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EnglishUsage/GrammarCompendium
byDagnyTaggartSunday,25November2007,02:45AM
HiAll,
Fromtodayonwards,IwouldbepostingafewpointsonthepracticalusageofEnglish.Iwouldupdateiteverynowandthen.Myrequesttoyouis
nottostartanydiscussionsbelowthisthread.Pleasegothroughitonadailybasisandlearnasmuchasyoucan.Youcandiscussthepointsina
separatethread.Ifyouwouldliketocontributesomething,youcanmailthematerialtomeandIwilladditwithyourname.Myemailidis
dagny@totalgadha.com
Let'start:
besideandbesides
Besideisaprepositionmeaning'atthesideof','by'or'nextto'
Whyisthecatsittingbesidethechair?
Besidesisusedwhenweaddnewinformationtowhatisalreadyknown.
Besidesaerobics,Ihavetodocrunchesandpushups.
Besidescanalsobeusedasadiscoursemarkermeaning'also','inanycase',and'aswell'.Itisoftenusedtoaddastronger,moreconclusive
argumenttowhathasgonebefore.Inthiscase,besidesusuallygoesatthebeginningoftheclause.
It'stoolatetogooutnow.Besides,it'sstartingtorain.
Idon'tlikethisdressbesides,it'stooexpensive.
besides,exceptandapartfrom
Besidesusuallyaddsitislikesayingwith,orinadditiontoorplus(+).
Besidescornflakes,Ihavefruitsformybreakfast.
Exceptsubtractsit'slikesayingwithout,orminus().
Ilikeallfruitsexceptapples.
Apartfromcanbeusedinbothsenses.
Apartfromcornflakes,Ihavefruitsforbreakfast.(=besidescornflakes)
Ilikeallfruitsapartfromapples.(=exceptapples)
Afterno,nobody,nothingandsimilarnegativewords,thethreeexpressions(besides,except,apartfrom)canallhavethesamemeaning.
Hehasnothingexcept/besides/apartfromhishouse.(=Heonlyhashishouse.)
Ifyouthinkthisarticlewasuseful,helpothersbysharingitwithyourfriends!
Youmightalsolike:
Modifiers
JumbledParagraphs
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UsageofJUST
byDagnyTaggartSunday,25November2007,12:39PM
Just
Justhasseveralmeanings:
time
'Just'oftenemphasizestheideaof'atthismoment'or'closetothepresent'.
I'llbedowninaminuteIamjustcompletingmylunch.
Harryhasjustphoned.
Inexpressionssuchas'justafter','justbefore',and'justwhen',justsuggestsclosenesstothetimeinquestion.
Isawhimjustafterdinner.(=verysoonafterdinner.)
'Only','scarcely'
Justcanmean'only','scarcely','nothingmorethan'.
Completedinnersetforjust$100.
Ijustwantsomebodytobewithme.
Themeaningcanbeemphasizedbyonly.
Therewasonlyjustenoughlighttoreadby.
Could/CanIJust....?canmakearequestseemlessdemanding.
CouldIjustuseyourbicycle?
Exactly
Justoftenmeans'exactly'.
Whatisthetimebyyourwatch?It'sjust3o'clock.
Thanks.That'sjustwhatIwanted.
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Emphasizer
Justcanemphasizeotherwordsandexpressions,withthesenseof'simply','there'snootherwordforit'.
Youarejustamazing.
Ijustloveyourpen.
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ReflexivePronouns
byDagnyTaggartMonday,26November2007,08:03PM
ReflexivePronouns
Reflexivepronounsaremyself,yourself,ourselves,yourselves,himself,herself,itselfandthemselves.
Usedasdirectobjects
Hehurthimself.
Icutmyself.
Usedasindirectobjects
Rohancookedhimselfagoodmeal.
Rheamadeherselfapartydress.
Usedasprepositionalobjects
Takegoodcareofyourself/yourselves.
Doyouevertalktoyourselfwhenyouarealone?
Sometimesusedassubjectcomplements
Alexdoesn'tlookquitehimselftoday.(aswellasheusuallydoes)
Whycan'tyoubeyourself?(behavenormally/naturally)
Usedinappositionforemphasis.Theymayalsobeplacedafteraverb.Ican'tcomemyself,butI'llsendsomeonetohelpyou.
Thepaintingsthemselvesaremagnificent,butwhatuglyframes?
Occurafterpreposition,andafterlike,than,asbut.
Areyouallbyyourself?(alone)
Youshouldseewhat'shappeningforyourself.(notbecontentmerelytohearwhatotherssayaboutit.)
Karryisateacherlikemyself.
Bobdoesn'tlikeplayingwithchildrenyoungerthanhimself.(youngerthanheis)
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WhoseandWho's
byDagnyTaggartTuesday,27November2007,07:23PM
WhoseandWho's
Whoseisapossessivewordmeaning'ofwhom/which',usedinquestionsandrelativeclauses.Who'sisacontractionofwhoisandwhohas.
Compare:
Whoseisthatcoat?(NOTWho'sisthatcoat?)
Itwasadecisionwhoseimportancewasnotrealizedatthattime.(NOTwho'simportance)
Doyouknowanybodywho'sgoingtoAustraliainthenextfewdays?(NOTanybodywhosegoing..)
Ihavegotacousinwho'sneverbeentoParis.(NOTwhoseneverbeento...)
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itsandit's
byDagnyTaggartTuesday,27November2007,07:28PM
itsandit's
Itsisapossessiveword.(suchasmy,your).
Everycountryhasitstraditions.(NOT...it'straditions)
It'sthecontractedformofitisandithas
It'srainingagain(NOTitsrainingagain).
Haveyouseenmypen?It'sdisappeared.(NOT...Itsdisappeared)
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WhetherandIf
byDagnyTaggartFriday,30November2007,08:22PM
Whetherandif
Indirectquestions
Whetherandifbothintroduceindirectquestions
I'mnotsurewhether/ifI'llhavetime.
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Iaskedwhether/ifshehadanylettersforme.
Afterverbsthataremorecommoninformalstyle,whetherispreferred.Wediscussedwhetherweshouldclosetheshop.
Informalstyle,whetherispreferredintwopartquestionwithor.
TheDirectorshavenotdecidedwhethertheywillrecommendadividendorreinvesttheprofits.
Ifindirectquestionisfronted,whetherisused.
WhetherI'llhavetimeI'mnotsureatthemoment.
Prepositions
Afterprepositions,onlywhetherispossible.
Ihaven'tsettledthequestionofwhetherI'llgobackhome.
Therewasabigargumentaboutwhetherweshouldmovetoanewoffice.
Infinitives
Whether,butnotif,isusedbeforetoinfinitives.
Theycan'tdecidewhethertogetmarriednoworwait.(NOTtheycan'tdecideif).
Subject,ComplementandAdverbialclauses
Whenaquestionwordclauseisasubjectorcomplement,whetherisnormallypreferred.
Whetherwecanstaywithmymotherisanothermatter.(subject)
Thequestioniswhetherthemancanbetrusted.(complement)
Thequestionisif.isalsopossiblebutlesscommon.
Thequestionisifthemancanbetrusted.
IfandwhetherareNOTusedinechoquestions
Areyouhappy?AmIhappy?No!(NOT...If/WhetherI'mhappy?..)
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Few,Afew,thefew,Little,AlittleandThelittle
byDagnyTaggartFriday,30November2007,08:24PM
Few,Afew,thefew,Little,AlittleandThelittle
Little=notmuch(hardlyany).Theadjectivelittlehasanegativemeaning.
Hehaslittleappreciationofgoodpoetry.
Alittle=somethoughnotmuch.'Alittle'hasapositivemeaning.
Alittleknowledgeisadangerousthing.
Thelittle=notmuch,butallthereis.
Thelittleinformationthathehadwasnotquitereliable.
Samegoesforfew,afewandthefew.
Few=negativemeaning+hardlyany
Fewpeoplecankeepasecret.
Afew=positivemeaning+isopposedtonone.
AfewParseeswriteGujraticorrectly.
Thefew=notmany,butallthatthereis.
Thefewfriendshehasareallpoor.
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fartherandfurther
byDagnyTaggartMonday,3December2007,12:59AM
fartherandfurther
Distance
Weusebothfartherandfurthertotalkaboutdistance.Theybothmeanthesame.
Delhiisfarther/furtherawayfromChennai.
Additional
Further(notfarther)canmeanadditional.extra,moreadvanced.
CollegeofFurtherEducation.
Forfurtherinformation,turntopage5
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EachandEvery:thedifference
byDagnyTaggartWednesday,12December2007,08:13PM
EachandEvery:thedifference
1.EachwithtwoormoreEverywiththreeormore.
Eachandeveryarebothnormallyusedwithsingularnouns.Eachcanbeusedtotalkabouttwoormorepeopleorthingseveryisnormallyused
totalkaboutthreeormore.
Thebusinessmakeslessmoneyeach/everyyear.(NOT...each/everyyears)
Shehadatoyholdingontoeachhand.(NOT....everyhand)
Exception
Every(frequency)
Every(whichisnormallyusedwithsingularnouns)canbeusedbeforepluralexpressionsinmeasurementsoffrequency.
IgotoCanadaeverysixweeks.
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2.Meaning
Eachandeverycanoftenbeusedwithoutmuchdifferenceofmeaning.
Youlookmorebeautifuleach/everytimeIseeyou.
Butweprefereachwhenwearethinkingofpeopleorthingsseparately,oneatatime.Andeveryismorecommonwhenwearethinkingof
peopleorthingstogether,inagroup.(everyisclosertoall).Sowearemorelikelytosay:
Eachpersoninturnwenttoseethedoctor.
but
Everypersoncamefromthesamesmallvillage.
3.Structures
Wedonotuseeachwithwordexpressionslikealmost,nearly,practically,orwithoutexception.Thesewordsstresstheideaofthewholegroup.
She'slostnearlyeveryfriendshehad.(NOT...nearlyeachfriend)
Eachcanbeusedinsomestructureswhereeveryisimpossible.
Theyeachsaidwhattheythought.(NOT....theyevery)
Eachofthemspokeforfiveminutes.(NOT...Everyofthem)
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LikeandAs
byDagnyTaggartThursday,13December2007,11:41AM
Likeandas:similarity,function
Wecanuselikeandastosaythatthingsaresimilar.Wecanalsousastotalkaboutfunctionthejobsthatpeopleorthingsdo..
1.like(similarity):likeme
Likecanbeapreposition.Weuselike,notas,beforeanounorapronountotalkaboutsimilarity.
Like+noun/pronoun
Mybrotherlookslikeme.(NOT...asme)
Heranlikethewind(NOT...asthewind)
Likehisparents,heisavegetarian.
Wecanusevery,quiteandotheradverbofdegreebeforelike.
Heisverylikehisfather.
ShelooksabitlikeJuliaRoberts.
Wecanuseliketogiveexamples
Sheisgoodatscientificsubjectslikemathematics.(NOTasmathematics)
Inmountainouscountries,likePeru...
2.as(similarity):asIdo
Asisaconjunction.Weuseitbeforeaclause,andbeforeanexpressionbeginningwithapreposition.
as+clause
as+prepositionphrase
NobodyknowsherasIdo.
Weoftendrinkteawiththemeal,astheydoinChina.
In1939,asin1914,everybodyseemedtowantwar.
OnFriday,asonWednesday,themeetingwillbeat4.30.
3.likeIdo(informal)
InmodernEnglish,likeisoftenusedasconjunctioninsteadofas.Thisismostcommoninaninformalstyle.
NobodylovesyoulikeIdo.
Youlookexactlylikeyourmotherdidwhenshewas20.
4.invertedwordorder:asdidallhisfamily
Inaveryformalstyle,asissometimesfollowedbyauxiliaryverb+subject
ShewasaCatholic,asweremostofherfriends.
Hebelieved,asdidallhisfamily,thatthekingwastheirsupremelord.
5.asyouknowetc.
Someexpressionsbeginningwithasareusedtointroducefactswhichare"commonground"knowntobothspeaker/writerandlistener/reader.
Examplesareasyouknow,asweagreed,asyousuggested.
Asyouknow,nextMonday'smeetinghasbeencancelled.
Iamsendingyouthebillforrepairs,asweagreed.
Therearesomepassiveexpressionsofthiskindforexampleasiswellknown,aswasagreed..Notethatthereisnosubject"it"afterasinthese
expressions.
Asiswellknown,morepeoplegetcoldinwinter.(NOTasitswellknown).
Iamsendingyouthebill,asweagreed.(NOTasitwasagreed)
6.Comparisonwithasandlikeafternegatives
Afteranegativeclause,acomparisonwithasorlikeusuallyrefersonlytothepositivepartofwhatcomesbefore.
Idon'tsmoke,likeJane(Janesmokes)
Iamnotaconservative,likeTom.(Tomisconservative)
Beforeanegativeclause,thecomparisonreferstothewholeclause.
LikeMary,Idon'tsmoke.(Marydoesn'tsmoke)
LikeBill,Iamnotaconservative.(Billisnotaconservative)
7.Functionorrole:Heworkedasawaiter.
Anotheruseofasistosaywhatfunctionorroleapersonorthinghaswhatjobspeopledo,whatpurposesthingsareusedfor,whatcategory
theybelongtoetc.Inthiscase,asisapreposition,usedbeforeanoun.
Heworkedasawaiterforthreeyears.(NOTlikeawaiter)
Pleasedon'tusethatpencilasanearbud.
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Acrocodilestartslifeasanegg.
Comparethisuseofaswithlike.
Asyourbrother,Imustwarnyoutobecareful.(Iamyourbrother)
Likeyourbrother,Imustwarnyoutobecareful.(Iamnotyourbrother,butheandIhavesimilarattitudes.)
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Neither(of):determiner
byDagnyTaggartSunday,16December2007,08:16PM
neither(of)+determiner
1.neither+singularnoun
Weuseneitherbeforeasingularnountomean'notoneandnottheother(oftwo)'.
CanyoucomeonWednesdayorThursday?I'mafraidneitherdayispossible.
2.neitherof+plural
Weuseneitherofbeforeadeterminer(forexamplehe,my,these),andbeforeapronoun.Thenounorpronounisplural.
Neitherofmybrotherscansing.(NOT:Neithermybrotherscansing.)
Neitherofussawithappen.
Afterneitherof+noun/pronoun,weuseasingularverbinaformalstyle.
Neitherofmysistersismarried.
Inaninformalstyle,apluralverbispossible.
Neitherofmysistersaremarried.
3.Neitherusedalone
Wecanuseneitherwithoutanounorpronoun,ifthemeaningisclear.
Whichonedoyouwant?Neither
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Verb+ingorto
Goongoingsomething=continuedoingthesamething.
Theministerwentontalkingfortwohours.
Wecan'tgoonlivinglikethis.
Goontodosomething=do/saysomethingnew.
Afterdiscussingtheeconomy,theministerthenwentontotalkaboutaforeignpolicy.
Irememberdoingsomething=IdiditandnowIrememberthis.
Yourememberdoingsomethingafteryouhavedoneit.
IamabsolutelysureIlockedthedoor.Iclearlyrememberlockingit.(=IlockeditandnowIrememberit.)
Irememberedtodosomething=IrememberedthatIhadtodoitsoIdidit.
Youremembertodosomethingbeforeyoudoit.
IrememberedtolockthedoorwhenIleftbutIforgottoshutthewindows.(=IrememberedthatIhadtolockthedoorandsoIlockedit.)
Iregretdoingsomething=IdiditandnowIamsorryaboutit.
InowregretsayingwhatIsaid.Ishouldn'thavesaidit.
Iregrettosay/totell/toinformyou=I'msorrythatIhavetosay.
Weregrettoinformyouthatweareunabletoofferyouthejob.
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For,since,andfrom:time
byDagnyTaggartMonday,17December2007,11:57PM
For,since,andfrom:time
1.for
Weuseforfordurationtosayhowlongsomethinglasts.
for+periodoftime
Istudiedthepianoforthreeyearsatschool.
Thathousehasbeenemptyforsixmonths.
Tomeasurethedurationuptothepresent,weuseapresentperfecttense,notapresenttense.
I'veknownhimforalongtime.(NOT:Iknowherforalongtime.)
We'velivedherefortenyears.(NOT:Weliveherefortenyears.)
Apresenttensewithforreferstodurationintothefuture.
Compare:
Howlongareyouherefor?(=Untilwhen...?)
Howlonghaveyoubeenherefor?(=Sincewhen...?)
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Wecanoftenleaveoutforinaninformalstyle,especiallywithHowlong...?
Andforisnotusuallyusedbeforeall.
Howlonghaveyoubeenwaiting(for)?
We'vebeenhere(for)sixweeks.
2.forandsincewithperfecttenses:thedifference
Forandsincecanbothbeusedwithperfecttensetotalkaboutdurationuptothepresent.Theyarenotthesame.
Compare:
for+period
Ihaveknownhimforthreeyears.(NOT...sincethreeyears.)
It'sbeenrainingforweeks.
Since+startingpoint
IveknownhersinceTuesday.
It'sbeenrainingsincethebeginningofthemonth.
Withapastperfect,forandsincerefertodurationuptoaparticularpastmoment.
She'dbeenworkingthereforalongtime.(NOTsincealongtime)
She'dbeenworkingtheresince2000.
3.fromandsince
Fromandsincegivethestartingpointofactions,eventsorstates:theysaywhenthingsbegin/began.
From/since+startingpoint
I'llbeherefromthreeo'clockonwards.
IhaveknownhersinceFebruary.
Weusesince(withaperfecttense)especiallywhenwemeasuredurationfromastartingpointuptothepresent,oruptoapasttimethatweare
talkingabout.
I'vebeenworkingsincesixo'clock,andIamgettingtired.(NOTI'vebeenworkingfromsixo'clock,andIamgettingtired)
Ihadbeenworkingsincesixo'clock,andIwasgettingtired.
Fromisusedinothercases.
Theshopwasopenfromeightinthemorning,butthebossdidn'tarrivetillten.(NOT...Theshopwasopensinceeightinthemorning...)
I'llbehomefromSundaymorning(on).(NOT...sinceSundaymorning)
Fromissometimespossiblewithapresentperfect,especiallyinexpressionsthatmean"rightfromthestart".
She'sbeenlikethatfromherchildhood.(ORsinceherchildhood)
From/Sincethemomenttheyweremarried,they'vequarrelled.
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both....and
byDagnyTaggartWednesday,19December2007,01:46AM
both...and
Weoftenbalance'both...and'structure,sothatthesamekindofwordsorexpressionsfollowbothandand.
She'sbothprettyandclever.(adjectives)
IspoketoboththeDirectorandherSecretary.(noun)
Shebothdancesandsings.(verbs)
However,unbalancedsentenceswithboth...andarecommon.Somepeopleprefertoavoidthem.
Shebothdancesandshesings.(both+verband+clause)
Ibothplaythepianoandtheviolin.
Bothcannotbeginacompleteclauseinthisstructure.
Youcanbothborrowtheflatand(youcan)useourcar.(BUTNOTBothyoucanborrowtheflatandyoucanuseourcar.)
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Preferandwouldrather
byDagnyTaggartThursday,20December2007,07:23PM
Preferandwouldrather
Prefertodoandpreferdoing
Weuseprefertodoorpreferdoingtosaysomethingingeneral:
Idontlikethecities.Iprefertoliveinthecountry.
Ipreferlivinginthecountry.
Iprefersomethingtosomethingelse.
Ipreferdoingsomethingtodoingsomethingelse.
ButIprefertodosomethingratherthan(do)somethingelse.
Ipreferthisdresstothedressyouwerewearingyesterday.
Ipreferdrivingtotravellingbytrain.
Iprefertodriveratherthantravelbytrain.
Wouldprefer(Idprefer)
Weusewouldprefertosaywhatsomebodywantsinaparticularsituation(notingeneral):
Wouldyoupreferteaorcoffee?Coffeeplease.
Wewouldsaywouldprefertodo(notdoing)
Shallwegobytrain?Well,Idprefertogobycar.(NOTIdprefergoingbycar.).
Idprefertostayathometonightratherthangobycinema.
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Wouldrather(Idrather)
Wouldrather(do)=wouldprefer(todo)Afterwouldratherweuseinfinitivewithoutto.
Compare:
Shallwegobytrain?Idprefertogobycar.
Idrathergobycar.
Wouldyouratherhaveteaorcoffee?Coffeeplease.
ThenegativeisIdrathernot(dosomething):
Imtired.Idrathernotgooutthisevening,ifyoudontmind.
Doyouwanttogooutthisevening?Idrathernot.
Structureafterwouldrather:
Idratherdosomethingthan(do)somethingelse.
Idrathersayathometonightthangotothecinema.
Idratheryoudidsomething
Whenyouwantsomebodytodosomething,youcansayIdratherdidsomething:
ShallIstayhere?Idratheryoucomewithus.
ShallItellthemthenews?No,Idrathertheydidntknow.
ShallItellthemorwouldyourathertheydidntknow?
Inthisstructureweusethepast(came,didetc.),butthemeaningispresentorfuture,notpast.
Compare:
Idrathercookthedinnernow.
Idratheryoucookedthedinnernow.(notIdratheryoucook)
ThenegativeisIdratheryoudidnt
IdratheryoudidnttellanyonewhatIsaid.
DoyoumindifIsmoke?Idratheryoudidnt.
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alot,lots,plenty,agreatdeal,alargeamount,alargenumber,themajority
byDagnyTaggartSaturday,22December2007,11:05PM
alot,lots,plenty,agreatdeal,alargeamount,alargenumber,themajority
alotofandlotsof:
Theseareratherinformal.Inmoreformalstyle,wepreferagreatdealof,alargeamountof,muchormany.Thereisnotmuchdifference
betweenalotofandlotsof,theyarebothusedmainlybeforesingularuncountableandpluralnouns,andbeforepronouns.
Whenalotofisusedbeforeapluralsubject,theverbispluralwhenlotsofisusedbeforeasingularsubject,theverbissingular.
Alotoftimeisneededtolearnalanguage.
Lotsofusthinkitstimeforanelection.
plentyof
Plentyofisusuallyratherinformal.Itisusedmostlybeforsingularuncountablesandplurals.Itsuggestsenoughandmore.
agreatdealof,alargeamountof,andalargenumberof
Theseareusedinsimilarwaystoalotofandlotsof,butaremoreformal.
Agreatdealofandalargeamountofaregenerallyusedwithuncountablenouns.
Mr.LouisehasspentagreatdealoftimeinFarEast.
Alargenumberofisusedbeforeplurals,andafollowingverbisplural.
Alargenumberofproblemsstillhavetobesolved
majorityof
Themajorityof(=mostormostof)ismostlyusedwithpluralnounsorverbs.
Themajorityofcriminalsarenonviolent.
measurementnouns
Theseexpressionsarenotgenerallyusedbeforewordsforunitsofmeasure,likepounds,yearsormiles.Otherwordshavetobeused.
Itcostsseveralpounds.(NOTItcostalotofponds.)
Theylivedmanymilesfromthetown.(NOTtheylivedplentyofmilesfromthetown)
usewithoutfollowingnouns
theseexpressionscanbeusedwithoutnounsifthemeaningisclear.Inthiscaseofisnotused.
Howmuchdiditcost?Alot.
Rohanseemstochangehismindagreatdeal.
usedasadverbs
Alotandagreatdealcanbeusedasadverbs
Onholiday,wewalkandswimalot.(NOTwewalkplentyORswimlots)
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lessandfewer
lessandfewer.
A)thedifference
Lessisthecomparativeoflittle(usedespeciallybeforeuncountablenouns)
Feweristhecomparativeoffew(usedbeforepluralnouns)
Iearnlessmoneythanapostman.
IvegotfewerproblemsthanIusedtohave.
Lessisquitecommonbeforepluralnounsanduncountablenouns,especiallyinaninformalstyle.Somepeopleconsiderthisincorrect.
IvegotlessproblemsthanIusedtohave.
B)less/fewerwithandwithoutof
Lessofandfewerofareusedbeforedeterminers(likethe,myorthis)andpronouns.
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Idliketospendlessofmytimeansweringletters.
Atthecollegereunions,therearefewerofuseachyear.
Beforenounswithoutdeterminers,ofisnotused.
Ifyouwanttoloseweight,eatlessfood.
C)lessandfewerwithoutnouns
Nounscanbedroppedafterlessandfewerifthemeaningisclear.
Somepeoplegotochurch,butless/fewerthan20yearsago.
Lesscanbeusedasanadverb(theoppositeoftheadverbmore)
IworrylessthanIusedto.
D)lesser
Lesserisusedinafewexpressions(inaratherformalstyle)tomeansmallerornotsomuch
Thelesseroftwoevils.
Alesserknownwriter.
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Re:EnglishUsage/GrammarCompendium
byDagnyTaggartFriday,18January2008,02:08AM
thankfulandgrateful
Gratefulisthenormalwordforpeople'sreactiontokindness,favoursetc.
I'mverygratefulformyteacher'shelp.(NOTI'mverythankful..)
Shewasn'tgratefultomeforrepairingherwatch.
Thankfulisusedspeciallyforfeelingsofreliefathavingavoidedadanger,orathavingcomethroughanunpleasantexperience.
Wewerereallythankfulwhenitstoppedrainingaftertwodays.
Well,I'mthankfulthat'sover.
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byDagnyTaggartMonday,28January2008,07:15PM
Allow,permit,andlet
allowandpermit
Thesewordshavesimilarmeaningsanduses.Permitismoreformal.Bothwordscanbeflowedbyobject+infinitive
Wedonotallow/permitpeopletosmokeinthekitchen.
Whenthereisnopersonalobject,aningformisused.
Wedonotallow/permitpeoplesmokinginthekitchen.
Passivestructuresarecommonpersonalsubjectsandgerund(ingform)botharepossible.
Peoplearenotallowed/permittedtosmokeinthekitchen.
Smokingisnotallowed/permittedinthekitchen.
Thepassivestructurewithitisonlypossiblewithpermit.
Itisnotpermittedtosmokeinthekitchen.(NOTItsisnotallowed..)
Allow,butnotpermit,canbeusedinadverbparticles.
Shewouldntallowmein.
Bobisnotallowedoutatnight.
let
Letistheleastformalofthesethreewords,andisfollowedbyobject+infinitivewithoutto.
Compare:
Pleaseallowmetobuyyouadrink.(politeandformal)
Letmebuyyouadrink.(friendlyandinformal)
Letisnotusuallyusedinthepassive.
Iwasntallowedtopayforthedrinks.(NOTIwasntlet)
Letcanbeusedwithadverbparticlespassivesarepossibleinthiscase.
Shewouldntletmein.
Ivebeenletdown.
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Enjoy
byDagnyTaggartTuesday,29January2008,01:25PM
Enjoy
Enjoynormallyhasanobject.
Didyouenjoytheparty?Yes,Ienjoyeditverymuch(NOTIenjoyedverymuch.)
Totalkabouthavingagoodtime,wecanenjoymyself/yourselfetc.
Ireallyenjoyedmyselfwhen,IwenttoRome.
WeregoingtoParisfortheweekend.~Enjoyyourselves!
Enjoy!Withnoobjectispossible,especiallyininformallanguage.
Enjoycanbefollowedbying.
Idontenjoylookingafterthesmallchildren.(NOT.enjoytolook)
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Either...or
byDagnyTaggartFriday,1February2008,05:10PM
Eitheror
Weuseeitherortotalkaboutachoicebetweentwopossibilities(andsometimesmorethantwo)
IdontspeakeitherJapaneseorChinese.
Youcaneithercomewithmenoworwalkhome.
Ifyouwanticecream,thereiseithervanilla,raspberry,orchocolate.
Weoftenbalancethisstructure,sothatsamekindsofwordsorexpressionsfolloweitherandor.
Youcaneateitherchocolateoricecream.(nouns)
HeiseitherinDelhiorinMumbai.(prepositionalexpressions)
EitheryouwillleavethishouseorIwillcallpolice.(clauses)
Howeverunbalancedsentenceswitheither.orarepossible.Theusageismostlyavoided.
Youcaneitherhavechocolateoricecream.
HeiseitherinDelhiorMumbai.
YouwilleitherleavethishouseorIwillcallpolice.
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Re:Either...or
byDagnyTaggartFriday,7March2008,12:27PM
Oneof
Afteroneofwenormallyuseapluralpronoun.
Oneofourdogs.(NOToneofourdog)
Occasionallyoneofisusedwithasingularnounreferringtoagroup
Whydontyouaskoneofthecrew?
Afollowingverbisnormallysingular
Oneofourdogshasdisappeared.(NOToneofourcatshavedisappeared)
Afteroneof,anounphrasemusthaveadeterminer(eg.the,my,those)
Oneofthe/my/thosedogs.(NOToneofdogs)
Ofcannotbedropped.
Oneofmyfriends.(NOTonemyfriendoronemyfriends)
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In
byDagnyTaggartTuesday,11March2008,12:55PM
In:Place
Inisusedforapositioninsidelargeareas,andinthreedimensionalspacewhensomethingissurroundedonallsides.
Idontthinkheisinhisoffice.
Letsgoforawalkinthewoods.
In:Time
In+partoftheday
Iworkbestinthemorning.
Iusuallygooutintheevenings.
Notehedifferencebetweeninthenight(mostlyusedtomeanduringoneparticularnight)andatthenight(=duringanynight)
Compare:
Ihadtogetupinthenight.
Iusuallyworkatnights.
Ininformalstylewesometimesuseplurals(daysetc.)withnoprepositions.
Wouldyouratherworkdaysornights?
Weuseonifwesaywhichmorning/afternoonetcwearetalkingabout,orifwedescribethemorning/afternoonetc.
SeeyouonMondaymorning.
Wemetonacoldafternooninearlyspring.
In+longerperiod
IthappenedintheweekafterChristmas.
IwasborninAugust.
Hediedin1989.
Otherusesofin
Itcanalsobeusedtosayhowsoonsomethingwillhappen,andtosayhowlongsomethingtakestohappen.Askmeagaininthreeorfour
days.
Icanrun200metresinabout30seconds.
Theexpressionin.stimeisusedtosayhowsoonsomethingwillhappen,nothowlongsomethingtakes.Compare:
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Illseeyouagaininamonthstime.
Hewroteabookinamonth.(NOT.inamonthstime)
InAmericanEnglish,incanbeusedinnegativesentences,likefor,totalkaboutperiodsuptothepresent.
Ihaventseenherinyears.
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CountableandUncountable
byDagnyTaggartWednesday,12March2008,12:35PM
Countable
Uncountable
Didyouhearanoisejustnow?(=a
particularnoise)
Icantworkhere.Thereistoo
muchnoise.(NOTtoomany
noises)
Enjoyyourholiday.Haveagood
time!
Icantwait.Ihaventgot
time.
Iboughtapapertoread.(=anews
paper)
Ineedsomepapertowriteon(=a
materialforwritingon)
Ihadsomeinteresting
experienceswhileIwasaway.
(=thingsthathappenedtome.
TheyoffersmethejobbecauseI
hadalotofexperience.(NOT
experiences)
Youcanstaywithus.Thereisa
spareroom.(=aroominahouse)
Youcantsithere.Thereisn
tenoughroom.(=space)
Thereisahairinmysoup!
Youhavegotverylonghair.(not
hairs)(=allthehaironyourhead)
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Likely
byDagnyTaggartFriday,14March2008,04:39PM
Likely
Meaning
Likelyisanadjectivewithasimilarmeaningtoprobable.
Idontthinkalabourvictoryislikely.
Theoppositeisunlikely.
Whatsalikelydatefortheelection?
Snowisveryunlikely.
Notealsotheinformaladverbphrasesvery/mostlikely.
Ithinkshellvery/mostlikelybelate.
Infinitiveafterbe(un)likely
Be+(un)likelyisoftenfollowedbyaninfinitive.
Imlikelytobebusytomorrow.
Doyouthinkitslikelytorain?
Hesunlikelytoagree.
Itis(un)likely+thatclause
Wecanuseitasapreparatorysubjectorobjectforathatclause.
Itislikelythatthemeetingwillgoonlate.
Ithoughtitunlikelythatshewouldcomeback.
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certainandsure
byDagnyTaggartSunday,16March2008,06:51PM
certainandsure
Certain/sureof+ingareusedtorefertothefeelingsofthepersononeistalkingabout.
Beforethegameshefeltcertainofwinning,butafterthefewminutessherealizedthatitwasntgoingtobeeasy.
YouseemverysureofcrackingtheCAT,Ihopeyouareright.
Certain/sure+infinitiverefertothespeakersorwritersownfeelings.
Therepairsarecertaintocostmorethanyouthink.(NOTtherepairsarecertainofcosting)
Kimiissuretowintheotherboyhasntgotachance.
NotethatheissuretosucceedmeansImsurethathewillsucceed.
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Re:certainandsure
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Abit
byDagnyTaggartThursday,20March2008,04:13PM
[a]bit
Use
Abitisoftenusedasanadverbwithasamemeaningasalittle.
Sheisabitoldtoplaywithtoys.Isntshe?
Waitabit.
Canyoudriveabitslower?
Abitofa
Abitofacanbeusedbeforesomenounsinaninformalstyle.Themeaningissimilartorathera.
Heisabitofafoolifyouaskme.
Ivegotabitofaproblem.
Note:abitandalittleareusedwithnoncomparativeadjective,themeaningisusuallynegativeorcritical.
Abittired
Abitexpensive
Alittle(too)old
(NOTabitkind,alittleinteresting)
Notabit
Theinformalexpressionnotabitmeansnotatall.
Iamnotabittired.
DoyoumindifIputsomemusicon?Notabit.
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layandlie
byDagnyTaggartSunday,23March2008,05:12PM
Layandlie
Lay
Layisaregularverbexceptforitsspelling.Itsformsare:
Infinitive:(to)laypast:laid
ingform:layingpastparticiple:laid
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Laymeansputdowncarefullyorputdownflat.Ithasanobject.
LaythetentdownonthegrassandIllseehowtoputitup.
Ilaidthepapersonthetable.(NOTIlay)
Notetheexpressionlayatable(=putplates,knivesetc.onatable)andlayanegg(abirdswayofhavingababy).
Lie(irregular)
Theformsoftheirregularverblieare:
Infinitive:(to)liepast:lay
ingform:lyingpastparticiple:lain(usedmostlyinformalliterarystyle)
Lie(irregular)meansbedown,be/becomehorizontal.Ithasnoobject.
Dontlieinbedallday.Getupanddosomework.(NOTDontlay..)
Ilaydownandclosedmyeyes.(NotIlaiddown)
Lie(regular)
Theregularverblie(lied)saythingsthatarenottrue.
Youliedtomewhenyousaidyoulovedme.
Dialectforms
InmanyBritishandAmericandialects,differentformsoflayandirregularlieareused.LayisoftenusedincaseswhereStandardEnglishhaslie.
Iamgoingtolaydownforafewminutes.(StandardEnglishliedown)
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WillandWould
byDagnyTaggartMonday,24March2008,04:55PM
Willandwould
WeusewillwhenwetalkaboutWillingnesstodosomething(eg.inoffers,invitations,requests,andorders)andwillnotwhenwtalkaboutunwillingnesstodo
something(eg.reluctance,refusal):
Illgiveyouanotherchancetogetthecorrectanswer.
Mom!Pamwontgivebackmypen.
Noticethatwecanalsotalkabouttherefusalofathingtworkinthewayitshould:
Thetopwontcomeoff.
Thekeywontfitthelock.
Totalkaboutgeneralorrepeatedwillingnessinthepastwecansometimesusewould,butwecantusewouldinthiswaytotalkaboutaparticularoccasionin
thepast.
Compare:
WheneverIhadtogototown,Charliewouldgivemealift.(=repeated)
Iwaslate,soCharliegavemealifttotown(notCharliewouldgiveme..)(=particularsituation)
However,wecanusewouldnoteitherwhenwetalkaboutunwillingnessingeneraloraboutaparticularoccasion.
Compare:
Wethoughtthatpeoplewouldnt/wouldbuythebook(=general)
ShewouldntsaywhatwaswrongwithherwhenIasked.(not..wouldsay..)(=particularsituation)
Weusewill/wonttoindicatethatwethinkapresentorfuturesituationiscertain:
YouwillknowthatJackandJillareengaged(=youalreadyknow)
ShallIaskBob?No,dontdisturbhimhellbeworking.
WewontseethemagainforEaster.
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Re:WillandWould
Sayandtell
Ifyousaywhoareyoutalkingto,usetell:
Rheatoldmethatyouwereill.(NOTRheasaidme)TELLSOMEBODY
Whatdidyoutellthepolice?(NOTsaythepolice)
Otherwiseusesay:
Rheasaidthatyouwereill.(NOTRheatoldthat)SAYSOMEBODY
Whatdidyousay?
BUTyoucansaysomethingtosomebody:
Billsaidgoodbyetomeandleft.(NOTBillsaidmegoodbye)
Whatdidyousaytothepolice?
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alrightandallright
allrightandalright
Thestandardspellingisallright.Alrightiscommon,butsomepeopleconsideritwrong.
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PastPerfectContinuousandPastContinuous
byDagnyTaggartWednesday,26March2008,11:07PM
PastContinuous(Iwasdoing)
Weusethepastcontinuoustosaythatsomebodywasinmiddleofdoingsomethingatacertaintime.Theactionorsituationhadalreadystartedbeforethis
timebuthadnotfinished.
IstarteddoingIwasdoingIfinisheddoing
PastPastContinuousPast
ThistimelastyearIwaspreparingforCAT.
Whatwereyoudoingat10oclocklastnight?
Iwavedtohimbuthewasntlooking.
Therearesomeverbs(eg.know,want,believe)thatarenotnormallyusedinthecontinuous.
Weweregoodfriends.Wekneweachotherwell.(notwewereknowing)
IwasenjoyingthepartybutKimwantedtogohome.(notwaswanting)
PastPerfectContinuous(Ihadbeendoing)
Hadbeen+ingispastperfectcontinuous.
I/we/you/they/he/she/it
had
(=Idetc.)
been
(=hedetc.)
doing
playing
workingetc.
Youcansaythatsomethinghadbeenhappeningforaperiodoftimebeforesomethingelsehappened.
Ourgameofcricketwasinterrupted.Wehadbeenplayingforhalfanhourwhenitstartedtorainheavily.
Amygaveupsmokinglastyear.Shehadbeensmokingfor10years.
Comparehadbeendoing(pastperfectcontinuous)andwasdoing(pastcontinuous):
Iwasntrainingwhenwewereout.Thesunwasshining.Butithadbeenrainingsincemorning,sothegroundwaswet.
Rohanwassittinginanarmchairwatchingtelevision.Hewastiredbecausehehadbeenworkingveryhard.
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Pleaseandthankyou
byDagnyTaggartThursday,27March2008,08:04PM
Pleaseandthankyou
1.requests
Weusepleasetomakerequestsmorepolite
CouldIhavesomemorechocolatesplease?
Wouldyoulikesomehelp?~Yes,please.
Notethatpleasedoesnotchangeanorderintoarequest.
Compare:
Standoverthere.(order)
Pleasestandoverthere.(morepoliteorder)
Couldyoustandoverthee,please?(politerequest)
Pleasedoisratherformalanswertoarequestforpermission.
DoyoumindifIborrowyourpen?~Pleasedo.
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2.Whenpleaseisnotused
Wedonotusepleasetoaskpeoplewhattheyhavesaid.
Ivegotabitofaheadache.~Ibegyourpardon?(NOTPlease?)
Wedonotusepleasewhenwegivethingstopeople.
HaveyougotapenIcoulduse?~Yeshereyouare.(NOTPlease)
PleaseisnotusedasananswertoThankyou.
Thanksalot.~ThatsOK.(NOTPlease)
3.thankyouandthanks
Thanksismoreinformalthanthankyou.Commonexpressions:
Thankyou.(NOTThanksyou.)
Thankyouverymuch.
Thanksverymuch.
Thanksalot.(NOTThankyoualot.)
ThankGodIhavestartedpreparingforCAT2008already.(NOTThanksGod)
Indeedcanbeusedtostrengthenverymuch.
Thankyouverymuchindeed.(ButNOTusuallyThankyouindeed.)
Thankyoufor/thanksforcanbefollowedbyingform.
Thankyouforcoming.~Notatall.Thankyouforhavingme.
SomepeoplesayCheerstomeanThanks.
4.acceptingandrefusing
WeoftenuseThankyou/ThankslikeYes,please,toacceptoffers.
Wouldyoulikesomecheese?~Thankyou.~Howmany?
Tomakeitclearthatonewishestorefusesomething,itisnormaltosay
No,thanks/No,thankyou.
Anothercake?~Nothanks,Iamondiet.
Yes,thanksismostoftenusedtoconfirmthatthingsareallright.
Haveyougotenoughcake?~Yes,thanks.
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ComeorGone
Beenmeaningcomeorgone
Beenisoftenusedaspastparticipleofcomeandgo
GrannyhasbeentoseeustwicebeforeEaster.
Ihaventbeentothebookshopforages.
Beenisonlyusedforcompletedvisits.
Compare:
1)Themilkmansalreadybeen.(Hehascomeandgoneawayagain)
Jackcome,sowecanstartpreparingforCAT2008.(Hehascomeandisstillhere)
2)Ivebeentolibrarythreetimesthisweek.
WheresLinda?Shesgonetolibrary.
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IfIwereyou
byDagnyTaggartWednesday,2April2008,08:02PM
IfIwereyou
Advice
WeoftenusethestructureifIwereyou..togiveadvice.
IshouldntworryifIwereyou.
IfIwereyou,IwouldhavestartedpreparingforCAT2008already.
IfIwasyouisalsocorrect.
Ishould/would
SometimesweleaveoutIfIwereyou,andjustuseIshould.orIwouldtogiveadvice.
Ishouldntworry.
IwouldhavestartedpreparingforCAT2008already.
InthiscaseIshould/wouldissimilartoyoushould/would.
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Singularnounswithpluralverbs
byDagnyTaggartTuesday,8April2008,05:39PM
Singularnounswithpluralverbs
1.groupsofpeople:Theteamis/are
InBritishEnglish,singularwordslikefamily,teamgovernment,whichrefertogroupsofpeople,canhaveeithersingularorpluralverbsandpronouns.
Theteamis/aregoingtowin.
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Pluralformsarecommonwhenthegroupisseenasthecollectionofpeopledoingpersonalthingslikedeciding,hopingorwanting.Singularformsraemorecommom
whenthegroupisseenasanimpersonalunit.
Compare:
MyfamilyhavedecidedtomovetoChennai.TheyregoinginDecember.
Theaveragefamilyhas4members.Itissmallerthan50yearsago.
Thefirmarewonderful.Theydoalltheycanforme.
Myfirmwasfoundedin2005.
Wepreferwhoasarelativepronounwithpluralforms,andwhichwithsingularforms.
Compare:
Thecommittee,whoarehopingtoannounceimportantchanges,
Thecommittee,whichiselectedattheannualmeeting,
Whenagroupisusedaswithasingulardeterminer(eg.a/an,each,every,this,that),singularverbsandpronounsareregular.
Compare:
Theteamarefullofenthusiasm.
Theteam,whichisfullofenthusiasmhasabetterchanceofwinning.
ThegroupgaveitsfirstconcertinJanuaryandtheyarenowplanningatour.
Examplesofgroupnouns,whichcanbeusedwithbothsingularandpluralverbsinBritishEnglish.
bank
government
jury
school
theBBC
firm
ministry
staff
choir
England(thefootballteam)
party
team
class
family
orchestra
union
club
committee
public
InAmericanEnglish,singularverbsarenormalwithmostofthesenounsinallcases.Pluralpronounscanbeused.
TheteamhasstartedpreparingforCAT2008.Theyexpecttocrackit.
2.Anumberofpeoplehave.
Manysingularquantifyingverbscanbeusedwithpluralnounsandpronounsluralverbsarenormallyusedinthiscase.
Anumberofpeoplehavetriedtofindthetreasure,buttheyhaveallfailed.
(morenaturalthanAnumberofpeoplehas)
AgroupofusaregoingtoruntheMarathonthisyear.
Amajorityofcriminalsarenonviolent
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RelativeClauses
byDagnyTaggartSaturday,12April2008,04:32PM
Relative Clauses
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Thanme/thanIametc.
Thanme/thanIametc.
Weusuallysay:
Youaretallerthanme.(NotthanI)
Heisnotascleverasher.(Notasshe)
Afterthan/asitismoreusualtosayme/him/her/them/uswhenthereisnoverb.Compare:
YouaretallerthanIam.butYouaretallerthanme.
Theyhavemoremoneythanwehave.butTheyhavemoremoneythanus.
Icantrunasfastashecan.butIcantrunasfastashim.
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Re:Thanme/thanIametc.
byDagnyTaggartTuesday,22April2008,04:20PM
Verb+ing/verb+to
Whenoneverbfollowsanotherverb,thestructureisusuallyverb+ingorverb+to
Compare:
Verb+ing
Verb+to
Theydeniedstealingthemoney.
Theydecidedtostealthemoney.
Ienjoygoingout.
Iwanttogoout.
Oftenweuseingforanactionthat
happensbeforethefirstverboratthe
sametime:
Oftenweusetoforanactionthat
followsthefirstverb:
Decidedtostealwanttogo
Stealing
deniedenjoy
going
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Verb+ingortoinfinitive
byDagnyTaggartThursday,24April2008,04:10PM
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Someverbsarefollowedbyatoinfinitivebutnoting:agree,aim,ask,decline,demand,fail,hesitate,hope,hurry,manage,offer,plan,prepare,refuse,want,
wish.
Someverbsarefollowedbyingbutnotatoinfinitive:admit,avoid,consider,delay,deny,detest,dread,envisage,feellike,finish,imagine,miss,recall,
resent,risk,suggest.
Theverbsbegin,cease,start,andcontinuecanbefollowedbyeitheratoinfinitiveoraningformwithlittledifferenceinmeaning.
Eventhoughitwasraining,theycontinuedtoplay/playing.
However,withtheseverbswenormallyavoidusingtwoingformstogether,asarepeatedpatternmaysoundawkward:
IamstartingtolearnFrench.(ratherthanIamstartinglearningFrench.)
Theverbsadviseandencouragearefollowedbyingwhenthereisnoobjectandtoinfinitivewhenthereisone.Compare:
Idadvisetakingmoreexercise.
And
Idadviseyoutotakemoreexercise.
Otherverbscanbefollowedbyeitheratoinfinitiveoraningform,buttherecanbeadifferenceinmeaning.Theseinclude:come,goon,regret,remember,
try,stop,mean.
+toinfinitive
+ing
Come
Totalkaboutagradualchange.
Tosaythatsomeonemovesinawaythat
isdescribed.
Afterafewyears,theycametoaccepthim
asanequal.
Regret
goon
try
Tosaythatweareabouttodosomething
wearenothappyabout.
Tosaythatwehavealreadydone
somethingwearenothappyabout.
Iregrettoinformyouthatyouhavenot
passedtheexam.
Itstoolatenow,Illalwaysregret
askingAmatodothework.
Tomeansomethingisdoneaftersomething
elseisfinished.
Tosaythatsomeonemovesinawaythat
isdescribed.
Aftertheclass,Aliwentontodohis
eveningprayer.
Althoughsheaskedhimtostop,hewent
ontappinghispenonthetable.
Tosaythatweattempttodosomething.
Tosayifwetestsomethingtoseeifit
improvesthesituation.
Itriedtobringthetablethroughthedoor,
butitwastoobig.
Stop
Mean
Hecamehurryingupthepath.
Itriedtakingaspirin,butthepaindidn
tgoaway.
Tosaywhenwestoppeddoingsomething.
Tosaywhatisitthatwestoppeddoing.
Shestoppedtoprepareacupofcoffee.
Thebabystoppedcryingwhenhesawits
mother.
Tosaythatweintend(ed)todosomething.
Tosaythatsomethinghassomethingelse
asaresult.
Imeanttophoneyouyesterday.
IfIwanttoattendtheclassat9.00,that
meansIwakingupbefore7.00
remember
Tomeanthatrememberingcomesbefore
theactionisdescribed.
Tomeantheactioncomesbefore
remembering.
Remembertocarryyourumbrellabefore
yougoout.(firstremember,andthentake
it)
Iremembergoingtothelibrarybut
nothingafterthat.(IrememberthatI
wentthere.
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Re:Verb+ingortoinfinitive
byDagnyTaggartFriday,25April2008,10:50PM
CAT20082009VerbalGrammar Advise,allow,permit,forbid
Inactiveclausesaftertheseverbs,weuseaningformifthereisnosubject.Ifthereisanobject,weuseaninfinitive.
Compare:
Iwouldntadvisetakingthecartheresnoplacetopark.
Iwouldntadviseyoutotakethecar.
Wedontallow/permitsmokingintheclassroom.
Wedontallow/permitpeopletosmokeintheclassroom.
Theheadmasterhasforbiddensmokinginthecampus.
Theheadmasterhasforbiddenstudentstosmokeinthecampus.
Passivestructures:
Smokingisnotallowed/permittedintheclassroom.
Peoplearenotallowed/permittedtosmokeintheclassroom.
Smokingisforbidden.
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Studentsareforbiddentosmoke.
Earlybookingisadvised.
Passengersareadvisedtobookearly.
See,watch,andhear
Aftertheseverbs,thedifferencebetweenverb+ingandobject+infinitiveislikethedifferencebetweenprogressiveandsimpletenses.Withingformstheverb
suggestthatonepaysattentiontoeventsoractionsthatarealreadygoingoninfinitivesusuallyrefertocompleteevents/actionswhichareseen/heardfrom
beginningtoend.
Compare:
IlookedoutofthewindowandsawMarycrossingtheroad.
IsawMarycrosstheroadanddisappearinthepostoffice.
AsIpassedhisroom,Iheardhimpracticingtheguitar.
IonceheardBrendanplayalltheBeethovenconcertos.
Learnandteach
Theseverbs(andotherwithsimilarmeanings)arefollowedbyingformsmostlywhenwearereferringtolessonsorsubjectsofstudy.
Shegoestoschooltwicetolearndancing.
Mr.Smithteachesgardeningeverysummer.
Infinitivesarepreferredwhenwetalkabouttheresultofthestudyaboutsuccessfullylearningaskill.
Itaughtmyselftodance.
Like,love,hate,andprefer
Afterthesefourverbs,bothinfinitiveandingformscanoftenbeusedwithoutagreatdifferenceofmeaning.
Ihateworking/toworkatweekends.
Like+infinitiveisusedtotalkaboutchoicesandhabits.
Compare:
Ilikeclimbing/toclimbmountains.(=Ienjoyclimbing)
WhenIpourtea,Iliketoputthemilkinfirst.(=Ichoosetoitsmyhabit)
Afterwouldlike,wouldprefer,wouldhate,andwouldlove,infinitivesaremostoftenused.
Idliketotellyousomething.(NOTIdliketellingyousomething)
Doyoulikedancing?(=Doyouenjoydancing)
Wouldyouliketodance?(=Doyouwanttodancenow?)
Contd.
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Re:Verb+ingortoinfinitive
byDagnyTaggartMonday,5May2008,08:19PM
Beginandstart
Beginandstartcanbefollowedbyinfinitivesoringforms.Usuallythereisnoimportantdifference.
Shebeganplaying/toplaypianowhenshewasfive.
Afterprogressiveformsofbeginandstart,infinitivesarepreferred.
Iambeginningtolearndance.(NOTIambeginninglearningdance.)
Infinitivesarealsopreferredwithunderstand,realize,andknow.
Islowlybegantounderstandhowshefelt.(NOT.beganunderstanding)
HestartedtorealizethatifyouhavetocrackCATyouhadtoworkhard.(NOTstartedrealizing)
Attempt,intend,continue,cantbear,beaccustomedto,becommittedto
Afterthesewordsandexpressionswecaneitheruseingformoraninfinitivewithoutmuchdifferenceofmeaning.
Iintendtelling/totellherhowIfelt.
Imnotaccustomedtogiving/givepersonalinformationaboutmyselftostrangers.
Afraid
Totalkaboutfearofthingsthathappenedaccidentally,wepreferafraidof+ing
Whyareyousoscared?Imafraidtowalkingindark.
Inothercasesweuseafraidof+ingorafraid+infinitivewithnodifferenceofmeaning
Imafraidoftelling/totellherthetruth.
Sorry
Sorryfor/about+ingisusedtoreferthepastthingsthatoneregrets.(Thatclausesarealsousedininformalform.)
Imsorryfor/aboutlosingmytemperthismorning.
Sorry+perfectinfinitivecanbeusedwiththesamemeaning.
Imsorrytohavewokenyouup.(ORImsorrythatIwokeyouup.)
Interested
Totalkaboutreactiontothingsonelearns,interested+infinitiveiscommonlyused.
IminterestedtoseethatHemaandRahularegoingouttogether.
Totalkaboutawishtofindoutsomething,bothinterested+ingandinterested+infinitivearecommon.
Iminterestedinfindingout/tofindouthowsheisstudyingforCAT2008.
Totalkaboutawishtodosomething,interested+ingformisused.
IminterestedinworkinginMumbai.
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Fusedsentences,CommaSplicesandRunonerrors
byDagnyTaggartTuesday,6May2008,02:35PM
Fusedsentences,CommaSplicesandRunonerrors
FusedSentences:Afusedsentenceisanerrorcausedbyrunningtwoindependentclausestogetherwithnopunctuationatall.
Patternoftheerror:independentclause+independentclause
Incorrect:RohancametoTathagathewantedtoprepareforCAT2008.
Correct:RohancametoTathagathewantedtoprepareforCAT2008.
Acommasplice:Acommaspliceisanerrorcausedbyjoiningtwoindependentclauseswithonlyacomma.Often,thesubjectofthesecondsentenceisthis,that,
these,orthose.
Patternoftheerror:independentclause+,+independentclause
Incorrect:RohancametoTathagat,hewantedtoprepareforCAT2008.
Correct:RohancametoTathagat.HewantedtoprepareforCAT2008.
TheabovesentenceisincorrectbecauseRohancametoTathagatandhewantedtoprepareforCAT2008arebothindependentclauses.Acommais
notrequiredtojointwopowerfulclauses.
Arunonsentence:Arunonsentenceisanerrorcausedbyjoiningtwoormoreindependentclauseswithonlyacoordinatingconjunction(and,but,or,nor,for,
so,yet).
Patternoferror:independentclause+coordinatingconjunction+independentclause
Incorrect:RohancametoTathagatforhewantedtoprepareforCAT2008.
Correct:RohancametoTathagat,forhewantedtoprepareforCAT2008.
Eachindependentclauseexpressesacompletethought.Ifyouruntwoormorecompletethoughtstogetherwithouttherightpunctuationornopunctuation,the
thoughtstendtoblur.
Therearefourmethodsoffixingthecommasplices,runonsentences,andfusedsentences.
1)Byseparatingthetwoclausesintotwosentences,andreplacingthecommawithafullstop.
RohancametoTathagat.HewantedtoprepareforCAT2008.
2)Byreplacingthecommawithasemicolon.
RohancametoTathagathewantedtoprepareforCAT2008.
3)Byconnectingthetwomainclauseswithacomma,andacoordinatingconjunction.(e.g.,and,but,or,not,for,yet,so)
RohancametoTathagat,forhewantedtoprepareforCAT2008.
4)Byreplacingthecommawithasubordinatingconjunction.(e.g.,after,although,before,unless,as,because,eventhough,if,since,until,when,while).
RohancametoTathagatbecausehewantedtoprepareforCAT2008.
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byAbhishekVinayinMonday,30March2009,04:06PM
Hi
Canwehavethisthreadactiveplease.....reallyfounditamazing
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Thenextthreadishere:http://totalgadha.com/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=2795
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byAbhishekVinayinFriday,17April2009,03:20PM
THanxMam
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bySandeshPatilWednesday,8July2009,10:48PM
amazingthread!!!!!
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AdjectivesandAdverbs
byDagnyTaggartTuesday,27October2009,06:51PM
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9/26/2015
AdjectivesandAdverbs
Lookattheseexamples:
Ourholidaywastooshortthetimewentveryquickly.
Jackwasseriouslyinjuredinanaccident.
Quicklyandseriouslyareadverbs.Manyadverbsaremadefromadjective+ly:
Adjective:quickseriouscarefulquietheavybad
Adverb:quicklyseriouslycarefullyquietlyheavilybadly
Notallwordsendinginlyareadverbs.Someadjectivesendinlytoo,forexample:friendly,lively,elderly,lonely,silly,lovely
Adjectiveoradverb?
Adjectives(quick/carefuletc.)tellusabouta
noun.Weuseadjectivesbeforenounsand
aftersomeverbs,especiallybe:
Adverbs(quickly/carefullyetc.)tellusabout
howaverb.Anadverbtellsushow
somebodydoessomethingorhowsomething
happens.
Ramisacarefuldriver.(notacarefully
Ramdrovecarefullyalongthenarrow
driver)
road.(notdrovecareful)
Wedidn'tgooutbecauseoftheheavyrain.
Wedidn'tgooutbecauseitwasraining
heavily.(notrainingheavy)
Pleasebequiet.
Pleasespeakquietly.(notspeak
Iwasdisappointedthatmyexamsresult
quiet)
werebad.
IwasdisappointedthatIdidsobadlyin
Wealsouseadjectivesaftertheverbslook/
theexam(notdidsobad)
feel/soundetc.
Whydoyoualwayslooksoserious?
Whydoyounevertakemeseriously?
Compare:
ShespeaksperfectEnglish.
(perfect=adjective+English=noun)
ShespeaksEnglishperfectly.(speaks+
English+perfectly=verb+object+adverb)
Comparethesesentenceswithlook:
Princelookedatmesadly.
PrincelookedsadwhenIsawhim.(=he
seemedsad,hisexpressionwassad.)
Wealsouseadverbsbeforeadjectivesandotheradverbs.Forexample:
Reasonablycheap(adverb+adjective)
Terriblysorry(adverb+adjective)
Incrediblyquickly((adverb+adjective)
Youcanuseanadverbbeforeapastparticiple(injured,organized,writtenetc.)
Childrenwereseriouslyinjuredinanaccident.(notseriousinjured)
Theexaminationhallwasbadlyorganized.
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LikevsAs
LikevsAs
Like=similarto,thesameas.Notethatyoucannotuseasinthesameway.
Whatabeautifulhouse!It'slikeapalace.(notasapalace)
WhatdoesRimado?Sheisateacher,likeme.(notasme)
Becareful!Thefloorhasbeenpolished.It'slikewalkingonice.
Inthesesentences,likeisapreposition.Soitisfollowedbyannoun(likeapalace),apronoun(likeme)oring(likewalking)
Youcansaylike(somebody/somethingdoingsomething):
What'sthenoise?Itsoundslikebabyiscrying.
Sometimeslike=forexample:
Somesports,likecarracing,canbedangerous.
Suchas=forexample.
Somesports,suchascarracing,canbedangerous.
Weuseas(notlike)beforeasubject+verb:
IdidasIpromised.(=IdidwhatIpromised.)
Comparelikeandasinthefollowingsentences:
Youshouldhavedonelikethis.(like+pronoun)
YoushouldhavedoneitasIshowedyou.(as+subject+verb)
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Ascanalsobeusedaprepositionbutthemeaningisdifferentfromlike.Compare:
As
Like
Sonalisthemangerofthecompany.Asthe
manger,shehastomakemanyimportant
decisions.(Asthemanger=inherpositions
asmanager)
Smitaiatheassistantmanger.Likethe
manger(Sonal),shealsohastmake
importantdecisions.(Likethemanager=
similartothemanager)
Duringthewarthishotelwasusedasa
hospital.(soitreallywasahospital)
Everyoneisillathome.Ourhouseislike
ahospital.(itisn'treallythehospital)
As(preposition)=inthepositionof,intheformofetc.:
AfewyearsagoIworkedasawaiter.(notlikeawaiter)
ManyEnglishwords(foreg,workandrain)canbeusedasverbsornoun.
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Careforsomebody/something
Careaboutsomebody/something(=thinkthatsomebodyorsomethingisimportant)
He'sveryselfish.Hedoesn'tcareaboutotherpeople.
Wesaycarewhat/where/how(etc)(withoutabout):
Youcandowhatyoulike.Idon'tcarewhatyoudo.
Careforsomebody/something:
1)likesomething(usuallyinquestionsandnegativesentences):
Wouldyoucareforacupoftea.(wouldyoulike?)
Idon'tcareforworkingverylateatnight.(Idon'tlike)
2)lookaftersomebody:
Honeyis80andlivesalone.Sheneedssomeonetotakecareofher.
Takecareof:=lookafter
Haveagoodday.Takecareofyourself!(=lookafteryourself)
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Incase/If
IncaseandIf
Incaseisusedtotalkaboutprecautionsinordertobereadyforthepossiblefuturesituations.(itispossiblethatthismighathappenlater)
Hunnymightphonethisevening.Idon'twanttogooutincasehephones.
Presenttenseisusedforfutureafter'incase'
Idon'twanttogooutincasehephones.(NOTincasehewillphone)
Tosaywhysomebodydidsomethingweuseincase+past
ImessagedVendyagainincaseshehadn'treceivedthepreviousone.
Differencebetweenincaseandif.
Compare:
DoXincaseYhappens:.(DoXfirstbecauseYmighthappenlater)
Let'sgetsomemoremuffinsincaseVendycomes.(Let'sgetsomemuffinsnowbecauseVendymightcomelater)
DoXifYhappens:(DoXifYhasalreadyhappened)
Let'sgetsomemoremuffinsifVendycomes.(PerhapsVendymightcomeifshecomewe'llgetsomemoremuffins,ifshedoesn'twewon't)
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IorMe
Iorme?
BecarefultousethepronounsIandme,heandhim,sheandher,weandus,andtheyandthemintherightplace.UseI,we,etc.whenyouaretalkingabout
someonewhohasdonesomething(i.e.whoisthesubjectofthesentence),anduseme,us,etc.whenyouaretalkingaboutsomeonewhohashadsomethingdone
tothem(i.e.whoistheobjectofthesentence).Peoplemostoftenmakemistakesoverthiswhentheyaretalkingaboutmorethanoneperson:
'MeandAnniehadadogonce''Adrianandmeweregoingout'.InthesesentencesyoushoulduseI,notme,becausethetwopeoplearethesubjectinboth.
'AnnieandIhadadogonce''AdrianandIweregoingout'.
'WatchHelenandIwhileweshowyou'.Youneedmehere,astheobjectofwatch.
'EverythingdependsonyouandI'.Useme,us,etc.afterprepositions.
Agoodguideincasesliketheseistoseewhetherthesentencesoundsrightwithonlythepronoun.If'Mehadadog'iswrong,thensois'Annieandmehadadog'if
youwouldn'tsay'WatchIwhileIshowyou',youshouldn'tsay'WatchHelenandI'.
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It'srighttosay'betweenyouandme',andwrongtosay'betweenyouandI'.Thisisbecauseaprepositionsuchas'between'shouldbefollowedbyanobject
pronounsuchas'me','him','her',and'us'ratherthanasubjectpronounsuchas'I','he','she',and'we'.
ContributedBy:
AdityaZutshi
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Prepositions
PREPOSITIONS
DEFINITION
Prepositionisawordusedtorelatenounorpronountoformaphrase.Theyareusedbeforenounstogiveadditionalinformationinasentence.Usually,
prepositionsareusedtoshowwheresomethingislocatedorwhensomethinghappened.
EXAMPLES
1.Therearenutsinthebox.
'in'showstherelationbetweentwothings.Preposition'in'isconnectingnounwithanoun.
2.Hehasafetishforcars.
Preposition'for'isconnectingadjectivetoanoun.
3.Heturnedofftheswitch.
Preposition'off'isconnectingverbtoanoun.
NOTEPrepositionisgenerallyplacedbeforethenounbutsometimesprepositionfollowsalso.
EXAMPLES
1.Whatarewewaitingfor?
2.Whichschoolishestudyingin?
3.HeistheoneIwasspeakingof.
4.Whileeditingtheproofofoneofhisbooks,WinstonChurchillspottedasentencethathadbeenclumsilyrewrittenbytheeditortoeliminateapreposition
attheend.Theelderstatesmanmockedtheintentionwithacommentinthemargin:"ThisisthesortofEnglishupwithwhichIwillnotput."
Intheabovesentences,prepositionisplacedintheendwhentheobjectiseitherarelativepronounoraninterrogativepronoun.
PHRASEPREPOSITIONS:AgroupofwordsusedwiththeforceofaprepositionarecalledPhrasePrepositions.
inorderto,inspiteof,alongwith,infrontof,accordingto,owingto,becauseof,away
from,inaccordancewith,insteadof.
Accordingto
Incaseof
Bymeansof
Bywayof
Inorderto
Byreasonof
Owingto
Withregard
to
Withaneyeto
Incompliance
with
Incomparison
to
Inlieuof
Infavourof
Awayfrom
Bydintof
Incourseof
Forsakeof
Becauseof
Onaccountof
Inreference
to
Agreeablyto
Inregardto
Inspiteof
Intheeventof
Inplaceof
Withtheview
to
Inconsequence
of
Onbehalfof
Inadditionto
Inaccordance
with
Conformablyto
Intheevent
of
Alongwith
Insteadof
Infrontof
Byvirtueof
EXAMPLES:
1)Accordingtome,thisdresswillsuityou.
2)Bywayofmeeting,heproposedtoher.
3)Owingtohislaidbackattitude,hewasfiredfromtheorganization.
3)Pleasemakethechequeinfavourof"WalMartPvt.Ltd."
4)Onaccountofhishardwork,hehasscoredthehighestmarksintheclass.
5)WithregardtoChechnya,themainrebelleadersShamilBasayevandAlKhattabweretrainedandindoctrinatedinCIAsponsoredcampsinAfghanistanand
Pakistan.
6)FromtodayonwardsJaiwouldbeworkinginplaceofVeer.
7)OnbehalfofPaco,Pansyattendedtheparty.
8)ConformablytotheItalianlawofprivacyThepersonaldataofthecustomerareregisteredbyItalianGovernment.
9)Insteadofreadingthecomics,youshouldreadyourcoursebooks.
10)Incaseofemergencycall911.
11)Heatemedicine,inlieuofdrinkingthesyrup.
12)Iamstayingawayfromhome.
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13)Withaviewtocompany'sprogress,Iwouldlikeyoutoincreasemysalary.
14)Inreferencetoyouradvertisement,Iamsendingacrossmyresume.
15)Inspiteofallthedifficulties,hemanagedtotoptheclass.
16)InadditiontoCATIalsotookGMAT.
17)Yourcarisstandinginfrontofmyhouse.
18)Hesurvivedinspiteofriskyoperation.
19)Webbshapedeveryphrasewithaneyetothenarrative.
20)Hewontheracebythedintofhisperseverance.
21)SwahilicouldnotattendRasul'smarriagebecauseofherillness.
22)Agreeablytothetermsoflaw,Iherebyacceptmycrime.
23)Intheeventofhismarriage,hissisterwouldarrangeforeverything.
24)Inconsequenceofhisillness,hecouldn'ttakehisexams.
25)Pleasedistributechocolatesalongwiththechips.
26)IndiawonthematchbythevirtueofSehwag'sstokeplay.
27)Theyclimbedthemountainbythemeansofrope.
28)Bythereasonofrobbery,hewassenttojail.
29)PleasecompletetheworkforthesakeofGod.
30)Inaccordancewiththerulesandregulations,youarenotallowedtoattendtheclass.
31)TufahadancesbetterincomparisontoManila.
PARTICIPLEPREPOSITIONS:Somepresentparticipalsofverbsareusedwithoutanynounorpronounbeingattachedtothem.
1)Respectingthedecisionyouhavetaken,Iwouldliketosuggestsomething.
2)ConcerningthePrimeMinister'sdeath,thereismourningallacrossthecountry.
3)IcollectedthispaintingbyMichelangelo,duringmyvisittoRome.
4)Pendingfurtherpunishments,Omorosewouldbesenttogallows.
5)Barringicecream,youwillreceiveeverythingelse.
6)Consideringhishardwork,hiswinwasassured.
7)Regardingyourqueries,wedonotofferSATcoaching.
CLAUSEASANOBJECTTOAPREPOSITION
1)Wallaceisamanofmeans.
2)Ihavebeenmakingcontentthewholeday.
3)JuliusCeaserfoughtwithcourage.
4)PadmalakshmimarriedSalmanformoney.
5)Iwillcompletethisassignmentwithinthisweek.
SOMEOBJECTSTOPREPOSITIONAREANADVERB
1.Haveyoubeenwaitingsincethen?(then=thattime)
2.Celestineisgoingthere.(there=thatplace)
3.Wholiveshere?(here=thisplace)
4.Trainmusthavereachedstationbynow.(now=thistime)
5.Nothingonthisearthcanlastforever(forever=forlife)
SOMETIMESOBJECTTOAPREPOSITIONISANADVERBIALPHRASE
1.Hewasthrownoutoftheclass.
2.Completethisworkbeforeyougohome.
3.Icametoofficebeforeyouleft.
4.DennisdidnothavedinneruntilDorainecame.
5.Thereisaliondrinkingwateracrosstheriver.
USAGEOFAT
1)Todesignatespecifictimes
a)Iwillseeyouat10'oclock.
b)Iwakeupat6a.m.
2)WithPlaces
a)Atbusstop
b)Atthemarketplace
3)Withgroupsofpeople
a)atparty
b)atthebackofthebuilding
4)Specificaddresses
a)Cleopatralivesat10DowningStreet.
b)WewillmeetatOberoi's.
5)Withplacesonthepage
a)atthetopofthepage.
b)atthecenterofthepaper.
6)Withmealtimes
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a)Atlunch
b)Atdinner
USAGEOFON
1)Forassumingplaceasasurface
a)Thepaintingishangingonthewall.
b)Thebookislyingonthetable.
2)Forbicycle,plane,ship,train,foot
a)Igotoofficeonfoot.
b)IwillgotoHonkongonplane.
3)Fordatesanddays
a)Wewillmeeton2ndApril,2006.
b)IamgoinghomeonWednesday.
4)Withislands
a)IhavestayedonAndamanandNicobar.
b)IhavespentmyholidayonNewGuinea.
5)Withdirections
a)ontheleft
b)ontheright
6)Abouttheparticularsubject
a)ThisbookiswrittenonAfrica.
b)Couldupleaseadviceonwhatdoiwearforparty.
7)Aboutthefoodonwhichsomeonesurvivesandfuel
a)isurvivedonlyonsaladforthewholemoonth.
b)MostofthecarsinIndiarunonpetrol.
8)Onradioandtelevision
a)Hey!iamontelevision.
b)Canyouhearmeonradio?
9)Fortriporjourney
a)Iboughttoysformykidsonmywaybackfromoffice.
b)Rossanewentontripwithherfriends.
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Articles
ARTICLES
Therearetwokindsofarticles
1)Definite
2)Indefinite
Indefinite:Indefinitearticlesarea,an,someandany.Theyareusedfornonspecificthings.
EXAMPLES:
1)Iamplanningtogoonasummervacation.
2)GivemeabottleofCoke.
3)Thisisabook.
4)Iateanorangeinthebreakfast.
5)CanIhavesomechocolatesplease?
USAGEOFINDEFINITEARTICLES
1)Withnonspecificsingularcountablecommonnouns.
EXAMPLES:
a)WouldyoulikeabottleofPepsiwithpizza?
b)Iamdrivingacar.
c)Hehasgiftedmeabook.
d)Iameatinganorange.
e)Itsababyboy!
f)Canihavesomemilk?
g)Therearentanypopcornsleftinthebowl.
h)Ihavegiftedhimanumbrella.
i)anoldmanswalkingwithastick.
j)Heiswearingahat.
2)Use'a'isbeforeaconsonantsoundand'an'beforeavowelsound.
EXAMPLES:
acar,aboy,acup,abucket,anumbrella,aunion,aEurope.
3)Torefertoapartofalargerquantity.
EXAMPLES:
a)CanIhaveasliceofbread?
b)Ihadapieceofcake.
c)Givemeasheetofpaper.
d)CanIhaveacupoftea?
4)Withsomeone'snameyouhavenotmetbefore.
EXAMPLES:
a)AMrs.Tanejahadcometoseeyou.
b)AMr.Rogerswasrunninginthepark.
5)Whennounisintroducedforthefirsttime.
EXAMPLES:
a)Aboywasplayingwiththeball.Theboywaswearingablackshirt.
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b)Abookiskeptonthetable.thebookcontainsthenamesofthecountriesoftheworld.
c)Iwenttoahotel.thehotelwasbeautiful.
6)Withwaterbodieseg.sea,ocean,lakeetc.andcontinents.
EXAMPLES:
a)Asiaisacontinent.
b)Cactusisgrowninadesert.
c)Sharksliveinanocean.
7)Beforeatitlewhichisnotspecific.
EXAMPLES:
a)Heisgoingtobeaprimeminister.
b)Heisawaiter.
c)Iamadoctor.
d)Rossaneisaneconomicsteacher.
8)Withnumberandquantityexpressions.
EXAMPLES:
a)Iwillbebackinhalfanhour.
b)Thebananascost$5adozen.
c)Iwillcomebackinadayorso.
d)YoucantakeGMAT5timesayear.
e)Thetestisforaquarterofanhour.
9)Torepresentsingularnounasawholeclass.
EXAMPLES:
a)Thecowisatimidanimal.
b)Theturtledoveisakindofbird.
c)TheburoakisatimbertreeinUS.
d)Theyellowwoodisararenativetree.
e)Themangoisknownasakingofallfruits.
DEFINITEARTICLES:Definitearticleis'the'.Itisusedforparticularthings.
USAGEOFDEFINITEARTICLES
1)Withparticularnouns.
EXAMPLES:
a)GeorgeBushisthepresidentofUnitedStates.
b)Asiaisthelargestcontinentoftheworld.
c)Couldyoupleasepassthebook?
d)Gorightandthenturntowardstheleft.
e)Hehasgonetothedoctor.
2)Beforepropernoun:
1)Canals:ThePanamaCanal,theCorydoncanal.
2)Rivers:TheAmazonCongo,TheNile.
3)GroupofIslands:TheAndamanandNicobar,Thelakswadeep.
4)SeasandOceans:Thepacific,TheBayofBengal
5)Deserts:TheGobi,TheThar,TheSahara
6)Namesofcountrieswhichincludeswordslikerepublicandkingdom:The
ItalianRepublic,TheSlovakRepublic,TheUnitedKingdom
3)Beforemusicalinstruments:
EXAMPLES:
a)Heknowshowtoplaytheguitar.
b)ZakirHussainplaysthetabla.
c)AmjadAliKhanisthesantoorplayer.
4)WithSuperlatives:
EXAMPLES:
a)Ratiisthebestteacherintheschool.
b)TomCruiseisthehottestmaninHollywood..
c)Hemadethemostofhisopportunity.
5)Beforethenamesofthingsthatareuniqueoftheirownkind.
EXAMPLES:
a)Themoonisshiningbrightinthesky.
b)Whatdoyouwanttoknowabouttheocean?
c)Thestarsaretwinklinginthesky.
d)Theearthisround.
e)Animalsthatliveinthedeserthaveadaptationstocopewiththelackofwater.
6)WithOrdinals
EXAMPLES:
a)GuruGovindSinghwasthetenthguruoftheSikhs.
b)'APaleViewofHills'isthefirstbookbyKazuoIshiguro.
c)Aprilisthefourthmonthoftheyear.
d)JawaharLalNehruwasthefirstPrimeMinisterofIndia.
e)Hewasthefirstonetoentertheclass.
7)Beforethenamesofcertainbooks
EXAMPLES:
theRamayana,theBible,TheVedas,TheUpnishads,theMahabharata,theQuoran.
8)Asanadverbwithacomparative.
EXAMPLES:
a)Themoreheworkshard,thebetteritisforhim.
b)Themorethemerrier.
c)Thesooner,thebetter.
9)Beforeacommonnounwhenitisqualifiedbyanadjective.
EXAMPLES:
a)ThegreatNapoleon.
b)ThebeautifulHelenofTroy.
c)ThecruelHitler.
d)TheimmortalWordsworth.
10)Beforeanadjectivewhenthenounisunderstood.
EXAMPLES:
a)Thericharebecomingricher.
b)Thewhiteslookdownuponblacks.
OMISSIONOFTHEARTICLE
1)Beforepluralcountablenounwhentheyareusedingeneralsense.
EXAMPLES:
a)Chocolatesarekeptinthebox.(Inplaceofthechocolatesarekeptinthebox)
b)Girlsarewearingprettydresses.(Inplaceofthegirlsarewearingprettydressesor
somegirlsarewearingprettydresses)
c)Scissorsarekeptinthecupboard.(Inplaceofthescissorsarekeptinthecupboard)
d)Menareconsideredtobebettercooksthanwomen.
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e)Childrenliketohearstories.
2)Beforetable,school,hospital,college,church,prison,marketandbedwhentheseplacesareusedforprimarypurpose.
EXAMPLES:
a)Webecamefriendsinschool.
b)Thepatientwastakentohospital.
c)Earlytobed,earlytorisemakesamanhealthy,wealthyandwise.
d)Theseshoesareavailableinmarket.
3)Beforethenamesofmeals.
EXAMPLES:
a)Letsgooutforlunchtoday.
b)Breakfastisready.
c)RickihasgoneoutfordinnerwithStella.
d)Wewereservedbrunchatthewedding.
e)Weatericeinlunchtoday.
4)Beforemostpropernouns.
EXAMPLES:
a)Namesofpeople:Afton,Blossom
b)Namesofindividualmountains:MountEverest,Mt.Olympus
c)Namesofcountries,cities,continents:Africa,Melbourne,India
d)Namesofindividuallakes,islands,hills:Dallake,Mudisland.
e)Beforelanguagesandnationalities
EXAMPLES:
a)RhynaspeaksFrenchathome.
b)HeislearningGermanatMaxMueller?.
c)WearetaughtItalianatschool.
d)JapaneseambassadorwouldbevisitingIndianextweek.
6)Beforenamesofrelationslikebrother,mother,uncle,aunt,andallsonurse,cookmeaning'ourcook','ournurse'eg.
EXAMPLES:
a)Cookhasn'tcookedfoodproperlytoday.
b)Fatherhaspromisedmetobuyanewlaptop.
c)Auntiscominghometoseeus.
7)Beforethenamesofsubstancesandabstractnouns.
EXAMPLES:
a)Sugarisasweetpoison.
b)Honestyisthebestpolicy.
c)Silenceisgolden.
d)Patienceisvirtue.
8)Beforenamesofsports:
EXAMPLES:
a)HockeyisthenationalsportofIndia.
b)Soccerislikedbymostpeople.
c)Hehasgonetoplayhockey.
9)Beforenamesofacademicsubjects
EXAMPLES:
a)Moststudentsfindmathstough.
b)Ihavestudiedbiologyatschoollevel.
c)ComputerScienceismyfavouritesubject.
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UsualvsIsUsual
Usualv/s.IsUsual:
HeisfasterthanisusualforanyhumanbeingIscorrect.
HeisfasterthanusualtodayIscorrect
AMercedesismoreexpensivethanusualforacarIncorrect
AMercedesismoreexpensivethanisusualforacarCorrect
Whensomethingiscomparedtoasubgrouptowhichitbelongs,isusualshouldbeused.Whensomethingiscomparedtoitself,usualisfine.e.g.Heisnicer
thanusual.
ContributedBy:ClenchedFist
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SingularandPlural
SingularandPlural
Somenounshavesingularandpluralalikeasswine,sheep,dear,cod,trout,salmon,aircraft,series,spacecraft,species,pair,dozen,score,gross,hundred,
thousands(whenusedafternumerals).
Somenounsareusedonlyinplural.
1.Nameoftheinstrumentswhichhavetwopartsformingakindofpairasbellows,scissors,tongs,pincers,spectacles.
2.Namesofcertainarticlesofdressesastrousers,drawers,breeches,jeans,tights,shorts,pyjamas.
3.Certainothernounsasannals,thanks,proceeds(ofasale),tidings,environs,nuptials,obsequies,assets,chattels.
4.Somenounsoriginallysingulararenowgenerallyusedinthepluralasalms,riches,eaves.
5.Certaincollectivenouns,thoughsingularinformaspoultry,cattle,vermin,people,gentry.
Contributedby:KunalGupta
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IdiomList
IdiomstoRemember
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1)ToexchangeXforY(exchangeXwithYoranyotherformisincorrect)
2)Differentfromoneanother(Differentonefromtheotheriswrong)
3)Xisunknown,noritisknownisacorrectidiom(Neitherisnotrequired)Itisnotthatnorwouldalwaysbeprecededbyaneither
4)Toratify(Atratifyingisincorrect)Anattempttoratifyisthecorrectuse
5)Allergyto(Allergyof,allergyforareincorrect)
6)Totrytofixistherightidiom(totryandfixisincorrect)
7)JustasSotoo
8)XisdifferentfromY(differentthanYisincorrect)
9)SameasX..astoY
10)FromXtoY(Growfrom2millionto3billion)(FromXuptoYiswrong)
11)Estimatedtobe(Estimatedatisincorrect)
12)BelieveXtobeY
13)Believedtohave
14)Acclaimedasisthecorrectidiom(Acclaimedtobeiswrong)
15)DistinguishbetweenXandY(DistinguishXfromYisincorrect)
16)Inanattemptto(gaincontrol)
17)Worriedabout(Whentalkingaboutsomeone'scondition)
18)Attemptto/dosomething(Attemptatdoingisincorrect).
19)BothXandY(BothXaswellasYisincorrect)BothatXandatYiscorrect.BothonXoronYiscorrect.Bothshouldalwayshaveparallelformsassociated
toit.Similarly,Neithernorshouldhaveparallelformsassociatedtoit.
20)Adverbtwicecannotbeanobjectofproposition'by'.
'Increasebytwice'isincorrect'doubled'iscorrect
21)SoXastobeY(Sounrealastobetrue)
22)Asmuchas(RepublicansareinvolvedasmuchasDemocrats).
23)XprohibitsYfrom
24)xforbidsytodoz
xprohibitsyfromdoingz.
25)CreditXwithdiscoveringY(Creditwithdoingsomething)
26)CreditXRupeestoY'saccount(Whenmoneyisinvolved)
27)Givencreditforbeingoneswho
28)Regardedashaving
29)Regardedasoneswhohave
30)Concernedforworriedconcernedwithrelated/affliated
31)Nosoonerthan
32)XexpectedtoY
33)MistakeXforY
34)NotXbutratherY
35)PersuadedXtodoY
36)SoXthatY(Sopoorthattheysteal)
37)RequirethatXbeY(NotrequirethatXisY)
38)Asaresultof
39)Atleastasstrongas(Atleastasgreatas)
40)Modeledafter
41)SoXthatY(Soilliteratearepeoplethattheycantevenwrite)
42)Intenton
43)Nativeof(Nativetoisalsousedinsomecases,asintheexamplegivenbelow)
44)Compensatefor
45)Adaptedfor
46)Pleadguiltyforfailing
47)Descendentof(Descendentforisincorrect)
48)Xistowhat?Yisto
49)Potentialforcausing
50)Aidin(Aidforisincorrect)
PeoplewereaskingGoddessDiasaidinhealingillsorthankingherforsuchhelp.
51)ConsiderXtobeY(alittlecontroversial)
52)Regardasisthecorrectidiom
53)Whenratesmeanspriceschargeditshouldbefollowedwith'for'
Ratesforliabilityinsurance
54)DistinguishbetweenXandY(2verydifferentitems,distinguished,sayredandgreencolors)
Somecolorblindpeoplecannotdistinguishbetweenredandgreen
55)DistinguishXfromY(Twoprettysimilaritems,sayoriginalpaintingsfromfakeones)
56)AttributeX(Aneffect)toY(Acause)
57)Notinaflashbutina
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58)Maybe(Thisisaword)isidiomatic,maybe(Thismeansperhaps)isnotidiomatic
59)ThatXiscalledforisindicatedbothbyYandbyZ.
60)NotsomuchtoXastoY
61)AssociateXwithY
62)BusinessethicsIsasingularword
63)Toworryaboutsomeone'scondition(Tokeepworryingoveranaction)
64)CombinedXwithYORCombinedXandY(Botharecorrect)
e.g.Combinedskillwithdetermination
CombinedreactantXandreactantY
65)waytoprovide(Wayforprovidingisincorrect)
66)Nolessanauthoritythan
67)Acclaimedasisthecorrectidiom
68)Allocatedtoisthecorrectidiom
ContributedBy:AnupamAggarwal
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AuxiliaryVerbs
AuxiliaryVerbs
Auxiliaryverbsareusedtogetherwithamainverbtogivegrammaticalinformationandthereforeaddextrameaningtoasentence,whichisnotgivenbythe
mainverb.
Theyareusedtoformthepassivevoice.
Theyareusedtoformthecontinuoustense.
Theyareusedtoformtheperfecttense.
Be,DoandHaveareauxiliaryverbs,theyareirregularverbsandcanbeusedasmainverbs.Theverbs'tobe'and'tohave'arethemostcommonlyused
auxiliaryverbsandworkalongsidethemainverbsinanystatement.
Knowingcorrectauxiliaryverbusageiskeytotenseusage.
Everytensetakesanauxiliaryformoftheverb.Therearethreeexceptionstothisrule:
Simplepresentpositive:Sheworksatabank.
Simplepastpositive:HeboughtanewTVlastweek.
Positiveimperativestatements:Hurryup!
TherearealsoanumberofshortformsthattakeONLYtheauxiliaryformoftheverb:
Yes/Noanswershortforms:
DoyouliveinIndia?No,Idon't.
HasshebeentoDelhi?Yes,shehas.
Questiontags:
TheyenjoylearningEnglish,don'tthey?
Hewon'tagreewithme,willhe?
Positiveagreement/inclusion:
Iwenttothebeachlastweekend.
SodidI.
I'mworkingveryhardatthemoment.Soisshe.
Negativeagreement/inclusion:
Theyhaven'tworkedherelong.NeitherhaveI.
Wewon'tbeabletocomenextweek.NeitherwillI.
Hereisaquickoverviewofauxiliaryverbusage:
DO/DOES
Usedsimplepresentquestionandnegativeforms:
Whattimedoeshegetup?
Theydon'tdrivetowork.Theytakethebus.
DID
Usedinsimplepastquestionandnegativeforms:
Whendidtheyarriveyesterday?
Hedidn'tfinishhishomeworklastweek.
IS/ARE/AM
Usedinpresentcontinuousandforthefuturewith'goingto':
Theyareworkinghardatthemoment.
Sheisgoingtostudymedicineatuniversity.
WAS/WERE
Pastcontinuous:
IwaswatchingTVwhenyouarrived.
Whatweretheydoingwhileyouwerecookingdinner?
HAVE/HAS
Presentperfectandpresentperfectcontinuous:
Howlonghaveyoulivedhere?
I'vebeenworkingsinceseventhismorning.
HAD
Pastperfectandpastperfectcontinuous:
HehadeatenbythetimeIarrived.
Shehadbeenstudyingfortwohourswhenhefinallytelephoned.
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WILL/WON'T
Futurewith'will':
Whatwilltheweatherbeliketomorrow?
Hewon'tunderstand.
ContributedbyClenchedFist
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HappyEndings
Addingendings
Usuallyendings(suffixes)canbeaddedtobasewordswithoutanycomplications.Youjustaddthemandthatisthat!
e.g.
iron+ing=ironing
steam+er=steamer
list+less=listless
However,therearefourgroupsofwordswhichneedespecialcare.Fortunately,therearesomestraightforwardruleswhichsaveyourlearning
thousandsofwordsindividually.
Rules:
The111rule
Thisruleappliesto:
WordsofONEsyllableendingwithONEconsonantprecededbyONEvowel
e.g.drop,flat,sun,win.
Whenyouaddanendingbeginningwithaconsonanttoalllword,thereisnochangetothebaseword:
drop+let=droplet
flat+ly=flatly
win+some=winsome
Whenyouaddanendingbeginningwithavoweltoalllword,youdoublethefinalletterofthebaseword:
drop+ed=dropped
flat+est=flattest
win+ing=winning
sun+*y=sunny
*ycountsasavowelwhenitsoundslikeiore.SeeVOWELS.
Treatquasoneletter:
quit+ing=quitting
quip+ed=quipped
Dontdoublefinalwandx.Theywouldlookveryoddandsowehavecorrectly:
tax+ing=taxing
paw+ed=pawed
(ii)Themagicerule
Thisruleappliestoallwordsendingwithasilente.
e.g.hope,care,achieve,sincere,separate.
Whenyouaddanendingbeginningwithaconsonant,keepthee:
hope+ful=hopeful
care+less=careless
sincere+ly=sincerely
separate+ly=separately
achieve+ment=achievement
Whenyouaddanendingbeginningwithavowel,dropthee:
hope+ing=hoping
care+er=carer
sincere+ity=sincerity
separate+ion=separation
achieve+ed=achieved
Do,however,keeptheeinwordslikesingeing(differentfromsinging)anddyeing(differentfromdying)andwheneveryouneedtokeeptheidentityof
thebasewordclear(e.g.shoeing,canoeing).
Doremembertokeeptheewithsoftcandsoftgwords.It'stheethatkeepsthemsoft(courageous,traceable).
Don'tkeeptheewiththeseeightexceptionstotherule:truly,duly,ninth,argument,wholly,awful,whilst,wisdom.
(iii)yrule
Thisruleappliestoallwordsendinginy.Lookattheletterbeforetheyinthebaseword.Itdoesn'tmatteratallwhatkindofendingyouareadding.
Whenyouaddanendingtoawordendinginavowel+y,keepthey:
portray+ed=portrayed
employ+ment=employment
Whenyouaddanendingtoawordendinginaconsonant+y,changetheytoi:
try+al=trial
empty+er=emptier
pity+less=pitiless
lazy+ness=laziness
Dokeeptheywhenaddinging.Twoistogetherwouldlookveryodd,despiteourtwowordsskiingandtaxiing.
try+ing=trying
empty+ing=emptying
Don'tapplytheruleinthesefourteencases:
daily,gaily,gaiety,laid,paid,
said,slain,babyhood,shyly,shyness,
dryness,slyness,wryly,wryness.
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(iv)The211rule
Thisruleappliesto:wordsofTWOsyllablesendingwithONEconsonantprecededbyONEvowel.Withthisrule,italldependsonwhichsyllable
ofthewordisstressed.
The211wordsbelowarestressedonthefirstsyllable,andbothvowelandconsonantendingsareaddedwithoutanycomplications:
gossipgossiping
targettargeted
limitlimitless
eagereagerness
Butnotethat
Kidnap
Outfit
Worship
alwaysdoubletheirfinalletter:
Kidnapped
Outfitter
Worshipping
Takecarewith211wordswhicharestressedonthesecondsyllable.Thereisnochangewhenyouaddaconsonantending:
forget+ful=forgetful
equip+ment=equipment
Doublethefinalconsonantofthebasewordwhenyouaddavowelending:
forget+ing=forgetting
equip+ed=equipped
forbid+en=forbidden
begin+er=beginner
Thisruleisreallyvaluablebutyoumustbeawareofsomeexceptions:
"211wordsendinginlseemtohavearulealloftheirown.Whetherthestressisonthefirstorthesecondsyllable,thereisnochange
whenaconsonantendingisadded:
quarrel+some=quarrelsome
instal+ment=instalment
Doublethelwhenaddingavowelending:
quarrel+ing=quarrelling
instal+ed=installed
excel+ent=excellent
"Noticehowthechangeofstressinthesewordsaffectsthespelling:
conferconferredconferringconference
deferdeferreddeferringdeference
inferinferredinferringinference
preferpreferredpreferringpreference
referreferredreferringreference
transfertransferredtransferringtransference
ContributedBy:DeepThinkerGadha
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ListofConfusingWords
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Will,Goingto,andPresentContinuous.
Will,Goingto,andPresentContinuous.
Whenweusewill,wedecidetodosomethingatthatverymoment.Thespeakerhasnotdecidedbefore.
Sarahishospitalized.Ohreally,Illgoandvisither.
Goingtoisusedwhenthespeakerhasalreadydecidedtodosomething.
Sarahishospitalized.YesIknow,Iamgoingtovisithertomorrow.
Again,presentcontinuousisusedwhenthespeakerhasalreadyarrangedtodosomething.
Iamgoingtothemarket.
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GrammarExercises
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ListofTonesofPassages
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ImproveYourVocabulary
HelloAll,Ifoundthebelowwrittenarticlefromaveryreliablesource:
START
SUPPOSEYOUareonatrain,withnothingtodoexceptobserveyourfellowtravellers.Acoupleofprofessionallookingpeoplearetalking
earnestly.Youhearthewords,Theseallergicreactionswouldseemtocontraindicatetheuseofpenicillin.'
Allergic,penicillinthesemustbemedicalpeople.Butwhatwasthatotherword,contraindicate?Itisnotawordyouhaveeverheardbefore.
Whynothaveagoatworkingoutitsmeaning?
Allergicreactionsaredoingsomethingtotheuseofpenicillin.So,contraindicateisaverb.Allergicreactionsarenotdesirable.Theysometimes
followtheuseofvariousdrugs.Youknowthat.Sothesentenceprobablymeanssomethinglike:'Allergicreactionsruleoutusingpenicillinor
makeitimpossibleorundesirabletouseit.'Perhapscontraindicateisaspecialistmedicalwordmeaningsomethingalongtheselines.
Nowhowaboutapproachingtheproblemfromadifferentangle?Contraindicate?Itisawordmadeupoftwoparts.Theindicatepartis
straightforward.Itmeans:'demonstrate,suggest,orshow'.
Whataboutcontra?Thereareanumberofcommonwordsthatbeginwithcontra:contradict,contraception,contravene.Allthesewordssuggest
beingagainstsomethingagainstwhatsomeoneelsehassaid,againstpregnancy,againstaruleorlaw.Sothechancesarethatcontraindicate
meanssomethinglike'suggestagainst'..Thewholesentencewouldappeartomeanthat'Allergicreactionsseemtoshowthatpenicillinshouldnot
beused'.Whichispreciselywhatitdoesmean.
END
Cheers!!
AM
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Comma
Comma
lists
Commasareusedtoseparateitemsinaseriesorlists.
IwenttoItaly,Rome,andVenice
Ilistenedtojazz,classic,androckmusicyesterday.
Itisnecessarytousecommabefore'and'becausethelasttwoitemsmayglomintooneifaserialcommaisnotused.
DirectSpeech
Acommaisusedbetweenthereportingexpressionandapieceofdirectspeech.
Hesaid,"Ilikeyou".
Ifareportingexpressionfollowsapieceofdirectspeech,weputacommainsteadofafullstopbeforetheclosingquotationmark.
"Ilikeyou",hesaid.
IndirectSpeech
Commaisnotusedbeforethat,where,whatetc.inindirectspeech.
Ididn'tknowwhereIshouldsit.(NOT:Ididn'tknow,whereIshouldsit.)
Hesaidthathelikesme.(NOT:Hesaid,thathelikesme.)
CoordinateClauses
Clausesconnectedwithand,butororareusuallyseparatedbycommasunlesstheyareveryshort.
Compare:
IdecidedtotrythethincrustGardenPizza,andTGorderedpanminiswithfivesauces.
IhadpizzaandTGhadhadpanminis.
SubordinateClauses
Whensubordinateclausesbeginsentences,theyareoftenfollowedbycommas.Compare:
IfyouareeverinDelhi,comeandseeme.
ComeandseemeifyouareeverinDelhi.
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Preposition+Noun/verb/Adjective
Noun,adjectivesorverbscanbefollowedbyprepositions.
noun+preposition(noun+of/for/in/to/with/between)
achequeforIwasgiftedachequeforRs1lakh.
Similarlyneedfor/demandfor/reasonfor('reasonof'isawrongusage)
Rohanshowedmethepicturesofhisfriends.
Samhadtopayforthedamagestothecar.
Doyoushareagoodrelationshipwithyourboyfriend?
adjective+preposition(adjective+at/by/about/with/to/on/in/for)
Itwasveryniceofyou.
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Iwasworriedaboutyou.
Areyouinterestedindrawing?
Iamrunningshortofmoney.
Youaresorryaboutsomething,sorryfordoingsomething,andsorryforsomeone.
Iamsorryaboutthenoiseyesterday.
Iamsorryforyellingatyoulastnight.
Ifeelsorryforhim.
Verb+preposition(verb+at/to/about/for/on/after/into/of/from)
(payfor/sufferfrom/suspectof/blamefor/believein/prefertoetc.)
Iprefercoffeetotea.
Theschoolprovideallitsstudentswithlaptops.
Doyoubelieveinthepowerofalmighty.
IthankGodforblessingmewithgoodlife.
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Disinterested/Uninterested
Disinterested:impartial.
Example:adisinteresteddecisionbyaking.
Towriteistobecomedisinterested.Thereisacertainrenunciationinart.
Uninterested:notinterestedin.
Example:Nottolikeicecreamistoshowoneselfuninterestedinfood.
Acollectivenountakesasingularverbwhenitreferstothecollectionconsideredasawhole.
Eg.Thefamilywasunitedonthisquestion.
Thecommitteehasissueditsreports.
Ittakesapluralverbwhenitreferstothemembersofthegroupconsideredasindividuals.
Myfamilyarealwaysfightingamongthemselves.
Thecommitteehavenotannouncedanewpolicy.
Thecommoncollectivenounsarecommittee,company,public,enemy,group,family,flock,firm,team,clergyetc.
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DependentClause/Question
1.IntroductionofaDependentClause
Whenthepronounactsasthesubjectoftheclause,usewho.
Heisawonderfulmanwhoisdestinedforgreatthings.(WhoisthesubjectoftheclausewhoisdestinedforgreatthingsorHeisdestinedforgreatthings.
Whenthepronounactsastheobjectoftheclause,usewhom.
Jackwantedtoknowonwho/whomtheprankwaspulled.(WhomistheobjectoftheclausewhomtheprankwaspulledorTheprankwaspulledonhim.)
2.Introductionofaquestion:
Whentheanswertothequestionbeginswithasubjectivepersonalpronoun(e.g.he/she/they),usewho.
Whoistheknockingatthedoor?Heisknockingatthedoor.(Heissubjectivetherefore,whoiscorrect.)
Whentheanswertothequestionisanobjectivepersonalpronoun(e.g.her/him/them),usewhom.
Whomdidyoubuythecakefor?Iboughtthecakeforhim.(Himisobjectivetherefore,whomiscorrect.)
Indistinguishingbetweenwhoeverandwhomever,thesamerulesapply.
he=who/whoever
him=whom/whomever
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SpotTheDifference
SpotTheDifference..ByRajuSoni
Conventions:
(n)=noun
(v)=verb
(adj)=adjective
(pn)=pronoun
(Syn)=synonyms
(adv)=adverb
(opp)=antonyms/opposite
Meaningsareshortenoughtonotmakereadingboringandlongenoughtobeabletospot
thedifferenceclearly!
1.
Vocation(n)(aprincipaloccupation)atypeofworkorwayoflifethatyoubelieveisespeciallysuitableforyou
Avocation(n)Somethingapersondoesinadditiontoaprincipaloccupation,esp.forpleasure
2.
Accessary(adj)aidingandabettinginacrime
(n)someonewhohelpsanotherpersoncommitacrime
Accessory(n)anextrapieceofequipmentthatisusefulbutnotessentialorthatcanbeaddedtosthelseasadecoration
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3.
Affection(n)thefeelingoflikingorlovingsb/sthverymuchandcaringaboutthem
Affectation(n)behaviouroranactionthatisnotnaturalorsincereandthatisoftenintendedtoimpressotherpeople
4.
Agnostic(n)apersonwhoisnotsurewhetherornotGodexistsorwhobelievesthatwecannotknowwhetherGodexistsornot
Atheist(n)apersonwhobelievesthatGoddoesnotexist
5.
Allude(v)alludetosb/sthtomentionsthinanindirectway
Elude(v)toavoidorescapebyspeed,cleverness,trickery,etc.evade
6.
Amiable(adj)pleasantfriendlyandeasytolike
Amicable(adj)doneorachievedinapoliteorfriendlywayandwithoutquarrelling
7.
Apprise(v)apprisesbofsthtotellorinformsbofsth
Appraise(v)tomakeaformaljudgementaboutthevalueofapersonswork,usuallyafteradiscussionwiththemaboutit
8.
Aught(pn)Anythingwhateveranypart
Ought(v)expressingdutyorrightness
9.
Ament(n)Apersonwhoseintellectualcapacityremainsundeveloped.
Emend(v)toremovethemistakesinapieceofwriting,especiallybeforeitisprinted
10.
Attenuate(v)tomakesthweakerorlesseffective
Extenuate(v)make(guiltyoranoffence)seemlessseriousbyreferencingtoanotherfactor
11.
Brusque(adj)usingveryfewwordsandsoundingrude
Burlesque(n)aperformanceorpieceofwritingwhichtriestomakesthlookridiculousbyrepresentingitinahumorousway
12.
Bridle(n)asetofleatherbands,attachedtoREINS,whichisputaroundahorsesheadandusedforcontrollingit
(v)toputabridleonahorse
Bridal(adj)connectedwithaBRIDEorawedding
13.
Broach(v)~(sth)(to/withsb)tobegintalkingaboutasubjectthatisdifficulttodiscuss,especiallybecauseitisembarrassingorbecausepeople
disagreeaboutit
Brooch(n)apieceofjewellerywithapinonthebackofit,thatcanbefastenedtoyourclothes
14.
Cannon(n)anoldtypeoflargeheavygun,usuallyonwheels,thatfiressolidmetalorstoneballs
(v)tohitsb/sthwithalotofforcewhileyouaremoving
Canon(n)aChristianpriestwithspecialdutiesinaCATHEDRAL,
agenerallyacceptedrule,standardorprinciplebywhichsthisjudged
15.
Censor(n)apersonwhosejobistoexaminebooks,films/movies,etc.andremovepartswhichareconsideredoffensive,immoralorpolitically
dangerous
(v)toremovethepartsofabook,film/movie,etc.thatareconsideredoffensive,immoralorpoliticallydangerous
Censure(n)strongcriticism
(v)~sb(forsth)tocriticizesbseverely,andoftenpublicly,becauseofsththeyhavedone
Cynosure(n)somethingthatstronglyattractsattentionbyitsbrilliance,interest,etc.:thecynosureofalleyes.
16.
Climatic(adj)connectedwiththeweatherofaparticulararea
Climactic(adj)(ofaneventorapointintime)veryexciting,mostimportant
17.
Complacent(adj)~(aboutsb/sth)toosatisfiedwithyourselforwithasituation,sothatyoudonotfeelthatanychangeisnecessaryshowingor
feelingcomplacency
Complaisant(adj)readytoacceptotherpeoplesactionsandopinionsandtodowhatotherpeoplewant
18.
Corporal(n)amemberofoneofthelowerranksinthearmy,theMARINESortheBritishairforce
Corporeal(adj)thatcanbetouchedphysicalratherthanspiritual
19.
Decry(v)~sb/sth(assth)tostronglycriticizesb/sth,especiallypublicly
Descry(v)catchsightof,descern
20.
Delusion(n)afalsebelieforopinionaboutyourselforyoursituation,
theactofbelievingormakingyourselfbelievesththatisnottrue
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Illusion(n)afalseideaorbelief,especiallyaboutsboraboutasituation,
somethingthatseemstoexistbutinfactdoesnot,orseemstobesththatitisnot
21.
Deprecate(v)tobecomelessvaluableoveraperiodoftime
Depreciate(v)tobecomelessvaluableoveraperiodoftime
22.
Disinterested(adj)notinfluencedbypersonalfeelings,orbythechanceofgettingsomeadvantageforyourself
Uninterested(adj)~(insb/sth)notinterestednotwantingtoknowaboutsb/sth
23.
Elicit(v)~sth(fromsb)togetinformationorareactionfromsb,oftenwithdifficulty
Illicit(adj)notlegallypermittedorauthorizedunlicensedunlawful
24.
Errant(adj)doingsththatiswrongnotbehavinginanacceptableway
Arrant(adj)downrightthoroughunmitigatednotorious:anarrantfool.
25.
Expatiate(v)towriteorspeakindetailaboutasubject
Expiate(v)toacceptpunishmentforsththatyouhavedonewronginordertoshowthatyouaresorry
26.
Extant(adj)stillinexistence
Extent(n)howlarge,important,serious,etc.sthis
27.
Equable(adj)calmandnoteasilyupsetorannoyed
Equitable(adj)fairandreasonabletreatingeveryoneinanequalway
28.
Forego(v)todecidenottohaveordosththatyouwouldliketohaveordo
Forgo(v)todecidenottohaveordosththatyouwouldliketohaveordo
29.
Fractious(adj)badtemperedoreasilyupset,especiallybysmallthings
Factious(adj)of,inclinedto,orcharacterizedbyfaction.
30.
Farther(adj)atagreaterdistanceinspace,directionortime
Further(adv)toagreaterdegreeorextent,inadditiontowhathasjustbeensaid
31.
Gentle(adj)calmandkinddoingthingsinaquietandcarefulway
Genteel(adj)(ofpeopleandtheirwayoflife)quietandpolite,ofteninanexaggeratedwayfrom,orpretendingtobefrom,ahighsocialclass,
quietandoldfashionedandperhapsslightlyboring
32.
Gourmet(n)apersonwhoknowsalotaboutgoodfoodandwinesandwhoenjoyschoosing,eatinganddrinkingthem
Gourmand(n)apersonwhoenjoyseatingandeatslargeamountsoffood
33.
Immanent(adj)presentasanaturalpartofsthpresenteverywhere
Imminent(adj)likelytohappenverysoon
34.
Ingenious(adj)(ofanobject,aplan,anidea,etc.)verysuitableforaparticularpurposeandresultingfromclevernewideas
Ingenuous(adj)honest,innocentandwillingtotrustpeople
SynNaive
35.
Knave(n)adishonestmanorboy
Nave(n)thelongcentralpartofachurchwheremostoftheseatsare
36.
Martial(adj)connectedwithfightingorwar
Marital(adj)connectedwithmarriageorwiththerelationshipbetweenahusbandandwife
37.
Meet(v)tobeinthesameplaceassbbychanceandtalktothem
Mete(v)togivesbapunishmenttomakesbsufferbadtreatment
38.
Mendacity(n)theactofnottellingthetruth
Mendicity(n)
39.
Mystical(adj)havingspiritualpowersorqualitiesthataredifficulttounderstandortoexplain
Mythical(adj)existingonlyinancientmyths,thatdoesnotexistorisnottrue
40.
Mote(n)averysmallpieceofdust
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Moat(n)adeepwidechannelthatwasdugaroundacastle,etc.andfilledwithwatertomakeitmoredifficultforenemiestoattack
41.
Objurgate(adj)toscoldorrebukesharplyberate.
Obdurate(adj)refusingtochangeyourmindoryouractionsinanyway
SynStubborn
42.
Officious(adj)tooreadytotellpeoplewhattodoortousethepoweryouhavetogiveorders
Official(adj)connectedwiththejobofsbwhoisinapositionofauthority
43.
Principle(n)amoralruleorastrongbeliefthatinfluencesyouractions
Principal(n)thepersonwhoisinchargeofacollegeorauniversity
44.
Panegyric(n)aspeechorpieceofwritingpraisingsb/sth
Paregoric(n)soothing,amedicineusedtomakepacify.
45.
Perspicacity(adj)abletounderstandsb/sthquicklyandaccuratelyshowingthis
Perspicuity(n)clearnessorlucidity,asofastatement,thequalityofbeingperspicuous.
46.
Prescribe(v)~(sb)sth(forsth)(ofadoctor)totellsbtotakeaparticularmedicineorhaveaparticulartreatmenttowritea
Proscribe(v)tosayofficiallythatsthisforbidden
47.
Provident(adj)carefulinplanningforthefuture,especiallybysavingmoney
Providential(adj)luckybecauseithappensattherighttime,butwithoutbeingplanned
48.
Quiet(adj)notdisturbedpeaceful
Quite(adv)toagreatdegreeveryreally
49.
Reign(n)theperiodduringwhichaking,queen,EMPEROR,etc.rules
Rein(n)along,narrow,leatherbandthatisfastenedaroundahorsesneckandisheldbytheriderinordertocontrolthehorse
50.
Sear(v)toburnthesurfaceofsthinawaythatissuddenandpowerful
Seer(n)(inthepast)apersonwhoclaimedthattheycouldseewhatwasgoingtohappeninthefuture
51.
Simulate(v)tocreateparticularconditionsthatexistinreallifeusingcomputers,models,etc.,usuallyforstudyortrainingpurposes,tobemadeto
looklikesthelse
Dissimulate(v)tohideyourrealfeelingsorintentions,oftenbypretendingtohavedifferentones
52.
Spacious(adj)(ofaroomorbuilding)largeandwithplentyofspaceforpeopletomovearoundin
Specious(adj)seemingrightortruebutactuallywrongorfalse
53.
Stationary(adj)notmovingnotintendedtobemoved
OppMobile
Stationery(n)materialsforwritingandforusinginanoffice,forexamplepaper,pensandenvelopes
54.
Temperance(n)thepracticeofnotdrinkingalcoholbecauseofyourmoralorreligiousbeliefs,thepracticeofcontrollingyourbehaviour,the
amountyoueat,etc.,sothatitisalwaysreasonable
Temperament(n)apersonsorananimalsnatureasshowninthewaytheybehaveorreacttosituationsorpeople
55.
Unexceptional(adj)notinterestingorunusual
synUnremarkable
Unexceptionable(adj)notgivinganyreasonforcriticism,notveryneworexciting
56.
Urban(adj)connectedwithatownorcity
Urbane(adj)(especiallyofaman)goodatknowingwhattosayandhowtobehaveinsocialsituationsappearingrelaxedandconfident
57.
Vain(adj)thatdoesnotproducetheresultyouwant
Vein(adj)anyofthetubesthatcarrybloodfromallpartsofthebodytotheheart
58.
Venal(adj)preparedtododishonestorimmoralthingsinreturnformoney
Venial(adj)(ofaSINormistake)notveryseriousandthereforeabletobeforgiven
59.
Voracity(adj)eatingorwantinglargeamountsoffood,wantingalotofnewinformationandknowledge
Veracity(n)thequalityofbeingtruethehabitoftellingthetruth
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synTruthfulness
60.
Whet(v)toincreaseyourdesirefororinterestinsth
Wet(adj)coveredorsoakedwithliquid,especiallywater
61.
Wreath(n)anarrangementofflowersandleaves,especiallyintheshapeofacircle,placedongraves,etc.asasignofrespectforsbwhohasdied
Wreathe(v)~sth(in/withsth)tosurroundorcoversth,tomoveslowlyandlightly,especiallyincircles
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Who/Whom
Who
Whoisaninterrogativepronounandisusedinplaceofthesubjectofaquestion.
Whoisgoing?
Whoareyou?
Isthiswhotoldyou?
Whocanalsobeusedinstatements,inplaceofthesubjectofaclause.
Thisiswhowarnedme.
Raviistheonewhowantstogo.
Anyonewhoknowsthetruthshouldtellus.
Whom
Whomisalsoaninterrogativepronoun,butitisusedinplaceoftheobjectofaquestion.
Whomisthisstoryabout?
Withwhomareyougoing?
Whomdidtheytell?
Andwhomcanbeusedinstatements,inplaceoftheobjectofaclause.
ThisisthemanwhomItoldyouabout.
RAMisthemanwhomyoumetatdinnerlastweek.
Whomisalwaysthecorrectchoiceafterapreposition.
Thestudents,oneofwhomisgraduatingthisyear,failedthetest.
SitaisthegirlwithwhomI'mdrivingtoMarine.
ThedifferencebetweenwhoandwhomisexactlythesameasthedifferencebetweenIandMe,heandhim,sheandher,etc.Who,likeI,he,andshe,isasubjectitis
thepersonperformingtheactionoftheverb.Whom,likeme,him,andher,isanobjectitisthepersonto/about/forwhomtheactionisbeingdone.Whomisalsothe
correctchoiceafterapreposition:withwhom,oneofwhom,not"withwho,oneofwho."
Sometimesithelpstorewritethesentenceand/orreplacewho/whomwithanotherpronounsothatyoucanseetherelationshipsmoreclearly.
Thisiswhowarnedme>Hewarnedme(not"him"warnedme)
Ramistheonewhowantstogo>Hewantstogo(not"him"wantstogo)
ThisisthemanwhomItoldyouabout>Itoldyouabouthim(notabout"he")
SitaisthegirlwithwhomI'mdrivingtoMarine>I'mdrivingtoMainewithher(notwith"she")
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Adverb
Therearethreenormalpositionsforadverbsinasentence:
1)initialposition(beforethesubject)
2)midposition(betweenthesubjectandtheverborimmediatelyafterbeasamainverb)or
3)endposition(attheendoftheclause).
DifferenttypesofadverbsfavourdifferentpositionsandIdescribethesetrendsbelow.Therearesometimesexceptionstothegeneralrule,sopleaseregardthisasabasic
guide.
Initialposition
Linkingadverbs,whichjoinaclausetowhatwassaidbefore,alwayscomehere.Timeadverbscancomeherewhenwewanttoshowacontrastwithaprevious
referencetotime.Commentandviewpointadverbs(e.g.luckily,officially,presumably)canalsocomeherewhenwewanttohighlightwhatweareabouttosay.
Comparethefollowing:
Twooftheworkersweresacked,and,asaresult,everybodywentonstrike.
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Weinvitedallthefamily.However,noteveryonecouldcome.
Theweatherwillstayfinetoday,buttomorrowitwillrain.
Initially,hisconditionremainedstable,butoverthelastfewweeksithasdeteriorated.
Sitarantheoffice,although,officially,Raviwasthemanager.
Ihaven'tmadeanyplansyet,butpresumablyyou'llwanttoshowheraroundmumbai
midposition
Focusingadverbs(e.g.just,even),adverbsofindefinitefrequency(e.g.often,always,never)andadverbsofcertaintyanddegree(e.gprobably,
obviously,clearly,completely,quite,almost)allfavourthisposition.Notethatwhenauxiliaryverbs(e.g.is,has,will,was)areused,theynormallygobetween
theauxiliaryverbandthemainverb:
She'sbeeneverywhereshe'sevenbeentoTibetandNepal.
Raviwon'tbebackyet,butI'lljustseeifSita'shome.I'llgiveheraring.
MybossoftentravelstoMalaysiaandSingaporebutI'veneverbeenthere.
Haveyoufinishedyet?Ihaven'tquitefinished.I'vealmostfinished.
She'sobviouslyaverybossywoman.~Icompletelyagree!
endposition
Adverbsoftimeanddefinitefrequency(e.g.lastweek,everyyear)andadverbsofmannerwhenwewanttofocusonhowsomethingisdone(e.g.well,slowly,
evenly)andadverbsofplace(e.g.inthecountryside,atthewindow)usuallygoinendposition:
Ihadatennislessonlastweek,butI'musuallytravellinginthemiddleofthemonth,soIdon'thavealessoneveryweek.
Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?Notlong.Wearrivedaboutfiveminutesago.
Ichewedthefoodslowlybecauseithadn'tbeencookedverywell.
Shewasstandingatherwindow,lookingoutatherchildrenwhowereplayinginthegarden.
Notethatwhenmorethanoneofthistypeofadverbisused,theorderinwhichtheyareplacedisnormally:manner,place,time:
Theyplayedhappilytogetherinthegardenthewholeafternoon.
adverbadjective
Whenadverbsmodifyadjectives,theyareplacedimmediatelybeforethem:
Wehadsomereallyinterestingnewslastnight.John'sbeenofferedajobinAustralia.He'sabsolutelydelighted.
Iboughtanincrediblyexpensivedresslastweekwhichfitsmeperfectly.ButJohnsaysIshouldn'twearit.Hesaysit'stootight.
Anexceptiontothisruleisenoughwhichisplacedaftertheadjectiveoradverbthatitmodifies:
Igotupquiteearlybutnotearlyenoughtoeatagoodbreakfast.
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Inspiteof/despite
Inspiteof/despite
feelingtired(+ing)
Icouldntsleepdespite/inspiteof
Mytiredness(+noun)
thefactthatIwastired(+thefactthat)
while/whereas(comparingdifference)
SomestudentspreparesincerelyforCATwhile/whereasothersarelazy.
Although/eventhough/however/nevertheless
IwillprepareforCAT2009although/eventhoughmyfriendsarenotsupportingmydecision.
CAT2008wasatoughexam.However,/Nevertheless,/Evenso,Ifaredwell.
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Who/Whom
1.Knowthedifferencebetweenwhoandwhom.Theyarebothpronounsbutwhoisusedasthesubjectofasentenceorphraseandwhomisusedastheobjectofaverb.
Whatfollowsisaquickwaytodeterminewhichpronountouseinaparticularquestion.
2.Usewhomwhenreferringtotheobjectofaverb.
*Towhomitmayconcern:
*Towhomdidyoutalktoday?
*WhomdoesSarahlove?
3.Usewhowhenreferringtothesubjectofasentenceorphrase.
*Whobroughtthepaperinside?
*Whotalkedtoyoutoday?
*Whowenttodinner?
4.Askyourselfiftheanswertothequestionwouldbeheorhim.Ifyoucananswerthequestionwithhim,thenusewhom.It'seasytorememberbecausetheybothendwith
"m".Ifyoucananswerthequestionwithhe,thenusewho.
*Example:Asuitableanswertothequestion,"To[whoorwhom]didtheprizego?"is,"Itwenttohim."(Almostnoonewouldsay"Itwenttohe.")Thecorrectpronoun
forthequestioniswhom.
*Example:Asuitableanswertothequestion,"[WhoorWhom]wenttothestore?"is,"Hewenttothestore."(Almostnoonewouldsay"Himwenttothestore.")The
correctpronounforthequestionwho.
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FutureTense
USE1CompletedActionBeforeSomethingintheFuture
TheFuturePerfectexpressestheideathatsomethingwilloccurbeforeanotheractioninthefuture.Itcanalsoshowthatsomethingwillhappenbeforeaspecifictimein
thefuture.
Examples:
BynextNovember,Iwillhavereceivedmypromotion.
Bythetimehegetshome,sheisgoingtohavecleanedtheentirehouse.
Iamnotgoingtohavefinishedthistestby3o'clock.
WillshehavelearnedenoughChinesetocommunicatebeforeshemovestoBeijing?
Samisprobablygoingtohavecompletedtheproposalbythetimeheleavesthisafternoon.
BythetimeIfinishthiscourse,Iwillhavetakententests.
Howmanycountriesareyougoingtohavevisitedbythetimeyouturn50?
USE2DurationBeforeSomethingintheFuture(NonContinuousVerbs)
Withnoncontinuousverbsandsomenoncontinuoususesofmixedverbs,weusetheFuturePerfecttoshowthatsomethingwillcontinueupuntilanotheractionin
thefuture.
Examples:
IwillhavebeeninLondonforsixmonthsbythetimeIleave.
ByMonday,Susanisgoingtohavehadmybookforaweek.
AlthoughtheaboveuseofFuturePerfectisnormallylimitedtoNonContinuousVerbsandnoncontinuoususesofMixedVerbs,thewords"live,""work,""teach,"and
"study"aresometimesusedinthiswayeventhoughtheyareNOTNonContinuousVerbs
REMEMBERNoFutureinTimeClauses
Likeallfutureforms,theFuturePerfectcannotbeusedinclausesbeginningwithtimeexpressionssuchas:when,while,before,after,bythetime,assoonas,if,unless,
etc.InsteadofFuturePerfect,PresentPerfectisused.
Examples:
IamgoingtoseeamoviewhenIwillhavefinishedmyhomework.NotCorrect
IamgoingtoseeamoviewhenIhavefinishedmyhomework.Correct
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YourvsYou're
Your
Youristhesecondpersonpossessiveadjective,usedtodescribesomethingasbelongingtoyou.Yourisnearlyalwaysfollowedbyanoun.
IsyournameGadha?
Isthisyourpen?
Thisisyourchairandthisismine.
You're
You'reisthecontractionof"youare"andisoftenfollowedbythepresentparticiple(verbformendingining).
You'regoingtobethequeenofGadhaLand.
Ican'tbelieveyou'reaGadha!
Whenyou'remyage,you'llunderstand.
TheBottomLine
Theconfusionbetweenyourandyou'reoccursbecausethetwowordsarepronouncedprettymuchthesame.
Theironcladrulenoexceptionsisthatifyou'reabletoreplacethewordwith"youare,"you'resayingyou're.Otherwise,youronlychoiceisyour.
Keepinmindthatthewordyourwillneverbefollowedbythewordsthe,a,oran.
Tryreplacingyouroryourewithyouareifyouareunsurewhichtouse.Ifthesentencemakessense,useyoure.Rememberthatonlyyoureisacontraction,
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anditomitsthelettera.Theapostropheinyouresignifiestheomissionofthelettera.Ifthesentencedoesnotmakesense,youwillknowtouseyour
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AffectvsEffect
AffectvsEffect
Affect
1.Tohaveaninfluenceonoreffectachangein:Inflationaffectsthebuyingpowerofthedollar.
2.Toactontheemotionsoftouchormove.
3.Toattackorinfect,asadisease:Rheumaticfevercanaffecttheheart.
Effect
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Somethingbroughtaboutbyacauseoragentaresult.
Thepowertoproduceanoutcomeorachievearesultinfluence:Thedrughadanimmediateeffectonthepain.Thegovernment'sactionhadnoeffectonthe
tradeimbalance.
Ascientificlaw,hypothesis,orphenomenon:thephotovoltaiceffect.
|
Advantageavail:usedherwordstogreateffectininfluencingthejury.
Theconditionofbeinginfullforceorexecution:anewregulationthatgoesintoeffecttomorrow.
1. Somethingthatproducesaspecificimpressionorsupportsageneraldesignorintention:Thelightingeffectsemphasizedtheharshatmosphereofthe
drama.
2. Aparticularimpression:largewindowsthatgaveaneffectofspaciousness.
3. Productionofadesiredimpression:spentlavishlyondinnerjustforeffect.
Thebasicorgeneralmeaningimport:Hesaidhewasgreatlyworried,orwordstothateffect.
TheBottomline
1.Ifyouaretalkingaboutaresult,thenusetheword"effect."
WhateffectdidtheCATresulthaveontheTGteam?
2.Itisappropriatetousetheword"effect"ifoneofthesewordsisusedimmediatelybeforetheword:into,no,take,the,any,an,orand.
Theprescribedmedicationhadnoeffectonthepatient'ssymptoms.
Inanalyzingasituation,itisimportanttotaketheconceptsofcauseandeffectintoconsideration.
3.Ifyouwanttodescribesomethingthatwascausedorbroughtabout,therightwordtouseiseffect.
Example:Thenewmanagereffectedsomepositivechangesintheoffice.(Thismeansthatthenewmanagercausedsomepositivechangestotakeplaceinthe
office.)
4.Affectcanbeusedasanountodescribefacialexpression.
Theyoungmanwithschizophreniahadaflataffect.
5.Affectcanalsobeusedasaverb.Useitwhentryingtodescribeinfluencingsomeoneorsomethingratherthancausingit.
Howdoesthecrimerateaffecthiringlevelsbylocalpoliceforces?
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ThanvsThen
Than
1.Usedafteracomparativeadjectiveoradverbtointroducethesecondelementorclauseofanunequalcomparison
DThadbettergrammarthanTG.
2.Usedtointroducethesecondelementaftercertainwordsindicatingdifference
Hesangataloweroctavethanshe.
3.Usedespeciallyafterhardlyandscarcely
IhadhardlytheenergytosmilethanIsawyourface.
Then
Thenhasnumerousmeanings.
1.Atthatpointintime
Iwasn'treadythen.
Willyoubehomeatnoon?I'llcallyouthen.
2.Next,afterward
Iwenttotheoffice,andthentothebank
Doyourhomeworkandthengotobed
3.Inaddition,also,ontopofthat
Hetoldmehewasleaving,andthenthatIowedhimmoney
4.Inthatcase,therefore(oftenwith"if")
Ifyouwanttogo,thenyou'llhavetofinishyourhomework.
5.Usedafterbuttoqualifyorbalanceaprecedingstatement:
Hewasastar,butthenhealwaysworkedsohard.
6.Asaconsequencetherefore
Shewantstobeastar,then,shedoesthework.
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TheBottomLine
Thanisusedonlyincomparisons,soifyou'recomparingsomethingusethan.Ifnot,thenyouhavetousethen
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TherevsTheir
TherevsTheir
Thereisusedasanintroductorysubjectissentenceswith"Thereis"and"Thereare".Itisalsousedasanadverbofplacemeaning"inthatplace".
Usetherewhenreferringtoaplace,whetherconcrete("overtherebythebuilding")ormoreabstract("itmustbedifficulttolivethere").
oThereisanantiquestoreinthecity.
oThesciencetextbooksareoverthereonthefloor.
Theiristhepossessivepronounform.Thisformisusedtoexpressthat"they"haveaspecificquality,orthatsomethingbelongsto"them".
Myfriendshavelosttheirtickets.
Theirthingswerestrewnabouttheofficehaphazardly.
TheBottomLine
1.Ifyouwrotethere,willthesentencestillmakesenseifyoureplaceitwithhere?Ifso,you'reusingitcorrectly.
2.Ifyouchosetheir,willthesentencestillmakesenseifyoureplaceitwithour?Ifso,you'vechosenthecorrectword.
3.there:refertothereasawordforlocation.their:refertotheirasawordforpeople.
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ItsvsIt's
It'svsIts
It's
It'sisacontractionof"itis"or"ithas."
IreadthearticleonTGit'sverygood.
It'stimetostartseriouspreparationforCAT.
Its
isapossessivepronounmeaning,moreorless,ofitorbelongingtoit.
Andthereisabsolutely,positively,nosuchwordasits'.
That'saninterestingdevicewhatisitspurpose?
Thebirdlostsomeofitsfeathers.
Whereisitsheadoffice?
TheBottomLine
1.Ifyoucanreplacethewordwith"itis"or"ithas,"useit's.Otherwise,it'salwaysits.
It'sbeengoodtoknowyou.Contraction:ithas
It'sabird!It'saplane!Contraction:itis
2.Itsistheneuterversionofhisandher.Trypluggingherintoyoursentencewhereyouthinkitsbelongs.Ifthesentencestillworksgrammatically(ifnotlogically)
thenyourwordisindeedits.
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Needn't/Don'tNeedTo
Needn'tanddon'tneedto
Thereisalsoadifferenceinusewhentheseverbsareusedtodescribepresentsituations.Wecanusebothneedn'tanddon'tneedtotogivepermissiontosomeone
nottodosomethingintheimmediatefuture.Wecanalsouseneedasanounhere:
Youdon'tneedtowaterthegardenthisevening.It'sgoingtoraintonight.
Youneedn'twaterthegardenthisevening.It'sgoingtoraintonight.
There'snoneedtowaterthegardenthisevening.It'sgoingtoraintonight.
Youdon'tneedtoshout.It'sagoodline.Icanhearyouperfectly.
Youneedn'tshout.It'sagoodline.Icanhearyouperfectly.
There'snoneedtoshout.It'sagoodline.Icanhearyouperfectly.
However,whenwearetalkingaboutgeneralnecessity,wenormallyusedon'tneedto:
Youdon'tneedtopayformedicalcareinNationalHealthServicehospitals.
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Youdon'tneedtoberichtogetintothisgolfclub.Youjustneedahandicap.
ContributedBy:GowriNandana
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1.AWhilevsAwhile:
AWhile:Awhileisanoun.Itisameasureoftime.
eg:Heleftforawhile.
Awhile:Itisanadverb.Itmeans'forawhile'.
eg:Iwroteawhilebeforelunch.
awhileneedstobeaccompaniedbyapreposition,suchasfororago
Awhilealwaysmeansforawhile.
2.EnquirevsInquire:
Thesetwowordsmeansthesamemeaning...i.e.toseekinformationaboutsomethingortoconductaformalinvestigation.
Ienquiredhisaddress
Mypapa'sfirstenquirywasontoday'ssales!
Mr.RamjetMalaniisgoingtoinquireintoBoforcecaseonceagain.
Thelawyersaskedwhentheinquirywillbecompleted.
3.EspeciallyvsSpecially:
Theybothmeansomethingwhichwasoutoftheordinaryorevenexceptional.however,'especial'impliesthatsomethinglessgoodexists,whereassomething'special'
doesntneedtobecomparedagainstanything.
specialstresseshavingaquality,character,identity,oruseofitsown.
especialmayaddimportance....
4.AnyvsEither:
eitherisoneortheother
anyisoneindifferentlyoutofmorethantwo
5.FarthervsFurther:
Fartherhasaphysicalconnotationandmeans"toagreaterdistance"whereasfurtherisconceptualandmeans"toagreaterdegree".
eg:Wewalkedfartherthanweplanned.
Further,youhurtmyfeelings!
6.EludevsIlludevsAllude:
weuse"eludewhenonemeanstoescape/avoidbytrickery,cleverness.
weuse"illudewhenonemeanstotrickordeceive.
weusealludewhenonemeanstoreferindirectlyorcasually.
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Re:ThanvsThen
bysunilgoyalThursday,3December2009,12:07AM
Hi,
Asyouhavementieonedtheusageofthanwithhardlyorscarcely,but"when"isusedwiththewordshardlyorscarcely.
Thanisusedwiththesentencecontaining"nosooner"...
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