Common Errors In The Use Of Nouns

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

NOUNS

Functions:

1. Nouns can be used as the subject of the verb.

e.g. Reena is Charming.

Seeing is not believing.

2. As the object of the Verb.

e.g. Reena fascinates Rahul.

3. As the Complement.

e.g. Rahul is a painter.

Note : Words ending with ~ion, ~ity, ~ness, ~body, ~age, ~graphy, ~ance, ~ence, ~ence, ~cracy, ~man, ~men etc are noun.

e.g. attraction, village etc are noun.

Rules / Common Errors in the use of nouns :

1. Nouns plural in form but used in singular. For example: News, Innings, wages, measles, mumps, gallows, mathematics, physics, economics, politics, gymnastics etc.

The Gallows has been erected fro the murderers.

The News is important

The wages of sin is death and that of virtue-eternity.

Note: If mathematics means mathematical calculations and economics means facts related to economy, we use plurality.

e.g. Mathematics are always correct.

Mathematics is a useful subject

The economics of this project have thoroughly been discussed.

Nouns Singular in forms but used in plural. For example: Police, People, Gentry, and Peasantry.

The police have arrested the suspect.

The Gentry of the town were invited to the function.

Note : We use peoples in the rarest of the rare circumstances. We use peoples when we try to depict the peoples of different religion / caste./ sector / class / faith / colour / creed etc.

For example : The president requested the peoples of the nation to live as communal harmony.

Nouns always to be used in singular. They are all uncountable nouns. For example : luggage, baggage, furniture, advice, offspring, vacation, bread, damage etc. for example :

Put your luggage somewhere else.

I want two slices of bread.

He Works very hard during the summer vacation.

You must follow the advice of your elders.

Note :

If we are specific about vacation we use singularity. e.g. He really works very hard during summer vacation.

If we talk about the vacations of the year, we use plurality. e.g. He works really very hard during the vacations of the year.

If damage is used in legal context, we use plurality. e.g. the judge ordered him to compensate for the damages.

Nouns always to be used in plurals. E.g. trousers (pyjamas), shorts, shoes, goggles, scissors, tongs, spectacles, socks, glasses.

The scissors are sharp / plunt.

The trousers are loose.

Collective Noun : If a collective noun depicts oneness / wholeness, we use singular verb and a singular pronoun. If it doesn’t depict oneness / wholeness, we use plural verb and plural pronoun. For example :

The jury was unanimous in its verdict.

The jury were divided in their opinion.

The house is unanimous.

The house are divided.

The crowd surged out to have a dimpse of its leader.

Compound Noun have more than one noun elements e.g. ToothBrush, Father-in-law.

This misgynist hates all mothers in law, lady-doctors and women-teachers.

Rule of plurality for compound Nouns :

If a compound noun of two elements has a preposition in it, we use plurality with the first element e.g. father-in-law.

If a compound noun has two elements in it, we use plurality with the second noun element e.g. toothbrushes, lady-doctors.

If a compound noun of two elements has man or woman as its first noun element, we use plurality with both the noun elements e.g. women-teachers (woman-teacher)

The following expressions depict one unit therefore we should use singularity for them. For example : A five day week, a ten mile book, a five man delegation.

A five man delegation was was waiting for prime minister.

If two nouns depict a common position, we should use | ‘s | after the second noun. For example :

Rahul and Reema’s mother is ill.

Rahul’s and Reena’s mother are ill.

Wren and Martin’s grammar is traditional.

PRONOUNS

Pronouns are used to replace nouns to avoid repetition.

Kinds:

1. Personal Pronouns

Pronouns of First Person

Nominative Possessive Accusative (Objective)

I Mine (my) me

We Ours (our) Us

Pronouns of Second Person

Nominative Possessive Accusative (Objective)

You Yours (Your) You

Pronouns of Third Person

Nominative Possessive Accusative (Objective)

He His Him

She Hers (Her) Her

It Its it

They Theirs (their) Them

Demonstrative Pronouns Demonstrates others.

For Example : This, That, These, Those

Reflexive (Reflective) Pronouns reflects the antecedent. We use suffix –self/selves

For Example : Myself, himself, themselves, yourself

Indefinite Pronouns are not definite.

For Example: Each, all, either, neither, none, some , every, nobody, everybody, any, one.

Numeral Pronouns depict the numbers. It means either the cardinal numbers (chief numbers like 1,2,3,4,5,6) or the ordinal number ( 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc) functions as a pronoun.

For example: Many men applied for the job but only two could get it.

Interrogative Pronouns:

For example: who, whose, whom, which, what

Nominative Possessive Accusative (Objective)

Who Whose Whom

Relative Pronouns introduce the relative clause ( adjective clause). There are only three relative pronouns :

(1) who, (2) which, (3) that

Who is used only for human beings.

A doctor is a person who has been trained in medical science.

I don’t like women who chatter incessantly.

Which is used only for non-living things.

Old age is a problem, which should concern us all.

That is used both for human beings and non-living things.

I don’t like women that chatter incessantly.

Old age is a problem that should concern well.

Note: If the person is one and definite we use who instead of that.

Rahul’s father who is a great scientist has gone abroad.

Note: We prefer that to who or which in the following cases:

If the antecedent is a indefinite pronoun we should use THAT

The govt. should do all that lies in its power to alleviate the problems of those made homeless by flood.

If an ordinal number or superlative degree of an adjective precedes the antecedent, we should use THAT.

Rahul is the best student that has ever been enrolled in this college.

If the antecedent is the complement of to be, we use THAT.

This is the film that will be very popular.

RULES AND COMMON ERRORS IN USE OF PRONOUN

Each other is used for two.

The two brothers love each other very much.

One Another is used for more than two.

We should love one another.

Each, Either, Neither are followed by singular verb and singular pronoun.

Each of the five girls have done their duty [Incorrect]

Each of the five girls has done their duty [Correct]

Each, Every :

Each is used for a small & specific number.

Every is used for a large number which is not usually specific.

Each and every are also used to denote emphasis.

I love each and every person.

Everybody, Anybody, Anyone, Someone should be followed by singular mesculin pronoun.

Everyone should do his duty

6. One as an indefinite pronoun should be followed by one.

One Must

7. Neither, None

Neither is used for two.

Neither of two contestant is willing to withdraw.

None is used for more than two.

None of the contestant is willing to withdraw.

8(a) None :

If None means not a single, we use singular word

Is there any letter for me ?

None is for you.

8(b) If None means not any we use plural word.

Have you delivered letters?

None have been delivered so far

9. Who, Whom

Who is a nominative pronoun. It is used as a subject of the verb.

Who want suck up the tea ?

Who is there?

Whom is an objective/accusative pronoun. It is used as the object of the verb.

Whom do you want to see ?

Note : Whom is becoming obsolete. Now a days we tend to replace whom by who.

Who’d you want to see ?

10. The complement of to be should be in nominative case (traditional rule)

Who is there ?

It is I. (Traditional )

It’s me. (Modern Sentence)

It’s him/her (Modern sentence)

We use accusative pronoun after Let & between.

Let him go.

There is no love between him and her.

12. We use reflexive pronoun after the following verbs.

Enjoy, avail, avenge.

I’m enjoying (Incorrect)

I’m enjoying myself (Correct)

You must avail yourself of this opportunity.

We use that, those to replace the antecedent to avoid repetition.

The population of Hisar is more than that of Hansi.

Usha’s handwriting is more beautiful than that of reena.

The climate of Mumbai is more pleasant than that of Delhi.

The roads of Chandigarh are clear than those of Hisar.

GERUND

Gerund means present participle (first form of verb + ing) functioning as a noun.

Rules / Use & Functions :

1. Gerund may function as the subject of the verb.

Swimming is a good exercise.

Seeing is believing.

2. Gerund may function as the object of the verb.

I hate smoking.

She loves dancing.

3. It may function as complement.

Seeing is believing.

My worst vice is smoking.

My greatest virtue is helping others.

4. It may used in short setntences.

No smoking / Parking

We use Gerund after preposition.

She is fond of chatting.

She insisted on seeing me personally.

Can you touch toes without bending your knees.

We use Gerund with Would you mind / Do you mind

Would you mind moving a bit?

Do you mind leaving me alone ?

We use Gerund with following expressions :

To look forward

To be used to

To get used to

I looked forward to receiving your letter soon.

I am looking forward to meeting my own people.

I am used to standing in a queue.

I could not get used to living in a big city.

We use Gerund with the verb of senses.

I saw him good.

She heard me talking.

I can smell something burning.

I feel the house shaking.

9. Gerund is used with following verb

Risk, Prefer, Deny, Avoid, Postpone, Mind etc.

I can not risk getting wet as I have only one suit.

Avoid travelling at rush hours.

I do not mind helping her.

10. We use Gerund with feel like

She feels like sleeping.

He feels like giving you a punch.

With can not help & Could not help

I can not help smoking.

She could not help shedding tears.

He could not help peeping through the key hole.

We use Gerund with it’s good, It’s Bad, It’s work, It’s not good, It’s not bad, It’s no use

What about his jacket?

It’s worth trying perhaps.

It’s no use cry over spilt milk.

It’s not good going yet.

It’s too early.

ADVERBS

Kinds of Adverbs

1. Adverbs of Manner

Bravely, Sincerely, Intelligently

Adverbs of place

Downstairs, Upstairs, Here, There, Anywhere, Somewhere.

Adverbs of time

Before, Ago, Yet, Still, Today, Tonight, Yesterday, Tomorrow.

Adverbs of frequency

Once, Twice, Always, Never, Usually, Occasionally, Often, Seldom.

Adverbs of Degree

Very, Much, Enough, Too, Fairy, Rather, Only

Relative Adverbs

When, Where, Why.

Interrogative Adverbs

When, Where, Why

Rules and Common Errors in the use of Adverbs

1. Before , Ago

Before is used for the former occasion.

Have you been here before?

Have you done this work?

Ago is used to depict the period of time of part.

I met her aeons ago.

I met her two years ago.

Fairy, Rather

Both of them have the same meaning i.e. Moderately.

Fairy is used for the favourable circumstances.

Rather is used for the unfavourable circumstances.

Rahul is fairy rich.

Reena is rather poor.

Rahul is rather stupid.

Reena is fairy intelligent.

Tea is fairy hot.

Tea is rather hot.

3(a). Very, Much

Very is used with the positive degree of an adjective.

She is very beautiful.

He is very strong.

Much is used with the comparative degree of an adjective.

He is much stronger than you.

She is much better today.

3(b). Very is used with present is participle if present participle functions as an adjective.

She is very charming.

The story is very interesting.

The scenery is very fascinating.

Much is used with the past participle.

The government policy of pension is much political

Note: If the past participle functions as an adjective, we use very instead of much.

I am very tired.

The children are very exhausted.

3(c). Very & Much can be used together to intensify the meanings.

I am very much interested in your project.

3(d). If we use the superlative degree of an adjective with very or much, we further intensify the meaning.

She is the wisest girl in the class.

She is the very wisest girl in the class.

She is much the wisest girl in the class.

4(a). Too means Also.

He was present too.

4(b). If too is used with to infinitive it gives the negative meaning.

She is too young to marry.

4(c). If too is used with only it gives the positive meaning.

I am only too glad.

4(d). Much Too further intensify the meaning.

This hat is much too small.

5. Still, Yet

Still is used with the affirmative sentences. It is used before the verb but after to be.

She still loves him.

She still in the bed.

Yet is used with the negative sentences. It is usually used with the end of the sentences.

He hasn’t come yet.

6. Enough

Enough is used after an adjective but before noun.

He is enough wise to solve the problem (incorrect)

He is wise enough to solve the problem (Correct)

He is strong enough to fight with two.

He’s got enough money to buy a car.

7. We don’t use never with remember.

I don’t remember having met her before.

The expression seldom or ever is incorrect. The correct expression is seldom or never.

He is seldom or never to be seen at the shop.

ADJECTIVES

Adjectives define and describe nouns. They are also called as describing verbs. For example Tall Man, Beautiful Girl.

Note : Words ending in ~ive, ~ful, ~ous, ~able, ~less etc. are adjectives.

For example : Attractive, Beautiful, Sumptuous, Movable, Careless.

Degrees:

Positive Comparative Superlative

Tall Taller Tallest

Good Better Best

ADJECTIVE

IRREGULAR

REGULAR

Regular Adjectives end in ~er and ~est in the comparative and superlative degrees respectively.

For Example : Tall - Taller - Tallest

Irregular Adjectives don’t end in ~er and ~est in the comparative and superlative degrees respectively.

For Example: Good - Better - Best

Little - Less/Lesser - Least

Use and Common Errors in the use of Adjectives:

1. If an adjective has only one syllable [1] , we use ~er and ~est in the comparative & superlative degrees resp.

Example : Big, Small, Tall

But there are two exceptions : Bad, Good

If an adjective has more than two syllables, we use more & most in the comparative and superlative degrees respectively

Example : Important, Interesting, Intelligent.

If an adjective ends in ~ful, we use more and most in the comparative and superlative degrees respectively.

Example : Beautiful, Careful

Some adjectives are superlative in nature therefore we don’t use any degree for them.

Example: Excellent, Unique, Fearless, Perfect, Complete, Marvelous

Her command over English language is excellent.

She is MOST perfect in the art of writing poetry.

This is the unique insect I ever seen.

We usually use Comparative Degree + than for the comparison between two things or two persons.

He is taller than you.

We should avoid using the double comparatives.

He is more wiser than you. [incorrect]

He is wiser than you. [correct]

We should avoid the following expressions :

Comparatively better / wiser / stronger

He is comparatively wiser than you. [incorrect]

He is wiser than you. [correct]

Latin Comparative adjectives ending in ~ior, take TO instead of THAN.

For example : senior, junior, superior, inferior, interior, exterior, prior etc.

He is senior to you.

This pen is inferior to your’s.

Prefer & Preferable take TO instead of THAN.

I prefer milk to tea.

We use the following structure for the parallel comparison :

The + Comparative Degree + the + Comparative Degree

The higher you go, the less oxygen it tends to be there.

The more sugar you put in, the sweeter it is.

The more leisure he has, the happier he is.

If we have to compare the two qualities of one person or thing, we use the following structure.

More + positive degree of adjective + than + positive degree.

Rahul is more wise than strong.

We use the superlative degree preceded by the definite article for more than two persons.

She is the wisest girl in the class.

He is the strongest man in the city.

Sometimes superlativity can also be depicted through comparison by the transformation of the sentences.

He is strongest man in the city.

He is stronger than any other man in the city.

Shakespeare is the greatest dramatist in the world.

Shakespeare is greater dramatist.

14. Whole, Whole of :

Whole is used with a common noun.

The whole country mourned the death of her leader.

Whole of is used for proper noun.

The whole of Rajasthan was lying waste.

15. "Many, A great Many, Many a " have the same meaning.

Many & A great many are followed by plural nouns. The only difference is that a great many depicts emphasis.

Many a is followed by a singular noun.

Many soldiers died in the war.

A great many soldiers died in the war.

Many a soldier died in the war.

16. Elder, Older, Eldest, Oldest.

Elder, Eldest are used to depict seniority among the members of the family. They are used only for human beings.

She is my elder sister.

She is the eldest member of the family.

Older, oldest are used to depict age. They can be used both for human beings and non living things.

He is older than you.

This is the oldest building of the town.

17. Fewer, Less

Fewer is used for number.

Fewer ships sailed today.

Less is used to depict quantity.

He takes less sugar than you.

18. Oral, Verbal

Oral is usually used for instructions or lecture. It is the opposite of written.

The instructor delivered an oral lecture .

Verbal mean description of something with the help of words. It can be written or oral.

The photographic description is better than the verbal description.

19. Further, Farther

Further is used to depict the next position or point.

I can’t read further.

Farther is used to depict distance.

I can’t go farther.

20. Few, A few, The Few

Few is a semi-negative. It gives the negative meaning.

I have few problems on the subject.

A few is a positive expression. It gives the positive meaning. It means a small number.

There are a few problems on the subject.

The few means a small number but definite.

I have lost the few books I had.

21. Little, A Little, The Little

Little means hardly anything. It obviously gives the negative meaning.

There is a little hope of his survival.

A little means a small quantity, It gives the positive meaning.

There is still a little hope of his survival

The little means a small quantity but definite.

The cat has spilled over the little milk in the jug.

22. If we have to use more than one adjective in sentence, their degree should be same.

Rahul is the richest and wisest doctor in the town.

23. If we put the definite article THE before some adjective, they become nouns.

ADJECTIVE NOUN

Poor The Poor (Poor People)

Rich The Rich

Old The Old

Young The Young

Disabled The disabled

C O N J U N C T I O N S

Conjunctions are the joining words, They join two words, phrases or sentences. There are two types of Conjunctions.

1. Subordinate Conjunctions introduce the adverb clauses. E.g. As, that, since, till, until, unless, because, if, though, although, so that, as if, as though, before, after etc.

He was absent because he was ill.

You’ll succeed if you work hard.

2. Co-Ordinate Conjunctions introduce the co-ordinate Clauses. There are only three co-ordinate conjunctions.

And, Or , But.

Rules & Common Errors in the use of Conjunctions.

Co-relatives means that the particular word goes parallel with a particular conjunction. They correlate with each other i.e. why they are called correlative. Some important correlatives are

1(a) Both………………. And

He is both the manager and proprietor of the firm

1(b) Different………….. From

This book is different from that one.

1(c) No Sooner ……………….. than

No sooner did he leave the house than it started raining.

1(d) Hardly / scarcely ………………. When

Hardly had I left the house when it started raining.

1(e) Either …………….. or

He is either a fool or very intelligent.

1(f) Neither ……………… nor

Neither he nor his brother was there.

1(g) Else ……………… But

It’s nothing else but pride.

1(h) No other ……………… than

No other man than he can help you.

1(i) Not only ……………… but also.

He is not only intelligent but diligent also.

1(j) Between ……………… And

There is no love between him and her.

1(k) Such ……………… as

He is such a man as none can like.

1(l) as ……………… as

He is as strong as a lion.

2. LIKE , AS

Like is followed by noun / Pronoun.

He dresses like his father.

As is followed by noun / pronoun + verb.

While in Rome do as Romans do.

Can you pour wine straight in your throat as they do in Spain.

We don’t use any conjunction before Wh~ ?

He asked me that what was to be done next. [incorrect]

He asked me what was to be done next. [correct]

We can’t use conjunctions in both the main clause and subordinate clause. If we have put the conjunctions in the subordinate clause there is no need to put in main.

if you will work hard then you will succeed. [Incorrect]

If you will work hard you will succeed. [correct]

Because he is kind hearted, he is very popular.

We don’t use the negative sentence immediately after the following conjunctions.

Until, till, unless, lest.

We did nothing but wait till he didn’t come back.

Walk fast lest we should miss the train.

We use the modal, should after lest, we can’t use any other modal.

Walk carefully lest you should fall down.

If the sentence begins with a negative word, the helping verb must be used before the subject.

No sooner did I leave the house then it started raining.

Hardly had I left the house, when it started raining.

The expression according to my opinion is incorrect. The correct is According to me or In my Opinion.

According to me, he is wrong.

I N F I N I T I V E S

It means the verb is not confined to any subject, object or tense. It can be used in infinite ways. There are two type of infinitives.

Bare Infinitive

USE

We use bare infinitive with the following verbs : make, let, bid.

I made him go.

She let him com in.

We use Infinitives (Bare or Gerund) without to with the verb of senses.

I saw him go.

I saw him going.

I saw her talk.

3. If the verbs of no 1 & 2 are used in passive except let we use TO infinitive.

He was made to go.

He was let come in by her.

He was saw to go.

Did you get up late ?

No, I was made to getup early.

4. We use bare infinitives with the modals.

I can do it.

You must leave.

5. We use bare infinitives with but and except.

We did nothing but wait.

He will do anything except lend you money.

6. We use infinitive without to with the following expressions :

would rather, would sooner, would better, had rather, had sooner, had better.

I would rather go.

You’d better mind your own business.

7. We use infinitives without to with need, dare, unless they are conjugated by don’t , doesn’t, won’t .

you needn’t to go.

You don’t need to go.

How dare you come in.

He doesn’t dare to come in.

2. TO Infinitive

USE

1. We use to infinitive to join two actions for a common subject.

I want to go.

2. To infinitive can be used as the subject of the verb.

To look after children requires a lot of patience.

To err is human to forgive divine.

3. As a compliment, to infinitive can be used.

He is to live.

She is about to come.

4. To – Infinitive is used to avoid repetition.

He has become doctor because his parent wanted him to.

5. If we use to infinitive with only, it depicts the disappointing sequel or request.

I went to his house only to find him not there.

I went to his house and was very much disappointed when I found that was not here.

He climbed the top of the mountain only to find someone else had already done it.

He climbed the top of the mountain and was very much disappointed when he found that someone else has already done it.

6. If we use to infinitive with too, it gives the negative meaning.

She is too young to marry.

He is too weak to walk.

7. We usually use to infinitive with enough.

He is wise enough to solve the problem.

8. There are 3 types of to-infinitives.

Present infinitive e.g. to work.

I want to work.

Continuous Infinitive e.g. to be working.

He seems to be working hard.

Perfect Infinitive e.g. to have worked.

He seems to have worked very hard.

S U B J E C T V E R B A G R E E M E N T

or

C O N R O R D

1. Sometimes the subject is very long, the verb in such as case should agree with the real element of the subject.

The state of affairs of this country is at stake.

The safety of sister nurses and female attend is in danger.

2. Sometimes the sentence begins with there but the verb should agree with the real subject.

There are ten boys in the class.

There is only one window in this room.

3. Two nouns/ pronouns joined by AND

3(a) Two noun/pronouns joined by and should have plural verb.

Ram and Sham are bosom friends.

He and I are good friends.

3(b) If two nouns joined with and depict one person, we use a singular verb.

The dramatist and poet has been acclaimed.

NOTE : If we put the definite article before both he noun it means there are two persons. We should use plural verb in such a case.

The poet and the dramatist have been acclaimed.

3(c) If two nouns joined with AND, reflect one opinion/idea/logic, we use singular verb.

Peace and prosperity of this country is at stake.

Rice and curry is his favorite food.

4. Two nouns joined with "WITH" or "AS WELL AS " , the verb in such a case should agree with the first noun.

The son with his parents has joined the institute.

The king as well as his retinue of slaves has left the palace.

5. Two nouns joined with "Neither ………..Nor " or "Either……or", the verb in such a case should agree with the second noun.

Neither the parent nor their son has joined the institute.

Either the son or their parent have joined the institute.

6. Sometimes the names of the books/movies/countries etc are in plural but the entity is singular, therefore we should use the singular verb.

The United State I highly advance in science and technology.

The Gulliver’s Travels is written by Swift.

T E N S E S

Present Indefinite

Structure:

1. Subject(I, we, you, they or any other third person plural) +

Ist form of Verb + [object]

2. Subject(I, we, you, it or any other third person plural) +

Ist form of Verb & s or es with verb.

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I work. I don’t work. Do they work ?

He works. We don’t work. Does She work?

You work. She doesn’t work.

USE

1. We use this tense for habitual actions.

I get up early in morning.

She smoke.

He goes for a long walk.

2. For the future traveling schedule [ itinerary ]

The prime minister leaves for England on Sunday next, meets the British Queen on Monday, leaves for Paris on Tuesday and comes back India on Wednesday.

3. For Notice

What does the notice say ?

It says "No parking."

4. We use this tense for the dramatic opening.

When the curtain rises, the hero is playing chess.

5. If the main clause of the complex sentence is an future simple, we use present simple in the conditional /time clause

You’ll succeed if you work hard.

I’ll go when he comes back.

6. If the actions in both the conditional/time clause and the main clause depict universal or scientific truth, we use present simple in both the clauses.

If you heat water, it evaporates.

7. For the writers of the past, who are well known for their writings and their writings are true to life, we use present simple for them.

Shakespeare says, "There is nothing good or bad, thinking makes it so."

John Keats says, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."

Present Progressive / Continuous Tense

Structure

Subject + am/are + present participle + [object]

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I am writing. I am not writing. Am I writing?

We’re writing. We aren’t writing. Are we writing?

It’s writing. It’s not writing. Is it writing?

USE

We use this tense for the action continuing at the time of speaking.

I am writing the rules of English Grammar.

He is playing football.

Sometimes we use this tense for the action not continuing at the time of speaker but the speaker has opted that action for certain time period.

What are you doing now a days?

I’m taking English lessons from the institute.

What are you reading ?

I’m reading Shakespeare now a days.

If we use this tense with always, it means you don’t appreciate the action.

He is always smoking.

She is always studying.

We can use this tense for the near definite future arrangement.

I’m going to the theatre tonight.

She’s meeting her mother tomorrow.

He is leaving for Delhi next week.

We don’t use this tense with following verb : know, won’t, seem, remember.

I don’t know. [Correct]

I’m not knowing. [Incorrect]

I’m wanting a pen. [Incorrect]

I want a pen. [Correct]

It is seeming that he’ll come. [Incorrect]

It seems that he will come. [Correct]

Present Perfect Tense

Structure

Subject + has/have + past participle + [object]

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I have worked. I haven’t worked. Have I worked.

USE

We can use this tense for the recent past action.

He has just come.

She has just left.

This book recently been published [passive]

We can use this tense for the action for past continuing in present.

He has served in the army for ten years.

We usually use this tense with today.

Where is Rahul? I haven’t seen him today.

We can use this tense for the day today experiences.

Have you done your work?

No I haven’t.

If the action after since is in past simple, we use present perfect before since.

I haven’t seen him since we left the party.

Present Perfect Continuous

Structure

Subject + Have/has + been + Present participle + for/since + time

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I’ve been studying for I’ve not been studying Have I been studying

for two hours. for two hours. for two hours.

USE

We use this tense for the action of past continuing in present.

He has been playing since morning.

They have been living in this house since 1997.

Past Indefinite

Structure

Subject + Past for of verb + [object]

Subject + didn’t + first form of verb + [object]

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I went to home. I didn’t go to home. Did I go home.

USE

We use past simple with the time of past is given.

I came here last night.

I met her ten years ago.

For the habit of past.

He always carried umbrella with him.

He used to swim a lot.

We can use this tense for the series of actions of past occurring one after the other without any gap of town.

I came at midnight, opened the door, switched on the light, sat in the chair and started reading the magazine.

We can use it for the action that occurred somewhere in the past and also stopped somewhere in the past.

He served in the army for ten years.

If the structure of the main clause in a complex sentence denotes past i.e. Would/ Should / Could + first form of verb, we use past simple in the conditional / time clause.

If you worked hard, you could succeed.

Past Progressive

Structure

Subject + was / were + present participle + [object]

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I was working. I wasn’t working. Was I working?

They were working. They weren’t working. Were they working?

USE

We usually use this tense with past simple to give the description of past.

when I went there , she was painting the portrait of her husband.

It was midnight.

Would fire was burning in the hearth.

A dog was sleeping in the front of way.

A girl was playing piano.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

The girl stopped playing and the dog woke up.

If we use this tense with always it means we didn’t appreciate the actions of the past.

He was always smoking.

They were always studying.

We can’t use this tense with the following verbs :

know, want, seem , remember.

I was not knowing. [incorrect]

I didn’t know [correct]

He was wanting to do it. [incorrect]

He wanted to do it. [correct]

We can use it as the past equivalent of present progressive.

He said, "I am writing a book on wild life. "

He said that he was writing a book on wild life.

Past Perfect

Structure

Subject + Had + past participle + [object]

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

He had read the book. He hadn’t read the book. Had he read the book?

USE

Past perfect means past of past. It means that some action of past is given and the other action occurring before this past action is/are to be used in past perfect. Pas perfect can’t be used in isolation. It needs the background of past. Some action of past is the background and the basis of past perfect.

The patient had died before the doctor come.

The train had left before I reach the station.

Rahul was twenty five when our story begins. His father had died five years ago. He had advised him not to marry till he was thirty. Rahul [had] intended to follow the advice of his father.

Past perfect can be used as the past equivalent of present perfect or past simple.

He said, "I’ve read this lesson."

He said that he had read that lesson.

He said, "I planned to start this project."

He said that he had planned to start that project.

Past Perfect Continuous

Structure

Subject + had been + present participle + for/since + time

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I’ve been working for I’ve not been working for have I been working for

two hours. two hours. two hours?

USE

Past perfect continuous can be sued in isolation. It is always influenced by some action of past. It can’t be said to be the past equivalent of present perfect continuous.

He said, "I’ve been living in this house since 2000."

He said that he had been living in that house since 2000.

Future Tense

Future tense can be depicted through :

1. Present Simple [Future Travelling Schedule]

[Itinerary]

2. Present Progressive [Near Definite Future Arrangement]

3. Going to form

4. Future Simple

Future Progressive

Future Perfect

Going to Form is used for premeditated future intention.

USE

It is used as the premeditated future intension.

I’ve borrowed some money from the bank.

I’m going to buy a car.

I’ve bought bricks. I’m going to build a house.

For the premeditated aims and objectives.

What are you going to do after you’ve taken your computer degree?

I’m going to be a computer programmer.

We use going to form if we guess/conceive/persue some future action by some clue or hint.

It’s going to rain. Look at the clouds outside.

She’s going to be sick. She looks pale.

Future Simple

Structure

Subject + will/shall + 1st form + [Object]

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I’ll work. I will not work. Will they work?

USE

We use future simple for the unpremeditated future intension.

You look frozen.

I’ll go and make you a nice cup of tea.

There is some one at the hall door.

I’ll go and open it.

Future simple can also be used for insistent habit.

Why does she annoy you?

Because she will shout?

We use will you for an polite and casual request.

Will you do me a favour.

We use SHALL with I and we & WILL with all the other pronouns. But if the action is promise or determination we use WILL with I & We and SHALL with all the other pronouns.

Now a days WILL and SHALL is being replaced by the weak form (‘ll)

Shall is fast become obsolete in future tense and is being replaced by will. Whenever there is a confusion whether to use WILL or SHALL , it is advisable to use WILL other than SHALL.

If the conditional/ time clause is in present simple, we use future simple in the main clause.

If you help me, I’ll manage to solve the problem.

Future Progressive

Structure

Subject + will / shall + be + present participle + [object]

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I’ll be working. I won’t be working. Will I be working?

USE

This tense is used when no intension is mentioned. The action occurs out of routine.

I’m meeting Rahul tomorrow.

I’ll be meeting Rahul tomorrow.

Future Perfect

Structure

Subject + will / Shall + have + past participle + [Object]

USE

This tense is used when the time of future is given and the action is to be completed by that time.

In two years, I’ll have taken my degree.

S U B J U N C T I V E S

Subjunctives are the different shades and moods of tenses.

Present Subjunctives

The structure of present subjunctive is the same as that of present simple tense except. That we don’t use ‘s’ or ‘es’ with the first form of the verb in case of third person singular. The present subjunctive of Be is always "Be".

USE

Present Subjunctive is used for the exclamatory wishes. Especially for the supernatural one.

God Help us !

Long live the king !

Heaven Be with us!

Present Subjunctive is Very much used in poetry and oration.

Shakespeare : If this be the error and upon me proved.

We use present subjunctive through if need be which means if it is necessary.

If need be we can ring another car.

Past Subjunctive

The structure of Past subjunctive is same as that of past simple tense. The past subjunctive of be is always WERE. It is never WAS.

USE

Past subjunctive is used for the action i.e. impossible, improbable, or unreal one.

If it rained for six months.

If we all lived underground.

If I were a bird I would fly.

Past subjunctive is used with the following expressions:

As if, if only, as though

He behaves as if he were a king.

She reacts as if she knew the answer.

It is used for the action in present context. It is never used for the past.

If only in knew. [ I’m sorry I don’t know ]

We use past perfect subjunctive if the action is in past. The structure of past perfect subjunctive is same as past perfect tense.

If only I had known [I’m sorry I didn’t know]

We use either past subjunctive or for + object+ to infinitive structure with it is time.

It is time we left. It is time for us to leave.]

It’s time we worked hard. It is time for us to work hard.]

Would Rather

If the subject of would rather is the doer of the action we use infinitive without to.

I’d rather leave. I’d prefer to leave.

Note : We use past subjunctive with would rather. If the speaker is not the doer of the action. The doer of the action is someone else.

I’d rather you left. [I’d prefer you to leave]

I’d rather you worked hard. [I’d prefer you to work hard.]

Do you mind if I smoke? [I’d rather you didn’t.]

USE OF TENSES IN CONDITIONAL / TIME CLAUSES

1. If the conditional / time clause is in present simple we use future simple in the main clause.

If you work hard you will succeed.

If this actions of Conditional clause and main clause depicts some scientific truth or universal truth we use present simple in both the clauses.

If you throw the thing up it comes down.

If the conditional /time clause is in past simple, we use the following structure in the main clause.

Would / Should + 1st form of verb

If it rained, the earth would smile with plenty.

If the conditional / time clause is in past perfect we use the following structure in the main clause.

Would / Should + have + past participle

If you had worked hard you would have succeeded.

If the tense of the main clause is in future simple, we can’t use future perfect in the conditional clause instead we use present perfect in the conditional / time clause.

When we have seen the Taj, we shall go for lunch.

Some other possibilities

Conditional time Clause Main Clause

Present Simple will / shall / can / must / may + 1st form of verb.

Past Simple would / should / could / might+

1st form of verb.

If you worked hard, you could /might succeed.

Past Perfect would / should / could /might +

Have + past participle

If you worked hard, you might have succeed.