E V E R Y D A Y E N G L I S H G R A M M A R

b y S t e v e n C o l l i n s

A Self-Study Course in Essential English Constructions

Upper-Intermediate and Advanced

I S B N 0 - 9 5 2 8 3 5 8 - 6 - X

9 7 8 - 0 - 9 5 2 8 3 5 8 - 6 - 8

M O N T S E R R A T P U B L I S H I N G

www.everydayenglishbooks.com

M O N T S E R R A T P U B L I S H I N G

E v e r y d a y E n g l i s h G r a m m a r

C o p y r i g h t © 2 0 1 3 S t e v e n C o l l i n s

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electron-ic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by trade or otherwise be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover, other than that it is published and without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on a subsequent purchaser.

First edition autumn 2013

Montserrat Publishingpracticalenglish@hotmail.co.uk

IllustrationsAlex Steadwww.alexsteadart.cominfo@alexsteadart.com

Typesetting & Cover DesignNaroa Lizar Redradonaroa.lizar@gmail.com

www.everydayenglishbooks.com

T h i s b o o k i s d e d i c a t e d t o t h e m a n y

t h o u s a n d s o f l o v e l y s t u d e n t s I h a v e

t a u g h t f r o m a l l o v e r t h e w o r l d .

T h a n k y o u .

Steven Collins was born in London in 1960. He grew up in Harrow ERH�UYEPM½IH�EW�E�PE[]IV��WSPMGMXSV �MR�������LEZMRK�HSRI�E�1EWXIV´W�in Law at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He then decided to make a GSQTPIXI�GLERKI�SJ�GEVIIV�ERH�[IRX�MRXS�8�)�*�0���8IEGLMRK�)RKPMWL�EW�E�*SVIMKR�0ERKYEKI ��,EZMRK�PMZIH�ERH�XEYKLX�MR�-XEP]�ERH�7TEMR��he returned to London in 1993 to write this book and to open his own school in Central London, specialising in practical English for advanced students. However, in 2008 he retired from teaching to concentrate full time on writing and publishing

Other books by the same author:

Everyday English Series with Audio CD

By Steven Collins

www.everydayenglishbooks.com

Vocabulary books for advanced students of English.

Available at all good bookshops and online stores including Amazon

Book 1

Book 2 Book 3

I n t r o d u c t i o n

EVERYDAY ENGLISH GRAMMAR: A SELF-STUDY COURSE IN ESSENTIAL ENGLISH CONSTRUCTIONS UPPER-INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED

This upper intermediate-level handbook of 25 essential English constructions – mostly conjunctions, but with a few useful verbs and prepositions too- will provide you with a much deeper understanding of things you probably already know. It is not a reference book, but a self-study course. Read and study it from beginning to end. It should XEOI�]SY�SRP]�½ZI�[IIOW� �SRI�GLETXIV�E�[IIO ��ERH�[LIR�]SY�½RMWL�it, you will notice a big improvement in your understanding and use of some very important, everyday English constructions.

The book is designed for upper intermediate students, but even if ]SYV�)RKPMWL� MW�QSVI� EHZERGIH�� ]SY�[MPP� WXMPP� ½RH� MX� I\XVIQIP]� YWIJYP��Everything contained within it can be found in other books and online, but not in as much detail, nor in such clear English. The detail is practical detail rather than academic or technical; the information given is not there to be clever, but to help you. It is information you really need to ORS[��ERH�XLIVIJSVI�]SY�WLSYPH�½RH�MX�ZIV]�MRXIVIWXMRK�XS�VIEH��

8LI�I\EQTPIW�EVI�WMQTPI�FYX�VIEPMWXMG��ERH�XLIVI�MW�E�WTIGMEP�IQTLEWMW�on negative constructions and typical mistakes. The material is equally suitable for students of both British and American English, and very LIPTJYP� JSV� XLI�[VMXMRK� WIGXMSRW�SJ�'EQFVMHKI�*MVWX�'IVXM½GEXI�� -)087��+IRIVEP�8VEMRMRK�:IVWMSR � ERH�83)*0� I\EQW�� (Please note that this is

not an exam course book; I’m just saying that it will help you in the free

writing sections of these exams.) ,S[IZIV��JSV�XLSWI�RSX�HSMRK�I\EQW��XLI�material is just as important and practical.

%PWS�MRGPYHIH�MR�XLMW�LERHFSSO�EVI�YWIJYP�I\IVGMWIW�ERH�HMEPSKYI��[LMGL�will test you on what you have learnt in each chapter. I hope you enjoy %PI\�7XIEH W�[SRHIVJYP�MPPYWXVEXMSRW�XSS�There are no games and “fun” things to do. The fun is that you will enjoy improving your use of English conjunctions and verbs, and feel much QSVI�GSR½HIRX�MR�]SYV�IZIV]HE]�)RKPMWL�KVEQQEV�

Good luck

Steven Collins

C o n t e n t s

Chapter 1For/Since 1Providing/Provided that/As long as 3Unless/Otherwise 6In spite of/Despite 7To suggest 8Chapter 1 In Use 11'LETXIV���)\IVGMWI� � � � � � ��

Chapter 2I would prefer/I would rather 14Even 16By the time 18Hardly 20To wish 22Chapter 2 In Use 27'LETXIV���)\IVGMWI� � � � � � ��

Chapter 3To rely on/Reliable 31To look forward to 32Worth 34To succeed in/manage to 37Would you mind? 37Chapter 3 In Use 40'LETXIV���)\IVGMWI� � � � � � ��

Chapter 4In case 43To warn 45To get/be used to 46To accuse of/blame on/for 50So/Such 52Chapter 4 In Use 55'LETXIV���)\IVGMWI� � � � � � ��

Chapter 5To steal/rob 588S�LEZI�HMJ½GYPX]��MR �HSMRK�WSQIXLMRK� � � ��Had better 61Not only…but also/even 62;LEX W�MX�LI�PMOI#� � � � � � ��Chapter 5 In Use 66'LETXIV���)\IVGMWI� � � � � � ��

1

C h a p t e r O n e

For/Since

1a. We use “for” when we say how long the action has been in progress and “since” for the time at which the period began.

)\EQTPIW�� �� I’ve been waiting (present perfect continuous) here for an

hour.

� �� -´ZI�FIIR�[EMXMRK�LIVI�since 3.30.

� �� 7LI�LEW�FIIR�PMZMRK�MR�8SVSRXS�for�½ZI�]IEVW�� �� 7LI�LEW�FIIR�PMZMRK�MR�8SVSRXS�since 2007.

� �� .SLR�has felt (present perfect) that way for many years.

� �� .SLR�LEW�JIPX�XLEX�[E]�since he was a child.

Note that the present perfect and present perfect continuous tenses are generally used in sentence constructions with “for” and “since”.

Typical mistakes:� �� I’m standing (present continuous) in this queue for over 45

minutes.

� �� -´Q�WXERHMRK�MR�XLMW�UYIYI�since 2.15

8LMW�WLSYPH�FI�� �� I’ve been standing (present perfect continuous) in this

queue for over 45 minutes.

� �� I’ve been standing in this queue since 2.15.

Remember: HSR´X use the present continuous with “for” and “since”.

2

1b. Negative examples:

� �� =SY�haven’t called your mother for nearly two months.

� �� =SY�haven’t called your mother since May.

� �� -�haven’t lived in London for 10 years.

� �� -�haven’t lived in London since 2002.

Note that the present perfect is generally used in a negative sentence with “for” and “since” and not the present perfect continuous.

2.� 7SQISRI�QMKLX�EWO�]SY�XLI�JSPPS[MRK�UYIWXMSR�� �� How long are you here for?

This may confuse you because it HSIWR´X mean “How long have

you been here?” It refers to the future.

-X�EGXYEPP]�QIERW�� �� ,S[�PSRK�will you be here for?

or� �� ,S[�PSRK�will you be staying?

=SYV�ERW[IV�WLSYPH�FI�� �� I’m here for 6 months.

This HSIWR´X mean “I’ve been here for 6 months” FYX�� �� I’ll be here for 6 months.

3. Also take note of the following question with “since²�� �� ,S[�PSRK�is it since you last saw your brother?

ERH�XLI�ERW[IV�GSYPH�FI�� �� 2S[�[I�EVI�MR�.YRI��MX´W�WM\�QSRXLW�since I last saw my

brother.

The meaning is the same as ±2S[�[I�EVI�MR�.YRI��-�LEZIR´X�WIIR my brother since�.ERYEV]², but the construction is quite different. Note that the “since” clause above begins with “it is” (“it’s six

3

months since”) and the question starts with “How long is it...”

The adverb “last” comes after“since”, but before the verb (“saw”)��%RH�MX W�XLI�TEWX�WMQTPI�XIRWI�(“I last saw”) which is used rather that the present perfect (“I haven’t seen”) or present perfect continuous (“I’ve been waiting”).

7SQI�QSVI�I\EQTPIW�� �� ,S[�PSRK�MW�MX�since�.ERI�PEWX�ZMWMXIH#� �� -X´W�WYGL�E�PSRK�XMQI�since we last got to spend some

time together.

Providing/Provided that/As long as

1a. These conjunctions all mean “only if”. )\EQTPIW�� �� -�[MPP�GSQI�XS�WGLSSP�XSQSVVS[�providing/

provided that/as long as I feel well.”

� �� Providing/Provided that/As long as you don’t

� � QMRH�[EMXMRK��XLI�FYW�MW�QSVI�GSRZIRMIRX�� �� Providing/Provided that/As long as you have

� � HSRI�]SYV�LSQI[SVO��]SY�GER�[EXGL�XLI�JSSXFEPP�QEXGL�

Please note that the conjunctions “providing” and “provided” have no connection with the verb “to provide”; a completely different meaning.

1b. Note that “providing/provided that/as long as” are, like most conjunctions, followed by the present simple or present perfect tense and not the future.

Typical mistake:� �� ;I�[MPP�KS�SR�LSPMHE]�RI\X�]IEV�providing/

provided that/as long as we will have

enough money.

4

8LMW�WLSYPH�FI�� �� ;I�[MPP�KS�SR�LSPMHE]�RI\X�]IEV�providing/

provided that/as long as we have

enough money.

Remember��HSR´X use the future after “providing/ provided that/as long as”.

2. Please note that “Providing/Provided that/As long as” should only be used for positive or neutral situations and events; i.e. not negative ones.

Typical mistake:� �� -�[MPP�QSZI�XS�ERSXLIV�GSYRXV]�XS�PSSO�JSV�[SVO�providing/

provided that/ as long as I don’t get a visa to stay

here.

8LMW�WLSYPH�FI�� �� -�[MPP�QSZI�XS�ERSXLIV�GSYRXV]�XS�PSSO�JSV�[SVO�if I don’t get

a visa to stay here.

8LI�I\EQTPI�EFSZI�KMZIR�EW�E�X]TMGEP�QMWXEOI�MW�wrong because RSX�KIXXMRK�E�ZMWE�MW�E�RIKEXMZI�IZIRX��8LI�JSPPS[MRK�I\EQTPIW��� however, are correct even though a negative construction is � YWIH��E�RIKEXMZI�GSRWXVYGXMSR�HSIW�RSX�EP[E]W�QIER�E�RIKEXMZI�� situation.

� �� Providing/Provided that/As long as you don’t

� � QMRH�[EMXMRK��XLI�FYW�MW�QSVI�GSRZIRMIRX��see second

example under 1.a above)

�� ,I�[MPP�KS�XS�XLI�TEVO�providing/provided that/

as long as it doesn’t rain.

“Don’t mind waiting” describes a neutral situation and “doesn’t

rain” is a positive event; so even though the construction is � RIKEXMZI��XLI�QIERMRK�MWR´X�

5

3. “Providing/Provided that/As long as” can also be � YWIH�MR�E�WMXYEXMSR�I\TVIWWMRK�E�WYTTSWMXMSR�[LIVI�XLI�QEMR�� clause is in the conditional tense��±[SYPH�WXE]²��±[SYPH��� QEVV]² �FYX�XLI�WYFSVHMREXI�GPEYWI��LIEHIH�F]�XLIWI�� � constructions, is in the past �±JSYRH²��±[EW² ��

7II�I\EQTPIW�FIPS[��� �� -�would�WXE]�MR�2I[�=SVO�providing/provided that/

as long as I found a good job.

� �� Providing/Provided that/As long as I was�MR�PSZI��� I would marry someone a lot older than me.

�±-�[SYPH�WXE]�MR�2I[�=SVO�providing I found a good job.”

6

Unless/Otherwise

1a. “Unless²�QIERW�±I\GITX�MJ²��±MJ�RSX²��±Otherwise” means � ±SV�IPWI²

)\EQTPIW�� �� =SY�[MPP�JEMP�]SYV�I\EQ�unless you study hard. �±=SY�� will fail your exam if you don’t study hard.”)

� �� =SY�QYWX�WXYH]�LEVH��otherwise you will fail your exam

(“: or else you will fail your exam.”)

� �� -�[MPP�WII�]SY�XSQSVVS[�unless I still have�[SVO�XS�½RMWL��� (“…except if�-�WXMPP�LEZI�[SVO�XS�½RMWL² � �� -�LEZI�XS�½RMWL�XLI�[SVO�-�EQ�HSMRK��otherwise I won’t

be able to see you tomorrow.

Note that “unless” is followed by what you have to do, in the present. “Otherwise” is followed by what will happen if you � HSR´X�HS�MX��MR�XLI�future.

� %PWS�RSXI�XLEX�XLI�XLMVH�ERH�JSYVXL�I\EQTPIW�EFSZI�EVI�WMQMPEV��� FYX�HS�RSX�QIER�I\EGXP]�XLI�WEQI�XLMRK��-R�XLI�XLMVH�I\EQTPI��� [I�HSR´X�ORS[�MJ�-�[MPP�LEZI�[SVO��[LIVIEW�MR�XLI�JSYVXL�I\EQTPI� -�HI½RMXIP]�LEZI�[SVO��

Typical mistake with “unless²�� �� =SY�GERRSX�[EXGL�XIPIZMWMSR�unless you don’t clean your

room.

8LMW�WLSYPH�FI�� �� =SY�GERRSX�[EXGL�XIPIZMWMSR�unless you clean your room.

� 8LI�½VWX�I\EQTPI�EFSZI�MW�[VSRK�FIGEYWI�MX�GSRXEMRW�E�HSYFPI� negative. “Unless²�QIERW�±MJ�RSX²��WS�±HSR´X²�MW��� � unnecessary.

7

2. “Otherwise” can also mean “apart from that”

)\EQTPI�� �� 8LI�GEV�MW�UYMXI�WQEPP��FYX�otherwise very suitable for my

needs.

or, “differently”

)\EQTPI�� �� =SY�QE]�FIPMIZI�XLEX�WLI�MW�WYGGIIHMRK��FYX�-�XLMRO�� � otherwise.

In spite of/Despite

1a. “In spite of” and “despite” mean the same as “although”, but the sentence construction is different. They must be � JSPPS[IH�F]�E�RSYR��I�K��±XLI�JEGX² ��KIVYRH��I�K��±FIMRK² �SV��� TVSRSYR��I�K��±[LEX² ��not a verb. “Although” is followed by � E�WYFNIGX�ERH�E�ZIVF��I�K��±%PXLSYKL�I was©² �

)\EQTPIW�� �� Although I was�XMVIH��-�[IRX�SYX�� �� In spite of/Despite being�XMVIH��-�[IRX�SYX�� �� In spite of/Despite my tiredness��-�[IRX�SYX�(not so

common)

� �� -�[IRX�SYX�in spite of/despite the fact (that) I was

tired.

� �� ,I�WXMPP�PSZIW�LIV�in spite of/despite what her friends

think (… “although her friends don’t think he does”)

� 2SXI�XLEX�XLI�½VWX�JSYV�I\EQTPIW�EFSZI�LEZI�I\EGXP] the same meaning.

Typical mistake:� �� In spite of/Despite I have been learning French for

� � QER]�]IEVW��-�WXMPP�GER´X�GSRWXVYGX�E�WIRXIRGI�

8

8LMW�WLSYPH�FI�� �� In spite of/Despite the fact (that) I have been learning

French for many years…

Remember: HSR´X use a verbal construction directly after “in spite of” or “despite”.

1b. Note also “in spite of” and “despite” have the same meaning, but we HSR´X use “of” after “despite”. So, “despite of being tired” is wrong.

1c. Negative examples:

� �� Although I wasn’t�LYRKV]��-�LEH�E�FMK�HMRRIV�� �� In spite of/Despite�RSX�FIMRK�LYRKV]��-�LEH�E�FMK�HMRRIV�� �� In spite of/Despite�E�PEGO�SJ�LYRKIV��-�LEH�E�FMK�HMRRIV�� (not so common)

� �� -�LEH�E�FMK�HMRRIV�in spite of/despite the fact (that) I

� � [EWR´X�LYRKV]�

To suggest

1. “To suggest” means to “propose an action”. �8LI�QIERMRK�MW��� IEW]��FYX�WXYHIRXW�SJXIR�QEOI�QMWXEOIW�[LIR�GSRWXVYGXMRK�WIRXIRGIW� with this verb.)

Typical mistake:� �� -J�]SY�EVI�JIIPMRK�MPP��-�suggest you to go home.

8LMW�WLSYPH�FI�� �� -J�]SY�EVI�MPP��-�suggest (that) you go home.

or� �� -J�]SY�EVI�MPP��-�suggest you should go home

Remember: HSR´X�YWI�XLI�±XS²�MR½RMXMZI�EJXIV�±suggest”, but subject + present simple.

�

1SVI�I\EQTPIW�� �� 7LI W�RSX�ZIV]�KSSH�EX�GLIQMWXV]��WS�[LEX�HS�]SY�suggest

she does? (not “what do you suggest her to do?”)

� �� 1]�HEH�suggests we look somewhere else for a house.

(not “suggests us to look”)

2a. Using “suggest²�MR�XLI�TEWX�

)\EQTPIW�� �� -�[EW�UYMXI�XMVIH��WS�.SLR�suggested I go to bed.

WS�.SLR�suggested I should go to bed.

� � � � WS�.SLR�suggested I went to bed.

� %PP�XLIWI�I\EQTPIW�LEZI�XLI�WEQI�QIERMRK��2SXI�XLEX�XLI�½VWX��� I\EQTPI�EFSZI�MW�MR�XLI�TEWX�IZIR�XLSYKL�XLI�TVIWIRX�WMQTPI��� XIRWI��±-�KS² �MW�YWIH��

2b. Negative examples�MR�TVIWIRX�ERH�TEWX�

� �� -J�LI�MW�WS�YRTPIEWERX��-�suggest (that) you don’t see him

again. (not “I suggest you not to see him again”)

� �� 8LI]�suggested we didn’t go to that restaurant.

(not�±8LI]�WYKKIWXIH�YW�not to go...”)

3. …and not wanting to confuse you; but if you are going to use “suggest” + a direct object pronoun, rather than a verb clause, you need to use “to” before the pronoun.

)\EQTPIW�� �� 7S��[LEX�GER�]SY�suggest to me (not “what can you

suggest me”)?

� �� -�GSYPH�suggest to�]SY�QER]�XLMRKW��FYX�]SY�[SYPHR´X�PMWXIR� to me. (not “I could suggest you”)

10

4.� 0EWXP]��[I�GER�EPWS�YWI��MRK��KIVYRH �EJXIV�±suggest”.

)\EQTPIW�� �� ;I�HMHR´X�ORS[�[LEX�XS�HS��FYX�WLI�suggested going to

the cinema. (= “she suggested that we go…”)

� �� 1]�EGGSYRXERX�suggests investing in Chinese companies

in spite of what some experts advise. (= “suggests that we

invest”)

� �� 9RPIWW�-�WE]�WSQIXLMRK��RSFSH]�IPWI�IZIV�suggests going

out. (= “suggests that we go out”)

“My dad suggests we look somewhere else for a house.”

(see page 9)

11

C h a p t e r O n e i n U s e

Dialogue

CONVERSATION BETWEEN FATHER AND DAUGHTER

ANNA:� (EH��MW�MX�3/�MJ�-�KS�SYX�[MXL�WSQI�JVMIRHW�XSRMKLX#

DAD: As long as I know where you’re going.

ANNA: I haven’t seen them for a long time; since�'LVMWXQEW��MR�� fact. I suggested�[I�KS�XS�7XEVFYGOW�JSV�E�GSJJII�despite

what happened last time.

DAD: -�GER´X�VIQIQFIV��;LEX�LETTIRIH�PEWX�XMQI#

ANNA: ;I�[IVI�XSPH�XLEX�unless�[I�WXSTTIH�XEPOMRK�WS�PSYHP]��[I�� would be asked to leave.

DAD: %L�]IW��;IPP�XLMW�XMQI��FI�E�FMX�QSVI�GSRWMHIVEXI��otherwise

you might never be allowed to go back there again.

ANNA: 3L��ERH�HEH#�-�TVSQMWI�RSX�XS�FI�PEXI��providing there are

� XVEMRW�VYRRMRK��SJ�GSYVWI�

DAD: ;IPP��In spite of�XLI�[IEXLIV�FIMRK�E[JYP�XLMW�IZIRMRK��-�� think the trains will still run. Enjoy yourself…and be careful!

12

C h a p t e r O n e : ) \ I V G M W I

92()60-2)�8,)�'366)'8�;36(�7 �*631�8,37)�-2�49640)Answers on page 70

1. =SY�[MPP�RIZIV�WYGGIIH�MR�PMJI��providing/ unless/ otherwise) you

work very hard.

2. I a(have known/ know/ knew) him b(since/ despite/ for) many

years.

3. ;I�[IRX�SR�LSPMHE]�a(in spite of/ despite of/ although) the fact

� XLEX�[I�HMHR´X�LEZI�QYGL�QSRI]��2I\X�]IEV�-�WYKKIWX�b(to stay/

staying/ we will stay) at home.

4. =SY�GER�GSQI�XS�Q]�TEVX]�a(unless/ otherwise/ providing) you

b(brought/ bring/ will bring) a bottle of wine with you. .

5. It’s a very long time a(for/ unless/ since) I last b(went/ have

been/ will be going) to that restaurant.

6. (Despite I have/ In spite having/ Despite having) many friends

�� LIVI�MR�%YWXVEPME��-�QMWW�Q]�JEQMP]�FEGO�LSQI�

7. -J�]SY�[ERX�XS�GSQTPEMR��-�WYKKIWX�]SY��speak to/ to speak to/

will speak to) the manager.

8. I would have a dog a(as long as/ unless/ since) I b(will have/

have/ had) enough time to look after it properly.

9. =SY�QYWX�[IEV�E�GSEX���unless/ otherwise/ in spite of) you might

catch a cold.

13

10. ,I�MW�[SVVMIH�EFSYX�XLI�[IEXLIV��ERH�-�HSR´X�VIEPP]�ORS[�� what to suggest b(him/ to him/ from him). Everything should be

� ½RI�F��provided that/ as long/ despite) it doesn’t snow.