Unit.
Behavioral Science
➢ Identifying details
➢ Taking notes to compare and contrast
➢ Using the dictionary: words with multiple definition
➢ Subjunctive for suggestion
➢ Unstressed syllables
➢ Restating information
➢ Confirming understanding
Identifying details
When you listen to a long presentation or lecture, it’s
difficult to take notes on everything.
It’s important to focus on details that support the main
idea you hear.
Ask yourself three questions
Is this new information?
Does this information support the main idea?
Is this information repeated or rephrased?
Taking notes to compare and contrast
A T-chart is useful for taking notes about two contrasting
Topics. When you are reading a text or listening to something
about two sides of an issue or two different ideas, make a
“T”.
Happy facial expressions Serious facial expressions
• Longer, happier marriages • Get divorced more often
• More likely to get job after an interview • Less likely to get job after an interview
• Brains and bodies recover from stress mor quickly • More stress
• Live longer • Faster heartbeats after stressful job was finished
Using the dictionary
Words with more than one meaning
Many words have more than one meaning, or definition, even if they
are spelled and pronounced the way.
e.g.
Lag:
Def 1: to move slowly than others
e.g. she stopped to wait for Ali who was lagging behind.
Def 2: to cover water pipes
e.g. we had the hot- water tank lagged
Subjunctive for suggestions
Used to emphasize urgency or importance.
It is a part of grammar that we use after certain verbs to express that
Something is important.
List of verbs
Advice, command, demand, desire, insist, propose, recommend,
request, suggest.
Common advice
e.g. She suggested (that) I leave early.
I recommend (that) you study hard.
It is important (that ) he come on time.
Neg: I proposed (that) we not go there.
1. The present Subjunctive
In format English, expressions and verbs that suggest that something is
recommended or important take the present subjunctive form . The present
subjunctive has the same form as the base form of the verb (infinitive without
“to”) and it is the same in both present and Past situations.
Expressions: To be… important/essential/crucial/desirable/necessary/vital
Verbs: suggest/ recommend/propose/insist/demand
Examples:
It necessary that they be warned of the risks .
It was vital that they be warned of the risks.
I recommend that he see a specialist.
I recommend that he see a specialist.
Note: A negative subjunctive construction is rare in even in formal
English. If you can find a direct antonym, use that instead
e.g.
It is important that she not be late.
It is important that she be punctual.
2. Alternative to the present subjunctive
In American English, the present subjunctive is used more
frequently than in British English. In British English, we tend
to used an alternative structure.
Alternative 1: Using the modal verb ‘should’ (present and past)
e.g.
It is necessary that they should be warned of the stress.
I recommend that he should see a specialist.
Alternative 2: After expression of importance using ‘for’….+ ‘infinitive with to’
e.g.
It is necessary for them to be warned of the risk.
Note: In formal English, both British and American,
you may hear the normal tenses used, and ‘that’ can
be dropped:
e.g.
It’s necessary that they be warned of the risk.
It’s necessary they are warned of the risks.
I recommend he delay seeing a specialist.
3. The past subjunctive
The past subjunctive is used in unreal or improbable present or
future situation.
The past subjunctive has the same form as the Past Simple tense except
in the case of the verb ‘be’ The past subjunctive form of ‘be’ is ‘were’
for all persons, including the first and third person singular.
In informal English, ‘was’ can sometimes be used instead of ‘were’, but
to be on the safe side, I recommend you always use ‘were’.
Usage
The past subjunctive is commonly used in the ‘if’ clause of Conditional 2 sentences.
e.g.
I am not young any more: If I were young, I would travel around the world.
I have to finish my assignment:
If I didn’t have to do this, I would catch up on my reading.
Other expressions that express an unreal or improbable situation
and need the Past subjunctive are:
It’s time the Prime Minister took the matter in hand.
I wish it weren’t so grey today.
If only I had a faster computer.
I’d(would) rather you didn’t tell everyone I’d lost my job.
She looks/behaves/sound, etc. as if/ as though she were the last woman on earth.
Note: After ‘I wish’ you may also use ‘would’ to indicate that you are annoyed by
The current situation:
e.g.
I wish you would stop shouting at the TV news reader.
Note: if the situation is real or probable, you can use the present tenses after
‘look as if/though’.
e.g. She looks as if /as though she has heard some great news.
Schwa/a/ in unstressed syllables
The schwa sound is the most common vowel sound in English. It
is the same sound speakers make when they pause and say Uh. It
is a very relaxed sound.
This syllable we don’t stress have to be ( lower, softer, and
faster)
Examples
Syllable (two unstressed syllable)
Secret
Supply
Common
Rhythm
Confirming understanding
Confirming understanding is a way of signaling that you have fully
grasped what the other person has said. This builds better rapport
and helps avoid any potential misunderstandings.
Good communication is not just about expressing yourself, it’s also
about ensuring that you understand others correctly.
Ask a question that signals your need to confirm your understanding.
Do you mean that….?
Are you suggesting that…?
Excuse me, are you saying…?
Does that mean…?