Unit 4c Book

As you may have seen so far in this Unit, the easiest way to give instructions is to use the imperative mood. For example: Bend the leads slightly with your pliers.

Sometimes you need to indicate the order of steps, which means you need to use sequencers (first, next, after that, then, finally, consequently, etc.)

Example: First, pick up the transistor and try to get the two leads through the correct holes in the board. Then bend the leads slightly with your pliers.

However, when giving instructions, describing consequent actions may not always be enough. Sometimes you may need to describe simultaneous actions, in other words, a situation when two steps need to be done at the same time.  There are various ways to express this:

You can use adverbials:

• Simultaneously, hold the component and turn the board over.
• Hold the component, and at the same time, turn the board over.

You can use the Present Continuous/Progressive tense*:

• At the same time as you´re holding the component, turn the board over.
• As you are holding the component, turn the board over.
• While you are holding the component, turn the board over.

You can reduce the subordinate clause by using the present participle**:

• While holding the component, turn the board over.

(NB:

* If you feel you need to revise the Present Continuous/Progressive tense, go back to Unit 3a or study the document here.

** If you feel you need to revise the present participle used for reductions, go back to Unit 2b or study the document here.