English Grammar Page

Passive Voice Quiz: Test Your Grammar Skills Online

2025-10-05T21:44:00.003+05:45

Passive Voice Exercise

Instructions: Convert each active sentence below into passive voice. Type your answer in the input field provided for each sentence.

1. The chef prepared a magnificent meal.

2. The company will launch the new product next month.

3. The storm has damaged the old bridge.

4. The teacher is explaining the lesson to the students.

5. Someone left the lights on all night.

6. The children played the piano beautifully.

7. The manager must sign the contracts by Friday.

8. Scientists are discovering new species every year.

9. The dog chased the mailman.

10. They built this house in 1890.

Your Score

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Keep practicing to improve your passive voice skills!

Active and Passive Voice | Exercise

2021-08-16T12:27:00.000+05:45

Active and Passive Voice

Exercise

Change the following sentences into passive voice.

1. They think that he is coming here today.

... Answer:
He is thought to come here today. Or It is thought that he is coming here today.

2. People believed that she ate nothing for ten days.

... Answer:
It was believed that she ate nothing for ten days. Or She was believed to have eaten nothing for ten days.

3. Allow everybody to enter the hall.

... Answer:
Let everybody be allowed to enter the hall.

4. Let’s finish it.

... Answer:
Let it be finished.

5. He has to help us.

... Answer:
We have to be helped by him.

6. He will have to call them.

... Answer:
They will have to be called.

7. Did my sister make it?

... Answer:
Was it made my sister?

8. Is anyone selling meat here?

... Answer:
Is meat being sold here?

9. Does she always upset your brother?

... Answer:
Is your brother always upset by her?

10. Have they decorated the stage?

... Answer:
Has the stage been decorated?

11. If Peter breaks the jar, they will punish him.

... Answer:
If Peter breaks the jar, he will be punished.

12. I don’t eat anything.

... Answer:
Nothing is eaten.

13. Who painted the wall?

... Answer:
By whom was the wall painted?

14. May you ruin your enemy!

... Answer:
May your enemy be ruined!

15. May you finish your work soon!

... Answer:
May your work be finished soon!

16. It is duty to fence the park.

... Answer:
He is supposed to fence the park.

17. He saw her work.

... Answer:
She was seen to work.

18. He made me play the guitar.

... Answer:
I was made to play the guitar.

19. I don’t mind people taking my photographs.

... Answer:
I don’t mind having my photographs taken.

20. She wants somebody to help her.

... Answer:
She wants to be helped.

21. The result surprised me.

... Answer:
I was surprised at the result.

22. The bottle contains pure milk.

... Answer:
Pure milk is contained in the bottle.

23. The news pleased them.

... Answer:
They were pleased with the news.

24. Her explanation did not satisfy her teacher.

... Answer:
Her teacher was not satisfied with her explanation.

25. Kindly help me.

... Answer:
You are requested to help me.

26. Please, don’t smoke.

... Answer:
You are requested not to smoke.

27. He is to repair the roof.

... Answer:
The roof is to be repaired.

28. The movie frightened me greatly.

... Answer:
I was greatly frightened at the movie.

29. People claim that the price of petrol has gone up.

... Answer:
It is claimed that the price of petrol has gone up. Or The price of petrol is claimed to have gone up.

30. Don’t let people insult you.

... Answer:
Don’t let yourself be insulted.

31. She let people tease her.

... Answer:
She let herself be teased.

32. We must go into this topic.

... Answer:
This topic must be gone into.

33. He knocked at the door.

... Answer:
The door was knocked at by him.

34. You must call to him.

... Answer:
He must be called to.

35. What shall I do for you?

... Answer:
What shall be done for you?

36. We must write to her.

... Answer:
She must be written to.

37. She decided to buy a laptop.

... Answer:
She decided that a laptop should be bought.

38. She advises the government on environmental issues.

... Answer:
The government is advised on environmental issues.

39. We employ an expert to advise on new technology.

... Answer:
An expert is employed to advise on new technology.

40. Their inspiring words attracted my attention.

... Answer:
My attention is attracted by their inspiring words.

Causative Verbs | English Grammar

2020-09-03T10:07:00.005+05:45

Causative Verbs

Causative Verbs are those verbs used to indicate a person or thing that causes an action to happen.

Let, Make, Have, Get, and Help are the most common Causative Verbs .

How to Use Causative Verbs in English?

Let - to allow someone to do something or something to happen

Structure:

sub + let + person / thing + verb (base form of the verb)

Did you let your children eat chocolates?
They won’t let him leave the country.
She let me drive her car.
She lets her children play outside.

Make - to cause someone to do something

Structure:

sub + make + person + verb (base form of the verb)

They make me do this work.
The teacher makes me stand up.

In the passive structure, the causative verb ‘make’ comes with the infinitive.

They made him sing a song. (active)
He was made to sing a song. (passive)

Have - to arrange for somebody to do something for you / to cause something to be done for you by somebody else

Structure:

sub + have + person + base form of the verb

sub + have + thing + past participle

Have these plants watered every day.
The people have the leaders keep their promise.
I have my friends wash the dishes.

Get - to convince or encourage someone to do something

Structure:

sub + get + person + to + verb

sub + get + thing + past participle

My brother has got me to bring a camera.
I got the wall painted.
He gets his letter typed.
The hermit got the President served the poor and the needy.
The engineer will get the workmen to build the bridge.

Help - used when someone assists someone else in doing something

As a causative verb, ‘Help’ has two structures. Using either of the structures is correct. In general, the form without ‘to’ is common.

Structure:

sub + help + person + verb (base form of the verb)

sub + help + person + to + verb (infinitive)

She helps me lift this box.
I help my mother to prepare our lunch.
The teacher helped me understand the topic.
Our school aims to help us to achieve our aspirations.
My sister helps me learn driving.

Causative Verb: Exercise

1. Our teacher is strict. He makes us (do) the homework daily.

...
Answer:
do

2. My mother got me (work) in the kitchen.

...
Answer:
to work

3. He had Rita (clean) his bicycle.

...
Answer:
clean

4. Reeya didn’t want to go to school. Her parents made her(go) there.

...
Answer:
go

5. We had somebody (whitewash) the ceiling.

...
Answer:
whitewash

6. He had a cobbler (mend) his shoes.

...
Answer:
mend

7. He got the tailor (shorten) the trousers.

...
Answer:
to shorten

8. We must get the knives (sharpen).

...
Answer:
sharpened

9. I’m getting someone (add) an extra room.

...
Answer:
to add

10. My father died, so I got my head (shave).

...
Answer:
shaved

11. She got her photograph (take).

...
Answer:
taken

12. I must get my hair (cut).

...
Answer:
cut

13. My eyes hurt. I’ll have them (test).

...
Answer:
tested

14. My room leaks. I’ll have it (repair).

...
Answer:
repaired

15. The old bridge was too narrow. The government had it (replace).

...
Answer:
replaced

16. Girls have their clothes (wash).

...
Answer:
washed

17. Sheila got the goldsmith (polish) her jewelers for her brother’s wedding.

... Answer:
to polish

18. She makes him (buy) an extra book.

...
Answer:
buy

19. Kim was made (sing) a song.

...
Answer:
to sing

20. The finance minister made everyone (pay) the tax.

...
Answer:
pay

Active and Passive Voice Quiz | English Grammar

2020-06-02T19:17:00.001+05:45

Active and Passive Voice Quiz - English Grammar

1. Our new house ___________ now.

A. is being built

B. is building

C. was being built

... Answer is A.
is being built

2. We bought nothing in London. Nothing ___________ in London.

A. was bought

B. wasn't bought

C. didn't bought

... Answer is A.
was bought

3. English ___________ all over the world.

A. speaks

B. is spoken

C. is speaking

... Answer is B.
is spoken

4. People ___________ the bridge last week.

A. has built

B. built

C. was building

... Answer is B.
built

5. They gave me some sweets. I ___________ some sweets.

A. am given

B. was given

C. were given

... Answer is B.
was given

6. Whom did you ask for help? The passive form of this sentence is : ___________ for help?

A. Whom was asked

B. Who is asked

C. Who are you asked

... Answer is A.
Whom was asked

7. We will ask him a question. He ___________ a question.

A. will ask

B. will be asked

C. will be asking

... Answer is B.
will be asked

8. We must obey our elders. Our elders must ___________ .

A. obey

B. be obeyed

C. will be obeyed

... Answer is B.
be obeyed

9. Speak the truth. It means ‘The truth ___________ .’

A. should be spoken.

B. is spoken.

C. will be spoken.

... Answer is A.
should be spoken.

10. He was writing a letter. It can be stated in passive as: A letter ___________ by him.

A. is written

B. was being written

C. has been written

... Answer is B.
was being written

11. We postponed the concert. That means ‘The concert ___________ by us.

A. were postponed

B. were being postponed

C. was postponed

... Answer is C.
was postponed

12. Nobody can do it. It can also be stated in passive as: ‘It ___________ . ‘

A. can’t been done

B. cannot be done

C. could not be done

... Answer is B.
cannot be done

13. Tourists are attracted by the architecture of Krishna Temple. That is to say: The architecture of Krishna Temple ___________ tourists.

A. attracts

B. attracted

C. attracting

... Answer is A.
attracts

14. I was not informed about your party. That means: No one ___________ me about the party.

A. was informed

B. informed

C. was being informed

... Answer is B.
informed

15. The tigers are being killed by the poachers. The poachers ___________ the tigers.

A. is killing

B. was killing

C. are killing

... Answer is C.
are killing

16. Was it made by John? It can be said as: ___________

A. Was John made it?

B. Did John made it?

C. Did John make it?

... Answer is C.
Did John make it?

17. The passive form of ‘Everyone likes bread.’ is: ___________?

A. Bread is liked.

B. Bread has been liked.

C. Bread is likes.

... Answer is A.
Bread is liked.

18. I bought the computer at Lagankhel. It means: The computer ___________ at Lagankhel.

A. is bought by me

B. was bought by me

C. was bought by I

... Answer is B.
was bought by me

19. I don’t like people laughing at me. I don’t like ___________ .

A. being laughed at

B. laughed at

C. laughed at them

... Answer is A.
being laughed at

20. They make him confess to the robbery.

A. He was made to confess to the robbery.

B. He is made to confess to the robbery.

C. He made to confess to the robbery.

... Answer is .B
He is made to confess to the robbery.

21. They may not repair the bike today.

A. The bike may not be repaired today.

B. The bike may be not repairing today.

C. The bike may be not repaired today.

... Answer is A.
The bike may not be repaired today.

22. Father is going to tell the children a story.

A. The children is going to be told a story by father.

B. The children are going to be told a story by father.

C. The children were going to be told a story by father.

... Answer is B.
The children are going to be told a story by father.

23. No one has ever met her.

A. She has ever met her.

B. She has never been met.

C. She has not been met her.

... Answer is B.
She has never been met.

24. It is impossible to touch the sun.

A. The sun cannot be touched.

B. The sun isn’t touched.

C. The sun wasn’t touched.

... Answer is A.
The sun cannot be touched.

25. How did you solve the problem?

A. How was the problem solved?

B. How is the problem solved?

C. How did the problem solved?

... Answer is A.
How was the problem solved?

Question Tag Quiz | English Grammar

2020-05-30T18:21:00.002+05:45

Tag Question Quiz

1. We’d rather prefer coffee, __________ ?

A. hadn’t we

B. wouldn’t we

C. didn’t we

... Answer is B.
wouldn’t we

2. Mind your own business, __________ ?

A. don’t you

B. won’t you

C. will you

... Answer is C.
will you

3. I am studying hard, __________ ?

A. isn’t I

B. aren’t I

C. amn't I

... Answer is B.
aren’t I

4. Everybody knows the answer, __________?

A. doesn’t they

B. don’t they

C. doesn’t he

... Answer is B.
don’t they

5. I did my job properly, __________?

A. did I

B. don’t I

C. didn’t I

... Answer is C.
didn't I

6. You needn’t buy a pen, __________?

A. needn’t you

B. do you

C. need you

... Answer is C.
need you

7. Uma hardly passed the exam, __________?

A. didn’t she

B. did she

C. hadn’t she

... Answer is B.
did she

8. They build a house, __________ ?

A. didn’t they

B. doesn’t they

C. don’t they

... Answer is C.
don’t they

9. I am never with you, __________?

A. aren’t I

B. am I

C. don’t I

... Answer is B.
am I

10. Nita speaks English very well, __________?

A. does she

B. doesn’t she

C. is she

... Answer is B.
doesn’t she

11. Ann’s applied for the job, __________?

A. isn’t she

B. hasn’t she

C. wasn’t she

... Answer is B.
hasn’t she

12. Don’t drop the test, __________?

A. don’t you

B. shall we

C. will you

... Answer is C.
will you

13. He’d never been here before, __________?

A. had he

B. hadn’t he

C. would he

... Answer is A.
had he

14. Sital looks clean and tidy, __________?

A. is she

B. does she

C. doesn’t she

... Answer is C.
doesn’t she

15. Let’s do it by ourselves, __________ ?

A. will you

B. shall we

C. shan't we

... Answer is B.
shall we

16. You’d better not bring your dictionary, __________?

A. had you

B. did you

C. would you

... Answer is A.
had you

17. There lived an old hermit in the forest, __________?

A. hadn’t there

B. wouldn’t there

C. didn’t there

... Answer is C.
didn’t there

18. I don’t suppose my brother will volunteer, __________ ?

A. will he

B. do I

C. won’t he

... Answer is C.
won’t he

19. Someone is waiting for you, __________ ?

A. isn’t someone

B. is he

C. aren’t they

... Answer is C.
aren’t they

20. Love begets love, __________?

A. doesn’t it

B. isn’t it

C. will you

... Answer is A.
doesn’t it

21. Everything is okay, __________?

A. is it

B. isn’t it

C. aren’t they

... Answer is B.
isn’t it

22. You’d do homework daily, __________?

A. don’t you

B. shouldn’t you

C. wouldn’t you

... Answer is B.
shouldn’t you

23. Let’s not waste time, __________ ?

A. will you

B. shall we

C. don’t you

... Answer is B.
shall we

24. They’d rather do this, __________?

A. wouldn’t they

B. would they

C. hadn’t they

... Answer is A.
wouldn’t they

25. Have a cup of tea, __________?

A. haven’t you

B. have you

C. will you

... Answer is C.
will you

26. Everybody helps me tomorrow, __________ ?

A. doesn’t he

B. don’t he

C. don’t they

... Answer is C.
don’t they

27. There’s a big pond in front of the school, __________?

A. isn’t it

B. aren’t there

C. isn’t there

... Answer is C.
isn’t there

28. He won’t forget her face, __________ ?

A. will you

B. won’t he

C. will he

... Answer is C.
will he

29. She’s come here, __________ ?

A. hasn’t she

B. isn’t she

C. wasn’t she

... Answer is A.
hasn’t she

30. None of your friends were present, __________ ?

A. was they

B. weren’t they

C. were they

... Answer is C.
were they

Subjunctive Mood | What Is the Subjunctive Mood?

2020-04-06T11:08:00.001+05:45

Subjunctive Mood

Part 2

EXERCISE

Write either the subjunctive or the infinitive form of the verb.

1. Anisha asked her brothers not _________ (tease) her so much.

2. The dean requests that you _________ (see) him this afternoon.

3. I demand that they _________ (apologize) immediately.

4. The teacher will recommend that we _________ (take) the exam on Friday.

5. It was necessary _________ (write) to the admissions office.

6. It is imperative that Saud _________ (drive) to class.

7. It is better _________ (eat) three good meals every day.

8. We urged them _________ (visit) the museum this week.

9. My parents insisted that I _________ (live) close to campus.

10. You are requested _________ (appear) at graduation ceremonies.

11. Dana was advised _________ (be) cautious on her trip abroad.

12. You will be urged _________ (accept) the new position.

13. It will be desirable that the Murphy family _________ (move) to a larger house.

14. I was advised _________ (give) up smoking for my health.

15. Mandy required us _________ (arrive) no later than 8 p.m.

16. It is preferable _________ (study) in the library rather than in the cafeteria.

17. It will be important _________ (pay) this bill on time.

18. The old man ordered the reporters _________ (get) off his property before he called the police.

19. Rowena insisted that her boyfriend _________ (dance) only with her.

20. Peter preferred that his friends _________ (swim) in the pool, not in the lake.

Answer Key:

1. to tease

2. see

3. apologize

4. take

5. to write

6. drive

7. to eat

8. to visit

9. live

10. to appear

11. to be

12. to accept

13. move

14. to give

15. to arrive

16. to study

17. to pay

18. to get

19. dance

20. swim

· Another example of using the subjunctive relates to unreal situations and has the verb wish in the main clause. If the situation were real, you would not wish for a change. The conjunction that is often omitted in spoken English. The subjunctive here looks like the past tense that you studied before. It really is a form of the subjunctive. The only form of the verb be for present wishes is were.

· The pattern for this use of the subjunctive and a wish in the present is as follows:

S1 + WISH + THAT + S2 + past tense

Tim is in California. I wish that he were here.

Today is Thursday. The children wish that it were Saturday.

I don’t have time. I wish that I had time.

We can’t go surfing. We wish that we could go surfing.

· It is possible to have the same subject for both the main and the dependent clauses. A wish in the past requires sequence of tenses. It also looks at an unreal situation related either to now or to the past. Follow this pattern:

S + WISH {present / past} + THAT + HAD + past participle

· Present wishes related to past actions:

Our friends decided not to visit this week.

We wish (now) that they had visited us.

The weather was hot and dry all last week.

I wish (now) that it had rained a little.

The boys went to camp last summer.

Their mother wishes (now) that they hadn’t gone to camp.

· Past wishes related to past actions:

Joan didn’t study Spanish in college.

After Sally had moved to Mexico, she wished that she had studied Spanish.

In 1982 my son bought a convertible.

Later he wished he had bought a practical car.

The Johnsons wanted a lovely house in the valley.

They wished that it hadn’t been so expensive.

Subjunctive Mood | What Is the Subjunctive Mood?

2020-04-06T10:58:00.002+05:45

Subjunctive Mood

Part 1

In English, there are three moods or ways to express the action of the verbs, a writer or speaker uses.They are indicative which indicates the real world, that which is happening, has happened, or will happen. The imperative or commands in which the speaker orders someone to do or not to do something. The subjunctive represents the unreal, contrary to fact, or form whereby the speaker wants someone else to do something. The subjunctive is not used as often as the other two moods in and one dependent, two different subjects, and the conjunction that.

S1 + V1 + THAT + S2 + V2 (subjunctive)

main clause+ dependent clause

· The verb in the subjunctive is always the simple form, one that does not show time or agreement. There is no sequence of tenses between the main clause and the dependent clause.

The doctor suggests that I take vitamins. (that he/she/we/you take . . . )

The doctor suggested that I take vitamins. (that he/she/we/you take . . . )

The doctor will suggest that I take vitamins. (that he/she/we/you take . . . )

· The main clause is always the first of the two and must contain one of the following verbs:

[advise, demand, prefer, ask, insist, recommend, command, order, request]

The general commanded that his troops stand at attention.

Mother will insist that we not go camping this weekend.

The nutritionist prefers that Abdul drink eight glasses of water each day.

· Rather than use the subjunctive, many people prefer to eliminate the conjunction that and use an indirect object and the infinitive. It is understood that the indirect object will be responsible for performing the action of the infinitive.

subject + verb + indirect object + infinitive

The university requires us to take four math courses.

The police ordered the demonstrators to leave at once.

The director will request all musicians to arrive early.

I urge them to stay another week or two.

· A number of impersonal expressions (it + be + adjective) can be used in the main clause with the subjunctive in the dependent clause. Again, the main verb (be) can be in any tense and there is no sequence of tenses.

IT + verb BE + adjective + THAT + S2 + V2 (subjunctive)

· The following adjectives can be used in the impersonal expressions:

[Advised, mandatory, recommended, better, necessary, required, desirable, obligatory, suggested, imperative, preferable, urged, important, proposed, urgent]

It was advised that all residents leave the storm area.

It is better that the professor not discuss his controversial theory in class.

It will be preferable that tourists not drive through the jungle.

It is obligatory that Marta pay her fees at once.

· If the it phrase is replaced by a person responsible for the action, then the infinitive is used with these adjectives:

[advised, recommend, required, urged]

This is the new sentence pattern:

S (person) + verb BE + adjective + infinitive

You were advised to register immediately.

We are required to wear a shirt and shoes in there.

Esther will be urged to study economics this year.

· Another way to get around using the subjunctive is to eliminate the change of subject and the conjunction that and use the infinitive.

IT + verb BE + adjective + infinitive

It will be imperative to study every night.

It is obligatory to pay taxes every year.

It was urgent to discuss your medical problem immediately.

It is better to wait for a lower interest rate.

Click Here for Part 2

Linking Verbs | What Are Linking Verbs?

2020-04-06T08:09:00.004+05:45

LINKING VERBS

Verbs in this special category link or join the subject with its complement. The subject never performs the action, and the verb never takes a direct object. Adjectives, not adverbs, follow these verbs. The following verbs belong to this special group.

[Appear, feel, look, seem, be, get, prove, smell, become, grow, remain, sound]

‘Feel’, ‘look’, ‘get’, ‘prove’, ‘smell’, ‘grow’ and ‘sound’ can be transitive verbs.

Keep in mind that the verbs ‘be’, ‘become’, and ‘remain’ can also be followed by noun phrases.

Compare this noun phrase with the adjective.

John is president of the sophomore class. (noun phrase)
Tony was excited about winning the prize. (adjective)
Christa MacAuliffe became one of the first women in space. (noun phrase)
Teddy became tired after playing several long tennis matches. (adjective)
Mr. Frazer will remain senator until the end of this term. (noun)
The students remained seated while the school president distributed the diplomas. (adjective)

Look at the following sentences to distinguish their use as transitive or intransitive verbs.

Notice how the subject performs the action in the sentences that contain adverbs and direct objects.
You will feel the effects of the medicine in a short while. (takes a direct object)
Jason felt uncomfortable in his three-piece suit. (adjective)
The hikers cautiously felt their way along the dark mountain trail. (adverb)
Nancy grew a variety of vegetables in her garden this summer. (takes a direct object)
The weather grew cold as the front passed over the area. (adj.)
Marcella looks very attractive with her new hairdo. (adj.)
The little boy looked carefully before crossing the street. (adv.)
The food in the kitchen smells good. (adj.)
The customer insisted on smelling the cologne before purchasing it. (takes a direct object)
Your plan sounds excellent. (adj.)
Tim sounded the alarm when the fire broke out. (takes a direct object)
The hot chocolate tasted good on such a cold night. (adj.)
The cook tasted the sauce before pouring it on the vegetables. (takes a direct object)
The mother hurriedly tasted the food to be sure that it would not burn the baby’s tongue. (adv.)
The weather turned hot and muggy. (adj.)
We had to turn the key before opening the door. (takes a direct object)
Jill got an A on her last test. (takes a direct object)
We got tired of waiting for the bus and decided to walk. (adj.)
The district attorney proved his point by displaying the evidence. (takes a direct object)
The experiment could prove fatal if you don’t take the proper precautions. (adj.)
Keep in mind that when you are modifying an adjective, you need to use the adverb form.

In the following sentences, although you have one of the linking verbs, you are really modifying the adjective, not the verb.

We felt unusually strong after taking the medicine. (adv. adj.)
Despite her many problems, Nell seemed unbelievably happy. (adv. adj.)

USING ADJECTIVES WITH LINKING VERBS

When the above-mentioned linking verbs are intransitive, then the adjective form, not the adverb form, follows the verb. There is no action involved, and the adjective modifies the subject, not the verb.

We felt happy after receiving the good news.
Anita grew tired of listening to the same music all day.
No one seemed pleased by the new director’s remarks.
Peter sounded excited when we told him of our plans for the trip.

In the following sentences, underline the verbs and tell whether they are transitive or intransitive.

1. His cat watched the birds in the trees.

2. My brother will not buy a new car until next summer.

3. The hunter killed a tiger.

4. Ranjita tripped on the top step and fell downstairs.

5. He ordered a hamburger and a milkshake for me.

6. Have you ever explored a cave?

7. A young boy discovered a huge cave in Kentucky.

8. Rohit has a very intriguing job.

9. They arrived at the stadium 15 minutes before the game started.

10. Do you play tennis every day?

11. The Prime Minister assembled his cabinet after the election.

12. Mr. Thapa spoke for more than an hour about the deficit in our finances.

13. Our was surrounded by many tall trees.

14. The house on the hill belongs to the Millers.

15. She has four children in elementary school.

16. You should not walk in the rain without your boots.

17. The failure of the experiment discouraged Charles.

18. The boy showed us a picture of his entire family.

19. His sister has perfected several new techniques for medical research.

20. Why did you take my umbrella?

21. Beethoven composed many great pieces of music.

22. How many famous paintings does he possess?

23. Tom likes neither coffee nor tea.

24. My uncle has lived in Paris for many years.

25. Many of the buildings in Paris are very old and beautiful.

26. John’s plans for the new house were incomplete.

27. Mrs. Shakya stopped at the filling station for some gas.

Adverbs of Frequency | Learn English

2020-04-05T21:03:00.004+05:45

Adverbs of Frequency

These adverbs show the number of times that an action takes place or is repeated. In a sentence, these adverbs will come directly before a simple verb tense.

James always checks out his computers before he sells them to his customers.

Margarita never spoke harshly to her students.

The project barely meets the federal guidelines.

· When these adverbs are used with perfect tenses (have + past participle) they are placed between have and the past participle.

We have often visited that museum.

The director has occasionally asked his employees for suggestions.

Wendy had never been to Niagara Falls before 1993.

· If the compound tenses are used as questions, then the frequency adverbs are placed directly before the past participle.

Have you never gone to Stone Mountain near Atlanta?

Has Janet always lived in Vermont?

EXERCISE

For each sentence, replace the words in parentheses with one of the frequency adverbs in the list that means the same or nearly the same. Some may be repeated.

[never, rarely, barely, scarcely, occasionally, seldom, usually, generally, often, frequently, sometimes, hardly (ever)]

Example: Jeff barely knew Mandy when they married after a short engagement. (almost not at all)

1. Deborah ___________ visits her grandmother. (every day)

2. Allen ___________ gets low grades on his tests. (almost never)

3. Leonardo ___________ studies in the library. (many days)

4. Has Marina ___________ gone to a rock concert? (not one time)

5. Chris and Joe have ___________ watched a baseball game on television. (only two times)

6. ___________ my friends and I go to the shopping mall. (three times every month)

7. I ___________ ever see you anymore. (not very much)

8. Sandy and her husband ___________ eat dinner at a restaurant. (maybe once a month)

9. We ___________ receive junk mail at home. (almost every day)

10. Mr. Davis ___________ travels to Japan on business, but he goes to Europe once a month. (one time every two years)

Answer Key:

1. always

2. rarely (seldom)

3. often (usually/frequently)

4. never

5. hardly

6. Occasionally (Sometimes)

7. hardly (rarely, scarcely)

8. sometimes

9. usually (frequently)

10. seldom (rarely)

EXERCISE

Write the frequency adverb in its proper place in the sentence.

Example: Mickey watches sports events on television. (rarely)

Answer: Mickey rarely watches sports events on television.

1. Football fans watch the games on Sunday afternoons. (always)

Football fans always watch the games on Sunday afternoons.

2. Pasquale has written a letter to his cousin in Italy. (never)

Pasquale has never written a letter to his cousin in Italy.

3. I have seen that program, but I don’t like it. (occasionally)

I have seen that program occasionally, but I don’t like it. (I have occasionally seen .......)

4. We study on Friday afternoons. (usually)

We usually study on Friday afternoons.

5. Marta prepares a peach pie for special occasions. (generally)

Marta generally prepares a peach pie for special occasions.

6. They see us on weekends, because we are so busy. (hardly)

They hardly see us on weekends, because we are so busy during the week.

7. Monica has gone shopping in the new mall, because it is so far away. (seldom)

Monica has seldom gone shopping in the new mall, because it is so far away.

8. This neighborhood is quiet, but today it is rather noisy. (usually)

This neighborhood is usually quiet, but today it is rather noisy.

9. The girls take the bus to work, but today it was raining and they got a ride. (generally)

The girls generally take the bus to work, but today it was raining and they got a ride.

10. I have seen Tom without his wife at the council meetings. (seldom)

I have seldom seen Tom without his wife at the council meetings.

11. They barely talk to us since they moved to the new neighborhood.

They barely talk to us since they moved to the new neighborhood.

12. We take the children to the park for a picnic on Sundays. (frequently)

We frequently take the children to the park for a picnic on Sundays.

-ing or –ed? Participles as Adjectives | Learn English

2020-04-05T16:57:00.001+05:45

Participles as Adjectives

Participles, whether present or past, can function as adjectives in a sentence. It is often difficult for non-native speakers to decide whether to use the [verb + -ing] form or the [verb + -ed] form when they are writing or speaking.

· As a general rule, use the [V + -ing] form when the noun performs or is responsible for the action described by the adjective.

The crying baby was quieted by her mother. (The baby was crying.)

The tiring journey through the mountains seemed endless. (The journey was tiring those who were traveling.)

Last Friday night we attended an exciting play. (The play excited us.)

· On the other hand, when the noun modified by the adjective is the receiver of that action, use the past participle.

The irritated passengers complained to the captain. (Something or someone caused the passengers to be irritated. They did not cause the action.)

After winning the grand prize, the shocked contestant just stood there, not

knowing what to say or do. (Winning shocked the contestant.)

After devouring its prey, the satisfied lion lay under a shady tree to take a nap. (Eating satisfied the lion.)

The boring teacher left the room. (The teacher is responsible for boring the students.)

The bored teacher left the room. (Someone or something was responsible for her leaving.)

EXERCISE

Select the correct form of the participle (past or present) for each sentence.

1. After the onslaught, the (raided, raiding) village tried to clean up the debris.

2. Despite a long delay, our (requested, requesting) materials finally arrived.

3. The kindergarten teacher read an (interested, interesting) story to her students.

4. Once the colonists were (settled, settling), they began to organize a new government.

5. The newly (explored, exploring) territory was named “Louisiana” in honor of King Louis of France.

6. The (paid, paying) bill was filed away.

7. Unfortunately, it is up to the (worked, working) class to support the poor.

8. After a careful investigation, the (stolen, stealing) property was returned to its owners.

9. The day of the (dreaded, dreading) exam had finally arrived, causing much anxiety.

10. The (escaped, escaping) refugees managed to reach safety before they had been missed.

11. The (hated, hating) emperor was violently attacked by the peasants.

12. Maria’s (missed, missing) locket was finally found in her sister’s drawer.

13. The (planned, planning) committee has unanimously approved the company’s proposal.

14. The (postponed, postponing) concert was rescheduled for the following week.

15. All of the (wandered, wandering) hikers were found in good health, not too far from their wrecked plane.

16. Carlos’s (fought, fighting) spirit has enabled him to survive in this uncaring society.

17. Senator Hawthorne addressed the college (graduated, graduating) class.

18. The (frozen, freezing) temperatures during the holidays wiped out the citrus crop.

19. Because Nell had no keys, it was impossible for us to get through the (locked, locking) doors.

20. The police asked all the (invited, inviting) guests to remain seated until the investigation had been completed.

ANSWER KEY:

1. raided

2. requested

3. interesting

4. settled

5. explored

6. paid

7. working

8. stolen

9. dreaded

10. escaping

11. hated

12. missing

13. planning

14. postponed

15. wandering

16. fighting

17. graduating

18. freezing

19. locked

20. invited

Noun as Adjective | English Grammar

2020-04-05T16:22:00.002+05:45

Nouns as Adjectives

Many nouns in English can function as adjectives. However, the dictionary will list them only as nouns. Sometimes these “adjective-nouns” are also accompanied by a number. Always use the singular form of the noun when it modifies another noun.

· Always use a hyphen in the number-noun combination.

· Follow this formula for writing “adjective-nouns: number-singular noun as adjective + noun

Jerry’s new ten-speed bicycle helps him move quickly through traffic.

My mother has just bought a 50-piece set of china.

EXERCISE:

Rewrite each sentence, using numbers and “adjective-nouns.” Eliminate all unnecessary words.

Example: Adam needs to buy six stamps worth twenty-five cents.

Adam needs to buy six twenty-five-cent stamps.

1. Ivan has just bought a station wagon that has five doors.

2. My cousin likes that lovely gray purse with four compartments.

3. Our new computer has a hard drive of 9.6 gigabytes.

4. There is a new television in the lobby that has a screen that is 30 inches wide.

5. Sherry likes her new stereo with its four speakers.

6. When we went on vacation, we took a cooler that had a capacity of 80 quarts.

7. The Empire State Building is a structure with 92 stories.

8. Can you change this bill worth $20?

9. In our English class last week, we had to write a composition of 250 words.

10. We took a trip across America that lasted ten weeks.

11. To get to Gastonia from here, you need to drive for six hours.

12. Angela was very upset because she had spilled a can that contained five gallons of olive oil.

13. For her dress, Susie needs three yards of material that is 60 inches wide.

14. Tom has just bought a bedroom set that has five pieces.

15. Eva lives in a house that has a garage for two cars.

16. Barbara made a new winter coat with five buttons.

17. Paul’s new bicycle has five speeds.

18. Monty repairs cars, so he bought a tool set that contains 125 pieces.

19. We need an extension cord that is nine feet long.

20. My new camp light needs a battery that has nine volts.

ANSWER KEY:

1. Ivan has just bought a five-door station wagon.

2. My cousin likes that lovely gray four-compartment purse.

3. We have a new 9.6-GB computer.

4. There is a new 30-inch-screen television in the lobby.

5. Sherry likes her new four-speaker stereo.

6. When we went on vacation we took an 80-quart cooler.

7. The Empire State Building is a 92-story structure.

8. Can you change this $20 bill.

9. In our English class last week, we had to write a 250-word composition.

10. We took a 10-week trip across America.

11. Gastonia is six-hour drive from here.

12. Angela was very upset because she had spilled a five-gallon can of olive oil.

13. Susie needs three yards of 60-inch material for her dress.

14. Tom has just bought a five-piece bedroom set.

15. Eva lives in a house with a two-car garage.

16. Barbara made a new five-button winter coat.

17. Paul has a new five-speed bicycle.

18. Monty repairs cars, so he bought a 125-piece tool set.

19. We need a nine-foot extension cord.

20. My new camp light needs a nine-volt battery.

Modal Auxiliaries | Learn English

2020-03-30T12:02:00.000+05:45

Modal Verbs / Modals / Modal Auxiliaries

PART ONE

Some of the most frequently used modal auxiliaries are be to, be supposed to, may, might, must, can, could, had better, have to, have got to, ought to, should, used to, and would. For the most part, these auxiliaries express the speaker’s mind-set or mood. In addition, modals may indicate possibility, permission, obligation, or ability.

We should talk to our parents about it.

Every morning I would drive15 miles to work.

I might be able to finish the kitchen by tonight.

ü Modal auxiliaries always precede the verb in the sentence, regardless of the verb form, including the addition of the auxiliaries be, have, and do. Modals (except those that include be or have) do not change form for number, and some make no tense changes. When most modal auxiliaries are used in the present tense, they are followed by the base form of the verb.

Mom might make fried chicken tonight.

They must consider every possibility.

ü In order to form a question with a modal auxiliary, move the auxiliary to the beginning of the sentence in front of the subject.

Can you lift this heavy box?

May our friends join you for lunch?

ü To form a negative statement with a modal auxiliary, place the word not immediately after the modal auxiliary and before all other auxiliary verbs.

I cannot understand a word she says.

Maybe she should not have borrowed that winter jacket.

ü ‘Would’ and ‘could’ specify a desired or hypothetical situation. These two auxiliaries are often used in a main clause when if + a subjunctive form is used in the other clause.

He would really like to eat one.

I wish I could go horse riding.

If I were a rich man, I would build homeless shelters everywhere.

ü ‘Would’ is also used to indicate a habitual action.

I would often go to the movies with my sister.

ü ‘Can’ indicates the ability to do something. Note that its past form is could.

Walking down that road can be dangerous.

Man can travel far into outer space.

She could not see where the road ended.

ü Whereas ‘can’ indicates the ability to do something, may indicates that something is acceptable. In casual speech, however, ‘can’ is often substituted for ‘may’.

My sister may borrow my car if she needs to.

My sister can borrow my car if she needs to.

ü The first sentence above indicates that My sister has permission to borrow the car, while the second sentence indicates that My sister has the ability to borrow it, or, if used casually, that she has permission to borrow it. Although there is no definite rule, ‘may’ is usually used to make polite requests.

May I have one of those forms, please?

Dad, may we go swimming today?

ü ‘Must’ shows necessity or requirement; it can also express certainty.

We must obtain a license before we can sell liquor.

I must insist that you finish the job by dusk.

If he’s not here, he must have been delayed.

ü ‘May’ and ‘might’ can show uncertainty or possibility.

I may have to go to New York this weekend.

The children may need a flu shot.

We might have another storm tonight.

You might be right.

ü ‘Had better’ and ‘ought to’ suggest that something needs to be done and imply advisability.

You had better go to hospital for your knee injury.

She really ought to find new friends.

Modal Verbs / Modals / Modal Auxiliaries-3

2020-03-30T11:47:00.000+05:45

Modal Verbs / Modals / Modal Auxiliaries

PART 3

Special auxiliaries

ü In modern English, ‘shall’ has generally been replaced by ‘will’. In the past, ‘shall’ was used as the first-person form of ‘will’ to express the future tense. Nowadays, ‘shall’ is usually used in a context where the speaker wishes to sound very polite or very formal.

ü When ‘shall’ and ‘will’ are used in questions, however, their meanings differ greatly. ‘Will’ indicates the future tense, while ‘shall’ (when used before I or we) means that the speaker is making a suggestion or asking someone else whether he or she agrees with the suggestion being made.

Will we drive to the nearest gas station?

Will we get a cup of tea?

Shall we drive to the nearest gas station?

Let’s go, shall we?

‘Let’s (let us)’ and ‘why don’t’ are modal auxiliaries that are used to make suggestions or friendly or polite commands.

Let’s go to a movie.

Why don’t you pick me up at eight or so?

The progressive forms of modal auxiliaries

ü The present progressive form of a modal auxiliary is composed of a modal auxiliary + be + verb form ending in -ing. The meaning consists of the meaning of the modal auxiliary and that of the present-tense progressive form of the verb. In the example below, the speaker wonders (may) whether Sophie is resting.

We should probably come back later. Sophie may be resting.

In the example below, the speaker believes (must) that the store is closing.

The lights inside are being turned off. The store must be closing.

ü The past progressive form is composed of a modal auxiliary + have been + verb form ending in -ing. The meaning consists of the meaning of the modal auxiliary and that of the past-tense progressive form of the verb.

In the example below, the speaker suspects (might) that Diana was sleeping in.

Diana wasn’t at church today. She might have been sleeping in.

In the example below, the speaker believes (must) that Paul was studying all night.

Paul looked tired this morning. (e must have been studying all night.

ü By using a modal auxiliary, a speaker is choosing to express a degree of certainty or uncertainty. The degree of certainty reflects how sure the speaker is of something happening or how true his or her statement might be. If the speaker is sure of something, he or she doesn’t use a modal.

He is sick.

ü If the speaker wants to express a strong degree of certainty, he or she uses ‘must’.

He must be sick.

If the speaker wants to express a weak degree of certainty, he or she uses ‘may’, ‘might’, or ‘could’:

He may be sick.

ü The distinction between two forms of modal auxiliaries needs to be clarified: used to and be used to. Used to expresses a ‘habitual past’, an activity or a situation that existed in the past but no longer exists. It is formed by using used to + base form of the verb.

Alfred used to work for IBM.

My family used to vacation in Maryland.

ü Be used to is equivalent in meaning to ‘be familiar with’ or ‘be accustomed to’. Both ‘be used to’ and ‘be accustomed to’ can be followed by a gerund (a verb form ending in –ing), a noun phrase, or a pronoun.

Kevin grew up in Alaska, so he is used to living in cold weather.

I think I’m finally used to working nights.

He wasn’t used to such rude behavior.

I’m finally used to it.

ü The modal auxiliaries ‘would’ and ‘used to’ are interchangeable when they express a habitual past.

My brother and I used to go skiing every morning.

My brother and I would go skiing every morning.

However, when ‘used to’ expresses a situation or state of being in the past, it cannot be replaced by ‘would’. This occurs most frequently with the verb ‘be’. The modal auxiliary ‘would’ can only be used to express a recurring action in the past.

I used to be a firefighter. (Would cannot be used.)

Didn’t you used to be a flight attendant? (Would cannot be used.)

Modal Verbs / Modals / Modal Auxiliaries-2

2020-03-29T10:32:00.000+05:45

Modal Verbs / Modals / Modal Auxiliaries

PART 2

ü ‘Ought to’ and ‘had better’ express advisability. But besides expressing advisability, ‘ought to’, as well as ‘should’, may suggest that care be taken in carrying out the action of the verb. In addition, they may imply duty or responsibility in carrying out that action.

Advisability- You ought to stop here till the storm ends. You had better stay here till the storm ends.

Suggestion- You should try harder. You ought to try harder.

Duty or responsibility- Children should follow the school’s safety regulations. Children ought to follow the school’s safety regulations.

ü ‘Had better’ is similar in meaning to ‘ought to’ and ‘should’, but it is usually stronger. The auxiliary ‘had better’ often expresses a warning. It is followed by the basic form of the verb and has either a present or future meaning.

Our left front tire is almost flat. We had better stop to fill it with air.

ü Like the auxiliary verb ‘had’, the verb ‘had’ in the auxiliary ‘had better’ can contract with a subject pronoun: you’d better, they’d better and so on.

ü The past form of ‘should’ - should have + past participle.

I had an exam this morning. I didn’t do well on it, because I read the wrong chapter. I should have been more attentive in class.

It feels like I really hurt my ankle. I should not have played soccer for so long this afternoon.

ü The past form of ‘ought to’ - ought to have + past participle

I ought to have read the right chapter.

You ought to have thought about the consequences before you volunteered.

ü ‘Have to’ and ‘have got to’ express necessity. Like ‘must’, they suggest that there is no other choice.

All candidates have to take the grammar test.

I simply have got to get there on time.

ü In informal conversation, ‘must’ usually carries a stronger connotation than ‘have to’ and often indicates a sense of urgency.

I have to speak to Robert. I was hoping we could get together for lunch.

I must speak to Robert immediately. His brother was in a car accident.

ü The past tense of ‘have to’ - ‘had to’

I have to leave by tomorrow morning.

I had to leave by this morning.

ü ‘Have to’ and ‘must’, when in the negative, express lack of necessity or prohibition. Do not have to indicates that something is unnecessary, while must not indicates that something is not allowed.

Tomorrow is Christmas, and we do not have to go to work.

You must not tamper with that device.

ü ‘Be supposed to’ and ‘be to’ express expectation. They suggest that someone is expecting something about a scheduled situation, the fulfillment of conditions, or the use of proper procedures. If ‘used’ in conversation, ‘be to’ is usually stronger in meaning and more clear cut than ‘be supposed to’.

The plane is supposed to land in an hour.

The plane is to land at ten in the morning.

ü In the first example, the speaker expects the flight to take off in an hour, because that’s when it is scheduled to depart. The second sentence is similar in meaning to the first sentence, but it states a fact. The speaker knows with certainty when the plane will be taking off.

ü ‘Be to’ and ‘be supposed to’ can also indicate expectation about behavior.

I am supposed to go to this meeting. My director told me he would be pleased to see me there.

I am to be at this meeting. My director told us it is mandatory.

ü ‘Used to’ expresses a habitual action in the past, one that is no longer performed or repeated. ‘Used to’ can be used interchangeably with ‘would’ in this sense. However, since ‘would’ also has other meanings, it requires an indication of past time to make sense. Compare the following sets of examples.

I used to go surfing every summer.

When I was a teenager, I would go surfing every summer.

Before I broke my knee, I would run five miles every morning.

Gerunds

2020-03-25T17:41:00.001+05:45

Gerunds

Gerunds are verb forms that function as nouns. They are formed by adding the suffix -ing to the base form of the verb: talking, running, building, developing, and so on.

Gerunds can function as subjects or objects.

GERUND AS SUBJECT

Working has never been John’s strong point.

Swimming is really great exercise.

GERUND AS OBJECT

I enjoy working at the plant, but prefer gardening.

She always liked knitting and has made a good business out of it.

Distinguishing Gerunds from Present Participles

Although gerunds look like present participles, they function in a different way. Present participles are typically part of a progressive verb phrase and follow the auxiliary verb be. Gerunds are only used as nouns.

PRESENT PARTICIPLES

She was cooking and cleaning all day long. PAST PROGRESSIVE

Tom and Marie have been jogging for over an hour. PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

GERUNDS

Jogging is always healthy. (SUBJECT)

Dad had to do the cooking and cleaning by himself. (DIRECT OBJECT)

The Possessive

In formal English, a noun or pronoun preceding a gerund is in the form of a possessive.

We appreciated Tara’s letting us use her phone.

I never liked his dating that girl.

In casual English, however, an object form of a noun or pronoun quite commonly precedes a gerund.

We appreciated Tara letting us use her phone.

I never liked him dating that girl.

Although the direct object + gerund construction is heard with great frequency, the possessive construction is preferred.

I was very annoyed by William’s driving so recklessly.

We were all so proud of Linda’s winning the race.

I couldn’t bear the child’s crying.

Juliana’s sister did not approve of his drinking.

They all hated my singing and especially my dancing.

A word of caution: If a verb form ending in -ing precedes a noun, the verb form is a present participle, because its function in that position is as a modifier of the noun.

The other soldiers were distracted by William’s twitching muscles.

They all hated his reverberating baritone.

Other Examples:

1. They warned me that reaching the top of the mountain would take several days.

2. Deciding where to keep our old winter boots was not too difficult.

3. The policeman’s job is protecting citizens and serving the law.

4. Laura does not seem to have time to do anything but studying and staying out late with her friends.

5. I made a living by painting houses and repairing roofs.

6. Rehearse singing that song with your professor; otherwise, you will never get better.

7. She cannot ask her parents to keep her dog without alerting them to her vacation plans.

8. Listening to Paco de Lucía playing acoustic guitar was amazing.

9. Stretching has always been my favorite form of relaxation.

10. Rhyming and dancing are crucial elements of hip-hop culture.

11. Moving to a new city is always stressful.

12. Mentioning this to Paul would be very clumsy.

13. She is looking forward to meeting him in person.

14. Managing this store is becoming too overwhelming.

15. We enjoy walking in the countryside and swimming in rivers.

Verbs followed by Gerund:

[admit, dread, keep, report, appreciate, enjoy, mind, resent, avoid, escape, miss, resist, consider, finish, postpone, risk, deny, imagine, suggest, etc.]

The thief admitted taking the jewelry.

I miss seeing you every day. Please, hurry home.

The following expressions require the gerund. In English the gerund usually follows a preposition.

[accustomed to, count on, it’s no use, approve of, feel like, keep on, be against, forget about, look forward to, be a question of, get used to, object to, be better off, give up, opposed to, be fond of, go on, put off, be tired of, interested in, succeed in, can’t help, it is worth, think about (of), etc.]

I don’t approve of your walking late at night.

We just feel like sitting home this weekend.

Subject-Verb Agreement, Rules

2020-03-25T13:16:00.000+05:45

Subject- Verb Agreement

PART TWO

Collective Nouns

Occasionally, a noun ending in -s is singular. This is especially true of collective nouns and noun phrases that are considered indivisible units.

The United States is an important country.

The news is televised.

The Maldives consists of 26 atolls.

The United Nations has five principal administrative bodies.

Macy’s is a department store.

Physics is a science.

Note that if such a noun is changed to a pronoun, the singular pronoun it is used. This is because the noun is considered singular: The United Nations is one unit and is therefore replaced by it and not by they or them. This same concept can be applied to expressions of time, distance, and money.

Ten hours of flying is too long.

Thirty miles is the exact distance from here to there.

Fifty dollars is too expensive.

Note, however, that the nouns people and police are plural and take plural verb forms.

All those people are trapped inside their homes.

The police have intervened swiftly.

Finally, there are several adjectives preceded by the that are used as plural nouns.

The old are not well taken care of in this country.

The rich keep getting richer.

The wrongly accused deserve justice.

The injured and wounded lie about the battlefield.

Following is a list of other adjectives that are used as plural nouns.

the blind

the dead

the deaf

the handicapped

the living

the young

Auxiliary Verbs

If a verb phrase contains an auxiliary verb, it is the auxiliary verb, and no other verbal element, that must agree with the subject of the sentence. Examples with the auxiliary be follow.

He is singing (singular) they are singing (plural)

He is punished (singular) they are punished (plural)

He was speaking (singular) they were speaking (plural)

Examples with the auxiliary have follow.

He has learned. (singular) they have learned. (plural)

He had been hurrying (singular) they had been learning. (plural)

Examples with the auxiliary do follow.

Does he understand? (singular) Do the understand? (plural)

He didn’t care. (singular) They didn’t care. (plural)

No matter how complicated the verb phrase is, only the auxiliary verb form agrees with the subject of the sentence. The other elements of the phrase remain the same.

Complex Sentences

A dependent clause is called a relative clause when it begins with who, which, or that. When one of these words is immediately followed by a verb phrase, the relative pronoun (who, which, that) becomes the subject of the clause.

Consider the following examples.

The man, who was walking down the street, was poor.

Peter usually eats macaroni and cheese, which is his favorite dish.

Do you see the plane that is flying away?

If who, which, or that is the subject of the relative clause, the verb must reflect the number of that subject: singular or plural. If the antecedent of who, which, or that is singular, the relative pronoun is singular. If the antecedent is plural, the relative pronoun is plural. And in both instances, the verb will agree with the number of the antecedent and relative pronoun.

Singular Antecedent

The boy, who is throwing stones, is going to break a window.

The car, which is being built in Detroit, has GPS as a standard feature.

John found a pen that is made of silver.

Plural Antecedent

The boys, who are throwing stones, are going to break a window.

The cars, which are being built in Detroit, have GPS as a standard feature.

Mary found two pens that are made of silver.

While who, which, or that can be the subject of the relative clause, whose cannot be a subject. In this case, the subject of the clause is the noun that immediately follows whose.

He is the architect whose mother comes from a poor country.

In this sentence, the subject of the relative clause is ‘mother’ and the verb is ‘comes’, the third person singular form that agrees with the singular noun ‘mother’. It is possible for whose to be used with a plural subject.

He is the architect whose parents come from a poor country.

Subject- Verb Agreement, Rules

2020-03-25T11:10:00.001+05:45

Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord)

PART ONE

Agreement is that two or more words must agree with each other for a meaningful sentence.

For example, the gender and number of a pronoun or possessive adjective must match the gender and number of the noun it refers to. If you wish to say that ‘a man wants to wear a new shirt he just bought’, you would say the following.

John is putting on his new shirt.

That meaning is lost if you change the gender or number of either the subject or the possessive adjective.

Mary is putting on his new shirt.

John is putting on our new shirt.

The boys are putting on my new shirt.

The rules of agreement do not mean that these three examples are incorrect— they could be. But in this case, they are not, because the desired meaning is that a man wants to wear a new shirt he just bought: He puts on his own shirt.

Third-Person Singular and Plural

In subject-verb agreement in the third person, the difference between a singular and a plural subject is important. In most cases, a plural subject has a different present-tense verb ending from a singular subject.

The boy plays tag in the street.

The boys play tag in the street.

She learns a lot about English.

They learn a lot about English.

When the auxiliary ‘have’ is used in the present perfect tense, there is also a difference between the singular and the plural.

My friend has been in France for two weeks.

My friends have been in France for two weeks.

Using a singular verb with a singular subject and a plural verb with a plural subject is essential for writing and speaking correctly in English.

The Verb Be

‘Be’ is the only English verb that has more than two forms in the simple present tense, which means that agreement involves more than third-person singular and plural forms.

First Person- I am (present singular), we are (present plural)

Second Person- you are (present singular), you are (present plural)

Third Person- he/ she / it is (present singular), they are (present plural)

In the past tense, it has two forms.

First Person- I was (past singular), we were (past plural)

Second Person- you were (past singular), you were (past plural)

Third Person- he/ she / it was (past singular), they were (past plural)

If the subject of the verb ‘be’ is a noun, the third-person form of the verb is used.

The boy is at school.

Mary and Jane were named co-chairpersons.

Expressions of Quantity

For many expressions of quantity, the verb form is determined by the noun or pronoun that follows the word ‘of’. If the phrase ‘some of’ or ‘most of’ is followed by a singular noun or pronoun, the verb form is singular.

Some of the icing is runny.

Most of the equipment was sold.

But if these phrases—as well as many of—are followed by a plural noun, the verb form is plural.

Some of the movies are good.

Most of these people were in need of help.

Many of these people are my friends.

This concept applies to many other expressions of quantity.

One third of this land is mine.

Two thirds of the diamonds are mine.

A number of people miss the bus.

If the number is used instead of a number in such an expression, the verb form is singular, because a specific number is being referred to.

The number of students on the bus is 50. (50 is the number of people.)

The number of people at the bar is 15. (15 is the number of students.)

Similarly, expressions with one of, each of, and every one of take a singular verb form.

One of my parents is about to get here.

Each one of my children is here.

Every one of my cousins is here.

In very formal English, subjects with ‘none of’ are singular, but it is common to hear ‘none of’ used with a plural verb in casual speech.

None of the girls is here. – formal

None of the girls are here. – casual

Click Here for Part Two

Grammar: Reported Speech (Direct and Indirect Speech) PART- 2

2020-03-24T11:55:00.002+05:45

Grammar: Reported Speech

Direct and Indirect Speech

Negative Imperative

Negative imperative in direct speech changes into Negative infinitive (i.e., not to + infinitive) in the Reported (Indirect) speech:

He said to me, "Don't make a noise."

Reported: He asked me not to make a noise.

He said to me, "Do not tell a lie."

Reported: He told me not to tell a lie.

‘MUST’ and 'NEEDN'T’ denoting future necessity or compulsion(or instead of shall have to) change into the conditional in indirect Speech.

She said, "l must go tomorrow."

Reported: She said that she would have to go that day.

She said, "l needn’t go next week."

Reported: She said that she wouldn't have to go the following week.

She said, 'I mustn't go'! (This has no future form)

Reported: She said she wasn't to go.

‘MUST' denoting permanent statement or prohibition does not change. (At the same time, natural laws and eternal truths can be expressed in the Simple Present.)

She said to me, "You mustn't smoke in the hospital."

Reported: She told me that / mustn't smoke in the hospital.

Questions in Reported Speech

Wh-questions in Direct Speech take the affirmative form in Indirect Speech, and the question mark is avoided. The Reporting verb can be ask, inquire, wonder, or want to know.

They said, "How can we help?"

Reported: They asked how they could help.

She said, "Why don't you learn to read?"

Reported: She wanted to know why he didn't learn to read.

Yes/No Questions

If there is no question-word in the Direct speech, if or whether must be used in the Reported (Indirect) speech.

He said to me, "Do you drink tea?"

Reported: He asked me if I drank tea. Or He asked me whether I drank tea.

Exclamation and Wish

For expressing exclamation and wish, the Reporting verb is accordingly changed into exclaim, desire, wish, bless, curse, etc. in the Indirect speech.

He said, "May you succeed!"

Reported: He wished that he might succeed.

What a ……. !, What ……….!, How……..! are changed in this way:

He said, “How terrible!”

Reported: He said that it was (very) terrible.

Oh!, Ugh!, Alas! Bravo! Hurrah! etc. are changed into exclaim + with joy/sorrow, etc. in Reported Speech.

He said, “Hurrah! My aunt has come.”

Reported: He exclaimed with joy that his aunt had come.

Adverb, Its Definition and Types

2020-03-24T11:07:00.001+05:45

Adverb, Its Definition and Types

Definition: The word which is used to modify the meaning of a verb, an adjective or another adverb is called an adverb.

sing beautifully (adds to the meaning of a verb)

a very beautiful singer (adds to the meaning of an adjective)

sing very beautifully (adds to the meaning of another adverb)

Types of Adverbs:

1. Adverbs of Time- indicates ‘when’

Example: before, late, ago, yesterday, in the morning, soon, tomorrow, etc.

He arrived late.

They will now begin to work.

He called me here a few minutes ago.

I had a letter from him lately.

I hurt my fingers yesterday.

I have already spoken to him.

2. Adverbs of Frequency- indicates ‘how often’

Example: once, often, daily, seldom, sometimes, regularly, occasionally, usually, twice, two times a day, already, yet, ever, so for, etc.

She has told you thrice.

We have not seen him once.

She often makes mistakes;

His brother seldom comes here.

3. Adverbs of Place- indicates ‘where’

Example: In Kathmandu, here, there, up, down, nearby, away, everywhere, anywhere, etc.

Come here.

The dog followed Mary everywhere.

Come in.

We looked up.

The thief ran away.

4. Adverbs of Manner- indicates ‘how or in what manner’

Example: bravely, beautifully, soundly, clearly, etc.

The Gurkhas fought bravely.

He works hard.

I was completely disappointed.

My sister reads clearly.

This story is well written.

The baby slept soundly.

Slowly and sadly we laid him down.

You should not do so.

Formation of Adverbs of Manner:

Adverbs are normally formed by adding –ly to adjectives.

Quick- quickly

Glad- gladly

Happy- happily

Warm- warmly

Merry- merrily

However, some words have the same form both as an adjectives and as an adverb.

Early, late, hard, long, short, fast, daily, straight, etc.

My father is an early riser. (adjective)

We rose early. (adverb)

Draw a straight line. (adjective)

Go straight. (adverb)

All words ending in –ly are not adverbs. The words given below are adjectives.

elderly, friendly, lively, cowardly, lonely, lovely, silly, etc.

Last evening, we played a friendly football match.

Elderly people should be properly looked after.

5. Adverbs of Degree- indicates ‘how much, or in what degree or to what Extent’

Example: too, so, quite, rather, pretty, very, enough, etc.

He was very careful.

These mangoes are pretty delicious.

You are quite wrong.

They are rather busy.

Her brother is good enough for my purpose.

We are so glad.

6. Interrogative Adverbs- asks questions

Example: where, when, why, how, etc.

Where does your brother live?

When did she come?

Why is he late?

How did you do this?

Adverbs Likely to be Confused

Sometimes we have two similar – looking adverbs with very different meanings:

I got late because of a traffic jam. (after the expected time)

Lately she had written some interesting stories. (recently)

He went direct to his father and apologized. (straight)

I’ll meet you directly. (soon)

Could you speak a bit louder? I can hardly hear you. (I can hear you a very little.)

hardly- very little, almost not

The teacher advised him to work hard. (with great effort)

The movie was so interesting. (very)

He was such an experienced person. (used to emphasize the great degree of something)

(So and such make the meaning of an adjective or adverb stronger.)

She is old enough go to school. (Enough means sufficient is used in positive sense.)

She works too hard. (Too suggests excess of some kind, more than what is proper.)

Her voice is fairly sweet.

The teacher was rather annoyed at her stupid answers.

(Both ‘fairly’ and ‘rather’ means moderately. ‘Fairly’ is used in favorable situations and ‘rather’ in unfavorable ones.)

Grammar: Connectives(Conjunctions)

2020-03-19T21:28:00.001+05:45

Grammar: Connectives

Two simple sentences can be formed into a compound sentence with the use of a connective. A connective denotes reason, time purpose or result.

Ø because, as or since are used to connect reason and its effect.
These connectives come in the beginning of a clause. Of these ‘because’ is more common. Normally ‘since’ is used for a negative reason:
He was angry. No one spoke to him. - He was angry because no one spoke to him.
You didn't write to me. I didn't write. - Since you didn't write to me, I didn't write to you.
She lit a fire, it was cold. - She lit a fire as it was cold.

Ø because, because of
‘because’ is used to begin a clause of reason but ‘because of’ is used before a noun group:
He could not go to school because he was ill. - He could not go to school because of his illness.
He was able to lift the heavy load because he was very strong. - He was able to lift the heavy load because of his great strength.

Ø to, in order to
To denote purpose, ‘to’ or ‘in order to’ is used before a verb. Normally ‘to’ (which is more usual) is used to show purpose. However, in formal writing and speech, we use ‘in order to’:
Rita went to the tap to fill the pitcher.
Raju went to the village in order to see his grandfather.

‘to’ is thus used to link an action and its purpose; and ‘in order to’ is sometimes used in formal speech and writing.
He left home early. Be at the market by six.
He left home early to be at the market by six.
He left home early in order to be at the market by six.

Ø so that

When a clause in a compound sentence denotes purpose, it is introduced by ‘so that’.
She got up early (action). She could go to the temple (purpose).- She got up early so that she could go to the temple.

Ø although or even though
For an unexpected result of a situation, we begin a clause with although or even though:
She was very clever (situation). She failed the exam (unexpected result).
Although she was very clever, she failed the exam.
Even though she was very clever, she failed the exam.

When the situation is considered more important, we put the unexpected result in the beginning of the second clause:
She failed the exam although/even though she was very clever.

Ø in spite of
in spite of can be used to denote situation and unexpected result, but it always comes with a noun group, not with a clause; that is to say, the situation is denoted by the noun:
She studied hard (situation). She failed the exam (unexpected result).
In spite of her hard labour, she failed the exam.

Ø therefore, however
‘therefore’ comes in the beginning of a clause to denote the result in an opposite sense of ‘because’ when the result of the first sentence is the second sentence:
I was unwell. I did not go to school. - I was unwell, therefore, I did not go to school.
‘however’ can be used to denote that the second sentence gives information you consider contrary in some way to that in the first:
Travelling by bus is cheap. It is not very comfortable. - Travelling by bus is cheap; however, it is not very comfortable.

Ø whether... or
Two if-clauses containing in two different compound sentences can be joined by ‘whether…or’ when the causes of the if-clauses are different but the effect is the same:
cause- If it rains, effect- I shall go to school.

Whether it rains or not, I shall go to school.

Ø if not unless
In place of ‘if not’, we can use unless:
If you don't use your English, it will not improve.
Unless you use your English, it will not improve.
You will not get success if you do not work hard.
You will not get success unless you work hard.

Ø Connectives in pairs
Certain connectives connect two sentences or two parts of sentences. They come in pair. They are:
neither ..... not, not only .... but also, either…. or
Note that the same part of speech comes after and before these pairs:
Either go or stay.

Bring either a book or a pen.
He visited not only Lumbini, but also Pashupati.
He not only visited Lumbini, but also worshipped it.

Ø Time Connectives
Time connectives, used to link two clauses or two parts of a sentence, are before (which comes with a clause denoting second action), after (which comes with a clause denoting first action), when, while (which comes with a continuous tense), until, as long as and as soon as, etc.
She came before it was dark.
After the class was over, he went home.
While she was dancing, her necklace fell off.
He entered the class as soon as the bell rang.
Two sentences can be linked with the connectives denoting time:
I met my friend. He was pleased to see me.

Grammar: Connectives

2020-03-19T21:23:00.000+05:45

Grammar: Connectives

Relative Pronouns used as Connectives (pronouns)

who/whom/whose/which/that/what/Which /what (adjectives) or when/where/why (adverbs) can introduce Relative clauses. These pronouns can connect two clauses (as in below).

who, which, that, whose, etc. are called Relative Pronouns which refer or relate to some nouns going before, called their Antecedents:

1. A farmer is a person who grows food.

2. She is the nurse (who) I met last week.

3. He is the teacher whose classes we enjoy.

In sentence 1, person is the antecedent of who; in 2 nurse, is the antecedent of who (which being in the objective case can be omitted), and in 3, teacher is the antecedent of whose.

The above sentences can be made up of two (or more) clauses with the use of relative pronouns.
Look at the following examples:
A farmer is a person. A farmer grows food. - A farmer is a person who grows food.
She is the nurse. I met the nurse last week. - She is the nurse (whom) I met last week.
He is the teacher. We enjoy the teacher's classes. - He is the teacher whose classes we enjoy.
The fruit was not fresh. late the fruit yesterday. - The fruit (which) I ate yesterday was not fresh.
Mohan tells a story about a tiger. He met the tiger in the Terai. - Mohan tells a story about a tiger (which) he met in the Terai.
(In the above examples, who, which shown in brackets can be omitted.)

Defining Relative Clauses

The Relative Pronoun has these two main clauses - Defining and Non-defining.

A Defining Relative Clause defines the noun, pronoun or adverb in a sentence. It gives an answer to the question of who/whom/ whose/ what/ where. It is not enclosed with a comma:
A farmer is a person who grows food.
She is the singer whose songs we enjoy.
who, whom, whose, that, which can be used for both persons and things in a Defining Relative Clause as in the table below:

	Persons	Things
Subject	who, that	that, which
Object	That, whom	That, which
Possessive	Whose	Of which, whose
Prepositional	That ____ to	That ____ to

In Defining Relative Clauses, the Objective case is normally omitted. The form in the brackets in 2 above are less usual and it is better not to use them:

1. The girl who has grey hair is my sister.

2. The tree that stands by the gate has lovely flowers.

3. The girl you met in the hall is a dancer.

4. The book/ bought yesterday is interesting.

In sentences 1 and 2, who and that refer to the subject, but in 3 and 4 that is omitted. The clauses you met one in the hall and I bought yesterday are without that. Such clauses are called Contact-clauses.
‘who’ used as subject is more preferable than that, but ‘that’ is used with superlatives, and normally with any, only:
The man who (that) wrote this poem is coming to tea.
She is one of the best girls that have ever lived.
He's the only boy that climbed Everest.

Non-defining Relative Clauses

Non-defining Relative Clauses do not define the noun, but merely add something to it by giving some more information about it. They are not essential in the sentence and can be omitted without causing confusion. If we omit a Defining clause from the sentence it cannot make a sense in the sentence. Non- defining clauses which come parenthetically in the sentence are separated from their noun by commas. Compare:

1. The boy (that) you met yesterday is lame.

2. The boy, whom you met yesterday, is lame.

In sentence 1, the relative clause (that) you met yesterday the boy and is therefore a defining relative clause. In relative clause does not define the boy but simply add information about him, and this is a non-defining relative clause.
Note also:
Defining: My sister who lives in Palpa has written me a letter.
Non-defining: My sister, who lives in Palpa, has written me a letter.
Here, the Defining Relative Clause denotes, though he has many sisters, 'the one that lives in Palpa', and the Non-defining Relative clause indicates that he has only one sister and she lives in Palpa.

Relative Clauses

‘what’ is used for 'that + which' or 'the thing(s) + which', and where for 'the place in which':

He found the things. He wanted the things. - He found the things which he wanted. He found what he wanted.
I remember the house. I was born in the house. - I remember the house in which I was born. I remember the house where I was born.

Relative and Interrogative Links

who, what, which, where, why, etc. can be used as link-words to join clauses into a complex sentence. When the subjects of both sections (or clauses) are identical, it is usual to put an infinitive phrase, the sense of which is future. Note that who can be used in both subjective and objective cases:

I don't know what l must do=l don't know what to do.

Ask him where he must put it = Ask him where to put it.

Do you know how to make tea?
They don't know where your house is.

Complex Sentences

When the subjects are different, there must be different clauses in the complex sentence, Note that who is now heard in place of whom in the objective case or with end prepositions:
I have no idea when he will come.
She asked me how I had done it.
Do you know who you are talking to?

Grammar: Question Tags

2020-03-19T21:16:00.000+05:45

Grammar: Question Tags

A Question Tag is a tag in the form of a question used for the conformation of the statement already made.
It has the following points:

An affirmative statement has a negative question tag.
Affirmative Statement Negative Question Tag
He is handsome, isn't he?
She came yesterday, didn't she?
They have their breakfast, don't they?
You will go tomorrow, won't you?
A negative statement has an affirmative question tag:
(Negative Statement) He does not (doesn't) go, does he?( Affirmative Question Tag)

(Negative Statement) She cannot (can't) work, can she? (Affirmative Question Tag)
(Negative Statement) He does not (doesn't) have tea, does he? (Affirmative Question Tag)
(Negative Statement) They will not (won't) read, will they? (Affirmative Question Tag)
A question tag begins with an auxiliary verb. If there are not other auxiliaries, we use the verb do:
The boy is reading, isn't he?
The girl laughed, didn't she?
In the negative question tag, the short form of not, must be used:
Everybody was present at school, weren't they?
We shall meet you tomorrow, shan't we?
If the subject of a statement is a noun/pronoun, the subject of the tag must be a pronoun:
Mira/She is busy, isn't she?
Boys/They took their meal, didn't they?
‘have’ used as a main verb in the statement takes do (not have) in the tag:
They have their breakfast, don't they?

I had a dream last night, didn't I?
‘used to’ in the statement takes ‘did’ in the tag:
There used to be an old tree, didn't there?
‘I am’ in the statement becomes aren't l? in the tag:
I’m happy, aren't I ?

I am writing a letter, aren't?

Imperative statement has its tag will you?

Stop that noise, will you (or won't you)?
See me tomorrow, will you (or won't you)?
let+ noun/pronoun (object) + verb changes into will you? or won’t you? in the tag:
Let me go now, will you or won't you?
Let him/her/it/them playing the yard, will you or won't you?
Let's+ verb (infinitive) gets shall we? in the tag:
Let’s go fora walk, shall we?
Let's work together, shall we?
But:
Let us go for a walk, will you?
Let us work now, will you?
Let us study the following examples:
He takes his breakfast, doesn't he?
There used to be a tree, didn’t there?
He never reads a book, does he?
You seldom sing a song, do you?
Nothing is right, is it?
All is wrong, isn’t it?

All are well, aren’t they?

Nobody saw them, did they?
All/These/Those are mine, aren’t they?
One should obey the elders, shouldn’t one?
Everybody has slept, don’t they?
Nobody comes here, do they?

Someone stole my purse, didn’t they?
dare and need (anomalous finites) have these tags:
She dare not speak, dare she?
He dared not go, dared he?
You need not speak, need you?
You did not need to go, did you?

But as ordinary verbs, these have these forms in the tag:
He does/did not dare (to) cry, does /did he?
He does/did not need to go, does/did he?

Grammar: Preposition

2020-03-19T21:07:00.009+05:45

Grammar: Preposition

Part -2

A. About is used:
To mean 'on the subject of', concerning, etc.:
This book is about mountains.
Tell me about your future plan.
To mean 'approximately:
Our guests arrived at about 7 0'clock.
This umbrella costs about five hundred rupees.
To mean 'near' or beside':
She lives about this temple.
I lost my wallet about here.
To mean 'in many directions in a place' or 'here and there':
Street dogs are running about the town.
Milk has spilt about the carpet.

B. For is used:

To denote function, purpose or reason:
The knife is used for chopping onions.
Every morning we go for a walk.
We left home for Pokhara.
To show a reason or cause:

These garments are for sale.
Kathmandu is famous for the temple of Lord Pashupatinath.
To show a length of time:
We are going away for seven weeks.
My friend was in Europe for fifteen years.
In exchange for something and as the price, reward or punishment:
I bought a pair of shoes for two thousand rupees.

C. Since is used:
To indicate point in time with present perfect, present perfect continuous, past perfect and past perfect continuous:
I have not gone to school since last Monday.
We have been reading in this school since 2072 BS.
They had worked here since last January.
People had been living in this place since March 2070.

D. From is used:
To show where somebody/something starts:

He has just come from his work.
The wind from the west is very cold.
To indicate when something starts:
Our workshop is open from 9 to7everyday.
Subhas is dumb from birth.

To show who sent or gave something/somebody:
I've just received a letter from my sister.
The judge got full information from witnesses.

To show the origin of somebody/something:
We are from Japan.
These are quotations from Devakota.
To show the material that something is made of:
This widow is made from wood.
The sculptor makes statues from marble.
To show distinction or difference between two (people or things):
Hilly regions are different from the terai regions.
We can't tell one twin from the other.

E. Into is used:
For showing to a position in or inside something:
The cat ran into my room.
These boys are diving into the pond.

To make a change in state:
The villagers want their village turn into a town.
She chops potatoes into chips.
He cut ripe pineapples into slices.

A. Onto is used:
To show movement on or to a particular place or position:
Mohini moved the chairs onto the living room.
The pitcher of water fell onto the floor.
To show that something faces in a particular direction:

The window looked out onto the garden.

B. Through is used:
To mean from one end or side of something/somebody to the other:
The angry bull ran through the crowd.
The River Bagmati flows through Kathmandu.
Anup reached home through the bridge.

Some other Prepositions are thus used:
Till/Until denotes up to the time when: till two o'clock
Since denotes from past till now: since last week
Before denotes earlier than: before he slept
After denotes later than: after they had gone.
During denotes throughout a period of time: during the festival
Within denotes during a particular period of time: within a month/a week
Out of denotes towards outside from within: out of the bus
Inside denotes towards inner side: inside the house
Outside denotes towards outer side: outside the room
Over denotes up without touching: The sky is over us.

Over denotes covered fully/partly: Ink spilt over the cloth.
Under denotes down, without touching: under the table
Above denotes upward: above the river
Below denotes downward: below the bridge
From ---- to denotes up to: from Palpa to Butwal
Towards (somewhere near): Dogs ran towards the hut.
Along (from one end to the other): Cars run along the road.
Across (from one side to another): He ran across the bridge.
Past (from one side to the other): The car went past my house.
Off (down or away from): She fell off a ladder.

Out of (from within): Passengers came out of the bus.
Against (pressing, pushing): Press against my back.
Between (of the people/things): Divide it between two boys.
Among (of three or more): Divide it among six girls.
Beside (near): Sit beside me.
Besides (except): Besides water, there is nothing.

Grammar: Prepositions | At, In, With, For, On, By, Of, Off

2020-03-19T21:05:00.082+05:45

Grammar: Preposition

Part-1

Prepositions are normally placed before nouns or pronouns but they can be placed after nouns/pronouns in questions, relative and interrogative clauses.

I write a letter with a pen.

What do you write the letter with?

This book is about wild animals.

This is the book I was asking about.

A. At is used:

With particular points on the clock and parts of the day:

at night, at dusk, at ten o'clock, at three, at midnight, at noon, at 9:30, at dawn, etc.

With a comparatively smaller place:

at a hotel, at the bus stop, at the airport, etc.

With the name of festivals/ special celebrations:

at Holi, at Id, at Christmas, at Easter, etc.

With verbs:

look at, laugh at, stare at, etc.

To indicate age:

Priya got married at 40.

Saroj joined school at 15.

He has to retire at 58.

To refer to rate, price, speed, etc.:

He drives his car at 60 km/hr.

Sugar is sold at 80 rupees.

B. In is used:

With month, year, season, century, etc.:

in March, in 2017, in the 21st century, in the Rana regime, etc.

But, at night, at dawn, at noon

With place that is comparatively larger:

in Nepal, in Kathmandu, in Europe, in the Netherlands, in the world

Before period of time:

in ten minutes, in three weeks, in a fortnight, in a century, in five years, etc.

With something on your body as a piece of clothing, a decoration, etc.: in a blue frock, in a red tie, in a black cap, etc.

For making prepositional phrases:

in a hurry in search of, in addition, in spite of, etc.

For forming phrasal verbs:

succeed in, believe in, enlist in, involved in, etc.

C. On is used:

With particular day/date:

on Monday, on the 5th of June, on the 2th century, on the Rana regime, etc.

To describe a position on any surface:

on the ceiling, wrinkles on his face, on the ground, on the wall, etc.

With means of transport:

on a bicycle, on horseback, on a car, etc.

But, in a car, in a jeep

With verbs:

insist on, put on, go on, rely on, live on, etc.

D. By is used:

To mean 'not later than the time mentioned (or 'before):

by 2017, by April, by tomorrow, by then¸ etc.

Usually, after passive verb to show who does the action:

Shakuntal was composed by Devakota.

Nepal was unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah.

To mean 'near' or 'beside:

Niru always sits by me.

You can see the temple by the riverside.

With a means of transport (without a/an or the):

Today we can travel by bus/train/car/plane/boat.

People travel by sea/land/air. (not the sea, etc.)

For showing how or in what way something is done:

The house is heated by gas. May I pay by cheque?

To mean movement past something or place:

The snake entered by the window.

Tourists came by muddy tracks, not by highways.

E. With is used:

To mean ‘having’ or ‘possessing’:

Manorama is a girl with golden hair.

The old man is walking with a stick.

This is a child with blue eyes.

We are happy to do it with pleasure.

To mean what is used to do something:

Manoj wrote an essay with a pen.

Mother feeds her baby with a spoon.

The villager cut wood with an axe.

With some verbs and adjectives:

You should associate with good people.

She filled the pitcher with water.

Why are you angry with us?

We are pleased with your performance.

Are you satisfied with this result?

F. Of is used:

To mean 'belonging to somebody/something':

the leg of the table, the windows of my room, the duty of a policeman, the message of the president the relatives of ours, the gate of the building, etc.

To indicate a unit of mass or quantity:

a slice of bread, a metre of cloth, a bottle of wine

To refer to age:

a gentleman of 70, a dramatist of last century

With verbs and adjectives:

accused of, die of, afraid of, lack of, consist of, short of, etc.

G. Off is used:

To mean ‘away from a place’ :

He fell off his bicycle.

The basketball rolled off the court.

To mean 'not functioning':

switch off, get off, take off, put off, etc.

Grammar: Future Tense | Simple, Continuous, Perfect, Perfect Continuous

2020-03-19T21:01:00.002+05:45

Grammar: Tense

3. Future Tense

A. Simple Future
The Simple Future Tense is formed with shall/will+ infinitive (v¹).
l/We shall / will + v¹

You/He/She/It/They will + v1

Simple Future is used:

ü To denote an action that has still to take place. This tense can be used with time adverbials such as soon, shortly, tonight, tomorrow, next week/month and with clauses introduced by when, until, before, after, as soon as, the moment that____, etc.
We shall reach Kathmandu tomorrow.

He will go soon.

Going to Future
The going to future is formed with am/is/are + going to + v¹.
It is used:

ü To express intention
I am going to eat my lunch.
She is going to be a nurse.

ü To indicate incidents beyond our control
It is going to rain soon.
The wall is going to break soon.

Note that the verbs go and come normally do not take the going to form.
I am going soon. (not, I am going to go ____)
They are coming today. (not, They are going to come _____)
The Present Continuous can also denote actions in the near Future.
She is flying to Delhi tomorrow.
Mother is arriving this evening.

B. Future Continuous
The Future Continuous has the form shall/will be + present participle (v4):
l/We shall be reading tomorrow.
You/He/She/It/They will be working.

Future Continuous is used:

ü To express an action going on in a certain time in the future
I shall be writing a letter then.
We shall/will be playing in the meadow.

ü To make plans for future events
You will be meeting me next week.
I'll be staying here till Tuesday.

C. Future Perfect
The Future Perfect Tense is used to indicate the completion of an action by a certain future time. It is formed with shall/will have + past participle (v³):
I shall have gone home by that time.
Before you call him, he will have reached home.

Gopal will have finished his work by 5 0'clock.

D. Future Perfect Continuous
The Future Perfect Continuous is formed with shall/will + have been +v⁴.
This tense is used to denote an action represented as being in progress over a period of time that will end in the future.

Note that it can normally take two time adverbials, by/in + time and for + time.
By next April they will have been staying for five years.
In two weeks I shall have been working for six months.
The Future Perfect is used for an action which at a given future time will be in the past, or will just have finished.
We are less concerned with time than with the completion of an action as in I shall have gone home by noon. But when there is for + period of time, the Future Perfect Continuous is also possible though it is quite uncommon in practice.