Touchstone 2nd Edition • Language summary • Level 2

Unit 3 • Lesson B: Aches and pains

Vocabulary
Illnesses
cough (n / v)
sneeze (v)
get / have a (terrible) cold (v)
get / have a headache (v)
get / have a sore throat (v)
get / have a stomachache (v)
get / have the flu (v)
get sick (v)
have an allergy / allergies (v)
have a bad cough (v)
have a fever (v)
have a toothache (v)
have an upset stomach (v)

Talking about health

medicine (n)
sleep (n)
feel awful (v)
feel better (v)
feel run down (v)
feel sick (v)
feel terrible (v)
gargle salt water (v)
suck on a cough drop (v)
take medicine (v)

© Cambridge University Press 2014 Unit 3, Lesson B, Page 1

Touchstone 2nd Edition • Language summary • Level 2

Other words
if (conj)
when (conj)
honey (n)
vinegar (n)
stretch (v)

Grammar
Joining clauses with if and when
You can join clauses with if and when:

I take medicine. I have a cold.

I take medicine if I have a cold.

or
I take medicine when I have a cold.

These sentences mean "I take medicine every time I have a cold."

You can also use if or when at the beginning of sentences. Put a comma at the end of the first
clause:

If I have a cold, I take medicine.

or
When I have a cold, I take medicine.

These sentences also mean "I take medicine every time I have a cold."

© Cambridge University Press 2014 Unit 3, Lesson B, Page 2

Touchstone 2nd Edition • Language summary • Level 2

If or when?
If and when have similar meanings.

Use when for usual events or things you often or sometimes do:

A What do you take when you have a cold?

B I don't take anything when I have a cold.

Use if to talk about unusual events or things you don't often do:

A What do you do if you get a really bad cold?

B If I get a really bad cold, I drink hot vinegar with honey.

© Cambridge University Press 2014 Unit 3, Lesson B, Page 3