4.2 Talking Technology

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1

4.2 Talking Technology

Learning objectives:

Learning objectives:

• Can understand specialised vocabulary used in presentations or discussions within their field.
• Can use a range of complex conjunctions in conditional statements (al three types)
• Can describe possible future outcomes of a present action or situation using the first conditional.
• Can describe hypothetical (counterfactual) results of a current action or situation using the second conditional.
• Can clearly and concisely describe a product or a service within their field.
• Can write instructions on how to use a device or product.

Imagine you were networking with a potential international client at a trade fair but you didn't speak their language. How would you communicate?

Grammar time!

What is the difference in meaning between the following sentences?

• If you freeze water, it becomes solid.
  
• If it rains tomorrow, I'll take the car.
  
• If I lived closer to the cinema, I would go more often.

Grammar: Zero, first and second conditional

Conditionals describe the result of a certain condition. 

The 'if clause' tells you the condition (If you study hard) 

The main clause tells you the result (you will pass your exams). The order of the clauses does not change the meaning.

Zero conditional

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially for laws and rules.

• If I drink too much coffee, I can't sleep at night.
  
• Ice melts if you heat it.
  
• When the sun goes down, it gets dark.

The structure is: if/when + present simple >> present simple.

First conditional

We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or possible.

• If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.
  
• Arsenal will be top of the league if they win.
  
• When I finish work, I'll call you.

In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually: 

if/when + present simple >> will + infinitive.

It is also common to use this structure with unless, as long as, as soon as or in case instead of if.

• I'll leave as soon as the babysitter arrives.
  
• I don't want to stay in London unless I get a well-paid job.
  
• I'll give you a key in case I'm not at home.
  
• You can go to the party, as long as you're back by midnight.

Second conditional

The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality.

• If we had a garden, we could have a cat.
  
• If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a big house in the country.
  
• I wouldn't worry if I were you.
  

The structure is usually: if + past simple >> + would + infinitive. 

When if is followed by the verb be, it is grammatically correct to say if I were, if he were, if she were and if it were. However, it is also common to hear these structures with was, especially in the he/she form.

• If I were you, I wouldn't mention it.
  
• If she was prime minister, she would invest more money in schools.
  
• He would travel more if he was younger.

Third conditional

The third conditional is used to imagine a different past. We imagine a change in a past situation and the different result of that change.

• If I had understood the instructions properly, I would have passed the exam.
  
• We wouldn't have got lost if my phone hadn't run out of battery.
  

In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually: If + past perfect >> would have + past participle.

If you eat fast food

1. you gain weight
2. you gained weight
3. you would have gained weight.
4. -

If you study hard

1. you would get good grades
2. you get good grades.
3. you got good grades

What would you say if he _____ you on a date?

1. ask
2. asked
3. would ask
4. -

When she works early

1. she woke up early.
2. she wake up early.
3. she wakes up early.
4. -

If Caroline and Sue__________
the salad, Phil _________
the house.

1. will prepare, decorate
2. would prepare, decorate
3. prepare, will decorate
4. prepare, would decorate

If Sue ________ the onions for the salad, Caroline ________ the mushrooms.

1. cuts, will peel
2. will cut, would peel
3. will cut, peel
4. would cut, peel

Elaine _________ the drinks if somebody ________ her carry the bottles.

1. would buy, helps
2. will buy, would help
3. buy, will help
4. will buy, helps

If I ________the lottery, I ________a millionaire.

1. win, will be
2. had won, would have been
3. won, would be
4. -

If I__________seeds in spring I __________tomatoes now.

1. had planted, would have
2. planted, would have
3. had planted,
4. plant, would have

My mom ________fine now, if the doctor _______what was wrong with her at the beginning.

1. will be, had realised
2. would be, would have realised
3. would be, had realised
4. -

If I ______ rich, I _______quit my job.

1. were, would
2. am, would
3. will be, would
4. -

If you _________ hard, you _________ the exam.

1. worked, had passed
2. would work, would have passed
3. had worked, would have passed
4. -

If they _______ him to hospital earlier, he ________ died.

1. took, wouldn't have
2. had taken, wouldn't have
3. would have taken, wouldn't have
4. -

I ________you the document if you __________ me your email address.

1. would have sent, gave
2. would send, had given
3. will have send, had given
4. would have sent, had given

Read the situation and choose the best sentence

I wasn't thirsty. I didn't drink the lemonade.

1. If I was thirsty, I would drink the lemonade
2. If I had been thirsty, I would've drunk the lemonade
3. If I would have been thirsty, I drank the lemonade
4. -

Do the grammar exercises 6,7,8 in your book. Check your answers. 

Work on exercise 9 in your book in pairs of two and turn your answer in on teams.

Finished? Do the grammar exercises on myenglishlab in your interactive workbook.