L A N G U A G E G U I D E

Wanda – Sure, honey. It might take some time until we find something perfect, but that will be fun.
Ben – I guess! Can you come check a place with me now?
Wanda – Right now? Hmm…that could be a problem…your dad is taking me to lunch.
Ben – Dad can wait. Besides, we may be back before he arrives.
Wanda – All right. Let me give him a call.

:: COMMON MISTAKES

INCORRECT CORRECT
Might we meet tomorrow? Do you think we might meet tomorrow?
Buddy, may I talk to you? Buddy, can I talk to you?

L E S S O N 2

COMPARATIVE FORMS: EQUALITY AND INFERIORITY

:: USE AND STRUCTURE

Comparative Forms → Superiority

→ Equality
→ Inferiority

• Comparatives of Equality
In order to form comparatives of equality, for any adjective, you need to follow the structure:

As + Adjective + As

Kimberly is as responsible as Stacy. Laura is as fun as Jessica.

• Comparatives of Inferiority
In order to form comparatives of inferiority, for any adjective, you need to follow the structure:

Less + Adjective + Than

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Tony is less talkative when his mother is around.

:: STAY ALERT

Although the comparative of inferiority form exists, the comparatives of superiority or equality (in the negative
form) are more frequently used.

Mike is less friendly than Lawrence.

Lawrence is friendlier than Mike. or Mike is not as friendly as Lawrence.

:: EXAMPLES IN CONTEXT

Choosing a Restaurant

Hank – Where are we having dinner tonight?

Sarah – I was thinking of going to Marlo’s.
Hank – Don’t you think that Sicily Kitchen is better? Marlo’s
is not as comfortable as Sicily Kitchen.
Sarah – But it’s less expensive.
Hank – The food in Sicily Kitchen is as good as in Marlo’s,
we could use some comfort, no?
Sarah – Are you paying? If you are, we can go to Sicily
Kitchen, no problem.

:: COMMON MISTAKES

INCORRECT CORRECT
Tina is as taller as Kate. Tina is as tall as Kate.
Chris is as smart than Martin. Chris is as smart as Martin.

CONNECTORS: ADDITION, CONTRAST, AND CONCLUSION

:: USE AND STRUCTURE

Connectors → Prepositions
→ Linking words and expressions Addition, Contrast, and Conclusion
→ Conjunctions

Take a look at the table with some conjunctions, linking words and expressions that join sentences or terms inferring
the ideas of addition, contrast, and conclusion.

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Addition Contrast Conclusion

And But So Therefore

Besides that On the other hand Because of that As a result
And also On the contrary As a conclusion To conclude
Moreover Summing up As we have seen
Furthermore To make a long As we all know
story short In short

Although they all share the idea they convey when linking phrases or elements of sentences,
there is a difference in position.

Position of Connectors in Sentences

• And, and also, but, and so, won’t appear in the beginning of sentences. They may come after a
period but connecting two sentences.

Savannah works all day and studies at night.

Johnny is athletic but he hates team sports.
Tommy is an accountant, so he is the best person to help you with a new company.

• However and therefore will usually come between the sentences they link, after a period or not.

Henry is very careful with his money. However, he likes to splash out sometimes.
Peter won the lottery. Therefore, he is now a rich man.

• Although, even though, in spite of or despite will introduce the sentences but they can appear
in the middle when clauses are inverted.

Even though Julienne is on a diet, she accepted to have dinner with us.
Julienne accepted to have dinner with us, even though she’s on a diet.

In spite of being on a diet, Julienne accepted to have dinner with us.

Julienne accepted to have dinner with us, in spite of being on a diet.

:: EXAMPLES IN CONTEXT

Business Presentation

Mr. Elliot – As you can see in the graph, there has

been a decrease in our profit. The reason
for that can be the country’s situation or
a problem in our operations. However,
we’ll focus on our recovery based on
internal operations. Besides that, we’re
hiring a financial consultant to help us out.
Thank you.

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L E S S O N 2

GIVING OPINION: EXPRESSING CERTAINTY AND DOUBT

:: USE AND STRUCTURE

There are different words you can use to either express certainty or doubt while giving your opinion.
For example:

• Adverbs
• Adjectives
• Modal Verbs

Ms. Stone is probably the

best person for this position.
I agree with you. But I doubt she will
be willing to move to another city.

• Adverbs

Expressing Certainty Expressing Doubt

Definitely Probably
Certainly Maybe
Surely/For sure Perhaps

Aaron – Perhaps we should look for some

alternatives.
Tim – I agree. We should definitely look
for alternatives.

• Adjectives

Expressing Certainty Expressing Doubt

Sure Unsure
Confident Doubtful
Positive Uncertain

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• Modal Verbs
Expressing Certainty Expressing Doubt
I must… I might…
I will… I may…
:: EXAMPLES IN CONTEXT
:: COMMON MISTAKES
INCORRECT
I’m going to the party surely.
I will maybe travel next month
L A N G U A G E G U I D E
Jordan – Are you sure this is the right way?
Meredith – Yes, don’t worry. I’m positive.
Barney – I might be wrong, but I think I will
have to work on Saturday.
Mindy – T  hen I guess we may have to
change our plans for the weekend.
Taking Some Days Off
Lorena – I may take a couple of days off next week.
Derek – I think you should definitely do that.
You are stressed.
Lorena – I surely am. What I’m unsure of is whether
I’ll be able to. I need to finish these reports
first.
Derek – Don’t worry. I will help you finish them this
week. And if we don’t, I’m positive I can
take care of it next week.
Lorena – Thank you, Derek. You are the best.
CORRECT
I’m surely going to the party.
I’m going to the party for sure.
I may travel next month.
Perhaps I’ll travel next month.
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WILL VS. BE GOING TO

:: USE AND STRUCTURE

? WILL

EXPRESSING FUTURE

BE GOING TO ?

Will vs. Be Going To

Prediction Based on Opinion Prediction Based on Evidence
Inevitability Plans

Take a look at the following contexts and notice how both structures are used.

Billy will host a dinner party and, as he walks home, he passes by a bakery.

Billy – Oh, that bread smells good. I’ll get some to

take home.

(The decision to buy was made at the moment Billy

smelled the bread as he passed by the bakery.)

Tanya wants to go on vacation and she is talking to her boss about it.

Tanya – So, Leah, I was thinking...can I go on

vacation in November?
Leah – I guess so.
Tanya – Wonderful. My husband is also on vacation
in November.
Leah – Are you going to travel together?
Tanya – Definitely! We have the money, we just
needed the time. We’re going to spend
a few days in Thailand. (Tanya is planning
to go to Thailand.)
Leah – Oh, you’ll love it there!

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Mary is going to travel and she’s leaving her keys with her mom.

Mary – Mom, here are the keys. You need to water

the plants and feed the dog.
Mom – Don’t worry, Mary. I won’t forget it.
(It’s a promise.)
Mary – Please, mom. Oh, and you need to walk the
dog a bit or he will be sad. (It’s inevitable.)
Mom – OK, honey. I’ll do everything. Your plants and
your dog are going to be fine when you
come back. (It’s a promise, and because of
everything she’ll do, the dog and the plants
are going to be fine.)
Mary – Great! I’ll be back in two weeks.
(It’s a prediction.)

:: STAY ALERT

In spoken English, there is little difference between using will or be going to.

Remember that, in spoken English, it is common to use the short form of will (’ll) or the short form of the verb
to be with going to.

Julia – Let’s have dinner together this Saturday.

Michael – I can’t. I’ll probably travel this Saturday. / I’m going to travel this Saturday.

:: COMMON MISTAKES

INCORRECT CORRECT
Larry will to help you. Larry will help you.

L E S S O N 3

CONNECTORS: CAUSE AND EFFECT

:: USE AND STRUCTURE

• Structure

Hence, Thus, Consequently → Used in the between two

sentences or at the beginning of
a sentence.

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