Guía de Inglés: Relative Clauses, Mixed Conditionals, Passive Voice y Reporting Verbs

Relative Clauses

Mixed Conditional Sentences

Past Condition … Present Result: To express that if something had been different in the past, there would be a present result.

If we hadn't missed our flight, we would be in London now.

If + past perfect, would + infinitive

Order of Adjectives

Determiner, opinion, size, shape, age, colour, origin, material, purpose, noun.

I Wish / If Only

a. I wish / If only + simple past: When we want something to be different in the present. Example:

I wish / If only he called me. (Tant de bó ell em truqués.)

b. I wish / If only + past perfect: When we regret something in the past. Example:

I wish / If only I hadn't met you. (Ojalá no te hubiera conocido.)

c. I wish / If only + conditional: To complain about a thing or situation. Example:

I wish / If only she wouldn't speak in class. (Tant de bó ella no parlés a classe.)

Perfect Modals

• must have: The driver must have lost his way.
• could have / might have / may have: She might/may have bought a new house.
• should have: He should have listened to me.

Indirect Passive Voice

Active: John offered me a piece of cake.

Subj — Verb — I.O. — D.O.

Passive Voice (as usual): A piece of cake was offered to me by John.

Indirect Object Passive Voice: I was offered a piece of cake by John.

Example: They gave John a warm welcome.

Subj — Verb — I.O. — D.O.

A warm welcome was given to John (by them). (Direct Object)

John was given a warm welcome (by them). (Indirect Object)

The Causative

Subject + Have/Get + Object + Past Participle

I had/got my hair cut last Saturday.

Me cortaron el pelo el sábado pasado.

She will get the car washed at the weekend.

Ella portarà el cotxe a rentar el cap de setmana / Li rentaran el cotxe.

Reporting Verbs

Verb + object + to + infinitive: order, advise, ask, encourage, invite, remind, tell, persuade, warn.
Example: "Open the door!" → He ORDERED ME TO OPEN the door.

Verb + to + infinitive: agree, offer, promise, refuse.
Example: "I will help you." → He OFFERED TO HELP me.

Verb + (that) + clause: add, admit, declare, explain, insist, predict, promise, recommend, reply, reveal, suggest.
Example: "You should stop smoking." → He RECOMMENDED (THAT) I should stop smoking.

Verb + object + that + clause: advise, inform, remind, warn.
Example: "Don't forget there is an exam next week." → He REMINDED US THAT there was an exam the following week.

Verb + -ing form or noun: recommend, suggest, propose.
Example: "Let's try the salad." → He RECOMMENDED TRYING the salad.

Verb + preposition + -ing/noun: apologize for, complain about, insist on, object to.
Example: "Sorry I was rude." → He APOLOGIZED FOR BEING rude.

Descriptive Writing

First Paragraph

• Introduction
• Who, what, why, ...
• Objective information
• More than 1 sentence

Second Paragraph

• Physical appearance
• Objective description
• More than 1 sentence

Third Paragraph

• Character and personality
• Objective explanation
• More than 1 sentence

Fourth Paragraph

• Future plans. My opinion
• More than 1 sentence

Biography

• Paragraph one: General information: childhood, parents, background, ...
• Paragraph two: When he/she became an interesting subject. Why.
• Paragraph three: Consequences.

Blog Writing

Please think of an engaging title to attract readers!

Language: It's advisable to address the readers at the beginning: "Hi readers" or "Hi there!" (as this is an informal context).

Opening your post with a rhetorical question is a good technique: "Did you know that...?"

Finishing Off

• Don't miss any of my posts!

For and Against Composition / Advantages and Disadvantages

• 1st paragraph: State the topic, explain briefly what it is going to be (introduction).
• 2nd paragraph: Arguments for / advantages.
• 3rd paragraph: Arguments against / disadvantages.
• 4th paragraph: Your opinion and your conclusion, ONLY IN THIS PARAGRAPH.