English for Business Life Elementary

UNIT 30
How things work
Some useful phrases
Listen to the recording and repeat
How do you start the video camera?
I do not (don't) know how it works.
Do you know how to use it?
First, switch it on.
Then press the button to start it.
To start it press the green button.
Shall I show you?
You plug it in like this.
You switch it on like this.
You start it like this.
it is not (isn't) working.
I think the battery is flat.
I think the paper is jammed.
Does it usually stop like that?
Does it normally make that noise?
Where are the instructions?
What does it say?
It says, 'If it does not (doesn't) w o rk..
... check that it is (it's) plugged in.'
... check that it's switched on.'
... call Technical Support.'
Thanks for your help.
Study notes
I do n ot k n ow h o w it w orks.
Look at these examples with knowhow.
Do you know how to use it?
Do you know how to type?
I don't know how to drive.
First, sw itch it on.
We often use these verbs with electrical equipment:
it is on it is off
turn on turn off
switch on switch off
Then press th e button to start it.
to start it = in order to start it
... plug it in
... sw itch it on
These are phrasal verbs. You can say:
Plug in the copier.
Plug the copier in.
Plug it in.
But you can't say:
Plug in it.
Switch on the copier.
Switch the copier on.
Switch it on.
Switch on it.
See also Reference Section 8.
D oes it usually stop like that?
D oes it norm ally m ake that noise?
Look at these adverbs of frequency:
normally always sometimes often
See also Reference Section 16.4.
... it is plugged in
... it's sw itched on
Note the examples of the Simple Passive:
The paper is jammed.
Is the machine plugged in?
See also Reference Section 4.1.
never
How things work 79