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ENGLISH ESSENTIALS

NOTE DE CURS
ANUL II

CORINA PACURAR

CONTENTS
Chapter one..4 I1. Function.4 I2. Form .....5 I3. Position..5 I4. Types of adverb6 I5. Comparison8 Test paper ..11 Chapter two The pronoun13 II1. Personal pronoun..13 II2. Demonstrative pronoun15 II3. Possessive pronoun16 II4. Interrogative pronoun...18 II5. Reflexive pronoun..20 II6. Reciprocal pronoun21 II7. Indefinite pronoun.22 Test paper25 Chapter three The preposition, conjunction and interjection26 III1. The preposition.26 III2. The conjunction27 III3. The interjection.29 Test paper.31 Appendix 133 Appendix 235 Bibliography.39

We continue our work, ENGLISH ESSENTIALS, with three new chapters, THE ADVERB, THE PRONOUN, THE PREPOSITION, CONJUNCTION AND THE INTERJECTION. As seen in the title of each chapter, we offer quick and convenient guidance to the fundamentals of the English language. Students must gain knowledge of these new parts of speech. They must be sure to make a difference between adverbs and adjectives, which can be very confusing! They will know all types of pronoun, when you say me or mine or I. Also, the shortest words in English will finally have a definition! We still use our pictures; you remember them from the first course:

when we give examples. This way, you find them very easy!!

when we want to emphasize something important.

this announces a test paper!

announces the objectives of the chapter.

I.

THE ADVERB

This chapter will teach the students to make a difference between adjectives and adverbs. You will learn about the functions, forms and position of adverbs, also how to make comparisons.

An adverb is a word that tells us more about a verb. An adverb qualifies or modifies a verb (The man ran quickly). But adverbs can also modify adjectives (Tara is really beautiful), or even other adverbs (It works very well). Many different kinds of word are called adverbs. We can usually recognize an adverb by: 1. Function (Job) 2. Form 3. Position

I1. Function
The principal job of an adverb is to modify (give more information about) verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. In the following examples, the adverb is in bold and the word that it modifies is in italics. Modify a verb: - Tom speaks loudly. (How does Tom speak?) - Susan lives locally. (Where does Susan live?) - Mom never smokes. (When does mom smoke?) Modify an adjective: - He is really handsome. Modify another adverb: - Grandma drives incredibly slowly. But adverbs have other functions, too. They can: Modify a whole sentence: - Obviously, I can't know everything.
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Modify a prepositional phrase: - It's immediately inside the door.

I2. Form
Many adverbs end in -ly. We form such adverbs by adding -ly to the adjective. Here are some examples: quickly, softly, strongly, honestly, interestingly But not all words that end in -ly are adverbs. Friendly, for example, is an adjective. Good is an adjective and is always used as an adjective. Never use good to modify a verb. I feel good. (referring to the condition of the subject) Well is both an adjective, meaning in good health, and an adverb of manner, answering the question how something is done. I feel well. (referring to the condition of the subject) She writes well. (modifies the verb) Some adverbs have no particular form, for example: well, fast, very, never, always, often, still

I3. Position
Adverbs have three main positions in the sentence: Front (before the subject): Now we will study adverbs. Middle (between the subject and the main verb): We often study adverbs. End (after the verb or object): We study adverbs carefully. In general, avoid splitting a verb phrase when using an adverb. While the rule is not carved in stone, it is a good one to keep in mind.

I4. Types of Adverbs: Adverbs of Frequency


Adverbs of Frequency answer the question How often? or How frequently? They tell us how often somebody does something. often, rarely, sometimes, usually, seldom, etc. Adverbs of frequency come before the main verb (except the main verb to be):

We usually go shopping on Saturday. I have often done that. She is always late. Occasionally, sometimes, often, frequently and usually can also go at the beginning or end of a sentence:

Sometimes they come and stay with us. I play football occasionally. Rarely and seldom can also go at the end of a sentence (often with very):

We see them rarely. John eats fruit very seldom.

Adverbs of place
Adverbs of place indicate position. They answer to the question: Where? here, there, in the room, on the table, etc.
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Adverbs of place come after the main verb, direct object (if there is one) or adverb of manner (if there is one):

Mary searched everywhere, but she couldnt find her ring. I took the children to the zoo. They were playing happily in the garden.

Adverbs of time
Adverbs of time indicate the time at which something happened. They answer to the question: When? then, yet, still, now, today, in the afternoon, etc. Adverbs of time are placed at the very beginning of the clause or at its very end. The end position is more usual.

Last week I met his girl friend. Mom and dad went to the opera yesterday.

Note: -still is placed before the main verb or after the verb to be: He still thinks he is the best in his class. He is still in denial. -yet is placed at the end of the sentence. Tom hasnt come yet. Are we there yet? (usually with a negative answer)
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Adverbs of Time/ Frequency (When?) always before eventually forever frequently never now Monday occasionally often once seldom

Adverbs of Place/ Direction (Where?) across around backward here in out over sideways there through under upstairs

Adverbs of Degree ( How much?) completely entirely excessively however less mildly most much nearly somewhat thoroughly

Adverbs of Manner ( How?) beautifully carefully coldly earnestly equally handily hotly nicely thankfully quickly resentfully tirelessly

Adverbs indicating time, direction, place, or degree may look the same as nouns, prepositions or adjectives.

I5. Comparison of Adverbs


Normally adverbs of two or more syllables form the comparative with more and the superlative with most.
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Adverbs that are identical in form with adjectives: fast, hard, late, long, quick, high, far, deep, near use the endings -er for the comparative and -est for the superlative.

Tom must study harder for this exam. You can drive faster. My daughter danced more gracefully than ever.

! Do not use the double negative! The term double negative refers to the use of two negatives to express a single negation. Like the double comparison, the double negative is grammatically redundant. If used with an unnecessary negative such as not, nothing, or without, the adverbs hardly, barely, and scarcely are still considered unacceptable. Incorrect: I couldnt hardly quit in the middle of the job. The motion passed without scarcely a protest. Correct: I could hardly quit in the middle of the job. The motion passed with scarcely a protest.

Bibliography
1. Baugh, L. Sue, Essentials of English Grammar, McGraw-Hill Inc, NY, 2005 2. Zdrenghea, M. Mihai; Greere, L. Anca; A Practical English Grammar with Exercises, Ed. Cusium, Cluj-Napoca 1999
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3. http:// esl.about.com.

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TEST PAPER 1.Translate into English: a) Unchiul meu care a murit mi-a lasat o gramada de bani mostenire. b) E foarte ciudat ca el sa intarzie. c) A desent o linie abia vizibila. d) E alb ca varul, in curand va lesina. 2. Choose the suitable word in brackets: a) (pleasant, pleasantly) We had a time in Mamaia. b) (clear, clearly) Jim spoke very when he told us about that. c) (thorough, thoroughly) I cleaned the car that very day. d) (pleasant, pleasantly) The man was smiling at the baby. e) (soft, softly) Yes, she said in a voice. f) (soft, softly) Yes, she said

3.Choose the meaning that fits the sentence, write a letter in the box: (www.English.org) 1.a.-He only ate a bit of bread. b.-Only he ate a bit of bread. Nobody else ate it. 2.a.-Honestly, do you think he will get it? b.-Do you think he will get it honestly? I want your sincere opinion. 3.a.-Frankly, she doesnt want to talk about that. b.-She doesnt want to talk about that frankly. To tell you the truth, she doesnt feel like talking. 4.a.-We have often told them not to do that . b.-We have told them not to do that often . We dont want them to repeat the same action so many times. 5.a.-Mary only promised to write once a month. b.- Only Mary promised to write once a month. Nobody else said they were going to write. 6.a.-I dont really like his parents. b.-I really dont like his parents.
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I dont like them at all. 7.a.-Has he come late? b.-Has he come lately Was he late? 8.a.-Just wait here. b.-Wait just here. Dont do anything else. 9.a.-This is her last play. b.-This is her latest play. She isnt going to write more plays. 10.a.-At length, I wrote to the manager of the company and complained. b.-I wrote to the manger of the company at length and complained It was a long letter

II. THE PRONOUN


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Like nouns, pronouns can be used to refer to a person, place or thing. Students learn how to substitute persons, places or things, how to express possession, or how to refer to unspecified people. Pronouns are small words that take the place of a noun. We can use a pronoun instead of a noun. Pronouns are words like: he, you, ours, themselves, some, each... If we didn't have pronouns, we would have to repeat a lot of nouns. We would have to say things like: Do you like the new teacher? I don't like the new teacher. The new teacher is too pompous. With pronouns, we can say: Do you like the new teacher? I dont like him. He is too pompous.

II1. Personal Pronouns


Personal pronouns represent specific people or things. We use them depending on: number person gender personal pronouns subject singular 1st 2nd 3rd male/female male/female male female neuter plural 1st 2nd 3rd male/female male/female I you he she it we you object me you him her it us you them

male/female/neuter they

number: singular (eg: I) or plural (eg: we) person: 1st person (eg: I), 2nd person (eg: you) or 3rd person (eg: he)
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gender: male (eg: he), female (eg: she) or neuter (eg: it) case: subject (eg: we) or object (eg: us) We use personal pronouns in place of the person or people that we are talking about. Here are the personal pronouns: Examples (in each case, the first example shows a subject pronoun, the second an object pronoun):

I like chocolate. Tom called me. Do you like chocolate? Tom likes you. He runs fast. Did Tom call him? She is beautiful. Does Tom like her? It doesnt work. Can daddy repair it? We went for a walk. Susan invited us. Do you need a table for four? Did Tom and Susan beat you at doubles? They played tennis. Tom and Susan beat them.

When we are talking about a single thing, we almost always use it. We often use it to introduce a remark:
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It is nice to have a holiday sometimes. It is important to be educated. Its difficult to raise a child. Is it normal to see them together?

We also often use it to talk about the weather, temperature, time and distance:

Its raining. It will probably be cold this week. Is it nine o'clock yet? It's 20 kilometers from here to the next village.

II2. Demonstrative Pronouns


A demonstrative pronoun represents a thing or things :( (to demonstrate -verb: to show; to indicate; to point to) near in distance or time (this, these) far in distance or time (that, those) near singular plural this these far that those

Here are some examples with demonstrative pronouns:


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You can eat this. Have you read this? These are bad times. Do you like these? That is something new. Look at that! Those were the days! Can you see those? This is longer than that. These are better than those.

II3. Possessive Pronouns


We use possessive pronouns to refer to a specific person/people or thing/things (the antecedent) belonging to a person/people (and sometimes belonging to an animal/animals or thing/things). We use possessive pronouns depending on: number: singular (eg: mine) or plural (eg: ours) person: 1st person (eg: mine), 2nd person (eg: yours) or 3rd person (eg: his) gender: male (his), female (hers) Below are the possessive pronouns, followed by some example sentences. Notice that each possessive pronoun can: be subject or object refer to a singular or plural antecedent

number

person gender (of "owner") possessive pronouns


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singular 1st 2nd 3rd

male/female male/female male female

mine yours his hers ours yours theirs

plural

1st 2nd 3rd

male/female male/female male/female/neuter

All these houses are so small. Mine is the big one. (subject = My house) I like your dress. Do you like mine? (object = my dress) I went to the post office. I posted my letter but I forgot to post yours. (object = your letter) My house is so big. Yours is so small. (subject = Your house) All the essays were good but his was the best. (subject = his essay) Tom wrote his vows but Susan didnt write hers. (object = her vows) These are your tickets. Ours are at home. (subject = Our tickets) Each couples books are color-coded. Yours are red. (subject = Your books) I don't like this familys garden but I like yours. (object = your garden) These arent John and Marys children. Theirs have black hair. (subject = Their children) John and Mary dont like your car. Do you like theirs? (object = their car) Whose can also be a possessive pronoun (an interrogative possessive pronoun). Look at these examples:

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This car is new, whose is it? I wonder whose dress is the most beautiful.

II4. Interrogative Pronouns


We use interrogative pronouns to ask questions. The interrogative pronoun represents the thing that we don't know (what we are asking the question about). The interrogative pronouns are invariable for gender and number. There are four main interrogative pronouns: who, whom, what, which Notice that the possessive pronoun whose can also be an interrogative pronoun (an interrogative possessive pronoun). subject person thing person/thing person who what which whose (possessive) object whom

Notice that whom is the correct form when the pronoun is the object of the verb, as in Whom did you see? (I saw John.) However, in normal, spoken English we rarely use whom. Most native speakers would say (or even write): Who did you see? Look at these example questions. In the sample answers, the noun phrase that the interrogative pronoun represents is shown in bold.

question Who told you?


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answer Tom told me. subject

Whom did you tell? What's happened? What do you want? Which came first? Which will the doctor see first?

I told Susan. An accident's happened. I want milk. The Mercedes came first. The doctor will see the child first. Tom's (car) hasn't arrived.

object subject object subject object

There's one car missing. Whose hasn't arrived? Weve found everyone's paper. Whose did you find?

subject

I found Tom's (paper).

object

Sometimes we use the suffix -ever to make compounds from some of these pronouns (mainly whoever, whatever, whichever). When we add -ever, we use it for emphasis, often to show confusion, anger or surprise. Look at these examples

Whoever would want to do such a horrible thing? Whatever did you do to upset her like that? They're all beautiful! Whichever will you choose?

II5. Reflexive Pronouns

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We use a reflexive pronoun when we want to refer back to the subject of the sentence or clause. Reflexive pronouns end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural). There are eight reflexive pronouns: (reflexive -adj. : reflecting back on the subject, like a mirror) reflexive pronoun singular myself yourself himself, herself, itself ourselves yourselves themselves

plural

Examples: I see myself in the mirror. You cut yourself shaving. He sent himself the letter. Children cannot look after themselves. All the above reflexive pronouns can also act as intensive pronouns. An intensive pronoun emphasizes its antecedent. Look at these examples:

I made it myself. I myself made it. Have you yourself seen it? OR Have you seen it yourself? The President himself promised to stop the war. She spoke to me herself. OR She herself spoke to me. The exam itself wasn't difficult, but exam room was horrible. Never mind. We'll do it ourselves.
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You yourselves asked us to do it. They recommend this book even though they themselves have never read it. OR They recommend this book even though they have never read it themselves.

II6. Reciprocal Pronouns


Reciprocal pronouns are used when each of two or more subjects is acting in the same way towards the other. For example, I am talking to You, and You are talking to Me. So we say: A and B are talking to each other. The action is reciprocated. Tom talks to Susan and Susan talks to Tom. I keep your secret and you keep my secret. There are only two reciprocal pronouns, and they are both two words: each other one another When we use these reciprocal pronouns: there must be two or more people, things or groups involved (so we cannot use reciprocal pronouns with I, you [singular], he/she/it), and they must be doing the same thing

Examples: John and Mary love each other. Peter and David hate each other. The ten prisoners were all blaming one another. Both teams played hard against each other. We gave each other gifts. Why dont you believe each other? They cant see each other. The gangsters were fighting one another. The boats were bumping against each other in the storm.
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In general we use each other more often than one another, which sounds a little formal.

II7. Indefinite Pronouns


An indefinite pronoun does not refer to any specific person, thing or amount. It is vague and not definite. Some typical indefinite pronouns are: all, another, any, anybody/anyone, anything, each, everybody/everyone, everything, few, many, nobody, none, one, several, some, somebody/someone

Remember! Do not use double negatives! Incorrect: He did not keep no records. Mary did not see nobody in the room. Correct: He did not keep any records. (or: He kept no records.) Mary did not see anybody in the room. (or: Mary saw nobody in the room.)

Most indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural. Some of them can be singular in one context and plural in another. Examples: Singular: another an additional or different person or thing anybody /anyone no matter what person anything no matter what thing each every one of two or more people or things, seen separately either one or the other of two people or things enough as much or as many as needed everybody/ everyone all people everything all things less a smaller amount little a small amount much a large amount
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neither nobody/no-one nothing one other mentioned somebody/someone something you

not one and not the other of two people or things no person no single thing, not anything an unidentified person a different person or thing from one already an unspecified or unknown person an unspecified or unknown thing an unidentified person (informal)

Plural: both few fewer many others several they two people or things, seen together a small number of people or things a reduced number of people or things a large number of people or things other people; not us more than two but not many people in general, informal

Singular or plural: all the whole quantity of something or of some things or people any no matter how much or how many more a greater quantity of something; a greater number of people or things most the majority; nearly all none not any; no person or persons some an unspecified quantity of something; an unspecified number of people or things such of the type already mentioned

Examples: This apple is rotten, I would like another.


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Is there anybody who can answer my question? Is anything wrong? Each will receive a ticket. Its you or Tom, no one else applied for this position. Either is suited. But neither gets the job if the answers arent correct. Enough is enough, dont you agree? Everybody works out. I guess everything is at its right place. If you eat red meat, less is healthy. Little is known about her boy friend. Nothing matters to you. Dont drink so much, one gets the idea youre an alcoholic. Somebody was here before. Something bad is happening. I have twins! Both are red-haired! Few know the answer and fewer have the courage to spell it. Many try to win the contest. Others have seen this movie and enjoyed it, too. All were tired, several left the room. / All is forgotten. Are any singing tonight? / Is there any on the table? Some say you are wrong. / Here is some. Most is forgiven. / I invited my class, most have arrived.

Bibliography
1. Baugh, L. Sue, Essentials of English Grammar, McGraw-Hill Inc, NY, 2005 2. Thurman, Susan; Grammar and Style Book, Adamsmedia, Avon, Massachusetts, 2008 3. Zdrenghea, M. Mihai; Greere, L. Anca; A Practical English Grammar with Exercises, Ed. Clusium, Cluj-Napoca 1999

TEST PAPER (www.english.org)


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Exercise A Fill out the correct possessive pronoun! 1. I have a bike. Its .... bike. 2. Mum and I have a boat. Its ...... boat. 3. The horse has an apple. Its ...... apple. 4. John and Max have a skateboard. It's ......... skateboard. 6. You have a dog. Its ........ dog. 7. Max and you have a dad. Its ........ dad. Exercise B Fill out the correct possessive pronoun! 1. I have a dog. That dog is ........ ! 2. She has a cat. That cat is ........ ! 3. We have a car. That car is ........ ! 4. They have a bike. That bike is ...........! 5. He has a key. That key is ...... ! 6. You have a hat. That hat is ......... ! Exercise C Fill out the correct personal pronoun! 1. My name is Andrea. .... am 10 years old. 2. Pedro and Pablo are my friends. ........ are from Mexico. 3. Pedro and Pablo look alike and most people ask them, Are 4. Pedro and I like to play tennis. .... play at the club. 5. Pablo likes to play football. .... plays with his neighbors. 6. Linda is my sister. ...... does not like sports. 7. My older brother has a horse. .... is a gentle mare. 8. He asked, Linda, do
......

......

twins?

want to go horseback riding?

III. PREPOSITIONS, CONJUNCTIONS AND INTERJECTIONS

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How many times did you confuse in with at or beyond with behind? Now you will learn some rules to use them correctly. Also, some funny interjections may come at handy, you never know!

III1. Prepositions
A preposition is a word that links a noun or pronoun to some other word in a sentence. We can call prepositions connecting words that show the relationship among words in a sentence.

Examples: Jack and Jill went up the hill. (up is the preposition connecting went and hill) Little Mary sat in a corner. ( in is a preposition connecting sat and corner) The most common prepositions about behind down above below during across beneath except after beside for against between from along beyond in among but inside around by into at concerning like before despite of

off on onto out outside over past since through throughout

to toward under underneath until up upon with within without

Some prepositions (called compound prepositions) consist of more than one word, like in spite of, next to, on top of, and together with. Prepositions are among the most overworked words in English grammar. Use the following guidelines to avoid committing two of the more common errors.
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1. Avoid putting unnecessary prepositions at the end of the sentence Incorrect: Where are my keys at? Correct: Where are my keys?

Incorrect: Can I go with? Correct: Can I go? Can I go with you? 2. In formal writing and business communications, avoid putting the preposition at the end of a sentence. Rewrite the sentence so that it has a correct prepositional phrase. Avoid: They were not sure which college they should apply to. Better: They were not sure to which college they should apply.

III2. Conjunctions
A conjunction links words or group of words to other parts of the sentence and shows the relationship between them. Conjunctions are divided into three categories: coordinating, correlative and subordinating. A. Coordinating conjunctions include and, but, or, nor, for, so and yet. They join two or more elements of equal rank.

Examples: The telescope and its lens were repaired. (nouns)


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We drank and ate till midnight. (verbs) She is a sore but victorious player tonight. (adjectives) You can work quickly or thoroughly. (adverbs) He and I never agree. (pronouns) Jane went home and found her husband cooking for her. ( clauses)

B. Correlative conjunctions cannot stand alone; they must have a relative nearby, usually in the same sentence. They are coordinating conjunctions used in pairs and include both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/also, and not only/but also. Correlative conjunctions also join elements of equal rank and you have to make sure that the elements following each part of the construction are truly equal.

Examples: Tell either John or Jack about the party. (nouns) She is both laughing and crying at the same time. (verbs) The new boss was neither hostile nor friendly. (adjectives) C. Subordinating conjunctions join elements of unequal rank in a sentence. They can be used to introduce a sentence as well as to join elements within it. Following is a list of commonly used subordinating conjunctions: after although as in as if as long as as much as as soon as assuming that because before even though how if order that in that inasmuch as now that once providing that since so long as so that than that though unless until when where whenever wherever whether while

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III3. Interjections
Hey, you dont know what an interjection is? Its a word or phrase that expresses emotion or is used to catch the readers attention. If an interjection is part of a sentence, it doesnt have a relation to other words in the sentence; if you take it out, the meaning of the sentence remains unchanged.

Examples: Ouch! did you step on my toe? (strong interjection punctuated with an exclamation point) Hey, how are you? (mild interjection set off by comma)

A note of caution: use interjections with moderation, if at all! Here are some of the most common interjections: ah hey no way alas hooray oh congratulations hurry ouch good grief my goodness outstanding great never ugh help no wow

Bibliography
1. Marius, Richard; Wiener, S. Harvey; The McGraw-Hill College Handbook, 4th edition, McGraw-Hill Inc, NY, 1994 2. Thurman, Susan; Grammar and Style Book, Adamsmedia, Avon, Massachusetts, 2008
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TEST PAPER 1 Insert prepositions at/on/in (www.english.org.) 1. I get up .... 7 oclock every day. 2. I was born .... 21 May.
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3. Mary likes to go to the seaside .... summer. 4. Steve reads the newspaper .... the morning. 5. We are going to the picnic .... the weekend. 6. My mother is .... home now, but Im .... work. 7. My friend was born .... 1975. 8. I will be back .... 5 minutes. 9. His brother is going to get married .... the age of 25. 10. We have English lessons .... Monday and .... Wednesday. 11. They are busy .... the moment. 12. Olga and Nick arrived .... the same time.

TEST PAPER 2 Rewrite the sentences using the paired conjunctions given in brackets. Make any necessary changes. DO NOT USE ANY PUNCTUATION MARKS! Example: Tom doesnt lie to his friends. Paul doesnt either. (neither...nor) Neither Tom nor Paul lies to their friends. 1. Fred likes helping his friends. So does Linda. (both...and) 2. Harry used to date Ann. Or was it Helen? (either...or) 3. We should learn to accept our weaknesses and our strengths. (not only...but also) 4. He never listens to or advises his friends when they have a problem. (neither...nor) 5. Ive betrayed your trust. I've betrayed your love for me. (not only...but also) 6. He felt disappointed. He felt misunderstood. (both...and)
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7. Brian isnt very considerate. Neither is Tom. (neither...nor) 8. A true friend is someone who is caring and loving. (both...and) 9. Rachel should apologies or leave. (either...or) 10. Richard and John didnt keep her secret. (neither...nor)

boufriendship
BOTH...AND / EITHER...OR / NEITHER...NOR / NOT ONLY...BUT A

Appendix 1 There are no fixed rules for forming the past tense and past and present participle of irregular verbs. It is necessary to memorize the forms and to keep a good dictionary
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handy. For reference, some of the most commonly used irregular verbs are listed here. Basic Form be begin bite blow break bring burst buy catch come do draw drink drive eat fall fight flee fly forget get go hang hide know lay leave lend lie lose lost pay ride ring Past Tense was began bit blew broke brought burst bought caught came did drew drank drove ate fell fought fled flew forgot got went hung/hanged hid knew laid left lent lay lost lost paid rode rang Past Participle been begun bitten blown broken brought burst bought caught come done drown drunk driven eaten fallen fought fled flown forgotten got/gotten gone hung/hanged hidden known laid left lent lain lost lost paid ridden rung
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Present Participle being beginning biting blowing breaking bringing bursting buying catching coming doing drawing drinking driving eating falling fighting fleeing flying forgetting getting going hanging hiding knowing laying leaving lending lying losing losing paying riding ringing

rise run see set shake shine shrink sit speak steal strike take tear throw wear write

rose ran saw set shook shone shrank sat spoke stole struck took tore threw wore wrote

risen run seen set shaken shone shrunk sat spoken stolen struck taken torn thrown worn written

rising running seeing setting shaking shining shrinking sitting speaking stealing striking taking tearing throwing wearing writing

Appendix 2 The meaning and spelling of the following words are commonly confused. Practice using them until the correct usage is familiar to you. accept, except accept-to take, to agree I accept the offer. except-excluding, omitting Everyone left except me.
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advice, advise advice-opinion, counsel She needs your advice. advise-to counsel Please advise him of his rights. affect, effect affect- to influence, change Inflation always affects our level of income. effect-(n.) impression, results; (v.) to cause The computer has had a profound effect on our everyday lives. It has effected a complete change in the way we do business. imply, infer imply- to suggest Are you implying that I was at the scene of the crime? infer- to deduce from evidence Your gloves were found in the room, we infer that you visited the deceased sometime last night. its, its its- contraction of it is or it has Its [is has] been a long day. its- possessive form of the pronoun it When the ship fired its guns, the blast was deafening. later, latter later- after a time Theyll mail it later today. latter- last mentioned of two If its a choice between the beach and the mountains, Ill take the latter. lead, led, lead lead-(v.) to go before; (adj.) first The boys always lead the rush to the beach. led-(v., past tense of lead) went before They led the parade playing their kazoos. lead-(n.) heavy metal; graphite The paperweight is made of lead.
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lie, lay lie- to rest or recline (lie, lay, lain) The cat always lies down on my sweater. Yesterday he lay on it all day. I wish he had lain somewhere else. lay- to put or place something (lay, laid, laid) I will lay the sweater on the couch. Yesterday I laid it there without thinking about the cat. I have laid it there many times. lose, loose, loss lose- misplace Dont lose the tickets. loose- not fastened down; release The screw is loose on the showerhead, loss- deprivation His leaving was a loss to the company. past passed past-(n., adj.) preceding The past president gave the gavel to the new president. passed- (v., past tense of pass) went by; gone by We passed my cousin on the road. personal, personnel personal- individual Can I ask you a personal question? personnel- a department; workers The human resources (personnel) office keeps records on all company personnel.

precede, proceed precede- to come before My older brother precedes me by one grade at school. proceed- to go ahead We can proceed with your game as soon as the weather clears. principle, principal principle- rule, standard Sound principles can help you make good decisions.
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principal-(adj.) main, chief; (n.) superintendent Ill never forget my grade school principal, Mr. Harvey. quiet, quite quiet- silent The valley is quiet as dusk. quite- completely He was quite upset with himself for losing the race. rise, raise rise-(v.) to go up, to get up; (n.) reaction The moon rises later each night. raise-(v.) to lift, bring up; (n.) an increase Raise the picture a little higher. sit, set sit- to rest in an upright position We had to sit on the plane for three hours before we took off. set- to put or place something They set the coffee on the table. stationary, stationery stationary- still, fixed The chair is stationary. stationery- letter paper He took out a sheet of stationery and wrote a letter. than, then than- after a comparison; when Vivian is taller than Kelly. then- nest; in that case She took Freds order and then mine. that, which that- used to introduce a phrase or clause essential to the meaning of the sentence; not set off by commas The shipment that arrived yesterday had to be returned. We ate the 15 doughnuts that Jan brought to work in the morning. which- used to refer to a specific noun or pronoun and to introduce a phrase or clause not essential to the meaning of the sentence; usually set off my commas We ate 15 doughnuts, which was 15 too many.
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The shipment, which arrived yesterday, had to be returned. Exception: that or which can at times be used interchangeably to avoid too many repetitions of either word in a sentence. there, their, theyre there- a place The book has to be on the table, I saw it there just a minute ago. their- possessive form of they Why dont they take their skateboards and go home? theyre- contraction of they are Theyre upset that the watermelon fell of the table. weather, whether weather- climate The weather has been changing slowly over the past fifty years. whether- if; regardless They have to know whether you are going. You should tell them whether you fell like it or not. whos, whose whos- contraction of who is or who was Do you know whos [who is] coming to the party tonight? No, I dont know whos [who has] been invited. whose- possessive form of who Whose purple car is parked outside out house? youre, your youre- contraction of you are Youre going to be late for dinner. your- possessive form of you Your dinner is cold.

Bibliography
1. Baugh, L. Sue, Essentials of English Grammar, McGraw-Hill Inc, NY, 2005 2. Hodges, C. John; Horner, B. Winifred; Miller, Robert; Webb, S. Suzanne; Whitten, E. Mary; Harbrace College Handbook, 11th edition, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers, Orlando Flo, 1990
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3. Marius, Richard; Wiener, S. Harvey; The McGraw-Hill College Handbook, 4th edition, McGraw-Hill Inc, NY, 1994 4. Thurman, Susan; Grammar and Style Book, Adamsmedia, Avon, Masachusetts, 2008 5. Zdrenghea, M. Mihai; Greere, L. Anca; A Practical English Grammar with Exercises, Ed. Cusium, Cluj-Napoca 1999 6. http:// esl.about.com. 7. http://www.4hb.com

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