Essential English

ESSENTIAL

ENGLISH GRAMMAR

FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL

by

Y. A. AYOUB

The picture on the cover shows school children of Vuillemin Govt School in 2006.

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Dear fellow friends,

I am a primary school teacher from Mauritius (an island in the Indian Ocean).

While teaching English to kids of 10 & 11 years old I realised that they needed a little booklet with some essentials grammar that they could use as reference. So I compiled all that you can see in the following pages.

I saw dramatic changes, in the kids. They were doing their homework with more joy. Each time they were researching the booklet and found that English exercises are easy to do. Later on in less than two months they almost knew it well.

However I still consider that the most important aspect of English communication is the ability to read and write in English. Thereafter success starts when the kids have mastered the various grammatical difficulties.

A little caution is that this booklet must be used by the kids after explanation by the teacher or a parent. Simple exercises must be given to them and telling them to look at such or such pages. Emphasis must not be put on learning by heart. These are not songs or poems that a kid needs to learn by heart. After doing some constant grammar exercises the kid would undoubtedly master the whole booklet.

Names appearing in the booklet at the verbs section are mainly of my students in 2002 when I first compiled all that is found here.

If however u see any mistakes or have any other idea u may get into contact with me on [email protected]

Make Education a priority.

Yousoof A. Ayoub

27 February 2010

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mailto:[email protected]

Comparison of Adjectives

Positive Comparative Superlative

bald

black

bold

brief

bright

broad

calm

cheap

clean

clear

clever

cold

cool

dark

dear

deep

dull

dumb

faint

fair

fast

balder

blacker

bolder

briefer

brighter

broader

calmer

cheaper

cleaner

clearer

cleverer

colder

cooler

darker

dearer

deeper

duller

dumber

fainter

fairer

faster

baldest

blackest

boldest

briefest

brightest

broadest

calmest

cheapest

cleanest

clearest

cleverest

coldest

coolest

darkest

dearest

deepest

dullest

dumbest

faintest

fairest

fastest

- 4 -


few

firm

fresh

full

grand

great

green

hard

harsh

high

keen

kind

lean

light

long

loud

low

mean

mild

narrow

near

neat

fewer

firmer

fresher

fuller

grander

greater

greener

harder

harsher

higher

keener

kinder

leaner

lighter

longer

louder

lower

meaner

milder

narrower

nearer

neater

fewest

firmest

freshest

fullest

grandest

greatest

greenest

hardest

harshest

highest

keenest

kindest

leanest

lightest

longest

loudest

lowest

meanest

mildest

narrowest

nearest

neatest

- 5 -


new

old

plain

plump

poor

proud

quick

quiet

rich

rough

shallow

sharp

short

slow

small

smart

smooth

soft

straight

strong

sweet

tall

newer

older

plainer

plumper

poorer

prouder

quicker

quieter

richer

rougher

shallower

sharper

shorter

slower

smaller

smarter

smoother

softer

straighter

stronger

sweeter

taller

newest

oldest

plainest

plumpest

poorest

proudest

quickest

quietest

richest

roughest

shallowest

sharpest

shortest

slowest

smallest

smartest

smoothest

softest

straightest

strongest

sweetest

tallest

- 6 -


thick

tight

tough

vain

warm

weak

young

thicker

tighter

tougher

vainer

warmer

weaker

younger

thickest

tightest

toughest

vainest

warmest

weakest

youngest


bigcrueldimfatfitflatgladgrimmadredsadslimthinwet

biggercruellerdimmerfatterfitterflattergladdergrimmermadderreddersadderslimmerthinnerwetter

biggestcruellestdimmestfattestfittestflattestgladdestgrimmestmaddestreddestsaddestslimmestthinnestwettest

- 7 -


angry

bushy

busy

chubby

clumsy

cosy

crafty

crazy

creamy

deadly

dirty

dry

early

easy

empty

friendly

funny

gloomy

glossy

hairy

angrier

bushier

busier

chubbier

clumsier

cosier

craftier

crazier

creamier

deadlier

dirtier

drier

earlier

easier

emptier

friendlier

funnier

gloomier

glossier

hairier

angriest

bushiest

busiest

chubbiest

clumsiest

cosiest

craftiest

craziest

creamiest

deadliest

dirtiest

driest

earliest

easiest

emptiest

friendliest

funniest

gloomiest

glossiest

hairiest

- 8 -


happy

hasty

hearty

heavy

holy

hungry

jolly

lazy

lively

lonely

lucky

merry

milky

muddy

naughty

noisy

oily

rosy

salty

shabby

silly

speedy

happier

hastier

heartier

heavier

holier

hungrier

jollier

lazier

livelier

lonelier

luckier

merrier

milkier

muddier

naughtier

noisier

oilier

rosier

saltier

shabbier

sillier

speedier

happiest

hastiest

heartiest

heaviest

holiest

hungriest

jolliest

laziest

liveliest

loneliest

luckiest

merriest

milkiest

muddiest

naughtiest

noisiest

oiliest

rosiest

saltiest

shabbiest

silliest

speediest

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tasty

thirsty

tidy

tiny

tricky

ugly

wealthy

witty

tastier

thirstier

tidier

tinier

trickier

uglier

wealthier

wittier

tastiest

thirstiest

tidiest

tiniest

trickiest

ugliest

wealthiest

wittiest


bad

good / well

far

far

little

much / many

worse

better

further

farther

less

more

worst

best

furthest

farthest

least

most

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ablebluecloseeeriefeeblefinefreegravehumblelargelatenicenoblepalepurerarerudesafesimplestrangevaguewhitewidewise

ablerbluerclosereerierfeeblerfinerfreergraverhumblerlargerlaternicernoblerpalerpurerrarerrudersafersimplerstrangervaguerwhiterwiderwiser

ablestbluestclosesteeriestfeeblestfinestfreestgravesthumblestlargestlatestnicestnoblestpalestpurestrarestrudestsafestsimpleststrangestvaguestwhitestwidestwisest

- 11 -


agile

ancient

awful

beautiful

careful

cautious

comfortable

dangerous

difficult

distant

drunk

eager

essential

excellent

expensive

faithful

famous

fantastic

fearful

foolish

glorious

gorgeous

more agile

more ancient

more awful

more beautiful

more careful

more cautious

more comfortable

more dangerous

more difficult

more distant

more drunk

more eager

more essential

more excellent

more expensive

more faithful

more famous

more fantastic

more fearful

more foolish

more glorious

more gorgeous

most agile

most ancient

most awful

most beautiful

most careful

most cautious

most comfortable

most dangerous

most difficult

most distant

most drunk

most eager

most essential

most excellent

most expensive

most faithful

most faithful

most fantastic

most fearful

most foolish

most glorious

most gorgeous

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gracious

intelligent

interesting

just

loyal

modest

musical

necessary

obedient

obstinate

patient

punctual

rapid

real

religious

respectable

ridiculous

rotten

satisfactory

serious

sincere

more gracious

more intelligent

more interesting

more just

more loyal

more modest

more musical

more necessary

more obedient

more obstinate

more patient

more punctual

more rapid

more real

more religious

more respectable

more ridiculous

more rotten

more satisfactory

more serious

more sincere

most gracious

most intelligent

most interesting

most just

most loyal

most modest

most musical

most necessary

most obedient

most obstinate

most patient

most punctual

most rapid

most real

most religious

most respectable

most ridiculous

most rotten

most satisfactory

most serious

most sincere

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slippery

stubborn

terrible

timid

tired

unique

valuable

violent

more slippery

more stubborn

more terrible

more timid

more tired

more unique

more valuable

more violent

most slippery

most stubborn

most terrible

most timid

most tired

most unique

most valuable

most violent

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Antonyms or Opposites

absentarriveasleepbadbeautifulbentbetterbigbitterblackbravebrightcheapcleanclevercoarsecoldcrueldeepdepthdifficultdryearlyfarfatfirstfoolish

presentdepartawakegooduglystraightworsesmallsweetwhitecowardlydull / darkexpensivedirtystupidsmoothhotkindshallowheighteasywetlatenearthin / leanlastwise

generoushardheavyhighhumblelargelongnewoldopenpolitepoortamevaguewidebroad

accept attackbuycomedividefailforgetfoundgive

selfish / stingysoftlightlowproudtinyshortoldyoungshutruderichwildclearnarrownarrow

refusedefendsellgounite / joinsucceedrememberlostreceive / take

- 15 -

hatelearnpraisepunishrevealwin

this

these

hurry up

loveteachcondemnrewardconceallose

that

those

slow down

above apartinherefront

a littlealwayseverywherefewfriendlyoften

belowtogetheroutthereback

muchnevernowheremanyhostileseldom

alive

answer

day

defeat

die

dwarf

east

enemy

entrance

evening

fair-play

future

guest

guilty

junior

dead

question

night

victory

live

giant

west

friend

exit

morning

foul-play

past

host

innocent

senior

land

listener

maximum

miser

moving

noise

(noisy)

(noisily)

north

opaque

peace

plural

poverty

private

summer

sea

speaker

minimum

spendthrift

stationary

silence

(quiet)

(silently)

south

transparent

war

singular

prosperity

public

winter

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advantage

agree

appear

approve

arm

comfort

connect

content

continue

favour

honest

harmony

loyal

obey

order

please

pleasure

qualify

trust

Unite

legal

legible

legitimate

literate

disadvantage

disagree

disappear

disapprove

disarm

discomfort

disconnect

discontent

discontinue

disfavour

dishonest

disharmony

disloyal

disobey

disorder

displease

displeasure

disqualify

distrust

Disunite

illegal

illegible

illegitimate

illiterate

balance

mobile

modest

moral

mortal

patient

perfect

polite

possible

proper

pure

regularreparableresistiblerespectiveresponsiblereverent

behavecalculatedirectfitmanage

imbalance

immobile

immodest

immoral

immortal

impatient

imperfect

impolite

impossible

improper

impure

irregularirreparableirresistibleirrespectiveirresponsibleirreverent

misbehavemiscalculatemisdirectmisfitmismanage

- 17 -

accurateadequateappropriatecompleteconsiderableconvenientcorrectcurabledependentdisciplineefficientexperiencefamousfertilefirmhumansanesecuresufficientvisible

carefulcheerfulhopefuljoyfulmercifulpainfulpitifuluseful

inaccurateinadequateinappropriateincompleteinconsiderableinconvenientincorrectincurableindependentindisciplineinefficientinexperienceinfamousinfertileinfirminhumaninsaneinsecureinsufficientinvisible

carelesscheerlesshopelessjoylessmercilesspainlesspitilessuseless

awarebendcannycertaincleancommonconsciouscountablecoverdodressfaithfulfithealthylikeloadnaturalpleasantpopularqualifiedreasonableseentidytietruthusualwell

unawareunbenduncannyuncertainuncleanuncommonunconsciousuncountableuncoverundoundressunfaithfulunfitunhealthyunlikeunloadunnaturalunpleasantunpopularunqualifiedunreasonableunseenuntidyuntieuntruthunusualunwell

- 18 -

ascend

encourage

exclude

export

exterior

descend

discourage

include

import

interior

external

increase

inferior

inside

inward

internal

decrease

superior

outside

outward

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COUNTABLE NOUNSSingular Plural Singular Plural

ashbrushbushdishfishwish

beachbench churchmatchtorchwatchwitch

busclassgas

glassprincessWaitress

kiss

boxfoxtax

ashesbrushesbushesdishes

fishes (fish)wishes

beachesbenches churchesmatchestorcheswatcheswitches

busesclassesgases

glassesprincesseswaitresses

kisses

boxesfoxestaxes

buffalocargoechohero

potatotomato

banjohalo

photopianoradiosolozero

alleyboy day

donkeymonkeyvalley way

buffaloescargoesechoesheroes

potatoestomatoes

banjoshalos

photospianosradiossoloszeros

alleysboysdays

donkeysmonkeysvalleysways

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Singular Plural Singular Plural

ally armyauntybabybodycity

countrycry

daisydiary

dictionaryfactoryfairyferryfly

ladylibrarylorry

ministrypartypony

puppystory

university

alliesarmiesauntiesbabiesbodiescities

countriescries

daisiesdiaries

dictionariesfactoriesfairiesferriesflies

ladieslibrarieslorries

ministriespartiesponies

puppiesstories

universities

calfelf

halfhoof leafloafthiefscarf shelfself

sheafwolf

wharf

wifelife

knife

cliffcuffgulfroof

calveselveshalveshooves (hoofs)leavesloavesthievesscarves shelvesselvessheaveswolveswharves (wharfs)

wiveslivesknives

cliffscuffsgulfsroofs

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Singular Plural Singular Plural

bacteriumdielarvaoasisradius

boy-friendbrother-in-

lawgirl-friendmother-in

law son-in-law

step-daughterstep-son

runner-uppasser-byonlooker

handwritinghandfulcupful

mouse-trap

mouselouse

bacteriadicelarvaeoasesradii

boy-friendsbrothers-in-

lawgirl-friendsmothers-in-

lawsons-in-law

step-daughtersstep-sons

runners-uppassers-byonlookershandwritingshandfulscupfulsmouse-traps

micelice

manwoman

gentlemanpolicemanpostmansalesman

footgoosetooth

doorfloor roof

childox

cannondeerfish

cattlezebragiraffe sheep

salmon

menwomengentlemenpolicemenpostmensalesmen

feetgeeseteeth

doorsfloorsroofs

childrenoxen

cannon(cannons)deerfish (fishes)cattlezebragiraffesheepSalmon

- 22 -

COUNTABLE NOUNS, WHICH ARE ALWAYS IN THE PLURAL

bellowsbelongingsbinocularsbracesclothes

headquartersplierspyjamasscales scissors

seriesspeciesspectaclestights

tongs trouserstweezerswages

UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

Those which are always in the Singular formairatmosphereattentionbarleybeautybreadbutterclothcottondarkness

dirtelectricityequipmentfeverfirefoodfurniturefurniture honestyinformation

inkjamknowledgelabourlightmachinerymeat medicinemedicinerain

ricesandsightsilksmokespacetrafficwaterwheatwood

Uncountable nouns which are always in the Plural

athleticsmathematics

measlesmumps

newsphysics

politicsrickets

- 23 -

GENDER

Masculine Feminine Masculine Feminineactor

bachelorboy

bridegroombrotherfather

gentlemangrandfather

grandpaheirhero

husbandlad

managermastermonk

nephewshepherd

sirson

stewardunclewaiter

widowerwizard

actressspinster

girlbridesister

motherlady

grandmothergrandmaheiressheroine

wifelass

manageressmistress

nunniece

shepherdess

madamdaughter

stewardessaunt

waitresswidowwitch

countduke

emperorking

princesultan

billy-goatboarbuckbull

bullockcockdeerdog

drakeganderhorse

oxramstag

stallion

countessduchessempressqueen

princesssultana

nanny-goatsowdoecow

heiferhenhindbitchduck

goosemarecowewehindmare

- 24 -

Irregular verbsPresent Tense

Present Participle

Past Tense

Past Participle

Plural verb /

Infinitive

Singular verbs

- 25 -

are (to be)beginbiteblowbreakbringbuildburnbuycatchchoosecomecutdigdodrawdrinkdriveeatfallfeedfeelfight

am / isbeginsbitesblowsbreaksbringsbuildsburnsbuyscatcheschoosescomescutsdigsdoesdrawsdrinksdriveseatsfallsfeedsfeelsfights

beingbeginningbitingblowingbreakingbringingbuildingburningbuyingcatchingchoosingcomingcuttingdiggingdoingdrawingdrinkingdrivingeatingfallingfeedingfeelingfighting

was / werebeganbitblewbrokebroughtbuiltburntboughtcaughtchosecamecutdugdiddrewdrankdroveatefellfedfeltfought

beenbegunbittenblownbrokenbroughtbuiltburntboughtcaughtchosencomecutdugdonedrawndrunkdriveneatenfallenfedfeltfought

Present TensePresent

ParticiplePast

TensePast

ParticiplePlural verb /

infinitive

Singular verbs

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findfly forgetforgivefreezegetgivegogrowhavehearheavehidehitholdhurtkeepkneelknowlaylie (down)lie leadlearnleave

findsfliesforgetsforgivesfreezesgetsgivesgoesgrowshashearsheaveshideshitsholdshurtskeepskneelsknowslaysliesliesleadslearnsleaves

findingflyingforgettingforgivingfreezinggettinggivinggoinggrowinghavinghearingheavinghidinghittingholdinghurtingkeepingkneelingknowinglayinglyinglyingleadinglearningleaving

foundflewforgotforgavefrozegotgavewentgrewhadheardhovehidhitheldhurtkeptkneltknewlaidlayliedledlearntleft

foundflownforgottenforgivenfrozengotgivengonegrownhadheardhovehiddenhitheldhurtkeptkneltknownlaidlainliedledlearntleft


ParticiplePast

TensePast


infinitive

Singular verbs

- 27 -

lightlosemakemeetpayrideringriserunsawseesellshakeshineshootshowshutsingsinksitsleepspeakspend

lightslosesmakesmeetspaysridesringsrisesrunssawsseessellsshakesshinesshootsshowsshutssingssinkssitssleepsspeaksspends

lightinglosingmakingmeetingpayingridingringingrisingrunningsawingseeingsellingshakingshiningshootingshowingshuttingsingingsinkingsittingsleepingspeakingspending

litlostmademet paidroderangroseransawedsawsoldshookshoneshotshowedshutsangsanksatsleptspokespent

litlostmademetpaidriddenrungrisenrunsawnseensoldshakenshoneshotshownshutsungsunksatsleptspokenspent


ParticiplePast

TensePast


infinitive

Singular verbs

- 28 -

standstealswimswingtaketeachteartellthinkthrowwakewrite

standsstealsswims swingstakesteachestearstellsthinksthrows wakeswrites

standingstealingswimmingswingingtakingteachingtearingtellingthinkingthrowingwakingwriting

stoodstoleswam swungtooktaughttoretoldthoughtthrewwokewrote

stoodstolenswumswungtakentaughttorntoldthoughtthrown wokenwritten

VERBS

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1. THE SIMPLE PRESENT TENSE

is used for general truth is used for habitual actions is used with the following words: always; often; sometimes; most of the times; daily; weekly; monthly; yearly; usually; rarely; everyday; every month; every year; every morning…

NEGATIVE, INTERROGATIVE & QUESTION TAGS

1. The boys eat their lunch in the classroom everyday. The boys do not eat their lunch in the classroom everyday. Do the boys eat their lunch in the classroom everyday? The girls usually play volleyball in the yard, don’t they? Kersley and I don’t like naughty pupils, do we?

2. Mother goes to the market every Saturday. Mother does not go to the market every Saturday. Does mother go to the market every Saturday? Anouchka sings very well, doesn’t she? My grandfather does not like cold drinks, does he?

3. We are good children. We are not good children. Are we good children? I am in the classroom, aren’t I? He is not there, is he?

2. THE PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE

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(The present continuous tense is also known as the Present Progressive)

is used to show an action which is still going on and is not yet completed is used with the following words: now; at this moment; at present; still; is used with the following expressions: Look! Wait! Listen!

NEGATIVE, INTERROGATIVE & QUESTION TAGS

1. We are playing football at this moment.We are not playing football at this moment.Are we playing football at this moment?Tico and Goulou are going to school, aren’t they?You aren’t hiding from me, are you?

2. Dad is listening to the music now.Dad is not listening to the music now.Is dad listening to the music now?Vikash is singing a beautiful song, isn’t he?I am standing on the top of the Pouce Mountain, aren’t I?I am not sitting on the floor, am I?

3. THE SIMPLE PAST TENSE

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The simple past tense is used for action already completed in the past.

Is used with the following words: yesterday; this morning; ago; formerly; in the past; last week / month / year; recently; just now…

NEGATIVE, INTERROGATIVE & QUESTION TAGS1. Mum ate a big apple yesterday. Mum didn’t eat a big apple yesterday. Did Mum eat a big apple yesterday? Dilouven spoke the truth, didn’t he? Laetitia didn’t play with her doll, did she?

4. THE PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE(The past continuous tense is also known as the past

progressive)

The past continuous tense is used to describe an action which was still going on while another past action was already completed.[One verb is in the simple past tense and the other verb is in the past continuous tense]

Is used with the following words: while; as; when.

Examples: 1. While Belle was sleeping she dreamt of the school.2. As Cololo was cycling he fell down.3. When I arrived at the school my friends were playing.

5. THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

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The present perfect tense is used to describe an action which has been completed.

[The present perfect tense has two parts: verb to have in the present tense and the other verb must be written in the past participle.]

Is used with the following words: already; ever; never; just; since; for; twice; yet.

Examples: 1. Maroushka has already gone to Port-Louis.2. I have written on the blackboard twice.3. A deer has just run in front of us.

6. THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

The past perfect tense is used to describe an action which was completed before another action in the past

[one verb is in the simple past tense and the other in the past perfect tense]

Is used with the following words: after; before; already; when; just

Examples: 1. After Selvina had played badminton she returned home.2. I had done my homework before mum asked me.3. Kevin told me that he had already eaten his lunch.4. Andy had already spent his money when he saw Andrew.

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7. THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action started in the past but not yet completed at the time of speaking. [ the verb has 3 parts (i) has or have (ii) been and (iii) the present participle of the verb ]

It is used with the following words: since, for

Examples: 1. I have been waiting for you since this morning. 2. My cousin has been working for more than five hours.

8. THE SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE

- 34 -

The simple future tense is used for an action that will take place later.

Is used with the following words: tomorrow; tonight; soon; hence; this afternoon; next week / month / year…

Is used with if, unless, until, when, as soon as + the present tense

Examples: 1. I shall do my homework tonight. 2. Morgheeni and Yorgheeni will visit the museum

tomorrow. 3. If Steevie comes to school he will play in our team. 4. As soon as you give me the book I shall read it.

The future tense is also used with after, before, when + the present perfect tense

Examples: 1. After Kayzy has finished his classwork he will have the sweets.

NEGATIVE, INTERROGATIVE & QUESTION TAGS1. The girl will talk to her next Saturday.2. The girl will not talk to her next Saturday.3. Will the girl talk to her next Saturday?4. Jeff will fish in the lagoon, won’t he?5. Sadmee and I shall play tennis tomorrow, shan’t we?

9. THE FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE

- 35 -

The future continuous tense is used to describe an action in progress at some time in the future.

Examples: At this time tomorrow Nushreen will be flying to Dubai.

10. THE CONDITIONAL TENSE

One verb in the past and the other one in the conditional If + past tense = conditional The conditional tense is also called future in the past

Examples:

If Elodie found the money she would have told Nadia.

Devin told me that he would climb Le Pouce Mountain.

11. THE GERUND

- 36 -

(to be)I should beYou would beHe would beWe should beThey would be

The Gerund ends in ing A Gerund can act as a noun and an adjective. Before a gerund articles: a, an, the can be used Prepositions are also often used before a gerund.

Examples: 1. Swimming is a good exercise.2. Collecting stamps is Anu’s favourite hobby.3. The chirping of the birds is melodious to listen.4. Brayan is very good at drawing.5. A toothbrush is used for brushing one’s teeth.6. Anju and Fleurette enjoy singing and dancing.7. Garrick likes talking on the phone.

12. THE PAST PARTICIPLE

The past participle is used after has, have, had

Examples: 1. Francesca has eaten her bread.2. Hansley and Gianto have been to the beach.3. Stephanie had prepared the juice.

Is used in passive sentences. Examples: 1. The answer is known by Kareshma.

2. The trees are being planted by Iteen and Vikash.

13. THE INFINITIVE

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The infinitive is the verb which does not change its form at allExamples: 1. This calculation is difficult to do.

2. It takes a lot of hard work to succeed.3. Christelle saw the burglar break into the house.

14. THE SUPPOSITIONAL PAST (Subjunctive mood)

It is also called the unreal past. It’s a set of verb forms (moods) used to express doubt, wishes, situations that do not actually exist. After the following words the past tense is used:

I wish, as if, as though, if only, I’d rather, suppose!

Examples: 1. I wish you knew me at that time. 2. I feel as if the dog understood everything. 3. Suppose he came here at this moment! 4. I wish she were here to see me getting this prize.

When a Singular verb is used

- 38 -

1. An uncountable noun is used with a singular verbExamples: 1. Milk is good for our body.

2. The smoke rises up in the sky.

2. Everybody, somebody, anybody, nobody, everyone, someone, anyone, no one, one, none, one of, more than one, each, every, either, neither, another, either of, neither of are the words which take the singular verbs

Examples: 1. Everybody eats food everyday.2. Someone is knocking at the door at this moment.3. One of them sings very well.4. Each of the girls likes to eat ice-cream. 5. Either of the pupils in our class likes Nasraddin’s story.6. Neither parents wants their daughter to do scuba diving.

3. ‘some’, ‘most’ and ‘all’ take the singular verb if used with singular uncountable nouns.Examples: 1. Some of the money was spent by me.

2. All furniture of this room is black.

4. Collective nouns (in singular) take singular verbExamples: 1. A swarm of bees always flies around the hive.

2. The staff of teachers works very hard to make the pupils succeed.

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3. There is a shoal of fish near the small island.

5. Singular noun followed be ‘as well as’, ‘with’, ‘together with’, ‘like’, ‘in addition to’, ‘accompanied by’ always take the singular verb.

Examples: 1. John Lee, as well as his sister, lives in Rodrigues

2. The table, together with the six chairs, costs two thousand rupees3. My father, like all people, works very hard

6. When two singular nouns (or subjects) are joined by:‘either……..or’, ‘neither……. Nor’

Examples: 1. Either Roshan or Shameem has a computer.2. Neither Shireen nor Yasmin likes to lie.

7. ‘Much’ and ‘little’ takes singular verbs

Examples: 1. Much electricity costs a lot of money.2. A little of sugar is enough to give a lot of energy.

Collective nounsA flock of birds

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A herd of cows, cattle, buffaloesA clump of treesA swarm of bees, insectsA gang of workmen, labourers, thievesA shoal of fishA school of fish, whales, dolphinsA bouquet of flowersA bunch of flowersA bunch of bananas, grapesA collection of pictures, stampsA pack of dogsA pack of cardsA suit of clothesA block of flatsA party of friendsA staff of teachersA team of playersA troupe of dancersA set of toolsA litter of puppiesAn army of soldiers

ACTIVE & PASSIVE VOICE

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Present Tense Active: Samuella eats rice.Passive: Rice is eaten by Samuella.

Active: The boys play football.Passive: Football is played by the boysActive: Do the teachers drink tea?Passive: Is tea drunk by the teachers?

In the passive voice the verb is introduced by the verb to be (in the tense of the verb in Active Voice) and the verb is always changed into the past participle. Observe the verb to be in the passive voice, it is always in the present tense (is, are) when the sentence of the active voice is in the present tense.

Past Tense

Active: They bought cakes.Passive: Cakes was bought by them.

Active: Did they buy cakes?Passive: Were cakes bought by them?

Here the verb to be is in the past tense (was, were) because the sentence in the active voice is in the past tense.

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Present Continuous Tense

Active: We are sweeping the floor.Passive: The floor is being swept by us.

Active: Is Siddick driving the car?Passive: Is the car being driven by Siddick?

Since the sentence in the active voice is in the Present Continuous Tense, the verb to be in the Passive voice sentence is in the Present Continuous Tense (is being, are being)

© Yousoof A. AYOUB 1st publication June 2002

New revised: February 2010

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Essential English