Grammar Scrap Book
Grammar point 1: Use of perfect tense adverb
The meaning of a sentence can be transformed into a beautiful scenario when we use words like ever, never, yet, and already. The use of these words is tricky but rewarding, as they reflect the actual meaning that has to be said.
- Ever is used mainly for asking questions.
- Never is used for situations that did not occur during the time span mentioned in the question.
- Yet shows that something is not completed at present, but there is still a possibility.
- Already is used for confirmation that something has happened.
There is also a need to keep sentence structure in mind. It becomes tricky if the structure is not followed properly.
- Some examples taken from Pride and Prejudice, authored by Jane Austen.
- I do not know how you will ever make him amends for his kindness; or me, either, for that matter.
- But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever.
- Mary had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most accomplished girl in the neighbourhood; and Catherine and Lydia had been fortunate enough never to be without partners, which was all that they had yet learnt to care for at a ball.
- Everything nourishes what is strong already
- I have already told her so once, by your desire
- Jane was already so much recovered as to intend leaving her room for a couple of hours that evening.
- ▶ A prince’s work never done. 2
- ▶ Who is the most important or memorable person you have ever met? 2
Grammar point 2: Difference between Present perfect progressive vs Present progressive
One use present prefect progressive for the events that started in past and ongoing till now. Although present progressive is used for the events that are currently happening. So, we cannot say that he is reading for four hours. And, we cannot say he has been reading right now. We must say that he is reading right now and he has been reading for five hours.
- After sitting for a moment in silence, she said very stiffly to Elizabeth, “I hope you are well, Miss Bennet.Pride and Prejudice
Grammar point 3: Expression of preference
We ideally use three forms for expressing preferences. First: prefer goes with to, like goes with better than and rather with that. Let us see some examples: I prefer playing piano to dancing. I like paintings better than sculpture. I rather buy food
- Some examples taken from Pride and Prejudice, authored by Jane Austen.
- …. he found her to prefer a plain dish to a ragout….
- Do you prefer reading to cards?
- … Bingley preferred your elder sister to any other young woman in the country.
- The separation between her and her family was rather noisy than pathetic
- I rather wished, than believed him to be sincere;…
- You are rather disposed to call his interference officious?
- … it seemed the effect of necessity rather than of choice.
Grammar point 4: Order of Adjective
When there are many adjectives that are used for the same noun or pronoun, the order of these adjectives is important. First number, then opinion, then size, then shape, then condition, then age, then color, then pattern, then origin, then material and then purpose. To remember this, the lesson suggested to remember a sentence Now on small slim couches a cat put on Majic pajamas.
- … a smart young colonel, …
- … the three young ladies…
Grammar point 5: Use of present and past participle as adjective
Present participle is used for the cause of the feeling whereas past participle is used for the feeling itself. It is used as an adjective. I am excited. The journey was exciting. We cannot say: I was exciting or Journey is excited.
Grammar point 6: Using as phrase to compare
Some simple examples: you are as tall as your brother. He is as rich as his boss. But using almost, quite, just may change the meaning. Like: I am almost as intelligent as Mr. K. In negative sentences, meaning drastically changes if we use almost, nearly etc.
- so this is where you got like, over 40 species of fish aggregates there, and you get over 10000 fish in this one spot.4 . A better grammatically correct sentence would be “So this is where you get, like, over 40 species of fish gathering, and over 10,000 fish in this one spot.”
Grammar point 7: Adjective clause as subject pronoun
The verb in the adjective clauses must agree with modifying nouns. Also, we have restrictions on the type of noun and pronoun to be used. It is a must that we must use pronouns otherwise; sentences would be grammatically incorrect. For people: we use who and that. For things we use that and which. One cannot use which for pronouns used for a person and who for the pronoun used for thing. For example: The teacher who teaches math is very kind.
Grammar point 8: Adjective clause as object pronoun
This is a combination of the main clause and adjective clause. Both sentences are joined using who(m), that or nothing if an object is a person. Otherwise, we use which, that or nothing if an object is a thing.
Grammar point 9: Adjective clause with preposition
When we combine two sentences, one becomes the main clause, and another may become an adjective clause. In this case, the preposition of the second sentence to be placed properly otherwise the sentence becomes incorrect. This is the person I was speaking yesterday. Sentence should be “This is the person I was speaking to yesterday”. Other combinations are also possible, like “This is the person to whom I was speaking yesterday”.
Grammar point 10: Use of stative verbs
Verbs which do not express the action but the state. In case of present prefect progressive, we only use action verbs, and, in such case, use of stative verbs becomes wrong. I have been knowing my friend for more than forty years. This is wrong. We must say, I have known my friend for more than forty years.
Grammar point 11: Mistakes with count and non-count nouns
We cannot use s/es to make it plural. We cannot also use a/an with un-count nouns. We cannot use singular form with paired nouns.
Grammar point 12: Reducing adjective clause
We can reduce the sentence a little bit when there is use of subject pronoun in adjective clause and we reduce it to make it as adjective phrase. But we cannot use this reduction if an adjective clause is used as an object pronoun. The policeman who is walking down the street is my uncle. This sentence can be reduced to “The policeman walking down the street is my uncle”. This is the person I was speaking to yesterday cannot be reduced.
Grammar point 13: Order of pronouns
When using two or more subject pronouns or proper nouns with a pronoun, the first person pronoun (“I” / “we”) usually comes last. The natural order is: Other people/nouns → first person. I and Ankit are good friends vs Ankit and I are good friends. The first person comes last in such sentences.
- Alexandar and I have plans.
Grammar point 14: Confusing prepositions
Prepositions are used for transportation. When open spaces are used for transportation, we use on otherwise in. I travelled on a bus. I traveled by car.
References
-
Nicely Entertainment. (2023, May 18). A Royal in Paradise [Film]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaTIfXu\_c-k (see 51:09–51:12).Nicely Entertainment. (2023, May 18). A Royal in Paradise [Film]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaTIfXu\_c-k (see 20:17–20:19.4).Nicely Entertainment. (2023, May 18). A Royal in Paradise [Film]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaTIfXu\_c-k (see 6:53–6:56).Beyond the Reef | Full Documentary – Shuang Hu. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6WkG3MPUVI (see 6:53–6:56).Beyond the Reef | Full Documentary – Shuang Hu. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6WkG3MPUVI (see 10:16–10:21).ENGLISH SPEECH | PRIYANKA CHOPRA: Be Fearless (English Subtitles) YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDG1T0kJnd4 (see 12:25–12:30).Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. London: Penguin Books, 2002.
Grammar Scrap Book
Grammar point 1: Use of perfect tense adverb
The meaning of a sentence can be transformed into a beautiful scenario when we use words like ever, never, yet, and already.
The use of these words is tricky but rewarding, as they reflect the actual meaning that has to be said.- Ever is used mainly for asking questions.
- Never is used for situations that did not occur during the time span mentioned in the question.
- Yet shows that something is not completed at present, but there is still a possibility.
- Already is used for confirmation that something has happened.
There is also a need to keep sentence structure in mind. It becomes tricky if the structure is not followed properly.
- Some examples taken from Pride and Prejudice, authored by Jane Austen.
- I do not know how you will ever make
him amends for his kindness; or me, either, for that matter. - But people themselves alter so much, that there is
something new to be observed in them for ever. - Mary
had heard herself mentioned to Miss Bingley as the most
accomplished girl in the neighbourhood; and Catherine and
Lydia had been fortunate enough never to be without partners,
which was all that they had yet learnt to care for at a ball. - Everything nourishes
what is strong already - I have already told her so once, by your desire
- Jane was
already so much recovered as to intend leaving her room for a
couple of hours that evening.
- I do not know how you will ever make
- ▶
A prince’s work never done. 2 - ▶
Who is the most important or memorable person you have ever met? 2
Grammar point 2: Difference between Present perfect progressive vs Present progressive
One use present prefect progressive for the events that started in past and ongoing till now.
Although present progressive is used for the events that are currently happening. So, we cannot
say that he is reading for four hours. And, we cannot say he has been reading right now.
We must say that he is reading right now and he has been reading for five hours.- After sitting for a moment in silence, she said very
stiffly to Elizabeth, “I hope you are well, Miss Bennet.Pride and Prejudice
Grammar point 3: Expression of preference
We ideally use three forms for expressing preferences.
First: prefer goes with to, like goes with better than and rather with that.
Let us see some examples: I prefer playing piano to dancing. I like paintings better than sculpture.
I rather buy food- Some examples taken from Pride and Prejudice, authored by Jane Austen.
- …. he found her to
prefer a plain dish to a ragout…. - Do you prefer reading to cards?
- … Bingley preferred your elder sister
to any other young woman in the country. - The separation between her and her family was
rather noisy than pathetic - I rather wished, than believed him to be sincere;…
- You are rather disposed to call his interference officious?
- … it seemed the effect of necessity
rather than of choice.
- …. he found her to
Grammar point 4: Order of Adjective
When there are many adjectives that are used for the same noun or pronoun, the order of these adjectives is important.
First number, then opinion, then size, then shape, then condition, then age, then color, then pattern,
then origin, then material and then purpose.
To remember this, the lesson suggested to remember a sentence Now on small slim couches a cat put on Majic pajamas.- … a smart young colonel, …
- … the three
young ladies…
Grammar point 5: Use of present and past participle as adjective
Present participle is used for the cause of the feeling whereas past participle is used for the feeling itself.
It is used as an adjective. I am excited.
The journey was exciting. We cannot say: I was exciting or Journey is excited.Grammar point 6: Using as phrase to compare
Some simple examples: you are as tall as your brother. He is as rich as his boss.
But using almost, quite, just may change the meaning.
Like: I am almost as intelligent as Mr. K. In negative sentences, meaning drastically
changes if we use almost, nearly etc.
so this is where you got like, over 40 species of fish aggregates there, and you get over 10000 fish in this one spot.4 . A better grammatically correct sentence would be “So this is where you get, like, over 40 species of fish gathering, and over 10,000 fish in this one spot.”
Grammar point 7: Adjective clause as subject pronoun
The verb in the adjective clauses must agree with modifying nouns.
Also, we have restrictions on the type of noun and pronoun to be used.
It is a must that we must use pronouns otherwise; sentences would be grammatically incorrect.
For people: we use who and that. For things we use that and which.
One cannot use which for pronouns used for a person and who for the pronoun used for thing. For example: The teacher who teaches math is very kind.Grammar point 8: Adjective clause as object pronoun
This is a combination of the main clause and adjective clause. Both sentences are joined using who(m),
that or nothing if an object is a person. Otherwise, we use which, that or nothing if an object is a thing.Grammar point 9: Adjective clause with preposition
When we combine two sentences, one becomes the main clause, and another may become an adjective clause.
In this case, the preposition of the second sentence to be placed properly otherwise the sentence becomes incorrect.
This is the person I was speaking yesterday. Sentence should be “This is the person I was speaking to yesterday”.
Other combinations are also possible, like “This is the person to whom I was speaking yesterday”.Grammar point 10: Use of stative verbs
Verbs which do not express the action but the state. In case of present prefect progressive,
we only use action verbs, and, in such case, use of stative verbs becomes wrong.
I have been knowing my friend for more than forty years.
This is wrong. We must say, I have known my friend for more than forty years.Grammar point 11: Mistakes with count and non-count nouns
We cannot use s/es to make it plural. We cannot also use a/an with un-count nouns.
We cannot use singular form with paired nouns.Grammar point 12: Reducing adjective clause
We can reduce the sentence a little bit when there is use of subject pronoun in adjective clause and we reduce
it to make it as adjective phrase. But we cannot use this reduction
if an adjective clause is used as an object pronoun. The policeman who is walking down the street is my uncle.
This sentence can be reduced to “The policeman walking down the street is my uncle”.
This is the person I was speaking to yesterday cannot be reduced.Grammar point 13: Order of pronouns
When using two or more subject pronouns or proper nouns with a pronoun, the first person pronoun (“I” / “we”) usually comes last. The natural order is:
Other people/nouns → first person. I and Ankit are good friends vs Ankit and I are good friends. The first person comes last in such sentences.- Alexandar and I have plans.
Grammar point 14: Confusing prepositions
Prepositions are used for transportation. When open spaces are used for transportation, we use on otherwise in.
I travelled on a bus. I traveled by car.References
- Nicely Entertainment. (2023, May 18). A Royal in Paradise [Film]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaTIfXu_c-k (see 51:09–51:12).
- Nicely Entertainment. (2023, May 18). A Royal in Paradise [Film]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaTIfXu_c-k (see 20:17–20:19.4).
- Nicely Entertainment. (2023, May 18). A Royal in Paradise [Film]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaTIfXu_c-k (see 6:53–6:56).
- Beyond the Reef | Full Documentary – Shuang Hu. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6WkG3MPUVI (see 6:53–6:56).
- Beyond the Reef | Full Documentary – Shuang Hu. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6WkG3MPUVI (see 10:16–10:21).
- ENGLISH SPEECH | PRIYANKA CHOPRA: Be Fearless (English Subtitles) YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDG1T0kJnd4 (see 12:25–12:30).
- Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. London: Penguin Books, 2002.