English grammar
Recap in one scene: the passive in any tense, since, however much, as if + past perfect
Handle a busy event using the passive, linking words and as if together.
From the scene A queue to the corner
In short
Recap: the passive in any tense, since for a known cause, however much + present, and as if + past perfect.
Your turn
Which one goes with modal perfect passive (criticism)?
Options: that chapter should never have been published · three hundred copies have been sold · however much they insist
Show answer
modal perfect passive (criticism) → that chapter should never have been published
How it works
The passive works in any tense.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
And the publisher says three hundred copies have already (blank) sold.
Options: been · being · be
Show answer
And the publisher says three hundred copies have already been sold.
Y la editorial dice que ya han sido vendidos trescientos ejemplares.
Good to know
Have been sold, should never have been published, will be charged for (a verb with a preposition keeps it: charge for → be charged for).
Good to know
Since gives a cause everyone knows.
Good to know
However much + present simple (not will) means "it makes no difference how much"; as if + past perfect (as if you'd never done it) pretends about the past.
present perfect passive three hundred copies have been sold
modal perfect passive (criticism) that chapter should never have been published
Ramón
That chapter should never have been published!
¡Ese capítulo nunca debería haber sido publicado!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)!
Options: However much they insist · That chapter should never have been published · Three hundred copies have been sold
Show answer
Ramón
That chapter should never have been published!
¡Ese capítulo nunca debería haber sido publicado!
it makes no difference how much (+ present) however much they insist
Ramón
Me? However much they insist, I've no intention of signing anything.
¿Yo? Por mucho que insistan, no pienso firmar nada.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Me? (blank), I've no intention of signing anything.
Options: That chapter should never have been published · However much they insist · Three hundred copies have been sold
Show answer
Ramón
Me? However much they insist, I've no intention of signing anything.
¿Yo? Por mucho que insistan, no pienso firmar nada.
pretending about the past as if you'd never done it
Elena
As if you'd never done it. In chapter three you sign in your sleep.
Como si nunca lo hubiera hecho. En el capítulo tres firma dormido.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). In chapter three you sign in your sleep.
Options: That chapter should never have been published · As if you'd never done it · Three hundred copies have been sold
Show answer
Elena
As if you'd never done it. In chapter three you sign in your sleep.
Como si nunca lo hubiera hecho. En el capítulo tres firma dormido.
future passive, preposition kept each dedication will be charged for separately
Ramón
Fine, I'll sign. But each dedication will be charged for separately.
Está bien, firmaré. Pero cada dedicatoria será cobrada aparte.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Fine, I'll sign. But (blank).
Options: that chapter should never have been published · each dedication will be charged for separately · three hundred copies have been sold
Show answer
Ramón
Fine, I'll sign. But each dedication will be charged for separately.
Está bien, firmaré. Pero cada dedicatoria será cobrada aparte.
Common mistake
Not will insist or insisting here. They (the readers): however much + present.
Me? However much they insist, I've no intention of signing anything.
¿Yo? Por mucho que insistan, no pienso firmar nada.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| present perfect passive | three hundred copies have been sold |
|---|---|
| modal perfect passive (criticism) | that chapter should never have been published |
| it makes no difference how much (+ present) | however much they insist |
| pretending about the past | as if you'd never done it |
| future passive, preposition kept | each dedication will be charged for separately |
More lines from the story
- NuriaAnd the publisher says three hundred copies have already been sold.Y la editorial dice que ya han sido vendidos trescientos ejemplares.
- ElenaOf course, dear. Since they're giving away churros, the whole neighbourhood has come.Normal, cariño. Ya que regalan churros, ha venido todo el barrio.