F2F Class Notes 19th October (Raph)

Condition (n): 1- the state of something with regard to its appearance, quality, or working order.
E.g.: The apartment is old, but it’s in a very good condition”

Hypothesis (n): 1- an idea or theory that is not proven but that leads to further study or discussion
E.g.: Their hypothesis could not be proved during the experiment.

Past Tense

The past tense in English is used:

• to talk about the past
• to talk about hypotheses – things that are imagined rather than true.
• for politeness.

There are four past tense forms in English:

1. Simple Past: I worked.
2. Past Continuous: I was working.
3. Past Perfect: I had worked.
4. Past Perfect Continuous: I had been working.

> We use these forms:

• to talk about the past:

E.g.:
He worked at McDonald’s.
He had worked there since July..
He was working at McDonald’s.

He had been working since July.

• to refer to the present or future in conditions:

E.g.:
He could get a new job if he really tried.
If Jack was playing they would probably win.

• hypotheses:

E.g.:
It might be dangerous. Suppose they got lost.
I would always help someone who really needed help.

• and wishes:

E.g.:
I wish it wasn’t so cold.

>In conditions, hypotheses and wishes, if we want to talk about the past, we always use the past perfect:

E.g.:
I would have helped him if he had asked.
It was very dangerous, What if you had got lost?
I wish I hadn’t spent so much money last month.

> We can use the past forms to talk about the present in a few polite expressions:

Excuse me, I was wondering if this was the train for York.
I just hoped you would be able to help me.

(Original – Edited)

I need to slow the speed – I need to slow down.