A New Way to learn Grammar and Vocabulary

Are you fed up of cramming grammar rules and still not able to guess the correct answer in exams. So let’s try a new way where we will learn rules by examples as well as learn vocabulary. Sounds tricky? You will get to know about it by reading this article.

1) One of my best friend tried to commit suicide.

	VOCABULARY
Replace friend by friends Why? Because after one of/ some of/ each of / either of/ neither of/ none of/ any of, a plural noun is used.	Root word, cide- kill Suicide- kill oneself Matricide- killing of mother Fratricide- killing of brother Uxoricide- killing of wife

2) While her daughters are shy and reserved, her son-in-laws are outgoing and loquacious.

VOCABULARY

Replace son-in-laws by sons-in-law Why? To make a compound noun plural ‘S’ is added to the main word For e.g.: brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law The possessive case of these compound noun is formed by adding ‘s’ to the last word E.g. Father-in-law’s car, sister-in-law’s jewellery etc. When two nouns are connected by ‘and’  and are closely connected, add an apostrophe s to the last noun E.g. Ajay and Kajol’s house (as they live in single house) But, Shahid’s and farah’s house (as they live in different house)

Reserved- slow in revealing their emotions and opinions Root word - loquor- to speak Loquacious- talkative Soliloquy- a speech to oneself Circumlocution- to speak in a     roundabout manner

3) The room’s decoration is magnificent.

	VOCABULARY
Replace room’s decoration by decoration of the room Why? Because (‘s) is not used with non-living things.	Root word, Magnus- large, big, great Magnificent- grand or splendid in appearance Magnate- a person of great power or influence Magnum- a large bottle

4) My cousin brother is single because he is a misogynist.

	VOCABULARY
Replace cousin brother with cousin  Why? Cousin itself means son or daughter of an uncle or aunt. Cousin Brother is a superfluous expression. Similarly, instead of family members use ‘the members of the family’	Root word, misein- to hate, gyne- woman Misanthropist - one who hates mankind (Anthropos- mankind) Misogamist - one who hates marriage(gamos- marriage) Gynecologist - one who treats female disorder.

5) Because my brother is a credulous consumer so he is every salesperson’s dream.

	VOCABULARY
Replace so by comma Why? After ‘because’ the words ‘so/ therefore/ as’ are not used.	Root word, cred - to believe Credulous - ready to believe Credible - believable Incredible - hard to believe

6) Where is my spectacle?

	VOCABULARY
Replace is by are and spectacle by spectacles. Why? Because spectacles is always used in plural form. We can neither make it singular by removing s nor we can use it with singular verb	Root word, specto(or spic)- to look  Spectacles- device used to look clear  Retrospect- looking back  Prospect- looking ahead  Conspicuous- easily seen or looked at; noticeable

NOTE:

1. Noun used only in plural forms: Scissors, tongs, amends, alms, lodgings, fireworks, goggles, spectacles, gallows, trousers, pajamas, pants, auspices, proceeds, regards, riches, savings, surroundings, wages etc.

2. Nouns that appear plural but is always singular: News, innings, politics, summons, physics, economics, billiards, mumps, measles, athletics etc.

3. Nouns that appear singular but is always plural: cattle, cavalry, infantry, police, poultry, children, gentry, people etc.

4. Nouns with same plural and singular forms: deer, sheep, series, species, fish, crew, team, jury, aircraft, counsel etc.

7) He enquired about that neurologist from door to doors.

	VOCABULARY
Replace doors by door. Why? In case of noun-preposition-noun, when both the noun are same that both should be in singular form, e.g. town after town, row upon row, ship after ship etc	Root word, neuron- nerve, logos- science or study Neurology- the study of neurons Neuralgia-pain along the nerves and their branches (algos- pain) Neuritis- inflammation of nerves

8) A ten-miles walk alleviates my sadness.

	VOCABULARY
Replace miles by mile. Why? Because hyphenated expressions or compound adjectives can’t take plural form. E.g. a two-hour lecture, two-hundred rupee note etc	Root word, levis- light Alleviate- to make something light or less severe as a pain or difficulty Elevate- to raise up(anything light will rise up) Levitate­-to rise Levity- a lighthearted or frivolous act

9) (i) He, you and I are going to attend the calligraphy class.

(ii) You, I and he have made a blunder.

	VOCABULARY
In (i) interchange the position of he and you, similarly in (ii) interchange the position of you and I. Why? When different pronouns are used in a sentence and there is nothing related to mistake or some bad thing the series is 2nd person-3rd person-1st person but if there is something related to some mistake or bad thing series is 1st person-2nd person-3rd person	Root word, graphein- to write Calligraphy- good handwriting (kallos- beauty) Cacography- bad handwriting (kakos- bad or harsh) Graphologist- one who analyses handwriting Blunder- big mistake

NOTE-

			Possessive pronoun
First Person			Mine, ours
Second Person
Third Person	She, he, it, they	Her, him, it, them	Hers, his, theirs

10) Ram and Shyam is chronic liar.

VOCABULARY

Replace is by are and liar by liars Why? Because when two singular nouns are connected by ‘and’ then plural form of verb is used. If two singular noun are connected by and but before them ‘each’ or ‘every’ is used then singular form of verb is used. If two singular noun are connected by ‘and’ but together form a single unit then singular form of verb is used, for e.g. bread and butter, rice and curry, hammer and sickle etc

Root word, chronos- time Anachronism- something or someone out of time, belonging to different era Chronological- correct time order Chronometry- measurement of time Synchronize- to move, happen at the same time or rate

11) You as well as your sister has cacophonous sound.

	VOCABULARY
Replace has by have Why? Because if two nouns or pronouns are connected by ‘as well as, in addition to, besides, like, unlike, with, along with, together with, accompanied by, led by, headed by, governed by, rather than, and not’ then verb is according to the first noun or pronoun. Here verb will be in accordance with ‘you’.	Root word, kakos- bad or harsh, phone- sound Cacophony- harsh-sounding word Euphony- pleasant sound Phonetics- science of sounds of language Cacodemon- an evil or malevolent spirit

12) Everybody know that the God is omnipotent.

	VOCABULARY
Replace know by knows Why? Because if the subject of sentence is ‘everybody, somebody, nobody, anybody, someone, no one, everyone, anyone, everything, something, nothing, anything’ then the verb is singular.	Root word, omnis- all Omnipotent- all-powerful, an adjective usually applied to God (potents- powerful) Impotent- powerless Omniscient- all knowing i.e infinitely wise Omnipresent- present at all places at once Omnibus- a gathering of all things

13) I, who is a psychologist, love painting too.

	VOCABULARY
Replace is by am Why? When ‘who, which and that’ are used as relative pronouns then the verb depends on the number and person of antecedents. E.g. one of the issues which were discussed in the meeting was raised by me. Here ‘which’ is the relative     pronoun and its antecedent is ‘the issues’    therefore the verb is plural	Root word, psyche- spirit, soul or mind Psychologist- one who studies mind or behaviour Psychopathy- mental or emotional disturbance(pathos- disease or suffering) Psychogenic- originating in mind or emotions Psychotherapy- general term for psychological treatment

NOTE:

Use of relative pronouns

‘Who’ is used for persons, which is used for things while that is used for persons as well as things.

After ‘everything, nothing, the only, any, all, everyone, none, no, nobody, much, little, the same, the few, the little’ or superlative degree or all (used for thing) the word ‘that’ is used.

E.g. This is the only pen that I bought yesterday.

He is the most talented man that I have ever seen.

All that glitters is not gold.

14) If I am you, I would have attended the carnival.

	VOCABULARY
Replace am by were Why? Because when we use ‘as if, if, as though, if only, I wish , we wish etc’ to express present unfulfilled wish, condition, desire then ‘were’ is used irrespective of number and person of subject	Root word, carnis- flesh Carnelian- a reddish gemstone, the color of red flesh Carnival- the season of merry making Carnage- great destruction of life (i.e of human flesh) Reincarnation- a rebirth or reappearance

15) A misogamist is a person who is hating marriage.

	VOCABULARY
Replace is hating by hates Why? For a universal truth, simple present is used. E.g. A theist is a person who believes in god.	Root word, misein- to hate, gamos- marriage Misogamist- one who hates marriage Monogamy- custom of only one marriage Bigamy- unlawfully marrying the other person without divorcing the first one Polygamy- plural marriages

16) A philanthropist is organising a disaster awareness campaign since 2007.

	VOCABULARY
Replace is organising by has been organising Why? Because for present perfect continuous tense the format is: Sub + has/have been+ V1 +ing + object + since/for+ time	Root word, Philein- to love, Anthropos- mankind Philanthropist- one who loves mankind Bibliophile- one who loves books Philander- a lover, to make love or flirt Anglophile- one who loves or admires the country, culture or people of England

NOTE:

Since denotes point of time while for denotes period of time.

E.g. since 1911 , for the past 3 years

17) The woman died before the gynecologist came.

	VOCABULARY
Add had before died Why? When we talk about 2 past actions then for the one which took place earlier past perfect is used and for the subsequent simple past is used. We use past perfect with ‘I wish, if, as if, as though’ if it denotes unfulfilled wish, condition or desire of past E.g. I wish I had passed the examination with good marks.	Root word, gyne- woman, logos- science or study Gynecologist- one who treats female disorder Cardiologist- one who treats heart problems ( kardia- heart) Gynecide- killing of females especially female infants Gynecocracy- Rule or government by women

NOTE:

If the first action led to occurrence of the other action immediately then simple past tense is used for both the actions.

For e.g. When he opened the gate, they came in.

18) He is senior and more experienced than you.

	VOCABULARY
Add to before and Why? If two adjectives uses different prepositions we need to use those prepositions with the respective adjectives. Words superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, prior, junior, senior, prefer are followed by to	Root word, senex- old Senior- older Senile- showing signs of physical and/or mental deterioration generally marks very old age Senescent- aging, growing old Senate- earlier a council of older, now wise individual

After ‘comparatively, relatively’ an adjective of positive degree should be used.

More, most should not be used with ‘excellent, unique, perfect, major, complete, round golden etc’

E.g. He is perfect. (Not more perfect)

The weather is comparatively hot today. (Not comparatively hotter or comparatively hottest)

19) No sooner we read the title of autobiography than he got up and left the room.

	VOCABULARY
Add had after sooner Why? Because the format is: No sooner+ had + subject + V3 Or No sooner + did + subject + V1	Root word, bios- life Biography- writing about someone’s life Autobiography- story of one’s life written by oneself Biopsy- examination of living tissues Autopsy- medical examination of a corpse

NOTE:

when a sentence begins with ‘seldom, never, hardly, scarcely, barely, neither, never, no sooner’ an auxiliary verb should be used before subject.

E.g. Seldom do I go to watch movies. (Here do is an auxiliary verb)

20) He said that he will not live in this patriarchal society.

	VOCABULARY
Replace will by would Why? If the Reporting verb (said) is in past tense then the Reported speech (he will come) will also be in past tense.	Root word, pater/patris-father Patriarch- a venerable, father like old man Patricide- killing of one’s father Paternity- fatherhood Patrimony- an inheritance from one’s father Patronymic- a name formed on the father’s name

21) Had they have anything like my condition; they would have felt doleful and thought of committing suicide.

	VOCABULARY
Replace have by had Why? Because with has, had or have, past participle (V3) is used E.g. He has written a book. Had they had me in their team, I would  have helped them.	Root word, doleo- to suffer or grieve Doleful- filled with grief and sadness Dolorous- sorrowful Condole- to suffer or grieve with (synonym of commiserate) Dolour- poetic synonym of grief

22) Neither Rakesh nor I are innocent.

	VOCABULARY
Replace are by am Why? When two subjects are joined by ‘Either… or, Neither…nor, Not only…but also’ then the verb is used in accordance with the subject adjacent to it.	Root word, noceo- to injure Innocent- not guilty of crime or injury Noxious- harmful, poisonous Innocuous- Harmless

23) I am very interested in reading about malnutrition.

	VOCABULARY
Replace very by much Why? Because the adjectives such as interested, pleased, satisfied, delighted are used with much but not very The adverb very is used with positive adjectives and much with comparative adjective forms. E.g. He is very clever to understand it.	Root word, malus- bad or evil Malnutrition- lack of adequate nourishment Malign- to speak evil about, to defame Malediction- an evil saying i.e. a curse (dico/dictus- to say or tell) Malevolent- wishing evil or harm Maleficent- doing harm or evil (facio/ factus- to do or make) Malefactor- wrongdoer or evildoer or criminal

24) He is quite handsome and voluble.

	VOCABULARY
Replace very by quite Why? The adverb quite should not be used with the adjective handsome. Similarly the adverb ‘as’ is not used after ‘call’ and ‘consider.’ E.g. he called me a fool. I consider him my best friend.	Root word, Volvo/volutus- to roll Voluble- Fluent talkers, the word seems to roll off their tongues with ease Revolve- roll again or keeping turning round Involve- roll in Evolve- roll out; to unfold or gradually develop

NOTE:

The adverb ‘too much’ is used with noun while ‘much too’ is used with adjectives.

E.g. too much pain or much too painful

Similarly, ‘no less than’ should be used with uncountable nouns while ‘no fewer than’ should be used with countable nouns.

25) None of the two sisters gave a sympathetic response.

	VOCABULARY
Use neither instead of none Why? Because ‘either, neither’ is used for two person/things ‘None, no one, any’ is used for more than two persons/ things E.g. None of the four friends is intelligent.   Either of the two brothers is diligent.	Root word, pathos- disease, suffering or feeling Sympathy- sharing or understanding another’s feeling Pathology- study of disease Antipathy- hostility or feeling strong dislike Apathy- Lack of feeling, non-responsiveness Empathy- identification with another’s feelings

NOTE:

Between is used for two persons/things. E.g. between Ram and shyam

‘Among, amid, amidst’ is used for more than two persons/things. E.g. among the winners, amid his friends etc.

26) Who should I invite to visit auditorium?

	VOCABULARY
Replace who by whom Why? Who refers to the subject of sentence while whom refers to the object of sentence. Who basically works as he while whom as him. E.g. Who is responsible for this?        The receptionist asked me whom I wanted to meet in the office.	Root word, arium/ary- place Auditorium- place for public meetings or performances Sanatorium- hospital for chronically ill Aquarium- place where fish are kept Apiary- place where birds are kept Library- place where books are kept

27) After the blissful euphoria of the honeymoon, the husband and wife were having trouble in facing the boring routine of the real world.

	VOCABULARY
Use The before wife. Why? If two singular nouns are joined by ‘and’ but the article is used only with first noun that both the noun represent a single unit, for e.g., The singer and musician represents a single person. If we write The singer and the musician, then it represents two separate persons.	Root word, eu- good Euphoria- good feeling, a sense of mental Peace and physical well being Euphony- good sound Eulogy- a formal speech of praise Euthanasia- etymologically good death i.e. painless death Euphemism- substituting offensive words

28) I never wrote the script despite of her urge to do so.

	VOCABULARY
Remove of Why? Because despite itself means ‘in spite of’ so there is no need of using ‘of’ after despite Similarly await itself means wait for, dispose of means sell away and came across means meet someone accidently or suddenly. So never use await for or dispose off or suddenly came across.	Root word, scibo/scriptus- to write Script- a written document Scribble- to write or draw carelessly and in a hurry Describe- to represent in words or writing Scriptures- holy writings Manuscript- handwritten Inscribe- to write or cut words onto something Postscript- something written after the main part is finished

                                                   

29) The jury was unanimous in their decision, weren’t they?

	VOCABULARY
Replace weren’t they by wasn’t it Why? Collective noun is used in singular for so its question tag should also have singular verb and singular pronoun. If there is a dispute between collective noun or we talk about individual member of collective noun then plural verb and plural pronoun is used E.g. The audience have taken their seats, haven’t they?	Root word, animus- mind Unanimous- of one mind Equanimity- evenness or calmness of mind; composure Pusillanimity- petty mindedness Animosity- anger, resentment, hatred Magnanimous- great, noble minds or souls; quality of forgiving easily

NOTE:

In question tag after negative sentences, ordinary interrogative form should be used while for the positive sentences, negative interrogative should be used.

E.g. They have not told him the news, have they?

I am a student, Aren’t I?  [there is no contacted form of am not so in question tag aren’t is used]

                                                        

30) Susanna was falsely accused with lecherous voyeurs.

	VOCABULARY
Use by instead of with Why? Because correct expression is accused of and charged with E.g. She was charged with/ accused of murder.	Libidinous, lascivious, lecherous, lubricious, licentious, lewd , lustful means ‘sexually curious or longing’

31) He wanted to go to home as he was sick and urgently needed his vitamin tablets.

	VOCABULARY
To should not be used before home. Why? Because the correct format is: ‘come/ go / return /send somebody/ take   somebody + home’	Root word, vita- life Vitamin- one of the many nutritional elements on which life is dependent Vital- essential to life Revitalize- to bring renewed life or vigour to

32) He asked me what did I say about his miserable condition.

	VOCABULARY
Replace ‘did I say’ by ‘I said’ Why? Because in reported speech, question form is not used.	Root word, miser- wretched, heartbroken, worthless Miserable- depressed, despondent Miserly- stingy, tight-fisted

33) Many a soldier have met their death in these subsequent battles.

	VOCABULARY
Use has instead of have and his instead of their Why? If  ‘Many a/an + singular noun’ is used as a subject then singular pronoun and singular verb is used,	Root word, sequor- to follow Subsequent- following, successive Obsequies- burial ceremonies or funeral rites where mourners follow after the corpse Sequel- follow-up Sequence- series, succession

34) After smoking, my all friends wore bovine expressions on their faces.

	VOCABULARY
Use ‘all my’ instead of ‘my all’ Why? Because possessive case can only be used after ‘all’ and ‘both’	Bovine- cow like Leonine- lion like Canine- like a dog Feline- catlike Porcine- pig like Vulpine- fox like; shrewd person Ursine- bear like Lupine- wolf like Equine- horse like Piscine- fish like

35) Carl was a convivial party host who made everyone at the home.

	VOCABULARY
Remove the Why? Because article (a, an, the) is not used with some phrases such as: to lose heart, to set foot, to give ear, at home, last but not least, to catch fire, in hand, set on fire, at last, by mistake etc.	Root word, vivo- to live Convivial- pleasant, friendly Vivacious- vibrant, lively Vivid- possessing the freshness of life; strong; sharp Revive- bring back to life Vivisection- operating on a live animal Viviparous- producing live babies Joie de vivre- joy of living Bon vivant- someone who lives luxuriously

36) The preamble of the international health organization gives a information about the group’s purpose.

	VOCABULARY
Either remove ‘a’ or add piece of after ‘a’ Why? Because before uncountable nouns a/an is not used. For e.g. advice, business, mischief, baggage, luggage, news, stationary, postage, poetry, information, music, knowledge, jewellery, work, evidence, wastage, money etc These uncountable nouns can be made countable by adding some phrases such as a piece of advice, a slice of bread etc.	Root word, Ambulo- to walk Preamble- etymologically walks before i.e. introduction Amble- walk aimlessly Ambulatory- now able to walk though previously bedridden Perambulator- a baby carriage, a vehicle for walking an infant through the streets Somnambulist- sleep walker

37) You are most egocentric person of the town.

	VOCABULARY
Use the before most Why? Because before superlative degree ‘the’ is used.	Root word, ego- one’s concept of oneself Egocentric- utterly involved with oneself; self-centered Egomaniac- excessively, morbidly obsessed with one’s own needs, desires or ambitions

38) Being a rainy day, I had to make alternative arrangements.

	VOCABULARY
Use it before being Why? Because being is used as a participle here and every participle needs a subject so we need to use it before being.	Root word, alter- other Alternative- substitute, another Altruist- concerned about welfare of others Alteration- change, modification Altercation- verbal dispute Alter ego- one’s other self

39) The dermatologist at Max hospital offers services to the patients between 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

	VOCABULARY
Use and instead of to Why? Conjunctions should be used with correct pair. For e.g. though/ although….yet, no sooner….than, hardly/ scarcely….when or before, lest…should, too….should, so…that, from…to, whether…..or, the same….that, both….and, such….that etc	Root word, derma- skin, logos- science or study Dermatologist- one who treats skin diseases Epidermis- outermost layer of skin Taxidermy- prepares, stuffs and mounts the skins of animals Pachyderm- thick skin animal Dermatitis- inflammation of skin

NOTE:

adverb ‘not’ and connective ‘till, unless, lest, until’ should not be used in the same clause.

E.g. Work hard lest you should not succeed. (Remove not from this sentence)

40) My father asked me if I had sufficient enough knowledge about claustrophobia.

	VOCABULARY
Either use sufficient or enough Why? Because both have same meaning and using both of them at the same place to serve the same purpose is of no use.	Root word, phobia- morbid dread or fear Claustrophobia- fear of enclosed places Agoraphobia- fear of open spaces Acrophobia- fear of height Chromophobia- fear of colours Androphobia- fear of males Xenophobia- fear of foreigners

NOTE: Some superfluous expressions/ slangs
Commonly used	Correct use
Freeship, Lecturership	free studentship, lectureship
Return back, reimburse back, recede back	return, reimburse, recede
Equally as good as	equally/ as good as
Coward man
With bag and baggage	bag and baggage
Reason because	reason why/ reason that
During the period of war	during the war
Suppose if	suppose/ if
Final conclusion	conclusion
Funeral service
Mutual agreement
Investigate into	investigate
An English teacher	a teacher of English
(Means a teacher who is a English man)	(Means a teacher who teaches English)
Passing marks	pass marks
Linking language/linking road	link language/link road

     

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