Active and passive voice exercise Sentences are given in the active voice. Change them into the passive voice. 1. He teaches English. 2. The child is eating bananas. 3. She is writing a letter. 4. The master punished the servant. 5. He was writing a book. 6. Who wrote this letter? 7. Somebody cooks meal every day. 8. He wore a blue shirt. 9. May God bless you with happiness! 10. They are building a house. 11. I have finished the job. 12. I sent the report yesterday. 13. She bought a diamond necklace. 14. Somebody had stolen my purse. Answers 1. English is taught by him. 2. Bananas are being eaten by the child. 3. A letter is being written by her. 4. The servant was punished by the master. 5. A book was being written by him. 6. By whom was this letter written? 7. Meal is cooked by someone every day. 8. A blue shirt was worn by him. 9. May you be blessed with happiness! 10. A house is being built by them.
11. The job has been finished by me. 12. The report was sent yesterday. 13. A diamond necklace was bought by her. 14. My purse had been stolen by somebody.
Adjective or adverb exercise Complete the following sentences using appropriate adjectives or adverbs. 1. I feel. (unhappy / unhappily) 2. I will get the car. (ready / readily) 3. She is too.. a person to refuse. (polite / politely) 4. We will have to think.. (quick / quickly) 5. She danced.. into the room. (happy / happily) 6. She sang. (bad / badly) 7. I remember him very. (good / well) 8. Cyanide is a poison. (dead / deadly) 9. This steak is very.. cooked. (bad / badly) 10. He was. in love with her. (mad / madly) 11. They were playing fast. (unusual / unusually) 12. I.. believed that you wanted to help me. (wrong / wrongly) Answers 1. I feel unhappy. 2. I will get the car ready. 3. She is too polite a person to refuse. 4. We will have to think quickly. 5. She danced happily into the room. 6. She sang badly. 7. I remember him very well. 8. Cyanide is a deadly poison. 9. This steak is very badly cooked. 10. He was madly in love with her. 11. They were playing unusually fast. 12. I wrongly believed that you wanted to help me.
Adjectives that take the preposition of A large number of adjectives take the preposition of after them. Here is a quick list of them. Accused of She accused me of killing her cat. Acquitted of The jury acquitted him of the murder. Afraid of I am afraid of spiders. Apprehensive of I am apprehensive of the risks. Apprised of He has not been apprised of the death of his brother. Assured of We are assured of his help. Aware of I am not aware of the latest developments. Bereft of The refugees are bereft of their happiness. Cautious of He was cautious of the danger he faced. Certain of He is certain of success. Characteristic of What are the characteristic colors of autumn? Composed of Water is composed of oxygen and hydrogen.
Confident of I am quite confident of success. Convicted of He is convicted of murder. Convinced of I am convinced of my innocence. Deprived of She was deprived of her share in the property. Desirous of He is desirous of fame. Devoid of The story was devoid of wit. Diffident of He is diffident of his ability to do it. Envious of She is envious of her rich neighbor. Fond of She is quite fond of her grandchildren. Guilty of He is found guilty of forgery. Ignorant of He is ignorant of the consequences of his actions. Informed of Have you been informed of his decision to quit? Proud of He is quite proud of his daughter. Sure of Are you sure of your success?
Suspicious of I am suspicious of your intentions.
Already and yet Complete the following sentences using appropriate verb forms. 1. She has not started working on the project. a) yet b) already 2. I have.. sent the payment. a) yet b) already 3. As, I haven t had time to talk to her. a) yet b) already 4. I have. finished. a) yet b) already 5. He was tired,.. he didn t give up. a) yet b) already 6. The invitees have.. turned up. a) yet b) already 7. I was surprised that they had.. finished the job. a) yet b) already 8. I was surprised that she had.. to start working on that project. a) yet b) already 9. The government has. to approve the project. a) yet b) already 10. I have had enough. a) yet b) already
Answers 1. She has not yet started working on the project. 2. I have already sent the payment. 3. As yet, I haven t had time to talk to her. 4. I have already finished. 5. He was tired, yet he didn t give up. 6. The invitees have already turned up. 7. I was surprised that they had already finished the job. 8. I was surprised that she had yet to start working on that project. 9. The government has yet to approve the project. 10. I have already had enough.
Although, however, in spite of, despite Complete the following sentences using although, though, in spite of or despite. 1. We went out. the rain. a) in spite of b) although c) though 2. We went out. it was cold. a) though b) although c) Either could be used here 3. He went out.. the fact that he was tired. a) in spite of b) although c) Either could be used here 4... she didn t like the film, I enjoyed it a lot. a) Though b) Despite c) Either could be used here 5. She bought the dress. it was expensive. a) though b) despite c) Either could be used here 6. I failed the test.., my friend passed. a) Although b) However c) Despite 7. I failed the test, my friend passed. a) However b) Although c) Despite 8. They managed to do it,.. I was not there. a) though b) however c) despite 9. She managed to finish on time, being late.
a) in spite of b) however c) though Answers 1. We went out in spite of the rain. 2. We went out though/although it was cold. 3. He went out in spite of the fact that he was tired. 4. Though she didn t like the film, I enjoyed it a lot. 5. She bought the dress though it was expensive. 6. I failed the test. However, my friend passed. 7. Although I failed the test, my friend passed. 8. They managed to do it, though I was not there. 9. She managed to finish on time, in spite of being late.
American and British English differences Although British English and American English are very similar, there are a few differences of grammar and spelling. Here are some examples of the most important differences. Use of the simple past and present perfect tenses In British English, only the present perfect can be used to talk about past actions which have an effect on the present moment. In American English, both simple past and present perfect tenses are possible with similar meanings. Compare: He has just gone out. OR He just went out. (US) He has just gone out. (GB) Do you have a question? OR Have you got a question? (US) Have you got a question? (GB) The past participle form of get In American English, the past participle form of get is gotten. In British English, it is got. I haven t gotten an answer. (US) I haven t got an answer. (GB) Collective nouns In American English, collective nouns (e.g. committee, team, army, family, jury etc) are always followed by singular verbs. In British English, both singular and plural verbs are possible. Singular verbs are used when we are talking of the group as a whole. Plural verbs are used when we are talking about individuals within the group. The committee meets next week. (US) The committee meet next week. OR The committee meets next week. (GB) The indefinite pronoun one In American English, the pronouns he, him and his can be used to refer back to one. In British English, this is not possible. One should know his neighbors. (US) One should know one s neighbours. (GB)
Analysis of simple sentences A sentence is a group of words which makes complete sense. It has a subject and a predicate. When we analyze a simple sentence, we have to divide it into two main parts the subject and the predicate. Examples are given below. Subject Dogs Heats The sun Birds The fire The milk My mother Predicate bark. expands bodies gives heat and light. live in nests. burns. has turned sour. bought me a dress. The subject denotes the person or thing we are talking about. The predicate is what is said about the subject. The subject may consist of one word or several words. The predicate may also consist of one word or several words. When the predicate consists of just one word, that word has to be a verb. Separate the subject and the predicate in the following sentences. 1. The cackling of geese saved Rome. 2. The sun rises in the east. 3. Buds bloom into flowers. 4. We cannot see air. 5. Moving air is called wind. 6. Parents take care of their children. 7. No man can serve two masters. 8. The shepherd heard a barking sound. 9. The boy stood on the burning deck. 10. Smoking is injurious to health. Answers 1. Subject the cackling of geese; predicate saved Rome 2. Subject the sun; predicate rises in the east 3. Subject buds; predicate bloom into flowers 4. Subject we; predicate cannot see air 5. Subject moving air; predicate is called wind 6. Subject parents; predicate take care of their children 7. Subject no man; predicate can serve two masters 8. Subject the shepherd; predicate heard a barking sound 9. Subject the boy; predicate stood on the burning deck 10. Subject smoking; predicate is injurious to health
Articles exercise Complete the following sentences using appropriate articles. In some cases, no articles are needed. 1... man is mortal. 2. I am. university student. 3. She goes to the temple in.. mornings. 4. Kiran is. best student in the class. 5... camel is the ship of the desert. 6. This book has won.. Booker prize. 7. Harishchandra was. honest king. 8. I am fond of. classical music. 9. I met boy in.. store. 10. Gold is.. precious metal. 11. She returned after.. hour. 12. There is. institution for.. blind in this city. 13... sun rises in the east. 14. He works at.. factory. 15. He is. oldest member of the club. 16. I like to watch.. football. Answers 1. Man is mortal. (No article is needed.) 2. I am a university student. 3. She goes to temple in the mornings. 4. Kiran is the best student in the class. 5. The camel is the ship of the desert. 6. This book has won the Booker prize. 7. Harishchandra was an honest king. 8. I am fond of classical music. (No article is needed.)
9. I met a boy in the store. 10. Gold is a precious metal. 11. She returned after an hour. 12. There is an institution for the blind in this city. 13. The sun rises in the east. 14. He works at a factory. 15. He is the oldest member of the club. 16. I like to watch football. (No article is needed.)
Auxiliary verbs exercise Complete the following sentences using an appropriate auxiliary verb. 1. The police officer warned the crowd that he order shooting, if they created trouble. could would might 2. Passengers not smoke inside the bus. will should must 3.. I have a word with you? will may can Either can or may 4. Parents.. not accompany their children to the school. must can would 5. There was a time when I stay up late, but these days I go to bed early. used to ought to should 6. The Principal said that candidates without hall tickets. not be permitted inside the examination hall. could would should 7. You.. tell me. I know everything. must not need not cannot 8. Even if he had come a little earlier, he have got a seat in the front row. should not might not would not 9.. I tell you what happened?
Shall Will Would 10. How.. he leave the office earlier without my permission? asked the Manager. should would could Answers 1. The police officer warned the crowd that he would order shooting, if they created trouble. 2. Passengers must not smoke inside the bus. 3. Can / may I have a word with you? 4. Parents must not accompany their children to the school. 5. There was a time when I used to stay up late, but these days I go to bed early. 6. The Principal said that candidates without hall tickets would not be permitted inside the examination hall. 7. You need not tell me. I know everything. 8. Even if he had come a little earlier, he would not have got a seat in the front row. 9. Shall I tell you what happened? 10. How could he leave the office earlier without my permission? asked the Manager.
Because and because of Complete the following sentences using because or because of. 1. We cancelled the trip.. the rain. a) because b) because of 2. I helped him I liked him. a) because b) because of 3. It was all.. my mother that I reached where I am today. a) because b) because of 4. You have to hurry up you are already late. a) because b) because of 5. I was late. my car broke down on the way home. a) because b) because of 6. She worked hard.. she wanted to pass. a) because b) because of 7. I sat down to rest I was tired. a) because b) because of 8. She didn t get the job. she didn t apply in time. a) because b) because of 9... his strange accent, people assume that he is a foreigner. a) because b) because of 10. He lost his job his drug problem. a) because b) because of
Answers 1. We cancelled the trip because of the rain. 2. I helped him because I liked him. 3. It was all because of my mother that I reached where I am today. 4. You have to hurry up because you are already late. 5. I was late because my car broke down on the way home. 6. She worked hard because she wanted to pass. 7. I sat down to rest because I was tired. 8. She didn t get the job because she didn t apply in time. 9. Because of his strange accent, people assume that he is a foreigner. 10. He lost his job because of his drug problem.
Change statement into questions A sentence that tells us something is a statement. One way it can be changed into a question is to use do, does or did as the first word. An example is given below. My sister enjoys playing tennis. (Statement) Does my sister enjoy playing tennis? (Question) Make question sentences from the following statements using do, does or did. 1. My mother makes delicious cakes. 2. My sister works at a bank. 3. He spends a lot of time working on his computer. 4. My father goes to office by car. 5. The children practice the piano every morning. 6. Our team played well yesterday. 7. I met your dad yesterday. 8. He wants to go abroad. 9. Susie sings well. 10. Maya bought a new car last week. Answers 1. Does my mother make delicious cakes? 2. Does my sister work at a bank? 3. Does he spend a lot of time working on his computer? 4. Does my father go to office by car? 5. Do the children practise the piano every morning? 6. Did our team play well yesterday? 7. Did I meet your dad yesterday? 8. Does he want to go abroad? 9. Does Susie sing well? 10. Did Maya buy a new car last week?
Notes After do, does and did, we use the first form of the verb. Does she sing well? (NOT Does she sings well?)
Collective nouns exercise The verb has to agree with the subject in number and person. Complete the following sentences using a verb form that agrees with the subject. 1. Our audience.. always been the affluent urban elite. has have 2. The audience at the open-air stadium not as large as had been expected. was were 3. The audience. enthralled by her performance. was were 4. Audiences throughout the world.. been captivated by Chaplin s films. have has 5. The public.. stringent laws to deal with terrorists. want wants 6. The public.. not satisfied with the relief measures taken during the floods. was were 7. The team practising at the stadium. was were 8. The team. for Australia tomorrow. is leaving are leaving 9. A family with four children. next door. live lives 10. My family. going to be there. is are
Answers 1. Our audience has always been the affluent urban elite. 2. The audience at the open-air stadium was not as large as had been expected. 3. The audience was enthralled by her performance. 4. Audiences throughout the world have been captivated by Chaplin s films. 5. The public wants stringent laws to deal with terrorists. 6. The public was not satisfied with the relief measures taken during the floods. 7. The team was practising at the stadium. 8. The team is leaving for Australia tomorrow. 9. A family with four children lives next door. 10. My family is going to be there.
Common expressions without articles In some common fixed expressions of place, time and movement countable nouns are normally treated as uncountables, without articles. Here are the most common expressions of this kind: To school / at school / in school / from school To university / at university / from university (GB) To university / in university / from university (US) To / at / in / into / from church To / in / into / out of bed / prison To / at sea To / in / from town At / from home Leave home / school / university / college Start school / university / college Enter school / university / college To / in / into / out of hospital To / at / from work By car / by bus / by bicycle / by plane / by train / by boat On foot By radio / phone / letter / mail In some cases, place nouns are used with articles. There is usually a difference of meaning. For example, when we say at the university, we are referring to the building, not to the activities going on there. Compare: John has to go to hospital. He has got heart problems. (as a patient.) I went to the hospital to see James. (Here we are referring to the bricks and mortar structure.) Notes In American English, the words hospital and I are always used with articles.
Correct the following sentences. 1. He came here before two months. 2. He comes often to our house. 3. Though John worked very hardly, he failed. 4. He comes to see me seldom. 5. I have wanted to meet him always. 6. I have never seen such a man; he is too noble. 7. Alice is so tall as Peter. Answers Common mistakes with adverbs 1. He came here two months ago. (Ago is used to date back from the time of speaking. Before is used to date back from a point of time in the past.) 2. He often comes to our house. (Adverbs like always, before, never and often are placed before the verb. When the verb consists of an auxiliary and a principal verb, the adverb is placed between the two; if there are two auxiliaries, the adverb is placed after the first auxiliary.) 3. Though John worked very hard, he failed. 4. He seldom comes to see me. (Seldom is an adverb of frequency. It is placed before the verb.) 5. I have always wanted to meet him. 6. I have never seen such a man; he is very noble. (Too has a negative meaning. It means more than is good or desirable or necessary for a specific purpose. It is not used in the general sense of very or much.) 7. Alice is as tall as Peter. (We prefer as in affirmative sentences and so in negative sentences.)
Common mistakes with nouns In this article, we will explain some common mistakes in the use of nouns. Incorrect: I would like to buy some furnitures. Correct: I would like to buy some furniture. Incorrect: Have you got any informations? Correct: Have you got any information? Incorrect: Have you packed your luggages? Correct: Have you packed your luggage? Incorrect: Is there any breads? Correct: Is there any bread? OR Are there any loaves? Explanation: Nouns like scenery, furniture, news, information, luggage and bread are always used in the singular. They do not have a plural form. Incorrect: He told these news to me. Correct: He told me this news. Explanation: The noun news is only used in the singular. So, we cannot use these before news. When a verb (e.g. told) takes two objects, we prefer to put the indirect object (e.g. me) before the direct object (e.g. this news). Note that the indirect object is usually a person as in the above example. Incorrect: The government should pay attention to the problems of the poors. Correct: The government should pay attention to the problems of the poor. Incorrect: He provided the blinds with food. Correct: He provided the blind with food. Explanation: Expressions like the poor, the dead, the blind, the unemployed are always plural. You don t have to say the poors or the blinds
Commonly confused expressions Here is a quick overview of some phrases and expressions that are commonly confused. Supposed to / used to You are not supposed to break the rules. (NOT You are not suppose to break the rules.) I am used to living alone. (NOT I am use to living alone.) It is wrong to drop the d in supposed and used. However, this is a mistake that many people make. Beside the point If something is beside the point, it is not relevant to the point. It is wrong to write besides the point. Beside means next to or at the side of. Besides means in addition to. Couldn t care less The expression I could care less is always wrong. I couldn t care less means I don t care at all. However, I could care less does not mean that you care a lot. Whet your appetite To whet your appetite is to sharpen your appetite. Even mouth-watering delicacies can t wet your appetite. The correct expression is whet your appetite. Nip it in the bud To nip something in the bud is to prevent it from growing into something bigger. Don t nip it in the butt. That will not solve your problem. Toe the line To toe the line is to adhere to a standard or rule. Don t write tow the line. For all intents and purposes For all intents and purposes means pretty much or almost completely. It is wrong to write for all intensive purposes. Bald-faced lie A bald-faced lie is an audacious lie. The person who tells a bald-faced lie does not make any attempt to disguise it as truth. However, this does not make it a bold-faced lie.
Confusing pairs exercise Words like their and there, its and it s are often confused. This exercise tests your understanding of similar word pairs. Complete the given sentences. 1.. knowledge is a dangerous thing. (A little / little) 2.. children are innocent. (A little / little) 3... children are interested in reading. (A few / few) 4. He has.. buildings of his own. (Much / many) 5. The. half of the film is more interesting than the former. (later / latter) 6. My. brother works abroad. (elder / older) 7. Trains run.. five minutes. (every / each) 8. bag is this? (Whose / who s) 9. The dog has had.. breakfast. (its / it s) 10. is something wrong with this computer. (There / their) Answers 1. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. 2. Little children are innocent. 3. Few children are interested in reading. 4. He has many buildings of his own. 5. The latter half of the film is more interesting than the former. 6. My elder brother works abroad. 7. Trains run every five minutes. 8. Whose bag is this? 9. The dog has had its breakfast. 10. There is something wrong with this computer.
Confusing words exercise Fill in the blanks with an appropriate word or phrase: 1. She is.. of her success. (a) confident (b) confidant (c) confessor 2. I don t want any explanation. (a) farther (b) further (c) farthest 3. Is there. in the class? (a) anyone (b) no one (c) some one 4. The doctor. the patients to quit smoking. (a) advised (b) advices (c) told 5. He says he is enjoying his job. (a) later (b) latest (c) latter 6. All students should have.. to a good library. (a) access (b) axis (c) excess 7. football, he plays cricket. (a) Beside (b) Besides (c) Till 8. knowledge is a dangerous thing. (a) A little (b) Little (c) The little 9. He is my brother.
(a) elder (b) older (c) senior 10. The sun.. in the east. (a) races (b) raises (c) rises Answers 1. She is confident of her success. 2. I don t want any further explanation. 3. Is there anyone in the class? 4. The doctor advised the patients to quit smoking. 5. He says he is enjoying his latest job. 6. All students should have access to a good library. 7. Besides football, he plays cricket. 8. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. 9. He is my elder brother. 10. The sun rises in the east.
Conjunctions and relative pronouns exercise Complete the following sentences using an appropriate conjunction. 1... somewhat pompous, he was an entertaining companion. a) Although b) Though c) As 2. He is.. a knave nor a fool. a) either b) neither 3. He sells mangoes.. oranges. a) and b) but c) or 4.. there is life, there is hope. a) While b) That 5. He told me.. he would leave tomorrow. a) that b) what 6... cannot be cured must be endured. a) That b) What c) Either could be used here 7. We love him he is faithful. a) because b) for c) Either could be used here 8. We decided to set out it was late. a) though b) although c) Either could be used here 9. The sheep.. the oxen are grazing. a) and b) as well as c) Either could be used here
10. She is older she looks. a) than b) then Answers 1. Though somewhat pompous, he was an entertaining companion. 2. He is neither a knave nor a fool. 3. He sells mangoes and oranges. 4. While there is life, there is hope. 5. He told me that he would leave tomorrow. 6. What cannot be cured must be endured. 7. We love him for/because he is faithful. 8. We decided to set out though/although it was late. 9. The sheep and / as well as the oxen are grazing. 10. She is older than she looks.
Conjunctions exercise Fill in the blanks using suitable conjunctions: 1. This is a small.. interesting story. 2. Manu and Anu help.. 3. I was a child, I lived in Dubai. 4. Make hay. the sun shines. 5. We will visit Paris.. Rome during the summer. 6. Let us wait here.. the rain stops. 7.. he worked hard he failed. 8. I regard my mother.. my best friend. 9. I was suffering from fever I couldn t attend the class. 10. My sister is not.. intelligent.. my brother. 11. He is.. tall.. his father. 12. Do your duty.. you live. 13. He was treated.. a guest. Answers 1. This is a small but interesting story. 2. Manu and Anu help each other. 3. When I was a child, I lived in Dubai. 4. Make hay while the sun shines. 5. We will visit Paris or Rome during the summer. 6. Let us wait here until the rain stops. 7. Though he worked hard he failed. 8. I regard my mother as my best friend. 9. As I was suffering from fever I couldn t attend the class. 10. My sister is not so intelligent as my brother. 11. He is as tall as his father.
12. Do your duty as long as you live. 13. He was treated as a guest.
Conjunctions exercise Complete the following sentences using an appropriate subordinating conjunction. 1. People ran for shelter, the storm broke out. when as because 2. The audience left the hall the performance was over. (time) when as since 3. Go you like. (place) where there Either could be used here 4. The accident occurred.. the four roads meet. (place) where there when 5. The train cannot start. the signal is given. when after before 6. His wife fainted.. she heard the news. (time) when as while 7. We eat we may live. that so such that 8. He wore a coat that he may not catch cold. such that so that in order that Either so that or in order that 9.. I finish this book, I will begin another.
no sooner as soon as hardly 10. I wouldn t do it it were possible. if even if even though 11. He looks he were on the brink of a nervous breakdown. as if as though even though Either as if or as though Answers 1. People ran for shelter, when the storm broke out. 2. The audience left the hall when the performance was over. 3. Go where you like. 4. The accident occurred where the four roads meet. 5. The train cannot start before the signal is given. 6. His wife fainted when she heard the news. 7. We eat that we may live. 8. He wore a coat so that / in order that he may not catch cold. 9. As soon as I finish this book, I will begin another. 10. I wouldn t do it even if it were possible. 11. He looks as if / as though he were on the brink of a nervous breakdown.
Conjunctions exercise Complete the following sentences using an appropriate conjunction. 1. Will you wait here.. I come back? a) till b) until c) Either could be used here 2. I will visit you I have time. a) if b) when c) Either could be used here 3. The train will have left. the time we reach the station. a) by b) before c) Either could be used here 4. The train had left. we reached the station. a) before b) by c) Either could be used here 5. You can leave.. you are ready. a) as soon as b) when c) Either could be used here 6. You have to finish it. you leave. a) before b) as soon as c) Either could be used here 7. I hurt myself. playing cricket. a) while b) whenever c) Either could be used here 8. I injured my foot.. I was playing cricket. a) when b) while c) Either could be used here 9. He gave me the message I arrived.
a) a moment b) the moment 10. I will only pay you. you finish the work on time. a) if b) unless c) Either could be used here Answers 1. Will you wait here till / until I come back? 2. I will visit you if / when I have time. 3. The train will have left by the time we reach the station. 4. The train had left before we reached the station. 5. You can leave as soon as / when you are ready. 6. You have to finish it before you leave. 7. I hurt myself while playing cricket. 8. I injured my foot when / while I was playing cricket. 9. He gave me the message the moment I arrived. 10. I will only pay you if you finish the work on time.
Conjunctions exercise Conjunctions are words used to connect clauses. They not only connect clauses but also express the relationship between them. This exercise tests your knowledge of conjunctions. Fill in the blanks with suitable conjunctions. 1. Though she studied well she failed. 2. She is. beautiful her mother. 3. She is not.. brilliant.. her sister. 4. He was busy. he was on tour. 5. Shakespeare was a poet. also a dramatist. 6. He fell asleep.. he was reading the book. 7. I would like to go I am too busy. 8. You can. walk.. go by bus. 9. He tried his best failed. 10. She is. Sita Radha. Answers 1. Though she studied well yet she failed. 2. She is as beautiful as her mother. 3. She is not as brilliant as her sister. 4. He was busy when he was on tour. 5. Shakespeare was not only a poet but also a dramatist. 6. He fell asleep while he was reading the book. 7. I would like to go because I am too busy. 8. You can either walk or go by bus. 9. He tried his best but failed. 10. She is either Sita or Radha. / She is neither Sita nor Radha.
Conjunctions worksheet A conjunction is a word which joins sentences or clauses together. A conjunction is merely a connecting word. It performs no other function in the sentence. There are two types of conjunctions coordinating and subordinating. A coordinating conjunction joins two clauses of equal importance. Examples are: and, but, as well as, both and, yet, or, either or, for, so etc. A subordinating conjunction joins a main clause with a subordinating clause. Examples are: whether, if, while, when, though, since, before etc. Fill in the blanks with appropriate conjunctions. 1. We started early. we might not miss the show. a) because b) so c) so that d) on condition that 2. I can help you.. you tell me the truth. a) unless b) provided c) so 3. He is both scholarly. cultured. a) and b) also c) as well d) none of these 4. He looks.. he is ill. a) as if b) like c) as d) though 5. You must apologize;. you will be punished. a) otherwise b) unless c) whether d) but Answers 1. We started early so that we might not miss the show. 2. I can help you provided you tell me the truth. 3. He is both scholarly and cultured.
4. He looks as if he is ill. 5. You must apologize; otherwise you will be punished.
Conversion of a complex sentence into a compound sentence A complex sentence consists of one coordinate (main) clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A compound sentence consists of two or more coordinate (main) clauses. As we have already learned, a main clause can stand alone. A subordinate clause, on the other hand, cannot stand alone. It needs to be attached to a main clause. Subordinate clauses are of three types adjective clause, adverb clause and noun clause. We can convert a complex sentence into a compound sentence by changing the subordinate clause(s) into main clause(s). An example is given below. He went to work as soon as he finished his meal. Let s analyze this sentence. It has two finite verbs (went, finished) and hence it has two clauses. The clause he went to work is the main clause because it can stand alone. The clause as soon as he finished his meal is a subordinate clause because it cannot stand alone and needs to be attached to the main clause. We can convert this sentence into a compound sentence by changing the subordinate clause into a coordinate clause. This can be done by removing the subordinating conjunction. The two clauses are then connected using a coordinating conjunction. He finished his meal and went to work. As you can see, this sentence has two coordinate clauses connected by the coordinating conjunction and.
Degrees of comparison Complete the following sentences using an appropriate adjective. Choose your answers from the options given in the brackets. 1. Delhi is.. than Mumbai. (hot / hotter / hottest) 2... youngest brother serves in the army. (My / me / mine) 3. We had. most interesting experience during the picnic. (a / the) 4. Mr. Ramesh is.. most popular lecturer in our college. (a / the) 5. I am satisfied only with best. (a / the) 6. Kodaikanal is one of the hill stations in South India. (lovely / lovelier / loveliest) 7. The of the two brothers is getting married next month. (younger / youngest) 8. This is.. most useful book on the subject. (the / a) 9. I have not seen better film than this. (a / the) 10. Only the. member can be elected the President. (old / older / oldest) 11. This is.. worst accident in recent times. (the / a) 12.. Charles seemed to be covered with hair. (The most of / Most of) Answers 1. Delhi is hotter than Mumbai. 2. My youngest brother serves in the army. 3. We had a most interesting experience during the picnic. 4. Mr. Ramesh is the most popular lecturer in our college. 5. I am satisfied only with the best. 6. Kodaikanal is one of the loveliest hill stations in South India. 7. The younger of the two brothers is getting married next month. 8. This is the most useful book on the subject. 9. I have not seen a better film than this. 10. Only the oldest member can be elected the President. 11. This is the worst accident in recent times. 12. Most of Charles seemed to be covered with hair.
Direct and indirect speech exercise Sentences are given in the direct speech. Change them into the indirect speech. 1. He said, I have got a toothache. 2. Manu said, I am very busy now. 3. Hurry up, she said to us. 4. Give me a cup of water, he told her. 5. She said, I am going to college. 6. She said to me, Thank you 7. Raju said, Gautam must go tomorrow. 8. Geetha says, My father is an Engineer. 9. He said, I have passed the physical test. 10. She said to me, You are my only friend. 11. I love you, he told me. 12. Where are you going? James asked Mary. Answers: 1. He said that he had got a toothache. 2. Manu said that he was very busy then. 3. She told us to hurry up. 4. He asked her to give him a cup of water. 5. She said that she was going to college. 6. She thanked me. 7. Raju said that Gautam would have to go the following day. 8. Geetha says that her father is an Engineer. 9. He said that he had passed the physical test. 10. She told me that I was her only friend. 11. He told me that he loved me. 12. James asked Mary where she was going.
Each and every This grammar exercise tests your ability to use each and every correctly. Complete the following sentences using an appropriate word or phrase. 1. I visit my parents every. a) week b) weeks c) Either could be used here 2. Buses run. ten minutes. a) each b) every c) Either could be used here 3. She had a child holding on to hand. a) each b) every c) Either could be used here 4. She was carrying bags in each.. a) hand b) hands c) Either could be used here 5. The two brothers love each.. a) other b) another c) Either could be used here 6. Everybody come. a) has b) have c) Either could be used here 7. of us sees the world differently. a) Each b) Every c) Either could be used here 8. You can apply for your own membership cards. a) each b) every 9. I spoke to of the boys in the class.
a) each b) every c) Either could be used here 10. She sent them a present. a) each b) every c) Either could be used here Answers 1. I visit my parents every week. 2. Buses run every ten minutes. 3. She had a child holding on to each hand. 4. She was carrying bags in each hand. 5. The two brothers love each other. 6. Everybody has come. 7. Each of us sees the world differently. 8. You can each apply for your own membership cards. 9. I spoke to each of the boys in the class. 10. She sent them each a present.
Each other and one another In modern English, each other and one another are used in the same way. One another is preferred in cases where we are making general statements. They no longer talk to each other / one another. Both expressions have possessive forms: each other s / one another s. They sat for hours listening to each other s / one another s tales. Grammar notes Each other is not used with words like meet, marry and similar. They met at a pub. (NOT They met each other at a pub.) They married in 2001. (NOT They married each other in 2001.) Themselves, each other / one another There is a difference between themselves and each other / one another. Compare: They love themselves a lot. (= Each of them loves himself or herself.) They love each other a lot. (=Each of them loves the other.) Correct use of only The adverb only should be placed immediately before the word it modifies. Study the following sentence. Note the change in the meaning according to the change in the position of only. Only Alice helped me to write the book. (= Only Alice and no one else helped me to write the book.) Alice only helped me to write the book. (= Alice helped me to write the book, but she didn t actually write it herself.) Only John could solve the problem. (= Only John and no one else could solve the problem.) John could only solve the problem. (= John could solve the problem, but couldn t do anything else.)
Except and except for Both except and except for can be used after words like all, every, no, everything, anybody, nowhere, whole etc. In other cases, we use except for. All the invitees turned up except Shyam. OR All the invitees turned up except for Shyam. Both except and except for are possible after all. Exercise Except for Shyam all the invitees turned up. (NOT Except Shyam all the invitees turned up.) Combine the pairs of sentences using except. 1. He knows only Malayalam. He does not know any other language. 2. Two boys have not come. All the others have come. 3. John did not stand up. All the other boys stood up. 4. Maya has not passed the test. All the other girls have passed. 5. We have brought all our instruments. But we haven t brought my guitar. 6. He ate everything on his plate. But he didn t eat the potatoes. 7. I have cleaned all the rooms. I haven t cleaned the guestroom. 8. John and Mary came. Nobody else came. 9. Nobody helped me. You helped me. ANSWERS 1. He does not know any language except (for) Malayalam. 2. All the boys have come except (for) two. 3. All the boys stood up except (for) John. 4. All the girls have passed the test except (for) Maya. 5. We have brought all our instruments except (for) my guitar. 6. He ate everything on his plate except (for) the potatoes. 7. I have cleaned all the rooms except (for) the guestroom. 8. Nobody came except (for) John and Mary. 9. Nobody helped me except you.
Expressing future Grammar exercise Complete the following sentences using an appropriate form of the verb given in the brackets. 1. I John tomorrow. a) see b) am seeing c) have seen 2. What. this evening? a) will you do b) are you doing c) have you been doing 3. Martha. another baby in June. a) is having b) is going to have c) will have 4. The train.. at half past six tomorrow morning. a) is leaving b) leaves c) will leave 5. I.. probably be home late tonight. a) will b) am c was 6. Nobody what happened to her. a) is ever knowing b) will ever know 7... I carry your bag? a) Will b) Shall 8. I.. you if you say that word again. a) am hitting b) will hit c) am going to hit 9. I. you tonight. a) am phoning b) will phone
10. You can have it for $100. OK. I. it. a) am buying b) will buy c) am going to buy Answers 1. I am seeing John tomorrow. 2. What are you doing this evening? 3. Martha is going to have another baby in June. 4. The train leaves at half past six tomorrow morning. 5. I will probably be home late tonight. 6. Nobody will ever know what happened to her. 7. Shall I carry your bag? 8. I will hit you if you say that word again. 9. I will phone you tonight. 10. You can have it for $100. OK. I will buy it.
We can use like or as to say that things are similar. She is like her sister. He is a doctor like his father. Like his brother, he is a vegetarian. You are dressed just like me. He fought like a tiger. Grammar notes Expressing similarity Like is a preposition. It is used before a noun or a pronoun which acts as its object. Using as As is a conjunction. It is used before a clause or an expression beginning with a preposition. Nobody loves her as I do. (NOT Nobody loves her like I do.) In 1939, as in 1914, everybody seemed to want war. He fought as a tiger does. Informal use of like In informal English like is often used a conjunction instead of as. This is very common in American English. Nobody loves her like I do. Comparison with as and like after negatives Note the word order in the following sentences. I don t sing, like Jane. (Jane sings, but I don t.) Like Jane, I don t sing. (Jane doesn t sing; neither do I.) I am not a Catholic, like Mary. (Mary is a Catholic, but I am not.) Like Mary, I am not a Catholic. (Mary is not a Catholic; nor am I.)
Expressing wishes in English The phrase I wish I had is the most common structure used to talk about our wishes. Here are some common wishes people have. I wish I had more money. I wish I had more friends. I wish I had a bigger house. I wish I was taller. I wish I was more beautiful. I wish I had curly hair. I wish I had blue eyes. I wish I had a caring husband. I wish I had a cute daughter. I wish I had a better memory. Note the use of past tense verbs in this structure. In the phrase I wish I had had is the simple past form of the verb have. Instead of had, you can use the simple past form of other verbs as well. I wish I spoke French. I wish I knew Italian. I wish I looked smarter. I wish I drove a Ferrari. I wish I lived in Shanghai. I wish I had a golden voice. I wish I knew more people. I wish I played the piano. Although we use past tense forms in this structure, we are not referring to the past in these sentences. Instead, we are merely expressing our wishes in the present. To talk about past wishes, we can use the structure I wish I had had Note that the second had in this structure is the past participle form of have. Past participle forms of other verbs are also possible in this case. I wish I had had more money. I wish I had worked harder. (= I didn t work harder, but now I regret it.) I wish I had had more time on my business trip last week. I wish I hadn t trusted him. I wish I had listened to his advice.
Forms of be Complete the following sentences. 1. There.. somebody at the door. a) is b) are c) am 2. There.. some books on the table. a) is b) are c) am 3. There.. a thunderstorm last night. a) is b) was c) were d) are 4... there any water on the moon? a) Is b) Are c) Has 5. There.. a hole in my tights. a) is b) are c) has 6. There. ice on the lake. a) is b) are c) has 7. I don t know how many people there in the waiting room. a) is b) are c) has 8. There. no sense in making him angry. a) is b) are c) has 9. What you doing at six o clock yesterday evening?
a) was b) were c) are 10. What.. he doing there? a) is b) are c) am 11. James at the party yesterday. a) was b) were c) is 12.. there anything the matter with you? a) Is b) Are c) Was Answers 1. There is somebody at the door. 2. There are some books on the table. 3. There was a thunderstorm last night. 4. Is there any water on the moon? 5. There is a hole in my tights. 6. There is ice on the lake. 7. I don t know how many people there are in the waiting room. 8. There is no sense in making him angry. 9. What were you doing at six o clock yesterday evening? 10. What is he doing there? 11. James was at the party yesterday. 12. Is there anything the matter with you?
Future continuous and future perfect tense review The future continuous tense is made with will / shall + be + -ing. Affirmative Negative Interrogative I will be writing. I will not be writing. Will I be writing? He will be working. He will not be working. Will he be working? They will be working. They will not be working. Will they be working? You will be working. You will not be working. Will you be working? We use the future continuous tense to say that something will be in progress at a particular moment in the future. This time tomorrow, I will be playing in the park. The future continuous tense is also used to talk about future events which are fixed or decided. You will be hearing from us sometime soon. We will be seeing you one of these days. I will be staying here till Sunday. The future continuous tense can be used in predictions about the present. It can, for example, be used to say what we think is probably happening now. Don t phone them now they ll be having lunch. Future perfect tense The future perfect tense is made with will / shall + have + past participle. Affirmative Negative Interrogative I will / shall have written. I will / shall not have written. Will / shall I have written? She will have written. She will not have written. Will she have written? They will have written. They will not have written. Will they have written? You will have written. You will not have written. Will you have written? The future perfect tense is used to say that something will have done or completed by a certain time in the future. By next Christmas, I will have worked here for ten years. I will have finished the first draft by Tuesday. The structure will have + past participle can also be used to say what we think or guess has probably happened. It is no use phoning they will have left by now.
Gap fills exercise Complete the following sentences using an appropriate word or phrase. This grammar exercise tests your understanding of basic grammar rules. 1... she was a foreigner made it difficult for her to get a job. a) That b) The fact that 2. I will come with you. your wife doesn t mind. a) so that b) providing that 3. I am very for all your help. a) thankful b) grateful c) Either could be used here 4. She is thinking.. her job. a) of quitting b) to quit c) Either could be used here 5. She. a terrorist. a) was thought b) was thought to be c) Either could be used here 6. She spent.. browsing through the catalogue. a) happy ten minutes b) a happy ten minutes c) ten happy minutes 7. I am very. in the lesson. a) interested b) interesting c) Either could be used here 8. I mean.. what is going on. a) to find out b) finding out 9. You should always check the oil before.. the car. a) starting b) to start
10. I am tired.. to this. a) to listen b) of listening c) Either could be used here Answers 1. The fact that she was a foreigner made it difficult for her to get a job. 2. I will come with you providing that your wife doesn t mind. 3. I am very grateful for all your help. 4. She is thinking of quitting her job. 5. She was thought to be a terrorist. 6. She spent a happy ten minutes browsing through the catalogue. 7. I am very interested in the lesson. 8. I mean to find out what is going on. 9. You should always check the oil before starting the car. 10. I am tired of listening to this.
Gap fills exercise This grammar exercise tests your understanding of basic grammar rules. 1. The government should take immediate action, the problem of child labor should grow worse. a) for b) lest 2. I would like to spend. working. a) less my time b) less of my time c) Either could be used here 3. I was. impressed by his behavior. a) not the least b) not in the least c) Either could be used here 4. She does not mind working late.. a) the least b) in the least 5... holidays are often the most interesting. a) The least expensive b) Least expensive 6. It is time you.. to behave. a) learn b) learnt 7.. have been pretty hectic for me. a) The last days b) The last few days c) Either could be used here 8. This is the last letter you. from me. a) get b) will get 9. I will see you. a) in a few days b) a few days later 10. You re late. I.
a) know b) know it Answers 1. The government should take immediate action, lest the problem of child labor should grow worse. 2. I would like to spend less of my time working. 3. I was not in the least impressed by his behavior. 4. She does not mind working late in the least. 5. The least expensive holidays are often the most interesting. 6. It is time you learnt to behave. 7. The last few days have been pretty hectic for me. 8. This is the last letter you get/will get from me. 9. I will see you in a few days. 10. You re late. I know.
Gap fills exercise Complete the following sentences using an appropriate word or phrase. 1. Despite repeated, he did not lose hope. a) failures b) attempts c) successes d) encouragements e) strokes 2. We found him quite. even at the age of ninety. a) nervous b) active c) lazy d) depressed 3. The police had to use force to. the angry mob. a) disperse b) provoke c) outnumber d) beat 4. His project won the first prize and therefore he was very.. a) cheering b) elated c) disturbed d) pleasant 5. His arrival was a pleasant surprise for me. a) informed b) unexpected c) irregular d) uncertain 6. He was.. for his keys. a) finding b) looking c) seeing d) seeking 7. The.. of his unnatural death has not been established. a) cause b) motive c) reason d) result 8. Had I known about the agenda, I.. have attended the meeting. a) will
b) would c) can d) may Answers 1. Despite repeated failures, he did not lose hope. 2. We found him quite active even at the age of ninety. 3. The police had to use force to disperse the angry mob. 4. His project won the first prize and therefore he was very elated. 5. His unexpected arrival was a pleasant surprise for me. 6. He was looking for his keys. 7. The cause of his unnatural death has not been established. 8. Had I known about the agenda, I would have attended the meeting.