Prepositions and Tenses PDF

Prepositions Definition: Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, often indicating direction, location, or time. Importance: They add clarity and details, improving communica...

Prepositions Definition: Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence, often indicating direction, location, or time. Importance: They add clarity and details, improving communication. Prepositions of Time In: Used for long periods (months, years, decades), seasons, and parts of the day. ○ Example: She was born in 1992. On: Used for days, dates, and specific holidays. ○ Example: We will meet on Friday afternoon. At: Used for specific times, points in the day, and holidays/events. ○ Example: We wake up at 6 AM. Prepositions of Place In: Inside a space or area. ○ Example: The phone fell in the sea. On: Resting on a surface. ○ Example: The laptop is on the desk. At: Specific points or precise locations. ○ Example: He’s waiting at the corner. Tenses Simple Continuous Perfect Present Sub + Base - s/es Sub + Am/Is/Are + Present Sub + Has/Have + Past Participle Participle Past Sub + Base - d/ed Sub + Was/Were + Present Sub + Had/Have + Past Or Sub + Past form Participle Participle Future Sub + Will + Base Sub + Will be + Present Participle Sub + Will have + Past Participle  Perfect Continuous Present Sub + Has/Have Been + Present Participle Past Sub + Had Been + Present Participle Future Sub + Will Have Been + Present Participle Present Simple: Used for regular actions or facts. ○ Example: Birds migrate south in winter. Past Simple: Actions that occurred in the past. ○ Example: She gave her grandmother flowers. Future Simple: Actions that will occur in the future. ○ Example: Hazel will meet Sandra tomorrow. Present Continuous: Describes actions happening now or in the near future. ○ Example: We are eating dinner tonight. Past Continuous: Actions that were ongoing in the past ○ Example: Gina was sleeping when her friends arrived Future Continuous: Actions that will be happening at a specific time in the future ○ Example: We will be traveling to Japan in two days Present Perfect: Actions that began in the past and is still continuing; relevant to the present ○ Example: David has seen the band play live Past Perfect: Actions that were completed before another action in the past ○ Example: My brother had left before I arrived Future Perfect: Actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future ○ Example: By next year, Dennis will have finished medical school Present Perfect Continuous: Actions that started in the past and continue to the present with a focus on duration ○ Example: Carl has been studying for five hours already Past Perfect Continuous: Actions that were ongoing before another action in the past ○ Example: We had been planning for the surprise for months when she found out Future Perfect Continuous: Actions that will continue up until a point in the future ○ Example: By November, Luke will have been working with us for six years. Would/Could Have Would have: Talk about hypothetical situations that didn’t happen in the past ○ I would have gone to the party if I had known about it Could have: Talk about possibilities that didn't happen in the past ○ She could have passed the exam if she studied harder Subject-Verb Agreement Subject-Verb Agreement is the correspondence in number between the subject and the verb of a sentence. A s a competent writer, it is important for you to learn the rule for S V agreement Nouns ○ Nouns are words that represent people, places, things, or ideas. ○ They can be concrete or abstract Verbs ○ Verbs are words that express actions, states, or occurrences. ○ They indicate what the subject of the sentence is doing (action verbs), what state the subject is in (state verbs), or what is happening (occurrence verbs) General Rule: Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs. A VERB ending in S is singular A NOUN ending in S is plural ○ Example: The bus stops here (singular). ○ Example: The flowers bloom in spring (plural). Special Rules Collective Nouns: Take a singular verb when viewed as a unit, plural when seen as individuals. ○ Example: The team is practicing (unit), The team are arguing (individuals). Nouns in Sets of Two: Singular verb when "pair" is present, plural when absent. ○ Example: The pair of shoes needs repair (singular), The shoes need repair (plural). A Number of vs. The Number of: "A number of" takes plural, "The number of" takes singular. ○ Example: A number of students have dropped the course (plural). ○ Example: The number of students is 2,000 (singular). Noncount Nouns: Use singular verbs. ○ Example: The water is cold (noncount noun). Fractions/Percentages: Singular verb for noncount nouns, plural for plural nouns. ○ Example: Two-thirds of the milk was spilled (noncount noun).  Quantifiers (All, a lot of, plenty of): Singular verb with noncount nouns, plural with plural nouns. ○ Example: All of the water is contaminated (noncount), All of the books are on the table (plural). Compound Subjects: Joined by "and" take a plural verb unless they are considered a unit. ○ Example: Pen and paper are on the desk (plural). Either/Neither: Singular when referring to singular subjects. ○ Example: Neither of the students has the assignment (singular). Sentence Structures Sentence Structures Overview: Sentence Definition: A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought and contains a subject and a verb. Example: The dog barked. She is calling. 4 Types of Sentence Structures: 1. Simple Sentence: One independent clause with subject + verb. Example: The kids are running. 2. Compound Sentence: Two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. Example: I wanted to go to the mall, but it started raining. 3. Complex Sentence: One independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, often starting with subordinating conjunctions. Example: Because it was hot, I stayed indoors. 4. Compound-Complex Sentence: Two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Example: Although it was late, she continued to work, and she finished her report. Key Elements in Each Structure: Simple Sentence: Subject + verb, expressing a complete thought. ○ Example: Naomi enjoys singing. Compound Sentence: ○ Formula: Independent Clause + Conjunction + Independent Clause. ○ Coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (FANBOYS). ○ Example: Lisa finished her painting, and she went for a walk.  Complex Sentence: ○ Formula: Independent Clause + Dependent Clause (Subordinating Conjunctions like because, since, if). ○ Example: If you work hard, you will achieve your dream. Compound-Complex Sentence: ○ Formula: Independent Clause + Independent Clause + Dependent Clause. ○ Example: While I was driving, my phone rang, and I almost had an accident. Sentence Construction - Run-On Sentences and Fragments Run-On Sentences: Fused Sentences: Two independent clauses joined without a conjunction or proper punctuation. ○ Example: She writes the music he plays the guitar. ○ Correction Methods: 1. Add a coordinating conjunction: She writes the music, and he plays the guitar. 2. Create two sentences: She writes the music. He plays the guitar. 3. Use a semicolon: She writes the music; he plays the guitar. Comma Splices: Two independent clauses joined incorrectly with just a comma. ○ Example: She writes the music, he plays the guitar. ○ Correction Methods: 1. Add a coordinating conjunction: She writes the music for Coldplay, and he plays the guitar for that band. 2. Use a semicolon: She writes the music for Coldplay; he plays the guitar for that band. Fragments: Sentence Fragments: Incomplete sentences that do not express a full thought. They may be missing a subject, verb, or complete idea. Types of Fragments: 1. Dependent Clauses: Begins with subordinators (e.g., because, after) but doesn’t complete a thought. Example: After I cashed my check. (Fragment) Correction: After I cashed my check, I treated myself to dinner. 2. -ing and to Fragments: Begins with an -ing or to verb form and lacks a subject or main verb. Example: Walking all over the neighborhood. Correction: Ben walked all over the neighborhood looking for his dog. 3. Missing Subject: The fragment lacks a subject. Example: Then went out for lunch. (Who?) Correction: Mickey ate orange soda and chips for breakfast. Then, he went out for lunch. 4. Added Detail Fragments: These begin with words like "especially," "including," "such as," and don't form a complete thought. Example: Especially the quick and easy ones. Correction: I finished my work, especially the quick and easy ones.