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Mr. Leon's English
Grammar Page


FOREWORD:

There appears to be some difference of opinion amongst authorities as to what grammar is.  For the purposes of this website:  Grammar includes ALL the rules of a language!

These are my other pages (related to grammar)

"Meet the Clauses"     Parts of Speech     Phrasal Verbs

Awesome article linked up at Leon's Planet:

Grumpy Martha's Guide to Grammar and Usage

(It elicits some common grammar problems of native English speakers).

 

What exactly is grammar?

According to
Merriam-Webster's Online Unabridged Dictionary

Grammar is:  a branch of linguistic study that deals with the classes of words, their inflections or other means of indicating relation to each other, and their functions and relations in the sentence as employed according to established usage and that is sometimes extended to include related matter such as phonology, prosody, language history, orthography, orthoepy, etymology, or semantics

For definitions, see next box >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Phonologystudy of the sounds of a language

Prosody: intonation

Orthography: (Morphology): spelling, capitalization

Etymologymorphemes and word roots

Semanticsmeaning and word usage

 

Grammar Lessons (w/ Mr. Leon)

GRAMMAR LESSON # 1  "Because Usage"

I.  Because

                  A.  If there is a question "Why....?", then you may start your answer with "Because...."

                                EXAMPLES:
                                1.  Why are you here?
                                     Because I want to learn grammar.
                                2.  Why are you learning English?
                                     Because I want to go to university in America or United Kingdom.

                  B.  In a story, report, essay, or recount NEVER start a sentence with "because"!!!!!

                                EXAMPLES:
                                1 BAD:  The most important thing in my life is my family.  Because they give me love.
                                        1 GOOD:  The most important thing in my life is my family, because they give me love.
                                2 BAD:  I am smiling.  Because I am happy.
                                2 GOOD:  I am smiling, because I am happy.

GRAMMAR LESSON #2:  Compound and Complex Sentences

I.  Compound Sentences

                  A.  Compound Sentence  [d = double], i.e., double sentence joined by a connective
                        Remember "FANBOYS", like this:

F For
A And
N Nor
B But
O Or
Y Yet
S So

                                      EXAMPLES of COMPOUND SENTENCES
                                      1.  I am happy; for I love to be happy.
                                      2.  I was happy and I was sad at the same time.
                                      3.  Neither was I angry, nor was I annoyed.
                                      4.  I was happy, but I wasn't elated.
                                      5.  I was happy, or I was glad.
                                      6.  I was happy, yet I wasn't super happy.
                                      7.  I was happy, so I smiled.

II.  Complex Sentences

                  A.  Complex Sentence [x = not]:  Two clauses: (1 is a complete sentence + 1 is not)

                                      EXAMPLES of COMPLEX SENTENCES
                                     
{ Independent Clause (Complete Sentence)  + Subordinate Clause (not complete sentence) }

                                      1.  I ate, because I was hungry.
                                      2.  After I ate, I went to sleep.
                                      3.  Before I went to sleep, I brushed my teeth.
                                      4.  When I die, I will be a ghost.

GRAMMAR LESSON #3:  A & The

I.  a (an)  /  the
                  A.  a = 1 (of many)  Example:  Titus is a student in class 5b.

                  B.  the = 1 (and only one)  Example:  Mr. Leon is the English Literacy teacher at Orchlon.

                  C.  the = a special (uncountable thing)  Example:  The water has spilt.

                  EXAMPLES
                  1.  The sun is in the sky.
                  2.  An Orchlon student helped me.
                  3.  The moon is white.
                  4.  Our sun is a star.
                  5.  Our moon is a moon in our solar system.
                  6.  Mr. Leon is a teacher at Orchlon School.
                  7.  We eat lunch in the school's lunch room.
                  8.  We study in a classroom.
                  9.  The water is on the floor.
                  10.  A glass of water fell off a desk.

 

 

 

Leon's Archived Grammar Lessons
in no particular order



"Fixed Expressions 3"

Explanation:

Some expressions cannot be changed (in English).  They are called fixed expressions.

For example:  the book of love, or  the book of life.

If you say, "love's book" or "life's book,"  It may not make sense to a native speaker, or the native speaker may laugh at your English.

More examples:

1.  insist that s.v.o. (subject, verb, object)

2.  insist on sth

3.  attest that s.v.o.

4.  attest to sth

5.  persist in gerund (doing sth)

6.  agree with sb. or an idea

7.  agree to-infinitive (verb)

8.  agree on a plan or issue

9.  be interested in sth or sb

10.  be in love with sb

11.  be out of love with sb.  (implies you were in love with sb first).

 

 

Fixed Expressions 2

Explanation:

Some expressions cannot be changed (in English).  They are called fixed expressions.

For example:  I'm feeling under the weather.

If you say, "The weather is on top of me today."  It makes no sense to a native speaker.

More examples:

1.  Time is on my side.

2.  broad daylight

3.  be green with envy

4.  kick the bucket

5.  in the knick of time

6.  begin/end on time

7.  arrive/leave on time

8.  time's up.  (Some people say, "time's over,"  but not I.  Do as you will.)

9.  don't rock the boat

10.  be in someone else's shoes

 

 

Fixed Expressions

Explanation:

Some expressions cannot be changed (in English).  They are called fixed expressions.

For example:  The circle of life.

That expression cannot be changed to:  Life's Circle. 

There are millions of fixed expressions in English.  I can't give all here.  Just a few:

1. It's raining cats and dogs.

2. fish and chips

3. wine, women, and song

4. fighting like cats and dogs.

5. the pie in the sky

6. the apple of one's eye

7. hit the hay

8. take a break

9. drive sb crazy

10.  be right back

11.  laughing out loud

12.  play cards

13.  go bowling

14.  go swimming

15.  have a martial arts match

16.  take/ride the bus

17.  take an airplane/a taxi/a train [or] ride in an airplane/a taxi/a train

18.  board a plane/a boat/a train

19.  get on/off a bus/airplane/boat

20.  get (into/out of) a car/taxi

 

 

Collocative Grammar & Syntax

Explanation:

Just knowing the meaning of a word does not guarantee one can use it correctly.  Certain words go with certain words.  Random usage is not acceptable.  This week's focus is on transitive verbs and their objects.  There are two kinds of adjectives.  The first modifies a noun by existing before the noun, like this:

Examples:

commit a crime, not do a crime

conduct or perform surgery, not do surgery,

commit suicide/murder, not do/make a suicide/murder

drive sb crazy, not make sb crazy

play a card game, not do a card game

ride a motorcycle, not drive a motorcycle

fly a plane, not drive a plane

commit acts of terrorism or terrorize, not do terrorism

 

 

Collocative Grammar & Syntax

Explanation:

Just knowing the meaning of a word does not guarantee one can use it correctly.  Certain words go with certain words.  Random usage is not acceptable.  This week's focus is on adjectives.  There are two kinds of adjectives.  The first modifies a noun by existing before the noun, like this:

adjective + noun

The second is a part of a descriptive verb phrase, consisting of:

to be + adjective

Examples of The First Way:  pretty woman, ugly man, sweet candy, sour grapes

Example of The Second Way:  am happy, is sad, was clear, were funny, are true

 

Very easy!  Right?

The difficult part is possessive adjectives, many of which can be changed into prepositional phrases.

Examples:

Leon's homepage  or  the homepage of Leon

Q:  Which one is correct?

A:  I think both are grammatically correct, but usagewise, the first is correct.

Q:  So, how does one know when to use one way or the other way?

A:  That's a difficult question to answer.  As a native speaker, I know intuitively which one is appropriate for which situation.  The best I can do is give you some examples.

 

before the noun after the noun
Leon's book x
Leon's education* the education of Leon*
the company's policy the policy of the company
the military's effort x
the airplane's lavatories the lavatories of the airplane
the people's rights the rights of the people
x the principles of education
x the rules of love
love's appeal the appeal of love
war's tragedies the tragedies of war
x the quality of the water
a diamond's color the color of a diamond
at arm's length x
a stone's throw x
a drug's affect the affect of a drug
one's mind's eye x
a king's throne the throne of a king
a chicken's wing the wing of a chicken
the plan's effectiveness the effectiveness of the plan
money's lure the lure of money
a sinner's prayer the prayer of a sinner
alcoholism's affect the affect of alcoholism
x the stigma of alcoholism
a person's capability x
x the congregation of the church
Hyundae's holdings x

* Note:  if the possessive adjective comes before the noun, it generally implies possession, i.e., ownership.  If the possessive adjective comes after the noun, it generally implies some relationship, but not necessarily owneship.

 

Collocative Grammar & Syntax: Adverbs

Explanation:

Just knowing the meaning of a word does not guarantee one can use it correctly.  Certain words go with certain words.  Random usage is not acceptable.  This week's focus is on verbs and adverbs.  When modifying the action of a sentence, adverbs collocate with verbs, but that does not necessarily mean that they are side by side.  Syntax comes into play as to where in the sentence the adverb should appear.  Here is a table with some general rules: 

Pre-clause Adverb Pre-verb
Adverb
Post-clause
(Post-v.i. Adverb)
Post-clause
(Post-object Adv.)
x Adverbs of Frequency
(Ex. often)
x x
x Negative Adverbs x x
Adverbs of Sequence
(Ex. Firstly)
Adverbs of Sequence
(Ex. Firstly)
Adverbs of Sequence
(for v.i.)
Adverbs of Sequence
(for v.t.)
Adverbs which answer the question "how?" Adverbs which answer the question "how?"

for v.i. & v.t.

Adverbs which answer the question "how?"

for v.i. only

Adverbs which answer the question "how?"

for v.t. only

x x Adverbs which answer the question "how much?"  (v.i.) Adverbs which answer the question "how much?"  (v.t.)
actually actually actually (v.i.) actually (v.t.)
interestingly x x x
x especially x x
basically basically basically (v.i.) basically (v.t.)
clearly clearly clearly (v.i.) clearly (v.t.)
luckily luckily luckily (v.i.) luckily (v.t.)

Post Notes:

1.  Very is NOT a collocate of any verb.  It only modifies other adverbs.  Therefore the following sentence, which I hear all too often in EFL, is WRONG:  "I very like you."

2.  Pre-clause adverbs and some post-clause adverbs, modify the whole sentence, NOT THE VERB, and therefore are NOT collocates with the verb.  In written grammar they are separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma, AND in spoken grammar, they are separated from the rest of the sentence with a pause.  Such are represented above with white text and black background.

 

Prescriptive vs. Descriptive Grammar

Explanation:

I just love it when my students argue with me... NOT!!!  Why do Koreans think they know more about so-called "proper" English.  I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU LEARNED IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL.  I AM A NATIVE SPEAKER!  and MOST EDUCATED NATIVE SPEAKERS, SUCH AS I, SPEAK PROPER ENGLISH!  DON'T TRY TO TEACH A FISH HOW TO SWIM!!!!  

Now, let's define terms here.  First of all, what exactly is "proper English"?  Well, there are two kinds of "proper" English.  The first is prescriptive English grammar, and the second is descriptive English grammar.  Prescriptive means:  pre (before) script (writing) ive (a.), which is to say:  rules of language made before one writes or speaks.  In other words, prescriptive grammar is composed of the rules as set by grammarians, directing the way a language ought to be written or spoken.  Descriptive means:  de (down) script (writing) ive (a.), which is to say:  rules of language made after the language is written down, or spoken.  In other words, descriptive grammar is composed of the rules made by observing real time language in real use.  In my opinion, both are proper.  As to which one is more proper, I don't know.  It is debatable.  It can be argued either way.  I believe that both ought to be taught to EFL learners.  Then, they can decide which way they wish to use the language.

I think it's safe to say that it really depends on the situation.  Probably in a more formal situation, the prescriptive rules would prevail, and in a more casual setting, the descriptive rules would prevail.  But that seems like an oversimplification, because it also seems, from my observations, that the more educated people are, the more their language resembles prescriptive grammar, and visa versa.  So, I always tell my students, "If you want to sound/appear well-educated, you should speak/write with prescriptive grammar.

There is a problem with this, though.  And that problem is prescriptive grammar has not yet been able to account for all the usages of English, such as exceptions to rules, special collocations that may be more appropriate than others, or the 'idiom principle'.  In this case descriptive grammar rules by default, must be applied.

Examples:

Prescriptive:  To whom were you speaking on the phone?  
Descriptive:  Who were you speaking to on the phone? 

P:  May I buy you a drink?
D:  Can I buy you a drink? 

P:  By what time will you be home?
D:  What time will you be home by? 

P:  My car is more big than your car.
D:  My car is bigger than your car.
WRONG:  My car is more bigger than your car.  (chose one, not both)

P:  This is the person, whom I love more than life itself.
D:  This is the person, who I love more than life itself. 

P:  I, too, love pork.
D:  Me, too.  I love pork. 

P:  Neither do I.  /  So do I.
D:  Me neither.  /  Me too.

P:  When one does not know what to do, it becomes him/her to ask an expert.
D:  When one does not know what to do, it becomes them to ask an expert.
D2:  When you do not know what to do, it becomes you to ask an expert.
D3:  When we do not know what to do, it becomes us to ask an expert.

P:  An old woman lay on the bed.
D:  An old woman lied on the bed.
D2:  On the bed lay an old woman.
D3:  On the bed lied an old woman.

P:  Would you give me some help?
D:  Give me some help, would you?*

* Intonation can carry meaning.  This structure can be rude or polite, depending on the speaker's intonation.  Whereas the Prescriptive form is generally very polite and formal. 

 

 

Collocations, part 2

Explanation:

Just knowing the meaning of a word does not guarantee one can use it correctly.  Certain words go with certain words.  Random usage is not acceptable.  This week's focus is on prepositions.  Here are some examples:

Examples:

Wrong:  I agree to you.
Right:  I agree with you.

Wrong:  We agree for going to the party.
Right:  We agree to go to the party.

Wrong:  You and I agree at one thing.
Right:  You and I agree about/on one thing.

Wrong:  Do we agree to my plan?
Right:  Do we agree on my plan?

Wrong:  I'm going to home.
Right:  I'm going home.

Wrong:  Let's go my home.
Right:  Let's go to my home.

Wrong:  The student is preparing his exam.
Right:  The student is preparing for his exam. 

Wrong:  There's no accounting taste.
Right:  There's no accounting for taste.

Wrong:  All day I think you.
Right:  All day I think of/about you.

Wrong:  John married with Jill.
Right:  John married Jill.

 

 

Collocations

Explanation:

Just knowing the meaning of a word does not guarantee one can use it correctly.  Certain words go with certain words.  Random usage is not acceptable.  Here are some examples:

Examples:

Wrong:  I gained six dollars.
Right:  I got six dollars.

Wrong:  Put your coat off.
Right:  Take your coat off.

Wrong:  Take your shoes on.
Right:  Put your shoes on.

Wrong:  You are making me crazy.
Right:  You are driving me crazy.

Wrong:  Let's cook some bread.
Right:  Let's bake some bread.

Wrong:  Let's cook an egg.
Right:  Let's boil, or fry an egg.

Wrong:  My foot is sick.
Right:  My foot hurts.

Wrong:  He did a crime.
Right:  He committed a crime.

Wrong:  He did suicide.
Right:  He committed suicide.

Wrong:  She did adultery.
Right:  She committed adultery.

 

 

July 26, 2001:  syntax, part 7

Which sentence has incorrect syntax?

1.  I give money you.
2.  I give to you money.
3.  I give money to you.
4.  I give you money.

Answer:  1 and 2, only 3 & 4 are correct.

 

July 25, 2001:  syntax, part 6

Which sentence has incorrect syntax?

1.  I enjoy to eat dog meat.
2.  I enjoy eating dog meat.
3.  I enjoy eat dog meat.

Answer:  1 and 3, only 2 is correct.

 

July 24, 2001:  syntax, part 5

Which sentence has incorrect syntax?

1.  There are some people.
2.  Some people are there.
3.  Are there some people.

Answer:  3  Correction:  it is an interrogative so it needs a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence

 

July 23, 2001:  syntax, part 4

Which sentence has incorrect syntax?

1.  There is some money there.
2.  There they're.
3.  They're there.

Answer:  2  Correction:  There they are.

 

July 22, 2001:  syntax, part 3

Which sentence has incorrect syntax?

1.  I told to you.
2.  He came to me.
3.  They sent me it.

Answer:  1  Correct sentence:  I told you.

 

July 21, 2001:  syntax, part 2

Which sentence has incorrect syntax?

1.  I like you.
2.  I am liked by you.
3.  I said to you, "I like you."

Answer:  3   Correct sentence:  I said, "I like you." (to you).

 

July 20, 2001:  syntax

Explanation:

Syntax = [from >Greek, meaning syn (together) + tax (order)]  i.e., the proper order to put words together to logical sense in a phrase, clause, or sentence.

Let's take a little test:

Which sentence is correct?

1.
A:  I you love.
B:  I love you.

2.
A:  I put money the table on.
B:  I put money on the table.

3.
A:  Who you are?
B:  Who are you?

Easy so far????  Okay, I'll make it harder...

4.
A:  That is what I want.
B:  That is what do I want.

5.
A:  What is it that I want?
B:  What is that I want it?

6.
A:  Especially, I love you.
B:  I especially love you.

7.
A:  Basically, I don't love you anymore.
B:  I basically don't love you anymore.
C:  I don't basically love you anymore.

8.
A:  I very thank you.
B:  I thank you very.

9.
A:  Only I love you.
B:  I only love you.
C:  I love only you.
D:  I love you only.

10.
A:  I am hard to English.
B:  English is hard for me.

ANSWERS:

1.B, 2.B, 3.B, 4.A, 5.A, 6.B, 7.A,B, 8. neither, the correct sentence is:  I thank you very much., 9.A,B,C,D,(all are correct, but slightly different meaning, 10.B

 

 

July 19, 2001:  chair vs. seat, part 2

Explanation:

Yesterday I wrote that chair is concrete and seat is more abstract, and while that is true, it is NOT 100% true.  Some all seats are concrete, and yet have abstract qualities.  However, chair is only concrete.

The difference between chair and concrete seat is that a seat is usually immoveable, while a chair is portable.

Examples:

Chairs are usually in a house or room, and are portable.

Seats are usually on a bus, train, airplane, boat, and are immoveable.

 

July 18, 2001:  chair vs. seat

Explanation:

Chair is concrete.  Seat seems to be more abstract.

For example:

Have a seat.  =  Please sit down.

Have a chair.  =  Take a chair.

The prototypical chair has four legs and a back.

But nowadays there are lots of non-prototypical chairs.

Some chairs have arms and legs.  We call this an "arm chair."

Some chairs have cushions built into the upholstery and no legs at all.  We call this an "easy chair."

Some chairs have cushions, no legs, and can be reclined.  We call these chairs, "reclining easy chairs," or just "recliners."

Some chairs have arms and legs, but the legs rest on curved boards.  We call these chairs, "rocking chairs."

The prototypical seat is anyplace to sit down.  It doesn't have to be a chair at all.

 

July 16, 2001:  be supposed to + infinitive

click here 

(Note:  this is commonly misunderstood in Korea)

 

July 15, 2001:  past passive voice

first person singular:  I was + p.p
first person plural:  We were + p.p.
second person singular:  you were + p.p.
second person plural:  you (all) were + p.p.
third person singular:  he/she/it was + p.p.
third person plural:  they were + p.p.

Examples:

I was excited.

{This above sentence is very interesting, linguistically.  Is it a past passive, or is it a past descriptive verb (i.e., be + adj.)??????}

Answer:  both, depending on the meaning of the speaker.

If it's passive, it can be changed into an active sentence...

(Sb) excited me.  =>  I was excited (by sb).

Otherwise, it's just a descriptive verb (in the past tense).

More Examples:

I was excited (by you).  => 네가 나를 흥분하게 했다. =>

You excited me.

I was excited.  =>  나는 흥분 됐다.

 

July 14, 2001:  present passive voice

first person singular:  I am + p.p
first person plural:  We are + p.p.
second person singular:  you are + p.p.
second person plural:  you (all) are + p.p.
third person singular:  he/she/it is + p.p.
third person plural:  they are + p.p.

Examples:

I want to love and be loved.
{I want to love (sb) and be loved (by sb).}

In war, it's kill or be killed.
{In war, it's kill (the enemy) or be killed (by the enemy).}

be supposed (by sb) to + infinitive

suppose = think, 그래서...

be supposed = be thought

Examples:

It is supposed (by sb) to rain today.  =>

{It is thought (by meteorologists) that it will rain today.}

I am supposed to do my homework. =>

{It is thought (by my mother) that I should be doing my homework.}

You are supposed to get married. =>

{It is thought (by the people of your culture) that you should get married.}

 

 

July 13, 2001:  past perfect passive

had + been + p.p. (past participle)

Examples:

I had been loved (by a woman) only once before coming to Korea.

She had been hurt (by a man) before she met me.

Before  entering kindergarten, they had been taught (by their mothers) how to count.

{Note:  blue words are unnecessary, red words are necessary}

 

July 12, 2001:  present perfect passive

have + been + p.p.(past participle)
(1st person singular and plural, 2nd person singular and plural, 3rd person plural)

has + been + p.p.(past participle)
(3rd person singular)

Examples:

I have been loved.

I have been loved by you.

This book has been read.

This book has been read by a lot of people.

 

July 11, 2001:  present perfect progressive

have + been + ~ing
(1st person singular and plural, 2nd person singular and plural, 3rd person plural)

has + been + ~ing
(3rd person singular)

The present perfect progressive is used to express something that started in the past but has continued until now and is still happening.  Examples:

I have been living in Korea since 1995.

I have been working in Seoul for four years.

My friend has been working and living in Korea for five years.

 

 

July 10, 2001:  past perfect

had (past "have") + p.p. (past participle of verb stem)

Unfortunately all Koreans who study in Korea from English materials made in Korea misunderstand the past perfect, and therefore frequently misuse it.

The past perfect refers to an event, which occurred, or a condition, which existed prior to some other past event or condition.

Bad sentences (X) and Good sentences (O):

I had been to America.  (X)  {out of proper context, this sentence makes no sense}

Before my twenty-fifth birthday, I had been to America only once.  (O)

I hadn't eaten yesterday.  (X

Before today's breakfast, I hadn't eaten for about 36 hours. (O)

I hadn't seen a giraffe.  (X)

I hadn't seen a giraffe before going to the zoo.  (O)

 

July 9, 2001:  future subjunctive mood

should, could, would

EXPLANATION:

In future subjunctive mood expresses an unlikely or impossible future situation or event.  The if-clause uses the form:  "If... were to...".

Note:  since "should" does not have an if-clause, the only way to tell the difference between present and future is by use of a time-modifier, such as "now" or "next week".  Here are some examples:

EXAMPLES:

1.  You should wash your car now (present) / tomorrow (future).

2.  I would take a trip (this year/ next week), if I were to receive vacation time from my job, but English institute teachers don't get vacations.

3.  The river could become clean, if people and factories were to stop polluting it.

 

July 8, 2001:  past subjunctive mood

should have, could have, would have

EXPLANATION:

should have + past participle = past should

could have + past participle = past (subjunctive) could 

would have + past participle = past (subjunctive) would

IMPORTANT:  

"Could" and "Would" need if-clauses.  If if-clauses are not present, they are implied.  All native speakers know this fact implicitly.  Too bad it is not taught explicitly to Koreans.  Also, in past subjunctive, the if-clause must have past perfect.

"Should" does not need an if-clause, because the if-clause is built-in.  Thus, "should" means:

"If..... it would be good."

"Should have..." means"

"If... had p.p., ....it would have been good."

EXAMPLES:

1.  I should have eaten, before coming here.

     여기 오기 전에, 먹었으면 좋았을텐데.

2.  I could have eaten lunch, if I hadn't been so busy.

     만약에 내가 그렇게 바쁘지 않았더라면, 점심을 먹을 수가 있었을텐데.

3.  I would have eaten lunch, if I had been hungry.

     만약에 나는 배가 고팠더라으면, 점심을 먹었을텐데.

Important Note:  "should" does NOT mean "must".  Why?  because "should" is subjunctive mood and "must" is imperative mood.  They are totally different moods;  therefore, they carry totally different semantics.

 

July 7, 2001:  present subjunctive mood

should, could, would

should = past shall

could = past can

would = past will

Explanation:

In the present subjunctive, we use past tense, but it has present meaning!

Examples of Present Subjunctive Mood:

1.  I would call you, if I had some free time.

2.  I should call you. =>

           (=> If I called you, it would be good!)

3.  I could call you, if I had a phone.

Important Note:  "should" does NOT mean "must".  Why?  because "should" is subjunctive mood and "must" is imperative mood.  They are totally different moods;  therefore, they carry totally different semantics.

 

July 6, 2001:  present participle/past participle

present participle = ~ing adjective

past participle = ~ed adjective

Examples:

I'm bored.  내가 심심해요.

I'm boring.  내가 지루하게 하는 사람 이다.

I'm interested.  나는 흥미 있다.

I'm interesting.  내가 흥미 있게 하는 사람 이다.

I'm confused. 내가 혼동해요.

It is confusing.  그것 혼동하게하는 것 이다.

 

July 5, 2001:  Passive Voice

Passive voice is quite an interesting linguistic tool.  It would seem that the subject and object of a sentence are switched.  The subject of each sentence shall be purple.

Examples:

(Note:    A.V. = Active Voice,  P.V. = Passive Voice)

A.V.:  I like you. (가 너를 좋아합니다.)

P.V.:  You are liked by me. (나는 네가 좋아요.)

Modified P.V.: You are liked.  (네가 좋아.)

A.V.:  I hate racism.  (내가 인종적차별을 싫어해요.)

P.V.:  Racism is hated by me. (나는 인종적차별이 싫어요.)

Modified P.V.:  Racism is hated. (인종적차별이 싫어요.)

A.V.:  The movie scares me.  {(나는) 그 영화가 무서워요.}

P.V.:  I am scared (by that movie). {내가 (그영화 때문에) 무서워해요.}

A.V.:  I love you.  (내가 너를 사랑해.)

P.V.:  You are loved (by me). {너는 (나에게) 사랑을 받는 분 이다.}

A.V.:  This movie excites me. (이 영화가 날 흥분하게 해.)

P.V.:  I am excited by the movie. (이영화 때문에 내가 흥분해.)

A.V.:  This movie bores me. (이 영화가 날 지루하게 해.)

P.V.:  I am bored by this movie. (이 영화 때문에 내가 지루해.)

 

 

July 4, 2001:  Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal Verbs are two (or more) words that compose ONE verb.

Today's Phrasal Verb:  Put up with

Put up with = tolerate

Sample Sentence:  It's hard to put up with racism.

Note:  up is a preposition and with is a preposition, but in this case they are functioning as parts of the verb.  The grammatical name for them is "particle".  "up" and "with" are particles.

 

July 3, 2001:  Collocations

Collocations are two (or more) words that usually appear together.

Today's collocation:

article of clothing

Native speakers usually say, "article of clothing."

Note:  "Clothing" is an uncountable word, so in order to make it countable we need a modifier.

Wrong collocations:

piece of clothing (X), thing of clothing (X), part of clothing (X)

 

 

There are some common grammatical problems that EFL students face.  The problems may seem confusing, but Leon's English Grammar makes them simple and easy.  Let's start with a little pretest.
EFL의 학습자들이  자주 부딪치는 문법적인 문제들이 있습니다.  많은 학습자들이 이런 문제로 힘들어 하는 것 같은데 레온의 영어 문법이 간단하고  쉽게 해결해줄 것 입니다.   다 같이 예비시험으로 시작해봅시다.
Instructions:  choose the correct word in the parentheses and write it down.  Then compare with the answer sheet below.
방법:  괄호 안에서 맞는 단어를 선택하고 써보세요.  뒤에 답안지의 답과 비교해보십시오.
1.  Bill Gates is (a/the)  business owner.
7.  I drank too much (during, for) the party.
                 (“What’s the matter?” / "What's up?")
15.  I’m sorry. Your joke is not (fun, funny).
16.  English class is (fun, funny) because the teacher tells a lot of jokes.
17.  (Look at, Watch, See) me when I’m talking to you.
18.  I can’t (look at, watch, see) the board.
19.  Tino (looked at, watched, saw) his watch.
20.  Hello… Hello. Can you (hear me, listen to me) ?
21.  I can’t (hear, listen to, comprehend) English.
22.  Let’s (speak, talk, say, tell) English.
23.  Let’s speak, talk, say, tell) about politics.
24.  I (spoke to, talked to, said to, told) my brother the secret.
25.  I (spoke, talked, said, told) “Be quiet!”
26.  I am (bored, boring) with English.
27.  My students say that I am a (bored, boring) teacher.
28.  Believe in Jesus. / Believe Jesus.  What's the difference?
29.  My head (is sick, is sore, hurts).
30.  My muscles (are sick, are sore).
31.  Everyone (must, should, had better) eat healthy food.
32.  One (must, should, had better) study hard, or else he/she might not pass the
exam.
33.  You (must, should, had better) obey the law.
34.  I will arrive (by, until) 9:00am.
35.  I will die (by, until) the time I reach the age of 100.
36.  I will live (by, until) the time I reach the age of 100.
37.  He has been working (from, since, starting) 7 am.
38.  She will begin working (from, since, starting) tomorrow morning.
39.  They will listen well (from, since, starting) now on.
40.  The program will be running (from, since, starting) next week.

 

Answers:

1. a,   2. the, the,   3. the,   4. a,   5. for,   6. during,   7. during,   8. lend,   9. borrow,   10. changed,   11. changed,   12. appointment,   13.  promise,   14. What's up?   15. funny,   16. funny,   17. look at,   18. see,   19. looked at,   20. hear,   21. comprehend,   22. speak,   23. talk,   24.  told,   25. said,   26. bored,   27. boring,   28. believe in = (think something exists), believe = (think words (of someone) are true),   29. hurts,   30. are sore,  31. should,   32. had better,   33. must,   34. by,   35. by,   36. until,   37. since,   38. starting,   39.  from,   40. starting.

 

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A Test of Collective ( Uncountable ) Nouns

& Non-collective ( Countable ) Nouns

 

1.       There is a lot of (clothes, clothing) on the floor.

2.       There are a lot of (papers, sheets) on the desk.

3.       I don’t have much (wood, boards).

4.       I don’t have many (works, jobs) to do around the house.

5.       John doesn't have much (software, programs).

6.       The doctor doesn't do much (surgery, operations).

7.       The teacher gives a lot of (praise, praises).

8.       The counselor gives a lot of good (advice, suggestions).

9.       There aren’t many (times, hours) in the day.

10.  Today we learned two (pronunciations, phonemes).

11.  The students received a lot of (homework, homeworks).

12.  The pharmacist gave me only a few (medicines, drugs).

13.  I do very little (exercise, sports).

14.  I don’t have many (glass, glasses) in my cupboards.

15.  The lady didn’t give me (many informations, much information).

16.  I.M.I has too (many staffs, much staff).

17.  I have too (many stuffs, many things).

18.  How (much, many) foods have you eaten?

19.  How (many furnitures, much furniture) do you have?

20.  I can’t sing many (musics, songs).

21.  There isn’t (much nutrition, many nutrients).

22.  The quartermaster complained that they don’t have much (equipment, supply).

 

Answers:  1. clothing, 2. sheets, 3. wood, 4. jobs, 5. software, 6. surgery, 7. praise, 8. both answers are correct, 9. hours, 10. phonemes, 11. homework, 12. drugs, 13. exercise, 14. glasses, 15. much information, 16. much staff, 17. many things, 18. many, 19. much furniture, 20. songs, 21. much nutrition, 22. equipment.

 

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