Conditionals

Conditional sentences contain a conditional clause (introduced by words such as if, as long as and unless) and a main clause.
If the conditional clause comes before the main clause, a comma is needed (as in this sentence).
A comma is not needed if the conditional clause comes after the main clause (as in this sentence).

Zero Conditional
if + present simple or imperative
We use the zero conditional to talk about situations which are always true. If has the same meaning as when, whenever or every time in such sentences.
Everyday situations: My eyes hurt if I spend too long on the laptop.
Scientific facts: If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
Instructions (if+imperative): If you don't know the answer, make an intelligent guess.

First Conditional
if + present simple, will + infinitive without to
We use the first conditional to talk about possible situations and their probable results in the future.
She'll be very happy if you phone her.
It can be used for warning, promises and threats.
I'll send you to bed if you don't behave yourself.
Modal verbs can be used in the main clause in place of will. May, might and could, for example, introduce possible results if a conditional is met.
If I finish my homework early, I might call you.

Second Conditional
if + past simple, would + infinitive without to
We use the second conditional to talk about imaginary, unlikely or impossible situations in the present or future.
If I knew the answer to number six, I would tell you.
First or second conditional? Notice the difference in meaning between these two sentences:
1st Cond. If they give me a pay rise, I'll buy a new car. (I feel there is a real possibility that they will give me a pay rise.)
2nd Cond. If they gave me a pay rise, I'd buy a new car. (I feel it is less likely that they will give me a pray rise.)
The second conditional can also be used to give advice.
If I were you, I'd complain to the manager.
Both was and were are possible in the conditional clause after the subject pronouns I/he/she/it. Was is more common in spoken English.
If he were a little taller, he'd be an excellent goalkeeper.
The modals verbs might and could can be used in the main clause to indicate possible results.
If you worked a bit harder you might have more success.

Third Conditional
if + past perfect, would/might/could have + past participle
We use the third conditional to talk about imaginary situations in the past.
If we hadn't taken a map, we would have got lost. (we took a map, so we didn't get lost.)

Mixed Conditional
if + past perfect, would + infinitive without to
Mixed conditionals are a combination of a second and a third conditional. They can express an imaginary past event and a possible or probable present result.
If you'd listened to my advice, you would not be in this situation now.

Alternative words for if
As long as, provided (that), providing (that) and on condition (that) can be used in place of if to emphasize the condition.
I'll lend you 10€ as long as you give it back tomorrow.

Exercises (Listening)

Here are a lot of listening exercises with different levels.
I've put the link to listening exercises, but inside you'll be able to find A LOT OF exercises also about grammar, reading, links to full cartoon movies, etc.

http://www.agendaweb.org/listening/

Enjoy it!!

So, Neither, Nor

Use
To indicate that we have the same feelings, behaviour or abilities as others, we can use so (positive statements), and neither or nor (negative statements).

Form
so/neither/nor + (modal) auxiliary verb or the verb to be + subject noun or pronoun.
The rules for deciding which verb is used after so, neither or nor are the same as those for questions tags. The verb is always positive. The clause with so, neither or nor can appear in the same sentence as the main clause, or it can be said by a different speaker.
She can't play a musical instrument and nor can I.
I'll phone him tonight. So will I.
My mum isn't working tomorrow. Neither is mine.

If our feelings, behaviour or abilities are different from those of others, we use the following structure:
subject + (modal) auxiliary or the verb to be.
He doesn't eat meat but I do.
We're allowed to wear jeans to school. We aren't.

Past necessity

Needn't have + past participle
This structure is used to talk about an action which was unnecessary. It indicates that the subject performed the action.
I needn't have preparated so much food for the party; everyone had eaten before they came. (I prepared lots of food but I realized afterwards that it wasn't necessary)

Didn't need to + infinitive
This structure is used to talk about an action which was unnecessary. It usually indicates that the subject did not perform the action.
I didn't need to prepare very much food for the party; everyone said they would bring something to eat. (I didn't prepare lots of food as I knew it wasn't necessary)

The passive

Form
The verb to be + past participle.
Present Simple: Goods worth 750M. are stolen from shops each year.
Present Continuous: A man is being questioned in connection with the robbery.
Present Perfect: Photos of the suspects have been put up arround the town.
Past Simple: He was taken away in a van.
Past Continuous: The burglar didn't realize he was being filmed.
Past Perfect: Two people had been mugged there on the previous day.
Future simple: All football supporters will be searched at the airport.
Infinitive: He is hoping to be released from prison next month.
Gerund: I can't even remember being hit on the end.
Modal verbs: He should be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Use
The passive is used to focus attention on the person or thing affected by the action, rather than on the agent (the "doer" of the action). If we are interested in the agent, we used the preposition by.
Sue and Mark were brought up by their parents.
When we talk about the instrument used by the agent to do the action, we use the preposition with.
He was hit on the head with a vase.
The agent is not usually included when:
- It is clear from the context who the agent is.
Colin was arrested for dangerous driving.(by the police)
- We don't know who the agent is or was.
My car was stolen yesterday afternoon.
- When the agent is not important.
Stamps are often sold in supermarkets in England.
- The passive is also used in formal notices.
Food may not be consumed on the premises.

Passive constructions with the infinitive
The infinitive can be used after the passive of verbs such as: believe, consider, expect, know, say, think.
The president is expected to arrive at 9.30 pm.
The perfect infinitive (have+past participle) is used to refer to the past.
12 people are known to have died in the accident.