English Grammar With Tanveer Kurd For students.
5000 Words
Gerund after prepositions
1. Gerund after prepositions that stand alone
after
After having a shower, I waited for Steven.
before
The tablet must not be taken before getting up in the morning.
by
I manage it by working much longer than 40-hour weeks.
in spite of
In spite of studying a lot he didn't pass the exams.
on
What was her reaction on hearing the news?
without
He told the joke without laughing.
2. Gerund after Adjective + Preposition
afraid of
They are afraid of losing the match.
angry about/at
Pat is angry about walking in the rain.
bad at/good at
John is good at working in the garden.
crazy about
The girl is crazy about playing tennis.
disappointed about/at
He is disappointed about seeing such a bad report.
excited about
We are excited about making our own film.
famous for
Sandy is famous for singing songs.
fed up with
I'm fed up with being treated as a child.
fond of
Hannah is fond of going to parties.
glad about
She is glad about getting married again.
happy about/at
The children are not happy about seeing a doctor.
interested in
Are you interested in writing poems?
keen on
Joe is keen on drawing.
proud of
She is proud of speaking English.
sick of
We're sick of sitting around like this.
sorry about/for
He's sorry for eating in the lesson.
tired of
I'm tired of waiting for you.
used to
She is used to smoking.
worried about
I'm worried about making mistakes.
3. Gerund after Noun + Preposition
advantage of
What is the advantage of farming over hunting?
chance of
There's a chance of catching a cold these days.
choice between
There's a choice between flying to London Heathrow or Stansted.
danger of
Peggy is in danger of making a mistake.
difficulty in
He has difficulty in texting.
doubt about
He is in doubt about buying the correct software for his computer system.
hope of
There's little hope of catching the new Corvette.
idea of
I like the idea of setting up a new email account.
interest in
There's no interest in writing letters.
method of
This is a simple method of finding solutions.
opportunity of
There's some opportunity of bringing her parents together again.
possibility of
These wheels offer the possibility of riding tubeless.
problem of
He has the problem of swimming too slow.
reason for
There's a real reason for winning the contest.
risk of
There's a risk of digging too deep.
trouble for
He was in trouble for stealing.
way of
This is a new way of building a wall.
4. Gerund after Verb + Preposition
accuse of
They were accused of breaking into a shop.
agree with
I agree with playing darts.
apologize for
They apologize for being late.
believe in
She doesn't believe in getting lost in the wood.
blame for
The reporter is blamed for writing bad stories.
complain about
She complains about bullying.
concentrate on
Do you concentrate on reading or writing?
congratulate sb. on
I wanted to congratulate you on making such a good speech.
cope with
He is not sure how to cope with getting older.
decide against
They decided against stealing the car.
depend on
Success may depend on becoming more patient.
dream about/of
Sue dreams of being a pop star.
feel like
They feel like going to bed.
get used to
You must get used to working long hours.
insist on
The girls insisted on going out with Mark.
look forward to
I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.
prevent sb. from sth.
How can I prevent Kate from working in this shop?
rely on sth.
He doesn't rely on winning in the casino.
succeed in
How then can I succeed in studying chemistry?
specialize in
The firm specialized in designing websites.
stop sb. from
I stopped Andrew from smoking.
talk about/of
They often talk about travel(l)ing to New Zealand.
think about/of
Frank thinks of playing chess.
warn sb. against
We warned them against using this computer.
worry about
The patient worries about having the check-up.
Gerund or Progressive/Continuous
Is it a Gerund or a Progressive Form?
Both forms end in -ing. Nevertheless it is easy to find out whether it is a Gerund or a Progressive form.
1. Progressive Tenses
These tenses are formed with to be and the infinitive + -ing.
Sentence Tense
He is reading a book. Present Progressive
He was reading a book. Past Progressive
He has been reading a book for three hours. Present Perfect Progressive
He had been reading a book before Mary came in. Past Perfect Progressive
He will be reading a book when I get home. will-future Progressive
He will have been reading a book. Future Perfect Progressive
He would be reading a book if he had time. Conditional Progressive
He would have been reading a book if he had had time. Conditional Perfect Progressive
A book is being read. Present Progressive → Passive
A book was being read. Past Progressive → Passive
2. Gerund
The Gerund is formed only with infinitive + -ing.
Sentence
Reading books is great fun.
He likes reading books.
He is looking forward to reading books on Sunday.
He is keen on reading books.
He is used to reading books.
What about reading books?
He likes the idea of reading books.
After reading the book, he went to bed.
Gerund and infinitive with to - no difference in meaning
Gerund and the Infinitive after the verb - no difference in meaning
These verbs can be followed by a Gerund and an Infinitive without changing their meaning:
Verb Examples
begin He began talking.
He began to talk.
continue They continue smoking.
They continue to smoke.
hate Do you hate working on Saturdays?
Do you hate to work on Saturdays?
like I like swimming.
I like to swim.
love She loves painting.
She loves to paint.
prefer Pat prefers walking home.
Pat prefers to walk home.
start They start singing.
They start to sing.
These verbs can also be followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive without changing their meaning. Mind the structure with the infinitive:
Gerund: Verb + -ing
Infinitive: Verb + Person (as object) + infinitive with to
Verb Examples
advise They advise walking to town.
They advise us to walk to town.
allow They do not allow smoking here.
They do not allow us to smoke here.
encourage They encourage doing the test.
They encourage us to do the test.
permit They do not permit smoking here.
They do not permit us to smoke here.
When recommend is not followed by a Gerund, put that after recommend. The form walk is a subjunctive.
Verb Examples
recommend They recommend walking.
They recommend that we walk.
There is sometimes a little change in the meaning of the sentences depending on the use of the Gerund or the InfiInfinitive.
erund and infinitive with to - no difference in meaning
Gerund and the Infinitive after the verb - no difference in meaning
These verbs can be followed by a Gerund and an Infinitive without changing their meaning:
Verb Examples
begin He began talking.
He began to talk.
continue They continue smoking.
They continue to smoke.
hate Do you hate working on Saturdays?
Do you hate to work on Saturdays?
like I like swimming.
I like to swim.
love She loves painting.
She loves to paint.
prefer Pat prefers walking home.
Pat prefers to walk home.
start They start singing.
They start to sing.
These verbs can also be followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive without changing their meaning. Mind the structure with the infinitive:
Gerund: Verb + -ing
Infinitive: Verb + Person (as object) + infinitive with to
Verb Examples
advise They advise walking to town.
They advise us to walk to town.
allow They do not allow smoking here.
They do not allow us to smoke here.
encourage They encourage doing the test.
They encourage us to do the test.
permit They do not permit smoking here.
They do not permit us to smoke here.
When recommend is not followed by a Gerund, put that after recommend. The form walk is a subjunctive.
Verb Examples
recommend They recommend walking.
They recommend that we walk.
There is sometimes a little change in the meaning of the sentences depending on the use of the Gerund or the Infinitive.
Gerund and infinitive – different meaning
Verbs change their meaning when they are followed by a Gerund or an Infinitive
Some verbs have different meanings when they are follwed by a gerund or an infinitive.
forget
GERUND INFINITIVE
looks back in the past looks into the future
He'll never forget spending so much money on his first computer. Don't forget to spend money on the tickets.
go on
GERUND INFINITIVE
to continue with the same thing to change the activity
Go on reading the text. Go on to read the text.
mean
GERUND INFINITIVE
sth. has to be done to get a result intend to do sth.
You have forgotten your homework again. That means phoning your mother. I meant to phone your mother, but my mobile didn't work.
regret
GERUND INFINITIVE
you did sth in the past and you are not happy about it to tell bad news and you are not happy about it
I regret being late for school. We regret to inform you that the flight has beeen delayed for another two hours.
remember
GERUND INFINITIVE
looks back in the past looks into the future
I remember switching off the lights when I went on holiday. Remember to switch off the lights when you go on holiday.
stop
GERUND INFINITIVE
to stop with an activity to stop in order to do sth.
I stopped smoking. I stopped to smoke.
try
GERUND INFINITIVE
to test sth. to do sth. that is not easy
I tried taking an aspirin but it didn't help. Try to be quiet when you come home late.
The following words are a little more tricky.
like
I like reading books. = I like to read books.
There is normally no difference in meaning.
Use the Gerund when like is used in the sense of 'enjoy'.
Example: I like riding my bike.
Use the Infinitive when you do sth. in the sense of a habit.
Example: I like to do my homework in the afternoon. (I think, it is good to do my homework in the afternoon).
Mind the following examples:
I like watching films.
I would like to watch the film.
be afraid
Use the Gerund when you worry about sth.
I'm afraid of having an accident.
In other cases there is no difference in meaning whether we use Gerund or Infinitive.
I'm afraid to go by bike on this road. = I'm afraid of going by bike on this road.
need
If we use a Gerund after need, then the sentcene has a passive meaning:
The window needs cleaning.
used to
The form to be used to + Gerund means that the person is familiar with sth.
He is used to smoking. (He still smokes.)
The form used to + Infinitive means that the person did sth. in the past.
He used to smoke. (He does not smoke any more.)
Attention!
He is used to smoke. (This sentence is wrong.)
Examples with the Infinitive with to
After the following phrases we use the infinitive with to in English:
1. after the first
Gagarin was the first to fly in a spaceship.
2. after the last
Peter was the last to watch the film.
3. after the next
He is the next to get his passport.
4. after adjectives
I'm happy to be here.
It's better not to smoke.
5. after special verbs (agree, choose, forget, hope, learn, promise, regret*, want, …)
I am learning to drive a car.
* After regret the to-infinitive is used when announcing bad news: We regret to inform you that the flight to Munich has been cancelled.
6. after question words
I don't know what to say.
Can you tell me how to get to the bus stop?
7. after want/would like
I want you to help me.
8. after Verb + Object
I helped my dad to clean the car.
Attention!
I want to help you. (I help you.)
I want you to help me. (You help me.)
Infinitive without to - English Grammar
After the following phrases we use the Infinitiv without to:
1. after auxiliaries/modals
can
He can run very fast.
could
As a boy he could run very fast.
may
I may fly to Africa this summer.
might
I might fly to Africa this summer.
must
I must go now.
mustn't
You mustn't smoke here.
needn't
You needn't go.
shall
We shall sing a song.
should
We should sing a song.
will
She will cook a meal for his birthday.
would
She would cook a meal for his birthday.
2. after the auxiliary do
do
I don't know.
3. after the following structures
had better
You had better clean up your room.
would rather
Susan would rather study for her exam tomorrow.
would sooner
I would sooner read a book than watch this film.
why not
Why not ask your neighbour for help?
why should we
Why should we go by car?
why should we not
Why should we not go by car?
4. after verbs of perception + object (action has finished)
feel
She feels the rain fall on her face
hear
I heard Peter sing a song.
notice
Mandy noticed the boy climb the tree.
see
They saw him climb up the roof.
watch
He watched the thieves steal a car.
5. after let
let + object
Sandy let her child go out alone.
The mother let her daughter decide on her own.
let's
Let's go for a walk through the park.
6. after make + object
make
She made Peggy and Samantha clean the room.
10) Falling into pronoun disagreement
A common grammatical mistake for English learners is for their pronouns and nouns to disagree, when dealing with singular and plural examples.
The straightforward rule is that singular pronouns must go with singular nouns, and plural pronouns must go with plural nouns.
So, for example:
“Every boy must sign in when they arrive” is incorrect. “Boy” is singular, and “they” is plural.
The correct phrasing here would be:
“Every boy must sign in when he arrives.”
Grammar and punctuation are essential in the English language and gaining confidence in how to avoid any grammatical errors is a valuable part of your learning journey.
You should practice developing your grammar daily; it will help you to become a confident writer with a firm grasp on the English language.
9) Misplacing your modifiers
Language would be pretty dull without words to add a bit of extra flavour to sentences and descriptive speech.
This is exactly where modifiers come in.
With modifiers, “the tiger” can become “the fearsome tiger,” “the sunrise,” can become “the beautiful sunrise,” and so on.
The issue is that these modifiers need to be placed very close to the word they’re modifying, or else the meaning falls apart.
“Misplacing your modifiers” means that you are putting these modifiers too far away from the terms they are meant to be modifying, in your sentence.
The result is confusion.
In fact, misplaced modifiers can even completely change the meaning of your sentence in unintended ways.
Here’s an example of a misplaced modifier:
“He almost walked for the entire day.”
And here’s how this example would read with the modifier in the right place:
“He walked for almost the entire day.”
In the example with the misplaced modifier, it is not clear if he “crawled”, “ran slowly”, or simply “thought about walking” for the entire day.
In the correct example, the meaning is clear.
8) Getting adjectives and adverbs confused
Confusing your adjectives and adverbs often results in speech or writing that comes off as very informal, and even uneducated – and it’s a great way of infuriating many English teachers.
Often, you’ll notice this issue happening with words that end in “-ly.”
Here are a couple of grammatically incorrect examples:
“It was a real nice day today.”
“I ran quick to the bus stop.”
And here’s how these two examples would look if they were made grammatically correct:
“It was a really nice day today.”
“I ran quickly to the bus stop.”
7) Using incomplete comparisons
Many words in the English language imply a comparison – and using them without “completing the comparison” is a common grammatical mistake.
Here’s an example of an incomplete comparison:
“It was much hotter today.”
To make this example grammatically correct, you would need to complete this comparison. Here’s one way you could do that:
“It was much hotter today than yesterday.”
6) Confusing similar spellings and words
The English language is quite rich in words which sound similar, or are spelled similarly, but which have different meanings and need to be used in different contexts.
Perhaps the most common stumbling block experienced by people who are learning English as a second language is making sure to use the right word in the right context, rather than a similar but improper one.
The only way to avoid this issue is to learn which words fit in which context, on a case-by-case basis.
Here are some words people often mix up:
“Two,” “too,” and “to”
“Here” and “hear”
“Your” and “you’re”
“Weather” and “whether”
5) There / Their /They’re
You may find that these pesky homophones, a little bit of a headache.
Rules:
Use “There” to refer to a place that isn’t here, for example, “Over there.”
Use “Their” to refer to how owns something – showing that something belongs to that person.
Use “They’re” is a shortened version of “They are”.
Here is how not to use these words:
Their going to be here soon.
We should contact they’re friend.
Can we use there house?
They’re is is an argument that says.
Here is how you use these words correctly:
They’re going to be here soon.
We should contact their friend.
Can we use their house?
There is an argument that says.
4) Misplacing Apostrophes
You find apostrophes a little tricky, but once you follow the rules, it will become easy. Putting an apostrophe in the wrong place is a common mistake.
Rules:
Apostrophes indicate something belongs to something or is owned by someone else.
To show that something belongs to one person, place the apostrophe before the letter ‘S.’
For example – “The girl’s sheep”.
To show that something belongs to more than one person, you need to place the apostrophe after the letter ‘S’.
For example – “The girls’ sheep”.
Apostrophes are also used in contracted words such as “Can’t” to indicate that the ‘O’ is missing from “Cannot.”
Apostrophes should never be used to make a word plural.
3) Your/You’re
These words are also troublesome homophones that cause many problems.
Rules:
“Your” indicates a possession – and defines that something belongs to you.
“You’re” is short for “You are”.
Here is how not to use these words:
Your beautiful.
Do you know when your going?
Can I have you’re coat?
How to get it right:
You’re beautiful.
Do you know when you’re going?
Can I have your coat?
1) Present and Past Tense
Present tenses in English are used to talk about the present, the future and to summarise a book, film or play when telling a story in the present tense.
There are four present tense forms in the English language.
Present Simple: I Work
Present Continuous: I am Working
Present Perfect: I have worked
Present perfect continuous: I have been working
Rules:
You can use the past tense to talk about events or situations that have finished. You can also use past tense in English to talk about long-standing events and situations that have already happened in the past.
For example: When I was a young child, I lived in the countryside.
Here are some frequently used examples of verbs in past simple: are, was, were and went.
Punctuation
Punctuation is used to create sense, clarity and stress in sentences. You use punctuation marks to structure and organise your writing.
You can quickly see why punctuation is important if you try and read this text which has no punctuation at all:
perhaps you dont always need to use commas periods colons etc to make sentences clear when i am in a hurry tired cold lazy or angry i sometimes leave out punctuation marks grammar is stupid i can write without it and dont need it my uncle Harry once said he was not very clever and i never understood a word he wrote to me i think ill learn some punctuation not too much enough to write to Uncle Harry he needs some help
Now let's see if punctuating it makes a difference!
Perhaps you don't always need to use commas, periods, colons etc. to make sentences clear. When I am in a hurry, tired, cold, lazy, or angry I sometimes leave out punctuation marks. "Grammar is stupid! I can write without it and don't need it," my uncle Harry once said. He was not very clever, and I never understood a word he wrote to me. I think I'll learn some punctuation - not too much, enough to write to Uncle Harry. He needs some help!
The Period, Full Stop or Point
The period (known as a full stop in British English) is probably the simplest of the punctuation marks to use. You use it like a knife to cut the sentences to the required length. Generally, you can break up the sentences using the full stop at the end of a logical and complete thought that looks and sounds right to you.
Mark the end of a sentence which is not a question or an exclamation
Examples
Rome is the capital of Italy.
I was born in Australia and now live in Indonesia.
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.
Indicate an abbreviation
Many abbreviations require a period. Dr, Mr, Mrs, and Ms do not take a period in British English, nor do most abbreviations taken from the first capital letters such as MA, Phd, or CIA. In American English, some of these do require periods or both usages are correct (with and without periods). If you require 100% accuracy in your punctuation, refer to a detailed style guide for the abbreviation usage rules in the variety of English you are using.
Examples
I will arrive between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.
We are coming on Fri., Jan. 4.
Ellipsis
Often you will see a sentence concluding with three dots. This indicates that only part of the sentence or text has been quoted or that it is being left up to the reader to complete the thought.
Examples
The Lord's Prayer begins, "Our Father which art in Heaven..."
He is always late, but you know how I feel about that...
Period after a single word
Sometimes a single word can form the sentence. In this case you place a fullstop after the word as you would in any other sentence. This is often the case when the subject is understood as in a greeting or a command.
Examples
"Goodbye."
"Stop."
Periods in numbers
Numbers use periods in English to separate the whole number from the decimal. A period used in a number is also called a "decimal point" and it is read "point" unless it refers to money.
Examples
$10.43 = ten dollars and 43 cents
14.17 = fourteen point one seven
the commas
There are some general rules which you can apply when using the comma. However, you will find that in English there are many other ways to use the comma to add to the meaning of a sentence or to emphasise an item, point, or meaning.
Although we are often taught that commas are used to help us add 'breathing spaces' to sentences they are, in fact, more accurately used to organise blocks of thought or logical groupings. Most people use commas to ensure that meaning is clear and, despite grammatical rules, will drop a comma if their meaning is retained without it.
Separate phrases, words, or clauses in lists
When making a list, commas are the most common way to separate one list item from the next. The final two items in the list are usually separated by "and" or "or", which should be preceeded by a comma. Amongst editors this final comma in a list is known as the "Oxford Comma".
A series of independent clauses (sentences)
Examples
I met Harry, we went for a swim together, and afterwards Harry went home.
I like your son, I might even love him, but he is not a very good soccer player.
A series of nouns
Examples
For dinner I had soup, fish, chicken, dessert, and coffee.
This afternoon I went to Oxford Circus, Picadilly, Hamstead, and Gatwick Airport.
A series of adjectives
A list of adjectives usually requires commas. However, if an adjective is modifying another adjective you do not separate them with a comma (sentence 3).
Examples
She was young, beautiful, kind, and intelligent.
The house we visited was dark, dreary, and run-down.
She was wearing a bright red shirt.
A series of verbs
Examples
Tony ran towards me, fell, yelled, and fainted.
The boy leapt, spun, twisted, and dove into the water.
A series of phrases
Examples
The car smashed into the wall, flipped onto its roof, slid along the road, and finally stopped against a tree.
The dog leapt into the air, snatched the frisbee in its mouth, landed, and ran off into the forest.
Enclosing details
Use a comma to enclose non-defining relative clauses and other non-essential details and comments. The comma is placed on either side of the insertion.
Examples
China, one of the most powerful nations on Earth, has a huge population.
Jason's grandmother, who was born in 1930, lived through the Second World War.
Cats, unlike dogs, do not respect their masters.
My friend, Jim, likes to go scuba diving.
Participial phrases
Examples
Hearing that her father was in hospital, Jane left work immediately.
Walking to the bus stop that morning, Sam knew it was going to be a special day.
Tag questions
Examples
She lives in Paris, doesn't she?
We haven't met, have we?
Interjections
Examples
Yes, I will stay a little longer, thank you.
No, he isn't like other boys.
Wait, I didn't mean to scare you.
A final warning
Putting a comma in the wrong place can lead to a sentence with a completely different meaning, look at these two sentences:
I detest liars like you; I believe that honesty is the best policy. = I detest you because you are a liar.
I detest liars, like you; I believe that honesty is the best policy. = You and I both detest liars.
Functions of Adjectives
Adjectives describe the aspects of nouns. When an adjective is describing a noun, we say it is "modifying" it. Adjectives can:
Describe feelings or qualities,
Examples
He is a lonely man.
They are honest.
Give nationality or origin,
Examples
I heard a French song.
This clock is German.
Our house is Victorian.
Tell more about a thing's characteristics,
Examples
That is a flashy car.
The knife is sharp.
Tell us about age,
Examples
He's a young man.
My coat is old.
Tell us about size and measurement,
Examples
John is a tall man.
This film is long.
Tell us about colour,
Examples
Paul wore a red shirt.
The sunset was crimson.
Tell us what something is made of,
Examples
The table is wooden.
She wore a cotton dress.
Tell us about shape,
Examples
I sat at a round table.
The envelope is square.
Express a judgement or a value.
Examples
That was a fantastic film.
Grammar is complicated.
The question mark
Use the question mark at the end of all direct questions.
Examples
What is your name?
Do you speak Italian?
You're spanish, aren't you?
Do not use a question mark for reported questions
Examples
He asked me what my name was.
She asked if I was Spanish.
Ask them where they are going.
Long questions still need question marks
Examples
Isn't it true that global warming is responsible for more and more problems which are having a disastrous effect on the world's climate and leading to many millions of people in countries that can least afford it having to contend with more and more hardship?
Why is it that even though you are unkind to me, ignore me when I ask you for help, and consistently forget to thank me when I do favors for you, you still claim to want me to be your friend and appear surprised when I prefer to hang out with other people?
Question marks can sometimes appear within sentences
Examples
There is cause for concern (isn't there?) that the current world economic balance is so fragile that it may lead to a global economic downturn.
"Why is she here?" asked Henry.
The question mark
Use the question mark at the end of all direct questions.
Examples
What is your name?
Do you speak Italian?
You're spanish, aren't you?
Do not use a question mark for reported questions
Examples
He asked me what my name was.
She asked if I was Spanish.
Only good Thoughts for......
- Writer
