A TRYST WITH ENGLISH

There are four basic types of conditional sentences in the English language. Each type has two parts - the main clause and the if clause. Zero conditional: I take my umbrella if it rains. First conditional: I'll call you if I work late. Second conditional: If the bus didn't arrive on time, I would drive you to the airport. Third conditional: She wouldn't have come if I hadn't invited her. Zero conditional The zero conditional describes situations that are always true. If has the same meaning as when or whenever. If I go to school, I get up at seven. (Whenever I go to school I get up at the same time.) If you park your car on double yellow lines, you pay a fine. (Whenever you park illegally, you pay a fine.) Form We use the present simple tense in both the main clause and the if clause. First conditional The first conditional refers to the present or future. First conditional sentences are used to speculate about possible situations that can really happen...

THOUGH/ ALTHOUGH/ DESPITE/ INSPITE OF Though/ although  * Though he was not well, he took the exam. Despite (+ing verb) or (+the fact) or (noun) * Despite being ill, he took his exam. * Despite the fact that he was ill, he took his exam. * Despite his illness, he took his exam. 'In spite' is always followed by 'of' * In spite of being ill/ In spite of the fact that he was ill/ In spite of his illness, he took his exam. NOTWITHSTANDING AND NEVERTHELESS Notwithstanding (+noun) or (+the fact that) * Notwithstanding his illness, he took his exam. * Notwithstanding the fact that he was ill, he took his exam. Nevertheless is used to mean the same as 'yet' or 'still' He was not well, nevertheless he took his exam. OTHER SIMILAR FORMS * Hardworking as he is , he failed in his exams. * However he works hard/ However hard he works, he failed in his exams. * However he is hard working/ However hardworking he is /    Howeve...