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Infinitives replacing a relative clause
If superlative adjectiveA part of speech that modifies, qualifies or restricts a noun or a pronoun. E.g.: The apples are ripe. ("ripe")s (especially the first, the last) are used, an infinitive structureThe way in which the parts of a sentence, clause or expression are arranged. E.g.: make somebody + infinitive in "The teacher made me rewrite the composition." can replace a defining relative clauseA group of related words containing a subject and a verb..
Geoffrey was the last to understand the joke. (= Geoffrey was the last person who understood the joke.)
If we want to express an actionA general term expressing that somebody or something does something in the passive voiceThe form of the transitive verb that shows whether the subject acts (active voice) or is acted upon (passive voice)., a passive infinitive is used:
Unreal tenses
The unrealA tense that expresses a hypothetical situation. E.g.: I wish you were here. (or hypotheticalUnreal, imagined.) tenseA grammatical category that is marked by verb inflection. To express when an event or action happens in time or when a state exists, we use tenses.s have the form of the past simple or the past perfectThe aspect expressing completion. E.g.: He’s finished university. but they refer to present or past timeA concept which is related to our perception of reality; that part of existence which is measured in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, etc., respectively. They are used in subordinate clauseA clause that cannot be a sentence in itself. It is joined with a main clause. E.g.: I wouldn’t go there if I were you. ("if I were you") When I arrived he was surfing. ("when I arrived")s which hypothesise an imaginary present or an impossible past situation.
The perfect continuous "aspect"
have + been + verb-ing
The perfectThe aspect expressing completion. E.g.: He’s finished university. continuousThe aspect expressing duration, formed with be + verb-ing. E.g.: What are you doing? is not considered as an aspectA verbal category relating an action to the passage of time. It can express duration or completion. in itself; rather it is the combination of the perfect and continuous aspects.
WOULD PREFER IT + IF-clause
I would prefer it if it stopped snowing.
This is a second conditional sentence.
Modals in the main clause of third conditional sentences
Instead of would here it is possible to use could (ability or possibility), should (obligation) or might (possibility).
George could have won the race if his shoelace hadn’t come undone.
Passive voice: unknown or unimportant agent
We use the passive voiceThe form of the transitive verb that shows whether the subject acts (active voice) or is acted upon (passive voice). when we do not know who performs the actionA general term expressing that somebody or something does something or it is not important. In this case the agentThe doer of an action; the person or the thing that does something. E.g.: True Romance was written by Tarantino. ("Tarantino") is not mentioned in the passive sentence.
Tom’s bike has been stolen.
I was advised to obtain a visa in advance.
Modals expressing future ability
For future ability, both the auxiliaryA helping verb used with main verbs to express mood, voice and tense. E.g.: I can't stand when I am disturbed. ("can", "am") can and the future forms of be able to are used.
If you ask him, he can probably help you.
If you ask him, he will probably be able to help you.
Past perfect subjunctive
The past perfectThe aspect expressing completion. E.g.: He’s finished university. subjunctive has the same form as the past perfect tenseA grammatical category that is marked by verb inflection. To express when an event or action happens in time or when a state exists, we use tenses..
had + past participle
It is used in subordinate clauseA clause that cannot be a sentence in itself. It is joined with a main clause. E.g.: I wouldn’t go there if I were you. ("if I were you") When I arrived he was surfing. ("when I arrived")s and expresses an unrealA tense that expresses a hypothetical situation. E.g.: I wish you were here. past situation:
Reporting declarative sentences
DeclarativeThe sentence type used to make statements; it can be an affirmative sentence or a negative sentence. E.g.: John likes squash a lot. Tim has no friends. sentences can be affirmativeA declarative sentence indicating "yes"; also called a positive sentence. E.g.: John likes squash a lot. and negativeA declarative sentence indicating "no". E.g.: Tim has no friends.. Most declarative sentences in indirect speech follow this structureThe way in which the parts of a sentence, clause or expression are arranged. E.g.: make somebody + infinitive in "The teacher made me rewrite the composition.":
subject + reporting verb (+that) + clause