Simple Past (Listening)

Click on what you heard
http://englishallyear.com/listening24/exercise70.html

True or False
http://englishallyear.com/listening24/exercise71.html

Complete the dialogue
http://englishallyear.com/listening24/exercise72.html

Would (listening)

What Would You Do

If, if, if....

True or False
http://englishallyear.com/listening23/exercise67.html

Listen and complete the sentences
http://englishallyear.com/listening23/exercise68.html

Listen and reorganize the sentences
http://englishallyear.com/listening23/exercise69.html

Past Simple Tense

We use the past simple to talk about actions and states which we see as completed in the past.

We can use it to talk about a specific point in time.

• She came back last Friday.
• I saw her in the street.
• They didn't agree to the deal.

It can also be used to talk about a period of time.

• She lived in Tokyo for seven years.
• They were in London from Monday to Thursday of last week.
• When I was living in New York, I went to all the art exhibitions I could.

You will often find the past simple used with time expressions such as these:

• Yesterday
• three weeks ago
• last year
• in 2002
• from March to June
• for a long time
• for 6 weeks
• in the 1980s
• in the last century
• in the past

Exercises:

Complete the Sentences

http://www.englishallyear.com/grammar18/exercise52.html

Fill in the brackets

http://www.englishallyear.com/grammar18/exercise53.html

Put in Order

http://www.englishallyear.com/grammar18/exercise54.html

Second Conditional IF

The Second Conditional is used to talk about 'impossible' situations.

• If we were in London today, we would be able to go to the concert in Hyde Park.
• If I had millions dollars, I'd give a lot to charity.
• If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.
• If everyone had clean water to drink, there would be a lot less disease.

Note that after I / he/ she /it we often use the subjunctive form 'were' and not 'was'. (Some people think that 'were' is the only 'correct' form but other people think 'was' is equally 'correct' .)

• If she were happy in her job, she wouldn't be looking for another one.
• If I lived in Japan, I'd have sushi every day.
• If they were to enter our market, we'd have big problems.

Note the form 'If I were you' which is often used to give advice.

• If I were you, I'd look for a new place to live.
• If I were you, I'd go back to school and get more qualifications.

The Second Conditional is also used to talk about 'unlikely' situations.

• If I went to China, I'd visit the Great Wall.
• If I was the President, I'd reduce taxes.
• If you were in my position, you'd understand.

Note that the choice between the first and the second conditional is often a question of the speaker's attitude rather than of facts. Compare these examples. Otto thinks these things are possible, Peter doesn't.

• Otto – If I win the lottery, I'll buy a big house.
• Peter – If I won the lottery, I'd buy a big house.
• Otto – If I get promoted, I'll throw a big party.
• Peter – If I got promoted, I'd throw a big party.
• Otto – If my team win the Cup, I'll buy champagne for everybody.
• Peter – If my team won the Cup, I'd buy champagne for everybody.

Note that the 'If clause' can contain the past simple or the past continuous.

• If I was still working in Brighton, I would commute by train.
• If she were coming, she would be here by now.
• If they were thinking of selling, I would want to buy.

Note that the main clause can contain 'would' 'could' or 'might.

• If I had the chance to do it again, I would do it differently.
• If we met up for lunch, we could go to that new restaurant.
• If I spoke to him directly, I might be able to persuade him.

Also note that sometimes the 'if clause' is implied rather than spoken.

• What would I do without you? ("if you weren't here")
• Where would I get one at this time of night? ("if I wanted one")
• He wouldn't agree. ("if I asked him")

Exercises:

Right or Wrong

http://englishallyear.com/grammar17/exercise49.html

Read and Complete

http://englishallyear.com/grammar17/exercise50.html

Put in Order

http://englishallyear.com/grammar17/exercise51.html

The Warehouse (IF, Listening)

If, if, if....

Click on what you hear
http://englishallyear.com/listening22/exercise64.html

Listen and match
http://englishallyear.com/listening22/exercise65.html

Regorganize the dialogues
http://englishallyear.com/listening22/exercise66.html