EPIC ENGLISH: FOR PEOPLE WHO DON T LISTEN IN CLASS

S-V Agreement 1) Singular subjects take singular verbs (duh) as in: This singular subject takes a singular verb; The Sophomore dies from journalism. 2) Plural subjects take plural verbs. as in: The plural subjects take plural verbs.: Sophomores suffer more. 3) Two singular subjects connected by or or nor require a singular verb. as in: My dad or my other dad will fetch me today. : (same for either/or, neither nor) as in: Either my mom or my pony will fetch me today. 4) 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. as in: Neither she or I am going to dance like a chicken any time today. 5) When a singular subject is connected by or or nor to a plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural verb. as in: Either the cat or the dogs dance the tango today. 6) As a general rule, use a plural verb with two or more subjects when they are connected by and. as in: The fox and the hound are the best example of epic bromance. 7) Sometimes the subject is separated from the verb by words such as along with, as well as, besides, or not. Ignore these expressions when determining whether to use a singular or plural verb. As in: The world, along with its earthy pleasures, leads no one to happiness. : The cows, as well as the friendly woodland creatures, eat only organic food. 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. As in: In times of despair, anybody is better than nobody. Each of the advisers is advised to advise properly. 9) With words that indicate portions percent, fraction, part, majority, some, all, none, remainder, and so forth look at the noun in your 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. As in: Fifty percent of the pie is missing. Fifty percent of the pies are missing.

10) When either and neither are subjects, they always take singular verbs. As in: Either of them is able to think right now

11) The words here and there have generally been labeled as adverbs even though they indicate place. In sentences beginning with here or there, the subject follows the verb. As in: There are four hurdles to jump. There is a high hurdle to jump. 12) Use a singular verb with sums of money or periods of time. As in: 700 pesos for a tiny beaker is a lot to pay. 13) 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. As in:

Salma is the scientist who writes/write the reports. The word in front of who is scientist, which is singular. Therefore, use the singular verb writes. He is one of the men who does/do the work. The word in front of who is men, which is plural. Therefore, use the plural verb do.

14) Collective nouns such as team and staff may be either singular or plural depending on their use in the sentence. As in: The staff is in a meeting. Staff is acting as a unit here. The staff are in disagreement about the findings. The staff are acting as separate individuals in this example. The sentence would read even better as: The staff members are in disagreement about the findings.

Prepositions:
Rule 1. You may end a sentence with a preposition. Just do not use extra prepositions when the meaning is clear without them. Examples: Correct: That is something I cannot agree with. That is something with which I cannot agree. Where did he go? Where did he go to? Where did you get this? Where did you get this at?

Correct: Incorrect: Correct: Incorrect:

Correct: Incorrect: Correct: Incorrect: Correct: Incorrect: Correct: Incorrect:

I will go later. I will go later on. Take your shoes off the bed. Take your shoes off of the bed. You may look out the window. You may look out of the window. Cut it into small pieces. Cut it up into small pieces.

Rule 2.

Use on with expressions that indicate the time of an occurrence.

Examples:

He was born on December 23. We will arrive on the fourth.

Rule 3.

Of should never be used in place of have.

Correct: Incorrect:

I should have done it. I should of done it.

Rule 4.

Between refers to two. Among is used for three or more.

Examples:

Divide the candy between the two of you. Divide the candy among the three of you.

Rule 5.

The word like may be used as a preposition and in informal writing, as a conjunction. In formal writing, use as, as if, or as though rather than like as the conjunction. Examples: Prepositional usage You look so much like your mother. Conjunction usage You look like you are angry. OR You look as if you are angry.

Common one word prepositions below:

y y y y y y y y y y y y y

aboard about above across after against along amid among anti around as at

y y y y y y y y y y y y y

before behind below beneath beside besides between beyond but by concerning despite down

y y y y y y y y y y y

during except excepting excluding following for from in inside into like

y y y y y y y y y y y y

minus near of off on onto opposite outside over past per plus

y y y y y y y y y y y y

regarding round save since than through to toward towards under underneath unlike

y y y y y y y y

until up upon versus via with within without

Fragments: Theyre sentences that have no subject or predicate. Run-on: is a sentence in which two or more independent clauses (that is, complete sentences) are joined without appropriate punctuation or conjunction.

Use separate sentences. However, this may disconnect related independent clauses and cause some of the meaning to be lost: o It is nearly half past five. We cannot reach town before dark. Use a semicolon. This maintains the connection between the clauses whilst ensuring a pause between the two ideas o It is nearly half past five; we cannot reach town before dark. Use a coordinating conjunction. o It is nearly half past five, so we cannot reach town before dark.

Africa:
y y y y y y y y y y y y The dark continent because much of it was unexplored Land area: 11 million miles Africa was not always backward. Africa is divided into 2 Arab Africa (Northern Africa like Southwest) and Negro Africa (south of the Sahara) African world view includes the concept of the supernatural. They believe in a Supreme Being and lesser deities. There is an afterlife. Most African lit. is oral. Most that were in native Aboriginal were translated into English/French. Animals play a dominant role 700 african languages; 49 used for literary expression; 18 are of South African origin 3 areas in African literature: written indigenous, African writings in English, Nigerian novel WW2 was the period of enlightenment.

On the three evils (Burma/Myanmar) by U Nu- Burmese P.M. y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y Its honestly kind of stupid to summarize this story so let me just summarize salient points. There are three evils: greed, hatred and ignorance Regardless of religion, there are three inevitable: old age, disease and death The five senses are fleeting phenomena. They arent lasting or permanent. Property is transitorywe dont bring them along when we die. Life is not even one millionth of samsara (life cycle) Insatiable greed profit motive (people amass wealth that has no utilitarian purpose other than to show off) Human society is divided into Have and Have-nots Have-nots depend on haves causing exploitation Exploitation makes the poor poorer looting, prostitution Buddha said that there are 4 causes of death: kamma, frame of mind, weather, food Have-nots will most likely die of disease Have-nots, with their struggle to merely survive, will probably never be educated. Ergo, in the future they will be more ignorant and in a deeper pit of hopelessness Profit motive = cause of all our sorrows According to legend, way back when there was this tree of fulfillment, Padaythabin. It provided everything and everyone was happy and content. When people fell to greed the tree was spoiled and it disappeared. Poor people popped up and crime became frequent. If all natural wealth were to be used for the common good it would be inexhaustible. Because of geed, wealth distribution will probably never be equal.

y y

How the world was created from a drop of milk from Mali in Africa y Huge drop o milk Doondari came and made stone iron fire water air man

y y y

man became proud blindness sleep worry death Death became too proud Doondari descended and created Gueno, the eternal one who defeated death

The madman on the roof from Japan by Kikuchi Kan y y y y y y y y y y Katsushima Yoshitaro- madman Katsushima Suejiro- brother, HS student Katsushima Gisuke-dad Katsushima Oyoshi-mom Tosaku-neighbor Kichiji-manservant Priestess Place: small island in the Inland Sea Time 1900 Yoshitaro is on the roof despite hot sun. Everyone tries to get him off the roof. They call a priestess. They try to cure him. Suejiro stops them saying he is already happy and it is better for him to stay ignorant.

The man who became fish from china by Li Fu-yen y y y y y y y y Shay- section chief Tsou-magistrate Lei and Pei-vice-magistrates Chang-Servant Chao Kao-fisherman Wang Shihlian-cook Setting: Chingcheng in Szechuen Shay had high fever for 6 days. On the seventh day he went into a coma. On the 20th day he awoke and said he had become a fish who was almost eaten by his colleagues.

Ramayana from India y y 2 powerful Races: Kosalas and Videhas Dasaratha- King of Kosalas has 4 sons o Rama-epics hero (born of Kausalya) o Bharata (born of Kaikeyi) o Lakshamana o Shratughna Janak- King of Videhas o Sita- daughter born of earth, heroine Kaikeyi was jealous of Kausalya and exploited a promise of Dasaratha to have Rama exiled for 14 years in the forest of Dandak. Bhharata was to be made King Regent. Sita and Lakshamana accompanied Rama.

y y y

y y y y y y y

Dasaratha grieved the exile so muchhe died. Bharata refused the throne reserved to him and looked for Rama in the forest. All was good until Ravanas sister Supernakha fell in love with Supernakah. Ravana- monster king Ravana kidnapped sita 2nd part of poem about finding Sita Ends with trial by fire.

Bangladesh from East Pakistan/Bangladesh (?) y y y y y y y y y There are no real characters >< Gist of it all- Bangladesh is changing. Elephant is symbol of said change. Bamboo economy is being modernized Bangladesh is extremely fertile, bad communications, low literacy Keddah is a circular stockade Mr. R.M. Hussainschool inspector ChanchuruiThey walked with him/her I give up on summarizing this. The Incredible Voyage from Sri Lanka y Three fishermen are stuck at sea in a boat. They are cousins y Kandukareetheir boat y Sunil Adambarage y Cyril Hendavitharana y Nimal Guneratne y Their diesel was beyond repairmain crankshaft broken y They had no compass, radio or nav gear. y They drifted so far from Sri Lanka that they were moving towards Austrralia y Dad was looking for them y They rationed supplies y Ate a shark. y Drank sea water then fish blood and juice and later their own urine y Nimal drank sea water, diesel oil and fresh water others got rid of diesel as it deteriorated Nimals health y Sunil and Cyril wanted to die y Nimal didnt y They began to blame one another y They saw land but Nimal was too weak to swim y Nimal died in his sleepthey dumped his body in the water y After 15 weeks they were saved by a fishing vessel y They were brought to Indonesia y Matchbox brought them back to Sri Lanka. y They were unharmed except for swollen feet and bloated stomachs

111 days at sea

Dahong Palay from the Philippines y Sebio (AKA Sebiong Pasmado)big guy, strong, timid y Nanay y Tia Binay- owns a farm? y Merci- Romantic interest of Sebio y Milio- village clown y Sebio got bitten by Dahong Palaya snake y Under the pain he straightened the horse shoe y He cut the snake bite and pressed the straightened heated horse shoe into his wound y No one called him Sebiong Pasmado anymore. Makato and the cowrie shell from Thailand y Makato- clever, hardoworking orphan boy y Pra Ruang-King of the Sukhothai y Employer y Old woman- took him in y Old womans husband- one of Pra Ruangs Mahouts (took care of elephants) y Pra Ruang passed by, dropped a cowrie shell that Makato found and tried to return y Makato was allowed to keep the cowrie shell y He bargained that for the price of one cowrie shell he should be allowed to dip his finger into the seeds and take whatever stuck y He licked his finger and it was covered in seeds after he dipped it. y He grew the lettuce. y Gave to the king who was amazed that this came from the cowrie shell y Makato became the Khum Wangthe most important person in the Kings court. Two Poems from China by Li Po-you are honestly better of just reading this Guno and Koyo from Indonesia y Guno means helpful though he was an unhelpful man y Koyo means rich though he was poor y They tried to steal from a Hadji y So they steal Jewels but then Guno decided to also steal the robe y He was afraid to soil said robe so he went out another way instead of through the hole they made y This startle Koyo who thought it was the Hadji y They awoke all the villagers y They ran until they reached the edge of the river y Koyo said that the river is flooded and that theyll drown y Guno said it wasnt y Guno jumped into the river only to find out it was dry y Guno was embarrassed and pretended to swim

Koyo jumped in and realized the river was dry The villagers caught up with them and could not bring themselves to punish the two because they were so stupid y Thus the saying Dont go swimming in a dry riverbed for ridiculous acts Soul of the Great Bell from China y In the city of Peking, now Beijing, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty wanted a bell that could be heard from far away y He wanted the bell to have brass, gold and silver y Many bellsmiths tried and ffailed for the metals would not mix y They tried again and failed y Koanun-Yu the official tasked with making the bell was warned if he fail again hed be killed y His daughter Ko-ngai couldnt let that happen y She sold a jewel of great price to consult an astrologer who technically said that she should sacrifice herself for the bell to be made. y So in the endshe dies. y y Haikus 5-7-5, Japanese in origin Local color

http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/probPrep.asp http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar/subjectVerbAgree.asp http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/prepositions-list.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Run_on_sentence