English 1 Manual

Cristo Rey Institute for Career Development
106 Rizal Avenue, Batangas City
Basic Communication Skills
Student Name:
_________________________________
Course/Year/Section:
_________________________________
Subject Teacher:
Developed by: Rheysan T. Sandro _________________________________
Basic Communication Skills – EL1
Contents
Parts of Speech...............................................................................................4
Parts of Speech Checkup...............................................................................4
Noun Plurals.................................................................................................7
Quiz Yourself: Noun Plurals......................................................................11
Challenge Yourself: Noun Plurals..............................................................11
Noun Forms................................................................................................13
Quiz Yourself: Noun Forms.......................................................................15
Challenge Yourself: Noun Forms...............................................................15
Article Use..................................................................................................16
Quiz Yourself: Article Use.........................................................................19
Challenge Yourself: Article Use.................................................................19
Pronouns....................................................................................................20
Quiz Yourself: Pronouns...........................................................................25
Challenge Yourself: Pronouns...................................................................26
Verbs...........................................................................................................27
Quiz Yourself: Verbs.................................................................................32
Challenge Yourself: Verbs.........................................................................33
Verb Tenses................................................................................................34
Quiz Yourself: Verb Tenses.......................................................................40
Challenge Yourself: Verb Tenses...............................................................40
Active and Passive Voice...........................................................................42
Quiz Yourself: Active and Passive Voice.....................................................44
Challenge Yourself: Active and Passive Voice............................................44
Adverbs.......................................................................................................46
Quiz Yourself: Adverbs..............................................................................50
Challenge Yourself: Adverbs......................................................................51
Adjectives...................................................................................................52
Quiz Yourself: Adjectives...........................................................................60
Challenge Yourself: Adjectives...................................................................61
Preposition Usage.......................................................................................62
Quiz Yourself: Preposition Usage...............................................................66
Challenge Yourself: Preposition Usage......................................................67
2
Conjunctions..............................................................................................68
Quiz Yourself: Conjunctions.....................................................................75
Challenge Yourself: Conjunctions.............................................................76
Interjections...............................................................................................77
Quiz Yourself: Interjections.......................................................................79
Challenge Yourself: Interjections...............................................................80
Word Forms................................................................................................81
Quiz Yourself: Word Forms.......................................................................84
Challenge Yourself: Word Forms...............................................................85
References.....................................................................................................86
3
Parts of
Speech
Do you know how to form an abstract noun? Do you know proper usage
of a definite and indefinite articles? How about the difference between subjective
pronouns and objective pronouns? If you’re feeling a little rusty, this manual
will help you review parts of speech.
Parts of Speech Checkup
Instructions:
The text on the following page contains many errors pertaining to parts
of speech. Parts of speech errors include mistakes in verb forms, verb tense,
articles, noun plurals, noun forms, prepositions, pronoun cases, adjectives and
adverbs, passive voice, and word forms.
Read through the text titled “Personality” and underline any word or
phrase that contains an error.
Once you have completed the Parts of Speech Checkup, compare your
answers to the key to be given by the teacher. If you find all the errors of a
particular type, then place a checkmark in “Topic Mastered.” If you miss an
error of a particular type, then place a checkmark in “Topic to Review.” You may
then use this chart to guide what topics you need to review in this section.
Error Type Topic Mastered Topic to Review

1. noun plurals
2. noun forms
3. article use
4. pronoun cases
5. verb forms
6. verb tenses
7. active and passive voice
8. adverb and adjective usage
9. preposition usage
10.conjunctions
11.interjections
12.word forms
4
I’m a little artistic and a lot reserved in personality - at least, until

Checkup
I’m at a party. I have many close friends. It’s funny, when I consider what
nurture contributes to making up a person’s character, my first
instinctiveness is to think about families of origin. But my parents are
nothing like me! My dad was a accountant, and my mother always said
she couldn’t
Personalitydraw a circle if her life depended on it. And neither of them
had any friends who were as close as my are. It seems the groups I will be
At times, when I have thought about it, I belong to many
part of over the years have made up more of my character than with what
different groups. From the time I was born, I was a member of more
I wasthan
born.one family group. My mother’s family couldn’t have been more
unlike my father’s family. My mother’s family was always somewhat
stiff and reserved. My father’s family was always outgoing, loud, and
welcoming. As I grew up, I spent a lot of time wishing I was more like
my two families. Because they were so different, I could never be like
Noun
both Plurals
of them at once.
I also finded myself a member of a community group, simply
by being born in a particular location. I felt at home with the group
of artistic and talented people living in my funky east-side
neighborhood. We lived in a three-floors house with two other
families, so there was a kind of group there, too, of which I felt a
part. I don’t think people who live in large citys full of smaller
neighborhoods identify as having an “urban” or “big city” life. I
certain didn’t have a strong sense of being part of a city group.
When I got a little older, I wasn’t just a member of my family
or community groups anymore. I became a member of a school. My
school was small, with the strong identity. They were always holding
school pride events and showing on the talent of the school
community. Students there were always nice to my best friend and I
because we were popular. We shared so many good times and bad
times, laughters and sorrow. When I graduated, I missed being part
of that tightly knit group and seeing my friends every day. Several of
them moved to different parts of the country, so it really felt as
though I had less friends after graduating. I joined the alumni
association to keeping in touch with some of my former classmates, I
became part of a new group that gets together about twice a year and
communicates occasionally.
My career has been varied, but most of the time I’ve worked
into the graphic design industry. The people I work with at my job
have really different skills, from computer programming to
illustration. But various projects have been worked on together by
us, and I definitely feel part of the group. They’re is always someone
to go to for advise or to help me brainstorm.
5
1. Count Nouns
Nouns that can be counted as individual items are referred to as
count nouns. Count nouns can take a singular or plural form and often
name things perceived by the senses. If there can be more than one of
something, it’s likely a count noun.
Examples of count nouns in the Examples of count nouns in

singular form: the plural form:
nut nuts
hen hens
door doors
boy boys
computer computers
idea ideas
 Add s to pluralize most count nouns.
house - houses mountain – mountains

mirror - mirrors bag – bags
 If the singular noun ends in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, add -es to the
end to make it plural.
glass - glasses beach – beaches

blitz - blitzes marsh - marshes
brush - fax – faxes
brushes
 In some cases, singular nouns ending in -s or -z, require that you

double the -s or -z prior to adding the -es for pluralization.
fez – gas –
fezzes gasses
 If the noun ends with -f or -fe, the f is often changed to -ve before
adding the -s to form the plural version.
wife – wolf –
wives wolves
Exceptions:
roof – roofs belief – beliefs
chef – chief – chiefs
chefs
 If the singular noun ends in -o, add -es to make it plural. echo –
echoes
6
 tomato – tomatoes potato - potatoes
Exceptions:
photo – piano –
photos pianos
halo – halos
With the unique word volcano, you can apply the standard
pluralization for words that end in -o or not. It’s your choice! Both of the
following are correct:
volcanoes
volcanos
 If a singular noun ends in -y and the letter before the -y is a

consonant, change the ending to -ies to make the noun plural.
baby - babies city – cities puppy – puppies
 If the singular noun ends in -y and the letter before the -y is a vowel,
simply add an -s to make it plural.
ray – rays boy – boys toy - toys
 If the singular noun ends in -us, the plural ending is frequently -i.
cactus – cacti focus – foci
 If the singular noun ends in -is, the plural ending is -es.

analysis – analyses ellipsis – ellipses
 If the singular noun ends in -on, the plural ending is -a.

phenomenon – phenomena criterion – criteria
 Numbers can be used with count nouns.

three hens two boys one idea
 When a singular count noun is the subject in a sentence, it must be

used with the singular verb form.
The cover of that book tells us nothing.
 The plural count noun is used with the plural verb form.
The whales were swimming very close to shore.
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2. Non-count Nouns
When something cannot be counted directly, we call these non-count
nouns. These nouns do not have a plural form.
 Non-count nouns are often substances, such as water or rice, which
cannot easily be counted, or they may be abstract ideas, such as
intelligence or honesty.
Incorrect: The woman who were working on the magazine received awards
for design, layout, and content development.
Explanation: The count noun is the subject of the plural verb were, so the
two must agree.
Correct: The women who were working on the magazine received awards
for design, layout, and content development.
Examples:
rain confidence
money laughter
grass oxygen
 Non-count nouns do not pluralize.
3. Count and Non-count Nouns and the Use of Prepositions

Prepositions link nouns to other words in a sentence. The preposition
indicates the relationship of its object to the rest of the sentence.
Consider the nature of the relationship between the noun and the
rest of the sentence indicated by the preposition.
Incorrect: Our teacher gives us a lot of homeworks.

Explanation: Homework is a non-count noun, so it cannot take a plural
form.
Correct: Our teacher gives us a lot of homework.
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Incorrect: We can put partitions up between the table.
Explanation: Between suggests more than one item. We should choose the
plural count noun.
Correct: We can put partitions up between the tables.
4. Irregular Noun Plurals
 There are some common exceptions to the plural rules for nouns. Some of
them include:
tooth - teeth man - men
mouse - mice woman - women
child – children person - people
 Some other count nouns do not have a plural form. Some of these include:
fish – fish (most common plural form) moose – moose
aircraft – aircraft means – means
sheep – sheep series – series
species – species deer - deer
Incorrect: Deers come in our yard and eat all our flowers.
Correct: Deer come in our yard and eat all our flowers.
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Directions: Read the following sentence

Quiz Yourself: Noun Plurals carefully. Write A if the sentence contains a
correct noun plural and B if it contains an incorrect noun plural. Write your
answer on the space provided before each number.
_____ 1. How many person are in your class?
_
_____ 2. We have a lot of fish in the freezer.
_
_____ 3. Baby like to be rocked, sung to, and cuddled.
_
_____ 4. How many cups of tea do we need for Table Six?
_
_____ 5. How much garbages do we have for Friday’s pick up?
_
_____ 6. The informations I read on the Internet was extremely valuable.
_
_____ 7. There are bound to be better ways to study than to sleep with
_ books under your pillow.
_____ 8. I need to buy sugars before I can bake those cookies you like.
_
_____ 9. Three men and a woman were spotted at the scene of the crime.
_
_____
Challenge
10.Most
Yourself:
of theNoun
player
Plurals
in my chess club can’t meet until 7:00 pm, so I
_ don’t think we should make the times of our meetings earlier.
Directions: Correct the incorrect noun plurals in the following sentences. Watch,
there may be more than one error per sentence. Write your answer on the space
provided below.
1. The McKechney sisters get together every Tuesday to watch their childs
practice gymnastics.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. The two womans lean against the wall wrapping their hands around their
coffee during the lesson.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Susie McKechney would rather play baseballs, but gymnastics is Ava

McKechney’s favourite sport.
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______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Ava dreams of doing back flips from rooftop to rooftop, along all the rooves
on her street.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Susie’s mom complains that the lessons are a lot of monies given there isn’t
much 1:1 instruction.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Ava’s mom shrugs it off, saying the chance for their daughter’s friendship to
blossom is worth it.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. She wants another generation of McKechnies to have the same bond she has
with her sister.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
8. “Stop stressing,” says Ava’s mom, passing a bag to Susie’s mom. “The
tomatos are from my garden.”
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
9. There are four knife on the table, and we will have thirteen people here for
dinner.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
10.Three person were killed in the car crash last Friday evening.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Noun Forms
Forming Abstract Nouns

Many abstract nouns are formed by adding suffixes (-ness, -ity, -tion) to
adjectives or verbs to make a noun form. Examples are happiness, formality,
and gradation.
Some nouns take one suffix and not another.
extensiveness not extensivity

centrality not centralness
The difficulty comes in choosing the best noun form for your specific
sentence. For example, the following two words are both abstract nouns with
similar meanings. You will find both words in your dictionary.
fragility - a noun referring to the condition of being fragile
fragileness - a noun referring to how fragile something is
One of them will be the better noun form in the following sentence:
The author argued that culture’s fragility was the main problem.
Fragility is more easily used than fragileness, which sounds awkward.
Consider the words productiveness and productivity:
Incorrect: The new office arrangement increased the productiveness of

the
staff.
Correct: The new office arrangement increased the productivity of the
Sometimes the noun form created with a suffix is not the best form. In
the following example, the noun phrase is better than the noun form created
with the ity suffix:
The central placement of the new building will make it easy to reach from
any place on campus.
Explanation: In this sentence, central placement is better than centrality
because we’re not talking about an abstract quality belonging to the new
building; we’re talking about its specific site.
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In the following sentence, centrality is the better form because we’re

talking about the abstract quality:
We want to keep the old mascot, given its centrality to the history of the
school.
FOOTNOTE: Nouns ending in ness are always abstract nouns and cannot
be pluralized. Some nouns ending in ity are concrete and can be pluralized.
monstrosity — monstrosities variety — varieties
Noun Usage
 Some nouns can mean the same thing, but not in every instance.
Narration and narrative can both mean a continuous story.
Which is the proper noun used in this sentence?
The __________ that went along with that movie was very loud and
expressive.
We would use narration here because the context tells us this is
specifically a spoken accompaniment to a film, which is always called the
narration.
 Some nouns are made from shorter nouns with different meanings.
The noun horse refers to the four-legged animal.
The noun sawhorse refers to the four-legged workbench.
Incorrect: I used my horse to support the 2 x 4 while I cut off the ends.
Correct: I used my sawhorse to support the 2 x 4 while I cut off the ends.
 Examples of noun usage:
Incorrect: My hate of him has me turning red.

Correct: My hatred of him has me turning red.
Incorrect: We have many more mileage to drive before we reach our

vacation spot.
Correct: We have many more miles to drive before we reach our vacation
spot.
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Quiz Yourself: Noun Forms Directions: Circle the incorrect noun form in
each sentence.
1. You’ll find the best dines in the west end of the city.
2. How do you plan to earn a life after you’re finished with school?
3. The citizens are concerned that the new security legislation will restrict their
freeness.
4. It was a superstitiousness that led him to avoid walking under that ladder.
5. The soldier raised her arm, hand flat and straight, in a military salutation to
her senior officer.
6. The locality of the closing ceremony has yet to be decided by the faculty.
7. Being among the literati makes daily life easier: I can read signs, complete
forms, and follow the simple instructions of a recipe.
8. I’m not going to give credential to the claim that eating turnips will improve
my quality of life.
9. At spring break, students like to make a pilgrim to warmer climates.
10.I keep a diary so my thoughts and feelings are recorded for perpetualism.
Directions: Change the incorrect noun

Challenge Yourself: Noun Forms forms, and replace the nouns used
incorrectly with an appropriate noun.
In some instances, more than one answer is acceptable.
1. Our media class was instructed to film a documentation while we were

on our outdoor education trip.
2. Our outdoor education leader showed us how to make a sweat lodging
using driftwood for the frame.
3. The film shows the shapelessivity of the structure before we rebuilt the
frame properly.
4. Now we have the knowing to make a better one next time.
5. The steam filled the structure, and we soon built up a good sweatness.
6. I’ve never felt a more intense exhilaratingness!
7. We almost forgot to film that part; we were having such a blasting.
8. I hope we win the treasure!
Articles are short words that come before a noun. There are two kinds of
articles used in front of noun groups: indefinite and definite articles.
14
A or an is an indefinite article. Use a or an to

Article Use
refer to a non-specific, singular noun.
a book an angel a person an elephant
The is a definite article. Use the to refer to a specific singular or plural noun.
the cake in the refrigerator the movies we saw last night the past
The Indefinite Article A or An
 A or an is used in front of a noun that can be counted.
a pleasant afternoon.
We can count a number of afternoons.
 Use an indefinite article when you talk about people or things without
saying exactly who or what they are.
I went to see a doctor.
 Use an indefinite article the first time you refer to something that is not
specifically known to the person you are communicating with.
While we were on vacation, we went to a show. The show we saw was

called Les Miserables.
FOOTNOTE: If the next word begins with a consonant sound when spoken,
for example “uniform,” use a. We say “uniform” with a “y” sound at the
beginning, as though it were spelt “youniform”; so, “a uniform” is correct.
FOOTNOTE: If the next word begins with a vowel sound when spoken, for
example “honourable,” use an. We say “honourable” with a silent h, as
though it were spelled “onorable”; so, “an honourable student” is correct.
The Definite Article The
The is used in front of a count noun, and when the noun cannot be counted,
but is specific:
the dollar he lent me. (We can count the number of dollars.)
the sadness I feel. (We cannot count a number of sadness.)
15
 Use a definite article when the person you are talking to knows which
person or thing you mean.
We saw him in the cafeteria.
 Use a definite article when you have already mentioned the person or thing.
I was looking after a dog this weekend. The dog was very disobedient.
Some non-count nouns do not require an article.

I need to buy coffee.
FOOTNOTE: Do not use an article when talking about languages, places,

sports, or countries, except when the country name includes an article, such
as The Netherlands, or The U.S.A.
Do not use an article when you talk about things in general.

Textbooks are expensive. (all textbooks)
Sugar is sweet. (all sugar)
Using Articles in Front of a Modifier
Put the correct article in front of a noun group or in front of numbers or

adjectives.
Specific Non-specific
Would you like the delightful cherry Would you like a delightful cherry
tart on this plate? tart?
The three witches of Eastwick flew A witch from Eastwick flew by.
by.
Examples of Article Usage:
16
Incorrect: There was great lecture this evening.

Correct: There was a great lecture this evening.
Incorrect: The students nodded at the teacher to show the

comprehension.
Be careful of words that have both a count and a non-count meaning.

Non-count nouns normally cannot have the indefinite article a or an in front of
them. We make an exception when using words that have both a count and
non-count meaning.
Non-count meaning: I need to buy coffee.

Count meaning: Can I buy you a coffee?
Explanation: A cup of coffee is something that you can
count.
Non-count meaning: I value friendship along with the virtues of honesty

and compassion.
Explanation: Friendship refers to the general idea.
Count meaning: I have many friendships that span more than a decade.
Explanation: Friendships refer to a number of specific bonds with friends.
FOOTNOTE: Food and beverage non-count nouns can be used in a count

sense.
I enjoy juices from B.C.
count meaning: kinds of juice
The foods presented at the culinary arts show impressed all.

count meaning: kinds of food
17
Directions: Write a, an, or the in the blanks

Quiz Yourself: Article Use
to complete the sentence. When there is no
article required, write nothing.
1. If three sides of a triangle are of equal length, the triangle is _________
equilateral.
2. Benny swears he saw _________ UFO flying over his house last night.
3. _________ number of hours I sleep does not depend on how late I go to
bed, but on what time I get up.
4. Tina’s had more trouble with her back, so she’s thinking of going to
_________ acupuncturist.
5. Is there _________ good coffee shop around here?
6. We ate at the Funky Monkey last night, too. Just before dessert, we saw
you leaving _________ restaurant.
7. I have your _________ bag in the trunk of my car.
8. Now Dino lives in _________ house, not a condo.
9. If it looks like it may rain when I leave for work, I always take _________
umbrella.
10.Next year we’ll travel to _________ Australia, a country we haven’t visited
before.
Directions: Correct the article errors in

Challenge Yourself: Article Use the following sentences by adding,
deleting, or changing the article. Note:
There may be more than one error per sentence.
1. I started working at restaurant last week.
2. I’m a hostess at The Funky Monkey: I greet people at front door and help
them find a seat.
3. I ask the customers if they would like a table near the window, or one of
a booths along the wall.
4. A restaurant is really nice, so I have to make sure I dress up for the
work.
5. I went to mall last week and bought a pair of black dress pants and the
white dress shirt.
6. When I get my first pay cheque, maybe I’ll go back and buy a dress I saw
this morning.
7. One of my new coworkers said the tips at The Funky Monkey are great
on a weekends.
8. If they don’t schedule me to work at least Fridays, I may have to find the
second job somewhere.
9. I have to start work at 2:00 p.m., and usually I work a eight-hour shift,
unless business is slow.
18
Pronouns
A pronoun is a word used in place of one or
more nouns. We use pronouns to:
 refer to a noun (called its antecedent) that usually comes before the
pronoun.
 make our writing clearer, smoother, and less awkward.
In the sentence, “Roberto feels that he can win the race,” he is the
pronoun, and Roberto is the antecedent.
In the sentence, “Terry and Jim know that they are best friends,” they is
the pronoun, and Terry and Jim are the noun antecedents.
Types of Pronouns
1. Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns are short words used to represent people or things.

The personal pronouns are I, you, he, she, it, we, and they. They are primarily
used to avoid repetition.
Examples:
 Myra (David's kitten) looks cute, but he thinks she is evil. (The personal
pronouns "he" and "she" avoid the need to repeat "David" and "kitten.")
 We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap
as they go by.
 I bought some batteries, but they weren't included. (Comedian Steven
Wright)
Table Showing Personal Pronouns by Case

Below is a table showing the personal pronouns by case (i.e., how they're
used) and person (i.e., how they relate to the speaker).
Person Subjective Objectiv Possessive Possessive Reflexive

Case e Case Determine Pronouns Pronouns
r
First
Person I me my mine myself
Singular
Second
Person you you your yours yourself
Singular
Third he/she/it him/her/ his/her/its his/hers/its himself/
19
Person
it herself/itself
Singular
First
Person we us our ours ourselves
Plural
Second
Person you you your yours yourselves
Plural
Third
Person they them their theirs themselves
Plural
As you can see from the table above, the personal pronouns are
categorized by person. There are three person categories:
1. First Person. The first-person personal pronouns (I and we) represent those
speaking.
2. Second Person. The second-person personal pronouns (you (singular) and
you (plural)) represent those being addressed.
3. Third Person. The third-person personal pronouns (he/she/it and they)
represent those who are neither speaking nor being addressed (i.e.,
everybody else).
The Different Types of Personal Pronouns

Based on how they're used, personal pronouns are categorized as one of
the following:
a) Subjective Personal Pronoun
I, you, he, she, it, we, and they are the subjective personal pronouns.

These are the versions used for the subjects of verbs. For example:
 You are happy.
 They won the league.
b) Objective Personal Pronoun
The objective personal pronouns are me, you, him, her, it, us, and them.

These are the versions used when the personal pronouns are objects (i.e., direct
objects, indirect objects, or objects of prepositions). For example:
 Paul knows her.
(The personal pronoun is a direct object.)
 Paul gave them the letter.
20
(The personal pronoun is an indirect object.)
 Paul went with him.

(The personal pronoun is an object of a preposition.)
c) Possessive Personal Pronoun
The possessive pronouns are mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, and theirs.
They represent something that is owned and tell us who the owner is. For
example:
 Myra protected the pantry, believing all the food was hers.
(Here, hers represents all the food and tells us the owner is Myra. A possessive
pronoun replaces a possessive determiner and a noun, e.g., her food becomes
hers, my story becomes mine, and their jellybean becomes theirs. Note that
possessive determiners are classified as pronouns too.)
d) Reflexive Personal Pronoun

The reflexive pronouns are myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself,
ourselves, yourselves, and themselves. A reflexive pronoun refers back to the
subject.
 David did not blame himself for Myra's aggression.
(The subject is David. The reflexive pronoun himself refers back to David.)
FOOTNOTES:
 You is used for both the singular and plural form in both the subjective
and objective cases.
 Your and you’re sound exactly the same, but they’re different parts of
speech.
Incorrect: Your going to like this beach we’re hiking to.

Explanation: The correct word here would be the contraction of you are:
you’re.
Correct: Your shoes are coming undone!
2. Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns are used to demonstrate (or indicate). This,

that, these, and those are all demonstrative pronouns.
Examples:
21
 This is the one I left in the car.

(In this example, the speaker could be indicating to a mobile phone, in which
case, the pronoun this replaces the words mobile phone.)
 Shall I take those?
3. Indefinite Pronouns
Unlike demonstrative pronouns, which point out specific items, indefinite
pronouns are used for non-specific things. This is the largest group of
pronouns. All, some, any, several, anyone, nobody, each, both, few, either, none,
one, and no one are the most common.
Examples:
 Somebody must have seen the driver leave.
(Somebody is not a specific person.)
 We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
(Playwright Oscar Wilde)
 I have nothing to declare except my genius. (Playwright Oscar Wilde)
4. Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are used in questions. Although they are
classified as pronouns, it is not easy to see how they replace nouns. Who,
which, what, where, whose, whom and how are all interrogative pronouns.
Examples:
 Who told you to do that?
 Which dog won the race?
 To whom did you tell that?
 Whose pencils are these?
5. Relative Pronouns
Relative pronouns are used to add more information to a sentence.
Which, that, who (including whom and whose), and where are all relative
pronouns.
Examples:
 Dr. Adam Sissons, who lectured at Cambridge for more than 12 years,
should have known the difference.
(In this example, the relative pronoun who introduces the clause who
studied at Cambridge for 12 years and refers back to Dr. Adams Sissons.)
22
 The man who first saw the comet reported it as a UFO.

(In this example, the relative pronoun who introduces the clause who
first saw the comet and refers back to the man.)
6. Reciprocal Pronouns
Reciprocal pronouns are used for actions or feelings that are
reciprocated. The reciprocal pronouns are each other and one another.
Examples:
 They like one another.
 They talk to each other like they're babies.
7. Intensive (or Emphatic) Pronouns

An intensive pronoun is used to refer back to a noun or pronoun in order
to emphasize it. These are myself, yourself, herself, himself, itself, ourselves,
yourselves, and themselves. These words can be either intensive pronouns or
reflexive pronouns.
Examples:
 The mayor himself presented the prize.
(The mayor is the noun being emphasized. It is called the antecedent of
the intensive pronoun. The antecedent of a pronoun is the thing the
pronoun refers to.)
 The mouse opened the packet itself.
When used for emphasis, words like "myself," "himself," etc. are called intensive
pronouns.
23
Quiz Yourself: Pronouns
Directions: Select the correct pronoun from the options provided. Write your
answer on the space provided.
1. The people in the lineup gave the pop to Hanifa and (me, I) ___________.
2. The contributors to the magazine, Morris and (him, he) ___________, received
their cheques three weeks late.
3. Haru sent flowers to (she, her) ___________.
4. Several of (we, us) ___________ are going to Hawaii for our spring vacation.
5. I knew that (his, he) ___________running up the staircase would wake up the
baby.
6. To (who, whom) ___________should I address my letter of acceptance?
7. (Us, We) ___________ two are planning a reunion for everyone who took that
summer language course last year.
8. The chances of (us, we) ___________ completing the race in under one hour
are not looking good.
9. Amadi and (me, I) ___________ ate the whole chocolate cake ourselves.
10.It was (he, him) ___________ who called so late last night.
11.To (whom, which) ___________ do you want to award the prize?
12.Give these jerseys to the team (whom, who) ___________ is playing on the
back field.
13.We need a frame for the picture (who, that) ___________ will go above our bed.
14.My sister is six inches taller than (I, me) ___________.
15.Some students leave their laptops in their study carrels while they use the
restroom, but I’d never leave (mine, my) ___________.
16.People buy into the leader before (they, us) ___________ buy into the vision.
17.Do you know what 'meteorologist' means in English? (it, its) ___________
means liar.
18.A house divided against (itself, it) ___________ cannot stand.
19.According to (he, her) ___________, they spent 7 million dollars building the
Titanic and 200 million to make a film about it.
20.When thinking about Africa, we must remember that it has the youngest
population among (some, all) ___________the continents.
24
Challenge Yourself: Pronouns

Directions: Edit the following
sentences by correcting the incorrect
pronoun use in the text. Rewrite it in the blank space provided after each
sentence.
1. Whom will be the one to look after us when we’re no longer able to work?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Its easy to say the government will.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. You and me hope that our government has taken steps to ensure the
Pension Plan is secure.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. But should us people spend everything we get, knowing that there is a social
security net?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Many people think them’ll be fine with the income they will get from CPP
alone.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. Take my mother. Her and I have very different lifestyles.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. The best approach for we to take is saving, and saving early.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
8. I contribute to my retirement savings plan every month. I wonder if my
mother ever adds to her?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
9. I tell my kids this, but they look at me as if to say, “Are you talking to Lisa
and I?”
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
10.They don’t have any interest. Give you ten years, and they’ll be starting to
think about this.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
25
Verbs Verbs are "doing" words. Verbs can express

physical actions or action verbs (e.g., play, dive),
mental actions (e.g., think, guess), or states of being (e.g., exist, am).
Verbs
A verb is a "doing" word. A verb can express:
 A physical action (e.g., to swim, to write, to climb).

 A mental action (e.g., to think, to guess, to consider).
 A state of being (e.g., to be, to exist, to appear).
Verbs Can Express Physical Actions

Here are some sentences with verbs that express physical actions. (In
each example, the verb is highlighted.)
 She sells pegs and lucky heather.
(In this example, the word sells is a verb. It expresses the physical
activity to sell.)
 The doctor wrote the prescription.

(In this example, the word wrote is a verb. It expresses the physical
activity to write.)
 Alison bought a ticket.
(The word bought is a verb. It expresses the physical activity to buy.)
Verbs Can Express Mental Actions

While many verbs express physical actions (e.g., to jump, to dance, to
sing), verbs can also express mental actions. For example:
 She considers the job done.

(The word considers is a verb. It expresses the mental activity to
consider.)
 Peter guessed the right number.

(The word guessed is a verb. It expresses the mental activity to guess.)
 I thought the same thing.

(The word thought is a verb. It expresses the mental activity to think.)
Verbs Can Express a State of Being

A small but extremely important group of verbs do not express any
activity at all. The most important verb in this group (arguably of all) is the verb
to be.
Here is the verb to be in the different tenses:
Subject Verb to be
26
past tense present tense future tense

I was am will be
You were are will be
He / She / It was is will be
We were are will be
You were are will be
They were are will be
Here are some real examples with the verb to be:
 Edwina is the largest elephant in this area. (The word is is a verb from
the verb to be.)
 It was a joke. (The word was is a verb from the verb to be.)
 I am. (The word am is a verb from the verb to be.)

(Point of interest: I am is the shortest sentence in English.)
The Types of Verbs
As we've covered, a verb can be categorized as a physical verb (e.g., to

run), a mental verb (e.g., to think), or a state-of-being verb (e.g., to be).
However, a verb will often be further categorized as one of the following:
1. Action Verbs
An action verb tells what action (often a physical action) a subject is

performing, has performed, or will perform.
Examples:
 My father delivers packages to department stores each day.

 Louie bowled a perfect game last night.
 Suzanne skated across the rink in Central Park.
 Turn at the next corner, Noel.
 Oscar will help Petra with the project.
Another examples:
 Lee eats cake. (Eating is something Lee can do.)
 The bear chased the salmon in the shallow rapids. (Chasing is something
the bear can do.)
Compare those verbs with these:
 Lee likes cake. (To like is not an activity. It's a state.)

 The bear is hungry. (To be is not an activity. It's a state.)
Action verbs can be transitive or intransitive.
27
a) Transitive Verb
A transitive verb is one that acts on something (i.e., it has a direct
object). For example:
 I saw the dog. (Here, the direct object is the dog.)

 Lee ate the pie. (Here, the direct object is the pie.)
 The postman will give Sarah the letter. (Here, the direct object is the
letter.)
NOTE: The direct object of a transitive verb can be found by finding the
verb and asking "what?" For example, "saw what?" (answer: the dog); "ate
what?" (answer: the pie); "will give what?" (answer: the letter).
b) Intransitive Verb
An intransitive verb is one that does not take a direct object. In other
words, it is not done to someone or something. It only involves the subject.
 The rain fell.

 My throat hurts.
 The crowd demonstrated outside the theatre.
2. Linking Verbs
A linking verb connects (or links) a subject to a noun or an adjective in

the predicate. The most common linking verbs are the forms of the verb “to be”
(is, are, was, were, been, being, am) and appear, become, feel, grow, look,
remain, seem, smell, sound, stay, taste, and turn.
Examples:
 My sister is a doctor.
(The linking verb, is, connects the subject, sister, with the predicate
nominative, doctor.)
 My sister is studying to become a doctor.

(In this sentence the word is is a helping verb for the main verb, studying.
Is does not function as a linking verb.)
 He appeared tired.
(The linking verb, appeared, links the subject, He, with the predicate
adjective, tired.)
 He appeared at the game.
28
(In this sentence the verb, appeared, is an action verb, not a linking
verb.)
In the following group of sentences, the odd-numbered sentences
exemplify the linking verb and the even-numbered sentences show the same
verb used as either an action verb or a helping verb. Discuss why each verb
functions as it does.
1. Reggie looked confused.

2. Reggie looked for his missing wallet.
3. Tammy grew tired during the long concert.
4. Tammy grew tomatoes in her garden this year.
5. I feel confused in math class.
6. I feel the penny at the bottom of this pool.
3. Stative Verb
A stative verb expresses a state rather than an action. A stative verb
typically relates to a state of being, a thought, or an emotion. For example:
 I am at home.
 She believes in fairies.
 He feels elated.
NOTE: Linking verbs are generally stative, since the description is

generally a state, but not all stative verbs are linking verbs.
4. Auxiliary Verb
An auxiliary verb (or helping verb) accompanies a main verb to help
express tense, voice or mood. The most common auxiliary verbs are be, do, and
have (in their various forms). Here are some examples of auxiliary verbs:
 Lee has eaten all the pies. (Here, the auxiliary verb has helps to express
tense.)
 The table has been prepared. (Here, the auxiliary verbs has been help to
express voice (in this case, the passive voice).)
 If he were to arrive in the next 10 minutes, we would be on schedule.

(Here, the auxiliary verbs were and would help to express mood (in this
case, the subjunctive mood).)
29
5. Modal Verb
A modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb used to express ideas such as
ability, possibility, permission, and obligation. The modal auxiliary verbs are
can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will, and would. For
example:
 Lee can eat a lot of pies. (Here, the modal verb can helps to express the
idea of ability.)
 Lee might eat that pie before he gets home. (Here, the modal verb might
helps to express the idea of possibility.)
 Lee may eat as many pies as he likes. (Here, the modal verb may helps to
express the idea of permission.)
 Lee should give you some of that pie given you bought it. (Here, the
modal verb should helps to express the idea of obligation.)
6. Phrasal Verb
A phrasal verb is a verb made up of more than one word (usually two
words). A phrasal verb has a main verb and another word (either a preposition
or a particle). The phrasal verb usually has a meaning different to the main
verb. For example:
 A burglar will often break a window to break in.

(Here, the phrasal verb break in means to enter illegally, which is
different to break.)
 If you drop the baton the team will drop back to last place.
(Here, the phrasal verb drop back means to fall behind, which is different
to drop.)
7. Regular and Irregular Verbs

A regular verb is one that forms its simple past tense and its past
participle by adding -ed or -d to the base form of the verb. (Note: There are
spelling rules to consider too.) For example:
Regular Verb Simple Past Past Participle

Tense
love loved has loved
hate hated has hated
move moved has moved
30
An irregular verb is one that does not conform to this ruling. For
example:
Irregular Simple Past Tense Past Participle

Verb
tell told has told
bleed bled has bled
8. The Infinitive Form
When a verb is preceded by the word to, it is said to be in its infinitive

form (i.e., its most basic form).
 I have to smoke that! (To smoke is the infinitive form of the verb.)
Quiz Yourself: Verbs
Directions: Select the correct verb form from the options provided. Write your
answer on the blank.
1. Where (did, does, do) ___________ you go last night?

2. I will (meets, met, meet) ___________ her at the train station at 11:58 a.m.
3. Do you know I spend four hours (travelled, travelling, to travel) ___________ to
my mother’s house every week?
4. It has (snow, snowing, snowed) ___________ for most of January.
5. I don’t let my cat (go, going, to go) ___________ out at night after dark.
6. When I’m finished school, I want (being, to be, be) ___________ an engineer.
7. By (listen, listening, to listen) ___________carefully, you’ll understand the
instructions.
8. I’m not crazy about (learnt, to learn, learning) ___________ long lists of verb
forms.
9. I would love (to speak, speaking, spoke) ___________ a different language.
10.I hate it when I have (standing, to stand, stand) ___________ in the rain
waiting for the bus.
31
Challenge Yourself: Verbs
Directions: Revise each sentence to ensure the verb forms are correct. Use the
blank space for your answers.
1. Soledad had always wanting to see the National Parks of Canada.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. She was happy, even though she live a very hardworking life in the concrete
jungle of Scarborough.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. One day she was woke up by the sound of jackhammers.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. “No one starting operating heavy machinery before 7 a.m.,” she said.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. But when she look out the window, she was seeing that construction had
begin on a new tower.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. That was the moment she decides she needed a vacation. She had to get out
of the city!
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. So she headed to the travel agency where she was planned on booking a
flight to Newfoundland.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
8. When she got there, the agency was to have a sale on flights to Banff.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
9. The students is asked 'to submit' their assignments by Friday.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
32
10.Yesterday during the orientation, the teacher

Verb Tenses encourages the students to work hard.
______________________________________________________________________________
The tense of a verb is determined by when the action took place. The
three main tenses are as follows:
 The Past Tense (e.g., I walked.)

 The Present Tense (e.g., I walk.)
 The Future Tense (e.g., I will walk.)
The tense of a verb can also tell us things like whether the action is
habitual, ongoing, or completed. This is called the aspect of the verb, which is
part of tense.
Examples of Tenses
Here are some examples of verbs in different tenses:
 I walked to work. (The verb walked is in the past tense.)
 I walk to work. (The verb walk is in the present tense.)
 I will walk to work. (The verb will walk is in the future tense.)
Remember that verbs do not just express actions. They can also express a state
of being. For example:
 I was happy. (The verb was is in the past tense.)

 I am happy. (The verb am is in the present tense.)
 I will be happy. (The verb will be is in the future tense.)
Examples of Verbs in Different Tenses

Here are some more examples of verbs in the past, present, and future
tenses:
 The hardest that I have laughed at a movie was probably Team America. I
laughed until I thought I was going to throw up. (Ron White)
(The shaded verbs are in the past tense.)
 You laugh at me because I'm different. I laugh at you because you are all the
same. (Jonathan Davis)
(The shaded verbs are in the present tense.)
 Nobody will laugh long who deals much with opium; even its pleasures are
of a grave and solemn complexion. (Thomas de Quincey)
33
(The shaded verbs are in the future tense.)
You will notice that some of the verbs in the past tense example about
Team America are made up of more than one word (have laughed, was going).
We need these different versions of the tenses because they help us to state
whether the action (or state of being) is in progress or completed. For example,
the different versions of the verb to laugh are as follows:
 Past Tense: laughed, was/were laughing, had laughed, had been

laughing
 Present Tense: laugh, am/is/are laughing, has/have laughed, has/have
been laughing
 Future Tense: will laugh, will be laughing, will have laughed, will have
been laughing
The Full List of Tenses
The table below shows the full list of the tenses:
The 4 Past Tenses Example 1 Example 2

simple past tense I went I laughed
past progressive tense I was going I was laughing
past perfect tense I had gone I had laughed
past perfect progressive tense I had been going I had been laughing
The 4 Present Tenses Example 1 Example 2

simple present tense I go I laugh
present progressive tense I am going I am laughing
present perfect tense I have gone I have laughed
present perfect progressive I have been going I have been laughing
tense
The 4 Future Tenses Example 1 Example 2

simple future tense I will go I will laugh
future progressive tense I will be going I will be laughing
future perfect tense I will have gone I will have laughed
future perfect progressive I will have been I will have been
tense going laughing
A Quick Explanation of the Tenses with an Example
A. The Past Tenses

Simple Past Tense. The simple past tense is used to describe a completed
activity that happened in the past.
34
 I ran to the shops.

Past Progressive Tense. The past progressive tense is used to describe an
ongoing activity in the past. Often, it is used to set the scene for another action.
 I was running to the shops when I saw Bruno.
Past Perfect Tense. The past perfect tense is used to emphasize that an action
was completed before another took place.
 I had run to the shops, but they were closed.
Past Perfect Progressive Tense. The past perfect progressive tense is used to
show that an ongoing action in the past has ended.
 I had been running to the shops, but I have now started walking.
B. The Present Tenses

Simple Present Tense. The simple present tense is mostly used to describe
facts and habits.
 I run daily.
Present Progressive Tense. The present progressive tense is used for an
ongoing action in the present.
 I am running to your house at the moment.
Present Perfect Tense. The present perfect tense is used for actions began in
the past. (Often, the actions continue into the present.)
 I have run for 5 miles so far.
Present Perfect Progressive Tense. The present perfect progressive tense is
used for a continuous activity that began in the past and continues into the
present, or a continuous activity that began in past but has now finished
(usually very recently).
 I have been running for hours.
C. The Future Tenses

Simple Future Tense. The simple future tense is used for an action that will
occur in the future.
 I will run to the shops tomorrow.
Future Progressive Tense. The future progressive tense is used for an ongoing
action that will occur in the future.
 I will be running to the shops every day after today.
35
Future Perfect Tense. The future perfect tense is used to describe an action
that will have been completed at some point in the future.
 I will have run to work by 12 o'clock.
Future Perfect Progressive Tense. The future perfect progressive tense is used
for an ongoing action that will be completed at some specified time in the
future.
 I will have been running for 3 hours by 12 o'clock.
Common Tense Errors

 Be careful not to shift verb tenses unnecessarily.
Incorrect: Last week we had registered for our classes and picked up
our student cards.
Correct: Last week we registered for our classes and picked up our
student cards.
Explanation: There isn’t a need to shift tense in this sentence. Change the
past perfect had registered to simple past registered in order to be
consistent with the simple past verb picked.
Correct: I love my new purse which I bought on sale.

Explanation: Shifting tense here is necessary. The speaker loves the purse
in the present, but the action of buying the purse occurred in the past.
Be aware the simple present tense can be used for the future. We can
use the simple present to express future, scheduled events with verbs that
express beginning and end, or departure and arrival.
 When does our plane leave?

 It leaves at 6:30 tomorrow morning.
 I visit my friends next week.
 We go to the museum on Thursday.
 When using the future tense in the past, follow the same rules for the
simple future tense.
36
Incorrect: I knew Akiko was going to fell in love with Lorsen.

Correct: I knew Akiko was going to fall in love with Lorsen.
Explanation: The speaker knew the two were going to fall in love at some
point in the future, so the form is was/were + going to + simple present
tense verb. It helps to remember the verb form rule regarding infinitives
when writing these sentences: always use the simple verb form after the
word “to.”
Incorrect: I said I would talked to Todov later.

Correct: I said I would talk to Todov later.
 Take care deciding when to use present perfect tense or simple past tense.
Use present perfect for the following:
1. an action that happened at an unspecified time in the past

They have moved houses. -no specific time is indicated.
2. repetition of an activity in the past

I have told Irina many times not to put marbles up her nose.
3. with the expression “for” or “since,” meaning that the event began in the
past and continues until the present
I have been training for a half marathon.
I have wanted to run this distance for a long time.
4. the action began in the past and continues until the present time
We have argued all morning. (it is still morning.)
 Use past perfect to compare two events in the past, one happening before
the other. Past perfect shows which event happened first and which one
followed.
 The cat hopped off the bookshelf and went outside. His owner had
forgotten to shut the door.
 Noriko had already left when the doctor arrived.
FOOTNOTE: When comparing two events, if before or after is used, the

simple past can be used instead because the relationship of time is
already clear. In this sentence, had is not needed and can be removed.
37
Incorrect: After the girls had left, the whole gang talked about them.
Correct: After the girls left, the whole gang talked about them.
 Use past perfect for conditional clauses that talk about events of the
past that aren’t real, but just imagined.
Incorrect: Zorana wonders what would have happened if she have

decided to go to the fall fair with Brian.
Explanation: Zorana’s decision in the past happens before she wonders

about it—so past perfect should be used, not present perfect, in the part
of the sentence referring to the decision.
Correct: Zorana wonders what would have happened if she had

decided to go to the fall fair with Brian.
Note: In the main clause you use would have and the past participle.
 Use the simple present verb form for something that is a habit or fact.
Incorrect: She always is leaving her purse at home.

Correct: She always leaves her purse at home.
 Use the verb form were if something is untrue or merely wished for when
using the verb be.
Incorrect: If I was the boss, I’d let everyone leave early on Fridays.
Correct: If I were the boss, I’d let everyone leave early on Fridays.
Correct: I wish he were coming with us.
38
Quiz Yourself: Verb

Tenses
Directions: Underline the correct verb tense from the options provided.
1. He (had lived, has lived) ___________________ there since he was a child and
doesn’t plan on moving.
2. I haven’t (saw, seen) ___________________ her since last year.
3. I (was finishing, finished) ___________________ my project last night.
4. I (was competing, competed) ___________________ in swimming races a long
time ago.
5. After Lucy (had written, wrote) ___________________ her first text message,
she became an addict.
6. As I was (merging, merged)
Challenge Yourself: Verb ___________________ into the express
Tenses lane on the highway, I dropped my
cup of coffee.
7. We’re having dinner right now. Can I call you back when I (ate, have eaten)
___________________?
8. I am so excited that we (will be taking, took) ___________________ the same
English course next term.
9. I knew the election result (turned, was going to turn) ___________________ out
that way.
10.Even when she was a child, she (did, does) ___________________ not see the
meaning in making others suffer.
Directions: Edit the following sentences to change the incorrect verbs to reflect the
correct tense. Write your answer on the space provided after each sentence.
39
1. I started designed web pages in 1995.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. I hope to have my own company by now, but sometimes these things taking
longer than expected.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. I knew it would being a challenge to start up a business when I was already

working full time.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. If I was a more focused person, I might have achieved my goal by now.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Today, I sold some page templates that I have designed a few months ago,
back when I had time.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. I had already told my client that when he would arrive, I would have some
exciting pages for him.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. If I am able to spend time this past year on designs, I would have had more
templates.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
8. I felt okay about that now, though.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
9. By next year, I will be creating new templates as I will use this year’s
vacation to complete them.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
10.I will finish my homework already.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
40
Active and Passive Voice
In the active voice, the subject performs the action expressed by the verb.
 Carlos unwrapped the chocolate bar.
 Micki eats a piece.
In the passive voice, the object of the action is made into the grammatical
subject of the sentence.
Form the passive voice by using a form of the verb to be and a past participle.
object + be + participle + subject.
 The chocolate bar was opened by Carlos.

 A piece is eaten by Micki.
Active and Passive Forms

Verb Form Active Passive
Simple present Sung teaches Tiffany Tiffany is taught by Sun
Tiffany is being taught by
Present continuous Sung is teaching Tiffany
Sung
Tiffany has been taught by
Present perfect Sung has taught Tiffany
Sung
Tiffany was taught by
Simple past Sung taught Tiffany
Sung
Tiffany was being taught
Past continuous Sung was teaching Tiffany
by Sung
Tiffany had been taught by
Past perfect Sung had taught Tiffany
Sung
Tiffany will be taught by
Simple future Sung will teach Tiffany
Sung
Sung is going to teach Tiffany is going to be
Be going to
Tiffany taught by Sung
Sung will have taught Tiffany will have been
Future perfect
Tiffany taught by Sung
41
Tiffany can be taught by

Modals Sung can teach Tiffany
Sung
Stylistic Choices
The passive voice is used to emphasize the action instead of the subject
doing the action. Normally it is considered weak writing to use the passive
voice, but there are times when the passive voice is appropriate:
 reporting the results of experiments, to focus on the thing affected by
the action
 giving theatre directions, to focus on the actions to be directed on stage
Examples:
 Solution A was changed to bright red after adding a drop of Solution B.
 A rumbling sound is heard offstage.
 Micki is accosted by the robbers.
Often the subject is omitted from the sentence in the passive voice.
 Micki was robbed by the gang from the east side would be shortened to
Micki was robbed.
This illustrates the main problem with the inappropriate use of passive
voice: the subject of the action is not clearly indicated within the sentence.
Converting Passive to Active Voice

The active voice is preferable for almost all of your writing.
1. First, identify the subject doing the action expressed in the verb.
The floor is being cleaned by the housekeeper.
(The housekeeper is the subject doing the action.)
2. Our next step is to make the housekeeper the subject of the sentence,
and change the verb:
The housekeeper is cleaning the floor.
42
Example:
Quiz The Active
Yourself: mint green
and uniform
Passive was required.
Voice
The main verb here is required. We need to find out who is doing the
requiring, and make that person the subject of the verb.
The subject isn’t specified within the sentence. We’ll say it is the manager.
We will make that person the subject of the sentence, and change the
verb:
Active Voice: The manager required mint green uniforms.
Example: My defensive wall can be raised or lowered depending on the

safety of the environment.
The speaker is the subject doing the raising or lowering of the wall.
Change the subject to I, and change the verb accordingly:
Active voice: I can raise or lower my defensive wall depending on the
safety of my environment.
Directions: Read each sentence carefully. Write Passive if it is in passive voice

and Active if it is in active voice.
____________ 1. Mostly, I work with information technology.

_
____________ 2. My paragraph was edited by another student in the class.
_
____________ 3. Elsie hid from me until I yelled, “Come out, come out,
_ wherever you are!”
____________ 4. Kennedy was given new socks for Christmas.
_
____________ 5. I will send him a sympathy card.
_
____________ 6. At the beginning of the scene, a chair is brought in by the
_ butler.
____________ 7. When I walk across campus after dark, I tense up.
_
____________ 8. A general mistrust has been felt by the population since
_ that party came to power.
____________ 9. An official translator was appointed by the Lieutenant
43
_ Governor in Council.
____________ 10.Genevieve observed that the solution stayed the same color
_ after vigorous stirring.
I. Directions: Select the sentence that is written in the active voice. Circle the
letter only.
 a. The summer after graduation, our new sailboat on its maiden voyage
was taken up the West Coast of Vancouver Island by Bill, his mother
Monica, and me.
b. The summer after graduation, Bill, his mother, and I took our new
sailboat on its maiden voyage up the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
 a. With luck, Hot Springs Cove was reached by us by the third day.
b. With luck, we would reach Hot Springs Cove by the third day.
 a. The first night, we moored our new vessel at Bamfield on the West
Coast Trail.
b. The first night, our new vessel was moored by us at Bamfield on the
West Coast Trail.
Challenge
 Yourself:
a. The ship Active
was so anddid
new she Passive
not yet have a name on her side; the
Voice Coast Guard in Bamfield were made suspicious by this, so they asked
to see her papers.
b. The ship was so new she did not yet have a name on her side; this
made the Coast Guard in Bamfield suspicious, so they asked to see her
papers.
 a. We joked about names for the ship: “Swan Song” and “Desperate.”
b. Names for the ship were joked about by us: “Swan Song” and
“Desperate.”
 a. As the boat headed out of Tofino Harbour the next day, it occurred to
me strips of green painter’s tape could be used for a name.
b. As the boat headed out of Tofino Harbour the next day, it occured to
me I could use strips of green painter’s tape for a name.
 a. Mocking the way Bill used pirate-speak on the boat, we wanted to call
her “Arr, Monica,” but then it was decided that the name “Harmonica”
would be nicer.
b. Mocking the way Bill used pirate-speak on the boat, we wanted to call
her “Arr, Monica,” but then we decided that the name “Harmonica”
would be nicer.
44
II. Directions: Change the voice of the following sentences into

Adverbs its opposite voice. When the sentence is in active voice,
make it passive, and when the sentence is in passive voice
make it active.
 Jeremy released the article without permission.

______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
 The design of many houses had been completed by the architect before he
began mine.
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
 The homework will be finished by the child by 8 PM.

______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
An adverb is a word used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another

adverb. For example:
 She swims quickly. (Here, the adverb quickly modifies the verb swims.)
 She is an extremely quick swimmer. (Here, the adverb extremely
modifies the adjective quick.)
 She swims extremely quickly. (Here, the adverb extremely modifies the
adverb quickly.)
When an adverb modifies a verb, it usually tells us how, when, where,

how often, and how much the action is performed. Here are some examples of
adverbs modifying verbs:
 How: He ran quickly.
 When: He ran yesterday.
45
 Where: He ran here.

 How often: He ran daily.
 How much: He ran fastest.
In the examples above, every adverb is a single word, but an adverb can
be made up of more than one word. For example:
 How: He ran at 10 miles per hour.
 When: He ran when the police arrived.
 Where: He ran to the shops.
 How often: He ran every day.
 How much: He ran quicker than me.
Adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs. Although many
adverbs end -ly, lots do not (e.g., fast, never, well, very, most, least, more, less,
now, far, and there).
Adverbs Modifying Verbs

An adverb that modifies a verb usually tells you when, where, how, in
what manner, or to what extent the action is performed. (NB: The ones that end
ly are usually the ones that tell us how the action is performed, e.g., quickly,
slowly, carefully, quietly.)
Here are some examples of adverbs modifying verbs:
 Anita placed the vase carefully on the shelf. (The word carefully is an
adverb. It shows how the vase was placed.)
 Tara walks gracefully. (The word gracefully is an adverb. It modifies the

verb to walk.)
 He runs fast. (The word fast is an adverb. It modifies the verb to run.)
 You can set your watch by him. He always leaves at 5 o'clock. (The word
always is an adverb. It modifies the verb to leave.)
 The dinner guests arrived early. (Here, early modifies to arrive.)
 She sometimes helps us. (Here, sometimes modifies to help.)
 Will you come quietly, or do I have to use earplugs? (Comedian Spike

Milligan) (Here, quietly modifies to come.)
 I am the only person in the world I should like to know thoroughly.

(Playwright Oscar Wilde) (Here, thoroughly modifies to know.)
46
Adverbs Modifying Adjectives

If you examine the word adverb, you could be forgiven for thinking
adverbs only modify verbs (i.e., "add" to "verbs"), but adverbs can also modify
adjectives and other adverbs. Here are some examples of adverbs modifying
adjectives:
 The horridly grotesque gargoyle was undamaged by the debris. (The
adverb horridly modifies the adjective grotesque.)
 Peter had an extremely ashen face. (The adverb extremely modifies the
adjective ashen.)
 Badly trained dogs that fail the test will become pets. (The adverb badly
modifies the adjective trained.)
Note: The adjective trained is an adjective formed from the verb to train. It is
called a participle.
 She wore a beautifully designed dress. (The adverb beautifully modifies
the adjective designed.)
Adverbs Modifying Adverbs

Here are some examples of adverbs modifying adverbs:
 Peter Jackson finished his assignment remarkably quickly. (The adverb
quickly modifies the verb to finish. The adverb remarkably modifies the
adverb quickly.)
 We're showing kids a world that is very scantily populated with women
and female characters. They should see female characters taking up half
the planet, which we do. (Actress Geena Davis)
(The adverb scantily modifies the adjective populated. The adverb very
modifies the adverb scantily.)
More about Adverbs

When an adverb modifies a verb, it can often be categorized as one of the
following:
Type Examples
47
Adverb of An adverb of manner tells us how an action occurs.

Manner
(how)  The lion crawled stealthily.
 Will you come quietly, or do I have to use earplugs?
(Comedian Spike Milligan)
(NB: Lots of adverbs of manner end -ly.)
Adverb of Time An adverb of time tells us when an action occurs or how

(when and how often.
often)
 I tell him daily.
 What you plant now, you will harvest later. (Author
Og Mandino)
(NB: Adverbs of time that tell us how often something

occurs (e.g., always, often, sometimes) are also known as
"adverbs of frequency.")
Adverb of Place An adverb of place tells us where an action occurs.

(where)
 I did not put it there.
 Poetry surrounds us everywhere, but putting it on
paper is, alas, not so easy as looking at it. (Artist
Vincent Van Gogh)
Adverb of An adverb of degree tells us to what degree an action
Degree occurs.
(aka Adverb of  He works smarter.
Comparison)  Doubters make me work harder to prove them wrong.
(how much) (Businessman Derek Jeter)
Even More about Adverbs

In all the examples above, the adverbs have been single words, but multi-
word adverbs are common too. Adverbs commonly come as phrases (i.e., two or
more words) or clauses (i.e., two or more words containing a subject and a
verb). Below are some examples of multi-word adverbs. This list also includes
adverbs of condition, adverbs of concession, and adverbs of reason.
Type Examples
48
An adverb of condition tells us the condition needed before the

Quiz Yourself: Adverbs
main idea comes into effect. An adverb of condition often
starts with if or unless.
Adverbs of  If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.
Condition (Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein)
 Age doesn't matter, unless you're a cheese. (Filmmaker

Luis Bunuel)
An adverb of concession contrasts with the main idea. An
adverb of concession often starts with a subordinating
conjunction like though, although, even
though, while, whereas, or even if.
Adverbs of  Although golf was originally restricted to wealthy,

Concession overweight Protestants, today it's open to anybody who
owns hideous clothing. (Comedian Dave Barry)
 A loud voice cannot compete with a clear voice, even if it's

a whisper. (Writer Barry Neil Kaufman)
An adverb of reason gives a reason for the main idea. An

adverb of reason usually starts with a subordinating
conjunction like as, because, given, or since.
Adverbs of  I don't have a bank account because I don't know my

Reason mother's maiden name. (Comedian Paula Poundstone)
 Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes

which see reality. (Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis)
I. Directions: In the following sentences, circle the adverb and underline the
word it modifies.
1. I secretly hid the present.

2. I will finish my homework later.
3. Let’s have a picnic outside.
49
4. You need to come here.

5. I am very late.
Challenge Yourself: Adverbs
6. The car rolled backward.
7. The temperature is very high.
8. The kids worked eagerly.
9. Tomorrow I will mow the lawn.
10.Prairie dogs live underground.
II. Directions: Group the following adverbs according to their function. Write your
answer inside the table below.
urgently home soon quite too

weekly awkwardly abroad unevenly anywhere
totally afterwards almost quietly before
inside heavily very extremely upstairs
HOW WHEN WHERE TO WHAT EXTENT
Directions: On the line next to the sentence number, tell whether the underlined
adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb by writing the correct
answer’s corresponding letter. Then fill in the spaces within the three sentences
50
after sentence 15. If your answers are correct, you will

Adjectives understand this activity’s title.
______ 1. Patricia slept peacefully. (b) verb (c) adjective (d) adverb
______ 2. Our teachers are very happy with the results. (t) verb (s) adjective
(l) adverb
3. Larry’s unusually good cooking skills came in handy last
weekend. (b) verb (h) adjective (o) adverb
______ 4. He ran swiftly away from the tackler. (e) verb (a) adjective (i)
adverb
______ 5. She danced so gracefully in the competition. (d) verb (m) adjective
(p) adverb
______ 6. They sang beautifully during the entire winter concert. (l) verb (n)
adjective (p) adverb
______ 7. My aunt was extremely hungry after we completed the three-hour
hike. (r) verb (o) adjective (d) adverb
______ 8. We had met somewhat earlier than you think. (v) verb (n) adjective
(a) adverb
______ 9. Are they going away? (t) verb (e) adjective (r) adverb
______ 10.His rather clever remarks were not appreciated. (g) verb (e)
adjective (u) adverb
______ 11.These stories seem strangely familiar to me. (x) verb (s) adjective
(o) adverb
______ 12.They will hardly try to win. (n) verb (r) adjective (s) adverb
______ 13.Francine earns high grades quite often. (t) verb (e) adjective (t)
adverb
______ 14.Do not walk alone in the forest. (s) verb (u) adjective (f) adverb
______ 15.We met only recently. (g) verb (h) adjective (s) adverb
The five sentences that illustrate an adverb modifying a verb are numbers,
_____, _____, _____, _____, and _____. Their corresponding letters spell the word
_____________________________________________________________________________.
The five sentences that illustrate an adverb modifying an adjective are numbers,
_____, _____, _____, _____, and _____. Their corresponding letters spell the word
_____________________________________________________________________________.
The five sentences that illustrate an adverb modifying another adverb are
numbers _____, _____, _____, _____, and _____. Their corresponding letters spell
the word
_____________________________________________________________________________.
Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns. (old, green, and cheerful are
examples of adjectives.) An adjective usually comes directly before the noun or
pronoun it describes or modifies. Examples are:
 old man
51
 green coat
 cheerful one
When adjectives are used like this, they're called attributive adjectives.
An adjective can come after the noun.

 Jack was old.
 It looks green.
Adjectives can describe – or modify – pronouns too.
 He seems cheerful.
In the three examples above, the adjectives have followed linking verbs
(was, looks, and seems) to describe the noun or pronoun. When adjectives are
used like this, they're called predicative adjectives.
Sometimes, an adjective comes immediately after a noun.

 the Princess Royal
 time immemorial
 body beautiful
 the best seats available
 the worst manners imaginable
When adjectives are used like this, they're called postpositive adjectives.
Postpositive adjectives are most common with pronouns.
 someone interesting
 those present
 something evil
A descriptive adjective will usual fit into one of the following categories:
Category Example
Appearance attractive, burly, clean, dusty
Colour azure, blue, cyan, dark
Condition absent, broken, careful, dead
Personality annoying, brave, complex, dizzy
Quantity ample, bountiful, countless, deficient
Sense aromatic, bitter, cold, deafening
Size and Shape angular, broad, circular, deep
Time ancient, brief, concurrent, daily
More About Adjectives
The Transition from Adjectives to "Determiners"
For centuries, the term "adjective" has been used for a word type now
called determiners. Determiners are still classified as adjectives by most people
but not everyone. Determiners indicate qualities such as the following:
 Possession (e.g., my dog)
52
 Specificity (e.g., that dog)

 Quantity (e.g., one dog)
 Definiteness (e.g., a dog)
Regardless of whether you classify determiners as adjectives, this much

is true: determiners are not like descriptive adjectives. Here are the four main
differences between determiners and normal adjectives:
(Difference 1) A determiner cannot have a comparative form.
 Normal adjective: pretty > prettier
(Prettier is the comparative form of pretty.)
 Determiner: that > [nothing fits here]

(There is no comparative form.)
(Difference 2) A determiner often cannot be removed from the sentence.

 Normal adjectives removed: The young boy stole a silver watch.
(This is grammatically sound with the normal adjectives removed.)
 Determiner: The Young boy stole a silver watch.

(The sentence is flawed with the determiners removed.)
(Difference 3) A determiner often refers back to something (i.e., it's like a

pronoun).
 Determiner: Release those prisoners immediately.
(The determiner those refers back to something previously mentioned. In
other words, it has an antecedent (the thing it refers to).)
(Difference 4) A determiner cannot be used as a subject complement.

 Normal adjective: She is intelligent.
(The normal adjective intelligent can be used after a linking verb (here, is)
and function as a subject complement.)
 Determiner: She is [nothing fits here].

(You can't use a determiner as a subject complement. NB: If you think
you've found a determiner that fits, then you've found a pronoun not a
determiner.)
Below is a brief description of the main determiners.

Possessive Determiners. The possessive determiners (called "possessive
adjectives" in traditional grammar) are my, your, his, her, its, our, their, and
whose. A possessive determiner sits before a noun (or a pronoun) to show who
(or what) owns it.
53
 When a man opens a car door for his wife, it's either a new car or a new
wife. (Prince Philip)
 The only time a wife listens to her husband is when he's asleep.
(Cartoonist Chuck Jones)
Demonstrative Determiners. The demonstrative determiners (called

"demonstrative adjectives" in traditional grammar) are this, that, these, and
those. A demonstrative determiner makes a noun (or a pronoun) more specific
by relating it to something previously mentioned or something being
demonstrated.
 That man's silence is wonderful to listen to. (Novelist Thomas Hardy)

 Maybe this world is another planet's hell. (Writer Aldous Huxley)
Articles. The articles are the words a, an, and the. They are used to define
whether something is specific or unspecific.
 The poets are only the interpreters of the gods. (Philosopher Socrates)
 I'm an optimist – but an optimist who carries a raincoat. (Prime Minister
Harold Wilson)
Numbers (or Cardinal Numbers). The cardinal numbers are one, two, three,
etc. (as opposed by first, second, third, etc., which are known as ordinal
numbers). Cardinal numbers are used to specify quantity. They are part of the
group of determiners known as "quantifiers."
 If two wrongs don't make a right, try three wrongs. (Canadian educator
Laurence Peter)
 One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives. (Greek Tragedian
Euripides)
Indefinite Determiners. The most common indefinite determiners (called

"indefinite adjectives" in traditional grammar) are no, any, many, few, several,
and some. Indefinite determiners modify nouns in a non-specific way usually
relating to quantity. Like numbers, they are part of the group of determiners
known as "quantifiers."
 If you live to be one hundred, you've got it made. Very few people die
past that age. (Comedian George Burns)
 If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring
me some coffee. (US President Abraham Lincoln)
54
Interrogative Determiners. The most common interrogative determiners

(called "interrogative adjectives" in traditional grammar) are which, what, and
whose. They are used to ask questions.
 If you decide that you're indecisive, which one are you?

 What hair color do they put on bald person's driving license?
Nouns Used as Adjectives

Many words that are usually nouns can function as adjectives. For
example:
 autumn colours
 boat race
 computer shop
 Devon cream
 electricity board
 fruit fly
Here are some real-life examples:

 Not all face masks are created equal. (Entrepreneur Hannah Bronfman)
 You cannot make a revolution with silk gloves. (Premier Joseph Stalin)
When used like adjectives, nouns are known as attributive nouns.
Participles Used as Adjectives
Formed from a verb, a participle is a word that can be used as an

adjective. There are two types of participle:
 The present participle (ending -ing)

 The past participle (usually ending -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n)
Here are some examples of participles as verbs:
 The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new
discoveries, is not "Eureka!" but "That's funny." (Writer Isaac Asimov)
 Always be wary of any helpful item that weighs less than its operating
manual. (Author Terry Pratchett)
 While the spoken word can travel faster, you can't take it home in your
hand. Only the written word can be absorbed wholly at the convenience
of the reader. (Educator Kingman Brewster)
 We all have friends and loved ones who say 60 is the new 30. No, it's the
new 60. (Fashion model Iman)
55
A participle is classified as a verbal (a verb form that functions as a noun

or an adjective).
Infinitives Used as Adjectives

An infinitive verb (e.g., to run, to jump) can also function as an adjective.
 No human creature can give orders to love. (French novelist George Sand)
(Here, the infinitive to love describes the noun orders.)
 Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity. (Norwegian adventurer

Thor Heyerdahl)
(An infinitive will often head its own phrase. Here, the infinitive phrase to
complicate simplicity describes the noun ability.)
The Order of Adjectives

When two or more adjectives are strung together, they should be ordered
according to the following list:
Orde Category Examples

r
1 Determiner the, my, those
2 Number one, two, ninety-nine
3 Opinion lovely, attractive, rare
4 Size small, medium, large
5 Physical Quality thin, lumpy, cluttered
6 Shape round, square, triangular
7 Age young, middle-aged, old
8 Colour red, white, blue
9 Origin British, German, Russian
10 Material wood, metal, plastic
11 Type L-shaped, two-sided, all-purpose
12 Purpose cooking, supporting, tendering
13 Attributive Noun service, improvement, head
Here is an example of a 14-adjective string (italicized) that is ordered correctly:

 my two lovely XL thin tubular new white Spanish metallic hinged
correcting knee braces.
Regardless of how many adjectives are used (more than 3 is rare), the
established order is still followed.
 That's a lovely, mixing bowl
56
(1: Determiner 2: Opinion 3: Purpose)
 Who's nicked my two black, wooden spoons?

(1: Number 2: Colour 3: Material)
 Give your ticket to the Italian old waiter.

(Age comes before origin. Therefore, the old Italian waiter would have
been better.)
This list of precedence is not universally agreed, but all versions are
pretty similar. The area of most dispute is age and shape. The order can change
for emphasis too. If there were two old waiters, one Italian and one Spanish,
then the wrong example above would be correct, and the word Italian would be
emphasized.
Compound Adjectives
Not all adjectives are single words...far from it. Often, a single adjective
will comprise two or more words. A single adjective with more than one word is
called a compound adjective. For example:
 Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another
city. (Comedian George Burns)
 Be a good-looking corpse. Leave a good-looking tattoo. (Actor Ed

Westwick)
 I like the busted-nose look. (Actor Peter Dinklage)

Compound adjectives are usually grouped with hyphens to show they are
one adjective.
Adjective Phrases
In real-life sentences, adjectives are often accompanied by modifiers like
adverbs (e.g., very, extremely) and prepositional phrases (e.g., ...with me,
...about the man). In other words, an adjective (shown in bold) will often feature
in an adjective phrase (italicized).
 My bankers are very happy with me. (The popstar formerly known as
Prince)
(In this example, the adjective phrase describes bankers.)
 The dragonfly is an exceptionally beautiful insect but a fierce carnivore.

(Here, the adjective phrase describes insect.)
57
Formal Definition for Adjective Phrase

An adjective phrase is a group of words headed by an adjective that
describes a noun.
Adjective Clauses
The last thing to say about adjectives is that clauses can also function as
adjectives. With an adjective clause, the clause is linked to the noun being
described with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, that or which) or a
relative adverb (when, where or why). Like all clauses, it will have a subject
and a verb.
 The people who make history are not the people who make it but the
people who make it and then write about it. (Musician Julian Cope)
 I live in that solitude which is painful in youth but delicious in the years of
maturity. (Physicist Albert Einstein)
(It can start getting complicated. In the adjective clause above, painful in
youth and delicious in the years of maturity are adjective phrases.)
Formal Definition for Adjective Clause
An adjective clause is a multiword adjective that includes a

subject and a verb.
Comparison of Adjectives
1. Positive Form
Use the positive form of the adjective if the comparison contains one of
the following expressions:
 as … as
Example: Jane is as tall as John.
 not as … as / not so … as
Example: John is not as tall as Arnie.
2.1 Comparative Form and Superlative Form (-er/-est)
 one-syllable adjectives (clean, new, cheap)
 two-syllable adjectives ending in -y or -er (easy, happy, pretty, dirty,
clever)
58
positive comparative form superlative form

form
clean cleaner (the) cleanest
Exceptions in spelling when adding -er / -est

 silent ‘e’ is dropped
Example: late-later-latest
 final ‘y’ after a consonant becomes i

Example: easy-easier-easiest
 final consonant after short, stressed vowel is doubled

Example: hot-hotter-hottest
2.2 Comparative Form and Superlative Form (more/most)

 adjectives of three or more syllables (and two-syllable adjectives not
ending in -y/-er)
positive comparative form superlative form

form
difficult more difficult most difficult
2.3 Comparative Form and Superlative Form (irregular comparisons)
positive form comparative form superlative form

good better best
bad / ill worse worst
little (amount) less least
little (size) smaller smallest
much / many more most
far (place + time) further furthest
far (place) farther farthest
late (time) later latest
late (order) latter last
near (place) nearer nearest
near (order) - next
old (people and older oldest
things)
old (people) elder eldest
59
Quiz Yourself: Adjectives

Directions: From the choices provided after each
sentence select a word or phrase that would correctly complete the sentence.
Write your answer on the blank.
1. Those are probably the _______________________ curtains in the store.
a) fancyest b) fanciest c) most fanciest
2. Uncle Carl is really _______________________ man.

a) an old sweet b) a sweet c) a sweet old
3. The Karmen-Ghia used to be _______________________ sportscar.

a) a fine German b) a German, fine c) a fine, German
4. Everyone was home for the holidays. What could make for
_______________________ Christmas than that?
a) a merryer b) the merriest c) a merrier
5. They grew up in _______________________ house in Mexico City.

a) a comfortable, little b) a little, comfortable c) a comfortable little
6. Diehard is the _______________________ movie I've ever seen.

a) most excited b) most exciting c) most exciteable
7. Tashonda wanted to take a course with _______________________ professor.
a) that interesting new b) that Japanese c) that interesting,

Japanese economics interesting, new new, Japanese,
economics economics
8. Of all the mechanics in the shop, Jerzy is surely _______________________.

a) the less competent. b) the least competent. c) the competentest.
9. In the fall, the valleys tend to be _______________________ than the hilltops.

a) foggy b) more foggier c) foggier
10.My cold is definitely _______________________ this morning.
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a) worse b) worst c) worser

Challenge Yourself: Adjectives
Directions: Rewrite the sentences and change the incorrect adverbs to adjectives.
Use the blank space after each number.
1. My sister looked after my house while I was away. I wanted to do something

nicely for her.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. I have always got along with my fabulously sister.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. The car appears well on the exterior.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. Isobel’s dedicated and tiredly efforts made all the difference.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. I peeked in her room, and she looked so sweetly, lying with her head
propped on a pile of pillows.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. Just then, my angrily sister threw the door open violently, and yelled, “What
are you doing here?”
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. “I felt so scarily when I heard someone here. Thank goodness it is you!”
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
8. No one could open the oldies silver locket.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
9. I feel badly about what happened.
61
Preposition Usage
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
10.Margot wore a beautifully hat to the pie-eating contest.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Prepositions link nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a

sentence. The word or phrase that the preposition links to is called its object.
In each of the following sentences, a preposition locates the noun diary in space
or in time.
The diary is beneath the table.

The diary is on the table.
The diary is leaning against the table.
The diary is beside the table.
She held the diary over the table.
She read the diary during class.
The preposition with its object make up a prepositional phrase, which

can act like an adjective or adverb to modify a noun phrase or verb phrase.
 Irina has a can of cola.
The preposition is of, and its object is the noun cola.
 Shilpa sat on the sofa.

The preposition is on and its object is the sofa. These combine to
form the prepositional phrase on the sofa, modifying the verb sat.
Sometimes a prepositional phrase can act as the object in a sentence.

 Get the cat out from under there!
The object of the preposition from is another prepositional phrase,
under there.
FOOTNOTE: The object of a preposition is at times implied:

Get out of here may be shortened to Get out.
General Usage Tips
62
There are no easy rules for using prepositions. The best you can do is
familiarize yourself with the different prepositions and prepositional phrases,
practise using them, and memorize the different uses of common prepositions.
The following are some general guidelines. The next section includes a list of
prepositions and their usage.
1. Use by with most forms of transport; use in, into, and out of with cars; use
on, onto and off with other forms of transport such as planes.
 We went there by car.

 We got into the car.
 We got onto the boat at the lower dock.
 We got off the plane at Vancouver.
2. Use prepositional phrases to say where a person or thing is, or to describe

the direction they are moving in.
 They sat by the lake.

 We went over the hill.
3. Use at to talk about a place or point; use in to talk about a place as an area;
use on to talk about a place as a surface.
 I waited at the farm but the tractor wasn’t delivered that day.
 I took a walk in the pasture.
 I skated on the pond.
4. Of can be used to add different types of information; with is used to specify

a quality or possession.
She wore a coat of rabbit fur.

The one with the red ribbon tied around her neck.
A List of Prepositions and Their Usage

The following are prepositions that describe relations of time:
 during: during the meal, during the morning hours
 before: before 8 o’clock, before I left for the store
 until: until eleven p.m., until he arrives
 throughout: throughout the performance, throughout the night
 after: after he thought about it, after ten p.m.
 about: about four p.m.
 by: by six in the morning
63
 from: from Saturday to Monday

 at: at last, at 2 o’clock
 on: he was on time, on a Wednesday
 past: a quarter past nine
 for: for a long while, for two hours
 in: in time, in the wee hours, in 2006, in the summer
 to: a quarter to five, ten minutes to
The following are prepositions that describe place or direction:
 around: She walked around the park.

 at: We’ll be at home.
 down: They lived down the hall.
 at: We were at the restaurant. The cat looked at me.
 from: I came here from downtown.
 in: in a church, in the pasture
 from: The reception is two kilometers from here.
 inside: Put this tape inside my purse.
 of: They took the road south of Innisfil.
 on: We lay on the beach.
 through: He drove through the tunnel.
 to: He went to Salmon Arm. Pass the sugar to me.
 towards: Push your side of the couch towards me.
 up: We climbed up the hill.
 with: Bill went with her.
The following are prepositions that describe the means or agent:
 by: She was hit by a ball. Dannika came by train. I made it by trial and
error.
 from: His success results from careful planning.
 in: He takes pleasure in his work.
 on: My baby lives on crackers and raisins.
 with: He poked the sea anemone with a stick.
The following are prepositions that describe the manner:
 by: By building your own garden shed, you save money.

 like: She carries herself like a model.
 with: She cut the cake with a knife.
 in: The party ended in chaos.
The following are prepositions that describe the state or condition:
at: My son is at daycare.
64
by: We are by ourselves.

in: Her desk is in a state of confusion.
on: He is on duty.
for: Don’t mistake the baking soda for the baking powder.
as: I see it as a small problem.
To describe quantity or measure
for: We ran for ten kilometres.

by: She adds sugar by the spoonful.
To describe purpose:
for: She’s saving her money for a rainy day. She wanted to go out for New Year’s
Eve.
Confusing Prepositions and Some Further Guidelines
The preposition from is also used in making comparisons.

Use from when the comparison is between two different things.
 My book is very different from your book.
Use than when the object of comparison is a full clause.

 I am a much better writer than I was ten years ago.
Prepositions can be used interchangeably.

 He sat in front of me in class.
 He sat ahead of me in class.
Prepositions are often combined with verbs to make phrasal verbs.

 to burn down a house
 to get so mad you burn up
A single preposition can express many different ideas.

 The old table is standing by the dumpster.
 I got this A by studying.
Be careful not to use prepositions where they are not needed.
65
Incorrect: Meiko fell off of the ladder.

Correct: Meiko fell off the ladder.
Incorrect: Where are you going to?

Correct: Where are you going?
Incorrect: Please take the delivery in back of the house.

Correct: Please take the delivery behind the house.
When parallelism requires the same preposition to be correct, do not use the
preposition twice.
Incorrect: Mom wanted me to vacuum, to weed the garden, and to take

out the trash.
Correct: Mom wanted me to vacuum, weed the garden, and take out
the trash.
Quiz Yourself: Preposition Usage

When the sentence calls for different
prepositions, be sure not to omit one.
Incorrect: She refused to become cruel to and controlling others.

Correct: She refused to become cruel to and controlling of others.
Direction: Underline the incorrect preposition in each sentence.

1. My father is scared from heights.
2. I’m envious by those people who can read bad news and not be affected.
3. Jin was confused of what you told him.
4. Eating your greens is good in you.
5. He was so rude; he talked on the phone all to the meal.
6. My “A” grades result on my hours of preparation.
7. I’m tired at working long days and going into the office on weekends.
8. When my sister and brother-in-law told me they were having a baby, I was
happy of them.
66
9. Don’t mistake the salt by the

Challenge Yourself: Preposition
Usage sugar.
10.At my mother’s house, the television is always kept in, even when no one’s
watching it.
Directions: Edit the following sentences by correcting the incorrect prepositions.

There may be more than one incorrect preposition per sentence.
1. Jin came in the realization three years ago that he was eating a lot of
expensive cheese.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. He thought it for, and concluded it would be less expensive to make his
own cheese in home.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. After researching the art to making cheese, he started through assemble
the necessary ingredients.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. Aside he could begin shopping, he first had to make a choice from cow’s
milk and goat’s milk.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. Jin decided to use goat’s milk, as his mom lived with her own goat farm
and had extra goat’s milk.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. Jin had to decide where he would make the cheese. He decided to use his
sunroom as his new hobby.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
7. Lactic acid bacteria are present in milk, so keeping milk into a warm
place is important.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
67
8. He opened down his new recipe book

Conjunctions and read the first instruction for
making sweet curd cheese.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
9. Begin pasteurizing the goat’s milk in heating it by 30 minutes.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
10.He was well into his way to producing his own delicious cheese!
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Conjunctions are words used to connect words, phrases, or clauses.

There are three types of conjunctions:
1. Coordinating Conjunctions. Coordinating conjunctions join like with

like (i.e., they join a noun with another noun, an adjective with another
adjective, etc.). The most common ones are and, but, and or. There are
seven in total: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. (You can remember
them using the mnemonic F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.)
Examples:
 The comment was blunt but effective.
(The conjunction joins two adjectives.)
 Familiarity breeds contempt and children.

(The conjunction joins two nouns.)
 The best solutions are often simple yet unexpected.

(Rock musician Julian Casablancas)
 He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth
of nature. (Greek philosopher Socrates)
2. Subordinating Conjunctions. Subordinating conjunctions join

subordinate clauses to main clauses. Common examples are although,
because, if, since, unless, until, and while.
Examples:
 We'll stay in the car until the hail stops.
 I'm leaving if Lee starts telling us about that bass again.
 I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being
taught. (Sir Winston Churchill)
(The subordinate clause establishes a concession for the main
clause.)
68
3. Correlative Conjunctions. Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs to

join alternatives or equal elements. The most common pairs are
either/or, neither/nor, and not only/but also.
Examples:
 I could neither laugh nor cry.
 She was not only smart but also beautiful.
 It is not death but dying which is terrible. (Author Henry Fielding)
Look at the Illustration below on how to use conjunctions.
Illustration 1. Three Types of Conjunctions

Source: https://www.grammar-monster.com
Why Should I Care about Coordinating Conjunctions?

The Rule for Two Items
When and (or any coordinating conjunction) joins two items, don't use a
comma.
 Lee has eaten all the cheese and biscuits.
There's a very important exception to this rule though. It's important

exception because it's common.
69
The Exception to the Rule for Two Items

When your coordinate conjunction joins two (or more) independent
clauses (i.e., ones that could stand alone as individual sentences), then use a
comma.
 I like sweet things, but I prefer savory dishes.

(Here, the clauses being joined (italicized words) could stand alone.
They are independent clauses. That's why there is a comma before
but.)
Compare that with this:

 I like sweet things but prefer savory dishes.
(This is very similar, but prefer savory dishes is not an independent
clause. It's not a sentence. That's why there's no comma before but.)
Here are some real-life examples:
 The lion and the calf shall lie down together, but the calf won't get
much sleep. (Film director Woody Allen)
(The first coordinating conjunction (and) joins two nouns, so no
comma is required. The second (but) joins two independent clauses, so
a comma is required.)
 Basically, my wife was immature. I'd be at home in my bath, and she'd

come in and sink my boats. (Woody Allen)
 (The first coordinating conjunction (and) joins two independent
clauses, so a comma is required. The second (and) joins two verbs, so
no comma is required.)
Hopefully, that's all clear. But, there's a quirk: If the two "sentences" (i.e.,
the independent clauses) are very short, it is acceptable – for style purposes – to
omit the comma.
 Craig caught a bass and Lee caught a goby.
 Craig caught a bass, and Lee caught a goby.
(Both versions are acceptable.)
Look at this though:

 The man caught the boy and the girl caught the dog.
(For a fleeting moment, your readers will think that the man caught "the
boy and the girl". You should try to write in a way that doesn't cause
your reader to readjust.)
 The man caught the boy, and the girl caught the dog.
70
(Your readers will not need to readjust now. This example captures why
we need a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins two
independent clauses.)
The Rule for Three or More Items

When there are three or more list items, life starts getting a little more
complicated because there is no unified position on whether to use a comma
with the coordinating conjunction.
Some people will write this:

 Bacon, eggs, and tomatoes
(The comma before the and is called an Oxford Comma. An Oxford
Comma is a comma used before the last list item in a list of three or more
items. This is the convention followed by most (but not all) Americans.)
Some people will write this:

 Bacon, eggs and tomatoes.
(This is the convention followed by most (but not all) Brits. The most
notable exception is the Oxford University Press, after which the Oxford
Comma is named.)
Key Points for Coordinating Conjunctions

 Don't use a comma with a coordinating conjunction that joins two
items.
 Don't use a comma with a coordinating conjunction in a list of three
or more items (unless you're American or studying at Oxford).
 Break both of the rules above if using or omitting a comma makes the
text clearer.
 Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins two
independent clauses.
 You can start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction, and you
can put a comma after it if you want a pause. But, don't start a
sentence with a coordinating conjunction too often.
Why Should I Care about Subordinating Conjunctions?

As a native English speaker, you don't need to worry about whether your
subordinating conjunction is heading up a clause that establishes a time, a
place, a reason, a condition or a concession. You'll do that bit naturally.
71
The most common question related to subordinating conjunctions is

whether to offset the subordinate clause with a comma or not. Here's the
guidance:
When a subordinate clause starts a sentence, separate it from the main
clause with a comma.
 If you shoot at mimes, should you use a silencer? (Comedian Steven
Wright)
 Now that I'm over sixty, I'm veering toward respectability. (Actress
Shelley Winters)
These are often called fronted subordinate clauses. A comma is used with
a fronted subordinate clause because the comma makes it clear where the main
clause starts.
When a subordinate clause ends a sentence, you can drop the comma.
 Should you use a silencer if you shoot at mimes?
 I'm veering toward respectability now that I'm over sixty.
There's a quirk though: You can use a comma for a deliberate pause.
As a rule, try to resist using a comma before a subordinating
conjunction. However, if you want to create a pause for effect, then a comma
can be used.
 Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons. (Film
director Woody Allen)
 Man is ready to die for an idea, provided that idea is not quite clear to
him.
Key Points for Subordinating Conjunctions

 If your subordinate conjunction heads up a clause at the start of your
sentence, offset the clause with a comma.
 If your subordinate conjunction heads up a clause at the back of your
sentence, don't use a comma (unless you want a pause for effect).
Why Should I Care about Correlative Conjunctions?

Correlative conjunctions are useful for keeping your writing succinct.
They not only provide a succinct structure to say two things but also express
how those two things relate to each other.
72
Generally, correlative conjunctions don't cause native English speakers

too much grief, but there are four noteworthy issues associated with correlative
conjunctions.
(Issue 1) Keep a parallel structure.

Correlative conjunctions come in pairs. You must use the same type of
word after each one in the pair.
 Lee not only likes pies but also cakes.

(Here, the first conjunction in the pair sits before a verb (likes), but the
second sits before a noun (cakes). It's not parallel. It's untidy.)
 He should either sell his watch or his car.

(Here, the first conjunction sits before a verb (sell), but the second sits
before a noun (his car). It's not parallel. Untidy.)
 Lee likes not only pies but also cakes.

 He should sell either his watch or his car.
(In these examples, the first and second conjunctions sit before nouns.
Both examples now have parallel structures. Tidy.)
 Lee not only likes pies but also likes cakes.

 He should either pawn his watch or sell his car.
(In these examples, the first and second conjunctions sit before verbs.
Parallel. Tidy.)
(Issue 2) Don't use commas with correlative conjunctions. (Beware the

exceptions!)
Sometimes, writers are unsure whether to use a comma with correlative

conjunctions. This question arises most often with the pairing not only/but
also. Here's the rule: Don't use commas with correlative conjunctions.
Unfortunately, it's a little bit more complicated than that. Here's the exception:
If the second conjunction sits before an independent clause (i.e., words that
could be a standalone sentence), then use a comma.
 As a father has compassion on his children, so God has compassion on
those who fear him. (Bible, Psalm 103:13)
It is rare for an independent clause to follow a correlative conjunction,
but it does happen, especially with the pairing not only/but also.
 Not only does Lee like pies, but he also likes cakes.
(Note that the subject of the independent clause (he) splits but also. This
is necessary because the word but is playing two roles. We know it is part
73
of the correlative conjunction not only/but also, but, in this sentence, it's
also a coordinating conjunction. Remember that coordinating
conjunctions (e.g., and, or, but) are used to join like elements. Here, it's
joining two independent clauses.)
Also, be mindful that you might find yourself using a comma before a
correlative conjunction because the comma is needed for another reason.
 Lee likes not only pies, especially cheese and onion, but also cakes.
(Here, the commas are offsetting especially cheese and onion, which is just
some additional information (called a parenthesis). So, the comma before but
also has got nothing to do with correlative conjunctions.)
(Issue 3) Be careful with subject-verb agreement.

When the pairing either/or or neither/nor features in the subject of a
verb, the verb is singular if both elements are singular.
 Neither the inspector nor the constable was available for comment.
(Both elements (the inpector and the constable) are singular, so the verb
(was) is singular; i.e., using were would be wrong.)
However, things get complicated if one of the elements is plural because

there are two conventions:
Convention 1: The Proximity Rule. Under this convention, the element

nearest the verb determines whether it's singular or plural.
 Neither the inspector nor the constables were available for comment.
(The element nearest the verb (constables) is plural, so the verb (were) is
plural.)
Convention 2: The Logic Rule. Under this convention, if any of the elements
are plural, the verb is plural.
 Neither the inspectors nor the constable were available for comment.
(Here, the first element (inspectors) is plural, so the verb is plural. This
would be wrong using The Proximity Rule.)
So, should you use the Proximity Rule or the Logic Rule if one of your
elements is plural? Well, both are common, so the quick answer is pick one and
be consistent. But, there's a far better answer: satisfy both rules at once. If one
of your elements is plural, deliberately put it nearest to the verb.
 Either the budgies or the cat have to go.
(This is correct under the Logic Rule but wrong under the Proximity
Rule.)
 Either the cat or the budgies have to go.
74
(Here, the plural element is nearest to the verb. This is now correct under
both rules. Winner.)
This all applies to or by itself (i.e., without either).
(Issue 4) Don't forget that neither/nor plays a negative role.

Be aware that neither/nor plays a negative role in your sentence. Be
careful not to use a double negative.
 We did not discuss neither the flooding nor the landslide.
(This is a double negative.)
Remember, two negatives make a positive. So, the example above means
that the flooding and the landslide were discussed, which would not have been
the intended meaning. Here are two better options:
 We discussed neither the flooding nor the landslide.
 We did not discuss either the flooding or the landslide.
Key Points for Correlative Conjunctions

 Position your correlative conjunctions in your sentence so the same
Quiztype of word follows
Yourself:
each one. In other words, use a parallel structure.
Conjunctions
 Don't use a comma with a correlative conjunction unless the words
after it could be a standalone sentence (i.e., contain a subject and a
verb and convey a complete idea).
 Treat a subject that features either/or or neither/nor as singular if the
elements after the conjunctions are singular. If one is plural, put it
nearest to the verb and use a plural verb.
Don't use a negative verb with neither/nor otherwise you'll create a
75
I. Direction: Circle the conjunction or pair of conjunctions in each sentence:
1. Lyle chose both steak and salad for his dinner.

2. I chose neither steak nor salad for my dinner.
3. Either you or he can drive Dad to the train station tomorrow morning.
4. The panda wanted to eat, for he was hungry.
5. Peanut butter and jelly is Rex’s favorite sandwich.
6. Not only the girls but also the boys will be invited to the assembly.
7. Sara did not know whether to swing at the ball or take the pitch.
8. Mark would like to go, but he cannot.
9. Rich likes the food at this restaurant, yet he seldom eats here.
10.Run with him or her.
II. Direction: Complete the sentences below by choosing and supplying correct
conjunction from the options. Write your answer on the blank.
1. Deserts are harsh and dry, (for, so, yet) _______________ many plants grow
there.
2. Pat looked at the antique rocker, (and, but, or) _______________she couldn’t
afford to buy it.
3. The guy is a contractor, (so, and, but) _______________he knows the
construction business.
4. Annette couldn’t go, (nor, yet, for) _______________she was tired.
5. (If only, Rather than, Whether or not) _______________you like him
personally, you have to agree that he's done a lot for the company.
6. (While, In order that, Not that) _______________he claims that he is innocent,
everyone knows he is guilty.
7. (Although, Since, Whereas) _______________you already know the answer,
why are you asking me?
8. Sue jogs every day, (but, yet, for) _______________she wants to stay in shape.
9. Give a girl the right shoes, (for, and, but) _______________she can conquer
the world.
10.Life is (neither, either) _______________ a great adventure or nothing.
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Interjections
Directions: Use these coordinating and correlative conjunctions in your own

sentences.
1. neither…nor
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. but
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. for
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. and
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. either…or
Challenge Yourself: Conjunctions
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Interjections are words used to express strong feeling or sudden

emotion. They are included in a sentence (usually at the start) to express a
sentiment such as surprise, disgust, joy, excitement, or enthusiasm.
An interjection is not grammatically related to any other part of the
sentence.
Examples of Interjections
In the following examples, the interjections are italicized.

 Hey! Get off that floor!
 Oh, that is a surprise.
 Good! Now we can move on.
 Jeepers, that was close.
77
Yes and No
Expressions such as yes, no, indeed, and well are often used as
interjections. For example:
 Indeed, this is not the first time the stand has collapsed.
 Yes, I do intend to cover the bet.
Phew!
Some interjections are sounds. For example:
 Phew! I am not trying that again.

 Humph! I knew that last week.
 Mmmm, my compliments to the chef.
Multi-word Interjections
Some interjections are more than one word. For example:
78
 Oh, really? I doubt that.

Quiz Yourself: Interjections
 Holy moly! She won!
They're not always at the start of a sentence. For example:
 It is cold, indeed.
FOOTNOTE: If an interjection is mild, it is followed by a comma. If it is

strong, it is followed by an exclamation point.
Directions: Find the interjection in each of the sentences below and supply proper
punctuation after each interjection. Rewrite the sentence properly (observe the
correct use of capitalization).
1. Oh that was probably a big mistake on my part.
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Well I think I had better be going soon.
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Wow that must be a very hot fire.
______________________________________________________________________________
79
Challenge Yourself: Interjections 4. Yes you may go with us to Canada

tomorrow.
______________________________________________________________________________
5. Whew this weather is very warm for this time of year.
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Yes we arrived safely in Toledo, and we enjoyed the visit with the
grandchildren although the weather was really cold and cloudy.
______________________________________________________________________________
7. The Rangers made it to the finals hooray
______________________________________________________________________________
8. Ouch that hurt.
______________________________________________________________________________
9. You don't have it as bad as I do ugh how dumb do you think I am?
______________________________________________________________________________
10.Great I am ready for the test.
______________________________________________________________________________
Directions: Write an appropriate interjection for each of the following

sentences in the space provided. There may be more than one answer for each
space.
1. _________________! I smashed my finger with the hammer.

2. _________________, all right, Nick.
3. _________________! We have finally beaten that team!
4. _________________, take it easy, Reggie!
5. _________________, I think we better look over this paper immediately.
6. _________________, I forgot to take out the garbage this morning.
80
7. _________________! The tickets for his concert are

Word Forms
incredibly expensive!
8. _________________! You did so well in tonight’s school play!
9. _________________! You have no right to say that to him!
10._________________, now I see what you are trying to say.
11._________________. I am not very keen on that idea.
12._________________, what did Mike say about his tryout?
13._________________! Does your hand still hurt from the accident?
14._________________! Get away from my new car, kid!
15._________________, this food is absolutely delicious!
16._________________! I burned my little pinkie!
17.“_________________, please say yes!”
18.“_________________! Look at that!”
19.“_________________. I don't think that's a great idea.”
20.“_________________! You’re here.”
The following words are often confused or used incorrectly. Some of these
are homonyms, which have the same sound, but have different meanings.
Other words in the list are often confused for words that they resemble.
Commonly Confused Words

air: the invisible gas surrounding the earth
err: a mistake
heir: the one who inherits
accept: take or receive

except: exclude
advice: a noun, words given or offered as an opinion
81
advise: a verb, to offer one’s advice
affect: most commonly a verb meaning to influence; less commonly a verb

meaning to pretend or imitate
effect: a noun meaning a result; also, a verb meaning to bring about or
accomplish
allowed: permitted
aloud: audible
beside: a preposition indicating location

besides: an adverb meaning: in addition to
capital: most important
capitol: a building where heads of government gather
coarse: rough to the touch

course: a program of study
council: an advisory body, a group meeting regularly

counsel: as a noun—formally given advice; as a verb—to advise formally
decent: proper, right
descent: going down, or ancestry
elicit: to draw forth

illicit: illegal
eminent: distinguished
imminent: about to happen
fair: reasonable, just

fair: blond or light in complexion
fair: a moderate quantity or amount
fair: a gathering or stalls and/or amusements, usually outdoors
fare: a fee charged
farther: refers to actual distance

further: refers to figurative distance meaning more
 example: There is nothing further to discuss.
insure: protection against loss

 example: We will insure our house.
assure: convince, make sure
ensure: make sure, make safe
less: use less with uncountable amounts

 example: I have less work to do than Noriko.
fewer: use with countable quantities.
 example: I have fewer assignments to do.
82
lie: to recline, or rest. An intransitive verb, not taking an object.

 example: I will lie on the couch for ten minutes when I get home.
The dog lies in the hot sun.
lay: to place something down. A transitive verb, taking an object.
 example: Lay the fresh towels on the table. He won’t let me lay this
matter to rest.
Confusion comes in forming the past tense of lie—it’s spelled and pronounced the
same as the present tense of lay.
 example: This morning we lay in the hammock.
loose: adjective, opposite of tight or confined

lose: verb, to misplace, cease to have
may be: a modal + verb, meaning: might be

 example: It may be true that ghosts are real.
maybe: an adverb, meaning perhaps
passed: a verb, past tense of to pass

 example: the past years at this school
 also a preposition, meaning by or beyond: He drove past us too
quickly
 also a noun, meaning a period of time: I have ridden horseback in the
past.
past: an adjective, meaning former:
precede: verb, to go before

proceed: verb, to begin or continue
presence: being present, attendance

presents: gifts
quiet: not noisy

quite: very, completely
than: a conjunction that makes a comparison:

 example: I am taller than you.
then: an adverb meaning at that time:
 example: We will eat dinner; then, I will start the movie.
their: a possessive pronoun:

 example: It is their decision.
they’re: a contraction of they are:
 example: They’re going to decide.
there: an adverb referring to place:
83
 example: They’re going to build their new house there.
who’s: a contraction of who is

whose: possessive pronoun of who
Other Common Errors

all, all of: redundant when used with common nouns. Just use all.
 example: all the women at the party
alright for all right: alright is incorrect. The correct form is all right.
alot for a lot: alot is a misspelling. A lot is a colloquial term used for many or
much.
irregardless: not a word. Use regardless.
have got: a colloquial term for have. Use I have two chocolate bars not I have
got two chocolate bars.
reason is because: a redundancy. Use that: The reason the cookies are burned
is that I didn’t hear the oven timer. OR: The cookies burned because I didn’t hear
the oven timer.
if, whether: If is sometimes used to introduce alternative conditions.

 example: Tell us if you see Leo; which can mean not only tell us whether
you can see Leo or not, but also tell us in case you ever see him. To be
clear, use whether.
Quiz Yourself: Word Forms
Direction: Underline the correct word from the options provided.

1. _______________ (They’re, There, Their) were fifty questions on their final
exam.
2. I wonder what the (effect, affect) _______________ will be of the new
policies in health care.
3. When you’re knitting this pattern, you want your stitch tension to be
(loose, lose) _______________.
4. I look forward to (laying, lying) _______________ in the sun on my day off.
5. He (passed, past) _______________ his exam by a few marks.
6. (Who’s, Whose) _______________ boots are these lying in the front hall?
84
7. (A lot, A lot) _______________ of people like to meet new friends online.

8. I want you to call me when you get home (irregardless, regardless)
_______________ of the time.
9. Whatever you decide is (alright, all right) _______________ with me.
10.We’ll have dinner out; (then, than) _______________ we’ll go to the dance
club.
11.I (have got, have) _______________ a new backpack.
12.I love the peace and (quite, quiet) _______________ in the library.
13.The work crew have been (lying, laying) _______________ the new wood
floor in the living room.
14.I don’t know what the best (advice, advise) _______________ would be to
give someone in that situation.
15.I’m going to (ensure, insure) _______________ that my pets will be safe
while I’m gone.
Challenge Yourself: Word Forms
Directions: Edit each of the following sentences to correct any errors in word
forms. Write your answer on the space provided after each sentence.
1. Kat has laid in bed all day because Chen never called her back after he
said he would.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. He’s been calling her fewer frequently lately.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. She wants to heir on the side of caution and stick around her apartment
in case he calls.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
85
4. Her friends tell her not to wait around; the affect will be sadness and
depression.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. Beside, even if Chen is worth waiting by the phone, it’s too beautiful a
day to stay in bed.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. Kat’s friends gather outside and start throwing stones at her window,
hoping to illicit a response.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
7. Their more persistent then she thought.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
8. Finally, Kat yells out the window. “Alright, alright! I’m coming down.
Quit pestering me!”
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
9. Gentlemen remove their hats in the present of a lady.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
10.The hearing illicited some revealing testimony from the chairman’s
colleagues.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
References
Grammar Monster: Free Grammar Lessons and Exercises. Retrieved from

https://www.grammar-monster.com/
Grammar Handbook: Interjections. Retrieved from http://www.cws.illinois.edu/
ProProfs: Delightfully Smart Tools. Retrieved from https://www.proprofs.com/
Mitchell, S., Baugh, L. & Kelly, J. (2016). Parts of speech. Retrieved from
86
https://www.openschool.bc.ca/pdfs/wotr/Parts%20of%20Speech.pdf
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2007) Retrieved from

http://bkssps.com/wp-content/downloads/n58eb216ec56bb.pdf
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Cristo Rey Institute for Career Development

106 Rizal Avenue, Batangas City

Basic Communication Skills

Error Type Topic Mastered Topic to Review

I’m a little artistic and a lot reserved in personality - at least, until

Examples of count nouns in the Examples of count nouns in

 Add s to pluralize most count nouns.

house - houses mountain – mountains

glass - glasses beach – beaches

 In some cases, singular nouns ending in -s or -z, require that you

 tomato – tomatoes potato - potatoes

 If a singular noun ends in -y and the letter before the -y is a

 If the singular noun ends in -is, the plural ending is -es.

 If the singular noun ends in -on, the plural ending is -a.

 Numbers can be used with count nouns.

 When a singular count noun is the subject in a sentence, it must be

The cover of that book tells us nothing.

The whales were swimming very close to shore.

 Non-count nouns do not pluralize.

3. Count and Non-count Nouns and the Use of Prepositions

Incorrect: Our teacher gives us a lot of homeworks.

Incorrect: We can put partitions up between the table.

Correct: We can put partitions up between the tables.

4. Irregular Noun Plurals

Directions: Read the following sentence

3. Susie McKechney would rather play baseballs, but gymnastics is Ava

Forming Abstract Nouns

extensiveness not extensivity

Fragility is more easily used than fragileness, which sounds awkward.

Consider the words productiveness and productivity:

Incorrect: The new office arrangement increased the productiveness of

In the following sentence, centrality is the better form because we’re

 Examples of noun usage:

Incorrect: My hate of him has me turning red.

Incorrect: We have many more mileage to drive before we reach our

Directions: Change the incorrect noun

1. Our media class was instructed to film a documentation while we were

A or an is an indefinite article. Use a or an to

The Indefinite Article A or An

 A or an is used in front of a noun that can be counted.

We can count a number of afternoons.

I went to see a doctor.

While we were on vacation, we went to a show. The show we saw was

The Definite Article The

We saw him in the cafeteria.

Some non-count nouns do not require an article.

FOOTNOTE: Do not use an article when talking about languages, places,

Do not use an article when you talk about things in general.

Using Articles in Front of a Modifier

Put the correct article in front of a noun group or in front of numbers or

Examples of Article Usage:

Incorrect: There was great lecture this evening.

Incorrect: The students nodded at the teacher to show the

Be careful of words that have both a count and a non-count meaning.

Non-count meaning: I need to buy coffee.

Non-count meaning: I value friendship along with the virtues of honesty

FOOTNOTE: Food and beverage non-count nouns can be used in a count

The foods presented at the culinary arts show impressed all.

Directions: Write a, an, or the in the blanks

Directions: Correct the article errors in

Personal pronouns are short words used to represent people or things.

Table Showing Personal Pronouns by Case

Person Subjective Objectiv Possessive Possessive Reflexive