Words from The Same Family - Condition v Conditional

Conditional (adjective)– used to refer to offers/agreements which depends on something else being done.

Ø     The offer of a place on the business course at the university of  my choice is conditional on/upon my passing all my exams.

Ø     Since his help is conditional on you giving him a handsome  reward, you might want to consider seeking help from your  other friends.

Condition (noun) – state

Ø     The doctor says Linda’s condition (= state of health) is  improving by the day.

Ø     Sam hasn’t slept in almost 24 hours. He’s certainly in no  condition to drive home.

Ø     This table clock may be more than 30 years old, but it’s still in  perfect condition.

Grammar - When v While

Compiled from Grammar Builder Book 3

The rules are:

1.    When is used for a short action that takes place just before another short action in the main clause.

Eg:

          main clause             adverbial clause

Ø     We cheered                when our team scored a goal.

Ø     Sam laughed              when he heard my joke.

2.    When is also used for a short action that interrupts a long action in the main clause. The continuous tense is used for the main clause.

Eg:

          main clause                 adverbial clause

Ø     Sally was cooking              when Tim called.

             (long action)            (short action – interrupts her cooking)

3.    While is used for an action which takes places at the same time as another action in the main clause. Use the same tense for the main clause and the adverbial clause if both actions start and end at the same time.

Eg:

          main clause                    adverbial clause

Ø      They were eating                   while the kids were playing.

           (past continuous)                                 (past continuous)

Ø      They ate                                while the kids played.

           (past tense)                                          (past tense)

Idioms with Prepositions - At A Tender Age

Meaning – at a very young age

Ø     Raymond started play the drums at the tender age of 6.

Ø     As an only child, Laura learnt to be independent at a tender age as both her parents often worked long hours. 

Phrasal Verbs - Become Of

Meaning – happen to

Ø     What will become of this abandoned building if the developer  fails to find an interested buyer?  

Ø     I wonder what has become of the cast of the once popular  sitcom Friends.

Words from The Same Family - Depend v Dependent

Depend (verb) – it hasn’t been decided yet

Ø     I’m paid by the hour. So, how much I make depends on the number of hours I work.

Ø     How long the journey takes will depend on traffic.

Dependent (adj) – in need of help

Ø     William works very long hours. He has a wife and two children  who are dependent on him.

Ø     Due to the rising cost of living, many young adults remain  dependent on their parents even after they’ve started  working.

Homonyms - Line (As a Noun and Verb)

1.   (noun) – long mark

Ø   Having reached her mid 40s, it’s no surprise that Mrs Wakefield’s face is covered with fine lines.

2.   (noun) – row

Ø   The prisoners were instructed to form a line against the wall.

Ø     Poor John had to wait in line for two hours just to get  entrance tickets to the Colosseum.  

3.   (noun) – phone

Ø     Your line has probably disconnected because you haven’t  paid your last bill.

Ø    Please hold the line (= wait). I’ll see if Mr Peterson is available.

4.   (noun) – railway

Ø     Line 1 will take us to the museum.

5.   (verb) – form row

Ø     Thousands of football fans lined the streets to welcome  their idol home.

Similes with Like - Work Like a Horse

Meaning – work very hard

Ø     Eric has been working like a horse ever since he started with his job in the city.

Ø     Having worked like a horse for more than two decades (=20 years), Mr Wilson is finally ready to retire and enjoy life.