What are Contractions?
Since the word ‘contract’ means to shorten or squeeze together, it seems logical that a contraction is two words made into one by putting an apostrophe where letters have been omitted. Words like can’t (can + not), don’t (do + not), and I’ve (I + have) are all contractions.
Usage of Contractions in Sentences
They’re is a contraction for they are. Let’s rewrite the given sentence using contractions: They are happy to see me. Its contracted form would be: They’re happy to see me. Observe how we’ve contracted they are to they’re.
What are Binomials?
Binomials are expressions with two words joined by a conjunction (connecting word).For example: rock and roll more or less The order of the words in the expression cannot be interchanged; for example, we can’t say ‘roll and rock’ or ‘less or more’.
Meaning of the Given Binomial
Let’s go through the examples of a few common binomials.Neat and tidy means clean, organized, tidy not messy or untidy.Example 1: Her house is always very neat and tidy: there’s never anything out of place.Odds and ends mean various small, unimportant, inexpensive items.Example 2: I need to clean out my desk; the drawers are full of odds and…
What are collocations?
A collocation is a group of words that usually go together. For example, in English, we usually say ‘heavy rain’. It’s grammatically correct to say ‘strong rain’ or ‘big rain’, but both of these sound completely strange. A native English speaker would never say ‘big rain’. Example 1“This is strong coffee”. The collocation here is strong and coffee. But…
Compound Words
A compound word is a word which is made up of two or more words that have a single unit of meaning. For example: fireworks, basketball, full moon, etc.
What are Irregular Plurals?
Most English nouns form their plural by adding either -s (books, bands, bells) or -es (boxes, bunches, batches). These plural forms are said to follow a regular pattern. These noun forms are called regular plurals. But not all nouns forms follow this regular pattern. In fact, some of the most common English nouns have irregular plural forms such as woman/women and child/children. These noun forms that follow this…
Foreign Word Plurals
There are many words in the English language that have been derived from foreign languages like Latin or Greek.These words have two possible spellings for their plural forms: the English spelling and the foreign plural spelling.For example: Word: formula, Latin plural: formulae, English plural: formulas Some words have only the Latin plural spelling.For example: larva – larvae; alga…
Abbreviations and their Types
Abbreviations are words that are shortened.There are three ways of abbreviating words:1) Abbreviations can be formed from the first letters of the word or phrase. In such cases, we normally say them by spelling out each letter: Personal Computer = PC World Health Organization = WHO 2) For some written abbreviations, individual letters or sounds…
Usage of Different Word Forms
Words often take different forms such as nouns, verbs and adjectives. Let’s take a look at the given sentences:Example 1: “Respect your parents and teachers.” (respect – verb)Example 2: “Be respectful to your parents and teachers.” (respectful – adjective)Example 3: “Show respect to your parents and teachers.” (respect – noun) We have used different forms of the word ‘respect’. You…
“It’s time” Expressions
We can use the expression its time + subject + past verb form to refer to the present moment. To understand this let us look at: Example 1 “Gosh! Its almost midnight. Its time we went home.“ ‘Its time’ with a verb in the to-infinitive form can refer to the speaker and the listener together. Example 2 “Come on. It’s time to…
Complete the sentence with the correct word
It is important to identify which word best fits the sentence.For example, in the given sentence:I _____ her to visit me. (insisted, requested)Here, ‘insisted’ should have been followed by ‘that’. Hence, the right word that fits the sentence is ‘requested’.
All vs Both
We use ‘both’ to refer to two things or people together. ‘All’ is used to refer to every individual or member of a group, with no exceptions.For example:All the children left early. Both the children left early.
Begin vs Start
Both ‘begin’ and ‘start’ indicate the initial or commencing point of something. However, they are not entirely interchangeable. ‘Begin’ is more formal than ‘start’. When we talk about machines or the opening of a new business, we use ‘start’, not ‘begin’.In general, we use ‘start’ (but not ‘begin’) when we wish to denote the setting out…
Incorrectly Used Words
Many words have similar spellings and are therefore used incorrectly. Care must be taken to ensure the right spelling of the word is used and that the word fits the context in which it is used in the text.For example: He holds no delusions to the past. -incorrectHe holds no allusions to the past. -correct
Frequently confused words
There are many words in the English language that may be confused with other words because they have similar spellings and/or meanings. For example: accept, except advice, advisethen, thanbear, bare
Word Family
Word families are groups of words that have common features or patterns. For example, at, cat, fat and hat can be grouped into one family because they have at in common. There are several word families. Some examples are ack, ad, ail, age, ame, ank, etc.
Word Meanings
Words spoken in any language have specific meanings and usages. The meaning of the word also depends on the context in which it is used. For example, the word “bright” in the sentence “He is a bright child” can mean two things. Either it means “filled with light” or “smart”.In this context “bright” would mean…
Using an Absolute Participle
We can transform sentences using an absolute participle followed by a noun clause to retain the same meaning. For example: Though she means well, should we follow her advice?This sentence can be transformed as:Admitting she means well, should we follow her advice?
Using an Absolute Participle
An absolute participle followed by a noun clause can be used to express contrast. For example:The wind blowing hard, the man did not turn up his collar.This sentence means that even though the wind was blowing hard, the man did not turn up his collar.
Using ‘Indeed’ followed by ‘But
The adverb ‘indeed’ followed by the conjunction ‘but’ can be used to express contrast. For example:Mary was tired indeed, but she cooked dinner for the whole family.This sentence means that though Mary was very tired, she cooked dinner for the whole family.
Using ‘Indeed’ followed by ‘But
We can transform sentences using the adverb ‘indeed’ followed by the conjunction ‘but’ to retain the same meaning. For example:Even though he was very late, he managed to finish the presentation.This sentence can be transformed as:He was late indeed, but he managed to finish the presentation.
Using ‘However’
We can transform sentences using ‘however’ followed by another adjective or adverb to retain the same meaning.For example:Even if she screams very loudly, he will not be able to hear her.This sentence can be transformed as:However loudly she screams, he will not be able to hear her.
Using ‘However’
The relative adverb ‘however’ followed by an adjective or adverb can be used to express contrast. For example:However difficult the problem, you should never give up.This sentence means that even if the problem is very difficult, you should not give up.
Using ‘Nevertheless’ and ‘None the less’
We can transform sentences using ‘nevertheless’ and none the less’ to retain the same meaning. For example:Jenny works very hard, but she is unsuccessful.This sentence can be transformed as:Jenny works very hard, nevertheless, she is unsuccessful.ORJenny works very hard, none the less, she is unsuccessful.
Using ‘Nevertheless’ and ‘None the less’
‘Nevertheless’ and ‘none the less’ can be used to frame sentences expressing a contrast. For example: They tried to stop her from speaking; nevertheless, she persisted. This sentence means that though they tried to stop her from speaking, she continued to speak.
Using ‘Notwithstanding’
We can use the preposition ‘notwithstanding’ followed by a noun clause to express a contrast. For example:Notwithstanding the bad weather, they left for their road trip.This sentence means that even though the weather was bad, they left for their road trip.
Using ‘Notwithstanding’
We can transform sentences using ‘notwithstanding’ followed by a noun clause to convey the same meaning. For example:Though I was ill, I completed the project on time.This sentence can be transformed as:Notwithstanding my illness, I completed the project on time.
Using the Conjunctions ‘Though’ or ‘Although’
The conjunctions ‘though’ or ‘although’ can be used to frame sentences expressing a contrast. For example:Though David is strong, he could not lift the rock from the ground.This sentence means that in spite of being strong, David was unable to lift the rock from the ground.
Using the Conjunctions ‘Though’ or ‘Although’
We can transform sentences to express a contrast by using ‘though’ or ‘although’ to retain the same meaning. For example:Tina tried to call him every day, but he never answered.This sentence can be transformed as:Although Tina tried to call him every day, he never answered.ORThough Tina tried to call him every day, he never answered.
Using the Conjunction ‘As’
The conjunction ‘as’ can be used to express a contrast in a sentence. For example: Talented as she is, she did not perform well on the stage. This sentence means that even though she is talented, she failed to perform well on the stage.
Using the Conjunction ‘As’
We can transform sentences expressing a contrast by using the conjunction ‘as’ to retain the same meaning. For example:Though it was sunny, we decided to stay indoors.This sentence can be transformed as:Sunny as it was, we decided to stay indoors.
Sentences Expressing a Condition by a Conjunctional Phrase
We use conjunctional phrases in sentences expressing condition. A condition can be expressed by using conjunctional phrases such as in case. Let’s take a look at the examples: In case it rains, I shall put on my rain coat.In case you are not satisfied with the product, you can send it back.
Sentences Expressing a Condition by ‘were’ ‘had’ or ‘should’ instead of ‘if’
In formal situations, we can use if + were to when we talk about things that might happen but which we think are unlikely: If the Prime Minister were to resign, there would have to be a general election within 30 days. In even more formal styles, we use were + subject-verb inversion + to-infinitive:[V]Were [S]we [to -INF]to give up the fight now, it would mean…
Conditional Sentences
Look at the following examples of sentences expressing a condition: 1. If you don’t work hard, you will not succeed.2. Unless you work hard, you will not succeed.Both these sentences have the same meaning. The first half of both sentences expresses a condition and the second half expresses a result.
Sentences Expressing Condition with ‘If’ and ‘Unless’
If means on (the) condition that, provided (that), providing (that), presuming (that), supposing (that), assuming (that), as long as…Example:If I am free this evening, I will watch the match.On the other hand, unless means except if.Example:You will feel cold unless you wear a warm jacket.
Conditional Sentences
Sentences that express a condition usually contain two halves. The first half expresses a condition. The second half explain the result of fulfilling or not fulfilling that condition.
Cohesive Sentences
Read the following sentence:Technology is an important part of modern life.This is a cohesive sentence because it contains a subject and a predicate. It also makes sense by itself. Now, let’s combine this sentence with other sentences:Technology is an important part of modern life. There have been several new innovations in technology over the years….
Cohesive Sentences
Cohesive sentences are those that have at least one subject and a verb. They should make complete sense by themselves. Several sentences together make a paragraph. For the paragraph to be cohesive, you have to make sure that all the sentences are individually cohesive and that they follow each other in a logical sequence.
Combine Sentences In Other Cases
There are many ways in which we may combine sentences. While combining sentences, we must ensure we do not change the meaning it is intended to convey. We may combine sentences using punctuation instead of conjunctions.For example:She stayed home. He worked.She stayed home while he worked. – using a conjunction (while)She stayed home; he worked….
Convert “as soon as” to “no sooner than”
Eg.: A soldier of the tenth legion leaped into the water as soon as the ship touched the shoreNo sooner did the soldier of the tenth legion leap into the water than the ship thouched the shore.
Convert Two or More Simple Sentences into One
Two or more simple sentences may be combined into one simple sentence by using a participle, a noun or phrase in apposition, a preposition with a noun or gerund, the nominative absolute construction, an infinitive, an adverb or an adverbial phrase. Example: He is very tired. He cannot run. – He is too tired to run.
Complex to compound sentence
eg. Complex – I am certain you have made a mistake.Compound – You have made a mistake and of this I am certain.
Compound to complex sentence
eg. Compound – He saw the danger and paused.Complex – When he saw the danger he paused. eg. Compond – He aimed at winning the prize and worked hard.Complex – He worked hard so that he might win the prize.
Complex to simple sentence with an adverb clause
eg. Complex – He was so tired that he could not stand.Simple – He was too tired to stand.
Complex to simple sentence with an adjective clause
eg. Complex – Men who have risen by their own exertions are always respected.Simple – Self-made men are always respected.
Complex to simple sentence with noun clause
eg. Complex – He said that he was innocent.Simple – He declared his innocence.
Simple to complex sentence containing adverb clause
eg. Simple – The management is thoroughly bad.Complex – The management is as bad as it could be.
Simple To Complex Containing an Adjective Clause
A simple sentence may be converted to a complex sentence by expanding a word or phrase into an adjective subordinate clause. Example:There I saw an adorable baby. – SimpleThere I saw a baby which was adorable. – Complex
Simple to complex sentence containg a noun clause
eg. Simple – He confessed his crime.Complex – He confessed that he was guilty.
Simple to complex sentence
A simple sentence can be converted to a complex sentence by expanding a word or phrase into a subordinate clause.This clause may be a noun, adjective or adverb clause.
Interchange Sentences with Degrees of Comparison
When interchanging sentences, you have to make sure that the meaning of the sentence remains unchanged. Positive, comparative and superlative sentences can be interchanged in the following way: Positive: No other boy in the class is as smart as Kevin.Comparative: Kevin is smarter than the other boys in the class.Superlative: Kevin in the smartest boy in the class.The first sentence compares…
Compound to simple sentence
eg. Compound – We must eat or we cannot live. Simple – We must eat to live.
Simple to compound sentence
A simple sentence can be converted to cmpound by enlarging a word or phrase into a co-ordinate clause.eg. Simple – Besides robbing the poor child, he also murdered her.Compound – He not only robbed the poor child but also murdered her.
Combination – Simple to complex sentence with subordinate adverb clause
eg. He began late. He finished first.Combination – He finished first though he began late.
Combination – simple into complex sentence with a subordinate adjective clause
eg. A fox once met a lion. The fox had never seen a lion before.Combination – A fox who had never seen a lion before, met him.
Combination – Simple to a complex sentence with subordinate noun clause
eg. He may be innocent. I do not know.Combination – I do not know whether he is innocent.
Combination – Simple sentences to illative compound sentence
eg. Abdul is ill. He cannot study. He still attends school.Combination – Abdul is ill and cannot study, yet he still attends school.
Combination – Simple sentences to alternative compound sentence
eg. It is raining heavily. I will take an umbrella with me.Combination – It is raining heavily, so I will take an umbrella with me.
Combination – Simple sentences to adversative compound sentence
eg. Do not be a borrower. Do not be a lender.Combination – Do not be a borrower or a lender.
Combination – Simple sentences into cumulative compound sentence
eg. I was annoyed. I kept quiet.Combination – I was annoyed, yet (still) I kept quiet.
Combination – by using nominative absolute construction
eg. The town was enclosed by a strong wall. The eney was unable to capture it.Combination – The town having been enclosed by a strong wall, the enemy was unable to capture it.
Combination – by using a preposition with a noun
eg. He has failed many times. He still hopes to succeed.Combination – Inspite of many failures he hopes to succeed.
Combination – by using adverb or adverbial phrase
eg. He deserved to succeed. He failed.Combination – He failed undeservedly. eg. The sun set. The boys had not finished the game.Combination – The boys had not finished the game by sunset.
Combination – by using an infintive
eg. We must finish these exercises. There are still three sentences.Combination – We have still three sentences of this exercise to finish.
Combine Sentences Using a Preposition With a Noun/Gerund
We may combine sentences using a preposition followed by a noun or a gerund. For example: I had a shower. Then I waited for Jim.After having a shower, I waited for Jim.
Combination – by using a noun or phrase
eg. This is my friend. Her name is Shruti.Combination – This is my friend Shruti.
Combination – by using participle
eg. He jumped up. He ran away.Combination – Jumping up, he ran away.
Complex sentence containing three suboordinate clauses
eg. Whenever he heard the question, the old man who lived in that house, answered that the earth is flat.Principle clause – “the old man….. answered”Adverb clause of time – “whenever he heard the question”Adjective clause – “who lived in that house”Noun clause (object of “answered”) – “that the earth is flat”
Complex sentence containing two subordinate clauses
eg. Breathes there the man with soul so dead who never to himself hath said, “this is my own, my native land?”Principal clause – “Breathes there the man with soul so dead”Adjective clause – “who never to himself hath said”Noun clause (subordinate to adjective clause) – “this is my own, my native land?”
A subordinate clause within a subordinate clause
eg. I think that he destroyed the letter which you sent there.Principal clause – “I think”Noun clause (object of “think”) – “that he destroued the letter”Adjective clause (subordinate to the noun clause) – “which you sent there”
Replace noun & adverb by adjective
Eg.: He fought bravely. He put up a brave fight. Eg.: The Act gave freedom to the negro slaves. The Act made the negro slaves free.
Replace verbs & adjectives by nouns
Eg.: Though the ant is small it is as intelligent as the elephant. Though the ant is small, its intelligence is similar to that of the elephant. Eg.: I cannot consent to your going. I cannot give my consent to your going.
Replace adverb by verb
Eg.: They welcomed the good news most joyfully. They welcomed the good news with great joy. Eg.: He is admittedly the greatest general of the country. Everyone admits that he is the greatest general of the country.
Replace noun by verb
Eg.: The cost is twelve rupees. It costs twelve rupees. Eg.: These mangoes have a sweet smell but a sour taste. These mangoes smell sweet but taste sour.
Best Order of Words
You must be able to identify the correct order of words in a sentence. To ensure the meaning of the sentence is conveyed clearly, all qualifying words, phrases and clauses should be placed as close as possible to the words to which they refer.
Position of Adverbs of Place, Time and Duration
In general, we follow the order ‘manner – place – time’ for the placement of adverbs in a sentence. Adverbs of place tell us about the place of the action. Example: here, there, somewhere, etc. Adverbs of time tell us about the time of an action. Example: now, then, soon, tonight, early, etc. Adverbs of duration tell us…
Position of Adverbs of Frequency
An adverb of frequency answers the question ‘how often’ (eg. often, sometimes, always, never, generally, etc.). They are positioned according to the following rules: 1. If the verb is only one word: The adverb of frequency is placed between the subject and the verb.Example: She always cries. 2. If the verb has more than one word: The…
Position of Stressed Adverb
To stress the adverb, it is placed before the subject. For example: Readily, he took up the new task.We usually place the stressed adverb before the auxiliary or the single verb ‘be’. For example: I usually am free on Saturdays.
Position of Adverbs of Manner
Adverbs of manner are usually placed after the main verb. Example: She sings well. For stressed adverbs, we may place the adverb before the verb. Example: She quickly told him the plan.Certain adverbs of manner always follow the verb – well, badly, hard, fastExample: He ran fast.
Order of Two Adverbs
When there are two or more adverbs following a verb (and its object), we have the order: adverb of manner, adverb of place, adverb of time. For example: We will stay here tomorrow night.
Position of Adjectives From Nouns/Gerunds
Adjectives are placed in the following order in sentences: Quantity or number, Quality or opinion, Size, Shape, Age, Color, Proper adjective (often nationality, other place of origin, or material), Purpose or qualifier. Example: He bought a beautiful big brown dog.
Position of Adjectives of Colour
Adjectives are placed in the following order in sentences: Quantity or number, Quality or opinion, Size, Shape, Age, Color, Proper adjective (often nationality, other place of origin, or material), Purpose or qualifier. Example: He bought a beautiful big brown dog.
Position of Adjectives of Size, Shape or Weight
Adjectives are placed in the following order in sentences: Quantity or number, Quality or opinion, Size, Shape, Age, Color, Proper adjective (often nationality, other place of origin, or material), Purpose or qualifier. Example: He bought a beautiful big brown dog.
Interchange exclamatory and assertive sentences
Exclamatory sentences express a strong feeling and end with an exclamation mark. Assertive sentences state a fact and end with a period. Exclamatory sentences can be changed into assertive sentences by removing the exclamation mark and adding words as necessary. For example, How cold it is today! can be changed to It is very cold today.Similarly, assertive sentences can…
Interchanging Interrogative and Assertive Sentences
Interrogative sentences ask a question and end with a question mark. Assertive sentences state a fact and end with a period. Interrogative sentences can be changed to assertive sentences without changing the meaning of the sentence.For example:Who doesn’t want to be successful? (interrogative)Everyone wants to be successful. (assertive) Let’s look at another example:Shouldn’t he be…
Interchanging Affirmative and Negative Sentences
Affirmative sentences are positive sentences that state a fact. Negative sentences state that something is false. They usually contain the word “not.” Affirmative sentences can be changed to negative sentences without changing the meaning of the sentence. For example:Delhi is colder than Mumbai in the winter. (affirmative)Mumbai is not as cold as Delhi in the winter….
Order of Words For Emphasis
Sometimes, the normal order of words in a sentence is changed to provide emphasis.For example:Money I need. (As opposed to: I need money.)
Assertive Sentences to Reported Speech
Assertive sentences make positive, negative, true or false statements. We may change assertive sentences from direct to reported speech. Example: Tom said, “The sun rises in the east.” – Direct Tom said that the sun rises in the east. – Reported
Interrogative Sentences To Reported Speech
Interrogative sentences are those that ask a question. When we change an interrogative sentence from direct to indirect speech, we do the following: 1. If the interrogative sentence begins with an auxiliary verb, we use ‘if’ or ‘whether’ in the reported speech.Example: She asked, “Are you sick?” – She asked if I was sick.2. We change…
Imperative Sentences To Reported Speech
An imperative sentence is one which expresses advice, instruction, command, request, permission, etc. We may change an imperative sentence to reported speech in the following ways:1. We must use the to-infinitive2. We must change ‘said’ to a reporting verb such as advise, command, request, suggest, order, etc.Example: The man said to me, “Please help me.”…
Exclamatory Sentences To Reported Speech
An exclamatory sentence is a sentence which expresses strong emotions by making an exclamation. Such sentences may be changed to reported speech by replacing the interjection with ‘exclaimed with …. that…’Example: The child said, “Hurrah! We’ve won.” – The child exclaimed with joy that they had won.
Direct to Reported Speech By Expressing Nearness in Time Or Place
While converting direct speech to indirect speech, words that indicate nearness in time or place are replaced by words that express distance. Example: Here becomes There; Now becomes Then; Yesterday becomes The day before, etc. He said, “I am happy to be here.” – He said that he was happy to be there.We do not make these changes if…
Change Pronouns To Reflect Its Relation With Reporter and Hearer
While converting from direct to reported speech, pronouns are changed so that their relation with the reporter and hearer are indicated, rather than with the original speaker. Example:She said to him, “I can’t tell you.”She said she couldn’t tell him.
Direct to Reported Speech When Reporting Verb is in the Present Tense
When the reporting verb in the direct speech is in the present or future tense, the tense of the verb does not change when the sentence is in reported speech.Example: He says, “I have done my job.”He says that he has done his job.
Direct to Reported Speech For Relevant Statements or Universal Truths
While converting direct speech to reported speech, if the statement is still relevant or is a universal truth, we need not change the tense.Example:Mina said, “I know her.” – Mina said she knows/knew her. (If Mina still knows her, then we will use ‘knows’)The teacher said, “The earth is a sphere.” – The teacher said…
Direct to Reported Speech For Present Tense
To convert direct speech to reported speech, we must change all the present tenses in the direct speech to the corresponding past tenses in the reported speech. Example: Fiona said, “You are late.” – Fiona said that I was late.
Direct to Reported Speech and vice versa for Direct Speech With Time Expression
To convert direct speech to reported speech when the direct speech contains a time expression, we make the following changes: Direct Speech Reported Speech today that day yesterday the day before now then / at that time tomorrow the next day / the following day last night the night before / the previous night ago…
Direct to Reported Speech and vice versa for Direct Speech is an Exclamation Or Wish
To convert direct speech to reported speech when the direct speech is in the form of a wish or exclamation, we use the following rules:1. Change ‘said/said to’ to exclaimed2. Interjections are omitted.3. The conjunction ‘that’ should be used. 4. When ‘what’ or ‘how’ is followed by an adjective, use ‘very’5. When ‘what’ is followed by…
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