GRAMMAR STRUCTURES

A. IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS RELATED TO BUSINESS.

Task 1. Read the following idioms and write an example with
each one on the following page.

1. To be thrown in the deep end

Explanation: you are put into a new or difficult situation without
any preparation.

2. Learn the ropes

Explanation: to learn the basic tasks that allow you do a job
well.

3. Think outside the box

Explanation: think creatively and solve problems in a non-
standard way.

4. DOWNTURN
Explanation: when the business or economy gets worse; a
decline.

5. Turnout
Explanation: amount of people that attend an event (high or
low turnout).

6. Turn a profit
Explanation: to make money.

7. To turn down
Explanation: to reject , to refuse.

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 8. To turn out
Explanation: to have a specific result.

9. To turn a corner
Explanation: to have success after a difficulty, to get better.

10.To turn to
Explanation: to consult for advice.
11.To take turns
Explanation:

12.To turn in
Explanation: to submit something important, to give.

My Examples:
1.___________________________________________.
2.___________________________________________.
3.___________________________________________.
4.___________________________________________.
5. __________________________________________.
6.___________________________________________.
7.___________________________________________.
8.___________________________________________.
9.___________________________________________.
10.__________________________________________.
11.__________________________________________.
12.__________________________________________.

Tip: see these videos for more practice:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlZK1L9TxU0

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7VkT1TxT0M&list=RDCMUCrRiVfHqBIIvSgKmgnSY66g

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 B. Independent and dependent clauses.

An independent clause is a complete sentence. It has a

subject and predicate and expresses a complete thought.
Examples:
1. The new secretary was thrown in the deep end the
first day at work.
2. He wants to know the ropes at his new job.
3. The company are hiring creative people only.
4. The Panamanian economy had a downturn during
the epidemic.
5. Many people were turned down last week, but they
still think outside the box.

A DEPENDENT CLAUSE is a clause that cannot stand alone as a

complete sentence because it doesn´t express a complete thought.
It also has a subject and a verb.

Examples: The sentences in red are the dependent clauses.

1. I don´t know the manager who went to my office.
2. They will turn a profit unless soon unless the epidemic returns.
3. The excellence of a gift lies on how appropriate it is rather than
how valuable it is.
4. They are not going to work because they are on strike.
5. After he finished the paperwork he had a break.

Tip: A dependent clause begins with words such as after, although,

because, before, if, unless, since, that, until, when, where, who,
which and why.

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Task 2. Read the pages ….. , …. And …… Then, find 5 different
independent clauses. Write them below and underline the part of the
sentence that is the dependent clause.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Task 3. Write 5 different sentences about you and your classmates.

Use dependent and independent sentences.
Example:
My classmate Richard didn´t do the assignment because his computer is broken.

(independent clause) (dependent clause)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
See the following videos for additional practice:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNT1D0JoFk8
2. https://rhs.jcsd.net/apps/video/watch.jsp?v=118775

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 C. CONNECTING IDEAS

The connectors are words you can use to connect ideas,

details or clauses together in order to make one clear, detailed
sentence. The following chart shows a classification of connectors
depending on their function.

We are going to study some of them in this unit.

Contrast.
The following connectors are used to show contrast of ideas:
Although, though, Even Though.
Examples:
1. Although he was sick, he went to work.
2. Though they are not related, they look alike.
3. Even though the number of customers are low, this store
opens every day.
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Cause and Effect
 The connector because is used to show cause and effect.
Examples:
1. Because he was lazy, he didn´t pass the exam.

2. The math teacher was very happy because we understood

the lesson.

3. They like to work here because their salary is high.

Tip: see the following videos for additional practice.

Links:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35HAmLT1hCw

2. https://blogdelingles.com/connectors-of-contrast/

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFuxlnUeGmg

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hBW3Jcj44g

Task 4. Write some of the examples from the videos and translate

them to Spanish.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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D. The words: other, another and the other (s).
Other: This word indicates additional, extra or alternative.
Examples:
1. The supervisor has only the date for the meeting. Other
information about the meeting is unknown.
2. Some music can help people to relax. Other music has the
opposite effect.
3. This office is too small. Do you have other sizes?

The other: here the word is a determiner (the, my, some, this)
Examples:
1. This computer is new. The other is 10 years old.
2. Jessy and Karol are here, but where are the other co-
workers?

Another: this word means one more or an alternative or different.

Examples:
1. Would you like to drink another cup of coffee?
2. I don´t like this platform. Can we use another?
3. You have just met John, but we have another joker in this
office.

See the following videos for additional practice:

1. https://www.grammar.cl/english/another-other-others.htm
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuIagGu5Kro

E. Language Function: Giving Advice.

 1. Modal Should.

The modal should has the main function to express advice.

It means that it is a good idea that we give or receive.

Examples:
1. My car is dirty. I should wash it today.
2. Doctors and nurses should rest more time. They shouldn’t
work every day.
3. You shouldn´t eat junk food. It is unhealthy.
4. We should follow the doctors’ advice during an epidemic.

Exercise 1
Complete the sentences below. Use the modal shouldn´t and the
expressions from the square.

Be cruel to animals use slangs in a job

interview.
Smoke assign too much
homework
Chat and drive at the same time
Copy and paste material in internet for a school project

1. A good driver shouldn’t chat and drive at the same time.

2. An educated person shouldn’t use slangs in a job
interview.
3.A good student shouldn’t Copy and paste material in internet for a
school project.
 3. Smoking increase the probabilities to get cancer. You
shouldn’t smoke.
4. A good teacher_________________________________.
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For more additional practice see the following videos:
1.https://elt.oup.com/student/solutions/elementary/grammar/grammar_05_0
22e?cc=gt&selLanguage=en

2.https://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-15134.php

3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn_fIrM9JYk

4.https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/everyday-grammar-you-had-better-learn-modals/
2865365.html

2. Modal had better

The modal had better is used to give advice in a particular

situation, especially when you want to ensure you avoid a
negative consequence outcome.

Notes: The modal had better in spoken English is used in present and future.
This modal is usually used in contractions:

I´d , you´d , he´d , she´d, we´d , they´d

Examples:
1. It´s getting late. You´d better leave now or you will miss your
bus.
2. You´d better shut up!
3. We´d better put on our face masks or the police will arrest us.

Click the link for additional practice:

1. https://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/had-better
 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f62dKVjoSOs

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Task … write 5 different examples from the videos after you listen to
them. Then, underline the negative consequences.

Example:
It may rain this afternoon. You better bring an umbrella or you will get wet.

(negative consequence).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

F. LANGUAGE FUNCTION: Making polite requests.

1. Modals COULD AND WOULD.

The modal could and would are used for different purposes in
English. Here They will be used to request something politely.

Examples:

1. Could you see the report in your computer?

2. Could you please pass the laptop?
3. Could you help me with my project?
4. Would you like a cup of tea?
5. Would you like to see the office?
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Exercise
Complete the request under each picture. Use the expressions
Could You …….? Would you like ….. ? Could I……. ? and
your own ideas. Add
please where is appropriate.
You can also use this vocabulary:
1. Meet again next week 2. leave a message
2. have a room for two 4. Please hear some juicy gossip
5.see another color 6 explain these figures
7. put these up here 8. two bottles of water
9. get technical assistance 10. take me to the airport
Example:

1. Could you please take me to the airport?

2.____________________________________

3.____________________________
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4.___________________________________________

5.______________________________

6._____________________________________

7. ______________________________________
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8.____________________________________

9.___________________________________

10.__________________________________

See the following videos for additional practice:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP1_uGBT6ns time : 2 minutes.

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzYoA1vJU-I time: 2 minutes.

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.

G. Connectors: However, nevertheless, thus, besides, moreover.

1. However: This connector is used to indicate contrast or

contradiction.
Examples:

Examples:
1. We don’t have much money. However, we are very happy.
2. He works very hard. However, his brother is very lazy.
3. This platform has great apps. However , it is not very
popular in internet.
2. Nevertheless: This connector is used to say something which
contrasts with what has just been said.
1. The new office is very well decorated; nevertheless, we
prefer to work in the old office.
2. The business lost a lot of customer during the lockdown;
nevertheless, it continues open every day.

3. Thus: This connector is used to show cause and effect.

Examples:
1.Joseph is the most experienced supervisor in our company.
Thus, new workers turn to him for guidance.
2. They can’t fix the software. Thus, They must call a technician.
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4. Besides that and Moreover: These connectors are used
to indicate addition
.Examples:
1.The staff of this company is outstanding. Moreover, the
CEO is a great professional.
2.The staff of this company is outstanding. Beside that,
the CEO is a great professional.

3.My city is one of the best places to visit in my

country. Moreover, it has many famous natural resources in
the world.

5. SO: this connector indicates result of an event or

situation.
Examples:
1. It was raining very hard. So, we stayed at home.
2. We didn´t have much food at home, so we went to eat
out.

6. Connectors but and and.

When an addition is made to a statement with but
or and, often the main verb is not repeated. Instead, it is replaced by
an auxiliary verb.
EXAMPLES:
1. Martha understands math pretty well and her mother does
too.
2. My coworker Ann is very good at organizing the office,
but, her partner is not.
3. He enjoys outdoors activities, and his son does too.
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See these videos for additional practice:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC0-55YApvA
2. https://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=5346

7. Using the words: too, so, either and neither.

So is used before and adjective and adverb (not a noun). It’s

similar to very or extremely.
Examples:
1. She is so beautiful.
2. The young girl is so skinny.
3. The manager looks so upset.

Too means also or in addition. Too also refers to something done

to an excessive degree.
Examples:
1. We worked fast too.
2. The bus driver drives too fast.
3. They live too far from their job.
4. Don´t work too hard.

H. EITHER AND NEITHER

These words can be used as adverbs, determiners, pronouns and
conjunctions in sentences.

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NEITHER AND EITHER AS ADVERBS
The words neither and either functions as adverbs and they work
as words of connection.
Examples:
José: I don´t like this report.
Marta: neither do I

José: I don´t like this report

Marta: I don´t like it either

NEITHER AND EITHER AS DETERMINERS

They offer additional information about the subject.

Examples:
1. There is a new computer at either office in this company.
2. Neither the manager could stop the loss during the
lockdown, as the customers stopped coming here.

NEITHER AND EITHER AS PRONOUNS

Examples:
1. Both these streets go to the new mall, so you can drive
either way.
2. Neither of my friends is smart enough to defeat the
champion.
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NEITHER AND EITHER AS CONJUCTIONS

Either and or are used to offer a choice among two options.

Examples:
1. You can call either at home or in my office.
2. Either the CEO or the manager will solve the conflict.
Neither and nor are used to deny any of two options.
Examples:
1. Neither the champion nor the challenger will get the
payment.
2. I will neither call you nor give information about this
issue.

See these videos for additional practice:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chtPQeUep9g
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbd_CajdXaw

I. GERUNDS AND INFINITIVES

Gerunds and infinitive can replace a noun.

A gerund is the present participle form (ing) of a verb.
Examples: Speaking, Working , Dancing.
A infinitive is the base form of a verb after the preposition to.
Examples: To live, to eat , to work.
 Whether you use a gerund or an infinitive depends on the
main verb of the sentence.
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Gerunds are used after some common verbs: enjoy, finish, stop,
quit, mind, postpone, put off, keep, consider, think about, discuss
and talk about.
Examples:
1. I enjoy watching tv alone.
2. They postponed opening the store.
3. We talked about getting a new car.
4. Keep on working, please.

Infinitives are used after some common verbs: want, need, hope,
plan, decide, promise, agree, refuse, forget learn, would like, try, can
´t wait.
Examples:
1. My boss offered to lend us some money.
2. Don´t forget to bring the book.
3. She refused to work there.
4. He will learn to use the new equipment soon.

Some common verbs are followed either by gerunds or

infinitives: begin, start, like, love, hate, continue, can´t stand.
Examples:
1.She began working yesterday. / She began to work yesterday.
2. He hates to get up early. / He hates getting up early.

By + Gerund is used to express how something is done.

Examples:
1.They opened the close door by pushing it.
2. My classmates practice French by writing essays.
 Click the links for additional practice:

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1.https://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/index.htm

2. https://agendaweb.org/verbs/infinitives-gerunds.html

J. PREPOSITIONS BY AND WITH

These prepositions are also used to express how something is
done.
Examples:

1. I opened the door with a key.

2. They went to Panama City by plane.
3. He confused you by mistake.
4. I swept the office with a broom.

K. USING GERUNDS AS SUBJECTS AND USING IT +

INFINITIVE.

The following pair of sentences have the same meaning:

Riding horses is fun.

It is fun to ride horses.

Coming to the meeting on time is very important.

It is very important to come to the meeting on time.

Being respectful to other people is necessary here.

It is necessary here to be respectful to other people.
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Exercise

Make sentences with the same meaning by using it +

infinitive.
1. Playing basketball is fun.
2. Learning English takes a long time to master.
3. Walking alone at night is dangerous in this city.
4. Fixing computer software is a big business.
5. Talking in public requires good language skill.

Exercise
Make sentences with the same meaning by using a gerund as
the subject.
1. It is easy to use the platform zoom.
2. It takes time to make new friends.
3. It is difficult to install this app.
4. It is dangerous to work in some hospitals.
5. It is hard to travel through the forest.

L. IN ORDER TO AND FOR.

In order to expresses purpose and answer the question why

Example:
A: Why did you quit your job?
B: I quit my job in order to help my children.

Note: in order to can be omitted.

I quit my job to help my children.

For is also used to express purpose, but it is a preposition and it is

followed by a noun phrase.
 21

Examples:
A: Why did you go to the supermarket?
B: I went to the supermarket for some food.
Click the links for additional practice:
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxSFJStA4SA
2. https://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-
83775.php

M. USING INFINITIVES WITH TOO AND ENOUGH.

Infinitives often follow expressions with too. Too comes in front of and
adjective and the use of too implies a negative result.
Examples:
1.This project is too complex for me to finish in one week.
2. The oil prices are too high to invest in that business.

Infinitives often follow expressions with enough. Enough comes before

a noun a

Examples:
1. I don’t have enough money to buy that laptop.
2. We didn’t work enough time to finish the task.
3. He is old enough to travel by bus.
Exercise

Make sentences by putting the following in the correct order.

Example:
a. time/to go to the movies tomorrow/ I don´t have/ enough

I don´t have enough time to go to the movies tomorrow.

1. to touch the ceiling/ too / I´m / short.

___________________________________________.
2. for me/ this coffee is/ hot/to drink / too
 ___________________________________________.

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3. too / to stay at home alone/young/ Sara isn´t
___________________________________________.
4. to eat lunch today/ time/I didn´t have/enough
___________________________________________.
Click the links for additional practice:
1. https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/grammar-exercise-too-enough.php
2. https://agendaweb.org/grammar/too-enough-intermediate-exercises.html
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4xfTdojGEM

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