Section-1

PRACTICAL ENGLISH GRAMMAR

Grammar is the science which describes and deals with the rules of a particular language. It lays down the rules of a language for changing the forms of words and combining them into sentences. A thorough knowledge of grammar is essential for writing and speaking a language correctly.

SENTENCE
Language is the major means by which we communicate and interact with others. When we speak or write, we use words. These words are generally used in groups e.g. : A bad workman quarrels with his tools.

A group of words arranged in a manner which makes a complete sense is a called a Sentence. Based on meaning and sense, the sentence can be classified as: 1. Declarative or assertive 2. Imperative 3. Interrogative 4. Exclamatory A sentence which makes a statement or assertion is called a Declarative or Assertive sentence e.g., The Earth is round. (A statement) A sentence which express a command, request, entreaty, or wish is called an Imperative sentence, e.g., Bring a glass of water. (Command) Please lend me your English grammar book. (Request) Help me, oh God ! May God help you to achieve success in your mission. ( Wish) A sentence which asks a question is called an Interrogative sentence, e.g., Where is the market? (Interrogative) A sentence which express a strong feeling is called an Exclamatory sentence, e.g., Hurrah! I have secured first division. (Exclamatory)

1. 2.

3. 4.

A sentence should contain at least one subject and one predicate, either explicit or implicit. The word (or words) denoting the person or thing about which something is said is (are) called the Subject of the sentence. Ram went out for walk. (Here Ram is the subject) The word or words which say something about the person or thing denoted by the Subject, as went out in the above sentence is or are called the Predicate.

1.1

PARTS OF SPEECH

Words are classified into different kinds or groups Parts of Speech according to their use and function in a sentence. They are eight in number Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, Adverb, Preposition, Conjunction and Interjection.

NOUN
The noun is a word which used as the name of a person, place or thing. The word thing includes (i) all subjects that we can see, touch, hear, smell or taste, and (ii) something we can but cannot perceive through our senses. There are five different kinds of noun. They are: 1. Proper Noun 2. Common Noun 3. Collective Noun 4. Material Noun 5. Abstract Noun.

KINDS OF NOUN
The following chart will make you familiar with the different kinds of noun: Noun Proper Noun Nature of Noun It denotes a particular person, place or thing. It is the name given to any and every person or thing of the same class or kind. It denotes a group or collection of similar individuals or things considered as one complete whole. It denotes the matter or substance of which a thing is made It express quality, state or action Examples Chander, Kolkata, India, the Ganges, the Gita, etc. Table, glass, king, book, river, country, etc.

Common Noun

Collective Noun

Army, class, host, jury, crowd, team, parliament, committee, family, fleet etc.

Material Noun

Wood, clay, rubber, iron, gold, cloth, etc.

Abstract Noun

Truth, love, soul, mind, greatness, life, poverty, manhood, pleasure, pain, honesty, etc.

BEHAVIOUR OF NOUNS
To study the behavior of nouns, we may put them into the following ten groups : Group I : This group comprises nouns which are generally used in the plural. A list of such nouns is given below : 1. Riches 2. Premises 3. Spectacles

4. Bowels 7. Alms 10. Thanks 13. Goods 16. Shorts 19. Eatable 22. Surrounding 25. Tongs 28. Bellows 31. Drawers 34. Nuptials Examples : (a) Riches have wings.

5. Valuables 8. Movables 11. Annals 14. Socks 17. Pantaloons 20. Scissors 23. Breeches 26. Eaves 29. Pincers 32. Trapping 35. Binoculars

6. Proceeds 9. Wages 12. Trousers 15. Fetters 18. Tidings 21. Stockings 24. Arms (weapons) 27. Odds 30. Shears 33. Pants 36. Pliers

Riches in the above sentence, means wealth and not many rich men. Riches being a plural noun takes a plural verb. (b) Kindly give me scissor. Kindly give me a pair of scissors. (c) My spectacles have been broken. Here, we have used spectacles in plural. Group II : This group comprises nouns that look like plural, but are used in singular. A list of such nouns is given below : 1. Mathematics 4. Politics 7. Physics 10. Rickets 13. Billiards 2. Statics 5. Gymnastic 8. News 11. Gallows 14. Mumps 3. Economics 6. Mechanics 9. Innings 12. Summons 15. Measles (Incorrect) (Correct)

Examples : (a) Mathematics are a difficult subject. Mathematics is a difficult subject. (Incorrect) (Correct)

Note : Mathematics looks like plural but, in fact, it is singular. So, we cannot use a plural verb with it. (b) Politics are a game of compromise. Politics is a game of compromise. (c) These news were broadcast from All India Radio only yesterday. This news were broadcast from All India Radio only yesterday. (d) Economics are his favourite subject. Economics is his favourite subject. (e) Measles are infectious. Measles is infectious. (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct)

Group III : This group is a family of collective nouns. These nouns are singular in from but are generally used as plural. Some such nouns are listed below : 1. Gentry 5. Vermin 9. Folk 13. Army Examples : (a) The public is aware of the fact. The public are aware of the fact. (b) The cattle is grazing in the field. The cattle are grazing in the field. (c) Peoples should be loyal to their nation. People should be loyal to their nation. (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) 2. Peasantry 6. Public 10. Mankind 14. Flock 3. People 7. Cattle 11. Poultry 4. Folk 8. Police 12. Jury

There are some collective Nouns which are used as singular: (d) The army was ordered to open fire on terrorists. (e) The jury was unanimous in its opinion (one undivided whole) (f) the jury were divided in their opinion. (here noun of multitude denotes the individuals of the group; and hence verb is plural although the noun is singular) * Generally public is followed by singular verb but it can be used with plural verb. However, this practice is not common. Group IV : This is a family of those nouns which are generally used in the singular . Some such nouns are listed below : 1. Poetry 5.Inforamtion 9. Alphabet 13. Issue 17. Rice 21. Gram Examples : (a) I do not like poetries of Keats. I do not like the poetry of Keats. Or I do not like the poems of Keats. (b) The old furnitures were disposed of. The old furniture was disposed of. (c) The sceneries of the Himalayas are excellent. The scenery of the Himalayas is excellent. Or The scenes of Himalayas are excellent. (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) 2. Scenery 6. Machinery 10. Hair 14. Stationery 18. Mischief 3. Offspring 7. Cavalry 11. Bedding 15. Furniture 19. Bunting 4. Abuse 8. Fuel 12. Advice 16. Luggage 20. Infantry

Group V : Some nouns have the same form in singular and plural. Such nouns are members of this group. Some members are this group are listed below. 1. Sheep 5. Cod 9. Deer 13. Amends Examples : (a) A series of lectures were delivered on the subject. A series of lectures was delivered on the subject. (b) Fishes cannot live without water. Fish cannot live without water. Fishes is an older form can be used to different kinds of fish. (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) 2. Fish 6. Yoke 10. Means 14. Cannon 3. Apparatus 7. Series 11. Pan 15. Salmon 4. Crops 8. Swine 12. Species 16. Brace

Group VI : There are some nouns that express length, measure, money, weight, and number. These nouns when preceded by a numeral remain unchanged in form. Such nouns are the members of this group. Some members of the group are listed below : 1. Foot 5. Score 9. Head Example : (a) The boys caught a six-feet cobra. The boys caught a six-foot cobra. (b) It was a five-years project. It was a five-year project. (c) Six hundreds miles is a long distance. six hundred miles is a long distance. (d) I bought four dozens bananas. I bought four dozen bananas. (e) Very few people reach the age of four scores. Very few people reach the age of four score. (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) (Incorrect) (Correct) 2. Thousands 6. Hundred 10. Dozen 3. Metre 7. Million 4. Pair 8. Year

Group VII : Nouns with two meanings in the singular and only one in the plural are members of this group . The behaviour of some such nouns (in singular and plural) is shown in the following table: Noun in Singular Abuse Its Meanings (two) (i) Wrong use (ii) Rude and offensive Remarks about a Person. Noun in Plural Abuses Its Meaning (only one) Wrong practices (Evils)

Force

(i) Strength (ii) Body of armed Men (i)Topic for Discussion (ii) Offspring (i)Timber (ii) Forest (i) Lamp (ii)Brilliance (i) Profit (ii) Acquisition of wealth (i)Persons (ii)Nation (i) Dust (ii) A dose of medicine in fine grains like dust

Forces

Troops

Issue

Issues

Topics for Discussion

Wood

Woods

Forests

Light

Lights

Lamps

Gain

Gains

Profits

People

Peoples

Nations

Powder

Powders

Doses of medicine

Examples : (a) The system of paying cash incentive is open to abuse.(Wrong use ) (b) He hurled a stream of abuse at his wife. (Rude and offensive remarks about a person) (c) We must put a stop to political abuses. (Wrong practices ) (a) Wood is used in almost all modern houses. (Timber) (b) He lives in a wood. (Forest) (c) Woods are fast disappearing from India (Forests) (d) Force should be met with force. (Strength)

(e) Police force was used to disperse the mob. (Body of armed men) (f) The Indian forces are known for their bravery and loyalty. (Troops) Group VIII : Nouns with one meaning in the singular and two in the plural are members of this group. A few such nouns with their meanings (in singular and plural) are given below: Noun in Singular Its meanings (two) Noun in Plural Its meaning (only one)

Arm

Upper limb (Part of the body from the shoulder to the hand) Ache

Arms

(i) Upper limbs (ii) Weapons

Pain

Pains

(i) Aches (ii)Troubles (i)Habits (ii) Duties on goods (i) Alphabet (ii) Learning (knowledge, especially of literature (i) Sights (ii) Eye-glasses (i)Hues (ii) Flags (i) Units of time (ii) Proceedings of a meeting (i) Moral lessons (ii) Conduct (i) Conditions (ii) Supplies of food (i) Results (ii) Personal property (i) Quantities (ii) Verses (i) Propositions

Custom

Habit

Customs

Letter

Alphabet

Letters

Spectacle

Sight

Spectacles

Colour

Hue

Colours

Minute

A unit of time (1/60 of an hour)

Minutes

Moral

Lesson

Morals

Provision

Condition

Provisions

Effect

Result

Effects

Number

A quantity

Numbers

Premise

Proposition

Premises

(ii) Buildings Quarter Fourth part Quarters (i) Fourth parts (ii) Lodgings

Examples : (a) He caught the old man by the arm. (b) He was standing with his arms folded and a cigarette between his lips. (c) Pakistan is buying arms from the U.S.A. (d) Every letter of a language expresses a particular sound. (e) Please write your telegram in capital letters. (f) He is a man of letters. (g) The spectacle was horrible. (h) My spectacles have broken. (i) The programme lasted for an hour and a quarter. (j) About three quarters of the theatre were full. (k) Sita lives in the staff quarters. Group IX : (Upper limb) (Upper Limbs) (Weapons) (Alphabet) (Alphabet) (Learning) (Sight) (Eye-glasses) (Fourth-part) (Three-fourth part) (Lodging)