Think of traffic lights as words.

Words, just like traffic lights, are nothing but symbols that need to be
understood if the people want to use them effectively. Our culture tells us PART 1: SENTENCE ----------------------
that red means ‘stop’ and green means ‘go.’ However, without universal 1
understanding of the meaning of red and green, there will be traffic jams. Subject and Predicate --------------------------
The same thing is true with language. 2
Simple and Complete --------------------------
A standard language is necessary to make communication more effective 2
and the people more productive. Clauses --------------------------
4
Thus, there is a need for you to learn grammar. Grammar is the study of the Sentence Fragment --------------------------
relationship of words in a sentence. Studying grammar allows you to 11
decode a language that is globally accepted. Run-on Sentence --------------------------
13
This book gives you basic knowledge on which sentence is acceptable and
which is not, so you could avoid the latter. It also guides you on what PART 2: PARTS OF SPEECH ------------------------- 19
appropriate part of speech you should use in order to express your thoughts Nouns -------------------------
effectively as you make the subject and the action word agree with each 19
other. Pronouns ------------------------- 30
Verbs -------------------------
Realizing that the choice of words is important, this book also includes some 36
commonly used idioms and a list of some frequently misused words. You Simple Tenses -------------------------
ought to use and understand idioms if you want to communicate with native 44
English speakers. Perfect Tenses -------------------------
49
Aside from correct word choices, this book also makes you conscious of the Progressive Tenses -------------------------
punctuation marks that make writing more dynamic. 52
Adjectives -------------------------
This book hopes to give you a strong foundation on basic grammar so you 59
could confidently conquer the world by using ENGLISH to your advantage. Adverb -------------------------
Remember that a good command of English language can get you a job, 65
and make you more credible. IT’S ABOUT TIME FOR YOU TO REVIVE Preposition -------------------------
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LITERACY THAT FILIPINOS WERE 68
ONCE WELL-KNOWN FOR. Conjunction -------------------------
-- Virginia B. Bautista 71
 Interjection ------------------------- 1. The woman wearing pink 1. The woman wearing
75 dress pink dress is reading
PART 3: SUBJECT & VERB AGREEMENT---------- 77
a newspaper.
2. The man who won 2. He won.
PART 4: IDIOMS ------------------------- 87 the lottery
3. watching TV 3. The children are
PART 5: A GUIDE TO PUNCTUATION---------------- 97 watching Dora the
Explorer.
PART 6: FREQUENTLY MISUSED WORDS---------- 105
The entries in column A are NOT sentences because
they don’t convey complete thoughts. On the other hand, all
entries in column B are examples of a sentence. Each of them
has a subject and a predicate which make them have a
complete thought.

Part 1 What is a subject?

o Word or words about which something is said. 1
o It is either a noun or pronoun.

What is a predicate?
It tells something about the subject

IMPORTANT!

A SENTENCE is a word or a group of A subject and a predicate are called SIMPLE if they have
words that has a complete thought. only one word. The predicate is usually a verb. If they
contain modifiers, then they are called COMPLETE.
Compare the two sets of examples below: Example:
A B 1. The man standing near the cafeteria is a Korean
simple subject simple predicate
 national studying in this pretigious university. Pancake House every Saturday.

The man standing near the cafeteria is a Korean 4. New York is also called “The Big Apple.”
complete subject complete
subject complete predicate
national studying in this pretigious university.
complete predicate
5. Gina’s aunt works in Canada as a nanny.
complete subject complete predicate
Examples showing simple subjects and simple predicates:

1. I frequently work at home.

simple subject simple predicate
2. The children read books every day.
simple subject simple predicate
3. She likes him very much.
simple simple predicate
subject
4. All the citizens go out to vote. Directions:
simple simple predicate I. Underline the SIMPLE SUBJECT once and the
subject
SIMPLE PREDICATE twice. 3
5. The senior class studies Physics. 2
simple simple predicate
subject 1. Growing children need to drink milk.
2. Your fee includes laboratory expenses.
Examples showing complete subjects and complete 3. Burnham Park looks stunning even at night.
predicates: 4. Vivien loves to bake chocolate chip cookies.
5. The principal says that closed books never open one’s
1. The director of the school gives lectures on how to mind.
complete subject complete predicate
survive in college.
II. Underline COMPLETE SUBJECT once and the
COMPLETE PREDICATE twice.
2. Listening to music is one of Vanessa’s hobbies.
complete subject complete predicate
6. Riza tells her son not to text while he is driving.
3. Josie and Ana eat their favorite 7. I don’t like the hip-hop music that you always play.
breakfast at 8. Her term paper was rejected by the professor.
complete subject complete predicate 9. Dani always watches The Tyra Banks show.
10. Oprah Winfrey is the highest-paid talk show host
in the US.

What is a CLAUSE?
A CLAUSE is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

 Clauses are the building blocks of sentences. This

means that a single sentence can be made up of a single
clause or of several clauses.

4
 Compare the two versions of the essay titled CELL PHONES
ON THE ROAD:
VERSION 1
Any task a driver
performs. While driving is a
potential distraction. It is best to
use your cellular phone. When
you are stopped. But if you must
use your phone. While driving it
is important to check traffic
conditions. Before placing a
phone call. Or performing any
task. And if necessary. Wait until
conditions improve to make your
call. Learn how your cellular
phone operates. While parked. If
possible, dial while the car is not
in motion. Program frequently
used numbers into your phone. If
a number is not programmed into
memory. Dial in short segments.
Check the traffic. And dial
another segment. Never allow
your conversation to distract you
from driving. Keep calls brief.
Keep your eyes on the road. And
frequently check the side and
rear view mirrors.
VERSION 2
Any task a driver
performs while driving is a
potential distraction. It is best to
use your cellular phone when you
are stopped, but if you must use
your phone while driving it is
important to check traffic
conditions before placing a phone
call or performing any task, and if
necessary, wait until conditions
improve to make your call. Learn
how your cellular phone operates
while parked. If possible, dial
while the car is not in motion.
Program frequently used numbers
into your phone. If a number is
not programmed into memory,
dial in short segments, check the
traffic, and dial another segment.
Never allow your conversation to
distract you from driving. Keep
calls brief. Keep your eyes on the
road, and frequently check the
side and rear view mirrors
(http://www.safeny.com/phon-
ndx.htm).
5 6
Which of the two versions of CELL
PHONES ON THE ROAD is clearer?
 Version 2 is much clearer because it uses independent
and dependent clauses to show the relationship among
the clauses.
An INDEPENDENT CLAUSE is a clause that can stand
alone as a sentence.
A DEPENDENT CLAUSE is a clause that cannot stand
alone because it lacks complete thought.
 Dependent clauses don’t make any sense. They should
be combined with independent clauses in order to form
complete thought.
Here’s VERSION 2 again with all the dependent clauses
highlighted.
Any task a driver performs while driving is a potential
distraction. It is best to use your cellular phone when you are
stopped, but if you must use your phone while driving it is
important to check traffic conditions before placing a phone
call or performing any task, and if necessary, wait until
conditions improve to make your call. Learn how your
cellular phone operates while parked. If possible, dial while the
car is not in motion. Program frequently used numbers into
your phone. If a number is not programmed into memory,
dial in short segments, check the traffic, and dial another
segment. Never allow your conversation to distract you from
driving. Keep calls brief. Keep your eyes on the road, and
frequently check the side and rear view mirrors.
THREE BASIC KINDS OF DEPENDENT CLAUSES:
A. A NOUN CLAUSE can be any of the following:
1. Noun clause as subject
2. Noun clause as object
3. Noun clause as object of preposition
Examples:
Noun clause as subject:
• What you don’t know won’t hurt you.
• Thinking about bad memories makes her feel
frustrated.
• Knowing what is right is everybody’s responsibility.
Noun clause as object:
• I didn’t tell him how he should react to the incident.
• The mayor finally admitted what he did with the
money
• The customer returned what he purchased
yesterday.
Noun clause as object of preposition:
7
• I’m writing a book about how to teach
English through newspapers.
• The president’s speech focused on
what he accomplished in his first 100 days in
office.
• I am interested in learning how to
bake his favorite cake.
B. An ADJECTIVE CLAUSE describes the subject
in the sentence.
Examples:
• The girl, who was accidentally killed by her
father through gun fire, was Matilda Crabtree.
• The Internet, which allows people to connect
to every person around the globe, is
considered the most important innovation in
information technology.
• The song, which was popularized by Black
Eyed Peas, was very popular both in the US
and in the Philippines.
C. An ADVERB CLAUSE answers the following
questions: a) When?; b) Where?; c) Why?; d) Under
what conditions?
8
Examples: 1. They are searching for the young man who
• I never saw him again after he won millions in the stole the money.
lottery. (TIME)
• He cried because his best friend betrayed 2. I will answer the question if you promise to
him.(CAUSE) keep it confidential.
• Melford didn’t review for his exam so he failed.
(EFFECT) 3. Working abroad has many consequences.
• I want to hang out in a place where nobody
4. The lovely princess, who was sincerely
stays.(PLACE)
loved by the beast, is Beauty.
• If the President Gloria Arroyo would give absolute
pardon to the former president, he would probably 5. What I’m thinking right now has nothing to
accept it because of his desire to be with her 102- do with your projects.
year-old mother. (CONDITION).
6. The fact that he left you doesn’t mean it’s
the end of the world.

7. He decided to tell the truth when he knew

he would lose the case.

8. I am not sure of my answer so I remained

silent.
Directions: Read the following sentences containing
dependent clauses which are highlighted. Classify them 9. I talked to the manager about how he
according to the following: should train his employees.
1 - Noun clause as subject 10. The victim couldn’t imagine how the thief
2 - Noun clause as object got her necklace.
3 - Noun clause as object of preposition
4 - Adjective clause
5 - Adverb clause

10
9
 IMPORTANT! difficult to pass is the subject that is
difficult to pass.
Your knowledge on clauses is important
in order for you to avoid sentence fragments 3. The game that he loves 3. Virgilio has original
11
which are common errors in writing CDs of the game that
he loves.

What is a SENTENCE FRAGMENT?

How do you think can the following
fragments taken from famous songs be made
A sentence fragment is a group of words which does not into complete sentences?
convey complete thought. It is not a sentence, but just a
piece of the sentence.
1. If I saw you in heaven
________________________________________
 A sentence fragment lacks some details that will make the 2. Doing that thing you do
message complete. ________________________________________
3. If I didn’t love you
Here are some examples of sentence fragments and how they ________________________________________
may be improved to become complete sentences: 4. Like a candle in my life
________________________________________
FRAGMENTS SENTENCES 5. Here in my heart
________________________________________
1. The professors who 1. The professors who 6. Before I fall in love
organized a committee organized a ________________________________________
committee 7. When she cries
to review the academic to review the ________________________________________
academic 8. What a girl wants
policies policies were given ________________________________________
significant 9. Last thing on my mind
honorarium. ________________________________________
2. The subject that is 2. Calculus, for me, 10. Against all odds
 ________________________________________
These run-on sentences don’t communicate clear thoughts.
Effective writing requires clear flow of thoughts. This is why
13
IMPORTANT! run-on sentences are not acceptable in Standard English
12 writing.
You have to avoid sentence fragments if you are to follow
standard English writing.
Fortunately, correcting run-on sentences is NOT HARD.
Here are some ways to correct run-on sentences:
Aside from sentence fragments, you also have to avoid
RUN-ON SENTENCES. 1. Separate the two independent clauses. Use a period.

Example:
A RUN-ON sentence contains two or more independent
clauses which are incorrectly joined. Singing is my favorite hobby. Dancing is his
interest.

What’s wrong with run-on sentences? 2. Use a comma, followed by a coordinating conjunction
(AND, BUT, FOR, NOT, YET or SO).
 Having two or more independent clauses can
confuse the readers. Example:

Take a look at the following run-on sentences: Watching TV makes me

forget about doing my assignments, so I
1. Singing is my favorite hobby dancing is his interest. avoid watching when I have class the
2. Watching TV makes me forget about doing my following day.
assignments I avoid watching when I have class the
following day. 3. Use a semi-colon. Don’t capitalize the
3. His cell phone was ringing he didn’t mind a bit. first letter of the succeeding word.
4. It’s been raining hard last night classes were
suspended this morning. Example:
5. I was taking a shower she arrived.
 His cell phone was ringing; he didn’t mind a
bit.
14
15
4. Use a semi-colon followed by an appropriate
transitional device like HOWEVER, MOREOVER,
THEREFORE, AS A RESULT, CONSEQUENTLY.

Example:

It’s been raining hard

last night; as a result, classes Directions: Select the best way to correct the following
were suspended. run-on sentences.

1. The play begins at 6:30 in the evening please come at

least thirty minutes before it starts.
5. Use appropriate subordinating conjunction e.g.
ALTHOUGH, UNTIL, IF, WHILE, AS, AFTER, ____ a. evening; please
UNLESS. ____ b. evening. Please
____ c. evening, please
Example:
2. The three-year-old girl has been missing for three days
I was taking a shower when she arrived. the parents were not alarmed.

____ a. days; the

____ b. days, but
IMPORTANT! ____ c. days. The

Sometimes, correcting run-on sentences means

rearranging the words in the sentence.
3. Janice tried her best to solve the problem she still
failed.
____ a. problem, she
 ____ b. problem; however
____ c. problem; but
17 18
16
4. The leader of the band promised not to sign the contract 8. We watched the concert the tickets were very
he didn’t keep his promise. expensive.
____ a. concert but the
____ a. contract, he ____ b. concert although the
____ b. contract; although ____ c. concert; the
____ c. contract, but

9. Diana returns the shirt to the store it doesn’t fit well.

5. Today’s his birthday I will bake his favorite chocolate
brownies. ____ a. store, for
____ b. store; for
____ a. birthday. I ____ c. store. For
____ b. birthday, I
____ c. birthday; so

6. I don’t want to go shopping on Sundays the malls 10. I have to go my dad is calling me.
are crowded.
____ a. go, but
____ a. Sundays, for ____ b. go. My
____ b. Sundays; for ____ c. go until
____ c. Sundays. The

7. The road is slippery Daniel drives carefully.

____ a. slippery, so
____ b. slippery; so
____ c. slippery. So
Part 19
ALL ABOUT NOUNS:
2
A. COMMON versus PROPER

Try looking at your living

NO UNS name persons, places,
room. What do you see?
TV set, flower vase,
objects, feelings or events. picture frames, sofa, cell
phone, figurines -- all
these are common nouns.
Now, look closer at the
Examples: items you see in your
living room. What brands
do you see? Perhaps you
PERSONS PLACES OBJECTS have Sony, C&L
Craftworks, Nokia, or
students Quezon City computer Samsung – these brand
Annie school cell phone names are examples of
Vendors auditorium balloon
Mrs. Crabtree SM Mall of Asia Mongol

A COMMON noun names general items while a PROPER

FEELINGS EVENTS noun refers to specific names of persons, places, objects, or
events.
happiness birthday
anxiety Family Day
sympathy concert
excitement

20
 Other examples of count nouns:
Look at this table and notice the big difference between • All the words that you can see, hear,
COMMON and PROPER: taste, touch or smell arebird
called two birds
client thirty clients
COMMON NOUNS PROPER NOUNS • CONCRETE nouns:cookietaxi, cloud, five cookies
restaurant Max’s smoke, statue, parents, mouse and three letters
letter
university University of the Philippines brain school four schools
senator Jamby Madrigal
shoes Nike • All the words that you can understand although you cannot
watch Rolex perceive with any of your senses are called ABSTRACT
movie Spider-man 3 nouns: help, education, promise, love, and beauty.
mall Mall of Asia Entities that you cannot count are
country England called MASS nouns or non-
Multi-player online game World of Warcraft C. COUNT, MASS and COLLECTIVE nouns nouns. Examples of
countable
MASS nouns are oxygen, gravel,
money, sunshine, music and
B. CONCRETE versus ABSTRACT furniture.
Can you
give me
Which among the words listed below any item
can you see, hear, taste, touch or smell? that you
COLLECTIVE nouns, on the other hand, are a
cars, apples,
can
word used to namedollars,
a group tables,
of objects. Examples
a. taxi g. love bananas, chairs,
of COLLECTIVE nouns are the following: class,
b. help h. statue pillows,
bouquet, band, flock, bunch, empire, squadron
books…
c. education i. parents and troop.
d. promise j. mouse
e. cloud k. beauty We call those
f. smoke l. brain words
COUNT

21 22
 5. Juliet loves the ginseng coffee that her sister bought in
Korea.
6. The beggar who begs due to poverty smiles to every
man that gives him coins.
7. Joyce’s parents are hopeful that she will win in Pinoy
Pop Superstar .
Part I. 8. Johnny Depp is among the most versatile actors in
Directions: Write each noun from each of the Hollywood who are admired by many teenagers.
given sentences and label it concrete 9. China’s One-child Policy is being blamed by critics as
or abstract and common or proper. one factor that gives way to human rights abuse like
forced abortion.
Example : While watching TV about the justice system in 10. The senatorial candidates promised to give free
the Philippines, Harley usually eats Pringles and education to poor children.
drinks Pepsi.
Part II.
ANSWERS: TV – concrete, common Directions: From the list given below, underline the
justice system – abstract, common count nouns, encircle the mass nouns
Harley – concrete, proper and box the collective nouns.
Pringles – concrete, proper
Pepsi – concrete, proper
swarm ceiling corps
1. The president agrees to sign on Memorandum Order light notebook weather
number 17 ordering all drivers of public utility vehicles equipment colony herd
to renew their registration forms every year. sugar applause computer
2. All applicants must have excellent communication advice examination milk
skills, according to the director of the Human tribe water parcel
Resources Center.
3. Only the popular celebrities get featured in People
magazine.
4. Everyone in the US knows the significance of the
Statue of Liberty.
24
23
Part III. 9. Seeing a parcel of ________________ capering on the
Directions: Complete the following sentences by using ice is fun.
appropriate count, mass or collective nouns found in the list
from the previous activity. 10. A _______________ of bees often frightens people.

1. The ____________ of deer looks astonishing as they

walk side by side.
FORMING PLURAL NOUNS:
2. The _____________ today is unpredictable. I thought
it was going to rain so I brought an umbrella on my way There are five (5) different ways of doing this:
to the office.

3. The manager orders Ben to put the pieces of

1. Add –s for most nouns.
_______________in place.
Example:
bell
4. I need three tablespoons of _____________ in baking
her favorite delicacy.
bells
5. In the movie Beresford and the Baboons, Beresford was
found by a _______________ of baboons and he was
ribbon
raised as one of them.

6. An ________________ is a universal way of

acknowledging an achievement.
ribbons
7. Jeremy asks for a _____________ of water from the
Other examples:
waiter.
hat hats
8. You don’t have to take his pieces of _______________
pig pigs
if you think it won’t be good for you.
computer computers
umbrella umbrellas
bee bees
25 26
 crown crowns Other examples:
horse horses
bed beds leaf leaves self selves
knife knives wolf wolves
2. Add –es if a noun ends with s, ch, sh, x, or z. life lives wife wives
Examples:
4. Add -s if a noun ends with a vowel and a y.
brush
Examples:
brushes boy boys

fox
foxes Other examples:
toy toys
Other examples: bay bays
key keys
birch birches lash lashes
bench benches bus buses 5. Add -ies if a noun ends with a consonant and a
tax taxes scratch scratches y, after dropping the y.
box boxes church churches
Examples:
3. Add -es if a noun ends with f or fe after changing the f
to a v. (Note that there are exceptions to this rule.) penny pennies
Example:
Other examples:
nanny nannies
lily lilies
scarves butterfly butterflies
scarf cry cries

27 28
 Remember that some nouns are NOUNS from verbs: failure, refusal, coverage,
IRREGULAR. These nouns either change preparation, invention, invitation, announcement, robbery,
their spelling or don’t change at all in order removal, disconnection.
to form plural.
NOUNS from adjectives: generosity, warmth,
Examples: honesty, violence, wisdom, happiness, practicality,
uncertainty.

mouse mice NOUNS from other nouns: brotherhood, capitalism,

stardom, kingdom, artist.

Other examples:
PR ON OU NS take the place of
nouns.
crisis crises sheep sheep Read what the boy is thinking about:
datum data moose moose
memorandum memoranda alga algae My sentence doesn’t sound good: Charles
bacterium bacteria datum data watches TV to learn while Bea prefers
cactus cacti cactis cacti reading books over watching TV. Both
alumna alumnae alumnus alumni Charles and Bea are learning although
Charles and Bea use different media.

Now, let’s see how

nouns are formed… What do you think
should be done to make
Nouns are formed from verbs, the boy’s sentence sound good?
adjectives, or other nouns.
They are formed by
connecting either with
prefixes or suffixes, or with
Examples:
both. 30
29
 Examples:

You’re right! The boy Subjective personal pronouns: "I," "you," "she,"
needs to use appropriate "he," "it," "we," "you," "they."
PRONOUNS to make his
sentence sound better. Objective personal pronouns: "me," "you," "her,"
Pronouns make our "him," "it," "us," "you," and "them."
sentences less repetitive
and less cumbersome. Possessive personal pronouns: "mine," "yours," "hers,"
"his," "its," "ours," and "theirs."

So how do we improve the boy’s sentence with pronouns?

2. Demonstrative Pronouns point to and identify a noun
Charles watches TV to learn while Bea prefers reading books or a pronoun.
over watching TV. Both of them are learning although they
use different media. Example:

See? No need to say the same thing over and over. Thanks to "This" (singular) and "these" (plural) refer to things
pronouns! Learn more about pronouns in the next discussions. that are nearby either in space or in time;

"That" (singular) and "those" (plural) refer to things

CLASSIFICATIONS OF PRONOUNS: that are farther away in space or time.

1. Personal Pronouns refer to a specific person or Look at the sample sentences and observe how the
thing. If the personal pronoun acts as a subject, it is demonstrative pronouns are used in context:
called subjective personal pronoun. If it acts as an
object, then it is called objective personal pronoun. THAT is
an
Some personal pronouns act as a marker of possession
and define who own a particular object or person.
These pronouns are called possessive personal
pronouns.

31 32
 4. Relative pronouns link one phrase or clause to another
phrase of clause. The relative pronouns are "who,"
"whom," "that," and "which."

Sample sentences:
THIS is the
picture I
o The candidate who spent the most amount
saved on your
during campaign period does not necessarily
computer.
wins.
o The place which makes Lea says she’ll never
forget is Japan.
o The person whom she trusted betrayed her.

3. Interrogative pronouns ask questions. The following 5. Indefinite pronouns refer to an identifiable but not
are the interrogative pronouns: specified person or thing. Among the widely-used
indefinite pronouns are "all," "another," "any,"
"who," "whom," "which," "what" "anybody," "anyone," "anything," "each," "everybody,"
"everyone," "everything," "few," "many," "nobody,"
"none," "one," "several," "some," "somebody," and
refer to refers to refers to things "someone."
persons persons and animals
and things Sample sentences:

Sample questions: o Everyone is invited in Carla and Carlo’s wedding.

o Carla thought some of the visitors will leave early.
o What can you say about my new haircut? o Someone unfamiliar to Carlo greeted him with delight.
o To whom should we ask permission o Many of the guests are excited to taste the expensive
o Who owns Mall of Asia? weddding cake.
o Which book would you read first? o Dane, one of the guests,
said she loves everything
about the wedding especially
the wedding ring.

33 34
 9. “Don’t follow me,” he said to ____ dog. “Go
home.” 35 36

10. The children think _____ are smart enough to know

everything.

Directions: Write the appropriate pronouns in the VER BS are action words. They tell you
following statements. what a noun or a pronoun does.

1. Alex wants to work abroad but _____ wife

disagrees with _____. This is perhaps the most important part of speech because
it shows what the subject in a sentence does.
2. ______ the student are required to pin _____ IDs
while inside the university premises. Look at the pictures below. What actions are demonstrated on
the pictures?
3. This house is too expensive for ___ . We can't pay
such a high rent. 1. 2.

4. An atheist once asked, “If God can heal the blind,

why can’t ____ heal blindness?

5. You can’t change what ______ do not acknowledge.

6. ______ usually believe in superstitions?
3. 4.
7. I’m giving all ________ fruits on the table right
there to my sick nephew.

8. Mr. Jardeleza is a director ______ never fails to

remind ______ actors to maintain professionalism
in the job.
5. 6.

What should you remember about VERBS?

1. Verbs have four (4) basic forms. These are shown on

7. 8. the table below.

Name Base form Past Present Past

of verb form Participle Participle

to give I can give. I gave. I am I have

I give. giving. given.
to lift I can lift. I lifted. I am lifting. I have
9. 10. I lift. lifted.
to train I can train. I trained. I am I have
I train. training. trained.
to find I can find I found I am I have
out out. out. finding out. found out.
I find out.

38
37
2. The most commonly used verb in the English language is the
VERB TO BE.
Here are some examples of
action words: eat, jump, The verb TO BE is a linking verb which connects
play, think, analyze, chew, the subject to another word in the sentence.
examine, mimic, twist,
scan, print, stand, believe,
etc. Can you give your
own examples of verbs?
  A REGULAR verb forms its past and past
participle form by simply adding –d or –ed on
the base form.

The eight words for the verb to be are the following:  An IRREGULAR verb changes its spelling to
make it in the past and past participle form.
am are is was were Some IRREGULAR verbs don’t change its
forms to form the past and past participle.
be being been
Sample REGULAR VERBS from A to Z
Examples:
a. The burglar was caught by the police.
b. I am coming at 9 a. m. tomorrow. Present Past Past Participle
c. She has been driving around town the whole admire admired admired
day. bounce bounced bounced
calculate calculated calculated
Remember that the main verb is usually preceded by a destroy destroyed destroyed
HELPING VERB. earn earned earned
fasten fastened fastened
greet greeted greeted
hurry hurried hurried
am are is was were be being interrupt interrupted interrupted
been do does did have jump jumped jumped
has had may must might can could kick kicked kicked
will would shall should launch launched launched
marry married married
nod nodded nodded
39 open opened opened
3. Some verbs are REGULAR and some are polish polished polished 40
IRREGULAR. question questioned questioned
rescue rescued rescued
 Present Past Past Participle

stamp stamped stamped

transport transported transported Present Past Past Participle
unite united united buy bought bought
vanish vanished vanished spin spun spun
wander wandered wandered flee fled fled
x-ray x-rayed x-rayed bend bent bent
yawn yawned yawned
zip zipped zipped
• There are also times that the past and past participle
forms of irregular verbs are the same as their base
form.

Present Past Past Participle

The rule with regular verbs bid bid bid
is simple but the cut cut cut
IRREGULAR verbs don’t bet bet bet
have one specific rule.
broadcast broadcast broadcast
read read read

• Sometimes, the verbs change completely in order to form

the past and past participle. Can you tell the simple present and simple past
Examples: form of the following irregular verbs written in
the past participle?
Present Past Past Participle
lie lay lain
chosen done fit grown
ride rode ridden lent proven slain sewn
weave wove woven struck wept ridden hurt

• At times, the past and past participle have the same

41 42
form.
 9. lead fetch sting shed:
_______________
10. wake injure write understand:
_______________
11. slit hold draw jam:
Direction: ODD MAN OUT. Find the REGULAR verb in _______________
each line of verbs on each item. 12. forget box grind hear:
_______________
Example: 13. irritate plead dive shine:
_______________
catch find answer lose -- ___________________ 14. swim teach tear obey:
Answer: ANSWER _______________
15. let melt say quit:
Start here: _______________
43
Verbs have TENSES that indicate the time or duration of the
1. burst choose transform bleed : action.
_______________
2. awake become bite crash :
_______________
3. read play see bet:
_______________
4. put cook bid bring:
_______________ The PRES ENT TE NS E refers to action that is
5. face fly flee feel: taking place at the present time.
_______________
6. hurt kneel lead ask: Example:
_______________
7. forgive overcome blush hang
_______________ The student listens carefully to the professor’s
8. beg show freeze cut: instructions.
_______________
expresses an action being done at present
 He/she/it is They are
• Present tense is also used to express habitual action.
Singular Plural
Example: I endorse We endorse
You endorse You endorse
Kyla sings at SOP every Sunday. expresses a habit He/she/it endorses They endorse

 Habitual actions are usually indicated by any of the The PAS T T EN SE refers to actions that
following: happened at a definite time in the past.

every day every hour never usually Example:

often all the time most of the time
always sometimes every month Tobey Maguire played the role of Peter Parker in the
movie Spider-man 3.
44

• Present tense also expresses a general truth. • The PAST TENSE is also used for a statement that is true
45
in the past but is no longer true today. For example:
Example:

Chelsea used to admire Jennifer Love Hewitt’s acting

Planet Jupiter contains 90% hydrogen and 10% helium.
in If Only.

expresses a generally accepted truth expresses an action that is true in the past
and no longer true today. (The sentence implies that
Here’s a table showing inflections (endings) in present tense: Chelsea no longer admires Jennifer Love Hewitt’s acting in
If Only).

Singular Plural Examples:

I am We are
You are You are Singular Plural
I was We were
 You were You were
He/she/it was They were

Singular Plural
I endorsed We endorsed • Remember that the definite time
You endorsed You endorsed element also signals future
He/she/it endorsed They endorsed Function
Person action.
To show
Example:
Will 1st (I, WE) willingness and
determination
The ship is leaving tomorrow.
nd rd
Will 2 & 3 (YOU, To show futurity
SHE, HE, THEY)
• The FUTURE TENSE has no inflected form but the words
Shall 1st (I, WE) To show futurity WILL and SHALL help the main verbs.
47

2nd & 3rd (YOU, To show WILL vs SHALL

Shall SHE, HE, THEY) willingness and
determination
Remember when Douglas MacArthur said, “I shall return”?
IMPORTANT!
Do you think he was determined to return then?
A regular verb uses its base form (e.g. endorse)
plus the -ed ending (e.g. endorsed); Try to analyze the famous statement with the rules of WILL
An irregular verb changes its form in some other way. and SHALL and find out what MacArthur might have meant.

Examine the following examples:

46 1. I shall return. – This sentence shows simple futurity.

The FUTURE TENSE refers to action that will (combination of first person and shall indicates function)
take place in the future.
2. We will pay the bills tomorrow has a combination of first
person (We) and will so it indicates determination in the
action.
3. Thou shall not kill is almost like an order that must be
willingly followed. Observe combination of second
person and shall.
Aside from the simple present, past and future tenses, 48 the
English language also uses a tense that tells you if the act is
completed or if it still continues to happen till the present time.
The PRES ENT PE RFE CT TE NSE indicates
either that an action was done in the recent past or
that an action still happens at present.
The time line below explains this tense clearly.
An action started in the past
but still happening (or still has an impact) today
(PRESENT PERFECT TENSE)
past present
Forming present perfect tense:
Has/have + past participle of the verb
I have studied all night.
49
• Although the action happened in the past, the effect of the
action is still felt up to the present time. This is why the
tense is considered PRESENT PERFECT TENSE.
Examples:
 I have already spent 500 pesos today for my school
project.
(may still spend more for the rest of the day)
 I have lived here for eight years.
(still living here till now)
 Clarisse has not finished the cake.
(still finishing the cake)
 The guest has not arrived yet.
(still expected to arrive)
The PAS T P ERFE CT TE NSE indicates
that an action was completed before another
action took place.
The time line below explains this tense clearly.
 specific point in the future
The action took place in the past Forming future perfect tense:
and is no longer true at present
PAST PERFECT TENSE will + have + past participle of the verb

past 1 past 2 present

50 Examples: 51 52
Forming past perfect tense:
 I will have finished my course by April next year.
Had + past participle
 Shaine will have done his homework by eight o’clock
tonight.
Examples:
 I will have traveled around the UK by the time I turn
18.
 Marian had earned millions of pesos before she gave
up her career.
 My dad had read two novels when we arrived home
from the airport.
 Chelsea had lived in the US until she turned 15 years
old. The PRESENT PR OGRESSIVE TENSE
expresses action that is currently happening.

The FUTURE PERFECT TENSE shows that an

action will take place in specific time in the future. Forming present progressive tense:

Verb “to be” + main verb with –ing

The time line below explains this tense clearly.
Examples:
FUTURE PERFECT TENSE
 The child is eating his lunch right now.
 The singers are signing a contract with the
past present future recording company.
 Please turn down your voice. The baby is
sleeping.
 • The PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE is also
used to express an action happening over a period
of time including at present.
Examples:
 I am worrying about the result of the exam
these days.
 John is studying Speech Communication this
semester.
 The dancers are practicing for quite some time
now.
• Sometimes, the PRESENT PROGRESSIVE TENSE is
used to indicate action that will happen in the future and to
express action that is still developing.
Examples:
 We must be ready. The boss is inspecting
offices tomorrow.
 She’s beginning to appreciate her job at the
assembly line.
 The
The PAST PR OGR ES SIVE TENSE expresses an
action that was happening at some point in the past.
Forming past progressive tense:
Verb “to be” in the past tense + main verb with -ing
53
Examples:
 I was reading the book all day yesterday.
 The kids were making noise in the conference
last year.
 The actors were paying their taxes yesterday at
the BIR office.
• The PAST PROGRESSIVE tense is also used to indicate
that an action was happening when another action took
place.
Example
 I was talking to my dad on the phone when the
police knocked on the door.
• The PAST PROGRESSIVE tense is also used to show two
actions happening at the same time in the past.
Example:
 While doing the laundry, Danica was listening
to music.
IMPORTANT!
Use when, while or as long as in forming sentences in the
PAST PR OGRESSIVE tense.
54
 A.
The FUTURE PR OGRESSIVE TENSE expresses
an action that will be happening in a specific time in
the future.
Forming future progressive tense:
Will + Be + main verb with –ing
Examples:
 Dianne will be getting her diploma in time.
 The band will be performing tonight.
 All the officers will be asking for your
assistance.
• The negative structures using future progressive tense:
 Dianne won’t be getting her diploma in time.
 The band won’t be performing tonight.
 All the officers won’t be asking for your
assistance.
Direction: Read the following sentences about the movie
SPIDER-MAN 3 then identify the tense used in each of the
statements.
55
1. Peter Parker had kept his secret from
the neighborhood.
2. Harry Osborn was seeking vengeance
for his father’s death.
3. Captain Stacy told Peter and Aunt
May that Marko killed Peter’s uncle,
Ben Parker.
4. Peter was sleeping when the
mysterious black creature bonded with his costume.
5. Marko will have escaped from prison before it’s too
late.
6. A small meteorite crashes nearby.
7. The black suit is changing Peter’s personality.
8. Peter’s best friend will be forgetting about his plans to
avenge for his dad due to amnesia.
9. The shift in Peter’s personality caused by the black suit
had alienated Mary Jane.
10. Peter Parker shall mend his relationship with Mary
Jane.
 57
6. Yesterday, I _____________ to visit my grandparents.
B. Direction: Choose the best form of verb/verbs to be used a. went
56
in the following sentences. b. have been
c. go
1. Ainah hurt his head while she ___________
a. was practicing 7. Ella sometimes ____________do her job well.
b. practiced a. did not
c. had practiced b. will not
c. does not
2. Jennifer __________ for the US Air Force since 1985.
a. had worked 8. What time _______________ in the morning?
b. has been working a. do you wake up
c. works b. are you waking up
c. have you woke up
3. The last time I ____________ Korea, I stayed in 9. I _______________ six years in elementary school.
its capital, Seoul. a. have spent
a. visited b. spent
b. had visited c. have been spending
c. was visiting
10. My mom said I _____________; when I was young, I
4. Before the police arrived, the burglar ____________. ________________ help her with the household chores.
a. left a. was changing; was to
b. had already left b. changed; used to
c. is leaving c. used to change; used to help

5. By the time Jack paid all his debts, he _____________

65 years old.
a. is
b. will be
c. has been
 2. Adjectives are also found after the verb BE, BECOME,
58
SEEM, STAY

An ADJE CTI VE modifies a noun or pronoun. It Examples:

may describe, identify or quantify a noun or pronoun.
Your books are expensive.

Look at the example below: Verb BE Adjective

Carol is smart. – In this sentence, SMART is an
adjective that modifies the proper noun Carol.
You are simply irresistible. – In this sentence, the
adjective IRRESISTIBLE modifies the pronoun you.
• Plagiarism among students is now rampant.
• Watching TV all day seems boring.
• The opposition stays calm despite political pressure during
election.
• Charles becomes disciplined because of his military
training in Korea.

Where in a sentence do we usually find the Order of adjectives placed before a noun:
adjectives?

1. Adjectives nearly always appear immediately before the Physical

Determiner Qualifier
Observation Description Origin Material Noun
noun they modify. (Size/Age/
Shape/
Example: Color)

A beautiful red Italian leather belt bag

Danielle is a charming baby. This soft round Japanese cake
Several expensive tiny Chinese glass figurines
Those crispy red apples
The strict old Physics professor
Adjective noun
3. Adjectives are also found immediately after the word THE
60
59
 What have you noticed about the adjectives used in the
Example: conversation? They appear in different forms, right? Those
• The rich man shares his money with the poor. forms pertain to the DEGREE OF ADJECTIVES.

So what are the three DEGREES OF ADJECTIVES?

4. An adjective also follows the words feel, taste, smell,
sound, and look.
1. POSITIVE 2. COMPARATIVE 3. SUPERLATIVE
Example:
happy happier
• Chamomile oil smells good. happiest
• Castor oil tastes bad. new newer newest
dark darker darkest
Read the conversation below:
COMPARATIVE is
used when comparing
I think my book two things or items
Hey, guess is the newest. while SUPERLATIVE
what! I’ve It was just is used when comparing
found a new published this more than two things or
book in month. It items.
Biology!! contains more
detailed and
more updated More examples:
information on
Human lucky luckier luckiest
I’d be Anatomy. busy busier busiest
happy if I’d be happier to smart smarter smartest
you lend lend the book to thin thinner thinnest
you, my best far farther farthest
friend!
61
 4. __________ ______________ best
Some adjectives need the word MORE to form comparative
62 5. bad ______________ worst
and the word MOST to form the superlative degrees. 6. incredible ______________ _____________
63
7. brave ______________ _____________
Examples: 8. __________ ______________ sweetest
difficult 9. naughty ______________ _____________
more difficult 10. __________ higher _____________
most difficult
B. In which sentence is the word in bold type an
honest adjective? Put a check on the box provided beside the
more honest sentence.
most honest
1. [ ] Next week is my birthday.
terrible [ ] I want to receive a soft toy on my birthday.
more terrible [ ] My dad asks me what I want for my birthday.
most terrible [ ] Last year, my dad gave me a basketball for my
birthday.
2. [ ] Dr. Jose Rizal is the Philippine’s national hero.
[ ] The Philippines has 7,107 islands.
[ ] Pres. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo is from
Pampanga.
[ ] The Philippines is a democratic country.

Directions: 3. [ ] India and Bangladesh were flooded for several

A. Supply the missing degree of adjective in the following days.
items. [ ] Cindy has a Bangladeshi friend.
[ ] The Indians love watching movies.
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE [ ] Both India and Bangladesh are in South
SUPERLATIVE Asia.
1. free ______________ _____________
2. __________ more prepared _____________ 4. [ ] “Rain, rain, go away; Come again another
3. nervous ______________ _____________ day…”
 [ ] “Doe, a deer, a female deer…”
[ ] “The sun will come out tomorrow…”
[ ] “Getting to know you...”
64
5. [ ] China has a one-child policy. CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS join two independent
65
[ ] Chinese couples are allowed to have clauses with the help of a semi-colon.
only one child.
[ ] Abortion is legal in China. Examples:
[ ] One-third of the world’s population is
Chinese. 1. It was raining hard; still, the family went shopping.
2. The university has cut budgets; consequently, class
sizes have been increased.
3. Alyssa wanted to travel around the world; however, she
An ADVERB modifies an adjective, a verb, doesn’t have enough money to spend.
or another adverb. An adverb indicates MANNER
(how?), TIME (When?), PLACE (Where?), or AD VE RBS vs ADJECTIVES:
DEGREE (To what extent?).
Sometimes, it is not easy to differentiate adjectives from
Look at the following examples with highlighted adverbs: adverbs.

Example:
1. The students studied hard for the test.
The tools were [good, well]. Michael said that his work
2. Please listen carefully to the instructions. was [good, well] done.

Explanation: The first sentence needs an adjective to

3. Soon, the students will all become describe the tools so the answer is GOOD. The second
professionals. statement requires an adverb to describe how the work
was done so the answer is WELL.
Adv erbs can also help us organize our paragraphs. We The sentence must be written this way: The tools were good.
have CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS like "also,"
Michael said that his work was well done.
"consequently," "finally," "furthermore," "hence," "however,"
"incidentally," "indeed," "instead," "likewise," "meanwhile,"
"nevertheless," "next," "nonetheless," "otherwise," "still,"
"then," "therefore," and "thus."
66
 More examples: 6. The philanthropist generously donated $100,000
dollars to the poor citizens.
1. Does this shirt look GOOD on me? (adjective)
7. Japan is believed to have the worst work/life
2. It is EXTREMELY dangerous to drive when it is balance in the world.
raining. (adverb)
8. A microwave oven helps me cook food fast.
3. They serve DELICIOUS food in the restaurant.
(adjective) 9. Ivan strangely stares at the strange woman.

10. I get up early every morning.

A PRE POSI TIO N is a word which

shows relationships among other words in the
sentence. It links nouns, pronouns and phrases
DIRECTIONS: Identify the adverbs in the following sentences. to other words in a sentence.

1. The reporter interviewed Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron

separately. It is called a PREposition because it almost always comes
before the noun or pronoun.
2. My grandmother visits us on a weekend.

3. The students are truly appreciative of the lessons they learn A preposition always goes with a noun or pronoun which is
from their teachers. called the object of the preposition. The preposition and the
object of the preposition together are called a prepositional
4. The performers on stage are all nervous at first. phrase.

5. Medicines in the Philippines are too expensive.

67
68
Examples: / behind /
/in front of/
PREPOSITION Object of the Preposition Prepositional Phrase DAN IS SITTING / near / ANNIE
/ beside /
to the market TO THE MARKET
by jeepney BY JEEPNEY
at the library AT THE LIBRARY / in /
under the table UNDER THE TABLE / inside /
/ outside /
 A prepositional phrase can function as a noun, an THE NOTEBOOK IS / beneath/ THE SUITCASE.
adjective, or an adverb. /on top of/
/ behind /
LIST OF THE MOST COMMON PREPOSITIONS:

"about," "above," "across," "after," "against," "along," OBSERVE HOW THE PREPOSITIONS ARE USED IN THE
"among," "around," "at," "before," "behind," "below," FOLLOWING SENTENCES:
"beneath," "beside," "between," "beyond," "but," "by,"
"despite," "down," "during," "except," "for," "from," "in," 1. AT Steffanie is at home.
"inside," "into," "like," "near," "of," "off," "on," "onto," "out," 2. TO Danielle went to the zoo.
3. FROM James Allen is from England.
"outside," "over," "past," "since," "through," "throughout," 4. IN The biggest mall in Asia is in the Philippines.
"till," "to," "toward," "under," "underneath," "until," "up," 5. ON The gift is on the table.
"upon," "with," "within," and "without." 6. BY The students go to school by bus.
7. BESIDE The cup of coffee is beside the study lamp.
Preposition of place or position: 8. NEAR The child sits near the window.
9. AGAINST Don’t lean against the glass shelf.
/ on / 10. OVER Charles jumps over the lazy dog.
/ by / 11. UNDER Juan is always sitting under the tree.
THE BALL IS /beside/ THE TABLE. 12. BENEATH The man is standing beneath the stairs.
/ near / 13. BEHIND The child is hiding behind the curtain.
/under/ 14. UP The kite is flying up in the sky.
15. DOWN There is a gas station down the road.
69 70
 16. ACROSS The store is found across the street.
17. AROUND Don’t go around the bush. The COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS join individual
18. THROUGH The soldier went through all hardships. words, phrases, and independent clauses. 71
19. BETWEEN You have to choose between good and evil.
20. AMONG Virnielle is the brightest among them all Among the coordinating conjunctions are AND, BUT, FOR,
21. AFTER She makes a comment after watching the film. OR, NOR, SO and YET.
22. BEFORE Pay your bill before taking the exam.
23. ABOVE The city is three thousand feet above sea level. Examples:
24. BELOW His IQ is below the average.
25. INSIDE The books are inside the leather bag. 1. Lilac AND purple have almost the same shade of
26. OUTSIDE The family had picnic outside the house. violet.
27. DURING I saw him during the summer vacation. 2. Mica wants to keep a diary, BUT she is too busy
28. UNTIL We watched the show until with her work.
dawn. 3. Indie films are interesting, FOR they are closer to
reality, as compared with mainstream movies.
4. The director OR the actor has the sole responsibility
A CON JUN CT ION links of making the movie interesting.
words, phrases and clauses. 5. The viewers NOR the ticket sellers are to be
credited for making a movie a box-office hit.
6. The medicine price is too high SO the elderly don’t
Example 1: follow the correct dosage of prescribed drugs.
7. The Philippines is often considered as a poor
I like to eat country, YET it is called the text capital of the
AND
world.

** In the sentence, AND is a conjunction.

The SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS introduces a
dependent clause. Among the subordinating conjunctions
There are three kinds
are AFTER, ALTHOUGH, AS, BECAUSE, BEFORE, IF,
of conjunctions according
ONCE, SINCE, THAN, THAT, THOUGH, TILL, UNTIL,
to their functions:
WHEN, WHERE, WHETHER, and WHILE.
COORDINATING,
SUBORDINATING and
CORRELATIVE
conjunctions. 72
 Examples:
1. BECAUSE of heavy rains, the classes were suspended.
2. Vivien is in the middle of writing a letter WHEN her
computer crashed.
3. IF you submit early, the cheque will arrive on your
expected date.
4. The singer didn’t cancel the concert ALTHOUGH she
just had cough.
5. Books are more reliable THAN Internet sources.
The CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS are used to link
equivalent sentence elements. These usually come in pairs.
Among the most commonly used correlative conjunctions are
BOTH…AND, EITHER…OR, NEITHER…NOR, NOT
ONLY…BUT ALSO, SO…AS, WHETHER…OR.
Examples:
1. BOTH my sister AND my brother love me!
2. My mom said I should take charge of budgeting my
school allowance: EITHER I buy expensive
snacks OR I keep some amount as savings.
73
3. Filipino doctors work abroad as nurses NOT ONLY
because of money BUT ALSO because of better
working status and conditions.
4. The solution to lack of doctors in the country is
NEITHER to ban doctors from leaving the country
NOR giving them insignificant incentives.
Direction: Match the statement from the right column that
goes with the sentences on the left column.
A
1. Long before the day of test.
2. I strolled in the park with my friends.
3. I liked to study while listening to music.
4. Fortunately, the flowers were delivered
5. Until the last second
6. As soon as my dad arrived in New York
7. Paula got the job
8. Mei Li wants to study in Canada
9. A dangerous man escaped from mental hospital
10. The car broke down
74
 B
Oh no, I forgot
A. Therefore the police issued warning on the radio how to solve this
B. After taking the exam problem!
C. We were saying “goodbye”
D. I reviewed for my exam
E. So George went to find help around the city
F. Although she had no experience
G. But she can’t speak English
H. We promised we would call each
other often Hey! Stop
Grrr!!! Then, shouting at
I. Before the wedding ceremony began stop nagging me!
J. When I lived at the college dorm me!

An INT ER JEC TIO N is a word

added to a sentence to communicate emotion. ORAL QUIZ: Can you SAY appropriate interjection for the
following emotions?

1. severe pain 2. relief 3. surprise

The sentence is usually followed by an exclamation point.
4. anger 5. confusion
Here are some examples:
Now that we already know the parts of speech, are we ready to
communicate?
Let me see – I guess, we’re not
Ouch, my ready yet. We need to
wound hurts! REVIEW SUBJECT-
VERB AGREEMENT!

75 76
 • The storm or the strong wind is the reason for

Part 3 •
the suspension of classes.
The assigned doctor or the nurse-on-duty is
attending to the patient at the emergency room.
77
A compound subject containing both a singular
and a plural noun or pronoun joined by OR or
NOR, the verb should agree with the nearest
subject.
When the subject of a sentence is composed
of two or more nouns or pronouns connected
by AND, use a plural verb.
Examples:

• The men or the woman is taking charge of the

Examples:
program.
• Danica and Daniela are sisters.
• A glass of soft drinks nor four slices of cake are not
what Joseph wanted for snacks.
Subject VERB
.Do not be misled by a phrase that
• The vendors and the suppliers agree to sign a
comes between the
business contract before the transaction begins.
subject and the verb. The
verb agrees with the
When two or more singular nouns or pronouns
subject, not with a noun
are connected by OR or NOR, use a singular
or pronoun in the phrase.
verb.

Examples:
Examples:
• One of the cats is pampered by its owners.
• None of the interviewees is sure to be hired for the
position.
• The book, which talked about different Filipino
traditions, is interesting.

78

The words each, each one, either, neither,
everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone,
nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are
singular and require a singular verb.
Examples:
• Neither of the girls is coming with us.
• Everyone enjoys the party.
• Everyone in this institution expects a salary
increase.
Nouns such as civics, mathematics, dollars,
measles, and news require singular verbs.
Examples:
• Mathematics requires critical thinking.
• The news does not sound good.
Time, distance and money require
singular form of the verb.
Example:
• Four hours is not enough for me to stroll in the
mall.
79 80
In sentences beginning with there is or there
are, the subject follows the verb. Since there
is not the subject, the verb agrees with what follows.
Example:
There are many questions about the new planet.
Collective nouns are words that imply
more than one person but that are
considered singular and take a singular
verb, such as: group, team, committee,
class, and family.
Examples:
• The blue team is always winning.
• The committee formulates new policies for the
department.
Sometimes modifiers will get between a subject
and its verb, but these modifiers must not confuse
the agreement between the subject and its verb.
Examples:
• The mayor, who has been working hard to
alleviate poverty in his town, deserves an award.
• The seminar, which aims to strengthen the work
ethics of the employees, is scheduled this
afternoon.
Fractional expressions such as
half of, a part of, a
percentage of, a majority
of are sometimes singular
and sometimes plural,
depending on the meaning.
Examples:
• A percentage of the population does not vote for
her.
• Half of the students are attending the seminar.
• A quarter of the cake is left uneaten.
The relative pronouns (who, whom, which,
and that) are either singular or plural,
depending on the words they refer to.
Examples: 81
• Jessica is one of the mothers who participate in the
activity.
• The UP contestants are students
who perform well academically.
The phrase A NUMBER always takes a
plural form of the verb and THE
NUMBER requires a singular form of the
verb.
Examples:
• A number of participants come from the
Central Luzon.
• The number of participants is unexpected.
Adjectives used as nouns always take a
plural form of the verb.
82
Examples:

• When the going gets tough, the tough get Proper nouns including titles of books movies, 83
84
going. plays, films, and operas are generally considered as
singular even if they are in plural form.
• Only the strong survive.
Examples:

Some subjects with AND may be • Romeo and Juliet is one of favorite plays.
considered as one. In such case, the • The Cats entertains all audience members
verb is singular. including the kids.

The word ALL should not create

Examples:
• Bread and butter is my daily food.
• Bow and arrow was used by the native Filipinos in
hunting for food.
Examples:
In subjects with EITHER OR or NEITHER
NOR, the verbs should agree with the nearest
subject.
confusion. Just remember that if the
noun that ALL modifies is non-countable, then the verb
to be used is singular but if ALL modifies a count noun
which is in plural form, then the verb must agree with
the subject.
• All of the Filipino doctors go to the US to
practice their profession.
• All of my life is spent only with you.

Examples:
Phrases and clauses that function as a
• Either the driver or the passengers are to responsible for subject usually require a singular form of
the accident. the verb.
• Neither the students nor the teacher knows that the
classes are suspended tomorrow.
Examples: 2. The news _________ too bad; my grandmother
didn’t want to know it.
• Begging for money is all she knows how to do. 0 was 0 were
• Texting while driving is a dangerous thing to do. 3. The number of graduates this year ________ .
0 declines 0 decline
4. Neither his brother nor his parents ________
Don’t forget that the verb agrees with the mahjong.
subject noun, never with the predicate 0 play 0 plays
noun. 5. Two years ______ a long time to spend away from
home.
0 is 0 are
6. A quarter of the population _______ against
legalization of divorce in the Philippines.
0 is 0 are
Examples: 7. There ______ only one reason for making it big in
• My problem is the boys. show business.
0 is 0 are
• My expensive books are an asset.
8. One of the smartest students who ______ in the
seminar ______ Michael.
0 participate; is 0 participates; is
9. The poor ______ poorer and the rich ______ richer.
0 get; get 0 gets; gets
10. The toys, together with the other products of China,
_______ recalled due to unsafe paint.
0 were 0 was
11. None of the visitors ________ welcomed by the
Directions: Identify the form of the verb that correctly fills in party host.
the blank. Darken the 0 that corresponds toyour answer. 0 was 0 were
12. Each of you _____ the potential to succeed in your
1. The data in your report _________ to be clarified. chosen career.
0 need 0 needs 0 has 0 have

85 86
13. One of my worries in college _______ failing in any of
my major subjects. An IDIOMATIC MEANING is never the same from the
0 is 0 are literal meaning. Idioms ought not be translated literally.
14. Not only the governor, but also the mayors, _______ to
serve the people well. MOST FREQUENTLY USED IDIOMS:
0 needs 0 need
15. Arriving in a new country ______ a challenging
experience. 1. ABOUT TO (do something) : to the point of doing
0 is 0 are something.
16 .Everybody in this room ______ to see a monster.
0 hates 0 hate Example: I was about to sleep when she called.
17. Law and order ______ necessary for a peaceful nation.
0 is 0 are 2. ACCORDING TO (someone or something): as told
18. Texting while driving ______ accident. by; said
0 causes 0 cause
19. The choice that the children made _____ their Example: According to the latest survey, the
personalities. Philippines is still considered
0 reflects 0 reflect as the text capital of the world.
20. Beside the big tree ______ the women I long to see.
0 was 0 were 3. AFTER ALL :considering what happened

Example: Don’t insist on your idea. After all,

the boss won’t listen to you.
Part 4 4. AS SOON AS: when; right after something

Example: I’ll call you as soon as I get home.

An IDIOM is a phrase or a
combination of words that has 5. AS WELL AS: also; in addition to
a meaning which is different
from the meanings of the
individual terms.
 Example: The Dean, as well as the faculty, is Example: The police will soon find out the motive
invited to watch the play for the crime.
tonight.
87 88
6. BREAK UP: to separate; to put an end to something
11. GET RID OF (something): to throw away; to destroy
89
Example: Che and Alex don’t plan to
break up even if they Example: My mother says she wants me to get rid
have arguments lately. of my smoking habit.

7. BY THE WAY: incidentally

12. GO OVER: to review or to examine
Example: By the way, you are expected to
deliver a short speech in the program Example: I’ll go over your documents before I report
tomorrow. to work tomorrow.

6. COME UP WITH (something): to produce an idea or 13. HANG OUT WITH: to spend time with someone
something
Example: I don’t want to hang out with the kind of
Example: The director is coming up friends that you have.
with a documentary film
to be aired in the local 14. HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH: to be about
channel.
Example: The seminar has something to do with
9. END UP: to do something one did not plan to smart parenting.

Example: I ended up doing all the projects, instead 15. HOLD ON: wait for a moment
of just helping the project team leader.
Example: Please hold on while I call the marketing
10. FIND OUT: to discover or to learn officer.
16. IN CASE: if anything should happen 22. MORE OR LESS: to some extent

Example: Don’t hesitate to contact me in case you Example: Your findings are more or less the
need help. same
with mine.
17. IN FACT: the truth is 90

Example: I have no idea where he is. In fact, 23. NOT AT ALL: definitely not 91
I’ve
never met him before. Example: The boss is not at all satisfied with
your output. Should you do it again?
18. LOOK FOR something: to search
24. OF COURSE: as might be expected
Example: The investigator was looking for
the suspect in the robbery. Example: Of course I’m happy for
your achievements!
19. LOOK UP: to search for something in a book or other
materials. 25. ONCE AGAIN: anew; again

Example: I don’t understand this word. I better Example: Anna failed in the first performance
look it up in the dictionary. So she tried once again.

20. MAKE SENSE: to be reasonable and meaningful 26. POINT OUT: to show somebody something

Example: Your idea doesn’t make sense to me. Example: Let me point out why the buyers prefer
Please make it clear. Nokia over Samsung.

21. MAKE SURE: to ascertain; to establish lack of doubt 27. RIGHT AWAY: immediately; without delay

Example: Make sure you’ll come on Example: She answered the boss right away.
time so we won’t miss the play.
28. SHOW UP: to be clearly visible; to be present

Example: Karla needs to show up in the court to

serve as witness in the case.

92
29. TAKE PLACE: to happen; to occur

Example: The sports festival takes place every 93

end
of the semester.

30. TAKE ACCOUNT OF: to consider

Example: The lawmakers should take account

of Direction: Read the following sentences then decide which
the current situation in the among the choices is the possible meaning of the given idioms.
community in
formulating new policies.
1. You have to be competitive if you want to survive in a
dog-eat-dog world.

There is an endless list of idioms in the English [ ] A world where dogs eat each other for
language. Are you also familiar with the idioms lunch.
given below? [ ] A world where only the most competent
survives.
[ ] A world where it is legal to eat dogs.
FLAT BROKE SIT ON THE FENCE
2. It’s raining cats and dogs! I hope it won’t get flooded
DON’T CRY ON SPILLED MILK POP A QUESTION again in our area.

HIT THE JACKPOT OPEN ONE’S HEART TO [ ] Cats and dogs are falling from the blue sky
[ ] It’s raining heavily.
CALL THE SHOT BEAT THE DEADLINE [ ] Cats and dogs are swimming on the flood.

EAT ONE’S HEART OUT NO SWEAT! 3. When I feel blue, all I want to do is to look at your
picture and remember our beautiful memories.
 [ ] don’t get angry
[ ] feel that my skin changes to blue [ ] don’t speak
[ ] feel so sad
[ ] feel so bored. 8. My teacher asked me to answer her difficult
95
4. I was shocked to know the red tape involved in 94 questions in class this morning. I was really
applying for a business permit. in a hot seat.

[ ] red-colored tape used to seal all documents [ ] position of embarrassment or anxiety

in one folder. [ ] a chair that everybody wants to use
[ ] the papers that need to be filled out and [ ] enviable position
processed.
[ ] every paper has to be bound in colored
folders. 9. The news that he received today was like music
to his ears.
5. Joseph was jumping for joy when he knew that he was
promoted. [ ] good news
[ ] a song that is pleasing to the ears
[ ] singing Jump for Joy [ ] a magical tune
[ ] very happy
[ ] doing physical exercise 10. Miriam has an impressive collection of plants
in the garden. She definitely has a green thumb.
6. The seminar started with an interactive activity in order
to break the ice. [ ] a thumb that can grow plants
[ ] an extraordinary ability to grow plants.
[ ] make everyone at ease with each other [ ] a kind of plant that is shaped like a
[ ] to prepare the ice for the drinks thumb.
[ ] to get drinks for everyone to enjoy

7. You should keep your cool even if you don’t like

what the government officials do.

[ ] don’t perspire
  It’s time to go! (contraction of It is)
 ‘80s (instead of 1980s)
 I’ve never read this novel yet. (contraction of
96 I have)
Part 5 IMPORTANT!
97
Usually, when the word ends in s, forming
the possession means adding ‘ (apostrophe)
only instead of ‘s

Example: Jesus’ promise

Princess’ hair
APOSTROPHE
COLON

1. To show possession.(use ‘s) 1. To give emphasis

 The child’s doctor advised her to rest for one  He was able to bring he needs except for one
week. (refers to the doctor of the child) thing: his tickets
 The singer’s career is on its peak this year.  He has only one complaint: it’s too hot in the
(refers to the career of the singer) room.

2. To show omission 2. To alert the reader that there will be a list to be

enumerated.
 What’s the use of your intellect if you will just
rely on hearsay? (contraction of What is)
 The kids love a lot of things about Jollibee: the
mascot, spaghetti, chicken joy, and choco-fudge
sundae.

98
 3. To separate a series coordinate adjectives.
 All the key personalities in Pampanga visited Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal
our school: Governor Panlilio, Vice-Governor importance.
Guiao, Mayor Nepomuceno, and Congressman
Lazatin.  I enjoy listening to a happy, lively music.
 She ate a sweet, juicy apple.
3. To express time
4. To signal end of quotation followed by attribution
 6:45 p.m.
 10:30 p.m.  “Because he has never forgiven himself any
fault, he can forgive no one else’s,” says
5. To end a salutation in a formal letter Linda Berdoll.

 Dear Mr. Canlas:  “Be thankful for what you have; you'll end
up having more. If you concentrate on what
you don't have, you will never, ever have
COMMA enough,” Oprah Winfrey said in an
interview.

5. To separate the year from the day of the month

 December 27, 2006

1. To separate elements in a series.  November 26, 1998

 Anna bought bananas, oranges, apples and IMPORTANT!

grapes. (Take note that no comma is needed
before the conjunction AND) Do NOT use comma when the day of the month
 Jennifer, Michelle, Mike and Ella are attending is not given: July 2007
the mass tomorrow morning.

99 100
6. To separate thousands, millions, etc. in figures
With four or more digits QUOTATION MARKS
101 104

 7, 487
 2,007

7. To separate two clauses with conjunctions or any

transitional device.
1. To enclose direct quotations.
 It rained heavily in the afternoon, but we
managed to have picnic.  “Biology is the least of what makes someone a
 I am going home now, and I intend to stay mother.”
there for good.  “I feel that luck is preparation meeting
opportunity.”

2. To highlight a word that is used in different context,

PERIOD with meaning that is different from the usual meaning.

 The famous director is claiming to be the

1. To end a declarative sentence, a command or a
request.
3. To distinguish titles of books, movies, plays, songs,
 Please make reservation at the hotel
tomorrow morning. (request)
 Oprah Winfrey is the highest paid host in
the world. (declarative)
 Write quickly on a sheet of paper.
“saviour” of Philippine comics.
 The reporter who was charged with libel said his
article just committed an “honest mistake.”
poems, television programs, speeches and works of art
in a paragraph.
 According to reports, one episode of
“Desperate Housewives” insulted the Filipino
doctors.

4. To separate a short passage taken from any source.
 According to reports, one episode of “Desperate
Housewives” insulted the Filipino doctors by
casting doubt on the ability of doctors who got
their diplomas “from some med schools in the
Philippines.”
Direction: Insert appropriate punctuation marks on the
following statements.
1. You need to get enough sleep Dr Jones told Karen
___________________________________________
2. I will Karen replied
___________________________________________
3. Mary Higgins Clarks novel You Belong To Me is my
favorite
___________________________________________
4. Whats the matter he asked
___________________________________________
5. The first first year students who arrived at the party
103
102
are John Daniel Julia Charles Justine and Kei.
___________________________________________
5. My friend told me You are my best buddy
_____________________________________
6. Cris Mendez friend felt sorry for his death caused
by the concern of the fraternity members who
recruited him
_____________________________________
7. The doctors certificate will be available tomorrow
___________________________________________
8. Kate asked Will you be here with me until I die
of course I will never leave you Mike sincerely
replied
___________________________________________
9. To date the population in the Philippines reaches
91077287 as of July 2007
___________________________________________
10. These are the things that remind me of Christmas lantern
Christmas trees gifts and children caroling.
___________________________________________
 An injury may be aggravated, not irritated; a person may be
104 irritated, not aggravated.

Part 6 ALTAR, ALTER

An altar is an elevated structure

where religious ceremonies are
conducted. To alter means ‘to
change.’
ALTAR
The list below contains words which many writers and English We can alter an altar, but never altar an alter.
users are confused with. It is important to know the exact
meaning of the following words so that you would be able to
express your ideas the way you want them to be understood. BALONEY, BOLOGNA
Remember, there is no substitute for THE RIGHT WORDS
FOR THE RIGHT IDEAS. There are dictionaries that consider
baloney as a variant for bologna but the
former must be used to mean ‘nonsense.’
Bologna, on the other hand, is a
ADVICE, ADVISE. ‘seasoned smoke sausage’ which may be
eaten with sandwich.
Advice is a noun referring to the ‘opinion on what should be
done about a problem.’ On the other hand, advise is a verb
used to mean ‘to give a piece of advice.’ BESIDE, BESIDES

Besides means ‘in addition to.’ Beside,

AGGRAVATE, IRRITATE on the contrary means ‘on the side of.’
The two ought not be interchanged.
To aggravate means ‘to make the situation worse,’ and to
irritate means to provoke anger. The two words should not be
interchanged.
BESIDE

105 106
 CHILDISH, CHILDLIKE
BIANNUAL, BIENNIAL
The word childish means ‘immature’
Biannual means ‘happening twice a year,’ and biennial means or ‘not fit for an adult.’ Childlike, on
‘occurring once in two years.’ the contrary, is a positive word which
means ‘innocent,’ ‘having
characteristic of a child,’ or ‘trusting.’
BOUILLON, BULLION

Bouillon is a clear
beef soup and bullion COMPARE WITH, COMPARE TO
refers to gold, silver
BULLION
or platinum in bars. We use compare to when comparing two
things that are of different levels of existence.
For example, we may compare a baby to a
BREATH, BREATHE flower – the baby being a human being, and a
flower being an object. However, we use
The air taken into the lungs and then exhaled for respiration is compare with when we compare two things
called breath; Breathe, on the other hand, is the act of inhaling that are the similar. For example, a baby
and exhaling air. named Danielle may be compared with another baby named
Steffanie.
BROACH, BROOCH
CONNOTE, DENOTE
Broach is a verb that means ‘to start a
discussion,’ and a brooch, on the other hand, Using the word connote means you are pertaining to the
is a large ornamental pin used by women. BROOCH ‘implied’ or ‘suggestive’ meaning. On the other hand, to use
denote means to simply state the meaning from the dictionary.
Connote is more of a subjective term and denote is objective.
CANVAS, CANVASS
Canvas is a referring to a type of cloth; Canvass is a verb
which means ‘to go through places to gather opinion.”

107 108
 CONTINUAL, CONTINUOUS
Continual means being repeated often at intervals. Continuous
may only be used when referring to something that is
uninterrupted.
DEPRECIATE, DEPRECATE
To depreciate means ‘to lessen the value of.’ To deprecate, on
the other hand, means ‘to belittle or to express disapproval of.’
DESSERT, DESERT
A dessert is a noun which pertains to the ‘sweet course that is
served at the end of a meal.’ To desert means ‘to abandon’ or
‘to forsake.’ A desert, as a noun, on the other hand refers to ‘a
dry, extremely hot region.’
DISINTERESTED, UNINTERESTED
A judge ought to be disinterested. To be disinterested means
to be ‘impartial or unbiased.’ To be uninterested, on the
contrary means ‘to manifest lack of interest.’
DRUNK, DRUNKEN
The word drunk is an adjective referring to a person who is
‘influenced by alcoholic drinks to the point of losing self-
control.’ The word drunken is used to refer to a person who is
109
‘habitually intoxicated.’ Drunk is usually used in the predicate
and drunken is a word that usually modifies a noun in a
subject.
EMIGRANT, IMMIGRANT
An emigrant leaves a country; an immigrant comes into a
country.
ERASABLE, IRASCIBLE
Something that can be rubbed out, like a
pencil, is erasable. A person who is ‘easily
angered’ is irascible.
EVERY DAY, EVERYDAY
We use every day as an adverb which means
‘every single day.’ We use everyday as an
adjective. We say “Drink milk every day,” and
not “Drink milk everyday.”
EXORCISE, EXERCISE
To exorcise means ‘to expel an evil spirit
through incantation or prayer. On the other
hand, exercise pertains to any physical
activity done to promote good health.
110
 HALF BROTHER, STEPBROTHER
A man is considered your half brother if you have one parent
in common; on the other hand, if a man is related to you
through remarriage of your parents, then, he is considered your
stepbrother.
REPAIRABLE, REPARABLE
111
Any object that can be fixed is repairable. Any non-physical
thing that can be fixed is reparable. The two words should not
be interchanged. A person’s self-esteem is reparable; a broken
vase is repairable.

REPUTATION, CHARACTER
LAMA, LLAMA
Your reputation is the way other people regard you. Your
A lama is a priest or monk; a llama is a kind character, on the contrary, refers to ‘your attributes, abilities
of animal from South America. It has a and traits.’
stomach with three chambers. TENANT, TENET
LLAMA
A person paying rent to occupy certain place is a tenant; a
tenet, on the other hand, is a principle, doctrine or belief.
MEDIA, MEDIUM
TITLED, ENTITLED

The word media is plural in form, Entitled means ‘qualified or eligible by law.’ On the other
referring to any means of hand, titled is used when mentioning titles of books, movies,
communication that aims to reach a large etc. Avoid saying, “I read Dan Brown’s book entitled The Da
number of people. Television, Vinci Code.”
newspapers, radio, Internet and
magazines are examples of media. The singular form of media VERBAL, ORAL
is medium but the word medium is not
usually used in this context. Instead, the Verbal refers to ‘through the use of words,’
word medium is usually used to refer to ‘any either spoken or written. Oral, on the other
material being used to express oneself in art.’ hand, pertains only to spoken communication. ORAL
Oral also means ‘administered through the mouth.’
 112

VIRGINIA B.
BAUTISTA is a
graduate of BA Mass
Communication-
Journalism from the
University of the
Philippines Baguio. She
served as the Program
Coordinator for two
academic years at the
Department of Mass
Communication at
Angeles University Foundation where she’s
currently teaching Newswriting, Electronic
Newsroom, Communication Research and Speech
& Oral Communication. Aside from teaching
Communication subjects, she also teaches English
as Second Language (ESL) to Chinese and Korean
students. Mrs. Bautista had finished the academic
units leading to a Doctorate degree in Public
Administration. Aside from teaching, studying and
writing, Mrs. Bautista is also a full-time mother of
three lovely kids: Steffi, Charles and Dani.