KauBoLEh (5)

Actually I think this is supposed to be later in order, because I think, this is the toughest one of all. But I was afraid that I wouldn't have much time to get here. So..just in case.

Conditionals - Untrue Events

Conditionals are used when talking about things that are impossible to happen to someone/something. We use 'If clause' to establish an untrue condition, and then add a secondary clause to it. When the 'If clause' precedes the secondary clause, we use a 'comma' to separate the sentences. A comma is not needed when the secondary clause precedes the 'If clause'. Try to identify and distinguish the two clauses from the following;


Present-Present:

If I were you, I would go and tell her the truth. (In reality, I am not you)

I would be the happiest man if I had a Mitsubishi Lancer. (In reality, I don't have a Lancer)

If I had a private jet, I would be leaving for Malaysia by now.

Note: Insert 'not' accordingly to form a negative sentence.


Present-Past:

If I knew the guy, I would have recognized him.

If I had a car, I would not have gone there on foot.

If you were not my brother, I wouldn't have troubled myself to come.

Note: For the 'If clause' use Simple Past to refer to the present, and use Past Perfect to refer to the past. For the secondary clause, use 'would+be' form to refer to the present, and use 'would+have been' form to refer to the past.


Past-Present:

If she had told her parents, I would be really embarrassed right now. (She did not tell her parents)

If it wasn't/hadn't been for her, I would still be nobody.

If I'd had the guts to tell her what I feel, she would still be here by now.

Note: I'd = 'I had' OR 'I would' depending on the context.


Past-Past:

If I had waited a little longer, I wouldn't have missed the chance to meet Sara Ali in person. (I did not wait)

Woudn't it have been better if I hadn't gotten the way of their relationship? (question form)

The marriage would've been sweeter for the couple if they had not been dating. (they were dating before marriage)


Wish clause:

For wish clauses, we use 'I/he/she/they wish' in the first clause, and in the next clause, use Simple Past to refer to the present, and Past Perfect to refer to the past.


I wish I could read her mind so I could tell if she has the same feelings.

I wish I could go to a distant planet and get her flowers from there.

I wish I had spoken to her when I had the chance.


Special Note: As Muslims we should be carefull in using the conditionals. It comes in a hadith, more or less the meaning, "The word 'if' opens the doors for syaitan to work." For example, we should not say "If I had taken a cab I would have made it in time to office." or "If I had stayed up all night I would have passed the test." These kinds of sayings, without us realizing, could damage our iman as in Islam it's part of our faith to believe that something that had befallen us could not have missed us, and something that had missed us could not have befallen us. InsyaAllah we'll try to be careful with what we say in the future. ^^

P/s: This is the most simplistic way I could come up with, the way I have understood it, I'm sorry if you still find it confusing. I couldn't do much editting either since both my desktop and laptop computers have been packed into the container to be shipped to Malaysia. Yes, I did all this with my tab computer. *Penat ketuk2*

KauBoLEh (4)

This time around I think I'll go miscellaneous, since it's getting kinda tricky to group the parts into specific clusters.


Negative Statements with 'since', 'for', and 'in':

Ex1. Sara hasn't worked in the US since 1998.

Ex2. Edward hasn't seen his parents for a year. OR Edward hasn't seen his parents in a year.

Ex3. Sara felt bad for not giving him a chance to explain.

Ex4. Edward was sorry for not being able to be sincere.


Note: We often say 'in ages' to mean 'in a long time.'

Ex. Hi Sara! I haven't heard from you in ages! OR Hi Sara! I haven't heard from you for ages!

KauBoLEh (3)

I wanted to pick up on the Present Perfect Continuous but there's nothing else really to be discussed. So, I'll just move on to the Past Perfect Continuous for this entry.


The Past Perfect Continuous is used to show the connection of a continuous action that was completed before another past action. The amount of time of the continuous action is expressed with 'for'.

Ex. 1: The fire had been burning for a week by the time it was controlled.

Ex. 2: They had been living in Rochester for 3 years when I came.

Ex. 3: The love letter was sent by a guy who had been stalking her for 3 months.


We use the past perfect continuous:

When an action took place over a period of time;

Ex. By the time the fire was put out, it had been burning for over a week.


We use the past perfect, instead of the past perfect continuous, with:

Nonaction verbs;

Ex. When the fire started, Rochester had had very little rain.


An action of no duration;

Ex. When residents returned, they found out that their homes had been destroyed.

A multiple or repeated action;

Ex. By the time the first half ended, Torres had scored 5 goals.


P/s: My college career has come to an end? I'm still in denial. -__-

Kampung Boy Learning English (KauBoLEh) (2)

Present Perfect Tense contd.

The form of the verb we use for Present Perfect Tense is called the Past Participle (the third form of the verb);

Base Form >> Past Form >> Past Participle

work >> worked >> worked
write >> wrote >> written

So the following are a couple more examples on the usage of Present Perfect Tense to conclude the previous section;


3) Used to talk about an action that occurred in the past, which still has importance to a present situation

Ex. 1: I have received Adam’s letter.

Ex. 2: She hasn't made her decision yet.


4) Negative statements and questions with Present Perfect

Negative statement: He hasn't found a job yet.

Question: Why hasn't he found a job yet?

Now that we have covered the Present Perfect, we can proceed to the Present Perfect Continuous, which is slightly different in structure.


Present Perfect Continous (The Intro)

1) Used to talk about an action that started in the past and continues to the present

Ex. 1: I have been working at the same job since 2009.

Ex. 2: The company has been hiring foreign workers for many years.


2) Used to show that an action is still happening

Ex: He has been working for the past eight hours.


The tricky part is, with some verbs, we can use either the Present Perfect or the Present Perfect Continuous with very little difference in meaning

Ex. He has been working as a custodian for the past few years. OR
He has worked as a custodian for the past few years.


We do not use a continuous tense with nonaction verbs (like verbs that show feelings). You can ask Mr. Google for a list of nonaction verbs so you'll get a better picture of this.

Ex. I have known her for almost 3 years. (Not: have been knowing)


Okay, let's not cram in too much at once. Taking it easy helps you digest the material better. So far it's been quite easy and straightforward I guess, so keep the remaining gigabytes of your brain for later. I came up with the acronym 'KauBoLEh' so I don't have to keep typing out the long title, and it's kinda cool too. Ingenious kan? ^^

Kampung Boy Learning English (1)

I was thinking of something to do; something educational that I enjoy doing, which I can also share with others. So I thought I would do a review on English grammar. Yep, I do like grammar! As much as I like having Nasi Lemak and Teh Tarik for breakfast back home. I figured that the best way of learning is teaching; as you practice what you know, you help your brain retain it better.

So, what topic should we do a review on? Let's see..okay, let's do a review on 'Types of Tenses'. One thing that distinguishes English grammar from Malay grammar is the critical use of tenses, as in past, present, and future tenses. Instead of just adding words that indicate a specific tense, in English, the verb itself has to be modified accordingly. A mistake in tenses can disrupt the intended meaning of a sentence.

Present Perfect Tense

eat >> have eaten
beat >> have beaten
fly >> have flown


1) Used for a repeated action to show how many times you have done the action (up to the present)

Ex: I have eaten three cups of megi.

Use 'since' or a 'since clause' to specify the time;

Ex. I have eaten three cups of megi since yesterday.

Note: Always use Simple Past for a 'since clause';

Ex. I have eaten three cups of megi since I arrived.

2) Used for a state/feeling that extends from a point in the past to the present

Ex. 1: I have liked her since I first saw her.

Ex. 2: I have been frustrated since I found out she's taken.

Note: For a repeated action that was definitely completed in the past (not connected to the present), simply use Simple Past, with an appropriate time phrase;

Ex. 1 I went to Teluk Intan three times last year.

Ex. 2 I saw her only a few times last winter.

Okay let's stop here for now. Next time, I'll pick up our review on Present Perfect Continuous Tense. I'm sorry if you find the above wording confusing, and I'd love to accept any comments, corrections, and constructive criticisms too since I myself am still learning. Questions are most welcomed. Until the next lesson, see ya. Assalamualaikum. ^^