Some common Grammar uses

GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE Adjective Clauses An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun. Adjective clauses are used to combine ideas from different sentences into one sentence. Adjective clauses are also called "relative clauses". The house is owned by Tom. The house is on the corner. The house that is on the corner is owned by Tom. adjective clause An adjective clause:  gives additional information about a noun in the independent clause.  uses relative pronouns and question words to connect clauses in a sentence. Relative pronouns are: that, which, who, whom, whose. Question words are: when, where  usually follows the noun that it modifies. An adjective clause can use the relative pronoun as:  the subject of a verb.  the object of a verb.  the object of a preposition. An adjective clause has special punctuation rules:  use a comma to separate an adjective clause from the independent clause if the adjective clause is not needed to identify the subject.  do not use a comma to separate the adjective clause from the independent clause if the adjective clause is needed to identify the subject. GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE Adverbs An adverb modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It usually answers the question: how? Mary ate. How did Mary eat? Mary ate slowly. adverb An adverb is often formed by adding -ly to an adjective An adverb can modify a number of different parts of speech, for example:  a verb  an adjective  a past participle  an adverb An adverb has many different functions, for example:  adverbs of time answer the questions: when? how long? how often?  adverbs of manner answer the question: how is something done?  adverbs of certainty answer the question: how certain is the speaker?  adverbs of completeness answer the question: how much?  adverbs of place answer the question: where? Note: Most adverbs can have a number of different functions, depending on how they are used in a sentence. An adverb must follow rules for word order. Prepositional Phrase Reference Here is a reference sheet of some of the most common prepositional phrases arranged by preposition: AT BY FOR FROM UNDER WITHOUT at first at least at most at times at any rate at last at the latest at once at short notice at an advantage at a disadvantage at risk at a profit /loss by accident by far by all means by heart by chance by and by by the way by the time by no means by name by sight by now by then for now for instance for example for sale for a while for the moment for ages for a change for better or worse from now on from then on from bad to worse from my point of view from what I understand from personal experience under age under control under the impression under guarantee under the influence of under obligation under no obligation under suspicion under his thumb under discussion under consideration without fail without notice without exception without someone's consent without success without warning Now test your understanding of these prepositional phrases by taking these prepositional phrase quizzes: Try Prepositional Phrases Quiz -1 Try Prepositional Phrases Quiz -2 Try Prepositional Phrases Quiz -3 GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE Conditionals A conditional sentence has a dependent if-clause and an independent result-clause. Conditional sentences can be used to express possible, real, cause (condition) and effect (result) relationships OR hypothetical (imaginary, not real) situations. Cause-and-effect relationship If the student passes the test, he will be happy. Cause/condition Effect/result The student will be happy if he passes the test. Effect/result Cause/condition Hypothetical situation If Mary and Tom were married, they would live together. Hypothetical condition Hypothetical result Mary and Tom would live together if they were married. Hypothetical result Hypothetical condition Reality Tom and Mary are not married. Tom and Mary do not live together. Conditional sentences have three basic forms: 1. if-clause in the present tense (shows condition and result relationships in the present or future) 2. if-clause in the simple past tense (shows past condition and result relationship OR shows hypothetical situations in the present or future) 3. if-clause in the past perfect (shows hypothetical situations in the past). Conditional sentences have specific grammar rules for different meanings and functions. GRAMMAR & STRUCTURE Imperatives An imperative is a verb form that uses the simple form of the verb and omits the subject. The imperative form is often used to give instructions or warnings. Eat your vegetables. imperative Imperatives have many functions, for example, they:  give instructions.  offer advice.  make suggestions.  give warnings.  offer something to someone. Imperatives:  use "do not" /"don't" in the negative form.  use "get" in the passive form.  can be used with "and /or + future tense" to show condition.  can have a subject to emphasize who the subject is.