English Grammar
March 13, 2007As I promised, I am posting my notes here. They are pointers and I do not intend to give very descriptive rules as it would not coax you to look into a book and learn them properly with any exceptions which the rules may have. This is meant to help you know what to look for and which rules are important. I am sure it will help a lot.
Verb-Subject Agreement
Adverbs
Nouns & Pronouns
am/are/is/was --> after
Before <-- be (do) Before <-- have to, used to
Comparisons
Living beings, personified objects, space or time (denoting an amount)
Apposition – ‘s is added to the latter
Two subjects – when different possession is implied, then both of them has ‘s
When joint possession is implied, only the latter has ‘s
(e.g. – He is one of the cleverest boys that have passed this year. This is only one of the poems that is worth reading.)
(e.g. Mucool’s room is so messy that his mother calls him a pig. Him is wrong. Needs an antecedent and there is none. Mucool’s is possessive case. Him should e replaced by mucool)
LIKE Vs AS
Like -- to comapre people, things (nouns)
As -- to compare clauses (any phrase that involves a verb)
SUCH AS = For Example
such as != like ...'such as' cannot be substituted for 'like'
Comparisons must be logically and structurally parallel.
Two things -- comparative degree
More things -- superlative degree
Different from -- is correct
Different than -- incorrect
Verb Tense, Mood & Voice
Infinitives -- to + the verb
Split Infinitives are wrong
e.g. to + ___ + Verb ...is wrong...nothing should come in between to and the verb.
PRESENT PERFECT -- have/has + past participle
past------(continuing)----->present
PAST PERFECT -- Had + past participle
"To have" = "had"
These are correct forms:
has had
had had
Refer Manhattan
IF...THEN...
If she wins...will give... (present)
If she won...would give...(past)
If she had won...would have given...(future)
COULD/WOULD never appear in the IF clause.
IF vs WHETHER --> Use whether not if, when you have to make a choice.
Subjunctive Mood
If I were...(contrary to reality)
Uncertainity --> Hopes, desires, proposals, requests
Formed using "That"...then plural form to be used for singular subjects.
e.g. It is urgent that she sign...not signs!!
that he be...infinitive form without "to".
Suggested Books : Wren & Martin, Manhattan SC, Kaplan 800, Kaplan Verbal Workbook, Official Guide
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