This module will help you learn useful vocabulary and communication strategies to

understand and describe words, phrases and sentences related to weather and
climate. As well, unit 4 will provide you with enough knowledge on grammar
structures for you to express using more complex sentences.

After studying this unit you will be able to use the Future Simple (will) to talk about
spontaneous decisions, promises and predictions. You will also study here how to
use imperatives to give advice for bad weather conditions.

4.1. Grammar
4.1.1. Clauses
4.1.1.1. Subject Clauses
4.1.1.2. Object Clauses
4.1.1.3. With or Without Relative Pronouns
4.1.2. Will: future predictions
4.1.3. The Imperative: giving advice
4.2. Vocabulary
4.2.1. Talking about the Weather and Climate
4.2.2. Weather Warning: advice for bad weather
4.3. Pronunciation
4.3.1. Introduction to Intonation: falling and rising intonation
Caroline Porter is a TV weather presenter. She is the weather girl who provides a
national and local weather forecast in the mornings on CBS 5 channel. She helps
people plan ahead for their weekend.

Would you like to be a TV weather presenter?

Please read carefully part of her weather report.

Good morning dear viewers! Here's the weather forecast for this week.

We had some torrential rains in the past few days, but good news! You can finally
leave the umbrella at home. Expect abundant sunshine today. The day will be
mostly sunny. Though, around 4 p.m., the sky will turn dark and winds will come
up in high places. You'll want a jacket heading out the door in the afternoon.

Tomorrow will be a sunny, pleasant day again with temperatures well up

into the 86s. Make sure you all wear light clothes over the next few days!
A
sentence is a group of words that when put together make complete sense.
It contains a subject and a verb. It’s important to understand that a sentence
represents a complete thought. When we break down sentences they have
smaller units of meaning that are called clauses. A clause is the smallest
grammatical unit that can express a complete thought. Simple sentences consist of
just one independent clause. Example, I love grammar.

Words are put together to make phrases, but phrases don’t contain a verb or a
subject. Therefore, phrases never make complete sense. However, phrases build up
to clauses and clauses are put together to make complex sentences. A clause can be
used as a complete sentence or be part of a more complete sentence. This means
that, a sentence can be composed of more than one clause.

There are mainly two types of clauses:

1. Main clause or independent: It’s a complete thought that contains a subject
and a verb. It’s a complete sentence and can stand on its own.
2. Subordinate clause or dependent: It contains a subject and a verb, but it
doesn’t represent a complete thought. It’s part of a sentence and can’t stand on its
own.

A complex sentence is made up of a main clause and one or more subordinate

clauses. Sometimes a comma is used to separate the clauses.

Example:

Figure 1. Dependent and Independent clauses. By Bryan, R. (2018)

As you can see in Figure 1, a dependent clause is not a complete thought. There
are three main types of dependent clauses: relative clauses, noun
clauses, and adverbial clauses. In this unit we will focus on relative clauses.
Relative clauses are also called adjective clauses because they describe
or modify nouns. You can use a relative clause (adjective clause) to combine two
simple sentences (clauses) into one more complex sentence. Relative
pronouns are used to connect the clauses. Moreover, relative clauses
begin with a relative pronoun.

Relative pronouns are words like: who, which, that, whom, and whose.
A relative pronoun serves two purposes:
(1) It acts as the subject or the object of the verb in its clause.
(2) It also serves as a conjunction connecting the two clauses.
Example:
That’s the TV weatherman. He makes accurate weather forecasts.
= That’s the TV weatherman who makes accurate weather forecasts.
Note: That can substitute for which or who.
That’s the TV weatherman that makes accurate weather forecasts.

The relative pronoun can be the subject of the clause:

Example:
That's the person who presents the weather news in the mornings.
That person (subject) presents the weather news in the mornings (object).

Note how these two sentences are combined.

Subject:
This is Caroline. She presents the weather news in the mornings. = Caroline is
the person who presents the weather news in the mornings.

The subject pronoun she is not repeated in the second sentence, as the person is
the subject. “Who” replaces “she”.
The relative pronoun can also be the object of the clause:

Example:

That's the TV show that I used to watch.

I (subject) used to watch the TV show (object).

Note how these two sentences are combined.

Object:

That is Caroline's TV show. I used to watch it. = That's the TV show that I used
to watch.

The subject pronoun it is not repeated in the second sentence, as the TV show is
the object. “that” replaces “it”.

There are two types of relative clauses:

1. Defining relative clauses.

Defining clauses give relevant or important information about which

person or thing we mean exactly.

Example:
That’s the book about weather that you lent me yesterday.
The relative clause “that you lent me yesterday” indicates which book we are
exactly talking about. It might be difficult to understand the complete
meaning of the sentence without the relative clause.

2. Non-defining relative clauses.

Non-defining clauses give extra or additional information about a person

or thing. They are separated by commas in writing, and by a pause in speaking.

Example:
That woman, who is Panamanian, speaks three languages.
This gives extra information about the woman. If we miss out the relative
clause, the meaning would still be clear.
Omitting the relative pronoun

In a relative clause we can leave out the relative pronoun if it is the object of the
clause.

Example:
That's the TV show (that) I used to watch.

On the contrary, we cannot leave out the relative pronoun if it is the subject of the
clause.

Example:
That's the woman who presents the weather news in the mornings.

Future simple (Will)

Will is used to express a spontaneous decision, ´promises or an assumption with

regard to the future. It also expresses a future fact or prediction. Will for a
prediction can be based more on an opinion than a fact or evidence. For predictions
based on real evidence, future plans or intentions we normally use going to.

Examples:
Conversation 1
A: Look at the sky! It’s going to rain today.
(Real evidence)

B: I’ll get my umbrella.

(Spontaneous decision)

Conversation 2
A: I'm going to travel to Russia next month.
(intention)
 B: It will be cold there!
(I believe… It’s a prediction)

For further understanding on when and how to use will please have a look the
picture below.

USE FORM
• Predictions + Form
• Opinions or assumptions I/You/
regarding the future He/She/ will help
• Decisions made at the It/We/ /’ll you.
moment of speaking They
(spontaneous decisions-no plan)
• Offers - Form
•Future possibilities I/You/
• Requests He/She/ will not eat that.
• Promises It/We/ /won’t
•Threats They
Note:
We often use these time ? Form
expressions with the future I/you/ marry
simple: today, later, soon, Will he/she/ me?
tomorrow, on Monday, etc. it/we/
Example: they
I’ll see you later.

Figure 2. Future Simple (Will). By Bryan, R. (2018)

Imperatives are used to give orders, commands, warnings, advice or to make

suggestions.
We make imperatives by using the base form of the verb without a noun,
preposition or pronoun.

Examples:
Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It’s raining.
Be prepared to act quickly and move to higher ground if needed.
Stay home until the roads are clear.
Before you leave your home, check weather conditions on TV.
Slow down!

We make negative imperatives with do not/don’t + base form of the verb.

Examples:
Don’t panic!
Don't go out if not necessary.
Do not drive into a flooded area.
The concepts weather and climate linked to each other. The averages of daily
weather are used to monitor climate. The sun is the major source of energy for the
planet. The atmosphere moderates the solar influence by moderating temperature.
Changes in climate lead to changes in weather patterns and may lead to extreme
weather events. Climate is the state of the atmosphere over long time periods,
such as over years, or decades. When talk about climate, we look at patterns of
precipitation, temperature, humidity, sunshine, wind speed, fog, frost, and other
variables that occur over a long period in a particular place.

Weather is what we observe or feel on a daily or weekly basis and includes, for
instance: sunshine, rain, wind, hail, snow, cloudy skies, humidity, freezing rain,
blizzards, ice storms, and thunderstorms. We use terms such as “cloudiness”,
“precipitation”, “temperature” and “wind” when we are telling the forecast for the
next few days ahead.

Here you can learn some words and sentences to talk about weather.

What's the weather like today? What's the weather forecast?

Take an umbrella with you when you go out. It’s
raining. It’s a rainy day. It rains here all the time. It
has been raining for four hours.

Talking about rain:

Drizzle, downpour, flood

I couldn’t sleep last night because it was so stormy.

It was really scary. It was stormy and windy all night
long.
It was so windy that I couldn’t even stand up!
Talking about wind and storms:
Windy, breeze, stormy, thunder, lightning
Now that the summer is here, it’s getting warm. It’s
sunny today. It’s too hot today. It's hot and humid
today. Let’s go to the beach!

Talking about temperature:

Hot, warm, cold, cool chilly, freezing

The weather is really depressing today. It’s just grey

and cloudy. The sky is overcast with thick, grey
clouds. I can’t see more than a few meters ahead
because it’s so foggy. It’s a snowy day. It’s snowing.
It snows a lot in winter. It’s overcast today.

Talking about clouds:

Clear, cloudy, foggy, overcast
I love it when it snows. I like the way everything gets
covered in white. It’s so cold out there! It’s very cold
today. You’ll need a jacket and winter footwear.

Talking about cold:

Hail, snowflake, blizzards
A tornado warning has been issued for my area.
What should I do?

Talking about extreme weather conditions:

Drought, hurricane, tornado

Figure 3. Talking About Weather. By Bryan, R. (2018)

B
een caught in an extreme weather situation can be terrifying. Find here some
advice to deal with the challenges presented by adverse weather conditions.

Here some advice for bad weather:

 Postpone outdoor activities if a storm is imminent.

 Make sure children and animals are kept inside.
 If possible, avoid driving in snow and other treacherous weather conditions.
 You should park their cars on high ground.
  Check that you have food, water, blankets and warm clothes in case a power
outage occurs.
 Have handy flashlights and a portable radio ready.
 If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or
hallway.
 Stay away from windows.
 Listen to the radio or TV for weather information.
 Always take a well-charged phone in case of emergencies.

Intonation is the melody of language and is made up of pitches that rise and fall.
This rising and falling melody is used to communicate our intentions and our
emotions. In spoken language, intonation replaces punctuation. It tells the listener
whether we are finished talking or whether we are asking a question or making a
statement. Intonation also gives information that words alone cannot give. It can
indicate anger, surprise, confusion, hesitation, sarcasm, interest, or lack of interest.
If your speech has good intonation it will be more dynamic and more interesting to
listen to.

Falling Intonation
Lower your voice at the end of the sentence to produce a falling intonation. This
intonation is used for a variety of reasons:

Statements
Falling intonation is used in simple sentences that are not questions. For example:

1. My name is John.

2. It’s nice to meet you.

3. Have a nice day.

4. I’m going outside.

5. I’ll be back in a minute.

Questions
Falling intonation is also used when asking questions if they contain interrogative
words such as where, what, why, when, how, and who. For example:

1. What’s his name?

2. Why did you leave?

3. Where are you going?

4. What are you thinking about?

5. How are you doing?

6. When does it start?

Rising Intonation
Raise the pitch of your voice at the end of a sentence to create rising intonation.
Rising intonation is used in Yes/No questions. For example: Did you see him?

Yes/No Questions

1. Did he work yesterday?

2. Does he know about it?

3. Can you call me at five?

4. Is it good?

5. Is that it?

6. Do you work there?

 Descripción del documento Nombre del archivo

This video will help you improve your English Phrases about the Weather:
vocabulary about weather conditions. English Speaking Lesson

Format: Video

Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8
46ZjNb1Tf0&t=5s

E. [Expresso English]. (2012,

December 23). English Phrases about
the Weather: English Speaking
Lesson. [YouTube]. Retrieved March
23, 2018, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8
46ZjNb1Tf0&t=5s
 Atmosphere: the layer of gases surrounding Earth or any planet.

 Blizzard: it’s a storm with considerable falling or blowing snow.

 Clause: a clause is a group of words that can act as a sentence. It means that, a
clause is also a sentence.

 Climate: it is the state of the atmosphere over long time periods, such as over
years, or decades.

 Imperatives: imperatives are verbs used to give direct orders, warnings,

instructions, advice, requests or invitations.

 Lightning: light produced by electricity in the air, usually during a storm.

 Phrase: a phrase is a word or words that don’t have much meaning on their
own.

 Precipitation: the fall of water, ice, or snow deposited on the surface of the
Earth from the atmosphere.

 Temperature: it’s the measurement of heat and cold.

 Weather: it’s the condition of the atmosphere taking into consideration what we
observe or feel on a daily or weekly basis, for instance: sun, wind, rain, heat or
cold.
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