Business Writing Skills: Grammar Part 2

November 27, 2015 Rachael Walker

Overview

Part 1: Verb Tenses

Present

Future

Past

Conditional

Overview

Part 1: Verb Tenses

Present

Future

Past

Conditional

Overview

Part 1: Verb Tenses

Present

Future

Past

Conditional

Past Tense

Past Tense

Simple

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

Continuous

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past perfect

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past perfectI had done.

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past perfectI had done.I had been doing.

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past perfectI had done.I had been doing.

Present perfect

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past perfectI had done.I had been doing.

Present perfectI have done.

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past perfectI had done.I had been doing.

Present perfectI have done. I have been doing.

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past perfectI had done.I had been doing.

Present perfectI have done. I have been doing.

Past Simple

Past Simple

1) Completed actions

Past Simple

1) Completed actions

2) Definite moment

Past Simple

1) Completed actions

2) Definite moment

3) Descriptions

Past Simple

1) Completed actions

2) Definite moment

3) Descriptions

Now

Past Simple

1) Completed actions

2) Definite moment

3) Descriptions

Now

Past Simple

1) Completed actions

2) Definite moment

3) Descriptions

Now

Past simple

Completed Actions

Now

Past simple

Completed Actions

I read the recommendations. (Active)

Now

Past simple

Completed Actions

I read the recommendations. (Active)

The report was submitted. (Passive)

Now

Past Simple

1) Completed actions

2) Definite moment

3) Descriptions

Now

Past simple

Definite moments

Now

Past simple

Definite moments

In 2010, we signed the contract.

Now

Past simple

Definite moments

In 2010, we signed the contract.

They lost 5% of their business last year.

Now

Past simple

Definite moments

In 2010, we signed the contract.

They lost 5% of their business last year.

When did you receive your promotion?

Now

Past Simple

1) Completed actions

2) Definite moment

3) Descriptions

Now

Past simple

Descriptions in the past

Now

Past simple

Descriptions in the past

The Kellogg company was founded in 1906.

Now

Past simple

Descriptions in the past

The Kellogg company was founded in 1906.

The Kellogg brothers thought the public needed healthier breakfast options.

Now

Past simple

Descriptions in the past

The Kellogg company was founded in 1906.

The Kellogg brothers thought the public needed healthier breakfast options.

When I was young, I went to the seaside.

Now

Past simple

Descriptions in the past

Now

Past simple

Descriptions in the past

Reports:

Now

Past simple

Descriptions in the past

Reports:

The company earned more than $1 billion.

Now

Past simple

Descriptions in the past

Reports:

The company earned more than $1 billion.

We generated record cash flow.

Now

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past perfectI had done.I had been doing.

Present perfectI have done. I have been doing.

Past Continuous

Now

Past Continuous

Now

Past Continuous

1) Emphasize duration

Now

Past Continuous

1) Emphasize duration

2) Create context

Now

Past Continuous

1) Emphasize duration

2) Create context

3) Repeated eventsNow

Past Continuous

1) Emphasize duration

2) Create context

3) Repeated events

4) Events that did not occurNow

Past Continuous

1) Emphasize duration

2) Create context

3) Repeated events

4) Events that did not occur

5) Polite requests

Now

Past Continuous

1) Emphasize duration

2) Create context

3) Repeated events

4) Events that did not occur

5) Polite requests

Now

Past Continuous

Emphasize duration

Now

Past Continuous

Emphasize duration

He was working on the report all day.

Now

Past Continuous

Emphasize duration

He was working on the report all day.

In the 1990s, computer scientists were dealing with the millennium bug.

Now

Past Continuous

1) Emphasize duration

2) Create context

3) Repeated events

4) Events that did not occur

5) Polite requests

Now

Past Continuous

Create context

Now

Past Continuous

Create context

Now

Ongoing action

Past Continuous

Create context

Now

Ongoing actionPrimary action

Past Continuous

Create context

We were talking

Now

Ongoing actionPrimary action

Past Continuous

Create context

We were talking when the fire alarm went off.

Now

Ongoing actionPrimary action

Past Continuous

Create context

We were talking when the fire alarm went off.

I was just leaving when he arrived.

Now

Ongoing actionPrimary action

Past Continuous

1) Emphasize duration

2) Create context

3) Repeated events

4) Events that did not occur

5) Polite requests

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

1) Finished

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

1) Finished2) Slightly different

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

1) Finished2) Slightly different3) Not a habit

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

1) Finished2) Slightly different3) Not a habit

He was visiting clients all last week.

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

1) Finished2) Slightly different3) Not a habit

He was visiting clients all last week. Different clients

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

1) Finished2) Slightly different3) Not a habit

He was visiting clients all last week. Different clients

Last year we were having problems with production.

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

1) Finished2) Slightly different3) Not a habit

He was visiting clients all last week. Different clients

Last year we were having problems with production.Different problems

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

1) Finished2) Slightly different3) Not a habit

Production stopped 5 times yesterday.

Now

Past Continuous

Repeated events in the past

1) Finished2) Slightly different3) Not a habit

Production stopped 5 times yesterday.

I wrote reports every day when I first started.

Now

Past Continuous

1) Emphasize duration

2) Create context

3) Repeated events

4) Events that did not occur

5) Polite requests

Now

Past Continuous

Planned events that did not occur

Past Continuous

Planned events that did not occur

I was planning on going to the park, but it rained.

Past Continuous

Planned events that did not occur

I was planning on going to the park, but it rained.

She was going to phone them, but she forgot.

Past Continuous

1) Emphasize duration

2) Create context

3) Repeated events

4) Events that did not occur

5) Polite requests

Now

Past Continuous

Polite requests

Past Continuous

Polite requests

I was wondering if you could help me.

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past perfectI had done.I had been doing.

Present perfectI have done. I have been doing.

Past Perfect

1) The past of the past

Past Perfect

1) The past of the past

2) Continuous

Past Perfect

1) The past of the past

2) Continuous

3) Conditional

Past Perfect

1) The past of the past

2) Continuous

3) Conditional

Past Perfect

The past of the past

Now

Past Perfect

The past of the past

NowPast

Past Perfect

The past of the past

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

The past of the past

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

The past of the past

The accident happened because the employee had not received proper training.

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

The past of the past

The accident happened because the employee had not received proper training.

NowPastEarlier Past

The Accident

Past Perfect

The past of the past

The accident happened because the employee had not received proper training.

NowPastEarlier Past

The AccidentNo training

Past Perfect

The past of the past

I was walking when I realized I had left my windows open.

NowPast

Past Perfect

The past of the past

I was walking when I realized I had left my windows open.

Now

Past Perfect

The past of the past

I was walking when I realized I had left my windows open.

Now

Past Perfect

The past of the past

I was walking when I realized I had left my windows open.

Now

Walking

Context

Past Perfect

The past of the past

I was walking when I realized I had left my windows open.

Now

Walking

Context

Past Perfect

The past of the past

I was walking when I realized I had left my windows open.

Now

Walking

Context

Past Perfect

The past of the past

I was walking when I realized I had left my windows open.

Now

Walking

Context

Past

Realized

Past Perfect

The past of the past

I was walking when I realized I had left my windows open.

NowPast

RealizedWalking

Context

Past Perfect

The past of the past

I was walking when I realized I had left my windows open.

NowPast

RealizedWalking

Context

Past Perfect

The past of the past

I was walking when I realized I had left my windows open.

NowPastEarlier Past

RealizedLeft windows openWalking

Context

Past Perfect

1) The past of the past

2) Continuous

3) Conditional

Past Perfect

The past of the past – continuous

Emphasizing the duration

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

The past of the past – continuous

Emphasizing the duration

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

The past of the past – continuous

Emphasizing the duration

They had been testing the product for many years before it came to market.

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

The past of the past – continuous

Emphasizing the duration

They had been testing the product for many years before it came to market.

She was forced to take off because she had been working too hard.

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

Finished and unfinished activities

Past Perfect

Finished and unfinished activities

When I saw her she had planned a new strategy.

Past Perfect

Finished and unfinished activities

When I saw her she had planned a new strategy.

When I saw her she had been planning a new strategy.

Past Perfect

Finished and unfinished activities

When I saw her she had planned a new strategy.

When I saw her she had been planning a new strategy.

Now

Past Perfect

Finished and unfinished activities

When I saw her she had planned a new strategy.

When I saw her she had been planning a new strategy.

NowPast

Saw her

Past Perfect

Finished and unfinished activities

When I saw her she had planned a new strategy.

When I saw her she had been planning a new strategy.

NowPastEarlier Past

Strategy planned Saw her

Past Perfect

Finished and unfinished activities

When I saw her she had planned a new strategy.

When I saw her she had been planning a new strategy.

NowPast

NowPastEarlier Past

Strategy planned Saw her

Saw her

Past Perfect

Finished and unfinished activities

When I saw her she had planned a new strategy.

When I saw her she had been planning a new strategy.

NowPastEarlier Past

NowPastEarlier Past

Strategy planned Saw her

Saw herStrategy planning

Past Perfect

The past of the past – continuous

Emphasizing the duration

They had been testing the product for many years before it came to market.

She was forced to take off because she had been working too hard.

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

The past of the past – continuous

Emphasizing the duration

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

The past of the past – continuous

Emphasizing the duration

*use with how long

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

The past of the past – continuous

Emphasizing the duration

*use with how long

They closed the subsidiary because it had been losing money ever since it was set up.

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

The past of the past – continuous

Emphasizing the duration

*use with how long

I had been walking for twenty minutes when I realized I had left my windows opened.

NowPastEarlier Past

Past Perfect

1) The past of the past

2) Continuous

3) Conditional

Past Perfect

Conditional and subjunctive

Past Perfect

Conditional and subjunctive

Talk about events that did not happen

Past Perfect

Conditional and subjunctive

Talk about events that did not happen

I wish I had studied harder in high school.

Past Perfect

Conditional and subjunctive

Talk about events that did not happen

I wish I had studied harder in high school.If I had studied, I would have graduated with honors.

Past Perfect

Conditional and subjunctive

Talk about events we wish had not happened

Past Perfect

Conditional and subjunctive

Talk about events we wish had not happened

He wishes he hadn't left his job.

Past Tense

SimpleI did.

ContinuousI was doing.

Past perfectI had done.I had been doing.

Present perfectI have done. I have been doing.

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

3) Time until now

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

3) Time until now

4) Experiences

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

3) Time until now

4) Experiences

5) Repeated activities

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

3) Time until now

4) Experiences

5) Repeated activities

6) Conditional future

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

3) Time until now

4) Experiences

5) Repeated activities

6) Conditional future

Present Perfect

Now

Present Perfect

Now

Present Perfect

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

Now

Effect / ImportanceI have lost my keys.I lost my keys.

Present Perfect

Now

Effect / ImportanceI have lost my keys.I lost my keys.

He has gone out.He went out.

Present Perfect

Present results of past actions

The new system has caused sweeping changes in the industry.

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

Present results of past actions

The new system has caused sweeping changes in the industry.

IT has changed the way we do business.

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

3) Time until now

4) Experiences

5) Repeated activities

6) Conditional future

Present Perfect

Announcing news

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

Announcing news

We have changed our policy regarding overtime.

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

Announcing news

We have changed our policy regarding overtime.

They have updated our website.

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

3) Time until now

4) Experiences

5) Repeated activities

6) Conditional future

Present Perfect

Time until now

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Since

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Since

The factory has been operational since 2006.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Since

The factory has been operational since 2006.The factory opened in 2006.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

She has always been creative.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now

The company has expanded rapidly in the last few years

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now

1) We have not decided what to do yet.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now

1) We have not decided what to do yet.

2) We have already decided.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now

1) We have not decided what to do yet.

2) We have already decided.

3) We have just decided.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

3) Time until now

4) Experiences

5) Repeated activities

6) Conditional future

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Life experiences

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Life experiences

Have you ever been to Beijing?

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Life experiences

Have you ever been to Beijing?I have never been married.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Life experiences

Have you ever been to Beijing?I have never been married.He has had many jobs in his life.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Life experiences

Has the company ever been bankrupt?

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Life experiences

Has the company ever been bankrupt?No, it has never been bankrupt.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

Time until now (unfinished)

Life experiences

Has the company ever been bankrupt?No, it has never been bankrupt.However, we have had times when we had to do layoffs.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

3) Time until now

4) Experiences

5) Repeated activities

6) Conditional future

Present Perfect

Repeated activities

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

Repeated activities

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

Repeated activities

The plant has malfunctioned three times.

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

Repeated activities

The plant has malfunctioned three times.

This is the first complaint we have received.

Now

Effect / Importance

Present Perfect

1) Present results of past actions

2) Announcing news

3) Time until now

4) Experiences

5) Repeated activities

6) Conditional future

Present perfect

Conditional future

Present perfect

Conditional future

I'll phone you when I've received confirmation.

Present perfect

Conditional future

I'll phone you when I've received confirmation.

I won't make a decision until I've spoken to the CEO.

Present perfect

Conditional future

I'll phone you when I've received confirmation.

I won't make a decision until I've spoken to the CEO.

I'll leave as soon as I've finished my work.

Present perfect

Conditional future

I'll phone you when I've received confirmation.

I won't make a decision until I've spoken to the CEO.

I'll leave as soon as I've finished my work.

I can't make a decision if I haven't received the data.

Present perfect

Conditional future

I'll phone you when I've received confirmation.

I won't make a decision until I've spoken to the CEO.

I'll leave as soon as I've finished my work.

I can't make a decision if I haven't received the data.

The present is OK, too!

Present Perfect Continuous

1) Continuous activities

2) Repeated actions

Present Perfect Continuous

1) Continuous activities

2) Repeated actions

Continuous activities

Now

Importance

Present Perfect Continuous

Continuous activities

Exports have been growing steadily.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect Continuous

Continuous activities

Exports have been growing steadily.

Exports have grown steadily.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect Continuous

Continuous activities

I have been reading your reports.I have read your reports.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect Continuous

Focus on the duration

Present Perfect Continuous

Focus on the duration

I'm dirty because I've been working on my car all day.

Present Perfect Continuous

Focus on the duration

I'm dirty because I've been working on my car all day.

I've been studying English for twelve years.

Present Perfect Continuous

1) Continuous activities

2) Repeated actions

Present Perfect Continuous

Repeated actions

Now

Importance

Present Perfect Continuous

Repeated actions

Have you seen my wife?

Now

Importance

Present Perfect Continuous

Repeated actions

Have you seen my wife?Have you been seeing my wife?

Now

Importance

Present Perfect Continuous

Repeated actionsYou cannot use quantity

Now

Importance

Present Perfect Continuous

Repeated actionsYou cannot use quantity

I've been playing a lot of golf recently.

Now

Importance

Present Perfect Continuous

Repeated actionsYou cannot use quantity

I've been playing a lot of golf recently.I've played golf twice this week.

Now

Importance

RCMP Activity

Write an RCMP file on a wanted criminal and add some details on the crime committed.

Try to use each tense once

Examples:They have robbed 15 banks so far.They were wearing a black ski mask.Witnesses say they had been waiting at the bank when...

Tenses

PresentHe does.He is doing.

PastHe did.He was doing.He had done.He had been doing.He has done.He has been doing.

FutureHe is doing.He is going to do.He will do.He will have done.He will have been doing.He is to do.

Bonus! ConditionalIf he does, then he will (possible)If he did, then he would

(impossible)If he had done, then he would

have done (past)

Overview

Part 1: Verb Tenses

Present

Future

Past

Conditional

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future (possible)

Future or present (impossible)

Past

In use

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Future Possible

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Future

I will win tomorrow.

I hope

Possible

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Future

I will win tomorrow.

I hope I win tomorrow.

Possible

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Future

You will give a mouse a cookie.

If you give a mouse a cookie, he will want a glass of milk.

Possible

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future

You will give a mouse a cookie.

If you give a mouse a cookie, he will want a glass of milk.

Possible

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future (possible)Future or present (impossible)Past

In use

Conditional and Subjunctive

Present

I have a dog.

I wish Backslide

impossible

Conditional and Subjunctive

Present

I have a dog.

I wish I had a dog. Backslide

impossible

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future

I will win $1million.

I wish Backslide

impossible

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future

I will win $1million.

I wish I would win $1million. Backslide

impossible

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future

I will win $1million.

If I won $1million, I would be happy.

impossibleFuture possible

I will win tomorrow.

If I win tomorrow, I will be happy.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future

I will win $1million.

If I won $1million, I would be happy.

impossibleFuture possible

I will win tomorrow.

If I win tomorrow, I will be happy.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future

I will win $1million.

If I won $1million, I would be happy.

impossibleFuture possible

I will win tomorrow.

If I win tomorrow, I will be happy.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future

I will win $1million.

If I won $1million, I would be happy.

impossiblePresent impossible

I have a dog.

If I had a dog, I would be happy.

Conditional and Subjunctive

BE

I wish I were taller.

If

Backslide

Conditional and Subjunctive

BE

I wish I were taller.

If I were taller, I would play basketball.

Backslide

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future (possible)Future or present (impossible)Past

In use

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Past

I studied in high school.

I wish

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Past

I studied in high school.

I wish I had studied in high school.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Past

I studied in high school.

If I

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Past

I studied in high school.

If I had studied, I

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Past

I studied in high school.

If I had studied, I would have graduated early.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Past

I studied in high school.

If I had studied, I would have graduated early.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Backslide

Past

I studied in high school.

If I had studied, I would have graduated early.would did

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future

I will win $1million.

If I won $1million, I would be happy.

impossiblePast

I studied.

If I had studied, I would have graduated early.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future PossibleIf I win tomorrow, I will be happy.Future ImpossibleIf I won $1million, I would be happy.PastIf I had won $1milliom, I would have been happy.

Backslide

Conditional and Subjunctive

Future (possible)Future or present (impossible)Past

In use

Conditional and Subjunctive

Stating a general ruleFuture speculationsPromises and threatsImaginingBargainingPast speculation

Varying language

Conditional and Subjunctive

Stating a general ruleFuture speculationsPromises and threatsImaginingBargainingPast speculation

Varying language

Conditional and Subjunctive

Stating a general ruleFuture speculationsPromises and threatsImaginingBargainingPast speculation

Varying language

Conditional in Context

Stating a general rule or habitSimple present:

When she arrives at work, she checks her email.

If you order bulk, you get a discount.If the paperwork is incomplete, the order is usually

delayed.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Stating a general ruleFuture speculationsPromises and threatsImaginingBargainingPast speculation

Varying language

Conditional in Context

Speculating about the futureFuture possible:

If we implement the new system, there will be a marked increase in efficiency.

If we fail to update the database, we will lose revenue.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Stating a general ruleFuture speculationsPromises and threatsImaginingBargainingPast speculation

Varying language

Conditional in Context

Unless and ifUnless = if + not

If we do not update the database...

Unless we update the database...

Conditional in Context

Unless and ifUnless = if + not

If we do not update the database...

Unless we update the database...

we will lose revenue.

Conditional in Context

Promises, warnings, and threatsFuture possible

Promise

Warning

Threat

If you order now, you will get a free gift.

Conditional in Context

Promises, warnings, and threatsFuture possible

Promise

Warning

Threat

If you order now, you will get a free gift.

We cannot continue production unless the factorycomplies with our policy.

Conditional in Context

Promises, warnings, and threatsFuture possible

Promise

Warning

Threat

If you order now, you will get a free gift.

We will not continue production unless the factorycomplies with our policy.

Unless we receive the payment this week, we will be forced to pursue legal action.

Conditional in Context

Promises, warnings, and threatsFuture possible

Promise

Warning

Threat

If you order now, you will get a free gift.

We will not continue production unless the factorycomplies with our policy.

Unless we receive the payment this week, we will be forced to pursue legal action.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Stating a general ruleFuture speculationsPromises and threatsImaginingBargainingPast speculation

Varying language

Conditional in Context

ImaginingUnlikely or impossible

If we hired an agency, we would recover debt more easily.

Conditional in Context

ImaginingLess probable situations

If we hired an agency, we would recover debt more easily. we could recover debt more easily. we might recover debt more easily.

What would happen if the stock market crashed?

Conditional and Subjunctive

Stating a general ruleFuture speculationsPromises and threatsImaginingBargainingPast speculation

Varying language

Conditional in Context

Bargaining

If you give a us a 5% discount, we will make a repeat order.

If you gave us a 5% discount, we would make a repeat order.

Conditional in Context

Bargaining

If you give a us a 5% discount, we will make a repeat order.

If you gave us a 5% discount, we would make a repeat order.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Stating a general ruleFuture speculationsPromises and threatsImaginingBargainingPast speculation

Varying language

Conditional in Context

Past speculationPast

If the price-earnings ration had been higher, we would have purchased more shares.

Conditional in Context

Past speculationPast

If the price-earnings ration had been higher, we would have purchased more shares.

Had we anticipated the power failure, we would have updated sooner.

Conditional in Context

Past speculationPast

If the price-earnings ration had been higher, we would have purchased more shares.

Had we anticipated the power failure, we would have updated sooner.

The program could have succeeded if management had been competent.

Conditional in Context

Past speculationPast

If the price-earnings ration had been higher, we would have purchased more shares.

Had we anticipated the power failure, we would have updated sooner.

The program could have succeeded if management had been competent.

Conditional and Subjunctive

Stating a general ruleFuture speculationsPromises and threatsImaginingBargainingPast speculation

Varying language

Conditional in context

Varying language Provided (that)On condition thatIn case of

Provided they don't renege on their offer, we will sign the contract next week.

Conditionals in Context

Mixed conditionalsIf the factory weren't so far (present) we would have bought it already. (past)

If we had bought it earlier (past)we wouldn't need to deal with Mr. Smith. (present)

Conditionals in Context

Polite requestsIf you will come this way, I'll show you to your office.If you come this way,

We would be grateful if you would please refrain from spreading the news just yet.

RCMP Activity

Write an RCMP file on a wanted criminal and add some details on the crime committed.

Try to use each tense once

Examples:They have robbed 15 banks so far.They were wearing a black ski mask.Witnesses say they had been waiting at the bank

when...

Tenses

PresentHe does.He is doing.

PastHe did.He was doing.He had done.He had been doing.He has done.He has been doing.

FutureHe is doing.He is going to do.He will do.He will have done.He will have been doing.He is to do.

ConditionalIf he does, then he will (possible)If he did, then he would

(impossible)If he had done, then he would

have done (past)