ACTIVITY-8 (GRAMMAR)
The origin of the word ‘grammar’ is from Latin and French word ‘grammaire’, it means ‘a
letter’. In linguistics, grammar is the set of rules for how a natural language is structured, as
demonstrated by its speakers or writers.
Sentence:
A sentence must have a complete idea that stands alone. This is also called an independent
clause.
e.g. He obtained his degree.
Tenses:
Tenses play a crucial role in the English language. It denotes the time an action takes place,
whether sometime in the past, in the present or will take some time in the future.
Tenses refer to different forms of a verb or verb phrase. We use different tenses to talk or
write about different times. For example, we usually use present tense verb forms to talk
about states, events or actions that happen or are happening in the present time. We usually
use past tense verb forms to talk about past time, to describe events, states or actions that
have finished.
Exercise-1:
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of verbs from the word given in bracket.
1. The film.. ….before we reached. (start)
2. They....... their work by 2 pm. (finish)
3. He.... for magazines and earns. (write)
4. I wish I...... a minister. (be)
5. Water...... into ice. (change)
6. ………. her since she went from here. (not see)
7. We shall not go if it….. (rain)
8. The first world war….. .in 1914. (begin)
9. She/He….. busy in work at that moment. (be)
10. I…......a book, when she came (read)
Subject-Verb Agreement (Concord)
Subjects and verbs must agree in number.
1. If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular too. Example: She writes every
day.
2. If the subject is plural, the verb must also be plural. Example: They write every day.
Exercise-1
Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of verbs from the verbs given in bracket.
1. Ram and Shyam .......brothers. (is/are)
2. Slow and steady .....the race. (win/wins)
3. Eggs and butter .....sold here. (is/are/has)
4. I and not, Ramesh...... going to do this work now. (am/is)
5. Soni .....not do this job. (need / needs)
6. There .....no mangoes here. (is/are)
7 There (is/are) much water in the pond.
8. There (is / are) many objections to such a plan.
9. Each of the girls (has / have) been awarded.
10. The police (has / have) been asked to help the old man.
Articles
Definite and Indefinite Articles
In English there are three articles: a, an, and the. Articles are used before nouns or noun
equivalents and are a type of adjective. The definite article (the) is used before a noun to
indicate that the identity of the noun is known to the reader. The indefinite article (a, an) is
used before a noun that is general or when its identity is not known. There are certain
situations in which a noun takes no article.
Exercise -1
Fill in the blanks with appropriate Articles.
1. He looks as stupid as__owl.
2. I bought__ horse, __ox and ___buffalo.
3. The guide knows ___way.
4. Honest men speak __truth.
5. Copper is __useful metal.
6. He is _honour to his country.
7. The children found___ egg in the nest.
8. English is __easy language.
9.___sun shines brightly.
10. French is___ language of___ people of England.
Prepositions: uses
We commonly use prepositions to show a relationship in space or time or a logical
relationship between two or more people, places or things. Prepositions are most commonly
followed by a noun phrase or pronoun.
Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with appropriate prepositions.
1. I am a little suspicious..... his true intentions.
2. He is proud of his proficiency.....Sanskrit.
3. He seems to be blind.... his friend's mistakes.
4. Let us felicitate him... .his victory.
5. The officer was apprised.... the latest position.
Choose the suitable Preposition from the given alternatives to fill in the blanks in the
sentences.
1. A committee was formed to look..... the memorial.
(1) at. (2) after. (3) for (4) like (5) over
2. Rapid technological progress does not create tension .......workers.
(1) among (2) within (3) between (4) to (5) for
3. One of the committee members brought... an interesting question.
(1) up (2) forward (3) with (4) about (5) against
4. There are certain animals which can live both.... water and......land.
(1) in, the (2) without, also (3) under, the (4) in, on (5) into, the
5. The great scientist conducted himself with ability and moderation......all the conference.
(1). in (2) besides (3) about (4) though (5) through
