F2F Class Notes (Ben)

Grammar

Sorry for the late  –> Sorry I’m late

I suffered the traffic jam. –> I was in a traffic jam.

Never I forgot –> Never did I forget
Never did I forget someone who helped me.

Never did I go to America. (time is clear: eg. last year)
Never have I been to America. (time is unclear: eg. so far)

Never have I killed a man !
Never would I kill a man for 1,000 RMB !

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go / went / gone (been)

eat / ate / eaten

I ate – I didn’t eat = TIME IS CLEAR
this morning, yesterday, last night, 2 weeks ago, when I arrived home, when I lived in Chongqing

I have eaten – I haven’t eaten = TIME IS UNCLEAR
before, already, never, yet, until now, so far

–

In formal or literary English, the verb can come before the subject, especially if you say “never”, “only”

Only once can you be late.

Never had I been to this country.

On no account should you give up your goals = You shouldn’t give up your goals on any account.

In no situation can you smoke in the office.

Never have I (ever) been to America. = I have never been to America.

Never would I kiss another man. = I would never….

He said I had stolen from the company, but never would I do that!

–

The following verbs can be followed by another verb

• will, would
• can, could,
• shall, should
• may, might

Tomorrow, I will go out. I would never kill another man.

I can swim. Maybe I could find another job.

I shall try. Maybe you should come earlier next time.

I may go the US next year. I might to go New York.