Inversion is a grammatical structure that can be used with a variety of words and phrases to achieve different effects in a sentence. It's commonly used for stylistic or rhetorical purposes. While it's not limited to conditional clauses, here are some common words and phrases with which inversion is often used:

• Conditional Clauses:

  • "If" is commonly used in conditional clauses to introduce inverted sentences. For example:

    • "Were I to win the lottery, I would travel the world."

    • "Had he known the answer, he would have raised his hand."

• Negative Adverbs:

  • Words like "never," "seldom," "rarely," "little," and "under no circumstances" are often used with inversion to emphasize a negative condition. For example:

    • "Rarely have I seen such a beautiful sunset."

    • "Under no circumstances will I tolerate rudeness."

• Adverbs of Place:

  • Adverbs like "here," "there," and "nowhere" can be used for inversion to emphasize place. For example:

    • "Here comes the bus."

    • "Nowhere have I been treated so kindly."

• Adverbial Phrases:

  • Phrases like "in no way," "in vain," "on no account," and "in no time" can be used with inversion to emphasize specific adverbial conditions. For example:

    • "In no way did I mean to offend you."

    • "On no account should you open that door."

• Negative Expressions:

  • Expressions like "not only," "no sooner," and "only then" can be used for inversion to emphasize a negative condition. For example:

    • "Not only did she finish the project, but she also exceeded expectations."

    • "No sooner had he arrived than the meeting began."

• "So" and "Such":

  • "So" and "such" are often used with inversion to emphasize the degree of something. For example:

    • "So beautiful was the garden that it took my breath away."

    • "Such was the intensity of the storm that we had to seek shelter."

• "Rarely," "Scarcely," and "Barely":

  • These adverbs are often used for inversion to emphasize that something happened to a minimal or negligible degree. For example:

    • "Scarcely had I finished my meal when the phone rang."

    • "Barely had she closed her eyes when the alarm went off."

It's important to note that inversion is often used in more formal or literary contexts and may not be as commonly used in everyday conversation. The choice to use inversion depends on the style and tone you want to convey in your writing or speech.

In today's globalised world, the role of English as a lingua franca cannot be overstated. English has become the international language of business, diplomacy, academia, and popular culture. With over a billion people learning English as a second language, it serves as a bridge that connects diverse cultures and facilitates communication among people from different linguistic backgrounds.

The rise of English as a global language is a phenomenon that has evolved over centuries, shaped by historical events, political power, and economic forces. It was the British Empire's vast reach in the 19th and early 20th centuries that laid the groundwork for English's global expansion. Colonialism, trade, and industrialisation played a significant role in spreading English across continents.

In the contemporary world, English is often viewed as a valuable skill and a passport to opportunity. People around the globe invest time and resources in English language education, recognising the advantages it can bring in terms of employability and access to knowledge. International organisations, like the United Nations and the European Union, conduct their business in English, further emphasising its importance on the global stage.

However, the dominance of English does not come without challenges. Critics argue that its proliferation can undermine linguistic diversity and impose cultural homogenisation. They raise concerns about the potential marginalisation of other languages and the risk of language extinction. In response, some advocate for the preservation and promotion of mother tongues and local languages.

Despite the controversies surrounding its influence, English remains a powerful tool for communication, collaboration, and cultural exchange. As a C1-level English learner, you have the ability to engage in nuanced conversations and debates on these complex issues.

Convenient:

Making a task or situation easy and comfortable; suitable for one's needs.

Indispensable:

Absolutely necessary or essential; something that cannot be done without.

Powerful:

Possessing great strength, influence, or control; having the ability to produce a strong effect.

Cutting-edge:

At the forefront of innovation; incorporating the latest and most advanced technology or ideas.

Invaluable:

Extremely useful or valuable; so valuable that its true worth cannot be measured.

State-of-the-art:

Incorporating the latest and most advanced technology or design; at the highest level of development.

Handy:

Convenient and useful for a particular purpose; easily accessible.

Obsolete:

No longer in use or no longer relevant; outdated.

Useless:

Serving no practical purpose; having no value or efficacy.

Impractical:

Not suitable for a particular purpose; not practical or realistic.

Outdated:

No longer in fashion or no longer in current use; old-fashioned.

Worthless:

Lacking value or usefulness; having little or no monetary or practical value.

What are your New Year's resolutions? What are your regrets from last year? 

• Arson:

The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.

• Drunk Driving:

Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Murder:

The intentional killing of another person.

• Bribery:

The act of offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value with the aim of influencing the actions of an official or other person in a position of authority.

• Fraud:

Deceptive or dishonest behaviour for the purpose of gaining an unfair or unlawful advantage, often involving financial gain.

• Pickpocketing:

The act of stealing from someone's pocket, purse, or bag, typically in a public place.

• Burglary:

Illegally entering a building with the intent to commit a crime, typically theft.

• Hacking:

Unauthorised access to computer systems or networks, often with the intent to gather, alter, or destroy information.

• Robbery:

The use of force, threat, or intimidation to take property or valuables from an individual.

• Drug Dealing:

Illegally selling, distributing, or trafficking drugs.

• Kidnapping:

The unlawful abduction or taking away of an individual against their will, often for ransom or as part of a crime.

• Shoplifting:

The act of stealing goods from a retail store.

• Drug Possession:

Having illegal drugs for personal use or distribution.

• Manslaughter:

The unlawful killing of another person without malice aforethought, often without intent to cause serious harm or death.

• Terrorism:

The use of violence, intimidation, or coercion for political, ideological, or religious purposes, often targeting civilians to create fear.

Some adverbs have different meanings from their corresponding adjectives:

• Close / Closely:

  • Close (adjective): Near in space.

  • Closely (adverb): In a manner that is physically near or in a close relationship.

• High / Highly:

  • High (adjective): To a great height. 

  • Highly (adverb): Extremely.

• Deep / Deeply:

  • Deep (adjective): Extending far down from the top or surface.

  • Deeply (adverb): To a great depth; profoundly; thoroughly.

• Direct / Directly:

  • Direct (adjective): Extending or moving from one place to another by the shortest way.

  • Directly (adverb): Exactly, precisely; immediately.

• Late / Lately:

  • Late (adjective): Happening or being after the usual or expected time.

  • Lately (adverb): Recently; not long ago.

• Hard / Hardly:

  • Hard (adjective): With a lot of effort; severely. 

  • Hardly (adverb): Scarcely; almost not.

• Right / Rightly:

  • Right (adjective): Direction; correctly. 

  • Rightly (adverb): Correctly in my opinion. 

• Wide / Widely:

  • Wide (adjective): Extending over a large area or distance.

  • Widely (adverb): To a great degree; extensively.

• Near / Nearly:

  • Near (adjective): At or to a short distance away.

  • Nearly (adverb): Almost, not quite.

• Free / Freely:

  • Free (adjective): Without paying. 

  • Freely (adverb): In a free manner; without hindrance or restraint.

1. She wanted to go skiing but her knee wasn’t strong enough so she ________________. 

2. I can’t afford to buy an iPhone yet but maybe one day I _________________________. 

3. Why didn’t you wait to get your ball signed by Ronaldo? I ____________________ but he  stopped before I got to the front of the queue. 

4. Are Tony and María coming to the pub? If they ________________, it depends on  whether they can find a babysitter.  

5. Don’t try and find your Christmas present, it’s too well hidden. I ______________ anyway, I love surprises! 

6. We’re going to the Canary Islands next month. But will you _________________, with  the airport workers on strike? 

7. Do you mind me asking what happened? No, of course I ________________________. 

8. Was he cheating in the test? He says he ____________________, but I have my doubts. 

9. I was so tempted to throw my drink in his face. You __________________, he deserved  it after what he said to you! 

10. Don’t forget to take your coats with you, it’s really cold. We _____________________. 

11. You should have been at the concert, it was amazing. If my bloody car hadn’t broken  down, I __________________. 

12. Make sure he puts sun cream on. He already _______________________. 

13. I’m glad she remembered to bring a map. If she ________________, we’d be in trouble. 

14. We're hoping it won’t rain but if it _____________________, they can play indoors. 

15. I hope you’re coming to my graduation. I certainly ____________! I wouldn’t miss it for  the world!

Find and correct the mistakes in the sentences below.

1. He must have correct his work before he gave it to the teacher.

2. The students at the back of the lecture hall became frustrated because they can’t hear very well.

3. I think they might lie to you when you bought the TV last week.

4. I’m happy to tell you that we could offer you a place on the degree course.

5. Could you tell me the name of the manager, so I would be able to contact him in the future?

6. If we afford the fees, our daughter will apply to this college.

CAN’T - MAY - MIGHT NOT - MUST

1. A : I’m sure schools 50 years ago weren’t the same as they are nowadays (BE)

B : Schools 50 years ago ________________________ very different from nowadays.

2. A : It’s possible Josef went to school by bus . (TAKE)

B : Josef ___________________________ the bus to school.

3. A : I’m sure their holiday wasn’t very nice because the weather was so bad (HAVE).

B : With such terrible weather , they ___________________________ a very nice holiday.

4. A : I wonder if Jane remembers how to get here (FORGET).

B : Jane ____________________________ how to get here.

5. A : I’m sure Chloe isn’t still looking for her watch (FIND).

B : Chloe ______________________________ her watch by now.

6. A : We are going in the wrong direction (MISS).

B : Yes, we _______________________________ a turning.

7. A : Shakespeare and Voltaire weren’t alive at the same time, so they definitely never met

(KNOW).

B : Shakespeare and Voltaire weren’t alive at the same time , so they

_________________________ each other .

8. A : Alison looks happy about her exam results, so she’s certainly done well (DO)

B : Alison looks happy about her exam results, so she _____________________________

well.

9. A : I’m not sure its right to blame Ray for that mistake (MAKE).

B : Ray ______________________________ that mistake.

10. A : Joe can’t open the door . Maybe he can’t remember where he put the key (LOSE)

B : Joe can’t open the door. He _____________________________ the key.

The sentences below all contain mistakes by exam candidates. Find and correct the mistakes.

1. By reaching an advanced level of English, I am more probably to succeed in business.

2. If you come here for your birthday in July, you bound to enjoy it.

3. If you also watch television and films, then you’re most likely to learn the language faster than if you just go to class.

4. I’ve studied the three posible options to try to solve the problem.

5. I’d like to recommend Grey’s Academy as one of the possibly best schools in Barnsley.

6. The was the worst trip I probably have ever experienced.

7. That may be the possible reason why you’re having such problems.

TO 

IN ORDER TO 

SO AS TO

SO THAT 

AS 

BECAUSE OF

OWING TO 

ON ACCOUNT OF 

OUT OF

THAT’S THE REASON WHY 

FOR FEAR OF 

FOR + GERUND

AS A RESULT 

AS A CONSEQUENCE 

CONSEQUENTLY

IT IMPLIES 

IT MEANS 

THEREFORE

FOR (SOMEONE) (NOT) TO 

SINCE 

THAT’S WHY

WITH A VIEW TO

WITH THE INTENTION OF 

WITH THE OBJECT/AIM OF 

FOR THE PURPOSE OF

The Social Hermits

interaction - superficial - harried - updated - proximity - non-existent  - beg - physically - recluses - frequently - solitude - clamouring - condolences - achievements - fosters

Do social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter promote  social_______________, or do they encourage people to become _____________? The sites - and there are dozens and dozens of them - have now caught on with working professionals. In fact,  peopl

e over twenty-five are the largest growing demographic of users, primarily because of the  increased demands placed on time. People are more ______________ than ever, with demands  at work and at home _________________ for immediate attention. Social networking sites allow  people to stay in contact with friends and family, and without scheduling face time. 

But other reasons than time management exist. Social networking sites allow users to keep in  contact with "________________ friends "- people who are or were close ______________ but  not personally. Think of ex-classmates, ex-colleagues, parents of the children your kids play with  in the neighbourhood, and friends of friends. We may send these people holiday and birthday cards,  call with congratulations of a wedding or a new born, or express ______________ of a death in the  family. Face to face contact, however, remains largely________________. 

There is then the sense of contact, lots and lots of contact. As a result, many view the networking  sites as a tool that _______________ communication. The contact may be ______________ and  achieved through emails and instant messages, yet many people now know more small details  about one another. As long as the personal pages are regularly_____________ , it's easy to share  photos or hear about kids, ____________________, and other important news. 

Although people "talk" with one another more _________________, they rarely do so without the  forced _______________ of a computer. Social networking sites ______________ the following  question then: Are people becoming social hermits?

1. The school provided me ______ all the materials I needed for the course.

2. The car slid on the icy road and crashed ______ the parked car.

3. He was so engrossed _____ his book that he missed his metro stop.

4. He succeeded _____ playing the symphony without making any errors.

5. I think you would benefit _____ spending a few weeks in an English speaking country.

6. The cute guy kept glancing _____ me during the lecture.

7. He’s so big-headed, he’s always boasting _____ something he has done.

8. I don’t know where she is I’m a little concerned _______ her.

9. I’m sorry but this theme park doesn’t cater _____ little babies.

10. We bought a big dog to deter people _____ robbing our house.

11. I’m not sure but I think the problem stems _____ a lack of car parking spaces in the city centre.

12. I suspect him ____ having cheated in the exam, but I have no proof.

13. Scientists attribute the melting ice caps _____ global warming. 

14. Messi prides himself ____ his ability to run past any player.

15. He’s a surgeon, he specialises _____ feet and ankles.

16. Please refrain _____ using mobiles in the library.

17. They charged me €15 _____ a sandwich and a bag of crisps!

Listening Part 1 New Words:

• Torn Between:

Feeling conflicted or having difficulty choosing between two or more options or desires.

• Sweeping:

Characterised by a broad or comprehensive range; covering a large area or scope.

• Sweltering:

Extremely hot or oppressive, often describing weather that is excessively and uncomfortably hot.

You have received a letter from an English friend:

My new job is great, and next month I get to travel on business. Guess what – I’m actually coming to your town for a week!

I’ll be free some evenings and one weekend. I want to make the most of this opportunity, so I’d like your advice please: where to go, what to do, and why?

Cheers, Chris

Write your letter in reply. You do not need to include postal addresses.

An Ugly Habit

Smoking is one of the most common and deadliest habits in the world. You have probably seen thousands of cigarettes smoked in your lifetime, (1) ... perhaps not by your family. Even though fewer people smoke today than in the past, one (2) ... every four adults still smokes, and there are parts of the world where smoking is increasing. Most people who become regular smokers started when they were young. This is the time to get the facts straight: smoking does no one (3) ... good, and it does a great (4) ... of harm to your health. It also often means giving up a lot later in life, such as the chance to excel in sports, extra spending money, and even years of one’s life. There is a lot of to lose. Most smokers have a hard time explaining why they started – and why they continue. They know it is harmful, and many even know someone who has died from a smoking-related illness, like lung cancer or heart disease. But (5) ... the same time, these smokers continue lighting up when they go out for a drink, take a break from work, or hear alarming news. Some smokers even light up when they learn about the dangers of smoking, because they become worried. (6) ... the reason people start smoking, the habit soon loses (7) ... attraction. (8) ... from the obvious health risks, smoking is an ugly, unpleasant habit. Most people would prefer to avoid a room that someone was filling with smelly smoke.

• Roughly, how many languages are there in the world? 

• Approximately how many languages do you think die out every year?

• Do you think your language is worth learning by other people?

• How do you think recycling can help the environment? 

• Can you describe any environmental disaster that has occurred in the last decade or so? 

• Besides being conscientious about switching off appliances and electronic equipment completely when not in use, how  else might we conserve energy? 

• Do you see any signs of global warming caused by human activity, or do you think it’s all a myth? 

• How would you reduce our environmental impact? What alternative energy sources can you think of?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d5qMOLasd0fwbtDKw61J34hsulVpGQ2Z/view?usp=sharing 

1. Do you need ______________ (revise) gerunds and infinitives?  

2. I can't help ______________ (sleep) in late. It's Sunday!  

3. Do you mind ______________ (wait) for me? I'll only be five minutes. 

4. Did you manage ______________ (book) the hotel for this weekend? 

5. I'll never forget ______________ (meet) you for the first time.  

6. You forgot ______________ (lock) the door last night.  

7. Will you be able ______________ (give) me a lift to the airport tomorrow?  8. Don't you remember ______________ (tell) me that yesterday? 

9. You're not allowed ______________ (park) here.  

10. I learned ______________ (speak) English when I was at five. 

11. What are you planning on ______________ (do) tonight?  

12. My computers broken but I can't afford ______________ (buy) a new one. 

13. The lady demanded ______________ (speak) to the manager.  

14. You should stop ______________ (smoke), it's not good for your health.  15. You are required ______________ (complete) this worksheet. 

16. Did you remember ______________ (turn) off the air conditioner? 

17. Your bedroom is so dirty. It needs ______________ (clean).  

18. I enjoy ______________ (spend) time at home.  

19. I'll carry on ______________ (work) until I get tired. 

20. If I tell you a secret, do you promise ______________ (not tell) anybody?  

21. It's getting late. We'd better be ______________ (go) home soon. 

22. Would you like ______________ (help) me move house?  

23. Do you fancy ______________ (watch) a movie tonight?  

24. I regret ______________ (tell) Craig my secret. Now he has told everyone.

25. I tried ______________ (get) to class on time but the bus was delayed.

1. 'The boys who wore red shirts were Manchester United fans.' What does this mean? 

a) Some of the boys were Manchester United fans; others weren't. 

b) All of the boys were Manchester United fans. 

c) None of the boys was a Manchester United fan. 

2. Which is the correct sentence? 

a) Russia which is the biggest country in the world is very cold. 

b) Russia, which is the biggest country in the world is very cold. 

c) Russia, which is the biggest country in the world, is very cold. 

3. Which of these sentences is correct? 

a) The weather, was unusually hot, started to make people ill. 

b) The weather, which was unusually hot, started to make people ill. c) The weather, that was unusually hot, started to make people ill. 

4. 'My friend, what lives in Vietnam, is an English teacher.' What's wrong with this  sentence? 

a) There should be no commas. 

b) 'what' is not the correct relative pronoun for people. 

c) 'what' is not necessary in this sentence. 

5. Which sentence is correct? 

a) The mugs, most of were dirty, were left on the counter. 

b) The mugs, most of which were dirty, were left on the counter. 

c) The mugs most of which were dirty were left on the counter.

Describe your dream/ideal home. 

Your Dream Home

It's a good idea in the UK to arrange a mortgage with a bank before you start  looking. This is when the bank tells you how much money they will lend you so  you have a good idea of how much you can afford. 

The next step is to go to an estate agent to see what sort of properties they have  available in your budget range and in your area. If you see something you like,  the estate agent will arrange for you to view the property, so that you can see  the house or flat for yourself. 

If you see something that takes your eye, you put in an offer. The vendor can  accept or decline this offer, and if the vendor accepts it, you can move forward  with the sale. However, as you don't pay any money at this point, the offer  isn't legally binding, and in theory, you can pull out of the offer at any time that  you like. 

Your next step will probably be to get a structural survey done. A qualified surveyor will inspect the house and write a report that illustrates any structural  problems, like damp or drainage problems. 

If you still want to go ahead with the sale, you need to appoint a solicitor to do  the conveyancing. If you already own a house, you might also be busy trying to  sell it. Many house owners prefer to sell to first time buyers, as they are not in a chain. 

Finally, once the contracts are signed and exchanged, you complete on your  house. You get the keys and you can move in whenever you want. Then you  

Choose the correct option to complete the gaps in the following sentences. 

1. __________________________ about the place is the weather. 

a) That I don’t like 

b) What I don’t like 

c) The reason I don’t like 

2. ______________________________ who lent him the money. 

a) It was Mary 

b) Mary it was 

c) Mary 

3. What we did is ____________________________ a letter to apologise. 

a) wrote 

b) writing 

c) write 

4. The reason why he left _______________________________ the embarrassment. 

a) is avoiding 

b) was avoid 

c) was to avoid 

5. _____________________________ that I realised she was leaving me. 

a) It was when I read the email 

b) When I read the email 

c) Not until I read the email 

6. __________________________ lent you the money, remember? 

a) It’s me 

b) It’s I 

c) It’s me who 

7. _____________________________ fame and money, among other things. 

a) What I want is 

b) What I want are 

c) What I want it’s 

8. _______________________________________ I told everything. 

a) It was John the person 

b) John it was the person 

c) The person was John

Choose the correct reporting verb from list below and finish the reported speech for each  sentence. 

TOLD - SAID - ADVISED - WARNED - SUGGESTED ASKED - OFFERED - ORDERED 

1. "I'd go and see a doctor if I were you," Julie said to me. 

Julie __________________ me to go and see a doctor. 

2. "Can you come and help me with this box?" 

John __________________ me to help him with the box. 

3. "This is an exam Mr. Jenkins!! Shut up now!!!" 

The headmaster ________________ Mr. Jenkins to shut up. 

4. "That road is very dangerous so just be very careful!" 

His mother _______________ him that the road was very dangerous and to be careful. 

5. "Liverpool won the match last night." 

The journalist ______________ that Liverpool had won the match the previous night. 

6. "Why don't we go and see that new film at the cinema." 

Bill ______________ going to see the new film at the cinema. 

7. "I can come and look after the children tomorrow night." 

Jane ______________ to come and look after the children the following day. 

8. "The lesson starts at six o'clock in the evening."

He’s been smoking since he was 15 years old and he just can’t kick the habit. 

When my grandad retired, he didn’t stop getting up at 6am and putting a suit on. Old habits die hard. 

I could never go backpacking, I’m too much of a creature of habit, I can’t stand changes to my routine. 

I’ve always written my essays at the last minute and I normally get good marks. Why break the habit of a lifetime?