Lecture: BS Computer Science (1st semester)

Functional English
Kashif Rehman

Identification of Present Perfect Tense:

Has He, she, it, singular.
Have I, we, they, plural.
Urdu Identification:
Simple Sentences: He has watered the plants.
Negative Sentence: He has not watered the plants.
Interrogative Sentence: Has he watered the plants?
Interrogative & Negative: Has he not watered the plants?

Formulae:

1. S+ Helping Verb + 3rd Verb + Object

2. S + H.V + Not + 3rd v + O
3. H.V + S + 3rd + O
4. H.V + S + Not + 3rd + O

Where to use it?

Action or situation started in the past and continues in the

present. It has certain effects on the present… not yet finished
action.
Past Tense:

Identification: 2nd form of the verb (went, spoke, etc.).

Urdu Identity:

Simple sentence: I started a new job. (s + 2nd verb + o)

Negative: I did not start a new job. (s + did not + 1st verb + o)

Interrogative: Did I start a new job? (did + s + 1st verb + o)

Interrogative & Negative: Did I not start a new job? (did + s + not + 1st
v + o).

More Examples: I wrote a letter.

I walked to my house.

I listened to the lectures.

Note: use present perfect with the unfinished action; while past
tense with the finished action.

I worked very hard this morning vs I have worked very hard this morning

Explanation: if my morning is from 7-12 and it is now 3:00, then I must use past tense. But if
it is 11:00, means there is one hour to 12, then the action is not finished yet: I must use
present perfect tense.
More examples:

I have recently completed my M.Phil.

I completed my M.Phil. in 2020.

Life experience:

Have you ever been to Karachi?

Have you ever messaged the wrong person?

Explanation: use present perfect with life experiences, because our life is not finished
yet. We are still alive.

Example: I went to Islamabad two years ago.

Explanation: use past tense with the finished time. Two years ago, shows past and
finished time.

Example:

I knew Kashif for 1 year. vs

I have known Kashif for 1 year.

Explanation: the first sentence is in past tense, because of the grammatical structure
(2nd form of the verb). But, why do we use past tense? Because, while putting it in an
appropriate context, I am no longer in contact with Kashif. We were good friend, but his
family moved away.

In the second sentence, present perfect tense is used; because, I am still in contact with
Kashif. We meet time and again.
 Formal Letter

Formal letter is written to give any type of information to a person

unknown to you. Such letter is written for official purpose to
authorities, colleagues, seniors, etc.

Sender address: CS, UOP.

Receiver address: ED, UOP.

Date: 22 November, 2021 or November 22, 2021.

Salutation: sir/madam, dear Mr. Kashif, respected Kashif.

Note: (Use YOURS SINCERELY with dear Mr. Kashif)

(Use YOUR FAITHFUL with dear sir/madam)

Subject:

Body: opening remarks, content, closing remarks.

Opening Remarks: also called introduction. Use formal language for

greeting. Your opening remarks must be based on the purpose of
your letter.

For example: I hope this letter finds you well.

I hope you are having a wonderful day.

I hope you are in good health.

Content: 2-3 paragraphs. Start with reason for your letter. Then
write your solutions to the problem or your demands or purpose.
Closing remarks: I appreciate your assistance in this matter.

I would appreciate your help in this matter.

We look forward to hearing from you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Complimentary close: Yours sincerely (Dear Mr. Kashif). Yours

faithfully (dear sir/madam).

Signature:
Formal letter Sample:

Department of Computer Science,

University of Peshawar,
University road.

November 22, 2021

The coordinator,

Department of CS,

UOP.

------------------------------------------------------------------ (1 line)
Dear sir:
Subject: extending the duration of class time.
Opening) I hope this letter finds you in good health.
(purpose) I am writing this letter to inform you about the
possible extension in class time of BS 1st semester.
(content) I am teaching functional English to BS 1st semester of
Computer Science. As you know, the syllabus is full of
complicated topics which could not be covered in one hour.
Besides, my students also want me to thoroughly touch every
topic. The shortage of time does not allow me to deeply touch
the topic; I then skip some of the essential explanations.
 (expectation) Therefore, it is requested to extend the duration
of class time from 1 hour to 2 hours.
(Closing remark) I look forward to hearing from you.
(Complimentary close) Yours sincerely
Kashif (sign)

………………………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Language in Formal and informal letter:

Don’t use contractions: I’m, he’s, etc.
No abbreviation: CS, PTI, etc.
Don’t use idiom: under the cloud, hit the hay, etc.
No phrasal verb: put on, break down, etc.
No exclamation: what a chance! Hurrah!
No imperative: command, order,
Avoid slangs: “linguistic expressions used by the particular group of
people is called slang. It is more of a street language. Some of the
examples are OMG, just chill, LOL, cool, Mummy daddy, etc.
 Active voice and Passive voice
Definition & Reasons of using Passive voice
When an action flows from object to verb to subject, is called passive
form. Passive form is used when we want to interest in the action. In
other words, if it is important to have complete focus on an object or
recipient of the action, passive should be used.
Example: in an introduction, we usually say “I was born.” Instead of
“my mother bore me.” Because, here our focus is not on the mother
but on “I”.
Likewise, “it is requested” and “it is stated” are the most common
expressions used in the formal letter. These are in passive form. Here,
the focus is on the action, rather than on saying “I request you”, etc.

Generally accepted rules about Passive voice

• S changes to object.
• Object changes to subject.
• Always use 3rd (v).
• Mostly add “by” but with exception.
(Sometime, 3rd (v) is also followed by “with, to, of, at, in, etc. The
list of those 20 words is given below.)

Present indefinite tense: Passive voice

Sequence of the topic: present indefinite active tense is slightly
touched first and then passive voice is explained.
Present indefinite tense: active voice
He, she, it and singular -------- 1st (v) with the addition of s/es.
I, they, you, we and plural ----- no addition of s/es with 1st (v)
Negative sentences------------- does or do not.

Example:
I sing a song.
I do not sing a song.
Do I sing a song?

Present indefinite tense: passive voice

Is, Am, Are -------- helping verbs + 3rd (v) + By + o
A song is sung by me.
A song is not sung by me.
Is a song sung by me?

Present continuous tense: Active voice

Is, am, are------------- helping verbs + 1st (v) ing + o
Example:
He is writing a book.
He is not writing a book.
Is he writing a book?

Present continuous tense: passive voice

S + is/am/are + being + 3rd (v) + by + o
Example:
A book is being written by him
A book is not being written by him.
Is a book being written by him?

Present perfect tense: active voice

Has/have--------------- as helping verbs followed by 3rd (v).
Example:
We have ignored it.
We have not ignored it.
Have we ignored it?

Present perfect tense: passive voice

Have been/ has been used as helping verbs.
Example:
 It has been ignored by us.
It has not been ignored by us.
Has it been ignored by us?

Past tense: active + passive voice

2nd (v) in active voice.
Did not followed by 1st (v).
Example: active
He did a wonderful job.
He did not do a wonderful job.
Did he do a wonderful job?

Past simple: Passive voice

Was/were as the helping verbs.
Example:
A wonderful was done by him.
A wonderful job was not done by him.
Was a wonderful job done by him?
 Transitive vs intransitive verb.
Transitive verb is a verb in sentence which needs an object. There is
always an object in it. While, in intransitive, there is no object.
However, a sentence having transitive verb can be changed into
passive voice. While a sentence intransitive verb is not change to
passive form.
See, if an object answers the questions WHAT or WHOM, then it can
be changed to passive.
Example:
(He goes to school. He is running in the field. I jumped into river.
They go home.)
In all the above sentences, the objects do not answer the questions
WHAT or WHOM; rather, it answers WHERE?

Furthermore, the sentences like,

We run.
They went immediately.
I write slowly.

There are obviously no objects at all.

Furthermore, it is not always the case that when we have preposition
in a sentence, it means it can not be changed. It is. The list of 20 words
is given below. All these will be the part of your exam.

Passive voice without by preposition: list of 15 words

Known ------ to Interested------ in
Married---- to Surprised-------- at
Filled-------- with annoyed--------- with
Cut----------- with satisfied-------- with (person)
Contained----- in satisfied----- at (manner)
Include---- in obliged-------- to
Impressed---- with pleased------ with

Sentences:
• He annoyed me. ------ passive----- I was annoyed with him.
• Milk has filled the bottle. ------ passive----- The bottle has
been filled with milk.
• The dog’s death shocked her. ---- passive --- she was
shocked at the dog’s death.
1. He laughed at me.
2. They played a fraud game.
3. I slept in the room.
4. We jumped into the river.
5. He scattered the bubble.