Grammar

Posts in Think and Speak tagged ‘Grammar’

1
Truly, Madly

Words ending in -ly are often adverbs, but it’s a dangerous rule to follow: see if you can do better.

Adverbs (words that indicate in what manner something was done) often end with -ly, e.g. slowly, neatly, surreptitiously. However, the ending -ly is not an infallible guide to spotting adverbs. Use each of the words below in a sentence, and say what part of speech it is (e.g. adverb, adjective, noun etc.).

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2
Subject and Object

Compose two sentences for each of these nouns, one where it is the subject of the verb and (if possible) one where it is the object.

Use each word below in two sentences, first as the subject of a verb, and then as the object of a verb. It doesn’t have to be the same verb: some verbs can’t be paired with an object (e.g. arrive, happen), so watch out for these.

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3
Active and Passive

Show by means of sentences whether these verbs can be used both in active and also in passive constructions.

In the sentence ‘John repairs clocks’ John is the cause of the repairs; we say that this sentence is in the active voice. But in the sentence ‘The clock has been repaired’ the clock is not the cause of the repair; we call this a passive sentence. For each verb below, try to write one active sentence and one passive sentence. For which verbs is this awkward or not possible?

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4
Prepositions

Make up sentences to show which prepositions we use after each word given.

Each of the words below may be followed by one or more prepositions. Compose your own sentences to show which they might be. Some prepositions are given underneath.

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5
Adjectives

Compose your own sentences to bring out the meaning of these adjectives.

For each word below, compose sentences to show that it may be used as an adjective. Adjectives provide extra information about a noun, e.g. a black cat, a round table, the early bird etc..

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6
By Leaps and Bounds

Make up a scenario for each of these prepositional phrases, such as ‘beyond endurance’ or ‘for no reason at all’.

Use the following phrases in suitable sentences, or little snatches of dialogue. You will notice that each phrase begins with a preposition.

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