Nouns are diverse, stretching across countable and uncountable types to compound ones. Countable nouns are solid, touchable things—like pens and books. Uncountable nouns, on the other hand, represent things we don't view as separate items.
An impressive array of plural forms exist. They can be formed by adding -s or -es, by changing -f or -fe to -ves, or by shifting -y to -ies. Some noun plurals don't adhere to these rules and possess their unique spellings.
Determiners introduce and identify nouns. They include articles (a, an, the), possessive adjectives, and demonstrative pronouns. Everything from 'this coffee' to 'that restaurant' can be identified with the help of these tools. Quantifiers, expressing how much or how many, further support nouns.
Adjectives, crucial building blocks of English grammar, provide additional details about nouns and scenarios. They normally appear before the noun, except when linked to measurement nouns, or following 'so' and 'such'.
Adjectives can be slotted before a noun, alongside 'be' verbs, and certain verbs. They can follow 'so', while 'such' is typically succeeded by a noun phrase. The expression 'nice' can be coupled with an adjective to convey comfort or pleasantness.
There are attributive adjectives that precede nouns, and predicative adjectives that follow. Their order generally hinges on their role - classifying or describing the noun. Opinions usually precede facts, and a comma separates multiple adjectives.
Descriptive adjectives mostly adhere to the order of size, age, shape, color, origin, and material. Examples 'small, old, round, black, Japanese wooden box' and 'comfortable, old, blue, nylon running shoes' highlight the correct sequence of adjectives.
The crux of English grammatical concept like active and stative verbs is explained in an easy-to-understand manner. Active verbs depict actions or movements, whereas stative verbs express states or conditions. There's an important note that stative verbs are generally not used in the progressive form. Interestingly, some verbs can interchangeably be used as both active and stative, showing minor changes when used in the progressive form.
Another interesting lesson is about the commonly confused verbs of English grammar, 'affect' and 'effect'. 'Affect', primarily a verb, signifies the act of influencing, whereas 'effect' is a noun indicating an impact.
The book dives into the usage of gerunds and infinitives following verbs. Some verbs allow both gerunds and infinitives following them without altering the meaning. However, other verbs exclusively prefer a gerund. At times, an object followed by an infinitive can follow a verb. Noticeably, five verbs - stop, try, remember, forget, and regret, present different meanings when followed by a gerund or an infinitive.
The English language employs three variants of verbs: the base, past, and past participle. The base form can stand alone or be accompanied by 'to'. There are regular and irregular past verbs, which follow different rules when forming their past tense. Regular verbs end in -ed, like 'worked', while irregular ones have unique forms, such as 'sent'.
The present perfect tense is made by combining 'have' with the verb's past participle. This tense is used for experiences leading up to the present, connecting past to current time. For example, 'I have been to Thailand several times'.
The past perfect tense demonstrates an action completed before another in the past. It's made using 'had' and the verb's past participle, such as 'they had already finished the first course' when we arrived.
The future perfect tense shows events that will complete before a future time. It uses 'will have' plus a verb's past participle, like 'they will have finished dinner by the time we arrive'.
The present progressive tense uses the verb 'be' and the word ending with '-ing' to denote current or planned actions, e.g. 'We are talking about Macbeth'.
Past progressive is about a past or typical action, like 'I was travelling in Europe last summer'. It's formed with the past form of the verb 'be' and the '-ing' word.
For events at specific future times or with words like 'before', 'after', we use the future progressive tense. It uses the future form of the verb 'be' and '-ing' word, e.g. 'we will be flying to the Caribbean tomorrow'.
Modal verbs help articulate ability, permission, possibility, or obligation. Essentially the likes of 'must', 'don't have to', 'need to' and 'can' all serve to express varying degrees of necessity, prohibition and ability. Interestingly, these verbs can also craft requests or suggestions, giving more nuance to language.
For advice, warnings, and suggestions we turn to 'had better', 'should', and 'ought to'. These verbs hint at possible bad outcomes, good ideas, and unmet expectations. Perfect for when we're forecasting or looking backward with some regret.
For more formal wishes, hopes and queries, we use 'may' and 'might'. These verbs indicate possibility and can be used interchangeably. The verb 'can', on the other hand, discusses ability, opportunities and also the things we allow ourselves or others to do routinely.
'Could' is a versatile player, signaling past abilities, possible future events and polite requests. As for causatives, verbs like 'make', 'let', 'have', 'get' all serve to show someone or something causing an action. Very handy to show persuasion, force or arrangement of actions.
Conditionals covering range from zero to third are the mood-setters. They're used to express facts, future possibilities, hypothetical situations and past regret. Interestingly, the choice of conditional really sets the tone whether we're being factual, speculative, wishful or regretful.
DiGiacomo provides deep understanding of English Prepositions, especially of Time and Location. He also gives insights on Preposition Collocations and Phrasal Verbs. The importance of using 'at' for precise time, 'on' for days and dates, and 'in' for extended time periods is explained.
Understanding 'at' and 'in' in geography allows for apt usage. 'At' shows an action happening while 'in' tells simply about the location. DiGiacomo illustrate their proper employment.
To further simplify English, common combinations with nouns, verbs, and adjectives are exhibited such as 'approach to', 'attempt at', and 'cause of'.
The essence of Phrasal Verbs, idiomatic verb-preposition combos, is captured including transitive and intransitive types, along with separable ones. The example 'pick up Chloe at the airport' effectively illustrates this concept.
A simple English sentence is made up of a subject and a verb. An independent clause stands alone, expressing a complete thought. On the other hand, a dependent clause relies on an independent clause to make sense.
Compound sentences are formed from two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. A complex sentence involves an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
An adjective clause adds detail about a noun, while a noun clause can serve as a subject or object. An adverb clause tells us where, when, why, or how something occurs.
Correct usage of 'who' and 'whom' relies on their roles as subjects or objects. Punctuation marks like commas, hyphens, and apostrophes help to clarify meaning.
English grammar can be hard to get your head around, especially when it comes to active and passive voice. Essentially, the active voice puts the spotlight on the subject, while the passive highlights the consequences of the action. It's more common to use active when you're talking about people you know. Just remember - only transitive verbs can be used in the passive voice.
Watch out for double negatives - they're a big no-no in English grammar. When 'not' is used with another negative word, it creates confusion. However, negative verbs followed by negative adjectives are okay. Correct grammar enhances clarity in your writing.
Another area of English grammar to consider is the difference between first-person and third-person perspectives. For personal writing, go with the first-person point of view. Academic writing, on the other hand, demands the objective tone of third-person.
Wordiness can be a barrier to clear communication. Rid your writing of excess words and be precise with your vocabulary. Avoid qualifiers - they're just fluff. Keep things nice, neat, and to the point.
Ambiguity in writing is generally not a good thing. Keep an eye on your modifiers, phrases, and infinitives to make sure they're in the right spot. Remember - clarity is king.
Breathing life into a paragraph begins with a well crafted topic sentence. Clear and compact, it holds the candles to the idea that guides the paragraph. For instance, answering a prompt about extreme sports adulation could start with how it offers adrenaline rush and a sense of achievement.
The backbone of a paragraph is its supporting sentences. They clarify, exemplify, or support the pillar - the topic sentence. In advocating for a new shopping mall, supporting sentences could underline economic boost and job creation.
A paragraph is tied neatly with a summarizing conclusion. It's the bow atop a gift box that is your paragraph, enclosing the essence of all the ideas within.
An uninterrupted flow of thought is facilitated by transition words. These subtle guides help connect ideas, smooth as a stream. They are pivotal in expressing contrasts, exemplifying, highlighting salient points, or reaching logical conclusions.
Your first impression on schools comes through your college admission essays. Two popular essay prompts could talk about you or why you aspire to study at that specific school. It's crucial you share your passions and interests that align with your intended course while answering the 'tell us about yourself' prompt. Answering why you chose the school requires good research to show how the school aligns with your goals and interests.
Writing independent essays in TOEFL gives you the freedom to express your thoughts. The essay structure should include an introduction, body supporting your views, and a conclusion summarizing the main points. Successful essays drive home the point without deviating from the topic given in the prompt.
Research papers demand an amalgamation of research and independent thinking. Five steps guide your journey to a good research paper - picking a topic, research, choosing relevant information, outlining your ideas, and finally, drafting it. Your first draft should weave through a thesis statement, well-structured paragraphs, and a conclusive paragraph supported with evidence.
Prior to submitting a research paper, crucial steps should be ensured. Consulting your professor, ensuring the use of proper language and format, getting a peer review, and avoiding plagiarism can save you from common mistakes.
In event planning, crafting the perfect invitation blends clear information and an engaging tone. For formal events, be sure to include specific details such as the host, date, time, and location. Simpler events permit a more casual, relaxed tone in the invites, like using phrases including 'let's' or 'why don't we'.
When accepting or declining invitations, be mindful of your language. A formal context requires a dignified response, whereas casual circumstances allow for a friendlier approach. Remember, when turning down an invite, ensure you provide a legitimate reason to express your politeness and regret.
Understanding common terms related to housing and shopping can ease your day-to-day chores.Examples include the meaning of ‘lease’, ‘deposit’,‘amenities’ for housing or phrases related to sales, returns, and exchanges, when shopping. For health-related interactions, phrases that express common medical concerns are 'I have a cold', 'I feel sick' while discussing our health issues.
The critical essay revolves around the interpretation and analysis of an existing work. It needs an opening that introduces it and its thesis statement. This is followed by a summary section that connects and relates the details of the work to the thesis.
Next in the essay comes the critique and analysis, which should be articulated clearly. The essay should conclude by repeating the thesis and summarising the main points. Constructing a critical essay skillfully requires practice.
Critical essays can be tailored to analyze numerous types of works including films, music, art, among others. They may serve a variety of purposes, from school assignments to written reviews. Evidence from the work being reviewed is essential to bolstering the analysis.
New technologies bring fresh words into our language along with adapted meanings for existing terms. This has turned 'friend' into a verb, established 'cloud' as an online data storage space, and 'tag' as a photo-identifying method.
The 'English Grammar Workbook for Adults' gives readers a key to unlock grammar complexities with a neatly prepared glossary. The glossary enumerates definitions of grammar components like verbs, adjectives, adverbs, among others, and elucidates concepts like capitalization and sentence construction. This gives readers a more profound understanding of the lessons in the book.
The workbook clarifies understanding by using examples. For instance, it explains 'acronym' as a combination of first letters of an organization's name. Similarly, an adverb's roles and an outline of a 'topic sentence' are demystified. This hands-on approach makes mastering grammar much easier and enjoyable for the readers.
The role of countable, uncountable and irregular plurals in English grammar is explained. Compound and hyphenated noun types are identified alongside the rules for capitalization.
Determiners like 'a', 'an', 'the', along with possessive adjectives and demonstrative pronouns, find their usage illustrated. In addition, contrasting uses of 'some', 'any', 'each', 'every', 'many', 'much', 'a lot of', 'a few', and 'a little', are highlighted.
Positioning and comparing adjectives, use of participle adjectives, and types of adverbs including those of manner, place, time and others are brought into focus. Furthermore, active and stative verbs, gerunds, infinitives, and other verb forms are covered.
From the simple present to the future perfect progressive tense, every aspect of English tenses is touched upon. Modals and causatives are also clarified along with conditionals.
Prepositions of time, location, common collocations, and basic structure of clauses are demystified. Insights into compound, complex sentences, and different types of clauses are shared. Phrasal verbs are also discussed.
The use of commas, hyphens, dashes, apostrophes, colons, semicolons, parentheses, brackets, and quotation marks are elaborated on. The difference in using the active and passive voice is illuminated.
Avoiding double negatives, choosing between first and third person, and ways to prevent wordiness are elaborated. Focus shifts to correct sentence logic and the vital elements in constructing a paragraph, in particular the use of transition words.
Practical Approach to English Grammar
A New Perspective on Grammar Teaching
DiGiacomo's book offers a unique approach to teaching English grammar, focusing on practical, real-life application rather than theory. Inspired by a lack of resources that clearly explained how grammar is put to use, the book is designed to make the learning process more accessible and effective.
Structured Grammar Learning
The book is split into dual sections for easier comprehension. The first half employs brief reviews of common grammar patterns while the latter serves real-world scenarios exemplifying how to put the learnt knowledge into play. It's not an exhaustive English grammar guide but hones in on frequently used elements for day-to-day conversations and writings.
For All English Learners
DiGiacomo's guide caters to a broad audience, including those learning English as a second language and native speakers seeking to better their written skills. The book also extends its utility as an additional learning tool for classroom teaching or assignments, featuring built-in exercises and an answer key for autonomous assessments.