ENGLISH GRAMMAR

SESSION OBJECTIVES
• To understand Gerunds and
Infinitives.
• To explain various phrasal verbs and
conditionals.
• To understand different types Direct
and Indirect Sentences.
 What exactly are the verbal?
• Verbal include gerunds, infinitives,
and participles:
1. A gerund is a verbal that ends in -ing
and functions as a noun.
– Writing a good essay takes effort.
1. An infinitive is a to + verb verbal that
functions as a noun, adjective, or
adverb.
– To graduate from college takes time.
GERUNDS
Gerunds always end in –ing

• They are used in the sentence as nouns

and in every way that any other noun
can be used:
– Swimming is a good exercise. (subject)
– Jiya does not enjoy cooking. (direct object)
– After eating, relax for a while. (object of
preposition)
Gerund Phrases
• Like participles, gerunds can have a
direct object.
• To find out whether or not the gerund has
a direct object, begin with the gerund
and ask the following question:

• Gerund + whom/what? = direct

object
GERUND PHRASES

• Example:
• Giving the money proved a mistake.

• Giving + What? = money

• Money is the direct object of the

gerund.
Gerund Phrases

• Gerund phrases can also have indirect

objects:

• To find out whether or not the gerund

phrase has an indirect object, begin
with the gerund, locate the direct
object, then ask the question to/for
whom/what?
Gerund Phrase
• Example:
• Giving Shyam the money proved a
mistake.
• Giving + what = money (direct object)

• Giving money to/for whom? = Shyam

• Shyam is the indirect object of the gerund
phrase.
Gerund Phrases
• Gerund phrases can also have
prepositional phrases in them:

• Giving Rakesh the money on Friday

night proved a major mistake.

• Since on Friday night tells when?

The prepositional phrase functions as
an adverb. It completes the gerund
phrase.
Gerunds
• Gerunds end in –ing

• Gerunds are nouns.

• To find out how they function as a noun,

isolate the gerund or gerund phrase,
locate the main verb in the sentence and
the main direct object (if there is one).
Ask the following question:
Key Questions to Determine Noun
Functions in Gerunds
• Subject + verb + what? = direct object

• We can’t afford making the same mistake.

• We + can afford + What? = direct

object
• Answer:

• Making the same mistake is the direct

object of the sentence.
 Then what are infinitives?
• Infinitives consist of “to”
plus a verb.
• They look like verbs, but
aren’t.
• Instead, they indicate
purpose.
• What is the purpose of
Janet coloring her hair?
• She colors it to appear
younger.
• She wants to feel better
Do hairdressers ask too much?
about herself.
 INFINITIVE PHRASE
Definition: a group of
words consisting of an
infinitive and all the
words related to it (an
infinitive is a verb form
that can be used as a
noun, an adjective, or an
adverb). An infinitive
Kinds of Infinitive Phrases
as subject as direct object

as predicate noun
as appositive
(or subject complement)
Infinitive Phrase: As
Subject

To snow hard is a wonder.

 Infinitive Phrase:
As Predicate Noun
(or Subject Complement)

The trick was to carry the egg

slowly.
 Infinitive Phrase:
As Direct Object

Girls like to study hard.

 Infinitive Phrase:
As Appositive

My teacher’s wish to climb

the Mountain could happen.
 Do you use infinitives correctly?
• Use: be, finish, make,
succeed, graduate.
1. Do you need ___ a
college degree?
2. Yes, I plan ___.
3. But you don’t seem __
very motivated.
4. Yes, I am; I am trying
___ in all of my classes.
5. Oh, I see that you have
decided ___ something
of yourself.
 Do you use infinitives correctly?
• Use: be, finish, make,
succeed, graduate.
1. Do you need to finish a
college degree?
2. Yes, I plan to graduate.
3. You don’t seem to be
very motivated.
4. I am trying to succeed
in all of my classes.
5. I see that you have
decided to make
something of yourself.
Do you know how to use verbals?
• Which verbal best fills
each blank?
1. The boss asked me __ the
job.
a. to finish, b. finishing, c.
finished.
2. We rarely finish __ our
tests early.
a. to take, b. taking, c.
took.
3. Most people like __ ice
cream.
a. to eat, b. eating, c.
eaten.
Do you know how to use verbals?
• Which verbal best fills
each blank?
1. The boss asked me __ the
job.
a. to finish, b. finishing, c.
finished.
2. We rarely finish __ our
tests early.
a. to take, b. taking, c.
took.
3. Most people like __ ice
cream.
a. to eat, b. eating, c.
eaten.
Do you know your verb forms?
• Which verb form is the
right one?
1. They were hoping (to go,
going) out.
2. The hard workers kept (to
go, going) very late.
3. A genius seems (to know,
knowing) all the correct
answers.
4. The extreme thief stopped
(taking, to take) candy from
the baby.
Do you know your verb forms?
• Which verb form is the
right one?
1. They were hoping (to go,
going) out.
2. The hard workers kept (to
go, going) very late.
3. A genius seems (to know,
knowing) all the correct
answers.
4. The extreme thief stopped
(taking, to take) candy
from the baby.
 Can you use verbals correctly?
1. How many books are 6. We have (see) __ the
you (carry) __ to results; they’re good.
class?
7. Hope has (burn) her
2. Do you have a way of mother’s cake.
(get) to college?
3. Alfredo knows how 8. Eunice has (buy) her
(get) __ 70% on essay online.
Compass English. 9. Kevin would have (rise)
4. Have you (forget) __ early if he had (hear)
anything that you the alarm.
need? 10. Clark had (fly) from
5. The students have Atlanta to Chicago
(take) __ the survey when the plane (hit)
already. turbulence.
 You can use verbals correctly:
1. How many books are 6. We have seen the
you carrying to results; they’re good.
class? 7. Hope has burnt her
2. Do you have a way of mother’s cake.
getting to college?
8. Eunice has not bought
3. Ryan knows how to her essay online.
get 70% on Compass
9. Kevin would have
English.
risen early if he had
4. Have you forgotten
heard the alarm.
anything that you
need? 10. Clark had flown from
Atlanta to Chicago
5. Students have taken
when the plane hit
the survey already.
turbulence.
Subject-Verb
Agreement
Basic Rule

•Singular subjects
need singular verbs.
•Plural subjects need
plural verbs.
• Pronouns such as everyone and
everybody seem plural, but
they are always singular — so
they need a singular verb.
1. Everyone who worked on
the science project is a
winner.
2. Someone has to answer
the phone.
• Phrases that come between the
subject pronoun and its verb —
may contain plural words and
confuse.
Each of the basketball
players is excited about
tonight’s game.
• Verbs that accompany pronouns
such as all and some will be
determined by whether the
pronoun is referring to
something that is COUNTABLE or
1. Some of the workers on
not.
the building have left for
the day. You could count
the workers.
• Verbs that accompany pronouns
such as all and some will be
determined by whether the
pronoun is referring to
something that is COUNTABLE or
1. Some of the salt was
not.
spilled on the floor.
Salt is considered
one lump item.
• None is usually regarded as singular, but it
can be used as a plural pronoun.

None of the boys has helped at

the game.
OR
None of the boys have helped at
the game. Either is correct!
Phrases such as together with, along
with, and as well as seem to
combine subjects, but they do not .
Some of the tile in our room, as
well as the hall, was soaked.
The major problem we had,
together with that of our
teacher, was tardiness.Don’t be fooled
by extra phrases!
 When either and neither appear as a
subject alone (without the words or and
nor), they are singular.

1. Either of those answers seems

to be right.
2. You can have the bed by the
window or the one by the door.
Either is okay with me.
Seems like plural
things!
The words there and here are
never subjects.
1.Here are the papers you gave
me.
2.Here is my answer.
Here is not
the subject.
Verbs in the present tense for third-person,
singular subjects (he, she, it and anything
those words can stand for) have s-endings.
Other verbs do not add s-endings.

1.He asks for help.

Tricky subject
2.She asks for help. pronouns

3.They ask for help.

Bill am going to the
store.
a)correct
b)is
c)was
d)were
e)does
The teachers are going to the
movie.

a)correct
b)am
c)is
d)does
e)was
This are going to be the easiest
quiz of all time.

a)correct
b)is
c)am
d)was
e)were
Everyone at the movie is
taking a five hundred rupee.
a)correct
b)were
c)am
d)are
e)when
This is a fun book to
read.
a)correct
b)was
c)were
d)am
e)does
One time I were at the
mountains.
a)correct
b)was
c)is
d)am
e)does
CONDITIONALS
IF and THEN Clauses
• Conditional sentences have at least
two clauses: IF clauses and THEN
clauses.
• Examples:
If I go into town tomorrow, then I will
see a movie.
If he spoke Chinese, then he would
work as a guide in China.
If they had been faster, then they
would have won the race.
IF Clauses (the condition)

• IF clauses present the condition.

• Examples:
If I go into town tomorrow…
If he spoke Chinese…
If they had been faster…
THEN Clauses (the results)

• THEN clauses present the results.

• Examples:
… then I will see a movie.
…. then he would work as a guide in China.
… then they would have won the race.
IF and THEN Clauses

• The word “then” is optional, but the

clause is still the result of the
condition. So it is a “THEN” clause,
without the word “then.”

• There are special rules for leaving out

the word “if”. We will learn them later.
 Conditional I
(present/future –
possible)
• When something is
possible now or in the
future

• Form:
If (present) then will
V.

• Example:
If she studies, she
will pass the
geography test. (It is
possible !!)
 Unless
• Unless = if not

• Example:
If we don’t finish soon, we will miss
the train.
Unless we finish soon, we will miss the
train.
 Temporals
• Temporals are time expressions.
(Examples: before, until, after, by the time
etc.)

• When they refer to the future, they are like

Conditional I: Temporal (present), will V.

• Examples:
Until he arrives, I will read a book.
They will make a cake before they go.
 Conditional
(present/future –
impossible)
• When something is NOT
possible now, or in the
future.
• Form:
If (past) then would V.
• Example:
If he spoke Chinese, he
would work as a guide
in China. (Fact: He
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA
doesn’t speak Chinese,
so it’s impossible.)
Special Rules for Conditional

• “To be” is always “were”

Example: If he were here, he would do it.
(Fact: He’s not here, so it’s impossible.)

• You can drop the “if” by moving the “were” to

the front.
Example: Were he here, he would do it.
wish + (past)
• Unlike a hope (which is possible), a wish usually
will not come true. In general, you wish for a
miracle, something that is impossible.

• Examples:
I wish I were in Costa Rica. (I’m not there.)
He wishes he spoke Chinese. (He doesn’t.)
 would rather
• “Would rather” is like Conditional II,
wishing for something that is probably
impossible.

• Form: Subject 1 would rather subject 2

(past).
Example: I would rather he came right
now. (Fact: He probably won’t.)
Where does the “not” go?
• If the girl had not looked both ways
when she crossed the street, a car
would have hit her. (Fact: She did look
both ways, so a car did not hit her.)

• If the boys had practiced more, they

would not have lost the game. (Fact:
They did not practice enough, so they
lost the game.)
 Special Rules for Conditional
Sentences
• You can drop the “if” by moving the “had” to the
front.

• Example:
If he had been there, we would have done it.
Had he been there, we would have done it.

• Be careful !! Although you are starting with a “little

verb”, this is not a question !!
 Good Luck !!
Just remember to ask yourself:

1) Is the situation
possible or
impossible?
2) Is the situation in
the past or in the
present/future?
Direct and Indirect Objects
 • A direct object answers
the questions whom or
what.
Direct object Example: What did
Rishi’s mother send?
She sent a gift.
• An indirect object
answers the question to
whom or to what.
Example: To whom did
she send the gift?
Indirect object She sent the gift to me.
Direct Objects
How to Find a Direct Object
• 1. Find action verb
• 2. Ask “who?” or “what?”
after the action verb
One of the questions will be answered if there
is a direct object.

Example: Meera sang a song.

1. The action is “sang.”
2. Sang who? Sang what? The second question is
answered. The answer “song” is my direct object.
Diagramming Direct Objects

Subject Action Verb Direct

Object
How to Diagram Direct
Objects
Example:
S AV DO
The students studied their English
notes.

students studied notes

Indirect
Objects
How to Find an Indirect
Object
• 1. Find the action verb
• 2. Ask “who?” or “what?” after the action verb.
(If you get answers to both questions then you have found both a
direct object and an indirect object. The “who?” will be the indirect
object and it will come after the action verb. The “what?” will be the
direct object and it will come after the indirect object. The sentence
pattern will always be S – V- IO- DO.)

Example: Mother gave me a cookie.

1. The action verb is “gave.”
2. Gave who? Me. Gave what? Cookie. Both of these questions
got an answer. That means that “me” is the indirect object and
“cookie” is the direct object.
How to Find an Indirect
Object
• Another example:
Leena brought her a present.
1. The action verb is brought.
2. Brought who? her Brought what? a
present Since both questions had
answers, you have found both a direct
object and an indirect object. “Her” is
the IO. “Present” is a DO.
Diagramming Indirect
Objects

Subject Verb Direct Object

(x)
Indirect Object
Diagramming Indirect
Objects
Example:
S V IO DO
Sheela gave Jeeya a gift.

Sheela gave gift

(x)
Jeeya
 Phrasal verbs
We often use with the following verbs:

in up on away round about over

by out off down back through
along over

So you can say – put up – get on – take off.

These are phrasal verbs.
We often use out/off/up etc. with verbs
of movement.
• Get on
• Drive off
• Come back
• Turn around
But often the second word (out/off/up)
gives a special meaning to the verb.
• Break down
• Look out
• Take off
• Get up
• Get on
• Get by
Sometimes a phrasal verb is followed
by a preposition. For example:
• Run away from
• Keep up with
• Look forward to
• Cut down on
expression meaning/functions
•As I was saying. I •takes the
haven’t seen her for conversation back to an
ages. earlier point.
•As I/you say, we'll •repeats and confirms
have to get there early something someone
to get a seat. has already said.
•Talking of skiing, •starting a new topic
whatever happened to but linking it to the
Bill Jakes? present one.
•If you ask me, she's •if you want my
heading for trouble. opinion (even if no-one
has asked for it)
•That reminds me, I •something in the
haven't rung George conversation reminds
yet. you of something
important.
• Come to think of it, • something in the
did he give me his conversation makes
number after all? I you realise there may
think he may have be a problem/query
forgotten. about something.
 Success for YOU…

…in the new global and diverse

workplace requires
excellent communication skills!
 THANK YOU
Prof. Dr. Madhulika Jha
Director
Amity Institute Of English & Business
Communication
Contact: 9810362914
E-mail: madhulikaj@amity.edu