Basic Grammar for Speaking English

ing has been remodeled three times since I lived here. 
9. So that—means "in order to": 
So that she could keep her position, she didn‟t complain at all. 
He finished his work as fast as possible so that he could leave early. 
He worked harder for a raise so he could buy a nice car. 
10. Until—means "up to the time that": 
Don‟t go anywhere until I come back. 
She didn‟t realize her talent in painting until her teacher mentioned it. 
They won‟t allow us to sit until everyone arrives. 
11.Unless—means "except, on the condition": 
You will not pass the exam unless you get a score of 80 or higher. 
I will not tell you anything unless you tell me what you know first. 
Unless you ask her, you will never know. 
12. When—means "at that time": 
When I came in the room, everyone looked at me. 
I woke up when my baby was crying. 
I started looking for a gas station when my gas light went on. 
13. While—means "during the time": 
Someone called you while you were at the meeting. 
We met while we were working at the University. 
My dog started barking while I was talking on the phone. 
14.Where—indicates "in the place": 
This is where I came from. 
Please tell me where you are going. 
I need to know where John hid the present. 
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15. Whether—means "if it is true or not": 
We will have a picnic whether it rains or not. 
It is time to decide whether we should take action. 
You need to decide whether or not you are hungry. 
[Quiz 26.1] Fill in the blanks with an appropriate conjunction. 
1) Could you email me……………… you receive the offer? 
2) I want to buy it ………………… it is expensive or not. 
3) Don‟t do that………………I allow it. 
4) ………………… you are confident with it, you should go for it. 
5) I didn‟t enroll this semester …………………I could go backpacking in Europe. 
6) My neighbor‟s cat has been missing …………………… last Friday. 
7) ……………….. I own a house, I am required to pay property taxes. 
27.CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS 
Conjunctive adverbs are words that join independent clauses into one sentence. A 
conjunctive adverb helps you create a shorter sentence. 
When you use a conjunctive adverb, put a semicolon (;) before it and a comma (,) after 
it. 
We have many different sizes of this shirt; however, it comes in only one color. 
Some examples of conjunctive adverbs are: accordingly, also, besides, consequently, finally, 
however, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, otherwise, still, 
therefore, then, etc. 
The due date for the final paper has passed; therefore, I could not submit mine on time. 
There are many history books; however, none of them may be accurate. 
It rained hard; moreover, lightening flashed and thunder boomed. 
The baby fell asleep; then, the doorbell rang. 
The law does not permit drinking and driving anytime; otherwise, there would be many 
more accidents. 
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Conjunctive adverbs look like coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, so, for, yet, nor); 
however, they are not as strong as coordinating conjunctions and they are punctuated 
differently. 
A conjunctive adverb is also used in a single main clause. In this case, a comma (,) is 
used to separate the conjunctive adverb from the sentence. 
I woke up very late this morning. Nevertheless, I wasn‟t late to school. 
She didn‟t take a bus to work today. Instead, she drove her car. 
Jack wants a toy car for his birthday. Meanwhile, Jill wants a dollhouse for her birthday. 
They returned home. Likewise, I went home. 
[Quiz 27.1] Choose the right conjunctive adverb for the sentence. 
1) Hurry up; ………….. , you will be late for the train. 
2) I studied hard for the exam; …………. , I failed. 
3) Tom is a sportsman; …………. , his brother Tom is athletic. 
4) He didn‟t go to college. …………. , he started his own business. 
5) He is not good-looking…………. he is popular among girls. 
28. INDEFINITE and DEFINITE ARTICLES 
The words a, an, and the are special adjectives called articles. 
Indefinite Articles—a, an 
an—used before singular count nouns beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or vowel 
sound: 
an apple, an elephant, an issue, an orange 
a—used before singular count nouns beginning with consonants (other than a, e, i, o, u): 
a stamp, a desk, a TV, a cup, a book 
Definite Article—the 
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Can be used before singular and plural, count and non-count nouns 
1. Indefinite Article (a, an) 
Used before singular nouns that are unspecified: 
a pencil 
an orange 
Used before number collectives and some numbers: 
a dozen 
a gallon 
Used before a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier: 
a girl who was wearing a yellow hat 
Used with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree: 
I felt a bit depressed. 
2. Definite Article (the) 
Used to indicate a noun that is definite or has been previously specified in the context: 
Please close the door. 
I like the clothes you gave me. 
Used to indicate a noun that is unique: 
Praise the Lord! 
The Columbia River is near here. 
Used to designate a natural phenomenon: 
The nights get shorter in the summer. 
The wind is blowing so hard. 
Used to refer to a time period: 
I was very naïve in the past. 
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This song was very popular in the 1980s. 
Used to indicate all the members of a family: 
I invited the Bakers for dinner. 
This medicine was invented by the Smiths. 
[Quiz 28.1] Choose the correct article in each sentence. 
1) Did you bring (a, an, the) umbrella? 
2) Are you looking for (a, an, the) shampoo? 
3) I checked (a, an, the) mailbox again. 
4) Can I have (a, an, the) spoon please? 
5) I was born into (a, an, the) poor family. 
6) She will come back in (a, an, the) hour. 
7) Have you been to (a, an, the) Space Needle Tower in Seattle? 
8) I would love to talk to one of (a, an, the) managers. 
9) What (a, an, the) amazing view! 
10) The helicopter landed on (a, an, the) roof of a building. 
29. INTERJECTIONS 
An interjection is a word that expresses some kind of emotion. It can be used as filler. 
Interjections do not have a grammatical function in the sentence and are not related to the other 
parts of the sentence. If an interjection is omitted, the sentence still makes sense. It can stand 
alone. 
Ouch! That hurts. 
Well, I need a break. 
Wow! What a beautiful dress! 
When you are expressing a strong emotion, use an exclamation mark (!). A comma (,) can be used 
for a weaker emotion. 
1. Express a feeling—wow, gee, oops, darn, geez, oh: 
Oops, I‟m sorry. That was my mistake. 
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Geez! Do I need to do it again? 
Oh, I didn‟t know that. 
2. Say yes or no—yes, no, nope: 
Yes! I will do it! 
No, I am not going to go there. 
Nope. That‟s not what I want. 
3. Call attention—yo, hey: 
Yo, will you throw the ball back? 
Hey, I just wanted to talk to you about the previous incident. 
4. Indicate a pause—well, um, hmm: 
Well, what I meant was nothing like that. 
Um, here is our proposal. 
Hmm. You really need to be on a diet. 
[Quiz 29.1] What should be B’s expression? 
A: I got a perfect score on the math exam. 
B: (Well. Wow! or Um.) 
[Quiz 29.2] What should be C’s expression? 
C: ! (Nope, Hey, or Geez) My computer just broke. 
30. CAPITALIZATION 
Capitalization means using a capital letter (for example, A instead of a). The use of capital 
letters helps readers read your writing without confusion. 
Always capitalize the following: 
The first word in a sentence. 
I grew up in India. 
She left a message on my phone. 
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The pronoun I. 
This country is where I dreamed of. 
The first letter of a proper noun (specific name). 
David wants to play soccer with us. 
This letter is from Chang. 
I graduated from the University of New York. 
I like Coca-Cola. 
She likes Godiva chocolates. 
The first letter of months, days, and holidays (but not seasons). 
Today is June 8, 2011. 
Susie‟s birthday is this Thursday. 
The shops are closed on Easter. 
This summer is going to be very hot. 
The first letter of nationalities, religions, races of people, and languages. 
We often eat Italian food. 
I want to master many languages, such as Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Russian. 
There is one Christian church in my town. 
The first letter in a person‟s title. 
This is Dr. Simon. 
I got it from Mr. Tom. 
Geographic areas: cities, states, countries, mountains, oceans, rivers, etc. 
My destination is Paris, France. 
Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 
Historical periods. 
The Renaissance began in the 14th century. 
The Qing Dynasty is the last dynasty in China. 
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The first letter of each major word in the title of a book, movie, article, etc. 
Tolstoy‟s War and Peace is my favorite novel. 
I found the article “How to Write a Good Cover Letter” in this magazine. 
[Quiz 30.1] Correctly write each sentence using proper capitalization. 
1) i was born in shanghai, china, but grew up in the united states. 
2) mrs. ohana gave me the bible. 
3) if you walk two more blocks, you will be able to see mt. rocky. 
4) my family will have a summer vacation in hawaii. 
5) I didn‟t want to cook tonight, so I just ordered thai food for dinner.