Professional Documents
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English Grammar Plus
English Grammar Plus
Words, just like traffic lights, are nothing but symbols that need to be
understood if the people want to use them effectively. Our culture tells us PART 1: SENTENCE ----------------------
that red means ‘stop’ and green means ‘go.’ However, without universal 1
understanding of the meaning of red and green, there will be traffic jams. Subject and Predicate --------------------------
The same thing is true with language. 2
Simple and Complete --------------------------
A standard language is necessary to make communication more effective 2
and the people more productive. Clauses --------------------------
4
Thus, there is a need for you to learn grammar. Grammar is the study of the Sentence Fragment --------------------------
relationship of words in a sentence. Studying grammar allows you to 11
decode a language that is globally accepted. Run-on Sentence --------------------------
13
This book gives you basic knowledge on which sentence is acceptable and
which is not, so you could avoid the latter. It also guides you on what PART 2: PARTS OF SPEECH ------------------------- 19
appropriate part of speech you should use in order to express your thoughts Nouns -------------------------
effectively as you make the subject and the action word agree with each 19
other. Pronouns ------------------------- 30
Verbs -------------------------
Realizing that the choice of words is important, this book also includes some 36
commonly used idioms and a list of some frequently misused words. You Simple Tenses -------------------------
ought to use and understand idioms if you want to communicate with native 44
English speakers. Perfect Tenses -------------------------
49
Aside from correct word choices, this book also makes you conscious of the Progressive Tenses -------------------------
punctuation marks that make writing more dynamic. 52
Adjectives -------------------------
This book hopes to give you a strong foundation on basic grammar so you 59
could confidently conquer the world by using ENGLISH to your advantage. Adverb -------------------------
Remember that a good command of English language can get you a job, 65
and make you more credible. IT’S ABOUT TIME FOR YOU TO REVIVE Preposition -------------------------
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LITERACY THAT FILIPINOS WERE 68
ONCE WELL-KNOWN FOR. Conjunction -------------------------
-- Virginia B. Bautista 71
Interjection ------------------------- 1. The woman wearing pink 1. The woman wearing
75 dress pink dress is reading
PART 3: SUBJECT & VERB AGREEMENT---------- 77
a newspaper.
2. The man who won 2. He won.
PART 4: IDIOMS ------------------------- 87 the lottery
3. watching TV 3. The children are
PART 5: A GUIDE TO PUNCTUATION---------------- 97 watching Dora the
Explorer.
PART 6: FREQUENTLY MISUSED WORDS---------- 105
The entries in column A are NOT sentences because
they don’t convey complete thoughts. On the other hand, all
entries in column B are examples of a sentence. Each of them
has a subject and a predicate which make them have a
complete thought.
What is a predicate?
It tells something about the subject
IMPORTANT!
A SENTENCE is a word or a group of A subject and a predicate are called SIMPLE if they have
words that has a complete thought. only one word. The predicate is usually a verb. If they
contain modifiers, then they are called COMPLETE.
Compare the two sets of examples below: Example:
A B 1. The man standing near the cafeteria is a Korean
simple subject simple predicate
national studying in this pretigious university. Pancake House every Saturday.
The man standing near the cafeteria is a Korean 4. New York is also called “The Big Apple.”
complete subject complete
subject complete predicate
national studying in this pretigious university.
complete predicate
5. Gina’s aunt works in Canada as a nanny.
complete subject complete predicate
Examples showing simple subjects and simple predicates:
What is a CLAUSE?
A CLAUSE is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.
4
Compare the two versions of the essay titled CELL PHONES Which of the two versions of CELL
ON THE ROAD: PHONES ON THE ROAD is clearer?
5 6
your phone. If a number is not programmed into memory,
dial in short segments, check the traffic, and dial another Noun clause as object of preposition:
segment. Never allow your conversation to distract you from 7
driving. Keep calls brief. Keep your eyes on the road, and • I’m writing a book about how to teach
frequently check the side and rear view mirrors. English through newspapers.
• The president’s speech focused on
THREE BASIC KINDS OF DEPENDENT CLAUSES: what he accomplished in his first 100 days in
office.
A. A NOUN CLAUSE can be any of the following: • I am interested in learning how to
bake his favorite cake.
1. Noun clause as subject
2. Noun clause as object B. An ADJECTIVE CLAUSE describes the subject
3. Noun clause as object of preposition in the sentence.
Examples: Examples:
Noun clause as subject: • The girl, who was accidentally killed by her
father through gun fire, was Matilda Crabtree.
• What you don’t know won’t hurt you.
• The Internet, which allows people to connect
• Thinking about bad memories makes her feel to every person around the globe, is
frustrated. considered the most important innovation in
• Knowing what is right is everybody’s responsibility. information technology.
• The song, which was popularized by Black
Noun clause as object: Eyed Peas, was very popular both in the US
and in the Philippines.
• I didn’t tell him how he should react to the incident.
• The mayor finally admitted what he did with the C. An ADVERB CLAUSE answers the following
money questions: a) When?; b) Where?; c) Why?; d) Under
• The customer returned what he purchased what conditions?
yesterday.
8
Examples: 1. They are searching for the young man who
• I never saw him again after he won millions in the stole the money.
lottery. (TIME)
• He cried because his best friend betrayed 2. I will answer the question if you promise to
him.(CAUSE) keep it confidential.
• Melford didn’t review for his exam so he failed.
(EFFECT) 3. Working abroad has many consequences.
• I want to hang out in a place where nobody
4. The lovely princess, who was sincerely
stays.(PLACE)
loved by the beast, is Beauty.
• If the President Gloria Arroyo would give absolute
pardon to the former president, he would probably 5. What I’m thinking right now has nothing to
accept it because of his desire to be with her 102- do with your projects.
year-old mother. (CONDITION).
6. The fact that he left you doesn’t mean it’s
the end of the world.
10
9
IMPORTANT! difficult to pass is the subject that is
difficult to pass.
Your knowledge on clauses is important
in order for you to avoid sentence fragments 3. The game that he loves 3. Virgilio has original
11
which are common errors in writing CDs of the game that
he loves.
Example:
A RUN-ON sentence contains two or more independent
clauses which are incorrectly joined. Singing is my favorite hobby. Dancing is his
interest.
What’s wrong with run-on sentences? 2. Use a comma, followed by a coordinating conjunction
(AND, BUT, FOR, NOT, YET or SO).
Having two or more independent clauses can
confuse the readers. Example:
Example:
6. I don’t want to go shopping on Sundays the malls 10. I have to go my dad is calling me.
are crowded.
____ a. go, but
____ a. Sundays, for ____ b. go. My
____ b. Sundays; for ____ c. go until
____ c. Sundays. The
____ a. slippery, so
____ b. slippery; so
____ c. slippery. So
Part 19
ALL ABOUT NOUNS:
2
A. COMMON versus PROPER
20
Other examples of count nouns:
Look at this table and notice the big difference between • All the words that you can see, hear,
COMMON and PROPER: taste, touch or smell arebird
called two birds
client thirty clients
COMMON NOUNS PROPER NOUNS • CONCRETE nouns:cookietaxi, cloud, five cookies
restaurant Max’s smoke, statue, parents, mouse and three letters
letter
university University of the Philippines brain school four schools
senator Jamby Madrigal
shoes Nike • All the words that you can understand although you cannot
watch Rolex perceive with any of your senses are called ABSTRACT
movie Spider-man 3 nouns: help, education, promise, love, and beauty.
mall Mall of Asia Entities that you cannot count are
country England called MASS nouns or non-
Multi-player online game World of Warcraft C. COUNT, MASS and COLLECTIVE nouns nouns. Examples of
countable
MASS nouns are oxygen, gravel,
money, sunshine, music and
B. CONCRETE versus ABSTRACT furniture.
Can you
give me
Which among the words listed below any item
can you see, hear, taste, touch or smell? that you
COLLECTIVE nouns, on the other hand, are a
cars, apples,
can
word used to namedollars,
a group tables,
of objects. Examples
a. taxi g. love bananas, chairs,
of COLLECTIVE nouns are the following: class,
b. help h. statue pillows,
bouquet, band, flock, bunch, empire, squadron
books…
c. education i. parents and troop.
d. promise j. mouse
e. cloud k. beauty We call those
f. smoke l. brain words
COUNT
21 22
5. Juliet loves the ginseng coffee that her sister bought in
Korea.
6. The beggar who begs due to poverty smiles to every
man that gives him coins.
7. Joyce’s parents are hopeful that she will win in Pinoy
Pop Superstar .
Part I. 8. Johnny Depp is among the most versatile actors in
Directions: Write each noun from each of the Hollywood who are admired by many teenagers.
given sentences and label it concrete 9. China’s One-child Policy is being blamed by critics as
or abstract and common or proper. one factor that gives way to human rights abuse like
forced abortion.
Example : While watching TV about the justice system in 10. The senatorial candidates promised to give free
the Philippines, Harley usually eats Pringles and education to poor children.
drinks Pepsi.
Part II.
ANSWERS: TV – concrete, common Directions: From the list given below, underline the
justice system – abstract, common count nouns, encircle the mass nouns
Harley – concrete, proper and box the collective nouns.
Pringles – concrete, proper
Pepsi – concrete, proper
swarm ceiling corps
1. The president agrees to sign on Memorandum Order light notebook weather
number 17 ordering all drivers of public utility vehicles equipment colony herd
to renew their registration forms every year. sugar applause computer
2. All applicants must have excellent communication advice examination milk
skills, according to the director of the Human tribe water parcel
Resources Center.
3. Only the popular celebrities get featured in People
magazine.
4. Everyone in the US knows the significance of the
Statue of Liberty.
24
23
Part III. 9. Seeing a parcel of ________________ capering on the
Directions: Complete the following sentences by using ice is fun.
appropriate count, mass or collective nouns found in the list
from the previous activity. 10. A _______________ of bees often frightens people.
fox
foxes Other examples:
toy toys
Other examples: bay bays
key keys
birch birches lash lashes
bench benches bus buses 5. Add -ies if a noun ends with a consonant and a
tax taxes scratch scratches y, after dropping the y.
box boxes church churches
Examples:
3. Add -es if a noun ends with f or fe after changing the f
to a v. (Note that there are exceptions to this rule.) penny pennies
Example:
Other examples:
nanny nannies
lily lilies
scarves butterfly butterflies
scarf cry cries
27 28
Remember that some nouns are NOUNS from verbs: failure, refusal, coverage,
IRREGULAR. These nouns either change preparation, invention, invitation, announcement, robbery,
their spelling or don’t change at all in order removal, disconnection.
to form plural.
NOUNS from adjectives: generosity, warmth,
Examples: honesty, violence, wisdom, happiness, practicality,
uncertainty.
Other examples:
PR ON OU NS take the place of
nouns.
crisis crises sheep sheep Read what the boy is thinking about:
datum data moose moose
memorandum memoranda alga algae My sentence doesn’t sound good: Charles
bacterium bacteria datum data watches TV to learn while Bea prefers
cactus cacti cactis cacti reading books over watching TV. Both
alumna alumnae alumnus alumni Charles and Bea are learning although
Charles and Bea use different media.
You’re right! The boy Subjective personal pronouns: "I," "you," "she,"
needs to use appropriate "he," "it," "we," "you," "they."
PRONOUNS to make his
sentence sound better. Objective personal pronouns: "me," "you," "her,"
Pronouns make our "him," "it," "us," "you," and "them."
sentences less repetitive
and less cumbersome. Possessive personal pronouns: "mine," "yours," "hers,"
"his," "its," "ours," and "theirs."
See? No need to say the same thing over and over. Thanks to "This" (singular) and "these" (plural) refer to things
pronouns! Learn more about pronouns in the next discussions. that are nearby either in space or in time;
1. Personal Pronouns refer to a specific person or Look at the sample sentences and observe how the
thing. If the personal pronoun acts as a subject, it is demonstrative pronouns are used in context:
called subjective personal pronoun. If it acts as an
object, then it is called objective personal pronoun. THAT is
an
Some personal pronouns act as a marker of possession
and define who own a particular object or person.
These pronouns are called possessive personal
pronouns.
31 32
4. Relative pronouns link one phrase or clause to another
phrase of clause. The relative pronouns are "who,"
"whom," "that," and "which."
Sample sentences:
THIS is the
picture I
o The candidate who spent the most amount
saved on your
during campaign period does not necessarily
computer.
wins.
o The place which makes Lea says she’ll never
forget is Japan.
o The person whom she trusted betrayed her.
3. Interrogative pronouns ask questions. The following 5. Indefinite pronouns refer to an identifiable but not
are the interrogative pronouns: specified person or thing. Among the widely-used
indefinite pronouns are "all," "another," "any,"
"who," "whom," "which," "what" "anybody," "anyone," "anything," "each," "everybody,"
"everyone," "everything," "few," "many," "nobody,"
"none," "one," "several," "some," "somebody," and
refer to refers to refers to things "someone."
persons persons and animals
and things Sample sentences:
33 34
9. “Don’t follow me,” he said to ____ dog. “Go
home.” 35 36
Directions: Write the appropriate pronouns in the VER BS are action words. They tell you
following statements. what a noun or a pronoun does.
38
37
2. The most commonly used verb in the English language is the
VERB TO BE.
Here are some examples of
action words: eat, jump, The verb TO BE is a linking verb which connects
play, think, analyze, chew, the subject to another word in the sentence.
examine, mimic, twist,
scan, print, stand, believe,
etc. Can you give your
own examples of verbs?
A REGULAR verb forms its past and past
participle form by simply adding –d or –ed on
the base form.
The eight words for the verb to be are the following: An IRREGULAR verb changes its spelling to
make it in the past and past participle form.
am are is was were Some IRREGULAR verbs don’t change its
forms to form the past and past participle.
be being been
Sample REGULAR VERBS from A to Z
Examples:
a. The burglar was caught by the police.
b. I am coming at 9 a. m. tomorrow. Present Past Past Participle
c. She has been driving around town the whole admire admired admired
day. bounce bounced bounced
calculate calculated calculated
Remember that the main verb is usually preceded by a destroy destroyed destroyed
HELPING VERB. earn earned earned
fasten fastened fastened
greet greeted greeted
hurry hurried hurried
am are is was were be being interrupt interrupted interrupted
been do does did have jump jumped jumped
has had may must might can could kick kicked kicked
will would shall should launch launched launched
marry married married
nod nodded nodded
39 open opened opened
3. Some verbs are REGULAR and some are polish polished polished 40
IRREGULAR. question questioned questioned
rescue rescued rescued
Present Past Past Participle
Habitual actions are usually indicated by any of the The PAS T T EN SE refers to actions that
following: happened at a definite time in the past.
• Present tense also expresses a general truth. • The PAST TENSE is also used for a statement that is true
45
in the past but is no longer true today. For example:
Example:
expresses a generally accepted truth expresses an action that is true in the past
and no longer true today. (The sentence implies that
Here’s a table showing inflections (endings) in present tense: Chelsea no longer admires Jennifer Love Hewitt’s acting in
If Only).
Singular Plural
I endorsed We endorsed • Remember that the definite time
You endorsed You endorsed element also signals future
He/she/it endorsed They endorsed Function
Person action.
To show
Example:
Will 1st (I, WE) willingness and
determination
The ship is leaving tomorrow.
nd rd
Will 2 & 3 (YOU, To show futurity
SHE, HE, THEY)
• The FUTURE TENSE has no inflected form but the words
Shall 1st (I, WE) To show futurity WILL and SHALL help the main verbs.
47
Examples:
The PRES ENT PE RFE CT TE NSE indicates I have already spent 500 pesos today for my school
either that an action was done in the recent past or project.
that an action still happens at present. (may still spend more for the rest of the day)
IMPORTANT!
The PAST PR OGR ES SIVE TENSE expresses an
action that was happening at some point in the past. Use when, while or as long as in forming sentences in the
PAST PR OGRESSIVE tense.
54
A. Direction: Read the following sentences about the movie
The FUTURE PR OGRESSIVE TENSE expresses SPIDER-MAN 3 then identify the tense used in each of the
an action that will be happening in a specific time in statements.
55
the future.
1. Peter Parker had kept his secret from
Forming future progressive tense: the neighborhood.
Will + Be + main verb with –ing 2. Harry Osborn was seeking vengeance
for his father’s death.
Examples:
3. Captain Stacy told Peter and Aunt
Dianne will be getting her diploma in time. May that Marko killed Peter’s uncle,
The band will be performing tonight. Ben Parker.
All the officers will be asking for your
assistance. 4. Peter was sleeping when the
mysterious black creature bonded with his costume.
• The negative structures using future progressive tense:
5. Marko will have escaped from prison before it’s too
late.
Dianne won’t be getting her diploma in time.
The band won’t be performing tonight.
6. A small meteorite crashes nearby.
All the officers won’t be asking for your
assistance. 7. The black suit is changing Peter’s personality.
Carol is smart. – In this sentence, SMART is an • Plagiarism among students is now rampant.
adjective that modifies the proper noun Carol. • Watching TV all day seems boring.
• The opposition stays calm despite political pressure during
You are simply irresistible. – In this sentence, the election.
adjective IRRESISTIBLE modifies the pronoun you. • Charles becomes disciplined because of his military
training in Korea.
Where in a sentence do we usually find the Order of adjectives placed before a noun:
adjectives?
Example:
1. The students studied hard for the test.
The tools were [good, well]. Michael said that his work
2. Please listen carefully to the instructions. was [good, well] done.
3. The students are truly appreciative of the lessons they learn A preposition always goes with a noun or pronoun which is
from their teachers. called the object of the preposition. The preposition and the
object of the preposition together are called a prepositional
4. The performers on stage are all nervous at first. phrase.
67
68
Examples: / behind /
/in front of/
PREPOSITION Object of the Preposition Prepositional Phrase DAN IS SITTING / near / ANNIE
/ beside /
to the market TO THE MARKET
by jeepney BY JEEPNEY
at the library AT THE LIBRARY / in /
under the table UNDER THE TABLE / inside /
/ outside /
A prepositional phrase can function as a noun, an THE NOTEBOOK IS / beneath/ THE SUITCASE.
adjective, or an adverb. /on top of/
/ behind /
LIST OF THE MOST COMMON PREPOSITIONS:
"about," "above," "across," "after," "against," "along," OBSERVE HOW THE PREPOSITIONS ARE USED IN THE
"among," "around," "at," "before," "behind," "below," FOLLOWING SENTENCES:
"beneath," "beside," "between," "beyond," "but," "by,"
"despite," "down," "during," "except," "for," "from," "in," 1. AT Steffanie is at home.
"inside," "into," "like," "near," "of," "off," "on," "onto," "out," 2. TO Danielle went to the zoo.
3. FROM James Allen is from England.
"outside," "over," "past," "since," "through," "throughout," 4. IN The biggest mall in Asia is in the Philippines.
"till," "to," "toward," "under," "underneath," "until," "up," 5. ON The gift is on the table.
"upon," "with," "within," and "without." 6. BY The students go to school by bus.
7. BESIDE The cup of coffee is beside the study lamp.
Preposition of place or position: 8. NEAR The child sits near the window.
9. AGAINST Don’t lean against the glass shelf.
/ on / 10. OVER Charles jumps over the lazy dog.
/ by / 11. UNDER Juan is always sitting under the tree.
THE BALL IS /beside/ THE TABLE. 12. BENEATH The man is standing beneath the stairs.
/ near / 13. BEHIND The child is hiding behind the curtain.
/under/ 14. UP The kite is flying up in the sky.
15. DOWN There is a gas station down the road.
69 70
16. ACROSS The store is found across the street.
17. AROUND Don’t go around the bush. The COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS join individual
18. THROUGH The soldier went through all hardships. words, phrases, and independent clauses. 71
19. BETWEEN You have to choose between good and evil.
20. AMONG Virnielle is the brightest among them all Among the coordinating conjunctions are AND, BUT, FOR,
21. AFTER She makes a comment after watching the film. OR, NOR, SO and YET.
22. BEFORE Pay your bill before taking the exam.
23. ABOVE The city is three thousand feet above sea level. Examples:
24. BELOW His IQ is below the average.
25. INSIDE The books are inside the leather bag. 1. Lilac AND purple have almost the same shade of
26. OUTSIDE The family had picnic outside the house. violet.
27. DURING I saw him during the summer vacation. 2. Mica wants to keep a diary, BUT she is too busy
28. UNTIL We watched the show until with her work.
dawn. 3. Indie films are interesting, FOR they are closer to
reality, as compared with mainstream movies.
4. The director OR the actor has the sole responsibility
A CON JUN CT ION links of making the movie interesting.
words, phrases and clauses. 5. The viewers NOR the ticket sellers are to be
credited for making a movie a box-office hit.
6. The medicine price is too high SO the elderly don’t
Example 1: follow the correct dosage of prescribed drugs.
7. The Philippines is often considered as a poor
I like to eat country, YET it is called the text capital of the
AND
world.
2. Vivien is in the middle of writing a letter WHEN her 4. The solution to lack of doctors in the country is
computer crashed. NEITHER to ban doctors from leaving the country
NOR giving them insignificant incentives.
3. IF you submit early, the cheque will arrive on your
expected date.
The CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS are used to link Direction: Match the statement from the right column that
equivalent sentence elements. These usually come in pairs. goes with the sentences on the left column.
75 76
• The storm or the strong wind is the reason for
Part 3 •
the suspension of classes.
The assigned doctor or the nurse-on-duty is
attending to the patient at the emergency room.
77
A compound subject containing both a singular
and a plural noun or pronoun joined by OR or
NOR, the verb should agree with the nearest
subject.
When the subject of a sentence is composed
of two or more nouns or pronouns connected
by AND, use a plural verb.
Examples:
Examples:
Examples:
• One of the cats is pampered by its owners.
• None of the interviewees is sure to be hired for the
position.
• The book, which talked about different Filipino
traditions, is interesting.
78
• Four hours is not enough for me to stroll in the
mall.
The words each, each one, either, neither, 79 80
everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone,
nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are In sentences beginning with there is or there
singular and require a singular verb. are, the subject follows the verb. Since there
is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows.
Examples:
• Neither of the girls is coming with us. Example:
• Everyone enjoys the party.
• Everyone in this institution expects a salary There are many questions about the new planet.
increase.
Examples: Examples:
• Mathematics requires critical thinking.
• The news does not sound good. • The blue team is always winning.
• The committee formulates new policies for the
department.
Time, distance and money require
singular form of the verb.
Sometimes modifiers will get between a subject
and its verb, but these modifiers must not confuse
Example: the agreement between the subject and its verb.
Examples:
• Half of the students are attending the seminar. • A number of participants come from the
Central Luzon.
• A quarter of the cake is left uneaten.
• The number of participants is unexpected.
• When the going gets tough, the tough get Proper nouns including titles of books movies, 83
84
going. plays, films, and operas are generally considered as
singular even if they are in plural form.
• Only the strong survive.
Examples:
Some subjects with AND may be • Romeo and Juliet is one of favorite plays.
considered as one. In such case, the • The Cats entertains all audience members
verb is singular. including the kids.
Examples:
Phrases and clauses that function as a
• Either the driver or the passengers are to responsible for subject usually require a singular form of
the accident. the verb.
• Neither the students nor the teacher knows that the
classes are suspended tomorrow.
Examples: 2. The news _________ too bad; my grandmother
didn’t want to know it.
• Begging for money is all she knows how to do. 0 was 0 were
• Texting while driving is a dangerous thing to do. 3. The number of graduates this year ________ .
0 declines 0 decline
4. Neither his brother nor his parents ________
Don’t forget that the verb agrees with the mahjong.
subject noun, never with the predicate 0 play 0 plays
noun. 5. Two years ______ a long time to spend away from
home.
0 is 0 are
6. A quarter of the population _______ against
legalization of divorce in the Philippines.
0 is 0 are
Examples: 7. There ______ only one reason for making it big in
• My problem is the boys. show business.
0 is 0 are
• My expensive books are an asset.
8. One of the smartest students who ______ in the
seminar ______ Michael.
0 participate; is 0 participates; is
9. The poor ______ poorer and the rich ______ richer.
0 get; get 0 gets; gets
10. The toys, together with the other products of China,
_______ recalled due to unsafe paint.
0 were 0 was
11. None of the visitors ________ welcomed by the
Directions: Identify the form of the verb that correctly fills in party host.
the blank. Darken the 0 that corresponds toyour answer. 0 was 0 were
12. Each of you _____ the potential to succeed in your
1. The data in your report _________ to be clarified. chosen career.
0 need 0 needs 0 has 0 have
85 86
13. One of my worries in college _______ failing in any of
my major subjects. An IDIOMATIC MEANING is never the same from the
0 is 0 are literal meaning. Idioms ought not be translated literally.
14. Not only the governor, but also the mayors, _______ to
serve the people well. MOST FREQUENTLY USED IDIOMS:
0 needs 0 need
15. Arriving in a new country ______ a challenging
experience. 1. ABOUT TO (do something) : to the point of doing
0 is 0 are something.
16 .Everybody in this room ______ to see a monster.
0 hates 0 hate Example: I was about to sleep when she called.
17. Law and order ______ necessary for a peaceful nation.
0 is 0 are 2. ACCORDING TO (someone or something): as told
18. Texting while driving ______ accident. by; said
0 causes 0 cause
19. The choice that the children made _____ their Example: According to the latest survey, the
personalities. Philippines is still considered
0 reflects 0 reflect as the text capital of the world.
20. Beside the big tree ______ the women I long to see.
0 was 0 were 3. AFTER ALL :considering what happened
6. COME UP WITH (something): to produce an idea or 13. HANG OUT WITH: to spend time with someone
something
Example: I don’t want to hang out with the kind of
Example: The director is coming up friends that you have.
with a documentary film
to be aired in the local 14. HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH: to be about
channel.
Example: The seminar has something to do with
9. END UP: to do something one did not plan to smart parenting.
Example: I ended up doing all the projects, instead 15. HOLD ON: wait for a moment
of just helping the project team leader.
Example: Please hold on while I call the marketing
10. FIND OUT: to discover or to learn officer.
16. IN CASE: if anything should happen 22. MORE OR LESS: to some extent
Example: Don’t hesitate to contact me in case you Example: Your findings are more or less the
need help. same
with mine.
17. IN FACT: the truth is 90
Example: I have no idea where he is. In fact, 23. NOT AT ALL: definitely not 91
I’ve
never met him before. Example: The boss is not at all satisfied with
your output. Should you do it again?
18. LOOK FOR something: to search
24. OF COURSE: as might be expected
Example: The investigator was looking for
the suspect in the robbery. Example: Of course I’m happy for
your achievements!
19. LOOK UP: to search for something in a book or other
materials. 25. ONCE AGAIN: anew; again
Example: I don’t understand this word. I better Example: Anna failed in the first performance
look it up in the dictionary. So she tried once again.
20. MAKE SENSE: to be reasonable and meaningful 26. POINT OUT: to show somebody something
Example: Your idea doesn’t make sense to me. Example: Let me point out why the buyers prefer
Please make it clear. Nokia over Samsung.
21. MAKE SURE: to ascertain; to establish lack of doubt 27. RIGHT AWAY: immediately; without delay
Example: Make sure you’ll come on Example: She answered the boss right away.
time so we won’t miss the play.
28. SHOW UP: to be clearly visible; to be present
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29. TAKE PLACE: to happen; to occur
There is an endless list of idioms in the English [ ] A world where dogs eat each other for
language. Are you also familiar with the idioms lunch.
given below? [ ] A world where only the most competent
survives.
[ ] A world where it is legal to eat dogs.
FLAT BROKE SIT ON THE FENCE
2. It’s raining cats and dogs! I hope it won’t get flooded
DON’T CRY ON SPILLED MILK POP A QUESTION again in our area.
HIT THE JACKPOT OPEN ONE’S HEART TO [ ] Cats and dogs are falling from the blue sky
[ ] It’s raining heavily.
CALL THE SHOT BEAT THE DEADLINE [ ] Cats and dogs are swimming on the flood.
EAT ONE’S HEART OUT NO SWEAT! 3. When I feel blue, all I want to do is to look at your
picture and remember our beautiful memories.
[ ] don’t get angry
[ ] feel that my skin changes to blue [ ] don’t speak
[ ] feel so sad
[ ] feel so bored. 8. My teacher asked me to answer her difficult
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4. I was shocked to know the red tape involved in 94 questions in class this morning. I was really
applying for a business permit. in a hot seat.
[ ] don’t perspire
It’s time to go! (contraction of It is)
‘80s (instead of 1980s)
I’ve never read this novel yet. (contraction of
96 I have)
Part 5 IMPORTANT!
97
Usually, when the word ends in s, forming
the possession means adding ‘ (apostrophe)
only instead of ‘s
The child’s doctor advised her to rest for one He was able to bring he needs except for one
week. (refers to the doctor of the child) thing: his tickets
The singer’s career is on its peak this year. He has only one complaint: it’s too hot in the
(refers to the career of the singer) room.
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3. To separate a series coordinate adjectives.
All the key personalities in Pampanga visited Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal
our school: Governor Panlilio, Vice-Governor importance.
Guiao, Mayor Nepomuceno, and Congressman
Lazatin. I enjoy listening to a happy, lively music.
She ate a sweet, juicy apple.
3. To express time
4. To signal end of quotation followed by attribution
6:45 p.m.
10:30 p.m. “Because he has never forgiven himself any
fault, he can forgive no one else’s,” says
5. To end a salutation in a formal letter Linda Berdoll.
Dear Mr. Canlas: “Be thankful for what you have; you'll end
up having more. If you concentrate on what
you don't have, you will never, ever have
COMMA enough,” Oprah Winfrey said in an
interview.
99 100
6. To separate thousands, millions, etc. in figures
With four or more digits QUOTATION MARKS
101 104
7, 487
2,007
105 106
CHILDISH, CHILDLIKE
BIANNUAL, BIENNIAL
The word childish means ‘immature’
Biannual means ‘happening twice a year,’ and biennial means or ‘not fit for an adult.’ Childlike, on
‘occurring once in two years.’ the contrary, is a positive word which
means ‘innocent,’ ‘having
characteristic of a child,’ or ‘trusting.’
BOUILLON, BULLION
Bouillon is a clear
beef soup and bullion COMPARE WITH, COMPARE TO
refers to gold, silver
BULLION
or platinum in bars. We use compare to when comparing two
things that are of different levels of existence.
For example, we may compare a baby to a
BREATH, BREATHE flower – the baby being a human being, and a
flower being an object. However, we use
The air taken into the lungs and then exhaled for respiration is compare with when we compare two things
called breath; Breathe, on the other hand, is the act of inhaling that are the similar. For example, a baby
and exhaling air. named Danielle may be compared with another baby named
Steffanie.
BROACH, BROOCH
CONNOTE, DENOTE
Broach is a verb that means ‘to start a
discussion,’ and a brooch, on the other hand, Using the word connote means you are pertaining to the
is a large ornamental pin used by women. BROOCH ‘implied’ or ‘suggestive’ meaning. On the other hand, to use
denote means to simply state the meaning from the dictionary.
Connote is more of a subjective term and denote is objective.
CANVAS, CANVASS
Canvas is a referring to a type of cloth; Canvass is a verb
which means ‘to go through places to gather opinion.”
107 108
CONTINUAL, CONTINUOUS ‘habitually intoxicated.’ Drunk is usually used in the predicate
and drunken is a word that usually modifies a noun in a
Continual means being repeated often at intervals. Continuous subject.
may only be used when referring to something that is
uninterrupted. EMIGRANT, IMMIGRANT
EXORCISE, EXERCISE
DRUNK, DRUNKEN
To exorcise means ‘to expel an evil spirit
The word drunk is an adjective referring to a person who is through incantation or prayer. On the other
‘influenced by alcoholic drinks to the point of losing self- hand, exercise pertains to any physical
control.’ The word drunken is used to refer to a person who is activity done to promote good health.
109 110
HALF BROTHER, STEPBROTHER REPAIRABLE, REPARABLE
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A man is considered your half brother if you have one parent Any object that can be fixed is repairable. Any non-physical
in common; on the other hand, if a man is related to you thing that can be fixed is reparable. The two words should not
through remarriage of your parents, then, he is considered your be interchanged. A person’s self-esteem is reparable; a broken
stepbrother. vase is repairable.
REPUTATION, CHARACTER
LAMA, LLAMA
Your reputation is the way other people regard you. Your
A lama is a priest or monk; a llama is a kind character, on the contrary, refers to ‘your attributes, abilities
of animal from South America. It has a and traits.’
stomach with three chambers. TENANT, TENET
LLAMA
A person paying rent to occupy certain place is a tenant; a
tenet, on the other hand, is a principle, doctrine or belief.
MEDIA, MEDIUM
TITLED, ENTITLED
The word media is plural in form, Entitled means ‘qualified or eligible by law.’ On the other
referring to any means of hand, titled is used when mentioning titles of books, movies,
communication that aims to reach a large etc. Avoid saying, “I read Dan Brown’s book entitled The Da
number of people. Television, Vinci Code.”
newspapers, radio, Internet and
magazines are examples of media. The singular form of media VERBAL, ORAL
is medium but the word medium is not
usually used in this context. Instead, the Verbal refers to ‘through the use of words,’
word medium is usually used to refer to ‘any either spoken or written. Oral, on the other
material being used to express oneself in art.’ hand, pertains only to spoken communication. ORAL
Oral also means ‘administered through the mouth.’
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VIRGINIA B.
BAUTISTA is a
graduate of BA Mass
Communication-
Journalism from the
University of the
Philippines Baguio. She
served as the Program
Coordinator for two
academic years at the
Department of Mass
Communication at
Angeles University Foundation where she’s
currently teaching Newswriting, Electronic
Newsroom, Communication Research and Speech
& Oral Communication. Aside from teaching
Communication subjects, she also teaches English
as Second Language (ESL) to Chinese and Korean
students. Mrs. Bautista had finished the academic
units leading to a Doctorate degree in Public
Administration. Aside from teaching, studying and
writing, Mrs. Bautista is also a full-time mother of
three lovely kids: Steffi, Charles and Dani.