What is the difference between Hung, Hanged?

By Ranjana S. 

Anything which is suspended is hung.

Pictures are hung on the wall; the clothes were hung out on the line to dry; A person has hung from a treetop if he has remained suspended there; the icicles have hung from the window since the snowstorm.

Hanged, on the other hand, is used to describe execution by hanging.

The judge orders the murderer to be hanged by the neck until dead.

The army has hanged the spy.

Hanged is,then, synonymous with killed.

A person who has hanged himself has committed suicide. 

The murderer was hanged and his corpse hung from the gibbet until it was cut down.

Look at the examples:

• If the murderer is caught, he'll be hanged.
• He hung from the window all day watching the sights on the street.
• Her stockings hung down over her shoes.
• Why have they hanged the prisoner?
• The downtrodden and terminally ill patient hanged himself.

However, there are several other related uses, for example:

• To continue to try to do something although it is very difficult. – Hang it there! (idiom)
•   To let droop or fall – hang your head in shame.
•   To fall in a certain way – this costume hangs well.
•   To pay attention to – I hang on your every word.
•   To hold on tightly – My daughter is hanging onto my skirt.
•   A way of doing something – She couldn’t get the hang of it. (hang as a noun)
•   To be oppressive – a cloud of gloom hangs over him.

Data OR Datum...Which one is correct?

By Ranjana S.

"This data is interesting" or "These data are interesting"

Data is generally considered a plural noun, the singular of which is datum. 

Datum is rarely used in everyday parlance, and it is inevitable, hence, that many people look data as a singular, considering it to mean "a piece of information." However, in best usage, data means "a number of pieces of information" and takes a plural adjective(these or those) and a plural verb.

Let us see some common words which look like singular but are in the plurals.( These words are all of Latin or Greek origin, and have the classic plural endings;hence, the lack of an s at the end of each word.)

1

Data

A collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn (plural of datum)

Examples

Statistical data

2

Datum

An item of factual information derived from measurement or research (singular of data)

Examples

The first task is the assignment of an address to each datum

• Data (singular-datum)
• Media (singular-medium)
• Vertebrae (singular-vertebra)
• Automata (singular-automaton)
• Foci (singular-focus)
• Formulae (singular-formula)
• Memoranda (singular- memorandum)
• Candelabra (singular-candelabrum)
• Criteria (singular-criterion)

Preferable forms:

• These data are disputed.
• The memoranda on the Klaus case are on your desk.
• Wounds present foci of infection.
• His criteria are not valid.
• These phenomena want our attention.
• The candelabra are tarnished.
• New media are essential.
• The formulae have to be taken note of.
• The men act like automata.
• Her four vertebrae were broken.

When do we use “If I was"? When is "If I were" preferable?

By Ranjana S.

This question involves an understanding of the subjunctive mood of the verb.

While the subjunctive is used far less today than in the past, there are still a number of important instances in which it is heard in English sentences.

Look at these sentences: 

• I suggest he keep his opinions to himself.
• I wish I were more knowledgeable.
• I insist that he report to me everyday.
• If I were you, I would never believe in his words.
• He acts as if he were my wellwisher.
• It is important that the member finish his work on time.
• God forbid that it should happen.
• Heaven help the hapless girl.

It is clear that these are special uses of the verb, since under normal circumstances we say:

• He keeps.
• I was.
• He reports.
• I was.
• She was.
• A member finishes.
• God forbids.
• Heaven help.

Now, let us analyze the sentences involved, we see that they are not, statements. 

• Sentence-1 is a suggestion.
• Sentence-2 is a wish.
• Sentence-3 is a demand.
• Sentence-4 is a condition contrary to fact, since of course, I am not you.
• Sentence-5 is another condition contrary to fact. He is not her wellwisher, in truth, but acts as if he were.
• Sentence-6 is an expression of necessity.
• Sentence-7 is a wish.
• Sentence-8 is a wish.

So it is clear that the subjunctive mood is used in non statements(demands, wishes, conditions contrary to fact, and the like).

In the active voice, the subjunctive is identical in appearance to one or two indicative tenses:

The Present Indicative Plural, even if the Subject is Singular: 

• We demand that he fulfill his promise.
• Do you wish that my father return the compliment?
• Do you suggest that he work overtime?
• It is important that he use more caution.

The Past Progressive Indicative, Plural, even if the Subject is Singular: 

• He wishes he were going.
• She talks as if she were splurging her own money.
• How nice this would be if it were happening to you!

In the passive voice, the subjunctive of a verb is the auxiliary be plus the perfect participle: be known, be seen, be used, etc. : 

• We demand that the promise be fulfilled.
• If you want to grow, it's important that you be seen in the right places.
• It is important that the high end machine be used with greater care.

With the verb to be, the subjunctive is the form were, even with a singular subject. 

• He wishes he were understood.
• She acts as if she were knowledgeable.
• How nice this would be if it were only true.

The subjunctive need cause no confusion, except when there is a possible choice between was and were. You will come across with the choice only after the verb wish and after the conjunctions if and as if. In other instances, the subjunctive is a part of the idiom that no one uses the indicative where the subjunctive is required. However, care must be exercised after the verb wish and also after the conjunctions if and as if.

#1

• I wish I was you.-----incorrect.
• I wish I were you.------correct.
• She wishes she was honored.-----incorrect.
• She wishes she were honored. -----correct.
• The boy hoped that he was braver.----incorrect.
• The boy hoped that he were braver.---correct.

#2

Use the subjunctive after the conjunction as if which always introduces a condition contrary to fact : 

• Boman talks as if he was innocent.------incorrect.
• Boman talks as if he were innocent.-----correct.(he is not innocent.)
• Maria ran as if the dog was after her.---incorrect.
• Maria ran as if the dog were after her.----correct.(the dog was not after her.)
• Betty screamed as if she was being murdered.---incorrect.
• Betty screamed as if she were being murdered.---correct.(she was not being murdered.)

#3

Use the subjunctive after the conjunction if in contrary to fact conditions: 

• If he was less ill-tempered, he would be more popular.-----incorrect.
• if he were less ill-tempered, he would be more popular.-----correct.(in fact, he is not less ill-tempered) 
• If he was not so stupid, he would understand how you feel about him.----incorrect.
• If he were not so stupid, he would understand how you feel about him.----correct.(in fact, he is stupid)
• If he was acting out of sincerity he would not do that.----incorrect.
• If he were acting out of sincerity, he would not do that.-----correct.(as a fact, he is not acting out of sincerity.)

#4

In conditions of fact, or possible fact, use the indicative after the conjunction if: 

• If Mr. Jeromy was in his home, why didn't he open the door?(maybe he was at home.) 
• If the leader was opposed to the plan, why didn't he say so?(maybe he was opposed to the plan.) 
• If her husband was at home that night, he certainly did not take part in the festivities.(maybe her husband was at home.)

#5

It is not essential to make elaborate analysis of the factuality or possible factuality of a condition, before deciding on the use of the subjunctive after the conjunction if. A condition contrary to fact is found only in a sentence in which the main clause is in the conditional tense. The conditional tense, contains the auxiliary would. In other words, if the main clause contains would, the if clause requires the subjunctive. (As if clauses, however, always require the subjunctive.) It's as simple and mechanical as that. (Should, an alternate form of would;and could, which is the conditional tense of be able, also signify a condition contrary to fact.)

Please note, how a change in the main clause of the sentences above removes the factuality of each sentence: 

• Mr. Jeromy would open the door if he were in his home.(subjunctive)
• If the leader were opposed to the plan, he would say so.(subjunctive)
• If her husband were at home that night, he would take part in the festivities.(subjunctive)
• If he were at her side, he would have countenanced such shenanigans.(subjunctive)

Keywords that are used in Office/Business

During this English lesson you will learn about the keywords that are used in business. 

The word is followed by the meaning then an example

Try making some sentences of your own using the examples!!

HAPPY LEARNING!

Word		Meaning of the word	Examples of how to use in a brief sentence
absent                        adj		not present	The manager is absent due to being away on other business.
accomplish verb		succeed in reaching a required stage	We have a lot to accomplish this week to meet the targets.
address verb		Deal with a problem or a task	We better not have to address this problem again this is you last chance.
adjourn verb		bring a close to a meeting	If there are no further things on the agenda, we will adjourn the meeting for this month.
agenda noun		list of objectives to be covered at the meeting	Pass a copy of the agenda to anyone who is attending meeting in advance please.
AGM noun(abbr.)		Annual (once a year) General Meeting	At the next AGM we will need to vote for a new chairperson.
allocate verb		assign roles/tasks to certain people	The new manger will allocate someone to order the new company cars.
AOB noun(abbr.)		Any Other Business (unspecified item on agenda)	The last item on the agenda as anyone got AOB (Any Other Business).
apologies noun		telling who is absent and have left there apologies for their absence	Only one person is absent and they send their apologies.
ballot noun		a way of voting, usually in writing and should be secret	Please put your ballot slip in the box.
board of directors noun		group of elected members of an organization/company who meet to make decisions	The board of directors met last night to discuss the latest budget.
boardroom noun		a large meeting room, with one long table and chairs	The boardroom is busy tomorrow, but Friday will be fine to have a meeting then.
brainstorm verb		thinking to gather ideas	Let's get together and have a brainstorming session on ways that to increase profit.
casting vote noun		deciding vote normally made by the chairman when the votes have ended equal	The ruling on overtime pay was decided on the chairman's casting vote.
chairperson and chair noun		a person who leads the meeting	As chair/chairperson, it is my pleasure to introduce to you, our new sales manager Mr Bean
clarification and verification noun		explanation or proof that something is true and understood	We will need some clarification as to what's involved with the planning permission for the new offices.
closing remarks noun		last spoken words in a meeting examples reminders, thank you ext	In is closing remarks he thanked everyone for attending the meeting.
collaborate verb		work together as a pair/group	The workers had difficulty collaborating with the managers as a result the deadline was not met .
commence verb		begin. start the meeting	We will commence the meeting as soon as the everyone as arrived and signed the Register.
comment verb or noun		express one's opinions or thoughts	If you have a comment, please raise your hand rather than speak out.
conference noun		formal meeting for discussion, esp. a regular one held by an organisation	Before the conference there will be a private meeting for board members only.
conference call noun		telephone/video conference (Skype) meeting between three or more people in different locations	Today the chairman from all the overseas branches had a conference meeting using video call.
confidential adjective		private; must not be shared only with those with permission.	The company stated that all financial information must be confidential.
consensus noun		general agreement	We must reach a consensus by the end of the meeting which will then be put to vote to decided.
deadline noun		the date when something is due for completion	The deadline for the order is June 10th.
designate verb		assign to someone or a team	If no one volunteers to work at weekend I will designate someone.
formality noun		a procedure (often unnecessary) that has to be followed due to a rule	Everyone knows who is going to be the next vice president, so this vote is really just a formality.
grievance noun		complaint made by a worker or customer	A grievance has been reported by one of the managers about one of is staff.
guest speaker noun		person who joins the group in order to share information or deliver a speech	today am delighted to introduce our guest speaker Mr Bean who is giving us some tips on social networking
implement verb		it must happen and be followed through	We must implement the new guide lines set out by the board of directors.
mandatory adjective		required	It is mandatory that all workers start at 8am and finish at 5pm .
minutes noun		a written record of everything said at a meeting	Let's review the minutes from last month and see what as been resolved since then.
motion noun		a suggestion put to a vote	The motion to extend weekend hours for the staff has been passed.
objectives noun		goals that need to be accomplish	I'm pleased that we were able to cover all of the objectives today within the designated time.
opening remarks noun		chairperson or leader's first words at a meeting (i.e.. welcome, introductions)	As Mentioned in my opening remarks, we I thank you all for attending.
overhead projector noun		machine with a special light that projects a document onto a screen or wall so that all can see	Using the overhead projector I was able to show the sales team what targets we need to achieve.
participant noun		person who attends and joins in at an event	Thank you to all the participants in the firms charity event
proxy vote noun		a vote cast by one person for or in place of another	There must have been one proxy vote  I have counted twelve ballots but there are only eleven attendees present.
punctual adjective		on time and must not be late	Anyone that is not punctual will be asked to explain to the manager why they are not on time.
recommend verb		suggest	I recommend that you lower the price of the old stock.
show of hands noun		raised hands to show an opinion in a vote	From the show of hands it appears that everyone is in favour of taking a short break.
strategy noun		plan to make something work	We need to come up with a strategy that will allow us to increase work output.
unanimous adj		Everyone is in complete agreement or united in opinion	The vote was unanimous to cut working hours from 46 to 39 hours .
vote verb or noun		to express an opinion by group or voice down by a show of hands or by ballot box.	We need to vote for all those in favour of the new changes.
wrap up verb		finish	Let's wrap up it up so that we can start on the next project .