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GRAMMAR
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
First, the writer must know whether the subject is singular or plural.
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to determine which verb is singular and which one is plural, the
writer must think of which verb he/she would use with he or she and
which verb he/she would use with they.
talks, talk
Rule # 1
Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular
verb.
Rule # 2
Two singular subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor
require a singular verb as in Rule 1.
Rule # 3
When I is one of the two subjects connected by either/or or neither/nor,
put it second and follow it with the singular verb am.
Rule # 4
When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject,
put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
Rule # 5
When a singular and a plural subject are connected by either/or or
neither/nor, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb.
Neither Fatin nor the other staffs are available for invigilation.
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Rule # 6
As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when
they are connected by and.
Rule # 7
Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such
as along with, as well as, besides, or not. The writer should ignore these
expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural
verb. Instead, stay focus on the subject.
Rule # 8
The pronouns each, everyone, every one, everybody, anyone, anybody,
someone, and somebody are singular and require singular verbs. Do not
be misled by what follows of.
* Everyone is one word when it means everybody. Every one is two words
when the meaning is each one.
Rule # 9
With words that indicate portionspercent, fraction, part, majority, some,
all, none, remainder, and so forthlook at the noun in of phrase (object
of the preposition) to determine whether to use a singular or plural
verb. If the object of the preposition is singular, use a singular verb.
If the object of the preposition is plural, use a plural verb.
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All of the pie is gone.
All of the pies are gone.
Some of the pie is missing.
Some of the pies are missing.
None of the garbage was picked up.
None of the sentences were punctuated correctly.
Of all her books, none have sold as well as the first one.
Rule # 10
The expression the number is followed by a singular verb while the
expression a number is followed by a plural verb.
Rule # 11
When either and neither are subjects, they always take singular verbs.
Rule # 12
The words here and there have generally been labelled as adverbs even
though they indicate place. In sentences beginning with here or there,
the subject follows the verb.
Rule # 13
Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time.
Rule # 14
Sometimes the pronoun who, that, or which is the subject of a verb in
the middle of the sentence. The pronouns who, that, and which become
singular or plural according to the noun directly in front of them. So,
if that noun is singular, use a singular verb. If it is plural, use a plural
verb.
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The word in front of who is artist, which is singular. Therefore, use the
singular verb draws.
Rule # 15
Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural
depending on their use in the sentence.
Practice 1
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12. White gold, as well as silver, ___________ recently raised in
price.
13. The boss, as well as his colleagues, ___________ been
tricked by the cheater.
14. Ten tonnes of sand ___________a heavy load.
15. Seventy miles ___________a long distance.
16. Thirty seven years ___________ a long time.
17. One of the alphabets ___________ been missing.
18. The poor___________ suffering.
19. You should decide which one of the three choices A, B, or C
__________ best for the question.
20. One of the most intelligent students who___________ full
marks ___________John.
The passive voice does exist for a reason. The passive is particularly
useful in two situations:
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When it is more important to draw our attention to the person or thing
acted upon:
The bees is acting upon the subject of the sentence (the boy),
meaning it uses passive voice.
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8.2.2.2 Form of passive
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8.2.3 Passive Sentences with Two Objects
Personal Passive simply means that the object of the active sentence
becomes the subject of the passive sentence. So, every verb that
needs an object (transitive verb) can form a personal passive.
He says (active)
It is said (passive)
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Sometimes the term Personal Passive is used in English lessons if the
indirect object of an active sentence is to become the subject of the
passive sentence.
Practice 2
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6. The doctor was advising my sister to avoid taking too much of
cholesterol-laden food since it might cause heart attacks.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
These are still good sentences, but by removing the subject from one
part of them, they are no longer compound sentences.
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Compound sentence is distinct from a complex sentence, which is an
independent clause that is joined with a dependent clause.
In the example above, you can see two phrases combined by using a
coordinator so to make one long sentence.
Practice 3
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Practice 4
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.
8.4 COMPLEX SENTENCES
Example:
Although Alyaa has eaten a really big dinner, now she wants to eat
cake for dessert.
If Fayyaz keeps exercising, he will be able to maintain a healthy
weight.
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Practice 5
Practice 6
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3. Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before
noon, I did not see them at the station.
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8.5 PARALLELISM
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Not parallel Parallel
Allyzsa loves singing, dancing, Allyzsa loves singing, dancing,
and to play violin. and playing violin.
The lecturer was asked to write The lecturer was asked to write
his evaluation quickly, his evaluation quickly,
accurately, and in detail. accurately, and thoroughly.
The professor said that she was The professor said that she was
a poor student because she a poor student because she
waited until the last minute to waited until the last minute to
study for the exam, completed study for the exam, completed
her reports in a careless manner, her reports in a careless manner,
and has low motivation. and lacked motivation.
When creating parallel structure with clauses, the writer must ensure
that the format of the first clause is maintained in the second clause.
Be sure to check the nouns, the adjectives, the adverbs, and the verb
tenses.
The blueberry tart is excellent, and I like the strawberry tart.
The blueberry tart is excellent, but I really like the strawberry tart.
The blueberry tart is excellent. I also like the strawberry tart.
She had studied hard for her exams, and there was pride in the results.
She had studied hard for her exams, and she was proud of the results.
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Not parallel Parallel
The teacher told the students The teacher told the students
that they should get enough rest, that they should get enough rest,
watch their diet, and to do some that they should watch their diet,
exercises before the test. and that they should do some
exercises before the test.
or
When making a list after a colon, any form of word is permitted, but
it should be in a consistent form. Use all nouns, all adjectives, all
adverbs, or all one form of verb.
Practice 7
1. The kind professor rewarded her students for their hard work
on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
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3. Miss Atheera kept her office clean, neat, and she made it
conveniently arranged.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
8. The kitchen was filled with dirty dishes, broken bottles, and the
wash-basin was overflowing.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
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10. Andrew couldnt figure out what to do with his free time: to
play computer games, watch football, or sleeping.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Run-on sentences are sentences that contain too many ideas without
proper punctuation. Not all long sentences are run-on sentences. It is
perfectly acceptable to join several related ideas in one compound
sentence. However, if a writer does not follow punctuation rules, a
sentence can become a run-on. A simple explanation of run-ons and
some examples of run-on sentences should help to make this point
clear.
Incorrect Correct
Because his car was in the shop Because his car was in the shop,
(subject is missing) he missed his favourite class.
He active in class. (verb is He is active in class.
missing)
On the other hand, run-on sentences are two sentences that run
together with a punctuation error between them. The major error in
the run-on sentence is the incorrect use of punctuation.
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Incorrect Correct
My favourite Mediterranean My favourite Mediterranean
spread is hummus it is very spread is hummus. It is very
garlicky. garlicky.
I told a ghost story, they were I told a ghost story, and they
scared. were scared.
This sentence can also be made into two separate sentences with a
period in between:
My favorite Mediterranean spread is humus. It is very garlicky.
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A comma splice can be fixed using the same way of fixing a run-
oneither by changing the punctuation or adding a conjunction.
The good news is that writers tend to be either comma splicers or
run-on artists, but almost never both.
Practice 8
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
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Practice 9
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
3. Many of the workers were scolded by the boss, they were not
angry.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
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Practice 10
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which for things can be either subject or object
can be used in non-restrictive relative
clauses
can also be used in restrictive relative
clauses, though some
people dont like this use
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Students whose grades are low can drop one test score.
*Only this group can drop a test score.
When the noun is the object of the preposition, both the noun and
the preposition move together to the front of the relative clause. In
less formal English, it is common to move only the pronoun to the
front of the clause.
I spent hours talking with a person last night. I hope to hear from
her.
I hope I hear from the person with whom I spent hours talking last night. (more
formal)
OR
I hope to hear from the person whom I spent hours talking with last night. (less
formal)
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Practice 11
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Practice 12
In todays world, the ability to drive a car has many advantages even
though at the same time it has many bad consequences. For example
road accidents 1. _________ (which/who) are almost inevitable
during festive seasons continue to rise each year. Drivers
2.___________(when/who) are responsible and mature realise the
enormous responsibility of having a license. In order to operate a car
or any kind of vehicle, one must take responsibility of their vehicle,
their passengers, pedestrians, and themselves. Safe driving
3._________(whose/which) consists of obeying all traffic laws
should be observed at all times. Drivers, 4._________(who/that)
would like to avoid any bad experience happen to their life, should
never take their eyes off the road. This is because the consequences
of carelessness 5. __________(whom/which) can occur due to any
kind of distraction by only a split second can turn into one of the
worst experiences of ones life.
Subject verb
What the professor says in class will definitely be on the next quiz.
We cant believe that New Zealand has more sheep than people.
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8.8.1 Forming Noun Clauses
A noun clause begins with either that, if or a wh- word. A noun clause
can appear at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a sentence.
that That they live at opposite ends of the state makes their
relationship difficult.
The reason (that) the delivery is late is the snowstorm
in Toronto.
The students knew (that) they were late for class.
what What we love to cook is spicy Thai food.
when We dont know when the teacher will give the next
quiz.
where Where I left my cell phone is a mystery.
why It is unclear why you lied to your parents.
how I cannot believe how much homework the instructor
gave.
whether/if Tanya doesnt know whether or not she will have a
graduation party.
Practice 13
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6. Ralph said that he was afraid that he will be late for his next
class.
7. Community involvement has taught me that everyone has
to contribute in order to make our environment livable.
8. Maria wondered if she can catch the 6.35 train even though
it was almost 6.30.
9. The nurse said the new mother that she should put the
baby on a feeding schedule immediately.
10. The growing world population is causing environmental
problems is troubling.
11. We saw our final grades and feel they are fail.
12. Consumer advocates maintain that the auto industry must
take some responsibility for the countrys smog problems.
13. What does she loves in Indian food.
14. How teenagers create slang are an area of study at the
university.
Yesterday and last week are adverb clauses of time. Compare the
following sentences:
a) When? Aziz will call you at Aziz will call you when the
2.00pm meeting is over.
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There are eight types of adverb clauses:
Time After, as, as long as, as soon as, before, since, until,
when, whenever, while
e.g.: While he was talking on his mobile phone, I was surfing
the Internet on my laptop.
Place where, wherever
e.g.: I prefer to work where there is a nursery near the
workplace.
Reason because, since, so that, in order that
e.g.: They postponed the match because the ground was wet
after the heavy rain.
Manner as, as if, as though
e.g.: He drank the coffee as though it were medicine.
Condition as long as, if, in case, provided that, unless, whether or
not
e.g.: I will treasure our friendship as long as I live.
Result sothat, such that
e.g.: He walked so fast that I could not catch up with
him.
Contrast although, though, even though, while, in spite of the
fact that
e.g.: Although they were poor, they led happy lives.
Purpose so that, in order that
e.g. He locked the cupboard so that no one could see what
was inside.
Practice 14
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7. He has been practicing with the piano _______ hard
__________ he has not got time for his school homework.
(Result)
8. The doctor said I could leave the hospital ______________
the wound has healed. (Time)
9. Please keep in touch ______________ you are. (Place)
10. Dr. Mahathir Mohammad waited for silence
_______________ he commenced his speech. (Time)
Practice 15
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