Choices Upper
Intermediate
WORD, SENTENCE AND TALK BUILDERS
Module 1: Wordbuilder p. 7
Multi-part verbs 1
Here we find a multi-part verb with prepositional or noun phrase:
Verb + prepositional phrase Verb + noun phrase
Get in the way of Pay attention to
Put in touh with
Module 1: Sentence builder p. 7
Result linkers
Explaining the result of an action or situation
Construction used:
• so + adjective / adverb + that
I’m so happy that I cannot stop smiling.
• such + a/an (adjective) + noun / pronoun + that
It was such an amazing concert that I forgot to film some fragments.
Module 2: Wordbuilder p.18
Multi-part verbs
Verb + prepostion / prepostional phrase
These verbs are to be used to express words in a different manner.
Module 2: sentence builder p. 19
As
As is used to express many things
•Addition linker
As well as being an excellent singer Beyoncé is a good actress.
•Giving examples
There are many proffesions to choose from such as nurse or teacher.
•Time linker
As I fell down, I heard my mother scream.
Module 2: sentence builder p. 19
As
•Reason linker
I cried as I was in a lot of pain.
•Comparison
I got the highest mark in English as well as in French.
•Describing a role
As a teacher, I have a lot of work to be done at home.
Module 2: sentence builder p. 20
Emphasis:
Usually we begin an affirmative sentence with a subject. However, when a
sentence doesn’t start with a subject but by an object we highlight the topic.
In other words, the topic is considered to be important and therefor we put it
at the beginning of the sentence.
This question we have already discussed at some length.
The issues I consider to be important atr those which are related to health
care.
Module 3: word builder p. 26
Idiomatic language
Study the meaning of these sayings in your Language Choice booklet page 9.
Module 3: sentence builder p. 27
Used to:
We use used to for habits and states in the past which are now finished.
• Past habit (used to + infinitive)
I used to eat meat, but now I’ve stopped.
• Being familiar with something (be used to + -ing)
I am used to driving in Paris, but it was hard at the beginning.
• Becoming familiar with something (get used to + -ing)
When I was young I got used to eating with cutlery.
Module 3: sentence builder p. 32
hardly:
Adverbs like never, nobody and nothing are usually not used before negative
pronouns.
She is hardly ever at home <meaning> She’s almost never at home.
Hardly anybody was here. <meaning> Almost nobody was here.
Module 4: word builder p. 39
Word pairs:
Study these pairs as they are fixed (look up their meaning if you don’t
understand them).
Module 4: sentence builder p. 39
Need:
• When something should be done now we use need + -ing
The sofa needs cleaning.
• When something has to be done regurlarly we use need + passive infinitive
Your teeth need to be checked every 6 months.
Module 4: sentence builder p. 40
preferences:
What someone wants to do What someone wants someone else to do
‘d + prefer + to + infinitive ‘d + prefer + personal pronoun + to +
He’d prefer to stay home. infinitive.
She’d prefer you to read this book.
‘d + prefer + not + to + infinitive ‘d + prefer + personal pronoun + not + to +
She’d prefer not to talk. infintive
He’d prefer her not to read that magazine.
‘d + rather + infinitive ‘d + rather + personal pronoun + infinitive
He’d rather stay home. They’d rather you come home.
‘d + rather + not + infinitive ‘d + rather + personal pronoun + do not / did
I’d rather not talk. not + infinitive
I’d rather you didn’t leave the house.
Module 4: sentence builder p. 43
Emphasis: not only:
In formal English not only is used to emphasise. In informal English it is rather uncommon.
When it is used at the beginning of the sentence:
Not only + auxiliary verb + subject. When there isn’t an auxiliary verb ‘do’ is used.
Not only has she been late, she has also not done her homework.
Not only do they need food, they also are short of water.
Module 5: word builder p. 46
Compounds:
Compound nouns
speed limit
Compound adjectives are hyphened!
top-level
Module 5: sentence builder p. 47
Comparatives:
We can say that things change or vary by using
comparatives with the …… the ……..
Wordorder:
The + comparative expression + subject + verb
The more dangerous it is, the more I like it.
Module 6: word builder p. 58
Word family:
Word families or synonyms are useful when you want to make things more
interesting.
Study the words in your book and language choice. If you want to find your
own [Link] is a good source.
Module 6: sentence builder p. 59
By / for + -ing:
We use by + -ing to talk about an action – what we do to get a result.
I killed a spider by hitting it.
We use for + -ing to talk about the reason for something.
She gave the explanation for leaving the house.
Module 6: sentence builder p. 60
Emphasis:
We use auxiliaries do, does, did in affirmative sentences to express
strengthen or surprise.
It is a great show but it does take too much time to watch it.
I was very ill during my exams but I did pass.
Module 7: word builder p. 67
Multi-part verbs:
To understand the meaning of these particular verbs go to language choice 41
for extra practise, look up their meaning or ask for clarification in class.
Module 7: sentence builder p. 67
Verbs of perception:
Verbs like see, hear, observe, watch and similar verbs are followed by either an –
ing form or an infinitive. Compare:
• I saw her throwing a ball as I walked by the field. (She was probably practising
or having a game at that moment but I didn’t stay to watch)
• I saw her throw a ball. (I was watching the game for example)
The –ing form is used when we want to express an action in duration or progress.
The infinitive is used to express that we saw or heard the entire action or
progress.
Module 8: sentence builder p. 77
Sential relatives:
Which can refer not only to a noun but also to a whole clause. What cannot be
used in this way.
He got married again a year later, which surprised everybody.
She cycled from London to Glasgow, which is pretty good for a woman of 75.
Module 8: word builder p. 79
Noun endings:
Suffix Meaning Example
-sis Noun of action (from Greek) Analyse – analysis
-ity Quality of False – falsity
-al Instance of Dismiss – dismissal
-ance Process / state of Perform – performance
-th Nouns from verbs of action Grow – growth
-ation Process / state of / product of Explore – exploration
-ure Action / process / result of Close – closure
-ness Quality of Happy – happiness
Module 8: sentence builder p. 79
Conditionals:
We use were to express the unlikely nature of a future or hypothetical
situation. This is used after if and we never use was.
If I were rich, I would spend all my time travelling.
If my legs were a nit longer I’d be a model.
Module 8: sentence builder p. 80
Expressions:
Study these expressions and their use of the –ing form or the infinitive. Check
Language Choice 52. Look up their meaning of ask in class.
Module 9: word builder p. 87
Idiomatic language:
Study these idioms. Check Language Choice 54. Look up their meaning of ask
in class.
Module 9: sentence builder p. 87
Reference:
Study. Check Language Choice 55. Look up their meaning of ask in class.
Module 10: word builder p. 98
Prefixes:
Prefix Usual meaning Example
Auto- Self Automatic, autobiography
In- Not, opposite Incomplete, insensitive
Over- Too much Overeat, over-confident
Pre- Before Preview, preschool
Re- Again, back Rebuild, reconstruction
Ultra- extreme, beyond Ultrasound, ultra-modern
Un- Not, opposite, reverse action Undress, uncertain
Under- Too little Underestimate, underground
Module 10: sentence builder p. 99
Even:
Even suggests the idea of suprise: ‘more than we expect’; not even meanng
‘less than we expect’.
• Even if when something else happens it will still be true.
• Even though emphasing the contrast between the two pieces of
information.
• Even so meaning ‘however’, ‘in spite of that’.
Module 10: sentence builder p. 100
It’s time:
• It’s time + to + infinitive
To say that something needs to be done immediately.
• It’s time (that) + subject + past verb form
To say that someone should do something soon. The meaning is present.