Grammar

Shall and will exercise

Shall and will exercise Fill in the blanks using will or shall. 1. ……………………… the messenger wait for the reply? 2. …………………….. I carry this bag for you? 3. He …………………………. be talking all the time without doing anything. 4. This machine …………………….. work well without giving you any trouble. 5. ……………………….. you give me your dictionary? 6. ……………………… you be kind enough to lend me your car? 7. On receipt of this letter you ……………………….. leave for Mumbai......

The qualifying infinitive The qualifying infinitive may be used: 1) to qualify a noun like an adjective Give me something to drink. Give me a chair to sit. It was a sight to see. This is a thing to admire. 2) to qualify a verb like an adverb I came to see you. We are going to play the match. It is going to rain. 3) to qualify an adjective like an adverb The book is nice to read. This picture is beautiful to look at. 4) to qualify a......

Some prepositional phrases A prepositional phrase is a group of words introduced by a preposition. There are quite a few prepositional phrases in English and these set phrases are often used with specific verbs. Prepositional phrases usually go at the end of sentences. Some of them also go at the beginning of sentences. In this lesson we will learn the usage of some common prepositional phrases. By heart To learn something by heart is......

Collocations Collocations are common word combinations that sound ‘right’ to native English speakers. Examples are: chain smoker and burning desire. There are numerous collocations in English. Some collocations are made by putting an adjective and adverb together. Some are made by putting two nouns together. Collocations can also be made using several other methods. Here is a list of some common collocations. Adverb + adjective Utterly......

What is a phrase? (Beginner level) We have already learned that a word is a group of letters arranged in such a way that they make sense. Examples are: flower, book, tree and apple. A phrase is a group of words that make sense. Examples are: the book, on the table, in the corner and under the tree. We cannot make a phrase by simply putting two or more words together. For a group of words to be a phrase, they must make sense. For example, ......

Introductory it: exercise It can be used in ‘cleft sentences’ with who- and that-clauses to emphasize one part of a sentence. Study the following sentence. My mother took John to the theater yesterday. It was my mother who took John to the theater yesterday. (Emphasis on ‘my mother’) It was John that my mother took to the theater yesterday. (Emphasis on ‘Peter’) Rewrite the following sentences using it. 1. John threw the book into the fire. 2.......

Position of subordinate clauses A subordinating conjunction and its clause can go either before or after the main clause (depending on what is to be emphasized). If you need money, just let me know. Just let me know if you need money. Although the necklace was expensive, she bought it. She bought the necklace although it was expensive. Because she was too angry, she tore up the letter. She tore up the letter because she was too angry. I......

Common word combinations It is not always easy to know which preposition to use after a particular noun, verb or adjective. Here are some of the most common combinations. Accuse somebody of something She accused me of breaking the flower-vase. Afraid of I am afraid of the dark. Agree with a person, opinion or policy I couldn’t agree with him. Fatty foods don’t agree with me. He left the firm because he couldn’t agree with their marketing......

Time prepositions Time prepositions On Use on with days. I met him on Friday. My birthday is on May 18th. We are having a small party on Christmas day. Use at with clock times and other expressions of time such as noon, night and midnight. The train departs at 6.30. We usually have dinner at 9 o’clock. I will meet you at noon. Phone me at lunch time. Use in with other parts of the day and with months, years and seasons. We usually go......

Passive voice structures with infinitives Read the following sentence. People say that he is a criminal. Can we change this sentence into the passive? Yes, we can. He is said to be a criminal. (NOT That he is a criminal is said by people.) They say these nuts are good for health. (Active) These nuts are said to be good for health. (Passive) They believe him to be dangerous. (Active) He is believed to be dangerous. (Passive) Exercise Change......

Common mistakes in the use of prepositions Although prepositions are small words, they are very important ones. In this lesson, we will explain some common mistakes in the use of prepositions. Incorrect: Although he is clever, he lacks of experience. Correct: Although he is clever, he lacks experience. Incorrect: The train is now approaching to Boston. Correct: The train is now approaching Boston. Incorrect: We were not allowed to enter......

Correct use of some prepositions and transitional adverbs Several words can be different parts of speech. For example and for instance can be prepositions or transitional adverbs. When they are used as transitional adverbs, they come at the beginning of the sentence and modify the entire sentence. Also pay careful attention to the fact that many transitional adverbs are also subordinating (dependent) conjunctions. To a great extent, a......

Correct use of some prepositions and transitional adverbs Several words can be different parts of speech. For example and for instance can be prepositions or transitional adverbs. When they are used as transi tional adverbs, they come at the beginning of the sentence and modify the entire sentence. Also pay careful attention to the fact that many transitional adverbs are also subordinating (dependent) conjunctions. To a great extent, a......

Figures of speech Identify the figure of speech used in the following sentences. 1. The camel is the ship of the desert. a) Metaphor b) Simile c) Oxymoron d) Epigram 2. Death lays its icy hands on Kings. a) Epigram b) Antithesis c) Metaphor d) Personification 3. O Hamlet! Thou has cleft my heart in twain. a) Metaphor b) Hyperbole c) Oxymoron d) Apostrophe 4. O death! Where is thy sting? O grave! Where is thy victory? a) Oxymoron b)......

Figures of speech overview Here is an overview of the different figures of speech. Simile In simile we make a comparison between two distinctly different objects which have at least one common trait. The simile is usually introduced by words such as like, so or as. My Love is like a red, red rose. A comparison made between two objects of the same kind is not a simile. A large number of similes are used in everyday speech. Common examples......

Using more More is a modifier. It is used in a variety of situations. In comparatives Adjectives of more one syllable form their comparative forms with more. Examples are: more beautiful, more intelligent and more careful. Note that longer adjectives ending in –y tend to have comparative forms ending in –er. Example: happy -> happier; merry -> merrier More is used to express the idea that there is more of a particular quality. Tokyo......

How to Write An Effective Resume and CV Global labor trends show that millions and millions of people every year are unemployed, and should they seek jobs, they would face rigorous screening processes. This is due to changes in the operations, structures, and spending of many companies caused by unpredictable economic circumstances and technological developments replacing a huge part of the human force. Adding to the worry of any......

Effective Business Writing: Top Principles and Techniques “My success was not just because of hard work.” Porter Gale, author of Your Network is Your Net Worth, in a Forbes interview, revealed that much of her success can be attributed to relationships she made throughout the years. She stressed that one’s “net worth” is not anchored on the size of one’s portfolio or network but on the quality of affairs and on one’s “ability to define and......

Grammar

Shall and will exercise

The qualifying infinitive

Some prepositional phrases

Collocations

What is a phrase? (Beginner level)

Introductory it: exercise

Position of subordinate clauses

Common word combinations

Time prepositions

Passive voice structures with infinitives

Common mistakes in the use of prepositions

Correct use of some prepositions and transitional adverbs

Correct use of some prepositions and transitional adverbs

Correct use of some prepositions and transitional adverbs

Figures of speech

Figures of speech overview

Using more

How to Write An Effective Resume and CV

Effective Business Writing: Top Principles and Techniques

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