Essential English Grammar: Relative Pronouns, Modals, and Passive Voice

Relative Pronouns

• Who / Whom: People (quien).
• Which: Things (que).
• That: Replaces which and who (que).
• Whose: Possession (cuyo).
• When: Time (cuando).
• Where: Place (donde).

Modal Perfects

• Could/Might have + past participle: Suggests an alternative action that is now too late.
• Might (not), May (not), Could have + past participle: Expresses possibility in the past.
• Must have + past participle: Expresses certainty or logical deduction about the past.
• Couldn't/Can't have + past participle: Expresses impossibility in the past.
• Should/Ought to have + past participle: Used to give an opinion about past events.
• Shouldn't have + past participle: Criticism of past events.
• Needn't have + past participle: Something done in the past that was not necessary.
• Didn't need to: Something not done in the past because it was not necessary.

Passive Voice

• Present Simple: Many people enjoy shopping → Shopping is enjoyed by many people.
• Past Simple: A Canadian invented Buy Nothing Day → Buy Nothing Day was invented by a Canadian.
• Future: Millions of people will celebrate Buy Nothing Day → Buy Nothing Day will be celebrated by millions of people.

Conditionals

• 1st Conditional (Real): If + present, future (will).
• 2nd Conditional (Possible): If + past, would + verb.
• 3rd Conditional (Impossible): If + past perfect (had played), would have + past participle.
• I wish / If only: Used to express regret or desire (ojalá).

Reported Speech

When using he said, tenses shift:

• Present simple → Past simple
• Present continuous → Past continuous
• Past simple → Past perfect simple
• Present perfect simple → Past perfect simple
• Will → Would
• Can → Could
• Must → Had to

Time and place changes: Here-there, this-that, these-those, now-then, next week-the following week, today-that day, tonight-that night, tomorrow-the following day, yesterday-the day before, last week-the week before.

Writing: Footballer Salaries

Currently, it is known by everyone that being a footballer is one of the best-remunerated jobs in the world. I love football; despite that, I do not believe it is fair that footballers earn so much money just for playing.

First and foremost, it is true that football can be considered an art. However, this cannot be a reason why they must earn more money than doctors or firefighters who play an important role in our society. These professionals also possess great talent; therefore, there should be equality in salaries.

To sum up, in my opinion, I consider it a total injustice that football is the best-remunerated work in the world. I believe there must be equality between football and other jobs and sports.