English Grammar Structures and Formal Letter Correction

Verb Tense Summary

Present Simple (Pres.S)

am/is/are + participle. He/She/It: do $\rightarrow$ does/doesn't. Will not.

Present Continuous (Pres.Cont)

am/is/are + being + participle.

Past Simple (Past.S)

was/were + participle.

Past Continuous (Past.Cont)

was/were + being + participle.

Present Perfect (Pres.Perf)

have/has + been + participle.

Past Perfect (Past.Perf)

had + been + participle.

Future Simple (Future.S)

will + be + participle.

Going To Future

am/is/are + going to + be + participle.

Auxiliary Verbs Summary

have/has/past: had.

Modal Verbs (Second Conditional Context)

Second Modals: might/may/could.

Examples: not buy $\rightarrow$ didn't buy. He/She/It WERE.

Participles

Third Participle: verb + ed. Go $\rightarrow$ gone. Be $\rightarrow$ have been.

Conditional Sentences

First Conditional (1st)

• If he comes (come), I will be surprised.
• She will stay (stay)... if she gets (get).

Structure: If + Present Simple, will + infinitive.

Second Conditional (2nd)

• (If he was (be) younger, he would travel more).
• (If we weren't (not/be) friends, I would be angry with you).
• If I had (have)... I would buy...
• She would be (be)... if she had (have)...

Structure: If + Past Simple, would + infinitive (travel/pass).

Note on 'Be': Use WERE, not WAS: If he were taller, he would play basketball.

Third Conditional (3rd)

• (If you hadn't been (not/be), we wouldn't have missed.)
• (If she had studied (study), she would have passed (pass)...)
• She would have passed (pass)... if she had studied (study)..

Structure: If + Past Participle, would have + participle (v+ed).

Mixed Conditionals

• Type 1 (2nd/3rd): If + Past Simple, would + have + participle. If I were richer, I would have traveled.
• Type 2 (3rd/2nd): If + Past Perfect, would + infinitive. If I had woken up earlier, I would not be so tired now.

Passive Voice Construction

Basics

BE + participle: planning $\rightarrow$ planned. Attend $\rightarrow$ are attended.

Structure: BE + participle.

Example Transformation

Active: My grandfather built this house in 1943. / Passive: This house was built in 1943 by my grandfather.

Active: The traffic might have delayed Jimmy. / Passive: Jimmy might have been delayed by the traffic.

Formal Letter Writing

Formal Phrases

Salutation: Dear Sir or Madam,

Opening: I am writing with reference to...

Request: I would be grateful if...

Closing: I look forward to hearing from you.

Sign-off: Best wishes / Your sincerely, (your name).

Complaint Letter Correction

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing with reference to the order which was placed on the 17th of June. I ordered a pair of heels and a bag; unfortunately, I am extremely dissatisfied with your service.

Firstly, the pair of heels was missing from the delivery. Not only was an item missing, but also I have been overcharged for another item.

Furthermore, when I phoned customer service, they didn't answer.

I would be grateful if the situation could be resolved as soon as possible; I would like to get a refund.

I look forward to hearing from you very soon.

Your sincerely,

(your name)