English Daily Use
About this ebook series
This Book Covers The Following Topics:
How to Start a Sentence
Using ‘AS’
Using ‘AFTER’ and ‘BEFORE’
Using ‘AT’
Using ‘BY’
Using ‘FOR/FROM
Using ‘IF’
Using ‘OF/ON/OUT’
Using ‘TO’
Using ‘IN’
Using ‘WITH’
Using ‘WH-WORDS’
‘Asking Questions’
Using ‘VERB WORD’
Using ‘ING’ FORM of VERBS
Using ‘PAST PARTICIPLES’
Using ‘-LY Words’
Using ‘PRONOUNS’
Transitional Expressions
Miscellaneous
Exercises: 1(A) and 1(B)
Exercises: 2(A) and 2(B)
Sample This:
There are different ways to start a sentence in English. Using pronouns (I, we, you, they, he, she, it) is the most popular way to begin a sentence. But there are many other words that are widely used to start a sentence. They might be question words (what, where, etc.). They might be words formed from verbs, ending in –ing, -ed, -en, etc. Besides, words such as ‘to’ ‘in’ ‘with’, ‘if’, ‘after’ are also used to begin a sentence.
Here, you will learn various words and phrases to start a sentence with.
Important Note:
Starting a sentence with ‘and’ or ‘but’ is correct or not!
Using ‘And’ or ‘But’ to begin a sentence is generally considered grammatically Incorrect. But there is no hard and fast rule in this regard. So, you can use ‘And’ or ‘But’ to begin a sentence. But avoid excessive use of these words to begin a sentence. Use these words at the beginning of a sentence only when they really give strength to your language.
Note: It is said that a sentence should not be begun with a conjunction of any kind, especially one of the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). But this is not a hard and fast rule. Particularly in spoken English, starting a sentence with ‘And’ or ‘But’ is common.
01. AS (used in place of ‘when’; while something else is happening)
As a person ages, his body weakens physically.
As another year draws to a close, our attention turns to a new year.
As news of PM's hospitalization spread, fans and admirers began lining up outside the hospital.
As the summer season approaches, I look forward to eating ice-creams.
As the day progressed, over a hundred protestors gathered at the office.
As the situation in the town worsened, jittery people rushed back to their homes.
As the train pulled into the station, passengers rushed towards it.
As the war widened, they had to leave the city.
As we grow older, we are more in control of our lives.
As we progress, it is going to become more and more difficult.
02. AS (used in place of ‘because’)
As a policeman myself, I am aware of all the laws.
As he got busy, his wife picked up the son.
As sanitary workers are absent on most of the days, sweeping of roads is also irregular resulting in the trash along the road.
As the electric cables are hanging loosely, it may anytime lead to a major accident if any passer-by comes into contact.
As the night temperature rose owing to the cloudy sky, there was some respite from cold conditions.
03. AS (used in place of ‘like’)
As a great poet, he played with words.
As in the past, the party president distanced herself from the government’s unpopular decision.
04. AS (used to introduce two events happening at the same time)
As the bus was nearing, he moved aside.
As the forces were conducting searches, the militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.
As the mercury levels are dropping each day, difficulties for the poor are constantly rising.
05. AS (used to add information)
As you know, I have sent him a letter.
06. AS (used to show ‘in the way’)
As an interim arrangement, he directed the authorities not to return the land.
As part of the deal, they will hand over control of five towns.
As penance, he vowed to never scold any kid ever again.
POPULAR IDIOMS AND PHRASES WITH “AS”:
AS AGAINST SOMETHING (meaning: in comparison or contrast with something) --
As against last time four days, the fair will last for five days this year.
As against the estimated revenues of dollar 400 million for April, only dollar 100 million had been received during the month.
AS AND WHEN (meaning: at the time when (used to refer to an uncertain future event)) --
As and when I get a chance to settle into my retired life, I will think about things to do.
AS EARLY AS (meaning: done before the expected, usual or planned time) --
As early as 5 a.m. on Sunday, she was surprised to see the milkman.
AS FAR AS (meaning: facts or an opinion about a particular aspect of something) --
As far as we can know right now, we are sticking to everything as planned.
AS FOR SOMEBODY/SOMETHING (meaning: with regard to; used to start talking about somebody/something)
As for children between the age of 6 and 12 years, a fee of dollar 1 needs to be paid to enter the zoo.
As for David, he is doing fine.
As for the difficulty in searching for honest people, it is not such a big task.
How to Start a Sentence
Using ‘AS’
Using ‘AFTER’ and ‘BEFORE’
Using ‘AT’
Using ‘BY’
Using ‘FOR/FROM
Using ‘IF’
Using ‘OF/ON/OUT’
Using ‘TO’
Using ‘IN’
Using ‘WITH’
Using ‘WH-WORDS’
‘Asking Questions’
Using ‘VERB WORD’
Using ‘ING’ FORM of VERBS
Using ‘PAST PARTICIPLES’
Using ‘-LY Words’
Using ‘PRONOUNS’
Transitional Expressions
Miscellaneous
Exercises: 1(A) and 1(B)
Exercises: 2(A) and 2(B)
Sample This:
There are different ways to start a sentence in English. Using pronouns (I, we, you, they, he, she, it) is the most popular way to begin a sentence. But there are many other words that are widely used to start a sentence. They might be question words (what, where, etc.). They might be words formed from verbs, ending in –ing, -ed, -en, etc. Besides, words such as ‘to’ ‘in’ ‘with’, ‘if’, ‘after’ are also used to begin a sentence.
Here, you will learn various words and phrases to start a sentence with.
Important Note:
Starting a sentence with ‘and’ or ‘but’ is correct or not!
Using ‘And’ or ‘But’ to begin a sentence is generally considered grammatically Incorrect. But there is no hard and fast rule in this regard. So, you can use ‘And’ or ‘But’ to begin a sentence. But avoid excessive use of these words to begin a sentence. Use these words at the beginning of a sentence only when they really give strength to your language.
Note: It is said that a sentence should not be begun with a conjunction of any kind, especially one of the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). But this is not a hard and fast rule. Particularly in spoken English, starting a sentence with ‘And’ or ‘But’ is common.
01. AS (used in place of ‘when’; while something else is happening)
As a person ages, his body weakens physically.
As another year draws to a close, our attention turns to a new year.
As news of PM's hospitalization spread, fans and admirers began lining up outside the hospital.
As the summer season approaches, I look forward to eating ice-creams.
As the day progressed, over a hundred protestors gathered at the office.
As the situation in the town worsened, jittery people rushed back to their homes.
As the train pulled into the station, passengers rushed towards it.
As the war widened, they had to leave the city.
As we grow older, we are more in control of our lives.
As we progress, it is going to become more and more difficult.
02. AS (used in place of ‘because’)
As a policeman myself, I am aware of all the laws.
As he got busy, his wife picked up the son.
As sanitary workers are absent on most of the days, sweeping of roads is also irregular resulting in the trash along the road.
As the electric cables are hanging loosely, it may anytime lead to a major accident if any passer-by comes into contact.
As the night temperature rose owing to the cloudy sky, there was some respite from cold conditions.
03. AS (used in place of ‘like’)
As a great poet, he played with words.
As in the past, the party president distanced herself from the government’s unpopular decision.
04. AS (used to introduce two events happening at the same time)
As the bus was nearing, he moved aside.
As the forces were conducting searches, the militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.
As the mercury levels are dropping each day, difficulties for the poor are constantly rising.
05. AS (used to add information)
As you know, I have sent him a letter.
06. AS (used to show ‘in the way’)
As an interim arrangement, he directed the authorities not to return the land.
As part of the deal, they will hand over control of five towns.
As penance, he vowed to never scold any kid ever again.
POPULAR IDIOMS AND PHRASES WITH “AS”:
AS AGAINST SOMETHING (meaning: in comparison or contrast with something) --
As against last time four days, the fair will last for five days this year.
As against the estimated revenues of dollar 400 million for April, only dollar 100 million had been received during the month.
AS AND WHEN (meaning: at the time when (used to refer to an uncertain future event)) --
As and when I get a chance to settle into my retired life, I will think about things to do.
AS EARLY AS (meaning: done before the expected, usual or planned time) --
As early as 5 a.m. on Sunday, she was surprised to see the milkman.
AS FAR AS (meaning: facts or an opinion about a particular aspect of something) --
As far as we can know right now, we are sticking to everything as planned.
AS FOR SOMEBODY/SOMETHING (meaning: with regard to; used to start talking about somebody/something)
As for children between the age of 6 and 12 years, a fee of dollar 1 needs to be paid to enter the zoo.
As for David, he is doing fine.
As for the difficulty in searching for honest people, it is not such a big task.
What are “Interrogative Sentences”?
Structure (1) -- Wh-Question Word + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(1A). What + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(1B). When + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(1C). Where + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(1D). Which + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(1E). Who + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(1F). Whom + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(1G). Whose + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(1H). Why + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(1I). How + Be/Do/Have/Modal
Structure (2) -- Wh-Question Word + Word/Words + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(2A). What + Word/Words + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(2B). When + Word/Words + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(2C). Where + Word/Words + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(2D). Which + Word/Words + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(2E). Who + Word/Words + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(2F). Whom + Word/Words + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(2G). Whose + Word/Words + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(2H). Why + Word/Words + Be/Do/Have/Modal
(2I). How + Word/Words + Be/Do/Have/Modal
Structure (3) -- Wh-Question Word + Main Verb (Present or Past)
Structure (4) – Interrogatives Sentences – Be/Do/Have/Modal
(4A). Interrogatives Starting From – Am, Is, Are, Was, Were
(4B). Interrogatives Starting From – Do, Does, Did
(4C). Interrogatives Starting From – Have, Has, Had
(4D). Interrogatives Starting From – Modal Verbs
Structure (5) -- Question Tags
Structure (6) -- What if
Structure (7) – How Long/How Much/How Many
Structure (8) -- Wh-Question Word + To + Verb Word
Structure (9) – “What About” and “How About”
Structure (10) – Alternative Questions
Structure (11) – Indirect Questions
Formation of Interrogatives from Affirmatives
Exercises
Sample This:
What are “Interrogative Sentences”?
Interrogative sentences are used to ask questions. An interrogative sentence ends with a question mark.
The most common interrogative words are as follows:
What, When, Where, Which, Who, Whom, Whose, Why, How
Interrogative words and what they refer:
What – refers ‘specific information’ or confirmation/repetition
When – refers ‘at what time’ or ‘on what occasion’
Where – refers ‘in what place, position or situation’
Which – refers ‘choice or alternative’
Who – refers ‘identity’ of a subject (person/people)
Whom – refers ‘identity’ of an object (person/people)
Whose – refers ‘who something belongs to’
Why – refers ‘reason, explanation or purpose’
How – refers ‘way or manner’, ‘condition or quality’
These words are called 'Wh-question words' because all these words contain the letter ‘w’ and ‘h’. All these words (except ‘how’) even start from ‘Wh’.
NOTE: The following words are also used to ask questions:
Whatever, Whenever, Wherever, Whoever
These forms show ‘surprise, confusion, or emphasis.
Besides ‘Wh-question words’, Auxiliary Verbs ‘Be’, ‘Do’, ‘Have’, and ‘Modal Verbs’ are also used to form interrogative sentences. Following is the list of auxiliary and modal verbs:
Auxiliary Verb-- Be-- Am, Is, Are, Was, Were
Auxiliary Verb-- Do-- Do, Does, Did
Auxiliary Verb-- Have-- Have, Has, Had
Modal Verbs-- May, Might, Can, Could, Will, Would, Shall, Should, Must, Need, Used (To), Ought (To), Dare
You can begin sentences with these verbs to form Yes/No interrogative sentences.
(1A). What + Be/Do/Have/Modal
What is a good pet to give a five-year-old child?
What is a long way away?
What is a reasonable grocery budget?
What is age got to do with it?
What is all that?
What is Australia's national food?
What is behind the nation's food shortages?
What is better for your company: happy staff or short-term profits?
What is Brazil to you?
What is going on in India?
What is going to take place over the next 90 minutes?
What is in the haze we are breathing?
What is it about the first day of the year that gets us so excited?
What is it and does it work?
What is it like to be sectioned?
What is it like to fly an Airbus A380?
What is it like to have won an unlimited supply of something?
What is it like to live in a hut?
The word "imperative" is derived from the term "emperor".
Imperative sentences are used to give commands (orders).
Imperative sentences are also used to give instruction/advice/suggestion/warning/invitation/appeal.
Imperative sentences are also used to make a request. You should use ‘please’ (or another polite word) in the beginning or at the end of the sentence to make a request.
An imperative sentence begins with the base (first) form of a verb which is also called a verb word. In an imperative sentence, the subject - ‘you’ - is understood. However, for the first and third-person imperative, the imperative sentence begins with ‘let’.
You can end an imperative sentence with the period (.) or exclamation (!). Exclamation is used to show direct and firm command.
‘Imperative’ is one of the three moods of an English verb (indicative, imperative and subjunctive).
EXAMPLES OF IMPERATIVE SENTENCES:
(A). DIRECT ORDER
Attend the meeting.
Discharge your duty.
Enforce the law.
Quash the previous order.
Return to work.
Vacate this place.
(B). INSTRUCTION
Climb the stair.
Fill out this form.
Go on foot.
Hang a painting.
Light a candle.
Note this down.
Open up the cage.
Push a trolley.
Spell it out.
Tie your shoelaces.
Unpack the luggage.
(C). INFORMAL ADVICE
Book a hotel room.
Improve your appearance.
Mend your ways.
Walk elegantly.
(D). SUGGESTION
Follow your dreams
Keep up your English.
(E). WARNING
Don’t Jump that gate!
Watch out for a traffic signal!
(F). INVITATION
Come to the party with me.
Have a meal with us.
Let’s stay at my house.
(G). APPEAL
Be Silent.
Let’s curb the menace of drugs addiction.
(H). REQUEST
Give me five hundred dollars, please.
Come soon, please.
Other Uses of Imperative Sentences:
1. Wish -- Have a safe journey.
2. Apology -- Pardon me.
3. Permission -- Join us if you want.
4. Public Notice --
Imperatives are used on signboards or notice boards:
Keep off the grass.
Insert your ATM card.
Pull the door.
Push inside.
Important Note -- An imperative sentence can imply different senses (command/instruction/advice, etc.) based on the intonation. [Note: ‘Intonation’ is defined as the rise and fall of the voice in speaking, as this affects the meaning of what is being said.]
English Imperative Sentences -- A
Abide by the commission’s verdict.
Accept his decision.
Achieve your target.
Acknowledge the achievements of women.
Acquire land for road infrastructure.
Act quickly. / Act swiftly.
Add details to this report.
Address a press conference.
Address his concerns regarding payments next week.
Address their demands.
Adhere to the standard operating procedure.
Adjust the rules to help consumers.
Adjust to a new location.
Admire your parents.
Adopt a good strategy in choosing the right candidates.
Adopt a long-term vision for the industry.
Adopt modern technology.
Adopt a wait and watch policy.
Aim it.
Airlift the injured to the state capital for treatment.
Allow her to explain herself completely without interrupting her.
Allow him to return home.
Alter the course of your life.
Amend the act.
Analyze the reasons for your defeat.
Analyze the sample.
Announce your candidacy.
Answer the question.
Anticipate rate hikes.
Apologize if you hurt someone.
Apply colors on his forehead.
Apply for a job.
Apply for marks verification.
Apply for a passport.
Appoint a manager.
Appreciate compassionate behavior.
Approach him for help.
Approach the court.
Approve the plan.
Arrange everything before it is late.
Arrange for cash to meet your expenses.
Arrange funds from your relatives.
Arrange funds on your own.
Arrive early on the scene.
Ask for a receipt.
Ask for more information.
Ask him his name.
Ask him what had happened.
Ask politely.
Ask the right questions.
Negative Expressions
01. BY NO MEANS
02. LITTLE
03. BUT NOT
04. NEVER
05. NO/NOT/NEVER ------- NOR
06. NO/NOT/NEVER ------- OR
07. NEITHER ------- NOR
08. NOBODY/NO ONE
09. NOTHING
10. NO DOUBT
11. NO LONGER
12. NO MATTER + Question Word
13. NOT + LONG AGO
14. NOT/NOT ONLY & BUT
15. NOT + -ING form of Verb
16. NOT TO + MAIN VERB
17. RARELY
18. SELDOM
19. WHETHER OR NOT + TO + MAIN VERB
20. WORDS That Show Negative Sense
21. MISCELLANY
TENSE - Negative Statements
Present Tense -- Negative Statements
Past Tense -- Negative Statements
Future Tense -- Negative Statements
Negative Forms of Modals
Exercise: 1
Exercise: 2
Sample This:
BY NO MEANS
Meaning: Not At All
Based on a rough count, by no means definitive, they had about 625 tents set up last year.
By no means am I saying this is a bad thing, but it is not a choice that I made.
By no means did we settle on anything.
By no means does he think children need to go through terrible times to be better people.
By no means is he guaranteed to win.
By no means is this fight over or even anywhere near under control.
By no means let him dominate the conversation.
By no means should individuals or groups be allowed to go to that building.
By no means should we be complacent with being second.
LITTLE
Meaning: Small
[Little + Auxiliary Verb + Subject]
Little do managers and executives realize that delay is in itself a decision!
Little do they know that she is better qualified than any of them in survival skills.
Little do they know that the journey ahead is not going to be easy.
Little do they know that their loss is actually a win for all of us, including for them.
Little do we realize the exact meaning or the appropriate use of many terms.
BUT NOT
But not for a minute did he make me feel angry.
Embassy shutdowns happen, but not usually on this scale.
Gender equality is still a goal, but not a present reality, for university campuses around the world.
He could be right, but not for the reason he thinks.
He has time for sports but not for family.
He is clearly the strongest but not superhuman.
He looks comfortable but not great.
NEVER
Meaning: Not At Any Time/Not On Any Occasion
The contractor left the work midway and never came back to finish it.
He gave a press conference explaining he never did anything wrong in his career.
He had to come clean but he never did.
He never does anything for us.
He never does anything truly charitable.
He never went to class.
He said he would text me after the weekend but never did.
He thought he was never in with a chance of becoming a mayor last year.
His wife is soft-spoken and never hurts anyone.
I am ashamed that I saw injustice and never did anything about it.
I am not sure he will even make the team, never mind have a big role.
I am sure I will never forget this moment.
I could never go back.
1. What is an “Exclamation”?
2. Exclamatory Sentences
3. Exclamatory Sentences with ‘What’
4. Exclamatory Sentences with ‘How’
5. Exclamatory Sentences with So and Such
6. Exclamations in Declarative Sentences
7. Exclamations in Interrogative Sentences
8. Exclamations in Imperative Sentences
9. Detailed List of Interjections
10. Using ‘Common Words’ as Exclamations
11. Useful Exclamatory Phrases/Sentences
12. Other Patterns
13. List of Emotions Shown by Exclamations
Exercise: 1
Exercise: 2
Sample This:
1. What is an “Exclamation”?
DEFINITION: An exclamation (or interjection) is a short sound, word or phrase which is spoken suddenly to express strong emotion.
Or
Exclamatory words that can stand alone as a sentence while expressing emotions or reactions are called exclamations (or interjections).
An exclamation mark (!) should be written after an exclamation. “Exclamation Mark” is called "Exclamation Point" in American English.
There are many exclamatory words (interjections or exclamations) that are often used in daily life. Some of these words express one strong emotion while others express two or more strong emotions. They do not have a grammatical purpose in the sentence and are not associated to the other parts of the sentence. They do not play the role of a subject or a verb. They can stand by themselves, or are placed before, after or in the middle of a sentence to express a strong emotion or feeling.
Examples:
Exclamatory Word -- Alas!
Represents feelings of ‘Sadness, Sorry’
Exclamatory Word -- Um!
Represents feeling of ‘Hesitation’
Exclamatory Word -- Yum!
Represents feeling of ‘Pleasant Taste or Smell’
You can use exclamations to show the following emotions:
admiration, affection, anger, annoyance, anticipation, apathy, approval, attention, awe, confusion, delight, despair, disappointment, disapproval, discontent, dislike, distress, eagerness, elation, enjoyment, excitement, fear, frustration, grief, happiness, humor, hurt, irritation, joy, love, mourning, pain, panic, pleasure, pride, remorse, respect, shame, shock, sorrow, sorry, surprise, sympathy, terror, wonder, etc.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
(1). Use Of An Exclamation (Interjection) In A Sentence
(a). Beginning A Sentence With An Interjection
When you begin a sentence with an interjection you can place either a comma (,) or an exclamatory mark (point) (!) after the interjection.
Examples:
Ah, what a wonderful gift!
The comma (,) after an interjection expresses less emotion.
Ah! What a wonderful gift!
Exclamatory mark (point) (!) after an interjection expresses more emotion.
Note: Both sentences have an exclamatory mark at the end.
Obviously, both are exclamatory sentences. But the second one is more emphatic. Also note: if you put a comma after an interjection then the next word in the sentence will begin from the small letter but if you put an exclamatory mark after an interjection then the next word in the sentence will begin from a capital letter.
Important Note: You can also end the sentence with a period (.) or question mark (?) to show mild emotion.
Ah, what a wonderful gift.
Ah! What a wonderful gift.
Wow, We won.
Oh, did you go there?
(B). Use Of An Interjection In The Middle Of A Sentence
Examples:
Hundreds of people, alas, feared killed in a massive landslide.
Albert Einstein was born in...er…Germany.
You deleted my folder…um…my file!
(C). Use Of An Interjection At The End Of A Sentence
Example:
So got married, huh!
What do you think of me, eh?
What are “Causative Sentences”?
Causative Sentences -- HAVE
Structure 1(A) ---- Active Causative Structure
Structure 1(B) ---- Passive Causative Structure
Structure 2(A) ---- Active Causative Structure
Structure 2(B) ---- Passive Causative Structure
Structure 3(A) ---- Active Causative Structure
Structure 3(B) ---- Passive Causative Structure
Causative Verb ‘Have’ and Tense Change
Causative Sentences -- GET
Structure (1) ---- Active Causative Structure
Structure (2) ---- Passive Causative Structure
Causative Verb ‘Get’ and Tense Change
Causative Sentences -- MAKE
Causative Sentences -- LET
Causative Sentences -- HELP
Sentences with Verb ‘Cause’
Other ‘Causative Verbs’
Use of ‘Modal Verbs’ with Causative Verbs
Exercises: 1(A) and 1(B)
Exercises: 2(A) and 2(B)
Exercises: 3(A) and 3(B)
Exercises: 4(A) and 4(B)
Sample This:
What are “Causative Sentences”?
In a causative, a person or thing does not perform an action directly. The subject (person or thing) causes it to happen by forcing, persuading, assisting, etc. an agent (another person or thing) to perform it. The subject (person or thing) does not carry out an action oneself but rather has the action done by an agent (another person or thing).
Examples:
The faulty design caused a bridge to collapse.
Modern lifestyles cause children and adults to spend most of their time indoors.
Rain caused water to collect on the road.
She caused the needle to run.
Causative verbs – Have, Get, Make, Let, Help -- Comparison
Causative ‘Have’ has less force and authority than Causative ‘Get’.
Causative ‘Get’ has less force and authority than Causative ‘Make’
Causative Verb ‘Have’ -- used to express “arrangement/duty/responsibility” [Less Forceful]
Causative Verb ‘Get’ -- used to express “encouragement/persuasion". [Forceful]
Causative Verb ‘Make’ -- used to express "compulsion/insistence/requirement” [Most Forceful]
Causative Verb ‘Let’ -- used to express “permission". [No Force]
Causative Verb ‘Help’ -- used to express “assistance". [No Force]
Causative ‘Have’ is more formal than causative ‘Get’.
In the imperative form, causative ‘Get’ is more frequent than causative ‘Have’.
Types of Causative Verbs
Causative structures are of two types –
(1). ‘Active’ in Nature – (Done By Somebody/Something)
(2). ‘Passive’ in Nature – (Done To Somebody/Something)
Passive causatives are used to take attention away from the doer of the action and give more attention to the action being done.
ALSO NOTE:
“Have somebody do something” is more common in American English.
“Get somebody to do something” is more common in British English.
All causative verbs are transitive.
CAUSATIVE VERB – HAVE
Structure 1(A) ---- Active Causative Structure
Subject + Have (Causative Verb) + Agent (Someone/Something) + Base Form of Verb + Object (Someone/Something)
Example: I have him take my photograph. (Present)
Explanation:
I arrange for my photograph to be taken by him.
[I cause him to take my photograph.]
Therefore, this is like an active causative structure.
Example: I had him take my photograph. (Past)
Explanation:
I arranged for my photograph to be taken by him.
[I caused him to take my photograph.]
Therefore, this is like an active causative structure.
Example: I will have him take my photograph. (Future)
Explanation:
I will arrange for my photograph to be taken by him.
[I will cause him to take my photograph.]
Therefore, this is like an active causative structure.
OTHER EXAMPLES:
CAUSATIVE - HAVE --
Have/Has + Someone/Something + Base Form of Verb
Note: This pattern may denote past, present, or future tense based on another verb in the sentence.
Her desire to have me write a memoir only raised my stress level.
We are so blessed to have her sing one of our songs.
It is one thing to have somebody else ask him about what he has done and it is quite another to have me ask him.
He refused to have investigation officers search his home.
Dependent clause: Expresses the condition
Main clause: Expresses the consequence
This Book Covers The Following Topics:
What are “Conditional Sentences”?
Present Real Conditional Sentences
Present Unreal Conditional Sentences
Past Real Conditional Sentences
Past Unreal Conditional Sentences
Future Real Conditional Sentences
Future Unreal Conditional Sentences
Continuous Forms of Conditional Sentences
Mixed Conditional Sentences
'Were To' - Conditional Sentences
'Special Force' - Conditional Sentences
'Wish'- Conditional Sentences
'Miscellaneous' - Conditional Sentences
Conditional Sentences: Exercise – 1
Conditional Sentences: Exercise – 2
Summary
Sample This:
Present Real Conditional Sentences
The Present Real Conditional Is Used To Talk About What You Normally Do In Real-Life Situations.
STRUCTURE
[First Part – If / When + Subject + Present Verb…, Second Part – Simple Present]
OR
[First Part – Simple Present, Second Part – If / When + Subject + Present Verb…]
Whether Use “If” OR “When”?
"If" implies - things don’t happen regularly.
“When” implies - things happen regularly.
If you eat too much fast food, it makes you overweight.
Or [It makes you overweight if you eat too much fast food.]
If you put salt on salad, they taste nicer.
Or [They taste nicer if you put salt on salad.]
When I have free time, I often sit in the library. [Regularly]
Or [I often sit in the library when I have free time.]
MORE EXAMPLES:
[First Part – If / When + Subject + Present Verb…, Second Part – Simple Present]
If I move to school, I never take my mobile.
If you want to be a super-achiever, first recognize your own capabilities.
If it melts, it raises the sea level.
If something bad happens anywhere, it is natural to be sad.
If you heat water, it boils.
If the office closes early, we definitely go to the library.
If you need help, call me.
If I don’t come on time, you are supposed to leave the office.
If you feel sleepy, just go to bed.
If that isn’t absolute verification, I don’t know what is.
If the contractors fail to achieve the target within the specified period, they are liable to pay damages.
If you don't get the first good, be content with the second good. [Note: Use of Imperative Sentence]
If you are working for something with convictions, you are satisfied.
If proper punishment is not awarded to the accused, the faith of the society is shaken in the legal system of the country. [Note: Use of passive voice – is + awarded, and is + shaken]
If uranium is bombarded with a neutron, it absorbs some.
If a Swedish govt. is interested in such a deal at all, Sweden can negotiate for itself a better deal.
If a person is abused repeatedly then that person has the right to object and the right to argue also.
If my statement has pained someone then I regret it.
If they have done something wrong that doesn’t mean I have also done something wrong.
If the refugee cannot afford to pay, she may be refused access to the hospital or have her refugee card confiscated.
[First Part – Simple Present, Second Part – If / When + Subject + Present Verb…]
I have come to bother you if you don’t mind.
We don’t even know if any person by that name exists.
Their wages are cut if they do not report for duty on time.
You learn a language better if you visit the country where it is spoken.
Agency works under pressure if one goes by what the ex-Director says.
I apologize if at all the article hurt anyone.
Power companies can hike the tariffs if the cost of imported coal rises.
Hang me if I am guilty.
I meet him if I go there.
Butter dissolves if you leave it in sun.
Plants die if you don’t water them.
Milk goes off if you don’t keep it in a cool place.
Ask the officer if you have any problems.
I don’t mind if you sit in my cabin.
Customers get upset if they are being overcharged.
I have no problem if her name is disclosed.
They promised to slash power rates if they are elected.
Existing laws can be a deterrent if a time-based trial is conducted.
Do you mind if I turn on the radio for a while?
A death row convict cannot be executed if he is not physically and mentally fit.
A student may not be motivated to work hard if a promotion is guaranteed.
Many of the deaths can be avoided if bikers wear helmets.
I go by taxi when the bus is late.
Patterns for Creating Long Sentences
01 -- Using ‘-ING Form of Verbs’ (I)
02 -- Using ‘-ING Form of Verbs’ (II)
03 -- Using ‘-ING Form of Verbs’ (III)
04 -- Using ‘With + -ING Form of Verbs’
05 -- Using ‘Series’
06 -- Using ‘From – To’
07 -- Using ‘Connecting Words or Phrases’
08 – Using ‘Parenthesis’
09 – Miscellaneous Patterns
Sample This:
01 -- Using ‘-ING Form of Verbs’ (I)
Example Sentence 01:
The ongoing drought in the state is being described as the country's worst in many decades, causing agricultural distress and forcing villagers to move to urban areas looking for work.
Main verb – described
-ING form of the verbs – causing, forcing
Explanation:
The ongoing drought in the state is being described as the country's worst in many decades.
Drought is causing agricultural distress.
Drought is also forcing villagers to move to urban areas looking for work.
Example Sentence 02:
Offering huge relief to ten thousand families belonging to the below poverty line category in the state, the ministry of power directed Power Corporation Limited to waive pending domestic power bills for the last 10 months.
Main verb – directed
-ING form of the verbs – offering, belonging
Explanation:
The ministry of power directed Power Corporation Limited to waive pending domestic power bills for the last 10 months.
The ministry of power offered huge relief to ten thousand families.
These families belong to the below poverty line category in the state.
Example Sentence 03:
A deadly winter storm blanketed a huge swath of the country, grounding flights, turning highways into ice rinks and knocking out power to tens of thousands preparing for the New Year holiday.
Main verb – blanketed
-ING form of the verbs – grounding, turning, knocking, preparing
Explanation:
A deadly winter storm blanketed a huge swath of the country.
The storm grounded flights.
The storm turned highways into ice rinks.
The storm knocked out power to tens of thousands (people).
They (those people) were preparing for the New Year holiday.
Example Sentence 04:
From undertaking construction activities when it did not have funds, never submitting utilization certificates for works it did, charging high centage than all other procuring excess expenditure and rarely accounting for unspent balances, the administrative department indulged in financial jugglery that could put the best accountants to shame.
Main verb – indulged
-ING form of the verbs – undertaking, submitting, charging, accounting
Explanation:
The administrative department indulged in financial jugglery that could put the best accountants to shame.
It (the administrative department) undertook construction activities when it did not have funds.
It (the administrative department) never submitted utilization certificates for works it did.
It (the administrative department) charged high centage than all other procuring excess expenditure.
It (the administrative department) rarely accounted for unspent balances.
Example Sentence 05:
The city continued to reel under massive traffic jams due to water logging as heavy rains lashed the city for the second consecutive day, flooding several arterial roads and leaving commuters stranded for hours while exposing civic bodies’ lack of preparedness to deal with the perennial problem.
Main verbs – continued, lashed
-ING form of the verbs – flooding, leaving, exposing
Explanation:
The city continued to reel under massive traffic jams due to water logging.
Heavy rains lashed the city for the second consecutive day.
Heavy rains flooded several arterial roads.
Heavy rains left commuters stranded for hours.
Heavy rains exposed civic bodies’ lack of preparedness to deal with the perennial problem.
Types of Numbers
Standard Words for Numbers
Various Expressions
Structure (1) -- Multiple Number [In the Beginning or Middle of the Sentence]
Structure (2) -- Multiple Number + of + Noun
Structure (3) -- Multiple Number + of + Noun + of
Structure (4) -- Multiple Number (Less) + of + Multiple Number (More)
Structure (5) -- Multiple Number (Less) + of + Multiple Number (More) + of + Noun
Structure (6) -- Multiple Number + and + Multiple Number
Structure (7) -- Number + Times
Structure (8) -- Half/Double/Twice/Thrice/Fraction
Structure (09) -- Number + As Many + (Noun, Etc. + As)
Structure (10) -- As much (As)
Structure (11) -- Number + ‘As Likely’ or ‘More Likely’
Sample This:
Structure (1) -- Multiple Number [In the Beginning or Middle of Sentence]
Hundreds gathered in front of the parliament building early on Monday.
Hundreds were injured in two days of clashes.
Thousands evacuated after explosions at a munitions depot.
Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Cubans and Haitians have lost their lives at sea seeking freedom and opportunity.
Millions marched against the government in over 400 cities.
The industry produced several hundred million units a year.
The exact loss of the property is not yet known but rough estimates put the losses to ten million dollars.
More than three million Australians lack access to critical financial services.
Trillions dong spent to build ports which have been left idle.
Trillions will need to be spent on infrastructure very soon.
Agriculture and tourism are a trillion-dollar economy.
Mobiles are a multi-trillion-dollar industry, even bigger than pharmaceuticals.
It would add more than a trillion dollars to the economy every year.
There are spiral galaxies out there with more than a trillion stars and giant elliptical galaxies with 100 trillion stars.
Our inability to comprehend the sheer magnitude of 1 billion has been eclipsed by our inability to comprehend 1 trillion.
Global loss to fraud ran into trillions.
She said she would have donated most of her $4 trillion to charity.
The universe is estimated to be somewhere between 13 billion to 14 billion years old.
Structure (2) -- Multiple Number + of + Noun
2-A. HUNDREDS OF
Hundreds of stocks saw much more dramatic gains.
Hundreds of new jobs were being created every year.
Hundreds of homes were destroyed in wildfires.
Hundreds of police officers had taken off their bullet-proof vests.
Hundreds of students participated in the competition.
Hundreds of wannabe leaders are roaming our streets.
Hundreds of candidates were standing for parliamentary elections.
Hundreds of angry residents surrounded the police post to protest against the incident and demanded the arrest of the culprits.
Hundreds of railway officials would be deployed to manage the smooth running of special trains.
Hundreds of residents remained without electricity and water Monday evening.
Hundreds of riot police continued to fire tear gas and jets of water during the agitation.
Hundreds of protestors from a wide variety of activist groups staged protests.
He has received hundreds of awards.
Stories behind these and the hundreds of other Asian bus accidents are the same.
He was welcomed to University by hundreds of students and fans.
The flames torched hundreds of homes now.
The explosion killed 15 people and destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes.
Medical laboratory admitted to paying bribes to hundreds of doctors in the city.
Many have walked hundreds of miles fleeing fighting in the capital.
Just one severe typhoon could leave behind hundreds of people dead.
Wildfires fueled by hot, gusty winds were burning hundreds of acres and forcing evacuations.
He posted hundreds of messages on a public Internet forum.
The process will involve hundreds of community meetings.
There's little sense in having hundreds of followers who don't know what you do.
Every year, hundreds of people across the country get infected with contagious diseases.
He had hundreds of hats which were on display at the museum.
There are hundreds of young writers in India.
What about the hundreds of illegal refineries 'discovered' every day?
The Corps of Engineers operates hundreds of reservoirs across the nation.
We found maps of hundreds of houses.
Heavy rainfall, cloud bursts, landslides and floods have caused widespread loss of life and property displacing hundreds of people.
The fire has wiped out hundreds of homes.
The police raid left hundreds of protesters injured.
A squall line is a line of thunderstorms that extend for hundreds of miles.
Police detained hundreds of illegal migrants.
Many hundreds of fun activities exist on each Hawaiian Island.
Structure (1a) ---- Comparison of Actions - I
Structure (1b) ---- Comparison of Actions - II
Structure (2a) ---- Comparison of Qualities - I
Structure (2b) ---- Comparison of Qualities - II
Structure (3a) ---- Specific Similarity – Quality Adjectives
Structure (3b) ---- Specific Similarity – Quality Nouns
Structure (4) ---- Comparison of Number/Quantity
Structure (5a) ---- As + Much/Many, etc. + Word/Words + As
Structure (5b) ---- Comparative Estimates – Multiple Numbers
Structure (6) ---- Parallel Increase or Decrease / Gradual Increase
Structure (7) ---- Illogical Comparatives
Structure (8) ---- General Similarity and Difference
Structure (9) ---- Using Word ‘Compare’ or ‘Comparison’
Structure (10) ---- Comparison Degrees
10a. Regular and Irregular Forms of Adjectives
10b. Interchange of Positive and Comparative Degrees
10c. Interchange of Positive and Superlative Degrees
10d. Interchange of Comparative and Superlative Degrees
10e. Interchange of Positive, Comparative and Superlative Degrees
EXERCISE – 1
EXERCISE – 2
Sample This:
Structure (1a) ---- Comparison of Actions - I
PATTERN 1:
AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCE
-ING form of Verb + Verb ‘Be’ + As + Adjective + As + -ING form of Verb
Or
It + Verb ‘Be’ + As + Adjective + To + Ordinary Verb + As + Ordinary Verb
Writing is as easy as thinking.
Jogging is as easy as exercising.
Closing is as easy as opening.
Designing is as easy as publishing.
It is as easy to write as think.
It is as easy to jog as exercise.
It is as easy to close as open.
It is as easy to design as publish.
PATTERN 2:
NEGATIVE SENTENCE
-ING form of Verb + Verb ‘To Be’ + Not + As + Adjective + As + -ING form of Verb
Or
It + Verb ‘To Be’ + Not + As + Adjective + To + Ordinary Verb + As + Ordinary Verb
Studying is not as easy as playing.
Swimming is not as easy as running.
Singing is not as easy as talking.
Reading is not as easy as listening.
It is not as easy to study as play.
It is not as easy to swim as run.
It is not as easy to sing as talk.
It is not as easy to read as listen.
Structure (1b) ---- Comparison of Actions - II
PATTERN
(A). Prefer/Would Prefer + -ING form of Verb + To + -ING form of Verb, OR
(B). Prefer/Would Prefer + To + Ordinary Verb + Rather Than + Ordinary Verb, OR
(C). Had Better/Had Rather/Had Sooner/Would Rather/Would Sooner + Ordinary Verb + Than + Ordinary Verb
Example 1:
I prefer studying to playing.
I would prefer studying to playing.
I prefer to study rather than play.
I would prefer to study rather than play.
I had better study than play.
I had rather study than play.
I had sooner study than play.
I would rather study than play.
I would sooner study than play.
Example 2:
You prefer writing to talking.
You would prefer writing to talking.
You prefer to write rather than talk.
You would prefer to write rather than talk.
You had better write than talk.
You had rather write than talk.
You had sooner write than talk.
You would rather write than talk.
You would sooner write than talk.
1. AS---AS
1A. AS EARLY AS
1B. AS FAR AS
1C. AS LONG AS
1D. AS MANY AS
1E. AS MUCH AS
1F. AS SOON AS
1G. AS WELL AS
2. EITHER---OR
3. NEITHER---NOR
4. WHETHER---OR
5. BARELY/HARDLY/SCARCELY---WHEN
6. NO SOONER---THAN
7. RATHER---THAN
8. NOT ONLY---BUT ALSO
9. ALTHOUGH---YET
10. TOO---TO
11. BETWEEN---AND
12. BOTH---AND
13. SO THAT
14. UNLESS
15. UNTIL
16. OTHERS
Exercises: 1(A) and 1(B)
Exercises: 2(A) and 2(B)
Exercises: 3(A) and 3(B)
Sample This:
1. AS---AS
Correlative Words connect two equal grammatical items. They link words, phrases, and clauses. They are generally used in the form of pair of words and are popularly called correlative conjunctions.
As -- As
This Pattern Is Used When You Are Comparing or Linking Two People Or Things, Or Two Situations
EXAMPLES:
AS EARLY AS
AS FAR AS
AS LONG AS
AS MANY AS
AS MUCH AS
AS SOON AS
AS WELL AS
1A. AS EARLY AS
‘As Early As’ Is Used To Show --
Done Before the Expected, Usual or Planned Time
Elections will be held as early as possible.
As early as 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, he was surprised to see the policemen.
Companies could announce the agreement as early as Tuesday.
Given their importance, it makes sense to nurture good values in children as early as possible.
I woke up as early as 4 a.m.
International sanctions on it could start to be lifted as early as spring next year.
We demand that the government acts firmly and culprits are booked as early as possible.
The latest refund mechanism facility will help its customers get refunds as early as within 24 hours of returning the product.
Our company is looking to invest in Australia as early as next year.
Reserve Bank will cut interest rates again, possibly as early as this month.
Scores of people visit the beaches of East Coast Road as early as 5 a.m. for their daily exercises.
The company is in the process to complete the audit as early as possible and will submit the audited financial results in due course of time.
The government planned to overhaul the corporate debt market by pushing all issuance onto an electronic platform as early as November.
She could return to China as early as this month, the media reported on Tuesday.
She had as early as 1815 directed that the state should settle the entire cost of education of its people.
A special report is scheduled to be released as early as this month.
The first signs of global warming felt as early as the 1940s.
Forecasters predicted national capital could experience sub-zero temperatures as early as next month.
Street clearance in the areas surrounding the art museum is scheduled to begin as early as Sunday at 6:00 p.m.
This year's flu outbreak can happen as early as October and can last as late as May.
Tropical Storm Erika was expected to hit the Southeast as early as Sunday.
Government should make sure that the construction of the college starts as early as possible.
The police commissioner is all set to complete the probe into the case as early as possible.
The Centre today asked the states to take steps in making special courts functional as early as possible.
The school principal wanted all files as early as possible.
About 100 people lined up outside security barricades as early as 3 a.m.
Active and Passive Voice
Interchange of Active and Passive Voice
1. First or Second Form of Verb
2. Auxiliary Verb ‘Be’ + -ING Form of Verb
3. Have/Has/Had + Past Participle
4. Present/Future Modals + Verb Word
5. Past Modals + Past Participle
6. Verb + Preposition
7. Main Verb + Object + Complement
8. Main Verb + Object + Object
9. Have/Has/Had + Infinitive (To + Verb)
10. Auxiliary Verb ‘Be’ + Infinitive (To + Verb)
11. Verb + Object + Infinitive (Without ‘To’)
12. There + Verb ‘Be’ + Noun + Infinitive
13. Interrogative Sentences
14. Imperative Sentences
15. Principal Clause + That + Noun Clause (Object)
16. Verb followed by --ING form or an Infinitive
17. Use of Prepositions
18. The Passive With GET
19. Middle Voice
Exercise -- 01
Exercise -- 02
Exercise -- 03
Sample This:
VOICE - Definition
Voice refers to the form of a verb that shows whether the subject of a sentence performs the action or is affected by it.
ACTIVE VOICE - Definition
The form of a verb in which the subject is the person or thing that performs the action.
Example:
They finished the work.
[subject -- “they”, verb -- “finished”, object -- “work”]
In this sentence, the subject (they) acts on the object (work).
Other Examples:
The teacher praises him.
She posted the letter.
I buy new books.
We will celebrate his birthday.
PASSIVE VOICE - Definition
The form of a verb in which the subject is affected by the action of the verb.
Important Note -- The object of the active voice becomes the subject in the passive voice.
Example:
The work was finished by them.
[subject -- “work”, passive verb -- “was finished”, object -- “them”]
In this example, the subject (work) is not the doer; it is being acted upon by the doer ‘them’)
Other Examples:
He is praised by the teacher.
The letter was posted by her
New books are bought by me.
His birthday will be celebrated by us.
WHEN TO USE PASSIVE VOICE
(1). You should use passive voice when you do not know the active subject.
(2). When you want to make the active object more important.
(3). When the active subject is obvious.
(4). When you want to emphasize the action of the sentence rather than the doer of the action.
(5). Passive voice is frequently used to describe scientific or mechanical processes
(6). Passive voice is often used in news reports:
(7). When active voice does not sound good.
(8). When you want to make more polite or formal statements.
(9). You can use passive voice to avoid responsibility.
(10). You can also use passive voice for sentence variety in your writing.
(11). You can also use passive voice when you want to avoid extra-long subjects.
Changing Active Voice Into Passive Voice
Rule 1:
Move the object of the active voice into the position of the subject (front of the sentence) in the passive voice. And move the subject of the active voice into the position of the object in the passive voice.
Rule 2:
Passive voice needs a helping verb to express the action. Put the helping verb in the same tense as the original active sentence. The main verb of the active voice is always changed into past participle (third form of the verb) in different ways.
Rule 3:
Place the active sentence's subject into a phrase beginning with the preposition ‘by’.
Rule 4:
If the object in an active voice sentence is a pronoun (me, us, you, him, her, they, it), it changes in passive voice sentence as follows:
me -- I; us -- we; you -- you; him -- he; her -- she; them -- they; it – it
Rule 5:
Subject- Verb Agreement
Make the first verb agree with the new subject in passive voice.
Rule 6:
When there are two objects (direct object and indirect object), only one object is interchanged. The second object remains unchanged.
Following Tenses Cannot Be Changed Into Passive Voice:
1. Present Perfect Continuous Tense
2. Past Perfect Continuous Tense
3. Future Continuous Tense
4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense
What is “Repetition of Words”?
Structure (1) ---- Word + and + Word
Structure (2) ---- Comparative + and + Comparative
Structure (3) ---- Word + after + Word
Structure (4) ---- Word + by + Word
Structure (5) ---- Word + to + Word
Structure (6) ---- Word + on/upon + Word
Structure (7) ---- Word + against/of/for/in/with + Word
Structure (8) ---- The more, less, etc…, the more, less, etc…
Structure (9) ---- Combination of the Same Words
Structure (10) ---- Repetition of Various Words
Structure (11) ---- Repetition of Words More than Once
Structure (12) ---- Repetition of ‘Group of Words’
Structure (13) ---- Repetition of ‘Two Different Words’
Structure (14) ---- Miscellaneous Patterns
Exercises: 1(A) and 1(B)
Exercises: 2(A) and 2(B)
What is “Repetition of Words”?
Repetition in the English Language is the repeating of a word, within a sentence in order to PROVIDE EMPHASIS. ‘Repetition of words’ could be classified into many groups based on the placement of the words in a sentence. Different terms have been devised to denote different kinds of repetitions. Some of these terms are as follows: Adnominatio, Conduplicatio, Diacope, Epistrophe, Mesodiplosis, Palilogia, Polyptoton, Symploce, etc.
Not going into the details of these ‘hard-to-pronounce’ terms, I have covered only the most popular patterns of ‘Repetition of words’ in this book.
Structure (1) ---- Word + and + Word
This pattern is generally used to show ‘continuation or repetition of an activity, or ‘presence of many things or people of the same kind’.
1. -- She asked and asked about the money.
2a. -- Stars, planets, and galaxies emerged and evolved billions and billions of years ago.
2b. -- They have got billions and billions of dollars lying around in vaults.
3. -- There has been campaign and campaign against us for a very long time.
4. -- Wastage of water must be discouraged and discouraged.
5. -- Workers dug and dug the road.
6. -- We have eras and eras coming.
7. -- He called after her, “Where are you going?” She went further and further.
8a. -- His confidence grew and grew.
8b. -- Once he started telling family about his challenge, the support just grew and grew.
9a. -- ‘How long did the match last?’ ‘Oh, hours and hours’
9b. -- Oats are a complex carbohydrate which means they will fuel your body for hours and hours.
10. -- Merit and merit alone can be criteria.
11. -- The road went on for miles and miles.
12. -- My travel plan was mired and mired in utter confusion.
13. -- He has nurtured and nurtured his reputation as a master tactician.
14. -- They played and played cards all night.
NOTE:
(A). ‘Again and again’
[meaning -- many times]
She was wiping her tears again and again.
Many people do not repeat their mistakes again and again.
(B). ‘By and by’
[meaning -- after a short period; before long; soon | eventually]
By and by you will make your deficiency.
The hours just kept on going by and by.
(C). ‘Half and half’
[meaning -- in equal parts]
We are lucky that it is affordable rent, and sharing half and half helps
(D). ‘Less and less’
[meaning -- continuing to become smaller]
We are having less and less snow each year.
Old people seem to sleep less and less actually.
(E). ‘More and more’
[meaning -- continuing to become larger in amount or number]
You always ask for more and more.
More and more girls are giving priority to their careers.
(F). ‘Neck and neck’
[meaning -- level with somebody in competition]
Democrats and Republicans were neck and neck on 50 seats.
These two candidates are neck and neck in recent polls.
NOTE: Great Stress—
Word + And + Word + And + Word
1a. -- He just smacked him with a ruler again and again and again.
1b. -- If at first, you don't succeed, try again and again and again.
2. -- Their pain and the anger grew and grew and grew,
3. -- They are paying him millions and millions, and more millions.
4. -- There is a huge problem in this town and it has been going on and on and on.
1. Agreeing Or Disagreeing In English
A. Agreeing In English
B. Disagreeing In English
2. Agreements and Disagreements With Statements
A1. Affirmative Addition to Affirmative Remarks - I
A2. Affirmative Addition to Affirmative Remarks – II
(Agreement with Affirmative Remarks)
B1. Negative Addition to Negative Remarks - I
B2. Negative Addition to Negative Remarks - II
(Agreement with Negative Remarks)
C1. Negative Addition to Affirmative Remarks - I
C2. Negative Addition to Affirmative Remarks - II
(Disagreement with Affirmative Remarks)
D1. Affirmative Addition to Negative Remarks - I
D2. Affirmative Addition to Negative Remarks - II
(Disagreement with Negative Remarks)
Exercises: 1(A) and 1(B)
Exercises: 2(A) and 2(B)
Sample This:
1. Agreeing Or Disagreeing In English
A. Agreeing In English
Expressions to show agreement:
Absolutely!
Exactly!
I agree entirely.
I agree to some extent.
I agree with you entirely.
I agree with you in part/principle.
I agree with you up to a point.
I am of the same opinion.
I assume so.
I believe so.
I completely agree (with you).
I couldn't agree more. [used to show total agreement]
I see exactly what you mean!
I simply must agree with that.
I think so.
I totally agree!
I was just going to say that.
It is absolutely clear.
Me too!
No doubt about it.
That seems obvious.
That’s exactly what I think.
That’s right!
That’s true.
That's for sure.
That's quite true.
That's so true.
There is no doubt about it.
True enough.
Yes, I agree!
Yes, OK.
You are absolutely right.
You are right. That's a good point.
You could be right.
You have a point there.
A1. Affirmative Addition to Affirmative Remarks - I
(Agreement with Affirmative Remarks - I)
PATTERN – 1
USING ‘SAME SUBJECT’ IN AFFIRMATIVE ADDITION
STRUCTURE: Yes/So/Of course, etc. + Subject + Verb- ‘Be/Do/Have/Modal’
NOTE: You can also use the phrase “That’s true!”
Example 1:
Affirmative Remark – She is originally from Britain.
Agreement (Affirmative Addition) –
Yes, she is. [yes + subject + verb- ‘be’]
OR
That’s true!
Example 2:
Affirmative Remark – Authorities are gathering evidence.
Agreement (Affirmative Addition) –
So, they (= authorities) are. [so + subject + verb- ‘be’]
OR
That’s true!
Example 3:
Affirmative Remark – People across the world are taking to yoga and meditation.
Agreement (Affirmative Addition) –
Yes, they (= people) are. [yes + subject + verb- ‘be’]
OR
That’s true!
Example 4:
Affirmative Remark – She was the most studious student of the batch.
Agreement (Affirmative Addition) –
Of course, she was. [of course + subject + verb- ‘be’]
OR
That’s true!
Example 5:
Affirmative Remark – The police were seeking an arrest warrant for a suspect.
Agreement (Affirmative Addition) –
Yes, they (the police) were. [yes + subject + verb- ‘be’]
OR
That’s true!
What are “Tenses”?
AGREEMENT between SUBJECT and VERB
TWENTY-FOUR Auxiliary Verbs
REGULAR AND IRREGULAR VERBS
PRESENT TENSE
Present Indefinite Tense
Present Continuous/Progressive Tense
Present Perfect Tense
Present Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense
PAST TENSE
Past Indefinite Tense
Past Continuous/Progressive Tense
Past Perfect Tense
Past Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense
FUTURE TENSE
Future Indefinite Tense
Future Continuous/Progressive Tense
Future Perfect Tense
Future Perfect Continuous/Progressive Tense
Useful Notes
Exercises
Sample This:
Tenses could be defined as “any of the form of a verb that may be used to show the time of the action or an event or state expressed by the verb”.
THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF TENSES:
The Past Tense – The form of a verb that usually expresses an action that happened in the past
[Action happened before present]
The Present Tense – The form of a verb that usually expresses an action that happens at this time
[Action happens in present]
The Future Tense – The form of a verb that usually expresses an action that will happen in future
[Action will happen after present]
EACH OF THESE THREE KINDS OF SENTENCES HAS FOUR TYPES OF FORMS:
Indefinite or Simple Form
Continuous or Progressive Form
Perfect Form
Perfect Continuous or Perfect Progressive Form
EACH OF THESE FOUR TYPES OF FORMS HAS FOUR KINDS OF STATEMENTS:
Affirmative Statement --
Used to Show ‘Agreement’
Negative Statement --
Used to Show ‘Disagreement’
Interrogative Statement --
Used to Ask ‘Question’
Interrogative-Negative Statement --
Used to Ask ‘Question’ and Show ‘Disagreement’
Present Indefinite Tense
Expresses –
Permanent situation [in the past, present and future]
Example: Our family lives in Seattle.
General truth (fact or statement)
Example: Clean water is fundamental to public health.
Example: Many barrages have no utility and cause floods.
Habitual action [actions that occur regularly]
Example: She listens to music every day.
‘Future meaning’ (timetable, planned event, etc.)
Example: My shop closes at 9 pm.
Example: The train arrives at 7:30 pm.
Traditions, rituals, customs
Example: Indians celebrate the festival of light in the month of Oct-Nov.
Commands and Instructions [Imperative Sentences]
[Note: In imperatives, subject ‘you’ remains hidden]
Example: Condemn perpetrators of terrorism.
Example: Promote values of humanity and tolerance.
Example: Tell us about the exact nature of your work.
Used in if-clause of present and future real conditional sentences
Example: If I go there, I meet him.
Example: If things don't work out, we won't be panicked.
Headlines in news reporting [Use of simple present tense instead of the simple past tense is common in news headlines]
Example: Flight skids on landing at the airport.
Example: Thunderstorm brings relief to residents.
(A). AFFIRMATIVE PATTERN –
subject + first form of main verb + other words
Singular Verb is used with the subject ‘He and She’ + All Singular Subjects.
Plural Verb is used with the subject ‘I, We, You and They’ + All Plural Subjects.
Examples:
He/She talks. I/We/You/They talk.
We seek opportunities to chart out our own course.
The lean margin of victory or defeat gives an impression of a tough contest.
Nowadays, voters value development over other issues.
They want civic amenities and employment opportunities.
(B). NEGATIVE PATTERN –
subject + auxiliary verb ‘do/does’ + not + first form of main verb + other words
Auxiliary Verb ‘Does’ is used with the subject ‘He and She’ + All Singular Subjects.
Auxiliary Verb ‘Do’ is used with the subject ‘I, We, You and They’ + All Plural Subjects.
Examples:
He/She does not talk. I/We/You/They do not talk.
Most buses do not cater to interior parts of the villages.
He does not know what to say.
Verb ‘To Be’
Verb ‘To Be’ -- Negative Patterns
Verb ‘To Be’ -- Interrogative Patterns
1A. English Grammar – ‘Am’
1B. AM + -ING Form of Verb
1C. AM + Being + Past Participle
1D. AM + Past Participle
2A. English Grammar – ‘Is’
2B. IS + -ING Form of Verb
2C. IS + Being + Past Participle
2D. IS + Past Participle
3A. English Grammar – ‘Are’
3B. ARE + -ING Form of Verb
3C. ARE + Being + Past Participle
3D. ARE + Past Participle
4A. English Grammar – ‘Was’
4B. WAS + -ING Form of Verb
4C. WAS + Being + Past Participle
4D. WAS + Past Participle
5A. English Grammar – ‘Were’
5B. WERE + -ING Form of Verb
5C. WERE + Being + Past Participle
5D. WERE + Past Participle
Useful Notes
(1): Question Tags
(2): Short Answers (Ellipsis]
(3): Addition to Remarks
(4): There Is/Was and There Are/Were
(5): Subjunctive Mood – ‘Were’
(6): Be + Going To + Verb Word
(7): ‘Used to’ Vs. ‘Be + Used to’
(8): Be + To + Verb Word
(9): Be + ‘Being”+ Adjective
(10): Mixed Sentences
Exercises: 1(A) and 1(B)
Exercises: 2(A) to 2(E)
Sample This:
Verb ‘To Be’
The Verb ‘to be’ is used to represent the following English verbs:
‘Am’, ‘Is’, ‘Are’, ‘Was’, ‘Were’
The verb ‘to be’ is used as both a linking verb and auxiliary verb.
LINKING VERB:
A verb that connects a subject with the complement (adjective or noun) that describes it.
Example: He is an engineer. [In this sentence, subject (he) and noun (engineer) is connected by linking verb ‘is’. There is no main verb in this sentence.]
Some more examples:
I am happy. [linking verb – am]
Is he a good boy? [linking verb – is]
We are very proud of ourselves. [linking verb – are]
She was intelligent. [linking verb – was]
They were not late by half an hour. [linking verb – were]
AUXILIARY VERB:
A verb that is used with the main verb to show tenses, etc.
Example: He is going to the office. [In this sentence, -ing form of the main verb ‘go’ has been used with the auxiliary verb ‘is’.
Some more examples:
I am studying a book. [auxiliary verb – am | main verb – study (-ing form)]
He is working on his project [auxiliary verb – is | main verb – work (-ing form)]
We are not expected to tell the secret. [auxiliary verb – are | main verb – expect (past participle form)]
She was taught by me. [auxiliary verb – was | main verb – teach (past participle form)]
Were they burdened by high taxation [auxiliary verb – were | main verb – burden (past participle form)]
IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT VERB ‘TO BE’
‘AM’ –
Singular Verb
Used In Present Tense
Used with Subject ‘I’
‘IS’ –
Singular Verb
Used In Present Tense
Used with Subject ‘He’ ‘She’, ‘It’ and other Singular Subjects
‘ARE’ –
Plural Verb
Used In Present Tense
Used with Subject ‘We’, ‘You’, ‘They’ and other Plural Subjects
‘WAS’ –
Singular Verb
Used In Past Tense
Used with Subject ‘I’, ‘He’, She’, ‘It’ and other Singular Subjects
‘WERE’ –
Plural Verb
Used In Past Tense
Used with Subject ‘We’, ‘You’ and other Plural Subjects
English Grammar – ‘DO/DOES/DID’
English Grammar – ‘DO’
VERB ‘DO’ -- (A) – Affirmative Sentences
VERB ‘DO’ -- (B) – Negative Sentences
VERB ‘DO’ -- (C) – Interrogative Sentences
VERB ‘DO’ -- (D) – 'Short Answers’ and ‘Question Tags’
English Grammar – ‘DOES’
VERB ‘DOES’ -- (A) – Affirmative Sentences
VERB ‘DOES’ -- (B) – Negative Sentences
VERB ‘DOES’ -- (C) – Interrogative Sentences
VERB ‘DOES’ -- (D) – 'Short Answers’ and ‘Question Tags’
English Grammar – ‘DID’
VERB ‘DID’ -- (A) – Affirmative Sentences
VERB ‘DID’ -- (B) – Negative Sentences
VERB ‘DID’ -- (C) – Interrogative Sentences
VERB ‘DID’ -- (D) – 'Short Answers’ and ‘Question Tags’
Exercises: 1(A) and 1(B)
Exercises: 2(A) to 2(D)
Sample This:
English Grammar – ‘DO/DOES/DID’
The verb 'Do’ is used as an AUXILIARY VERB as well as a MAIN (ORDINARY) VERB.
MAIN VERB: When used as the main verb, the verb ‘do’ is followed by an object.
AUXILIARY VERB: ‘Auxiliary verb’ is a verb which is used with the main verb to show tenses, etc.]
He does not do these kinds of things. [In this sentence, ‘Does’ has been used as an ‘Auxiliary Verb’, while ‘Do’ has been used as a ‘Main Verb’]
They do not do nation-building. [In this sentence, ‘Do’ has been used as both an ‘Auxiliary Verb’ and a “Main Verb’]
NOTE: Verb ‘do’ has the following forms:
(1). Present form – Do or Does
[‘Do’ is used with ‘You, I, We, They’ and all other plural subjects in the present tense. ‘Does’ is used with ‘He, She, It’ and all other singular subjects in the present tense.]
(2). Past form – Did
[‘Did’ is used with ‘You, I, We, They, He, She, It’ and all other singular and plural subjects in the past tense.]
(3). Past Participle form – Done
[Past participles are accompanied by auxiliary verbs ‘HAVE’ or ‘BE’ (in the correct tense)]
You have done your country proud.
This type of job is done in this factory.
The main Verb ‘Do’ may denote the following actions –
to find the answer to something: - Can they do this puzzle?
to perform an activity or a task: - Sometimes you like to do things that are a little scary.
to produce something: - He did a painting last night.
to study something: - I am doing English these days.
to talk about household chores (cleaning, washing, etc.): - They will have to do (wash) dishes.
to work at something as a job: - What do you do for your livelihood?
The main Verb ‘Do’ is also used to show the following actions:
to attend, to cook, to copy somebody’s behavior, to travel, to visit somewhere as a tourist, to cheat, to punish, to steal, etc.
Some more sentences with ‘MAIN VERB’ – DO/DOES/DID/DONE:
She is happy that she will be able to do something for the poor and downtrodden.
We are ready to do whatever it takes to avoid being suspended from competition.
I like to do extensive research before I invest hard-earned money on a new purchase.
It's no secret we do things we know we shouldn't.
It is not uncommon to come across people who do jobs that have nothing to do with their academic degrees.
What ultraviolet light does to the skin to cause sunburn?
What caffeine does to your brain?
It is not yet clear what exactly this software did.
Work was done according to the rules.
He has done an obligation to me.
VERB – ‘TO HAVE’
PART (A). Ordinary Verb -- ‘HAVE’
PART (B). Auxiliary Verb -- ‘HAVE’
1. Have/Has/Had + Third Form of Verb
2. Have/Has/Had + Been + Third Form of Verb
3. Have/Has/Had + Been + -ING Form of Verb
4. Have/Has/Had + Been
5. Have/Has/Had + Had
PART (C). Modal Verb -- ‘HAVE’
1A. [Have/Has + To + First Form of Verb]
1B. [Have/Has + To + Be + Third Form of Verb]
2A. [Had + To + First Form of Verb]
2B. [Had + To + Be + Third Form of Verb]
3A. [Have/Has + Had + To + First Form of Verb]
3B. [Have/Has + Had + To + Be + Third Form of Verb]
4A. [Had + Had + To + First Form of Verb]
4B. [Had + Had + To + Be + Third Form of Verb]
5A. [Having + To + First Form of Verb]
5B. [To + Have + To + First Form of Verb]
Exercises: 1(A) and 1(B)
Exercises: 2(A) and 2(B)
Exercises: 3(A) to 3(C)
Sample This:
VERB – ‘TO HAVE’
VERB – ‘HAVE’
Verb ‘HAVE’ is used as an AUXILIARY VERB as well as a MAIN (ORDINARY) VERB. It also does the function of ‘MODAL VERB’.
MAIN VERB: When used as the main verb, the verb ‘have’ is followed by an object.
AUXILIARY VERB: When used as an auxiliary verb, it forms the perfect and perfect continuous tenses. [Note: ‘Auxiliary verb’ is a verb which is used with the main verb to show tenses, etc.]
MODAL VERB: ‘Modal verb’ is a verb that is used with the main verb to express intention, permission, possibility, probability, obligation, etc. Following patterns are possible: “have to, has to, had to, have had to, has had to, had had to, having to”
FORMS OF VERB ‘HAVE’:
Present form – Have or Has
Past form – Had
Past Participle form – Had
IMPORTANT POINTS ABOUT VERB ‘HAVE’
‘Have’ Is Used With Subject ‘I, We, You and They’ + All Plural Subjects
‘Has’ Is Used With Subject ‘He and She’ + All Singular Subjects
‘Had’ Is Used With All Subjects (Singular or Plural)
USE OF ‘HAVE GOT’
In some senses, you can also use ‘have got’.
‘have got’ is especially used in ‘British English’.
She has got a loose temper. (= She has a loose temper.)
I have got a backache. (= I have a backache.)
He has got a management degree (= He has a management degree.)
PART (A). Ordinary Verb -- ‘HAVE’
As a Main Verb, ‘Have’ is used to express different kinds of thoughts: Some of them are as follows: to possess, to own, to show quality, to show a feature, to suffer from illness, to perform a particular action, to produce a particular effect, to trick, to cheat, to hold, to experience, to receive, to allow, to put in a position, etc.
When used as the main verb, ‘have’ is followed by an object.
I have an American passport.
He has an American passport.
She had an American passport.
Negative Forms Of Main Verb ‘Have’:
Have – Do not have (Don’t have)
Has – Does not have (Doesn’t have)
Had – Did not have (Didn’t have)
I don’t have an American passport.
He doesn’t have an American passport.
She didn’t have an American passport.
NOTE– Instead of using do/does/did, you can also use modal verbs (may, can, must, should, etc.) in negative sentences to show possibility, intention, obligation, etc.
I may not have an American passport.
He may not have an American passport.
She may not have an American passport.
You can also use ‘Never have/Never has/Never had’ to emphasize negative statements.
I never have my breakfast at 7 am.
This park never has any trace of greenery.
We never had the guts to question him.
Interrogative Patterns Of Main Verb ‘Have’:
Have – Do + Subject + Have
Has – Does + Subject + Have
Had – Did + Subject + Have
Do I have an American passport?
Does he have an American passport?
Did she have an American passport?
NOTE– Instead of using do/does/did, you can also use modal verbs (may, can, must, should, etc.) in interrogative sentences to show possibility, intention, obligation, etc.
Can I have an American passport?
Can he have an American passport?
Can she have an American passport?
Interrogative-Negative Patterns Of Main Verb ‘Have’:
Have – Don’t + Subject + Have
Has – Doesn’t + Subject + Have
Had – Didn’t + Subject + Have
Don’t I have an American passport?
Doesn’t he have an American passport?
Didn’t she have an American passport?
Pattern (01) -- To + Be
Pattern (02) -- To + Be + -ING Form of Verb
Pattern (03) -- To + First Form of Verb
Pattern (04) -- To + Be + Third Form of Verb
Pattern (05) -- To + Have
Pattern (06) -- To + Have + Been
Pattern (07) -- To + Have + Been + -ING Form of Verb
Pattern (08) -- To + Have + Third Form of Verb
Pattern (09) -- To + Have + Been + Third Form of Verb
Pattern (10) -- Being (Present) And Having Been (Past)
Pattern (11) -- ‘Verb + -ING’ and ‘Having + Past Participle’
Pattern (12) -- Being, Having Been And Past Participle
Pattern (13) – “Be” + To
EXERCISE
Sample This:
Pattern (01) -- To + Be
[PAST EVENTS]
EXAMPLE 1:-
He thought that he was safe there.
First Part - He thought. [Main Verb In Past]
Second Part - He was safe there. [Verb ‘Be’ – Was]
Using – ‘To + Be’
He thought that he was safe there.
Make changes in this sentence as follows:
A. Remove ‘that’
B. Replace Subject pronoun (he) with Reflexive pronoun (himself)
C. Replace Verb ‘Was’ With To Be
He thought himself to be safe there [Main Verb In Past + To + Be]
EXAMPLE 2:
I believed that he was a rival.
First Part - I believed. [Main Verb In Past]
Second Part - He was a rival. [Verb ‘Be’ – Was]
Using – ‘To + Be’
I believed that he was a rival.
Make changes in this sentence as follows:
A. Remove ‘that’
B. Replace Subject pronoun (he) with Object pronoun (him)
C. Replace Verb ‘Was’ With ‘To Be’
I believed him to be a rival. [Main Verb In Past + To + Be]
EXAMPLE 3:
It was said that he was in China.
First Part - It was said [Main Verb in Past]
Second Part - He was in China [Verb ‘Be’ – Was]
Using – ‘To + Be’
It was said that he was in China.
Make changes in this sentence as follows:
A. Use Subject of Second Part as the Main Subject
B. Remove ‘that’
C. Replace Verb ‘Was’ (Second Part) With ‘To Be’
He was said to be in China. [Main Verb In Past + To + Be]
MORE EXAMPLES:
He appeared to be mentally disturbed.
He appeared to be in the age group of 23-25 years.
The family claimed it to be a case of medical negligence.
Others seemed to be fast asleep.
Speeding seemed to be the reason behind the accident.
We never expected him to be part of the scandal.
More than a dozen children were believed to be among the passengers on the plane.
Samples of the body said to be of the 23-year body did not match despite the investigation agency having thrice sent the sample to a laboratory.
He grew up to be a brave man.
A closer look showed it to be the head of a boy neck-deep in the quicksand.
The wait turned out to be long and futile.
Kidnapper turned out to be none other than his own relative.
They found four passengers who turned out to be thieves.
Everyone wanted to be the first to be out of the hotel.
[PRESENT EVENTS]
EXAMPLE 1:
We know that he is alive.
First Part - We know. [Main Verb In Present]
Second Part - He is alive. [Verb ‘Be’ – Is]
Using – ‘To + Be’
We know that he is alive.
Make changes in this sentence as follows:
A. Remove ‘that’
B. Replace Subject pronoun (he) with Object pronoun (him)
C. Replace Verb ‘Is’ With To Be
We know him to be alive. [Main Verb In Present + To + Be]
EXAMPLE 2:
It is said that his condition is critical.
First Part – It is said. [Main Verb In Present]
Second Part - His condition is critical. [Verb ‘Be’ – Is]
Using – ‘To + Be’
It is said that his condition is critical.
Make changes in this sentence as follows:
A. Use Subject of Second Part as the Main Subject
B. Remove ‘that’
C. Replace Verb ‘Is’ (Second Part) With ‘To Be’
His condition is said to be critical. [Main Verb In Present + To + Be]
MORE EXAMPLES:
It appears to be a replay of the 1997 hit and run case.
The ball appears to be in the finance ministry’s court.
Friends are known to be sympathetic during tough times.
They cease to be MPs.
Today happens to be your birthday.
They are reported to be safe.
He wants it to be a low-key affair.
I want this to be more of an inspirational story.
The incident seems to be the fallout of a property dispute.
The shelter is expected to be ready by next week.
He is considered to be close to the president.
Time management is said to be the key to success.
He is believed to be in a serious but stable condition.
The Nile is said to be longer the all other rivers.
He has been found to be a millionaire.
English modal auxiliary verbs - may, might, can, could, will, would, shall, should, must, need, used(to), ought(to), dare | different patterns and examples | may and might are used to express- possibility, compulsion, obligation, probability (in the present and future) | can, could are used to express- ability, probability, possibility, suggestion, request, condition | will, would are used to express- action in future, present habit, compulsion, obligation | shall, should are used to express- action in future, suggestion, surprise, importance or purpose | need is used to express necessity | used(to) is used to express- past habit | ought(to) is used to express- probability, recommendation, obligation, advise | dare is used to express– be brave enough to
Sample This:
Modal Auxiliary Verb -- May and Might
Uses of ‘May’ and ‘Might’
(1). Possibility/Probability
It may rain the day after tomorrow. [= Perhaps it will rain the day after tomorrow. OR It is possible that it will rain the day after tomorrow.]
He may have caught the train. [= Perhaps he caught the train. OR It is possible that he caught the train.]
(2). To say what the purpose of something is
Many people flatter that they may win favor. [= Many people flatter in order to win favor.]
They ran so that they might arrive in time. [= They ran in order to arrive in time.]
(3). To admit that something is true before introducing another point, argument, etc.
It may not be wise, but using force may be lawful. [= Although it is not wise, using force may be lawful.]
(4). To express wishes and hopes
May you live prosperous life!
May you have a good time!
My teacher blessed me that I might succeed in my exams.
(5). To give or refuse Permission [In Informal and Polite Way]
You may not withdraw money from your bank account. [= You are not allowed to withdraw money from your bank account.]
(6). To seek Permission [In Informal and Polite Way]
May I borrow your book for two days? (Yes, you may.)
May I come in? (No, you may not.)
Difference between ‘May’ and ‘Might’
‘Might’ is the past equivalent of ‘may’ in indirect speech. ‘Might’ is very polite and formal. It is not common. It is mostly used in indirect questions.
I wonder if I might work on your computer.
But it is used in the same way as ‘may’ to talk about the present or future.
‘Might’ is used as a less positive version of ‘May’
‘May’ denotes more possibility/probability
‘Might’ denotes less possibility/probability
May I use your mobile phone?
Might I use your mobile phone? (= A diffident way of saying ‘May I use your mobile phone?’)
‘Might’ also denotes ‘would perhaps’
You might attract President’s attention later. [= Perhaps you would attract.]
He might have to go [= Perhaps he had to go.]
‘Might’ is also used to express a degree of dissatisfaction or reproach; as,
You might pick up an argument with him!
You might have picked up an argument with him!
‘Might’ has limitations while ‘asking permission’
Note: Avoid using ‘might’ to seek or give permission. [Prefer to use ‘may’] | Avoid using ‘might not’ to refuse permission. [Prefer to use ‘may not’]. Using ‘might’ to seek or give permission is very formal and is not used very often.
Might I ask your address?
Might I offer you something to eat?
[Exception: You can use ‘might’ to give permission or ‘might not’ to refuse permission in “indirect speech”]
He asked me whether he might stay in my house.
Note: ‘Maybe’ is an adverb. [‘Maybe’ means ‘perhaps’] -- Maybe he came to know something secret and was removed from the post.
ALSO NOTE: Difference between ‘May’ and ‘Can’
‘May’ is more formal than ‘Can’
‘May’ is mostly used in ‘formal’ English.
‘Can’ is mostly used in ‘informal’ (or spoken) English
‘Can’ is used to show ability/capability/capacity, while ‘may’ is never used in this sense.
