English : Core Grammar

GRAMMAR

TENSES
I. THE PRESENT TENSE
A. THE PRESENT INDEFINITE TENSE (First form of the Verb)
(a) In the Present Indefinite (Simple Present) Tense the first form of the verb is used ; as
I learn my lesson.
We pray to God daily.
You fly kites.
They reach the school in time.
(b) If the Subject is of the third person and singular in number, we add 's' or 'es' to the first form
of the verb ; as –
Ram tells a lie.
She speaks the truth.
Manu goes to school.
Mrs. Sharma teaches us English.
(c) ‘Do’ or ‘does’ is used in Interrogative, Negative and Emphatic sentences.
(i) Interrogative Sentences
‘Do, does’ is placed before the subject and the first form of the verb is placed after
the subject, as –
(Do / does + Subject + Ist form of the verb + ........ ?)
Do you like your new school ?
Does he know you well ?
When does he get up ?
(ii) Negative Sentences
If the subject of a sentence happens to be ‘I’, ‘we’, ‘you’, ‘they’ or plural nouns, put
do not with them.
Similarly, if the subject is anyone of ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘it’ or any other III Person Singular
Noun, does not will be used with them. Begin the sentence with ‘Do not’ in Imperative
sentences.
(Subject + do / does + not + 1st form of the Verb .....)
I do not tell a lie.
Do not sit here.

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Rakesh does not learn his lesson.

Exception – He never takes tea.
(Here the sentence means – He does not ever take tea.)
(iii) Emphatic Sentences
You do smoke but do not confess.
He does go to the movie ; but on Sundays.
Note: Only the first form of the Verb is used with ‘do’ and ‘does’.

Uses of the Simple Present Tense

The Simple Present Tense is used with the words – always, every day, every week, every month, once a
week, twice a week, frequently, generally, sometimes, usually, quite often etc. and in the following cases –
(a) to express some habitual action, daily routine or custom; as –
I go out for a walk daily.
My father always reaches the office in time.
He takes exercise in the morning daily.
(b) to express certain General/Universal, Permanent truth; as –
Ice melts at 0° centigrade.
The earth moves round the sun.
(c) (i) to express certain fact that is true at the time of speaking.
Our school opens at 10 A.M. these days.
An inland letter costs seventy-five paise.
(ii) In exclamatory sentences beginning with here and there to express what is actually taking
place at the time of speaking.
Here comes the gardener!
There she hides!
(d) to express a situation or a fact that is permanent.
Our school faces the North.
Agra stands on the bank of the Yamuna.
(e) to narrate different actions taking place at the time of speaking.
Ashok carries the ball.
He hits it hard and scores a goal.
(f) to narrate a past event through a dramatic narrative for the sake of vividness.
Shivaji now draws his sword and attacks the enemy.
When the curtain rises, Ravana is seen sitting on his throne.

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Sohrab now rushes forward and deals a heavy blow to Rustam.

Immediately, the police hurries to the place of accident.
(g) to express a planned Future action.
His marriage comes off next week.
The train steams off at 11 O'clock.
The ship sails for England next week.
(h) to express a Subordinate Clause of time and condition introduced by ‘if’, ‘till’ or ‘when’ in a
conditional sentence.
If you run fast, you will catch the train.
When you reach there, send me a telegram.
She will come out if you call her.
I shall wake up when the cock crows.
I shall stay here till you get ready.
(i) to begin Imperative Sentences.
Obey your teachers.
Always speak the truth.
(j) to quote someone; as,
Kalidas says, “Beauty needs no ornaments”.
Shelley says, “If winter comes, can spring be far behind”?
Browning says, “Who knows the world may end tonight”.
Note: (i) Such phrases as ‘at the moment’, ‘at present’ etc. are not used in this tense.
(ii) This tense can be used in place of Present Continuous Tense with the (those) verbs which
cannot be used in Continuous form. For example –
1. Verbs of appearing, e.g. appear, look, seem.
2. Verbs of thinking, e.g. agree, believe, consider, deem, forget, know, imagine, mean,
mind, remember, think, suppose, understand.
3. Verbs of emotion, e.g. desire, feel, hate, hope, likes prefer, love, refuse, want, wish.
4. Verbs of perception, e.g. hear, notice, recognize, see, smell.
5. Verbs of possession, e.g. belong, contain, consist of, own, possess.
Wrong Right
He is loving me. He loves me.
I am thinking you are in the wrong. I think you are in the wrong.
She is looking sad. She looks sad.
He is having a Maruti Car. He has a Maruti Car.
These grapes are tasting sour. These grapes taste sour.

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Exceptions : The verbs listed above convey a changed meaning if they are used in the present
continuous tense, e.g.
She is thinking of going abroad. (has the idea of)
They are having lunch. (busy in taking)
She is feeling better now. (has become)

B. PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

(is / am / are + Verb + ing)

In order to form the Present Continuous Tense, we add Present Participle to is, am or are. The
Present Participle is formed by adding ‘ing’ to the first form of the verb.
‘Is’ is used with he, she, it or Third Person Singular Noun, 'am' is used with I and 'are' is used with we,
you, they and plural Nouns.
Examples : She is singing a song.
Birds are flying in the sky.
Are you going home?
Farmers are not ploughing their fields.

Uses of the Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous Tense is used with the words – at this time, at present, at the moment, now, nowadays,
still etc. and in the following cases :
(a) To describe an action in progress and/or the continuity of the action.
The girls are singing a chorus.
The well is working.
The ducks are swimming in the pond.
(b) To describe an action in progress, but not necessarily at the time of speaking.
India is exporting onions to the Middle East.
What are you writing these days?
She is revising her course now.
(c) To express an action definitely planned for the near Future.
I am not going to Amritsar tomorrow.
Is she inviting you to the feast?
The schools are closing this Saturday.
We are holding a seminar next month.

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(d) To express an action that has become a habit for doing it over and over again.
Manu is always asking questions.
You are always running me down.
She is always borrowing money.
Note: The following words are seldom used in the Present Continuous Tense.
(a) hear, notice, see, smell.
(b) admire, adore, care, desire, forgive, hate, like, refuse, want, wish, know and forget etc.
(c) own, owe, belong, possess.
The above words can however be used in the Continuous Tenses. In that case, they convey a changed
meaning, e.g.,
Sarla is tasting the soup to confirm if it needs more salt. (She is tasting the flavour of the soup.)
She is thinking of visiting my house. (thinking of means planning.)
They are having rest. (Having means taking.)

C. PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

(Subject + Has / have + III form of the verb)
(i) In the Present Perfect Tense the past participle (III)) form of the verb is used with has or
have. 'Has' is added with third person singular subjects, as – 'he', 'she', 'it' and ‘Have’ is
added with I , 'we', 'you', 'they' and plural nouns.
He has won a prize.
You have insulted me.
I have taken the dose of medicine.
(ii) In Interrogative form [has, have are placed before the subject]
(Has / have + Subject + III form of the Verb...?)
Have they crossed the river ?
Where have you seen my brother ?
(iii) In Negative form ['not' is used between the main verb and the helping verb.]
(Subject + has / have + not + III form of the Verb...)
She has not come yet.
I have not received any information.

Uses of the Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect Tense is used with the words : yet, as yet, already, just, just now, so far, since, ever since,
presently, once, twice, thrice etc. and in the following cases :

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(a) To express an action that has been recently completed.

I have just received the letter.
We have won the match.
He has chalked out a programme.
(b) To describe an action the time of which is not given.
The train has steamed in.
They have left for Australia.
I have seen a snake in the garden.
(c) To describe a past experience.
I have seen this picture several times.
Have you been to Kashmir?
He has failed in the Secondary School Examination thrice.
(d) To express an action that began in the Past and still continues.
He has worked in this school for five years. (is still working)
I have not seen him since Monday last.
She has lived in Delhi for fifteen years.
Remember that we do not use Adverbs of Time denoting the past tense in Present Perfect Tense.
Father has returned from Mumbai yesterday. (This sentence is wrong)
Father has returned from Mumbai.
Father has just returned from Mumbai.
If we aspire to use an Adverb of Time showing Past Tense, we should better frame the sentence in
Past Indefinite.
Father returned from Mumbai yesterday.
I passed my IX class in the year 1991.

D. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

(Subject + has / have + been + Ist form of the Verb + ing...)
In order to form the Present Perfect Continuous Tense, we put has been or have been before
the Present Participle Form of the Verb ; as –
It has been raining for two hours.
I have been flying a kite since 2 O'clock.
Has the gardener been watering the plants since morning ? (Interrogative)
She has not been dancing for an hour. (Negative)

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(a) The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to describe an action that began in the
Past, is still continuing and may extend into the Future; as –
She has been waiting for you for three hours.
They have been playing cards since 10 A.M.
(b) This tense is also used to express an action in a sentence which begins with 'For how long' or
'Since when', as in –
For how long have you been sitting here?
Since when has he been living in this house?
(c) This tense is also used to express an action which began in the past and has been just completed.
However, its result is visible in the present, as in –
I have been studying since morning and I am much tired now.
She has been washing the dishes for an hour and her clothes are dirty now.
Note : Since is used for a point of time.
For is used for a period of time.
Remember that if time (of the beginning of an action) is given in Present Continuous Tense it would
automatically become Present Perfect Continuous Tense.
Mohan is weeping. (Simple Present Continuous)
But
Mohan has been weeping for an hour. (Present Perfect Continuous)
Because Mohan has been weeping for an hour means he has completed (perfected) some portion of
the action of weeping, the action (of weeping) is still continuing. Therefore, it is the sentence of
Present Perfect Continuous Tense.
We say
Point of time Period of time
Since morning For two hours
Since Monday For a week
Since June For a long time
Since 1979 For five years

II. THE PAST TENSE

A. THE PAST INDEFINITE TENSE
(Subject + II form of the Verb...)
• In the Simple Past (Past Indefinite) Tense the second form of the Verb is used; as –
He came here yesterday.
They killed a lion.
You wrote a letter.

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• ‘Did’ is used in the Interrogative and Negative sentences. ‘Did’ is also used to lay
emphasis. Only the first form of the Verb is used with 'did'.
(i) In Interrogative Sentences [‘did’ is placed before the subject and verb in first form
after it ; as –]
(Did + Subject + I form of the Verb...?)
Did you show me your homework?
Did she give you the message?
(ii) In Negative Sentences [‘did not’ is put after the subject and first form of the verb is
used thereafter : as – ]
(Subject + did + not + I form of the Verb...)
I did not apply for leave.
You did not attend the class.
Exception – I never told a lie.
(This sentence means – I did not ever tell a lie)
(iii) To lay emphasis
I did try to solve the question but was not able to solve it.
She did sing, but not with a will.

Uses of the Past Indefinite Tense

The Past Indefinite (Simple Past) Tense is used :
(a) To express an action completed in the past with reference to the time of speaking.
I saw many birds in the zoo.
You reached the school late (on) that day.
An accident took place in front of our house.
(b) To express habitual or regular action in the Past.
Gandhiji always spoke the truth.
I went out for a walk daily in the morning last year.
In those days my mother gave me some pocket money everyday.
The habitual past can also be expressed by using 'used to'
When I was a student I used to keep late hours.
He used to read a few chapters of the Gita everyday.
But 'used to' means that it happened in the past, now it does not happen.
He used to smoke a lot.

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(c) To express an event which occurred at a particular point in the Past.

She walked very slowly.
My father came back home yesterday.
(d) To express an action which occupied a period of time in the Past, which is now ended.
We lived in this house for ten years. (Do not live now)
I stayed at the Green Hotel for two months. (Not staying now)
(e) To express an action where some word, showing past action (yesterday, ago, last, etc.) is
given in the sentence, as,
He received your message yesterday.
I passed the S.S.C. Examination last year.
India got freedom over five decades ago.
(f) To express two actions taking place simultaneously (at the same time), as –
While I sipped coffee, I revised my lesson.
While Sushma sang, Radha danced.
She watched the T.V. as well as knitted the sweater.
(g) To express two actions, where the first action leads instantly to the second action, as –
When he called her a flirt, she hit him.
When the circus show ended, the spectators stepped out.
When I opened the window, the bird flew out.
(h) When 'when' or 'while' is used in simple past tense, it indicates that both the actions took
place in the same duration of time, as –
I played chess while he slept.
When we lived in Delhi, we often travelled by bus.
When I went to bed, the light went out.
(i) When 'until', 'as soon as', 'before' are used in simple past tense, they indi-cate that one
action follows the other, as –
She waited for her mother till/until it got dark.
As soon as we bolted the door, some guests arrived.

Mark the correct use of the Past Indefinite Tense in the following sentences:
1. He has passed the Secondary School Exami-nation in 1978. (Incorrect)
He passed the Secondary School Examination in 1978. (Correct)
2. They have left for Agra yesterday. (Incorrect)
They left for Agra yesterday. (Correct)

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3. She has written a letter to her father last evening. (Incorrect)

She wrote a letter to her father last evening. (Correct)
4. Babar has founded the Mughal Empire. (Incorrect)
Babar founded the Mughal Empire. (Correct)
Note : The difference in the meaning of the following sentences :
(i) He has worked in this office for five years. (He is still working here)
(ii) He worked in this office for five years. (He is no longer working here)

B. THE PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE

(Subject + was / were + I form of the Verb + ing...)
The Past Continuous Tense denotes an action going on in the past. In order to form Past
Continuous Tense we add Present Participle to was or were; as –
The train was running at full speed.
The boys were taking a test in English.
She was not weeping.
You were not solving the sums.
Were the sheep grazing in the field ?
Was the gardener plucking flowers ?

Uses of the Past Continuous Tense

(i) The Past Continuous Tense is used to express an action that was happening in the Past at
the time of speaking. The time of the action may or may not be mentioned.
Examples : The old lady was crying at the top of her voice.
They were not making a noise.
Were the milkmen milking the cows?
(ii) The use of this tense with Simple Past Tense denotes that the previous action was going on
when the latter action took place ; as –
My mother was cooking the food when I reached home.
I was ironing my clothes when my friend telephoned to me.
Rohit was taking tea when I visited his house.

C. THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

(Subject + had + III form of the Verb )
We often make mistakes while using the Past Perfect Tense. We use 'had' at random wherever we
view 'Fkk' in a sentence in our mother tongue.
I had gone to Delhi yesterday.
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This sentence should be formed in Simple past.

I went to Delhi yesterday.
Past Perfect Tense is in reality, the past of the past. It is used when we say that an action
was completed before another action took place. Both the actions are related to each other in
some way. Of the two actions the one that took place first is given by Past Perfect Tense. The action
which takes place later is expressed by Simple Past or Past Indefinite Tense as—
The train had left before I reached the station.
The structure of Past Perfect is –
In order to form the Past Perfect Tense we use 'had' before the Past Participle (III) form of
the Verb as –
I had done my work.
Had he left when you came?
Had the doctor arrived before the patient died?
I had not seen you before.
The doctor had not reached before the patient breathed his last.

Uses of the Past Perfect Tense

(a) The Past Perfect Tense is used to express an action completed before another action took
place; as
When he came to me, I had posted the letter.
The match had begun before I reached the playground.
The rain had stopped, when we entered the cinema hall.
(b) In a Simple Sentence we never use the Past Perfect Tense unless it has in it some such
words; as –still, before, never, already, till, since etc.; as –
The Mother had already cooked the food.
She had never seen such a terrible sight before.
She had not travelled by a train till then.
I had not written to her since my going abroad.
(c) (i) It is also used to express an unfulfilled action in the past; as –
If she had worked hard she would have passed.
If you had come in time we would have taken you with us.
(ii) It is also used to express an unfulfilled wish in the past; as –
I wish I had won the election.
I wish I had accepted the job.
I wish I had appeared at the test.

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(d) To denote the action or event which has been completed before some point of time.
By afternoon he had completed much work.
At 9 P.M. all the members had come.
By sunset, we had watered the plants.

D. THE PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

(Subject + had + been + Present Participle...)
(a) The Past Perfect Continuous Tense expresses an action that had been going on for
some time in the past. In order to use this tense we use had been with Present
Participle (ing) form of the verb.
Examples : Children had been playing since morning.
It had not been drizzling since last night. (Negative)
Had you been waiting for me for two hours? (Interrogative)
(b) The Past Perfect Continuous Tense is also used to express an action that had been
going on for some time before another action took place in the past; as –
Examples : They had been playing chess for two hours when I joined them.
The Chinese had been preparing for war for many years before they attacked
India.
We had been standing in a queue for half an hour before the bus arrived.

III. THE FUTURE TENSE

A. THE SIMPLE FUTURE / FUTURE INDEFINITE TENSE

(Subject + Shall / will + I form of the Verb)

The Future Indefinite Tense is used to express the action or event which is likely to happen
in Future. In this tense we use shall/will between the subject and the first form of the verb. Normally
we use 'shall' with pronouns of first person (I, We). In the same way, we use 'will' with the pronouns
of second person (you) and third person (he, she, it they).
We shall not see the picture today.
They will not come here soon.
Will you go to college today?
Shall we play now?

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B. THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE

(Will / shall + be + Verb + ing)

The Future Continuous Tense is used to express an event that is expected to take place in
the normal course or at some time in the future; as —
We shall be playing a football match on Sunday.
The new edition of this book will be coming out shortly.
When I reach Calcutta, it will be raining heavily there.
Will you be taking part in the debate ? (Interrogative)
The farmers will not be watering the plants at this time. (Negative)

C. THE FUTURE PERFECT TENSE

(Shall / will + have + III form of the Verb)
(i) The Future Perfect Tense expresses an action which is expected to be completed by
a certain time in the Future; as –
She will have covered half of her journey by Monday next.
I shall have revised my lesson by 9 P.M. tomorrow.
The plane will have landed by the time you reach the airport.
(ii) The Future Perfect Tense sometimes expresses the speaker's belief that some-
thing has taken place. In such sentences it does not express the Future ; as –
"In the newspaper you will have read about the railway accident that took place
today", said my father. "
“You will have discussed the plans how to celebrate the function", said my mother.
(iii) It is also used for an action which at a given future time will be in the past; as –
In two years' time (i.e., two years from now) I shall have taken my degree.
When we reach Bangalore, we shall have completed the major part of our round
tour to South India.
Note : In a complete sentence we use ‘shall/will’ only in the Principal Clause.
I will go to play when I finish my work.
Or
I will go to play when I have finished my work.

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D. THE FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

(Shall / will + have been + Verb + ing)
The Future Perfect Continuous Tense is used to express an action that will have been going on at or
before some point of time in the Future; as –
We shall have been waiting for you for a long time.
She will have been weeping since 3 P.M.
Will they have been taking the test for a week? (Interrogative)
The boys will not have been flying kites since noon. (Negative)

Common Errors in the use of Verbs

Incorrect Correct
1. He is pass in English. He passes in English.
2. Burn the lamp. Light the lamp.
3. When will you give the test? When will you take the test?
4. The teacher will take our test in English The teacher will give us a test in English
next week. next week.
5. I am ill for four days. I have been ill for four days.
6. She spoke a speech. She made / gave / delivered a speech.
7. Our team made two goals. Our team scored two goals.
8. I wish I was young again. I wish I were young again.
9. He talks as if he is mad. He talks as if he were mad.
10. What make you laugh? What makes you laugh?
11. I hanged" my coat on the peg. I hung my coat on the peg.
12. The murderer was hung. The murderer was hanged.
13. Two and two makes four. Two and two make four.
14. They have come this morning. They came this morning.
15. He was so thirsty that he drunk all the milk. He was so thirsty that he drank all the milk.
16. I hope he will fail. I fear he will fail.
17. I saw into the bus, but looked none. I looked into the bus, but saw none.
18. He works hard lest he should not fail. He works hard lest he should fail.
19. Our hen has given ten eggs. Our hen has laid ten eggs.
20. He fell off the roof and died. He fell off the roof and was dead.

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EXERCISE

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs given in brackets :

1. ........................... you ........................... (go) for a walk daily?

2. The players ........................... (warm) themselves up at the moment.

3. Where ........................... you ........................... (put up) these days?

4. He ........................... (not pass) his B.A. yet.

5. ........................... you ........................... (write) letters for one hour?

6. When ........................... you ........................... from Allahabad? (return)

7. A thief ........................... into our garage last night. (break)

8. Mother ........................... tea for us when the school bus horned. (Prepare)

9. She found that the baby ........................... bitterly. (cry)

10. If you ........................... her, she would have got first division. (help)

11. The cinema show ........................... when I reached the hall. (start)

12. If she ........................... a bus, she would have caught the train. (board)

13. She ........................... hard since December. (study)

14. Sarla ........................... her friend for many years. (befool)

15. How long ...................... the two neighbours ...................... when a third one joined them? (quarrel)

16. We ........................... not ........................... to the market, in case it rains. (go)

17. She ........................... here till I return. (stay)

18. Sharda ........................... for Madras by this time tomorrow. (leave)

19. We ........................... our courses by the end of January. (complete)

20. The farmers ........................... not ........................... the harvest before September. (reap)

21. I ........................... exercise before the sun rises. (take)

22. He ........................... his lesson by next week. (learn)

23. By next year, I ........................... in Jaipur for seven years. (live)

24. Our school team ........................... the other team for the seventh time. (defeat)

25. She ........................... since 8 A.M. before I reach home at noon. (study)

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TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES

The nature of the sentences can be changed without changing the meaning of the sentences. Transformation of
a sentence means changing its form without altering its sense. Knowledge of Sentence Transformation helps
us to exapand our usage skills by testing various ways of presenting a sentence in multiple ways but without
changing its actual meaning.

1. Sentences containing the Adverb ‘Too’

We can change the form of a sentence containing the adverb ‘too’, as shown below :
1. He drove too fast for the police to catch.
He drove so fast that the police could not catch him.
2. The news is too good to be true.
The news is so good that it cannot to be true.

2. Interchange of the Degrees of Comparison

As the following examples show, it is possible to change the Degree of Comparison of an Adjective
or Adverb in a sentence, without changing the meaning of the sentence.
1. Positive : Few historians write as interestingly as Joshi.
Comparative : Joshi writes more interestingly than most historians.
2. Positive : I am as strong as him.
Comparative : He is not stronger than me.
3. Positive : This razor is not as sharp as that one.
Comparative: That razor is sharper than this one.

3. Interchange of Active and Passive Voice

A sentence in the Active form can be changed into the Passive form, and vice versa :-
1. Active : I know her.
Passive : She is known to me.
2. Active : It is time to shut up the shop.
Passive : It is time for the shop to be shut up.
3. Active : The people will make him President.
Passive : He will be made President by the people.

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4. Interchange of Affirmative and Negative Sentences

Study the following examples :
1. He is greater than me.
I am not so great as him.
2. Brutus loved Caesar.
Brutus was not without love for Caesar.

5. Interchange of Interrogative and Assertive Sentences

Study the following examples :
1. When can their glory fade.
Their glory can never fade.
2. How can man die better than facing fearful odds?
Man cannot die better than facing fearful odds.

6. Interchange of Exclamatory and Assertive Sentences

Study the following examples :
1. How beautiful is night!
Night is very beautiful.
2. Alas that youth should pass away!
It is sad to think that youth should pass away.

7. Interchange of One Part of Speech for Another

Study the following examples :
1. The Act made the negro slaves free.
The Act gave freedom to the negro slaves.
2. There is a slight difference between the two shades.
The two shades are slightly different.
3. He showed generosity even to his enemies.
He was generous even to his enemies.

8. Conversion of Simple Sentences to Compound Sentences

A Simple sentence can be converted into a Compound one by enlarging a word or a phrase into a
Co-ordinate clause.
1. Simple : The teacher punished the boy for disobedience.
Compound : The boy was disobedient, and so the teacher punished him.

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2. Simple : Notwithstanding his hard work, he did not succeed.

Compound : He worked hard, yet did not succeed.
3. Simple : He must not attempt to escape, on pain of death.
Compound : He must not attempt to escape, or he will be put to death.

9. Conversion of Compound (Double) Sentence to Simple Sentences

The following examples illustrate the chief ways of converting Compound sentences to Simple sentences.
1. Compound : We must eat, or we cannot live.
Simple : We must eat to live.
2. Compound : You must either pay the bill at once or return the goods.
Simple : Failing prompt payment, the goods must be returned by you.

10. Conversion of Simple Sentences to Complex

A Simple sentence can be converted to a Complex sentence by expanding a word or phrase into a
Subordinate clause.
This clause may be a Noun. Adjective or Adverb clause.
1. Simple : He worked hard to pass the examination.
Complex : He worked hard so that he might pass the examination.
2. Simple : He owed his success to his father.
Complex : It was owing to his father that he succeeded.
3. Simple : On the arrival of the mails the steamer will leave.
Complex : The steamer will leave as soon as the mails arrive.

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Exercise

1. Choose the most appropriate options by transforming the given sentences as directed:
(a) How gorgeous is the sunset! (assertive)
(i) How is the sunset so gorgeous?
(ii) The sunset is gorgeous, isnt it?
(iii) The sunset is very gorgeous.
(iv) How gorgeous the sunset is!
(b) No other metal is as expensive as gold. (superlative)
(i) No other metal except gold is expensive.
(ii) Gold is expensive of all the metals.
(iii) Isn’t gold the most expensive of all metals?
(iv) Gold is the most expensive of all metals.
(c) My ambition is to serve the country. (complex)
(i) My ambition to serve my country is big.
(ii) My ambition is that I shall serve my country.
(iii) To serve my country is my ambition.
(iv) I serve my country is my great ambition.
(d) That chocolate is not as sweet as this one. (comparative)
(i) The chocolates vary in their sweetness.
(ii) This chocolate is sweeter than that chocolate.
(iii) This chocolate is not sweeter than that chocolate.
(iv) This chocolate is sweeter than that one.
2. Rewrite the following sentences without changing their meaning.
(a) It is never too late to mend.
(b) Abdul is as strong as his brother.
(c) Very few cities in India are as big as Chennai.
(d) He pretended to be a baron.
(e) Who taught you Urdu?
(f) My watch has been stolen.
(g) He is sometimes foolish.

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REORDERING OF SENTENCES
Choose the most appropriate option by rearranging the words and phrases into meaningful
sentences.
1. crowded/ railway platform/ last Sunday/ the/was/ unusually
a) The railway platform was unusually crowded last Sunday.
b) Last Sunday the railway platform was unusually crowded.
c) Unusually the railway platform was crowded last Sunday.
d) Was the railway platform unusually crowded last Sunday.
2. vendors/ carrying/ were at/ sweet smelling/ flowers/ the/ platform
a) At the platform vendors carrying sweet smelling flowers were.
b) Vendors were at the platform carrying sweet smelling flowers.
c) Vendors carrying sweet smelling flowers were at the platform.
d) Sweet smelling flowers were at the platform vendors carrying.
3. the train/ how/ they/ we wondered/ would/ get/ on
a) They would get on the train we wondered how.
b) We wondered how they would get on the train.
c) How we wondered they would get on the train.
d) How they would get on the train we wondered.
4. my winning a medal/ I told him/ until/ about/ not known/ he had
a) He had not known about my winning a medal until I told him.
b) About my winning a medal he had not known until I told him.
c) He had not known until I told him about my winning a medal.
d) Until I told him he had not known about my winning a medal.
5. how/ you had/ at the interview/ done/ us/ let/ know
a) How you had done at the interview let us know.
b) How you had done let us know at the interview.
c) At the interview let us know how you had done.
d) Let us know how you had done at the interview.
6. completely/ being/ deaf,/ can’t/ anything/ he/ hear
a) He can’t hear anything, being completely deaf.
b) Being completely deaf, he can’t hear anything.
c) Completely being deaf, he can’t hear anything.
d) Anything being completely deaf, he can’t hear.

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7. the few/ rupees/ I had/ I’ve/ spent already

a) I’ve already spent the few rupees I had.
b) I had I’ve already spent the few rupees.
c) Few rupees I had I’ve already spent the.
d) The few rupees I had I’ve already spent.
8. gap/ father/ generation/ son/ though/ and/ blood/ have/ separates/ they/ relation
a) Though they have blood relation generation gap separates father and son.
b) Generation gap though they have blood relation separates father and son.
c) Generation gap separates father and son though they have blood relation.
d) Though they have blood relation father and son generation gap separates.
9. changed/ educated/ his/ Ratna/ Ranga/ seeing/ mind/ after
a) Educated Ranga changed his mind after seeing Ratna.
b) After seeing Ratna educated Ranga changed his mind.
c) Ranga changed his mind after seeing educated Ratna.
d) Ranga changed his educated mind after seeing Ratna.
10. Sachin Tendulker/ appointed/ as/ brand/ has/ Rio/ Ambassador/ been/ of/ Olympics
a) As Brand Ambassador of Rio Olympics Sachin Tendulker has been appointed.
b) Sachin Tendulker as Brand Ambassador has been appointed of Rio Olympics.
c) Sachin Tendulker has been appointed as Rio Brand Ambassador of Olympics.
d) Sachin Tendulker has been appointed as Brand Ambassador of Rio Olympics.

Look at the words and phrases below. Rearrange them to form meaningful sentences.
1. every student / wants to be / and works hard / successful / to achieve it / in the examination
2. does not / extremely hard / some work / on them / but lady luck / smile
3. sometimes / for success / gets and opportunity / and he avails / without delay / a person / of it
4. and thoughtful arrangement / in any venture / of material / proper planning / are essential ingredients /
successful / to be
5. parents / are those / blessed / caring / and / who have / loving
6. flowers / parents / of his / a child’s life / the support / if he has
7. to us / provide / are / that / the pillars / strength / parents
8. in life / helps us / overcome / obstacles / their / advice / our failures / not only / but also helps / remove
9. most valuable / man’s possession / character / is the / of a
10. truthfulness, honest living, / purity of thought / based on / character is / moral outlook, / and deed

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INTEGRATED GRAMMAR

(Editing : Errors)
1. The following passages have not been edited. There is an error in each line. Underline the
error and write the correct word in front of it in the space provided. The first one has been
done for you as an example.
Incorrect Correct
(i) Dance is an art form is e.g., is as
well known, for dance as a (a) ........................ ........................
therapy is not known in many. (b) ........................ ........................
Dance therapy involves a synthesis (c) ........................ ........................
of the grace and vigour on Indian (d) ........................ ........................
classical and folk dance
movements into a innnovative (e) ........................ ........................
holistic therapy. It brings over the (f) ........................ ........................
inner feelings for the participants (g) ........................ ........................
and can help them with develop a (h) ........................ ........................
healthy personality.
Incorrect Correct
(ii) The city police have a decided e.g., have has
to taking stern action against (a) ........................ ........................
drivers which attempt to (b) ........................ ........................
overtake in the left (c) ........................ ........................
side in city roads. All (d) ........................ ........................
driver who violate this rule (e) ........................ ........................
will be punish. The first offence will (f) ........................ ........................
invited penalty of fine. The (g) ........................ ........................
second will incur cancelling of (h) ........................ ........................
the driving licence.

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Incorrect Correct
(iii) Kut-kut was an hardworking e.g., an a
squirrel. She lived on a tree-hole (a) ........................ ........................
She was over the impression that (b) ........................ ........................
she has enough food in store for the (c) ........................ ........................
bad days, until she finds that (d) ........................ ........................
someone had been stealing his nuts (e) ........................ ........................
she go to the owl to (f) ........................ ........................
find an solution to her problem. (g) ........................ ........................
The old owl listen to her problem (h) ........................ ........................
patiently.
Incorrect Correct
(iv) "I've been to lots for restaurants e.g., for of
and they have all seemed to being friendly (a) ........................ ........................
places. That's why in a recent Monday (b) ........................ ........................
night, I stopped at one to a cup of coffee. (c) ........................ ........................
I am returning home after an all day, car (d) ........................ ........................
trip and needed something for help me travel (e) ........................ ........................
the last 45 miles. The place is quiet and (f) ........................ ........................
lonely then I entered a long wait, a tired (g) ........................ ........................
looking waitress, approached me and her (h) ........................ ........................
order pad.

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