Phrasal verbs with take exercise

Phrasal verbs with take exercise October 3, 2013 Each sentence given below contains an incomplete phrasal verb. Complete the expression by supplying a suitable preposition or adverb particle. Choose your answer from the options given in the brackets. 1. She takes .. her grandmother. (after / off / in) 2. They assaulted the watchmen and took many precious paintings . (down / away / back) 3. These shoes don’t fit. I am going to take them .. to the store. (back / away / off) 4. Don’t take him .. an idiot. (for / in / off) 5. The dress was loose for me so I took it to the tailor and got it taken (in / off / down) 6. Please take your shoes .. before entering the temple. (down / off / away) 7. How are you going to meet the deadlines if you take . too many projects? (on / in / over) 8. If you love Susie why don’t you take her . on a date? (out / up / off) 9. He took farming after retirement. (up / in / on) 10. We will take this issue . when we meet next week. (up / on / over) Answers 1. She takes after her grandmother. (= She resembles her grandmother.) 2. They assaulted the watchmen and took many precious paintings away. (To take something away is to seize it by force.) 3. These shoes don’t fit. I am going to take them back to the store. 4. Don’t take him for an idiot. (To take somebody for an idiot is to assume that he/she is an idiot.) 5. The dress was loose for me so I took it to the tailor and got it taken in. (To take a dress in is to make it smaller when sewing.) 6. Please take your shoes off before entering the temple. 7. How are you going to meet the deadlines if you take on too many projects? (To take on is to accept responsibilities/work etc.) 8. If you love Susie why don’t you take her out on a date? 9. He took up farming after retirement. (To take up is to begin as a hobby.) 10. We will take this issue up when we meet next week.(To take up an issue is to discuss it.) Conditional sentences: grammar exercise October 2, 2013 1. If you had taken the necessary precautions, none of this .. a) would happen b) would have happened c) had happened d) will happen 2. If I were you, I .. that mole examined. a) would get b) will get c) would have got c) would be getting 3. If I . a lottery, I would spend all my time traveling. a) win b) won c) have won d) had won 4. Had I realized what you intended, I . my permission. a) would not give b) would not have given c) will not give d) had not given 5. If it .. for your help, I don’t know what I would have done. a) wasn’t b) hadn’t been c) weren’t d) hasn’t been 6. Were she my daughter, I her to go out in that mini-frock. a) wouldn’t have allowed b) would not allow c) will not allow d) hadn’t allowed Answers 1. If you had taken the necessary precautions, none of this would have happened. (In a type 3 conditional sentence, we use a past perfect tense in the if-clause and would have + past participle in the result clause.) 2. If I were you, I would get that mole examined. (In a type 2 conditional sentence, we use a past simple tense in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the result clause.) 3. If I won a lottery, I would spend all my time traveling. (When we use would + infinitive in the main clause, the verb in the if-clause should be in the past simple tense.) 4. Had I realized what you intended, I would not have given my permission. (‘Had I realized’ means the same as ‘If I had realized’. If I had realized what you intended, I wouldn’t have given my permission.) 5. If it hadn’t been for your help, I don’t know what I would have done. (We use a past perfect tense in the if-clause when would have + past participle is used in the main clause.) 6. Were she my daughter, I would not allow her to go out in that mini-frock. (In a type 2 conditional sentence we use a past simple tense in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the main clause. The clause ‘were she my daughter’ is actually a shortened form of the clause ‘if she were my daughter’.) Active and passive voice worksheet September 29, 2013 Test your knowledge of active and passive voice with this grammar exercise. Each sentence given below is in the active voice. Change it into passive voice. 1. He sings a song. .. 2. The boy killed the spider. .. 3. Help him. .. 4. Farmers sow maize in the rainy season. .. 5. Are you writing a letter? .. 6. The workers were digging a canal. .. 7. I will finish the job by the end of this week. .. 8. Have you finished your job? .. 9. They have informed him of his mother’s death. .. 10. They took all the necessary precautions. .. Answers 1. A song is sung by him. (Active verb – sings; passive verb – is sung) 2. The spider was killed by the boy. (Active verb – killed; passive verb – was killed) 3. Let him be helped. (Imperative sentences in the passive voice begin with let.) 4. Maize is sown in the rainy season. (Active verb – sow; passive verb – is/are sown) 5. Is a letter being written by you? (Active verb – is/are writing; passive verb – is/are being written) 6. A canal was being dug by the workers. (Active verb – was/were digging; passive verb – was/were being dug) 7. The job will be finished (by me) by the end of this week. (Active verb – will finish; passive verb –will be finished) 8. Has your job been finished by you? (Active verb – has/have finished; passive verb – has/have been finished) 9. He has been informed of his mother’s death. (Active verb – has/have informed; passive verb – has/have been informed) 10. All the necessary precautions were taken by them. (Active verb – took; passive verb – was/were taken) If or unless? September 28, 2013 Hints Unless has a similar meaning to if not. Study the examples given below. Unless she works hard she will not pass. If she does not work hard, she will not pass. Complete the following sentences using if or unless. 1. I will take the job the pay is too low. 2. She will not buy the house .. you lower the price. 3. They will not come you invite them. 4. You will not lose that belly fat you do not exercise. 5. Let’s go for a walk – you are too tired. 6. . you stop smoking, you will get cancer. 7. I wouldn’t be able to do it, . she didn’t help me. 8. She will be very upset .. I don’t wish her on her birthday. 9. .. you give me the keys, I will kill you. 10. you don’t leave this place at once, I will call the police. Answers 1. I will take the job unless the pay is too low. 2. She will not buy the house unless you lower the price. 3. They will not come unless you invite them. 4. You will not lose that belly fat if you do not exercise. 5. Let’s go for a walk – unless you are too tired. 6. Unless you stop smoking, you will get cancer. 7. I wouldn’t be able to do it, if she didn’t help me. 8. She will be very upset if I don’t wish her on her birthday. 9. Unless you give me the keys, I will kill you. 10. If you don’t leave this place at once, I will call the police. Much, many, a lot of, lots of etc September 27, 2013 We can use numbers with countable nouns. For example, we can say two girls and six eggs. Many and much Sometimes it is not possible or necessary to give an exact number like this. Then we use a quantifier like many. There were many children in the park. (We don’t know the exact number of children.) There are many mangoes on the tree. She has many friends. We cannot use numbers with uncountable nouns. For example, we can’t say two water or three honey. However, we can give an idea of amount or quantity by using the word much with uncountable nouns. Note that much is mainly used in questions and negative sentences. How much money do you have? There isn’t much food left. There isn’t much space in this room. Some Some can be used with countable and uncountable nouns. I have bought some eggs. (Here we use some with the countable noun eggs.) There is some water in the bottle. (Here we use some with the uncountable noun water.) Some is mainly used in affirmative sentences. In negative sentences, we use any. Is there any water in the bottle? A lot of / lots of A lot of / lots of can also be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. Note that there is hardly any difference between a lot of and lots of. A lot of and lots of are mainly used in affirmative sentences. In questions and negatives we express the same idea using much and many. I have watched lots of English films. I haven’t watched many English films. (More natural than ‘I haven’t watched lots of English films.’) She has been giving me a lot of trouble. (Here we use a lot of with the uncountable noun trouble.) Concession and contrast: grammar worksheet September 26, 2013 Rewrite the following sentences beginning them with the given words: 1. He worked hard, but he couldn’t pass the test. In spite of . 2. It was late, but we decided to go out. Although . 3. She is rich, but she is not happy. Despite . 4. She had a bad teacher. Still, she passed her exams. In spite of . 5. She lives next door but we rarely see each other. Although . 6. He faced many setbacks, but he didn’t lose hope. In spite of . 7. Although she is a foreigner, she speaks English remarkably well. In spite of . 8. In spite of earning a good salary, she finds it difficult to make both ends meet. Although . 9. She lives close to her office; however, she is always late for work. In spite of . 10. Although she works three jobs in a day, she makes it a point to spend quality time with her kids. In spite of . Answers 1. In spite of working hard, he couldn’t pass the test. 2. Although it was late, we decided to go out. 3. Despite being rich, she is not happy. 4. In spite of having a bad teacher, she passed her test. 5. Although she lives next door, we rarely see each other. 6. In spite of facing many setbacks, he didn’t lose hope. 7. In spite of being a foreigner, she speaks English remarkably well. 8. Although she earns a good salary, she finds it difficult to make both ends meet. 9.  In spite of living close to her office, she is always late for work. 10. In spite of working three jobs in a day, she makes it a point to spend quality time with her kids. Adverbs worksheet September 24, 2013 Adverbs are words used to modify verbs. Adverbs can also be used to modify adjectives and other adverbs. Fill in the blanks with suitable adverbs from the box. Write the kind of adverb against each sentence. The same adverb can be used more than once. Occasionally Sometimes Usually Rarely Once Very Never Mostly Often always 1. I .. go to bed at 10 o’clock. () 2. I have . been to the USA.  () 3. I have been to Australia just ..  () 4. I .. take a bath before I go to bed.  () 5. My grandparents live in Kerala. I visit them () 6. My friends are non-smokers.  () 7. I was impressed with her performance.  () 8. I .. go for a walk in the park.  () 9. I watch English films . () 10. They . go out.  () Answers 1. I usually go to bed at 10 o’clock. (adverb of frequency) 2. I have never been to the USA.  (frequency adverb) 3. I have been to Australia just once. (frequency) 4. I always take a bath before I go to bed.  (frequency) 5. My grandparents live in Kerala. I visit them often. (frequency) 6. My friends are mostly non-smokers.  (focusing adverb) 7. I was very impressed with her performance.  (degree adverb) 8. I sometimes go for a walk in the park.  (frequency adverb) 9. I watch English films occasionally. (frequency adverb) 10. They rarely go out.  (frequency adverb) Exercise 2 Complete the following with suitable adverbs. Choose from the given box. Almost Very There Ever So Sometimes Clearly Perhaps Seldom Certainly 1. I have .. finished. 2. He is clever. 3. There is . something wrong. 4. .. I think I should take a long break. 5. her train is late. 6. He is .. late for work. 7. She is .. the right person for the job. 8. Have you . wanted to run away? 9. You can see lots of flowers . 10. They are beautiful. Answers 1. I have almost finished. 2. He is very clever. 3. There is clearly something wrong. 4. I sometimes think I should take a long break. 5. Perhaps her train is late. 6. He is seldom late for work. 7. She is certainly the right person for the job. 8. Have you ever wanted to run away? 9. You can see lots of flowers there. 10. They are very beautiful. Have had and had had September 22, 2013 Have is one of those auxiliary verbs that can also be used as an ordinary (main) verb. When have is used as an auxiliary verb, it helps us to form the perfect and perfect continuous tenses. Study the examples given below. I have finished the report. Here the auxiliary verb have forms the present perfect tense with the past participle finished. I have been working on that report. Here the auxiliary have helps in the formation of the present perfect continuous tense. Have can also be used as a main verb. In this case it is followed by an object. As a main verb, have is used to talk about our possessions, relations, experiences etc. I have a sister. She has a car. He has a nice job. I have breakfast at 8.30. I have a shower before I go to bed. I have a nap in the afternoon. When have is used as an ordinary verb, it has past and past participle forms. I usually have bread and butter for breakfast, but yesterday I had pasta. I had a heavy breakfast in the morning, now I don’t feel like eating anything. The present perfect form of have is have had. ‘Have you had your breakfast?’ ‘I have had a cup of coffee, but I haven’t had anything to eat yet.’ I haven’t had any rest since morning. The past perfect form of have is had had (had + past participle form of have). The past perfect tense is used when we are talking about the past and want to refer back to an earlier past time. She felt marvelous after she had had a good night’s sleep. They dismissed him before he had had a chance to apologize. Transformation of degrees of comparison September 20, 2013 We can express the same idea using different degrees of comparison. Study the sentences given below. John is as tall as Mike. Tall is an adjective in the positive degree. Here we are comparing the height of two people with a positive adjective. If John and Mike are of the same height, Mike is not taller than John. See how the same idea is expressed using both positive and comparative adjectives. John is as tall as Mike. = Mike is not taller than John. Another example is given below Very few countries in the world are as large as China. (Positive) China is larger than most other countries in the world. (Comparative) China is one of the largest countries in the world. (Superlative) No other man was as strong as Hercules. (Positive) Hercules was stronger than any other man. (Comparative) Hercules was the strongest man in the world. (Superlative) No other boy in the class is as intelligent as James. (Positive) James is more intelligent than any other boy in the class. (Comparative) James is the most intelligent boy in the class. (Superlative)  Very few Indian saints were as popular as Vivekananda. (Positive) Vivekananda was more popular than most other Indian saints. (Comparative) Vivekananda was one of the most popular Indian saints.  (Superlative)  Maria is not as intelligent as Sonia. (Positive) Sonia is more intelligent than Maria. (Comparative) When a comparison is made between two individuals we do not normally use the superlative. Alice is the prettier of the two sisters. (More natural than ‘Alice is the prettiest of the two sisters.’) Verbs – mood and tense September 19, 2013 Read the following sentences. Alice likes English movies. When are you going to Chicago? Shut that door. If I were you, I would not let him go. You notice that sentence 1 merely states a fact. Sentence 2 asks question. Sentence 3 is a command. Sentence 4 makes a supposition – an impossible supposition at that, because I can never be you. Thus we find that verbs can be used in different ways – to state facts, to give commands, to ask questions and so on. The manner in which a verb is used is called its mood. There are three moods in English – Indicative, Imperative and Subjunctive. Indicative mood Read the sentences given below. The sun rises in the east. My sister lives in Paris. She works for an insurance company. Bernard Shaw was a great writer. As you can see, these are all simple statements of fact. Now look at these sentences. What are you doing there? When does the train leave for Manchester? What is the price of this radio? As you can see, these are all plain questions. When a verb is used to state a fact or to ask a question, it is said to be in the indicative mood. Imperative mood A sentence which contains a command, a piece of advice or a request is said to be in the imperative mood. Sentences beginning with let are also in the imperative mood. Examples are given below. Shut the door. (Order) Keep quiet. (Order) Please take this file with you. (Request) Let him go. Note that the subject is not usually mentioned when the sentence is in the imperative mood. Subjunctive mood The subjunctive mood is not very common in modern English. It is a kind of present simple tense. It doesn’t take the marker –s in the third person singular. It is important that every child get an opportunity to learn. Showing possibility using should September 18, 2013 We can use should to say that something is probable because it is logical or normal. I am stronger than him, so I should be able to beat him. (It is a logical possibility.) She has been working on that project for well over two weeks. She should be able to finish in time. If the sky is clear, you should be able to see Mount Everest from Tiger Hill. Aparna should be here before 7.30 – she left office at 6 o’clock. ‘I am spending the weekend with my parents.’ ‘That should be nice.’ He has worked hard. He should be able to pass the test. Should have + past participle This structure is used to talk about past events that did not happen. I should have finished that report yesterday. (It was necessary for me to finish that report yesterday, but I couldn’t.) You should have asked my permission before using my computer. (= It was necessary for you to ask my permission, but you didn’t do that.) Should have + past participle is also used to talk about past events which may or may not have happened. 9 am. Alice should have left for office. (We don’t know whether this particular event took place, but it is a possibility.) Should not have + past participle The structure should not have + past participle is used to talk about unwanted things that happened. You shouldn’t have shouted at her. It really upset her. Should not have + past participle is also used to talk about negative possibilities. It is only 4.30. She shouldn’t have left her office now. Phrasal verbs exercise September 17, 2013 Each sentence given below contains an incomplete phrasal verb. Complete the phrasal verb and the sentence by supplying an appropriate particle or preposition. 1. I have promised to take my kids on a vacation, but I don’t know if I will be able to save enough money. 2. My dad said that he was going to see sending me abroad for higher studies. 3. I am going to the airport to see my sister. 4. I will see .. it that she does not get the promotion. 5. Few girls manage to see their studies after they get married and have children. 6. I don’t think that he took the money. Somebody set him 7. He likes to show .. his cars and gadgets. 8. Should someone shut him .? Answers 1. I have promised to take my kids on a vacation, but I don’t know if I will be able to save up enough money. 2. My dad said that he was going to see about sending me abroad for higher studies. 3. I am going to the airport to see off my sister. 4. I will see to it that she does not get the promotion. 5. Few girls manage to see their studies through after they get married and have children. 6. I don’t think that he took the money. Somebody set him up. 7. He likes to show off his cars and gadgets. 8. Should someone shut him up? Explanations To save up is to accumulate money. To see about something is to consider it. To see off somebody is to bid them goodbye at the beginning of their trip. To see to something is to make sure that it happens. To see through something is to finish it. To set somebody up is to incriminate them falsely. To show off something is to show it to everybody with a lot of pride. To shut somebody up is to make them quiet. Infinitives after auxiliaries September 16, 2013 The infinitive is always used without to after the auxiliaries can, could, may, might, must, will, would, shall, should, do, does and did. She can swim. (NOT She can to swim.) (NOT She can swimming.) He must obey me. (NOT He must to obey me.) (NOT He must obeying me.) She should understand. (NOT She should to understand.) (NOT She should understanding.) The modal auxiliary ought is an exception to this rule. It is followed by an infinitive with to. She ought to behave. (NOT She ought behave.) (NOT She ought behaving.) The primary auxiliaries be (is, am, are, was and were) and have (has, have and had) can be followed by an infinitive with to. She is to retire next year. (NOT She is retire next year.) He has to pay the fine. (NOT He has pay the fine.) The modal auxiliaries need and dare can be followed by an infinitive with or without to. The grammar is different. In questions and negatives need is usually followed by an infinitive without to. In affirmative sentences, need is usually followed by an infinitive with to. Need I wait any longer? Need I consult a specialist? You need not wait any longer. You need not consult a specialist. You need to wait for an hour or two. (More natural than ‘You need wait for an hour or two.’) You need to consult a specialist. When need is followed by an infinitive with to, we make questions and negatives with do. You need to sign these papers. Do I need to sign these papers? OR Need I sign these papers? (NOT Need I to sign these papers?) You don’t need to sign these papers. OR You need not sign these papers. (NOT You need not to sign these papers.) Phrasal verbs beginning with put September 15, 2013 The word put is used in a large number of phrasal verbs. Put across To put something across is to make it understood. He failed to put his message across. (= He failed to convey his idea.) People working in sales and marketing should be able to put themselves across well. Put aside To put something aside is to set it aside. He was feeling sleepy, so he put his books aside and went to bed. Put away a) To put something away is to keep them in their proper place. You must put away those toys when you have finished playing with them. b) To put something away is to save them for later use. She makes it a point to put away a few dollars each week. c. To put something away is to discard it. It is high time you put away those false notions. d. Put away can also mean eat or drink a large quantity of food or beverages. If he is really hungry he needs just two minutes to put away a full meal. e) To put somebody away is to send them to jail. They put him away for killing his neighbor. f) To put an animal away is to subject them to mercy killing. The dog was so badly wounded that the doctor had to put him away. Put down a) To put something down is to write it down. b) To put somebody down is to suppress them. The government called the military to put down the rebellion. c) To put something down to something else is to attribute the former to the latter. He put the mistakes down to carelessness.  c) To put somebody down is to regard or categorize them as.. He was put down as a chronic nuisance. d) To put somebody down is to belittle them. I hate men who put their wives down in front of visitors. Absolute phrase September 14, 2013 When a participle and the noun that comes before it together forms an independent phrase, the structure is often called an absolute phrase. Examples of absolute phrases are given below. Weather permitting we shall meet in the evening. Here the phrase ‘weather permitting’ is an example of an absolute phrase. God willing we shall meet again. Here the phrase ‘God willing’ is an example of an absolute phrase. More examples of absolute phrases are given below. The weather being fine, we went out for a picnic. The sun having risen, we set out on our journey. Absolute phrases are used to combine two clauses that have different subjects. Study the examples given below. The visitors left. We went to bed. Here the two sentences have different subjects. Still, we can combine them using a participle. The visitors having left, we went to bed. Another example is given below. It was a stormy day. We stayed inside the house. It being a stormy day, we stayed inside the house. We can change an absolute phrase into a subordinate adverb clause of time, condition, cause or concession. Weather permitting can be changed into ‘If weather permits’ If weather permits, we shall meet in the meeting. If God wills, we shall meet again. As the weather was fine, we went out for a picnic. After the sun had risen, we set out on our journey. After the visitors had left, we went to bed. An overview of participles September 12, 2013 This lesson provides a detailed overview of participles. Participles are non-finite verbs used as adjectives. Participles usually end in –ing or –ed. Since participles are formed from verbs, they express action or a state of being. When used as adjectives, participles modify nouns or pronouns. They also help in the formation of continuous and perfect tense forms. There are two types of participles: present participles and past participles. Present participles always end in –ing. Past participles most often end in –ed. Other possible endings are: -en (e.g. written, broken), -d (e.g. sold, paid), -t (e.g. dealt, met, sent), -n (e.g. seen, spun) or –ne (e.g. gone, done) It is no fun nursing a broken heart. I like to listen to the noise of falling rain. Deserted by his family, he killed himself. Stricken with grief, she threw herself on the body. Crying, she walked out of the room. Smiling, she hugged the child. Participial phrase A participial phrase is a group words consisting of a participle. The participial phrase may have its own object. This is usually a noun or pronoun. Taking his coat, James walked away. Here the noun phrase ‘his coat’ acts as the object of the participle taking. The participial phrase ‘taking his coat’ acts as an adjective modifying the noun James. The man saw the girl lighting a lamp. Here the participial phrase ‘lighting a lamp’ modifies the noun girl. Children interested in reading acquire knowledge faster. Here the participial phrase ‘interested in reading’ functions as an adjective modifying the noun children. Position In order to avoid confusion, a participial phrase must be placed as close to the noun as possible. Sitting on a branch, the monkey gibbered. Here the participial phrase ‘sitting on a branch’ modifies the noun gibbered. Another example is given below. Walking down the street, I saw a strange sight. Here the participial phrase ‘walking down the street’ modifies the pronoun I. Difference between conjunctions, relative pronouns and relative adverbs September 10, 2013 Conjunctions, relative pronouns and relative adverbs can be used to connect two clauses. The grammar is different. Prepositions do not connect two clauses. They merely show the relationship between a noun/pronoun and another word in the sentence. Relative pronouns Relative pronouns are different from conjunctions. Relative pronouns are important connecting devices. They not only connect two clauses but also act as the subject or object of the verb in the relative clause. This is the main difference between conjunctions and relative pronouns. Conjunctions merely connect two clauses. They do not serve any other purpose. Study the sentences given below. This is the letter. My mother sent me this letter. We can connect these two clauses. This is the letter that my mother sent me. Here the relative pronoun that replaces the phrase this letter and acts as the object of the verb sent. It is easy to decide whether a relative pronoun is the subject or the object. When it is the object it will be immediately followed by another noun which acts as the subject. In this case, the relative pronoun ‘that’ is followed by the noun ‘my mother’ which acts as the subject. Another example is given below. This is the boy. He won the first prize. This is the boy who won the first prize. Here the relative pronoun who replaces the pronoun he. It acts as the subject of the relative clause. Relative adverb The relative adverb not only modifies a verb, but also joins the two clauses in a sentence. Note that a relative adverb does not act as the subject or object in the relative clause. It merely replaces an adverb. This is the house. John lives here. This is the house where John lives. Here the relative adverb where replaces the place adverb here. Another example is given below. I first met Susie on that day. I will never forget that day. I will never forget the day when I first met Susie. Most and most of: grammar exercise September 8, 2013 We use most before a noun without a determiner. We use most of before a pronoun and a noun with a determiner (e.g. articles, demonstratives and possessives). Most of is also used before personal or geographical names. Complete the following sentences. 1. cheese is made from milk. a) most b) most of c) either could be used here 2. .. England was under water. a) most b) most of c) either could be used here 3. people like movies. a) most b) most of c) either could be used here 4. people in Switzerland can speak French. a) most b) most of c) either could be used here 5. She has eaten . that cake. a) most b) most of c) either could be used here 6. She wasn’t as intelligent as her sisters, but she was . beautiful. a) most b) most of c) the most 7. . my friends are non-smokers. a) most b) most of c) either could be used here 8. . us were impressed with the plan. a) most b) most of c) either could be used here 9. Which country produces the milk? a) most b) most of c) either could be used here 10. . them were uneducated. a) most b) most of c) either could be used here Answers 1. Most cheese is made from milk. 2. Most of England was under water. 3. Most people like movies. 4. Most people in Switzerland can speak French. 5. She has eaten most of that cake. 6. She wasn’t as intelligent as her sisters, but she was the most beautiful. 7. Most of my friends are non-smokers. 8. Most of us were impressed with the plan. 9. Which country produces the most milk? 10. Most of them were uneducated. Have and have got: differences September 7, 2013 Have and have got are usually possible with little or no difference of meaning. Both forms can be used to express ideas such as possession and relationships. For example, the two sentences given below express the same idea. I have a sister. = I have got a sister. Got forms of have are informal, and are most common in the present. Do is not used in questions and negatives with got. I have got a car. (Informal) I have a car. (More formal) Have you got a car? / Do you have a car? (NOT Do you have got a car?) Have got cannot be used to talk about actions. Only have is possible in this case. I usually have dinner at 8 o’clock. (NOT I usually have got dinner at 8 o’clock.) Note that have and have not are only used in the present simple. In the past tense, only had is used. Had not is not possible. I had a strange experience yesterday. (NOT I had got a strange experience yesterday.) Got forms of have are not normally used to indicate repetition and habit. I have a meeting on Monday. OR I have got a meeting on Monday. I often have meetings on Mondays. (BUT NOT I often have got meetings on Mondays.) Note that have is a state verb. It is not normally used in the continuous form. She has a sister. (NOT She is having a sister.) However, having is used in a few fixed expressions. Examples are: having dinner, having a bath etc. Noun clauses September 5, 2013 A noun clause serves the same purpose as a noun. It can be the subject or object of a verb. It can also be the object of a preposition. Noun clauses are usually introduced by the subordinating conjunctions that, if and whether. Question words like what, how, when etc., can also be used to introduce noun clauses. Read the examples given below. That he is a diligent boy is known to everybody. Can you identify the subject? What is known to everybody? The answer to this question is the subject of the sentence -          that he is a diligent boy. Since this clause serves as the subject of the verb ‘is known’, it is considered as a noun clause. Note that when the subject is a noun clause we are more likely to write the sentence with a preparatory it. That he is a diligent boy is known to everybody. à It is known to everybody that he is a diligent boy. Another example is given below. Picasso was a great artist. Nobody can challenge this fact. What cannot be challenged? The fact that Picasso was a great artist Replace the question word with the that-clause and we will get the following complex sentence: The fact that Picasso was a great artist cannot be challenged. More examples of noun clauses are given below. He is an honest boy. Everybody knows it. Everybody knows that he is an honest boy. Here the noun clause ‘that he is an honest boy’ is the object of the verb knows. Why he is late? Ask him. Ask him why he is late. Here the noun clause ‘why he is late’ is the direct object of the verb ask. Noun clauses are important devices because they help us to combine two or more simple sentences into a single complex sentence. Simple present or present continuous? September 3, 2013 The simple present and the present continuous tenses can both be used to talk about the future. The simple present tense is used to talk about events which are part of a timetable. It is also used with a future meaning in subordinate clauses. The present continuous tense is used to talk about pre-planned future events. In other cases, we are more likely to use a simple future tense. Complete the following sentences using an appropriate verb form. 1. The summer term .. on April 18th. a) is starting b) starts 2. My plane . at 3.30. a) leaves b) is leaving 3. When . in Bangkok? a) is the train arriving b) does the train arrive 4. I will pay you back when I .. a job. a) will get b) get c) am getting 5. I to the US next week. a) go b) am going 6. She .. for a new job. a) looks b) is looking 7. Granny’s train .. at 5.30. a) arrives b) is arriving 8. I will tell you if I .. her name. a) will know b) know 9. ‘What there?’ ‘I . a cake.’ a) do you do; make b) are you doing; am making 10. I .. Lucia on Tuesday. a) see b) am seeing Answers 1. The summer term starts on April 18th. 2. My plane leaves at 3.30. 3. When does the train arrive in Bangkok? 4. I will pay you back when I get a job. 5. I am going to the US next week. 6. She is looking for a new job. 7. Granny’s train arrives at 5.30. 8. I will tell you if I know her name. 9. ‘What are you doing there?’ ‘I am making a cake.’ 10. I am seeing Lucia on Tuesday. Past simple or present perfect tense? September 2, 2013 Complete the following sentences using an appropriate past simple or present perfect verb form. 1. When . from work? a) did she returned b) did she return c) has she returned d) has she return 2. to the US? a) Have you ever been b) Did you ever go c) Did you ever been d) Were you ever been 3. She is the most beautiful woman . a) I had ever seen b) I have ever seen c) I have ever saw d) I ever seen 4. That is the best movie .. a) I have ever watched b) I had ever watched c) I did watch d) I have ever watch 5. That is the most difficult problem .. a) I have ever had to deal with b) I never dealt with c) I had to deal with d) I am dealt with 6. When . I was working in the garden. a) you phoned b) you have phoned c) you had phoned d) you were phoning 7. I with children before, so I know what to expect in my new job. a) worked b) have worked c) have been working d) I had worked 8. I . all my childhood in France. a) spent b) have spent c) have spend d) was spending 9. Who that necklace? a) gave you b) has given you c) gives you c) had given you 10. There . a plane crash near Bristol last night. a) was b) had been c) have been d) is Answers 1. When did she return from work? 2. Have you ever been to the US? 3. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. 4. This is the best movie I have ever watched. 5. This is the most difficult problem I have ever had to deal with. 6. When you phoned I was working in the garden. 7. I have worked with children before so I know what to expect in my new job. 8. I spent all my childhood in France. 9. Who gave you that necklace? 10. There was a plane crash near Bristol last night. Reduced adverb clauses – Part I August 30, 2013 An adverb clause can be shortened to an adverb phrase. This can be particularly helpful when you want to express your ideas in a more concise manner. Before you reduce an adverb clause into an adverbial phrase, make sure that the adverb clause (subordinate clause) and the main clause have the same subject. Study the examples given below. I slept for ten hours. I felt marvelous. The two sentences given above express a cause and effect relationship and hence can be combined into one using the conjunction as / since. As I had slept for ten hours, I felt marvelous. Both clauses have the same subject and hence we can reduce the adverb clause into a phrase. Having slept for ten hours, I felt marvelous. Another example is given below. He worked hard. He passed the test. Because he worked hard, he passed the test. This can be reduced to: Having worked hard, he passed the test. There are many different kinds of adverb clauses and it is not possible to reduce all of them. Generally speaking, the adverb clauses of time, cause and contrast can be reduced. Reduced Adverb Clauses of Time After he did military service, he became a monk. The sentence given above can be reduced to: After doing military service, he became a monk. He wrote his first book after he recovered from a major illness. This can be reduced to: He wrote his first book after recovering from a major illness. He feeds the cats before he goes to work. Can be reduced to He feeds the cats before going to work. Reduced Adverb Clauses of Cause Because she was late, she didn’t get tickets for the show. This can be reduced to: Being late, she didn’t get tickets for the show. Because I worked fast, I finished early. This can be reduced to: Having worked fast, I finished early. Because I was feeling a bit tired, I didn’t go to work. This can be reduced to: Feeling a bit tired, I didn’t go to work. Reduced adverb clauses – Part II August 31, 2013 Reduced Adverb Clauses of Contrast An adverb clause of contrast can be reduced to an adverbial phrase expressing the same idea. Though she was beautiful, she wasn’t very popular. This can be reduced to: Despite being beautiful, she wasn’t very popular. OR In spite of being beautiful, she wasn’t very popular. Though she was rich, she was not happy. This can be reduced to: Despite being rich, she was not happy. Here is how to reduce an adverb clause. Reducing Adverb Clauses of Time Adverb clauses of time are usually introduced by the conjunctions before, after, since, when etc. In order to reduce an adverb clause of time introduced by one of these conjunctions, you have to keep the time word, remove the subject and then change the verb into and –ing form or a noun. Read the examples given below. After he finished the work, he took some rest. This can be reduced to: After finishing the work, he took some rest. Note that we retained the time word, removed the subject and changed the verb into an –ing form. Another example is given below. Don’t forget to signal when you are turning left. This can be reduced to: Don’t forget to signal when turning left. You can’t go home before you finish the work. This can be reduced to. You can’t go home before finishing the work. As The conjunction as can be used to talk about two actions or situations that go on at the same time. Read the example given below. As I was walking down the street, I saw Peter driving a Lamborghini. This can be reduced to Walking down the street, I saw Peter driving a Lamborghini. While reducing an as-clause into a phrase, we usually remove ‘as’ and the subject + be. Enough: grammar exercise August 29, 2013 The word enough can be used as an adjective and as an adverb. When it is used as an adverb, it modifies an adjective or another adverb. Note that enough goes after the adjective/adverb it modifies. This can cause confusion because when enough is used as an adjective, it goes before the noun it modifies. Do you know how to use enough correctly? Test your knowledge with this grammar exercise. 1. I didn’t run .. to catch the bus. a) fast enough b) enough fast 2. She is .. to know better. a) old enough b) enough old 3. We have bought .. a) enough milk b) milk enough 4. She was to lock the car. a) prudent enough b) enough prudent 5. He was to trust her. a) stupid enough b) enough stupid 6. Is it for you? a) enough warm b) warm enough 7. Have we got for buying the tickets? a) enough money b) money enough 8. Many tablet computers are .. to put in your pocket. a) small enough b) enough small 9. We haven’t got . a) enough chairs b) chairs enough 10. We haven’t got . paint. a) blue enough b) enough blue Answers 1. I didn’t run fast enough to catch the bus. 2. She is old enough to know better. 3. We have bought enough milk. 4. She was prudent enough to lock the car. 5. He was stupid enough to trust her. 6. Is it warm enough for you? 7. Have we got enough money for buying the tickets? 8. Many tablet computers are small enough to fit in your pocket. 9. We haven’t got enough chairs. 10. We haven’t got enough blue paint. The relative pronouns which, whose and what August 28, 2013 The relative pronoun which is used to refer to objects and animals. It cannot be used to refer to people. Which has the same form for the nominative (subject) and the accusative (object) case. Which has no possessive form. But if we really need to express that idea, we can use a structure with of which. In a less formal style, we can express the same idea using whose + noun. Note that whose can refer back to people or things. It can replace the pronouns its, their, hers and his. He has a beautiful sister. I have forgotten her name. He has a beautiful sister whose name I have forgotten. The structure with which is not possible here because it cannot refer back to people. It was a meeting. I did not comprehend its importance. It was a meeting whose importance I did not comprehend. OR It was a meeting the importance of which I did not understand. The umbrella the handle of which is broken was bought only last week. OR The umbrella whose handle was broken was bought only last week. What What has the same form in the nominative and in the accusative cases and is used only in the singular. What means ‘that which’ or ‘the things which’. What cannot be cured must be endured. (= That which cannot be cured must be endured.) I have got what I wanted. (= I have got the things which I wanted.) Note that clauses beginning with what act as the subject or object of the verb in the main clause. For example, in the sentence given above, the clause ‘what I wanted’ is the object of the verb got. Adjective phrase August 27, 2013 A word group that has an adjective as its head is called an adjective phrase. Note that the adjective in this phrase may be accompanied by other words such as determiners, modifiers etc. Adjective phrases can go before a noun (attributive position). They can also go after a linking verb like be (predicative position). He was wearing a dark brown suit. (Here the adjective phrase ‘a dark brown’ modifies the noun suit.) The fish tasted awfully funny. (Here the adjective phrase ‘awfully funny’ says something about the fish. It goes after the copular or linking verb tasted. A copular verb does not take an object and it cannot be modified by an adverb. The word or phrase that follows a copular verb typically says something about the subject of the sentence. The fish tasted awful. (NOT The fish tasted awfully.) Here the adjective awful says something about the fish. It doesn’t modify the verb tasted. Note that the adjective in an adjective phrase may be modified by an adverb. When it is modified by an adverb, the adverb goes before the adjective. The adjective may also be modified by other determiners like articles, possessives and demonstratives. Consider the phrase ‘my cute little daughter’ Here the adjective phrase ‘my cute little’ consists of a possessive (my) and two adjectives (cute and little). Sometimes the idea expressed by an adjective can also be expressed using a noun phrase. Consider the examples given below. Brutus is an honorable man. (Here the adjective honorable modifies the noun man.) The same idea can be expressed using the phrase: a man of honor Brutus is a man of honor. Another example is given below. Churchill was an eminent man. (Here the adjective eminent modifies the noun man.) Churchill was a man of eminence. (Here the noun phrase ‘a man of eminence’ means the same as the phrase ‘an eminent man’.) Copular or linking verbs August 26, 2013 We have already learned that intransitive verbs do not take objects. Examples are: sleep, sit, rest, weep, laugh, cry etc. She is weeping. The child sleeps. The boy was laughing. There is yet another variety of verbs which do not normally take objects. These are called copular verbs or linking verbs. While intransitive verbs make complete sense on their own, copular verbs require a word or phrase to make their meaning complete. Consider the example given below. She is. As you can see this sentence does not make complete sense. To make it complete we need to supply a word or a phrase. The word or phrase thus added at the end of a sentence to make its meaning complete is called a complement. And the verb which joins a subject with its complement is called a copular or linking verb. When this word/phrase refers to the subject, it is called a subject complement. When it refers to the object, it is called an object complement. The linking verb is also called a verb of incomplete predication. The most common copular verbs are: act, be, become, feel, appear, grow, taste, sound etc. Copular verbs do not normally take an object. But sometimes these verbs may be used transitively. Examples are given below. She acted well. (Copular use) She acted her part well. (Transitive use) I am feeling unwell. (Copular use) The doctor felt the patient’s pulse. (Transitive use) The proposal sounds interesting. (Copular verb) The general sounded the bugle. (Transitive verb) The boy has grown taller. (Copular verb) The farmers grow vegetables.. (Transitive verb) State verbs and action verbs August 25, 2013 There are mainly two types of verbs: action verbs and state verbs. Action verbs refer to an action. Examples are: write, work, break, kick, cook, take etc. State verbs or stative verbs refer to a state. The most common state verbs are be and have. They are both primary auxiliaries. The other primary auxiliary – do – is an action verb. Other common verbs referring to states are: know, believe, like, love, hate, remember, suppose, understand, want, wish etc. There is an important difference between action verbs and state verbs. Action verbs can have both simple and continuous forms. State verbs, on the other hand, do not normally have continuous forms. This is probably because continuous forms are mainly used to talk about temporary situations. States, on the other hand, tend to be permanent or long lasting. Examples are given below. Honesty is the best policy. My sister is an architect. I have a sister. These are permanent situations that are unlikely to change in a long time. More examples are given below. I know your hometown. (NOT I am knowing your home town.) She likes her grandmother. (NOT She is liking her grandmother.) Your knowledge of something is permanent. You either know something or you don’t. However, some verbs can have an action meaning as well as a state meaning. An example is the verb think. When think means ‘have an opinion’ it is not normally used in the continuous form. What do you think of her new boyfriend? (= What is your opinion about her new boyfriend?) (NOT What are you thinking of her new boyfriend?) Think can have a continuous form when it is used with other meanings. What are you thinking about? I am thinking about starting a business. That instead of when and where August 24, 2013 After common nouns referring to time, we often replace when with that. In some cases, the relative pronoun/adverb is dropped. You may come any time when you are free. OR You may come any time that you are free. I will never forget the day when I first met Jane. OR I will never forget the day that I first met Jane. In a very informal style, the relative pronoun can be dropped. I will never forget the day I first met Jane. You may come any time you are free. The same thing happens with where after somewhere, anywhere, everywhere, nowhere and place. I need a place where I can spend the night. OR I need a place that I can spend the night. Note that that is not possible in this case after other words. For example, we can’t say: We need a room that we can spend the night. (Only where is possible in this case.) The prepositional phrase ‘in which’ can be replaced by that after way. I don’t like the way in which she treats her servants. OR I don’t like the way that she treats her servants. OR I don’t like the way she treats her servants. In the same way, why can be replaced by that after reason. Do you know the reason why she is angry with me? OR Do you know the reason that she is angry with me? Reduced relative clauses August 24, 2013 A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause introduced by a relative pronoun. What is the name of that boy who just walked in? Here the clause ‘who just walked in’ is an example of a relative clause. It modifies the noun boy. Relative clauses are also called adjective clauses. Relative clauses are sometimes shortened. How to reduce a relative clause? A participle can often be used instead of a relative pronoun and full verb. Read the sentence given below. The girl who sits next to Peter is my neighbor’s daughter. Now when we shorten the relative clause ‘who sits next to Peter’, we get: The girl sitting next to Peter is my neighbor’s daughter. Another example is given below. Who is the girl who is sitting next to your brother? Now when we reduce the relative clause, we get: Who is the girl sitting next to your brother? More examples are given below. A girl who works at a pub has won a lottery. A girl working at a pub has won a lottery. The lady who lives next door throws numerous parties. The lady living next door throws numerous parties. Yesterday I read a book which was written by Hemingway. Yesterday I read a book written by Hemingway. Most people who were invited to the party didn’t turn up. Most people invited to the party didn’t turn up. Anyone who enters the garden without permission will be punished. Anyone entering the garden without permission will be punished. Reduced structures can also be used with the adjectives available and possible. Please book all the tickets available. (= Please book all the tickets that are available.) Common prepositional phrases August 23, 2013 Prepositional phrases begin with a preposition. Here is a list of some common prepositional phrases. Note that this is not a comprehensive list. At At first At least At most At times At any rate At last At the latest At once At an advantage / disadvantage At a profit / loss At the cinema / at the theatre / at a party / at university By By accident By far By all means By heart By chance By mistake By the way By the time By no means By name By sight By now By car / bus / train / boat / plane / land / sea / air For For instance For example For sale For a while For the moment For ages For a change For better or worse In In the end In a skirt / shirt / coat / hat etc In time On On time On the radio On page On the phone On TV Under Under no circumstances Under the influence of Under consideration Under discussion Under suspicion Exercise Identify the prepositional phrases in the sentences given below. 1. The cat was sleeping under the warm blanket. 2. The old man sat under a tree. 3. She accused me of poisoning her dog. 4. I don’t agree with their sales policy. 5. Do you believe in life after death? 6. I belong to a local athletics club. 7. Peter walked along the busy highway. Answers 1. Under the warm blanket; 2. Of poisoning her dog; 3. With their sales policy; 4. In life after death; 5. To a local athletics club; 6. Along the busy highway What are prepositional phrases? August 23, 2013 A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition. Examples are: at a loss, in the corner, by the way and on the roof. A prepositional phrase may end with a noun, pronoun, gerund or clause which acts as the object of the preposition. For example, in the prepositional phrase at home, the noun home acts as the object of the preposition at. In the phrase from Rahul, the noun Rahul acts as the object of the preposition from. The noun which acts as the object of the preposition may be modified by an adjective or another determiner. Consider the prepositional phrase given below. From your dearest son Here the object son is modified by the adjective dearest and the possessive determiner your. Function of a prepositional phrase Although a prepositional phrase begins with a preposition, it does not serve the same purpose as a preposition. Prepositional phrases usually function as adjectives or adverbs. When a prepositional phrase is used as an adjective, it answers the question ‘Which one?’ The students in my class ask numerous questions. Which students? The ones in my class The letter from Maya confessed that she had lied about her affair with Ravi. Which letter? The one from Maya The apples on the tree are ripe. Which apples? The ones on the tree When used as an adverb, the prepositional phrase answers questions such as ‘How?’, ‘When?’ or ‘Where?’ The children were playing in the garden. Where were the children playing? In the garden His father died in 1995. When did his father die? In 1995 She put the books on the table. Where did she put the books? On the table He fought with all his might. How did he fight? With all his might The students learned the poem by heart. How did they learn the poem? By heart Note that a prepositional phrase cannot function as the subject of a sentence. Prepositions before that-clauses August 22, 2013 Prepositions cannot normally be followed by conjunctions. Of course, this is possible in a few cases, but prepositions are normally dropped before that-clauses. This usually happens after words referring to saying, writing, thinking etc. Compare: I knew about his illness. (Here the preposition about is followed by a noun.) I knew that he was ill. (NOT I knew about that he was ill.) I heard about his problems. I heard that he was facing some problems. I had no idea of his state of mind. I had no idea that he was depressed. I was not aware of his presence in the room. (Here the preposition of is followed by the noun his presence.) I was not aware that he was present in the room. (NOT I was not aware of that he ) In cases where the preposition cannot be dropped before that, we add the phrase ‘the fact’. I managed to arrive in time for the meeting in spite of the fact that the train was late. (NOT I managed to arrive in time for the meeting in spite of that ) (NOT I managed to arrive in time in spite that ) She paid no attention to the fact that I had the necessary qualifications. (NOT She paid no attention that I had the necessary qualifications.) They went out despite the fact that it was raining. (NOT They went out despite that it was raining.) Adverbs with two forms August 22, 2013 Some adjectives and adverbs have the same form. In some cases, the adverb may have two forms, one like the adjective and the other with –ly. Complete the following sentences using the appropriate form of the adverb. 1. Sorry I didn’t turn up – I .. forgot. (clean / cleanly) 2. At least ten children were .. injured in the accident. (deadly / fatally) 3. The comedy show was .. amusing. (high / highly) 4. The protestors demanded that the culprits should be .  punished. (justly / just) 5. I haven’t been to the theater much . (late / lately) 6. Isn’t she dressed ? (pretty / prettily) 7. I will be there at six o’clock .. (sharp / sharply) 8. Their door was open but nobody was inside. (wide / widely) 9. I .. believed that she loved me. (wrong / wrongly) 10. I hate arriving (late / lately) Answers 1. Sorry I didn’t turn up – I clean forgot. (Clean can mean ‘completely’ before forget.) 2. At least ten children were fatally injured in the accident. 3. The comedy show was highly amusing. 4. The protestors demanded that the culprits should be justly punished. 5. I haven’t been to the theater much lately. (Lately means recently.) 6. Isn’t she dressed prettily? 7. I will be there at six o’clock sharp. (As an adverb sharp means ‘punctually’.) 8. Their door was wide open but nobody was inside. 9. I wrongly believed that she loved me. 10. I hate arriving late. Prepositions before question words August 22, 2013 Prepositions are dropped before common question words. This usually happens after common verbs like tell, ask, depend, sure, idea and look. This is especially common in indirect questions. Tell me about your plans. (Here we use the preposition about before the noun ‘your plans’.) Tell me what you intend to do. (More natural than ‘Tell me about what you intend to do’.) (Here the preposition is dropped before the question word what.) I asked her about her relationship status. I asked her whether she was in a relationship. (NOT I asked her about whether she was in a relationship.) She may win the prize – it depends on her performance. She may win the prize – it depends (on) how well she performs. Look at this. Look (at) what I have brought for you. The prepositions cannot normally be left out after other verbs. I am worried about her health. I am worried about how she is going to cope. (NOT I am worried how she is going to cope.) Compare: The teacher asked me what I had done. (More natural than ‘The teacher asked me about what I had done’.) The police questioned me about what I had seen. (NOT The police questioned me what I had seen.) Your chances of getting a good job can vary according to whether you live in a city or in a village. Note that we cannot put if after a preposition. We use whether instead. I am worried about whether she is happy. (NOT I am worried about if she is happy.) Adverbs with two forms August 22, 2013 Some adjectives and adverbs have the same form. In some cases, the adverb may have two forms, one like the adjective and the other with –ly. Complete the following sentences using the appropriate form of the adverb. 1. Sorry I didn’t turn up – I .. forgot. (clean / cleanly) 2. At least ten children were .. injured in the accident. (deadly / fatally) 3. The comedy show was .. amusing. (high / highly) 4. The protestors demanded that the culprits should be .  punished. (justly / just) 5. I haven’t been to the theater much . (late / lately) 6. Isn’t she dressed ? (pretty / prettily) 7. I will be there at six o’clock .. (sharp / sharply) 8. Their door was open but nobody was inside. (wide / widely) 9. I .. believed that she loved me. (wrong / wrongly) 10. I hate arriving (late / lately) Answers 1. Sorry I didn’t turn up – I clean forgot. (Clean can mean ‘completely’ before forget.) 2. At least ten children were fatally injured in the accident. 3. The comedy show was highly amusing. 4. The protestors demanded that the culprits should be justly punished. 5. I haven’t been to the theater much lately. (Lately means recently.) 6. Isn’t she dressed prettily? 7. I will be there at six o’clock sharp. (As an adverb sharp means ‘punctually’.) 8. Their door was wide open but nobody was inside. 9. I wrongly believed that she loved me. 10. I hate arriving late. Prepositions before question words August 22, 2013 Prepositions are dropped before common question words. This usually happens after common verbs like tell, ask, depend, sure, idea and look. This is especially common in indirect questions. Tell me about your plans. (Here we use the preposition about before the noun ‘your plans’.) Tell me what you intend to do. (More natural than ‘Tell me about what you intend to do’.) (Here the preposition is dropped before the question word what.) I asked her about her relationship status. I asked her whether she was in a relationship. (NOT I asked her about whether she was in a relationship.) She may win the prize – it depends on her performance. She may win the prize – it depends (on) how well she performs. Look at this. Look (at) what I have brought for you. The prepositions cannot normally be left out after other verbs. I am worried about her health. I am worried about how she is going to cope. (NOT I am worried how she is going to cope.) Compare: The teacher asked me what I had done. (More natural than ‘The teacher asked me about what I had done’.) The police questioned me about what I had seen. (NOT The police questioned me what I had seen.) Your chances of getting a good job can vary according to whether you live in a city or in a village. Note that we cannot put if after a preposition. We use whether instead. I am worried about whether she is happy. (NOT I am worried about if she is happy.) Active and passive voice exercise August 21, 2013 Complete the following sentences using appropriate active or passive verb forms. Choose your answers from the given options. 1. The problem . to the children. (explained / was explained) 2. Those pyramids . around 400 AD. (built / were built) 3. All the trouble .. by your mother. (has caused / was caused) 4. The visitors . (were shown / have shown) a collection of old manuscripts. 5. I . him ten thousand pounds last year. (lend / lent / was lent) 6. She of spiders. (frightened / is frightened) 7. That picture . by my grandmother. (painted / was painted) 8. I .. by his attitude. (shocked / have shocked / was shocked) 9. Excuse the mess. The house (is painting / is being painted / has painted) 10. I knew why I . (had chosen / had been chosen) Answers 1. The problem was explained to the children. 2. Those pyramids were built around 400 AD. 3. All the trouble was caused by your mother. 4. The visitors were shown a collection of old manuscripts. 5. I lent him ten thousand pounds last year. 6. She is frightened of spiders. 7. That picture was painted by my grandmother. 8. I was shocked by his attitude. 9. Excuse the mess. The house is being painted. 10. I knew why I had been chosen. Simple present / Present continuous: Grammar exercise August 21, 2013 The simple present tense is used to talk about your daily activities and routines. The present continuous tense is used to talk about things that are happening at the moment of speaking. The continuous tense is also used to talk about pre-planned future events. Complete the following sentences using the simple present or present continuous tense form of the verb given in the brackets. 1. Every morning, my dad (go).. for a walk in the park. 2. I (visit) . some old friends this week. 3. Don’t make a noise. The baby (sleep) . 4. The kettle (boil) . Shall I make tea? 5. I (like) . this wine very much. 6. Don’t forget to take your umbrella. It (rain). 7. She doesn’t like to be disturbed if she (work) .. 8. My brother (work) . in Paris at the moment. 9. He (visit) . his grandparents about twice a year. 10. I (not believe) .. what he says. Answers 1. Every morning, my father goes for a walk in the park. 2. I am visiting some old friends this week. 3. Don’t make a noise. The baby is sleeping. 4. The kettle is boiling. Shall I make tea? 5. I like this wine very much. 6. Don’t forget to take your umbrella. It is raining. 7. She doesn’t like to be disturbed if she is working. 8. My brother is working in Paris at the moment. 9. He visits his grandparents about twice a year. 10. I don’t believe what he says. Subject and object question August 20, 2013 In the simple present and simple past tense, we make questions and negatives with do, does and did. But there are some exceptions to this rule. In subject questions where we want to find information about the subject, we do not use the auxiliary verb do/does/did. In object questions where we want to find information about the object, we use the auxiliary verb do/does/did. Study the sentence given below. John broke a window. This sentence has a subject (John), a verb (broke) and an object (window). Now when we make questions to find this information, there are two possibilities. If we want to make a question where the answer is ‘window’, the question would be: What did John break? John broke a window. Now if we want to make a question where the answer is ‘John’, the question would be ‘Who broke the window?’ ‘John broke the window.’ When we make a question where the answer is the object, we use the auxiliary do/did. In subject questions, the auxiliary do is not used. More examples are given below. Jack likes ice-cream. (Subject – Jack, verb – likes, object – ice-cream) Subject question Who likes ice-cream? Jack likes ice-cream. (NOT Who does like ice-cream?) Object question What does Jack like? Jack likes ice-cream. (NOT What Jack likes?) My sister writes short stories. Subject question Who writes short stories? My sister writes short stories. Object question What does my sister write? My sister writes short stories. Mary keeps a pig in the yard. Subject question Who keeps a pig in the yard? Mary Object question What does Mary keep in the yard? A pig No sooner than, Hardlywhen August 20, 2013 If the second event occurs immediately after the first, we can express that idea using the structure no sooner than. Note that in this structure no sooner introduces the event that occurred first. No sooner had I arrived at the station than the train came. (= I came first and the train arrived right after me.) No sooner had we heard the noise than we rushed to the spot. No sooner had she finished one project than she started working on the next. No sooner had I closed my eyes than I fell asleep. Note that did is also possible in this structure. No sooner did I arrive at the station than the train came. No sooner did we hear the noise than we rushed to the spot. Notes When we begin a sentence with a negative word, we put the auxiliary verb before the subject. No sooner had she read the letter than she started crying. (NOT No sooner she read the letter than she started crying.) Note that when and before are not possible in this structure. Hardly and scarcely It is possible to express the same idea using hardly/scarcelywhen. Hardly had I reached the station when the train came. Scarcely had I reached the station when the train arrived. As soon as This structure is also used with the same meaning. As soon as I arrived at the station, the train came. As soon as she finished one project, she started working on the next. So, such, very, too: grammar exercise August 19, 2013 Complete the following sentences. 1. It was . hot that we didn’t go out. a) so b) too c) very 2. She is .. old to work. a) too b) so c) very 3. The tea was . hot. a) too b) very c) either could be used here 4. The milk was . good that we couldn’t stop drinking it. a) so b) very c) too 5. It’s terrible weather. a) such b) so c) either could be used here 6. She is looking .. older. a) so b) so much c) either could be used here 7. It was .. warm when we were in Vienna. a) very b) so c) either could be used here 8. He spoke fast that nobody could understand. a) so b) very c) too 9. Would you be .. kind as to tell me the time? a) so b) very c) too 10. He is a .. intelligent child. a) so b) very c) too Answers 1. It was so hot that we didn’t go out. 2. She is too old to work. 3. The tea was too / very hot. (Too can be used to talk about a negative extreme. Very is also possible here.) 4. The milk was so good that we couldn’t stop drinking it. 5. It is such terrible weather. 6. She is looking so much older. (Before a comparative form we use so much, not so.) 7. It was very warm when we were in Vienna. (To simply give information, we use very.) 8. He spoke so fast that nobody could understand. 9. Would you be so kind as to tell me the time? 10. He is a very intelligent child. Adjectives or present participles August 19, 2013 Present participles are verb forms ending in –ing. Examples are: crying, learning, singing, interesting etc. Some –ing forms can also be used as adjectives. State whether the –ing forms used in the following sentences are adjectives or present participles. 1. Interesting though it was, we didn’t enjoy the concert much. a) Interesting is an adjective b) Interesting is a present participle 2. It was raining when I got home. a) Raining is an adjective b) Raining is a present participle 3. I love the noise of falling rain. a) Falling is an adjective b) Falling is a present participle 4. It is a pressing problem. a) Pressing is an adjective b) Pressing is a present participle 5. She was writing a letter. a) Writing is an adjective. b) Writing is a present participle 6. The lecture was very interesting. a) Interesting is an adjective. b) Interesting is a present participle 7. She is an interesting writer. a) Interesting is an adjective. b) Interesting is a present participle. 8. The woodcutter was felling trees. a) Felling is an adjective b) Felling is a present participle. 9. The news was exciting. a) Exciting is an adjective. b) Exciting is a present participle 10. I was working on that report when she called. a) Working is an adjective. b) Working is a present participle Answers 1. Interesting is an adjective. It modifies the noun concert. 2. Raining is a present participle. It forms the continuous verb with be. 3. Falling is an adjective. It modifies the noun rain. 4. Pressing is an adjective. It modifies the noun problem. 5. Writing is a present participle. It forms the continuous verb form with be. 6. Interesting is an adjective. It modifies the noun lecture. 7. Interesting is an adjective. It modifies the noun writer. 8. Felling is a present participle. It forms the past continuous verb form with be. 9. Exciting is an adjective. 10. Working is a present participle. It forms the past continuous verb form with be. Verbs: Some common mistakes August 18, 2013 The verb write can take two objects. Sometimes this causes problems. Incorrect: He wrote me. Correct: He wrote to me. Notes We write something. (He wrote a letter.) We write something to someone. (He wrote a letter to his mother.) (NOT He wrote a letter his mother.) We write someone something. (He wrote his mother a letter.) (NOT He wrote to his mother a letter.) We write to someone. (He wrote to me.) (NOT He wrote me.) Explain The verb explain can be followed by two objects – a direct object and an indirect object. Note that we explain something to someone. (NOT We explain someone something.) Incorrect: I shall explain them this. Correct: I shall explain this to them. The verb suggest We suggest something to somebody. We cannot suggest somebody something. Incorrect: He suggested me this. Correct: He suggested this to me. Oblige The verb oblige takes the preposition to. When you are obliged to do something, you are forced to do it because it is a law, a rule or a duty. I felt obliged to help him. I am obliged to you for this good turn. (NOT I am obliged of you for this good turn.) The verb invite The verb invite can be followed by to or for. We invite someone to/for something: I have invited my uncle and aunt to dinner. He invited me for a drink but I politely refused. The verb tell The verb tell does not take a preposition. Incorrect: He told to me to go. Correct: He told me to go. The verb ask When ask is followed by two objects, the indirect object (the person) normally comes first, without a preposition. Incorrect: She did not ask any question to him. Correct: She did not ask him any question. Incorrect: I will ask the time to that man. Correct: I will ask that man the time. Prepositions: some common mistakes August 18, 2013 Prepositions are words used to describe a relationship between other words in a sentence. They are small words; still, they cause a great deal of confusion. In this lesson we will take a look at some of the most common mistakes in the use of prepositions. Since and for These prepositions are often confused. Since is used to reckon from a particular date. For is used for a period. Incorrect: I am ill since three months. Correct: I have been ill for three months. Correct: I have been ill since May. When since / for indicates time, the verb in the main clause should be in the present perfect or past perfect tense. Incorrect: This is my first time to play tennis since a long time. Correct: I have not played tennis for a long time. / This is my first game of tennis for a long time. The adjectives inferior, superior, prior etc The adjectives inferior, superior, senior, junior, prior etc. take the preposition to, not than. Incorrect: She always felt inferior than her younger sister. Correct: She always felt inferior to her younger sister. Incorrect: This material is superior than that. Correct: This material is superior to that. The verbs resemble, enter, discuss, marry etc. The verbs resemble, enter, discuss, lack, approach and marry are followed by direct objects without prepositions. Incorrect: This resembles to that. Correct: This resembles that. Incorrect: Your mother lacks of tact. Correct: Your mother lacks tact. Incorrect: We are now approaching to Victoria Terminus. Correct: We are now approaching Victoria Terminus. Incorrect: He reached to Singapore. Correct: He reached Singapore. Incorrect: She married to/with her boss. Correct: She married her boss. Using for August 17, 2013 The word for can be used as a preposition and a conjunction. As a preposition, it is followed by a noun. Let’s buy some flowers for mummy. I waited for hours, but she didn’t come. As a conjunction, for is used to connect two clauses. A for-clause usually shows cause/reason. I asked him to turn the music down, for I wanted to sleep. Notes A for-clause is not very common in this context and it sounds too formal. In an informal style, we are more likely to express the same idea with because. I asked him to turn the music down because I wanted to sleep. A for-clause may also express an inference. She must have gone to bed for there is no light in her room. As a preposition for is used to express several ideas. For example, it can be used to indicate purpose, destination, duration etc. It may also be used to express your liking, suitability or skill for something. I have bought a gift for you. What can I do for you? The college provides vocational training for young boys and girls. Thousands of people have sacrificed their lives for the country. For can indicate duration. It has been raining for hours. I have been waiting for 20 minutes. For cannot be used with a verb to indicate purpose. The infinitive alone is used to express a person’s purpose. I went to the college to see Professor Charles. (NOT I went to the college for seeing Professor Charles.) However, for can be used with an –ing form to indicate the purpose of a thing. A thermometer is used for measuring temperature. When the clause has a person as subject, we are more likely to use an infinitive. We use a thermometer to measure temperature. Using since August 17, 2013 Since can be used as an adverb, a conjunction and a preposition. Since as a preposition As a preposition, since is followed by a noun/noun equivalent which acts as its object. She has changed a lot since her marriage. Everything has changed so much since our last meeting. As an adverb When since is used as an adverb, it is not followed by a noun. The boy went missing on Tuesday and hasn’t been seen since. As a conjunction Since can also be used as a conjunction. As a conjunction, since is used to connect two clauses. Clauses introduced by since typically show one of the two associations: time or cause/reason Since he had not studied hard, he failed his exam. Since I had no money, I couldn’t buy anything to eat. Since she was tired, she took some rest. A since-clause introducing reason usually comes at the beginning of the sentence. A since-clause indicating time can come either before or after the main clause. She has written many books since she left college. / Since she left college, she has written many books. Notes When since is used to talk about time, the verb in the main clause is usually in the present perfect or past perfect (simple or continuous) tense. She had been acting in films since she was four. I have been working on this project since the end of June. It has been raining since morning. Sometimes the simple present or simple past tense is also used. Since means ‘starting at a particular point in the past and continuing until now’. I have known him since he was born. India has been an independent country since 1947. It has been several decades since India won a gold medal in Olympic Hockey. It has been several centuries since Vasco da Gama landed in India. Ever since She started teaching at twenty and has been doing it ever since. Ever since I was a child, I have wanted to become a writer. Subject verb agreement: some problem points August 16, 2013 Collective nouns Collective nouns are usually treated as singular and take singular verbs. However, they may take a plural verb when we are talking about the individual members within the group. An unruly mob was gathering outside. The mob were (i.e., members) scattered in all directions. A number of The phrase a number of should be followed by a plural noun and a plural verb. A number of objections were raised against the proposal. A number of issues still need to be resolved. When the sentence begins with ‘The number of’, the verb should be singular. The number of available jobs is shrinking rapidly. (Here the subject is ‘number’, not ‘jobs’.) A half of, a part of Fractional expressions such as a half of, a part of and a majority of can be followed by a singular or a plural verb. It depends on the meaning. A large percentage of the population is angry with the ruling party. Nearly 60 percent of the members are in favor of the new policy. The expression ‘more than one’ takes a singular verb. More than one student has tried to cheat on the exam. More than one person has been diagnosed with swine flu. A positive and a negative subject together When you put a positive and a negative subject together, the verb must agree with the positive subject. The members, but not the chairman, have decided to vote against the proposal. (Here the plural verb have agrees with the positive subject ‘the members’.) It is his attitude, not his ideas, that invites criticism. A plural noun that names a single subject When a group of words containing a plural noun represents a single object, you must use a singular verb. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer was enjoyed by us all. Gulliver’s Travels was written by Jonathan Swift. Thrice-told Tales is an interesting book. None None should be used with a singular verb. A plural verb is also possible in a less careful style. None of his friends was there to help him. (Formal) None of his friends were there to help him. (Less formal) Subject-verb agreement: either, neither, nor, or August 16, 2013 Or and nor Two singular nouns connected by or or nor take a singular verb. Neither Charles nor Benjamin was present there. Neither he nor his dad is good at driving. When one of the nouns connected by or or nor is plural, the verb must be plural, and the plural subject must be placed next to the verb. Neither Peter nor his parents were aware of this. (More natural than ‘Neither his parents nor Peter was aware of this.) When the subjects connected by or or nor are of different persons, the verb agrees with the noun that comes closer to it. Neither you nor he is responsible for this. (Here the verb is agrees with the third person pronoun he.) Either he or you are to clean up the mess. (Here the verb are agrees with the second person pronoun you.) Either you or John has to pay for the drinks. The determiners each, every, anybody, every one etc. The determiners each, every, every one, anybody, either, neither, no one, nobody and many a should be followed by a singular noun and a singular verb. Many a man has lost his life at sea. (Here the expression many a is followed by a singular noun and a singular verb.) Neither candidate is fit for the job. (NOT Neither candidates are fit for the job.) Notes We cannot put a noun immediately after every one. Instead we use the structure every one of. Every one of should be followed by a plural noun and a singular subject. Every one of the boys seems to be excited about the picnic. (NOT Every one of the boy seems) (NOT Every one of the boys seem) Agreement of the verb with the subject August 15, 2013 A finite verb must agree with its subject in number and person. Read the examples given below. I am wrong. She is wrong. They are mistaken. That is his car. She looks upset. I know him well. As you can see, the exact form of the verb used in a sentence is determined by the number and person of the subject. Error of proximity When the subject is a phrase consisting of more than one noun, students sometimes choose a verb that agrees with the noun that stands near it. This can cause error. Study the examples given below. The state of affairs are sure to cause him anxiety. Here the student used a verb that agrees with the plural noun affairs. This leads to an error because the real subject is the singular noun state (of affairs). The state of affairs is sure to cause him anxiety. The introduction of reforms was not liked by the aristocracy. (NOT The introduction of reforms were) Here the real subject is the introduction (of reforms), and not reforms. The conjunction and Two or more singular nouns or pronouns joined by and require a plural verb. But if two nouns joined by and refer to the same person or thing or suggest one idea to the mind, the verb is singular. Examples are given below. Disraeli, the statesman and novelist, is dead. (Here the two nouns statesman and novelist refer to the same person.) The horse and carriage is ready. (NOT The horse and carriage are ready.) Slow and steady wins the race. Bread and butter is wholesome. As well as, together with etc Two singular nouns joined by the words/phrases with, as well as, besides, together with, no less than and similar expressions require a singular verb. Silver as well as gold is a precious metal. No one, besides Jack, knows it. Mark, and not you, has won the prize. John together with his friends was present at the venue. Expressing concession and contrast August 14, 2013 The same sentence showing concession or contrast can be expressed in several different ways. Study the examples given below. She is pretty. She is not popular with men. The two sentences given above express contrasting ideas. We can connect them in several different ways. Using though and although Both though and although have the same meaning. They can both be used to connect these two clauses. Although she is pretty, she is not popular with men. Though she is pretty, she is not popular with men. As and though As and though can be used in a special structure after an adjective or adverb. In this case, they can both mean ‘although’, and suggest an emphatic contrast. Pretty though she is, she is not popular with men. Pretty as she is, she is not popular with men. Using all the same and at the same time These are discourse markers used to suggest that the second statement contrasts with the first. Note that a discourse marker does not connect two clauses. They merely show how the ideas are related. In writing, we separate the two clauses with a semicolon. A full stop is also possible. She is pretty; all the same, she is not popular with men. She is pretty; at the same time, she is not popular with men. Using nonetheless, however and nevertheless These are also discourse markers and cannot connect two clauses. She is pretty; nonetheless, she is not popular with men. She is pretty; however, she is not popular with men. Using in spite of and despite In spite of and despite are prepositions. She is not popular with men in spite of being pretty. She is not popular with men despite being pretty. Note that after in spite of and despite we use a noun or an –ing form. The subjunctive August 12, 2013 The subjunctive is becoming much less common in modern English. However, in the past, this structure was used to express ideas such as desirability and possibility. In modern English, we are more likely to express the same ideas using modal auxiliary verbs like would, should or must. That said, subjunctive is still used in certain situations. Examples are given below. I recommend that he consult a doctor immediately. The judge ordered that she be sent to prison. I feel that you write to him as soon as possible. It is important that Martin be present when we sign the papers. Now here are the important points to note. The subjunctive has no –s in the third person singular. He insisted that he get his due. (NOT He insisted that he gets his due.) In modern English, we are more likely to express the same idea using should + infinitive. I recommend that he should consult a doctor immediately. The judge ordered that she should be sent to prison. I feel that you should write to him as soon as possible, He insisted that he should get his due. Note that the forms I were, he/she/it were used after if is also a form of the subjunctive. I wish I were prettier. If I were you I wouldn’t let this happen. I wish it were Sunday. Verb terminology August 11, 2013 While learning about verbs, you will come across grammatical terms like infinitives and gerunds. Below are explanations of these frequently used grammar terms. Infinitives The infinitive is the base form of the verb. It is sometimes preceded by the marker to and then it is called the to-infinitive. Remember that that ‘to’ is a not a part of the infinitive and the infinitive can also be used without to. Read the examples given below. She wants to go. (Here the phrase ‘to go’ is an example of a to-infinitive.) She made me cry. (Here the infinitive ‘cry’ is used without the marker to.) The infinitive is a non-finite verb. In other words, it does not change its form when the number or person of the subject changes. She wants to leave. I want to leave. They want to leave. John wants to leave. As you can see the infinitive ‘to leave’ remains the same regardless of the change in the number and the person of the subject. Non-finite verbs cannot act as principal verbs. The gerunds A gerund is a verb form ending in –ing. Gerunds are non-finite verbs. A gerund can be the subject or object of a verb. It can also act as the object of a preposition. Smoking can cause cancer. (Here the gerund smoking acts as the subject of the verb.) We don’t allow smoking in the kitchen. (Here the gerund smoking acts as the object of the verb allow.) A gerund can also act as the object of a preposition. I am thinking of taking a break. (Here the gerund taking is the object of the preposition of.) Remember that only –ing forms can be used after a preposition. Infinitives are not possible. She is confident of winning. (NOT She is confident of to win.) (NOT She is confident to win.) Common mistakes with conjunctions August 10, 2013 One conjunction for two clauses In English, we use just one conjunction to connect two clauses. Incorrect: Because he is intelligent so he gets good marks. Correct: Because he is intelligent he gets good marks. OR He is intelligent so he gets good marks. Because is a conjunction and English does not require a second conjunction. Incorrect: Since he was angry therefore I said nothing. Correct: Since he was angry I said nothing. OR He was angry; therefore, I said nothing. Since is a conjunction and it is enough to join the two clauses: He was angry and I said nothing. Therefore is not a conjunction. It cannot connect two clauses. It is a transitional adverb. A transitional adverb should be separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma. Incorrect: He did not come to work. Because he was ill. Correct: He did not come to work because he was ill. A subordinate clause cannot stand alone. It must be attached to an independent clause. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. In natural spoken English, because clauses can stand alone. ‘Why are you laughing?’ ‘Because you look funny.’ (More natural than ‘I am laughing because you look funny’.) Sentences beginning with a negative word Incorrect: Neither he comes nor he writes. Correct: Neither does he come nor does he write. (Formal) Correct: He neither comes nor writes. (Informal) When a negative word (e.g. neither, hardly, seldom, never, scarcely etc.) comes at the beginning of a sentence, the main verb must be inverted, as in a direct question. As you know, the verb comes before the subject in direct questions. If there is no auxiliary verb, we use a form of do. Another example is given below. Incorrect: Neither he smokes nor he drinks. Correct: Neither does he smoke nor does he drink. Correct: He neither smokes nor drinks. Conjunctive adverbs exercise August 9, 2013 Complete the following sentences using an appropriate transitional adverb (conjunctive adverb). 1. Vegetables are rich sources of vitamins and antioxidants and eating vegetables is essential for good health. 2. ‘The last bus has gone.’ ‘.., we are going to have to walk.’ 3. the starter, I thought the meal was nice. 4. I bought that car. It looked good and, .., it was reasonably priced. 5. Studies seem to suggest that bright blue and bright yellow are the most visible and .. the safest colors for vehicles. 6. You had better mend your ways; .., you will land in serious trouble. 7. She didn’t leave her husband .. the fact that he had cheated on her. 8. .. each individual is unique in many ways, members of the same species share many common characteristics. 9. They have recruited more people and . the service has improved 10. I was not confident of winning. , I decided to give it a try. Answers 1. Vegetables are rich sources of vitamins and antioxidants and hence eating vegetables is essential for good health. 2. ‘The last bus has gone.’ ‘Then, we are going to have to walk.’ 3. Apart from the starter, I thought the meal was nice. 4. I bought that car. It looked good and, moreover, it was reasonably priced. 5. Studies seem to suggest that bright blue and bright yellow are the most visible and therefore the safest colors for vehicles. 6. You had better mend your ways; otherwise, you will land in serious trouble. 7. She didn’t leave her husband despite the fact that he had cheated on her. 8. Although each individual is unique in many ways, members of the same species share many common characteristics. 9. They have recruited more people and consequently the service has improved 10. I was not confident of winning. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a try. On the other hand, while and whereas August 7, 2013 These words or phrases have similar uses, but the grammar is not quite the same. On the other hand is a conjunctive adverb. It is used to compare two situations or two people and to show that there is an important difference between them. In many Middle Eastern countries, it is quite common for parents to find suitable brides and grooms for their children. On the other hand, arranged marriages are unusual in the West. I like living in the city. My wife, on the other hand, prefers the countryside. The same idea can be expressions using the conjunctions while and whereas. While arranged marriages are quite unusual in the West, they are quite common in many Middle Eastern countries. I like living in the city, while / whereas my wife prefers the countryside. While / whereas English has just five vowel sounds, some languages have 30 or more. There are just five vowel sounds in English. On the other hand, some languages have 30 or more. As you can see, there is an important difference between these three sentence connectors. While and whereas are conjunctions. They connect two clauses. On the other hand is not a conjunction. It goes at the beginning of the second clause and is usually separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma. It can also go in the middle of the sentence. In that case we use two commas to set it off. In many western countries, the elderly live in retirement homes run by health professionals. In India, on the other hand, they live with their children and grandchildren. Other conjunctive adverbs that can be used to express same or similar ideas are: nevertheless, however and in contrast. Sentence connectors exercise August 5, 2013 Complete following sentences using an appropriate connecting word. 1. Alice seems to be quite intelligent; , she often gets poor grades. (whereas / otherwise / nonetheless) 2. This restaurant has some of the best chefs in the town. . their service is excellent. (in addition to / moreover / beside) 3. I’ve never been to the US . having friends and relatives there. (in spite of / although / besides) 4. He is a reckless driver; .., he hasn’t had any accidents. (even so / although / even as) 5. My sister works three jobs in a day; ., she doesn’t earn much money. (however / moreover / even as) 6. We went out .. the cold weather. (despite / although / besides) 7. I tried to look happy feeling miserable. (in spite of / although / however) Answers 1. Alice seems quite intelligent; nonetheless, she often gets poor grades. (Nonetheless is used to connect two contrasting ideas.) 2. This restaurant has some of the best chefs in the town. Moreover, their service is excellent. 3. I’ve never been to the US in spite of having friends and relatives there. 4. He is a reckless driver; even so, he hasn’t had any accidents. 5. My sister works three jobs in a day; however, she doesn’t earn much money. 6. We went out despite the cold weather. 7. I tried to look happy in spite of feeling miserable. Notes Many connectors having similar meanings are followed by different structures. For example, despite and in spite of are followed by a noun phrase or an –ing form. I went to work in spite of feeling ill. (in spite of + -ing) I went out despite the heavy rains. (despite + noun) In spite of and despite are prepositions. They cannot be directly followed by a clause. Hence we use the phrase ‘the fact that’ before a clause. I went to work in spite of the fact that I was feeling ill. Connecting words exercise August 4, 2013 In English we use several different kinds of words to connect clauses and words together. For example, conjunctions can be used to connect two clauses or words. Prepositions can be used to connect a noun with another word in the sentence. There is yet another group of connecting words. These are called conjunctive adverbs. They don’t connect two clauses in the strict sense of the term. They merely show how the ideas expressed by the two sentences are related. Test your understanding of the linking words in English with this grammar exercise. Complete the following sentences using appropriate connecting words. There may be more than one solution to each question. 1. she lacked experience, she got the job. 2. My brother’s hand-writing is quite legible, . mine is a total mess. 3. You had better wear a helmet while riding your motorbike. . you could hurt yourself. 4. The essay contained too many mistakes. , it was too short. 5. Alcohol affects your cognitive skills; .., you should never drink and drive. 6. Our ministers have already proved that they are incapable of handling the situation. they are quite irresponsible too. 7. He was not good at math, so he decided to learn literature .. Answers 1. Although / though she lacked experience, she got the job. Strictly speaking, even though is also possible in this sentence. 2. My brother’s hand-writing is quite legible, whereas mine is a total mess. 3. You had better wear a helmet while riding your motorbike. Otherwise, you could hurt yourself. 4. The essay contained too many mistakes. Furthermore / Moreover / What’s more, it was too short. 5. Alcohol affects your cognitive skills; hence / therefore, you should never drink and drive. 6. Our ministers have already proved that they are incapable of handling the situation. Moreover / What’s more, they are quite irresponsible too. 7. He was not good at math, so he decided to learn literature instead. Using more August 3, 2013 More is a modifier. It is used in a variety of situations. In comparatives Adjectives of more one syllable form their comparative forms with more. Examples are: more beautiful, more intelligent and more careful. Note that longer adjectives ending in –y tend to have comparative forms ending in –er. Example: happy -> happier; merry -> merrier More is used to express the idea that there is more of a particular quality. Tokyo is more populous than Beijing. She is more beautiful than her sister. Less is the opposite of more. It is used to indicate that there is less of a particular quality. Cricket is more popular than tennis in India. Tennis is less popular than cricket in India. More as a determiner As a determiner more serves the same purpose as an adjective: it is used before a noun. We need more time to finish the job. My wife earns more money than I do. Could I have some more potatoes? Note that before a pronoun or a noun with