Unit 26: Narrative tenses
How did Dan get that scar?
Select a unit
- 1 Go beyond intermediate with our new video course
- 2 Reported speech in 90 seconds!
- 3 If or whether?
- 4 5 ways to use 'would'
- 5 Let and allow
- 6 Passive voice
- 7 Unless
- 8 Mixed conditionals
- 9 The zero article - in 90 seconds
- 10 The indefinite article - in 90 seconds
- 11 The. That's right - the! Learn all about it in 90 seconds
- 12 The continuous passive
- 13 Future perfect
- 14 Need + verb-ing
- 15 Have something done
- 16 Wish
- 17 Word stress
- 18 Different ways of saying 'if'
- 19 Passive reporting structures
- 20 The subjunctive
- 21 When and if
- 22 Inversion
- 23 Phrasal verbs
- 24 The future
- 25 Modals in the past
- 26 Narrative tenses
- 27 Phrasal verb myths
- 28 Conditionals review
- 29 Used to - review
- 30 Linking words of contrast
Session 4
And, and, and… It's one of the most common words in the English language, but do you use it too much? In Stop Saying, Helen gives you some alternatives, and treats you to some lovely singing.
Activity 1
Stop Saying
Alternatives to 'and'
Do you use the word and too much? Helen's here to give us a few alternatives – and to entertain us with some wonderful singing and dancing.
She's going to tell us this story – with lots of ands in it. Can you think of alternatives? Watch the video to find out!
I love singing and dancing. The first time I sang on stage the crowd screamed really loudly and when I finished they seemed very happy… And singing helps me feel good about myself… And I just think singing's great in every way.
Watch the video and complete the activity
Summary
In her story, Helen replaced and with other words and phrases, depending on how and was being used.
1. 'And' in a list – use as well as or also:
Original: I love singing and dancing.
Alternative: I love singing. I also love dancing.
Alternative: I love singing as well as dancing.
2. 'And' in a sequence of actions – use then or after:
Original: The first time I sang on stage the crowd screamed really loudly and when I finished they seemed very happy…
Alternative: The first time I sang on stage the crowd screamed really loudly then when I finished they seemed very happy.
Or after…
Alternative: …really loudly, after I finished they seemed very happy.
3. 'And' when giving more information about a topic - use one of these formal expressions, if appropriate:
Original: And singing helps me feel good about myself.
Alternative: Furthermore / moreover / in addition singing helps me feel good about myself.
4. 'And' when summarising - use one of these, again they're quite formal:
Original: And I just think singing's great in every way.
Alternative: To conclude / to sum up / as I've said, I think it's good to use your talents.
To do
Can you replace the ands in this story?
Quiz time... and?
4 Questions
Now it's your turn to use Helen's advice. Can you replace the and in each sentence with one of the options?
Help
Activity
Now it's your turn to use Helen's advice. Can you replace the and in each sentence with one of the options?
Hint
This looks like a list of things.Question 1 of 4
Help
Activity
Now it's your turn to use Helen's advice. Can you replace the and in each sentence with one of the options?
Hint
First you listen, second you repeat.Question 2 of 4
Help
Activity
Now it's your turn to use Helen's advice. Can you replace the and in each sentence with one of the options?
Hint
We're giving some more information here.Question 3 of 4
Help
Activity
Now it's your turn to use Helen's advice. Can you replace the and in each sentence with one of the options?
Hint
This is your last point, which combines what you've said before.Question 4 of 4
Excellent! Great job! Bad luck! You scored:
End of session
There we go – that's all for this session. How many alternatives to ands can you remember? Try to use them next time you speak or write in English!
Many thanks to the staff and students of Bell London for their help with this video.
Next
In Session 5 it's time to visit The White Elephant restaurant. Gordon cooks something new and the team give it a taste. Unfortunately it doesn't go down too well and soon has everyone running for the toilet!
Session Vocabulary
Alternatives to 'and'
1. In a list
Also, as well as
2. In a sequence of actions
Then, after
3. When giving more information
Furthermore, in addition, moreover
4. When summarising
To conclude, to sum up, as I've said