Zero Conditional Sentences Zero conditional sentences express general truths—situations in which one thing always causes another. They are about a general truth rather than a specific instance of something. Example: If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars. — Если общественный транспорт эффективно работает, люди перестают ездить на автомобилях. The correct tense to…
Conditional Sentences Conditional sentences (придаточные предложения условия) are statements discussing known factors or supposed situations and their consequences. Complete conditional sentences contain a conditional clause (often referred to as the if-clause) and a consecutive clause. If a certain condition is true, then a particular result happens. Examples: 1. When water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.…
Participial Adjectives Some participles (like ‘interested’ or ‘interesting’) can be used as adjectives. We usually use the past participle (ending in -ed) to talk about how someone feels: Examples: 1. She’s interested in history (NOT: She’s really interesting in history). — Она интересуется историей. 2. He was amused to hear his little son singing in…
Tag Questions (Part 2) Tag questions (or question tags) turn a statement into a question. Usually if the main clause is positive, the question tag is negative. Examples: 1. She dances very well, doesn’t she? 2. You are tired, aren’t you? — Она очень хорошо танцует, не правда ли? Вы ведь очень устали, верно? In…
Tag Questions Tag questions (or question tags) turn a statement into a question. They are often used for checking information that we think we know is true (but we need a confirmation). Example: It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it? — Сегодня прекрасный день, правда? We also use tag questions to ask for help or to…
Modal Verbs To Talk About Future Possibility May, might and could are used to express future possibility. In this situation they have the same meaning. Examples: 1. The store may open at 10 tomorrow. 2. The store might open at 10 tomorrow. 3. The store could open at 10 tomorrow. — Магазин, может быть, откроется…
Modal Verbs To Express Prohibition We use the verb must in the negative form (mustn’t) to express that something is strictly prohibited. Examples: 1. You mustn’t be rude to your parents. 2. You mustn’t drive without a license. — 1. Ты не должен грубить родителям. 2. Запрещается ездить за рулем без водительских прав. Can’t is…
Modals To Express Assumptions When we assume something based on logic we can express it with must (in positive assumptions). It means we are almost 100% sure of something. Example: It is Sunday. He must be at home. (I’m sure he is at home.) — Сегодня воскресенье. Он должен быть дома. In negative assumptions we…
Modals To Offer Suggestions We use would you like, shall and should to make suggestions. Examples: 1. Would you like a cup of tea? 2. Shall we take a walk? 3. Should we go out tonight? — 1. Не желаете ли чашечку чая? 2. Может быть, пойдем погуляем? 3. Не сходить ли нам куда-нибудь сегодня…
Modal Verbs To Make Requests We use the verbs would, could, will and can to make a request or to give somebody an instruction to do something. Would and could sound more polite. Examples: 1. Would you please bring me a coffee? 2. Could you open the window? — 1. Вы могли бы принести мне…