Present Continuous or Present Simple----confused which one to use?

By Ranjana S.

Let us recapitulate the concepts to understand the difference:

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»»»» At this moment or Sometimes

Present Continuous:

We use the Present Continuous for something happening now. "I am dancing on the stage" means that I am in the middle of a dance performance on the stage.

Some more illustrations:

• It's raining at the moment.
• I'm watching this movie.
• The man is chasing the dog.

Present Simple:

We use the Present Simple for repeated actions." I often dance on special occasions" means I do this activity again and again.

• He watches soap opera most weekends.
• It always rains at the weekend.
• She likes gardening.

»»»» States,feelings and thoughts:

Usually we use Present Simple

>>to talk about feelings and thoughts.

• I think he will woo her.
• Maria likes her job.

>>to talk about states, permanent facts and universal truths.

• Magnanimity means a lot to her. (state)
• Paper burns easily.(fact)
• The earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the sun.(universal fact)

>>We also use the Present Simple in 'I promise', 'I agree', ' I refuse', etc.

• I promise to be with you forever.
• I forgive you for your actions.
• I agree with the terms and conditions in the contract.
• I refuse to pay my bills.

»»»» Temporary occurrence or Permanent ?

Present Continuous:

We use the Present Continuous for a routine or situation that is for a short duration or temporary.

• I am learning English at the institute for two weeks.
• At the moment they are living in a guest house.

Present Simple:

We use the Present Simple for a routine or situation that is permanent.

• I work at the parlor. It's a permanent job.
• The Robinsons live in a mansion.

»»»» Always.

Present Continuous:

We usually use 'always' with the present continuous to mean 'very often'.

• Polly is always scolding her kids.(she scolds them very often.)
• He is always driving  irresponsibly.( He drives rashly too often.)

Present Simple:

We usually use 'always' with the Present Simple to mean 'every time'.

• Polly always scolds her kids. (She scolds her kids always.)
• He always drives irresponsibly.( He drives irresponsibly every time.)

Don't make your verbs disagree.Let's befriend them and make them agree.

By Ranjana S.

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Which of the following sentences are correct?

• Each one of these problems is to be dealt separately.
• The cost of food grains are increasing.
• The price of new cars is dropping.

In the aforementioned illustrations; the first and third one is correct, whereas, the second one incorrect.

To determine, whether we use 'is' or 'are' in a sentence, we need to understand that we are dealing with the number of a verb.

As we know, there are two numbers in grammar-singular and plural.

• Is is singular.
• Are is plural.
• One is...
• Two are....
• The girl is....
• The girls are....
• The girl was.....
• The girls were.....
• The girl has....
• The girls have....
• The girl goes....
• The girls go....

A singular verb is used with a singular subject.

A plural verb is used with a plural subject.

Now, the question arises-What is a subject?

• A subject is one of the two main parts into which every sentence is divided into.
• The other part is the predicate of the sentence.
• A subject in a sentence is what or whom we are referring to.
• The predicate of the sentence is what we are saying about the subject.

Look at this illustration:

• The Allied Reformers took the debate very lightly.

Explaination:

What are we talking about in the above mentioned illustration?  The Allied Reformers.

What further information do we get about the subject? took the debate very lightly.

Hence, the sentence formation has a subject and a predicate.

"The Allied Reformers"(subject) "took the debate very lightly"(predicate).

Examples:

• Mahatma Gandhi espoused non-violence.

Explanation:
Whom are we talking about? Mahatma Gandhi.What further information about him do we get? espoused non-violence.

The subject of a sentence may consist of a single noun or pronoun:

•  Boys love soccer.
•  Jeromy Brookfield wrote the bestseller book entitled 'The Adolescent'.
• The strike continued for many weeks.

This single noun or pronoun is called the subject of the verb. This single noun or pronoun basically influences the number of the verb in a sentence.

We shouldn't be confused between the subject of a sentence and the subject of a verb ( although, they are almost identical).

The subject of a sentence may consist of the subject of the verb, prepositional phrases, adjectives, adverbs, conjunction, or any other parts of speech.

In the illustration below, notice how we start with a single-word subject; which is the subject of the verb and subject of the sentence, and weave other parts of speech.

• Men are attractive species.

 Subject of the sentence and subject of the verb: Men.

Let's add a prepositional phrase:

• Men of intelligence are attractive species.

Now, what becomes of the subject?

• Subject of the sentence: Men of intelligence.
• Subject of the verb: Men.

Let's try adding some adjectives, adverb, prepositional phrase, and a conjunction:

Example:

•  Handsome men of great intelligence and impressive sense of humor are attractive species.

Explanation:

Subject of the sentence: Handsome men of great intelligence and impressive sense of humor.

Subject of the verb: Men.

The subject of the verb need not always precede the verb. In questions, the verb, or a part of the verb, precedes its subject.

Examples:

•  Are men attractive species?-----verb 'are'.

Sometimes, the subject may split a verb phrase:

• How do men improve  their attractiveness?----do, improve-verb phrase.

A verb may precede its subject commonly:

• There are many reasons for the price hike---verb 'are'.

We are able to find the subject of a sentence very conveniently. However, finding the subject of a verb- I.e, identifying the single noun or pronoun which regulates the number of verbs- is a bit cumbersome.

Please remember this important point: Though the subject of a sentence often contains one or more prepositional phrases, the subject of the verb-noun or pronoun is never found within or part of the prepositional phrase.

Let us identify the subject in the following sentences:

• In the economy boom, Roggers minted money.

Subject: Roggers Verb: minted.

•  Frightening, eerie and wierd was the silence.

Subject: silence. The subject silence follows the adjectives frightening,eerie and wierd modifying the noun silence.

• Has either of your sisters gone for the excursion.

Subject: either. Verb: gone. Of your sisters is a prepositional phrase. Either here means, either one; hence, it is singular and takes the verb has gone.

• The President, with his coterie, colleagues, delegates and family by the dozens, is coming to the Cyprus extravaganza.

Subject: President. Verb:visited. All the other nouns preceding the verb-visited are contained within the prepositional phrase introduced by the preposition with. The dozens is again a prepositional phrase introduced by the preposition by. Here the subject of the sentence is-The President, with his coterie, colleagues, delegates and family by the dozens. However, the subject of the verb is the single word President. The noun President is singular, so is coming is singular.

Some more examples and explanation:

§  One of my best friends was interviewed yesterday.

Subject: One. 

'Of my best friends' is a prepositional phrase. One is a pronoun subject of the verb 'was interviewed'.As you see both the subject and verb are singular.

§  My blood pressure, as well as my temperature, is high today.

Subject:Pressure.

'As well as my temperature' is a prepositional phrase introduced by the triple-ply preposition 'as well as'. The subject, I reiterate, is never found after a preposition.

§  Samantha's gorgeous looks, as well as her exuberance, intelligence and versatility, has made her famous.

Subject: Looks. This sentence is similar to the preceding one. 'As well as her exuberance, intelligence and versatility' is a prepositional phrase introduced by the triple-ply preposition 'as well as'.The subject is never found after a preposition.

§  The cost of food products has just risen 30 percent.

Subject: Cost.

The noun within a prepositional phrase becomes the object of the preposition. So here, 'of food products', food products become the object of the preposition'of', and can never be the subject.

'Cost' is singular and the verb 'has risen'is is also singular.

So, by now, the concept is crystal clear to all of us. However, let's recapitulate the basics:

§  The subject of the verb is usually a single-word noun or pronoun.

§  The subject is never found within a prepositional phrase.

§  The subject usually precedes the verb but in certain sentences may follow the verb.

§  Singular subjects take singular verbs.

• The cost of foodgrains is dropping, or The cost of foodgrains are dropping?

Subject of the sentence: The cost of foodgrains.

Subject of the verb: cost.

Prepositional Phrase: of foodgrains(this has no influence on the number of the verb).

Cost is a singular noun.

The verb should be singular too. Therefore, the correct sentence: 'The cost of foodgrains is dropping.'

Happy Learning!!!

Ago, Since --- Let's clear our doubts

By Ranjana S.

Let's clear our doubts

• It is only five years since I last saw her------------ :-) correct.
• It was only five years ago that I last saw her------------- :-) correct.

Both are correct.

Now, should we reverse the sentences?

• It is only five years ago that I last saw her-------------- :( incorrect.
• It was only five years since I last saw her ----------- :( incorrect.

So, when do we use 'ago' and ' since’?

When the sentence has two clauses like this, and is looked at from the present tense, ago has to be preceded by the simple past tense (was), and since by the present or present perfect tense (is, has been). Furthermore, ago is followed by that, whereas since is not (ago is an adverb, and the conjunction that is required to join the clauses ;since already serves as a conjunction in the aforementioned illustrations, and needs no further conjunction to link the clauses.

A prevalent error is to use 'ago' and 'since' side by side:

It was only two years ago since he dumped her------------- :( incorrect

• I have been here since four years ago. ------------- :( incorrect
• Here, you will point out that no grammar rule has been violated, but it does sound absurd, and the following will be preferred:I have been here for four years.

Between you and I - Why shouldn't we use this widely used phrase?

By Ranjana S.

Yes, this phrase is widely used and its usage is found in writing even in Shakespeare's work. 

Even many experts have accepted it as a standard usage.  However, it is grammatically incorrect. This will be obvious to you when you reverse the order of the pronouns: between I and you.  The preposition between requires the object-form of pronouns that follow it. The correct phrase will be between you and me.

Why has the phrase between you and I become popular?

Probably, it's the early coaching that middle-class children receive in good grammar. Students have the propensity to use the phrase you and me where you and I is correct.

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You and me are going to the party---incorrect. Here concerned parents and educators raise their eyebrows and instantly correct the sentence:  “Please say you and I".

Subsequently the obedient child hence develops the habit of using the phrase you and I on all occasions- even when grammar requires the object form you and me.

This construction is incorrect in the following cases too:

• Let you and I hug. --------------x
• Let Polly and I give you a lift home. ---------------x
• The news was a pleasant surprise for my friend and I. -----------------x
• They must be back biting you and I at the clubhouse. ------------------x
• Between you and I, I don't believe a word she is saying----------------x
• Father, Can you meet my husband and I tonight? --------------------x

There are many experts who argue that this usage is prevalent and it is an established idiom, hence, it is acceptable.  Others, are of the opinion that it hasn't been used as a natural idiom, so one must refrain from using it.

The problem, here to address is that of the case.

Can we recapitulate the cases?

Nominative forms of the Personal	Objective forms of the Personal
Pronouns	Pronouns
I	Me
You	You
He	Him
She	Her
We	Us
They	Them

We know that the objective forms of these pronouns are used as objects of prepositions.

Let us consider the two cases:

 The Nominative case of the pronoun is used as the subject of the verb

• My friend and I would like to meet you.
• My sister and I are happy to hear the news.
• She and I couldn't get along.
• We and they have been buddies for years.

The Objective case of the Personal Pronoun is used as object of the verb

But what is an object?

To answer this question, let us revise what we have learnt about subjects.

The subject of the verb is the person or thing we are talking about:

• She dances.
• The mother cooks.
• He sings.
• She sees.
• She is seen.

In the first four cases, the subject initiates the action of the verb, which is in the active voice.

Let us talk about a subject, say Peter.

What does Peter do-what action he starts?

• Peter infuriates the soldiers.

'infuriates' is a verb in active voice.

In some cases, the subject of a verb receives the action of that verb, as in

'She is seen'.

This is a case of passive voice.

Look at the following instance:

• Charles is sent to Australia to interview the Right Wing leaders.

'is sent' is a verb in the passive voice.

Verbs in the passive voice are always in phrase and are composed of some form of the verb to be and the perfect participle.

If the subject receives the action of the verb, the initiator of that action is also found in the sentence. The initiator will be referred in the sentence within the prepositional phrase introduced by the preposition by.

• Active: Raima saw me.
• Passive: I was seen by Raima.
• Active: He will rebuke me.
• Passive: I will be rebuked by him.
• Active: The girls have used cosmetics for many years.
• Passive: Cosmetics have been used by the girls for many years.

Now talking about objects again:

The subject of an active verb starts the action of the verb.

The object of an active verb receives the action of that verb.

Look at the abovementioned illustrations, all of them have objects.

Verb.	Object
Seen.	me
Will rebuke.	me
Have used.	cosmetics

A passive verb doesn't have an object, the subject of the passive verb receives the action. However, in the case of active verb the object receives the action. Only active verbs have objects.

A further point to be noted- active verbs which have an object are transitive

 

(Not all active verbs have objects )-active verbs which do not have an object are intransitive verbs.

Look at the examples:

• The enemy attacked the citizens. ----------transitive (Object citizens)
• The enemy attacked with vigor-------------intransitive.
• Who last saw Patrick smoking? ------------transitive (Object Patrick)
• Lie down for a good sleep-----------------intransitive.
•  They ate the dessert------------transitive (Object dessert)
• We arrived on time--------------intransitive.

 Personal Pronouns which function as objects of a verb are in the objective case:

• I see her.
• He sees them.
• She sees me.
• They see him.
• They see us.

If we have two pronouns as the object  of the verb, they both are in the objective case.

• They appreciate him and me.
• Will they meet her and him?

So the rule is if a noun and pronoun form the compound object of the verb, the pronoun is in the objective case.

• Will you invite Fenny and me to the party?
• We heard Richards and her crying.
• Why do you treat Betty and us badly?

Here we get the solution finally:

The correct sentence - Between you and me, I don't believe a word she is saying.

So, the golden rule is- As object of the verb, personal pronoun is always in the objective case.

Was the boomerang an invention of the Australian aborigines or was it invented in America?

By Ranjana S.

Most people probably think of the boomerang as an invention of the Australian aborigines, unique to the island continent. After all Australia has been known as the largest producer of diverse boomerangs. In addition, the term itself is a phonetic spelling of the aboriginal word 'boumarang'. But, while the modern use of the boomerang, both as a play equipment and weapon, is indisputably an Australian speciality, recent excavations have suggested that it might have originated elsewhere.

The remains of ancient boomerangs have been found, in Europe, Egypt, and India. But the oldest boomerang have been dredged up in Florida a few years back. It dates back to about 10,000 BC, and its discovery has given rise to intriguing speculation that the first boomerang was invented in America rather than Australia.

The Florida boomerang has been preserved in the mud of a ledge 85 feet (26 metres) below the surface of Little Salt Spring, a deep lake near the Gulf Coast north of the Everglades. Part of the longer wing of the boomerang which was made of oak, is missing, but enough of the weapon remains to help us ascertain what it was like. It was built to fly, hit its target and stay there, not to return back to the distant thrower.

This was some sort of aberration, as boomerangs were designed to hit its target and come back "home." Though this assumption has been refuted time and again. In Australia or elsewhere you will find both returning and non-returning boomerangs, and the non-returning ones are the most preferred-because they hit their target with accuracy and precision.

Gobbledygook elucidates us on.....The Present Continuous tense

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The Present Continuous tense :-

Form: Subject+ am/is/are + ing form:

Examples:-

• He+is+writing+a letter.
• I +am+eating +an orange.
• They+ are+ playing.

I-----------Am           

He--------is 

We-------are

She------is

You-------are

It-----------is 

They------are

When do we use Present Continuous Tense:

• To express an action in progress at the time of speaking.

Examples: 

• The baby is sleeping  in its room.
• The boys are playing cricket.
• We are watching a movie.
• The man is rebuking/reprimanding/scolding the child.

Kindly note:- The Present Continuous Tense draws attention to the continuity of action. It is usually associated with adverbs or adverb phrases of present time such as now, at this moment, at present, etc.

In addition, Simple Present Tense is used for habitual action. However, when the reference is to a particularly obstinate habit-something which persists, in spite of giving a caveat/warning-we use the Present Continuous Tense with an adverb like always, continually, constantly.Example:My son is very obdurate/ stubborn; he is always running out into the busy road.

• To describe a temporary action going on over a period of time, including the present, but may not be going on at the time of speaking:

Examples :

• I am reading 'David Copperfield' (but I am not reading at this moment.)
• I am learning German.(nowadays)
• Simran is doing research at the university.
• Galileo is working in a factory.

• To describe about an action that has already been arranged to take place in the near future; as,

Examples: 

• I am going to a party tonight.
• I am leaving for Mysore tomorrow.
• My father is arriving day after tomorrow.
• Next week she is inviting all her friends to her birthday party.

Kindly note; some verbs, on account to their meanings, aren't used in the Present Continuous form. These are as follows:-

1. Verbs denoting perception: see, hear, smell, recognize, notice, etc.   Normally we don't say- ' I am smelling a rose.'
1. we say- 'I smell a rose.'
2. we don't say-' I am seeing a bus.'
3. we say-' I see a bus.' 
2. Verbs of appearing: 
1. appear
2.  look
3. seem 
3. Verbs expressing feelings or state of mind: love, hate, wish, want, desire, feel, like, hope, refuse, prefer, forgive, etc. Normally we don't say- I am loving you. I am hating you.
1.  We say: I love you.         
2.  I hate you.
4. Verbs of thinking or some mental activity: think, remember, believe, suppose, know, understand, imagine, mean, mind, agree, consider, trust.
5. Verbs of possession: possess, own, belong to, contain, consist of.
1. These lemons are tasting sour----incorrect.-These lemons taste sour.-----correct.
2. I am thinking you are intelligent.----incorrect.- I think you are intelligent.----correct.
3. She is seeming sad.------incorrect.- She seems sad.------correct.
4. He is having a swanky car.------incorrect.- He has a swanky car.-------correct.

However, the verbs listed above can be used in the continuous tenses with a change in the meaning:

• She is tasting the soup to see if it needs more salt.( test the flavor)
• I am thinking of buying a new house.( consider the idea of)
• They are having supper. (have-eat)
• Don't be tense !!!

Happy Tense-ing!!! :)

                     

The Correct Use of some Adjectives: (part one)

By Ranjana S.


SOME, ANY

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To express quantity or degree, 'some' is used in affirmative sentences; 'any' in negative or interrogative sentences; as,

• I have some time. (Affirmative)
• I don't have any time. (Negative)
• Do I have any time? (Interrogative)

Words like someone, somebody, something, somewhere behave like some; any-words like anyone,anybody, anything, anywhere behave like any; as,

• He was rude to somebody. (affirmative)
• He was not rude to anybody. (negative)
• Was he rude to anybody? (interrogative)

'Some' also is used in questions which are commands or requests; as

Will you bring me some bread?

Some also denotes number; as,

• Some students attended the class.

EACH, EVERY

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Each is used when speaking of two or more things and the attention is on individual person or thing.

Each is used when number in the group is fixed and definite.

Examples:

• Each boy was given a chance to speak in the class meeting.
• Last week it rained each day.

Every is used for more than two.

Every is used when the number is indefinite and the focus is on the group.

Let us put it this way; when every is used, attention is focussed to units comprising a whole.

When each is used, attention is focussed to the unit.

• Every boy in the class went for the excursion ( all the boys or the whole class).
• Each boy carried a camera (here we are talking about each boy, individually, in the class).
• I have read every book that you can see on the shelf ( all the books on the shelf).
• Each book is interesting and informative ( talking about each book, individually).

Every is also used with abstract nouns:

• You have every reason(possibility) to be happy (we can't use each).
• You have every chance(all possible) of achieving success (we can't use each).

Every is used with numbers:

• Buses leave every ten minutes (not each).
• Write on every other (alternate) line (not each).

EITHER, NEITHER

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'Either' has two meanings. 

1. One or other of two. 
2. Each of the two.

• You may take either side in the game.
• Either of you can go to the party.
• On either side of the road was a footpath.
• At either side of the table was a lamp.
•  

'Neither' is negative of 'Either':

• Neither of you can go to the party.
• You may take neither side in the game.
• On neither side of the road was a footpath.
•  

When speaking of two things or persons use 'either' or 'neither', but in referring to more than two, 'any' or 'none' should be used;

• You may have either(or neither) of the two prizes.
• You may have any(or none) of the four prizes.

ANYONE, ANY ONE

'Anyone' and 'Any one' should be used when more than two persons or things are spoken of. There is some difference between 'anyone' and 'any one'.

'Anyone' means anybody; as.

• Is there anyone in the hall?
• 'Any one' means whichever one; as,
• Answer any one of the following questions.