(1) Although/Though, (2) Despite/In spite of, (3) Even if/Even though

The following expressions mean ‘ in spite of something ‘.  They are subordinating conjunctions. Certain relevant points which need to be noted are given below: (i)  The clause which they introduce is a subordinate clause, which needs a main clause to make it complete.(ii) ‘Though’ is more common than  ‘ Although ‘ in general and particularly in spoken English.(iii)  ‘ Despite ‘ is a little formal  compared to  ‘In spite of ‘.(iv) When  ‘though / although ‘comes before the main clause, a comma is usually…

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IT IS (WAS)+ADJECTIVE+ OF SOMEBODY+ TO DO SOMETHING.

It is (was) + adjective + of somebody + to do something : This construction is mainly used to show higher intensity in one’s expression, both good and bad. The important point to be noted here is that we use adjective (Not noun) after ‘ It is/  It was ‘ etc Examples: It was foolish of you to accept the proposal . (Not foolishness of you) It was very cruel of them to have the dog locked in the cage for days without food and…

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Polite Requests

Polite Requests  :  For making polite requests, we use WILL, CAN and MAY.  You can make them still more polite by using past tense forms of them.(i.e Would, Could, and Might).   May I ask you a question? Might I ask you a question?( more polite) Can you lend me your umbrella? Could you lend me your umbrella, please? (more polite) Can you do me a favour? Could you do me a favour?( more polite) Will you post this letter , please? Would you post…

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Simple Future Tense

Simple future Tense : This is used to indicate an action that is still to take place.  ‘ Shall ‘  is used in the first person and ‘ Will ‘ with the second and third persons. Structure :  Subject + Shall/ Will + Verb ( root form) We shall see you again next Sunday. I shall be 46 years of age next year. I shall see him tomorrow. She will not go to school tommow. Rahul and Raichal will go to Dubai next week. You…

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Provided Or Providing = On condition that

Provided  Or Providing =  On condition that Examples. You can borrow my pen provided you return it tomorrow. I will go to meet the customer provided my expenses are paid by the bank. Provided (that) he studies hard, he’ll pass his exams. Provided (that) there is demand from the customers, we will happily introduce the new product. I will go there to meet him providing my expenses are paid by you. Providing (that) the minister comes in time, we’ll submit a memorandum Providing (that) the…

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It is said that…………He is said to

It is said that……….He is said to. It is said that he is a good man. (OR) He is said to be a good man. It is said that Taj Mahal is more than 400 years old. (OR) Taj Mahal is said to be more than 400 years old. It is expected that the strike will be settled soon.(OR)  The strike is expected to be settled soon. You can use these structures with a number of other verbs as: Understood, known, believed, alleged, reported, thought,…

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Wonder

Wonder : Wonder about something = feel curiosity, ask oneself etc Examples. I wonder why he came all the way from Mumbai for such a small function. I wonder why the Mayor came late.  Usually he is very punctual and keeps up timeliness. He was wondering how to get the tickets for the magic show. She was wondering what made me so angry about her plan. I was wondering about how he could be saved from the risk. You can introduce a Request or Enquiry…

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Such………that

Such………that .  It is a correlative conjunction.  It is used to give reason for a particular result.  It can be used to combine two sentences. Examples : It was a very hot afternoon.  We stopped playing. It was such a hot afternoon that we stopped playing. (combined) The boy asked a very foolish question.  Everyone laughed at him. The boy asked such a foolish question that everyone laughed at him. (combined) It was a very interesting story.  I read it in one sitting. It was…

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Past Perfect Tense.

Past Perfect Tense :  This tense is used to denote an action completed in the past before a certain point of time in the past.  Past perfect tense has two past actions ( sometimes one may be hidden or implied) of which one is more remote when viewed from the present time and this particular ‘ more remote action’  is explained by past perfect tense.) To put in other words, here there are two past actions of which one happened earlier than the other.  The…

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How long…….different usages.

(1)  How long have you(been………?) How long have they been married?( we do not say, ” How long are they married? “) They have been married for 25 years.( we do not say, ” They are married for……) He has been in hospital since Saturday.( We do not say, ” He is in hospital……..) I have been learning English for a long time. ( we do not say, ” I am learning …….) I like your house.  How long have you been staying here? I…

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