Possible Futures Video

My latest Youtube video teaches how to use the first conditional to talk about possible futures.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

In this video we will talk about the future of the environment. To talk about possible future events and their results we use the first conditional.

Here is an example of a sentence using the first conditional:
If global warming continues to get worse, sea levels will rise.
If global warming continues to get worse is the possible future.
Sea levels will rise is the result of that situation.

To make first conditional sentences we use if + simple present, comma, will/won't + verb.
If we take showers, we will save water.

We use won't for negative sentences.
If we waste electricity, we won't save the environment.

The if clause can come either first or second in the sentence.
If sea levels rise, polar bears will lose their habitat.
Polar bears will lose their habitat if sea levels rise.

Will/Won't can be replaced by modal verbs such as should/might/can.
If you want to help the environment, you should recycle.
If we don't do something now, it might be too late.
You can save money if you don't waste electricity.

Here is an example of a question using the first conditional:
What will happen if we stop polluting the air?
If we stop polluting the air, we will be healthier.

Here are examples of yes/no questions:
If I use a reusable bag, will it help the environment?
Yes, it will.

Will I save money if I walk to walk?
Yes, you will, and you will help the environment.

The if clause in these sentences describes something that is possible. The if clause can be replaced by different time clauses.
When clauses describe something that is certain to happen.
When technology gets better, we will use more renewable energy.

As soon as is used to say what will happen immediately after something else happens.
I'll buy an electric car as soon as I save enough money.

We use until to say something will or won't happen up to a particular point.
Wildlife will lose their habitat until we start to care about the environment.
Air quality won't get better until we plant more trees.

We use unless to describe a result if something doesn't happen.
The ice caps will melt unless we stop global warming.

Let's play a game about consequences. Can you continue the conversation by saying the consequences of the previous result?
What will happen if we pollute the air?
If we pollute the air, the earth will get hotter.
If the earth gets hotter, the ice caps will melt.
If the ice caps melt...
What do you think will happen if the ice caps melt? Write sentences in the comments.

Here are some more questions which you can answer in the comments section to give you some practice and get you thinking about the environment.
1. What will happen if we pollute the oceans?
2. What will happen if we continue to burn fossil fuels?
3. What will happen if we don't protect the rainforests?
4. What will happen if we don't recycle?
5. What will happen if we plant more trees?
Answer these questions by putting your answers in the comments section and I'll check your answers.

Past Habits Video

My latest Youtube video teaches how to talk about past habits using used to.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Here's the script of the video:

In this video we will learn how to talk about past habits and repeated action using used to. We use used to + verb to talk about repeated actions in the past that don't happen anymore. For example:
I used to play video games, but now I'm too busy.

To make negative sentences we say didn't use to + verb.
I didn't use to like mushrooms, but I like them now.

Note that in spoken English we often say never used to rather than didn't use to.
I never used to do my homework on time.

Here is an example of a yes / no question:
Did you use to have a pet? Yes, I did. I used to have a dog.

Let's look at some more examples:
I used to do taekwondo when I was younger.
She used to take ballet lessons.
He didn't use to get good grades.
Did you use to play a lot of sports? Yes, I did. I used to play sports every day.
What board games did you use to play? I used to play Monopoly.

Used to is only used when talking about the past and shouldn't be confused with be used to or get used to. If you are used to something you are accustomed to it, for example:
I eat kimchi every day. I'm used to spicy food.

If you are getting used to something then you are becoming accustomed to it.
My new job is really demanding, but I'm slowly getting used to it.

Describing Clothing Video

My latest Youtube video teaches how to describe clothing and people's actions using the present continuous.

If you like this video, please click 'like' and subscribe to my Youtube channel.

Here's the script of the video:

In this video we will learn how to talk about the clothes people are wearing and the actions they are doing using the present continuous. Before we cover the target vocabulary and grammar, let's look at an example of the language we are going to learn.

What is she wearing?
She's wearing a pink, cotton t-shirt and blue, denim jeans.
What is she doing?
She's doing laundry. 

Let's start with the names of items of clothing.
a hat
a vest
shorts
sandals
high heels
a dress
a blouse
a skirt
a jacket
a sweater
jeans
gloves
a scarf
boots
a suit
shoes
a jacket
a shirt
a neck tie
a belt
pants
a t-shirt
flip-flops
sunglasses
a cardigan
sneakers

When describing clothes we can talk about colour, pattern and material. When describing the colour of clothes, we might want to broaden our colour vocabulary. These colours that you might not know are often used to describe clothes.
khaki
navy
sky blue
lilac
aqua
burgundy
beige

Now let's look at patterns.
plain
plaid or check
gingham
argyle
polka dot
striped
printed

And materials.
leather
cotton
wool or woolen
silk
denim
nylon

In a sentence, adjectives are usually in a set order before the noun. First colour, then pattern, material and finally the noun.

He is wearing a purple, check, cotton shirt.

Notice that the article comes before the first adjective. Plain is an exception. It isn't really a pattern, but is an adjective of the colour, so it comes before the colour.

She is wearing a plain yellow, cotton dress.

To describe what someone is wearing and the action they are doing we use the present continuous. To make present continuous sentences we be + verb-ing. This chart shows the grammar we need to make present continuous sentences.

I am wearing a shirt.
He is wearing glasses.
You are riding a bike.

Now we have all the grammar and vocabulary we need. Let's look at some examples.

What is he wearing?
He's wearing a plain grey, cotton cardigan, a red t-shirt and blue, denim jeans.
What is he doing?
He's talking on the telephone.

What is she wearing?
She's wearing a black and white, printed, nylon dress and black high heels.
What is she doing?
She's listening to music.

What is he wearing?
He's wearing a plain navy, woolen suit.
What is he doing?
He's riding a bike.