27599592 essential english
TRANSCRIPT
ESSENTIAL
ENGLISH GRAMMAR
FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL
by
Y. A. AYOUB
The picture on the cover shows school children of Vuillemin Govt School in 2006.
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Dear fellow friends,
I am a primary school teacher from Mauritius (an island in the Indian Ocean).
While teaching English to kids of 10 & 11 years old I realised that they needed a little booklet with some essentials grammar that they could use as reference. So I compiled all that you can see in the following pages.
I saw dramatic changes, in the kids. They were doing their homework with more joy. Each time they were researching the booklet and found that English exercises are easy to do. Later on in less than two months they almost knew it well.
However I still consider that the most important aspect of English communication is the ability to read and write in English. Thereafter success starts when the kids have mastered the various grammatical difficulties.
A little caution is that this booklet must be used by the kids after explanation by the teacher or a parent. Simple exercises must be given to them and telling them to look at such or such pages. Emphasis must not be put on learning by heart. These are not songs or poems that a kid needs to learn by heart. After doing some constant grammar exercises the kid would undoubtedly master the whole booklet.
Names appearing in the booklet at the verbs section are mainly of my students in 2002 when I first compiled all that is found here.
If however u see any mistakes or have any other idea u may get into contact with me on [email protected]
Make Education a priority.
Yousoof A. Ayoub
27 February 2010
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Comparison of Adjectives
Positive Comparative Superlative
bald
black
bold
brief
bright
broad
calm
cheap
clean
clear
clever
cold
cool
dark
dear
deep
dull
dumb
faint
balder
blacker
bolder
briefer
brighter
broader
calmer
cheaper
cleaner
clearer
cleverer
colder
cooler
darker
dearer
deeper
duller
dumber
fainter
baldest
blackest
boldest
briefest
brightest
broadest
calmest
cheapest
cleanest
clearest
cleverest
coldest
coolest
darkest
dearest
deepest
dullest
dumbest
faintest
- 4 -
fair
fast
fairer
faster
fairest
fastest
Positive Comparative Superlative
few
firm
fresh
full
grand
great
green
hard
harsh
high
keen
kind
lean
light
long
loud
low
mean
mild
narrow
fewer
firmer
fresher
fuller
grander
greater
greener
harder
harsher
higher
keener
kinder
leaner
lighter
longer
louder
lower
meaner
milder
narrower
fewest
firmest
freshest
fullest
grandest
greatest
greenest
hardest
harshest
highest
keenest
kindest
leanest
lightest
longest
loudest
lowest
meanest
mildest
narrowest
- 5 -
near
neat
nearer
neater
nearest
neatest
Positive Comparative Superlative
new
old
plain
plump
poor
proud
quick
quiet
rich
rough
shallow
sharp
short
slow
small
smart
smooth
soft
straight
strong
newer
older
plainer
plumper
poorer
prouder
quicker
quieter
richer
rougher
shallower
sharper
shorter
slower
smaller
smarter
smoother
softer
straighter
stronger
newest
oldest
plainest
plumpest
poorest
proudest
quickest
quietest
richest
roughest
shallowest
sharpest
shortest
slowest
smallest
smartest
smoothest
softest
straightest
strongest
- 6 -
sweet
tall
sweeter
taller
sweetest
tallest
Positive Comparative Superlative
thick
tight
tough
vain
warm
weak
young
thicker
tighter
tougher
vainer
warmer
weaker
younger
thickest
tightest
toughest
vainest
warmest
weakest
youngest
Positive Comparative Superlative
bigcrueldimfatfitflatgladgrimmadredsadslim
biggercruellerdimmerfatterfitterflattergladdergrimmermadderreddersadderslimmer
biggestcruellestdimmestfattestfittestflattestgladdestgrimmestmaddestreddestsaddestslimmest
- 7 -
thinwet
thinnerwetter
thinnestwettest
Positive Comparative Superlative
- 8 -
angry
bushy
busy
chubby
clumsy
cosy
crafty
crazy
creamy
deadly
dirty
dry
early
easy
empty
friendly
funny
gloomy
glossy
hairy
angrier
bushier
busier
chubbier
clumsier
cosier
craftier
crazier
creamier
deadlier
dirtier
drier
earlier
easier
emptier
friendlier
funnier
gloomier
glossier
hairier
angriest
bushiest
busiest
chubbiest
clumsiest
cosiest
craftiest
craziest
creamiest
deadliest
dirtiest
driest
earliest
easiest
emptiest
friendliest
funniest
gloomiest
glossiest
hairiest
Positive Comparative Superlative
- 9 -
happy
hasty
hearty
heavy
holy
hungry
jolly
lazy
lively
lonely
lucky
merry
milky
muddy
naughty
noisy
oily
rosy
salty
shabby
silly
speedy
happier
hastier
heartier
heavier
holier
hungrier
jollier
lazier
livelier
lonelier
luckier
merrier
milkier
muddier
naughtier
noisier
oilier
rosier
saltier
shabbier
sillier
speedier
happiest
hastiest
heartiest
heaviest
holiest
hungriest
jolliest
laziest
liveliest
loneliest
luckiest
merriest
milkiest
muddiest
naughtiest
noisiest
oiliest
rosiest
saltiest
shabbiest
silliest
speediest
Positive Comparative Superlative
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tasty
thirsty
tidy
tiny
tricky
ugly
wealthy
witty
tastier
thirstier
tidier
tinier
trickier
uglier
wealthier
wittier
tastiest
thirstiest
tidiest
tiniest
trickiest
ugliest
wealthiest
wittiest
Positive Comparative Superlative
bad
good / well
far
far
little
much / many
worse
better
further
farther
less
more
worst
best
furthest
farthest
least
most
Positive Comparative Superlative
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ablebluecloseeeriefeeblefinefreegravehumblelargelatenicenoblepalepurerarerudesafesimplestrangevaguewhitewidewise
ablerbluerclosereerierfeeblerfinerfreergraverhumblerlargerlaternicernoblerpalerpurerrarerrudersafersimplerstrangervaguerwhiterwiderwiser
ablestbluestclosesteeriestfeeblestfinestfreestgravesthumblestlargestlatestnicestnoblestpalestpurestrarestrudestsafestsimpleststrangestvaguestwhitestwidestwisest
Positive Comparative Superlative
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agile
ancient
awful
beautiful
careful
cautious
comfortable
dangerous
difficult
distant
drunk
eager
essential
excellent
expensive
faithful
famous
fantastic
fearful
foolish
glorious
gorgeous
more agile
more ancient
more awful
more beautiful
more careful
more cautious
more comfortable
more dangerous
more difficult
more distant
more drunk
more eager
more essential
more excellent
more expensive
more faithful
more famous
more fantastic
more fearful
more foolish
more glorious
more gorgeous
most agile
most ancient
most awful
most beautiful
most careful
most cautious
most comfortable
most dangerous
most difficult
most distant
most drunk
most eager
most essential
most excellent
most expensive
most faithful
most faithful
most fantastic
most fearful
most foolish
most glorious
most gorgeous
Positive Comparative Superlative
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gracious
intelligent
interesting
just
loyal
modest
musical
necessary
obedient
obstinate
patient
punctual
rapid
real
religious
respectable
ridiculous
rotten
satisfactory
serious
sincere
more gracious
more intelligent
more interesting
more just
more loyal
more modest
more musical
more necessary
more obedient
more obstinate
more patient
more punctual
more rapid
more real
more religious
more respectable
more ridiculous
more rotten
more satisfactory
more serious
more sincere
most gracious
most intelligent
most interesting
most just
most loyal
most modest
most musical
most necessary
most obedient
most obstinate
most patient
most punctual
most rapid
most real
most religious
most respectable
most ridiculous
most rotten
most satisfactory
most serious
most sincere
Positive Comparative Superlative
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slippery
stubborn
terrible
timid
tired
unique
valuable
violent
more slippery
more stubborn
more terrible
more timid
more tired
more unique
more valuable
more violent
most slippery
most stubborn
most terrible
most timid
most tired
most unique
most valuable
most violent
Antonyms or Opposites
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absentarriveasleepbadbeautifulbentbetterbigbitterblackbravebrightcheapcleanclevercoarsecoldcrueldeepdepthdifficultdryearlyfarfatfirstfoolish
presentdepartawakegooduglystraightworsesmallsweetwhitecowardlydull / darkexpensivedirtystupidsmoothhotkindshallowheighteasywetlatenearthin / leanlastwise
generoushardheavyhighhumblelargelongnewoldopenpolitepoortamevaguewidebroad
accept attackbuycomedividefailforgetfoundgive
selfish / stingysoftlightlowproudtinyshortoldyoungshutruderichwildclearnarrownarrow
refusedefendsellgounite / joinsucceedrememberlostreceive / take
hatelearn
loveteach
above apart
belowtogether
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praisepunishrevealwin
this
these
hurry up
condemnrewardconceallose
that
those
slow down
inherefront
a littlealwayseverywherefewfriendlyoften
outthereback
muchnevernowheremanyhostileseldom
alive
answer
day
defeat
die
dwarf
east
enemy
entrance
evening
fair-play
future
guest
guilty
junior
dead
question
night
victory
live
giant
west
friend
exit
morning
foul-play
past
host
innocent
senior
land
listener
maximum
miser
moving
noise
(noisy)
(noisily)
north
opaque
peace
plural
poverty
private
summer
sea
speaker
minimum
spendthrift
stationary
silence
(quiet)
(silently)
south
transparent
war
singular
prosperity
public
winter
advantage disadvantage balance imbalance
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agree
appear
approve
arm
comfort
connect
content
continue
favour
honest
harmony
loyal
obey
order
please
pleasure
qualify
trust
Unite
legal
legible
legitimate
literate
disagree
disappear
disapprove
disarm
discomfort
disconnect
discontent
discontinue
disfavour
dishonest
disharmony
disloyal
disobey
disorder
displease
displeasure
disqualify
distrust
Disunite
illegal
illegible
illegitimate
illiterate
mobile
modest
moral
mortal
patient
perfect
polite
possible
proper
pure
regularreparableresistiblerespectiveresponsiblereverent
behavecalculatedirectfitmanage
immobile
immodest
immoral
immortal
impatient
imperfect
impolite
impossible
improper
impure
irregularirreparableirresistibleirrespectiveirresponsibleirreverent
misbehavemiscalculatemisdirectmisfitmismanage
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accurateadequateappropriatecompleteconsiderableconvenientcorrectcurabledependentdisciplineefficientexperiencefamousfertilefirmhumansanesecuresufficientvisible
carefulcheerfulhopefuljoyfulmercifulpainfulpitifuluseful
inaccurateinadequateinappropriateincompleteinconsiderableinconvenientincorrectincurableindependentindisciplineinefficientinexperienceinfamousinfertileinfirminhumaninsaneinsecureinsufficientinvisible
carelesscheerlesshopelessjoylessmercilesspainlesspitilessuseless
awarebendcannycertaincleancommonconsciouscountablecoverdodressfaithfulfithealthylikeloadnaturalpleasantpopularqualifiedreasonableseentidytietruthusualwell
unawareunbenduncannyuncertainuncleanuncommonunconsciousuncountableuncoverundoundressunfaithfulunfitunhealthyunlikeunloadunnaturalunpleasantunpopularunqualifiedunreasonableunseenuntidyuntieuntruthunusualunwell
- 19 -
ascend
encourage
exclude
export
exterior
descend
discourage
include
import
interior
external
increase
inferior
inside
inward
internal
decrease
superior
outside
outward
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COUNTABLE NOUNSSingular Plural Singular Plural
ashbrushbushdishfishwish
beachbench churchmatchtorchwatchwitch
busclassgas
glassprincessWaitress
kiss
boxfoxtax
ashesbrushesbushesdishes
fishes (fish)wishes
beachesbenches churchesmatchestorcheswatcheswitches
busesclassesgases
glassesprincesseswaitresses
kisses
boxesfoxestaxes
buffalocargoechohero
potatotomato
banjohalo
photopianoradiosolozero
alleyboy day
donkeymonkeyvalley way
buffaloescargoesechoesheroes
potatoestomatoes
banjoshalos
photospianosradiossoloszeros
alleysboysdays
donkeysmonkeysvalleysways
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Singular Plural Singular Plural
ally armyauntybabybodycity
countrycry
daisydiary
dictionaryfactory
fairyferryfly
ladylibrarylorry
ministrypartypony
puppystory
university
alliesarmiesauntiesbabiesbodiescities
countriescries
daisiesdiaries
dictionariesfactoriesfairiesferriesflies
ladieslibrarieslorries
ministriespartiesponiespuppiesstories
universities
calfelfhalf
hoof leafloafthief
scarf shelfself
sheafwolf
wharf
wifelife
knife
cliffcuffgulfroof
calveselveshalveshooves (hoofs)leavesloavesthievesscarves shelvesselvessheaveswolveswharves (wharfs)
wiveslivesknives
cliffscuffsgulfsroofs
- 22 -
Singular Plural Singular Plural
bacteriumdielarvaoasisradius
boy-friendbrother-in-
lawgirl-friendmother-in
law son-in-law
step-daughterstep-son
runner-uppasser-byonlooker
handwritinghandfulcupful
mouse-trap
mouselouse
bacteriadicelarvaeoasesradii
boy-friendsbrothers-in-
lawgirl-friendsmothers-in-
lawsons-in-law
step-daughtersstep-sons
runners-uppassers-byonlookershandwritingshandfulscupfulsmouse-traps
micelice
manwoman
gentlemanpolicemanpostman
salesman
footgoosetooth
doorfloor roof
childox
cannondeerfish
cattlezebragiraffe sheep
salmon
menwomengentlemenpolicemenpostmensalesmen
feetgeeseteeth
doorsfloorsroofs
childrenoxen
cannon(cannons)deerfish (fishes)cattlezebragiraffesheepSalmon
- 23 -
COUNTABLE NOUNS, WHICH ARE ALWAYS IN THE PLURAL
bellowsbelongingsbinocularsbracesclothes
headquartersplierspyjamasscales scissors
seriesspeciesspectaclestights
tongs trouserstweezerswages
UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
Those which are always in the Singular formairatmosphereattentionbarleybeautybreadbutterclothcottondarkness
dirtelectricityequipmentfeverfirefoodfurniturefurniture honestyinformation
inkjamknowledgelabourlightmachinerymeat medicinemedicinerain
ricesandsightsilksmokespacetrafficwaterwheatwood
Uncountable nouns which are always in the Plural
athleticsmathematics
measlesmumps
newsphysics
politicsrickets
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GENDER
Masculine Feminine Masculine Feminineactor
bachelorboy
bridegroombrotherfather
gentlemangrandfather
grandpaheirhero
husbandlad
managermastermonk
nephewshepherd
sirson
stewardunclewaiter
widowerwizard
actressspinster
girlbridesister
motherlady
grandmothergrandmaheiressheroine
wifelass
manageressmistress
nunniece
shepherdess
madamdaughter
stewardessaunt
waitresswidowwitch
countduke
emperorking
princesultan
billy-goatboarbuckbull
bullockcockdeerdog
drakeganderhorse
oxramstag
stallion
countessduchessempressqueen
princesssultana
nanny-goatsowdoecow
heiferhenhindbitchduck
goosemarecowewehindmare
- 25 -
Irregular verbsPresent Tense
Present Participle
Past Tense
Past Participle
Plural verb /
Infinitive
Singular verbs
- 26 -
are (to be)beginbiteblowbreakbringbuildburnbuycatchchoosecomecutdigdodrawdrinkdriveeatfallfeedfeelfight
am / isbeginsbitesblowsbreaksbringsbuildsburnsbuyscatcheschoosescomescutsdigsdoesdrawsdrinksdriveseatsfallsfeedsfeelsfights
beingbeginningbitingblowingbreakingbringingbuildingburningbuyingcatchingchoosingcomingcuttingdiggingdoingdrawingdrinkingdrivingeatingfallingfeedingfeelingfighting
was / werebeganbitblewbrokebroughtbuiltburntboughtcaughtchosecamecutdugdiddrewdrankdroveatefellfedfeltfought
beenbegunbittenblownbrokenbroughtbuiltburntboughtcaughtchosencomecutdugdonedrawndrunkdriveneatenfallenfedfeltfought
Present TensePresent
ParticiplePast
TensePast
ParticiplePlural verb /
infinitive
Singular verbs
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findfly forgetforgivefreezegetgivegogrowhavehearheavehidehitholdhurtkeepkneelknowlaylie (down)lie leadlearnleave
findsfliesforgetsforgivesfreezesgetsgivesgoesgrowshashearsheaveshideshitsholdshurtskeepskneelsknowslaysliesliesleadslearnsleaves
findingflyingforgettingforgivingfreezinggettinggivinggoinggrowinghavinghearingheavinghidinghittingholdinghurtingkeepingkneelingknowinglayinglyinglyingleadinglearningleaving
foundflewforgotforgavefrozegotgavewentgrewhadheardhovehidhitheldhurtkeptkneltknewlaidlayliedledlearntleft
foundflownforgottenforgivenfrozengotgivengonegrownhadheardhovehiddenhitheldhurtkeptkneltknownlaidlainliedledlearntleft
Present TensePresent
ParticiplePast
TensePast
ParticiplePlural verb /
infinitive
Singular verbs
- 28 -
lightlosemakemeetpayrideringriserunsawseesellshakeshineshootshowshutsingsinksitsleepspeakspend
lightslosesmakesmeetspaysridesringsrisesrunssawsseessellsshakesshinesshootsshowsshutssingssinkssitssleepsspeaksspends
lightinglosingmakingmeetingpayingridingringingrisingrunningsawingseeingsellingshakingshiningshootingshowingshuttingsingingsinkingsittingsleepingspeakingspending
litlostmademet paidroderangroseransawedsawsoldshookshoneshotshowedshutsangsanksatsleptspokespent
litlostmademetpaidriddenrungrisenrunsawnseensoldshakenshoneshotshownshutsungsunksatsleptspokenspent
Present TensePresent
ParticiplePast
TensePast
ParticiplePlural verb /
infinitive
Singular verbs
- 29 -
standstealswimswingtaketeachteartellthinkthrowwakewrite
standsstealsswims swingstakesteachestearstellsthinksthrows wakeswrites
standingstealingswimmingswingingtakingteachingtearingtellingthinkingthrowingwakingwriting
stoodstoleswam swungtooktaughttoretoldthoughtthrewwokewrote
stoodstolenswumswungtakentaughttorntoldthoughtthrown wokenwritten
VERBS
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1. THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE
• is used for general truth • is used for habitual actions• is used with the following words: always; often; sometimes; most of the times; daily; weekly; monthly; yearly; usually; rarely; everyday; every month; every year; every morning…
• NEGATIVE, INTERROGATIVE & QUESTION TAGS
1. The boys eat their lunch in the classroom everyday. The boys do not eat their lunch in the classroom everyday. Do the boys eat their lunch in the classroom everyday? The girls usually play volleyball in the yard, don’t they? Kersley and I don’t like naughty pupils, do we?
2. Mother goes to the market every Saturday. Mother does not go to the market every Saturday. Does mother go to the market every Saturday? Anouchka sings very well, doesn’t she? My grandfather does not like cold drinks, does he?
3. We are good children. We are not good children. Are we good children? I am in the classroom, aren’t I? He is not there, is he?
2. THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE
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(The present continuous tense is also known as the Present Progressive)
is used to show an action which is still going on and is not yet completedis used with the following words: now; at this moment; at present; still;is used with the following expressions: Look! Wait! Listen!
NEGATIVE, INTERROGATIVE & QUESTION TAGS
1. We are playing football at this moment.We are not playing football at this moment.Are we playing football at this moment?Tico and Goulou are going to school, aren’t they?You aren’t hiding from me, are you?
2. Dad is listening to the music now.Dad is not listening to the music now.Is dad listening to the music now?Vikash is singing a beautiful song, isn’t he?I am standing on the top of the Pouce Mountain, aren’t I?I am not sitting on the floor, am I?
3. THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE
- 32 -
• The simple past tense is used for action already completed in the past. • Is used with the following words: yesterday; this morning; ago; formerly; in the past; last week / month / year; recently; just now…
• NEGATIVE, INTERROGATIVE & QUESTION TAGS1. Mum ate a big apple yesterday. Mum didn’t eat a big apple yesterday. Did Mum eat a big apple yesterday? Dilouven spoke the truth, didn’t he? Laetitia didn’t play with her doll, did she?
4. THE PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE(The past continuous tense is also known as the past
progressive)
• The past continuous tense is used to describe an action which was still going on while another past action was already completed.[One verb is in the simple past tense and the other verb is in the past continuous tense]• Is used with the following words: while; as; when.
Examples: 1. While Belle was sleeping she dreamt of the school.2. As Cololo was cycling he fell down.3. When I arrived at the school my friends were playing.
- 33 -
5. THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
• The present perfect tense is used to describe an action which has been completed.
[The present perfect tense has two parts: verb to have in the present tense and the other verb must be written in the past participle.]
• Is used with the following words: already; ever; never; just; since; for; twice; yet.
Examples: 1. Maroushka has already gone to Port-Louis.2. I have written on the blackboard twice.3. A deer has just run in front of us.
6. THE PAST PERFECT TENSE
• The past perfect tense is used to describe an action which was completed before another action in the past
[one verb is in the simple past tense and the other in the past perfect tense]
• Is used with the following words: after; before; already; when; just
Examples: 1. After Selvina had played badminton she returned home.2. I had done my homework before mum asked me.3. Kevin told me that he had already eaten his lunch.4. Andy had already spent his money when he saw Andrew.
- 34 -
7. THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE
• The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action started in the past but not yet completed at the time of speaking. [ the verb has 3 parts (i) has or have (ii) been and (iii) the present participle of the verb ]• It is used with the following words: since, for
Examples: 1. I have been waiting for you since this morning. 2. My cousin has been working for more than five hours.
- 35 -
8. THE SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE
• The simple future tense is used for an action that will take place later.
• Is used with the following words: tomorrow; tonight; soon; hence; this afternoon; next week / month / year…
• Is used with if, unless, until, when, as soon as + the present tense
Examples: 1. I shall do my homework tonight. 2. Morgheeni and Yorgheeni will visit the museum
tomorrow. 3. If Steevie comes to school he will play in our team. 4. As soon as you give me the book I shall read it.
• The future tense is also used with after, before, when + the present perfect tense
Examples: 1. After Kayzy has finished his classwork he will have the sweets.
• NEGATIVE, INTERROGATIVE & QUESTION TAGS
1. The girl will talk to her next Saturday.2. The girl will not talk to her next Saturday.3. Will the girl talk to her next Saturday?4. Jeff will fish in the lagoon, won’t he?5. Sadmee and I shall play tennis tomorrow, shan’t we?
- 36 -
9. THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE
• The future continuous tense is used to describe an action in progress at some time in the future.
Examples: At this time tomorrow Nushreen will be flying to Dubai.
10. THE CONDITIONAL TENSE
•One verb in the past and the other one in the conditional• If + past tense = conditional•The conditional tense is also called future in the past
Examples:
If Elodie found the money she would have told Nadia.
Devin told me that he would climb Le Pouce Mountain.
- 37 -
(to be)I should beYou would beHe would beWe should beThey would be
11. THE GERUND
• The Gerund ends in ing•A Gerund can act as a noun and an adjective.• Before a gerund articles: a, an, the can be used•Prepositions are also often used before a gerund.
Examples: 1. Swimming is a good exercise.2. Collecting stamps is Anu’s favourite hobby.3. The chirping of the birds is melodious to listen.4. Brayan is very good at drawing.5. A toothbrush is used for brushing one’s teeth.6. Anju and Fleurette enjoy singing and dancing.7. Garrick likes talking on the phone.
12. THE PAST PARTICIPLE
• The past participle is used after has, have, had
Examples: 1. Francesca has eaten her bread.2. Hansley and Gianto have been to the beach.3. Stephanie had prepared the juice.
• Is used in passive sentences. Examples: 1. The answer is known by Kareshma.
2. The trees are being planted by Iteen and Vikash.
- 38 -
13. THE INFINITIVE
The infinitive is the verb which does not change its form at allExamples: 1. This calculation is difficult to do.
2. It takes a lot of hard work to succeed.3. Christelle saw the burglar break into the house.
14. THE SUPPOSITIONAL PAST (Subjunctive mood)
It is also called the unreal past. It’s a set of verb forms (moods) used to express doubt, wishes, situations that do not actually exist. After the following words the past tense is used:
I wish, as if, as though, if only, I’d rather, suppose!
Examples: 1. I wish you knew me at that time. 2. I feel as if the dog understood everything. 3. Suppose he came here at this moment! 4. I wish she were here to see me getting this prize.
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When a Singular verb is used
1. An uncountable noun is used with a singular verbExamples: 1. Milk is good for our body.
2. The smoke rises up in the sky.
2. Everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody, everyone, someone, anyone, no one, one, none, one of, more than one, each, every, either, neither, another, either of, neither of are the words which take the singular verbs
Examples: 1. Everybody eats food everyday.2. Someone is knocking at the door at this moment.3. One of them sings very well.4. Each of the girls likes to eat ice-cream. 5. Either of the pupils in our class likes Nasraddin’s story.6. Neither parents wants their daughter to do scuba diving.
3. ‘some’, ‘most’ and ‘all’ take the singular verb if used with singular uncountable nouns.Examples: 1. Some of the money was spent by me.
2. All furniture of this room is black.
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4. Collective nouns (in singular) take singular verbExamples: 1. A swarm of bees always flies around the hive.
2. The staff of teachers works very hard to make the pupils succeed. 3. There is a shoal of fish near the small island.
5. Singular noun followed be ‘as well as’, ‘with’, ‘together with’, ‘like’, ‘in addition to’, ‘accompanied by’ always take the singular verb.
Examples: 1. John Lee, as well as his sister, lives in Rodrigues
2. The table, together with the six chairs, costs two thousand rupees3. My father, like all people, works very hard
6. When two singular nouns (or subjects) are joined by:‘either……..or’, ‘neither……. Nor’
Examples: 1. Either Roshan or Shameem has a computer.2. Neither Shireen nor Yasmin likes to lie.
7. ‘Much’ and ‘little’ takes singular verbs
Examples: 1. Much electricity costs a lot of money.2. A little of sugar is enough to give a lot of energy.
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Collective nounsA flock of birdsA herd of cows, cattle, buffaloesA clump of treesA swarm of bees, insectsA gang of workmen, labourers, thievesA shoal of fishA school of fish, whales, dolphinsA bouquet of flowersA bunch of flowersA bunch of bananas, grapesA collection of pictures, stampsA pack of dogsA pack of cardsA suit of clothesA block of flatsA party of friendsA staff of teachersA team of playersA troupe of dancersA set of toolsA litter of puppiesAn army of soldiers
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ACTIVE & PASSIVE VOICE
Present Tense Active: Samuella eats rice.Passive: Rice is eaten by Samuella.
Active: The boys play football.Passive: Football is played by the boysActive: Do the teachers drink tea?Passive: Is tea drunk by the teachers?
In the passive voice the verb is introduced by the verb to be (in the tense of the verb in Active Voice) and the verb is always changed into the past participle. Observe the verb to be in the passive voice, it is always in the present tense (is, are) when the sentence of the active voice is in the present tense.
Past Tense
Active: They bought cakes.Passive: Cakes was bought by them.
Active: Did they buy cakes?Passive: Were cakes bought by them?
Here the verb to be is in the past tense (was, were) because the sentence in the active voice is in the past tense.
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Present Continuous Tense
Active: We are sweeping the floor.Passive: The floor is being swept by us.
Active: Is Siddick driving the car?Passive: Is the car being driven by Siddick?
Since the sentence in the active voice is in the Present Continuous Tense, the verb to be in the Passive voice sentence is in the Present Continuous Tense (is being, are being)
© Yousoof A. AYOUB 1st publication June 2002
New revised: February 2010
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