Training and Scholarship Department

VOCABULARY BUILDING SKILLS

Context Clues --Bits of information from the text that, when combined with the reader's own knowledge, allow the reader to "read between the lines," figure out the meaning of the text, or determine the meaning of unknown words in the text. Using words around the unknown word to guess the meaning Examples: 1)I took the tome off the shelf and opened it to page 94. Then I began to read.

A) some food
B) a bad dream
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C) a cigarette
D) a book
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VOCABULARY BUILDING SKILLS

Context Clues Examples:

2) This virus has really sapped my energy. I get tired just walking
across the room. I hope to get better soon because I need to return to work. A) give, increase B) make slow C) take away, drain D) enhance

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VOCABULARY BUILDING SKILLS

Use of Morphemes as Clues Morphemes are the smallest units of a word that have meaning. Prefixes (before the root word) ; suffixes (after the root word) and root words The word uninterested, for example, is comprised of three morphemes: the prefix un- meaning not, the base word interest, and the suffix -ed which indicates that the action happened in the past.

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VOCABULARY BUILDING SKILLS

Use of Morphemes as Clues
Prefix re hyper un mis trans omni sub Meaning of Prefix again over not wrong across all below Words Formed Using the Prefix replay, resend, replace hypersensitive, hyperactive, hyperventilate unclear, undo, uninvited misunderstand, misconduct, misspell transport, transmission, transaction omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient subway, substandard, submerge

pre
inter
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before
between

premeditate, precursor, prepay

Intermediate, interview, intercollegiate
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VOCABULARY BUILDING SKILLS

Use of Morphemes as Clues
Suffix -able, -ible Meaning of Suffix forms adjectives and means capable or worthy of forms nouns from verbs forms verbs and means to make or cause to become forms nouns from verbs forms nouns from adjectives Words Formed Using the Suffix likable, flexible, palpable

-ation -fy, -ify

creation, civilization, automation, speculation, information purify, acidify, humidify

-ment -ty, -ity

entertainment, amazement, statement, banishment subtlety, certainty, cruelty, frailty, loyalty, royalty; eccentricity, electricity, peculiarity, similarity, technicality
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ANALOGY
a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based explains the relationship between words or ideas may be a comparison to show the similarity between 2 or more objects on a certain limited number of features or details The relationship may be shown in various ways: 1.synonym (big : huge ::hostility: antagonism) 2. antonym (dull: bright :: discard: accept) 3. cause and effect or effect and cause relationship (clogging: flood::
logging: denudation of forest)

4. person and object/instrument (carpenter: hammer: : judge: gavel)

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ANALOGY
5. whole- part relationship (flashlight: battery:: computer: hard drive) 6. geography/capital of countries (China: Beijing: : Vietnam: Hanoi)

7. Unit of Measurement (distance: kilometer: : weight: pounds)

8. Classification (juice: liquid: : meat: solid) 9. Characteristics (pillow: soft: : sandpaper: rough) 10. Currency (baht: Thailand :: dinnar: Bahrain) 11. Parents and offspring (hen: chick: : tigress: cub) 12. Gender (stallion: mare: : jack-ass: jenny-ass)

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ANALOGY
Test-Taking Strategies:

Determine the relationship between stem words and find the

same relationship in one of the answers.

Use the answer choices to help you establish if the stem words are nouns or verbs.

Identify the relationship in the given analogy.

The answers must be nearly related in the same way as the words in the original pair.

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PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION
A well-written paragraph has unity, which means that the ideas it contains are closely related

and

are

arranged

so

that

they

develop

single

topic or subtopic of the general subject. COMMON PATTERNS:

1. Simple Listing
Author uses details that are of equal value. The paragraph presents a listing of information.

Method of Attack - Read sentences to note what is being

discussed and how. Look for signal words: in addition, another, several, for example, also.
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PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION
Example: Louis [XIV] was not a stupid man; he was handsome and lazy. Madame de Pompadour was his most celebrated mistress; she was not the only one. Apart from women, be had few interests and no desire to 'waste" his energies on projects he deemed relatively unimportant. His kind, dull wife bore him ten children in hardly more than ten years, but she could never hold his attention. Women were his great diversion. One followed another. The post of "king's head mistress" became the most coveted in the realm. Father sought it for their daughters, husbands for their wives. A favorite mistress, like Madame de Pompadour or Madame du Barry (c. 1746-1793), wielded power. To offend such a person might be to risk the monarch's wrath. (A History of the Western World by Solomon Modell.)
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PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION
2. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS/CHRONOLOGICAL Author lists details in the order in which they occurred. Method of Attack - Note signal words, the beginning and ending thoughts and the type of intermediate steps. Signal words: when, then, first, second, next, finally, last Example: Here is a method which can help you prevent your mind from wandering while reading. First, before you attempt to read anything, look over the length of the material to see if you have time to read it: if not, mark a spot where you intend to stop. Second, read the title and the first paragraph, looking for the main idea of the article. Next, read the boldface headings, if there is any, and the first sentence of each paragraph. And finally, read the last paragraph, which will probably contain a summary of the material. By doing this, you condition your mind to 'accept the material you want to read, and thus reduce mind wandering.
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PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION
3. COMPARISON CONTRAST Author relates ideas/objects to one another by showing how they are alike and how they are different. Method of Attack - Look for signal words. Read to locate the two ideas that the writer is comparing or contrasting. Signal words: Similarities: also, in addition, likewise, further Differences: but, however, although, even so, in contrast, on the other hand, nevertheless, yet Example: There is a growing controversy over the use of drugs in sports. Denny McLain, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, claims that he needs pep pills or something to keep him going, especially when he is expected to be good 162 ball games a year. However, Dr. William H. Fowler, Jr. of the UCLA medical school claims that studies show there is no increase in strength, motor performance, or vital capacities. (Theodore Irwin, "Doping Athletes," Parade, September 6, 1978.)
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PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION
4. CAUSE AND EFFECT Author uses one item as having produced another element. Author explains why something occurred or what happened as a result of something. Method of Attack - Look for interrelationships of ideas. Be alert to reasons why something happened. Example: What circumstances lead a person to follow a life of crime? There is no easy answer to this question: however, psychologists have suggested that clues may be found in the childhood of the criminal. If a child is reared in a negative environment, he may be more likely to turn to crime than a child who has had more positive influences. For example, a child of very strict parents or from an extremely poor home may run a greater risk of being involved in crimes as he reaches adolescence.
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PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION
Some researchers have suggested that a basic personality flaw may be responsible for forcing a person into committing crimes. It is, in other words, a factor within the genes that might predispose persons to criminal actions. Still another theory is based upon the growing evidence that pressures within our modern world have caused the rapid growth in the crime rate. A person may be unable to cope with the fast pace and complex lifestyles that exist in our present society: as a result, even someone who is an unlikely "criminal type" might be forced into crime.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

I. Subject- Verb Agreement A. Singular and Plural form When a noun stands for one thing, it is singular. Examples: dog, student, city When a noun stands for more than one thing, it is plural. Examples: dogs, students, cities Verbs too have singular and plural forms. Singular: The class votes. The team wins. Plural: The classes vote. The teams win. Most verbs drop s to form the plural form.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

Special Forms of Certain Verbs Is, Was, Are, and Were. The verb is and was are singular. The verbs are and were are plural. Singular: Ms. Di is present today. She was here yesterday. Plural: They are present today. They were here yesterday. Has and Have. The verb has is singular. The verb have is plural. Singular: Jebbie has a blue shirt. Plural: Jebbie and Benjo have blue shirts. Does and Do. The verb does is singular. The verb do is plural. Singular: Glenn does the driving Plural: We do the driving.
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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

Subject- Verb Agreement Rules 1. The verb must agree with its subject in number. My colleagues plan to visit us next week.
plural plural

Mafi cooks for us everyday.

Singular Singular

2. The Pronoun You. Unlike other pronouns, the pronoun you is the same for both singular and plural. But you is never used with a singular verb. It is always used with plural verbs. You have my best wishes. You were next on the list last week.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

3. the Pronoun I. Although I stands for a single person, it does not usually take a singular verb form. The only singular verb forms used with it are am and was. I am a teacher I was here last night.

Otherwise, the verb form used with I is the same as the plural form: I do it every morning. I live in Bulacan. I have good friends.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

4. Agreement in Inverted Sentences In most sentences, the subject comes before the verb. A person is likely to say, for example, A river lies beyond the mountains. However, for emphasis, a writer or speaker may say, Beyond the mountains lies a river. The second sentence is called an inverted sentence. In each sentence the subject is river and the river is lies. In inverted sentences, as in ordinary ones, the subject and verb must agree. Examples: Up above flutter a thousand flags. (flags flutter) Through the museum stream tourists by the thousands. (tourists stream)

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

5. Verbs with there. When there begins a sentence, look for the subject farther on in the sentence. Be careful to make the verb of the sentence agree in number with the real subject of the sentence. There is a pen on my desk. subject There are absentees in my class. subject

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

6. Singular Indefinite Pronouns such as each, either, neither, one, everybody, no one, nobody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody, something, anything, everything take singular verbs. Everybody is enjoined to participate. Is anybody home? Each contestant has a chance to win. 7. Plural indefinite pronouns such as a few, many, both, several take plural verbs. Many books were returned on time. Both of my grandparents live with us. Several fables interest the kids.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

8. The number of the subject is not changed by a prepositional phrase after the subject. One (of the chairs) is broken. The history (of the Filipinos) still lingers in my memory. The girls (on the team) believe in the power of cooperation. 9. When all and some are followed by a mass noun (noun that cannot be counted), the singular inflection is used; when all and some are followed by a plural noun, the plural inflection is used. All of the sugar was sold. All of the children enjoy the activities every morning. Some of the vinegar spills every time you move. Some of the plates were newly- bought

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

10. Nouns plural in form but singular in meaning such as news, series, physics, mathematics, measles, gymnastics, aeronautics, calisthenics, take a singular verb. Calisthenics makes me physically fit. Economics is a subject in fourth year. Physics helps us understand the law of motion. 11. Agreement with a compound subject: a. A compound subject connected by and generally takes a plural verb. Jomar and Liza are my friends. Apple and grapes have been my favorite fruits for years. Heavy rains and high winds usually hit the coast.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

b. Compound subjects that are closely related or that refer to the same person or thing take a singular verb. My friend and colleague has a new job. Rice and fish was served to us. The president and leader of the group calls the attention of the audience. c. A compound subject involving the use of each or every takes a singular verb. Each male and female dancer has an instructor. Every boy and girl is invited. Every man, woman and child does volunteer for the medical mission.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

D. Compound subjects joined by either- or and neither- nor take singular or plural verbs depending upon the nearer subject. Neither mother nor father has called. Either Macahr or the seminarians are coming. Neither the children or I am at fault. 12. Intervening words like together with, in addition to, along with, as well as, including and similar constructions following the subject do not affect the number of the subject. Anita, together with Wee and Jon, plans to work. Michelle, as well as Sonny boy believes in ghosts. The group, including all the trainers, joins the contest.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

13. Words or phrases expressing periods of time, weight, measurement, and amounts of money are usually regarded as singular. Five billion pesos is more than enough for the project. (money) Two weeks was given to me to decide on this. ( time) Is twenty kilometers that far? (distance) 14. Fractions may take singular or plural verbs depending on the of phrase. One-fourth of the tomatoes were rotten. Half of the population speaks in English. Two- thirds of the pie was eaten.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

15. Collective nouns take singular verbs when they are used to denote a unit; they take plural verbs when used to refer to the individual member of the group. The jury have left their seats but will soon return. The team has won several times. The entire faculty joins the field trip. 16. When the subject and the predicate noun are of different numbers, the verb agrees with the subject, not with the predicate noun. The ships cargo is coconuts. Coconuts are the ships cargo.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

17. The expression the number takes a singular verb; the expression a number takes a plural verb. The number of actors performs well. A number of applicants are fresh graduates. 18. The title of a book, story or article, the name of an establishment, even when plural in form, takes a singular verb. The three Musketeers is an entertaining story. MDCG Enterprises requests for your presence in the conference.

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CORRECT USAGE (IDENTIFYING ERROR)

19. Arithmetical operations take the singular form. Twenty plus two is twenty-two. Fifteen minus eight is equal to seven. Three times four equals to twelve. 20. Adjectives used as subjects take plural verbs. The poor are blessed. The rich make things possible. The tough get going.

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IDENTIFYING ERROR:
1. Theres 47 different kinds of headaches. NO ERROR 1 2 3 4 5 2. Nobody know what his future will be. NO ERROR 1 2 3 4 5 3. The crowd is appreciative of our performances. NO ERROR 1 2 3 4 5 4. The number of job opportunities limit the potentials of the graduates. 1 2 3 4 NO ERROR 5 5. Each learner has to be prioritized. NO ERROR 1 2 3 4 5 6. Five miles on the Kennon Road seem fifty. NO ERROR 1 2 3 4 5

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IDENTIFYING ERROR:
7. Many hearts have been broken by his honeyed tongue. 1 2 3 4 NO ERROR 5 8. Either of the answers are wrong. NO ERROR 1 2 3 4 5 9. Echel, including her family plans to leave the country soon. 1 2 3 4 NO ERROR 5 10. Neither you nor I am needed here. 1 2 3 4
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PRONOUN USAGE
Pronouns are words that stand for the nouns. Pronouns get their meaning from the words they stand for. These words are called antecedents. Examples: Mary Ann said she lost her money. When my relatives moved, they gave their pets to us. A. Personal Pronouns The most common pronouns are those that you use to refer to yourself and the people and things around you. These pronouns are called personal pronouns. Personal pronouns refer to (1) the person speaking or the firstperson, (2) the person spoken to or the second-person or (3) the person, place or thing spoken about or the third-person.

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PRONOUN USAGE
PERSONAL PRONOUNS Singular First Person Second person Third person I, me, my, mine You, your, yours He, him, his She, her, hers It, its Plural We, us, our, ours You, your, yours They, them Their, theirs

Examples: First person: Second person: Third Person:

I left my bag at home. If you come to the party, dont forget your gift. The girls took their swimsuits with them.

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PRONOUN USAGE
B. Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns A reflexive pronoun ends in self or selves and adds information to a sentence by pointing back to a noun or pronoun earlier used in the sentence. An intensive pronoun ends in self or selves and simply adds emphasis to a noun or pronoun in the same sentence.

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PRONOUN USAGE
Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns
Singular First Person Second person Third person Myself Yourself Himself, herself, itself Plural Ourselves Yourselves themselves

Reflexive: Iyah poured herself some juice. The visitors entertained themselves. Intensive: Edgar himself joined the youth camp. Jon-Jon himself fixed the electric fan.
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PRONOUN USAGE
RELATIVE PRONOUNS

Independent Clause Ric made the difference Ate Fe sold her bracelet Mae is my student Sherwin is my tutee
Miko visited Mhil

Dependent Clause that inspired others. which was brought in Singapore. who greeted me first. whom the teachers chose for the contest. whose house is located in Cebu.

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PRONOUN USAGE
Who/whoever - refers chiefly to persons Which/whichever refers to animals, things, collective nouns That refers to persons, animals and things Whom refers to persons and used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition Whose shows possession INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS What, which, who, whom, whose An interrogative pronoun may or may not have a specific antecedent. Examples: What are you trying to point out? Which of the slacks do you like? To whom will I give the flowers?

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IMPROPRIETIES
--A functional impropriety is the use of a word as the wrong part of speech. --The wrong meaning for a word can also be an impropriety. --To avoid this, always be reminded of the diction or choice of word that is acceptable to formal English grammar.

Example: Is that alright with you? (informal/conversational) Is that all right with you? (formal)

Love just aint enough. (nonstandard)

Love just isn't enough. (standard)
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IMPROPRIETIES
Proper use of words 1. Any more is always written as two words. It is used only for an activity which has been discontinued. Example: Although I have accompanied you on the piano several times, I wont be able to do so any more. 2. Ashamed implies a feeling of guilt. Use shy, timid or embarrassed if nothing wrong is meant. Examples: You failed to do your assignment again. Arent you ashamed of yourself? Do not be too shy to sing in front of an audience. 3. Ask an apology. Apology is a noun that means the act of asking forgiveness and cannot be used as a verb. Use the word apologize instead. Examples: Mr. Gomez demands your apology. Learn to apologize if it is really your fault.
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IMPROPRIETIES
4. Compromise implies the settlement of a dispute by meeting the other person halfway. Use commitment or previous engagement to indicate a promise or an agreement. Examples: I cant attend the meeting this afternoon because I already have a previous engagement with the homeowners. The two parties compromised to pay for the damages made. 5. Condition indicates a particular state of being or existence or something required as part of an agreement. It should not be used to indicate the health of a person. Examples: We hope that you are all in good health. I can approve this proposal in one condition: you need to comply with the requirements of the company. 6. Vacant means empty . Use free if you want to indicate nothing to do. Examples: Do you have your free time this afternoon? Is this room vacant from two to four oclock?
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IMPROPRIETIES
7. Dress vs. Dress up. Dress means to change clothes suitable for street or ordinary wear. Dress up means to put on ones best clothes. Examples: You need to dress up for the prom tonight. You got drenched so get dressed immediately. 8. Innocent Ignorant. One who is not guilty is innocent, while the one who has no knowledge of something is ignorant. Examples: The man was set free because it was proven that he was innocent of the crime. For you not to be called ignorant, you need to develop the sense of readership in you. 9. Transferred-Moved. Move indicates a change in residence, while transfer can be used to show a change from one thing, person or point to another. Examples: Have you already transferred your son to a new school? Weve just moved to our new home.
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IMPROPRIETIES
10. Alumnus-Alumna An alumnus is a male graduate and its plural form is alumni /alm-nai/. An alumna is a female graduate and its plural form is alumnae /a-lm-nee/.

Examples: During the alumni homecoming, he was the only alumnus to represent the Class of 98. The girls were alumnae of Class 99.
11. Childish-Childlike Both of these words refer to the characteristics of children. Unpleasant characteristics are referred to as childish, while pleasant characteristics are called childlike. Examples: Mrs. de Castro was childlike in her trust in her husband and her childlike charm won his love. However, her husband became irritated when she exhibited childish ways of crying and sulking to get what she wanted.
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IMPROPRIETIES
12. Uninterested-Disinterested One who does not care about what happens is uninterested. One who feels an interest but tries to remain neutral or does not take sides is disinterested. Examples: We need an interested person to listen to our problems but we do not want him to be the judge. The complainant is his first cousin and it is doubtful if he can remain disinterested. 13. Incredible-Incredulous Examples: A story or report is incredible if it is hard to believe. A person who is hard to persuade or who finds it hard to believe a thing is incredulous. Germans story about being held up by five masked men whom he fought was incredible. The boys listened open-mouthed to their hero while an incredulous bystander laughed at him.

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IMPROPRIETIES
14. Among/between: Among is used for more than two persons or things; between is used to refer to only two persons or things Examples: Among the three of them, Luisa is the most beautiful. Between the two of you, Hilda is more easygoing. 15. Besides/beside: Besides- moreover or also, in addition to Beside - meaning next to or sometimes apart from or aside from Your argument is definitely beside the point. Stay beside me. I cant go there because of my medical check up and besides, still have to review for the test.

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Common Usage Problems

1. accept (verb): to receive willingly except ( preposition): not included I will really accept his apology. No one came except the teacher. 2. adapt ( verb): to change adopt ( verb): to take as ones own She tried to adapt the lyre to make it more appropriate for the band. The young girl adopted her idols fashion statement. 3. advice (noun): opinion advise (verb): to give an opinion to. Please give me some advice regarding my problem. My psychiatrist advised me to take some rest to overcome my depression.
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Common Usage Problems

4. affect (verb): to have an influence on effect (noun): the influence exerted on something effect ( verb): to bring about or cause to happen The new law does not affect me. The new law has no effect on me. The convict effected an escape from prison. The Zonta International effected many significant reforms. 5. all ready (adjective): everyone or everything is prepared already (adverb): at this time or before this time. The scouts are all ready for the camping. The store is already closed.

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Common Usage Problems

6. all together (adverb): everyone acts in unison altogether (adverb): wholly or completely. Sing all together now. Your proposal is altogether unsatisfactory. 7. amount ( noun): used to designate a quantity that cant be numbered number ( noun): used to designate a quantity divisible into separate units. I have a small amount of fertilizer left. The company transports a great number of sacks of sugar every month. 8. anywhere, everywhere, nowhere, somewhere None of these adverbs should end with an s. Nonstandard: The lad lost his money somewheres on the field. Correct: The lad lost his money somewhere on the field.

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Common Usage Problems

9. anyway (adverb) in my case any way (noun) a possible way to do something I didnt want to play the part anyway. Can you find any way to pay the rent? 10. awhile (adverb) for a while a while (an article and a noun) usually used after the preposition for Rest awhile. For a while, he remained still. 11. bring (verb) to carry from a distant place to a nearer one. take (verb) to carry from a near place to a more distant place Bring your envelope here. Take these records to the registrar.

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Common Usage Problems

12. farther (adjective) distance further (adjective) to a greater degree or extent Her unit is farther than mine. Please explain this further. I need further advice. 13. fewer (adjective) used for things that can be counted

less (adjective) used for quantities that cannot be counted

Try this banana for fewer calorie- in take. We should be given less homework for us to finish this project. 14. council (noun) an official group counsel (verb) to give advice counsel (noun) advice or adviser
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Common Usage Problems

The council voted for the tax increase. Will you counsel me so that I can enroll properly? My father needs a legal counsel to help him solve this problem. 15. credible (adjective) believable creditable (adjective) worthy of praise credulous (adjective) willing to believe readily or easily imposed upon. The childs explanation is credible. The teams performance during the championship was creditable. The guard was so credulous that he believed the culprits excuse. 16. healthful (adjective) referring to things healthy (adjective) used when referring to people Fresh green salads are healthful. My parents see to it that we are regularly examined by the doctor for us to stay healthy.
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Common Usage Problems

17. in (preposition) refers to position into (preposition) suggests motion The glasses are in the cupboard. He ran into the rest room as fast as he could. 18. later (adverb) at a time after a specified time latter (adjective) nearer the end or the last mentioned The Magna Carta came later than the Norman Conquest. Our national elections always come in the latter part of the year. 19. lay (transitive verb) to place an object somewhere (principal parts: lays laid, laid) lie (intransitive verb) to be in or take a reclining position (principal parts: lie, lay, lain) I will lay the book on the table. Have you already laid your cards on the table? I will lie down this afternoon. Yesterday, I lay down. I have lain down every afternoon for the past few weeks.

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Common Usage Problems

20. there (adverb) a place (expletive) used to introduce sentences their (possessive pronoun) belonging to them theyre (contraction) they are Adverb: The man was found there. Expletive: There were questions asked by the judge. Pronoun: The spectator gave their resounding applause to the performers. Contraction: Theyre waiting for you at the gate. 21. come (verb) approach, arrive from a distant place to a nearer one go (verb) to move or proceed to a distant place from a nearer one Come here immediately. Go there quickly.

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Common Usage Problems

complement / compliment Complement is a noun or verb that means something that completes or makes up a whole The red sweater is a perfect complement to the outfit. Compliment is a noun or verb that means an expression of praise or admiration I received compliments about my new outfit. elicit / illicit Elicit is a verb that means to draw out. Illicit is an adjective meaning unlawful.

No matter how hard I tried to elicit a few scandalous stories from her, she kept all knowledge of illicit goings-on discreetly to herself.
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Common Usage Problems

hanged / hung Hanged is the past tense and past participle of hang when the meaning is to execute by suspending by the neck: The convicted killer was hanged at dawn. Hung is the past tense and participle of hang when the meaning is to suspend from above with no support from below: The painting was hung at a crooked angle. stationary / stationery Stationary is an adjective that means fixed or unmoving They maneuvered around the stationary barrier in the road. Stationery is a noun that means writing materials We printed the letters on company stationery.
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FAULTY SENTENCE CONSTRUCTIONS

Double Negatives A double negative is the use of two negative words in a sentence when one is sufficient. Do not write sentences with double negatives.

Correcting Double Negative Double Negatives I didnt see nobody.

I havent no excuse. I couldnt hardly see the light.

Corrections I didnt see anybody. I did see nobody. I havent any excuse. I have no excuse.
I could hardly see the light.

I couldnt see the light.

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FAULTY SENTENCE CONSTRUCTIONS

Exercise: Choose the word that completes each sentence without forming a double negative. 1. He has never done (anything, nothing) to help them. 2. I promise not to tell (nobody, anybody) about our secret. 3. Sheryn did not do (anything, nothing) wrong. 4. Lily (could, couldnt) scarcely catch her breath. 5. We havent (any, no) questions about it. 6. I couldnt have (anything, nothing) for lunch. 7. Dont throw your rubbish (anywhere, nowhere). 8. I did (none, any) of the things they accused me of. 9. The guests didnt like (any, none) of their dessert. 10. We (could, couldnt) hardly get to work.

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FAULTY SENTENCE CONSTRUCTIONS

FAULTY PARALLELISM In writing, the word parallelism suggests similarity or close resemblance. When two or more ideas in a sentence are related in form and purpose, they can and should be phrased in the same grammatical form. Gelyn is sweet but talkative. (words) Dee loves to read both at home and at school. (phrases) He was shocked when he discovered that one tire was flat and that the wrench was missing. (clauses) I came. I saw. I conquered. (sentences)

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FAULTY SENTENCE CONSTRUCTIONS

Faulty parallelism can destroy the flow of ideas, disrupt the balance of the sentence and confuse the reader. WRONG: The man was delighted to see her refreshing smile, to hear her soothing voice and feeling her warm embrace. RIGHT: The man was delighted to see her refreshing smile, to hear her soothing voice and to feel her warm embrace. WRONG: Several committee members were at the secret meeting but not agreeing to change their votes. RIGHT: Several committee members were at the secret meeting but did not agree to change their votes.

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FAULTY SENTENCE CONSTRUCTIONS

WRONG: Penniless, alone and without a home, the man left the hall. RIGHT: Penniless, alone and homeless, the man left the hall. WRONG: That soap opera was dramatic, exciting and had an involved in plot. RIGHT: That soap opera was dramatic, exciting and involved in plot.

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 REMEMBER:

If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail because chances favor only the prepared minds.

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Internal Use Only

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