Mrs. Simons said that only 29 percent of the earth consisted of land.
If the subordinate clause states a universal truth, it assumes a present tense. ‘Consisted’ is past tense.
The correct sentence is, ‘ Mrs. Simon said that only 29 percent of the earth consists of land’.
The soldiers said that they will be ready for the attack.
If the main clause is stated in the past tense, the following subordinate clause assumes a conditional past tense. ‘Will be’ is future tense which has to be turned into a conditional ‘would be’.
The correct sentence is ‘The soldiers said that they would be ready for the attack’.
I study hard so that I scored good grades.
A sentence wherein the subordinate clause indicates purpose, if the main clause is stated in present or future tense, the subordinate clause assumes a present tense. Here, the purpose is to score good grades.
Hence the correct sentence is, ‘I study hard so that I may score good grades’.
The teacher said that she is happy with Sam’s results.
If the main clause is stated in the past tense, the following subordinate clause also assumes a past tense. ‘Is’ is simple present tense which has to be turned into past tense ‘was’.
The correct sentence is, ‘The teacher said that she was happy with Sam’s results’.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Noun Pronoun
I am not sure who you hate.
As the pronoun is the object of the verb, we have to use “whom”. “Who” is used when the pronoun is the subject of the verb.
The correct sentence is - I am not sure whom you hate.
The criteria for the contest is not specified.
‘Criteria’ is a plural form of ‘criterion’ which assumes a singular verb “is”.
The correct sentence is ‘The criterion for the contest is not specified / The criteria for the contest are not specified.’
As the pronoun is the object of the verb, we have to use “whom”. “Who” is used when the pronoun is the subject of the verb.
The correct sentence is - I am not sure whom you hate.
The criteria for the contest is not specified.
‘Criteria’ is a plural form of ‘criterion’ which assumes a singular verb “is”.
The correct sentence is ‘The criterion for the contest is not specified / The criteria for the contest are not specified.’
Monday, November 8, 2010
8 oct
Sensous vs sensual
“Sensuous” implies ‘gratification of the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasure’; the sensuous delights of great music.
“Sensual” tends to imply ‘the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of the physical appetites as ends in themselves’.
Luxurious vs voluptous
“ Luxurious” suggests the ‘providing of or indulgence of sensuous pleasure inducing bodily ease and languor’; a luxurious hotel.
“Voluptuous” implies ‘more strongly abandonment especially to sensual pleasure’; a voluptuous feast.
Veracious vs voracious
“Veracious” is ‘truthful, honest or accurate’.
“Voracious” means ‘ravenous or having a huge appetite’ and is the correct word in this context.
Tertiary vs ternary
‘Ternary’ is ‘based on the number three’.
‘Tertiary’ means ‘third in place, order, degree, or rank’. Here, we want to express a number system based on the number three.
Premier vs Premiere
“Premier” (adj) means ‘first in rank’
“Premiere” as a noun means ‘first performance’.
“Sensuous” implies ‘gratification of the senses for the sake of aesthetic pleasure’; the sensuous delights of great music.
“Sensual” tends to imply ‘the gratification of the senses or the indulgence of the physical appetites as ends in themselves’.
Luxurious vs voluptous
“ Luxurious” suggests the ‘providing of or indulgence of sensuous pleasure inducing bodily ease and languor’; a luxurious hotel.
“Voluptuous” implies ‘more strongly abandonment especially to sensual pleasure’; a voluptuous feast.
Veracious vs voracious
“Veracious” is ‘truthful, honest or accurate’.
“Voracious” means ‘ravenous or having a huge appetite’ and is the correct word in this context.
Tertiary vs ternary
‘Ternary’ is ‘based on the number three’.
‘Tertiary’ means ‘third in place, order, degree, or rank’. Here, we want to express a number system based on the number three.
Premier vs Premiere
“Premier” (adj) means ‘first in rank’
“Premiere” as a noun means ‘first performance’.
8 oct
punitive
Presently / Currently
comprises (A) / consists (B)
confidant (A) / confident (B)
Despite (A) / In spite (B)
dinning (A) / dining (B)
----------------------------------------------------
demure and demur. The difference of the final “silent” E is critical not only to the pronunciation but to the meanings of these two words. Demure is pronounced [de-myure] while demur is pronounced [duh-murr]. Big difference there.
Demure, of course, is an adjective meaning, roughly, “coyly shy”. If someone asks you whether you know something about a topic on which you happen to be an expert, a demure reply is appropriate: “Do you know anything about words?” “A little,” would be a demure reply from a lexicographer or lexicologist.
The verb means to show reluctance in doing something, to hold back or hesitate in an open-ended fashion. You would (I hope) demur from sharing the password to your online bank account with anyone.
I exemplified the disparity between this word and demur with a comment about one of my favorite co-diners, Cherry Pitt: “Cherry Pitt demurred from the offer of a second dessert, waiting until asked a second time, at which point she demurely accepted.”
It just occurred to me that the difference between a lexicographer and a lexicologist might make an interesting note. I won’t devote a whole essay to the topic but just say here that a lexicographer is someone who compiles dictionaries while a lexicologist is someone who scientifically (linguistically) studies the nature of words in the mental lexicon.
How to use Affect
Affect is commonly used as a verb. Unless your topic is psychology, you will rarely need to use affect as a noun.
Typically, when people want to say that one thing has had an impact on another, they will use the verb affect.
For example:
* It’s hard to say how the price of gasoline will affect the economy in the long run.
* Growing up with three older sisters affected me greatly as a person.
* When someone affects you strongly, you may develop affection for them. (Notice in this example that the root of affection is affect.)
How to use Effect
Effect is almost always used as a noun. Typically, when people talk about causes, they also talk about effects. An effect is what is created by some cause. Here are some examples of effect being used as a noun that means “the result of a cause”:
* It’s hard to say what effect the rising price of gasoline will have on the world economy.
* One undesirable effect of not wearing shoes is getting really dirty feet.
* The hurricane caused many tragedies, and the victims are still feeling its effects.
* However, it can also be used as a verb, meaning to bring about, as in her actions effected a change in the situation.
narration
aparthield
Presently / Currently
comprises (A) / consists (B)
confidant (A) / confident (B)
Despite (A) / In spite (B)
dinning (A) / dining (B)
----------------------------------------------------
demure and demur. The difference of the final “silent” E is critical not only to the pronunciation but to the meanings of these two words. Demure is pronounced [de-myure] while demur is pronounced [duh-murr]. Big difference there.
Demure, of course, is an adjective meaning, roughly, “coyly shy”. If someone asks you whether you know something about a topic on which you happen to be an expert, a demure reply is appropriate: “Do you know anything about words?” “A little,” would be a demure reply from a lexicographer or lexicologist.
The verb means to show reluctance in doing something, to hold back or hesitate in an open-ended fashion. You would (I hope) demur from sharing the password to your online bank account with anyone.
I exemplified the disparity between this word and demur with a comment about one of my favorite co-diners, Cherry Pitt: “Cherry Pitt demurred from the offer of a second dessert, waiting until asked a second time, at which point she demurely accepted.”
It just occurred to me that the difference between a lexicographer and a lexicologist might make an interesting note. I won’t devote a whole essay to the topic but just say here that a lexicographer is someone who compiles dictionaries while a lexicologist is someone who scientifically (linguistically) studies the nature of words in the mental lexicon.
How to use Affect
Affect is commonly used as a verb. Unless your topic is psychology, you will rarely need to use affect as a noun.
Typically, when people want to say that one thing has had an impact on another, they will use the verb affect.
For example:
* It’s hard to say how the price of gasoline will affect the economy in the long run.
* Growing up with three older sisters affected me greatly as a person.
* When someone affects you strongly, you may develop affection for them. (Notice in this example that the root of affection is affect.)
How to use Effect
Effect is almost always used as a noun. Typically, when people talk about causes, they also talk about effects. An effect is what is created by some cause. Here are some examples of effect being used as a noun that means “the result of a cause”:
* It’s hard to say what effect the rising price of gasoline will have on the world economy.
* One undesirable effect of not wearing shoes is getting really dirty feet.
* The hurricane caused many tragedies, and the victims are still feeling its effects.
* However, it can also be used as a verb, meaning to bring about, as in her actions effected a change in the situation.
narration
aparthield
8 oct
the american type
squinting
dangling
participal pharases
gerund phrases
infinitive phrases
elliptical clauses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
perquisite vs prerequisite
shear vs sheer
peddle vs pedal
oral vs aural
perspicuous vs perspicacious
historic vs historical
antics vs antiques
wreathe vs wreath
proclivity vs
squinting
dangling
participal pharases
gerund phrases
infinitive phrases
elliptical clauses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
perquisite vs prerequisite
shear vs sheer
peddle vs pedal
oral vs aural
perspicuous vs perspicacious
historic vs historical
antics vs antiques
wreathe vs wreath
proclivity vs
8 oct
correlative conjunctions
we provide an explanation for something not on/of
what is time
general theory of relativity
quantam theory
we have misapprehension of something and not misapprehension about somehting
what makes the universe tick
http://www.stealthskater.com/Documents/Time_05.pdf
corn laws in the 19th century britain
melodramatic
he'd done all that , as part of a larger than life life
the sun hinted at(not towards) signs of retarding
being a very sociable person she can strike up a conversation even with a complete stranger
his officious behaviour is becoming increasingly unbearable, i wish someone could cut him down to size.
call it sleep(1934)
posthumous
we provide an explanation for something not on/of
what is time
general theory of relativity
quantam theory
we have misapprehension of something and not misapprehension about somehting
what makes the universe tick
http://www.stealthskater.com/Documents/Time_05.pdf
corn laws in the 19th century britain
melodramatic
he'd done all that , as part of a larger than life life
the sun hinted at(not towards) signs of retarding
being a very sociable person she can strike up a conversation even with a complete stranger
his officious behaviour is becoming increasingly unbearable, i wish someone could cut him down to size.
call it sleep(1934)
posthumous
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Prepositional errors
The word ‘divide’ always has the preposition ‘into’ after it.
The correct sentence is, ‘The chapter is divided into two parts’.
The preposition cannot be omitted after worry if it comes before a question word (where).
The correct sentence is, ‘My mother was worried about where Raj had disappeared’.
‘Since’ usually does not come at the end of the sentence.
The correct sentence is, ‘Since when has she been absent?’
I did not know about that the diamond was stolen.
A preposition cannot come before a ‘that’ clause.
The correct sentence is, ‘I did not know that the diamond was stolen’.
My mother questioned me how I had spent my money.
A preposition cannot be dropped before a question word.
The correct sentence is, ‘My mother questioned me about how I had spent my money’.
For what did he buy this?
The preposition comes at the end of the sentence when the ‘wh’- question is the object of the preposition.
The correct sentence is, ‘What did he buy this for?’
The word afraid is always used with the preposition ‘of ’.
The correct sentence is, ‘My younger sister is afraid of cockroaches’.
The words ‘bad’, ‘good’ and ‘clever’ are always used with the preposition ‘at’.
The correct sentence is, ‘My sister is not bad at painting’.
Which day did it take place during?
‘During’ cannot come at the end of the sentence.
The correct sentences are, ‘During which day did it take place?’ Or
‘On which day did it take place?’
I am worrying about if he finds his hostel comfortable enough.
‘If ’ does not follow a preposition. ‘Whether’ is used instead of ‘if ’.
The correct statement is, ‘I am worrying about whether he will find his hostel comfortable enough’.
Sheila was not aware of that Ravi had left the town.
A preposition cannot come before a ‘that’ clause.
The correct sentence is, ‘Sheila was not aware that Ravi had left the town’.
Like what does he look?
The preposition comes at the end of the sentence when the ‘wh- question’ is the object of the preposition.
The correct sentence is, ‘What does he look like?’
I left my job because I did not agree ______ the company’s marketing policies.
When a person, policy or an opinion is referred to we use, ‘agree with’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
For months, I had difficulty ______ the visa authorities.
We say difficulty ‘with’ something.
You might have some difficulty ____ conversing with the French people.
We say difficulty 'in' doing something.
The entire region was divided ____ various princely states.
The preposition 'into' is always used after divide
Did he drive ____ the same tree again?
We say ‘drive into’ something. In the context, only ‘into’ fits in.
The Brahmins were never kind ____ the untouchables.
Adjectives like ‘kind’, ‘polite’ and ‘rude’ are followed by the preposition ‘to’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
My marriage ____ Sam lasted for a year.
The word ‘marriage’ is followed by the preposition ‘to’.
The reason ____ his outburst in the auditorium is yet unknown.
The word ‘reason’ is always followed by the preposition ‘for’.
Have you read the latest book ____ Salman Rushdie?
When we speak about an artist’s work, we always use the preposition ‘by’.
____ the end, the panchayat decided that the destruction of the crops was due to the floods.
(in)
The expression ‘in the end’ is used to indicate after a long time and ‘at the end’ is used to indicate the moment where something ends.
There were no fire crackers in the market ____ the end of Diwali that year.
‘At the end’ is used to indicate something occurs at a particular moment.
The correct sentence is, ‘The chapter is divided into two parts’.
The preposition cannot be omitted after worry if it comes before a question word (where).
The correct sentence is, ‘My mother was worried about where Raj had disappeared’.
‘Since’ usually does not come at the end of the sentence.
The correct sentence is, ‘Since when has she been absent?’
I did not know about that the diamond was stolen.
A preposition cannot come before a ‘that’ clause.
The correct sentence is, ‘I did not know that the diamond was stolen’.
My mother questioned me how I had spent my money.
A preposition cannot be dropped before a question word.
The correct sentence is, ‘My mother questioned me about how I had spent my money’.
For what did he buy this?
The preposition comes at the end of the sentence when the ‘wh’- question is the object of the preposition.
The correct sentence is, ‘What did he buy this for?’
The word afraid is always used with the preposition ‘of ’.
The correct sentence is, ‘My younger sister is afraid of cockroaches’.
The words ‘bad’, ‘good’ and ‘clever’ are always used with the preposition ‘at’.
The correct sentence is, ‘My sister is not bad at painting’.
Which day did it take place during?
‘During’ cannot come at the end of the sentence.
The correct sentences are, ‘During which day did it take place?’ Or
‘On which day did it take place?’
I am worrying about if he finds his hostel comfortable enough.
‘If ’ does not follow a preposition. ‘Whether’ is used instead of ‘if ’.
The correct statement is, ‘I am worrying about whether he will find his hostel comfortable enough’.
Sheila was not aware of that Ravi had left the town.
A preposition cannot come before a ‘that’ clause.
The correct sentence is, ‘Sheila was not aware that Ravi had left the town’.
Like what does he look?
The preposition comes at the end of the sentence when the ‘wh- question’ is the object of the preposition.
The correct sentence is, ‘What does he look like?’
I left my job because I did not agree ______ the company’s marketing policies.
When a person, policy or an opinion is referred to we use, ‘agree with’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
For months, I had difficulty ______ the visa authorities.
We say difficulty ‘with’ something.
You might have some difficulty ____ conversing with the French people.
We say difficulty 'in' doing something.
The entire region was divided ____ various princely states.
The preposition 'into' is always used after divide
Did he drive ____ the same tree again?
We say ‘drive into’ something. In the context, only ‘into’ fits in.
The Brahmins were never kind ____ the untouchables.
Adjectives like ‘kind’, ‘polite’ and ‘rude’ are followed by the preposition ‘to’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
My marriage ____ Sam lasted for a year.
The word ‘marriage’ is followed by the preposition ‘to’.
The reason ____ his outburst in the auditorium is yet unknown.
The word ‘reason’ is always followed by the preposition ‘for’.
Have you read the latest book ____ Salman Rushdie?
When we speak about an artist’s work, we always use the preposition ‘by’.
____ the end, the panchayat decided that the destruction of the crops was due to the floods.
(in)
The expression ‘in the end’ is used to indicate after a long time and ‘at the end’ is used to indicate the moment where something ends.
There were no fire crackers in the market ____ the end of Diwali that year.
‘At the end’ is used to indicate something occurs at a particular moment.
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