Grammar Challenge 1

So... that and such... that

are used to describe reasons and results.

So + adjective + that

Subject & verb	so	adjective	that	(result)
The ice-cream was	so	good	that	I ordered a second bowl

Such + adjective + noun + that

Subject & verb	such	adjective + noun	that	(result)
It was	such	good coffee	that	I drank three cups
It's	such	a great restaurant	that	I'll definitely go again

Between and among

Between distinguishes two or more separate things – and is followed by countable or uncountable, single or plural nouns. Among means 'one of many', and usually goes with plural nouns.
between

clause	between	noun(s) – referring to individual things
He shared the money equally	between	Jake and Mary

among

clause	among	plural nouns
Her exam results put her	among	the top 10% of students in her group

Verb, object, to + infinitive

We use this structure to report requests, advice, encouragement and warning.

Certain verbs may be followed by an object and then by an infinitive with to – I told you to do it. The negative infinitive is formed with not – I told you not to do it.

subject	verb	object	(not) to + infinitive
Marco's mother	ordered	him	to get into	the car.
Elena	told	the children	not to touch	the glasses.

The following verbs take this pattern:
advise allow ask beg command encourage	forbid force instruct invite oblige order	permit persuade remind tell want warn

Reported questions

Say who was talking and use a reporting verb. Repeat the question word, or use if or whether for yes / no questions. Statement word order, change the pronouns and move the tense back if necessary.

Use a reporting verb...

She asked if we were going over for tea.

For yes / no questions, use if or whether...

She asked if we were going over for tea.

Repeat question words...

She also asked how we were going to get there.

Use statement word order, change pronouns and move the tense back if necessary...

She asked if we were going over for tea.

Reported speech

In reported speech, we usually put the verb in the reported clause back one tense:

Direct speech		Reported speech
Present "I'm from Spain." Present Perfect "I've been married for years." Past "I stole it."		Past She told me that she was from Spain. Past Perfect He said he had been married for years. Past Perfect She admitted she had stolen it.

In direct speech we use inverted commas to show the exact words the person said.
For example:

"I'm from Spain."

In reported speech, we don't use inverted commas.

Unless

We can use unless in place of except if and only if to talk about the conditions under which something can happen.

Unless with a subject and verb means only if or except if in positive and negative sentences. The other part of the sentence gives the possible result.

possible result	unless	subject and verb
I'm not going to dance	unless	you ask me.
I won't go by car	unless	it's a long way.
We can go to the park	unless	someone has a better idea.

unless	subject and verb	possible result
Unless	we're there by 8 o'clock	we won't get anything to eat.
Unless	Elena wants to take a taxi	we can go by bus.
Unless	you tell me who broke the cup	I will make you pay for it.

Let and Allow

We often use let and allow to discuss permission.

Both let and allow can be used to talk about giving and refusing permission.

Let

subject	let	object	infinitive or prepositional phrase
They	let	me	go out and get a drink.
They	wouldn't let	me	back in.

Allow

subject	let	object	infinitive with to
They	allowed	me	to go out and get a drink.
She	won't allow	anyone	to smoke in the office.

Allow (passive)

passive subject	verb 'to be'	allowed	infinitive with to
He	wasn't	allowed	to go out and get a drink.
Nobody	is	allowed	to smoke in the office.