Present Perfect Passive

You can use the present perfect passive to talk about a past action or event that has an impact in the present.

• New regulations have been announced by the government. safety expert.
• A decision has been made by the local council.

Remember, we often use the passive when the object of the action is more important than the agent (in other words, the person or thing that carried out the action). In fact, the agent can sometimes be dropped altogether.

 

• New regulations have been announced.
• The report has been compiled.
• A decision has been made.

'Hurricanes,' 'typhoons,' 'cyclones' and 'tornadoes'

• Violent oceanic storms with strong winds are referred to by different names, based on the ocean they are located in.
• Hurricane Bonnie hit the southeast coast of the US at speeds of over 90 miles per hour.
• A typhoon struck last night over the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, destroying many villages.    
• The weather system, off the coast of Chennai, has been upgraded tocyclone status.
• A rotating, vertical column of air that moves across land is called a tornado.
• The tornado traveled more than 10 miles across the state of Texas, picking up cars and destroying buildings.

Review: zero conditional

The zero conditional can be used to give instructions, advice, warnings or information. Notice that both the if clause and the result clause are in the present tense.

• If a tsunami occurs, move to higher ground right away.
• Keep away from the shoreline if a tsunami is approaching land.
• If there is a flood, do not go to a basement. 
• The tornado traveled more than 10 miles across the state of Texas, picking up cars and destroying buildings.
• A decision has been made.

Discussing recommendations

Use expressions like these to ask about recommendations:

- What were the final recommendations?

- Have they demanded new workplace regulations?

Use expressions like these to report on recommendations:

 

- First, the expert said we needed to improve the workplace environment.

- He said we have to do something about the bathroom floor. It's too slippery.

- He also recommended that we purchase new first-aid kits.

- He strongly advised that we have regular evacuation drills.

 

Reflexive Pronouns.

 Use reflexive pronouns to talk about actions where the subject and the object are the same. Reflexive pronouns are formed by adding the suffixes -self- or -selves- to the pronoun.

- I cut myself making a bagel.

- He cut himself in the kitchen.

- They bandaged themselves after the accident.

- How did you hurt yourself?

You can also use reflexive pronouns to add emphasis. 

- I'm not going to help you. Do it yourself.

- The boss asked to speak to me himself. It was then I knew I was in trouble.

INSISTING

Sometimes when people injure themselves, they don't want others to make a fuss. They might say things like:

- Don't worry. I'm fine.

- It's not that serious. I don't need to see a doctor.

- Honestly, I can take care of myself.

Despite these reassurances, others may still insist on taking action:

- It's company policy that you go to the emergency room.

- I really must insist that you see a doctor.

- Don't be foolish. You have to take care of that.

In the end, the injured person may relent:

- I suppose you're right.

- The boss asked to speak to me himself. It was then I knew I was in trouble.

Rules and regulations.

We are affected by laws, rules and regulations every day of our lives.   - One of the rules is that nobody can be in the office after 8 p.m. - There are so many government regulations for driving a car.  - It's important to understand the laws of a country that you're visiting.  Use these words and phrases to talk about laws:   - In my country, it's still legal to talk on the phone while driving.  - Smoking in bars and restaurants is illegal in my city.  - Driving over 30 miles per hour downtown is against the law.  - He had to pay a fine for driving without his seatbelt on. Use these words and phrases to talk about things you can and can't do:   - Swimming is not allowed here because of safety concerns.  - Driving a motorcycle without a helmet is prohibited by law.  - Use of cellphones during the flight is not permitted. TALKING ABOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS   Use these expressions to bring a rule or regulation to someone's attention:   - It's been brought to my attention that you've been smoking on the balcony.  - Did you not receive the new office rules?  - There's now a regulation against smoking anywhere in the building.  - It's a new city law.  Use must to express strong obligation and mustn't to say that something is not allowed:       - You must follow the new office rules.  - You mustn't smoke on the balcony.  Here are some more expressions for talking about rules and regulations:   - There's a $50 fine for not wearing a seatbelt.  - The rules are there to protect people.  - You can't just smoke anywhere you want.  - I'm sorry, but it's not allowed  Politely turning down requests If you are in a position of authority, you might have to turn down someone's request or explain rules to them.   A: That's crazy! Why can't I smoke here?  B: I'm sorry, but that's the law.  Use these other expressions to turn down requests politely:   - I'm afraid that's just not possible.  - I'd really like to help you, but I don't make the rules.  - Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do. Culture note: Whether the person you are talking to is polite or not, it's always a good idea to remain polite yourself.

Rules And Regulations

We are affected by laws, rules and regulations every day of our lives.

 - One of the rules is that nobody can be in the office after 8 p.m.

- There are so many government regulations for driving a car. 

- It's important to understand the laws of a country that you're visiting.

Use these words and phrases to talk about laws: 

- In my country, it's still legal to talk on the phone while driving. 

- Smoking in bars and restaurants is illegal in my city. 

- Driving over 30 miles per hour downtown is against the law. 

- He had to pay a fine for driving without his seatbelt on.

Use these words and phrases to talk about things you can and can't do: 

- Swimming is not allowed here because of safety concerns. 

- Driving a motorcycle without a helmet is prohibited by law. 

- Use of cellphones during the flight is not permitted.

Talking About Rules And Regulations 

Use these expressions to bring a rule or regulation to someone's attention:

- It's been brought to my attention that you've been smoking on the balcony.

- Did you not receive the new office rules?

-There's now a regulation against smoking anywhere in the building.

- It's a new city law. It's a new city law.

Use must to express strong obligation and mustn't to say that something is not allowed:

 - You must follow the new office rules.

- You mustn't smoke on the balcony.

Here are some more expressions for talking about rules and regulations: 

- There's a $50 fine for not wearing a seatbelt. 

 - The rules are there to protect people. 

- You can't just smoke anywhere you want.

- I'm sorry, but it's not allowed.

 

Politely Turning Down Requests

If you are in a position of authority, you might have to turn down someone's request or explain rules to them.

A: That's crazy! Why can't I smoke here?

B: I'm sorry, but that's the law.

Use these other expressions to turn down requests politely: 

- I'm afraid that's just not possible.

- I'd really like to help you, but I don't make the rules.

- Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do.

Culture note: Whether the person you are talking to is polite or not, it's always a good idea to remain polite yourself.