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Equal Comparisons

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 14, 2013 at 11:16 am

An equal comparison shows that two entities are exactly the same, if positive, or not the same, if negative. The word as is used on either side of the adjective or adverb.

Mary is as tall as her sister. OR Mary is not as tall as her sister.

Sometimes, the word so is used in the first position of a negative comparison.

Mary is not so tall as her sister.

NOTE: In correct English, a subject pronoun is always used after the comparison phrase. This is often misused in speech.

Mary is as tall as she. You are not as old as I.

Examples of equal comparisons:

My brother is as big as an ox. (adjective)

Robert is as intelligent as Jane. (adjective)

That sprinter runs as fast as a cheetah. (adverb)

Our choir sings as well as yours. (adverb)

Sometimes, nouns can be used in comparative phrases of equality by using the same in front of it.

My car runs the same speed as yours. My car runs as fast as yours.

Their party ran the same length as the concert. Their party ran as long as the concert.

NOTE: The opposite of the same as is different from. You should never use different than.

My ice cream is different from yours.

Their uniforms are different from ours.

 

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COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS: PART I

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 13, 2013 at 11:00 am

COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS: PART I

Coordinating conjunctions are words which link, or coordinate, two or more similar words, phrases, or clauses together into one fluid idea. Words that are considered coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or and nor.

Parallel Structure

Parallel structure is when conjunctions are used to connect words or phrases that have the same grammatical function in a sentence. There are several ways to create parallel structure.

 Two nouns are connected by a conjunction.

Laura and her sister are coming to the party.

Roger or Beth will win the election.

 Two verbs are connected by a conjunction.

Michael raised his hand and asked a question.

Denise hesitated but continued the race anyway.

When both verbs contain the same auxiliary verb, the second auxiliary is usually omitted.

Terry is doing his homework and (is) listening to the radio.

When two infinitive verbs are connected, the second to is usually omitted.

The reporter wants to go and (to) interview the celebrity in person.

We want to attend the theater or (to) play a board game tonight.

 Two adjectives are connected by a conjunction.

The singer’s voice was tender but strong.

The cake was tasty and sweet.

 Two adverbs are connected by a conjunction.

The thief walked softly and quietly.

The plane was flying fast but low.

A parallel structure can contain more than two parts. When a series of items are connected, commas are used to separate each unit. A comma can be used or omitted before the connecter, but the same pattern should be used throughout the text. (See more on comma usage later in the book.)

Paul, John, George, and Ringo formed the Beatles band. Connected nouns

Charlie entered the boat, took to the water, and began fishing. Connected verbs

Our school colors are black, gold, and green. Connected adjectives

Paul didn’t react peacefully, correctly, or intelligently. Connected adverbs

 

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Some / Any

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 12, 2013 at 9:24 am

Some is used before the complement in a positive/affirmative sentence, while any is used before the complement in a negative sentence.

I want some coffee. I don’t want any coffee.

Daniel has some pizza. Daniel doesn’t have any pizza.

Debby had some homework. Debby didn’t have any homework.

It is also possible to make a sentence negative by adding the word no before the complement noun. When this occurs, the verb CANNOT be negative (see Double Negatives next).

Daniel has no pizza. Debby has no homework.

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ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 11, 2013 at 10:28 am

Adjectives

Adjectives are used to describe, or modify, nouns. They give additional descriptive information to a noun: hungry child, beautiful flowers, French doors, old man.

An adjective is considered neither singular nor plural. A final plural –s is never added to an adjective.

I saw some beautiful models at the show. NOT: I saw some beautifuls models at the show.

Adjectives only modify nouns, pronouns and linking verbs (see Linking Verbs section for more information on linking verbs). Adjectives normally come before the nouns they modify, or follow linking verbs. If more than one adjective is used, a comma is placed between to separate them.

The giant, green monster chased the tiny, frightened astronauts.

adjectives noun adjectives noun

Adjectives that modify a singular countable noun are usually preceded by a, an, or the which is determined by the vowel sound of the adjective, not the noun.

a delicious apple an ugly duckling the scary story

Adverbs

Adverbs are used to describe, or modify, verbs (except linking verbs), adjectives, or other adverbs.

Adverbs are often formed by adding –ly to an adjective.

Adjective: rapid Adverb: rapidly

Adverbs are often used to modify, give additional information to, adjectives.

She is extremely nervous.

adverb adjective

The following words are also adverbs: almost, fast, often, so, too, well. An adverb can be identified because it answers the question: How?

She is extremely nervous. (How nervous is she?)

We almost won. (How did we win?)

The bird flew fast. (How did the bird fly?)

Steven eats too much candy. (How much candy does Steven eat?)

Stacy plays violin well. (How does Stacy play violin?)

Adverbs can be placed in several positions, depending on the sentence.

Adverbs are often placed at the beginning of a sentence. It is followed by a comma in this instance.

Usually, the girls go to the mall on the weekend.

Adverbs can also be placed at the end of a sentence.

The girls go to the mall on the weekend usually.

Adverbs can be placed before simple present and simple past verbs (except be).

The girls usually go to the mall on the weekend.

The girls usually went to the mall on the weekend.

Adverbs follow the verb be in its simple and past forms.

Joan is normally in the competition. Cows were frequently in the field.

Adverbs are placed between an auxiliary verb and a main verb.

He has always gone to work early.

In a question, an adverb is placed directly after the subject.

Does the bus always come on time?

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Tag Questions

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 10, 2013 at 12:08 pm

A tag question is placed at the end of a sentence clause which the speaker is uncertain about. The tag question is separated from the main clause by a comma and ends in a question mark.

Follow these guidelines for using tag questions:

If the main clause is negative then the tag is affirmative. If the main clause is affirmative then the tag is negative.

Negative forms are usually contracted (She was happy, wasn’t she?)

Use the same auxiliary verb in the tag as in the main clause. If an auxiliary is not used then use do, does, or did.

Don’t change the tense of the verb from the main clause to the tag.

Use the same subject that is in the main clause for the tag. Always use a subject pronoun for the tag.

Sentence forms that use there is, there are and it is will have the same use of there, or it, in the tag. (There is enough for everyone, isn’t there?)

The verb have can be used as the main verb (I have a headache), or as an auxiliary verb (Jenny has received her diploma). When have functions as the main verb, a form of do, does, or did must be used (You have a headache, don’t you?)

Examples of tag questions:

Eric is in gym class now, isn’t he?

Julie isn’t in gym class now, is she?

The train will be arriving soon, won’t it?

There aren’t any potato chips left, are there?

You have a new car, don’t you?

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Who / Whom / Whose

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 8, 2013 at 9:49 am

Who / Whom / Whose

When the subject noun phrase of a sentence is being replaced, use relative pronoun who. This pronoun will be followed by a verb. When the complement noun phrase of a sentence is being replaced, use the relative pronoun whom. This pronoun will be followed by a noun.

Study the following sentences:

Who replaces the subject noun/phrase and is followed by a verb. (Note: The subject that who is replacing is the same.)

The students are going to Europe. The students have good grades.

The students who have good grades are going to Europe.

verb

The girls are intelligent. The girls like computer class.

The girls who like computer class are intelligent.

verb

Whom replaces the object noun/phrase and is followed by a noun/phrase. (Note: There is a subject AND an object being linked when whom is used.)

The girl is pretty. Jerry likes the girl.

The girl whom Jerry likes is pretty.

noun

Robin Williams is funny. The world adores Robin Williams.

Robin Williams, whom the world adores, is funny.

noun

The form whom can also be used with a preposition. Whom will always follow the preposition when used in this way.

Ben Franklin was an interesting man. The book was written about Ben Franklin.

Ben Franklin, about whom the book was written, was an interesting man.

prep.

The football players are handsome. Charlene is talking to the football players.

The football players to whom Charlene is talking are handsome.

prep.

Whose is a relative pronoun that indicates possession. Study the following examples of how to use whose.

John doesn’t like publicity. John’s wife is famous.

John, whose wife is famous, doesn’t like publicity.

I have a new pet dog. The dog’s eyes are albino red.

I have a new pet dog whose eyes are albino red.

 

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Embedded Questions

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 7, 2013 at 9:34 am

Embedded Questions

An embedded question is included in a sentence or another question. The word order is different from that in a typical question, except for subject questions. There must NOT be an auxiliary between the question word and the subject in an embedded question.

Normal Question: When will the court hearing begin?

Embedded Question: They haven’t determined when the court hearing will begin.

Normal Question: Why did John hit that girl?

Embedded Question: I don’t understand why John hit that girl.

Question words within a sentence can be single words, or phrases. Phrases include: whose + noun, how many, how much, how long, how often, what time and what kind.

Betty didn’t know how many cupcakes to make for the Girl Scout troop.

I asked Doug how often he jogs every week.

The girls asked the ranger how far it was to the next camping point.

We wanted to know what kind of fruit was in this delicious ice cream.

The boss wanted to know whose break time it was.

When there is an embedded question within a question, the embedded question is seeking the actual information.

Do you know what time it is? The questioner is requesting the time.

Could you tell me how to get to the post office? The questioner is asking directions.

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Singular Indefinite Pronouns

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 6, 2013 at 1:32 pm

Singular Indefinite Pronouns

The following indefinite pronouns are considered singular and must be followed by singular verbs.

Another – Another bus is coming soon.

Anybody – Anybody knows the answer to that question.

Anyone – Anyone has the ability to do this job.

Anything – Anything is possible if you believe.

Each – Each of the kittens is different.

Either – Either route has a gas station.

Everybody – Everybody is happy today.

Everyone – Everyone is going on the field trip.

Everything – Everything has been ruined by the flood.

Less – Less is known about this period of history.

Little – Little has been considered about this problem.

Much – Much was discussed at the meeting.

Neither – Neither person was selected for the position.

No one – No one has the keys to the gym.

Nobody – Nobody was at the library.

Nothing – Nothing is going to stop me.

One – One of the clients is unhappy with our work.

Somebody – Somebody needs to call a doctor.

Someone – Someone is stealing money from the register.

Something – Something has gone wrong at work.

The following indefinite pronouns are considered plural and must be followed by plural verbs.

Both – Both are guilty.

Few – Few were happy with the outcome.

Fewer – Fewer are eating healthy in this time.

Many – Many were selected to play in the tournament.

Others – Others can do the job much better.

Several – Several were capable of getting the job done.

The following indefinite pronouns can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the noun used.

All – All the boys are tired of playing. OR All the time has gone.

Any – Any choices are good. OR Any choice is good.

More – More colors are good. OR More color is good.

Most – Most of the fires are quenched. OR Most of the fire is out.

None – None of the pies have been sold. OR None of the pie has been eaten.

Some – Some of my friends are coming. OR Some of my family is coming.

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Indefinite Pronouns

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 5, 2013 at 10:11 am

Indefinite Pronouns

An indefinite pronoun refers to something that is not definite, specific, or exact. Most indefinite pronouns are considered singular and require singular verbs, but some require plural verbs and some can be used with either singular or plural verbs depending on the noun.

Refer to the following lists of indefinite pronouns for proper verb selection. (Note: examples begin with indefinite pronouns to show best which verb form to use.)

 

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Pronouns in Apposition

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 4, 2013 at 10:46 am

Pronouns in Apposition

An appositive is a word, phrase, or clause in apposition – that is, it is a word placed next to another word so that the second explains the first.

Martha, my sister, and her boyfriend, Doug, are in town for the weekend.

In this sentence, my sister is in apposition to Martha and Doug is in apposition to her boyfriend.

In each case, the second word or phrase gives more information about the first word or phrase.

Martha = my sister and her boyfriend = Doug

A pronoun of apposition must take the form of the noun it is in apposition with, whether a subject noun, or a comparative (object) noun.

The weightlifters, John, George and I , are ready for the competition.

subject pronoun in apposition

In the above sentence, the pronoun I is in apposition with the subject noun weightlifters, therefore a subject pronoun is used. ( I am one of the weightlifters.)

subject

The labor party chose three officers, Sandra, Paul and me .

object pronoun in apposition

In the above sentence, the pronoun me is in apposition with the object of the verb officers,therefore a complement, or object pronoun, is used. (The labor party chose me as one of their officers.) object

 

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Pronouns

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 2, 2013 at 11:35 am

PRONOUNS

Five forms of pronouns exist in English. These are subject pronouns, complement (object) pronouns, possessive pronouns, possessive adjectives and reflexive pronouns.

Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns are used in place of subject nouns. A singular pronoun is used to refer to a singular noun and a plural pronoun is used to refer to a plural noun.

Subject Pronouns

Singular Plural

I

You

He, She, It

We

You

They

Examples of subject pronoun use:

I am late for work.

Subject

He owns six dogs and three cats.

Subject

You and I are traveling to Las Vegas this weekend.

Subject

They were worried about making the trip in bad weather.

Subject

A subject pronoun can also be used after the verb be in certain circumstances, such as:

It was I who threw the ball at you. (Notice that I is the subject of “threw the ball”)

The pronoun we, you and us can be directly followed by a noun in order to make it clearer to whom is being referred.

We parents are very concerned about our children.

Comparative (Object) Pronouns

Comparative, or object, pronouns are used in place of the object of the verb. Again, a singular comparative pronoun is used for a singular comparative noun and a plural comparative pronoun is used for a plural comparative noun.

Comparative Pronouns

Singular

Plural

Me

You

Him, Her, It

Us

You

Them

Examples of comparative (object) pronouns:

Sally emailed me.

complement

The merchant offered him a good deal.

complement

I wanted to find you so we could go to the movies.

complement

Jerry told them that he wasn’t playing in the game tomorrow.

complement

A sentence can also contain variations in structure, such as containing prepositions and conjunctions followed by clauses. Identifying these various parts of speech will help in determining the correct usage of pronouns.

Alex arrived at the house before her.

preposition complement pronoun

Alex arrived at the house before she left work.

conjunction subject verb

clause

NOTE: A clause is a full sentence that has been connected to the first sentence by a conjunction (connector) and, therefore, also has a subject and verb.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns show possession of something by someone. They are not followed by nouns, but stand alone. Possessive pronouns replace a noun that is understood by context.

NOTE: You do NOT use apostrophes with possessive pronouns. The pronoun its is different from the word it’s, which is a contraction of it is. (For information on the correct use of apostrophes, see the punctuation section.)

Possessive Pronouns

Singular

Plural

Mine

Your

His, Hers, Its

Ours

Yours

Theirs

Examples of possessive pronouns:

That is my money. That is mine. OR That money is mine.

John’s car is slow and my car is fast. His is slow and mine is fast.

Our class is boring. Ours is boring.

Their dresses are too short. Theirs are too short.

Possessive Adjectives

Possessive adjectives are pronouns which are used as adjectives and are located directly before another noun. They do not replace a noun, but modify it.

Possessive Adjectives

Singular

Plural

My

Your

His, Her, Its

Our

Your

Their

Examples of possessive adjectives:

Carol is reading her book.

The bird is grooming its wings.

He received his award this morning.

My homework is due next Monday.

Their names were not called in class.

Reflective Pronouns

Reflective pronouns indicate that the subject of a sentence is both giving and receiving the action of the verb. They are normally located after the verb.

Reflective Pronouns

Singular

Plural

Myself

Yourself

Himself, Herself, Itself

Ourselves

Yourselves

Themselves

NOTE: English never uses the forms hisself or thierselves. These forms are always incorrect.

Notice the difference between the comparative (object) pronoun and the reflective pronoun in the following sentences.

Mary bought her a birthday gift. (her = another person)

Mary bought herself a birthday gift. (herself = Mary)

Examples of reflective pronouns:

The bird bathed itself in the water hole.

I hurt myself playing soccer.

The boys treated themselves to ice cream after school.

We convinced ourselves not to be scared at the haunted house.

Protect yourself from the rain by taking an umbrella.

Reflexive pronouns can also be used to give emphasis, showing that the subject did the action alone (you can actually substitute the word alone for the pronoun in this case). When used this way, it usually follows the subject, but not always. It can also be placed at the end of the sentence, often used with the word by (by himself).

I myself believe in ghosts.

You yourself must choose what you will believe.

Robert completed the complex puzzle by himself.

The girls themselves made all the plans for the party.

We ourselves think the new voting law is unfair.

You will have to do the work on your car yourself.

 

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Numbers and Fractions

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on February 1, 2013 at 9:11 am

Hyphenate all numbers from twenty-one through ninety-nine.

Thirty-one of our graduating class went on to university.

Christopher counted fifty-six deer in the pasture yesterday evening.

Also, hyphenate all fractions which are spelled out.

George cut his sandwich into four pieces and gave each of us one-third.

More than one-half of the football team came down with food poisoning.

 

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Relative clauses and pronouns

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 31, 2013 at 10:41 am

RELATIVE CLAUSES

A relative clause is used to combine two separate sentences into one complete sentence. Any sentence that utilizes a relative clause can be separated into two complete sentences as the relative pronoun combines the two ideas together by replacing a duplicate noun phrase.

The ancient stone contains strange symbols. The symbols are from a forgotten language.

The ancient stone contains strange symbols that are from a forgotten language.

Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns that are used in relative clauses to replace duplicate noun phrases are listed below.

Pronoun Use in English

That

Which

Who

Whom

Whose

Things

Things

People

People

Usually people

Dr. Won is the teacher. Dr. Won will accompany us.

ACCEPTABLE INFORMAL: Dr. Won is the teacher that (or who) will accompany us.

ACCEPTABLE FORMAL: Dr. Won is the teacher who will accompany us.

NOTE: The relative pronoun which is NEVER used with people in English.

UNACCEPTABLE: Dr. Won is the teacher which will accompany us.

A regular pronoun CANNOT be used with a relative pronoun.

INCORRECT: This is the dress that I will wear it at the dance.

CORRECT: This is the dress that I will wear at the dance.

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Indefinite Pronouns

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 30, 2013 at 9:37 am

An indefinite pronoun refers to something that is not definite, specific, or exact. Most indefinite pronouns are considered singular and require singular verbs, but some require plural verbs and some can be used with either singular or plural verbs depending on the noun.

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Informative Questions

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 29, 2013 at 9:55 am

These are questions that require more detailed answers than simply yes or no. More information is being requested. There are three different types of informative questions.

Who or what questions are requesting information concerning the subject. The subject is unknown.

Who has a question? (Someone has a question.)

What came in the mail today? (Something came in the mail today.)

Whom and what are considered complement questions. The complement is unknown and information on it is being requested.

NOTE: Who is often misused in spoken English to ask a complement question. However, whom is the correct form in written English to indicate that the question is requesting information on the complement position.

Whom does Jackie see from the office? (Jackie sees someone from the office.)

What are you doing Friday night? (You are doing something Friday night.)

When, where, why and how questions are similar to complement questions as they are seeking more information about the action of the subject.

When did Erin receive her letter jacket?

Where do you go to get assistance?

Why does Kathy have such a big dog?

How can you make my car go faster?

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Cause and Effect (So, Such)

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 28, 2013 at 9:52 am

Cause and effect relationships are constructed using the following formula.
subject + verb + so +adjective
adverb+ that + subject + verb

He was so hungry that he ate the entire pizza.

The hill was so steep that Mario couldn’t climb it.

John needed money so badly that he sold his baseball card collection.

The children are playing so intently that they don’t notice it’s raining.

That fire is so hot that it could easily burn you if you get too close.

Intensive modifiers are commonly added to provide extra emphasis. Study the following rules for using intensive modifiers with plural count and non-count nouns.

subject + verb + so +many
few+ plural count noun + that + subject + verb

Eric had so many puppies that he gave some away to friends.
My aunt’s health food store had so few customers that she had to close it.

subject + verb + so + much
little + non-count noun + that + subject + verb

She put so much sugar in her coffee that she couldn’t drink it.
Jason spent so little time on the project that it wasn’t ready for the meeting.

Other forms which are commonly used are such a and such that.
subject + verb + such + a + adjective + singular count noun + that.

Ricky had such a bad attitude that he was expelled from school.

Charlotte was such an intelligent student that she was offered a valuable scholarship.

subject + verb such + adjective + plural count noun + that + subject + verb

Tommy has such outstanding skills that he could play professional baseball.

plural count noun

The referees made such bad calls that the fans were very angry.

plural count noun

She had such tarnished silver that she was embarrassed to use it for the reunion.

non-count noun

The burning building had such thick smoke that the firemen had difficulty seeing.

non-count noun

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PREPOSITIONS AND PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 27, 2013 at 9:42 am

PREPOSITIONS AND PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

Prepositional phrases are an important part of the English language. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition. Often, the preposition shows direction, or placement, such as in, at, under, around, through, to, over, etc., but not always, such as about, of, since, till, until, etc.

The preposition includes an object of the preposition, which is a noun or pronoun. (See a list of commonly used prepositions.)

prepositional phrase = on the horse preposition = on object of preposition = the horse

The man rode on the horse . OR The man rode on it .

prep. noun phrase prep. pronoun

Prepositional phrases can contain adjectives that modify the noun, or object.

The man rode on the brown horse.

There can also be multiple prepositional phrases used in order to give more information. Each additional phrase provides more information to the main idea of the sentence.

The man rode on the horse across the prairie in the rain.

prep. phrase prep. phrase prep. phrase

Sometimes, a prepositional phrase can be at the beginning of a sentence. If this is the case, it is followed by a comma (see more about comma usage in the punctuation section).

In the first inning, he scored a goal.

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Double Negatives

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 26, 2013 at 9:35 am

DOUBLE NEGATIVES

In English, double negatives must be avoided. It is incorrect to use two negatives in the same sentence clause.

Study the examples below:

INCORRECT CORRECT OR

I don’t have no money. I don’t have any money. I have no money.

We didn’t want no ice. We didn’t want any ice. We wanted no ice.

He doesn’t like nobody. He doesn’t like anybody. He likes nobody.

She can’t never come out. She can’t ever come out. She can’t come out.

 

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SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT & PLACEMENT

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 25, 2013 at 9:25 am

It is important that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in person and number. If the subject is singular then the verb is also usually singular. If the subject is plural then the verb is also usually plural (although some exceptions do exist).

The professional demonstrates the idea well.

singular singular

The professionals demonstrate the idea well.

plural plural

Quite often, the verb is separated from the subject, which makes them very difficult to identify.

Many times the subject and the verb will be separated by a prepositional phrase, which has no effect on the verb.

The danger with many products is that they harm children.

singular subject singular verb

Several polls on this particular problem have been taken.

plural subject plural verb

The war between the opposing forces has caused many people to flee the city.

singular subject singular verb

The answers to these various questions are final.

plural subject plural verb

Sometimes, other phrases are used to separate the subject from the verb besides prepositional phrases. These phrases do not affect the verb.

Here are some examples:

accompanied by along with

together with as well as

Angelina Jolie, together with her husband Brad Pitt, is arriving to the fund raiser.

Singular subject singular verb

However, if the conjunction and is used instead of the phrase then the verb would be plural.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are arriving to the fund raiser.

plural subject plural verb

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, , ,

Problem Verbs

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 24, 2013 at 9:25 am

PROPER USE OF PROBLEM VERBS

It can be quite confusing to distinguish which correct verb to use when it comes to raise/rise, set/sit, or lay/lie. Raise, set and lay are transitive verbs and are followed by an object.

Rise, sit and lie are intransitive verbs and are NOT followed by an object.

Study the chart below to understand the correct conjugation and use of these verbs.

Transitive Intransitive

raise, raised, raised

Tony raised his hand

rise, rose, risen

Tony rises early

set, set, set

Julie set the book on my desk

sit, sat, sat

I sit in the third row

lay, laid, laid

Julie is laying the book on my desk

lie, lay, lain

John is lying on the floor. (Notice the changed spelling of lie when “ing” is added.)

NOTE: The verb lie, which means “not to tell the truth”, is a regular verb.

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, , , ,

Between / Among

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 23, 2013 at 9:35 am

Between / Among

The word between is always used when talking about a distinct relationship of two individual items, groups, or people.

Examples:

Sally had to choose between the red and white dresses.

Let’s keep this secret between you and me.

However, between can also be used when talking about a distinct relationship of more than two individual items, groups, or people.

Examples:

Johnny had to decide between going to Europe, buying a new car, or staying in college.

Business negotiations between the governments of the United States, China and South America are going well despite cultural differences.

The word among is used when talking about items, groups, or people in general.

Examples:

Disease spread among the earthquake survivors.

The economic collapse caused panic among investors.

Terry was quite popular among his classmates.

She was relieved to find a friend among strangers.

Business negotiations among governments are going well despite cultural differences. (Compare this to the above example with between, here there is a group of governments rather than a distinct group.)

There is also a difference when using between and among for location.

Example:

The children played between the fields.

The children played among the fields.

The word between in the first sentence gives the idea that the children were playing in a location in the middle of two fields or in a central area which is surrounded by fields.

The word among in the second sentence gives the idea that the children were playing inside and throughout two or more fields.

 

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, ,

Like / As

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 22, 2013 at 9:49 am

Like / As

The word like is very often misused in conversational English. In written English, like is traditionally used as a preposition (different from like the verb), while as is a conjunction (clause connector).

Like is used to compare only nouns (i.e. use like to say two things are similar, and let the clause that follows tell how they are similar).

The earth, like other planets, spins on an axis.

Like other planets, the earth spins on an axis.

As is used to compare clauses (i.e. use as if two actions are similar).

A globe spins around an axis, as does the Earth itself.

 

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,

Need / In Need Of

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 21, 2013 at 8:53 am

Need / In Need Of

Usually, when the subject of a sentence is an animate object, the verb need is followed by an infinitive verb.

Hector needs to get a haircut.

We need to leave now.

My dog needs to learn new tricks.

Usually, when the subject of a sentence is an inanimate object, the verb need is followed by either a gerund (or “ing” verb), or the verb to be followed by the past participle of the action verb.

The grass needs cutting. OR The grass needs to be cut.

The motorcycle needs repairing. OR The motorcycle needs to be repaired.

The guest list needs writing. OR The guest list needs to be written.

Be aware that there are some exceptions to these rules. Sometimes, animate objects follow the second rule.

My dog needs to be fed.

The baby needs burping. OR The baby needs to be burped.

Sometimes, inanimate objects follow the first rule.

The buzzer needs to ring before we can leave class.

The grass needs to grow more before I can cut it.

The expression in need of can be used in some cases in place of using the verb need. However, because the word need is not a verb in the phrase in need of, it must be preceded by the verb be.

Darren is in need of a haircut. (Darren needs a haircut.)

The car was in need of new tires. (The car needed new tires.)

The girls were in need of prom dresses. (The girls needed prom dresses.)

 

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Know / Know How

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on January 20, 2013 at 6:32 pm

Know / Know How

The verb know, when used by itself, is usually followed by a noun, a prepositional phrase, or a sentence.

She knew the answer.

Everyone knows about gravity.

Jason knew that he was going to be in trouble.

Know how is used to indicate a skill, or ability to do something. This form is followed by the infinitive form of a verb.

Jim knows how to make cool inventions.

Monkeys know how to use primitive tools.

Do you know how to make fudge brownies?

 

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,

Pronouns

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on December 13, 2012 at 3:25 pm

Five forms of pronouns exist in English. These are subject pronouns, complement (object) pronouns, possessive pronouns, possessive adjectives and reflexive pronouns.

Subject Pronouns

Subject pronouns are used in place of subject nouns. A singular pronoun is used to refer to a singular noun and a plural pronoun is used to refer to a plural noun.

Subject Pronouns

Singular Plural

I

You

He, She, It

We

You

They

Examples of subject pronoun use:

I am late for work.

Subject

He owns six dogs and three cats.

Subject

You and I are traveling to Las Vegas this weekend.

Subject

They were worried about making the trip in bad weather.

Subject

A subject pronoun can also be used after the verb be in certain circumstances, such as:

It was I who threw the ball at you. (Notice that I is the subject of “threw the ball”)

The pronoun we, you and us can be directly followed by a noun in order to make it clearer to whom is being referred.

We parents are very concerned about our children.

 

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SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT & PLACEMENT

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on December 12, 2012 at 2:00 pm

SUBJECT/VERB AGREEMENT & PLACEMENT

It is important that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in person and number. If the subject is singular then the verb is also usually singular. If the subject is plural then the verb is also usually plural (although some exceptions do exist).

The professional demonstrates the idea well.

singular singular

The professionals demonstrate the idea well.

plural plural

Quite often, the verb is separated from the subject, which makes them very difficult to identify.

Many times the subject and the verb will be separated by a prepositional phrase, which has no effect on the verb.

The danger with many products is that they harm children.

singular subject singular verb

Several polls on this particular problem have been taken.

plural subject plural verb

The war between the opposing forces has caused many people to flee the city.

singular subject singular verb

The answers to these various questions are final.

plural subject plural verb

Sometimes, other phrases are used to separate the subject from the verb besides prepositional phrases. These phrases do not affect the verb.

Here are some examples:

accompanied by along with

together with as well as

Angelina Jolie, together with her husband Brad Pitt, is arriving to the fund raiser.

Singular subject singular verb

However, if the conjunction and is used instead of the phrase then the verb would be plural.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are arriving to the fund raiser.

plural subject plural verb

 

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,

PROPER USE OF PROBLEM VERBS

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on December 7, 2012 at 11:17 am

It can be quite confusing to distinguish which correct verb to use when it comes to raise/rise, set/sit, or lay/lie. Raise, set and lay are transitive verbs and are followed by an object.

Rise, sit and lie are intransitive verbs and are NOT followed by an object.

Study the chart below to understand the correct conjugation and use of these verbs.

Transitive Intransitive

raise, raised, raised

Tony raised his hand

rise, rose, risen

Tony rises early

set, set, set

Julie set the book on my desk

sit, sat, sat

I sit in the third row

lay, laid, laid

Julie is laying the book on my desk

lie, lay, lain

John is lying on the floor. (Notice the changed spelling of lie when “ing” is added.)

NOTE: The verb lie, which means “not to tell the truth,” is a regular verb.

GMAT® Ultimate Grammar, First Edition

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,

Recur vs. reoccur

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on December 6, 2012 at 2:47 pm

Something that recurs happens repeatedly, perhaps at regular intervals. Something that reoccurs happens again, but not necessarily repeatedly or at regular intervals. For example, the sunrise recurs, and an unpredictable event that happens to occur more than once—such as an earthquake or a financial crisis—reoccurs.

 

http://grammarist.com/usage/recur-reoccur/

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Like / As

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on December 3, 2012 at 2:12 pm

Like / As

The word like is very often misused in conversational English. In written English, like is traditionally used as a preposition (different from like the verb), while as is a conjunction (clause connector).

Like is used to compare only nouns (i.e. use like to say two things are similar, and let the clause that follows tell how they are similar).

The earth, like other planets, spins on an axis.

Like other planets, the earth spins on an axis.

As is used to compare clauses (i.e. use as if two actions are similar).

A globe spins around an axis, as does the Earth itself.

A few rules of thumb:

1. You should have two verbs in a sentence with an As comparison, one verb in a sentence with a Like comparison.

2. Like comparisons work the same way as noun modifiers-make sure the right nouns are touching!

3. The GMAT tends to use like mostly at the beginning of sentences. It is tough to put like at the end of a sentence and get the meaning right.

A simple rule to follow, which will assist in using these two words correctly, is that the word like is not closely followed by a verb (there is no verb in a prepositional phrase), while as is followed by a clause which contains a verb.

Example:

The new boy acts like a clown. In this sentence, like is correctly used as a preposition. The prepositional phrase does not contain a verb.

The new boy acts as if he were a clown. In this sentence, as is correctly used as a conjunction (connector) between two clauses. Both clauses contain a verb.

More examples:

My sister sings like Mariah Carey.

My sister sings as though she were Mariah Carey.

My neighbor’s house is like a zoo.

My neighbor’s house is as if it were a zoo.

NOTE: There is no difference of meaning between as if and as though; they can be used interchangeably. Refer to Comparisons for more uses of the connector as.

 

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Need / In Need Of

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on November 30, 2012 at 1:25 pm

Need / In Need Of

Usually, when the subject of a sentence is an animate object, the verb need is followed by an infinitive verb.

Hector needs to get a haircut.

We need to leave now.

My dog needs to learn new tricks.

Usually, when the subject of a sentence is an inanimate object, the verb need is followed by either a gerund (or “ing” verb), or the verb to be followed by the past participle of the action verb.

The grass needs cutting. OR The grass needs to be cut.

The motorcycle needs repairing. OR The motorcycle needs to be repaired.

The guest list needs writing. OR The guest list needs to be written.

Be aware that there are some exceptions to these rules. Sometimes, animate objects follow the second rule.

My dog needs to be fed.

The baby needs burping. OR The baby needs to be burped.

Sometimes, inanimate objects follow the first rule.

The buzzer needs to ring before we can leave class.

The grass needs to grow more before I can cut it.

The expression in need of can be used in some cases in place of using the verb need. However, because the word need is not a verb in the phrase in need of, it must be preceded by the verb be.

Darren is in need of a haircut. (Darren needs a haircut.)

The car was in need of new tires. (The car needed new tires.)

The girls were in need of prom dresses. (The girls needed prom dresses.)

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Know / Know How

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on November 27, 2012 at 11:37 am

Know / Know How

The verb know, when used by itself, is usually followed by a noun, a prepositional phrase, or a sentence.

She knew the answer.

Everyone knows about gravity.

Jason knew that he was going to be in trouble.

Know how is used to indicate a skill, or ability to do something. This form is followed by the infinitive form of a verb.

Jim knows how to make cool inventions.

Monkeys know how to use primitive tools.

Do you know how to make fudge brownies?

 

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Say / Tell

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on November 26, 2012 at 11:37 am

Say and tell both mean to communicate verbally with someone, but they are usually used differently. Normally, you say something and you tell someone something.

You say something You tell someone something

Jeff said that he was tired. Jeff told Sam that he was tired.

Jennifer says you have a new job. Jennifer tells me you have a new job.

Patricia said, “I love you.” Patricia told John that she loves him.

Tell uses an object directly following.

Bob told the boss that he wasn’t working tomorrow.

Janice told me that she loves John.

Say uses the word “to” or “that” before the object.

Bob said to the boss that he wasn’t working tomorrow.

Janice said to me that she loves John.

Bob said that he wasn’t working tomorrow.

Janice said that she loves John.

When using direct speech, say is normally used.

Amanda said, “Sweetheart, I’m going to work now.”

“John, that’s a beautiful car!” George said.

Sometimes tell is used in direct speech if it is an instruction, or information. (Notice the object directly after tell as described above.)

Rebecca told her assistant, “Open the door for the caterer.”

He told me, “This is the key to the front door.”

Say and tell cannot be used with reported questions. Ask, or a similar verb, must be used.

Roy asked if I had ever been to Miami.

Mary’s mother asked what I wanted to eat.

The policeman asked me where I lived.

He asked if she wanted to leave.

Tell + object + infinitive is used to give orders, or advice.

The teacher told the child to sit down.

She told me to wait in the lobby.

Tell Bill to have a great trip to Europe.

 

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Beginning a Sentence with Here or There

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on November 20, 2012 at 2:23 pm

When a sentence begins with here or there, the subject is located after the verb.

NOTE: Here or there is NEVER considered the subject of the sentence.

Examples:

Here was the accident.

verb subject

There are the girls.

verb subject

Here is the definition of the word.

There was a loud explosion.

 

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, ,

There + Be

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on November 19, 2012 at 1:13 pm

There + Be

When using the combination of there + be, there is called an “expletive.”  It has no meaning as a vocabulary word. It simply introduces the idea that something exists in a particular place. When beginning a sentence with this combination, the subject follows the verb.

NOTE: There is never considered the subject of the sentence.

There + be + subject + expression of place

There is a clean towel in the linen closet.

Verb subject expression of place

There are six kittens under my bed.

Verb subject expression of place

There has been a fire at the warehouse.

Verb subject expression of place

Sometimes the expression of place is omitted when the meaning is clear.

There are seven continents. (The implied expression of place is clearly in the world.)

 

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Mixed Verb Forms

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on November 16, 2012 at 12:57 pm

Mixed Verb Forms

There are also some verbs which can be used, both in a continuous and non-continuous form. It

depends on the meaning of the verb as to which form is used. Following are some of the most

important verbs to consider:

 

Continuous Meanings

Feel = “to physically feel” – I’m feeling tired today.

See = “to visit” – Joe is seeing his doctor.

Think = “to use the brain” – We are thinking deeply about the question.

Appear = “to be on stage/perform” – Madonna is appearing at the Waldorf stadium tonight.

Look = “to stare at” – She is looking at me intently.

Taste = “to use the mouth” – I’m tasting my mom’s apple pie.

 

Non-continuous Meanings

Feel = “to have an opinion” – Mary feels she should be able to go on the trip also.

See = “to understand” – I see what you’re saying.

Think = “to have an opinion” – I think you should visit your parents.

Appear = “to look like” – The project appears to be difficult.

Look = “to seem” – This contest looks easy.

Taste = “to have a taste” – Her muffins taste great!

 

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CONTINUOUS VERSUS NON-CONTINUOUS VERBS

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on November 14, 2012 at 11:41 am

CONTINUOUS VERSUS NON-CONTINUOUS VERBS

As we have seen, the continuous (progressive) tense is used to describe an action that is

occurring at a particular point in time; it is an action in progress. However, there are some

exceptions of when to use the continuous tense with certain verbs.

 

Non-Continuous Verbs

The following verbs are used in a non-continuous form. There are several categories in which

these verbs are categorized.

 

Mental and Emotional States

believe like recognize

dislike love remember

doubt hate suppose

imagine prefer understand

know realize want

 

Examples:

CORRECT: He doubts she is sincere.

INCORRECT: He is doubting she is sincere.

CORRECT: Sarah hates her new hair style.

INCORRECT: Sarah is hating her new hair style.

CORRECT: Jonathon understands the assignment.

INCORRECT: Jonathon is understanding the assignment.

 

Sense

appear seem taste

hear smell

see sound

 

Examples:

CORRECT: The answer appears correct.

INCORRECT: The answer is appearing correct.

CORRECT: The roast smells good.

INCORRECT: The roast is smelling good.

CORRECT: The band sounds great.

INCORRECT: The band is sounding great.

 

Communication

agree mean

astonish please

deny promise

disagree satisfy

impress surprise

 

Examples:

CORRECT: Margaret agrees with Michael.

INCORRECT: Margaret is agreeing with Michael.

CORRECT: The boy impresses his coach.

INCORRECT: The boy is impressing his coach.

CORRECT: George promises to finish his homework.

INCORRECT: George is promising to finish his homework.

 

Other States

belong deserve matter

concern fit need

consist include owe

contain involve own

cost lack possess

depend

 

Examples:

CORRECT: He said it depends on how late he works.

INCORRECT: He said it is depending on how late he works.

CORRECT: The project involves a lot of work.

INCORRECT: The project is involving a lot of work.

CORRECT: The length of the show doesn’t matter.

INCORRECT: The length of the show isn’t mattering.

 

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Linking Verbs

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on November 13, 2012 at 12:23 pm

LINKING VERBS

A verb that can be immediately followed by an adjective is called a linking verb. The adjective

that follows the verb describes the subject of the sentence. The verb “links” the adjective to the

subject it describes.

 

Common verbs which are followed by an adjective are given below.

be*

feel, look, smell, sound, taste

appear, seem

become (also the verbs get, turn, and grow when they mean “become”)

 

*NOTE: The verb be can also be used as an auxiliary (is watching), to link a noun with the main

subject (Jack is a professional), or to link a prepositional phrase to the main subject (Jack is at

the office). It is only considered a linking verb when it is used to link an adjective to the main

subject (Jack is intelligent).

 

Examples of linking verbs:

This pie tastes delicious.

Jeff became frightened when he saw the snake.

The weather turned cold overnight.

Ellen feels confident about the competition.

Grandma’s breakfast smells delicious.

 

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, , ,

Verbs

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on November 12, 2012 at 11:57 am

VERBS

Verbs indicate the action of the actors (nouns) in a sentence and can be single, or can be verb

phrases that contain auxiliaries, which always precede the main verb. Verb forms reveal Past,

Present, or Future tenses and are used in their infinitive form, or are changed to a Simple,

Continuous, or Perfect form.

 

Present Past Future

Simple I work worked will work

he, she, it works worked will work

we, they work worked will work

 

Continuous I am working was working will be working

he, she, it is working was working will be working

we, they are working were working will be working

 

Perfect I have worked had worked will have worked

he, she, it has worked had worked will have worked

we, they have worked had worked will have worked

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Nouns That Function As Adjectives

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 27, 2012 at 3:21 pm

Many nouns can function as adjectives when they are coupled with other nouns. The first noun acts to describe the second noun. Nouns which function as adjectives are always singular, even when they modify a plural noun.
The car doors have all been replaced.
We hurried to get to the train station.
This gold coin is worth a lot.
When number noun combinations are used, they are always hyphenated.

The hike was eight hours to the temple.

It was an eight-hour hike to the temple.

These tickets cost forty dollars.

These are forty-dollar tickets.

 

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Nouns That Function As Adjectives

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 16, 2012 at 11:45 am

Many nouns can function as adjectives when they are coupled with other nouns.

The first noun acts to describe the second noun. Nouns which function as adjectives are always singular, even when they modify a plural noun.

The car doors have all been replaced.
We hurried to get to the train station.
This gold coin is worth a lot.

When number noun combinations are used, they are always hyphenated.

The hike was eight hours to the temple. It was an eight-hour hike to the temple.

These tickets cost forty dollars. These are forty-dollar tickets.

 

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Nouns That Are Always Plural

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 15, 2012 at 11:02 am

Some nouns are always plural and cannot be singular, unless used in the phrase “a pair of _________”.

Binoculars
Goggles
Eyeglasses
Jeans
Pants
Pliers
Scissors
Shorts
Slacks
Trousers
Tongs
Tweezers

My favorite jeans are in the washer.
This pair of jeans needs to be washed.
My eyeglasses are new.
This pair of eyeglasses is new.

 

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Collective Nouns

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 14, 2012 at 8:15 pm

Some nouns reflect a group of people or animals and are usually singular. Following are examples of some common collective nouns.

Army
Audience
Band
Bunch
Bundle
Choir
Class
Clump
Colony
Committee
Congress
Crew
Family
Flock
Gang
Government
Group
Herd
Jury
Majority
Minority
Orchestra
Police
Pair
Public organization
Pack
Set
Staff
Team

Our class is going on a field trip today.
The pack of dogs was chasing the deer.
The public is against the war.
Our team is playing the champions next week.

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,

Determiners of Quantity

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 13, 2012 at 12:42 pm

Words that determine quantity are used to show how much of something to which you are referring. Some expressions of quantity are only used with count nouns, some are only used with non-count nouns and others are used with both.

Consider the sentence structure to determine whether a singular or plural verb is used with a determiner of quantity. Sentences that begin with words that indicates portions, such as: percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, etc., look at the noun of the prepositional phrase (object of the preposition) in order to determine whether or not to use a singular or plural
verb.

RULE: If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb. If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.

Example 1:
Half of the dresses are dirty.
In this sentence, half is the subject and of the dresses is a prepositional phrase which gives reference to what half is referring. In this case, the countable noun dresses requires a plural verb.

Example 2:
Half of the sugar is gone.
In this sentence, half is the subject, but the non-countable noun sugar in the modifying prepositional phrase requires a singular verb.

More examples:
Two-thirds of the work is complete.
Two-thirds of the workers are angry.
A high percentage of the population is educated.
A high percentage of the people are happy.
The majority of Congress has voted for the bill.
The majority of Senators have voted favorably.
Also, when the subject is a sum of money or a period of time, a singular verb is used.
Fifteen dollars is a high price to pay for entering the movies.
Five years is the maximum sentence for that offense.

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,

Exercise 4: Using Other / Another

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 12, 2012 at 11:33 am

Fill in the blanks of the following sentences with the correct form of other or another.
1. I received two gifts for my birthday. One was from my parents. _______________ one was from my brother.
2. This pie is fantastic! Can I have __________________ piece?
3. These pants don’t fit well. Let me try ____________________ ones.
4. I have a large stamp collection. The stamps in this section are from the United States.
__________________ are from ________________ places in the world.
5. Joshua likes to wear Nike shoes. He won’t wear any ________________ brand.
6. I’m almost finished with my homework. I just need ________________ ten minutes.
7. John, Melissa and I are going to the movies. ___________________ are going to the Craft Fair.
8. This house is brand new. _____________________ house is really old.
9. We like to swim. _________________ like to surf, and still ________________ like to ski.
10. You can buy this shirt and ___________________ one.

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Other / Another

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 11, 2012 at 11:12 am

Often, correctly using the word other can be confusing. The word another and other are not specific, while the other is specific. If the subject is understood then other can be used as a pronoun. If the understood noun is a plural count noun then other becomes others. (Note: other CANNOT be plural if followed by a noun.)

Look at the following examples.
This knife is dull. Please give me another.
(an + other + singular noun = any other knife – not specific)
This knife is dull. Please give me the other.
(the other + singular noun = the only other option – specific)
This cake is delicious. Other cakes are delicious also.
OR This cake is delicious. Others are delicious also.
(other + plural noun = other cakes: not specific)

Since the subject is understood from the first sentence, you can omit the plural noun “cakes” in the second sentence and pluralize other to others.

These apples are bad. I want the other apples.
OR These apples are bad. I want the others.
(the other + plural noun = other apples: specific)

Since the subject is understood from the first sentence, you can omit the plural noun “apples” in the second sentence and pluralize the other to the others.

You can also substitute other + one (for a singular noun) and other + ones (for a plural noun.)
This knife is dull. Please give me another one. (not specific)
This knife is dull. Please give me the other one. (specific)
This cake is delicious. Other ones are delicious also. (not specific)
These apples are bad. I want the other ones. (specific)

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Exercise 3: Using Articles

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 10, 2012 at 1:06 pm

Fill in the blanks of the following sentences using a, an, the, or Ø (if no article is needed).
1. John is wearing _______ baseball cap today.
2. _______ chair is _______ useful piece of furniture.
3. _______ chairs in _______ living room are antiques.
4. She cried when she peeled _______ onion.
5. _______ women like to wear _______ jewelry.
6. _______ jewelry that my sister wears is made of _______ gold.
7. When you look at _______ moon, you can see _______ face.
8. _______ hour ago I saw _______ eagle flying overhead.
9. _______ life can be fun, but sometimes there are _______ problems.
10. _______ last time I saw ________ bear, I was travelling in _______ Europe.

 

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Articles: The

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 9, 2012 at 12:01 pm

Use the when you know, or assume, that the listener is familiar with the same person, place, or thing that you are talking about.

 
The earth is a beautiful planet. (There is only one earth.)
The teacher asked me a question. (It is assumed the listener knows your teacher.)

Use the with non-count nouns only when you are speaking specifically. If you are speaking in general, no article is used.

Water is wet. (general)
The water in the stream is cold. (specific water located in the stream)

The same rule applies for plural count nouns. Specific plural count nouns use the, while general plural count nouns do not.

I like apples. (all apples)
The apples on the tree are not ripe. (specific apples on the tree)

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Articles: A And An

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 8, 2012 at 2:31 pm

A or an only precede singular count nouns and refer to one thing. Either is used for a general statement, or to introduce a new subject that has not been mentioned before.

A leopard has spots. (in general – speaking of all leopards)
I talked to a girl today. (We are introducing this subject. We don’t know which girl.)

A is used with words that begin with a consonant sound. An is used with words that begin with a vowel sound.

a car an elephant

Some words can be confusing because the pronunciation is different from the spelling. Listening to the sound will help determine which article is used.

Words such as union, uniform, university and European, eucalyptus, eulogy have a long “u” sound which is the same sound as y in yellow or yard.

Therefore, they are considered to have a consonant sound and a is used before these words.
 
A yellow dog ran past us. A uniform is required for school.
A yard consists of three feet. I went to school with a European.
 
Some words have a silent first letter, so the correct article depends on the heard sound. Words such as hot, home and head have a pronounced “h” consonant sound and, thus, begin with a.
 
However, words such as honor, hour and herb have a silent “h” and are considered to have a vowel sound.
 
It is a hot day. It was an honor to meet the president.
 
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Nouns

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 6, 2012 at 2:01 pm

A noun can be a person, place, or thing. Nouns can be the actor of a sentence (as the subject), a receiver of the action (as the object/complement), or contained in a prepositional phrase to add more information to the idea of the sentence.
The Noun Phrase
A noun phrase is a group of words that ends with a noun and can contain determiners (a, an, the, these, etc.), adjectives and adverbs. Both subjects and complements often consist of noun phrases. A prepositional phrase is NOT considered a noun phrase.
Count and Non-Count Nouns
A noun that can be counted is called a count noun.
chair – one chair, two chairs, three chairs…
boy – one boy, two boys, three boys…
dog – one dog, two dogs, three dogs…
A noun that cannot be counted is called a non-count noun.
coffee – you cannot say: one coffee, two coffees, etc.
However, you can make some non-count nouns countable by placing them into a countable container.
Can of coffee – one can of coffee, two cans of coffee…

 

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Exercise 1: Identifying Subject, Verb, Complement and Modifier

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 5, 2012 at 6:46 pm

Mark the subject, verb, complement and modifier in the following sentences. Use an “S” for subject, “V” for verb, “C” for complement and “M” for modifier. NOTE: Remember that not all sentences have a complement or modifier. Also, some sentences can have more than one modifier.
Examples:
Juan / is eating / tacos / at the new restaurant.
S V C M
The girls / are talking / to the boys.
S V C
Madonna / is performing / tonight.
S V M
1. Jerry opened his present.
2. Mr. Johnson drinks coffee every morning.
3. Birds fly.
4. The dog chased the cat up the tree.
5. The wind blew violently.
6. Jimmy scored a goal at the soccer match last Saturday.
7. They ran inside quickly.
8. Bill, George and Alice bought CDs at the music store today.
9. The barrel rolled down the hill.
10. Terry is watching television.

 

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Modifier

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 3, 2012 at 3:45 pm

A modifier tells the time, place, or manner of action. The modifier usually follows the complement. Not every sentence requires a modifier.
Prepositional phrases are commonly used as modifiers.
Examples of prepositional phrases:
under the house, after breakfast, in the morning
Adverbs and adverbial phrases are also used as modifiers, or modifiers of time. A modifier of time will usually come last when more than one modifier is used.

Examples of adverbs and adverbial phrases:
yesterday, quickly, last semester, overhead, quite awful
A modifier answers the question of where? When? or how?
Examples of modifiers:
She is earning her degree at Cornell University. (Where is she earning her degree?)
John fell down the stairs (Where did John fall?)
yesterday. (When did John fall?)
The cheetah was running quite fast. (How was the cheetah running?)
We have an appointment at ten o’clock tomorrow. (When do we have an appointment?)
The soldier fired the gun repeatedly. (How did the soldier fire the gun?)

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Complement (Object)

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 2, 2012 at 10:59 am

A complement (object) provides more information about the verb. Often, it consists of a noun, or noun phrase, and will usually follow the verb in a sentence relaying active voice.
A complement (object) CANNOT begin with a preposition.
A complement (object) answers the question what? or whom?
Examples of complements:
Jack threw the stone far. (What did Jack throw?)
The hungry bird ate a worm. (What did the bird eat?)
He called Janice after the party. (Whom did he call?)
She was chewing gum in class. (What was she chewing?)
The ball hit Mike during the game last night. (Whom did the ball hit?)

 

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Verb

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on October 1, 2012 at 4:48 pm

The verb follows the subject when the sentence is declarative. A verb normally reveals the action of the sentence. Every sentence in English must have a verb.

The verb can be a single word.
Mary likes chocolate cake.
They play soccer.
The verb can also be a verb phrase. A verb phrase contains one, or more, auxiliary verbs and one main verb. The main verb is always preceded by the auxiliary verbs.
Martha has been talking to her new friend.
Terry is visiting his aunt today.
Examples of verbs and verb phrases:
Jerry has returned from lunch.
The storm made a lot of noise.
George is playing in a tournament tomorrow.
I will go to bed soon.
Sally was jealous of Lisa’s new dress.

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Subject

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on September 30, 2012 at 2:18 pm

The subject is the actor of a sentence in active voice. It is the person or thing that performs, or is responsible for, the action of the sentence. It usually begins the sentence and precedes the verb.
Every sentence in English must have a subject. Commands will not have a visible subject, however, the subject [you] is understood.

Example: Run quickly! = You run quickly!

The subject can be a single noun.
Cats chase mice.
Children like candy.
The subject can also be a noun phrase, which is a group of words ending with a noun.

A noun phrase cannot begin with a preposition.
The car is in the garage.
That hot red dress looks fabulous.
Examples of subjects:
Tom likes to go fishing.
The English teacher is a very nice person.
Susan and Alex went to the movie together.
Those boys are good basketball players.
We actors are a happy group.

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The Linking Verb (or Copulative)

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 25, 2012 at 4:39 pm

A verb which expresses action is called an active verb.

Copy the following sentences and notice the word that seems to link the subject to the other words in the sentence:

1.  John is a good boy.

2.  Henry was school.

3.  Patrick is sick.

4.  You are a scholar.

5.  The children are happy.

6.  The girls were in the choir.

7.  Mary was very sick.

8.  We were successful.

9.  They will be happy.

 

Name the subjects in the above sentences.

The subjects seem to be “linked” to the rest of the sentences by the little words, is, was, am, are, were.  Such “linking” words are called Copulative Verbs.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

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The Antecedent

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 24, 2012 at 3:51 pm

For what NOUN does each of the pronouns following stand?

1.  Elizabeth loves her little brother.

2.  Henry is very fond of his little sister.

3.  Good children love their parents.

4.  Ill-bred children trouble their teachers.

5.  John tries to help his father all he can.

6.  Sarah says she intends to become a teacher.

In sentence number one, the word “her” stands for the word Elizabeth.  In sentence six the word “she” stands for the word Sarah.

 

The word for which the pronoun stands is called its Antecedent.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

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Importance of Punctuation

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 23, 2012 at 1:35 pm

Give the name of each of the following punctuation marks and use each in separate sentences.

.  ,  ?  !  ‘

Many serious mistakes are made because the punctuation marks have not been correctly used.  You easily see how the little mark (.) the period will make a very great difference according to the position it has in the following:

$500.  $50.00  $5.00  $5000.

 

Notice the difference caused in the meaning of the two following sentences by placing the punctuation marks where they do not belong.

1.  What do you think!  I’ll shave you for nothing and give you a drink.

2.  What!  Do you think I’ll shave you for nothing and give you a drink?

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

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Corrective English

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 22, 2012 at 3:24 pm

Read carefully the following and pay attention to the mistakes they are intended to correct:

1.  I wish I knew where my pencil is.  (not, I wisht, etc.)

2.  I know this is my pencil.  (not, this here pencil, etc.)

3.  I got it from my sister in grade 6-B.  (not, off my, etc.)

4.  We should do our work well.  (not, do it good.)

5.  It was John who threw the rubber.  (not, fired the rubber)

6.  Bernard hurt himself playing ball.  (not, hurted hisself.)

7.  Guess how many apples I have.  (not, how much apples.)

8.  I answered the question first.  (not, I answered first off.)

There are no such words as,

hurted

hisself

bursted

busted

theirself

lookit

drownded

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

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Correct use of the apostrophe

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 21, 2012 at 12:08 pm

The boys were in the ball field at their game.

The boys’ club will meet after class today.

 

The farmers shear their sheep in warm weather.

The farmers’ sheep give the wool used for warm clothing.

 

The robins build their nests in the old oak tree.

The robins’ nests are safe in the old oak tree.

 

The possessive words in the above groups are plural.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Correct use of words. Think, Guess; Said, Says; Have, Got

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 20, 2012 at 12:40 pm

1.  I think of my father.

2.  We guess it will rain today.

1.  We should often think of our enviroment.

2.  Can you guess who’s here?

1.  Henry said he intends to go to college.

2.  Our teacher says we are good pupils.

1.  My mother said, “Do your homework.”

2.  My sister says she will finish algebra this term.

1.  Bernard and his brother have a nice little pony.

2.  They got it in West Virginia.

1.  My parents have a nice Dublin accent.

2.  They got it from living in Dublin in their childhood.

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Pronunciation, D

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 12, 2012 at 12:48 pm

Be careful to sound the letter D in the following:

Hands

Band

Friends

Stands

Lands

Sands

Builds

Child’s

Folds

Holds

Colds

Scolds

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Pronunciation, T

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 11, 2012 at 7:19 pm

Pay special attention to the sound of the letter T in each of the following words:

Facts

Tracts

Instructs

Directly

Distinctly

Perfectly

Boasts

Ghosts

Fists

Insists

Consists

Resists

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Have and Had

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 11, 2012 at 10:35 am

Never use the little helping words, have or had, before the following verbs:

Fell, gave, took, broke, spoke, wrote, rode

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Conjunctions Reviewed

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 10, 2012 at 8:26 pm

Notice the little words that join the nouns and the pronouns in the following:

John and James have gone in swimming.

She and I are first cousins.

Frank or Henry owns the auto.

Either William or Bernard told the teacher.

It was not Ellen, but Gertrude, who sang that hymn.

Not riches, but virtue, will make you happy.

 

Those little words, and, or, but, are called Conjunctions.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Burst

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 10, 2012 at 10:40 am

The word “bust” must never be used instead of burst. There is no such word as “busted” or “bursted.”
1. The water pipes in the building have burst.
2. The pipes burst last winter, also.
3. The bust of Abraham Lincoln is in the vestibule.

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two. Copyright unknown, missing index page.

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Homonyms

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 9, 2012 at 11:46 am

Stationary, stationery

Mail, male

Not, knot

Sun, son

 

  1. Our Principal buys stationery, such as pens, paper, pencils, etc.
  2. The people in ancient times thought the earth stood still; that it was stationary; we know better now.

 

  1. The postman brought the mail.
  2. The masculine gender denotes the male sex.

 

  1. I am not going to the store.
  2. John tied a knot in the rope.

 

  1. The sun is more than ninety million miles from the earth.
  2. A good son always loves and obeys his mother

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Corrective English; Its and It’s

In For Contractors, Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on August 8, 2012 at 6:48 pm

Write the following sentences in your exercise and place the in the blank spaces the correct word – ITS or IT’S.

 

It’s is a contraction for it is; Its shows possession.

 

  1. I feel certain that – going to snow.  (its, it’s)
  2. I like baseball; I think – a very nice game
  3. Our large dictionary is losing – cover.
  4. The tabby cat likes – little kittens very much.
  5. Mother said, “Children – time for bed.”
  6. John sang, “- a long, long way to Tipperary.”

 

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Use of Abbreviations

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 30, 2012 at 9:47 pm

The following abbreviations are very often used and should be familiar to the pupils.

 

Copy the following neatly, and full form and their abbreviations:

Yard – yd.

Feet – ft.

Inches- in.

Pints – pt.

Quarts – qt.

Gallon – gal.

Pound – lb.

Ounces – oz.

Dozen – doz.

Bushel – bu.

Pecks – pk.

Gross – gr.

 

Note:

The abbreviations for measures are used for both singular and plural; e.g., in. means inch or inches.

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

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Use of Abbreviations

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 28, 2012 at 1:15 pm

Use of Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are very often used and should be familiar to the pupils.

 

Copy the following neatly, and full form and their abbreviations:

Yard – yd.

Feet – ft.

Inches- in.

Pints – pt.

Quarts – qt.

Gallon – gal.

Pound – lb.

Ounces – oz.

Dozen – doz.

Bushel – bu.

Pecks – pk.

Gross – gr.

 

Note:

The abbreviations for measures are used for both singular and plural; e.g., in. means inch or inches.

 

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Capital Letters

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 27, 2012 at 11:52 am

Words formed from proper nouns, the names of nations and of races of people begin with a capital letter.

 

Copy the following sentences and use the capital letter in the right place:

  1. People born in the turkish empire are called turks.
  2. The english were surprised by indian ambushes in the war.
  3. Spaghetti is a great italian dish.
  4. The french helped the americans to gain their independence.
  5. Persons born in egypt are called egyptians.
  6. Many people in the countries south of the united state speak spanish.

 

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

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Memory Gem, Together

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 26, 2012 at 3:15 pm

When crew and Captain understand

Each other to the core,

It takes a gale and more than a gale

To put their ship ashore;

For the one will do what the other commands,

Although they are chilled to the bone,

And both together can live through weather

That neither can face alone.

-Rudyard Kipling.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Formation of Words

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 25, 2012 at 11:16 am

Drop the final E from the following words and add the suffixes indicated.  Many new words of importance are thus formed:

 

Excuse, ed, ing, able.

Believe, ed, ing, able.

Blame, ed, ing, able.

Value, ed, ing, able.

Adore, ed, ing, able.

Advise, ed, ing, able.

Move, ed, ing, able.

Live, ed, ing, able.

Cure, ed, ing, able.

Note, ed, ing, able.

 

From the original ten words above we can form thirty new words for our vocabulary.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Lesson on Comparison

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 24, 2012 at 11:41 am

Take special notice of the adjectives in the following sentences:

  1. John is a studious boy.  Positive.
  2. Patrick is a more studious boy.  Comparative.
  3. Henry is the most studious boy in our class.  Superlative.

 

The Comparative is formed by placing the word “more” before the Positive; more studious.

 

The Superlative is formed by placing the word most before the Positive; most studious.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

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Comparison of Adjectives (continued)

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 23, 2012 at 10:39 am

Write the three degrees of each of the following adjectives and use the comparative of each in oral sentences:

Thick, thin, sick, sad, sore, wild, tame, lame, smart, dull, tight, light, sweet, smooth, short, broad, long, high, low, rich

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Comparison of Adjectives (continued)

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 22, 2012 at 1:27 pm

 

Notice how the comparative and the superlative degree is formed in the following:

Positive…small

Comparative…smaller

Superlative…smallest

 

You notice that the comparative degree is formed by adding the suffix ER to the Positive; small, smaller.

 

The Superlative degree is formed by adding the suffix EST to the Positive; small, smallest.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Comparision of Adjectives continued

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 21, 2012 at 12:46 pm

Sharp, sharper, sharpest

Old, older, oldest

Young, younger, youngest

Dark, darker, darkest

Fine, finer, finest

 

By COMPARISION of adjectives is meant using the adjective in its three degrees.  Which are the three degrees of adjectives?

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Comparison of Adjectives (continued)

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 20, 2012 at 12:08 pm

The adjectives in the sets above are tall, smart, and rich, and we use them each in different degrees; as,

Tall, taller, tallest

Smart, smarter, smartest

Rich, richer, richest

 

The first ordinary form of the adjective is called the Positive Degree; as, tall.

 

That which is more than the Positive is called the Comparative Degree; as, taller.

 

That which is the greatest of all is called the Superlative Degree; as, tallest.

 

So we the Positive, the Comparative, and the Superlative Degree, to express the meaning of adjectives.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Comparision of Adjectives continued

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 19, 2012 at 3:14 pm

Comparison of Adjectives (continued)

  1. Jones is a very rich man.
  2. Browne is richer than Jones.
  3. Dixon is the richest man in the city.

 

Name the adjective in each of the above and tell why it is an adjective.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Comparision of Adjectives continued

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 17, 2012 at 12:02 pm
  1. Mary is a very smart girl.
  2. Sarah is smarter than Mary.
  3. Catherine is the smartest girl in the class.

 

Name the adjective in each of the above and tell why it is an adjective.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Comparision of Adjectives

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 16, 2012 at 11:43 am

Read the following sentences and pay attention to the adjective in each:

  1. John is a tall boy.
  2. James is a taller boy than John.
  3. William is the tallest of the three.

 

Name the adjective in each of the above and tell why it is an adjective.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Using the correct word

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 15, 2012 at 1:18 pm

Choose the correct word from those in parentheses:

  1. The (skull, scull) protects the organs of (sight, cite).
  2. People should be what they (seem, seam) to be.
  3. She was a very (fair, fare) lady.
  4. The years (steal, steel) on us and we grow old rapidly.
  5. Cats use (their, there) (claws, clause) to climb.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Ownership

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 12, 2012 at 12:34 pm

Ownership

  1. The life of man is short.
  2. Man’s life is short.

 

  1. A bark of a dog is a warning.
  2. A dog’s bark is a warning.

 

  1. The wealth of a man is unimportant.
  2. A man’s wealth is unimportant.

 

  1. The actions of a man are his own.
  2. A man’s actions are his own.

 

You see the sentences in the pairs above have the same meaning.

 

Possession is indicated by the second sentence in each pair as you notice by the apostrophe.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Sit and Set continued

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 11, 2012 at 11:55 am
  1. The boys sit quietly in class.  Present time.
  2. The boys sat quietly in class.  Past time.
  3. The boys will sit quietly in class.  Future time.

 

  1. Mary, set the table, please.  Present time.
  2. Mary set the table yesterday.  Past time.
  3. Mary will set the table to-morrow.  Future time.

 

Present

Sit, set

 

Past

Sat, set

 

Future

Will sit

Will set

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Corrective English. Sit, Set

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 10, 2012 at 5:28 am

The two words, sit and set, are very often used incorrectly.

Pay close attention to the following sentences and you will see the correct uses of them:
1. My sister sets the plates on the table.
2. I sit next to my father at the dinner table.
3. John, set the books on the desk, and then sit in your seat.
4. Please set the chairs in order, and sit quietly in them.
5. The conductor set the packages in the corner and told the boy to sit in his seat and watch them.
6. My mother set the soup tureen on the table and told us to sit at the table.

In each sentence above you have notice that “set” means to place something in a certain position, while “sit” means to remain in a position. Set the plates on the table and sit in your chair.

The word set is very nearly the same as “put,” for I can say, Put the saucer in its place, or, Set the saucer in its place.

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two. Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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,

Possessives (Continued)

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 9, 2012 at 12:01 pm

Copy the following and notice where the apostrophe is placed in the words that show possession:

  1. The man’s hat is on the chair.
  2. The men’s hats are on the chair.

 

The plural word men does not end in S.

 

  1. The woman’s cloak is hanging in the closet.
  2. The women’s cloaks are hanging in the closet.

 

The plural word “women” does not end in S.

 

When plural words do not end in S the possessive is formed by placing the apostrophe and S at the end of the word; as,

Children, children’s

Gentlemen, gentlemen’s

Foemen, foemen’s

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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The Apostrophe in Possessives

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 8, 2012 at 12:13 pm


Copy the following neatly, noticing where the apostrophe is placed in the words:

  1. The boy’s cap hangs on the wall.
  2. The boys’ caps hang on the wall.

 

Boy’s in number one is singular.  Boys’ in number two is plural.

 

  1. The bird’s nest is high up in the oak tree.
  2. The birds’ nests are high up in the oak tree.

 

Plural nouns ending in S form the possessive by adding the apostrophe after the S.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Dictionary Use

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 7, 2012 at 1:45 pm

Arrange the following words in their alphabetical order:

Medicine

Marry

Meet

Mission

Myrtle

Mountain

Miss

Mining

Must

Mutiny

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Antonyms

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 6, 2012 at 11:43 am

In the sentence, “John is tall, but James is short,” the words tall and short have directly opposite meanings.

 

The same is true in the sentence, “Patrick is smart, but Henry is dull.”

 

Words that have directly opposite meaning are called antonyms.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Corrective English, These, Them

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 5, 2012 at 12:36 pm

Read carefully the following sentences, and notice the use of these and them:

  1. These pencils belong to Mary.  She bought them.
  2. I like these apples.  May I have them, please?
  3. These boys loitered on the way to school.
  4. I saw them teasing the old lady.
  5. Where did you buy these shoes?
  6. I bought them at Macy’s yesterday.
  7. These children are obedient.

 

The word these is an adjective and is used to limit nouns.

The word them is a pronoun and stands in place of a noun.

 

Never use the word them just before a noun.  Never say, THEM books.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two.  Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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,

Plural Nouns

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 4, 2012 at 12:45 pm

Use the plural of each of the following words in oral sentences:

  1. statue
  2. city
  3. fox
  4. library
  5. bench
  6. banana
  7. tack
  8. bath
  9. potato
  10. carrot
  11. child
  12. truth

 

Spell the plural of each word above.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Singular Nouns

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 3, 2012 at 12:02 pm

Give oral sentences in which you use the singular of each of the following plural noun:

  1. armies
  2. roofs
  3. journeys
  4. solos
  5. women
  6. geese
  7. countries
  8. oxen
  9. thieves
  10. pianos
  11. churches
  12. loaves
  13. stories
  14. halves
  15. lilies
  16. oases

 

Spell the singular of each word in the above list.  How is the plural of each word formed?

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Difficult Plurals

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on July 2, 2012 at 4:11 pm

Copy very neatly the following list of words.  Notice the spelling in the Singular and what changes are made to form the Plural of each word:

 

Column 1

Loaf- loaves

Thief-thieves

Knife-knives

 

Column 2

Army-armies

Enemy-enemies

Duty-duties

 

Column 3

Valley-valleys

Journey-journeys

Chimney-chimneys

 

  1. You notice that the singular words in column One change the final letter F or fe into VES to make the plural.
  2. Final Y in the singular words of column Two is preceded by a consonant (/) and the plural of all such words is formed by changing Y into I and adding ES.
  3. The singular words in column Three end in EY; all such words add an S to form the plural

 

Words ending in Y preceded by a consonant change Y into I and add ES.

 

Words ending in Y preceded by a vowel add S to form the plural.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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,

Difficult Plurals

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on June 30, 2012 at 12:13 pm

Copy very neatly the following list of words.  Notice the spelling in the Singular and what changes are made to form the Plural of each word:

Column 1

Loaf- loaves

Thief-thieves

Knife-knives

 

Column 2

Army-armies

Enemy-enemies

Duty-duties

 

Column 3

Valley-valleys

Journey-journeys

Chimney-chimneys

 

  1. You notice that the singular words in column One change the final letter F or fe into VES to make the plural.
  2. Final Y in the singular words of column Two is preceded by a consonant (/) and the plural of all such words is formed by changing Y into I and adding ES.
  3. The singular words in column Three end in EY; all such words add an S to form the plural

 

Words ending in Y preceded by a consonant change Y into I and add ES.

 

Words ending in Y preceded by a vowel add S to form the plural.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two Copyright unknown, missing index page.

,

Principal Parts of a Sentence

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on June 29, 2012 at 7:59 pm

Name the subject, predicate, predicate verb, and object in each of the following sentences:

Example

I met Patrick.

Subject, I.

Predicate, met Patrick.

Predicate verb, met.

Object, Patrick.

 

  1. You saw Henry.
  2. Mary saluted her mother.
  3. John obeys his father.
  4. I helped my mother.
  5. Catherine loves her father.

 

Be sure that you know the predicate verb in each of the above sentences and then ask whom after each; as,

Saw whom?  Henry.

Obeys whom?  Father.

Loves whom?  Father.

And you will have the object of each sentence in the above.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Objects (Continued)

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on June 28, 2012 at 12:13 pm

Name the Object in each of the following sentences:

  1. Columbus discovered America.
  2. Washington saved the country.
  3. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
  4. Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves.
  5. General Grant conquered General Lee.

 

The word that answers the question what or whom after each predicate verb I the sentences above is the Object

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Objects

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on June 27, 2012 at 12:53 pm

Name the subject and the predicate in each of the following sentences:

  1. The boy carries the basket.
  2. William drives the auto.
  3. Catherine sang the song.
  4. All good children say their prayers.

 

Select the predicate verb in each of the above and then ask the question WHAT after each; as,

Carries what?  The basket.

Drives what?  The auto.

Sang what?  The song.

Say what?  Their prayers.

 

The words that answer the question, WHAT, after the predicate verb are the OBJECTS OF the sentences

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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The Prefix, “Un”

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on June 26, 2012 at 11:51 am

 

The prefix UN means not or the opposite of; place UN before each of the following words:

Even, load, healthy, easy, clean, steady, true, tidy, able

 

Use the new words in sentences.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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Memory Gems

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on June 25, 2012 at 3:52 am

Memorize the following, and be able to talk about them to the clss:

Count that day lost

Whose low descending sun,

Views from thy hands

No worthy action done.

-Marcus Aurelius

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two Copyright unknown, missing index page.


Difficult Endings

In Grammar, Style Guides and Equipment on June 24, 2012 at 12:55 pm

Use each of the following words in oral sentences and be careful of the sounds TS and DS:

Colonists, tends, priests, friends, lifts, insects, tempts, nests, tilts, gifts

 

Repeat the following sentences three times quickly:

This shows he asks his sister.

They take the third path through the thickets.

The bold thief went through the thick throng.

They threw their thimble through the transom.

 

De La Salle Elementary English, Book Two Copyright unknown, missing index page.

 

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