prefer to eat something now.
- even though
- another meal later.
- not only but also
- gentle exercise.
- walk in the Park.
- you are still recovering
- Instead of just
- watching the T.V.
Grammar
Conjunctions
What is a clause?
It is a grammatical unit consisted of a subject and predicate or verb, ranked smaller than a sentence because it is not always complete in itself.
There are different types of clauses: dependent and independent:
1/ independent = expresses a complete meaning = a sentence
2/ dependent = expresses an incomplete meaning = subordinate clause
Conjunctions are used to connect clauses, and define the relationship, making the text flow.
Conjunctions cover a variety of functions and meanings too:
1/ Coordinating conjunctions = linking 2 equally important clauses (2 independent clauses):
for, and, not, but, or, yet, soon (FANBOYS to memorise it)
FOR
I have to find a new job, for I am unemployed.
AND
Let’s wait and see.
NOR
Neither my brother nor my sister seem to agree with my parents.
BUT
I have no desire to go but I have to.
OR
Would you like tea or coffee?
YET
It looks quite modern yet inviting.
SO
He is very friendly, so everyone likes him.
2/ Subordinating conjunctions joining a dependent clause and a main clause:
because, once, since, although
Expressing comparison:
THAN
It is tastier than I thought.
RATHER THAN
I will have tea rather than coffee.
WHETHER
You must decide whether you will celebrate Christmas here or there.
AS MUCH AS
I eat as much as he does.
WHEREAS
I am direct whereas he is diplomatic.
Expressing concession:
THOUGH
ALTHOUGH
Although they spoke the same language, they didn’t understand each other.
EVEN THOUGH
WHILE
Expressing a relationship:
THAT
The book that you lent me is fascinating!
WHAT
That is truly what matters.
WHATEVER
He always says whatever goes through his mind.
WHICH
I don’t know which to choose.
WHICHEVER
Have whichever you prefer.
Expressing time:
AFTER
After learning how to drive, we can go on a road trip.
AS LONG AS
As long as you are fair, they will accept your decision.
AS SOON AS
As soon as the music started people joined in on the dance floor.
BEFORE
Before going to bed, brush your teeth!
BY THE TIME
By the time we arrive, dinner should be ready.
NOW THAT
Now that you are here we can painting.
ONCE
Once we have established who does what, we can start cooking.
SINCE
They have known us since 2015.
TILL = UNTIL
They are here until the summer.
WHEN
When you are ready, we will start.
WHENEVER
The dogs start barking whenever I walk by.
WHILE
They ate a snack while walking up the mountain.
Expressing condition:
IF
If it rains, we will have to cancel the picnic.
ONLY IF
He will only if he gets sponsored.
UNLESS
He won’t be able to play unless he gets sponsored.
UNTIL
He will not be able to play until he is fully recovered from his injury.
PROVIDED THAT
He will be able to play provided that he is 100% recovered.
ASSUMING THAT
He would get the job assuming that all his references are true.
EVEN IF
Even if he doesn’t succeed, he will have given it his best.
IN CASE (THAT)
In case he doesn’t get this job, he has other interviews lined up.
Expressing place:
WHERE
This is where we grew up.
WHEREVER
I will follow him wherever he goes!
Expressing manner:
HOW
This is how you get hurt! Be more careful!
AS THOUGH
He was behaving as though he didn’t want to be there.
AS IF
He spoke as if he knew them well.
Expressing reason:
BECAUSE
He left because he didn’t like the atmosphere.
SINCE
He decided to leave since he didn’t like the job after all.
SO THAT
They moved neighbourhood so that their children could attend a better school.
IN ORDER (THAT)
They moved neighbourhood in order that their children could attend a better school.
WHY
I feel so fresh! This is why I like to go to bed early!
3/ Correlative conjunctions = pairs of conjunctions linking words within a sentence:
BOTH… AND
How to describe his management style? He is both friendly and firm.
EITHER… OR
The thermostat is broken. It is either too hot or too cold.
And here are some more expressions:
as… as
hardly … when
scarcely… when
neither… nor
if… then
not… but
what with… and
whether… or
not only… but also
no sooner… than
rather… than
Questions and answers
Questions and Answers
Shall we eat at home?
I fancy going out.
Where do you want to go?
I wouldn’t mind eating tapas or even a paella.
Hurry up, do you want to miss the plane?
The plane is delayed according to my app.
Would you like a coffee?
I might have one later, thank you.
Would you like to eat now or on the plane?
On the plane as the flight includes a meal and a drink.
Is he still recovering from the flu?
Yes, but he is still a little poorly.
How does it feel to be bilingual?
Very gratifying actually.
Would you like to leave now or later?
Now, but I have not finished my work.
I take it you do not wish to stay in, so shall we go out?
Yes please just give me 5 minutes.
Would you vote for Brelax?
No I wouldn’t.