Not only ……..but also

Not only………..but also. The above structure can be explained well through an example as follows: Tom is a good painter.  He is a singer too. Tom is not only a good painter but also a singer.(combined) Not only is Tom a good painter but also a singer.( emphasis added) ( From these two sentences we can understand that the speaker has given prominence to the fact that he is a good painter.  And he adds that he is a singer too.  Here what is more…

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Unless = if not, except when.

Unless = if not, except when.   ‘ Unless ‘ is not used in imaginary/unreal or hypothetical situations. ‘ Unless ‘ negates a sentence  and therefore no further negation is required by adding No/None/Not etc as in the case of ‘ If’. Unless you work hard, you will not pass the exam. I will not go to the party unless I am invited. If he weren’t so stupid , he would understand it. ( here we don’t use ‘ Unless’ as it is an imaginary or…

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Must have (done)

Must have (done) – (1)  – to express the present supposition /guessing of what would have happened in the past. We must have taken the wrong road. The sign board was not clear. She predicted that such a creature must have existed. It must have been dreadfully difficult.  How did you manage the situation? It must have been agonising for the people around you. We rang the calling bell but he didn’t come out.  He must have been asleep. You looked weak and pale.  You…

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Compare ‘Will have + past participle ‘ with other perfect forms.

Compare ‘ Will have + past participle ‘with other perfect forms.  This is a short comparison of ‘ Present Perfect, Future Perfect and Past Perfect ‘ Examples: They have been married for 20 years.( present perfect – shows the present position. We don’t say , ‘ They are married for…………..)) By the end of December next year they will have been married for 21 years. ( future perfect   – shows the future position.  We don’t say, ‘ They will be married for……..)) When their first…

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May / Might as well

May / Might as well :  This particular expression is used for making suggestions.  This expression suggests a different course of action would be preferable and this frequently occurs in everyday conversation.  This is used mainly on informal occasions.  ‘ Might as well ‘ is more common than ‘ May as well ‘. A :  Here comes the bus.  We might as well take it. B:  Yes, we might as well. A:  How slow this bus is ! We might as well walk. B:  We…

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Shall – Modal expressions.

Shall – Modal expressions: (1)  ‘ Shall ‘ is used with the second and third person to express a ‘ Command or Promise ‘. He shall not enter my garden. (command) You shall get a prize if you top the class.( i.e I promise that I will give you a prize) Students shall not pick flowers from the garden. (2)  ‘ Shall ‘ is used with the first person to ask the opinion , suggestion etc. Shall I close the door?  (i.e Do you wish…

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Will – Modal expressions.

Will – Modal expressions. (1)  Determinations. I will punish him. I will get a first-class in the next examination. (2) A third person’s volition. The old man will sit in the beach for hours together. Some people will leave this door open.  They won’t close it properly. (3) Assumption or probability. This will be the boy who got the prize. ( I suppose…….) ( The phone rings). That will be Rozanne, I expect. The rain will come soon. (4) We use I’ll ( = I…

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