Phrasal verbs with take exercise

Phrasal verbs with take exercise
October 3, 2013
Each sentence given below contains an incomplete phrasal verb. Complete the expression by
supplying a suitable preposition or adverb particle. Choose your answer from the options given
in the brackets.
1. She takes ……………………… her grandmother. (after / off / in)
2. They assaulted the watchmen and took many precious paintings ………………………. (down
/ away / back)
3. These shoes don’t fit. I am going to take them ……………………… to the store. (back /
away / off)
4. Don’t take him ………………… an idiot. (for / in / off)
5. The dress was loose for me so I took it to the tailor and got it taken …………………… (in /
off / down)
6. Please take your shoes ……………………… before entering the temple. (down / off / away)
7. How are you going to meet the deadlines if you take ………………………. too many
projects? (on / in / over)
8. If you love Susie why don’t you take her ………………………. on a date? (out / up / off)
9. He took ………………… farming after retirement. (up / in / on)
10. We will take this issue ………………………. when we meet next week. (up / on / over)
Answers
1. She takes after her grandmother. (= She resembles her grandmother.)
2. They assaulted the watchmen and took many precious paintings away. (To take something
away is to seize it by force.)
3. These shoes don’t fit. I am going to take them back to the store.
4. Don’t take him for an idiot. (To take somebody for an idiot is to assume that he/she is an
idiot.)
5. The dress was loose for me so I took it to the tailor and got it taken in. (To take a dress in is to
make it smaller when sewing.)
6. Please take your shoes off before entering the temple.
7. How are you going to meet the deadlines if you take on too many projects? (To take on is to
accept responsibilities/work etc.)

8. If you love Susie why don’t you take her out on a date?
9. He took up farming after retirement. (To take up is to begin as a hobby.)
10. We will take this issue up when we meet next week.(To take up an issue is to discuss it.)
Conditional sentences: grammar exercise
October 2, 2013
1. If you had taken the necessary precautions, none of this ………………………………
a) would happen
b) would have happened
c) had happened
d) will happen
2. If I were you, I ………………………… that mole examined.
a) would get
b) will get
c) would have got
c) would be getting
3. If I …………………………. a lottery, I would spend all my time traveling.
a) win
b) won
c) have won
d) had won
4. Had I realized what you intended, I ………………………………. my permission.
a) would not give
b) would not have given
c) will not give
d) had not given
5. If it …………………………………… for your help, I don’t know what I would have
done.
a) wasn’t
b) hadn’t been
c) weren’t

d) hasn’t been
6. Were she my daughter, I …………………………… her to go out in that mini-frock.
a) wouldn’t have allowed
b) would not allow
c) will not allow
d) hadn’t allowed
Answers
1. If you had taken the necessary precautions, none of this would have happened. (In a type 3
conditional sentence, we use a past perfect tense in the if-clause and would have + past
participle in the result clause.)
2. If I were you, I would get that mole examined. (In a type 2 conditional sentence, we use a past
simple tense in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the result clause.)
3. If I won a lottery, I would spend all my time traveling. (When we use would + infinitive in the
main clause, the verb in the if-clause should be in the past simple tense.)
4. Had I realized what you intended, I would not have given my permission. (‘Had I realized’
means the same as ‘If I had realized’. If I had realized what you intended, I wouldn’t have given
my permission.)
5. If it hadn’t been for your help, I don’t know what I would have done. (We use a past perfect
tense in the if-clause when would have + past participle is used in the main clause.)
6. Were she my daughter, I would not allow her to go out in that mini-frock. (In a type 2
conditional sentence we use a past simple tense in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the
main clause. The clause ‘were she my daughter’ is actually a shortened form of the clause ‘if she
were my daughter’.)
Active and passive voice worksheet
September 29, 2013
Test your knowledge of active and passive voice with this grammar exercise. Each sentence
given below is in the active voice. Change it into passive voice.
1. He sings a song.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………

2. The boy killed the spider.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………
3. Help him.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………
4. Farmers sow maize in the rainy season.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………
5. Are you writing a letter?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………
6. The workers were digging a canal.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………
7. I will finish the job by the end of this week.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………
8. Have you finished your job?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………
9. They have informed him of his mother’s death.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………
10. They took all the necessary precautions.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………
Answers
1. A song is sung by him. (Active verb – sings; passive verb – is sung)
2. The spider was killed by the boy. (Active verb – killed; passive verb – was killed)

3. Let him be helped. (Imperative sentences in the passive voice begin with let.)
4. Maize is sown in the rainy season. (Active verb – sow; passive verb – is/are sown)
5. Is a letter being written by you? (Active verb – is/are writing; passive verb – is/are being
written)
6. A canal was being dug by the workers. (Active verb – was/were digging; passive verb –
was/were being dug)
7. The job will be finished (by me) by the end of this week. (Active verb – will finish; passive
verb –will be finished)
8. Has your job been finished by you? (Active verb – has/have finished; passive verb – has/have
been finished)
9. He has been informed of his mother’s death. (Active verb – has/have informed; passive verb
– has/have been informed)
10. All the necessary precautions were taken by them. (Active verb – took; passive verb –
was/were taken)
If or unless?
September 28, 2013
Hints
Unless has a similar meaning to if not. Study the examples given below.
Unless she works hard she will not pass.
If she does not work hard, she will not pass.
Complete the following sentences using if or unless.
1. I will take the job ………………………… the pay is too low.
2. She will not buy the house ………………………… you lower the price.
3. They will not come ………………………… you invite them.
4. You will not lose that belly fat …………………………… you do not exercise.
5. Let’s go for a walk – …………………………… you are too tired.
6. ……………………………. you stop smoking, you will get cancer.
7. I wouldn’t be able to do it, ……………………………. she didn’t help me.
8. She will be very upset ……………………… I don’t wish her on her birthday.
9. ……………………… you give me the keys, I will kill you.

10. ……………………… you don’t leave this place at once, I will call the police.
Answers
1. I will take the job unless the pay is too low.
2. She will not buy the house unless you lower the price.
3. They will not come unless you invite them.
4. You will not lose that belly fat if you do not exercise.
5. Let’s go for a walk – unless you are too tired.
6. Unless you stop smoking, you will get cancer.
7. I wouldn’t be able to do it, if she didn’t help me.
8. She will be very upset if I don’t wish her on her birthday.
9. Unless you give me the keys, I will kill you.
10. If you don’t leave this place at once, I will call the police.
Much, many, a lot of, lots of etc
September 27, 2013
We can use numbers with countable nouns. For example, we can say two girls and six eggs.
Many and much
Sometimes it is not possible or necessary to give an exact number like this. Then we use a
quantifier like many.
• There were many children in the park. (We don’t know the exact number of children.)
• There are many mangoes on the tree.
• She has many friends.
We cannot use numbers with uncountable nouns. For example, we can’t say two water or three
honey.
However, we can give an idea of amount or quantity by using the word much with uncountable
nouns. Note that much is mainly used in questions and negative sentences.
• How much money do you have?
• There isn’t much food left.
• There isn’t much space in this room.
Some
Some can be used with countable and uncountable nouns.

• I have bought some eggs. (Here we use some with the countable noun eggs.)
• There is some water in the bottle. (Here we use some with the uncountable noun water.)
Some is mainly used in affirmative sentences. In negative sentences, we use any.
• Is there any water in the bottle?
A lot of / lots of
A lot of / lots of can also be used with both countable and uncountable nouns. Note that there is
hardly any difference between a lot of and lots of. A lot of and lots of are mainly used in
affirmative sentences. In questions and negatives we express the same idea using much and
many.
• I have watched lots of English films.
• I haven’t watched many English films. (More natural than ‘I haven’t watched lots of
English films.’)
• She has been giving me a lot of trouble. (Here we use a lot of with the uncountable noun
trouble.)
Concession and contrast: grammar
worksheet
September 26, 2013
Rewrite the following sentences beginning them with the given words:
1. He worked hard, but he couldn’t pass the test.
In spite of …………………………………………………………………….
2. It was late, but we decided to go out.
Although …………………………………………………………………….
3. She is rich, but she is not happy.
Despite …………………………………………………………………….
4. She had a bad teacher. Still, she passed her exams.
In spite of …………………………………………………………………….
5. She lives next door but we rarely see each other.
Although …………………………………………………………………….
6. He faced many setbacks, but he didn’t lose hope.
In spite of …………………………………………………………………….

7. Although she is a foreigner, she speaks English remarkably well.
In spite of …………………………………………………………………….
8. In spite of earning a good salary, she finds it difficult to make both ends meet.
Although …………………………………………………………………….
9. She lives close to her office; however, she is always late for work.
In spite of …………………………………………………………………….
10. Although she works three jobs in a day, she makes it a point to spend quality time with her
kids.
In spite of …………………………………………………………………….

Answers
1. In spite of working hard, he couldn’t pass the test.
2. Although it was late, we decided to go out.
3. Despite being rich, she is not happy.
4. In spite of having a bad teacher, she passed her test.
5. Although she lives next door, we rarely see each other.
6. In spite of facing many setbacks, he didn’t lose hope.
7. In spite of being a foreigner, she speaks English remarkably well.
8. Although she earns a good salary, she finds it difficult to make both ends meet.
9. In spite of living close to her office, she is always late for work.
10. In spite of working three jobs in a day, she makes it a point to spend quality time with her
kids.
Adverbs worksheet
September 24, 2013
Adverbs are words used to modify verbs. Adverbs can also be used to modify adjectives and
other adverbs.
Fill in the blanks with suitable adverbs from the box. Write the kind of adverb against each
sentence. The same adverb can be used more than once.
Occasionally Sometimes Usually Rarely Once
Very Never Mostly Often always

1. I …………………… go to bed at 10 o’clock. (…………………………………)
2. I have …………………. been to the USA. (…………………………………)
3. I have been to Australia just ………………… (…………………………………)
4. I ………………… take a bath before I go to bed. (…………………………………)
5. My grandparents live in Kerala. I visit them ……………………
(…………………………………)
6. My friends are ………………… non-smokers. (…………………………………)
7. I was …………………… impressed with her performance. (…………………………………)
8. I ………………… go for a walk in the park. (…………………………………)
9. I watch English films …………………. (…………………………………)
10. They …………………. go out. (…………………………………)
Answers
1. I usually go to bed at 10 o’clock. (adverb of frequency)
2. I have never been to the USA. (frequency adverb)
3. I have been to Australia just once. (frequency)
4. I always take a bath before I go to bed. (frequency)
5. My grandparents live in Kerala. I visit them often. (frequency)
6. My friends are mostly non-smokers. (focusing adverb)
7. I was very impressed with her performance. (degree adverb)
8. I sometimes go for a walk in the park. (frequency adverb)
9. I watch English films occasionally. (frequency adverb)
10. They rarely go out. (frequency adverb)
Exercise 2
Complete the following with suitable adverbs. Choose from the given box.
Almost Very There Ever So
Sometimes Clearly Perhaps Seldom Certainly
1. I have ………………… finished.
2. He is ………………… clever.
3. There is …………………. something wrong.
4. ……………… I think I should take a long break.

5. ………………… her train is late.
6. He is ……………… late for work.
7. She is ……………… the right person for the job.
8. Have you ………………. wanted to run away?
9. You can see lots of flowers ……………….
10. They are ………………… beautiful.
Answers
1. I have almost finished.
2. He is very clever.
3. There is clearly something wrong.
4. I sometimes think I should take a long break.
5. Perhaps her train is late.
6. He is seldom late for work.
7. She is certainly the right person for the job.
8. Have you ever wanted to run away?
9. You can see lots of flowers there.
10. They are very beautiful.
Have had and had had
September 22, 2013
Have is one of those auxiliary verbs that can also be used as an ordinary (main) verb. When
have is used as an auxiliary verb, it helps us to form the perfect and perfect continuous tenses.
Study the examples given below.
• I have finished the report.
Here the auxiliary verb have forms the present perfect tense with the past participle finished.
• I have been working on that report.
Here the auxiliary have helps in the formation of the present perfect continuous tense.
Have can also be used as a main verb. In this case it is followed by an object. As a main verb,
have is used to talk about our possessions, relations, experiences etc.
• I have a sister.
• She has a car.

• He has a nice job.
• I have breakfast at 8.30.
• I have a shower before I go to bed.
• I have a nap in the afternoon.
When have is used as an ordinary verb, it has past and past participle forms.
• I usually have bread and butter for breakfast, but yesterday I had pasta.
• I had a heavy breakfast in the morning, now I don’t feel like eating anything.
The present perfect form of have is have had.
• ‘Have you had your breakfast?’ ‘I have had a cup of coffee, but I haven’t had anything to
eat yet.’
• I haven’t had any rest since morning.
The past perfect form of have is had had (had + past participle form of have).
The past perfect tense is used when we are talking about the past and want to refer back to an
earlier past time.
• She felt marvelous after she had had a good night’s sleep.
• They dismissed him before he had had a chance to apologize.
Transformation of degrees of comparison
September 20, 2013
We can express the same idea using different degrees of comparison. Study the sentences given
below.
John is as tall as Mike.
Tall is an adjective in the positive degree. Here we are comparing the height of two people with a
positive adjective. If John and Mike are of the same height, Mike is not taller than John.
See how the same idea is expressed using both positive and comparative adjectives.
John is as tall as Mike. = Mike is not taller than John.
Another example is given below
• Very few countries in the world are as large as China. (Positive)
• China is larger than most other countries in the world. (Comparative)
• China is one of the largest countries in the world. (Superlative)
• No other man was as strong as Hercules. (Positive)

• Hercules was stronger than any other man. (Comparative)
• Hercules was the strongest man in the world. (Superlative)
• No other boy in the class is as intelligent as James. (Positive)
• James is more intelligent than any other boy in the class. (Comparative)
• James is the most intelligent boy in the class. (Superlative)
• Very few Indian saints were as popular as Vivekananda. (Positive)
• Vivekananda was more popular than most other Indian saints. (Comparative)
• Vivekananda was one of the most popular Indian saints. (Superlative)
• Maria is not as intelligent as Sonia. (Positive)
• Sonia is more intelligent than Maria. (Comparative)
When a comparison is made between two individuals we do not normally use the superlative.
Alice is the prettier of the two sisters. (More natural than ‘Alice is the prettiest of the two
sisters.’)
Verbs – mood and tense
September 19, 2013
Read the following sentences.
Alice likes English movies.
When are you going to Chicago?
Shut that door.
If I were you, I would not let him go.
You notice that sentence 1 merely states a fact. Sentence 2 asks question. Sentence 3 is a
command. Sentence 4 makes a supposition – an impossible supposition at that, because I can
never be you.
Thus we find that verbs can be used in different ways – to state facts, to give commands, to ask
questions and so on. The manner in which a verb is used is called its mood.
There are three moods in English – Indicative, Imperative and Subjunctive.
Indicative mood
Read the sentences given below.
The sun rises in the east.
My sister lives in Paris.

She works for an insurance company.
Bernard Shaw was a great writer.
As you can see, these are all simple statements of fact.
Now look at these sentences.
What are you doing there?
When does the train leave for Manchester?
What is the price of this radio?
As you can see, these are all plain questions.
When a verb is used to state a fact or to ask a question, it is said to be in the indicative mood.
Imperative mood
A sentence which contains a command, a piece of advice or a request is said to be in the
imperative mood. Sentences beginning with let are also in the imperative mood.
Examples are given below.
Shut the door. (Order)
Keep quiet. (Order)
Please take this file with you. (Request)
Let him go.
Note that the subject is not usually mentioned when the sentence is in the imperative mood.
Subjunctive mood
The subjunctive mood is not very common in modern English. It is a kind of present simple
tense. It doesn’t take the marker –s in the third person singular.
It is important that every child get an opportunity to learn.
Showing possibility using should
September 18, 2013
We can use should to say that something is probable because it is logical or normal.
I am stronger than him, so I should be able to beat him. (It is a logical possibility.)
She has been working on that project for well over two weeks. She should be able to finish in
time.
If the sky is clear, you should be able to see Mount Everest from Tiger Hill.
Aparna should be here before 7.30 – she left office at 6 o’clock.

‘I am spending the weekend with my parents.’ ‘That should be nice.’
He has worked hard. He should be able to pass the test.
Should have + past participle
This structure is used to talk about past events that did not happen.
I should have finished that report yesterday. (It was necessary for me to finish that report
yesterday, but I couldn’t.)
You should have asked my permission before using my computer. (= It was necessary for you to
ask my permission, but you didn’t do that.)
Should have + past participle is also used to talk about past events which may or may not have
happened.
9 am. Alice should have left for office. (We don’t know whether this particular event took place,
but it is a possibility.)
Should not have + past participle
The structure should not have + past participle is used to talk about unwanted things that
happened.
You shouldn’t have shouted at her. It really upset her.
Should not have + past participle is also used to talk about negative possibilities.
It is only 4.30. She shouldn’t have left her office now.
Phrasal verbs exercise
September 17, 2013
Each sentence given below contains an incomplete phrasal verb. Complete the phrasal verb and
the sentence by supplying an appropriate particle or preposition.
1. I have promised to take my kids on a vacation, but I don’t know if I will be able to save
………… enough money.
2. My dad said that he was going to see …………… sending me abroad for higher studies.
3. I am going to the airport to see …………………… my sister.
4. I will see ……………… it that she does not get the promotion.
5. Few girls manage to see their studies ………………… after they get married and have
children.
6. I don’t think that he took the money. Somebody set him ……………………

7. He likes to show ……………… his cars and gadgets.
8. Should someone shut him ……………….?
Answers
1. I have promised to take my kids on a vacation, but I don’t know if I will be able to save up
enough money.
2. My dad said that he was going to see about sending me abroad for higher studies.
3. I am going to the airport to see off my sister.
4. I will see to it that she does not get the promotion.
5. Few girls manage to see their studies through after they get married and have children.
6. I don’t think that he took the money. Somebody set him up.
7. He likes to show off his cars and gadgets.
8. Should someone shut him up?
Explanations
To save up is to accumulate money.
To see about something is to consider it.
To see off somebody is to bid them goodbye at the beginning of their trip.
To see to something is to make sure that it happens.
To see through something is to finish it.
To set somebody up is to incriminate them falsely.
To show off something is to show it to everybody with a lot of pride.
To shut somebody up is to make them quiet.
Infinitives after auxiliaries
September 16, 2013
The infinitive is always used without to after the auxiliaries can, could, may, might, must, will,
would, shall, should, do, does and did.
• She can swim. (NOT She can to swim.) (NOT She can swimming.)
• He must obey me. (NOT He must to obey me.) (NOT He must obeying me.)
• She should understand. (NOT She should to understand.) (NOT She should
understanding.)
The modal auxiliary ought is an exception to this rule. It is followed by an infinitive with to.

• She ought to behave. (NOT She ought behave.) (NOT She ought behaving.)
The primary auxiliaries be (is, am, are, was and were) and have (has, have and had) can be
followed by an infinitive with to.
• She is to retire next year. (NOT She is retire next year.)
• He has to pay the fine. (NOT He has pay the fine.)
The modal auxiliaries need and dare can be followed by an infinitive with or without to. The
grammar is different.
In questions and negatives need is usually followed by an infinitive without to. In affirmative
sentences, need is usually followed by an infinitive with to.
• Need I wait any longer?
• Need I consult a specialist?
• You need not wait any longer.
• You need not consult a specialist.
• You need to wait for an hour or two. (More natural than ‘You need wait for an hour or
two.’)
• You need to consult a specialist.
When need is followed by an infinitive with to, we make questions and negatives with do.
• You need to sign these papers.
• Do I need to sign these papers? OR Need I sign these papers? (NOT Need I to sign these
papers?)
• You don’t need to sign these papers. OR You need not sign these papers. (NOT You
need not to sign these papers.)
Phrasal verbs beginning with put
September 15, 2013
The word put is used in a large number of phrasal verbs.
Put across
To put something across is to make it understood.
He failed to put his message across. (= He failed to convey his idea.)
People working in sales and marketing should be able to put themselves across well.
Put aside

To put something aside is to set it aside.
He was feeling sleepy, so he put his books aside and went to bed.
Put away
a) To put something away is to keep them in their proper place.
You must put away those toys when you have finished playing with them.
b) To put something away is to save them for later use.
She makes it a point to put away a few dollars each week.
c. To put something away is to discard it.
It is high time you put away those false notions.
d. Put away can also mean eat or drink a large quantity of food or beverages.
If he is really hungry he needs just two minutes to put away a full meal.
e) To put somebody away is to send them to jail.
They put him away for killing his neighbor.
f) To put an animal away is to subject them to mercy killing.
The dog was so badly wounded that the doctor had to put him away.
Put down
a) To put something down is to write it down.
b) To put somebody down is to suppress them.
The government called the military to put down the rebellion.
c) To put something down to something else is to attribute the former to the latter.
He put the mistakes down to carelessness.
c) To put somebody down is to regard or categorize them as
He was put down as a chronic nuisance.
d) To put somebody down is to belittle them.
I hate men who put their wives down in front of visitors.
Absolute phrase
September 14, 2013
When a participle and the noun that comes before it together forms an independent phrase, the
structure is often called an absolute phrase.
Examples of absolute phrases are given below.

Weather permitting we shall meet in the evening.
Here the phrase ‘weather permitting’ is an example of an absolute phrase.
God willing we shall meet again.
Here the phrase ‘God willing’ is an example of an absolute phrase.
More examples of absolute phrases are given below.
The weather being fine, we went out for a picnic.
The sun having risen, we set out on our journey.
Absolute phrases are used to combine two clauses that have different subjects.
Study the examples given below.
The visitors left. We went to bed.
Here the two sentences have different subjects. Still, we can combine them using a participle.
The visitors having left, we went to bed.
Another example is given below.
It was a stormy day. We stayed inside the house.
It being a stormy day, we stayed inside the house.
We can change an absolute phrase into a subordinate adverb clause of time, condition, cause or
concession.
Weather permitting can be changed into ‘If weather permits…’
If weather permits, we shall meet in the meeting.
If God wills, we shall meet again.
As the weather was fine, we went out for a picnic.
After the sun had risen, we set out on our journey.
After the visitors had left, we went to bed.
An overview of participles
September 12, 2013
This lesson provides a detailed overview of participles. Participles are non-finite verbs used as
adjectives. Participles usually end in –ing or –ed. Since participles are formed from verbs, they
express action or a state of being.
When used as adjectives, participles modify nouns or pronouns. They also help in the formation
of continuous and perfect tense forms.

There are two types of participles: present participles and past participles. Present participles
always end in –ing. Past participles most often end in –ed. Other possible endings are: -en (e.g.
written, broken), -d (e.g. sold, paid), -t (e.g. dealt, met, sent), -n (e.g. seen, spun) or –ne (e.g.
gone, done)
• It is no fun nursing a broken heart.
• I like to listen to the noise of falling rain.
• Deserted by his family, he killed himself.
• Stricken with grief, she threw herself on the body.
• Crying, she walked out of the room.
• Smiling, she hugged the child.
Participial phrase
A participial phrase is a group words consisting of a participle. The participial phrase may have
its own object. This is usually a noun or pronoun.
• Taking his coat, James walked away.
Here the noun phrase ‘his coat’ acts as the object of the participle taking.
The participial phrase ‘taking his coat’ acts as an adjective modifying the noun James.
• The man saw the girl lighting a lamp.
Here the participial phrase ‘lighting a lamp’ modifies the noun girl.
• Children interested in reading acquire knowledge faster.
Here the participial phrase ‘interested in reading’ functions as an adjective modifying the noun
children.
Position
In order to avoid confusion, a participial phrase must be placed as close to the noun as possible.
• Sitting on a branch, the monkey gibbered.
Here the participial phrase ‘sitting on a branch’ modifies the noun gibbered.
Another example is given below.
• Walking down the street, I saw a strange sight.
Here the participial phrase ‘walking down the street’ modifies the pronoun I.
Difference between conjunctions, relative
pronouns and relative adverbs

September 10, 2013
Conjunctions, relative pronouns and relative adverbs can be used to connect two clauses. The
grammar is different. Prepositions do not connect two clauses. They merely show the
relationship between a noun/pronoun and another word in the sentence.
Relative pronouns
Relative pronouns are different from conjunctions. Relative pronouns are important connecting
devices. They not only connect two clauses but also act as the subject or object of the verb in the
relative clause. This is the main difference between conjunctions and relative pronouns.
Conjunctions merely connect two clauses. They do not serve any other purpose.
Study the sentences given below.
This is the letter. My mother sent me this letter.
We can connect these two clauses.
This is the letter that my mother sent me.
Here the relative pronoun that replaces the phrase this letter and acts as the object of the verb
sent. It is easy to decide whether a relative pronoun is the subject or the object. When it is the
object it will be immediately followed by another noun which acts as the subject. In this case, the
relative pronoun ‘that’ is followed by the noun ‘my mother’ which acts as the subject.
Another example is given below.
This is the boy. He won the first prize.
This is the boy who won the first prize.
Here the relative pronoun who replaces the pronoun he. It acts as the subject of the relative
clause.
Relative adverb
The relative adverb not only modifies a verb, but also joins the two clauses in a sentence. Note
that a relative adverb does not act as the subject or object in the relative clause. It merely
replaces an adverb.
This is the house. John lives here.
This is the house where John lives.
Here the relative adverb where replaces the place adverb here.
Another example is given below.

I first met Susie on that day. I will never forget that day.
I will never forget the day when I first met Susie.
Most and most of: grammar exercise
September 8, 2013
We use most before a noun without a determiner. We use most of before a pronoun and a noun
with a determiner (e.g. articles, demonstratives and possessives). Most of is also used before
personal or geographical names.
Complete the following sentences.
1. ………………… cheese is made from milk.
a) most
b) most of
c) either could be used here
2. ………………… England was under water.
a) most
b) most of
c) either could be used here
3. …………………… people like movies.
a) most
b) most of
c) either could be used here
4. …………………… people in Switzerland can speak French.
a) most
b) most of
c) either could be used here
5. She has eaten ……………………. that cake.
a) most
b) most of
c) either could be used here
6. She wasn’t as intelligent as her sisters, but she was ……………………. beautiful.
a) most

b) most of
c) the most
7. ……………………. my friends are non-smokers.
a) most
b) most of
c) either could be used here
8. ………………………. us were impressed with the plan.
a) most
b) most of
c) either could be used here
9. Which country produces the …………………… milk?
a) most
b) most of
c) either could be used here
10. ……………………. them were uneducated.
a) most
b) most of
c) either could be used here
Answers
1. Most cheese is made from milk.
2. Most of England was under water.
3. Most people like movies.
4. Most people in Switzerland can speak French.
5. She has eaten most of that cake.
6. She wasn’t as intelligent as her sisters, but she was the most beautiful.
7. Most of my friends are non-smokers.
8. Most of us were impressed with the plan.
9. Which country produces the most milk?
10. Most of them were uneducated.
Have and have got: differences

September 7, 2013
Have and have got are usually possible with little or no difference of meaning. Both forms can
be used to express ideas such as possession and relationships. For example, the two sentences
given below express the same idea.
I have a sister. = I have got a sister.
Got forms of have are informal, and are most common in the present. Do is not used in
questions and negatives with got.
I have got a car. (Informal)
I have a car. (More formal)
Have you got a car? / Do you have a car? (NOT Do you have got a car?)
Have got cannot be used to talk about actions. Only have is possible in this case.
I usually have dinner at 8 o’clock. (NOT I usually have got dinner at 8 o’clock.)
Note that have and have not are only used in the present simple. In the past tense, only had is
used. Had not is not possible.
I had a strange experience yesterday. (NOT I had got a strange experience yesterday.)
Got forms of have are not normally used to indicate repetition and habit.
I have a meeting on Monday. OR I have got a meeting on Monday.
I often have meetings on Mondays. (BUT NOT I often have got meetings on Mondays.)
Note that have is a state verb. It is not normally used in the continuous form.
She has a sister. (NOT She is having a sister.)
However, having is used in a few fixed expressions. Examples are: having dinner, having a bath
etc.
Noun clauses
September 5, 2013
A noun clause serves the same purpose as a noun. It can be the subject or object of a verb. It can
also be the object of a preposition. Noun clauses are usually introduced by the subordinating
conjunctions that, if and whether. Question words like what, how, when etc., can also be used
to introduce noun clauses.
Read the examples given below.
That he is a diligent boy is known to everybody.

Can you identify the subject?
What is known to everybody?
The answer to this question is the subject of the sentence
- that he is a diligent boy.
Since this clause serves as the subject of the verb ‘is known’, it is considered as a noun clause.
Note that when the subject is a noun clause we are more likely to write the sentence with a
preparatory it.
That he is a diligent boy is known to everybody. à It is known to everybody that he is a diligent
boy.
Another example is given below.
Picasso was a great artist. Nobody can challenge this fact.
What cannot be challenged? The fact that Picasso was a great artist
Replace the question word with the that-clause and we will get the following complex sentence:
The fact that Picasso was a great artist cannot be challenged.
More examples of noun clauses are given below.
He is an honest boy. Everybody knows it.
Everybody knows that he is an honest boy.
Here the noun clause ‘that he is an honest boy’ is the object of the verb knows.
Why he is late? Ask him.
Ask him why he is late.
Here the noun clause ‘why he is late’ is the direct object of the verb ask.
Noun clauses are important devices because they help us to combine two or more simple
sentences into a single complex sentence.
Simple present or present continuous?
September 3, 2013
The simple present and the present continuous tenses can both be used to talk about the future.
The simple present tense is used to talk about events which are part of a timetable. It is also used
with a future meaning in subordinate clauses.
The present continuous tense is used to talk about pre-planned future events. In other cases, we
are more likely to use a simple future tense.

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate verb form.
1. The summer term …………………… on April 18
th
.
a) is starting
b) starts
2. My plane ………………. at 3.30.
a) leaves
b) is leaving
3. When ……………………. in Bangkok?
a) is the train arriving
b) does the train arrive
4. I will pay you back when I …………………… a job.
a) will get
b) get
c) am getting
5. I ………………… to the US next week.
a) go
b) am going
6. She ………………… for a new job.
a) looks
b) is looking
7. Granny’s train ………………… at 5.30.
a) arrives
b) is arriving
8. I will tell you if I ………………… her name.
a) will know
b) know
9. ‘What ………………… there?’ ‘I …………………. a cake.’
a) do you do; make

b) are you doing; am making
10. I ………………… Lucia on Tuesday.
a) see
b) am seeing
Answers
1. The summer term starts on April 18
th
.
2. My plane leaves at 3.30.
3. When does the train arrive in Bangkok?
4. I will pay you back when I get a job.
5. I am going to the US next week.
6. She is looking for a new job.
7. Granny’s train arrives at 5.30.
8. I will tell you if I know her name.
9. ‘What are you doing there?’ ‘I am making a cake.’
10. I am seeing Lucia on Tuesday.
Past simple or present perfect tense?
September 2, 2013
Complete the following sentences using an appropriate past simple or present perfect verb
form.
1. When ………………………. from work?
a) did she returned
b) did she return
c) has she returned
d) has she return
2. …………………………… to the US?
a) Have you ever been
b) Did you ever go
c) Did you ever been

d) Were you ever been
3. She is the most beautiful woman …………………….
a) I had ever seen
b) I have ever seen
c) I have ever saw
d) I ever seen
4. That is the best movie …………………………
a) I have ever watched
b) I had ever watched
c) I did watch
d) I have ever watch
5. That is the most difficult problem ……………………
a) I have ever had to deal with
b) I never dealt with
c) I had to deal with
d) I am dealt with
6. When ……………………. I was working in the garden.
a) you phoned
b) you have phoned
c) you had phoned
d) you were phoning
7. I ……………………… with children before, so I know what to expect in my new job.
a) worked
b) have worked
c) have been working
d) I had worked
8. I …………………. all my childhood in France.
a) spent
b) have spent
c) have spend

d) was spending
9. Who ……………………… that necklace?
a) gave you
b) has given you
c) gives you
c) had given you
10. There ……………………. a plane crash near Bristol last night.
a) was
b) had been
c) have been
d) is
Answers
1. When did she return from work?
2. Have you ever been to the US?
3. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
4. This is the best movie I have ever watched.
5. This is the most difficult problem I have ever had to deal with.
6. When you phoned I was working in the garden.
7. I have worked with children before so I know what to expect in my new job.
8. I spent all my childhood in France.
9. Who gave you that necklace?
10. There was a plane crash near Bristol last night.
Reduced adverb clauses – Part I
August 30, 2013
An adverb clause can be shortened to an adverb phrase. This can be particularly helpful when
you want to express your ideas in a more concise manner. Before you reduce an adverb clause
into an adverbial phrase, make sure that the adverb clause (subordinate clause) and the main
clause have the same subject.
Study the examples given below.
I slept for ten hours. I felt marvelous.

The two sentences given above express a cause and effect relationship and hence can be
combined into one using the conjunction as / since.
As I had slept for ten hours, I felt marvelous.
Both clauses have the same subject and hence we can reduce the adverb clause into a phrase.
Having slept for ten hours, I felt marvelous.
Another example is given below.
He worked hard. He passed the test.
Because he worked hard, he passed the test.
This can be reduced to:
Having worked hard, he passed the test.
There are many different kinds of adverb clauses and it is not possible to reduce all of them.
Generally speaking, the adverb clauses of time, cause and contrast can be reduced.
Reduced Adverb Clauses of Time
After he did military service, he became a monk.
The sentence given above can be reduced to:
After doing military service, he became a monk.
He wrote his first book after he recovered from a major illness.
This can be reduced to:
He wrote his first book after recovering from a major illness.
He feeds the cats before he goes to work.
Can be reduced to
He feeds the cats before going to work.
Reduced Adverb Clauses of Cause
Because she was late, she didn’t get tickets for the show.
This can be reduced to:
Being late, she didn’t get tickets for the show.
Because I worked fast, I finished early.
This can be reduced to:
Having worked fast, I finished early.
Because I was feeling a bit tired, I didn’t go to work.

This can be reduced to:
Feeling a bit tired, I didn’t go to work.
Reduced adverb clauses – Part II
August 31, 2013
Reduced Adverb Clauses of Contrast
An adverb clause of contrast can be reduced to an adverbial phrase expressing the same idea.
Though she was beautiful, she wasn’t very popular.
This can be reduced to:
Despite being beautiful, she wasn’t very popular. OR In spite of being beautiful, she wasn’t
very popular.
Though she was rich, she was not happy.
This can be reduced to:
Despite being rich, she was not happy.
Here is how to reduce an adverb clause.
Reducing Adverb Clauses of Time
Adverb clauses of time are usually introduced by the conjunctions before, after, since, when
etc. In order to reduce an adverb clause of time introduced by one of these conjunctions, you
have to keep the time word, remove the subject and then change the verb into and –ing form or a
noun.
Read the examples given below.
After he finished the work, he took some rest.
This can be reduced to:
After finishing the work, he took some rest.
Note that we retained the time word, removed the subject and changed the verb into an –ing
form.
Another example is given below.
Don’t forget to signal when you are turning left.
This can be reduced to:
Don’t forget to signal when turning left.
You can’t go home before you finish the work.

This can be reduced to.
You can’t go home before finishing the work.
As
The conjunction as can be used to talk about two actions or situations that go on at the same
time.
Read the example given below.
As I was walking down the street, I saw Peter driving a Lamborghini.
This can be reduced to
Walking down the street, I saw Peter driving a Lamborghini.
While reducing an as-clause into a phrase, we usually remove ‘as’ and the subject + be.
Enough: grammar exercise
August 29, 2013
The word enough can be used as an adjective and as an adverb. When it is used as an adverb, it
modifies an adjective or another adverb. Note that enough goes after the adjective/adverb it
modifies. This can cause confusion because when enough is used as an adjective, it goes before
the noun it modifies.
Do you know how to use enough correctly? Test your knowledge with this grammar exercise.
1. I didn’t run ………………… to catch the bus.
a) fast enough
b) enough fast
2. She is ………………… to know better.
a) old enough
b) enough old
3. We have bought …………………
a) enough milk
b) milk enough
4. She was ………………… to lock the car.
a) prudent enough
b) enough prudent
5. He was …………………… to trust her.

a) stupid enough
b) enough stupid
6. Is it ………………… for you?
a) enough warm
b) warm enough
7. Have we got …………………… for buying the tickets?
a) enough money
b) money enough
8. Many tablet computers are …………………… to put in your pocket.
a) small enough
b) enough small
9. We haven’t got …………………….
a) enough chairs
b) chairs enough
10. We haven’t got ……………………. paint.
a) blue enough
b) enough blue
Answers
1. I didn’t run fast enough to catch the bus.
2. She is old enough to know better.
3. We have bought enough milk.
4. She was prudent enough to lock the car.
5. He was stupid enough to trust her.
6. Is it warm enough for you?
7. Have we got enough money for buying the tickets?
8. Many tablet computers are small enough to fit in your pocket.
9. We haven’t got enough chairs.
10. We haven’t got enough blue paint.
The relative pronouns which, whose and
what

August 28, 2013
The relative pronoun which is used to refer to objects and animals. It cannot be used to refer to
people. Which has the same form for the nominative (subject) and the accusative (object) case.
Which has no possessive form. But if we really need to express that idea, we can use a structure
with of which. In a less formal style, we can express the same idea using whose + noun.
Note that whose can refer back to people or things. It can replace the pronouns its, their, hers
and his.
He has a beautiful sister. I have forgotten her name.
He has a beautiful sister whose name I have forgotten.
The structure with which is not possible here because it cannot refer back to people.
It was a meeting. I did not comprehend its importance.
It was a meeting whose importance I did not comprehend.
OR
It was a meeting the importance of which I did not understand.
The umbrella the handle of which is broken was bought only last week.
OR
The umbrella whose handle was broken was bought only last week.
What
What has the same form in the nominative and in the accusative cases and is used only in the
singular. What means ‘that which’ or ‘the things which’.
What cannot be cured must be endured. (= That which cannot be cured must be endured.)
I have got what I wanted. (= I have got the things which I wanted.)
Note that clauses beginning with what act as the subject or object of the verb in the main clause.
For example, in the sentence given above, the clause ‘what I wanted’ is the object of the verb
got.
Adjective phrase
August 27, 2013
A word group that has an adjective as its head is called an adjective phrase. Note that the
adjective in this phrase may be accompanied by other words such as determiners, modifiers etc.
Adjective phrases can go before a noun (attributive position). They can also go after a linking

verb like be (predicative position).
• He was wearing a dark brown suit. (Here the adjective phrase ‘a dark brown’ modifies
the noun suit.)
• The fish tasted awfully funny. (Here the adjective phrase ‘awfully funny’ says something
about the fish. It goes after the copular or linking verb tasted.