English Grammar
-
Examples of a Single Word Acting as Both Adjective and Adverb
Have you ever come across a sentence where a single word seems to serve as both an adjective and an adverb at the same time? It might seem puzzling at first, but it’s a grammatical phenomenon that occurs more often than you might think. In English, words have the flexibility to function in various roles within a sentence, blurring the lines between traditional parts of speech. In this article, we will learn how a single word can perform as an adjective and an adverb in the same sentence. Adjectives vs. Adverbs Before explaining subject heading, we will learn the basic difference between adjective and adverb. Adjectives are words that modify…
-
08 Rules for Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement ensures coherence between subject and verb in a sentence. It establishes the agreement between the number and person of the subject and the verb. In simpler terms, it means that singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require plural verbs. Subject-verb agreement is crucial for maintaining clarity and coherence in writing. When subjects and verbs agree in number and person, it makes the sentence easier to understand and avoids confusion. Incorrect agreement can lead to grammatical errors that may distract or mislead the reader. Basic Rules of Subject-Verb Agreement Below are few grammar rules for maintaining a correct order between subject and verb. Rule 1: Singular Subjects…
-
Use of an Apostrophe in Contractions and Possessives
To know about the use of an apostrophe in contraction and possessives is very tricky for students and writers. Sometimes students stuck in their writing when they come across the use of apostrophe. Both terms are often used interchangeably but serve distinct purposes. Learning their differences is very necessary for effective writing. In this article, we’ll differentiate the use of apostrophes for contractions and possession, and will provide practical tips for their correct usage. Introduction to the Use of an Apostrophe Before going into direct sentence examples, we will discuss the basic function of apostrophe in contraction and possession. What Is an Apostrophe: Its Functions and Usage An apostrophe is…
-
Basic Rules for Placing Multiple Adjectives before a Noun
Adjectives are necessary elements in describing nouns, but their placement in a sentence can significantly change the meaning and clarity. In English, there are specific rules governing the order of placing multiple adjectives before a noun. Look at the below example: Correct Examples of Multiple Adjectives: “She wore a long, flowing, red dress to the party.” “He bought a sturdy, old, wooden, desk for his study.” “They lived in a cozy, little, old cottage by the sea.” Incorrect Example of Multiple Adjectives: “I saw a round, big, white, table.” “He found an interesting, wooden, old, chair.” “She baked a delicious, chocolate, large, cake.” Above sentences have multiple adjectives that describes…
-
How to Make Plurals in English | Rules for Making Plurals
How to Make Plurals in English | Rules for Making Plurals Effective communication in English relies heavily on proper grammar, and one crucial aspect is making plurals correctly. Whether you’re a native speaker or learning English as a second language, understanding the rules for making plurals is essential. In this article, we’ll guide you how you can make plurals, basic pluralization rules, exceptions, and practical tips. Introduction to Pluralization The word plural is used for two or more noun/pronoun. When there is a one noun, we say it single, and when it increases in number, we say it plural. See below examples: I cooked one potato. (Potato-single) I cooked two…
-
Types of Sentences Based on Structure and Function
What is a Sentence? A sentence, at its core, is a collection of words expressing a complete thought. It may take the form of a single word, a phrase, or a combination of words and phrases. Sentences are diverse and fall into four primary types: assertive, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory. The fundamental rule is that a sentence always commences with a capital letter and concludes with a punctuation mark, the choice of which depends on the sentence’s function. Examples: His laughter echoed joy through the forest. (Assertive) Will the sun rise tomorrow? (Interrogative) Gather ’round the bonfire. (Imperative) What an astonishing display of colors! (Exclamatory) Structure of a Sentence:…
-
‘Emphatic Do’ in English Grammar | Explanation with Examples
Emphatic do (do, does, or did) is a particular use of the verb that allows speakers and writers to emphasize their point or convey strong feelings about a particular action or statement. It can be used in various ways to give prominence to specific elements in a sentence, making communication more engaging and effective. People generally use emphatic in speech than in formal written English. In this article, we will discuss how to correctly use emphatic “do,” with numerous examples. Use of do to form Questions and Negation As Do and does are used to form questions and negatives in the simple present tense. See below examples: Dou you sing? They do not play football We…
-
Differences Between Reflexive Pronouns and Emphatic Pronouns
We use pronouns in the place of nouns to avoid redundancy in the sentence and they help make communication more concise. Pronouns have various functions in a sentence and are classified into various types based on their role in a sentence. Two types of pronouns that can sometimes appear confusing are reflexive pronouns and emphatic pronouns, also known as intensive pronouns. In this article, we’ll explain the differences between reflexive pronouns and emphatic pronouns. I might surprise you that reflexive pronoun and emphatic pronouns are same and equal in numbers but they only differ in their usage in a sentence. You use words like myself, ourselves, herself, himself, yourself, yourselves, themselves, and…
-
Possessive Pronouns vs. Possessive Adjectives
English grammar can be a difficult subject for some learners because of complex rules. One of the complex term in English grammar is distinguishing between possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives. These two sub-parts of speech are integral to specifying possession or ownership, but their roles are distinct. In this article, we will try to explain the difference between possessive pronouns and possessive adjectives, using numerous examples to make it simple for easy comprehension. What Are Possessive Pronouns and Possessive Adjectives? Possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns show ownership. The common possessive pronouns are: mine, ours, yours, his, hers, its, and theirs. Common possessive adjectives are: my, our, your, his, her, its,…
-
Attributive Adjectives vs. Predicative Adjectives
Difference between Attributive Adjectives and Predicative Adjectives Adjectives make sentences colorful and interesting by giving more details about nouns. They can stand in different places in a sentence, which changes their meanings. Two important types of adjectives are attributive and predicative adjectives. Let’s explore the difference between them and see how they work with examples. Attributive Adjectives: Attributive adjectives are like close friends to nouns. They usually come right before the noun and give us information about the noun’s qualities. They help us see what kind of noun we’re talking about. Here are some examples of attributive adjectives: She has a red car. The happy children played in the…
