Grammar

EDUEgypt Program Grammar
Participant's Guide
Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
Information Technology Institute
1 Grammar Participant's Guide | EDUEgypt Program

Table of Contents:
Topic Page Number
Introduction to Parts of Speech 3
Nouns 5
Articles 13
Pronouns 17
Verbs 22
Adjectives 33
Adverbs 38
Prepositions 46
Conjunctions 56
The Same Word Used as a Different Part of Speech 57
Sentence Construction 63
Tenses 68
Subject Verb Agreement 75
Question Formation 82
Direct and Indirect Speech 83
Active and Passive Voice 88
Vocabulary Building 90


Course objectives:

This course has been designed to:

-Review the grammatical uses and forms of nouns, pronouns, adverbs, articles,
questions, adjectives, clauses and conjunctions.

-Practice the usage of verbs and tenses.

-Develop a correct grammatical structure in spoken and written communication.

-Enhance the usage of vocabulary for better communication.

-Improve grammatical accuracy while speaking and writing.


INTRODUCTION TO PARTS OF SPEECH

Please write in your own words, the definition of every part of speech:
1. Nouns:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. Pronouns:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. Verbs:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Adverbs:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. Adjectives:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
6. Prepositions:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
7. Conjunctions:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
8. Interjections:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________


There are eight parts of speech in the English language, namely:

1. Nouns: a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance or quality.
2. Pronouns: a word that can take the place of a noun and also perform the function of a noun.
3. Verbs: an action word a word that denotes action or experience or condition.
4. Adverbs: a word that describes a verb, an adjective, a sentence or another adverb in terms of its
qualities. These can be manner, time and place.
5. Adjectives: a word that describes a noun or a pronoun. For example: Roasted chicken is my
favourite food.
6. Prepositions: a part of speech which comes before a noun. They are called 'Prepositions' because
they are positioned before a noun and any preposition has to be followed by a noun in a sentence.
7. Conjunction: a word that connects any two words, phrases or sentences.
8. Interjections: words that interject the flow of the sentence and exhibit emotion.

Identify the parts of speech in every sentence:

1) Good customer service is the lifeblood of any business.

2) Listen to your customers. (subject is understood)

3) Business must be built to customer loyalty.

4) The customer is always right.

5) The order has been shipped to you.

6) The car is insured for 1 year.

7) Your bill for the month is $50.

8) Please unplug the power cable from the back of the computer.

9) Is there static on your telephone line?

10) Are the pictures appearing clearly on your television?

NOUNS

Attention grabber/Activity:

A noun is a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance or quality.
Here are some examples:
1. My name is John (person).
2. I live in Vancouver (place).
3. I dont like airplanes (thing).
4. I think gold is a valuable substance (substance).
5. I think my intelligence is beyond comparison (quality).

Project the following boxes on the board and derive the rules mentioned below: The
plural form of a noun is usually formed by adding an s to the singular form.
Chair Chairs
Book Books
Hat Hats
Car Cars
Customer Customers
Nouns ending in s, sh, ss, ch, x are exceptions to this rule:
Bench Benches
Fox Foxes
Boss Bosses
Brush Brushes
The plural form of nouns ending with y after a vowel is formed by adding an s.
Play Plays
Ray Rays

The plural form of nouns ending with y after a consonant is formed by dropping
the y and adding an ies.
Party Parties
Baby Babies
The plural form of nouns ending with f/fe is formed by dropping the fe and
adding an ves.
Wife Wives
Leaf Leaves
Some nouns have irregular plural forms:
Child Children
Foot Feet
Man Men
Woman Women
Mouse Mice
Tooth Teeth

Match the examples mentioned in Table 1 with the types of nouns mentioned in Table two:
Table 1
Sugar Citibank Information Air
Chairs Printer Cards Tickets
Frankfurt Company Milk Love
Coke Philosophy Family Team

Table 2
Common Uncountable Collective Proper Abstract

Nouns have various forms as well, namely:
1. Proper Nouns: names of people/places e.g. Delhi, Frank, Four Seasons.
2. Common Nouns: name of a group of similar things e.g. tables, cameras, customers, boys.
3. Abstract Nouns: refer to something that is not tangible e.g. brilliance, negativity
etc.
4. Uncountable Nouns: nouns which cannot be counted e.g. water, coffee, sugar, furniture.
5. Collective Nouns: a word that represents groups of people or things e.g. jury, choir, herd, family.


Categorize the following into the different types of nouns:
Noun Type Noun Type Noun Type
Feedback Process Manager
Customer Account Data
Computer Fatigue Discount
Modem Tension
Installation Weather

Collective Nouns:
Challenge 1:
Fill in the appropriate collective noun from the list below.
Agenda house chain host convoy - school
1. Sparrows
2. Fish
3. Islands
4. Tasks
5. .trucks
6. .senators
Challenge 2:
Lions Flowers Geese Trees Birds Puppies Elephants

1. Herd of
2. Flock of
3. Stand of
4. Gaggle of.
5. Bouquet of
6. Litter of.


Countable and Uncountable nouns

Countable Nouns Uncountable Nouns
Countable nouns are nouns which can be counted Uncountable nouns cannot be counted
Ex: Pen, car, woman, computer Ex: Music, Information, love, advice
Use singular or plural verbs Use singular verbs
a, an, the the
Many Much
Few
A few

Little
A little
A bit of
Some, any, plenty of, a lot of Some, any, plenty of, a lot of

Spot the error - Now that the batch has been introduced to the different types of nouns, spot the
incorrect sentences.
1. There are much people in the room
2. I need a glass of water
3. The milk has gone bad
4. There are much days left for the expiration of this card

The following qualifiers can be used with Countable and Uncountable nouns:
Countable Nouns Uncountable Nouns
1,2,3 cards, cars Some sugar
Many cars A lot of sugar
Some cards A jar, a spoon, a bottle of sugar
Few cards
A lot of cars


A) Fill in the spaces with the suitable words:
1. How _________ days will it take for this to be delivered?
2. I want to place an order for _________ pizzas.
3. Please, pass me the _____ salt.
4. There is _______ of time left.
5. A ______ of the bottles broke.

B) Complete the questions using much or many:
1. How _________ food did you eat?

2. How _________ boys study in your class?

3. How _________ should I pay you?

4. How _________work do you have to finish?

5. How _________ CDs are there in the case?

6. How _________ do you need to know?

7. How _________ chairs are there in the room?

8. How _________ letters are there in the English Alphabet?

C) Find the mistakes in the sentences and questions below:

1. How much oranges do you want?

2. Do you want a wine?

3. I have two childs.

4. I'd like some sandwich.

5. How many wine do we need?

6. Can you buy a rice for tonight?

7. How many peoples are coming to the party?

8. I'd like some fruits.

9. How much vegetables do we have?

D) Underline and identify all the nouns in the following sentences:
1. The Smiths went to the park and saw a lot of ducks in the pond.
2. Professor Moriarty was a sworn enemy of Sherlock Holmes; he was as cunning as Holmes was
clever.
3. The ability to listen is more important than the ability to talk.
4. Counseling is beneficial when one's marriage is on the rocks.
5. The judge looked at the criminal disinterestedly and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
6. I have to buy a nice diary for my friend.
7. The Bennetts braved the storm and made it for their father's wedding on time.
8. The Statue of Christ the Redeemer is in Rio di Janeiro and is a powerful symbol of hope and
spirituality.
9. Paris and Milan vie with each other to be called the Fashion Capital of Europe.
10. The roast beef was cooked in the oven, not on the stove.

The Possessive Case:
Identify the difference between the sentence sets:
- I am trying to fix the customers issue.
- I have spoken to 15 customers already.

And
- This is Franks house
- The houses on this street are beautiful

In the first and third sentences we can ask whose issue or whose house and the answer would be the
customers or Franks whereas in the second and fourth sentences we are using the plural form of the
noun.

Here are some simple rules to keep in mind when using the possessive case.
- The boy's hat flew off.
- The president's speech was inspiring.

- I love reading Shakespeare's plays.
- I never took Peter's pen.
- I never took Ross's pen

- When the noun is singular we need to add ansto form the possessive case.
- We do have one area of particular difficulty the matter of singular nouns ending in s. Here,
the usual rule is to add apostrophe + s ('s) to the s-ending singular as long as pronouncing the
extra syllable (which sounds like "iz" or "ziz") is not awkward. Thus, we have: James's house,
Tess's car, and the boss's office. Some s-ending singular nouns, however, become awkward to
say if we add "iz" or "ziz" to them. Try sounding out "Jesus(iz) teachings," "Moses(iz) laws,"
or "Sophocles(iz) plays." It's tough. Thus, in these instances, we use only the
apostrophe: Jesus' teachings, Moses' laws, or Sophocles' plays. In such instances, though, we
should try to avoid using the possessive case altogether and write: the teachings of Jesus, the
laws of Moses, the plays of Sophocles.

- These are the children's rooms.
- The boys' school was defeated.

- When the noun is plural and ends with an's', we only add the apostrophe.
- When the noun is plural and does not end with an s we add an's'.

- A less-often faced decision involves the use of apostrophes where multiple owners are named.
Where two or more people own one item together, place an apostrophe before an "s" only after
the second-named person.
- For example:
- Incorrect: *Bill's and Mary's car was a lemon, leading them to seek rescission of their contract
under the state's lemon law.
- Correct: Bill and Mary's car was a lemon, leading them to seek rescission of their contract
under the state's lemon law.
- However, when two or more people own two or more items separately, each individual's name
should take the possessive form.
- For example:
- Incorrect: *Joanne and Todd's cars were bought from the same dealer; both proved useless,
even though Joanne's car was an import and Todd's was a domestic model.
- Correct: Joanne's and Todd's cars were bought from the same dealer; both proved useless, even
though Joanne's car was an import and Todd's was a domestic model.


The Noun Grammar in a Page
Proper Nouns
Refers to a particular thing, as opposed to a class.
The names of specific people, places, things, days
of the week, months, historical documents,
institutions, organizations, religions, their holy texts
and their adherents.
E.g. Bob, Monday, New Jersey
Common Nouns
Refers to a class of things, rather than something in
particular.
E.g. man, day, city
A common noun can, at times, be a part of a proper
noun.
E.g. The Mall Apartments
Possessive Nouns: a noun that shows belonging
A noun in the possessive case frequently functions as an adjective modifying another noun or a
gerund.
E.g. The miner's face was covered in coal dust.
Abstract nouns
A noun which names anything which one
cannot perceive (can't see, hear, touch or
taste) through our five physical senses
These can be emotions (happiness, grief) or
states (peace, quiet).
E.g. Justice often escapes our grasp.
Concrete Nouns
You can experience this group of nouns with
your five senses: you see them, hear them,
smell them, taste them, and feel them.
E.g. Can you smell the tea?
Countable nouns (or Count Nouns)
A noun with both a singular and a plural
form.
A countable noun can be made plural and
attached to a plural verb in a sentence.
E.g. The chairs are dirty.
Non-Countable Nouns (or Mass
Nouns)
One which does not have a plural
form. It refers to something we
wouldnt usually count.
A non-countable noun always
takes a singular verb in a sentence
E.g. Oxygen is essential to human
life
Collective Nouns
The name given to a
group of things,
animals, or persons.
E.g. The flock of geese
spends most of its time
in the pasture.


ARTICLES

- Articles are used before nouns.
- Articles are used before adjectives followed by a noun.

Note: why it is a unit and an umbrella?
Because unit begins with a consonant sound /j/ and umbrella begins with a vowel sound //

- When using the definite article, it essentially remains the same in all cases, although speakers
do vary the pronunciation according to whether a vowel or a consonant follows. For example:
/i:/ the other the aeroplane
// the ball the tent

The Article Chart

Draw/Project the following chart on the board and explain the rule:

Articles
General
Countable (anything
that exists in a plural
form)
Singular - a,
an
Plural - no article or
some, few, many, a few
Uncountable (anything that
can't be numbered; no article
or some, much, a little)
Specific (defined)
e.g. the book

Have the following sentences/ phrases in the left column (the rules) prepared on chits of paper. Hand
out these chits to groups/pairs/individuals as per batch strength and ask them to walk up to the
whiteboard and identify the rule OR write them on colored charts and ask them to identify the rules.
Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in
the world This boy is the tallest boy in
the class
We use the with superlatives (which are
the highest degrees of the comparison).

Other uses of 'a'
A cow or the cow is a useful (Animal class)

When one word refers to the class we can use a or the.
No Article
I went to church (means to pray); I went to a church to
apply for a job (not primary purposes).
When words like prison, bed, school, church, collage,
hospital, university are used for the primary purpose, we
dont use an article.
I had a delicious lunch; I want to eat a hearty breakfast. An article is not used before names of meals, unless it is
preceded by an adjective.
Other Uses of 'The'
The Pacific Ocean, The Mediterranean Sea, The Indian
Ocean, The Sahara desert, The Nile
We use the with proper nouns such as names of oceans,
seas, deserts, rivers etc.
The Himalayas, The Rocky Mountains, Mount Everest,
The Caribbean, The West Indies

We use the before groups of mountains and islands. We
do not use the before the names of mountain peaks when
they are prefixed by the word 'Mount'.
Peter, Kathy, Capitol, Citibank Proper nouns usually don't take the.
The United States of America, The People's Republic
of China, The Arab Republic of Egypt, The Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, The Soviet Union, The Arab Republic
of Egypt, The United States of America
We use the before countries with names including
republic, united, union, kingdom. Names of countries
dont take the, such as France, Ghana, Germany.
I play the guitar I play the piano I play the flute I have
a guitar, I got a piano.

We use the with musical instruments for the primary
purposes. Otherwise, we decide which article to use
depending on the context e.g. I have a guitar at home.
The guitar that you bought has been stolen.
Names of musical instruments dont take the, such as:
guitars, pianos.
I had a bike; I used to play with the bike; My mum
used to make a sandwich every day; I love having the
sandwich which mum makes me every day.
When we mention something for the first time we use a
We use the when you mention nouns for the second time
The fourth student in that row; The sixth pen in my
pencil case
We use the before the ordinals (ordinals are numbers in
this form: forth, seventh, first).
Mt. Everest is the highest mountain in the world; This
boy is the tallest boy in the class.
We use the with superlatives (which are the highest
degrees of the comparison).


Proofreading

Here is a copy of a letter that Ashima wrote to her daughter, however when she was
typing it out on her PC, a certain virus on her computer deleted all the articles from her
letter. Ashima is frustrated as she does not speak or write English fluently and she got her
friend, Alisha, to translate this letter into English. Please, help Ashima put in the articles at the
appropriate places so that she can mail out the letter to her daughter.

The Letter
My dear little one,
I have not written letter to you for quite while. Six months have passed since that fateful day
when your father left us - six months of sorrow, pain and tears. world goes on, oblivious of the
trials and tribulations in our life. I do not know where to begin. Would your tender mind even
understand repercussions of void created by your fathers departure from our lives?
That day was great day for us; your father had landed himself new job. Pay packet that he would
bring home would change our lifestyle. I remember your eyes lighting up with excitement, incessant
prattle between your brother and you. many plans that both of you were drawing up travel, holidays,
gizmos, works. Sitting out on terrace with his arms around two of you, your father had
promised that he would see that all your plans see light of day.
But fate dictated otherwise. Your dreams turned to dust in the flash of second when that unknown
intruder shot at your father at point blank range from house across. You screamed , your
brother cowered in fright behind me while I looked on unwilling to believe what my eyes saw.
The police have yet to find killer or worthwhile motive. wheels of bureaucracy turns slowly and life
time may go by with questions unanswered. I have done all that I possibly can , running form
one office to other to nail killer, but my attempts have been in vain.
I have lot of explaining to do, amends to make and answers to give. You may not understand
and I will not explain. Staying with your aunt was perhaps only rightful thing I did at that point of
time. I do not know what both of you will make of it.
When the time is right and pain has eased little I will sit both of you down and explain in my
clumsy manner why I made choice to send you away to my sister. Till then, bear with me my
little one. Stoical as you are, you have accepted everything with equanimity. May god continue to
give you strength to bear the crosses that he has in store for you.
Mom

Use Some, A, An or blank to fill in the blank spaces:

1. Can you give me ___ hand here?
2. Our neighbours are ____ actors.
3. All friends are equal, but ____ friends are more equal than others!
4. Mary Jane reads ___ a lot of comic books.
5. I don't need ___ shoulder to cry on. I just need you to lend me __ ear.
6. The press has so many ____ questions to ask me.
7. Peter is ___ better at Chemistry than Harry.
8. What ___ illuminating idea! This is sure to win you ___ Nobel Prize.
9. I've run out of ___ ideas.
10. There are ____ ideas that just click at the right time and make great advertisements.
11. Gilbert predicted that ____ recession was in the offing.
12. I lived in Simla when I was ______ child.
13. Martin Scorcese has directed _____ of the best movies of the 20th century.
14. I would love to play _____ drums but I just can't find the time.
15. My friend is in _____ hospital recovering from a hernia operation.
16. _____ priest was so nervous that he nearly fainted in ____ church.
17. I like all British authors but Charles Dickens is ___ my favorite.
18. However, I like ___ of his books better than _____ others.
19. That is quite ___ sweat you have worked up!
20. __ huge fire broke out in the building.


PRONOUNS
Types of Pronouns:

Subject
Pronouns
Object
Pronouns
Possessive
Adjectives
Possessive
Pronouns
Reflexive
Pronouns
1
st
person I Me My Mine Myself
2
nd
person You You Your Yours Yourself
3
rd
person (m) He Him His His Himself
3
rd
person (f) She Her Her Hers Herself
3
rd
person (n) It It Its (not used) Itself
1
st
person (pl.) We Us Our Ours Ourselves
2
nd
person (pl.) You You Your Yours Yourselves
3
rd
person (pl) They Them Their Theirs Themselves

Personal pronouns
I, we, you, he, she, it, they are called 'Personal Pronouns', because they stand for the three persons (1st,
2nd and 3rd).
1. I and we denote the persons speaking.
Personal
Possessive
Reflexive
Demonstrative Relative
Indefinite
Interrogative

2. You denotes the person spoken to.
3. He, she, it and they represent the person spoken about.

Forms of personal pronouns

The nominative form must be used when the pronoun occurs as the subject of the sentence. The
accusative form must be used when the pronoun occurs as the object of the sentence.

Nominative (Subject) Accusative (Object) Possessive
I Me My, Mine
We Us Our, ours
You You Your, Yours
He Him His
She Her Her, hers
It It Its
They Them Their, theirs

The personal pronoun in the third person singular has three genders

I t is used in the following cases:
1. For things without life
E.g. Here is your book; take it away.

2. For animals, unless we want to specify the gender
E.g. I love my dog and cannot do without it/him/her.

3. For babies and very young children
Masculine (he)
Feminine
(she)
Neuter
(it)

E.g. He saw the child and it was crying.

4. To refer to some statement mentioned before
E.g. The bank does not provide legal documents and he knows it.

5. As a provisional, temporary subject before the verb to be, when the real subject follows
E.g. It is easy to find fault. (To find fault is easy)
It is certain that you are wrong. (That you are wrong is certain)

6. To give emphasis to the noun or pronoun following
E.g. It was you who began the quarrel.
It was in Delhi that we first met.

7. As an indefinite nominative of a personal pronoun
E.g. It rains.
8. Speaking of the weather or the time
E.g. It is winter.
It is 10 o clock.

Reflexive and Emphatic Pronouns
- When we add 'self' to my, your, him, her, it or 'selves' to your, our, them we get compound personal
pronouns. They are called 'reflexive pronouns' when the action done by the subject turns back or
reflects upon the subject.
E.g. I hurt myself
They hurt themselves
- When they are used for emphasis, they are called 'emphatic pronouns'.
E.g. I will do it myself
She herself says so

FORMS Singular Plural
First person Myself Ourselves
Second Person Yourself Yourselves

Third Person
Himself Themselves
Herself Themselves
Itself Themselves

Demonstrative pronouns:
- These are pronouns that are used to point out the objects to which they refer.
- They are: This, that, these, those, such
- This and that are singular.
These and those are plural.
- This and these are used to refer to things close by.
That and those are used to refer to things far away.

Indefinite and Distributive Pronouns:
- Each, either and neither are called distributive pronouns because they refer to persons one
at a time. For this reason, they are always singular, and the verb used with them is also
singular.

- Either means one or the other of two, while neither means 'not the one' or 'the other of two'.
It is the negative of either.

- When more than two are spoken of, one should use any instead of either, and no one or
none instead of neither.

- All, any, most, some are indefinite pronouns and may be used to refer to either singular,
plural or uncountable.

- The following are always singular:

Anyone (body, thing, where)
Someone (body, thing, where)
No one (body, thing, where)

Relative Pronouns
A relative pronoun is one that relates back to some noun that occurs earlier in the same sentence.
Examples:
1. I am the one who composed this song.
2. This is the bus that I was talking about.
3. I say what I mean.
4. This is the house which belongs to my uncle.

Forms of the relative pronouns
Nominative Accusative Genitive
Who Whom/Who Whose
That That That
Which Which Whose
What What What

Note:
1. 'What' is used only in the singular form.
2. 'That' is never used with the preposition preceding.

3. 'Who' is used to refer to people, while 'which' is used to refer to animals, inanimate objects and
sentences.

Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are those which are used in asking questions.
1. Who is used only for people.
2. What is used only for things.
3. Which is used for both persons and things.

Spot the Pronoun

The sentences

1. Everyone has to finish the work by this evening.

2. We don't know how to answer all the questions.

3. I am the guy who ate all the cake.

4. Either the book or the shirt has to go.

5. This is preposterous!

6. The pen is hers not mine.

7. That door has not been shut even after repeated requests!

8. I would have done it myself, but I hurt my ankle when I bumped into him.

9. Manchester United is the team that has won the last seven matches.

10. Who said there is no hope left?

11. When do you leave for San Francisco?

12. It is a truth universally acknowledged that behind a successful appraisal is a very surprised
employee!

13. Did someone knock the pot of honey off the table?
14. We are here to listen to all the issues that a customer might face.

15. Our dream house will be better than yours.


VERBS
Verb Search


Simple Present Simple Past Past Participle


The four forms of verbs
Forms of the Verb
Verb 1st form
(present)
2nd form (past) 3rd form
(participle/perfect)
4
th
form
(progressive/continuous)
Run Run/s Ran Run Running
Sit Sit/s Sat Sat Sitting
Hit Hit/s Hit Hit Hitiing
Go Go/es Went Gone Going
Forgive Forgive/s Forgave Forgiven Forgiving
Look Look/s Looked Looked Looking
Search Search/es Searched Searched Searching
Behave Behave/s Behaved Behaved Behaving

Regular and Irregular verbs:
- Verbs that follow the rule of add 'ed' to create the past and past participle forms are regular
verbs.
- Verbs that do not follow the rule and have different spelling or the same spellings for the
past and past participle forms are called irregular verbs.

Note that:
- The first form is always used in the present tense.
- The second form is always used for the simple past.
- The third form is used for the perfect tense.
- The 'ing' for is used for all continuous/progressive tenses.

Intransitive verbs
1. The action does not pass on to the object of the sentence.
2. A verb that can exist without an object.
3. A verb that needs a preposition in order to take an object.

Example:
- The boat sank.
- The car stopped suddenly.

Incomplete predication

Look at the following sentences:
- The baby sleeps.

- *The baby seems

This first sentence makes complete sense, while the second is incomplete in meaning.
In some intransitive verbs, in order to complete the sentence, we need to add a complement.
E.g. The baby seems happy.
Such verbs usually express the idea of being, becoming, seeming or appearing.
Note: The complement can be:
- A noun/ a noun phrase
- An adjective

E.g.
Tabby is a cat.
The earth is round.
The sky grew dark.
She appears pleased.
Sugar tastes sweet.

Transitive verbs
- The action passes on to the object of the sentence.
- A verb that can't exist without an object
- Such verbs dont need a preposition in order to take an object.

Example
- Anand kicks a ball; Anand kicked the ball.
- Asher made cake; Asher makes cake.
- I the trainer

Incomplete predication:
Certain transitive verbs require, besides the object, a complement to complete their meaning. When the
complement describes the object, it is called the 'objective complement'.
Note: The complement can be:
A noun
An adjective


Example
The boys made Rama captain.
His parents named him Harry.
Exercise has made his muscles strong.
I consider the man trustworthy.
The jury found him guilty.

Ditransitive Verbs
Certain verbs take two objects: a direct object, which is usually the name of the thing, and an indirect object
which denotes the person to whom something is given or for whom something is done e.g. give, ask, offer,
promise, tell.
Examples:
- His father gave him (direct) a watch (indirect).
- He told me (indirect) a secret (direct).

Note: Most verbs can be used both s transitive and intransitive verbs:

Transitive Intransitive
- The ants fought the wasps.
- The shot sank the ship.
- He rang the bell.
- Some ants fight very fiercely.
- The ship sank rapidly.
- The bell rang loudly.

Write examples for these verbs in the table below: stop, speak, kick, feel

Transitive Intransitive


Verb Classification
Verbs are divided into two basic groups:
- Helping Verbs

- Main Verbs

A helping verb implies the fact that provides assistance. In other words, it assists another word. It may
also be called an auxiliary verb.
Let us take a helping verb and put it into a sentence.
*People are.
Can we understand anything from this sentence? The sentence has both a subject and a verb.
Nevertheless, we cannot make sense of it. This is simply because a helping verb cannot exist by itself
and needs to accompany or support a main verb. They do not mean anything when they are by
themselves; however, they are absolutely essential to complete the grammatical structure of the
sentence. They go hand in hand with main verbs.
The main helping verbs are:
Be and its forms,
Have and its forms,
Do and its forms.
There are other helping verbs called 'modal verbs'. These are helping verbs which modify the
meaning of the main verb in some way and express possibility or necessity. We shall examine them
separately in a later chapter.
Similarly, you also have yet another group of verbs called 'linking verbs'. These verbs connect a
subject with an adjective or a noun that describes the subject.
Example:
The flowers smelled wonderful.
The students felt delighted.
The common linking verbs are: be, appear, become, sound, taste, smell, remain, seem, feel, grow,
look, go, become, turn.

Let us expand on our earlier sentence.
People are walking.
By adding the main verb 'walking', the sentence becomes meaningful. It is complete and by assisting
the main verb, the helping verb has played its role of providing assistance.
A main verb can exist by itself and does not need the assistance of the helping verb at all times.
Look at this example:
People eat.
There is a subject and a main verb. They agree in number and give a complete meaning.
There are thousands of main verbs and, similarly, there are different kinds of classifications as well.
Essentially, it needs to be remembered that a verb can take a direct object e.g. I saw an elephant or it
can stay without one e.g. He has arrived.

Quiz
Identify the verb and put it in the space provided.
1. The bottle fell on the floor and broke. ( )
2. They play a lot of classical music. ( )
3. I like to drink cold milk. ( )
4. My aunt and uncle moved to Germany. ( )
5. Please cancel my ticket. ( )

Some verbs are used only in the simple tenses, and are not used in the
continuous tenses. These verbs are called stative verbs, or state verbs.
A verb which is not a stative verb is called a dynamic verb, and is
usually an action.
Often, stative verbs are about liking or disliking something, or about a
mental state, not about an action e.g. agree, appear, believe, belong,
concern, consist, contain, depend, deserve, disagree, dislike, doubt, feel
(have an opinion), fit, hate, hear, imagine, impress, include, involve,
know, like, love, matter, mean, measure (be long), mind, need, owe, own, prefer, promise, realize,
recognize, remember, seem, sound, suppose, surprise, understand, want, weigh (have weight), wish.

Some stative verbs can be used as dynamic verbs in special cases:

Examples:
- Be you are being stupid (means behaving or acting).
- Have I am having a party/a picnic, a bath, a good time, a break, fun, a child (as part of an
expression)
- See I have been seeing my girlfriend for four months now (have a relationship with); I'm seeing
Brenda tomorrow (meeting).
- Taste, smell, feel, look The chef is feeling good.
- Think What are you thinking about (the process of thinking).

Helping/ Auxiliary Verbs
The verbs have/has, be (am, is, are, etc.) and do, are used with main verbs to make the following:
- Tenses
- Passive forms
- Questions
- Negatives

The following table shows these uses:
Verb Use Example/s

Be
To form the continuous tense He is working; I was writing.
To form the passive The gate was opened.
To indicate a plan, arrangement, agreement I am to submit this tomorrow;
We are to meet them next week.
To denote a command

You are to fill these forms before noon;
They are to report at work tomorrow.

Have
perfect tenses He has worked;
He has been working.
To indicate obligation I have to be there by five;
He has to move it himself;
They had to be there by five.
In negatives and questions, have to and had
to are used with do, does, did.

They have to go; They dont have to go;
Do they have to go?
He had to go; He didnt have to go; Did
he have to go?

Do
To form the negative or the interrogative of
the simple present and simple past tenses
He doesnt work; He didnt work;
Does he work; did he work?
To avoid repetition of a previous verb Did he go there? Yes, he did
To emphasize the affirmative

You do sound tired;
He does look like he needs some rest.
Note:
A verb can be a helping verb only if there is already another verb in the sentence; if a verb is the only
verb in the sentence, it cannot be the helping verb.
If there is a main verb and a helping verb in a sentence, then it is the helping verb that agrees with the
subject, and not the main verb.

Modals
Modals are defective verbs, as they do not fulfill all the characteristics of a verb:
- They do not take an 's' in the third person singular.
- They have no infinitive form.
- They have no 'ing' form.

Examples:
- I can speak English.
- I could process the application.
- He might be late.
- Would you like to come to the party?
Modal Meaning Usage
Can Ability I can work.
May Permission May I come in?
Will Certain and future I will come to work today.
Could Ability with an offer I could process the application.
Would Conditional / past time habit I would like to go.
Should Advice He should be here.
Might Possibility It might rain tomorrow.
Must Obligation / Necessity There must be a way out.

Verbals
There are three verb forms in English that are known as 'verbals'.
These are
1. Verbal Adjectives : Participles
2. Verbal Nouns: Gerunds and Infinitives
In this section we shall primarily look at gerunds and participles.

Verbal Adjectives: Participles
Participles are verbals which are used as adjectives. It can be directly placed before the noun it
modifies. It can also be used as predicate adjectives after linking verbs.
He runs a flourishing business (flourishing modifies business).
The game was exciting (exciting used as a predicate adjective).

There are three participles that are commonly used as adjectives:
1. The present participle (active voice) ending in 'ing' is most commonly used as an adjective
e.g. The tired mom looked helplessly at the howling baby.
2. The past participle usually ends in 'ed', 'd', 't', 'n', or 'en' e.g. Beaten eggs are used in cakes;
The neglected child was picked up by the NGO ( modifies the noun 'child').
3. The perfect participle is formed by prefixing the word having to the past participle having
called e.g. Having completed the job, the man left early. (the perfect participle having).
(completed modifies the clause "the man left early".)
Verbal Nouns
A verbal noun is a noun which is derived from a verb and exhibits the properties of a noun. There are
two verbal nouns in the English language: Gerunds and Infinitives.

Gerunds
A gerund is a verb form that ends in 'ing' and functions in a sentence as a noun e.g. Walking is
good for health; I love swimming.
Gerunds are also derived from verbs and have the ing form. It can also take the same kind of
modifiers and complements that verbs take. Gerunds are primarily verb forms used as nouns. A

gerund can additionally be modified by an adjective or an adjective phrase. As it takes on the role
of a noun it can function as the subject of a sentence, the direct object of a verb , the object of a
preposition or as a predicate noun after a linking verb.
Example/s
- Painting is Alisons hobby (gerund used as subject).
- Alison enjoys painting (used as direct object).
- Alison earns a living by painting (object of preposition).
- Alisons hobby is painting (used as a predicate noun).
A gerund can take on a direct object since it takes on the characteristics of a verb.
- Cleaning the floor was one of Aliaas duties ('cleaning' is a gerund used as the subject of
the sentence; the noun 'floor' is an object).
Since the gerund functions as a noun, it can be modified by an adjective or by a noun or
pronoun used as an adjective e.g. The slow driving in the hills irritated Matilda ('slow' is an
adjective modifying the gerund 'driving'); The critics praised her wonderful singing ('her' is a
pronoun used as an adjective modifying 'singing').

I nfinitives
An infinitive is to + verb in the first form which functions as a noun e.g. I want you to wait; I love to
swim.


ADJECTIVES
An adjective is a word that describes a noun or a pronoun (e.g. Roasted chicken is my favorite food
(Here, the adjective 'favorite' describes the noun 'food'); He is handsome.
Adjectives have three forms of comparison:
Syllable Positive Comparative Superlative
1 Cold Colder (+er) Coldest (+est)
1 Hot Hotter Hottest
2 (ending with a vowel
sound)
Pretty Prettier (+ier) Pretties (+iest)
2 (ending with a consonant
sound)
Handsome More handsome (+more) Most handsome
(+most)
3 Beautiful More beautiful (+more) Most beautiful
(+most)

Quiz
A) Ask the batch to complete the following table:

Positive Comparative Superlative
Nice Nicer Nicest
Tall Taller Tallest
Cold
Bright
Sweet
Beautiful
Ridiculous
Vulnerable
Appreciative
Good
Bad

B) B) Insert the appropriate comparative or superlative forms of the simple positive
adjectives in brackets:
1. This is the ____ (rowdy) that I have seen the crowd.
2. My father is the _______ (old) of six brothers.
3. I appreciate your ____ (kind) gesture. This is the ____ (sweet) behaviour that I have encountered in
this city.
4. We cannot put this _____ (mammoth) tree down. It is a testament to all the ____ (great) times we
have had in this house.

5. Put your _______ (good) foot forward.
6. The teddy bear that I bought for my kid is not as ____ (cuddly) as the one I saw in the display
window.
7. Thor is ____ (brave) than Green Lantern.
8. He needs to be _______ (combative) than he has been in the past.
9. She is the _______ (loud) amongst all the contestants.
10. Use the _______ (quaint) trick that you have.
11. The Everest is _______ (high) than the Kanchenjunga.
12. Its the _______ (bad) that has ever happened to the country.

True to the nature of English language, most rules also have exceptions. Certain adjectives taken on
irregular forms when being compared.
Good Better Best
Bad Worse Worst
Much, Many More Most
Little Less Least
Far Further Furthest

Certain adjectives, like unique, perfect and ideal are incomparable and do not take on more or most.
They can exist only in the positive form. Can you think up some more?
Example:
This is a uniqueplan.
We cannot say: *This plan is more unique than that one.

A pitfall that most second language speakers of the English language should avoid is the tendency to
use a double comparative or superlative. This is often the first language influence on our speech.

Have you heard yourself say, *This is more better. or *She is more prettier than her.?
The Adjective Grammar in a Page
WHAT ARE ADJECTIVES?
Adjectives are words that describe or modify another
person or thing in the sentence. It usually precedes the
noun or the pronoun it modifies.
Examples:
1) Sita is a Clever girl. (What kind of?)
2) I dont like that boy. (Which boy?)
3) He gave me five mangoes. (How many mangoes?)
4) There is little time for preparation. (How much
time?)
1) Adjectives of Quality or Descriptive
Adjective:
Shows the kind or quality of a person or thing.
Adjectives of Quality answer the question of what
kind? e.g. Kolkata is a large city;
He is an honest man.
The Order of Adjectives:
Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Colour, Origin,
Material, Purpose e.g. The silly, huge, old, round,
red, English, woolen sleeping bag
2) Adjectives of Quantity
Adjectives of Quantity answer the question: How
Much?
He has little intelligence.
Take great care of your health.
The whole sum was expended.
The same Adjectives may be classed as of Quantity or
Number, according to its use as above.
Adjectives of Quantity
Adjectives of Quantity
answer the question:
How Much?
I ate some rice.
He has lost all his wealth
You have no sense.
He did not eat any rice.
I have enough sugar.
Adjectives of Number
Some boys are clever.
All men must die.
There are no pictures in
this book.
Are there any mango
trees in this garden?
There are not enough
spoons.
3) Adjectives of Number or Numeral Adjectives:
Show how many people or things are meant, or in
what order a person or thing stands:
I have taught you many things.
Few cats like cold water.
There are several mistakes in your exercise.

Adjectives of Number are of 3 kinds:
i) Definite
Numeral
Adjectives
denote an exact
number e.g. One,
two, three etc.,
Cardinals (how
many) e.g. First,
second, third,
Ordinals (order
of things).
ii)
Indefinite
Numeral
Adjectives
do not denote
an exact
number e.g.
all, no, many,
few, some,
any, certain,
several etc.
iii) Distributive
Numeral
Adjectives
refer to each
one of a number
e.g. each boy
must take his
turn; Every
word of it is
false; Either
pen will do.
Note: The Articles a, an, and theare adjectives.
Examples: the tall professor; a six-year-old child.
4) Demonstrative Adjectives: point out which person
or thing is meant. Demonstrative adjectives answer the
question: Which? e.g. This boy is stronger.
That, These, Those, such e.g. Dont be in such a
hurry.
5) I nterrogative Adjectives: What, which and
whose when used with nouns to ask questions are
called Interrogative Adjectives.
Which way shall we go? Whose book is this?
6) Emphasizing Adjectives: OWN
I saw it with my own eyes.
He was beaten at his own game.
Mind your own business. / He is his own master.
7) Exclamatory Adjectives: WHAT
What genius!
What an idea!
What a blessing!


In English, when we use more than one adjective in a sentence, it has to be placed in the right order:
Determines Opinion Size Age Shape Colour Origin Material Purpose

A/ an
The
Silly Large New Square Blue Egyptian Wooden Sleeping
Beautiful Tiny Young Round Pink Lunar Metal Roasting
Horrible Enormous Old Flat Reddish Southern Cotton Laughing
Difficult Little Ancient Rectangular Grey American Silky Parking

- A silly young English man was wearing an enormous old cotton trouser.
- There was a huge round metal bowl on the ugly reddish wooden table.
- The beautiful young girl was taking her little grey dog for a walk.

A) Chose the correct adjective order for each of these noun phrases (tick the correct option):
1)
(a) a small Canadian thin lady
(b) a Canadian small thin lady
(c) a small thin Canadian lady
(d) a thin small Canadian lady

2)
(a) a carving steel new knife
(b) a new steel carving knife
(c) a steel new carving knife
(d) a new carving steel knife

3)
(a) a beautiful blue sailing boat
(b) a blue beautiful sailing boat
(c) a sailing beautiful blue boat
(d) a blue sailing beautiful boat

4)
(a) a cotton dirty old tie
(b) a dirty cotton old tie
(c) an old cotton dirty tie
(d) a dirty old cotton tie

5)
(a) a small Japanese serving bowl
(b) a Japanese small serving bowl
(c) a small serving Japanese bowl
(d) a serving small Japanese bowl

B) Write the correct noun phrase, putting the adjectives in order. E.g. blue/small/German/doll -
A small blue German doll.
1) Round / small / reading / lamp

A small, round reading lamp
___________________________________________
2) German / old / yellow / car

An old, yellow German car
___________________________________________
3) Physics / interesting / senior / teacher

A senior, interesting Physics teacher

___________________________________________
4) Wooden / huge / sailing / ship

A huge, wooden sailing ship
___________________________________________
5) Sugar / blue / round / bowl

A round, blue sugar bowl
___________________________________________
6) Slim / Canadian / handsome / snowboarder

A handsome, slim Canadian snowboarder

ADVERBS
Definition: An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb.
Examples:
- Harry runs quickly (modifies a verb).
- This is a very difficult course (modifies an adjective).
- Garry runs very fast (modifies an adverb).

Sometimes, adverbs can also modify a phrase or a whole sentence:
Examples:
- She was sitting close beside him (modifies a phrase).
- Probably he is mistaken (modifies a sentence).

There are various different kinds of adverbs, as follows:

1. Adverbs of time which show when? e.g. already, soon, just, still, once
Example: I have heard this before.

2. Adverbs of frequency which show how often? e.g. always, usually, normally, often, frequently,
sometimes, occasionally, rarely, seldom, hardly ever, never.
Example: I have told you twice.

3. Adverbs of place which show where?
Example: Come in!

4. Adverbs of manner which show how? (derived from adjectives and end in 'ly').
Example: Garry reads clearly.

5. Adverbs of degree/ quantity which show how much? e.g almost, nearly, hardly, really.
Example: He was too careless.

6. Adverbs of affirmation or negation e.g. definitely, certainly
Example: He certainly went; I do not know him.

7. Adverbs of reason which show why?
Example: Therefore, I did not show up.

8. Other Adverbs [even, merely, just, only, really]

The position of adverbs
While adjectives always occur before the noun, adverbs do not always occur before a verb. There are
rules that tell us where to place the adverb in a sentence.
Position of Adverbs
Types Examples
1 Adverbs of Manner (after verb) It is raining heavily; She speaks English well
2 Adverbs/Adverb phrases of place (after verb) He will come here.
3 Adverbs, after verb (and its object) She sang well in the concert.
4 Adverbs of frequency, between subject and verb His wife never cooks.
5 If verb is am/are/is/was, adverb comes after I am always late for school.
6 Adverb Enough is always placed after the word it modifies He spoke loud enough to be heard.
7 Adverb before verb be, when it is stressed "Do you eat meat?" - "Yes, I sometimes do."
8 Adverb before have to and used to I often have to go to college on foot.
9 Adverb modifies adj. or adverb it comes before it Tanmay is a rather lazy boy.
10 Only is usually put before the verb Leon only works when he's happy.


Comparison of Adverbs
Comparison of Adverbs
Positive Comparative Superlative
Monosyllabic Adverbs (+er/+est) Fast Faster Fastest
Adverbs ending in ly (+more/+most)* Swiftly More swiftly Most swiftly
Some of the commonest adverbs form
their C&S Degrees irregularly.
Ill/Badly Worse Worst
Also, only Adverbs of MANNER,
DEGREE and TIME admit of
comparison
Well Better Best

Word Order With Adverbs
Thoughts often flood our minds and we are unaware of the word order when we speak. This can lead
to bloopers that will make you the laughing stock of the group.
Take a look at these sentences:
A: They reported that Michael Jackson, an American pop star had died on the six oclock news.
B: Did the man die on television?
Where could place the underlined modifier?
Misplacement is also possible with simple modifiers like, barely and only:
- Sara only grew to be four feet tall (not an appropriate usage, belittling Sarah).
- Only Sara grew to be four feet tall (not any one else).
- She grew to be only four feet tall (appropriate usage).
Word order in sentence structure is very important and a culprit that often contributes to wrong word
order is the adverb. You definitely need a lot of practice with adverbs. Let us work on this activity.
Remember, speed matters!

Identify the adverb in the following sentences:

1. It is a really sunny day today.

2. I go for a walk daily.

3. She was dressed more carefully than before.

4. This is an extremely serious situation.

5. I am not going to the party.

6. Tom had heard somewhere that the water in the pond had medicinal qualities.

7. There goes the last bus.

8. When will you get down to cleaning your room?

9. Louis Santiago had never heard such a beautiful voice.

10. He swung the bat stylishly as he took his stance.

11. Unfortunately, he could not get the bat down fast enough to stop the cricket ball from crashing into
the stumps!

12. It usually doesnt take this long
13. Sometimes, restarting a computer helps.
14. We sometimes get calls from all parts of the world.
15. I have sent it already.
16. I just checked it.

17. I will send it soon.

18. You may not get it immediately, but should expect it soon.

19. I can speak slowly for you.

20. It can be installed easily.

21. Let me check this quickly.

22. Please tap the F8 key continuously.

23. It can be fixed easily.

24. It can be removed easily.

25. He always gets late.


26. I see that you always make your payments on time.

27. It is always possible for us to recheck the order.

28. These errors often occur together.

29. Are you still interested in the offer?

30. Yes, we always are.

31. You will never have to call us back.

TASK SHEETS

TASK SHEET 1
Circle the adverb in each sentence:
We got away quickly.
My cousin and I finally left for Paris.
We merrily waded through the water.
Alia then surprised everyone.
The girl typed fast.
Did you go there?
The child played happily.
I arrived in Rome yesterday.
This is a very interesting book.
The music is too loud.


TASK SHEET 2
Unscramble the sentences below:
1. speaks fluently he five languages

__________________________________________
2. car new I bought have a just sports

__________________________________________
3. became soon bored Susan with new boyfriend her

__________________________________________
4. already three presents given has leaving we been

__________________________________________
5. hardly days at are home there ever these

__________________________________________
6. never to been he Cairo before. had

__________________________________________
7. comes home after regularly midnight she

__________________________________________
8. some has food my mother only brought

__________________________________________
9. the house led later than to built had of a me that rest been room the he obviously

__________________________________________
10. India a days generally letter it three to for reach takes

__________________________________________
Courtesy: http://www.johnsesl.com

TASK SHEET 3
Unscramble the words below:
1. ylouisxna ________________

2. yyatlbonu ________________

3. yliylacnc ________________

4. lldlfyuoe ________________

5. haryazahpdl ________________

6. oiyomdl _______________

7. arwtlodyu ________________

8. rylpta ________________

9. ayiltplyc ________________

10. rnyovuitlal ________________
Courtesy: http://teach-nology.com


Quiz:
Pick the adverbs and identify what part of speech it is modifying in the following sentences:
1. He is too shy. (modifying an adjective)

2. We rose very early. (modifying an adverb)

3. Too many cooks spoil the broth. (modifying an adjective)

4. Are you quite sure? (modifying a verb)

5. Once or twice we have met alone. (modifying a verb)

6. The railway station is far off. (modifying an adjective)

7. I have heard this before. (modifying a verb)

8. The walk was rather long. (modifying an adjective)

9. Mr. Nixon formerly lived here. (modifying a verb)

10. Ambition urges me forward. (modifying a verb)


PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions can completely change the meaning of a sentence.
Examples:
I am inside the class.
I am outside the class.

A couple of incorrect examples to can change the meaning of your sentences:
Example: I'm sitting on my computer.
I'm afraid from dogs.
I want know how to meet new people.
By the time we arrived the party, it was finished.
Prepositions become very crucial when giving customers instructions.
Example:
- Can you see the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop?
- You can find the serial number at the back of the printer.

A preposition is a part of speech which comes before a noun/noun phrase. They are called
'Prepositions' because they are positioned before a noun and any preposition has to be followed by a
noun/noun phrase in a sentence.

Examples:
- Climb up (Adverb)
- Climb up the wall (Preposition)
- The book is on the table (followed by a noun phrase 'the table').
- Run along the river (followed by a noun phrase 'the river').
- Put him over there
- He is red with fury (followed by a noun 'fury').

We use prepositions to establish a relationship between the two parts of the sentence. Those two parts
might be:
- A verb and a noun
- Two nouns
- Pronoun and a noun
- An adjective and a noun


From the perspective of effectiveness and applicability, we will keep it simple and look at two types of
prepositions for our session. They are:

1. Prepositions of Time

2. Prepositions of Place (position/direction)

Lets begin with examples and usages for prepositions of Time:

1. On: For days and dates:
Examples:
a) I will meet you on Saturday.
b) I was born on the 20th of March.
c) Don't call me next week; I will be on vacation.
d) What are you doing on Christmas day.

2. At: For a specific point of time:
Examples:
a) Call me at 7 O'clock.
b) I will meet you at dawn/dusk.
c) The cocks crow at sunrise.
d) We cut the cake at midnight.

3. In: For an extended period of time:
Examples:
a) I had a glass of milk in the morning.
b) I have a meeting in the evening.
c) John should be back in a month.
d) The admissions open in autumn.

Exception: At night.

The difference in usage between in, within & by:
Write each of the below mentioned sentences and ask the batch to identify the difference in usage:
1. I will be back in a week (implies, at the end of the week).
2. I will be back within a week (implies before the end of the week but we use a period of time).
3. I will be back by Saturday (implies before the end of the week but we use a specific point of time).


Quiz
Complete with either in, within or by as appropriate:
1. We have to call a customer back ___ a week.
2. If you are not back ___ 7, you'll not be allowed to go for the movie.
3. This was your third holiday ____ 3 weeks.
4. I would have finished my homework ____ the time you return.
5. The movie has been running _____ a month.

The difference in usage between some more prepositions of time:

At and around
Identify the difference between the following:
a) I will call you at 7 o'clock.
b) I will call you around 7 o'clock.

- At: implies that I will call exactly at 7 O'clock - Used for a specific/exact/particular time.
- Around: implies that I may not call exactly at 7 O'clock - Used for an approximate time.

To & till: we use to for place and till for time, but if we use from, we can use them interchangeably.
a) I will drop you to your mother's house and I will stay with you till 10 O'clock.
b) I can stay with you from 5 to 8 O'clock.

From, since & for
They are used to when something started in the past and is still continuing.
Identify the difference between the following:
a) I will be here from the 8th of October till the 10th of Dec. (specific duration).
b) I have been here since the 9th of October (point of time).
c) I have been here for a month (duration).

- Till: the time limit for an activity to start or end
- Since: a particular point of time
- For: duration.

During
Identify the use of the following preposition:
a) I will be on vacation during the month of February.
b) I spend time with my parents during the weekend.

During: used for periods of time


Complete:

1. We will call you back _____ the 20th of January.
2. You need pay your bill ____ the 5th of each month.
3. The customer was waiting _____ 7 minutes.
4. I have been a customer _______ 1978.
5. Your account will be activated _____ 2 working days.
6. We have a team meeting ____ 11:30 p.m.
7. May I place the call on hold _____ 2 minutes while I pull up the required information?
8. This is the 2nd time I am calling. My printer has not been working ____ 4 days now.
9. Please wait ____ 2 hours. If your connection is not activated ___ then, I will send a technician to
your house.
10. Your billing cycle is _____ the 15th ____the 30th.

Lets now look at examples and usages for prepositions of Place (Position & Direction):

Position Direction
On: The object must touch the surface.
Ex: The dog is on the chair.
Onto vs. on: Onto denotes that the object is away from
the subject and then getting onto it. On is used when
there is no movement; the object is just placed.
At: Think of the place as a point of reference or
somewhere close.
Ex: I am at my workstation.
Into vs. in: Into The object is out of somewhere and is
getting in. In is already inside the area.

In: Think of the place as an area.
Ex: The children must be playing in their room
right now.
Across: The object is moving from one end to another
horizontally and perpendicularly.
Over: The object is directly above.

Along: The object is moving parallel to something from
one point to another.
Above: The object is at a higher level (may be
over).
Over: The object is moving across at a higher level
without touching the surface.
Beside: Next to, close to, near, around Toward: The object is going in a particular direction.
Besides: In addition to To: Indicates direction.

In addition, here are some helpful nuggets which come in handy while one is talking:
Always remember, when we mention that we are walking from one place to another, we use on foot.
However, while driving a car, we use by car.
It is only appropriate to say that I went in a car. However, when we travel in bigger vehicles which
have steps, we use on.
Example: On a bus, on a ship, on a plane.
Exception: On a bike.
Appropriate usage of with & by: He was killed by the robber (cause) with a knife (tool).
Appropriate usage of from & of: He died of fever after suffering from T.B.


ADJECTIVES AND
PREPOSITIONS
NOUNS AND
PREPOSITIONS
VERBS AND
PREPOSITIONS
Afraid of Precautions against Complain about
Careless about Insight into Protest against.
Familiar with Example of Stare at
Accustomed to Faith in Think about
Accused of Evidence of Apologize for
Parallel to Impression on Abstain from
Acquainted with Animosity towards Believe in
Resistant to Siege to Approve of
Suspected of Connections with Preside over
Intent on Response to Concentrate on
Oblivious to Symbol of Adhere to
Devoid of Acknowledgement of Comply with
Descended from Respect for Mingle with
Noted for Understanding of Succumb to
Torn between Belief in Refrain from
Isolated from Hatred of Abide by
Married to Token of Strive towards
Worried about Pity on Pry into
Jealous of Dependence on React against

Fill in the appropriate preposition that follows the adjective/noun/verb in the table below.


Astonished Eligible
Accustomed Certain
Furnished Exposed
Incapable Envious
Sad Rid
Suspicious Notorious
Superior Precaution
Worried Typical
Qualified Opposed

Prepositions Grammar in a Page
Prepositions
Position
In - When we
view a place as
an area
At - When we see it
as a point
Between - Used
for two persons
or items
Among -Used for
more than two
things or items
Above - Higher
than
Over - Vertically
above

Direction
To - Refers to a
destination
Towards - Refers to direction
Into - Refers to movement
towards the interior
Out of Refers to movement
towards the exterior
Onto - Refers to
movement on top of
Off - Refers to separation e.g. Get
off my back.
At - Refers to aim e.g.
Look at the man
For - Sometimes for direction e.g.
He left for Goa.
From - Used for the point
of departure
To - Refers to a destination
Near - Close to Against - Shows pressure (against
the wall)
Through Passing
between two fixed
boundaries
Around - in circular motion with
something at the centre
Along - Parallel to the side Across - From one side to the other
Over Passing from one
end to the other at a higher
level.
Above - When the movement is over
large water bodies.

Some other Prepositions:
Around, Next to, Near, Close to, along with, in spite of, in lieu of


Inference, Motive,
Source, Origin
From what I know of
him, I hesitate to trust;
him; They did it out of
gratitude; Light emanates
fromthe sun;
Contentment springs from
health; This is a question
fromMilton; His skill
comes frompractice.
Contrast,
Concession, Exception
In spite of every effort,
one may fail; For one
enemy, he has a thousand
friends; Except for this,
everything else is done;
Cannot live without you;
I havent watched any
movie besides
Serendipity.
Agency, Instrumentality
The lock was broken by
robbers; Send the parcel
by post; Was stunned by a
blow; Was destroyed by
the fire; Heard this
through a friend; Cut it
with a knife; Went by bus,
train, car, air, water;
Went on foot
Cause, Reason, Purpose
Died of fever
A good place for a picnic
Did it for our good
Suffers fromgout
Retreated through fear of
an ambush
Lost his purse through
negligence
Shivers with fever
Took medicine for the
cold
Manner - Fought with courage, Called him by his
name
Possession - The boy with red hair, The Sultans of
Swing
Time
By Refers to the
latest time by which
an action will be
over
Around approx. time
e.g. It will take around
an hour.
For Shows the
duration of an action
Since Tells us about
the point of time when
an action, which is
going on now, began
In - At the end of
e.g. I will be back in
a year.
Within - Before the
end of e.g. Within a
month

Important Differences
Of used after died From used after
Suffered
TILL Refers to
time
TO Refers to place
BESIDE At\By the
side of
BESIDES In
addition to,
apart from
WITH Denotes an
instrument
BY Denotes the
agent
A preposition is a word that is used before a
noun, a noun phrase or a pronoun and relates
it to another word.

At
specific time of a day i.e. group activities e.g.
meeting, party, concert; specific time, address,
meals, at present, speed, the moment, the end of
the day, the beginning of the month, weekend*,
home, work, look, shout, good at a subjects, angry,
festivals, occasions
In
Non specific time of a day, seasons, years,
months, decades/centuries /millenniums, historical
period of time, duration, names of streets, avenues
& roads, the past, the future, district/
villages/counties/ towns / cities / states /countries
continents, buildings, rooms & places, a moment,
means of transport, basement, the end of the day,
the beginning of the month
On
days, dates, festival days, television, the radio,
levels of a building, surface of a place / object, the
shelf, the table, , public transport, two wheelers,

No prepositions
upstairs, downstairs, despite, yesterday, today,
tomorrow, entered, season / week / day/ time of the
day/ month / year beginning with Last, Next,
This, Each, Every

Getting back to our list of prepositions
Onto: to a position, on
The baby climbed onto the chair.
Opposite: facing
The store is opposite my house.
Out of: to the outside of, from among, a motive, material, beyond
She went out of the room.
We won two out of three.
We spoke out of courtesy.
It is made out of waste material.
We are out of danger.
Outside: on the outer side, beyond the limits of
Outside our house, I have a garden.
It is outside my area of interest.
Over: higher than, covering, across, more than, during, by means of
There is a bridge over the river.
I spread the cover over the table.
I jumped over the puddle of water.
It costs over two dollars.
I saw her several times over the past one week.
We made plans over the phone.
Past: Beyond, after
I walked past her house.
It was past two O'clock.
Since: from a specific time in the past, from a past time until now

I have been waiting since three Oclock.
I have been waiting here since you called.
I have known him since January.
Through: across, for a whole period, by mean of
The road through town is closed.
I slept through the night.
It will improve through hard work.
To: in the direction of, destination, until, compared with, with indirect object, as part of an infinitive,
in order to
Turn to the left.
We are working from Monday to Saturday.
They prefer tea to coffee.
I am going to Alexandria.
Please give it to me.
I like to ski.
We went to the store to buy a pen.
Towards: in the direction of, near,
We walked towards the bus stop.
It rained towards late evening.
Under: beneath, less than, in circumstances of
I lay down under the trees.
Under 10 people came in.
The bike is under repair.
Underneath: below making contact
The book was underneath the carpet.

Up: to a higher place, in a higher place.
We went up the stairs. She lives up the hill.
Up to: As far as, depending upon, as good as
I have read up to the 55
th
page.
The decision is up to you.
His work is not up to the mark.
With: accompanying, having, manner, by means of, because of
He came with her.
Here is a book with a map.
I washed with soap.
We did it with ease.
He was paralyzed with fear.
Within: inside of
Be here within twenty minutes.
There are no hospitals within a kilometer.
Without: not having
Do not leave without money?


CONJUNCTIONS
When we speak, we do not speak in chunks. Our speech, as well as
writing, is connected through conjunctions. They help the conversation
flow and help the addressee follow your conversation/written text and
make sense of it easily.

Types of Conjunctions

Co-ordinate Conjunctions

Correlative Conjunctions

Subordinate Conjunctions

a) Co-ordinate Conjunctions
Conjunctions that join 2 or more items of equal importance (FAN BOY)
For, and, nor but, or, yet
b) Correlative Conjunctions
Conjunctions that work in pairs to coordinate 2 items
Either - or, neither - nor, not only - but also
c) Subordinate Conjunctions
Conjunctions that join independent clauses to dependent clauses
Although, as, because, before, since, unless
Exercises
Point out the Conjunctions in the following sentences:
1) You will not succeed unless you work harder.
2) I waited till the train arrived.
3) We got into the port before the storm came on.
4) My grandfather died before I was born.
5) Bread and milk are wholesome foods.

6) He asked whether he might have a holiday.
7) I shall be vexed if you do that.
8) I did not come because you did not call me.
9) You will get the prize if you deserve it.
10) We got into the port before the storm came on.
Conjunction activity Crossword: http://iteslj.org/cw/1/vm-conj.html
THE SAME WORD USED AS A DIFFERENT PART OF SPEECH
The following are some of the most important words which may belong to different parts of speech
according to the way in which they are used.
Always remember that it is the function or use that determines to which part of speech a word belongs
in a given sentence.

ABOUT
Adverb: They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins.
Preposition: There is something pleasing about him.

ABOVE
Adverb: The heavens are above.
Preposition: The moral law is above the civil.
Adjective: Analysis the above sentence.
Noun: Our blessings come from above.

ALL
Adjective: All men are mortal. It was all profit and no loss.
Adverb: He was all alone when I saw him.
Pronoun: All spoke in his favour.

Noun: He lost his all in speculation.

AS
Adverb: We walked as fast as we could.
Conjunction: As he was poor I helped him.
Relative Pronoun: She likes the same colour as I do.

BEFORE
Adverb: I have seen you before.
Preposition: He came before the appointed time.
Conjunction: He went away before I came.

BETTER
Adjective: I think yours is a better plan.
Adverb: I know better.
Noun: Give place to your betters.
Verb: The boxes with which he provided me bettered the sample.

BOTH
Adjective: You cannot have it both ways.
Pronoun: Both of them are dead.
Conjunction: Both the cashier and the accountant are Hindus.

ENOUGH
Adjective: There is time enough and to spare.

Adverb: You know well enough what I mean.
Noun: I have had enough of this.

EVEN
Adjective: The chances are even.
Verb: Let us even the ground.
Adverb: Does he even suspect the danger?

LESS
Adjective: You are paying less attention to your studies than you used to do.
Adverb: The population of India is less than that of China.
Noun: He wants $.500 for that watch. He won't be satisfied with less.

Adjective: They are men of like build and stature.
Preposition: Do not talk like that.
Adverb: Like as a father pitieth his own children.
Verb: Children like sweets.

LITTLE
Adjective: There is little danger in going there.
Noun: Man wants but little here below.
Adverb: He eats very little.

MORE
Adjective: We want more men like him.

Pronoun: More of us die in bed than out of it.
Adverb: You should talk less and work more.

MUCH
Adjective: There is much sense in what he says.
Pronoun: Much of it is true.
Adverb: He boasts too much.

NO
Adjective: It is no joke.
Adverb: He is no more.
Noun: I will not take a no!

ONCE
Adverb: I was young once.
Conjunction: Once he hesitates we have him.
Noun: Please help me for once.

ONE
Adjective: One day I met him in the street.
Pronoun: The little ones cried for joy.
Noun: One would think he was mad.

SINCE
Preposition: Since that day I have not seen him.

Conjunction: Since theres no help, come, let us kiss and part.
Adverb: I have not seen him since.

SOME
Adjective: We must find some way out of it.
Pronoun: Some say one thing and others another.
Adverb: Some thirty chiefs were present.

STILL
Verb: With his name the mothers still their babes.
Adjective: Still waters run deep.
Noun: Her sobs could be heard in the still of night.
Adverb: He is still in business.

SUCH
Adjective: Dont be in such a hurry.
Pronoun: Such was not my intention.

TILL
Preposition: Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
Conjunction: Do not start till I give the word.


Exercises
Identify the part of speech for each of the words in italics:
1. He kept the fast for a week. Answer: noun

2. Muslims fast in the month of Ramadan. Answer: verb

3. There is much truth in what he says. Answer: adjective

4. Much cry and little wool. Answer: adverb

5. Little learning is a dangerous thing. Answer: adjective

6. He is little known here. Answer: adverb

7. Still waters run deep. Answer: adjective

8. He still lives in that house. Answer: adverb

9. The after effects of potash bromide are bad. Answer: adjective

10. He went after I came. Answer: conjunction


SENTENCE CONSTRUCTION

1- Types of sentences
2- Subject, Predicate and Word Order
3- Clauses and Phrases
4- Classification of sentences
5- Basic Sentence Patterns

Types of sentences
There are different types of sentences. Each type is used for a
different purpose. We dont use the same type of sentence to ask for information.
Identify what each of those sentences communicates.
- Deepak went home.
- What does he do?
- Be nice to us.
- Shut up!
- What a shame!
Types:

Statements or assertions:
- To respond to a query
- To paraphrase/summarise

Questions:
- To gather information
- To gain agreement/ confirm

Commands/requests:
- Never use commands with the customer, it will lead to a dissatisfied/ angry customer and even
an escalation against you.
- Use requests when asking for information.
- When trying to gain agreement

Exclamations:
To be used when the customer expresses extreme information, either positive or negative:
Examples:
- Customer : I just won the lottery!
CSR :Wow! That's great news.


- Customer : I am sorry; I cannot make the payment since my husband passed away.
CSR : Oh (Low pitch and tone).

One must be very careful when using exclamatory sentences with customers.

A sentence like "Is going to join IBM she" makes no sense and would lead to ineffective
communication.

This is why we need to understand subjects and predicates, their components and their placement in a
sentence.

The subject is what is being spoken about.

The predicate is what is being said about the subject.
- The subject may consist of a word or a group of words:
Examples:
- Ramate the apple.
- The group of boys ate the apple.
- New York and Chicago are two of the best cities in America.
- When the subject contains a group of words, there is always one word which is more important than
the rest of the words. This is called the 'subject word'.
- This word is usually either a noun or a pronoun (It can also be a gerund, but this need not be
discussed with the batch at this point).

- We can call the remainder of the subject 'the enlargement' or the 'Subject-Extras'

Let's look at the following sentences:
- Hecomplaints.
- The sky grew dark.
- The mighty flames spread in every direction.

- The predicate may also consist of one word or several words:

- When the predicate consists of one word, that word is always a verb

- When the predicate is made of several words, the essential or most important word is always a verb.
Let's look at the following sentences:
- The boy paints.
- He went home.
- Singing underwater is dangerous.
Therefore, the most important word in the subject is usually a noun, and the most important word in
the predicate is usually a verb.


Subject Predicate
Enlargement Subject Word Verb Extension
The Sky Grew Dark
- He Went Home
- He Rose To Go
The mighty Flames Spread In every direction
The Swallows Appear Spring Advancing
The Man Seems Worried
Your Book Is There
All Children Pity the poor
To do ones duty Determination Is Laudable
Underwater Singing Is Dangerous

Clauses and Phrases

- A clause is a group of words that contains both one subject and one predicate.

- A phrase is a group of words that makes sense but not complete sense. It also does not contain either
a complete subject or a complete predicate.

- A simple sentence is one that contains only one clause. This means that such a sentence would
contain only one subject and one predicate.

- This is the kind of sentence that we must aim to construct at all times, so that we keep our sentences
short and simple, thus minimizing the chances of making errors.

Examples:
Phrases:
- The boy with the book (does not have a predicate).
- Is heading to the mall (does not have a subject).

Clauses:
- The boy sings.
- The girl plays.

An independent clause:
- has a subject and a predicate
- does not depend on anything else for its meaning
- expresses a complete thought
- is a simple sentence that stands alone
- The policeman blew his whistle and the cars stopped.
(Independent clause and independent clause)

A subordinate clause is groups of words

- has a subject and predicate
- does not express a complete thought
- cannot stand alone
- depends on the main clause for its meaning.
- usually introduced by a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun.
- The cars stopped when the policeman blew his whistle.
(Main clause when dependent clause)

Identify the phrases and the types of clauses:
1. The runner staggered over the hill and became a walker.
2. Ernest was wearing warm clothes.
3. Searching for curse words is hard work.
4. He parked the car in the yard by the barn.
5. Arthur played cards at a quarter to four in the cardinal's garden.
6. I'm sincere about the deer appearing next year.
7. He carefully prepared to go upstairs.
8. Are you sure you can endure the long tour?
9. You rarely need to buy a new pair of socks.
10. Laura will be one year old the year after.

Classification of sentences

Simple sentences
A simple sentence has one subject and one verb. It has only one independent clause.

Compound Sentences
- They consist of two or more independent clauses.
- James joined the navy, but Henry joined the army (Comma and conjunction).
James joined the navy; Henry joined the army (Semicolon).
James joined the navy, but Henry joined the army (Conjunction only).

Remember:
You can identify a compound sentence by checking to see if it has two complete simple sentences
within it.
A coordinate conjunction is ideally used to connect independent clauses of a compound sentence.
Sometimes one can use a transitional word like in fact, then, however, or moreover. Connectives like
these are always preceded by a semicolon (;).
- Some errors are common amongst language learners:

Comma fault: when a comma is used between two independent clauses without a coordinate
conjunction.
- The writer wrote many books for the children, she also wrote a number of biographical novels.
Run On sentences: When two independent statements are run together without punctuation.
- People by the hundreds were flocking to the site some brought their cameras with them.

Complex Sentences
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
Examples:
- The woman who received the medal
Adjective clause
- We always start working when the bill rings.
Adverbial clause
- I believe that the accountant is honest.
Noun clause

For more information about the different types of subordinate clauses , please see appendix.

Basic Sentence Patterns
Sentence Pattern 1 - Noun / Verb
The basic sentence pattern consists of a noun followed by a verb. Such sentences take only verbs that
do not require objects.
- Men work.
- Fiona eats.
This sentence pattern can be modified by adding a noun phrase, possessive adjective, or other
elements.
- Men work. -> Our staff works.
- Fiona eats. -> My cat Fiona eats.

Sentence Pattern 2
Noun/ verb / adverb
This kind of a sentence uses an adverb to describe how an action is done.
- Ahmed drives quickly.

Sentence Pattern 3
Noun/ Linking verb/ Noun
This pattern uses linking verbs to link one noun to another.
Linking verbs in these cases are followed by noun phrases which refer to the same person or thing.
Some common linking verbs used are appear, become, seem, stay look, smell, sound.
- This seed will become a fruit.

Sentence Pattern 4
Noun/Linking verb / adjective

Though similar to the earlier structure, this pattern uses linking verbs to link the noun to its description
using an adjective.
- My laptop is slow.

Sentence Pattern 5
Noun/ Verb/ Noun/ Noun
This pattern is used with verbs that take both direct and indirect objects.
- I bought Maha a gift.
- Jane showed Archie the car.

TENSES
Enact this role play:
Agent: Good morning. Welcome to TEData. This is Tom. How may I help you?
Customer: I have a problem with my internet connection. I can't connect to the internet.
Agent: No problem, sir. I will helping you now.
Customer: Ha? OK ..
Agent: Was you restart your router?
Customer: What?
Agent: Was you restarting your router?
Customer: No, I wasn't restarting my router when I called you. I was busy dialing the number.
Agent: MmmmmNo, I asking you was you restarting your router before you called me?
Customer : OKayyyyy..So, do you mean: did I restart my router?
Agent:: Yeeeeeees!
Customer: No, I didn't . I will now.
Agent: OK now wait for five seconds and then opening a web page.
Customer: Okay (sounds upset and fed up) opening
After some time
Agent: Are you done this, sir?
Customer: Whaaaat?
Agent: Are you done this?
Customer: Nooo, I'm definitely not done this. You really need to work on your English , young man.

Agent: I am understand your concern , sir. I will working on my English. Don't worry at all.
Agent: Now as I tell you before you have to restarting your router.
Customer: OK.. that's it put me through to your supervisor
Agent: I not understand .Why you become angry?????? [Customer hangs up!]
"What are the grammatical errors you've noticed?"
- Answer: tense errors

Remember
A verb is an action word a word that denotes action or experience or condition. For example:
1. He was singing aloud: action
2. I dont understand French: experience
3. He is probably feeling ecstatic right now:

There are many forms of verbs as there are for nouns. However, in this module, we will keep it simple
and concentrate on the mere definition of verbs and see how the three forms of verbs are used in
speech. Enlisted below are some examples of each form:

1st form 2nd form 3rd form
Regular verbs: Change to the second and third forms by adding an ed.
Park Parked Parked
Talk Talked Talked
Marry Married Married
Scold Scolded Scolded

Irregular verbs: Change to their second and third forms without adding
ed.
Slit Slit Slit
Speak Spoke Spoken
Write Wrote Written
Fight Fought Fought

Let us look at the charts hereunder, where we will use irregular verbs to help us understand tenses
better.
Note: This chart must be empty on the board. The formulae need to be done one tense at a time. The
sequence must be: Simple, Continuous, Perfect, highlighting at each stage the concept of time.

Tenses

Forms
Simple
No 'ing' no helping verbs
Continuous
At/at the
time/when
Perfect
By/by the time
Perfect Continuous
By/by the
time/duration

P
R
E
S
E
N
T
When to use:
* Any fact
* Any habit
* Description
* Direction
* Schedule
* Fiction (movie or book)

Examples:
The sun rises in the east.
I brush my teeth everyday.
The painting is nice.
I nsert the ATM into the
machine.
The movie ends at 4 pm.
"Legally blond" is a movie
about Barbie girl.

Tense Rule:
Verb in the 1st form
When to use:
* Event that is
happening at the
moment
* Something in
progress
* Something in the
future that you are
very sure of
* Irritating habits
(used with words:
always, forever,
regularly,
consonantly,
continuously)

Examples:
I am breathing at
the moment.
I am reading a
book these days.
I am going to
England tomorrow.
He is always
irritating me.

Tense Rule:
am / is / are + verb
(ing)

When to use:
*Something
finished just now
*An action that
is over
*An event
started in the
past and still
going on
*Unfinished time
(used with
words: today, so
far, until now,
this month, this
weeketc)

Examples:
I have finished
writing.
I have read this
book.
I have stayed in
India for 4 years.
(* star case)
I have had 4
cups of coffee
today.

Tense Rule:
Have / has +
verb in the 3rd
form
When to use:
*An event that
started in the
past and still
going on until
now
Note:
With stative verbs
(verbs of emotion and
possession) such as:
love, hate, own,
possess, have, care, we
can't use the present
perfect continuous
tense because it will be
a gerund. So, for these
verbs we will use the
star case tense.

Examples:
I have been studying
for 2 years now.
I have owned this bag
for 2 years now.

Tense Rule:
Have / has + been +
verb (ing)


Tenses

Forms
Simple
No 'ing' no helping verb
Continuous
At/ at the time/ when/
While
Perfect
By/By the time/ before/
after

P
A
S
T
When to use:
*An event that happened in
the past (so it doesn't tell
you anything about what is
going on now)
*A habit in the past
*A habit in the past but it is
not happening anymore
(with the word: used to).

Examples:
I went to church yesterday.
I ate lots of chocolate as a
child.
I used to eat lots of
chocolate as a child.

Tense Rule:
Verb in the 2nd form
When to use:
*One event happened and
another one comes with it.
*An event happened in a
point of time (usually with
when)
*An event happened in a
duration of time (usually
with while)
Note: The longer event
always takes 'ing'; the shorter
event can be a simple past
when using 'when', or it can
be a past continuous if we
use 'while'. It depends on the
duration of the shorter event.

Examples:
I was eating ice cream when
you called.
At 6 Oclock yesterday, I was
taking a walk.
While I was cooking, my son
was playing football.

Tense Rule:
Was/ were + Verb (ing)
When to use:
*Compare two events
*Mentioning a point of
time (not duration)
Note: With two events we
use (before, after). And
the past perfect always
comes before before and
after after to indicate
which one happened first
and the tense of the other
verb would be past
simple.

Examples:
I had had lunch before I
left for church.
I had finished my
homework by 7.00 pm.

Tense Rule:
Had + 3rd form of the
Verb


Tenses

Forms
Simple
No 'ing' no helping verbs
Continuous
At/at the time/when/while

F
U
T
U
R
E

When to use:
*Im relatively sure of something that will
happen in the future
*You are determined to do something in the
future
*You have Immediate future
*You are unsure of something

Examples:
I will go there tomorrow.
I am going to go there tomorrow.
Run! The train is about to leave.
I may/ might be late today.

Tense Rule:
Will/ may/might + verb in the 1st form or
Am/is/are + going to (about to)
+ 1st form
When to use:
*An event will be in progress and
another event takes place
*An event will be in progress at a
certain point of time
Note: with the 2 verbs: one verb will
be in the continuous future and the
other verb will be in a simple present

Examples:
I may be sleeping when you knock.
I will be watching the movie at 6
O'clock.

Tense rule:
Will/ may/ might + be + verb (ing)

Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb and in the appropriate tense.

A) Simple Present
1. _____________ the f8 key (to press).
2. The CD_____________with Windows XP (to work negative).
3. The USB port_____________at the back of the computer (to be).
4. _____________the cable into the socket (to put).
5. Please_____________the four digit password (to enter).
6. The mouse cable_____________green in colour (to be).
7. It_____________a very good plan (to be) ?
8. _____________your mothers maiden name Martha (to be)
9. What _____________your favouite colour (to be)?
10. This_____________the plan that you subscribed to (to be negative).
11. Please _____________the numbers 6, 1, 1 (to type).
12. Let me_____________the call for you (to answer).

B) Simple Past
1. It_____________a good offer (be).
2. There_____________a flight in the morning, but now we have a flight in the evening (be).
3. We_____________the 50 MB scheme last week (discontinue).
4. He_____________the bill yesterday (email).

5. I_____________with you yesterday (speak).
6. I see that we_____________a refund last month as well (issue).
7. The offer_____________valid only up till last week (be).
8. We_____________provide routers to customers till April (use to).

C) Simple Future
1. We_____________a new password within the hour (generate).
2. _____________the new debit card to your office address (mail).
3. I _____________your card, should I go ahead (block immediate)?
4. Your monthly bill to your new mailing address (send).
5. Now the receiver_____________automatically (power on).

D) Present Continuous
1. I _____________your account details as we speak (go through).

E) Past Continuous:
1. I _____________ your account when I realized that a few details were missing (go through).
2. I _____________the available information and I see that you have two accounts with us (check).

F) Present Perfect:
1. We _____________the new card across to you (mail).
2. I see that you _____________the payments this month (make).
3. I _____________password for you (reset).
4. We _____________your account (unlock).
5. We _____________you the information (send).
6. I see that you _____________at our online portal (register - negative).
7. I see that you _____________this computer for four years now (have).
8. I _____________the receiver on the a/c (reactivate).

G) Present Perfect Continuous:
1. I can understand that you __________________________payments regularly (make).
2. I can see that you __________________________(wait).
3. We __________________________on your account for two hours (work).
4. We __________________________to contact you over the last two months (try).

H) Fill in the blanks with the correct tenses:
1. Alex didn't come to see the film last night because he _____ it before on television.
a) Saw b) had seen c) has seen d) was seen
2. A cold wind _____ for the last three days and blocked out our satellite signal.
a) has been blowing b) blows c) is blowing d) blew
3. She _____ as ill as she does now for a long time but is glad that she has her Television.
a) wasnt feeling b) haven't been feeling c) didnt feel d) hadnt felt

4. I wish I _____ there to see the Technician fix the issue.
a) had been b) would be c) were d) have been
5. She said she _____ to me, but she didn't. So customer care never knew her issue had been
resolved.
a) would have written b) will have written c) would write d) will write
6. If he _____ lucky, he could get the job as a Tech Support Advisor.
a) is b) had been c) would be d) would have been
7. She told him that if he _____ his promise, she _____ do the service again.
a) break, would never b) break, will never c) broke, will never d) broke, would never
8. You _____ a six-month contract when you are offered a permanent position elsewhere. What
will you do?
a) have just started b) had started c) were starting d) started
9. I'll see you in August when I _____ back to unfreeze my account.
a) will come b) came c) will have come d) come

10. My friend _____ when the technical support advisor started sorting out the issue.
a) hasnt arrived b) wasnt arrived c) hadnt arrived d) wasnt arriving

Activity: Crossword Puzzle For Tenses
Place the irregular past form of the verb and put it in the designated space.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8


Across:
1. tell
3. meet
5. have
6. speak
7. run
8. read
Down:
2. do
4. take
5. hear
6. see

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

The impact of incorrect grammar and incorrect pronunciation is
cumulative on the customer. It requires him to concentrate more to
understand the agent. Therefore, it takes longer to resolve the query. The
situation may become negative as this leads to a lack of comprehension
and, therefore, ends in an unresolved call.

The pattern is as follows:
- Verbs are conjugated in a similar way except for the third person
singular i.e. he, she, it. So, SVA is concerned with this case.
Most of the learners errors occur when in the third person usage.

What is subject - verb agreement?
- When we talk about SVA, we speak about the 3rd person in the present tense.
Example:
*Ahmed play every day.
*Ahmed are playing today.

Are these sentences correct? No!
An s has to be added to the verb in the first example because it is the 3rd person in the present.
Ahmed plays every day is correct. In the 3rd person, if the subject is singular we add an s/es to the
verb.
In the second example, are should be replaced with is. Ahmed is playing is correct.

- In the 3rd person, if there is a helping verb, it gets the third person conjugation e.g. has, does,
is.


Rules of Subject Verb agreement:
A. Singular & Plural
A.1 The phrase in between rule:
Phrases like: as well as, along with, besides, apart from, in addition to will not affect the subject in a
sentence. If the subject is singular, the verb is singular. The same happens with plural. Examples:
- Mary, as well as her dogs, is walking to the mall.
- The guards, along with the president, are arriving.
A.2 The Either/or, neither/nor rule:
When two subjects are connected with or, either/or, neither nor, the verb agrees with the nearest
subject.
Examples:
- Either Tommy or Tommys parents are coming today.
- Either Timmys parents or Timmy is coming today.
- I s either Tommy or Tommys parents coming today?
- Are either Timmys parents or Timmy coming today?

A.3 The positive, not negative rule:
Any sentence could have negative part and positive part, the verb agrees only with the positive part.
Examples:
- Not Peter, but his habits are bad.
- Not his habits, but Peter is bad.
- It is not the faculty members but the president who decides.


Singular OR Plural
B. Singular C. Plural
B.1 Exceptions:
When both subjects denote one thing, they are
singular.
Example:
- Tom and Jerry is a lovely movie.
C.1 And
When two subjects are connected with and, they are
plural.
Examples:
- Jack and Michael are going to school.
- Antony and Sarah are having lunch together.
B.2 everybody, everyone, everything,
anybody, anyone, anything,
somebody, someone, something,
nobody, no one, nothing, each, every,
either, neither:
When these words occur in a sentence, the
subject is singular.
Examples:
- Each of the books is good.
- Every one of you has to go.
- I s there anybody home?
C.2 many, both, several, a few, a number of:
When they occur in a sentence, the subject is plural.
Examples:
- Both the chairs are clean.
- Many pigeons are sick.
- Both Harry and Sally are happy.
B. 3 any, some, percentages, fractions, with,
none:
When these words occur with uncountable
nouns or singular, the subject is singular.
Example:
- I s there any water left?
- 75% of the water is missing.
- - I s there any information left?

Note: The subject with none is singular when it
refers to a singular entity.
Example:
- We needed a book but none was available.
C.3 any, some, percentages, fractions:
When used with countable nouns, the subject is
plural
Examples:
- of the chairs are missing.
- Some of the fruits are damaged.

Note: The subject with none is plural when it refers
to a plural entity.
Example:
- None of the mangoes are ripe.
B.4 Subjects (e.g. economics, linguistics),
Diseases (e.g. measles) News, Collective
nouns (e.g. group, team, community, family,
society,
Police):
These are considered singular.
Example:
- Civics is my favorite subject.
- The news is good.
- The group is interested.
C. 4 Collective nouns:
When collective nouns refer to individual members,
it is plural. However, when you look at it as one
group, it
is singular.
Examples:
- The team are fighting.
- My family is big.
- The jury is decided.
Musical bands with names ending with s and sports
teams are plural.
Examples:
- The Beetles are coming to the concert today.
- The Kickers are playing today.

Note: any sport team is plural even if it doesnt have
an s in the name.
B.5 Pair:
When the word pair is the subject in a pair of,
it is singular.
Examples:
- A pair of scissors is sharp.
- This pair of jeans is clean.
- The pair of spectacles is good.
- The pair of sunglasses is missing.
C.5 pairs and cant be separated (e.g. sunglasses,
spectacles, jeans, trousers, pants, shears, scissors,
binoculars, scales, goggles):
These are treated as plural.
Examples:
- The scissors are sharp.
- My jeans are clean.
- The spectacles are good.
- My sunglasses are missing.
B.6 One of
This means that the subject is singular as we
are talking about one only.
Examples:
- One of the boys is missing.
- One of the pens is there.
C. 6 One of the + a relative clause
(Who/that/which/where):
The subject is plural as we are talking about many.
Examples:
- He is one of the boys who are missing.
B. 7 Hours, kilometers, Dollars
When used as a unit/sum the subject is
singular.
Examples:
- 4 million dollars is a huge sum.
- 4 hours is a long time.
- 4 kilometers is a huge distance.
C. 7 Hours, kilometers, dollars:
When used as measures, the subject is plural.
Examples:
- Four million dollars have been spent.
- Two hours are remaining.
- Four kilometers have been covered.
B.8 Each/Every:
When both subjects preceded by each or every,
they are singular.
Example:
Each boy and girl has to be present.

Quiz
A. Choose the correct verb
1. Jeremy ____ to school everyday. (go/goes)

2. It ___ very difficult to shake hands with a gorilla. (is/are)

3. Egypt usually ___ its soccer matches. (win/wins)

4. She ___ to buy that expensive dress. (want/wants)

5. Tom and Jerry ____ my favorite cartoon characters. (is/are)

6. Tom and Jerry ____ my favorite cartoon show. (is/are)

7. The actor and politician _____ dead. (is/are)

8. The actor and the politician ____ dead. (is/are)

9. Everyone ____ ice-creams in summers. (eat/eats)

10. Someone ____ to go to the market. (has/have)

11. Does everyone ____ to submit the homework? (has/have)

12. Does someone _____ another pen? (has/have)

13. Some of the items ____ missing. (is/are)

14. Some of the milk ____ left. (is/are)

15. ___ most of the shoes missing? (is/are)

16. One of my friends ____ eaten the pie. (has/have)

17. He is one of the people who ____ to jog every morning. (like/likes)

18. The minister, along with his henchmen, _____ for a walk everyday. (go/goes)

19. My friends, as well as their teacher, _____ soccer. (play/plays)
The church, in addition to the priests, _____ an overhaul. (need/needs)

21. The scissors ____ sharp. (is/are)

22. The trousers ____ new. (is/are)

23. A new pair of trousers ____ to be bought. (has/have)

24. Two pairs of spectacles ____ been repaired. (has/have)

25. Measles ___ a terrible disease. (is/are)

26. Mathematics ____ my favorite subject. (has been/have been)

27. Four million dollars ____ a huge sum of money. (is/are)

28. Four million dollars _____ to be spent (has/have)

29. Three hours ____ a long time. (is/are)

30. Three hours ____ remaining. (is/are)


31. Fifty percent of the population ____ dead. (is/are)

32. Fifty percent of the clothes ____ torn. (is/are)

33. Three fourths of the food ___ left (is/are)

34. Three fourths of the sand ___ red. (is/are)

35. Either tea or coffee ___ fine. (is/are)

36. Neither Jim nor Jake ___ good enough to lead the team. (is/are)

37. Either Marcus or his brothers ____ to buy the cat. (need/needs)

38. Neither Blair nor her friends ____ about the murder. (know/knows)

39. The jury ____ decided. (has/have)

40. The jury ____ arguing amongst themselves. (is/are)

41. Not Barney, but his friends ___ bad. (is/are)

42. Not his friends, but Barney ____ bad. (is/are)


B. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb.
1. I hope the printer___________working fine.
2. ___________the jeans okay?
3. There___________some new schemes this month.
4. The route___________busy.
5. All our executives___________busy at the moment.
6. The connection ___________now active.
7. The flight___________departed.
8. I___________made the changes on your account.
9. ___________the laptop___________a USB port?
10. We___________dispatched the courier.
11. The flight___________at 7 am.
12. ___________a nice day!
13. We dont___________you for a new cheque book.
14. This version___________only with Windows Vista.
15. Dunn and Bradstreet___________ a good company.
16. Both the computer and the modem___________to be replaced.
17. The printer, as well as the cartridges,___________ working fine.
18. Either the courier guys or the delivery boy___________to have misplaced the order.
19. There___________a slight difference in quality.
20. It is the vendors and not the company that___________at fault.
21. Each cable and port___________marked with a particular colour.
22. Many flights___________been delayed today.
23. Each shipment___________a unique code.
24. Every passenger___________have these privileges. These___________reserved only for the
businss class.
25. Either option___________fine.
26. ___________any of the information missing?
27. ___________there any flights available?
28. Someone___________been using your card recently.
29. All the seats___________been booked.
30. All the data___________to be saved first.
31. 40% of the books___________already been sold.
32. 3/4th of the disc space___________free.
33. The news___________on 24/7 on these new channels.
34. One of your bookings ___________confirmed.
35. This is one of the CDs that___________currently in demand.
36. Most of the tickets___________already been sold.
37. ___________there anything else I may help you with?
38. Some of the information___________incorrect.
39. These sunglasses___________been made from the latest modern technology.
40. This pair of jeans___________priced very reasonably.
41. ___________anyone in your family___________an account with us?

42. No one___________to be present at the venue.

QUESTION FORMATION
The rules for question formats are:
1a. Interrogative Pronoun--- Verb ----Noun/ Pronoun -----Verb
1b. Interrogative Pronoun -------Noun/Noun Phrase -------Verb -----Noun/ Pronoun-------- Verb
2. Verb ------Noun/Pronoun ----------Verb

There are other formats. However, these are the formats that are predominant on calls.

Information

Quiz
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate verbs/and pronouns.
A. Simple Present
1. _________________ a pen and paper handy?
2. _________________ your password?
3. _________________ an NTL phone number?
4. _________________ the ready light solid?
5. _________________ the time there?
6. _________________ there anything else I may help you with?
7. _________________ you see on the screen?
8. _________________ receivers do you have?
9. _________________ the signal strength at the bottom of the screen?
10. _________________ facing a problem with all the receivers or only this particular receiver?
11. _________________ the weather outside?
12. _________________ able to hold for 2 minutes while I research this information for you?
13. _________________ the position you hold in the business?
14. _________________ full time employees do you have?

B. Simple Past
15. _________________ it stop working?
16. _________________ you place the order,_________________last week?

C. Simple Future
17. _________________ you be available?

D. Present Continuous
_________________ working on your computer now?
_________________version ______________ using at the moment?
E. Past Continuous
18. _________________ working yesterday?

F. Present Perfect
19. _________________ received the statement?
20. _________________ taken care of all your travel needs?
21. _________________ you been facing this problem?
22. _________________ the weather outside been for the past few days?
23. _________________ faced this problem before?
24. _________________ you visited our website lately?

DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH
- Direct speech is quoted speech saying exactly what was said e.g.
Ruben said: I am very busy now.
- Indirect speech is reported speech said without quoting exact words
e.g. Ruben said that he was very busy then.
- It will be noticed that in Direct Speech, we use inverted commas to mark
off the exact words of the speaker. In Indirect Speech we do not.
- A comma or colon is placed before the remark.
- In changing the above Direct Speech into Indirect, certain changes have been made. Thus:
(i) We have used the conjunction that before the Indirect statement.
(ii) The pronoun I is changed to he (The Pronoun is changed in Person)
(iii) The verb am is changed to was. (Present Tense is changed to Past.)
(iv) The adverb now is changed to then.

Rules for changing direct speech into indirect speech
- The most common verbs used in indirect speech are said, told and asked.
Asked - used to report questions
Told- used with an object
Said- It is generally used. However, using more verbs like accused, admitted etc. will make what you
say more meaningful and informative.

- When the reporting or principal verb is in the Past Tense, all Present tenses of the Direct are changed
into the corresponding Past Tenses. Thus:
(a) A simple present becomes a simple past.

(b) Indirect speech can be introduced by a verb in the present tense in the following situations:
Reporting a situation that is continuing.
Reading a letter and reporting what it says.
Reading instructions and reporting them.
Reporting a statement that someone makes often e.g. He always says that he loves food.
Remember:
When the introductory verb is in present, present perfect or future we can report the direct speech
without any change of tense e.g. He says he is trying to get a taxi. However, indirect speech is
normally introduced by a verb in the past tense.
Examples:
Direct: He said: I amunwell.
Indirect: He said (that) he was unwell.
Changes
Tenses
Present Simple
I like banana.
Past Simple
He said that he liked banana.
Present Continuous
My master is writing letters.
Past Continuous
He said (that) his master was writing letter.
Present Perfect
I have passed the examination.
Past Perfect
He said (that) he had passed the examination.
Modal Verbs*
Will Would
Can Could
Must Had to
Shall Should
May Might
Words I ndicating Time
This evening That evening
Yesterday The day before
Today /Yesterday That day
Now Then
A week ago A week before
Tomorrow The following day
The day after tomorrow In two days time
Last weekend The previous weekend
Here There
These days Those days
* There is no change to could, would, should, might and ought to.


Direct Speech And Indirect Speech In Questions
- In reporting questions the Indirect Speech is introduced by some such verbs as asked, inquired, etc.
- When the question is not introduced by an interrogative word, the reporting verb is followed by
whether or if.
Examples:
- Direct: He said to me, What are you doing?
- Indirect: He asked me what I was doing.
- Direct: Where do you live? Asked the stranger.
- Indirect: The stranger enquired where I lived.
- Direct: The policeman said to us, Where are you going?
- Indirect: The policeman enquired where we were going.
- Direct: He said, Will you listen to such a man?
- Indirect: He asked then whether they would listen to such a man.
- Direct: Do you suppose you know better than your own father?
- Indirect: His angry mother jeered and asked whether he supposed that he knew better than his
own father.

Direct Speech and Indirect Speech in Commands and Requests
- In reporting commands and requests, the Indirect Speech is introduced by some verb expressing
command or request, and the imperative mood is changed into the Infinitive.
- -Direct: Ron said to Adam, Go away.
- Indirect: Ron ordered Adam to go away.
- Direct: He said to him, Please wait here till I return.
- Indirect: He requested him to wait there till he returned.
- Direct: Call the first witness, said the judge.
- Indirect: The judge commanded them to call the first witness.
- Direct: He shouted, Let me go.
- Indirect: He shouted to them to let him go.
- Direct: He said, Be quiet and listen to my words.
- Indirect: He urged them to be quiet and listen to his words.


Direct Speech and Indirect Speech in Exclamations and Wishes
- In reporting exclamations and wishes, the Indirect Speech is introduced by some verb expressing
exclamation or wish.
Examples:
- Direct: He said, Alas! I am undone.
- Indirect: He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
- Direct: Alice said, How clever I am!
- Indirect: Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
- Direct: He said, Bravo! You have done well.
- Indirect: He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
- Direct: So help me, Heaven! he cried, I will never steal again.
- Indirect: He called upon Heaven to witness his resolve never to steal again.
Exercises
Turn the following sentences into Indirect Speech
- He said to me, I dont understand how the internet service works.
- He said to me that he did not understand how the internet service works.
- She wrote, The customer called to update his address.
- She wrote that the customer called in to update his address.
- I will help you with your connection, said he, and if I do not prove it in a few minutes I
will give up my claim.
- He said that he will give up his claim if he wouldnt be able to prove that he can help me
with my connection.
- He wrote and said, The technician is unable to make the appointment due to the weather
conditions.
- He wrote and mentioned that the technician was unable to make the appointment because
of the weather conditions.
- The customers orders were, The bill needs to be sent out before the 10
th
of every month.
- The customer ordered for his bill to be sent out by the 10
th
of every month.
- Mr. Roberts questioned, Are you from Egypt?
- Mr. Roberts probed to find out if I am Egyptian.
- What do you want? he said to her.
- He asked her what she needed.
- The poor man exclaimed, Will none of you help me?

- The poor man exclaimed out loud if none of us would help him.
- Then aloud he said, I am very upset with your policies.
- He exclaimed aloud that he was very upset with our policies.
- Have you anything to tell me, young man? asked John.
- John asked the young man if he had anything to tell him.


ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
- In a sentence, when the subject is the doer of the action, it is in active voice e.g. Customers expect
services.
- When the subject is the receiver of the action, and the object becomes the subject e.g.
Services are expected by customers.
Examples:
- Paul helps Marvin. (Active voice)
- Marvin is helped by Paul. (Passive voice)
- The mason is building the wall. (Active voice)
- The wall is being built by the mason. (Passive voice)
- The peon opened the gate. (Active voice)
- The gate was opened by the peon. (Passive voice)
- The customer insured the car. (Active voice)
- The car was insured by the customer. (Passive voice)
Quiz
Read the following sentences and say whether they are active or passive.
1. I removed the cable from the socket. (Active)
2. The money was stolen. (Passive)
3. His telephone line was fixed by a professional. (Passive)
4. It would have been fixed over the weekend. (Passive)
5. The connections are being configured by Jason this time. (Passive)
6. I placed the order 3 weeks ago. (Active)
7. The bills are sent by the backend team. (Passive)
8. I will connect you to the technical support department. (Active)
9. The movie is being made in Hollywood. (Passive)
10. The technician read the instructions to the customer. (Active)

- There is a general rule to convert an active sentence into a passive one. The rule is:
BE + P.P
- The tense of the verb should be identified.
- Verb to be should be used in that tense.

Enabling Objectives

Time


- The main verb should be used in the past participle.
Examples:
- Ali wrotea book. (past simple)
A book was (verb be in the past simple tense) written (the main verb in the third form).
- The police is investigating the crime. (present continuous)
The crime is being investigated.
- The neighbors have visited us.
- We have been visited.

Exercises
Change the following sentences from the Active Voice to the Passive Voice.
1. The man cut the cable.
2. Marco followed the instructions.
3. I will write an email to the customer.
4. The technician will repair the box.
5. He made a very remarkable discovery.
6. He kept me waiting.
7. I called Jake to confirm if his issue was resolved.
8. The mailman will deliver the documents.
9. They sell TVs here.
10. Somebody has put the lights out.


VOCABULARY BUILDING

MATCH THE 12 DEFINITIONS BELOW TO THE VOCABULARY
WORDS ON THE LEFT:

1. C Accomplice
2. G Diagnosis
3. J Facade
4. E Implicate
5. I Noticeable
6. B Notorious
7. A Personification
8. K Perplexed
9. F Prognosticate
10. L Replica
11. H Suffice
12. D Superficial
a. - Attribution of a human nature or character to
inanimate objects or abstract notions
b. - Widely and unfavourably known; famous in a
negative manner
c. - A person who knowingly helps another person in a
crime or wrongdoing
d. - Being at, on or near the surface; shallow
e. - To show to be involved, usually in an incriminating
manner or way
f. - To forecast from present signs or indications; to
predict
g. - An analysis of the nature of a problem or situation;
an answer or solution
h. - To be enough or adequate, as for needs or purposes;
to satisfy
i. - Attracting attention; capable of being noteworthy
j. - A superficial appearance or illusion; the front of a
Building
k. - To cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is
not understood or certain
l. - Any close copy or reproduction of a work of art


MATCH THE 12 DEFINITIONS BELOW TO THE WORDS ON THE LEFT:
1. G Unnoticed
2. B Artificial
3. E Duplicate
4. D Magnificent
5. C Acquaintance
6. F Deficiency
7. A Complication
8. H Misapplied
9. L Recognize
10. J Faculty
11. K Employment
12. I Ignorant
a. ---Act of making complex, involved or
difficult
b. ---Made by human skill; not natural;
imitation
c. ---A person one knows, though not intimately
d. ---Splendid or impressive in appearance; very
fine; superb
e. ---Exactly like the original; double
f. ---State of lacking some element or
characteristic; insufficiency
g. ---Not paying attention to something one
sees, hears or senses; unobserved
h. ---Putting to poor use; incorrect or wrong use
of a designation
i. ---Lacking in knowledge or training;
uninformed about a subject
j. ---Teaching staff and administrative members
of a profession
k. ---State of being hired; work or business;
occupation
l. ---To identify as something or someone
previously seen or known

FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH THE APPROPRIATE WORDS BELOW: (Running dictation)

Acquaintance, Artificial, Complication, Deficiency, Duplicate, Employment, Faculty, Ignorant,
Magnificent, Misapplied, Recognize, Unnoticed


1) Jake's birthday went unnoticed since he chose to be married on the same day.

2) Doris misapplied the bandage and the adhesive stuck to the wound.

3) Carol and Bonnie recognized the need to supervise their younger sister after school.

4) Joan was amazed at the magnificent ski slopes and mountain ranges in Aspen.

5) Frank's family had moved so often that he had a deficiency in basic math skills.

6) The principal meets with her acquaintance on the first Monday of every month.

7) Karen hides a duplicate set of keys to her house under a bush near the door.

8) Happy to make another faculty, Shelley felt more secure in her new neighborhood.

9) The doctor implanted an artificial knee made of metal into Bob's left leg.

10) Due to the complication of three different school vacation dates, Maureen could not travel.

11) Joe earned another week of vacation because of his ten-year employment with the company.

12) Since Larry did not communicate clearly, Ellen was ignorant of his schedule.


Match the following to form commonly used phrases:
Items to match Items to move
Meet an opinion
Skip a draft
submit a skill
fulfill classes
reach an examination
Take a deadline
Hold an assignment
Revise an ambition
carry out a compromise
Develop an experiment

Learning vocabulary activities: http://www.vocabulary.co.il/


Redundancy
Hot water heater first things first
Cold ice small speck
Sharp point female hen
Round circle hard cement
Empty vacuum poor beggar
Dark black fast jet
Final conclusion lazy bum
Round wheel wealthy millionaire
Dirty cesspool three-point field goal
Dead corpse three- cornered triangle
Woman pregnant with child major masterpieces

Common Egyptian Idioms

1. I bought it dirt cheap.
2. They left me out in the cold.
3. A little bird told me you are planning a trip to Egypt.
4. I'll settle my accounts with you. You'll see.
5. Haste makes waste.
6. Dont add fuel to the fire.
7. Stop beating around the bush!
8. Did the cat get your tongue?
9. She always sheds crocodile tears.
10. Lets turn over a new leaf this year.
11. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
12. The ball is in your court.
13. Strike while the iron is hot.

14. People who live in glass houses shouldnt throw stones.
15. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
16. Blood is thicker than water.
17. Out of sight, out of mind.
18. Between the devil and the deep blue sea.
19. Ask for someones hand.
20. To have a big nose.

Building Vocabulary
Vocabulary is an important tool that facilitates communication. The frustration of not recalling the
correct word is common to everyone. Research has proved that people are often judged as smart or
competent when they speak with good vocabulary. An increase in your vocbaulary size augments
comprehensibility, communicative fluency, self confidence and perhaps even your Intelligence
Quotient! You need words to think and then again to think you need words! Language & Thought - the
two are inseparable!
I dioms and Their Usage
Idioms play a vital part in English and it is important to understand them so as to be able to use them
effectively. Idioms are phrases whose meanings cannot be understood from the individual words
which form them. They are metaphorical rather than literal. The English language has over 25000
idiomatic expressions.
One cannot deduce the meaning of the idiom by simply knowing the meaning of the individual words.
Similarly, literal translation into other languages will not convey the same meaning. If one is
unfamiliar with idioms, it can be confusing. Therefore, it is important to learn idioms as part of
vocabulary for ESL learners. Most idioms have a cultural reference and are therefore more useful in
their local context. However, some of them are more universal than others. Some idioms may gain or
lose popularity of usage as time passes.


Script 1
Moria: Its mum and dad's twenty-fifth wedding anniversary next week. We should put on our
thinking caps about what to give them
Brian: They're supposed to be given something silver but that would cost an arm and a leg.
Lucy: Everyone will give them silver things. They'll get stacks of them.
Moria: l've had a brainwave! Why don't we cook dinner for them?
Brian: I can't cook. You can do your bit in other ways. You can do the shopping, for instance.
Lucy: We don't want to bite off more than we can chew. Let's do something simple. Dad has a
weakness for this chicken dish with ginger and pineapple. Its easy to cook and it won't
break the bank. We can have a salad to start with and fruit and cheese for dessert.
Brian: That sounds fine!
On the morning of the dinner party
Moria: It's time to clear the decks and start on our preparations.
Lucy: Brian, I prepared a list for you to get at the supermarket. I know you have a memory like a
sieve.
Brian: Ok, I have already bought everything!
Moria: Ok, Lucy, lets get to work. Our parents will sure be delighted with their anniversary meal.

Script 2
Jane was doing some photocopying when she saw Phil come tiptoeing through the office door.
J ane: The manager will flip his lid when he sees you. You're an hour late again and you look as
though you had been dragged through a hedge backwards!
Phil: Sh! I've been to an all-night party and I haven't been home to wash or change.
J ane: I wouldn't be surprised if the manager gives you your marching orders for this. You've been
late twice already this week. You don't have a leg to stand on!
Phil: It's not the manager I'm worried about. He's mouth and trousers all. It's Ms Ross, the
deputy manager who's likely to sack me.
J ane: You'd better go and face the music and tell her you've arrived.
Phil: Not likely! She'll sack me! If I play my cards right they'll think I've been here all morning.
It would definitely be a mistake to go cap in hand and apologize for being late. I will
chance my arm and pretend to have arrived at the office on time.
After some time..
Phil: I am going home.
J ane: So, your plan worked!
Phil: It worked like a charm. The deputy manager was so sympathetic that she is sending me
home early in a taxi that I could recover home.
J ane: Recover? Did you tell her you had a hangover?
Phil: Sh! No, I just said that I was feeling ill when she asked me about my rough appearance.
J ane: What? Feeling ill? And did she believe you?
Phil: Why not. I am really feeling ill. See you!


Script 3
Linda: I'm getting really tired of Lena and Paula. They've been at daggers drawn for weeks now
and it's got worse recently. They're not speaking to each other. In fact they're giving each
other the cold shoulder.
Mark: I know. It was bad enough when they were spoiling for a fight every time they saw each
other, but ignoring each other is even worse.
Linda: There's obviously a bone of contention between them, but no-one knows what it is. It
began at Julie's party last summer. From that night on Paula has only to come into a room
to make Lena's hackles rise and Lena can ruffle Paula's feathers with just a look. They
create such a bad atmosphere in a room for the rest of us.
Mark: I think that we should tell them that we are all tired of trying to pour oil on troubled
waters on their relationship and that, if they don't agree to start talking to each other and
stop quarrelling, none of us is going to be friends with them ever again. Quite honestly,
when we're in their company we spend all our time trying to mend fences.
Linda: I think you're right. We should hold a pistol to their heads tonight and tell them that if
they're not prepared to sink their differences, then we don't want to know them.
Mark: Lets do that. Ill go and tell the rest of the gang.

Script 4
Luke and a group of friends were looking at the job adverts in the local paper. They had just finished
their first year at college and were trying to find ways of earning an honest penny so that they could
go on holiday.
Fred: Here's one for you, Bert: gardening. You've got green fingers.
Bert: No way! It won't be growing plants. It'll be donkey work like digging and mowing.
Tim: What about window-cleaning, Mike?
Mike: That's definitely not my cup of tea. I'm scared of heights. The thought of climbing a ladder
makes my hair stand on end.
Barry: What's a cleansing operative?
Bert: It's probably a fancy name for a street cleaner. I do wish employers would learn to call a
spade a spade.
Mike: Here's an ad for a dog-walker.
Fred: I once did that and I really got my fingers burnt. The pay was very low and the dog bit me
on the leg.
Peter: What about bar work?
Frank: The ad's for someone with experience. Anyway if I worked in a bar I'd spend all night under
the influence.
Luke: That's true. I think quite a few new barmen start off by hitting the bottle. All this talk of
drinking making me thirsty and we still haven't found jobs.
Barry: Let's go to the pub and drown our sorrows.
Luke: Good idea!


Passage 1
Rachel was home from college for a few days with an injured ankle. She was not used to having time
on her hands and all her friends were away. Because she was bored, she spent a lot of time looking
out of the window. One afternoon she called out to her brother, lan, There's someone who is up to no
good at the house next door. He looked in all of the windows and now he's trying to open them. At
first I thought he was a peeping Tom but now I think he's a burglar. I'm going to call the police and
they can catch him red-handed. Thats a bit over the top, said her brother. It's a bit soon to
press the panic button if the man hasn't actually entered the house. When Rachel took the bit
between her teeth, there usually nothing anyone could do to stop her and she went straight to the
phone and called the police. The police will be here before you can say Jack Robinson and the
mans still there. They'll soon cook his goose, said Rachel with satisfaction. The police duly arrived
and Rachel saw them talking to the man in the garden next door. But they didn't arrest him. Instead,
they went round to Rachel's house and told her it was the next-door neighbour who had forgotten his
keys. Rachel hadn't known him from Adam as the family had moved in while she was at college.

Passage 2
Some of the residents of the small town of Woodtown were up in arms. They had just discovered that
a developer had applied for planning permission to tear down a very old church and replace it with a
block of flats. That news really put their backs up. There were not many historic buildings left in the
town and many regarded the church as the jewel in the crown of the town's architecture. A public
meeting was called and a group of protesters vowed to fight tooth and nail to prevent the church from
being destroyed. You'll never win. You have no chance! said some of the town pessimists. We
might if we stand our ground and let them see how serious we are about it, said Mr. Shaw, who had
been appointed leader of the protesters. We're armed to the teeth with information on why the
building should be preserved. Our efforts might just bear fruit. Nonsense! replied the chief
pessimist. I wouldn't be surprised if planning permission has already been given and you're flogging
a dead horse. I don't think so. There's always a great deal of red tape associated with planning
permission. I think we've begun in time, said Mr. Shaw. He was right and, in fact, the protesters were
victorious. The old church had a preservation order put on it and the developer could not touch it. As
far as the protesters were concerned, the planning officer had turned up trumps.


Phrasal Verbs
Activity: Provided By: www.TheTeachersCorner.net
Please complete the crossword puzzle below
cross:
1. withdraw, agree to defeat
5. to eliminate
6. to refuse
8. to begin or statrt
11. to faint or lose consciousness
12. refresh one's knowledge of something
13. resemble in character or appearnace
15. try to find something
Down:
2. to fall asleep
3. find by chance
4. end a phone conversation
7. something that does not happen as
planned
9. write out an agreement or contract
10. resolve differences by discussion
14. to be destroyed by an explosion
16. recover from illness, shock or surprise


7

14

15

10
6 2 4 12
9
1 3
16

13 5

8

11


Phrasal verbs are idiomatic expressions which combine verbs and prepositions to make new
verbs. The meaning of these new verbs differs from the dictionary meaning of the individual words.
For example, the phrasal verb bite into does not take the literal meaning of biting into with your
teeth. Instead, it means pressing hard against the skin so as to hurt. They are commonly used in
written and spoken English. They are easy to memorize and safe to use. Moreover, since they involve
the use of verbs, you can use the tense forms of these verbs as well. So, biting into, bitten into, bit into,
and bites into are all correct.
You will find plenty of phrasal verb lists if you surf the internet but how are you going to learn
them? Memorizing them may not be a good idea. What you could plan to do is put up a list of them on
your calendar. Add a phrasal verb to each day of the month and try to use it a couple of times during
the day so that it becomes a part of your vocabulary.
It is impossible to go through the thousands of phrasal verbs in English. So, the most
commonly used ones are introduced here. These two word phrases can have more than one meaning.
Moreover, some phrasal verbs would need a direct object while others can be separated by the object.
Examples:
Back up- to drive a car back wards
Back up - to make a copy of your computer information.
Back up a little more so that there is place for my car too.
Make sure you back up all your word files.
Look out for to carefully watch people and things
Look out - to say or indicate someone is in danger
Look out, Tom, theres a car coming.
Can you look out for Alia? She said she would come.
The list below has some of the common phrasal verbs. Spend some time with your partner going
through them. Find out the meanings. You could use the internet or the dictionary.


Common Phrasal Verbs
ask someone out look out fall apart
ask around
look out for
someone/something
fall down
add up to something look something over fall out
back something up look something up fall out
back someone up look up to someone figure something out
blow up make something up fill something in
blow something up make up fill something out
break down make someone up fill something up
break down mix something up find out
break something
down
pass away find something out
break in pass out
get something
across/over
break into
something
pass something out get along/on
break something in pass something up get around
break in pay someone back get away
break up pay for something
get away with
something
break up pick something out get back
break out
point
someone/something
out
get something back
break out in
something
put something down get back at someone

bring someone
down
put someone down
get back into
something
bring someone up put something off get on something
bring something up put something out get over something
bring something up
put something
together
get over something
call around
put up with
someone/something
get round to something
call someone back put something on get together
call something off
run into
someone/something
get up
call on someone
run over
someone/something
get up
call on someone
run over/through
something
give someone away
call someone up run away give someone away
calm down run out give something away
not care for
someone/something
send something
back
give something away
catch up set something up give something back
check in set someone up give in
check out shop around give something out
check
someone/something
out
show off give something up
check out
someone/something
sleep over give up
cheer up sort something out go after someone

cheer someone up stick to something go after something
chip in switch something off go against someone
clean something up switch something on go ahead
come across
something
take after someone go back
come apart
take something
apart
go out
come down with
something
take something back go out with someone
come forward take off go over something
come from
somewhere
take something off go over
count on
someone/something
take something out go without something
cross something out take someone out grow apart
cut back on
something
tear something up grow back
cut something down think back grow up
cut in
think something
over
grow out of something
cut in
throw something
away
grow into something
cut in
turn something
down
hand something down
cut something off
turn something
down
hand something in
cut something off turn something off hand something out
cut someone off turn something on hand something over

cut something out turn something up hang in
do
someone/something
over
turn up hang on
do something over try something on hang out
do away with
something
try something out hang up
do something up use something up
hold
someone/something
back
dress up wake up hold something back
drop back
warm
someone/something
up
hold on
drop in/by/over warm up
hold onto
someone/something
drop
someone/something
off
wear off
hold
someone/something up
drop out work out
keep on doing
something
eat out work out
keep something from
someone
end up work something out
keep
someone/something out
keep something up let someone in
look for
someone/something
let someone down
look after
someone/something
look forward to
something

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EDUEgypt Program Grammar

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