B1 · Lesson 25

Complex Sentences, Word Order & Tag Questions

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Grammar Lab

1. Tag Questions

A tag question is a short question added to the end of a statement to check or confirm information. The basic rule: positive statement → negative tag, negative statement → positive tag. The tag uses the same auxiliary verb as the statement.

She is a teacher
,
isn't she?
They haven't arrived yet
,
have they?
He works here
,
doesn't he?
You saw the film
,
didn't you?
Tricky cases:
I am next → aren't I?  (the only irregular tag in English)
Let's go → shall we?
Open the window → will you? / won't you?  (imperative)

Indefinite pronouns — they or it?
Words ending in -body / -one refer to people → use they in the tag:
   Nobody called, did they?  ·  Everybody agreed, didn't they?  ·  Someone took it, didn't they?

Words ending in -thing refer to things → use it in the tag:
   Nothing happened, did it?  ·  Everything was fine, wasn't it?  ·  Something went wrong, didn't it?

Negative sense → positive tag  |  Positive sense → negative tag
Nobody / nothing / no one already carry a negative meaning → positive tag.
Somebody / everything / someone carry a positive meaning → negative tag.
📝 Easy: Choose the correct tag.
1. She is a doctor, ___?
2. They haven't arrived yet, ___?
3. You were at the meeting, ___?
4. He can speak French, ___?
5. We should leave early, ___?
🎯 Hard: Write the correct tag.
1. I am the last person on the list, ___?
2. Let's go for a walk, ___?
3. Nobody called while I was out, ___?
4. Open the window, ___?
5. Everything was ready on time, ___?

2. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect a main clause to a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause can come before or after the main clause. When it comes first, use a comma after it. This section covers the conjunctions that go beyond basic and / but / or — the ones that express contrast, reason, purpose, condition, and precaution.

MeaningConjunctionsExample
Contrastalthough, even though, whileAlthough it was cold, we went for a walk.
Reasonbecause, since, asShe left early because she was tired.
Purposeso that, in order toHe studied hard so that he could pass.
Conditionif, as long as, provided thatYou can go as long as you are back by ten.
Negative conditionunlessI will not go unless you come with me. (= if … not)
Precautionin caseTake an umbrella in case it rains.
⚠ Common errors: Do not use although and but in the same sentence. Do not use because and so in the same sentence. These pairs already express the same logical relationship — one is enough.
📝 Easy: Choose the correct conjunction.
1. ___ it was raining, we decided to go sightseeing.
2. She left early ___ she could catch the first train.
3. He was tired ___ he had worked all night.
4. You can stay ___ you help with the cooking.
5. We took extra cash ___ the card machines were not working.
🎯 Hard: Fill in the correct conjunction.
1. ___ she practised every day, her English improved quickly.
2. We took an umbrella ___ it rained during the trip.
3. ___ the weather was perfect, we spent the whole day at the beach.
4. ___ you pay in advance, you will lose your reservation.
5. She saved money for months ___ she could afford the holiday.

3. Adverb Position & Word Order

English word order is strict. Adverbs of different types have fixed positions. The general order is: Subject → (Auxiliary) → (Frequency) → Verb → Object → Manner → Place → Time.

SubjectShe
Frequencyalways
Verbspeaks
Mannerquietly
Placein the library
Timeevery morning
Key rules:
— Frequency adverbs (always, never, often, usually, rarely, sometimes, still, already, just) go before the main verb but after be / auxiliary verbs.
— Manner adverbs (well, quietly, fluently, hard, fast) go after the verb or object.
— Time adverbs (yesterday, tomorrow, last week) go at the beginning or end of the sentence.
— Never split the subject and verb with an adverb: ✗ She rarely is late. → ✓ She is rarely late.
📝 Easy: Choose the sentence with the correct word order.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
🎯 Hard: Rewrite the sentence putting the adverb in the correct position.
1. [rarely] We go abroad in winter.
2. [fluently] She speaks three languages.
3. [still] They are waiting for the results.
4. [hard] He worked to pass the exam.
5. [already] I have finished the report.

4. Sentence Connectors

Sentence connectors (discourse markers) link two separate sentences. Unlike subordinating conjunctions, they are not followed by a clause attached to the main verb. They are typically followed by a comma.

Addition
Furthermore · In addition · What is more
The hotel was expensive. Furthermore, the service was poor.
Contrast
However · Nevertheless · On the other hand
She studied hard. However, she failed the exam.
Result
Therefore · As a result · Consequently
He missed the bus. As a result, he was late.
Example
For example · For instance
There are many options. For instance, you could take the train.
Connector vs Conjunction: However links two sentences (full stop or semicolon before it). Although links two clauses within one sentence. Do not confuse them: ✗ Although, she was tired. ✓ She was tired. However, she kept going.
📝 Easy: Choose the correct connector.
1. The hotel was expensive. ___, the rooms were very small.
2. She studied hard. ___, she failed the exam.
3. He missed the last bus. ___, he had to walk home.
4. There are many ways to learn English. ___, you can watch films in English.
5. The food was cold. ___, the service was very slow.
🎯 Hard: Fill in the correct connector.
1. The train was fully booked. ___, we decided to take the bus.
2. She is an excellent teacher. ___, she has written several books on the subject.
3. The plan looked simple. ___, several problems arose on the day.
4. Many people find grammar difficult. ___, they struggle most with word order.
5. He did not prepare well. ___, he failed to impress the interviewers.

Exercises: Word Order & Complex Sentences

Task: All exercises are based on the grammar from the lab. ⚠ Exercises 4, 5, and 6 are marked strictly — capitals and full stops are checked.
📝 Exercise 1 — Put the words in the correct order.
Write the full sentence.
1. never / I / have / been / to / Scotland
2. quietly / she / spoke / in / the / library
3. always / my / brother / is / late
4. hard / she / studied / for / the / exam
5. yesterday / I / saw / him / at / the / station
6. fluently / speaks / she / three / languages
7. still / they / are / waiting / for / the / results
8. already / I / have / finished / the / report
9. rarely / we / eat / out / during / the / week
10. well / very / he / does / not / speak / English
📝 Exercise 2 — Fill in the correct conjunction.
1. ___ it was cold, we went for a walk.
2. She left early ___ she could catch the first train.
3. He was tired ___ he had worked all night.
4. You can stay ___ you help with the cooking.
5. We took extra cash ___ the card machines were not working.
6. ___ she studied hard, she still failed the test.
7. ___ you leave now, you will miss the last train.
8. He saved money for a year ___ he could buy a new laptop.
9. She wore sunglasses ___ nobody would recognise her.
10. They missed the bus ___ they left too late.
📝 Exercise 3 — Fill in the correct sentence connector.
1. The course was expensive. ___, it was very well organised.
2. She passed all her exams. ___, she got a scholarship.
3. There are many benefits of reading. ___, it improves your vocabulary.
4. The flat was small. ___, it was in a terrible location.
5. He forgot to set his alarm. ___, he missed the interview.
6. Learning a language takes time. ___, it requires a lot of practice.
7. The plan looked simple. ___, it turned out to be very complicated.
8. She is a talented musician. ___, she is also an excellent teacher.
9. Many students struggle with grammar. ___, they find tenses difficult.
10. He did not study. ___, he failed the exam.
🎯 Exercise 4 — Rewrite using a cleft sentence.
Use It was… who/that… or What… was/is… as shown. Strict marking.
It was…My brother broke the window.
What…I enjoyed the food most.
It was…She bought the red coat, not the blue one.
It was…The noise woke me up.
What…He loves travelling.
🎯 Exercise 5 — Write the correct tag question.
1. She has been to Paris, ___?
2. They don't live here, ___?
3. I am next on the list, ___?
4. Let's take a break, ___?
5. Nothing went wrong, ___?
6. You will help me, ___?
7. He had already left, ___?
8. Nobody told you, ___?
9. Open the door, ___?
10. They should be here by now, ___?
🎯 Exercise 6 — Find and correct the one error in each sentence.
Write the correct full sentence. Strict marking.
1. She sings always beautifully at concerts.
2. I yesterday saw her at the station.
3. They usually are late for meetings.
4. She has finished already her homework.
5. We go rarely out on weekdays.
6. He told me that he will call me later.
7. The concert was cancelled because of it was raining.
8. Although she was tired, but she kept working.
9. He arrived at the airport lately.
10. She is always working hard — never she complains.

Reported Speech

Task: Rewrite each sentence in full reported speech. Use the reporting verb given in brackets. ⚠ Capitals, commas, and full stops are checked.
📝 Exercise 1 — Statements
1. "I always study in the morning." (she / say)
2. "We have never been to Scotland." (they / say)
3. "He is going to quit his job." (she / tell me)
4. "I finished the report yesterday." (he / say)
5. "She can speak three languages." (he / mention)
6. "We will arrive by midnight." (they / promise)
7. "I was working late last night." (she / explain)
8. "The meeting starts at nine." (he / tell us)
9. "I may be late today." (she / warn us)
10. "You must hand in your work by Friday." (the teacher / tell us)
🎯 Exercise 2 — Questions
1. "Are you coming to the party?" (he / ask her)
2. "Where do you usually work?" (she / ask him)
3. "Have you finished your homework?" (she / ask me)
4. "Why are you always late?" (the manager / ask him)
5. "Did you lock the door?" (she / ask me)
6. "What time does the lesson start?" (he / ask)
7. "Can you help me with this?" (she / ask him)
8. "Will there be enough time?" (she / ask)
9. "How long have you been learning English?" (he / ask her)
10. "Who told you about the meeting?" (she / ask me)
🎯 Exercise 3 — Mixed
1. "I didn't take your keys." (he / deny)
2. "You should see a doctor." (she / tell him)
3. "Is the report ready?" (she / ask him)
4. "I have been living here for ten years." (he / say)
5. "We won't be able to come." (they / explain)
6. "Where did you put my bag?" (she / ask me)
7. "I will send you the details tomorrow." (he / promise)
8. "The system is being updated right now." (she / say)
9. "Do you usually walk to work?" (he / ask me)
10. "I was sleeping when you called." (she / tell me)

Active to Passive Voice

Formula: Object → Subject · be (correct tense) · Past Participle · (by + agent, when relevant). When the subject is general (they, people, someone), the by-phrase is usually omitted. ⚠ All exercises are marked strictly.
📝 Exercise 1 — Present & Past Simple
1. A journalist writes the column every week.
2. The committee rejected her proposal.
3. People speak English all over the world.
4. The police arrested two suspects last night.
5. They deliver the post at eight every morning.
6. Someone stole his wallet on the train.
7. They produce all the goods by hand.
8. They built that bridge in 1932.
9. A local artist painted this mural.
10. A famous chef prepares every dish personally.
📝 Exercise 2 — Present Perfect & will
1. They have cancelled the meeting.
2. The manager has approved the budget.
3. They will publish the results next week.
4. Someone has broken the window.
5. They will award the winner a prize.
6. We have already booked the venue.
7. They will announce the decision tomorrow.
8. The director has signed all the contracts.
9. They have not yet fixed the problem.
10. The government will introduce new laws next year.
🎯 Exercise 3 — Modals & Continuous Tenses
1. You must submit the form by Friday.
2. They are repairing the road at the moment.
3. You should finish the task before noon.
4. Workers were painting the walls when I arrived.
5. They might postpone the event.
6. You can download the app for free.
7. They are currently reviewing all applications.
8. You must complete the form in black ink.
9. They could solve the problem easily.
10. She was reading the report when the fire alarm went off.

Key Word Transformation (KWT)

B1 Exam Skill: Complete the second sentence so it has the same meaning as the first sentence(s), using the KEY WORD given. Do not change the key word. Continue from the start given. ⚠ Capitals, commas, and full stops are checked exactly as on the exam.