Simple vs.
Complex Language
Simple Language: straightforward use of simple tenses: present, present continuous, past, past
continuous, futures (will + going to) and depending on the level: conditionals, present perfect
and past perfect.
Complex language
Conditionals
PET (B1 level) FCE (B2 level) CAE/CPE (C1 and C2 levels)
0 conditional: 2nd and 3rd conditionals: Complex conditions:
If it rains the ground gets wet. Had I known you were coming I
If I had more time I would study.
would have made dinner.
1st conditional:
If it rains I will take an umbrella If I had known I would have Unless Peter comes, the party will
brought my lunch.
be a disaster.
Provided I don´t have to spend a lot
of money, I will go.
If I were you I wouldn´t do that.
As long as you don´t need me, I will
go home.
Passives
PET (B1 level) FCE (B2 level) CAE/CPE (C1 and C2 levels)
Not very common but some use in The money was stolen by the thief. Complex use with modals:
rehearsed situations: Children should be taught to
The problem was forgotten. respect their elders.
That shirt is made of cotton.
Our car was stolen. She was thought to have broken
the vase.
It was said that they forgot to pay
their bill.
Inversions
PET (B1 level) FCE (B2 level) CAE/CPE (C1 and C2 levels)
- - Had I known she was coming, I
would have prepared myself.
Never have we witnessed such
cruel behavior.
Not till I got home did I realize I had
forgotten my purse.
On the doorstep was a bunch of
flowers.
No sooner had I arrived, did the
dog attack me.
Subordinating clause and Relatives
PET (B1 level) FCE (B2 level) CAE/CPE (C1 and C2 levels)
When, if, because, when, who Unless, while, after, before, As soon as, as long as, provided, as,
although even though, since, until,
whenever, whereas, wherever
Cleft sentences
PET (B1 level) FCE (B2 level) CAE/CPE (C1 and C2 levels)
- What is unusual is that people It was the book that she left on the
don´t see global warning as a train.
problem.
The reason why I´ve come is to
discuss my situation.
The thing that impresses me most
is your ability to process
information
Infinitives/Gerunds
PET (B1 level) FCE (B2 level) CAE/CPE (C1 and C2 levels)
I like swimming Finding a job is hard. You ought to warn them about the
accident.
She needs to find her sweater. Flying makes me nervous.
I´d like you not to sing, please.
I want to go with you. He asked me not to go with him.
The hard thing about learning
I hate eating fish. She´s good at painting. English is understanding the
I called to ask a question. vocabulary.
In spite of missing the train we
arrive to the meeting on time.
There´s no point in waiting.
It´s no use trying to escape.
Tense contrasts
PET (B1 level) FCE (B2 level) CAE/CPE (C1 and C2 levels)
They were sleeping when I arrived. I found the key when I was cleaning She will have finished by the time
the room. we arrive.
When she arrives she will book a They had arrived before the damn
room. broke.
When she had spent all her money I wouldn´t think you cared.
she had to beg in the streets.
They´ll be wondering where we hid
the notebooks.
Uses of present perfect (every, just, yet, already, etc) and USED TO
PET (B1 level) FCE (B2 level) CAE/CPE (C1 and C2 levels)
-I have never….(usually well- Have you ever….? Have you ever been here before?
rehearsed sentence) I have just finished studying that
I have just finished my degree.
unit.
I used to ski when I was younger. She has already studied that
course.
I can´t get used to people showing
up late.
We haven´t used all the ingredients
yet.
Are you used to waking up early?
Use of phrasal verbs and idioms
PET (B1 level) FCE (B2 level) CAE/CPE (C1 and C2 levels)
Only very common ones: Some common and some less Less common:
common:
Get/wake up Get rid of
Put on Take a walk Wind sb up
Look at Throw out Figure out
Listen to Make up Pull through
Have breakfast/lunch/dinner Break down Talk down to
Turn on/off Check in Run into
Hang out with
Look forward to Idioms:
Idioms (very basic):
Idioms: Feel over the moon
Hang out with
Every cloud has a silver lining
Have a kick about The ball is in your court
Quick as lightening
You can´t judge a book by its cover
It cost an arm and a leg Burn the midnight oil
It´s just a question of time Elvis has left the building
It was raining cats and dogs
It´s important to get your foot in The elephant in the room
Hit the books the door
*Prepared by Lee Ann Bussolari March 2016 (Spain)
