Summary of structures of advanced level for Writing/Speaking output

Summary of Syntactic Structures for Writing/Speaking Output – 5th course, 2011-12

Something has happened many times/for a long time so far this week/month/year/decade but/yet,/,however,/and nevertheless,/because nobody has done anything about it.

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….............................................................................................Present perfect simple in coordinate/subordinate sentence

Something has been happening since... They have been going out with each other since Christmas.

…............................................................................................................................. Present perfect continuous

Something had happened by the time/when something else happened.

The robber had run away by the time/when the police arrived. Past perfect simple

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By the time/when he was twenty-seven, he had already been married twice. Past perfect continuous

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When we were young we would cut class/ used to cut class and play together in the arcade.

Used to / would

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In a few months' time/Before long/This time next year/ By December we'll be travelling around.

Future continuous

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The prisoners should be allowed to make a phone call to their solicitors. Modal passive

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Negotiation are believed/rumored/said/thought to be coming to a conclusion. Passives in reporting news

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Many breakthroughs in the fight agains cancer have been made over the past few years.

…........................................................................................................................... Present perfect passive

The boy had his locker broken into and his camera stolen. Have/get something done

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The unions admitted/mentioned/protested/complained/realised/ explained/ suggested that...

…............................................................................................................................................... V+ that

The unions told/advised/warned/reminded/ persuaded employers that … V+ Ojbect + that

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What did you expect/want to find when you opened the box?

He agreed/wanted/promised/deserved/hoped/managed/refused/threatened to win the race.

…....................................................................................................................................... V. + to infinitive

We should ask/tell/advise/warn/permit/allow/persuade/teach/forbid/force them to buy our products.

…................................................................................................................................... V+ Object + to inf.

But customers might detest/enjoy/fancy/admit/consider/suggest buying them. V + ing form

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Government officers apologized for/ insisted on/ spoke of/ boasted about/ congratulated on …

…......................................................................................................................................... V+ prep. + ing

Government officers praised/blamed the banking system for causing the crisis V + Object + prep + ing

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Not knowingwhere he was, he stopped and checked the map. Negative present participle clause

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On hearingthe news, they started to celebrate. prep + Present participle clause

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The writer, smiling to the audience, accepted the award. present participle clause

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Practicedregularly, speaking skills will improve for sure. Past participle clause

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If I love you, I'll suffer, but if I don't, I will anyway. First conditional

If/In case/Providing/Provided/As long as I loved you, I'd suffer. Second conditional

If I had loved you, I would have suffered – I wouln't have suffered unlessI had loved you. Third cond.

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If your parents hadn't met, you wouldn't be here. Mixed conditional

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Had we done something before, we wouldn't be lamenting Inversion and mixed conditional

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If only/I wish we could go back in time until before the recession. I wish/If only

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Driving in a Mercedes is a great deal/a lot/far/much/a little/a bit/slightly more confortable than riding a scooter. Comparison

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Strawberries with cream, we never had enough of for deserts. Fronting

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It wasstrawberries with cream (that) we never had enough of for deserts. Cleft sentence

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What we never had enough of for deserts was strawberries with cream. Cleft sentence

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Never/Never before/Rarely/Hardly/Little/Scarcely had they prepared for the audition and they already wanted a part in the movie. Inversion

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The boss agreed/arranged/ asked/ begged/ conceded/ demanded/ determined/ ensured/ insisted/ recommended/ requested/required/ stipulated/ suggested that she (not) be at the meeting.

Sujunctive aff. and neg.

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It is best/ crucial/ desirable/ essential/ imperative/ important/ recommended/ urgen t/ vital/ a good idea/ a bad idea that she (not) beadmitted to/ participating in the organization.

Sujunctive continuous and passive aff. and neg..

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The class can meet either on Friday or on Thursday. Either

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She neithereat meat nor drinks coffee. Neither

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NeitherI nor my family feel that an interview is appropriate at this time. Neither

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