3 Cleft sentences with relative clauses

It is also possible to emphasise part of a sentence by using a general word such as person/time/place, followed by a relative clause.

Simon is doing the best job.

→ The person who is doing the best job is Simon.

She went there to make some contacts.

→ The reason why she went there was to make some contacts.

This can also be used to focus on an adverbial or a prepositional phrase.

They decided on January.

→ The month they decided on was January.

UNIT 10

Adverb + adjective collocation (p. 143)

Some adjectives can have comparative and superlative forms, and can be modified with words like very or absolutely. These are called gradable adjectives. Examples of ‘ordinary’ gradable are small, young and sad. They are modified with adverbs such as fairly, very, moderately and exceedingly (Group 1 on page 143).

Examples of ‘strong’ gradable adjectives are astonished, wonderful and terrifying. They are modified with adverbs such as absolutely, completely and totally (Group 2 on page 143).

Other adjectives do not normally have comparative and superlative forms as they refer to classes or groups. These are called ungradable adjectives are French, perfect and boiling. They are not normally modified.

The temperature of boiling water is 100ºC.

However, in some cases we may want to make these adjectives gradable. In this case, we treat them as strong gradable adjectives and use Group 2 adverbs.

The weather today is absolutely boiling!

Future forms (p. 148)

A large number of different verb forms can be used to refer to the future. The future form chosen may depend on:

• the speaker’s view of the likelihood of the future event

• the relation of the event to another point in time

• the duration in time of the future event

• the context – formal or informal, spoken or written.

Here are some of the most important future forms and their uses:

1 Going to

This may express certainty, based on present evidence.

You’re going to miss the train – it’s six o’clock.

Look at those clouds – it’s going to rain.

It may express intention.

I’m going to look for a new job.

Note: The time need not be stated.

2 Present continuous

This suggests that something is planned; the time is either stated or can be understood from the immediate context.

What are you doing tonight? I’m staying at home.

3 will

This is used for general predictions, which are not necessarily based on present evidence and not pre-planned. The speaker is often an authority on the subject.

House prices will rise.

(It is often accompanied by an adverbial: probably, almost certainly, etc.)

It is also used in speech for a spontaneous decision made at the moment of speaking, and in spoken and written language for a promise.

I’ll make you a cup of tea.

I’ll work as hard as I can.

4 Future continuous

This is a common way of referring to something which has already been decided or planned.

I’ll be driving to London tomorrow anyway, so if you want I can give you a lift.

Note: It is often used when offering to do something for someone.

It can also be used for an ongoing or repeated action which will be in progress at a specified time in the future. It is used with time expressions such as: quite soon, in ten years’ time, for a few more years, when I’m 40.

At six o’clock tomorrow I’ll be sitting on the plane.