Program : B.

Tech
Subject Name: English for Communication
Subject Code: BT-103
Semester: 1st
Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

UNIT- I
GRAMMAR

1. THE PARTS OF SPEECH:

The parts of speech explain how a word is used in a sentence.
There are eight main parts of speech (also known as word classes): nouns, pronouns,
adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and interjections.
Most parts of speech can be divided into sub-classes. Prepositions can be divided into
prepositions of time, prepositions of place etc. Nouns can be divided into proper nouns, common
nouns, concrete nouns etc.
It is important to know that a word can sometimes be in more than one part of speech.

The Eight main parts of speech in English are:

NOUN - (Naming word)

A noun is the name of a person, place, thing or idea.
Examples of nouns: Daniel, London, table, dog, teacher, pen, city, happiness, hope
Example sentences: Steve lives in Sydney. Mary uses pen and paper to write letters.

PRONOUN - (Replaces a Noun)

A pronoun is used in place of a noun or noun phrase to avoid repetition.
Examples of pronouns: I, you, we, they, he, she, it, me, us, them, him, her, this, those
Example sentences: Mary is tired. She wants to sleep. I want her to dance with me.

ADJECTIVE - (Describing word)

An adjective describes, modifies or gives more information about a noun or pronoun.
Examples: big, happy, green, young, fun, crazy, three
Example sentences: The little girl had a pink hat.

VERB - (Action Word)

A verb shows an action or state of being. A verb shows what someone or something is doing.
Examples: go, speak, run, eat, play, live, walk, have, like, are, is

Page no: 1 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

Example sentences: I like Woodward English. I study their charts and play their games.

ADVERB - (Describes a verb)

An adverb describes/modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb. It tells how, where, when,
how often or to what extent. Many adverbs end in -LY
Examples: slowly, quietly, very, always, never, too, well, tomorrow, here
Example sentences: I am usually busy. Yesterday, I ate my lunch quickly.

PREPOSITION - (Shows relationship)

A preposition shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to another word. They can indicate
time, place, or relationship.
Examples: at, on, in, from, with, near, between, about, under
Example sentences: I left my keys on the table for you.

CONJUNCTION - (Joining word)

A conjunction joins two words, ideas, phrases or clauses together in a sentence and shows how
they are connected.
Examples: and, or, but, because, so, yet, unless, since, if.
Example sentences: I was hot and exhausted but I still finished the marathon.

INTERJECTION - (Expressive word)

An interjection is a word or phrase that expresses a strong feeling or emotion. It is a short
exclamation.
Examples: Ouch! Wow! Great! Help! Oh! Hey! Hi!
Example sentences: Wow! I passed my English test. Great! Alas!

Page no: 2 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

Sometimes Articles are included as the ninth part of speech. Note, an article is a type of an
adjective.

Page no: 3 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

2. ARTICLES - (Defining word)

An article is used before a noun. These are divided into definite (the) and indefinite (a, an).
Articles help define nouns.
Examples: a, an, the
Example sentences: I need a dictionary. The dictionary needs to be in English.
I will be eating an apple pie.
The pronunciation of the definite article(the) depends on the first sound(consonant/vowel) used
after it.
Example: The Earth (vowel)
Example: The book (consonant)

3. TENSES:

Page no: 4 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

Page no: 5 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

4.AUXILIARY VERBS:

What are auxiliary verbs?

Basically, auxiliary verbs are function words, a type of closed class which is constituted of
words that have a grammatical function as opposed to content words, which are an open class of
lexical words. An auxiliary verb is used to add functional or grammatical content to the
information expressed by another verb.

Basically, auxiliary verbs are function words, a type of closed class which is constituted of
words that have a grammatical function as opposed to content words, which are an open class of
lexical words. An auxiliary verb is used to add functional or grammatical content to the
information expressed by another verb, considered to be the main verb. Auxiliary verbs are also
called helping verbs.

Examples:

 I am writing a book.
 He has done the work.
 We will be there in a minute.
 Would you help me with this homework?
 Can you open the door?
 Did you visit New York last holiday?
 Do you like chocolate?
 They must get there on time.

List of auxiliary verbs

This is a list of English auxiliary verbs:

 be (am, are, is, was, were, being),

 can,
 could,
 do (did, does, doing),
 have (had, has, having),
 may,
 might,
 must,
 shall,
 should,
 will,
 would

 I am writing a book.
 He has done the work.
 We will be there in a minute.

Page no: 6 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

 Would you help me with this homework?

 Can you open the door?
 Did you visit New York last holiday?
 Do you like chocolate?
 They must get there on time.

List of auxiliary verbs

This is a list of English auxiliary verbs:

 be (am, are, is, was, were, being),

 can,
 could,
 do (did, does, doing),
 have (had, has, having),
 may,
 might,
 must,
 shall,
 should,
 will,
 would

5. Subject- Verb Agreement:

THE 18 SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
What Are the Rules?
1. Subjects and verbs must agree in number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms the
background of the concept. In these examples the subject is underlined and the verb is in italics.
The dog growls when he is angry. The dogs growl when they are angry.
2. Don’t get confused by the words that come between the subject and verb; they do not affect
agreement.
The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.
3. Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb usually do not affect agreement.
The colours of the rainbow are beautiful.
4. When sentences start with “there” or “here,” the subject will always be placed after the verb,
so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly.
There is a problem with the balance sheet. Here are the papers you requested.

Page no: 7 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

5. Subjects don't always come before verbs in questions. Make sure you accurately identify the
subject before deciding on the proper verb form to use.
Where are the pieces of this puzzle?
6. If two subjects are joined by "and," they typically require a plural verb form.
The cow and the pig are jumping over the moon.
7. The verb is singular if the two subjects separated by "and" refer to the same person or thing.
Red beans and rice is my mom's favorite dish.
8. If one of the words "each," "every," or "no" comes before the subject, the verb is singular.
No smoking or drinking is allowed. Every man and woman is required to check in.
9. If the subjects are both singular and are connected by the words "or," "nor," "neither/nor,"
"either/or," and "not only/but also" the verb is singular.
Jessica or Christian is to blame for the accident.
10. The singular verb form is usually used for units of measurement or time.
Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.
11. If the subjects are both plural and are connected by the words "or," "nor," "neither/nor,"
"either/or," and "not only/but also" the verb is plural.
Dogs and cats are both available at the pound.
12. If one subject is singular and one plural and the words are connected by the words "or,"
"nor," "neither/nor," "either/or," and "not only/but also", you use the verb form of the subject that
is nearest the verb.
Either the bears or the lion has escaped from the zoo. Neither the lion nor the bears have escaped
from the zoo.
13. * Except for the pronouns "few," "many," "several," "both," "all," and "some" that always
take the plural form.
Few were left alive after the flood.
14. If two infinitives are separated by "and" they take the plural form of the verb.
To walk and to chew gum require great skill.
15. Collective nouns like "herd," "senate," "class," and "crowd," usually take a singular verb
form.
The herd is stampeding.
16. Final Rule – Remember, only the subject affects the verb!

Page no: 8 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

6. Preposition:The word preposition means ‘that which is positioned or placed before’

(pre+positioned). Thus a prepositioned is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to show the
relation between the noun or pronoun and some other word in a sentence.

 The student sat on the ground.

 The boy was sitting in the car.
 I am fond of mangoes.
 I am going with Rahul.

Types of Prepositions:

1. Simple Preposition: in, of, at, by, for, off, on, out, up, with, till, to, through, with, etc.
 Come in the class.
 He climbed up the mountain.
2. Compound Prepositions: These prepositions are usually formed by prefixing a
preposition (generally ‘a’ or ‘be’) to a noun and adjective or an adverb. These include:
within, without, outside, across, among, around, behind, before, between, beyond, inside,
amidst, etc.
 A river flows below the bridge.
 Do not speak ill of a person behind his back.
3. Double Prepositions: These prepositions are a combination of two individual
prepositions. Out of, outside of, from behind, from beneath, etc.
 He came from behind the wall.
 My father gifted me a new watch out of love.

4. Phrase Prepositions: these are group of words used with the force of a single preposition.
These include: according to, in accordance with, in addition to, in reference to, on account of,
along with, on account of, with reference to, in order to, for the sake of, etc.

 Instead ofMridul, his brother came and apologized.

 The programmes should be organized in accordance with the norms of the institution.
 You must work hard in order to pass the examination.
 Soldiers die in the war for the sake of their countries.

Page no: 9 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

7. Active- Passive Voice:

Definition: Verbs are either active or passive in voice. In the active voice, the subject and verb
relationship is straightforward: the subject is a do-er. In the passive voice, the subject of the
sentence is not a do-er. It is shown with by + do-er or is not shown in the sentence.
Passive voice is used when the action is the focus, not the subject. It is not important (or not
known) who does the action.
Examples:


I killed the snake. (active)
The snake was killed by me. (passive)



Jatin ate an orange cake. (active)
An orange cake was eaten by Jatin. (passive)



We will perform a dance. (active)
A dance will be performed by us. (passive)



We are going to watch a movie tonight. (active)
A movie is going to be watched by us tonight. (passive)


 The house was painted by Tom. (passive)
Tom painted the house. (active)

Use of Passive
Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action. It is not important or not known, however,
who or what is performing the action.

Example: My bike was stolen.

In the example above, the focus is on the fact that my bike was stolen. I do not know, however,
who did it.

Sometimes a statement in passive is more polite than active voice, as the following example
shows:

Example: A mistake was made.

In this case, I focus on the fact that a mistake was made, but I do not blame anyone (e.g. You
have made a mistake.).

Page no: 10 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

Form of Passive

Subject + finite form of to be + Past Participle (3rd column of irregular verbs)

Example: A letter was written.

When rewriting active sentences in passive voice, note the following:

 the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence
 the finite form of the verb is changed (to be + past participle)
 the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence (or is dropped)

Tense Subject Verb Object

Writes a letter.
Simple Present Active: Rita

Passive: A letter is written by Rita.

Simple Past Active: Rita Wrote a letter.

Passive: A letter was written by Rita.

Present Perfect Active: Rita has written a letter.

Passive: A letter has been written by Rita.

Future I Active: Rita will write a letter.

Passive: A letter will be written by Rita.

Future II Active: Rita can write a letter.

Passive: A letter can be written by Rita.

Page no: 11 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

8. Direct- Indirect Speech:

 Quoting the exact words of the speaker is called “The Direct Speech”.
o David said, “I am writing a letter now”.

 Reporting of what a speaker said without quoting his exact words is called ‘Indirect
Speech’.
o David said that he was writing a letter then.

Direct Speech - Indirect Speech

Now - then

Here - there

here after - there after

This - that

These - those

Ago - before

Thus - so

to-day - that day

to-night - that night

last night - the previous night

the day before (or)

Yesterday -
the previous day

the next day (or)

Tomorrow -
the following day

the week before (or)

last week -
the previous week

the week after (or)

next week -
the following week

the month before (or)

last month -
the previous month

next month - a month after

Hither - thither

Page no: 12 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

Hence - thence
 If the reporting verb is in the Present or Future tense (e.g., say, will say) there is no change in the
tense of the verb in the Indirect Speech.
-Antony says, “I eat a mango”. (D.S.)
-Antony says, that he eats a mango”. (I.S.)

 If Reporting Verb is in the Past Tense. The tense of the verbs in the reported speech or Indirect
Speech must be generally changed.

1.Present Tense in the Direct becomes past tense.

- Johnsi said, “I write a letter”. (D.S.)
- Johnsi said that she wrote a letter. (I.S.)

2. Past Tense in the direct becomes past perfect or remains unchanged.

-Angel said, “I brought a pen yesterday”. (D.S)
-Angel said that she had bought a pen the day before. (I.S.)

3. Present Continuous in the direct becomes past continuous.

-John said, “I am going to church”. (D.S.)
-John said that he was going to church. (I.S.)

4. Past Continuous in the direct becomes past perfect continuous.

-Nelson said, “I was playing cricket”. (D.S.)
-Nelson said that he had been playing cricket. (I.S.)

5. Present Perfect in the direct becomes past perfect.

-Kamal said, “I have done my homework”. (D.S.)
-Nelson said that he had done his homework. (I.S.)

6. Present Perfect Continuous in the direct becomes past perfect continuous.

-He said, “I have been reading a novel”. (D.S.)
-He said that he had been reading a novel. (I.S.)

7. ‘Will’ and ‘Shall’ are changed to ‘would’.

-He said, “I will go to London tomorrow”. (D.S.)
-He said that he would go to London the next day. (I.S.)

Page no: 13 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

May - Might

Can - Could

must - had to (or) must

-James said, “I must go now”. (D.S)

-James said that she must (or) had to go then. (I.S.)

Exception to the above rule:

If the direct speech contains the Universal Truth, the tense of the direct speech remains
unchanged even if the reporting verb is in the past.

The teacher said, “The sun rises in the East”. (D.S.)

The teacher said that the sun rises in the East. (I.S.)

Statement (or) Assertive Sentence

Rules:
 Remove the quotation marks in the statement
 Use the conjunction‘that’
 Change the reporting verb ‘say to’ into ‘tell’
 Change the reporting verb ‘said to’ into ‘told’

Note:
 He said that (correct)
 He told me that (correct)
 He told that (Incorrect)

1. “I will work hard to get first class” said Lazar (D.S.)

Lazar said he would work hard to get first class. (I.S.)

2. “You can do this work” said Nitin to Neha (D.S.)

Nitin told Neha that he could do that work. (I.S.)

3. He says, “I am glad to be here this evening.” (D.S.)

He says that he is glad to be there that evening. (I.S.)

4. “I‘m going to the library now” said David (D.S.)

David said that he was going to the library then. (I.S.)

Page no: 14 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

Downloaded from be.rgpvnotes.in

1. He said, “John will be in London on Tuesday.”

He said that John would be in London on Tuesday.

2. “I never eat meat”, he explained.

He explained that he never ate meat.

3. He said, “I wish I knew.”

He said that He wished he knew.

4. She says, “I shall be there.”

She said that she will be there.

5. He said, “She is coming this week.”

He said that she was coming that week.

6. He said, “I bought this pearl for my mother.”

He said that he had bought that pearl for his mother.

7. He said, “Where is she going?”

He asked where she was going.

8. He said, “Lucy, when is the next bus.”

He asked Lucy when the next bus was.

9. “Is anyone there?” she asked.

She asked if anyone was there.

10. The mother said, “Lie down, David.”

The mother asked David to lie down.

11. He said, “Don’t move, boys.”

He asked the boys not to move.

12. He said, “Please say nothing about this.”

He asked her to say nothing about that.

Page no: 15 Follow us on facebook to get real-time updates from RGPV

 We hope you find these notes useful.
You can get previous year question papers at
https://qp.rgpvnotes.in .

If you have any queries or you want to submit your

study notes please write us at
[email protected]