Writing Skills with Grammar Notes NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 10 English : EduMple

Tenses

Tenses play a crucial role in the English language. It denotes the time an action takes place, whether sometime in the past, in the present or will take some time in the future.

Types of tenses

From a general view of tenses, this module will go on to discuss each tense in detail with examples and also The table below gives a glimpse of the way tenses are used using the verb 'play'

Past

Present

Future

Simple

Played (verb+ed)

Plays (verb+s)

will/shall play (will/shall+verb)

Perfect

had played (had+past participle)

has/have played (has/have+past participle)

will/shall have played(will/shall+past participle)

Continuous

was/were playing(was/were+verb+ing)

is/am/are playing(is/am/are+verb+ing)

will/shall be playing(will/shall be+verb+ing)

Perfect Continuous

had been playing (had been+verb+ing)

has/have been playing(has/have been+verb+ing)

will/shall have been playing(will/shall have been+verb+ing)

12 Types of Tenses

PAST TENSE

1) Simple Past Tense-

Indicates an action took place before the present moment and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "He danced in the function." (The action took place in the past, is finished and is completely unrelated to the present)
"He flew to London yesterday."
Note
a. The verb 'flew' is an irregular verb which does not take 'ed' in the past tense like regular verbs.
b. The form of Simple Past Tense is - verb + ed

2) Past Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that had been completed before another time or event in the past.
For example, "He had exercised before it started to rain."
"He had slept before I came back from the market."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Tense is- had + verb (past participle form or the 3rd form of the verb)

3) Past Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action going on at some time in the past or an action in the past that is longer in duration than another action in the past.
For example, "It was getting darker."
"The light went out while theywere reading."
Note
a. The form of Past Continuous Tense is- was/were + verb + ing

4) Past Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that took place before another time or event in the past and continued during the second event/time point in the past.
For example, "At that time, he had been writing a novel for two months."
"He had been exercising when I called."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Continuous Tense is- had + been + verb + ing

PRESENT TENSE

1) Simple Present Tense-

Indicates an action that is generally true or habitual. That is, it took place in the past , continue to take place in the present, and will take place in the future. This tense is used to denote
-a habitual action- for instance, "He walk to school."
-general truths- for instance, "The sun rises in the east", "Honesty is the best policy."
-a future event that is part of a fixed timetable- for instance, "The match starts at 9 o' clock."
Note
a. The form of Simple Present Tense is- verb (infinitive without 'to' and agreeable with the subject)

2) Present Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action that has been completed sometime before the present moment, with a result that affects the present situation.
For example, "He has finished the work."
"He has slept."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Tense is- has/have + verb (past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Present Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that is taking place at the moment of speaking.
For example, "She is walking."
"I am studying."
Note
a. the form of Present Continuous Tense is- is/am/are + verb + ing

4) Present Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that started in the past and is continuing at the present time.
For example, "He has been sleeping for an hour."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Continuous Tense is- has/have + been + verb + ing

FUTURE TENSE

1) Simple Future Tense-

Indicates an action that will take place after the present time and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "She will visit her ailing grandmother soon."
"He will walk home."
Note
a. the form of Simple Future Tense is- will/shall + verb

2) Future Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been completed before another time or event in the future.
For example, "By the time we arrive, he will have studied."

Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Tense is- will/shall have + verb(past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Future Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that is longer in duration than another action in the future.
For example, "He will be walking when it starts to rain."
Note
a. The form of Future Continuous Tense is-will/shall be + verb + ing

4) Future Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been continuing until another time or event in the future.
For example, "He will have been exercising an hour at 2:00."
Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Continuous Tense is- will/shall have been + verb + ing

Tenses

Tenses play a crucial role in the English language. It denotes the time an action takes place, whether sometime in the past, in the present or will take some time in the future.

Types of tenses

From a general view of tenses, this module will go on to discuss each tense in detail with examples and also The table below gives a glimpse of the way tenses are used using the verb 'play'

Past

Present

Future

Simple

Played (verb+ed)

Plays (verb+s)

will/shall play (will/shall+verb)

Perfect

had played (had+past participle)

has/have played (has/have+past participle)

will/shall have played(will/shall+past participle)

Continuous

was/were playing(was/were+verb+ing)

is/am/are playing(is/am/are+verb+ing)

will/shall be playing(will/shall be+verb+ing)

Perfect Continuous

had been playing (had been+verb+ing)

has/have been playing(has/have been+verb+ing)

will/shall have been playing(will/shall have been+verb+ing)

12 Types of Tenses

PAST TENSE

1) Simple Past Tense-

Indicates an action took place before the present moment and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "He danced in the function." (The action took place in the past, is finished and is completely unrelated to the present)
"He flew to London yesterday."
Note
a. The verb 'flew' is an irregular verb which does not take 'ed' in the past tense like regular verbs.
b. The form of Simple Past Tense is - verb + ed

2) Past Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that had been completed before another time or event in the past.
For example, "He had exercised before it started to rain."
"He had slept before I came back from the market."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Tense is- had + verb (past participle form or the 3rd form of the verb)

3) Past Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action going on at some time in the past or an action in the past that is longer in duration than another action in the past.
For example, "It was getting darker."
"The light went out while theywere reading."
Note
a. The form of Past Continuous Tense is- was/were + verb + ing

4) Past Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that took place before another time or event in the past and continued during the second event/time point in the past.
For example, "At that time, he had been writing a novel for two months."
"He had been exercising when I called."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Continuous Tense is- had + been + verb + ing

PRESENT TENSE

1) Simple Present Tense-

Indicates an action that is generally true or habitual. That is, it took place in the past , continue to take place in the present, and will take place in the future. This tense is used to denote
-a habitual action- for instance, "He walk to school."
-general truths- for instance, "The sun rises in the east", "Honesty is the best policy."
-a future event that is part of a fixed timetable- for instance, "The match starts at 9 o' clock."
Note
a. The form of Simple Present Tense is- verb (infinitive without 'to' and agreeable with the subject)

2) Present Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action that has been completed sometime before the present moment, with a result that affects the present situation.
For example, "He has finished the work."
"He has slept."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Tense is- has/have + verb (past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Present Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that is taking place at the moment of speaking.
For example, "She is walking."
"I am studying."
Note
a. the form of Present Continuous Tense is- is/am/are + verb + ing

4) Present Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that started in the past and is continuing at the present time.
For example, "He has been sleeping for an hour."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Continuous Tense is- has/have + been + verb + ing

FUTURE TENSE

1) Simple Future Tense-

Indicates an action that will take place after the present time and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "She will visit her ailing grandmother soon."
"He will walk home."
Note
a. the form of Simple Future Tense is- will/shall + verb

2) Future Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been completed before another time or event in the future.
For example, "By the time we arrive, he will have studied."

Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Tense is- will/shall have + verb(past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Future Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that is longer in duration than another action in the future.
For example, "He will be walking when it starts to rain."
Note
a. The form of Future Continuous Tense is-will/shall be + verb + ing

4) Future Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been continuing until another time or event in the future.
For example, "He will have been exercising an hour at 2:00."
Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Continuous Tense is- will/shall have been + verb + ing

Tenses

Tenses play a crucial role in the English language. It denotes the time an action takes place, whether sometime in the past, in the present or will take some time in the future.

Types of tenses

From a general view of tenses, this module will go on to discuss each tense in detail with examples and also The table below gives a glimpse of the way tenses are used using the verb 'play'

Past

Present

Future

Simple

Played (verb+ed)

Plays (verb+s)

will/shall play (will/shall+verb)

Perfect

had played (had+past participle)

has/have played (has/have+past participle)

will/shall have played(will/shall+past participle)

Continuous

was/were playing(was/were+verb+ing)

is/am/are playing(is/am/are+verb+ing)

will/shall be playing(will/shall be+verb+ing)

Perfect Continuous

had been playing (had been+verb+ing)

has/have been playing(has/have been+verb+ing)

will/shall have been playing(will/shall have been+verb+ing)

12 Types of Tenses

PAST TENSE

1) Simple Past Tense-

Indicates an action took place before the present moment and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "He danced in the function." (The action took place in the past, is finished and is completely unrelated to the present)
"He flew to London yesterday."
Note
a. The verb 'flew' is an irregular verb which does not take 'ed' in the past tense like regular verbs.
b. The form of Simple Past Tense is - verb + ed

2) Past Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that had been completed before another time or event in the past.
For example, "He had exercised before it started to rain."
"He had slept before I came back from the market."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Tense is- had + verb (past participle form or the 3rd form of the verb)

3) Past Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action going on at some time in the past or an action in the past that is longer in duration than another action in the past.
For example, "It was getting darker."
"The light went out while theywere reading."
Note
a. The form of Past Continuous Tense is- was/were + verb + ing

4) Past Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that took place before another time or event in the past and continued during the second event/time point in the past.
For example, "At that time, he had been writing a novel for two months."
"He had been exercising when I called."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Continuous Tense is- had + been + verb + ing

PRESENT TENSE

1) Simple Present Tense-

Indicates an action that is generally true or habitual. That is, it took place in the past , continue to take place in the present, and will take place in the future. This tense is used to denote
-a habitual action- for instance, "He walk to school."
-general truths- for instance, "The sun rises in the east", "Honesty is the best policy."
-a future event that is part of a fixed timetable- for instance, "The match starts at 9 o' clock."
Note
a. The form of Simple Present Tense is- verb (infinitive without 'to' and agreeable with the subject)

2) Present Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action that has been completed sometime before the present moment, with a result that affects the present situation.
For example, "He has finished the work."
"He has slept."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Tense is- has/have + verb (past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Present Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that is taking place at the moment of speaking.
For example, "She is walking."
"I am studying."
Note
a. the form of Present Continuous Tense is- is/am/are + verb + ing

4) Present Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that started in the past and is continuing at the present time.
For example, "He has been sleeping for an hour."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Continuous Tense is- has/have + been + verb + ing

FUTURE TENSE

1) Simple Future Tense-

Indicates an action that will take place after the present time and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "She will visit her ailing grandmother soon."
"He will walk home."
Note
a. the form of Simple Future Tense is- will/shall + verb

2) Future Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been completed before another time or event in the future.
For example, "By the time we arrive, he will have studied."

Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Tense is- will/shall have + verb(past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Future Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that is longer in duration than another action in the future.
For example, "He will be walking when it starts to rain."
Note
a. The form of Future Continuous Tense is-will/shall be + verb + ing

4) Future Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been continuing until another time or event in the future.
For example, "He will have been exercising an hour at 2:00."
Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Continuous Tense is- will/shall have been + verb + ing

Tenses

Tenses play a crucial role in the English language. It denotes the time an action takes place, whether sometime in the past, in the present or will take some time in the future.

Types of tenses

From a general view of tenses, this module will go on to discuss each tense in detail with examples and also The table below gives a glimpse of the way tenses are used using the verb 'play'

Past

Present

Future

Simple

Played (verb+ed)

Plays (verb+s)

will/shall play (will/shall+verb)

Perfect

had played (had+past participle)

has/have played (has/have+past participle)

will/shall have played(will/shall+past participle)

Continuous

was/were playing(was/were+verb+ing)

is/am/are playing(is/am/are+verb+ing)

will/shall be playing(will/shall be+verb+ing)

Perfect Continuous

had been playing (had been+verb+ing)

has/have been playing(has/have been+verb+ing)

will/shall have been playing(will/shall have been+verb+ing)

12 Types of Tenses

PAST TENSE

1) Simple Past Tense-

Indicates an action took place before the present moment and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "He danced in the function." (The action took place in the past, is finished and is completely unrelated to the present)
"He flew to London yesterday."
Note
a. The verb 'flew' is an irregular verb which does not take 'ed' in the past tense like regular verbs.
b. The form of Simple Past Tense is - verb + ed

2) Past Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that had been completed before another time or event in the past.
For example, "He had exercised before it started to rain."
"He had slept before I came back from the market."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Tense is- had + verb (past participle form or the 3rd form of the verb)

3) Past Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action going on at some time in the past or an action in the past that is longer in duration than another action in the past.
For example, "It was getting darker."
"The light went out while theywere reading."
Note
a. The form of Past Continuous Tense is- was/were + verb + ing

4) Past Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that took place before another time or event in the past and continued during the second event/time point in the past.
For example, "At that time, he had been writing a novel for two months."
"He had been exercising when I called."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Continuous Tense is- had + been + verb + ing

PRESENT TENSE

1) Simple Present Tense-

Indicates an action that is generally true or habitual. That is, it took place in the past , continue to take place in the present, and will take place in the future. This tense is used to denote
-a habitual action- for instance, "He walk to school."
-general truths- for instance, "The sun rises in the east", "Honesty is the best policy."
-a future event that is part of a fixed timetable- for instance, "The match starts at 9 o' clock."
Note
a. The form of Simple Present Tense is- verb (infinitive without 'to' and agreeable with the subject)

2) Present Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action that has been completed sometime before the present moment, with a result that affects the present situation.
For example, "He has finished the work."
"He has slept."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Tense is- has/have + verb (past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Present Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that is taking place at the moment of speaking.
For example, "She is walking."
"I am studying."
Note
a. the form of Present Continuous Tense is- is/am/are + verb + ing

4) Present Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that started in the past and is continuing at the present time.
For example, "He has been sleeping for an hour."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Continuous Tense is- has/have + been + verb + ing

FUTURE TENSE

1) Simple Future Tense-

Indicates an action that will take place after the present time and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "She will visit her ailing grandmother soon."
"He will walk home."
Note
a. the form of Simple Future Tense is- will/shall + verb

2) Future Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been completed before another time or event in the future.
For example, "By the time we arrive, he will have studied."

Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Tense is- will/shall have + verb(past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Future Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that is longer in duration than another action in the future.
For example, "He will be walking when it starts to rain."
Note
a. The form of Future Continuous Tense is-will/shall be + verb + ing

4) Future Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been continuing until another time or event in the future.
For example, "He will have been exercising an hour at 2:00."
Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Continuous Tense is- will/shall have been + verb + ing

Tenses

Tenses play a crucial role in the English language. It denotes the time an action takes place, whether sometime in the past, in the present or will take some time in the future.

Types of tenses

From a general view of tenses, this module will go on to discuss each tense in detail with examples and also The table below gives a glimpse of the way tenses are used using the verb 'play'

Past

Present

Future

Simple

Played (verb+ed)

Plays (verb+s)

will/shall play (will/shall+verb)

Perfect

had played (had+past participle)

has/have played (has/have+past participle)

will/shall have played(will/shall+past participle)

Continuous

was/were playing(was/were+verb+ing)

is/am/are playing(is/am/are+verb+ing)

will/shall be playing(will/shall be+verb+ing)

Perfect Continuous

had been playing (had been+verb+ing)

has/have been playing(has/have been+verb+ing)

will/shall have been playing(will/shall have been+verb+ing)

12 Types of Tenses

PAST TENSE

1) Simple Past Tense-

Indicates an action took place before the present moment and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "He danced in the function." (The action took place in the past, is finished and is completely unrelated to the present)
"He flew to London yesterday."
Note
a. The verb 'flew' is an irregular verb which does not take 'ed' in the past tense like regular verbs.
b. The form of Simple Past Tense is - verb + ed

2) Past Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that had been completed before another time or event in the past.
For example, "He had exercised before it started to rain."
"He had slept before I came back from the market."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Tense is- had + verb (past participle form or the 3rd form of the verb)

3) Past Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action going on at some time in the past or an action in the past that is longer in duration than another action in the past.
For example, "It was getting darker."
"The light went out while theywere reading."
Note
a. The form of Past Continuous Tense is- was/were + verb + ing

4) Past Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that took place before another time or event in the past and continued during the second event/time point in the past.
For example, "At that time, he had been writing a novel for two months."
"He had been exercising when I called."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Continuous Tense is- had + been + verb + ing

PRESENT TENSE

1) Simple Present Tense-

Indicates an action that is generally true or habitual. That is, it took place in the past , continue to take place in the present, and will take place in the future. This tense is used to denote
-a habitual action- for instance, "He walk to school."
-general truths- for instance, "The sun rises in the east", "Honesty is the best policy."
-a future event that is part of a fixed timetable- for instance, "The match starts at 9 o' clock."
Note
a. The form of Simple Present Tense is- verb (infinitive without 'to' and agreeable with the subject)

2) Present Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action that has been completed sometime before the present moment, with a result that affects the present situation.
For example, "He has finished the work."
"He has slept."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Tense is- has/have + verb (past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Present Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that is taking place at the moment of speaking.
For example, "She is walking."
"I am studying."
Note
a. the form of Present Continuous Tense is- is/am/are + verb + ing

4) Present Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that started in the past and is continuing at the present time.
For example, "He has been sleeping for an hour."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Continuous Tense is- has/have + been + verb + ing

FUTURE TENSE

1) Simple Future Tense-

Indicates an action that will take place after the present time and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "She will visit her ailing grandmother soon."
"He will walk home."
Note
a. the form of Simple Future Tense is- will/shall + verb

2) Future Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been completed before another time or event in the future.
For example, "By the time we arrive, he will have studied."

Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Tense is- will/shall have + verb(past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Future Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that is longer in duration than another action in the future.
For example, "He will be walking when it starts to rain."
Note
a. The form of Future Continuous Tense is-will/shall be + verb + ing

4) Future Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been continuing until another time or event in the future.
For example, "He will have been exercising an hour at 2:00."
Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Continuous Tense is- will/shall have been + verb + ing

Tenses

Tenses play a crucial role in the English language. It denotes the time an action takes place, whether sometime in the past, in the present or will take some time in the future.

Types of tenses

From a general view of tenses, this module will go on to discuss each tense in detail with examples and also The table below gives a glimpse of the way tenses are used using the verb 'play'

Past

Present

Future

Simple

Played (verb+ed)

Plays (verb+s)

will/shall play (will/shall+verb)

Perfect

had played (had+past participle)

has/have played (has/have+past participle)

will/shall have played(will/shall+past participle)

Continuous

was/were playing(was/were+verb+ing)

is/am/are playing(is/am/are+verb+ing)

will/shall be playing(will/shall be+verb+ing)

Perfect Continuous

had been playing (had been+verb+ing)

has/have been playing(has/have been+verb+ing)

will/shall have been playing(will/shall have been+verb+ing)

12 Types of Tenses

PAST TENSE

1) Simple Past Tense-

Indicates an action took place before the present moment and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "He danced in the function." (The action took place in the past, is finished and is completely unrelated to the present)
"He flew to London yesterday."
Note
a. The verb 'flew' is an irregular verb which does not take 'ed' in the past tense like regular verbs.
b. The form of Simple Past Tense is - verb + ed

2) Past Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that had been completed before another time or event in the past.
For example, "He had exercised before it started to rain."
"He had slept before I came back from the market."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Tense is- had + verb (past participle form or the 3rd form of the verb)

3) Past Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action going on at some time in the past or an action in the past that is longer in duration than another action in the past.
For example, "It was getting darker."
"The light went out while theywere reading."
Note
a. The form of Past Continuous Tense is- was/were + verb + ing

4) Past Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the past that took place before another time or event in the past and continued during the second event/time point in the past.
For example, "At that time, he had been writing a novel for two months."
"He had been exercising when I called."
Note
a. The form of Past Perfect Continuous Tense is- had + been + verb + ing

PRESENT TENSE

1) Simple Present Tense-

Indicates an action that is generally true or habitual. That is, it took place in the past , continue to take place in the present, and will take place in the future. This tense is used to denote
-a habitual action- for instance, "He walk to school."
-general truths- for instance, "The sun rises in the east", "Honesty is the best policy."
-a future event that is part of a fixed timetable- for instance, "The match starts at 9 o' clock."
Note
a. The form of Simple Present Tense is- verb (infinitive without 'to' and agreeable with the subject)

2) Present Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action that has been completed sometime before the present moment, with a result that affects the present situation.
For example, "He has finished the work."
"He has slept."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Tense is- has/have + verb (past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Present Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that is taking place at the moment of speaking.
For example, "She is walking."
"I am studying."
Note
a. the form of Present Continuous Tense is- is/am/are + verb + ing

4) Present Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action that started in the past and is continuing at the present time.
For example, "He has been sleeping for an hour."
Note
a. The form of Present Perfect Continuous Tense is- has/have + been + verb + ing

FUTURE TENSE

1) Simple Future Tense-

Indicates an action that will take place after the present time and that has no real connection with the present time.
For example, "She will visit her ailing grandmother soon."
"He will walk home."
Note
a. the form of Simple Future Tense is- will/shall + verb

2) Future Perfect Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been completed before another time or event in the future.
For example, "By the time we arrive, he will have studied."

Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Tense is- will/shall have + verb(past participle form or 3rd form of the verb)

3) Future Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that is longer in duration than another action in the future.
For example, "He will be walking when it starts to rain."
Note
a. The form of Future Continuous Tense is-will/shall be + verb + ing

4) Future Perfect Continuous Tense-

Indicates an action in the future that will have been continuing until another time or event in the future.
For example, "He will have been exercising an hour at 2:00."
Note
a. The form of Future Perfect Continuous Tense is- will/shall have been + verb + ing

Tenses

Tense is the most important part of English grammar. It is used to show different forms of verbs or action words.

Verbs are of two types

Main verb - denotes main action

Helping verbs - denotes the state of the action. It includes is, am, are ,was ,were ,has ,have ,had ,be ,been ,will, shall

So,

Tenses show the time when the action took place as well as the state of that action through different forms of verbs, with or without helping verbs.

For ex

Sam plays guitar so nicely.

Here,

Main verb ‘play’ is in present or first form. It denotes the habitual action in present.

Sam played guitar so nicely.

Here,

action word or verb ‘ played’ is in second form or past tense

So, ‘played ‘is denoting that action took place in the past.

Sam will play guitar.

Here,

‘will’ is a helping verb with the main verb ‘play’. It denotes the future action.

Sam had played guitar very nicely.

Here,

we have ‘had played’

Had denotes that action had been done completely

‘Played’ denotes action in past.

So, we get to know that action had been done in past completely.

Sam had been playing guitar so nicely.

Here,

we have ‘had been +play + ing’

‘Had been’ is a helping verb which shows that action started at a point of time in past and was still going on.

Thus,

Tenses are different forms of verbs with or without helping verbs which shows the time of the action as well as its state

Tenses are of three types with four forms each.

Present

Indefinite habitual action, universal truth and historical facts

Continuous action is taking place at the time of speaking.

Perfect action is complete already.

Perfect continuous action took place at a point in present and is still going on.

Present Indefinite

Action is taking place at present moment.

Ex. I live in Delhi.

Here comes the hawker.

Universal fact

Ex. Honesty pays in long run

People tend to believe on pretenders easily.

As a subordinate clause, when main action refers to future.

Ex. If we walk fast, we will be on time.
If you follow me, you will get rid of this problem.

Express daily routine action or custom

Ex. I read newspaper in the morning.
Spring comes in April.

Rules

Assertive

-sub + verb1+ s/es (if the subject is third person singular)+----.

He usually solves the sums very fast.

Negative –

sub + do/does+ v1+ ----.

He doesn’t solve the sum very fast.

Interrogative

do/does + sub + v1 + ----.

Does he solve the sum very fast?

Present continuous

Express action is going on at the time of speaking.

Ex. I am listening to the music now.

She is waiting for you at the moment.

Express action of near future.

Ex school is organizing the fest next week

She is going to Delhi next month

Rules

Assertive sub+ is/ am /are+ verb 1+ ing+--‐-----.

The riot is protesting against the government ‘s law.

Negative- sub + is / am / are + not+ verb1+ing ------.

The riot is not protesting against the government ‘s law.

Interrogative- is / am / are + sub + verb1+ing ------.

Is the riot not protesting against the government‘s law?

Present perfect

Express action which has just been completed.

Ex. I have fixed the problem so far.

She has passed the exam.

To express an action having taken in the past and going on in the present.

Ex. We have lived here for ten years.

They haven’t talked each other for two months.

Rules

sub+ has/have + verb3+-----.

Sia has taken her breakfast.

sub+ has/have + not+ verb3+-----.

Sia has not taken her breakfast.

has/have + sub+ verb3+-----.

Has Sia taken her breakfast?

Present perfect continuous

To express action started in past and is still going on.

Ex. She has been suffering from fever for last month.

To express an action in a sentence beginning with ‘for how long’ or ‘since when'

I have been trying to call you since morning.

Rules

Sub+ has/have been + verb 1 +ing +since/for+-------.

I have been trying to fix the problem.

Sub+ has/have +not been + verb 1 + ing +since/for+-------.

I have not been trying to fix the problem.

has/have +sub +been + verb 1 + ing +since/for+-------.

Have I been trying to fix the problem?

Past

Indefinite - habitual action in past, past event

Continuous - action was in progress at some point in past

Perfect - action was complete already in the past.

Perfect continuous - action started at a point in past and was still going on.

Past indefinite

●Expresses a past action or event

Ex. Edison invented the gramophone.

●Express a habit or custom in past

Ex. Lord Buddha always preached non violence.

● Express an action going on at the time stated

Ex. The students were talking when the teacher came.

when pass showing time is given in the sentence I.e. today ago, last

Ex. I received the courier yesterday.

Rules

Assertive-sub + verb2-------.

My uncle contributed a lot in social reform.

Negative - sub + did+ v1+ ----.

My uncle did not contribute a lot in social reform.

interrogative - did+ sub + v1 + ----.

Did my uncle contribute a lot in social reform?

Past Continuous Tense ●Express an activity which was in progress at some point of time in the past

Ex. An aeroplane was flying over the buildings.

●Often used together with simple past tense to show one activity was in progress while other took place

Ex. I was riding the bike while the accident occurred.

Rule

▪︎Assertive - sub+ were/was + verb 1+ ing+--‐-----.

The swarm of bees was chasing him.

▪︎Negative- sub + was/were + not+ verb1+ing ------.

The swarm of bees was not chasing him.

▪︎Interrogative- was/were + sub + verb1+ing ------.

Was the swarm of bees chasing him?

Past Perfect Tense

●Denotes an action which had been completed before another action had began.

Ex. He had gone when we reached there.

●Express an unfulfilled condition in the past

Ex. If I had studied, I would have good earnings

●Denote an action which contain words already, before, till, since.

Ex. He had already wished me.

●Used in adverbial clause of time to express that the action was complete before and other pass action event took place.

Ex. She had come back before her father arrived.

Rules

Assertive

▪︎sub+ had+ verb3+-----.

My friend had returned my book

Negative

▪︎sub+ had + not+ verb3+-----.

My friend had not returned my book.

Interrogative

▪Had+ sub+ verb3+-----.?

Had my friend returned my book?

Past Perfect Continuous ●Used to denote an action that had been going on for some time before an other action took place in the past

Ex. We had been waiting for two hours when she called us.

Rules

Assertive

▪︎sub+ had been + verb 1 + ing +since/for+-------.

Maria had been preparing for exam for two months.

Negative

▪︎Sub+ had not been + verb 1 + ing +since/for+-------.

Maria had been preparing for exam for two months.

Interrogative

▪︎Had +sub +been + verb 1 + ing +since/for+-------?

Maria had been preparing for exam for two months.

Future

Indefinite - denotes future action

Continuous- action will be in progress at some point in future

Perfect - action is expected to be complete by certain time in future.

Perfect continuous - action will have been going on at or before some point of time in future

Future indefinite

●Expresses a future action or event

Ex. We shall accompany him within two weeks.

● denotes principal clause of a conditional sentence

If he proposes us, we will accompany him.

Rules

Assertive-sub +will+ verb1------.

My uncle will contribute a lot in social reform.

Negative - sub + will not + v1+ ----.

My uncle will not contribute a lot in social reform.

interrogative will+ sub + v1 + ----.

Will my uncle contribute a lot in social reform?

Future Continuous Tense

●Express an activity which will be in progress at some point of time in future.

Ex. We shall be playing football from tomorrow onwards.

Rule

▪︎Assertive - sub+ wiil be+ verb 1+ ing+--‐-----.

The swarm of bees will be chasing him.

▪︎Negative- sub + will+ not+ be+ verb1+ing ------.

The swarm of bees will not be chasing him.

▪︎Interrogative- will+ sub +be + verb1+ing ------.

will the swarm of bees be chasing him?

Future Perfect Tense

●Denotes an action which is expected to be completed by a certain time in future

Ex. He will have gone before the teacher comes.

He will have attempted the exam by the evening.

Rules

Assertive

▪︎sub+ will have + verb3+-----.

My friend will have returned my book tomorrow.

Negative

▪︎sub+ will have + not+ verb3+-----.

My friend will have not returned my book tomorrow

Interrogative

▪will + sub+ have +verb3+-----.?

Will my friend have returned my tomorrow ?

Past Perfect Continuous

●Used to denote an action that will have been going on at or some point of time in future.

Ex.He will have been waiting for two hours before the result declares.

Rules

Assertive

▪︎sub+ will have been + verb 1 + ing +since/for+-------.

Maria will have been preparing for exam for two months.

Negative

▪︎Sub+ will have not +been + verb 1 + ing +since/for+-------.

Maria will have not been preparing for exam for two months.

Interrogative

▪︎will +sub + have been + verb 1 + ing +since/for+-------?

Will Maria have been preparing for exam for two months.

Modal verbs

Modals - Auxiliary verbs used with main verb to express

attitude of speaker or I.e. advise, promise, permission
sense of obligation, possibility or necessity of action .
In conditional sentences to show the possibilities.

Ex.

Walk fast lets you should miss the bus. ( Sense of advise)
You can use my laptop. (Sense of permission )
It may rain heavily .( Sense of possibility)
You must follow rules while driving. Sense of compulsion or obligation
If you let him acquainted , he will surely help you. (Conditions and possibility)

Characteristics of Modal verbs

always used with main verb.

Ex. She can deliver the speech.

Modal verb-can

Main verb -deliver

‘Can’ is used with main verb ‘deliver’

don’t change according to the number of person of the subject.

Ex.

Tom will lend me money.
I will lend you money .
They will lend you money.

Here, subject Tom, I, and They in all the examples have same modal verb ‘will ‘ showing promise

don’t have the infinitive form.

Types of modal verbs

Modal verbs can be classified according to the attitudes like

Permission- can,may,could
Ability - can, could,
Possibility-can,may,could, might
Obligation-should, must, need
Promise- will

Modal verbs of obligation

Must and have to - express a firm obligation or necessity

Rule

Present

subject + Must / have to + base verb

You must wear mask.
You have to wear mask.

Past

Subject+ Had to + base verb

(Past of ‘must’is ‘had to’)

You had to wear mask

Ex.

You must carry identity cards to get entry in the premises.
I must have left my purse in the car as I can’t find it.
She must have gone as none has received the call.
I have to reveal the secret otherwise it will be too late.
They had to be loyal toward the rules.

should , ought to and need to- express a recommendation or moral obligations

Rule

Present

should /ought to + base verb

You should dance every day to be flexible.

Past

Sub+should have /ought to have+ past participle + -----

You should have danced every day to be flexible.
You ought to have been careful.

Ex.

You should meet him to make amends.
You ought to listen to your elders to be successful in business.
You ought to have visited your friend after the accident.
She need to take rest as she is not feeling well.
You should have cleared all your dues to avoid inconvenience.

Modal verbs of permission

can, could and may used to

politely ask for permission
to make a request
to offer help to someone.

Rule

Can / Could / May /might+ subject +base verb

Can - least formal

(generally with friends or people of same status)

Can I have some water from the bottle ?
Can I open the window?

Could- little more polite than ‘can’.

(talking to a stranger irin very urgent requirements)

Could you tell me the way to the bus stop, please?

Excuse me, could I sit here, please?
Could you let me use your phone?

May - even more polite than ‘could’

(Usually at the work place )

May I make an appointment for Tuesday?

May I begin?

Shall

( Used if someone wants you to do something)

That backpack looks heavy. Shall I carry it for you?
Shall I write the speech? (Do you want me to?

Might - used if we want to add even more politeness or formality to the question

( a bit more informal than may, not used very often)

Might I ask you a few questions regarding your personal life?”
“I’m finished with my dinner. Might I be excused from the table?”

Modal Verbs for Possibility

Structure

Sub.+may/Might/Could/Must + Base Verb

May - shows probability in the present or the future.

(May is formal and used in writing often )

He may be at home . (present)
He may throw a party tonight. (Future)
- Side effects of this medication may include upset stomach and fever.

Might- probability in the present, past or future.

less formal than ‘may’ (used in least probable situation than may)

Where are my keys? They might be in the car.
I might meet her in the get together tonight.
She said that she might talk to you.

Could- shows options or possibility in past, present and future.

(shows that something is possible, but not certain more probability than may)

Ex.

He could be here within few minutes as he has boarded the bus.
Boss could call you as he was asking about you.
He could refuse to help me as he is miser.
She could not come today as it is raining heavily

can - to make general statements about what is possible.

(Action which are not fully but certain to some extent)

Ex.

- It can be very cold here in winter.
- Be careful, you can slip in this marshy area.
- It can be dangerous to go near sea shore in this storm.

Must / Have to – used for the situation or action which is certain.

Ex.

Everyone is happy. We must have won the contest.
He is sweating. There must be too hot outside.

He was working for 2 hours. He must be tired.

Past Possibility

May, might, and could are all used to show possibility in the past.

Structure

Modal Verb + Have + Past Participle

He might have brought the cake.
She may have gone home early.
They could have worked late.

He must have won the game.

Could have - to say that someone had the ability or opportunity but didn’t do it

Ex.

She could have learned Swahili, but she didn't want to.
I could have danced all night. [but I didn't]

Modal verbs of ability

Sub + Can /Coulf + Base Verb

Can, Could - to show that someone has an ability to do something.

Can- present ability

Could - past ability

Ex.

Paul could speak Chinese when he was a child. (Past ability)
She can speak properly now. (Present ability)

Modal verb of promise

Will - to give determination and promise

Ex.

I will participate in the international football championship next year.
I will never tell the secret to anybody.
I will help you in getting accommodation in this city.

Uses of would

Would is a modal auxiliary verb.

would is used mainly to:

talk about the past
talk about the future in the past
expressing desire, polite requests and questions, opinion or hope, wish and regret
express the conditional mood

structure

Would have + past participle (He would have gone)
Would be + Main Verb +ing (He would be going)

would for the past

structure

Sub +would+ base verb+------

would used as a of past tense of will or going to:

During hardships, he knew that he would succeed in life.
I thought it would rain so I brought my umbrella.

would for the future in past

When talking about the past we can use would to express something that has not happened at the time we are talking about

structure

Sub +would+ base verb+------

Ex

In London she saw the man that would help her in getting employment.
She got determined that she would grab the opportunity.
She took the bus so that she would be at home earlier.
He left 5 minutes late, unaware that the delay would save his life.

Would for Polite requests & offers

Would you like to have some tea?
I would like the side salad.
Would you mind passing the bowl?

Reported speech

“would” is used as a past tense of “will.” In indirect speech

Ex.

“I will bring the drinks,” Anita said.

When we change this into reported speech, we change “will” to “would”:

Anita said (that) she would bring the drinks.

would for opinion or hope/ wish/ presumption or expectation

I would imagine that they'll buy a new one. (hope)
I suppose some people would call it torture. (hope)
Since you ask me, I'd say the blue one is best. (opinion)
I wish you would stay. (I really want you to stay. I hope you will stay. (wish)
He likes me. I'm sure he wish I would accept his proposal. (expectation)
Siya has got the tickets of next flight. She would have been getting ready for departure (presumption)

Conditional sentences

Conditional sentences are statements discussing

known factors
hypothetical situations and their consequences.

Use of will, could, and would in Conditional sentences.

First Conditional Sentences

Used to express situations in which the outcome is likely (but not guaranteed) to happen in the future.

Structure

If +sub+ base verb+----, sub +will+ base verb+------.

Ex.

If you take rest, you will feel better.
If you make attempts, you will eventually achieve it.
If you take it lightly, situation will be out of control.

Second Conditional Sentences

Expressing outcomes that are completely unrealistic or will not likely happen in the future.

Structure

If +sub+ were+----, sub+ would + base verb+------

Ex.

If I were a millionaire, I would travel to the moon.
If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

Third Conditional Sentences

used to explain that present circumstances would be different if something different had happened in the past. Look at the following

structure

If +sub+ had+past participle+----,sub+ would / could +have+ past participle+------

Ex.

If had been in Delhi, I would have certainty solved the companies’ dispute.
If I had informed him earlier, the situation could have been different.

Active voice/Passive voice

An action that requires an object to give a complete sense (transitive verb) can be expressed in two ways:

Active voice

In active voice subject is active performer of the action.

Ex.

The police caught the thief.

Here,

‘The police’ is the subject which performed the action

I.e.

‘caught the thief’

Passive voice

In Passive voice subject is the receiver of the action or it is acted upon by the agent or the doer of the action.

Ex.

The thief was caught by the police.

Here,

The subject is the thief which is receiving the action done by the agent ‘the police’ rather than doing any action

Or

We can say that the subject is passive

i.e. not performing the action but being acted upon by the agent ‘the police’

So,

The sentence where the subject of the verb is passive is called Passive Voice.

Passive voice is used

Where the object is given more importance than the subject

Or

When the person or thing which is acted upon is given more importance than the performer of the action.

Ex.

Plastic bag has been banned by the government.

Or

Plastic bag has been banned.

Plastic bags are given more importance than the government (doer of the action)

Points to be remembered to convert active into passive voice

Passive voice can be used only with transitive verb (which requires an object to give a complete sense)

Like,

1.Ravi hit. (No meaning as the question is what is hit by Ravi)

But,

Ravi hit the ball.

Here,

Ball is the object with which the sentence gives full meaning.

It is not used with intransitive verbs which have no object.

Like,

2.He is sleeping.

Here,

Sleeping is intransitive ie. It is making full sense without any object.

‘By’ is used with the agent

of the action.

To be form of the verb is used.

I.e.

is/am/are/was/were/be/been

Main verb is changed into Past Participle (III form)
Tense remains unchanged only its form is changed.

Ex.

Active - She bought a bungalow.

(Past tense)

Passive-A bungalow was bought by her.

Past tense – was ( to be form)

Bought- past participle

‘By’ has been used with the agent of the action, her.

Ex.2

Active- Tom throws a party often. (Present tense, is )

Passive – A party is thrown by

Tom often. (Present tense, is )

Well known and indefinite subjects are usually dropped or not mentioned as the agent.

Ex.

Active-Someone has broken the vase.

Passive – The vase has been broken. (‘Someone’ is dropped)

In the case of two object in active voice, any object may be used as the subject of passive voice.

Ex.

Active - He gifted me a car.

Two objects – me, car

Passive- I was gifted a pen by him.

Subjective of me is used as subject.

Passive - A pen was gifted to me by him.

Pen is used as subject.

Preposition must not be left with the verbs requiring it.

Ex.

Active - He put on the socks.

Passive- The socks were put on by him.

Structure of Active and Passive voice:

Active voice: Subject + Verb + Object

Passive voice: Object + Verb + Subject

Rules for changing Active voice to Passive voice:

The places of the subject and the object are exchanged.

The subject become the agent (doer of action, introduced with ‘by’) and the object becomes new subject.

Convert the main verb into its past participle or third form while converting from active to passive voice
Change the tense of the auxiliary verbs according to the rules of passive voice.
Tense of the verb containing be or been are not converted into passive.

I.e.

Future continuous
Present perfect continuous
Past perfect continuous
Future perfect continuous

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Present Simple Tense

Example

Assertive

Active: The child keeps the ball.

Passive: The ball is kept by the child.

Negative

Active: The child doesn’t keep the ball.

Passive: The ball is not kept by the child.

Interrogative

Active: Does the child keep the ball?

Passive: Is the ball kept by the child?

Exercise

Active: She manages the house.

Passive: The house is managed by her.

Active: He seldom keeps quiet.

Passive: Quite is seldom kept by him.

Active: My father doesn’t scold me.

Passive: I am not scolded by my father.

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Past Simple Tense

Example

Assertive

Active: She managed the house.

Passive: The house was managed by her

Negative

Active: He didn’t care for his health.

Passive: His health was not cared for by the him.

interrogative

Active: My neighbours listened to the music in high volume.

Passive: The music was listened to by my neighbours in high volume.

Exercise

Active: Someone knocked at the door.

Passive: The door was knocked at by someone.

Or

The door was knocked at.

Active: They did not proclaim him king.

Passive: He was not proclaimed king by him.

Active: Why did he not purchased the book?

Passive: Why was the book not purchased by him?

Active: Where did she drop the key?

Passive: Where was the key dropped by her?

Active and Passive Voice Rules Future Indefinite Tense

Example

Assertive

Active: She will arrange the ceremony.

Passive: The ceremony will be arranged by her.

Negative

Active: Tom will not blame me .

Passive: I will not be blamed by him.

interrogative

Active: Why will they listen to the music in high volume?

Passive: Why will the music be listened to by them in high volume?

Exercise

Active: Sam will love the gift.

Passive: The gift will be loved by Sam.

Active: Will the court do the justice?

Passive: Will the justice be done by the court?

Active: Why will he claim the property?

Passive: Why will the property be claimed by him?

Active: Will she act upon my advice?

Passive: will my advice be acted upon by her?

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Present continuous tense.

Example

Assertive

Active: She is learning the guitar.

Passive: The guitar is being learned by her.

Negative

Active: They are not making noise.

Passive: Noise is not being made by them.

interrogative

Active: What is he asking for?

Passive: What is being asked by him?

Exercise

Active: The saint is blessing the child.

Passive: The child is being blessed by the saint.

Active: Is the dog chasing the cat?

Passive: Is the cat being chased by the dog?

Active: Why is he building the cottage outside?

Passive: Why the cottage is being build by him outside?

Active: Is she getting at you?

Passive: Are you being getting at by her?

Example

Assertive

Active: She will arrange the ceremony.

Passive: The ceremony will be arranged by her.

Negative

Active: Tom will not blame me.

Passive: I will not be blamed by him.

interrogative

Active: Why will they listen to the music in high volume?

Passive: Why will the music be listened to by them in high volume?

Exercise

Active: Sam will love the gift.

Passive: The gift will be loved by Sam.

Active: Will the court do the justice?

Passive: Will the justice be done by the court?

Active: Why will he claim the property?

Passive: Why will the property be claimed by him?

Active: Will she act upon my advice?

Passive: Will my advice be acted upon by her?

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Past continuous Tense

Example

Assertive

Active: She was teaching the kids.

Passive: Were the kids being taught by her.

Negative

Active: They were not speaking to him.

Passive: He was not being spoken to by them.

Interrogative

Active: Why was he withdrawing money?

Passive: Why the money was being withdrawn by him?

Exercise

Active: The thief was begging the judge to forgive him.

Passive: The judge was being begged by the thief to forgive him.

Active: Was the boy riding the bicycle?

Passive: Was the bicycle being rode by the boy?

Active: Why was he not returning the book?

Passive: Why the book was not being returned by him?

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Present Perfect Tense.

Example

Assertive

Active: She has missed the train.

Passive: The train has been missed by her.

Negative

Active: We have not invested the money in that project.

Passive: The money has not been invested by us in that project.

interrogative

Active: Why has he wasted the time?

Passive: Why the time has been wasted by him?

Exercise

Active: The owner has suffered a great loss.

Passive: A great loss has been suffered by the owner.

Active: Has the lady gone through many challenges?

Passive: Have many challenges been gone through by the lady?

Active: Why has he not put on that coat?

Passive: Why has that coat been not put on by him?

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Past Perfect Tense

Example

Assertive

Active: The lorry had dashed the car.

Passive: The car had been dashed by the lorry.

Negative

Active: The police had not solved the case.

Passive: The case had not been solved by the police.

interrogative

Active: Why had the management asked him to resign?

Passive: Why had he asked by the management to resign?

Exercise

Active: His conduct had surprised me.

Passive: I had been surprised with his conduct.

Active: Had the incident spoiled the party?

Passive: Had the party been spoilt by that incident?

Active: Why had she compared me with that girl?

Passive: Why had I been compared with that girl by her?

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Future Perfect Tense

Example

Assertive

Active: The teacher will have revealed the marks.

Passive: The marks will have been revealed by the teacher.

Negative

Active: He will have not caught the train.

Passive: The train will have not been caught by him.

interrogative

Active: Who will have called you today?

Passive: By whom will you have been called today?

Exercise

Active: I will have disposed of my old car by next year.

Passive: My car will have been disposed of by me next year .

Active: Will they solve the matter before father comes?

Passive: Will the matter have been solved by them before father comes?

Active: When will you have done this task?

Passive: When this task will have been done by you?

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Future Perfect Tense

Structure 1

Assertive- subject +modal verb + be + past participle

Negative- subject +Modal verb +not+ be + past participle

Interrogative- Question words+Modal verb + subject+ be + past participle

Example

Assertive

Active: He can speak French.

Passive: French can be spoken by him.

Negative

Active: The police could not get the clue.

Passive: The clue couldn’t be got by the police.

Interrogative

Active: When should we greet him?

Passive: When should he be greeted?

Structure 2

Assertive- subject +modal verb +have + been + past participle

Negative- subject +Modal verb+ have +not+ been + past participle

Interrogative- Question word +Modal verb+ subject + have+ been+ past participle.

Example

Assertive

Active: The boss must have fired him.

Passive: He must have been fired by the boss.

Negative

Active: The police could not have lost the evidence.

Passive: The evidence could have not been lost. (by the police)

interrogative

Active: Should we have informed him?

Passive: Should he has been informed by us?

Exercise

Active: She can drive a car.

Passive: A car can be driven by her.

Active: We ought to do our duty

Passive: Our duty is ought to be done by us.

Active: He might visit us.

Passive: We might be visited by him?

Active and Passive Voice Rules for Infinitives

Structure:

Sub + helping Verb +To+ be+ V3

Example

Assertive

Active: You will have to inform him.

Passive: He will have to be informed.

Negative

Active: There are no house to let.

Passive: There are no house to be let.

interrogative

Active: Is it the time to do this work?

Passive: Is it the time this work to be done?

Exercise

Active: A pen is to write with.

Passive: A pen is to be written with.

Active: We ought to do our duty.

Passive: Duty is ought to be done by us.

Active: He wished to write a poem.

Passive: A poem is wished to be written by him.

Active and Passive Voice Rules for preposition other than ‘by'.

In some special cases with main verb ‘by' is dropped and a preposition is used only.

Use of preposition ‘At’ instead of ‘by’ with the verbs - surprised, annoyed, shocked, alarmed, disappointed, displeased, distressed, astonished, laughed
Use of preposition ‘to’ instead of ‘by’ with the verbs - married, known, obliged etc.
Use of preposition ‘with’ instead of ‘by’ with the verbs - pleased, disgusted, impressed, charmed, etc.
Use preposition ‘in’ instead of ‘by’ with the verbs - interested, consisted, absorbed, contained, etc.’

Example:

Assertive

Active: She knows me.

Passive: I am known to her.

Negative

Active: His remarks don’t offend me.

Passive: I am not offended with his remarks.

interrogative

Active: Does his success satisfy his parents?

Passive: Do his parents satisfied with his success.

Exercise

Active: Sam's performance please the boss.

Passive: The boss is pleased with Sam's performance.

Active: His poor condition surprised me.

Passive: I got surprised with his poor condition.

Active: He wished to write a poem.

Passive: A poem is wished to be written by him.

dd

Subject verb Concord

In a sentence or a clause,

the ‘Verb’ should be used according to the ‘Number and Person of the Subject’ of that sentence or a clause.

In other words,

A verb must agree with its Number and Person.

Ex.

A group of black birds is sitting on a branch.

Here

Some information is given about ‘a group’ (not birds)

So,

The ‘A group’ or one group of birds (not birds) is singular

Hence,

the verb should be singular I.e., ‘is'.

Singular subject = singular verb

Rules of subject verb agreement

Singular subjects need singular verbs.

Plural subjects need plural verbs

The ship was sailing in the sea.

Subject =ship (singular)

Verb = is (singular)

The stars were shining.

Subject =stars (plural)

Verb = are (plural)

Ex.

The girls are riding bicycle.

The labours are protesting.

Uncountable Noun:

uncountable nouns, as the name suggests cannot be separated or counted.

If subject is an uncountable noun its verb should be always singular.

Uncountable noun – singular verb

Unemployment is still prevalent in our country after many decades of Freedom.
Courage is required to be a soldier.
Silence is a best way to protest.
Her jewellery is looking artificial.

Examples of uncountable nouns

Abstract ideas

happiness, truth, darkness, humour, information, intelligence, potential, progress, success, news, luck, fun, work, fear, adventure, guilt, cowardice, bravery etc

Materials nouns and food grains

water, rice, cement, gold, milk, sugar, oil, petrol etc

natural phenomenon

weather, thunder, lightning, rain, snow, air.

collections or class of things:

furniture, equipment, rubbish, luggage, machinery, cutlery, crockery

Other common uncountable noun

accommodation, baggage, homework, knowledge, money, permission, research, traffic, travel.

One of + Plural Noun – singular verb

the verb of the subject consists of ‘one of + plural noun’, is singular

One of the boys was sitting alone.
- One of the birds was injured.
One of the dresses was really nice.

Long Subject

If subject is not a single word but a phrase or group of words

Verb should be according to the word about which information is given

The birds sitting on the roof are chirping.

Here,

Information is shared about birds (they are chirping not the tree) who are plural so verb should be ‘are'

Ex.

The chairs which I bought yesterday are very costly.
The woman whom I met in the market was my friend’s sister.
The girl in green uniform is of our school.

Subject is consisting of nouns showing Distances, Weight, height or amounts of money

If subject is consisting of nouns showing Distances, Weight, height or amounts of money -singular verb is used (even when the subject is plural)

Ten lac rupees is a big sum to be arranged in a month.
Three litre petrol is not enough for such a long distance.
Five hundred feet above sea level is not a great height.

Nouns with plural form but Singular Meaning - take a singular verb

Some nouns with singular meanings are:

Politics, mumps, The Philippines, The Netherlands, innings, billiards, Acoustics, rabies etc.

Ex.

physics is related to the study of energy and force.
That news was fake.

Diabetes is disease caused by hormonal ddisorder.

7. A collective noun such as jury, committee, family, flock, troop, regiment etc.

takes a singular verb -if considered one unit.
take a plural verb – if considered as more than one unit.

Ex.

The troop of soldiers is sent in different directions. (One troop)
The troop of soldiers of the different countries are sent in different region. (more than one troop)

8.Nouns which are always in pairs

Ex.

Shoes, scissors ‘trousers, tongs, spectacles, binoculars, headphones, glasses, tweezers, shorts etc.

Considered plural and take plural verbs

Shoes are bought by him.
Your trousers are too loose to me.

If preceded by ‘a pair of’ take a singular verb

A pair of shoes is bought by him.
A pair of trousers is hanging in the balcony.

9. Nouns which are preceded by a lot of, a plenty of, a great deal of, etc.

take a singular verb when they refer to amount or quantity.
1. A plenty of water was supplied to the villagers.
2. A lot of cream is required to prepare this cake.
take a plural verb when they refer to number
1. A lot of people visit the exhibition.

2. A plenty of water animals are found in this lake.

10. The subject, consisting of two singular nouns or pronouns joined by the phrases such as ‘as well as’, in addition to, except, etc., take a singular verb.

Sam as well as his brother has come.
My granny in addition to our neighbour has gone out for a walk.
Everyone except Sia was interested in the proposal.

11. If some nouns are regarded as one unit, they take a singular verb

Bread and butter is wholesome food.
The novelist and poet is dead.

12. Phrases consisting of

The title of a book, the name of a house or a hotel in plural take a singular verb

“The Arabian Nights” has interesting stories.
“The Hotel Brewers” is a five-star hotel.
Percy Jackson and The Lightening Thief is full of adventure and fantasy .x

13. ndefinite pronouns such as:

"each," "each one," "either," "neither," "everyone," "everybody," "anyone," "anybody," "nobody," "somebody," "someone," and "no one"

are singular and require a singular verb.

E.g

Each child is needed to be vaccinated.
Either of the coats is nice
Neither of the students was absent.
Everybody has got surprised.

14. If two or more subjects are connected by ‘nor’ or ‘or’, the verb agrees with the noun nearest to it

Ex.

Neither she nor her sisters are agreeing with the will.

Verb is plural as sisters(plural) is nearest

Neither her sisters nor her Sia is agree with the will.

Verb is singular as Sia (singular) is nearest

15. If the sentence begins with ‘There, the verb agrees with the number of noun that follows it.

Ex.

There are twelve teams participating in the championship.

16.When two subjects are joined by as well as the verb agrees with first subject

Ex.

He as well as his classmates is hard working.
His classmates as well as he are hard working.

17.When two or more singular subjects are connected by ‘with’ ‘together with’ ‘ and not’ ‘no less than’ ‘besides' the verb is in singular

Ex.

She and not you is at fault
The servant together with the master has left

Direct and Indirect (reported) Speech

In our daily conversation many times we describe or report an event or action that happened, and very often that includes repeating what someone said.

In order to describe what people said there are two different types of speech –

Direct speech
Indirect speech (or reported speech)

What is Direct & Indirect Speech?

Direct speech – in this type of speech qwe report the message of the speaker in the exact words as spoken by him.

Direct speech example: Maya said ‘I am busy now’.

Here,

‘I am busy now’ are the exact words of the speaker.

Indirect speech: In this type of speech we report only the message of the speaker in our own words , we don’t report the exact words of that speaker.

Indirect speech example: Maya said that she was busy then. – only message is reported not the exact words of speaker

Reporting verb and reported speech

The speech of a person can be divided into two categories

Reporting verb (verb of the first clause)
Reported speech ( words within inverted commas

For ex.

She said, “I will be late today.”

Here,

First clause is ‘She said’ where

Said = reporting verb

Words within inverted commas are

‘I will be late today ‘= reported speech

So,

Important points to convert direct speech into indirect speech

No punctuation marks are used except full stop.
Tense of the reported speech is changed if the reporting verb is in past tense.
No change in the tense of the reported speech if it expresses any universal truth, habitual action or historical facts.

Rules to change the reporting verb

Says – says

Says to – tells

Said – said

Said to- told

Rules to change the Pronouns of reported speech

First person is change according to the subject of reporting verb
Second person is changed according to the object of the reporting verb
Third person is not changed

Rules to change the Direct speech into Indirect speech ( if the reporting verb is in past)

1. Simple present becomes simple past

Ex.

Direct- He said, “She often hesitates while speaking in class”.

Indirect- He said that she often hesitates while speaking in class. (Habitual action thus no change in tense)

Direct- He said, “I go to park”

Indirect- He said that he went to park. (Habitual action thus no change in tense)

Direct- He said, “my mother is in the hospital.”

Indirect- He said that his mother was in the hospital.

2. Present continuous becomes past continuous

Direct- He said, “She is watering the plants.”

Indirect- He said that she was watering the plants.

Direct- He said, “ I am looking for my purse”

Indirect- He said that he was looking for his purse.

3. Present perfect becomes past perfect

Direct- He said, “We have taken our meal.”

Indirect- He said that they had taken their meal.

Direct- He said, “you have won the match.”

Indirect- He said that I had won the match.

4. Present perfect continuous becomes past perfect continuous

Direct- He said, “I have been suffering with this disease since last week.”

Indirect- He said that he had been suffering with that disease since the previous week.”

Direct- He said, “My parents have been looking for new accommodation for two months. ”

Indirect- He said that his parents had been looking for new accommodation for two months.

5. Simple past becomes past perfect

Direct- He said, “We visited here a month ago.”

Indirect- He said that they had visited there a month before.

Direct- He said to us, “The police didn’t arrest the thief today.”

Indirect- He told us that the police had not arrested the thief that day.

6. Past continuous becomes past perfect continuous

Direct- He said, “These boys were quarrelling today”

Indirect- He said that those boys had been quarrelling that day”

Direct- He said, “you were sleeping when I came.”

Indirect- He said that I had been sleeping when he had come.

7. Past perfect remains unchanged

Direct- He said, “They had gone yesterday.”

Indirect- He said that they had gone a day before.

Direct- He said, “you had slept when I came.”

Indirect- He said that I had slept when he had come.

8. Past perfect continuous remains unchanged

Direct- He said, “I had been riding the bicycle since morning.”

Indirect- He said that he had been riding the bicycle since morning.

Direct- He said, “I had been swimming for a week”

Indirect- He said that he had been swimming for a week.

9. Shall/will/can/may get converted into should/ would/could/might

Direct- He said, “I shall drop you home.”

Indirect- He said that he would drop me home.( Shall is often converted into would)

Direct- He said, “My brother can be coming by bus.”

Indirect- He said that his brother could be coming by bus.

Direct- He said, “ He may have cleaned the home.”

Indirect- He said that he might have cleaned the home.

Direct- He said, “ Raman shall have been walking for an hour.”

Indirect- He said that Raman would have been walking for an hour.

Changes in time or place expressions in direct speech to indirect speech

Words showing nearness in time and place are changed into the words showing distance in time and place.

It depends on when we heard the direct speech and when we report speech. (Generally at the time of speaking)

example:

if it is Sunday

Mary says "My parents are arriving today".

If Mona tell someone on Sunday

Mona say "Mary said that her parents were arriving today".

But on Tuesday,

Mona say " Mary said that her parents were arriving yesterday".

In the same way,

on Wednesday

Mona say "Mary said that her parents were arriving on Monday".
after a week

Mona will say "Mary said that her parents were leaving that day".

Place words (should be changed according to the given situation)

When the speech is reported in the same place - no changes in place words
When the speech is reported in the different place - due changes in place words

Ex.

If the speech is reported at the same place.

He said: "Sam has been here." → He said that Sam had been here.

If the speech is reported at the different place.

He said: "Sam has been here." → He said that Sam had been there.

Direct speech Indirect speech

Here → there, in Starbucks

This → that

this book → the book, that book,

in this room → in the room, in that room

Conversion Of Interrogative sentences into Indirect speech

‘Asked’ is used to introduce reported speech.
The interrogative form is changed into Assertive Forms

I.e.

The auxiliary verbs is shifted back to the subject.

Ex.

Direct speech: “Where are you going?”
Reported speech: He asked me where I was going. (Verb shifted back to the subject)

No auxiliary verb is used , except in negative questions.

Ex.

Direct-I said to him,” Do you know how to dance.”

Reported- I asked him if he knew how to dance. (‘Do' is dropped)

Yes / no questions

structure:

'ask' + 'if / whether' + clause:

Direct speech: Sue said “Shall I ever forget her”
Reported speech: Sue asked if she would ever forget her.
Direct speech: He said “Do you have a laptop?”
Reported speech: He asked if I had a laptop.

Interrogatives with Question words

structure:

'ask' (or another verb like 'ask') + question word + clause.

Direct speech: Sam said “Why is he wandering here and there ?”
Reported speech: Sam asked why he was wandering here and there.
Direct speech: She said “What do you want?”
Reported speech: She asked me what I wanted.

Conversion Of Imperative sentences into Indirect speech

Reporting verb is changed into the verbs expressing command request or advise

e.g.

Ordered, advised, requested, commended, urged, forbade, told, asked etc.

Imperative mood is changed into infinitive mood by putting ‘to" before the verb
In case of a negative imperative, the auxiliary ‘do’ is dropped and ‘to’ is placed after ‘not’
No conjunction is to be used to introduce the Reported speech

Ex.

Direct speech- He said to me, “do it.”

Reported speech -He asked me to do it.

Direct speech- The teacher said to the boys, “do not make a noise .”

Reported speech -He asked the teacher ordered the boys not to make a noise.

Direct speech- The teacher said to the boys, “do not waste your time.”

Reported speech – The teacher advised the boys not to waste their time.

Direct speech- The doctor said to the patient, “Do not have sweets, as there is cavity in the teeth.”

Reported speech – The doctor forbade the patient to have sweets as there was cavity in the teeth.

Conversion Of sentences beginning with ‘Let’ into Indirect speech

When Let expresses

A proposal – reporting verb changes into ‘proposed or suggested’ and ‘Let’ is replaced by ‘should’

Ex.

Direct speech- Mohan said to me, “ Let us go to park .”

Reported speech – Mohan Proposed me that we should go to the park.

Direct speech- I said to my friends, “ Let us wait for the result.”

Reported speech – I proposed my friends that we should wait for the result.

A permission – it changes into ‘might be allowed ’ or simply into ‘to Let'

Direct speech- He said to the peon, “ Let the visitor come in.”

Reported speech – He ordered the peon that the visitor might be allowed to come in.

Or

Reported speech – He ordered the peon to let the visitor come in.

Conversion Of Optative sentences into Indirect speech

Reporting verb ‘said’ is changed into ‘wished or prayed’
‘That’ is used to introduce the reported speech
optative sentence changed into an assertive sentence and the sign of exclamation ‘!’ is replaced by a full stop.

Direct speech- He said to me, “May you be happy.”

Reported speech – He wished that I might be happy.

Direct speech- They said, “Would that I were rich.”

Reported speech – He wished that he had been rich.

Clauses

A clause can be defined as a group of words which has

a subject and a predicate (verb + rest of sentence telling something about a subject) combination

or

a subject - verb combination.

A clause can be

a part of sentence to provide additional information about the main event of the main clause

or

can stand alone to give a complete sense.

For example,

I like to help others but she likes to tease the poor.

Here,

we have two clauses in this sentence:

Clause 1 – I like to help others.

Clause 2- She likes to tease the poor.

Both clauses

are joined with a coordinating conjunction ‘but’

Both have a complete sense with subject - predicate combination each. (None of them is adding any supporting information about the cause of the other)

Ex. 2

I am late because I lost my bus.

Here,

Clause 1 – I am late.

Clause 2 – because I lost my bus.

Clause 1 is making a complete sense thus, it is the main or Principal clause

Clause 2 with subordinating conjunction ‘because’ it is adding some important information about the cause of the main event or telling about the cause of late.

So, it is subordinate clause.

Types of clauses

There are mainly two types of clauses in a sentence

Coordinating clause
Subordinating clause

Coordinate clause:

Coordinate clauses have equal status in a sentence.

They are not dependent upon each other to give a complete meaning. Thus, each can be called the Principle clause ( independent of one another)

One clause does not provide any informational support to the main event of the sentence.

For e.g.

She worked hard but she failed.

Clause 1 ‘She worked hard’

Clause 2 ‘she failed’

Both clauses are joined with the coordinating conjunction ‘but’

Here,

clause 1 and clause 2 both are independent as clause 2 is not adding any supporting information to clause 1 or telling about the cause of the event of the clause 1 or Vise - versa

Coordinating clause are introduced by coordinating conjunction such as

As , and, but, yet, still, so, therefore, or, otherwise, not only – but also etc.

Subordinate clause:

Subordinate clause does not have equal status as the principal clause in a sentence. It provides supporting information about the main event of the sentence.

For e.g.

I don’t know what he does.

Here,

‘What he does’ is adding some information to main event of the main clause or telling about What is not known to the speaker.

Hence,

It is subordinating clause.

Subordinate clauses are introduced with subordinating conjunctions, the words that link dependent clauses to independent clauses, such as for, as, since, therefore, hence, consequently, though, due to, provided that, because, unless, once, while, when, whenever, where, wherever, before, and after.

They can also begin with relative pronouns such as that, which, who, whom, whichever, whoever, whomever, and whose.

Some more examples

I cannot work while you are talking.
If you don’t work hard, you will fail
I don’t know what would I do in life.

Here,

“While you are talking”, “ If you don’t work hard”, “what would I do in life” all are subordinating clauses as they are providing some information about the cause of the main clause (Independent clause).

Kinds Of Sub-Ordinate Clauses

There are three kinds of Sub- ordinate clauses:

Noun Clause - does the work of Noun
Adjective Clause – does the work of an adjective
Adverb clause – does the work of an Adverb

Ex.

I knows where he goes.

‘where he goes.’ - Noun clause

( telling what is known by the subject)

I know the bag which she lost.

‘which she lost’ – Adjective Clause.

( describing a Noun ‘bag' I.e.

Which bag? The bag which is lost by her.)

I shall go where he lives.

‘where he lives’ – Adverb clause

( describing the verb ‘go’ I.e.

Where ? The place where he lives.)

Noun clause

Noun clause works as a Noun in a sentence

A noun clause is introduced by :

Question words

Where, what, how, who, when etc.

Conjunction

That

If or whether

A noun clause always gives Answer of ‘What’.

So,

It can function as

A subject

Ex.

How she survived is still a mystery.

What is mystery?

Ans. How she survived.- Noun clause

What will happen in future is uncertain.

What is uncertain?

Ans. What will happen in future. – Noun clause

Which dress she will choose is not known to me.

What is not known?

Ans. Which dress she will choose.- Noun clause

An object

Ex.

She promised that she will lend a helping hand.

What she promised?

ANS. she will lend a helping hand.- Noun clause

They will do whatever is told them.

What will they do?

Ans. Whatever is told them. - Noun clause

Prepositional object

I am not dependent upon what is given to me.

Upon What the speaker is not dependent?

ANS. what is given to him.- Noun clause

She is impressed by What is presented to her

By what she is impressed?

Ans. By What is presented to her.- Noun clause

Complement of an Adjective:

I am not sure where he has gone.

For what the speaker is not sure?

Ans. where he has gone. - noun clause

They are confident that they will find out the thief.

About what they were confident?

Ans. that they will find out the thief – noun clause
It is doubtful whether she will reach in time.

What is doubtful?

Ans. whether she will reach in time. – Noun clause

Object to an infinitive, a gerund and a participle.

Object of Gerund

He believes in doing whatever he has to do.

What does he believe?

Ans. doing whatever he has to do.- Noun clause

Object of an Infinitive

I am glad to know that he is arriving.

Speaker is glad to know about what?

Ans. that he is arriving. - Noun clause

Object of Participle

I found her complaining what she received?

What has been found by the speaker?

Ans. complaining what she received - Noun clause

Adjective clause

An adjective clause works as an adjective and qualifies or modifies a noun

It always answers ‘ which person’ or ‘which thing’

It is introduced by:

Relative pronouns

Who, whom, which, that, whose etc.

Ex.

The boy who is outside is my brother.

Which boy?

Ans. Who is outside. - adjective clause

God helps those who help themselves.

Which people?

Ans. Those who help themselves.- Adjective clause

Relative adverbs which defines a place time or reason like:

Where, when, why etc

Ex.

This is the house where I spent my childhood?

Which house?

Ans. Where the childhood is spent. - Adjective clause

It is the season when paddy is harvested?

Which season?

Ans. when paddy is harvested. - Adjective clause

Adverb clause

An adverb clause does the work of an adverb.

It modifies an adverb, an adjective or a verb.

It is introduced by:

Subordinating conjunction:

When, whenever, while, before, after, till, until, as soon as, as long as, since etc.

Ex.

She returned when she heard the news of the accident.

“when she heard the news of the accident.” – modifies the Verb ‘returned’

He is too selfish that he doesn’t even help his brother.

that he doesn’t even help his brother. – modifies the adjective ‘selfish’

She shouted so loudly that everyone started gazing at her.

that everyone started gazing at her. – modifies the adverb ‘loudly’

Determiners

Determiners are the words that are used before nouns to determine or describe or modify their meaning. They also called as fixing words as they fix the number or quantity of nouns

They can be classified into the following types:

1.Articles : A, an , the.

2. Demonstrative Adjectives : This, that, these, those.

3. Quantifiers : used before noun to express its amount or quantity.

Types of quantifiers are as follows:

Definite : One, two hundred,………., first, second, both etc.
Indefinite : Some, many , much , enough, few, a few, all, little, a little, several, most,

3. Distributive : Each, every, all, either ,neither.

4. Comparative : More, less, fewer

5. Possessives : My, your, his, her, its, our, their, mine, hers, yours, ours, theirs, etc.

Articles : A, An, The

A and an –always used before singular nouns

The - used before

singular countable nouns,
plural countable nouns
uncountable nouns.

Indefinite Articles: A/An

‘A’

used before a noun beginning with a consonant sound.

e.g.

a Man,
a bench,

a European country
(Here European, Man and university are words beginning with a consonant sound.)

2. In the numerical sense of ‘one'

Ex. I bought a dozen mangoes.

3. Used in the sense of every.

Ex. Ex. I earn twenty dollars a (every) month.

4. Before Proper noun to make it common noun

Ex. Here is a Daniel come to judgement

5. Before a proper noun to imply that the person is a stranger to the speaker

Ex. A Mr. Gupta called when you were away.

‘An’ is used before a noun beginning with a vowel sound.

e.g.

an orange,

an egg,

an hour

an umbrella

Here, orange, egg, elephant and hour and words beginning with a vowel sound)

Definite Article : The

‘The’ - used before singular countable nouns, plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns.

Uses of ‘The’

1. particular person or thing with which Speaker or listener are already familiar

e.g. The book you want is not available.

Here

About a particular book has been mentioned about which the speaker and listener are already familiar.

2. the whole class of livings or non livings

e.g. The dog is a faithful animal.

3. With superlative degrees.
e.g. This is the best way to present a speech.

4. Ordinal numbers

e.g., He was the first man whom I could believe.

5. Proper adjectives

e.g., The chinese government is a centralized democratic Republic.

The Indian languages are established from Devanagari lipi.

6. Before a proper noun, when it is qualified by an adjective or a defining adjectival clause.
e.g. The Great Ashoka

, the King of Rome
The Mr Verma whom you met last night is boss.

7. Before an adjective when the noun is understood.
e.g. The rich always exploit the poor. (Here the word ‘people’ is understood.)

8. Proper names of

Oceans and seas

e.g., The Indian Ocean

The Mediterranean Sea

Rivers, Canals, Desert

e.g., The Nile,

The Amazon

The Suez Canal
The Sahara Desert

Group of Islands

e.g.,

the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Mountain ranges

e.g., the Alps, the Himalayas,

names of countries, including words like States, Republic or Kingdom

e.g., the United Kingdom,

the USA,

the Republic of Ireland

Before the names of religious books., newspaper or magazine

e.g. the Vedas, The Hindustan times etc.

the names of heavenly or unique objects of universe

e.g., the Sun, the Moon,

the Pacific Ocean.

Before names of musical instruments.
e.g. He can play the guitar very well.

Omission of Article ‘The’

I. Before material, abstract and proper nouns used in a general sense.

e.g.

a) Necessity is the mother of invention. (not The necessity …….)
b) Mercury can be found in their liquid state at standard temperature

. (not The mercury…….)
c) China has the communist ruling party . (not The China……)

II. Before commom noun used in a widest sense.
e.g. Man is a social animal.

Woman is given second level in patriorachy .

III. names of people, meals, country, continent.
e.g. Rohit is my friend

Australia is the smallest continent.

I like to walk after dinner

IV. When noun is preceded by

Possessive, distributive or demonstrative adjectives.

e.g. Every man supported him.

This house is very creepy.

I have lost my bag.

V. Before names of individual mountains.
e.g. Mount Everest

VI. Before nouns denoting ranks , Title or occupation

e.g. Queen Victoria

Doctor Abdul Kalam

VII. Before languages and words like school, college, university, church, hospital (when their primary purpose is referred to).
e.g.

a) I go to school every day to learn English.

I go to the school to drop my cousin.(no primary purpose)

b) My uncle is still in hospital.

VIII. Before names of relations, like father, mother, etc.
e.g. Father is still not at home.

IX. In certain phrases consisting of preposition followed by its object.
e.g. At home, in hand, on foot, for love, by road.

X. After ‘all’ and before ‘whole’

All the people in the ball were drunk.

The whole auditorium was full of noise.

Quantifiers

Words that express the indefinite quantity of nouns are called Quantifiers

Some’, ‘many’ ‘a lot of’ and ‘a few’ are examples of quantifiers.

Quantifiers can be used in affirmative sentences, questions, requests or commands with both countable and uncountable nouns.

Examples:

There are some books in the cupboard.
I didn't see any friends.
How much money do you have?
There is a large number of fish in this river.
He’s got more marks than his sister.

Quantifiers with countable and uncountable nouns

Quantifier with Countable

Some, any ,many, all, several, more, enough, less, lot of, a lot of, most etc

Any – always used with singular noun.(usually in interrogative and negative sentences)

Some – used with plural nouns.

Ex.

Most of the boys got selected.
I have a lot of novels.
Do you have any query?
Several countries are democratic.
Some glass sheets are removed.

Use of few (used with Countable nouns)

Few – to denote very less or low in numbers

Ex.

Few(very less) people arrived in the party due to heavy rain.

a few - to denote enough in numbers

Ex.

I don’t feel alone as I have a few (enough)friends in London.

the few – to denote rare quantity or the quantity that is used already.

Ex.

The few(rare) families are left in the village due to draught .

Use of little (used with uncountable)

Little, a little and the little

Little - emphasises the lack of something or quantity in negative

e.g. We have little ( very less quantity ) fuel right now; we should wait tonight .

A little emphasises the enough quantity.

e.g. There’s a little (enough) water in the jug.

We have a little (enough) time. So, don’t worry.

The little” means “not much but all of that much”.

e.g.

I spent the little money I had. ( I spent whatever money I had, it wasn't much and I spent all I had.)
I drank the little water that was left in the glass. ( It wasn't enough and I drank all that was there .)

Use of much and many

Much - used with singular uncountable nouns

e.g.

I haven’t got much change;
There is too much sugar in the tea.
How much time do we need for this task?

Many - used with plural nouns.

Ex.

Many languages are originated from Sanskrit.

More, Less And Fewer
(comparative determiners)

more or less – used before singular uncountable nouns by adding than after it, or for an additional or lesser quantity of something.

e.g.

I purchased more dresses than Shail.
Please give me some more questions
We use fewer before plural countable nouns to refer to a group of things smaller than another.

e.g. Fewer students attempted the quiz than last year.
Each and Every

(Distributive Determiners Both are followed by singular countable nouns and singular verbs.)

Each – used for two or more than two items

Every - used for more than two items.

e.g.

Each of the two boys has won a prize
Every person in the world has a parent.

Most, Several And All

Most – used with plural uncountable nouns.

e.g.

Most of the people can be trusted.
Most of the time I am not at home.

Several – used with plural nouns, usually with number which is not very large. (i.e. less than most)

e.g.

Several countries were preparing for war.

All- requires a plural verb when used with a countable noun,

but requires a singular verb with an uncountable noun.

e.g.

All are joining the trip.
All that glitters is not gold.

Another And Other

Another - used only with singular countable nouns,

Other- can be used with singular countable, plural countable or uncountable nouns.

e.g.

Call another candidate as first one is not a deserving candidate .

I would prefer the other cheap restaurants

Either And Neither

Either – Used in the sense of

Both

Ex. Either of the bags are affordable.

I couldn’t get either opportunity.

Choice between the two

Ex

Either Ria or Rashi can be selected.

In addition with something

Ex.

In the exam, questions were short and easy either.

Neither- means "not one or the other of two people or things."

In other words, neither means "not either."

Ex.

Neither of the candidates are right for the job.

Preposition

Preposition is a word or group of words that relates a noun/ pronoun to another noun/ pronoun in a sentence and give it a complete sentence.

It denotes the time, place or position of the particular noun which is governed by it.

It is generally placed

before a noun or pronoun it governs.
at the end of some exceptional cases.

Ex.

Preposition placed before a noun

The jug is on the table.
The jug is under the table.
The jug is near the table.

Each of the preposition on, under and near, in the above sentences relates the position of the jug with respect to the another noun the table and giving a meaning to the sentences.

Conditions when a preposition is placed at the end of the sentence.

If a preposition governs a relative pronoun or an interrogative pronoun
When the relative pronoun is that.
When the relative pronoun is understood.
When the preposition is used with an imperative.

Ex.

This is the pen, I was looking for.
The pen is to write with.

Using the preposition is an art which requires clear concept and practice.

One preposition can be used for many contexts.

For e.g.

By

There is a park by my house.

(Here, ‘by’ refers to nearness)

He has arrived here by bus.

(by is always used with the vehicle to show the travel)

The letter was written by me.

(show the action done by someone in passive)

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time denote the time of an action of a noun or pronoun in a sentence.

Prepositions of time are basically

"in," "at," “ during”, “for” , “since" , “By" “ within” "on" , till , until.

In - for period of time (month, year, parts of a day, season, weather, Climate.

Ex.

In the evening,
In the morning
In the April
In 1990’s
In decades of 70- 80’s
In the rainy season
In the bad weather
In the humid climate.

On – for date, occasions, week days etc.

Ex.

On Saturday night
On 15^th December
On your birthday

At- for fixed time of clock or day time, for festivals coming every year.

Ex

At 3.30 pm
At sunset
At noon
At dawn
At Christmas
At Diwali

By- to denote at the certain time or before that time.

Ex.

We shall finish our work by 4 pm.

( at 4 pm or before it)

You have to report by 8 am.

During- for a known period of time.

During the summer
During holidays
During 80’s
During his old age.
We visited our grandparents during summer.

Within – used to denote before the end of the given period.

Ex

He may arrive within an hour.
We shall reach within 5 minutes.

For – used with a period of time (in perfect or perfect continuous tense)

He has been waiting for you for 2 hrs.

Since- used for a point of time in (perfect or perfect continuous tense)

Ex.

I had been suffering with fever since last night.

From – used to denote point of time and can be used in any Tense.

Ex.

He runs this shop from morning till night.

Difference between After and In

Difference between in and within

Till / until – up to the specific time of something.

He fought bravely till his death.
I will wait till the end of the meeting.
We had been at the station until the train comes.

Preposition of place

Used to refer place or location of any noun

At – used for small places and specific locations (an address or certain point I.e. at the top

Ex.

At the bus stop.
He lives at Dwarka in Delhi.
He might be at the library in the school premises.

In – used for big places, to denote location of a noun inside another noun (at rest)

It is also used for movement inside something

Ex.

My pen is in my bag.
The cat is in the kitchen.
In a country
In a big city
There is a big shop at the corner in a square.
He lives at Delhi in India.

(When in or at used together in used for larger area and at is used for smaller area)

On – used to denote the noun on the surface of other generally in touch and at rest

The book is on the table.
The cat is sitting on the cupboard.

Upon – used to denote the position of a noun on another but in movement.

Ex

The wolf sprang upon the goat.

Over – denotes higher in position, in contact or directly above.

The plane is flying over the building.
Dark clouds are floating over the hills.

Above- denote higher in position but not in contact or covering

Rate of these apartments has raised above than other ones of this locality.
These hills are 800 meters above the sea level.

Below, Beneath, Under

Below – (opposite of above) at a lower level than somebody/something and not in contact.

That Valley lies 800 meters below the mountain.
Everything is looking too small below this high apartment.

Under-

(Opposite of over) below the surface of something;
covered by something or lower in amount, authority, quality or degree.

Sill many victims are buried under the damaged building.
Under his guidance of his boss he has got a lot of experience.

Beneath - under the surface of other thing, invisible suitable things as covered wholly, hidden emotions or aspects, for not for anyone .

Many find themselves having to take jobs far beneath them.
The dry grass is producing crunching sound beneath his feet.

Behind / After

Prepositions of movement

show movement from one place to another place include:

to, toward, into , onto, across , through, off, along, around , up, down, from

To- used to indicate certain destination.

At the time of showing preference.

She is going to Delhi.
During winters, many families migrate to the valley .

Towards- used to indicate the direction of movement.

The ship is moving toward north east to reach the continent.
He ran toward the basement to escape from the robbers.

Into – movement from outside to inside or to change from one form to another

The cat ran into the kitchen to chase the rat.
He dived into the water.

Onto – movement to the surface from higher position.

The dog jumped onto the mirror seeing the reflection of cat.

Across – indicate the movement from one side to the other side of it.

He went across the bridge, in the beautiful garden.
He went across the pond by boat.

Through – movement from one side to another side of something in enclosed area.

In the sense of by the mean of something.

In the sense of facing something.

I got scared while the train was moving through the tunnel.
While walking through the woods, she met a dwarf.

Over – indicate the movement at the higher position.

The boy jumped over the walls and ran away.

Along- parallel movement in the same line of something for long distance

The thief was moving along the wall to get chance to enter the house in dark.
It was a pleasing moment to walk along the river bank.

From – for the place from where the movement starts.

The bus is going from Delhi to Goa.
When will this long journey from the England to Russia end?

Up/ down

Up - movement to higher position

Down - movement to lower position

He went up stairs.
The glacier water comes down from mountain ranges to plains.

Around – movement in circles.

Why is the honey bee moving around my head?
The electron revolves around the nucleus of an atom.

Off – used For

separation or disconnection

indicating to remove attire.

Ex.

The apple fell off the tree. (Separated from balcony)
He turned the TV off to get relief from the cold. (Appliance disconnected from the power)
They took the wheel off the car.
The wind blew the clothes off the balcony. (Separated from balcony.

Preposition ‘of’

Of is used to show that a noun belongs to something.

Ex.

He is after the property of his grandparents.
The collections of this shop are wonderful.
The small district of this area is beautiful.

Beside/ besides

Between / Among

By / with

Writing Skills with Grammar

3. Tenses

3. Tenses

3. Tenses

3. Tenses

3. Tenses

3. Tenses

3. Tenses

4. Modals

5. passive voice.

6. Subject – verb concord.

6. Subject – verb concord.

6. Subject – verb concord.

6. Subject – verb concord.

6. Subject – verb concord.

6. Subject – verb concord.

6. Subject – verb concord.

7. Reported speech

8. Clauses:

9. Determiners.

10. Prepositions.