GOLDEN GRAMMAR RULES

                                                                                    65

With when, use the past perfect to make it clear that one thing finished before another started.

When I had written my letters, I did some gardening. (NOT When I wrote my letters, I did some gardening.)
When he had cleaned the windows, he stopped for a cup of tea. (NOT When he cleaned the windows, he stopped for a cup of tea.)

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                                                        GOLDEN   GRAMMAR  RULES

                                                                                  64

We don’t often use would in subordinate clauses; instead, we use past tenses.

Would you follow me wherever I went? (NOT Would you follow me wherever I would go?)
I would tell you if I knew. (NOT I would tell you if I would know.)

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                                                GOLDEN   GRAMMAR    RULES

                                                                      63

 A singular countable noun must normally have a determiner
(e.g. a/an, the, my, that).

She broke a/the/that/my window. (NOT She broke window.)
Where is the station? (NOT Where is station?)

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                                             GOLDEN GRAMMAR RULES 

                                                               62

 If you don’t do something any more, you stop doing it.

The doctor told me to stop smoking. (NOT The doctor told me to stop to smoke.)
I’m going to stop working so hard. (NOT I’m going to stop to work so hard.)

                                                GOLDEN GRAMMAR  RULES

                                                                      61

 Use almost, not nearly, to say that one thing is very like another.

She is almost a sister to me. (NOT She is nearly a sister to me.)
I almost wish I had stayed at home. (NOT I nearly wish I had stayed at home.)

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The idea of going on with some more rules on grammar comes from several students. Their suggestion made me come back to that and I hope it will be a good help for a number of you.

                                                    GOLDEN GRAMMAR RULES

                                                                      60

 With if, we normally use the present to talk about the future.

If I have time, I’ll phone you. (NOT If I’ll have time, I’ll phone you.)
I’ll be surprised if she answers my letter. (NOT I’ll be surprised if she’ll answer my letter.)

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May 2014 be the best year of your life!

Who ever saw my town today?
Wasn't it lovely?
What do you want more than that view?
Wasn't it quiet enough?
Did you ever spot any worried face?
Worries, troubles, sorrows, were there just a couple of days ago!
But today!?
No! Nothing like that!
There was joy on the air, across the whole town.

I wish everyone living here, especially my students, that days of 2014 bring only tears of joy in your eyes.

fm