Mastering Key English Grammar Structures: Passive Voice, Conditionals, Wishes & Compound Adjectives
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Mastering English Grammar: Key Structures Explained
This document provides a comprehensive overview of essential English grammar structures, including the passive voice, conditional sentences, wish clauses, and compound adjectives. Each section offers clear explanations and examples to enhance your understanding.
The Passive Voice
Explore the various forms of the passive voice across different verb tenses. The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action rather than the doer of the action.
Verb Tense | Structure | Example |
| PRESENT SIMPLE | am/are/is + pp | Spanish is spoken here. |
| PRESENT CONTINUOUS | am/are/is being + pp | Your questions are being answered. |
| FUTURE (WILL) | will be + pp | It’ll be painted by next week. |
| FUTURE (GOING TO) | am/are/is going to be + pp | Terry is going to be made redundant next year. |
| PAST SIMPLE | was/were + pp | We were invited to the party, but we didn’t go. |
| PAST CONTINUOUS | was/were being + pp | The hotel room was being cleaned when we got back from shopping. |
| PRESENT PERFECT | have/has been + pp | The President of America has been shot. |
| PAST PERFECT | had been + pp | When he got home he found that all of his money had been stolen. |
| FUTURE PERFECT | will have been + pp | Our baby will have been born before Christmas. |
Forming the Passive Voice
The passive voice is generally formed using the auxiliary verb To Be followed by the past participle (pp) of the main verb. (Note: pp = past participle)
- Affirmative: Formed with the auxiliary verb To Be + the past participle of the main verb. Regular verbs typically end in -ed.
- Negative: Simply add not after the auxiliary verb To Be + the past participle of the main verb.
- Interrogative: Questions begin with the auxiliary verb To Be, as the subject is placed between the auxiliary and the past participle.
Conditional Sentences
Conditional sentences express hypothetical situations and their consequences. They typically consist of an 'if' clause (condition) and a main clause (result).
First Conditional | Result Clause |
We use IF + Present Simple in the condition clause and Future Simple in the result clause. The order of the clauses does not matter. Modal verbs (e.g., can, may, must) can also be used in the result clause.
The conjunction Unless (meaning 'if not') is frequently used in conditional sentences. | Future Simple (will + base form) Modal + Base Form Imperative |
Second Conditional | Result Clause |
We use IF + Past Simple in the condition clause and would + base form of the verb in the result clause. This conditional is used for hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. If the verb To Be is used in the 'if' clause, were is commonly used for all subjects (e.g., If I were you...). | Would + Base Form (e.g., would + infinitive) Could / Might + Base Form (e.g., could + infinitive / might + infinitive) |
Third Conditional | Result Clause |
We use IF + Past Perfect in the condition clause and would have + past participle in the result clause. This conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past and their hypothetical consequences. | Would Have + Past Participle (e.g., would + have + past participle) Could / Might Have + Past Participle (e.g., could + have + past participle / might + have + past participle) |
Expressing Wishes and Regrets (Wish Clauses)
Wish clauses are used to express desires, regrets, or wishes about present, past, or future situations.
Form | Uses |
|---|---|
| Wish / If only + Past Simple | Refers to a present situation that the speaker is unhappy about. |
| Wish / If only + Past Perfect | Expresses regret about a past action or situation. |
| Wish / If only + Could / Would + base form | Expresses a desire for something to happen in the future. |
Compound Adjectives
Compound adjectives are formed by combining two or more words, often hyphenated, to act as a single adjective modifying a noun.
- Adjective / Number + Noun + -ed:
- broken-hearted
- three-legged
- Adjective / Adverb / Noun + Verb with -ing:
- hard-working
- fast-moving
- mouth-watering
- Adjective / Adverb + Past Participle:
- well-known
- highly-regarded
- Adjective + Noun:
- last-minute
- long-term
- Noun + Adjective:
- world-famous
- duty-free
- Noun + Past Participle:
- air-conditioned
- sun-dried