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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Conjunctions

A conjunction is a word that "joins". A conjunction joins two parts of a sentence.

Here are some example conjunctions:

Coordinating ConjunctionsSubordinating Conjunctions
and, but, or, nor, for, yet, soalthough, because, since, unless

We can consider conjunctions from three aspects.

Form

Conjunctions have three basic forms:

  • Single Word
    for example: and, but, because, although

  • Compound (often ending with as or that)
    for example: provided that, as long as, in order that

  • Correlative (surrounding an adverb or adjective)
    for example: so...that

Function

Conjunctions have two basic functions or "jobs":

  • Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two parts of a sentence that are grammatically equal. The two parts may be single words or clauses, for example:
    - Jack and Jill went up the hill.
    - The water was warm, but I didn't go swimming.

  • Subordinating conjunctions are used to join a subordinate dependent clause to a main clause, for example:
    - I went swimming although it was cold.

Position

  • Coordinating conjunctions always come between the words or clauses that they join.

  • Subordinating conjunctions usually come at the beginning of the subordinate clause.
This video will help you to understand more on past tense. Have fun watching!!:)




Now Lets Do This Simple Exercise :)

Talking About Australia - Using Conjunctions


Australia is very hot in December, _________ cold in July._________ the
country is _________, there aren't many people living there. Australia has a lot
of interesting _________. The koala is cute, _________ the crocodile is
_________. Australia has a lot of open spaces,_________the weather is good,
_________ sport is very _________. Australian people _________ eat
barbecued food.

[but]
[animals]
[often]
[popular]
[big]
[ and ]
[Although]
[dangerous]
[but]
[so]

Phrasal Verb

Phrasal verbs are mainly used in spoken English and informal texts. (The more formal a conversation or text, the less phrasal verbs are found.)

Phrasal verbs consist of a verb plus a particle (preposition, adverb). The particle can change the meaning of the verb completely, e.g:

  • look up – consult a reference book (look a word up in a dictionary)
  • look for – seek (look for her ring)
  • look forward – anticipate with pleasure (look forward to meeting someone)

There are no rules that might explain how phrasal verbs are formed correctly - all you can do is look them up in a good dictionary and study their meanings. In our lists, you will find some frequently used phrasal verbs and their meanings.

Frequently Used Phrasal Verbs with:

Position of the Particle

The particle is placed either after the verb or after the object.

Example:

Write down the word. / Write the word down.

If the object is a pronoun, however, the particle has to be placed after the pronoun (object).

Example:

Write it down.


Exercise on Phrasal Verbs

Mixed Exercise 1

Complete the sentences.

  1. I often use Wikipedia t0 ______ _____ information.
  2. If you want to ______ _____ a bus in London, you will have to queue.
  3. Can I _____ _____ the TV? I want to watch the weather forecast.
  4. It is very hard to ______ _____ smoking.
  5. It is so dark in here, you can really ______ _____ your sunglasses now.
  6. Shall I _____ _____ and offer my seat to the old lady?
  7. With a few buckets of water, we ______ _____ the fire.
  8. Who will _______ _____ your cat when you're on holiday?
  9. Would you like to ______ _____your new dress today?
  10. At the next stop we have to _______ _____the bus and walk along the street to the cinema.
You can check your answer here

Have fun doing it! :)

Spring is Finally Here!





My absolute favorite time of the year is springtime. I love to see the colorful flowers in my garden. They make a rainbow of colors that brightens my day. Especially after this harsh winter that we had, I need the joy of spring. We were covered in snow so many times this winter. I have been waiting and waiting for a lovely spring day to arrive. Today it is here. It is a delight to be outdoors, enjoying the cool breeze off the ocean in the town where I live. The radiant reflection of the sun shining off everything around me. There is nothing better than a bright, cheery spring day. I wish spring lasted all year. At work the squirrels and rabbits are running around playing. All winter they spent searching for food, but now it is spring and they can run, scamper, and play. The sounds of spring are all so joyous. The birds are singing their pleasing melody, the sun is smiling down on us, and you and hear the sweet laughter of the children who have finally come out to play again. Springtime signals a time of rebirth. The hibernating animals awake, new babies are born, and come out to play just like the children we see every day. There is nothing better than a warm spring day. It is full of light, and life. The sounds of spring bring peace and calm to a boisterous world. I'm so glad it is spring!

Vocabulary Activity Time!
Match the definition in the cloud column with the words listed below.

a. Absolute : _______
b. Favorite : _______
c. Brightens : ______
d. Lovely : ________
e. Delight : _______
f. Radiant : _______
9. Scamper : ______
h. Joyous : _______
i. Pleasing melody : _____
j. Rebirth : ______
k. Hibernating: ______
l. Boisterous: _______


Grammar Point:
Adjectives are words that describe nouns. In the paragraph there are several adjectives. For example: pleasing melody. Pleasing is the adjective and it describes melody, the noun.




Grammar Activity:

Can you find other adjectives in the paragraph? Write the adjectives and the noun that they describe. Label each as either adjective or noun. Then write a paragraph about your favorite time of the year either in the United States or in your native country. You must include at least five adjectives in your paragraph.


Fun Time!


Have Fun Doing This Simple Exercise!

:)