COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

 COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

Common coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, yet, or, nor, for, so, either…or, neither…nor. Coordinating conjunctions generally connect words or phrases of the same grammatical class. For example, a coordinating conjunction connects nouns with nouns, adverbs with adverbs or clauses with clauses. It cannot connect a noun with a verb or an adjective.

• Jack and Jill went up the hill. (Here the coordinating conjunction ‘and’ connects the two nouns – Jack and Jill.)
• He worked patiently and diligently. (Here ‘and’ connects the two adverbs patiently and diligently.)

Kinds of coordinating conjunctions

There are different types of coordinating conjunctions:

Cumulative or copulative conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions which merely add one clause to another are called cumulative or copulative conjunctions. Examples are:and, both…and, as well as, not only…but also.

• He mounted the horse and rode off.
• She is both pretty and intelligent.
• Tom as well as John passed the test.
• He was not only praised but also rewarded.

Adversative conjunctions

Some coordinating conjunctions are used to connect opposing or contrasting ideas or statements. They are called adversative conjunctions. Examples are: but, still, yet, whereas, while, nevertheless etc.

• He is rich but he is unhappy.
• He is poor yet he is happy.

Disjunctive or alternative conjunctions

Some coordinating conjunctions present two alternatives sometimes indicating a choice between them. Examples are: or, either…or, neither…nor, neither, nor etc.

• You can have coffee or tea. (You can’t have them both.)
• He neither wrote nor called.
• He does not drink, neither does he smoke.

Illative conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions which express an inference are called illative conjunctions. Examples are: for, so.

• He has been working for hours, so he must be tired.

Correlative conjunctions

Some conjunctions are used in pairs. They are called correlative conjunctions. Most correlative conjunctions are considered as coordinating conjunctions.

IDENTIFY THE VOICE

IDENTIFY THE VOICE

State whether the following sentences are in the active or passive voice.

1. I was shocked by the news.

2. His generosity surprised me.

3. I have my breakfast at 8.30.

4. I want to become a scientist.

5. The stones were being thrown by the boys.

6. The spider was killed by the boy.

7. My purse has been stolen.

8. The injured man was taken to the hospital.

9. I was watching TV.

10. The mouse was being chased by the cat.

11. The master punished the boy.

12. The trainer was breaking in the pony.

13. A cobbler mends shoes.

14. Tables and chairs are made by carpenters.

15. We are impressed with your performance.

16. Her performance enthralled the audience.

17. He sells newspapers at railway stations.

18. She earns 600 dollars a week.

Answers

1. was shocked – passive voice – simple past tense

2. surprised – active voice – simple past tense

3. have – active voice – simple present tense

4. want – active voice – simple present tense

5. were being thrown – passive voice – past continuous tense

6. was killed – passive voice – simple past tense

7. has been stolen – passive voice – present perfect tense

8. was taken – passive voice – simple past tense

9. was watching – active voice – past continuous tense

10. was being chased – passive voice – past continuous tense

11. punished – active voice – simple past tense

12. was breaking in – active voice – past continuous tense

13. mends – active voice – simple present tense

14. are made – passive voice – simple present tense

15. are impressed – passive voice – simple present tense

16. enthralled – simple past tense – active voice

17. sells – active voice – simple present tense.

18. earns – active voice – simple present tense

THE ORAL APROACH AND SITUATIONAL LANGUAGE TEACHING

Situational Language Teaching (Oral Approach) | My English Pages

Situational Language Teaching (Oral Approach) | My English Pages

MOHAMMED RHALMI | My English Pages

MOHAMMED RHALMI | My English Pages

TOP 10 WAYS TO REDUCE HOMEWORK STRESS IN YOUR CHILD

TOP 10 WAYS TO REDUCE HOMEWORK STRESS IN YOUR CHILD

·         Set up a study area:

A place dedicated only to homework and studying is the most important aspect of reducing homework stress. An area clear of chaos makes it easier for your child to focus and feel calm while doing homework.

·         Involve yourself:

Not all kids are able to handle homework all by themselves. Some need parental help. So if you find your child overwhelmed by homework, do help him/her in completing the assignments. But be careful to know your limits... as some parents do the homework rather than helping their child do the homework.

·         Stay positive about and during homework:

Children learn most habits from parents... be it good or bad. So if you believe that your child can do the homework successfully…he/she will also believe in it.

·         Break the homework down into small parts:

Set smaller goals towards completing the assignments.  Allow your child to take breaks in-between goals.  Also let your child to set a timer to alert him/her when the break is over, so that he/she can get back to work again. This will reduce homework stress tremendously.

·         Teach your child to relax.

Difficult homework assignments and the pressure to complete multiple projects can cause anxiety, frustration, and even anger in kids. And your child might possibly go through such a tough time once in a while. So help your child to learn a few stress management techniques, such as meditation, listening to music etc. so that he/she can manage stress better.

·         Encourage your child to have a healthy snack or even a meal before homework.

It is difficult to concentrate and feel balanced when hungry. A healthy meal or snack can make a huge difference.

·         Encourage your child to do homework every day.

When doing something on a regular basis, it will become a habit. So encourage your child to do homework or to review notes/lessons every day so that when it is time for a test/exam they are not overloaded with information.

·         Breaks are a must even for older children.

Don’t expect your teenager to be able to sit still for long periods of time. Let him/her to move as needed - go outside to get some fresh air or have a good laugh.

·         Help your child understand the homework. 

Many children waste time by doing the homework incorrectly because they did not understand the directions. Going over the directions before beginning to do the homework will save time and also reduce unnecessary stress.

·         Be an honest supporter to your child.

Lastly, if you feel that your child is overwhelmed or overloaded by homework and it is affecting his/her quality of life, speak to your child’s teacher. He/she will be happy to sort things out.

COMBINING SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO COMPOUND SENTENCE

Combining two or more simple sentences into a single compound sentence

A simple sentence has just one clause. Two or more simple sentences can be combined by the use of coordinating conjunctions. Common coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, or, yet, nor, for, so, as well as, not only…but also.

Harry is smart. Harry is handsome.

We can combine these two sentences into one in several ways.

Harry is smart and handsome.
Harry is both smart and handsome.
Harry is smart as well as handsome.
Harry is not only smart but also handsome.

More examples are given below.

He is slow. He is steady.
He is slow but he is steady.

She was annoyed. She said nothing.
She was annoyed but she said nothing.
She was annoyed, yet she said nothing.

I will not oppose your plan. I cannot approve it.
I will not oppose your plan; however, I cannot approve it.

He was all right. He was tired.
He was all right; only he was tired.

Combine the following pairs of sentences into a compound sentence.

1. The way was long. The wind was cold.
2. The wind blew. The lightning splashed. The rain started falling.
3. It was a cold night. We ventured out.
4. He is foolish. He is obstinate.
5. Come in. Go out.
6. Do not be a borrower. Do not be a lender.

Answers

1. The way was long and the wind was cold.
2. The wind blew, the lightning splashed and the rain started falling.
3. It was a cold night but we ventured out.
4. He is foolish and obstinate.
5. Come in or go out. / Either come in or go out.
6. Do not be a borrower or a lender. / Be neither a borrower nor a lender.

ADJECTIVES - CORRECT USAGE

Adjectives: CORRECT USAGE 

Incorrect: Every people know this.
Correct: Everybody knows this. / Everyone knows this.

Incorrect: Each hands have five fingers.
Correct: Each hand has five fingers.

Incorrect: Either roads lead to the airport.
Correct: Either road leads to the airport.

The adjectives each, every, either and neither should be followed by a singular noun and a singular verb.

Incorrect: I have no any friends.
Correct: I have no friends. / I haven’t any friends. / I haven’t got anyfriends.

The word any has a negative meaning. It is not used with ‘no’.

Incorrect: Both men have not come.
Correct: Neither man has come.

Instead of ‘both … not’, we normally use neither.

Incorrect: Shakespeare is greater than any playwright.
Correct: Shakespeare is greater than any other playwright.

Shakespeare himself is a playwright. So, the first sentence actually says that Shakespeare is greater than Shakespeare. As you can see, it does not make any sense.

Incorrect: Samuel is elder than Mark.
Correct: Samuel is older than Mark.

Incorrect: Jennifer is the eldest girl in the class.
Correct: Jennifer is the oldest girl in the class.

The adjectives elder and eldest are only used attributively (before nouns). After a verb, we use older and oldest.

Incorrect: He is more better than I.
Correct: He is better than I.

Adjectives of one or two syllables form their comparative and superlative forms by adding –er or –est. Longer adjectives takemore or most. More and most cannot be used with adjectives ending in –er or –est.

SIMILES

Common similes

A simile is a figure of speech in which one thing is compared with another things. Here are some common similes in English.

As crooked as a dog’s hind leg

If somebody is as crooked as a dog’s hind leg, they are dishonest.

No one will trust you if you are as crooked as a dog’s hind leg.

As fat as a pig

If somebody is as fat as a pig, they are very fat.

I must start dieting. I am as fat as a pig.

As gentle as a lamb

If somebody is as gentle as a lamb, they are very gentle.

The boy is as gentle as a lamb when his parents are around.

As gruff as a bear

If somebody is as gruff as a bear, they are very unsociable.

The lady next door is as gruff as a bear. She never invites people to her home.

As hungry as a bear

When you are as hungry as a bear, you are very hungry.

The boy was as hungry as a bear when he got home from school.

As innocent as a lamb

If someone is as innocent as a lamb, they are very innocent or naïve.

Everybody loves Julie. She is as innocent as a lamb.

As meek as a lamb

If somebody is as meek as a lamb, they are very quiet or docile.

As a teenager Frieda was as meek as a lamb. I still can’t believe that she has become an aggressive business woman.

As nervous as a cat

If somebody is as nervous as a cat, they are very nervous.

She was as nervous as a cat during the interview.