The English Grammar Workbook for Adults: A Self-Study Guide to Improve Functional Writing by DiGiacomo

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.

The Basics of Nouns

Diversity of Nouns

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.

Exploring Plural Nouns

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 Deciphered

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.

Mastering Adjectives in English

The Essence of Adjectives

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'.

Placement and Usage of Adjectives

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.

Understanding Adjectives Classification

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.

Guidelines for Descriptive 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.

Mastering Grammar: Active vs Stative Verbs

Realizing Action and Condition through Verbs

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.

Understanding the Impact of 'Affect' and 'Effect'

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.

Navigating the Usage of Gerunds and Infinitives

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.

Grasping English Tenses

Unveiling English Verb Forms

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'.

Understanding Present Perfect Tense

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'.

Exploring Past Perfect Tense

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.

Future Perfect Tense Decoded

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'.

Present Progressive Uncovered

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'.

Deciphering Past Progressive

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.

Future Progressive Explained

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'.

Demystifying Modal Verbs and Conditionals

Getting to Grips with Modal Verbs

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.

Understanding Had Better, Should, and Ought To

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.

Discovering May, Might, and Can

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.

Decoding Could and Causatives

'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 for Hypotheticals

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.

Exploring English Prepositions

Mastering English Prepositions

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.

Location Prepositions Simplified

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.

Grasping Preposition Collocations

To further simplify English, common combinations with nouns, verbs, and adjectives are exhibited such as 'approach to', 'attempt at', and 'cause of'.

Making Sense of Phrasal Verbs

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.

Understanding English Grammar

Basic English Sentence Structure

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 and Complex Sentences

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.

The Role of 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.

Grammar Tools Usage

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.

Mastering English Grammar

Active vs Passive Voice

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.

Double Negatives and Their Impact

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.

First-Person vs Third-Person Perspectives

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.

Avoiding Wordiness in Writing

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.

Misplaced Words and Sentence Logic

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.

Mastering Paragraph Creation

Art of Topic Sentences

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.

Power of Supporting Sentences

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.

Significance of Concluding Sentences

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.

Role of Transition Words

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.

Mastering College Admission Essays

Key to Impressive College Essays

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.

Unleashing Creativity in TOEFL Essays

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.

Cracking Research Papers

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.

Avoiding Common Writing Traps

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.

Mastering Social Correspondence and Everyday Terms

Refining Invitation Etiquette

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'.

Approaching Invitation Responses

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.

Navigating Everyday Terms

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.

Understanding Critical Essays

Decoding Critical Essay Structure

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.

Analyzing and Concluding

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.

Variety and Purpose of Critical Essays

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.

Digital Communication and Language Evolution

Technological Impact on Linguistic Evolution

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.


Digital Tools Shape the Language

The new language era also embraces offline hashtags, texting's unique grammar rules, and the fame of initialisms and emojis. Although adapting to digital communication language is crucial, informal language is not suitable for professional scenarios.


Context and Practice Key in Language Use

Context is key when picking language rules. Regular writing aids in refining language skills and navigating new words and grammar influenced by trends such as meme culture.

Mastering Grammar with Ease

Grasping Language Tools

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.

Examples Makes Learning Simple

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.

Mastering English Grammar

Breaking Down Nouns

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.

Unlocking Determiners

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.

Adjectives and Adverbs in Action

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.

Tenses and Modals Simplified

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.

In Depth with Prepositions and Verbs

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.

Punctuation and Voice in Grammar

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.

Refining Language Use

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.

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